We're dreaming of a Green Christmas

just like the ones we used to have years ago...

  

Can you save the environment and give gifts at the same time?  At first instance it seems impossible but just imagine if all the Christmas wrapping, cards, and boxes are recycled.  We would have helped save the environment and given Mother Nature a present.

Here's a tip from recyclenow.com:  Try a simple test and scrunch up a piece of wrapping paper in your hand. If it springs back you shouldn’t recycle.

Also, instead of buying stuff that just not might be appreciated, how about giving experiences instead like a free concert, a trip to sporting events, or a spa.  You might find ideas from Waste Free Holidays. 

Likewise, sharing or recycling presents can relieve your closets and cabinets of unwanted stuff.  Someone just might find use for that old lamp, clothes, and toys just don't return the items to the original sender.

May we all have a good season.  Share and Recycle, that's our Christmas wish for you.  

And one more thing, don't get too sloshed! 

Save the Environment With Reusable Bags

by Alfred Anderson

There is a growing concern about the environment today. Starting from activists to small children, most people are concerned about the environment. The concept of going green has gained a lot of prominence. However, this concept can only succeed if we a ready to make those small changes in our daily lives that finally result into a collective change in the bigger picture i.e. environment.

Environment conservation is not just about discussing the causes and potential threats; it is about finding good eco-friendly alternatives to the various items that are being used by us.

Plastic bags are one such item that is used extensively. As per estimates, The United States uses more than 100 billion new plastic bags a year. If we can cut down upon this usage or even better if we can stop using plastic bags completely, the environment can be benefitted in an immense way.

The huge consumption of plastic bags leads them to pile up in landfills after they are disposed of. Being low in weight, they fly away and settle in drains beaches and other areas. As a result the drains get clogged and the coastline gets polluted. Further more, estimates say that it takes 12 billion barrels of oil to produce the amount of plastic bags needed in US a year. That's quite a lot of oil and we can easily save it.

Papers bags too are not a good alternative to plastic bags. More paper bags means cutting down more trees which in itself is very bad for the environment. Moreover, paper bags produce much more waste in the atmosphere as compared to plastic bags.

Use reusable bags. These bags are made up of non woven polypropylene which is not only simple to make but also durable and strong in quality. They are available in a variety of styles and prints and can be customized to one's preference.

Alfred Anderson has rich experience in the field of online brand marketing. His interests includes Internet marketing and research on emerging online business trends. London rentals

How to Make Your Christmas Eco-Friendly

by Thomas O Donovan

Christmas can be one of the least environmentally friendly times of year. Just think of the tons of waste created by Christmas gift wrap, cards, decorations and parties. The increased consumption at this time of year can cost a lot for the planet. But it isn't hard to make your holiday celebration a little greener!

Reuse and Reduce
The easiest way to prevent added waste from entering the landfills at Christmas time is to keep it from reaching that point. You can do this easily by reusing and reducing when celebrating.

1. Don't buy new decorations and wrapping supplies each year. If you look after your decorations they can last for years. You can also reuse gift wrap and Christmas cards in a variety of different ways.

2. Try to minimize your Christmas list too. Don't buy for everyone, and don't buy a lot for each person on your list. Take the holiday season as a chance to spend time together or help out your loved ones. They will appreciate your time more than your money.

3. You can also be environmentally friendly by reducing your energy use and lighting your Christmas decorations for shorter amounts of time or hand making your decorations and gifts. There are innumerable do-it-yourself projects for the Christmas holidays!

4. If you take the time to eliminate unnecessary waste you can help prevent the over 300,000 tons of waste produced by the Christmas season.

Alternate Power Choices
While you can save a lot by reusing and reducing at Christmas you can't avoid creating waste completely. You can minimize the impact of your holiday consumption by changing the way you use power throughout the season.

Avoid traditional electric holiday decorations and go solar or find products that use less energy like LED Christmas lights. They are environmentally friend and you will save money.

Christmas Trees
Real Christmas trees have gotten a bad rap because of the waste caused by cutting down a live tree just to put it in your house for two weeks and then throw it out. While Christmas tree farms are attempting to reverse the effects of cutting down trees, you can avoid this by using artificial or living trees. The pollution caused by the manufacture of an artificial tree is matched by the environmentally friendly aspect of reusing the tree for several years.

If you have to have a real Christmas tree, make sure to counter the effects of cutting down a tree by reusing or recycling your Christmas treeit after the holidays. Consider planting a tree to replace the one you cut, too.

It takes a little extra work to keep your holiday celebrations environmentally friendly but it is certainly worth the effort. Your friends and loved ones can share your eco-friendly celebrations and you can all work together towards reducing some of the 300,000 tons of waste created by the Christmas season.

Every little bit counts.

I am involved with a web-site that provides topical information about Christmas. Ever wondered what your Celtic Tree Astrology Sign is? Also, go here if you want some lovely (and free!) Screensavers of Happy Animals, Beautiful Flowers, Amazing Galaxies, etc.

My hobbies/pastimes/life include Astrology, Music, Reading, Sport, Cycling, Chocolate, My cat and a love for animals...our equals.

10 Ways to Go Green Without Breaking the Bank

by Tara Heiser

With the financial crisis looming over the country, and unemployment rates rising, it's only natural for people to be less concerned about greening their habits and more concerned about keeping green in their wallets.

It's important to note that the two are not mutually exclusive. You can have your green cake and eat it too with the following eco-friendly tips that will also save you money.

1. Conserve energy! This is an obvious one but necessary. Save energy by turning off unnecessary lights, lowering your thermostat, cleaning your refrigerator coils, unplugging unused electronics, and washing laundry in cold water instead of hot. Prep your house for winter by sealing drafty windows and doors.

2. Conserve water by taking shorter showers, watering your lawn less often, washing full loads of laundry, and fixing leaky faucets.

3. Organic produce is not always the most expensive option. Watch for sales when you shop - you will find some organic bargains. Maximize your food budget by opting for organic on the items that typically have the highest amounts of pesticides and herbicides including: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, grapes, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes.

4. Buy in bulk or in larger sizes to reduce the amount of packaging that goes to our landfills and lower your grocery bills.

5. Save on gas by going the speed limit, keeping your tires properly inflated, and avoiding the "idle" waiting. Carpool with neighbors when you can. Better yet, use mass transit, ride a bike, or walk.

6. Visit your local library instead of buying a new book.

7. Invest in a water filter and drink tap water instead of buying bottled water.

8. When it's time to cleanup, use cloth towels, washcloths, or napkins rather than paper towels.

9. Skip the expensive and abrasive chemical cleaners and opt for more natural (and less expensive) cleaning alternatives like vinegar, baking soda, and ammonia.

10. When a light bulb goes out, replace it with a CFL bulb. It does cost more than a regular bulb but it lasts ten times longer and uses a third less energy which will lower your electrical bill each month.

As you can see, you don't have to spend green to go green. The possibilities are limited only by our imagination and forethought.

By Tara Heiser, Radiant Ideas. Read more green tips and product reviews at the Radiant Ideas blog. Find green gifts and green home decor at the Radiant Ideas store.

Renewable Energy Projects

Build that solar-powered car or that wind turbine! If you are a teacher or student looking for performance tasks/project-based  assessment on renewable energy then check out http://www.re-energy.ca/.  

The projects are ideal for science fairs and even small-scale community projects. 

Re-Energy.ca is a renewable energy project kit that can be downloaded and printed from the world wide web - for free! Re-Energy.ca explores wind energy, water energy, solar energy, biomass energy and more. Build your own working models from one of five easy-to-follow construction plans, including a wind turbine, biogas generator, solar car and more. Re-Energy.ca provides educators with background information, exciting hands-on learning activities, resources and links on renewable energy and sustainable energy technologies.

Re-Energy.ca is a hands-on renewable energy learning experience. Building working models of renewable energy technologies allows students in grades 7 through 12 to discover the fundamental principles of biology, chemistry and physics, and to explore the application of science and technology to social and environmental issues.

May it re-energize your world!

Greener Cleaners

You don't have to rely on commercial cleaners to keep your house free of dirt and nasty smells. Some simple ingredients like baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar can be used to make safe and inexpensive household cleaners.

Read more ...

Share a Club

Stumbled upon the Sierra Club website as I was looking for a study on the environmental policies of McCain and Obama.  The club is one of America's largest environmental organizations.  It is also one of the biggest groups interested to study the policies of the two candidates.

The club's Three Conservation Initiatives:

Smart Energy Solutions
Calls for a bold shift from reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear power to a safe, clean energy future built on efficiency, renewable fuels, and innovative technologies -- all of which will also help fight global warming.

America's Wild Legacy
Focuses on protecting our wildlife and their habitat and preserving our wild and special places.

Safe and Healthy Communities
Fights pollution of our water and air and toxic threats to communities across America.

Of the many interesting and informative features of the website, I like the page on 10 things you can do to help curb global warming the most.

I'm sharing Sierra Club to you.  Do check it out.  

Now back to web-based research on the two candidates and their concern for the environment.

Algae - Fuel Source

That pond scum might just save the planet.

I had no idea this is possible and that research on algae as alternative fuel source has been on going for the past 50 years. Necessity is really the mother of invention as environmental engineers from the University of Virginia are embarking on further studies on Algae as biofuel.

Algae, the ubiquitous organism that can grow almost anywhere that has water, produces oil during photosynthesis.

And there's more. According to ScienceDaily, algae can also help clean the environment:

On top of those advantages, algae — at least in theory — should grow even better when fed extra carbon dioxide (the main greenhouse gas) and organic material like sewage. If so, algae could produce biofuel while cleaning up other problems.

It's a boost to our industrial ecologists to persist in finding ways to improve waste reduction and pollution prevention at the same time providing an alternative source of energy.

I'll leave the chemistry of algae to the scientists. For more information, check the U.Va article and this interesting site with a catchy name- Oilgae.com which has everything you need to know about algae and oil production.

New Earth Rising: Call for Submissions of Original Green Writing

Ecological Internet, the world's leading provider of environmental portals including http://www.ClimateArk.org/ and http://Forests.org/, will soon launch a new Internet e-zine entitled "New Earth Rising". The publication will be committed to biocentric thought, and promote sufficient ecological sustainability solutions to pressing global ecological crises. Today they announce they are accepting submissions for publication.

New Earth Rising will build upon years of ecological sustainability writings and actions on the web by Ecological Internet. In 1995 they introduced the world's first and longest continually running blog, and their President, Dr. Glen Barry, was the writer of the critically acclaimed and recently concluded "Earth Meanders" series of personal essays.

"I would like to appeal to our large international network -- including established and new environmental writers, scholars and activists -- for submissions. New Earth Rising will provide a unique opportunity to link what you know regarding the true extent of global ecological crises, with specific personal and social transformations necessary to achieve global ecological sustainability," explains Dr. Barry, New Earth Rising's editor.

New Earth Rising's editorial tone will strongly favor truthful ecological writings regarding global eco-crises, identifying necessary and sufficient solutions, and organizing action for their implementation. Submissions should be personal essays of 2-4 pages in length, and need not be scholarly and footnoted, but must be well-researched, informed and passionate.

The publication will be grounded in the ethics of biocentrism, deep ecology and political ecology. It will emphasize the need for ecological science and rationalism in formulating environmental public policy; examination of the seriousness of ecological and related social issues; propose necessary, sufficient and workable solutions involving global citizens,society and governments; and be skeptical regarding secular and religious ideologies.

The e-zine will initially publish bi-monthly, and also track other leading environmental writings elsewhere on the web. Initially essays will not be compensated, but will highlight the author's work to a large international audience. Please contact Dr. Barry with questions and submissions.

New Earth Rising -- http://www.NewEarthRising.org/
Biocentric thought regarding the magnitude of global
ecological crises and sufficient responses to achieve
global ecological sustainability

Contact:
Dr. Glen Barry, glenbarry@ecologicalinternet.org
+1 920 776 1075

Growing and still Growing

Population growth can be linked to the world's pollution problems. Managing one's carbon footprint is already a big deal what more adding a set of footprints everyday. Although conservation, environmental protection and awareness are regularly being discussed, the developments accomplished can be easily eroded if the population isn't managed.

People consume power and as population increases, the amount of energy consumed also increases. Overpopulation can be linked to the oil crisis. The biggest consumers of oil are the most populated countries. "Yes, we eat oil," according to a blogger from sustainablog.

Focusing on consumption over population and vice versa is not a solution to the problem. Managing both, experts say, is what the world needs. Clearly however, environmental-awareness efforts are partly solving the earth's problems.

According to GIM(Growth is Madness),

Here too, cleaner technologies will be an essential part of the solution. Moreover, the specter of climate change has brought about a new level of public awareness of the role of per capita energy use. We can hope this will slow rising energy consumption levels, at least somewhat. Clearly, though, it is imperative that we address our population growth as well if we are to have any hope of achieving ecological sustainability in the future.

There are more than 6 Billion people on the planet. Based on studies, the number will increase to 9 Billion. Of all the proposed solutions, education seems to be the most feasible one. A UN report affirms this in one of its recommendations: "The higher payoff to schooling in urban than rural areas is a key factor in inducing the migration of the better educated. In countries where economic growth has been moderate or strong, urban returns to schooling have been maintained, profoundly influencing decisions about investing on children’s schooling and family size.(85)" Well-managed urbanization, according to the report can alleviate the problems on poverty as well as population.

The rich source of knowledge and information shared on the Web on the population issue is an indicator of the need to provide the world with enough references on the matter. Education starts with the spreading of information. Education, it seems, is a good solution.

Bicycle Qs

How often do you ride a bicycle? This question from Mother Earth News propels this post.
I had to spend minutes to recall the last time I rode a bike. The answer: 2 months ago for leisure.

The question really makes sense. With the rising petrol prices, it's time people rethink their means of transportation. Riding bicycles is one of the best ways to reduce one's carbon footprint and to get a good exercise.

Guilt strikes me everyday. I drive to work and consume around a gallon (close to 4 liters). I catch myself checking the gauge and calculating how much money I lose as my fuel evaporates.

And I don't have much of a choice. Public transportation is not an alternative where I live and with the distance of the office from home, so is riding a bike.

I envy those who can choose. Those whose offices are minutes away from their homes or better yet those whose offices are in their homes!

Ride that bicycle.

Do you have one? In case you don't, here are other questions on how to choose a bike:

So, why do you want to ride — to exercise, commute to work, run errands or just for leisure? Where do you want to ride — potholed city streets, open roads, gravel bike trails, maybe a mix of environments? Finally, how do you like to ride — in an upright position, leisurely paced or always leaning forward, in race mode wherever you go?

(from Mother Earth News)

Earth University

You read it right. There's an Earth University in Costa Rica which was ranked 3rd in the list of Green Colleges and Universities. EARTH is a private, international, non-profit university dedicated to training professionals in agricultural sciences and natural resources in order to contribute to sustainable development in the tropics. When you graduate from EARTH you become or can be called an Agronomist (now ain't that clever).

One of the university's main goals is what most of us need -

Social and Environmental Awareness: Every part of EARTH's academic program includes a community outreach component. The Community Development Program coordinates weekly visits through which students are able to share their newly acquired knowledge and learn from the experiences of local farmers. The farmers become teachers, and work with the students to seek innovative solutions to the challenges that their communities are facing.

EARTH students also learn sustainable environmental management techniques and assume a commitment to promote the rational use of natural resources.

Each government should have an Agronomist or better yet, each head of state should try to include in their portfolio a course on EARTH. According to the EARTH University website they welcome students from around the globe so the medium of instruction might not be much of a problem. And it is always good to learn a new language if you don't know Spanish yet.

Eco-friendly Moving Boxes for Spring Cleaning

Everyone has got to do some spring cleaning at least once a year. I am hoping to clear some clutter this summer (I live in the tropics), discard things and keep items that are still dear to me (useful or not). When I do spring cleaning, my choice of storage is and has always been a box. I do have some plastic boxes that hold important matters, but for most of my stuff, those good ol' boxes do.

For all the stuff that I need to dispose of, I plan to use eco-friendly moving boxes. They're made of recycled materials, so no guilt there. Into these boxes are clothes, tools, books, paper and other craft materials.

For whatever stuff that I plan to send to someplace else via courier, there are also earth-friendly shipping boxes that are low in cost but are durable just the same. I sure could appreciate low-priced boxes because shipping rates sometimes go through the roofs, especially if they're bound for North America or Europe.

I'm also looking into used boxes that can carry items off to the garbage bin. No paper or pulp wasted. Now I just need to set aside some time to start my yearly spring cleaning.

What about you? Have you done some spring cleaning yet?

Dreaming of Chemical Free Pools

It's already summer on my side of the Earth, and quite unsurprisingly, it's hotter than the previous summer. How I wish I could hit the beach every time I want to! The best alternative for now is the nearby resort which has a swimming pool. Unfortunately for me though, I'm a bit allergic to chlorine -- a common chemical substance found in commercial pools. Apparently, our favorite salt water pools are not chemical free, but actually produce chlorine. Chlorine and salt have been known to cause asthma in kids, cancer, etc. This may be the reason why I often gasp while I'm near a chlorinated pool. Thus, I had to quit the required swimming class in college.

But we can always dwell on the possibilities, right?

Unknown to many, there's a chemical free pool that can save you and your family from hazardous chemicals. It uses a natural oxygen technology that can manage and remove minerals without the use of salt or brine discharge. It's energy efficient and costs less than $1 a month to operate. You save money, energy and chemical expenses. That's a triple whammy!

To keep your pool free from harmful substances, you can also clean it by using a pool ionizer. Copper ionization completely purifies water and is safe for humans. The pool ionizer can also eliminate strong chemical odors. You don't spend much with a pool ionizer. The electrodes generally last three to five years and relatively inexpensive to replace. Its electrical consumption is only a few dollars a year.

I've yet to see a chemical free pool here in the Philippines. If I ever find one, I'll dive right into it!

Earth Hour: 8:00-9:00pm March 29, 2008

On 29 March 2008 the Philippines will join countries around the world as we literally "turn the lights out" for Earth Hour - an event that will fuel awareness on climate change and prove that when the people of the world work together, they can make a difference in the fight against global warming.

Earth Hour will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 in the evening on Saturday night, 29 March 2008. WWF invites you to participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by forwarding this mail to your friends, workmates and family.

Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, Earth Hour moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour. With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

Your participation will go a long way in spreading the message that we, as individual droplets working collectively – can create an impetus far more powerful than the mightiest of rivers. For more information, log on to the WWF Earth Hour page at: www.earthhour.org.

If you want to learn more about how else you can help make Earth Hour in the Philippines a success, reply to this email or drop us a line at (632) 920-7931, (632) 920-7923, or (632)920-7926

Butanding

Did you know that the biggest fish in the world can be found in the Philippines? The whale shark, or butanding, thrives in the waters of Bohol and Sorsogon islands. These "gentle giants" can grow up to 50 feet in length. It has a wide mouth with hundreds of pointed teeth, and it usually comes in grey or greenish brown color with white or yellow spots all over its body.

To know more about the whale shark, visit Butanding.com.

Save Bialowieza Forest

Bialowieza Forest, Europe's Last Primeval Temperate Forest is in danger due to extensive logging. If you wish to help preserve the whole complex as a national
park, take action!

Amazon Kindle

Here's another great gadget that helps cut down the use of paper!

Amazon has recently released Amazon Kindle, a revolutionary electronic-paper display which provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper.

*

Here's an overview of Amazon Kindle:

• Simple to use: no computer, no cables, no syncing.
  
• Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute.
  
• Lighter and thinner than a typical paperback; weighs only 10.3 ounces.
  
• Holds over 200 titles.
  
• Long battery life. Leave wireless on and recharge approximately every other day. Turn wireless off and read for a week or more before recharging. Fully recharges in 2 hours.
  
• Unlike WiFi, Kindle utilizes the same high-speed data network (EVDO) as advanced cell phones—so you never have to locate a hotspot.
• Email your Word documents and pictures (.JPG, .GIF, .BMP, .PNG) to Kindle for easy on-the-go viewing.

* Affiliate link