Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Climate Change

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)!

Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!

If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

Last week we joined Mrs. Green in her annual Zero Waste Week event. The theme, this year, was "one more thing". The idea was that if we generate any waste at all, then there has to be one more thing (at the very least) which we can do to improve. I discovered something interesting during the event. Time helps us reduce waste. Let me explain. When we decide that we need an item, we can run out to the store and make a purchase. On the other hand, if we give ourselves some time before making a purchase, we can often find something in our homes which will meet our needs. By doing so, we've used an item which might otherwise be tossed out, and we've reduced the need for a new item (and all the energy and natural resources required by manufacturing processes).

By the way, Mrs. Green has begun a Zero Hero Facebook page and everyone is invited to join. The page will be a forum, of sorts, where the waste reduction conversation can continue. Have a difficult waste challenge? Post it on the page and see what solutions are offered. Have a great tip? Share it with others. This page promises to be a terrific resource. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/377509552402840/

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments.

Alica not only reduces waste at home, she takes action at work as well. She says, " There is always room to improve in this area! We try to have very little waste not only at home but in our business also. We are going to be trying some new things for Eco Natural in the next few months and I am working on my grocery trips having less waste. Always looking for great ideas and tips concerning this."

Katie focused her efforts at the grocery store. In addition to shopping in the bulk-bin isle, she's going to speak to an employee about a possible change. Can you guess what it is? Find out in Zero Waste at the Grocery Store [#CTWW].

Mary shared a great idea: "Great idea - there is always something more we can do, and this is a great reminder! One idea is if you use a juicer, instead of throwing away the pulp, you could save it and add it to a casserole! There's a lot of food wasted, and it's possible to use it all!"

Lady JC decided to go paperless this week. In Zero Waste Week - Going Paperless - Change the World Wednesday she shares her beautiful cloth tissues, napkins, and (un)paper towels. Yep, paperless towels! Brilliant!

Aimee (aka EcoGrrl) reduced waste in a big way! Check out her comment: "Always good to have these reminders every few months! I'm proud to say that since my husband arrived on the scene, we have not seen any noticeable difference in the amount of trash that goes out once a month - still only about 1/2 a bin that's picked up every 4 weeks. I'd still like to improve upon that, of course! On a larger scale, we'd started talking about replacing our sofa because we didn't know it was possible to re-stuff a sofa whose cushions were sewn to the frame. Well it is! I posted the link to an article showing how on my EcoGrrl-icious column this Friday. What a relief - I mean we'd have gotten a vintage or eco-friendly sofa and this one would have been donated, but I adore this sofa and am so happy we get to save it - and learn a new skill!" If you'd like the link, check out her EcoGrrl-icious post.

Lois has recently purchased a home and has some unique waste challenges. In Change the World Wednesday: My biggest Challenge she explains. And be sure to scroll down to see a photo of her new house. Congrats, Lois!

Susan joined us. Welcome, Susan! She says, "Thank you for your tips! It is great to come together in accountability and save the planet!" By the way, check out Susan's site for some great cloth produce bags ... great for eliminating plastic and waste!

Change The World Wednesday got a nice mention in Hottest Writers on the Web. Thanks to Kayelle Allen for including us!

Welcome to Taylor Made Ranch. They shared this brilliant tip: "Keep a reusable canvas bag rolled neatly into a plastic sleeve and tuck it next to your car's seat. That way if you make an unscheduled stop by the store you can just reach down & grab your reusable bag. The plastic sleeve keeps everything clean & you don't have to bring home a plastic shopping bag."

(La) Alicia has been reducing paper waste for a long time. In fact, it's her business. Check out what she does with rescued paper: Layered Necklace on Cobalt Blue Cord - Eco Chic. Beautiful!

Welcome back to Cinella. She's been away from CTWW for awhile but she has returned, this week, in grand style. Zero Waste Week 2014: Can it be Easy? offers a place to start ... shopping. She goes on to offer links to giveaways of reusable items and invites everyone to her YouTube channel where she's sharing her waste-reduction efforts. So nice to see you, Cinella!

The kitchen is a great place to focus our efforts. In Zero Waste: Waste Not, Want Not, Laurel offers some fabulous ideas. She suggests soups, stews, and even breads as methods to eliminate waste. Thanks, Laurel ... so glad you joined us!

Lisa offered us some great ways to meet this challenge: "The list could go on for a long time. Buy products with less packaging, buy products that can be used for more than one thing, make a big batch of cleaner and pour it into reusable spray bottles."

Argentum Vulgaris (AV) celebrated a birthday recently and hosted his annual birthday BBQ Bash. Happy "Belated" Birthday, AV! In previous years, he's said that he didn't have enough plates and utensils for all of his guests, so had to resort to disposables. How did he do this year? Find out in Change the World Wednesday – 3rd Sep. Be sure to read the entire post because AV talks about how bringing trash home actually reduces waste.

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @GiveTreeGifts
- Reduce waste created by packaging. Buy produce at your local farmer's market & take your own cloth bags. #BuyLocal #CTWW
- 15 Ways to Reduce Food Packaging ow.ly/B28Pt #CTWW
- WWF - Waste Management: Evaluate How You Can Reduce Packaging Waste in Your Home ow.ly/B28W9 #CTWW
- Reducing wasted food & packaging ow.ly/B292t #CTWW

From @GreenQueenofMod
- #CTWW Eliminate single-use drip filters with a mesh insert. Save money. Save the planet. #reduce #zerowaste pic.twitter.com/xrAFHRAnnm
- #CTWW Say NO to single-use #diapers—use cloth instead. Better for #baby! 20 years later I have terrific dust cloths too! #zerowaste #reduce
- #CTWW Use a #Swifter when cleaning? Don't buy disposable cloths—use cut to fit rags from old Tshirts instead. #zerowasteweek #repurpose

From @AMCConsolidated
- we develop our product lines with ways to reuse products and thus reducing waste.

From @ConservationM
- Creative ways to use your overripe bananas #zerowasteweek #ctww squishablebaby.com/zero-waste-wee… … fb.me/IJasDBPn via @Squishablebaby

From @eitsart_design
- Wasting less food is definitely something I need to work on. Eat more leftovers!

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:

@2kidsandacoupon	@89linz	@a_kiasi
@ahthesimplelife	@allcollegeplan	@artbysandra
@attiqueboutique	@bettydharma	@biggreenpen
@bsustainable2da	@burp_blog	@cellomomoncars
@cereusart	@collegegogreen	@conservationm
@de_kesha	@ecofiber	@foggybottomgal
@forloveofadog	@freshcleanersaz	@ginavalley
@givetreegifts	@grandmasdiaries	@greenglobaltrvl
@greenwithrenvy	@groovygreenlivi	@herbgir1972
@jnjgogreen	@kaitlingarder	@kayelleallen
@kirklander61	@laalicia	@ladyjcmuses
@larlegal	@laurelhounslow	@leslieveg
@lisadliguori	@marbaird	@marjoriemcatee
@momgamerwriter	@msmoreau_guid	@myzerowaste
@nolafusion	@organicrugs	@p2pnyc
@rainyofthedark	@rckweddings	@realityarts
@romerojewelers	@ruralmoms	@samnyc5
@sfcouncil	@spafloating	@theworld4realz
@tiffanywashko	@treadmyownpath	@turningclockbac
@wencdj	@whopaysthepiper

My Final Thoughts:

The price of waste is high. It costs natural resources to produce new items. It costs space for landfills, contaminated soil and water, and polluted air. It costs us money, time, and energy. In my view, the cost is too dear.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share features located below this post.

This Week's Challenge:

Pest populations are increasing
due to Climate Change

Here's a consequence of Climate Change which you might not have considered: populations of pests, like mosquitoes and ticks, are on the rise. Since both of these pests carry disease, it's a concern.

Here's your challenge ...

All of the green-living activities which we, as Eco-conscious people, adopt help control climate change. But we need more people to climb on board. So, this week, encourage others to take action against climate change. Need some ideas? Write a post about the situation and ask your readers to take on an Eco-friendly activity. Open a conversation with friends and family. Write to officials with your concerns and suggest actions which they can take. The idea, this week, is to get other people thinking about climate change and acting against this threat.

Are you ready to reach out to the world? I know that you are!

Until next time ...

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!

This post is shared at Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Hop and Natural Family Friday

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt) - Grist

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday, a regular series designed to grow our green community.

Banner by Art Ist

Grab our banner for your site:<br /> <a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/meet-greet.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="A link-up for green blogs on Reduce Footprints Blog" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkes4Ye110zbirkxMV6FAevl_7ymkBSWTCsXC7Li1_Vqm5HuIZkn81pN-CFX8iYJkLxAnDNccMjfHmFEMX8Hy8kFjkepmewEnRhBII4indKyexo3L1n6QDC0YrS0jY5Jy94ZyCLUx-_sg/s220/meet--and-greet-003-1000.jpg"/></a></a>
The rules:

1. Use the link-up tool below to share your green-living blog or collection of environmental posts.
2. Visit at least one other blog and/or the featured site and leave a pertinent comment.
3. The link-up closes on Thursday at 6:00 pm (EDT).
4. Random.org determines the featured site each week.

Last week everyone was invited to link up two articles. Random.org chose Ahead of IPCC report, fossil-fuel groups organize climate denial campaign, an article found at Grist. If you aren't familiar with Grist, here's is a bit from their site: "Grist has been dishing out environmental news and commentary with a wry twist since 1999 — which, to be frank, was way before most people cared about such things. Now that green is in every headline and on every store shelf (bamboo hair gel, anyone?), Grist is the one site you can count on to help you make sense of it all." Back to this article ... the focus is a global campaign, funded by fossil-fuel interests, which aims to discredit the summary climate assessment report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Using quotes from The Guardian, Skeptical Science, and Inside Climate News, the author, John Upton, talks about the less-than-scientific "facts" being offered by climate deniers. He also links to a report entitled International Climate Science Coalition Lacks Credibility, Launches Heartland Institute Anti-Science Report" put out by the Koch-funded Heartland Institute. Ahead of IPCC report, fossil-fuel groups organize climate denial campaign is an interesting article and makes one think twice about the so-called facts we see on the news and online. It reminds us, once again, the importance of digging for the truth ... a truth based on scientific fact, not fiction.

For previous features & blogs, check out the Meet & Greet Page: http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/meet-greet.html.

Our link-up is live. Please list your blog, visit and have fun!

PLEASE NOTE ... we're accepting links from blogs this week ... stay tuned as this will change from time to time.

Survey Results - Is It Too Late?

This month's survey addressed how we feel about the future ... whether we can reverse the negative impact of climate change or not. Let's look at the results:

Comments:

• If everyone was on board, ready and willing to make all the changes necessary today we might be able to reverse the destruction, but there are too many who aren't willing to give up the lifestyle they are accustomed to. That combined with how quickly the ice sheets are melting, which adds to the problem I believe it is too late.
• It's been shown that it can be slowed considerably but not reversed, so my answer is a Yes, but not for reversal. Political action is tremendously important to change laws and make larger impacts, but what we do individually does add up.
• Feedback effects amplify the consequences of every pound of CO2 we emit - or don't emit! Every pound makes a difference.
• No, not reversed but kept at a liveable level

What can we draw from these responses?

While there weren't many participants, I believe that the answers represent the general feeling about the future and climate change. We are torn with some believing we can make a difference and others believing that we've walked too far down the destructive path.

Here's what I find interesting ...

Since most of the people visiting Reduce Footprints, and therefore answering the survey, are "greenies", I have to ask myself why those folks who think it's too late still live in an Eco-friendly way. What motivates us to continue on in the face of such dire predictions?

Caring for our environment is more than the future. Yes, we all would like to leave this world in good shape ... it would be a fine and noble legacy. But we also care about today ... about living the best life we can live ... about caring for the earth and living with respect.

We hope that our actions will make a difference for tomorrow ... we know that they make a difference today.

And we continue on ... we do the right thing, we encourage others to do the right thing, we ask our officials to do the right thing ... and we hope for the best.

Three Easy Things (2010 Version) ...

Here are three easy ways to help the earth today:

1. Watch the following video.
2. Mark your calendars for March 27, 2010, @ 8:30 pm.
3. Tell everyone you know.






For more information on Earth Hour 2010, click HERE.

For teacher/parent materials, and fun activities for kids, click HERE.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

Global Warming? But It's Cold Outside!

Most areas of the U.S., as well as many areas in other countries, have been struggling this winter with cold, cold temperatures. As we bundle up and brace ourselves for that blast of arctic air which hits our faces as we leave the house, it's hard to believe that global warming is an issue. In fact, some people argue that this cold winter is evidence that there is no such thing as global warming.

Let's start with a definition from Wikipedia: "Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation."

Here's one from the EPA: "Global warming is an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth's surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns. Global warming can occur from a variety of causes, both natural and human induced. In common usage, "global warming" often refers to the warming that can occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities."

So ... we're not talking about a cold winter or even a hot summer. We're talking about an overall trend. And that trend shows us that the average temperature, near the earth's surface, is increasing:



As you'll notice ... the trend started out relatively flat and then it started to increase ... with the sharpest incline occurring during the last 20-30 years. It has been argued that global warming is the natural progression of a planet's life. And that's true. But one wonders if natural elements would have caused the dramatic spike in temperatures. Most experts say that the accelerated warming is caused by human activity.

So ... why do we care? After all, a warming trend ... and a change in climate ... is not necessarily bad for everyone. Some areas will find that warmer temperatures allow them to grow larger and more varied crops. And after this year's seriously cold temperatures, who wouldn't want the comfort of warm weather? But consider this ... a slight warming, over a long period of time, wouldn't be a big deal because all life would adapt. For example, as heat patterns slowly changed, altering the amount of available food, animal life would learn to consume other things or perhaps move to an area where there is adequate food. But that's not what's happening ... we're warming up fast, leaving no time to adjust to a new climate. Consequently, species are being lost. As you've heard me say, countless times, I believe that species extinction will have a direct, negative impact on our life.

What can we do? I'm happy you asked. Here are a few ideas:

• Reduce energy consumption (use energy efficient appliances, change light bulbs to CFLs or LEDs, etc.)
• Clean the air filters on your heating/cooling unit
• Reduce water consumption
• Eat meatless meals and avoid processed foods
• Buy local and organic
  
• Use "elbow grease" instead of electric power (use a push mower instead of a power mower ... use a broom or rake instead of a leaf blower)
• Keep the car in good working order (check the tires for proper inflation, fix any leaks, etc.)
• Reduce emissions while driving by going easy on the brake pedal and gas pedal
• Turn off the engine rather than idle (except when idling at a traffic light)
• Remove stuff from the trunk of a car and lighten it's weight (saves gas)
• Carpool or take public transportation
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

As you bundle up to head out into freezing temperatures ... just remember ... global warming is real and we, humans, are the cause of it's acceleration. Let's slow it back down.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

Blog Action Day 2009

CLIMATE CHANGE


"Climate Change" ... "Global Warming" ... they are words that we hear a lot these days. We're told that the polar ice caps are melting and that species, like Polar Bears, will die and become extinct. Other animal and plant life ... those able to move ... are doing so, changing our ecosystems. There is evidence that our oceans are rising and some say that they will consume land at lower elevations, like parts of Florida. Weather patterns have already changed, causing extreme conditions in many parts of the world. How often, lately, have we heard of an area suffering drought one minute and floods the next?

All of these reports have a couple of things in common ... they are dramatic and they usually tell us that we must act now. But how? They don't tell us what we, individuals trying to do our best, can do to make things better.

Some climate change is part of our planet's natural life cycle. Throughout history, the earth has experienced events such as volcanic eruptions and changes in our orbit. We've gone through ice ages and long periods of warming. All of those events have had an affect on the earth's climate. But in the late 18th century, man got busy with the Industrial Revolution and became the largest contributor to global warming. Humans started burning fossil fuels (coal and oil) and started cutting down trees (deforestation). These activities kicked global warming into "over-drive" by causing a huge increase in concentrations of heat-trapping gasses in our atmosphere.

What does that mean to us? Well, when we use oil products or electricity, we release greenhouse gases. Growing food, burning wood in our fireplaces, raising livestock and tossing out garbage all release greenhouse gases. In fact, everything we do contributes, in some degree, to climate change. So, the way we can "act now" is to live "green" ... to put into action all of the ideas we've talked about in this blog and the suggestions that can be found throughout the blogosphere. We can pay attention to our every action and take the route with the least environmental impact. Every time we reduce our consumption (of everything), reuse things instead of tossing them out and recycle everything that can be recycled, we take a positive step towards slowing global warming.

I'm not a scientist or an expert on climate change. I'm just a person who wants to do the right thing. Perhaps it's true that the earth's course is set ... that there is nothing we can do to stop global warming. On the other hand, perhaps there is a lot we can do. If there is a chance ... even a small chance ... that my actions can help the earth and improve the quality of life, then ... I'm going to give it my best effort.

Won't you join me?

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

Blog Action Day 2009

Last year, in October, while surfing around the blogosphere, I started running into a bunch of articles about the same topic ... poverty. Each article stated that it was in support of something called Blog Action Day. Hm ... a whole bunch of people supporting one idea ... fascinating!

If you've been coming to this blog for any length of time, then you know that I really like the concept of mass participation ... whether it's turning out our lights for an hour in support of Earth Hour or a whole bunch of us doing the same green activity during the same time frame for Change The World Wednesdays.

This thing called Blog Action Day peaked my interest.

So what is it? In their words: "Blog Action Day is an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion."

Unfortunately, last year, I missed the party. But this year, I'm on top it. And guess what ... the topic of this year's event is Climate Change!

Here's how it works ... on October 15, 2009, bloggers everywhere are asked to post about Climate Change. The idea is to post about it in the context of your blog ... so, for example, if you have a photo blog, you may want to post pictures that convey climate change and why the world needs to address it. If you have a cooking blog, perhaps you want to post a recipe that supports a "green" life. We all speak about one topic in our own, unique way.

October 15th is a Thursday ... and since this sounds like a "challenge" to me ... it will be our Change The World Wednesday challenge for that week ... we'll just do it on Thursday.

So, start thinking and planning.

For more information including ideas, badges and a place to register for the event, click here:






As always, I would love to hear from you!