Green Spot

The Huffington Post had a great infographic on the plight of the plastic water bottle you see in an entire aisle of every major supermarket (Their post/graphic was reposted from this blog). After reviewing the below infographic, the conclusion drawn is:

“Buy a stainless steel thermos, and use it. Don’t like the way your local tap water tastes? Inexpensive carbon filters will turn most tap water sparkling fresh at a fraction of bottled water’s cost.”

Due to the fact that countries such as the USA, Mexico, China and Brazil are turning to the store bought water (which is tap too, just a lot of money spent on marketing, shipping and packaging), there’s a slight “epidemic”. People are starting to get more and more cavities from drinking bottled water. Fluoride, which strengthens teeth, is found in regular tap water but not found in bottled water. Flouride does not occur naturally in water systems and municipalities usually add it, but it’s just another reason to stay away from the bottles.

Most major cities have good water treatment plants and water supplies, but still pump tap water through older pipes systems to most homes. Even some newer homes still have pipes connected with lead solder that can get in to the water, but in the end, can be filtered. Plastic bottles found in the store are unsuitable for reuse due to plastics that can leech in to the water, namely BPA. Instead, again, turn to a stainless steel canteen and reduce plastic waste and monthly costs on bottled water.

Get a stainless steel canteen and fill up on some tap water/

For some people, going green is more than just toting around reusable bags and canteens. Participants in the environmentally-friendly movement want to get their hands dirty and clean the beaches, purchase renewable energy credits, solar panels and low-to-no emission vehicles too. Taking physical action towards a better and cleaner world is a must for many, as the change can be seen and wrought first hand.

As we had posted in a prior blog, there are many public programs available to people in need of that tangible interaction with their surroundings to induce change - and not all of them are here in the USA.

Project Dirt in London is:

“…an active community, linking environmental projects. It’s about Making it easier to be green, helping co-ordinate local projects, letting you learn from real life projects, and developing a community”

Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast, you want to clean up the banks of the river Thames or want to find out about where you can install energy-efficient material locally in Forsham or Newington, you can visit the site to set up a profile and attend an event or partake in an online forum. Similar to social networking sites Facebook and MySpace, Porject Dirt aims to increase eco-friendly awareness by using online channels of social connectivity and virility to increase event and project attendance, and it is a good way for people to get their hands dirty.

Plus with a bit of elbow grease, you can do a lot around the house to make it more environmentally-friendly. Get energy star compliant appliances, use natural cleaners, install high-performance sink nozzles and shower heads and lower the temperature of your thermostat and water heater for instant savings on energy and bills - PLUS, if you’ve got some cash, a really good investment on your owned property would be solar panels so you can conserve energy, reduce electric and heating bills to zero, and even SELL energy back to the grid!

Whatever your green calling may be, there’s something out there for everyone to help our planet and go green.

The marketplace is full of great greencessories and items that are made from post consumer material and help to live a more environmentally favorable existence. Gizmodo recently had a “Best of Treehugger” list post sponsored by Kohler which detailed a few ‘green’ items and technology new to the eco-scene. Among the list was a park bench that you pay for to site and relax, a miniature trailer/tent, an iPod case that charges while it protects, and a few Apple iPhone/iPad/iPod applications (apps) that help you to go green. One app helped connect fishermen to buyers and another was a game that rewarded high scores of the week with the promise of planted trees.

Apple is renowned for software and especially hardware, and their famous App store has quite a few applications that can help you live an eco friendly life. Although most of the apps listed provide advice and tips towards living a ‘greener’ life, such as Green Tips, there’s an app that can help you read your power meter outside of your home or in the basement/carport of your building and help you determine what your energy output and costs may be. This can not only save you money and better help you and your friends and family know how to conserve more efficiently, it reduces energy waste and teaches. Another app uses the accelerometer in the hardware to understand your driving. The technology is profound, and as you drive, the app takes readings based on geo-locale and more to provide information on your gas usage, better routes, tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint and getter mileage out of your vehicle.

As time goes on, more innovative features in these pocket life-guides will help us better the world around us by having a plethora of good information at our fingertips to spread the eco-friendliness unto the world around us.

Apple's iPhone can help the world go green.

Concrete jungles, cement forests, metallic reefs, skylines of brick and steel. Cities exist in so many places, that buildings have become an almost unnoticeable part of the natural landscape. We might as well utilize them for something aside from living in them and working in them.

The wind uses them quite well actually. Their aerodynamic properties pushes small winds higher that quickly gain speed and are shot in to adjoining flows of air that rapidly rush off the top of roofs and antenna of skyscrapers everywhere. That’s where AeroVironment comes in. Although well known for their unmanned aircraft and electric vehicle technology, they know how to decorate a building to help the world and function uniquely.

Their AV Architectural Wind units are not only small wind turbines that generate energy for buildings they are placed on, but unlike other competitor units that are hidden from sight, the AVs are built to thrill - architecturally that is. They are shaped like sharp sculptures straight out of a science-fiction knife show, and are meant to be seen by the public through placement at the edge of buildings. The blades are usually crafted in an odd way to invoke noticeability but in fact also increase efficiency in capturing the wind as it rises off the building.

The fact that building owners are working with architects and environmental engineers is innovative and is hopeful. It is a good use of the space and creates good energy for use in the building and the karmic kind too. Rather than leave the roof of a building to hold air ducts and satellite dishes, there is a conscious effort to ensure it is used wisely and with the world in mind. A very good looking simply green solution.

AeroVironment is good lookin' on top of buildings.

We’re big fans of China, and no matter what a lot of media tends to say, its a great country that not only helps to sustain the economies and standards of living of the world, but has a rich history that predates much of western culture and contains a rational, down-to-earth and varied people. Not only have we talked about how China leads the world in eco-friendly ventures with major advances in wind power, tons of reforestation, partnering with Singapore to build an eco-city, but they also help places such as the U.S. state of our headquarters, California (Build the train already! What’s taking so long?!) and American companies such as General Electric.

They are not without their problems though, and are experiencing a similar oil spill as we are currently suffering through. In China’s Northeast, a large port has seen an oil pipeline burst and slick flows in to the Yellow Sea. China’s Government is acting fast to ensure it does not spread in to international waters. They are utilizing an oil-eating bacteria that is better for the environment than the highly controversial Corexit used by BP and our Coast Guard in the Gulf. In fact, the same bacteria biotechnology was used when the Exxon Valdez incident occurred in Alaska:

“The process, known as bioremediation, uses microorganisms to break down some toxic hydrocarbons present in crude oil into less harmful compounds.”

It seems that China practices what they preach. Yet the news is still not all that great for China.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has measured China’s energy consumption, and it seems that China has dethroned the U.S.A. as the largest energy consumer. Although those are initial findings, there is indeed an odd dismay at hand. For a country of 3 Billion people to have finally overtaken the largest industrial nation in the world that consists of about 300 Million - is a bit strange. With all the steps they are taking to promote going green, it seems like it may take a lot longer for a country of its size to reduce energy waste - but at least they are trying, and spending time, money and effort to build towards a cleaner future.

There's too much at stake for China to not go green.

What the heck is “Liquid Wood” you ask? You can watch that video in the link, or you can take a gander at this post and we’ll try to do our best to explain what it’s all about in a few short sentences. A German company called Arboform has devised a thermoplastic material made from 100% recycled materials to try and take the place of wood in many applications such as housing, furniture and more. Not only do they want to reduce deforestation, but they claim that the product biodegrades as would wood when thrown away, and would potentially replace a huge amount of the world’s plastic needs and production of plastic with oil too.

The material starts at about $1.70 USD per pound, whereas normal plastic costs about $0.70 to $3 a pound USD currently (estimate based on July 2010 pricing). The higher cost reflects why it may never become mainstream even though it is also made from a byproduct of papermaking that has no use now. Do not expect it to replace plastic water bottles either, as it cannot be made see-through or even the color white. That hasn’t been a problem for our reusable water bottles though.

The product may also see usage in generating cars and buildings to, as they seem to carry a product line of more than just Arboform but also Arbofill and Arboblend, which are said to be stronger materials.

A subsidiary of Gucci has signed on to make some of its shoes from Arboform and there are plans for toys and computer housing/casing from the material as well. The main substance, Lignin, is taken from the cellulose of wood and Arboform is made from a lot of recycled wood pulp, paper and non-toxic resin that will never degrade in to the water table. Here’s more on the material:

“By mixing specific types of lignin [from post-consumer paper pulp] with natural fibres from wood, flax, hemp, sisal or other fibrous plants and natural additives a composition is produced which can be processed at raised temperatures [and utilized in many applications that call for plastic].”

Save the trees, reduce oil usage and plastic waste - get the word out that Arboform is here on the market to help the world go green.

German company 'Arboform' wants to reduce plastic and save trees.

Jonathan Safran Foer, author of ”Eating Animals” (and “Everything is Illuminated”) discusses the fact that the supposed “humane treatment” of egg-laying hens is a myth in modern, industrial egg farms - among other things. His in depth reporting has even turned actress Natalie Portman in to a Vegan. Many of the ‘cage free’ eggs you’ll find in major markets is slightly mislabeled. Although there are no cages, chickens are crammed in to jam packed barns with no room to move, live amongst their waste, usually have the tips of their beaks snipped off, and hundreds of thousands of male baby chicks are thrown away to their deaths with little regard to being humane.

Some supposed ‘free range’ eggs have been tested to have dioxins (partly chlorine), but while this study is from Taiwan, we’ll have to wait and see how they repeat the analysis in other countries. If their hypotheses are correct, there could be a similar problem in other places as well, since the kind of environmental pollution they speak of is not unique to Taiwan. Most of these external chemicals are ingested through wading through waste material and consuming unsuitable feed and liquids, which ensures free radical entry in to the animal body causing cell damage.

BUT - There are plenty of ways to ensure you are buying eggs that are truly good for you and your family, and come from places that treat animals with respect and care:

“…switch from commercially raised eggs to buying those labeled “Certified Humane,” “American Humane Certified,” or “Animal Welfare Approved.” This means your eggs came from chickens raised with care…“

Go to your local farmers market and talk to the farmer that is selling eggs, buy local, and help free the world from the cage that holds us back.

Happy Hens have space to live with dignity, and lay eggs with no free radicals.

Although we are very positive people, we also want habits to change for the better - and we also want to practice prevention. Prevention against plastic waste, and especially, not knowing facts regarding distasters that can be prevented through votes, consumer demand and knowledge. Understand that by knowing about the current oil spill crisis, it will better help future generations know how to deal with similar issues, but godwilling they will never have to deal with something like this.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which has harmed aquatic life, the lives of the southern U.S. bordering the Mississippi Gulf coast, many beaches and more, has gone on for nearly 100 days straight.

The Associated Press has set up a very scary and simple counter that uses an average of expert, government and oil company estimates to determine how many gallons of oil has leaked in to the ocean. As of this posting, it was over 183 Million Barrels. The counter does a good job of trying to help people understand the sheer amount by stating other measurements such as the fact that every American could have spilled over a six-pack of oil cans in to the ocean and still have not reached the amount spilled - a very grim figure.

In fact, you can view any website with a virtual oil spill on screen to let it hinder your day if you’re sadistic or want to try and empathize. British Petroleum (BP), although taking the primary blame for supposedly cutting corners on the oil rig and dangerously drilling too deeply in to the ocean bottom, is trying to empathize by setting up a $20 Billion fund to assist in the lives of oil rig workers and people in the Gulf Area.

BP, our Coast Guard and multiple agencies, countries, individuals and companies are trying to help clean the oil off beaches, out of the water and stop the leak. Corexit is being poured in to the Gulf to try and disperse the oil particles at an extravagant rate and “help” as well, but what the media doesn’t speak of is that it is a poison and along with the Benzene levels increasing due to the exposure to oil, will ensure that area cannot be fished for a long time. Some folks have mentioned trying to drop a nuclear weapon in the ocean oil fissure to seal it before a methane bubble forms causing a catastrophic event of unforeseen magnitude.

As of late, a new cap was placed on the leak by undersea robots but remains to be completed and the world should find out soon if it will indeed stop the flow of oil in to the ocean.

Prevention starts with learning more and reading about the Gulf Oil Spill today.

Not only are there new, green jobs on the horizon, but things are starting to look slightly “up“. In regards to new jobs, Vestas Wind Systems recently stated it will be hiring over a thousand workers in Colorado to produce wind turbine parts such as blades and generators at three plants around the state. In these times of unemployment, something like this is a blessing not only to the job market but to the people in need of jobs in Colorado and for the Earth as well.

And new jobs will be created in Michigan in the coming years due to a partnership between LG Chem and Ford based on the release of the 2011 Ford Electric Focus. Korea’s LG Chem and Ford will place a rechargeable lithium ion battery in a few eco-friendly cars that will be released in the next few years, and Ford plans to also release new plug-in hybrids that will help clear the air, make jobs, and bring the company back towards looking good.

As far as fancy goes, that leads us to cars. Not just any cars, eco-friendly ones. What else would you expect from a Environmentalist Blog? Just a little over a week ago, Tesla Motors went public to raise money to reinvest in its company and its Initial Public Offering of company stick skyrocketed. As many of you know, Tesla Motors is a sexy electric car named after the great Nikola Tesla, the father of alternating current that runs across our country and most of the modern world. They can reach high speeds in less than 4 seconds and require no gasoline to get you a few hundred miles. Definitely a fancy object of desire, it will soon see competition from luxury car maker, turned ‘green’ car maker Renault.

Their new DeZir will reach speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, similar to the Tesla in about 4 to 6 seconds. It makes use of an electric based engine battery and can drive up to about 100 miles before a recharge is required. Needless to say, car makers are trying to definitely appeal to the need for sexy in all our lives and in the end, it will help the Earth too.

Fancy Shmancy - Green is what makes it sexy.

Animals were here before humans. Yes, we ARE indeed animals ourselves, but we’ve made a bit of a mess of our atmosphere and have become accustomed to lives that are unsustainable. We try to do things in our existence such as use reusable bags and canteens to reduce waste, but we must do more and should look to the Animal Kingdom for advice.

Recently, researchers have found that due to the fact that Sea Otters eat Sea Urchins, it results in keeping seaweed-kelp forests alive and growing. Kelp forests then produce more oxygen, making Otters quite the environmentalists. According to the linked article:

“…otters play a crucial role in how the ecosystem draws carbon out of the atmosphere…”

As with many animal species aside from homo sapiens (humans), the number of Sea Otters has been in decline for a long time, and needs to somehow increase to help our atmosphere.

Insects are no slouches when it comes to being eco friendly, take the honey bee for instance. Although their numbers are dwindling, they help flowers bloom through pollination creating beauty and oxygen, and honey and bee pollen have enormous health benefits ranging from losing weight, to assisting with asthma, digestion and more. Going green is something the Dung Beetle has done for a long time too. Their fossils date back 40 million years, and they remove the fecal matter of other animals to bury and use for laying eggs and feasting. This not only helps to fertilize, but clears waste matter from sight as well. In fact:

“A researcher observed that a small 1.5 Kg pile of Elephant dung on the African savannah attracted 16,000 dung beetles of various shapes and sizes, who between them had eaten and or buried that dung completely in just two hours. One dung beetle can bury 250 times its own weight in a night…Australia imported 45 species of dung beetle from various parts of the world to get rid of cattle dung.”

Sea Otters, Honey Bees and Dung Beetles aren’t the only ones making the world a greener place, and there are many more members of the Animal Kingdom that are eco-friendly. Check back soon as we’ll continue this posting again and again!

Sea Otters make the world a better place (and a cuter place).