Green Thinking Blog

Today is a good day. Fall weather finally showed up in Florida, and with temperatures in the 70s, it’s a welcome change for us! I just want to run around outside and enjoy the cool breeze! So, in the spirit of making time for a little fresh air and sunshine, I’ve got a quick round-up of interesting green reads I found this morning. Enjoy them and I hope beautiful weather comes your way too.

Recycling Plastic - Women’s Health Magazine wrote a very helpful article on how to decode the little recycling triangle numbers that you find on the bottom of plastic bottles and other plastic products. What does a #2 plastic mean? How about a #4 plastic? Read the article for a quick, easy explanation.

Science Debate 2008 - The Presidential candidates recently took the time out to answer 14 important questions on science and America’s future. The topics include: innovation, climate change, energy, education, national security, pandemics and biosecurity, genetics, stem cells, ocean health, water, space, scientific integrity, research, and health. Get informed and read their detailed responses here.

Sustainable Cities List - SustainLane has a list of the top US cities and their rankings according to urban sustainability. Guess who topped the list? Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle made the top 3. Check out SustainLane’s site to find out more.

How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic - Save this link to your favorites. Grist.org offers a ton of information organized into topics that you can refer to if you come across someone who is still skeptical about global warming and climate change.

Matt Damon’s Good Work Hunting - Condé Nast Traveler has a wonderful article/interview with Matt Damon who talks about using his celebrity for good causes, getting the word out about the world water crisis, his life-changing trip to Africa, and more.

Plenty Comics - Plenty Mag’s website has fun little index-card comics about green topics. Simple drawings, witty ideas. New comics are added about once a week.

Stonyfield Farm began this wonderful non-profit organization called Climate Counts in collaboration with Clean Air-Cool Planet. The main goal of the organization is to bring consumers and companies together to fight climate change on Planet Earth.

In a stroke of genius, Climate Counts created a scorecard to compare companies on their commitment to fighting global warming. Companies were given a score based on 22 criteria that measure climate footprint, efforts to reduce climate impact, support (or lack of support) for progressive climate policies, and publicity of their green efforts.

Check out the 2008 company scores here. Just click on a sector and you’ll find links to the rated companies and a breakdown of their climate scores. I’ve listed a few superstar companies below that topped the list (they received the green “striding” stamp of approval for eco-friendliness)

• Proctor & Gamble (household products) - score: 69
• General Electric (media) - score: 71
• Nike (apparel and accessories) - score: 82
• Stonyfield Farm (food products) - score: 78
• Unilever (food products) - score: 75
• IBM (electronics) - score: 77
• Canon (electronics) - score: 74
• Google (internet/software) - score: 55

Climate Counts also provides a copy of the blank scorecard, so you can see how these companies earned their chops.

Personally, I really appreciate a non-profit agency making this information available to the public. Companies need to be accountable for the effect they have on the climate. Make a mental note of the companies that earned the highest scores, and try to support them the next time you make a purchase.

Click picture to enlarge.

Photo provided by GreenClean.Biz.

I was given a magazine article a couple of weeks ago from a gal at the office & thought it would be interesting to share.  Pinkmagazine.com September/October 2008 issue featured a business woman by the name of Rebecca Reynolds who began her own cleaning company using eco-friendly products.  Green Clean is now looking to expand beyond her hometown of Cleveland by marketing the unique story behind the business.

In brief, Ms. Reynolds was stuck at home for three of her teenage years because of a blood disorder.  This fueled her research for recovery and found that organic foods & products would keep the disorder at bay.  She created her own chemical free cleaners using things like chalk and baking soda.

She has now moved on from just the residential cleaning biz to include carpet services and her own organic store, Planet Green (link to follow at a later date) that sells items like organic mattresses and baby bottles.  The article says Reynolds also gives credit to local networking for her success.  She started with Entrepreneurs for Sustainability and then founded her own eco-friendly group for women-owned green businesses called Green Goddesses.

I felt this was an excellent story of being able to overcome challenges when you are working for a cause by finding an alternative.

Thank you Ms. Rebecca Reynolds!

We have often talked about the pollution our vehicles create, the carbon credits you can purchase for offset, the things you can do yourself to stop contributing to the pollution of our air - but we have yet to really talk about a statement.  By a statement, I mean, an act to say what it is you are fighting for - the word protest is too strong, but statement suffices.

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to participate in Critical Mass.  For those of you who don’t know, Critical Mass or CM is an event that happens once a month, usually on the last Friday, to show cities how unfriendly they are to bicyclists.  Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this particluar event due to my work schedule, but have plans to attend in late September.  Even so, my boyfriend & some other friends did the ride & we have made lifelong friends from the after effects of the event.

The very first ride took place in September, 1992 in San Francisco.  The event grew from 100 riders to 1,000 after four rides that blocked intersections so successfully that it caused a “Critical Mass.”  Today, CM rides take place in an estimated 325 cities.  Without a designated route, riders can seperate and meet with the group again at any time, but this will avoid any sort of clamp by authorities.

The monthly event has been known to cause a ruckus in various cities.  Bikers have been attacked with force by police officers and impatient car drivers -causing damage to both bicycles and their riders and creating felony records for riders across the nation.

In my opinion, the most unique thing about Critical Mass is that it is not an organization.  It has no leaders, it has no specific direction. It is a single idea that has permeated throughout the world with the notion of making bike riding a more acceptable form of transportation.

If you are interested in looking into Critical Mass in your city, check out the directory. Or, check out Wikipedia for further detail on the vocab of this two-wheeled culture.

The Chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, recently told The Observer that people should avoid meat for one day every week to help reduce climate change and global warming. Dr. Pachauri won a joint share of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He says changing our diets is an important part of environmental responsibility because rearing cattle and other animals used for food has a huge effect on greenhouse gas emissions and habitat destruction. Pachauri also says avoiding meat for one day is an easy change compared with changing your mode of transportation.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. concluded that meat production produces about one-fifth of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Worldwide meat consumption is expected to double by 2050.

Going meat-free once a week is something that everyone could do on a personal level. If you want to try it, I recommend Monday as a good day. Check out Meatless Monday, a national public health campaign to help Americans prevent four leading causes of death: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.

In a recent drive down the road some friends and I noticed an unusual amount of U-Haul trucks around.  A lot of people are moving at this time of year, myself included.  (I am very excited about our new house, but that may be another post)

The thing about moving is, you need boxes.  You need bags, you need friends, you need to throw things out, you need to get new things.   This can create a lot of waste, and a lot of unecessary waste. 

1.  Boxes - I cannot believe that people actually go to a store & purchase brand new boxes.  Give me a break!  Here are some things I do, and I hope you do too.

• I work at a large facility that gets a lot of shipments in cardboard boxes.  Our company recycles cardboard, but I need those boxes!  So I just ask for them.  Simply put, ask companies if you could please take their empty boxes.
• I have also been in a habit of moving every year, I am pretty much a professional now, but because of that, I found it easier to purchase reusable tubs.  These tubs are large enough for me to handle, stack inside one another, and fit in a closet for future use.  Plus, your friends love to borrow them!
• When you are finished, recycle the cardboard. Puhlease!  Most neighborhood recycling plants take cardboard boxes, just be sure to break them down.  If not,  check out this site that will collect your moving boxes and reuse them.

2.  You need to throw things out.

• Of course you do!  Who the heck wants to move stuff they never use?!  So, here is how you do it, responsibly. Ask your friends if they want it.  This is how I have acquired a lot of my goods - my friends gave it to me. 
• Have a garage sale!  Everyone loves garage sales!  Ours is next weekend, and we wanted all our friends to enjoy the hot weather, the hunt of a bargain, and the glorious funds we will reap, so we bribed them by making it a breakfast gathering.  Quiche & mimosas anyone?  So, any dollars we do make, can help purchase the new necessities for our abode.
• Donate.  We have heard it before & we will say it again, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  This statement is something that donation collection agencies have lived off of for years!  Your items do not have to go in the trash or landfills for years & years, someone else wants them.  It is wierd, even that sweater your Great Aunt made for you, with the walrus on it, someone wants it.
• Anything else.  Dispose of properly.  Check out our earlier post, “Gettin Rid of Electronic Junk,” for resources.

3. You need to buy things.  Everytime you move into a new place, you need to get some new stuff, it is just the facts of life.  But you don’t need to go crazy!  However, if you do go crazy, make sure you do it where your new live-in boyfriend or girlfriend can’t see you…haha (but I am a little serious).  Remember the phrases you have heard over and over again: Buy locally, buy fair trade, buy eco-friendly. 

• The same rules apply in your new home, maybe even more so.  Make it a goal to be a little more environmentally conscious everyday in your new house.  This could be something very simple, like purchasing longer lasting lightbulbs. 
• For some really neat decor check out Ten Thousand Villages.  Another good place to look is your local markets and art events, you could discover the very next big name to hit the art arena!

Happy Moving!

Remember, food & drinks can do wonders to bribe extra sets of hands to get in on the moving action!

World Hoop Day took place August 8, 2008.  While we missed it this year, we will be prepared for next!   So, what did we miss exactly?  When you say hoop, how do you mean?  All of your questions have answers.  World Hoop Day is a non-profit organization that provides hula hoops to under privileged kids in areas of devastation. Instead of providing food like many other orgainziation, founder, Annie O’Keeffe concentrates on providing mental benefits that are both fun & provide exercise.

Founded in 2007, 10,000 hoops have been donated and $7,145 in money and hoop related gifts.  Check out their website and see how you can help “Hoop for Peace.”

While there are some great “green” cleaning products out on the market right now, you may want to consider some homemade, all natural cleaning with things you already have in the house. It’s a cheaper and healthier way to keep your home clean. There are a TON of homemade cleaning recipes out there if you Google search, but here are a few of the basics for easy access.

Drain Unclogger

You can use baking soda and vinegar to unclog any drain in your house. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain and follow it with 1 cup of hot vinegar. It will bubble and steam, but don’t worry, that’s normal. Once the bubbles die down, pour hot water down the drain to clear it completely. This same mixture can be used as a toilet cleaner, but you don’t need a full cup of each. Just sprinkle a little baking soda and vinegar in and swish around with a cleaning brush. (Green Living Ideas)

Glass Cleaner

Mix equal parts vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle and you’ve got a wonderful glass cleaner. You can also use plain water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Use a squeegee or old newspaper instead of paper towels to avoid streaks and cut down on waste. (Martha Stewart)

Furniture Polish

For finished wood, mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice in a bowl to make the polish. Dip a soft, dry cloth into the mixture and rub into the wood (in the direction of the grain). Use a soft toothbrush if you need to get in small spaces or between grains. Wipe off excess with a clean cloth. For unfinished wood, add 1 teaspoon lemon oil to 1 cup of mineral oil for the polish and follow the same steps as above. (eHow)

Mold/Mildew Remover

Add 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle and shake it to blend. Spray directly on mold or mildew in your shower, on your shower curtain, or even on a moldy ceiling. Do not rinse. Make sure the area is well ventilated because the tea tree oil smell is very strong. I’ve also read that you can sprinkle a couple drops of tea tree oil on any area where bugs like to come in. It will keep them away from that area. (care2)

Air/Fabric Freshener

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a spray bottle of water. Spray anywhere to freshen up the air or make a room smell better.

Stain Remover/Metal Polisher

A wedge of lemon or fresh lemon juice can be used to get out any stain on a counter or to polish metal. Squirt lemon juice onto the stain and allow it to dry. A wedge of lemon is a great way to freshen up your sink too. Rub the lemon all over the metal in the sink. For tough stains, try sprinkling baking soda on the lemon before you begin. (CHEC)

Do you have any homemade cleaning recipes of your own? Share ‘em with us and we’ll post it on our site. Happy cleaning loves!

While at home this evening, I perused a book called A Little Green Book of Environmental Quotes and Comments.  Here is what I found:

A quote by Arch Buchwald, an author, stated in 1970.  How did he know what would happen back then?    (p. 89)

And Man created the plastic bag and tin and aluminum can and the cellophane wrapper and the paper plate, and this was good because Man could then take his automobile and buy all his food in one place and He could save that which was good to eat in the refrigerator and throw away what had no further use.  And soon the earth was covered with plastic bags and aluminum cans and paper plates and disposable bottles and there was nowhere to sit down or walk, and Man shook his head and cried: “Look at this Godawful mess.”

I also found a great lesson for us all.  Joseph Wood Krutch, a writer, was quoted in Time (p 97):

Don’t blow it - good planets are hard to find.

And Jacques Barzun, a historian, gives us hope from The House of Intellect in 1959 (p 87):

If civilization has risen from the Stone Age, it can rise again from the Wastepaper Age.

I believe Jacques also means we can rise from the Oil Age, the High Consumption Age, the Wasteful Age, the Ungrateful Age, we just need to try.

Thanks for reading…that equals trying.

I subscribe to Simple Shoes email updates, and I recommend you do too.  Today I received an interesting food for thought - about fish.  According to the email, an article in the journal, Science, has researchers predicting that fish will be obsolete by 2048. 

If you are anything like Laurel & I, we LOVE our seafood.  If we had a choice we would eat seafood everyday, but apparently, the idea of that happening is being threatened by unsustainable fishing practices. 

The Blue Ocean Institute has listed a guide of what fish are the most abundant and recommended for eating by the Marine Stewardship Council. 

The guide lists that Alaskan Salmon, Walleye Pollack, Sablefish, and Western Rock Lobster are among those certified as the best environmental choice.  These species are abundant and their fishing methods have little impact on their habitat or the environment.

On the other hand, farmed Atlantic Salmon, Snappers, Atlantic Halibut, Grouper, and Chilean Sea Bass are listed as having a variety of problems.  These species are either overfished, have poor management, or their farming methods cause a serious environmental impact.

Visit the MSC website to find out which fisheries are certified with safe practices, where to buy, and what to cook.  They also list delicious recipes, check out this one for MSC certified Halibut by Frosta (mmm):

Halibut fillets with Japanese mountain pepper and mango on rhubarb chutney

Serves 4

Ingredients

So, next time you go to the fish market, or the seafood counter, or out to dinner, do your research.  It could be one of your last delicious meals that has fish if practices don’t improve-and QUICK!