Florida Everglades
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
In a landmark environmental decision yesterday, US Sugar sold their land (nearly 300 square miles) within the Everglades to the state of Florida for $1.75 Billion. This is great news for Florida and the rest of the country. The Everglades have been losing acres for decades and its about time restoration has won over development. This will not eliminate all sugar cane production, there are still 500 square miles still under farming but the US Sugar deal will help kickstart a larger restoration project. I applaud all parties who were involved in this decision and I hope this sets the stage for additional environmental projects throughout the country.
Posted by mardenhill 6/25/2008 08:39:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Environment
Green Currents
Thursday, October 25, 2007
GreenCurrents - A Renewable Energy Option
GreenCurrents is a voluntary green options program that makes being green easy and affordable. Help make the air we breathe a little cleaner and support the development of renewable energy alternatives for Michigan.
GreenCurrents Supports Michigan-based Renewable Energy
Longterm supply contract completed with Stoney Corners Wind Farm
Two additional Michigan bioenergy projects expected shortly
Coming Soon - a healthier, more sustainable Michigan
..........................................................
Although you are not getting "Green Energy" you are helping build the infrastructure needed to facilitate this. How it works, you have 2 choices either match 100% of your current energy bill by paying an additional .02 cents per KW or buy blocks of 100 watts for $2.50 each. Its like the carbon trading scene where you offset your current use with a greener subsitute. If you sign up, you will still get the same energy but the additional revenue will go towards the purchase of green energy.
I would love to generate my own energy thru solar panels but that's not really an option so this is the closest I can get. Its like hybrid drivers, they are paying a premium for their vehicle and in the end may not make up the extra costs in fuel consumption but many don't care. They are doing it because its the right thing to do. I plan on signing up with the Green Currents and after calculating it out, a 100% match would be an extra $13 a month. Thats not a big deal and if the money is going to a worthy cause then I am all for it. I will continue doing what I can and in the process help DTE Energy go green.
http://my.dteenergy.com/products/greenCurrents/index.html
Posted by mardenhill 10/25/2007 09:23:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Environment
The 11th Hour
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Leonardo DiCaprio is following in Al Gore's footsteps and releasing a documentary on the environment. This comes out August 17th and from the trailers looks to be very good. Yeah people will write off DiCaprio as some Hollywood elite but I beg to differ. He has been on the green bandwagon for years and has done his homework. He has a wide range of professionals in this movie who will help press the issue and give additional credibility to the problem at hand. The wingnuts and Fox news will no doubt roast DiCaprio but I feel he will be fine. He has the support of many people inside politics and out and I think many people will see that he is not swiftboated. Its going to take Gen X'ers to push forth the need for change since the babyboomers only care about themselves. Besides DiCaprio you have Ben Affleck out there mixing it up with the beltway insiders. Our generation will be the ones that will lead the charge on climate change and it is our pocketbooks that will produce a new environmental revolution.
http://wip.warnerbros.com/11thhour/
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/08/dicaprios_11th.php
Posted by mardenhill 8/07/2007 04:05:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Environment
Live Earth 7.7.07
Friday, July 06, 2007
I know its not quite 7.7.07 but in Sydney, Australia it already is. You can stream the shows from around the world via MSN and I imagine there will be a recap and also a DVD to follow. The band in the video is Sneaky Sound System and they are not that bad. A mix of electro/dance/funk/indie rock with dueling male/female vocals. I do find the sponsorship of Chevy interesting, I guess they are trying the BP advertising angle. I plan on tuning in throughout the day tomorrow so there may be more posts to follow.
http://www.sneakysoundsystem.com/
Way to go Al, keep up the good work. I know you don't want to run for president again but we really need you to.
www.liveearth.org
Posted by mardenhill 7/06/2007 11:01:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Environment, Politics
Bottled Water?
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Courtesy of Treehugger.com
We often write about bottled water. The continuous fascination stems from how convenience-driven the market is. Laying out logic can't overcome convenience, no matter how significant the environmental effects may be. The only recourse would be to point out the financial waste and absurdity of the situation, to think "outside the bottle". And it's happening. The Muskegon Chronicle let its readers know, for example, that:- "The label doesn't mention that the Aquafina sold in Michigan comes from the city of Detroit's water system...Detroit gets its water from the Detroit River and Lake Huron. The American Water Works Association last year rated Detroit's water the best-tasting municipal water in Michigan...The Dasani sold in Michigan is also Detroit city water; and the Propel sold in Michigan is flavored water from municipal water systems in Indianapolis and New Jersey, company officials said...Critics accuse companies like Pepsi (Aquafina) and Coke (Dasani) of hypocrisy by promoting bottled water as a healthier alternative to tap water when those products are, in fact, purified tap water."
At roughly $1 per bottle, bottled water costs about 3,300-times more per ounce than water from Muskegon's water system. Muskegon, like most West Michigan communities, gets its drinking water from Lake Michigan.
The most amazing fact learned from the Muskegon Chronicle is that there exists an International Bottled Water Association, whose purpose it seems in part is to advocate for the product.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/wedjaget_that_b.php.........................
I am not a big bottled water fan, I only buy it if its an emergency. We have a Brita Water filter that we use and it only costs a couple dollars every few months. Knowing that Aquafina is just Detroit river water makes me never want to drink it again. Yeah it has gone thru a purification process but if you ever spent anytime on the water between the river and Lake Erie you would feel the same way I do. Buy a Nalgene bottle and fill up at home, you will save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
Posted by mardenhill 5/06/2007 06:29:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Environment
