Fuzz That Wuzz December 5, 2009

I did some Christmas shopping at a toy store near Pioneer Square called Finnegan’s Toys and Gifts.  There I found stuff animals “[m]ade from 100% recycled plastic bottles”, or so it says on the tag.  Though, I would not highly doubt this fact since the material does indeed feel stiff, kind of like a plastic wig.  Nonetheless, the bear I got is still soft, but not fuzzy (oh, how my wallet feels lighter…)  As I continue to read the tag it also says, “Our average recycled toy keeps over 10 bottles out of landfills.”  I am supporting sustainability by buying presents.  Who knew?

Fuzz That Wuzz, Pawzzzz Bear

Sustainability ’til Death! December 5, 2009

Do you love your Mother Earth? Are you the kind of kid that goes above and beyond? The one that buys not just a card for her on mother’s day, but a card that says “welcome to cool town…” and, “population: you” on the inside while it plays Hot Child In the City? Well then do I have an offer for you. Now you can show earth just how much you care by being sustainable even after you have breathed your last sustainable breath. Many new green burial services are popping up around- there’s one in Eugene, of course- who will bury your body un-embalmed and in a biodegradable casket. Take that millions of gallons of formaldehyde leaching into our water sources!

Captain Planet. He’s MY hero. December 4, 2009

Remember Captain Planet? I know you do. It’s a shame that it’s not on tv anymore

I’m really dissapointed with the lack of pre-teen targeted educational television shows these days. THE CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE, MAN!

Although the only thing I remember learning from CP is that the fire ring was WAAAAAAY more bad-ass than the heart ring. Heck, I’d even take the wind ring over that sissy monkey loving kid’s piece of jewelry.

But seriously, I think more Captain Planet-esque programming (delivering an important message through awesome use of magic rings) isn’t a bad idea.

The future of MAX December 4, 2009

TriMet just recently activated the green line that, as many of you already know, runs from campus all the way to Clakamas Town Center (can you say christmas shopping? Teheheheh). I decided to look into some projects that MAX will be undergoing in the near future, and there are some really neat things planned for our favorite commuter-rail system! Beginning in 2015 will be a Portland-Milwaukie line that will run through inner Southeast Portland (hecka house shows!!!) and North Clakamas County. For more info on other projects coming up, go to trimet.org/projects/index.

Where are all the Green-Collar jobs? December 4, 2009

It’s obvious that Oregon (Portland in particular) is among the national leaders when it comes to implementing and developing sustainable ways of living. Despite this, Oregon has the second highest unemployment rate in the country (behind Michigan, where all of those big, fast cars use to be made). Where are our green-collar jobs???

West coast bike tour! December 4, 2009

A couple summers ago the local indie folk duo “Blind Pilot” embarked on a bike tour down the west coast. Starting in Vancouver, the band made it’s way down to San Francisco, playing a couple dozen shows in between. Instead of using a van to haul their gear, they instead pulled large trailers containing all their instruments behind their bicycles. Not only did they produce minimal carbon emissions, but they also saved thousands of dollars that would otherwise have been spent on renting a van and buying gasoline! HOLLA!

That being said, I’m suprised that more bands don’t do this, especially smaller, lesser known acts who often have to shell out their own cash to be able to tour.

Oregon ‘Dead Zone’ killing marine life December 4, 2009

I came across this article from MSNBC called ‘Dead Zone’ off Oregon is killing marine life, wind-caused upwelling consistent with climate change. Located in Grants Pass, Oregon, bottom fish and crabs have been found dead, washed up along the beaches. The ‘dead zone’ , where the animals are dying, has low-oxygen water that may have happened due to global warming. Scientists found a 70-mile long ‘dead zone’ between Florence and Lincoln City. They say that the wind patterns that are favorable for upwelling had been changing and had increased variability that would be expected under climate change.  Normal upwelling patterns occur in the summer and are followed by calm periods, which is when the water has less nutrients. The upwellings create organic material that depletes the water of it’s oxygen, and when upwelling begin it brings the bad water toward shore, into shallower areas. The year of the article, (2006) upwellings started during April, then June, and afterwards oxygen levels were lower. Scientists are worrying that this 70 mile long zone may be spreading to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Some fish and crabs were found washing up on the shore there as well.  This was posted a few years ago, and if anyone knows anymore information on what has happened I’d be really interested.

Laughing Planet December 4, 2009

If anyone is looking for some great, yummy, sustainable food go to the Laughing Planet Cafe. It’s located at 922 NW 21st Ave. right here in Portland. Their mission is to minimize their carbon footprint and use only local farmers for their business. They compost all of their leftover kitchen waste, use compostable and biodegradable utensils, cups, napkins, recycle all paper, glass, cans and cardboard, and give job preference to people who live close by and/or walk or cycle to work. The list goes on and on of how sustainable this place really is. I think that’s it’s only the beginning of restaurants like these, and will be a great investment in the near future.

The second best part is the food. Laughing Planet offers different varieties for vegan, vegetarian and meat lovers. They offer local Draper Valley natural chicken, organic tempeh, and organic tofu for many of their items. Another great thing on their menu is the small image next to many of the items that symbolizes that the dish has no animal by-products in it, as well as featuring Tilamook hormone-free cheese, and using Green Seal paper with 20% recycled post-consumer fiber.

Check this place out if you are every near by or feel like eating something that isn’t saturated with grease. I recommend the Elmer Fudd Burrito or the Holy Mole Burrito, both amazing.

Alternatives to Transnational Corporations December 4, 2009

While I was in Ecuador this summer I spent some time at an organic coffee farm in the Intag region. This farm didn’t only have coffee though. They had all kinds of fruits growing everywhere. I saw fruits ranging from fresh pineapple to passion fruit, and even multiple plants with medicinal properties. All of the work done on this farm was done by hand. They picked the beans, got the shells off by hand. They even looked at them one by one to sort out the good beans from the bad.
While I was there I visited another community that made soap organically. They had tons of aloe vera plants growing which was the main ingredient in the soap. These communities coming together and finding a way to make an income are called cooperatives. These communities did this so that they would not need the money from a mining company trying to pay them to drill on their land. This would destroy their land and pollute their rivers. So they refuse to let it happen.

It’s Compostable . . . Right? December 4, 2009

Don’t be fooled by the word compostable slapped on a cup.  BPI, Biodegradable Products Institute , has had a certified compostable label since 1999. BPI scientist’s verify that products meet the requirements of compostability. This Compostable Logo can be found throughout North America as the standard for approved biodegradable products in organics diversion programs. So don’t think that you are being sustainable by buying something just saying that it’s compostable, unless it has this label on it: