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, March 15, 2011

The Air We Breath

Today's, I Am Earth, post is by a guest blogger, Krista Peterson.
Krista is an Environmental Health and Safety Advocate and aspiring writer.
You can reach Krista by email, krista.peterson925@gmail.com

Thanks Krista!!


Perhaps due to the technological age we live in, or perhaps because of the nature of today’s indoor workforce, we as human beings are forgetting about our environment. Many spend little to no time reaping the health benefits that the outdoors has to offer. Unfortunately, not only are we losing touch with nature, we are manipulating it and polluting it. Through our own doing, the environment that was meant to provide stability and health is used for our selfish purposes, resulting in toxins that negatively affect our health.

Asbestos

Asbestos mine in Vermont

Mined and used in manufacturing for its fire-resistant qualities, asbestos is a natural mineral that’s perfectly harmless if left undisturbed. As early as the 1920’s, asbestos was used in drywall, insulation, tile adhesive, car parts, and Navy ships. Unfortunately, many manufacturers knew of the negative effects that asbestos can have on the health of those working with and living near it. When it’s disturbed, asbestos fibers are spread through the air and are inhaled or ingested. Theses invisible fibers collect in the lungs and the stomach, causing a rare but deadly cancer called mesothelioma. Though many cancers are easily diagnosed, mesothelioma symptoms are latent for 20-50 years, making diagnosis difficult. Decades after exposure, when symptoms manifest, the cancer has often already metastasized and mesothelioma life expectancy is thus incredibly low.

Particulate Matter

Smog caused by particulate matter
Compiled from nitrates, sulfates, and other complex and organic molecules, particulate matter is a form of pollution that spreads through the air we breathe as a result of waste from power plants and gas powered vehicles. The solid and liquid bits of particulate matter travel through the air and affect water and soil in nearby areas. Inhaling or consuming particulate matter results in heart disease, difficulty breathing, cancer, and bronchitis. Through the EPA and the efforts of the green movement, alternative sources of energy and fuel may lessen the expulsion of pollution like particulate matter into our environment and into our bodies.

Instead of using the knowledge of the environment and its capabilities to manufacture products that decrease our quality of life and that diminish the value and beauty of our planet, we should use what we know to make progress towards healthy lives and a healthier world. Instead of having to watch for symptoms of mesothelioma and negative effects of particulate matter and other pollutants and carcinogens, let’s put our efforts toward eliminating waste and toxins altogether. By working, living, and thinking green, we can regain a clean, healthy, beautiful Earth.
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Looking forward to your comments, Barry.

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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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