Globally Green Living

Although there was a CITES ivory ban in 1989, the demand for ivory continues in Asia and Africa. An obvious reason for this is for the money.

In 2005, the price of ivory was about $200 a kilo but more recently its shot up to $700 a kilo. It is unfortunate but when something is rarer and is banned, the price tends to shoot up.

“You don’t have to be a Ph.D. to understand that there’s a huge amount of money to be made in smuggling,” Clark says. “It’s a hot market and lots of people are getting into it.” (Poachers Target African Elephant, John Neilson, Jan. 2/08)

Older elephants are usually the chosen victims when it comes to ivory but sadly, there are many orphaned elephants left because of this. Most are not old enough to fend for themselves so they end up dying also.

• It is not just the poachers who are killing off elephants. Farmers tend to be ticked off when elephants crush, eat and ruin their crops. With forests disappearing, elephants and people compete more for land and resources.

More Resources on Elephants

If you’re interested in reading more about elephants or wondering how to help, PBS has a listing of elephant resources. Michael Fay has written some fascinating articles about elephants on National Geographic and has had many hands on experiences including near death incidents.

“We must consider the breadth of this issue. The problem is not merely in Africa — past incidences have indicated China is the most likely final destination for illegal ivory. This side of the issue must be recognized and tackled. We must do everything in our power to halt their obtainment of pending ivory stockpiles,” says Wamithi of the huge stockpile sales looming. The CITES Standing Committee will meet in July 2008 to determine the acceptance of China as a trading partner. Japan has already been approved.

“Rampant trade in Asia is much to blame for the continued violence,” Wamithi states unwaveringly. “It is clearly an unfair equation, with the wealth of China and Japan in contrast to poor African nations. Elephant range states undoubtedly lack the resources to protect themselves against consumer demand, and it our duty to step in and mitigate such inequities. The first step is rejecting China as a trading partner.”

To learn more about the critical elephant ivory issue, and to take action to save elephants, visit: http://www.ifaw.org today. (NAIROBI, Jan.30 /PRNewswire)

I watched a few videos on elephants today but this one touched me the most because it shows how elephants mourn and are deeply aware when one of their own dies.

Alright, Josh the Junk Man has tagged me in some sort of tag game. I’m new to this but can follow instructions.

I’m sharing seven fascinating things you may not have known about me. I will be linking to seven others to do the same.

1. I am almost always in bare feet. Sometimes on a cold day I will wear slippers in the house but don’t like socks. They’re hard to come by around here anyway so I’m helping conserve.

2. I enjoy cross stitching obscenities and find it a productive form of anger management.

3. I don’t always answer the phone and am a bit of a hermit. Sometimes I will not hear it anyway because I’m blasting music.

4. I have a lot of junk so can relate to the junk man. Some of it is quite useful and I save a lot of things, recycling them for crafts but many would see it as junk.

5. I have been married for 13 years to my best friend and we have four kids. One moved out and one just moved back in. The other two aren’t old enough to do either.

6. I have worked at all kinds of crazy places like factories, restaurants, and offices. I almost broke my back so now I write. I wish I had done that in the first place because it’s much more fun.

7. My office is actually a small space crammed into the corner and almost rests against the back door. It is still my retreat but I see a lot of action going by and the kids have access to me.

Now here’s my 7 tag victims:

1. Shelly @ Natural and Sustainable

2. Adrian @ Dark Side Rainbow

3. Mark @ Environmental Talk

4. Summer @ Creative Mom Cafe

5. Randi @ Parenting Toddlers

6. Karen @ Protocolin Practice

7. Christine @ History Research and Travel Writer

Experts have predicted polar bears could go extinct. They can only swim so far before they tire out and drown and unfortunately, that is what’s happening.

They like to make pit stops on the ice when hunting seal but that is hard to do when it does not exist.

• According to The World Conservation Union, there are an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Polar Bears in the world.

Climate Change and Polar Bears

To what extent climate change has been caused by people is disputed and there is disagreement on whether anything can be done in time to help prevent further warming. If there is a chance we can reverse the destruction done it makes sense to me to give that a shot.

People spot polar bears more frequently on land, which was not as common of an occurrence before. The more the ice melts, the more seem to appear on land. This makes sense since they are trying to survive and need to find somewhere to rest and eat and mate. Because they sometimes resort to other forms of food like garbage, they can also become victims of poaching by people.

They have adapted to surviving on ice however so may not fare well trying to adjust on land for any long length of time. Polar bears diets mainly consist of seals that give them the high fat content their bodies have become accustomed to. They have survived previous warming but the warming that’s presently happening in the Arctic appears to be more sudden.

Adopt a Polar Bear

At Defenders of Wildlife you can find out more information on polar bears and even adopt one or two at their Wildlife Adoption Center. By doing this you not only contribute to saving bears from global warming but also destructive drilling.

Germany’s Newest Celebrity Polar Bear

• At Nuremberg Zoo in Germany the little polar bear cub nicknamed Flocke (Flake in English) has opened her eyes. Apparently the mother was being too rough on her so now the staff is raising her. Check out the video.

Today I’m sharing Tracy Chapman’s song, Rape of the Word. She’s one of my favorite musicians. I picked this particular video by Abiiglorii because it was the best one I could find, although not sure why the song’s credited to someone else. There are many touching pictures of people, animals and the land included along with the beautiful song.

Rape of the World Lyrics:

Mother of us all
Place of our birth
How can we stand aside
And watch the rape of the world

This the beginning of the end
This the most heinous of crimes
This the deadliest of sins
The greatest violation of all time
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
We all are witness
To the rape of the world

You’ve seen her stripped mined
You’ve heard of bombs exploded underground
You know the sun shines
Hotter than ever before
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
We all are witness
To the rape of the world

Some claim to have crowned her
A queen
With cities of concrete and steel
But there is no glory no honor
In what results
From the rape of the world
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
We all are witness
To the rape of the world

She has been clear-cut
She has been dumped on
She has been poisoned and beaten up
And we have been witness
To the rape of the world
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
How can we stand aside
And watch the rape of the world

If you look you’ll see it with your own eyes
If you listen you will hear her cries
If you care you will stand and testify
And stop the rape of the world
Stop the rape of the world
Mother of us all
Mother of us all

A wolf was spotted in Oregon so it is a good sign that they are making a comeback there. They existed in the thirties but since then have been exterminated.

Wolves have been demonized, hated and eradicated all over the world. They do however deserve to exist and I have always found them fascinating. Their existence is often the sign of a healthy eco-system.

Thankfully, they are making a comeback in other areas as well. When too many appear, people begin “wolf management practices”. This is done because of concern for such things as dwindling caribou populations and farmers livestock losses.

Although I am not a rancher, I do see how lost livestock could tick you off. It’s hard enough to make money off ranching. It is tricky coming up with a plan to enable both to coexist. Some ranchers have been offered financial compensation for lost livestock. Prevention methods used with varying rates of success include fencing, guard dogs and people patrolling the land.

In 1992, the Yukon Wolf and Management Plan decided to reduce the wolf population because of diminishing moose and caribou populations. There were not that many to begin with but by 1993, they were supposed to kill another 50. There were only 34 wolves actually remaining at that time.

Here’s more on the confirmed report of a radio collared wolf in Oregon:

The following is a statement from Suzanne Stone, northern Rockies wolf conservation specialist for Defenders of Wildlife:

“This wolf comes from the Timberline pack, which we here in Boise know very well — it was named after our own Timberline High School. She made quite a journey and she has chosen excellent habitat in which to make her home. Northeast Oregon is one of the places where we always expected wolves would someday return.

“Unfortunately, this great news comes on the same day that the FWS has announced new rules that make it easier for wolves to be killed by private citizens. Those rules threaten the very population of Idaho wolves that provided Oregon’s new wolf, and could undermine the gray wolf’s ability to recolonize more of its historic habitat.

“We always hoped this day would come, and we’re thrilled that it is finally here. We look forward to working with biologists, tribal leaders and ranchers to ensure the future of wolves in Oregon and across the region.For more information, visit www.defenders.org. (BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 24/PRNewswire-USNewswire)

• If you’re interested in a hunter’s take on things, check out Hunting Sense’s Subsistence Hunting License Post. It involves a license that would be allowed to be used year round. It’s meant for people who rely on moose, deer and elk meat to feed their families.

Most natural pest control methods are not only safer than commercial methods but also cheaper. I enjoy hardy plants like daisies because of course they’re hard to kill and I’m not known for my green thumb.

Ladybugs as Pest Control

Apparently, ladybugs love daisies so that certainly explains why I have so many of the darn things come the spring. Ladybugs will eat aphids, mites and whiteflies and a lot of people purchase them since they are beneficial insects to have in your garden.

Praying Mantis

These insects are not quite as common but you can purchase their eggs. I would suggest these be used with caution because they will eat just about anything including beneficial insects and each other.

Other pest control options

• Milk and water mixed in equal parts will get rid of powdery mildew as well as grubs. Use in a spray bottle.

• Cayenne pepper diluted in water will kill mites but be careful not to go overboard because too much will damage plants as well. Only a pinch is needed per liter of water.

• For more specific recipes for alternatives to insecticides and fungicides, see this helpful home remedies web site. Some interesting ingredients included in their potions are garlic, lemon and orange peels, onions, chives, hot peppers, mustard, baking soda, salt, clay, rhubarb leaves, and tomato plant leaves.

• Crushed eggshells add calcium to your garden soil and deter slugs. The finer they are ground up the easier they will break down in your soil. For a little slug, crushed eggshells are like trying to walk through large shards of glass.

For further eco-friendly ideas for your lawn, check out Natural and Sustainable.

GM has reached out to include bloggers at the NAIAS (Detroit Auto Show), letting them know that they are aware of people’s concern for the environment. They also explain how they are trying to make vehicles more environmentally friendly. This shows that they do understand the importance of the blogosphere, their influence and opinions.

• Matt Keegan from The Auto Writer was one of the bloggers selected to attend the Detroit Auto Show and was also there for their 2008 press preview. Over the next several days, he will be sharing his behind the scenes discoveries with some videos included.

• Matt also had the privilege of interviewing the auto industry icon Robert A. Lutz among others and you can read about that on his “Interview with Bob Lutz” post on the Auto Writer. Bob Lutz has had a large hand in the Chevy Volt, which is of the most anticipated vehicles being featured at the NAIAS. The Volt is a plug in that will run for 40 miles on a charge so theoretically you would never have to use gasoline.

This year General Motors will have nine different models out and state that it is more than any manufacturer in the world. GM will continue to produce one new automobile model every three months for the next four years.

Some of the technologies coming include hybrids, ethanol as well as improvements in transmission and fuel cell with the long-term goal of sustainable mobility. Several models will not be available until 2010 including the Volt, but the fact that the cars are being designed is exciting.

Thanks to Matt Keegan, we will get to see a behind the scenes view of the Detroit Auto Show that we might not have otherwise.

This is an innovative invention that allows people to both transport water and filter it on a bicycle, bypassing the need for trucks, cars or burning fuel through heating wood to boil the water.

I have had a horribly hectic day so just sharing a quick video on this Aquaduct invention. It seems simple but it’s a great idea. As you pedal the bicycle with the water tank attached, it filters the water into another container.

It would also help prevent people from getting further back or neck injuries walking back and forth. Check it out.

Previously I posted about a social networking site where green singles can meet but BGT helps all people get together who are concerned about protecting the environment. You can now join this earth friendly community at the eco-dedicated social networking site, Big Green Tree.

Big Green Tree helps connect people and organizations, allows them to become educated, take action on and promote issues and news related to the environment.

“Our premise is that association with groups and like minded individuals can be both fun and fulfilling while forwarding the greater goal of preserving the environment,” said BGT executive producer and Information Architects President John Grinter.

“For many, going GREEN can be a complicated decision people are sometimes hesitant to make because they don’t know where to start,” he said. BGT is the starting point and will be a giant tree around which greenies worldwide can rally, socialize meet people sharing similar views and perhaps find new and interesting ways to get their GREEN lifestyle going.”FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/

Join Big Green Tree

You can join for free at Big Green Tree and get this cool widget that gives you access to resources related to green living, links, forums, videos, music, classifieds and more. I’m still stumbling along trying to sort it out but it seems very organized with a lot of educational content related to the environment such as recycling, global warming etc. The desktop widget ticked me off because it kept taking off in Explorer and I prefer Firefox but I will get that sorted out.

Music

• Here for example is an excellent tune I found there by Gary Wright called Dream Weaver. I love this song. It’s a great song to escape and meditate to. If you haven’t guessed, I tend to do that a lot. It’s a survival thing I think with a house full of kids.

Videos

• Also, a video on what happens to your recyclables from the New York Department of Sanitation. I am getting my family to watch this. It is sometimes a nightmare here getting them to sort their stuff. The last time the bins went out it was a mish mash of everything so had to separate it all over again before going out.

I’m looking forward to seeing this green site grow and learning more from others. It’s a great idea and I love the concept of an eco-positive community.

I know I’m bouncing back because my appetite is here full force and I am thinking about fish.

I love seafood but do not want to contribute to endangering any.

We used to have one place that sold English style fish and chips in the back of a store once a week. There was always a huge line up because it was so good and it was a family treat we often enjoyed.

• They wrapped the fish in newspaper, which has been banned now all over the place because of ink poisoning concerns. There were obviously some sanitary issues as well because who knows where that old newspaper had been. Somehow, we survived.

• At the Endangered Fish Alliance website, they have some pointers on which fish not to eat.

According to the Endangered Fish Alliance, here are four fish you should never eat because they are over fished, oversold, and endangered.

1. Chilean Sea Bass: Pirates are illegally over fishing them into extinction. If it continues they will be gone within five years.

2. Swordfish: Swordfish are over fished and have high levels of mercury. Because they are caught on long lines, other animals are snagged along with them.

3. Orange Roughy: These fish are capable of living to be over 100 years old! They are also over fished so most do not make it that long.

4. Caviar: There are some sustainable alternatives to sturgeon from Russia, Iran and Turkey. They include Farmed Sturgeon Caviar and White Pacific Salmon roe.

The Endangered Fish Alliance also offers a handy Eco Guide to Sustainable Seafood. It includes a safe list, eat with caution list and avoid altogether list. Good to know because we don’t want to unknowingly harm our marine environment.

• Is there such a thing as Sustainable Communities? Shelly from Natural and Sustainable tells us about them.

Ok, it started out as Saturday’s environmental songs but I haven’t been feeling so good. I have not been sick for weeks however so have no good excuse for stopping the songs previously. Anyway, back to the environmental song for Sunday.

“Land Of Confusion”

I must have dreamed a thousand dreams
Been haunted by a million screams
But I can hear the marching feet
They’re moving into the street

Now, did you read the news today?
They say the danger has gone away
But I can see the fire’s still alight
They’re burning into the night

There’s too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there’s not much love to go around
Can’t you see this is a land of confusion?

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth living in

Oh, superman, where are you now?
When everything’s gone wrong somehow?
The men of steel, these men of power
Are losing control by the hour

This is the time, this is the place
So we look for the future
But there’s not much love to go around
Tell me why this is a land of confusion

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth living in

I remember long ago
When the sun was shining
And all the stars were bright all through the night
In the wake of this madness, as I held you tight
So long ago

I won’t be coming home tonight
My generation will put it right
We’re not just making promises
That we know we’ll never keep

There’s too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there’s not much love to go round
Can’t you see this is a land of confusion?

Now, this is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth fighting for

This is the world we live in
And these are the names we’re given
Stand up and let’s start showing
Just where our lives are going to

(Thanks to AZlyrics.com)

This Disturbed’s version of Land Of Confusion. Enjoy. (edited to add: Some images may be predictably disturbing.)

If you share an interest in green living and want to meet socially conscious singles, check out GreenSingles.com.

They started as a newsletter in 1985 and went online in 1996 to help singles meet with similar values. It’s a great way to connect with people who care about the environment, are vegetarian and/or into organic natural life styles.

What else does GreenSingles offer?

• 1000’s of personal ads for friendship, dating & romance

• Searchable database to find your perfect match

• Free picture scanning & posting for 3 photos

• Anonymous email messaging system

• Quick & Easy enrollment - sign-up in minutes

• Listings in US, Canada & around the world

• Free listings or Full memberships for just pennies per day

• GreenMarket listings for your business connections

• Links page for green resources

• 5% of profits to green organizations

Organizations that GreenSingles.com has supported include Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Oxfam America, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

If you’re having trouble meeting others with similar values and are not into the bar scene it might be fun to check out.

Most know vinegar is a great eco-friendly cleaner, but did you know it also kills mold and disinfects? I admit it doesn’t smell the greatest but it does fade. It also neutralizes other worse odors from such things as such as urine and smoke.

Ways to Use Vinegar for Cleaning

• Just a few spoonfuls in the dishwasher or sink help cut the grease on dishes.

• Vinegar will successfully clean out a coffee percolator. Just put it through a cycle the same as making a pot of coffee. Make sure you rinse through one more time with water or the next pot of coffee will taste like vinegar.

• If you mix half vinegar and half water in a spray bottle, you have a powerful cleaner for the kitchen and the bathroom.

• It cuts through hard water deposits and stains. For stubborn stains and mildew, use vinegar straight and let it sit for a while before wiping off.

• Put a quarter cup of vinegar and one cup of water in the microwave, heat it up for a couple minutes and then wipe down.

Vinegar is a safer greener cleaning option. Bleach or Ammonia is harmful to our lungs and when it gets into our water, it does some serious damage to the environment. Chemicals in commercial cleaners cost more money and damages our health and eco-systems.

I don’t like the way bleach fades everything out either. Vinegar makes almost everything shiny including floors and mirrors.

• Shelly at Natural and Sustainable tells us more about dangerous ingredients on her Know Your Cleaners post.

One of Green Glass Company’s featured recycled products is the Shades Bud Vase. This bud vase is simple yet elegant and colorful. It uses four bottle tops attached to a glass pane. The glue makes the vase waterproof but they also suggest that it would make a wonderful candle holder using tapered candles.

Continuing on with my vase/candle holder kick, shown here is a vase from the Cobalt Collection. It was created from the upper portion of an East Coast wine bottle. The glass vase can also be used as a candle holder Green Glass Company cautions you to add a little water before inserting a tealight.

Recycled Goblets and Tumblers

The glasses are frosted with the more environmentally friendly method of sandblasting as opposed to etching. This is a goblet created from their Topaz Collection. It was made from the upper portion of a recycled Californian Chardonnay bottle.

The Royal Collection is quite striking with bright blue colored glass. The glass goblets, tumblers and candle holders were all created with reclaimed Bordeaux bottles.

If you’re looking for a more casual tumbler, consider these Cactus Tumblers created from the bottoms of Mexican Sol beer bottles. They would work for an outdoor picnic or barbecue.

Green Glass Company will do custom orders if you have specific bottles you want glasses created out of and they also purchase certain bottles that they’re in need of. Check out their website for more wonderful colorful glass creations and colors.

• Getting back to my vase kick, if you want to know how to keep those flowers fresh once home, Susan Walsh at Earthly Garden shares tips with us on how to do that.

Fight nature deficit disorder and get your family outside for an hour of unstructured time with nature. I was just mentioning that kids needed more unstructured play time and then I came across this Green Hour.

Create a Wildlife Habitat:

The National Wildlife Federation has information on how to create and maintain a wildlife habitat. It’s a great way for kids to get a hands on education and learn how to attract birds and butterflies even if they’re in the city.

You can make a Community Wildlife Habitat and have it certified through the National Wildlife Federation. Communities will learn about sustainable gardening, conserving water, planting native plants, composting and more.

It sounds like a wonderful way to get the community out and learn together. I’m excited about it! It’s the dead of winter here, but we’ll be ready for lots of gardening action come the spring. In the mean time birds still eat and we can work on making feeders and planning our community and wildlife habitat.

According to GreenHour.org children who regularly spend unstructured time outside:

· Play more creatively

· Have lower stress levels

· Have more active imaginations

· Become fitter and leaner

· Develop stronger immune systems

· Experience fewer symptoms of ADD and ADHD

· Have greater respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment

It makes sense to me because you don’t get fit sitting and watching television or playing video games. Creative play is important and although sports are great, a lot of them are very organized and structured. Children do need to use their imaginations and come up with their own activities.

Collecting rocks, pine cones and dandelions count as fun activities to me. I used to have a purse full of dandelions and I never thought I would say this but I miss it.