Happy America Recycles Day!

by

All of us at Live Green Be Green are proud to celebrate America Recycles Day.  This holiday was started in 1997 to promote awareness of the need to recycle.  This is a day of celebration and recognition of everyone who has done something along these lines.  A recycling effort could be as small as sorting trash so as not to put plastics in the garbage, recycling used printer cartridges or donating no longer used clothing to charitable organizations.  We all are getting pretty good at this; however, we still have a long way to go.

Over the years since recycling promotions have begun, we have witnessed the institution of both voluntary and mandatory practices put into place by local and federal legislative bodies to enforce recycling.  These include fines for littering, deposit taxes on returnable bottles and cans and supervises use of landfills.  As a result, many recycling practices have become habitual to most us.  Also, we now reap rewards from recycling.  These include rebates on ink cartridges and tax credits for donations of electronics that we no longer want but still are useful and are accepted by charities.

Over the ensuing year, let’s try to take our recycling efforts at least one step farther.  In addition to recycling plastic bottles, we can purchase reusable bottles.  Also, we can downsize our purchases of clothing and household goods.  Let’s learn to live with less.  When making purchases, especially for the home, do some research and purchase products, such as flooring, tiles and even paper products made from recycled materials.

We hope everyone who recycles will give themselves a pat on the back today for taking that extra step to save our planet.  We applaud your efforts to live green, be green!

English: Recycle logo

English: Recycle logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Licensed Women Drivers Overtake Men

by
"The world turned upside down" (gend...

“The world turned upside down” (gender-role reversal) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to a study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, female licensed drivers outnumber their male counterparts for the first time in automotive history.  This study examined gender trends in driver’s permits between 1995 and 2010.  As of 1995, male registered drivers outnumbered female drivers with permits 89.2 million to 87.4 million.  By 2010, however, 105.7 women had driver’s licenses compared to 104.3 million men.  Results indicate that “[w]omen are more likely than men to purchase smaller, safer and more fuel-efficient cars; to drive less, and to have a lower fatality rate per distance driven”.  These findings effectively place women in the driver’s seat, having assumed a position to take control over the country’s direction in matters of efficient affordable transportation and clean energy relative to it.

Certainly, these findings also impact automobile design.  However, it is noteworthy that the role of women in car design is not a new phenomenon.  In the period of more than 120 years since cars have been on the road, women have been instrumental in automobile design but largely were rendered invisible in this role by automakers.  In the 1960s’, auto companies, such as Ford, advertised cars for women, but the “woman’s car” generally was either smaller, cheaper and cuter than cars geared to male buyers, or it was the oversized family transport vehicle.  This notion directly reflected the perceived role of women in society in terms of participation in financial contributions and decisions.  Volvo set out to court women car buyers in 2005 with the “Your Concept Car“, which addressed automotive design features important to women, showing that these same features, i.e., interior space, position of front end and windows for better field vision, etc., also were important to men, thus leveling the playing field regarding cars in this price range.  Other than this, the role of women in the automobile industry basically was reduced to a “sex sells” mentality with car show images of beautiful women alongside gorgeous cars in an attempt to lure men to buy.

Now, fast forward to 2012 where truly “you’ve come a long way, baby!”  Women now outnumber men in college attendance and are commanding higher salaries (though they still lag behind men at a rate of 77 cents per dollar).  Women now are seen in the boardroom more often and assume higher positions in Fortune 500 companies.  Also, they are behind the wheel in professional auto racing.  Women were a deciding factor in the 2012 presidential election.  It is a normal progression for women to have a major impact on economic trends in America, including the auto industry.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of discussions and compromise on legislative issues regarding clean, affordable, safe and efficient transportation, as well as other green initiatives.  Hopefully, the major organizations in the green movement will work hard to include women in the dialogue and to gain their support to advance their many causes, particularly in the area of transportation.  As the primary nurturers in our society, women are a captive audience for the message to live green, be green.

Sources for this article:

  1. http://www.insideline.com/car-news/more-women-than-men-have-drivers-licenses-study-shows.html
  2. http://herstoria.com/?p=9
  3. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/volvo-concept.htm

Have Yourself a Green Christmas

by
Nativity scene at Sacred Heart Catholic Church...

Nativity scene at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in the historic Barelas neighborhood, Albuquerque, NM, Jan 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Black Friday is approaching fast, and with it comes the official start of the Christmas shopping season, which we hope will culminate into a great green Christmas.  Now is the perfect time to put into place a game plan to ensure that this hectic time of our lives can proceed as smoothly as possible.  Also, with some planning, we can have an enjoyable holiday without disrupting our commitment to live green.

A great place to begin with our holiday planning is in the selection of retailers to shop for holiday foods, gifts and decorations.  A good source to make this determination is Newsweek Green Rankings.  This website provides several listings, including the greenest retailers in America, the World’s greenest companies, as well as the least greenest companies.  Additionally, listings per industry, such as food and tech companies also are provided.  In reviewing these entries, the savvy green shopper can see how publically traded companies in the United States are globally rank “based on their actual environmental footprint, and sustainability communications“.  These rankings have been produced by Newsweek in collaboration with Trucost and Sustainability, two leading environmental organizations.  Making this list is not a matter of choice, and companies cannot opt out of inclusion.  These evaluations provide green-minded consumers an excellent resource to make informative decisions on businesses worthy of their dollars.

Perhaps the second largest area of importance to consumers during the holiday season is decorating.  Starting with Christmas trees, it is important to remember that there is nothing green about an artificial Christmas tree.  Even the color is not natural.  Generally, they have been imported from China, and they are made from petroleum-based chemicals and often contain lead.  Most importantly, they cannot be recycled.  On the other hand, a real Christmas tree provides a beautiful and fragrant decoration for the holiday season, and it can be recycled into mulch or purchased with a ball root that can be planted.  Imagine a grove of trees representing past Christmases celebrated by the family.  Another point to mention is that the purchase of live trees often can be made from local harvesters, thereby providing economic support to the community.

Tree lights and decorations also are important.  This year, please try to use LED lights.  They burn 10% of the energy of older incandescent bulbs, and they are safer because they run cooler in temperature.  LED lights can be used indoors and outdoors.  When purchasing other greenery, try to avoid plastic wreaths and garland because they contain harmful compounds.  Visit local nurseries and buy natural products that can be recycled.

When it is time to shop for gifts, try to break out of the box this year.  Support local holiday fairs and fair trade bazaars to purchase unique gifts while simultaneously supporting these artisans.  With the popularity of online shopping, please consider online gift cards and email Christmas cards.  These items reduce the need for paper and transportation for delivery, thus reducing the carbon footprint.

Christmas is a beautiful time to celebrate life and family.  It also is an excellent opportunity to recognize the beauty of our Earth and the need to preserve it for future generations.  To that end, let’s use this time to renew our commitment to live green, be green.

Sources:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/05/08/green-rankings-2012-frequently-asked-questions.html

http://greenliving.about.com/od/thegreenfamily/tp/green_christmas.htm

 

Sandy Forces Rethinking on Living Near Water

by

As the recovery and rebuilding from the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy continues in the northeastern region of the United States, so must rethinking the plausibility of living close to waters.  While it is understandable that the city flooding in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut was unavoidable and qualifies for federal funding for repairs, maybe this is an opportune time to reconsider living in beachfront communities.

It appears that the realization of the burdensome costs of storm damage in beachfront communities is in the crosshairs of the Obama administration.  This past summer, President Obama signed a bill that makes changes to the National Flood Insurance Program.  This law allots $105 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the administrative agency for the National Flood Insurance Program, to update flood plain maps and to “adjust federal flood insurance premiums to reflect real risks”.  This law also includes provisions for efforts to remove vacation homes and repeat claims from the protection of federal insurance.

While programs such as these face opposition by long-time residents in flood-proned areas, they are supported by liberal officials because they represent acknowledgement of the reality of climate change and its effect on global warming.  Also, conservatives support these measures because they reduce federal spending.  It is important to note that the federal government is not restricting citizens from living in flood-proned areas.  Rather it is transferring the overwhelming financial burden of storm damage, which is expected to occur at greater frequencies, from all taxpayers to the residents in these communities.

During the 2012 presidential election campaign, we witnessed FEMA and its huge deficit become a point of contention.  While it is mandatory that federal monies be spent for natural disasters, consideration must be given to the argument for the necessity of some controls along these lines.  At the time the last transportation bill was signed, FEMA was $18 billion in debt.  Hurricane Sandy has pushed this debt closer to the agency’s cap of $20.8 billion.  The conversation to reduce the federal deficit and to address the looming fiscal cliff must include compromise on both sides of the aisle, and Congress would be remiss to not include measures to address the costs of devastation to communities by violent weather.  Of course, states and localities could adopt legislation to build sea walls to protect residents living near water and/or to provide state insurance funds to pay for rebuilding after storms, but this cost can no longer fall totally on the shoulders of the federal government.

Living a green life requires making choices, some of which are difficult but necessary.  To protect our families, communities, businesses and our very existence, let’s live green, be green.

Sources for this article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-safina/hurricane-sandynot-over-b_b_2109657.html?utm_hp_ref=green

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/appropriations/264639-hurricane-sandy-puts-fema-budget-in-campaign-spotlight

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/265179-groups-say-sandy-could-spark-more-flood-insurance-reform

FED - FEMA | Federal Emergency Management Agency

FED – FEMA | Federal Emergency Management Agency (Photo credit: Inventorchris)

Green Initiatives Threatened by Looming Fiscal Cliff

by
Tax

Tax (Photo credit: 401(K) 2012)

Any discussion of the looming fiscal cliff must address the impact on green initiatives as any budget cuts or tax increases will adversely impact the efforts of both families and businesses to go green.  With the realization that compromises will have to be made on both sides across the aisle, it remains important that our elected representatives focus on the fact that governmental spending need to include investment in human and physical matters that will pay dividends in the future.  A green economy qualifies for such investment because its tenets lead to a healthier society and an environmentally friendly world.

Several of the tax incentives for living green were derived from the Bush era tax cuts, which are scheduled to expire at the end of this year if not renewed by Congress, thus creating the looming fiscal cliff.  A few notable ones to mention are as follows:

  • The residential energy efficiency credit.  This credit is given to homeowners who purchase high energy-efficient appliances and home improvements.  Many Americans have received reductions in tax liability through the use of these credits while at the same time making their homes more energy-efficient.
  • The American Opportunity Credit.  This credit provides a $2500 tuition tax credit, thereby enabling more people to go to college.  This opportunity directly affects the potential pool of trained people needed in the research and development of green technology and the direct training needed for operation of green industries.
  • The payroll tax credit.  Taxpayers will see a decrease in their take home checks if this credit expires, thus impacting their ability to exercise healthier choices in the purchase of foods and organic products.
  • The production tax credit (PTC).  This credit subsidizes wind power by 2.2 cents a kilowatt hour.  This is important to states and localities working hard to establish wind power as an alternative energy source.

As the discussion and bargaining proceed over the next few weeks, it is important that we advocate our positions on green initiatives which will be affected by budget decisions.  Now is the time to contact your congressmen by phone or email and state your position on these issues.  Today’s investment of time will reap tomorrow’s dividends.  Let’s live green, be green.

Sources:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324073504578104464153878672.html?mod=rss_economy

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/energy-environment/wind-power/index.html

 

Clearing the Obstacles from the Green Path

by

With the dawn of the new political environment, the first duty of the green movement is to design a comprehensive strategy to ensure that its voice will be heard in the anticipated dialogue on climate change and global warming. The primary focus must be on advocacy with the goal of keeping the problems associated with climate change in the national spotlight.

A preliminary and ongoing requirement of the roadmap to a green path remains the removal of obstacles from this pathway.  A successful model to accomplish this task can be found in the work of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV).  Since 1996, this organization has worked hard to expose and defeat elected officials and candidates (regardless of party affiliation) who deny the realities of climate change and consistently vote against legislation for clean energy and conservation.  Prior to every election, this group identifies opponents of green initiatives through voting scorecards and targets them for defeat.  In the 2012 election, the LCV played a vital in the defeat of Mitt Romney.  Additionally, it was instrumental in the defeat of the following elected officials, dubbed the “Dirty Dozen“:

Hopefully, members of the green movement will remain vigilant of local, state and federal activities regarding green initiatives, making it a priority to contact representatives to voice support or opposition to any proposed legislation.  Of course, this will require research and fact-finding in order to understand the issues at hand.  This action, however, will serve notice to representatives of their responsibility and accountability to their constituents.

Finally, it is mandatory that supporters of green initiatives use the power of the dollar to get the change they want and need to protect the environment.  Consider supporting local farmers, who provide fresh fruits and vegetables that are healthier for you.  Check out local businesses who do contract with local artisans and who sell organic and/or fair trade products.  Avoid doing business with companies who incorporate business practices that pollute the environment, destroy the land or treat employees unfairly.

The pathway to a green life begins with small, but consistent and determined steps.  Try to do something each day to make your pathway greener.  Let’s live green, be green!

Source:

http://www.lcv.org/elections/dirty-dozen

http://www.truthandpolitics.org/congress-scorecards.php

 

The New Green Agenda Taking Shape

by

Last night, during his victory speech, President Obama made note that in the coming years we must take notice and attempt to neutralize the threat posed by global warming. Of course, this raises the question of how this will be undertaken and how it will affect the economy. When we looked at this election cycle, we did not see climate change brought up as a campaign point, so to sketch out the next four years, we must look at the past four. With regards to climate change and the economy, we can see some key areas that Mr. Obama has at least focused on, if not attempting to enact policy, namely fuel efficiency, green energy and jobs, high-speed rail, and oil subsidies. Let’s take a quick look at each one of these and see how the President’s policy regarding them could affect the economy.
The Obama administration set new standards in fuel efficiency. These standards will increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light duty trucks by the model year 2025. These standards are projected to save US consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump, while decreasing US oil consumption by 12 million barrels.  The adoption of these measures alone will cut down on one of the most painful costs for American families, allowing them to spend more on more beneficial sources of consumption. Furthermore, these standards increase incentives for hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as charging stations. These incentives could help to reduce costs, and as such, decrease barriers to entry into the market. Government assistance also could help propel the US into the coveted position of world leader in the electric vehicle market. The President has made a point to increase exports and promote electric vehicles, and this certainly could play into this.
Concerning green jobs, the President had in the past secured a tax credit for clean energy jobs, research, and production. Many manufacturers awaited the outcome of the elections with trepidation, as Gov. Romney stated multiple times he would end all subsidies to green energy. We will likely see the President push for a continuation, if not an expansion, of these tax credits over the next four years. Justification for these subsidies would be the infant industry theory, wherein the industry would likely not survive for the time being without the subsidies. Another green sector in the economy would be mass transportation. The Administration has laid plans for national high speed rail lines in the past. The stimulus included funds for the upgrading of creating “high speed railroads” as they are known in the rest of the world. The Administration will likely push for high speed rail for both economic and political reasons. Politically, the promise of jobs and a more centralized connection and access to major population centers could entice blue collar voters to go Democrat in rural and economically depressed counties.
Finally, the President has made a continuous push over the last year to end subsidies for oil and gas companies. While it was not discussed much in the election, the fiscal cliff is still on the horizon. It presents a perfect opportunity for the President to press for an end to oil subsidies. Simultaneously extending and or increasing green energy tax credits, while getting rid of oil subsidies, could give the green energy market more of an advantage and make costs of production and prices more competitive.
Regardless of what’s undertaken, transitioning one’s economy is a difficult task. Climate change is very much real, and it presents a very credible threat to our standard of living and economy. However, it also presents new opportunities for economic success. We can either go down with the sinking ship that is fossil fuels or we can jump ship and transition to a green economy. The US has been the hegemonic power for the past century because of its economic might, which has been driven by an innovative spirit and position as the most competitive player on the world stage in the most important industries. For the 21st century, that is green energy. I believe the Administration sees it this way, yet the realities of the world may replace restrictions on what can be done. The President has made climate change an issue.  now he must convince the people and Congress it really of the same.

Sources for this article are:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/08/28/obama-administration-finalizes-historic-545-mpg-fuel-efficiency-standard

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-06/green-jobs-depend-on-obama-win-as-fiscal-cliff-approaches.html

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/03/obamas-day-going-after-oil-subsidies/1#.UJp_BcX7J8E

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/29/politics/oil-subsidies/index.html

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2012/0821/Obama-plan-for-high-speed-rail-after-hitting-a-bump-chugs-forward-again

http://www.politico.com/morningtransportation/1112/morningtransportation9414.html?hp=l6_b7

By Sean McGuire

Forward for Green

by

Now that the 2012 election is over, Monday morning quarterbacks are examining their play books to determined what did and did not work and where they stand on their key issues.  The same holds true for proponents of green initiatives.  The commitment and actions of green coalitions, scientists and ordinary committed citizens over the past few years have yielded remarkable results in the fight to give climate change and global warming the attention it requires.  While it is unfortunate that it took Hurricane Sandy’s catastrophic descent on major northeastern urban centers in this country to garner the call to action from political leaders, it still is important to recognize that the platform is here now.  With the visual record of Sandy’s attack fresh in our minds and the costs of the devastation still rising, it is mandatory that we use this window of opportunity to aggressively move forward to advance a green agenda to address the problem of climate change.

Today we celebrate the reelection of Barack Obama, who, in his victory speech, specifically addressed the need for a country “that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet“.  Our agenda finally has made it to the national spotlight.  As concerned citizens, we must hold the President and other elected officials accountable for addressing this problem.  To do this, the green movement must rethink and regroup its strategies with the goal to establish a major voting block inclusive of all people committed to protect and preserve the earth.  We particularly need the energy of young people ages 18 to 30, who have a real stake in this movement because the condition of the planet directly affects their tomorrow.  With a strong lobby and voting block established, the green movement can secure the commitment of elected officials and candidates who have the option of effectively representing this voting block or face defeat.  This is our time to propel climate change to the position it deserves, upfront and center with health care, foreign policy and the economy.  This is a natural progression as this issue is fully woven into the pattern of all of every existing item on the national agenda and can no longer be ignored.

As we address the hard work ahead for the green movement, it is important that we celebrate the victories achieved in this election.

  • The persistent efforts and education by the League of Conservation Voters and other policy interest groups and watchdogs resulted in the defeat of three “Flat Earth Fivers”, namely Joe Walsh of Illinois, Ann Marie Buerkle of New York and Francisco Conseco of Texas.
  • Rhode Island voters approved a bond for $0 million to fund wastewater and drinking water projects.
  • The state of Maine approved several water, sewer, conservation and transportation bonds.
  • The city of Longmont, Colorado anti-fracking activists were successful in upholding a ban on hydraulic fracking and storage of fracking waste within city limits.
  • Seattle, Washington voters overwhelmingly approved a 30-year bond for $290 million to rebuild the Elliott Bay seawall.

There were a lot of lessons to be learned from this contentious election campaign.  Perhaps the most important is the admonition by former President Bill Clinton at the Democratic Convention that “we are all in this together’.  With this in mind, let’s use this new day to roll up our sleeves and work hard to live green, be green.

From Darkness to Light - please read

From Darkness to Light – (Photo credit: ecstaticist)

Make Tomorrow A Historical Day For Green Living

by

Here we are at good news Monday.  This is a very important day because it is the eve of our opportunity as proponents of green living to celebrate and commit to a greener life by casting our votes for green initiatives.  This past week was historical for the green movement because with the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy and the Frankenstorm, we finally witnessed major political players in large cities and public policy makers acknowledge the reality of climate change and the need to seek real solutions to the problems of extreme weather conditions caused by global warming.

Now that we have a listening audience, it is time to take the steps to enact the needed changes.  Tomorrow we can make a difference at the polls.  To do this,it is mandatory that we get out and vote.  This message is particularly important for the younger set, ages 18 to 30.  While we have been deluged with so much information, some fact and some fiction, it is important that we peel back the layers on all the hype and examine the facts.  Realize first of all that the younger voters hold the power in this election, particularly in green matters.  Reject the positions that attempt to dichotomize voters into two major  groups, Democrats or Republicans.  Read the ballot and vote your conscience, not the straight ticket.  Do your homework and pay extra attention to local and/or third-party candidates on state and local ballots who are committed to green issues.  Try googling green ballot issues for your particular state to learn about these candidates, whose voices have been drowned out by the clamor over national issues.  Consider that change often works its way up faster than it does down because there usually is less bureaucratic gridlock on the local and state level, and local officials often are held more accountable by and accessible to their constituents.

It is important for each of us to realize the role we play in this election to advance green initiatives.  Scientific evidence consistently points to the need to reduce our carbon footprint.   Conservatives and many older Americans discredit or ignore these theories partly because research shows that reclamation of a healthy Earth is a long and arduous process.  It could take as many as 20 years to reduce the level of carbon dioxide (the most common greenhouse gas) to an acceptable limit of 350 parts per million (http://www.350.org/n/node/48).  Perhaps those over the age of 45 feel that this will not apply to them as they may even be here.  So just live for today.  However, for people 30 and under, this is your tomorrow.  Invest today with your vote for the dividends for yourself and your future family.  You do have the energy to this as evidenced by your being the market sector that has made Apple the company it is today.  Transfer that energy that empowered you to stand in line for hours to be one of the first one or two million people to get that new IPhone or IPad to be that savvy determined voter willing to stand in line tomorrow to vote for your candidates that will advance the green causes.

The older voters committed to the green movement also have a mission to accomplish tomorrow.  Speak up for your children at the ballot box.  Do your homework tonight and look carefully at the candidates, especially on the local and state ballots who are fighting to save our planet.  Champion the green movement, and your children will do so likewise.

As proponents of an environmentally healthy and safe world, let’s make tomorrow a historical day for the green movement.  Let’s vote to “be the change we want to see”.  As always, let’s live green, be green!

To Victims of Hurricane Sandy

by

Dear victims of Hurricane Sandy,

Our hearts go out to you.  As you all work to rebuild your homes and lives, please know that LGBG is going to work even harder on the mission we set forth.  We are confident, that by working tirelessly to rid the world of ignorance towards very real problems associated with climate change, we can help put a halt to random and severe weather of this magnitude.  Despite what many politicians and legislators argue, for monetary purposes in most cases, climate change is very real and in the wake of Hurricane Sandy it is officially time for everyone to understand this.  How many more catastrophic storms do we need?  Please, everyone, stand up for your Earth and the future generations of your family and make an effort to Live Green and Be Green so this does not happen again!  This is a call to action, the responsibility is on YOU.

Sincerely,

The Editor