UPS is now the first small package shipping company to offer U.S. customers the option of carbon neutral shipping.  For a small fee you can reduce the carbon footprint of your next shipment within the USA.

The per-package price for the optional service is $0.05 for UPS Ground services and $0.20 for UPS Next Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air and UPS 3-Day Select services.  Based on customer (more…)

At the end of July, my husband and I applied to a program called Stateline Farm Beginnings.  This is a program that educates beginner farmers about sustainable organic farming, and much more.  We were required to make a $100 deposit and applied just as the early bird cut off was ending and therefore received an additional $150 off.  When we applied there were only 6-7 applicants.  This class is limited to 15 couples/individuals, in an effort to keep the class relatively small.

We received a call the last full week of September from the Program Director saying that we had been accepted.  There had been a total of 29 applicants!  We were pretty amazed to learn we had been one of the chosen few; considering the program director said there were many strong applicants this year.

In addition to applying to the program, we also applied to the scholarship they offered. In researching, we learned (more…)

The design team at Biocycle has created a futuristic bike that’s designed to be easier to pedal and more comfortable to ride.  The design features smaller wheels, higher pedals, and a high-back seat that keeps your body in a more natural position than conventional bike designs.

The design is intended to make your next bike ride a more kicked-back, relaxed and comfortable experience.  Biocycle, which is located in Italy, is currently searching for partners and distributors. (for pricing info, simply contact them directly, link just above.)  click here for more post’s on bike stuff

The amount of solar energy the Earth receives in 40 minutes is equivalent to global energy consumption for a year, so it’s no surprise that solar photovoltaic cells have become the world’s fastest growing energy source.

Whether you’re inclined to do your part for mother earth, or just want to lower your energy bills, a solar panel system may be an attractive fit.  Whether it’s a feasible option, however, will vary from home to home, depending on where you live and how much sunlight you receive.

Essentially, a solar panel system is a long-term investment.  Although a system typically has a high initial cost, the consumer saves money in the long run because the costs are eventually paid off in energy bill savings.  And, any solar power generated thereon after is entirely profit.

What varies is the amount of time it takes for you to make your money back – called, the payback period.  This depends on a number of variables – including: sunlight exposure, the system size, regional electric rates, household energy consumption, equipment placement, and the list goes on.  Generally speaking, systems typically average a payback period of 10-15 years.

Here’s how to calculate your payback period:

(more…)

Ah…an eclectic assortment of funky recycled objects converge to become art.  Here’s a new member of Reclaim2Fame’s Tin Type Robot series made from recycled and salvaged items, including: in Space Baby Beebo’s case, a vintage alarm clock helmet, an American tin canister for its body and a bunch of other stuff. (more…)

Last Friday, Oxfam honored three women for taking action on climate change.  Honorees included Senator Barbara Boxer, California EPA Secretary Linda Adams and other government officials.

(above, Darren Santos/Oxfam America, Sisters on the Planet Ambassadors (l-r) Mary Wilson, Sharon Hanshaw, Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, Elizabeth Becker, Rev. Dr. Miriam Burnett, Rachel Larson.)

Oxfam International coordinates the efforts of fourteen organizations.  Local Oxfams specialize in the regional needs of their community.  Currently, Oxfam Mexico is working on projects to support local agriculture.  Oxfam Australia is tackling indigenous poverty and worker’s rights.  Across the globe Oxfam organizations are organizing a “tck tck tck” campaign to combat climate change.

The program sponsoring Friday’s event, called “Sisters on the Planet” looks to connect women from all over the world interested in mitigating climate change. (more…)

It’s apple picking season, and with that comes canning and preserving.   My grandmother used to make some of the best apple jelly, and lots of it.  She lived in Canada, where I am originally from; nearly every package we ever received from her contained a jar of her apple jelly.  That was one of the things we looked forward to in her care packages.  Grandmother has since left this earth, and one of the things I desire to learn how to do is to make her apple jelly, so future generations do not lose yet another one of these dying arts.

Confronted by the many pounds of apples waiting to be processed and eaten, I found myself in need of an alternative to the cheesecloth grandmother used to squeeze out the juice.  A friend recommended this Finnish-made, Mehu-Lissa 10 Liter Stainless Steel Steamer Juicer, a device that can save hours of work and produce faster results than hand-squeezing ever would.

From my perusing many reviews and my friend’s recommendation, it appears this is a product going on my wish list. It not only produces fruit juices, but can cook (more…)

A Tried and True, Green Products Review
Love sparkling water, but hate schlepping bottles home and experiencing the eco-guilt of tossing the empties?  I do, too. One solution…start using a sleek DIY soda-making machine from SodaStream.

We’re using The Fountain Jet and it’s great.  We’re saving money, time, energy and reducing our impact on the environment. Here are just some of the upsides:

• it’s economical (no need to buy soda or seltzer)
• no need to schlep heavy bottles or cans from the store all the way home
• no need to store bottles or cans in your home
• no need to recycle or trash empty bottles and cans
• no batteries or electricity required
• no need to manufacture bottles and cans for your soda consumption
• no need to ship and transport soda from facility to market for you
• turns tap water into sparkling water with a few pumps
• builds upper arm strength (kidding)

We just fill up The Fountain Jet with tap water and start pumping. Once it’s carbonated, I pour into a tall glass, (more…)

• More than just beer will flow…Milwaukee Seen as Hybrid Hub – boston herald
• Thank you oil industry…Mighty Caribou Herds Dwindle, Warming Blamed – msnbc
• Could biofuel from processed waste cut carbon emissions by 80%? Is Garbage the Solution to Tackling Climate Change? – sciencedaily
• In Great Britain’s Marine Power Race, Sea Snake Leads – reuters
• The scent of change…SD Town Gets Rid of 44 Tons of Stinking Bison Meat – myway
• Green Roofs Curb Global Warming, Study Confirms – livescience
• Isn’t this when they used to schedule witch hunts? It’s Harvest Moon Time – enn/gizmodo
• In related news…Vampires Vow Till Death Do Us Part at Ohio Wedding - aol news