One woman's search to find greening in the world today …

Category Archives: nature

World Water Day 2012 – let’s get going!

Today is World Water Day. What better day than today to become aware of how much water we use, waste, and how to fix that? According to The Water Footprint Network, each of us may drink 8 or so glasses of water daily, but the average American uses  32,911 glasses per day. Yes, you read that correctly. 96% of our water use is “hidden” which means it is used to make and grow the things we eat, wear and use, and for energy.  And, the EPA estimates that the average family uses about 400 gallons of water daily. Even PETA weighs in, telling us that it takes over 2,400 gallons of water for each pound of meat produced. And 2,900 gallons for a single pair of blue jeans, 37 gallons of water to make a cup of coffee, 49 gallons of water to make a bag of chips! It is easy to see how this all adds up very quickly.

Of course, we have all heard about the dire conditions around the globe and the importance of clean drinking water. Well over 885 million people lack access to clean drinking water. And, in California, some residents have begun to truck in water to bathe their kids. While the problem may seem insurmountable, at this point we actually are on our way to meet 2015 goals for turning this crisis around that were set by the United Nations. So there  IS hope. And it is up to each one of us to make a difference.

What I would like to focus on today is what each of us can do, right now, to make a difference. Hey, if everybody saves even a few glasses daily, it will all add up. Here are a few ideas to get us started:

  1. Donate money. A couple of good places are Matt Damon’s charity, water.org and The Nature Conservancy.
  2. Fix leaks – Earth 911 tells us how. They also mention that according to the  ”U.S. EPA, the average American home leaks more than 10,000 gallons of water per year – enough water to wash 280 loads of laundry, take more than 600 showers or meet the average family’s water needs for a month.”
  3. Recycle paper. Savings – 3.5 gallons of water for every pound.
  4. Stop junk mail.
  5. Use your own water bottles, It takes 3 times as much water to make a plastic bottle than will fit inside.
  6. Think meatless – cattle are the number one water-users. (So think leather-free as well)
  7. Eat sustainable fish.
  8. Basically, eat healthy.
  9. Turn off the faucet when not needed while you are brushing your teeth, shaving, even washing dishes.
  10. Cut shower time by 5 minutes and save 20 gallons of water.
  11. Plant your garden with plants that need less water.
  12. “If it’s yellow, let it mellow.” Don’t flush every time.
  13. Find a car wash that recycles water.
  14. Get creative…

If you are interested in finding out more about World Water Day, here’s a  bit of background from the official United Nations site:“International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater.” This year the theme is WATER AND FOOD SECURITY.

It is up to all of us to make a difference, starting today. What ideas do YOU have? We’re all in this together!

There Must be 50 Ways to Love Your Lemons…

Get busy! There are many reasons to love this versitile fruit. As Green Living tips tells us, “Lemons are high in vitamin C, have an anti-bacterial effect and are thought to possess antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. The juice consists of about 5% acid, which  also makes them useful for a variety of household purposes. Lemons and/or lemon juice are a popular addition in environmentally friendly cleaning applications.”

 So, here we go, a list (in no particular order) of some of the many, many uses of this noble fruit. I will admit, some I have tried, and others not, but they all sound intriguing, and who knows? Using lemons instead of harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, bleach or other unnatural ingredients is good for you, and good for the planet. And of course, when life gives you lemons? Well, you can:
  1. Put sun-kissed highlights in your hair (leave juice from 1 lemon plus salt to your hair for a couple of hours while you are outside in the sun)
  2. Fight a cold (mix lemon juice with honey and hot water)
  3. Exfoliate your feet (mix with brown sugar and scrub away)
  4. Clean and sanitize your pierced earrings in the juice
  5. Brighten your fingernails (soak for 2 min – may add olive oil to strengthen nails)
  6. Use as a hair rinse – after shampooing to get rid of soapy residue
  7. Gargle juice to freshen breath
  8. Rub directly on your underarms for a deodorant
  9. Soothe insect stings – they are less painful if you bathe them in lemon juice and water.
  10. Soothe sore throats – gargle with lemon juice
  11. Lighten freckles or age spots (not sure how effective it is – it takes a months)
  12. Make an astringent for your face
  13. Create a facial scrub – mix with salt until you form a paste
  14. Get hangover relief – lemon juice added to warm water or tea
  15. Relieve itchy skin
  16. Boost your metabolism – maybe
  17. Remove dandruff flakes
  18. Soften elbows – add baking soda to cut lemon, use on elbows
  19. Clean mirrors and windows
  20. Clean, disinfect and freshen your garbage disposal
  21. Brighten laundry – add 1 cup juice in rinse. It’s even more effective if the laundry dries naturally in the sun.
  22. Keep cut fruits and veggies from browning
  23. Deter insects. Put juice where insects come in the home
  24. Perk up droopy lettuce (soak for an hour in cold water and lemon juice)
  25. Remove rust stains from cotton and polyester fabric (make paste with juice and cream of tartar, let sit for a half hour, wash)
  26. Remove grease stains from clothes – rub juice into stain, leave overnight, wash)
  27. Remove ink stains from clothes – put juice on stain directly, wash in cold water
  28. Clean mineral buildup from tea and coffeepots – boil lemon slices and let sit for an hour or two
  29. Clean cutting boards – get rid of stains and germs
  30. Clean and bleach tile grout – use a toothbrush
  31. Freshen toilet bowl – add one-half cup lemon juice to bowl and use brush to clean
  32. Deodorize stinky rooms – add a few slices to water near stinky areas
  33. Add to cooking water of stinky veggies
  34. Clean microwave – bring lemon water to boil, and don’t open door for 10 minutes
  35. Unclogs drains. Use baking  soda followed by lemon juice
  36. Clean hard water stains on shower doors
  37. Degrease hand-washed dishes
  38. Freshen your dishwasher – use half of cut lemon, and shove it onto a rod in the upper basket
  39. Remove limescale from stainless steel taps, countertops, sinks
  40. Clean discolored copper of brass (be careful with antiques)
  41. Clean counter tops – make your own spray solution, rinse and dry
  42. Scrub barbeque grills and grates
  43. Remove stains and odors from plastic food storage containers – soak, then add baking soda and scrub
  44. Clean hands from food smells
  45. Remove odors from your refrigerator with half a cut lemon. Change
  46.  Keep rice from sticking to the pot by adding a few drops of juice to the cooking water
  47. Ease heartburn – depending on the type you have
  48. Fix clothing and underarm stains – use equsl parts lemon juice and white vinegar
  49. Freshen the air – mix water and juice in a spray bottle, spray when you want instant freshness
  50. And or course, MAKE LEMONADE!!

6 More Weeks of Winter?

…according to Punxsutawney Phil. Phil, the ”official” weather-prognosticating groundhog, comes out of his burrow, which is located on Gobbler’s Knob, a small hill in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on Groundhog Day, February 2. If he sees his shadow, that means 6 more weeks of winter. At least it does about 39% of the time, which is his record for accurate predictions. Phil is one of many groundhogs who perform this annual feat around the world, and this year, he is definitely in the minority, since most of the groundhogs believe we are in for an early spring in North America.

Nestled halfway between the start  and the end of winter, Groundhog Day is a fun way to celebrate midwinter. In fact, this year is unique because we are experiencing such a warm, mild winter. When Phil and his friends in Punxsutawney began the ceremony at 7:30 AM, they faced temperatures around freezing, which is unseasonably warm, and by midday the temperatures were expected to rise to the mid 40′s. Definitely not midwinter weather for Pennsylvania.

This got me to wondering about  animals like Punxsutawney Phil that hibernate each winter. How is global warming effecting them?  According to the National Geographic, “A recent trend toward increasingly mild winters is disrupting normal hibernation patterns for many high-latitude and high-elevation species—and in some cases it may be a matter of life or death. The change may be placing some species fatally out of synch with their environment. When animals hibernate they’re able to conserve the energy stored in their fat during periods when food is scarce. So when they are abnormally active, they risk using up their stored energy before they can replace it.”

More powerful reasons to be kind to the environment, practice sustainable living, and reduce our carbon footprints. It’s not too late, but the time certainly is now to make changes, and encourage others, including big corporations and the government to significantly reduce their carbon footprints.

Hey, we have 6 more weeks of winter – what are you willing to do to make a difference? Phil and his friends need all of our help!

Stop Clinging to Me!

Here I was, earlier this week, all dressed up and feeling festive at the holiday party I had just arrived at. What happened? I took off my coat and ZAP! I had a static cling attack. I don’t know about you, but the feeling of an acrylic sweater clinging and bunching  around my body is not my idea of a good time. Gives me the heebie-jeebies, as a matter of fact. Welcome to winter – when clothes (especially ones that contain synthetic fibers) somehow mysteriously develop an annoying case of extreme  static cling! So, I got curious: what is it really and how can I get rid of it in an environmentally friendly way?

Basically, static is a phenomenon, or event, like the weather. It occurs when there are dry conditions, such as dry, warm indoor winter air. An electrical charge builds up and holds objects together. So, back in 1978, the folks at Alberto-Culver  got annoyed enough to create a product to eliminate static cling called Static Guard. It worked pretty well, too. Problem was, it was quite toxic, as anyone who has ever been nearby when it was sprayed, was well aware. The horrible smell, coughing, and gagging (I exaggerate, but only slightly) were enough to have me stop using it.

So, what to use?  Hairspray works OK, if you don’t mind your clothes getting all hair sprayish. And, depending on the kind you use, it might not be good for the environment, or your lungs (see above description.) Spraying water on the garment works, at least until it dries. And it always dries, especially in a warm, dry environment. So, here is my absolutely unofficial, completely natural, and mostly untested by me, list of ways to remove, reduce or eliminate static cling:

  1. Spray water on the inside of the garment.
  2. Avoid over-drying clothes in the dryer, and shake them as you take them out to fold.
  3. Or line-dry them.
  4. Use 1/4 cup white vinegar in the rinse water.
  5. Or 1/4 cup Borax.
  6. Spray white vinegar on the garment.
  7. Run a wire hanger inside the garment while you are wearing it.
  8. Wear more natural fibers.
  9. Pin a safety pin or two to the inside of the garment at the side seams.
  10. Use lotion on whatever body part is in contact with clothing.

Personally, I can hardly wait to try the safety pin trick! What do you use to cure this pesky problem?

Happy Birthday WWF!

This week, the WWF celebrates its 50th birthday! Known as both the World Wildlife Fund and the Wide Fund for Nature, the world’s largest independent conservation effort is an international and non-governmental organization, working on issues regarding the research, conservation and restoration of the environment.

“For 50 years, the WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. Here is  their organization’s statement: “WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.

Their vision? WWF’s vision is to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature.

Their Mission? WWF’s mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.”

Wonderful goals and a true vision to live into, right? Unfortunately, the WWF  is not without a few detractors. You may have heard  that the WWF has been accused by a number of environmental groups and campaigners for  being too close to businesses. WWF believes that partnering with companies such as Coca-Cola, Lafarge and IKEA will reduce their impact on the environment. In fact,  WWF collected$80 million dollars from corporations in 2010 (an 8% increase in support from corporations compared to 2009), accounting for 11% of total revenue for the year.

On the other hand, since everyone is getting involved, visibility is increased. Just the other day, as I was sitting at my computer, a polar bear magically appeared on my screen and began meandering around. Turns out, he was part of the Coca-Cola Arctic Home campaign, designed to protect the Arctic environment and help the species that call it home. The WWF website explains further: “Arctic Home” builds upon an existing partnership between WWF and The Coca-Cola Company focused on freshwater conservation. Together, Coca-Cola and WWF are working to conserve freshwater resources around the world, use water more efficiently, and hold down carbon emissions in Coca-Cola’s manufacturing operations. Additionally, we’re working to promote sustainable agriculture in the Company’s supply chain. By combining strengths and resources, Coca-Cola and WWF are able to go beyond what each organization could achieve on its own.”

Even Leonardo DiCaprio is in the act. He supports WWF’s Save Tigers Now, which aims to save tigers in the wild. And last March, I posted about participating in Earth Hour 2011, which was a profound and important hour whose benefits are far-reaching. You will be hearing more about Earth Hour 2012 here in March. Save the date to participate: Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 8:30 PM local time.

More good news? Each of us can help. In March, we can get involded in their We can adopt an endangered animal symbolically, give one of many great WWF gifts, donate money or any number of other options. This holiday, why not give a win-win-win gift?

Done with Daylight Saving?

Here we go again. On Sunday, November 6 at 2 AM the United States returns to Standard Time. So naturally, one of the topics open for  Eco-debate this week is; how green is Daylight Saving Time?  In early November we “fall back” and then in March we “spring forward.” A catchy way of remembering which way to reset the clocks one hour. On Sunday,  we actually gain an hour, so there is less likelihood of us waking up in the still-dark morning. Of course, on the flip side, we lose an hour of daylight in the evening. So, conceivably in the months that we have Daylight Saving Time, we can save energy, potentially a lot of energy.  The first large-scale study was done in the 1970′s during the oil crisis, which found that it saved at least 1% of energy. More recently, another report published in 2008 by the U.S. Department of Energy concluded 4 weeks extra of daylight savings time could conserve 1.3 trillion watt-hours per day, enough to power 100,000 homes for a year.

One of the best definitions for what Daylight Saving Time I have found comes from the folks at timeanddate.com: ”Daylight Saving Time (or summertime as it is called in many countries) is a way of getting more light out of the day by advancing clocks by one hour during the summer. During Daylight Saving Time, the sun appears to rise one hour later in the morning, when people are usually asleep anyway, and sets one hour later in the evening, seeming to stretch the day longer.”

The whole idea began in 1784 when Benjamin Franklin thought up the idea of daylight saving to conserve candles, and get people out into the daylight. The U.S. did not begin using Daylight Saving Time until World War I as a way to preserve resources for the war effort. And now, it is a way of life for many, if not most, people in the world.  Some states, such as California, argue that the amount of energy saved is miniscule. On one side of the debate is the fact that there are so many air conditioners using energy, especially in the daylight hours. On the flip side, there is research to support that in the first week of Daylight Saving alone, there is a 10% reduction of TV watching.

The Scientific American poses this thought: “If time shifting turns out to be an energy waster, should the sun set on daylight saving? Certainly that would please farmers, who have long opposed it for how it disrupts their schedules. The chances, though, appear nil. “I’m skeptical we could change daylight saving time on a national level, because we’ve become accustomed to it,” Kotchen says, adding that “we might want to consider it for other costs or benefits it could have.” Retailers, especially those involved with sports and recreation, have historically argued hardest for extending daylight time. Representatives of the golf industry, for instance, told Congress in 1986 that an extra month of daylight saving was worth up to $400 million annually in extra sales and fees.”

Some countries and states have changed their tune, and are giving up on Daylight Saving Time. Notice that throughout this post I have used the word Saving and not Savings, as it is more commonly known. The correct version is, in fact, just Saving. Russia has given up using any system of altering the  time for better or worse. As we keep a watch on DST, it will be interesting to see what develops.

Weigh in – Daylight Saving Time…love it or hate it?

And, the Environmental Media Association Futures Award goes to…

Justin Timberlake, who has won many awards, and is well-known for his music, his acting, and maybe even his romances. One thing he is less well-known for is his unwavering commitment to the environment. In fact, he is one of this year’s honorees at the 21st annual Environmental Media Association awards ceremony held in Los Angeles on October 15, 2011, which celebrates  environmental leaders in the entertainment industry. Justin will receive the prestigious Futures Award  for his concerted efforts to reduce his carbon footprint while he is on tour, and for the eco-friendly Mirimichi golf course he built in his home town of Millington, Tennessee.

Justin TimberlakeThe The exciting news is that Mirimichi is the first golf course in the Americas—and one of just ten courses world-wide—to receive certification from the Golf Environmental Organization. Being a GEO Certified course signifies that Mirimichi has met comprehensive and advanced sustainability requirements. Also, Mirimichi is the first golf course in the United States to receive official Audubon Classic Sanctuary certification by Audubon International, a non-profit environmental education organization. Pretty Amazing, right?

“As part of the renovation of the course, I started asking questions about whether you can turn a golf course into an eco-friendly place. It turns out you can,” Justin wrote on his website. “The clubhouse will be Platinum LEED certified when it is complete and that is an extremely grueling process but very rewarding. While we have several initiatives that make Mirimichi eco-friendly, one of the greatest in my opinion is that while we use 80 percent of the energy we produce, we return 20 percent to the Tennessee Energy Grid.”

While on tour, Timberlake and co. make every effort to reduce their carbon footprint. As if that weren’t enough, he has written a chapter in the book, The Green Book, accompanied by numerous other celebs. His commitment as an eco-activist is inspiring, and motivating for all of us.

Justin Timberlake is using his fame to help focus attention, energy and capital on the environment. It’s amazing the difference just one busy singer/actor/activist/businessman can make for  our planet…thank you Justin, keep up the great work!



Mine is 3.59 Earths…What’s Your Number?

If everyone on the planet lived my current lifestyle, we would need 3.59 Earths to sustain it. Wow! That’s a whole lot of Earths. The really scary thing about this statistic is that I am well below the national average for the United States. To put things in global perspective, the average for the entire planet to be able to maintain its present level of consumption is 1.5 Earths.

Not to scare anyone, but how long can we keep this up? One of my coaching colleagues (who is also a beautiful nature photographer and ecologist) Chris Dewey, kindly passed along information about the  Ecological Footprint Quiz  which I found fascinating. This quiz measures so much more than just our carbon footprints. In fact, when I have measured my Carbon Footprint in the past, I have felt pretty satisfied with the results, and this measurement – 3.59 Earths! – puts it in perspective. In addition to our Carbon Footprint, it also measures our Food Footprint, our Housing Footprint and our Goods and Services Footprint. I discovered I am doing a good job with my carbon, goods and services footprints, and an average job in the areas of food and housing. Great! This gives me something concrete, measurable and specific to focus my eco-efforts on improving.

In the words of the folks at Ecological Footprints, the purpose of the quiz is to “measure humanity’s demands on nature. Everything we do has consequences. The Ecological Footprint Quiz estimates the amount of land and ocean area required to sustain your consumption patterns and absorb your wastes on an annual basis.”

So, take the quiz. I dare you. Post your number. If you are like me, you will be surprised at just where your weak areas are. Then, make the commitment to change. Start with just one thing to bring your number down. Me? I am taking on turning off and unplugging things when I am not using them. Lights out before it is really LIGHTS OUT! Together we can do this…

What More Can I Do?

Often I write about something very practical in my search for greening, such as teflon, the plight of the honeybees, or even how to recycle this or that. This post is different, prompted by the great question – What more can I do? –  that came to me as I was being coached in a recent session.

In her thoughtful book, Mindfully Green, author Stephanie Kaza reminds us than “Once you take up the green practice path, you see that environmental caregiving is a lifelong task…we need the encouragement and wisdom of others.” Now, I don’t know about you, but I am at once inspired and humbled by the idea of being on a “green practice path.” The idea that others have gone before me, before us, is a powerful one. I can feel their encouraging energy, even when I feel like mine might be waning. Especially when mine is waning. The teachers are everywhere, guiding us in large and small ways, everyday. We just have be open to receive the lessons.

The concept of being on the path is such a vivid symbol for me, and maybe for you, too. We can see when we are on it, and when we have strayed away. Sometimes, it can be the smallest choice, one that may seem inconsequential in the moment. Tossing that plastic container in the trash or in the recycling bin. It just takes an instant to make that decision, it is merely a small step on the path. But it is how we take that step, and the next, and the one after that. Those little steps can make all the difference.  Sometimes, consulting a map, or a green guide for wisdom and knowledge is what we need to be able to move forward. Sometimes, it is just being open to view that is all around us, ready to come into focus when we are ready to see it.

Sometimes, we can be a guide for others who are not as far along the green practice path as we are, sharing our own wisdom. Being inspired by the fresh energy of those who have just become aware that they can make a big difference by what they do, the choices they make and the spirit they bring to the journey.

So, today, I challenge you to ask yourself the question I am asking myself, “What more can I do?” Take the extra step, help illuminate the way for others. And recognize that we all can be on the green practice path. The first step? For me, it is being grateful for all the amazing, inspiring and abundant gifts this planet has to offer – eally taking the time to look at the world around me with wonder and gratitude. What is the first step for you?

Mopping Up The Mess From Irene

“Barn’s washed away. Now I can see the moon.” – paraphrase of a quote by Mizuta Masahide (Barn’s burnt down…)

Sitting here in sunny California, it is almost incomprehensible to see and hear of  the devastation left by Hurricane Irene. In fact, I feel humbled and even a little foolish to have thought that I could write about environmentally friendly ways to cleanup after the waters and winds are gone. People on the East Coast are fast becoming experts in dealing with the aftermath, and I can only imagine what they are going through.

Even the people who just lost power for a few days. I say even, but to lose power is no small thing. It can have people feeling even more isolated because our whole world revolves on our dependence for electricity. No power means no phones, internet, etc. A friend posted that in her town the Trader Joe’s just regained power. And for some reason, this, more than the horrific stories I have heard all week, really put it into perspective for me. No Trader Joe’s to pop into for this or that? The things we all take for granted take on new meaning.

If you are returning home, please stay safe. Only go into buildings that officials have declared safe – there may be electrical hazards, cracks in the foundation, and other things that make structures unsafe, and you might not be able to see them yourself.   Remember that the water may be contaminated.

When the water goes down, one of the biggest hazards is mold. Take everything you can outside to air out, and remove any wet wallpaper, drywall or insulation if possible. Some sites recommend using a diluted bleach solution to wash down walls and hard objects, such as wooden tables. Other sites recommend any number of more environmentally safe ones, such as Moldoff or Seventh Generation. Also recommended is good old Apple Cider Vinegar, and perhaps even diluted hydrogen peroxide. If you have a de-humidifier, use it. Not all mold is toxic, although it may bother some people with allergies or asthma. The key is to act quickly. If the project is too big or too daunting, you may want to call in a Professional Environmentally Friendly Mold Remediation service.

Looking at all of the felled trees, and the plant refuse, it is hard to see the sliver lining. But, several years ago, after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, this was collected and used to make bio fuel and new building materials. We hear of many eco-friendly housing projects that are being built. If you have to rebuild, or even replace, why not do it sustainably?

In the meantime, my heart is with you, and I am inspired by the courage and grace under pressure you have shown. I am grateful for each and every one of you. You are true heroes…