Recently by Emme
Who would have thought that air-quality issues would ever be an issue at an Olympic venue? But in fact, there looms a huge smog problem front and center during this year's Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Right up to this week (and counting), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is wondering if Beijing, the mega city that boasts 17 million people (many of whom, having left their farms, commute into the city for a chance for better pay and a better life), will follow through on its commitment for improved city air quality in time for the games. (Now the IOC has concerns about this?)
The plan was to enforce time restrictions on smog-producing traffic and factory emissions for the two months leading up to the games. But this proposal, which promised uncertain results at best, appears to be an insufficient solution. That a more comprehensive and definitive plan was not in place prior to the IOC granting the 2008 Games to Beijing baffles me. Obviously, it's far too late now, as the final details are falling into place and many athletes have begun their trek to Beijing for pre-Olympic acclimation training. Knowing that these world-class athletes train and compete most of their lives, often with the goal of achieving elite-level status and the opportunity to represent their countries in the prestigious Olympic Games, you would think that choosing the most optimal location would be a priority for the IOC. In the current scenario, there are no guarantees, and it appears that there are no checks and balances, just a promise and a prayer.
This is truly a lost opportunity for Beijing to secure its place on the global map as a visible mega city leader of clean air quality, self-sustainable industry and innovative organic farming. What a shame the cost of not doing so is so high and affects so many.
Let the Games begin!
While on vacation recently, my daughter and I decided we needed some relief from the sun, so we snuck away for an afternoon film about a trash compactor. I was hesitant, though, wondering of all things, what Hollywood would come up with next. However I was completely charmed! Two hours later and despite the fact that the first half of the film is silent, I didn't want it to end. My heart was touched as I was thrown into the world of WALL-E, a futuristic glimpse at a passionate, dutiful, savior-of-the-last-green-thing-on-the-planet trash compactor who was the last one on earth left to clean up the humans' mess. To say the least, I was riveted!
An Eery Similarity
Hats off to Pixar! Kids and adults alike were thrown messages that were easily digested. I pondered and used my imagination without being beaten over the head to "get it." From the looks of it in that theatre, we were all drawn in and taken away to a world that, interestingly enough, was not too far away from where we live today: personal high-tech devices in overdrive; fewer and fewer personal connections giving way to TV watching; epidemic nutritional concerns fueled by fast food at every meal; robot-like powerful and omnipresent characters; an environment (or lack thereof) in peril; computers running the world; and so on. Eerily, the similarities between film and real life continued to match up.
WALL-E grabbed me with his commitment to save the last bit of green life at all costs, even if his motivation was for the love of his life. During a skirmish between good and evil and when given the choice to save himself or the green plant, WALL-E chose to save the planet for the sake of humanity. Such selflessness is endearing in a character that doesn’t even have a real heart. The environment, incredible waste, choices we make in the name of love, lack of mindfulness, and standing up for something meaningful are just a few of the general themes fueling this sweet yet sadly reflective tale.
Time to Reboot
I walked away with a refreshed commitment to the environment. I will remind myself to walk or bike ride instead of driving the car to the store, and to run back into the house for my reusable cloth grocery bags when I forget them. I want to make these small efforts and more before our environmental problems spin further out of control. I hate needing to learn a lesson more than once. Do we need a major catastrophe or apocalypse as in WALL-E to change our current behavior?
For further validation, ask a child about the film and really listen to the response. When we were leaving the theater, my 6-year-old said, "We've really got to do something, Mom!" "You are absolutely right!" I replied emphatically. Since then, I have noticed a piqued awareness on her part. She has dutifully reminded me to turn off my car when idling for under a minute, turn off the water immediately when washing dishes and brushing teeth, and to roll down the car windows instead of turning on the AC. She and her friends are thinking, so why can't we? What is going to take to wake us up?
Without question, WALL-E is a must-see for those who need a reboot in order to reset their innate green button!
PLUS: See what iVillagers are saying about the movie!
A Food Fight of Epic Proportions
Before making a purchase at the market, do you ever stop to think about how it was grown or what quality assurances are in place? Well, I certainly have. Can it really be true that big business gets away with making record profits even at the cost of the consumer's health? How could this be?
Ever since my cancer diagnosis last year, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, listening and reading about all of this. Most recently, after a conversation with concerned mom Robyn O’Brien (AllergyKids.com), who's fighting to make food safer for our children and families, I was left slack-jawed by the information I was hearing. Here’s a mother of four allergy-ridden children who is right smack dab in the middle of a food fight of epic proportions that's only getting messier.
Demanding Disclosure
We really need to take control of this formidable situation. We should be reading more labels, demanding more complete disclosure, refusing to buy products that don't measure up, and discussing the "possible" contamination of our food supply for the gains of big business. Food is becoming less of a nutritional substance and more of a fabrication of what we once thought food was. Instead of fortifying us, it is often tearing us down, rendering our families sick—very sick.
So why are children developing autism, cancer and autoimmune disorders in record numbers? Scratch beneath the surface, and I bet you’ll be led right back to food and environmental conditions.
What can help? Eating clean, fresh, nutritious, non-chemically treated food. But not everyone can afford to “go organic” as the cost of food—especially chemical-free food—has skyrocketed. However, eating some organic is better than none, and why not drink RBGH-free milk products, for extra bonus points! One suggestion to keep the costs down is to figure out which foods you eat most frequently and make those your organic choices. Think of this investment as additional health insurance. In the long run, it can prove worth the additional expense when you save on a slew of medical bills!
Big Change
So what then? How can we bring our food back to the way it was a half-century ago? Well, big changes have to occur. Perhaps we need to separate the Food and Drug Administration into two agencies in order to ensure a secure line of checks and balances between the food industry and the drug industry. One should not feed off of the other. Any way you slice it, changes need to be made, and it all begins with a discussion and an acknowledgment of the problem.
To learn more, check out the movie The Future of Food, by Deborah Koons Garcia (2004).
Also on iVillage:
It's ridiculous! Why has it taken me so long to commit to riding my bike more consistently to the store, the gym, my daughter’s school, and our local pool? I’ve always done it on occasion, but I am embarrassed about how mindless I've been.
Knowing that small steps can lead to big and lasting change, it’s better late than never. For those of you who are scratching your heads in reaction to the current astronomical gas prices and the poignant realization of our over-reliance on the slick black stuff, it’s time to get the bicycle out from the back of the garage, pump up your tires, and make use of a fantastic alternate mode of local transportation.
It is definitely my time to step up my commitment to traveling locally by bicycle... but did I have to feel the increased need on the hottest days of the year thus far?! And when I get a passionate idea in my head, there’s no stopping me; I just do what I need to do, sweat and all. So my daughter and I have been gallivanting around town on my bike with the child extender and crocodile horn, encouraging each other to go faster and taking turns singing. We enjoy our time peddling together, have made it fun and have learned that if you go fast enough, you can catch a breeze, no matter how humid it may be. Gifts present themselves when you least expect them!
Happy peddling!
With the rising demand for ethanol and other biofuels in wealthy countries, including the U.S. and Great Britain, and the demand for a more protein-rich diet in developing countries like China, the world is struggling to cope with the enormity of the shift in supply and demand that has gradually been taking place over the past five years. Soaring world food prices have ignited protests and killings in Haiti and prompted violent outbursts in bread lines throughout Egypt. Worldwide international aid is scrambling to help poorer nations cope with the skyrocketing food prices that are now the result of low food reserves, higher energy prices and grain crops being converted to biofuel.
The effects of our living without regard to our gross amount of food waste and fuel consumption is finally catching up with us. Until we address accountability of our actions and realize that what we do over “here” affects people over “there,” the food/fuel crisis will continue to spiral out of control, taking us right down with it into poverty and malnutrition. Can that really happen? Let’s not test the water.
The good news is that because it is a situation we’ve created, we are the ones who can turn it around! It’s time we pick up the slack, tighten our belts and hunker down to some honest soul-searching by asking, “What is my part in all of this, and how can I make a difference?”
So here are some of the things I’ve come up with:
- First, whether making choices as a nation or as individuals, let’s remember Sir Isaac Newton’s theory of “every action has an equal and opposite reaction.”
- When it comes to buying food, make sure we buy only what we need in order to reduce spoilage waste.
- Globally, nations that supply the world with grain need to stop driving prices up by hoarding their reserves.
- Let’s support our local farmers with gusto! Farmers who are not government-subsidized need to stay in business in order to help ease the food burden as a whole.
- Globally, grand-scale assistance for small farmers in developing countries needs to be enacted to make sure they have seeds and fertilizer in order to expand production.
- Check in with the businesses and local establishments that you patronize to encourage them to recycle if they are not already doing so. And don’t forget the local schools! I am surprised at how few establishments in my hometown recycle, but I’m working on it. Remember that the adage “the squeaky wheel gets the oil” holds true, so keep at it!
- Last but not least, read all you can to educate yourself about biofuels and the current world hunger crisis. The two are related, and something’s got to give. Make it a priority to educate yourself and act on this important issue.
As a part of your research, you might want to check out WorldBank.org.
So as I continued to sit in stand-still traffic for more than an hour, and after a lovely conversation with the gal in the car behind me about an essential oil that takes away the sting of insect bites, I tuned the radio to NPR, which was doing a segment on gas consumption of all things! I listened intently, learning that not only are Western countries consuming more and more resources, but Third World countries are also consuming more. In India, China and Africa, more and more people are leaving their countryside lifestyles to get jobs in nearby cities, turning in their bikes for fuel-burning cars. The standard of living is increasing globally, and the world is feeling the effects of diminishing resources from the shift of supply and demand.
I do believe things happen for a reason, and for me, being a captive audience really forced me to listen and take notice. The timing could not have been more perfect, and I was listening.
We are fortunate to be living during a time of great opportunity, but we don’t always take full advantage of it. Let’s shift out of the current gotta-have-it-NOW mindset to a what-can-I-do-with-what-I-have thinking, and even carry it over into our businesses. My gym, for example, is thinking out of the box, now offering membership discounts for getting there on foot or by bike. What a great incentive idea! And from there, I’m sure more ideas will flow.
Story of Stuff
I have a new friend who lives on an island in Norway that is government-subsidized to explore and research new and different ways to live more environmentally sound and aware. She and her neighbors take the environment very seriously, and she shared a powerful video with me. I want you to watch it and absorb it. It takes 20 minutes, but I assure you, it will be well worth your time. Share it with your family, friends, email list, corporations, and municipality and government officials.
And please remember to leave guilt at the door. It does nothing but tear us down. Allow the video to prompt you to take a more proactive approach by doing your part to chisel away day in and day out, no matter how big or small the effort. Just as long as you do something, REGULARLY.
Check out StoryofStuff.com and let me know what you think!
As I reflected on my last blog about global warming, I decided that because the issue is so vital, I need to reinforce it today. But where to begin? I am led to a problem that has definitely hampered the implementation of the green movement: It’s difficult to make a difference when you don’t understand or feel personally connected to the issue.
Of course we all know the buzz words associated with global warming: gas emissions, toxic waste, recycling and so on. We also know that we need to respond to the growing crisis of the earth’s depleting natural resources that we rely on so heavily to sustain us in our increasingly complicated lives. But both are big concepts, and we sometimes fail to personally connect. There are innumerable articles and blogs (including my own) that address learning how to conserve, improving the environment, and going green. We offer examples and advice for do-it-yourselfers and even recommend businesses that specialize in helping us live a greener life, practically doing it for us! So let’s not allow ourselves to become too far removed from the issues, problems and consequences, and let’s start by really appreciating the very beautiful world that we are trying to save! Day in and day out, as we travel the fast-paced consumer lane of life, we feel immune to natural disasters that hit, twirl and shake the world, always “there” and never “here.”
Change—real change—takes place because we believe so deeply in something that we acknowledge the threat that, unless we act, it will likely go away. Until the pain of not changing pushes us, we won’t change.
So here’s an idea for the Memorial Day weekend that commemorates the many who have made the ultimate sacrifice in order to preserve the freedoms of our beautiful country: Why don't we dust off our old camping gear, campfire grills, hammocks and pocket knives, and reconnect with our beautiful green earth? If you’ve never camped or haven’t in years, now’s the time to start. There's no need to travel far—just get out there and enjoy! Who knows? Experiencing the overwhelming awe of morning dew or a starry night, or even witnessing the last sunburst before a multicolored sunset, could spark a new personal commitment to preservation and conservation.
I assure you that once you expose yourself to camping and the great outdoors, all that is going on in this world will matter more to you. Then going green won’t be only for "those greenies from the '70s," but will include you, me and everyone around us!
So I offer a heartfelt thank-you to all of you who have served (and of course those of you who are currently serving) our country. Let’s do our part in preserving the land that has so courageously been protected for us. Happy Holiday!
With the tremendous loss of life related to the tumultuous weather and natural disasters that have struck around the world over the last two weeks, I feel the need to take a moment to just let it all sink in. In the last couple of weeks the world has experienced:
- An earthquake that registered 7.9 in Eastern Sichuan, China, and has resulted in an estimated death toll of 50,000 (AP News)
- A tidal surge from Cyclone Nargis, with winds that reached as high as 121 mph, hit Myanmar, killing 62,000 to 100,000 people and leaving more than 1 million people homeless
- A tornado that blazed through Missouri and Oklahoma at 170 mph and killed 23 people, adding to the abnormally high annual death rate due to tornadoes (AP News)
Naturally, the world has always experienced natural disasters; we expect hurricanes and tornadoes to hit at this time of year and well into the summer. But the intensity, overwhelming devastation and increased frequency of these events has prompted scientists to ask why.
One reason is clearly evident: global warming.
According to National Geographic News, experts say our mountain glaciers are melting faster than ever; Mount Kilimanjaro’s glaciers are melting so quickly that the mountain lost nearly a quarter of its ice from 2000 to 2006. And according to StopGlobalWarming.org, leading science journals report that atmospheric greenhouse gases have reached levels not seen for millions of years, and that species are vanishing as a result of climate change. They also report of extreme weather events, long-term droughts and rising sea levels.
So let's stop and let this all soak in. Take the time to learn all we can about global warming and its effect on the environment. Commit to do our part by not adding to greenhouse gas emissions. And above all, let's never think it's somebody else’s problem. It’s up to us. The time is now to make a change!
To learn more about global warming and how to lower your carbon emissions, visit StopGlobalWarming.org.
But yes, it's in these situations that we especially need to separate plastic, paper, aluminum, glass and so on. This is the time when consumption is higher than normal, and therefore lots of recyclables are mindlessly discarded. The environment will benefit just as much as our children from the consistency of our actions. Better yet, how about forgoing the recycling bin altogether at party time by using the “real stuff” that can be washed and reused? What a fabulous party setting it would be with fabric tablecloths and napkins, and real dishes, flatware and glasswear; it could be stunning!
Okay, I know… talk about inconvenient. But if we don’t make a change now, we will most definitely be inconvenienced in the long run. It’s time to dust off the glasswear and china. And if you still opt for plastic all around, why not throw it in the sink, wash it up and have it available for your next party? So before your next celebration, ask yourself what your party plan will be and follow through. Your guests may appreciate it more than you know!
I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at the NJ Global Green Expo at Liberty State Park last weekend. Despite the rain on Sunday, the turnout was good for its inaugural year. I met so many resourceful and dedicated people over the course of the three days. I both laughed and was brought to tears by the presentations, but the best part was learning about the environment from top naturalists, doctors and activists, including Dr. Sylvia Earle, Ted Danson, Jeff Corwin and Ed Begley Jr. to name a few. I got the chance to connect with leaders in the New Jersey alternative energy industries and learned that innovation is rapidly evolving and will present many exciting projects that are just around the corner.
However, the research and findings about our current green situation is not good, no matter how you slice it. The following are a few facts that left an impression on me:
- As a result of over-fishing and lack of regulation, one third of our fish have been eliminated from our seas.
- Swordfish continues to be a threatening source of toxic mercury in our diets, but it is not the only fish we need to be wary of.
- According to the EPA, one out of every six women of childbearing age in the United States may have blood mercury concentrations high enough to damage a developing fetus.
- If, as Americans, we continue at our current rate of daily product and resource consumption, we will need three more worlds of resources to fulfill the demand.
I left the Global Green Expo with this: I need to buy less, conserve more and leave some for others who need it. I am committed to living a simpler and more sustainable life today. I hope you will join me!
For more information, please do as I have and check out the Oceana Web site (protecting the world’s oceans) at Oceana.org.
Like any movement, you have to expect a few unusual, out-of-the-box ideas to pop up from time to time. Well, here's one from Electrical Contractor Magazine (www.ecmag.com) that I thought was innovative and inspirational enough to share.
It doesn’t surprise me that there is growing interest in capturing kinetic energy to generate alternative power for other needs. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion (from moving muscle for example), and it makes sense in this day and age of "green." So the researchers at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, have done just that—they can capture energy from the movement of a person's knee! Max Donelan, head researcher on the project, is developing the technology for the common market. One minute of walking will generate 10 minutes of cell phone power or could power GPS locators, motorize prosthetic joints or an implanted drug pump. Their first use, however, is for producing power for artificial limbs. It's being compared similarly to hybrid cars, which can produce electricity from braking.
Personally, I am very happy to hear about this story. For a few years now I have been saying to my spin class instructors and gym owners that all of us in spin class should have our bikes hooked up to a grid that would collect all of our hard work, effort and tremendous energy output in order to run the lights, hot tubs and juice bar throughout the day at the gym. Just imagine how much money could be saved! If gyms were set up with a “Gymenergy” © system, everyone taking part in the capture of kinetic energy could potentially benefit from reduced-cost memberships, day passes or other perks depending on how many minutes were logged on a treadmill or step machine or in a spin classes per week. Not to mention the potential for the gym to actually make money on the energy it creates by selling the electricity back to the electric company.
It definitely could put a new twist on one's workout, that's for sure! Innovative times indeed.
This weekend, my 6-year-old daughter and her 7-year-old best buddy decided they wanted to support Earth Day by honoring their 4th grade friends who founded G.R.E.E.N. (Get Ready for Green Education Now) with an iced tea and lemonade fundraiser. I was quite happy to accommodate them since there was no way around their infectious giddiness to help out and get involved. Their pursuit to raise money on a spring break weekend while many of their friends were out of town impressed me. They were out to do good and thrilled to do so.
After making their signs out of brown paper bags, arranging the fruit bowls, preparing the lemonade and honey-sweetened peppermint tea, setting up their table and umbrella, and encouraging each car to stop, I was stunned at how few passersby actually did. The girls looked at one another in disgust while car after car flew by without stopping, and they began shout even louder. Thankfully several local police officers, a few really nice bikers, and a couple of cars ladened with kids cheering for lemonade all patronized the stand. With smiles and abounding energy, each took turns explaining where the proceeds were headed; the innocent patrons didn’t know who they were dealing with! As each used cup went into the makeshift brown paper bag garbage pail, one of girls would immediately add that tips were welcome (despite a reprimand from me!), all of which would also go to G.R.E.E.N. Now who could resist that?!
After 1 1/2 hours, the gals made an impressive amount and had me directly drive them to their friend's home to present the donation. I have never seen my daughter so diligently approach a task like this and was very impressed with the determination of both of them. Neither of them gave up when at the beginning no one wanted to be bothered. Rule of thumb: Always stop to support and encourage a child selling lemonade, and you may just witness their joy in supporting a worthy cause. Don’t get caught up with the minutia—just keep it simple and joyful!
Hand-me-downs can be a fantastic way to recycle gently used clothes. Let's be honest: A current wardrobe can be costly, and do we really need all of that "stuff"? Don’t get me wrong, I go shopping all the time to check out the current trends in color, styling and even new technology with fabrics, but I’m finally somewhat past wanting (or needing) to have the absolute latest look found on the rack. It finally sunk in that too many of those fantastic hot items that I couldn’t live without are still in my closet a year later, tags in tact. And I know I’m not alone on this one.
For me, shopping has become something I look forward to when I have something specific I want to find. But for other times, I am very flexible and creative. That's when opening a bag of hand-me-downs is actually fun! You really never know what you will find. From time to time, a treasured goodie even prompts us to ask the donor, "Are you sure you want to part with this?" But typically the old adage is true: One person’s trash is another’s gold… And often most rewarding is the glee on the face of someone to whom I’ve returned the favor by offering a bag of goodies that have been plucked from my closet.
Just think about hand-me-downs as a win-win: Besides the fun of giving and receiving new treasures, cleaning out closets and passing along garments can mean savings in our pockets—and also less of a drain on energy production and resources, smaller carbon imprints and less waste. More women, men and children being clothed through little effort and simple acts of kindness—how awesome is that? With the change of seasons right now, why not clean out your closet and organize a swap with your friends? Or make a donation to one of the many reputable charities that clothe needy families?
Now that’s recycling at its best!
Last Saturday, I had the pleasure and good fortune to stop by my hometown’s first Green Fair to see what my neighbors are working on and what they have to offer concerning all things green. To say the least, I was very proud to see the teenagers and a couple of fourth graders leading the way. Kids are the future, no joke!
These phenomenal kids enthusiastically presented their grassroots approach to green education outreach with GREEN (Get Ready for Environmental Education Now). This got me to thinking... if these incredible kids can think globally and outside of the box, so can everyone. Still charged by their efforts, I decided to check out some of the innovative green ideas and initiatives presented on the Internet. I was amazed at how many there are—in fact, the list is endless. There are so many neat and interesting companies doing their best to make an impact.
One company in particular really caught my attention: Earth Aid Enterprises, whose logo is, "Smart for your wallet. Smart for your world." From what I learned, they are focusing on providing sensible home energy-efficiency solutions for all Americans. EAE’s goal is to reduce America's greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to removing 1,000,000 cars from the road. In order to do that, they have created a kit (which is customized for the homeowner, apartment dweller and even student) that can help us equip our homes with energy-efficient products. One of the things I love about the site is that as you shop, the site calculates how much you can expect to save on your energy bill. Check them out at EarthAidKit.com.
I am through buying conventional wrapping paper. I can't believe I just said that, but it's true! I'm turning over a new leaf effective immediately.
I have recycled brown paper shopping bags and wrapping paper from gifts received that I always reuse, so I am set. I know I can do it because this past Christmas, my daughter, Toby, and I wrapped all of our gifts by reusing the tissue, boxes and ribbons from previous holidays and no one seemed to care. In fact, everyone liked the idea when I told them what I had done!
Toby and I have quite the system going: She lets me do the sometimes complicated task of wrapping the gift (brown paper can be stiff), then she gets to doodle her creation on the package, and voila! Her efforts always make the present even more special and unique to the recipient.
This is a worthwhile change that is an easy commitment for most people. Your gifts will have a personalized look, and before long, you'll have your friends doing it too! I have found that as long as I have a good attitude about the whole conservation movement, those around me do too. Many of my friends and colleagues have really responded to my eco habits and have made changes in their lives accordingly. Now talk about grass roots!
Knowing that my new resolution will positively impact the environment impresses my daughter and makes me proud. Join me; this one’s easy!
Earth Hour 2008!
Listen up all greenies and environmentally conscious business owners: The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has launched a dramatic call to action in an effort to raise awareness of climate change and show how joining together can make an enormous impact on the earth. On Saturday, March 29, 2008, individuals, businesses and local government officials in Atlanta, Phoenix, San Francisco and Chicago will join cities around the world—including Bangkok, Copenhagen, Manila, Sydney and Toronto—to encourage citizens to turn off all non-essential lights from 8 to 9 p.m. local time.
In addition to turning off lights, Earth Hour participants are being asked to replace older light bulbs with highly efficient compact fluorescent bulbs and to pledge to take actions to reduce their energy consumption on a daily basis. WWF’s corporate partners have not only pledged to turn off all non-essential lights during Earth Hour, but have also agreed to identify long-term ways to reduce energy usage.
Hello, New York City! Why aren’t we on the list of this year’s participants? Crazy that we’re not! Didn’t someone at the mayor’s office get the memo from the WWF announcing the success of last year’s inaugural Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia, where more than 2.2 million people threw their lights for an hour, resulting in a 10% drop in energy usage… (double what had been predicted)?
(Okay, okay, it happens—memos get lost from time to time)… so why don’t we show our true colors and go black for an hour in solidarity with the world this Saturday? Then, we can make a conscious effort to turn off all of our business lights at night and reduce personal light usage in order to take a real stand on this issue, and not on just one day a year! Let’s show the world how New Yorkers can impact energy usage. Now that’s something to get excited about!
You can learn more about Earth Hour and sign up at www.earthhour.org.
