the low down on green living
May 9th, 2008
Americans, Canadians Score Poorly on New Greendex Ratings
A new survey is out from the National Geographic Society and the international polling firm GlobeScan that reveals which country’s citizens have the most environmentally-sustainable lifestyles. The report, “Greendex 2008: Consumer Choice and the Environment—A Worldwide Tracking Survey” studies individual consumer behavior in countries around the globe.
The report features a “Greendex”– or a numerical index that compares the behaviors of individuals in four key areas: housing, transportation, food, and consumer goods. (A high Greendex indicates a relatively high level of sustainability.)
Not surprisingly citizens of the U.S. scored lowest, with Canadians coming in right behind them. As we all know, Americans are the most consumptive, least sustainable beings on the planet and this survey confirms that common knowledge.
Interestingly, Brazilians and Indians are the most eco-friendly citizens. Each country scored 60 on the sustainable-consumption scale.
Citizens of other nations scored as follows: China (56.1); Mexico (54.3); Hungary (53.2); Russia (52.4); Great Britain, Germany and Australia (each at 50.2); Spain (50); Japan (49.1); France (48.7); Canada (48.5); and the U.S. (44.9).
It will be interesting to see how the Greendex scores for Brazil, India and China change as individual consumerism continues to expand in those countries.
To learn more about how the Greendex scores were calculated, please click here.
To learn more about your individual environmental impacts and receive a LILI (Low Impact Living Index) for your household, click here.
May 9th, 2008
Meat or No Meat – Is That The Question?
In my continual quest to do the best I can for the environment, and consequently, myself, I have come up against an issue that I’ve been quietly avoiding for some time:
Meat.
Yes, meat. And meat-related items like: pork, chicken, sausage, cheese, eggs, milk, ice cream – you know, anything coming from an animal that a person like me might get at the market or order off the menu at your favorite local bistro, pizzeria, Tai place, steak house…
It’s so hard to know what to eat these days. The endless questions surrounding what’s good or bad for the environment, the animals, the human race as a whole, it’s overwhelming. Which leads me to find myself often standing in the beautifully lit aisles at Whole Foods confused as to what to buy.
Here are some of the questions that rattle around in my eco-encouraged mind: how bad is it to eat beef? What about pork? If it’s organic and grass fed, is that enough? Or is the mere fact that someone is raising these animals for human consumption bad in and of itself? I recently went through a phase I called “two legs or less”: you know, chicken, fish, dairy. But then I heard how even organic chicken isn’t great and dairy is terrible for you and by the end, I buy some organic pumpkin seeds and call it a day. Do I really need to commit to veganism to shop with confidence?
Years ago, I read John Robbins’ book, Diet For A New America and let me say, I stopped eating meat right after the chapter on how the animals are treated. I remember reading it at the gym while riding the stationary bike and I suddenly noticed that I was making what I’m sure was a highly unattractive “Oh my G-d! Gross!” face while reading, because the news was indeed, gross. And very sad. So I stopped eating meat and started eating more pasta and a lot of bread and cheese. Needless to say, I gained weight and eventually, times changed, protein diets happened and I let go of my memories in order to get back into a size 6.
But things are different now. And my interest in going veggie is more about its positive impact on the environment than the pangs of remorse I feel when I see the devastatingly cute faces of those young cows awaiting slaughter off Interstate 5. Which is still a factor, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that today, there are more social, environmental and health reasons than ever to avoid eating animal products. A recent report based on a 2 and a half year study by the Pew Charitable Trusts and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health states:
“The present system of producing food animals in the United States is not sustainable and presents an unacceptable level of risk to public health and damage to the environment, as well as unnecessary harm to the animals we raise for food.”
So here’s the environmental beef with meat:
+ Giant contributor to Greenhouse Gas Emissions
+ Requires tremendous amounts of water and energy
+ Utilizes thousands of acres of land that could be used for growing more crops, thereby feeding more people
Greenhouse Gases:
Global warming is caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions come from a number of sources but two of the biggest are: CO2, created mostly from fossil fuel emissions, and methane, which comes from several sources. But guess what? A giant chunk of it comes from the fermentation of manure and livestock “belching.“ The livestock sector in general (primarily cattle, chickens, and pigs) produces 37% of all human-induced methane. Translated into urban terms, you can drive your car for 3 hours and leave all the lights on in your house while doing it and you’re greenhouse gas emissions will not equal what comes from the production of just one kilogram of beef. Great. And of course, the amount of energy and fuel used to transport and process these meats makes it even harder to justify that extra side of bacon.
… read the rest of this entry »
May 7th, 2008
Go Green with an Eco-friendly Lawn This Summer
Summer is just around the corner, and this is the time of year when we really ramp up our lawn activities– watering, fertilizing, mowing, etc. And all of these can have major negative environmental consequences. Did you know that over 50 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend, and contribute as much as 5% of the country’s air pollution? And it’s staggering to realize that the average American grassy lawn can use over 20,000 gallons of water each summer! So, a major part of any green home strategy should be to embrace eco-friendly lawn and garden care.
Here are 12 ways you can make sure you have an eco-friendly lawn this summer
1. Collect rain water and use it for your plants. Getting a rain barrel or two for your yard is a simple way to collect and reuse Mother Nature’s water. Just put it under your gutter’s down spout and you’ll be amazed how fast it fills up. Click here for rain barrels.
2. Make sure you’re not over-watering. Most of us over-water our lawns. Do you have moss growing on your driveway or sidewalk or in your garden? That’s a sign you’re watering too much. Do you have pools of standing water anywhere? Another sign. You can buy a very inexpensive lawn moisture meter that will tell you if you’re over-watering. You might also consider getting an intelligent irrigation control system that attunes your watering to the weather and your lawn’s needs.
3. Don’t hose down your sidewalks and driveway. That water is a valuable resource and the water you send into the gutter is carrying oil and a host of chemicals out as run-off that go on to pollute our rivers, lakes and oceans.
4. Get a push mower for your lawn. Traditional gas mowers are horrible for our air quality and contribute to global warming. They are major environmental offenders. A good-ole push mower is the eco-friendly solution. (Or if you can’t go all the way to push style, get a plug-in electric model– better than gas.) Find mowers here.
5. Say no to leaf-blowers! The gas-powered leaf blowers some people use are major carbon emissions culprits. Say yes to a broom! Your waist-line will thank you too.
6. And when you’re done mowing, leave your clippings on your yard. Those grass clippings make great mulch and will help you save water as well.
7. Be sure to compost your other yard waste. If your city doesn’t collect green waste for composting, please get a composter and do it yourself. It’s super easy and the composter will turn your waste into great mulch for use throughout your yard and garden. Find composters here.
8. Embrace native plants. Plants, flowers and grasses that are native to your region are the most atuned to soil, climate and water particularities. They are great water savers and will thrive with less care than tropical and other imported varieties. And they are gorgeous! Learn more about native landscaping here with our book collection. Or contact a green professional landscape designer or maintainance provider from our green services directory. We have eco-minded landscaping experts listed across the United States.
9. Are you addicted to the look of grass but live in a high-drought area? You may want to consider synthetic grass. It uses no water, lasts over ten years, and looks & feels surprisingly real. Learn more about synthetic grass here.
10. Why not start your own organic food garden? Nothing could be better for the planet or your health. Learn how to get started with organic veggies here.
11. Use non-toxic fertilizers and pest-control agents for your garden and lawn. Not only are these better for your plants (particularly any food you might eat), they reduce the amount of toxins that run-off into our waterways. Find safe alternatives here.
12. Use solar or LED lighting in your lawn. Solar lighting is obviously an energy-saver. If you don’t find solar lights bright enough, check out LED lights—they are very bright and use very little power. They will last 5-10 times as long as standard outdoor lights. Find energy-efficient lighting options here.
May 7th, 2008
Are AIA COTE Winners Too Much of the Same?
Written by Philip Proefrock, courtesy of GreenBuildingElements.com
The winners of this year’s AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten Green Buildings were announced this week, and there certainly are some very attractive buildings among the lot. Some of these buildings are certified, or in the process of becoming certified, to high LEED standards, in addition to their COTE Top Ten recognition.But while I’m excited by some of the design presented in this year’s lineup, there are some troubling aspects of the roster as a whole that struck me almost immediately.
There is a strong slant toward a certain general kind of public building in this year’s COTE Top Ten. Of the ten winners (plus one honorable mention) almost all of the projects are buildings with a strong visitor component. Most of the buildings are Visitor Centers, Galleries and Libraries. Only one is a residential building, and the only office building is the honorable mention Internal Revenue Service Center in Kansas City MO.
Of the remaining nine, there are a Sculpture Building and Gallery, a Botanical Garden Visitor & Administration Center, a Learning Center, a University Center, a Center for Science and Art, an Environmental Education/Visitor Activity Center, a Discovery Center, a Library, and an Environmental Center. These are buildings which typically have a sizable budget and which are showpieces, meant to impress visitors. The inclusion of green building elements in all projects like this should be a given.
But do these really represent the best “examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment”? Or should the best buildings represent the whole range of building?
As a program of the AIA, superior architecture and design are going to be key in any national awards, whether related to environmental issues or otherwise. So expecting these to be more ordinary buildings may be a bit much to ask of COTE.
The best examples of environmental design should be found in a range of buildings and building types. Monocultures are rarely a good thing in the long run. Too much of the same kind of building runs the risk of developing a public perception of green building being limited to only certain types of buildings, a niche, rather than a direction in which all building must start moving.
All of these projects are fine examples of green building, and I do not want to detract from any of this year’s winners. But if the AIA is going to “Walk the Walk,” it needs to promote a broader range of sustainable building projects. The Committee should take a closer look at its selection process and the methods it uses to arrive at its Top Ten award winners. A wider range of the implementations of green building needs to be recognized as part of the program. Without a greater representation from a wider variety of project types, the COTE Top Ten recognition runs the risk of becoming a marginalized and insignificant award, rather than a standard of excellence for all building design and construction.
My congratulations to all of this year’s winners.
See Also:
What Makes It Green? 2008 Winners
Architecture Week 2008 - Is It Sustainable?
Image: Pocono Environmental Education/Visitor Activity - Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Architects, via: AIA.org
May 5th, 2008
10 Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Do you like to come home and take a nice deep breath as you relax? You may be getting more than you bargained for! It may come as a shock to learn that according to the EPA the air in our homes is often two to five times more poisonous than the air outside.
There are many sources of indoor air pollution: furniture or cabinets made of pressed wood products, damp carpets, pesticides, cleaners, tobacco smoke, hobby supplies, mold and the list goes on. These chemicals can cause and aggravate allergies, some have been linked to nervous system disorders, and some of them are carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Immediate effects can show up as sore throats, itchy eyes, headaches or fatigue. Longer term effects can be much worse.
Here are 10 ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
1. Open the windows — get some fresh air into your house! Best of all, it’s free.
2. Change your furnace/AC air filter at least a couple of times each year. Definitely do it before winter heat season starts– your air filter has trapped all kinds of junk while it has been sitting idle. Find replacement air filters here.
3. Don’t use chemical air fresheners. Most air fresheners sold at your local grocery or drug store are laden with chemicals. If you need to freshen your air, trying getting a natural essential oil and some of those wooden “soaking sticks” to spread sweet fragrance around your home.
4. Similarly, be careful about candles. Paraffin wax candles are made from a petroleum derivative, and the fumes from the paraffin wax have been found to cause kidney and bladder tumors in laboratory animals. “Gel candles” are also dangerous; they are the ones that are clear, often colored, and usually come in a glass container. Most gel candles are also scented with artificial fragrances. Many types of scented candles (not just the gel type) are unhealthy–some scented candles include acetone, benzene, trichloroethylene, and a host of other toxic chemicals. Be sure to try to get soy candles and read the labels carefully– do you recognize the essential oils they are using as scents? If not, ask or don’t buy it!
5. Use non-toxic home cleaners. More and more people are coming to realize that standard home cleaning supplies contain many chemicals which are dangerous to breathe or touch. You can either click here to buy safe pre-made cleaners, or consider making your own natural cleaners– it’s cheap and easy!
6. Consider getting rid of your carpets– or get natural carpets. Carpeting can be one of the biggest air-quality culprits in your home: most carpets are treated with chemicals that off-gas and carpets act as traps for dirt, allergans, mold and other nasty items. If you can stand to part with your carpet, it will improve your air quality. If you must have carpet, consider natural area rugs.
7. Consider getting room air filters for your home. A HEPA filter can seriously reduce the presence of toxins, allergens, and particulate matter in your home. See air filters here.
8. Limit or remove vinyls from your home. Did you know that your vinyl shower curtain is releasing toxic gas? Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been found to discharge softening chemicals called phthalates into home air, increasing respiratory problems.
9. If you’re doing any painting or staining, be sure to use no- or low-VOC paints and finishes. Volatile organic compounds are found in most traditional paints and their off-gassing can be dangerous for your family. Find safe paints and stains here.
10. Obviously, make your home a smoke-free zone!
May 5th, 2008
Top 10 Renewable Tech Gadgets
Today’s post on Tech Gadgets comes to us by Michelle Bennett and comes to us courtesy of GreenOptions.com.
There are a lot of cool gadgets out there, but there’s a fine line between what’s cool and what’s useful. This is a green list of gadgets that are useful, but boast the extra-cool factor of using renewable energy. No batteries required!
10. The Ship has Landed
The lightship is a solar-powered LED mounted on suction cups. Result: a portable, hands-free, solar light. It’s even weather proof and weighs a slim 8oz. For under $15, this is the best 8 hours of clean light I can think of, and I might just get one for my car/camping trips/travels.
9. High-tech pool toy?
If you simply must have hot water anywhere, at any time, try a portable solar water heater. Could it double as a heated water bed? A pool toy? Bring some towels if you decide to try. This gadget is designed to bring cheap, easy hot water to people and places without access to indoor plumbing or electricity. It rolls up small enough to fit in a backpack, and it’s supposed to be affordable enough for people or communities in developing nations.
8. The Fridge without Power
A little ingenuity paired with the laws of thermodynamics have made Mohammed Bah Abba a famous man. His invention is simple: place a pot into a slightly larger one. Pad the space between them with wet sand, and cover with a damp cloth. As the water evaporates, it will draw heat out of the containers and cool whatever’s inside. The system has already proved itself in northern Nigeria, a hot and arid region. Food lasts for days or weeks longer compared to the only alternative: room temperature. Here in the land of plastic coolers, I can think of a few common uses: Camping trips could be easier without the weight of heavy packs of ice and the danger of freezing more fragile foods. Egg-cicle anyone? Even if you don’t intend to leave the comforts of modern civilization, consider these for cooling food or drinks at your next BBQ, or even for a DIY kid’s science project.
7. Speaking of BBQ…
We’re putting heat in the kitchen with solar cookers. The benefit here is that some designs are lightweight with easy-to get materials, like foil and pizza boxes. They also offer a neat alternative for your next BBQ (and yes, they can get hot enough to cook meat) if, for example, you live in an area with frequent fire-bans. Since there are no flames involved, it’s much safer and there’s definitely something fascinating about watching the sun roast your food.
6. Crank your Gadgets
How about a MP3 player that you can crank? You’ll never run out of juice if you can charge your gadget by hand. Trevor Baylis, the inventor of the hand-crank radio, brings you an MP3 with plenty of whistles and bells. If a wind-up MP3 isn’t your cup of tea, how about a kinetic cell phone or phone charger? You might hesitate to buy anything that requires physical exertion on your part, but what happens when there’s no socket in which to stick your regular charger? Be the cool kid who can charge himself. Also, consider emergency applications. The MP3 comes with a flashlight, and the cell phone charger could keep you connected when you most need to call for help.
5. Personal Wind Turbine
We’re not talking about the huge wind-farm fodder; we’re talking about something you can strap to your house. Now I admit, gadgets tend to be smaller and more… gadgety. After much deliberation, I figured omitting wind power would be like forgetting Unix in a “Top-5″ for PC operating systems. Plus, they look really cool. For a mere $500 you could own this turbine, which is designed for charging batteries (the batteries would power a cabin or house). The Japanese turbine (shown here) hasn’t quite hit the American market yet, but it’d be my wind-power-of-choice. Airplane propellers are so last-year.
4. Sunlit Gadgets
Solar powered lighting aside, what about self-sufficient gadgets? Nowadays there’s a wide variety to choose from. There’s Msi’s solar’powered MP3 player, which you can also plug in when the sun won’t shine. How about a Bluetooth headset? You too could strut with all the style of a pocket-protector, smug in the knowledge that yours works indoors and out. Other self-sufficient gadgets include a mosquito repeller, tire gage, and all-in-one survival kit. However, some of the extreme deals associated with these makes me wonder if they’re worth the low price…
3. The Nerdiest Lights Around
Let’s play with fiber optics. You could have natural sunlight (sans UV and infrared) for your home or office, and it could come from fiber optic cables (pictured above). Among the gadget you don’t get to see (assuming it’s wired through your walls), it’s got to be the coolest. You even get a futuristic collector dish on your roof.
2. Lightcap 200
This is a solar-powered cap for your water bottle. So why power your Nalgene? It turns your translucent water bottle into a solar-powered lantern. Every backpacker knows that every ounce counts, so now you can combine two heavy but necessary items into one. There is also the cool factor: pick you color with your favorite shade of kool-aid.
1. Solar Battery Recharger… even your laptop
It was bound to be on the list. There are a range of solar-powered rechargers. Some come with battery packs (for when the sun don’t shine) or bells and whistles. Voltaic Systems and Burton’s Solar Roll claim the prize of recharging a standard laptop. As you might expect, prices range from $20 to “owch”. But if you carry a purse, tote your gadget horde, backpack, geocache, or travel through regions with less-than-reliable electricity, any one of these could be invaluable. Plus, they all come with a magnificent cool factor.
(images courtesy of Sunlight Direct Products, EcoGeek.com, and Solarjo)
