Free solar system and better education
December 18, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : For Kids , 5 comments
English, Math, Music, History, Science – all common part of the curriculum for a K-12 school. Can environment and alternative energy be integrated into the curriculum too? The German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV) thinks so decidedly.
Early this year, GISSV started such an education focused plan – what better ways to teach children about alternative energy than having solar panels on the roof of their classrooms and using solar energy to power the classrooms. The school, led by Ms. Oelschlaegel, patiently researched and looked for a photovoltaic (PV) system vendor who would be willing to offer a system to the school at no cost. A few months later, their effort came to fruition. Phoenix Solar donated an 18 kWp photovoltaic system to GISSV. Other vendors that offered free services included Xantrex and Solar City.
A month ago the system was up and running. It is to provide 34% of the school’s annual electricity demand and avoid 17 tons of carbon dioxide every year.
Ms. Oelschlaeger told me that the students were involved during the entire installation process and were very excited when the system was brought alive. Now besides generating green electricity, the PV system supports the school’s efforts to integrate alternative energy into their curriculum. It demonstrates to the students that the time has come to restructure our electricity supply from conventional energy sources to sustainable renewable energy sources.
When asked if there are any unexpected results from the solar system implementation, Ms. Oelschlaeger, who was often mild-mannered, exuded much delight and pride. The concept of conservation has surprisingly spilled over to other areas of interests. Students are much more enthusiastic about recycling – bottles, cans, class room scrap paper… The parents are asking what else they can do to help with conservation efforts and environmental causes.
I applaud GISSV for integrating green energy into their curriculum and for creatively finding free resources to implement their goals. Bravo Ms. Oelschlaeger!
Lucky students.
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Green Journal: Gift-less Holiday Vacation
December 17, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Green Journal , 3 comments
I admit I am both excited and smug this week. I’m excited because in a few days, my whole family will be on our way to Kauai. I’m smug because I am not rushing around finding holiday gifts for the family.
Several years ago, we reinstated a long-time family tradition: rather than individual gifts, the whole family would go on vacation together and gift everyone only with the pleasure of good company. I know it sounds a bit hokey and possibly scary (to spend a whole week with extended family) but consider the alternative.
According to a PriceGrabber survey, the average American expects to spend almost $1,200 on holiday gifts. While 60% of shoppers start shopping November 1, most say no matter how much they plan, they will still be buying during the 5 days before Christmas. (1) That means the burden of finding gifts will remain on shoppers’ to-do’s until the stores close for Christmas! Per a Deloitte survey, over 60% of people say they enjoy the holiday festivities but try to avoid the crowded shopping experience. Even after braving the holiday rush, 25% of gift recipients return gifts an average of 2.4 times. (2) So basically, people love the holiday atmosphere but spend much of their holiday season and budget worrying about gifting, standing in lines and then spending even more time post-holiday trying to get rid of that undesirable gift. This doesn’t even consider the amount of time and resources that it takes to ship and wrap the gifts. Nationwide, 22% more trash is generated between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than any other time of the year. (3) Is that really what the holiday spirit has become?
So, as an alternative, make a pact with your family and try to have a “gift-less holiday”. Instead of buying trendy gifts and toys, everyone gets to go on vacation. And I don’t mean sleeping on a roll-away in Grandma’s basement.
- Pick out a family-friendly spot with a variety of activities. The closer the destination, the less time and resources it takes to get there.
- Designate one (or several) people to research deals on travel and lodging. Since we generally have a group of 15 or more, we’ve gotten extra discounts. Even eco-friendly options offer great deals.
- Depending on the desired level of family togetherness, you can either share large vacation homes or smaller condos. These are generally less expensive, offer more space and cooking options than hotels.
- Take turns making dinner while on vacation. This frees up time to enjoy the offerings of your selected destination.
- For the younger children, no gifts can be a difficult thing to accept, especially if Santa is still in the picture. We found that a SINGLE gift to use during vacation (like new snorkels) will do the trick.
By the way, you don’t have to take your gift-less vacation right at the holiday season. An off-season trip will be cheaper and gives everyone something to look forward to.
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Source:
(1) Price Grabber Shopping Trends
(2) Deloitte Holiday Survey
(3) Zero Waste Reduction
Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Issue #6: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Blog Carnival
December 14, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Gems from Others , 1 comment so far
Once again, we are delighted to collect great ideas from our fellow bloggers. A big thanks to all who took the time to share their thoughts and experiences with us. Without further adieu:
Stephanie is a happy recipient of a thoughtful and touching gift from her nine-year old. Not only did he make it himself, he used all the recycle and reuse principles taught by his proud mama. Who says kids don’t pay attention to their parents anymore!
Ms. Green Bean is getting creative, crafty and not spend-happy with holiday decorations around the house. And what a great idea to have an “advent calendar” full of activities, small treats and cheapy, plastic toys!
The Good Human enjoyed and highly recommends “Everything’s Cool: A Toxic Comedy About Global Warming”. Per his review,”It is more than a documentary; it is a demonstration of what forces we environmentalists are up against in trying to get the word out about global warming.” Sounds like a good gift for the environmentalist on your list.
And as a real life demonstration of the forces against which we have to fight, just check out what recently happened to our green friend Michelle. It’s unbelievable how someone can compare an educational program about global warming and energy conservation to propaganda used by the Nazis! All we can say is, “Keep on fighting, Michelle. It’s worth it!”
Previous issues:
Issue #5: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Blog Carnival
Issue #4: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Blog Carnival
Issue #3: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Blog Carnival
Issue #2: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Blog Carnival
Issue #1: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Blog Carnival
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
A huge win for improving vehicle fuel efficiency
December 13, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Opinions & Thoughts , add a comment
As I am getting ready to jump off my vehicle fuel efficiency soapbox, a new federal court decision is keeping me up here for one more day. Yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Anthony W. Ishii ruled against Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers(1) and a group of auto dealers: “Both EPA and California . . . are equally empowered through the Clean Air Act to promulgate regulations that limit the emissions of greenhouse gases, principally carbon dioxide, from motor vehicles.”
According to the Los Angeles Times, this decision came on the heels of three other recent cases:
- April, 2007 – “the Supreme Court ruled that the EPA has the right to regulate greenhouse gases as air pollutants and that the agency could grant states permission to implement their own standards.”
- September, 2007 – a federal court in Vermont ruled that the state could control greenhouse emissions from cars.
- November, 2007 – the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a loophole allowing lower emission standards for light trucks – under the now defunct rule, the average fuel efficiency was to rise from today’s 22.5 miles to 23.5 miles per gallon in 2010 (a whole 1 mpg improvement) while the current passenger cars standard was already 27.5 mpg.
California has plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% between 2009 and 2016 and 40% of the state’s greenhouse gas emission comes from motor vehicles.
I am tremendously encouraged that we are finally heading the right direction. However before we celebrate for victory, one more hurdle needs to be cleared – currently a waiver from the EPA is required for states that wish to implement local higher fuel efficiency standards. What?! Yes, you read it right. The U.S. EPA, which stands for Environmental Protection Agency, is actually putting up obstacles for states that wish to curtail their own green house emission. There is so much irony in this that I don’t even want to get started. In fact last month, California sued the federal government, demanding a ruling on the waiver request, which has been pending for nearly two years.
Meanwhile, I will continue to support the environmental groups that have been diligently working on the latest case: Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, Blue Water Network, Environmental Defense, Global Exchange, and Rainforest Action Network.
I must put in another note – Instead of spending millions and millions of dollars in court cases and lobbying efforts, the big auto manufacturers can put the money into innovation. Ford, GM and Chrysler have had pathetic market performance going with status quo. Seems to me now is a good time to rethink the innovation roadmap.
Related posts:
Can the U.S. improve vehicle fuel efficiency?
Diary of a Prius
Smart Car Finally available in the U.S.
Tesla Delays Electric Roadster Delivery
CindyW at Organicpicks
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(1) The alliance is a trade association of 10 makers of cars and light trucks: BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen.
Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
How can the U.S. increase vehicle fuel efficiency?
December 12, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Opinions & Thoughts , 1 comment so far
A week ago, I wrote about the passenger vehicle fuel efficiency in various countries and lamented on how the U.S. was far behind other countries (and continents), including Europe, Japan, and even China. Our friend Tim wondered if the key factor for this difference was gas price – countries with high gas prices tend to have vehicles with higher fuel efficiency, and conversely, countries with low gas prices are likely to have more gasoline guzzlers. Well here are the gas prices from a few countries in November 2007(1):
As you can see, despite all our moaning about the high gas price, drivers from European countries and Japan pay way more than we do. It would seem that vehicle fuel efficiency is correlated to gas price (though not proportional) (2).
But it begs the question – why are gas prices so different in different countries, given crude oil (from which gasoline is refined) is a commodity and traded on international open markets? Turns out it is different tax policies at work. According to Christian Monitor, “On average, 60% of the price European drivers pay at the pump goes to their governments in taxes.” In comparison, 15% of the gas price American drivers pay goes is tax.
There are undoubtedly a handful of other factors that impact why European countries, Japan and China have higher vehicle fuel efficiency, such as minimum fuel efficient standard, urban density, public transportation infrastructure, culture, and etc. And I am not calling for gasoline tax increase here (yet). But it is painfully obvious that price does influence consumer behavior – the type of cars they choose to purchase, how much they drive, and even where they live (urban living vs. suburban sprawl).
So what do we do to improve our sad state of fuel inefficiency? Aside from green-minded consumers voluntarily down-shifting their automotive consumption, the U.S. government urgently needs to use the available levers in its back pocket to influence the vehicle fuel efficiency. Just to name a few:
- Exercise balanced gasoline tax policy
- Reward fuel-efficiency car purchase by providing tax breaks (e.g., Canadian government offers $1000 to $2000 for the purchase of a vehicle that achieves 36 mpg or better)
- Provide non-financial incentives such as car pool lane privilege (already implemented in California)
- Close the loophole on SUV tax breaks - The deduction stems from the long-standing and somewhat bizarre classification of SUVs as light trucks rather than cars. The original truck tax break was partly intended to help farmers buy pickup trucks. Weird huh?
- Set minimum Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard, plain and simple (okay, nothing is simple)
- Other Suggestions?
There will always be people who argue how all these options will destroy the economy. I am not a macro-economist, but I believe that if Japan and Europe can average 40 miles per gallon and China can average 35 miles per gallon NOW, we have no excuse.
I will end with Gore’s Nobel prize acceptance speech, “The future is knocking at our door right now. Make no mistake: The next generation will ask us one of two questions. Either they will ask “What were you thinking? Why didn’t you act?” or they will ask instead, “How did you find the moral courage to rise and successfully resolve a crisis that so many said was impossible to solve?”
Related posts:
Diary of a Prius
Smart Car Finally available in the U.S.
Tesla Delays Electric Roadster Delivery
CindyW at Organicpicks
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(1). Sources: AARoadwatch and International Herald Tribute
(2). Use the average miles per gallon European data for the shown European countries
Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Are Divorces Harming the Environment?
December 11, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Opinions & Thoughts , 1 comment so far
Last week, the National Academy of Sciences released a study that claims divorces are bad for the environment. How? After a divorce, a single household generally splits into two households. More households lead to more use of water, land and energy.
Households with fewer people are not as efficient as households with more people sharing common resources, says Jianguo Liu, the ecologist who performed the research. For instance, appliances like the refrigerator or the heater will use the same amount of energy for a two-person or four person household. In essence, we lose some economies of scale when a larger household fractures into two smaller ones.
Per Liu’s study, divorced households consume more energy per person than comparable married household. Based on Liu’s calculation, divorced households used an extra 73 billion kilowatt hours of electricity and 627 billions gallons of water, resources that could have been saved if the household had stayed the same size when married. The study also examined 11 other countries and had similar findings.
Although I found the results interesting, I am skeptical of the practical implications of the study. I highly doubt that environmental considerations will impact the social and emotional decisions that lead to divorce. However, it does raise a good point that when possible, it is advantageous to share common resources. Just thought I put this story out there and see what others think.
The entire story can be found online at The Washington Post or Environmental News Network
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Green Journal: Responsibly Recycling Drugs
December 10, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Green Journal , 3 comments
While shopping at the Elephant Pharm last week, I learned of a disturbing fact. “Over 80% of waterways tested in the U.S. show traces of common medications.” (1) Over the course of our blog, we’ve definitely talked about topics like recycling electronics and composting green waste – all in effort to reduce waste and prevent pollution. But drugs in our water ways is something we’ve never even considered.
Medications like acetaminophen, hormones, blood pressure medicines, codeine and antibiotics fall under the classification of PPCPs, or Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products. In addition to medicines, PPCPs also include nutritional supplements and cosmetics.
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The EPA considers the environmental presence of PPCPs as “one of the most significant emerging threats of the 21st Century.” (1)
Drugs and other PPCPs get into our water either through natural excretion or improper dumping of unused or expired products. Studies show that over half of consumers throw their unwanted drugs in the trash and one-third of consumersflush them down the toilet. (2)
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The EPA is conducting further studies to better determine the environmental and health impacts of PPCPs. However, current research have shown a broad range of environmental impacts including estrogen changing male to female fish and antidepressants causing aggression and reproductive issues in shellfish.
So how do we properly dispose of unwanted or expired drugs? The EPA recommends first taking advantage of local drug take-back programs or hazardous waste collection that accepts pharmaceuticals. Many pharmacies are starting take-back programs. If there are no programs available, contact your local waste management company for advice and resources.
If you live in the SF Bay Area, the Teleosis Institute’s Green Pharmacy Program has a list of take back sites throughout the area. Teleosis also recommends purchasing medication in small quantities to limit waste and encouraging your local pharmacy to implement take-back programs.
So the next time your Tylenol or vitamins expire, please think twice before throwing it in the trash.
Other Related Green Journals
Responsible Recycling of Electronics
Reusing Packing Materials
Reducing Plastic Consumption
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Source:
1. http://www.teleosis.org/pdf/GreenPharmacyBrochure.pdf
2. http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/19/6/542
3. Illustrations sourced from epa.gov
Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Billboard Power Plant
December 7, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Communities , 1 comment so far
“This isn’t a billboard. This is a power plant.” An interesting proclamation on the country’s first solar powered billboard, unveiled this week by PG&E. The billboard, located at 1000 Brannan Street in San Francisco, is powered by 20 solar panels; on a sunny day, the panels can generate 3.4 kilowatts of energy – enough to power an average household of four for a day.
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The billboard does need to tap into conventional grid for power during the night hours. However, the solar energy collected during daylight hours exceeds the total daily amount needed to power the billboard.
Although this unveiling is the first in the US, it is similar to ones already installed in Africa, where the signs actually send power back to the grid, like a power plant. Of course, this initial billboard is more symbolic than ready for practical use. However, this sign demonstrates yet another method to merge modern life with greener living.
P.S. If any Organicpicks readers out there have a personal picture of the billboard, please share with us!
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
More traditional gifts with a twist
December 6, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Opinions & Thoughts , add a comment
My earlier non-traditional gift list may have given you the idea that I am anti-products, I am not, at least not usually. Here are a few I would be happy to put on my list.
Planet Earth DVD set. They are truly truly amazing even on my non-HD small TV screen. Every episode presents to you this amazingly beautiful planet we live on. It does not preach, it inspires. Oh yeah, even Oprah recommended that one.
Toys from ImagiPLAY and Oompa. As a parent, I see the twinkles in my kids’ eyes when they open boxes to get their favorite toys. However quality over quantity has been my motto, especially when the toy recalls continue to pepper the news. From personal experience, we love ImagiPlay and Oopma toys.
Roly Pig Composter It’s expensive, about $200. But it is a gift that keeps giving. You and your children can “feed” the left over food to the pig, help it digest by rolling it, and harvest the compost for your garden. Fun, educational and practical.
There are so many “green” products in the market these days. However, even though some of the products are better alternatives, they may still be things that no one really need. So my philosophy is to make sure that the proceeds of your purchases go towards organizations you can support. Just to name a few:
National Public Radio Shop
Sierra Club Store
World Wild Life Gift Center
Nature Conservancy Holiday Giving
Wildlife Adoption Center
Happy Holidays
Related post:
An entirely different list of holiday gifts
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Driving the least fuel-efficient vehicles
December 4, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Opinions & Thoughts , 4 comments
A month ago, I had the opportunity to attend an energy and environment focused panel discussion at Stanford University. During the session, the ubiquitous New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman told us a story about a trip he made to China. Apparently during an automotive trade show, a Chinese auto executive walked up to him and said, “Mr. Friedman, I understand the terrible impact of global warming. But the west has been polluting the earth for a whole century. It’s our turn now.” Friedman feigned to agree, “Go ahead and pollute. It IS your turn.” He then added that by not working on cleaner automotive technologies, the Chinese nascent industry would be left in the dust again by the west. What he said made total sense to me, since China’s pollution had always been highlighted in the news.
So imagine my shock when I got this graph from a respected Stanford environmental engineering professor.
(courtesy of International Council on Clean Transportation)
In 2007, new passenger vehicles on the road
- in the U.S. average 25 miles per gallon
- in China average 34 miles per gallon (36% more fuel efficient than the U.S.)
- in Japan average 41 miles per gallon (64% more fuel efficient than the U.S.)
- in Europe average 42 miles per gallon (68% more fuel efficient than the U.S.)
Three years from now, in 2010, new passenger vehicles on the road
- in the U.S. average 25.5 miles per gallon (not much change)
- in China average 37 miles per gallon (41% more fuel efficient than the U.S.)
- in Japan averages 43.5 miles per gallon (71% more fuel efficient than the U.S.)
- in Europe average 46.5 miles per gallon (83% more fuel efficient than the U.S.)
It translates to me that Americans are driving the LEAST fuel-efficient vehicles compared to other countries. The difference becomes more dramatic in the near future, as we remain more or less the same while other countries make visible improvements.
Sure we may have the ingenuity to innovate and build cleaner cars, but it doesn’t seem that American consumers have the desire to drive them. Our government certainly doesn’t seem to have the political will to increase the minimum fuel-efficient standard or to provide incentives to encourage the adoption of fuel-efficient cars.
What does that say about us Americans? What should we do as responsible world citizens?
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
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