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Gas Prices Change Energy Views
WASHINGTON - High gasoline prices have dramatically changed Americans' views on energy and the environment, with more people now viewing oil drilling and new power plants as a greater priority than energy conservation, according to a new survey.
The poll released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center shows nearly half of those surveyed — or 47 percent — now rate energy exploration, drilling and building new power plants as the top priority, compared with 35 percent who believed that five months earlier.
The Pew poll, conducted in late June, showed the number of people who consider energy conservation as more important declined by 10 percentage points since February from a clear majority to 45 percent. People are now about evenly split on which is more important. The number of people who said they considered increasing energy supplies more important than protecting the environment increased from 54 percent in February to 60 percent and the number of people who favor oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge also increased.
WASHINGTON - High gasoline prices have dramatically changed Americans' views on energy and the environment, with more people now viewi... more -
Are You Ready For A Shift?
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 ... more -
Alternative Gifting: A Green-Guilt Free 2008
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).
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Alternative Gifting: Yoga In A Box
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.
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Alternative Gifting: Real Seeds of Peace and Joy
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
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Grounds for Change
by Michelle
When you empty out your coffee grounds, what do you see? Most coffee grounds are deemed garbage and sent off to the landfill, but a few clever businesses see spent coffee grounds as much more. Starbucks has started an innovative recycling program called Grounds for Your Garden, which provides complimentary coffee grounds for customers, schools, nurseries and parks. Used coffee grounds are available upon request on a first come first served basis, and are packed in reused coffee bags.
Coffee grounds are excellent material for composting as they are high in nitrogen and add heat to compost when combined with materials high in carbon, such as dry leaves, brown paper or straw. Starbucks' win-win arrangement provides gardeners with high-quality compost material and finds a use for a large component of the waste produced by the company.
Meanwhile an Indiana-based company, Java-Log, have found another creative way to reuse coffee grounds, manufacturing an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical-based fire logs from them. Made from waste coffee grounds culled from instant coffee manufacturers and chain coffee shops compacted with non-petroleum wax, their logs burn longer and brighter, and smell nicer, providing heat and energy from 20 million pounds of coffee grounds annually that would otherwise have ended up in landfills. In addition, the Java-Log produces 80% less carbon monoxide and particulate matter than wood logs, and is produced from 100% renewable resources. You can even compost the ashes left over when your Java-Log has finished burning.
So the next time you empty your coffee filter, take another look. Do you see garbage? Or do you see black gold waiting to decompose into compost or be recycled into a fire log? Going green doesn't have to mean going without or living a miserable life walking barefoot uphill both ways. Creative, positive change can pop up in the most unexpected places - even in the bottom of your coffee cup.
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Emperor distraught over bringing Invasive Fish into Japan.
Over fifty years ago Emperor Akihito was given several bluegill fish by the mayor of Chicago at the Chicago Aquarium. He brought them to a research facility, but it became clear that the fishies had escaped. They have spread throughout Japan's waterways, eradicating native species.
The emperor is distressed and has urged marine experts to make sure that no further extinctions would occur as the result of the bluegill's success.
(It is true that the word 'fishies' appeared in this clip. So.) Over fifty years ago Emperor Akihito was given several bluegill fish by the mayor of Chicago at the Chicago Aquarium. He brought them ... more
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