Green Daily

Conservationists score big win in California

Josh Loposer — 2008-05-09T16:06:00 00:00

Filed under: Local, News

Good news, a huge chunk of California is now protected from becoming suburban sprawl. Conservationists and developers finally came to an agreement this week after a long running standoff over what to do with 265,000 acre ranch north of Los Angeles. As the largest contiguous stretch of privately owned-land in California, the ranch has been highly sought after by developers and conservationists alike for its rich biodiversity and its proximity to LA.

Thursday, the Tejon Ranch Co. agreed to protect 90% -- or about 240,000 acres -- of its ranch land from future development. In return, developers get to build their precious condo high-rises and strip malls on the remaining 10% without facing opposition from the Sierra Club or the Natural Resources Defense Council -- and you know that no developer wants to mess with those guys. The 165 year-old ranch covers a lot of prime habitat for the endangered California Condor.

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Earth decides to eat oil equipment

Josh Loposer — 2008-05-09T12:05:00 00:00

Filed under: Local, News

A giant sinkhole opened up in Daisetta, Texas Wednesday, swallowing up oil tankers, oilfield equipment, cars, and a few telephone poles. Officials aren't quite sure what caused the huge, 600-ft. across piece of earth to give way, but I'm pretty sure I know why it happened: the Earth is really pissed off. All of that abuse to our environment has really come home to roost and now Mother Earth is fighting back.

OK, I don't really mean that literally. Although it might be kinda cool to see a movie-like attack by the forces of nature, that's probably not what's behind the crater. Most people suspect that this freaky black hole has developed as a result of Daisetta's history -- it's an oil boomtown back in the day.

During theTexas oil boom, drilling companies weren't know for doing much research before they started drilling holes in the ground. So, the giant pit is probably the result of some kind of irresponsible drilling in an unstable area -- how symbolic. Who knows, maybe the Earth is exacting its revenge on the oil industry. Just in case, don't stand too close to any oil refineries.

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Plastic bag defeats Google

Jonathon Morgan — 2008-05-08T13:08:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Local

In case you need reminding about why the increasing number of plastic bag bans are probably good for all involved, here's an image captured from one of Google Street View's cameras in Alaska. Just when you thought you'd get a closer look at the address you needed to find on Minnie St, you discover that it's been eaten by a large, angry sack from the local supermarket. Fie!

And honestly, that's probably the least of your worries. If you remember, there's an entire "island" of discarded plastic crap that's twice the size of the continental US currently floating off the coast of Hawaii. Plus, if you believe Edward Norton, over 500,000 billion plastic bags are used every year worldwide, the majority of which never fully biodegrade.

So maybe it's time you picked up a cute reusable bag? (Or any reusable bag, for that matter.) Sure, it's a small change, but it's an easy one to make.

[via Gizmodo]

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New York replace subway tunnel lights with LEDs

Brad Linder — 2008-05-08T10:33:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Local

Sure, changing the light bulbs in your house to compact fluorescents can cut your energy bills a bit and save you a few bucks. But if you're a municipal agency like the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority, with 60,000 lights to replace, those savings can add up fast.

The MTA is in the process of changing the lights in the New York subway system to LEDs. So far, the agency says it's changed 47,000 signal lights. When the upgrades are complete, the change could save the city up to $4.8 million per year, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And the LED lights are 150 percent brighter than the old light bulbs to boot.

The MTA is also replacing incandescent bulbs at subway stations with compact fluorescent lights.

[via Good Clean Tech]

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Beachfront battles

Leslie Wolcott — 2008-05-07T15:35:00 00:00

Filed under: Home, Local, Activism

This post is part of a series about environmental justice, or EJ for short. The easiest way to understand EJ is to ask: Broadly speaking, are the costs of environmental degradation distributed consistently with the benefits? For instance, are the countries who are creating the most CO2 emissions suffering the lowest air standards? For a more in-depth definition, visit the EPA, Justice Net, or the Sierra Club.

This New York Times article about the Gullah/ Geechee people's fight to keep their land in Sapelo Island, Georgia, brings up some of the more difficult aspects of environmental justice. Who doesn't think it would be wonderful to live in a beautiful place? Sometimes in our quest to do that we over look those who already live there, whether they are human or more-than-human.

The members of the Hog Hammock community on Sapelo Island are fighting a battle familiar to anyone who has lived in a coastal area: rising property values based on second home and vacation property prospecting. Sapelo, accessible only by limited ferryboat shuttle, has maintained its salt marsh ecosystem, anthropologically valuable shell middens, and its cultural heritage more than most islands. Nearby Hilton Head, Tybee, and St. Simon's islands have all been nearly razed over in builders' attempts to get the most vacation homes possible on the desirable island real estate.

The problem is that as we develop real estate on islands like this, we take away just what makes them attractive. Building too close to the water endangers very delicate sand dune ecosystems. Bright lights along the coast scare away sea turtles, who come ashore to lay their eggs. For the Gullahs on Sapelo, development also endangers the way that they have always lived.

These islands, though, have a history that has been both well-documented and, according to some, unfairly appropriated by outsiders. The Gullah / Geechee people, descendants in part of West African slaves, have preserved some unique language and cultural practices -- one of which is the beautiful basket weaving famous also in Charleston's downtown market. This cultural preservation has come in the face of a number of challenges, not the least of which is higher and higher real estate prices.

In a world with limited land and a population that continues to grow exponentially, where do we find the balance between preserving culture and history and the "free market" property system? Is it possible that we don't place appropriate values on all the values a piece of land can contain?

Read more about the Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society.

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Urban chickens making a comeback?

Patrick Metzger — 2008-05-05T13:01:00 00:00

Filed under: Food, Home, Local

I remember back when I was a young whippersnapper, Ma and Pa used to keep chickens in the house, which we treated just like family, except we ate 'em. Course that was afore we found oil out in the yard and moved to Beverly Hills.

In recent years, urban poultry farming has declined in popularity, but with food prices rising and people becoming more interested in eating locally, the practice may be making a comeback.

The Toronto Star reports that more and more city-dwellers are turning towards personal chicken coops for fresh eggs and even meat (even here in Toronto, where it's technically illegal to raise poultry other than pigeons for "sport".)

In other jurisdictions, including many US cities, raising chickens is legal so long as basic hygenic precautions and specific regulations around the size of coops and runs are observed. If it's something that interests you, check out backyardchickens.com, or Green Daily's own resident expert to help you get started.

Next week, the coming trend: backyard cattle ranches.

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Jazz Fest recycles more than music this year

Kelly Leahy — 2008-05-05T11:48:00 00:00

Filed under: Local

In a city that has no official recycling program, New Orleans' Jazz Fest organizers took it upon themselves to set an example and provide recycling for the thousands of attendees. This event takes place for seven days over a two week period and all beverages must be bought on site.

Millions of cans and plastic bottles that would have flooded into local landfills were collected and trucked 90 miles or more to recycling centers. Festival goers could drop their beverage containers into plastic bins all around the grounds with huge banners reading, "Reuse, Rebuild, Rebirth."

I'm sure that there was recycling in past years but never has it been as visible as it was for 2008. Recycling might seem like a "no brainer" for event planners nowadays but in New Orleans where many are still focused on putting a roof over their heads, this is a pretty big deal and a strong step forward.

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Schwarzenegger's jet-setting could be grounded

Josh Loposer — 2008-05-01T17:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Celebrities, Local, News, Polit-eco

In recent months, many of California's vigilant environmentalists have been pointing out that -- when it comes to the environment -- the Govenator talks the talk, but he doesn't necessarily walk the walk. In fact, he doesn't walk much at all, he prefers to take his private jet. Not exactly the most carbon-conscious decision.

Here's the controversy: the Schwarzeneggers live in posh neighborhood in Brentwood, and Arnold works each day in Sacramento -- 380 miles away. Usually flies his Gulfstream IV from his mansion to work, but a new ban might close the town's small airport to all jets. The 300 runway was designed for propeller-driven planes and many are concerned about the potential for a disastrous overrun by a jet into the nearby houses. A federal judge will rule on whether to ban the jets. So far, Arnold doesn't seem moved by the criticism of his carbon spewing commute.

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Pittsburgh takes top spot for particle pollution

Josh Loposer — 2008-05-01T15:45:00 00:00

Filed under: Health, Local, News

The Pirates may be leading MLB's charge to go reduce its environmental impact, but it looks like the the steelers are holding them back. Not the NFL Steelers mind you, I'm talking about the city's trademark steel industry.

For the first time on record, a non-California city has taken the top honors in 1 of the 3 categories rated by the American Lung Association. People of Pittsburgh, your air barely edged out LA's to take the prize for worst short-term particle pollution in the country.

Don't worry yourselves too much, LA still won 2 out of the 3 categories -- so the equilibrium of the universe is still in tact. LA is starting to see improvements in its air quality, however, since the city began to take action to remove particulate pollution. Pittsburgh has also taken measures to control its particle pollution, but they won't effect the rating, since the study used data collected from 2004 through 2006.

To put it in technical terms, short-term particle pollution is the tiny soot-like junk that can enter your lungs. It can vary greatly from day to day, depending on weather and factory output. This isn't the type of pollution associated with asthma, but it is thought to raise the risk of stroke and heart attacks when it's at high levels.

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Recycle your CFLs at ACE Hardware

Kelly Leahy — 2008-05-01T13:39:00 00:00

Filed under: Home, Local, News, Shopping Guide

Despite how long ACE Hardware has been supplying the nation's neighborhoods with building supplies, competition with the home improvement giants is fierce. ACE has struck a deal with the Department of Environmental Services that may thin it from the herd. ACE will now accept your compact fluorescent lamps at any of its locations nationwide for recycling. Broken bulbs will also be accepted as long as they are sealed in a plastic bag.

CFLs should not be thrown out with your regular household trash due to a small amount of mercury in the bulbs that can contaminate soil or expose workers to dangerous levels.

This is great news for me since I have an ACE Hardware store within walking distance from my house. I also think that this is a step in the right direction and soon we will see more retailers accepting CFLs for recycling.

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Brits love their trains

Josh Loposer — 2008-04-30T18:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Local, News

With the growing concern over greenhouse emissions and rising fuel costs, conditions are right for a golden age in mass transit. That's certainly the case in Britain, where the number of people riding trains is smashing all previous peacetime records. After concluding the latest study on train travel in the UK, researchers were blown away by the sudden growth in ridership. Only during WWII -- when massive troop movements were taking place over the railways -- have levels been so high.

Since 1994, the number of Brits taking the train has shot up 67%, and researchers are predicting that rail capacity is going to have to double by 2030. That's a lot of cars off the road. It's no secret that the British people are some of the most environmentally aware, but it also doesn't hurt that they have an adequate railway system -- something we lack here in the States. Guess we'll have to settle for bikes.

[via Treehugger]

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Hog farms cause outrage

Leslie Wolcott — 2008-04-30T13:05:00 00:00

Filed under: Food, Local, News

This post is part of a series about environmental justice, or EJ for short. The easiest way to understand EJ is to ask: Broadly speaking, are the costs of environmental degradation distributed consistently with the benefits? For instance, are the countries who are creating the most CO2 emissions suffering the lowest air standards? For a more in-depth definition, visit the EPA, Justice Net, or the Sierra Club.

In Marty, South Dakota a local Native American group is protesting the state's licensing of a large hog farm -- and some individuals have been arrested for attempting to prevent construction work on the farm. The native community is worried about the farm's proximity to a community Head Start center-- a federal grant-supported preschool development program aimed at leveling the academic and developmental playing field for economically disadvantaged children. So what if that playing field smells like pig poop?

These farms, called Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), also require a lot of clean up. When you feed thousands of animals in a confined space, there is a natural consequence. They process the food and create -- you guessed it -- pig poop. Lots and lots of smelly and -- if not properly disposed of, hazardous -- solid waste.

The Yankton Sioux are not the only ones concerned with CAFOs: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulates CAFOs and list antibiotics, pathogens, solid wastes, pesticides and hormones as just a few of the potential hazards of discharges of manure at these farms.

Of particular concern in the case of CAFOs is the possibility that waste runoff will wind up in streams and rivers. The way CAFOs process waste is highly regulated. However, some farms don't always adhere to regulations, and some people believe the regulations are not strict enough. However, this is also one way to produce pork cheaply so that we can afford barbecue: is it worth it?

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NYC rolls out big plans for bikers

Josh Loposer — 2008-04-30T10:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Health, Local, News, Fitness

Only a few weeks after the congestion charge put forward by Mayor Bloomberg got denied by state legislators, NYC is back on the attack with a plan to ease traffic congestion on Manhattan's crowded streets.

What's the crux of the new plan? A bike-friendly makeover to help encourage New Yorkers to make their daily commute two wheels. Details after the jump.

Over the last decade, the number of cyclists hitting the pavement in New York City has grown by 10%. That puts it up to about 112,000 riding every day. Percentage-wise, it may not be all that impressive, but by sheer volume alone it's a pretty healthy cycling population. So, it's about time that the city's infrastructure started to reflect the biking habits of it citizens. Here are a few highlights of the NY Department of Transportation's strategic plan:

Double the number of bikers in the city by 2015.
Add 15 miles of protected bike lanes by 2010, and another 30 miles by 2015. (We really like this one.)
Create 200 miles of new bike lanes by 2009.
Build 37 bike parking shelters and 5,000 more city bike racks. Bike shelters? Sounds cool, yet not all that necessary.

[via Treehugger]

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Starbucks moving backwards?

Kelly Leahy — 2008-04-29T16:58:00 00:00

Filed under: Food, Local

I thought it was a fluke when I bought a pastry from Starbucks and they gave it to me in a white box rather than an unbleached paper bag. After all, the Starbucks around here are always running out of things. But then after another visit to a different Starbucks I realized that the company had done away with their simple to go bags and had replaced them with cardboard pastry boxes.

I can't quite figure out the reasoning behind this shift as pastry boxes weigh more, take up more space and most likely are made from bleached pulp. For a company that claims to be reducing their waste, this comes as a surprise.

When I contacted Starbucks, asking why they had changed to the more wasteful boxes, I got an email back thanking me for my comment. Nothing pleases a customer more than knowing that their carefully thought out question warrants them a form letter.

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Half-naked ladies give out free gas

Jonathon Morgan — 2008-04-28T16:58:00 00:00

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Food, Local, Activism

It's hard to imagine a more perfect scenario. You pull into your local gas station, grimacing at the thought of dropping $40 (or more) to fill up your tank, muttering about how lonely you feel thanks to the fight you just had with your wife, when surprise -- totally hot, half-naked women appear before your eyes! And even better -- they're giving out free gasoline!

Sounds like an odd (and kind of pervy) dream, but in fact it's yet another sans-clothing stunt by your friends at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Gallery: PETA's Naked Protest Highlights

This time the animal lovers are persuading passers-by to go veg by championing the eco-friendly qualities of a meat-free diet. According to PETA's calculations, "eating a single pound of meat is the environmental equivalent of driving more than 40 miles in a Hummer," and they cite a study by University of Chicago researchers that suggests a vegan diet is "more effective at countering global warming than switching from a standard car to a Toyota Prius."

Sure, similar claims by the organization have been questioned, but the environmental drawbacks of an omnivorous lifestyle are fairly well-documented, so PETA isn't completely off-base. If you'd to ~~gawk at the scantily-clad women~~ engage the Lettuce Ladies in a serious conversation about climate change (and score some free gas), you'll need to be at the BP station at 8201 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, VA between 10am and 11am.

See you there?

Learn more about the campaign at PETA's site dedicated to vegetarianism, GoVeg.com.

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Live Earth part deux: Gore is on board

Josh Loposer — 2008-04-28T15:01:00 00:00

Filed under: Celebrities, Local, News, Climate Change

The rumor mill had it right: there will be a Live Earth this year. Only, this year's simultaneous concert event will be more like a Live US than a Live Earth. Saturday night at the GoGreenExpo in New York City, Live Earth founder Kevin Wall confirmed rumors that the festival will be coming to cities across the US on October 5 -- and yes, Al Gore will be tow. Apparently, this year's slightly less ambitious Live Earth will take place at college campuses across the US and will take aim at 2008's presidential election, encouraging people to "rock the green vote." Now, what exactly does that mean?

Aside from Gore -- who is not a candidate or cabinet appointee -- the lineup of performers has yet to be announced. Heck, even the college campuses that are supposedly hosting the event are still under wraps. Organizers have 5 months to round up the bands, locations, and fans to put together another unprecedented simul-concert. I hope they're more prepared than they appear to be.

[via Ecorazzi]

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Tornado turns one Kansas town green

Kelly Leahy — 2008-04-26T08:35:00 00:00

Filed under: Local

Greensburg, Kansas isn't sexy enough to have Brad Pitt build them eco-friendly homes. They have to come up with their own plan and they have. Hit hard by a tornado in May of 2007, Greensburg is still trying to pull itself together the green way.

Not only are residents encouraged to buy energy efficient appliances and consider solar panels, but town leaders are pushing for every municipal project to adhere to the highest environmental standards possible. Two of the projects underway are a recycling center and a water system that transforms rainwater into drinking water.
A non-profit group has been founded by town leaders to help residents and businesses rebuild with conservation in mind. Greensburg's efforts have kept them in the national spotlight and will hopefully help to revive this storm ravaged town. Way to go.

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Three foods that I always buy locally

Kelly Leahy — 2008-04-24T14:05:00 00:00

Filed under: Food, Local

There is some debate between choosing locally produced foods over organic. I live in New Orleans an we have a long growing season. Because of this, we have a fantastic farmers' market that keeps me in local fruits and veggies year-round. I'm not going to lie and say that I never buy organic bananas from some foreign country or cheese from Vermont. However, there are a few items that I always buy from local growers instead of organic. Here are three:

Milk. We drink a lot of milk and I will gladly pay the extra dollar a gallon to support a local farmer and his or her hormone free cows over Horizon and their shady dealings.
Strawberries. Strawberry season started months ago, if you can believe it. For years I would buy strawberries at the grocery store but they never tasted like I remembered them tasting as a kid. It wasn't until I started buying them locally that I fell in love with them again.
Sugar. If I drive far enough outside of the city, I can get swallowed up by sugar fields. Sugar cane grows in tall stalks then gets harvested and refined locally. It makes a lot more sense for me to buy Domino than a brand that operates out of South America.

What foods or products do you try to buy locally above all others?

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The Suburban Farmer: Community Supported Agriculture

Shawn Schuster — 2008-04-24T13:33:00 00:00

Filed under: Food, Health, Local

Let's say you've tried your hand at gardening recently, but you've discovered your thumb just isn't as green as you'd imagined. There is hope yet! A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is the perfect way to become involved in a sustainable local food plan, even if you don't have the talent or time to grow your own. In a CSA, you and a group of people in your region become "members" of a specific farm. You pay annual or monthly dues, and in return, receive the freshest produce straight from the land itself, eliminating the harmful environmental effects that transporting food across the country can bring.

There are many resources devoted to finding a CSA near you, including Localharvest.org, where you can search by zip code. If you don't have a CSA in your region, don't be afraid to start one up yourself! Not only will you be supporting local farmers and their families, but in some cases, the farmers ask that the CSA members do some manual labor on their farm itself. This helps the members gain a respect for the actual work involved in the food we take for granted everyday.

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Mayor Newsom to San Fran: Recycle or else!

Kelly Leahy — 2008-04-24T08:21:00 00:00

Filed under: Local

San Francisco's mayor, Gavin Newsom, wants to make it illegal for Bay Area residents NOT to recycle. This new ordinance, modeled after Seattle's mandatory recycling program, requires residents to recycle paper, plastics and "other salvageable materials." Businesses and landlords in Seattle can be fined up to $50 per offense if they fail to sort recyclables. Newsom says that he doesn't want to punish citizens who don't recycle but hopes that by having such an ordinance on the books, more people will pay attention to what they are throwing out.

In addition to plastics and metals, Newsom wants the city of San Francisco to compost their food scraps and lawn clippings as well. I sense that there my be some resistance to this as many apartment dwellers don't have the benefit of a backyard garden. I have visions of community compost bins at every street corner -- now there's a thought.

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