terranotterror.com will revert to terranotterror.wordpress.com on Sept. 22.
Several people have encouraged terranotterror to continue writing. Stay tuned…
Van Jones will be White House Green Jobs Advisor March 11, 2009
I’m a big fan of Van Jones, so I just had to sign on to pass along this piece of news… the best thing I’ve seen all day. Van Jones will be advising the White House on how to use the stimulus money to create jobs in the “green” energy sector. Jones is inspirational, and he sees opportunities where others don’t. He truly thinks outside the box. I’m very excited about this pick.
Side note: I tried to come back and write, but it’s just not going to work out right now. I’m working 8 days a week, and that’s too much to add anything. Please follow me on http://delicious.com/terranotterror/green. I might also have a Twitter account soon, so you can subscribe to that too.
Yay… Van Jones!
TV Update January 27, 2009
We’ve touched on TVs in the past, but the digital switch is coming soon, so I thought a review would be good. (A delay has been approved by the Senate with a house vote expected soon) The most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to buy a new tv. If you have a very old tv that doesn’t have a digital input, you have several options…
- Sign up for cable
- Sign up for a dish (DirecTv or Dish Network, etc)
- Buy a converter box. You can even get a rebate from the gov’t.
If you must buy a new TV, keep in mind that of the new options, LCD is preferable to the environment over Plasma screens. Plasmas use so much energy that new energy standards being considered in Europe may effectively ban plasma screens. In fact, I read that a plug in car uses less energy than a new plasma tv.
Slate has a great article about tv technology. It turns out that my old CRT (the old fat tvs) might use as much energy as a plasma. Yikes! Still, it’s best to let it die than to contribute to the new-product-production by buying a new one. When I do, I’ll get an LCD screen.
Recipe Friday: Garbanzo Bean Burgers January 23, 2009
Garbanzo Bean Burgers from the vegetarian recipes at Allrecipes.com.
List of ingredients:
- 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red chile pepper, seeded and minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon tahini paste
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional)
That’s a pretty easy list of ingredients. Follow the link for the instructions. We have garden burgers every Friday at the Milo house. They’re a quick meal after a long week, and so tasty! I’ll thry these next.
Transportation Ease January 22, 2009
The Akron Metro RTA system has completed the new hub! It’s a fantastic place with heated floors, schedule monitors, free wifi, and security. Akron’s commitment to the Metro, and to making our city bike-friendly is outstanding. Ohio.com has great photos.
If you don’t take the bus, you can text Google for directions and save paper by having them sent to your phone. Simply text your starting address “to” and the destination and Google will send directions to your phone.
terra, not terror is back January 20, 2009
It’s been about 6 months and I think I’m ready to come back. I’m still working 2 jobs, so I won’t post as often as I was before. I’ve been reading pretty exciting things that I can’t wait to share. First, I’ll do a little summary of some things I’ve done over the last 1/2 a year.
I bought a refurbished iPod touch. I love it! I use it more as a pda than a music device. I keep my calendar on it, notes, weather, contacts, etc. It does maps like a gps, and I can check my email without having to plug in and turn on the computer. So, it saves a little energy. To charge it, I got a Solio. The Solio is great for travel, but I’d probably wait for this power stick that supposedly charges in 10 minutes. The only thing I don’t like about the iPod is that the battery is not replaceable (which I didn’t know until after I bought it). Sure, I can send the iPod to Apple and they’ll send me another iPod. That’s not the point. I want a battery I can replace.
I’ve traveled a bit since I last wrote. More flight cancellations. I always get cancelled. It’s starting to become a joke. Planning another trip this summer. It’s unfortunate that travel has such an impact on the environment, but I love history and learning about the world, so I will continue to travel. My favorite mode of transportation is trains! Trains!
My favorite new site is Boing Boing.net with partner site Boing Boing gadgets.
Yes, I’m still trying to buy nothing new. It’s tough, and I’m not as strict as I could be. I am pretty strict about not buying things that are made in China. I watched “What would Jesus buy” and it reinforced my ideals about buying from countries that have a more positive human rights record.
My new favorite show is Chuck. That’s irrelevant, but it’s a tech-geek spy show and I just love it.
I will also resurrect Recipe Fridays, with vegetarian (low-impact) recipes that I find online.
Ok. That’s all you’ll hear about me. I just wanted to give a little recap. Now, back to the good ideas!
Upcoming Events August 2, 2008
Do not miss these fantastic upcoming events in NE Ohio.
… are in full swing in August! Choose from Lock 3, Stan Hywet, Mustard Seed, and so many more.
Great Lakes Burning River Fest
Besides having a really cool name, this is seriously the best festival ever. You’ll find great food, education, activities for the kids, music, and fun!
Saturday, August 9 from noon to 11 p.m.
Nautica Entertainment Complex, Cleveland
$8 online preorder, kids Free
by Green Energy Ohio. Meet local green energy companies, learn more about what you can do to reduce your impact, maybe even find a green collar job!
Saturday, August 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
John S. Knight Center, Akron
Free
Taking Time Off July 3, 2008
I have decided to take a break from this blog. I hope to do it for just a month, but it may be longer. I’m doing this so I don’t quit outright. This decision has been influenced by 2 factors.
If you want to keep up with what I’m reading, you can follow my del.icoi.us news at http://del.icio.us/terranotterror/green. This is where I bookmark all the articles that I find online that relate to reducing our impact on the environment. These will include all the fantastic ideas that I enjoy reading. So, you won’t get my summaries, but you’ll be able to see the resources I find to write them.
Reasons:
1. I work two jobs, and am trying to continue my schooling. One job involves staring at a computer for 8 hours a day. Since I don’t write posts when I’m at work, I have to write them at home, when I’m pretty tired of looking at a computer.
2. See comments for my 2nd reason. It gets political, which I’ve decided won’t get a place on the main page. I will make one request – take a look at the 4th Amendment to the Constitution, and then call your Senator if you are as concerned as I am about privacy and upholding the bill of rights. The FISA bill (HR 6304) will be voted on July 8th. United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Super Thanks to Senator Sherrod Brown for sticking up for the Constitution so far.
Happy 4th of July!!
Video Friday: Rocket Stove June 27, 2008
This video is from the Aprovecho Research Center, which created a “rocket stove.” A rocket stove is made of sturdy materials, such as cans, with a place for air circulation and tinder to start the fire. A rocket stove can be used to cook meals, even saute vegetables. This can really come in handy when you want to keep your house cool this summer – just cook outside!
Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen of Homegrown Evolution have built a rocket stove out of bricks. In West Akron, a lot of homes have a brick fireplace in the backyard, which is perfect for cooking. I think I’ll clean my off this weekend and use it to cook meals this summer.
Home Depot will recycle your CFLs June 26, 2008
Home Depot announced that all of their stores will have a collection point for compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). This is great news for those of us who have made the switch to CFLs to cut down on our carbon output, and our electric bills!
CFLs contain a small bit of mercury, which poses a problem when the bulbs are improperly disposed of.
Home Depot will accept any maker’s bulbs, no matter where you bought them. There are plans in place for other recycling systems for CFLs, but this convenient option offers a consistent drop off point and removes the burden from the consumer to find another solution. (75% of the nation’s homes are within 10 miles of a Home Depot – yikes!)
So, take your used CFLs to Home Depot when they burn out (in about 7 years) so they can be recycled.
Metro Building Tour June 25, 2008
I toured the Metro Parks Green Building on Saturday. The building is brilliant, but not many people came. That was unfortunate because people should see how easy it is to save on energy. Plus, they had really great cookies!
The new Metro Parks Rangers building features just some of these features:
- Outside: Rain barrels, solar panels, solar film, green roof, rain garden, smart pavers which allow rain drainage, and native greenery.
- Inside: Recycled materials for countertops, reclaimed lumber for furniture and structure, recycled carpet, recyclable office furniture, waterless urinals, low VOC paints, motion sensors for lights, bamboo floors, reused technology, original bricks and floor tiles.
- Basement: Composting toilet machine, geothermal heat system, and Hybrid car.
This building demonstrates how easy it is to reduce our impact on the planet, be healthier, and save money on energy costs. And live comfortably at the same time. The lockers were made from recycled milk jugs and the marble-looking kitchen counter top was made from newspapers!
The tour was well-staffed with cheerful and helpful volunteers. I look forward to the next Metro Parks event. They are truly leaders in our community, setting an example for all of us to leave a light footprint.
European Sustainability June 24, 2008
I just got back from a trip to Europe, and have a few notes I found interesting. Itinerary: we flew from Cleveland to Philadelphia to Amsterdam, and then Prague.
There’s no recycling in Cleveland – to be sure, I even asked an employee where I could recycle my drink bottle and he said “oh, just throw it in the trash.” Philadelphia Airport had thorough recycling – with separate containers. Amsterdam gets its own paragraph. Needless to say, recycling is available in Amsterdam (except in the “travel-to-America” section). Upon return, we landed at the Akron-Canton Airport, which does recycle. What’s up, Cleveland?
Philadelphia
We had a few hours in Philadelphia, so I look my husband to see the town. We both appreciate history, and especially the freedoms our founding fathers had in mind when they created this country. After our experience in the Cleveland Airport, I bought a pocket Constitution to comfort me for the remainder of the trip. Philadelphia is a beautiful city, where public transportation is used by anyone who isn’t already riding their bike. The streets are 2 lanes, so cars are bothersome. I wish we had more time there.
Amsterdam
As we flew into Amsterdam, we saw fields of windmills generating power for this coastal city. The air was crisp and clean, and the city was just beautiful. We saw many more windmills in the city, and a fantastic irrigation system for the fields. I’m sure the food there was deliciously fresh!
Prague
Our final destination was the free country of the Czech Republic. Prague was just as beautiful as anything we imagined. And talk about public transportation! … We rode the tram, train, or bus throughout the city and found public transportation to be clean, safe, stress-free and overall enjoyable, even in a foreign language.
Recycling is available everywhere. Trash cans (and trucks) are noticeably smaller than recycling containers.
I especially loved the local markets that were specialized. Instead of going to a one-size-fits-all shop for your culinary desires, you can go to the fruit and vegetable market for the freshest produce, the bread store for delectable pastries and loaves, and the cheese store for dairy treats. There were locally-owned, specialty shops for everything you need. For convenience, all-in-one shops are also plentiful. It’s nice to have choices. How could I forget the tea shops? They were delightful!
The cuisine was largely meat-based, but we were able to find great vegetarian options everywhere we went. Our best discovery (our friend took us there) was an Afghan restaurant. Delicious!
Dresden and Leipzig
We took a train to Dresden and Leipzig for a day trip. These beautiful German cities demonstrated reduce and reuse, and everyone rode bikes. It was fantastic. After the US firebombed Dresden in WWII, the city decided to rebuild itself using the same bricks that were used in the original buildings. They had to incorporate some new bricks, and the result is a city full of charred-black and new-white speckled churches and city buildings.
The train stations were nearly the highlight of this trip. They were so clean and efficient. The Leipzig train station doubles as a 2-story shopping mall. The food here was also good, but heavy, with lots of cheese and everything fried. Good thing we took public transportation so we were forced to walk off our calories.
Confessions
Because of “security” rules, we weren’t as environmentally responsible as we would like. Therefore, we drank a lot of bottled water, and even had to use styrofoam. We refilled our bottles whenever we could, but were forced to go through so many security checks – despite leaving an airport – that we consumed and disposed of many bottles. One time we bought bottled water, but it was warm and tasted like plastic, so I dumped it out and filled it with drinking fountain water. Ha! It was unfortunate that we aren’t allowed to stick to our ideals. In the future, we will bring our empty bottles and have them filled inside the airport (if we’re lucky), and bring our mugs for coffee and tea. Do you think I’m allowed to bring my bpa-free metal bottle? I’ll try it.
Overall, it was a wonderful trip. We learned a lot about history, experienced the joy of public transportation, and saw some good friends. I can’t wait to get back!
Akron Metro Dump the Pump June 15, 2008
Thursday is National Dump the Pump day, and Akron Metro has events planned all week, so ditch the car… dump the pump… go “green” and take the bus next week.
June 16-20
Note: I will be out of town for a few days.
Upcoming posts:
Germany is Eco-Responsible
How to beat the Summer Heat
NEO Rail
… and more.
Subscribe to my RSS feed here
