How Big Is Your Clothing Footprint?

Do you know what sort of "clothing footprint" you are leaving? Perhaps not. A clothing footprint is actually the effect of cloths we wear on our environment. The way we grow crops to make cloth, the process of manufacturing it, how it reaches us, how we clean our clothes in our daily life and finally, how they are disposed of all are taken into account. Each of these steps in a cloth’s life has a great impact on our environment. The bigger the effect, the bigger would be the clothing footprint left behind.

More here, http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-how-big-your-clothing-footprint

Air Travel vs Your Carbon Footprint. Things are getting better.

From WWF-Canada,

One thing that’s been bothering me about climate change is the thought that I might someday need to give up air travel to help keep greenhouse gases in check. Who among us doesn’t look forward with anticipation to those fleeting occasions (especially during our long, cold, Canadian winters) when we can hop aboard a plane and within hours step out onto a warm, sunny beach?

Well, it turns out I may not need to give up my cherished air travel. Aircraft manufacturers and operators are on top of the problem of aircraft emissions and they’re making real progress towards keeping us all flying without fossil fuels. By next year, aviation experts predict, biofuels will be ready to use in blended form to power aircraft engines and by 2013 as a full replacement for jet fuel.

Read more here, http://blog.wwf.ca/blog/2010/11/23/up-up-and-away-where-are-my-flip-flops/

Seven things you didn’t know about light bulbs (but should)

Lighting is a significant expense for many of us, and it also affects how we work, play, and feel. The good news is that new advances in technology are providing more comfort, flexibility and efficiency.

Read here, http://www.getwithgreen.com/2010/09/24/seven-things-you-didn%e2%80%99t-know-about-light-bulbs-but-should/

My blog is carbon neutral

This is a great idea. There is a company that will plant a tree for you, neutralising the carbon dioxide emissions of your blog. The trees will be planted in the spring of 2010 by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Where I'm at now

My wife and I started our commitment to a lower carbon footprint in September 2007. Just over 2 1/2 years and we've changed just about everything in our life.

The next series of posts will be about some of the transitions we've made.

Switching to CFL's

These may cost a bit more but they last a lot longer. We've only had to replace 2 in the past few years. We changed 18 or so on the first blitz. When we compared our electric bill the following season, the change was a shocker.

 Blue - Winter       Green - Summer

The chart shows the drop in energy use from January 08 to January 09. Really, this was only due to the switch to CFL's with a little bit of diligence in turning out lights that were not being used. It took a year to compare since we had to wait for the proper season. You can't compare January with August since your utility uses are very different.

This kind of proved our effort wasn't in vain. This was one of the first things we changed. Now, a year and a half into our lifestyle adjustment, it was the third bit of proof we were on to something. Sometimes it takes time to see results.

TD’s Global Business Operations Are Now Carbon Neutral

TD Bank Financial Group, today announced that its operations in Canada, the US, and international locations - its entire footprint - are now carbon neutral.

"This is a significant milestone but we know there is still a lot to do," said Karen Clarke-Whistler, Chief Environment Officer, TD. "Thanks to the terrific effort of our employees as well as the helpful input we've received from environmental and community groups, TD is the first North American-based bank - and one of only a few banks in the world - to reach a carbon neutral goal. We look forward to engaging with key stakeholders as we continue to work on environmental issues."

Read here, http://www.zerofootprint.net/press/single/zerofootprint-helps-td-make-its-global-business-operations-carbon-neutral/#continuedReading

Green + WIRED = Sexy

Now that almost everyone across the political spectrum agrees that we are facing an ecological crisis, the main challenge for the green movement seems to be getting people actually change behaviors. More here, http://friendsofliveearth.ning.com/profiles/blogs/green-wired-sexy

Boxing in Green Wine

Vineyards are perhaps one of the most entrepreneurial of ventures.

Long the dream of many a corporate worker and the fulfillment of one by celebrities and those willing to spend lots of hours and lots of dollars to make it successful, wine is in the green news this week. Read here, http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/06/02/boxing-in-green-wine/

Water lily plan for solar power

Large lily-shaped discs which harness solar power could soon be seen floating on the River Clyde.
The concept, from Glasgow-based ZM Architecture, has been handed to the city council with the hope that a trial project could go-ahead. Read more here, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7390663.stm

Not just another brick in the wall

Ten years ago researcher Klara Morasszeky emerged from the Regional Forestry Agreement process angrier than she’d ever been in her life.
"We give timber companies an excuse to destroy forests for building materials when there is a viable alternative out there," Ms Morasszeky, a former consultant to Greening Australia, said.
And so she set about researching green, alternative building materials, travelling around the world and experimenting until she found what she believes to be the best source: hemp. Read here, http://www.echonews.com/index.php?page=View%20Article&article=20251&keywords=hemp

10 Ways You Can Improve Earth's Health

The scientific and political arguments surrounding the health of our planet can make the whole topic seem beyond the grasp of the individual. How fast is the climate changing? Exactly what effect to humans have? And what will the government do about it? Interested, read here, http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080422/sc_livescience/10waysyoucanimproveearthshealth;_ylt=AovFB.1vWhvPyiDaS2h7.xWs0NUE

The real Good Life: An entire village turns against supermarkets and grows its own food

It was a sitcom that inspired many a household to live off the land.
And although it might not attract the likes of Margo and Jerry to move to the area, an entire village is trying its hand at the Good Life.

In a bid to become less dependent on supermarkets, the residents of Martin are working together to become as self-sufficient as possible. Read here, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=559580&in_page_id=1770