Carnival of the Green #187

Welcome to the Carnival of the Green, where wonderful worldly people get together to discuss green ideas.
Every week, the Carnival goes round and round.

It is our blog's honor to host the 187th Carnival of the Green this beautiful week of July 6th!

Thank you to last week's Carnival host, who wrote up a great blog entry at Conserve Plastic Bags.
Be sure to check out next week's Carnival host at Kids Discover Nature.

If you would like to be part of the fun, visit Treehugger to see how to be a Carnival of the Green host.

It was a downright pleasure to receive and compile the blog submissions for this week.

We have many submissions for TIPS TIPS TIPS!

Refrigerator Energy Savings Tips.

The Pays to Live Green blog entices the reader with the starting line which reads, "Your refrigerator can be one of the highest energy consumers in the kitchen. Making sure that you do everything possible to reduce that energy use can really lower your energy costs every month ..." (click to read more).

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in the Real World.

Guffly gives 5 ways to really contribute to the overall health of our planet.
[Editorial note: Our Plant a Tree USA Founder, Cindy Katz, actually uses Tip #2 every day, reusing plastic bags.] Good going, Guffly! (click to read all 5).

The Story of Stuff.

Frugally Green has reintroduced the Annie Leonard 20-minute movie The Story of Stuff. The blog includes parts of the script typed out with commentary and of course the video itself. "It's really important to think critically about the media that we consume. I got hooked watching this video, The Story of Stuff the other day - a short film full of shocking statistics and catchy anecdotes about what we're doing to our planet. I picked out the most shocking parts and reviewed them."
If you have not seen the video or have not seen the video in a while, click to view now.

Packaging: Considering the Environment and the Protection of the Product.

Memory Card Packaging discusses a few packaging options, with pro's and con's.

Planes, Tours, and Hotels ... Travelling the Green Way.

Amadeus e-University has a great down-to-earth blog entry on the importance of what hotels you frequent, what to do at your hotel, what airlines do green, and advise about bike tours. "Many Hotels, Airlines, and Tour Operators offer green programs that deserve your patronage. You can help the environment by encouraging your customers to green up their travel with these eco-friendly tips. By the way, these tips apply to you too." We really liked the extensive information about hotels. (Click to read more and then go on vacation).

Money Saving Eco-Tips.

Ooffoo is at it again! "Confident that saving the planet can also mean saving money, ooffoo launched a competition to discover your tips on how to be eco and wallet friendly. Check out the winning entry and the brilliant runner-up ideas for saving money and going green at the same time." (click to read about the winners).

Cool Your Home.

Trees Full of Money knows "How to cool your home during the warm summer months with geothermal energy stored in your basement." This blog entry, entitled "My Inexpensive 'Do It Yourself' Geothermal Cooling System" is quite in depth and exciting. Give it a read and share it with your friends. Go green go!

Indoor Air Quality.

Amadeus e-University wants you to know: When we hear “environment” and “air quality,” most of us probably think of the outdoors. But did you know that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates so. And considering we spend 90% of our time indoors, we should work on making our indoors more green. How do we do that? Know your pollutants and their effects, and ... (click to read more).

Outdoor Mosquitos.

All About Mosquitos says, "If you are going hiking or camping, you will want to make sure you are protected ... You should also choose a campsite with a light breeze whenever possible. Moving air is more likely to keep mosquitoes at bay." (click to read more).

Green Project Management (PM).

Many congrats to Green PM, "project management with the power and benefit of green thinking". Read their blog about the launch of Earth PM (Project management). They ask: Is the world ready?

Plastics, waste, landfills, and composting, oh-my!

Experiment Gerbus writes, "I recently had a conversation with a friend about the impact of composting. She and many others believe that sending organic matter to the landfill in black garbage bags is a bad idea ..." (click to read more).

Saving the environment, one print at a time.

Amadeus e-University writes, "Do you print everything before you read it? Let’s try this little exercise to see how much paper is wasted in an average work day. Count the sheets of paper you print in one day,... Now my question to you is, will you ever look at those papers again? Probably not, so why print them?" (click to read more).

Saving Money while Living Green.

Amadeus e-University has a few well-known tips that will help you get started at no cost, and will also save you money. (click to read more).

Frugal Life with Ease.

The Smarter Wallet writes an inspiring story of a family who instills values of "frugality" in their kids and teaches teamwork along the way! (click to read).

Lower Your Energy Bill.

Energy Saving Gadgets presents "An Easy Way to Save Money Around the House". Read how to lower your energy bill by monitoring your consumption.

Organic or Pesticide-free, That is the question ...

Thank you to Organic Mania for bringing into the light some "shortcomings" of the USDA Organic Seal and Certification. This blog includes 5 tips on navigating your way as an organic-minded shopper. Click for more info and an organic "reality check".

Surfing the Plastic Wave.

Fake Plastic Fish interviews dynamic surfer, artist, environmental activist, Kathleen Egan whose awesome Plastic Wave sculpture aims to inspire people to use less plastic.
Kathleen says, 'You are where you are. You have to go through the waves to get out and through the waves again to get back in.'
Fake Plastic Fish writes that "it's a metaphor, not only for life, but for the environmental movement and for finding ways to live sustainably. There are no shortcuts. My interpretation: we can't wait for some miracle technology to save us from the mess we've made. Each of us must do our part, every day. We can't bypass the waves; we have to go through them." (click to read more)

55 Best Ways to Save Money.

Silicon Valley Blogger shares "frugal ideas from their readers".
There are lots of (55 to be exact) green ways to save, in this list.
Can't say more besides we really enjoyed this submission! (click to read more).
Great job!


Now for the top 5 tweets!

1. RT @msoeden: Starbucks to seek LEED certification for all new company-owned stores. http://bit.ly/v3S9l

2. RT @MotherNatureNet: Proposed wind farm 13 miles off NYC coast could be largest such project in the U.S. http://tinyurl.com/lm93w7

3. RT @DerekMarkham: The Blogosphere's Top 5 Ways to Green Your 4th of July Celebrations http://bit.ly/YDGaX

4. RT @DerekMarkham: Why green bloggers are uniting to support environmental organizations http://bit.ly/vb9o5 #buckforcharity

5. RT @RIRRC: Newport seaweed harvester triple threat! Compost material & keeps beach clean & seaweed out of landfill http://tinyurl.com/m4symy

Thanks for coming to be a part of the Carnival of the Green.

Tree Blessings to you, great readers!

Warmly,

The Plant a Tree USA team

www.plantatreeusa.com

Planting 18 Billion trees and educating millions!

Trees are the ONLY resource replenisher on Earth

Important to remember when you are making your mark on the planet:
Trees are the ONLY resource replenisher on Earth

When we speak with our business clients at Plant a Tree USA™ they explain that they want to give back to the environment so they want to be green.
They want to use recycled paper.
They want to recycle their office paper.
They want to reduce their electricity bills by using less energy.
They want to recycle their employees' plastic bottles and cans ...

Remember that most businesses want to GIVE BACK to the environment.

These important actions of recycling and minimizing electrical usage, in essence, reduce the impact of the business!

In order to truly "give back" you must work on the other side of the ecological equation and replenishes our planet WITH RESOURCES by planting trees.

Trees give to our environment by filtering pollution from our air to purify our air, create oxygen, reduce carbon, create beauty and shade, and bring balance to the planet.

On one side, keep up the great work to REDUCE REDUCE REDUCE our waste.

On the other side, remember to build up our resources and PLANT PLANT PLANT trees!

Warmly,
Tree Chic and the team at Plant a Tree USA™

www.plantatreeusa.com

Make the earth green enough

There are those who would say ...

"We will never fight enough wars to bring peace.
We will never feed enough hungry to end starvation.
We will never build enough living spaces to house the homeless.
We will never be outraged enough to end all atrocities.
We will never build enough jails to end crime.
And we will never make the earth green enough to end global warming."

Maybe it's time to choose another way.

At www.BetterToBless.com they believe ...
"there is a higher standard of living available to all of us
and that it can only be attained through the raising of consciousness.
Blessing those people and circumstances around us allows us
to individually and collectively raise our consciousness to a higher level.
By joining forces through the gentle process of blessing, ...
we have the capability to impact the world in a powerful and amazing way."

Since it is our mission to make the earth green enough, we have no choice but to bless those people around us and realize our actions are blessings on others.

We at Plant a Tree USA™ have been introduced to a beautiful exercise that you may want to adopt, as well.

"I will actively search for the blessing in every circumstance and in those times when none can be found, I will trust that the blessing will be revealed when the time is right.

I will daily express an attitude of gratitude, for all the blessings in my life, even those I cannot see.

Whenever I feel stressed, pressed or confused, I will take a Blessing Breather, quieting my mind for a moment and focusing only on my breath, breathing deeply and slowly. With each inhalation, I will mentally affirm "I am so blessed" and with each exhalation, I will mentally affirm "I am a blessing to the world," repeating the process at least three times and allowing my body to relax completely before returning to the task at hand."

May this exercise be a blessing to you personally and a collective blessing of making the earth green enough and growing the forests on our planet together.

Tree Blessings to you!

Warmly,
Tree Chic and the team at Plant a Tree USA™

www.plantatreeusa.com

I am the LORAX ~ I speak for TREES

Look at this COOL link: Click Video Link to THE LORAX
(A Cat in the Hat presentation, copyright Dr Seuss)

Thank you ~ for speaking for the trees.

And here is a great quote from an organic Good Earth tea bag:
"One generation plant trees, and the next gets the shade."

Thank you ~ for being a shade-maker!

Warmly,
Tree Chic aka "Mama Lorax"

www.plantatreeusa.com ... Planting 18 Billion trees and educating millions.

TREE-mendous Advice

This poem is a beautiful way to start your year, your day, your outlook, your life.

With warm regards to you for a TREEmendous year!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Advice from a Tree

~ By Ilan Shamir

Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud

Sink your roots deeply into the Earth

Reflect the light of a greater source

Think long term

Go out on a limb

Remember your place among all living beings

Embrace with joy the changing seasons

For each yields its own abundance

The Energy and Birth of Spring

The Growth and Contentment of Summer

The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall

The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter

Feel the wind and the sun

And delight in their presence

Look up at the moon that shines down upon you

And the mystery of the stars at night.

Seek nourishment from the good things in life

Simple pleasures

Earth, fresh air, light

Be content with your natural beauty

Drink plenty of water

Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes

Be flexible

Remember your roots

Enjoy the view!

Copyright 1993-2003 Your True Nature, Inc. For Advice from a Tree books, journals, posters and other nature products, visit www.YourTrueNature.com or call 800-992-4769.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sincerely,

The Plant a Tree USA Team.
www.plantatreeusa.com

TREE BLESSINGS!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Plant a Tree USA proud eco-sponsor of the Sustainability Roundtable discussions

Sustainability Discussions Rock the University of Miami in January

December 12, 2007 (Algonquin, IL) – Sustainability discussions will reach record numbers of students, teachers, politicians, government agencies, business leaders, and all interested local groups in Miami, FL, on January 31st, 2008. The Chlorine Free Products Association (C.F.P.A.) will be holding its third Sustainability Roundtable event at the Bank United Center from 8:30am to 4:00pm. This series of discussions brings together regional university faculty and students along with government organizations, business leaders and local professionals to talk about how sustainability practices can improve business processes, cross-educate participants about systems that work, and connect attendees through networking and shared resources. Kevin Lyons, Ph.D., Director, Purchasing Department Research Professor, Supply Chain Environmental Management from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, will be the distinguished moderator for these discussions in Miami. Dr. Kenneth Broad, Professor, Division of Marine Affairs and Policy and the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, will be sharing his comments during the event’s mid-day luncheon. The discussions will also be highlighted by a special guest appearance by Chantal Line Carpentier, Sustainability Development Officer, Commission on Sustainable Development, Department of Social and Economic Affairs at the United Nations and featured panelist Jose Carlos Fernandez Ugalde, Head of Environment Economy & Trade, Commission for Environmental Cooperation. C.F.P.A. will be collaborating with the University of Miami for this meaningful event. C.F.P.A. is proud to introduce Rock ‘n Renew as a new sponsor and collaborating partner for the Sustainability Roundtable program. Rock ‘n Renew will be working with students and faculty from the University of Miami Coral Gables campus throughout the day on the University of Miami Patio. Their programs around the campus will feature music, entertainment, and art and craft projects that are open to participants throughout the day. All materials for projects will come from waste clean up and recycling activities in the area during the week leading up to the event. Coinciding with this great event is the Focus the Nation program, a national university based annual teach-in that engages millions of students and citizens with political leaders and decision makers about Global Warming Solutions. These discussions to be held on the campus at the University of Miami will be specifically addressing some of the major issues of sustainability that will be parallel to the Sustainability Roundtable conversations. What a terrific day for Sustainability in Miami, FL. The Chlorine Free Products Association is proud to host the Sustainability Roundtable discussions on this important day in Miami. http://www.chlorinefreeproducts.org/
CFPA Contact: Cassie Hayes
(847) 658-6104
chayes@chlorinefreeproducts.org

Plant a Tree USA is proud to be an eco-sponsor.
www.plantatreeusa.com ... Planting 18 Billion trees and educating millions.

Plant a Tree USA a part of the successful planting of a BILLION trees with the UNEP Billion Tree Campaign!

United Nations Environment Programme NEWS RELEASE

Communities, Corporations and Countries Deliver on Planting of One Billion Trees

UNEP and ICRAF Initiative to Catalyse Planting of 1 Billion Trees Reaches Goal in Advance of Next Climate Convention Conference

NAIROBI, 28 November 2007--An indigenous pencil cedar, or perhaps an African olive tree, planted in the Horn of Africa has become a living symbol of enduring hope, optimism and action for communities and countries determined to combat climate change and revive biodiversity.

Today the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) announced that a promise made last year at the UN Climate Convention meeting to plant a billion trees had been met.

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "I am delighted to say that an initiative to catalyse the pledging and the planting of 1 billion trees has achieved and indeed surpassed its mark. It is a further sign of the breathtaking momentum witnessed this year on the challenge for this generation-climate change."

"There had been a few cynical smiles and shaking of heads when the Billion Tree Campaign was launched. Some said it would never happen, and others couldn't at first see the raison d'être. But citizen after citizen, community after community and country after country, have proved the doubters wrong and demonstrated an abiding truth in 2007", he added.

"Namely that given a focus and the chance to act, millions if not billions of people around this world want an end to pollution and environmental deterioration and have rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty to prove the point", said Mr. Steiner.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan Green Belt Movement founder and co-patron of the campaign, said: "I am elated beyond words at the global interest and action that was motivated by the Billion Tree Campaign. I knew we had it within us as a human family to rise up! We called you to action almost exactly a year ago and you responded beyond our dreams. Thank you very much! Now we must keep the pressure on and continue the good work for the planet. Plant another tree today in celebration!"

The enthusiasm of individuals to make a difference is underlined by figures collected by UNEP which indicate that half of all those who planted are often private citizens or households planting one to three trees. Significantly, another 13 per cent have been planted by the private sector, which participated actively in the initiative.

ICRAF Director-General Dennis Garrity said: "The World Agroforestry Centre is very proud that the ambitious goal of the Billion Tree Campaign has been attained. This milestone shows clearly that the global community has the spirit and the substance to unite in achieving ambitious targets to create a better environment for all. We look forward to working with UNEP and so many other organizations in setting and achieving even greater stretch goals for
a more 'bountreeful' world in the coming years."

The news comes as thousands of delegates across the world are ready to arrive on the Indonesian island of Bali for the next and most crucial round of global warming negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), jointly established by UNEP and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), has in 2007 concluded that climate change is happening; the global impacts are likely to be in many cases devastating but cost-effective solutions are available now to counter the worst.

The Billion Tree Campaign, inspired by a remark by Wangari Maathai, was launched at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi on 8 November 2006.

Among the first, if not the first tree planted, was an indigenous sapling earthed in the soil of the garden of Meryem Amar-a UNEP staff member based in Nairobi who has been coordinating the UNEP-side of the effort including catalysing action as well as registering pledges and plantings on a dedicated web site.

Early pledges included one from the forest restoration NGO Trees for Life; a Colombian radio station; Tree-Nation in Barcelona; the Great Rift Valley Trust; and the Government of Morocco.

A big boost came in Mexico where the Government and local authorities-with support from the army and inspired by President Felipe Calderón-pledged and planted over 200 million trees.

In Kenya the environmental arm of French energy company Total joined the push and in some parts of the world refugees took up the challenge by planting over 9.5 million trees.

The billionth tree planted is believed to be in Ethiopia where, and as part of the country's Millennium Commemoration 2007, close to 700 million trees have been planted alone.

Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, a UNEP Champion of the Earth and senior member of the country's Environmental Protection Authority, says that amongst the trees planted are the African olive tree and the African pencil cedar.

The initiative, whose other co-patron is His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, is unlikely to end with the surpassing of the 1 billion trees planted mark.

UNEP is expecting that Guatemala, China and Spain will shortly announce that several million more trees have been planted.

Indonesia is expected today to plant almost 80 million trees in one day in the run up to the Bali Climate Convention meeting next month.

The totals of trees planted are still being collated with the numbers rising almost daily. But the top-ranking countries appear to be Ethiopia, over 700 million trees planted; Mexico, 217 million trees; Turkey, 150 million; Kenya, 100 million; Cuba, 96.5 million; Rwanda, 50 million; Republic of Korea, 43 million; Tunisia, 21 million; Morocco, 20 million; Myanmar, 20 million; and Brazil, 16 million. The Green Belt Movement alone planted 4.7 million trees, double the number of trees it had initially pledged.

Be a part of it!
Plant a Tree!

Join in Creating a Healthy Mother Earth, with a passion!

Click www.plantatreeusa.com where we are indeeed planting 18 billion trees and educating millions!