Author Archive | Jennie Lyon

Many families have embraced an eco-conscious lifestyle. But when throwing a party, sometimes convenience takes precedence over preserving the planet. It’s so easy to go out to the store and purchase processed foods, plastic cutlery, and packaged paper plates that considering the alternative doesn’t always seem all that alluring. However, it might actually be easier — and more fun — than you’d think to throw a green get-together. Here are some of our favorite tips for making sure your next summer soiree, backyard barbecue, or birthday party will be as eco-friendly as possible.

Choose the Right Location

One of the most energy-efficient ways to host a get-together is to take advantage of natural lighting. That means heading into the great outdoors. Whether you choose your backyard or a local park, you can keep your energy usage low and be surrounded by the beauty of nature all at once. Remember that by choosing a local location and encouraging guests to carpool (or use greener forms of transportation), you’ll create a more eco-friendly environment from the start.

Opt for Digital Invitations

In the digital age, it’s become a lot more commonplace to skip paper invitations and send invites via email or Facebook. While some traditionalists may scoff, the truth is that this is a lot less wasteful and is now a generally accepted practice. If you want something a bit more special than a Facebook event, there are specific sites that will send invitations of your choice and even track RSVPs for you. And if you feel you really can’t do without paper invitations, make sure to construct them out of recycled materials and encourage recipients to recycle them once they’ve told you whether they can attend.

Be Thoughtful With Your Decorations

When you’re decorating for a party, the decorations tend to be pretty standard across the board: tablecloths and toppers, streamers, banners, flowers, etc. Unfortunately, a lot of those items tend to be thrown away after the party’s over. But by using reusable decorations and natural elements, you can be a lot less wasteful and make your party place look incredible. Use linen tablecloths and napkins that can be washed and used year after year or opt for recyclable brown paper that the kids can decorate with crayons. Use fresh flowers, branches, shells, and stones from your own garden to decorate the table. Instead of balloons, get some reusable bunting, make banners and chains from construction paper, or create pom-poms out of tissue paper or yarn that you can reuse. If you can, forgo electric lighting in favor of candles in mason jars or other glass containers.

Reuse Your Tableware

Plastic cutlery and plates are a ubiquitous sight at many a get-together, but they don’t have to be. By using real dishes instead of plastic ones, you’ll be able to wash and reuse over and over. If you’re worried about breakable plates and glasses, you do have some alternatives to disposable plastic or melamine. Sterling silver tableware (which is an alloy that usually consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper) can be a good option, as can recyclable paper products or disposable wooden cutlery. Some hosts might even consider asking guests to BYOP or BYOC (bring your own plates or cups) to cut down on waste. If you need to use straws, get some reusable crazy straws (or invest in metal or biodegradable ones) instead of plastic. For any items that do need to be thrown away, get some eco-friendly garbage bags to make clean-up a bit easier. And be sure to set up a recycling bin or a tub for reusable items.

Get Creative With Party Favors

If you want to send your guests home with some party favors, don’t go for plastic goody bags or junky toys. The typical American home already has 300,000 items inside, so you don’t want to add to the unnecessary clutter or have your gifts end up in the garbage. Get your hands on paper or cloth bags and fill them with useful gifts like chalk, pens, puzzles, books, plant seeds, small notebooks, wooden toys, or even some homemade or local treats. Make sure to wrap any leftover food in recyclable materials!

Pick the Right Food and Drink

In general, cooking outside is usually a good way to go, particularly if you use a gas grill (which uses less energy and gives off fewer pollutants than charcoal versions). Whenever possible, choose homemade foods over processed ones. Buy fresh, local foods from your local farmer’s market to ensure the highest level of eco-friendliness. Typically, the more veggies the better — they come with a reduced environmental impact and are a bit easier to incorporate into meals when there’s a lot left over. Instead of bottled water, opt for refillable pitchers or serve juice in old jam jars. Try to think mobile whenever you can; the fewer plates and forks that have to be used, the less clean-up you’ll have to do (and therefore, the less water you’ll need to waste).

Throwing an eco-friendly party may not be the easiest endeavor, but it’ll end up being a lot more fun than you think. Plus, you’ll encourage your friends and neighbors to think twice about their environmental impact, too.

Since diesel engines have been invented, they’ve helped a wide variety of industries thrive. Their fuel efficiency and versatility (there are over 50 different models of diesel engines available to consumers) has made them a staple for farmers in particular. Unfortunately, diesel is not good for the environment, even with fuel filters keeping out the four key impurities water, scale, rust, and dirt, and new regulations pose a serious threat to the livelihood of farmers across the country.

Rising Costs And Rising Concerns

There are over three million farmers in the U.S., many of whom rely on diesel equipment to manage every aspect of their land. Considering the fact that the average farm spans 442 acres, the need for machinery to keep up with such an expansive space is vital. Diesel engines power the majority of them, from planting and seeding equipment to tractors; for example, Kubota, a premier seller of agriculture equipment since 1890, relies heavily on diesel engines. Since you can’t power diesel engines without diesel fuel, farmers are suffering at the hands of rising fuel costs. In California, a gallon of diesel retailed for $3.967 as of April 15, up from $3.778 just one month earlier, and 18 cents higher than the same time in the previous year.

“We live in the West,” said Chris Torres of Princeton, who farms rice and runs a trucking company. “People like myself that live in the middle of the valley, we have to travel 30 minutes to go to a store. Traveling, sitting behind the wheel of our vehicles, is a way of life. It’s a cost that we can’t do anything about.”

The change comes as a result of California’s Senate Bill 1 (also known as SB-1), which expands the focus originally established by the Clean Air Act. In short, they’re interested in preserving, protecting, and enhancing the environment and natural resources in California (which includes national parks, national wilderness areas, national monuments, national seashores, and other areas with special national or regional natural, recreational, scenic, or historic value). Because diesel fuel emissions have been found to contribute to the development of cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory health effects, global climate change, and the pollution of air, water, and soil, they are a prime target for SB-1.

The Farming Financial Fallout

If you are a farmer of any crop — including livestock — you’re at risk for the results of these increased taxes. Currently, Senate Bill 1 has caused a 20-cent boost in the excise tax for on-road diesel, impacting those farmers who handle their own transportation.

“On livestock hauling, the rates are pretty much directly correlated with the fuel prices,” said Tom Stewart, a hay grower, cattle rancher, and livestock hauler based in Tulelake. “I’m sure if the price stays up this way for the next few weeks, or goes higher, then yeah, the rates will start reflecting that.”

As Stewart mentions, farmers won’t be the only ones experiencing the fallout from this bill; if farmers are forced to spend more to grow and transport their crops, the only way they’ll be able to make a profit — or simply break even — is to increase the prices of their products.

“What that means for California agriculture, it’s going to hurt our bottom line –whether it’s transporting from field to processor or whether it’s just being able to run our farm equipment,” said Robert Spiegel, policy specialist on transportation issues for the California Farm Bureau Federation.

Hopefully, the restrictions presented by Senate Bill 1 and others like it will be offset by green incentives — such as government payouts for using energy-efficient vehicles — but not much has been said so far. Only time will tell.

Although there are more than 130,000 limousines currently in service across the country, it might not be too long before an even fancier kind of car takes over. It might sound like an idea straight out of a 1960’s science fiction best-seller or animated series, but researchers are saying that flying cars could be the next big thing in transportation. And what’s more, they might actually be able to protect the planet while bringing you to your next destination.

Currently, there are over 11 million road vehicles worldwide that run on natural gas as fuel. While popular and convenient, there’s little doubt that this practice contributes to harmful emissions and global warming. In other words, our traditional cars and buses aren’t so good for sustainability. And while electric vehicles have become more prevalent in recent years, they still lack the widespread adaptation that could make a discernible difference in the way most Americans get around.

But recent research shows that the midcentury view of the far-off future might not have been so far off after all. In an examination of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOLs, for short), it was discovered that these flying cars might actually serve an important purpose. Although they use a lot of energy to take off, making them unsuitable for short commutes or running errands, they may actually be a more sustainable option for longer trips. Because it doesn’t get stuck in traffic and isn’t restricted by terrestrial speed limits, the VTOL can arrive at its destination much quicker. What’s more, the flying electric car has 35% less greenhouse gas emissions than the gas-powered vehicle. That said, the electric car that operates on our existing streets still wins out in terms of emissions — but it can be problematic to drive an electric car cross-country, given the unpredictability of charging station availability.

If they were to be put into use, VTOLs would serve a rather niche purpose. But in large cities that are prone to traffic congestion, this type of vehicle could make a substantial difference in terms of safety and the effects of climate change. Since transportation is responsible for 28% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, it’s essential that we start exploring new possibilities. Scientists report that by 2050, net carbon emissions will need to be nearly zero in order to avoid the most drastic and negative outcomes of climate change. But given that VTOLs are in their early stages and the data is in its infancy, we’ll have to wait and see whether or not this formerly futuristic vision will become our reality down the line.

In today’s society, more and more people are choosing to do their part to help the environment. And fortunately, going green at home has never been easier. Something as simple as adding or utilizing your draperies during the winter can help reduce heat loss by up to 10%, saving a ton of energy. But if you’re remodeling, or even building a home from scratch, you have the opportunity to choose sustainable materials for your home. So let’s take a look at a few eco-friendly materials to consider.

Bamboo

Bamboo is quickly gaining popularity as a great eco-friendly building material. Bamboo materials are made from interwoven strips of bamboo — and bamboo plants don’t usually have to be replanted elsewhere; they simply grow in the same spot over and over. And because they take up less land and grow quickly, bamboo plants are very sustainable. This material is super durable, making it a great choice for flooring, but it can be used on walls as well. It can even be used underneath other materials for added durability and insulation. So while bamboo can’t be used as a material for a subfloor in a pier and beam foundation, which should be at least one half inch plywood, it can be used as flooring, wall materials, and even as mats and screens.

Recycled Steel

Metal fabrics, like steel, are also a great sustainable material choice. While producing steel at the beginning uses a lot of energy, steel can be recycled and used again — several times, actually. The materials of metal fabrics are generally 40% new materials and 60% recycled materials, which is already better than brand new materials. But consumers can buy recycled steel and use it for structure in a home. Steel can be used for structural support, like beams, or it can be used for floor or wall panels. All in all, recycled steel is durable and uses a lot less energy to produce.

Cork

Unlike wood and paper, making cork does not require cutting down an entire tree. Instead, cork is harvested from the bark, which leaves the tree to continue to grow. Tree bark only takes about seven to nine years to grow back, making cork an environmentally-friendly material choice. This material is usually found as flooring. Not only is it very comfortable to walk on, but it’s also hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, and adds great thermal insulation. Kitchen flooring is a great place for cork because it offers great shock absorption, making it comfortable to stand on for long periods of time. Cork is an economical material choice and can be a great green option. Fun fact about cork: cells were discovered in 1665 while Robert Hooke was observing a cork under a microscope.

Choosing green materials has never been easier with the wide variety of options that are available today. So if you’re doing some remodeling in your home, consider one of these materials to make your house a little more eco-friendly.