Green Daily http://www.greendaily.com Green Daily http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.greendaily.com/media/feedlogo.gif Green Daily http://www.greendaily.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/A Meat Shopping Guide: Making the Words Make Sensehttp://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/22/a-meat-shopping-guide-making-the-words-make-sense/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/22/a-meat-shopping-guide-making-the-words-make-sense/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/22/a-meat-shopping-guide-making-the-words-make-sense/#commentsFiled under: ,

Are you unclear on how exactly your meat and dairy were produced? 'Natural' or 'free range' or 'no animal by-products?' Whether it's at the farmer's market or the grocery store the terms can be pretty loose and non-specific.

Sustainable Table has made a brochure to help you nail down the terminology. The group advocates for sustainable and local food production, they also create educational tools like this one for the public.

The Glossary of Meat Production Methods can be downloaded, printed and taken with you. Diane Hatz is the founder of Sustainable Table. She says the group created the brochure because so many people said food labels got in the way of their attempts to be more sustainable and humane with their food.

Hatz says the term "cage free" is an example of that. She says the terms really just means the chickens weren't in cages. It doesn't mean they went outside or had plenty of room.

"Most often, cage free means the animals were raised indoors in crowded conditions," she explains. "This label is very similar to free range or free roaming - it does not guarantee the animals ever went outside. Because none of these labels, except organic and biodynamic, are independently certified, the only way you're really going to know how your food is produced is to ask the farmer that grew/raised it."

You can download the glossary here.

A Meat Shopping Guide: Making the Words Make Sense originally appeared on Green Daily on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>glossary of meat productionGlossaryOfMeatProductionsustainable tablesustainable table meat glossarySustainableTableSustainableTableMeatGlossarySea StachuraSun, 22 Mar 2009 12:12:00 EST Working or Playing at South By Southwest Festival? Be Greenhttp://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/21/working-or-playing-at-south-by-southwest-festival-be-green/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/21/working-or-playing-at-south-by-southwest-festival-be-green/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/21/working-or-playing-at-south-by-southwest-festival-be-green/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you are in Austin or on your way there, keep in mind that you can relatively sustainable at SXSW. SXSW is a 22 year old music festival in Austin that is the place to be for musicheads and techie types, and it is in full swing right now.

Here are few things to consider while you do your daily listening:

  • SXSW has partnered with Bicycle Sport Shop to provide a variety of rental bikes. Bike, don't drive, or walk. Downtown Austin is not that big.
  • Pedicabs are also available. And who doesn't want a ride in one of those?
  • Everyone has a battery need at a time like this. Use rechargeable batteries, and buy solar powered battery chargers for your cell phone, iPod, etc.
  • SXSW suggests you head to their sustainability panels, and that you read "The Weather Makers" by Tim Flannery.
  • SXSW also suggests you avoid the brand new "I was at SXSW" t-shirt in exchange for vintage clothes on South Congress
  • They also encourage getting your water bottle out and refilling it with tap water or water from the fountain at the Austin Convention Centre.
  • As many will be craving an alcoholic beverage, SXSW also suggests you look for local beers and wines. Local means less carbon created in getting your beer to your lips.
And check out the SXSW YouTube site if you can't go.

Working or Playing at South By Southwest Festival? Be Green originally appeared on Green Daily on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>SXSW sustainableSxswSustainableSea StachuraSat, 21 Mar 2009 16:01:00 EST This or That: CFLs or LEDs?http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/19/this-or-that-cfls-or-leds/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/19/this-or-that-cfls-or-leds/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/19/this-or-that-cfls-or-leds/#commentsFiled under: ,

CFLs or LEDs?This is a sort of "how to be green 101" question, as most greenies already know that the answer is LEDs. But do you know all the reasons exactly why LEDs are greener than CFLs? Here are the bullet points:
  • Unlike CFLs, LEDs have no toxic mercury
  • LEDs are much more energy efficient than CFLs
  • LEDs have a much longer lifespan than CFLs (about 4 times longer)
LEDs aren't without pitfalls, however, the biggest being that they're usually the more expensive option and they aren't good for diffuse-lighting uses (they give off a more direct, focused light than CFLs).

So there's your 101. Happy lighting!

This or That: CFLs or LEDs? originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>CFLCFLsLEDlight bulbLightBulblightingthis or thatThisOrThatRigel CelesteThu, 19 Mar 2009 06:00:00 EST Get Rid of Pet Poop the Eco-Friendly Wayhttp://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/07/get-rid-of-pet-poop-the-eco-friendly-way/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/07/get-rid-of-pet-poop-the-eco-friendly-way/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/07/get-rid-of-pet-poop-the-eco-friendly-way/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Poop! We all do it! Next to dying and that horrible surgery you had to remove that weird tumor poop is one of those things no one wants to talk about it. So, let me say it one more time just for effect: Poop!

Gosh that felt weirdly good. Now on to the subject of this blog post. Your cat or dog produces a lot of waste, but most Americans treat it like it was a broken lamp or a soggy pizza box and throw it in the garbage.

That is not smart! The bacteria is harmful to the land, and often ends up in waterways. That leads to algae blooms, which prevent sunlight from reaching below the surface of water and stops the production of oxygen for plant and animal life below.

Just think, your dog poop could be killing a fish! You might need to go to confession for that.

For dog owners, you have a few good options to dispose of the waste. You can flush it down the toilet, because most sewage systems can treat the bacteria in the poop. You can also bury it at least 12 inches underground. Your third and final option is to create a dog poop composter. City Farmer and the U.S. Department of Agriculture both have instructions on building an effective one.
For cat owners, things are slightly trickier. First, take a look at your litter. Is it made out of clay? We at Green Daily have talked to you about this before. Clay litter is produced by strip mining the land, and the clay is not biodegradable. It sits in landfills or in septic systems. Look for litter that is made of recycled newspaper, corn, wheat or sawdust. Please note that if your cat is allergic to corn or wheat, corn cat litter may irritate his skin.

Dumping the clumps down the toilet is one option, though it is not encouraged. The types of bacteria food in some cat feces cannot be treated by sewage systems. I'm referring to toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can infect cats without any symptoms. It is rare for indoor cats to get the parasite. Either way, if you use a biodegradable litter, your cat litter and waste can be composted.

Have fun with that.
[via Slate]

Get Rid of Pet Poop the Eco-Friendly Way originally appeared on Green Daily on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>animal wasteAnimalWastecat litter greenCatLitterGreendog poopDogPoopSea StachuraSat, 07 Mar 2009 13:22:00 EST Getting Rid of Bed Bugs in a Kinder, Gentler Wayhttp://www.greendaily.com/2009/02/08/getting-rid-of-bed-bugs-in-a-kinder-gentler-way/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/02/08/getting-rid-of-bed-bugs-in-a-kinder-gentler-way/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/02/08/getting-rid-of-bed-bugs-in-a-kinder-gentler-way/#commentsFiled under: , ,


I posted on the bed bug problem spreading across the U.S. last month, but I never got around to thanking the people who wrote in with their own approaches to dealing with a bed bug infestation.

Here are a few of the things I heard.

Aaron Edwards was featured in the photo I posted of a man attacked by bed bugs. He says a friend in Brooklyn had an infestation and used an electronic device from Good Life to get rid of the creatures. The Pest Repeller Ultimate uses "Super Sonic and Electro-Vibrawave Technology" to drive indoor pests mad. The consumer guide doesn't mention bed bugs, but Edwards says his friend washed all of his clothing and linens well, then turned on the device, and hasn't had a problem since.

Thomas wrote that Kleen-Free Naturally worked for him. The product is non-toxic, but it does eat away at the exoskeleton of bed bugs. The trick with this product is that you must locate the bed bugs and spray the formula on them. The Bedbug Terminator is a new item of theirs, EPA exempt. They say all of their products are environmentally safe, and have conducted studies. No information, however, is available on what exactly their products are made of.

Finally, Chris from Xero Bugs wrote in to mention his cedar oil based cleaning products. The smell Cedar-cide is toxic to pests, much like ammonia to humans. These products are not safe for plants, but they are safe for people and animals. Best Yet Insect Spray can be applied to the skin to form a barrier against bed bugs, as well as applied to areas that are infested with bed bugs and other insects. The product description boasts instant death for bed bugs, and is considered a minimum risk pesticide.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs in a Kinder, Gentler Way originally appeared on Green Daily on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bed bug natural treatmentbed bugsBedBugNaturalTreatmentBedBugsnatural pesticide bed bugNaturalPesticideBedBugSea StachuraSun, 08 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST Get Involved: Kids and Adults Celebrating Darwin's 200thhttp://www.greendaily.com/2009/02/08/get-involved-kids-and-adults-celebrating-darwins-200th/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/02/08/get-involved-kids-and-adults-celebrating-darwins-200th/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/02/08/get-involved-kids-and-adults-celebrating-darwins-200th/#commentsFiled under: , ,

February 12th will mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birthday. The man who introduced the concept of evolution and documented much of the biodiversity on the Galapagos Islands is being celebrated around the world.

One of the many events worth noting is the BBC's "World Class" chat with kids living on the Galapagos Islands. The idea is to discover what life is like on one of the world's most biodiverse lands. Kids around the world can send in questions, via their teachers, to worldclass@bbc.co.uk by February 10th. Students living on the islands and at the Charles Darwin Research Foundation will answer those questions via Web on February 12th.

The Evolution Megalab is a Europe-wide experiment that anyone in Europe can participate in--and probably anyone else, just ask. The project is snail observation, and while that may sound sluggish the point is to find snails and make observations about their looks. They want to determine how climate change is affecting snails survival. According to the organizers at the Royal Society and Open University " Shell colour also affects how sensitive a snail is to temperature.Have shell colours changed with our warming climate?" You can register online at their Website.

Events and exhibitions celebrating or honoring the man can be found at Darwin Day Celebration. Just put in your location, and up will pop museum exhibits, dinners, lectures, species hunts and parties.

For those inclined to read, Nature.com has a series of articles, opinions and resources on Darwin.

Get Involved: Kids and Adults Celebrating Darwin's 200th originally appeared on Green Daily on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 12:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>darwin 200th anniversarydarwin birthdaydarwin celebrate 200thDarwin200thAnniversaryDarwinBirthdayDarwinCelebrate200thSea StachuraSun, 08 Feb 2009 12:18:00 EST Sick of Throwing Out #5 Plastic? You May Be in Luckhttp://www.greendaily.com/2009/01/18/sick-of-throwing-out-5-plastic-you-may-be-in-luck/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/01/18/sick-of-throwing-out-5-plastic-you-may-be-in-luck/http://www.greendaily.com/2009/01/18/sick-of-throwing-out-5-plastic-you-may-be-in-luck/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Number five plastic is ubiquitous. Your prescription bottles have it, your yogurt containers, the lids to your soda bottles, and more. Well, I found a little something out that I thought might interest all of you out there in Greenville.

Stonyfield Farms will take their yogurt containers back if your community doesn't recycle #5 plastic and you can't stand the idea of throwing them away. I tend to use my quart containers of #5 plastic for other things (paint brushes, leftovers, bulk catnip), but usually I end up needing to throw some away.

Stonyfield explains on its Website that the company chose to go with #5 because it can use less plastic in making the containers than if #2 were used. Moreover, many communities don't actually recycle wide mouthed #2 containers. The company believes its reduction in packaging outweighs the benefits of using #2. But if you aren't happy throwing away your #5, you can send your clean yogurt containers to the company. Their people will recycle them for you.

One more thing about #5 - more communities are recycling them. St. Louis, for example, happily accepts #5 plastic. Houston and Chicago do, too. Check out your community's recycling page to figure out what's available in your area.

Sick of Throwing Out #5 Plastic? You May Be in Luck originally appeared on Green Daily on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>recycle 5recycle plastic 5Recycle5RecyclePlastic5Stonyfield yogurt recycleStonyfieldYogurtRecycleSea StachuraSun, 18 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST Wikia Green is a wiki of all things, you guessed it, green!http://www.greendaily.com/2008/09/12/wikia-green-is-a-wiki-of-all-things-you-guessed-it-green/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/09/12/wikia-green-is-a-wiki-of-all-things-you-guessed-it-green/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/09/12/wikia-green-is-a-wiki-of-all-things-you-guessed-it-green/#commentsFiled under:

Wikia greenWikia Green looks much like Wikipedia on the outside, but then when you dig into it, there are many differences. Wikipedia gives you information but Wikia Green gives you the steps to go out and do something. It's more about the how to than just the who, what, where and when.

For example:
The site has over 600 articles and is looking for those in the know to contribute more information. So, if you have something green you want to share, Wikia wants to hear from you!

[Via Eco Localizer]

Wikia Green is a wiki of all things, you guessed it, green! originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>wikiwikiawikipediaChristina ClarkFri, 12 Sep 2008 12:08:00 EST Safe sex toys revisitedhttp://www.greendaily.com/2008/09/08/safe-sex-toys-revisited/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/09/08/safe-sex-toys-revisited/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/09/08/safe-sex-toys-revisited/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A while back we posted about sex toys that could be cancerous. And then, because we saw that you seemed to be interested in this subject, we posted about toys that were safe and where you could get them.

Like most things there is always more to learn about the safety of your sex toys, both in terms of chemicals and handling. Violet Blue is a sex columnist, blogger, author and podcaster of all things sex. (A note to parents, her site does contain some nudity, you must be 18 to enter.) She's posted extensively on the subject.

Here are a few products she lists as unsafe "at any speed":

Toys and cleaners that contain Nonoxynol-9. This detergent was once advertised as an HIV preventative. Don't believe the hype. It will only abrade your cervix or rectum. More information on N-9 and it's history can be found here.

Shrink Creams are another no-no based on her research. The idea, in case I need to explain, is to tighten or shrink the vagina. Violet Blue writes that no scientific testing has been done on the products. Their basic ingredient is alum. Alum, much like the stuff you may use to fight perspiration, prompts the skin to hold water, thus causing the membranes of the vagina to swell. One of her biggest concern with the creams is what they potentially do to the cervix. Remember, all sorts of stuff cause cervical cancer. No testing means no proof either way.

There's much more to her list of do's and don'ts. I'll write about just one more.

Jelly rubber is the ultimate in unknown materials. Violet Blue says these are sometimes called jel-lee, latex jelly, softskin, Cyberskin or Futurotic. One thing they aren't is knowable. If you want safety stick with silicone or hard plastic. Remember that silicone is always opaque.

Safe sex toys revisited originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>cyberskinjelly rubberJellyRubberNonoxynol-9sex toysSexToyssoftskinunsafe sex toysunsafe sext oysUnsafeSextOysviolet blueVioletBlueSea StachuraMon, 08 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST A dictionary for chemicals and their dangershttp://www.greendaily.com/2008/09/07/a-dictionary-for-chemicals-and-their-dangers/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/09/07/a-dictionary-for-chemicals-and-their-dangers/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/09/07/a-dictionary-for-chemicals-and-their-dangers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Breathe in bleach for a few minutes, or even a few seconds, and something in your brain should communicate to your body (and vice versa) that this is dangerous for you. But why? That's my four-year old niece's favorite question and if you're anything like her it may be your question as well.

There's a little thing called the Material Safety Data Sheet that outlines the reactions a particular chemical will have with another material and under what conditions the chemical becomes dangerous. If you're worried about a chemical you may come in contact with this database could be helpful.

Canada, the EU and other nations have their own system that outlines concerns and safety precautions one should take using a given chemical.

These databases are not frequently online, though if you work with chemicals in your workplace your employer is required to have documentation available on each material that could be hazardous.

Because these databases are built for people in constant contact with a chemical they may not apply to the few minutes you may spend in your bathroom with said abrasive. But, if you're anything like my niece, you may want to know what that paint stripper, mildew remover or degreaser is doing to your house or your cats paws.

Check out the links for some available online content.

A dictionary for chemicals and their dangers originally appeared on Green Daily on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>chemical safetyChemicalSafetyMaterial Safety Data SheetMaterialSafetyDataSheetSea StachuraSun, 07 Sep 2008 15:05:00 EST Would you pay to recycle your CFLs?http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/17/would-you-pay-to-recycle-your-cfls/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/17/would-you-pay-to-recycle-your-cfls/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/17/would-you-pay-to-recycle-your-cfls/#commentsFiled under:

Yesterday, Waste Management, a large waste management company, launched an online service to help households recycle hazardous household waste including compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), batteries and some electronics.

The program, Think Green From Home, starts with an online order of the special kit, which is delivered to your home. According to Waste Management, you simply set up the box and line it with the Mercury VaporLok bag. Fill it with your bulbs that you need to discard, then seal, and ship when full using a pre-paid shipping label. The Mercury VaporLok bag reduces the risk of environmental contamination should the bulbs break during shipping, according to the company.

The kit cost $14.95 and holds 15 bulbs. While there are other ways to recycle your CFLs, this one sounds very easy and relatively inexpensive.

Would you pay to recycle your CFLs?

[Via WSJ]

Would you pay to recycle your CFLs? originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>CFLsmercuryThink Green From HomeThinkGreenFromHomeWaste ManagementWasteManagementPatricia Mayville-CoxThu, 17 Jul 2008 13:09:00 EST Can tobacco be a green buzz?http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/15/can-tobacco-be-a-green-buzz/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/15/can-tobacco-be-a-green-buzz/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/15/can-tobacco-be-a-green-buzz/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Obviously drugs -- even the legal ones -- aren't very good for you, and most will get you arrested (or worse), but rumor has it that some people still take them anyway. So, with that in mind, the least you can do is work towards a more sustainable habit. To see all the substances we've covered in this series, see our Guide to Green Green Drug Use.

Last week Patrick did a great post on the questionable green-ness (greenosity? greenitudinousness?) of cigarettes. As he noted, tobacco growing is a carbon-intensive monoculture and cigarette production is an intensive industrial process. Moreover, cigarette butts are non-biodegradable and accumulate at a truly insane rate. So, no, cigarettes really aren't green.

However, as a former smoker, a former resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and a born contrarian, I feel like it's my responsibility to see if there are ways in which tobacco consumption can be made green. As I understand it, the problems with tobacco are that it is a monoculture, uses a lot of carbon in its cultivation, is generally smoke-cured (which results in the atmospheric release of carbon), is produced in a technology-intensive process, and leaves behind a lot of non-degradable mess.



Monoculture: There really isn't much that can be done about this, and it's hard to mitigate the environmental effects of tobacco. After all, in most of the places where it's grown, it is the primary or sole crop. It depletes the soil, which requires the addition of large quantities of fertilizer; in most cases, this is non-organic. Worse yet, it is common for tobacco cultivators to add apatite, a phosphate, to the soil to starve the plant for nitrogen. In addition to potentially poisoning the end-user, apatite may have a deleterious effect upon the soil. On the bright side, some companies, such as Sotoya and American Spirit, offer organic tobacco.

Curing, Production and Transportation: Most tobacco is cured. Traditionally, this has been done either with a flow of air or with fire, both of which are still used in some areas. While air curing is non-polluting, fire curing uses wood, which means that it releases carbon into the atmosphere. Nowadays, most curing is done with industrial curing machines. As with any other industrial process, this uses electricity, with all its attendant hazards. However, electric curing is probably far more sustainable than the more traditional fire curing.

While cigarettes are clearly the worst tobacco offenders when it comes to industrial production and waste, most forms of tobacco are the end result of an industrial process; while it is certainly possible to find non-processed tobaccos, it is fairly hard to do. That having been said, the industrial processes used to produce most tobacco products are no more intense than those used to make, say, a jar of relish or a bottle of ketchup.

On the other hand, many tobacco products are packaged in plastic containers, and the gas used to transport them to market is far from negligible. Unless you live near tobacco fields in Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, your tobacco is probably being transported across a considerable distance, which is something that you might want to consider when you load up your pipe.

Burning: The final touch, of course, is the method of consumption. Needless to say, pipes, hookahs, cigars, and cigarettes all release carbon into the atmosphere, rendering them inherently carbon positive. On the bright side, pipes, hookahs, and traditional cigars don't produce non-biodegradable garbage, although tobacco packaging may. Regardless, they are all probably a step or two ahead of cigarettes when it comes to sustainability.

If you're interested in going a little further, you may look into snuff, dip, chewing tobacco, snus, creamy snuff, or gutka, as these forms of "smokeless tobacco" don't carry the air pollution problems that are inherent to burned tobaccos. Of course, many of them are imported from Europe and Asia, so that's a consideration.

Final Analysis: In the end, it's pretty damned hard to use tobacco in a green, sustainable, carbon-negative manner, unless you live in a tobacco-producing region and make your own smokeless tobacco from locally-available ingredients. That having been said, there are degrees of pollution involved in tobacco consumption, with cigarettes being the worst and organic dip probably being the best. In most cases, however, nicotine absorbtion probably ranges from a F to maybe a C in terms of sustainability.

Can tobacco be a green buzz? originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>American SpiritAmericanSpiritapatitecarbon positiveCarbonPositivechewing tobaccoChewingTobaccocreamy snuffCreamySnuffdipgutkasnuffsnussotoyatobaccoBruce WatsonTue, 15 Jul 2008 15:38:00 EST Do you know your eco-lexicon?http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/15/do-you-know-your-eco-lexicon/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/15/do-you-know-your-eco-lexicon/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/15/do-you-know-your-eco-lexicon/#commentsFiled under:

We throw around a lot of vocab on this blog. From shortened words to made-up words to acronyms, green lingo isn't easy to pick up overnight.

Luckily, Live Science put together a glossary of green terms that will help you slog through our increasingly eco-conscious community. (Oh, and don't be embarrassed if you still don't know what "carbon neutral" means. Really: we're here to help).

Some of the standouts (we're going to quiz you later, so study up):

  • Cradle to cradle: Describes an essentially waste-free manufacturing process.
  • Off-gassing: The evaporation of (usually toxic) chemicals from the surface of a material into the environment.
  • Off the grid: Living in a self-sufficient manner, without relying on public utilities such as the municipal water supply, natural gas, or an electrical power grid. (Read about a guy who did just that, and see the photo above as an example).
  • Phantom power: Also known as "vampire power" or "phantom load"; this term refers to the power used by appliances and electronics even when they're switched off or not in use.
  • Upcycled: Refers to waste materials that are recycled into something of greater value.

via [LiveScience]

Do you know your eco-lexicon? originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>acronymscradle to cradleCradleToCradledictionaryglossarylexiconLive ScienceLiveScienceoff gasoff the gridoff-gassingOffGasOffTheGridphantom powerPhantomPowerphrasestermsupcycledvocabularywordsEllen SlatteryTue, 15 Jul 2008 12:09:00 EST Nitrous oxide brings a smile...and a big carbon footprinthttp://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/03/nitrous-oxide-brings-a-smile-and-a-big-carbon-footprint/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/03/nitrous-oxide-brings-a-smile-and-a-big-carbon-footprint/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/03/nitrous-oxide-brings-a-smile-and-a-big-carbon-footprint/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Obviously drugs -- even the legal ones -- aren't very good for you, and most will get you arrested (or worse), but rumor has it that some people still take them anyway. So, with that in mind, the least you can do is work towards a more sustainable habit. To see all the substances we've covered in this series, see our Guide to Green Green Drug Use.

Nitrous oxide, AKA "hippie crack," has the distinction of being one of the few legally-available drugs that almost everyone has consumed. If your dentist has ever strapped a mask on your face, chances are that you've sucked down a little bit of laughing gas. For most people, nitrous causes giggling, a strong anaesthetic effect and, if consumed in sufficient quantities, a repetitive "wah-wah" sound in the ears that is strangely reminiscent of a 1950's flying saucer movie.

At least, that's what I've been told.

Although it is generated by many natural processes, man-made nitrous, unfortunately, leaves a pretty huge carbon footprint. First off, it's the product of a fairly complex chemical process involving the heating of ammonium nitrate. Second, much of the recreationally abused nitrous is packaged in little metal canisters, few of which are recycled. Finally, it's a greenhouse gas. Although human processes are only responsible for between 10 and 15% of the nitrous released into the atmosphere, that is still a pretty impressive amount of gas. Therefore, as much as it pains me to say it, nitrous is definitely not sustainable! Green Grade: F; D if you purchase carbon offsets.

Nitrous oxide brings a smile...and a big carbon footprint originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>greenhippie crackHippieCracknitrousnitrous oxideNitrousOxidesustainableBruce WatsonThu, 03 Jul 2008 10:25:00 EST Kava-kava: Big buzz, small footprinthttp://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/03/kava-kava-big-buzz-small-footprint/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/03/kava-kava-big-buzz-small-footprint/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/03/kava-kava-big-buzz-small-footprint/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Obviously drugs -- even the legal ones -- aren't very good for you, and most will get you arrested (or worse), but rumor has it that some people still take them anyway. So, with that in mind, the least you can do is work towards a more sustainable habit. To see all the substances we've covered in this series, see our Guide to Green Green Drug Use.

In Getting Stoned with Savages, J. Maarten Troost writes about his discovery of Kava-kava, a mildly psychotropic beverage that South Pacific islanders regularly drink. Basically, it's prepared by chewing up pieces of Kava-kava root, spitting them into a bucket, and mixing them with water and coconut oil. One then drinks the resulting solution, after which, supposedly, he or she feels a sense of clarity and peacefulness for a couple of hours. Depending on the amount drunk, Kava can sometimes inspire hallucinations, amazing dreams, and up to a couple of days of lassitude.

In the industrialized world, Kava is available from many gourmet grocery stores and health food shops, either in pill, powder, or alcohol-tincture form. Depending on the form, its effectiveness (and impact upon the environment) varies greatly. Kava pills, for example, are often produced with acetone and ethanol. While ethanol, or grain alcohol, is a renewable resource, acetone is not. For that matter, both substances produce VOCs, which have a somewhat negative effect on the environment. Similarly, the tincture form of Kava also contains ethyl alcohol, although the fact that the ethanol isn't allowed to evaporate mitigates the VOC downside.

Beyond that, the only real environmental impact of Kava is in the machinery used to powder it and the gas used to transport it. Since most Kava is grown in the South Pacific, the distance it must travel is pretty impressive, but it is very low weight in powder form. In other words, if you aren't using Kava pills, I'd say that you shouldn't feel too guilty about the pleasure that you reap from this amazing "supplement." Green Grade: A-; B if used in pill form.

Kava-kava: Big buzz, small footprint originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Getting Stoned with SavagesGettingStonedWithSavagesKavaKava-kavaSouth PacificSouthPacificTroostVOCVOCsBruce WatsonThu, 03 Jul 2008 09:31:00 EST Fabulous freaky herbal hippie drugs: Are they green?http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/03/fabulous-freaky-herbal-hippie-drugs-are-they-green/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/03/fabulous-freaky-herbal-hippie-drugs-are-they-green/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/07/03/fabulous-freaky-herbal-hippie-drugs-are-they-green/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Obviously drugs -- even the legal ones -- aren't very good for you, and most will get you arrested (or worse), but rumor has it that some people still take them anyway. So, with that in mind, the least you can do is work towards a more sustainable habit. To see all the substances we've covered in this series, see our Guide to Green Green Drug Use.

Years ago, one of my college pals used to rave about the amazing effects of Morning Glory seeds, claiming that their effects were comparable to LSD. Others have since told me that Morning Glory's primary effects are nausea and a nasty taste. Never having consumed the seeds myself, I can't make a claim one way or another.

That having been said, I understand that a lot depends on the preparation of the seeds. Some sites, in fact, advocate mixing powdered seeds with petroleum ether and then combining the residue with ethanol. Not only is this technique potentially explosive and VOC-laden, but ether, as a petroleum distillate, is non-renewable.

Morning Glory seeds, if taken by themselves, represent a minimal environmental impact; basically, their only carbon cost lies in their production and distribution. The same goes for Damiana, Jimson Weed, Sweet Flag, Thorn Apple, Wild Lettuce, Wormwood, or most of the other naturally-growing hallucinogens that you can find in your local health-food store or plant nursery. In other words, the "green-ness" of your buzz depends on the sustainability of your practices! Green Grade: A/A-; D if prepared with volatile, non-renewable petroleum compounds.

Fabulous freaky herbal hippie drugs: Are they green? originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>DamianaJimson WeedJimsonWeedmorning glory muffinsMorning Glory seedsMorningGloryMuffinsMorningGlorySeedsSweet FlagSweetFlagThorn AppleThornAppleWild LettuceWildLettuceWormwoodBruce WatsonThu, 03 Jul 2008 08:32:00 EST Secret government document explores political effects of climate changehttp://www.greendaily.com/2008/06/25/secret-government-document-explores-political-effects-of-climate/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/06/25/secret-government-document-explores-political-effects-of-climate/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/06/25/secret-government-document-explores-political-effects-of-climate/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's been over fifteen years since the Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janiero. In that time, scientists, analysts, pundits and politicians have spent millions of man-hours discussing the agricultural, biological and economic effects of global warming. In spite of all that, however, there seems to have been precious little analysis of the geopolitical security implications of climate change. After all, rising sea levels, decreased access to water, and reduced agricultural output will undoubtedly have a major effect on the stability and might of many countries. Weak governments may fall, strong governments will have to adjust, and people around the globe will find themselves living in a very different world.

The National Intelligence Council recently compiled a report on this very topic. The document, titled The National Security Implications of Global Climate Change Through 2030, is 58 pages long, and has been stamped "confidential," which means that it is a low-level classified document. In spite of this, most analysts assume that the majority of the material contained in the report will be released in a public hearing in Congress that is being held today.

Although a very short report, the release of this document is highly significant, as it represents the first, halting steps of the U.S. intelligence community to understand the impact of a major meteorological process. Even the creation of this document was a controversial move, as many Republicans in Congress continue to deny the existence of global warming and strenuously opposed the creation of the report. In the meantime, the Army, which is not quite so politically motivated, has acknowledged the effects of climate change in its posture statement:

Climate change [...] will compound already difficult conditions in many developing countries. These trends will increase the likelihood of humanitarian crises, the potential for epidemic diseases, and regionally destabilizing population migrations. Desertification is already occurring at nearly 50-70 thousand square miles per year.

Given that many politicians still refuse to acknowledge the existence of climate change, this short statement is almost revolutionary. Who'd have expected such a bold perspective from the U.S. Army?

Secret government document explores political effects of climate change originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>ArmyCongressNational securityNationalSecurityPosture statementPostureStatementU.S. ArmyU.s.ArmyBruce WatsonWed, 25 Jun 2008 10:16:00 EST Black gold: How blackwater treatment can save a lot of greenhttp://www.greendaily.com/2008/06/19/black-gold-how-blackwater-treatment-can-save-a-lot-of-green/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/06/19/black-gold-how-blackwater-treatment-can-save-a-lot-of-green/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/06/19/black-gold-how-blackwater-treatment-can-save-a-lot-of-green/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When I first heard a green activist talking about "Blackwater," I had to wonder why George Bush's Gulf War subcontractors were getting involved in sustainability issues. I soon realized, however, that "blackwater" is one of those words that conveys a pretty solid mental picture of what it is. Blackwater, also known as "brown water," "foul water," or "sewage" is water that contains human excreta. This definition sets it apart from "gray water" or "sullage," which is the product of washing. In day-to-day life, however, this differentiation is somewhat unnecessary, as many areas combine their black and gray waters.

In recent years, some builders and developers have begun integrating blackwater treatment facilities into their building plans. This enables the new buildings to consume much less water, greatly reducing both their water bills and their effect on the environment. To learn more about this process, I talked to Elias Dagher. The Senior Principal of Dagher Engineering, Elias is a LEED Accredited Professional and licensed Professional Engineer. He has worked on projects around the world, ranging from the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan to the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As an expert on sustainable water systems, he had a great deal to say about the values of blackwater treatment and reuse.

Don't municipalities already treat water?
Yes, many municipalities do. In fact, like most of the developed world, New York City treats its water twice. The water starts out in reservoirs, is treated, and is brought into the city, where use it for a wide variety of purposes, including drinking. After we use the water, it is filled with contaminants, and is designated either blackwater, which is sewage, or graywater, which is waste from washing.

In New York, wastewater then flows to treatment plants, where we re-purify it, cleaning out all the sludge and pollutants, and release it into the Hudson and East Rivers. Ultimately, about half of the water that we pipe into the city ends up going back out into the rivers; most of the other half evaporates through air conditioners, and a small amount remains with the sludge that is removed during treatment.

What is different about blackwater treatment and re-use plants in buildings and developments?
Rather than dump all of our purified water into the river, blackwater treatment and re-use facilities enable us to re-use it for non-drinking purposes, including clothes washing, irrigation, air conditioning, and so forth. By doing this, we significantly cut down on the amount of water that we have to bring into the city and greatly reduce the water that we pour into our sewers.

Why is sewer runoff a concern?
Well, our sewers have to deal with a great deal of water. In fact, whenever New York's rainfall exceeds one tenth of an inch per hour, the system overflows and releases raw sewage into the river. By reducing the amount of water that the sewers have to process, we improve their efficiency. Most importantly, we prevent untreated sewage from poisoning our rivers.

Do buildings really use that much water for non-drinking purposes?
About half of the water that most buildings use goes towards non-potable uses, particularly toilet flushing and air conditioning. By using a blackwater retreatment facility, we can reduce our water expenditures by as much as 80%. In big cities and other places where water is at a premium, this can save a lot of money.

How much blackwater does an individual building produce?
It depends on the building. For example, the Helena, a 33-story apartment building that we worked on, has a blackwater plant that generates approximately 50,000 gallons of water a day. With the price of water constantly going up, that can translate into a lot of money. Some of our buildings, in fact, sell their excess non-potable water to other buildings, which can help them realize a profit on their blackwater retreatment plants.

Building retreatment plants for buildings and developments seems pretty effective. Do any cities have programs to use retreated water?
Actually, Orange County, in Southern California, recently opened its "Groundwater Replenishment System," which filters and treats wastewater then adds it back into the water supply. They've found that it's much cheaper than desalinization and uses half the energy of imported water. Right now, they're treating 70 million gallons per day. Los Angeles is considering implementing a similar program. In areas where water is at a premium, like cities or deserts, blackwater retreatment can solve a lot of problems and save a lot of money!

Black gold: How blackwater treatment can save a lot of green originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>blackwaterblackwater treatmentBlackwaterTreatmentdagher engineeringDagherEngineeringelias dagherEliasDaghergraywaterGroundwater Replenishment SystemGroundwaterReplenishmentSystemLEEDwastewaterBruce WatsonThu, 19 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST Smells like bad news: Controlling VOCs in your homehttp://www.greendaily.com/2008/06/16/smells-like-bad-news-controlling-vocs-in-your-home/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/06/16/smells-like-bad-news-controlling-vocs-in-your-home/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/06/16/smells-like-bad-news-controlling-vocs-in-your-home/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Recently, as I've been hanging out with an ever-growing collection of green people, I've had to develop a pretty impressive collection of buzzwords. While things like "blackwater," "sludge," "waste vegetable oil" and "sustainability" are pretty easy to define, some of the terms that I've had to absorb are fairly complicated.

One of the worst buzzwords is volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. The trouble is that there seems to be some major disagreement about what, exactly, VOCs are. Wikipedia, for example, defines them as "organic chemical compounds that have high enough vapor pressures under normal conditions to significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere."

Well, I'm glad that we've cleared that up!

The EPA's definition is far broader, but isn't much more helpful. According to them, "Volatile chemicals produce vapors readily; at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure, vapors escape easily from volatile liquid chemicals." They later go on to note that "VOCs are emitted as gasses from certain solids or liquids."
Well, now I know how they operate, but this doesn't really clear up what they are. I've discovered, though, that VOCs are pretty easy to understand. Basically, they're the funky chemical smells that you get from cleaners, paints, stains, gasoline, turpentine, and other solvents. They also include the plastic smell that you notice when you unfold a new shower curtain, the chemical scent that sometimes wafts out of a dry cleaning store, and even the manufacturing smell that comes off some wood products, like plywood. The wonderful new-car smell is a combination of various VOCs, as is the delightful scent of magic markers. Unfortunately, all these vapors can, potentially, carry a devil's brew of not-so-wonderful side effects.

To gain a better understanding of the dangers of VOCs, I talked to Susan Aiello. The President of Interior Design Solutions and author of a Sustainable Design blog, Susan is a certified interior designer and a LEED Accredited Professional. She has designed for Architectural Digest, Vanity Fair, and The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. As a specialist in sustainable, green interior design, Susan had a lot to say about VOCs and ways to reduce their danger in the home.

Why are VOCs dangerous?
VOCs pollute our air. Outside, they contribute to global warming and worsen air quality. Indoors, they are a major contributor to poor indoor air quality; in fact, it is very common for indoor air quality to be five times worse than the air outside. Since Americans, on average, spend between 80% and 90% of their time indoors, this can have a huge effect upon our health and well-being, and VOCs have been linked to a number of ailments. The strongest connection is to asthma and other respiratory problems, but some people are also linking them to cancer.

VOCs from cleaning products represent an ongoing health hazard that can be easily avoided simply by using low-VOC products. to give you an idea of how unhealthy many cleaning products can be, under the US Green Building Council's LEED guidelines, a project can receive an extra point just for isolating its cleaning closet from the regular air supply of a building! To put this into context, architects and designers are creating specially ventilated rooms, at a cost of thousands of dollars, simply to avoid having the VOCs from cleaning supplies mix with the regular atmosphere of a building. Also, LEED guidelines include minimizing VOCs from building products and furnishings, as well as airing out a space thoroughly before occupancy.

How long are VOCs dangerous?
Again, it depends on the chemical, the level of ventilation, and the other materials involved. In most cases, the first couple of weeks that a VOC-emitting material is in a space are the worst. Later, the toxin levels go down, but some materials can continue to emit VOCs for months or even years. Of course, in the case of most cleaners, the supply of VOCs in the atmosphere are regularly replenished, which means that people are constantly breathing them.

What are some common sources of VOCs?
Most cleaners, stains, paints, and other household chemicals contain VOCs. They are used as binders on many forms of plywood and other wood products. Because of their evaporative qualities, VOCs also make very effective bases for glues, which means that they often show up mixed in with other, non-hazardous materials, like flooring, caulking, and even insulation. In fact, some brands of bamboo flooring, which many people use because of its green qualities, have VOCs mixed in with their finishes and adhesives.

How can I reduce the effects of VOCs in my home?
The EPA offers a long list of ways to minimize the effects of VOCs. SCS and Greenguard both test and certify low-emitting products. Also, manufacturer's data sheets are a very good source of comprehensive information, but may be a bit difficult to understand if you are not used to reading them.

Whenever it's possible, a good rule of thumb is to use products that emit minimal VOCs. Until recently, there weren't many low-VOC products, but there's been a real expansion of what's available. Currently, many of the items that you use in your day-to-day life are now available in low-VOC versions. Also, you should always read the warning labels on the compounds that you plan to use before you purchase them, as this will enable you to choose the alternative that looks the safest. Finally, you should only use products with VOCs in a well-ventilated area, and you should ensure that the area remains well-ventilated when you are done, so the vapors are able to dissipate.

How can average people get hold of low-VOC materials?
One of the best routes is through a company that offers only sustainable building supplies, like Green Depot. They sell to both contractors and the general public, and their selection of low-VOC items is really good. They carry sealants, caulks, wood products, paints, cleaning materials, and pretty much everything else that you'd need for a construction project. They're also really careful about the products that they offer, and their website features numerous resources that could help you gain a better understanding of the health dangers in your home.

Smells like bad news: Controlling VOCs in your home originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>epaGreen DepotGreenDepotgreenguardleedscssusan aielloSusanAiellovocvocsvolatile organic com...VolatileOrganicCom...Bruce WatsonMon, 16 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST The Haz Mat side of Compact Fluorescentshttp://www.greendaily.com/2008/05/13/the-haz-mat-side-of-compact-fluorescents/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/05/13/the-haz-mat-side-of-compact-fluorescents/http://www.greendaily.com/2008/05/13/the-haz-mat-side-of-compact-fluorescents/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Now that we've learned how to correctly spell Compact Fluorescent Light bulb, let's discuss what is dangerous about these bulbs.

They've got mercury in them. A teaspoon of mercury destroys Superman and all of his comic book friends. Dorothy and Toto get obliterated. The Lion can't save them. Mercury doesn't go in landfills--at least not when the landfill police are watching--and it doesn't go in the recycling bin. It's unsafe for both.

"Where oh where can the mercury go," you and your little friend Toto ask.

Just click your heels three times, Dorothy, and you'll find yourself in one of two places: The local hazardous material disposal station or at lightbulbrecycling.com.
That's right, recycling CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs is not high on most state's recycling program lists. They're still busy trying to get you and your neighbor to use them. For those of you Dorothies that are skipping down CFL Way, you could be stuck with a Haz Mat disposal site as your easiest solution. And if that's all you've got or got time for, I'd take it. It's better than mercury in the landfill.

But places like Madison, Wisc. do offer fluorescent bulb recycling programs. Madison requires that any store that sells a fluorescent bulb also take the bulb back for recycling. The store owner is allowed to charge a fee. You Dorothies living in Berkeley, Austin and Ann Arbor may also have CFL recycling programs. You might want to check.

For those of us living on CFL Way but without a recycling program nearby, we can send away to a Web site owned by Eco-Products and get a CFL recycling kit. Eco-Products makes compostable cutlery, coffee cups and sleeves. Their program is pricey, but it guarantees the bulbs get recycled with a receipt.

And that, my Dorothies, is your lesson on how to spell and recycle compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

The Haz Mat side of Compact Fluorescents originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 13 May 2008 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>CFLCFL hazardous materialCFL recyclingCflHazardousMaterialCflRecyclingcompact fluorescent recyclingCompactFluorescentRecyclinglight bulb recyclingLightBulbRecyclingSupermanSea StachuraTue, 13 May 2008 11:00:00 EST