Archive for the ‘ Environment ’ Category

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007 when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned off their lights for an hour. Two years later the symbolic gesture drew the attention of world leaders as over 60 countries participated in the event. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide turned off lights for a full hour.

This was a 25 hour energy-saving campaign spreading the visual message around the world. Environmentalists say nations now have a mandate to tackle climate change.

The pictures are spectacular. Log on to any major online newspaper and take a look at the sights ranging from The Empire State Building in NYC; in San Francisco The Golden Gate Bridge and other major city landmarks were dark for an hour; the Parthenon Temple on Acropolis Hill in Greece; The Houses of Parliament and Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square in London; the Eiffel Tower where 20,000 bulbs illuminating the town went out; in Rome even St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican (along with the Coliseum) were turned off; the Giza Pyramids in Egypt; the Bird Nest stadium was darkened for an hour; the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that watches over Rio de Janeiro, along with the beachfront of the Copacabana. And, of course, The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge were darkened – the city where this all began.

Many people participated in their own special way - in Indonesia a candle message was constructed saying VOTE EARTH in the Jakarta business district. In Manila people held up their mobile phones and glow sticks in front of a huge globe that is normally illuminated. Others decided to “freeze their movement” for a few minutes in Beijing, China.

“Earth Hour has always been a positive campaign,” said Earth Hour executive director Andy Ridley. “It’s always around street parties, not street protests, it’s the idea of hope, not despair. And I think that’s something that’s been incredibly important this year”

What a spectacular sight. And one of hope, not despair.

You can turn off your lights at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28th and Vote Earth for Earth Hour 2009 – your light switch is your vote.

Over 84 countries, 6,299 organizations, 21,014 businesses, 8,742 schools, 2,848 cities and towns are switching off lights in their areas for one hour – 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. across the globe.

By switching off lights for one hour people around the world you are voting to do something about global warming. The World Wildlife Fund is urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes. The results of the election will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. These world leaders are being sent a message to take action against global warming.

You have an opportunity to use your light switch as your vote: simply turn off most of your lights for that one hour wherever you are. Restaurants are serving customers by candle light, buildings are turning off lights, community organizations around the world are getting behind the campaign: Sweden is ringing church bells, Sydney Ferries are sounding their horns, and The Scouts, the world’s largest youth movement with more than 28 million members in 160 countries are leading thousands of community groups around the world to mobilize their supporters for Earth Hour.

Some of the buildings that will be darkened are Harrah’s Hotel in Las Vegas, Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro; Opera House, Helsinki, Finland; Nelson’s column, Trafalgar Square, London; Clock Town, Manila, Philippines; Parliament House, Canberra, Australia; and 28 French cities will turn off lights including The Eiffel Tower. Beijing has already rehearsed Earth Hour and will put the famous Bird’s Nest Stadium, the Water Cube and Pangu Plaza into darkness.

You can show your support by visiting the World Wildlife Fund website or just simply searching for Earth Hour. Your kids could have fun mobilizing their school by downloading banners, posters, stickers and getting online badges. And, of course, participating at 8:30 p.m. this Saturday.

Earth Hour: Your light switch is your vote.

We provided some eco-friendly gift ideas that were cost efficient too in our blog post on Friday. We thought we would give you some more ideas as we fast approach the last few days of holiday shopping.

One relatively inexpensive gift is eco-chic note cards. You can generally order 25 cards and envelopes for around $36.00. These cards are printed with soy based inks, using bio-degradable packaging and purchased only with recycled tissue paper. You can find stationery with an eco emphasis at sites such as American Stationery.

Another interesting concept is purchasing jewelry and vases that are made from most unusual items –trinkets that are from recycled products. Some sites focus on providing unique items that are not harmful to the environment and socially responsible. You can buy necklaces made from records, glass reed diffusers made from recycled glass, tote bags made from recycled newspapers (using the Arts and Leisure section). One site that offers a wide variety of interesting gifts is Uncommon Goods.

Even in the toy arena you can purchase non plastic items. It seems hard at first but it is possible! And with today’s scares of toxic substances being in children’s toys it is nice to know that some toy companies are calling out their chemical free products. FAO Schwarz has earth friendly toys - they use a symbol to identify which of their toys are constructed using organic or sustainable raw materials; natural or non-toxic paints and dyes and low or no chemical processing. Even if you don’t purchase sustainable wooden toys you can find recycled plastic toys.

If you are still strapped for a gift for the person you don’t know very well or that someone that seems to have everything, hopefully some of these ideas and the post we made on Friday will help you. Best of luck!

There are so many little gifts one can buy especially at the cashier checkout that are great stocking stuffers. But are they really fun/useful/necessary – and aren’t most of them plastic and non bio-degradable? How about resisting that temptation and plan to give a few more eco-centric gifts as opposed to large chain store plastic wonders?

Some ideas that come to mind that don’t cost a lot of money are these:

Heifer International – Heifer has been in business since 1944 bringing help, healing and hope to millions of impoverished families worldwide. You can purchase shares in livestock or purchase bees, ducks, chicks, baskets and many other wonderful gifts. You can do it all online and email a customized message to your friends. It’s easy, fulfilling and everyone will feel good about helping others around the world.

You can also to the green plant route (no pun intended) by purchasing seeds, plants and herbs. There are biodegradable gifts that can be found in gardening stores or online at companies such as Wishing Fish based in Los Angeles. You can simply search for organic plants for gifts and many options will come up in the results. These become most personal and special as your friends enjoy watching the plans grow as they nurture your gift.

And don’t forget candles for others and yourself. Regular candles are made with paraffin which is made from petroleum. However, there are candles that are made with natural oils that are so fragrant and better for you. Companies like, Qcandles – specializing in organic candles including soy candles can mail you a lovely selection that will delight your friends with aromatic scents.

We wish you a special holiday this season and we’ll continue coming up with other eco-centric gift giving ideas.

Are you still toting that faux leather booklet around, filled with your Care Bear checks? The days of that payment method may be numbered. With more and more on-line services offering non-paper ways to pay, why do things the old fashioned way (not to mention irritating postage and the time to mail a bill)? .

It’s time to chuck the ol’ checkbook, and here are the ways to that freedom…

The Debit Card
Virtually everyone has a ATM card (even my old Uncle Howard), why not also give it a debit function?

Styled like a credit card, it can replace the check book for general store purchases. Swipe it at the time of transaction, and the funds are subtracted from your designated account just like you’ve just written a check (without the withering stares of those waiting while you write a check).

A further advantage is now you have record at the bank of any purchase you make, in case of disputes or debit subtraction issues. Just keep track of your debit just like marking it in your check book (in fact, you can keep the check book to do just that!).

Using the Computer
Most goods and services you use (utilities, cable/dish TV, store credit payments, etc.) have the means to log on to a website and pay with a fund transfer (either using your debit card or punching in your check book account numbers). They are protected by passwords and security systems, so read the privacy notices on each.

You can also set up online banking so that you can have checks issued directly from your bank.  And you can set up the recurring payment methods so you have less worries about missing a payment. Also there are fund transfer services (PayPal, etc) that are convenient to use.

Doing the Environment Good
As you move into the paperless payment methods, you become a Junior Al Gore. With less checks written, banks don’t fill the landfill with old paper. You also can track more easily where your money goes, and use virtual records on-line for deductions at tax time. It’s all good.

I wonder if a Junior Al Gore gets a Special Badge?

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Steve McDonald is a freelance writer and Prosper member since October 2007.