ENN: Environmental News Network -- Know Your Environment

By: Guest Contributor, Namju Cho

There is no question that food waste is a monumental environmental problem and recycling food waste would make a significant dent in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The barrier to food waste recycling isn’t so much about people’s willingness to compost. The willingness is there but the key to composting’s success will be how easy and convenient governments will make it so that food waste recycling becomes as established as recycling paper.

Fact: Food waste was the second largest waste material in 2011, accounting for 15% of all waste behind paper and paperboard, which accounted for 28%, according to the EPA. Of those, however, over half of the paper/paperboard was recycled while a meager 1.6% of food waste was recycled.

So how could we make it happen? Why not turn to bright spots in our own backyard?

New York recently launched pilot food waste recycling programs on select sites and is following the lead of cities like San Francisco to combine convenience, incentives and slight nudges to prompt residents to recycle food waste. A recent survey by BioCycle, a magazine that promotes recycling, found that some municipalities are offering less frequent garbage collection to steer residents away from the trash bin, according to the New York Times. Others have offered free recycling pickup services as an incentive.

Behavior change, after all, is about removing barriers and motivators to adopt the behavior. Awareness alone isn’t enough to prompt people to act. Smokers know tobacco causes cancer but they still smoke. Bottom line is that it has to be easy.

The NYT article added that apartment buildings were the most challenging as residents don’t want to come all the way down to a garage or basement to dump their scraps. “…Space for bins must be found at least on some floors. Buildings must also devote staff to removing the waste every day, or at least keep it out of sight, to avoid putting off the squeamish,” the article stated.

Portland scaled back residential garbage pickup to once every two weeks and also launched a weekly compost pickup – and got results. The volume of garbage collected decreased to 58,300 tons in the 12-month period ending in October 2012 compared with 94,100 tons of garbage collected in the same period the previous year when the program launched. Moreover, collections of compostable material rose to 85,400 tons from 30,600 tons in the same period, a figure that includes yard waste, according to a Yale Environment360 report.

Are you sold yet? What have you found to be the most effective ways to make composting successful in your neighborhood?

*Photo courtesy of EPA.

Namju Cho is a former staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal who is currently a project manager at S. Groner Associates Inc, a Public Relations and Communications firm specializing in social marketing, media relations, online outreach and social media as it relates to issues facing communities and the environment. Cho can be reached at 562.597.0205 or ncho@sga-inc.net.

Many people consider the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the best way to measure a country’s wealth. The GDP, which is the market value of goods and services produced within a country during a period of time, is said to be an indicator of a country’s standard of living. The problem is the GDP doesn’t create a full picture of a country’s wealth and assets because it leaves out a country’s ecological wealth.

A country with a growing GDP may have dwindling ecological wealth because many economic activities deplete natural resources. GDP see’s these economic activities solely as income rather than a liquidation of assets. Therefore, countries relying on the GDP will blindly spend their ecological resources without consideration putting.

In 2003 the Global Footprint Network (GFN) was established in response to this problem and  to help countries and businesses measure their impact and as a result live more sustainably. By helping countries discover their ecologic impact GFN can help countries better plan for a sustainable future.

To help countries understand their wealth/debts GFN created an “Ecological Footprint”. “Ecological Footprint” is a resource accounting tool that measures availability and consumption of resources. “Ecological Footprint” reveals how much water and land a population needs in order to produce resources and absorb waste, while also measuring the country’s biocapacity. By comparing the country’s footprint to its biocapacity a country can better understand what it needs to do in order to maintain natural wealth and improve economic resilience.

GFN uses statistics from the United Nations to come up with each “Ecological Footprint” and uses approximately 6,000 data points per country.

GFN works with a network of over 90 partners. Since 2003 11 countries have officially adopted GFN’s “Ecological Footprint”, including the Philippines, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, and Switzerland.

The continued adoption of GFN’s “Ecological Footprint” will promote sustainability and help countries better manage their resources and wealth. There is more to wealth then just the GDP, wealth is also in nature, and until people understand that, we will continue to consume our resources at rates that can only lead to disaster.

Foot Print via Shutterstock

By Guest Contributors: Arielle Nagel and Elizabeth Phillips

A new study shows that approximately 40 percent of American households are now equipped with a smart meter, up from the 33 percent recorded in 2012, according to a report by the Institute for Electrical Efficiency (IEE). In total, about 45 million homes across the nation already have the advanced device with even more installations expected in the next year.

Some states have passed laws requiring the installation of smart meters, while others leave the decision up to the local utilities. Regardless of what drives the implementation of the high-tech device, utility companies across the nation have embraced it.

For example, PECO, a Pennsylvania utility, has just been given permission to accelerate its smart meter deployments, finishing five years early. All of its 1.5 million customers will have smart meters by the end of 2013.

What is a smart meter?

A smart meter is a digitized version of the meters already deployed on most homes and businesses around the United States. Like all electricity meters, a smart meter measures energy consumption. However, this advanced meter takes the process a step further, providing benefits for both the utility and consumers.

Traditional meters require a utility to send a meter reader to your home each month to get an accurate reading of your energy consumption before it can send your bill.  But smart meters eliminate this step through direct communication. The advanced digital device can automatically send updates on your electricity consumption to your utility at least every hour.

Along the same lines, the direct communication allows smart meters to notify utilities almost immediately in the event of a power outage. This enables the utility to dispatch crews and get the electricity back on faster than ever.

Eventually, these smart meters will connect with the smart grid, a computerized version of the nation’s energy infrastructure. Though a smart grid is still about a decade away, the smart meter technology offers insight into how the computerized energy systems can benefit the nation.

Smart meters aren’t just an advantage to utilities. They also help consumers better manage their energy consumption. Each smart meter has a digital face that displays the energy consumption of a particular home. The information is updated just as often as it’s sent to the utility, so consumers can monitor their energy consumption and make changes to lower their energy bill.

CenterPoint Energy, a Texas utility, conducted a survey of 500 residential customers that had already received a smart meter to determine what their experience was like with the advanced technology. The survey found that 71 percent have even modified their energy use based on the real-time data they’ve collected from their smart meter.

Arielle Nagel and Elizabeth Phillips are both graduate students pursuing Master of Science degrees in Environmental Sustainability. They enjoy freelance writing that promotes eco-friendly living and a sustainable future. They welcome your feedback at elizabethphillipswrites@gmail.com and ariellenagel1214@gmail.com.

Meter image via Shutterstock.

For the second Sunday in a row I’ve had to vacate the couch in order to make room for football. Football has been America’s most popular sport for 47 years, and whether you’re a Jets fan, a Patriots fan, or a Saints fan, Sunday is Football Day.

Though most people enjoy games from their couch, the act of tailgating is almost as big of a tradition as the game itself. With close to 100,000 people attending each game, that’s a lot of people tailgating. This means a lot of trash and possible environmental impact. Below is a list of tips I’ve acquired to reduce the impact of tailgating:

-Use reusable coolers, disposable ones made from Styrofoam can take up to a million years to decompose in landfills.

-Use reusable utensils, 40 Billion pieces are thrown away each year after only one use.

-Buy in bulk, bigger sizes often use less packaging.

-Consider buying locally grown and organic food items.

-Carpool or take advantage of game day shuttles.

-If you plan on using red solo cups for your beer or games Solo Cup Company has a line of cups made from recycled cups that are made from recycled PET.

-BBQ/Grill tips: If you have a charcoal grill opt for lump charcoal or all natural briquettes. A cleaner option is to use a propane grill, and even cleaner then that is an electric grill.

-Try using a solar powered outlet to power your small electronics like the radio.

-Make sure to recycle your trash after you are done tailgating. Be sure to bring separate bags/containers to separate your trash from recyclables.

For additional articles relating to the NFL and Sustainability:

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/nfl-champion-sustainability

http://www.justmeans.com/blogs/greening-the-nfl-bringing-sustainability-to-stadiums

Tail gaiters via Shutterstock

By: Guest Contributor, Linda Bailey

Condensation is a natural occurrence of water forming due to temperature variations essentially pulling the water out of the atmosphere. The more humid an area is, the more water vapor that is available in the atmosphere to condense. In dry and arid locales, this technology might not work to its full potential. However, the development of such devices is sound and is being utilized in various areas around the world. Can this innovative science become a planet-wide technology that can save countless lives? What aspects of water condensation are considered for this technology?

1. The Vapor – Water vapor is emitted in a variety of ways. Every time you take a breath, use hot water, turn on the air conditioner, or water a field of crops vapor is created. If you pull out a can ofsoda pop from the refrigerator and water begins to form on the outside of the can, that is the vapor condensing due to the temperature difference within the room and the temperature of the aluminum the can is made of. This vapor is always around us and has the possibility to sustain life if it were tapped.

2. The Devices – The technology that is being developed continuously condense the vapor from the surrounding air to create clean drinking water. Filtration capabilities pull remaining toxins from the water as it is dispersed. This process has been a product of nature since water formed on this planet, and humankind is now able to duplicate the process in a more efficient and usable scale. Propositions of these devices range from the size of billboard and towers, to as small as a one liter apparatus such as the concept for the NJORD Water Creator.

3. Sustainability – As developers continue to scrutinize the capabilities of building water condensers, other technologies are added to the sustainability of the product. As most of these units utilize electricity, some innovators are adapting solar methods of powering them. Essentially, drinking water could be collected for free. At least, it would be free if these manufacturers donated them to areas in need. Otherwise, capitalism will surely surround the process of creating water – the very substance no human can live without.

4. Arid – Although the mere thought of using water condensers can excited a great many people, there is one absolute flaw to these devices. They require humidity. While most areas have a certain level of humidity year round, others are far less fortunate. However, this isn’t cause for too great of concern. Even the Sahara Desert can produce as much as 5-percent humidity.

5. Temporary Solution? – Regardless of our need for drinkable water, this could be viewed as nothing more than a temporary solution. Many areas are feeling the effects of continuous droughts as each year less and less water is available to communities. While water condensation can keep us alive a bit longer and help alleviate water restrictions in some form, humankind needs to pay more attention to what is causing the problem in the first place. Our destruction of various natural resources are continuing to reduce the amount of water that is available.

The need for water has sparked a great deal of interest in building condensers. In early 2013, a billboard was created in order to help the residents of Lima, Peru get access to drinkable water. As these projects continue, the technology behind them will only develop for greater efficiency. It may only be a matter of time before more condensers are created in order to provide a sustainable way for our survival. Are we simply delaying the inevitable, or will this buy humankind more time in order to remedy the initial problem?

Author Bio:

This post is contributed by Linda Bailey from housekeeping.org. She is a Texas-based writer who loves to write on the topics of housekeeping, green living, home décor, and more. She welcomes your comments which can be sent to b.lindahousekeeping @ gmail.com.

Soda can image via Shutterstock.

By Guest Contributor: Jean Linder

Natural disasters are among the most traumatic and frightening events human beings face: unpredictable, often inscrutable, and bearing down upon their victims the full brunt of the planet’s awe-inspiring power. From the violent precision of a sinuous tornado to the vast demolishment of a hurricane, from an unchained river spilling its banks to a volcanic eruption—and acknowledging, too, the less dramatic but equally devastating droughts, cold snaps, and heat waves—these experiences are as nightmarish for those affected as they are deeply impressive.

The actual force of a storm or flood gets the most attention, but it’s the aftermath of a natural disaster that encompasses the essential work of picking up the pieces, caring for the afflicted, and repairing the damage—physical and psychological, both—that’s been incurred.

Immediate Aftermath

Following a disaster, whether you’re at home or on the streets, it’s most imperative to stay aware and cognizant of danger. Particularly in built-up areas, a natural disaster creates a slew of new hazards in its wake: powerful and debris-choked rivers (or broken-pipe torrents), downed power lines, dangerously teetering detritus, fires, glass shards, stressed and volatile wild animals encountered outside their normal haunts. Your familiar neighborhood may be transformed into a bewildering, threatening no-man’s-land. Proceed cautiously and try to foresee dangerous circumstances on your journey.

Meanwhile, take care of yourself. If you’re injured, seek medical assistance immediately. If you see others who are hurt, assess their condition and contact authorities if possible. Unless it’s absolutely necessary—as when immediate danger presents itself—don’t move a badly injured person.

Stay hydrated and protect yourself from sun exposure. Pace yourself so you don’t become over-exhausted.

Coming Home

If you’re caught in a disaster away from home and make your way back, don’t blindly rush in: Just as the neighborhood streets may have become newly threatening following the catastrophe, your home may not be the welcoming refuge you’re accustomed to. Before entering, assess the exterior for physical damage, paying special attention to any hazardous situations—dangling debris, for example. Check for a gas leak by sniffing the air and listening for hissing; if you do smell or hear leaking gas, don’t go inside. If you’re able to, shut off the gas line and contact the utility company at once.

Check also for damaged electrical systems, wet appliances, and standing water in the house, and avoid entry if there’s any danger of electrocution or fire. (You may be able to learn more tips for dealing with gas and electrical issues after a disaster by asking your utility provider, or consulting online third-party resources like newyorkenergyrates.com.)

If you’re able to be at home safely, attend to any spills and pump out flooded water; contact your insurance company to report any damage. All the while keep an eye out for animals—raccoons, dogs, snakes, etc.—that may have taken refuge in your abode.

Dealing With Stress

You may have been lucky enough to escape significant injury during a natural disaster; perhaps your property hasn’t even been affected to a serious extent. Remember, though, that the experience of the event itself can wreak major psychological and emotional damage. Seek counseling if you’re feeling stressed, panicky, or sleepless. Emotional resilience comes into major play here.

There’s no question a natural disaster can be life-changing. With a little preparation—including, ideally, some disaster-response “dry runs”—and firm presence of mind, you can—you will—recover.

Jean Linder is an emergency preparation expert. She frequently writes about her passion on home and family blogs.

Reference: Recovering from Disaster

Natural disaster destruction image via Shutterstock.

The ENN blog has highlighted many artists who use a range of mediums to address environmental issues.  Some make sculptures that help reefs grow at the bottom of the sea, some build architectural structures that purify the air, while others use graffiti to express their political and environmental opinions. John Sabraw, a professor at Ohio University, is a green art innovator whose focus on sustainable practices has led him to using some unique materials.

John Sabraw practices sustainability in his art in multiple ways. Instead of painting on canvas he uses aluminum with plastic core in organically grown bamboo frames. Sabraw also leans towards water based paints and formaldehyde free top coats. His paintings are also lighter in weight then typical paintings of similar size, which makes them easier to ship, as well as reducing the carbon footprint required to ship them. On top of all these measures, Sabraw likes to estimate the C02 emissions required to create his paintings and then buy carbon offsets to neutralize them (Sabraw has also bought offsets for DaVinci’s Mona Lisa).

Sabraw has created a website called Green World Art to help other artists who are interested in thinking sustainably while creating their artwork.

Lately he has been working with environmental engineer Guy Riefler to make paints from toxic sludge. The sludge comes from old coal mines that had released metallic runoff into the Ohio River prior to 1977. By separating the sludge from the water, then oxidizing it, Riefler and Sabraw are able to create a range of pigments including red, orange, yellow, brown, and black. The iron oxide is then mixed with acrylic polymers and resins to create the paint.

Sabraw has used the paints in his series “Chroma” and “Luminoius”. I especially like the “Chroma” paintings because of the complex painting techniques that make the paintings look like gaseous planets slowly swirling their atmospheric gases.

By turning the sludge into paints, not only is John Sabraw using a sustainable process to create paint and making a political statement, but he is also removing the toxic sludge from the natural environment. Sabraw’s artwork demonstrates that art can be beautiful while still being sustainable. Hopefully he will continue to be innovative and will influence other artists to experiment with sustainable practices.

Artist’s Brush via Shutterstock

Runoff via Shutterstock

By Guest Author: Paul Batistelli

For more than a decade Americans have been taking advantage of the vast natural gas resources found trapped beneath the earth’s surface in shale rock formations. The process to harness these resources, called fracking, is a controversial issue, with economists and environmentalists constantly butting heads. But the latest reports of earthquakes near shale formations in Texas and Arkansas might make everyone pause with concern.

Between 2010 and 2011 the town of Greenbrier, Arkansas, experienced more than 1,000 earthquakes—an unusual occurrence for the small town. Most of the quakes were small, the largest having a moderate magnitude of 4.7 on the Richter scale. The worst earthquakes are considered an 8 or above and can destroy communities. Though Greenbrier was free from severely damaging earthquakes, the sheer volume of them is alarming.

Seismologists at the U.S. Geological Survey investigated the issue, siting fracking wastewater disposal as the cause that triggered the quakes. As a result, the Arkansas Oil and

Gas Commission ordered several fracking wells to shut down. In addition, the findings prompted several residents of the city to file lawsuits against the area’s oil companies: Chesapeake Operating Inc., BHP Billiton and Clarita Operating LLC.
On August 28, five of these Arkansas homeowners settled their lawsuits for an undisclosed amount with Chesapeake Operating and BHP Billiton. Clarita Operating LLC was dropped from all lawsuits in 2011 after it filed for bankruptcy.

Despite these settlements, there are still several lawsuits that remain active in federal court. If any of the lawsuits make it to trial and the plaintiff wins, it could open up further litigation in other forms of drilling. Like fracking, geothermal energy production, oil and gas drilling all inject wastewater into wells.

Earthquakes in Texas

Fracking is also shaking things up in Texas. Between 2009 and 2011 the state had 62 earthquakes near the Eagle Ford Shale formation, according to a study by the journal of Earth and Planetary Science. The study looked at all the earthquakes in the two-year period and determined that in most cases the quakes were caused by fluid extraction instead of wastewater injection, contrary to the findings in Arkansas. In fact, the study shows the area’s biggest quake, with a 4.8 magnitude, was actually caused by pulling oil out of the ground.

New wells in the Eagle Ford Shale allow for the extraction of 600,000 barrels of oil each day. Though the true reason for extraction earthquakes isn’t known, it’s possible that the high amount of oil removal could be disturbing rocks that have settled along fault lines, causing minor earthquakes.

The results of the survey were not what scientists expected. In fact, an earlier study from the journal of Earth and Planetary Science drew a different conclusion in Texas’ Barnett Shale formation.  Here, the study found that earthquakes could be attributed to wastewater injection at fracking sites.  The authors believe the extent of drilling may be the root cause of the different findings. Eagle Ford has been subject to drilling since the 1970s whereas Barnett has experienced fracking since only 2004.

Paul Batistelli freelances in the energy field for the promotion of a greener society and energy means. He works to raise awareness on ecological issues, energy dependency, and reducing carbon footprints. He currently resides in Dallas, TX with his lab, Copeland.

Earthquake icon image via Shutterstock.

By Guest Author: Marcela De Vivo

For some parents, making kids think about the environment is somewhere next to telling them the Easter bunny isn’t real:  it’s an implicit way of saying that the world is not perfect and that sometimes we have to take responsibility for things we’d rather not think about.  While such a philosophy is understandable, children should learn about the realities behind recycling and other green practices.  Here are a few ways of looking at taking care of the earth that will change kids’ thoughts and actions in a positive way.

Establish an alternative transportation paradigm.

In a classic scene from the Steve Martin movie L.A. Story, there’s a great gag in which we see a stereotypical Angeleno hop in the car to pick up mail…at the end of the driveway.  Sadly, this gag isn’t too far from how we now view transportation.  Indeed, many Americans can’t imagine getting from place to place without their cars, but that mindset is not sustainable.

Instead of viewing solo driving as a necessity and an only option, kids should see driving as one item on a bigger menu that includes public transportation, carpooling, and biking.  Not only will this cut down on gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, such an attitude leads to a more physically active lifestyle.  Set an example for children and embrace these alternative modes of mobility yourself.

Teach kids that utilities are not infinite.

Even adults, who should know better, needlessly use household utilities, but younger children may not yet have learned that freshwater does not just magically come from the faucet, or that electricity pours into our houses by itself.  By simply telling kids the truth as we see it—“the world might run out of that stuff someday!”—rather than scolding, we can instill in young people a sense of responsible conservation.

Turning off lights and appliances when we leave the house, taking shorter showers, and so on are all habits that are easy to put across to even young children.  For older children who can grasp a more complicated picture, explain the contribution of low-wattage light bulbs.

Show kids the ropes of recycling and conscious consumption.

Just as children should know that our resources may not last forever, they also need to be informed of the realities of waste disposal.  Make kids see the logic behind recycling, and then show them that it’s not that hard to do, even if your city doesn’t offer a pickup program.  Additionally, you should discourage them from using toxic, non-biodegradable materials such as styrofoam and excessive packaging.  Furthermore, appeal to children’s playful creativity and help them envision second lives in non-recyclable goods.

Even for meat-eating families, steering kids away from factory-farmed meats (and even many vegetable products) is another eco-forward goal. Without using scare tactics, you can use kids’ affection for animals to make them see the ethical problems of high-yield livestock practices, and older children can be easily made to grasp the ecological perils of overproduction.

Again, it’s good to put things in terms they can understand in order to make them want to do what’s best for the earth.  Keeping our planet healthy for subsequent generations and even our own futures should be something that seems logical, not just another thing to avoid getting punished for.  For this reason, if you live in a city, take them on nature outings to see the fragile wonders that need protecting.  The more nature and its complexity actually mean something real to kids, the more they will see themselves as its protectors.

Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer and mother of three in Southern California. She enjoys teaching her children about how to keep the environment healthy, and works with Northwest to keep her family healthy, as well. Follow her on Twitter or Facebook to find out more!

Kids exploring and recycling images via Shutterstock.

It’s strange to think I went an entire summer without writing a single blog relating to the beach, or as we say in New Jersey, the shore.  For many people visiting the ocean is a quintessential summer activity, lying (with sunscreen) in the sun and attempting to ride waves, what’s not to love? Unfortunately, as beautiful and refreshing as a trip to the ocean might be, there is also a disgusting side to it, the trash that floats ashore (think Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”) I can’t think of a time when I went to the beach and didn’t come across a cigarette butt or an empty soda can.

While going through Pinterest the other day, I came across the following share-worthy graphic of the 10 most common finds during International Coastal Cleanup 2012 from OceanConservancy.org.

Top 10 Trash Items Graphic from OceanConservancy.org

Not so surprisingly the most common find was cigarette butts, followed by food wrappers, and plastic bottles.

Ocean Conservancy and it’s volunteers have been collecting trash, and data since 1986. Ocean Conservancy has used this data to put together an Ocean Trash Index, which keeps track of volunteer participation and trash collection statistics by state and by country. To view Ocean Conservancy’s Clean Beaches and Clean Water Report for 2013 Click Here.

In response to Ocean Conservancy’s trash list I have put together a short list of tips (*some are from Ocean Conservancy) on how to keep your local beaches clean. Just because the summer is almost over doesn’t mean one should stop caring about the ocean.

1. Use trash cans with lids to prevent trash from “escaping” and finding its way into our rivers and oceans.*
2. Reduce the amount of trash you throw out by using reusable water bottles and tap water. *
3. Get political when it comes to legislation dealing with ocean trash. *
4. Use ashtrays instead of putting out your cigarette butts on the sidewalk. *
5. Recycle *
6. When you go to the beach make sure to leave with everything your brought.
7. Do not release hydrogen balloons into the air.
8. Don’t be afraid to say something if you see someone polluting.
9. Sign up for a local clean up. Some options include volunteering through Ocean Conservancy or Clean Ocean Action.*