The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark begins December 7 through the 18th.  In anticipation of the conference, developing countries are making their stances on their percentage decrease and the 2020 deadline.  Upset that the industrial countries are not commitmenting equally.

What will happen during this Conference, is anyone’s quess. Since this Conference is happening days before Christmas, maybe just maybe we can believe in miracles.

Below please find a press release from the artist, Jens Galschiot.  We got to know him during the 2008 Olympics in Peking, posting his “Orange” articles in support of the Chinese dissadents.

This article is about his visual artwork, the red alarm.  Thousands of red LED lamps will  be place along the 7-meter stretch, designed to warn viewers of what will happen when the water will rise.

Red Alarm in Copenhagen

Thousands of red LED lamps will mark a 7-meters water rising during the COP15 climate summit. The art happening Sevenmeters.net is a visualisation by Jens Galschiot, about how Copenhagen will look like, when all the ice of Greenland has melted away.

Galschiot and his volunteers, armed with long ladders, will this Saturday and Sunday hang up the LED lamps. They will start by the three big ‘refugees’ on Vejlands Allé / Ørestads Boulevard by the Bella Center. The 2,000 LED lamps are specially made in the artist’s workshop of bicycle lamps, which are soldered and glued together with extra batteries, so the will be able to blink constantly during the meeting.

The artist, who is well-known for his poignant – yet audience-friendly, art manifestations, got the permission to put up all of the blinking lights in a 7 meter line above daily water, around the lakes and in the whole channel area in the center of Copenhagen, and along the roads to the Bella Center.  Galschiot hopes that the red blinking LED-lights will be some sort of an international grassroots’ symbol of the climate catastrophe.

With the happening Galschiot will visualize that when the water rises and drought expands, there will be many places where people no longer will be able to stay. For example the isle of Amager, where the Climate Summit is held, will be 5 meters under water, if Greenland’s ice melts. If the ice of Antarctica also melts, the water will rise another 75 meters, so the peaks of the mountains will be in great demand, and there are not plenty of them in Denmark.

”With this manifestation I will highlight the climate crisis, and the fact, that it is not only a problem for the polar bears and the nature. The global warming may be a catastrophe for humanity. UN says that over 200 million refugees will be a reality in the next 40 years.

The refugees will trigger a giant demographic crisis, with risks of closing the national borders and beginning an ‘all against all fight, to protect our territory against the refugees, which our own CO2 leak has created. A frightening scenario that will put our humanistic and democratic civilisation under intense pressure, so that war and rise of totalitarian systems might be the consequence. This is the legacy that we will leave to our children!” Galschiot says.

At the venue of the climate summit there will also be red blinking LED lamps. Small badges will be given to the delegates, so they can use them as a silent indicator about how seriously they take the climate crisis.

About the artist

The SevenMeters art events can be seen November 13 – December 19.  www.SevenMeters.net will have up-to-date pictures of the event.  The site was started by Jens Galschiot. His art installations highlight the climate issue from different angles, in cooperation with different players, such as www.peoplesclimateaction.dk  and www.Illumenarts.dk.  The focus is put on the consequences for the people on earth and the impact of the demographic changes for our society. 

The Sculptures

• The pulse of the earth (by Bella Centre metro station, the entrance to COP15). The 4½ high sculpture ’The Messenger’ counts the new climate refugees on a display, while the water graves under the metro are filled with human sized ‘Hunger Boys’. The entire installation and the actual metro are covered in red, pulsating LED-light, which follows the geological ‘pulse’ of the earth and is more than 300 metres long.

• ’Freedom to Pollute’ (The big hill at Amager Fælled). A 6 metres high copy of the Statue of Liberty which sends out smoke from the torch.

• Wandering Refugees (by Bella centre) are three 10 metres high sculptures with copper faces, which represent African women with long dresses in screaming colours. They are standing on a savannah-like area reminding us of the female refugees in Sudan. 

• Survival of the Fattest’ (in the water next to The little Mermaid). The sculpture confronts ‘The little Mermaid and the Danish self-perception with the goddess of justice of the real world.

• Balancing Act’ (at the Christiansborg palace square and other places) is 10 statues, each balancing on 7-15 metres high piles. They have been made in connection to the UN’s Decade of Education for sustainable Development (2005-2014) in cooperation with Eco-net.dk. 

• 7 meters line in Copenhagen (only 6-18 December) is a visualization of the 7 metres rising in the sea level if all the ice on Greenland melts. On a 24 kilometers long distance in Copenhagen thousands of blinking red lights mark the potential new water level in the height of 7 meters

Jens Galschiot can be reached through his website, www.aidoh.dk, or emailed at aidoh@aidoh.dk

By Concerned Scientists with comments by Debra Frick

The holidays are some the hardest times for being green. Who doesnt want to decorate thier house with a million lights or travel to see family? Here is some great tips for travel from the Union of Concerned Scientists but while your at it why not try and make your holidays more green my using enviromental safe gift wrapping and putting your holiday lights on a timer.

Holidays mean family and fun, but they also mean more travel in planes, trains, and automobiles, which contribute to global warming by emitting carbon dioxide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Americans take 54 percent more long-distance trips (50 miles or longer) during the Thanksgiving holiday than the rest of the year, and 23 percent more between Christmas and New Year’s.

Unless you can walk or bike, you can’t travel carbon-free. But you can minimize your emissions with these simple strategies:

Pad your schedule. If possible, start your trip a day earlier and/or return a day later. You’ll not only avoid the stress associated with peak travel times, but reduce emissions as well. For example, when a car is stuck in traffic its fuel consumption rate can be double the rate at steady cruising speeds. If you must travel on peak days (most weekends), schedule your trip for non-peak hours and, if driving, use a GPS system with real-time traffic monitoring to avoid congested roads.
Traveling with family? Make it a road trip. The BTS reports that 91 percent of long-distance holiday travelers go by car. On a 500-mile trip, a family of four traveling in a typical SUV actually produces less carbon per person than flying or taking the train. If you can, though, leave the SUV at home and drive a hybrid or fuel-efficient conventional car instead—in addition to consuming more gas, SUVs emit up to four times more carbon than the most efficient hybrid. If you don’t own a hybrid, consider renting one.
Fly the eco-friendly skies. First-class seating requires twice the space of coach and therefore produces twice the amount of carbon emissions per passenger, so always choose coach. Next, minimize the length of your trip by flying the most direct route, and minimize carbon-heavy takeoffs, landings, and ground operations by flying nonstop. If you’re traveling solo, flying nonstop coach is actually better than driving any car—regardless of the distance traveled.
Get on the bus. No matter how many people are traveling with you, a bus pays the biggest environmental dividends. A couple traveling by bus, for instance, generates between 50 and 75 percent less carbon than flying or driving (especially on trips under 500 miles). Bus fares are often cheaper than airline tickets, and many now have similar amenities.

By The Union of Concerned Scientists
March 2009

Unlike typical plastics made from crude oil, “bioplastics” are often made from plant matter such as corn starch, potato starch, cane sugar, and soy protein. A potentially renewable alternative to petroleum-based plastics would have the long-term benefits of reducing global warming pollution and our dependence on fossil fuels, but do bioplastics fit the bill? As they become more ubiquitous—in the form of grocery bags and disposable plates, food containers, and cutlery—numerous concerns have been raised about their true value:

• Bioplastics are designed to be composted, not recycled. The plant-based material will actually contaminate the recycling process if not separated from conventional plastics such as soda bottles and milk jugs.
• Home composting may not be an option. Some bioplastics cannot be broken down by the bacteria in our backyards; polyethylene (PE) made from cane sugar is one example. Only bioplastics that are fully biodegradable will break down in a home compost pile, and it could still take up to two years for certain items (e.g., forks and spoons). The rest require the high heat and humidity of an industrial composting plant—of which there are only about 100 in the country, and not all collect waste.
• Plants grown for bioplastics have negative impacts of their own. Bioplastics are often produced from genetically modified food crops such as corn and soybeans, a practice that carries a high risk of contaminating our food supply. Also, corn and soybean producers typically apply large amounts of chemical pesticides and fertilizers that pollute our air and water. To compound matters, the growth of the bioplastics and biofuels industries (both of which currently rely on food crops as their raw material) increases the demand for crops and the impact of agriculture worldwide.

Environmental advocates are calling for bioplastic production based on renewable crops (such as native wild grasses) grown without chemicals. Bioplastics could also be developed from agricultural waste. Until then, what’s a consumer to do?

• Look for the “Compostable” logo. The Biodegradable Products Institute identifies products appropriate for municipal and commercial composting facilities. To find facilities in your state, see the Related Resources.
• Opt for reusable or recycled instead. When you can’t use metal cutlery or ceramic dishes, look for recycled, dishwasher-safe products that can be recycled once they’re no longer usable.

Related Resources

BioCycle Magazine—Find a composter

Biodegradable Products Institute—Compostable logo program
 
Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative—Fact sheets

World Centric—Bioplastic categories and composting times

Recycling is have a rough time right now with the economy running amok. Many companies who sell recyclables are having a tough time finding buyers. Many companies no longer taking certain recyclables like cardboard and plastic and many companies are closing their doors or hoping to warehouse their recyclables until there is an up-swing in the markets.

But what most Americans are forgetting is that recycling has always been a three-fold proposition.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

So what can we do now with our recyclables now that there is no market for their resale?  It is time for America to become less of a disposable society.

We need to remember the first part of our motto and reduce the amounts of trash that we produce.  We need to remember to reuse what we can in our everyday lives. We need to produce new green business that could take things like cardboard and turn it into things like organic fertilizer.

You and I, the average American, can start by telling companies that we want them to start packaging their products in more earth friendly containers. This is a time when we need to take a step back and really think about if the benefits of plastic are worth ruining our planet, our home, for.

If as a nation we stand as one and demand that companies comply with federal regulations on recycling we can all benefit.  But some recycling must start in the home. Reusing plastic containers and repurposing other plastics will make a difference in this time of trouble. Plastic water bottles now fill our landfills when we with a little effort can bottle our own. Paper can be shredded to use as packing materials and used as bedding materials for worm beds. These beds could produce enough organic materials to provide much needed soil improvement all around the globe and even in our own backyards.

We as a nation are some of the brightest and well educated people on the planet. It is time that we stood up as a leader in reducing and reusing and recycling. As easy as it was to put our recyclables on the curb for some one else to deal with, it can be will a little though just as easy to reduce and reuse.

Fort Collins, CO – A local business improving air quality nationwide has been chosen as a winner for one of Environmental Business Journal’s 2008 Business Achievement Awards. Clean Air Lawn Care, a lawn maintenance business that uses environmental sound practices, has been awarded the Silver Medal in the category of Technology and Specialty Services. The Environmental Business Journal (EBJ) honored Clean Air Lawn Care “for expanding to 20 franchises nationally… and reductions of 32,000 pounds of air pollution.”

The EPA has estimated that up to 5-10% of the nation’s air pollution comes from gas powered lawn equipment. Clean Air Lawn Care is a lawn maintenance business that uses clean electric and biodiesel powered equipment.  The vehicles hauling this equipment have mounted solar panels which charge the electric equipment during the workday.  The equipment is clean and quiet; the fertilizer is organic; the business is carbon neutral. The company started out of a garage in 2006 and is now a national franchise.

Despite all the chaos in the financial markets, people’s concern for the environment is holding steady. Clean Air Lawn Care is seeing growth through new franchises and new customers in existing markets. In the first 6 months of marketing the sustainable lawn care franchise, the company received over 1000 inquiries of individuals interested in owning a franchise. The positive impact of Clean Air Lawn Care’s business is parallel with growth. The company’s growth equals a larger reduction in national air pollution.

All EBJ award winners will be in the Executive Review issue of Environmental Business Journal. The Executive Issue was mailed out at the end of January. The awards will be presented at the official 2009 EBJ Business Achievement Awards banquet, Wednesday February 18, 2009. The EBJ banquet is during the fifth annual Environmental Industry Summit in Coronado near San Diego that runs February 18-20, 2009. For more information about the Summit and the current agenda, you can visit the Summit web site. www.ebjsummit.com.

For further information, please contact Gerry Keane, President of Clean Air Lawn Care at 203.245.6111.

CONTACT:    Gerry Keane

                   Clean Air Lawn Care

                   203.245.6111

                   gerry@cleanairlawncare.com

Photo by zeathiel

By The Union of Concerned Scientists

February 2009
Read this issue of Greentips online

The thought of a crackling fire in the fireplace may make you feel warm and cozy, but traditional wood-burning fireplaces are major energy wasters. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a blazing fire sends as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour up the chimney, along with about 90 percent of the heat produced by the fire and some of the heat produced by a home’s furnace.

Fireplaces also generate a lot of air pollution. Wood smoke contains carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and fine particulates that can aggravate asthma, allergies, and other health conditions.

Several options are available for upgrading your fireplace so you can cozy up to a fire while actually increasing your home’s energy efficiency and reducing pollution:

• Wood stoves. Units certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) generate between two and five grams of particulate matter per hour of operation compared with the 40 to 60 grams per hour generated by a conventional fireplace. They also operate at 80 percent efficiency—similar to other home heating sources. You can purchase a freestanding unit or one that inserts into your existing fireplace; many come with blowers to help direct the heated air into your living space. (See the related resources for a list of models.)
• Pellet stoves. Instead of wood logs, these stoves burn small pellets made from compressed wood and other plant waste, and produce so little pollution that they do not require EPA certification. Pellet stoves do require electricity (about 100 kilowatt-hours per month under normal usage) to feed pellets into the combustion chamber, so they will not work during a power outage unless you have a generator. Like wood stoves, pellet stoves are available as freestanding units or fireplace inserts.
• Gas fireplace inserts. Natural gas- or propane-fueled inserts offer the warmth and ambiance of a fire without the need to load wood (or pellets) or dispose of ash. Gas inserts are up to 80 percent efficient and generate low levels of pollution.

There are also several ways to improve the operation of your existing fireplace and prevent heat loss:

• Install tempered glass doors and keep them (and the flue) shut when the fireplace is not in use.
• Install a heat-air exchange system that will blow warm air back into the room (minus the smoke).
• Check for air leaks around the fireplace doors, flue, and chimney and add caulking as needed.
• Lower the thermostat to between 50 and 55 degrees when the fireplace is in use, and shut doors leading into the room.
• Crack a window near the fireplace to increase fresh air flow and minimize smoke.

Related Resources

Environmental Protection Agency—Cleaner Burning Wood Stoves and Fireplaces

Environmental Protection Agency—Consumer’s Guide to Wood and Pellet Heating

U.S. Department of Energy—Fireplace Tips

By The Union of Concerned Scientists

December 2008
Read this issue of Greentips online

Many of us have experienced the frustration of having a cell phone or MP3 player go dead and being away from a power outlet to charge the batteries. Many others would simply like to reduce their dependence on the electricity grid. Thanks to technology improvements and lower production costs for photovoltaic (PV) cells, you can now harness sunlight at home or on the road to power a variety of products while reducing your environmental impact.

PV cells generate varying amounts of electricity based on their size and composition, and on the amount of incoming sunlight. Here are just a few examples of products for which sunlight provides a viable and affordable alternative power source:

• Chargers. Nearly any electronic gadget that is plugged into an electrical outlet to charge (such as cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 players, or laptops) can use a solar-powered charger instead. Some solar chargers are designed for stationary use while others are incorporated into backpacks or other portable totes so you can charge a device while you carry it around. These products can vary widely in their wattage outputs and subsequent charge times (a cell phone can take 2 to 14 hours to charge, depending on the product).

• Lighting. Walkway lights are the most commonly known solar-powered light fixtures, but floodlights, outdoor task lights (such as grill lights), and even holiday lights can be charged with solar panels during the day. On average, a sunny day can provide 8 to 12 hours’ worth of power. Some solar light fixtures feature timers or motion sensors as well.

• Toys. Solar-powered toy cars, planes, boats, and robots are not only fun for kids but also teach them about renewable energy. You can also green up battery-operated toys by using rechargeable batteries instead of alkaline, and charging them with a solar-powered battery charger.

[Note: Bug zappers are available in solar-powered versions as well, but like their plug-in counterparts, they are not recommended because they indiscriminately kill insects, including those beneficial for biodiversity.]

Solar-powered products are available in garden centers, toy stores, camping and hiking stores, and from online retailers that promote environmentally friendly products, such as Real Goods.* Because solar products vary in their power output, review their specifications before purchasing to ensure they are the best fit for your needs and, in the case of chargers, are compatible with the devices they will be charging.

Related Resources

National Renewable Energy Laboratory—Photovoltaics

U.S. Department of Energy—Solar Electric Power

Solar Gadget Information*

* Inclusion of these examples is intended for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

By Michele Mukatis

Cultivate Health, LLC

“Local” is the buzz-word right now, and with good reason. An increased connection with your community, getting to know those who live right next door and provide you with goods and services, as well as those who create beautiful art, jewelry, and more, that you can share with others. Following are even more great reasons to keep your holiday shopping and spending local this year.

The main reason to buy gifts from a locally-owned business: For every $1 you spend at a store like Wal-Mart, $.83 goes straight out of state (not to mention that most of the products are made overseas instead of by people closer to home). Find local business with things you just love because, chances are that the business owner will turn around and spend what he or she makes locally as well. If you prefer to shop for some items at big box stores, consider buying something at one local store, just to try it.

Lightly used and recycled goods make great gifts. Used bookstores and clothing boutiques are great places to pick up something that is unique and keep it from being landfilled, as well as save a little money. If you’re shopping for someone who is a bit picky, talk to them about it ahead of time and make it a game – who can find the coolest used gifts for the holiday?

Local Food: Okay, I know, there’s not a lot of local food to be found in Colorado at this time of year, but there is some. Go to Ranch Foods Direct any day and you will find a plethora of local meats, cheeses and even some “keeper” produce like squash, maybe apples, onions, etc. Contact Doug Wiley at Larga Vista Ranch (www.largavistaranch.com) for fantastic sausages and other meats, or get on the list for the dairy co-op and get the healthiest unpasteurized dairy products around.

Local Charities: Let’s face it, most of us don’t really need more stuff. Care & Share is a local charity that’s doing great things with their money such as finishing a LEEDs certified building with a commercial kitchen and edible landscaping. Help them meet their Capital Campaign goal to help Colorado’s hungry in varied ways.

Host a Charity Holiday Party. It’s easy: invite all of your friends and family. You can do it as potluck or make the food yourself, but ask guests not to bring gifts, but to bring their checkbook instead in order to make out a check to one (or all) of a choice of charities. When I hosted, I sent off the checks the next day to their destinations and was able to spend time with friends and take the pressure of gift-giving off of everyone.

Give the gift of learning. Cultivate Health LLC offers cooking and gardening classes that fit every level and is a great way to meet people and learn something new, fun and easy.

One last unique gift idea: Pikes Peak Urban Gardens is now selling their Three-Season Raised-Bed Garden System. A 4’x8’ mini greenhouse is a great way to extend the season in Colorado and protect your veggies from summer hail. Orders placed before Nov. 30 will be delivered before Dec. 22. Go to http:// ppugardens.org/three_season_raised_beds to order.

Michele Mukatis can be reached at 719.231.6265 or cultivatehealth@gmail.com

Greentips

By Union of Concerned Scientists

October 2008

It’s no secret that winterizing your home can slash your heating costs and reduce global warming pollution. But with today’s shaky economy, many homeowners might be wary of home improvements unless they can save money immediately—especially when home heating already accounts for nearly half of the average family’s winter energy costs.

While there are many ways in which you can reduce your home’s energy use, these five projects can deliver the quickest payback on your purchase:

• Insulate your attic. It is relatively easy, yet very cost-effective, to add insulation to your attic. The Department of Energy (DOE) suggests a minimum attic insulation level of R-38 (R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow), equivalent to 12 to 15 inches of insulation. The DOE provides a map on its website (see the Related Resources) that lists recommended insulation levels for U.S. climates.
• Seal air leaks. Weather stripping, door sweeps, window shrink wrap, and other materials can be purchased at your local hardware store for $50 or less, and can save you as much as 10 percent in energy costs. If you have an old fireplace, consider installing glass doors (which can cost a couple hundred dollars or more) to help prevent heat from escaping out the chimney when not in use.
• Seal heating ducts. Leaky ducts from forced-air or heat pump systems can allow up to 20 percent of the warm air to escape. While most ductwork is hidden in walls and floors, you can seal duct leaks on your own in attics, basements, or garages, and in areas where ducts meet floor or wall vents. The DOE estimates that sealing leaky ducts can save you up to $140 annually.
• Install a programmable thermostat. An Energy Star-qualified programmable thermostat can cost as little as $30 but save you $100 or more each year on heating costs by automatically turning the heat down when you are asleep or away (so you don’t have to remember to do it yourself). 
• Upgrade your furnace. If your heating system is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with an Energy Star-rated model to cut your energy costs by up to 30 percent. Before you buy, make your home as efficient as possible first (following the tips above) so you can purchase the smallest system to fit your heating needs.

Homeowners can save even more money on energy efficiency improvements through tax breaks and other incentives offered by your utility or state government. And as part of the federal government’s recent economic bailout legislation, certain home improvements made in 2009 will be eligible for a tax credit (see the Related Resources).

Related Resources 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—Fight the Frost This Winter

U.S. Department of Energy—Sealing and Insulating

Energy Star—Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

By The Union of Concerned Scientitsts

September 2008

A regular oil change can improve your car’s fuel economy and minimize its air pollution and global warming emissions. But what about the environmental impact of that oil change if it is not done right? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly 200 million gallons of used motor oil are improperly disposed of in the United States each year. The oil from just one oil change can contaminate one million gallons of water—a year’s supply for 50 people.

If you are a do-it-yourself oil changer, the EPA has provided the following guidelines to ensure the process is as clean as possible:

• After draining the oil, but before removing the drip pan from under the car, close and secure the drain plug and check for leaks. 
• If you are changing the oil filter, drain it for a minimum of 12 hours into a clean plastic container with a tight-fitting lid (do not use a container that once held chemicals, food, or beverages). Then, carefully pour the oil from the drip pan into the container. 
• Reuse your drip pan; do not rinse residual oil down the drain or into your yard.  
• If you do accidentally spill any oil, use absorbent material like sawdust or cat litter to clean the spill, then dispose of it in the trash.

Used motor oil (from cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, or lawn equipment) can be recycled to make new motor oil—2.5 quarts of new lubricating oil can be made from one gallon of used motor oil—or processed into fuel oils or other materials. After you have changed your oil, take it to a local service station or recycling center that collects used motor oil for recycling (see related links for a recycling directory). Some facilities will collect used filters as well; if not, ask your waste collection service if the filter can be disposed of with your household trash.

You may be able to further reduce your oil consumption (regardless of whether or not you do your own oil changes) by changing your oil less often. A 2008 study conducted by the California Integrated Waste Management Board shows that many vehicles can go more than the standard 3,000 miles between oil changes, depending on driving conditions and motor oil type. Before you skip your next oil change, however, be sure to follow your car manufacturer’s recommendations listed in the owner’s manual.

Related Links

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—You Dump It, You Drink It (pdf)

Ohio Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention—Handling Used Oil from Your Home (pdf)

California Integrated Waste Management Board—The 3,000 Mile Myth

Earth 911—Automotive Parts Disposal and Facility Locator