A year in review

I took the foot print quiz again, and we've made some progress. We only ( I like the only) use 3.78 earths. From 5.17 to 3.78 is a pretty big accomplishment. My goal was to be below 3.5 by the end of the year, but that's not happening. Looking at my 10 goals list, I know we've accomplished goal 3 ( cutting water usage). The rest are getting there slowly but surely. But hey, at least I have something to do over the new year.

Happy New Year everyone! Stay Green!

Paper Record!

I'm hauling 12.5 lbs of paper to school today! I think that's a record, but I need to check. But, it brings my total up to 30.3 lbs. Pretty good for under 3 months. I'm walking home again today, weather permitting.

Part One of Progress Evaluation

I don't know what it is, but I seem to be a little lax in my efforts. I know I've been using more hot water lately because its cold in the morning and I haven't been composting as much because of the rain. I did walk home today instead of being driven, but I don't know what kind of impact that made.

My goal was to accomplish 3 of the goals by the end of the year. It doesn't look like I will do that.

Sorry

I haven't been able to post for a while. I've been really busy. I just bought a new environmentally friendly wallet made out of hemp.

I've sent my first post to acespace. I'll let you know when it has been published.

Guess what?

I'm now a field corespondent for acespace! Yeah!

Acespace?

Today we had a presentation on global warming from ACE (Alliance for Climate Education). It was really cool and very informative. I want to drill ice cores now!

Two other cool things happened. It was talking to our presenter Rebecca and she told be about being a field correspondent for acespace and gave me a little advice on the scholarship acespace offers.

I'm really excited about the field correspondent thing. I see my school trying to become greener and greener every day and I want to talk about it. This would be a great opportunity to do that.

I have to do a little more work to qualify for the scholarship, but I'll think about that later. I'm just too excited about this now.

A Note...

http://www.myfootprint.org/

Above is the address of the ecological footprint quiz that I take every once and a while to measure my progress.  Take it please and post a comment of your results. Thanks!

Helping People and Going Green

My high school is doing their annual charity blitz of a coin war, food drive, toy drive and coat drive at the same time. The toy and coat drives are good things for people and the environment because you are helping people and reusing pre-loved items for good.

My advice if you want to decrease your waste this holiday season:

1. If you have toys in excellent to good condition your kids no longer play with, seek out a toy drive and donate them. You will give some kids a huge smile, get a warm fuzzy feeling and help the earth.
2. If you have coats or other winter wear that you no longer use , try to find a donation program at your local Salvation Army or a coat drive. Helping people and helping the earth go hand in hand.
3. Donate any unwanted gifts or host a gift swap with a friend or family member. Would you believe people throw away unwanted but perfectly good gifts every year?

This way, you will make the holidays a bit brighter for some really needy people and make the earth a better place all at the same time. That is one of the greatest gifts there is.

1. Donate unwanted gifts ( if any) or swap them with a friend or family member. Would you believe people throw away thousands of unwanted but perfectly good items a year?

An Inconvenient Truth Problem

I finished watching "Inconvenient Truth" in Env. Science today.

The movie has caused controversy in my house. One of my family members accuses me of going off the deep end, stressing and worrying about global warming, the other is indifferent. I don't stress about global warming. Yes, our climate is changing and humans are playing a role. Will it get as bad as they say? I have no idea.

All I say is that we created part of this problem and because we have the ability to take action, we have the responsibility to take action.

If I want to major in Environmental Science in college, I need to stop listening to these people who think I'm stressing out or crazy just because my opinion is different then theirs.

If you have any comments, support or criticism, it would be appreciated now.