A paper written by Burrell E. Montz of Binghamton University’s Department of Geology and Environmental Studies delineates some of the many environmental hazards posed by flooding.  Much of the risk involves contamination, which can range from less serious, accidental contamination by household products that leak into the water systems to more serious contamination of human water sources or plant and animal ecosystems.  It is easy to imagine how these ecosystems can be completely destroyed by rapid, overwhelming flooding, seriously endangering the species that inhabit them.  On a personal note, my current town has been reeling from flooding ever since Irene hit, and one of the many ramifications is that the town’s water has been deemed unsafe and all residents are being told to drink bottled water.  I can only imagine the carbon footprint created by my town’s bottled water consumption, let alone that of all the similarly affected towns across the east coast.

A number of factors can influence the severity of the environmental threat posed by flooding. Montz reports that “depth of water, velocity of flows, and duration of inundation, in combination with land-use attributes” can all impact the environmental damage posed.  It makes sense of course that areas with faster and greater volumes of water would take the greatest hit, but we may not immediately think that areas intended for specific purposes may be more prone to environmental damage.  For example, farmland would be in great danger because vast acres of cleared land are left without the protection that trees can provide.  The devastation would be magnified in farm areas where pesticides or other chemicals are used, since they would be flooded into water systems at high rates.

Of course, there are ways in which we can adequately prepare and therefore lessen the potential for serious environmental harm.  Sandbagging can reduce the risk of flooding in certain areas, which would obviously decrease the risk of secondary environmental effects.  Montz also recommends being mindful of all household chemicals and potentially hazardous materials beforehand, as to avoid letting them be washed into the flood waters.  Residents should also severely limit water use in their homes during the heavy rains that lead to flooding, because town water waste and treatment facilities are likely so overburdened that household use just compounds the threat of flooding.

Regions across the country are now being reminded that preparedness can save resources, human lives, and environmental integrity.  Unfortunately, natural disasters like floods often remind individuals and communities of the costs associated with some of our current ways of life.  In one such instance, a town in Pennsylvania is suffering after a different generation, forty years prior, decided to forego the protection of extra levees in favor of picturesque river views (New York Times).  Reflection on the environmental implications to the whole region adds yet another dimension of consideration for communities weighing similar options.

Floods can be ruinous, and portions of our country may be victimized by flooding as an unavoidable result of severe weather patterns.  However, it is important to know how you can minimize damage to your family, property, and even natural environment.  Whether or not you have been lucky enough to escape Irene’s and Lee’s wraths, please take a moment to consider your flood preparedness plan.  The state of New York’s Department of Health has a thorough online reference to help you prepare for floods, and other states across the country have comparable resources immediately available.  A little consideration and forethought may go a long way in protecting your home and community.

New York Department of Health’s Flood Preparedness Guide:

http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/emergency/flood/

Works Cited

“Flood Preparedness.” New York State Department of Health. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. <http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/emergency/flood/>.

Montz, Burrell E. “Quick Response Report #93 – The Environmental Impacts of Flooding in St. Maries, Idaho.” University of Colorado Boulder. 7 Feb. 1997. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. <http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/research/qr/qr93/qr93.html>.

Saulny, Susan. “A Choice Made Decades Ago Comes Back to Haunt a Town.” The New York Times – Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 11 Sept. 2011. Web. 12 Sept. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/12/us/12flood.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=levee%20or%20view&st=cse>.

Little has been reported by mainstream media about “Occupy Wall Street” because of varied excuses. Some cite the lack of a unified message on the part of the protestors as the reason, another, that the protest is drawing small numbers, and there’s also the thought that Corporate America could threaten larger Media outlets with decreased advertising spending.

Occupy Wall Street began on Sept. 17 with about 3,000 people gathering at Battery Park in New York City. Now protestors have organized themselves at Zuccotti Park, around the corner from Ground Zero. According to a Times article, the park has become a semi-permanent home, complete with a medical station and a distribution point for food and water.

“The protesters have organized themselves into committees to remove the garbage, roam the camp to enforce a ban on open flames (an evictable offense in the eyes of the NYPD) and engage with the people in the area,” reports the Times.

The way the protest was conceived is reminiscent of the Egypt-organized protests that began Tuesday, Jan. 25, which continues to this day. Millions of demonstrators gathered in Cairo, calling it an uprising, and it ultimately forced long-time president, Hosni Mubarek, to resign. Demonstrators used Twitter to organize with the key search “#Jan25” at the helm. Today, that same search on Twitter results in up-to-date Tweets in different languages.

Even the more recent London riots in August notoriously used Twitter to evade police officers. Social media is empowering youth activists and it’s the only way some are even able to hear about “Occupy Wall Street.”

One organization seems to be at the center of “Occupy.” Adbusters, a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that publishes an anti-consumerist magazine, created the Facebook event titled, “OccupyWallstreet.” The protest was created with the intent to work at finding a central message that they wanted to deliver to Big Banks and even President Obama. A work-in-progress type of message.

“Beginning on September 17, we want to see 20,000 people flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens, peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months. Once there, we shall incessantly repeat one simple demand in a plurality of voices.

“The beauty of this new formula, and what makes this novel tactic exciting, is its pragmatic simplicity: we talk to each other in various physical gatherings and virtual people’s assemblies … we zero in on what our one demand will be, a demand that awakens the imagination and, if achieved, would propel us toward the radical democracy of the future … and then we go out and seize a square of singular symbolic significance and put our asses on the line to make it happen.

Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof), New York Times columnist and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner said the NY demonstration reminds him of Tahrir Square in Egypt.

“Wall St protesters like Tahrir in social media savvy, carnival mood, and deep sense of frustration & disenfranchisement,” he Tweeted today.

Actress Susan Sarandon has visited the site and so has Michael Moore, a documentary filmmaker.

Entrepreneur Russell Simmons addressed the pepper spray incidences that seem to be making more headlines than the actual protest itself.

“SHOCKING 2nd angle of NYPD pepper spraying protesters at wall street bit.ly/q4rTX0 PLS RT #OccupyWallStreet,” Simmons tweeted today.

Cornel West, an American philosopher, author, civil righst activist and a professor at Princeton University, sent a photo via Twitter of him holding a sign that read: “If only the War on #Poverty was a real war, then we would actually be putting money into it. #OccupyWallStreet.”

The demonstrators plan on being there for at least two months, and already there is news that Chicago residents are organizing a sister protest.

To get a bird’s eye view of the situation, there are plenty of websites, including MoveOn.org that are streaming video of the action. And if you agree with the demonstrators, but can’t get to NY, read this article from AlterNet.org that gives you 11 examples of what you can do to help move along the “Occupy Wall Street” message, for instance: “move your money from a big bank to a credit union.”

Click below to get a live stream:
www.livestream.com/globalrevolution

References:

Rawlings, Nate. “Occupy Wall Street Protest: 12 Days and Little Sign of Slowing Down – TIME NewsFeed.” TIME NewsFeed – Breaking News and Updates. 29 Sept. 2011. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. .

January, 29. “2011 Egyptian Revolution.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.

“Adbusters.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.

“#OCCUPYWALLSTREET | Facebook.” Welcome to Facebook – Log In, Sign Up or Learn More. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.

“Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) on Twitter.” Twitter. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.

Many of the top-tier Republican presidential candidates have stated in so many words that they believe that anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change is a hoax, engaging familiar rhetoric that there is still not scientific consensus regarding climate change.  This is simply not true.  Eight years ago, Science Magazine reported that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, created by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environmental Programme, had unambiguously stated its certainty that “the consensus of scientific opinion is that Earth’s climate is being affected by human activities” (Oreskes).

The article goes on to recount that the National Academy of Sciences, the American Meteorological Society, the American Geophysical Union, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science have all issued statements confirming their agreement with the scientific consensus about the anthropogenic nature of climate change.  Since 2004, scientists across the board have outspokenly supported the consensus opinion, to the point that some sources now report a complete lack of dissention among scientific associations of national or international standing.  Of course, scientific history has taught us that the scientific consensus can be proven wrong with time; however, to assert that this consensus does not exist, as many of the Republican candidates have done, is purely disingenuous.

Creating or fueling popular doubt in climate change is nothing more than a campaign tactic.  Many Americans are looking for a reason to maintain the comfortable status quo, and the belief that any doubt still exists can be just such a reason.  Allowing us to believe that climate change consensus does not exist is analogous to telling us that we do not need to worry yet or begin to change behavior, because it might all be some made up concern.  This is therefore a dangerous strategy and ought to be exposed.

A look at recent statements made by the Republican presidential candidates reveals that most of them refuse to consider climate change to be an issue worth our time and money.  Last week Texas Governor Rick Perry said in a discussion with New Hampshire business stakeholders that he believes that “there are a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling into their projects” (“Perry on Climate Change”).  He continues that “we’re seeing weekly or even daily scientists who are coming forward, questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what’s causing the climate to change.”

Perry then employs one of the most-used denial techniques, reminding his audience that the Earth’s climate has warmed and cooled since the beginning of time.  This is of course correct, but inconsequential to the fact that human-driven climate change is happening at a much greater rate than ever before experienced.  The governor concludes by discussing what he foresees as the fiscal cost to our country and the world of dealing with climate change, stating that he “[does not want] America to be engaged in spending that much money on still a scientific theory that has not been proven, and, from [his] perspective is more and more being put in question” (“Perry on Climate Change”).

Michele Bachmann, another of the race’s frontrunners, argued on the floor of the House of Representatives in 2009 that “carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of nature,” adding that “there isn’t even one study that can be produced that shows that carbon dioxide is a harmful gas… it is a harmless gas” (Graves).  Representative Bachmann, that is simply not true.  In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a statement saying that greenhouse gases – primarily carbon dioxide – “threaten the public health and welfare of the American people” (Associated Press).  Many scientific associations have since supported this assertion. Once again, Bachmann is playing to the public’s confusion and espousing “data” that is misleading at best. Bachmann has also followed the other candidates in attacking the EPA, promising that it will be closed if she is elected President (Broder).

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum has also evoked the idea that global warming is a natural part of the Earth’s warming and cooling processes.  In a radio interview with Rush Limbaugh in June, Santorum said that he thinks global warming is “a beautifully concocted scheme” created by liberals who want to take advantage of this “natural process” in favor of more governmental regulation (“The Rick Santorum Interview”).  His only reference to scientific consensus – which, as we know, purports that humans have severely influenced the Earth’s warming – is to call it “the junk science behind the whole narrative.”

Herman Cain, while admittedly a dark horse for the candidacy, has also been outspoken regarding his disbelief in global warming.  In an interview with CBS News’s Brian Montopoli in June, Cain said, “I don’t believe global warming is real” (“Herman Cain Interview”).  He later added, “the science, the real science, doesn’t say that we have any major crisis or threat, when it comes to climate change.”  The environmental stances of Presidential hopefuls Tim Pawlenty and Newt Gingrich may be harder to ascertain, as both have formerly shown pro-environmental initiative but have more recently backed away from outright agreement that global warming exists (Hymas).

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney may be slightly more of a friend to the environmental message.  He told a crowd in New Hampshire earlier this summer that he believes “that humans have contributed to” global warming (Graves).  He went on to add that “it’s important for us to reduce our emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases that may be significant contributors,” a bold statement for a Republican candidate to make, and one that falls well outside the party’s mainstream message of late.  However, last month Romney was quoted as saying “I don’t think carbon is a pollutant in the sense of harming our bodies” (Weiner).  As the governor of Massachusetts, Romney originally supported a regional greenhouse gas reduction initiative but later withdrew support, citing economic reasons.

The Huffington Post (Graves) reports that former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman may be the most pro-environment candidate in the Republican field, and the liberal political magazine Mother Jones agrees.  As governor of Utah, Huntsman brought the state into the Western Climate Initiative and set a goal for the state to return to 2005 emissions levels by 2020 (Hymas).  Two years ago he also stated that he was “enormously frustrate[ed]” by his party’s lack of climate action (Hymas).  In fact, Huntsman received a lot of flack just last week for tweeting that he believes in evolution and climate change, and he followed up on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday night by saying “the minute that the Republican Party becomes… the anti-science party, we have a huge problem” (Weiner).  However, now that he is a serious presidential candidate, Huntsman seems to be backtracking.  He now reportedly opposes a regional cap-and-trade program that he once supported, reminding us all that rhetoric means little if these candidates do not having the conviction to follow through with environmental policies (Weiner).

The environment must be one of the central priorities for this decade, and the administration inaugurated in 2012 must be dedicated to championing that priority.  Before voting in the Republican primaries and eventual presidential election next year, please consider the environmental ramifications of your vote.  I implore everyone to do some research and decide whose platform – and policies – you can truly get behind.

So, what is vermicompost and how do you get it? Vermicompost, also known as worm castings, is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by certain types of earthworms. Most vermicomposters use red-wigglers or red worms (Eisenia fetida) in their compost bins. Red wigglers are surface dwelling worms that live in rich organic matter as opposed to dirt. These worms need to be introduced, they aren’t normally found around homes or in gardens.

To get started vermicomposting you need worms, bedding, waste material and a bin to put it all in.  Most home vermicomposters use medium sized Rubbermaid type tubs that can be found at most hardware and large box stores like Wal-Mart, Lowes or Target. Once you have your bin you need some sort of bedding for the worms to live in; shredded newspaper, cardboard or even aged straw. The bedding needs to be damp, similar in wetness to a rung out sponge. You’ll want to fill your bin about halfway up with the bedding materials.

Next you need waste materials, the “food” for the worms. This includes waste vegetables and fruits, aged animal manure, coffee grounds, breads (starchy items), tea bags, and ground up egg shells. You’ll want to avoid meat and dairy products, oil products, chemicals, and human or pet waste. You want to make a thin layer of these items on the top of the bedding, and maintain that layer as needed. Most people keep a container in their kitchen for the waste intended for the worms, and feed them with it every couple of days or as needed.

Finally, you need the worms! Again, you’ll want to make sure you get red-wigglers, not the worms you might find out in your garden. Red-wigglers can be ordered, there are many companies that now sell them just for vermicomposting purposes. Check out SLO County Worm Farm or Red Worm Composting to order and for more information.

So, what now? After about 3-6 months, depending on the size of your bin and the number of worms you have, you’ll find that all the bedding and scraps have been turned into a dark brown earthlike material. This is your vermicompost, a nutrient rich additive for your soil and garden! The easiest, but most time consuming, way to harvest your castings is by piling the compost under a lamp or in the sunlight and slowly removing the outside layers of castings. Red-wigglers are sensitive to light and will go to the darkest area they can find, so as you strip away layers they will dig deeper into the pile. Soon enough you’ll be left with a pile of worm-free castings and another pile of worms. You can use these worms to repopulate your bin and start all over again!

Now that you have your worm castings, you can use them as you would any other organic fertilizer. Many people top-dress houseplants, so each time they water, the plant gets a dose of nutrients straight to the roots. It can also be used for transplanting plants; add a small scoop to the bottom of the hole before you put the plant there. Another very useful option is to brew some “compost tea” with it. Imagine a giant tea bag with worm castings in it, soaking in a bucket of water. You can use a piece of pantyhose or even a dishtowel tied up with the worm castings. After a few days, the water will be filled with the nutrients from castings and can be poured on plants to give them a boost.

Worm castings contain much needed nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorous, and some studies show that plants can have a 137% increase in growth when worm castings or vermicompost tea is used. So, add this fun and even educational project to your list of green living options today!

References:

SLO County Worm Farm. Web. 08 Aug. 2011. http://slocountyworms.com

Red Worm Composting. Web. 08 Aug. 2011. http://www.redwormcomposting.com/.

Munroe, Glenn. “Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture.” Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada. Web. 8 Aug. 2011. <http://www.organicagcentre.ca/DOCs/Vermiculture_FarmersManual_gm.pdf>

Many other non-chemical pest control measures have become better known in recent years because of public outcry for safer alternatives. Mechanical pest control, integrated pest management, poly-culture, crop rotation and “trap plants” are all options that have grown popular in the last decade.

When it comes to pests your first line of defense is prevention. Stopping pests before they become a real problem is the best, and most often times, the easiest choice. Growing in healthy soil, free from disease and “fatigue” can give your plants the boost they need to naturally defend themselves against pests. If you add soil or compost make sure it is free from seeds that will germinate and spread in your garden or lawn area.

Also, ensuring there are an adequate number of beneficial insects such as lady bugs and praying mantis before you plant will give you a head start in pest defense. Try to think of your garden in a “plant positive” instead of a “pest negative” way, by integrating proper crop rotation to prevent the spread of disease and to ensure your soil is healthy. You can also time your plantings to miss known hatching periods for certain insects.

Planting “trap plants” or “repellent plants” is also a good way to prevent pests from destroying your garden. Trap plants draw certain insects away from your crop; geraniums, marigolds, petunia and nasturtium all distract leaf-hoppers, aphids and beetles. Some trap plants also attract beneficial predatory insects. Additionally, repellent plants such as garlic, hyssop and rosemary deter aphids and cabbage moths, along with many other pests.

Another method that has become popular in recent years is poly-culture, the practice of growing many plants in a certain area. Using poly-culture you avoid the dangers of a single pest or disease wiping out an entire crop or planting. Additionally, with various plants in one space they can provide each other with needed nutrients. Poly-culture also provides habitat for a variety of beneficial insects, increasing biodiversity and healthy habitats.

There is also mechanical pest control which takes on two distinct forms. The first form is manually removing pests from plants; by trapping or picking. Most small scale growers find that some pests such as the tomato horned worm, snails or slugs are relatively easy to manually pick off plants. Using black-lights and flashlights many pests can be directly removed from plants, especially at night. While others utilize certain predator animals such as chickens, ducks, guinea fowl and even bats to manually get rid the area of unwanted insects.

Mechanical pest control also involves mechanical pesticides such as diatomaceous earth (DE). DE is the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of algae with a hard shell. Diatomaceous earth works by absorbing lipids from the waxy outer skeleton of insects, causing them to dehydrate and dry out.  Food grade DE can also be used as a natural wormer for livestock and animals. If you must treat with any type of insecticide, it should be a spot treatment, directed solely on the area that is infested. A broad spectrum spray over an entire “crop” should never be utilized as a means of pest control.

A key to pest control is to observe the pests that may be affecting your plants; decide if they are going to cause a catastrophic failure of your crop and then act accordingly. In nature, it is to be expected that pests will consume a portion of wanted plants; it is up to us to decide if it is an amount we can live with. Understand that biodiversity and healthy landscaping means a variety of “good” and “bad” bugs, and that accepting those differences and sometimes accepting losses for the sake of overall environmental health may be necessary.

References:

Chickens are one of the easiest small livestock to keep and they provide a 4-fold bounty in return. Chickens have very basic needs and can survive in simple conditions as long as they have access to fresh water and feed, and are kept clean and safe from predators. In return a hen will give you about one egg a day. A flock of 3 or 4 laying hens will provide most families with plenty of eggs to meet their needs. In addition to eggs, chickens can provide you with meat. As your laying hens grow older they will begin to taper off their laying, and if you choose, you can butcher these hens and replace them with younger birds more vigorous in their laying. If you have a rooster, you can allow your laying hens to sit on eggs and hatch out either their replacements or chickens for the table.

Chickens like to roam about and scratch in the soil, and are notorious for digging up and eating bugs and insects. Many organic and sustainable orchardists use chickens in their orchard for pest management. They are also walking fertilizer machines, as your hens wander around they will leave droppings which make great fertilizer once composted.

Also, guinea’s can be raised similar to chickens and sometimes are even raised together. Guinea’s are widely known for their bug hunting prowess and have many of the same benefits of chickens when it comes to pest control.

Quail are another fowl that can be raised on small plots of land. While it’s true that it takes quite a few quail to make up a sizable flock for any significant meat production, quail are fairly quiet, easy to keep, and also provide eggs and meat.

Additionally, rabbits can provide fertilizer; however, rabbit manure is the only manure that doesn’t need to be composted before being added to the soil.  Rabbits can be kept in smaller cages and are very prolific; you can normally breed a rabbit every 3-4 months. Usually a rabbit will kindle 5-10 kits, which could provide much rabbit meat for your freezer each year. Rabbits are easily fed pellet feed from your pet store and usually there are no restrictions in housing areas for keeping them.

In some cases even goats can be considered small livestock. Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy goats can be a great addition to any urban or rural homestead. Although goats tend to require more input then a chicken or rabbit, they also can provide large quantities of milk and meat. A Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat can provide about 2 quarts of milk a day and have 2-5 kids each year. Goat’s milk can be made into cheese, yogurt, ice cream or as an ingredient in beverage milk. Also, goat meat is a delicious lean alternative to beef and is a high commodity in some ethnic markets. Once again, goat droppings and soiled bedding make a great fertilizer once composted.

An often misunderstood and overlooked small livestock is the honey bee. Many beekeepers consider honeybees their hardest working and most productive livestock on the farm. One hive can contain 60,000 residents and provide anywhere from 1-5 gallons of delicious golden honey each year, in addition to the natural honeycomb and pollination. Honey can be used as a sweetener, a barter item or medicinally. While getting started with honey bees can be somewhat costly, it is a one time investment that will last years. Tagging along with a local beekeeper is your first step to getting started with honeybees, he or she can talk to you about different hive options, required care throughout the seasons and how to get started.

Regardless of your choice in small livestock your return on the investment you make in quality animals from reputable and knowledgeable breeders will far outweigh the costs. Take time to learn about the care of each type of animal before you make a decision, to ensure that you can provide for them. Borrow books from your library like Storey’s Guide to Raising Miniature Livestock, The Backyard Homestead, The Barnyard in Your Backyard and the ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture, and try to find local livestock keepers to mentor you along the way.

What about the current economic and political situation warrants President Obama’s actions? How will we see the result of his actions at the pump this summer? Is this a temporary fix or a long term solution to our country’s oil woes? The answers to these questions may be speculation in part, but they are nonetheless important to explore as we consider the future of this country’s love affair with oil.

First of all, it is important to understand the concept of peak oil. Peak oil is the point at which we will reach the Earth’s maximum potential for oil extraction, meaning that our ability to extract petroleum will deplete from that point onward. The model used to estimate when we will hit peak oil is the same that accurately predicted that United States oil production would peak between 1965 and 1970. Some experts – including the International Energy Agency – believe that peak oil has already passed, that we are on the brink of experiencing the peak, or that the peak will occur within the next few years; other experts more optimistically predict that we will not hit peak oil for another decade or so.

Peak oil and the fact that the world’s energy is largely dependent on an extremely finite resource are reflected in rising gas prices and, by extension, President Obama’s recent actions. The president reasoned that he is releasing 30 million barrels of our reserve petroleum in order to meet rising demands this summer, citing instability in Libya and other foreign markets as the requisite “emergency.”

However, what Obama’s decision should really tell us is that gas prices are not going to fall as part of the natural ebb and flow of the international economy. Rising oil prices have become the norm and will more than likely continue to be part of our reality for years to come. It is necessary that we as a nation begin to seriously consider alternative forms of energy, but in order for this to be seen as a national priority, individuals need to take on the cause. As we approach peak oil, or possibly continue further past it, Americans will need to consider how we can learn to be less dependent on oil in our own lives.

In this spirit, here are some suggestions for how we can alleviate the pain at the pump this summer:

- Carpool: beyond being carbon-conscious on your commute, remember to take fewer vehicles to the beach and to all other summer destinations. After all, carpooling transforms any travel into a road trip!

- Buy a bike: what better time to utilize alternative forms of transportation than the warm summer months? If it is too hot to bike or walk to work, hop on an air-conditioned bus!

- When you must drive, make it count: in order to get the most of your gas mileage, fully inflate your tires and have an inspection to ensure that your car is running efficiently.

- Think local: when buying products, remember that those products produced close to home will generally be less affected by rising gas prices. Buying berries from a local farm, for example, makes more economic (and ecological) sense than buying bananas that are imported from Ecuador.

- Take the family on a “staycation”: rather than choosing a destination that requires a significant investment at the gas station (or at the airport, where the cost of flights is also rising due to oil prices), find an adventure close to home. Explore local attractions or create your own fun by turning your back yard into a campground, a water park, etc.

- Be creative!

Rising gas prices can be daunting, especially when compounded by the knowledge that we are not likely to see significant relief in the near future. However we need to see this, instead, as an opportunity for innovation. Peak oil can be seen as the beginning of what will need to be a new era in this country and beyond, and we as citizens have the opportunity to define it. Let’s begin this summer, by seeking ways to live sustainably and thereby save precious pennies. Remember to check in with Modern Serenity all summer long for suggestions on how to do that!

References:

[1] U.S. Department of Energy.  (2011, March 16).  Strategic petroleum reserve: Quick facts and frequently asked questions.  Retrieved from http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/reserves/spr/spr-facts.html

[2] Peak oil.  (2011, July).  Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil

[3] Bruce, M.  (2011, June 23).  Obama taps Strategic Petroleum Reserve; will release more if necessary.  Retrieved from http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/06/obama-taps-strategic-petroleum-reserve-will-release-more-if-necessary.html

Photo: Jose Torres - JoseTorresPhotography.com

Growing up I did go to the zoo and circus, one time for each from what I can remember. But as I got older and began educating myself on what really happens to these captive animals, it depressed me and I haven’t returned to a zoo or circus since.

I remember an argument I had with a friend about zoos because he said they were educational, served as research for animals’ survival and that children should be able to have this type of exposure. I understood his points and can mildly agree, because zoos have helped the population of some endangered animals, such as the panda bear. But I still, personally, can’t stomach seeing them in unnatural environments—caged and in makeshift habitats. The animals in captivity that really make me upset are those featured in a circus and as “Hollywood actors.”

In July 2010, I attended a Ringling Brothers circus protest at the Staples Center in Los Angeles hosted by multiple animal rights organizations, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). It was reportedly one of the largest turnouts for a circus protest with about 300 people showing up to hold signs, hand out stickers and leaflets and approach attendees to tell them what animals such as elephants, monkeys and bears endure in order to do tricks on command.

Aside from the incessant prodding and poking, they have to travel city to city in confined spaces instead of roaming freely in their natural habitats. They also are confined in small cages in backlots waiting to “perform.” Animals can be seen pacing in frustration and boredom while in cages—this includes zoo enclosures as well.

Circus trainers often use force and intimidation to make an animal comply. Search YouTube.com and find tons of undercover footage of elephants being struck by bull hooks and electric rods until they complete any given trick. And it isn’t just adult elephants, baby elephants are also subject to this abuse.

During the protest, we got excited when some people changed their minds. But of course there were those who yelled at us and asked us why we didn’t have better things to do. My only answer was that I chose to speak up for the voiceless .

Accounts of the mistreatment of Hollywood animals are also coming to light. Reports of a giraffe named Tweet dying in 2009 during the filming of the movie “Zookeeper” has prompted a protest at its premiere on Wednesday, July 6 at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles.

Another reason PETA is asking animal rights activists to protest the film is because an elephant was used in the movie who was provided by the company Have Trunk Will Travel. (HTWT), according to Animal Defenders International, is notorious for abusing its animal actors and there is video to prove this.

Southwest Riverside News Network spoke to Animal Legal Defense Fund representative Lisa Franzetta, who said they have not received any viable eyewitness tips regarding elephant abuse on Hollywood television or movie productions, but are offering a $10,000 reward for the first eyewitness to come forward with information regarding animal abuse and mistreatment. The organization announced their campaign to expose animal abuse on June 23.

But back to Tweet, who also appeared in “Ace Ventura” and multiple Toys “R” Us commercials, reportedly collapsed in his pen while being fed, according to www.care2.com. The cause of death has yet to be determined, he was 18 years old. Animal rights activists are being asked to join in the protest in L.A., or to simply not watch the film “Zookeeper,” to make a statement to movie producers, Hollywood executives, and actors, to not use animals in movies. The film stars Kevin James and Rosario Dawson.

Animals are not props and should not be used for our entertainment. And, as the Humane Society of the United States reminds: once these animals become too dangerous or old to perform, there may be no safe refuge for them.

References

“Giraffe On “The Zookeeper” Set Dies; Whistleblower Alleges Neglect Read More: Http://www.care2.com/causes/giraffe-on-the-zookeeper-set-dies-whistleblower-alleges-neglect.html#ixzz1RIMGHkNw.” Www.care2.com. Sept. 2009. Web. 5 July 2011.

Recker, Rachael. “$10K Reward Still Offered for Info in Hollywood Elephant Abusers.” http://www.swrnn.com/2011/07/03/10000-still-available-for-information-leading-to-arrest-of-hollywood-elephant-abusers/. Southwest Riverside County News | Riverside, CA Local News Online. Southwest Riverside News Network, 3 July 2011. Web. 06 July 2011. .

“Circuses, Animals in Entertainment : The Humane Society of the United States.” http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/circuses_entertainment/ The Humane Society of the United States : The Humane Society of the United States. Web. 06 July 2011. .

One of the products that we found most interesting was Klean Kanteen’s new stainless steel water bottle with a plastic and paint free cap. To date, all Klean Kanteen water bottles come with one of their several types of plastic caps. However, next month they will be launching bottles with a cap made of only steel, bamboo, and a silicon watertight ring. We thought the new caps looked great and were a good way to avoid plastics and the fossil fuels used to produce them. We also liked Blue Lotus’s reusable produce bags, made of 100% organic cotton. The bags come in a variety of sizes and prints, and have drawstrings to close them up. It is a great way to eliminate using plastic bags for produce at the grocery store, and they even have the weight of the bags on the inside tag for the cashier. That way the cashier can enter it into the register so your not paying for the added weight of the cotton when they weigh your produce. Its a simple and effective way to cut down on waste.

There were also a number of unique service businesses at the festival. One such business was Relay Rides, a carsharing company who connects car owners with borrowers who need a car for a few hours or so. Think Zipcar, except the cars are coming from independent owners rather than a company. Its a good way to make some money from a car you own, while allowing people in the city who may not need to own a car still have access to them. Another cool service we came across was Dharma Merchant Services, which offers credit card processing to businesses in a socially conscious way. The company puts focus on giving back a percentage of profits to charitable organizations, uses BPA free receipt paper, and is a certified green Bay Area business. Additonally, we even came across some investment firms, SocialK and RSF Social Finance, who direct their clients money into green and socially responsible ventures. You can now even be green by saving for retirement.

Overall the festival was a great showcase of the green movement and will be back in San Francisco in November for anyone who missed it. Also, the festival is a traveling event and will take place in Chicago, Seattle, New York and Los Angeles later in the year, so if your in one of those areas check it out. Below you can find the links to the businesses noted above.

Kleen Kanteen – Reusable Water Bottles

Blue Lotus – Reusable Produce Bags

Relay Rides – Carsharing

Dharma Merchant Services – Credit Card Processing

SocialK – Investing

RSF Social Finance – Investing

Green Festival – The Event

So far orders for the Roadster have been modest and the company has been loosing money year after year since inception. However, investors and many partners such as Toyota see that situation turning around when their new Model S begins to become available in 2012. This model is priced at less than half that of the Roadster at $50,000 after federal tax credits. The car is arguably even better looking than their first model and sports features such as a 17 inch info screen, 300 miles range per charge, and 45 minute battery quick charge.

Tesla Model S

Tesla is a sigh of relief for those concerned about the environment and public health related to air and water quality. Most of the current environmentally friendly cars on the market are not all that attractive, and in reality, looks is a huge selling point. For example, the Toyota Prius and Nissan Leaf are small and relatively unattractive to the average consumer. No doubt they are selling (pre-ordering in the Leaf’s case) well, but to move out of a niche market and to the general population, a mid-size attractive car is essential.

Overall, Tesla is in a great position to take the electric vehicle market by storm. Even if they somehow don’t succeed they will undoubtably spur fierce competition between major auto makers and accelerate the development of electric vehicles in the US. If Tesla is the future of auto transportation in this country, I am ecstatic for it to arrive.