My Green Switch Was Flicked On

I was watching Live Earth, I said, Self, what can you do for the environment? So I created this blog. I do a fair bit but I'm running out of ideas. I'm hoping people post comments or suggestions. Let's all do a couple of things to make the EARTH better.



Things I've done to help the environment:

1 Replaced 21 light bulbs with CFL's.
2 Put a few lights on motion detectors.
3 Use a real coffee mug and silverware at my desk.
4 Only buy fair trade and/or organic coffee.
5 Only buy organic produce and meat.
6 On the 100 mile diet. (90% Compliant)
7. Use my own grocery bag.
8. Try to buy products with less packaging.
9. Switched to paperless banking/bill payment.
10 Don't use air conditioning.
11. Take public transit.
12. Unplug instant on stuff, except for VCR and alarm clock.
13. Buy only sustainable power from Bullfrog.
14. Switched to Ice Melter instead of salt.
15. Offset the rest of my emmisions with a carbon credit.

Green things I still need to do:

1 Get rid of my extra beer fridge. (I don't know about this because I brew my own and it need's to be refrigerated.)
2. Quit smoking. (OK, so I'm working on this now)
3. Buy a hybrid. (So, I couldn't buy a hybrid this time cause I had to get a work truck but, I'll limit my driving and will buy a hybrid for personal use at a later date)

Please Note: I am not a writer. Most of these articles are shared from other sources. Please use the links provided to get the whole article from the source site. Please support these sites too! We all have a role to play.

Where I'm At Now

I've decided that organic may not be the way to go. What's the sense of shipping an organic product 3,000 miles if I can find a locally produced item? OK, so it may not be organic but I guess it's a balance between chemicals to grow or chemicals to ship. I've actually found local chicken, beef, pork, lamb and goat, all naturally raised, antibiotic free and free range where applicable. I've managed to find local potatoes, yams, carrots, onions and garlic all winter. I also have a local hydroponic lettuce grower and besides lettuce he grows cucumber, bell peppers and tomatoes.

I've switched to Bullfrog Power. Bullfrog uses only environmentally sustaining power sources like wind as well as low-impact hydro-electric.

I've also discovered Guerrilla Gardening. Take over an abandoned patch and make it grow. Stay tuned.

Well this year, I've decided to post more about what I'm doing. I'll still have cool products once in a while, especially if I've tried or switched to them.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Arctic: Ice-Free by 2013

The passage of time has not been kind to the Arctic's fortunes: Where scientists once predicted the Arctic would be ice-free by the end of the century, they revised their estimates in recent months to 2030 and now - stunningly - to 2013. Presenting the findings of his modeling studies at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco, Wieslaw Maslowski, a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, explained that earlier projections had low-balled the real values by not accounting for some of the processes driving the ice loss.

Even worse, he conceded that his own estimates may be on the optimistic side, explaining that the models he had run - using data from 1979 to 2004 - did not take into account the ice cover minima reached in 2005 and 2007. "Our projection of 2013 for the removal of ice in summer is not accounting for the last two minima, in 2005 and 2007. So given that fact, you can argue that may be our projection of 2013 is already too conservative." said Maslowski.

Maslow believes earlier estimates missed out on some key melting processes; those issues could be partially resolved if future models incorporated more realistic representations of warm water movement into the Arctic from the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Peter Wadhams of Cambridge University remarked that past models did not sufficiently take into account the ice-albedo feedback effect, which occurs when water is heated by solar radiation, leading to more warming and melting.

Mark Serreze, a scientist with the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), still believes 2030 is a reasonable estimate, deeming Wieslaw's projections as "a little aggressive . . . simply because the luck of the draw means natural variability can kick in to give you a few years in which the ice loss is a little less than you've had in previous years." Either way, the melting of the Arctic ice cap within our lifetimes now seems inevitable
More from treehugger, http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/12/arctic_icefree.php

Friday, December 14, 2007

Getting to know our planet

From the David Suzuki Foundation

We know that our planet is heating up. And we know that international climate negotiations like the ones that are winding down in Bali this week are critical steps towards a global action plan to reduce heat-trapping greenhouse gases. But how will we be able to gauge if such a plan actually works?

In spite of all we have learned about our climate and our planet's natural systems over the past two decades, relatively big holes exist in our capacity to monitor where exactly global greenhouse gases are coming from and where they are going. That's going to have to change in the coming years, because we can no longer afford to leave such important measures to guesswork.

It may be hard for many of us to remember a time when global information was not readily available at our fingertips, but the amazing ability to access such vast amounts of data is a relatively recent phenomenon. Today, with supercomputers and the internet, we can now share, combine, calculate and analyze information like never before. For a simple example, think about the software program Google Earth. The capacity for anyone with a computer to see the entire planet in one instance, and then zoom down to view a close-up of virtually anywhere on the globe is simply astounding.

Still, even with all this data available, we need much more. The earth is incredibly complex. To be able to understand how it works, even in a basic sense, requires vast amounts of information to be acquired and monitored over time. Living sustainably within the planet's limits will require that we really get to know Earth in the most intimate of details.

Recently, a special edition of the journal Nature looked at this issue and how well we are doing in monitoring the planet. The results are mixed. Huge strides forward have been achieved in some areas, while others limp along with sporadic funding or political changes that may stop projects entirely.

One of the most obvious measurements that must be tracked over time is the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As the principle greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide is a key mechanism in global warming. But critical questions remain. Half of the carbon dioxide we put into the atmosphere gets soaked up again. Where it goes is the subject of much debate. Some say the oceans; others say soils or plants. The reality is, we don't know for sure.

Two satellites, to be launched in the next year should help us get a better understanding of what's going on. One, called the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, will circle the earth measuring carbon dioxide levels a half-million times every day. This information will be combined with models of how our atmosphere circulates to give us a better understanding of how the earth absorbs carbon dioxide. Another project is called the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite. It will measure carbon dioxide as well, but also other important greenhouse gases such as methane, ozone and water vapour.

Many other projects are also planned or are underway that will measure variables such as ice cover, soil moisture, urban growth and desertification, wind speeds, ocean temperatures, phytoplankton growth and many more. Yet for every planned project, there are budget shortfalls, delays, political interference, international overlaps and duplications that can result in critical gaps in data. This can be a serious problem.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other human impacts on the planet is of course a vital task. But measuring and accounting for these changes is just as important. It's the only way we'll ever know if what we're doing is having an effect. Accumulating basic data sets about the planet over long periods of time may be the scientific equivalent of watching paint dry, but it is absolutely essential work for us to understand and protect our complicated little world.
Take David Suzuki's Nature Challenge and learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

EU threatens to boycott US climate talks

Just a bit I found from AP.

By CHRIS BRUMMITT, Associated Press Writer
Thu Dec 13, 6:43 AM ET

European nations on Thursday threatened to boycott U.S.-led climate talks next month unless Washington accepts a range of numbers for negotiating deep reductions of global-warming emissions at a U.N. conference here.
The move raised the stakes as delegates from nearly 190 nations entered final-hour talks on Bali aimed at launching negotiations for a successor to the Kyoto Protocol.
The United States, Japan and several other governments refuse to accept language in a draft document suggesting that industrialized nations consider cutting emissions by 25 percent to 40 percent by 2020, saying specific targets would limit the scope of future talks.
The European Union and others say the figures reflect the measures scientists say are needed to rein in global warming and head off predictions of rising sea levels, worsening floods and droughts, and the extinction of plant and animal species.
"No result in Bali means no Major Economies Meeting," said Sigmar Gabriel, top EU environment official from Germany, referring to a series of separate climate talks initiated by President Bush in September. "This is the clear position of the EU. I do not know what we should talk about if there is no target."
The U.S. invited 16 other major economies, including European countries, Japan, China and India, to discuss a program of what are expected to be nationally determined, voluntary cutbacks in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Bush administration views the major economies process as the main vehicle for determining future steps by the U.S. — and it hopes by others — to slow emissions. But environmentalists accuse the U.S. of trying to undermine the U.N. process.
The talks in Bali are scheduled to wrap up Friday.
U.N. climate chief Yvo de Boer said he was worried the U.S.-EU deadlock could derail the process and that a final "Bali roadmap" would contain an agreement to negotiate a new climate deal by 2009, but may not include specific targets for emission reductions.
"I'm very concerned about the pace of things," he said. "If we don't get wording on the future, then the whole house of cards falls to pieces."
The United States delegation said while it continues to reject inclusion of specific emission cut targets, it hopes eventually to reach an agreement that is "environmentally effective" and "economically sustainable."
But haggling over numbers now was counterproductive, said Jim Connaughton, the chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
The United States is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases and the only major industrial country to have rejected Kyoto, which expires in 2012. It has been on the defensive since the conference kicked off on Dec. 3.
Pressure has come even from a one-time ally on climate, Australia, whose new prime minister urged Washington to "embrace" binding targets, and from former Vice President Al Gore, who won this year's Nobel Peace Prize for helping alert the world to the danger of climate change.
But U.S. Under Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky, the head of the American delegation, told reporters that the conference was simply the start of negotiations, not the end.
"We don't have to resolve all these issues ... here in Bali," she said.
That did not satisfy environmentalists, who accused Washington of standing in the way of a meaningful deal — and not just on the inclusion of emissions targets.
In the end, however, all parties agree it is vital that the U.S. is on board.
"Everyone wants the United States in so badly that they will be willing to accept some level of ambiguity in the negotiations," said Greenpeace energy expert John Coequyt. "Our worry is that we will end up with a deal that is unacceptable from an environmental perspective."
The Kyoto Protocol requires 37 industrial nations to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by a relatively modest average 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.
Bush has argued that the pact would harm the U.S. economy and cutbacks should have been imposed on poorer but fast-developing nations such as China and India.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Bamboo Clothing

In short, bamboo fiber is a naturally functional textile that is environmentally friendly, ultra soft, breathable, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-static.
Bamboo thrives naturally without the use of pesticides & is a renewable resource. It regenerates naturally and the bamboo plant is 100% biodegradable.
Bamboo fiber has tiny micro-gaps and micro-holes that make it excellent at moisture absorption and ventilation. This unparalleled microstructure means that bamboo fiber has superior natural wicking capabilities.
"Bamboo kun" is a natural agent found in bamboo fiber that has anti-bacterial properties. Bamboo fiber products repel unwanted smells and stay free from bad odors longer.




Monday, December 10, 2007

US, Japan, Canada accused of obstruction at climate conference


The United States, Japan and Canada are putting the brakes on progress in the fight against global warming, observers at a UN climate change conference charged Wednesday. They have tried to curtail ambitious goals and concrete promises in all rounds of negotiations, said Meena Raman, chairwoman of the Friends of the Earth, a coalition of environmental groups.
Read the rest from ECOEGG, http://www.ecoegg.org/shell/2007/12/05/us-japan-canada-accused-of-obstruction-at-climateconference/

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Hockey players put global warming on ice


The David Suzuki Foundation is thrilled to announce our partnership with the NHL Players Association. The NHLPA and NHL players are working with us to find out how to reduce the impact of their sport by going carbon neutral. Here's the story, http://www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/newsletters/Dec2007_winter/default.asp

I've Started The 100 Mile Diet

Here is a sample market run. Not all of this is available during the winter

All Produce was Local & Organic, Lettuce - Romaine, Red Leaf & Green Leaf
Celery, Peppers - Green, Orange, Red & PURPLE, Radish, Green Onion, Cucumber
(That's my weekly salad stuff)

Spinach, Swiss Chard, Peas, Corn, White and Sweet Potatoes
Onions, Apples, Pears
Lots more available but I didn't buy.

Dairy, All Local & Organic (Naturally Raised or Free Range)Milk (In Glass Bottles), Cheese, Butter, Eggs, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese,
Sour Cream & others available but I didn't buy.

Bread and Rolls, Organic but not all grains local. I've been baking my own too, using local if possible.

And for the Meat Eaters, All Local & Naturally Raised
Chicken - Whole, Boneless & Skinless Cuts (Other Cuts Available)
Lamb Chops (Other Cuts Available)Pork Chops (Other Cuts Available)
Beef - Steak, Ground (Other Cuts Available)
There were other products such as Goat, Emu and others that I didn't buy.

Now, I know not everything is available to all but if you can replace half of your grocery list with local products you would be doing what you can as well as telling retailers you want local products.
I know I'll have a challenge in February. There won't be as much local produce available.
I've committed to starting a greenhouse garden in my basement and growing my salad.I'll let you know how that works out.
Barry

Update: June 2,2008

February produce was a challenge but I found lettuce, bell peppers, cucumber and tomatoes, all grown locally the hydroponic way. At least I had a small salad every day.

I don't have a basement greenhouse yet but I do have a backyard garden.

More later.

Update, August 18th 2008

Well the vegetable garden was a bust. I put in a 10' X 12' garden but I don't get enough sun in my yard. We have tomatoes and peppers in containers and they are doing much better. Looks like I need a new plan.

Update, September 12,2009

So gardening at my house is out. Too shady.
I switched to Bullfrog Power a year ago. My hydro comes from wind and non destructive hydro-electric.
I gave up driving to work a year ago as well.

With a friend of mine, we started Earth Hour By The Dozen.
It's Earth Hour but we have it on the 4th Saturday of every month.

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