Looking for a Job– Try Green

by

As we move forward to implement green into our lifestyles through healthy living and technology, it is only natural that the country’s most prominent green economy stakeholders, ranging from businesses, community leaders and environmentalists to elected officials would advance ideas and introduce projects to aid this cause.  The concept of a green economy is now front and center as evidenced by an emerging business sector with many educational and employment opportunities.  This is especially good news with the recognition that the present faltering economy is slowly rebounding, but with a noticeable shift away from traditional manufacturing and service jobs to a new sector which requires more efficient use of cutting edge technology and well-trained, albeit, smaller staff.

Job opportunities now are available in both the public and private sectors for individuals willing to reinvent themselves through education and job training and for people who are motivated to relocate to areas where such opportunities are prevalent.  A check of local government job opportunities resulting from mandates to provide clean and energy-efficient transportation often will reveal available positions in construction to house these new operations, as well as job openings to manage these enhanced services.  Job training for these types of positions frequently is offered at community colleges and other local career labs with financial aid possibly available.  Other opportunities can be found in the areas of solar, wind, renewable energy and clean energy.

When searching for jobs in the green economy, it is important to think out of the box.  While a potential candidate may not be a scientist, engineer or other professional with a trade specialty in this sector, that individual still can work in support operations as all businesses require administrative, as well as financial, marketing, security and other support staff.

The Internet is a great place to initiate a search for green jobs.  A perusal of job opportunities will help a person to assess qualifications for open positions and to find out the geographical locations of opportunities.  Also, be sure to check out federal employment opportunities, particularly at USA Jobs.  When applying for positions, be sure to include in your resume a statement regarding your commitment to a greener world in your objective.

The green economy presents a wonderful opportunity for you to “be the change you want to see”.  Let’s live green, be green.

Coral Reefs are in Grave Danger

by

Coral reefs all over the world are suffering severe damage from climate change, and as the levels of manmade greenhouse emissions continue to rise, the window of opportunity to save the corals are dwindling.  According to a report published in the journal, Nature Climate Change, “approximately 70% of corals are expected to suffer long-term degradation by 2030, even if strict emission cuts are enforced”.  Loss of the coral reefs would be devastating to the ecosystem because the corals are home to about 25% of the world’s ocean species.  In addition to providing coastal protection, they support tourism and fishing industries for millions of people globally.

Scientists at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research at the University of British Columbia and the Universities of Melbourne and Queensland in Australia conduct studies on the impact of climate change on coral reefs.  With the use of climate models to calculate the effects of different emission levels on 2,160 reefs worldwide, the researchers concluded that “[t]he rise of global average temperatures, warmer seas and spread of ocean acidification due to greenhouse gas emissions . . . pose major threats to coral ecosystems”.  To protect coral reefs, sea surface temperatures must decrease greater than 2 degrees Celsius, which is the limit viewed as a safe threshold to avert most devastating effects of climate change—i.e., drought, sea level rise and crop failure.    The study advises that a limit of the mean temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius is needed to save at least half of the coral reefs.

A separate report issued last week notes the threat to the Caribbean corals and urged action to limit pollution and aggressive fishing practices.  Average live coral cover is down to 8% today, compared to 50% in the 19070s as reported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

These research findings should serve as a wakeup call on the severely negative impact of climate change on our ecosystems.  We need to act to save our environment while there is time.  Let’s live green, be green.

Coral reefs are under threat of degradation from global warming resulting in increased water temperatures.

The Verdict is in on Red Meat and the Environment

by

A study from the University of Cambridge concluded that reducing our consumption of red meat would help our health and the environment.  The BMJ Open Study (http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/2/5/e001072.abstract) included data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of British Adults in 2000 to 2001.  The researchers observed the amount of meat consumed by study participants and the level of greenhouse gas emissions linked to 45 different foods.

After adjusting for proportions, the study found that people who regularly ate red or processed meat overall ate more food than people who did not consume red or processed meat on a regular basis.  They then calculated that if consumers of red and processed meat limited their intake to the level of individuals who do not consume red and processed meat or who ate smaller portions of these products with less regularity, the former group would reduce its health risks for diabetes, colorectal cancer and heart disease anywhere between 3% and 12%.  Specifically, the data indicated that men who ate red meat had an average consumption of 53 grams a day.  A reduction in consumption compatible to that of people who do not regularly consume red meat translated to a 12% decrease in risk for colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes.  This also would decrease greenhouse gas emissions linked with food and beverages by just under a half of a ton (0.45) per person.

Despite the fact that the survey data used for this study is more than 10 years old, the researchers validated its qualification for this study because statistics indicate that the consumption of red meat has not changed significantly over the past 10 years, and in fact, this data may even be conservative.  It is also consistent with previous research published in the British Journal of Cancer that shows a possible association between processed meat consumption and cancer risks, linking a 19% increased risk for pancreatic cancer and the daily ingestion of an extra 50 grams of processed meat.

Reduced consumption of red meat is a boost to good health and helps the environment.

Studies such as these provide hard evidence for our need to reduce consumption of red and processed meat.  This is a great way to improve our health and to help the environment.  To be successful, start small by first reducing the amount of red meat on our plates and increasing the side dishes.  Then move on slowly to eliminating red meat from some meals.  Look for creative recipes for vegetables and side dishes to make them appetizing and filling, and be sure to include water with your meals.  Once this becomes a habit, it will be easier to maintain.  There also is the added plus of extra cash in your pocket from reduction in food expenses.  Remember to eat green, live green, be green.

Low Footprint Farming: A New Twist to an Old Idea

by

Sometimes a nation such as ours is humbled and truly inspired by the green initiatives of other nations. For example, in non-educated and rural parts of China, fish farmers utilize sustainable ingenuities, not because they grab headlines, or because they are the new chic thing to do, rather because it is good business practice, and more importantly turns seemingly invaluable waste into more output of fish.

The process begins with silk worms who are fed mulberry leaves. Feasting on the leaves, the worms grow to over 10,000 times their original body size in just four weeks. The waste that is left over from the process, which contains a generous amount of fiber, is then used as food for the carp who are being farmed.  In addition, the waste is used as fertilizer to grow the mulberry trees themselves. This sustainable practice by rural farmers allows the people to be efficient in their processes, while also producing a healthy amount of fish, and raw silk to be refined and sold into the marketplace. The carp fish themselves also personify the green movement as their diet consists mostly of plant matter that others do not even touch, and  create fertilizer for other plants as well, resulting in an almost harmless effect on the environment. The result of such a process is that China produces over 10,000,000 tons of carp, which exceeds the total of fish produced by any other country. The coined phrase “low footprint farming” helps to describe the resourcefulness of these farmers and is something we can model ourselves around.

The story detailed above is one taken from National Geographic youtube video. The rest of the video details how the work environment and allure of city jobs are influencing youths to move there in favor of higher paying jobs, while the fishing industry is attempting to adapt to the depletion of young fishermen. Attached below is the link to the video. Please take some time out to watch the video and learn how we can all live green, and be green.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18xyR8KWrgE&feature=player_embedded#!

 

Youth Program Tackles Global Warming

by

Plant for the Planet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees and combating climate change with operations in 131 countries.  To date, it has planted more than one million trees in Germany alone.  The most amazing fact about this group is that is founder, Felix Finkbeiner, is only 13 years old and founded this organization when he was only nine years old.  Finkbeiner has taken it upon himself and his group to get something done.  This is reflected in the their motto:  “Stop talking.  Start planting.”  This young man is well aware that just planting trees cannot save the world, but he knows that you have to start somewhere.

The members of Plant for the Planet are called Climate Justice Ambassadors.  They meet to discuss issues relative to global warming and present papers, often from science reports that provide factual evidence of the magnitude of climate change.  The Climate Justice Ambassadors note that even though they as children generally “hate to follow rules,” they are convinced that global laws and regulations are needed to preserve the planet.

Plant for the Planet has published a book, Tree By Tree, in which they detail steps that can be taken by everyone (often small ones) that can help save the planet.  These include driving less, flying less, cooking foods with lids on pans and lowering the heat settings, using energy-efficient bulbs and eating less meat.  They recognize the power of numbers and debunk the motto of people who assume that whatever they do as individuals will not make a difference.

The organization is very critical of broken promises by the car industry, particularly German car manufacturers, who failed to keep promises to produce automobiles that would emit less carbon dioxide.  They point out that in Germany, people who drive bigger cars receive greater tax benefits from the government. They criticize the finance ministers from the EU, who failed to regulate taxation of aviation fuel in order to promote tourism at the expense of the climate.  On the subject of food, they criticize the mass consumption of meat and the transportation of fruits and vegetables out of season to the far parts of the earth to satisfy tastes despite the carbon dioxide emissions.

Plant for the Planet believes their organization has history behind it to support its fight to save the planet.  They pointedly state, “countless individuals, groups, communities and even whole nations have had to fight for their rights.  What about us kids?  Slowly it is clear that we kids have no other choice but to fight for our own rights and future too.”

The children in Plant for the Planet are amazing ambassadors for climate change.  They recognize the need to inherit a healthy planet.  Adults should take heed and get on board with this movement.  As stated in Isaiah 11:6:  “And a child shall lead them.”  Let’s live green, be green.

Otter Fodder

by

Image

Here at LGBG, we like to provoke outside the box thinking such as: what do otters and the green movement have in common? To the surprise of most, otters, help to remove harmful greenhouse gases primarily through their consumption of sea urchins. As stated in National Geographic, sea urchin’s diet consist primarily of kelp, a natural carbon dioxide absorber. By preying on the urchins, sea otters are doing their part to sustain the kelp population, and simultaneously aiding in the absorption of potentially dangerous greenhouse gases.

One might ask, can otters really make that much of an impact on our environment? And despite kelp being able to, “absorb as much as 12 times the amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than if it were subject to ravenous sea urchins” Jeffrey Dukes of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center in Indiana flatly answered “no”. He noted it was interesting to realize that such a relationship existed, but that its global effect would be minimal.

The real importance however lies firmly in what many biologists already know: that animals interact with living and non-living things in ways that are complex and inately intertwined. Yet, by studying these relationships further with a keen eye towards their effects on the environment, a sophisticated schedule can be set up detailing each particular relationship’s positive and or negative impact through their respective carbon footprint. Surely a painstaking process, the rewards of such an understanding are invaluable and will take us one step closer to a world in which we all live green, and be green.

source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/09/120910-sea-otters-global-warming-urchins-kelp-frontiers-science/

 

MPG: Changing Car Rental Services for the Greener

by

Simple sustainability efforts go a long way.  Here’s a bit of a scoop on one such effort we’ve deemed worthy to shake up our headlines here at LGBG.http://media.merchantcircle.com/37137174/mpg-logo-full-vertical_full.png

That’s right. It’s a company by the name of MPG Car Rental, and although its not the largest company, it hasn’t allowed that small fact to prevent it from doing big things!

Similar to rental car services like Hertz, Budget, Enterprise, and even old Thrifty, MPG provides a slew of automobiles to its customers on a temporary, rental basis.  No biggie, right?  But what sets this little Venice, California-based rent-a-car service apart from its traditional competitors, is that MPG’s fleet of vehicles are “all green” and still suit all needs.  Whether customers are looking for compact sedans or full-size SUV’s, MPG Car Rental boasts a wide range of eco-friendly vehicles.

The brand management experts at Interbrand rank the most green global brands yearly, based on what they consider to be critical criteria in determining the sustainability of business efforts.  In first, third, and fourth place on 2012’s Interbrand Best Global Green Brands list were Toyota, Honda, and Volkswagen, respectively.  It should therefore come as no immediate shock to the consumer that MPG Car Rental offers some of the flagship hybrid vehicles associated with these top performing brands.

Aside from Toyota’s three generations of Prius vehicles, MPG offers its Camry and Highlander hybrids, as well as its Lexus offspring, including the CT 200 hybrid and two variations of the RX model.  Also members of the all-green MPG fleet are Honda’s Insight, Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI (diesel), and Chevy’s new Volt and hybrid Tahoe.  And the customer should look forward to seeing this selection of vehicles change, as MPG makes it a point to constantly re-examine and continually update its fleet’s member vehicles to reflect current top performance trends.

What further sets MPG’s business model apart from those of competitors is its special test drive program.  MPG allows its customers who are thinking about purchasing a eco-friendly hybrid vehicle to rent and test drive any member of its fleet for up to four days to see if the vehicle fits the customer’s lifestyle.  From that point, if the customer purchases that model vehicle from one of MPG’s affiliated dealers, the customer is automatically eligible for the reimbursement of up to four days’ rental of that MPG vehicle.  Clever and helpful.

Through minimal efforts in specialization within the constraints of already established methods of business in an industry, MPG has managed to re-vamp operations to increase sustainability.  Customers can rest assured that they are not only receiving vehicles that perform well, but that they are helping lessen their carbon footprints all the while.  MPG Car Rental should be an example to all future rent-a-car companies, that small change can make a difference and still pay off financially.  Hopefully the company continues to grow, both in successful business, and in the admirable ideologies with which its conducts its business.

Farm-to-Table Trend Grows

by

Access to fresh food is a major concern of the green movement.  Locally grown food is better for both consumers and the environment principally because it most likely was picked within the last day or two and is crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor.  Fresh produce loses its nutrients quickly.  Its sugars turn to starches and plant cells shrink.  Consequently, locally produced fruits and vegetables have more flavor and nutrients and are better for you.

Locally produced food is good for the economy because the money made from sales by local farmers is reinvested into the area economy, enabling these communities to thrive and remain resilient, especially during downturns.  Local farmers are better positioned to practice sustainable techniques and are mandated by local governments to keep pesticides and other chemicals out of runoff water.  Because their farms are smaller than those of corporate conglomerates, these farmers have greater flexibility to maintain crop diversification and to implement sustainable harvesting methods that impact the quality of the water source.  Another benefit of purchasing produce locally is that it reduces our carbon footprint, as food does not have to be transported long distances to be sold.

The emergence of farm-to-table eateries also has become popular all over the country.  Chefs spearhead this movement with a goal to maintain access to fresh ingredients that are not sprayed with chemicals to protect them on long trips to restaurants and also to leave a smaller eco-footprint.  Farm-to-table eateries also serve to assure green-minded consumers that the meals they purchase at restaurants and eateries are healthy.

The current harvest season with its bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables offers consumers a great opportunity to experience locally grown fruits and vegetables.  Make sure you check local directories for times for farmers’ markets or stop by local farm stands to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.  When planning to eat out, do a little research and farm-to-table restaurants and local eateries a try.  Remember to live green, be green.

Kevin and Gillian Halligan at their Local Eatery in downtown Laconia, New Hampshire

 

Climate Change Alters Life as We Know It

by

The protracted heat and severe storms over the past year have affected most of our lives in some way.  The extent of impact has ranged from inconvenient power losses during storms to loss of property and life during periods of hurricanes and tornadoes and their resultant flooding.  Some of these effects are predicted while some other results come as a surprise.

We know that the harsh effects of climate change have signaled increased food prices all over the world.  The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization warns that any sudden and extreme price hikes in food are especially devastating to people in places such as Africa where undernourishment already is a significant problem.  The current drought in the Midwestern United States and Russia, accounting for increased costs for maize and soybeans, could evolve into a catastrophe for tens of millions of people.

Although it may seem like a luxury to some, the availability of maple syrup is decreasing due to higher temperatures that have shortened the syrup collection seasons.  The Proctor Maple Research Center at the University of Vermont predicts that the long-term effects of global warming “may lead to a shift in forest composition and the maple-beech-birch range will begin migrating northward to cooler areas”.  Such migration will delay syrup production because it takes 40 to 50 years of maturation for a maple tree to produce enough sap for sugaring.  While the decrease in maple syrup production is an inconvenience to pancake lovers, it poses a socioeconomic threat to a major industry in the northeastern region of the United States.   Further information on this can be found at:   http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Nov10/SyrupClimate.html

Global warming also harms many animals adapted to colder environments.  An article in the U.S. News and World Report cites the difficulties faced by caribou in warmer temperatures.  The caribou now arrive in West Greenland after the peak foraging period.  “Fewer calves are being born, more calves are dying.”  http://www.usnews.com/news/energy/slideshows/10-animals-threatened-by-global-warming.  Additionally, polar bear litters are getting smaller as the amounts of sea ice declines from warmer temperatures.  Earlier than usual spring sea ice break-up results in the failure of pregnant females to bring calves to term.  Our warmer planet also threatens fish, such as trout and salmon, which thrive in cold streams.  In addition to affecting the survival and propagation of sea life, the negative impact of warmer waters will also result in millions of dollars in lost revenues to the fishing industry in the United States alone.

In terms of recreation, climate change also poses some interesting threats to the availability of goods and services that enhance our lives.  The increased temperatures, particularly in the south, potentially increase the chances for hyperthermia for outdoor athletes.  This is especially a problem for football players. http://www.txchnologist.com/2011/heres-a-reason-to-care-about-climate-change-it-could-ruin-texas-football  Unfortunately, the conservative south has led the way to block serious climate action.  Also with global temperature rise, sea levels are expected to increase.  Such occurrences threaten to submerge Florida’s coastal communities, which would be devastating to vacationers and the communities that rely on tourism for their survival.

Many other products that we enjoy also are threatened by climate change with its increased temperatures.  These include coffee, beer (which relies on water for production), chocolate and many fruits, including grapes, which in turn, affect wine production.  This list goes on and on but is limited here by space.  Just think about the foods you buy and activities you enjoy.  Many of these things may become more expensive or they may disappear entirely because of climate change.

Climate change is much more than a small cyclical inconvenience.  It potentially poses a threat to life as we know it.  To save our planet, let’s live green, be green.

It would be difficult for Gene Kelly to sing in the rain today. Either the storms are so severe or there is no rain– both impossible extremes.

What the Frick Is Fracking?

by

What the Frick is fracking?

We at LGBG felt that is was very important to publish an informational introductory post about hydraulic fracking, also spelled fraccing, and the dangers that it poses to our environment. Hydraulic Fracking is a growing concern among environmentalists and scientists around the world and for great reason. This introduction to fracking is intended to spark some curiosity in our readers and encourage them to explore more in terms of hydraulic fracking and join the fight to end its practice.

So what is hydraulic fracking? Hydraulic fracking is a method by which natural gas is extracted from the earth. To do this, systems of pressurized tanks pump a sand, chemical and water mixture into shale rock formations. This is done to create a natural gas well that is continuously fracked until its reserves have been depleted (sometimes 18 times). In the United States, there are over 500,000 wells that produce an excess of 300,000 barrels of natural gas per day. But at what cost to our environment?

Hydraulic fracking has a disastrous environmental impact. First off, 8 million gallons of water are needed in order to frack a well each time. Just to put this into perspective, 500,000 wells being fracked 18 times each, require 72 trillion gallons of water by the time all of the wells have been depleted. Additionally, the chemicals that are used in the fracking process are highly toxic. Among the 600 different chemicals, known carcinogens such as formaldehyde, ethylene glycol and mercury are used. These toxins along with methane being released from the earth are being excreted into the water supply as well as the air supply. Tests of water sources located near fracking wells have indicated much higher levels (sometimes as high as 17 percent) of these toxins. As a likely result of hydraulic fracking, more frequent cases of cancers and neurological disorders have been reported in communities located near wells.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what fracking is, how it is done and the dangers of the practice. It is a very real problem and our reliance on natural gas is continuing to fuel this harmful business. We at LGBG encourage everyone to continue exploring the world of hydraulic fracking and to learn about what you can do to help end it. This site, http://www.dangersoffracking.com is a great place to start your journey. It provides a comprehensive and interactive experience that guides you through the world of fracking.

We have also imbedded a video that provides visual models as well as an explanation of the actual fracking process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73mv-Wl5cgg

As always, thank you for reading and thank you for spreading the word. Knowledge is indeed power and we all have the responsibility to learn and share!