It's almost Christmas, and Christmas means countdowns!
From now until December 5th I will be writing about a single simple way that you can reduce or improve your environmental impact before the huge rush of the winter holidays start. From there I will refrain from updating until after the winter holidays, as I have the pressures of finals, graduating, and moving out of my current location.
As I've said before, one of the biggest ways to do better by the earth and your community is to buy local. If local is not possible (as defined in the past here on Growing out of the Box) buy organic or "fair trade."
There's a better chance the food was grown in an more considerate way.
Try eating at restaurants that serve locally
produced or seasonal foods.
Buy gifts from local vendors or the starving artist down the street.
Try to cook a holiday meal by only using ingredients bought from a local market.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Share Your Little Things
The examples given yesterday are only a small selection of many more 'little things' that can be done at home. Things us 'regular' people can do on a daily or regular basis.
What are the small little things yourself, friends, families or acquaintances do to help in regards to the three stool legs? Share them below in the comments!
What are the small little things yourself, friends, families or acquaintances do to help in regards to the three stool legs? Share them below in the comments!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Focusing on the Little Things
I have until now focused a lot of my posts on the bigger picture. How businesses and corporations can 'fix' what is going on within themselves, and how it is the chains and local stores that can do anything.
But we, as regular, ordinary, simple people, can do things too.
The following are some things us working people can do!
Shopping local - Spending money that gets used by the community. Keeping that money within a community instead of having it sent to the giant corporations and then overseas. A dollar spent locally gets spent within the community at a higher rate than a dollar spent outside the community. This is called the Local Multiplier.
Growing your own garden and composting - Having a garden, or belonging to a co-op, is a great way to save money, eat better, and give back to the Earth. Often, food scraps get put back into the earth as compost in the area the food was grown in. Each item of food taken out of the soil takes out nutrients that were once in the soil (following me?) If you just throw away food scrapes nutrients do not return to the soil. Composting puts nutrients back into the soil without adding tons of unneeded chemicals (like those found in synthetic fertilizers).
Recycling - Although a process that will eventually be phased out (I'll explain this later) recycling in today's age is a great way to keep material out of landfills, oceans, and other habitats. Which turns out to be better for everyone.
But we, as regular, ordinary, simple people, can do things too.
The following are some things us working people can do!
Shopping local - Spending money that gets used by the community. Keeping that money within a community instead of having it sent to the giant corporations and then overseas. A dollar spent locally gets spent within the community at a higher rate than a dollar spent outside the community. This is called the Local Multiplier.
Growing your own garden and composting - Having a garden, or belonging to a co-op, is a great way to save money, eat better, and give back to the Earth. Often, food scraps get put back into the earth as compost in the area the food was grown in. Each item of food taken out of the soil takes out nutrients that were once in the soil (following me?) If you just throw away food scrapes nutrients do not return to the soil. Composting puts nutrients back into the soil without adding tons of unneeded chemicals (like those found in synthetic fertilizers).
Recycling - Although a process that will eventually be phased out (I'll explain this later) recycling in today's age is a great way to keep material out of landfills, oceans, and other habitats. Which turns out to be better for everyone.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Something to Think About: Your Own State Energy Plans
Keeping with the theme of Michigan's Proposal 3 from the week, the something to think about will be on a similar topic.
Currently Michigan does already have an energy plan in place, 10% coming from alternative energies by 2015. The proposal would have simply increased the percentage and the year goal date.
What about your state or country?
Do you know what sort of energy goals your geographical area has right now?
Think about it this weekend. Maybe even do some research.
Let me know what you find out!
Currently Michigan does already have an energy plan in place, 10% coming from alternative energies by 2015. The proposal would have simply increased the percentage and the year goal date.
What about your state or country?
Do you know what sort of energy goals your geographical area has right now?
Think about it this weekend. Maybe even do some research.
Let me know what you find out!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Current Topic Thursday: Proposal 3 Final Results
They say whoever spends more and raises the most money will win whatever position they are vying for.
This proves true with Michigan's proposal 3. The article linked here through the Huffington Post explains the highest funded companies that supported either the 'yes' or 'no' for proposal 3.
Surprise surprise,
"According to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, Prop 3 supporters like the League of Conservation Voters, the American Wind Energy Association and the Green Tech Action Fund contributed over $10 million to the group Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs to get the amendment passed. The Clean Affordable Renewable Energy (CARE) committee raised more than $23 million from DTE Energy, Consumers Energy and Wolverine Electric to oppose it."
This proves true with Michigan's proposal 3. The article linked here through the Huffington Post explains the highest funded companies that supported either the 'yes' or 'no' for proposal 3.
Surprise surprise,
"According to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, Prop 3 supporters like the League of Conservation Voters, the American Wind Energy Association and the Green Tech Action Fund contributed over $10 million to the group Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs to get the amendment passed. The Clean Affordable Renewable Energy (CARE) committee raised more than $23 million from DTE Energy, Consumers Energy and Wolverine Electric to oppose it."
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Presidential Election Night
In support of more awareness (as if it needed it) for the USA presidential election I have linked a website to a current time assumption and counting system.
Keep watch on the changing events instead of reading here!
http://news.yahoo.com/control-room/
http://www.google.com/elections/ed/us/results
Keep watch on the changing events instead of reading here!
http://news.yahoo.com/control-room/
http://www.google.com/elections/ed/us/results
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