Stefanie | 
04 30th, 2009| 
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Apr
30
The following is a guest post from KuleKat.
Apr
30
Earthlings, have fun and be green at the same time. Make all of your dates green dates. We do understand that variety and spontaneity is important in Earthling relationships, but must you go out, drive your gas guzzling cars and eat out all the time? There are many fun options for dates which do not damage the planet
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[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Apr
30
The best advice I've heard all week? Learn to fail fast.
A couple of weeks ago, in this blog I was wrestling with the question of whether my idea for a green investing platform was a failure or not.
After a few conversations with advisory board members and investors, I realized that I need to give myself permission to declare this idea a failure -- for now -- and move on. Why?
Everyone I talked to says the investing climate is the worst they've ever seen. Deals are taking longer, money is staying on the sidelines, and valuations are completely out of whack.
As I understand it, deals that took two months are now taking six or nine, while many investors play a waiting game. This just exacerbates the slowing rate at which deals can get done and makes it difficult for entrepreneurs to close deals.
And for an idea like mine, which is really still in its infancy, the current climate makes it nearly impossible to get the jump start it needs.
Then I came across Brad Feld's post of a couple of nights ago, on Mark Pincus and the concept of failing fast.
If you haven't read this piece or watched Pincus's interview on Vator.tv, do yourself a favor and go do so now.
It doesn't matter whether you are working on a start-up, a business unit in a big company, a social enterprise, or developing a product, the advice is golden: learn to fail fast and learn from the experience.
I'll be back with another idea and will be, as Feld says in his post, "super-extraordinary-amazingly hungry for a success."
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A couple of weeks ago, in this blog I was wrestling with the question of whether my idea for a green investing platform was a failure or not.
After a few conversations with advisory board members and investors, I realized that I need to give myself permission to declare this idea a failure -- for now -- and move on. Why?
Everyone I talked to says the investing climate is the worst they've ever seen. Deals are taking longer, money is staying on the sidelines, and valuations are completely out of whack.
As I understand it, deals that took two months are now taking six or nine, while many investors play a waiting game. This just exacerbates the slowing rate at which deals can get done and makes it difficult for entrepreneurs to close deals.
And for an idea like mine, which is really still in its infancy, the current climate makes it nearly impossible to get the jump start it needs.
Then I came across Brad Feld's post of a couple of nights ago, on Mark Pincus and the concept of failing fast.
If you haven't read this piece or watched Pincus's interview on Vator.tv, do yourself a favor and go do so now.
It doesn't matter whether you are working on a start-up, a business unit in a big company, a social enterprise, or developing a product, the advice is golden: learn to fail fast and learn from the experience.
I'll be back with another idea and will be, as Feld says in his post, "super-extraordinary-amazingly hungry for a success."
Apr
29
The music here is upbeat, but awe inspiring at the beauty of nature and our beautiful planet! I think you will agree…Enjoy!
Apr
29
Philly Mayor Michael A. Nutter and the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability today announced Greenworks Philadelphia, an ambitious, comprehensive framework to make Philadelphia the greenest city in the United States of America by 2015.
It sets goals in five areas — energy, environment, equity, economy and engagement — and encompasses more than 150 initiatives. Together, they will reduce the city’s vulnerability to rising energy prices, limit its environmental footprint, and reposition its workforce and job development strategies to build upon Philadelphia’s competitive advantages in the emerging green economy.
"Greenworks Philadelphia is a vision for how Philadelphia can and should seize this moment, building on the assets of the city left to us by the past and creating a better future for ourselves, our children and generations to come," said Mayor Nutter.
Greenworks Philadelphia seeks to make more homes and buildings weather-tight, increase recycling and minimize trash, give residents better access to parks and fresh food, and capture the benefits of solar and geothermal energy. It envisions planting thousands of trees, equipping the municipal fleet with less-polluting engines and expanding green job training, so plenty of Philadelphia’s workers have the skills to retrofit buildings and install solar arrays.
For more info: www.phila.gov/green/mos.html or www.greenworksphila.org or a full copy of the report.
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It sets goals in five areas — energy, environment, equity, economy and engagement — and encompasses more than 150 initiatives. Together, they will reduce the city’s vulnerability to rising energy prices, limit its environmental footprint, and reposition its workforce and job development strategies to build upon Philadelphia’s competitive advantages in the emerging green economy.
"Greenworks Philadelphia is a vision for how Philadelphia can and should seize this moment, building on the assets of the city left to us by the past and creating a better future for ourselves, our children and generations to come," said Mayor Nutter.
Greenworks Philadelphia seeks to make more homes and buildings weather-tight, increase recycling and minimize trash, give residents better access to parks and fresh food, and capture the benefits of solar and geothermal energy. It envisions planting thousands of trees, equipping the municipal fleet with less-polluting engines and expanding green job training, so plenty of Philadelphia’s workers have the skills to retrofit buildings and install solar arrays.
For more info: www.phila.gov/green/mos.html or www.greenworksphila.org or a full copy of the report.
Apr
29
Note - Thoreau purposely misquoted, original quote, "In wildness is the preservation of the world."
The following is a guest entry written by Glenn Fay of OakleighVermont.com/blog . Oakleigh's mission is sustainability, renewable energy and social responsibility. They offer a variety of personal green products designed to save you money and shrink your carbon footprint.
The following is a guest entry written by Glenn Fay of OakleighVermont.com/blog . Oakleigh's mission is sustainability, renewable energy and social responsibility. They offer a variety of personal green products designed to save you money and shrink your carbon footprint.
<img ... [visit site to read more]
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Apr
29
Do You Know The Way To San Jose?
No problem, now you’ll have environmentally friendly LED lights to show you the way.
In 2005 San Jose, California adopted a 15 year plan with goals focused on three elements: Clean Technology, Sustainability, and Green Mobility.
Towards that goal, last week the city announced a trial of smarter, more energy-efficient [...]
Read the rest on my blog.
Read the rest on my blog.
Apr
28
From Michael DeJong, who taught us how clean our homes in a nontoxic, environmentally responsible way in his 2007 book Clean: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing, comes a brand new title: Clean Body: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing Yourself. This book is personal. DeJong isn't some holier-than-thou scientist droning on about hazardous chemicals until we fall into a stupor, nor is he the latest fly-by-night writer trying to make us believe we are doomed if we don't run out and purchase everything from his favorite "green" company. He created natural body recipes based on his own experience and wisdom, and he actually puts them to use in his every day life. Also look for Clean Cures: The Humble Art of Zen-Curing Yourself available this fall.
Die Healthy: Pursuing the Dream of Wellness and Longevity by Lorraine Mignault is a fabulous life guide to beauty/health/fitness, featuring case studies of clients who regained control of their own well-being. It is a resource for educators, health professionals, and laypersons. "Thinking green and doing things differently has always been a part of my business life," says Mignault.
The Green Kitchen: Techniques & Recipes for Saving Energy & Reducing Waste by Richard Ehrich is by no means a comprehensive guide to going green in the kitchen, as it includes several recipes featuring meat (sorry, meat is not green!) and heavily advocates the use of plastics. It does give several good ideas for energy conservation and waste reduction, and is a nice little guide for anyone not willing to make "drastic" changes - yet.
Fit Soul, Fit Body by Legendary Ironman Mark Allen and World-renowned Shaman and Healer Brant Secunda helps enable readers to live a more fulfilling life emotionally, spiritually and physically. The book offers 9 keys to achieving a healthier and happier life through strategies and advice on how to: test your wellness; manage stress; overcome emotional barriers; beat boredom; slow down to get faster; choose the right eating and exercise plan; employ the power of nature; quiet your mind and set realistic goals and secure a fit vision for life.
And finally, an oldie but goodie: Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair: Natural and Healthy Personal Care for Every Body by Dina Falconi. For over 10 years Falconi has been custom-making small batches of bodycare products infused with her herbal - and healing - wisdom. In Earthly Bodies She reveals her formulas and insights through an astounding 450 original bodycare formulas.
Apr
28
Some embrace a gluten free diet for medical reasons, while others just want to consume fewer processed foods. Whatever your reason, you must try Mary's Gone Crackers. These crackers have knocked all other crackers out of my pantry!
Mary's Gone Crackers are wheat free, gluten free, organic and delicious! The taste is more than you could ask for from a gluten free cracker, and with a scoop of hummus, I was in complete ... [visit site to read more]
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Apr
28
We burn coal. We can't ignore it. It's a plentiful resource and fuels the cheap electricity we use everyday. Like it or not, that's the way it is.
Don't get me wrong, I hate things like mountaintop removal and the dangers coal-miners have to face every day. But I'm a realist and I don't believe we're going to be able to transition fast enough to alternatives to completely eliminate coal from our energy diet.
My pal Gregor MacDonald had a stimulating post on Earth Day that generated some lively dialogue on the subject in which he argued that it's hard to win a fight against a cheap BTU. Gregor is smarter than I am on this subject, so you should definitely check out his blog: Gregor.us.
Readers of the green skeptic know that I think there is a need for some serious R&D into Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and that we need to figure out whether we can really make coal clean.
As I wrote in my comment on Gregor's post: I know this isn't a popular view, but coal is still so cheap and plentiful that it's hard to ignore. Of course, there are those who say it can't be done and others who say we'll hit peak coal before getting the technology right. If we do nothing, however, and others continue to ramp up coal production in its dirtiest form, where will we be?
On Sunday night, 60 Minutes featured a story on Clean Coal, including interviews with both Duke Energy's CEO Jim Rogers and NASA's climate scientist James Hansen:
Watch CBS Videos Online
Worth watching.
![]()
Don't get me wrong, I hate things like mountaintop removal and the dangers coal-miners have to face every day. But I'm a realist and I don't believe we're going to be able to transition fast enough to alternatives to completely eliminate coal from our energy diet.
My pal Gregor MacDonald had a stimulating post on Earth Day that generated some lively dialogue on the subject in which he argued that it's hard to win a fight against a cheap BTU. Gregor is smarter than I am on this subject, so you should definitely check out his blog: Gregor.us.
Readers of the green skeptic know that I think there is a need for some serious R&D into Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and that we need to figure out whether we can really make coal clean.
As I wrote in my comment on Gregor's post: I know this isn't a popular view, but coal is still so cheap and plentiful that it's hard to ignore. Of course, there are those who say it can't be done and others who say we'll hit peak coal before getting the technology right. If we do nothing, however, and others continue to ramp up coal production in its dirtiest form, where will we be?
On Sunday night, 60 Minutes featured a story on Clean Coal, including interviews with both Duke Energy's CEO Jim Rogers and NASA's climate scientist James Hansen:
Watch CBS Videos Online
Worth watching.
Apr
27
Earthling, we are fond of your other creatures on this planet. We assure you that you are not the only important species on this planet.
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Apr
27
Welcome to the April 27th, 2009 edition of All Things Eco.
<br ... [visit site to read more]
<br ... [visit site to read more]
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Apr
27
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) announced the results of a study that shows how energy use in buildings can be cut by 60 percent by 2050, but noted that it will require immediate action to transform the building sector.
The four-year, $15 million research project released its report today in Paris at the Alliance to Save Energy’s EE Global Forum and Exposition. Transforming the Market: Energy Efficiency in Buildings, as the report is known, uses new modeling techniques and provides a roadmap to transform the building sector.
"Energy efficiency is fast becoming one of the defining issues of our times, and buildings are that issue's 'elephant in the room'," said Björn Stigson, president of the WBCSD, in a press release. "Buildings use more energy than any other sector and as such are a major contributor to climate change."
According to the WBCSD, the "project took a bottom-up, market-driven approach to understanding the barriers to lower energy use, based on the most detailed view ever of the current state of energy demand in buildings. Energy use by building type was analyzed for millions of existing and new buildings and projected out to 2050, accounting for differences such as climate and building design."
Researchers used computer simulations to show the market response to various financial, technical, behavioral, and policy options, identifying the optimum mix to achieve transformation for each market studied, according to WBCSD.
The project's report makes six principle recommendations:
- Strengthen building codes and energy labeling for increased transparency.
- Use subsidies and price signals to create incentives for energy-efficient investments.
- Encourage integrated design approaches and innovations.
- Develop and use advanced technology to enable energy-saving behavior.
- Develop workforce capacity for energy saving.
- Mobilize for an energy-aware culture. (Whatever that means - GS)
The full report is available on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development website: EEB Report
Apr
26
Biofuels, Not the Only Option!
Image via Wikipedia
Transportation accounts for more than 40% of California’s annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the state relies on petroleum-based fuels for 96 percent of its transportation needs. Causing in January 2007, California Governor Schwarzenegger to issue an executive order mandating a statewide goal be established to reduce the [...]
Read the rest on my blog.
Read the rest on my blog.
Apr
25
Wednesday April 22, 2009 was the 39th Earth Day. It always revitalizes my goal of treating everyday as if it IS Earth Day. I think of “green” as an action and success color. To me green symbolizes earth, nature, and life. Especially, during Spring season, green IS life in abundance. It signifies a renewal of [...]
Apr
24
April 24th's Tip
Chemical free tips to grow your lawn greener: With spring here and weather getting nicer, we're going to see more and more people tending to their lawns. Maintaining your lawn ... [visit site to read more]© Focus Organic for 2009. |
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Apr
24
Image by ellievanhoutte via Flickr
Start a Trend: Commit to Earth Day Resolutions
Earth Day celebrations are over and you are wondering what you can do to contribute. But, you don’t know what or where or how. So, here are some small steps we can do right now. Because what may seem like insignificant actions by [...]
Read the rest on my blog.
Read the rest on my blog.
Apr
23
What you can do to make sure no child’s health is left behind
When my husband and I first toured schools ... [visit site to read more]
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Apr
23
Eeree Meeree, Earthlings!
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Apr
22
The arrival of spring means the start of hiking season for many Pennsylvanians.
This seems to be a sustainable activity because it takes place in a natural environment and does not use any energy other than your own. Zero carbon footprint, right?
Not necessarily. Let's take a look at a few things you can do to green your walk, hike, or run!
If you're still toting around plastic water bottles you are destroying the environment and drinking potentially dangerous water as well as wasting money. Instead, carry a stainless steel canteen filled with fresh, filtered tap water. My favorite is from Enviro Products.
Protein bars are the most recommended food item to take on a hike. They can be packed full of nutrients your body needs during physical exertion, and are easy to eat on the go. Sometimes they are made with dangerous chemicals and artificial ingredients, though, so read your product information carefully. An especially delicious, healthy, and fully customizable option is an Element Bar.
Many hikers contribute to pollution (whether on purpose or not) by leaving behind bottles, cans, wrappers, etc. It goes without saying that this is just not cool, and to counteract this practice try Eco-Running (hiking, or walking): collect the litter along your path as you go. This isn't a new concept, but it has been gaining national momentum lately through the efforts of Sam Huber.
Lastly, your hiking gear is important. Do not purchase new things unless you absolutely need them; remember "reduce, reuse, recycle." A simple search for the word "eco" at zappos.com, amazon.com, target.com, or any number of hiking gear sites will lead you to numerous green footwear, cookware, backpack, and sleeping bag choices.
To find trails, search under “parks and recreation” in the green directory at GenGreen Life.
This seems to be a sustainable activity because it takes place in a natural environment and does not use any energy other than your own. Zero carbon footprint, right?
Not necessarily. Let's take a look at a few things you can do to green your walk, hike, or run!
If you're still toting around plastic water bottles you are destroying the environment and drinking potentially dangerous water as well as wasting money. Instead, carry a stainless steel canteen filled with fresh, filtered tap water. My favorite is from Enviro Products.
Protein bars are the most recommended food item to take on a hike. They can be packed full of nutrients your body needs during physical exertion, and are easy to eat on the go. Sometimes they are made with dangerous chemicals and artificial ingredients, though, so read your product information carefully. An especially delicious, healthy, and fully customizable option is an Element Bar.
Many hikers contribute to pollution (whether on purpose or not) by leaving behind bottles, cans, wrappers, etc. It goes without saying that this is just not cool, and to counteract this practice try Eco-Running (hiking, or walking): collect the litter along your path as you go. This isn't a new concept, but it has been gaining national momentum lately through the efforts of Sam Huber.
Lastly, your hiking gear is important. Do not purchase new things unless you absolutely need them; remember "reduce, reuse, recycle." A simple search for the word "eco" at zappos.com, amazon.com, target.com, or any number of hiking gear sites will lead you to numerous green footwear, cookware, backpack, and sleeping bag choices.
To find trails, search under “parks and recreation” in the green directory at GenGreen Life.
