Time is the problem

By Rebecca Harnik

The more I think about it, the more I believe that a great deal of our environmental carelessness is directly related to the fact that we don’t know how to pace our lives properly. At least I hope this is so; arguing that we are always in a hurry is a bit more optimistic than saying that we are too lazy or apathetic to be bothered with environmental concerns.

Before you claim that Americans are truly too busy to change their time management habits, consider the fact that the average American watches 28 hours of television every week. A lot can happen in 28 hours. I don’t know any statistics on the average person’s Internet browsing hours, but Facebook and Myspace are also huge time killers.

I argue that if we budget our time a little better, perhaps we wouldn’t have to drive half a mile to do an easily walkable errand.

Start paying attention to your daily routine: what parts of your day are the least productive, and how do you spend them? Think about ways to free up some time so that you can more effectively go about your daily routine.

Things that we do because we’re “in a hurry” that should be avoided:

--Driving short distances

--Driving longer distances instead of taking mass-transit

--Speeding: a big gas waster (it usually only saves a couple of minutes)

--Leaving the computer on so that it’s always ready

--Carryout food: lots of trash

--Prepackaged frozen dinners

--Throwing away recyclables (also batteries, e-waste, light bulbs etc) because there isn’t a convenient receptacle—find one by contacting your local county government.

--Running the dishwasher with only a few dishes in it

--Doing small loads of laundry (and drying them) can be very inefficient; wait until you have more items in the load so that you don’t waste water and electricity.

Time-saving ideas:

• Limit TV time and unnecessary internet browsing. If this is a struggle, try one day of the week free of high-speed technology, or no TV during certain hours of the day.
• Combine errands. If you need to take the car, combine tasks into one trip.
• Personally I love to multitask. If you need to make a long phone call and do an errand, try talking on the phone while you walk there.
• By budgeting in a little extra time to walk, bike, take mass transit, turn off appliances, etc, you can help spend your time more wisely and protect the environment.

A Perfect Ten (Cents)

By Christopher Forestieri

Moving from Michigan to Virginia was a big adjustment for me. It meant a new town with new friends, a different job, and a much different climate. But possibly the biggest adjustment I faced was learning to live without my beloved ten cent bottle deposit.

Sure, at first it felt liberating. Buying a twelve pack of already pricy Heineken without that extra $1.20 tacked on seemed nice—but the buzz was quick to wear off.

My habits were hard to change. I still have my Rubbermaid tub full of beer bottles and soda cans. But these days, I no longer get to look forward to that glorious payday. During college, in my more serious beer drinking days, I called this “an investment in future drinking.”

I never minded paying a bit extra upfront for beer since I tended to buy it when I was flush. For example, I would get paid on Friday and would go out and buy a 30-pack of Old Style. Inevitably, a few guests would stop by the house throughout the weekend; by Sunday, I may have 50 or more beer cans stuffed in various boxes and containers.

Like many college students, I would find myself close to broke on Monday, but still craving an ice cold beverage! That was when my can stash came in handy. A trip to the store with nothing but a cart full of terrible smelling cans allowed me to walk out with . . . you guessed it, more beer! And so the cycle began again.

Last weekend, as I walked down the narrow country roads that traverse the foothills of rural Maryland, I noticed that bottles and cans overwhelmingly dominated the roadside landscape. This is a sight seldom seen in Michigan. While my “investment in future drinking theory” was fun, the real value of the deposit is the great incentive it provides to keep the landscape clear of plastic, aluminum and glass. More people than you think will take a few seconds to bend over and pick up what is in effect a dime.

A great example of this incentive in action is seen annually during a popular summertime festival in my hometown. For three days, and unbelievable number of Coca-cola and Mountain Dew bottles are consumed and disposed of, but you wouldn’t know it. The young, the thrifty and the homeless alike scavenge the grounds with large garbage bags and walk away with a relatively handsome profit.

Of course, if you don’t have bottle deposit where you live, you have no idea what I’m talking about. But ask anyone who lives in a state which has bottle deposit and I’m sure they share enthusiasm (if they don’t please encourage them to leave comments as to why). It may be worth it to you to complain to your state and local government and lobby for bottle deposit. Convincing your neighbors to encourage enacting a bottle deposit law may take some work but it’s simply a matter of weighing the benefits against the cost.

The great advantage of the deposit, as I see it, is that it considers reality as well as feasibility. It’s a nice thought to assume citizens will recycle and avoid trashing their communities, but sadly, it is not usually the case. Instead, the bottle deposit gives them an almost universally accepted incentive to do the right thing—cash money. It does require some cost on the part of the consumer, but not in the form of a true tax. Rather, it just asks you to put a little aside for your next drink.

To learn more about bottle deposit, check out the Bottle Bill Resource Guide at http://www.bottlebill.org/

Do Sweat the Small Stuff

By Christopher Forestieri

“My opponent doesn’t want to drill, he doesn’t want nuclear power, he wants you to inflate your tires.”

That was John McCain’s mocking response to Barack Obama’s suggestion that very simple car maintenance, such as monitoring tire pressure, could have as great an impact on reducing our dependence on foreign oil as offshore drilling.

While I understand the necessity of “spin” in campaign season, there has been a surprising amount of debate over this seemingly innocuous statement.

Many have been quick to point out that, when you look at the numbers, properly inflated tires would not have as large an impact on our nations energy problem as offshore drilling would. But on the other side, as recently noted by the L.A Times, “offshore drilling on the outer continental shelf ‘would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030,’ according to the government's Energy Information Administration.”

Whatever the case, I find it ridiculous to mock what is ultimately a very useful suggestion towards increasing our nation’s conscious of its energy consumption and ways to be more efficient with it. Ultimately, steps beyond well inflated tires will need to be taken, and both candidates have been refining and articulating their energy plans to that extent.

Still, while we sit and wait for our government to find a solution, and with the broaching of the highly contested issue of offshore drilling this could be a lengthy debate, there are steps we as individuals can take to both relieve the burden of rising oil costs as well as to offset the impact of depleting resources and damaging the environment; if not for the good of the country and the planet, then at least for your wallet.

While alternative methods of travel such as public transportation are the best way to keep oil costs down and reduce the impact your travel has on the environment, some of us have jobs or live in rural areas where driving is a must. But if you must drive, drive smart.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association has assembled a list of simple tips to keep your car running at optimum efficiency.

While some of these tips may seem common knowledge to some, many tend to take them for granted. Something as simple as driving five mph slower can really have an impact on how often you fill up your gas tank. And remember, it’s not an all or nothing situation; some of these tips may not fit your travel needs; that’s OK.

For example, on a sweltering August afternoon in Virginia, you’re not going to find me driving with my air-conditioning off. However, I try to balance that luxury by turning it off on cooler days and making other energy efficient choices such as taking the Metro when I can.

What’s important is to be cognizant of the little things and to employ them whenever possible.

Photo from the LA Times

Green gatherings

By Rebecca Harnik

If you need a theme for your next party, try an eco-conscious theme.

As much as we may try to avoid garbage, parties and gatherings can produce a substantial amount of waste. We bring out the disposable silverware, we wear costumes that we’ll never use again, and we buy decorations that will be thrown out later on the same night. So what can be done about this? Green gatherings!

Avoid Trash: Tell people to bring their own plate, cup, and utensils. Not only will you avoid all of that extra trash, but people can be excited about showing off their coolest plates and cups. You can have a fun kitchen hangout as everyone washes their own dishes afterward.

If waste can’t be avoided, buy compostable or biodegradable products for your party.

My college campus has recently started doing zero-waste picnics every semester. Instead of serving thousands of dinners on disposable plastic, they use compostable plates, cups and utensils, which save a great deal of waste.

Gift ideas: if you don’t actually want or need gifts, suggest that people bring a plant or flower from their yard (if possible) to share. Another fun idea is always a used gift swap, so that people don’t go out and buy gifts, but still get to go home with something fun. You could even ask that people bring a few bucks to donate to an environmental cause.

Decorations: Instead of going out and blowing up armfuls of balloons, sustainable or reusable decorations can save rubber and a lot of effort: organic or local flowers are always a hit.

Costumes: If possible, avoid parties where people have to go out and buy new outfits. Last year, my former high school had a Green Prom: people shared outfits that they had already worn to other events, which saved a bunch of cash and avoided the need to purchase new clothes.

Food: Shop organically and locally, and avoid hamburgers if possible. See my blogs on eating locally and vegetarianism if you’re interested.

Great Link
Co-op America: has a large database of many approved green businesses all over the country if you need a place to start

Green Tech Part 2

By Nilesh Gogineni, Technology Blogger

This is part 2 of the Green Technology series; the idea is to discuss how technology is paving the future of environmentally friendly ideas and concepts into production with real world usage.

Last week, I discussed GE's new GEnx jet propulsion engine that is going to be incorporated into the new fleet of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. This week, I found the Chevy Volt. Chevy? Yes. Chevrolet? Yes. As in, GM? Yes, GM.

Probably the first good thing GM has done in a long time is revamp its electric car...after the company killed it in 2003 with the required return of all leased EV1 cars. Regardless of the past, the Chevy Volt is certainly a "jolt" to an industry that is currently dominated by Asian automakers. But before you judge the behemoth of a failure that GM has been, take a look at the Chevy Volt.

Is that really a Chevy?? Yeah, it surprised me too, yes it is real in all its glory; something that cannot be said about a GM vehicle, period. So what makes this car green?

The underlying concept, even though it is just a hybrid, is that it is an electric powered, gasoline assisted vehicle. Generally, its been the other way around, gasoline powered, electric assisted. However, the concept behind the Volt is that most Americans drive under 40 miles a day. So, if you make a vehicle that has an electric range of 40 miles, then you will be satisfying the need of most Americans without using a drop of gas. Of course, that range increases a bit with regenerative braking and constant recharging, etc.

Powering the Volt is also pretty straight forward; simply plug the car into a standard wall outlet and voila! By the time you wake up, the car will be fully juiced and ready to take you wherever
you need to go. Since it runs on an electric motor, there are no emissions of any kind, and its completely clean. In addition, an added benefit is that the motor does not have to shift into higher gears to reach optimal performance. You have 100% of the torque as soon as you touch the gas pedal, and that relates to some really fast 0 - 60mph timings. I won't delve into all those details but I will say that you will have no problem reaching highway speeds from take off.

Lithium-ion batteries, like the ones in a laptop, have made this technology possible. By coupling a bunch of lithium-ion batteries and adding a really sophisticated processor to the entire mix, you have a very useful system that is relatively cheap and also very environmentally friendly. After all, being environmentally friendly is what the green age is all about.

Green Tech Part 1

By Nilesh Gogineni, Technology Blogger

With all the talk about going green (make sure you check out the Experience Green blogs), I decided to take a look at how technology can help us achieve that goal. Obviously, technology is what got us into this rut in the first place; we might as well have technology clean it up. This is the first of a three part post which explores technology that is trying to make the world a better place.

Lets get a roundup of exactly what companies are producing to enter this new green age.

General Electric (or simply GE) has designed an aircraft engine, the GEnx, that has 15% better fuel economy, 60% less noise, and the ability to meet stringent NOx (emissions) regulations.

The blades and the external housing of the GEnx are made with composite materials that are lighter, stronger, and able to last much longer than aluminum, or steel. Such materials can reduce the weight of the entire engine by up to 350 lbs which translates into more fuel efficiency as the engine can burn less fuel with the same energy output.

However, since Boeing began production of the Dreamliner, they needed an engine that can produce more power and with all the cost saving features included. To achieve this, the GEnx engine, a standard on all of Boeing's new Dreamliners, will have a 23:1 compression ratio. This will effectively
allow the engine to generate up to 85,000 lbs of thrust for the massive aircraft.

Now, you would think that making bigger things is not necessarily in the best interest of the green age; it isn't size we should be concerned about (for the most part...) but rather, how we are able to energize and utilize whatever we make. If a bigger airplane has better fuel economy and more power than a regular airplane, then why not go bigger?

The question is not why, but rather, how can we make things that are efficient and provide the same or better utility while still being good for the environment.

Read more of this series.

Reducing consumer waste: It’s not just about the cans and bottles

By Rebecca Harnik

When asked if they recycle, most people think of aluminum, glass and plastic. However, the concepts of recycling and reusing can be stretched to many other items used everyday in our lives that will help to avoid waste.

Preventing waste from entering our nation’s landfills can help avoid leakage that leaches toxins into our air and water. According to www.zerowasteamerica.org, 82% of surveyed landfills had leaks. Over time the liners in landfills will further decay, creating even more problems with our ecosystem and health.

There are a number of websites that can help citizens take advantage of the vast online networks. www.Craigslist.org is an amazing resource for people looking to buy, sell, or share items that they no longer want. Ranging from bikes to pets; even people looking for carpool buddies, craigslist is an excellent way to get good deals and prevent virtually anything from being cast into the dump. It’s pretty amazing how many things one can find.

Another website that I have recently discovered is freecycle.org. Free things and recycling! What more could you want? As a college student on a reduced budget, this website fascinates me. Anything is game to be posted; you simply must be able to go pick it up. I joined my local network about a week ago, which takes a bit of effort because you need to be confirmed by the local server. The networks are usually smaller than the large city networks on craigslist, but everything is free! You can also post ‘wanted’ items, which is nice.

Some things I saw on my network today that looked intriguing were: a bread maker, a book about elephants, a leather chair and an espresso maker. Paying attention to the offerings of this site is rather addictive, especially since it’s all free. The website boasts about having prevented 300 tons per day of “garbage” from entering the nation’s dumps because of all of the items saved by these exchanges.

Got old clothes to get rid of? There are a plethora of options for reusing clothes and other garments. If you are crafty or talented with a needle and thread, it is always fun to recreate a new pair of pants or use scraps to sew other things. Not that I claim such talents; needles make me nervous, and I have little faith in my skills. Goodwill and the Salvation Army both take donations and the profits benefit people with disadvantages, and adult rehabilitation programs, respectively.

Local vintage shops also frequently take donations, and sometimes even pay for nice clothes. Shopping at many of these places sends money to good uses, encourages environmentally friendly practices, and saves money. Reusing an outfit saves thousands of gallons of water and avoids wasted pesticides, dye, labor, and machine power.

If you do buy new products, buy more durable items that will last longer. Don’t plan to get ‘disposable’ clothes or pay for impractical items you may only wear a few times. Sharing with a friend is a great way to reduce waste—it’s like having twice as many clothes!

On college campuses, sharing is exponentially easier: there are hundreds of other young adults around with similar clothing tastes and accessory needs: mini fridges, teapots, etc. Take advantage of clothing drives or swaps on campus: My campus offers a pay-what-you-please yard sale, whose profits benefit Habitat for Humanity. If you don’t have one, I guarantee a drive or swap will be success on campus.

photos byUnited Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania's photostream
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