tagged w/ Eco-Conscious
-
A coalition of manufacturers, including Walmart, J.C.Penney's, and Timberland, has formed to rate the sustainability of globally sourced items, and the companies who sell them. The score reflects not only the ecologic impact of the item, but also the working conditions under which the item was made. With any luck, one day you might pick up t-shirt in Walmart, and find not only a size and price, but also a sustainability rating right there on the tag.
http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2011/03/rated-g-for-green.htmlA coalition of manufacturers, including Walmart, J.C.Penney's, and Timberland,... more
-
-
The choices you make when buying, using, and getting rid of your tech can also have an impact on the environment and your personal carbon footprint. Lucky for you LAPTOP Magazine made it easy to make greener choices.
http://blog.laptopmag.com/happy-40th-earth-day-reduce-reuse-recycle
Reduce
Drawing power for our laptops is a necessary aspect of life, but some are better at power efficiency than others. The more efficient, the less energy used, the greener you are. Plus, a lower energy bill is its own reward. In our annual Green Choice Awards we tested 21 netbooks and notebooks to determine overall eco-friendliness, including the amount of watts they gobble. Click to see which systems get the green star.
http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/green-choice-awards-2010.aspx
Reuse
When you no longer use or need that old notebook, MP3 player, or mobile gadget, what can you do with it? If you can’t or don’t want to give it away to someone you know, consider trading in your old tech for discounts on new purchases, gift cards, or even cash. Many of the programs that accept older, gently-used technology resell, refurbish, or repurpose it, giving the gadgets you no longer want a second life and keeping them out of a landfill. Click below to find programs for trading in your laptop, mobile phone, and other gadgets.
http://blog.laptopmag.com/ready-set-recycle
http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-recycle-mobile-gadgets
Recycle
If your laptop or other gadgets are too old to earn you some cash, you should still send them off for proper recycling. The components and/or batteries inside might contain harmful chemicals best kept from landfills. Most of the trade-in programs for laptops and other tech will also take recyclables for no fee. Either drop them off at a designated location near you or get a pre-paid envelope or mailing label so you can ship it from home.
And if you’ve got some batteries to dispose of, be sure you’re doing it properly. Some can go in the trash, but others should be sent off for recycling, too.
http://blog.laptopmag.com/battery-disposal-done-rightThe choices you make when buying, using, and getting rid of your tech can also have an... more
-
-
eco.fact: Distance your average item of food travels to your plate: 1,500 miles (John Hendrickson, Energy use in the U.S. Food System: A Summary of existing research and analysis).
I took part in the one-week No Impact Experiment and day four's challenge was to eat healthy to lesson our family's "foodprint"--the impact our food has on the environment (packaging waste, distance traveled, amount of resources used to process, etc.) This I knew would be a challenge for us. I purchase organic as often as possible and go to the farmer's market when it's in town--we were even receiving weekly deliveries of mostly local, seasonal fruits and veggies from a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) until my husband got laid in December '08. (Side Note: He's still unemployed, so let me know if you're hiring!)
The good news is, on this particular day, I didn't shop for food (or anything at all), although we had very little in the house. I got creative with the food we already had --eggs, lentils, edamame, frozen veggies (bad, I know) and pasta/rice--and we survived.
I'm sorry to admit (stabbing guilt pangs) that I frequent Trader Joe's and find myself purchasing things like pre-made frozen meatballs, cans of chili, Craig's fave already-made-single serving of Shepard's Pie because I don't do meat-and-potatoes. There are also the cans of salmon and tuna that I can't seem to get away from. After a full day of working, helping my third-grader with homework after school, I (big excuse alert) "have little time to plan". Believe me, I am ridden with guilt from this enormous environmental flaw. I do try to buy in bulk at Costco--but I cringe every time I grab the huge container of organic spinach packed in a plastic container. Or the processed chicken nuggets--guaranteed cage raised--which even my husband and I love to eat on occasion.
The reality is, you don't need a lot of money to eat locally and reduce the packaging waste. Better time management on my part would allow me to make a fast meal in the crockpot. And on our zero budget, we've talked about eating mostly pasta, rice and beans--well it wasn't exactly a discussion... my husband practically shouted, "NO!" We haven't purchased red meat in eons (I don't eat it) and if we ever have to appease my son and husband, it's grass fed, organic. Any chicken (except the nuggets, which we need to be weaned from) is organic, free-range and eggs come from these happier chickens.
Tips to a lower "foodprint":
Instead of sugar, use locally harvested honey
Purchase ocean-friendly fish
Reduce or eliminate meat consumption -- Even going one day without meat can make a difference. U.S. factory farms raise and kill more than nine billion animals annually. These massive operations consume a tremendous amount of raw materials, water, and fossil fuels and produce 500 million tons of waste annually that can pollute our soil, air and water.
Purge "processed foods" from your vocabulary and don't let it enter your grocery cart --- especially single-serving packages!! Not only will you help the planet, by reducing packaging waste, your health will benefit. Processed foods can be loaded with chemicals, additives, etc.
Say no to heavily packaged foods--this one is hard in our busy lives... but maybe we just need to slow down a bit. By cutting down on packaged foods, I've actually found more money left in my pocket for organic foods. I have to admit, we have room for improvement in this area!
Bring your own containers to the restaurant for doggie bags or carry-out
Join a CSA.
Grow your own garden.
About the Author
Lynn is the founder of myEARTH360.com and a contributing editor for Just Cause Magazine. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, son and two mischievous cats.
Greenopolis.com is dedicated to our users. We focus our attention on changing the world through recycling, waste-to-energy and conservation. We reward our users for their sustainable behaviors on our website, through our Greenopolis Tracking Stations and with curbside recycling programs.
GREENOP4906
http://3blmedia.com/theCSRfeed/My-FoodPrint-Reduction-Experimenteco.fact: Distance your average item of food travels to your plate: 1,500 miles (John... more
-
-
Recently, the house and the senate have drafted opposing legislation on this matter into the new health care legislation (HR 3962). Black liquor is a toxic by-product of making pulp for paper production. It has been burned by paper companies as fuel for decades.
After mixing it with diesel, it's burned by the paper company as fuel, which qualifies them for a tax credit, enacted in 2007.
According to wikipedia, for one large company (International Paper) this could amount to as much as $3.7 billion in benefits per year.
This is another example of massive tax breaks for large companies that are not in the interest of the American public. Burning black liquor has a major negative effect on the environment, not to mention the additional consumption of diesel fuel. Additionally, smaller companies that produce 100% recycled post consumer paper cannot compete (they don't produce or use black liquor/diesel fuel so they can't get the massive tax break).
I encourage you to contact your representatives on this matter.
more at the article above and here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_liquorRecently, the house and the senate have drafted opposing legislation on this matter... more
-
-
I'm starting to see these little empty non-recyclable, non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastic containers everywhere. I've seen entire trash cans filled with these things at convenience stores after the morning rush... day after day.
In this day and age, you would think that Keurig and the companies associated with this product (Paul Newman's Own, Heifer, Green Mountain Coffee, Celestial Seasonings, Ghirardelli) who claim to be "organic" and/or "sustainable", would be more aware of it's impact to our environment.
You can contact these companies at the blog post above.
"The Keurig single-cup brewing system uses a special packaging for coffee, tea and hot cocoa called K-Cup portion packs or "K-Cups". Each K-Cup is an airtight, mini-brewer that locks out oxygen, light, moisture and humidity while locking in freshness and flavor. "
Personally, I'll take a french press any day over hot plastic brew.
http://www.coffeehabitat.com/images/2007/05/15/pitfall.jpg
About the K-Cup:
http://www.keurig.com/explore/choose.asp?mscsid=M4DDGKT2QWHL8LUSJH2PWEX7NT2PDTGFI'm starting to see these little empty non-recyclable, non-biodegradable... more
-
-
ndustrial designer Nicolas Souliman is trying to give the shipping world what they’ve always longed for – a ship powered by clean energy.This mega-liner, dubbed “Asgard,” harnesses solar energy to run a Stirling engine, which further is supported by a wind harnessing sail system. The 156m- long ship is designed to ferry about 800 passengers comfortably across the oceans.ndustrial designer Nicolas Souliman is trying to give the shipping world what... more
-
-
Mebbin
-
added this
-
2 years ago
- |
-
Ecological tourism or eco-tourism is a highly popular term and possibly one of the most misused in the travel industry. It should describe travel to fragile areas where the fauna, flora and cultural heritage are the main reasons for travel.
Essentially eco-tourism protects and empowers local people and natural areas, and at the same time provides visitors with a unique, but low impact experience.
The Ecotourism Society defines eco-tourism as ‘responsible travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people’. Essentially eco-tourism should unite conservation, communities and sustainable travel.
However, it can get a little confusing. There are a handful of similar terms used to describe this type of travel, like ‘adventure travel’, ’sustainable tourism’, ‘responsible tourism’, and ‘green travel’. Most of these loosely adhere to the principles of eco-tourism. A walk through a rainforest is not eco-tourism unless it also benefits the people who live there. And in the same vein, a safari trip is only eco-tourism if it raises awareness and funds to help protect wildlife.
There are companies who market themselves as eco-tourism establishments, when in fact they are not. So it is up to the traveller to ask important questions about the trip’s ability to conserve and improve the destination. Often the term is used as a marketing tool to promote nature related tourism. However, placing a splendid hotel in the midst of a fragile ecosystem and calling it eco-tourism is ‘greenwash’.
Two of the terms most often used interchangeably with eco-tourism are ’sustainable tourism’ and ‘responsible tourism’, both of which include aspects of eco-tourism.
Sustainable tourism means that resources should be unaffected by your visit and that your stay at the destination should not prevent future tourists from enjoying the same experience.
Responsible tourism means that you minimise your negative impacts on the environment, but often this also incorporates an element of ‘giving back’ to local communities. The Responsible Tourism Awards describe ‘responsible tourism’ as tourists who ‘want to interact with communities on a personal level, learn first-hand of their challenges, experience environments and hopefully, leave something constructive behind’.
So what does one need to do make sure that eco-tourism is really the form of travel on offer?
By asking the following types of questions:
* Is the environment being looked after?
* Is the local community being protected and uplifted?
* Does the travel build environmental awareness?
* Are resources remaining for future generations?
* Does the travel respect local culture?
It is not in South Africa alone that the term eco-tourism is used to describe ‘adventure’ or ‘nature’ trips that do not always meet the requirements of true eco-tourism. There are only a handful of countries around the world with national eco-tourism certification programmes in place, and these include: Costa Rica, Australia, Kenya and Sweden. There are also attempts to create international eco-tourism accreditation programmes.
In South Africa there is not yet an official regulation of the term eco-tourism. SATSA (South African Tourism Services Association) tries to ‘provide high standards of tourism and focuses on accountability, integrity and quality control’, and awards like the local Imvelo Responsible Tourism Awards and the international Responsible Tourism Awards also influence many tourist destinations and tour package companies. Eco-tourism cannot be monitored as closely as it should be, until a formal procedure or framework exists.
--
I recently traveled as an Eco-Tourist in Costa Rica, and I think it's the best way to travel.Ecological tourism or eco-tourism is a highly popular term and possibly one of the... more
-
-
RFWtv Presents a pod from the 2009 Wakarusa Music Festival. We caught up with Johnny, a young artist who designed, built and created the 'Edge of Imagination Station'. A creative space that allowed festival attendees of all ages to put their fingers to work, Johnny has developed a way for us all to take part in making art with Stop-Motion Animation.
For more information on Johnny and Wakarusa 2009 - visit Roving Festival Writer at TheRFW.com.RFWtv Presents a pod from the 2009 Wakarusa Music Festival. We caught up with Johnny,... more
-
-
RFWtv
-
added this
-
2 years ago
- |
-
An intense amount of research and amateur science gets one-upped by a real pure blend, Almay's Pure Blends.
30 second version.
Full 50 second version found here: http://current.com/items/90001486_a-pure-blend-50sec.htmAn intense amount of research and amateur science gets one-upped by a real pure blend,... more
-
-
What is Beauty World? Ladies, if you think it's a magical place where we look fantastic, feel great, have the wind in our hair, you're right. But if you think it's free of Dudes and Chili-Dogs, well, maybe that's just wishful thinking.
Almay has launched an exciting new natural product line. Here is our VCAM and a look at what it means to be beautiful without compromise.
Check out "Beauty World" directed by Arlene Bogna.
UPDATE: here's a link to the broadcast version:
http://current.com/items/90129487_almay-pure-blends-beauty-world.htmWhat is Beauty World? Ladies, if you think it's a magical place where we look... more
-
-
This seven minute documentary is about the benefits of biodynamic and organic farming.
It includes three interviews with farm employees and educational animation.
Hawthorn Valley Farm is also part of a feature length film called "From Elegance To
Earthworms", a movie about the growing green movement in New York state.
This seven minute documentary is about the benefits of biodynamic and organic... more
-
-
Terracycle is a ten minute film about an innovative and creative company that
manufactures fertilizer made from worm poop and packages it in recycled containers. It documents the company's commitment to a greener, better, cheaper way of doing business.
Terracycle is also part of a feature length film called "From Elegance To Earth Worms"
which sheds positive light on an Eco-conscious market place.Terracycle is a ten minute film about an innovative and creative company that... more
-
-
Western Shoshone leader, Corbin Harney talks about his prophetic conversation with the waterWestern Shoshone leader, Corbin Harney talks about his prophetic conversation with the... more
-
-
A song for those living a Conscious Lifestyle in the Web 2.0 Generation.
Lyrics by Mike DP
Song produced by DJ Matt Werner
Instrumental sampled from 'It's Okay (One Blood)' by The Game
For more, see http://www.youtube.com/djmattwernerA song for those living a Conscious Lifestyle in the Web 2.0 Generation.
Lyrics by... more
-
-
During 2008 a solar fountain will flow - and wild flowers will bloom - in a native plants garden that has replaced the lawn at the Lutheran Campus Ministry "Lothlorien" house for students at Northern Michigan University in Marquette.
An interfaith "Blessing of the Garden" ceremony included chanting, incense and other religious traditions from several faith communities.
Earth Keeper Initiative volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson has the story.
The producers thank Lutheran Campus Ministry student leader Sarah Swanson, NMU sophomore from Rapid River, MI for her videography and photography talents that helped make this video possible
(Marquette, Michigan) - In the spring of 2008 a solar fountain will flow and flowers will bloom in a northern Michigan native plants garden nurtured by university students that was blessed by a Buddhist head priest and a Lutheran pastor
A "Blessing of the Garden" ceremony was held in October 2007 at Lothlorien - the Northern Michigan University Lutheran Campus Ministry house near Lake Superior.
A heavy rain poured the entire day almost causing the ceremony to be moved inside, but the sun came out for 20 minutes and the rain resumed just as the blessing and a tour were completed.
Performing the blessing was Rev. Jon Magnuson, director of Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) at Northern Michigan University (NMU) in Marquette, MI; and Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of Lake Superior Zendo, a Zen Buddhist temple.
The Lothlorien lawn has been turned into a native plants garden that includes rocks from three of the Great Lakes.
The LCM house name, Lothlorien, comes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The garden includes Michigan plants and others from the Boreal border regions of the northern United States including Black Eye Susan, aster, dogbane, bluestem, and Sensitive fern.
Prayers, incense, bells, and chants were part of the ceremony that included a tour of the garden by NMU Student Michael Joko Rotter, a member of Lake Superior Zendo.
"Lothlorien is a magical kingdom part of what Tolkien called Middle-earth - where time passes differently," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, a Lutheran pastor, who founded the NMU EarthKeeper Student Team. Many of the campus ministry students belong to the interfaith NMU EK Student Team.
"Our natural native plants landscaping - our Lothlorien garden - is a sign of a new way of living with the world," Magnuson said. "It honors the indigenous and native plants of our region."
"Lothlorien came into being first as a song," Rev. Magnuson said. "The garden will be a haven for birds and other small creatures."
"The fountain represents the water of Lake Superior and the waters of our baptism," Magnuson said.
The Central Upper Peninsula Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans donated $1,600.
"Students are involved - and we like to support things that young people are going to be enthusiastically involved in like this native plants garden," said Judy Quirk, president of the Thrivent central U.P. chapter.
A fountain in the garden is going to be converted to solar power in the spring of 2008 and the sun will charge a battery allowing the water to flow in cloudy weather.
"We hope this will inspire people to learn the benefits that native plants have, such as requiring a third less water, and no pesticides or fertilizers," said Rotter.
Rotter said the "garden represents the hope of the future."
Cedar Tree Institute:
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org
Lake Superior Interfaith Communication Network:
http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans:
http://www.thrivent.comDuring 2008 a solar fountain will flow - and wild flowers will bloom - in a native... more
-
-
by Nicole
It's a film, it's a game, it's a mindset, it's uplifting, it's about awareness, it's a way of life, it's a shift, and it's happening!by Nicole
It's a film, it's a game, it's a mindset, it's... more
-
-
by Nicole
Carbon offsetting is the environmental equivalent of going to confessional. Obviously it's much better not to have sinned in the first place, but, if you do, a few Hail Mary's can certainly help atone for your misdeeds, taking the weight of the sin off your soul.
Terra Pass offsets the damage of your CO2-squandering misdemeanors, by funding planet-positive projects (such as wind farms) on your behalf. Their eco credentials are regularly audited by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions, so you know your green guilt money is in goods hands.
You can give the gift of a guilt-free 2008 with Terra Pass' themed gift certificates. Their annual Road TerraPass promises a year of carbon balanced driving. Prices start from $29.95 to offset low mileage hybrid drivers, to $79.95 for high mileage drivers of large cars or trucks. Other options include the Flight Offset pass (ranging from $9.95 for a "puddle jumper" to $1,749.95 for the serious "aviator") and the Home Energy pass (ranging from $29.94 for a small home to $139.72 for a mansion dweller).
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Nicole
Carbon offsetting is the environmental equivalent of going to confessional.... more
-
-
by Nicole
Take advantage of the season to encourage your friends and loved ones to get fit or take up that hobby they've always talked about. You'll find many local gyms, and dance or yoga studios have special holiday gift membership programs, but if you're stumped as to where to start looking, The Daily Mantra has a few suggestions:
Yogaworks, which have studios in Los Angeles, New York and Orange County, offer gift cards that can be exchanged for classes or goodies from their store, or a combination of the two. Members of the super hip Equinox gyms can buy one-month gift memberships starting at $135.00 to get non-members into the gym thing. More utilitarian than the luxury Equinox clubs, Gold's Gym are offering three-month gift memberships for just $99, and have locations in 40 states.
Venturing further out of the box, Great American Days offer a wide range of activities at locations nationwide. Their experience voucher scheme is an excellent way to introduce someone to a new hobby or sport. You can preselect an activity from an extensive list which includes: paint balling (from $21), mountain biking (from $29), horseback riding (from $60), scuba diving, whitewater rafting (from $58), kayaking (from $85), rock climbing (from $69), golfing (from $67), surfing (from $55), and stock car racing (from $60), to name but a few. Or give a voucher for a preset value and let your giftee decide what they'd like to try out. For those that are less active, they also offer vouchers for more sedate activities such as bowling (form $34), sushi making lessons (from $80) and perfume workshops (from $40).
Whether the recipient is 6 or 60, a chance to get out of a rut, get fit, and/or learn a new sport or skill is truly a priceless gift.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Nicole
Take advantage of the season to encourage your friends and loved ones to... more
-
-
by Malayna
A fun and pretty line of plant-able holiday paper goods by Bloomin' Flower Cards can help people brighten their loved ones' lives beyond the holiday season, and without waste or negative environmental impact. Bloomin's greeting cards, gift tags, gift wrap and ornaments can be planted and enjoyed later - truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Their color images are made from organic pigments and printed on the seed paper itself, so in most cases the entire card can be planted. The handmade post-consumer seed paper acts as mulch, retaining moisture for the seeds and nurturing them into full bloom.
"Handmade and environmentally friendly, these holiday cards are packed with the highest quality annual and perennial wildflower seeds available," says Don Martin, president of Bloomin' Flower Cards. "And, yes, when watered, they really will grow." They include a diverse and hearty mix of seed species to ensure growth across all growing regions.
Directions for growing are printed on the back of each card, so your gift recipients know the bonus gift they've received. The standard greeting reads, "May the seeds of happiness and joy be yours throughout the holiday season," but cards can be customized for orders of 50 or more with only a week's notice.
We at Daily Mantra love the idea of a company committed to earth-friendly commerce, using 100% post-consumer paper, soy-based inks and organic pigments to create cards and gift papers that return to the earth. Bloomin' Flower Cards were even named "Employer of the Year" in 1999 by The Association of Community Living for regularly employing "differently-abled" individuals. And they offer products for all occasions too: wedding and custom invitations, corporate promotional materials ("to really grow your business"), bookmarks, postcards, note cards and year round any-occasion greeting cards.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Malayna
A fun and pretty line of plant-able holiday paper goods by Bloomin'... more
-
-
Got some "eco-friends?" Or maybe you're feeling "eco-generous." This blog has some cool ideas for holiday shopping- "eco-style."Got some "eco-friends?" Or maybe you're feeling... more
-
