It has been said by some scientists that the simple deed of planting trees (many, many trees) would significantly reduce the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, that we spew into the air at an alarming rate on a daily basis.  The least we can do is try to save the trees already in existence.

The good news is that there are some simple actions that anyone can do to make a difference…stopping junk mail is just one of them, but an important step, since here in the U.S. alone, junk mail is responsible for the destruction of 100 million trees every year.

• If you don’t want to waste ‘8 months opening junk mail over the course of your lifetime’, take a few minutes now to stop it.  EcoCycle.org shows easy ways to stop junk mail.   Also, sign a petition to stop junk mail.
• Whether at home or work, stop and think before printing anything from the computer.  Ask yourself if it’s really necessary that you have a paper copy of something that you can easily reference with a click of a mouse.
• When it is necessary to print, opt for paper with recycled content.  That which is labeled with a high percentage of ‘post-consumer’ recycled content is best.
• Recycle paper and cardboard.   Reuse paper whenever possible.
• Choose to buy recycled paper products such as tissues, bath tissue, napkins, paper towels.  Or, opt for washable linens to replace paper towels and napkins altogether.
• Sign up for e-statements and pay your bills online.  This works well for everything from bank and investment statements to credit card and utility bills.
• Read your favorite magazine or store catalog online instead of receiving paper copies in the mail.
• Plant trees around your home.  Not only does beautiful landscaping add to the value of your home, but proper positioning of trees will even reduce your heating and cooling bills and make your home feel more comfortable.  Evergreens provide a great windbreak to help block those cold winter winds.  Deciduous trees placed on the south and/or west side of your home will provide shade in the summer, yet allow sunlight to enter your home when the limbs are bare in winter.  Go even greener by planting native species.
• Buy wood products only from reputable sources where the wood originates from sustainably managed forests.  The ultimate verification of this is done through the independent, non-profit organization The Forest Stewardship Council.  Avoid exotic woods, unless they are FSC-certified, because harvesting these woods is devastating to the world’s rainforests and our global climate.

photo courtesy of Senior Brigade

GO GREEN EXPO, the nation’s premier green business and sustainable lifestyle show known for its innovative and interactive programming, returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center on January 22-24, 2010 for the second year in a row as the first stop on a nationwide tour that also includes New York City, Philadelphia and Atlanta. Following last year’s show that reached more than 10,000 attendees, Go Green Expo 2010 will focus on the next steps in environmental responsibility and the growing green revolution.

Go Green Expo invites all business leaders, eco-minded consumers and
their families to explore the latest innovations in energy-efficient and
environmentally-friendly products and services and participate in
interactive seminars featuring leaders in the green industry, local
politicians and community organizations.

Joining the lineup this year are keynote speeches by actress and holistic living author Mariel Hemingway, award-winning actor and director Ed Begley Jr., industry adored eco futurist John Picard, son of famed Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi, Jr., eco-fashion icon Linda Loudermilk and Sarah Backhouse, host of The Planet 100 on Discovery’s Planet Green.

Highlights to include:

• 300+ local and national businesses showcasing products and services in all areas including Business & Electronics; Energy, Conservation & Recycling; Food & Beverage; Health, Beauty & Fashion, Home & Building, Media, Education & Careers, and Travel & Transportation.
• Career Fair featuring 16 companies such as Coca-Cola Enterprises, ITT Systems, California Solar Innovations, ICF International and Sun Edison.
• The latest in cutting edge and high performance greener transportation including the sleek and chic Tesla Roadster, Honda’s 2010 Insight, Honda Element, more Electric Vehicles, Electric Bikes and Converter Kits.
• Organic Food & Spirit Pavilion.
• Screening of top enviro-film “Tapped,” an inspiring movie that features an alarming look at the bottled water industry, its rampant growth and damaging effects on the environment, and what’s been called the greatest marketing swindle of all time.
• Pet Expo USA, the nation’s green pet show where attendees can peruse eco-friendly pet products from toys to food and bedding to accessories, learn about new pet services, enjoy pet training demonstrations and even adopt a furry friend.
• Kids Zone, featuring eco-friendly games, non-toxic art, fun
  folk music and other earth-loving activities.
• Complimentary Yoga Classes for people of all ages and
  experience levels.
• Indoor Rock Climbing Wall.

Visit GoGreenExpo.com for more information.

To start off the new year right, you may be cleaning out your closets to make room for new holiday gifts of clothing and shoes.  Likely, you have a pile of old pieces that are still useable, but some are probably not wearable any longer.  It’s easy to donate your wearable clothing to local thrift stores, consignment shops and bins put out by non-profit organizations in shopping center parking lots.  But, what do you do with the worn out items?  By donating, you’ll help divert the billions of pounds of textiles clogging our landfills.

One option is to donate non-wearable clothing, blankets, towels, etc., to your local animal shelter where they’ll be used as animal bedding.

Another way to give your old clothes, rags and shoes a new purpose is to find organizations and companies that will recycle these items into new goods.  Here’s a list of a few places that accept these items:

• New York City residents can drop off clothing, shoes, handbags, belts, curtains, linens, and towels at several GreenMarket Farmers Markets.
• Nike’s Re-use-a-shoe program:  bring up to 10 pairs of shoes to any of their collection locations in Nike retail stores, universities, athletic clubs, and at special events.
• The Unique Boutique Thrift Shop in Boone, NC.
• City of Overland Park Community Recycling Center in Overland Park, KS.
• California residents can visit StopWaste.org for locations that accept scrap clothing and remnants.

photo by Fred Hsu

• Pick up litter when you see it.  It is especially important to pick up plastic litter (bags, bottles, caps, etc.) as they tend to get blown around and end up in our waterways where they harm aquatic life and release toxins that make their way into our foodchain.  Recycle plastic bottle caps through Aveda’s cap recycling program.
• Reduce the amount of stuff you buy.  Check the closet and the refrigerator before you go shopping so as to buy only what you need.  Reduce the amount of trash you throw away by starting a compost pile for food scraps and yard waste.  Use less paper at work, home or school.
• Re-use what still has some life left in it, as an alternative to disposal.  Perhaps a minor repair or refinishing is all it needs to be useful once again.  Also, re-use your grocery bags, or better yet, bring along a re-usable tote for your goodies.  Break out those re-usable, washable fabric napkins and dish towels instead of using disposable napkins and paper towels.
• Recycle plastic, paper, metal, and anything else that can be recycled instead of throwing away these things.  Check with your local municipality to properly recycle household hazardous waste and electronics.
• Donate unwanted household items to your local thrift shop, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or architectural salvage facility.
• Ride your bike or walk to your destination if possible, or carpool or take mass-transit.  If you do drive, be sure your tires are properly inflated for better gas mileage.
• Plant a tree.  You can receive 10 free trees to plant yourself, or have 10 trees planted for you in our nation’s forests, when you donate $10 to the National Arbor Day Foundation.
• Stop the junk mail!
• Turn off the lights, computer, and television when not needed.
• Clean with home-made natural products.  See my earlier posts here and here.
• Open the windows for some fresh air if the weather is pleasant.  You’ll save money and reduce pollution when you turn off the mechanical heating/cooling system.  If you do have to use the mechanical system, keep your heat at or below 68 degrees, and your a/c at or above 78 degrees, and don’t forget to lower it when you go to bed or are away from home.  Programmable thermostats make this task easy and energy efficient.
• Don’t use pesticides and weed killers on your lawn.   These chemicals have detrimental effects on our children, water supplies, wildlife, and the soil in which our food is grown.
• Take a hike!  Enjoy the great green outdoors, by taking a walk or going on a picnic with your family and/or friends.

You can find volunteer opportunities available in many cities and towns across the country.  Interested in volunteering for the USDA Forest Service as a bird monitor or a historic park interpreter?  How about helping to maintain our natural, cultural and historic resources on public lands with the Take Pride in America program?   The Natural Resources Conservation Service is looking for people to help reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters.

For example, if you live in the D.C. Metro area, EarthShare, D.C. Surfrider, and The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) invite you to come out and help clean up the Anacostia River (or 25 other sites) at the 15th Annual Earth Day River Cleanup and Celebration on Saturday, April 18, 2009.  Free food and entertainment will be provided for volunteers after clean up efforts.

You can check out Volunteer.gov or conduct a google search to find volunteer opportunities in your community.

photo by aussiegall

• Carpool, or better yet, walk to the local Irish pub
• Drink in moderation so as to not turn green yourself!
• Help clean up after the parade and don’t forget to recycle those floats!
• Wear green organic cotton or hemp clothing
• Eat your greens!  Organic cabbage, maybe not shamrocks!
• Turn off the lights before you pass out!

• “Smart” grid technology and tax credits to upgrade America’s aging and inefficient energy grid (an estimated 10 to 30% of electricity from the generator to the plug is currently wasted).
  
• Loans and grants for renewable-energy projects, such as those using solar, wind and geothermal.
• Weatherization and improvement of energy efficiency in federal buildings, military bases, schools and homes.
• Programs to promote alternative, more sustainable transportation.

Check out Silicon Valley’s Mercury News for more details.

photo courtesy of A Siegel

Its owner is seeking LEED certification through the U.S. Green Building Council for his chic, sustainable space. The usual fare is served at the club along with the additions of organic juices and alcohol. The 6,000 sq ft club features ‘high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and an LED lighting system that uses just a little more than 3 percent of the energy of a standard lighting installation. All of the materials used to furnish the venue — from the couches to the coasters on the tables — are recycled or recyclable. The bathrooms feature waterless urinals and low-flow sinks.’ Wind power credits are even purchased to offset all of the energy that it uses. It’ll take a few years before these green features pay for themselves, but the efficient mechanical systems will keep monthly utility bills to a minimum.

The club opened last Thursday night to a large crowd. It’d be interesting to learn if the club’s patrons were attracted by its environmental attributes or just by its hip atmosphere.

Source:  New York Times

• ‘The transformation of London into a transit-efficient capital thanks to visionary mayoral leadership.’
• ‘Paris’ ambitious public-private Vélib bike initiative which encourages residents to forgo cars for bikes and public transportation.’
• ‘The potential for local food production to lessen the environmental impact of the global food market.’
• ‘The effort to reduce traffic and pollution in Seoul, Korea by restoring the Chonggyecheon Stream as a center of public life.’
• ‘Portland as a global model of transit-oriented development and urban livability.’
• ‘The unique strides being made by aerospace corporations, technology firms, and governments to make the aviation industry more efficient.’

Check your local PBS listings for broadcast dates and times. Online webcasts are also available online.

Source: e2 series

Means of Transportation in London photo by Malias Gideon

Although they may cost more to buy, rechargeable batteries will save you 10-20 times the original cost (by not buying new batteries over and over again).

Rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries are available in common sizes of AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt. Rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are made for digital cameras that specifically note in the camera’s user’s manual that it will use different types (chemistries) of batteries. Rechargeable NiCd batteries are not environmentally preferred because they contain cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal, that can damage the environment if not disposed of properly. (They should be recycled, not discarded). Rechargeable NiMH and Li-ion batteries do not contain cadmium.

If you want instant gratification and can’t wait for your new rechargeable batteries to get charged, there are ready-to-use or pre-charged, Ultra Low Self Discharge (ULSD) NiMH rechargeable batteries on the market for your convenience. ULSDs have a longer shelf life than standard NiMH batteries, and can be charged in typical NiMH chargers.

Of course, you’ll need a charger for those rechargeable batteries, which you can find online or at retailers. For avid environmentalists, solar powered chargers are available too, although they tend to charge a bit slower than electrical ones.

How do you dispose of rechargeable batteries when their long lifespan of hundreds of recharges is over? Recycling is the only way to go. Most stores that sell rechargeable batteries accept spent batteries and will have them recycled.

I use them to power my digital camera and have been very happy with their performance and longevity.

photo courtesy of Green Batteries