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Boycott corporate produce and seeds - plant a victory garden
Worried about corporate control of the food supply? Resist and stop buying their products. Boycott corporate produce and Monsanto's control of seeds. Plant a kitchen or victory garden.
It's the New Moon now, and a good time now to plant more corn (every 2 weeks until June 20th in N.New Mexico) and you can plant cold weather plants like brachiads into July and August for autumn harvest. In our area, where the summer monsoons have started early, it is also a great time to plant fruit trees and berry bushes to feed your family for generations.
Americans, well into the mid- 1950s, planted kitchen gardens for fresh produce with no transportation costs. The Victory Gardens during World War III helped Americans be more self-sufficient.
You can grow lots of food on a very small area of earth, or even start with an empty coffee can, a few seeds and a bit of soil. A raised bed and intensive farming techniques can yield even more produce.
Nothing is more local.
There are no transportation costs or greenhouse gases used when you grow fresh greens, vegetables, berries and fruit outside your kitchen door like our grandmothers and early Americans did.
Kitchen gardens also eliminate the need for petroleum based plastic and other packaging that adds to the environmental impact and cost of store-bought food.
Check out this link to www.kitchengardeners.org for ideas, news and tips from Kitchen Garderners International - Promoting the "localest" food of all Globally.
www.kitchengardeners.org
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.com
in Santa Fe, New Mexico where the lavender flowers are purple, fragrant and
ready for harvest.
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Photo "Sunflowers in Carl Gawboy's Kitchen Garden Overlooking Lake Superior" by Charleen Touchette 2006. Worried about corporate control of the food supply? Resist and stop buying their products. Boycott corporate produce and Monsanto's ... more -
Cringe Diary: Invention Intervention
As if we didn't have enough junk out there cluttering our spaces, filling up the landfills, increasing our carbon footprints. It's time for Invention Intervention (my contribution to the ECO movement). From the venerable online catalog stores, Lillian Vernon to Improvements Catalog to Harriet Carter, here are this week's top picks of things we don't really need, or do we?
Check out our scary picks by clicking on the link above As if we didn't have enough junk out there cluttering our spaces, filling up the landfills, increasing our carbon footprints. It's ti... more -
The Big Green Bus Rolls On With Its Timely Eco-Message
For the third time, the Big Green Bus will traverse the country with its eco-message of “Change your fuel-change your world”. Running on a converted diesel fuel system that, with a flick of a switch changes its fuel to waste vegetable oil, while new rooftop solar panels power everything inside. These 12 Dartmouth College students are so passionate about getting their message out, that they will travel over 12,000 miles across America’s highways in an attempt to educate as many people as possible about global climate change. They have already met with members of Congress in Washington D.C. & participated in the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee drawing 80,000 people.
This is a golden opportunity to show what technological options already exist with both solar possibilities & fuel alternatives to help Americans wean off their insatiable appetite for oil as prices skyrocket. The next generation isn’t wasting precious time, or their education, about spreading their urgent message in order to initiate overdue lifestyle changes that certain industry leaders would rather not discuss nor disclose. This state-of-the-art traveling “show & tell” model allows people to see firsthand how they can make a difference in their own community & in their own way no matter where they live. The group also plans to stop at museums & science institutes as well.
For the third time, the Big Green Bus will traverse the country with its eco-message of “Change your fuel-change your world”. Running... more -
Gorgon Graff’s SkyFarm Concept Meant For Downtown Toronto!
Toronto scientist Gordon Graff has constructed plans for a 58-floor concept building called the “Sky Farm”, (2.7 million square ft. of floor area and 8 million square ft. of growing area), which would grow crops in the heart of Toronto’s downtown theatre district. This could potentially provide enough food for 35,000 people every day. Though the design and construction would be very expensive, Graff believes that the farm could reap about $23,000,000 in annual revenue. Toronto scientist Gordon Graff has constructed plans for a 58-floor concept building called the “Sky Farm”, (2.7 million square ft. of... more
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Practical Info for Green Living by Jessica.Jensen from Low Impact Living
Hurray for Earth Day! But we have to admit that here at Low Impact Living we're a bit conflicted about Earth Day. It's excellent that we all take this day to give praise to our planet, of course. But shouldn't we all be living an "Earth Life"? We'd like to encourage all of us to celebrate Earth Day-- and then move on to embracing a year-around approach to living that gives Mother Nature a big high five of support. Here are seven simple steps for living an Earth Life.
Speaking of Earth Day, have you made your plans? There are fun eco-events and volunteer opportunities going on all over the country-- today, this week, and even next weekend. Check out Earth Day Events Galore!
Also be sure to check out the Eco-Center at Smithsonian.com. In honor of Earth Day we have partnered with Smithsonian to produce an online "Eco-Center" dedicated to Greener Living. You can learn about the sustainability of bamboo, the world after oil, and much more. There's also a fun eco-quiz. Visit the Smithsonian Eco-Center.
Are you planning your spring veggie gardening? Growing your own vegetables is the perfect way to ensure organic goodness and cut your carbon footprint. Broccoli, eggplant, leeks...I get hungry just thinking about the delicious bounty. Find out which vegetables to plant now, and how.
Looking for more ways to get involved in greening your community? Cassie Walker has written a thought-provoking piece on how to Expand Your Eco-Influence. She discussed exciting things people are doing in their companies, schools, colleges and places of worship to spread the good green word.
Finally, did you know that HGTV is giving away a green home? No really-- they are. You can enter online to win a green home in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It's furnished with Energy Star appliances and eco-friendly furniture. Okay, you also get a Yukon Hybrid to go with the house. At 20 miles to the gallon we wish they had picked a more gas-efficient vehicle, but hey-- you can't look a gift horse in the mouth, eh? Click here to enter for the green home give-away.
Thank you Mother Earth!
Jessica Jensen, Co-Founder, Low Impact Living, LLC
Copyright 2007-2008 Low Impact Living, LLC
Courtesy of your friends at TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog where everyday has always been Earth Day.
Check out OneEarthBlog - http://oneearthblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-navajos-op...
Hear, read, see and learn about the true costs of our energy gluttony especially on Indians and others people in the Four Corners area in the Southwest, learn why mercury must be kept out of our air, water, earth and brains, and what you can do right now to write your congress people and Senators Bingaman and Domenici in New Mexico to support the Dines opposed to the Desert Rock Power Plant when the Four Corners was just named the biggest air polluter in the nation from coal-fired electric power plants already operating to power cities in the southwest like Phoenix and Los Angeles.
Hurray for Earth Day! But we have to admit that here at Low Impact Living we're a bit conflicted about Earth Day. It's excellent that ... more -
London plans first mini eco-city
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has unveiled plans for London's first mini "eco city." It will have approximately 1,000 homes, and will aim to demonstrate that homes can be built in Britain without contributing to global warming. The London project stems from a proposal by Greenpeace and will be taken forward by the London Development Agency (LDA) with help from British engineering firm Arup. Stephen Tindale, executive director of Greenpeace, said: "Once again London is leading the way in the UK and Ken Livingstone is showing what can be done when a politician has the drive to turn aspirations into action. It's time central government took note of what is happening across the Thames." Livingstone said the capital's eco city should set standards for the rest of London and Britain when building houses in the future, adding "I think it will be mandatory. This is the model we want." The mayor hopes to break ground within a year.
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see also: http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no... London Mayor Ken Livingstone has unveiled plans for London's first mini "eco city." It will have approximately 1,000 homes, and will a... more -
UK Finds 15 Possible Sites for Eco-Towns
The British government selected 15 possible locations Thursday for its ambitious plans to build 10 new low-energy, carbon-neutral towns entirely from recycled materials.
The so-called "eco-towns," a pet project of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, will be built from scratch and equipped with their own shops, schools and transportation links. The towns will run on renewable energy and use innovative waste recycling and water-saving systems.
Housing ministers want to build 3 million homes in Britain by 2020 to counter a shortage of affordable housing. The number of households grows by 225,000 a year while only 180,000 new properties are available, the Department of Communities and Local Government said.
Each town will have between 5,000 and 20,000 zero-carbon homes. Between 30 percent and 50 percent of those will be affordable housing.
But some residents near the shortlisted sites have opposed the new towns, fearing that construction will eliminate green spaces and bring traffic congestion to rural areas. The Campaign to Protect Rural England accused the government of ignoring recommendations from local and regional planners on where to build the towns. The British government selected 15 possible locations Thursday for its ambitious plans to build 10 new low-energy, carbon-neutral town... more -
Siân is also standing for the London Assembly, where we already have two Greens el...
As spokesperson for the Alliance Against Urban 4x4s, and a well-known Green Party figure, Siân has received wide coverage in national and international newspapers and has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows, from Radio 4's Today programme to Richard and Judy. Her calm, cheerful and persuasive advocacy has stimulated a lively public debate about 4x4s, and has helped to raise the environment further up the public agenda. As spokesperson for the Alliance Against Urban 4x4s, and a well-known Green Party figure, Siân has received wide coverage in national ... more
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Green Living in Pasadena
This family has dedicated themselves to living life close to the earth, even though they live in urban California. See how they do it. This family has dedicated themselves to living life close to the earth, even though they live in urban California. See how they do it... more
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The Seegers Family Edifice Venture. (The History and Beginning)
The Seegers Family Edifice Venture is a documentary of a family that is turning an old church camp activities center into their future home. One of their goals is to show practical construction methods that will turn this building into an efficient green dwelling.
The History & Beginning is the first webisode of The Seegers Family Edifice Venture. In this episode you will meet the Seegers family, see us close on the building, learn its history and see the new roof go on. You’ll also get a tour of the building with an explanation of how they plan to renovate it. The Seegers Family Edifice Venture is a documentary of a family that is turning an old church camp activities center into their future... more -
Garbage Warrior - homes made of your garbage!!
Michael Reynolds, an architect from New Mexico, has an upcoming doc on the Sundance Channel about some pretty cool sustainable living. Here he is on Colbert talking about his projects and showing off some pretty rad homes.
I don't own a home yet, but a little more research into this, I'll probably settle down in a good 'ol plastic bottle home in my native San Antone! Michael Reynolds, an architect from New Mexico, has an upcoming doc on the Sundance Channel about some pretty cool sustainable living.... more -
Green is sexy...and you can be too!
The organization Green is Sexy has a helpful website with emphasis on many important things regarding a green lifestyle. Among the information provided you'll find products, movies and books, recipes, spotlights, and a plethora of tips so that you too can be sexy! The organization Green is Sexy has a helpful website with emphasis on many important things regarding a green lifestyle. Among the in... more
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London says neither
...with a plastic bag ban set for the city. London councils have approved a bill to encourage reusable bags and reduce waste...good thing for a city that currently uses 1.6 billion plastic bags per year. ...with a plastic bag ban set for the city. London councils have approved a bill to encourage reusable bags and reduce waste...good th... more
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Biofuels Could Cause More Harm Than Good
Biofuels have the potential to reduce nasty greenhouse gases that are driving climate change, but that benefit doesn't quite outweigh the impact that growing these biofuels has on the environment. According to the EU Environmental Commissioner, the adverse effects on the environment and poor communities have been underestimated. Concerns are rising over forests being cut down and habitats such as savannah dug up to make room for biofuel crops. People in the areas affected may have little say in the decisions, and there is competition for land between biofuels and the need to grow food for a growing population. Biofuels have the potential to reduce nasty greenhouse gases that are driving climate change, but that benefit doesn't quite outweigh ... more
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The logic of green giving
Which charities are most deserving? Those working on environmental issues tend to come low on most people's lists, judging by the paltry amounts they receive; yet, argues Sylvia Rowley, they can make a huge difference to some of the world's most pressing problems. Which charities are most deserving? Those working on environmental issues tend to come low on most people's lists, judging by the palt... more
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Green to the End
Biodegradable coffins are part of a larger trend toward "natural" burials, which require no formaldehyde embalming, cement vaults, chemical lawn treatments or laminated caskets. Advocates say such burials are less damaging to the environment. Biodegradable coffins are part of a larger trend toward "natural" burials, which require no formaldehyde embalming, cement vaults, che... more
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Alternative Gifting: Landfills Were Made For These
From the sublimely stupid to the completely dombass, these gifts will have you laughing and crying....
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Pass The Paper Will Smith: Green Toilet Humor
by Nicole
The road to eco-hell is paved with good intentions. Future presidential hopeful Will Smith is following in Al Gore's footsteps, putting his green dollars where his mouth is. Well, actually, where his behind is to be more exact. It seems the gadget-loving actor has imported some high tech paperless toilets from Japan, which blast the user's bum with water and air, negating the need for a good old fashioned wipe.
"It's a gift from heaven, believe me. People think it's all about suction and that they're going to have their insides removed by this marvel of modern engineering - but it doesn't suck, it blows," said Smith to a reporter from The Daily Mail. "Not everyone can handle this thing emotionally, so I've made sure I also have a few normal toilets in my house."
Smith is obviously well intentioned where his bathroom habits are concerned, but I'm not sure I'd want to trust my intimates to his hi-tech air and water assault. Regardless, by the time these eco-latrines have been imported from Japan surely any environmental gain from the fact they're paperless has been negated by the carbon toll of their transport, and the energy consumed by their operation. And, since the prospect of using them is so unsettling, Smith was forced to install them alongside, rather than instead of, traditional ones to cater to those with nervous dispositions. So at this point you have to wonder whether Will and his WCs are ahead or behind in environmental terms.
Such a dilemma reminds me of the time a friend was remodeling a newly purchased condo. Before contracts on it could be exchanged, the three original, perfectly good toilets (two upstairs and one downstairs) had to be removed and replaced by low-flush toilets to comply with new codes brought in by well-meaning, conservation-conscious bureaucrats. However, the gauge for toilet waste pipes was standardized before the super-sizing of America, and this condo has been purchased by a rather substantial gentlemen, who produced rather substantial waste which the flow produced by "low flush" toilets couldn't begin to shift. To avoid constant blockages (imagine trying to propel a bowling ball up a straw with a trickle of water, and you'll get the picture), and to comply with the "low flush" laws, three special high tech vacuum models were installed. He'd now been through a total of nine toilets; And that was when the fun really started.
A few months, and many successful flushes, later, out of the blue my friend received a letter explaining that the vacuum super-toilets had been recalled since they had one fundamental flaw; they had a nasty habit of exploding. Worried about prospect of porcelain shards being propelled where the sun doesn't shine, my friend was again forced to weigh his, by now, very limited, options. Desperate measures were called for, since he now realized he risked life and limb (or bum and balls) each time he did a dump in one his apparently killer kharzies. At the suggestion of a Mexican plumber, three new "normal" toilets were smuggled north of the border. Of course, when the condo is eventually sold on, these contraband crappers will again have to be replaced.
And so, a simple homeowner, with larger than life human waste issues, put his life on the line, got caught up in a Mexican porcelain smuggling ring, and will have gone through a total of FIFTEEN toilets, all in the name of water conservation and the environment. Like I say, hell by good intentions.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantra by Nicole ... more -
Bright Idea! Ireland Will Switch Off Incandescent Bulbs
Ireland has plans to be free from the energy hogging incandescent bulbs by 2009. It would be the first European nation to outlaw the bulbs.
"By getting rid of these bulbs we will save 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. It has been estimated that consumers will save 185 million in electricity costs every year as a result of the measure.
That is amazing! Why doesn't the whole world outlaw these bulbs? Ireland has plans to be free from the energy hogging incandescent bulbs by 2009. It would be the first European nation to outlaw the b... more -
On The Effects Of Divorce On Global Warming
It may sound silly at first, until one begins to think about it. Yes, divorces add to global warming for several reasons.
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