It does make a difference

As we prepare for "Clean Beach" day, the world had it's clean volunteer action this past weekend. It's estimated 35 million volunteers went to their local forests, beaches, and parks to clean up what others have left behind. It's sad that one of the major factors contributing to the decline in our ecosystem is trash, junk, anything left behind by us.

The simplest thing to do is to clean up after ourselves. You would think with the national attention giving to losing: losing weight, de-hoarding, losing your self-respect on tv, that America would be foremost in losing the trashy lifestyle. Just cleaning up the cigarette butts, the empty fast food bags, candy wrappers, even tires would stop the killing of many species unseen in our soil and water.

I get pissed every time I see someone throw out a cigarette butt, gum, or any unwanted trash from their car as they're driving. I wonder what their home looks like? Cuz, they are dumping on the the big one--the one that means human survival.

September 22nd

The Active Transportation Alliance is sponsoring the annual "Car Free Day" this Wednesday, September 22nd. Please go here for more info and to sign up:

http://www.activetrans.org/carfree

Leaving a smaller carbon footprint is always a challenge, but hey this one day you participate could be the day you decide to get rid of your car....I'm trying to get to this point very soon.

What will it take?

There's always a disconnect when a natural disaster happens far from where you live. You empathize with the people involved and, typically, go about your normal routine. However, when that disaster hits close to home, you begin to question the safety of everything and everyone around you.

In less than two months, Enbridge Energy Partners have had 2 pipeline leaks in the Midwest: Michigan and now Illinois. The EPA ordered the pipeline shut down until the leak was contained. It's fortunate that a citizen noticed the water and alerted authorities. What would have happened if a huge crisis had developed? Would we have been prepared? Where are the regulations that ensure this doesn't happen?

Perhaps the word in question shouldn't be safety. Maybe we should ask ourselves about the fragility of our environment, fragility of the institutions meant to protect us, and the fragility of our lifestyles that show eminent change will happen either by goodwill or force.

What do we want?

We want clean air. We want the coal industry to stop polluting our streams. We want alternative energy resources. See, that's a nice chant for tomorrow night's coal ash hearings downtown at 5 p.m. (rally) at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. You can even sign up to speak at the hearings at the following times: 10:00 a.m., 1 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.

Here's all the info:
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageNavigator/adv_bigpicture_coalash_resources?JServSessionIdr004=pm3uj9gp51.app220a

http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageNavigator/adv_bigpicture_coalash_hearings

Hard choices

It was/is my intention to avoid driving at all costs. I'm trying to take public trans, walk, or bike to my destinations. Yet, this seems so hard to do. I know I can't or won't be perfect in my endeavors, but it seems that time is the main reason why I can't seem to be consistent in my intention.

By the time I get home from school, I'm exhausted or want to make sure I have enough time to eat, read, exercise, and relax before bed. I could of course exercise my way to my errands, but some of them require eight hands to carry everything. It sounds like I'm whining and making excuses.

I wish there was a support group for eco-addicts who can't stay on the program! How I envy those bike riders I pass in the morning. There is no easy answer......

Foraging

I'm truly amazed at the love from Mother Earth. Yesterday, while foraging for natural food in urban environments, it struck me that no matter how much glass, oil, smoke, or trash lay on the ground there will always be food.

We found the poor man's pepper, hackberrys, huckleberrys, yellow wood sorrel, wild apples, and other things I can't remember right now. In among the concrete, behind fences, and around dumpsters was food. We are never separate from life.

Our guide summed it up well: "We've been living inside our heads for too long, now it's time to live in the stream of sensation we call, life."

Don't drink the water

When we hear the phrase: "don't drink the water", we tend to think of countries that lack the United States level of clean water. For Americans, clean water is a given. Well, what we don't know is hurting us. It's been found that the coal plants have been contaminating our drinking water well above safe levels. At some coal plants, there isn't a federal requirement to report the items leaking into our water system.

Are you drinking arsenic or toxic metals? Find out:

http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageNavigator/adv_bigpicture_coalash_resources?JServSessionIdr004=pm3uj9gp51.app220a

Can I really eat it?

This Sunday, September 12th at the Glenwood Farmer's Market, there will be a talk and walk about urban foraging. I've mentioned this in my blog before, but I've never gotten a chance to attend. We'll walk the Rogers Park neighborhood.

It should be interesting......

Check here for the details: http://www.transitionrogerspark.org/

Is it possible?

Day in and day out, we're shell shocked with depressing and, often, violent news about our world, about our neighbors, about us. If we were to truly believe that nothing is getting better, that hope and peace are found only in poems, we would lose the emotion of caring, of challenging the illusions presented to us. So, it's refreshing to find a mass of people who begin by taking that simple step, uttering that first word.

This is the mission statement of such a group, The Rogers Park Transition Towns Movement:

"create something new-a community where we "power down" and in so doing, build resillence...."

Check out the website and join in learning about food foraging this Sunday at the Glenwood Market. Power down and build resillence!

Paying the rent

So, labor day weekend is ending. I enjoyed sitting on the beach, feeling the lake breeze, and the smell of the grill. Sitting with friends among nature is the best "high" anyone can get. I don't ever want to take it for granted.

There's a saying that everyone on earth must pay rent. No, not that unequal and sometimes oppressive monthly payment for living inside a box, but the rent in form of service to protecting and preserving the earth. Doing our fair share to make sure that we contribute more than we take away.

On the 25th of this month, you have a chance to do that. It's beach clean up day. Here's the info:

http://illinois.sierraclub.org/chicago/

Fun and games

It's unfortunate that homelessness is common. So common that we can walk by and not even notice. Then, of course, is the awkward question of "Am I really helping?" when I give out change. I have even noticed a trend of women asking for money with their children sitting beside them. I've seen it on tv in countries "over there", but never thought it would be a reality on the sidewalk I pass.

For me, this can cause a downward spiral of emotions, i.e., "I'm not doing enough, "I'm priviledged, or "America is " which does not help at all. Sometimes, I just want to feel good. I want to help because it really will make a difference. What's wrong with that?

All to say, that every Wednesday at the Hideout on Wabansia there is veggie bingo. All the proceeds go toward the community gardens of Chicago. Fun, fuel (this is the Hideout!), and food all for an awesome cause! See ya there.....

http://gapersblock.com/slowdown/archives/2010/09/08/?utm_source=GapersBlock.com%3A+The+Party+Line&utm_campaign=f548d0d20a-PL09_03_2010&utm_medium=email#048288

Won't you be my neighbor?

Not being from Chicago, I'm fascinated with the "hoodie" status. It seems that every neighborhood in Chicago has a little claim to fame among the historical cannons or are making history with new trends. However, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to explore the countless (I think over 200) neighborhoods. A way to solve this without growing your carbon footprint is to explore via bike. A tour of Hyde Park is coming up. Click here for more info:

http://empiricalopera.wordpress.com/category/biking/

The bike tour is sponsored by The Empirical Opera. Trust me it's not what you think....

Everything and everyone

I've truly come to believe that everything and everyone is connected. Sometimes, when I see a tree being cut, I get an unnamed and uncontrollable sadness. I've been reading the book, "The Secret Life of Plants" and am intrigued that plants (this has been proven scientifically) respond to our emotions. I don't think it's unreasonable to say the same of us.

The Sierra Club of Chicago is hosting a film tomorrow at 6:00 entitled Green at the 70 E. Lake St. #1500, office. Please see the trailer.

http://illinois.sierraclub.org/chicago/

Black Diamonds

You've heard of the film Blood Diamonds? In the film, Leonardo DiCaprio learns firsthand the violence and bloodshed extracted from the diamond industry. Well, Black Diamonds examines how this dirty extraction of coal is one of the biggest environmental and social justice issues of our time. Here's the scoop about the movie being shown in Logan Square this Thursday. Tickets are limited so rsvp as soon as possible.

http://chicagoconservationcorps.org/blog/2010/08/27/free-screening-and-discussion-of-environmental-documentary-in-logan-square/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=free-screening-and-discussion-of-environmental-documentary-in-logan-square

Who's protecting Who?

So, in today's Chicago Tribune, it was disclosed that DeCoster's egg farm had been banned in one state, quarantined in another, and had faced several lawsuits. The fact that this farm had never been inspected by the FDA is incredible!

"Please note that while this man has had very poor business practices and a history of violations....he has contributed a great deal to Wright County" Barb Mussman of the Wright Monitor said by email.

I would like to add my own quote: "Please note that while this businessman has been allowed to bypass the laws meant to serve and protect the public, people have gotten sick and the confidence in the federal regulators has, yet again, been erased."

Floods in Pakistan

No it wasn't catastrophic in the sense of the 2004 Tsunami when 275,950 people were killed. Yet, the flooding of Pakistan has been devasting. 3.5 million children need clean drinking water and are at risk of infectious disease.

The Pakistani government estimates that 20 million people have now been affected.

MTV and Unicef are working together to keep Pakistani on our radars and remind us that a lot of aid (food, water, shelter, etc.) is needed.

Eat for Free-Urban Foraging

On September 12, Roger's Park is hosting a "Foraging Hunt". What is a foraging hunt? Take a look at the video. I'll post more details as I get them.

Food Deserts

One of the amazing things about America is ignorance. Not that people are clueless in the sense of knowledge. On the contrary, we are saturated with up to date texts, twits, and penetrating, invisible sound waves (ever wonder why you just start humming a particular song for no particular reason) every moment of the day.

I'm writing about the ignorance that is bliss. That is inaction, the inability to pay enough attention, just not enough to care.

Ignorant? Check out this article (includes artwork above):

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/July-2009/The-Food-Desert/

Canvassing

I thought canvassing had gone the way of the handwritten letter. Still known, but seldom done. To my surprise, I was invited to canvass the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. Sunny Sunday and everyone was on their porch, watering lawns, and idle. Summer stuff. The response to the level of air pollution was, of course, alarming. Where are these coal plants?

The coal plants are at least a 40 minute drive from Ravenswood. Out of sight from middle to upper middle class incomes and green lawns. The coal plants pollute Pilsen and Little Village. Hardly worthy of such fuss. Until you consider the consequences that affect everyone.

The Real Show

The "How Green Is Chicago.org" is sponsoring the Chicago Clean Air and Water Show next Saturday, August 28th. Check out this site for details:

http://howgreenischicago.org/

Isn't great when we, as citizens of this earth, allow space for the truth?

Have you Called your Alderman (person)???

Clean air is everyone's right! Yet, Chicago has one of the highest asthma rates in the country. Chicago's hospitalization rates are twice the national average. Don't settle for polluted air or damage to your health. Contact your alder-person. Here's a sample script to say and to learn more:

http://cleanpowerchicago.org/

What timing!!!

Is it coincidence that the book we're reading is the End of Food and we, the United States, has just had the largest egg recall in U.S. History?

"It's easy to forget just how normal food contamination is....how formidable our microbial rivals are. Beyond their sheer numerical superiority....food-borne pathogens are remarkably equipped, resillent, and highly potent.'

Pg. 179, The End of Food

Air and Water Show-Chicago 2010

Here is a pic of RAN's flotilla at the Air and Water Show.

Protesters also passed out flyers to the crowd informing them of BP's behind the scene tar sands expansion that threatens ecosystems across the U.S. and even Lake Michigan. See previous posts for more information on this environmental time bomb

Climate Refugees

As more and more disturbing news reaches us from Pakistan, it causes me to ponder: What happens after the floods have receeded? How long does it actually take a country to recover? America is still recovering from Hurrican Katrina and the devasting floods of the Plain states, though you wouldn't know it based on the news coverage.

A video entitled, "Climate Refugees" explores an often overlooked component of climate change. The survivors.

Tar Sands

Here is an short clip of a video explaining the inherent environmental damage of the tar sands. Do we want this?

Fact:

"90% of the fresh water used in the oil sands ends up in tailing lakes so toxic that propane cannons and floating scarecrows are used to keep ducks from landing in them."

DeSmogBlog.com

http://www.babelgum.com/browser.php#play/SEARCH_SIMILAR,clipID:3015242,includeClip:true,order:MOST_RELEVANT/16,4003906

No longer taken for granted

On several occasions, I have wondered if I would have enough to eat. But, I've never thought that it would end in my being mal-nourished. It simply meant a drive to a food pantry as I waited out my economic crisis. Now, as I look into my fridge, I see an over abundance of vegetables, fruits, and dairy. As I try to shift to local, sustainable, and seasonable foods I feel the connection between my body, food, and nature. It isn't at all predictable. It is ever changing.

"Tomorrow's high-tech farmers will face a very different world. Not only will they be trying to feed more people, but they will be doing so without the benefit of three critical advantages their predecessors took for granted--cheap energy, abundant water, and a stable climate."

Pg. xix

The End of Food by Paul Roberts

Awesome Movie "Home"-Saturday 8/14

You don't want to miss this movie. Invite everyone to the Sulzer library for this phenomenal movie that still inspires.....it's free! Check out the trailer.

Afterword, yummy food, provided by the Lovin Hut, and open discussion.

1:00 p.m.
Sulzer Library
4455 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625-2101
(312) 744-7616

Volunteer this Saturday at Air and Water Show

Do you really want to stand out in the sun all day just to get a pain in your neck from staring at super sonic planes flying overhead?

Wouldn't you much rather let the estimated 2 million attendees know that you know our country's future plans to solve our energy crisis?

That's what I thought. So here's the scoop:

http://dirtyoilsands.org/

http://oilsandstruth.org/

Here's how to volunteer:

http://www.meetup.com/RANChicago/calendar/14407132/

Water and Oil Spread-Vogue magazine

Controversy. Support or joke? Judge for yourself.....

New Vocabulary

"Development" is like Shakespeare's virture, "which grown into a pleurisy, dies of its own too-much."
Aldo Leopold
"A Plea for Wilderness Hunting Groungs"-1925

After reading "Hot, Flat, and Crowded", I'm ready to become the next eco-spelling champ! Maybe that's overstating it a bit......but still--

Petrodictatorship
exurb
joules
savannization
outgreening

Film Screening-Carbon Nation-8/10/10

This green party (to be held in Milennium Park) is set to reinforce Chicago's 2020 goal of reducing greenhouse emissions by 25%.

There will be guest speakers, music, and food. Why not see what all the excitement is about?

Even Shrek will be there! http://www.youtube.com/carbonnationfilm

For more info:

http://www.carbonnation.tv/

6 More Days til Book Club

Have you finished reading the book yet? Here's a link to a study guide for the book that I found on the web:

http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/files/hot_flat_and_crowded_guide.pdf

The Illusion of Time

See that gorgeous woman holding the American flag in the shape of a stop sign? That's moi! As if I don't have enough to do (looking for a job, moving, starting school, etc.). Having a passion or belief goes beyond the concept of time. One is in the moment and moving. No matter that you get up super early and that you haven't had a bit to eat. I agree with Einstein that time is never consistent in the manner people believe. It is constantly shaped by energy and mass. A purpose that really matters.

FIND OUT THE TRUTH!

I've written a previous article on the media coverage of the oil spill (8/1/10). I've just received notice that the Green Exchange is hosting a webinar detailing the true costs of the oil spill. It will be for 60 minutes. I encourage everyone to join the presentation on August 26th at noon (pst). Check the website for more details.

Here's an interesting picture from Pyschology Today.

Eco-Cleanser Presentation

I demonstrated homemade green cleansers at the Glenwood Farmer's Market yesterday. The recipes will be posted on the Market's website by the end of the week. It was encouraging to see mothers and fathers ask passionate questions on making their home safe. In the meantime, check out the sign I made for the vendors.

Hiding The Truth

As BP scales back its clean up efforts, the average American becomes convinced that the worst of the oil spill is over. As with so many media saturated events, the slow down of coverage shrinks catastrophic events into minor dents of our memory. But then, I got to thinking......have I seen coverage?

With the powerful verbage of President Obama, one would expect, at the least, a website dedicated to the coverage of the oil spill. Up to date articles, interviews, and scientific data would be easily disseminated to the public.

This isn't happening. Ask yourself why as you read the following article linked from the Huffington Post. Also, there is a interesting article in the latest O magazine.

Who really controls the media?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/riki-ott/from-the-ground-bp-censor_b_608724.html

Did you hear that?

"Living like we're bullet proof....."

Raheem DeVaughn

A Long Walk

Today, I distributed my flyers about the book club at businesses in the downtown area. Actually, it was further than that. I walked for over two hours. I wasn't tired. I met incredible people. One, at an organic cafe, that kept giving me free samples. Another, where I was going to purchase a book, The Prayer of Jabez, but didn't have cash (only debit card); gave the book to me for free and only to pay if I came back into the neighborhood. How do these things happen? Am I the cause or the result? Am I giving or receiving?

Perhaps, something incredible happens every time we breathe gracefully. Every time we release ourselves from the "me versus you" syndrome. Every time we don't know the path, but take the first step into mystery.

A Different Count Down

This is the "Land of the Thunder Dragon" located in Bhutan taken by James Stanfield. It is a part of an exhibit entitled "100 places to remember before they disappear."

It saddens me that generations of people will never see this. That words describing such places will have empty meaning.

How much violence and death will accompany the loss of earth?

The Simple Things

Affluenza: n. a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more (de Graaf) - Wikipedia

Yesterday for dinner (which I shared with my neighbors), I ate beans and rice and sweet potatoes. I went to bed content and grateful. (photo MadTeaParty)

BOOK CLUB!!!!

Before we know it, the discussion date of August 14th will be here. I wonder how many of you have started reading the book?

Have you read about 1 E.C.E. (pg. 47)? Everyone is so worried about 2012. Why do we worship the unknown, i.e., things we have no control over? Why don't we make super movies about the climate change (exception: The Inconvenient Truth)?

Where does all the trash come from?

So, I made a trip to Wal-mart. I go about every 3 months and each time I regret it. Why do I go? Always for something cheap. Mind boggling. Like walking in socks on a carpet in the winter time. You know the minute you touch something after walking you will get shocked. Afterwards, you act surprised.

Anyway, before I left I was sitting in the car and the "cart person" (I don't know the technical title) came by to get the runaway carts. Usually, people leave their empty soda containers, food wrappers, etc. in the cart thinking that it will be thrown away by the cart person.

Know what? The cart person took the trash and threw it on the ground. Do you know how much trash is in a typical Wal-Mart parking lot! All this time, I thought it was the shopper, but it's the cart person.

I should know that a trip to Wal-mart would wake me up with a shock.

Price Tag

Today, I found out that the Evanston recycling center will be closed in August. This closure will save the city about $100,000.00.

Really, sounds like a lot huh? Consider the following provided by PSSI-Stanford Recycling:

one glass bottle=4 hours of a 100 kilowatt light bulb
one ton of recycled paper=9 barrels of oil or 7,000 gallons of water
one ton of recycle plastic=16.3 barrels of oil or 98 million Btu's of energy

The above numbers aren't even close to the amount of recycling the City of Evanston/surrounding areas could possible produce. In addition, staff that will lose their jobs.

Not a good idea, not at all.

Life in Reverse

This weekend my brother visited. We went to Milennium Park at 10:00 p.m. to spectate the Bug Invasion. The bugs were about 3 times bigger than us (mechanical....of course). It was eery to look up and realize if reality were a little different, we humans would be struggling for survival. How would that feel?

"The rate of deforestation in the tropics continues at about an acre an second."
James G. Speth
Dean
School of Forestry-Environmental Studies
Yale

How CLOSE are we?

"If there is no action before 2012, that's too late. What we do now in the next two to three years will determine our future. This is the defining moment."

Rajendra Pachauri
IPCC
Panel Chairmen

PAGE 43 of Hot, Flat, and Crowded

A day that will live in infamy!!!!

So, I read the news that BP has finally capped the oil spill. AFTER 85 DAYS AND 184 MILLION GALLONS!!! It has been hailed as a positive sign. It reminds me of a conversation I had with my previous neighbor, Marian. At the ripe age of 85, she asked as we sat on the porch one summer day, "why do all these cars only have one person in them?"

The only answer that I could think of was "because they can and maybe they're alone." It didn't make much sense to her since gas was so expensive. "You'd think people would meet at a corner and get in one car to run errands together." "That way we would save gas and people wouldn't be alone." I miss Marian.

It seems so innocent.....

I grew up surrounded by the country. In the fall, we visited the farm and looked at the turkeys (one of which wound up on our table). Cows were called "moo-moos" or as the boys shouted "steak"! Now eating beef seems so selfish. When cows burp, they emit methane...one of the gases from hell.

Who We Are

"We have exactly enough time - starting now."
Dana Meadows
Dartmouth College environmentalist

After reading this quote, I felt uneasy. I carried a slow burn in the middle of my body. Deep down, I knew. I knew that recycling would never be enough, that reading books would never be enough, that reminding myself to carry reuseable bags to the grocery store would never be enough. What I didn't know was the answer.

I got the answer from a paradox. While teaching my class, I showed a film on the current physical environment of the earth. Some students agreed something needed to be done, some denied any harm, and some weren't sure what it personally meant. One student raised his hand and asked, "but how do you talk about it? No one wants to talk about it."

In ancient times (so they seem), people gathered together to develop strategies, talk among themselves, and return to their communities to spread the word. A consciousness gathered. Momentum started.

So I begin. Not with a world changing revolution, but a step from the front of my face. A book club. A gathering. Maybe, just maybe.....something will happen.