tagged w/ Sustainable Living
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For many of the world's 1.4 billion small-scale farmers, the benefit of organics is clear: better food, security and a better life. (item 1)
Study after study shows that organic techniques can provide much more food per acre in developing countries than conventional chemical-based agriculture. One report - published last year by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) - found that 114 projects, covering nearly two million African farmers, more than doubled their yields by introducing organic or near-organic practices. (item 2)
It is crucial to protect areas of peasant agriculture free of contamination from GMO crops... as safeguards against the potential ecological failure derived from the Second Green Revolution increasingly being imposed with programs such as the Gates-Rockefeller AGRA in Africa... The small farmers and indigenous communities of the Global South, with the help of scientists and NGOs, can continue being the creators and guardians of a biological and genetic diversity that has enriched the food culture of the whole planet.
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Much more at the link.For many of the world's 1.4 billion small-scale farmers, the benefit of organics... more
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On one of the fields where students learn about agriculture, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore will soon be planting a new kind of crop with a constantly renewable yield - 20 acres' worth of photovoltaic panels, the largest solar farm in the state.
The 2.1-megawatt system, to be built by Beltsville-based SunEdison, will generate electricity for the 4,100-student campus in Princess Anne when it's finished, which is expected by the end of the year.
"We hope it will be a model for other universities as well as the surrounding businesses in the area," said Suzanne Street, the university's spokeswoman.
The solar farm, about the size of 22 football fields, should help stabilize electricity costs for the historically black university, its officials say. And in the process, they say, getting electricity from the sun should displace more than 100 million pounds of climate-warming carbon dioxide over the next 20 years that a coal-burning power plant would otherwise emit to keep the lights on on campus.
The project, announced this week, indicates renewed interest in the fledgling solar power industry, which had seen new installations slowed since last fall by the slumping economy, industry officials say.
"It's a good sign that they're starting to come back," said Peter Lowenthal, a renewable energy consultant in Washington and regional director for the Solar Energy Industry Association.
Energy incentives in states like Maryland, in addition to increasingly generous federal ones, are turning the Mid-Atlantic region into a hot spot for new solar projects, said Monique Hanis, spokeswoman for the Solar Energy Industries Association.
"We expect it to vie with California for becoming one of the better regions for solar in the next five years," she said, noting that New Jersey has the second-largest amount of solar power generation installed.
Maryland has a long way to go to challenge other states for solar supremacy. Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas boasts the largest photovoltaic system in the nation for now, a 14-megawatt array spread across 140 arid Nevada acres. A batch of much larger ones are in the works.
But by itself, the university project will nearly double the state's solar generating capacity of about 3 megawatts, says Christina Twomey, spokeswoman for the Maryland Energy Administration. The next largest is a roughly 1 megawatt photovoltaic system installed by Constellation Energy last year on the roof of McCormick & Co.'s mill and distribution center in Hunt Valley.
"For one system, that's a pretty significant accomplishment and a good step forward," said Joseph Verrengia, spokesman for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Boulder, Colo. Although the Sunbelt is seeing some huge solar farms proposed, Verrengia said that systems can convert sunlight to electricity efficiently even in more northerly places like Maryland.
"Maryland is really coming on strong," said Matthew Dickey, SunEdison's sales manager, who noted that his company has installed solar arrays on four Montgomery County schools and has a contract to do four more.
end of excerptOn one of the fields where students learn about agriculture, the University of... more
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I recently posted about deforestation in the Amazon increasing, and that to me is a sad statement about humanity. It isn't as though we aren't aware of what our actions are doing to our only home. We have been given the information and the ability to access that information. We as stewards of Earth should then want to do right by her because doing so is doing right by us. So this week for the Weekly Spiritual Infusion I decided to post a video that shows old growth trees that represent the beauty of Earth and the importance of respecting her.
And here is a challenge from the Sustainable Agriculture Group: Pledge to plant at least one tree within the next month and then do it. Then either post about it here or post pictures/videos of your planting it and tell how it made you feel. Let's start our own reforestation effort and work to reverse the damage done to respect Earth in a way that will sustain her for generations to come. We have the power to destroy and have shown that to our detriment, but we also have the power to rebuild and heal.
I hope this video inspires you.
Also, please let me know if you enjoy this feature, and if you are so inclined pay a visit here and sign my petition :
http://plantamerica.blogspot.com
Thanks.
JanI recently posted about deforestation in the Amazon increasing, and that to me is a... more
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Advances in ecology increasingly reveal that conventional agricultural practices have detrimental effects on the landscape ecology, creating problems for long-term sustainability of crops. In a series of sessions at the Ecological Society of America's Annual Meeting, ecologists will present their ideas on how our agricultural practices can take lessons from natural environments.
Perennial plants produce more, require less input than annual croplands
The major crops used globally to feed people and livestock – wheat, rice, maize and soy – are based on an annual system, in which crop plants live one year, are harvested, and are replanted the following year. These systems are notorious, however, for stripping organic nutrients from soils over time.
Perennial systems, on the other hand, contain plants that live longer than one year despite being harvested annually. Many agricultural scientists, including Jerry Glover of The Land Institute, say that perennial crops are the key to creating more sustainable agricultural systems.
"Across agricultural history, we've fundamentally relied on annual grain crops," Glover says. "But at the same time we rely on them, they're degrading the ecosystems they're in, which reduces their productivity."
To compare the long-term sustainability of these two cropping systems, Glover and his colleagues conducted a study on the physical, biological and chemical differences between annual wheat fields and perennial grass fields in Kansas. The fields had each been harvested annually for the past 75 years.
In each test, the researchers found perennial fields to be healthier and more sustainable ecosystems. In the perennial fields, the plants' total root mass was more than seven times that of the annuals, and the roots infiltrated about a foot deeper into the ground. The perennial fields also had higher soil microbe biodiversity and higher levels of dissolved carbon and nitrogen in the soil. All these findings, says Glover, suggest that the perennial field soil is healthy enough to maintain high levels of organic nutrients.
In addition to being more ecologically sustainable, Glover's team found that the perennial fields were more energy-efficient in providing productive harvests. Although only the annual fields received yearly fertilizer inputs, the perennial fields yielded 23 percent more nitrogen harvested over the 75 years, despite requiring only 8 percent of the energy inputs in the field – such as fertilizer and harvesting operations – as the annual systems.
Glover says that these results clearly show the need to move away from annual crops and increase our use and domestication of perennial crops.
"So far, little effort has been made to improve perennial crops," he says. "Some of greatest possibilities for transforming agriculture may well come from overlooked systems such as perennial grasses."Advances in ecology increasingly reveal that conventional agricultural practices have... more
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Vote Hemp, the leading grassroots advocacy organization working to give back farmers the right to grow industrial hemp (the oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis), enthusiastically supports the decision of Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski to sign SB 676 into law today. The bill, which passed the House by a vote of 46 to 11 and the Senate by a vote of 27 to 2, permits the production, trade and possession of industrial hemp commodities and products. With the Governor's signature, it now makes a politically bold commitment to develop hemp in a state whose slogan is "Oregon - We Love Dreamers."
"I am glad that Oregon has joined the other states that have agreed that American farmers should have the right to re-introduce industrial hemp as an agricultural crop," says SB 676 sponsor, Sen. Floyd Prozanski. "By signing SB 676 into law, which passed the Oregon Legislature with strong bi-partisan support, Governor Kulongoski has taken a proactive position allowing our farmers the right to grow industrial hemp, to provide American manufacturers with domestically-grown hemp, and to profit from that effort." The new law sets up a state-regulated program for farmers to grow industrial hemp which is used in a wide variety of products, including nutritious foods, cosmetics, body care, clothing, tree-free paper, auto parts, building materials, fuels and much more. Learn more about hemp at www.VoteHemp.com.
"Oregon's federal delegation can now take this law to the U.S. Congress and call for a fix to this problem, so American companies will no longer need to import hemp and American farmers will no longer be denied a profitable new crop," comments Vote Hemp Director, Patrick Goggin. "Under current federal policy, industrial hemp can be imported, but it cannot be grown by American farmers. Hemp is an environmentally-friendly crop that has not been grown commercially in the U.S. for over fifty years because of a politicized and misguided interpretation of the nation's drug laws by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). While a new federal bill in Congress, HR 1866, is a welcome step, the hemp industry is hopeful that the Obama administration will recognize hemp's myriad benefits to farmers, businesses and the environment," adds Goggin.
Many businesses in Oregon manufacture, market and sell hemp products, including Living Harvest, The Merry Hempsters, Wilderness Poets, Earthbound Creations, Sweetgrass Natural Fibers, Sympatico Clothing, Mama's Herbal Soaps and Hempire. Living Harvest of Portland was recently ranked the third-fastest-growing company in Oregon, as awarded by The Portland Business Journal's "Fastest-Growing Private 100 Companies" annual award. "We are looking forward to the opportunity to invest in hemp processing and production locally," says Hans Fastre, CEO of Living Harvest. "This new law represents another step towards heightening the hemp industry's profile within mainstream America and making hemp products more accessible to businesses and consumers."Vote Hemp, the leading grassroots advocacy organization working to give back farmers... more
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Our planet is a fragile ecosystem. To maintain balance, we’ll have to find ways to bring sustainable agriculture to our growing cities. The Science Barge, a floating farm in New York City, is proof that we can. The barge grows produce hydroponically, using only sustainable energy, and teaches local students how to do the same on their rooftops.
This is what it's all about!Our planet is a fragile ecosystem. To maintain balance, we’ll have to find ways... more
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This is not the time for GM engineering for profit that delivers little to no advantages in yield or in biodiversity. Now is the time for traditional plant breeding to flourish. The stakes for the sustainability of our planet are way too high to count on industrial agriculture that up to this point has not delivered on its promises, but has only added to the problems. Sustainable farming practices that increase biodiversity which then increases yield are what we now need in order to meet the challenges of a growing population and the spectre of climate change that now is upon us. Nature will provide all that is necessary to meet these challenges if we understand that in order to see that happen we must work in tandem with her, not with the intention of conquering her.This is not the time for GM engineering for profit that delivers little to no... more
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The Air Car is comming to the US and at comparable prices with 0 emmissions. Never having to pay for gas again never felt so goodThe Air Car is comming to the US and at comparable prices with 0 emmissions. Never... more
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SRS Energy has completed one of the first residential installations of the Sole Power Tile system at a residence in Bermuda Dunes, CA. The Sole Power Tile is the first building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing product designed for curved roofing systems.
"This installation illustrates how homeowners can go green and make smart, sustainable choices without compromising curb appeal," said Marty Low, CEO of SRS Energy. "The revolutionary design of the Sole Power Tile system will enable this home to generate clean solar energy for decades to come."
The Sole Power Tile system seamlessly blends with several styles of US Tile's clay tiles, providing energy and preserving the home's roofline, unlike unsightly roof-mounted solar panels. The combination of clay and solar tiles delivers the Spanish-style aesthetics of traditional curved clay tile roofs commonly found in the Pacific West and Southwest.
The Sole Power Tile system employs cutting-edge thin film solar technology, valued for its ability to convert a greater range of light - including the light at dawn and dusk - into solar energy when compared to other solar technologies.
The curved design of the tile allows for greater air circulation under and around the tiles, helping to prevent degradation in performance caused by the region's desert heat.
SRS Energy installed approximately 300 square feet of Sole Power Tile on the residence's roof. The tiles are expected to generate approximately 2,400 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The Bermuda Dunes home is one of several demonstration installations SRS Energy and US Tile are undertaking this summer to support the product's launch. The homeowners will be able to install a larger solar upgrade beginning this fall when commercial shipments commence.
The Sole Power Tile system was installed in three hours by Roof Tile Specialty, a Sole-Certified US Tile contractor based in the Palm Springs area. Sunshine Solar Energy of Costa Mesa, CEC-approved solar contractors, installed the system's off-roof components to the utility grid.SRS Energy has completed one of the first residential installations of the Sole Power... more
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Car designer Harsha Vardhan suggests that this two-wheeler concept is the car of the future.
His Transporter TW (Twin Wheel) is a single-seater electric vehicle that uses magnetic fields for driving the car. The two gianormous wheels, suspended over a superconducting fluid, are propelled by those shifting magnetic fields. Thus the power generation, and motion of the car, is a nice noiseless and smooth ride.Car designer Harsha Vardhan suggests that this two-wheeler concept is the car of the... more
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Each of the floors of the Dynamic Tower rotates independently, giving the building different shapes throughout the day. (Dynamic Architecture/ David Fisher)
Would you like to see a building twisting itself into different shapes night and day on the New York skyline? Would you like to live in an apartment with a view that rotates 360 degrees? It may be a little hard at the moment to arrange financing for such tower — or any other new skyscraper in Manhattan — but the architect David Fisher is looking for a place to build it here someday.
He’s already designed such an edifice in Dubai called the Dynamic Tower, billed as the “world’s first building in motion.” Dr. Fisher, an architect based in Florence, he told me that he hopes groundbreaking for the Dubai tower will occur “within a matter of weeks,” and said that the problems in the credit market haven’t affected the project.
The tower is supposed to generate enough electricity to supply the power needs for itself as well as buildings nearby. The electricity will come from horizontal wind turbines tucked away between each of its 80 floors, and from solar photovoltaic cells on the roof each story. As the individual floors move, about 20 percent of each roof is expected to be exposed to the sun at any time of the day.
Dr. Fisher, who’s working on another of these towers for Moscow, was in town this week to discuss plans for New York. Where might it go? “We are currently looking at a few sites,” he told me. “It should be a place from where the view is attractive and also where people can stand and watch the building changing its shape.”
Any suggestions for him? Any predictions on how well those turbines and photovoltaic cells will work? And would you pay a premium to live in a room with a moving view?
http://www.dynamicarchitecture.net/Each of the floors of the Dynamic Tower rotates independently, giving the building... more
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SunPods has unveiled its revolutionary photovoltaic array system. According to Dan Jaeger, President of SunPods, "We are proud to be participating in this prestigious launch, and welcome the opportunity to show the world how easy, fast, and efficient it is to ship, install, and power-up our solar power platforms."
Unlike traditional onsite solar array construction and installation methods, SunPod solar power platforms are pre-engineered, pre-manufactured, and pre-tested in a rigorous factory setting to ensure optimal performance and profitable outcomes. Completely self-contained and technology neutral, with no assembly required, they are ready to power up upon delivery.
"It's all about getting instant solar power for whatever you need, wherever you need it," said Jaeger.
"A small solar array can be installed in hours, not days, and a large scale array can be up-and-running in days, not weeks or months. Our unique plug-and-play design drastically reduces labor costs and project completion time, and ensures our customers achieve their power production goals."
SunPod Ground Mount Energy Systems may be installed over any land, asphalt, or concrete surface, such as a parking lot or alongside a building; SunPod Roof Mounted Energy Systems can adapt easily to all low-slope roof surfaces; and the SunPod EV Plug-N-Go can be installed along highways, roads, and rest-stops for tomorrow's electric vehicles. SunPod solar platforms can also be placed in industrial settings, agricultural sites, and high-risk environments.
"Product sustainability is also critical," Jaeger said. "Besides generating clean renewable energy, 98 percent of the SunPod platform structure can be recycled. In short, our PV array system is a smart, cost-effective, easily deployable, power-on-demand solar solution with a very bright future."
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The future is now. Cap and trade? Why do we need that when we have this?SunPods has unveiled its revolutionary photovoltaic array system. According to Dan... more
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Hawaii has reached a major milestone in reducing global warming and saving electricity.
All, one hot shower at a time.
50,000 residents have now received rebates for installing solar water systems.
The latest is an Oahu man, who thinks solar is a bright idea.
At the top tantalus, a Round Top Drive home has a breathtaking view of Honolulu.
But the cost to heat hot water for the house was also sky high.
"I spent a lot of money heating my water," said Tantalus resident, Jim Case.
Jim wanted to put in solar hot water panels, but remembered early systems that didn't work all that well.
"If we had a cloudy day or a rainy day - we had no hot water."
That could be a problem on Tantalus, which gets more than its share of showers and clouds.
But newer technology panels make the most of the sunlight, and now Jim has hot water piped into the bathrooms and kitchen.
This effort to go green has already saved Jim a lot of green - when it comes to his power bill.
"It dropped the bill from 300 a month to 160."
Case anticipates even lower bills during the sunnier summer months.
His daughter Suzanne lives next door, and already made the switch to solar.
"I'm proud of my parents for putting this system in, and proud of Hawaii for having such a high percentage of households putting in solar," said Suzanne.
More than 80,000 homes in Hawaii have solar water heaters. That's roughly one in three homes.
All drastically reducing the amount of fossil fuel for our state, and cutting back on the biggest energy draw for most homes.
end of excerpt.
WTG, Hawaii.Hawaii has reached a major milestone in reducing global warming and saving... more
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Louise Fresco, expert on agricultural and sustainability, presents a TED talk on rethinking small scale solutions to our agricultural crisis. Fresco explains that our romanticism of small scale solutions begins with the "mythical image of how life was in rural areas in the past" which undermines the reality of poor farmers and the hard morally unjustified work that is required to feed the world.
Linking historical traditions to our modern world, Fresco talks about the costs of industrial farming, environmental (such as pollution and species annihilation) and health (such as diabetes), but asks us to rethink small scale farming as a solution to these costs. Fresco demands that technology not need to create these costs but to increase to avoid them. Fresco says the world needs "cheap, affordable, and safe foods" and not "luxury solutions" which has so far characterized small scale, organic solutions.
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We need not only be skeptical of our industrial routes of food and the costs which are now unarguable, but also skeptical about how our alternatives are truly approaching and solving the problem. Many of us will never know how the food gets to our plates and will never know about the millions of poor farmers that must work to bring us our alternatives. Technology has allowed us the privilege be free from having to farm and also for civil rights to be given to those that were forced to work farms. Slavery still exists in the agricultural sector, small scale solutions will not free them. I believe small scale can help empower those who can't afford to eat healthy (see South Central Farms http://escapefromsuburbia.com/southcentral.html) , but small scale will not feed the world or free people we take advantage of. One thing to think about is our technologies don't have to make bad foods cheap (i.e. HFCS) but they can make good food cheap. Fresco does an amazing presentation to outline these ideas.
Please watch the video and share your thoughts.Louise Fresco, expert on agricultural and sustainability, presents a TED talk on... more
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I help fight to save the world because I am a unity supporter and support environmentalism that doesn't include political created genocide, forcing relocation into government approved complexes, creating wars across the world to achieve the Georgia guide stones guidelines of reducing the worlds population, and I am truly going to stop the war between the environmentalists and the economists.
I have made plans on sustainable crops without GMO, I have made plans on sustainable clean fuels that don't require sacrificing the standards of American citizens, I even made plans on sustainable home generated electricity without requiring the sun, the wind, or the water which can harm salmon.
I am donating to bring my ideas to a reality that the current ways of trying to bill people, tax people, and oppress people for helping the environment does not work and will enslave us to the earth. We need a plan that will bring balance to both the Earth and us and bring a stop to unnecessary loss of American standards.
I donate to help the planet and humanity and fix the growing problems and biased debates.
Thats what will make me a worldwide hero, I will save humanity and planet earth at the same time.
Heres the plans already except I don't have the sustainable farms plans ready yet but are in the making and when they are done it will be published in the 2nd part of this article on current.
Sustainable Electricity:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/11452998/Blueprints-for-the-Magnetism-Powered-Generator-R2D3
http://www.scribd.com/doc/9702096/My-Paper-on-the-Nontested-Theory-of-Magnetism-Powered-Generator
http://www.scribd.com/doc/9699528/Blueprints-for-the-Magnetism-Powered-Generator
Sustainable Fuel systems and economy:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/9940103/Energy-Independent-Fuel-Stations-for-Cars-and-Energy-Independent-Electricity-for-Homes-and-Businesses
and I am also done these things on myyearbook:
130 milliseconds of research purchased
1,308 grains of rice bought
2,106 ounces of CO2 removed
2,106 square feet of rainforest saved
10 calories of food bought
1,224 ounces of clean water bought
1,259 milliseconds of research time purchased
183 words in books written
2 condoms bought
34,826 milliseconds of peacekeeping bought
1 square inch of blanket provided
2,863 milligrams of teddy bear stuffing bought
and so I am helping the environment and trying to keep the peace as well because war pollutes too and can contribute to massive explosions of CO2 more then cars because bombs and weapons may be more powerful the the pollution of a car.
I am saving the environment without CO2 taxes and without loss of civil liberties or Standards of westerners.
Please people do not be fearful and please help me bring real change to environmental issues without extra taxes, without making the poor struggle more then they have during the Bush Administration. Please help me American people by giving me support and telling others about my plans to save America, and the world.
I will bring an end to the bloodshed, biased debates and wars if you follow me the planner of sustainable ideas and sustainable living.
I have more just these plans I'm showing you, I am so smart and knowledgeable I can bring help to the American people and create a new and better society then the fear mongering were in now.I help fight to save the world because I am a unity supporter and support... more
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USWGO
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Coffee drinker? Do a lot of printing? Here’s a printer that uses old coffee grounds instead of expensive ink.Coffee drinker? Do a lot of printing? Here’s a printer that uses old coffee... more
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OrganicNation.tv is an exploration of the American sustainable food landscape focusing on the people, places and products that are shaping a new green economy and lifestyle. From farmers to urban gardeners, teachers to restaurant owners, we're traveling the country to document how sustainable food systems are being created.
We'll be exploring such fundamental questions as: What does “organic” mean and how are products certified? What do scientists say about the risks of chemical pesticides and fertilizers on human health? What are the costs of switching to organic production and is it affordable for farmers and consumers? Is organic better than local or vice-versa? Can organic food production feed the nation and is it truly sustainable?
http://www.OrganicNation.tv was created as a one-stop resource to help consumers navigate these complex issues:
* The OrganicNation blog keeps you to date on the latest food policy and sustainable living news
* OrganicNation videos feature candid interviews with farmers, scientists, business people and activists
* The OrganicNation Community Map helps you find resources in your neighborhood and across the country
Join us as we explore America's sustainable food landscape - we look forward to your comments, questions and ideas along the way!OrganicNation.tv is an exploration of the American sustainable food landscape focusing... more
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When you think “FEMA Trailer” the first images that pop into your head aren’t exactly pleasant, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Artist Paul Villinski has taken a typical FEMA trailer, repurposed and transformed it into what he calls an Emergency Response Studio.When you think “FEMA Trailer” the first images that pop into your head... more
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Flash mobs are typically formed for the amusement of attendees and spectators, but Carrotmob has turned the flash mob into an engine for social change. Carrotmob convinces consumer flash mobs to shop at retailers who have agreed to contribute a percentage of their income towards making their operation more environmentally friendly. The newly formed NYC wing of Carrotmob pits two Brooklyn hardware stores against each other in a bidding war for the highest percentage of sales to go towards the cause. Carrotmob then spreads with word using tools like Facebook and Twitter to launch the first ever New York City reverse boycott.Flash mobs are typically formed for the amusement of attendees and spectators, but... more
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My friend Joe Jenkins is also the author of the book "The Slate Roofer's Bible" and is a master of this ancient craft.My friend Joe Jenkins is also the author of the book "The Slate Roofer's... more
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