Power your own indoor gym equipment!

I am a huge fitness buff and when I’m not running outdoors, I enjoy the treadmill and indoor bicycle trainer.  Regular gyms require a lot of electricity and other energy to operate.  But at a new San Diego gym – Greenasium – patrons can both burn calories and power the gym.  There are 3 specialized spinning bikes that literally help you generate renewable electricity while you work out.

Greenasium’s co-owner, Bryon Spatt, stated:

“The bike’s are retrofitted by a company up in Seattle that we work with called Resource Fitness.  As the bike (spins), the wheel creates DC power, converts it to AC power, which is plugged back into the wall, which puts energy back into the grid.”

The Greenasium opened last Wednesday in San Diego has three specialty spin bikes that generate electricity and feed it back into the grid, helping provide power to the gym and other electricity customers.  The owners claim that its the first human-powered fitness studio in San Diego.  Resource Fitness from Seattle have helped to retrofit the exercise bicycles.

Generate electricity as you work out

This fall, the gym’s owners will add elliptical bikes to further help offset the carbon footprint.  The overall goal of Greenasium is to produce enough renewable energy to offset the gym’s needs 100%.

Beyond generating human-powered renewable energy, Greenasium has reduced its carbon footprint in other ways.  Its rubber flooring is made of recycled tires, and the equipment has been refurbished to a near-new state. It also has low-flow showers, dual flush toilets, filtered tap water and a no- to low-plastics policy :  when you come to workout, be sure to bring your own re-usable bottle for water.

Plastic bottled water is not allowed at the Greenasium.

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon

Here in the United States, its Labor Day on Monday.  For many families, that means an extra day on a long weekend, right at the end of summer.  What a perfect day to enjoy our National Parks!

We live in the gorgeous state of Oregon, which is filled with both a number of National Parks and State Parks.  Relatively small fees are required at entry to help defray the costs of park maintenance.  For a family of 6, you can enjoy a jewel like Crater Lake National Park for the day for only $10!

What other type of entertainment can give you so much joy for such a small fee?

Wizard Island in Crater Lake, Oregon

Crater Lake is one of the very first National Parks, which were established in 1916.

Today, more than 400 properties are protected by the National Park System, and over 275 million visitors marvel at the natural beauty in our nation’s parks each year.

Consider these facts, from the official NPS website:

$48,000,000,000 incentivized in private historic preservation investment
11,700,000,000 visitors
$5,409,252,508 in preservation and outdoor recreation grants awarded
$2,750,000,000 annual budget
121,603,193 objects in museum collections
97,417,260 volunteer hours
84,000,000 acres of land
4,502,644 acres of oceans, lakes, reservoirs
2,482,104 volunteers
218,000 jobs supported in gateway communities
85,049 miles of perennial rivers and streams
68,561 archeological sites
43,162 miles of shoreline
28,000 employees
27,000 historic structures
2,461 national historic landmarks
582 national natural landmarks
400 endangered species
392 national parks
40 national heritage areas
1 mission: The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

There are so many people working hard to preserve the natural beauty of our nation’s parks.

This Labor Day, why not visit one of the jewels in the U.S.?  Enjoy our National Parks!

Lovely beach on the Oregon Coast

We are spending Labor Day weekend at the Oregon Coast! My husband’s family has owned a house in Manzanita, Oregon for about 25-30 years.  The beach is lovely and relatively secluded, but only about 20 minutes south of popular Cannon Beach.

Since Thursday afternoon, my 4 kids, 2 dogs and I have been enjoying the waves, sunshine and fresh ocean air.

While we have been coming to this amazing area of the U.S. for more than 20 years, I am always amazed at the litter and trash when we are here.  Yesterday, we once again saw the uglier side of popular tourist destinations.  Cigarette butts, plastic bottles, straws and fast food wrappers strewn across the sands.   Its just disgusting!

Wildlife, as well as people and pets, are harmed by garbage that is not properly disposed of.  Animals often ingest trash, causing injury or death.  Oily residues and chemicals are washed into the ocean waters resulting in far-reaching environmental impacts.  Humans suffer injuries from stepping on glass shards or the like.

Manzanita Beach at Sunset

There’s no need for this!

When you visit a beach, keep in mind the principles of leave no trace!  That means, leave only footprints and take only pictures.  Bring a bag to carry out trash and recyclables.  Clean up after your pet.  Make sure campfires are completely doused.

Simply stated, be considerate and help keep our beaches clean and green.   No one should know that you were on the beach or trail when you leave….

Beaches are a lovely place to visit, any time of the year.  Do your part to keep them that way.

Happy Labor Day!

Pacific Northwest forests in Oregon (c) Stephanie Hicks

Old growth forests like those in the Pacific Northwest (where I live) have a critical impact on global warming.  Temperate forests of Douglas fir, Redwoods, Western Hemlock and Sequoias in ranges from Northern California to Canada, can reach heights of over 131 feet.  Their carbon-trapping role cannot be underestimated.

In fact, Pacific Northwest old growth forests have a significant impact on reducing levels of CO2 in the global atmosphere.  Estimates are that between 15-20% of all carbon emissions world wide are absorbed by these forests.

Now, I was one of the people that believed that tropical rainforests and boreal forests of northern Canada and Europe had more of a positive environmental impact than the trees with which I am familiar.

After all, how could these lowly pines and fir trees in which I played as a little girl really help the planet?

Scientists estimate that forests with the biggest trees can absorb and store the most CO2.  Because the Pacific Northwest old growth forests are among the tallest in the world, they are – presumably – the largest carbon sinks.

Evergreen forests help absorb CO2 levels

In general, trees absorb CO2 and convert it into sugar and oxygen using water.  A lot of the sugar becomes cellulose which is a key ingredient in wood.

According to a Wilderness Society analysis of the U.S. Forest Service, trees and soil in Oregon and Washington States store about 10 billion tons of carbon.  It also noted at, of the 120 national forests in the U.S., the 10 with the highest carbon density were located in Alaska, Oregon and Washington State.

Although the carbon absorption rate slows as the Pacific Northwest old growth forests age, they are still a very important resource for the environment.  Form providing habitat to recreational opportunities, we need to keep our forests green.

When my children are my age, I hope they are still enjoying the forests in which I have hiked, camped and played through my lifetime.  Wouldn’t that be a great gift to leave the next generation?

Green your back to school routine

Its September now, which means back to school for millions of kids!  Some districts and universities have already started classes, with others beginning over the next few weeks.

While there is certainly a lot of organization and paperwork this time of year, we have 5 ways to green your back to school routine.

Save energy, money and the environment… and maybe even teach a lesson or two about conservation and economics before the school bell rings!

1.  Re-use your backpack or lunch box from last year.  Check to make sure the zippers are still working and spot clean with cold water and a soft cloth.  No need to spend money on new items and create waste when your existing ones still have some use.  With four children, I’ve managed to save about $150 this year (only 1 child needed a new backpack and 2 required new lunch boxes).

2.  Sign up for e-mail newsletters from the school and classrooms.  Aaacck!!  I feel like I am drowning in paperwork!  But so much of the information that is printed and handed out can be sent via email.  I am a cub scout leader too and I always send agendas and meeting notices through my email.  You can encourage your child’s school and teachers to try to minimize paper usage with e-newsletters and announcements.  Offer to help create the email list, if necessary!

3.  Green transportation.  This one is a biggie!  If you live within 1/4-1/2 mile from school, consider walking or riding bicycles to minimize on driving.  Getting out in the fresh air is a great way to wake up little brains and get the blood pumping before classes start.  Review safety rules beforehand, including a planned route and using bicycle helmets.  For those that live farther away, a school bus is greener than individual driving.  In fact, some school districts are even changing to plug-in electric hybrid buses with up to 40% fewer emissions than regular buses!

4.  Focus on nutrition.  School lunches are getting healthier, but you can best influence what your child will eat by packing a lunch at home.  Chose whole grain breads, organic fruits and vegetables and drinks that are not loaded with sugar or chemicals.   Healthy food will increase learning ability and stop sluggish sugar crashes mid-afternoon.  Cut down on wasteful packaging, as well, by considering using these re-usable sandwich and snack bags from 3 Green Moms.  Helpful tip:  we pack lunches the night before and leave them in the refrigerator to minimize morning chaos!

5.  Be a mindful consumer.  Its tempting to run out and buy a bunch of back to school clothes and gear right away.  Carefully consider purchases before you make them and think about waiting a few weeks to see what items are truly needed.  You just might find that calculator from last term!  Before the end of September, retailers will put clothing and other items on sale to make room for all the Halloween stuff…. that means sales and big savings for you!

For more green tips, check out our 2009 back to school article.

I hoped you all learned some good lessons!  Have a great school year!

Plug-in vehicles are on the way this fall! (image courtsey of Ford)

As auto manufacturers prepare to roll out electric vehicles starting this fall, there is a kind of match-making dance going on.  Before General Motors, Nissan and Ford decide the markets in which to introduce their EVs, they have to decide whether your city is “plug-worthy.”  Its sort of the, “if you build it, they will come,” mentality for electric cars!

According to a Chicago Tribune article, electric car manufacturers are looking at three factors in deciding where to roll out the new vehicles:

1. A large number of hybrid owners – indicating acceptance of new technology
2. Supportive public policy, and
3. Utility infrastructure to allow convenient charging

In short, they want to sell electric cars where their consumers have the best chances of operating them without complications!

What if your city is not “plug-worthy?”  There are several steps you can take!

Request your city council to adopt legislation and educate permitting staff regarding home-based charging stations.  Work with transportation officials to retrofit park and ride facilities to include EV charging stations.   Encourage commercial privately owned garages or parking lots to install charging stations.

Electric vehicles are not a passing fad.  In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that over 100 million electric cars or plug-in electric hybrids will be on the road in this country by the year 2020.

Plug-in electrics and hybrids are rolling out over the next 12 months

So far, the top 7 areas that have been deemed “plug-worthy” include:

• Portland, OR
• Michigan
• Indianapolis, IN
• Bay Area, CA
• The States of WA, OR, AZ and TN
• Orlando, FL
• Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, MD I-95 corridor

In order to increase public acceptance of electric vehicles, we need news stories that highlight the ease of use and recharging of EVs, and to diminish any issues related to operation.  The last thing that auto manufacturers want is negative press about cars running out of charge.

100 new electric car charging stations will be deployed through a U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities grant over the next 2 years.  In my opinion, there will be a bit of push and pull on both sides – as EVs are purchased and used, more charging stations will emerge, but on the other hand, more charging stations will encourage people to go with EVs.

What do you think?  Is your city or region “plug-worthy”?  Why or why not?

Adorable Sea Otter with a Clam

Its time to prepare for Sea Otter Awareness Week!  This year, from September 26-October 2, 2010, Defenders of Wildlife is organizing its annal event to help raise awareness about the endangered sea otters and their importance in marine ecosystems.

Although Sea Otters are the largest member of the weasel family, they are the second smallest marine mammal.  Prior to massive fur trading expeditions, Sea Otters once had populations in the millions worldwide.  Today, they have dwindled to less than 95,000.

Hunted to the brink of extinction, these adorable mammals now need our help to survive!

Wildlife experts estimate that up to 1 million sea otters were killed for fur over a period spanning nearly 200 years from the 1700s to 1900s.  Today, sea otters can be found in populations of less than 100,000 worldwide in Japan, Russia and the West Coast of North America.

I’ve been lucky enough to see them near Seattle, Washington and Newport, Oregon!

The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act both help protect Sea Otters in waters off the United States.  They have been on the Endangered Species list in the U.S. since 1977.  Populations of sea otters also exist near British Columbia, Canada.  They are classified as Threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.

What can you do to help save the sea otters?

According to Defenders of Wildlife:

The fur hunt of the 18th and 19th centuries was initiated by the Russians and began in the western Pacific, the Kuril and Commander Islands of Russia, and the far western Aleutian Islands. The hunt progressed eastward as sea otter populations were eliminated from many of the Aleutian Islands. The Aleuts were eventually enslaved by the Russians to further the hunt. The Russians established commerce and handling centers for the fur in Kodiak and Sitka, Alaska. It is estimated that between 300,000 and 1 million sea otters were killed for their fur over a 170-year period, between 1742-1911.

Following the near decimation of the sea otter population worldwide there were eleven geographically isolated sea otter populations spread throughout their historic range. Most of these remnant populations were in the Aleutians and south central Alaska, with one in California, around the Big Sur coast, and a few in Russia.

Of the remaining Sea Otters in the world, most are estimated to reside in Alaskan waters.  Only about 2,000 otters still live off of California’s central coast.

We need to save the sea otters!

Through dedicated efforts over the past 35 years, numbers of sea otters have rebounded.  They now occupy most of their previous habitat, but at lower population counts than historically seen.  Populations in California and the Aleutian Islands in Alaska still struggle, however.   Of particular note is the vulnerability of the species to oil spills.  Otters rely on their dense, specialized fur to keep warm.  When they become soaked in oil, the fur gets matted to the point that it can no longer trap air for warmth.  The animals die from pneumonia or hypothermia – if they do not get poisoned first from trying to lick off the sludge.

Of course, saving sea otters is impacted by how clean we keep the oceans.  Cleaning up a beach is a great community activity.  Properly dispose of trash and recyclables when you visit the beaches.  Think about the sea otters swimming in and trying to fish waters that are clogged with debris and oil.

If you want to know what you can do to help save the Sea Otters, visit www.otterproject.org, or become a Friend of the Sea Otters.  Activist organizations work with governmental agencies to adopt, maintain or increase preservation efforts for the endangered species.  Check out Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) program, and consider adopting a sea otter for only $25.

These cute guys say thank you!

Saving sea otters is up to you! (image from Josefine Stenudd on Flickr)

the artist and her art

Making art from used plastic is the ultimate in recycling, especially when the artist is as talented and creative as  Sayaka Kajita Ganz, a Japanese born sculptress who now lives and works in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Her breathtakinngly original animal sculptures are made entirely from discarded plastic utensils and household objects and they certainly breathe new life into these humble objects.  According to Ganz:

For my sculptures I use plastic utensils, toys and metal pieces among other things. I only select objects that have been used and discarded. The human history behind these objects gives them life in my eyes.  My goal is for each object to transcend its origins by being integrated into an animal form that seems alive.

Ganz’s work is causing quite a stir in some circles and you might want to check out her website for links to upcoming exhibitions.  In the meantime, have a look at the amazing vitality and creativity of her plastic animal sculptures made entirely of plastic household items that would have ended up in a landfill or recycling bin had Ganz not given them a new, artistic purpose.

A peachygreen bouquet to Sayaka Kajita Ganz, for turning ordinary used plastic objects into elegant artistic sculpture.

Lightning strikes are filled with electricity

Electricity is in the air!  You know this is true, each time you witness a thunderstorm with bolts of lightening filling the skies.  But could you use atmospheric electricity to power your home?

Researchers are working on technology that could someday draw electricity from thin air.  Building on centuries of research, theories and analysis in the field of atmospheric electrodynamics, today’s scientists may finally be close to the silver bullet of hygroelectricity.

Science Daily published an article following the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society at which the potential of atmospheric electricity was discussed:

“Our research could pave the way for turning electricity from the atmosphere into an alternative energy source for the future,” said study leader Fernando Galembeck, Ph.D. His research may help explain a 200-year-old scientific riddle about how electricity is produced and discharged in the atmosphere. “Just as solar energy could free some households from paying electric bills, this promising new energy source could have a similar effect,” he maintained.

The new power source of the future? Photo Credit: iStockphoto/Martin Fischer

The more water there is in the air, the more potential electricity that can be pulled from it.  Galembeck discovered that tiny water droplets pick up a charge by noticing that dust particles comprised of silica and aluminum phosphate became increasingly charged as the humidity level rose.  He stated:

“This was clear evidence that water in the atmosphere can accumulate electrical charges and transfer them to other materials it comes into contact with.”

Using this discovery, the scientific team is working on a way to harvest hygroelectricity in humid regions by constructing hygroelectric panels with  metals that can best draw the charge from the air.  Similar technology could be used to help prevent damage from lightning strikes.  Hygroelectric panels on buildings could remove the charge from the air, protecting persons and properties (I’m thinking schools, hospitals and structures near parks or golf courses).

This alternative energy source is still in its infancy.  Researchers have a long way to go to further develop hygroelectric panels so that we can use atmospheric electricity to power our homes and workplaces.  Yet the findings so far are promising and exciting!  Dare I say, electrifying?!