Urban Ecoist

I found it somewhat depressing today when I checked out a local farmers’ market schedule. I am lucky enough to live in a city where it seems every neighborhood has its own market, but I am not lucky enough to live in an area with plentiful year-round markets. No matter, as I urge you today to get out there and get some fresh local veggies and fruits before the farmers market “season” ends.

But for the most part, it is late spring and summer in which farmers markets offer the most, both in variety and quantity. But don’t let fall’s cooler days and nights fool you. Many veggies are just coming into season now. Pumpkins are obvious, sure, but think apples, squash (butternut and acorn), brussel sprouts, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, garlic and pears, and trust me, tomatoes are still coming into their own. Seriously, fall is a great time of the year. Which makes me sad that so many farmers markets tend to shut down by mid-October.

Not familiar with farmers markets? Be prepared for a lot of strollers and dogs, slow people, and unfortunate fashions, but also for fresh produce, flowers, meats from local farms, cheeses, baked goods, honey, jellies and preserves, salsas, and all kinds of that grandmotherly stuff that a “tourist” would buy. Not that farmers markets are tourist hotspots, but rather i mean those first-time visitors to the market.

And I am not being mean when I call them tourists…Everyone should check out a farmers market. It’s a great way to support your local economy rather than Monsanto or Cargill. The produce is most likely picked that day, and you can even start asking obnoxious questions of the farmer him or herself. You will also find a larger selection of organically grown produce than at your local national chain grocery store.

If you need to find a farmers market near you, I would recommend checking out your local paper or city website. Also, a good online resource is Local Harvest. You can type in your city or zip code and find not only farmers markets, but also co-ops and sustainable and locally-sources restaurants in your area.

farmers markets, farmers market, farmers’ market, local produce, local farmer, local farms, Local Harvest

When I lived in Chicago, Illinois, I never saw the stars. I would have to rely on my camping trips into Wisconsin and Michigan in order to see the constellations. I had grown up in the country during my later childhood years, after my parents had enough of Detroit, Michigan, so seeing stars and a dark night sky were taken for granted. Until I moved to a place where you couldn’t see them, that I realized how important the night sky was to me.

I now reside in Portland, Oregon, and I am ever so happy to report that the night sky is visible here in the middle of the city. I get excited when something astronomical comes my way, but the years of deprivation makes me aware that not everyone is lucky enough to see the stars.

This is what the United States looks like at night. Here is a link to the map if you want to view it closer up. It is quite sad, in my opinion. Imagine living in Los Angeles and never being able to see the dog star or the Belt of Orion. I did live in SoCal for two years, and yeah, it kinda sucked. Imagine living in LA for your entire life…

Whether you have experienced or even heard of light polution, also sometimes called luminous pollution, the United States has only recently taken any action on the growing problem of light pollution. This past spring, some members of Congress sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency to urge some action on the issue. True, it is only a letter, but it’s a first step. In case you missed the memo, the US Congress works at a snail’s pace.

And light pollution is also wasteful. All of those watts of wasted, space-bound lighting, i.e. electricity is generated by coal and oil, which in turn pollute the environment and cause all those other things like greenhouse gases. Oh, yeah, and light pollution is the subject of research that is reporting detrimental health effects on animals and humans due to the overabundance of artificial light.

We can do our individual part to reduce our local light pollution. Obviously, if you switch to CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps), you will reduce the wattage needed for your outdoor/indoor lighting. Here is something from the Starry Night Lights.

Each one of us can contribute to the reduction of Light Pollution in our own ways. First, by making sure that our exterior lighting is ordinance compliant lighting. By this, is meant that they only light the ground beneath them… and never shine across onto a neighboring property… or into the night sky. Secondly, by making sure that your outdoor lights are only on when needed. By this, is meant that they’re only on when there is activity in the area. Dusk to dawn lighting is to be strictly avoided. Thirdly, reduce the wattage of your bulbs. The human eye is remarkable in its ability to adapt to the amount of light present. Too much light can be overwhelming and glaring… actually reducing visibility. Even a small reduction in wattage will reduce light pollution. You might be surprised with how well you can see at night with a reduced wattage.

If you are really serious about this, you can contact your local business and commercial neighbors to urge them to reconfigure their lighting practices around their property. I know that the word “community organizer” has come up in the news as a derogatory term as of late, but action in your own community is an effective way of promoting change and better responsibility on the part of everyone.

Waste is waste, after all, even if it is something as seemingly intangible like light.

More links to organizations that address light pollution.

International Dark Sky Association

Sensible and Efficient Lighting to Enhance the Nighttime Sky

Campaign for Dark Skies

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We hear a lot about carbon footprints, but what is your water footprint? I am a pretty low carbon girl, but wow, I was humbled by my estimated water consumption, i.e. footprint. And the biggest cause of my gigantic water footprint is my carnivorous nature. Meat is by far the largest component of my water footprint, and if you are also a meat-eater, I bet that your water footprint is equally large.

Much like the carbon Footprint calculator, you can enter in some numbers at Waterfootprint.org to determine your own water use.

The water footprint website is a great resource to educate yourself on how your favorite beverages, foods, clothing, industrial products consume water. So it is not necessarily how much water you personally use, it is much more about how the products you consume in turn consume water. For example, do you like beer? It takes seventy-five litres (19.81 gallons) of water to produce that pint (technically 16 ounces, but most bars serve a 14 ounce beer as a “pint”) of delicious ale or lager. But why so much water, you be asking? It takes a lot of water to grow barley, hops, and the other ingredients that go into beer. Not a beer drinker? That six-ounce glass of milk or juice takes even more water — roughly 44 gallons of water for a glass of orange juice, 50 gallons for apple juice, and almost 53 gallons for a glass of milk.

To really freak you out, one kilogram or 2.2 pounds of beef takes 15,500 litres or 4100 gallons of water. So if you ate an eight ounce steak last night needed almost 950 gallons of water to end up on your plate. Honestly, if the sheer volume of water needed to produce meat for consumption is not a strong argument for going vegetarian, I don’t know of a better one.

Granted, not everyone is willing to cut meat from their diets, and that is alright, but just remember that meat should be viewed at as a luxury, not a right. In the United States, we are a country of meat-eaters and until something major happens, that is not going to change. But what can change is how much meat we do consume and which meats we eat. Chicken requires only a quarter the amount of water as beef.

And I don’t mean to preach to anyone about eating meat or what not, but let’s use today’s topic as a jumping off point to discuss water consumption. Here is a map of the world in terms of water use.

Check out the Water Footprint website to calculate your own footprint and use that as a starting point to evaluate how and where you can cut back on your own water consumption.

I tend to focus on water resource issues, so I am sure I will revisit this topic in the future.

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“Carbonfund.org and Volkswagen are glad you’ve taken an interest in the Carbon Neutral Project. It’s an initiative that’s making it easy for Volkswagen owners and friends to take action toward offsetting their carbon emissions right away. And to kick-start the project, Volkswagen will offset the carbon emissions for one year of every new Volkswagen purchased in the U.S. from September 1, 2007 thru January 2, 2008. The contributions of the Carbon Neutral Project will be put toward the re-forestation of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, a.k.a. The VW Forest. Thanks for checking us out. And we hope you’ll join us.”

:source

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I was in REI yesterday looking for a small compass for my significant other. Being in a new state, surrounded by trees, and not being able to see the horizon, he is really struggling to get his bearings. Here in Texas, I’ve never struggled to know which direction was North. And honestly, it’s a very rare occasion when I have gotten lost. But I imagine being in NC, it might be a little different.

Either way, REI has introduced a new label to their lines that will indicate which items are eco-friendly. Basically what this will mean is that the item is made with recycled, renewable and/or organic fibers. By mid-September, it is reported that they will have more than 40 items with the new labeling.

“While we previously offered REI brand clothing that contained environmentally sensitive fibers, we are moving from a grassroots approach to a formalized commitment to environmental performance in our products,” said Lee Fromson, vice president of REI Gear & Apparel. “Many of our customers recognize that their purchase decisions have a direct impact on the natural world, and we are committed to offering alternatives that are more environmentally friendly.”

REI, eco-friendly, icon, label, tag

I was looking around the internet, searching for ways to organize my life (and make it stay that way) and found this list of 9 secrets. Most of them are common sense, but I’m thinking I need to really read them… you know really read… And see if they don’t make life better. They are also available at INeedMoreTime.com.

Note: I am not suggesting that you purchase anything from the site. Some information is available for free.

9 Secrets of Successful Organizers
by Barbara Myers

You can reduce your stress and enjoy more time for yourself and your family. Discover these seven secrets of getting and staying organized.

1. Keep like items together. Keep cutting boards, knives, peelers and vegetable brushes together near the sink. Place all manicure/pedicure supplies in a basket.

2. Store things where you use them. Keep extra sheets in bedrooms, videos near the TV and cleaning supplies on every floor.

3. Make frequently used items easily accessible and rarely-used items less accessible. If you use your blender daily, keep it on the counter. If you use it once a month, put it in the back of a low cabinet.

4. If you don’t use it get rid of it. Unless it’s a beautiful decorative item or a cherished memento, why are you keeping it? Pass it on.

5. Establish a place for everything. Designate a “home” for every item in your home. Make them so specific you can find things in the dark.

6. Always put it back where it belongs after you use it. Teach household members to do the same.

7. Use lists. Make lists of things to do and buy. Keep an on-going grocery list. Post a current leftovers list on the fridge door. Use a meals list.

8. Make it easy. Use hooks instead of hangers for kids’ coats. Take the lids off hampers. Preprint a grocery list so household members can simply circle needed items.

9. Develop systems and routines. Find the most efficient way to do laundry and stick with it. Use a meal planner consistently. You’ll save time by not having to think about the details.

organization, lists, i need more time, organize

Most people don’t know this yet, but I am moving. Moving to North Carolina in the next couple of months. In trying to pack up everything I own and get my household slim and trim (I’ll be moving back into an apartment) I’ve been throwing out bags and bags off clothes. Let me rephrase… I’m been donating all of those clothes to Goodwill. Mostly jeans, and polo shirts. But the whole process made me wonder… is there a way that I can use some of that old clothing?

I found this article over at Green Options. It’s definitely worth the read.

recycle, denim, goodwill, green options, recycling, upcycling

Here are a couple of resources I wished I had known about a couple weeks ago when I was planning my first ‘check it all out’ trip to North Carolina.

Green Hotels Association
Sustainable Travel International
The International Ecotourism Society
Ceres - Green Hotel Initiative
National Geographic - Green Guide
Environmentally Friendly Hotels
Green Globe 21’s listings of eco-friendly accommodations, transportation, activities and attractions.

green travel, green resources, airfare, hotels

Although I’m sure you will read otherwise, and I know a lot of frugal persons really hold on to and embrace their ‘cheapskate’ titles, frugality is not always a sign of being cheap.

There are a lot of ideas and tips out there that not only will save you money but are good for the environment as well. Take fabric softener for instance (I mention in only because my dead phone still has a lingering fresh scent), it’s not really good for you, but it’s also not good for the environment. Here’s why.  But did you know that there are cheaper alternatives? Did you know that plain old vinegar works just as well? That’s not al. That’s hardly the tip of the iceburg!
So, for the love of all those eco-friendly, frugalist, wannabes - here’s a list of sites to frequent. Please keep in mind that while frugal does not always equal cheapskate… frugal does not always mean the most eco-friendly choice either. Use your best judgment.

Frugal Homemaker Plus
Frugal Babe
Young and Broke
The Weight of Money
Sorta Frugal
Adventures in the 100 Acre Wood
Stop the Ride
Like Merchant Ships
Savvy Saver
Simply Thrifty
Frugal For Life
Live Frugal
Mighty Bargain Hunter
Kirby on Finance
Educating the Wheelers
Wenchypoo’s Warehouse
Punny Money
Space Between My Peers
The Homespun Heart
All Financial Matters
Motherload-Mom Advice Blog
Pat Veretto’s FL
MotherLoad
Money Matter and More Musings

Go to www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more about donating your business clothing to Dress for Success, a not-for-profit agency that helps low-income women get back into the workforce.

donate, low-income, clothing, Green Tip Tuesday

Never wash your cell phone with your sheets. Both your sheets and your phone may come out clean, but only one will still be able to provide its intended function.

That’s exactly what I did yesterday. I was talking on the phone to my mother. When I got off the phone, I just laid the phone down. At some point in the next few minutes, it got covered by a sheet or pillow or something. Either way, it was wrapped up in the sheets that I tossed in the washing machine only a few minutes later. Twenty four hours after that, the phone still will not power up, and thus I am on a quest to find a new phone. Honestly, I was fine with the phone I had. But this whole situation has brought up a couple of questions for me…

What do I do with my water soaked a.k.a. dead phone? And would buying a refurbished device be more eco-friendly?

So, I read in a magazine not too long ago about a company, SellYourCell.com, that will buy your used (though 100% working) cell phone. SellYourCell.com is dedicated to the idea that used cell phones can have their useful lives extended with re-marketing. Re-marketing can and does result in lengthening the life of an individual phone and indirectly reduces the need for the purchase of a new phone. Extending the life of products in these ways are a recognized means of effective recycling.

Unfortunately, my phone isn’t working and therefore I can’t send it to them. My carrier is T-Mobile. To my amazement, with a little bit of digging, I was able to find that T-Mobile excepts old cell phones, working or not, any carrier, which they then donate to their T-Mobile Huddle Up program.

As far as refurbished devices, I would have to assume that they are more eco-friendly than a new phone. Should you decide to go this route, ReplaceYourCell.com, has quite a selection of unlocked, and ready to use phones.

Direct your browser on over to GreenMaps.org. There you can get the scoop (and the map) on all your local ‘Green’ stores and services.

Not finding anything? Sign up to participate and put your city on the map!!

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Want to ‘green’ your life, but not sure where to start?

Green Options’ free e-course will teach you how to lighten your environmental impact, without sacrificing comfort or breaking the bank.

ecourse, green options, online course, email

There’s been lots of talk lately about reducing your carbon footprint and your negative impact by purchasing locally grown produce. The idea being that if it’s grown locally, it required less energy to get to you. It’s a really great idea I think, but sometimes its hard to find the local farmer’s market. This website can help. http://www.localharvest.org/

Do you realize that a majority of the produce in the US is picked about a week before being placed on supermarket shelves? On average its shipped anywhere from 1000 to 2000 miles before being sold. When you take into account produce imported from Mexico, Asia, Canada, South America, and other places, those distances can grow exponentially.

Imagine all the food wasted through the shipping process. All the CO2 released through the burning of gas to transport it. Think of all the packaging that can be reused because the merchandise is just dropped off…

It really just makes more cents to buy locally if you can.

In the UK? Need help making the change to green???

Sign up for Green reminding (aka Nagging) over at The Nag. They’ll help you make the change. All you do is provide a little information and then they will make one nagging suggestion a month of something you should change. They’re fairly simple (like switching to CFLs) and at one a month it shouldn’t be too overwhelming.

Unfortunately, for the folks here in the US, we’ll just have to fend for ourselves for the moment. B over at The Nag tells me that they are starting to form partnerships with agencies in different countries who are interested in taking the Nag, adapting the messaging and advice and running it in their own countries in some shape and form. So, there is hope for us yet. =)

A couple of interesting facts before I go from the Nag website: 116 people have switched to green energy with The Nag. Together they are saving about 232 tons of CO2 every year.