One

With our economy in a shambles and the holidays right around the corner finding the perfect gift without spending a fortune may be difficult to come by. I have always tried to find the perfect gifts for my loved ones, but it seems to get more and more difficult each year. Giving a gift that not only puts a smile on someone that you love’s face and helps others in need at the same time is kinda like a “buy one get one” kind of a deal!

Below are a few low cost green gifts that keep on giving!

• One of my favorite ideas is to adopt an animal in your loved ones name. These adoptions are not the kind you bring home, they consist of adopting an animal with a donation to their cause, such as a manatee, white tiger or sea lion (none of which you would like to bring home) You will not only be donating to a worthy cause, but most of these adoptions come with cute little trinkets for your gift receiver to remind them of the good that these donations provide. The World Wildlife Fund and Oceana are two of my favorite organizations to donate to. I have done this on several occasions and found it to be the perfect gift for someone that has everything!
• A subscription to a favorite magazine, is always a crowd pleaser. Your loved one will receive their favorite magazine for a full year and the cost is always reasonable. Mother Earth News is one of my favorite magazines and a subscription will provide a full year of green ideas, gardening tips, self-sustaining farming ideas and recipes, for the low, low price of $10!
• Another great idea comes from Heifer International . This program allows you to donate an animal to a village in need! The money that you can donate ranges from $20 to $5,000, for a fair donation you are able to donate an animal or a flock of animals to a village. For example, for $20 you are able to donate a flock of chicks, ducks or geese to a village, enabling them to eat or sell the eggs, providing an entire village with much needed nutrition or money. There are many different donations that you can choose from and in essence you will be giving the gift of self reliance to an entire struggling village.

Hope these suggestions help!

Keeping it real ~
Wind

Greenhouse Gases? Global Warming? Climate Change? Everyone on the planet is somehow partially responsible for creating the problems that the earth is facing today. Hell, even the cows are to blame!

In order to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in the world, first we must understand what they are. There are seven different types of greenhouse gases that are emitted throughout our nation, some of them occur naturally, some are produced by human activities and some are human made such as Hydrofluorocarbons, Perfluorocarbons and Sulfur hexafluoride.  Gases that are exclusively human made are considered industrial gases, that have naturally increased since the industrial revolution nearly 150 years ago. Nearly 3/4 of the gases that are produced due to human activity in the last 20 years have come from burning fossil fuels.

We aren’t the only species that’s killing our planet, there is another culprit emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere; COWS! Yep it’s true, all those “happy cows” in California are aiding in killing the planet! Cows emit a massive amount of methane through belching, and a wee bit lesser amount through flatulence. And methane is indeed a greenhouse gas; therefore it is righteous to say that the amount of cows belching and farting on the planet is killing us! Why is it just cows and not dogs, cats or horses? There are several animals, including cows that belong to a family of animals called ruminants. Ruminants have four stomachs and they use their stomachs for digestion, unlike humans, that use our intestines to digest our food. The stomachs in these creatures are filled with bacteria that help aid in the digestion process, but also produce the icky gas called methane.

So, what can we do? Well, there are several solutions to the cow=methane problem.

1. Many farmers are trapping the methane that is produced by the manure that their cows are producing and converting it back into energy i.e. electricity! They are then selling the electricity back to the power utility’s grid! Brilliant! What an ingenious way to turn crap into something useful and good for the environment.

2. There is also a study being conducted by Welsh scientists that believe that by adding garlic to your cow’s diet you can reduce their methane production. Hmmm…perhaps adding pizza to your livestock’s diet could indeed aid in the lessening of the methane production of your farm. The study is still on going, however early results do indeed indicated that garlic will cut down a cows flatulence in half. Huh? Who knew?

3. Cut back on your meat consumption. I know that it will continue to keep those “happy cows” in California happy!

We know that the greenhouse emissions have grown due to humans and well…cows; we need to do our part to reduce them. I’m sure that planet will survive, however we as a species may not be able to survive on an overheated planet.

Keeping it real ~
Wind

Over 200 years ago the human race made the decision that machines would make life easier, and thus started the Industrial Revolution!  The need for energy to run these machines has indeed made life easier however, it has made survival harder.  OOPS!

The Industrial Revolution was the start of the need for fossil fuels and by burning these fuels we are releasing gasses into our atmosphere that is heating up our planet.  If we continue on this trend the planet may no longer be able to sustain our species.

Now, many believe that this will not happen, as the scope of the reality is too big, it’s easier just to deny the problem and maybe it will go away.  Not gonna happen!  We, as a species created this problem and we, as a species, need to correct this problem.

By using less electricity we can help solve this problem.  Solar Panels are very expensive but are becoming cheaper by the day.  There are many grants and tax incentives out there that will enable the “average Joe homeowner” to achieve the goal of converting to solar power. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) website can lead you in the right direction for what is available in your state.

Practice the three R’s; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.  Every time that you send garbage to the landfill you are aiding in the production of methane which is a greenhouse gas.  Use your left over vegetable cuttings for making compost or stock for soups and stews. Be creative and find other uses for little things that you are going to throw away .  An example is your toilet and towel paper rolls, I cut them down and make little seedling pots that can be placed right into the ground! Always recycle; many cities and towns have started a recycling program to make this an easy choice for you, use it!

Purchasing Electric Cars can tend to be a very expensive change.  If it is not one that you can afford, take the bus as often as you can, ride your bike up to the store or walk.  The more we use our vehicles, the more we are heating up the planet.  Plan your trips in a manner that will allow you to use less fuel.

Just by making these few simple changes we can help clean up the mess that we created, for the good of the species.

~Wind

Note:  This blog is part of  Blog Action Day 2009 .  If you have a blog and are interested in climate change join here

Due to Florida’s prominence in the exotic pet trade, many of these reptiles that were once beloved pets have escaped and are running wild through South Florida and the fragile Everglades!  Yes, it’s true….Iguana’s are EVERYWHERE!

The subtropical climate in Florida is a prime environment for these scaly herbivorous lizards to dine on your pretty petunias, reproduce and even stop traffic on A1A in the Florida Keys.  These lizards are growing to such lengths that with their dark color and dorsal spines some Floridians are even mistaking them for alligators!  Granted these may not be the smartest residents among the Florida population…but the facts remain…there has been an Iguana Invasion!

On one occasion, one of these hungry herbivores took a nibble on a 7-year old girls foot from Oakland Park, Fl.  Perhaps it mistook the child’s toe for a juicy, ripe Florida tomato, but never-the-less the young child acquired 23 stitches! This is a rare incident, typically Iguanas are not known for behaving badly and attacking humans.  They are however, ticking off most of the Florida population as they trample through the neighborhood dining on all the floral curb appeal that the residents have tried so hard to achieve.

So, what do we do?  How do we make the Iguana be gonna?  First off, Don’t Panic!  Really…it’s just an iguana…they haven’t come to steal your worldly possessions, kidnap your children or con you out of your bank account, they’re hungry…they’re looking for your flowers.  Therefore, the obvious solution is don’t plant flowers and get a dog!  Problem solved!

Keeping it real!
Wind

Today is the longest day of the year!  This day is known by many names; Summer Solstice, Mid-Summers, Litha and the list goes on.  Come tomorrow, the days will start to get shorter as the sun will begin it’s yearly descent.  With the heat index peaking this last week, there is no doubt in my mind that the sun is at the height of its power.

There was a time years ago, when our ancestors weren’t blessed with things such as clocks, calendars or computers to remind them of the dates and the times of the year.  Alarms didn’t ring to let them know that it was a new holiday, they relied on the sun, moon and stars to guide their way through the wheel of the year.

Mid-Summers Day was a time of celebration; a time to rejoice in anticipation of the cooler days ahead and the upcoming harvests.  Those times have long since passed; we have forgotten to honor these changes in the earth.  We as a society celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Easter and Valentines Day, holidays that encompass only ourselves and not the planet that we live upon; the planet that provides us the many resources that we need to survive as a people. As we have forgotten to honor the Mother Earth, she will soon be unable to provide for us.

In honor of the Summer Solstice I have included a poem that was written by author, poet and most importantly, friend, Lori Lake .  It is reminder of our need to re-connect with the planet before its too late…

Unnatural Rhythms

Upon the wings of intellect
Which soar across the left side sky,
So high above the heart of Earth
It does not seek to unify.

 To increase productivity,
Unnatural rhythms we direct.
Its motion churns relentlessly,
Upon its speed we disconnect.

 Forgotten rhythms of the Moon,
And seasons with their solstices.
Nature’s cycles once in tune,
Ignored with no condolences.

 The sound of nature’s wind and sea;
The heartbeat of the Earth denied.
Lost organic rhythms be,
For now we can’t identify.

 Find the time to re-connect
Through open heart & quiet mind.
Organic rhythms re-attune,
A harmony that you may find. ~

Copyright 2007 - Lori Lake

Blessed Mid-Summers to all!

~Wind

Often I have thought about living on my own tropical island away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday constrictions of living within a society. However, the cost of being able to purchase my very own island; far outweighs dream.

Richie Sowa, a carpenter, eco-pioneer and artist from Britain, shared this same dream of mine.  The difference is he followed his dream, and built his very own tropical island paradise!  In 1998, Richie began collecting plastic bottles off the coast of Mexico and built an island structure using the bottles to keep the island afloat!

His completely self-sustaining island consists of a two story home, a solar oven, a self-composting toilet and his own food garden!  Well, here watch this video and see for yourself:

Wow!  I become more and more impressed every time I watch the video.  What a great way to leave your mark on the world…by not leaving a mark on the world…

~Wind

The Florida Panther is last subspecies of the Puma that is still surviving in the eastern United States and the only large cat east of the Mississippi. The are a wide ranging, secretive species that requires large areas to meet their needs. However, at this time there is no protected habitat that exists for this magnificent creature.

With a total population of only 100 individual panthers remaining, the Florida Panther has become one of the Nations most endangered species. The largest threat to the Florida Panther is loss of habitat and degradation. Five panthers have already been killed this year on Florida’s roadways, and the total of the two years before peaked at a whopping 24 panthers; that is one panther a month depleting the already minute population.

We cannot afford to lose any more of these incredible creatures! Interior Department Secretary, Ken Salazar has the ability to designate specific habitat for these cats. The Sierra Club is hosting a petition to inform Salazar of the need for a designated habitat for the Florida Panther, public support is critical to their survival.

Spreading the Word,

~Wind

Nearly everyone has heard of the repercussions from eating certain types of fish due to the mercury contamination.  How pregnant woman and young children should stay away from fish, as mercury is a neurotoxin.  It attacks and attempts to destroy the nervous system, the spinal cord and the brain.  During the first several years of human life, a child’s brain is developing rapidly; exposure to mercury can inhibit development causing possible mental retardation, cerebral palsy and many other complications.

There are two main contributors to mercury pollution; they are chlorine chemical plants and good ol’ fashioned coal-fired power plants!  The process of extracting chlorine from salt uses huge amounts of mercury each year.  Many of the more modern chlorine plants are using a cleaner technology; however, seven of the older plants continue to use mercury.  There is nearly 200 tons of mercury kept at these plants at all times and nearly every year these plants have admitted to ‘losing’ dozens of tons of mercury during the extracting process.  Where this mercury goes still remains a mystery to both the plant and the Environmental protection agency (EPA)!

Coal is naturally contaminated with mercury and during the burning process 50 tons of mercury is released into the air annually. Pollution control devices could be installed, however, during 2004 the Bush Administration proposed a plan that would put an end to the EPA considering emissions that are produced by coal fire plants to be considered hazardous, and would consider the emissions released to be just your basic average pollutants.  Therefore, power plant emissions are unregulated.

Other sources of mercury emissions are gold production, smelting and cement production.  Recently the EPA is proposing to reduce the mercury emissions from Portland cement kilns, which is a big step towards cleaning up the environment and perhaps making it safe to eat fish again. The fact that the EPA is starting with the cement kilns could mean that maybe it will only be a matter of time before they make their way to coal fired plants.

Spreading the word

~Wind

 
Photo credit: Consumer Reports
And so it begins…the mass production of “environmentally safe” products! But are they really environmentally safe? I read an article today by Greener Design on the Environmental Protection Agency possibly loosening restrictions and allowing some manufacturers to market disinfectants as “environmentally preferable.”

Please forgive my skepticism but what exactly does “environmentally preferable” actually mean? Does this mean that on a scale of 1-10 these products aren’t as harmful as the others? It would be very easy for a consumer that is uneducated in the ways of the environment to be easily persuaded into purchasing a product that they believe is safe for the environment because the product has some misleading label.  When the reality is that the consumer has purchased a product that just isn’t “as bad” for the environment as all the others!

The only way to protect our consumer rights is to educate ourselves with the products that we use and limit the products that we buy. Practice creating your own natural products at home.  Items such as cleaners, clothes, growing our own vegetables and other food products such as eggs, herbs or cheese can be made or grown at home much safer and cheaper than the products that we buy at the store.  When you must by products at the store, do a little research to make sure of what you are buying, it’s important.

~Wind
other related articles
Common Household Ingredients for Common Household Cleaners
Bag Gardening

          Aerial view of Lake Okeechobee

Three quarters of the earth’s surface is covered by rivers, oceans and lakes.  Water is the life giver to the earth and the creatures that live upon it.  Lake Okeechobee is not only the 2nd largest lake in the United States but it is THE largest surface water drinking source in Florida.  It is the headwaters into the threatened Everglades and due to the continuous animal waste and fertilizer run off, it is now the home to toxic algae blooms!

In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set a phosphorous pollution limit that would indeed protect Lake Okeechobee; however, an aggressive lobbying campaign held by the agriculture corporations in the area forced the EPA to up the limit in 2008.  The limit that is set at this time will not protect the lake from a pollution collapse!

Earthjustice has filed a lawsuit that asks the EPA to set more effective pollution limits for Lake Okeechobee.  The Florida Everglades needs the lake to survive and so do the residents!

~Wind