a simple way to help save the planet and the economy

I've mentioned Van Jones before, and how his book The Green Collar Economy is a declaration on how we can fix the both the environment and broken economy at the same time. Well, now you can hear straight from him how simple it can be to boost the economy while retrofitting drafty inefficient buildings. Take a look and listen:



Sounds pretty simple, right?


Read the book



Related post
millions of good things

starting them young

A friend of mine just sent me this adorable video of her friend's daughter's class, singing a song about "being green." Warms my heart on this frigid December day.

the gift of time

Unclutterer, a blog that helps people like me (the chronically cluttered) get organized has a great post on one of the most environmentally responsible gifts you could ever give: your time. Oh, and it doesn't cost you any money.

Here's a taste:

The gift of your time can be to spend an hour, a day, or an evening with the friend or loved one of your choice. You can set up the time for doing activities they enjoy, such as playing video games or taking a walk. Lock away your Blackberry so that you have quality time together without distractions.

Giving time is a good holiday stress reducer, too, because you’ll spend less money. The American Psychological Association names money as the #1 cause of stress over the holidays. With today’s economy, the pressure may be especially apparent this year. You can take yourself off the gift-buying hook by coming up with creative ways to give of your time (which is really giving of yourself).

One great time give-away is to offer a needed service to your gift recipient. Sometimes the things that are second-nature to you are downright hard or impossible for others to do. If it weren’t for my husband, I know that the gas fireplace would still be unusable, but for him it took all of 15 minutes to fix.

You can use your gift of time to help someone address something that would otherwise not get done unless they hired a professional.

What are your skills? Think about what you can do to assist people with time gift packages.

Here's the rest.

very special green drinks tomorrow night

Share some holiday cheer and bid on awesome prizes at the 7th annual holiday party with Green Drinks and Islands First. Details below.



When
Tuesday, December 9th
7pm to midnight

Where
BLVD
199 Bowery @ Spring St (map)

How much
$20 in advance (til 10am Tues) or $30 at the door
Complimentary drinks from 7-8pm

More info here.

solar spreads through brooklyn

Another reason to love this fine borough, solar is taking over! Thanks to the city rebate, people across Brooklyn are installing photovoltaics (PV) on their roofs like mad. Check out this article from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle:

Solar Panels Proliferate in ‘Progressive’ Brooklyn
City Rebate Makes Installation Cheaper

By Phoebe Neidl
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

BROOKLYN — “Nothin’ moves backwards, buddy. Do you want to speak to a nuclear physicist?”

This is what an incredulous Con Edison employee said to Windsor Terrace resident Peter Landy when his meter indicated that he wasn’t using any of the utility giant’s electricity.

That was two and a half years ago, right after Landy had photovoltaic panels installed on his roof, which convert sunlight into electricity. In other words, he went solar.

“We haven’t had a bill. Just the connection fee, which is around $11,” he says. “We produce more [electricity] than we use, so the meter goes backwards.”

Through a legislated arrangement called “net-metering,” Landy is able to “sell” his excess energy back into the system and build up credit with Con Ed. In the winter and at night, when the sun is less obliging, he taps into the grid for conventional electricity. “Con Ed is my battery, in a sense,” he explained.

In recent years, solar energy use for homeowners has become much more affordable with incentives and rebates from city, state and federal agencies. And Brooklynites are taking advantage of these new bargain prices.

Read the rest

Find out if you're eligible for renewable energy rebates
at the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)

Related posts

up on the roof

green brooklyn event recap, part 2: panel discussions

solar soiree @ southpaw

This is seriously last minute and I apologize. If you're in Park Slope today at 7pm, be sure check out the Sierra Club and SolarOne event, Solar Soiree at Southpaw (125 Fifth Ave). Details below.

Sun. 12/7 in our main space, i heart pv presents SOLAR SOIREE, an event for a solar-powered New York! Join the campaign, write letters to your local state legislator in support of pro-solar laws...and enjoy great drink specials for your effort! Build your own solar-powered toy car.
7 pm doors.
FREE, which means no cover.
Contact neidl@solar1.org for more details.

handmade craft fair this sunday

This Sunday from noon to 7pm at 3rd Ward (195 Morgan Ave, corner of Stagg St, East Williamsburg) get your local/handmade/one-of-a-kind shop on...

Browse the handmade goods & treats of over 50 local artisans, craft mavens & culinary masters including everything from LED Hula hoops & dog costumes, to custom cut clothes & jewelry, furniture & vintage ware from Brooklyn Kitchen, cookies & chocolates, wrapping paper, pillows & body soaps, custom electronics and Cut Brooklyn knives.

PLUS free gift bags, live music from Sigmund Droid & VJ Clay Franklin, chili & corn bread from Tom Mylan (of Marlow and Sons, Diner & Bonita), FREE Gimme coffee, spiked drinks, a costume photobooth by Deluxa and FREE workshops in textile design, electronics and collage.

creative wrapping: furoshiki

When I was a kid I would rip open a gift with abandon, caring little what happened to the wrapping paper. It was agonizing to watch those people with the opposite approach, slowly and gently unwrapping, taking the utmost care not to tear the paper.

But now I'm the one who's carefully disassembling the outer wrappings of a gift, so I can reuse it at least one more time. If I don't reuse paper or buy recycled content paper like the kind from Fish Lips, I try to find some other way of presenting a gift. Sometimes I'll decoupage a box with magazine clippings and scrap paper. But that can be time consuming.

There's a much simpler and sustainable way to wrap gifts -- furoshiki. No need for paper, tape, or scissors. You don't even need ribbons to make it all pretty. All it takes is a piece of fabric and some folding skills. You can even use a scarf to wrap for a two-in-one gift.

You can get furoshiki fabrics from VivaTerra
(made from Dupioni silk)


$14 for large (54")


Or get a vintage scarf on eBay




Or get your own fabric and learn how to fold Japanese style

gowanus: a sense of place

Want to help preserve and restore one of the great NYC waterways while perusing art in a Brooklyn gallery? Check out Gowanus: A Sense of Place, a limited run art show opening night to benefit the Gowanus Canal Conservancy. Details below:


[Image: Eddie Earl Cato, Gowanus El, 1972]

Please join us for Gowanus: A Sense of Place, a limited-time art show and sale running from Dec. 5 to Dec. 22, 2008, which will be comprised of representational views of streetscapes and landscapes of Gowanus and surrounding neighborhoods.

The objectives of the show and sale are to raise funds for the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, highlight the Gowanus as the center of northwest Brooklyn neighborhoods, generate interest in the preservation of the Gowanus landscape, and foster opportunities for local artists. The works in this show will also be available for sale at the gallery and most will be priced between $200 and $1,000.

Gowanus: A Sense of Place
298 bond street, between Union and Sackett Streets

Opening reception on Friday, December 5, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The public is welcome!

Regular gallery hours (Dec. 6 through Dec. 22, 2008):
Thursdays 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Fridays 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Final day sale (extended hours):
Monday, Dec. 22 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

eco holiday gift guide: for dad

Dad -- he's usually the one who has everything. Hopefully, you can surprise him with one of these green gifts.

Under $100




Casio Men's G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch #GW500AJP-1AV
$99 at Amazon


Black & Decker NHT518-1 18-Volt Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer
$93.99 at Amazon


Buckshot Organic Cotton Flannel Shirt
$75 at Patagonia



Under $75


Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
$54.99 at Amazon



Organic Cotton Polo Shirt
$50 at Patagonia


Under $50


Totally Bamboo Longa Tonga Cutting Board
$49.99 at Amazon


EverLite Solar Headlamp
$47.95 at Amazon



Man vs. Wild - Season 1 (6 DVD set)
$31.99 at Amazon



Warm and Fuzzy Scarf
(other colors available)
On sale $26.37
at OriginalGood



Under $25




Teko EcoMerino Wool Light Hiking Crew Socks

$17.95 at REI



Every Litter Bit Helps Journal
$17.95 at OriginalGood



Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills, Third Edition by Abigail R. Gehring
$16.47 on Amazon


Lodge Logic 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet (cast iron)
$15.29 at Amazon


Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle (27 oz)
$11.99 at Amazon



The Complete Guide to Reducing Energy Costs (Consumer Reports: You Need to Know)
$10.85 at Amazon

save our living museums

[Image: Norbert Rosing for National Geographic]

Everybody's slashing budgets right now, and some of our most treasured places are getting hit hard in the aftermath. Help keep our gardens, zoos, and aquaria funded by signing this letter to Governor David Paterson and your representatives.

Support these groups by becoming a member:
New York Botanical Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Wildlife Conservation Society (NY Zoos and Aquarium)

local holiday shopping

There are a lot of great holiday shopping options right here in NYC that support local and/or sustainable artisans. Avoid the madness of big box shopping and keep it local. Check 'em out:

Sustainable NYC
139 Avenue A (@ 9th St)
They've got more sustainable goods than you can shake a stick at. Plus, I hear they've opened a bigger store with even more selection.

Buy in Brooklyn Snowflake Celebration
On Thursday, December 11th, check out the deals offered at Brooklyn businesses (here's the list of participants)

Union Square Holiday Market
Union Square
Holiday goodies abound... just be sure to go on off hours (or rainy days) to avoid the crowds.

Young Designer's Market
268 Mulberry St (btwn Houston & Prince)
Jewelry, vintage duds, and knitwear -- just some of the locally designed items you'll find at the market.

Edge*nyNOHO
65 Bleecker St (btwn B'way & Lafayette)
A modern day agora in a store front on Bleecker St featuring a range of products from local artisans.

Organic Avenue
101 Stanton St (btwn Orchard & Ludlow)
You'll find all kinds of treats here: organic, raw, and vegan edibles; books; cosmetics; and even some organic clothing items.

Kaight
83 Orchard St (btwn Grand & Broome)
Cool eco fashion and jewelry, in a friendly down-to-earth atmosphere.

Gominyc
443 E 6th St (btwn Ave A and 1st)
More eco duds for your favorite earth-loving fashionista.


and don't forget to BYOB!

eco holiday gift guide: for the philanthropist

You know who they are, the person who says "I don't want any gifts, please!" Honor their wishes and get them the gift of compassion and good will.



Heifer International
Gift a goat (or other charitable gift) for a family in need



Oxfam Unwrapped
Invest in a small business, to help someone get started in the right direction



Center for Biological Diversity
Support their cause by making a donation in the recipient's name



The Nature Conservancy
Adopt an acre in the US or plant trees in Brazil in their name



Environmental Working Group
Get a Pollution Solutions Holiday Gift Bag when you donate



World Wildlife Fund
Adopt an endangered animal (symbolically, of course)



Farm Sanctuary
Adopt a farm animal like Susie Moo, here (you don't get to take her home)



Global Giving
A gift card so the recipient can decide where their donation will go
(Choose the email version to save resources!)


Or find their favorite cause on Charity Navigator.


Related post
more philanthropic gift giving