Here are the rest of the green myths from A Fresh Squeeze:
Myth 6: Since local foods travel a shorter distance from farm to fork, they use less fuel and emit less CO2.There are lots of reasons to support local agriculture—but the issue of food miles is tricky. Although the distance the food travels is shorter, inefficiencies in the transportation system can actually mean more CO2 is emitted during the trip.
Myth 7: Since manufacturers will pay for recycled materials, recycling programs should pay for themselves.While some recycling critics demand that these programs pay for themselves—it’s more appropriate to compare the cost of recycling to that of trash disposal.This varies from community to community. The EPA estimates the cost of a well run, curb-side recycling program at $50 - $150, while garbage comes in at $70 to $200. So recycling can in fact be cost-competitive with trash.
Myth 8: If something says it’s organic, it is.Although it’s one of the most popular components of green living, organic food is often misunderstood. To learn more about what being organic truly means, read our two part series on Top Ten Organic Myths.
Myth 9: CFL’s are worse than incandescent bulbs because they contain mercury. Fact: Compact fluorescent light bulbs do contain mercury—but the small amount is sealed in glass tubing, and is not released when the bulb is turned on. The amount of mercury in CFL’s would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen, and it would take 100 CFL’s to equal the amount of mercury in older thermometers. But, CFL's save 70% more energy than regular bulbs, and can save up to 2000 times their weight in greenhouse gases over their lifetime. Cleanup of broken CFL’s do require a certain amount of precaution. You can find a comprehensive guide to cleaning broken CFL’s at the Energy Star website(pdf).
Myth 10: Chicago doesn’t have to worry about water shortages because of our proximity to Lake Michigan. Fact: Many drought plagued states have begun eying the Great Lakes as a solution to their water shortages. There have been many proposed pipelines that would divert millions of gallons of fresh water from the Lakes to fill their reservoirs, rivers, and lakes. The water levels in Lake Michigan are already nearing record lows, and more water is leaving the Great Lakes than is coming in. Chicagoans must stop taking fresh water for granted and start conserving water.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Recycling Cell Phones
We've all got old cell phones lying around somewhere in our homes. Please don't toss them out, recycle them!
You can drop them off at Best Buy, or better yet, visit http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com. Turning in your old cell phones can help our troops call home. (The website has prepaid postage labels that you can print out!) Your old cell phones are sold to a recycling company and the money is used toward calling cards for the troops.
You can drop them off at Best Buy, or better yet, visit http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com. Turning in your old cell phones can help our troops call home. (The website has prepaid postage labels that you can print out!) Your old cell phones are sold to a recycling company and the money is used toward calling cards for the troops.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Catching (Or It's Like Milk But With An S Part II)
I had planned on leaving soon after Jame's performance but was distracted by the next band to get up on stage. With catchy music and fun lyrics (my favorite is Girl Gone Wild), their songs kept me from leaving. They've also got a pair of fans that caught my eye, an elder couple with a camera and "proud parents" written all over their faces. Cute.
I was curious to learn the name of this band so I leaned over and asked the older gentleman.
"A band called Catch," he answered.
"Catch?" My immediate reaction: disappointment. What a boring name for such an entertaining group. I mean they had free-styling and spoken word! Catch? Yawn.
"No, they're called Band Called Catch," the man corrected. How three little words can make a difference to me, I don't know, but I like it much better. It reminds me of a band I listened to in high school, Keep Away From Julie. Poor Julie was the girl they hated as little kids. I wonder how this band came up with Band Called Catch.
With a name like that and the music they played, May and I decided to stay for the rest of the show. We were so groupy, we even bought their CD and May developed a crush on all the guys in the band. I only had eyes for the drummer. He looked really familiar. Not the familiar, in the creepy pick-up line sort of way but the familiar where it will bother you until you figure it out kind of way.
I vaguely remember him being my waiter once - some blurry image in the back of my mind where I was annoyed and hungry and he was giving me food. My suspicions were confirmed later when I asked him after their show. It was a relief to figure out where I've seen him before. It seems that when I'm not hungry, Dustin the drummer is very nice and gracious. Did I mention that he performed really well? I should know, I'm on level medium-hard on Rock Band drums.
Note: I'm not just saying this to alleviate my guilt for being a grouchy eater. Check them out yourself!
Top Five Green Myths
A Fresh Squeeze has published the first part of their Top Ten Green Myths on their website. You can check the myths out below. Make sure to check out A Fresh Squeeze as well.
Myth 1: Since trees absorb carbon dioxide, we should plant trees wherever we can to combat global warming.Fact: While trees do sequester carbon from the atmosphere, this impact is lessened and in some cases reversed by the albedo effect. For the most bang for your bark, support tree planting in the tropics and avoid planting trees in latitudes above 50 degrees.
Myth 2: Since hybrid cars get better gas mileage, we should sell our current cars for a hybrid.Fact: The true test of your car’s eco-friendliness is gas mileage, which is sometimes better with a standard engine. For instance regular compact cars often get higher MPG than hybrid SUVs. If you’re considering buying a new hybrid to replace an older model, remember that it takes energy to manufacture a new car. So you won’t start saving energy until you’ve gotten 10,000 - 12,000 bonus miles out of the improved gas mileage. If you drive rarely, consider investing in other green technologies—like improving your home’s energy efficiency—instead.
Myth 3: Since paper is made from a renewable resource and plastic is made from a nonrenewable resource, paper bags are better for the environment.Fact: Paper actually creates more pollution, takes up more landfill space, and uses more fossil fuel in transportation than plastic. But if you recycle your paper bags, then the eco-impact is greatly reduced. The better choice is to avoid paper and plastic bags altogether by using a reusable shopping bag.
Myth 4: It doesn’t matter how much we conserve, because unchecked population growth is going to destroy the Earth’s resources anyway. According to the UN, the Earth’s population is expected to level off between 9 and 11 billion around 2050. With fears of uncontrolled population growth abating, we still need to figure out how to sustainably support 2.3 to 4.3 billion more people on our planet.
Myth 5: Since bottled water is regulated by the FDA, it is safer to drink than tap water.Fact: A study by the National Resources Defense Council found that 25% of bottled water is actually just packaged tap water, sometimes without any additional treatment. Municipal water is subject to EPA standards and is as safe as or safer than the bottled variety.
Myth 1: Since trees absorb carbon dioxide, we should plant trees wherever we can to combat global warming.Fact: While trees do sequester carbon from the atmosphere, this impact is lessened and in some cases reversed by the albedo effect. For the most bang for your bark, support tree planting in the tropics and avoid planting trees in latitudes above 50 degrees.
Myth 2: Since hybrid cars get better gas mileage, we should sell our current cars for a hybrid.Fact: The true test of your car’s eco-friendliness is gas mileage, which is sometimes better with a standard engine. For instance regular compact cars often get higher MPG than hybrid SUVs. If you’re considering buying a new hybrid to replace an older model, remember that it takes energy to manufacture a new car. So you won’t start saving energy until you’ve gotten 10,000 - 12,000 bonus miles out of the improved gas mileage. If you drive rarely, consider investing in other green technologies—like improving your home’s energy efficiency—instead.
Myth 3: Since paper is made from a renewable resource and plastic is made from a nonrenewable resource, paper bags are better for the environment.Fact: Paper actually creates more pollution, takes up more landfill space, and uses more fossil fuel in transportation than plastic. But if you recycle your paper bags, then the eco-impact is greatly reduced. The better choice is to avoid paper and plastic bags altogether by using a reusable shopping bag.
Myth 4: It doesn’t matter how much we conserve, because unchecked population growth is going to destroy the Earth’s resources anyway. According to the UN, the Earth’s population is expected to level off between 9 and 11 billion around 2050. With fears of uncontrolled population growth abating, we still need to figure out how to sustainably support 2.3 to 4.3 billion more people on our planet.
Myth 5: Since bottled water is regulated by the FDA, it is safer to drink than tap water.Fact: A study by the National Resources Defense Council found that 25% of bottled water is actually just packaged tap water, sometimes without any additional treatment. Municipal water is subject to EPA standards and is as safe as or safer than the bottled variety.
Monday, May 19, 2008
It's Like Milk But With An S
Last Thursday I got a last minute call from May, inviting me to her friend's show. We are last minute kind of people so I don't mind. Try planning something with me ahead of time and it might get cancelled.
"Who is this?" I asked.
"A friend from high school," she responded, "James Mils."
"Who?" I didn't go to high school with May.
"Daisy's ex-boyfriend."
"Oh. Ok." Daisy I know. "What type of music is it?"
"Guitar. Acoustic I think. Like John Mayer."
There was no response on my end. Acoustic guitar and singing. Like John Mayer. There's only so much I can take of John Mayer type of music. I mean I like one song of his, but I don't know, there's just something I don't like about his big head of curly hair. Besides, I haven't been a fan of guys singing with acoustic guitars since college, when every other guy I met felt the need to serenade me with their guitars. Not that many of these guys sucked, but it gets a little boring after a while with the whole fawning over them thing.
"If it's too last minute, I can go by myself," May offered.
I weighed in my choices. A night in with Grey's Anatomy and my lovely couch or drinks with May and some background noise. Drinks with May won.
"No it's fine. I'll go."
"Where are you going?" Olivia asked after I hung up with May.
"Some guy's show. James Miklsfk or something. I'm not sure what's his name. He's Daisy's ex-boyfriend."
"Oh James Milsk." Olivia went to the same high school as May.
"Mildsaf?"
"Milsk."
"Miklfsa?"
"No, it's like Milk but with an 'S'!"
"Ohhh ok. Yes, so I'm going to his show with May."
As I had expected, May and I caught up over a couple of beers with loud music as background noise. When James' turn came up, I was not excited to have to stop talking about myself and pay attention to him, but I decided to give him a chance because, apparently, everyone knows him but me.
He was good.
I enjoyed his music.
I know, I was shocked too. Maybe it's because I've played Guitar Hero and (totally) understand how hard it is to play the guitar now. (I think if he played Guitar Hero, he would be on level hard. I'm on easy.) Or maybe because I don't have to pretend I like his music. Or maybe because he's actually good. I don't know. But you guys can check him out for yourself.
"Who is this?" I asked.
"A friend from high school," she responded, "James Mils."
"Who?" I didn't go to high school with May.
"Daisy's ex-boyfriend."
"Oh. Ok." Daisy I know. "What type of music is it?"
"Guitar. Acoustic I think. Like John Mayer."
There was no response on my end. Acoustic guitar and singing. Like John Mayer. There's only so much I can take of John Mayer type of music. I mean I like one song of his, but I don't know, there's just something I don't like about his big head of curly hair. Besides, I haven't been a fan of guys singing with acoustic guitars since college, when every other guy I met felt the need to serenade me with their guitars. Not that many of these guys sucked, but it gets a little boring after a while with the whole fawning over them thing.
"If it's too last minute, I can go by myself," May offered.
I weighed in my choices. A night in with Grey's Anatomy and my lovely couch or drinks with May and some background noise. Drinks with May won.
"No it's fine. I'll go."
"Where are you going?" Olivia asked after I hung up with May.
"Some guy's show. James Miklsfk or something. I'm not sure what's his name. He's Daisy's ex-boyfriend."
"Oh James Milsk." Olivia went to the same high school as May.
"Mildsaf?"
"Milsk."
"Miklfsa?"
"No, it's like Milk but with an 'S'!"
"Ohhh ok. Yes, so I'm going to his show with May."
As I had expected, May and I caught up over a couple of beers with loud music as background noise. When James' turn came up, I was not excited to have to stop talking about myself and pay attention to him, but I decided to give him a chance because, apparently, everyone knows him but me.
He was good.
I enjoyed his music.
I know, I was shocked too. Maybe it's because I've played Guitar Hero and (totally) understand how hard it is to play the guitar now. (I think if he played Guitar Hero, he would be on level hard. I'm on easy.) Or maybe because I don't have to pretend I like his music. Or maybe because he's actually good. I don't know. But you guys can check him out for yourself.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Ink
So Mark left me a message last night telling me about how he's forgotten to close his credit card tab at a bar over the weekend. This isn't the first time he's done it and I'd be a tiny bit disappointed if it were his last. (Come on! It's funny!) If it were me, I'd just stop opening up tabs at the bar, but Mark's not me (otherwise he'd be AWESOME). So he got me started thinking about mistakes and repeating them.
There was a weekend during my freshman year in college when my parents came to visit me. They drove all the way from Chicago to Upstate New York and were very excited to see their only daughter, who was so far away from home. Their only daughter, on the other hand, was excited to go to some big Cider party at some frat house that Saturday. I made an excuse for my parents to drop me off at my dorm earlier than they wanted, something along the lines of having to study or being sleepy, and then I went to the party. The next morning I woke up with an "X" on my hand, evidence of where I'd gone the night before. I quickly hopped into the shower and spent the next twenty minutes scrubbing the skin off my hand with a loofah and some soap. The "X" eventually came off and in it's place was the red, raw spot of new skin. No regrets, spiked cider is delicious!
Fast forward a few years later and again I wake up in the morning with ink on my skin. This time an autograph along my right arm. Why was there an autograph on my arm? Because I went to see a friend perform and I thought it'd be funny to get his autograph on my arm. Why I thought it'd be funny? Ask Fat Tire. Once again I found myself in the shower, trying to scrub the ink off before work. I'd like to say I've grown. I'd like to say I've matured and I think I have (obviously not enough), so this time I didn't rub off the first layer of my skin. Instead, I dug deep into my spring wardrobe and found a long sleeved cardigan. Over and forgotten!...Except for when I have to pull up my sleeves and I see the cursive "J" of James on my forearm.
Why do we repeat our mistakes? I don't know but let's just thank God for things like being able to cancel credit cards and my low tolerance for pain so that I'd never be able to get a tattoo and let's not forget, washable ink (I hope!).
There was a weekend during my freshman year in college when my parents came to visit me. They drove all the way from Chicago to Upstate New York and were very excited to see their only daughter, who was so far away from home. Their only daughter, on the other hand, was excited to go to some big Cider party at some frat house that Saturday. I made an excuse for my parents to drop me off at my dorm earlier than they wanted, something along the lines of having to study or being sleepy, and then I went to the party. The next morning I woke up with an "X" on my hand, evidence of where I'd gone the night before. I quickly hopped into the shower and spent the next twenty minutes scrubbing the skin off my hand with a loofah and some soap. The "X" eventually came off and in it's place was the red, raw spot of new skin. No regrets, spiked cider is delicious!
Fast forward a few years later and again I wake up in the morning with ink on my skin. This time an autograph along my right arm. Why was there an autograph on my arm? Because I went to see a friend perform and I thought it'd be funny to get his autograph on my arm. Why I thought it'd be funny? Ask Fat Tire. Once again I found myself in the shower, trying to scrub the ink off before work. I'd like to say I've grown. I'd like to say I've matured and I think I have (obviously not enough), so this time I didn't rub off the first layer of my skin. Instead, I dug deep into my spring wardrobe and found a long sleeved cardigan. Over and forgotten!...Except for when I have to pull up my sleeves and I see the cursive "J" of James on my forearm.
Why do we repeat our mistakes? I don't know but let's just thank God for things like being able to cancel credit cards and my low tolerance for pain so that I'd never be able to get a tattoo and let's not forget, washable ink (I hope!).
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
My Elevator Story
I was on the elevator today, reading the little news screen they have in the elevator and minding my own business when the lady standing next to me suddenly turned to me and asked if I worked at the Chinese Association. Whoa! Right? Was this lady psychic? How did she know I was Chinese and not Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Taiwanese...I can go on but I wont (On a related topic, you can read my "Thanks but no I'm not Korean " post for another wacky Asian related incident). Then I thought, if she were psychic, she'd know I didn't work at the Chinese Association. So I turned to her and shook my head silently. I gave her no indication that I wanted to speak to her but she continued on to say how sorry she was about the earthquake that hit China. I nodded my head in acknowledgement but stayed quiet and then watched as she scurried off onto her own floor.
I am sorry to hear about the earthquake too, but as I have never been there nor do I know anyone affected by the quake, I thought it was amusing that she was expressing her condolences to me. It's like if I were to go up to a random African American and expressed my condolences for all the people in Africa dying of Aids. Or if I were to go up to a lesbian and say "I think Ellen is funny, you guys must be proud to have her". On the one hand, I am glad that people aren't shrugging off the horrific accident, so on a superficially naive level, it was very nice of the lady to express her condolences, but on the other hand I do not want my physical appearance to register me as the face of China. What if the elevator lady had wanted to complain about SARS, lead in toys or communism?
I am sorry to hear about the earthquake too, but as I have never been there nor do I know anyone affected by the quake, I thought it was amusing that she was expressing her condolences to me. It's like if I were to go up to a random African American and expressed my condolences for all the people in Africa dying of Aids. Or if I were to go up to a lesbian and say "I think Ellen is funny, you guys must be proud to have her". On the one hand, I am glad that people aren't shrugging off the horrific accident, so on a superficially naive level, it was very nice of the lady to express her condolences, but on the other hand I do not want my physical appearance to register me as the face of China. What if the elevator lady had wanted to complain about SARS, lead in toys or communism?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)