I just picked up a cute pair of Mary Jane's at Payless for $25. Expensive for Payless, but oh-so-affordable for eco-friendly shoes.
That's right, Payless now features a line called Zoe&Zac. I was dubious as to the greenness of the shoes, but I just looked it up online, and my particular shoe features organic cotton, recycled PET, and recycled rubber. The box they came in was also 100% recycled.
And the shoes are super cute!
I am always thrilled when low-price stores start carrying low-price green lines. Target now carries loomstate!
Showing posts with label Enviro Geek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Enviro Geek. Show all posts
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
In Defense of My Parents
By way of apology, because I forgot my mom sometimes reads my blog, we all could do better, couldn't we? And we all pick our own battles to fight. I choose to focus on the environment and leave problems such as the educational system to other qualified people. I previously blogged about this concept, tikkun olam. I should not expect everyone to be green.
And we are far from perfect environmentally. I was listening to an interview of people talking about energy efficiency and conservation and they kept mentioning how not wasteful they were, but during the interview they also disclosed that they had 7 TVs, at least one of which was on for 8 hours a day, and they didn't even have CFLs - because they supposedly never use lights even though she does dishes and laundry while he works the night shift. (They also went on and on about immigration problems, so I am trying not to let that bias my opinion of their energy beliefs.) We probably make these contradictions ourselves.
In fact, the other night we bought dishwasher detergent for the first time so Matt wouldn't have to wash the dishes by hand any more and could spend more time with me after work. There is somewhat general consensus that fairly efficient dishwashers use less water than handwashing, but our dishwasher appears to be somewhat old, and Matt was very careful about handwashing frugally. I also suspect the dishwasher will use more energy since we can't turn off the drying cycle and have to remember to stop it ourselves.
We and our neighbors choose to live in a cheaper part of town that requires the city to provide us with a community bus, useful to no one else but those of us who live here. Probably wasteful.
For the last 6 months, I have been driving my car to Marin once a week or every other week because I didn't want to transport my bike on two buses.
And to share the blame, although I previously praised my sister's housing choice for being eco-friendly, she did buy a 2500 square foot house.
So we're all not perfect and we all make tradeoffs. I apologize for offending my parents and for anyone else who read that post.
A friend recently told me that I was her favorite vegetarian because I didn't preach about it. I'm sure no one likes to hear me preach about the environment either. I do feel like taking some actions to help the environment is very important for the future of our world and our species. However, I also feel like many of those options improve my quality of life. Less stress from not driving, healthier eating choices, fresh air. So I would like to share those benefits with others. And my blog is my soap box. But I should only inform and suggest, not judge, and therein lies my error.
And we are far from perfect environmentally. I was listening to an interview of people talking about energy efficiency and conservation and they kept mentioning how not wasteful they were, but during the interview they also disclosed that they had 7 TVs, at least one of which was on for 8 hours a day, and they didn't even have CFLs - because they supposedly never use lights even though she does dishes and laundry while he works the night shift. (They also went on and on about immigration problems, so I am trying not to let that bias my opinion of their energy beliefs.) We probably make these contradictions ourselves.
In fact, the other night we bought dishwasher detergent for the first time so Matt wouldn't have to wash the dishes by hand any more and could spend more time with me after work. There is somewhat general consensus that fairly efficient dishwashers use less water than handwashing, but our dishwasher appears to be somewhat old, and Matt was very careful about handwashing frugally. I also suspect the dishwasher will use more energy since we can't turn off the drying cycle and have to remember to stop it ourselves.
We and our neighbors choose to live in a cheaper part of town that requires the city to provide us with a community bus, useful to no one else but those of us who live here. Probably wasteful.
For the last 6 months, I have been driving my car to Marin once a week or every other week because I didn't want to transport my bike on two buses.
And to share the blame, although I previously praised my sister's housing choice for being eco-friendly, she did buy a 2500 square foot house.
So we're all not perfect and we all make tradeoffs. I apologize for offending my parents and for anyone else who read that post.
A friend recently told me that I was her favorite vegetarian because I didn't preach about it. I'm sure no one likes to hear me preach about the environment either. I do feel like taking some actions to help the environment is very important for the future of our world and our species. However, I also feel like many of those options improve my quality of life. Less stress from not driving, healthier eating choices, fresh air. So I would like to share those benefits with others. And my blog is my soap box. But I should only inform and suggest, not judge, and therein lies my error.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
How to Score a $7.67 Energy Bill (Including the Green Energy Contribution)
- Live in an apartment complex with laundry and water heaters somewhere down the hall, and thus not tied to your personal energy bill.
- Place your electronics on power strips and turn them off at night.
- Replace your light bulbs with CFLs.
- Live somewhere you need minimal heat (space heaters turned on occasionally) and even more minimal cooling (fans once or twice a year).
- We also got a brand new fridge when we moved in, but it does not appear to be an energy star appliance.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Oh, Smuckers. How You Disappoint.
I am a PB&J fan. I have it almost everyday for lunch if we don't have leftovers. I like it on Safeway O Brand Seeds & Grains bread with Safeway O Brand creamy peanut butter. But I've been having a hard time with the jam. All the organic or natural stuff is either ridiculously expensive or actually preserves, it seems. And folks, I don't eat crunchy peanut butter, so I certainly don't want, for instance, WHOLE blackberries in my sandwich.
So in a moment of desperation, I picked up the smooth jam, my childhood staple - Smuckers. As I was looking at the label today, I realized that this jam contains not only high fructose corn syrup, but also regular old corn syrup and sugar. YUCK!
Sometimes I forget why I like to buy organic food. Sometimes I think I am just doing it for the environment or it is now just a habit. And I forget that actually eating gross ingredients like corn syrup stinks.
Here is my advice: never stop reading labels.
Now, could someone please suggest for me a tasty, not chunky natural or organic jam?
PS Will you miss me when I have a job and can no longer blog about my super exciting lunches?
PPS Is 11:20 too early for lunch?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
In Honor of Earth Day
Ah Earth Day, the day we use to engage non-greenies into the more environmentally-friendly world. What did I do for Earth Day?
I took the bus/BART down to Millbrae to meet my dad for lunch, an hour long trip that would be 1/2 hour by car. Of course, my dad drove from San Mateo to Millbrae to pick me up, then drove us down to San Mateo to eat (because apparently you can't eat in Millbrae?) then decided he would drive me home so I would not have to deal with the public transit. Trust me, there is no point in arguing. Meaning he then had to drive back home to San Mateo.
What I'm wondering is why he didn't just come to the City in the first place if he was going to drive here anyway, saving me at least an hour of my day. I mean, I really should do some work.
And also, why is it so difficult to change your family's values? I think I would have better success convincing any single person I met on the street to make an environmental change than I would with my parents. In fact I know this, because I have tried with my parents. And often failed. Yes, they recycle, and we have done so for as long as I can remember, probably because Michigan has had a bottle deposit for years. They also have fake grass in the backyard, mostly because my dad got tired of mowing the lawn. And my mom often brings her reusable bags that Karen and I got her to the grocery store. But that is about where the greenness stops.
I don't think I can even convince them to buy a front-loading washer for their brand new "villa", because they won't be paying the water or energy bills, so they have no monetary incentive. And I certainly can't convince them to drive less. They think public transit is a burden for me, when I often do it because I prefer it to driving.
Anyway, today I did take a cowboy shower. That is my pathetic little earth day celebration. And tonight we are going to a preview of Ken Burns' upcoming documentary, "National Parks: America's Best Idea." (Obviously we'll get there on the bus.)
And that is my earth day. How is yours?
I took the bus/BART down to Millbrae to meet my dad for lunch, an hour long trip that would be 1/2 hour by car. Of course, my dad drove from San Mateo to Millbrae to pick me up, then drove us down to San Mateo to eat (because apparently you can't eat in Millbrae?) then decided he would drive me home so I would not have to deal with the public transit. Trust me, there is no point in arguing. Meaning he then had to drive back home to San Mateo.
What I'm wondering is why he didn't just come to the City in the first place if he was going to drive here anyway, saving me at least an hour of my day. I mean, I really should do some work.
And also, why is it so difficult to change your family's values? I think I would have better success convincing any single person I met on the street to make an environmental change than I would with my parents. In fact I know this, because I have tried with my parents. And often failed. Yes, they recycle, and we have done so for as long as I can remember, probably because Michigan has had a bottle deposit for years. They also have fake grass in the backyard, mostly because my dad got tired of mowing the lawn. And my mom often brings her reusable bags that Karen and I got her to the grocery store. But that is about where the greenness stops.
I don't think I can even convince them to buy a front-loading washer for their brand new "villa", because they won't be paying the water or energy bills, so they have no monetary incentive. And I certainly can't convince them to drive less. They think public transit is a burden for me, when I often do it because I prefer it to driving.
Anyway, today I did take a cowboy shower. That is my pathetic little earth day celebration. And tonight we are going to a preview of Ken Burns' upcoming documentary, "National Parks: America's Best Idea." (Obviously we'll get there on the bus.)
And that is my earth day. How is yours?
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
UC Berkely Extension: So Much Learning, So Little Time
UC Berkeley Extension just came out with their latest course schedule, and along with it, several new programs in sustainability studies.
You may recall that just over six months ago, I started this blog because I was tired of working for the man and had decided to run off to the Bay Area to write about science for the National Park Service. I was going to be self-employed. (In retrospect, I probably just took the first out from a job I hated - I loved the work I was doing but could not stand the politics, game-playing, and lack of ethics in the agency.)
Alas, I have realized that self-employment is not for me. I do not feel comfortable selling myself, I hate negotiating fees, and I am not the best at keeping track of money. More importantly (I tell myself), I have discovered that writing about things that other people have done bores me. While my Times fellowship was endlessly fascinating, I now believe it was because in a way, I was doing first hand research - interviewing sources and piecing stories together. (And that is why the Science desk was not as exciting to me as the Environment desk.) Now I just read reports and summarize the research other people are doing. Not so exciting. I have always enjoyed writing, so I guess I thought that would be enough, but as it turns out, I love research too.
So. I have been looking for a job (gasp!).
I have the luxury of being selective for once since Matt is making enough money for us to survive, even here in SF, so the plan is to find a job I really love. The problem is, all I am really sure about right now is that I want a job that allows me to utilize both my research and communication skills, and deals with resources in some way - preferably water or energy, and even more preferably, the conservation of them. (Oh and the other problem is the lack of jobs right now.)
In addition, I have always been interested in the more broad topic of sustainability and sustainable or green design. So I am currently taking a class at UC Berkeley Extension called "Overcoming Barriers to Implementing Sustainable Change." Love the topic, but still don't feel like I have the experience or skills to be a broad-based sustainability coordinator for an organization. I think I may want to be more specialized. So I was thinking of taking more classes, and maybe even getting a professional certificate.
Here's the new problem: Extension added a bunch more sequences this semester, but they don't overlap much and don't have electives. So I could wind up taking a variety of classes that interest me and never obtaining a certificate. Or I have to really focus my career goals right now. Just for example, the options are:
If anyone has any ideas about what I should do with my life, or how to focus my interests, I am all ears. I still have a few exciting job prospects right now, but I am not holding my breath in this economy.
I think I always thought two degrees really should be enough, but the job market is so tight right now that your education and experience have to be super-specific and relevant to the job description. And unfortunately there's not much of a market for water resources dynamic simulation modelers.
You may recall that just over six months ago, I started this blog because I was tired of working for the man and had decided to run off to the Bay Area to write about science for the National Park Service. I was going to be self-employed. (In retrospect, I probably just took the first out from a job I hated - I loved the work I was doing but could not stand the politics, game-playing, and lack of ethics in the agency.)
Alas, I have realized that self-employment is not for me. I do not feel comfortable selling myself, I hate negotiating fees, and I am not the best at keeping track of money. More importantly (I tell myself), I have discovered that writing about things that other people have done bores me. While my Times fellowship was endlessly fascinating, I now believe it was because in a way, I was doing first hand research - interviewing sources and piecing stories together. (And that is why the Science desk was not as exciting to me as the Environment desk.) Now I just read reports and summarize the research other people are doing. Not so exciting. I have always enjoyed writing, so I guess I thought that would be enough, but as it turns out, I love research too.
So. I have been looking for a job (gasp!).
I have the luxury of being selective for once since Matt is making enough money for us to survive, even here in SF, so the plan is to find a job I really love. The problem is, all I am really sure about right now is that I want a job that allows me to utilize both my research and communication skills, and deals with resources in some way - preferably water or energy, and even more preferably, the conservation of them. (Oh and the other problem is the lack of jobs right now.)
In addition, I have always been interested in the more broad topic of sustainability and sustainable or green design. So I am currently taking a class at UC Berkeley Extension called "Overcoming Barriers to Implementing Sustainable Change." Love the topic, but still don't feel like I have the experience or skills to be a broad-based sustainability coordinator for an organization. I think I may want to be more specialized. So I was thinking of taking more classes, and maybe even getting a professional certificate.
Here's the new problem: Extension added a bunch more sequences this semester, but they don't overlap much and don't have electives. So I could wind up taking a variety of classes that interest me and never obtaining a certificate. Or I have to really focus my career goals right now. Just for example, the options are:
- Sustainability and Energy
- Sustainability and Transportation
- Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting
- Responsible Global Change Management
- Environment Management and Sustainability Systems (Still forthcoming)
- Sustainable Design
If anyone has any ideas about what I should do with my life, or how to focus my interests, I am all ears. I still have a few exciting job prospects right now, but I am not holding my breath in this economy.
I think I always thought two degrees really should be enough, but the job market is so tight right now that your education and experience have to be super-specific and relevant to the job description. And unfortunately there's not much of a market for water resources dynamic simulation modelers.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Cars and Not-Cars of the Future
Today I read a Joel Makower blog called "Reinventing Mobility: It's Not Just the Cars, Stupid." Makower went on to discuss a lot of car-sharing options of the future, and even bike sharing options, and how the car companies could get in on this transportation wave to help reinvent themselves. However, I feel as though he glossed over public transit. Car-sharing and bike-sharing are elitist; let's be frank. There is still a stigma to stepping on public transit. Here in San Francisco, some people will take the subway or the BART, but they still refuse to get on buses. And let me tell you, the buses here are filled with a much more diverse clientele than the buses I have ridden in Albuquerque and Los Angeles.
And today, Inhabitat also announced a project between GM and Segway involving a sit-down type Segway. They mention they want cities and colleges to put in special PUMA lanes for this device. Luckily, Inhabitat does ask the question, why not just ride a bike?
So here's where I'm torn. Instead of coddling people out of their cars into comfy, rather elitist car-share systems, which might be the easiest transfer, why can't we work on changing attitudes not just about owning a car instead of belong to a service, but also about taking advantage of public transit options. I am a huge transit fan! I would absolutlely never drive if I didn't have to. Start believing that buses aren't scary. And if more people start riding buses, the service might improve and the hours extend, allowing even more people to ride them.
Trust me; it's really not so bad.
And today, Inhabitat also announced a project between GM and Segway involving a sit-down type Segway. They mention they want cities and colleges to put in special PUMA lanes for this device. Luckily, Inhabitat does ask the question, why not just ride a bike?
So here's where I'm torn. Instead of coddling people out of their cars into comfy, rather elitist car-share systems, which might be the easiest transfer, why can't we work on changing attitudes not just about owning a car instead of belong to a service, but also about taking advantage of public transit options. I am a huge transit fan! I would absolutlely never drive if I didn't have to. Start believing that buses aren't scary. And if more people start riding buses, the service might improve and the hours extend, allowing even more people to ride them.
Trust me; it's really not so bad.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Gardening to Survive
Apparently home gardening is experiencing quite a boom during our little recession. Am I surprised? Actually, yes.
Although Matt would like to one day live in a valley (I'm not entirely sure where this desire came from) and grow all our own food, his attempts at gardening so far probably have not saved us any money. And I don't think this reflects poorly on him by any means - I just think it is hard to save money by gardening.
Last year Matt grew peppers, potatoes, and onions at our community garden plot, and a traditional mix of corn, squash, and beans in the garden bed at our house. We ended up with way more zucchini than we could ever eat, but the corn only gave us a couple good ears, and I don't think all the bean plants together would have made a burrito. We had a few potatoes and onions and they sure were tasty, and the peppers were just starting to come in when we moved. And he had to give away tomato and grape plants before they reached maturity. I would guess that we didn't cut back on buying vegetables; we may have just eaten more. And we were paying for a community garden plot, seeds, and soil for some containers.
Here, Matt is just starting a container garden on our balcony, where we worry they might not get enough sun. The potatoes and parsley have just started to sprout. He's also attempting spinach, peppers, and some other things I can't remember.
Matt loves gardening. He gets super excited when his plants sprout and start to produce. But gardening is also hard work and you have to remember to water a lot, especially when you don't have soaker hoses and you have a 9-5 job.
Don't get me wrong - I am all for gardening. I think everybody should garden, especially if they enjoy it. (I am personally content to watch Matt :) I am just doubtful that gardening will protect many people from the recession. Hopefully it will improve diets simply by accessibility and the awesome taste of garden-grown veggies. And maybe people won't use pesticides and herbicides and nasty fertilizers in their own gardens. That would be another big bonus.
Or maybe I am wrong. Maybe other people are much better at gardening than we are. After all, the article claims that some families are feeding all their members for months at a time from the garden and cutting monthly grocery bills by $150. Good for you.
Although Matt would like to one day live in a valley (I'm not entirely sure where this desire came from) and grow all our own food, his attempts at gardening so far probably have not saved us any money. And I don't think this reflects poorly on him by any means - I just think it is hard to save money by gardening.
Last year Matt grew peppers, potatoes, and onions at our community garden plot, and a traditional mix of corn, squash, and beans in the garden bed at our house. We ended up with way more zucchini than we could ever eat, but the corn only gave us a couple good ears, and I don't think all the bean plants together would have made a burrito. We had a few potatoes and onions and they sure were tasty, and the peppers were just starting to come in when we moved. And he had to give away tomato and grape plants before they reached maturity. I would guess that we didn't cut back on buying vegetables; we may have just eaten more. And we were paying for a community garden plot, seeds, and soil for some containers.
Here, Matt is just starting a container garden on our balcony, where we worry they might not get enough sun. The potatoes and parsley have just started to sprout. He's also attempting spinach, peppers, and some other things I can't remember.
Matt loves gardening. He gets super excited when his plants sprout and start to produce. But gardening is also hard work and you have to remember to water a lot, especially when you don't have soaker hoses and you have a 9-5 job.
Don't get me wrong - I am all for gardening. I think everybody should garden, especially if they enjoy it. (I am personally content to watch Matt :) I am just doubtful that gardening will protect many people from the recession. Hopefully it will improve diets simply by accessibility and the awesome taste of garden-grown veggies. And maybe people won't use pesticides and herbicides and nasty fertilizers in their own gardens. That would be another big bonus.
Or maybe I am wrong. Maybe other people are much better at gardening than we are. After all, the article claims that some families are feeding all their members for months at a time from the garden and cutting monthly grocery bills by $150. Good for you.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Earth Hour In Review
I forgot to blog about this again!
Earth Hour was last Saturday, March 28. I participated by turning the lights off at my parents' house in Phoenix. After first telling me I couldn't, my dad finally relented by going to a movie so he didn't have to participate. A serious lack of candles in the house meant no reading. So basically I sat in the dark by myself for an hour and talked to Matt on the phone. Matt went up to the top of twin peaks to see lights go off in the City, but he said he really didn't notice anything.
So, all in all, kind of boring for us. I had been hoping to go to an event or a participating bar, but it didn't work out. Maybe next year.
Did any of you participate?
Earth Hour was last Saturday, March 28. I participated by turning the lights off at my parents' house in Phoenix. After first telling me I couldn't, my dad finally relented by going to a movie so he didn't have to participate. A serious lack of candles in the house meant no reading. So basically I sat in the dark by myself for an hour and talked to Matt on the phone. Matt went up to the top of twin peaks to see lights go off in the City, but he said he really didn't notice anything.
So, all in all, kind of boring for us. I had been hoping to go to an event or a participating bar, but it didn't work out. Maybe next year.
Did any of you participate?
Friday, March 20, 2009
Shell Says Bye-Bye to Wind, Solar, and Hydrogen UPDATED
Shell, one of those companies often accused of greenwashing for promoting renewable energy in their advertisements while spending only 1% of their investments on it, just announced it's getting out of the game altogether.
What does this mean?
Renewable energy still costs too much for businesses to make money.
Even in this era of oil uncertainty, Shell finds the future of renewable energy even less secure.
Scary!
I don't know much about finance and investments and that type of thing, but to me it sounds like a lot of government R&D money is needed to help make renewable energy competitive. We can't hedge our future on oil sands and a continued oil economy, for the sake of our health, quality of life, and the environment.
***
Note that the second link is from the Breakthrough Institute blog, from the authors of the same-titled book. Check it out.
***
I forgot to mention one of the reasons I originally decided to write this post. In my sustainability class yesterday we talked about the various definitions of greenwashing as well as all the backlash against companies like Clorox and Walmart who have ventured into environmentally friendly products. Many of us discussed how we did not necessarily trust Clorox's Green Works to be as ecofriendly as 7th Generation or Ecover, no matter what they claim. However, apparently the Green Works line is taking market share from other Clorox products, so those people who trust Clorox as a valued name in cleaning have used the Green Works line to venture into more earth-friendly products. I'm sure many of these people would never try an "unknown" brand like 7th Gen. Likewise, thousands of Walmart shoppers would probably never buy organic produce or products had Walmart not introduced them.
The teacher's point of that discussion is that maybe we shouldn't be so quick to judge those companies that are incrementally pursuing green products. Maybe we should applaud them for what they are doing and continually demand more.
That said, what about Shell? I certainly liked to make fun of them for their commercials touting green energy when we all know it's Shell Oil. But based on well-reasoned logic like that of my teacher, I should have applauded their 1% investment. And now they've pulled the rug out, making one wonder if they were ever really serious in the first place. This will probably just make environmentalists' more mad at corporations and less willing to work with them. The news these days is depressing.
What does this mean?
Renewable energy still costs too much for businesses to make money.
Even in this era of oil uncertainty, Shell finds the future of renewable energy even less secure.
Scary!
I don't know much about finance and investments and that type of thing, but to me it sounds like a lot of government R&D money is needed to help make renewable energy competitive. We can't hedge our future on oil sands and a continued oil economy, for the sake of our health, quality of life, and the environment.
***
Note that the second link is from the Breakthrough Institute blog, from the authors of the same-titled book. Check it out.
***
I forgot to mention one of the reasons I originally decided to write this post. In my sustainability class yesterday we talked about the various definitions of greenwashing as well as all the backlash against companies like Clorox and Walmart who have ventured into environmentally friendly products. Many of us discussed how we did not necessarily trust Clorox's Green Works to be as ecofriendly as 7th Generation or Ecover, no matter what they claim. However, apparently the Green Works line is taking market share from other Clorox products, so those people who trust Clorox as a valued name in cleaning have used the Green Works line to venture into more earth-friendly products. I'm sure many of these people would never try an "unknown" brand like 7th Gen. Likewise, thousands of Walmart shoppers would probably never buy organic produce or products had Walmart not introduced them.
The teacher's point of that discussion is that maybe we shouldn't be so quick to judge those companies that are incrementally pursuing green products. Maybe we should applaud them for what they are doing and continually demand more.
That said, what about Shell? I certainly liked to make fun of them for their commercials touting green energy when we all know it's Shell Oil. But based on well-reasoned logic like that of my teacher, I should have applauded their 1% investment. And now they've pulled the rug out, making one wonder if they were ever really serious in the first place. This will probably just make environmentalists' more mad at corporations and less willing to work with them. The news these days is depressing.
Eat the View: Achieved
It seems I'm a little late on my lobbying efforts.
Today, Michelle Obama will begin digging up the South Lawn for an extensive vegetable garden. And some lucky grade school kids will get to help out.
Hooray for local, healthy food!
Today, Michelle Obama will begin digging up the South Lawn for an extensive vegetable garden. And some lucky grade school kids will get to help out.
Hooray for local, healthy food!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Gross National Trash
This post by Joel Makower fits in so nicely with all the books I've been reading lately; particularly Cradle to Cradle and also Biomimicry.
Apparently our trash that goes to landfills, or municipal solid waste, is somewhere between 1 and 10% of the total waste produced in our country - mostly industrial debris. So while we're busy worrying about how to recycle more at home or buy products with less packaging (or reinventing a Mickey D's take out bag), we may be overlooking the ridiculous amounts of damage being inflicted much earlier in the supply chain.
In fact, according to Makower, the EPA barely even keeps track of all this industrial waste.
What this demonstrates is a need to shift our focus to the production, storage, and shipping of goods. Not only is that much waste bad for our health and our environment, but it certainly isn't an efficient business model.
As a hydrologist, I know that the vast majority of people know that water comes out of their tap but have no idea where it came from before that. I bet even fewer people really know something about the industrial process that created the products they consume.
What to do? I hedge my bets here that a change in consumption practice may not be as powerful a tool as some really smart people getting in on the design end of things. Anyone want to volunteer?
***
Also, this one's for Ms. S.: "West Antarctic Melt a Slow Affair" (In other words, 'collapse' may be a bit of an exaggeration.)
Apparently our trash that goes to landfills, or municipal solid waste, is somewhere between 1 and 10% of the total waste produced in our country - mostly industrial debris. So while we're busy worrying about how to recycle more at home or buy products with less packaging (or reinventing a Mickey D's take out bag), we may be overlooking the ridiculous amounts of damage being inflicted much earlier in the supply chain.
In fact, according to Makower, the EPA barely even keeps track of all this industrial waste.
What this demonstrates is a need to shift our focus to the production, storage, and shipping of goods. Not only is that much waste bad for our health and our environment, but it certainly isn't an efficient business model.
As a hydrologist, I know that the vast majority of people know that water comes out of their tap but have no idea where it came from before that. I bet even fewer people really know something about the industrial process that created the products they consume.
What to do? I hedge my bets here that a change in consumption practice may not be as powerful a tool as some really smart people getting in on the design end of things. Anyone want to volunteer?
***
Also, this one's for Ms. S.: "West Antarctic Melt a Slow Affair" (In other words, 'collapse' may be a bit of an exaggeration.)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Just Read: Cradle to Cradle
www.betterworld.com
I've been reading another "eco-classic," this one published way back in 2002. And boy I should have read it then. If so, I might not have purchased my lovely rug made of recycled soda bottles that is apparently releasing terrible toxins into the air as it abrades. The authors point out many cases in which recycling isn't always better. In which doing less harm is just prolonging the fate of the planet. In which environmentalists should be depressed and guilt-ridden.
The upshot of this book is that we can redesign the man-made world and our products and buildings and everything else in way that not only "does no harm" but also does good. Their point is that we shouldn't just try to improve the current processes and focus on efficiency, but we should start back at the beginning and re-imagine a whole new product or existence.
Well, that is hopeful, and definitely something more people and companies should be pursuing. But I can't help but think that it is a bad idea to dissuade people from recycling. To me, these efficiency and recycling initiatives are just a stop on the way towards greater design and a healthier planet. Or maybe I just don't want to feel bad about myself for being suckered into buying recycled products that may be terrible for both my health and the environment. Ah well...
Easy, fast read, so why not judge for yourself.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Eat the View
Join the movement to grow a vegetable garden on the White House lawn, as an example for the country.
The Garden of Eatin': A Short History of America's Garden from roger doiron on Vimeo.
Visit Eat the View or The Who Farm.
The Garden of Eatin': A Short History of America's Garden from roger doiron on Vimeo.
Visit Eat the View or The Who Farm.
Monday, March 9, 2009
ASU Challenges
This one's for you, Sun Devil alums. (Although I cordially invite Wildcats to participate as well.)
ASU is developing something really cool, and I'll just let them speak for themselves:
ASU is developing something really cool, and I'll just let them speak for themselves:
ASU is unveiling the Challenges Project, an ambitious initiative that aims to identify the most pressing local and global issues we face as world citizens, determine the crucial work being done at the university on each one, and invite everyone—alumni, students, faculty, staff, the public—to help the university tackle them head-on. It’s a way of magnifying the impact of the university, by asking people to pitch in and work on issues that concern them the most....ASU hopes alumni and others will go to the site between now and May to identify the issues they’re passionate about. Later this year, they will be able to return to the site to volunteer to provide expertise, serve on a panel, work on a team, donate resources, or serve as an advocate for problems identified and selected to be part of the initiative with the public.Read the rest of the article in ASU Magazine and visit the website to suggest an issue. I, of course, plan to be involved in something water-related. Although many people like to make fun of public universities, and especially Arizona State, for the quality of the students and the education, I have excellent things to say about my education there, especially after I left engineering. In addition, I think the university is working to tackle some awesome projects, especially in the environmental realm, from the school of sustainability to a master's in alternative energy. I believe the university is truly working on many issues that matter. Let's join them!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Green Hair Cuts
Some many years ago, CNA convinced me that I should try getting a fancy hair cut at Toni & Guy instead of the usual super cuts I'd been getting. I fell in love. The layers, the personalization. How had I ever lived with hair cuts that cost less than $50?
More recently, I moved on from just fancy hair cuts to fancy, eco-friendlier hair cuts at an Aveda salon in Albuquerque. Fantastic products, fantastic cuts, and a stylist who was not afraid to thin out my super thick hair. Loved it! One of the best things about the ABQ.
Then I came to San Francisco. It appeared that a hair cut at an Aveda salon might run up to close to around $100 including tips. (Have you ever been to a fancy salon? You have to either take who you can get and just pay however much they cost, or you have to feel cheap and ask for a stylist on the low end of the payscale. The low end was $65.)
So I went to a salon in my neighborhood that an independent website claimed was about 45% green. They at least hawk some type of organic hair products. Although they did have organic products on the shelves, I never did check them for the presence of parabens and SLSs. It didn't matter. My stylist used his own products, not the organic ones. The payscale went from $35 to $60. With my medium length hair, I was charged $60, the top end. The stylist never even got the personalization shears out. And convinced me he needed to keep my hair longer for his little style to work right, but it didn't help. So now I still have longish, super-thick hair, and it cost $72 and featured nasty products.
Next time I will probably toss out the cash and go to Aveda. Or at least not a salon in the Castro, where the stylists might be focusing on men's hair rather than women's.
Does anybody have a stylist who is not afraid to thin? Or a green salon? I may be willing to travel for these services.
Also check out the new info on these super green salons. Maybe there is one near you.
(My justification for spending this much money is that a good cut will last me 6 to 8 months or more. No need for the every six weeks payment.)
More recently, I moved on from just fancy hair cuts to fancy, eco-friendlier hair cuts at an Aveda salon in Albuquerque. Fantastic products, fantastic cuts, and a stylist who was not afraid to thin out my super thick hair. Loved it! One of the best things about the ABQ.
Then I came to San Francisco. It appeared that a hair cut at an Aveda salon might run up to close to around $100 including tips. (Have you ever been to a fancy salon? You have to either take who you can get and just pay however much they cost, or you have to feel cheap and ask for a stylist on the low end of the payscale. The low end was $65.)
So I went to a salon in my neighborhood that an independent website claimed was about 45% green. They at least hawk some type of organic hair products. Although they did have organic products on the shelves, I never did check them for the presence of parabens and SLSs. It didn't matter. My stylist used his own products, not the organic ones. The payscale went from $35 to $60. With my medium length hair, I was charged $60, the top end. The stylist never even got the personalization shears out. And convinced me he needed to keep my hair longer for his little style to work right, but it didn't help. So now I still have longish, super-thick hair, and it cost $72 and featured nasty products.
Next time I will probably toss out the cash and go to Aveda. Or at least not a salon in the Castro, where the stylists might be focusing on men's hair rather than women's.
Does anybody have a stylist who is not afraid to thin? Or a green salon? I may be willing to travel for these services.
Also check out the new info on these super green salons. Maybe there is one near you.
(My justification for spending this much money is that a good cut will last me 6 to 8 months or more. No need for the every six weeks payment.)
NYC Addresses Idling
This is interesting. The original article I saw, from an environmental news source, notes that idling a vehicle for more than 60 seconds will result in a stiff fine. They neglected to mention, per MSNBC, that this only applies in school zones. Big difference. Be careful where you get your news.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
More Thoughts on the Death of Environmentalism
Some time ago (okay in college), I thought that when I grew up, I wanted to be an environmentalist. I wanted to work for an environmental organization. I wanted to advocate for environmental protections. I wanted to protect nature from humans.
My departure from this belief has been slow and steady, starting with the first and only environmental non-profit for which I worked. It was not terribly well run, nepotistic, feuding with the national organizations, preaching against grazing without addressing ranchers' needs, and saw government as the enemy. And yet the people were fantastic and had the best of intentions.
Prior to working for this non-profit, I had already interned with two national and one state resource management agencies, where I had also encountered fantastic people with the best of intentions.
While in New Mexico, I associated with people intimately-connected to a nonprofit similar to the one for which I had worked, and I volunteered for them. I found deceivingly similar nepotism and questionable business practices.
I then went to work for the state and encountered environmental organizations that told flat out lies about the state government (although the state did not help itself) and once again ignored the needs of their ranching and farming community members. Even after I stood up for my agency (possibly against my own better judgment), called on my card-carrying environmentalist values, and tried to make friends with the enviros, I found more incorrect propaganda on the internet from a prominent and trusted national organization being spoon fed by the local one. I can handle persuasiveness; I can't handle outright lying. My last straw.
I have always thought that environmental organizations could improve their usefulness and success by adopting for-profit business models. Pay your employees a decent wage ($25,000 does not cut it, now matter how virtuous the cause!), hire people who will do a good job (not just your buddies), and make meaningful alliances with others including corporations (and some organizations, like the Environmental Defense Fund, do this successfully).
"Break Through" has just confirmed and expanded many of my thoughts about environmentalism. By regarding humans as separate from nature, and all human development an intrusion, environmentalists isolate and push away a large portion of society. All the farmers and ranchers I have met during many jobs were upstanding, smart, thoughtful, and inspiring citizens. Meeting with them and hearing their stories was one of my very favorite parts of my job, even when I had to drive hours to do so. They were true red and I true blue, and they knew it because I can't keep my mouth shut, but that did not affect their opinions of me. I believe they were truly interested in compromising on issues to protect the environment and their livelihoods. The environmentalists working with them were not interested in compromising, and will possibly drive them from their farms, inviting whole new realms of exurban development. I believe that more environmentalists need to see the environment as inclusive of human society, and figure out how to work cooperatively with all types of people in all types of places and careers to achieve mutual benefits. Let's call it win-win-win.
Environmentalists have also been loath to embrace the use of economics as a way to achieve their goals. As my disenchantment with the enviros was hardening, I read a book by the Stonyfield Farms CEO and became convinced that working for a corporation could be one of the very best ways to intigate environmental and social sustainability. Corporations must play a leading role in mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change. We can't just stand back and tell them they are bad. We must work with them to innovate. Economics is a powerful driving force, and the environment is not separate from it.
Well, this has turned into a missive. (Have I posted about my disillusion with environmentalism previously?) I am tired of the subcategorization and segregation of issues and people that should go hand in hand. I am tired of environmental organizations that won't hire me because I have worked for the government and vice versa. We all have learned by now, I am sure, that I am jaded. But "Break Though" gives me hope for the future. Although I will still support environmental causes, I need to make sure that comprehensive and holistic approaches are being taken to solving problems, even if those approaches are "non-environmental."
But I still don't know what to be when I grow up.
My departure from this belief has been slow and steady, starting with the first and only environmental non-profit for which I worked. It was not terribly well run, nepotistic, feuding with the national organizations, preaching against grazing without addressing ranchers' needs, and saw government as the enemy. And yet the people were fantastic and had the best of intentions.
Prior to working for this non-profit, I had already interned with two national and one state resource management agencies, where I had also encountered fantastic people with the best of intentions.
While in New Mexico, I associated with people intimately-connected to a nonprofit similar to the one for which I had worked, and I volunteered for them. I found deceivingly similar nepotism and questionable business practices.
I then went to work for the state and encountered environmental organizations that told flat out lies about the state government (although the state did not help itself) and once again ignored the needs of their ranching and farming community members. Even after I stood up for my agency (possibly against my own better judgment), called on my card-carrying environmentalist values, and tried to make friends with the enviros, I found more incorrect propaganda on the internet from a prominent and trusted national organization being spoon fed by the local one. I can handle persuasiveness; I can't handle outright lying. My last straw.
I have always thought that environmental organizations could improve their usefulness and success by adopting for-profit business models. Pay your employees a decent wage ($25,000 does not cut it, now matter how virtuous the cause!), hire people who will do a good job (not just your buddies), and make meaningful alliances with others including corporations (and some organizations, like the Environmental Defense Fund, do this successfully).
"Break Through" has just confirmed and expanded many of my thoughts about environmentalism. By regarding humans as separate from nature, and all human development an intrusion, environmentalists isolate and push away a large portion of society. All the farmers and ranchers I have met during many jobs were upstanding, smart, thoughtful, and inspiring citizens. Meeting with them and hearing their stories was one of my very favorite parts of my job, even when I had to drive hours to do so. They were true red and I true blue, and they knew it because I can't keep my mouth shut, but that did not affect their opinions of me. I believe they were truly interested in compromising on issues to protect the environment and their livelihoods. The environmentalists working with them were not interested in compromising, and will possibly drive them from their farms, inviting whole new realms of exurban development. I believe that more environmentalists need to see the environment as inclusive of human society, and figure out how to work cooperatively with all types of people in all types of places and careers to achieve mutual benefits. Let's call it win-win-win.
Environmentalists have also been loath to embrace the use of economics as a way to achieve their goals. As my disenchantment with the enviros was hardening, I read a book by the Stonyfield Farms CEO and became convinced that working for a corporation could be one of the very best ways to intigate environmental and social sustainability. Corporations must play a leading role in mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change. We can't just stand back and tell them they are bad. We must work with them to innovate. Economics is a powerful driving force, and the environment is not separate from it.
Well, this has turned into a missive. (Have I posted about my disillusion with environmentalism previously?) I am tired of the subcategorization and segregation of issues and people that should go hand in hand. I am tired of environmental organizations that won't hire me because I have worked for the government and vice versa. We all have learned by now, I am sure, that I am jaded. But "Break Though" gives me hope for the future. Although I will still support environmental causes, I need to make sure that comprehensive and holistic approaches are being taken to solving problems, even if those approaches are "non-environmental."
But I still don't know what to be when I grow up.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Now is the Time to Conserve
Uh oh.
The Director of the California Department of Water Resources (and graduate of my alma mater), Lester Snow, requested all Californians to voluntarily cut 20% of their water consumption.
This comes on the heels of an announcement that state water project contractors will receive only 15% of their allocations, and farmers who rely on the federal Central Valley Project will receive 0% of their allocations. You read that right. No water for farmers. None. They grow our crops. The state water project serves many of the major municipal customers in southern California.
This drought is no joke. Matt and I will have trouble cutting water use by 20% since all we really do is take showers and flush the toilet. Many cities that call for voluntary conservation usually do so in the 10 to 12% range. 20% is actually quite large, and should STUN us into action.
I need to actually put a water bottle in our super water using toilet, and I was thinking of contacting our property manager with some information on conserving water in multi-unit buildings (like, say, replacing the super guzzling toilet).
Also, look forward to super high prices for vegetables later this year.
The Director of the California Department of Water Resources (and graduate of my alma mater), Lester Snow, requested all Californians to voluntarily cut 20% of their water consumption.
This comes on the heels of an announcement that state water project contractors will receive only 15% of their allocations, and farmers who rely on the federal Central Valley Project will receive 0% of their allocations. You read that right. No water for farmers. None. They grow our crops. The state water project serves many of the major municipal customers in southern California.
This drought is no joke. Matt and I will have trouble cutting water use by 20% since all we really do is take showers and flush the toilet. Many cities that call for voluntary conservation usually do so in the 10 to 12% range. 20% is actually quite large, and should STUN us into action.
I need to actually put a water bottle in our super water using toilet, and I was thinking of contacting our property manager with some information on conserving water in multi-unit buildings (like, say, replacing the super guzzling toilet).
Also, look forward to super high prices for vegetables later this year.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Global Population Speak Out
I just received a press release from an environmental organization announcing that they had pledged their support to something called Global Population Speak Out. The group's tagline is "breaking down the barrier to public discussion of population," and their goal is to recruit respected scientists and organizations to bring up the subject of how consumption by a huge and growing population threatens our resources and the earth itself.
I was apprehensive at first. Although I solemnly agree that there are too many people on this earth and counting, I have heard enough people use this as an argument to prevent immigration to the US (despite the fact that those people have to live somewhere on this, our only planet, and we, the citizens of the US, use far more than our share of resources) that I am skeptical of so-called population activists. Most of the time I feel we are on opposite sides of the political and humanitarian spectrum.
Anyway, this group seems to have good intentions at this time, and has been signed on to but such heavyweights as the Ehrlichs. However, one must dig fairly far into the website to find anything out about their solutions. To my relief, one of these solutions is the education of women. This approach certainly benefits not just the environment, but also the quality of life for many people. I am all for education and family planning efforts.
I have not yet confirmed the intentions of this group, but talking about population problems, without trying to shut down immigration or institute mandatory population control measures, is certainly important.
I was apprehensive at first. Although I solemnly agree that there are too many people on this earth and counting, I have heard enough people use this as an argument to prevent immigration to the US (despite the fact that those people have to live somewhere on this, our only planet, and we, the citizens of the US, use far more than our share of resources) that I am skeptical of so-called population activists. Most of the time I feel we are on opposite sides of the political and humanitarian spectrum.
Anyway, this group seems to have good intentions at this time, and has been signed on to but such heavyweights as the Ehrlichs. However, one must dig fairly far into the website to find anything out about their solutions. To my relief, one of these solutions is the education of women. This approach certainly benefits not just the environment, but also the quality of life for many people. I am all for education and family planning efforts.
I have not yet confirmed the intentions of this group, but talking about population problems, without trying to shut down immigration or institute mandatory population control measures, is certainly important.
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