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.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

NZ airline flies jetliner partly run on veggie oil

What a great way to bring 2008 to a close, check it out!

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - A passenger jet powered in part by vegetable oil successfully completed a two-hour flight Tuesday to test a biofuel that could lower airplane emissions and cut costs, Air New Zealand said. Read the story here, http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081230/D95D1U100.html

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The world needed to see what I was witnessing

Wow, I just read a shark finning story and the author had the same emotion I had, and I only saw the video, this guy, like Rob Stewart,
actually watched and filmed the real thing.

"Something changed in me that day, something that would grow inside and drive me to dedicate my life to ending the short-sighted destruction of marine environments and first and foremost, by halting the shark fin trade." (Shawn Heinrichs - Founder & Executive Producer, Blue Sphere Media) See the story here, http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/



I'm asking you all to stand up for what is right. People, no matter what your cause is, support it with all you have.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Former Playboy Playmate Vanessa Carbone Stages Naked Protest Against Japanese Whaling


The Argentinian model was among a group of protesters demanding that the Chilean government create a whale sanctuary in the country’s territorial waters. Stripped down to nothing more than a skimpy thong, she unsurprisingly drew the most attention from passers-by. Read here, http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/02/former-playboy-playmate-vanessa-carbone-stages-naked-protest-against-japanese-whaling/

Friday, November 21, 2008

Geothermal Energy Leaves the Window Open for Iceland's Economy


Drive around Iceland's capital city of Reykjavik on any cold night and look at the houses and apartment buildings lining the streets. The first thing you may notice is how many windows are wide open, allowing the frigid outdoor air to mix with the warm indoor heat. Read here, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54131

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Court rules for Navy in dispute over sonar, whales

Some of you may remember this story earlier. Looks like the decision is not in the whales favor,
Read the story here, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081112/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_navy_sonar_7

Californians Vote Yes on 800 Miles of High Speed Rail!


Barack Obama’s election to the presidency wasn’t the only sustainable choice on the ballot last Tuesday. Californians voted in favor of an 800 mile high speed train system that will stop in every major city from Sacramento to San Diego. According to the High Speed Rail Authority, California is the 12th largest source of greenhouse gas emission on earth, 41% of which come from transportation. Read more here, http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/11/californians-vote-yes-on-high-speed-train/

Monday, November 10, 2008

Local Eating

So, the 100-Mile Diet has all but taken over my life. There are now only 2 products I can’t find locally, coffee and beer. I do make my own beer so I’ve at least cut down on transportation. When it comes to food, I can find local products all year now. In the winter, I have a hydroponic lettuce grower and can find peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes as well as lettuce.

We’ve recently found local pasta. These guys actually mill their own flour and their products are great.



The other major find is Rowe Farms. They are based in Guelph and raise local, antibiotic and hormone free livestock. They have beef, chicken, lamb and pork as well as eggs and cured products. They use nitrites instead of nitrates to cure their products.
I can guarantee that their meat will taste better than anything you have had unless you buy from a farm already.
They now have a store in the Leslieville area of Queen St in Toronto and their products are available in select stores, but I do my shopping at the farmers’ market on Saturday.


Please visit their website for lots of information on their farm and products. http://rowefarms.ca/index.html

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Goodbye Styrofoam, Hello Clamshell

Hey, this looks like a great idea. I gotta get a couple.
Styrofoam and paper boxes have always been a staple of my college dining hall. When exam rained down or the dining hall was a bit too crowded, to-go boxes have provided the best option. But unfortunately they produce a large amount of non-biodegradable waste that ends up in garbage can all across campus. Read more here, http://www.ecofriendlydaily.com/news/goodbye-styrofoam-hello/

Monday, November 3, 2008

A federal judge has stopped Mayor Bloomberg’s attempt to clean up the air in New York City by using fuel-efficient hybrid taxis.


The judge, Paul A. Crotty, of Federal District Court in Manhattan, issued a 26-page ruling (PDF) to stop the city from enforcing the rule because, he said in a written order, the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in a key legal argument — that only the federal government has the right to set fuel efficiency standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, which bars state and local governments from setting their own, competing standards. Read more here, http://redgreenandblue.org/2008/11/02/new-york-citys-green-taxi-program-red-lighted-by-federal-judge/

Monday, October 27, 2008

Burn, Baby, Burn (The Eco Impact of Candles)


It's been a long day. The wine has been uncorked. Now, a shoulder rub, perchance? With candles, please.
Candles are sort of deceptive, in environmental terms, because they seem so...well, good. The romance and old-timey feel of candlelight suggests virtue, and it beats electricity in an eco-battle, to be sure. More here, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/simran-sethi/life-cycle-burn-baby-burn_b_137172.html

Friday, October 10, 2008

Claim it as Your Own – Reclaimed Building Supply


One of the newest trends in home renovation, restoration and building isn’t actually new. Just an old idea whose time has come back around.
The salvage and junk yards of our grandparents have become slicker and hipper for the eco conscious and the thrifty alike. Reclaimed building supply and deconstruction companies now use words like architectural, sustainable, reclaimed and even reincarnation to describe the junkyards of yesteryear.
More from GetwithGreen.com, http://www.getwithgreen.com/2008/10/09/claim-it-as-your-own-%e2%80%93-reclaimed-building-supply/

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Best Recycled Halloween Costumes


The 16 Best Recycled Halloween Costumes of the Web [PICS]

Hey all you scary people. Check out some recycling tips for Halloween from our friends at the daily green, http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycled-halloween-costumes-470708

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian members

Hi all,

Thanksgiving is coming this weekend and I hope you all have a great holiday.I hope you will consider adding some local fare to your menu.This is the season for a lot of locally produced food.I'll be celebrating this year with another 100 Mile Thanksgiving. This will be my second year on the 100 Mile Diet.

I was able to attend the launch of the 100 Mile Event in Grafton, Ontario this fall. There are a lot of local farmers in the area and I was pleased to have been invited.I was also able to attend the Cobourg Harvest Festival. Another great venue for local farmers.

Don't forget to add your comments and suggestions to the I am Earth group page. Maybe you have tips for greening your life or just something you want to comment on.Barry.

Monday, October 6, 2008

How do People Remember Their Reusable Bags?


So you bought a set of reusable bags, but now you can’t remember to bring them to the store. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. How do the experts at remembering their bags do it? We found out!
We surveyed 100 people on Mechanical Turk to find out how they remember their reusable bags. Respondents could enter in any method they chose. Despite the free form entry we found that most remembered their bags in 1 of 4 ways.
Read more, http://thegreenroutine.net/how-people-remember-reusable-bags/

Are Your Cabinets Eco-friendly?


Or, do they contain formaldehyde?Living ‘green’ definitely has it’s benefits. Not only is it good for our environment and health, but purchasing certain products will actually avoid carcinogens found in chemicals. Most cabinets these days are made of particle board that is full of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Read more here, http://www.getwithgreen.com/2008/10/01/are-your-cabinets-eco-friendly-or-do-they-contain-formaldehyde/

What to do!

Well, I ended up winning a prize package from the city for Car Free Day.I got there a bit early though, Lot's of vendors weren't there yet.I tried a few pictures but their not good enough to post.
Sorry not to have posted much lately.I'm trying to decide what direction to take.I didn't really want to post as much consumer stuff but I find it hard to dig up new items on a regular basis. I'm really not a writer so I have problems trying that route.
I guess I'll just post the normal stull until I figure it out.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Giant Eco-Pyramid That Houses 1 Mil to be Unveiled in Dubai


Timelinks, a Dubai-based environmental design firm, has revealed concept renderings of a giant eco pyramid, named Ziggurat, with the official unveiling set for the Cityscape Dubai event October 6-9 this year. Ziggurat will be 4000 feet high and would be capable of housing one million people – even better, it will only take up 2.3 square kilometers and will be carbon neutral. The pyramid will utilize natural energy resources including wind power and steam power to achieve this. The building will also have an extremely efficient public transportation system that goes both horizontally and vertically.
Timelinks has patented the designs for the structure.
Read here, http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/08/25/ziggurat-dubai-carbon-neutral-pyramid-will-house-1-million/

Space-Based Solar Power Wireless Power Transmission Breakthrough

A landmark in space based solar power will be announced today, long-distance, solar-powered wireless power transmission.
John C. Mankins, former manager of NASA's Exploration Systems Research and Technology Program, will announce the success of a transmission project in Hawaii. In the test, wireless power transmission between two Hawaiian Islands 148 kilometers apart – more than twice distance from Earth to space – was successful.
The project will be featured in an hour long special on Discovery Project Earth on the Discovery Channel on ambitious geo-engineering ideas to fight global warming.
In space based solar power, large satellites would collect solar energy and beam it down to Earth.
Read the press release here, http://www.nss.org/news/releases/pr20080909.html

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Your home network will need a Wireless Router, Linksys gets eco-friendly


Today Linksys (a division of Cisco) announced that they are jumping on the greener bandwagon with the delivery of eco-friendly packaging around their home networking gear, as well as ENERGY STAR compliance for some of their router products. Read more here, http://www.getwithgreen.com/2008/08/26/your-home-network-will-need-a-wireless-router-linksys-gets-eco-friendly/

Putting Canada on Track

With its vast supply of forest resources and thick farming belts, Canada is well positioned to take advantage of a bio-based economy. In the face of rising oil prices and concerns over climate change, switching from conventional to renewable resources should be an open-and-shut case. But Canada is also rich in fossil fuels - the Alberta tar sands boom is bringing wealth to the West - and as a result, the country has failed miserably to meet its Kyoto pledge to reduce GHG emissions. Unlike EU counterparts, says Douglas Bradley, Canada still lacks a national plan for sustainable development and renewable energy production. Read more here, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/reworld/story?id=53474

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Bringing Truly Green Office Supplies to the Masses


Here' a Canadian company showing how to effectively bring a broad range of truly green office supplies, affordably. Check them out, http://www.frogfile.com/

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Watch Green Happen in Kansas


Greensburg, Kansas was already dying when a powerful tornado finally finished it off last year. But its thousand citizens decided to come back as a town worthy of its name. More here, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53458

8 Products You Didn’t Know Were Made From Oil


Oil derived products are ubiquitous. But, do you realize just how common they are? If you think you've shed your oil addiction, think again. I guarantee you will find at least one product in this list that surprises you. Read the list here, http://thegreenroutine.net/8-products-made-from-oil/

Back


Well I'm back after a few weeks off. While I was vacationing, I had the chance to attend the first 100 Mile Diet Event in Grafton, Ontario.The event had numerous local producers and even had a booth selling the 100 Mile Diet book. I picked up a copy.
I hope this event will grow into an annual thing.

Friday, August 22, 2008

$7000 Residential Vertical Wind Turbine Can Power Your Whole Home


Mariah Power is planning a bigger version of its $5000, 30 foot, 1 kilowatt, residential vertical axis turbine. The new $7000 (without the $3000 US tax credit) version will be able to produce 3 kilowatts, enough to power the average residential home. More here, http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/2020/

All-Electric ZAP Alias Now Taking Reservations


Zero Air Pollution (ZAP) has announced that it is taking reservations for its 2 seat, 3 wheeled electric vehicle: the ZAP Alias. The car is projected to be ready for sale in 2009 at $32,500, and on line reservations are being taken for a $5000 deposit. The car can got 0 to 60 in 7.7 seconds, has an EV range of 100+, and get up to 100 mph. More here, http://ecotality.com/life/2008/08/21/the-zap-alias-is-bringing-sexy-back/

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Life Cycle: Green Shoe Fetish

From The HuffingtonPost

Last time, we learned that your yoga mat may be messing with Earth's Zen. Today, we look at another staple of the American workout: tennis shoes.
Not the Chuck Taylor kind. The rubbery, cushy, pumped-up, neon kind that may or may not feature springs, air pockets, reflectors, retractable wheels and motion-sensitive lights.
Training for the New York City marathon in 2004, Sarah wore through three pairs of these running-shoes-on-'roids in twice as many months. In an era when the majority of "tennis shoes" are purchased not for athletic endeavors but for comfort, these products don't hold up to the promise suggested by their $100 price tags, she noted (and then doled out for another pair). Read more here, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/simran-sethi/life-cycle-green-shoe-fet_b_119569.html

Where are the bees going?


Eco-Libris blog reviews the new book of investigative journalist Michael Schacker 'A Spring Without Bees', where he gives a clear reply to the question why the bees are dying and offers solutions to this crisis that poses a great danger to the world's food supply. "Only 26 years" said the beekeeper, "this is how long we have. After that, you will be eating only corn, wheat and rice." Read more here,
http://ecolibris.blogspot.com/2008/08/spring-without-bees-by-michael-schacker.html

Eco Cabs - Emissions and Fare Free Transportation


Imagine you're drunk. Toasted. No way you're driving home. Too far to walk. No cash in your pocket, and the ATM card's back at home. Then you see it. This little green bug of a vehicle, pulling up to you, and someone says, "Need a lift? We don't charge." More here,
http://www.triplepundit.com/pages/eco-cabs-emissions-and-fare-fr-003424.php

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Google to Invest in Geothermal


Google.org, the public-spirited division of Google.com, charged with addressing "climate change, poverty and emerging disease," is using the backdrop of the National Clean Energy Summit here in Las Vegas to announce a new round of clean energy financing. More, http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/google-to-invest-in-geothermal/

Human Caused Wind Changes Drying Southwest


Since the late 1970’s, the winter storm track located above the western US has slowly been sliding north. The combination of global warming and the ozone hole have forced this change, making for fewer winter storms in the American Southwest. Read more here, http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/08/19/human-caused-wind-changes-drying-southwest/

NREL Sets New Solar Cell Efficiency World Record at 40.8%


Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have set a world record in solar efficiency, creating a solar cell that is 40.8% efficient at converting light, compared to the previous record of 40.7%. Read the press release here, http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2008/625.html

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

BYOB Stirs Controversy


Henry’s Farm, a local organic farm that brings a wide range of produce every week to my local farmer’s market, stirred the pot a bit lately when they asked shoppers to byob, or pay $0.25 for a biodegradable bag to tote their produce home. BYOB? It stands for Bring Your Own Bag. A bit more here, http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/08/08/byob-stirs-controversy/

Tall Ship Belem Delivers Wine by Sail and Saves Carbon


Built in 1896, and named for the Brazilian seaport at the mouth of the Amazon, the Belem originally shipped chocolate in its hold from Brazil to France. At 170ft its first shipment of wine from Languedoc France to Dublin this February carried 60,000 bottles of fine wine saving an estimated 140 grams of carbon emissions per bottle. More here, http://greenupgrader.com/3182/tall-ship-belem-delivers-wine-by-sail-and-saves-carbon/

How Safe is Your Lawn? Organic Lawn Care, Lead in your Backyard, and the Safety of Astroturf


Whether you are growing vegetables or a lawn in your yard, the presence of lead in the soil is a concern. The cause of such contamination could be flakes of leaded paint, the remnants of gasoline, or the residue from pesticide application of lead arsenate. Lead can remain the soil for hundreds of years. Read more here, http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/08/18/how-safe-is-your-lawn-organic-lawn-care-lead-in-your-backyard-and-the-safety-of-astroturf/

Monday, August 18, 2008

Solar Car: Around the world in the Solartaxi


The Solartaxi will be the first completely solar-powered car to drive around the world. It’s the creation of Louis Palmer, a Swiss educator and adventurer whose goal is not to make it in 80 days, but to raise awareness that global warming can be stopped and that solutions exist to lower greenhouse gas emissions. More here, http://greenupgrader.com/3146/science-fact-around-the-world-with-the-solartaxi/

Fuel Cells for Portable Electronics, and Beyond


Hydrogen fuel-cell cars have received a great deal of attention over the years as a clean alternative to petroleum-based transportation, producing only water for exhaust. Certainly the technology is known. Demonstration vehicles have been produced by several manufacturers and Honda is starting to roll out a fleet of 200 FCX Clarity fuel-cell cars, available for lease to select customers for US $600 per month. More here, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53179

New Solar Cell Material Is 23% More Efficient, Captures Infrared Light


Researchers in Spain have developed a new material that can absorb infrared light, in contrast to today’s solar cells which only absorb visible light. Because infrared light makes up half of the sun’s output that reaches the Earth, current solar cells that can only absorb visible light have a theoretical absorption limit of 40%, and only 30% in practice. Read more here, http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/dn14436-solarcell-material-can-soak-up-more-sun.html?feedId=earth_rss20

Friday, August 15, 2008

Oregon wind farm could be world's largest


The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council gave its approval of the site of a wind farm billed to be the largest in the world. The Shepherd's Flat Wind Farm, which would span Gilliam and Morrow counties in north-central Oregon, is proposed to have 303 wind turbines with a peak capacity of 909 megawatts -- instantly doubling the state's current wind-generated capacity of 889 megawatts, making it one of the largest wind farms in the country. More here, http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/07/28/daily1.html

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Tribe in Canada Will Use Wind Energy to Power 30,000 Homes


The First Nation community of Beardy’s and Okemasis has agreed with the alternative energy company SkyPower to develop a large wind park. It will be known as the Willow Cree Wind Project. According to the primary source for this article, construction of the park might begin as soon as 2010. The turbines will be built on approximately 12,000 acres of land located near Big Quill, a community near the town of Wynyard, Saskatchewan. The planned wind park will produce 100 megawatts of energy, enough to power 30,000 homes per year. More here, http://ecoworldly.com/2008/08/12/first-nation-tribe-in-canada-will-use-wind-energy-to-power-30000-homes/

Sweden Rolling Out 183 MPH High-Speed Green Train


Maybe you’ve heard about the proposed high-speed train in California. Well, Sweden is beating the West Coast to the punch with their Green Train.
The Green Train, or Gröna Tåget, will cut energy use on rail lines by 30 percent through lowered operational costs and journey times. Top speeds reached 183 MPH on a test run. Read more here, http://cleantechnica.com/2008/08/12/sweden-rolling-out-183-mph-high-speed-green-train/

Oregon Launching First Solar Highway in the US


Oregon is once again taking the lead with renewable energy by installing the country’s first highway solar energy project. The project will consist of a 104 kW solar photovoltaic system that covers 8,000 square feet and produces 112,000 kWh each year. That’s 28% of the energy needed to power the project’s location, the Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 interchange in Tualatin. Read more here, http://cleantechnica.com/2008/08/13/oregon-launching-first-solar-highway-in-the-us/

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Toxic chemical levels finally dropping in Arctic food animals, new study shows


After decades of concern about southern pollutants poisoning traditional foods that northern aboriginals depend on, a new government study suggests levels of toxic chemicals in a wide range of animals across the Arctic are finally dropping. Read the story here, http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080714/national/arctic_pollutants_dropping

Australian Scientists Make Huge Automotive Breakthrough in Fuel-Cell Technology


Scientists from Australia’s Monash University have made what one professor is calling the most important development in fuel cell technology in the last 20 years. The scientists have managed to redesign fuel cells, so that in the future, they will make hybrid cars more reliable and cheaper to build. Read the rest here, http://gas2.org/2008/08/03/australian-scientists-make-huge-automotive-breakthrough/

Indian Solar Loan Program Offers Access to Light


If you live in a rural area of southern India, two lights can literally save your life.
Just ask Vinoj Kanaya, farmer of silkworms who lives outside a small village located 250 kilometers from the new Silicon Valley of Bangalore. Like many people in developing countries, Mr Kanaya wanted something better than burning wood, dung or kerosene for which he paid a higher proportion of his income than someone in a developed country. Read more here, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53274

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

In Beijing? Hitch a ride in a Mini Cooper rickshaw


Pedal-powered Mini Cooper Clubman
Planning on attending the Olympics in Beijing this summer? If so, prepare yourself for a slight alteration to one of China's more unique methods of transportation. More, http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=9245120

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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