Green Patchwork

New evidence that shows that climate change is having a direct impact on animals, plants, and humans has been outlined in a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The bleak conclusion of the report is that people living in poverty would be worst affected by the effects of climate change because they will be the least equipped to deal with the changes. Read more at BBC News’ “Billions Face Climate Change Risk”.

I recently found an article in the New York Times online titled “The Era of Green Noise”, about the topic of “green noise” - the excessive and contradictory information overload people are experiencing regarding how to live lightly on the earth. With all the information people  receive via the internet, newspapers, friends, environmental groups, the media, and many others they are bound to feel overwhelmed and confused. At the end of the article the writer suggests being patient and also points out the fast that our environmental problems are not going to be solved overnight and will take some generations to create change. I agree with the author and encourage people to remain patient and lead by example. Don’t give up and try not to give in to frustration and the myth that there is no problem- our environmental problems took decades to create and will take that many or more decades to correct.

I recently posted about Canada’s oil fields and the major pollution being caused by it. But now I would like to write about something closer to home, right here in the U.S., and literally right in people’s backyards. In Brooklyn, NY., particularly Greenpoint and Williamsburg, there are neighborhoods of people living right next to major oil spills, buildings full of garbage, and nuclear chemicals. About fifty years ago there was a major oil spill larger than the Exxon/Valdez, but it was not taken care of and continues to be a problem today. If you have about 45 minutes to watch the whole series, Toxic Brooklyn on VBS.tv, you’ll be just as surprised as I was to find out how much our oil companies are getting away with.

To find the show, scroll through the ride side bar to find Toxic Brooklyn.

Last month I wrote a post about the Alberta tar sands which currently is providing the U.S. with 16% of their oil imports. I found another article on the topic in OnEarth magazine and what I read gives me a feeling of great sadness. Canadians are destroying a forest the size of Florida and creating a toxic wasteland that is unsafe for wildlife and will continue to emit greenhouse gases for a temporary oil fix. Read the article “Canada’s Highway to Hell”.

Last semester I took a course called History of Textiles where we studied civilizations’ earliest textiles from around the world. By the end of the semester we were looking at textile technologies and how textiles are being used in medicine, architecture, and contemporary art. We watched a video on these technologies where scientists in Europe were working on encapsulating fragrances, body lotions, or medicines into clothing fabrics. The capsules would be activated by the body’s heat and wear and the wearer would receive whatever was encapsulated. Read the rest of this entry »

When I was 19 I decided to stop eating meat for ethical reasons. I couldn’t stand the thought of supporting animal cruelty and factory farming so I phased out meat, then cow milk, and eventually I ate a vegan diet. When I stopped eating these foods I had to learn about other foods to eat instead and how to cook in general. Read the rest of this entry »

I bet you’re wondering what AA stands for. It’s not what you think. As I was wandering around online I found Anti-Apathy, a London blog that promotes and supports people who take creative approaches to social and environmental issues. I like their name and their seriousness.  When you have a good chunk of time browse their site and see what they are up to.

I have been to Arizona once just to see the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, but when I think of the rest of the state I think “hot and dry”. I think of it as being a desert state and not somewhere to live, but many people do live there and they deal with the heat thanks to air conditioning and sprinkler systems.

In a climate that would otherwise be inhospitable, we have built large cities and golf courses during times of abundant rainfall. Those times are over and now the dry west is heavily reliant on rainfall and the Colorado River. Rainfall has decreased and the water level of the Colorado River is at an all time low. So what is to become of the western states and their beloved golf courses?

Water is a precious commodity in the wild dry west and water shortages have ignited tensions between urban and rural users. Read this National Geographic article and don’t forget to look at the photo gallery.

Everyone enjoys shopping and finding unique treasures to keep or give away as gifts, but the items that we buy usually do not reflect the real price. The real price of an item would reflect the cost of gathering the raw materials which can be economic, ecological, and social. Our natural resources are invaluable, but they are often exploited for short gains and leave lasting marks on the environment. Read the rest of this entry »

The controversy over whether or not to ban plastic bags in Madison has reached the UW. Last week’s Badger Herald had an editorial about the possible ban and it generated some interesting comments. I think it would be great if stores stopped offering plastic bags and encouraged people to bring their own bags. Eventually people would get used to it and remember to always have bags with them or accept the fact that they might have to buy the bags they want to use. Bags are too plentiful, use way too many resources, are wasteful, and it annoys me to see them flying around in the wind or caught in a tree.