I once had someone suggest to me that environmentalists didn’t have enough fun. Granted, that person was a flame-throwing stilt walker, so her idea of fun might be a bit different from yours and mine. But the question remains: do environmentalists take themselves too seriously?

Now you may be shocked by this question. I was. I mean, if you can’t see the fun in trying to save the world from global warming and mass species extinction you, er… and then I started to see her point.

You may notice that not a lot of people consider environmental issues a laughing matter. Crack a joke too close to hot environmental issues and you’ll receive stern glances from all corners of the room, as Jon Stewart can attest. In an interview with Bill Moyers, he laments hearing back from viewers, "your show is so funny, until you made a joke about global warming, which is a serious issue, and I can’t believe you did that!"

On the one hand, environmental issues are serious and they require a concerted effort to address. But the environmental movement also risks alienating people with its stern demeanor. Think PETA and the EPA are cuddly? Historically, PETA, with its dour streams of abused animal images, has about as much popular sex appeal as a horny toad (nothing against the Phrynosomatidae family). Sure, the nude vegan ad campaign and the glam vegan celeb videos help to soften the organization’s edge a little. Still, not too many of us would associate the organization with a sense of mirth. The EPA as well—aside from its starring role as the unlikely villain in this summer’s Simpsons Movie—doesn’t yet have what it takes to make people smile.

People respond well to a good-humored attitude. In a decidedly un-environmental example, the box store corporation, Target, benefited from a popular laugh at its own image as a purveyor of cheap goods with the tongue-in-cheek French pronunciation, Targé. The environmental movement could use a similar sense of good humor.

So how do we as environmentalists stop and smell the flowers that we’re trying to save? On Tuesday, we’ll start with a look at ways to save the planet while at the same time not missing the chance to cut loose, laugh, dance, joke and live it up!

References and Resources:

EPA Home

PETA Home

Bill Moyers talks with Jon Stewart | PBS

Photo Source:

Laugh Out Loud | Flickr

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

Many people use bicycles for commuting and running errands. We love the fresh morning breeze, the easy parking, the health benefits, and the financial savings. Besides, what other commuting option has its own ’80s theme song? (Cue Queen’s "Bicycle Race"). Yep, while the sun is shining and the weather’s fine, you can’t beat bicycling for a great way to get around town.

But what happens when the going gets wet? With autumn and winter just around the corner, it’s easy to let the wet weather dampen the excitement of the ride. As the days contract and sunshine turns to rain, do we trade in our bazillion-mile-to-the-gallon peddling machine and our great summer biking legs for a piddly twenty-five miles to the gallon? Not a chance.

It turns out that year-round bikers have a second theme song: "Riders On The Storm." Feel free to hum along as we look at some fairly easy ways to bike safely and arrive dry, even in the rain.

1. Always use front and rear bike lights for early morning, evening, and wet weather rides. You may be able to see without a headlight, but drivers have a more difficult time seeing you. A flashing taillight makes you more visible from behind as well.

2. Reduce your speed for greater control of your vehicle. Most times, we have fewer than 10 miles to go on our daily rides, so going slower will only add a few minutes onto the time of our ride.

3. Give yourself more time to stop. Wet brakes need to burn off water before they can grip properly. This translates into a greater stopping distance.

4. Apply even pressure to both the front and rear (or left and right hand) breaks to avoid skidding.

5. Keep in mind that motorists have poorer visibility and less control over their vehicles as well in the rain. Bike defensively and make yourself visible with bright clothing (more on clothing to follow bellow).

6. Put rain guards or fenders over your tires. College campuses have an affectionate term for the line of muck and water that wet tires can spin up onto your back: they call it the "freshman stripe." By the second year of college, most people have learned to appreciate fenders on their bikes.

7. Keep a wide enough distance from parked cars that you won’t have to take evasive action if someone opens his or her car door in front of you.

8. Bike predictably. When you are biking next to parked cars, maintain your place on the road. Even if a crosswalk or some empty parking spaces give you the chance to bike further to the right, keep biking in a straight line. You’ll be more predictable to motorists and you won’t have to worry about merging back into the flow of traffic.

9. Follow the rules of the road. This is true all year long, but is especially important in wet weather.

10. On roads with no bike lane, make yourself clearly a part of traffic. Be confident and assertive about your position on the road. When you come to a stop sign or red light and there’s no bike lane, maintain your place in traffic by coming to a stop in the line of traffic and waiting your turn to cross the intersection.

11. Where possible, avoid biking over metal manholes, painted pavement, subway ventilation grates, and construction plates. These can all be slippery when wet.

12. Also avoid puddles and wet leaves. Puddles can hide potholes and wet leaves can be slippery. Also, there’s no telling how deep puddles are. A friend of mine shared the amusing story of biking under a walkway during a period of heavy rain and ending up in chest-deep water. No harm done, but certainly a situation worth avoiding.

13. When bicycling over slippery surfaces, keep your wheels perpendicular to the ground and balance your weight evenly. Avoid sharp turns or leaning in the direction of your turn.

14. As usual, cross railroad tracks at an angle, preferably a perpendicular angle. Never attempt to cross railroad tracks with your wheels parallel to the tracks.

15. When locking your bike, turn your lock so that water doesn’t run into the keyhole.

16. Save your morning shower for after your ride. If your office does not offer showers, find a gym neaby your workplace so that you can rinse and towel off when you get near work. This rearrangement of your schedule will allow you to arrive refreshed and dry to work.

17. Bring a change of clothes. Either keep dry clothes in a plastic covering that you take with you to work, or leave a change of clothes in your desk.

18. Bring a plastic bag or shower cap to put over our bike seat if you park your bike outside. This will keep your seat dry until you’re ready to bike home.

19. Dress for the drizzle. If there’s one place that knows about biking in the rain, it’s the University of Washington in Seattle. The weather-savvy folks at this university have compiled their own list of wet weather clothing for cyclists:

• A cycling rain shell. This is different from a rain "jacket" or a rain "coat." Generally it will not have a hood, and it will have underarm and side ventilation (zipper or mesh). The advantage is that you can put what ever cold weather insulation you need on underneath of it, using your hoodie or favorite sweater for warmth. Beware of cheap imitations! You want something made out of plastic, or heavily coated nylon. Get it a little big, so that you can wear layers underneath. The underarm ventilation works to keep it from turning into a little greenhouse as you ride.

• Foot covers and wool socks. Nothing is quite as annoying as spending the rest of the day with wet feet. Not all of us have a locker or an office to keep a change in, so spend the extra few dollars on some Merino wool socks by SmartWool or Sock Guy. Wool will stay warm, even if wet. Combine wool socks with some kind of neoprene or other water resistant booties that go over your shoes, and you could have toasty warm toes all day! Booties also extend the life of your expensive bike shoes.

• Legs. Rain pants are a great option, but expensive and should be tried on before buying. Second Ascent (used!) in Ballard and REI are good places to go. Some folks swear by using mountaineering gators just on their calves, others prefer full leg rain pants and others think that having wool or polyester pants over Patagonia long underwear or cycling tights is the way to go. It kind of depends on your own sense of style.

• Visor and helmet cover or a cycling cap. It is important to keep something under/over your helmet to keep your head warm, and equally important to have a visor (especially if you wear glasses). Cycling caps are a cheap way to take care of that, but they are cotton and don’t dry well. Helmet covers are a good option, but tend to wear around where your helmet sticks out. It’s a personal decision, but it’s important to have something keeping your body heat in and the rain out.

• Gloves! Preferrably padded, and full finger or half finger with regular knit gloves underneath. They are very important to help keep your grip when it’s slippery.

20. Most winters only have a small number of truly pouring wet days. On these days, you can follow these tips to stay as dry as possible, but there’s no harm in jumping on the bus or the subway either.

Additional references and resources:

Riders on the Storm (bicycling video) | San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Biking in the Rain Tips | The University of Washington

Cycling in the Rain | Suite 101

The Ultimate Resource Guide for Commuting by Bicycle | 21st Century Citizen

Better Living Through Biking | GO

How to Ride Your Bike to Work | GO 

Lighter Footstep: How to Buy a Great Used Bicycle | GO

Environmental Defense: Bicycling to Work Pays Off | GO

Photo Source:

A Bicycle in the Rain | Flickr

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/

This recipe is an inexpensive, seasonal treat that’s almost too good to be true. From “Wildman” Steve Brill’s Wild Vegetarian Cookbook, we get a sumptuous, healthy, seasonal, local, organic dessert that also encourages the removal of an invasive species. For the green gourmand, could life get any better?

Late summer brings many treats, but my favorite is ripe wild blackberries. Blackberries are an abundant and delicious “wild” food in many parts of the world. There are many varieties within this large family, from the Japanese wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) to the Arctic raspberry (Rubus arcticus). Take advantage of the season while you can and sample some of nature’s offerings by picking these tasty berries wherever you find them. The next time you walk through a woody area or park, take a look around and see if you can spot the woody, thorned vines and generally white, rose-like flowers characteristic of blackberry plants.

The recipe, which serves 6 to 8, calls for a number of other ingredients that you can find growing locally, either wild or cultivated: apples for apple juice, oranges for orange rind, salt from the sea, and berries from the common spicebush. Depending on how many ingredients you can find around you and where they come from, your blackberry cobbler can be both inexpensive and organic.

Before we start, rest easy knowing that for this recipe there is an excellent backup plan. If you’ve gathered a basketful of berries only to realize that baking is not really your forte, sit back, relax, and enjoy a bowl of fresh, raw, local blackberries!

Now, on with the show. You’ll want:

• 5 cups wild blackberries
• 2 tablespoons tapioca pearls, ground into powder
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon apple juice
• 1 teaspoon dried orange rind or 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 teaspoon dried mint, finely crumbled
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom seeds
• 1 1/2 cups sweet brown rice flour or 7 ounces any whole grain flour
• 2 tablespoons apricot kernel oil, walnut oil, almond oil, or corn oil
• 1/4 cup corn oil
• 1 1/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling
• 1/4 teaspoon common spicebush berries, finely chopped, or ground allspice [if available, freshly ground from berries]
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons soy milk, almond milk, or unsweetened fruit juice, or as needed.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix the blackberries, ground tapioca, 1/2 cup of the apple juice, the orange juice, the orange rind, mint, and cardamom together in a large bowl. Transfer the mixture to a 14 x 9 x 2-inch oiled baking dish.

3. Sprinkle the fruit mixture with 3 tablespoons of the flour and dot with the apricot kernel oil.

4. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the remaining flour, the cream of tartat, baking soda, cinnamon, spice-bush berries, nutmeg, and salt. Mix in the corn oil, and then stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon apple juice and enough soy milk to make a dough that’s neither sticky nor crumbly.

5. Using a rolling pin [or, in a pinch, a wine bottle] covered with a floured sleeve and working on a floured pastry sheet, roll the dough out 1/4 inch thick in the shape of your baking dish. Transfer the rolled out pastry onto the berry layer, cut slits for steam to escape, and sprinkle on more cinnamon for color, if desired. Bake the cobbler until bubbly, about 40 minutes. Serve hot or cold.

In all instances I know of, blackberries and raspberries are such hardy plants that you can eat your fill from a plant, and still there will be more to pick for tomorrow’s cobbler or pie. In North America, blackberries have done so well by cultivation and cross-pollination with non-native strains that in many places certain varieties are now considered a “weed” that out compete other, native plants. Preparing this scrumptious cobbler is therefore also a good way to make some a small but rewarding impact in protecting native plant populations.

For a wild vegan blackberry cobbler that also combats climate change, try cooking your cobbler during the day in a solar oven, then serving it in the evening for a truly green gourmet treat! This may require a longer cook time, but it turns your cooking into a fun, green adventure.

Bon apétit!

References and Resources:

Learn more about wild foods with “Wildman” Steve Brill.

Buy Wild Vegetarian Cookbook.

This recipe was reproduced with permission from The Harvard Common Press.

Identifying blackberry bushes:

Photo Sources:

Wild Blackberry Cobbler: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38229873@N00/940551013/

Blackberries: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44987917@N00/1223686687/

Himilayan Blackberries: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maximillian_millipede/370352385/

Blossoming Blackberry Bushes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035720546@N01/743028652/

Anyone who has ever tried to be a good roommate also has an idea of what it means to be an environmentally responsible citizen. Just mentally replace the rooms with ecosystems and the roommates with other animals (for some of us, this isn’t much of a stretch!). There are the inevitable struggles over shared areas, the vying for food in the fridge, and the ever-present question of cleanliness. What do we do with all that junk?

Roadways, beaches, and rivers are some of the areas where trash collects. You can be an environmentally responsible citizen and directly improve your community and city by spending some time cleaning up. Take advantage of outdoor walks to pick up some litter, or gather some friends and make it a housecleaning party. When you’re done, you’ll enjoy a wonderful sense of accomplishment and the refreshing feeling of sharing a clean and healthy living space.

Perhaps the easiest way to get involved starts with going for a walk outdoors. But this is a walk you’ll look back on proudly no matter what distance you cover. Before you leave home, bring along some latex gloves, or—to avoid disposables—you can use your household rubber cleaning gloves. Another thing you’ll need is a bag or container. If you like to avoid buying plastics, no sweat: you can buy bioplastic bags at most grocery stores, or just bring along any sort of container, bucket, or basket to do the job. We toss so many plastic bags that you’ll probably even find bags along your way that you can use to remove trash from an area.

Now it’s time to get down and dirty! If you walk often, you have probably noticed strips of road, beach, or stream that look less than glamorous draped in old shoes and Styrofoam. By setting out to clean these areas, you will improve the area where you live and maybe even inspire passers-by to join you or do the same. Having participated in such random acts of environmental kindness as this, I would say that one of the best parts of heading out on a clean-up is when a passer-by stops to ask what you are doing and is encouraged that people care that much about their community. By recycling as much of what you find as possible, you will make your day all the more fruitful.

Interested in the idea, but want to take action with a group of other people? Gather a friend or two and head out together. Or float the idea past your coworkers to see if anyone’s interested. Company volunteer days are also perfect ways to create good press for the company while enriching the community where the business is located.

If you live near a shoreline, this is the perfect time to plan for next month’s International Coastal Cleanup Day, September 15th. To check out what’s going on in your area on this day, just Google or Goodsearch "coastal cleanup [your state]". In California, Delaware, and a number of other states, you can find and join groups that are planning coastal cleanup days. If you have a group of your own, you can make your mark felt by registering in the number of people who plan to take action on Coastal Cleanup Day with the Ocean Conservancy.

For educators, a day cleaning a beach, river, or stream also serves as an excellent learning opportunity. Lesson plans might include studies of the ecosystem’s water quality or plant and animal life, research on the global economy by learning where the products come from that are found during the cleanup, and journalism or writing improvement in which students record their day’s experiences. The California Coastal Commission offers a sampling of these resources at its website.

References and Resources:

The Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup: http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_icc

The California Coastal Commission: http://www.coastal.ca.gov/

State of Delaware Coastal Cleanup Site: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Info/CoastalCleanup.htm

Earth911’s Beach Water Quality Site: http://www.earth911.org/waterquality/index.asp?cluster=0

Photo Sources:

Top: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8182719@N06/500740510/

Below: http://www.flickr.com/photos/staci/242621372/

If you steer clear of Styrofoam, crave non-disposable cutlery, and believe that beer in plastic cups is a discredit to your pursuit of fizzy-cool hoppiness, never fear. Become a garbage-free gourmand, and even improve your city with a daily dose of activism.

Why avoid disposables? Try getting an Italian to enjoy his espresso from the ridged lip of a Styrofoam cup and he’ll tell you all about the importance of real cups and dishes for enjoying the experience of food and drink. And then, of course, there’s the environmental impact. Take the plastic spoon: sure, no one adores washing dishes, but is it really harder to wash a spoon than it is to locate and drill oil reservoirs, refine crude oil, extract the chemical feedstock used to make plastic, and mould plastic into thousands of tiny, single-use utensils that are then shipped to a landfill where they must then be managed for hundreds of years while they sit without decomposing?

Now there’s trash (like biodegradable paper food trays) and then there’s Trash (with a capital T, like plastic or Styrofoam containers). Opting for the better of the two is a good start.

Ditching the Capital T

Try wrapping your veggie-dog in a napkin or getting your Chinese delivery from restaurants that offer those handy little paper boxes instead of polystyrene (or Styrofoam) containers. Where there’s a will there’s a way and finding alternative containers is a fun way to express your eco-creativity. But that’s just the start.

Do one better by using your own containers for take-out or leftovers from your favorite restaurant. It’s like the restaurant equivalent of cloth shopping bags to the grocery store. Our local Mexican restaurant has come to know and love us for getting burritos to go in bread-baking tin. They get a giggle and we get great food without the waste. It’s a win-win situation, and the bread tin also makes a great conversation piece at the restaurant. Make sure to be friendly when you ask to use your own container; activism with a smile is always the most effective.

Want to go all the way in eliminating that capital T? Here’s the good news: increasingly, a number of large cities are passing legislation that bans the use of Styrofoam containers in restaurants. Many other cities are considering similar action. Legislation like this is important because Styrofoam is not recyclable in most places and does not quickly decompose so sits in landfills. The more Styrofoam we prevent, the fewer open spaces will need to be converted to landfills to hold this Trash (with a capital T). And not all of trash ends up at the dump: quite a lot finds its way into ocean ecosystems as well. Here’s a visual. Chemicals in styrene products are also harmful to human health because they attack the central nervous system.

You can encourage your city to pass a similar ban on Styrofoam by contacting your city council. Also, talk to restaurants and stores that use plastic cutlery or bags about biodegradable plastics. If you already live in one of those forward-thinking cities with a ban on Styrofoam, you can help restaurants by letting them know how much you appreciate them following this eco-friendly policy. Supporting restaurants and companies that are doing things right flexes your power as a consumer to make a difference. You can also help the city by letting them know if you come across a restaurant using Styrofoam.

How is everyday activism effective?

Some of the most heroic deeds of activism come in the most commonplace shapes and sizes. Confronting the way we do things each day makes such a big difference because the changes we make are multiplied over time: just two fewer disposable items used each day turns into over 50,000 items during a lifetime. When we regularly make decisions that take into consideration the wellbeing of the environment and other people (such as walking or bicycling to the store or supporting local or Fair Trade farmers), our friends and family take notice. Leading by example is a sure way to inspire those around us to take action as well.

And congratulate yourself on the changes you make, no matter how small. When it comes to doing what’s right, there is no effort too small.

Photo Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7527513@N04/545957211/

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/

Community activism—getting involved in your community to make positive change—is both thrilling and rewarding. But fighting against the current to do it can be hard work. To be effective at making change in your community, it’s a good idea to first learn what the community itself sees as its major issues. By learning about and responding to your community’s needs, you can generate popular support for your actions and more easily find financing for your goals and projects. 

What is most needed in your area may not be exactly what you had envisioned doing. For instance, you may want to protect snow leopards and there are certainly many ways to do so; however, you may have an even greater opportunity to help large cat species by working in your community to resolve conflict between local residents and mountain lions or to prevent game hunting of these magnificent animals. By learning about and addressing the real needs of your community or ecosystem you are guaranteed to make a real and positive impact.

And remember to approach the issue with respect for the needs and concerns of the people involved. In the above example, you may find that conflict between cougars and people arises because of fear of these powerful animals. On the West Coast, the same conflict is present between people and sea lions, especially when these large predators visit local beaches and frighten families or eat fish caught by local fishermen. In these cases, effective activism may involve education, animal rehabilitation, or working in hand with the farmers or fishermen to offset or prevent their loss of profit while protecting the species they view as a threat.

If your interest is improving the environment, it helps to learn about the native ecology of your area. Think about how the environment where you live has changed in the last 200 years. Maybe the land was converted to a city or turned into farmland. What strains does this place on the local ecosystem? For example, if you live in the Great Plains States or the Prairie Provinces, perhaps you see farmlands that use more water than the natural aquifers can support. This is a major concern to farmers and environmentalists alike. Then why not get involved by encouraging more efficient drip irrigation on farms, promoting less thirsty native plants in the front yards of nearby urban areas, and educating others about the importance of water conservation?

One famous example of someone who learned to address change by meeting the needs of local communities is Jane Goodall, who set out with an interest in chimpanzees and a desire to protect their declining populations. Along the way, she learned about some of the important issues for villagers in the local communities that depend on the same land and resources as the chimpanzee populations. She realized that to be successful in her conservation efforts, she would have to also address the needs of the community. Today, the Jane Goodall Institute (and other organizations, like the Wildlife Conservation Society) are helping local Tanzanian communities to meet their needs and solve their most pressing issues in ways that don’t harm chimpanzee populations.

Even far-reaching goals like the protection of an entire species must start by addressing the needs of the communities where they are to be implemented. This creates a situation where everyone wins.
What if your interests are different from the community’s needs? Rather than abandoning your interests, be creative. Try drawing a Venn diagram where one circle lists actions that will respond to your community’s needs and another lists solutions to an issue about which you have an interest. The overlapping area of the diagram will give you creative ways to approach the needs of the community while pursuing your interests.

Even issues that at first seem distant can often be approached from the same angle. For instance, if you care about global warming, but your community is more concerned with the rising cost of health care, it might be most effective to approach the issue of health care first and find out from that perspective how you can include solutions to global warming as well. In this case, it may be that you end up working with the American Lung Association to prevent childhood asthma by decreasing air pollution and greenhouse gases. Or, you may contribute to public education about human influences on the climate with the support of insurance companies that have begun to raise their fees in areas that are most vulnerable to health and property damage due to climate change. In any case, you will succeed at generating support and accomplishing your goals best by working for and not against others in the community.

But wait, there’s more! So that you can have the funds to make your community activism dreams a reality, The Case Foundation is offering the Make It Your Own Awards for "inspired individuals and passionate teams who are connecting people to discuss what matters, find smart solutions, and take action.” They are offering an impressive $35,000 grant to fund deserving community activism programs. But you don’t have to come in first to win their support. All in all, the Case foundation is “giving $100 to the top 100, $10,000 to the top 20, and an extra $25,000 to the final four.” If you enjoy community activism and want to do more, then don’t miss your chance to apply by August 8.

Additional References and Resources:
The Center for Ecoliteracy: www.ecoliteracy.org

Local Ecology of San Francisco, "Nature in the City:" http://natureinthecity.org

Rock the Vote in partnership with the Make It Your Own Awards: www.rockthevote.com/makeityourown
T

he Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots Program, engaged in positive community activism: www.rootsandshoots.org
Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/benevolink/82714178/