With all respect (and perhaps some thanks) to Mr. Gore, taking action on climate change is now a major political issue as well as a moral issue. This is particularly true for U.S. voters this year, who are trying to decide on their nation’s next president.

The successful presidential candidate will be responsible for leading his/her nation in reducing its carbon emissions, increasing its fuel efficiency standards, and developing its nascent clean energy industry. The president will also be charged with responding to parts of the country hit hard by climate change conditions, like droughts, fires, and storms.

Fortunately, voters won’t have to make their decision in the dark. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), a non-partisan organization that describes itself as "the independent political voice for the environment," has compiled a reference chart to show voters where candidates stand on climate change.

The following are the top five presidential candidates of 2008, based on the issue of climate change. In order to assess how serious candidates truly are about the issue of global warming, they are organized below according to how well they scored out of 100 on an overall evaluation of their environmental policies, starting with the highest scorer. (And no, Steven Colbert didn’t make the list, no matter how much natural gas he provides.)

Barack Obama (96) supports:

• 80% reductions of CO2 production by 2050.
• 50 mpg fleet-wide automotive standard by 2025.
• 25% renewable electrical energy standard by 2025.
• 50% reduction in energy intensity by 2030.
• Investing in liquid coal if it reduces carbon pollution by 10%; will consider standards that ban new conventional coal plants.

Dennis Kucinich (92) supports:

• 80% reductions of CO2 production by 2050.
• 40 mpg automotive standards; supported 33 mpg automotive standard in 2005.
• 20% renewable electrical energy standard by 2010.
• General energy efficiency, although he has no target specified.
• [Has no articulated position on new coal plants and liquid coal.]

Hillary Clinton (90) supports:

• 80% reductions of CO2 production by 2050.
• 35 mpg fleet-wide automotive standard by 2017.
• 20% renewable electrical energy standard by 2020.
• 10% reduction in energy consumption by 2020.
• Investing in liquid coal if it reduces carbon pollution by 20%.

Joe Biden (84) supports:

• 80% reductions of CO2 production by 2050.
• 40 mpg fleet-wide automotive standard by 2017.
• 20% renewable electrical energy standard by 2020.
• 10% reduction in energy consumption by 2020.
• Rejecting investment in liquid coal.

Bill Richardson (82) supports:

• 80% reductions of CO2 production by 2050.
• 50 mpg fleet-wide automotive standard.
• 30% renewable electrical energy standard by 2020 and 50% by 2050.
• 20% increase in energy productivity.
• A ban on new coal plants unless they capture and store emissions; he opposes liquid coal.

Readers may note that all of the preceding five leaders on environmental stewardship are members of the Democratic Party. They will be competing against one another to win their party’s nomination over the course of the primary elections, which will run from January to September of 2008. Make sure to register to vote several weeks prior to your state’s primary elections in order to vote to nominate your choice of presidential candidate.

Readers who align more closely with the Republican Party may also be interested to know which Republican presidential candidates are offering solutions to climate change. Most ‘08 Republican candidates have as strong a record of opposing environmental protection legislation and/or have no stated positions about the country’s energy goals and issues related to climate change. However, some Republican candidates are looking to support legislation that would benefit the climate. John McCain and Mike Huckabee lead their party on legislative forsight to address climate change. Even still, Mr. McCain has opposed fuel efficiency legislation and neither candidate has a stated position on coal. The only other candidate from this party to offer some hint of beneficial legislative promises on climate change is Mitt Romney, although he opposes fuel efficiency standards "as a stand alone measure," has no position on renewable energy, and supports liquid coal.

For more information on the positions of the 2008 presidential candidates on the environment, the energy industry, and climate change, see the resources listed below or visit the LCV reference chart for presidential candidates on climate change.

References and Resources:

Where the Candidates Currently Stand | League of Conservation Voters, Heatison.org

’08: On The Record | League of Conservation Voters

Presidential Candidates weigh in on Energy Policy | Solarnation

The Candidates | League of Conservation Voters, Heatison.org

Mike Garofalo’s Blog on the presidential candidates | GO

Photo Source:

White House Back | US Government

Makena Brown, grade 8, has a plan to help keep the planet healthy and make money, too. Makena collects all of her family’s recyclables and stores them in the back yard. About once a month, she and her family load up the car with the many bags of bottles and cans and take them to the local recycling center. Because it’s her project, Makena gets to keep the money paid by the recycling center for the aluminum, plastic and glass. "Makena is the chief of our recycling plant," says Mr. Brown proudly. "She’s the recycling queen."

"The money is the number one thing that’s in my mind," says Makena. "I’m like, that’s great! And in the back of my mind I know that this is helping the environment, [reducing] pollution, and helping the earth to get better step by step." With her recycling money, Makena is helping to pay her mom back for her new computer.

Ask a little more about Makena’s interest in protecting the environment, and you’ll find that she’s a fountain of knowledge. For example, she explains that more water is used to make plastic water bottles than can be contained by the bottles after they’re made. She’s also especially interested in renewable energy. Her eyes light up when she talks about San Francisco’s proposal to get electricity from tidal power generators.

It’s been about a year now that the Brown family has been saving their recyclables for Makena’s recycling project. Makena’s grandparents have also started to save their recyclables to contribute to the Brown family’s recycling program. "We end up with a big pile of bottles and cans on the side of the house," everyone chuckles. "We can’t walk past until we clean it up."

In addition to supporting Makena’s recycling project, her parents and her younger sister, Ashley, all have their own ways of helping the environment. These include choosing environmentally friendly cleaning products and using cloth shopping bags.

Ashley says, "we watched a show on Oprah and it was ‘Green Day’ and she gave organic cotton bags that help the environment to everybody in the audience."

"So when you go to the grocery store," she says cheerfully in unison with her mom, "and they ask ‘paper or plastic?’ you can say neither because you have your own bags."

It was Makena’s school that gave her the interest to pursue her recycling business. "It actually started last year when I learned about global warming," recalls Makena. "In 7th grade, we did a project on global warming. Each group was assigned to do something. There were groups for food, recycling, pesticides, and all these things about global warming. It was called the Green Fair. And I learned about recycling and how much litter is on the side of the roads. And I was like, that’s a great way to get money and help the environment."

Mr. Brown adds that he has taken Makena to see a wetland preservation project in which he is involved with the hope that it would interest his daughter in environmental protection.

What’s the family’s least favorite part of delivering their recyclables to the recycling center? "The smell," everyone says together, laughing. "It’s pretty bad."

Makena and Ashley explain, "When we go, we do not want to catch the germs and the stickiness on our hands so we wear latex gloves."

With her recycling business rolling along, I wondered if Makena would like it if companies stopped producing plastic bottles, even if having fewer bottles to recycle might put a hole in her profits. "I would," she said, "because then we’d be saving the water and it would be healthier for the planet. It would be another step to stop global warming." Spoken like a conscientious and environmentally responsible businessperson.

For people Makena’s age interested in starting an at-home recycling project, Makena has some advise. "The only thing," she says, "is just to keep your mind on it and help your family know and make rules. I told my family that if they’re done with a bottle or can, they could just put it on the counter. I put it in a bag and take it out to the yard. Keep your family informed. And the other thing is just try to get other people involved because you’re going to get money for it and you’re also helping the environment."

Continued from Greening Your Groove.

The environmental movement has been rolling along fast this year, and rocking to boot. A green rhythm is beating in the heart of today’s music scene and music lovers young and old have their fingers on its pulse.

This summer, the SOS Live Earth Concert brought together musicians to stages around the world for one glorious day of music and festivities. The message: take personal action to reduce our species’ impact on the environment, and encourage governments and business leaders to follow. These round-the-world concerts were not an isolated, one-time event. Many of the artists who performed, as well as others, are making a concerted effort to help the environment, and grow concern for the well-being of the planet.

Some environmentally in-tune musicians hold benefit concerts; some even tour by bicycle or biofueled bus. Most incorporate environmental messages into their lyrics. When you buy music from the following artists or go to their concerts, you’ll be supporting the work they do for the environment. Whether you’re looking for green concerts or music festivals, discovering new bands, wondering what issues musicians care about, or looking for music with a message about the Earth for your children, you’ll find it in the list and links below.

Green(er) Music Festivals

Tennesse’s Bonnaroo Music and Art Festival website says, "The future of our planet is a big deal for Bonnaroo - and it should be for you, too." ‘Rooers are encouraged to offset their travel to the concert and have the option to buy organic foods and natural products. The festival also uses biodiesel generators on some of its stages, and offers 2,000 recycling bins throughout the concert grounds. Read more here.

Seattle’s Bumbershoot is made green with biodiesel generators, clean energy from the Seattle City Light, no Styrofoam, an optional $2 donation to offset carbon, and a plethora of information about how to get to and from the event by bicycle or public transportation.

Chicago’s Lollapalooza: organic local foods, bio-fuel, recycling, bicycle resources, and compostables make lolla green. There’s even a section called "Green Street" where concertgoers can learn more agout how to take action to improve the environment.

San Francisco’s Power to the Peaceful showcases artists with environmentally progressive messages. It also recycles and encourages listeners from out of town to stay in the Serrano Hotel, a member of the California Green Lodging Program.

Austin’s South by Southwest festival is offsetting its carbon footprint, giving tips on getting to and from the festival sans car, and donating $5,000 to plant trees.

Vans Warped Tour has a set of "Warped Eco Initiatives" (WEI) that it hopes will help it to become more environmentally friendly and to encourage eco awareness. Biodiesel, green catering, and solar-powered sound systems top the list of green highlights at this seriously wicked music fest. Read more here.

Green Musicians by Genre

Alternative

Will Thom Yorke of Radiohead be the eraser of global warming? He’s certainly making the effort as a supporter of the Friends of the Earth’s Big Ask campaign to reduce climate change. Watch a video interview with this artist and read more here.

Blues

Bonnie Raitt has something to talk about: the environment. Clean energy, sustainable living, electric cars, and energy efficient buildings are also things she advocates talking about. She’s even listed by the Department of Energy as a large purchaser of green energy, which she uses to offset her music tours.

Country

Willie Nelson may urge mamas not to let their babies be cowboys, but he’s quick to encourage them to be environmentalists. He’s on the road again, this time with his own line of biodiesel, Biowillie. He’s also actively involved in the Farm Aid concerts, which support producers of local, organic foods and humanely raised farm animals.

Folk

The Indigo Girls have more than just the power of two — they have a whole Green Team made up of their environmentally savvy fans who help the band to keep their concerts as environmentally friendly as possible.

Hot Buttered Rum is a green machine, or at least that’s what they call their biodiesel tour bus.

Hip-Hop

The Roots are carryin’ on the environmental message with their "Stop the Violence: Go Veg" campaign with PETA. The group also advocates composting. Watch this video and read more here.

Spearhead with Michael Franti have been bringing power to the peaceful for years now in the San Francisco Bay area. This year, they’ll be extending the green-themed concert internationally with a December 1 music festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Check it out on their website.

Pop

Justin Timberlake is bringing green back. He’s passionate about water issues, especially as the lack of drinking water throughout many African countries. Read more here.

Sheryl Crow hopes the power industry will be strong enough to soak up the sun with solar energy. She went on tour this year with concerts that educated her audience about the serious nature of climate change. Read more here.

Kylie Minogue has come into the environmental world as the face of the "H&M Loves Kylie" swimwear line, which is donating ten percent of its profits to WaterAid. Read more here.

Madonna once said that her ambition was to rule the world. Today, she’s helping to green it. A percentage of profits from the first million downloads of her hit inspirational song "Hey You" went to fighting climate change. Read more here and check out the video here.

Punk

Green Day came around a long time ago to the environmental movement. They put their green fingers to work with the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to come up with this great website about how to become involved in saving the Earth. You can also watch a number of their environmentally conscious music videos and interviews here.

Rock

If the Barenaked Ladies had $1,000,000, they’d probably spend some of it furthering environmental issues. The group is on the board of World Wildlife Fund Canada and runs a pretty green concert tour. Read more here.

Dave Matthews has a crush on the environmental movement. From offsetting the carbon of the band’s tours to using green diapers at home, he’s making the world better every day.

Jimmy Buffett has found one particular harbour in the sea of environmental issues: manatees. He’s the co-founder of the Save the Manatee Club, which encourages people to adopt a manatee and boat responsibly.

Pearl Jam is rockin’ the green world, raising funds for environmental causes from preserving the Madagascar rainforest to funding renewable energy. Read more here and check out their website on climate activism.

With Sarah Harmer aglow about conservation, you just know things are getting better. This folk/rock musician co-founded the group Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL), which seeks to conserve the natural habitat Niagara Escarpment Rural Land. She’s even toured on foot to raise awareness for her conservation concerns.

Bon Jovi wants people to have a nice day and a green home. Lead singer Jon Bon Jovi jokes that he’s motivated to save the environment by guilt over the "huge hole in the ozone layer my haircuts created." He’s now the founding ambassador of the Habitat for Humanity Ambassadors Program. Read more here.

Jack Johnson is good people, and he cares about the environment. He tours by biodiesel, offsets his carbon, donates 1% for the planet, and co-founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation to promote environmental education. Read more here.

Youth

Put On Your Green Shoes is a compilation by various artists.

The Banana Slug String Band strike a silly, fun chord with kids and also manage to bring serious and educational messages. They’re also a rocking group for adults to listen to. Albums include Singing in Our Garden and Dirt Made My Lunch.

Ella Jenkins has been on the green kids music scene for years. She has a "solution to pollution" and teaches kids how about the "environmental game." Check out her new CD, Come Dance By The Ocean.

References and Resources

For more environmentally happening musicians, check out the following websites:

Musical Partners | Rock the Earth, "Defending the planet one beat at a time"

Eco Music For Kids | Leonardodicaprio.org

15 Green Musicians and Bands | Grist

Links for Environmental Songs and Music | Planetary Exploration

How Green Is the Music? | Austin Chronicle

Celebrities Going Green | AOL

Photo Source:

Power to the Peaceful 1 | Flickr

Are you a green music pirate? (ARRR!) Free music downloading has generated a lot of debate, with some artists for and others against it. Well, here’s a positive note for all you lyrical plunderers: downloading music is more environmentally friendly than buying it on CD. But you don’t have to be scurvy about it either: these days, it’s arguably much easier (and cheaper) to buy your music fair and square on iTunes than it is to buy CDs at the music shop. Besides, you’re more likely to find new musicians you like in the gigantic online music archives than in the cramped aisles of a music store.

Here’s the green beat: CDs contain aluminum, polycarbonate, lacquer, dyes, nickel, and chemical feedstock from oil, none of which are particularly groovy for the environment. And the jewel case and shrink-wrapping don’t make CDs any healthier for the planet. Plus, with iPods and similar technologies abounding, how often do we buy the CD, upload the songs to our computers, listen to the tunes on our laptops and handheld devices, and never again touch the CD itself? These days, as this green blog puts it, CDs are nothing more than extra packaging for the music we buy. Spare the waste and the toxic materials by downloading your music directly.

By now, High Fidelity fans everywhere are groaning. Forgo the experience of music shops? But consider this a fresh spin: with a music library on your computer and not all over your house, it’s much easier to arrange your music — not alphabetically — but chronologically in the order that you discovered the musician, or however you like.

Many readers will also ask, justifiably, whether it’s actually more environmentally friendly to use a computer or handheld MP3 player to listen to music than it is to buy CDs. Let’s look into this a bit because it’s a good question. As per the computer, we’ll assume that no one actually buys a computer just to listen to music. Rather than buying a CD player and hundreds of CDs, we can get all of our music using a single instrument that we would have purchased in any case. Therefore, even if it takes more juice to run a computer than a CD player, we can safely say that listening to music on your computer is better than buying CDs and playing them on your computer or CD player. Just remember to turn the computer on to use it and turn it off when we’re done. If you mostly like to listen to music on the computer, problem solved.

But what about handheld MP3 players — are they better for the environment than CDs? Greenpeace has an interesting article full of both criticism and praise for Apple’s iPod. The bad news for iPod users? These devices too are made with toxic chemicals, and when they break, they are cheaper to replace than to fix. On the other hand, CDs also have a definite lifespan and will sooner or later become landfill. But here’s the good news: iPods are recyclable. The final factor that gives MP3 players the edge over CDs is simply that they hold so many songs. The iPod classic holds up to 40,000 songs. At about 15 songs per disk, that would add up to over 2,600 CDs. Lastly, some environmentalists will also appreciate iPod features like the downloadable Animal Ingredients List A-Z, a "portable, quick reference for vegans on-the-go." Features like these can make being green a little easier.

Lastly, there’s the question of the energy used by the servers that hold music for people to buy online. They’re left running 24/7 to allow people to buy music at any time of the day or night. Rather than arguing that this energy use is less environmentally taxing than the energy used in manufacturing CDs, let’s do one better and take action on the issue. According to the Climate Counts consumer scorecard, Apple isn’t doing much to address climate change. This could swiftly be rectified if, say, ten percent of Apple iTunes users contacted the company asking it to run its iTunes servers on clean energy. Change has to start somewhere, and this is a good opportunity.

For those of us who are less digitally wired, there’s still the good old radio. A long product lifespan, low energy usage, and dozens of music radio stations give the radio impressive eco credentials. If considering the ins and outs of CDs vs. downloads makes your head spin, relax. We’re here to enjoy being green. Just turn the radio on and let the music flow. Also, it’s worth checking out online radio. One site I highly recommend for discovering new artists is Musicovery.

If you’re using electrical devices for music, don’t forget to turn them off and unplug them when they’re not in use to save energy. For an extra eco touch, you can get a solar charger for your iPod or computer. You can also choose to power your music (and your home) with renewable energy from your local utilities company or an energy offset provider.

So turn up the volume and get your groove on. Dance like nobody’s watching and let the green times roll.

References and Resources:

Apple iTunes Store Environmental Impact | Torants

iPoison + iWaste | Greenpeace

Apple and the Environment | Apple

Compact Disc | Wikipedia

Compact Disc Manufacturing | Wikipedia

Can I Buy Green Power In My State? | US Department of Energy

Photo Source:

Streetart in Lisbon,Portugal | Flickr

GO and ENN news articles have reported on Ecuador’s high-minded decision to leave its largest oil reserve untapped. The unexploited oil fields lie in Yasuni National Park, home to at least two indigenous tribes. Drilling them would add a pretty penny to the country’s purse. However, under the YasunÌ-ITT Initiative, President Rafael Correa has vowed to leave the oil in the ground. The initiative also sets the lofty goals of developing greater renewable energy, building greater mass transit, and stimulating eco-tourism.

How can the average person reading this article encourage Ecuador to do the right thing by the Earth and its indigenous people? Is it enough to say "good job, well done?" With the rest of the world fumbling to look busy over addressing climate change, it is our opportunity and perhaps our obligation to stand up and support Ecuador for its brave move.

Ecuador hopes to receive some compensation from other governments for the unexploited oil due to the benign effect on the global climate of leaving it in the ground. But for the average person in a country that exports 420,600 barrels of oil a day, President Correa’s decision may seem like a risky one. Ecuador’s official unemployment is 10.6% and an estimated 47% are underemployed, estimates the CIA World Factbook.

41 year-old Maritza Salazar owns a stationary store in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. She is one of a long list of Ecuadoran entrepreneurs requesting a loan through the micro-financing organization, Kiva.org. For vendors like Mrs. Salazar, national oil revenues may be less important if she’s able to fund the growth of her non-oil-dependent business. By funding businesses like Mrs. Salazar’s, the average person from anywhere in the world can make substantive progress in alleviating Ecuador’s dependence on oil and encouraging its transition into one of the world’s leading environmentally friendly nations.

Another green option that may appeal to the lover of travel is to visit Ecuador and make use of its rich eco-tourism opportunities. Tourism is the Ecuador’s fourth most valuable source of revenue. Eco-tourism is a great way to get the memorable experiences that tourists often look for when traveling to Ecuador, including visiting indigenous tribes, experiencing local customs and tasting regional foods, horseback riding, animal-watching, and setting out on guided hikes through the unbelievably beautiful scenery of virgin rainforest. Take this opportune moment to visit the land that eco-tourism company, Global Exchange, calls "a bastion of cultural and biological diversity… home to one of the most successful and peaceful indigenous movements in the Americas." See the list of resources below for some ways to take advantage of Ecuador’s eco-tourism industry.

The decision not to drill in Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park will benefit the entire world, by protecting an ecological heritage and indigenous lands as well as effectively preventing 436 million tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. Ecuador must know that its decision was a good one, and here’s where you and I have the opportunity to step in. As usual, if you have other ideas about how to encourage Ecuador’s exciting, ecologically minded move, please leave them here below in the comment and discussion area.

Resources:

Kiva.org

Ecuador | Iloveecotourism.com

Adventure Ecotourism in Ecuador | Piedra Blanca

Ecuador | Global Exchange

Department of Tourism | Ecuador National Website

Ecuador Adventures | OARS

Ecotourism and Ecuador | Ecuador Tierra Viva Travel Company

Rio Muchacho Organic Farm | Guacamayo Tours

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands | Lonely Planet

References:

Ecuador to Leave Oil – And Revenue – In the Ground | GO

Gutsy Ecuador proposes to put a lid on oil | Environmental News Network (ENN)

Introduction to Ecuador’s Economy | Ecuador Ministry of Tourism

Ecuador | The United States Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook

Before reading this blog, go to lifegoggles.com and download their free 100 Ways to Save the Planet PDF. I’ll wait while you download it. *Whistles, looking away, twiddling thumbs* No really, you won’t get that same do-good feeling unless you can see some of the things we’re talking about on this list. When we’re all on the same page, let’s start looking at some of these 100 tips for lending a hand to Mother Earth.

As you’re scrolling down the list, you’ll notice that some suggestions involve a lifestyle change, like becoming a vegetarian (#13) or using cars less (#21). Others involve very little change, like making sure your fridge door closes properly (#96) or swapping outfits with your friends instead of buying new ones (#69). (Note: for this last suggestion, wardrobe changes with friends of the same gender are recommended, but hey, who are we to judge?) You’ll also see a number of items mentioned in the list that you encounter every day: flowers, milk (soy or cow), toothpaste, junk mail… it seems that nearly everything in our life has the chance to get a little greener. From turning your bathtub into a sofa to using the library more often, there are opportunities everywhere for good, clean, environmentally friendly fun.

“But wait,” you say, “I already do a lot of the things on this list. Recycling? Duh. Buying organic? Naturally.” Chances are, there are a number of things on the list that you do already. You may not even think twice about some of them, like buying your music online instead of on CD. As you spot more and more environmentally friendly practices that are already a part of your daily life, feel free to feel proud. Feel great about what you do that helps to make our society an environmentally sustainable one. Give yourself a pat on the back, a hug, and a chocolate cookie. You deserve it.

Flexing your green muscle is a little like stretching or practicing a sport. It takes dedication and discipline, but it gets easier as you go. Yesterday, it might have seemed like a huge hurdle to write your government representatives about environmental issues that matter to you. Tomorrow, you’ll be a mover and a shaker—effecting legislation, investing in green businesses, and taking on new projects every day. Always remember to appreciate how far you’ve come (no matter where you started) and give yourself credit for what you do. Maybe this list will offer some new ideas that you hadn’t considered before. Maybe you can think of others to add to it. Either way, it helps to acknowledge your everyday achievements.

You can also try using the list from lifegoggles as a game. What’s your score out of 100? If it’s 90 or more, consider yourself an eco-legend; if you get 80 and above, how great! Even if you get only 10 or 20, consider what items they were and congratulate yourself on having incorporated them into your lifestyle. This may seem like a “no environmentalist left behind” approach, but while we strive to improve our environment and our quality of life, it’s important to recognize our efforts and accomplishments along the way.

Oh yeah, one more thing: when you get to #86, give me a call. (I love honey!)

References, Resources, & Photo Source:

100 Ways to Save the Planet | LifeGoggles.com

The Vatican may be a key link in the mass shift toward environmental sustainability. Pope Benedict XVI is concerned by "the growing recognition of the need to preserve the environment," and he’s not alone. His progressive stance on environmental responsibility could potentially bring the world’s estimated one billion or more Catholics into the fold of the environmental movement.

On Saturday, the Pope called on youth to "change the world." This was at the Vatican’s first ever eco-friendly rally, where the message was to avoid a "materialistic mentality." At the rally, attendees were given hand-powered flashlights and backpacks made of recycled materials. The Pope followed up Wednesday, saying "care of water resources and attention to climate change are matters of grave importance for the entire human family."

That’s right. The Pope is fast becoming a world leader in environmental activism. Last April, he invited scientists, bishops, politicians, and theologians to meet at the Vatican for a conference on Climate Change and Development. Even as the UN adopts a strategy on climate change, the Vatican is taking action by making the switch to solar energy with its own PV panels.

Action on the environment is coming none too soon. This year, cartographers charted new islands as they emerged from under melting arctic ice. At the rally, the Pope urged up to half a million in attendance to make courageous decisions "before it’s too late."

For environmentalists, maybe it’s time to hug your nearest Catholic as well as the trees. The Pope’s message has the power to move roughly a sixth of the world’s population to take meaningful action to protect the environment. Therefore, reaching out to the Catholic community will likely help to build tremendous momentum behind the environmental movement. Catholic community members reading this article are also encouraged to thoughtfully consider the Pope’s call to take action to benefit the environment.

Positive and meaningful environmental action can be achieved in countless ways. Just a small sampling of beneficial activities includes organizing a coastal or river cleanup, talking to children about the importance of environmental responsibility, or supplying clean energy to your home.

References and Recources:

Shun disposable love, Pope tells eco-rally | The Sydney Morning Herald

Pope calls on young people to ‘change the world’ | Yahoo! News

Pope leads Church’s first eco-friendly rally | Reuters

Pope puts focus on climate change, environment | The Age

Pope says he has ‘growing awareness’ of need to save the planet | International Herald Tribune

Take climate change seriously, Pope urges | Reuters

Pope: Save the Planet Before it’s Too Late | Christian Today

Vatican Goes Solar | GO

Pope Should Have a Chat with President Bush About Climate Change | GO

Climate Change Progress, in a Non-Binding Sort of Way | GO

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | UN

Buy Renewable Energy for Yourself | GO 

Riding the Wave of Renewables: Inexpensive Clean Energy for Your Home | GO 

Photo:

Pope Benedict XVI | Flickr

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "do one thing every day that scares you." Until about a month ago, I felt—and I don’t think I’m alone here—that cold showers were pretty scary. I’ve since come to love the refreshing, energy-saving thrill of showering cold. Now, I know that you may never want to try this daring piece of everyday eco-activism. But in case you’re curious, here are the greatest thrills and chills of la douche froide.

The Thrills

• It’s refreshing. Think that iced lemonade is the last word in refreshment? Not even close. Cold showers arouse your senses like only a blast of icy, fresh water can.
• You’ll be saving energy. You may not know it, but your home water heater soaks up 14-25% of the money you spend on your energy bill. If you’re not ready to take the plunge into colder waters, you can still "flex your power" with gentler methods, like lowering the thermostat on your water heater to 48 C (120 F). Sip up more tips on the U.S. Dept. of Energy website.
• Chances are that if the water’s cold, your showers will be shorter. This will help you save water as well as energy. It can be hard to part with the steamy suds of a hot shower. Cold water = problem solved: you’re out in a flash and on your way to face and embrace the day.
• It will cool you down on a hot day or after some exercise. A cool, quick rinse-off feels great after a workout, or on a hot September day.
• It will cool you down after a hot date. Need we say more?
• It will prepare you for travel to places where hot water is simply not an option. If you’re not much of a traveler, then you can at least gain an appreciation for the daily feel of life in many places.
• It’s as close as you can get to the feeling of standing under a high mountain waterfall: wild and fresh (trust me). Call me crazy, but it just feels good.

The Chills

• It’s not for the faint of heart. Just like jumping into a cold lake or creek, for the first few seconds, cold showers can be much less than comfortable. I suggest using your preferred "Band-Aid method" to begin each shower: either start by slowly introducing your feet and legs to the water and move the showerhead gradually up, or take a breath and make a splash, wetting the back of your neck and your hair first and letting the water run down the rest of you from there. Once you adjust to the water, you can start enjoying the feeling of showering cold.
• Lowering the water intensity is one way to make the cold water more comfortable, since this lets the water warm slightly as it runs down your body.
• If you live in a cold climate, please consider the sanity of taking cold showers. I’d hate for you to catch a chill on account of saving energy and water.
• Even with a background in early morning swimming, nothing sounds more miserable than a cold shower when I first wake up. But that’s just me. Take your cold showers when you’re ready for a fresh blast of cool water.
• There are times when, no matter how sweet a cold shower might feel, I can’t help but to crank up the hot water. All good things in moderation, I say.
• You know that cold showers might not be for you if afterwards you look (or feel) like this:

References and Resources:

U.S. Dept. of Energy, Water Heating: http://www.energy.gov/waterheating.htm
Calculate how much water you use when you shower and what that costs in USD amounts: http://www.showersmartfaucet.com/imperial.html

Photo Sources:

‘Taking a Cold Shower’: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eenfotograaf/414085906/
‘Our Sammy. 2002-2004′: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_d_himes/248864279/

Editor’s note: We had a technical glitch earlier this week, and some posts got published before they were supposed to.  Gavin’s was one of them — by the time we’d discovered it, though, it had already gotten out to several social bookmarking sites.  We didn’t, however, want it buried immediately… 

Clean, renewable energy is sweeping the country like a wave, and now
for the individual consumer, it’s “surf’s up!” Power your home with
100% renewable energy for only a few dollars a month through your existing energy supplier.

This month, for the first time, I can’t wait to pay my energy bill. I’ll be looking for a small charge on the bill that indicates that all of my household’s energy has come from renewable sources. Want to be as excited about your energy bill? For many people, supplying renewable energy to their home is as easy as calling their current electrical service provider.

If you live in the U.S., visit the Green Power Network on the U.S. Dept. of Energy website for a state-by-state list of the electrical power companies that give their customers the option of choosing renewables. Whether you get “Climate Smart” with West Coast provider, PG&E, or “Harvest the Wind” in the heartland of the country, you will be excited to find that clean, renewable energy is a reality for you, your friends and your family.

How does it work?

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. If putting solar PV panels on your home and enjoying an energy-bill-free future isn’t an option, why not build solar, wind, and geothermal energy farms in your state? Many local electrical companies offer the choice to pay a nominal fee (usually 1-3¢/kWh), which goes toward building and supplying a renewable energy infrastructure. This is the best thing since Ben met Jerry! Just find your state on this map to see if your current electrical service provider offers this option.

But isn’t renewable energy cheaper than non-renewable energy? Why does this cost a couple dollars more each month? The costs of coal (the widely-used alternative to renewables) are spread out in several directions: in the massive energy needed to transport and burn the coal, in medical expenses from lung and heart health, in the environmental costs of strip mining, mountain-top removal and acid rain, in the associated costs of Climate Change, in the cost of air visibility due to smog, etc. The costs of renewables: simply build and maintain the equipment and you have yourself clean, cheap energy for all. Your few dollars a month goes into building and maintaining a growing network of renewable energy sources that hold the promise of ridding us of dirty coal once and for all.

What if your energy provider doesn’t offer renewables yet?

If your energy company’s renewables program isn’t available just yet, hang tight. Give them a call to ask what steps they are making to bring renewable energy to you. In the meantime, you can feel just as good about buying renewable energy from a nation-wide energy provider. Click here to find certified national providers of clean energy. Or, simply march down to Whole Foods (which already uses 100% renewable energy in its stores) and buy a Wind Power Card for $5, $10, or $15. These are just a few of the options that will effortlessly turn your home into a shining icon of green.

You can also check out which cities are buying large amounts of renewable energy here. Contact your city government and tell them how important it is to you to green your public buildings with clean energy.

Want renewable energy outside the U.S.?

There are many renewable energy providers spread across the world. First try contacting your electrical provider or government energy department to learn about renewable energy programs. You can also find out how to support the development of renewables in your area of the world by contacting the regional or national government and asking what steps you can take. It could be that a percentage of your taxes already pays for the equivalent of your home’s renewable energy.

Otherwise, you can simply offset the energy you use by purchasing that much renewable energy. This is an excellent way to increase demand for renewable energy worldwide and make our global society a little greener. You may even wish to become a partner in a local renewable energy co-op, like Ontario, Canada’s WindShare.

So bring your friends and family and join in the Renewables Revolution. It’s an easy way to become a part of one of the most exciting movements in human history: the development of a truly sustainable society.

References and Resources:

If you liked this post, also check out: “Buy Renewable Energy for Yourself” by Maria Surma Manka and “Real Renewable Energy vs. Renewable Energy Credits” by Philip Proefrock.

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leannz0r/473974362/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/31824130@N00/206532437/

What’s the connection between dinner parties and polar bears? No, we’re not suggesting that you serve bear. Cooking one large meal with a small group of friends is more energy efficient than cooking several individual meals in different houses. This reduces the greenhouse gasses responsible for Global Warming, a threat to arctic ecosystems.

Interested? Great, let’s get cooking! First, choose your menu options: something delicious that’s easy to make, like spaghetti and (vegan?) meatballs, fajitas and tacos, a salad, or even some simple sushi rolls. Call a couple of friends, preferably ones who can walk, bike, bus, or carpool to your house easily. The fewer fossil fuels they use to get to your house, the greener your party will be.

If you’ve also been looking for a chance to get to know your neighbors better, or maybe you’re searching for the right occasion to talk to that cutie down the street, don’t be shy; invite them over. Ask each guest to bring one or two of the ingredients you’ll need for the meal and give brownie points for any locally grown, organic, or fair-trade ingredients. When you’re shopping for ingredients, consider organic wine, locally grown fruit, or fair trade chocolate. Don’t forget to use non-disposable dishware.

Now enjoy the company of friends over a delicious, home-cooked meal. If everyone has a good time, why not take turns hosting weekly dinner parties and inviting new friends? You’ll build community, save money on groceries, and enjoy tasty leftovers. And, whether it’s your culinary prowess or the way you suavely compost the kitchen scraps, you might just make a splash with your neighbors as well.

So, if you love the good life, consider throwing dinner parties as a way to build community, reduce waste, supporting organic foods, and even fight Global Warming.

Bon appétit!

Want More? Try Workplace Activism: Bringing Slow Foods to a Fast Paced World

You can bring green dining to the workplace. Choose one day a week when two or three coworkers can team up from home to bring in a homemade lunch for the rest of the office. Ask them to keep track of what they spend on ingredients and have everybody who would like to join in the lunch contribute several dollars to cover the cost. Then rotate through the office to give others a chance to be designated as chef for a day. You can suggest that everyone use organic, locally grown, fair trade ingredients, or you can showcase these ingredients when it is your day to bring lunch.

What’s the payoff? When choosing where to eat lunch during the workweek, we run the risk of eating unhealthy fast foods and using wasteful to-go packaging and we often end up paying more than we would for food cooked at home. Shared lunches are healthier, use less packaging, and they add an important touch of fun and common ground to the workplace while saving you and your coworkers money.

Photo Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkonig/114636130/