ENN: Environmental News Network -- Know Your Environment

By: Terrill Dines

Each day, our industry sits down and whittles the unsightly knots off the tree we call solar energy. We, as a group, spend more time than we should pointing to one of a growing number of reasons why solar energy isn’t taking hold in America: that perhaps our government incentives were cut too quickly, that our state’s SREC program is broken, that the net metering requirements aren’t strong enough. Not that those things wouldn’t further bolster our industry, but go out and ask your friends and family about solar energy. The problem with solar energy in America isn’t a result of the deficiencies of the incentives (although improved incentives would set this industry on fire), it’s with the astounding lack of knowledge about a technology that can transform the lives of everyone in our nation and around the world.

Let me be provocative for a moment. Do you know how much of a return on your investment you would receive if you installed solar on your home or business right now? Do you know enough to even estimate the amount of money you’d save over 25-30 years? Would you guess that solar energy is actually a financial investment with recent returns more solid than stocks and bonds? Do you know that solar energy works in colder climates and on cloudy days? Did you know that nearly any solar installation company will gladly provide you these numbers for free? Probably not. Not many Americans can begin to answer these questions. And who can blame them?

We, as an industry, are still young. We’re not the behemoth of major corporations with seemingly unlimited budgets to pay for lobbying and well-placed television commercials. We reach out to a media who has no idea what solar energy really is. We burn with such passion to help our country, and yet many nights feel like we are strangers in our own homes. You can’t explain the entirety of the benefits of solar energy in 140 characters. It’s both a great and terrible feeling to know what you can give people if only they knew what you could give. It’s unrequited love in the form of a solar panel, and we have thousands upon thousands of them waiting to find a good home.

We’re not at war with the other energy companies, either. People will still need oil for a very long time (probably longer than our actual supply will last). No energy employee from fossil fuel plants will end up on Skid Row because of solar any time soon. What about utility companies? Utilities are actually required by the state governments to purchase renewable energy, and most of them have employees that are themselves dedicated to the renewable energy sector. They are not our enemies, either. Banks? Banks are in the business of lending–they would love for solar modules to be included in home appraisals. The real estate market? Solar panels on a home sells that home much easier and (say it with me) “not our enemy.” We simply have no natural predators, and for that, we’re thankful.

What we do face is a nation who just doesn’t understand us. We’re right here, and there’s not been a better time to go solar than today. The panels pay for themselves typically about halfway through their life cycle, and the rest is yours to keep. There is a 30% federal tax credit for anyone who installs solar on a home or business. Many states have similar tax incentives to add to that. You can get paid to send your excess energy back to the grid. You can also sell solar credits to utility companies. And if you own a business, there’s a good chance you can depreciate the entire installation in one year. Did you know you’ll see, on average, a more steady return from “going solar” than you would on stocks and bonds (at least historically speaking)? It’s okay; most people don’t know that.

So here we sit as an industry with such a powerful solution for our country–both as a whole and to the people individually. We are, as a nation, being quickly passed up by other countries. Research countries like Germany and what they are doing with solar energy–it’s amazing. But we here in the US can’t afford to tell everyone what they need to know. We, instead, have to rely on people finding us. We try, don’t get me wrong, but we just don’t have the financial size and subsequent influence to achieve the success solar energy deserves. The solar industry is young, lacking the means to get the word out in the way that giants of other industries are able to do.

Yet each installation site still drips with the exhilaration and sweat of The Cavern Club in 1961, right after a little-known band named The Beatles just finished playing to a room of about 100 people. Solar energy is the early rock and roll of our generation. We’re the rock and roll stars of our time, hell-bent on changing the World. This time, though, it really works. We, as an industry, can see what is ahead. We’ll be here waiting. And when you say “Oh man, I wish I knew about this sooner,” we won’t judge. We’ll love and support you just the same. It was Marty McFly in Back to the Future who said: “I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it.” See you soon, America.

Article appearing courtesy of CleanTechies.

Solar panel image via Shutterstock.

Terrill Dines is CEO of Honeycomb Solar, a renewable energy company. Honeycomb Solar’s goal is to bolster US energy enterprise through installation, innovation, and education. To learn more, please visit http://www.honeycombsolar.com.

Let me start this article by admitting that before writing this article I have never actually grown my own garden. At one time I may have assisted my parents by pulling weeds or picking some jersey fresh tomatoes, but the idea of having a garden of my own has always seemed daunting.  This year I decided it was time to face my fears and get my hands dirty.

I decided to start simply. Instead of digging up a whole bed I instead opted for a small pot for which to plant my favorite herbs. Using pots or small containers are great for people who have small or no backyards, or have little time (or patience) for maintenance. I am excited to see my plants flourish and find their way into my food.

Below I have compiled a list of steps for starting your first herb garden. (for visuals click here) Enjoy!

1.Select Your Herbs

There are a wide range of herbs that can be planted in your herb garden. Some popular herbs include Rosemary, Sage, Mint, Basil, Oregano, Cilantro, Dill, Chive, etc. Herb plants can be bought at your local gardening center and sometimes at your local supermarket.  Choose herbs that you are more likely to use.

2.Select The Right Container

Container size requirements may vary based on the herbs you choose. Some herbs, like mint, are aggressive growers. When choosing a container, choose one with holes at the bottom to allow for drainage.

3.Preparing the Pot

Fill pot ¼ with gravel to increase soils ability to drain. Then fill the pot ¾ way with a potting soil, soil from your backyard may be to dry.

4.Start Planting

Remove plants from the temporary container they came in. Gently separate the roots to encourage them to spread once they are planted. Place the individual plants about 15 cm apart or farther depending on the plant.

5.Fill Gaps  with Compost

Once you are satisfied with plant placement fill in between the plants with compost. Firmly push the compost by pushing your fingers deep into the soil. Leave a few centimeters between the compost and the containers rim so that the pot does not overflow when watered.

6.Top the Plants

Cut the tops of the taller plants to encourage growth.

7.Fertilize

Potted herbs require more fertilizer then those planted in the garden. You can either buy a controlled release fertilizer to plant into the soil or you can mix your potting soil with an organic fertilizer prior to planting.

8.Water

The first watering is extremely important. Water thoroughly, until water begins to drain from the bottom of your pot.

9.Place in Good  Sunlight

For best results most herbs require 6 hours of sunlight a day. Refer to the information on your plant identification card for the correct requirements.

10.Maintain

Depending on the weather of where you live how often you need to water your herb varies. The basic rule of thumb is if the soil feels dry it is time to water. This usually means watering every few days but can mean more often if it gets hot.

11. Enjoy

Nothing brightens a dull day up more than tomato sauce made with handpicked basil or  a mojito made from fresh mint.

herbs via shutterstock

As a fan of Aardman Animation, I was excited to see the new eco-themed public service announcement created for the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Aardman Animation is the  animation team responsible for some of my favorite animated shorts including Wallace and Gromit, Creature Comforts, and Chicken Run (parents, you may be familiar with the TV series Shaun the Sheep or the movie Flushed Away). Aardman Animation was founded in 1972, and consists of animators Peter Lord, David Sproxton, and Nick Park. Originally known for their stop-motion clay animation, Aardman Animation has since expanded into using a wide range of techniques, as well as been nominated for 10 Oscars including, 4 of those wins.

Aardman Animations newest animation stars an adorable and lonely Dodo Bird searching for a friend. Unfortunately, the poor Dodo bird is unable to find any friends (Dodo Birds are extinct). The video then presents other animals that are at risk for extinction, including the plied tamarin and the ploughshare tortoise. Viewers are encouraged to visit thelonelydodo.com to learn more and donate to the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

This is not Aardman Animations first time creating eco conscious themed animation. Last year, they created a video for the Humane Society of the United States titled, “A Pigs Tale”, about factory farming.

One of Aardman Animation’s earliest films, Creature Comforts (which was later turned into a tv series), explores the sentiments of animals in captivity. The film, which was made in 1989, is a little over 5 minutes long, consisting of a series of interviews of zoo animals who are asked how they feel about zoo life. The animals, which include polar bears, lions, hippos, turtles, and gorillas, to name a few, express a wide range of opinions on the ups and downs of living under the human eye. Creature Comforts is both humorous and insightful, making it one of my favorite animations.

Are there any PSA’s or shorts you would recommend?

A Pig’s Tale

Creature Comforts

dodo via shuttestock

When many people think about urban areas, the first things they think about are increased crime and reduced vegetation. These thoughts are perfectly natural because many urban areas do have increased crime rates and you are unlikely to see many trees or green spaces while pounding the pavement. One of the reasons for the lack of vegetation in urban areas is the urban planning myth that vegetation encourages crime. It is believed that vegetation, like trees and bushes, provides criminals a place to hide and therefore enhances criminal activity. A new study, titled “Does vegetation encourage or suppress urban crime? Evidence from Philadelphia, PA”, that was published last month in Landscape and Urban Planning, challenges this myth.

The study,conducted out of Temple University, examined rates of crime in relation to urban vegetation. Researchers took assault, robbery, burglary, and theft data, and analyzed them based on vegetation abundance. Even after controlling for tract-level socioeconomic indicators like education and poverty, the researchers found lower rates of assault, burglary, and robbery in areas with a higher abundance of vegetation.

The researchers came up with two hypotheses behind this association. The first one is that greener areas keep more people outside. Therefore there are more “eyes on the street” and people are more involved in their community. The other hypothesis is that the green eases psychological stresses, making violent crime less likely.  Either way, the study suggests that vegetation serves as a possible tool for crime deterrence.

During my junior year of undergraduate I attended a captivating conference in Philadelphia on Urban Planning.  The conference emphasized the importance of outdoor spaces in urban planning and totally changed how I conceptualized urban planning and design. The greening of urban spaces provides a range of health, environmental, and social benefits. Temple’s study gives urban planners another reason to consider the use of vegetation in designing safe and healthy communities.

urban planning via shutterstock

I admit I am not the biggest fan of sports, so last night when my brother suggested that we change the channel to watch the Nets-Celtics game, I wasn’t very excited. Then my brother sparked my attention by adding that this week was NBA Green Week. I asked him if he was sure because Earth Day is not until the 22^nd. He assured me he was right by pointing out the recycle emblem on the court floor and the banners in the stands. I was intrigued and hoped that there was more to NBA’s Green Week then just being a marketing ploy.

According to their website, the NBA Green Week Initiative is now in its fifth year. This year’s Green Week began last Thursday, April 4, and goes through until Friday, the 12^th. As part of a Green Initiative the NBA has partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an international nonprofit environmental organization. For Green Week, the NBA and NRDC hope to generate awareness and funds for protecting the environment by promoting team and player initiatives like in-arena awareness nights, recycling programs, and team service projects.

For Green Week, all NBA players will be wearing organic cotton shirts for pre-game shooting practice before putting on their normal jerseys which are made from 60% recycled materials. In conjunction with NRDC, the NBA launched Mosaic, an online tool to help NBA teams monitor and analyze their carbon footprint. Teams like the Denver Nuggets will be visiting the local botanical gardens to educate children on gardening and the environment, while the Indiana Pacers will be assisting the Concord Neighborhood Center with planting flowers, playground clean-up, putting down mulch, painting and recycling clean-up.

NBA Green Week is trying to set the groundwork for the NBA and its fans to think green all year long.  By providing educational materials and encouraging stadiums to think more efficiently, NBA Green Week is attempting to take a green step in the right direction. The NBA has millions of fans from around the world (remember Kim Jung-Un’s bro-mance with Dennis Rodman?), giving the NBA a unique opportunity to reach out to an audience that may care more about “making threes than planting tree’s”.

Note: Being that Earth Day is a little over a week away, I have decided to combine this article with my Earth Day Article.  Like last year, I have compiled a list of Earth Day Events happening in Cities throughout the United States.  Please feel free to share what you plan to do this year for Earth Day in our comments section. Enjoy!

* This year there will be no march on Washington DC because they will be celebrating Earth Month Instead of Earth Day

** Because Earth Day falls on a Monday this year, many of the Earth Day events are being held the prior weekend

1. Albany, New York
2. Alexandria, Virginia
3. Atlanta, Georgia
4. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
5.  Cincinnati, Ohio
6. Dallas, Texas
7. Durham,  North Carolina
8. Eugene Oregon
9. Jacksonville, Florida
10. Lincoln, Nebraska
11. Phoenix, Arizona
12. Reno, Nevada
13. St. Louis, Missouri

Baskteball Earth via Shutterstock

By: Mia Henderson, Guest Contributor

It’s a tired, but bon a fide storyline: we have to reduce our fossil fuel usage. Coal and petroleum have been good to us throughout the advent of automation and modern transportation; now they’ve become a serious problem. And if we don’t do something to stop greenhouse gasses from bleeding into our atmosphere at hurried rates, the results will be cataclysmic to nature.

Still, beyond all the rhetoric glued to atmospheric depletion and air pollution, there lies a whole host of lesser-discussed, equally-disruptive issues that bring additional merit to the push for renewables.

• Thermal pollution, which afflicts many of our nation’s lakes, rivers and streams, is a serious ramification of coal burning plants. Transforming unaltered materials like coal into usable fuel is an unfortunately imprecise process. Excess heat and chemical runoff needs somewhere to go if it’s not captured, and many times it finds a home in our largest bodies of water, in turn raising temperatures and meddling with long-steady ecosystems.

• Many predictions have been made about fossil fuels. Some suggest we’ll be tapped out of oil by 2060, and even the World Coal Association admits we could be running on our last coal reserves a little over 100 years from now. The scariest thing about those prospects is entering into a coal-less, oil-less world without an alternative. If we don’t continue exploring and developing renewable technologies, the future looks not only grim, but powerless. With the dates so far away, it’s easy to forget that we’ll run out of fossil fuels someday – but alas, we most certainly will.

• Fossil fuels are a boiling topic for diplomatic relations. Convoluted wars and heavily contentious relationships have plumed thanks to the modern era’s reliance on fossil fuels. Some countries have more of them sitting on their property than others do; it’s simply the lay of the land. Political predilections are beyond the scope of this article, but it’s safe to say that a waning reliance on fossil fuels could only help international relations.

Be the inspiration ecological, humanistic, or sociopolitical, it’s plainly evident that our shifting away from fossil fuels is not just an exhibition of human growth, but a necessity for everyone on earth. With the help of renewable energy, it’s our prerogative to mold society into something more sustainable.

World fuel image via Shutterstock.com.

Mia Henderson is a blogger at TexasElectricityProviders.com.

April marks the big month for environmental holidays. With two heavy hitters at the end of the month (Earth Day and Arbor Day), tons of community and national events are planned to celebrate and bring awareness to environmental issues. But come to think of it, ENN was bombarded this past month with news articles for eco-celebrations with days like World Water Day, World Meteorological Day, and even Earth Hour which all took place in the third week of March. These “holidays” have got me thinking about all the different days we celebrate throughout the year. From religious celebrations, to federal holidays and cultural festivities, holidays give us a chance to get together with friends and family and celebrate these special days.

Environmental holidays on the other hand are usually created by organizations that promote these days in an effort to bring awareness to certain causes (despite how obscure some may be). Not only are these days worth recognizing and celebrating, but they also can bring some excitement to the monotonous weeks that go by in-between major and well-known holidays.

As a result, I scoured the Internet to come up with an extensive list of environmental holidays in order to help us celebrate a green year.

January 5: National Bird Day

February 2: World Wetland’s Day

March 18: National Biodiesel Day

March 21: World Forestry Day

March 22: World Water Day

March 23: World Meteorological Day

Last Saturday in March: Earth Hour

April 22: Earth Day

Last Friday in April: Arbor Day

May 10: National Public Gardening Day

2^nd Saturday in May: International Migratory Bird Day

May 18: Plant Conservation Day

May 21: Endangered Species Day

May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity

1^st Saturday in June: National Trails Day

June 5: World Environment Day

June 8: World Ocean’s Day

June 15: Global Wind Day

June 17: UN World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

July 11: World Population Day

September 4: National Wildlife Day

September 22: World Car-Free Day

1^st Week in October: Junk Mail Awareness Week

October 1: World Vegetarian Day

October 4: World Animal Day

November 1: World Vegan Day

November 15: America Recycles Day

December 11: International Mountain Day

Did we miss anything? Do you know of an environmental holiday we should add? Comment below and we’ll update the list!

Feel free to add these special days to your calendar, but don’t forget-just because it isn’t an environmental holiday doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate Earth Day, everyday!

Calendar image via Shutterstock.

April Fools Day is probably my favorite non-official national holiday.  When else is it acceptable to cover a coworkers cubicle in post-it notes or to replace the cream inside of Oreos with toothpaste? Of course, I do not condone jokes that are cruel or needlessly waste resources, but I do support pranks that encourage a jovial spirit or contain a positive lesson. Below I have compiled 2 short lists, the first is a list of past eco-themed April Fools pranks and the other is a list of do-it-yourself pranks.

Large Scale Green April Fools Pranks

Al Gore’s Vegan Nubs (2009)

The website EcoRazzie announced that Al Gore was launching a product line of  Vegan Frozen Foods including buffalo wings and poppers.

False Apologies to Earth From Oil Company Testimony (2008)

The blog Act Green published testimony from oil executives from five large companies apologized for destroying our planet.

Organic Air at Whole Foods (2009)

Whole Foods Market Canada redesigned their website for April Fools to include organic air, and gorgonzola ice pops.

The Onion

The website The Onion is always coming up with original articles that satire eco policies/inventions and the environment.

Do-It-Yourself Pranks

Phone Pranks

Be like Bart Simpson and prank call someone you know, if your worried about caller ID try using a payphone . Extra points if you come up with a green themed identity.

Fake Food

Instead of using meat in your dinner try using a meat substitute. Another way to interpret this prank would be to make a dessert that looks like an entrée/side or vice versa. One year I completed this prank by using gummies and rice krispie treats to make a “sushi dinner”.

Make a Controlled Mess

Instead of wasting post-its or toilet paper to trash a coworker’s cubicle use paper from the recycle bin. That way you can re-recycle the paper when your done. Remember to get your boss’s  permission before making  a mess.

The Fake Bug

Place a fake bug in a un suspecting friend’s ice or in their cereal. Who doesn’t love a dead cockroach in their food?

Merry Pranking!  🙂

Band Chimps via Shutterstock

This weekend I attended a Fire Safety training session at a local Red Cross Chapter, where I learned how to “Be Cool About Fire Safety”, and how educating children about fire hazards not only protects children’s lives, but also their parents. After the session, my mind wandered from house fires, to the just as dangerous and destructive wildfires. My immediate knowledge of wildfires was limited to the devastating wildfires in California and Smokey the Bear, so I decided I should probably go online and do some research on wildfires myself.

In 2009 (the most recent statistic I could find), the United States Fire Association estimates 78,792 wildfires consumed 5,921, 786 acres. 90% of wild land fires are caused by humans. (e.g. unattended campfires and burning debris, cigarettes, intentional arson). The remaining 10% are naturally started by lightening or lava. Wild land fires put both human and animal lives at risk, pose a significant threat to property, and can negatively affect air quality.

Wildfires are destructive but in many cases can also be essential. According to the National Park Service, scientists have found that 33 native plant species in Everglades National Park depend on fire for long-term survival. Depending on the ecosystem, natural wildfires serve different purposes. In some case fires are actually prescribed by the Parks Service.

Whether you live in an area at risk for wildfires, or are just visiting a park, it is important to be mindful of wildfires. It is important to pay attention to the National Fire Danger Rating System, which calculates wildfire risk based on environmental factors such as humidity, drought, and fuel moisture. Below are useful links relating to wildfire prevention.  And Remember…. Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires!

Smokey the Bear’s History

Be Smart Outdoors Tips

Live Map of Wildfires in the United States

National Interagency Fire Center’s Tips for Protecting Your Home from Wildfire

The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Fire Wise Communities Program

Forest Fire Via Shutterstock

Kelly Vaghenas for Green Prophet reports on 13 surprising green ways to reuse tea bags.

As an avid tea drinker, I was intrigued when I stumbled upon a variety of sources that promoted the eco-friendly use of tea bags, outside the teacup. Arthur W. Pinero, an Englishman, of course, said, “Where there’s tea, there’s hope.”  That’s definitely true.  Brewed tea bags can provide a pick-me-up in ways you’d least expect.  Here are 13 of them. You can use tea…

1. As a cold compress.

Got tired eyes, bruises, or sunburn? Bee stings or mosquito bites?  Did your child just get a shot at the doctor’s but the free lollipop wasn’t consolation enough?  Apply a cool, moist tea bag to these kinds of affected areas on the skin to get soothing relief and quicker healing.

2. As a hot compress.

Trying to get rid of pinkeye, canker sores or fever blisters?  Or maybe a plantar wart smack dab in the middle of the sole of your right foot?  Warm, wet tea bags can draw out the infections.

3. To clean your carpets.

For more delicate, Persian or Oriental carpets, sprinkle almost-dry tea leaves on the carpet, and then sweep them away when dry.  Tea leaves on more heavy-duty carpets can be vacuumed.

4. To take a flavored bath.

Treat your skin as you would your taste buds, in the bathtub.  Give your bath salts a run for their money by running the bath water over several used tea bags.  You’ll have yourself an aromatic, skin-softening soak in no time.

5. To feed your garden.

Cultivate your healthy plants and bring your dying ones back to life by breaking open a soaked tea bag and disseminating the contents over the soil.  Roses and ferns do especially well with the acidic tannins found in tea.

Don’t have a garden? Add the used tea leaves to your enrich your compost pile – and if you don’t have that, make one.  (Remember to take the staples out of the tea bag, if there are any.)

6. To eliminate odors around the house.

Put dried tea leaves in your garbage can and your kitten’s litter box.  They’ll also suck up food odors when stuck in a bowl in the fridge.  And combine them with your favorite essential oils to make all-natural air fresheners.

Odors might also be closer than you think: especially if you’ve been handling fish, your hands might smell…fishy.  Rinse your hands with old tea.  As for your mouth and all that bad-breath bacteria, skip the shocking Listerine and go for a gentle mint tea mouth rinse.

To read the other seven ways to reuse tea bags, see Green Prophet.

Tea bag image via Shutterstock.