Tell your kid how much they mean to you!

Love your child?  Why not tell him or her so?  No, I mean in a keepsake manner that they will always remember.  If you have an absolutely incredible kid, then celebrate that fact on Thursday, March 18!

The 14th Annual Absolutely Incredible Kid Day is a national letter-writing campaign to honor children.  The goal is for every child in the nation to receive a letter from a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, sibling, neighbor, teacher, mentor or other adult.   These can be left on a pillow, mailed, stuck in a lunch box or emailed.

You don’t have to say much.  A simple, “you are special and I love you,” will do.  Or, you might want to tell your child what it is about them that makes them absolutely incredible.  Its all about love and encouragement.

The most important thing is that you do it.  Don’t worry about what you say.

Celebrated since 1996, Absolutely Incredible Kid Day is sponsored through Camp Fire USA.  Each year, the day falls on the third Thursday of March.

Free stationary and stickers are available through the local Camp Fire Office, or www.campfireusaco.org.  For more information, be sure to email kidday@campfireusa.org.

Residential wind turbine

Want to have more reliable, less expensive electricity?   Why not generate your own with residential wind power?

Solar and wind are two of the fastest growing distributed generation energy sources worldwide.  A number of factors have come into play: (1) tax incentives; (2) rising fossil fuel costs; (3) lowered prices for wind and solar; and (4) concerns over greenhouse gas emissions.

Did you know that you can save 75% or more off your monthly utility bill with residential wind power?  Some people have actually reported a zero bill!  That’s right – a savings of 100%!  Many times, any excess energy generated can be fed back into the grid for credits from your utility company, through net metering.

When you combine wind and solar, you can get even better results.  Why not take advantage of several weather conditions?  Sunny, bright days can generate solar electricity, while blustery, breezy days will give you wind power.

Wind turbines for home energy

For many people, it makes sense to use both wind and solar, and then rely on the combined power of both.  Look into meteorological conditions in your region to determine if wind, solar or a combination is best for you!

When you generate your own energy, you win on a number of levels! Residential wind power advantages are plenty:

• Reliable energy – even in the case of a grid failure or power outage, you can still cook, bathe and make phone calls
• Cheap power – when you generate your own, it may cost you next to nothing
• Green, green, green!  Most of the grid-based power is from fossil fuels, which results in CO2 emissions – go green by switching to wind energy which has zero greenhouse gas emissions

Whether you wish to purchase a wind power generator, or build your own, you’ll need to determine the proper size for your needs.  This depends on the power requirements for your home.  In general, these range from 700-2000 watts of power.  In general, however, you can probably use a small generator, rather than a large industrial type.

Why not build one?

When it comes to wind turbines – commercial or DIY – be sure to consider these factors:

• Sound construction
• Height to properly capture the wind to generate a constant supply of electricity
• Prior wind studies to estimate the amount of watts that may be generated
• Consideration of net metering incentives by your local utility, and any caps that may be imposed

In summary, residential wind turbines can save you some serious cash each month on your utility bills.  Upfront costs can be minimized with tax credits and also considering the investment as long-term and beneficial over many years.

Have you converted to wind power?  Please share your experiences in the comments below!

Stay at home for work on Climate Care Day

Coming up – two weeks from today – is Climate Care Day!

Make plans now to revise your business travel schedule on Friday, March 26.  Instead of hopping on a plane or even braving the local commute in your car, hop on the Internet instead!

Use your email, telephone or even VoIP (voice over internet protocol) services like Skype, which allow you to video conference over the Internet for free, all from the comfort of your home!  Be sure to get your boss’s approval first though….

Can you imagine business meetings in your bunny slippers.  Conference calls with your cat?  Why not?

The impact of Climate Care Day can be huge!  Carbon emissions from air travel in particular could be cut significantly if more companies reduced business travel.  Its safe to say that much of the traveling done in the name of work could just as easily be done from your own hometown.  If we can cut back on business travel to the bare necessities, we’ll save across the board: time, money and the environment!

Breathe easy on Climate Care Day

Arkadin Global Conferencing constitutes the brains behind Climate Care day.  Just for 24 hours (longer if you like) businesses are urged to schedule remote meetings instead of business travel.

The hope is that businesses overall will realize that the global and financial expenditure of business travel is not worth its price.  Just as much – if not more – work can be accomplished remotely.  If you are not spending 2-12 hours traveling, just imagine what you can get done!

This year’s Climate Care Day is scheduled for March 26, which will be the 24 hours leading up to WWF’s Earth Hour.

Amazon.com

Wildlife Specials is a bounty of BBC wildlife documentaries hosted by David Attenborough, who performed similar duties with the fantastic, 1993 Life In the Freezer. Wildlife Specials consists of six outstanding works focusing on different animals in their natural habitats. Eagles shows us a wide variety of the remarkable, predatory bird in North America, Africa, South America, and parts of Europe. Attenborough explains how eagles are designed to be powerful hunters (t (more…)

Not more bad press for Toyota!

Ah, the Toyota Prius.  It has long been the darling automobile for green consumers.  It practically screams “eco-friendly.”

Unless the people inside are screaming!

Earlier this week, reports of another harrowing incident involving a Toyota left people shaking their heads once again.  A 61-year old man in California called 911 on Monday when his 2008 Prius accelerated on a San Diego highway and he couldn’t get the vehicle to slow down.  This time, the vehicle was not a model that had been subject to recall.

Since late 2009, the Toyota recall has involved the following vehicles:

2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-2010 ES 350, 2006-2010 IS 250, and 2006-2010 IS 350.  On January 27, 2010, Toyota expanded the campaign to include the 2008-2010 Highlander, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Venza, 2009-2010 Matrix and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe.

Toyota has asked consumers to bring back their vehicles for what appears to be a relatively simple, inexpensive fix.  In recent weeks, the car manufacturer has been working to reshape both the floor mats and gas pedals to prevent the accelerator stick issue that has resulted in a number of accidents, injuries and fatalities.

Although the Toyota Prius has been the butt of jokes (common to hybrids and other electric vehicles) for its gutless performance, you certainly don’t want to be involved in a sudden Prius acceleration.  Speculation arose this week that the Toyota recall would be broadened to include Prius hybrids from 2004-2009 to address the issue.  But the Toyota website states that the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets that reported the story are wrong.  There is no recall of any model of Toyota Prius.

On a much lighter note, the idea of a Toyota Prius as speed racer seems beyond comprehension.  While researching this story, we came across this humorous video from “Funny or Die,” called Hybrid Power!

Think safety in your Toyota Prius

Sure, most hybrid vehicles rarely reach speeds above 90 miles per hour.  But if the accelerator is stuck, you don’t care what make or model you’re in!

Toyota acceleration is hardly a laughing matter any longer.  If you have concerns about the safety of your Prius, be sure to remove any floor mats on the drivers’ side, and do not replace them.  Should you be involved in a situation where the accelerator sticks, take the following steps:

• Apply the brake pedal with both feet and use firm, steady pressure – do NOT pump the brakes
• Shift into Neutral (N) and attempt a controlled stop at the side of the road
• Turn off the engine if you cannot get the car into Neutral

Per the Toyota website:

Owners who have further questions are asked to visit www.toyota.com or www.lexus.com or contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Assistance at 1-800-255-3987.

Recycled material from curbside collection

We have a giant recycling bin for our family.  Its just as big as our garbage container (though I wonder about that).  I also wonder about the fact that our local garbage and recycling company picks up trash every week, but recyclables only twice a month!  We could roll that bin out to the curb every single week!

But I digress.  The real focus of this article is on reviewing what items can be recycled and which ones may actually be trash.  Even if that plastic container has a recycling icon on the bottom, you may not be able to include it with your mixed home recycling.

Here are some general recycling guidelines with respect to curbside recycling for consideration.  Check with your own local recycling company for specific details:

Items that CAN be recycled:

• Newspapers, inserts, magazines, phone books, paper bags, catalogs, junk mail
• Plastic bottles larger than 6 ounces, rinsed out
• Plastic plant pots at least 4 inches in size
• Plastic buckets less than 5 gallons
• Plastic milk jugs, rinsed outs
• Plain, flattened corrugated cardboard
• Clean pizza boxes that are not covered with a bunch of grease
• Cereal and cracker boxes
• Shoe boxes
• Soda and beer cartons
• Paper towel tubes
• Egg cartons
• Plastic water bottles
• Aluminum cans
• Tin foil
• Tin cans (usually the paper can be left on), rinsed out
• Some types of wrapping paper
• Clear and colored glass bottles and jars
• Residential motor oil – do not pour into the bin.  Set aside into a container labeled “motor oil,” and place next to bin

Items that CANNOT be recycled (at least not with co-mingled recycling):

• Plastic shopping bags
• Lids on plastic containers
• Lids on milk jugs
• Plastic film (saran wrap)
• Clamshell containers
• Plastic cutlery
• Cardboard with wax or slick lining
• Tissue or waxed paper
• Foil-lined wrapping paper
• Frozen food cardboard boxes
• Paper cups, plates, napkins or towels
• Pet food bags
• Milk or juice cardboard cartons
• Batteries
• Styrofoam packing peanuts
• Electronics

Should you trash it?

You might wonder if there is a method to the madness?  Are these guidelines just arbitrary?

No – they are intended to protect the smooth operation of recycling plants.  For example, plastic grocery bags get tangled up in the gears.  To be recycled, you will have to take them back to your grocery store instead of including in your mixed recycling.  Plastic lids are too small and tend to get lost among newspapers and other items so that they cannot be sorted out.  The small items also get caught in the machinery.  So don’t include them!

With respect to paperboard used to hold frozen food, they were originally designed with withstand moisture.  That makes them an unusable candidate in recycling plants where paper materials are mixed with water to form a pulp that can be re-used.  The frozen food containers do not break down properly, and thus cannot be included as recycling.  Ditto for milk and juice cartons, and paper food service items, and paper towels.

Too lazy to rinse out your other recyclables?  Well, you might as well just throw them in the trash!  Any items with food particles have to be sent to the landfill.  You don’t want that!

If you’re a little disheartened by how many things cannot be recycled curbside, consider what you CAN do:

1. Pre-cycle, by reducing waste at the front end. Don’t purchase items with excessive packaging.  Use cloth towels or sponges instead of paper towels.  Bring your own canvas re-usable shopping bags to the store!
2. Look into and use programs that accept items that don’t go into co-mingled recycling.  Plastic grocery bags, styrofoam peanuts, batteries and – of course – cell phones and other electronics.
3. Call your local recycling company to double-check before you toss questionable items into your bin.
4. Consider re-purposing items that you cannot recycle.  Gather colored milk carton lids to use as checkers for camping trips.  Create seedling containers out of other plastic containers and start some shoots for your garden.  Get creative!

Will it ever stop snowing?

It seems to me that the world has lost its senses.

Climate change is happening. We have vast tracts of empirical evidence to call on which show an increasing trend of the planet heating up. Then we have a couple of snowstorms in the UK and the US, and everyone is ready to abandon the evidence in front of their eyes and believe that climate change is a myth.

Global Warming huh? Well if the globe is heating up so much, why did we have so much snow in Washington DC in February?

Maybe I am missing something, or maybe people are just been deliberately dense, but at what point did we allow a couple of isolated incidents to set a precedent against a convincing trend?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world busiest airport, servicing some 88 million passengers annually and handling close to a million flights. Whilst most of those flights take-off and land as normal, on exceptionally rare occasions, one of those aircraft will crash. Now, just because one aircraft crashes, does that mean that we should abandon the principles of aviation? Should we give up on flights altogether? Of course not, because in everyday life we accept that occasionally, freaky things happen, but it’s just one of those things, and we don’t let the exceptions to the rule determine our actions.

People go on about the recent snow storms as though they were some sort of Black Swan Event. Nothing could be further from the truth. One isolated fall of snow, even a significant one such as was seen in February 2010, by no means disproves the theory that the planet in general is heating up.

It’s incredibly disheartening therefore, to see people latch onto isolated instances of cold weather and somehow devise from this that climate change is a myth.

Maybe all this snow is proof of climate change!

Maybe it’s the fault of environmental PR for misleading the general public with a confusing term like global warming. After all, cold is the exact opposite of warm, so if it’s cold enough to snow, then it can’t be simultaneously warm and cold! I wonder if proponents of such a theory suddenly expected the world to turn into a desert, where cold weather would be eradicated completely.

Well here’s a news flash – cold weather is not inconsistent with climate change. In this more aptly chosen buzz phrase, the key word is change. Holy cow, Philadelphia received the highest snow falls this winter it has ever gotten – guess what, that’s climate change right there in action. The climate is getting more extreme in its hot summers and cold winters than ever before, of that, surely there can be no doubt.

Global warming? Does that mean no winter?

Sadly it appears that there is doubt, despite the vast swathes of empirical evidence. A poll conducted last month by the BBC showed that skepticism surrounding climate change is growing, with one in four people believing climate change is not happening at all.

These 25 per cent are the ignorant, the naive and the stupid.  The same people who will ironically claim that extreme snow fall somehow proves that the climate is not changing, without even realising the contradiction in their statement.

Climate change IS happening, it’s a simple fact. The problem that remains is whether we attribute the changes to the environment or to human intervention. Doubts may have been raised about the severity of human impact on climate change in the recent “Climategate” scandal, but what is certain is that human consumption of fossil fuels and production of CO2 is making some form of impact – it’s the degree of that impact that is uncertain.

Winter 2010 - Global Warming?

If we accept that humans are affecting the environment and in turn climate change, even to a very small degree, then we should also accept a duty to do something about said climate change. Pessimists might well believe that our efforts will be insignificant and that we cannot halt the tide of change, but one has only to look at the progress that can and has been made by those willing to believe and make a stand to see that small changes can make a difference.

Humans may not be the largest contributing factor to climate change, but we ARE a contributing factor, and no amount of snow can prove that climate change isn’t happening.

With that in mind, we should do our utmost to make the small changes, in order to affect big differences globally on our impact on climate change.

What do you have to say about Winter 2010 after digging out this year?

Nature's beauty (image from delgaudm on Flickr)

What moves you to live a sustainable life?  Its the weekend, which may mean recreation, rest or even some spring cleaning.

Have you thought about the impacts of your actions?

We have collected some inspiring quotes about the environment, as well as some gorgeous nature photographs.  They’ll make you think.  Make you wonder.  Perhaps even trigger a few small changes in how you live your life.

Enjoy!

The things we take for granted (image from Debbeling on Flickr)

There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed.  ~Mohandas K. Gandhi

Abundance is everywhere (image from snaps11 on Flickr)

Because we don’t think about future generations, they will never forget us.  ~Henrik Tikkanen

What of our future generations? (image from lepiaf.geo on Flickr)

The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry does not own the sun.  ~Ralph Nader, quoted in Linda Botts, ed., Loose Talk, 1980

Energy at our fingertips (image from respres on Flickr)

We cannot command Nature except by obeying her.  ~Francis Bacon

Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints (image from WildHoneyPie36 on Flickr)

When the soil disappears, the soul disappears.  ~Ymber Delecto

Connecting with nature (image from Pink Sherbert on Flickr)

For 200 years we’ve been conquering Nature.  Now we’re beating it to death.  ~Tom McMillan, quoted in Francesca Lyman, The Greenhouse Trap, 1990

Awe inspiring beauty (image from Athena Pix on Flickr)

When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.  ~David Orr

Natural healing (image from My aim is true on Flickr)

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.  ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

What if the only thing rushing in our life was water? (image from naotakum on Flickr)

It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.  ~Ansel Adams

Such precious gifts (image from kiwinz on Flickr)

The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty.  The activist is the man who cleans up the river.  ~Ross Perot

One of our most precious resources (image from rkramer62 on Flickr)

We say we love flowers, yet we pluck them.  We say we love trees, yet we cut them down.  And people still wonder why some are afraid when told they are loved.  ~Author Unknown

Reasons to protect the environment can be found everywhere (image from Taras Kalapun on Flickr)

It appears to be a law that you cannot have a deep sympathy with both man and nature.  ~Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854

We must speak up for wildlife (image from Koshyk on Flickr)

The struggle to save the global environment is in one way much more difficult than the struggle to vanquish Hitler, for this time the war is with ourselves.  We are the enemy, just as we have only ourselves as allies.  ~Al Gore

Shifting sights, light and mist (image from atomicjeep on Flickr)

We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive.  ~Albert Einstein

Alaskan majesty (image from janebelindasmith on Flickr)

After a visit to the beach, it’s hard to believe that we live in a material world.  ~Pam Shaw

Ocean beaches for every living thing's use and enjoyment (image from Lee Coursey on Flickr)

To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance.  ~Buddha

Life is certainly abundant (image from Rodrigo_Amorim on Flickr)

There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet.  ~Brooke Medicine Eagle

Living and learning green (image from Michel Filionon on Flickr)

I’m a mom of four, a scout leader, and a Sunday School teacher.  In short, I deal with kids a lot!  Fortunately, I don’t have to look hard to find opportunities for teaching values that form the basis of a lifetime of responsible living.  And no…. you don’t have to believe in global climate change to live a sustainable lifestyle.  No matter your political party, religion or gender – taking less than you give is a good starting point for all of us.

At our home, whether I am packing lunches, doing laundry, helping with homework, or getting them to various after school activities, you’ll hear me impart Life’s Little Green Lessons!

Somewhat like the popular series of “Life’s Little Instruction Book,” teaching kids how to live green is deceptively simple.  Just consider the directions I gave my kids this morning:

“We don’t need to wash that sweatshirt – its still clean!”

“No, I am not going to cut up the apple… you can take the whole piece of fruit in your lunch”

“Please take last week’s homework papers out to the recycling bin.”

Three lessons in conservation and recycling in a mere 5 minutes.  There you have it!

But seriously, the everyday decisions you make as a family are being witnessed by the next generation.  You can teach them both through your words, but more importantly, your actions too.  Don’t you want your children to have the tools to help preserve life as we know it now for their kids – and their kids’ kids?

Of course you do!

When we shop at the grocery store, there are lessons in resisting impulse purchases, comparisons in packaging and value, and questions often come up about organic vs. other alternatives.  And, we are religious about using our canvas shopping bags!

I am not ashamed to say that we bargain-hunt at consignment shops, garage sales and even Goodwill.  We also do a great job donating things that the kids have outgrown, rather than trash them.  We’ve even come up with some creative craft project out of old jeans and t-shirts – from doll bedding to basic pillows.  Kids love to do crafts.

Dreaming of a greener planet (image from Pink Sherbert on Flickr)

Even more fun than a craft project is the excitement children experience by growing their own plants.  A small vegetable garden is really easy and a great nature and nutrition lesson.  If you don’t have a plot of land, try container gardening.  There is nothing like fresh tomatoes and herbs!

You can also have your kids help you plant and maintain trees to provide shading and insulation for your home to reduce A/C and heating costs.  Don’t worry about their ages.  Simply tell any child from age 1 or over about the benefits of trees and plants.  They’ll get it – you’ll be surprised!

Don’t underestimate the capabilities of your kids to learn, or you to teach!  Even if you don’t actually direct your children about the benefits of living green, you can show them by your great example.

We’d love to hear Life’s Little Green Lessons that you have taught (or learned)!  Please share in the comments below.

The plastic bottle sailboat will raise recycling awareness

If you’ve heard about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, you are aware of the devastating impact plastic can have on the environment.  To that end, we have urged discontinued use of individual serving water bottles and conscientious consumer decision-making to pre-cycle.

Yet, now there is news of some plastic bottles that should go into the ocean.  The Plastiki is a seaworthy sail boat created by David De Rothschild and some of his friends out of 12,500 recycled plastic bottles.

Showcased last week in the San Francisco Bay, the plan is to have the boat sail 11,000 miles to Sydney, Australia in an effort to raise awareness of the need to recycle plastics and/or reduce their overall use.

The green vessel will start the eco-voyage soon.  And its not just recycled plastic bottles that makes it environmentally-friendly.  The entire boat is crafted from recycled materials, from the mast – which is made from a reclaimed aluminum irrigation pipe – to the sail, which is comprised of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polyester resin used in plastics.  The glue that holds it all together also is organic, comprised of cashew nuts and sugar cane.

Launching from Pier 31 in San Francisco, the Plastiki will rely mostly on renewable energy for the eco-voyage.  Solar panels, wind turbines, bicycle generators and rain catchment systems will all be employed.   Would you go along for the trip?

Check out this video on the making of the green vessel and decide for yourself!

The Plastiki has been an effort spanning over a year.  Instead of just raising awareness about plastics in our oceans, and keeping them out of landfills, the project now hopes to encourage inventive re-use of materials like water bottles.  If more people recycle them as a result, that would be great too!  (currently, less than 20% of plastic bottles are recycled).

As of this writing, the crew is making final preparations for the eco-voyage on the Plastiki!  If you want to go along for the ride (virtually, of course), check out the official website at ThePlastiki.com.  Photographs, videos, a blog and much more information will be provided.  You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Ahoy!