Sasquatch Shrinks His Footprint March 15, 2010

The 2010 Sasquatch! Music Festival in at The Gorge, in Washington, has been certified as carbon neutral by Carbon Harmony. This is quite the “feet”, as the carbon footprint left by these large music festivals is usually enormous. Everybody attending the festival, including the artists, fuel consumption. The Gorge, about an hour from the nearest town, is mostly unaccessible except by automobiles, which as we all know, release harmful emissions and consume fossil fuels. The event will be 100% wind powered, and Carbon Harmony will offset %125 of the emissions caused by vehicles attending the festival. The venue hopes to add additional green efforts in years to come, and is encouraging attendees to do their part in financially offsetting their own carbon footprints.

Sasquatch Green Efforts: http://www.sasquatchfestival.com/#/green

Carbon Harmony: http://www.carbonharmony.com/main.php

The mainstage area, overlooking the breathtaking gorge.

Urban Growth Bounty 2010 March 3, 2010

In Portland (going through the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability) I learned that there are several classes offered during the year involving various things including: “vegetable production classes, advanced chicken and bee sessions and a cornucopia of cooking courses.” This idea of being about the have small garden or places to grow home-grown plants and domestic animals is extremely interesting and I enjoy how the city of Portland takes it up on it self to educate its inhabitants on how to do these things. It says that there are certain instructors that specialize in various areas and it is an extremely useful to beginners. There is even a portion on the website that allows you sign up online! What a useful feature! I think that you are charged per session ranging from $35 a session to three sessions for $90 – but the prices change depending on the class and the instructor.

CHECK IT OUT!

To check it out make sure that you their website.

Eco-wineries turn wine red, white — and green January 27, 2010

(ANGWIN, Calif.)

Just when you thought that everything in this world was going green…you get a shocking testament to the fact that you are completely correct! Several (meaning 4 so far) wineries in California are going for the “Gold” LEED certification (similar to the “Silver” standard that the Marriott receives).
“We’re seeing a trend toward more sustainable wineries,” says Ashley Katz, spokeswoman for LEED.
The several wineries that are undergoing this process are using solar panels and are even thinking about the way they use their water. This is a very important attempt at these wineries to become more green. Other efforts include putting wine into underground caves for fermentation which will save up space and heating / cooling units.
Basically, what this breaks down is that when you are debating about drinking wine you can stop and think, “if I drink this then I, too, am being sustainable!”

To read more on this article go here: MSNBC

Recyling: How Do They Do it in Japan? November 23, 2009

Living in most areas in America, one becomes accustomed to our typical trash separation that goes on weekly. We separate our trash into two containers; garbage, and recycling. Across the world however, they use different categories to separate their trash into simple and environmentally friendly ways. In Tokyo, Japan, trash (gomi) has to be divided into three categories (combustible trash, non-combustible trash, recyclable trash) for proper disposal. Each category is collected separately on a designated day. The first category, combustible (burnable) trash, includes kitchen trash. Secondly,  incombustible items includes things such as glass trash. Recyclable trash, the third category, has items such as bottles, cans, magazines, and newspapers.

This method is extremely successful in Japan because of how easy it is for the residents, and how accessible the recycling facilities are. For example, the trash disposal area is also categorized, so all you have to do is to place every trash bag in the right place. Also, you can also use trash cans inside every citizen’s own house that are separated. Even on the streets you also have categorized trash cans. Along with this, Japan is taking several measures to increase recycling throughout the country. In 2001, Japan enacted a new measure requiring retailers and manufacturers to take back used air conditioners, televisions, washing machines and refrigerators. I think it’s great that the government is working so hard to improve the amount and types of items being recycled.

Moms Against Climate Change November 23, 2009

While watching ads with my friend the other day, this one tugged at my heart-strings a bit moving me almost to tears. I have a great love and appreciation of children and youth. I wish this were a better publicized advertisement. It deserves to be seen. On the youtube page under the description it says, “http://www.takeactiononclimatechange.com
In December 2009 there will be a UN Global Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen where our world leaders will make decisions on the fate of our planet, and the future of children. Please take action on climate change help us remind Canada’s leader, Stephen Harper who he’s representing in Copenhagen.”

If I hear any follow-up on this conference I’ll be sure to post about it.

 

Metropolitan Farming in P-town November 23, 2009

Don’t let the trek from city to farmland daunt you, you can have your very own organic farm in your own backyard. Some Portland city-dwellers are discovering the joys of raising their very own plants and animals while maintaining a day job.

Just as cats and dogs have evolved into common household pets, so have chickens for some local hipsters. It is legal in Portland to have up to three hens, ducks, rabbits or pigmy goats without a permit. In one of the interviews conducted on the local radio show called, “Destination DIY”, Portland residents, Scott and Salina, state their observation of this growing trend, comparing it to the pot-bellied pig fad of the mid-nineties “except you can get something from chickens.” They might not give love like cats or other household pets but they give eggs. They also have personalities. This fact might make it a bit of a challenge for those who eat meat to detach from the animal as a pet and think of it as a meal. However, by owning a chicken or other farm animal, you become involved in the entire cycle of its life.

It was also stated in this locally run audio show that in a recent craigslist search, there were 49 chicken related postings in Portland and the surrounding metro area. There are even different events occurring around town such as the annual Tour de Coups. This year’s tour featured 18 different coups.

Connor Voss and Sarah Brown, residents of Milwaukie, began their own little backyard farm with the intention of not buying any food. When they realized that they were farming more than they could consume, they began selling to friends through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture model). In this program, seven of their friends pay between $15-20 monthly for fresh produce. In addition to farming, they raise chickens and lambs.

By listening to this radio show, it surprised me how many people are taking action to support themselves, their families, and community by taking action rather than sitting back and waiting for the world to change. I’ve realized in the past few months just how possible it is to live a sustainable lifestyle.

To listen to the radio show and for more links related to Backyard Farming in Portland go to http://destinationdiy.com/audiolibrary.html click ‘all episodes’ and ‘episode 31′.

Other links:

http://tilth.org/

http://digginrootsfarm.com/

Patagonia: Perfectly Practical November 19, 2009

If you live in the Pacific Northwest , it is likely that you have heard of the clothing company Patagonia. You probably own a Patagonia fleece or know someone who does. This company has been through many transformations; from mountain gear to fleece for surfers, and long underwear for those in cold climates. Patagonia has never stopped caring about the environment.As comfy and versatile as their clothing is, their mission has never been about fashion.

Patagonia’s website sates that “..25% of all toxic pesticides used in agriculture was(and is) horrific, and that evidence of damage to the health of field workers is strong, though difficult to prove.” In 1994, Patagonia made the decision to transform all of their cotton products to be made from only 100% organic cotton. They succeeded in this mission and every cotton garment since 1996 has been 100% organic cotton.

Patagonia is continuing to research more sustainable fabrics. They are using more hemp along with recycled polyester. The thing that o find the most interesting is that some of their best-selling products are made from plastic soda bottles! Yes it’s true, one of their suppliers found a way to recycle that plastic and turn it into polyester to make fleece.

Along with a lifetime guarantee on clothing, Patagonia continues to make the best products  with the best of intentions. Patagonia is a true example of sustainable living. To read more about Patagonia’s history, shop for yourself, or learn about their current clothing-recycling program, check out www.Patagonia.com.

Cracked Pots: Local Artists Making Art and a Difference. October 21, 2009

Throughout the year a group of artists get together to exhibit and sell their work. Unlike most art shows, however, all of these artists use recycled materials in their pieces. “Cracked Pots uses art to encourage our community to creatively look at trash. Reuse is at the heart of all we do. Think before you throw.” They frequently go through Portland picking up what we would think of at trash from street corners, bus/max stations, and local landfills. During their shows, the artists teach the attendees about what happens to the things that they discard. Along with that, they teach the public how to creatively use those objects that are found the most in landfills.

For more information, go to http://www.crackedpots.org

pimp my lawn? October 21, 2009

Welcome to the 21st century and then think again. Finally, sustainability and art intertwine. This new era of environmental thinking has influenced artists to be more creative and think outside the box.  From everything we have heard about corn fields and farmers, fields seem pretty straight forward and traditional. These art pieces make statements. By using something as simple as grass in an unusual way influences people to think in a more  sustainable mindset.

Perhaps it’s a new medium or a new conservation strategy, but “selective grass growing” has become popular. In this art form only specific sections of lawn are watered or a variety of different grasses are used display various shades of green. Beautiful designs and images can be created like the picture shown below.

Innovative architects are also starting to incorporate this mindset into their buildings. We’ve all seen vine-covered buildings, and as beautiful as they are, i think vertical lawns seem more impressive.

Perhaps the future won’t be all machines and robots, maybe it will all be made of grass?

…………

check out this website for more crazy grass pictures :http://weburbanist.com/2007/11/05/painting-the-town-green-7-examples-of-bizarre-and-amazing-plant-grass-and-moss-art/

Turning Trash into Toys October 21, 2009

In Haiti there is a major problem with waste management. Trash is thrown onto the streets and into the rivers. Theres is a town that is literally built on top of an old landfill. When I traveled to Haiti I met up with a group of Americans who were living there and helping in many ways with making Haiti a more sustainable and livable place. One project that they started was to pick up trash and turn it into toys for children. They involved the members of the community, particularly children, and provided glue and basic craft supplies in order to turn plastic garbage into fun things to play with. It was amazing to see the imaginations of these kids turning whatever they could find into mini bicycles, dolls, and even sandals!