The depths of industrialized animal agriculture

For those of us who have studied sustainability extensively, or sometimes even briefly if we are lucky to have found the proper resources.  We learn of the atrocities in the industrial animal agricultural world.  Which unfortunately happens to be our world, but the devastations of which, are often hidden from view for the ordinary citizen.

A new documentary seeks to expose some of these details, and it would be interesting to find out exactly what they have learned.  So far I've come across one really in depth article about agriculture and the environment (http://treeoflifecenterus.com/blog-posts-by-gabriel-cousens-m-d-perspectives-on-global-warming-2/),  actually and this one (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es702969f)

The second one is quite a good source of information as it really puts it into clear perspective that eating only plant based foods (even foods from abroad) treads much lighter on the environment than eating animal products locally -- which I know at least one person who left veganism for this reason alone,  hecause he thought it was better for the environment to eat milk, eggs and meat locally than to eat fruits from abroad! Which is completely not the case, and it's so important for that message to get out.


 I mean other sources are rather touch and go, but it is quite a huge dilemma in our world.

To support the documentary check out their indiegogo site:
http://cowspiracy.com/ a link will show up above the trailor.

I definitely feel like they could have come up with a better name, maybe it's fine.. but it just makes it a little harder to recommend with a serious face or tone.. which actually the content of the film is very serious and very important! So not sure the name totally matches but oh well.. at least people can't forget the name!

Greening your Company

How can a company become Greener?

1. Donate your profits.  Yes, this is huge.

Not only is it amazing for the world, but it is also great for marketing.
Donating 10% is a good start, but the more the better.
Who to donate to:  There are so many places to give money, but if you want to go green you have to
focus on donating money to NGOs who are working on saving endangered animals (like African Wildlife Foundation), indigenous people and their lands (like Amazon Watch), protecting wild lands (like Nature Conservancy), preventing bad political policies (like Food and Water Watch).
Please do avoid: cancer research studies (blackhole), there are many agencies that typically tend to be the go-to agencies for many people who feel like giving back.  The point of going green is donating to what actually promotes the oxygen we breathe, what promotes physically our sustenance on planet earth, which are all of the ecosystems.  It's not a bad thing to give to agencies that have humans as their focus on their agenda, but unfortunately we have this really unbalanced view of the planet where humans are center to everything -- kind of like how we used to think that the sun circled around the earth, because the earth was the 'center' of the universe.  Currently our perception is that 'humans' are the center of life.  But actually that thinking is exactly what will cause the end of our civilization if we don't adjust it accordingly.  Life is the center of life, and humans are a mere strand in this beautiful web of connections on planet earth.

2. Track down where all of your inputs come from:

Sustainable systems create happy people on all levels of that system, they don't pollute, they work with nature not against, they promote animal welfare, and wildlife.  Of course since our economic system has drived us pretty far away from models that are totally interconnected with these values -- our goal is to get them back as much as we can.  Or if we truly dedicated, we start from scratch and recreate success in a sustainable way.

Ask yourself these questions while contemplating on them deeply:

1-People-- where do your employees live, what are their work conditions-- this may go pretty far down the chain, what are they paid, are they happy? why are they interested in your company?
2-Money -- who are your consumers? Why do they buy your product? Does it serve their integrity?
3-Resources
    a-- Paper-- Where does it come from?  Who works where and for how long in order for that product                         to end up at your company?  Is it logged unsustainably?
    c-- Computers
   d --- Furniture
   e--- Machinery/Equipment
where does all of it come from, what are the working conditions of the people who work in the mines for the computers made, or the truck drivers who haul it, or the engineers who put them together, are they local, how many continents did those items have to travel to come to your business?
How can you give back? In what way can the lives of those at the 'bottom' of the chain be benefited the most.  Mine tailings cause huge environmental damage and can destroy the health of soils and bodies of water in the vicinity.  Tailings create acid run off that kill off wildlife and cause other types of destruction.  Is it possible to fund engineers to re-create equipment or materials using more plant based materials?  Is it possible to fund locals in the community to come together with the help of an expert to clean up their waters and restore their lands -- perhaps they could even plant bamboo for a new source of sustainable paper for your company!  Think big, clear your mind, let ideas flow into you. The greener you become, the more honored people will be to work for you and the more honored your customer base will be to support your work.

4. What are your outputs?
   a. Is the product healthy? Do they have animal products, or harmful ingredients--pesticides,                        preservatives?
       Supporting animal products is very taxing on the environment.  Cattle ranches in S America is          perhaps the biggest threat to the Amazon.  It takes far more calories to support animal operations            than it would to just support people with those same calories.  Also the way we raise animals today        'economically' is very taxing on the environment.  The amount of waste and excrement that comes          from these operations is hardly manageable. Even if it were to be shipped to be treated or recycled,        it's very expensive (to ship because of the weight), and often the main way to recycle the nutrients          is on agricultural land, while this may be a better option than synthetic nutrients, it doesn't address          the fact that large amounts of excrement isn't really that beneficial to the soil, it contains a lot of              salts, and phosphorus which can bind up other important elements in the soil.  A lot of the nitrogen        will eventually find it's way back into the land through water ways, which causes algal blooms and        kills fish by depleting the oxygen.  Animal products also are linked with many health problems in          people especially in industrialized countries where 'nutrients' are in excess and overload.  But I              won't get into that further.  Basically animal products are not green.
   b. Does the product support families and communities?
   c.  Is the product resource efficient? Is it used with minimal resources?  Once it the product is bought,         does it use a lot of energy?  Does it produce it's own energy (perhaps solar or human powered) ?
   d. Is the product affordable?
   e. Does the price account for environmental costs?
   F.  Is it beautiful?  Will it be useful for years to come?  Is it practical?  Does it have a variety of uses?

That's all for now
Enjoy

:)

   

Amazing upcycling company

http://www.terracycle.com/en-US/

Check this out, this is incredible.  They collect all sorts of otherwise waste material and turn it into everyday household, garden, or other personal items.

For every 1 item you send them, they give you 1 cent to donate to the charity of your choice!  They have raised almost 5 million dollars just for charity.

They sell their items at everyday convenient stores.

Amazing.

Looking for internships, careers or a job?  They have a pretty good list of available options to be employed with them.  

Most Eco-friendly Careers

This list may not be as comprehensive as it could be.. so feel free to add a comment and continue on..

Land Based Careers:

1. Wild Food Forager-

That is, as long as you are leaving enough of the product behind that its able to still reproduce and keep at the same numbers that it has always been, or even better that its population is able to grow even while you are collecting whatever you are collecting. 

This is local, it requires you to use your observation skills, you are obtaining nutritionaly superior foods, above anything in the grocery store, you are adding to people's knowledge of local wild foods, to their health and attracting interest to conservation of local wilderness.  Great job! 

2. Vegan, Chemical free Farmer -
You are an amazing example to the world that it is possible.  You are free of toxic residue on your plants and in your soils.  You are off the hook from being blamed for degraded water quality.  In fact your site serves as a water purifier with all of your green plants and organic compost piles.  You are not contributing to animal suffering, hopefully you are using as many wild local plant varieties as possible, to reduce your need to interfere too much with the process.  You are supporting your local community by giving them excellent non contaminated food options, teaching them the importance of local, organic, toxic free food! 

3. Sustainable Land Designer-
Permaculture consultants, Eco-village creators, Green City Designers, etc.  These careers, help everyone become more aware of the land that they are using and how to best incorporate wild life aspects into their development.  How can we spend less money, work with nature, use less energy, be more connected, have a better community, etc.  What are the ways in which we can integrate with our surroundings in a more peaceful way! 

4.Professional Tree Planter-
You may or may not be able to be paid for this one, unless you make a NGO or you are involved in planting trees for people's excess carbon points.  There are places in the world, who will provide you food and shelter (this would be for long term volunteers > 1 year) for merely planting trees and helping in water conservation work. 
http://sadhanaforest.org/wp/volunteers/

5. Ecological Restoration-
There is amazing work being done in this field at the moment, Paul Stamets has written an incredible book, "Mycelium Running"  He hosts workshops worldwide on mushroom cultivation and how to remediate toxic soils with these methods.  Recently he has gained a lot of recognition from the government as well as a variety of Universities.  Check out his work:
http://www.fungi.com/blog/items/fungi-perfecti-brings-mycorestoration-to-south-africa.html

http://www.fungi.com/blog/items/mycofiltration-for-urban-storm-water-treatment-receives-epa-research-and-development-funding.html

Healers and Teachers

6..  Energy Healer -
The great thing about this, is that absolutely no medicine, or lengthy scary treatment is needed for this!  Everyone feels more relaxed and at ease because of it, and nothing has been injected, no scary side effects and no contaminents contributed to the water supply.. awesome!

7. Nutritional Health Coach-
Teaching people the miracles of food!  How wonderful, showing them it's possible to reverse multiple disorders from food alone!  Teaching them the wonders of plant based foods, and vegetable juices! 

8. Chiropractors - 
Are probably one of the most sustainable doctors around, they are actually trained more in nutrition and anatomy than your family physician!  Simple adjustments can go a long way and can reduce significantly your need for medicine! Wonderful :)

9. Therapist, Life Coach, Counselor-
All you need is a room, and a voice or an ear or a mind to comprehend what is being said and maybe some helpful advice or a bit of compassion for the other.  You are helping the world in a very simple way!  It's great!


Teachers who get you active!

10. Yoga Teacher -
Assuming you are providing eco-friendly mats, this is a very wholesome career!  Teaching people how to come into themselves and be more loving as well as flexible!  Learning to listen to their own bodies and build strength and wonder through simple movements, this is a fascinating discipline and always something beautiful to learn!  Thank you for the work you do! 

11.  Hula Hoop Instructor -
Assuming that you use spent pieces of pipe for your hula hoop??  This is just fun.  It gets you in shape, it gets you, again, more in tuned with your body.  This is an awesome way to spend your time, it means less time online or watching TV.  Way to be :) 

12.  Dance and Exercise Instructors
Same thing, assuming that they have eco-friendly costumes and props, this is an awesome career.  Getting people moving and active, connecting more with themselves and their inner creativity and energy. Wonderful!

Artists

13. Local Singers
Support your local artists!  They bring so much beauty to our world.  You don't have to travel to see them, they don't have to travel to see you!  It builds community and if the crowd are all of your neighbors in a local hub- most likely a microphone won't even be needed. 

14. Sculpturers and Designers
I'm talking about those who are using re-usable, recylable materials - or even better those items that would have been classified as waste.   Spent plastic forks or knives...
http://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/06/recycled-plastic-sculptures-by-sayaka.html

Green Technology

15. Small scale, green technology for home and business use. 
Sometimes the effectiveness of using huge plots of land for solar or wind energy, is depleted as the local wild life diminishes as a result.  Its about being integrated with nature not obstructing nature.  Granted alternative energy is better than fossil fuels, but in order to make most use of it, it needs to be on a small scale.  Solar paneled roofs and energy efficient building techniques.

16.  Natural home builders
- how about a home made of clay?  In a place that gets hot, this is a wonderful way to keep your home cool! 

17. Green Tech Inventors
Make sure all parts are sustainably sourced and you are good to go!  How about a solar powered blender?  The more green gadgets we have the better off!  The less we consume unsustainably from the grid. 

Commercial , Political Advertising, Politics
 I don' think this kind of a job exists as of yet.  But it needs to!

18. Wild Native food, Vegetable Lobbyists and Campaigners
Stick with me on this one.  Right now, we have a ginormous Milk and Meat Industry and Insurance and Pharmaceutical industry which are pretty much running the country.  We need people whipping up incredible advertisements on the healing benefits of plant foods.  The wonders of the natural world, throwing buckets of money at political leaders to save  beautiful wild places, listen to indigenous people of the world, fund organic vegetables, non-gmo produce, local vegan farmers!! This would be amazing.  Fund tv shows like: Reversing Diabetes the natural way, How to meditate, 60 days on a juice fast! Best green technology of 2013, how to make your car run on algae oil - how to make your own algae oil (check out my previous blog on sustainable technologies :) )
If there is a will there is a way.  Maybe it can start out as an NGO and gain enough momentum and popularity to become the biggest lobby in the nation.. :)

19. Environmental Policy Maker/Anyone in office who can vote for environmental causes, or create change.
Unsustainability is so interwoven into our system at this point, it's going to take much more than just individual efforts to make an impact  (Unless every person literally moves to an eco-village in a place where there are no government taxes, spends their time developing ecosystems, never visits a government regulated hospital or restaurant - however the likelihood of this happening is.. definitely less than 0%).  The truth is, that the majority of the population (at least in USA) believe in the way we do things, and even if they don't, they are 95% clueless how to make it any different, and frankly, afraid of it becoming different.  It's important not only to have personal commitment, but also a commitment from our government to transition to eco-friendlier policies.
For example I was thinking just about plastic.  Many people have switched over to canvas bags.  And every bag, makes a huge difference.  However, even if everyone in their personal lives decides to omit plastic from their lives.  We cannot escape the reality of our 'hygenic' codes and laws in our restaurants and hospitals, which states we have to use plastic.  In restaurants in America, you are required by law when handling food, that the food handler must wear plastic gloves, and every time that person switches a task they have to throw away those gloves, wash their hands and put on a different pair of plastic gloves.  I watched an interview of this guy who said he typically would wash his hands 25x in  day!! That is a lot of plastic gloves we are shifting through.  That is only 1 guy in 1 restaurant.  How about all of the people who work in the food industry as well as hospitals where they have similar codes.  How can we develop technology to help us use less plastic - and more re-usable wear and sanitary items.  We need people working in places in the government to help make these new kinds of codes and vote for them.


Cross-Cultural Affairs

20. Translator/Anthropologist
This is a big one. Currently we are living in a world where it is cheaper to buy a product which was designed in USA, assembled in China-with parts coming from mines located in 4 different countries, packaged in England, and distributed from Chicago, then it is to buy something made by a local artisan in your town.  We all know that we live in a fully connected globalized world, but we don't allow ourselves to really become too involved with what it means to those countries making the products for us or what it means for our own country.  We still have pride in "our" nation, whatever that Nation may be, and we hardly make an effort to learn a second language - if English is our own.  Many Americans say that English is the language of USA, and that others should learn it before they come.  However, if we were to be a little more politically correct, perhaps we should be learning the languages of the native Americans who were here before us.  The more we can understand, different cultures fully and wholeheartedly, the more we can work together and care about the same things.  Instead of only caring whether or not a landfill is created right next to our home, the more we learn about other people around the globe and the trials they face, the more we will care if a landfill is put right next to their home.  We live an absolutely interconnected world, the more we can understand each other, the better.  The more sustainable we will end up being. 

Professional Sports
Not all sports are created equal.  After a good amount of time thinking, I came to the most sustainable sport being,

21. Surfers
- No park is needed, not too much of crazy equipment or energy needed - perhaps a part from a ride to the beach - which could be done on a algae oil bus?? :)
-The only needed equipment is a surfboard and a swimsuit - both can be eco-friendly made:
http://www.faeriesdance.com/swimwear-c-25_13.html
http://www.btcelements.com/products/?view=sub_product&sid=2498&cid=391
http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/news/firewire-launches-new-sustainable-surfboards-verified-by-sustainable-surf/

22. Street Skaters
- Hey no carbon usage in the use!  Get around for free :) 
again no parks need to be made and ecofriendly boards are available:
http://inhabitat.com/bamboosk8-eco-friendly-skate-decks/

23. Chin lone-
Check out this amazing Myanmar sport.  It reminds me of a jazzed up, meditative version of hacky sack.  They need a small soccer-like ball and a people standing in a circle.  It's beautiful to watch, and it can be done anywhere :)  It's not about winning or losing, but how beautifully the game is played. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nnB42yX-kA

If the environment needs to be altered too much for the sport to take place.. I would say its a no go. 
 

Football, soccer, even snowboarding take a lot of resources to maintain environments in a certain way.. not to mention golf.  They can also leave behind quite the consuming trail - from out of towners and everyone knows the kind of junk eaten on game days! 

NGO's -- And these aren't necessarily green, but if the management is done right, they can definitely be green and wonderful additions to all communities.

24. Animal Sanctuaries
Taking in abandoned animals and nursing them back to health

25. Orphanages
Taking care of those who have no homes

How to make your workplace more sustainable.

Are you stuck in a job where it feels impossible to make a positive difference in the world?
Do you feel that it is almost impossible for your workplace to make any kind of positive change to help the planet?

Here are few small things you can do at the workplace to make a big difference.

Any Profession:

-Bring your own lunch, and re-usable water container
     -Eating out is not only expensive, but you can pretty much guarantee that the restaurant uses conventional produce (non-organic) and most likely doesn't compost.  If you are eating out at a fast food joint, the food is pretty much toxic and in a short 5 minutes a whole tray full of waste has been accumulated.  The more you can avoid plastic water bottles, the better for sea and land life!

-Resist temptation to get anything from a vending machine
    -These products are overly processed, involve a lot of energy to make, leave behind a plastic trail, and take a lot of energy to digest.  Bring your own healthy snacks, carrots, cucumbers, nuts and seeds, be prepared for a long day at work.  Plan ahead of time what you may feel like eating.  Once your body is hungry - there is no control over your cravings.  But if you can plan and shop while you are full and can think of the healthiest options for snacks, and you 'forget' your money or your change at home, you will be left with some great options when you start feeling a bit hungry :)

-Get sustainably sourced paper products
-Where are your paper products coming from?  Unfortunately much of the paper we use today comes from unsustainably sourced trees which were planted to replace of beautiful rainforests around the world.  The destruction is devastating.  However, we can make a difference, we need to focus on buying recycled product, post-consumer products or if not available then from sustainably managed local trees.  Think about all of the paper products not just paper to write on - toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, etc.
-If you can get a bunch of cloth napkins to be used as paper towels and napkins, take turns in the office bringing them home and washing them every week.
-make a box for used papers - the ones with writing on only 1 side can be collected and sewed into a new notebook!  They can also be cut up and glued on one side as a post-it-note replacement.
-Even better, laminate the papers you plan to use in your home-made notebook.  Make notes with an erasable marker, once those notes no longer apply, wipe it clean.  Use it again :)


-Turn off the lights
Sometimes businesses use so many lights, when they could make do with half the amount.  Talk to your manager about the possibility of becoming more green, using less lights, turning off lights when not in use, what if you could cut your electricity bill in half as a company?  Where could that money then be allotted to?  Maybe you could hold a competition among different sections of your company about who could save more electricity.. with the saved money in the end throw an office party.

Change the lightbulbs, now there are lightbulbs - check out my previous blog - that last for decades and can save $10 a year on your electricity bill.

Recycle
-Does your company recycle?  When I was working at an environmental consulting company, we took turns taking care of the recycling boxes.  There was hardly any recycling in town, but I guess that was the advantage of commuting to work.  We took turns driving the weekly recyclables to our home towns and dropping it off at a center.  Sometimes glass needs to be turned in to a separate place, find out what's available where you work or live, see if you can save that much waste material from being dumped. 

Compost
This can be a tricky thing, but as long as it well managed it shouldn't be a problem.  If you have a little bit of land at your company, find out if you can make one!  Some places in the US actually charge more money the amount of trash you have in a week.  So much of what we throw out, is actually completely compostable!  It could be an easy way to save the company that weekly bill.  Not to mention, that if you have place for a compost at your workplace, you have place for a garden!  How awesome is that, go for a lunch break in your garden, get a few fresh tomatoes.. hey healthiest fast food ever! :)

Re-use and re-create cardboard boxes
No need to toss them, re-use them.  Make a take home art project out of them.  Ask your kids to paint them and decorate them.  Create a new filing cabinet made of decorated boxes.  Make folders out of them.  Make small boxes, or keep small boxes for keeping thumb tacks, rubber bands, paper clips, and staples.  Keep slightly larger boxes for organizing your papers or keeping your pens and pencils.  Make it fun.
This will help reduce  the need to buy all those plastic organizing products that are all too popular. 

Dont be afraid to get creative!
How can you add joy to the workplace??  Think of the Pakistani fish seller in England - 1lb fish song!  He became famous over night!  I heard another story where a bagger at a grocery store started putting happiness quotes in every grocery bag that he packed, people used to stand in really long lines in his row only, while the other cashiers stood unoccupied since the people really wanted to get a happiness quote.  It's the little things that count!  Being sustainable is also about being happy and spreading happiness.  :)


Cleaning Services:

Green Cleaners
-Any job which uses chemicals, you may or may not have the authority to use a cleaner that is safer for the environment, but the most you could do is at least talk to your boss about how much money you could potentially save while switching to a more natural cleaner.  Offer to make the cleaner yourself and mention that its just as effective if not more than what you had been using.
- Vinegar works wonders, mixed with baking soda... creates a nice bubbly solution, mixed with lemon gives a nice scent.  Voila!

Check out the following website, there are many recipes for all sorts of surfaces

http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

Save Bags
When emptying trash cans, reuse trash bags as much as possible.  If a trash isn't completely full, combine it with another trash in the building and save a bag in the process.  If the company isn't using green bags yet, maybe find a a cheap green bag that can be used instead of what had been the norm before. 

Re-usable/Compostable cleaning materials
There are plenty of sponges which are made of plant fibers.  So they decompose once you throw them out.  better yet, use rags, and wash them on a regular basis.  Skip paper products. 


Sales Representatives:
-If your job involves bagging, make the habit of first asking the customer if they would like a bag.  Many times, the customer is happily surprised that you even asked.  And they don't take a bag.  I worked at a clothing store a number of years ago, and I remember when people came in to return clothes, they often returned the bags with them!  I would re-use these bags!  Maybe they were a little crinkly, but hey it's still a bag!  Re-use bags when you can, who cares :)

CEO/Manager
You have a big opportunity here.  Expand your vision as a company.  Dedicate the growth of your company to a great cause.  Decide to donate 10% of profits to the rainforest, environmental awareness, or other green causes!
Set goals to meet environmental ideals monthly, yearly etc.  Try at reducing the companies carbon footprint - encourage car pooling, less eating out, incorporate some of the ideas listed throughout this page and research further, the amount the company can save using simple techniques will add up!  Encourage employees to get involved in the community, spend more time with family, make work fun and meaningful for them to come in, and different everyday. 

Invest in green technologies, alternative energies - solar, wind, geothermal, etc. 
Make sure healthy snacks are on the house and always available to employees - order from local organic vendors - carrot and celery sticks, etc. 
Get rid of your vending machines :) 

If you order company clothes, consider ordering organic cotton, support sustainable industries who are fair trade with all of their employees. 

If your business is about technology - how can you source materials closer to home?  Is there any kind of environmental company you can hire to help you make sure the environment is being taken care of in the process.  Make sure any place where you extract materials from, you clean up and make it as good as new.  Make sure no indigenous voices are being squashed out through the grapevine.  Visit your sites personally, make sure they are ethical and secure. 

Remember money isn't everything, most people are interested in doing good in the world.  And many people are willing to pay for it.  The higher your ethical value, the more customers will flock to you.

- think of whole foods! :)

100 ways to help the planet

Here are some of the ways in which we can do our part to help out some of the pollution, global warming.. etc. 

1- Eat whole plant based foods - not only will your body, mind and soul thank you for the added nutrients to your pallate, you are helping the world more significantly than any other one thing you do.  You reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, anxiety, arthritis, obesity - saving that many medications from being made and also being eventually flushed down the toilet.  Connecting to whole plant foods, releases our support on factory farms and the suffering caused to thousands of animals daily in those concentration camps.  A reduce in the demand on animal foods reduces animals on the farms and their emissions- methane - a compound 20x more of a greenhouse gas than CO2.  The consumption of plants supports wildlife and forests, as animal farming has taken up more than 70% of the amazon rainforest either by directly raising cows or raising grains for animal feed on its soils.  (check out the documentary, "Eating" by Mike Anderson).  Eating plants is great karma!  It feels good on the conscious and the soul!

2- Buy less -  Be a conscious buyer, everything you buy leaves an impact on this world, are you supporting people who are respecting the earth and its resources, who use re-usable, recyclable material?  Who don't take advantage of indigenous cultures or developing countries?  Is there product in order to better the world or your health?  What kind of impact does the production of that product leave on the earth, is there a lot of pollution involved in it's creation? 

3- Make it yourself!  Develop your talents, make you own gifts for people.  Experiment with making, rice milks, soy milk ( I just bought a nut milk maker, amazing!), make your own breads, experiment with homemade pickles, cereals, homemade salt (I actually just made some tonight, cut up celery into teeny pieces and dry it in a dehydrator for a few hours!  An amazing salt substitute and great for the health!)  Can you sew?  Can you knit?  Can you paint?  Use material laying around the house, get creative. 

4- Fix it yourself!  Why throw anything away!  Superglew it, tape it, re- sew it, cut it up and make something new.  Get creative.  I keep so many jars and glasses, I use them for all sorts of things!  They are handy to have, and eliminates my need to go buy stuff!

5-Buy Local!  Support your farmer and your community!  Help your neighbors, get to know your farmers, tell him your interest in sustainable farming, ask him/her about how he/she grows his/her crops, offer your help to increase the man power on the farm and reduce fossil fuel needs! 

6- Buy organic and sustainably sourced foods - non gmo - support those doing it right!  alleviate the pollution load on the planet!

7- Avoid products that contain known products which are extremely damaging to the environment - for example - palm oil.. most peanut butters contain them, most butters, check twice, read your labels!  If you don't understand the ingredient.. forget it, find a more natural solution.

8- Use alternative products - for example use olive oil for lotion instead of lotion.. actually it feels great on the skin and maybe even moisturizes much better than lotion, use tooth powder or tooth soap instead of toothpaste.. its more natural and better for your teeth!  Use natural clay instead of baby powder, make home made food for your pets rather than buy it.  Get creative!  I used flax seed as shampoo before and its absolutely amazing for the hair!  It takes a bit to get the seeds out.. but hehe maybe if they are ground finer it wouldnt have been a problem.. however it is a great soap substitute :)

9- Don't take medicine if you dont have to.  Use medicine as your last resort.  If there is any way you can experiment with nutrition, alternative treatments, do it!  Don't support big industry support local healers and your own bodies ability to heal itself, learn to listen :)

10- Get out of the house! Exercise - the more active you are the less likely you will be spending excess amount of time and energy in front of energy consuming devices.  Enjoy the Earth!  The more active you are the more you will realize how beautiful the world is and how important it is for us to preserve it in a way in which humans can thrive :)

11- Work less - give up your monetary goals, spend more time with family, prioritize people and happiness rather than money.  The more focused we are on money the more we miss the big picture.. LIFE.. being alive :)  The more we miss our compassionate side and our ability to help each other out when needed.  Let's take a breather, let's have a good time. 

12.  Donate - it doesn't matter how little or how much you earn, billionaires have billion dollar problems, and beggars have zero dollar problems.  Give whatever you can to organizations you care about.  Share the love, help keep beautiful places, help support indigenous people and their knowledge, support people who work to expose the truth, who care about the health of people, happiness and peace in this world. 

13. Be nice -  one bad comment has its effects, one bad comment can ripple the whole world 'round till it comes back.  You never know what those kind of ripples can eventually create.  Don't take the chance.. be nice, even if you feel bad on the inside.. don't be afraid to ask for help.  Let's spread peace.  It always comes back.

14.  Care more than what you think the other deserves.  Everyone deserves a chance, everyone deserves to be listened to and to be cared after.  The more we can care, the more everyone else will care, and the more everyone else cares, the better of a place we can create to live in everyday. 

15.  Don't give in to temptation.  Just one more brownie, just one more cookie.. Just that new car, just one more ... whatever it is.. so what.. everything is impermanet.. don't let greed get the best of you.  Bless your neighbors who decided to move into a bigger 'nicer' home.  Who cares, be grateful for what you have.  It's okay.  In the end, it's gratitude that will get us further ahead.. not bigger and better stuff. 

16.  Don't give up.  Never give up your goals, your passion.  Your passion will inspire others to live their passion.  Do what you love, do what makes you want to get up in the morning happily!  Don't live your life in a cubicle.. express yourself.  Express your dreams.  It has the capacity to change the world!  Don't doubt yourself!

17.  Be adventurous! Get outside of your bubble.  Try something new!  Take that new class being offered at your local college.  Try something different, try something opposite from what you ever thought you could do!  The more we understand that which is different from us, the more well rounded we all become.  The more open minded we are and the more we are open to alternative solutions!  Break free!

18.  Pray.  Pray everyday in everyway that you know how.  Pray to your ancestors, to god, to the universe, to the animals, for your friends for your relatives for the planet.  Give thanks for your life and your gifts, for your friends gifts and your families gifts and the gifts of the world.  Pray for a happy, peaceful planet. 

19.  Set goals for yourself.  Everyday write down your goals, your dreams your motivations.  Check them off throughout the day.. throughout the weeks.  Go out of your comfort zone to make sure they happen!  Accomplish small things and maybe even big things!  Actually the smaller the better, small goals gather momentum to push big goals along!  Strive for your best :)

20.  Make everyday fun and exciting.  Do something crazy, do laundry in your bathtub, take a shower in the rain, build a compost toilet, start composting in your kitchen, make a recipe you have neverrrrr tried before, take your cat for a walk.  Be crazy.  Gathering fun experiences in your life, will create a life you will never forget and many stories that are much cooler to talk about than what you saw on tv last night.

21.  Don't believe anything you hear or see. This is said so often, that we don't even realize what this means anymore.  We are inundated with messages from the media every single day.  They do not have our health on their minds, they are catering to our weaknesses in order for us to support their businesses, never take anything at first glance.  Don't trust their recommendations for our lives, don't believe what they say we need or what will make us cool or sexy.  It's all rubbish.  Develop you, develop yourself.  Don't be fulled by their tricks. 

22. Watch documentaries.  They aren't called documentaries for no reason.  These are made by passionate people who have dedicated their lives to a cause.  You may or may not agree.. who cares.. open your mind, learn something new. 

23.  Go a day without plugging one item into the grid.. See what its like!

24.  Fill up your tires  - some of these we have heard a million times, but it does make a different

25.  Use a bicycle, a scooter, a moped, something else?? How about your feet! Yes!

26.  Volunteer!  Get out there, help your community!  Do something awesome!  Don't be afraid to say yes!  The world will provide for you, don't be afraid :)

27.  Have sustainability on the mind!  Bring it to your work, bring it to your house, your lifestyle.. in what ways can you reduce consumption, help someone in need, use alternative energy.. get creative.

28. READ - read everything, don't limit yourself to your favorite novel set or magazines.  Expand your horizon, pick a random book from the library.  Learn something that previously repulsed you.  Seeing more sides to a situation can develop peace, awareness and compassion.

29.  Give away your stuff - Anything that doesnt add beauty, knowledge or purpose in your life on a regulary basis, get rid of.  Give it to your local thrift shop, sell it on ebay, ship it to a country in need.  Let's share! Make a business out of re-creating your unwanted stuff into treasures! 

30.  Stop listening to your thoughts.  Meditate more!  Realize that nothing in your brain belongs to you.  Its like a drifting cloud, don't attach to an outcome.  Don't attach to your reality.  Just be.  Allow life to flow. 

31.  Forgive.  Forgive yourself, forgive your enemies, forgive your children, forgive your partner, forgive your parents, forgive your circumstances.. you can't change it, its not worth it to fight it.  Just let it be.. allow it.  Forgive it. 

32.  How can you dedicate your life to helping others?  Do it.  Do it, regardless of what it might give you.  But don't do it unwaranted, make sure that it's actually benefiting someone else.. don't do what you think would benefit someone else.. do what you can postively be sure of the positive benefit not only in that persons life.. but the surrounding environment - nature, the world, YOU, and anything else connected. 

33.  Learn a new language.  Connect to a different culture, delve in its pecularities, its differences its similarities, enjoy the new rhythym in your mouth. 

34. Don't support chemicals - stop buying them, stop ingesting them, stop producing them, stop spraying them, stop driving with them.  They don't support life.  Period.  That's it. 

35.  Eat less - be conscious, be wise.  Most cultures who lived to be the longest, didn't indulge, and it was considered taboo to overreat.  Be mindful. 

36. Share your life!  Write a blog, tell your friends about the wonderful things in your life, share with them the secrets to your success, tell others about what you have learned.  The more we know the more we all benefit.  We all have such wisdom, let's relish in that! 

37.  Preserve your heritage. Not to the extent of becoming extremist, but to the extent that traditional values are considered, and languages are not lost.  To the extent that modern western life isn't the ultimate goal... Relish in the traditional ways.. the ones that make sense and support our neighbors, environment, wildlife and animals. 

38.  Get involved.  Write to your local leaders, politicians, share your voice!  Go to meetings, speak up about what is important to you.  Share it with school committees or other organizations in your area. 

39.  Never throw away electronics or batteries - Always always find a recycling center for these items.  Very toxic and damaging to the environment.

40.  Re-use bags.  Don't use the little bags in the produce section, or if you do.. wash them out when you finish the produce, dry them and use them again when you go back to the store.  Better yet.. if you go to the bulk section, bring your own containers! 

41.  Triple Challenge - Only buy products in the fresh produce section at your supermarket!  Try to avoid all package foods!  All packaged products.. can you do it?

42. If you happen to be in a country who uses paper products -napkins, toilet paper, paper towels - figure out ways you can cut consumption, or substitute them out.  Can you use water instead, cloth products?  Is there an option to buy from sustainably managed sources?

43.  Buy fairtrade

44. Stop using soap - they say that in order to absorb vitamin D from the sun you can't use soap for 24 hours after sun exposure.. not sure if it is true.. but I hardly use soap in the summer for that reason and surprisingly water and clay are pretty effective cleaners. 

45.  Go to a school of eyesight camp if you have glasses.  I have actually been meaning to go, because apparently its possible to improve your eyesight naturally.  I have yet to try but its something worth looking into. 

46.  Be nice to animals.  They dont have a voice, they dont have powerful weapons, lets be compassionate, they are co-habitants of this earth, lets respect them. 

47.  The less gadgets the better.  All of these little electronic devices pay a toll on our planet.  Let's be mindful about how many new phones we buy in a year.. cameras, tvs, etc. 

48. Read environmental news as often as possible. Be up to date, know the facts. 

49.  Speak your mind.  If you know something, share it, don't let it burn inside of you. 

50. If you see something you dont like, speak up.  Don't let something be passed up because of social pressures or anxieties, if it bothers you, most likely it bothers others.  The power of asking for what you want and making it clear what you like and dont like in this world. 

51.  Use local materials to build your home.. or repair..

52. Go to bed with the sun, get up with the sun.  Reduce your consumption of lighting.

53.  If you wish to have kids, really consider adopting.  Help those children who don't have other options. 

54.  Don't do things just because you think you are supposed to.  You are a free person.  Do what you want to do.. Who cares if no one else is doing it.. actually all the more reason to do it! 

55. Eat more greens!

56. Cook your food less - its better nutritionally speaking, its better for your health, its easier on the planet, it uses less resources. 

57.  Buy more fruit and nuts from trees- this supports perenial plants, which supports soil health, which supports water quality, which supports wildlife and human health.  We are all connected. 

58.  Never make a decision without considering its impact to the people who will live 7 generations ahead of us. 

59.  Move to an ecovillage - support those doing it right!

60. choose a career which serves the world!

61.  Bury your weapons.. we don't need a world with them. 

62.  Go visit a beautiful place on earth.. fall in love! 

63 Go visit a gold mine which has had devastating effects on the locals.  See first hand the destruction made by us.  Don't just read about it, experience it. 

64.  Don't support industries with no real purpose - diamonds, gold, - these are just for show.. they cause massive amounts of pain and destruction in our world.. for what reason?  To show off what we have? It doesn't make sense.

65.  Shower with a partner.. save water!

66. Drive less

67. Love more!

68.  Stop wearing perfume.  Be natural.. too many chemicals in our world as it is.  Essential oils are okay :)

69.  Get geothermal energy

70. solar

71. wind

72. or another alternative!  Get creative! 

73.  Live out of the city.. and don't commute! 

74.  Create your life in a way that what you do directly supports nature.. grow wildlife.. sell wild dandelion leaves! 

75.  Dance. 

76.  Sing

77.  Make art of waste

78.  Start a compost in your yard

79 Build yourself a vegetable garden!

80.  Better yet, allow nature to take over your yard and learn native plants.. learn native plant recipes and enjoy the abundance! 

81.  Travel to the opposite side of the globe.. to learn everything you thought you knew but didnt. 

82. Be grateful for what you have.

83.  Enjoy the little things in life.

84.  Come up with your own list and share it :) 

85. Challenge: Consume more vegetables than grains.. :)

86.  Learn about almost extinct varieties of vegetables in your region.. do what you can to bring them back! Plant them, share them, talk about them! 

87.  Do not breed animals!  We have so many animals in this world who need homes.. there is no need to bring animals into this world at this point just for the sake of a pure breed.  Forget it.. give love to what we already have. 

88.  Support wildlife.. don't litter, be mindful about hiking in nature preserves.. treat it with respect.

89.  Stop consuming milk, meat, fish and honey.. it doesn't serve your health, it doesn't serve the world. 

90.  Recycle your microwave.  Honestly , it's good for nothing. 

91.  Request companies to stop using so much packaging.. why do we need all of that stuff just to be thrown away?

92.  Don't buy bubble wrap.. if it comes to you.. fine... keep it reuse it.. but no need to add more bulk of waste in the world.

93.  Tell your loved ones what they mean to you on a regular basis. Life is too short to not express yourself or your love fully.. Let them know.

94.  turn off lights..

95.  Start a monthly stuff swap with friends, family or neighbors.. host it and tell others to bring things that are nice but they don't use anymore.. set up everything nicely in your home.. whatever doesn't get taken home by somebody else.. give away to charity.

96.  If you hear something you don't believe, look it up.. you might be surprised to find it may be true. 

97.  Take public transit

98.  Remember to walk your dog on a regular basis.. he/she depends on you! 

99.  Give atleast one hug a day!

100. Remember to smile.  Don't be too hard on yourself.  It's okay.. Don't take life sooo seriously. 

All the best.

Amazing green technology, I love the innovative thinking!

I was reviewing some of the new green technology out and about the internet.  I found a few very interesting ones, saved the best for last! 

1- Bridgelux has created a new $20 lightbulb which saves $10 or more in power a year and last decades.  Comparable lightbulbs to this quality cost $50.  The name of the lightbulb is Helieon.  It is made from all recyclable components.  A few websites to refer to for more information:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/velocity/2010/03/24/bridgelux-announces-20-led-light/

http://venturebeat.com/2010/03/24/light-bulbs-are-so-over-bridgelux-brings-led-lights-down-to-20/

www.newark.com/helion


2- Bloom energy creates on site power from fuel cells, this energy is more efficient than from the grid.  It is powered by natural gas or biogas.  Biogas being obviously the more environmentally friendly option, as it is less harmful to obtain as well as leaves no pollutant when used.   Their process is much more efficient compared to burning coal for electricity, which has a tendency to lose 60% of the energy in the process of creating the electricy plus another 10% of energy in developed countires and 50% loss of energy in transportation alone in developing economies.   Also awesome water savings!

"Bloom Energy Servers also deliver extraordinary water savings. Bloom's technology uses no water beyond a 240-gallon injection at start up. By comparison, the average U.S. coal plant uses 1.07 million gallons per 200 kW annually; and combined cycle natural gas plants use 648,240 gallons per 200 kW annually. A supermarket powered by a 200 kW Bloom Energy Server saves more than 1 million gallons a year."

The unit takes up more less space than other forms of electricity generators.  However one thing which isn't mentioned is more about where they get the biofuel from and if it is sustainably harvested.  Other than that, it's definitely a step up from some of the current systems we have in place.

Read more from http://www.bloomenergy.com/clean-energy/


3. Solazyme - allows algae to produce oil and biomaterials. (Yay hopefully the one used in the bloom energy!)   Check out the website of this one.  Very ineresting stuff.  They have been producing algae oils for all sorts of huge industrialized machinery. 

Solazyme's tailored oils provide cost-effective, high-quality "drop-in" replacements for marine, motor vehicle, and jet fuels. Our fuels are compatible with existing infrastructure, meet industry specifications, and can be used with factory-standard engines, without modifications.

Can I get some for my car??  Currently looks like they are mostly providing fuels for government sectors.  They also have a nutritional section on the website saying that the algae oils make a more nutritional replacement to foods.  They have the potential to replace, milk, eggs, and other vegetable oils.  They also have a section on skin care products which are supposed to be some of the best on the market, since algae has been recreating itself for years in very harsh conditions, the nutrients are very rejuvenating for the skin.

It all sounds amazing.  I'm surprised I had not even heard of these companies before.  One thing I am a little concerned about, I don't doubt that algae oils would be better than many of the other food additives we currently consume, however, it's always a little worrying when you don't really know how they process it.  What chemicals they extract or put it.  Something about processes I don't fully understand, I feel a bit weary about.  Anyway, I'd love to learn more about it.  Atleast it's definitely a step in a much needed direction.

http://solazyme.com/fuels