Archive for May, 2010

May

30th

Cool House Tour June 6-TX Solar Energy Society


It’s a wonderful, unique opportunity to see some of  the way’s that Austinites have made their homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.  You’ll be inspired and impressed, and have fun in the process.

Sponsored by the Texas Solar Energy Society and Austin Energy Green Building, the annual Cool House Tour is coming this weekend, June 6.  Go here for details and ticket instructions:  http://www.txses.org/solar/content/cool-house-tour

cool house tourOne of your stops will be this renovated 1917 cottage at 607 Deep Eddy Avenue featuring sustainable materials such as renewable eucalyptus cabinetry and recycled paper countertops.

 

 

AD Stenger Cool House TourOr how about this updated AD Stenger home at 440 Ridgewood Drive? 

Get your guidebook/ticket at any Central Market, and google map your favorites!  Hope to see you there!

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May

28th

Memorial Day:Red, White, Blue, AND Green!


flagMemorial Day was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.  It was originally known as Decoration Day, and it is a day of remembrance for those who have given their lives in our nation’s service. 

This holiday weekend typically involves outdoor get togethers and campouts with families, friends, BBQ and beer.  You can serve your nation this weekend by reducing your environmental impact through your consumer choices, and here are some suggestions:

Stay local: Camp closer, drive less.  We’re blessed with wonderful camping locations in Central Texas. Check this list of camping locations: http://tinyurl.com/32nder6

Spend local:  Keeping more of your money local benefits our economy and environment in many ways.  We have great local beers lager(www.liveoakbrewing.com, www.independencebrewing.com) , wines, cheeses (www.pureluckdairy.com), organic produce…

Up the veggies, dial back the meat:  The meat industry consumes more than a third of the fossil fuels in the US and contributes 18% of greenhouse gases, which is even more than the transportation industry!  More veggies is good for your health and the planet.  Try local, grass fed choices for your meat like Betsy Ross Beef (www.rossfarm.com) available at Peoples Pharmacy. 

products_hardwoodCut down on chemicals:  Greener grilling?  Choose your heat source carefully; make sure it’s 100% wood based, like wood briquettes or natural organic charcoal. Either of these choices will leave your food without the burning of coal, petroleum products, sawdust, or limestone, which are all toxic.  Choose a plant based (pyrethrum) spray to keep away mosquitoes, and wear light colored clothing. 

recycle symbolPack out, Recycle, handle trash responsibly: Make sure guests and campers have an EASY way to recycle.  Be the leader, set a tone of respect for not generating more waste than neccessary. 

Honor our fallen heroes by respecting and protecting the nation they loved enough to give their lives for.  You’ll make a hundred choices about celebrating this weekend; make them environmentally sensitive choices; and have a HAPPY and GREEN Memorial Day weekend.

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May

23rd

President’s Cancer Report Urges Caution w/Chemicals


In a great NY Times Op Ed piece by Nickola Kristof, we get a preview of the findings from the President’s Cancer Report.  The report calls on Americans to rethink the way we confront cancer, and to include support of rigorous legislation of chemical use as a prevention tool. 

“Traditionally, we reduce cancer risks through regular doctor visits, self-examinations and screenings such as mammograms. The President’s Cancer Panel suggests other eye-opening steps as well, such as giving preference to organic food, checking radon levels in the home and microwaving food in glass containers rather than plastic.” says Kristof in the article. 

“Only a few hundred of the more than 80,000 chemicals in use in the United States have been tested for safety,” the report says. It adds: “Many known or suspected carcinogens are completely unregulated.”

Read it here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/opinion/06kristof.html?scp=2&sq=kristof&st=cse

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May

13th

Proposed Bill Applauded by US Energy Leader


WSJ’s Market Watch posted an article saying that the CEO of the nation’s Number One renewable energy provider, applauded the proposed new energy  and climate bill. mw-logo-240x70

Lew Hay, chairman and CEO of FPL Group, a top-five electric power company and No. 1 producer of renewable energy from wind and solar power, issued the following statement today on the energy and climate bill introduced by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.):

“Senators Kerry and Lieberman deserve tremendous credit for crafting a proposal that would move the country in the right direction on energy and climate issues. After years of debate and half measures, the United States still lacks a long-term national energy strategy, leaving us behind other countries in building and exporting the clean energy economy of the future. If we are to continue to lead the world in technological advances, job creation and economic security, we need a new approach. The most essential step — which is at the heart of the American Power Act — is to set a price on carbon dioxide emissions. With a gradually escalating price on carbon that begins to reflect the full social costs of emitting greenhouse gases, the country will make a smooth transition from the high-carbon fuel sources of the past to the next generation of low- and zero-emitting domestic energy sources. No legislation is ever perfect, this bill included, but Sens. Kerry and Lieberman have shown true leadership in their efforts to reach a balanced solution that all parties to this debate should be able to support. We applaud their efforts and look forward to working with them to get a bill signed into law.”

Read the full article: http://tinyurl.com/2avojo2

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