No Impact Week Proves That Talk Is Cheap When It Comes to Change

The other day, a social media friend of mine brought up a great point in response to an article I'd written. The article was about a new technology with a lot of potential for disseminating solar power to more people and businesses. I closed the actual comment without saving it, so I can't quote it exactly, but it was something to the effect of, "this is interesting, but all the technology in the world won't help us if people don't realize that they're just going to have to make some sacrifices and use less energy."

This statement really struck a chord with me.

In my line of work, and the social networks that I affiliate with, it is easy to start feeling really jazzed up about all the positive things that are going on in the world of renewable energy technology, and green consumer products. However, just like the credit experts who say the best way to handle your debt is by spending more (huh?), I feel like we (myself included) might sometimes be forgetting what got us here in the first place.

Humans like things that are easy, fast, and cheap. And because most of the resistance to adopting "green living" habits come from those that say it's not financially feasible, the industry is scrambling to offer green anything with a smaller price tag.

Maybe it's time to realize that it's not enough to say, "I can't afford solar panels" and use this as an explanation and excuse for excessive energy use. Maybe it's time to realize that talk is cheap when it comes to caring about our environmental impact, and although it's not popular to say, sacrifices are necessary if we're going to leave our children with a healthy planet.

If you're ready to see what it's like to put all the jargon and evasive maneuvers aside and "be the change" that you want to see take place in the world, I encourage you to take part in a veritable "carbon cleanse" that is being sponsored by the National Resources Defense Council, the Huffington Post and No Impact Man himself, Colin Beavan. They're calling it, No Impact Week.

Starting Sunday, November 15th, 2009, (whoops you missed a day, but it's the action and not the timing that counts!) this truncated version of the original No Impact Man's, year-long experiment, is a chance for you to see what a difference no-impact living can have on your quality of life. It’s not as much about about giving up creature comforts as it is an opportunity for you to test whether the modern “conveniences” you take for granted are actually making you happier or just eating away at your time and money. Need a little inspiration? Check out these stories from the first No Impact Week on Huffington Post.

And be sure to visit the Simple Steps webpage from the NRDC to register for No Impact Week, so you can receive a helpful email explaining how to get started.

Please feel free to share your experiences in a comment here as well! Reality checks can be hard, but are usually very rewarding.

Green Books Campaign: The War in the Country

This review is part of the Green Books campaign . Today 100 bloggers are reviewing 100 great books printed in an environmentally friendly way. Our goal is to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books.

This campaign is organized by Eco-Libris, a a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website .

At this point in my life, I am an urban (well maybe sub-urban) apartment dweller. I envy those with houses of their own, and especially those whose homes are further away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It's sometimes hard to grasp the importance and gravity of issues facing the small family farmers and ranchers when you can't really see them in action.

That's probably why I chose to review The War in the Country: How the fight to save rural life will shape our future. The title alone brings into focus a fact that many try to ignore: an elimination of rural life will have drastic effects on the way we eat, recreate, and our dreams for an independent future. The book is beautifully constructed, printed on acid-free, 100% post-consumer recycled paper that has been processed chlorine free. It opens with a striking poem, called "Beauty strip" that really sets the tone for the entire book.

Written by Thomas F. Pawlick, author of the tremendously popular book, The End of Food, War in the Country is a unique look at the way that rural life in North America has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Where there were once wide open expanses dotted with working, profitable, family farms, we now see immense, corporate-backed factory farms.

These corporations have come to control the food production system at both ends, setting prices for everything farmers need to produce a crop- such as farm machinery, fuel, seed, and fertilizer- while also setting "farm-gate" prices at the other end, the amount that farmers are paid for their crops. With input prices constantly rising, and output prices steadily dropping, small-scale farmers are effectively squeezed out of the market.

Using experiences from his own community in rural Canada, Pawlick demonstrates the immense pressure that is being exerted on those that dare to stand up to big agriculture. Readers will be engrossed in the way Pawlick allows the stories to unfold in the words of those most affected by the changes: husbands, wives, children, Native Americans, and small business owners. You will cheer as they gather together to fight greed and cowardice with truth and community, and groan when, in many cases, their efforts are still thwarted.

Although decidely in support of the rural farmer, Pawlick also interviews those on the other side, the politicians and factory farmers that think they are simply acting in favor of efficient business practices. This provides readers with a rare look at the thought processes and beliefs of those operating on "the other side."

Time and time again throughout the book, Pawlick shows how facts from court documents, Canadian law, and newspaper reports are consistently twisted, ignored or changed; facts that are supposed to be there to protect fair trade, ensure that producers are offered living wages for their wares, and to keep irresponsible, environmentally toxic practices from flourishing.

War in the Country is provocative and written in a way that allows you to see the personal and permanent way that big businesses, with the aid of the federal government, is systematically punishing, harassing and eliminating the family farm. Although this book focuses on the family farmer, the implications of the events it records can be applied to struggles in Rural First and developing nations, as well as small business people around the world.

As Pawlick points out, the outcome of these clashed will decide not only the future of rural life globally but also the quality and sustainability of our food, our water, our soil and our air- of the environment on which we depend for survival. As you will see when you read this book, we can no longer wait for someone else to right these wrongs; it is you and I who must join the fight to secure our food future.

(Green Books Campaign logo designed by Susan Newman)

Review and Giveaway: Indonique Provides Social Responsibility in Every Sip

Those who know me well know that I am fond of saying that there is a tea for anything that ails you. Human beings survived for centuries without the help of what we refer to as "modern medicine" and herbal teas have always played a huge role in the health of these populations.

However, the fact that many of the herbs and flowers that go into conventional tea are harvested in countries with little respect for human rights, environmentally-conscious agricultural practices or fair wages for workers, makes buying tea somewhat of a moral dilemma.

Although you may depend on your morning Chai latte to get you moving through your day with a smile, how often have you ever stopped to think about whether the company that sells it really cares about true health and wellness?

Thankfully, there are companies like Indonique who are committed to providing authentic whole leaf teas while at the same time giving back to the people who pick and package them.

Founded by a native of New Orleans, George Constance, and then washed away in the nightmare of Hurricane Katrina, Indonique has risen again as a testament to the fact that the socially-minded businesses are some of the most resilient in the marketplace.

Restablished in Conneticut, Indonique is a tea and chai company that sells its specialty blends and tea brewing accessories directly to consumers via the internet as well as retailers and wholesalers. What makes Indonique truly unique is not simply that they donate 10% of every sale to the communities where their tea is picked through their Program T42.

If you've never given much thought to the lifestyle of those that painstakingly pick and prepare the teas that you enjoy, it might surprise you to learn that the average daily pay is about $1.28 for a tea plucker in Darjeeling, one of the lowest wage rates in the formal economy. These people are left to the mercy of large corporations that waltz in and name the (low, low) price that they will pay for the teas they ship all over the world.

T42 is a new way of doing business that links the success of Indonique with the well being of the people people who pick their teas. These 10% donations are funneled into international non-governmental organizations like Feed the Children and Mercy Corps. Unlike a charity, Indonique consider the tea pickers to be partners in the more profitable retail end.

To get connected with Indonique, follow them on Twitter, and join their Facebook group Program T42. Also, browse their list of current vendors to see if the tea can be purchased near you!

I had the pleasure of sampling some Indonique teas in preparation for this review, and have to say that they were truly delicious. The lucious, fragrant Vanilla Chai has earned a spot on my morning (and night time) tea list, as well as the anti-oxidant rich Ginger Peach Orange Green Tea, which is great for a healthy pick me up during the post-lunch slump.

But you don't have to take my word for it...

GIVEAWAY: Indonique has generously offered to give FOUR BOXES of their amazing tea to one lucky EcoSpheric Blog reader! Enter today!

**Note: Please leave your Twitter Username or Email address on your entry so that you can be contacted if you win.

To Enter: First Entry (required) - Visit the Indonique Website and leave a comment on this blog post telling which tea variety you'd most like to try.

Second Entry - Follow @ecosphericblog on Twitter (or let me know you're already a follower) and Tweet about this giveaway. Leave a separate comment on this blog post with your a link to the tweet.

Third Entry - Become a follower of The EcoSpheric Blog and leave a comment on this post telling me you followed.

Bonus for Two Extra Entries - Post this Giveaway on your blog or website and leave a comment on this blog post with the link to your post.

This giveaway will end on Monday, November 2nd at 12 pm Mountain Time.

Ways to Keep Your Home Warm Without Heating Up the Planet

(These house-warming suggestions were provided by Ideal Bite, the best place to find bite-size ideas for light green living, covering everything from organic cosmetics to seasonal recipes from local chefs!)

Sliding Into Home

If the cold makes you wanna stay at home base, instead of cranking up the heat, hang some eco-friendly, cold-busting curtains, throw down a rug to keep your toes insulated from a cold floor, or cuddle up in a blanket. Still got goose bumps? Sit yourself down in front of an eco-fire (or energy-efficient space heater) instead of heating up the whole house. Safe.

Major League Draft

You can caulk your way out of chilly drafts (find a greener sealant in #6 of our Top 10) or you can decorate. Just by adding curtains, thick-pile rugs, and fabric-covered draft blockers, you'll keep the heat in and give your CO2-pumping heater a break.

Windows

• Open up curtains during the day (warm sunlight in) and close 'em at night (arctic winds out).
• Energy Saver Linen Tab Top Curtain - set of two window coverings with linen outer layer and a lining to trap heat inside - note: The lining is plastic (not ideal), so if you go for these, be sure to maintain 'em for the long haul ($130).

Doors

• Recycled Patchwork Draft Blocker - dog-shape draft snake handmade from scrap material that slides against doors to keep heat in; also a cat; proceeds go to animal shelters around the world ($15).
• DIY Bite - Make your own draft snake with fabric scraps around the house - courtesy of our SF edition.

Warming Up to Bat

If you've got a fireplace and the chills, light it up - just go for less-polluting, wood-saving fire logs. If you're electric-only, lower the thermostat and use an oil-free space heater when you're staying put in one room.

Fire Logs

• Java-Log Fireplace Logs - crackling logs that burn for 3 hours. Made from old coffee grounds and vegetable waxes, and packaged in recycled materials. Find stores here ($32/6 logs).

Space Heaters

• Holmes Energy Save Heater Fan - set this hot-air blower to Eco-Smart, which automatically swings from high to low wattage to conserve energy, while maintaining a consistent level of warmth ($40).

Cover All the Bases

This year, consider skipping the electric blanket - they soak up energy and cause thousands of fires each year (and the jury's still out on whether EMFs are unhealthy for you too). Instead, snuggle up in a blankie made from recycled or organic materials.

• In2Green Branches Blanket - recycled-cotton and acrylic, 50-by-60-inch throw with a modern branch and moon print; comes in gray, light blue, brown, or maroon ($125).
• Blue Lotus Santa Cruz Blankets - lightweight, recycled-fleece and nylon, 60-by-72-inch blanket with carry-bag; one side is waterproof (great if you need to use it outdoors); prints include leopard spots, poppies, animals, and botanicals ($79).

Read even more great tips about how to warm up without cranking up the heat at IdealBite.com!

Coal River Valley Residents Declare State of Emergency, Meet with Governor Joe Manchin; Seven Sit-In

CHARLESTON, W.Va.- Coal River Valley residents and supporters associated with Mountain Justice and Climate Ground Zero delivered a letter to Governor’s Manchin’s office in the State Capitol building at 12:15 p.m. today. The statement from Coal River Valley residents calls on Manchin to use his executive powers to halt mountaintop removal mining operations on Coal River Mountain, one of the last intact mountains remaining in the Coal River Valley area.

Governor Manchin met the letter deliverers in the antechamber of his office and spoke with Lorelei Scarbro of Rock Creek and Chuck Nelson of Glen Daniel. As of 2:30 p.m. seven young people are sitting in the antechamber, refusing to leave until Manchin moves to halt MTR on Coal River Mountain or they are forcibly removed. Security guards conveyed to them that they have permission to remain until the close of normal business hours at 5 p.m..

“We are delivering this letter to our governor with residents of the Coal River Valley,” said Miranda Miller and Angela Wiley of Morgantown, W.Va., two of the seven sitters, “We are West Virginia citizens standing in solidarity with the people who submitted comments for this letter, voicing their concerns on the dangers of blasting on Coal River Mountain.”

For years, local residents have expressed their concerns over the long-term health effects of their proximity to coal mining and processing operations, while scientists have stated that it devastates local ecosystems and contaminates groundwater with carcinogens and heavy metals. One of the most imminent dangers associated with the proposed Coal River Mountain operation is its proximity to the Brushy Fork sludge impoundment dam, which holds seven to nine billion gallons of toxic coal slurry.

Many Coal River Valley residents have put forth the idea of constructing of an industrial-scale wind farm on the mountain instead of MTR. The ridges on Coal River Mountain are rated as Class 7 wind sources, the highest and most productive rating. Research by the Coal River Community Wind Project has shown that a wind farm on top of the mountain could generate approximately 1.2% of West Virginia’s total energy needs and would create at least 300 jobs in the area. A wind farm will produce energy for as long as the wind blows, unlike coal – reserves of which, according to the U.S. Geologic Survey, will last only another 14 years.

“By blasting away our wind potential, we risk losing the opportunity to have jobs that would last forever,” Chuck Nelson, a retired coal miner, said, “As we face the climate crisis, we need to set an example in creating renewable energy.”

Contact: Dea Goblirsch or Garrett Robinson (304-513-4710)
Email: news@climategroundzero.org

Don't Leave Your Children A Dying Planet

Today is Blog Action Day 2009, and the issue is climate change. In fact, the issue has been climate change for the last decade. Is it scientifically proven? Is it part of a liberal agenda to take over the world? Is your Congressperson being politically correct enough when they are asked about their stance on it?

As I consider how to take part in this day of action, I find myself asking "who cares?" The most dire projections about what will happen as a result of unchecked climate change aren't scheduled to occur until the end of my lifespan...and maybe not until I've already passed away. What am I so worried about?

And the answer, to sound totally cliche and a little bit like a washed up celebrity concert, is:
THE KIDS. The reality is that those who stand to lose the most from inaction are the ones who have the least say in what happens regarding climate change.

Climate change deniers are banking on the fact that they won't have to live with the consequences of their decisions, right or wrong. In the mean time, denying that climate change is human accelerated and potentially fatal for all living things is a convenient way to justify greed, laziness, irresponsibility and ignorance in all its forms.

What kind of a message is this sending to our children, the ones who will have to deal with the mess we're making- 20, 50 and 100 years from now (if humans last that long)?

The only hope we have is that the kids will realize that those in power (the ADULTS!) have lost their ability to be spontaneous and practical. (Most) politicians have sold their souls to the bureaucratic process, happy to set up sub-committees to oversee the investigations of the committees, instead of facing the facts and making the sacrifices that buy us a little more time.

That's why organizations like Kids vs. Global Warming are so important. Led by a now 14 year old Alex Loorz, this organization isn't even trying to reach the adults and opinion leaders, it's mobilizing the youth.

We are a group of kids that Educate other kids about the science of global warming and Empower them to take action. Through educational presentations, community activism projects, multi-media, and leadership training, we empower youth to use their voice, and remind kids that WE MATTER! and there really is something we do something about global warming.

For all you adults who haven't really been paying attention to the climate change rhetoric because it's all just (ahem) too complicated for you to figure out, Kids vs. Global Warming has a pretty comprehensive 400 word explanation for you, and it even has pictures.

I guess my point is that no matter what political party you're affiliated with, no matter which religion you practice; there's a good chance you love your kids with every last breath you have. If we can't agree to take action to stop climate change for each other, can't we agree to do it for them?

Parents always say that they would do anything for their kids. How about saving their planet?

Pretty in Pink: Organic Bug Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

I'm not what you would call a "girly-girl," being far more comfortable in jeans and sandals than I've ever been in heels and a skirt. However, I understand that finding beauty products which are both good for you and good for the environment, is pretty hard for women across the board.

That's why it's important to recognize companies making a choice to offer cosmetics that are both without sacrificing prettiness or practicality.

OrganicBug.com, an online retailer offering sustainable products that promote healthy lifestyles, announced today that it would take part in the fight against breast cancer by supporting the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, a 24 hour life-changing event that gives local communities a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.

Inspired by the efforts of one of its favorite companies, Piggy Paint, Organic Bug will be donating 10 percent of its sales of Piggy Paint’s Fight Breast Cancer Gift Set to the local Relay for Life event that will happen in April of 2010 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Organic Bug is proud to offer Piggy Paint’s Fight Breast Cancer Gift Set, which contains two bottles of polish that arrive sweetly placed among a nest of pink shredded paper in a pink frosted TO GO box. Piggy Paint Kid-Friendly Nail Polish is the safest nail polish available for children and adults. It is specially formulated using natural ingredients and dries to a hard, durable finish. Piggy Paint polishes have no harsh, smelly, toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate or acetone. It’s as ‘natural as mud’ in the sense that every ingredient is biodegradable with no residues left behind to harm the environment.

Piggy Paint already donates a portion of every purchase of the gift set directly to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in addition to donating a bottle of nail polish to a woman currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Organic Bug has now sweetened the deal for its customers by adding a free bottle of nail polish remover and offering free shipping for each purchase of a gift set.

“Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women today,” said Peggy English, co-founder of Organic Bug. “We were inspired by the actions of Piggy Paint and are happy to add our own contribution to supporting breast cancer survivors and the fight for a cure.”

Consumers interested in purchasing the Piggy Paint Fight Breast Cancer Gift Set are invited to learn more about the product on the home page of OrganicBug.com.