This time though, the focus is on T. Boone Pickens, the oil tycoon turned renewable. He has launched a nationwide campaign to promote alternative fuel sources to help America quit its addiction to foreign oil. You may have seen his commercials aired on the television.
He is currently in hot pursuit of wind energy and is in the midst of creating the world’s largest wind farm in Texas. The farm near Sweetwater, Texas, will produce 4,000 megawatts of wind power, enough to double the United States’ wind energy output.
Pickens Plan is to find enough renewable energy sources to bide time while we create better technologies for fuel sources. If we better utilize our natural gas and create wind generation facilities, we will have the opportunity to replace 1/3 of foreign oil in ten years.
T. Boone plans to take this campaign to the new President of the United States and to make sure the voices are heard within the first 100 days of his presidency. He is calling for your help to be heard, click here to read more.
Remember our previous post about Fort Pickens? The mystery of the solar panels atop an abandoned building? Some of you thought those panels powered a meth lab, others an emergency shelter, and some of you guessed right (yes, you). The mystery has been solved! Thanks to a Roxanne, a representative from the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Those panels, seen below, have been used to power fans, also seen below, to keep air filtering through the building after the affects of Hurrican Ivan. Throughout the park, there are 20 fans or so all powered through sunlight.
Pretty awesome huh?! Thanks for the knowledge Roxanne!
I originally posted this information on my health food and nutrition blog: Laurel On Health Food.
Women’s Health Magazine says grass-fed beef is where it’s at. Did you know that the majority of U.S. bovines feed on a mix of grains (mostly corn) instead of grass? Forcing cattle to eat a diet full of grains allows ranchers to fatten them up quicker and get the meat to our stores faster and cheaper. But, the quality of life for the bovines suffers as does the quality of our meat. Compared with a serving of grain-fed beef, healthier grass-fed beef has 1/3 less fat, almost twice the amount of omega-3s, twice the amount of conjugated linoleic acid (CLAs), and fewer cases of E. coli. (Ref: Women’s Health Magazine, July/August, p. 86-93)
Women’s Health says to look for black and white labels on your meat that say “GRASS-FED AND USDA PROCESS VERIFIED.” Also reach for labels that say “organic,” “antibiotic-free,” and “hormone-free.” The healthiest cuts of beef are: top sirloin, 95% lean ground beef, top round roast, sirloin tip steak side, bottom round roast, and eye round roast.
Grass-fed beef is also significantly better for the environment. Growing corn for feed produces a ton of greenhouse gases and also adds more chemical fertilizers to the soil. Every year, the U.S. grows 1.5 billion bushels of corn strictly for cow feed. Yikes! It takes 50% less fossil fuel energy to produce grass-fed beef as it does grain-fed.
As I’m sure you’ve noticed, grass-fed beef is considerably more expensive. But, consider that the American Institute for Cancer Research recommends that you eat less than 18 ounces per week. Save that steak dinner for special occasions or when you’re really having a craving. When you do, go ahead and splurge on the top-quality grass-fed kind. It tastes better too!
My best pal Lauren from Dallas, TX just purchased her first house. She wanted to check out her options for renewable energy and found the Power to Choose website from Texas Electric Choice. The site teaches you about making an informed decision when you choose the best electric provider for you. After doing her research, Lauren decided to go with Gexa Energy, a “dynamic retail electricity provider based in Houston” that offers a “100% wind-powered, 100% pollution-free energy option.”
If you live outside of Texas, you can visit the U.S. DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy page to see if there is green power available in your area. The State-Specific Utility Green Pricing Programs table shows utilities in specific areas, their green program, the type of green energy they use, and how much you’ll pay for it. If you don’t see your current electric company on the list, visit your company’s website and see if they’re doing anything to move towards renewable or alternative energy.
If your local provider doesn’t offer any green power, you can purchase green energy certificates such as green tags or tradable renewable certificates (TRCs). TRCs allow you to “buy green power anywhere, regardless of whether or not your utility or supplier offers green power.” Try Green-e or choose from this huge list of renewable energy certificate marketers.
What better way to celebrate Dear Old Dad than let him know his kid will live in a healthier world for years to come? Well, there isn’t a better way!
Check out some gift ideas for Pops this Father’s day…It is June 15 in case you need reminding…
Dads are always mowing the lawn, why not let him save some carbon footprints and get some exercise while he makes his lawn green green green! Cleanairgardening.com offers many options for manual lawn mowers.
Swinging atop the lawn he just mowed on his new HAMMOCK! This hammock by Gaiam is made of recycled soda cans. Also check out a hemp version handmade by the Tekiah Hemp Co-Op.
While we are at it, let Dad take out the trash to his new Compost Bin! The Green Machine is easy to spin & provides the perfect environment for decomposition.
Okay, maybe your Dad isn’t into chores when it comes to celebrating his fatherhood. Why not celebrate his favorite pasttime by giving him…
A pen made from the wooden chairs in his favorite baseball stadium. Unique, provides a conversation in any business situation, and brings in a flood of memories allowing the wood to live forever in a different form.
Or give him what he really needs after dealing with his kids all day…a drink! Try a sampler set of Organic Beer. Ranging from a pack of 4-10 beers depending on how much grief you have given him over the years.
A study conducted by the League of Conservation voters looked at all of the major debates and interviews in 2007 that involved the presidential candidates. They logged the number of times “global warming” was mentioned by some of the top political reporters. Their findings are truly scary. Only a couple out of thousands of questions even mention global warming. Check out this “Get the Facts” page to view the data.
Want to take action? You can sign one of these petitions to urge the media outlets to start asking the right questions about global warming and make it a priority for interviews in the 2008 election season.
You might also want to check out this video filmed in March 2008 for TED: Ideas Worth Spreading.
About this talk from TED.com:
“In Al Gore’s brand-new slideshow (premiering exclusively on TED.com), he presents evidence that the pace of climate change may be even worse than scientists were recently predicting, and challenges us to act with a sense of “generational mission” — the kind of feeling that brought forth the civil rights movement — to set it right. Gore’s stirring presentation is followed by a brief Q&A in which he is asked for his verdict on the current political candidates’ climate policies and on what role he himself might play in future.”
Green things come in so many shapes and sizes, especially when you aren’t expecting them.
I was asked to travel a distance of 20 minutes to assist a friend in picking up a part for his car. This is not a normal task, but he is a nice friend, so I rode along for good music and conversation. Little did I know he was on a mission that turned out to be one of eco-friendliness.
What he purchased at his local auto parts store was The World’s Best Air Filter. Literally. This air filter by K&N will not only improve gas mileage on his already efficient Subaru, but it comes with a million mile warranty, can be washed and reused, and will never have to be replaced for the lifetime of the car.
Here is what you can contribrute to the Earth and save for a small price in changing your air filter:
Improved gas mileage - saves dollars & emissions. Cars work better when there is more air flow to the engine, a clogged air filter will restrict this flow.
Waste - both in dollars & land fills. According to the very informative box this air filter comes in, over 100 million disposable air filters are thrown out every year.
Paper - unlike traditional air filters made of layers of paper, the World’s Best Air Filter is made of cotton gauze which is easy to wash.
Time - this air filter is very easy to install (we did it right in the parking lot with no tools!), and it only has to be cleaned every 50,000 miles, so no need to rush your laundry.
Are you looking for a quick and easy way to lead an eco-friendly life? If you’re like us, you’ve noticed that many green lifestyle changes can be a burden or are difficult to implement on a regular basis. Luckily, you have some easier options if you know where to look.
TerraPass.com sells carbon offsets for the driver, the flier, the business, the bride and groom, the student, or the homeowner. Using the carbon footprint calculator, you can determine the amount of carbon dioxide emissions you are putting into the atmosphere every year. So, what is a carbon offset anyway? “A carbon offset is a certificate representing the reduction of one metric ton (2,205 lbs) of carbon dioxide emissions, the principal cause of global warming.” (Terrapass FAQs)
You can purchase a TerraPass for yourself or give it to someone else as a gift. All your money goes toward green projects that reduce carbon emissions. With your purchase, Terrapass sends you a clear, attractive window decal for your car or home window. If you’re a frequent flier, you’ll get a luggage tag to show off (it will also be easier to find your bags at baggage claim). If you offset a wedding, you’ll get a framed certificate to display for guests.
Last Christmas I bought my friends and family Road TerraPasses for their cars and they loved it! The window decal is small and tasteful. They are nothing like the tacky bumper stickers you see on the roads so often. Prices vary depending on your engine and miles traveled (hybrids/low mileage $29.70, compacts/efficient $39.60, standards $59.40, large cars/trucks $99.00).
Have questions? Head over to the Terrapass FAQs for a ton of helpful information.
