Green Thinking Blog

Apollo Alliance sent me a worthwhile petition in my email yesterday. It’s no surprise that the oil companies are banking on record profits right now, and they are currently teaming up with their allies in Congress to propose more offshore oil drilling. Apollo has cooked up a new petition to tell Congress that we do NOT want them to drill on coastal protected areas. Instead, we want the money to go towards clean, renewable, and homegrown energy and more green jobs for Americans.

Here’s what Apollo Alliance had to say in their email:

“Every day, Americans pay more and more at the pump, while oil companies bring in record profits. Now, those same oil companies and their congressional allies are proposing more drilling - even though nearly every energy expert agrees this is one problem America can’t drill its way out of. The oil companies say they’re doing it to help lower the cost of gas. But scratch the surface, and you’ll find it’s the oil companies that truly benefit from new offshore drilling. Don’t let them continue to make money off of high gas prices while working Americans remain dependent on the energy of the past. Instead, tell Congress we need a real, comprehensive solution to America’s energy crisis. Let’s invest in clean, renewable energy and homegrown fuels, that will create millions of high-quality, green-collar jobs and reduce our dependence on oil. “

Are you fired up? I know I was. If so, you can sign the petition here.

What is Apollo Alliance? It’s a coalition that promotes clean/renewable energy, green collar jobs, and independence from foreign oil. Check out the Apollo Alliance website, and sign up for their email list. You can read more about the Apollo mission and how the alliance got started on their About page.

Man, I guess I am on a Pickens kick. 

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.

A week into summer, I am all the wiser for what activities can be done that won’t contribute to the destruction of the world, but may actually enhance it.

I have listed some activities below that may give you some exercise and are sure to give you enjoyment.  Please, we are encouraging you to try these at home!

1.  Bike ride!  Whether you have a destination like your favorite neighborhood hang-out,  are just roaming to check out the architechtural beauty of your neighbors’ homes, or trekking down a trail, a bike ride is an excellent activity.  You are working-out, you don’t know it, and you aren’t putting polluntants in the air by taking an afternoon drive to see the scenery.

Here is a picture of my pride & joy:

This gift has made me very aware of safety features that bikes come with and their importance.  Please notice, a pedal-powered generator on the back wheel illuminates the front headlight, so I am not riding in the dark.  I have ample space in my basket and on my back rack to carry bags, freeing extra weight from my back.  A built in tire pump on the rack is there for emergency situations of a flat tire. It’s most unique feature, as you may have guessed, is the lowered bar that allows to me ride in a skirt/dress without as much risk of it getting entangled in my chain…  Enough about that :)  But, please wear reflective clothing and follow street signs accordingly: Safety first.

2.  Kayak/Canoe. Pick up trash as you go.  Orlando has an excellent non-profit organization called ECO-Action that sponsors weekly canoe clean-ups.  They have recently completed their 500th clean up! Whoo Hoo! This promotes a pride in your lakes and waterways, camaraderie, and of course - a great arm work-out!  Do some research to see if one of these organizations is in your area, or create your own and tell us about it.

3.  Visit your local botanical garden.  Laurel and I are lucky we have one in our backyard.  This is a great date spot *wink *wink, and the first Friday of the month, they feature a movie under the stars.  Again, an inexpensive afternoon or evening that supports the preservation of b-e-a-utiful flowers, plants, and insects, and could get anyone to appreciate what we have in this world.

4. Volunteer.  Whether it be at a nursing home, an animal shelter, your neighbor’s garden - wherever!  Just do it.  You are making someone, something, anything feel better, and trust - it will come back to you 10x over.  To make this tip associate with the summer:  Bring that person some lemonade to enjoy while you play checkers on the porch.  Take that puppy to a dog park to enjoy the beautiful day too and make new friends.  Plant a tomato plant for that neighbor to promote sustainable living.

5. Take a Pickinic aka Picnic lunch.  Not just any picnic.  First, you must visit your local organic grocer/farmers’ market/co-op for the freshest, mostest bestest choices of cuisine that support your community. Check out some recipes at ChefMD or Epicurious to be conscious of what you putting into your bod.  Done.  Second, you must pick the location.  While your backyard is a perfectly acceptable choice, try to get a little more creative.  Maybe placing that lunch in your bike basket and taking it to #2,  #3, or #4.

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.

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.

Taylor Grant, the Executive Environmental Advisor of the EMA (Environmental Media Association), says that driving around on under-inflated tires reduces the mileage you get on your car. Grant said 25% of vehicles on the roads have under-inflated tires. If everyone kept their tires at proper air pressure levels, we could reduce gasoline consumption by 800 million gallons! Ensuring your vehicles has proper tire pressure helps keep the roads safer too. (Ref: Women’s Health Mag)

Don’t know how to do it? Watch this how-to video and check your tire pressure once a month.

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.