Earth Hour 2011 - Go Beyond the Hour

First notice I had of this year's Earth Hour (and I haven't thought about it in at least a year, maybe more) was a glimpse I caught on a posted ad on the subway going home today.

The second was a tweet on Twitter by NatGeo, leading to this article.

I don't think I've every participated in an Earth Hour, in all the years it's been organized, but I like the idea (and check out the image of Hong Kong in the article - find 10 things that are different in the second photo...see more pictures).

I like to think I've been living greener than ever here in Toronto, partly because the city composts, partly because I have no access to a car, and due to a few other little things: having a bona fide thermos to take my coffee to school in; being too poor to afford ziploc bags or new leftover dishes; not having a dishwasher or laundry in my apartment. Of course, not all of these things automatically reduce my carbon footprint, but I re-use glass jars, wash my dishes without running the water except to fill the sink; and I avoid doing laundry until it is absolutely necessary.

Turning off lights is harder, but right now, for instance, the only light I have on is the one by my bed. I've unplugged all non-essential electronics, too.

So if I participate in Earth Hour this year, I'm sure it will be exciting worthwhile. If I don't, well, I won't feel too badly about it. I'll just remember to keep turning off lights I'm not using, for the rest of the year.

Details:
Saturday, March 26, 8:30pm - 9:30pm (local time)
The only rule? No lights!
See my new widget!

The Washington Post Goes Green All Over

Attended an event this past Wednesday at the Washington Post, a Q&A session with Post writers. Only stayed for the first half, which was quite interesting. But I'm jumping ahead.

When we arrived, we received a green publication, and a bingo-like card to fill as we walked around each of the tables, which were set up as a small Going Green expo. Everyone who visited every table got a raffle ticket. There were too many window companies, in my opinion, but at one of the window companies' tables I got a free reusable shopping bag!

Ironically, most of the tables were handing out half a dozen pamphlets and brochures each.. most of them white paper, which is easily recycled, but some not - and the first step is to not create that paper, so that it doesn't need to be recycled, which unsurprisingly uses more energy than not having anything to recycle in the first place.

I found the panel session to be fascinating. Firstly, the MC asked a question, which made for a great ice-breaker, IMO. Not only that, it was a pertinent question: Is this new green consciousness a fad, or is it here to stay? The members of the panel almost unanimously agreed that trends show it seems to be here to stay. Although on trips up to Massachusetts over the Labor Day weekend, they noticed just as many cars speeding (which uses more fuel than going the speed limit) there were, they mentioned, fewer cars on the road than in previous years. (I took the train). More effort is being made by companies to create big changes, like NASA, which is moving toward eliminating coal plants in the near future. Furthermore, Jura Koncius, writer for the Home section, mentioned that green labels are selling more. Incandescent lightbulbs are being phased out, and apparently will soon be outlawed in the US (haven't checked up on this and am a bit sceptical). Also on the rise are farmers markets.

The last point made in answer to this question was the one main motivating factor: Greed. It all comes back to money. If green products become cheaper, or even if they're statistically cheaper over the long run, consumers will start buying them, and corporations are going to market what sells.

Question number two asked why all the focus is on consumers. One panel member responded that it is also a political question (hint hint: if you're not already involved in politics, get started!!). Marc Kaufman put it this way: Obama says environmental policies are going to change, McCain says they're going to change, Biden wants change, Palin doesn't.

One attendee asked why green products like Seventh Generation detergents aren't on the shelves, and the answer was: Speak to the store manager. If that doesn't work, write the company itself. Also, Proctor and Gamble (according to a panel member not the most environmentally conscious company) has started packaging its detergents in more concentrated forms, which cuts back on transportation emissions and materials used in the packaging itself.

Lastly, a lady asked if organic food, which evidently sits on shelves longer, isn't less healthy than normal produce. One panel member's opinion was that organic food, no matter how long it's sitting on the shelves (I wouldn't buy fuzzy vegetables) is healthier, because there are no pesticides. Statistically the produce that gets the most pesticide treatment is the peach, followed by apples and lettuce. I'm never going to not wash my produce again, and when I wash my lettuce you can bet I'm washing the insides of the leaves, too. No doubt.

Some useful websites:
Environmental Working Group (for lists of produce that are grown with pesticides)
Green Pages (lists of companies that sell green products)

Keeping Your Refrigerator Happy

A friend passed me this link, a Consumer's Report about how to get the most efficient and cost-saving use out of one's refrigerator:

Consumer Report's Happy Refrigerating Tips

If I had cash, I'd go home tonight and perform the "dollar test".

To Do: Check refrigerator operations.

Why Bother?

I know a few readers and I have been having something of a debate to answer the question: What effect can one individual have on the Big Problem? (Whichever problem one might be referring to at the time, or indeed, all of them at once). In this case, however, we'll stick to the Green Problem.

This article, by Michael Pollan of the New York Times, proposes to answer the question, Why Bother ? Why bother growing your own garden, or turning off your water faucet while you wash your hands or brush your teeth? Why bother using a clothes line instead of a dryer, or handwashing dishes instead of using a dishwasher (see post about Dishwashing Dilemma, and article at Slate.com for more on that issue, however)... Why bother opening windows instead of turning on the AC in the summertime? Why re-use and recycle when the trash can is right there? Why make all these little changes in your life when it's easier, and more habitual, to go on as you always have?

What can one person do, when the crisis is already here? Does it really require legislation and different technology before the change can be effective? Then again, what happens when 300 million people make the decision to bother?

Things Metro Could Learn from T

1. Flat rate fees (each T ride is only $2! Imagine that...)
2. Day, weekly, monthly passes. Seriously. Discounted fares for these passes. This might (gasp!) lead to more commuters using Metro.
3. Following on from #2, let's update and repair the system, so more commuters can ride without worrying about it falling apart.
4. Increase the number of neighborhoods in the DC Metro area serviced by Metro (excepting maybe Baltimore, that might be a little ridiculous).
5. Service to Dulles (with a cool color like silver). I know this has been in and out of the works for a while now, but let's get a move on!
6. More advertisements (hey, more revenue so you don't have to overcharge your customers!).
7. This has been said before, but it is possible that the escalators don't need to run constantly - motion detectors would reduce energy usage and cost to keep them running and maintained.

Autumn Breeze Trumps Air Conditioning

Hands down. I am 100% all in favor of fresh air, whenever the temperature makes it comfortable. Today the weather has been cool enough that I felt cold eating my lunch outside on a bird poo-infested picnic bench. Furthermore, I've been able to keep the window open all day, without melting into my seat. Not only does this mean that my office has smelled fresh and outdoors-y, and that I haven't been wasting money and energy on air conditioning, it means most importantly that I have not felt my fingers, nose and toes turning into little organic blocks of ice. Now if only I could get this to work in my tiny apartment that has no air circulation...