Organic farming in my hometown
Organic Farming

Betts said other than the health benefits of organically grown food, the fruits and vegetables produced with organic methods are simply better tasting.

"The intensity of the flavor will jump out at you," she said.


Some benefits of

'organic' gardening

Improves condition and structure of soil.

Improves ability of soil to hold water.

Improves ability of soil to hold nutrients.

Improves "buffering" capacity of soil, that is, keeps soil from "over-reacting."

Supports the soil's microbiological activity (or life of the soil).

Contributes nutrients, both minor and major.

Releases nutrients slowly.

Acids arising from the decomposition of the organic matter help to convert insoluble natural additives such as ground rock into plant-usable forms.

Helps dispose of organic waste products.


Source: The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.


Why farm

organically?

Environmental stewardship of natural resources.

Avoid exposure or use or chemicals.

Sustain farming for future.

Earn more money.

Health of self and family.

Lower input costs.

Consumer demand and marketability.

Family tradition.

Helping the health of others.

Self-sufficiency.

Diversification.

People contact.

Source: OSU Extension, agriculture, Washington County.

- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 9:30 AM

 
Good news!?!
Some good news for a change. Though check out the numbers on the economic losses.

The world seems to have begun to turn greener, in the strictly literal sense, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep).

Satellite data show plant growth has been measurably more vigorous over the last 25 years.

... but access to water remains a big problem worldwide.

Advances in farming and successful conservation programmes around the world may have contributed to the greening trend, according to the organisation.

Unep says areas in tropical zones and in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere accounted for 80% of the increased growth.

Nearly 40% came from the Amazon rainforests, probably because of a decline in cloud cover and the resulting increase in solar energy reaching the surface.

- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 4:34 PM

 
Environment stunts young brains
The WHO says
prevention is the way forward. The brains of children in many parts of Europe
are suffering greater damage from environmental risks than previously
recognised, scientists say.

- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 3:09 PM

 
STUDIES SHOW THAT THE POPULAR WATER BOTTLE MAY POSE SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS
By Brenna Doheny, Daily Barometer (OR), Feb. 18, 2004

Studies show that the popular Nalgene water bottles may pose serious
health risks, breaking down and contaminating their contents. The
bottles are made of Lexan polycarbonate resin, the same material used
in bulletproof windows, compact discs and DVDs. From outdoor
enthusiasts, to athletes, to students at OSU, the hydration method of
choice is a colorful Nalgene water bottle.

While these durable, lightweight and undeniably trendy bottles seem
like the perfect choice for the health-conscious consumer, scientific
evidence indicates that the very plastic which makes the bottles so
ideal may pose serious health hazards.

The durability and beauty of the Nalgene bottle comes from the
material it is made of, Lexan polycarbonate resin. This plastic
polymer was developed by General Electric Plastics in 1953, when,
according to GE's Web site, (www.gelexan.com) Dr. Daniel W. Fox was
developing a polymer for wire insulation material.

Fox accidentally created a polymer that was unbreakable when it
hardened in a beaker, and patented this revolutionary material. Lexan
has been used over the years in a vast array of products, including
space helmet visors, bulletproof windows, compact discs and DVDs,
mobile phones, computers, baby bottles and, of course, water bottles.

The Lexan bottles are marketed by a division of the Nalgene company
known as Nalgene Outdoor Products. Nalgene was founded in 1949, and
the company soon cornered the market on plastic laboratory equipment.
The outdoor products division was created in the 1970's after the
underground use of Nalgene products by outdoor enthusiasts was made
public.

Lexan was an ideal material for the water bottles both for its
durability and because the material neither holds odors or flavors nor
imparts any taste to fluids stored in it.

Nalgene has marketed its original gray Lexan water bottles for many
years, but sales increased dramatically in 2002 when a color
assortment made possible by GE's VISUALfx Lexan finishes was launched.

The April 2003 volume of "Current Biology" published a study that
cast suspicion on all polycarbonate plastics, including Lexan.

The principle author, Dr. Patricia Hunt of Case Western Reserve
University in Cleveland, Ohio, has spent many years researching
developmental abnormalities leading to miscarriage and birth defects
in mice.

In 1998, her lab documented a sudden, inexplicable increase in a
defect known as aneuploidy, which is an abnormal loss or gain of
chromosomes. In humans, aneuploidy usually leads to miscarriage, or to
disorders like Down Syndrome, which occurs when an embryo ends up with
three copies of chromosome 21, instead of the normal two copies.

In Hunt's lab, the spontaneous increase in mouse aneuploidy was
eventually traced to a lab worker using a harsh detergent to clean the
polycarbonate mice cages and water bottles.

The detergent caused the plastic to leach one of its constituent
chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA), which has been shown in other studies to
mimic the female hormone estrogen. The researchers duplicated the
detergent accident, with the same end results.

They then conducted another experiment in which female mice were
given a daily dose of pure BPA, again with the same end result, and
they concluded that low doses of BPA had significant effects.

The polycarbonate industry has criticized the Hunt study, saying that
data from experiments on mice may not be transferable to humans. The
industry has also conducted its own studies with rats, modeled on the
Hunt study, which did not find the same results.

In a November/December 2003 article for Sierra Magazine, Hunt
countered that the industry studies did not look at the effects of BPA
on eggs and embryos.

"The [plastics] industry says this is just rodent studies," she said,
"but we know that the human egg is more fragile than the mouse egg. If
we wait for really hard evidence in humans, it will be too late."

A University of Missouri study in the July 2003 issue of
Environmental Health Perspectives further confirmed the Hunt study's
conclusions.

In addition to determining that used, or discolored, polycarbonate
plastics leach high amounts of BPA at room temperature, this study
found that detectable levels of BPA leach from brand-new polycarbonate
plastics at room temperature.

In other studies, BPA has been implicated in more than just
chromosomal disorders, and it is just one of many chemicals known to
be environmental endocrine disruptors - synthetic chemicals that
interfere with hormonal messages that are central to important body
processes like growth and development.

According to the Web site for the 1996 book "Our Stolen Future,"
which introduced the field of endocrine disruption to the public, BPA
at levels "far beneath the levels currently deemed safe by regulatory
authorities" has been shown to have adverse effects on prostate
development and tumors, breast tissue development, and sperm count.

A 2002 study even linked low levels of BPA to the creation and
enlargement of fat cells in the body, suggesting that exposure to BPA
may be a cause of obesity.

The Nalgene Outdoor Products web site now features a response to
concerns about BPA leaching, stating with confidence that their
product is safe. "Polycarbonate like that used in Nalgene bottles has
been studied, tested and safely used for more than 40 years in
products for human consumption," the site states.

Scientists studying endocrine disruption, however, suggest limiting
potential exposure to BPA as much as possible. In a presentation last
month in Eugene sponsored by the Oregon Environmental Council, "Our
Stolen Future" co-author Dr. John P. Meyers addressed the issue.

"I personally recommend avoiding polycarbonate plastics - don't let
them come into contact with your food or water," Meyers said. "I think
the science is strong enough to justify precautionary measures today."

He added that despite industry assurances to the safety of
polycarbonate, baby bottles made from the material have "quietly
disappeared from the market."

Many studies have shown that the effects of endocrine disrupting
chemicals are most devastating during early development, so babies are
highly at risk.

Polycarbonate plastics are still used in a variety of products,
including plastic resins lining some food storage cans, dental
sealants, and the Nalgene Lexan bottles.

Polycarbonate products can be identified by the symbol "#7 PC" on
their recycling logos.

According to the Sierra Magazine article, plastics that are safer to
use for storing food and beverages include polypropylene, designated
"#5 PP," high-density polyethylene, designated "#2 HDPE" and low-
density polyethylene designated "#4 LDPE," none of which are known to
leach harmful substances.

Nalgene makes a HDPE bottle identical in size and shape to the more
popular Lexan model.

Single-use water bottles (the type bottled water is sold in) made
from polyethylene terephthalate, "#1 PET" or "PETE" are not
recommended for repeat use, as a study found they may leach a
carcinogenic substance known as DEHA.

The Sierra Magazine article suggests other hydration options,
including using only very mild detergents and warm water to wash
polycarbonate bottles, and discarding them as soon as they show signs
of discoloring; or avoiding plastics altogether in favor of glass or
lightweight stainless steel containers.

For more information, visit http://www.ourstolenfuture.org and the
Nalgene Outdoor Products and http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com.



- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 12:07 PM

 
Climate change task force launches
Climate change task force

A taskforce made up of leading international think tanks was launching on Monday to tackle climate change.

Former Cabinet minister Stephen Byers will chair the group's opening meeting in Windsor, Berkshire.

Mr Byers will warn that climate change is the "overriding environmental challenge" of our age.

The taskforce - which includes the UK Institute for Public Policy Research - will make recommendations to world governments in 2005.

A statement released before the inaugural conference said the participants were taking "a responsibility to future generations to hand to them a planet that is habitable and rich in life."

Mr Byers is expected to say: "Climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities threatens that objective".

Pending danger

Climate change could drive a million of the world's species to extinction as soon as 2050, according to a study published in January.

The study - published in the journal Nature - suggested a quarter of animals and plants living on land in six world regions could be forced into oblivion.

Only cutting greenhouse gases and storing the main one, carbon dioxide, could save many species from vanishing, it warned.

- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 9:59 PM

 
Biodiesel Blog
Check out Eric's latest creation: The Biodiesel Blog where he'll be tracking news and information about biodiesel & other alternative fueling methods.
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 1:32 PM

 
The only all natural yoga mat
Yokemat

A friend of mine from Duke has developed an all natural yoga mat.

Complete Circle Vision:

We are committed to providing conscientious, quality, innovative goods that facilitate impact awareness -- to your self and surroundings.

Our deep concern for the pressing global situation and future generations of this planet has propelled us to make available goods that provide a space for one to make her/his own personal transformations. Our first family of products is high performance yoga sticky mats called the Yoke Mat that present the first complete natural package for contemporary styles and levels of practice.

Gandhi writes of his life as an "experiment with Truth." Our intent is to explore a company's path of providing material objects that others find useful in experimenting with their own. A potent method of actualization is through our choices in what we buy and the companies we support. With conscious & volitional action we can collectively amplify and manifest our individual intent for a harmonious existence.

We are honored to provide you the means of practicing yoga naturally.

- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 9:27 PM

 
Ecobeetle
Ecobeetle has linked to Envirotech.

We believe that all humans, including future generations, deserve clean air, clean water, and a clean Earth in which to prosper.  Ecobeetle's mission is to provide a clearing house for the best information and opinions that improve our quality of life.

- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 9:21 PM

 
Green purchasing
Looks like the ads on the right have finally caught up to be more related to my
content.

Check out this link on green purchasing.

Green
Purchasing.

Green purchasing, also known as Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP),
means buying products that have a reduced environmental impact while
maintaining the same quality and performance. The following tools and resources
can help you establish green purchasing programs at your facility.
Environmentally friendly products have some of the following attributes

Mercury free
Non-toxic (or less toxic)
Minimal Disposal Impacts: Recyclable Product and Packaging, no hazardous
material disposal
Recycled content (post-consumer)
Minimal packaging
Energy Efficient
Can be reprocessed or reused
More durable
Safer for patients, workers, and the environment



- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 12:28 PM

 
Computers must become "greener"
Greener computers

Worldwide efforts are needed to reduce the environmental damage caused
by computer equipment, according to a United Nations research group.

A study says making the average PC requires 10 times the weight of the
product in chemicals and fossil fuels.

Many of the chemicals are toxic, while the use of fossil fuels help
contribute to global warming.
And the short lifetime of today's IT equipment leads to mountains of
waste, the UN University report says.

That waste is then dumped in landfill sites or recycled, often in
poorly managed facilities in developing countries, leading to
significant health risks. The authors say that both manufacturers and
computer users across the world should be given greater incentives to
upgrade or re-use computer hardware instead of discarding it.
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 9:42 PM

 
Paint stripper
Paint stripper

Our product is a new generation of paint remover that works and is earth friendly, non toxic, biodegradable, and ecologically safe. Our formulation contains no Methylene Chloride, no Formic Acid, nor Carbonic Acid, and is an excellent natural and green alternative. The ingredients used in this formulation comply with the U.S. EPA rules on emissions.

EFS-2500 is especially formulated for the Aerospace, Aviation, Marine, Automotive, Military, and Building Restoration industries. Some industry uses include aircraft and helicopter paint stripping, military vehicles, trains, boats, graffiti, buildings, dip tanks, and others.

- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 10:31 AM

 
Hybrids revisited
Hybrid saves money and time.

You usually don't get what the sticker promises, but I am averaging just over 40 combined city/highway driving. Here's my rough calculation based on driving 15,000 miles per year and pay $1.50 per gallon.

For every 10 mile increase in miles-per-gallon, you save:
$250 per year in gas
Approx. 12 fill-up's per year (saving time/hassle)

How much money could you save? Compare the mpg of your car vs. these 2003 hybrids (even if they get slightly less than these numbers):

Honda Insight:
City 61
Highway 68

Toyota Prius:
City 60
Highway 51

Honda Civic Hybrid :
City 48
Highway 51

Now that I'm on this bent to squeeze every extra mile out of a gallon, I drive slower, maintain a constant speed, and avoid abrupt stops (unlike those idiots who speed up to a red light). Hybrid and non-hybrid drivers have seen as much as a 10 mpg boost by keeping an "even foot."

- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:53 AM

 
Hybrid again
Hybrids

Hybrids, those fuel-sipping cars that use both gasoline and batteries but never require recharging, seem to make a world of sense as gasoline prices blow past $2 a gallon. They pollute less, they consume less, and they make you feel good. But do they make sense if you’re simply trying to save money? Not yet.

Hybrids are an expensive way to save gasoline. If you spend more on a hybrid car than you'd have spent otherwise, you're unlikely to ever get your money back -- even if you got rid of a gigantic, fuel-sucking SUV. Right now, a cheap compact is a better buy than an expensive hybrid. A couple of things could help tilt the balance for you:

The IRS has decided that hybrid vehicles qualify for a one-time "Clean Fuels" tax deduction of up to $1,500. If you’re paying the top 38.6% rate, that’s $579 off your bill. This deduction was $2,000 in 2003, but Congress wasn't able to agree on a bill that extended the larger amount. (They did find a way to let owners of 10-mpg SUVs write off as much as $35,000 of the cost of their vehicles, though.)

A number of new hybrids -- sedans, SUVs, even trucks -- are on the way. At least one of the new models is no more costly than its similarly sized, gasoline-powered kin.

- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:51 AM

 
Freedom Cars - Update
Update:

Clean
Machines

Will “FREEDOM CAR” be zipping along America’s highways in significant numbers
in the next 10 years or so? That’s a goal of the Bush administration. What
President George W. Bush has dubbed Freedom Cars are fuel-cell vehicles powered
by hydrogen—a clean, renewable resource—whose only emission is dribbles of
water. In his State of the Union address last January, Bush announced plans to
commit $1.7 billion over five years toward fuel-cell car research.



- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 4:12 PM

 
Green Vehicles
Green
Vehicles

Maybe you've been driving down the road, minding your own business, when all of
a sudden the car next to you catches your eye. It looks almost like a normal
car, but there's something not quite normal about it. Its sleek, and rather
futuristic. You think to yourself, "Hey, that must be one of those new vehicles
they've come out with...a hybrid or something...



- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 4:08 PM

 
Hybrid
Hybrid car right for you?

Hybrid cars, which combine a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor, are good for the earth because they use less gas and produce less pollution. But is a hybrid car right for you? Just answer the following questions and we'll give you our advice.
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:50 AM

 
USA today article on the tax break

Automakers are eager to help. At this year's annual car show in Detroit, they unveiled snazzy new versions of energy-efficient vehicles. Their message: You don't have to sacrifice size and sex appeal to save on gas.

You can also save on taxes. But the federal tax break for so-called hybrid vehicles is getting smaller, and will disappear after 2006 unless Congress extends it.
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:45 AM

 
Via email
Hydrogen fuel-cell
cars will still not be the greenest option for drivers - even after two decades
of well-funded development, says a report.

The research, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US, says
that diesel and petrol hybrid vehicles will still be the best option at this
point, despite the prospect of "aggressive research" on hydrogen fuel.

The report undermines the prospects of early success for President George W
Bush's recently announced $1.2bn drive to develop commercially viable fuel
cell "freedom cars" by 2020.




- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:31 AM

 
Tax incentives for clean vehicles - act quick!
Fueleconomy.gov

Qualifying electric vehicles and clean-fuel vehicles (including gasoline/electric hybrids) purchased new are eligible for federal income tax incentives.

Clean-fuel vehicles: One-time tax deduction up to $2,000
Electric vehicles: One-time tax credit up to $4,000 per vehicle
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:39 AM