Extreme Weather!

       Have you been wearing scarves and gloves more often than usual or still wearing those summer shorts? Whether you live on the East Coast, West Coast, or internationally, weather extremes have become the normal. Along with the palm trees (in the picture above), I would imagine a sunny day and beach. Instead, it is snowing! This is the largest snowstorm that Jerusalem has had since 1992. China is experiencing its coldest winter in the last 30 years and Brazil is in the middle of a heat spell. Unfortunately, these extremes are causing people to flee their homes and pipes to burst, and even worse, deaths.

       Extreme weather, can be unexpected. Although it can’t be controlled, we can prepare for it and prevent it from reoccurring in the future. The real question is: Do we look to fix the damage that extreme weather has caused or look to prevent it from happening in the future? Changes in weather enhance the spreading of disease. Infectious diseases can spread more easily in hotter weather. This can have significant consequences in many countries. While it is a large environmental issue that our world is facing, I hope that as a community we can find ways to bring extreme weather and global warming to a halt.

Upcycling!

Most of us have the three R's of sustainability memorized: reduce, reuse and....upcycle? Now I know what you're probably thinking and let me just say no my fingers did not suffer a minor seizure and miss the letters "re";  a new word has entered into the fray and challenged recycling for its spot: upcycling.

Upcycling is a term for using items that have expired in their intended use by giving them a completely new purpose. It is not exactly reusing, because the item is not getting reused as it was used before, but rather it is getting used as something completely new. Recycling, also known as downcycling, is the process of converting an item into lesser quality by consuming energy. Upcycling (named in contrast to the term downcycling) adds value to an item by not decreasing its quality and not consuming energy, making it the greener contender among the two. Upcycling 1, Recyling 0. 

So how exactly do you upcycle? Well lets follow Sherri Brooks Vinton's example of upcycled canning jars. Ms. Vinton used regular canning jars, which pasta sauce or pickles are usually stored in, to create resuable straw cups. Had she decided to recycle the jars, energy and money would have gone into melting the glass and reforming it. She instead decided to convert them into adult "jar-chic sippy cups." I've heard that they are the buzz around all the hipster joints in town. But regardless, the cups themselves provide a valuable trendy kind of water bottle whose worth is much more than melted reformed glass. Upcycling: 2, Recycling: 0.

According to leading designer Danny Seo, if you have sharp scissors, a glue gun, an x-acto knife, drills, a staple gun, double stick tape, and a sewing kit then you are good to go to make one hundred upcycling projects at home. It seems like a long list, but if you think for just a minute, many of us have these items as a part of our household tool kits, and if you don't, this is a good time to go and restock. Recycling, on the other hand, requires a whole other facility with large machines (which have to be separately operated) that crush, melt, and crunch perfectly usable items and make them into "resuable human waste." I think, as environmentalists, we all have the mantra of "no waste" ringing through our ears right now. Upcycling: 3, Recycling: 0. 

Well, I believe we have a winner! Winning three to zero, upcycling takes the lead as the greener option. Upcycling is the cleaner and greener way to go, and the best part is, its not very difficult to do! So go out there and impress your friends with your new found lingo, all the while saving our planet. 

Happy Upcycling,

Dr. Green 

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219310

http://www.amazon.com/Upcycling-Create-Beautiful-Things-Already/dp/0762441798

http://www.treehugger.com/green-home/upcycled-canning-jars-make-nifty-reusable-cups.html   

Green Teen Summit 2012

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending The Harker School's student organized Green Teen Summit. The purpose of this Green Teen Summit was to bring environmentally thinking teens from all high schools together to inspire, learn, and collaborate with one another.

The event kicked off with a Keynote address by Bill McKibben. Yes, that's right, BILL MCKIBBEN--the founder of 350.org! Bill McKibben is my idol and my hero and to be able to listen to him in person was surreal. Want to know what was even more incredible? I got to talk to Bill McKibben. He was so friendly and extremely approachable; he even offered to give me a tour of Middlebury College if our visits to Vermont ever coincided! His Keynote Speech addressed many important points, but one stood out to me specifically: In a perfect world, we kids would be able to focus on getting an education, on going to college, on finding a job, on making a family, and then worry about saving our planet. But unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world and as such, our generation cannot afford to wait for all of our plans and futures to come together. We must act now. We must make environmental activism a part of our present rather than a goal set in our distant future.

Then ACE (Alliance for Climate Education) gave us a teaser presentation of its free assemblies on climate change. The ACE presentation was particularly interesting because it really fused the idea of using video technology coupled with "teen-identifiable" language to connect with their audience very well. I think they have really discovered something special: an effective way to outreach to students about climate change. That makes me especially happy because we're all faced with the question of how to get our peers to also engage in climate sustainability. I think ACE has done a great job and I can't wait to see the assembly they bring to my school!

We then got to hear from Ethan Burke, the famous driver of the BioBus. (Read more about Ethan and his BioBus experience here!) The biggest thing I loved about Mr. Burke's presentation was his focus on optimism rather than pessimism. We hear so often about the dangers and consequences of what will happen if we do not do anything to save our planet. But how many times do we get to hear about what will happen if we do protect Earth? His approach was refreshing and inspiring and made me believe more than anything else that each of us have the ability to make a lasting impact, whether its on a international, national, or community basis. He also stressed that any kind of positive impact, small or big, is necessary and helpful.

We later broke into group sessions and learned more about planning and leadership skills. The two workshops I attended were run by Daniel Swayne of Citizen Engagement Lab and Mr. Sutton, Harker's very own AP Environmental Science teacher. Both presentations were helpful in figuring out what someone can do on an individual level.

The most impressive part about the summit was that it was completely planned by the students in Harker's environmental club BOSS; three seniors in particular spearheaded the event: Daniella L, Shreya I., and Alisha M. Mad props to these ladies for pulling together an event that attracted nearly 80 people! I entered the event not sure what to expect, not knowing anyone there, but I can happily say that I walked out of the event with a couple extra friends and some truly exciting ideas. 

Still feeling the euphoria after meeting Bill McKibben,

-Dr. Green

Green Teen Summit Saturday, April 14th, 2012!

Hello There! Here is the invitation to this year's Green Teen Summit at Harker School. This seems like a great opportunity for everyone in the Bay Area, adults and teens. Guess who else will be there? Bill McKibben! The founder of 350.org (which held Moving Planet Day). Buy your tickets today! If any school or organization can pledge to bring 20 students, all 20 tickets are free! I'll be there, will you? Check back in Sunday to see my coverage of the event as well! 

Who will I be seeing this Saturday?

-Dr. Green

Attention all Bay Area high school students!

Get inspired, connected, and empowered at the Green Teen Summit, a half-day event hosted at Harker Upper School thisSaturday, April 14, 2012.

You will get a chance to:

• hear from amazing keynote speaker Bill McKibben, Founder of 350.org and "probably the world's leading environmentalist" (according to the The Boston Globe)
• get trained to lead by the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE)
explore a solar-powered bus that toured America
• attend skills workshops
• have lunch with mentors already working in "green" business
• and more!

Find additional information and register at greenteensummit.eventbrite.com. Tickets are $10 (including light breakfast & lunch). This is sure to be an EXCELLENT event!

No "green" experience is necessary! This event is targeted towards teens who are potentially interested in pursuing a sustainable project at their school or ones who are just interested in learning about more ways to be green! Three years ago, my co-organizers Shreya and Daniela randomly went to an optional assembly held by ACE as freshmen. They had ZERO green experience. After the amazing presentation, they decided they wanted to reduce our school's carbon footprint, applied for a grant from ACE, and won $5,500! Through months of hard work and successfully reducing our school's carbon footprint with an energy-savings project, they co-founded their own organization, SmartPowerEd (www.smartpowered.org). Since then, Shreya and Daniela have been featured at Powershift 2011, speak at the White House Grid Modernization Event and represent ACE at the Clinton Global Initiative.

Don’t be afraid to take action! If you have a great idea or question, reach out to someone, whether it be a teacher, parent, mentor, or someone from an organization like ACE. Who knows what will happen to you after you attend this summit and meet a number of phenomenal people with expertise in the "green" field? Don't pass up this incredible opportunity!

We hope you’ll join us! Be sure to visit greenteensummit.eventbrite.com to register or email me atalishamayor@gmail.com if you have any questions!

Thank you! :)

Alisha Mayor

Senior at the Harker Upper School

Green Teen Summit Outreach Leader

The Power of Voice

Severn Suzuki addressed the UN as a representative from ECO (Environmental Children's Organization) on the issue of the environment in 1992. Although this video may be old, her worlds ring loud and clear today. I urge you all to watch her speech to the UN:

Severn was twelve years old when she gave this address. Her courage and bravery are remarkable, but even more so is her passion. She is a living example of a youth taking on leadership and giving the adult world a reality check. She proved to us teens that we can have a voice among the adult world. Imagine hundreds and thousands of Savern's coming together and talking to their local governments. I think that would create quite the impact, don't you?

-Dr. Green

Keystone XL Rejected!

On January 18, 2012, President Obama rejected the Keystone XL Pipeline proposal. For those of you who are unaware of what the Keystone XL Pipeline proposal is, here is a brief background:
TransCanada, a Canadian oil and gas company, proposed a $7 billion bid to build an oil pipeline linking the tar sands of Alberta to the oil refineries on the Gulf of Mexico. This would be a 1,700-mile route stretching through  the United States. The bill had major support from Republicans and labor unions.

The major support behind the bill that sparked huge protests in Washington D.C. and all over the world (as you saw on Moving Planet Day) came from the common debate over economy vs. the environment. The building of the pipeline was projected to create thousands of American jobs. As such, the President has been criticized for his decision. However, there are major consequences for building such a pipeline that the President (luckily!) took into account.

Tar sands production is a major source of pollution. In fact, during just tar sands production, the carbon dioxide emissions are three times that of conventional oil drilling. According to the Friends of Earth organization, the construction and use of the Keystone Pipeline would bring enough carbon emissions to equal six million new cars on U.S. roads. Tar Sands also create a large amount of water waste. For example, for every one barrel of oil received, three gallons of water are used. This polluted water would then enter and disturb the habitat and species reliant on those habitats. The communities, especially near the refineries, already face a largely polluted neighborhood. The tar sands would significantly increase the amount of pollution in those neighborhoods, exposing those people to major diseases like cancer.

The Obama administration's rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline bid is a huge victory for environmentalists in our country. However, it does not mean that there is no future to the pipeline. The Obama administration is still facing tremendous criticism for their decision. The truth is, while the economy is not good, environmental issues do not become a priority. Thanks to President Obama, this particular issue was made a priority. However, one thing I would like to point out is that the rejection of the bill only came after thousands and thousands of protesters gathered together around all parts of the country. We showed the Obama administration through our protests and letters how powerful our opinion is. So the next time a pressing environmental issue crops up in politics, do your part and get the word out there. The rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline is proof enough that when we all make a resounding effort, our politicians do hear us.

http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/president-obama-rejects-keystone-xl-pipeline/story?id=15387980&page=2#.TyixccU2-uI
http://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov/clientsite/keystonexl.nsf/AssmtDrftAccpt.pdf

Moving Planet

Check out this video taken from 350.org's website about Moving Planet day! Also make sure to visit the Tar Sands movement to see how you can prevent President Obama from signing this outrageous bill!

        On September 24, 2011 people all around the world in more than 180 countries participated in the event called Moving Planet Day hosted by 350.org. In our local site, San Francisco, hundreds and hundreds of people gathered protesting the rise of carbon levels; people were dressed up as polar bears, trains, and endangered species all waving colorful signs protesting the Tar Sands movement. Visit the 350.org website to see hundreds of pictures people sent in from their respective parts of the world! It is truly awe-inspiring to see so many people around the world (many from countries I've barely heard of!) do their part in representing their country in protesting climate change.
        I think this global event reminded me of two very important things. One, we are NOT alone in our cause! There are environmental stewards all around the world willing to do everything it takes. And when all of us come together as we did on September 24, 2011, we have the power to not only let our voices be heard, but let our voices be the loudest and most resounding in the minds of our politicians and leaders. So whenever you feel like you are losing your spirit or passion after being bogged down constantly, remember that there is a community out there that is relentlessly fighting alongside you. Secondly, the environment brings people together. After seeing the news on TV reporting about constant struggles with country X, a problem with country Y or some suspicion of county Z, it is hard to feel like we are connected to the world. Moving Planet has blasted down any sense of isolation for me. I feel so internationally bound to everyone, almost like a global family. And the key thing to remember is that as long as our global family is unified we have the power and strength to protect and save the environment!

None Like it Hot!

While interning at the Ecology Center, I was shown this clip that the center uses to illustrate global warming to teens who previously didn't care. It's a great little clip that definitely made me laugh! Maybe you can use it to show in your environmental clubs at school?

I don't own this clip, the clip is taken from the TV show Futurama.

Is there a water problem?

Hi Dr. Green ,

I am pretty much into homework and parties but people say there's a water problem developing world-
wide. Should I care about that?

-Party girl

Dear Party girl,

I appreciate your concerns for this issue. The simplest answer to your question would be as a resident of
the world, any worldwide issue is something you should care about. Water in particular, is a substance
that no human being can live without. About 60% of your body, 70% of your brain, and 90% of your
lungs is made out of water. The average kidney needs about 1.5 liters of water to function correctly. The
water problem developing around the world today has two parts: access to water and scarcity of water.

Access to clean fresh water has become more and more limited. Approximately 1 in every 8 people
lack access to safe water supplies; that is about 884 million people. On top of that, each year there are
about 3.575 million deaths attributed to water-related diseases. While cities and slums are growing at
an alarming rate around the world, the ability to get clean water is diminishing by the minute. A five-
minute shower in America uses more water than a typical slum uses in an entire day. Often the people
in the slum end up paying almost five to ten times the price for water than a nearby city resident.

Water scarcity is quickly becoming a very crucial issue. Only 1% of the global water supply is usable for
human consumption. And of that 1%, a large amount of water is being polluted and then deemed unfit
for human consumption. As our population rises, the demand for water also rises, but the problem
is that we do not have an indefinite supply of water. In countries like Bahrain, the use of desalination
plants has already been implemented because of the lack of fresh water. In order to prevent this
problem from becoming any larger than it already is, the key lies in conservation of water.

Water conservation is essential in taking the first steps to solving this issue. Just because the problem
is worldwide doesn’t mean you can’t take measures right here at home. Just start with your own house
by asking yourself these questions: do I use a low flow showerhead? Are my appliances marked with
an EnergyStar label to indicate less energy consumption? If I have a standard toilet, have I managed a
way to either displace the water in the tank or get a water saver flush mechanism? All of these things
are easily manageable at home and save a lot of water! There are also behavioral changes you can
make to your lifestyle. For example, while putting on shampoo and conditioner in the shower, turn off
your shower and then turn it on again while rinsing it out. Cutting down your shower time saves a lot
of water and a lot of money. Try running full load dishwashers instead of hand-washing your dishes and
turn off your tap when brushing your teeth. Altering your lifestyle and the appliances you buy for your
home can do a lot to conserve water in an easy manner. So going back to your question, yes you should
care about the developing water problem because although it may have not touched you yet, it will
spread and grow until it does, and by then it will be very difficult to reverse the effects.

Happy conserving,

Dr. Green
http://water.org/learn-about-the-water-crisis/facts/#water
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/propertyyou.html

http://www.treehugger.com/water-crisis/
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/water-conservation-tips/

Right to Light

The beginning of 2011 marked the start of the phaseout of 100-watt incandescent light bulbs in California. But unlike for the nationwide long-term phaseout of incandescent bulbs, don't expect a lot of talk about black markets or stockpiling.

The new requirements do not ban traditional incandescents, but require that they use 72 watts or less. The new halogen bulbs emit the same amount of light, but use less energy at a comparable price.

Although the California law has not created a ton of controversy, the 2007 federal law mandating the gradual switch to energy effecient bulbs is being challenged by the Republican majority. Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann is pushing the "Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act," arguing that the mandate is another example of the US "nanny state" limiting consumer liberty.

The bill demands that the GAO (Government Accountability Office) prove that the new bulbs save money, prevent carbon emmissions, and are safe.

So the question remains, do bulb bans - and consumer restrictions in general - represent an important step forward for the greening of America? Or is big government restricting what should be a personal choice? Email your thoughts to drgreensblog@gmail.com or comment below

State of the Union

I just finished watching the State of the Union address, and man, that was intense. Of course, with all the political tension in the air right now, environmental issues tend to get pushed to the back burner. Fortunately, Obama seemed to make environmentalism, at least green energy, a big concern for the next two years. Calling the race to regain technological superiority this generation's "Sputnik moment," the president seemed committed to funding green technology as part of a pragmatic approach to help the economy.

Among Obama's Promises:
-give 80% of Americans access to high-speed railways by 2036
- have one million electric vehicles on the road by 2015
- eliminate subsidies to oil companies to fund green technology
- obtain 80% of American energy from clean power by 2035

These goals recall a hope for the future that has been more than a little muddied these last two years. However, their loftiness demands that definitive action be taken to achieve them, action that cannot be taken at a podium, but must be achieved through –dare I say it– bi-partisanship.

The obstacles to making these promises a reality are numerous. The Republican response, delivered by Congressman Paul Ryan, decried big government and wanted less intervention and spending. Leaders on both sides are more focused on curtailing the deficit and making cuts than investing more in new technology. However, hopefully the new sense of cooperation seen tonight will prevail into actual legislating, and meaningful measures can be drafted to turn rhetoric into reality.

Although Obama talked about clean energy and innovation, there was little talk of other facets of environmentalism. Relatively little time was spent talking about foreign affairs, let alone environmental affairs outside of the domestic domain. It looks like, for the time being, environmentalism in Washington will be built not from idealism, but from pragmatism. As long as the promises made tonight can be followed through on, that's nothing to scoff at.
-Dr. Green

DEAR DR. GREEN
Which is more environmentally friendly, a real Christmas tree or an artificial one?

Imitation Christmas trees seem more environmentally friendly. They can be reused, after all, and don’t involve cutting down trees. But the idea that artificial trees are more earth friendly is mainly a myth.

Fake trees, although they can be reused, are mostly made of PVC and polyethylene. Although some claim to be recyclable, most models are not, and end up in the dumpster. Furthermore, 80% of these trees come from factories in China, which greatly increases travel distance and thus carbon footprint. A 2004 study found the many of the older models contain toxic amounts of lead.

Real Christmas trees generally come from tree farms, not forests, so they do not contribute to deforestation. Most cities have in place a tree-recycling program, by which the trees become mulch. Many of the farms are domestic, and production consumes CO2

Between Artificial and cut Christmas trees, the latter is the lesser of two evils. But issues of allergens and pesticides can still deter people from tree lots. For the truly dedicated, potted trees can provide a guilt-free Christmas. Potted trees provide all the benefits of cut trees, with the added benefits of keeping the tree around to continue soaking up CO2. You can pick one up at your local nursery and plant it in your backyard after Christmas. If planting the tree isn’t a feasible solution, many companies are cropping up that will rent out live trees and then collect them after Christmas. For the more artsy among us, making a recycled Christmas tree can show your holiday spirit and your eco-ingenuity.

Happy Holidays and good luck!
-Dr. Green

The Slippery Slope of Green Skiing

Is skiing environmentally damaging?

Skiing is a large, carbon-intensive industry that requires a lot of space, a lot of equipment, and a lot of energy, so it has the potential to be very environmentally disruptive. Resorts that use a lot of snow machines consume large amounts of energy and water. Due to global climate change, chemicals called snow inducers are increasingly used to help freeze snow at lower temperatures. In a way, it’s a vicious cycle: emissions from snow machines fuel global warming, which means higher temperatures and increased need for snow machines. Despite low growth in the total number of skiers, the total acreage of resorts has greatly increased, meaning more deforestation and more energy-sucking ski lifts.

But like any industry, ski resorts are realizing that consumers are demanding a more environmentally friendly experience, and that their industry depends on stopping global warming. Some resorts are investing in green technology, renewable energy, and are committed to limiting devegetation and water depletion.

Luckily, we don’t have to spend hours investigating our favorite ski spots. Ski Area Citizens Commission, an organization dedicated to monitoring the eco-frienliness of the ski industry, gives resorts across the country a letter grade on greenness, factoring in criteria such as habitat protection, energy conservation, and water management. For example, Squaw Valley gets an A, while Heavenly has a C overall, and an F in protecting watersheds.

To see how your favorite spot ranks, visit http://www.skiareacitizens.com/index.php?
nav=report_card
-------------------------------------------------------
I've set up a new email account for the blog, so email me your questions at drgreensblogblog@gmail.com

Have a good Thanksgiving and stay green!
-Dr. Green

Meg Whitman

"After you have exhausted what there is in business, politics, conviviality, and so on - have found that none of these finally satisfy, or permanently wear - what remains? Nature remains." ~ Another Whitman

There’s been lots of buzz lately about a certain Ms. Whitman. Amidst talk of housekeepers and vicious attack ads, the environment has gotten less of the spotlight. Whitman claims she will make the environment a top priority. However, she is in favor of scrapping certain regulation to help attract business.

Whitman promises to:
*better enforce pollution laws
*support clean transportation
*cut red tape inhibiting new green industries
*halt offshore drilling until new technologies can minimize environmental impact
*oppose prop 23, a ballot measure that would suspend certain greenhouse gas regulations until *unemployment drops

*suspend AB 32, the law under fire by prop 23, for at least a year
*increase water flow from the delta (albeit with a new system she said will protect the smelt and other wildlife)
*lower environmental regulation to create jobs

Whitman seems to espouse the popular idea that environmental regulation and economic recovery are not only at odds, but perhaps mutually exclusive. California has long been a pioneer in government-backed environmental protection, and it seems that Whitman might not share Schwarzenegger’s environmental zeal. That said, it seems that she has given more than a token commitment to ecological issues.


Who do you support in the gubernatorial race?
Do you think Whitman’s environmental promises are sincere?
Housekeepers: important political issue, or most important political issue?

Comment below or shoot me an email at jessie.kathan@gmail.com

Getting Motivated

As an "environmentalist," I sometimes feel it's my duty to portray being eco-friendly as easy, pain-free, and fun. The sad truth is that in between school, work, and everything else, being earth-friendly sometimes slips to the bottom of the totem pole. It's difficult to care deeply about food waste or unplugging chargers after four hours of sleep. The devil on my shoulder whispers, does it really matter that much if you recycle that bottle?

I realized that in order to continue my environmental fervor, I'd need a little more motavation. Thus, I present to you three simple reasons Why it Matters:

#1: This picture ^

#2:"Sea-level rise will increase risks of erosion, storm surge damage, and flooding for coastal communities, especially in the Southeast and parts of Alaska. Reduced snowpack and earlier snow melt will alter the timing and amount of water supplies, exacerbating water scarcity in the West" -US Global Change Research

#3: It wasn't the Exxon Valdez captain's driving that caused the Alaskan oil spill. It was yours. ~Greenpeace advertisement, New York Times, 25 February 1990 (as true for BP's oil spill as it was for Exxon's)

Nothing like a good old fashioned sense of desperation to cure apathy.

~Dr. Green K

New Dr. Green

Greetings all,
The Dr. Green torch has officially been passed. I'm Jessie Kathan, aka Dr. Green K. I'm very excited about taking up this position and continuing the blog.

A little bit about me:
I just started my junior year in high school in Moraga, an extremely small suburb in the Bay Area. When I'm not staring at my computer screen, I enjoy reading, hiking, and cooking (badly).

I've been writing for the Green News for a couple of years, and right now I'm on the Editorial Board. I'm passionate about saving the environment, but by no means do I claim to be the epitome of environmental consciousness; I freely admit that much of my food is inorganic, and ocacasionally - very occasionally - I use an unreusable water bottle (Al Gore have mercy). However, I'm enthusiastic about making my own lifestyle more environmentally friendly, and educating others along the way.

I'm eager to explore new ways this blog can grow, and I want a major part of it to involve you, the readers. Please comment on any of my posts and, if you are in need of any environmental advice or have topics like to see covered, email me at jessie.kathan@gmail.com

~Dr. Green K

Goodbye, Dr. Green T!

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping you're all enjoying what's left of summer vacation; however, if you're back in school, then I wish you a wonderful academic year! Starting this Fall 2010, I will begin my education at the University of California-Berkeley as a Business Administration major in the Haas School of Business. Unfortunately, this new pathway from community college will be a lot more stressful, tiring, and time-consuming on my life. With this being said, I will be stepping down as Dr. Green T from The Green News.

It has been a fantastic last two years serving The Green News. I began as a regular writer of this online newsletter, submitting monthly articles on environmental subjects that interested me. Within 6 months, I was given the opportunity to take on the role of Dr. Green T for The Green News. What an honor. I feel this responsibility and committment has been truly wonderful as I've been presented a canvas in which to create my own works for the general public to read and acknowledge.

I'm excited to see Dr. Green's Blog move forward with each and every person who decides to take on the role. It is absolutely a fantastic experience and I thank The Green News for letting me be the one to grow from it. :) Stay green, everyone!

Peace&Love,
Dr. Green T

Community Supported Agriculture

Hello Everyone,

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), ever heard of it? I hadn't until just today when my Internship Coordinator pulled out a fresh piece of corn from her lunch bag, and explained how much great produce she was receiving this summer! Let me explain briefly. CSA has become a convenient and popular way for consumers to purchase local, organic produce from a farmer directly over the last 20 years. Basically, a farmer will offer a box of fruits and vegetables that are in season for which a consumer will pay a weekly charge for a nutritious and environmentally-friendly goody bag.

If you check out this site here, you can learn more about the advantages to both consumers and farmers, the shared risk, variations, and more!

My Internship Coordinator explained how she purchases from "River Dog Farms" which is located in Capay Valley; however, they deliver their produce to farmer's markets all over the Bay Area for you to pick up from and enjoy. They pride themselves on growing organic food as their site explains what is organic food, why choose organic, and how to sign up for their veggie box deliveries. Click Here if you're interested to learn more and check out their beautiful photo gallery for a better idea of the concept! :)


In addition to "River Dog Farms," there's the "Full Belly Farms" which is the one I'm signing up for because they have farmer's markets near my apartment and a cheaper, more flexible rate for the veggie box deliveries than "River Dog Farms." However, "River Dog Farms" does have its own qualities that "Full Belly Farms" does not, but my vote still goes to "Full Belly Farms." Anyways, "Full Belly Farms" is also located in Capay Valley, and they sell to both restaurants and farmer's markets. "Full Belly is also home to many outreach activities, including educational tours, school group visits, and the much-acclaimed annual Hoes Down Harvest Festival." Interested in signing up for this veggie box delivery? Click Here.

Hope this blog was educational for many of you because buying from local, organic farms decreases carbon emissions from the trip of delivering produce and prevents the risk of obtaining a disease from pesticides sprayed on your fruit and vegetables. Maybe now I'll see some of you guys at a local farmer's market purchasing veggie boxes! In any case, have a wonderful summer, everyone! :D

Peace&Love,
Dr. Green T

BARTastic!

Hey everyone,

You know what's so great about the Bay Area that many people seem to take for granted? Our Bay Area Rapid Transit also known as BART. It's pretty amazing that we have this piece of public transportation that extends from San Francisco Airport all the way to Pittsburg/Bay Point, Richmond, and even Fremont.

I know some people are afraid to take BART because it can seem confusing, but if you go onto their website here, then you can quickly check train arrival and departure times to best map out your BART adventure! Once you become a regular BART attendee, the whole process of purchasing a ticket, finding which train to take, and knowing where to get off will be easy as pie.

It's interesting how much of a positive difference taking public transportation can do for not only our environment, but our wallets too! A roundtrip ticket from Lafayette to San Francisco is $8.90 which is amazing considering how much it would be to drive with the cost of gas, bridge toll, and pollution to take into acount. TO figure out how much it would cost for you to take BART everyday, Click Here.

We are fortunate enough to have this amazing piece of public transportation at our disposal as it stretches across the Bay Area to cities many of us have never even been to. It's also exciting to notice how all these Bay Area cities are all connected by one thing: Bay Area Rapid Transit, BART.

Peace&Love,
Dr. Green T

New Leaf Paper

Hello everyone!!

Hopefully, you're all getting prepared for school to begin session! However, are you ready for more note-taking in your classes, wasting countless pieces of paper? It's interesting how many people don't pay attention to the fact that we're using up vital resources everyday without a care in the world.

Did you know that "China, India and the rest of Asia are the fastest growing per-capita users of paper, but they still rank far behind Eastern Europe and Latin America (about 100 pounds per person per year), Australia (about 300 pounds per person per year) and Western Europe (more than 400 pounds per person per year)"? (Shapley) It's crazy, but there is something we can all do to help!

I have recently discovered this site called, New Leaf Paper, where they off a wide selection of coated, uncoated and office paper, many with 100% post-consumer recycled content and Forest Stewardship Council certification. New Leaf Paper was also first to market with 100% post-consumer papers of unparalleled brightness and printing specifications, including the first-ever 100% post-consumer recycled coated papers, book publishing papers and more.

You don't necessarily have to order New Leaf Paper products because there are plenty of others companies out there that are manufacturing recycled, environmentally-friendly paper for your writing needs. Just do some research, but if you're still unsure as to why to switch to recycled paper, then Click Here to learn more about "15 Facts About the Paper Industry, Global Warming and the Environment." Hope you all are having a wonderful summer vacation! :)


Peace&Love,
Dr. Green T

Works Cited:
Shapley, Dan. "15 Facts About the Paper Industry, Global Warming and the Environment." thedailygreen. Hearst Communications, Inc., 02 Oct 2007. Web. 10 Aug 2010. http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/7447.