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Are YOU A Neoconservative?
If one had to choose a word to describe neoconservatism,...
Roses:
Gift of the Angels for Gentle Healing Roses have seduced people...
Leaks and Landscape During a Dry Winter
Did you know that most water customers start off the...
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Thom Hartmann

The nation's #1 progressive radio talk show host and the New York Times bestselling, 4-times Project Censored winning author of 21 books in print. In its eighth year, The Thom Hartmann Program  airs live daily, NOON – 3pm, ET simulcast as both radio and TV on over 120 radio stations. into more than 50 million homes via both nationwide satellite TV systems (DirecTV and Dish Network). http://www.thomhartmann.com

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

Written by Lauren Bell | 02 August 2010

So I went on this new diet. It’s called the 2.4 diet, the number of acres required per person to maintain a sustainable human population. The world’s least developed countries live on .6 acres and the typical American lives on 9 – 11 acres.
According to popular scientific data, if everyone on the planet lived like an American we would need five Earths. In an article by Professor Bjorn Lomborg in Science & Public Policy, April 2009, he refuted this idea. Per his calculations we would only need two planets. Does it matter? Both measures point to the fact that we are living beyond our means, on ecological credit! Nature doesn’t honor bankruptcy. She takes her payment one way or another.
Natural Law #2: Every action has an equal re-action. So we have had this voracious diet for the last 150 years. How do we cinch our waistline and live within the budget? Whose budget do we go by?
Think local, act global. There are many things we can do in our daily lives that will have cumulative impact globally. For instance, the average distance our food travels before it reaches our table is 1,500 miles. Why? California is our bread basket, yet pineapples from Mexico and oranges from Florida are shipped into our markets and big box stores. Farmers market has locally grown, and many times, organic food. Buying local supports the local market.
Okay, how about online shopping. When you search for a product, always put your county or state behind the item. Your results should be from more local companies. Think about the shipping methods from across the country vs. the cost of shipping from somewhere on the west coast.
Did you know that when you mail a bill to your doctor’s office in SLO it goes to Santa Barbara first? Take it in on your way to the store.
Don’t forget your reusable bags and your metal water bottle. Disposable plastic water bottles are like cheating on our diet with a fat piece of cake.
What can you do in the office? Postcards will replace my business cards. I want 100% post-consumer recycled cardstock and vegetable based ink. Local printers have the ink but the paper has to be imported. I recently learned that toner is better than ink; there is no waste and the cartridge is recyclable. There is always waste with ink. So the question is do I want to use regular FSC paper from a local vendor or import recycled paper? Should I use ink knowing there will be waste and how it’s disposed or should I boost the quantity up a bit to use the toner?
Carpool to work. My husband has rarely driven to work in the last 3 years. He rides with multiple co-workers and gives them gas money. Carpooling not only reduces one’s carbon footprint, it also increases the social interaction among co-workers making for a stronger work ethic and a more pleasant environment. It’s always nice to make friends.
There’s a lot of thinking to do when you’re on a diet. There’s planning, reading ingredients, and choosing alternatives. But it won’t be you paying the ecological bill. It will be your grand children. “One person cannot save the earth” is rubbish. It takes one person’s choice… yours.
FSC - Forest Steward Council a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way.

Only at Sea U

Written by William Roller | 02 August 2010

Students Have a
Whale of a Summer

For the longest time mankind has made his home on the solid shores of terra firma. Yet the oceans give us so much” says Priscilla Kiessig, executive director of the Avila Sea Life Center Aquarium. The center that has been providing marine science education for the last 11 years opened an aquarium last April.

The aquarium also aims to inspire the curiosity of children through hands-on experiments and re-invigorate for all ages a connection between people and the oceans.  “Our goal is to bring the miracle of the sea to the public”, Kiessig said. “Avila has such a diversity we wanted to expose everyone in the area to the riches of marine life.”
Since the center is small, visitors can get up close to explore on their own with the touch tanks that includes, sea stars, anomies, crabs, an octopus as well as the sharks and rays.
This summer Sea U has been hosting a summer camp for ages 7 to 12.  Abbie Reichner, a center instructor, said she wants students to know the local animals. “It’s fun teaching the kids in a relaxed setting. I know they enjoy all our activities.”
Ali Burkhead, 7, said she liked petting the Swell Shark that felt like sandpaper. Reichner noted that these sharks are docile and more accessible than the rays that can be a bit reticent. Yet Ali said she learned a lot at the aquarium.  “The sharks like to go down to the bottom of the sea like rocks and puff up. And the rays sting when they get scared.”
Elliot Hoving, 10, said he does not get to the beach often so he appreciates the chance to spend a week at the aquarium. “I’m looking forward to the treasure hunt at the end of the week because I like figuring out all the clues. The clues are the best part of that day.”
Despite the excitement of the new aquarium it has not been all smooth sailing for Avila Beach. In 1992 what was thought to be a small leak in the Chevron Oil holding tanks at the Unocal (now Cal Poly) Pier was discovered. By ’99 it was found to be a lot bigger problem and despite years of recovery all of Main Street had to dug up to retrieve the oil.
“It was a huge impact affecting all the businesses on Main Street. A lot of the residents had to move and it affected tourism too. So now when people visit they see the Avila of today but we want everybody to know the history.” said Kiessig
There were 400,000 gallons of oil spilled and it cost $3 million to clean up. Over the last 50 years Avila Beach has seen numerous changes. While commercial fisherman caught a variety of species decades ago now it is mostly sport fishermen who angle for rockfish.
“It’s an amazing jewel of a town. It’s a lot more than just what people would guess looking at the beach. We want students to know about the Chumash, the seashell people, the original settlers. They called Avila, Hole in the Sky, because when the surrounding area is all foggy we get great weather.”
Time has seen great changes in the oceans, likely from human activity. So the community is starting a conservation corps, a chance for volunteers to clean up the beaches.
“We’ve always had a community that’s personally involved with stewardship. The stronger their relationship with the ocean the more they’ll care for it. Their conservation will come naturally if they love the place where they live”, Kiessig said
The Sea Life Center is located at 50 San Juan Street in Avila Beach. For more information call (805) 595-7280 or visit: www.sealifecenter.org.

Seeding Community Gardens

Written by Sandra Marshall | 01 July 2010

New Rotary GardenCommunity Gardens are cropping up across the nation and throughout San Luis Obispo County. On June 8, the opening of the Rotary Community Garden at Meadow Park increased the number of garden sites to four within the San Luis Obispo City limits and just over 100 garden plots for City residents to lease.
Built by the Rotary Clubs of San Luis Obispo (Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Daybreak and Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa) in just one year, the new garden is the largest with 40 plots. The garden is a delight, not only to the gardeners, but to the Meadow Park patrons and the entire community.

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Bicycle Coalition Blazing a Trail for Two Wheelers

Written by William Roller | 01 July 2010

Dan Revoire, executive director of the SLO Bicycle Coalition, in the Bike Kitchen workshop.Could there be anything that makes commuting in SLO fun?
As long as that journey is made by bicycle says SLO County Bicycle Coalition. In a small downtown area like San Luis Obispo it is faster and easier to get to a destination on a bicycle than a vehicle, said Dan Rivoire, executive director of the bicycle coalition. 
“Being on your bike puts you in direct contact with the environment. And that way you get to know your community better than you ever thought possible.”
The main task the coalition is doing in SLO is encouraging more “class 1” bicycle facilities. Those are bike paths separate from the road and sidewalk, Rivoire said. And they aim to outline their goals through the publication of the, Bike Transportation Plan. It is a document detailing recommendations for communities to encourage cycling throughout the county.
On Tuesday, Pismo Beach adopted a bike plan and the coalition was instrumental in developing the agenda, Rivoire said.
“It’s a major step forward for Pismo in that it opens up avenues for funding bike and pedestrian infrastructure projects.”
The coalition promotes cycling primarily through four programs, Rivoire noted. The first is bike confidence. There are numerous streets with high density traffic so they encourage riders to be sensitive to those streets by learning the skills to navigate them with assurance, said Rivoire.
“We want people to feel comfortable riding anywhere.”
The second program, Bike Valet, offers free and secure bike parking, which is yet another way to reduce congestion and is becoming increasingly popular at the Farmers Market. The third program, Bike Kitchen, provides three days a week for riders to troubleshoot mechanical problems with help from volunteers furnishing expert advice, said Rivoire.
"People just show up, explain their problem and we show them how to mend their own bikes.”
Bike Kitchen is offered Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 4 p.m. 
Brant Halfish, co-founder of the Bike Kitchen with Brian Kurotsuchi, says although they share space with the Coalition their workshop acts autonomously. Isted with Brant Haflish, also co-founder, putting the finishing touch on a safety check before Isted peddles off in two-wheel bliss.
Kurotsuchi stressed they are not a repair shop but help riders with advice through two clinics: Bike Basics, focusing on maintenance and safety and Tube Tire Flat Fixing.
Halfish said, they get a lot of satisfaction from empowering riders with the notion, “if you can ride it, you can fix it,” he said.
“I really like that spark that happens when somebody figures out just how easy bike maintenance is. Once you figure it out you become that much more self-reliant.”
Art Isted, a resident of Penticton, British Columbia and studying at Cal Poly this summer, ended up buying a donated ten-speed from the Kitchen at the end of June. 
“I like the fresh air and it’s a greener way to travel,” Isted said about cycling.
Finally, there is, Kidical Mass. It is a family oriented mass bike ride every first Thursday of the month. Riders meet at Mitchell Park at 6 p.m. and ride to Mission Plaza, noted Rivoire
“Kidical Mass is a venue for parents to teach their kids to ride safely.”
Cycling appeals to nearly every one, he added. It is affordable, convenient, healthy and great fun. For anyone tempted to ride in SLO County but hesitates because of concerns about traffic or security, Rivoire urges them to check out the coalition online: www.slobkikelane.org and explore all the services they have available, he advised.
“Cycling in SLO is definitely a viable alternative that is cleaner and safer than any motorized vehicle.” 

 

The Eco Machine

Written by Lauren Bell | 01 July 2010

While we have heard about water wars, we did not anticipate the added pressure of dealing with the worst environmental disaster in human history decimating our most precious resource: water. We cannot do much to help the situation in the Gulf. Oil is a whole different animal than our wastewater. Let me offer a particular technology as a sparkle of light, not to clean up the oil mess, but to be more efficient at cleaning up our own mess.

The estuarine ecosystem around the Gulf contributes billions of dollars to our national GDP.  What if we could use a natural process that purified human waste better and cheaper than any other technology and grow native plants to rehabilitate the estuaries besmirched by this destructive catastrophe? John Todd, currently a professor at the School of Natural Resources in Massachusetts, invented and perfected the Eco Machine to do just that.

This evolutionary system is designed to speed up nature’s purifying systems. In creating beauty from waste, the Eco Machine decomposes human wastes to make the bioavailability of nutrients available to plants. With ingenious utility, native wetland plants can be raised, a higher quality of water would seep into ground water aquifers and oxygen levels in the air would increase. These systems can be used by municipalities for the double benefit of an eco-friendly wastewater treatment facility and a money making opportunity for communities. Imagine how much Louisiana could make by selling wetland plants to BP for mitigation and the thousands of dollars that could be saved in annual sludge treatment costs? Didn’t I tell you the future of the Economy is Green?

The engineering marvel, along with John Todd’s ecological philosophy, has been adopted in eleven countries around the world, including China and Honduras. Even Coca Cola has discovered the visionary phenomenon of the Eco Machine. In Fuzhou, China, 750,000 gallons of raw untreated sewage was pouring into the Baima Canal every day; floating solids would make their way down the canal to join a river. The water was muddy and thick, the air in the city of six million was foul with their own stench. In collaboration with Ocean Arks International, Todd Ecological designed a system within the canal itself to treat the sewage before it reached the river.  After many years of monitoring, the system has become a lush colorful boardwalk; the water is clear several feet down, and children in the nearby elementary school enjoy a pleasant environment.

Recently, I spoke with Jonathan Todd about small residential applications of this technology. As of this writing, there has been only one example of a single house EcoMachine. With a little foresight and community participation and commitment to Green Living, these can be strategically placed throughout a neighborhood. The new program of LEED Neighborhood Design is looking at this option. These systems reverse the anaerobic processes causing odors and purify the air releasing oxygen. Native plants would be raised and planted throughout the community and the overall total carbon footprint lowered. The neighborhood equity would increase because it would be a Green Neighborhood; thus the home equity would increase by 15 to 30%. Working together, communities can become more solid in character improving the quality of life for everyone.

Lauren Bell is a Green Consultant and the founder of GLOBellConsulting.com. From a Geographical perspective, Lauren uses organization community outreach to map plans for neighborhood renovations.
Bureau of Economic Analysis, www.bea.gov, 2010
Karen Matusic. Oil, natural gas supports 9 million American jobs, 7.5 percent of GDP. ApiEnergy (api.org) September 2009
Todd, Jonathan Toddecological.com  Fuzhou, China Case Study Executive Bios 2009
USGS Where is Earth’s Water Located? ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthwherewater 2010

Living in a Throw Away Culture

Written by Sandra Marshall | 03 June 2010

Just a generation ago, products were packaged in reusable or recyclable materials – glass, metals, and paper, and designed products that would last. This throwaway mentality is a relatively recent phenomenon. In the last decade we have rapidly become a throwaway culture.  Our landfills, oceans and rivers are becoming filled with plastics and unnecessary trash. Plastic lost at sea is an environmental and potential human health hazard.
Take this challenge. Evaluate your purchases. Know the lifecycle of what you buy. What happens to your products when you’re through with them? Reduce your consumption of items made from, packaged, or labeled with, plastic.
Demand zero tolerance for plastic pollution and production of plastic waste. Choose cost-effective alternatives; commit to put your reusable bags in the car, to not use plastic bottles, etc.
Be the change. Bring your own bag, bottle, cup, To-Go Ware, and inspire others to do the same. Inspire your company, community, school, and those at home to consider what they make and consume. Shift some habits as you go along. Knowing the impact of plastic pollution on the world, inaction is unacceptable.
Take it to a higher level. Plastic pollution is an environmental and potential human health hazard; current recovery and recycling efforts are inadequate. Support legislative efforts to manage waste in your local community- your voice must be heard!
We must manage production and recovery of plastic responsibly through legislation. What works are fees on disposable plastics and economic incentives: return deposits on bottles, return deposits on products (EPR), and even a “Plastic Drive” for local schools to collect all types of plastic for $/pound. Efficient recovery of waste is essential- there is no “away” in throw-away.
When businesses take responsibility (EPR) to recover products from consumers after use, they make more durable products, create less waste, and reduce the financial burden on municipalities and taxpayers paying to reduce waste.
Responsible legislation creates opportunity for these alternatives. Steel water bottles and cloth grocery bags, biodegradable plastics and green chemistry, closed loop product lifecycles – innovations and reinventions, move us towards a more sustainable society, where the concept of “waste” has no place.

BAN THE PLASTIC BAG
Beginning July 1, 2010. Los Angeles shoppers can either bring their own bags or pay 25 cents for a paper or biodegradable bag.
The city council voted unanimously to ban the plastic bag in July of 2008.
What will you do to make a difference.  Reusable bags are a one time purchase that make a difference locally and globally.
EPR = Extended Producer Responsibility

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