Green Journal: Our 2008 Resolutions
December 31, 2007
Posted by OrganicpicksTeam in : Opinions & Thoughts , 2 comments
A brand new start for a brand new year. Here are some of our green resolutions for 2008.
- Find new ways to teach our children to be better citizens. We’ve made lots of little changes in 2007 including outdoor activities, recycling projects and reusable crafts. In 2008, we hope to take more hikes, go on camping trips and plant an edible garden with our kids. If you are looking for good ideas and activities, check out National Wild Life Foundation’s Green Hour.
- Simplify our lives. Buy less and reuse more in every way. We want to continue our new practices of fewer material gifts, less plastic and more reuse projects.
- Trade-in for a fuel efficient car. This year, CindyC is determined to win the car battle. With all the new hybrids and fuel efficient options coming out, this may not be such a huge battle against her motor head husband.
- Help green the schools our children go to. In 2007, we made changes to green our own lives and learned tips and tricks along the way. 2008 is a year that we hope to lend a hand to our immediate communities.
- Influence friends and family. Changing our own lives has required us to go through a thought changing process. We still fondly remember our aha moment. We are hoping to bring more friends and family on board with their changes.
CindyC and CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Last Evening in Paradise
December 28, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Opinions & Thoughts , add a comment
Already thinking about next year!
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Field Trip to the Lighthouse
December 27, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Opinions & Thoughts , add a comment
Definitely worth the trip!
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Nature Hike in Kauai
December 26, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Opinions & Thoughts , add a comment
Some views along the way….
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
My Christmas Present
December 25, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Opinions & Thoughts , add a comment
Mall bought trinket or wake up to this view!
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Waiting for Santa
December 24, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Opinions & Thoughts , 1 comment so far
Really not a bad place to wait.
Mele Kalikimaka!
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Another Electric Vehicle on the Road
December 21, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Opinions & Thoughts , 2 comments
While walking my dog the other day, I saw this strange looking moving vehicle coming down the street. It bears some resemblance to a traditional car but more futuristic looking and has only 3 wheels. As it quietly drove by, I noticed it was a “Zap” car. Since it was so curious looking, I looked up Zap when I got home. Apparently, Zap or Zero Air Pollution, is a maker and distributor of electric vehicles, based in Santa Rosa, CA.
The model I saw was the Xebra Sedan, a 3 wheel motorcycle with maximum speed of 40 MPH and can be recharged at any electrical outlet.
Zap offers several different product lines including “trucks”, scooters and the new Zap-X Crossover Vehicle co-developed with Lotus Engineering.
Although somewhat unconventional looking, Zap is gaining some headway with businesses. UPS branch in Petaluma recently leased a fleet of Zap trucks for small package deliveries, in effort to reduce carbon emissions.
However, Zap is in heavy competition for this now hot EV market. Based on the count by Autoblog Green, there are at least 20 start-ups working on electric vehicles, including Tesla, Zenn, Phoenix Motorcars and Think. I guess only time will tell which ones will persevere.
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Other related posts:
Tesla Delays Delivery of Roadster
Infinite Miles Per Gallon?
Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Enlightened Ways to Use Old Bulbs
December 20, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Opinions & Thoughts , add a comment
I was shopping around for new light bulbs yesterday and came across this interesting site, Bulbs Unlimited. The site sells a kit that creatively recycles used incandescent light bulbs and transforms them into new light fixtures. Unfortunately, these kits conform to European Standards so we can’t really use them in the U.S. However, the picture gallery demonstrates that a little creativity can make almost anything re-usable.
On the home front, I also found some creative ways to reuse those old, burnt lightbulbs.
Just in time for the holidays, All Free Crafts has a great idea for a Santa Lightbulb Ornament. All you need is a burnt out bulb, some paint, scrap fabric and glue.
Tears of Fire has a great how-to for making a light bulb greenhouse. The process of hollowing out the light bulb is a bit complicated but probably not a challenge for your handy folks out there.
Amazing what great ideas are out there!
CindyC at Organicpicks
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The new energy bill is 5 years behind China
December 19, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Opinions & Thoughts , 3 comments
Apparently our new energy bill has just been signed into power. Hailed as a “ground breaking” landmark, it mandates that the average fuel efficiency level for all vehicles sold in the U.S. increases to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, up from 25 miles per gallon currently. There are a number of other provisions, including “no more than 15 billion gallons of biofuel can come from corn-based ethano”.
But excuse me for not breaking out my champaign flute to celebrate this “historic” moment. Let’s put things in perspective here. Mmmm, the vehicle efficiency requirement falls way behind even China. In 2005, Chinese regulations required vehicle fuel efficiency of 38 miles per gallon (mpg) for lighter cars and 19 mpg for the heavier trucks. In 2008, these standards will rise to 43 mpg and 21 mpg respectively.
That means an average American manufactured vehicle will not be allowed on any Chinese roads. Talk about long-term economic impact.
Related posts:
Driving the least fuel efficient vehicles
Raise gas price to drive the vehicle fuel efficiency?
Finally a win for improving fuel efficiency
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Global warming vs. Paris Hilton (round x)
Posted by CindyW in : Opinions & Thoughts , 1 comment so far
Huh? Yeah, the world according to Google hits. For a brief moment early this year, global warming was actually a bit more popular than Paris. Then over the summer, Paris took the lead back with a vengeance - apparently she was released from jail. In the last round, it seems that global warming and Paris Hilton are going neck to neck, though by no means stable. No doubt Paris will pull ahead if she scores a DUI. What stunts can global warming pull? It is already in so much trouble.
If it is any consolation, global warming is still a notch or two more popular than George Clooney, for the most part lately.
The good news is that the world is becoming more aware of global warming, slowly, unsteadily, but surely.
Who’d know you can have so much fun with Google…
Happy holidays!
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
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