Traditionally the good news follows the bad news to smooth over any ill feelings left over from the latter. Sorry for monkeying with tradition.
The bad news in this case has to do with the tinkering of the Endangered Species Act by a certain unpopular president (do I have to sully this blog with his name?). You know who I'm talking about. Well this is what he's gone and done: propose said Act be overhauled to let federal agencies, not independent scientific review, determine if protected species are put at risk by "government projects." That's right. As Bob Irvin, of Defenders of Wildlife, put it, "Clearly, that's a case of asking the fox to guard the chicken coop."
From the Washington Post:
The new rules, which will be subject to a 30-day per comment period, would use administrative powers to make broad changes in the law that Congress has resisted for years. Under current law, agencies must subject any plans that potentially affect endangered animals and plants to an independent review by the Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service. Under the proposed new rules, dam and highway construction and other federal projects could proceed without delay if the agency in charge decides they would not harm vulnerable species.
Okay, so there is some good news here.
You can give the administration a piece of your mind! Don't let the current administration mess with the Endangered Species Act. Sign this letter to your representatives. (It's easy, just click the link and fill in your info. Defenders of Wildlife will do the rest.)
15 August 2008
endangered species act in danger
recent environmental victories
It's nice to hear some good eco news once in a while, so here's a round-up of recent wins for the environment -- from renewable energy to habitat conservation.
US renewable energy market on the upswing despite sluggish economy [World Watch Institute]
The accelerated growth of renewable energy projects is a response to the powerful combination of high energy prices and growing state government support. In addition, fears that Congress will not renew the federal tax credits before they expire at the end of this year have led developers to rush to connect their projects to the grid by December 31. The tax credits are crucial for renewables industries to remain competitive with the fossil fuel industries that receive regular government support.
Chevy Volt design to be ready for mid-September [Reuters]
GM has been racing to finish development of the Volt in time for its planned launch in 2010. The Volt is the centerpiece of GM's effort to move away from large SUVs, as truck sales tumble and gasoline prices remain high.
Mega-resort denied in California due to greenhouse-gas limit concerns [Center for Biological Diversity]
“Business-as-usual sprawl is devastating to our climate and local environment,” said [Center for Biological Diversity Attorney Jonathan] Evans. “Building smarter with today's green technology buildings is a major part of solving the climate crisis.”
Restricted roads remain closed in Death Valley National Park [Center for Biological Diversity]
According to [conservation] groups, Greenwater Canyon, Greenwater Valley and Last Chance Canyon will be preserved. Those areas are home to prehistoric sites, desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, cougars, deer, coyotes, badgers, various plants and scenic landscape.
Some whales rebounding after 1980s hunting ban [Reuters]
"The large whales, the commercially important ones, have for the most part responded well under protection," he said. The [International Union for Conservation of Nature] groups governments, scientists and conservationists.
The world imposed a moratorium on all hunts in 1986 after many species were driven towards extinction by decades of exploitation for meat, oil and whalebone. Japan, Norway and Iceland still hunt minke whales, arguing they are plentiful.
14 August 2008
why is this man holding a purse?
Funny, it doesn't look like a murse. Maybe he's holding it for his girlfriend. Oh, wait, I get it, power and technology are manly and women like purses and burly man muscles.
Despite this odd choice in marketing, the Power Purse is a great idea.
Portable solar power isn't just for the guys anymore. Like the Reware Juice Bag or Voltaic Systems Bags, the Power Purse lets you charge mobile phones and other small devices on the go. Features of the purse include: internal female port for charging, charging status indicator, clear acrylic handles, and lightweight flexible construction. Plus the bag stores a charge for later use.
The Power Purse is set to launch this fall.
[Solarjo via Fibre2Fashion and Crunch Gear]
beat nausea without drugs
Sea-sickness, car-sickness, morning-sickness -- or anything else that makes you feel pukey -- Psi Bands can help alleviate. They're reusable, adjustable, and come in cute colors and patterns. The best part is they're clinically proven to relieve nausea through acupressure, and without medication. Anti-nausea meds tend to have their own host of side effects, and anytime you can avoid taking drugs to treat a problem is all the better for your health (and the planet).
Bonus: The makers of Psi Bands support various charities and health-related causes.
You can get your own here.
best bulb yet?
Sure CFLs save loads of energy, but you have to admit, the light they cast is seriously drab, giving everyone and everything in their path a death-like pallor. LEDs are constantly improving, but they're not really affordable. Thankfully, there's a new light bulb that's ultra-efficient, cost-effective, and warmly glowing on the horizon.
Electron-stimulated Luminescence
(ESL, not to be confused with English as a second language)
It looks like an old incandescent bulb, but you won't find a filament inside it. The ESL, brand name Vu1, works by stimulating phosphor to make the surface of the bulb glow. And unlike CFLs, these bulbs don't need mercury to work. The Vu1 is also made utilizing glass from existing materials, i.e., glass from regular light bulb manufacturers.
ESLs are as energy efficient as CFLs, but they provide superio
r light quality. The price will be comparable to dimmable CFLs at about $12 and they might be available as early as September. Check out the differences between light technologies, at right. [Source: Vu1 Corporation]
[Vu1 via CleanTechnica]
13 August 2008
NOxious fumes
Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, are highly reactive gases that are emitted from cars and other machinery, contributing to a range of environmental hazards. NOx-attributed detriments include:
- Smog
- Acid rain
- Air particulates (not so great for us lung-breathers)
- Water pollution
- Climate change
- Biological mutations via chemical reactions
Well in Madrid, Spain, they've figured out a way to help contain NOx emissions right where they occur the most -- on the road. The newly laid asphalt paving Spanish streets includes a mix that includes titanium dioxide called "noxer." Titanium dioxide is a photocatalyst that uses sun to capture NOx and render the oxides harmless, leaving only nitrate ions. These ions are then either washed away by rain or are stored within the pavement.
The city claims that up to 90% of NOx can be recaptured on a sunny day.
How noxer works:
[Source: Wikipedia]
1. Ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by the titanium dioxide, which causes the photolysis of water into superoxide ions and hydroxyl radicals.
2. Nitrogen oxides react with the superoxide ions and the hydroxyl radicals to form nitrate ions.
3. The nitrate ions are absorbed into the block and form stable compounds.
[Europa Press via autobloggreen]
urban homesteading: part 2
The second part in a series of city farmers. Read part 1.
The Dervaes Family, Pasadena, California
Jules Dervaes thought his home in Pasadena on 1/5 of an acre was a "stopping-off" point before finding more acreage in order to get back to the land, to live the way our forefathers did. But something changed in Jules when he learned that genetically modified agriculture was making its way onto our dinner plates. He decided his family needed to be self-sufficient, and that they would do it with the little bit of land that they had.
What started as a way to feed themselves through subsistence farming has turned into a way of life for the Dervaes'. Despite its city setting in Pasadena, the Dervaes' family farm is a self-contained feeding operation -- they produce enough to feed themselves as well as supplying local restaurants with fresh produce. And it's all done off the grid.
Solar panels, hand-cranked and pedal-powered appliances, a solar oven, and other energy-conserving methods sustain their cost-saving, low-impact lifestyle.
The family employs livestock, but not for eating, as they are vegetarians. They use and sell eggs from their ducks and chickens. They have pygmy goats for milking, plus rabbits and bees.
This urban homesteading project, Path to Freedom, demonstrates that we can all do more to make our lives more sustainable, and more meaningful.
Read more about how Jules Dervaes achieved self-sufficiency for his family.
Listen to a feature about the Dervaes' farm on NPR.
Watch a 10-minute video about their way of living:
12 August 2008
for the babes
Organic cotton -- grown without toxic pesticides and fertilizers -- is ideal for babies' sensitive skin. And there are so many options available now in clothing and bedding, there's no need to settle for conventional cotton.
cute onesies
Happy Print Body Suit by Positively Organic ($19)
Great prints in a rainbow of colors, made with environmentally friendly inks and dyes
adorable accessories
Navy Stripes Cap and Booties by Sckoon ($13 each)
toys and teething
Bear Blanket Toy, Organic Veggie Set, and Bumble Bee Teething Ring by Under the Nile ($12.47, $23.95, and $7.40, respectively)
Happy Lion and Navy Stripe Bear by Sckoon ($14 and $12, respectively)
They're even stuffed with organic cotton, too!
bedding
No Compromise Crib Mattress by Naturepedic ($259)
100% polyethylene and US-grown organic cotton -- no PVC, phthalates, biocides, foam, or latex; Made in USA
Fitted Crib Sheet, Crib Blanket/Play Mat, and Swaddle Blankets by Under the Nile ($21.98, $30.36, and $25.90, respectively)
Fair trade, organic Egyptian cotton; made with low-impact dyes
Nature's Purest Sleepy Safari Pillow and 4-piece Crib Set and Receiving Blanket by Summer Infant ($22.99, $194.63, and $27.99 respectively)
Cute elephant pillow and crib set made from organically grown, naturally dyed cotton
for the baby bum
Breathable Diaper Cover or Cloth Diaper by Sckoon ($24 and $14.90, respectively)
Organic Cotton Baby Wipes by Natracare
Free from harsh detergents, petroleum, sodium laureth/laurel sulfate, parabens, etc. so you can be sure your baby's tush is not awash in toxins
11 August 2008
urban homesteading: part 1
There are a bunch of courageous, motivated, and maybe a bit crazy (which in this case I admire!), people returning to an agrarian way of life. What's different about some of these folks is that they live in an urban setting. In the next few days, I'll tell you about these brave souls venturing into a life of city farming.
In those giddy, delusionally hopeful first days, as The Farm took shape in my mind, I had occasional moments of clarity. I realized, for example, that there are things I need that I could never grow. So I allowed myself what I considered three reasonable exemptions: salt, pepper, and coffee beans. Beyond that, I identified dairy, cooking oil, and bread as the biggest conundrums. Because it was March already, it was too late to plant wheat, which has a winter growing season. Okay, no bread. As for dairy: It is illegal to have a cow or a goat in New York City, but I figured I could at least hide a goat in the garage. Was it worth the risk? Cheese would be nice, but have you ever put goat’s milk in your coffee? Black seemed the way to go. Finally, cooking oil: I didn’t have enough garden space for all the plants I’d need to produce vegetable oil, so I’d have to make do with animal fat of some kind. A pig, maybe? Duck fat was another good possibility—I could confit everything.Read the whole story.
put on a happy face
Recently I got a request from a reader to write about makeup. While I usually go au naturale, I want to spread the word about makeup that isn't harmful. So here's a rundown of some of the safest face paint around (BTW, it's all cruelty free, too).
For the face
- Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Blush by Physicians Formula
Free of synthetic ingredients, harsh chemicals, and synthetic fragrances, and includes some organic ingredients (16%); available in 6 colors - Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Bronzer by Physicians Formula
See blush description above - Naked Minerals Pressed Mineral Foundation Duo
Natural mineral-based makeup made without synthetic stuff; contains SPF 15 in a non-chemical form - Logona Liquid Foundation
Paraben-, phthalate-, and petroleum free, and no synthetic fragrances, colors, or preservatives
For the eyes
- Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Eye Shadow Duo by Physicians Formula
This little beautifying duo is tailored to your eye color, available in 4 color sets - Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Eyeliner by Physicians Formula
All natural just like the other Organic Wear products, and safe for contact wearers and sensitive eyes - Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Mascara
No petroleum or parabens, water-resistant, clump proof, and safe for sensitive eyes - Honeybee Gardens Passage to India Mineral Eye Shadow
Mineral-based, none of the artificial junk, comes in a plethora of pretty colors
For the lips
- Primitive Makeup Company Lipstick
Makers of this product claim that, unlike other natural lipsticks, this one goes on smooth and creamy; available in a multitude of colors - Eternal Equity Lip Gloss by PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics
Not only is this gloss free from nasty chems, $1 of each tube sold goes to help women who earn less than $1 a day - Paint Me Content Lip Paint by PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics
Another one from PeaceKeeper, proceeds go to women's causes - Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Lip Veil by Physicians Formula
Like the name suggests, this 3-in-1 lip balm/gloss/stick has no synthetic ingredients and it's all organic with a minty, lemony zing - Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer (Guava flavor)
Petroleum free, all natural, sweet tastin' goodness for your lips
To take it all off
- Eyebright Eye Makeup Remover by Farmaesthetics
It doesn't just take off makeup without chemicals, it helps reduce puffiness and inflammation around the eye with chamomile and sweet almond oil - MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil by Boscia
Peppermint and eucalyptus refreshing, while green tea, rose hip, and golden palm oils help remove dirt and makeup - Organic Essentials Cotton Balls
Wipe it off with organic cotton balls
Not sure if your makeup is harmful?
Check out b-cause's list of ingredients to avoid.
potty time
What better way to chase away those Monday blues, butt with some good ol' fashion potty humor?
Treehugger list the top 5 green-ass videos
(see one below)
EnviroGadget reports on the Shit Box (no joke!)
10 August 2008
keeping it clean in bed
Okay, I'm about to get personal. It's time for new sheets. After a few years of use, my old conventional cotton sheets are wearing thin. So of course I'm going to seek out bedding made from sustainable fabrics, or at the very least, sheets that aren't full of chemicals or contributing to pollution.
I thought this would be an easy quest. How hard is it to buy sheets? Surely there aren't that many choices to make when it comes to eco-friendly bedding. Wrong!
First, one needs to consider the fabric. And it's not just a choice between organic cotton and bamboo (or peace silk if you're fancy). I've decided to look for 100% organic cotton, since there's still a lot of controversy surrounding the processing of bamboo into fabric (read about the pros and cons of bamboo here, here or here).
Next, just like traditional sheets, there are a variety of weaves to choose from -- percale, sateen, jersey, flannel, etc. I prefer the smoother feel of sateen over the crispness of percale or the t-shirt like feel of jersey.
And then there's thread count. Most of the organic cotton sheets I found were around 230 to 250 thread count. The benefit of a lower thread count is durability, but if you like a softer sheet, generally you'd want a higher count -- 300 or above.
There's also color. And how the fabric is dyed contributes to its eco-worthiness. Some organic cotton is color grown. Many organic cotton sheets are left natural or bleached white using low-impact bleaching. The rest of the reputable brands use low-impact or natural dyes.
So here's what I found (all 100% organic cotton, all prices for queen size set):
- Coyuchi Percale Sheets ($168)
230 thread count (also available in 250 sateen), undyed, available in white or natural - Native Organic Sateen Sheets ($160)
240 thread count; undyed; available in cafe, white, or natural - Under the Canopy Sateen Sheets ($150)
250 thread count, low-impact dyes, available in a variety of colors - The Company Store Sateen Sheets ($109)
250-thread count, low-impact dyes, available in a variety of colors - West Elm Sateen Sheets (on sale $69.99 for queen set)
250 thread count, low-impact dyes, available in a variety of colors
[Source: The Green Guide]
08 August 2008
taking a li'l break
Just wanted to let you know I'll be resting my typing fingers for a few days.
Have a great weekend!
