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Plastic Bag Bans Heat Up Local Politics

A rippling effect of the green movement has witnessed many cities either imposing taxes to consumers on plastic bags or banning them altogether. This movement has triggered a change in behavior for many consumers and businesses. Some establishments have responded by offering for sale customized reusable cloth bags that not only are trendy, but also offer advertising for companies. Some shoppers now opt out of plastic bags and request paper bags.

San Francisco was the first city to ban plastic shopping bags back in 2007. Since then, other cities have followed—Los Angeles, Seattle, Westport, Connecticut and the entire state of Hawaii. Other jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C., find local councils embroiled in debates over taxes on plastic bags.

Unfortunately, some trade associations refuse to accept the fact that plastic bags are harmful to the environment because they take up valuable space in landfills and litter streets, streams and shorelines. One organization of plastic manufacturers now argues that the ban of plastic bags could threaten more than 30,000 manufacturing jobs in the United States. Donna Dempsey, the spokeswoman for the American Progressive Bag Alliance, even states that “the plastic bag has gotten a bad rap”. Dempsey goes on to say that 90% of consumers reuse plastic bags, that these bags require less energy to produce than paper bags and that they take up less space in landfills.

This is a very touchy issue. While no one wants to see any manufacturing sector decrease in size or disappear, one has to wonder why the experts in the plastics field would rather concentrate on portraying as a myth the hard facts about the negative impact of plastic on the environment as opposed to making a better product. We have witnessed other industries being forced to make drastic changes to stop pollution. For example, most localities have had to overhaul public transportation to provide clean buses and electrically powered trains. The auto industry has been forced to upgrade vehicles to use cleaner fuels. These changes actually have stimulated the economy in terms of providing new educational opportunities, jobs in research and development and employment implementing new technology in factories.

Let’s stop the politics here. Plastic bags are harmful to the environment. As stewards of this planet, let’s stand behind the movement to adopt alternatives to plastic bags. This movement begins with our refusal to use plastic bags. Let’s shop green, live green, be green.

Green Farming Role Models

The core of our mission in all aspects of this farm and farming is to preserve the ways of the past while honoring mother nature.

So reads the mission statement of Stoney Mountain Farm in Burlington, North Carolina, an organization that strives to perhaps revolutionize farming by simply reverting to older, less technologically advanced methods.  As opposed to many green farming technologies and developments to keep up with the changing world, the methodical approach of Stoney Mountain is to simply revert back to times when greater forces than technology – like nature – had control. 

The farm allows old Mother Nature to take control of much that governs activity on its grounds.  The fields and pastures are not intensively plowed or even mowed.  The animals are not fed any hormones or medications.  They only worm as needed, and plant a variety of herbal remedies around their grounds, which the animals are naturally drawn to when they instinctively need it. 

These methods prove extremely important not only to the environment, but to Stoney Mountain’s main revenue stream.  The farm specializes in 100% all natural wool products for consumers, offering a wide variety of felting kits, wool dryer balls and kits, and even eco-friendly wool cat toys.  Also, what is extremely unique is Stoney Mountain’s ability to produce and provide roving, batts, and yarns of over 20 natural colors. 

All of this, we believe, and all that Stoney Mountain Farm stands for, is great in all its simplistic glory.  Few words can sum up our reasoning for loving Stoney Mountain more than its own words:

Through these practices, we believe we offer beautiful venues for our guests and the best quality products with healthy, happy livestock

Green Transportation Technology Stimulates Local Economy

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an award of $40 million to the state of Maryland to upgrade its public transportation system. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will use this money, along with $13 million in state funds to replace the bus yard and buildings at the Kirk Avenue facility. This bus yard is a major hub for the transit administration. It has 351 employees and provides a storage and maintenance site for 175 buses that serves 16 routes, transporting more than a million passengers per week.

This upgrade is long overdue. In 2004, The Johns Hopkins Center for Urban Environmental Health conducted a study in the area, and the results of readings indicated that noise levels in that vicinity exceeded the limit set by Baltimore’s health ordinances. Additionally, air samples indicated that the “two-week average exposure to diesel exhaust and other combustion was slightly above the federal safety threshold for a full year’s exposure”.

This new facility will provide the technology necessary to maintain energy-efficient buses. The building will be more environmentally friendly, cutting operating costs. The project will provide off-street parking, which will enhance the surrounding neighborhoods in terms of reduced traffic congestion and aesthetics. This upgrade stimulates the economy by providing for construction jobs and for positions to help maintain the “green” buses.

This project is part of a $787 million package to repair and modernize the transit infrastructure nationwide. It definitely is a positive step in the direction to live green, be green.

Hydroculture for Green Houseplants

I just saw an interesting news video on hydroculture, a system for growing plants that incorporates expanded clay as a growing medium rather than soil.  Hydroculture has been around for years.  Unfortunately, while very popular in Europe, it has not caught on in the United States.  In fact, all of the materials needed for hydroculture are produced in Europe.  One company is trying to change that.  Greenspacers, a green technology company in Columbia, Maryland, is “dedicated to growing fresh air through the production and installation of soil-free plants".

The basis of Greenspacers’ mission lies in the hypothesis that plants can remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air.  These compounds consist of the chemicals produced from household items, such as paint, glues and cleaning supplies that can cause adverse health effects.

In addition to removing targeted VOCs, hydroculture plants, do not harbor microbes, and  do not release bio-aerosols.   The plant system starts with a growing medium of lightweight expanded clay (LECA).  The clay pebbles are fired in a kiln, causing them to expand with formation of air pockets within the individual pellets.  These air pockets retain moisture and allow maximum moisture to flow to the plant roots.  The plant systems use a slow-growth fertilizer and contain a water indicator which, when used properly, prevents over-watering that drowns the roots.

Greenspacers now contracts with green-minded businesses to provide “green” planting systems on their premises, including Children’s Hospital, National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.  The company’s goal is to also provide services to consumers.  More information can be found at http://www.greenspacers.com.

With research and innovation, “green” companies are discovering ways to help us make sure our homes and businesses are healthy.  Our support of these companies’ efforts to live green, and be green is vital to the environment.

SPOTLIGHT: Green America, “Come Together”

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Green America organization, as I’d imagine the majority of people are not, it is the feature of this week’s spotlight.  Green America: Come Together.

That is the organization’s tagline, and that is indeed what they strive for.  Basically, GA is a not-for-profit membership group that constantly aims to harness economic power, through the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace, in order to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. This mission may sound like it’s full of huge ideas, and it is!  All of which, however, make perfect sense and seem extremely attainable, given the organization’s current vision for the future:

We work for a world where all people have enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and where the bounty of the Earth is preserved for all the generations to come.

What is extra interesting about GA is its focus on economic variables in order to reach the roots of many social and environmental issues.  They take action against abusive business practices, whether obvious or not, and try to change them to more socially just and environmentally responsible ways.

In fact, GA does virtually all it can to help businesses convert to eco-friendly practices.  The organization offers and issues its Green America’s Green Business Certification, which allows not only recognition to individuals and businesses, but resources as well.  The group has a massive network of environmentally friendly firms along all areas of the conventional value chain of the business world, from producers to retailers, from marketing to financing.


For more information on exactly what criteria potential members of Green America’s Green Business Certification program must meet, visit the organization’s site and learn more!

Make Green Diets Appetizing

We all realize the importance of a healthy diet.  Nevertheless, we often find it difficult to incorporate “green” diets into our lives because face it—that plate of salad and skinless chicken breast does not look as appetizing as that juicy burger with the melted cheese and other topping on that huge toasted bun.

With a little research and creativity, it is possible to prepare “green” food that appears appetizing, and most importantly, tastes good.  A great place to start is with recipes influenced by Asian, Latino and Mediterranean cuisine.  Try planning a meal with the vegetables as the centerpiece. And then add meat.  Avoid just boiling vegetables and pay attention to enhancing the flavor of these items by adding seasonings and color with the use of varieties of peppers.  Also be mindful that the serving size of vegetables and whole grains should be larger than the serving of meat.

When planning meals, purchase fresh and lean cuts of meat.  Incorporate heart-healthy seafood into your diet.  Learn healthy cooking techniques and avoid frying meats and seafood as much as possible.  If you grill meat, avoid over-charring as this cooking method releases toxins Try marinating meats with seasonings and juices to enhance the flavor.  Be mindful that the reduction of the use of salt goes a long way to improve the heart.

During your time browsing online, pay attention to the many websites available with healthy recipes and cooking tips, along with meal planners.  While shopping, take advantage of the newsletters and meal planners available in most grocery stores.

Summertime, with its bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables, is a great time to experiment with “green” dieting.  This is an excellent opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint.  Let’s live green, be green.

Green Information Technology (IT)

Every business in today’s world, big and small alike, is practically forced to partake in some form of information technology services in order to remain relevant and survive.  I have used some form of IT services, I have worked in related fields, and I know many people who work in IT services, some of whom I call dear friends.  What I did not know, however, was that there were ways in which these services can be delivered as eco-friendly.  Did you?

Companies like SHI International – headquartered in Somerset, NJ, with branches across Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Hong Kong – are working hard to provide their green IT services to corporate customers, without harming the environment or their customers’ budgets.  SHI works alongside its customers, going so far as to ensure that, within appropriate territories, their customers’ sites operate under adequate conditions to be eligible for incentives from willing utility providers.

SHI even goes so far as to operate in an eco-friendly manner.  Within all their restrooms, a visitor will find green soaps and recycled paper products.  The company attempts to reuse all shipping materials, provided they can withstand the trip.  Timers operate facility lighting across their plants.  These small steps are very admirable among businesses and are too often overlooked, even with today’s understanding of their significance.  Bravo.

Green Office Furniture: Could the Idea Catch On?

I recently came across an innovative work desk setup that helps to harness its own energy, effectually producing and using its own recycled energy in a self-sustaining cycle.  (Although the setup does not yet produce enough energy to completely power its many electronic vices, the idea is that it will one day be completely self-sustainable, and therefore, completely unplugged from any power source other than itself.)  The desk design, appropriately called “Unplugged,” was designed by Eddi Törnberg, and is meant to generate all the energy it needs from everyday office activities of the person sitting behind it.





The desk setup has outstanding features, such as the ability to harness power from the heat energy transferred from the user’s computer to the desk top, and even from the user’s back to the back of his or her chair.  The floor mat or rug that is also part of the design has been constructed with technology that allows it to harness energy from the pressures applied to its surface, from walking over it or sitting upon it.

While the idea is still far from mass development or even complete sustainability as an independent workspace, it carries with it a tremendous amount of integrity as an engineering feat.  I recommend you look a bit further into this truly intriguing design.  It may very well be the precedent necessary to slowly reconstruct the future as we come to imagine and realize it.  These green, eco-friendly designs can come to change the world someday, and it could happen in fewer more beneficial areas than within the workplace.

What Will the Future Hold? Hopefully Green Change.

I read an opinion piece earlier today by Columbia University faculty member, Steven Cohen, entitled The Transition to a Sustainable Economy May Happen Without the U.S. Federal Government.  Several strong and sometimes witty points are addressed in the article, all of which are of reasonable importance.  Overall, however, the piece points out the ever-increasing need for further developments in the realm of environmentally conscious change, through not only personal choices of society members, but through official government policies.  The latter of which, we have surprisingly found to be almost entirely lacking in the U.S., despite further research on the matters that may very well affect the future.

One highlight of the piece that I do consider to be one of the more important elements, is a referenced letter from the co-CEO’s of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), a major global investment firm.  Although working predominantly within the financial industry, even KKR and its leaders strongly believe in higher levels of sustainability practices.  Among other things, they mention that such initiatives will lead to a better use of resources, as well as a more profitable business.  It is essentially a win-win situation, so long as adequate effort is put into it.

A major distaste for the U.S. government’s lack of response to trending issues on limited resources and needed sustainability is openly expressed by Cohen as well.  To be honest, he is rightfully disappointed.  However, as I continued to read on and hop around the Huffington Post website, I did come across a slideshow list of the Greenest Celebrities.  I usually find such things hard to stomach, but in this case, I was immediately drawn in.  Some of the members of the list came as no surprise, but others I found to be quite the opposite.  I think its worth checking out and reading up on each of the celebs, but no matter how you view the issues, it can give a little more hope to the cause – although government officials seemingly refuse to take steps forward, perhaps with high profile individuals like celebrities pushing for advancement and programs, the green movement has large-scale hope yet.

Bee Green Smart with the Pollinator Project

The first day of summer marks the beginning of the annual celebration of Pollinator Week.  During this week, the Pollinator Partnership, conservation and pollination supporters, recognize the contributions to green initiatives made by pollinating animals and insects.  The Pollinator Partnership is a 501(3)(c) non-profit corporation dedicated to the good health, protection and conversation of all pollinating animals and insects, including, but not limited to bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds and bats.  These green “warriors” support the production of food and the health of the ecosystem.

Research results by the Pollinator Partnership give an impressive breakdown of the contributions of pollinators.  (1)  Between 75% and 95% of all plants on the earth rely on pollinators for their survival.  (2)  Pollinators service approximately 180,000 different plant species and more than 1200 crops.  (3) Approximately 33% of the food consumed is available because of pollinators.  (4) In economic terms, pollinators generate $217 billion to the global economy, and the “green” work of honey bees is responsible for up to $5.4 billion to the U.S. agricultural production alone.  (5)  Pollination supports green initiatives by cleaning the air, stabilizing the soil and supporting other wildlife.

The Pollination Partnership offers a Planting Guide that can be used with an interactive database of 1,000 native plants.  Green gardeners can select plants according to the pollinators they wish to attract and determine the necessary light, soil requirements, plant types and bloom colors for their gardens.  With this guide, plant enthusiasts can have the garden they desire while simultaneously supporting pollinators and green initiatives.

Let’s pollinate green, live green, be green.

The Community Pollination Project (photo credit:  Landcare Research, Mankaai Whenua Research Organization)

‘Til Death Do Us Green: A Quick Look at Bio-Cremation

As I sat down to peruse the Web for bits of educational reading on Sunday evening, I came across one article announcing the death of an awarded inventor, credited for the creation of an eco-friendly crematorium.  I had never heard of an environmentally friendly way of cremating people after death, so naturally, I became quite intrigued.

Upon some research, I found that many were concerned about cremation as a means of final disposition, since it historically involves the burning of high quantities of fossil fuels harmful to the environment.  It makes sense, I thought.  But that’s the nature of the business, right? Cremation involves burning; how can that be changed?

As it turns out, I was wrong.  Fairly recently, an alternative called Bio-Cremation has been gaining in popularity.  Basically, cremation as a process does not have to involve flames, only heat.  Bio-Cremation offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods, as it involves only a stainless steel chamber, water, a natural decomposition agent called Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), and heat.
 

This chamber turns the decomposition process, affectionately referred to in the business as “B2B: body to bones,” to a simple 2-3 hour ordeal.  It is much more energy efficient and does a much better job than older cremation methods.

After reading about all cremation processes, new and old, I have to say that I may very well be leaning towards cremation as a final disposition, instead of burial.  But regardless of what I choose down the road, one thing is for certain – the environmentally conscious method of Bio-Cremation stands out as a clear winner in comparison to conventional methods.  Just something to think about. 

A Possible Future of Green

Ever since people can remember, they have always seen films and read literature about the future, wherein it always seemed to be envisioned that the distant millennium was to be a period of time which knows no boundaries – the vast landscapes of our world suddenly was completely made over as extravagant, technologically advanced buildings and flying cars dotted society everywhere.

Similarly, in more contemporary times, the homes of tomorrow were once thought to be realistically furnished with technologically advance furnishings from door to door, floor to floor.  As one might imagine, this design could easily amount to a very costly endeavor.

Luckily, the reality check we have come to know as the "Great Recession" has led us to review and rework our views of the future.  Now, the home of tomorrow is more widely viewed as a project of sustainability, as viewed from both economic and environmental standpoints.  Efforts now reside in striding towards eco-friendly design, furnishing homes so that they are green, and in reaping the economic benefits that design brings about. 

In fact, one great example is that of the Los Angeles-based firm, KB Home, who has been designing environmentally conscious homes for a while and who now plans to show a model in Waldorf, Maryland.  The building is incredible, as is equipped, because it is actually what is considered to be a "net-zero" home, one which creates more energy than it uses.  (The thought is truly mind-blowing, I know.) 

Some features of the home include:

• 42 solar panels on the roof
• electric car charging docs in the garage
• energy reserving windows throughout the home
• energy star appliances (of course)
• solar-powered water heater tank
• buttons on sinks to get instant hot water, so as not to waste water waiting for the temperature to turn
• compost pit out back, which feeds garden beds of fresh herbs
• underground sprinkler system running on climate readings, not a timer
• permeable patio pavers that allow water to flow through into the ground
• real-time energy usage monitoring system network throughout the home

Although it is understood that this model is extreme in its eco-friendly design, even if only a few of these options were adopted by homeowners, the observed differences would be immense.  It is truly something with which to be astonished, as well as something deserving of a thought or two when considering some home improvement options.

How About TVs?

Dishwashers and refrigerators, washers and dryers... no big deal when it comes to finding environmentally friendly, certified products, right?  Not quite.  How about smaller electronics?  How about TVs?

Just recently I was shopping around for a 50-55" television set, and I was sure I would be able to pick out a great quality, great priced TV.  I was extremely surprised at how, even at larger sizes, televisions which are certified as "eco-friendly" are virtually impossible to come by.  I visited several brick and mortar stores and countless websites, and was surprised that there really aren't any certified green TVs.  Yet.

I was able to stumble across an article, which I have to assume is somewhat breaking news, about South Korea's major appliance manufacturers' recent achievements in green certification.  Samsung and LG brand giants both have been able to produce Smart, 3D TV units that have actually been dubbed, by several European organizations, as having energy efficiency and low carbon emissions. 

Well, bravo!  Although it seems only a small step in a long line of strides to come, it is positive progress nonetheless.  Soon, I hope, it becomes industry standard to produce TV sets that are certified as eco-friendly on a worldwide scale.  (That will at least make my shopping selection a tad bit easier!)

Environmentally Faster

This entry is intended to be more observational and less of a commentary on current events.

I recently moved back to the Washington DC area after graduating from Fordham University. After experiencing the Bronx and all of NYC as a whole, I can honestly say that the traffic is nothing compared to what people in DC deal with every single day. After driving to my new job several times, I became fed up and started taking public transportation despite it taking the same amount of time. The only difference is that you avoid sitting in standstill traffic.

The reality is that that unlike NYC’s commuter train, there is no real advantage to using DC Metro public transportation as a commuter. Most people who work in DC live in the suburbs, however the public transportation system for the demographic is terribly inefficient. One example is the MARC train that is equivalent to NYC’s Metro North. The MARC train does not make getting to Union Station (downtown DC) a transportation priority for DC commuters like Metro North makes Grand Central Station a priority for NY commuters. DC commuters would be better off taking an appropriately scheduled Amtrak train despite it not necessarily being cost effective. The MARC train does exist as more of a Maryland, DC transportation initiative that shuttles residents between the two cities.

From an Eco-friendly perspective, this creates a problem. An efficient and effective public transportation system helps reduce vehicle emissions and overall energy consumption by removing the amount of cars on the road. People in the DC metro area still do not have enough reason to turn to public transportation as it is just as timely and cost effective as driving.

Here is an excerpt from Forbes Magazine from 2008 when DC ranked 7th among the worst cities for commuters:

No. 7: Washington, D.C.
Because most of the workers in Washington D.C. are commuting from the Virginia or Maryland suburbs, it can take an exceedingly long time to make it downtown. Here, 15% of commuters take over an hour to get to work, the second highest rate in the country. Drivers spend 60 hours a year stuck in traffic, and only 26% of commuters get to work in under 20 minutes– the worst rate in the country. The only thing saving D.C. from a worse ranking is its efficiency ranking for carpooling, public transportation and walking, the country’s second best. (stats since then have remained relatively the same)

I want to point point out that the public transportation within the city is great! As the observation above mentions, it is one of the best. Commuters who live outside the city limits however, are nit experiencing the same situation. For everyone’s sanity and for the environment, there needs to be a more effective solution for commuters surrounding our Nations’s Capital. City planners need to look at models such as NYC and Chicago and develop a better a better public transportation for everyone outside the city limits.

Go Green with Hummingbird Garden

One of the most enjoyable parts of summer is getting to shed the heavy winter clothing and to spend time outside soaking up the sun.  The warm months also provides greater opportunities to relax outdoors, enjoying daytime and evening picnics and dinners.  One downside to outdoor summer fun is the invasion of mosquitoes, fleas, no-see-ums and other pesky bugs.  There is an expectation that this past unseasonably warm winter will result in an exceptionally brutal insect infestation this summer.  Many communities have instituted mosquito programs to try to keep these infestations to a minimum because these bugs are disease carriers.  Besides the discomfort of itching, allergic reactions and unsightly sores, mosquitoes can carry diseases that affect humans, such as malaria and West Nile virus, and they also can cause dog heartworms and encephalitis in other animals.

Although pesticide spraying is mandated in many communities for public health reasons, each of us can adopt green incentives to reduce the mosquito population in our neighborhoods.  Green gardening goes a long way here.  Planting a hummingbird garden is one way to help control the mosquito population because hummingbirds eat mosquitoes.  Some of the plants that attract hummingbirds include bee balm, columbine, butterfly bushes, lantana, Catawba rhododendrons and many other red plants.  A hummingbird garden can be as small as a patio garden or hanging plants or as large as landscaped community gardens.  Any home or community can achieve beauty with a purpose.

Mosquitoes and other bugs are a natural part of summer, but if we live green, be green, we can reduce the impact of this problem.

Sustainability in Ontario

According to a recent survey conducted by Research House, Eighty-nine percent of Ontarians feel that their communities would benefit environmentally and economically by incorporating green alternatives. The survey, which was conducted in April of this year, sought to obtain consumer insights into creating more sustainable communities.

Ontarians felt that in order to make greener communities, development should be promoted through local governments. More specifically, “Ninety-six percent of respondents felt municipalities could do more to ensure shared community spaces such as parks and recreation centers incorporate environmentally friendly products.” This statistic is encouraging as the green movement has seemed to move to top-of-mind-awareness in the global community. Being green is not an ambitious goal anymore, rather a reality that has set in for many individuals and companies around the world.  Andrew Horsman, Executive Director of the Ontario Tire Stewardship reiterated this sentiment claiming, “Factoring environmental sustainability…isn’t just a trend. It’s a necessary, everyday consideration that extends beyond World Environment Day, to preserve our environment, health, and livelihoods of future generations.” The amazing reach of the green movement has invited more people, year after year, to not only think green, but to live green as well. As exemplified by the survey described, citizens are not only aware of the concept of sustainability, but also wish to implement programs to see these ideas through. To see more of the survey please check out the link below.

http://sustainablebusinessforum.com/derekwong/58656/ontarians-want-more-sustainable-communities

Live green, Travel green...

Vacation trips often are the highlight of the summer.  Now more than ever, summer travel can be green.  With a little research, it is possible to find great travel destinations with Eco-friendly amenities.

One such destination is the Hilton New York.  Located in Manhattan, the Hilton New York is Manhattan’s largest hotel.  It boasts 1,981 rooms plus common areas.  It has a 16,000 square feet green roof system that is planted with vegetation from upstate New York.  This remarkable system serves several purposes.  The foliage absorbs airborne pollutants which prevent the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.  Secondly, it deflects solar radiation, thereby reducing the amount of energy needed to cool the air.  The incorporation of this roof top garden has resulted in a significant decrease in the high temperatures in Manhattan from dense cityscapes and lack of vegetation.

The New York Hilton also uses an Eco-friendly natural gas to produce electricity and hot water.  This system is expected to produce more than half of the hotel’s required electrical power, thereby reducing its carbon footprint by more than 30 percent.  Additionally, visitors to all Hilton hotels, including the Hilton New York, benefit from LightStay, which is the chain’s worldwide system for improving its sustainability program.  There is a constant analysis of all functions at Hilton hotels, including but not limited to housekeeping, waste management and use of paper products, to measure their impact on the environment and to make changes necessary to improve the ecosystem, all without cost to the customers.  All eco-conscious visitors are encouraged to participate in the Global Soap Project which encourages everyone to donate discarded soap to be reprocessed and given to needy people all over the world.

The Hilton New York has set the benchmark for providing excellent service to its visitors while at the same time maintaining green standards and promoting sustainability and introducing customers to programs and efforts to help the green movement.  This hotel truly allows you to vacation green, live green and be green.

Do The Worldwide WALL STREET’s Have a Heart?

Well, the answer to the above question remains to be seen, with time.  For now, however, it does appear as though the Stock Exchanges from around the world do, as many are active members of the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative.  One of the world’s best sustainability ideas, as labeled by Forbes, this initiative aims to provide a forum wherein international regulators, exchanges and investors can openly deliberate on issues of sustainability.

Formed in 2009, the SSE Initiative is co-organized by four United Nations organizations: the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the UN Global Compact, the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative, and the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment.  According to a Reuters article, the SSE will be holding a Global Dialogue on Monday, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, prior to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), scheduled for June 20-22.

This is incredibly good news, and a great sign that these international powerhouses are actually taking sustainability seriously, going so far as to make it a priority.  The dialogue is reportedly focusing on the transparency of the industry, through official sustainability reports, among other topics.  Let’s hope that the movement not only continues, but that its thriving momentum carries forward to realizable changes in global corporate environments. 

Banks Doing Their Part

Financially backing programs that are supporting the trend of green movements is becoming increasingly popular. Companies such as Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and most recently, Bank of America, have all agreed to invest billions of dollars into the environment. Some could refer to this as the “greening of Wall Street”.

The aforementioned Wall Street companies have recently been backing projects or companies in sectors such as renewable energy, emissions reduction, and reduced-carbon transportation. Whether they are doing this for their own personal beliefs or because they are feeling the heat from outsiders, all that matters is that they are doing their part to improve the environment.

Carbon Sciences Inc., the developer of breakthrough technologies to make transportation fuels, hydrogen and other valuable products from natural gas has acknowledged the recent strides towards improving the environment. Hopefully, the recent investments will go towards the recent natural gas boom, but also, towards reducing green-house gas emissions and how technology could be used to turn CO2, carbon dioxide, into transportation fuels.

Just because you aren’t a large multinational corporation with billions of dollars, that doesn’t mean you can’t do your part to improve the environment. Continue doing the right things, and you, too, can make a difference.

A little bit goes a long way.

China Dream

In recent years, China has emulated the American way of massive consumption, mainly due to its burgeoning middle class and influences from the west. Yet, the nation has taken note of the negativities associated when energy fuels the growth of a nation, and has outlined plans to change social policy to retard that behavior. In fact, China has outlined its need to create, “A social movement to radically change their attitudes about consumption by helping them develop a different vision of prosperity.” This vision, coined the “China Dream” is to promote a sustainable lifestyle, and not necessarily one fueled by consumption, to achieve prosperity. To promote a desire for this lifestyle, it is suggested by the author Peggy Liu, to look toward advertisers to make the green movement more attractive. China has the largest potential audience in terms of consuming media. Thus, the implications of a successful message to include social responsibility and sustainability could have a significant impact. But, in order for this to happen, government will have to also influence the purchasing behavior of its citizens. For example, policy changes of banning free plastic bags, has helped to eliminate over 24 billion bags in the first three years in the nation.  Helping to change the actions of a country the size of China will influence other nations to follow suit, policy-wise, in their respective countries. China’s actions as a nation speak softly, but often carry a heavy stick. Their message with the “China Dream” is to socially impact the way we think and purchase goods, and to believe that the end goal of prosperity can be achieved through responsible and sustainable behavior. To check out more from the article follow the link below.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/china-dream-sustainable-living-behaviour-change?newsfeed=true  

Going Green In The Home This Summer

Establishing a green home does not happen overnight but requires planning, commitment and practice.  Summertime is a great time to start this endeavor.  School is out, and the household is functioning at a slower pace than normal.  This also is a teachable moment for both the adults and children in the family.  The family can start with an outing to the local landfill.  Just seeing the huge mounds of discarded plastics, electronics and other trash is an eye-opening experience.  It effectively and dramaticallyquantifies the overall effect of one household’s trash at the curb combined with the whole area’s trash at a single location.  Just think– this is only one of the landfills in this county alone!

Each family’s efforts towards living green represents a positive step in the right direction.  It is best to start with a master plan.  It can be as simple as first committing to reuse.  Using washable cleaning towels as opposed to paper towels goes a long way as does the incorporation of reusable items such as mugs, plates, cups and water bottles.  Consider the purchase of products such as liquid soap in bulk and refillable decorative bottles.  Donating clothing, toys, household items and electronics to charities serves the dual process of helping others who are less fortunate, as well as keeping these items out of the landfill.  These practices alone will substantially reduce the number of articles going in the trash and on to the landfill.

Summer vacation also is an excellent time to examine your energy and water usage and to make cost-cutting changes.  This is a great time to take a trip to the hardware store to learn about and to invest in energy-efficient lighting and appliances.  If a new appliance is on the shopping list, make sure it it an energy star product.  These products are very energy efficient and will save money in the long run.  This also is a good time to invest in energy-efficient light bulbs for your home.  Thirdly, take a look at water filters.  An investment in a tap filter negates the need to purchase bottled water, thereby lowering grocery costs and most importantly, reducing the number of plastic bottles taken to the landfill.

Going green in the summer presents several opportunities for families to learn healthier and environmentally friendly ways of living, establish green plans, save money and improve the environment.  So this summer try to live green be green.

Bali, Indonesia: Seeing Green, Building Green

The Indonesian island of Bali, slowly but surely, had begun replacing its arcane buildings of concrete and steel with bamboo. In the country’s transformation, factories, businesses, and homes are all being revitalized by the firm and rigid qualities of the “grass”. The amazing part about it is that it is quicker to grow, and does not destroy the land that it sits on in comparison to timber. As a result, these qualities, in addition to the well-known fact of its industrial strength, has allowed for the burgeoning of construction utilizing the sustainable resource. The flexible yet rigid nature of the plant allows for a surprising amount of flexibility in designing structures and buildings. For example, here is a picture of a three storied school building built in Bali in 2008.

                  Even after the bamboo is cut, it will continue to produce shoots at a rapid pace. Timber on the other hand requires continual replanting, and waiting for the wood to grow to the proper size and dimensions for it to be used. However, while bamboo is excellent with respect to its strength-to-weight ratio, (a measure of how much pressure an object can withstand with respect to its weight), it does have some shortcomings which include being prone to catching to fire and rotting from overexposure to the elements. Given these drawbacks, with a creative insight into its remarkable properties, bamboo can, at the very least, be used as a substitute product or a supplement to building structures all over the world. The recognition and implementation of renewable products in the creation of such projects will help to make the world we live in healthier and more sustainable. To read more about bamboo structures in Indonesia, please check out http://phys.org/news/2012-06-bali-green-bamboo.html.

HOT TOPIC: Recycling Vehicles

In a time where it has become more important than ever to take care of the environment, two American companies have discovered a way for you to be rewarded for doing your part. TLS Auto Recycling has recently teamed up with Green Vehicle Disposal, America’s first and largest green car recycling program, to help customers get cash for their clunkers. The two have combined to create an ingenious way to properly dispose of your vehicles you no longer desire. So, if you have a car that has reached the end of its useful life, or you are planning on replacing an old car, consider doing the right thing with it.

As long as you leave your car with a proper green car disposal service you can rest assured that it would be handled in a responsible manner. The hazardous waste parts of the car will be properly disposed while the reusable recyclable material will be stripped from the car and, for lack of a better word, be ‘recycled’ for a greater use.

Not only are you being emotionally rewarding for doing your part for the environment, you are also being financially rewarded. By handing over your car, you will have the option to receive cash or to donate that cash to a charity of your choice. So, if you have a car that you no longer can get any use out of, bring it down and get some green, for going green.

 Check out this article:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/06/11/prweb9592193.DTL

A Healthy Home

The Wall Street Journal, known for its showcase of opulent and decadent homes, has featured a truly remarkable home in this Friday’s edition, which details the creation of a “Healthy Home” by one Minneapolis couple.  The idea for a truly clean energy emitting house occurred after homeowner Mrs. Greer was diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer. Filled with mold, the couple sought to replace their home with one that would eradicate the possibility of containing dangerous toxins that are common through the standardization of home building. Enlisting the help of Vail, Colorado., architect Jack Snow of RKD Architects, the Greers’  6,800-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bathroom home has changed the paradigm of how houses may be built in the future.  Some of the green features of the home include, recycled countertops, large windows made from glass, which darkens when it heats up and subsequently helps to lower cooling costs in the summertime, and walls made from recycled wood fiber and concrete blocks, which cut down on the humidity inside of the home. 

This is not the first time the housing market and the green movement have collided. The steady growth of solar panel market has now becoming a mainstay in the design of modern homes with the intent of reducing energy costs. However the concept of a completely green house made from renewable materials is both innovative and inspiring. The Greers’ house is environmentally friendly, and truly a beacon of engineering prowess. Containing, “Curved stone and wood walls, custom artwork and dramatic copper accents,” the Greers’ house is avant-garde both aesthetically and for the green movement. For a closer look at the inspiring home, please follow the link.

Socially Responsible Sports

One might ask: Is it possible to have socially responsible sports?

One may reply: No.

But they won't if they are aware of initiatives sports teams around the nation have been carrying out in an attempt to alleviate their impacts on the environment, small doses at a time. In fact, just recently the Commissioner of MLB professional baseball, Bud Selig, spoke of the sport's responsibility to uphold social values and to combat social problems that its fans care about. 

Because of the social awareness of the MLB in particular, there are already several teams making changes to current operations around their stadiums, to reap the benefits of not only helping to improve their environmental impact, but to improve the impact that has on their wallets.  Such organizations have reduced costs while they have implemented programs like recycling efforts, which have proven successful enough to have reduced landfill waste by 200 million pounds per stadium, in some cases.  The Seattle Mariners have done so, and through their process of revamping operations a bit, they have also been able to achieve a rate of 80% recycling/composting of the total byproducts of their stadium operations, no small feat. 

In fact, 14 of 30 MLB teams have already voluntarily joined The Green Sports Alliance, an organization dedicated to "cleaning up" professional sports nationwide.  Basically, the organization's aim is to ever-improve the environmental performance of sporting facilities and their operations.  There are experts in environmental fields working right alongside experts in sporting management to come up with innovative improvements to current standards, which is a concept any green-minded individual will come to love. 

At the end of the day, you gotta love giant, powerhouse organizations changing ways to better our world, for today, and for the future generations. 

SDSU's Trending Programs

It was quite refreshing yesterday, to read of the impact that San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies is having in the way of its trending programs on Green industries.  SDSU's school offers online courses by which enrollees can successfully attain Professional Certificates in what the school describes as its "Green Energy Management and Residential and Commercial Sustainable Practices Online Certificate" programs.  There are courses dealing with Water Management and Landscape, Green Building Construction, Green Energy Management, and other general Sustainable Practices.

Not only is the effort extremely commendable because of its spearheading of a broader educational movement in green knowledge, but it is also impressive on the grounds that such Professional Certificates attained through the programs are actually leading to job opportunities in the ever-growing green industry.  This makes easy sense when you consider that three of the country's current fastest-growing industries are solar power, wind power, and environmental consulting.  To make a long story short, props to SDSU and its trending, ground-breaking green initiatives.

Environmental Overflow

The Chesapeake Bay has been the subject of pollution for a while now.  News reports, especially in the Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware states, are full of negative news pertaining to the Bay's diminishing wildlife and oxidation issues; typically being caused by pollution. This is a very interesting article that sheds light on a lesser known cause of pollution in the beloved Chesapeake Bay. The EPA, for some time now, has been probing the State of New York to address pollution that has been making its way into the bay.  New York, it seems, is balking on addressing the issue and has been mostly unresponsive.  

Take a look at the article:

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20120531/NEWS01/120531021/ENVIRONMENT-EPA-assesses-states-Chesapeake-restoration-plans-

Air-Cleaning Roof Tiles

Okay, so this story broke a few weeks ago, but we never got around to sharing it, which we felt absolutely needed to happen.  Now listen up because this is potentially groundbreaking...

Though we don't necessarily see many tile-based roofs on buildings around our immediate areas, many constructs in warmer climates tend to use the clay- and concrete-tile roofing alternatives.  Well now there is a special kind of roofing tile, and its manufacturer claims that it helps to clean our environment.  The tiles are supposedly smog-eating, since it is believed that their photocatalyst, titanium dioxide coating reacts with nitrogen oxides in the air, released by vehicle engines, for example.  How cool is that?  So the tiles' titanium oxide coating effectively absorbs the nitrogen oxides in the air, cleaning the air by converting the latter pollutant into harmless calcium nitrates.  Ground-breaking, wouldn't you say?  And the best part is that the calcium nitrates, formed by the roof tiles, are a common fertilizer that then simply gets washed down off the roof by natural rainfall.

Here's a short breakdown worth noting:

• For an average tile roof, this new technology adds only about $600-$1000 to the overall cost.
• These tiles on a 2,000 square foot house could oxidize, in a year's time, the equivalent of 10,000 miles traveled in a car.

These oxidizing roof tiles definitely do not track down and deal with correcting the source of air pollution problems, as skeptics correctly point out, however their effects on the pollution problem should not be needlessly overlooked as a result.  For more information, we implore you to visit Boral Roofing's website.  That is the company that has currently introduced these oxidizing tiles.

GADGET SPOTLIGHT: Portable, Solar-Powered Insect Killers

Now that spring is in full bloom (at least where we are), and summer is just around the corner, people begin to anticipate long, warm nights outdoors, be it for parties or just for leisurely rest.  Nothing can complement the perfect patio or deck area like a good insect repellant.  But why bother to use smelly sprays and candles? 

Don't.  There are several environmentally friendly solutions to the common bug problem.  Solar lanterns.  Granted, these lanterns will not work to save the planet, by any means, but they certainly do not hurt mother earth!  There are several types, all of which are growing in popularity, especially across the UK.  There are larger, ground-mounted devices, and then there are smaller, table-top devices.  We definitely recommend checking some of them out, as we are about to order for ourselves off Amazon.com.

Long live warm, beautiful [and bugless] summer nights...

Want to Go Green? There is an App for That!!

We did a little research into some smart phone applications that make "going green" easy. Here are some of the top ones that we found:

iRecycle- (Available on iOS) This free application makes recycling easier, in a sense.  Now, with iRecycle, people have access to over 1,000,000 ways to recycle various everyday materials.  The app also includes information on recycling locations, news regarding sustainability, and social sharing features.  This app is great if you are looking for a rather simple way to start making a shift towards becoming more energy efficient. (iRecycle currently has a    

Green Genie- (Available on iOS) This next app was voted #1 by Techcrunch.com and costs $0.99. However, despite the cost, through the information, tips, and resources that are available within this app, users have deemed it totally worth it.   Within the app you can expect to find news, green vocabulary, certified green products, links to various cost saving resources. Users also have the ability to share eco-friendly strategies with people from all over the world. (Green Genie currently has a 3 1/2 out of 5 star average based on 166 user ratings)

GoodGuide- (Available on iOS and Android) GoodGuide is the perfect application for ensuring that you are using products that are both healthy and eco-friendly. Users open GoodGuide and then use their mobile device to scan the barcodes of products.  GoodGuide allows you to set customized preferences about products and then pairs the items that you scan with those set preferences.  Also, GoodGuide features the social rankings of over 120,000 consumer products.  This allows consumers to see how the public has ranked certain products in terms of factors such as nutrition, animal rights, and environmental impact, to name a few.  (GoodGuide currently has a 4/5 start review based on 161 reviews)    

Tune in for more updates on eco-friendly apps that hit the marketplace!  

Companies Looking to Make a Difference, Look to Apple Inc.

Okay, so nowadays so many people look up to Apple Inc.  Apple is not only absolutely crushing it in the financial markets with their seemingly effortless climb in stock price, and in their overall products' technological advancements, but also with respect to environmental friendliness.

Most members of the general public would easily recognize Apple's success in the former two areas mentioned above, but what most don't recognize is the company's success in the latter area.  For instance, many don't realize Apple has included, since 2009, a completely awesome area of their site designated entirely to tracking their environmental footprint, with the intention to ever-improve their environmental friendliness by implementing new, greener procedures. 

From using less materials in their shipping all the way through to eliminating several harmful chemicals usually associated with consumer electronics, Apple Inc. is continually leading the way in the arena of technological, corporate firms' transitioning towards more green methods of production and distribution.  Their environmental footprint page is definitely worth checking out! Props, Apple!

How Much of Your Money is Going "Down the Crapper?"

Dear God, Why does it seem that I never have money to spare after paying the bills?


Well, could it be your bathroom fixtures? See, what most people don't realize is that there are several versions of sinks, tubs, showers, and most importantly, toilets, that all help to save not only the environment, but the owners' pockets. 

Manufacturers, these days more than ever, are pumping out super efficient models of such fixtures.  These can play major roles in lives of consumers everywhere.  WaterSense-labeled toilets, for instance, are not only rated to meet certain efficiency criteria, but also performance criteria, before they are labeled as such.  These are fantastic toilets to seek out if replacing your current porcelain throne.  With such models, a consumer can actually save about 4,000 gallons of water each year, which can result in considerable savings in water bills each year, usually around $90.  Not much, maybe, but I could think of a few things to spend that $90 bucks on, instead of a freaking water bill. 

And that savings is just on the toilet alone.  Imagine a bathroom fully furnished with fixtures the EPA (environmental protection agency) rates as being up to par with its standard of water-saving performance.  That could amount to well over $100 in savings each year.  You can find the seal on all bathroom fixtures, so check it out...

http://www.epa.gov/