Just 300 of these(chemical) plants put a third of Americans at risk.
>>>CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION<<<
Take Action!
Help Greenpeace urge President Obama to prevent chemical disasters! Deadly chemical spills happen way too often and they put many citizens at risk. This could result in thousands of fatalities in a matter of hours.
>>>CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION<<<
>>>CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION<<<
REDUCE , REUSE , RECYCLE !!
Dear fashionistas,
Are you a go green advocate feeling down about how much energy it takes to produce the clothes that you wear? Are you wondering how to recycle your clothes? Well, go somewhere you can be unique, fashionable and environmentally friendly all at the same time. Go to THRIFT STORES!!
By going to thrift stores you can,
1)REDUCE energy use to make more clothing.
2)REUSE vintage clothing.
3)RECYCLE old materials!
Thifting is the best way to shop eco-friendly. It is all about "supply and demand". The higher the demand is for newer clothing, the more clothing will be supplied/produced. However, with the increase of popularity in "thrifting", the demand could be cut down. Every little bit helps do not ever think that your bit cannot make a difference.
Are you a go green advocate feeling down about how much energy it takes to produce the clothes that you wear? Are you wondering how to recycle your clothes? Well, go somewhere you can be unique, fashionable and environmentally friendly all at the same time. Go to THRIFT STORES!!
By going to thrift stores you can,
1)REDUCE energy use to make more clothing.
2)REUSE vintage clothing.
3)RECYCLE old materials!
Thifting is the best way to shop eco-friendly. It is all about "supply and demand". The higher the demand is for newer clothing, the more clothing will be supplied/produced. However, with the increase of popularity in "thrifting", the demand could be cut down. Every little bit helps do not ever think that your bit cannot make a difference.
Random Acts of Environmentalism
When I can bring awareness to my friends about the environmental issues, I feel as though I am doing my job. So, I love receiving text messages about environmental things they come across. Here is a photo a friend of mine sent to me saying that it reminded her of me. Her coworkers in her office recycled six pretzel containers into pots for plants! How resourceful? 
Winter Fruits and Vegetables
Be environmentally friendly and only eat SEASONAL produce. You can even go a step further and buy from your local farmers markets grown from your very own city!
Here's a list of seasonal winter produce;
BEETS are in season in temperate climates fall through spring, and available from storage most of the year everywhere else. Fresh beets are often sold with their greens still attached.
BELGIAN ENDIVE are mostly "forced" to grow in artificial conditions, and are thus available year-round. Their traditional season (when grown in fields and covered with sand to keep out the light), like that of all chicories, is late fall and winter.
BROCCOLI, like many cruciferous vegetables, can be grown year-round in temperate climates so we've forgotten it even has a season. But, like the rest of its family, it tastes best (that is, more sweet, less bitter and sharp) when harvested in the cooler temperatures of fall in most climates.
BROCCOLI RAABE/RAPINI is a more bitter, leafier vegetable than its cousin, broccoli, but likes similar cool growing conditions.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS grow on a stalk, and if you see them for sale that way snap them up - they'll last quite a bit longer than once they're cut.
CABBAGE is bright and crisp when raw and mellows and sweetens the longer it's cooked. The cooler the weather in grows in, the sweeter it tends to taste (this effect is called "frost kissed").
CARDOONS taste a lot like artichokes; look for firm, heavy-feeling specimens.
CARROTS are available from winter storage from local growers in many areas, and fresh in warmer and temperate regions.
CAULIFLOWER may be grown, harvested, and sold year-round, but it is by nature a cool weather crop and at its best in fall and winter and into early spring.
CELERIAC/CELERY ROOT is at its best in the cooler months of fall, winter, and early spring (except in cold climates, where you'll find it during the summer and early fall).
CELERY is at its best in the fall, with its harvest continuing through winter in warm and temperate climates.
CHICORIES are cool weather crops that come into season in late fall (and last in temperate climates through early spring).
CLEMENTINES are small, sweet orange available from December through the winter.
CURLY ENDIVE/FRISÉE is a chicory at its best in fall and winter.
ESCAROLE is another bitter chicory in season fall and winter.
FENNEL has a natural season from fall through early spring. Like most cool weather crops, the plant bolts and turns bitter in warmer weather.
GRAPEFRUIT from California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona comes into season in January and stays sweet and juicy into early summer.
HERBS (from hothouses in cooler climates)
HORSERADISH is at its best in fall and winter. Like so many other root vegetables, however, it stores well and is often available in decent shape well into spring.
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES/SUNCHOKES are brown nubs, that look a bit like small pieces of fresh ginger. Look for firm tubers with smooth, tan skins in fall and winter.
KALE is like all hearty cooking greens - cooler weather keeps it sweet.
KIWIS grow on vines and are harvested winter through springing warmer and temperate areas.
KOHLRABI (late fall) comes into season by the end of fall, but stays at its sweet best into winter.
KUMQUATS (late) are teeny tiny citrus fruit that are completely edible – peel and all. Try them out-of-hand or added to salads.
LEEKS more than about 1 1/2 inches wide tend to have tough inner cores. The top green leaves should look fresh - avoid leeks with wilted tops.
LEMONS AND MEYER LEMONS tend to be at their best winter and spring.
MANDARINS are sweet and juicy in winter.
ONIONS (storage)
ORANGES add sunny brightness to winter eating.
PARSNIPS look like white carrots and have a great nutty flavor. Look for thinner parsnips, since fatter ones tend to have a thick, woody core you need to cut out.
PEARS have a season that runs from mid-summer well into winter, depending on the variety and region.
PERSIMMONS are available for a short window in the fall and early winter - look for bright, heavy-feeling fruits.
POMMELOS are large, sunny grapefruit-like fruits.
POTATOES (storage)
RADICCHIO, like all chicories, radicchio is more sweet and less bitter when the weather is cool.
RADISHES (large varieties)
SWEET POTATOES are often sold as "yams." They store very well and so are available from local sources year-round in warmer areas and otherwise from late summer through winter.
TANGERINES are oranges' sweeter, more honeyed cousins. As with all citrus fruit, look for specimens that feel heavy for their size.
TURNIPS have a bad rap they don't deserve. Fresh turnips have a sharp but bright and sweet flavor. Look for turnips that feel heavy for their size.
WINTER SQUASH of all sorts comes into season in early fall and usually last well into winter.
Here's a list of seasonal winter produce;
BEETS are in season in temperate climates fall through spring, and available from storage most of the year everywhere else. Fresh beets are often sold with their greens still attached.
BELGIAN ENDIVE are mostly "forced" to grow in artificial conditions, and are thus available year-round. Their traditional season (when grown in fields and covered with sand to keep out the light), like that of all chicories, is late fall and winter.
BROCCOLI, like many cruciferous vegetables, can be grown year-round in temperate climates so we've forgotten it even has a season. But, like the rest of its family, it tastes best (that is, more sweet, less bitter and sharp) when harvested in the cooler temperatures of fall in most climates.
BROCCOLI RAABE/RAPINI is a more bitter, leafier vegetable than its cousin, broccoli, but likes similar cool growing conditions.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS grow on a stalk, and if you see them for sale that way snap them up - they'll last quite a bit longer than once they're cut.
CABBAGE is bright and crisp when raw and mellows and sweetens the longer it's cooked. The cooler the weather in grows in, the sweeter it tends to taste (this effect is called "frost kissed").
CARDOONS taste a lot like artichokes; look for firm, heavy-feeling specimens.
CARROTS are available from winter storage from local growers in many areas, and fresh in warmer and temperate regions.
CAULIFLOWER may be grown, harvested, and sold year-round, but it is by nature a cool weather crop and at its best in fall and winter and into early spring.
CELERIAC/CELERY ROOT is at its best in the cooler months of fall, winter, and early spring (except in cold climates, where you'll find it during the summer and early fall).
CELERY is at its best in the fall, with its harvest continuing through winter in warm and temperate climates.
CHICORIES are cool weather crops that come into season in late fall (and last in temperate climates through early spring).
CLEMENTINES are small, sweet orange available from December through the winter.
CURLY ENDIVE/FRISÉE is a chicory at its best in fall and winter.
ESCAROLE is another bitter chicory in season fall and winter.
FENNEL has a natural season from fall through early spring. Like most cool weather crops, the plant bolts and turns bitter in warmer weather.
GRAPEFRUIT from California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona comes into season in January and stays sweet and juicy into early summer.
HERBS (from hothouses in cooler climates)
HORSERADISH is at its best in fall and winter. Like so many other root vegetables, however, it stores well and is often available in decent shape well into spring.
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES/SUNCHOKES are brown nubs, that look a bit like small pieces of fresh ginger. Look for firm tubers with smooth, tan skins in fall and winter.
KALE is like all hearty cooking greens - cooler weather keeps it sweet.
KIWIS grow on vines and are harvested winter through springing warmer and temperate areas.
KOHLRABI (late fall) comes into season by the end of fall, but stays at its sweet best into winter.
KUMQUATS (late) are teeny tiny citrus fruit that are completely edible – peel and all. Try them out-of-hand or added to salads.
LEEKS more than about 1 1/2 inches wide tend to have tough inner cores. The top green leaves should look fresh - avoid leeks with wilted tops.
LEMONS AND MEYER LEMONS tend to be at their best winter and spring.
MANDARINS are sweet and juicy in winter.
ONIONS (storage)
ORANGES add sunny brightness to winter eating.
PARSNIPS look like white carrots and have a great nutty flavor. Look for thinner parsnips, since fatter ones tend to have a thick, woody core you need to cut out.
PEARS have a season that runs from mid-summer well into winter, depending on the variety and region.
PERSIMMONS are available for a short window in the fall and early winter - look for bright, heavy-feeling fruits.
POMMELOS are large, sunny grapefruit-like fruits.
POTATOES (storage)
RADICCHIO, like all chicories, radicchio is more sweet and less bitter when the weather is cool.
RADISHES (large varieties)
SWEET POTATOES are often sold as "yams." They store very well and so are available from local sources year-round in warmer areas and otherwise from late summer through winter.
TANGERINES are oranges' sweeter, more honeyed cousins. As with all citrus fruit, look for specimens that feel heavy for their size.
TURNIPS have a bad rap they don't deserve. Fresh turnips have a sharp but bright and sweet flavor. Look for turnips that feel heavy for their size.
WINTER SQUASH of all sorts comes into season in early fall and usually last well into winter.
Good looking out FedEx :)
My favorite restaurant, BusBoys and Poets in DC has a green menu!
I always pick up the reusable cloth bags from the grocery store. You should too!
I found this baby in my hotel room. Marriott hotels are going green too :)
My favorite restaurant, BusBoys and Poets in DC has a green menu!
I always pick up the reusable cloth bags from the grocery store. You should too!
I found this baby in my hotel room. Marriott hotels are going green too :)
Boxed Water
How amazing is this? Boxed Water.
Check out the facts I pulled from the website;
- The Boxed Water container is far more sustainable than plastic bottled water. About 76% of the box is from a renewable resource, trees.
- The trees used to make our box come from certified, well managed forests. These forests remain healthy and stable through ongoing replanting while removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
- We ship our boxes flat to our filler which is significantly more efficient compared to shipping empty plastic or glass bottles to be filled.
- Our boxes are recyclable where facilities exist. The Carton Council is continuously adding new carton recycling facilities throughout the US. Please visit www.recyclecartons.com to learn more. Also, our box is easily flattened to its original state taking up less space in landfills.
- We really care about the world's water supply. 10% of our profit is donated to world water relief foundations. We feel anyone who consumes our product is in a privileged position and it's important that part of their spending goes to help those who are not as privileged. Just makes sense, doesn't it?
- We really care about the trees. So much so that we donate yet another 10% of our profit to reforestation foundations. So when you're drinking this water, you're helping to plant more trees and protect our forests, strengthening mother nature's lungs.
Unfortunately, Bottled Water is not sold everywhere. The only states they are sold in are California, Michigan, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin. Go here to find out exactly whats stores they are sold in in these states.
If you do live in a state selling Bottled Water, I encourage you to make the move in purchasing them. GO GREEN!
Apple Soars Greenest Electronics
Obviously everyone loves their Apple Products whether it is an iPod, iPhone or computer. Fortunately, this popular brand scores high in Greenpeaces "Greener Electronics". On this list, Apple holds down a number 5 spot on Greenpeace's list of 15. HP, Dell and Nokia were right ahead of Apple products. Check out the Apple Report Card.
I'm not sold on the whole Apple movement as of yet. Maybe when they score higher, I'll be all in! If they want to be the number 1 electronics product, they should be the leader in sustainable products.
image credit; thewwwblog.com
Eco-Friendly Air Freshner
Recently, I have been shopping around for apartments in DC so I am playing interior decorator now. I love walking into a room and having it smell really fresh. So I started to think, what is the most environmentally friendly way to keep your home smelling nice?
Plug-ins cant be that environmentally friendly being that it constantly uses electricity being that you have to actually plug it in.
Spray cans just do not sit too well with me because you're spraying chemicals into the air. And they only work for a couple minutes anyway.
So I did some research :)
Alternative ways to freshen up your home the environmentally friendly way
I hoped this helped you as much as it helped me! Try them out and let me know how it goes. :)
peace.
So I did some research :)
Alternative ways to freshen up your home the environmentally friendly way
- Closet & House Odor Absorbers; these tiny pebble looking minerals are nontoxic and they completely erase odor problems in the home. They are in cute little bags that you simply hang up and let the magic happen. They deodorize about 600 square feet of space! Get them here.
- Candles; with all natural ingredients. Check these out!
- Sani-Mate; this not only deodorizes your home but also purifies the air. Its like an air sanitizer. Unfortunately, you do have to plug it in however, it is energy efficient. The great thing about this product is that it kills bacteria, viruses, molds, chemicals, smoke, allergens and ordors in the air! However, this is ideal for small spaces such as bathrooms. This needs no replacement parts like filters! Get this here.
- Scented oils; these are my favorite! Bath and Body Works have the best ones in my experience. Oils sent the home really fast and its lasting. You have to purchase an oil warmer first though which are always fun because they are so cute! Check these babies out.
- Potpourri; is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant material, used to provide a gentle natural scent in houses. My mother used these when i was younger. I remember her boiling them on the stove and the house just smelled like amazing flowers. This really works! You can even make your own. Or get some here.
- Open a window! Nothing is fresher than natural air (depending on where you live). Keeping a window open filters your home and lets all the toxins out while neutralizing your homes air.
I hoped this helped you as much as it helped me! Try them out and let me know how it goes. :)
peace.
Durham, NC Recycling
I've had a couple requests on blogging about recycling. So I have done some research about my hometown (Durham, NC) recycling laws. I found this law to be pretty interesting that I am sure the majority had no clue about;
In 1997 Durham passed an ordinance making it unlawful to place target recyclables in the garbage
Target recyclables include:
- Aluminum cans
- Steel cans
- Glass bottles and jars
- Newspaper
- Plastic bottles
- Corrugated cardboard
Since October 2009, it is against the law to throw away plastic bottles in Durham, NC.
"It'll help us reduce waste going to the landfills. Obviously, it'll help us recover a valuable material," said state recycling director Scott Mouw.
70,000 tons of plastic ends up in the state's landfills each year. About 20 percent gets recycled.
Admittedly, recycling laws are hard to enforce so the law goes to "good faith". If caught, violators will face fines.
Recycling reduces dependancy on landfills and incinerations which in turn reduces litter, air and water pollution. Recycling also
Also, methane is generated from landfills which is a known greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. Landfills are the leading cause of methane production.
Recycling provides many benefits from economics to environmental. Recycling is the best waste management for waste reduction.
Fun Facts!
"We consume today 12 times as much as we consumed 100 years ago, putting an immense pressure on the planet's resources."
-@InjusticeFacts
Environmental disaster strikes New Zealand.
An oil spill from a stranded cargo ship off New Zealand is the country's worst environmental disaster in decades, the government says.
An oil spill has stricken New Zealand Wednesday, October 5 and it is said to get significantly worse. The Liberian ship "Rena" ran upon a reef causing the oil to ooze out of the vessel. "Rena" holds 1,700 tons of oil aboard the ship. So far, 350 tons (thats 700,000 pounds) of oil has leaked out. And it will get worse in days to come. Mount Maunganui beach was the first location to have the oil wash up on shore.
"This event has come to a stage where it is New Zealand's most significant maritime environmental disaster," he told a news briefing in Tauranga.
The ship has stalled on the Astrolabe Reef which has a fragile environment and marine life including plants and animals. Obviously, much of the marine life has been destroyed due to our selfish greed. This disaster is the worst environmental disaster to hit New Zealand in decades.
Help has been sent to "clean up" the tremendous amount of oil that has spilled. However, if the boat(which is being used to help contain the oil) breaks, all the recovered oil could leak out into the ocean once again. Cleaning up after an oil spill is a messy job and is basically impossible. Even cleaning up the oil has proven to be dangerous. Cleaning up after an oil spill has left workers from the BP oil spill with mysterious illnesses. So not only are we putting the livelyhood of marine life in danger, but also the people who clean up the mess.
Check out this video;
This video was created last year to end oil exploration in New Zealand. Sign the petition.
WE MUST INVEST IN RENEWABLE ENERGY AND WEEN OURSELVES OFF OF HARMFUL OIL FOR FUEL!!
Tainted water in NC
Spring Lake, NC (Cumberland County) previously issued out an alert about the tainted water supply. Apparently the water contains dangerous bacteria such as E-Coli and fecal mater. If you did use the tap water, it was suggested that you boil it before using it. Restaurants closed down and the water supply was shut off.
This goes to show how dangerous water pollution is. Tap water itself is not good for you. Yes, water goes through a thorough filtration process but still, that does not make the water pure. Incidents like this happen all too often.
To be on the safe side, you should purchase a detachable water filtration for you faucet. This will enable your faucet to go through another filtration process. Better safe than sorry. You can purchase these anywhere from you local grocery store to Target and Wal-Mart. They do not cost that much either. Water filters are even better than water bottles which have proven to be unhealthy as well. Besides, water filters for your faucet is eco-friendly in the sense that you no longer need to purchase water bottles for "fresh water" so more plastics are kept out of the trash.
Since the discovery, Spring Lake has lifted the alert early Sunday so the water is safe.
This goes to show how dangerous water pollution is. Tap water itself is not good for you. Yes, water goes through a thorough filtration process but still, that does not make the water pure. Incidents like this happen all too often.
To be on the safe side, you should purchase a detachable water filtration for you faucet. This will enable your faucet to go through another filtration process. Better safe than sorry. You can purchase these anywhere from you local grocery store to Target and Wal-Mart. They do not cost that much either. Water filters are even better than water bottles which have proven to be unhealthy as well. Besides, water filters for your faucet is eco-friendly in the sense that you no longer need to purchase water bottles for "fresh water" so more plastics are kept out of the trash.
Since the discovery, Spring Lake has lifted the alert early Sunday so the water is safe.
DC Fashion Week ; Green Edition
DC's Fashion Week is here !!
Eco Fashion Designers who are gracing the streets of DC.
- Aidah Collection
- Elizabeth St John
- Kelly Tang
- Natalia Sanz
The Eco Fashion Show premiered Monday, September 19, 2011 and was sponsored by Inova & Perkins + Will.
Tuesday, September 20 premiered the "Second Lives: the Age-Old Art of Recycling Textiles". This highlighted how people from different cultures have efficiently repurposed worn fabrics to create beautiful new textiles. This took place at the Textile Museum.
If I would have known there were going to be eco-fashion, I would have made it my mission to attend!
Pipeline Explosion in Kenya kills 75
75 Kenyans died last week due to a pipeline explosion in their neighborhood. Pipelines are popularly and dangerously used in the African communities in efforts to transport oil for production and consumption. It is no secret that the oil companies have no problem exploting the villages of Africa for their own greed. These pipeline are above ground and easily infiltrated.
a section of pipe had burst near the river that cuts through the slum and gasoline was pouring out. Men, women and children grabbed pails, jerry cans, anything they could find to collect the flowing fuel.
Mwangi had planned to get a bucket and join them - he'd done so before with earlier diesel leaks without any problem, he said, and a bucket of fuel could pay a month's rent. "Everybody knows that fuel is gold," the 34-year-old said.
The "importance" of oil to corporations is clear. This goes to show the dangers of the oil industry. It is sad that innocent people lose their lives every day in order to obtain this "black gold". There is a flagrant disregard for the value of human life when it comes to oil. The oil companies are savages when it comes to obtaining this "gold".
Unfortunately, unnecessary situations like this happen everyday. The only alternative to oil, is alternative energy.
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