Celebrating Earth Day & Community Gardening

I've had the great pleasure to join in with a zealous group of people that are affiliated with the Four Rivers Community Garden & Next Chapter Food Pantry, in Ontario, Oregon. This week, they plan on celebrating the First Anniversary of the Community Garden on April 22nd, which is officially Earth Day.

I just love Earth Day. Actually, I wish everyday was "Earth Day" to everyone on the planet. Seriously, we shouldn't need a day set aside to raise awareness about environmental issues. But sadly, we do.

Someday, it won't be this way. Someday, (hopefully very soon), the majority of people on this planet will be constantly making positive changes in their lifestyle, to lower their carbon footprint.

What does being environmentally conscious mean to you? Does it mean anything to you? Last year, I posted a video link that shared people's perceptions and values regarding our beautiful planet.

No matter where you live, there will be activities this week in honor of Earth Day. Seek one or two of them out, you won't regret it. You'll probably learn a thing or two, PLUS you may just have a little "green & clean" fun !

Locally in the Ontario, Oregon area, I would be honored if you came by the Four Rivers Community Garden on the 22nd, between 4:30 & 6:30 pm. There will be a tour of the garden and some interactive planting going on. Also, I'll be there to share with folks about practical ways to be more environmentally conscious in the areas of recycling and avoiding toxins in commonly used househould products.

Four Rivers Community Garden
802 SW 5th Street
Ontario, OR 97914

If, you'd like a good chuckle, read this Earth Day reminiscent story that I found at www.ecoearth.com website. It's a classic!

Treasure Valley Bowl For The Cure Kicks Off

The 1st Annual Treasure Valley Bowl For The Cure continues through the weekend. Check out some video's from the event that is half way through. Also, it's not too late to come out and help them Strike Out Cancer and Spare A Life !!

Causes of ADHD & Conduct Disorders Exposed In New Study

The word is getting out and more people are starting to listen. There has been a "silent pandemic" by common daily exposures to children and even women yet to conceive children. These exposures greatly effect the potential for health related conditions such as Asthma and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

A peer-reviewed study was just released in January 2010, that validates what the EWG and other environmental groups have been beating their chests about for years. The study confirms that prenatal phthalate exposure is associated with childhood behavior and executive functioning.

Speaking plainly, the exposure to plastics, perfumes, shampoos, etc, can affect the neurodevelopment of children still in the mother's womb. No, not all babies are adversely affected, but the odds are increased for health conditions such as ADHD, depression, learning disorders, obesity and other health disorders.

I've talked about BPA (Bisphenol A) in previous posts and a recent article at the Environmental Working Group's website, provides more scientific explanations. Also, EWG's site shares a insightful information about the Kids-Safe Chemical Act.

Please take the time to look over these up-to-date resources about what current negative health exposures your children or future children are exposed to. The good news is, you can do something about it. Simply, by reducing and removing the exposures from your surroundings. Naturally, not everything can be removed, but your choice of cleaning products, personal care products, etc., is definitely a place to start.

In addition, it is very important that you have your voice be heard that it is time to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. A 30 year-old law, protecting companies and polluters, but not people and public health.

Start by signing a petition for the Kids-Safe Chemical Act. Also, become more educated about safer products for your family and the environment.

The information is all there for us, it's just depends what we're going to do with it.

Environmental Ethics Start With You

I define environmental ethics as doing what's right for the environment. And doing what's right, is painstakingly taking care of the only known inhabitable planet in the solar system. It means realizing that lifestyle and habits, have a direct effect on the planet's future.

What do I define as doing "what's right"? Obviously, there are a plethora of options from the basics of Reduce Reuse Recycle, to the complex processes of alternative energy, etc. "The sky's the limit", as they say. It just depends how high you desire to soar!

Recycling

There is more than enough information in every community and state, as well as online recycling resources. Besides setting aside an area at your home to store recyclables, the process of recycling is relatively painless. If, curbside recycling isn't available in your area, there are definitely other options in your community. A slight detour on your errand running day, can usually take care of getting the recyclables to the proper disposal facility.

Non-Toxic Cleaning

Not only is the use of non-toxic cleaning products beneficial to the planet, it's also proven to NOT be detrimental to your family's health. Actually, credible studies are being released fairly regularly regarding this issue. The word is finally out that about the fact that there are over 80,000 chemicals in household products that have never been tested for safety for humans or animals. It's really a simple transition to change over to safe cleaning products, and there are several that are less expensive than the toxic ones.

Energy Efficient Lighting

These might be a little more costly up front, but in the end, they buy earth more time and you also. The CFL and LED light options are getting better all the time. No longer is it necessary to sacrifice good lighting, in order to use a more environmentally efficient product. The facts speak for themselves, it's just a matter of educating yourself.

Take a look at your daily habits and activities. What changes can you make to improve your environmental ethics? Remember, the sky's the limit!!

Come soar with me....

Betsy Franz's Backyard Video

Nothing to be said, just watch and enjoy....



More of Betsy's great stuff can be seen on her blog, The Nature Lady.

Blueprints Aren't Leaving A Green Footprint

I was recently contacted by Houston Neal of SoftwareAdvice.com. He wanted to share with me, one of his heartfelt environmental concerns. This involves the production and printing of over 37 million, hard-copy blueprints, every year.

Until, I read Houston's article on this subject, I didn't have a clue regarding this topic. It excited me to think just how many more ways there are, to take positive steps, in reducing our carbon footprint.

It also saddened me a bit. This being, because it shows how much abundance this planet has had available to it, and the misuses that have been facilitated by it. We, as a society, come by most things pretty darn easily. But, the resources to create those things are dwindling away more rapidly, than they can be restored.

Houston's article on the Construction Blog, talks about the huge amount of paper usage every year, just due to printing off blueprints. Then, it looks at the digital alternative, which means zero waste, and a green footprint for blueprints.

I really appreciate Houston Neal sharing this information with me. I hope that it raises an awareness in many of you, to look at other areas where your activities may be adversely affecting the environment. I know that it certainly has, for me.

Building Trust For Climate Change Means Action

I was the voice of many last Saturday night in Boise, when we stood in front of the Idaho State Capital, and voiced our passion for a Real Deal in Copenhagen. Now, a week later, I sit and ponder if our voices were even heard.

Honestly, I don't know the answers. But, I'm not naive enough, not to know, that there's a lot of 'special interest' involved in these discussions and decisions, (or lack thereof). In the meantime, I have to choose to believe that COP 15 was a launching pad for accelerating efforts and achievements, in dealing with global warming issues.

President Obama stated that there needs to be, "The building of trust between between developed and developing countries." That 'trust' cannot just be bought. It must also be demonstrated by action.

Rhetoric has to be replaced with action. And those actions, are necessary by everyone on this planet, as well as each and every country. Whether those citizens be from a developing or developed country, action is key.

A quote from an associate of mine, Antonio Bettencourt, in a recent LinkedIn discussion, voices my sentiments quite well:

"I suspect that the more aggressive actions we take, the more "moral authority" we will have in the world and the better we will be able to pressure other countries to step up to their obligations."

Also, as Gandhi said, "be the change you wish to see in the world". Another way to personalize this is: The more I change, the more I see I can do.

What will you do?

Climate Leaders Announced by EPA

It's not a secret that I am a Shaklee Distributor. It's also not a secret that a lot of folks turn their noses up to Shaklee and MLM's in general, based on past experiences and a lot of heresay.

So, for those that consider themselves environmentally conscious members of society and would choose to continue to be closed-minded about Shaklee and the notion that companies and people can't change, then please don't bother reading any futher. But, to those environmentally conscious members of society that believe in progress, change and the idea that ANYONE can catch the vision; I'd like to brag about Shaklee's latest environmental achievement.

On December 2nd, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that eight businesses achieved goals set by the EPA, thus recognizing these companies as EPA Climate Leaders in 2009. Shaklee achieved its initial goal by maintaining net zero U.S. GHG emissions from 2006 to 2009, using a 2004 base year.

As stated on the EPA's website: "The EPA works with companies to develop comprehensive climate change strategies. Partner companies commit to reducing their impact on the global environment by completing a corporate-wide inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions based on a quality management system, setting aggressive reduction goals, and annually reporting their progress to EPA. Through program participation, companies create a credible record of their accomplishments and receive EPA recognition as corporate environmental leaders."

This is not the first time that Shaklee received this honor. In 2006, they were recognized as a Climate Leader by the EPA. Actually, for over 50 years, Shaklee has quietly led the way in environmental stewardship and support of social causes.

In 2000, Shaklee became the first company in the world to obtain Climate Neutral™ certification and totally offset its CO2 emissions. There is more information on their achieivements and causes on the Shaklee website.

Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to share about Shaklee receiving the EPA Climate Leader Award. I am very proud of Shaklee and continue to strive, just as they do, to make positive changes for the sustainability of planet Earth.

Virtual Christmas Cards

I’m going a new direction with my Christmas Card giving this year. This is a VERY hard change for me, because I LOVE to write up a Christmas letter with pictures and mail to EVERYONE! But, even using recycled products for this project, isn’t really helping my carbon footprint reduction :-(

Therefore, I just signed up for a great online greeting card program that is done all via internet. The selection of virtual cards for Christmas, birthday’s, thank you, etc, is quite significant. Plus, they are animated and very unique. I had never heard of this company until I received a card via a LinkedIn associate this week. The website is located at www.jacquielawson.com.

I am still going to have to put together a letter of sorts and probably mail it out to those, who are not connected to the internet. But, that will be a very small number. I may still need to put out an online Christmas letter with my Virtual Christmas Card, but that will be relatively easy.

Besides the savings in paper, postage, time, etc., the bigger picture is that I’ll be creating less waste. That’s my newest gift to this beautiful planet.

What will you be able to give to Earth for Christmas this year?

Here's a winter card greeting to share with all of you: Winter Card

Show Thanks With Less Waste

I realized after creating the title to this post, that it could be written two ways: 'Waste' versus 'Waist'...LOL !! Since, this is my environmental focused blog, I do believe I'll stick with the 'household waste' issues for now ;-)

According to the folks at RecycleWorks.org, household waste increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Years Day. There is added food waste, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, etc.

Not only can you make easy choices to be less wasteful this Thanksgiving, they may even cost less than your usual holiday habits. Here's a few suggestions to think about:

Shopping
Don't forget to take those reusable bags. Not only are they better than using plastic and paper, but they're much stronger and hold a lot more.

Setting The Table
I know! I know! Paper & plastic products are sooo much easier to use with all the folks coming over for dinner. But, think of the money you'll save if you use your existing plates & silverware and run them in the dishwasher at the end of the meal?

Decorating
Don't go out and buy more "stuff". Look around the house and garage. I'm SURE there are several cool things already in your treasures, that would make great decos, with some slight modifications.

Recycle
Put the food scraps in your newly created composter. And ask your guests to sort out the paper, plastic items into your new recycling area.

By the way, that 'new recycling area' doesn't have to be anything fancy. I use old garage bins and cardboard boxes to service my family's recycling needs. Don't go crazy, just be a little more savvy.

The saying, "Waste not. Want not.", couldn't be more applicable here. Remember, baby steps is okay!

Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!