Supermodels did it in this 350.org video - it's one way to get the message across.
Image Credit: http://www.350.org/
And for 24 MORE compelling reasons why you should be concerned about climate change click here.
25 November 2009
COP 15...
...is right around the corner. With thousands of world leaders, activists and scientists attending, just who should you keep an eye out for? Grist has conveniently made some suggestions for you. Watch '15 People Worth Watching in Copenhagen' to learn more.
So what is all the hype about anyway? It's not too late to get informed, read 'Copenhagen 101: The Essentials on the Climate Talks.'
So what is all the hype about anyway? It's not too late to get informed, read 'Copenhagen 101: The Essentials on the Climate Talks.'
24 November 2009
Green MBA's
The Green Economy Post has published an interesting article around green MBA's. Within just a few years it seems that sustainability is the trend in education and with so many programs to chose from it is becoming more and more difficult to determine which porgram aligns with your educational and professional goals.
If you are looking to go back to school "discover the 10 most important factors you should be using to select a green MBA program and how to use them to select the right program to put you on a successful career track" here.
If you are looking to go back to school "discover the 10 most important factors you should be using to select a green MBA program and how to use them to select the right program to put you on a successful career track" here.
23 November 2009
"Changing the World One BITE at a Time"
Image Credit: http://www.foodincmovie.com/
Food Inc., a recent film bringing light to the reality of our industrial food system. If more people stopped to consider where the food on their plate came from they would seriously reconsider their eating habits....(and we would most likely have more vegetarians in the world)!
Uncover the filthy facts about factory farming and learn why eating local and organic food is not only healthier for you but better for the planet.
Go see this movie, then help "change the world one bite at a time."
19 November 2009
Why Not Oil Sands?
18 November 2009
Project Laundry?
That's right, Project Laundry List (not Runway)!
Image Credit: http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/2009/08/10/eco-tip-tuesdays-air-your-clean-laundry/
Have you ever stopped to think about just how much energy your modern day washer and dryer consumes? Consider how often you do laundry, and your neighbors, and all the people in your region, your country and around the globe and well, it adds up pretty quickly.
Project Laundry List is bringing back clotheslines. Why waste electricity to dry your wash when you can hang it out in the sun? And don't forget that cold water washing is more efficient as well.
So, let it all hang out....your clean laundry in the sun that is!
Read more at Grist.
Strategic Sustainability
STACK Coordination: An up and coming sustainable consultancy with an all around informative website providing useful information on strategic sustainability, regenerative development, needs based design and much more.
Add it to your favorites.
Add it to your favorites.
10 November 2009
100% Clean Energy by 2030
Is it possible?
They are relying on exisiting technologies that are proven to work, and have devised a plan to phase in a WWS (wind, water and sun) infrastructure.
The technology is there, it is a huge investment but one that is economically feasible when considering the long-term...now it is up to politicians to make it happen!
This presentation on Scientific American is the best I've seen so don't skip it! For a ranking of energy sources along with brief explanations, pro's, con's and sometimes audio explanations, check out slide 5.
Scientist's Mark Jacobson from Stanford and Mark Delucchi from UC Davis believe so. They even created an interactive presentation, Powering a Green Planet, to show how.
They are relying on exisiting technologies that are proven to work, and have devised a plan to phase in a WWS (wind, water and sun) infrastructure.
Image Credit: http://www.topnews.in/wind-water-and-sun-beat-biofuels-nuclear-and-coal-clean-energy-297577
The technology is there, it is a huge investment but one that is economically feasible when considering the long-term...now it is up to politicians to make it happen!
This presentation on Scientific American is the best I've seen so don't skip it! For a ranking of energy sources along with brief explanations, pro's, con's and sometimes audio explanations, check out slide 5.
Stop Putting BPA in Canned Food!
Did you know that the metal liner in your canned green beans contains BPA (Bisphenol A)?
BPA - a compound that is thought to be harmful to humans - used to package our food, where is the logic in that? And not only is it found in the packaging but recent studies have found that it is leaching into the food preserved within the can. Perhaps your canned peaches aren't so peachy afterall!
So what can you do...switch to frozen food or dried products, but most importantly try to purchase fresh food whenever possible.
Read more at Grist
Calculating CARBON
There are numerous on-line Carbon Footprint Calculators to assess your business's or household's green house gas (GHG) emissions....to name a few:
The Seattle Climate Action Plan Carbon Footprint Calulcator
The Sierra Club Clearwater Carbon Calculator
The Berkeley Institute of the Environment Cool Climate Carbon Footprint Calculator
It is not so important which calculator you chose, but that you go through the process itself. The first step to a brighter future is to benchmark where you currently are, and this is an easy and quick exercise that everyone should make time for. From there you can set goals and start taking the necessary steps to reach your envisoned future!
The Seattle Climate Action Plan Carbon Footprint Calulcator
The Sierra Club Clearwater Carbon Calculator
The Berkeley Institute of the Environment Cool Climate Carbon Footprint Calculator
It is not so important which calculator you chose, but that you go through the process itself. The first step to a brighter future is to benchmark where you currently are, and this is an easy and quick exercise that everyone should make time for. From there you can set goals and start taking the necessary steps to reach your envisoned future!
Environmental Impact of your Printer
09 November 2009
SourceMap --> Open Supply Chains
In our society, we filter through products like they are going out of style. Do you ever wonder what the environmental impact is of all this stuff that goes from "make to waste" so quickly? It is more involved than just the products we purchase, each step in the supply chain is a contributer and should be considered.
That is where SourceMap comes into play, "a platform for researching, optimizing and sharing the supply chains behind a number of everyday products."
This tool utilizes a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) calulator in determining the full impact of products from raw material distraction and manufacturing through product use and end of life disposal.
Anyone can join and contribute to the rapidly growing database of assessed products. Read more about this tool at TreeHugger.
That is where SourceMap comes into play, "a platform for researching, optimizing and sharing the supply chains behind a number of everyday products."
This tool utilizes a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) calulator in determining the full impact of products from raw material distraction and manufacturing through product use and end of life disposal.
Anyone can join and contribute to the rapidly growing database of assessed products. Read more about this tool at TreeHugger.
08 November 2009
BioCITY
What is this interesting graphic you ask....BioCity!
"The biocity is an urban planning model arising from landscape architecture and biological theory that proposes cities be reconceptualised as ‘urban biotopes’ that are supported by a myriad of interconnected ecosystems. The model has a purpose to shift critical debate in city planning away from fossil fuel led decision making to secure a better future for urban areas under climate change impacts. It is built upon a collaborative, transparent, open source intelligence across twelve major urban systems into which critical data is progressively captured. The data is available as a comparative metric to highlight strengths and weaknesses of different urban conditions."
"The model adopts a biomimicry agenda that considers the relative equity of the biotope’s twelve constituent systems as paramount. The biocity concept defines twelve interconnected systems that determine the condition of the urban biotope" (as seen in the graphic above).
Window Farms
Hopefully, in the not so distant future, when I finally attain my dream, downtown loft condo, this is the the first thing I am going to invest in!
Window Farms for the urban dweller - grow your own food, eat healthy and rely less on the industrial food system. "Window Farms are vertical, hydroponic, modular, low-energy, high-yield edible window gardens built using low-impact or recycled local materials."
Create some edible window art in your own apartment! Check out some images and a video of an experiment in urban agriculture.
Window Farms for the urban dweller - grow your own food, eat healthy and rely less on the industrial food system. "Window Farms are vertical, hydroponic, modular, low-energy, high-yield edible window gardens built using low-impact or recycled local materials."
05 November 2009
History, Science, Spirituality...
He is a strong voice in the Vancouver, British Columbia community and is worth listening to. His unique persepctive on sustainability involves quantum physics and the power of intention, suggesting that we need to visualize the future clearly to make it happen (similar to the concept of backcasting).
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