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Podcast: Download (Duration: 8:23 — 9.6MB)
The Headlines:
Apple patents solar iPods
Coney Island solar-retrofits subways
Study shows we could be almost twice as rich if we switch to renewable energy
Less than 1 percent of oily birds survive
New window film can cut energy costs by up to 40 percent
Scientists meet to discuss our relationship with dolphins and whales
Podcast: Download (Duration: 10:18 — 11.8MB)
This week’s headlines:
Gallup Polls Show More Americans Don’t Believe in Global Warming
National Bike Summit Takes DC
Greenpeace Gorillas Nestle!
Bad News Polar Bears
To Buy Green Products or To Steal Them?
Hi Everyone,
Connie and I have been wanting to share some additional content for a while and we’re finally getting around to getting something posted. We plan to post things like excerpts from Connie’s Climate Project presentations, radio appearances, and speaking engagements. These will be a little more stripped-down in terms of the production polish, but we hope they will give you some more useful information and a little more insight into where we’re coming from. Let us know what you think. Thanks.
Greg
Podcast: Download (36.3MB)
Extreme Green Segment:
Organic Farming and CSA
Host Transformation:
Connie & Greg join a CSA!
“O” Goods:
Composting 101
Special Guest: Elisa Margarita
Show #4 Air Date: October 2007
Show Summary:
the Newly Greens hits the farm! The average meal travels 1,500 miles to your plate and they are usually laced with pesticides when they get there. Join Connie and Greg as they investigate “greener” options in the form of organically and locally grown food. They also dig into composting with Certified Master Composter, Elisa Margarita.
Extreme Green – Organic Food and CSA’s
Greg and Connie join Leanord Pollara of Upper Meadows Farm in Montague NJ to explore the workings of an organic farm. The organic market has consistently grown 20% a year since the 1990’s. There are five main drawbacks to today’s traditional food culture:
1) Pesticides – Approximately 400 different pesticides used, designed to kill anything that might harm the crops.
2) Additives – Things like MSG are neuro-stimulants associated with neurological disorders like migraines, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
3) GMO – Genetically Modified Organisms (foods) are everywhere and they do not need to be labeled. Almost all corn and soy in the US are GMO. Although the USDA has given the ok for GMO’s, many people feel that this genetic tinkering could have unknown long term effects. There is some speculation that the sharp rise in peanut allergies in children could be the result of genetically modified crops.
4) Hormones – Hormones are used to accelerate growth in meat and poultry. There are suspected links to developmental problems in young humans, early puberty, obesity and diabetes
5) Antibiotics – Antibiotics are used widely in industrialized farming. These antibiotics remain in the meat we eat and give rise to more resistant bacteria and potentially more serious illnesses.
The Dirty Dozen
Check out the list of foods dubbed The “Dirty Dozen”. This is a list of fruits and vegetables that you should always buy organic, whenever possible, because their conventionally grown counterparts tend to be laden with pesticides. “They cost about 50 percent more — but are well worth the money”. This site also gives you tips for better conventional choices if you can’t afford or find the organic versions. You can also check out The Organic Trade Association for more information on organics and GMO’s.
Organics and Kids
Connie also recently attended a seminar with Dr. Alan Greene, author of Raising Baby Green. He has a top 10 list of foods that should be eaten in the organic form, especially for children who tend to eat a lot of these foods.
They are as follows:
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
Participating in a CSA is a good choice for many reasons. One of them is the idea of eating foods that are grown locally. According to the World Watch Institute, a typical meal in a mid-western U.S. state travels an average of 2577 kilometers. Researchers estimate that this food requires up to 17 times the petroleum and generates up to 17 times the transport-related carbon emissions than the same meal made from locally-grown ingredients. Food transportation is one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The growth in the distance food travels has also corresponded with an increase in food packaging, as food products are designed for longer journeys and shelf lives. In addition, there is a large amount of food waste, which unfortunately is not always composted. Source: ZeroWaste.
Where can I find a CSA or Farmers Market in my area?
localharvest.org
Where can I find organic non-GMO seeds for my garden?
According to Len of Upper Meadows Farms, these are some useful sites for seeds and farm/garden supplies.
highmowingseeds.com
halcyon.com
attra.ncat.org
Where can I find more information on Upper Meadows Farm?
Visit the Upper Meadows Farm Site! uppermeadowsfarm.com
“O” Goods – Composting
The “O” Goods segment strives to illustrate that for every choice we make, or product we buy, there is usually an alternative available that is healthier for people and the environment. Whether it is organic, less toxic, or provides fair trade for people around the world, these healthier alternatives are the choices we seek.
Connie and Elisa Margarita deliver this week’s “O” Goods composting tips.
Elisa completed the Master Composter certificate course offered by The New York City Compost Project.
Want more information on the certification program?
The New York City Compost Project.
Composting
According to the NYC CP, “The average New York City household discards two pounds of organic waste each day—adding up to more than one million tons of organic material a year. When we discard this “waste,” we lose a potential resource that can help beautify our parks, gardens, and blocks…even our windowboxes and houseplants.”
A Guide to Composting:
These sites all offer great information for composting. But remember to add the same amount of “greens” and “browns” by volume. (i.e.: one bucket of greens should also get one bucket of browns added to the pile).
compostguide.com
hgtv.com (type “compost” into their search box)
nyccompost.org
Greg and Connie – Host Transformation Update:
As mentioned previously, a big part of our “NewlyGreen” transformation is making some honest determinations about what we really need to do to live our ideal, sustainable lives. So, for this phase we’re joining a CSA! We’ve been talking about it for a long time and it’s finally time to put our money where it counts. We chose an individual share from a local CSA. It’s costing us 335/yr for the veggie and egg plan. They offer fruit also but we decided to start with just the veggies and eggs. We’ll keep you posted!
Podcast: Download (75.1MB)
Grease Car and The big 5 alternative fuels
Wayne Auto Spa
Air Pressure 101
Natural Car Air Freshener
Host Transformation: Connie & Greg put a For Sale sign on their V10 pickup truck!
Show #3 Air Date: August 2007
Show Summary:
the Newly Greens Gets Greasy! About half of NJ global emissions come from transportation. Join Connie and Greg as they take a look at the Big Five alternative fuel options for today’s cars. In this episode, Bio diesel, Hybrid, Electric, Fuel Cell, and Ethanol are explored as energy options assessing them for functionality, efficiency, and practicality. This episode is great for information about the Big Five, green tips, and explanations on different types of engines. Also, watch Greg and Connie set out on their own journey to revaluate their energy needs and apply greener solutions to their motor vehicles. They also visit the Wayne Auto spa for a greener way to spiff up your ride, and look at some auto themed tips in today’s O Goods segment.
Extreme Green Segment: Grease Car Conversion
Special Guest: Matt Hand
Greg joins Matt Hand for a hands-on exploration of engines run on straight vegetable oil and they discuss the somewhat related, and much more legal alterative, bio-diesel. Originally, diesel engines were designed to run on peanut oil and have been subsequently modified to use thinner more petroleum-based fuels. Because of this connection, a little ingenuity can go a long way to make any diesel engine run on straight veggie oil. greasecar.com
Bio diesel is considered a renewable fuel, able to be blended in any proportion with petroleum based fuel to lower emissions, and can be run in diesel engines without any modifications to the engine itself.
Want to Purchase Biodiesel?
biodiesel.org (Or call) NBB at (800) 841-5849
Want to see a more detailed video of the conversion?
LINK TO VIDEO COMING SOON
Straight veggie oil is more acidic than regular fuel. As a consequence it will degrade some seals. It is necessary to replace rubber seals with synthetic seals. Some older fuel lines may also need to be replaced. Matt ran into a problem about 6 months after installing the kit where he lost pressure in his fuel pump due to his gaskets degrading. Unfortunately Volvo no longer sells parts for their discontinued diesel line and the car was not popular enough for after-market replacements, so he’s currently dead in the water. If you take on a project like this, we recommend you research the availability of replacement parts prior to installing the kit. VW and the American truck makers like Ford and GM are popular choices. Be aware you may also void your warranty with a project like this.
Antifreeze Alert
When working on heater lines use separate funnels and buckets to catch your old antifreeze. If it’s clean you can reuse it. If it has become contaminated with metal, oils, or fuel it becomes a hazardous waste and must be taken to a recycling center. These are regional but check out njhazwaste.com/ or call your public works dept to find out where to take your waste. Don’t put it down the drain or leave puddles in your driveway.
More Info on Waste Disposal
nps.govecarcenter.org
You can also contact the New Jersey Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste at: 609-292-8341.
To report a spill or leak, or to report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the NJDEP 24-Hour Hotline at 1-877*-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337).
Complete NJ solid waste guidelines page:
state.nj.us
Hybrids:
Connie and Greg take a Hybrid for a spin. Hybrid engines are so named by the incorporation of both a gasoline and electric motor. Electric motors perform most of the driving, supplemented by the gasoline motor in the event of heavy acceleration or a low battery charge. Hybrids can also sport regenerative breaking—breaking recharges the electric motor. Depending on the model of hybrid, gas mileage can be doubled when compared to the traditional counterpart, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22% or more. fueleconomy.gov
There are two other variations on hybrids on the horizon. One is the plug-in hybrid. This technology allows you to plug in your car at night. This extends the range of the batteries giving you the equivalent of over 100mi/gal. Plug in hybrids reduce greenhouse gases 36% even with their dependence on the grid. Volvo has one slated for release which they claim reduces greenhouse gases by 66%. And if you get your power from wind or solar even your plug in recharge is carbon neutral. While it’s currently pretty expensive there are a number of companies selling plug-in conversion for hybrids right now.
Want to find out more about plug in conversions for hybrids?
calcars.org
Fuel Cells:
The typical fuel cell operates like a battery creating electricity from hydrogen. They can power a motor independently or be coupled with a storage battery in a hybrid system. When run on pure hydrogen, fuels release only water vapor and heat as waste.
How they do it in a nutshell… The hydrogen’s protons and electrons are separated. The positive charged protons take a shortcut through the middle of the cell, but the negative electrons must take a longer path around the cell following an external wire. The negatives naturally want to rejoin their positive counterparts. This attraction causes the current.
The town of Montclair NJ recently purchased several fuel cell cars for their municipal fleet. We’ll have more on what Montclair has done in an upcoming episode of NGTV where we talk with town Environmental Coordinator Gray Russell.
Fuel cells are probably the most radical departure from traditional fuels, but if advances in technology can solve some implementation difficulties, they stand to have the greatest impact on reducing greenhouse emissions and revolutionizing our portable sources of power.
Want to learn more about Fuel Cells?
sciencedaily.com
fueleconomy.gov
fueleconomy.gov
Ethanol:
Ethanol is distilled from plant sugars or starches. We usually associate it with corn, but it can also be made from sugar cane. There’s also a variation called cellulosic ethanol that’s made from switch grass, poplar or willow trees, or even yard waste. These are more attractive sources because they convert more efficiently. But they have yet to be developed to scales that could meet our supply needs, and they are still about ten years out. Ethanol is more corrosive than oil-based fuel. In order for gas engines to run on ethanol some fuel system components must be replaced and the onboard computers need to be recalibrated. (Very similar to our straight veggie conversion trouble in the diesel). This modification allows regular cars to run on ethanol blends up to 85% ethanol and only costs automakers about $250 a car. The good news is it’s a boom to US farmers. and it reduces our dependency on foreign oil.
Some drawbacks to Ethanol:
Wayne Auto Spa
Over the winter Greg tagged along with a group of students from William Paterson University as owner Rob Burke gave a tour of some of the spa’s unique features. Situated in Wayne NJ, the auto spa features:
The Auto spa also plans to install geo-thermal air conditioning within the next year.
Rob is currently petitioning the town of Wayne to allow him to put up a wind turbine. If you would like more information visit their site: wayneautospa.com
“O” Goods: Tire Pressure 101 and Car Fresheners
Special Guest: Lilly Leung
The “O” Goods segment strives to illustrate that for every choice we make, or product we buy, there is usually an alternative available that is healthier for people and the environment. Whether it is organic, less toxic, or provides fair trade for people around the world, these healthier alternatives are the choices we seek.
Connie and Lilly deliver this week’s “O” goods auto-themed tips. A brief lesson in checking tire pressure and a quick look at a fun all natural car air freshener..
Tire Pressure 101:
According to the Environmental Protection Agency cars suffer a 1% loss of fuel efficiency for every 2 pounds the tires are below the maximum level. That translates to almost $440 dollars a year wasted and senseless greenhouse gas emissions emitted!
1) Determine your proper tire pressure
To find the car manufacturer recommended tire pressure look inside your driver side door for the PSI number (pounds per square inch). This is what the manufacturer feels is the best balance of mileage, performance and ride smoothness so it’s a good place to start. The best pressure for fuel efficiency is the “max pressure” printed on the sidewall of the tire itself. Using the max pressure will likely result in a slightly bumpier ride, but it will ensure you get the best mileage. Either one is fine. You should certainly not be below the car manufacturer recommendation printed on the doorjamb.
2) Remove your filler cap and press directly down on the nozzle quickly and firmly.
a. If you hear air escaping, reset the gauge and try again.
b. Check the current pressure and fill to desired pressure if the current is too low.
c. Check one last time and replace you cap.
3) Check regularly. Properly inflated tires will wear more evenly, last longer, control better, and save you money on gas. You should check your pressure at least 4 times a year if not monthly.
Want more info on tire pressure?
environment.about.com
Natural Car Air Freshener:
“Got a headache or irritated eyes? You could be experiencing an allergic reaction to your car air freshener”, says Daniel Swartz, executive director of the Children’s Environmental Health Network”. Conventional car fresheners can contain troublesome chemicals, which can irritate or damage your lungs; phthalates, which can interfere with hormone production; and benzene compounds, which have been found to be carcinogenic.
Connie did some research and found this nifty car air freshener kit on line. It comes with a decorative piece of wood and a bottle of essential oil. You put a few drops on the wood then hang it on your mirror. And… if you saw the last O Goods segment on green cleaning you know she already bought some essential oils to add to cleaning mixtures so it’s nice to have another use for them. Nothing goes to waste!
The other nice thing about this product is that you can control the strength of the scent. If you prefer a lightly scented car freshener, just put on a couple of drops. If you prefer a stronger scent, add a few more.
Just one word of caution though… some essential oils are used in aromatherapy to relax and calm. It’s best to be on the safe side and choose essential oils that are meant to invigorate and make clear the mind while driving. Bergamont and lemon are a couple of examples. Peppermint is also good.
Want more information on the essential oil car freshener?
earthsolutions.com
Greg and Connie’s Transformation:
Today we are taking a look at our own blatant hypocrisy.
Yikes… we own a V10 pick up truck!
A big part of our “NewlyGreen” transformation is making some honest determinations about what we really need to meet our daily requirements. There was a time that we needed a heavy-duty truck. But since we’re not gigging out with the band as much and we don’t need to carry around all that gear, it’s time to make some adjustments. So… we’re putting our truck up for sale…
Hat’s off to NJ Governor Corzine for signing the Global Warming response act mandating a 20% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050.
Want to see more on the GW Response Act?
uspirg.org
Podcast: Download (62.3MB)
BASF Near Zero Energy Home
Natural Cleaning Products and Repellents
Insect Repellent Challenge Results
Show #2 – Air Date: June 2007
Extreme Green Segment: The BASF Near Zero Energy Home, Paterson, NJ
Interview: Jack Armstrong, BASF Director, Building & Construction Markets
This episode of the Newly Greens focuses on green building with a close look at the BASF Corporation and their Near Zero Energy Home in Paterson NJ. We speak to Jack Armstrong, BASF’s Director of Building and Construction Markets. Check this show out for great information and inspiration if you are thinking about building a sustainable home. Or just to discover its great story and hear about the Paterson family who will get this house upon completion as a donation from BASF. To get started on building your sustainable home, or simply to get more information, follow the links below.
betterhomebetterplanet.com
eere.energy.gov
usgbc.org
pathnet.org
Greg and I used this website to begin formulating our own strategy for making our existing home more efficient. Look for updates on our progress coming soon…
energystar.gov
“O” Goods Segment: Natural cleaning and insect repellent
Special Guest: Margaret (Mags) Lucas.
The “O” Goods segments strive to illustrate that for every choice we make, or product we buy, there is usually an alternative available that is healthier for people and the environment. Whether it is organic, less toxic, or provides fair trade for people around the world, these healthier alternatives are the choices we seek!
This segment of “O” Goods put the spotlight on more natural versions of cleaning products and insect repellent. We feel it is important to get heavy chemicals out of our home, and ultimately the environment. So we did some research and began experimenting with alternatives. Below are the recipes for some we liked and featured on the show. There are lots of great ideas out there and the Internet is a good resource. But there are also a lot of great products available in stores today. Our friend Mags happens to loves the Method line of products. Experiment to see what you like the best! And keep us posted. We’d love to know!!
We found the following sites useful and formulated our recipes from a combination of these sites and from the book, “The Humble Art of Zen-Cleaning” by Michael de Jong.
eartheasy.com
stretcher.com
lowchensaustralia.com
Please also check out the results of our flea repellent challenge by clicking on the “Our Transition” tab!
*Remember to always keep cleaning and repellent mixtures away from kids and animals. They are more natural versions, but are still not meant to be ingested!
Cleaning Recipes
Our Kitchen Cleaner
1/2 gallon water
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
5 or 6 drops of tea tree essential oil (adds a disinfectant quality)
5 or 6 drops of lemon essential oil (adds a nice scent)
Pour into a spray bottle, shake and use!
Our Bathroom Cleaner
1/2 gallon water
1/2 cup vinegar
2 teaspoons borax (adds a bleaching and disinfectant quality)
5 or 6 drops of orange essential oil (adds a nice scent)
Pour into a spray bottle, shake and use!
Our Window and Glass Cleaner
1 part water
1 part vinegar (smell disappears as soon as it dries)
Pour into a spray bottle, shake and use!
A Word on Bleach
Note: baking soda and real lemon juice are good for scrubbing as an alternative to bleach. Research also indicates that bleach, in moderation, is not a bad thing where you must sterilize. Most people just over use it. It is harmful to the good bacteria in our sewers and can aggravate asthma by degrading indoor air quality. Cutting boards or flooded basements are a good example where you might consider using bleach. Bleach is generally unnecessary in bathrooms but its use there is widely promoted through advertising.
Tea Tree oil is an alternative mold remediator.
Repellent Recipes
Our Flea and Mosquito Repellent
8 oz water (Substitute with Grape Seed oil for a thicker base that stays on skin longer)
4-6 drops tea tree essential oil
4-6 drops lavender essential oil
Shake well and spray on pets and people (avoid the face). Can also be sprayed lightly on bedding and furniture. Avoid using around pet’s “privates” and other places they lick a lot. We’ve been using this on our dogs once a week for the last month and there are no detrimental signs. See more notes below.
*** Repellent Challenge – Summer 2007 ***
Ok, so here it is…our insect repellent challenge. We’re going to try our alternative recipe for 2 months (May and June) and monitor the results we get. If we’re not satisfied we’ll go to another natural alternative. We’ll keep the updates posted here on the website. And by all means, email us if you have any suggestions or recipes we can try.
We used the repellent recipe above. Here’s our initial results but we’ll be posting any future updates under “Our Transition Blog” link
May 2007:
So far, so good. We don’t see any evidence of fleas on our dogs (or on us). The only down side is that unlike those products you apply just once a month, this one must be applied one or more times a day. But just a little bit of spray at the shoulder blades and back and legs seems to be working. They’ve got sensitive little noses and this stuff has an strong, yet pleasing aroma so keep that in mind by avoiding spraying their faces. I put some on my hands and do around their ears where the ticks like to make homes.
As for mosquitoes on people, we’ve been spraying it around ankles and lightly around the back of neck and arms. So far, no mosquito bites! And we’ve been spending a good amount of time outside so that’s a good sign. The mosquitoes are definitely around and I’ve seen them land on me while working in the garden but so far no bites. … Now if we could find a friendly Poison Ivy cure…ooops.
June 2007:
Still good for us, though a visiting family member did report that they got a mosquito bite during a gathering in our yard early this month. But we have yet to prove those bites came before or after they used our all natural stuff. We’ll give it another back yard gathering test and then report back….
Podcast: Download (42.7MB)
Solar Panels and the NJCEP Organic Clothing Show #1 Air Date: December 2006
Extreme Green Segment: Solar Panels and the NJCEP
Interview with: Bob Prout of Prout Funeral Home in Verona NJ
This episode of the Newly Greens focuses on solar energy and the path to obtaining it in the state of New Jersey. We speak to Bob Prout of Prout Funeral Home in Verona NJ who has gone solar in a big way. Not only is his business solar powered, it is also a classroom. Check out his solar control room and learn all about it in this episode. Or book a tour! He is a great resource for learning more about this incredible form of clean energy. And don’t forget the spectacular rebates and incentives that NJ offers on all forms of renewable energy. (GO NJ!)
To get you started, check out this link to the NJ Clean Energy Program. njcleanenergy.com/
“O” Goods Segment: Organic Clothing Special Guest: Carol Peterson
This segment of the Newly Greens’s “O” Goods puts the spotlight on organic clothing.
We searched high and low for some cool (and reasonably priced) organic duds and we found them in some unusual places and made from some unusual fibers. Our friend Carol joined us and we had fun checking them out and trying them on. Here are some links and information if you’re interested in any particular item you saw on the show.
Whole Foods Market Some Whole Foods now carry a pretty large variety of organic clothing and jewelry. Some of the brands we featured were from Whole Foods:
Of the Earth
World of Good
Indigenous Designs
The Internet Searching the Internet is also a great way to find organic clothing these days. Some of the brands we featured were found on these sites:
Bamboosa
Earth Creations (hemp)
Wal-Mart Wal-Mart is also stepping up to the sustainable plate these days. They are carrying organic clothing for men and woman. These items were not featured on the “O” duds segment this time around because we found them after the fact. But maybe next time… No Boundaries and a few others: walmart.com
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