Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year!!! I hope 2008 is even better than the last year. Here's to a GREENER Future!

Killing Phantoms

"Killing Phantoms" is basically unplugging your electronic devices. It is believed that only 5% of energy drawn from cell phone chargers are used to charge phones. the other 95% is wasted energy drawn as your charger sits plugged into the outlet and not connected to the phone. TV's and VCR's alone waste a billion dollars in lost energy a year in the USA.

So what can we do?
Unplug what ever is not used (chargers, hairdryers, razors, kitchen appliances, etc.), Buy EnergyStar Appliances when you can, it will cut the "phantom" energy by 50%, Plug as many appliances as you can into a power strip and turn it off when not in use. Try using a power strip in all rooms of the house.

If one million households eliminate half their "phantom" power loads it will eliminate 150,000 tons of CO2 per year.

Quick tip

I was just sent this tip from a friend, when at a Starbucks or a Dunkin Donuts, don't use a wooden or plastic coffee stirrer, just put the lid on tight, hold it down and give it a quick shake, it should do the trick.

Target gets a little greener

I was shopping at Target today and got a couple of good things because of their after Christmas sale. I got my stuff in a plastic bag because my tote bags were full, but the thing that impressed me was that on the bag they have a plea to reuse the bag. It has printed:
REUSE
10 Ways to reuse your Target Bag:
1. Tiny Trashcan Liner
2. Doggy Duty
3. Water Balloon
4. Road trip Rubbish
5. Soggy Laundry
6. Ice Pack For Head Lump
7. Toiletry Tote
8. Kitty Litter Liner
9. Tomorrow's Lunch bag
10. Care Package Padding

I still think that the best thing to do is avoid plastic bags in general because it takes at least five years for the bag to break down in the landfill, but if you do get them reuse, reuse, reuse. I have a couple of bags that I had to put a little tape on them because they got a small hole in them and I intend to use them over and over again.

What are you doing for a greener earth?

My X-Mas

I hope you all had a great Christmas!!!

Good tips

I saw this on a website
http://www.carbonfund.org
I thought it was a good bit
In Your Daily Life
Only 40% of the average American’s carbon footprint is due to their direct energy use. The other 60% is indirect; it comes from everything we buy and use—goods and services. Pay attention to your consumption and waste habits, and you’ll find lots of opportunities to conserve.The Empress is Fair

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. You’ve heard it before, but it’s still great advice. Manufacturing products produces an average 4-8 pounds of CO2 for every pound of manufactured product.
Stop your junk mail with 41pounds, a nonprofit service that contacts dozens of direct mail companies to remove your name from their lists.
Buy local. Shipping burns fuel. A 5-pound package shipped by air across the country creates 12 pounds of CO2 (3 ½ pounds if shipped by truck).
Eat less meat. If you’re already a vegetarian, you’re saving at least 3,000 pounds of CO2 per year compared to meat eaters. Good going! If you’re not ready to take that step, just increase the number of vegetarian meals you eat each week by one or two. Also, poultry is less greenhouse gas intensive than beef.

Happy Holidays!!!

Have a happy, safe, and green holiday.
Please remember before you open gifts, get a recycle bag for all the wrapping paper instead of just throwing it away.
Get rechargeable batteries for all of your electronics.
Quick last minute gift ideas - Plants

And a word from Jerry Springer - "Take care of yourself and to each other!"

Thanks for coming

Hi all,
I have actually just started inviting people to the site after starting it in the beginning of December and you are actually looking at the third try of the website, the other two were sloppy and I kept getting off the topic.

I just wanted to explain why I'm doing the site. As I was getting information about the environment and the world, the info started to sink in. I know it took awhile and I'm a bit thick headed, but it goes with my "invincible" personality. I never thought I would get hurt until I hurt my back, I never thought I could really get sick until I started getting little colds and such more often. Then I would hear stories about the climate changing or the Ozone layer, global warming, gas house emissions, etc. Growing up in the 70's, 80's it was an issue, but it wasn't a big one. So I thought how much can one man do? A lot of the statistics that I read would say "if one person . . ." One person? How about a group? So join me in my quest to make the earth greener for the future.

Quickly, how to use this site. Start at the bottom and read the posts in order if you'd like. Use it as a forum to share ideas, facts, and or tips. Use it to educate yourself and others on what is going on. Use it to make the future better for yourself and loved ones. Just use it.

Visit the websites I have listed to the right and I'll list more if I think they are interesting enough. If you would like to share some interesting websites e-mail me. Also visit the sponsors by clicking on the banners, I've actually found a couple of great gift ideas on them. At anytime feel free to leave a comment to any of the postings, I appreciate the feedback until you start nagging, you know who you are (lol). Enjoy the YouTube videos on the right side as well, they are suppose to be about the environment and related issues.

More importantly just sit back and enjoy, and now back to our show . . .

News stories

In the news:
GM: Emission law may hamper muscle cars
Detroit performance cars endangered by new, stricter regulations
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22340556/?GT1=10645

I would hate to see the muscle cars go, I always loved watching them as a kid. I hope that they can moderate them so they can run more efficiently.

Prius’ role in energy bill angers lawmakers
Paperwork was transported by Japanese-built hybrid to the White House
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22349593/

If you read the story it can be truly appreciated by someone in PR/Marketing. A brilliant "stunt" that should happen more and more for environmental awareness.

What do you think?

Another gift idea

A friend of mine suggested a sweater as a gift idea to accompany the tip of lowering your thermostat. So if you tell someone to help the environment by lowering the temp in their home you must by them a sweater, it's only fair. Just make sure it's an environmentally friendly one.

Green Gift Ideas

Just a few:
tote bag for shopping (Trader Joe's Insulated Bags - $2.99)
Plants (Home Depot - $1.99 and up)
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (Any lighting store - $2.99 and up)
Plant seeds (Home Depot - 3 packs for a dollar, even cheaper at a dollar store but less of a selection)
Travel Mug (Starbucks - $6.99 and up, if you bring it to them they will discount your coffee each time and you help them use less paper products)

Do you have any green gift ideas?

Plant Something

Tip:
Plants take in CO2 and pump out oxygen. A single tree provides enough oxygen for two people for their entire lives. Plants and trees also provide for and shelter for bird and other wildlife.

Rechargeable Batteries

Tip:
With the holiday gift giving season upon us, purchase rechargeable batteries for the gifts that you give. Regular batteries add toxic chemicals to the landfills and damages the earth.

My brother convinced me to buy rechargeable batteries when I bought my digital camera. What a great investment, not only do they last longer, but in the long run they end up being a lot cheaper. Thanks Bro.

What about you, do you have a tip for me?

Holiday shopping? Read this first!

I was going holiday shopping today and read this first, great ideas to make it a greener holiday.

Turn the Holidays Green : Earth Friendly Gifts and Tips
http://www.enn.com/press_releases/2278

What are you gonna do to make it a greener holiday?

Global Warming

In the news:
Global warming will step up after 2009

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0837368420070809?feedType=RSS&rpc=22&sp=true

Be careful where you shop

In the News:
Nation's Largest Retailers Accused of Organic Fraud
In a scandal now ensnaring some of the nations leading retailers, a series of lawsuits have been filed accusing Wal-Mart, Costco, Target, Safeway, and Wild Oats of consumer fraud for marketing suspect organic milk. The legal filings in federal courts in Seattle, Denver, and in Minneapolis, against the retailers, come on the heels of class action lawsuits against Aurora Dairy Corporation, based in Boulder, Colorado. The suits against Aurora and the grocery chains allege consumer fraud, negligence, and unjust enrichment concerning the sale of organic milk. This past April, Aurora officials received a notice from the USDA detailing multiple and "willful" violations of federal organic law that were found by federal investigators.

"This is the largest scandal in the history of the organic industry," said Mark Kastel of The Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based farm policy research group. Cornucopia's own investigations in 2005 first alerted USDA of Aurora's improprieties.

Five lawsuits against the retailers have been filed so far. And law firms based in Seattle, St. Louis, New York and other cities have filed at least eight lawsuits against Aurora, representing plaintiffs in over 30 states.

Aurora, with $100 million in annual sales, provides milk that is sold as organic and packaged as store-brand products for many of the nation's biggest chains. Besides Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, and Safeway, Aurora serves as supplier to 15 other national and regional chains.

Independent investigators at the USDA concluded earlier this year that Aurora-with five dairy facilities in Colorado and Texas, each milking thousands of cows-had 14"willful" violations of federal organic regulations. One of the most egregious of the findings was that from December 5, 2003, to April 16, 2007, the Aurora Dairy "labeled and represented milk as organically produced, when such milk was not produced and handled in accordance with the National Organic Program regulations."

The stores sell Aurora's milk under their own in-house brand names in cartons marked "USDA organic," and typically with pictures of pastoral farm scenes.

"That's not even close to the reality of where this milk was coming from," said Steve Berman, a Seattle lawyer whose firm is among those suing. "These cows are all penned in factory-confinement conditions."

"This is the perfect example of modern-day Agri-business bullies literally stealing the milk money from an unsuspecting public," said Washington state consumer Rachael Doyle.

A great site for Green Stuff

For information on all things green look at

Earth911.org
http://earth911.org/

Something to get you in the holiday mood . . .

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

The Holidays are upon us, we had major snow today for the first time this year. The other time it was a flash of snow for 20 Min's that melted away in an hour. I took my daily walk during the snowfall and loved it. It reminded me of my childhood until I was waiting for the light at a crosswalk and was splashed by a car. I still like this weather as long as it's manageable. I just hope that the environment doesn't change to much although there is evidence that the winters are getting warmer and shorter.

In the news:
In Europe (as well as in Japan) companies are now preparing to respond to government directives and policies that seriously impact how many types of products will be designed and conceived of in the future. Two such examples are the End of Life Vehicles Policy and the WEEE Directive (Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment) that requires manufacturers to assume responsibility of their products from birth through the end of their lives. Which means the company must accept the products when the consumer is finished with them and they are responsible of recycling it. Some companies believe they can save money on recycling electronics from parts.

I thought it was a great idea and hope that they do something similar here in the states.

Fact:
Only 50 percent of paper used is currently recycled in the United States

Recycle as much paper as you can, including store receipts and scrap paper. It may seem small but do actually adds up.

Off the top of my head

In the news:
Bush vetoes children's health bill a second time
www.enn.com/health/article/27191

Thank God the reign of stupidity is almost over.

Tip:
One good way to warm up your house without using excessive heat is by weatherstripping your doors and windows. The cracks between doors and windows are the perfect opportunity for heating to escape. The U.S. Department of Energy has an extensive section on weatherstripping, even breaking down the types and where you’ll want to install them.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11280

Random Fact:
The aluminum beverage can returns to the grocer's shelf as a new, filled can in as little as 90 days after collection, re-melting, rolling, manufacturing and distribution. Consumers could purchase the same recycled aluminum can from a grocer's shelf every 13 weeks or 4 times a year.

What have you done for a greener planet?

Trip to Trader Joe's

I went to Trader Joe's today with my Best Friend Jay, yes my BFF, and I was happy to see that they have affordable insulated tote bags, $2.99, for sale. When we got out of the car to go in Jay mentioned that he did not have his tote bags for his purchases. I gotta say I was proud and offered him a plastic bag I had in the car. I have my own tote bags which I did not have either because I had just went shopping at BJ's and they were in my apartment full of nonperishable items. But I keep plastic bags in my car for that very reason, if you get them make sure you re-use them. When I checked out I gladly pulled out my plastic bag and asked them to fill it up. There should be a store promotion that gives a discount for customers that bring their own bags, I'd go there to shop, if even it was for a day or certain hours.

Tip:
Turn off electronic devices you’re not using, simply turning off your television, DVD player, stereo, and computer when you’re not using them will save you thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Unplug electronics from the wall when you’re not using them. Even when turned off, things like hairdryers, cell phone chargers and televisions use energy. In fact, the energy used to keep display clocks lit and memory chips working accounts for 5 percent of total domestic energy consumption and spews 18 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year!

Green in the news:
Greenland Icesheets melting at a record rate
www.enn.com/climate/article/26970

Read the story if you get the chance.

Bottle Water Boycott

In the news an interesting article about bottle water. A push for tap water use stating great facts about plastic bottling and the actual process of "cleaning" the water.

http://www.enn.com/press_releases/2271

And now a word from our sponsor

Hey need a good lawyer, I've got two for you (sounds like the start of a joke)

www.dkllc-law.com

Two of the greatest guys you'll ever meet, Dennis Dezelic and Dean Kusakabe.

Don't tell them I sent you, they'll kick you out.

Random blah, blah, blah

In the beginning of this blog I may post a lot, I just feel like I have a bunch of information that I want to share.

Fact:

We dump most of the magazines printed in the U.S. each year (about 8 million tons) into landfills. If we recycled just half of them, we could save over 12 million cubic yards of landfill space.

Recycle in various ways, offer magazines to libraries or schools that may be able to use them. Maybe doctor offices for their waiting rooms or barber shops, just ask them to discard them properly after they are used.

Tip:

Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year

Air filters in your car should be changed when your oil is changed every 3000 miles. If you bring it to a service shop they probably won't do it unless you ask them to. Air filter in your AC unit should be check, cleaned, or replaced before you start to use them each season.

What have you done to make a greener tomorrow?

So what have I done so far you ask?

Well those who know me, know I have a pretty bad track record when it comes to environmental issues that's why this site may have been a surprise to a lot of you.

Well I have stepped up my effort in recycling at home. I read that with all the information out there about global warming, people are still not recycling to full effect. The average American produces 4 pounds of waste (garbage) everyday and within those averages Californians produce 7 pounds and New Yorkers produce 5 pounds. That is compared to the Japanese that average 2 pounds a day. Out of that 4 pounds of waste we Americans produce 15% is recyclable and we just throw it away.

I have purchased bags that I use for my food shopping. I try to avoid plastic bags when I shop. On average I believe that I eliminate at least 12 bags a month. If you do get a plastic bag try to reuse them for trash and not just throw them out. I keep my cloth bags in my car because you never know when your going to go shopping for something.

I do try and walk more often, when running errands.

Here is a quick list of ten things to can do to for the planet

1. Change a bulb to CFL, each bulb uses 65% less energy than a regular bulb.
2. Drive a energy efficient car or at least keep your car well maintained.
3. Take more public transportation.
4. Clean Green, use environmentally safe cleaning products.
5. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle.
6. Eat local or Organic, Local products use less gas to travel to you and organic foods put less chemicals in the earth.
7. Buy energy saving appliances with the "Energy Saving" labels.
8. Conserve Water, low flow water shower heads and take shorter showers.
9. Adjust the thermostat, 1 or 2 degrees down in the winter and 1 or 2 degrees up in the summer.
10. Speak up, contact your local politician and let them know your concerns.

And speak up here let me know your tips for a greener earth and we can all share and learn.

Check this out

One of my favorite websites to check out and get information is the Environmental News Network which can be found at http://www.enn.com/ it's a great site with a lot of stuff.

The Start of Something Green

In my efforts to change my life to a greener life, I've decided to document it in a blog and that way people can read and add ideas of becoming more environmentally friendly. I have started to become more aware of my carbon print and want to spread the word on turning green. I am going to use this as a discussion board and I hope people add anything that can help people change their lifestyle.