Archive for the ‘Green Living’ Category

Don’t forget about Lights out America, and Earth Hour

March 29th 8-9 pm, turn out your lights, for just one hour!!!

Join the World…

Earth Hour Lights Out America Lights out movement

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And the winner is Reusable Bags… Have you ever put any thought into the implications of your answer? Now you may say to yourself, what’s the big deal, its just a couple of bags. But the big deal is that millions of bags, paper and worst yet, plastic bags end up in the landfill and rivers and oceans . Not to mention the natural resources that are being wasted in order to make these bags that will more than likely be used only once. Let’s look at the statistic: (source WallStreet Journal/ SFGate)

• A family of four in the US goes through 1500 plastic bags a year
• All together we discard 100 Billion plastic shopping bags in a year
• Less than 1% being recycled
• Plastic bags can take up to 1000 years to decompose
• 490,000 gallons of oil to produce 100 million non-degradable plastic bags
• 4-5 trillion Plastic Bags used Worldwide
• Making paper bags consumes millions of trees and it actually takes more energy to make paper bags than plastic.

Now some cities have started to do something about this problem, by just simply banning the use of plastic bags altogether. San Francisco and Oakland in California, were the first cities in the US to do this, and now a dozen other cities are planning the same. Internationally, Taiwan has banned both the use of plastic bags and plastic utensils. Here’s a list of cities and countries that have already banned the use of plastic bags or are planning a ban. (source: cbsnews.com)

• IN THE UNITED STATES

Cities that have adopted a plastic bag ban:

• Oakland
• San Francisco

Cities Considering action on plastic bags:

• Annapolis, Md.
• Austin, Texas
• Baltimore
• Berkeley, Calif.
• Boston
• Fairfax, Calif.
• Maui, Hawaii
• Malibu, Calif.
• New Haven, Conn.
• Portland, Ore.
• Phoenix
• San Jose, Calif.
• Santa Cruz, Calif.
• Santa Monica, Calif.
• Seattle

• INTERNATIONALLY

Countries that have adopted a plastic bag ban:

• Bangladesh
• China
• Rwanda
• Taiwan
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zanzibar

Cities or countries considering action on plastic ban:

• Australia
• Singapore
• London

What about “Reusable Bags” as the first option?

No it’s not a new idea, it’s an old idea, we just went away from it because we became a society of convenience. But it is still a very practical, and a very “good for the environment” idea.

If you pay attention, all the business are jumping on the bandwagon of selling reusable shopping bags. Everybody has them, from your local supermarket, to Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ikea, and other smaller companies that have taken off with the idea of reusable shopping bags and put a twist on it like Chico Bag, who makes them small enough to fit in your purse or glove compartment. Or people like Cyndi at MyRecycledBags.com who takes the time and effort to recycle those plastic bags and turn them into something beautiful and useful. On her site she also teaches people the Craft of making Bags out of recycled materials.

Plastic bags have been around for about 25 years. Which means that our mothers and grandmothers can still remember going shopping, with their own Reusable Bags. If they could do it, I think so can we…

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As the old adage goes, one person’s junk is another’s treasure. You can turn your junk into a valuable commodity by “recycling” it in innovative and useful ways:

Share appliances with your neighbors. How often do you really use that steam carpet cleaner, shop vac, leaf or snow blower, circular saw or sewing machine? Chances are, many of your household appliances lie dormant until that time once or twice a year you pull them out for some special project. Why not start an appliance sharing program with some of your neighbors? You’ll save money, stretch scarce storage space and promote good will. Hold a yard sale. You’ll find plenty of relics that need a good home (yours not being one of them). Invite neighbors to bring along their vintage items, make it a community event and get ready to barter the day away! Give proceeds to your favorite charity or buy tree saplings to plant in your yard. Donate to your local non-profit thrift shop. Someone, somewhere will always find use for what you no longer need or want. Many local governments have created partnerships with Good Will, the Salvation Army, Purple Heart and other charities that encourage community residents to bag their donated goods and leave them for easy pick-up.   Earth Share, a federation of America’s leading non-profit environmental and conservation charities, promotes environmental education and charitable giving in employee workplace campaigns. For more tips or to find out how your workplace can help the earth, visit the “Get Involved” section of our website, or call (800) 875-3863.

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What happens to all this High Tech Trash? Or as it is now known, E-Waste.

According to an article in Nat Geo, in the US the estimate is that 70-80% of Computers, Monitors and TV’s end up in the landfill every year. According to the the EPA 30-40 million PC’s will be ready for the dumpster in each of the next few years, and 98 million US Cell Phones were discarded out in 2005 and the trend will probably continue.

The main problem with this is not that we are running out of room in our landfills but that these products carry “Not Healthy ” amounts of Heavy Metals such as: Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, and Beryllium, and when they end up in the ground, they leech into the ground water, then back to us through the drinking water or our food.

Makes you wonder why Cancer has become the epidemic it is…

The following is a list of the long term effects of exposure to these metals:

• ARSENIC: Long term exposure to arsenic and its compounds can cause cancer. Inhalation can result in lung cancer. If swallowed, cancer is likely to develop in the bladder, kidneys, liver, and lungs. In large doses, arsenic and its compounds can cause death.
• CADMIUM: The effects of extensive cadmium exposure is not known, but are thought to include heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, and cancer.
• LEAD: The lead in a person’s body can build up. This kind of lead poisoning can lead to nerve damage and problems with the gastrointestinal system (stomach and intestines). Over a long period of time, these children often suffer brain damage.
• MERCURY: Problems can include inflammation of the mouth and gums; loosening of the teeth; damage to the kidneys and muscles; shaking of the arms and legs; and depression, nervousness, and personality changes.
• BERYLLIUM: Chronic effects include diseases of the respiratory system (throat and lungs), such as bronchitis and lung cancer.

RECYCLE YOUR ELECTRONICS:

• There’s an easy way to recycle we just need to get on board. Collect your no longer used electronics, and make a drop off every six months. Make it a recycling project with friends or the whole neighborhood.
• The Consumer Electronics Assoc. created, mygreenelectronics.co to help you find a recycling resource in your area. It also provides a list of Eco-friendly electronics.

When you find the company that takes care of E-Waste in your area, ask them what they do with it. Taking it to a Recycler doesn’t guaranty that they will safely dispose of the E-Waste. Often times they sell the lots to E-waste Exporters that send the waste to developing countries where the labor is cheaper and the laws on disposal are not as strict. But that’s for another story. Make sure your Recycler is a responsible Recycler, if you’re not sure take it somewhere else.

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On Monday January 21st, the World Future Energy Summit was be held in Abu Dhabi, at which time the plan for Masdar City, the greenest city on earth was unveiled.

Masdar City will be the first carbon-neutral, waste-free, car-free city.

The city will consist of six-square kilometers (2.3 sq miles), that will eventually house about 50,000 residents and 1500 businesses. They will start construction in the first quarter of 2008, and will take approximately 10 years to complete, although it’s firsts residents will be able to move in by 2009.

No Pollution, No Waste… Now how will they accomplish this you ask? Here’s a list:

• ZERO CARBON: 100 per cent of energy supplied by renewable energy – Photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, wind, waste to energy and other technologies
• ZERO WASTE: 99 per cent diversion of waste from landfill (includes waste reduction measures, re-use of waste wherever possible, recycling, composting, waste to energy)
• SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT: Zero carbon emissions from transport within the city; implementation of measures to reduce the carbon cost of journeys to the city boundaries (through facilitating and encouraging the use of public transport, vehicle sharing, supporting low emissions vehicle initiatives)
• SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS: Specifying high recycled materials content within building products; tracking and encouraging the reduction of embodied energy within materials and throughout the construction process; specifying the use of sustainable materials such as Forest Stewardship Council certified timber, bamboo and other products
• SUSTAINABLE FOOD: Retail outlets to meet targets for supplying organic food and sustainable and or fair trade products
• SUSTAINABLE WATER: Per capita water consumption to be at least 50 per cent less than the national average; all waste water to be re-used
• HABITATS AND WILDLIFE: All valuable species to be conserved or relocated with positive mitigation targets
  
• CULTURE AND HERITAGE: Architecture to integrate local values.
• EQUITY AND FAIR TRADE: Fair wages and working conditions for all workers (including construction) as defined by international labour standards
• HEALTH AND HAPPINESS: Facilities and events for every demographic group
  

Source: The Masdar Initiative

C/Net News.com: Masdar City…

abu dhabi masdar city the greenist city on earth World Future Energy Summit

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Keep Warm This Winter Adding a sweater and keeping your thermostat set a couple degrees cooler are smart ways to save some energy. But there are many ways to save energy that will conserve energy resources and save you money. Install a programmable thermostat. Being able to turn down the heat for large chunks of time, such as at night or while at work, can make a difference in your overall energy consumption. Consider turning off the heat to rooms that are not heavily used.

Perform regular maintenance. If you have a forced air furnace, make sure to clean or change the furnace filter about once a month. Most furnaces will need to be professionally cleaned and tuned once a year. Insulate your home. The best way to quickly save energy is by installing good insulation. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends an R-49 rating for attics. Visit www.energy.gov to learn more about these ratings. Plug leaks and holes. In addition to insulating your attic and walls, another easy energy saving step is to add caulking and weather stripping. Feel for cool air around windows, electrical receptacles and pipe and wire entry points.

Cold Facts About Fireplaces

When you light a blazing fire on a cold winter day it looks and feels wonderful, but it can be an expensive and inefficient endeavor. A fireplace sends most of the heat in your house straight up the chimney. A fireplace can exhaust as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to the outside! But, there are ways you can limit the loss of heat when enjoying a quiet evening by the fire. * Reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly - only about an inch - and close doors leading into the room. * Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room. * Check the seal on the flue damper and make it as snug as possible. * Use grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room. * When you aren’t using your fireplace, keep its damper closed! *If you are planning to install a new fireplace, consider a gas fireplace. These provide the enjoyment of looking at flames but can be 70% more efficient than regular fireplaces.Earth Share, a nationwide network of America’s leading nonprofit environmental and conservation charities, promotes environmental education and charitable giving in employee workplace giving campaigns. Click here to find out why hosting an Earth Share campaign is a good idea for your workplace and the world.

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If you are still using a traditional water heater, you are heating up and maintaining your water hot while it is not being used. That means you are wasting energy and it’s costing you money. A conventional water heater takes up 13% of your energy bill , a tankless water heater will save you about half of that energy use. Nevermind the space that a conventinal water heater takes up, think about all that extra space you’ll gain in the garage.

While a Tankless or Solar Water Heater will cost you more initially, it will save you tons in the long run.

How They Work:

• Tankless Water Heaters heat water directly as the water passes by the heating element, without the use of a storage tank. They can run either by electricity, or gas.
  • Tankless Water Heaters, because of their smaller size have many applications that most would never think of, such as:
    • Outside Showers
    • Outdoor sinks
    • Remote Bathrooms or Hot Tubs
    • They can be placed on different levels, to service larger homes.

• A Solar Water Heater, for those who want to be even more environmentally friendly, will save you an average of 50% in your water heating costs, and at the same time helping to reduce greenhouse emissions by reducing your dependency on your electric or gas water heater.
  • Another advantage of getting a Solar Water Heater is the Tax Credit you get from the Federal Government on your Taxes.

Both of these options are worth talking a look.

Tankless Water Heaters Guide

Solar Water Heaters Guide

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Found a great article on going green with your laptop. For those that need to be out in Nature for work or just those that can’t be away from their computers for more than an hour and love to go outdoors, there is a new way to enjoy both at the same time.

Solar power panels for your laptop are available at a reasonable price , can be used for direct use or storage and give you the flexibility that having to plug in to grid doesn’t.

Read More: Go Green and power your notebook for free.

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Respect the Great Outdoors

Each summer, scores of families, friends and nature lovers embark on the quintessential, all-American vacation: camping. But as harmless as it sounds, camping can still have a noticeable environmental impact if it is done carelessly. When you set out to enjoy the great outdoors, keep these guidelines in mind:

Stay on the right paths. Get good, established trail maps from the visitor center before you embark on your trip.

Minimize your impact on your campsite. Select a site that has already been used, to eliminate further expansion of the camp. And leave the campsite in as natural a state as possible.

Follow the Golden Rule for camping and hiking. “Take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints.”

Wash yourself, your dishes and your clothes at least 100 feet away from rivers, streams, lakes or ponds. When using any soap to wash yourself or your dishes, use it well away from natural water sources and pour it into highly absorbent ground. That goes for tooth brushing, too.

Don’t Forget! During your camping trip, first check to make sure fires are permitted. Then, if you must build a fire, keep it small. Use only dead wood you find already on the ground and at the end of the evening, make sure your ashes are cool. Seek a park ranger’s advice if you have any concerns or problems with building your fire.

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Think about all the paperwork that is involved with your finances. If you didn’t have all this paperwork to go through and check and double check you might have more time to make your money grow and help the environment at the same time. You’ll get rid of a lot of clutter in your house and spend less time shredding and filing. You’ll have more room in your recycle bin too.

Find ways to go paperless:

• Bank statements: If you participate in On-Line banking already, why not have all your accounts go paperless. Most banks have that as choice for you in the On-line banking menu. It will save the banks money too and maybe they’ll stop Nickle and Diming us to death. (unlikely, but worth a try)
• Brokerage statements: As with the banks, the brokerage houses are more often than not on-line now, so ask your broker to stop sending you statements. You can access the same information on-line and you can always print something out that you have to have in black and white.
• ATM receipts: The ATM machine always asks you if you want a receipt. JUST SAY NO! you can always go home and check the transaction on-line.
• Yearly Reports: Again, this information is available on-line if you really want read it. Let’s face it most of us barely get through the summary, all we want to know is is our stock/mutual fund doing well, the rest is just too technical.
• Credit card Statements: Also available on-line along with ability to pay your bill, so why bother waiting for your bill to come in the mail, when you get the bill the information is old already. On-line you can get up to the minute info on your credit card usage.
• Utility Bills: most Utility companies and also City Utilities are going on-line. Same as with the credit card companies you can access your bill, pay it, look at usage, add or turn off services. You can even save on phone calls and do your business with them on-line.
• Mortgage Statements: On-line you can get info on your balance, payment, escrow account payouts, customer service.

I remember when computers started becoming common household fixtures, the “word” was that we would become a paperless society. But, it hasn’t happened yet. We seem to have an addiction to paper, as if, if it is not in black and white then it’s not real.

But let’s really examine what we actually do with all this paper. Why we save it.

1. If we’re organized: we’ve thought about going paperless, but we think we are going to need it someday, so we file it, then we shred it six months or a year later. And it ends up in the recycle bin or the trash heap.
2. If we are not organized: we haven’t even thought about going paperless, so we leave it laying around till one day we get tired of looking at it, or the pile just get’s too big . And it ends up in the recycle bin or the trash heap.

Either way we all know where that paper will end up, wouldn’t it be easier if we just didn’t have all that paper to deal with?

GO PAPERLESS!!!

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Next time you are out on the greens, think about whether your own actions are “green.” Here are some easy suggestions on what you can do to help the environment: Replace all divots. Walk the course instead of using a golf cart. If you do use a golf cart, keep your cart on the designated path. Urge your golf course to replace its carts with electric-powered ones, which greatly reduce both air pollution and noise pollution. Carry your trash with you until a waste container is available. Recycle glass, aluminum, and plastic on the golf course. If your course doesn’t have its own recycling program, urge them to start one. Adhere to local rules that may restrict access to environmentally sensitive areas on a golf course.

Buy recyclable products (e.g., biodegradable golf tees).

Accept the natural limitations and variations of turfgrass plants growing in a natural environment. (e.g., brown patches, thinning, loss of color).

Be willing to play on brown grass during periods of low rainfall.

Patronize courses that are environmentally friendly.

Recognize that golf courses are managed land areas that should complement the natural environment.

Respect environmentally sensitive areas of the course.

Support golf course management decisions that protect or enhance the environment and encourage the development of environmental conservation plans.

Support maintenance practices that protect wildlife and natural habitat.

Encourage maintenance practices that promote the long-range health of the turf and support environmental objectives. Such practices include aerification, reduced fertilization, limited play on sensitive turf areas, reduced watering, etc.

Commit to long-range conservation efforts (e.g. efficient water use, integrated pest management, etc.) on the golf course and at home.

Support research and education programs that expand our understanding of the relationship between golf and the environment.

Take pride in environmentally sensitive courses.

[Back to Tips Index] Earth Share, a federation of America’s leading non-profit environmental and conservation charities, promotes environmental education and charitable giving in employee workplace campaigns. For more tips or to find out how your workplace can help the earth, visit the “Get Involved” section of our website, or call (800) 875-3863.Green To Do List

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Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to make the public aware of the causes of man made global warming.

Both Al Gore and the United Nations Climate Panel will share the prestigious prize for 2007.

The chairman of the IPCC, R.K. Pachauri’s, initial reaction was “I would like to pay tribute to the scientific community, who are the winners of this award. The experts and scientists are the backbone of the IPCC and they provide the knowledge, which has contributed to the success of the IPCC.
I would also like to thank the governments of the world who support and facilitate the
work of the Panel. I hope, as the Chairman of the organization, I am articulating the
sentiments of the entire scientific community in acknowledging the enormous
appreciation implied in the award of the Nobel Peace Prize and this would energize all
the scientists and experts involved in the IPCC to do even more in the future.”

Read More: IPCC

Al Gores reaction, was “I am deeply honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This award is even more meaningful because I have the honor of sharing it with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change…” Read More: Al Gore.com

Read More: National Geo: Al Gore, Climate Panel Share Nobel Peace Prize

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Did You Know?

• It takes seven gallons of oil to produce one tire. Five gallons of butadiene and styrene gasoline comprises the substances that tires are made out of, and two gallons of gas are used to generate the energy needed to manufacture the tires.

• Dumping waste tires in non-designated areas is hazardous to our health and to our natural habitat, AND it is against the law.

• An estimated 250 million waste tires are discarded every year.

• If you and your parents perform certain tire maintenance steps such as rotation, inflation, balance, and alignment, you can extend tire life and decrease waste tire generation by 15 percent.

• It is important to recycle your tires because improper disposal/illegal dumping can result in fires that are difficult to extinguish. When tire piles catch fire, the melted rubber generates oil that can pollute surface and groundwater. Furthermore, tire piles tend to collect water creating a perfect breeding space for disease carrying animals such as mosquitoes, snakes, and rats.
• 

How are they recycled, and what are they made into?

In the USA, reusing or recycling tires keeps them out of landfills. When buying new tires, leave your old ones with the dealer. Many communities have designated recycling drop-off centers where you can safely and responsibly dispose of your tires.

The majority of recycled waste tires are used as a source of energy, otherwise known as tire-derived fuel or TDF. When heated in combustion facilities, most notably in cement kilns, pulp and paper mill boilers, and power utility boilers, energy is produced and used as fuel to power these facilities.

Waste tires can also be used to make many useful objects. When all non-rubber material is removed from the tires, rubber chips are left over to make crumb-rubber modified asphalt, which is used to pave highways. Waste tires can also be made into doormats, water hoses, shoe soles, door stoppers, playground and athletic surfaces, non-slip products, sheet rubber for manufacturing products, and artificial reefs for marine life habitats.

Read More: Source of Information: Seminole County/Recycle Tires

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Earth Saving Tips from

Believe it or not!

According to a two-year study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), many indoor plants absorb air pollutants through their leaves and roots and convert them into breathable air.
Within 24 hours, some plants can remove up to 87 percent of toxic indoor air.

Depending on the species, one plant can provide effective cleaning for every 100 square feet of space. For example, between 15 and 20 golden pothos and spider plants can refresh the air in an average 1,800 square-foot home.

Plants work equally well in homes, offices, and factories, as long as their requirements for sunlight, water, and soil are met.

 

 

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Have you ever noticed how much trash is created by all the packaging that comes with every new item we buy. Have you noticed how many things we throw away that could be otherwise used.

• Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted.
• Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.
• Buy products that you can reuse.
• Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging.
• Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.
• Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.
• Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
• Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones.
• Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.
• Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
• Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.
• Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material.
• Compost your vegetable scraps.
• Buy used furniture (sometimes called Antiques)- there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.

Use the 3rs of the Environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

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Earth Saving Tips from

PULLING THE PLUG ON SPRING-CLEANING “E-WASTE”

If your spring cleaning turns up unwanted computers, TVs, or other electronic equipment, you’re not alone. Consumer electronics are a fast-growing portion of America’s trash. More than 3.2 million tons of electronic waste is laid to rest in landfills each year. And 250 million more computers will become obsolete between now and 2005 — not to mention countless other electronic goods.

When thrown into a landfill, computers, printers, cell phones, fax machines— even portable CD players and electric toothbrushes — can leak lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, selenium, chromium, and many other toxic materials into drinking water, where it can threaten our families’ health.

There are many resources to help you keep “e-waste” from harming ourselves and the environment:

Reusing electronic equipment is the best use. If you can’t reuse the equipment yourself

— for example, turning an old personal computer into a server for a household network — try donating it to a school, social service organization, or other nonprofit organization in your community. (Be aware that many groups don’t accept older or nonworking equipment.)

Recycling keeps e-waste from landfills. Most communities have recycling services available, including both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Seek a recycler carefully. The best ones dismantle equipment, saving reusable parts before turning the remainder of the equipment into recyclable scrap. Avoid “recyclers” that ship e-waste overseas (usually to Asian countries) where it often is burned, polluting poor communities with toxic smoke.

Here are some things you can do to help reduce e-waste:

Stop thinking of used electronics as “junk.” Just because you have outgrown something, it isn’t worthless. Even if it is no longer satisfactory for you, your computer may be of use to others.

Keep e-waste out of landfills. If you cannot find ways to donate equipment, locate recycling resources in your community. Check the phone book, the Internet, and local government agencies.

Don’t do it yourself. Don’t crack open electronic equipment on your own. In addition to the hazardous materials they contain, some equipment carries an electrical charge long after being unplugged. You could get a dangerous or deadly shock!

Encourage electronics manufacturers to adopt take-back programs.

The best way to minimize e-waste is to make it easy for consumers to send equipment back to the factory for recycling. Call or write manufacturers asking them to do this.

RESOURCES ON THE WEB

Here are Web-based resources that can help:

Nonprofit donations:

• www.usedcomputer.com/nonprof.html

• www.sharetechnology.org

Recycling Directories:

• microweb.com/pepsite/Recycle/recycle_index.html

• www.earth911.org

More Tips:

• http://g2bgreen.com/green-to-do-list

 

“Earth Share, a federation of America’s leading non-profit environmental and conservation charities, promotes environmental education and charitable giving in workplace employee campaigns. For more tips or to find out how your workplace can help the earth, visit www.earthshare.org or call 1.800.875.3863″

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The Locavore movement originated in San Francisco and has spread coast to coast as more and more people look for ways to cut down on the resources used to grow and transport the food we eat. Instead they choose to buy locally grown foods that also support Local Farmers. This is a great idea and if it really catches on across the country it would really cut down on the resources used by the trucks and trains to transport all the foods that we find in our supermarkets. Of course it would also limit the variety of foods available in each region of the country. Everything can not be grown everywhere. Every region has its own weather, and can only sustain certain types of fruits and vegetables. But it helps to use what Local Farmers have to offer.

Some folks, “Extreme Locavores “, go even as far as growing everything themeselves, including the animals they eat. One man in Brooklyn, New York decided that he would try being one of these people and set out to create his farm in his 800 sq ft. back yard in Brooklyn. But his attempt to eat only what he grows, turned out to be harder and more expensive that originally thought.

Read More: news.yahoo.com/: New Yorker pushes limits of the”locavore” life

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John Muir left as his legacy an enduring spirit of respect for the environment.

It should be our goal to leave the same Legacy for our kids. How do we teach our kids about the environment, and how to take care of it. Obviously, first and foremost by example. But there is a site that can help explain about the environment and how we impact it in a fun way for kids. The EPA has a site for kids, that teaches them all about climate and weather, Greenhouse Effects, Global Warming, the History of Climate on Earth, our impact on the environment, and what we can do to make a difference. It’s an interactive site full of Fun Facts and Games and Quiz’s and Animations, Interactive Storybooks you can download, they even have an area for Teachers Tools.

All this and more can be found at the EPA’S Environmental Kids Club

The EPA Climate Change Kids Site

Happy Earth Day Coloring and Activities Book

On the Trail of the Missing Ozone

Recycle City

EcoKids Online

 

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If you’re interested in making our Planet healthy, than making a living at it might not be such a bad idea. 2007 Graduates are discovering that jobs for those wanting to make a difference are plentiful. The Green Job Market is stronger than it’s been for years, “The fastest-growing professions, according to Doyle’s analysis of recent U.S. Department of Labor figures, include environmental engineers, hydrologists, environmental-health scientists and urban and regional planners.” But don’t despair you don’t have to have a degree in Environmental Studies to enter the Green Field, employers are looking for people who are committed to environment, and that can use their expertise in other fields to make things better.

Read More: Newsweek : A Green Living

Green Jobs With Growth Potential

Green Job Listings

Book: The ECO Guide to Careers That Make a Difference

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Earth Saving Tips from Earth Share Fresh Air

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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air. Research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. It’s also true that, unlike so many other forms of pollution, indoor air pollution is relatively easy to correct.Some common sources of indoor air pollution include new carpet; paint; mold and mildew build up, particularly in ventilation systems; tobacco smoke; restroom air fresheners; chemicals emitted by copying machines; and formaldehyde and other chemicals that can seep out of pressed-wood products like particleboard, plywood paneling, and fiber-board.To keep your air as fresh as possible, consider these tips:

• Circulate the air.
  Wherever possible, select offices whose windows open _ and crack them open every now and then. If you install new carpeting or cabinets at home or in the office, open windows and turn on fans until the new smells dissipate. Make sure that copying machines and other equipment are located in rooms that are properly ventilated.
• Consider the alternatives.
  Many chemically-sensitive consumers opt for carpet made from wool or cotton rather than synthetic fibers; others choose cabinets made from solid wood and finished with water-based varnishes rather than those constructed from particleboard or fiberboard.
• Keep it clean.
  Rather than use synthetic air fresheners to mask an unpleasant odor, find the source of the odor, and clean it up. Then open the windows for fresh air, or use flowers or potpourri to add a more natural scent to your room. If necessary, install air filters and purifiers and other air cleaning devices.
• Ask smokers to smoke outside.
  It is not unreasonable to ask visitors to your home to take a smoking break out of doors. Many offices have already instituted a smoking policy that minimizes nonsmoker exposure to environmental tobacco smoke; if yours hasn’t, broach the topic with your office manager.
• Speak up.
  If you or others at your office are experiencing health or comfort problems that you suspect may be caused by indoor air pollution, discuss the issue with your supervisor. Talk with your own physician and report your problems to the company physician, nurse, or health officer so that they can make appropriate recommendations.

Believe it or not! According to a two-year study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), many indoor plants absorb air pollutants through their leaves and roots and convert them into breathable air. Within 24 hours, some plants can remove up to 87 percent of toxic indoor air. Depending on the species, one plant can provide effective cleaning for every 100 square feet of space. For example, between 15 and 20 golden pothos and spider plants can refresh the air in an average 1,800 square-foot home. Plants work equally well in homes, offices, and factories, as long as their requirements for sunlight, water, and soil are met.

[Back to Tips Index] Earth Share, a federation of America’s leading non-profit environmental and conservation charities, promotes environmental education and charitable giving in employee workplace campaigns. For more tips or to find out how your workplace can help the earth, visit the “Get Involved” section of our website, or call (800) 875-3863.

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