Well, after a lot of hard work, it's almost done! My new site, ImpactDash.com, is slated to launch next week. Follow us on Twitter (@ImpactDash) and Facebook for updates.
Thanks to everyone for their support. Everyday Environmentalists was a blast to run, and I can't to see what fun and adventures ImpactDash will bring.
8.02.2008
The Fad is Fading
First – I would like to apologize for the ridiculously long break in posts. I am actually in the process of launching another site and it has taken quite a lot of time and energy (more to come).
Also, I received a tip on my last blog directing readers to GreenDaily.com. Anonymous - thanks for the suggestion. As you may have noticed, Green Daily is a site I link to on my blog, as I do enjoy their coverage. They can offer more tips and write more stories than a lonely blogger can, and think they are a great site for environmentally-minded people. I'm trying offer something very specific, and hope there is space on the web for all environmental bloggers.
Onto today’s blog: I recently read a report that advertisers are pulling back from green-themed marketing, as a result of the public’s growing skepticism of words such as “green” “eco” and “environmentally sound” thrown on just about every product that doesn’t directly result in the death of baby seals. There are two things I take away from this: 1) We must continue to encourage people to do things because it is the right thing to do and not because it is the cool thing. I realize this is incredibly challenging as almost all of the serious movement made by the green movement has in fact been because we have been able to convince people it’s trendy and because Leo or insert-celebrity-you-care-about is doing it. 2) We should place a bigger emphasis on certified “green” products. I have a feeling in a couple years the word green will be an outdated product of the past, but for now, it will have to do. Look for products with the Green Seal or Energy Star stamp of approval. And as always, use common sense. Know that produce from your local organic market is not only better because it’s organic, but also because it consumed far less natural resources in transportation than much of the produce at your grocery.
More blogs to come. Stick with me readers.
Also, I received a tip on my last blog directing readers to GreenDaily.com. Anonymous - thanks for the suggestion. As you may have noticed, Green Daily is a site I link to on my blog, as I do enjoy their coverage. They can offer more tips and write more stories than a lonely blogger can, and think they are a great site for environmentally-minded people. I'm trying offer something very specific, and hope there is space on the web for all environmental bloggers.
Onto today’s blog: I recently read a report that advertisers are pulling back from green-themed marketing, as a result of the public’s growing skepticism of words such as “green” “eco” and “environmentally sound” thrown on just about every product that doesn’t directly result in the death of baby seals. There are two things I take away from this: 1) We must continue to encourage people to do things because it is the right thing to do and not because it is the cool thing. I realize this is incredibly challenging as almost all of the serious movement made by the green movement has in fact been because we have been able to convince people it’s trendy and because Leo or insert-celebrity-you-care-about is doing it. 2) We should place a bigger emphasis on certified “green” products. I have a feeling in a couple years the word green will be an outdated product of the past, but for now, it will have to do. Look for products with the Green Seal or Energy Star stamp of approval. And as always, use common sense. Know that produce from your local organic market is not only better because it’s organic, but also because it consumed far less natural resources in transportation than much of the produce at your grocery.
More blogs to come. Stick with me readers.
4.24.2008
Buy a Beer For the Planet!
I'm always hesitant to believe energy companies when they tell me they are leading the charge on behalf of renewable energy. It gives me horrible visions of "clean coal" commercials (shiver).However, I met such an impassioned young woman the other night who worked for Con Edison Solutions. Her job is to get people like me to switch to wind energy. And she does her job extremely well.
It is slightly embarrassing to write that I was not using wind energy before, but I, like many people, thought that my entire building had to go green. I had no idea single apartments could use renewable wind energy. She explained that when you switch to wind energy, you are in essence telling your energy company where they can buy their energy from.
She also informed me that 1/3 of Con Ed's non-renewable energy comes from coal extracted from mountaintop removal mining in West Virginia…and I believe you all know what that involves.
For those who are afraid of the cost increase, I have good news. It's less than 10%. This means if your current energy bill is $100, it will go up to $108. It's like buying a beer for the Earth!
If you are trying to raise a family of four off of $40,000 a year, then I understand that $8 can mean a lot, but for all of us who do indulge in the occasional (or frequent) alcoholic splurge, why not drink one less beer, or two less Starbucks lattes, and put that $8 to good use.
Inquire with your local energy company about green energy!
4.23.2008
FLOW: For Love of Water
I just found out about another fantastic movie from the producer of Mountaintop Removal called FLOW: For Love of Water. It examines how we generally take this precious fluid for granted and takes a look at how bleak our future will be if we don't start to consume wisely (i.e. stop building golf courses in the middle of the desert).
It will be playing Sundance at BAM, May 11 - 21. I will be sure to post when an official screening date/time is announced. I will certainly be there, so look for my forthcoming review.
It will be playing Sundance at BAM, May 11 - 21. I will be sure to post when an official screening date/time is announced. I will certainly be there, so look for my forthcoming review.
Even Better Than I Thought It Would Be
Last night I was lucky enough to catch a screening of Mountaintop Removal, fresh off of its win of the Reel Current award, selected and presented by Al Gore.
Affecting in many ways, the film’s greatest success was in giving a new face to the environmental movement. Environmentalism isn’t just for bourgy New Yorkers in their lofts so they can still have a summer home in the woods of Connecticut. Environmentalism isn’t just to save the exotic animals of Africa so the rich have a place to safari. Environmentalism is about preserving the quality of life for every creature on this planet and ensuring that everyone, everywhere has access to safe and clean water and living conditions.
The new face of environmentalism is the impoverished of the Appalachia region. The men and women whose families have lived in the area for numerous generations yet suddenly find what was once the cleanest drinking water in the country running black with soot and lead and metal. They are watching as hibernating black bears and their cubs are being bulldozed into extinction in what was once the most biologically diverse temperate forest in the world. As the movie points out, this is not, for them, a fight for the environment, but a fight for their lives.
The absolute highlight of the evening though was meeting Ed Wiley, who has founded Pennies of Promise to raise $5 million so his granddaughter's elementary school can be moved from it’s current location – which is barely 300 feet away from a coal treatment facility and downhill from a sludge pond. Per him, he was not satisfied with the response he got from Gov. Machin after sitting down on the Capital Steps in Charleston, WV so he decided to walk from WV to DC (455 miles) to bring awareness to the issue. He is taking donations for the school (to which I just donated), but we shouldn’t have to! This is a public school and the government should be taking care the children there. They won’t, because to admit they need a new school is to admit there is something bad in the sludge pond and that coal just might not be so good for people in that area after all. Another fact I learned last night, coal produces the highest amount of carbon dioxide per energy attained than other fossil fuel.
Ed has met with wind power representatives and is trying to figure out a way to produce as much energy in the region via wind. Ed is taking these meetings, not the Governor. If you think this is, as Ed says “a load of baloney”, call Governer Manchin at 888.438.2731 and then visit his site to report what the Governor’s off has to say to you.
As soon as I find info on the DVD release, I will let you know. In the meantime, check for screenings in your area on their MySpace page.
Affecting in many ways, the film’s greatest success was in giving a new face to the environmental movement. Environmentalism isn’t just for bourgy New Yorkers in their lofts so they can still have a summer home in the woods of Connecticut. Environmentalism isn’t just to save the exotic animals of Africa so the rich have a place to safari. Environmentalism is about preserving the quality of life for every creature on this planet and ensuring that everyone, everywhere has access to safe and clean water and living conditions.
The new face of environmentalism is the impoverished of the Appalachia region. The men and women whose families have lived in the area for numerous generations yet suddenly find what was once the cleanest drinking water in the country running black with soot and lead and metal. They are watching as hibernating black bears and their cubs are being bulldozed into extinction in what was once the most biologically diverse temperate forest in the world. As the movie points out, this is not, for them, a fight for the environment, but a fight for their lives.
The absolute highlight of the evening though was meeting Ed Wiley, who has founded Pennies of Promise to raise $5 million so his granddaughter's elementary school can be moved from it’s current location – which is barely 300 feet away from a coal treatment facility and downhill from a sludge pond. Per him, he was not satisfied with the response he got from Gov. Machin after sitting down on the Capital Steps in Charleston, WV so he decided to walk from WV to DC (455 miles) to bring awareness to the issue. He is taking donations for the school (to which I just donated), but we shouldn’t have to! This is a public school and the government should be taking care the children there. They won’t, because to admit they need a new school is to admit there is something bad in the sludge pond and that coal just might not be so good for people in that area after all. Another fact I learned last night, coal produces the highest amount of carbon dioxide per energy attained than other fossil fuel.
Ed has met with wind power representatives and is trying to figure out a way to produce as much energy in the region via wind. Ed is taking these meetings, not the Governor. If you think this is, as Ed says “a load of baloney”, call Governer Manchin at 888.438.2731 and then visit his site to report what the Governor’s off has to say to you.
As soon as I find info on the DVD release, I will let you know. In the meantime, check for screenings in your area on their MySpace page.
4.22.2008
Reminder: Mountaintop Removal plays TONIGHT
Happy Earth Day everyone!
For my New York based EEs, If you're looking for a way to celebrate, come to a screening tonight at Lincoln Center of Mountaintop Removal.
Looking for a place to grab some yummy meat free dining? Try Candle 79, Red Bamboo, Zen Palate, Bliss Cafe, or the V Spot. All favorites of mine.
Looking for Vegetarian restaurants in other cities?
Everyone needs to find the brand of environmentalism that works for them, but I do want to point out that a recent study said going meat free could cut your carbon footprint by 1/4. There are other factors to take into consideration (i.e. only eating fruit from a tropical location? No good) but it certainly is a big step in reducing your impact on the planet. I became a vegetarian 15 years ago today and couldn't be happier with the lifestyle I live.
For my New York based EEs, If you're looking for a way to celebrate, come to a screening tonight at Lincoln Center of Mountaintop Removal.
Looking for a place to grab some yummy meat free dining? Try Candle 79, Red Bamboo, Zen Palate, Bliss Cafe, or the V Spot. All favorites of mine.
Looking for Vegetarian restaurants in other cities?
Everyone needs to find the brand of environmentalism that works for them, but I do want to point out that a recent study said going meat free could cut your carbon footprint by 1/4. There are other factors to take into consideration (i.e. only eating fruit from a tropical location? No good) but it certainly is a big step in reducing your impact on the planet. I became a vegetarian 15 years ago today and couldn't be happier with the lifestyle I live.
4.21.2008
Why Bother?
The New York Times Magazine (a favorite subway read of mine) dedicated their entire issue this week to being green. I know many other magazines do this for the month of August, but there was one article in the NYT Mag that really jumped out to me.
Michael Pollan writes a convincing and heartfelt argument as to why the individual matters so much in the where green lifestyles are concerned. This article validates me, this blog, and everyday environmentalist everywhere who take the little steps they can to make the world a better place.
4.11.2008
Tune In
Make sure you tune in this Sunday to "Human Footprint" on the National Geographic program. It's an examination of just how much we consume and how that consumption affects the planet.
Check out the website for interesting reads on what happens to your trash after it leaves your place. You can also calculate just how much you use common objects/eat common food (diapers, newspapers, sandwiches). It is truly fascinating.
4.09.2008
Beer is going away...forever
Newsweek has a great cover story this week regarding the presidential candidates and their environmental policies and potential (I suggest everyone read it). Following that story is another with 10 fixes for the planet. I'm going to highlight a few in my blog and suggest you check out the whole story here. Seriously, you should all try a few of these, or beer prices will go up (or beer will go away in general). This is a serious fact and not an idle threat like kids at the playground used to make. You know, you better do my homework or Santa Claus will die. No? Maybe that was just my playground...LED LIGHT BLUBS - these lights really do reduce energy consumption and are WAY less depressing than fluorescents.
PLASTIC SOLAR CELLS - Plastic doesn't have to be our enemy forever. Using plastic for solar cells is reducing the cost so that one day (very soon) solar cells will be a practical purpose for the everyday home owner/renter. Go to any technology site/blog and search solar and you can see just how popular this idea is becoming. Perhaps recycled plastic solar cells are in the works!
COLD WATER WASHING - I wash all my clothes in cold water already, but I just read in the article that if everyone changed from washing laundry in hot to cold water that alone would be meet 8 percent of the United States' Kyoto targets. You know, because they're so high.
4.08.2008
Be the change you wish to see in the world
I like Al Gore for a variety of reasons. One, highlighted in the video below, is that he reminds us about things we sometimes like to forget. It is easier to throw your hands in the air and say, "Oh well, nothing I can do about it anyway," than it is to act. It's easier to point and judge others than it is to set an example for them to follow.
4.05.2008
Orange is underrated
April 10 is ASCPA day and you can celebrate ASCPAs many victories on behalf on animal rights in your community by wearing orange. Why orange? Because I promise you, if you wear orange, someone will ask you why. (Unless you live in Cincinnati, go Bengals!)
The main event will be held in Union Square in NYC, but there are a number of events happening across the country.
If you do live in NY, come down to Union Square and check out all of the adoptable pets, snack on treats, and meet the animal police from Animal Planet's "Animal Precinct" - a personal favorite of mine.
The main event will be held in Union Square in NYC, but there are a number of events happening across the country.
If you do live in NY, come down to Union Square and check out all of the adoptable pets, snack on treats, and meet the animal police from Animal Planet's "Animal Precinct" - a personal favorite of mine.
4.04.2008
Yes, Oprah made me cry
I don’t normally watch Oprah (not a judgment, just a fact). I made a point to catch today’s episode though because it was on a subject I feel very passionate about: the horrors of puppy mills. I found, in speaking to friends over the last few days, that many people are not familiar with puppy mills, so I am glad Oprah dedicated an episode to educating her viewers on these awful places.
99% of puppies sold at pet stores are from puppy mills, where mothers live in cramped boxes their entire lives. They are never bathed and never receive veterinary care. They produce puppies every heat cycle, which means some dogs have up to 200 puppies. Since a reoccurring theme on this blog is the reduction of consumption, I want readers to think about just how much those 200 puppies consume! Moral of this story: Don’t EVER buy a puppy at a pet store or from a breeder whose facilities you can’t visit.
If you want to adopt, please go through a shelter or rescue organization – even if you want a specific breed, 33% of dogs in shelters are purebreds. If you must go through a breeder, make sure they are an American Kennel Association registered breeder and ask to visit their site.
On this episode, Oprah actually showed a dog at a shelter being put down and I became SO angry. That dog was put down because someone wanted a perfect little puppy. However, that perfect puppy they bought at the pet store has a very high chance of being inbreed and therefore is more likely to die of numerous diseases much earlier in life than mixed breed dogs.
I rescued an amazing dog two years ago who has become a huge part of my life. Yes, my dog is a little crazy, but my roommate and I have the time, energy, and desire to dedicate to rehilbilatating him. There were plenty of regular, well adjusted dogs, and the rescue organization was very upfront about Derby’s, um, let’s call them quirks (he was beat, extremely underweight, and found tied to a pole in the middle of January in Brooklyn). Have no fear about working with a rescue organization, they will help find a dog that best suites your situation.
There are hundreds of organizations you can go through, some specific to breeds. We found
Derby through Waggy Tails and I can’t praise them enough. They specialize in small dogs. Lisa is ready to be adopted right now. She’s cute and sweet. She’s 10 and looking for a good home for her golden years, but won’t it be great to share them with her? My dog Mitzi lived to be 16 so this gal has still got some good time left. Contact Waggy Tails to adopt her!
99% of puppies sold at pet stores are from puppy mills, where mothers live in cramped boxes their entire lives. They are never bathed and never receive veterinary care. They produce puppies every heat cycle, which means some dogs have up to 200 puppies. Since a reoccurring theme on this blog is the reduction of consumption, I want readers to think about just how much those 200 puppies consume! Moral of this story: Don’t EVER buy a puppy at a pet store or from a breeder whose facilities you can’t visit.
If you want to adopt, please go through a shelter or rescue organization – even if you want a specific breed, 33% of dogs in shelters are purebreds. If you must go through a breeder, make sure they are an American Kennel Association registered breeder and ask to visit their site.
On this episode, Oprah actually showed a dog at a shelter being put down and I became SO angry. That dog was put down because someone wanted a perfect little puppy. However, that perfect puppy they bought at the pet store has a very high chance of being inbreed and therefore is more likely to die of numerous diseases much earlier in life than mixed breed dogs.
I rescued an amazing dog two years ago who has become a huge part of my life. Yes, my dog is a little crazy, but my roommate and I have the time, energy, and desire to dedicate to rehilbilatating him. There were plenty of regular, well adjusted dogs, and the rescue organization was very upfront about Derby’s, um, let’s call them quirks (he was beat, extremely underweight, and found tied to a pole in the middle of January in Brooklyn). Have no fear about working with a rescue organization, they will help find a dog that best suites your situation.
There are hundreds of organizations you can go through, some specific to breeds. We found Derby through Waggy Tails and I can’t praise them enough. They specialize in small dogs. Lisa is ready to be adopted right now. She’s cute and sweet. She’s 10 and looking for a good home for her golden years, but won’t it be great to share them with her? My dog Mitzi lived to be 16 so this gal has still got some good time left. Contact Waggy Tails to adopt her!
4.03.2008
Vroom Vroom
Good news for those waiting on the return of the electric car.
It's one step closer to becoming a reality.
It's one step closer to becoming a reality.
4.02.2008
More please
I recently read a great piece on the culture of toddler couture, and although it didn't directly relate the trend to environmentalism (or lack thereof), I see a huge connection.A common thread of all layers and degrees of environmentalism is the reduction of... well…EVERYTHING. We have too much stuff, and use too much energy making and powering all this stuff. And even with all we have, we want more. We want to stand on our piles of stuff and play King of the Mountain – and also show how much bigger our mountain is than yours. We consume like maniacs and hoard like a society overwrought with OCD. We are all guilty of it. We have too many cars, articles of clothing, junk we do not need, babies, you name it, we want more of it.
Speaking of babies, stop buying stuff for your child! She’s 6 months old. She doesn’t know that you bought her an $800 stroller and the coolest kiddy shirt you could find on the Upper East Side. Please, please, PLEASE…I beg you, stop using your child’s chest as a bulletin board to reclaim your youth. It’s really creepy.
Speaking of strollers, stop with the SUV baby strollers. I hate strollers in general. No, I’m not a mom so I shouldn’t judge, but I do take public transportation and strollers take up SO much room. Honestly though, that’s not even my biggest beef. Besides the fact that I don’t even want to think about how much plastic is in the buggy or how many toxins it was exposed to when it
was assembled in a third-world country by children barely out of the stroller age for pennies a day, my biggest complaint is when mothers use them like weapons, children and all. They shove them into people, in front of people, into closing doors, and then look at you with a “Do you mind?” expression when their stroller hits your shin. I am, however, a huge fan of the baby slings. They keep the child close to the mother, are as inexpensive as $40, and are normally made out of natural and renewable fibers. And hey, you don’t have to give up your youth entirely, they even have hipster baby sling (without lewd comments).
3.31.2008
Speaking of Greener Printing...
Did you know that U.S. offices use 6 million sheets of paper every 5 minutes? Me either!
I have always loved Beck. I had one of those crushes you get on a person that you're not really physically attracted to yet you just want to be around -- a friend crush? (I bet stalkers use lines like that.)
Here is a new music video set to Beck's "Timebomb." Enjoy the fast facts...as you are horrified.
I have always loved Beck. I had one of those crushes you get on a person that you're not really physically attracted to yet you just want to be around -- a friend crush? (I bet stalkers use lines like that.)
Here is a new music video set to Beck's "Timebomb." Enjoy the fast facts...as you are horrified.
GreenPrint
If you are familiar with GreenPrint, then you already know about this smart little program that helps you eliminate those annoying last pages of a printed web page, email, etc. You know, when you print from a website only to find that of the 3 pages that just came out of your printer, the second is all ads and the third is just the copyright info? Such occurrences have cause me to use many an expletive. Or what about when you print an email and the second page is just the fax number from someone’s signature. So annoying. Green Print finds those problems and eliminates them. It actually analyzes your documents and gets rid of the waste. Brilliant.
Here is the best part, in January of this year, GreenPrint decided to offer a free version in the hopes of saving 100 million trees. Not only that, GreenPrint has started donating ad space to “its environmental partners and organizations the company feels are doing important work with healthcare in the developing world.” Way to go GreenPrint, glad to see some companies still know how to do the right thing.
3.27.2008
Earth Hour - UPDATE
There have been some issues with playing the Earth Hour video, so here is a different version that I found on YouTube - narrated by Jeremy Piven, which way ups his cool points. There is a really great quote in this one: "Social activism lead to corporate action." That's my mantra for the day.
I'm really disappointed that New York is not one of the cities participating.
It's too late for this Earth Hour, but hopefully this will become a yearly event. To bring Earth Hour to your city, write your representatives and let them know why it's important to you. And by write, I mean email of course.
I'm really disappointed that New York is not one of the cities participating.
It's too late for this Earth Hour, but hopefully this will become a yearly event. To bring Earth Hour to your city, write your representatives and let them know why it's important to you. And by write, I mean email of course.
3.26.2008
My Footprint is HOW Big?
Thanks to my pal emKem and her fantastic blog for this find. I was exploring online a bit last night when I came across this website on emKem’s blog that determines your Ecological Footprint. It’s a simple quiz that takes 10 minutes. “No problem,” I thought as I rolled up my organic cotton sleeves and took out some recycling, “My vegetarian food eatin’, plastic bottle recyclin’, public transportation ridin’ footprint is going to be SO small, this will be fun.”So I begin. I answer all of the questions truthfully and find myself smiling with an odd sense of self. I reach the end and eagerly click to find out my footprint: 11 acres. Not bad when you consider the average footprint in the U.S. is 22. I’m half as bad (or twice as good) as the average American…in short, I rock.
Then I look at the next line “If everyone on the planet lived like you, we would need 2.4 planets.” WHAT? No. Let me check again. Yes, 2.4 planets. This is a bit of a blow to the sense of self that previously made me smile. While I may be a tree-hugging hippie, I’m still consuming like there is no tomorrow. After this quick but harsh reality check, I see several links with suggestions of ways to reduce consumption. Those resources are great, but I think the site can also serve as a good reminder that we can always do more. An environmentalist struggles daily with doing what is right versus what is easy. Sure, it’s easier to throw something away when there are no public recycle options, but why not just tuck it in your purse and recycle it when you get home?
3.25.2008
This Just In
A 220-square-mile chunk of ice collapsed in Antarctica today.
At least one scientist is blaming it on global warming.
At least one scientist is blaming it on global warming.
Earth Hour
Last March, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour during an event sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund called “Earth Hour.” If the greenhouse reduction achieved in Sydney during Earth Hour was sustained for a year, it would be equivalent to taking 46,616 cars off the road (side note - people do need to take more public transportation in general).
Earth Hour inspired people to take their environmentalism to another level and to truly think about their impact on the planet, promoting one couple to have their wedding by candlelight! (I rarely use exclamation points in my writing, so that is just how darn excited I am about this idea.)
Earth Hour is happening again this year on March 29 at 8 PM, but this time, it’s worldwide. On their site, you can find out more info about Earth Hour, sign up to host an event, or check out the 13,000 businesses (and growing) who have signed up to participate. You can also find ways to reduce your carbon footprint beyond Earth Hour, so we can turn it into Earth Week, Earth Month, Earth Year, and eventually Earth Life.
Earth Hour inspired people to take their environmentalism to another level and to truly think about their impact on the planet, promoting one couple to have their wedding by candlelight! (I rarely use exclamation points in my writing, so that is just how darn excited I am about this idea.)
Earth Hour is happening again this year on March 29 at 8 PM, but this time, it’s worldwide. On their site, you can find out more info about Earth Hour, sign up to host an event, or check out the 13,000 businesses (and growing) who have signed up to participate. You can also find ways to reduce your carbon footprint beyond Earth Hour, so we can turn it into Earth Week, Earth Month, Earth Year, and eventually Earth Life.
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