OK followers... all 4 of you. I have departed on my new blogging journey, feel free to follow me here:
Americans For a Clean Energy Future
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
My Blogging Journey
I set out on this blogging journey just a short time ago with a certain goal in mind. Along the way I found myself taking a bit of a detour. It was my full intention to create a blog that simply documented my attempt at going green (hence the name of the blog). But, if you have been following me the past few weeks you may have noticed that my posts have not been that simple.
The time I spent researching all the ways an individual or a household could go green left me feeling, well, helpless. I'm not saying that there's nothing we can do as individuals or families, but what I realized was that the things that really make the biggest difference are the things that require a whole city or country to come together and do. This realization is what sparked my interest into the subject of my most recent posts, clean energy legislation.
As I set my sights on something a bit more ambitious I began researching what kind of progress our country has made in combating climate change and implementing policies that focus on clean energy for our future. What I have realized is that implementing these policies is much easier said than done. Furthermore I have also realized that not everyone, i.e. the majority of the House, is not on the same page and are just as passionate about not implementing this kind of legislation as I am passionate about implementing it.
My research also lead me to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a bill that passed in the House (before the Republican majority) and was rejected by the Senate. Currently the bill is sitting in limbo, with all the focus being put on the debt crisis and unemployment, clean energy legislation has taken a back seat. After reading small bits and pieces of information on the Bill I have decided that it is important to bring attention back to this kind of legislation. Unless we keep pushing our Representatives and our President to focus on the Bill and others like it, it will just be forgotten.
So, this is where my journey has lead me, it has given me the inspiration to become more involved and to become more educated on the topic of clean energy legislation. Maybe the next step on my journey will be to start another blog, a blog with a better title, perhaps... “Americans For a Clean Energy Future.”
The time I spent researching all the ways an individual or a household could go green left me feeling, well, helpless. I'm not saying that there's nothing we can do as individuals or families, but what I realized was that the things that really make the biggest difference are the things that require a whole city or country to come together and do. This realization is what sparked my interest into the subject of my most recent posts, clean energy legislation.
As I set my sights on something a bit more ambitious I began researching what kind of progress our country has made in combating climate change and implementing policies that focus on clean energy for our future. What I have realized is that implementing these policies is much easier said than done. Furthermore I have also realized that not everyone, i.e. the majority of the House, is not on the same page and are just as passionate about not implementing this kind of legislation as I am passionate about implementing it.
My research also lead me to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a bill that passed in the House (before the Republican majority) and was rejected by the Senate. Currently the bill is sitting in limbo, with all the focus being put on the debt crisis and unemployment, clean energy legislation has taken a back seat. After reading small bits and pieces of information on the Bill I have decided that it is important to bring attention back to this kind of legislation. Unless we keep pushing our Representatives and our President to focus on the Bill and others like it, it will just be forgotten.
So, this is where my journey has lead me, it has given me the inspiration to become more involved and to become more educated on the topic of clean energy legislation. Maybe the next step on my journey will be to start another blog, a blog with a better title, perhaps... “Americans For a Clean Energy Future.”
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Solar Energy for The White House? Yes, please!
In October of 2010 President Obama vowed that the White House would be equipped with solar panels and a solar hot water heater no later than Spring 2011. What a great idea, right? I thought it was a great idea and was excited to hear the news, but here we are approaching the end of Spring and still no solar panels and no solar hot water heater. Other than the fact that the President is not keeping his promise, this may not seem like such a big deal. I mean, how much of an impact can the White House have on the environment after all? But it is about more than just the impact on the environment, it is also about the impact that the message, the President is sending, will have. What better way is there to make the statement that the United States is taking the leading role in combating climate change, and sees the importance of using renewable energy resources, than using them at the White House?
Shortly after the announcement from President Obama CNN.com published an article highlighting the importance of this initiative by quoting the Energy Secretary Steven Chu, "This project reflects President Obama's strong commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home," Chu said in a written statement released by the Energy Department. "Deploying solar energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come." This quote is a perfect summary of what this move says about the President and the United States. It says very clearly that we value leadership at home and across the globe and in order to gain that leadership, we must begin adopting the use of renewable energy resources and policies.
In another article on Huffingtonpost.com, more emphasis is put on the impact of this message when the author, Dina Cappiello says, "The decision perhaps has more import now after legislation to reduce global warming pollution died in the Senate, despite the White House's support. Obama has vowed to try again on a smaller scale." Here it is evident that despite the last clean energy bill's failure in the Senate, Obama still understands the value solar energy and other clean energy resources hold for our future.
Although Obama still has a few weeks left to make good on his promise, I am tempted to believe that it will not get done in time. I would like to see more progress made on clean energy legislation in Washington and I think this would be a great start.
If you would like to see solar panels on the White House by the end of spring, or just by the end of the year, join me in signing this petition to tell the President that it's time to get the ball rolling!
Shortly after the announcement from President Obama CNN.com published an article highlighting the importance of this initiative by quoting the Energy Secretary Steven Chu, "This project reflects President Obama's strong commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home," Chu said in a written statement released by the Energy Department. "Deploying solar energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come." This quote is a perfect summary of what this move says about the President and the United States. It says very clearly that we value leadership at home and across the globe and in order to gain that leadership, we must begin adopting the use of renewable energy resources and policies.
In another article on Huffingtonpost.com, more emphasis is put on the impact of this message when the author, Dina Cappiello says, "The decision perhaps has more import now after legislation to reduce global warming pollution died in the Senate, despite the White House's support. Obama has vowed to try again on a smaller scale." Here it is evident that despite the last clean energy bill's failure in the Senate, Obama still understands the value solar energy and other clean energy resources hold for our future.
Although Obama still has a few weeks left to make good on his promise, I am tempted to believe that it will not get done in time. I would like to see more progress made on clean energy legislation in Washington and I think this would be a great start.
If you would like to see solar panels on the White House by the end of spring, or just by the end of the year, join me in signing this petition to tell the President that it's time to get the ball rolling!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Clean Energy Legislation: Part II
On June 26, 2009 the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 was passed by the House of Representatives, by June of 2010 the Senate decided that it would not be considering any climate change legislation. The House approval of the bill, created by two members of Congress, Representatives Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), marked the "first time either house of Congress had approved a bill meant to curb the heat-trapping gases scientists have linked to climate change." But because of the Senate's decision not to consider the energy bill, it has been put on hold for the past year defeating any hopes of having higher standards placed on greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
The bill, now widely known as the "cap and trade bill", proposed that the government set a limit on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted nationally from 2012-2050. Companies that emit these gases would then be allowed to buy and sell permits that specify the amount of greenhouse gases they can continue to emit. The bill also includes provisions on electric utilities, requiring they meet 20% of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources by 2020. The bill also offers almost $200 billion worth of subsidies in clean energy fields such as renewable energy, carbon capture and sequestration, electric and advanced technology vehicles, and basic scientific research and development. The bill would also set higher standards on emissions requiring a 17 percent emissions reduction of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases by 2020. With these and other valuable provisions, the American Clean Energy and Security Act would have provided the country with a drastic improvement in clean energy legislation.
Among those opposed to the bill are, without surprise, oil and gas producers, various coal mining groups, groups concerned with fiscal and tax policy, and many policy makers that feel the bill will cost too much money and create drastic spikes in energy prices. Others opposed to the bill believe that unless India and China jump on board as well the impact the bill will have on global climate change will not be enough. Whatever the reason individuals or interest groups choose to dislike the bill, it is clear that there is currently more opposition than support, a truth that is disheartening to say the least.
With the recent spike in gas prices government officials have been scurrying to try and find a solution. It is clear that our dependence on foreign oil and non-renewable energy resources will continue to result in unstable prices. If we continue to rely on oil and gas as our main source of energy it will be impossible to become 100% energy independent. Because of this it is important to realize that it is not just the environment supporters of this bill are looking out for, but the future of this country as well. I'll be the first to admit that I am tired of paying 70 bucks at the pump every time I fill up my tank, but what I am also tired of is politicians telling us that the only solution to the problem is to "drill baby drill!"
The bill, now widely known as the "cap and trade bill", proposed that the government set a limit on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted nationally from 2012-2050. Companies that emit these gases would then be allowed to buy and sell permits that specify the amount of greenhouse gases they can continue to emit. The bill also includes provisions on electric utilities, requiring they meet 20% of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources by 2020. The bill also offers almost $200 billion worth of subsidies in clean energy fields such as renewable energy, carbon capture and sequestration, electric and advanced technology vehicles, and basic scientific research and development. The bill would also set higher standards on emissions requiring a 17 percent emissions reduction of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases by 2020. With these and other valuable provisions, the American Clean Energy and Security Act would have provided the country with a drastic improvement in clean energy legislation.
Among those opposed to the bill are, without surprise, oil and gas producers, various coal mining groups, groups concerned with fiscal and tax policy, and many policy makers that feel the bill will cost too much money and create drastic spikes in energy prices. Others opposed to the bill believe that unless India and China jump on board as well the impact the bill will have on global climate change will not be enough. Whatever the reason individuals or interest groups choose to dislike the bill, it is clear that there is currently more opposition than support, a truth that is disheartening to say the least.
With the recent spike in gas prices government officials have been scurrying to try and find a solution. It is clear that our dependence on foreign oil and non-renewable energy resources will continue to result in unstable prices. If we continue to rely on oil and gas as our main source of energy it will be impossible to become 100% energy independent. Because of this it is important to realize that it is not just the environment supporters of this bill are looking out for, but the future of this country as well. I'll be the first to admit that I am tired of paying 70 bucks at the pump every time I fill up my tank, but what I am also tired of is politicians telling us that the only solution to the problem is to "drill baby drill!"
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Clean Energy Legislation
On December 18th, 2007 the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was passed in both houses and the following day, was signed into law by President Bush. The bill was created by the Democratic Congress with the intention of “move[ing] the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government.”
The bill included many key changes to legislation that needed updating. For example the United States CAFE (Corporate Standard Fuel Economy) standards, which help regulate the required fuel economy of passenger vehicles and had not been updated since 1975, were updated in this bill requiring that Automakers raise their fleet wide fuel efficiency to 35 mpg by 2020. The bill also included some updates in the required energy efficiency of appliances and lighting, focusing mainly on the efficiency of light bulbs, requiring a 25 percent increase in efficiency by 2012, and a 200 percent increase by 2020. The bill even extends some tax payer funding to the research and development of solar and geothermal energy resources as well as other renewable energy technologies.
All of this sounds great, but was it enough? What many people never hear about are the parts of the bill that were originally proposed, but never passed. It may come as somewhat of a shock to learn that former President Bush actually signed this bill into law, but what doesn't come as a shock are the items on the list of proposals that were removed before this bill was singed in. On the list of proposals not enacted was a proposal to end subsidies for big oil companies, eliminating certain tax deductions to producers of oil and natural gas. Producers who continue to make billions in profits each year while receiving millions of tax payer funded subsidies.
So, why do these oil companies continue to get tax payer funded subsidies? It seems to me that there may be a recurring theme here, those that have enough money to buy the politicians do, while those that don't have millions to spend have no voice at all.
The bill included many key changes to legislation that needed updating. For example the United States CAFE (Corporate Standard Fuel Economy) standards, which help regulate the required fuel economy of passenger vehicles and had not been updated since 1975, were updated in this bill requiring that Automakers raise their fleet wide fuel efficiency to 35 mpg by 2020. The bill also included some updates in the required energy efficiency of appliances and lighting, focusing mainly on the efficiency of light bulbs, requiring a 25 percent increase in efficiency by 2012, and a 200 percent increase by 2020. The bill even extends some tax payer funding to the research and development of solar and geothermal energy resources as well as other renewable energy technologies.
All of this sounds great, but was it enough? What many people never hear about are the parts of the bill that were originally proposed, but never passed. It may come as somewhat of a shock to learn that former President Bush actually signed this bill into law, but what doesn't come as a shock are the items on the list of proposals that were removed before this bill was singed in. On the list of proposals not enacted was a proposal to end subsidies for big oil companies, eliminating certain tax deductions to producers of oil and natural gas. Producers who continue to make billions in profits each year while receiving millions of tax payer funded subsidies.
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| In 2009 Exxon Mobil received $156 million in tax returns and Chevron received $19 million. |
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| That same year Exxon Mobil reported $19.3 BILLION in profits and Chevron reported $10.5 BILLION! |
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| Chevron and Exxon Mobil spent almost $20 million combined on lobbying in 2010. Still wonder why they continue to receive subsidies? |
Today I'd Like to Share WIth You...
After finding this video on one of the blogs I am following, I couldn't resist re-posting it. Gotta spread the word, right!?
We're Running Out of Earth!
Exploit to survive, or as a fellow blogger Craig Biddle puts it in one of his posts, “Exploiting the Earth—using the raw materials of nature for one’s life-serving purposes—is a basic requirement of human life.” In his post Biddle states, “Environmentalism is not concerned with human health and wellbeing—neither ours nor that of generations to come.” But what Biddle doesn't understand is this is precisely what environmentalists are concerned with. How can humankind survive in a world that has nothing left to be “exploited?” If we do not make changes to preserve the planet and all its valuable resources we will certainly not be able to survive much longer!
An environmentalist is not someone who believes in the well being of the earth over the survival of humankind. An environmentalist is someone who believes that the earth, our provider, should be treated with respect just as one would respect their parents (the ones that provide for them). It is common sense that in order for any organism to survive it needs resources, resources provided by the planet on which it lives, this is not something humans have any control over. But what we don’t need in order to survive is to overindulge or to misuse the resources that are available to us.
In a recent New York Times article I found online, “The Earth Is Full”, author Thomas L. Friedman uses information from the Global Footprint Network to make his point, “On the whole, says G.F.N., we are currently growing at a rate that is using up the Earth’s resources far faster than they can be sustainably replenished, so we are eating into the future. Right now, global growth is using about 1.5 Earths.” If this is true than those agreeing with my fellow blogger Craig Biddle, that exploiting the earth “is a basic requirement of human life,” won’t have much earth left for future generations to exploit. What people like Biddle need to understand is that, until everyone realizes that the way in which we are currently using earth’s resources can’t be sustained, we are going to run out of earth! There is no need to completely stop using earth’s resources but, we need to be conscious of the fact that the resources we do use are not all renewable meaning they will eventually run out.
It is my hope that sooner rather than later people start to realize what is really important here, it’s not about the car you drive or the house you own, what matters is that we are able to live happy, healthy and sustainable lives. Thomas L. Friedman uses a great quote in his article from Paul Gilding, an Australian Environmentalist, who agrees that there is a need for change, “We will realize, he predicts, that the consumer-driven growth model is broken and we have to move to a more happiness-driven growth model, based on people working less and owning less. “How many people,” Gilding asks, “lie on their death bed and say, ‘I wish I had worked harder or built more shareholder value,’ and how many say, ‘I wish I had gone to more ballgames, read more books to my kids, taken more walks?’ To do that, you need a growth model based on giving people more time to enjoy life, but with less stuff.”
I think we could all learn a little something from Mr. Gilding, what a great way to look towards the future, we could all use the “happiness-driven growth model!”
An environmentalist is not someone who believes in the well being of the earth over the survival of humankind. An environmentalist is someone who believes that the earth, our provider, should be treated with respect just as one would respect their parents (the ones that provide for them). It is common sense that in order for any organism to survive it needs resources, resources provided by the planet on which it lives, this is not something humans have any control over. But what we don’t need in order to survive is to overindulge or to misuse the resources that are available to us.
In a recent New York Times article I found online, “The Earth Is Full”, author Thomas L. Friedman uses information from the Global Footprint Network to make his point, “On the whole, says G.F.N., we are currently growing at a rate that is using up the Earth’s resources far faster than they can be sustainably replenished, so we are eating into the future. Right now, global growth is using about 1.5 Earths.” If this is true than those agreeing with my fellow blogger Craig Biddle, that exploiting the earth “is a basic requirement of human life,” won’t have much earth left for future generations to exploit. What people like Biddle need to understand is that, until everyone realizes that the way in which we are currently using earth’s resources can’t be sustained, we are going to run out of earth! There is no need to completely stop using earth’s resources but, we need to be conscious of the fact that the resources we do use are not all renewable meaning they will eventually run out.
It is my hope that sooner rather than later people start to realize what is really important here, it’s not about the car you drive or the house you own, what matters is that we are able to live happy, healthy and sustainable lives. Thomas L. Friedman uses a great quote in his article from Paul Gilding, an Australian Environmentalist, who agrees that there is a need for change, “We will realize, he predicts, that the consumer-driven growth model is broken and we have to move to a more happiness-driven growth model, based on people working less and owning less. “How many people,” Gilding asks, “lie on their death bed and say, ‘I wish I had worked harder or built more shareholder value,’ and how many say, ‘I wish I had gone to more ballgames, read more books to my kids, taken more walks?’ To do that, you need a growth model based on giving people more time to enjoy life, but with less stuff.”
I think we could all learn a little something from Mr. Gilding, what a great way to look towards the future, we could all use the “happiness-driven growth model!”
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
All this Green is Making Me Feel Blue...
It's not easy being green.
I'm actually starting to feel for poor old Kermit the Frog. He was right, it's not easy being green. It's not easy when society has made it much, MUCH easier to be a wasteful, overindulgent consumer. It's not easy when you feel as if no matter how hard you try as an individual you will never be able to really make a difference. That's why all this green has got me feeling blue.
Wouldn't it be great if everyone realized how imortant it is to stop relying on oil (foreign or domestic), or if everyone decided that each home should come equiped with its own energy-generating solar panals, or if everyone could agree that researching altrenative sources of energy is one of the best places to invest our money for the future? That would be great, but it's not a reality and I can't afford to put solar panels on my house, I certainly can't research alternative sources of energy and in order to get to school, or anywhere else for that matter, I rely on oil.
I'm starting to realize that the kind of difference I want to make is too big for me to handle on my own. I know I said I would start small and go from there, but starting small has lead me to big things and I want to make a big change. The kind of change that requires some help from our policy makers in Washington.
When Barack Obama was elected in 2008 I was excited at the prospect of having a President who actually cared about our environment. It seemed as though he understood how important it was to eliminate America's dependence on oil and coal and to start investing in alternative sources of energy. In recent months it seems as though the focus of our President has drifted far from these issues and on to other challenges that stand in the way of these policies ever becoming a reality. There's no denying that there are other problems that need to be solved. So, why focus on policies that would create such drastic changes at a time like this? Many Americans feel that it is not important to focus on these issues, not now, not ever.
To be honest, I don't blame them, not when many Americans have other things to worry about such as unemployment, high gas prices and no healthcare. It's hard to see past these issues and focus on something not immediately threatening your day to day life, especially when it's not your job. This is why I think it's so important for Obama to keep these issues in mind when handeling the challenges facing him right now, because he's the only one that has the power to do something about it. He needs to stop listening to the politicians who feel that spending money on clean energy is a waste and should be eliminated from the budget and stand up for the changes he was elected to make.
I for one will not stand by and watch clean energy funding get eliminated, nor will I let this issue be forgotten about. Join me in my effort and sign this petition! The only way we can make a difference is by speaking out, oil companies have been heard and will continue to be the only ones heard by politicians unless we join together and send a louder message... It's time to make a change!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
For As Long As I Can Remember...
The rules growing up in my house were pretty simple, do your chores, get good grades, respect your parents' wishes, fight with your sister only when they're not around and there would be no problems. Pretty easy guidelines to follow and I'm sure they're not too far off from what most children grew up having to abide by. The chores were typical, clean your room, make your bed, help vacuum, clean the kitchen after dinner, do the dishes, take out the trash and recycle... Recycle? Yes recycle, for as long as I can remember doing chores, I can remember recycling. It was one thing that while growing up I thought was a completely normal chore. It wasn't until later in life that I realized not everyone had to stuff old news papers into a brown paper bag, collect all of the empty bottles and cans in the house and drag them to the end of the curb in a big blue bin. In fact, I began to realize there were quite a lot of people who had never recycled anything and had no intentions of doing so. Because I grew up recycling, I never really thought of it as doing something "green" I just thought it was normal. It wasn't until more recently that I realized just how important it was to go green and that it meant a lot more than just recycling.
The past several years of my life have seen a lot of ups and downs, I've been on a long, winding road that has lead me to where I am today. Through those ups and downs I have learned a lot about myself and the person I'd like to be. I know now that there important choices to be made in life that become part of what helps define who we are. Just over a year and a half ago, while in an Environment class at USF, I made one of those important choices, I decided to go green. I knew that the environment and our planet's future meant a lot to me and I felt that it was my duty as a human on this planet to make an effort to preserve it. It was an easy decision to make at the time but what I didn't know was how exactly to do it. Since that day I have not been as active in my efforts as I would like to be and I am not proud of that fact. Part of the reason I started this blog was to renew my efforts in going green and to have a way to hold myself accountable.
I have made a decision in my life to live a certain way, and in making this decision I am becoming a person that I am proud to be.
The past several years of my life have seen a lot of ups and downs, I've been on a long, winding road that has lead me to where I am today. Through those ups and downs I have learned a lot about myself and the person I'd like to be. I know now that there important choices to be made in life that become part of what helps define who we are. Just over a year and a half ago, while in an Environment class at USF, I made one of those important choices, I decided to go green. I knew that the environment and our planet's future meant a lot to me and I felt that it was my duty as a human on this planet to make an effort to preserve it. It was an easy decision to make at the time but what I didn't know was how exactly to do it. Since that day I have not been as active in my efforts as I would like to be and I am not proud of that fact. Part of the reason I started this blog was to renew my efforts in going green and to have a way to hold myself accountable.
I have made a decision in my life to live a certain way, and in making this decision I am becoming a person that I am proud to be.
On Behalf of Humankind
Dear Planet Earth,
On behalf of humankind, I would like to apologize for all that we have done to make you sad.
I'm sorry for exploiting your resources for our benefit, for destroying your magnificent landscapes by tearing down trees and blowing off mountain tops. I'm sorry for looking to the stars with amazement while forgetting about all the wonders on which I stand. You are a kind, welcoming, and nurturing planet one in which we are lucky to inhabit.
I'm sorry for forgetting about the billions of years it took for you to get here and for taking for granted your perfectly balanced atmosphere. I'm sorry for underestimating the sheer power your Mother, Nature, can unleash at any given time. You are a majestic planet, one that deserves our utmost respect.
I'm sorry for disturbing the sensitive ecosystems you have created and for killing the innocent creatures we share our home with. I'm sorry for senselessly polluting your oceans and sky and for seeing only the profits made rather than the damage done. You are a giving planet, one that should be shared, not claimed.
I'm sorry for neglecting your health while focusing on my own and standing idly by as you slowly deteriorate. I'm sorry for not seeing sooner the ways in which we could help you instead of continue to hurt you. You are a delicate planet, one that should be protected.
You are the only planet we have and I hope someday soon we are able to see all that we have done, before it is too late.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Fill in the blank:
This week, in an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle I have, ____________.
So far this week, I have:
1. Purchased a Brita water pitcher, and water bottle in an effort to REDUCE the amount of water bottles used in my household.
So far this week, I have:
1. Purchased a Brita water pitcher, and water bottle in an effort to REDUCE the amount of water bottles used in my household.
These products are convenient and easy to use. I not only reduce the amount of water bottles I use, but I can also use tap water instead of having to buy big jugs of water from the grocery store. ($ saver!)
2. I have begun RECYCLING my cereal boxes. Yes, I know I should have been doing this all along but I didn't know that they could be recycled. After researching what the city of Tampa allows you to recycle I was reminded, myself, of what else could be recycled instead of being put in landfills.
3. I have also purchased the REUSABLE grocery bags at publix, thus reducing or actually eliminating the amount of plastic bags used for each trip. I just have to be sure to remember them every time I go to the grocery store!
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| Look! You can even show your school spirit while saving the environment! |
These three things are the small steps that I have taken this week in an effort to go green. I know there is more that I can do and I will continue to look for new ideas to share with you.
Here are some things that I have already been doing prior to this week:
1. Turn off the lights when you're not in the room! My boyfriend is probably sick of hearing me ask why the lights are still on upstairs when we're not up there. I know it's hard to remember to do sometimes, but it's just the flip of the switch and it can save you a lot of money!
2. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. This may sound obvious enough, but you would be surprised at the fact that some people still leave it running.
3. Turn your air conditioning to at least 75 degrees when no one is home. There is no need to keep it running below this temperature when there is no one to cool. By keeping your temperature at 75 or above (my downstairs unit is set to 82 during the day) you will be reducing the amount of energy you use and most certainly see a drop in your electric bill.
This list of six easy steps is just a fraction of what each of us can actually do to go green. I hope that this post was informative, or at the very least, served as a reminder for you to continue in your efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
"Why Should I Care?"
In my previous blog post, I vowed to make more of an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle. What I didn't talk about, in depth, was what can be recycled and why it should be done. Recycling is an easy step that most everyone can take in going green, this past weekend I decided to do some research on what exactly can be recycled, and what can't. It is important to know what you can put in your blue bin and more knowledge on the subject will only increase the likely hood that you will actually recycle.
In the city of Tampa there is a long list of things you can recycle, I found this information on Tampagov.net and was shocked by the amount of items on the list.
What can be recycled curbside in the blue recycling bin?
So, now that I have armed you with this knowledge, get out there and recycle! But why, you ask? In my last post I touched on a few reasons why such as, using our resources in a smarter way, being less wasteful and trying to reduce the size and amount of landfills being created. This is an important topic to be discussed because not everyone realizes where our trash actually goes, and for how long it sits there.
In an article I found on ehow.com, "How Does Recycling Help the Environment" the author, Julia Fuller, gives a pretty convincing argument for why we should recycle. Fuller states, "According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are over 3,000 active landfills in the United States and over 10,000 old municipal landfills. Papers, including newspapers, are a major filler of modern landfills. If individuals would recycle all of their newspapers, they could significantly prolong the use of each landfill, not to mention save many trees from being cut down." Fuller seems to believe that newspaper is a major contributor to the size and the amount of landfills being created in the United States, this problem most likely stems from the fact that a lot of people don't even realize newspaper can be recycled. It takes no extra effort to put your newspaper in a recycling bin rather than a trash bin. So, as my motto suggests, start small and the next time you take out your trash, be sure to put at least the newspaper in the blue bin and, while you're at it, take a look at the rest of the list and see what else you have been leaving out.
I know this whole reduce, reuse and recycle thing is much easier said than done, and I also vowed in my first post to be as honest and up front about my journey in going green as possible. So I can easily admit that it's not always easy making the change and I have been thinking long and hard of ways I can reduce my consumption of materials. I have recently come to the realization that I have a tendency to overestimate exactly how much of a product I really need. For instance, when grocery shopping I tend to give in to the marketing schemes and buy way to much of a product that I will most likely not be able to consume before it expires. Next time you find yourself in this situation, think about how often you eat, or use the product and whether you will actually be saving money by buying more now, or wasting resources by throwing it out when it expires. After all, it is hard to waste resources when we learn to make smarter decisions about how much we need to buy in the first place!
In the city of Tampa there is a long list of things you can recycle, I found this information on Tampagov.net and was shocked by the amount of items on the list.
What can be recycled curbside in the blue recycling bin?
- Phone Books
- Paperback books
- Junk mail
- Cereal boxes
- 6-Pack soda boxes
- Office paper
- Cardboard*
- Magazines
- Newspapers & inserts
- Catalogs
- Plastic bottles (numbers 1 and 2 only)
- Aluminum and steel cans (including empty aerosol cans)
- Gable-top beverage containers (juice & milk containers)
- Glass bottles & jars (all colors)
So, now that I have armed you with this knowledge, get out there and recycle! But why, you ask? In my last post I touched on a few reasons why such as, using our resources in a smarter way, being less wasteful and trying to reduce the size and amount of landfills being created. This is an important topic to be discussed because not everyone realizes where our trash actually goes, and for how long it sits there.
In an article I found on ehow.com, "How Does Recycling Help the Environment" the author, Julia Fuller, gives a pretty convincing argument for why we should recycle. Fuller states, "According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are over 3,000 active landfills in the United States and over 10,000 old municipal landfills. Papers, including newspapers, are a major filler of modern landfills. If individuals would recycle all of their newspapers, they could significantly prolong the use of each landfill, not to mention save many trees from being cut down." Fuller seems to believe that newspaper is a major contributor to the size and the amount of landfills being created in the United States, this problem most likely stems from the fact that a lot of people don't even realize newspaper can be recycled. It takes no extra effort to put your newspaper in a recycling bin rather than a trash bin. So, as my motto suggests, start small and the next time you take out your trash, be sure to put at least the newspaper in the blue bin and, while you're at it, take a look at the rest of the list and see what else you have been leaving out.
I know this whole reduce, reuse and recycle thing is much easier said than done, and I also vowed in my first post to be as honest and up front about my journey in going green as possible. So I can easily admit that it's not always easy making the change and I have been thinking long and hard of ways I can reduce my consumption of materials. I have recently come to the realization that I have a tendency to overestimate exactly how much of a product I really need. For instance, when grocery shopping I tend to give in to the marketing schemes and buy way to much of a product that I will most likely not be able to consume before it expires. Next time you find yourself in this situation, think about how often you eat, or use the product and whether you will actually be saving money by buying more now, or wasting resources by throwing it out when it expires. After all, it is hard to waste resources when we learn to make smarter decisions about how much we need to buy in the first place!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Resources such as water, energy, and even food are constantly taken for granted in the United States. Many people have forgotten what it takes to have these resources readily available on a day to day basis. The way of life we have grown accustomed to requires these luxuries that so many people have learned to live without. As an American citizen I have come to this realization many times, understanding that I am lucky to live the life that I do. I know that not everyone has the luxuries that I have grown accustomed to such as running water and access to food and water whenever I need it. I don't ever have to worry about going hungry while millions of people all over the globe spend their entire day wondering where their next meal will come from. So what can we do about this? One of the most helpful things we can immediately do is learn how to use our resources wisely. Reducing the amount that we use, reusing things that do not need to be thrown out and recycling resources that we do use is an easy step that everyone can take.
In an article I found on Treehugger.com, these simple steps are just one recommendation on a list of their top ten easiest ways to go green. In the article reducing, reusing and recycling our resources are number six on the list, today I am asking you to make them number one on yours. This is what the article has to say about reducing, reusing and recycling.
After reading the article I felt that this was one of the easiest steps to take. Although recycling will be easy for me, finding a way to reduce and reuse my resources will be a challenge for me. I vow to make this my mission this week, and I hope that you will do the same.
In an article I found on Treehugger.com, these simple steps are just one recommendation on a list of their top ten easiest ways to go green. In the article reducing, reusing and recycling our resources are number six on the list, today I am asking you to make them number one on yours. This is what the article has to say about reducing, reusing and recycling.
Nature Recycles Everything. So Should People. Making proper use of the blue recycling bin has become an iconic action. Reducing the amount of stuff we consume is the first step (and the first word in the mantra reduce-reuse-recycle), finding constructive uses for "waste" materials is the second. Why? Nothing is ever really thrown "away" -- it all has to go somewhere. By recycling and reusing, we reduce the amount of waste that sits in landfills (where even biodegradable products often can?t break due to lack or oxygen and sunlight). Recycling materials also saves energy compared to using virgin materials to create new products. Some materials, like aluminum and glass, can even be recycled without being "downcycled," or turned into a product of lesser quality.
After reading the article I felt that this was one of the easiest steps to take. Although recycling will be easy for me, finding a way to reduce and reuse my resources will be a challenge for me. I vow to make this my mission this week, and I hope that you will do the same.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Green = Jobs?
It's no secret that unemployment in America is a major problem, many politicians have even based their entire campaign on this issue. There is no disagreement on either side of the political fence that the job situation in America could be improved. The debate lies in deciding how to solve the problem. So, what should or should not be done?
According to James Pethokoukis, a political journalist and major contributor for CNBC, going green falls in the "should not be done" category. In one of his previous blog posts Pethokoukis says, "In fact, as evident in Spain, Germany and even Denmark, over-tough green legislation can destroy the productive capacity of the most enlightened industries." Pethokoukis feels that the strict regulations being placed on businesses in an attempt to reduce harmful pollution is detrimental to the economy and creation of jobs. In fact, Pethokoukis feels that we should steer clear of green legislation as much as possible, and not doing so will destroy many thriving industries. He makes his point clear from the very beginning when he states, "Now the question is whether the president can refocus on jobs. This will take, among other things, backing off the economically ruinous climate change agenda."
This view on the issue may have some merit, this is a legitimate concern but, who is to say that the new industry that may be created by the change in legislation will be any less successful than the current one? We are facing a record high unemployment rate, in part, because for many years these "thriving industries" have been sending jobs overseas in search of cheaper labor. If Americans as a whole can set our sites on a cleaner more prosperous future, jobs will naturally be created. This claim is supported in an article published by the Associated Press, found on MSNBC.com called, "Poll: Fighting Global Warming Good For Economy" the article states, "By increasing the cost of doing business, the cap-and-trade bill and the regulations backed by the White House may mean there would be fewer jobs in coal mining, oil refining and other industries that emit greenhouse gases. But many jobs would probably be replaced by "green jobs" such as making wind turbines, installing solar panels and insulating homes."
Jobs and the economy, although extremely important, are not the only reasons green legislation needs to be enacted. What it ultimately comes down to is what kind of a nation we believe we can be. Do we want to create a cleaner, healthier earth for ourselves and our children or do we want to continue exploiting the earth's non-renewable resources with no concern for the harm we are creating? The fact is that America is a nation full of resilience and perseverance. Throughout history, when faced with adversity, our nation has succeeded and become stronger because of it, we should not be afraid of change, but instead embrace it as a way of becoming an even greater nation.
I for one believe that sustainable living (going green) should become an important goal that Americans should strive to reach. I am not in a position to enact laws and regulations to make this a reality, all I can do is start small and hope that the little bit I can do as an individual will help make a change!
Sources:
http://blogs.reuters.com/james-pethokoukis/2010/04/06/create-jobs-dont-go-green/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34431546/ns/business-going_green/t/poll-fighting-global-warming-good-economy/
According to James Pethokoukis, a political journalist and major contributor for CNBC, going green falls in the "should not be done" category. In one of his previous blog posts Pethokoukis says, "In fact, as evident in Spain, Germany and even Denmark, over-tough green legislation can destroy the productive capacity of the most enlightened industries." Pethokoukis feels that the strict regulations being placed on businesses in an attempt to reduce harmful pollution is detrimental to the economy and creation of jobs. In fact, Pethokoukis feels that we should steer clear of green legislation as much as possible, and not doing so will destroy many thriving industries. He makes his point clear from the very beginning when he states, "Now the question is whether the president can refocus on jobs. This will take, among other things, backing off the economically ruinous climate change agenda."
This view on the issue may have some merit, this is a legitimate concern but, who is to say that the new industry that may be created by the change in legislation will be any less successful than the current one? We are facing a record high unemployment rate, in part, because for many years these "thriving industries" have been sending jobs overseas in search of cheaper labor. If Americans as a whole can set our sites on a cleaner more prosperous future, jobs will naturally be created. This claim is supported in an article published by the Associated Press, found on MSNBC.com called, "Poll: Fighting Global Warming Good For Economy" the article states, "By increasing the cost of doing business, the cap-and-trade bill and the regulations backed by the White House may mean there would be fewer jobs in coal mining, oil refining and other industries that emit greenhouse gases. But many jobs would probably be replaced by "green jobs" such as making wind turbines, installing solar panels and insulating homes."
Jobs and the economy, although extremely important, are not the only reasons green legislation needs to be enacted. What it ultimately comes down to is what kind of a nation we believe we can be. Do we want to create a cleaner, healthier earth for ourselves and our children or do we want to continue exploiting the earth's non-renewable resources with no concern for the harm we are creating? The fact is that America is a nation full of resilience and perseverance. Throughout history, when faced with adversity, our nation has succeeded and become stronger because of it, we should not be afraid of change, but instead embrace it as a way of becoming an even greater nation.
I for one believe that sustainable living (going green) should become an important goal that Americans should strive to reach. I am not in a position to enact laws and regulations to make this a reality, all I can do is start small and hope that the little bit I can do as an individual will help make a change!
Sources:
http://blogs.reuters.com/james-pethokoukis/2010/04/06/create-jobs-dont-go-green/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34431546/ns/business-going_green/t/poll-fighting-global-warming-good-economy/
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
It's getting hot in here!
O.K. my choice in video for this blog may be a bit extreme, I admit it, but I promise I didn't purposely search for a video from Fox News... I promise, kind of.
O.K. maybe not, but unfortunately, it's not just Fox News who feels this way. For some, this video is not too extreme and is a completely rational way of thinking about all those "liberals" trying to "greenify" America. For others their skepticism is wrapped in a less, shall I say, insanely absurd package and is slightly more rational. Either way, there are still people out there that just don't believe in climate change/global warming/going green and aren't afraid to share their very colorful opinions on those that do believe.
I distinctly remember a day a few months ago, mid December to be exact, when my boyfriend and I had to make a quick stop at our local Walmart to pick up some chips-and-dip for a football party we were heading to. We were in a hurry and went straight back to the chip isle for the tortilla chips. When it took me more than .05 seconds to find the salsa I asked an employee where I could find it. He pointed me in the right direction and as the kind, hardworking and caring employee that he was, decided to strike up a conversation about where I was heading with my chips-and-dip. The conversation quickly turned to football, obviously and soon after to the collapse of the dome on the Minnesota Vikings stadium that had occurred earlier that morning. We talked about how crazy it was, and agreed that it was nothing short of a miracle that it happened while no one was inside. Then, the conversation turned to the weather, it's been almost six months now and it may be hard to remember but this past winter was one of the coldest, hardest winters on the globe in a long time. With record amounts of snowfall across the northern half of the country the destruction was not limited to just the Metrodome in Minnesota. As we were discussing this recent phenomenon he began to shake his head looking down, then, he looked up at me and with a slight laugh said "ya know, I would really like to ask Mr. Gore where his 'global warming' is now." As my body temperature began to rise, and my face started turning red it was all I could do to keep myself from getting into it with a Walmart employee. I took a deep breath and said, as calmly as possible, "well, that's actually not what global warming is, but we wont get into that now." and proceeded to walk away, quickly, dragging my boyfriend along with me.
I was in shock, surely people don't still believe that global warming was a name given with the intent of being literally translated. How could they? There's been enough talk on the issue in recent years that most people should be able to understand that what global warming is referring to is a slight increase in the earth's temperature as a whole, resulting in changes to our climate and weather conditions. As a college student, who was currently enrolled in an environment class for the second semester in a row, this definition of global warming was perfectly clear to me. I guess it wasn't fair for me to assume that a middle aged man, working at Walmart would have the same amount of knowledge, or even the same views as me. After all, he probably went home in his Chevy Suburban, cranked up his heat and flipped on Fox News, all the while still wondering where that danged global warming is.
 |
| Global Warming at its finest! |
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Where do I begin?
Going green... ok? What the heck does that mean? We've all heard that phrase before, but what does it mean to you? Does it mean selling everything you own, leaving your everyday life as you know it and living off of nature in a forest somewhere? Well it could... if you're that, umm, dedicated. But I am willing to bet, judging by the fact that you are reading this blog on a computer right now, that you have no intention of wiping your bum with leaves and sleeping in a tree somewhere anytime soon. Neither do I, but what I do want to know is what I can do to go green without giving up my life as I know it.
So, where do I begin? Where does the average twenty-something, with many other things besides saving the envirnment on her mind, begin? Small. I'll start small and incase you haven't noticed that's exactly what this blog will be about. I want to learn what someone such as myself can do to make a difference, however small it may be, and share what I learn with you each week. I want to know what can be done in everyday life and what can be learned about how to live a green lifestyle.
I am anticipating that this journey that I am setting out on will not be as easy as it looks and I am willing to bet that I am not the only one that struggles with the inconvience of living a green lifestyle. I plan on documenting the steps that I take to change my ways and I promise to be as honest as possible in sharing my experiences. This blog will be an honest account of what it is like going green in 2011.
So, where do I begin? Where does the average twenty-something, with many other things besides saving the envirnment on her mind, begin? Small. I'll start small and incase you haven't noticed that's exactly what this blog will be about. I want to learn what someone such as myself can do to make a difference, however small it may be, and share what I learn with you each week. I want to know what can be done in everyday life and what can be learned about how to live a green lifestyle.
I am anticipating that this journey that I am setting out on will not be as easy as it looks and I am willing to bet that I am not the only one that struggles with the inconvience of living a green lifestyle. I plan on documenting the steps that I take to change my ways and I promise to be as honest as possible in sharing my experiences. This blog will be an honest account of what it is like going green in 2011.
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