Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Green Books
Hey everyone. It's the weekend! For many of you it may be a good weekend to stay inside because of a rainy day. What is better than having a great book on a rainy day? Having a great GREEN book to read on a rainy day.
Shop here for a ton of choices
Nation Geographic Green Book Store
Shop here for a ton of choices
Nation Geographic Green Book Store
Thursday, April 17, 2008
One More Reason Bush is a Moron
Environmentalists Slam Bush Climate Goal
As is pointed out in the article, Bush is administering "too little, much too late".
If the problems are going to get solved, we are going to need a leader that is at the forefront of the problem, not someone who says "oh yeah, the planet... let's just spew out some crap to pacify those dumb environmentalists and hippy wannabes." I'm don't claim to ascribe to any political party, and I try to remain neutral in my political opinions, but I have to admit that Bush is not the brightest crayon in the box.
As is pointed out in the article, Bush is administering "too little, much too late".
If the problems are going to get solved, we are going to need a leader that is at the forefront of the problem, not someone who says "oh yeah, the planet... let's just spew out some crap to pacify those dumb environmentalists and hippy wannabes." I'm don't claim to ascribe to any political party, and I try to remain neutral in my political opinions, but I have to admit that Bush is not the brightest crayon in the box.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Electronics Trash
"What good is this OLD cell phone!? I'll just throw it away!"
WAIT!!! STOP! "E-Waste" is the fastest growing type of waste that is being heaped into landfills. It is also reported that 2/3s of this waste is STILL FUNCTIONAL! That is so astounding, and what's more astounding is that 2.6 million tons of electronic waste is generated by Americans alone every year.
Click here to find out more... I got all this great information in this article on Scientific American's website!
Trashed Tech
WAIT!!! STOP! "E-Waste" is the fastest growing type of waste that is being heaped into landfills. It is also reported that 2/3s of this waste is STILL FUNCTIONAL! That is so astounding, and what's more astounding is that 2.6 million tons of electronic waste is generated by Americans alone every year.
Click here to find out more... I got all this great information in this article on Scientific American's website!
Trashed Tech
Monday, April 7, 2008
Simplify
Making some simple changes to your daily habits can make a huge impact on the earth.
Before you buy ANOTHER gadget to "help" you save time/effort, weigh the cost AND the consequence. Ask yourself a series of questions to see whether you really need that extra doodad.
*How much will this take away from my monthly budget?
*Will this pay for itself in time?
*Will this pollute the earth?
*Is a subscription required for this?
*Can I pay for it now, or do I have to charge it?
*How much time is this going to take away from my other daily activities?
*Is this going to be a one-trick pony?
Taking time to think over a purchase will keep your budget under control, your house free(r) from clutter, and it will keep many things out of the landfills.
Read this article for more tips on how to keep calm and how to simplify. From one of my favorite sites EARTH EASY.
Before you buy ANOTHER gadget to "help" you save time/effort, weigh the cost AND the consequence. Ask yourself a series of questions to see whether you really need that extra doodad.
*How much will this take away from my monthly budget?
*Will this pay for itself in time?
*Will this pollute the earth?
*Is a subscription required for this?
*Can I pay for it now, or do I have to charge it?
*How much time is this going to take away from my other daily activities?
*Is this going to be a one-trick pony?
Taking time to think over a purchase will keep your budget under control, your house free(r) from clutter, and it will keep many things out of the landfills.
Read this article for more tips on how to keep calm and how to simplify. From one of my favorite sites EARTH EASY.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Bury That Problem!
Here is an example of how to get my goat: running away from your problems and burying them in the sand like they don't exist instead of facing the music and coming up with a plan to solve it.
Quick fixes do not make environmentally sound solutions. This article reminds me somewhat of when we thought it was a good idea to put our junk in space so there would be less of it in the landfills. As we know now, that wasn't such a hot idea.
Europeans are preparing to bet heavily on burying carbon
Ok this all seems super absurd to me! We can't just go burying our problems. The soil is troubled enough without having noxious gases subplanted in it. It seems to me, that the problem we need to be focusing on is eliminating the actual greenhouse gases that are emitted from factories. Instead of burying our problems along with a boatload of money in the carbon tanks, wouldn't it be much more feesable to work on reducing or totally eliminating the fossil fuels used.
Ok, this quote scares me a bit. “We’re very confident that injecting into abandoned oil and gas reservoirs would be completely secure,” says Haines, one of the researchers in this project. This comment was made so nonchalantly, that it seems like they are assuming it would be safe. A CO2 leak would NOT be a fun thing, and it just seems like there is a whoe "La dee da" approach being taken here. I'm no scientist, but when noxious gases are involved, I want a plan that's more comprehensively researched, experimented, and where consequences are well thought out and documented.
Green Energy should be the new focus of companies. “Coal is providing a lot of the primary energy demand right now. We need to focus on cleaning coal up,” explains Chiaro. I agree, coal is our main energy source right now, but it is getting depleted at such a rapid pace that we need to find an alternate energy source anyway. So, why are we worrying about burying what we've already done? I think it's time to focus on the future and find a healthier and renewable energy resource!
Quick fixes do not make environmentally sound solutions. This article reminds me somewhat of when we thought it was a good idea to put our junk in space so there would be less of it in the landfills. As we know now, that wasn't such a hot idea.
Europeans are preparing to bet heavily on burying carbon
Ok this all seems super absurd to me! We can't just go burying our problems. The soil is troubled enough without having noxious gases subplanted in it. It seems to me, that the problem we need to be focusing on is eliminating the actual greenhouse gases that are emitted from factories. Instead of burying our problems along with a boatload of money in the carbon tanks, wouldn't it be much more feesable to work on reducing or totally eliminating the fossil fuels used.
Ok, this quote scares me a bit. “We’re very confident that injecting into abandoned oil and gas reservoirs would be completely secure,” says Haines, one of the researchers in this project. This comment was made so nonchalantly, that it seems like they are assuming it would be safe. A CO2 leak would NOT be a fun thing, and it just seems like there is a whoe "La dee da" approach being taken here. I'm no scientist, but when noxious gases are involved, I want a plan that's more comprehensively researched, experimented, and where consequences are well thought out and documented.
Green Energy should be the new focus of companies. “Coal is providing a lot of the primary energy demand right now. We need to focus on cleaning coal up,” explains Chiaro. I agree, coal is our main energy source right now, but it is getting depleted at such a rapid pace that we need to find an alternate energy source anyway. So, why are we worrying about burying what we've already done? I think it's time to focus on the future and find a healthier and renewable energy resource!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Water Usage
I think this video is really really good. It drives the point home quite nicely.
GOOD Magazine: Water
GOOD Magazine: Water
Not Really Environmental News
I am getting a little frustrated that no one reads my blog. Am I not even interesting enough for a NEGATIVE comment?? Do people fall asleep before they can type any keystroke at all. Any kind of feedback would be appreciated... it's starting to make me think no one is reading in the first place, much less caring about what's going on.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Animal Experimentation: Part I
Sorry for such a long departure guys. This issue of animal testing has taken some serious research and rethinking sides of the story for me. This has been an emotional and heart wrenching experience, and I’ve not even witnessed any of these things first hand. I was shocked and appalled at the level of suffering these animals go through. It doesn’t just apply to those little white lab rats and mice (which, by the way are very cute, docile, and intelligent), but testing includes experimentation on cats, monkeys, dogs, fish, frogs, and rabbits. Just as a warning the pictures below are graphic examples of what experimentation does to these poor little animals, so please view with caution. May not be suitable for children.
What is animal testing? Well, animal testing is used for several products, mainly to test new drugs and cosmetics. Cosmetic testing on animals mainly consists of irritancy tests for people who allergic to several things. This discomfort to the animal can range from mild allergic reaction to severe discomfort and much too often, it will result in death.
This, to me, begs the question, since the human anatomy and that of animals differs SO much, why are we testing our drugs on them? Why not on another human? How much like human do animals have to be for it to be considered murder and torture when they are tested on? Do they not have a sensitive nervous system that sends pain and discomfort signals to the brain? Do animals not know what’s going on? I highly doubt that. Many animals are highly intelligent. Sheep can recognize the exact pitch and frequency of their shepherd’s voice. A baby penguin remembers it’s mother after weeks spent apart. Dogs are so loyal to their owners that they remember them after they die.
Animals, in fact, are extremely sensitive to what is going on around them. Animals crave and need attention and gentle embraces. They don’t need to be left in a cage 22 hours of the day with minimal food, water, and health care. Naturally social animals are forced into solitude and can die of loneliness from isolation. It isn’t just what’s injected into the animals… it’s how they are treated while they are in their pitiful existence. Many of these animals are BRED to be tested…. What do you think of being born to be damned, being born straight into hell without any actions to merit such a fate.
For those who aren’t religious and don’t believe that there is a hell, there is such a thing as pain and suffering. Science cannot discard the fact that the nervous system can send pain signals to the brain. Science cannot disregard social needs and awareness that all sentient beings possess. And, one simply cannot ignore the need for freedom in all life forms.
Below are some examples of what animal “experimentation” looks like.
Why would we put these things on our face that does this to the poor animals. It also makes one think, “what is it doing to MY face?”. I’ve listed some products that are free from animal testing and that are made largely from organic and natural materials, if not entirely made from them.
Burt’s Bees offers a complete line of cosmetics and skin care products so you’ll want for nothing. They even have a yummy lime cutical cream. All of their products are made from 100%!!! Natural materials… you can eat them, really, you can…. Not all of it is yummy, but it IS good for your skin. You will never have to worry about getting cancer from their products. None of their products are tested on animals, and since they are all natural, it wouldn’t hurt the animal anyway, maybe slightly annoy them.
The Body Shop is very much against animal testing, and their luscious and wonderful line of body products and complete line of make-up is made from mostly natural materials. These products will leave you with an inner AND outer glow.
Tom’s of Maine has a wonderful line of hygienic products, a favorite of mine being their toothpaste. They are not only, 100% animal testing free, but they are also 100% natural AND 100% recyclable! You go Tom!
If you can’t afford these products, don’t worry. Many other companies, like Suave, are working on getting rid of all animal testing involved with their products. I’ll share more companies when I finish more research.
I’ll be back in the next few days to give you a better idea of what kinds of animal testing there are, what goes on during animal testing, why the government justifies animal testing, and what YOU can do to help.
What is animal testing? Well, animal testing is used for several products, mainly to test new drugs and cosmetics. Cosmetic testing on animals mainly consists of irritancy tests for people who allergic to several things. This discomfort to the animal can range from mild allergic reaction to severe discomfort and much too often, it will result in death.
This, to me, begs the question, since the human anatomy and that of animals differs SO much, why are we testing our drugs on them? Why not on another human? How much like human do animals have to be for it to be considered murder and torture when they are tested on? Do they not have a sensitive nervous system that sends pain and discomfort signals to the brain? Do animals not know what’s going on? I highly doubt that. Many animals are highly intelligent. Sheep can recognize the exact pitch and frequency of their shepherd’s voice. A baby penguin remembers it’s mother after weeks spent apart. Dogs are so loyal to their owners that they remember them after they die.
Animals, in fact, are extremely sensitive to what is going on around them. Animals crave and need attention and gentle embraces. They don’t need to be left in a cage 22 hours of the day with minimal food, water, and health care. Naturally social animals are forced into solitude and can die of loneliness from isolation. It isn’t just what’s injected into the animals… it’s how they are treated while they are in their pitiful existence. Many of these animals are BRED to be tested…. What do you think of being born to be damned, being born straight into hell without any actions to merit such a fate.
For those who aren’t religious and don’t believe that there is a hell, there is such a thing as pain and suffering. Science cannot discard the fact that the nervous system can send pain signals to the brain. Science cannot disregard social needs and awareness that all sentient beings possess. And, one simply cannot ignore the need for freedom in all life forms.
Below are some examples of what animal “experimentation” looks like.
Why would we put these things on our face that does this to the poor animals. It also makes one think, “what is it doing to MY face?”. I’ve listed some products that are free from animal testing and that are made largely from organic and natural materials, if not entirely made from them.
Burt’s Bees offers a complete line of cosmetics and skin care products so you’ll want for nothing. They even have a yummy lime cutical cream. All of their products are made from 100%!!! Natural materials… you can eat them, really, you can…. Not all of it is yummy, but it IS good for your skin. You will never have to worry about getting cancer from their products. None of their products are tested on animals, and since they are all natural, it wouldn’t hurt the animal anyway, maybe slightly annoy them.
The Body Shop is very much against animal testing, and their luscious and wonderful line of body products and complete line of make-up is made from mostly natural materials. These products will leave you with an inner AND outer glow.
Tom’s of Maine has a wonderful line of hygienic products, a favorite of mine being their toothpaste. They are not only, 100% animal testing free, but they are also 100% natural AND 100% recyclable! You go Tom!
If you can’t afford these products, don’t worry. Many other companies, like Suave, are working on getting rid of all animal testing involved with their products. I’ll share more companies when I finish more research.
I’ll be back in the next few days to give you a better idea of what kinds of animal testing there are, what goes on during animal testing, why the government justifies animal testing, and what YOU can do to help.
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