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Google to Help Fight Climate Change

E.B.Boyd — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:47:45 -0700

Earlier this year, I wrote a story about how Google Earth had set up a program to help non-profits and advocacy groups to advance their causes. Darfur advocates, for example, could use the program's satellite imagery combined with overlaid annotations, for example, to show how many people had been displaced by the conflict there.

Which is why it was exciting to hear during the U.N. climate change conference in Copenhagen that Google Earth has launched a new program which will help fight global warming by giving tropical countries an effective way to measure how much of their forests they’re preserving—a key step in setting up an international program to reward them (and therefore motivate them) to do so.

Here’s the background: Scientists have shown that the impact of tropical deforestation is greater than the impact of the emissions released by all of the world’s cars, trucks, trains, planes, and ships. As a result, the United Nations wants to implement a system which would financially reward rainforest nations for protecting their forests. The problem, though, has been that those countries haven’t had an effective and cost-feasible system for proving how much they’re saving.

Scientists at the Carnegie Institution for Science and Imazon, a non-profit that studies land use in the Amazon, have developed software that can perform this analysis. But the computing power and satellite imagery required to implement the program on a global scale has been lacking. Until now.

In Copenhagen last week, Google.org (Google’s philanthropic arm) announced it will use its massive computing power and the satellite imagery it has collected through Google Earth to provide a not-for-profit service to help monitor and measure deforestation. A prototype of the program is currently being tested and Google.org hopes to make it more widely available over the coming year.

The impact could be huge. As Fast Company wrote: “The prototype system, could, for example, allow users to show forest cover and deforestation over time in Rondonia, Brazil from 1986-2008 in just seconds. This type of computation normally takes days or weeks, but the massive horsepower of Google's data centers makes the information much more quickly. In practical terms, that means police investigators can get to the root of illegal logging activity quickly, and activist groups like Greenpeace could call out logging operations in real-time.”

Not a bad little present for the world, just in time for the holidays.

Foodie Philanthropy

JessicaHarlan — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:13:23 -0700

Don't get me wrong, Christmas is a great time of year. But as I'm recovering from the glut of presents, the copious amounts of cookies and sweets I've consumed, and the amount of credit card debt I've racked up buying gifts and decorations, I always resolve that I'll offset my good fortune in the coming year by finding a few good causes to contribute to... not just at the holidays, but throughout the year when they need it the most.

If you're interested in doing the same, here are a few great food-related causes to consider, which could use not only your money but your help:

Bread for the World

This Christian organization advocates for changes to policies and programs that would help alleviate hunger. Its Bread for the World Institute provides policy analysis on hunger and strategies to end hunger. You can get involved by writing letters to congress or to local newspapers.

Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is a relief organization that provides sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger. It focuses particularly in developing countries, areas of conflict and sites of natural disaster. Volunteers can help organize events, secure pro bono resources for the organization, and assist with campaign work or media outreach.

Heifer International

Far more than a hunger-relief organization, Heifer International works by giving a source of food, such as livestock, to families so they can learn to be self-reliant. The organization also provides environmentally responsible agricultural training to people in more than 50 countries. There are a number of volunteer opportunities and fundraising ideas to support the organization.

The Food Project

This organization works with Boston-area teens to farm both lots in urban Boston, and a 31-acre farm in rural Massachusetts. The pesticide-free food they grow is donated to local food shelters and sold through community-supported agriculture and at farmers' markets. People in the Boston area can volunteer to help work in the gardens.

The Global Crop Diversity Trust

This organization's goal is to conserve crop diversity, whether through managed nature reserves, in seed banks, or in living plant tissue samples. Donations help maintain the resources, such as the cold-storage facilities for seeds, but the organization can also use help getting the word out by writing to government officials or helping to educate others about the importance of crop diversity.

Want more options? Find more food-related charities here.

P.S. You can find out just how philanthropic a charity you are thinking of supporting is by checking out the American Institute of Philanthropy's list of Top-Rated Charities. The list grades charities according to, among other factors, how little the organizations spend on administrative costs.

Image courtesy Heifer International.

Copenhagen Climate Summit Cheat Sheet

E.B.Boyd — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:11:32 -0700

You’ve probably heard that delegates are meeting in Copenhagen for climate talks. But you might not be clear on what exactly all the hoopla is about. Here’s your cheat sheet on COP15, the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

What are the Copenhagen climate talks?

This is the meeting at which the parties to the UNFCCC will try to finalize an agreement which will get the world on track to meet the goals scientists have said are key to preventing calamitous climate change.

It’s called COP15 because it’s the 15th annual meeting of environmental ministers to discuss climate issues since the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1994. The Copenhagen agreement, if there is one, will replace the Kyoto Protocol, which was signed at the fifth meeting, in 1999, and was the first serious international greenhouse gas emissions agreement.

Why do we need a successor to the Kyoto Protocol?

Kyoto’s provisions start expiring in 2012. More importantly, however, the steps in Kyoto don’t go far enough to create the necessary reductions in carbon emissions.

Who’s going to COP15?

Over 5,000 delegates from the 192 countries that are party to the UNFCC. Another 10,000 officials, advisers, activitists, and journalists are also expected to descend on Copenhagen for the potential signing of this historic treaty.

What does the Copenhagen treaty hope to achieve?

The executive secretary of the UNFCCC has said the agreement needs to include four key elements:

An agreement on the amount industrialized nations—like the United States, Germany, and Japan—must reduce their carbon emissions
An agreement on the amount major developing countries—like China, India, Brazil, and South Africa—must reduce their carbon emissions
Cash and clean technology assistance from wealthier countries to poorer countries, to help them both reduce their carbon emissions and implement projects that will enable them to withstand unavoidable changes in climate—like sea walls, new varieties of crops, and new sources of fresh water.
A governance structure for the convention, which will go into effect January 2013 and will be legally binding.

What are the challenges?

Many countries agree in principle that carbon emissions have to go down. But they don’t necessarily agree on who is specifically responsible for doing how much—a contentious issue since any commitments carry hefty price tags.

Where does the United States stand?

During the 2008 campaign, then-candidate Barack Obama said he supported the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by 15% by 2020 (which would return the country to 1990 levels) and by 80% by 2050. And in April, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton broke with years of denial by the Bush administration and acknowledged the role the United States had played in causing climate change. She said the United States was “determined to make up for lost time both at home and abroad.”

Despite this, the Obama administration learned its lessons from Kyoto, which President Clinton signed but never brought to a vote in Congress due to domestic opposition. Because of this, the United States is only likely to sign a deal it thinks it can get approval for at home.

What’s likely to actually come of Copenhagen?

At this point, it’s unclear. If the parties don’t think they have something everyone’s willing to sign, they might push the pause button and hold off on forcing the issue, choosing instead to continue negotiations into 2010.

How can I get involved?

A bunch of organizations have organized ways for people around the world to let their leaders know they want them to back the Copenhagen treaty.

Seal the Deal
Seal the Deal is a UN-led campaign to marshal support for COP15. You can sign a petition, express your point of view, join their Facebook group, or make a pledge to perform a climate change-related action.
Sign a petition from Friends of the Earth or Greenpeace
Contribute a message (video, audio, or text) to the Friends of the Earth Climate Capsule
Participate in 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action on October 24, by either creating an action yourself or joining one planned by someone else

And if you feel you need a little something to help you get motivated, a campaigner at Oxfam suggests organizing a party to watch The Age of Stupid, a film set in the future, looking back and wondering why people didn’t act on climate change when they had the chance.

Resources

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United Nations Climate Change Conference
Guardian (UK): Countdown to Copenhagen

Photo credit: Greenpeace

12-14-09

jride — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:32:50 -0700

Got Leaks?

E.B.Boyd — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:03:46 -0700

The long dark days of winter are here, bringing us cheery snowmen, cozy nights by the fire, and... sky-high heating bills. There's nothing to be done, you think. You've got to heat the house, right? Well yes, but there might be a way to reduce the amount of energy you use — without resorting to three layers of sweaters and goofy wool hats.

Experts say up to half of the energy churned out by the average American home either never makes it into interior rooms or leaks away. In other words, you end up paying for heat you never get to use.

The main culprits?

Leaky ducts. Unlike water pipes, the ductwork in a heating system isn't always sealed "watertight." After all, leaking air won't cause the same kind of damage that leaking water will. The problem, though, is that leaky ducts mean heat that is intended to keep you toasty in your living room escapes into walls instead, never making it into the rooms you need to heat.
Holes in exterior walls. We're not talking about the place where your brother-in-law punched through the sheetrock after tying one on during the big game. Instead, these are almost imperceptible gaps where windows, doors, or walls weren't joined together perfectly, allowing heat to seep out in drips and drabs that add up over time.
Poorly insulated attics. You know how you get cold when you go outside without a hat on? Same thing with your house. Heat escapes from the top. Insulation works like the hat. It traps the heat inside where it can do you some good.
Wrong-sized heating systems. Different furnaces are designed to produce different quantities of heat. If your house is only 1,500 square feet, but your furnace is designed to produce heat for 3,000 square feet, it's producing a lot of heat you can't possibly use — but that you're paying for anyway.

Fixes:

Perform a home energy audit: Want to find out how much energy your house is losing? Consider hiring a home energy auditor. They'll lug a bunch of fancy gizmos over to your house (see pix in this Wired story) and track down exactly where your heat is going and how much you're losing.
Retrofit: Some auditors will also supply you with a list of fixes you could make to reduce the heat loss. These range from sealing holes to replacing the heating system. Be prepared: The prices of specific projects vary, but a complete retrofit could cost as much as a new solar heating system. Energy efficiency experts suggest that homeowners think about the work the same way they'd think about the solar system: As a long-term investment that will pay for itself over time — and that will not only save you green in the long run but that will help you do your part to reduce carbon emissions.

Get started:

Find a home energy auditor at the Energy Audit Directory, or simply do a search for "home energy audit" and the name of your state.
Peform an audit on your own with these instructions from the US Department of Energy.

Photo credit: Mr. Thomas

Making Use of Time

derek_beres — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:02:49 -0700

In The Best American Science Writing 2008, there is a rather moving New York Times article by Amy Harmon, “Facing Life With a Lethal Gene.” The medical feature traces the consequences of a decision made by Katharine Moser, who at age 23 decided to be genetically tested to find out whether or not she would be stricken with Huntington’s disease later in her life. Her grandfather suffered for three decades before passing on; with one test, she would find out whether or not such a fate awaited her.

As it turns out, it does. As you can imagine, such a situation makes one question the nature of existence. By the age of 50 (and possibly as early as 37), Moser will begin a slow deterioration marked by forgetfulness and, over time, loss of control of many muscle movements. The article brings into question the nature of knowledge: is it better to know that one will be afflicted with such an illness, or put it aside and live one’s life? There is no simple answer to this very complex question, though it brings up a scenario all of us must face.

While the knowledge of an impending disease is a frightening prospect for anyone, the fact remains that every one of us will die. This brings up an even more pressing question, one that Moser herself confronted the moment she found out the results: how are we to spend the time we have while alive?

Every day we have a decision, and that is what to make of our day. In reality, we can’t look further than that, and it is often the anxiety of the future that weighs heavily upon us. While we each have that choice, the passing of a year is a communal ritual to remind us of the preciousness of time, making this the perfect week to meditate on such a topic.

Being someone who engages in physical activity every day, at times I come across people who tell me things like, “I’d like to work out more often, but I don’t have the time," or, “If I had the time, I’d eat more healthfully.” And I always reply with the same answer: if you don’t have the time, who does? Who is it so in control of your time that you no longer have any say in it?

Stories like that of Katharine Moser are reminders that sometimes some of us really won’t have control of our time as we may like. But it is an inspiring piece, and she is an inspired figure, for she refuses to lose the time she has. (You can find out more about her by reading the article.) This is a resolution applicable to us, all the time — to be engaged with and in control of every moment of our lives. Nobody can make use of our time better than we can, so best to use it to the best of our abilities.

The Stay-at-Home Sick Guide

NG — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:07:19 -0700

As I type this I am alternating between gulping at my hot lemon and ginger and blowing my nose, wondering, how did this happen to me? After two months of faithfully popping concentrated elderberry tablets and Echinacea drops, I’ve finally succumbed to the vile virus that’s been circulating since Thanksgiving. But I refuse to let a good bug get me down. Rather than vegging out on the couch all day, a strategy that always leaves me feeling somehow worse than ever, I have resolved to keep as active as possible, granted within the rather limited confines of my immediate surroundings. And so can you with this shortlist of activities for the temporarily housebound.

Mend your clothes. There’s always a button that needs to be sewn onto something, a strap to be fixed, or a seam to repair, and this activity is so low-impact, you could practically do it under the covers if need be.

Catch up on your correspondence. Whether by email, postcard, or certified mail, you know there’s someone out there you haven’t contacted in a while. Surprise a far-flung friend or relative with an unexpected (or long overdue) missive.

Cook some soup. Even with your tastebuds all out of whack, you still have to eat. Plus, you can throw just about anything in your kitchen, including the sink, into a palatable soup. Use strong spices you can taste and those odds-and-ends in the pantry you never know what to do with, and make a big pot so you won’t have to cook again until you’re feeling better!

Clean out your clutter. Accumulation is a vicious cycle — especially for us waste-not-want-not types. But there’s always something buried in the cupboards you’ll never make good use of, and now’s as good a time as any to sort them out and find a place to donate them to. You weren’t going anywhere this afternoon anyway.

Stretch your limbs. You don’t have to break out the downward dog or anything, but a stretching session will help alleviate the stiffness in your fevered joints and help relax your body in a way that all the acetaminophen, or hot ginger and lemon, in the world won’t do.

Take Care of Your Brain

AbigailLewis — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:57:19 -0700

"This is your brain." (Visual of an egg). "This is your brain on drugs." (Visual of an egg frying.) Do you remember that ad? How many times did you imitate it? I just went on YouTube to try to find it and there are tons of spinoffs. The original ad must have been brilliant, because it made an indelible impression on our culture. Eat your hearts out, Mad Men.

Our brains are complex instruments and drugs are only one of the many things that put it at risk. The brain is really very sensitive, and if we want our brains to serve us well throughout the long lives we're told we can expect, it would be, er, smart to pay attention to this crucial part of our anatomy.

I picked up a book titled A Better Brain at Any Age (Conari Press, 2009) to try to find out more about my personal command central, and it has the clearest explanation of brain function I've ever stumbled across. I remember learning from geeky Ms. Urich in 10th grade that there were essentially three sections: cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla. Is that right? There was also a corpus callosum somewhere in there. Scientists seem to have a better understanding now than when I was in high school.

As author Sondra Kornblatt explains, we now recognize the four sections as cerebellum, lobes, limbic and cingulate gyrus (huh?). The latter is the midbrain and directs our responses to others, so definitely pretty crucial. But the truth is, all the sections are crucial. And despite what you may have been taught, depending on how long ago you were in school, the sections don't function independently. Our brains are holistic! They are all involved to some extent in all the functions.

Last night as I curled up under my big down comforter (nobody believes it's cold enough in L.A. for a down comforter, but trust me, it is), I tried a few of Kornblatt's suggestions for brain stimulation to help me fall asleep despite a late afternoon cup of green tea, and get through today on what threatened to be an insufficient amount of sleep. I pulled my ears all the way around. I scratched above the top of my spine. I rolled my eyes in circles. I put my thumbs on my temples and pulled my fingers against my scalp all the way around. And then I did a light massage all over my head. I'd been to the gym so I knew my blood was circulating pretty well, and EFAs are a supplement staple. I did mentally demanding work yesterday, so I knew I was covered on that front. I was now thoroughly worn out and slept like a log. Taking care of this brain properly is a lot of work!

According to the Franklin Institute, every 15 seconds someone in the U.S. suffers a traumatic brain injury, occurring more frequently than breast cancer or AIDS. Every year 50,000 people die and 80,000 are disabled because of traumatic brain injury. So if you want to take care of your brain, all those things mentioned above are only secondary, because you have to have an intact brain in order to care for it.

With that in mind, remember to:
Wear a helmet when you ride a bicycle or motorcycle.
Drive a car with side-curtain airbags.
If you play soccer, don't go for headers, no matter what your coach says.
Take antioxidant supplements and avoid paint, mercury (tuna!), melamine (fish from China) and harmful chemicals.
If you play a sport, wear a helmet.
If you ski or snowboard, stay away from trees!

Remember, it won't be any fun to live to 100 if your brain is a fried egg.

Photo by Brandi Sims

Give the Gift of Clean

Kim.D — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:58:40 -0700

Wouldn’t it be great if you could give your friends and family a present that would keep their homes permanently clean and non-toxic? It would be like wrapping up a lifetime green cleaning service without the hefty price tag? Now that’s a present!

Since they haven't yet invented the gizmo I'm imagining here, and since you probably don't want to pledge to clean other people's houses... Here are some great present options that help you give the gift of clean.

Soy or beeswax candles
People love burning candles to scent the air and set the mood for a cozy holiday. Save them from the toxic fumes of petroleum-based candles by giving them natural and sustainable essential oil-scented candles.

Healthy home in a box
This is a great gift for people just starting off on the green path who may not yet have considered the harmful chemicals in their cleaning and other household products. The Green Nest “Gift of Health” gift pack includes a CD on how to create a healthy home, a children’s book that helps kids learn the importance of making smart green decisions in the home, a soy candle, non-toxic all-purpose cleaner and even 10 percent off their next purchase from Green Nest.

Pollution solutions in a bag
It’s great when you can find a present that directs your money to a good cause but still allows you to give something of value to the person you’re buying for. The Environmental Working Group’s 2008 Pollutions Solutions holiday gift bag is a great way to do this.

You are putting your money to work for a great cause and in return you get a useable present to give to help someone green their home. The gift includes a tote bag made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles, glass food storage containers, a stainless steel water bottle, organic cookies, coupons for green home products and some of the great guides EWG puts out to help us make smart choices for our health and environment. Also, if buying the bag is your first time giving money to EWG, they have established donors who will match your donation — so you get even more bang for your buck!

Here’s an easy one!
Another option that would be quick and easy and just a few clicks through Amazon is my new book, Clean Home, Green Home: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Eco-Friendly Homekeeping. The photo-intensive book takes you step by step through just about every room in your house and shows you how to clean it naturally, efficiently and effectively.

With these great choices, giving the gift of clean is easy and the payoff is helping others make healthy green choices in their home.

Kimberly Delaney is the author of Clean Home, Green Home: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Eco-Friendly Homekeeping, published by the Knack imprint of Globe Pequot Press.

Organic For the Holidays

ElizaS — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:55:24 -0700

Welcome to LIME's Organic Living blog, where organic lifestyle expert Eliza Sarasohn - author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Living - tackles your questions on the ins and outs of living la vida organica. This week, Sarasohn shares two tasty organic recipes for the holidays.

Black Chocolate Cake, by Laura Giannatempo for SustainableTable.org

A delicious flourless cake with lots of fruit and great flavor.

Yield: 4 servings

Cook time: 1 1/2 hours

Serving size: ¼ of cake

Ingredients

2 cups water

2 cups plus 1 cup sugar

4 lb. apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

5 oz. amaretti cookies, crumbled

3 oz. unsweetened cocoa powder

6 eggs

2/3 cup rum

1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts

Butter and flour for dusting

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan and stir in 2 cups of sugar until it dissolves, forming a simple syrup.

2. Add apples to the syrup and cook over low heat until softened, about 10 to 12 minutes. Strain apples and place in a food processor.

3. Add cookies, cocoa powder, eggs, rum, and hazelnuts and process until a fairly smooth batter forms.

4. Lightly butter and flour a cake pan. Pour batter in.

5. Cook for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Family Apple Delight, by Karen Hudson for SustainableTable.org

An apple delight, made good and homey with a creamy, warm sauce.

Yield: 1 cake

Cook time: 1 ¼ hour

Ingredients

½ cup plus ¼ cup butter

1 cup plus ½ cup brown sugar

1 cup plus ½ cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 cups flour

Dash nutmeg

1 tsp. plus dash cinnamon

2 tsp. baking soda

4 cups tart baking apples, thinly sliced

½ cup sour cream

¾ cup plus ½ cup raisins

1 ½ cups cream or half and half

1 ½ tsp. vanilla

2 TB. cornstarch

1. Cream ½ cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1 cup white sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time.

2. Combine flour, nutmeg, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and baking soda. Add to butter, sugar, and egg mixture.

3. Fold in sliced apples and ¾ cup raisins. Bake in greased and floured 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes.

4. Melt ¼ cup butter in saucepan. Add dash of cinnamon, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup white sugar, and ½ cup raisins and cook on medium until sugar is dissolved.

5. Blend cream and cornstarch in a small bowl. Slowly pour a small stream into butter and sugar mixture while stirring. Cook and stir constantly over medium flame until thickened. Stir in vanilla and serve over slices of apple cake.

Tip: Instead of putting the cream sauce on the cake, you can keep the sauce warm in a small crock pot set at a low temperature and allow guests to serve themselves.

^{Excerpted from The
Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Living by Eliza Sarasohn with Sonia Weiss.}