EcoChicago

The BP Oil Spill: One Year Later

2011-04-20T00:48:00.009-05:00

Today marks the one year anniversary of the BP Oil Spill. Much anger, grief, anxiety, worry and despair have touched thousands of people in the Gulf whose livelihoods were put in peril by this tragedy. Yet, a sense of hope prevails. Today, join me in celebrating the Gulf ... for its people, its culture, and its recovery.

For the first time ever, I'm releasing a piece of the footage shot from the Gulf as a result of the Pepsi Refresh Project Grant I was awarded in September 2010.

Meet Darla Rooks, Meet The Gulf.

I need your help - can you chat tonight?

2010-12-13T10:47:00.005-06:00

We’re going back to the Gulf for another Meet The Gulf documentary shoot in two weeks and there’s a lot we need to do between now and then like:

1. Finalize the production schedule and interviewee list
2. Research certain topics of interest for the film
3. Buy some equipment for the shoot … and lots more!

I have a task list ready, but I can't get it all done on my own. To succeed, I’ll need help from my core team – from YOU!

Will you join EcoChat tonight at 8pm and take on an assignment for this week? One task should only take a few hours of your time and could make all the difference for our next shoot. Volunteers will be entered in a drawing to win a holiday gift certificate to MYEARTH260.COM, a fabulous online eco shopping boutique.

I’ll share the list with you tonight and give you details about the gift certificate drawing. I can’t wait to chat with you tonight at 8pm CST: WWW.ECOCHATONLINE.COM

VIDEO: EcoChat Recap: Meet The Gulf Thanksgiving Production Shoot

2010-11-16T11:19:00.003-06:00

Here's a video recap of EcoChat last night where we talked about the first production shoot for Meet The Gulf. Let me know if you have additional suggestions, contacts, or questions!

REMINDER: Join me Tonight for Meet The Gulf All Hands Forum

2010-11-15T09:41:00.001-06:00

Don’t forget: I need you to watch EcoChat tonight to help me get prepared for our first Meet The Gulf documentary shoot during Thanksgiving. I need your help to make sure I’m doing all I can to make this trip a good one. I’ll also answer your questions about the documentary. See you tonight at 8PM CST ON WWW.ECOCHATONLINE.COM

I Need You to Attend My All Hands Meeting for the Gulf Monday Night

2010-11-11T10:06:00.003-06:00

Friends,

The time has come – I’m going to the Gulf in less than 2 weeks! I need you to attend my special EcoChat THIS MONDAY NIGHT AT 8PM CST ON WWW.ECOCHATONLINE.COM to help me get organized and ready for my first big trip. I’ll let you know more about my itinerary including who I’ve been talking to in the gulf and answer any of your questions about the progress of Meet The Gulf.

Plus, if you have any contacts in the New Orleans area you think I should know about, now's the time to tell me!

Can’t wait to see you on the net Monday night!

Alicia

EcoChat: Tonight, a Lesson in Perseverance

2010-09-27T00:00:00.003-05:00

Competing for a Pepsi Refresh grant really takes a lot out of you. It's constant campaigning: long nights, early mornings, and you can count on losing your voice from having to describe your project to so many people over and over again. One month is about all most people can take, but Charles Mattocks is a 14-year-old Eagle Scout who's not giving up - he's been competing for a Pepsi Refresh America grant for months now, and it looks like he's got a good chance of winning this time around! With only a few days left in the competition, Charles is currently ranked 8th to win $5k to build a greenhouse for his community and HE'LL BE ON ECOCHAT TONIGHT to talk about his project and his perseverance to win the grant.

I found out about Charles while I was campaigning for Meet The Gulf because his team of supporters left messages on my project page telling me that they were supporting my project with daily votes. Through comments on HIS PEPSI PROJECT PAGE, I learned that Charles had been competing for awhile and hadn't been successful in winning a grant - but he didn't give up. He entered again. And when he didn't win that time he entered again. It takes a lot of guts and faith in yourself to continue competing and I can't wait to hear more about how he's found the strength to compete for so long.

I hope you'll join me tonight to meet Charles and learn more about his project. This is a great lesson for young people, so if you know any teens, invite them to watch!

We're live at 8pm CST on www.ecochatonline.com. Be there.

We Won a Pepsi Refresh Grant! Now What?

2010-09-06T10:57:00.002-05:00

This is a reminder to join me tonight on ECOCHAT at 8pm CST so we can brainstorm together about how to go from here with our Pepsi Refresh Grant. I'll let you know what Pepsi said when they called me, what I have to do to get the grant going, and take your suggestions and questions about the campaign and the road ahead.

Hope to see you tonight at 8pm CST!

Alicia

VIDEO: Together We Did it, We Won!

2010-09-03T11:34:00.002-05:00

After a month of hard work, we did it! We won a $25k grant from the special Pepsi Refresh Project campaign, Do Good for the Gulf. We'll use this money to give Gulf residents the voice the deserve, an opportunity to tell the world how the BP Oil Spill has affected them in profound ways.

I recorded this SPECIAL YOUTUBE VIDEO for you to let you know about how you can stay involved in the project from here on out. There's really not much more to write. Just watch the video and you'll have all the info you need!

VIDEO: It's Time to Cast Your Last Vote to Help the Gulf

2010-08-31T11:22:00.003-05:00

This is it. Today is the final day of the Pepsi Refresh Contest.

It's time to cast your final vote: CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW

A month of hard work will come to an end at 12AM EST when the polls close. This is our last chance to make sure Gulf residents get the voice they deserve. Forward the link to friends and family or post it on Facebook to make sure we do all we can to support the Gulf.

I recorded A YOUTUBE VIDEO to sum up the competition and invite you to celebrate with me, no matter where you live.

Thank you for getting "Meet The Gulf" this far. The next time you here from me, I hope to deliver great news.

VIDEO: LAST 48 HOURS TO HELP THE GULF!

2010-08-30T11:32:00.004-05:00

These are the last two days to vote for Meet The Gulf and time is of the essence. Earlier this morning we were bumped out of the top ten.

We've been working hard for this all month. We can't let this happen in the last 48 hours of the competition. We'll only make it back in the top ten if you vote today and tomorrow. Will you take this moment to vote now and show your support for Gulf residents?

***ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW***

Tonight I'll be broadcasting live online at 8pm CST for MY WEEKLY WEBSHOW, ECOCHAT. I've recorded A SHORT VIDEO tell you more about the show and how you can watch me out in the field talking to voters!

Make sure to keep spreading the word on Facebook and by email to give everyone a chance to help Gulf residents in these last crucial voting days. Voting instructions are pasted below, if you need them.

Thank you for all that you've done and all that you will do in the next 48 hours to make this happen!

HOW TO VOTE:

· Go to http://gulf.refresheverything.com/meetthegulf (you can watch my video here and learn more details about my proposal)

· Click "Vote for this Idea"

· Log In with your email/password, or enter your email address and click "No I'm New Here" to get set up. It's easy and only takes 30 seconds.

· When you're logged in, be sure to click "Vote for this Idea" again to register your vote.

VIDEO/PICS: BREAKING NEWS: We Made It To The Top Ten

2010-08-27T07:10:00.017-05:00

Yes, my friends, we made it into the top ten.
The top ten most-voted projects in the Pepsi Refresh contest. This means that if we stay in the top ten for the next five days, we'll receive a $25k grant to make a documentary about how Gulf residents are recovering from the oil spill. And they deserve to be heard.

How did we get here? Simple: You voted. And then you voted again.

Whether or not we stay in the top ten will also be up to you. Will you vote once every day for the next five days? It's what we need to succeed.

HERE'S THE LINK TO VOTE TODAY AND EVERY DAY THIS MONTH.

If you're wondering what that moment was like, the moment I found out, all you have to do is watch this video I recorded when it happened and take a look at the picture below of the students who celebrated with me.

VIDEO: Meet The Gulf Special Update From Alicia

2010-08-24T11:36:00.005-05:00

Hello faithful EcoChicago supporters,

We only have 7 days left to make a difference in the Pepsi Refresh Project and last night we made a huge break through. I’ve recorded this YOU TUBE VIDEO MESSAGE to let you know about the big news and what it will take to win it!

We’re on the brink of success, let’s make sure the Gulf residents get the voice they deserve!

Remeber to VOTE TODAY, VOTE EVERYDAY!

<3

Alicia

EcoChat: Learn More About "Meet The Gulf"

2010-08-09T11:18:00.005-05:00

Tonight on EcoChat I'll be talking about my Pepsi Refresh Project, Meet The Gulf. I'll show you how you can help me win $25k to make a documentary about how Gulf residents are surviving the oil spill

will also tell you how you can enter to win a $25 gift certificate to myEarth360- an online eco store. See you tonight: www.ecochatonline.com

Vote Online Today For Alicia's Pepsi Refresh Project to Send Her to the Gulf

2010-08-03T19:47:00.022-05:00

Hello my dear EcoChicago supporters. I'd like to tell you about a little project I'm working on night and day.

I'm in the running to win a $25K grant to make a documentary called "Meet The Gulf" about how Gulf residents are recovering from the BP oil spill. Making this documentary would be a dream come true. For months I've obsessed over how I can make a difference, and this is my ultimate effort to do good for the gulf, but I can't do it alone.

To win, I'll need YOUR VOTE EVERY DAY THIS MONTH. The top 10 top-voted projects will get funding. Here's how you can support my project:

Go to http://gulf.refresheverything.com/meetthegulf

Click "Vote for this Idea" (you can watch my video too!)

You will be prompted to register your email with Pepsi to Log In. It's really easy, they just want your name and birth date.

When you're redirected back to my project page, click "Vote for this Idea" again. That's it! You've voted. (You can leave a comment on the bottom of the project page, if you'd like)

Just as important as voting consistently, is sharing my project with your network. You can post the "Meet The Gulf" project link on Facebook and encourage your friends to vote too, or forward this post to your friends and family today.

TOP TIPS:

YOU CAN VOTE ONCE PER DAY PER EMAIL ADDRESS YOU REGISTER. The only way I will win is if you vote for me more than once. You can vote for my project once every day for each email address you register with Pepsi. Voting lasts all month, so please vote every day you can.

PERKS FOR VOTING: GET A CREDIT, WIN MONEY: Email me or write a comment on this post and tell me you voted. Include your name and I'll add you to the credits for the documentary if I win the grant. That way, I can thank you for helping me fund this project. PLUS, if you EMAIL this post or the link to my project to 25 or more people and encourage them to vote, I'll enter you in a contest to win a $25 gift certificate to www.myearth360.com - an online eco shopping boutique. Just let me know you've forwarded the info: ecochicagoinfo@gmail.com.

VIDEO: EcoChat Featured On Living Green Magazine Home Page

2010-08-02T00:29:00.005-05:00

My recent EcoChat with Fabien Cousteau is featured on the LIVING GREEN MAGAZINE HOME PAGE.

Fabien took questions during EcoChat about his new organization Plant A Fish and his career as an ocean explorer. I recorded the show, but only the first 15 minutes made it out alive. The rest of the video was corrupted, but I've embedded what I could here for you. It's at least gives you an opportunity to see and hear from Fabien directly.

Tonight is also another EcoChat where I'm talking about my favorite EcoChicago videos and wondering what YOU want me to showcase next, so tune in at WWW.ECOCHATONLINE.COM starting at 8pm CST.

EcoChat: Sea Explorer Fabien Cousteau Takes Your Questions LIVE Monday Night

2010-07-11T01:16:00.006-05:00

Fabien Cousteau, third generation ocean explorer of the legendary Cousteau family, will join me on EcoChat Monday night to chat about his latest OCEAN CONSERVATION PROJECT, PLANT A FISH.

Cousteau’s new non-profit organization Plant A Fish just launched last month and aims to help restore and protect ocean water and sea life by responsibly “re-planting” marine species in their local habitats including oysters in New York Harbor, coral and mangroves in south Florida, and sea turtles in El Salvador.

“Entire species of marine life are disappearing at an alarming rate. Less than 10% of the big fish species are left in the world. It’s time we stop acting as hunters and start becoming farmers. We must tend to the oceans as we do to a prized garden, as we ultimately depend on them too,” says Fabien Cousteau, Founder of Plant A Fish.

In addition to educating viewers about how they can help solve over-fishing of our world’s oceans, Fabien will be taking questions from viewers at home about sea exploration live on the show.

You can tune in right here, or visit WWW.ECOCHATONLINE.COM. See you Monday!

Live Tonight: Pepsi Refresh Project Winner Chats About Greening School Buses

2010-06-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

After taking a summer course at Northwestern University about aerodynamic principles, 12-year-old Jonny Cohen started to see school buses differently. He realized their boxy design makes them inefficient on the road, costing school districts thousands every year.

The budding engineer came up an award-winning solution called a GreenShield and he’ll be live with me on EcoChat tonight to answer questions about his invention.

A GreenShield is a slanted piece of Plexiglas that makes the nose of a school bus more aerodynamic.

In March, the GreenShields team won a $25,000 prize from the Pepsi Refresh Project for their design, and they’ve been featured on Good Morning America and MTV.

Jonny, now 14, hopes to purchase a retired school bus by Fall 2010 to begin full-scale GreenShields testing. For now, the team is using a computer-animated drawing of a school bus to make virtual wind simulations.

To find out more about the GreenShields Project and ask Jonny questions about his invention, watch EcoChat tonight. All you have to do is visit WWW.ECOCHATONLINE.COM starting at 8pm CST.

Video: EcoChat: Learn How to Fertilize Your Garden the Green Way With Manure Tea

2010-06-21T01:12:00.006-05:00

Annie Haven calls her product “liquid vitamins,” and for a growing number of eco-conscious green thumbs, Authentic Haven Brand manure tea is a welcome fertilizer giving home gardens a boost without harsh chemicals. Tonight Haven will join me on EcoChat to teach gardeners how her product helps plants thrive.

A natural fertilizer that’s marketed as a tea might catch people off guard at first, but manure tea is an easy-to-use product that even a first-time gardener like me will find simple and effective, and Annie will be live on the show to answer any questions you have about how the fertilizer can work for your garden

Haven creates the innovative manure tea from the byproduct of her free-range, grass-fed livestock raised on the Haven Family Ranch in California. After composting the manure for several months and adding the special Haven Family touch, the mixture is packaged in an organic cotton pouch, creating a tea bag. The consumer later steeps the tea bag in water to extract the nutrients.

Haven calls the concoction an “all-natural soil conditioner” that will help vegetables, flowers or lawns flourish. Tune-in tonight to find out why so many people are turning to the Authentic Haven Brand manure tea for their fertilizing needs.

To watch visit WWW.ECOCHATONLINE.COM at 9pm EST.

For now, this video will show you how I've used the product on my plants at home.

Photos: I Found These Great Inventions at a NeoCon Truck Show

2010-06-19T15:33:00.015-05:00

"NeoCon is where the design world comes together – three days of pure energy, bursting with new thinking, new resources, and new products. For 42 years the Merchandise Mart has been home to North America’s largest design exposition and conference for commercial interiors, providing nearly 40,000 architecture and design professionals with more than 150 CEU-accredited seminars and association forums, top-notch keynote speakers, cutting-edge products, innovative exhibits, building and design resources and materials."

-www.newcon.com

Now that you know exactly what NeoCon is, you can fully appreciate the creations I found at an event showcasing designs from Chicago artists and students during NeoCon earlier this week.

The orange lamps above feature a simple architectural design: extension cord, acrylic structure, light bulb. It's called the COIL LAMP BY CRAIGHTON BERMAN. The middle design plants a trashcan at the bottom of a taller lamp. It's aptly named Trashlight, and as Berman explains, it

"merges two household icons—the floor lamp and the trashcan. This unlikely combination brings the user’s garbage out into the domestic setting and illuminates it for examination by yourself and others. Trashlight takes transparency to an extreme— nothing is secret anymore, not even your waste."

Combining art and agriculture, URBAN AGRICULTURE EXPERT SIOBHAN GREGORY designed these garden shelves, as I'm calling them. They are functional for people who don't have a lot of room to build out a garden. This way, you build UP!

EcoChat: Learn How Unwanted Clothing is Recycled

2010-06-13T09:57:00.005-05:00

54 million pounds of clothing – more than enough to fill every room in the White House! That’s how much USAgain- a textile recycling company- reused last year through its network of 8,000 collection bins around the country. Monday night you’ll get the chance to learn how it’s done on EcoChat.

Mattias Wallander, CEO of USAgain will me on EcoChat to answer your questions about the recycling process and tell you more about how his company is improving the environment by diverting textiles from landfills.

“Used clothing is typically ten times more affordable than new clothing,” Wallander explains. “So of course the people who get access to affordable, good clothing benefit, and for millions of people in the world, this is really their only option.”

Mattias will also offer tips on the best items to donate to make sure your next drop off is suited to help those in need. I recently visited their headquarters in West Chicago to give you a TOUR OF USAGAIN'S WAREHOUSE where the clothes are prepared for shipping.

Save the Date:
When: Monday, June 14, 8pm CST
Where: www.ecochatonline.com
Who: Mattias Wallander, CEO USAgain

PHOTOS: Blue Carts Everywhere? City Council Debates Long-Awaited Expansion of Recycling Program

2010-06-11T09:39:00.014-05:00

I've never had a blue cart. It's the cart Chicago provides for residents to recycle. But there's a catch. Well, there are a few catches.

Currently only about one-third of the city actually has a blue bin because the city ran out of money to fund the program city-wide.

Secondly, if you don't get your regular waste hauled away by the city, you'll never get a blue bin - like people living in condo buildings that hire private waste haulers.

In my old Lincoln Park studio I had to RALLY MY CONDO BOARD PRESIDENT into providing a private recycling option, which cost the board more money. It was totally worth it, though. Once we got the bins, everyone was using them!

Now that I live over in West Town in a three-story walk-up, I should have a blue bin, but the program never got expanded to my neighborhood. This means I have to haul away my own recycling to a huge public receptacle miles away from where I live. This is what is looks like in my kitchen right now.

Gross. Plus, how unsustainable is it for people to have to drive their recycling all over town!

I testified about how ridiculous this is at a Chicago City Council meeting Monday. It was a meeting to discuss an order recently proposed by Alderman Tom Allen that would expand the blue cart program to all Chicago neighborhoods by this fall.

Read my article about what happened at the meeting over at MINDFUL METROPOLIS: ALDERMAN PUSH FOR EXPANSION OF THE BLUE CART PROGRAM.

Plus, Micah Maidenburg quoted me in his RECYCLING STORY FOR CHICAGO JOURNAL.

In other news, here are some pics of Peanut playing hugs and kisses with a friend at the doggy beach. The real question is, can you tell which one is peanut?

VIDEO: Tour USAgain, a Textile Recycling Company in West Chicago

2010-06-03T01:35:00.002-05:00

Last week I stopped by USAGAIN for a personal tour of their Midwest facility where they gather all of the clothes donated at their local recycling bins and get them ready to be reused. In this video you'll meet Mattias Wallander, CEO of USAgain, and learn what it takes to recycle over 50 million pounds of clothing every year.

Mattias will be on EcoChat this summer to tell us more about the company and answer your questions about the process, so stay tuned.

While I was at USAgain, I met BUTCH, who said he's an EcoChicago follower and fellow ecogeek in training. I'm glad to hear he's learning from my posts and was encouraged by the support from everyone at USAgain.

PHOTOS: How Many Wind Turbines Are There From Chicago To Denver?

2010-05-28T01:37:00.016-05:00

MOOCHI moved to Colorado.

! + :(

It was sad to see her go, but I consider it more like planting an eco correspondent in the Southwest to give me green updates about mountain living. She's already sent over beautiful photos of the wind turbines she spotted while on the road.

Here are some wind energy facts, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). If you remember, I ATTENDED THEIR CONFERENCE LAST YEAR.

For every megawatt (MW) of wind energy produced, $1 million in economic development is generated. This includes revenue from planning, construction, etc.

Potential for growth: Development of just 10% of 10 of the windiest states could provide more than enough energy to displace emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Supplemental income: It is estimated that the income to a landowner from a single utility-scale turbine is approximately $2000 per year. For a 250-acre farm with income from wind at $55 per acre, this translates into an annual income from wind leases of $14,000, with no more than 2-3 acres removed from production.

People like you and me should be thinking about how we can help finance and support small wind energy projects in our community. That could mean installing a wind turbine on your property or starting a project at a local school or library. AWEA has a HOW-TO GUIDE FOR SMALL WIND PROJECTS to get your creative wheels spinning.

As you may know, the government recently approved the FIRST OFFSHORE WIND FARM IN THE UNITED STATES. It took nine years of regulatory review, but the decision is a landmark victory for the wind energy industry and could help Chicago-area interest groups gain momentum for their proposals to BUILD A SIMILAR WIND FARM OFF LAKE MICHIGAN.

If you liked this story, you might also enjoy MY OTHER POSTS ABOUT WIND ENERGY.

EcoChat: Tonight OrganicNationTV Talks Organic Farming in the Southwest

2010-05-24T10:43:00.005-05:00

Dorothee Royal, host of OrganicNation.TV, will be joining EcoChat tonight from Arizona to tell us about her tour of organic farms in the Southwest. Join us to learn more about sustainable bee keeping, the crew's observations of an animal feedlot, irrigation systems in the region, and the best organic products they've tried so far.

A few photos from Dorothee's visit at Zia QueenBee Co.

Plus, don't miss the opportunity to ask Dorothee any questions you have about organic food shopping and meet one of the most notable organic food bloggers in the country.

All you have to do is VISIT WWW.ECOCHATONLINE.COM at 8pm CST.

Free Pass to Chicago's Green Festival This Weekend

2010-05-20T08:11:00.009-05:00

Hello my pretties. The work week is winding down and you're probably finalizing plans for the weekend. Make CHICAGO'S ANNUAL GREEN FESTIVAL one of your stops on Saturday or Sunday. Weather is going to be sunny and warm. It's the perfect start to the Spring/Summer season and I've got your FREE PASS to the festival. Just follow the link and print out the flyer for access to the green event of the year.

Chicago's Green Festival showcases green organizations and companies on the forefront of the green revolution. You'll get to sample a ton of new products, check out the latest sustainable designs, and hear from leading experts in the green community.

A Facebook friend asked me to recommend a few speakers, so I've made a selection of events and people I'm excited about.

Saturday

Rooftops and Treetops- Urban Agriculture Projects Working Together, 11am, Rm 317
The Smart Home- Green Plus Wired, 11am, Rm 319-329
Envisioning a Sustainable and Robust Food System for the Chicago Region, 4pm, Rm 318
Worms Ate My Garbage! (composting how-to session), 4pm, Green Homes Pavilion
Screening of 2012 TIME FOR CHANGE, 5-7pm, Main Stage

Sunday

Solar 101, 12pm, Green Homes Pavilion
Finding Your Career in the Green Economy, 1pm, Main Stage
My Week on a Fair Trade Rice Farm, 1pm, Fair Trade Pavilion
Green Literacy- Planting the Seeds of Change, 12pm Rm 318
Social Media for Social Good, 3pm, Rm 317

I'll be at Chicago's Green Festival Saturday and Sunday to film for EcoChicago. Hope to see you there!

EcoChat: Learn About Toxic Cosmetics & Win MojoSpa Beauty Product

2010-05-17T10:23:00.003-05:00

If you can't list five toxic ingredients to avoid in beauty and personal care products, you need to join this EcoChat. Chances are, you're exposing yourself to carcinogenic chemicals on a daily basis. Tonight, learn what ingredients to avoid when choosing beauty products on this special chat, inspired by my recent article "TOXIC COSMETICS" in this month's issue of Mindful Metropolis.

Amanda from MOJOSPA will join me to highlight some natural alternatives available from her store, and we'll point out ingredients to look for when shopping in any beauty supply aisle. She'll also be giving away a MojoSpa beauty product to someone participating in the chat room.

Remember, conventional cosmetic companies are not looking out for you. They're pumping products with dozens of chemicals that have never been tested for consumer safety. Start protecting yourself tonight at 8pm CST ON ECOCHAT.

EcoChat Public Forum Tonight on the Net

2010-05-10T09:14:00.004-05:00

Hello my ecogeeks. I've been slightly remiss in updating you about my adventures lately. I have some awesome pictures to share with you, including a few of some great eco furniture I spied at Columbia College.

That's coming this week, but in the meantime, join me for EcoChat tonight. I will be answering questions in our public forum and will bring you up to speed on the eco news of the day. All you have to do is CLICK HERE to watch.

Plus, as a teaser for next week's Toxic Cosmetics show, Moochi will be making a special appearance to talk about switching from conventional to natural cosmetics. Learn about the toxic ingredients in her old products and find out how natural alternatives have improved her skin.

Angry About the BP Oil Spill? Join us for EcoChat Tonight and Vent Your Frustrations

2010-05-03T11:15:00.005-05:00

The BP Oil Spill is growing by more than 200,000 gallons of crude oil every day and is already larger than the size of Puerto Rico. It’s an environmental disaster poised to outdo Exxon Valdez, and cutting off the leak will take months, according to government officials.

Facts like these leave many environmentalists and citizens feeling helpless and angry. Tonight on EcoChat, we’re addressing questions and concerns about the spill and evaluating potential relief strategies for the Gulf region. Coral reef expert and speaker for The Climate Project, Kent Taylor will join EcoChat to address the ecological impact of this tragedy.

Additionally, previous EcoChat guest and alternative energy whiz Bruce Becker will be phoning in to give us his opinion about the current relief operations and what should happen next.

Viewers can tune in by visiting www.ecochatonline.com at 8pm CT and may submit questions to guests on the show by logging in with a Twitter or Vokle account.

EcoChat Is Live Tonight With ‘Nurture Girl’ Jean Russell at 8pm CST

2010-04-26T11:53:00.006-05:00

Tonight, Jean Russell invites you to imagine what lies beyond sustainability in a conversation about achieving true systemic change for social good. Through her consulting business Nurture.biz and charitable project Thrivable.org, Russell is powering beyond ineffective models of sustainability toward an awareness of thrivability where each of us “contributes meaningfully and consistently to a deep cultivation of natural, financial, and social systems.”

Tonight, she’ll explain what thrivability means and how the concept can help organizations, companies and individuals create opportunities for transformation in the green space and beyond. We’ll also be talking about the success of her recent ebook, Thrivability: A Collaborative Sketch, that was co-authored by more than fifty visionaries, thought leaders, change agents and entrepreneurs around the world.

Visit WWW.ECOCHATONLINE.COM to join the conversation.

EcoChicago's Earth Day Picks

2010-04-22T13:33:00.007-05:00

This weekend cities across the country will host green festivities in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Here are some of my picks for you to check out:

1. Robert Klara wrote a FEATURE ARTICLE for Adweek about green marketing, exploring the difficulty of educating the general population about green business practices. I found it interesting that one of his interviewees considered plastic packaging green because it takes less resources to manufacture than glass. But using plastic food containers involves health risks that glass does not, such as leaking chemicals like antimony into food. Ultimately, you have to know what you're looking for in a product before you go shopping. Don't rely on marketing to tell you.

2. USAgain (pronounced Use Again) WANTS YOUR CLOTHES. This green company recycles textiles to developing nations in need of clothing. You can find a drop box near you on their website. USAgain's goal is to collect five million pounds of clothing for Earth Month and CEO Mattias Wallander tells me so far they're on track with projected donations. Help ensure they meet their goal by donating clothes this weekend. My rule of thumb is: If you haven't worn it in two seasons, you should be donating it.

3. Know what's going on in your community this weekend, by visiting the EARTH DAY EVENTS CALENDAR. Chicago is having a SPEED DATING EVENT specially designed for ecogeeks to meet Mr. or Ms. Right. Be sure to plug in your zip code to find out what's going on in your neck of the woods.

Have fun!

PS. Cafe Media published my article ON THE WEB today, so if you haven't picked up a copy of the magazine, now you can read it online.

My Dog's Poop Is Ruining My Carbon Footprint

2010-04-21T12:53:00.012-05:00

Peanut. Poor Peanut. He's a little guy dealing with a lot of separation anxiety. Unfortunately his nervous energy ends up materializing into a pile of poop in his crate when we leave him home alone, and it's making a serious dent in my carbon footprint.

Today I had an early morning meeting and was back home by 10:30am. Erik usually leaves for work at 8:30am, so Peanut was only in his crate for two hours tops.

The first sign was the smell. Unmistakable. I knew it was there, I just didn't know where. After poking around a little, I saw the lump hiding between the blanket and the wall.

Day after day, Erik and I enter our apartment to the same crime scene. The more he poops, the more we have to invest in paper towels (which I buy, begrudgingly) to clean it up, the more crate bedding that ends up in the trash, the more water is used to bathe him and wash soiled blankets, the more trips to the store we make to keep up with it all.

We always walk him before we leave, but it doesn't make a difference. He poops anyway. We've tried putting doggy diapers on him too. They're really only meant to prevent pee from staining your carpet or floor, but we thought wearing one might keep him from wanting to poop.

Nope.

We don't know what to do. Anybody have Cesar Millan's phone number?

US Senator Responds to My Complaint About Nuclear Energy

2010-04-15T16:33:00.008-05:00

Remember when I made THIS VIDEO about nuclear energy? I contacted all of my representatives in congress to let them know I oppose the expansion of nuclear facilities. Here's what US Senator Roland Burris had to say:

Dear Ms. Ontiveros:

Thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts about alternative energy. I appreciate hearing your perspective on this crucial subject.

Our nation faces few challenges more important than the energy crisis. Current means of energy production and irresponsible consumption habits have compromised our environment and natural resources. We are reliant on unstable regions of the world for oil. We need to reform our energy policy to end our addiction to foreign oil, invest in our environment, and create millions of green jobs in research and manufacturing.

Today, Illinois stands at the forefront of energy production in the United States. Six nuclear power plants contribute half of our state’s energy. Coal produces the other half. Although coal is an abundant source of energy, I believe we need to cap carbon emissions and look to energy alternatives to develop new ways of using our resources.

Improving our vehicles, exploring solar and wind technology, and investing in geothermal energy will not only help solve our energy crisis, it will benefit people all across Illinois. Already home to the Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Illinois has the opportunity to continue its strong record of alternative energy exploration. Developing the next generation of energy sources will create jobs in a number of fields that are beneficial to the well being of our planet as well as our economy.

I will continue to listen closely to what you and other Illinoisans have to say about matters before Congress, the concerns of our communities, and the issues facing Illinois and the nation. My job is not about merely supporting or opposing legislation; it is also about bridging the divide that has paralyzed our nation's politics.

Sincerely,

Roland W. Burris
United States Senator

So, coal and nuclear power plants are going 50/50 on Illinois energy production. There are heavy WASTE DISPOSAL ISSUES on the North Shore, as reported by CBS 2 News last year.

But, we have hope. The concept of an OFFSHORE WIND FARM IN LAKE MICHIGAN is getting new attention as Evanston's City Council moves forward with their $400 million plan. They'll have to jump through a lot of hoops, though, to get it approved. The earliest we can expect action on a proposal like this is seven years.

Somewhere Bruce Becker is laughing. HE STATED ON ECOCHAT (@6:15) that he doesn't think a wind farm like this will go up in the next decade, at least in the Chicago area.

Do you have any thoughts?

EcoChat Wrap-up: Walk on the Green Side with Cafe Magazine

2010-04-13T12:40:00.005-05:00

If you missed the show last night about Cafe Magazine's green issue called "Walk on the Green Side," check out the FULL RECORDING on the new EcoChat website. I've got a chap map over there to help you navigate the one hour conversation.

Also, we're going full time now with EcoChat. I'll be broadcasting EVERY Monday from now on. Next week is a public forum. Be sure to subscribe to the EcoChat website if you want updates for the show.

VIDEO: Last Chance to Buy Tickets to See No Impact Man Documentary

2010-04-06T21:59:00.010-05:00

Mindful Metropolis is hosting a special presentation of the film No Impact Man Thursday night at the GREEN STREET THEATER at the Chicago Center for Performing Arts. The film tells the story of one man who decided to virtually eliminate his impact on the environment for one year.

Can you imagine what it would be like to live without electricity, food waste, transportation or material consumption of any kind? Find out by following Colin Beavan and his family on their journey. After the screening, hear from a panel of local sustainability experts including:

Wyllys Mann: Associate, Director for the DELTA INSTITUTE, Director of the Green Business Development Center

Deborah Neiman-Boehle, JOURNALIST, WRITER, HOMESTEADER

Ken Dunn, Founder and President of RESOURCE CENTER

Tickets are only $15 and light fare will be served, courtesy of City Provisions and The Chicago Diner. GET YOUR TICKET TODAY!

See the trailer below to get a sneak peak of the film.

Walk on the Green Side with Cafe Magazine

2010-04-05T10:51:00.002-05:00

Chicago's Cafe Magazine just debuted its second annual green edition called "Walk on the Green Side." I was fortunate to have the opportunity to appear as a contributing writer for a story about environmental justice. I investigated how Latino communities across the country are still struggling to be counted in the green movement. If you live in Chicago, you can pick up a free copy of the magazine at THESE LOCATIONS. You can also have the issue mailed to you, if you SIGN UP for a free subscription.

We'll be featuring a special Cafe Magazine EcoChat on April 12 where you can meet a few people profiled in the issue and ask them questions about how they're making a difference in the green movement. More on that later, stay tuned!

EcoChat: New Home, Same Show

2010-04-05T09:07:00.003-05:00

I upgraded ECOCHAT to its own site where I will be able to grow the show without the distraction of everything else on EcoChicago. This is especially important as viewership grows outside of Chicago. Let me know what you think of the layout.

We're having a public forum tonight where we'll talk about anything on your mind. See you then!

Plastic Avengers: Shrink-Wrapped Cucumbers

2010-03-31T23:07:00.017-05:00

Dear SUNSET PRODUCE,

I know your company cares about SUSTAINABILITY. Me too. That's why I'm wondering why you shrink-wrap your cucumbers. Is this really necessary?

Sincerely,

Alicia

I'll let you know what they say.

VIDEO/SLIDESHOW: Earth Hour 2010 at the Chicago Theater

2010-03-28T13:27:00.008-05:00

Moochi and friends joined me for a special Earth Hour celebration Saturday night at the Chicago Theater. After the lights went out, we headed over to my place for a candlelight party. It was also my birthday, so this Earth Hour was extra special! Check out the countdown and slideshow below.

VIDEO:

SLIDESHOW:

EcoChat Wrap-up: Earth Hour and Climate Change

2010-03-24T11:06:00.006-05:00

Well, this show was...interesting. First, the bad news: Unfortunately Vokle was still experiencing server issues Monday night which meant I had to conference call Steve and Paula on my defunct iPhone and hope my microphone would pick them up on speaker. It wasn't ideal, but it worked. During the show my lovely webcam kept slipping and revealed my dog walking around in the background. To top it all off, after the show was over I found out my recording did not pick up the audio properly, so I couldn't archive the chat for those who missed it.

Now, for the good news: I think Paula (ComEd) and Steve (Citizens Climate Lobby) were able to hit on some great points during the chat and I received good feedback from Tweeps about what they learned on the show. We also had a new chat moderator, JR Plate from GREEN NEW EARTH who provided meaningful feedback during the show and connected viewers with important resources.

Here are some resources discussed in the chat:

EXELON CITY SOLAR, the largest urban solar power array in the US located on the South Side of Chicago. I'll have to get out there and make a video about this. It's amazing.

KILOWATTOURS, a documentary about an Appalachian community at war with a mining company for destroying an entire ecology.

CHICAGO EARTH HOUR EVENTS, a list of events celebrating Earth Hour on Saturday.

I also found out that ComEd is giving away a Home Energy Audit if you email them at EarthHourIL@gmail.com with "Energy Audit" in the subject line and include your name, address and phone number in the email to enter the contest.

The audit is valued at $750 and includes a variety of in-home assessments to see how you and your family can conserve energy and save money. You'll get recommendations on improving the energy efficiency of your home based on tests like blower door testing, infrared thermography, combustion analysis, computer modeling and utility bill analysis.

DEADLINE is March 25 at midnight.

EcoChat Update: Citizens Climate Lobby Joins Earth Hour Show

2010-03-20T10:44:00.005-05:00

I'm happy to announce that Steve Valk, Communications Director and Regional Manager for CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY, will be joining our show Monday night. His organization mobilizes people across the country to fight climate change by connecting with elected officials in their local communities. Their mission includes creating the "political will for a sustainable climate."

Don't miss the opportunity to ask Steve and Paula questions about climate policy and reducing your carbon footprint Monday night. See you there!

VIDEO: EcoChat: Earth Hour, March 22, 8pm CST

2010-03-18T12:38:00.006-05:00

Earth Hour is going to be epic this year, and not just because it's on my birthday :) I'm celebrating early with a special EcoChat Earth Hour event this Monday night. My featured guest is Paula Conrad from ComEd, Chicago's utility company and local sponsor of Earth Hour Illinois.

I may have another guest specializing in climate change also attending the show. More details about that over the weekend. For now, please enjoy this year's Earth Hour video below and read more about ComEd.

EXELON’S COMED TALKS EARTH HOUR ON ECOCHAT
UTILITY COMPANY OFFERS TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Next week millions of people will power down for Earth Hour, the world’s largest event raising awareness about climate change. Learn what you can do to make a difference and ask questions about climate change during a special Earth Hour discussion on EcoChat, a green web show broadcasting Monday, March 22 at 8pm CT on ecochicago.blogspot.com.

Paula Conrad from Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) will join the conversation to give viewers tips about how to reduce their carbon footprints. She’ll also talk about how ComEd is contributing to the worldwide event as the sponsor of Earth Hour Illinois.

ComEd is a utility company that delivers electricity to more than 3.5 million homes and is owned by Exelon Corporation, one of America’s largest electric companies with nearly $17 billion in annual revenue.

"Earth Hour is extremely significant event because it is a simple message that makes a huge impact across the globe," says Conrad.

So far, more than 100 countries and territories have committed to participate.

VIDEO: A Little Rant About Nuclear Energy

2010-03-18T09:27:00.010-05:00

This video has been a long time coming. I was disappointed to hear about Obama's plan to invest in the construction of a nuclear power plant, so I made this video to share my thoughts and urge people watching to voice their opinions too. I believe there are better solutions than investing in nuclear energy - which poses huge concerns surrounding environmental contamination and disposal of hazardous, radioactive waste.

I called my congressmen and let them know what I think. You can too. The video will tell you how to find them. You can also sign the CARE2 PETITION against this proposal. What's your stance on this issue?

More Information:

VERMONT SENATE VOTES TO CLOSE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

CHERNOBYL DISASTER

THREE MILE ISLAND

It's also important to note that the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is investing in renewable solutions. They recently dedicated $12 million to SOLAR ENERGY companies in California to help commercialize the technology and make it more affordable for everyday Americans.

SLIDESHOW: Best of Localicious Party

2010-03-14T23:13:00.007-05:00

Moochi and I attended the Localicious party at the Family Farmed Expo where we sampled some of the best local, organic cuisine Chicago has to offer. It was delicious!

Remember when Moochi PROMISED ME (see comments) she'd try harder to practice green habits? This was a great way to introduce her to the benefits of a local diet. I even tricked her into eating some goat cheese and she liked it!

EcoChat Wrap-up: Sustainable Food Systems

2010-03-09T09:54:00.007-06:00

Last night's show was a doozy! We had more guests than ever before and the show pulled in a great crowd. We even kept the broadcast running for an extra half hour to incorporate more feedback.

Obviously the future of American agriculture is a hot topic, and there are no clear answers as to how the industry will take shape in the next five to ten years, as alternative farming methods gain popularity and new technology makes its way into the mix. I was happy to engage differing opinions on the future of sustainable agriculture.

To quote one of my favorite authors, J.S. Mill: "...only through a diversity of opinion is there, in the existing state of human intellect, a chance of fair play to all sides of the truth."

I hope viewers will continue the conversation with neighbors, friends, and colleagues so that we can all foster a better understanding of the challenges ahead.

I will put together a highlight reel, but it will take a few days to get it up here. In the meantime, give me your feed back on the show.

What did you think of the guests and show topics?

Any suggestions for improvement?

Please leave your comments below. EcoChat is a work in progress, and I've already incorporated viewer feedback into the format of the show. Please let me know what you think. It does make a difference.

EcoChat Update: Experts Join Sustainable Food Show Monday Night

2010-03-05T14:49:00.017-06:00

Monday night's EcoChat will showcase a group of agriculture experts, and you're invited to ask them questions about all things food.

Our featured guest is JIM SLAMA, President and Founder of FamilyFarmed.org.

We'll also hear from these leaders in the agriculture community as we tackle questions about organic food, GMO's, factory farms, buying local, and any other topic of your heart's desire:

@MPAYNKNOPER
Michele Payn-Knoper is the founder of two popular, weekly moderated Twitter chats, #agchat and #foodchat. She speaks professionally about agriculture, food, nutrition and social media as the voice behind CAUSE MATTERS CORP, and she's a mom who's lived on a farm her entire life.

@FAIRFOODFIGHT
Barth Anderson is the chief blogger at FAIR FOOD FIGHT, a social networking site dedicated to connecting eaters, growers, and sellers of fair, sustainable food. He brings twenty years of experience in natural foods to the discussion.

@CORNFEDFARMER
Brandon Hunnicutt is a 4th generation Nebraska farmer specializing in corn, soybeans, and popcorn. He's beginning his 13th year on the land and enjoys playing a little Wii with his kids every now and then.

@FOLLOWNATHAN
Nathan Winters spent five months traveling the country on a bicycle to meet America's farmers. He documented this amazing trip at FOLLOWNATHAN.ORG and is currently writing a book about this adventure.

Moderating our chatbox will be:

@THELOCALBEET
Brad Moldofsky writes for THE LOCAL BEET, a website connecting Chicago residents with local food resources. He also maintains his own organic vegetable garden and is working on a charitable project to buy CSA shares for needy families.

Where else are you going to find a social entrepreneur, consultant, blogger, farmer, adventurer, and journalist in one place talking about food and answering your questions? Only on EcoChat.

VIDEO: EcoChat: Sustainable Food Systems, March 8th, 8pm CST

2010-03-04T00:32:00.006-06:00

Organic food expert Jim Slama will be joining me for EcoChat this Monday night. As the President and Founder of FAMILYFARMED.ORG, Slama has been intimately involved in developing local food systems for more than a decade.

Slama will teach us about different models of community supported agriculture that you can find in your city or town and give you advice about participating more meaningfully in the organic food market. In other words, if you don't know the difference between a farmer's market and a co-op, you should join this chat. And if you do, you should join this chat to help educate others. :)

The show comes right before Slama debuts his fifth annual Family Farmed Expo in Chicago. The event brings consumers, food producers and trade buyers together to support the growth of local, sustainable food systems at the University of Illinois at Chicago March 11-13.

Check out this preview clip I put together to help promote the event.

VIDEO: EcoChat: Renewable Energy Highlight Reel

2010-03-02T14:33:00.008-06:00

If you missed EcoChat last week, listen to this 10-minute highlight reel from my discussion with Bruce Becker, former President and CEO of Mecaro, a Japanese wind turbine company.

This show was sponsored by CONSCIOUS LIVING TV and broadcast from the Green Exchange. A glitch with the video kept me from showing you the chat, but you can still listen...and you won't want to miss Bruce's sign off, trust me.

Watch out for our next live show on Monday, March 8th at 8pm CST about sustainable food systems.

Chat Map:

Importance of distributed generation @ 1:15

How the USA and Asian markets are investing in renewable energy @ 2:08

Supporting renewable energy businesses, including start-up inventors @ 5:15

Future for wind energy in Chicago and challenging the status quo @ 6:00

What you can do to support green energy @ 7:00

Parting comments and Bruce bids farewell in Japanese @ 9:00

Plastic Avengers Strike Again: Calling Out Costco for Wasteful Packaging

2010-03-01T23:44:00.009-06:00

It happened again. I spied another egregious use of plastic, this time at Costco. Actually, Erik pointed it out. I almost died when I saw this restaurant selling gift certificates wrapped in more than two feet of plastic!

<----- that's Erik, being a dork.

Make no mistake about it. There was nothing inside this package but a sturdy piece of cardboard with a fancy label printed on it.

Then, in the produce aisle we saw these apples packaged in plastic. I've never seen apples in plastic like this before. I get it: apples bruise. But this is out of control and probably unnecessarily increases the cost of the food.

I had a reader comment on my last PLASTIC POSTING that he/she would rather have airport food wrapped in plastic to keep the germs out. What about produce at the grocery store? Do you agree?

VIDEO: Watch Alicia as Correspondent on CLTV

2010-03-01T17:21:00.004-06:00

Purple Asparagus Annual Fundraiser: Teaching Kids About Organic Food from Conscious Living TV on Vimeo.

EcoChat: Renewable Energy, Feb. 22 @ 8pm CST

2010-02-21T19:46:00.006-06:00

Bruce Becker will be our guest for EcoChat this week and we'll be discussing renewable energy in light of President Obama's plan to support construction of a nuclear power plant in the USA.

Bruce is an expert in the field. I first met him in May last year when I toured the Windpower 2009 Conference in Chicago. Back then, Bruce was President and CEO of Mecaro, a Japanese wind turbine company. Check out MY VIDEO featuring Bruce. You'll see him about @ 3:30 into the piece.

I was shocked to hear about Obama's support for nuclear energy, and Bruce believes it's a step in the wrong direction too. He says, "Although nuclear is relatively carbon positive versus coal, the dangers in mining, refining, processing, shipping nuclear fuel, and the long-term consequences of a lack of real nuclear waste disposal solutions, make nuclear generated electricity a huge environmental concern."

Bruce and I are excited for the opportunity to open up this discussion with EcoChat viewers, so please join us Monday night and let your voice be heard.

Drive-by Fruiting at Denver Int'l Airport

2010-02-19T09:23:00.018-06:00

So I'm walking through Denver Int'l Airport trying to find a healthy snack before catching a connecting flight, when a basket of oranges catches my eye from across the food court.

I'm thinking, this will be great. Just what I was looking for! Imagine my disappointment when I realized, upon nearing the fruit stand, that each piece of produce was individually wrapped in plastic!

Now, as far as I know, people don't eat orange peels, so I couldn't figure out what, exactly, was going on here. The bad new is, it got worse.

I looked over to the left and realized, !!!, every bagel was also individually wrapped in plastic! I had never witnessed such a superfluous use of plastic in my life. Now I was mad.

So I did the only thing a hopelessly indignant green blogger could do. I took pictures:

No one else was taking pictures of food, of course, so my odd behavior caught the attention of two men in suits who happened to be talking about the display in question.

When I asked why in the world each piece of fruit was individually wrapped in plastic! they told me it was to comply with the food and beverage health standards for the airport. Food with an exposed, edible skin had to be protected from open air.

"And we don't have to wrap the oranges, but we do it anyway because we're already wrapping the apples, and it makes a cute little single-item fruit basket, don't you think?"

The look on my face let him know what I thought. What do you think?

VIDEO: First EcoChat a Success

2010-02-08T21:21:00.008-06:00

Thanks to everyone who tuned in for EcoChat tonight. I had a great time connecting with MS. SHOPPING GOLIGHTLY and Ms. Modern Mommy as they helped us navigate the thrift world. They are truly experts in their field and passed on many excellent pieces of advice.

We had some wonderful green leaders in the crowd including:

-Jasmine McAllister, MODERN HIPPIE MAGAZINE, @modernhippiemag, @MsJaszy
-Sandra Mendoza-Daly, DEBUTANTE CLOTHING, @SandraD
-Bianca Alexander, CONSCIOUS PLANET MEDIA, @ConsciousTV
-Dorothee Royal, ORGANIC NATION TV, @OrganicNation
-Jessa Brinkmeyer, PIVOT ECO FASHION, @PivotEcoFashion

...and I'm sure others who I didn't realize were watching. Thank you not only to the viewers, but those ecogeeks who helped me get the word out on Twitter and the blogosphere.

If you missed the show, check out a highlight reel from our Q&A session, provided courtesy of Vokle.

Stay tuned to find out who our next guest will be for EcoChat on February 22.

A Tale of Two Guilt Trips: The Hidden Cost of Having a Green Blog

2010-02-03T20:17:00.019-06:00

My friend -- whom I'll refer to as Moochi -- and I went shopping at Target recently to pick up a few household items. While I painstakingly reviewed every word on the SEVENTH GENERATION soap box and lamented that Target didn't carry a green alternative to Drain-o, Moochi mentioned she wanted to pick up some cleaning wipes for her car and said we needed to go to the motor vehicle aisle.

I offered a green alternative: "Why don't you just use a rag and some water? That's what I would do."

She wasn't buying it. "I'm too lazy," she said.

"What do you mean?" I didn't see how it was any more effort than using a chemical-filled cleaning wipe marketed exclusively for cars. "All you need is a microfiber rag to pick up the dust. Then you can reuse it."

Silence. No eye contact.

"Erik and I have a microfiber rag you can try if you want to."

"Yea. I just need something for cars." I relented. At this point I figured out that I was pushing my green agenda too far and making her, possibly, feel guilty for not taking my suggestion.

We went to the car aisle and got what Moochi wanted.

It's happened before.

A few days earlier another friend -- whom will be known to you as W. T. Featherstone -- and I were headed downtown. She finished her carbonated beverage on the way and needed to discard the plastic bottle. Featherstone made a point of telling me she was going to hang on to it in search of a recycling bin until we got to our event.

Three train stops, one bus, and 3 blocks later she threw it out in front of our destination, saying something like, "Don't be mad at me. I tried." I laughed and blamed the city for not having more conspicuous recycling bins downtown.

Of course, I wasn't mad at Featherstone. Or Moochi for that matter. But having a green blog and publicly converting your traditional lifestyle in favor of sustainability somehow puts you in an awkward position of making others feel guilty when they aren't able or interested in doing the same.

But as I've SAID BEFORE: being green is a process, not a destination. And each of us must forge her own path.

My Twitter Bio: Lovely? Who Knew.

2010-02-03T19:29:00.016-06:00

I got a DM from a new EcoChicagoIL twitter friend that caught me by surprise. The other day, @GreenCarService wrote: "Thanks for the local green follow! I love your bio. :)"

Love my bio?

I had to ask for clarification. I wrote back: "You mean my twitter bio?"

Sure enough.

When I composed this supposedly lovely bio, it was mainly just to put words in a space. There wasn't much to say. Having only recently caught on to the green scene, I kept it simple: "Trying to be green one day at a time." Back then -- (Jan 09) -- I had just launched EcoChicago and didn't have a sophisticated history of good deeds to convey or any followers to pay attention to my twitter bio.

But when @GreenCarService commented, it forced me to reconsider what I wrote, and I realized something: it's still true. And, simple as it is, the line is more than a bio. It's a mission. I think it's every ecogeek's mission.

There isn't some grand finish line.

When @GreenCarService replied to my question, he/she stated: "Yes, I think the realistic simplicity of your message speaks volumes for what everyone can do in simple steps to make a HUGE impact."

The fact is: we're all trying to be green. Whether we've been trying for the past ten years, or the past two weeks doesn't matter. It's a process, not a destination, and we're either on the path toward sustainability or away from it. Believe me, there have been times when I've faltered.

There is trash in the landfill because I didn't recycle it.

I've brought plastic bags home from the store that could have been spared.

Conventional beauty products are in my purse, even though I know my lipstick probably contains lead.

I haven't visited the Green City Market all Winter.

Even though my path toward sustainability does include deviations, I'm still green. I still recycle 50 items for every one that I don't. I still remind Erik to put the reusable shopping bags in the car (because it's his fault if they're missing). I still read the labels on new products I buy to avoid ones with Parabens and Phthalates. I still plan to go to the Green City Market when weather permits to support local farmers.

As time goes on, I keep adding to the list- improving my track record. I hope you are too.

About EcoChat

2010-01-30T16:59:00.014-06:00

SUMMARY

EcoChat is a bi-weekly, hour-long live web program showcasing trends in the green movement and is powered by Vokle, a novel web event platform featuring integrated social media tools.

AMBITION

Connect. Communicate. Collaborate. With Vokle as its medium, EcoChat strives to connect green leaders with a global audience where they can communicate innovative ideas and collaborate with like-minded individuals to encourage a more robust culture of sustainability.

PARTICIPATE

EcoChat features opinion leaders at the forefront of the green movement. Guests are not only knowledgeable of industry trends, but seek to create provocative dialogue around popular topics in the green space.

Anyone can join the discussion. Viewers may log-in via a Twitter or Vokle account to submit questions and join a real-time chat with other audience members, or they can simply view the live discussion as spectators at ecochicago.blogspot.com.

CONNECT

Follow the show on Twitter via @EcoChat and RSVP to our events at Vokle.com

Winter Eco Travel Tips for City Living

2010-01-08T19:35:00.005-06:00

During these brutal winter months, eco city travel becomes much less appealing. After all, bikes slip and slide in the snow and walking to the bus isn’t anyone’s first choice when there's a -15 degree wind chill outside. So what's the eco-traveler to do?

Plan weekly trips. Stop by the grocery store every Monday on your way home from work instead of making an extra trip outside after you get home. That way, you’re not venturing outside in colder temperatures after you realize you’re out of milk. Also, making one weekly trip forces you to plan for your provisions, decreasing the number of times you have to shop at all.
Buy boots. Boots were made for walking…especially in the snow. Buy good ones and you’ll be less inconvenienced by the slush, thus more inclined to get where you need to go on foot. I’ve lived in Chicago for seven years (never owned a car) and only bought a good, water resistant set of BOOTS this year. It’s done wonders for me.
Use the CTA Bus Tracker. Hook yourself up with Chicago’s CTA Bus Tracker and you’ll spend less time outside. You can see where a bus is located and get the estimated arrival time to your station. Even if you don’t have an Internet plan on your phone, you can text CTA and they’ll give you a list of arrival times. Click HERE to check it out.

Don’t give up, eco-travelers. Spring will be here…in 70 days.

CBS 2 Investigators Reveal Ilegal Toxic Waste Dumping

2010-01-06T19:49:00.008-06:00

Last night the 2 Investigators revealed Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) employees showing a shocking disregard for the environment and public health as they dumped gallons of alleged toxic waste onto public property near residential neighborhoods throughout the Chicago area. A solitary whistle blower was CBS 2's main source of information. He says this has been going on for years at the behest of IDOT management. You can watch the original video from CBS 2 News HERE.

The story got me concerned about runoff from toxic chemicals into water supplies. You have a right to know what's in your water. According to the EPA, you should receive annual water reports from your water company stating the source and contents of your water.

Recently, I noticed my water smelling like garlic. I checked out the DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT website for the latest report, but the 2009 results were not available. Looks like I'll have to do more hunting to get the information I'm looking for...

VIDEO: Trash to Treasure

2009-11-25T01:24:00.008-06:00

I found some abandoned boards in an alley and converted them into sophisticated installation artwork. This video shows you how I did it.

VIDEO: LEED Certification

2009-11-15T21:06:00.013-06:00

Evanston, IL, recently passed a green building ORDINANCE requiring LEED Silver certification for new commercial construction exceeding 10,000 feet. The move makes the Chicago suburb part of a growing number of United States municipalities mandating green building standards for both privately and publicly funded construction.

To help you understand the process, Jean Dufresne, Principal at SPACE Architects + Planners, explains how his team planned LEED certification for the LOGAN SQUARE KITCHEN in Chicago, owned by Zina and Nick Murray.

The Dirty Dozen

2009-11-12T21:26:00.021-06:00

I've always wondered, which food is best bought organic? A friend from OrganicNation TV hooked me up with a list from the Environmental Working Group of the most toxic fruits and vegetables according to their likelihood to harbor pesticide residue- even after being rinsed and peeled.

Here is what EWG calls the "Dirty Dozen"- the most easily contaminated of all! (Listed here from most to least tainted.)

Peach

Apple

Sweet Bell Pepper

Celery

Nectarine

Strawberry

Cherry

Kale

Lettuce

Imported Grapes

Carrot

Pear

Was your favorite food on the list? If not, find out WHERE IT RANKS and learn more about the methodology behind the Shopper's Guide to Pesticides.

VIDEO: Green City Market

2009-11-09T23:37:00.018-06:00

Chicago's only year-round, organic market held its first "indoor" event over the weekend, but the friendly weather made for an unusual start to the new season.

Special guests frequently visit GCM. Rick Bayless is holding a CHEF DEMONSTRATION later this month.

The market was recently awarded a $76,000 federal grant as part of the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" campaign.

GREEN CITY MARKET will be held at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum through April. You can visit every Wednesday and Saturday from 8AM to 1PM until December 23.

There are a few themes this season:

January: Are You Game?
February: Meat and Potatoes
March: Bacon and Eggs
April: Cheese

Coming Up...

2009-11-06T22:46:00.014-06:00

Here's what you'll find next week at EcoChicago:

GREEN BUILDING
Evanston recently passed a commercial green building ORDINANCE, but do you know what it takes to make LEED certification? I spoke to the architect behind LOGAN SQUARE KITCHEN who will tell us more about the LEED design process.

GREEN EATING
Winter is just around the corner, but local, organic food is available all year at the GREEN CITY MARKET. I'll take you into their first indoor market of the season.

GREEN SHOPPING
Some foods are simply best bought organic. I'll tell you about what's known as the "dirty dozen" - fruits and vegetables most likely to harbor pesticide residue.

VIDEO: Who Let the Dogs Out?

2009-10-30T10:56:00.009-05:00

Peanut was finally adopted...by us! Here's a tribute to the little rascal.

SLIDESHOW: The Spirit of Summer

2009-10-29T19:16:00.012-05:00

Remember Summer through the eyes of local amateur photographer Kristin Reyer.

VIDEO: Chicago 350 Climate Action Day

2009-10-27T13:08:00.005-05:00

From planting trees to protesting on the streets, Americans had varied goals for Climate Action Day this year. In this video from YouTube user DogStar7 we meet demonstrators outside Chicago's Fisk coal-fired plant and hear a speech by one alderman who proposes a ban on plants like it.

THE HUFFINGTON POST reported eight people were arrested at the protest. For more videos showcasing locals during Climate Action Day, visit HOW GREEN IS CHICAGO.ORG.

VIDEO: Mythic Paint Launch Party

2009-10-22T22:06:00.019-05:00

Local "Color Therapist" Michelle Quaranta launched a new line of eco paints during the Mythic Paint Launch Party last night at her Bucktown paint boutique, COLORI. The collection boasts a wide range of colors (over 1200!) that contain zero VOC's, zero toxins, and zero carcinogens.

Why you should care: Old school paints contain volatile organic compounds, or VOC's such as benzene, methylene chloride, and formaldehyde that are toxic to you, your pets, and your children. In fact, some VOC's are known or suspected carcinogens.

Here's a recap of the sights and sounds found at the Mythic Paint Launch Party.

Green Dry Cleaning

2009-10-22T10:23:00.016-05:00

I found a local alternative to traditional dry cleaning that I think everyone in Chicago who uses a cleaning service should try out. It's called GREENER CLEANER and the company has five locations throughout the city. Greener Cleaner uses a toxin-free process to clean your delicates, and locals have rated it 4 out of 5 stars on YELP. Even if you don't live in the windy city, a comparable service will be better for the environment and your health.

Here's what to look for:

*Perc-free cleaning: Perchloroethylene is a toxic chemical that wasn't even initially intended for cleaning clothes- it was originally meant to degrease metals- ew! For decades it's been used as a dry cleaning solvent that has contaminated water systems across the country and is considered a hazardous air pollutant by the EPA. Once you inhale PERC fumes, they can hide in your body's fat tissue. Any process that eliminates this substance is a huge step above traditional dry cleaning.

Two suggestions...

*Wet cleaning: This is the eco-friendly process used by Greener Cleaner. Basically water and biodegradable detergents are used to clean your clothes. The cost is slightly higher than traditional dry cleaning (although you can get coupons for Greener Cleaner via their website), and since water is part of the equation, there is a chance shrinkage will occur.

*Liquid CO2: Developed in the 90's, this process uses existing industrial and agricultural CO2 emissions to create a liquid solvent that, when combined with detergent, becomes a powerful method to clean your clothes. Hangers Cleaners is a national chain using this method. One drawback, however, is that the detergents used contain some VOC's.

Have you tried an eco-cleaner before? Let me know what the experience was like!

Source: National Geographic Green Guide, EPA

Contact Me

2009-10-20T00:19:00.006-05:00

Comments : EcoChicago :: Presents : Children

Twitter: @EcoChicagoIL, @EcoChat
Email: ecochicagoinfo@gmail.com

Welcome to EcoChicago

2009-10-19T11:58:00.033-05:00

Alicia's message:

Thank you for visiting my blog. The idea for EcoChicago came after I read the book A World Without Us by Alan Weisman. It was the chapter on polymers that changed my life. Learning about our garbage piling up in the North Pacific Gyre both enraged and inspired me. How could we let this happen to our Earth? Why hadn't I known about this before? What can I do about it?

And so, the journey began.

When I established EcoChicago in January 2009, I found myself in the midst of an eco-revolution. Gas prices were breaking records, the economy was in a downward spiral, and Barack Obama had just been elected President. Each of these were turning points in making "green" more mainstream in the US. The American media began to seriously and consistently report about alternative energy, and although some companies took unfair advantage of the changing tide, other big domestic brands were finally promoting truly green products. The transformation was underway.

EcoChicago attempts to bring a local focus to this emerging green industry, while remaining relevant to the international green community. So, explore the site! You'll find videos highlighting Chicago's green resources, rants against greenwashing, and insight into my own lifestyle adjustments. Please leave comments or reach me by email. I'm always thrilled to hear from anyone who pops in.

About Alicia:

Alicia Ontiveros is a freelance producer and writer with a background in television and web video production. Her experience includes network television programs airing on The History Channel, National Geographic, The Animal Planet, The Weather Channel, The Biography Channel and PBS.

As a savvy ecogeek she writes about green topics for print and web publications, and assists green companies in brand development using integrated social media platforms.

SLIDESHOW: Mother Nature Retrospective

2009-10-16T01:05:00.005-05:00

Here's a look at a few amazing photographs I've taken at Chicago's nature museums and gardens. Mother Nature is a wonderful creator!

VIDEO: Tree Theory Bags

2009-10-15T02:18:00.015-05:00

An ingenious husband and wife team in the West Loop is transforming bag construction. Sharon and Ted Burdett own Strand Design. They've recently released a line of TREE THEORY BAGS made from products found in Chicago's waste stream. In this video, Ted shows us how the bags are made and what that means for our local environment.

If you're looking for a Tree Theory bag near you, head to one of these locations:

THE MCA GIFT SHOP
220 East Chicago Avenue | Chicago, IL 60611

GREENHEART
1911 W Division St | Chicago, IL 60622

EMBELLISH BOUTIQUE
4161 N. Lincoln Ave | Chicago, IL 60618

@ WORK DESIGN
7500 W. Madison St. | Forest Park IL 60130

VIDEO: Creating An Eco Wardrobe

2009-10-14T00:11:00.013-05:00

With the change in season comes a new line of fashion - and because the holidays are closer than you might imagine, a lot of shopping to boot. But part of being green in the windy city means developing a sustainable wardrobe.

So, before you go crazy buying a stack of new winter sweaters, listen to Chicago eco-fashion expert JESSA BRINKMEYER explain how to start transforming your closet into an earth-friendly oasis. In this video she also gives us a quick tour of some fabulous eco-fabrics.

And in case you didn't know, Jessa Brinkmeyer owns PIVOT, Chicago's first eco-boutique. The brand is retooling and will close its Fulton Market location at the end of the month, which means amazing sales on long-lasting, sustainable pieces. CLICK HERE to read about my latest find at Pivot and see below for a pic of me in my first designer eco-dress.

VIDEO: Deadly Dog Food

2009-10-12T22:05:00.015-05:00

A few days ago I found out my family dog, Boobis, has cancer. It's at an advanced stage. The news had me thinking about what goes into our dogs' diets and how it affects their long term health.

As it turns out, our furry friends often get the short end of the stick when it comes to nutrition. All of the scrap meat from warehouses - which is often rotten, contaminated, or otherwise unfit for human consumption- is processed into dog food. To hide the ick, dog food manufacturers rely on sugar and preservatives that can cause dozens of pet health problems like diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, liver disease ... and eventually cancer.

The Department of Agriculture does not require inspection of pet food ingredients. BHA, for example, is a preservative that "has been found to consistently produce certain types of tumors in laboratory animals." But companies like Purina think it's OK to feed to our pets, and no one's stopping them.

I'm going home for Christmas this year to visit Boobis, maybe for the last time. I'll give him hugs, kisses, and stuff some healthy treats in his stocking. As a tribute to him, check out this video of Boobis doing one of his favorite tricks.

As you may know, Erik and I are fostering dogs from the CHICAGO CANINE RESCUE FOUNDATION. The dog we have now is named Peanut. A few days ago I bought some cheap dog treats for him. I found DHA in one. In the other, high fructose corn syrup was listed as the fourth ingredient! I was disgusted. Poor Peanut...to think I gave him some of those!

So, I've been on the hunt for a good alternative for dog food. Something that won't break the bank, but I know won't be harmful to the little guy. It's been a difficult journey. $10/lb. is a lot for dog food. I'm open to suggestions out there, so please comment!

SOME RESOURCES:

I found this local site called PUP LIFE that offers everything eco for dogs.

Here is a link to the ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION'S list of pet food supplies and services for Illinois.

Go HERE for a chart detailing some questionable dog food ingredients.

Pivot Boutique Hosts Final Trunk Show Featuring Lara Miller

2009-10-07T21:04:00.009-05:00

PIVOT BOUTIQUE held its last in-store event tonight, featuring a LARA MILLER trunk show. The Fulton Market storefront will be closing at the end of the month, but that doesn't mean owner Jessa Brinkmeyer is fading from Chicago's green scene. The Pivot brand will remain active in the eco-fashion industry. Jessa plans to continue online sales of sustainable products and participate in local green events. Right now Pivot's fall line is selling for up to 90% off the original retail price, so stop by soon to take advantage of this steal and say goodbye to one of Chicago's best.

Tonight I was able to snag a lovely fall DRESS by SPUN, made of organic cotton. I also picked up a reusable glass bottle for work. It was awesome to meet Lara Miller, too. Hopefully she'll be up for an interview and we can all learn a little more from her about sustainable living.

To get the conversation started: If you were to ask Lara Miller a question about eco-living, what would it be?

VIDEO: Logan Square Kitchen Grand Opening

2009-09-28T22:48:00.009-05:00

Logan Square Kitchen opened its doors to the public over the weekend, marking the debut of a new eco event space in the city. LSK is the brainchild of Zina and Nick Murray- residents of the neighborhood who wanted to bring a European-style market to the community after learning about the benefits of sustainable living. The kitchen is their first step toward that goal. In this video, Shannon Downey with Pivotal Production explains how this state-of-the-art kitchen was designed.

I Met an Astronaut

2009-09-05T04:29:00.011-05:00

During my night out on the town, I happened to meet an astronaut. Our conversation eventually led to my eco-blogging hobby, at which point he assumed I'd disapprove of space venture on account of the resources expended to get one of those clunkers out of our atmosphere.

He was wrong. It's not that I'm against space exploration, it's that at some point, I'd like NASA to invest in some eco-engineering....maybe a solar-powered spacecraft? My new astronaut friend scoffed at the idea. After all, shuttles have to reach 200,000 mph to escape our atmosphere (Ug=m1m2/r). How can you achieve that speed with solar power? But before you abandon the idea of eco-technology entering space, check out THIS ARTICLE in which Louis Friedman, a former aerospace engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, explains that the idea for a solar-powered space craft has been tossed around since the 1970's.

Regarding the power of solar photons, Friedman says, "Only in the vacuum of space can we harness that energy into a force, because there are no other competing molecules, like wind and atmosphere, and we're flying in an otherwise weightless condition. So we harness the energy of sunlight in the form of the photons that come out of the sun. They hit a giant reflective mirror, which is how we make our solar sail -- into a very thin, aluminized, highly reflective sheet of plastic. And as the photons bounce off the mirror, they transfer their momentum to the mirror, and that gives you a force."

According to the article, "Scientists see solar sailing as a feasible, efficient method that may someday be used to explore new worlds in our solar system, and beyond."

In fact, the Russians already have a head start. They concepted the first solar-sail spacecraft four years ago called Cosmos 1. Unfortunately, it didn't make it in to orbit, but THE PLANETARY SOCIETY is looking into launching another one soon.

What say you, Mr. Astronaut?

P.S. Is it just a coincidence that at this very moment, Google's top trending topic is "unexplained phenomena"?

09-05-09 11AM

As an addendum, a twitter buddy informed me that solar power has been used on the International Space Station for quite some time. In fact, I found out astronauts were sent to replace solar panels earlier this year and they were first installed back in 2000.

What we really need to know is: Can clean energy be harnessed to actually propel space craft from Earth?

Littering Woes

2009-09-02T12:41:00.005-05:00

So I'm exiting the train to go to work and this guy reaches into the trash can, pulls out a recently discarded Coca Cola can, bites it, tears off the bottom and throws the carcass on the floor of the CTA station as he walks out. Disgusted, I declared, "What a jerk!"- but only loudly enough for the guy next to me to hear. I picked up the remainder of the can off the floor and followed the guy out to the street (we happened to be walking in the same direction, I'm not that insane) and proceeded to imagine a scenario in which I yelled, "Hey white shirt, I believe this is yours!" Then, waiving the can indignantly, I'd toss it in the nearest trash can and deride him further: "Don't litter, it's detestable," as I walk away, scowl and all.

In reality I just threw the can away and went to work.

Chicago's First Green Child Care Center

2009-08-20T23:04:00.005-05:00

Located in the West Loop, LITTLE GREEN TREE HOUSE claims the status of Chicago's first green child care center and just opened this summer. Everything from the lunch menu to the toys are selected with the environment in mind. The building was made from recycled and sustainable materials and the children are taught to recycle their trash. Check out some PICTURES here.

VIDEO: Fostering Dogs the Eco Way

2009-08-12T22:25:00.015-05:00

Besides recommending biodegradable poop bags (I use THESE), I really don't have many thoughts at the moment about taking care of dogs in an eco-friendly fashion. I just REALLY wanted an outlet to share videos of the dogs I'm fostering.

To make this post a little more informative, I'll tell you about fostering dogs and why I do it.

I miss my family dog, Boobis, a lot, but I can't really visit New Mexico too often, so fostering dogs seemed like a great way to connect with animals without having to commit myself to a pet for the next ten years.

I applied through the CHICAGO CANINE RESCUE FOUNDATION to be a foster parent. After they accepted my application, I visited their Roscoe Village shelter and picked out a dog named Cookie to be my first foster pet. A volunteer with the foundation visited my home to make sure it was a safe environment for animals and dropped Cookie off to me the next day.

About a week later Cookie was adopted. The shelter has pictures of the dogs available online, so when someone expresses interest in a pet, they can either visit me to see the dog or I can meet the prospective parent at the animal shelter.

We were sad to see Cookie go because she was soooooo sweet and cuddly, but I was able to take a new dog home the same day. His name is Peanut and I'll be posting more about him later.

For now, check out my video featuring Cookie and leave any questions you have about fostering in the comments section below.

GOOD HANDS POST: Making Your Campus Move Eco-Friendly

2009-08-04T23:46:00.007-05:00

Moving to a college campus for the first time or the fourth can be an overwhelming task. This year, I've synthesized a few tips into a guest post for the GOOD HANDS COMMUNITY to help families figure out how to make the insanity easier not only on our minds, but mother earth as well.

Please check it out and forward the link to anyone you know who's on the move, college or otherwise.

Free Eco iPhone App

2009-07-18T18:40:00.015-05:00

SF Environment released the free EcoFinder iphone app to help San Francisco eco-geeks more easily find recycling centers. The app really comes in handy for responsibly disposing of oddities like ink, nail polish, medicine, antifreeze, and other toxic chemicals you don't trash on a daily basis.

The database has existed for awhile at sfenvironment.org, but is only now available as a phone application. You can use it to search by item and even find recycling programs that offer a free pick-up service for certain chemicals. Learn more about the application by visiting ECOFINDER online.

All of the hype about this phone application leaves me wishing the CITY OF CHICAGO would invest in similar technology for its residents. After all, the blue cart program is FAR from being completely implemented, and we could use the extra help locating recycling centers at the last minute.

As a side note, today I was giving the Starbucks guy a hard time for not recycling plastic in the store. He blamed the city for taking away the blue bag program and said his private waste removal company didn't offer the option to recycle plastic, only cardboard. However, unless 51% or more of Starbucks' waste is cardboard, they are required by city law to recycle additional materials.

When was the last time the city audited Starbucks' waste stream? I wanna know!

Wal-Mart to Create Green Rating System

2009-07-16T11:23:00.007-05:00

Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc, is announcing plans today to create a green rating system for store products that could put more purchasing power into consumers' hands in the future- or just turn out to be a huge greenwashing party.

The rating system might not hit store shelves for a few years, but Wal-Mart plans to start its first phase of the project soon by asking suppliers to answer a questionnaire to determine each product's level of eco-friendliness. Factors such as water use in the manufacturing process and recycling potential will count toward a product's final rating.

I've heard criticism that the cost of some products may rise when suppliers decide to redesign them to get a better eco-rating, which industry consultant Burt P. Flichinger said can increase a product's cost up to 3 percent.

My concern is the greenwashing that will ensue. Companies will be scrambling to get a competitive edge by having a more eco-looking product. How does Wal-Mart plan to verify the story-telling from suppliers? Unless the government standardizes the process and creates specific penalties for greenwashing, I'm not sure that the rating system will mean much.

What say you?

P.S. Try reading THIS ARTICLE for a comprehensive analysis on the topic.

Blue Cart Program Expanding in Northside Neighborhoods

2009-07-15T00:00:00.003-05:00

Chicago's Blue Cart recycling program expanded this month to include parts of the North Side including Lincoln park, lower Roscoe Village, Bucktown, and some parts of Humbold Park and Logan Square.

Service to these areas began July 6th and community meetings were held to educate residents about the expansion. For more information from the city CLICK HERE.

Remember the blue cart program is a "single stream" recycling option. Which means you can dump any of the approved items into the bin. They'll be sorted out later. THIS LINK has more information about specific items accepted by the city.

I'm glad to see such a large area getting service, but I'm disappointed that more of the western and southern neighborhoods were not included in the expansion. My new neighborhood in the west loop neither has the blue cart program nor a close recycling bin. The result is a HUGE backup in my kitchen.

What about you? Does your neighborhood have service?

VIDEO: New Products at All Things Organic Trade Show

2009-07-03T01:38:00.023-05:00

Hundreds of companies from around the country visited Chicago for the All Things Organic Trade Show to exhibit products coming to market this year. I picked out a few of the best for you to check out. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below.

Have an Eco 4th of July

2009-07-01T10:30:00.011-05:00

Chicago sounds like a war zone during the 4th of July. With thousands of fireworks going off all over the city in just a few hours, it's easy to imagine the toxic consequences of our "patriotism." If you're planning to set off a few sparklers this year, heed these tips to mitigate your damage to mother nature:

1. PICK UP YOUR TRASH

2. Don't set off fireworks near dry brush.

3. Keep a bucket of water around to quickly douse any small fires.

4. Leave the big ones to professionals. Avoid setting off fireworks with projectiles. You never know where those hot embers will land. Plus, more contained fireworks are easier to clean up.

5. Just use common sense.

That's all I can think of right now. If YOU have a tip, please leave a comment below!

FROM THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY:

'Green' fireworks may brighten eco-friendly 4th of July displays in the future.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 23, 2009 — With millions of people in the United States eagerly awaiting those July 4 fireworks displays — and our Canadian neighbors doing likewise for their July 1 Canada Day celebrations — here's a prospect for those light shows of the future likely to ignite a smile on Mother Nature's face: A new generation of "green" fireworks is quietly making its way toward the sky.

That's "green" as in environmentally friendly.

Fireworks, flares and other so-called "pyrotechnics" traditionally have included potassium perchlorate as the oxidizer, a material that provides the oxygen that fireworks need to burn. Perchlorate, however, is an environmental pollutant with potential adverse effects on people and wildlife. Pyrotechnics contain other ingredients, such color-producing heavy metals, with a similar potential.

Studies have shown that perchlorate from community fireworks displays conducted over lakes, for instance, can lead to perchlorate contamination of the water. For full details about how perchlorate contaminates lakes after fireworks displays, Click here for a study published in the American Chemical Society's peer-reviewed journal, Environmental Science & Technology.

Researchers, however, have developed new pyrotechnic formulas that replace perchlorate with nitrogen-rich materials or nitrocellulose that burn cleaner and produce less smoke, according to an article in ACS's weekly newsmagazine, Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN). To read it, click on click on fireworks.

In the article, C&EN Associate Editor Bethany Halford says these nitrogen-rich formulas also use fewer color-producing chemicals, dramatically cutting down on the amount of heavy metals used and lowering their potentially toxic effects.

Some of these fireworks have already been used at circuses, rock concerts and other events, but none have been used at large outdoor displays. The problem: cost. The big challenge in launching these "eco-friendly" pyrotechnics into the sky is making them cost-competitive with conventional fireworks while maintaining their dazzle and glow, the article explains.

The article notes that fireworks manufacturers have little incentive to further develop the new green fireworks because no federal regulations currently limit releases of perchlorate from pyrotechnics.

###

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 154,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio. n

Whole Foods, Whole Paycheck

2009-06-25T22:45:00.015-05:00

Every time we shop at Whole Foods, Erik inevitably makes a joke referring to the store as Whole Paycheck. It's getting old, but I can't say it's any less true. We ended up paying over $100 for two bags of groceries.

1.5lbs of sirloin came out to $15.

But Whole Foods doesn't let you forget you're paying for a lot more than run-of-the-mill meat when you shop with them. Signage hanging in every direction boasts antibiotic and growth hormone-free meat coming from range-raised cattle that wasn't fed animal byproducts. Not only that, but Whole Foods pays their employees- I mean Team Members- good wages, which means almost everything sold there is going to cost more.

I've learned it's important to set limits. While roaming the organic aisles, Erik was experiencing some pretty heavy mental anguish over which bag of sugar would best sweeten his coffee. Of course there's the obvious fair trade standard. But then, which brand? Is it important to buy less processed, unbleached sugar----at $8/bag? We decided it was too much to consider and abandoned the aisle before any damage was done.

Overall, I admire the ethical standards Whole Foods practices and the accountability the company shows to the local community by supporting Midwestern farmers. The store motto is: Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet.

...and right now my whole stomach is pretty full of that sirloin, etc. we bought the other day and turned into a delicious New Mexican Green Chile Stew tonight.

Yum. It was worth it.

Ha, ha

2009-06-06T17:09:00.003-05:00

If you had purchased $1000.00 of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now be worth $49.00.

With Enron, you would have $16.50 left of the original $1,000.00.

With WorldCom, you would have less than $5.00 left.

But, if you had purchased $1,000.00 worth of Beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling price, you would have $214.00.

Based on the above, current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.
It's called the 401-Keg Plan.

VIDEO: Windy City Hosts Windpower 2009

2009-05-13T01:52:00.024-05:00

The American Wind Energy Association held its annual conference in Chicago showcasing more than 1200 exhibitors at the McCormick Place Convention Center earlier this month. Topping the AWEA's agenda is pushing congress to create a Renewable Energy Standard. Their hope is a benchmark on renewable energy investment will coax the wind energy industry out of its recent slump and kick-start an enduring commitment to renewable energy development in the United States. Considering Obama's pledge to create green jobs during his administration, it won't take long before the RES is passed and we start to see wind turbines dotting Lake Michigan's horizon.

Play the video below to see a few of the incredible wind turbines featured on the show floor.

I'm Moving...HELP!

2009-05-01T13:27:00.007-05:00

I'll soon be moving across town to a much more impressive pad with Erik...my Lincoln Park studio wasn't cutting it any more. Although I'm really excited about the move, I'm also concerned about making the transition as eco-friendly as possible. During college I was always disgusted by the amount of waste everyone created when moving out at the end of the year. People would throw away expensive furniture, appliances, etc. because they didn't make the time to dispose of them more responsibly. I don't want to fall in that trap. Do you have any ideas to share?

Things to recycle:
-mattress
-unwanted clothing
-...

McCormick Place Goes Green?

2009-04-30T11:39:00.006-05:00

I was working at McCormick Place this weekend and was happy to notice the disposable utensils in the cafeterias are eco-friendly! They are fully compostable products made from potato starch. Although slightly less durable than plasticware, they are VERY green and well worth the investment. It was nice to see a huge convention center like McCormick making some effort to be green.

There are other bioplastics on the market made from corn starch that break down similarly. Click HERE to read up on other earth-friendly utensils.

VIDEO: Earth Day Volunteers at City Farm

2009-04-22T09:12:00.022-05:00

City Farm is an organic garden in the heart of Cabrini Green that provides jobs and food to the local community. Sixty volunteers visited the land to get dirty for Earth Day. I tagged along to get a peak at their volunteer work. For more information visit the RESOURCE CENTER web page.

Greenwashing- What You Can Do To Keep Them Honest

2009-04-13T17:13:00.008-05:00

Greenwashing refers to companies or people who shamelessly promote themselves or their products as environmentally friendly when their main goal is profit increase. If you notice greenwashing, let everyone know by visiting the GREENWASHING INDEX. You can report it and rate other claims of the same.

Greenwashing or Green Victory?

2009-04-07T00:17:00.054-05:00

In addition to buckling your seat belt, pushing up your tray table and putting your seat in an upright and locked position, Northwest flight attendants are also asking you to RECYCLE your trash at the end of every trip.

I found out about this "revelation" in airline travel while flying back to New Mexico a few weeks ago. The change was a bit predictable. Being green is the latest trend, and in a corporate climate where all the cool kids are doing it, what other ostensibly eco-responsible initiative could a large company like Northwest Airlines (NWA) take to show it cares?

I was encouraged (at first). At least this meant I didn't have to find a recycling bin to stash my plastic cup after the flight...but when I realized the airline easily could have been recycling for the past three decades, I started to suspect NWA is more concerned about padding its bottom line than saving trash from the bottom of a dump. I'm sure there are plenty of people who'd prefer to fly with an airline that passes around a recycling bin as they cruise into their final destination to help them forget about the indelible carbon footprint they've just smashed into the environment.

Flying is bad for the Earth. Any eco-conscious person knows that. Well, any eco-conscious person who isn't an airline executive, as I soon found out.

After contemplating the motives behind NWA's recycling program, I picked up a copy of the in-flight magazine in my seatback pocket. It didn't take me long to find a column titled "Green Initiatives." Take a look at the second paragraph:

"Currently, the U.S. Department of Energy data show that air travel is more efficient than bus, truck, or rail when measured on a per-passenger basis. The combined airline (NWA/Delta) transports its customers across the world with an efficiency of about 55 passenger miles per gallon- equal to a hybrid-electric car with one occupant."

The thought of current airline travel being marketed as "efficient" was unsettling. The aviation industry has been described as "public enemy number one" in regard to CO2 emissions- you know, the stuff causing global warming and leaving cute little polar bears clinging to melting glaciers.

Let's look at some other data: Flying contributes MILLIONS OF TONS CO2 into the atmosphere every year, and according to THIS website, my flight down to Albuquerque emitted 436 lbs of CO2 per person on the plane.

The magazine article dodged real measurements when it mentioned carbon emissions, but it did say it's decreased them by 25% since 2000 by renewing its fleet, retiring old aircraft and replacing some ground-handling equipment. It's also committing "to a 30 percent fuel efficiency improvement between 2005 and 2025." And about that recycling program: the airline is using proceeds to build a Habitat for Humanity home.

So what do YOU think: Greenwashing or green victory?

As a sidebar, It's impossible for me to write this entry without examining my own hypocrisy. After all, my ass was in a plane seat and here I am criticizing the industry, but I couldn't miss a best friend's wedding- I was the maid of honor, after all. I'm looking into buying carbon credits to clean up after myself for every flight I take this year...more on that later.

In the meantime, check out the BUZZ in the news about changing the way planes land to cut carbon emissions and click HERE to read about a ZERO CO2 emitting plane. We need to get these babies in the air!

Click the thumbnail below to read the full NWA article mentioned above.

VIDEO: A Trip to the Recycling Bin

2009-03-19T16:22:00.009-05:00

New Recycling Program

2009-03-03T19:45:00.006-06:00

After speaking to my condo board president about implementing a recycling program in the building, I'm happy to report that the board voted unanimously in favor of a program and informed all tenants about the change today.

Groot will be providing single stream recycling for the building and even accepts #6 plastics! This is really great since I've amassed a huge pile of recyclables in the kitchen, yet again. Hopefully my apartment will start smelling better now...

Do you have a recycling program in your building? If not and you live in Chicago, it's against the law. Talk with your management about starting one today! Click HERE for more information.

VIDEO: How To Recycle

2009-02-10T13:56:00.018-06:00

I'm Back

2009-01-29T12:20:00.000-06:00

It's. Been. Too. Long.

I haven't updated in a bit, but there's something about an achy winter cold and the putrid smell of oil-tinted sink water bubbling up from unknown depths (pipes froze) that doesn't evoke the creative writing spirit.

Before:

After:

I know, it was disgusting. Now that things are turning around, you should expect more from me. As someone totally green to the green movement, I've been taking baby steps in my transition. As you might imagine, recycling is my first step. In the weeks since my first posting, I've amassed an impressive heap of plastic and paper on my kitchen floor. Now it's time to sort it out and figure out where to take it. That will be the topic of my first video. I want to help other people figure out the process, so I'm making a "How to recycle in Chicago" video. Stay tuned.

The Beginning

2009-01-12T23:19:00.000-06:00

This is the beginning. My first blog.

I'm starting 2009 with a new view — a greener view, and I hope you'll join me. It's about time we all started taking responsibility for our plastic water bottles and paper towels — all the frivolous waste that ends up in the middle of nowhere called the North Pacific Gyre. I admit I was the average offender, not thinking twice about the end of the line for my milk cartons and plastic bags.

Lesson One: there is no end. Plastic doesn't biodegrade, it photodegrades — which means that while over time plastic may break apart, it doesn't break down into harmless particles that are recycled in Mother Nature. It just fractures into smaller, toxic particles. What this means: All the plastic our genius minds have ever created in the history of mankind is still out there, and all the millions of pounds of new plastic we'll create this year will only add to the problem. If you're feeling a little guilty, that's good. That's where change begins. That's where it started for me. I'm creating this blog to document my transition to a green lifestyle. I've got a lot to learn, but I'm excited for the adventure and I intend on recruiting others along the way.

If you're interested in joining me, start by reading this story and recycling your plastic bags.

Plastic Bags Are Killing Us