Save My Earth

Archive for the ‘Going Green’ Category

New metal-air batteries are better for the environment. These new batteries, which are becoming part of our energy future, don’t combust. This makes them less harmful to you and the environment.

These fuel cell batteries are replaceable and are available in smaller versions, mainly hearing aids, and in select stores. They also cost less.

Definitely worth buying for a healthy and clean future.

http://www.green-energy-news.com/arch/nrgs2010/20100077.html

This weather with its melting ice, record high hot temperatures and record cold temperatures are affecting our planet and we need to make changes now.

And because of this scientists have proven that with the global climate change, we will get more snow and rain because of high precipitation.

We should all be eliminating our carbon footprint to help our planet.

http://www.green-energy-news.com/arch/nrgs2010/20100067.html

“Don’t Tread on My Green”
-Mother Earth

(Reducing our Carbon Footprint)

Every time we start our cars, plug in cell phones, leave our computers on overnight, or turn on a porch light, we are contributing to our
nation’s “Carbon Footprint.” There are complex mathematical calculations and computer models that predict how Greenhouse Gasses will affect people, populations, and interconnected communities around the globe — today and in the future.

Many scientific predictions are quite dire, and on the opposite pole, some scientists still maintain that these climate fluctuations must be looked at in terms of millennia and planetary cycles, and not centuries.

What cannot be denied is that human beings, since the inception of the
Industrial Revolution, have added industrially spawned accelerating
‘warming’ trends in the form of carbon dioxide, methane, hydroflourocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and perflourocarbons. Certainly, as laypeople, we have seen and felt climate change in our own lifetimes.

These effects include:
droughts,
floods,
fires,
seasonal extremes and
environmental degradation.

These factors incapacitate wealthy and impoverished communities in different ways, causing instability and human and economic expense.

For our children and our grandchildren, it is important, from both a scientific and intuitive standpoint, most believe, to come into a greater natural balance with the rare, beautiful marble floating uniquely in a miraculous state of environmental and planetary equilibrium, the Earth. We must all consider how our daily actions and choices may affect the future, and the human civilizations that call our only planet, “Home.”

Temperature fluctuations affect coral reefs, fish and food cycles, plant
cycles, birds, bee colonies, human behavior, health, asthma, immunity, and allergy — and food production.

The Kyoto Protocol represents a complicated global effort by industrialized nations and developing countries to reduce greenhouse gasses using different targets and compliance standards for each country based on many factors.

Some nations, and unified body politics, like the European Union, have taken an aggressive approach to meeting and exceeding these targets; and others have much work to do to meet goals to bring these trapped heating gasses, which can exist for one hundred years, back into check. Each nation has different criteria based on economics, politics, development, law, the habits and customs of its people, as well as science and technologies that are available and affordable.

If developing and industrialized nations disregard these warming trends,
most credible scientists points to grave results for humanity and wildlife.

These include: rising sea levels, volatile storm systems, water table
contamination, and general environmental instability in terms of difficult
to adapt to swings in temperature. In the U.S., culturally, we ‘adapt’ to
these swings in temperature with air conditioning when it is ‘unseasonably hot,’ and fossil fuel or gas heat, ‘when it is too cold.’ There are manyhidden economical, political, military, and environmental costs, to this addiction to fossil fuel technology and its byproducts.

Other poorer nations do not have this ‘luxury’ of artificial heating and
cooling appliances, and may experience serious humanitarian and mortal effects from these swings. And the use of these energy-eating machines by developing nations, simply adds to the fossil fuel debt and carbon impact, creating a negative and addictive environmental cycle for all.

Farming and food supply have also been directly affected by these
temperature and ecosystem instabilities. The point is, unless we are sure we are not harming the Earth with our industrial processes, we should make serious national and international efforts to curb our impact on climate change across the globe. One thing is certain: our reliance on fossil fuels and industry to produce a surplus of unnecessary products and services, for profit, deeply affects animals, ecosystems, military policy, human population and health – and will affect future generations in ways that are difficult to entirely predict.

There can be no singular effort on this front. Governments must continue to initiate legal measures towards corporate and individual responsibility, working to make it simpler and also profitable for people, companies and communities to affect positive changes and reduce potential environmental impact. Organizations that promote sustainable development, reduced chemical reliance, reforestation, pedestrian-friendly transportation and improved technologies, are just a start.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems, wind energy, and solar technologies offer many sustainable solutions, but without changes in culture, habits, economics, and political and legal will, it is difficult for companies to provide these at affordable and accessible prices to corporations and to the public, for these entities compete on the world market with others who may not comply. Corporations are designed to consider the bottom line above the public, and this is a systemic problem with many complex environmental effects.

Obviously, in the U.S., our habits ‘consume us,’ and too many environmental resources are burdened by our ‘normal patterns.’ As an industrialized nation, we digest far too many of the world’s resources to ‘maintain our lifestyle,’ and efforts to change from a “fossil fuel nation” to something more sustainable is often talked about by companies who see real change as remote from the ‘bottom line,’ and instead tout small changes to boost public relations, or buy or trade carbon credits from others, instituting ‘business as usual.’

From the our grocery store shelves with thirty different toothpaste choices, and all of the packaging that goes into that, to the reliance in suburbia on driving everywhere, and our dependence on cheap plastics, (also a fossil fuel), one has to wonder if the Kyoto Protocol and other environmental initiatives are not just a palliative measure to calm the masses while corporations continue on until laws prevent them from doing so.

There are many organizations and businesses leading the charge for change. But governments must be willing to reign in corporate interests strictly and legally, with monetary incentives, to maintain the public trust. Until this happens, people can work towards making a change, but structurally, will need more than that to affect real systemic change.

Also, many environmental groups operate using a ‘competitive’ model, instead of pooling resources and political clout, functioning at cross purposes. For example, Greenpeace should not be competing with The World Wildlife Federation and the Nature Conservancy. They should combine to make one unified environmental voice for the planet, saving on paper, and resources as part of their efforts.

Chemical manufacturers are also to blame for these gasses and for much of pollution in general. We can refuse to use pesticides on our lawns, which rely on poisons, biological weapons, and fossil fuels; and they hurt families and encourage dis-ease.

As individuals, people can look at their workplace ‘cultures’ realistically.
Schools and other government entities should lead this change, and many have. In environmentally friendly and ‘pedestrian’ or ‘cycling’- minded cultural communities in many states, people have pushed for more bike lanes or other pedestrian friendly channels for commuting and recreation. Children and responsible caring adults will happily add ideas and knowledge to these institutional and governmental initiatives if these are supported and encouraged, and perhaps even rewarded in some way. ‘Community gardens’ and restaurants, organic and local farming, and other quality of life choices can be encouraged by local governments. And people can vote for those who support real environmental change, or run for these positions themselves.

The human mind, or ideas, fuel innovation. But the human mind is also
functioning in a system or ‘Web’ created by governmental, political and
economic bodies. And so, these must work in tandem to be successful.

For example, a teacher at a school may promote an ‘Environmental Club,’ or organic garden, based on his or her beliefs or values, but not be supported by the administration. Automatically, this reduces that individual’s impact. If the town in which a school or institution exists, does not support a realistic and regular effort to recycle paper, or pick up bottles at that school, that entity will be wasteful on a systemic scale, and contribute to a greater carbon footprint as a result of non recycled paper, etc., and the processes that go into making it, and breaking it down in landfills is translated into waste. In that case, the concerned employee may ‘recycle’ in his or her own way, bringing home paper and bottles to put out on the curb at home for community pick up. This requires efforts by the individual alone, and has an impact, but it would not be nearly as effective as institutionalized systems that support such behaviors. There are many examples of this pattern. An individual may want to save up for a geothermal
or solar system for one’s home, to ‘get off the grid,’ but if it is not
affordable based on economics, the employee’s wage, or market accessibility, that consumer will be ‘trapped’ in the fossil fuel system. And so, political and economic systems must be in place to realistically change things at the deepest levels for all nations.

People work in offices, and may use their values to initiate change or put political pressure on governments and their employers, for the good of all. Some initiatives would include: encouraging new designs and technologies to reduce waste. Spearheading recycling programs and scheduling company wide conservation measures such as making sure lights and computers are not left on overnight, etc. Carpooling is also helpful. In addition, the archaic and primitive scheduling of the ‘Nine to Five,’ five day work week forces most people to travel to work, and home, at once. This causes idling, more gas consumption, traffic accidents, and an inefficient system. As technology advances, careers should become more ‘flex time’ oriented, to meet the needs
of families and to lessen the bottleneck conditions of ‘rush hour’ on the
roads, which is directly related to gas consumption. Companies that
encourage Telecommuting are at the forefront of modern employment practices that encourage environmental conservation and family preservation.

Companies in the design, manufacturing, and auto industries should attempt to improve environmentally sustainable practices. Some companies are leading this movement by reducing their carbon imprint to “Net Zero Energy,”by installing geothermal or solar systems, or applying for a “U.S. Gold Rating”under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). These awards are won by companies that meet and exceed certain environmental standards. In order to receive this certification, companies agree to timeline changes to implement these processes. This is good public relations, but it is also good community policy, for it reduces the carbon footprint for all.

As individuals, we have to work to reduce our own impact. Walking or cycling to places we normally drive, installing power strips in our homes, and encouraging pedestrian friendly streets and public transportation is a start. Supporting organizations that plant trees and protect ecosystems should be an option for holiday gifts, instead of blind consumerism. Also, energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs and other electricity conserving measures should be instituted in areas where it makes sense to do so. Porch and basement lights can be fluorescent, most mail can be recycled, and individuals can also make purchases at the grocery store and elsewhere that promote sustainable farming, ethical food production, a sustainable wage, and human health. Indeed, our individual habits create the world future generations will inherit, and so pressures should be placed on companies and governments to create real laws that consider the public and environmental good, above all else. Land sprawl and development should also be brought into check, and better urban and suburban design should be spearheaded by concerned citizens who value quality of life, over profit driven entities.

Indeed, there are many small and large steps and a rethinking of our habits and patterns, that will promote or reduce our carbon footprint. In a sense, each action we take, or do not take, creates a domino effect for future generations and for individual families and communities. Supporting companies with our dollars, that promote environmental sustainability, is a large step we can take today to reduce our individual and societal footprint. We can purchase coffee made on organic farms, walk more, and buy holiday gifts that are “Certified Fair Trade” by governmental bodies that encourage business to be environmentally or ‘worker and wage’ friendly. We can contribute money to reforestation organizations instead of buying “Uncle Charlie” another sweater. We can reduce our consumption, and encourage employer-initiatives that make the world a better place for our children.

Making small changes in our habits and our thinking, works important magic, and send a message to companies that depend on our precious dollars, as well. And our national laws and individual practices should be at the forefront of these policy, corporate, and systemic consumer changes that would make a difference for us all.

http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumed/tips.html

http://www.americanforests.org/

http://www.kyotoprotocol.com/

http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php

http://my.nature.org/gifts/index.html?gclid=CIax7o_LwaUCFYnd4AodlWgpXg

http://www.transfairusa.org/

http://www.ecomall.com/

http://www.squidoo.com/recycledgifts/

The Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award is awarded to companies that contribute to conserving, caring and protecting the environment. The company strives towards zero waste and emissions.

Not only are Earth Friendly Products in an eco-friendly building and 5 other facilities throughout the U.S., but they also look for green suppliers and vendors to do business with. Not only are their sources 100% natural, they also strive to educate children on an eco-friendly lifestyle.

http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=541282&Itemid=32

Are you tired of buying dozens of boxes when you move then having to discard them when you are done? Bungo Box has the solution. This moving company used stackable plastic containers made of recycable materials which are dropped off and picked up after the move.

Cardboard waste fills our landfills by up to 41% so this eco-friendly option is a great way to help our planet. So the next time you plan on moving take into consideration your planet.

http://www.greenpacks.org/2010/11/11/bungo-box-helps-the-planet-when-you-move-house/#more-9497

Being kind to the earth has become very important especially to New Yorkers.

And though they are more expensive, green roofs have a longer life span not to mention a huge tax break, so eco-friendly roofs are definitely worth the investment. The largest community to have a green roof in the Big Apple is the One Irving Place coops.

The following are options for eco-friendly roofs: wood shingles and shakes, recycled shingles, slate and clay tiles and metal roofing.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/eco-friendly-roofing-options.aspx

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