Green Encounter for a Blue Planet – Leading an Examined Life

OK I am having an ADD day on this blog. I am bouncing between environmental tidbits and how one person can change it all. For my BD recently my nephew Chris sent me the book ‘Cradle to Cradle’ Remaking the way we make things! First chapter title: This Book Is Not a Tree’. I am still in the midst of FEAR and closing up Tipping Point – but hope this book can be next!

So, on NPR just now, I caught up with this story…

One man, his mother died of diabetes, he was raised by her – a single mom – on a reservation, through data collection discovered that Native America toe box area has a unique shape/depth.. you listen to the story (link at end).

Here’s the magic!

He developed a shoe and an idea and Nike is marketing the shoe at wholesale to Native American Community Health Centers. It is his hope that these communities will give the shoes to their members, and that this may encourage more community members to activity – a direct assault on the high numbers of diabetes in the Native Community.

Here’s the simplicity of inspiration! While he had access to NIKE brand, as an employee, the idea was a direct result of his mothers diabetes experience.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14738144&ft=1&f=1003

Fry’s is selling fabric grocery bags for $1 each!!!

They have both long and short handles and open to a stable rectangle box bottom for fitting maximum groceries (about the dimensions of the classic brown paper bag). I picked up two then realized they open to such a wonderful size and went back for 2 more.

They are going on my Hanukkah and Christmas list for family and friends this year! they are black so you can use them for Halloween bags for the kiddies too!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Bag itself is recyclable and is manufactured by www.earthwisebags.com
Fry’s in Maricopa displays them at the entrance door by the shopping baskets and their lovely greeters!

Several weeks back Gina D’Abella of RAM and to ECO-Recycling, Maricopa gave her permission for me to list some ideas from an article published on line on CopaNews.com. Gina is a community member with her heart and soul focused on the good fight. Below are suggestions, from the article, on how each of us can take her personal challenge to GREEN, GREENER and very GREEN! It’s not so hard and WE CAN make a difference! Gina is one person who can teach us how!

Here’s link to full article link from CopaNews.com http://www.copanews.com/?c=141&a=1318

In the words of Gina D’Abella:

This year, 2007, we are consciously becoming aware of our “carbon footprint.” We are being inundated with the media attempting to educate us about how we can work towards a “carbon neutral” society to offset “global warming.” Are you doing everything you can to help our Maricopa community be “green” and sustainable?

We all can do more to facilitate our community’s “green” objectives, right? But, how do we get started in our own neighborhoods and within our own families? First, we must make an environmentally conscious commitment to change. Then, we have to make a decision on what we are going to change in our lives that will sincerely make a difference. And finally, we have to set up a target date of completion to accomplish those environmentally conscious goals.

So, I challenge you…..every man, woman and student in Maricopa…..to incorporate eight changes in your daily living by August 8, 2008 that will help support the sustainability of our Maricopa community and our Mother Earth.

The following is a guide to help you get started. These “green” suggestions for environmental change offer each of us simple actions we can commit to for the sustainability of our community. Make a commitment to think globally and act locally every day.

Green

1. Plant a native tree.

2. Wash your hands in cold water.

3. Turn up your thermostat a couple of degrees in the summer, down in the winter.

4. Unplug appliances in your home that are not in use.

5. Hang clothes to dry instead of using your electric/gas dryer.

6. Use re-usable cloth totes at grocery and retail stores instead of paper or plastic bags.

7. Familiarize yourself with your local recycling programs and recycle.

8. Buy products made from recycled materials.

Greener

1. Replace all of your light bulbs in your home with fluorescent bulbs.
2. Buy local, organic produce.
3. Support local businesses that have incorporated “green” policies & procedures.
4. Check your car/truck tires every month for proper inflation. Keep up with the routine maintenance on your vehicle.
5. Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees.
6. Educate your children about environmental issues. Take them on tours to local recycling centers, landfills, dairies and farms.
7. Conduct a water audit in your home to determine if you have any leaks. Simply locate your water meter and write down the numbers. Then do not use any water in your home for an hour (make sure to turn off irrigation systems, pool pumps and icemakers). Then check the meter again. If the numbers have increased, you may have a leak.
8. Help your neighbors and community by voting for environmental change.

Very Green

1. Walk or bike to the store and telecommute for work whenever possible.

2. Carpool – to work, for special events, or for daily errands.

3. Next vehicle purchase – buy a hybrid.

4. Select Energy Star appliances.

5. Commit to building “green”. There are more than 150 eco-friendly options builders can incorporate when constructing your new home or commercial building project.

6. Support clean, renewable energy sources. Buy solar for your home.

7. Support local, state and federal policies and programs that improve our gas mileage, utilize clean, renewable energy sources, increase energy efficiency and conservation.

8. Think global and act local – donate and volunteer your time with a local, non-profit environmental organization.

Gina D’Abella has a mission to make Maricopa and the world more self-sustaining through her work with the local non-profit organization, ECO. She can often be found at the Recycling Association of Maricopa (McDavid Road), which she established, on Saturday mornings where she volunteers for recycling efforts of our community. To get involved with recycling or other environmental projects, contact her at 1earth@cox.net.