Phantom Power

I have written in the past about vampire power, which is synonymous with phantom power.  It basically means things that you think are turned off are actually using electricity.  Check out this interactive page at CBC that highlights some of the common offenders.

Make It

Lots of people are making their own things or repurposing what they have. Mister Jalopy is probably on of the more famous people in this arena. Here is a piece about him on CNN and his Owner's Manifesto that he wrote for Make.

While this type of work is not for everyone due to technical limitations I think everyone can learn a little bit and there are plenty of DIY and MIY resources on the internet. It's like we all became lazy about everything because we could always buy another one or there was always a new gadget that would solve that problem. Thinking about products differently and incorporating a cradle-to-cradle design mentality will go a long way in addressing our garbage problems.

What if Peak Oil is Real?

I don't mean to be a purveyor of doom and gloom but what if peak oil is real and happening now? Most of us have enjoyed the comforts of cheap and accessible everything. If that ends what will happen? Everything we have hinges on readily available crude oil. What if oranges are only available in Florida? Can we survive without lettuce in February in norther climates? Are we capable of surviving a forced conversion to local everything?

Comparing the current economic crisis to the depression era should be more than an exercise in analyzing charts. In those days people did a lot more on their own. Growing food, repairing clothes, living without as much entertainment and enjoying the company of others seemed more prevalent than today. If peak oil happens and we experience significant scarcity we need to prepare to change everything we do. I'm not sure we're close to preparing to prepare.

"Obesity Tax"

N.Y. state is proposing a tax on soft drinks as part of the upcoming budget. Whether it passes is another matter but it should stimulate a debate. There will be one argument that says these things should be taxed and another that will say soft drinks are benign and people need to think for themselves.

This is a tough one. Tobacco has been taxed for years with some success in reducing smoking rates. Will it work for soft drinks? I don't know. I think we need to look at a more complete approach to tackling obesity rather than a tax on soft drinks only. Generally, I don't like the idea of regulating or taxing behavior because I feel that people should be able to make their own decisions. In the end, unless the tax is $100 per can of pop I doubt it will make a real difference.

Will monitoring make people live green?

I've been reading that some places with large recylcing programs and garbage separation have bylaws to regulate how much recyclable waste can be included in regular garbage. SOme are as low as 5%. Apparently, if you put too many recyclables in the garbage you could get a fine. I also read about "Eco-towns" in the U.K. having everything monitored to ensure it is being eco-friendly.

All this monitoring and regulation makes me wonder if people would be more apt to particpate or will everyone just be compelled and scared into it without thinking. Frankly, I'm getting tired of recycling and separating recyclables. I hardly buy packaged stuff but I seem to have no shortage of recyclables to be put in the appropriate bin. I'd rather see more thought be put into the front-end of the production stream and less focus on waste recovery.

Live Simply So that Others May Simply Live

I saw that on a bumper sticker today. From searching the web I think it is attributed to Ghandi. It rings very true in our modern society. Our economy seems to be built on waste and consumption. This is accomplished primarily through the exploitation of others and at the expense of the earth. I found another post at The Good Human which does a great job of summarizing it. I have discussed the concept before but the quote sums it up beautifully. Thanks to the person from North Carolina with the bumper sticker. You really made me think.

The Greening of the Suburbs

Suburban living has a massive impact on the environment. Some people have tried greening the suburbs but have had some difficulties because of local by-laws. For example, by laws exist that do not allow people to hang their clothes to dry or generate renewable energy. These types of regulations come to the forefront only when challenged by eco-minded citizens.

Reading some online news yesterday I found a story about how artists in Calgary, Alberta tried to replace their front lawn with barley. In that same news article I found out about another artist in Toronto who converted her driveway into something more environmentally friendly. I found here blog and she has a post on both stories.

People in the suburbs have to start being more proactive on the environmental front for us to see a major impact in North America. When that happens it will impact the rest of the world as our consumption patterns change and we, hopefully, set a new example for modern "western" living.

Recycling

I don't mind recycling and separating my garbage. There are times when I find it annoying that I am doing the work of the garbage crew and that no matter what I buy I get saddled with all kinds of packaging. I try to avoid packaging but it is almost impossible. I've changed shopping habits to buy more bulk or larger size items to minimize on the packages. My area has a separation program that has four bins and is pretty easy. I found this article about recycling in Sweden and I don't think I'll complain too much anymore.

The 6 Most Unhealthy Foods

"If you need a little motivation to stay away from these most unhealthy foods, consider that four of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States are related to diet (diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke). And if you're looking to improve yours, cutting back on these six foods is a great place to start."

Check out all my posts about food choices. Healthy, unhealthy, growing your own and more.

What are the kids eating?

I'm sure we've all heard about the pop machines in schools debate. A new study from Centre for Science in the Public Interest (PDF of the press release and CBC report) indicates that nutritional quality of food served in schools is lacking. I don't know what they serve but I never wanted to eat the stuff they served when I was in school. They made fast food look good.

I understand that since children spend most of their day at school they have to eat. However, don't parents provide lunches and snacks to take to school? If they give their children money don't they tell them to stay away from fast food and cigarettes? Doesn't phys-ed class exist anymore? Many studies and statistics point to a looming health crisis in children and dramatic increases in obesity but the message does not appear to be getting through.

If, as a community, people decide schools are providing food with education then they need to be involved in making the healthy choices and pay for it. Parents will need to either provide healthy food for their children to consume during the day or develop a nutritional menu that is developed in conjunction with classroom nutrition education.

I find the CSPI does great work and have been pleased with the attention their reports bring to issues. Unfortunately, we need them to make people aware that a pop machine in every hallway to wash down the fries and gravy from the cafeteria might be bad for children. There is not an information shortage in North America and people have no excuse for not knowing.

Green Birth Control

I will start with a disclaimer: this is not medical advice nor do I know the effectiveness of the following.

In recent years, we have heard of pharmaceuticals, fertilizer, anti-bacterial agents and birth control hormones entering our drinking water systems. We can eliminate fertilizer use on our lawns, stop using anti-bacterial soap and return unused drugs to the pharmacy but we can't stop women who use birth control from urinating.

I suppose something could be done about waste treatment before it re-enters the environment. The hormones wreak havoc on fish populations and could be in the drinking water. What if a birth control alternative existed? Charting, formally known as Fertility Awareness Method, can be used as a birth control method. Basically, cycles are monitored and sexual activity is limited to certain times. Once adopted it becomes a habit and simple. Sounds like the ease of use associated with pills. May not be for everyone but it does have a positive environmental benefit.

Spend your Green Greenly

Green consumer financing is starting to really gain traction, in my opinion. Green mortgages can include offsets or lines of credit for efficiency and environmentally friendly upgrades. Wells Fargo announced a plan to offer rebates and incentives for Visa customers.

I feel that the link between the economy and the environment must be maximized to benefit both sides rather than treating it as a trade-off. By providing financial incentives we can change patterns and behaviors. This is inevitable in our consumer/capital driven economy. For the environment to benefit, or suffer less harm, from economic activity, financial benefits must be promoted as part of any environmental strategy that hopes to create a long-term impact.

Mortgages and the Environment

What could the current mortgage and credit crisis have to do with the environment? Two things in my opinion.

The recent housing craze has driven consumption higher. This obviously has an environmental impact as we consume more and create more garbage. Rising home prices combined with cheap credit fueled consumption in areas such as cars, plasma televisions, second homes etc. Environmental footprints have increased as a result. The relationship between consumption and outsourcing cannot be ignored and the environmental degradation associated with production in developing countries is well documented.

Despite the tangible impact of consumption I feel there is a greater risk looming. Banks, lenders, hedge funds and other investors made risky investment decisions. Now, the risk is being realized. As with most major business/market failures a government bailout looms. Billions were poured into credit markets. As part of pre-election posturing, billions more will probably be given to homeowners who didn't read the fine print and signed up for mortgages that they could not afford. The risk lies in bailing out bad decisions. What if nuclear power turns out to not be so profitable if a distributed model with renewable energy as the source take over? What happens to all those hybrid batteries? What if tar sands are not viable if we move away from an oil fueled economy? Individuals and companies will be making investments in the environment and the future economy. Should we bail out the bad investments in oil exploration, nuclear power and automobiles after we have already subsidized them?

Product Safety

Another toy recall has hit the news. Combined with antifreeze in hotel toothpaste a few days earlier and loads of other product recalls nothing is safe to use or buy. While watching a news report I began thinking if a child chewing on a lead toy for months could get lead poisoning what about the person who made it? What kind of pollution/contamination is in and around the factory that is making these products? To get an idea read the China posts at Globalisation and the Environment. In my opinion, the world has not only outsourced their jobs to China but their pollution as well. Developed economies have regulations and inspections to keep corporations from doing too much damage. However, regulation can only do so much with limited inspection. The biggest element that has moved production offshore is bad publicity that can be generated by a free press. Nothing would be worse than an evening news report that workers at a local toy factory are suffering lead poisoning making your child's toys. China not only lacks regulation and/or enforcement, but they do not have a free press or comparable freedom to challenge the destruction of their environment. It is the backlash from bad publicity that will force change. Citizens in developed countries should not only look at China, though. Plenty of us stand by silently and watch as our environment is also polluted or "developed" for housing. We have a responsibility to take action and protect ourselves and our future.

The wrapper makes it taste better, Mom!!!!

McBrainwashed is a term I found in a Chicago Sun-Times headline. Advertising has worked wonders for McDonald's because a recent study has shown that children believe food tastes better if it comes in a McDonald's wrapper. This comes on the heels of reports that fast food companies have been targeting children with advertising. An inside look at McDonald's and it's operations can be seen on a CNBC program titled Big Mac. It was on last night but check your local listings. I missed most of it but it looked informative and CNBC has done interesting specials on Wal-Mart and eBay in the past.

Advertising is designed to promote products to the people that will buy them. The "nag factor" is exploited by all companies to have children influence buying decisions. Individuals need to take responsibility for their own choices. I don't believe children should be deliberately targeted but regulation is not the answer. In this economy taking your money elsewhere is the best regulator around.