Archive for December, 2007
December 27th, 2007
Green New Year’s Resolutions for 2008
Stumble it!
We have been moved, humbled and inspired by the gigantic outpouring our Green New Year’s Resolution Contest has inspired!! We received over 400 resolutions. It has been amazing to see the emails pour in day after day…and to read each one. If you did not know about our contest, we offered a Green Goody Pack to the person with the most inspiring green resolutions for 2008. People all over the country– and even some international contributors– put their environmental thinking caps on and gave serious consideration to what steps they were willing to take to live a more low impact life in the coming year. Read on and get some ideas for your own family!
The Grand Prize Winner is Shannon from St. Paul Minnesota!
“I resolve to bike to and from work (13 miles each way) at least twice a week ALL year; I also resolve to head a recycling program at my work to send re-usable office goods/supplies to area school districts, instead of our current policies of discarding them or storing them unused.” –Shannon from St. Paul, MN
** Editor’s note: Shannon if only we were all committed enough to bike 13 miles in St. Paul! Thank you for your resolution and your prize pack is on the way!
There were also several Honorable Mentions:
“I am a freshman at NYU and myself and a few of my friends have made the resolution to start a Sustainability Council in an effort to turn our entire dorm (of 700 freshmen) GREEN. We will be holding a “Green Week” promotional kickoff, and we are putting recycling bins on every other floor and selling energy-saving light bulbs while also providing helpful hints to fellow students on how to become sustainable.” — Ben from New York City
“My green living resolution for 2008 is to reuse, reuse, reuse and tell everyone I know about reusing. I’ve refrained from purchasing any “new” toys or clothing for my children this holiday season because “gently used” is out there in abundance. I want to educate my friends and family to leave behind the stigma attached to “gently used” and embrace reusing what already exists. Happy New Year!” — Allison, Knoxville, TN
“I resolve not to buy anything new (except essential food and toiletry items) in January 2008.” –Kelly, Jackson, Mississippi
“In the coming year and well beyond,
I hereby solemnly swear,
That single-use containers shall,
Be stricken with great care.
For if we each in some small way
Adopt this simple act of grace,
The future will be brighter
And a green, loving place!”
– Jonathan, Marin County, CA
And here are still more submissions from all of you– THANK YOU for your environmental committments and we wish you luck and good health in the New Year! Want to get in on the fun? Write your own resolution in the comments section!
“Reduce my waste(line): Use more restaurants that don’t use disposable stuff and take my own napkins, Klean kanteen, containers, and utensils to places that do.
Drop the pounds (of stuff): Think three times before buying something for me or others. Make more and buy less.
Exercise (my choice to not fly): Take the train.
Share creatively with others how to live simpler.
Happy Holidays!” –Maya, Pasadena CA
“2008 is going to be the best green year for my family and I. We are in the process of starting an organic herb business on our 12 acre family farm. Our new years resolution for 2008 is to convert the entire farm to total green energy, wind and solar. For the past year we have been slowly converting our home to eco-friendly appliances and now feel strongly that it is time to go all the way. Happy New Year and Green Blessings to All!”– Kim, Oldtown, MD
“As public high school teacher, I resolve to begin a campaign to require recycling throughout my school, instead of just in my classroom. I also resolve to begin using green cleaning products in my home instead of the standard harsh chemicals I currently use.” — Allison, Chattanooga, TN
“2007 was about transitioning my family and home to a more self-sufficient, sustainable, low impact lifestyle. My 2008 resolutions are three-fold: 1) pay off all debt to begin growing our off-grid, self-sufficient dream home savings; 2) replace at least one and hopefully both of our cars with used hybrid or biodiesel vehicles; 3) transition my home-based freelance writing and editing business to include more clients that practice and promote conservation and sustainable living practices.” — Nancy in Bow, NH
“I resolve to increase my personal recycling and teach/encourage others to do the same. I resolve to increase the use of all organic/non-toxic household and personal goods. I also hope in 2008 to make my personal dream a reality by opening a local retail store focused on organic, fair trade and other sustainable home and personal goods. – Mike, Auburn, AL
“I resolve to eat only socially responsible food. meaning that 95% of my food will come from local sources. I also resolve to have only one very small bag of waste per week. I resolve to purchase everything I can from second hand stores and purchase only green gifts for special occasions. Furthermore, I plan to build a greenhouse this year to get an early start on growing my organic produce. I resolve to share my greenhouse space with the community. I plan to volunteer 10 hours a month for green organizations.” — Sabrina, Maynardville, TN
“My new years resolution is to provide everyone an energy conservation gift basket instead of another useless gift for their birthday. I have started my New Years Resolution early by giving everyone in my family an energy conservation handbook and basket of items. Some of the items that I have included are reusable shopping bags, recycled pencils, compact fluorescent light bulbs, insulation, compost bins, reusable water bottles, organic wine, and earth friendly cleaning supplies. ” — Barbara, Camp Hill, PA
“I resolve to stop buying bottled water and to instead fill a reusable bottle with water from the filter pitcher in the fridge.”– Erin, Hoffman Estates, IL
“In 2007 I : exchanged my SUV for a Prius, used reusable bags for ALL purchases, brought my own cup to coffee shops, used a drying rack instead of clothes dryer, replaced all light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs, bought recycled T.P. and paper towels, used Sigg aluminum water bottles rather than plastic, 25% of all groceries organic and used only cloth napkins. In 2008 I will: begin composting, buy only green gifts, buy used clothes and toys, use only earth friendly cleaning products, 50% of all groceries organic, buy only organically grown meat and limit meat to twice a week, buy from the local farmers market once a week, find ways to reuse grey water and continue doing the things I started in 2007!” — Cynthia in Chula Vista, CA
“Each year we, along with our children, grandchildren, neighbors and church members, add a new recycle focus to the list. This year is plastics.” – Charles and Dee, Bonaire, GA
“I resolve to volunteer with ACORE or similar group UNTIL I sell my house in Suburbia MD and move off the grid to Arizona by winter 08.” — Kirk, MD
“Reusable bags, instead of plastic or paper. Washable rags to clean, instead of paper towels.” — Carm in Dayton, Ohio
“This year my family and I will be helping to teach our extended families how to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Since we have to curb recycling we will offer to pick up our families recycle bins when we take ours. Not only is this a resolution, but a great gift as well!” — Holly, Richland, WA
“I have just “cleaned out” my apartment of most chemicals and replaced them with more natural products, so my resolution for 2008 is to pass the LEED accreditation exam through the US Green Build Council. This will not only allow my employer to offer more environmental sustainability services but will make people and the planet healthier!’ — Tania Rene, Overland Park, KS
“For 2008 I will no longer buy farm raised or environmentally unfriendly caught meat, install a clothesline, convert everything in my house that goes down a drain to biodegradable, and install some rain barrels for gardening!” — Bisa, Durham, North Carolina
“My goal for 2008 is to launch a website that makes it easy for people to find information on how they can better the world around them. There are a lot of wonderful & insightful websites that already exist (Like LowImpactLiving.com! ) and I’d like to make it easier for people to find these websites & start making a difference!” – Mariellen, New York
“In 2008 I want to lay the building blocks of Green Living for my toddler son Tommy by teaching him to recycle, eat eco-friendly foods and to use our legs and public transportation more often then our vehicles. I think that if my husband and I start him out thinking Green now it will be the only way he will know. Happy Holidays!” Angela from St. Paul, MN
“I resolve to provide a “green” childhood for our baby Lucas, continue with organic foods, organic cotton and “gently-worn” clothing, pre-owned toys and lots of play dates at the park! As he outgrows clothes and toys, we will pass them on to another child to use.” — Meseydi, Clermont, Florida
“My resolutions include replacing the seals under our ext. doors, starting to compost, replacing our old, barely working, cooktop with a induction cooktop and replacing 2 toilets with dual flush toilets. I will also continue to educate my friends, family and the public in ways to decrease their impact. On the political level, I will support and vote for candidates who are concerned for the well-being of the planet.” — Larky
“Here are my new-year’s resolutions:
- Converting all my beauty products to Paraben Free, All Natural bio-degradable products. (Including my makeup) - I find this difficult, I’ve done loads of research but it is possible! (I’m already on my way)
- Only using natural cleaning products in my home.
- Using cloth instead of paper - and only buying recycled paper products.
- Changing the remaining light bulbs in my apartment to the spiral kind.
- Only getting take-out coffee when I carry my stainless steel mug! Or drink it in a actual cup at the café!” –Lysanne, Toronto, ON, Canada
“I will be more diligent about using recyclable grocery bags and making sure any/all plastic bags that cross my path are returned to the store’s recycling bin. In 2008, I will seek out more local farmers/produce and reap the benefits of their hard work. “– Donna, Lake Katrine, NY
“Though I live a pretty eco-friendly life now, I know there is more I can do to lessen my footprint on the planet. So, my new year’s resolution for 2008 is to sell my car, get back on my bike, and reinvigorate my love affair with public transport.” — Lisa
“In 2008, I resolve to continue my personal progress in having a lower impact on our fragile planet by incorporating more organic and reusable items into my daily living. I will also continue to pick up trash when I see it and put it in its appropriate place, when people see me do it-maybe the idea will catch on. We only have one planet-let’s resolve to take care of it!” Kristy in Huntington, NY
“By re-using an empty box (plenty of those after the holidays!), placing it in close proximity to the kitchen trash area, & labeling the box with colorful photos of items the children normally use that can be recycled (i.e., juice boxes, drink cans, plastic water bottles, cereal boxes, etc.), it encourages the children to recycle AND to incorporate the rest of the family!” — Ashton in Roanoke, VA
“In 2008, I promise to try to make as many friends and family as possible more green by giving them green re-usable grocery bags. I order them and everyone loves them when they see me with them, so they of course want one and I’m happy to pass them on with a message about what they can do to be more green! Also, I pledge to create less garbage, finally make a compost bin, use the dryer less, and spread green cheer whenever and wherever I can!!!” — Jesse from Crewe, VA
“In 2008 I vow to make choices that reduce harmful impact on the environment by conserving, recycling & buying items from only renewable natural sustainable resources. I take responsibility to do my part seriously, and encourage family, friends & community to reduce wasteful consumption. I ask that we inspire each other to stop the degradation of the planet and begin to honour our future by living in harmony with nature. — Lisa
“My resolution is to keep educating my husband and children on how to be friendlier to Mother Earth. We have already upped our recycling and are now focusing on reducing our use of plastic. We are also saving up to buy a tankless water heater and a used, diesel car to run on biodiesel. My kids love ‘feeding’ our composter and can’t wait to plant veggies in the spring!” – Emily, Colorado Springs, CO
“To buy as much of my food & drink from local farmers, manufacturers & retailers within 100km. Professionally to complete my resources area on my holistic interior design website - giving everyone free interiors advice to spread the green word.– Nicola, Dublin, Ireland
“I will save the world, little by little, step by step, with no guilt or regrets, simply by respecting myself, others, and the future generations of all beings in every aspect. To save the world I will be the candle that spreads its light to others to have the same goal, little by little, step by step, with no guilt or regrets, simply through respect.” — Cathleen, Buffalo, NY
“My resolution is to stop bringing bottled water to work, and instead bring a Klean Kanteen to work, and refill it through the day. –Sharleen
“I, Melissa Lynne of Superior, Colorado resolve that this 2008 New Years shall entail leveraging the equity in my home to purchase a solar system, and launch a non-profit portal that will educate, enable and empower the housing industry to “go green” and all monies that pass thru it will go back to the sustainability initiatives to offset the difference in cost from conventional things. I want my existence to be purposeful and not harmful to the earth that I will leave behind for my 3 young children. Chandler, Gavin and Grace; I LOVE YOU. — Mom”
“My New Year’s resolution for 2008 is to inspire the engineering and architectural firm that I work for to adopt the ideals of LEED and sustainability within our projects. I have also released a memo, untitled “Greening (Our Firm): A New Year’s resolution”, which outlines several steps that our company needs to take to become more green itself. FYI…I have already received a very good response!”– Jacqueline, Brookings, SD
“My wife and I will start a green consulting resource initiative in which we offer services/information to local homes and small offices on how to green existing spaces, structures and lifestyles. I’ll consult with homeowners, builders and developers with the intention of building environmental awareness and forethought in the construction and operation of structures. I’ll also work to introduce lifestyle changes to reduce consumption and waste and promote the use of sustainable, organic and recyclable products.” — Mitch, Franklin, TN
“My husband left his job to become an insulation salesman with a company that does strictly green insulation. It was a resolution that happened just a little before the end of the year!” — Jill
Popularity: 2% [?]
December 21st, 2007
Green Home Improvement: How To Guides
Here at Low Impact Living we are committed to helping you learn how to have a wonderful, healthy green home. We have a feature here in our daily blog called How To Tuesday wherein we provide practical tips and guides to eco-friendly living. Here is a compendium of our How To Tuesday features from 2007. Please ready and enjoy! We be back adding new posts starting on January 1, 2008.
Cut Your Use of Plastic, Plastic, Plastic
Cut Your Home Water Use by 50%
Get Your Furnace Ready for Winter
Recycle To The Max in Your City
Get Rebates and Tax Breaks for Green Home Improvements
Eco-Friendly Home Pest Control
Get Your Garden Ready for Winter
Eco-Friendly Stripping & Staining of Wood Floors & Furniture
Make Your Packed Lunch More Eco-friendly
Do you have any topics you’d like to see us cover? If so, please send an email to info@lowimpactliving.com.
Popularity: 2% [?]
December 19th, 2007
Organic Dining Across America: Boston
Here we continue our series on Organic Dining Across America. They don’t call it Bean Town for nuthin’– there are many excellent organic restaurants for folks in Boston.
Mare
Mare calls itself a “Natural Coastal Italian Restaurant.” Restaurateur Frank De Pasquale launched Mare (Mah-Ray), the Italian word for ocean, in June 2005 in Boston’s historic North End. Mare serves with a “coastal Italian menu,” but that’s not all. Mare boasts Boston’s first 98% natural ingredient list, based almost entirely on deep water fish, cultivated shellfish and certified organic seafood from the U.S. and Italy. Also featured is hormone-free beef, free range chicken and organic eggs, organic micro-greens and vegetables, whole grain pastas, sea salt, organic wines and more. Come feed your tummy and your soul at Mare.
Mare is located at 135 Richmond Street, Boston 02109 Phone is (617) 723-MARE.
Flatbread Company
The Flatbread Company comes highly recommended for its delicious, organic, comfort-foody flatbread pizzas. According to the Flatbread folks, “We serve local organic produce, free range and clean meats. All of our major ingredients are made in house and cooked in a wood fired cauldron or in a hand built wood burning earthen oven.” We also love a restaurant that has its values displayed prominently on their website. Here’s just a sampling of what this company aspires to provide: “Quality and integrity of ingredients; Clean food without pesticides or chemicals; Support of organic farming; Use local foods and support the community farms; Create a restaurant where children, adults and employees may renew their spirit.” As you can see it’s a movement AND a pizza shop, so be part of the solution and visit the Flatbread Company soon.
The Flatbread Company has six locations around Massachusetts, so please click here to find one near you.
Oleana Restaurant
Oleana is a wonderful restaurant that serves seasonal, organic fare with an emphasis on foods of the Mediterranean region– leaning towards the Turkish. The blended spices, fresh vegetables, homemade ice creams and pressed coffees make Oleana a very unique treat. Siena Farms, named after Chef Ana Sortun’s and her husband Chris Kurth’s baby daughter Siena, grows all the vegetables served at Oleana during the growing season. Harvested daily, the Siena Farms produce on your plate at Oleana is as fresh as can be!
Oleana is located at 134 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Veggie Planet
Veggie Planet is exactly what you’d hope for from the name— a haven for people looking to nuzzle their muzzles in veggie delights. Veggie Planet co-owners Dide Emmons and Adam Penn serve inventive and healthy meat-free pizzas and meals in the heart of Harvard Square. The pizza dough is completely organic and made by the Haley House, a non-profit bakery in Boston’s South End. Veggie Planet also donates 2% of it’s food profits and 100% of its t-shirt profits to Food For Free, a non-profit organization helping to feed the hungry in Cambridge and surrounding areas. Veggie Planet is a restaurant by day and folk music club by night– called Club Passim.
Veggie Planet is located at 47 Palmer Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA 02138
Popularity: 1% [?]
December 17th, 2007
How To Tuesday: Recycle to the Max in Your City
Recycling is an important action for protecting our natural resources, and an easy way to lower the impact you have on the earth. Plus, it just feels good to know that your empty cereal box or beer bottle won’t live on forever in the local landfill. What you might not be so clear on is exactly what can be recycled in your community – it can be confusing, and each city is different. So, we’re laying out the rules of the land for curbside recycling in several cities, as well as some rules that apply to each and every one of us.
First, regardless of where you live, there are some things that absolutely should not be thrown in the trash. There’s even an easy acronym to help you remember the materials that need special handling: BOATY. This stands for Batteries, Oil and other hazardous household liquids, Appliances and other technological devices, Tires, and Yard waste. In most cities, there are special hazardous waste collection sites set up to collect these types of items. Many retails outlets also take back the types of things they sell, like batteries, ink cartridges, and used motor oil. And typically yard wastes are collected separately from other trash and made into mulch by your city. A great resource for finding a location near you is Earth911.org, which enables you to search by item and zip code for a recycling center.
Now, on to curbside recycling. According to the National Recycling Coalition, Americans recycled 32% of their waste in 2006. Since the EPA has set a goal of reaching a 38% by next year, many communities are working on programs to increase their rates of recycling. And since so many communities now have curbside recycling programs, that should be attainable. After all, they come to your house and pick it up for you – it doesn’t get much easier!
Los Angeles
According to the Bureau of Sanitation, The City of Angels collects 240,000 tons of recyclables and 480,000 tons of yard trimmings each year. The success of the city’s recycling program is often attributed to the ease of using it – no separating is required, everything just goes in the blue bin. Everything is recyclable that is, including:
- Paper: all types of clean, dry paper, from Post-its to telephone books, plus cardboard and chipboard. So if you can’t make the switch to recycled toilet paper, at least recycle the roll
- Metals: all kinds of cans, plus wire hangars (though your drycleaner will likely be happy to take those back), clean foil, and empty aerosol cans
- Glass: all bottles and jars, rinsed if possible
- Plastics: All clean plastics, types 1-7, including grocery and dry cleaning bags, and yes, even Styrofoam®
If you’re unfamiliar with what we mean by the different types of plastics, click here to read our previous post on the topic. There are many different types of plastics, each with its own unique properties and melting points. The industry has developed an identification system to label the different plastics, using a number code generally found on the bottom of containers. Some recycling programs only take certain codes, so make sure that the plastics that you put out for recycling are accepted by your city.
San Francisco
Having set a goal of diverting 75% of its waste from landfills by 2010, San Francisco has its work cut out for them. But, as the city famous for being the first to ban plastic grocery bags, they seem well positioned to do it. Here is what is accepted in curbside recycling:
- Paper: all types of paper items, from egg cartons to magazines.
- Bottles and Cans: glass, aluminum, steel and spray cans
- All types of plastic bottles(flattened), though plastic tubs and lids are restricted to #2, #4, and #5
Like in LA, everything goes in the blue bin, so it’s pretty foolproof once you get the rules down. And since Styrofoam® is not accepted, try not to use it – encourage your favorite take-out place to switch to paper or recyclable plastic alternatives, and use crumpled newspaper or the cardboard version of Styrofoam “peanuts” to ship your holiday presents. Should you receive Styrofoam peanuts as packaging, take it to a mail house, as they will be able to reuse it.
New York City
In New York, recycling is the law. That’s right, these materials are mandated for recycling:
- Paper and cardboard, including envelopes, cardboard, newspaper, etc.
- Beverage cartons, bottles, cans, metal, and foil
- Bulky metal and appliances with CFC gas
- Fall leaves (in certain districts)
The only plastics accepted for recycling in New York City are bottles & jugs – those items with necks smaller than their bodies. All other plastic containers and all other plastic items should be placed in the regular trash, no matter what the code on the bottom of the container. As the city recommends, “When in doubt leave it out.”
And they mean it. There are specific rules for the packaging of recyclables and the separation of garbage, and violations can garner you a ticket. For example, food and beverage containers must be rinsed clean, and homeowners must tie newspaper and the like into bundles no more than 18” high. Make sure to check all applicable regulations.
Dallas/Fort Worth
Dallas and Fort Worthare both on the right track in regards to recycling. In both cities, the following items are allowed in the recycling bins:
- Paper products: newspapers, magazines, catalogs, telephone books, mixed office paper, mail and envelopes
- Cardboard: cardboard boxes, chipboard (like cereal and tissue boxes).
- Glass: unbroken bottles and jars. Fort Worth also accepts ceramics, dishes, mirrors and windowpanes, though not auto windshields
- Plastics: bottles, jars, containers labeled #1-5 and #7; Fort Worth also accepts #6
- Metals: steel, tin, aluminum, and aerosol cans
Unfortunately, Dallas apartment-dwellers must still take their recyclables to one of the city’s drop off centers. But Fort Worth has realized a big incentive for getting people to recycle more: less garbage equals lower bills for residents’ garbage services. Since the city charges by the size of the garbage container, using a smaller one – with the rest going in to the recycling bin – means a smaller bill. This is also the case in Austin, among other cities.
Miami
Serving nearly 320,000 homes, Miami has one of the largest residential curbside recycling programs in the country. The system works a little differently, with a green bin for newspaper, cardboard, phone books, and – surprise, surprise! – batteries, which must be in a separate sealed zip-top plastic bag. A blue bin takes cans, glass bottles, plastics #1, 2 and 3, and drink boxes and cartons. Notably, aluminum foil and cereal boxes are not recyclable in Miami.
In addition to curbside recycling, Miami has enacted a law requires apartment building owners and condominium associations to provide recycling services through independent waste haulers and recyclers. Since requirements and recyclables vary, check with your local providers for details.
For additional cities, here are a few links with the details of your local programs: Atlanta, Boston, Columbus, Houston, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle, Washington DC.
Finally, it’s no coincidence that Recycle comes last in the phrase Reduce-Reuse-Recycle. Think of it as a hierarchy, with the best option being reducing your consumption. If something that you already have can be used by someone else, pass it along. If that’s not feasible, then turn to recycling. And don’t forget to close the loop – buy things made from recycled materials.
Popularity: 2% [?]
December 16th, 2007
Beyond Stats: Global Warming Is Personal
By now, the global warming debate has moved out of the scientific and political debates and into the public consciousness. I’m still somewhat dismayed, though, when I see the debate being framed by how many tenths of a degree the planet has warmed over the past 50 years, or what the growth rate in carbon dioxide concentration is. How can the average person possibly engage with stats like those? They’re very important, but to me it’s not that difficult to connect –- if we open our eyes, I think we’ll all notice climate change happening in the world around us.
A great example was a recent story on the front page of the New York Times about duck and waterfowl hunting. It turns out that the migration habits of waterfowl and other wildlife is already changing – they arrive earlier in the year, stay later, and generally aren’t following the patterns they have for generations. The article points out that there isn’t consensus yet, but there’s certainly a bunch of strong anecdotal evidence.
I believe in global warming, but not just because of all of that scientific data. Had that data not existed, I still would have thought something was up because things have changed in my limited years on the planet (< 40!). My two favorite examples are pretty simple: ice and hummingbirds.
I grew up on a saltwater estuary in Massachusetts. One magical winter, when I was five years old, I learned to skate on that estuary. It was so cold for so long that the salt water froze to thicknesses of a foot or more, and people drove cars and tractors out on the river. I could skate the ½ mile to the other side, right over areas where I caught striped bass from a boat in 20’ of water in the summer. My dad was thrilled, for he had skated on that same river several times growing up and had hoped to share it with me some day, as my grandfather had with him before that. Those wonderful days began a 12 year hockey career as a kid.
My brother, two years younger, didn’t have that experience. That year was the last one when the river froze to a safe thickness. There were a few times when it got close, but even those were over fifteen years ago. Solid proof of global warming? Probably not, but something changed to break a generations-long chain of experiences.
Next, hummingbirds. I’m an avid birdwatcher, and am particularly fond of the hummingbirds that I first saw when I moved to California in the early 90s. I try not to anthropomorphize animals, but I just can’t help but admire the pluck and focus that they display, protecting a favored flower from an adversary! Their sharp chirps of indignation and belligerence when I walk out my front door and by their feeder always bring a smile to my face.
Well, I had never seen a hummingbird in my first 20+ years on the East Coast. There is one variety that lives there (Ruby Throated Hummingbird, shown right), but they were rare enough in my surroundings that I never came across one. Now, when I go home to Massachusetts in the summer, they’re everywhere, hovering over flower gardens and around feeders like little buzzing emerald-colored cruise missiles. Of course, there are many possible explanations for their appearance – changes in landscaping practices, changes in their wintering grounds, my heightened awareness among others. But several warming-related factors could also contribute, including earlier blooming of flowers and less severe winters in the southern US. So, I set out trying to find some data. I didn’t find any specific answers, but I found some interesting stats from the Hilton Pond Center in South Carolina:
It shows an upward 20-year trend in hummingbird population (to be fair, the website does propose other explanations and doesn’t mention my hypothesis). And, I found maps on Hummingbirds.net that show the earliest arrival of ruby-throated hummers across the country. I did some comparisons of the 97 / 98 maps to the 05/06 maps, and there’s about a 1-2 week acceleration of the migration north.
I’m running a risk here – both of these cases fall well into the anecdotal category of evidence, and as such there are potentially many other scientifically-valid explanations. But, they resonate with me, and I had noticed them well before I became concerned about global warming. So, I’ll keep watching – afraid that my children might not have the chance to skate across a wintry expanse of river, but happy to see hummingbirds busily at work in my parents’ Massachusetts gardens.
Do you have any similar observations? We’d love to hear your stories – please share them with us in the comments section of this blog!
Popularity: 1% [?]
