Archive for January, 2008
January 10th, 2008
Presidential Candidates on the Environment
Stumble it!
We’re deep into primary season, and we thought it might be helpful for you to be able to survey the environmental positions of the presidential candidates. We run a non-partisan shop here at Low Impact Living, but we’re sure you’ll agree that protecting the environment will be a key responsibility of our new president. We hope that you will make environmental protection an important factor in your voting decision.
So please have a look here at the various major candidates’ views. Do they support the Kyoto Protocol? Do they have other specific proposals for reducing our carbon emissions? What is their stance on water quality? Let’s kick the tires, folks. I am not inserting my own positions– I am simply quoting from the candidates themselves.
And we welcome you to share your comments liberally (or conservatively). May the best man or woman win!
The Democrats (in alpha order)
Hillary Clinton
According to the Clinton campaign, “The choices we make about energy touch nearly every aspect of our lives. Our economy, our national security, our health, and the future of our planet are all at stake as we make a choice between energy independence and dependence on foreign sources of oil. Hillary has proposed an Apollo Project-like program dedicated to achieving energy independence.” She wants toreduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 and create a $50M “Strategic Energy Fund.” To read more about her positions, please click here.
John Edwards
The Edwards campaign says, “Global warming is a crisis that could fundamentally change our planet, creating hundreds of millions of deaths and starvation. Edwards will restore our energy independence by asking Americans to be patriotic about something other than war and building a new energy economy based on clean renewable energy and energy efficiency.” He wants to introduce a cap-and-trade system by 2010 and create a “New Energy Economy Fund” by auctioning off $10 billion in greenhouse pollution permits. To learn more about Edwards’ positions, please click here.
Dennis Kucinich
The Kucinich camp says, “As the world population soars towards eight billion, critical issues of survival face all of us. Living on a planet of finite resources means that human life can not be sustained indefinitely without careful thought and compassion coupled with political courage… A Kucinich administration would immediately put the United States in the forefront of solving the global warming crisis by rejoining the Kyoto accord and implementing its recommendations.” He supports a “Global Green Deal” that would enable the introduction of $50 billion of new solar projects around the world. To read more about his positions, click here.
Barack Obama
Obama says “I don’t believe that climate change is just an issue that’s convenient to bring up during a campaign. I believe it’s one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation. That’s why I’ve fought successfully in the Senate to increase our investment in renewable fuels. That’s why I reached across the aisle to come up with a plan to raise our fuel standards… I went to Detroit, I stood in front of a group of automakers, and I told them that when I am president, there will be no more excuses — we will help them retool their factories, but they will have to make cars that use less oil.” To read more about his positions on energy and the environment, click here.
The Republicans
Rudy Giuliani
Giuliani does not address the environment specifically on his site, but he does address the importance of energy independence. He says, “Every potential solution must be pursued – from nuclear power to increased energy exploration to more aggressive investment in alternative energy sources. I believe that America can achieve energy independence through a national strategy that emphasizes diversification, innovation, and conservation.” He supports increased use of ethanol & biofuels, expansion of nuclear power, and “clean coal.” To learn more about his views, please click here.
Mike Huckabee
Like Giuliani, Huckabee focuses on energy independence. He says, “The first thing I will do as President is send Congress my comprehensive plan for energy independence. We will achieve energy independence by the end of my second term. Achieving energy independence is vital to achieving success both in the war on terror and in globalization. Energy independence will help guarantee both our safety and our prosperity.” He also belives that “We have to explore, we have to conserve, and we have to pursue all avenues of alternative energy: nuclear, wind, solar, hydrogen, clean coal, biodiesel, and biomass.” Learn more on Huckabee’s views on energy independence, click here.
John McCain
The McCain camp writes, “John McCain has a proud record of common sense stewardship. Along with his commitment to clean air and water, and to conserving open space, he has been a leader on the issue of global warming with the courage to call the nation to action on an issue we can no longer afford to ignore.” To learn more about McCain’s views, click here.
Ron Paul
Ron Paul says, “The key to sound environmental policy is respect for private property rights. The strict enforcement of property rights corrects environmental wrongs while increasing the cost of polluting.” If you want to hear more of what Ron Paul has to say about the environment, please visit http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/environment/ .
Mitt Romney
Romney also focuses on energy independence: “For too long, America has been entangled with and dependent on foreign suppliers of oil. As long as America imports much of our oil from unstable regions and countries around the world, our national security and economic prosperity is threatened. Because energy independence is crucial to our economy and our national security, we must establish it as a top administration priority, and lead the U.S. to a future with affordable and secure energy.” To learn more about Romney’s views, click here.
Fred Thompson
The Thompson campaign states, “The energy challenges our nation faces today are real and significant. Our dependence on foreign sources of oil threatens our national security and puts our economic prosperity at risk. America must rise to the challenge and take the steps necessary to become more energy independent before this becomes a crisis.” To learn more about Thompson on energy security, click here.
What do YOU think? Who do you find most compelling? Which candidate has the best specific environmental plans? What questions do you think are left un-answered? We invite you to share your comments!
Popularity: 1% [?]
January 9th, 2008
What is the Smell of Clean?
Cloud Conrad of Maid Brigade, a green home cleaning service, has written an excellent piece on healthy home cleaning. We wanted to share it with you.
*****
Ever since the advent of manufactured cleaning products, consumers have equated the smell of their cleaning products with their efficacy. In fact, consumer focus groups conducted by The Haystack Group identified smell as an important criteria cleaning service customers use in evaluating the quality of the cleaning. We have confidence that our homes are clean and germ-free because we can smell bleach, ammonia or fragrance additives in other cleaning chemicals and rest assured that we are doing something positive for our families’ health.
The irony is that these products commonly contain ingredients which can actually be harmful to our health, right down to the fragrances! One in five people experiences health problems when exposed to fragrances, whether in perfumes, air fresheners or other household consumables such as laundry detergent and deodorant. Fragrances in these products can trigger asthma and allergy attacks or worse. Most fragrance chemicals are respiratory irritants that trigger and compound asthma, allergies, sinus problems and worse.
The ingredients in several top household brands of air fresheners include certain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCS), chemicals that keep the fragrance molecules airborne so the fragrances linger longer. According to the EPA, VOCs are emitted as gases and include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. These VOCs commonly include propane, butane, ethanol, and/or phthalates. Propane is a suspected neurotoxin and respiratory toxin. Butane is a neurotoxin. Ethanol is suspected of several human health hazards, including carcinogen, developmental toxin, endocrine toxin, liver toxin, neurotoxin, reproductive toxin and more.
The potential health hazards associated with air fresheners in particular is not limited to certain VOCs. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) studied 14 of the most popular air freshener brands this past September, finding that 12 contained phthalates, chemicals known to cause hormonal abnormalities, thyroid disorders, birth defects and reproductive problems and possibly cause cancer. The NRDC maintains that there is a lack of regulatory testing for household products prior to bringing them to the consumer market place. Although the Federal Hazardous Substances Act requires cautionary labels for hazardous household products, manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients. The ingredients in household cleaners are considered proprietary information, or trade secrets, and as such the government does not require their disclosure at this time.
As consumers, the only way we can be sure we are protecting our families’ health is to refer to the Material Safety Data Sheets for the air fresheners we purchase. The MSDS sheets reveal the active ingredients in each product. There are many convenient online resources for MSDS sheets. One that does not require user registration to access the data is the Food Services of America’s MSDS database: http://www.fsafood.com/msds. Once the ingredients can be identified, consumers can consult www.scorecard.org, an online resource for identifying environmental and health polluting substances, to learn what health risks may be associated with those chemicals.
From a green standpoint, however, virtually all commercial air fresheners contain VOCs. Green Seal, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment, requires cleaning products to emit low VOCs in order to earn the Green Seal certification for environmentally preferable products.
Medical evidence shows that these chemicals have a cumulative effect in the body and are difficult to purge. In other words, even though the scent actually dies from the air, what has been ingested through the lungs or skin remains in the body. Exposure to fragrance chemicals adds to the “total body load” of synthetic chemicals, which can greatly increase the chance of developing health problems. Continual exposure to these common, low-level chemicals can cause an initial reaction and then a spreading effect where one then reacts to many other kinds of chemicals also present in the body.
Consumers who are interested in providing the healthiest home for their families may eventually forsake air fresheners and other scented household products that previously signaled a clean home. A healthy home should smell like nothing at all. ***
Find healthy, green home cleaning services in your area by clicking here.
Popularity: 1% [?]
January 7th, 2008
How To Tuesday: Go Car-Free!
Tie me up in an organic cotton straight jacket– I am going car-less in Los Angeles. Ironically, my decision was not based entirely on my desire to stop global warming. There are plenty of good environmental and financial reasons to transition away from automobile dependence, but simply spending less time driving around the Los Angeles metro area is reason enough. I can’t wait for the little bit of simplicity getting rid of my car will bring to my life. I am saying goodbye to insurance payments, gas prices, service, repairs, DMV registration, and car washes, along with my carbon emitting chariot.
The quest to live a car free life does not make me a lead light. I’m just joining the ranks of a growing number of people choosing to forgo automobile ownership. Memberships in car share programs worldwide grew 200% between 2000 and 2006 and the number of companies in the U.S. selling bikes designed for commuting has more than doubled since 2002. Our friend Siel, AKA green LA girl is a devoted car-free woman, and she has written some great pieces on her experience with “de-car-ing.” You can read and learn from her as well.
The financial savings alone are reason enough to make the switch. My personal financial savings will be approximately $400 per month, which in the 10 years remaining on my car, would add up to $85,000 in an IRA savings account. Better yet, going without a car until retirement would result in a $1.4 million IRA saving. At which point, I could buy the most expensive clean-fuel car on the market.
There are four major factors to reflect on when considering a car-free life: location, access to a public transportation system, a bike and a car share membership. Obviously, not everyone can adjust their lives to fit a car free lifestyle, but it is well worth considering. If just 2 out of every 100 U.S. drivers went without a personal vehicle the annual carbon dioxide savings would be over 26 million tons.
1) Location
Location is the single most important factor in deciding whether you can go without a car or not. A residence close to your workplace, convenient to public transportation, a car share parking spot and other necessary amenities is essential. I recently found an apartment one block from a major transportation artery and public transit stops, five blocks from my office and three blocks from a car share pick-up spot. Equally important, there is a grocery store, drug store and gym all in close proximity to my new place. My local luxuries in central LA include a farmers’ market, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, movie theatre, music hall, great restaurants, bakeries and swanky street shopping within walking or biking distance. The right location will make life without a car anything but a sacrifice. I plan to enjoy every penny of my $400 monthly savings in a truly local sense.
2) Public Transportation
A good public transportation system can make a huge difference in the convenience of living without a car. Los Angeles actually has a fairly efficient, comprehensive transit system. I started using the bus to familiarize myself with local routes and fares even before getting rid of my car. It’s cheap, easy and practical for a whole host of trips that don’t justify a shared car or suit a bike ride, unless you’re in Lance Armstrong condition.
Surprisingly, you do not need to live in a major metropolis like New York or Los Angeles to have access to decent public transportation. The American Public Transporation Association (APTA) presented its 2007 Best Transit Agencies Awards to Elk Grove, California; St. Cloud, Minnesota; Lansing, Michigan; and Cleveland, Ohio – previous winners are located in equally surprising cities. Wherever you live and whatever your automobile situation, consider public transportation. There is nothing more appealing than a successful man or woman who has the confidence and sensibility to forgo a status vehicle in lieu of the subway.
3) A Bike
Bike-riding is the all around best mode of transportation. It improves physical and mental health, saves money and reduces air pollution. It is often faster to bike to a destination, depending on the distance and traffic conditions, and parking is easy too. If you enjoy riding and don’t mind the need for a post ride shower or change, you are poised to delight in some seriously low impact commuting. I have chosen to use a bike primarily for weekend outings and errands, when I’m less worried about a little sweat. I do hope to eventually ride more, but weekend trips are a good start.
I found the perfect used bike at a small local shop for only $150. It’s an old school Murray with a square wire basket on the handle bars. Used bikes are cheaper, greener and just as lovable as new bikes. However at Low Impact Living, we do come across some pretty amazing new bikes designed for commuting. The Areaware design collective in New York and Citizen Bike are making fold-up models that are perfect for carrying on the subway and storing in small apartments. Canadian based Jorge & Olif make a commuter bike that looks like it was designed for Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. Even want-to-be-green retail giant, Walmart, is selling the Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle, which has two wheels in the rear to accommodate an extra large storage basket for groceries, briefcases or anything else you may need transport. For me choosing a bike is the best part of the transition.
4) Car Sharing
Let’s face it, sometimes you just need a car or a truck for that matter. Having easy access to a car or truck through my local car share service is what finally gave me the confidence to sell my personal vehicle. The car share company in Los Angles, called FlexCar, was recently acquired by Zip Car. The two combined companies now operate in the following U.S. metropolitan areas: New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. Rates vary by city and usage, but you basically join for a nominal fee and then pay by the hour or day depending on your needs. What makes it better than traditional car renting is the lack of time wasted during the check-in and check-out process. Plus, the cost of gas, insurance, and roadside assistance is included. You simply go online or call-in your reservation and go get the reserved vehicle at the chosen place and time. Your membership card unlocks the doors and a key and gas card are waiting in the glove compartment. Return the car where you got it and lock-up with your membership card. It’s that easy and way more affordable, if you require only occasional use.
As a fledgling member of the car-free community, I welcome comments and suggestions from those of you who are more experienced in the ways of car-less living.
Popularity: 3% [?]
January 5th, 2008
10 Ways to Green Your Office
Many people have written to us asking for our advice on how to make an office eco-friendly. We’ve heard your pleas for help and so we have created this list of ten green office tips. Hopefully you can take some of these ideas and lead the green crusade at your office!
1. Make sure you’re recycling paper, bottles, and cans. Have separate bins in the office for recycling. If you office building does not recycle, try speaking with the office manager. Or, you can create a weekly schedule for sharing the work of taking a recycling bin home each week. (It’s sort of a pain, but this is what we do at the Low Impact Living office as our building does not recycle!)
2. Make sure you’re using compact fluorescent or LED lights throughout the office. CFs use ¼ the energy and last up to 10 times as long as standard lights. LEDs are even more energy-efficient. You can find a huge variety of lighting options right here. If your building is in charge of the lighting, talk to your building manager and make sure that they understand the money they can save from buying CF or LED lights– they may not care about the environment, but they do care about cold, hard cash!
3. Get lighting motion sensors for offices, conference rooms and bathrooms. There’s no reason for lights to be one when there’s no one in the room. Find motion sensors here.
4. Just like mom said, turn off the lights when you leave. And shut down your printers, faxes and computers. Some people are under the false impression that it’s more efficient to leave computers on over night. This is not true– shut off all the electronics when you leave the office.
5. If possible, use laptop computers rather than desktop computers. Energy Star models use up to 90% less energy. See energy-efficient laptops here.
6. Ditch the bottled water habit. Americans throw out over 35 BILLION plastic water bottles every year. Offices are major offenders in this area. Just think how many water bottles your office uses in a year! You can sign up for a water delivery service, or get a big Brita filter, and have everyone use a ceramic or glass cup. This is an easy thing to do and has a big impact!
7. On the same theme, stock your office’s kitchen with reusable ceramic plates and mugs rather than paper toss-aways.
8. Use recycled/recyclable office papers and other office products. You can get paper, envelopes, folders, pads, post-it notes– everything comes in a recycled version now. You can find many of these options at the Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot, and you can also find them online at Green Earth Office Supply or at The Green Office.
9. Get a programmable thermostat. This device will help you keep your building warm/cool when the people there and save power and money when the people are away. Find devices here.
10. Investigate green power options. Many local utilities offer the opportunity for you to pay just a few dollars extra per month to buy “green power” that comes from wind farms and other sustainable sources. Talk to your building manager about this as an option– and you might offer to have your company pay the minimal extra fee.
Do any of you have other suggestions? We’d love to hear them. Please comment below and thank you!
Popularity: 9% [?]
January 3rd, 2008
Cut Bottled Water Use: Filter for Good!
Want to do something great for the environment that’s easy and fun? Why sure you do. Check out Filter for Good, a new initiative from Brita and Nalgene. They are trying to inspire all of us to kick our bottled water habit.
Did you know that Americans send over 35 billion water bottles a year to landfills? And it takes about 1.5 million barrels of oil to make those bottles, so it is an environmental double whammy. (By the way that’s enough oil to fuel 100,000 cars for a year!)
Take the Filter For Good pledge to reduce your use of water bottles and you’ll not only help the planet, but you’ll get coupons for Brita and Nalgene products. Learn more and take the pledge!
Popularity: 1% [?]
