okay so I thought I'd post this here, hope its okay.

My friend & I are working on a project called Green4good and its about helping heal the world and saving the planet from Climate Change and Global Warming, so if anyone would like to support us, either on Twitter, Facebook or a site called Experience project then that would be great! we also will have a website of our own for Green4good up and running soon, so I will keep you all up to date if you like :)

Twitter - @Green_4_Good
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=240265408386
Experience project - Green4good

Thank you :)

All the nonsense I see among "environmentalists" never seems to involve realistic answers. I really think it's a fashion statement that you drive a vespa and look down on my old Cadillac, but how much energy does it take to make a new car? Do you know how much? Maybe I am saving energy by not trashing it, I can't be sure. What I do know is I am tired of getting the stink eye from environmentalists when I drive my Cadi. It happens to have a remarkable engine for an '81. It has a system in it that closes down 2 of the cylinders when cruising and 4 when idling or troughing a hill. According to popular mechanics the (not so_ smart car doesn't get but 32 actual mpg (manufacturers regularly lie about this). My Cadi gets 20 mpg on the highway. When I wasn't in Iraq I lived 9 miles from work. I chose my apartments based on proximity to work. I probably burn less gas than you.

Why is it that I have to deal with smug looks from asses who drive these stupid ugly little cars? Why would these people assume they are in some way BETTER than me? I'm not trashing my cadi as it isn't the cause of world pollution. Too many "environmentalists" want to talk about my car and too few want to talk about carbon chaining and dual use energy.



20 long feet of awesome

You can't tell in the picture but it has a bed like an el camino. The car was salvaged from a flower car (fancy hearse)


love,
clintiskeen
mod of
book_snark

Rice is bad for the environment?

I just read an article in a Swedish magazine ("Hemma i HSB" #8-2009) that claims that rice farms causes a large amounts of methane gas trough the way it's grown/cultivated, as well as through the flooded fields.

Methane gas is a much worse greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (it causes more damage, CO2 is still the largest greenhouse gas, after water vapor).

So, a better choice - instead of eating rice that is - would be bulgur, couscous, quinoa or wheat/barley/oats. The last three I can understand, they can all be grown here in sweden (no transportation needed = less CO2) and can replace the ones mentioned before in all dishes. But are the others really that much better than rice?

Please, enlighten me if you can!

hi, found you on the spotlight and wandered in.....

i have been working to be greener for some time, and i admit i am one of those "two steps forward , one back" types... so its an ongoing struggle.

i bought another bike (my old one was stolen, and its replacement was stolen..)and the carry bags for it so i can do my grocery shopping by bicycle instead of car.. but not in THIS cold! Brrrrrr.. when it warms up again.

last year i became a retailer for the Worm factory (tm/r/etc)compost bins mostly because its the kind i have and have used, and i like it. Mine is indoor,near the kitchen so its easier to remember to throw the scraps in it. no it doesn't stink. any properly maintained worm bin will smell like ....dirt. if it smells bad something is wrong.

you can, of course, buy from me (please do!).. but honestly you can make a half way decent one from old rubber made tubs and some hardware cloth if you are handy that way. Just google worm composting.
it will get rid of junk mail, bills, food garbage, etc .....and produce compost.

This year i am joining a random vegetable club Community Sponsored Agriculture group. basically you buy a share in whatever the farm produces and you get random , or not so random, food every week, or bi weekly. in most areas there are a few options, and different farms have different policies, so it pays to look around. I found one near enough my home that i may be able to pick up my shares on my bicycle, which is even greener!
so i will be challenged having to prepare a wider variety of vegetables....

this is part of my work on eating lower on the food chain, and what meat i DO eat i am trying to get from grass fed, less eco damaging sources. (i wish i could raise chickens....)

i have also been making more use of my crock pot. and joined some of the crock pot and vegetarian communities, and have been trying to do more with beans (which is easier with a crock pot)

I have loved Japanese Bento Boxes for ages, but finally broke down and started selling the Laptop Lunchbox systems.  its made in the USA.  (yes i tend to become a retailer for whatever i use.. why?)  re usable containers make a lot better sense ecologically than bags and tossable containers.  also a bento box helps me to manage portion control.

i am working on getting help to convert the trash and drug strewn lot next to me into a community garden. its. uh. not easy. any suggestions???


sorry if this was a bit long and rambly.....

With all the importance on reducing carbon emissions to combat global warming, we really need to be looking at nuclear power more often. Coal generates 54% of the US's electricity, and is the single biggest air polluter in the U.S, and the largest component of the countries carbon emissions. Could you imagine the amount of carbon we could save by replacing all our coal plants with nuclear? The country could meet its copenhagen targets easily, by doing this, as nuclear doesnt emit carbon. Imagine the scientific and technological revolution that would result from such a massive project. We on this forum should all be pushing for something like this to happen. Dont you think?

How come we go through all sort of activities to arrest or at least reduce global warming but governments around the world still allow fireworks, even fireworks competition?
Do fireworks not harm the ozone layer or contribute to global warming? Didn't we just experience a lot of fireworks the last Christmas season and especially when we usher in the New Year?

To start, I've been always a great fan of books. I've got a lot of them, and I always liked to read and read them again. But because of economical reasons, I started to read e-books. Now, I prefer reading confortably sit in my couch, or in the bus, that sit in front of my computer and read for hours. In addition, I live in a small flat, and I can't buy a lot of things, second-hand or not, because I can't keep them, so usually I lend them or donate them (specially old textbooks). My question is, are ebooks, or paper books a greener option?
Option a) Ebooks are cheap, don't ocupe space (phisycally) and don't waste physical paper resources
Option b) Paper books don't waste as much energy as you use with a PC + you can't buy them second hand

What would be the best solution if we are book worms?

By the way, I'm reading a book by Tim Flannery, The Weather Makers: The History and Future Impact of Climate Change. It presents not only the current causes of global warming, it tells also how was this generated through the centuries, and why has it gone out of control.

Hi guys,

Just want to mention that we've been featured in lj_spotlight this week, so a big welcome to all the members who've us joined since! Very nice to have you all on board. I would just like to remind you to please use the tag feature when submitting entries, as it helps keep things organised incase people want to browse certain topics. The tags aren't limited to the ones listed above, but those are pretty much the general discussions that go on here.
Additionally, the memories, despite being a small section at the moment (I've been working on expanding it recently), has some really interesting things members have posted in the past for those who wish to broaden their knowledge on various topics within sustainable living.

Also, nearly forgot to mention - we have two community events going on (one of which is on hiatus at the moment, though): Monthly Community Earth Hour, and The Fortnight Challenge. Participation is of course open to all interested.

Hope you enjoy it here with us; here's to a wave of many thoughts, ideas and discussions!

Hello
For those of you who dont know me, my name is Hofit.
I have been writing and sharing my life expierences online on livejournal.com since the age of 16, I'm currently 24 and have taken a mission upon myself that will change my life and most importantly others lives.
Last New Years Eve, my only New Year's resolution was to do a single good thing for humainty a week. I decided that as people, we tend to take advantage of alot without at times noticing or appriecating the value of life and what we have, or the value of other peoples lives. I currently think that our society is very selfish, materialistic and disconnected. I feel as though people have forgotten the meaning of unconditional love, true happiness, nature, true beauty and so much more.
I'm here to remind the world.
All it takes is one.
Last year I learned so much about myself by giving the gift of giving.
Something so simple as donating a $1 to children's cancer, feedig ducks in an abandoned park, picking up trash at the beach, helping an old person cross the street, volunteering at a homeless shelter, causing awareness, or taking the time to help a complete stranger can change your life sooo much!
Doing 1 single good thing a week motivated me to better myself. I wanted to start off with baby steps and do it once a week, but in the last few months I've been trying to donate to the earth daily and it feels amazing.
Slowly u begin to notice little things, like how unnecessary throwing a piece of wrapper on the floor, how important beauty skin deep is, because looks are only physical, how much of the world there is to help out and how many people are in need, how fortunate you are, how beautiful nature is, how hollywood and celebs are pointless and reading magazines like US Weekly & In Touch are pure negative energy and eat your soul alive (although once I appear in a few of them). Just little things and big things.
Since I started my great quest, I've stopped completely buying all those tabloid magazines, I dont go on those celeb webites to read the gossip, I have no clue who's famous anymore or not lol, I stopped watching tv, I have a few shows that I watch and thats it. No more MTV, no more VH1 garbage, I even stopped listening to the radio like TOP40 stuff, because not all but most are shallow songs about pointless things like going to a club which is meaningless in my eyes, I only really listen to Hebrew music now, I dont go out to clubs at ALL! Last time I went to a club in Hollywood was in May for a friend's birthday, 2 times in Israel, and just this time when I went to NY and after 20mins I was asking myself why I went out in the first place. I'm sort of a lounger now, I like lounges, where you can talk about meaningful things and have a nice glass of wine. I don't really wear a lot of makeup unless I'm working. I've stopped shopping and I find myself dressing more conservatively.
Now I'm really into traveling and planning trips outside the country. Researching a lot of non-profit organizations and looking into opening one. I've been looking to spend some time in foreign countries to help the world. I've been learning about my religion more. I've been spending alot of time with myself doing things I would never do alone, like go to the movies or a resturant alone, but I love it now, and I find something beautiful about it. I've eliminated a lot of negative people from my life. I'm extremely spirtual and grateful for all that I have. Even the simplest change, going by my real name, HOFIT, has become liberating.
My entire LIFESTYLE HAS CHANGED!
All from a single act of giving. It's very empowering.
and so I've decided that that's my life long gift from G*d to the world.
That's it.
I would like to do something like, be a big international superstar singer, but I can still be a BIG INTERNATIONAL STAR and help make the world a better place! Kinda like the next Oprah!!!
I want to be a big world peace leader! I want to win the Nobel Peace Prize! You will all see! ;)
You see if you knew me about 2 years ago, I'd be the last person you'd expect this from. I've always had this in me but it's been hiding because I allowed the city of "Hollywood" to take over my true nature at heart.
2 years ago, I went by the name of Kim, I was clubing every night, I would spend hundreds of dollars on brand name clothes and accessories daily and only wear them once. On my free time I would watch shows on MTV, VH1, I would go to a newsstand and buy 3 tabloid magazines weekly, I would go on bloggers celeb websites for hours a day, I felt the need to say how "hot" I was from morning til night, I had many friends, not all but most were insecure, negative, lost people, with no morals and self love, yet I always found the need to help them so I had them in my life on the hopes of changing them for the better. All I wanted to do was be a famous celeb, I would show off, cause drama, start fist fights, I had a mercedes benz convertible, lived in a amazing apartment on the beach in Malibu, I had everything I wanted.
I was pretty extreme.
None of this of course came from insecurity, although it may seem. I never did drugs, never tried a cigarette, I dont have a single tattoo on my body, and I dont believe in plastic surgery. I just had different priorities.
I think it's important to understand where I came from, where I am now, where I'm planning on being next year and the rest of my life.

This year, I'm dedicating an entire year to the world.
I'm dedicating 365 of my life with acts of goodness for humanity. All of humanity!
Some days it will be small deeds other days big!
Everyday I will blog about my expierence of that day in the hopes of inspiring YOU to do better and be on the pursuit of changing peoples lives!
This world is lacking so much love, unity, art, creation and faith.
LET'S CHANGE THAT!
My dream is to change the world for the better. I know all it takes is passion, drive, a warm heart, ONE HUGE Dream, and I will never stop!
Because in my heart I believe that we are all good. I believe that even the murderer, rapist, drug dealer, kipnapper, has somewhere in there a piece of goodness, it just got lost. WE ARE ALL ONE. ONE LOVE.

Here we go!!! 365 days of selfless acts for humainty!!!!

"The opposite of war is not peace, its creation" -Mark Cohen


http://hofit365.blogspot.com

2amtomorning
If you find yourself at the crossroads of insomnia and insanity, this is the place to channel those demons that keep you sleepless. Vivid pictures, poetry, ruminations, and confessions from the nether hours between dusk and dawn. Originally formed to celebrate the city at night, there's a strong urban theme.

green_future
Dedicated to promoting global sustainability, this community offers a forum for discussing current environmental news, research, and issues with tips on how to make positive, pro-active changes to reduce carbon impact. You'll also find information on how to get involved in eco-activism and learn about events near you (i.e., act local; think global). Offering a wealth of data on earth-friendly products and practices, you'll be inspired to don an organic bamboo cape and save the planet.

wtf_sexism
Self-described as "a little community with a lot of rage," you can soak up impassioned vibes and read blistering exposes detailing sexist attitudes in the news, pop culture, and science! A must-join community if you are, or love, a feminist. (NB: the topic of whether a "man" can be a feminist is outside the scope of this spotlight, but will probably wind up on the Writer's Block.)

Hi! I just joined this community recently and I would just like to inform you all about a certain community called fanearth . It's a newly founded community, with only a few members, dedicated to making Mother Earth's voice heard through discussions, news articles, literature, art and every other way possible. The community is looking for members and we hope some people from this community can also take their time to join us.

How do you green your dish washing? I always considered washing them individually would be greener. But I thought about disposing paper goods, but that's probably the worst. Dish washing has been an area in my life that I am focusing on trying to green more. Thoughts? Ideas? Discussions. 

renaissance2010
Turning to photography as a creative outlet during a valiant fight with breast cancer at age 34, renaissance10 survived and set up a photo contest to help raise funds for the Lavender Trust, a nonprofit that provides information and support to younger women with breast cancer. In the first two years, the competition brought in over £65,000 (that's $107,260.73 U.S.!), with entries from 130 countries last year. Renaissance10 recently joined LiveJournal to meet other passionate photographers and find supportive friends.

curiouscupcakes
Holy buttercream frosting! If you have a sweet tooth for sugary goodness or a wandering eye for whimsical confection, this is pure ecstasy iced in deliciousness. Hailing the beloved cupcake as the artisinal canvas of choice, you'll enjoy recipes, photos, and bountiful tips to bake up a batch, whether your taste leans toward French classics or funky and flavorful.

mission101
With New Years in the offing, it's an ideal time to reflect on past accomplishments, make peace with disappointments, and refocus the lens on future goals. This community welcomes you to create a bucket list of 101 things you plan to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. Offering support, guidance, and inspiration, this is a great way to jumpstart those pesky resolutions.

Just a reminder that green_future Community Earth Hour December, last one for the year, happens tomorrow, December 29th from 8-9pm local time, for those who want to participate :) It's a little earlier this month, as I'm sure we're all going to be too busy celebrating on the 31st...

For those unfamiliar with Earth Hour: it's simply a statement against climate change and our inefficient use of energy resources, that involves turning off all electrical appliances and lights for one hour of the day. Or more if you wish, but that's up to you.
Here's a link to the official Earth Hour website incase anyone wants more info. Coincidentally, mark your calendars - Saturday, March 27th 2010 is (global) Earth Hour!

It was suggested that this message should be passed around so that we get as many people on board as possible. Thanks to all who participate! Happy holidays