Climate Change Ignored in First Presidential Debate

by

As everyone analyzes last night’s first presidential debate, it seems that a focus on the important and often urgent concerns of voters were sidelined by concern with style and appearance, resulting in a journalistic award of a “victory” for Mitt Romney.  This win for Romney clearly signals an ideological loss for the green movement.

First and foremost, Mr. Romney brazenly misstated President Obama’s investment in “green energy”, erroneously claiming that the administration had spent $90 billion on “green energy”, but that half of the companies that he had spent the money on had failed.  A report by the Washington Post declares this is a “flat-out false claim”.  Rather, the $90 billion was the sum set aside for “green” tech and research in the stimulus bill.  A substantial portion of these funds was used for efficiency projects, research and development, carbon sequestration, and upgrading the nation’s electric grid, among other projects.  Only a small percentage was spent on direct loans to clean energy companies, and contrary to Romney’s statement, very few of these companies have failed.

Secondly, to the dismay of the electric car industry, Romney called electric car companies “losers”, specifically Tesla, which is well on its way to becoming a successful and profitable business.  While President Obama did not call Mr. Romney out on the importance of clean energy and electric cars, he did look the camera in the eye and spoke to the American people, noting that he differed from Romney in that he was more interested in the development of renewable energy sources.  Additionally, he voiced the need to end federal oil subsidies.  Perhaps Romney summed up his commitment to the protection of the environment and the health and safety of its inhabitants by stating, “I like coal”.

Proponents of the green movement also are disappointed that Jim Lehrer, as moderator, disregarded climate control as an issue even worthy of discussion in the debate.  Despite receiving 160,000 letters from a coalition of nonprofit organizations dedicated to green initiatives requesting discussion on climate change, Mr. Lehrer ignored this issue.  Supposedly, the purpose of the debate was to give millions of voters an opportunity to “hear how the candidates plan to address the nation’s most urgent challenges”.  It appears that the moderator does not consider the climate crisis that important or urgent.

The green movement is a strong and dedicated one that is not going to go away.  It will not and cannot be dismissed alongside Big Bird.  While it cannot force a discussion of its issues at a debate, it can ensure that it is a force to be reckoned with at the ballot box.  It is clear to the green movement that climate change is devastating and a threat to our very existence.  Any discussion on education, construction, health care, or job creation must include climate change and environmental concerns to be effective.  Any voter who is concerned about health, welfare, employment and family issues and who wants to make sure there will be a healthy planet around for their children to inherit has a clear choice.  Hopefully, we will live green, be green.

Mitt Romney clearly takes a stand against green.

Count Me In the Celebration of Fair Trade Month

by

October represents the ninth annual celebration of Fair Trade Month.  Over the ensuing weeks, eco-friendly consumers, ethically committed retailers and brands will sponsor special activities to promote Fair Trade.  In this month’s “simple list”, the October issue of Real Simple notes that five million men, women and children in developing countries benefit from the global sale of Fair Trade products.

This movement has proved to be a great way to enhance the lives of farmers and workers.  A certified Fair Trade product must be produced in a manner that is socially and environmentally responsible, including, but not limited to, no employment of children or engaging any practices that threaten the environment.  Additionally, all workers for these businesses must receive fair compensation.

Fair Trade Month is an opportune time to make a commitment to the green movement through the purchase of Fair Trade products.  While shopping, trade in an item on your list for a Fair Trade version—maybe a cup of coffee for starters.  This also is a good time to learn more about the Fair Trade movement.  Get socially connected as a fan of Fair Trade Certified on Facebook where up-to-date information on the latest news on this movement is available, along with recipes, give-aways and conversation from dedicated supporters.  Fair Trade USA can be followed on Twitter and Instagram and is a great source for information.

Perhaps you already are committed to do something special for Fair Trade Month but need ideas.  There are several options available, including making a donation to Fair Trade USA.  Monetary gifts to this nonprofit organization support farmers and workers globally and specifically in the areas of economic security, schools, scholarships, environment sustainability and empowerment of women.  Other ideas include gifts of Fair Trade products to friends and family members, which will commemorate important milestones while also introducing them to this wonderful concept.  Thirdly, this is an opportune time to join or start a Fair Trade campaign in a local community or on a college campus.

Any contribution made to the Fair Trade movement is important, and “every purchase matters”.  Getting involved in the Fair Trade Movement during this celebration month is an excellent way to live green, be green.

Count Me In!

 

Organic Farming Lessons From Anatolia, Turkey

by

A recent New York Times article notes that farming, the second oldest profession in the world, is making a comeback.   Many liberal arts college graduates seem to be avoiding the extreme and intense competition for entry level office jobs with its accompanying drudgery and taking up organic farming.  The consideration of farming as an occupation after college for today’s graduates is logical because this generation generally is more eco-conscious.  During their college years, many of these students were active in campaigns concerned with climate change, as well as the quality of food served on campuses.  As a result, sustainable farming is in vogue.

An interesting article by activist, Ellen Freudenheim (Sustainable Farming, Organic Food:  8 Lessons for America from Anatolia, Turkey) is a great starting place to get involved in sustainable farming.  This article presents eight valuable tips that the author learned about organic farming while visiting Turkey “where such ideas as ‘small farm,’ ‘organic,’ and ‘locally grown’ are so old hat that they predate the fez.”  These lessons are as follows:

  • Plan ahead.
  • Keep it simple.
  • A college education isn’t enough.
  • If you want to eat what you sow, think systems.
  • Sustainable gardening takes multiple hands.
  • Plan a winter vacation in Florida to recover from making hay while the sun shines.
  • Don’t underestimate how much skill and knowledge are needed.
  • God’s gifts—faith and optimism are important ingredients in a lifestyle in which food for sustenance depends on the sun, rain and natural elements beyond one’s control.

In conclusion, Ms Freudenheim offers a recipe for change that combines traditional farming techniques with modern technology, guided by savvy college students committed to address the current problems of quality of food supply and the obesity epidemic.  Hopefully, this sustainable farm movement will grow and appeal to the public at large so that we all can live green, be green.

Good Green News

by

Our world is full of bad news.  Locally, we are bombarded with stories on crime, accidents sickness, death and destruction.  Then the national news serves up a daily dose of reports on war, famine, poverty, climate change and politics.  I have decided that from this point going forward, I will continue to discuss topics important to the green movement, but I will reserve Mondays for good green news.  Monday subjects will range from people, activities, legislation and research aimed at improving our planet to inspirational stories, celebrations and community activities by people trying to make a positive difference.

My first good green Monday story salutes World Vegetation Day, which is celebrated today, October 1st, and kicks off Vegetarian Awareness Month.  For those interested in improving their health through dietary measures, this is a great opportunity to investigate the benefits of a veggie-friendly diet.

It is important to note that there are several levels of vegetarianism, and they are summarized as follows:

  • Vegan:  One who abstains from the use of animal products;
  • Vegetarian:  One who excludes from his/her diet meat and slaughter by-products, fish, shellfish, other sea animals and poultry.
  • Pescatarian:  One who practices a diet that includes seafood but not the flesh of other animals.
  • Weekday vegetarian:  One who practices a diet of part-time vegetarianism, often called flexitarian, choosing what to eat and when, i.e., proponents of Meatless Mondays.

Research shows that a vegetarian diet is associated with lower blood pressures and cholesterol, better heart health and even lower rates of cancer.  The American Dietetic Association holds the position that “appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, naturally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases”.  As a bonus, being vegetarian also may contribute to a sense of happiness and well being.  A 2010 study in the Nutrition Journal concluded that vegetarians report significantly less negative emotion than meat eaters.

So let’s celebrate World Vegetarian Day and Vegetarian Awareness Month on some level, ranging from incorporation of more vegetables into our diets to the elimination of meats on some days.  If you are feeling really bold, now may be the time to go cold turkey and eliminate meat.  Let’s celebrate green, live green, be green!

Changing the Paradigm of How We Shop Responsibly

by

The company Amazon seems poised to one day take over the world. Whether it’s the ability to shop for virtually whatever we want in our underpants, or their newest innovation of trying to bring same day delivery of goods, Amazon never ceases to amaze. By venturing into green items, the firm is looking to bring a whole new shopping experience to those conscious of the environment.

The new site will be called vine.com and aims to provide only the most environmentally friendly goods to your household.  The company’s mission statement is to, “[e]xamine and scrutinize the claims made by each supplier and manufacturer so that, when adding a product to their basket, consumers can enjoy peace of mind that a purchase really is organic.”

Here is a screenshot of the website:

Image

As you can see, the site offers a variety of products, ranging from household to grocery items.  That being said, we have seen some attempts by companies to make sustainable shopping easier and more convenient. One such example is Green America which, “…[i]s designed to help consumers source locally produced produce.” So what makes vine.com so different? Well, being that it is the brainchild of amazon.com, you know quality and customer satisfaction are assured. Based on its past successful ventures and ideas, the firm seems only to expand its business when the concept is right and can benefit a majority of people. My experiences with the parent site have only been positive, and it is safe to assume that I will expect the same kind of experience when I use vine.com. The fact that the site will have a dedicated team to making sure all of its products are environmentally friendly is both assuring and a sign of how far the green movement has come. With the help of vine.com, purchasing sustainable products will be even easier, and now with the added benefit of being able to do it in our favorite pair of Hanes.

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/amazon-launches-vine-a-site-green-consumers-article-1.1170591#ixzz27oWhvXbj

Commentary on NBC Education Nation Summit

by

Earlier this week, I commented on the 2012 NBC Education Nation Summit in New York City.   I voiced concerns that the education dialogue failed to address green issues, which potentially could be affected by its suggestions.  After a lively discussion with other “green” bloggers, I feel that I should qualify some of my stated concerns.

First of all and perhaps most importantly, I agree that technology is a key element in the education of America’s youth.  Tablets, computers and smart phones definitely deserve a place in the hands of students because they offer immediate global access to knowledge.  The exercise of using these devices in itself aids in the development of skills in critical thinking and problem solving.  Nonetheless,I stand by my concern that any movement to supply these devices to all students carries with it a responsibility and accountability for the proper management of these electronics in order to avoid pollution of the environment.  A plan has to be in place to properly recycle and/or dispose of obsolete devices.  Students simply cannot “throw them in the trash” and move on to the latest and greatest device.  Landfills simply cannot tolerate the potential volume of debris.

Secondly, any dialogue on the incorporation of digital instruments in the educational system must include concern over the lack of access to Internet service by many communities in this country.  An examination of recent statistics by the Federal Communications Commission indicates that 19 million Americans still have no access to high-speed Internet.  Approximately 14.5 million of these individuals or around 5% of the total U.S. population, “live in rural areas, where Internet providers do not offer services because ‘there is no business case to offer broadband’ services”.  Although the Telecommunications Act of 1996 required the FCC to ensure that broadband was rolled out on a “reasonable basis” to all corners of the country, the current report indicates that this is not happening.  It now is the FCC’s goal to have “universal broadband deployment” in the country by 2020.  Any recommendations by education summits and conferences, as well as any national education benchmark programs to incorporate digital technology through the use of electronic devices for all students will need to address the problems of the digital divide so as to guarantee the availability of these services to all public school students.

Another issue in my previous blog addresses the subject of online courses for all students.  While I do agree that there is a place in the educational system for online courses as a learning tool, and I acknowledge that they positively impact the green movement with reduced transportation of students to classrooms, I still believe that we need to be careful about initiating programs that potentially limit or eliminate the requirement for face-to-face interaction between students and teachers.  We have to proceed cautiously here to avoid overzealous efforts of some government administrators and elected officials to adversely impact the public education systems through harsh budget costs and elimination of teacher positions, books and supplies.  Also, while it would be great for students to meet at area museums, galleries and other cultural centers to get a hands-on experience in many subject areas, the proponents of these ideas must face the reality that there are many towns and even counties in this country that either do not have these cultural attractions or who have eliminated them because of economic restraints.  Access to cultural centers for hands-on education is great, but any dialogue must address the availability of this for all students.

In conclusion, any education summit or conference that aims to improve America’s education system must be mindful of the needs of all students served by the system.  The respected experts who are entrusted to establish the guidelines for programs to improve public education must be fair and just in their decisions.  Education and the green movement go hand-in-hand.  The green movement strives to preserve our planet for future generations, and “education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another” (G.K. Chesterton).  Let’s learn green, live green, be green!

Media Outlets Often Mislead on Climate Change

by

In its analysis of media coverage of climate change, the Union of Concerned Scientists concluded, “93 percent of Fox News’ and 80 percent of the Wall Street Journal opinion pages’ climate coverage is inaccurate and misleading.  This is unfortunate because many people entrust major news sources to deliver true information.  Now we find that often news, especially that related to climate change sometimes is “fiction”.

Some scientists think that the failure to accurately report on climate change results from the lack old credibility of reporters on these topics.  It is common to see weather forecasters present as climate experts, and they are “about as credible as someone claiming to be an expert on the Greenland ice sheet because they eat ice cream”.  Also some news stations tend to lean to the right, with a substantial percentage of their audience being conservatives, who often dismiss the notion and relevance of climate change.  We all know that the bottom line for any television station is the ratings.

The important lesson to take away here is that with worthwhile endeavor, accurate information is key.  It is up to us as individuals to do our own research on issues of climate change and green living.  To accomplish this, we first have to seek reliable sources for our information.  A 30-second blurb on the evening news is not sufficient.  This situation presents a wonderful opportunity for each of us to engage our children and the school system for information on climate change.  Local government sources also are reliable for rules, ideas, and projects to help the environment, save money and to live healthy.

Let’s be good citizens and great stewards of this planet.  Strive to reap the benefits of healthy versus unhealthy living.  To save our planet, let’s learn green, live green, be green!

Bucking the Trend: Shocking Statistics on Congress and Environmental Policy

by

Image

Perusing through the web, I came across this telling statistic on Living Green Magazine regarding the U.S. House of Representatives and green policy making.

“The 112th Congress has adjourned until after the election but leaves us with a shocking statistic: Since January 2011, one out of every five votes during the last 2 years was to undermine environmental protections.”

Now keep in mind, we have no insight into why these bills were passed over and ultimately rejected. As we all know, laws are especially difficult to pass with a partisan government, let alone the petulant bi-partisan one we have today. Yet, by all indications, votes were not cast in a rational basis through facts and hard evidence (I mean what the hell is all that gibberish anyway). Rather, as the article indicates, “The House’s anti-environment votes largely fell along party lines: 94 percent of Republican members voted for the anti-environment positions, while 87 percent of Democratic members voted for the pro-environment positions.” And even more shocking was that some of these votes were cast in an attempt to weaken the “Clean Air Act,” a 40 year old bill which regulates air pollution.

Among the other reprehensible attempts to undermine environmental policy include:

1. 39 votes were to weaken protection of public lands and wildlife.

2. 31 votes were to undermine Clean Water Act protections.

3. 37 votes were to block action to address climate change.

With election day coming up and the topic of healthcare on everybody’s mind, environmental policy may take a relative back seat so-to-speak. Yet, as we’ve made it clear here at livegreenbegreen,  affects everyone, and everyone has the ability to affect it. Making the planet cleaner and safer to live in requires both parties to lay down their swords, and come to the table seeking compromise. Only in this way can we, as a nation, move toward a world in which we all live green, and be green.

source: http://livinggreenmag.com/2012/09/26/energy-ecology/u-s-house-of-representatives-is-voted-the-most-anti-environmental-congress-in-history/

NBC Education Nation Fails on Green Initiatives

by

This week’s NBC Education Nation was touted as a must-attend/must-see event for anyone interested in the education of America’s youth.  This summit, hosted by NBC in New York’s Rockefeller Center brought together more than 300 leaders in education, philanthropy, government and the media.  Guest speakers included President Barack Obama, Presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, and a host of other CEO’s, politicians, journalists, etc.

I have followed this summit online, reading excerpts from town hall meetings and blogs, as well as watching reports on the local news stations.  A lot of problems with the education system have been mentioned, but the subject noticeably avoided was green initiatives.  In fact, some of the suggestions offered may conflict with the green movement.  Primarily, there is an emphasis on technology in education, which endorses equipping students with tablets, laptops and smart phones to be used in the classroom.  While this may sound like a great idea on the surface, one can only imagine the magnitude of the negative impact of this huge amount of electronic debris on the environment.  Of course, such ideas are great for Microsoft and other computer and electronics manufacturers, who make large notations to schools or who sell these products to students at a discount, thereby reaping large financial gain and tax credits.  Their bottom line is different than that of the green movement.  Also, one must question the equity in this suggested program.  To effectively address the issue of education, any program would need to be inclusive of all children irrespective of station in life.  It would be unfair for students in the poor school districts to be left out of these programs because they do not have access to Internet or other systems necessary to support the use of these devices.

Another topic not addressed at the summit was learning environment.  To be successful in school, students need access to physically healthy structures.  This summit seemed to ignore the fact that there are a lot of “sick” school buildings still in use, once again predominantly in poor communities.  Many children in this country attend schools that are polluted with mildew, mold, outdated structures or inadequate/no heating system or air conditioning, thereby making learning difficult or impossible.  The provision of a suitable learning environment has to be part of the education nation dialogue.

A third topic of the summit was online learning.  There are two sides to this story also.  Access to online courses is beneficial to some people, but it should not replace the traditional classroom, which presents a valuable opportunity to ask questions, and more importantly, to hear the questions and comments of other students and instructors.  I can recall times that a student did not ask a question, but a teacher recognized a confused look and addressed concerns of that individual.  Online courses potentially remove the ability of a teacher to recognize the need for additional help from a student who may not be able to verbalize this need.  Any online course programs definitely should incorporate a hybrid component, which require some face-to-face group meetings.  Additionally, school attendance presents an opportunity for the school systems to guarantee healthy meals for breakfasts and lunches.  This is important for so many children and must be continued.

The issues discussed here represent only a few of the issues that needed to be addressed at the NBC Education Nation Summit.  There was some discussion of curriculum, but the Summit should have included experts in the green movement, as these individuals are well aware of the environmental issues that need to be addressed through education.  Discussion could have included the need for commitment to develop and implement educational programs to build the workforce to find solutions to green issues threatening the planet.

This writer thinks the NBC Education Nation has earned an F for its grade for this year’s summit.  Our very existence mandates that we learn green, live green, be green!

Green initiatives were not well represented in 2012 NBC Education Nation Summit

Fall Gardening Tips

by

Fall is a great time for true gardeners.  The weather is cooler, making a day in the garden a more enjoyable experience.  While fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs and perennial plants, it is also the optimal period to save on purchases of gardening equipment and nursery stock.  During the autumn season, the soil is warmer, thereby promoting root growth, unlike the spring season, which is unpredictable and generally is followed by a potentially long, hot dry summer period which could be detrimental to young roots.

For those interested in growing vegetables, there are several perennial varieties that flourish during this time of the year.  They include asparagus, bamboo shoots, bunching onions, garlic, horseradish, kale and collard greens, radiccio and rhubarb.  These are hearty vegetables that can be easily grown.  A fall harvest of these items provides the opportunity to eat fresh vegetables well into the cold season.  For those interested in fall flowers, there are several choices available, including chrysanthemums, marigolds, dusty miller and aster, just to name a few.  As a bonus, autumn presents a wonderful landscaping opportunity.  Combinations of pumpkins, flowers, bales of hay and wreaths and arrangements made with corn and cornstalks create a festive mood for any lawn or garden.

Autumn also is the time to divide and plant mature perennial plants and flowering bulbs.  A little research now on how to handle each plant species will ensure that you properly divide and plant so that you will enjoy a dazzling display next spring and summer.  It is also important to mulch garden beds in the fall to retain ground moisture and protect plants while they sleep over the winter.  Building a compost pile for mulching using lawn and garden debris is a great way to be both economical and eco-friendly.

Maintenance of garden tools and equipment should be a priority during the fall.  Now is the time to give those shovels, hoes and other metal tools a good scrubbing and polishing prior to storing them over the winter.  Gas-powered equipment should be cleaned thoroughly and filled with gas containing a stabilizer to prevent condensation and deposits from developing in the engine.  After completing equipment maintenance, an inventory can be taken of useful equipment, followed by a shopping trip to replace items if necessary.  The best deals on garden equipment and tools often can be found during the Fall.

The work is now done, and it is time to enjoy your fall bounty.  Then get rested up and start planning your spring garden.  Live green, be green!

Beautiful flowers with a fall color schem