Defining Terms: Greenwashing

There are some terms out there that are used with environmental movement that I would like to define as I go along so people don't get confused.

Greenwashing is a term that is used when a company puts out a green message but does little or nothing to help the environment. Some times companies will draw attention to a new manufacturing technique that they state is green when in actuality it is just saving them money and doing nothing to go green. Walmart is often accused of this practice. 

Green Links For The Week Of 9.29.13

Here are some green stories I've come across this week:

Nissan Leaf buyers in Texas charge up for free

Army of goats enlisted to battle back invasive plants

Cleaner Air From Tackling Climate Change "Would Save Millions of Lives"

This website lets people buy their neighbors’ leftovers

Eric Holthaus, Meteorologist, Tweets That He Will Never Fly Again

Going Green After Surgery

Last Thursday I had inguinal hernia repair surgery. I opted for the open procedure as opposed to the laparoscopic due to the lower risks. I far I am recovering nicely. So my question to you is: Is there a way to go green during surgery recovery?

There are some in the green movement that poo-poo medicine, but I'm a firm believer in science. I've heard that "doctors don't know everything," and while it is true they don't know everything they know much more about medicine and healing than I do. I took pain medication (though not as much as recommended) and I don't feel at all bad for doing so. The pain medication helps me to stay mobile which in turn helps me to heal faster.

I'll be down for a bit but I would like you to send in some ideas and I'll go over them in the next few weeks.

Green Links For The Week Of 9.22.13

Here are some green stories I came across this week:

Obama Takes On Coal With First-Ever Carbon Limits

Renewable energy is America's cheapest option, study finds

RideNerd determines greenest car

This bike light is super bright, theft-proof, and nearly indestructible

How Energy Efficient Is Your City?

The first episode of On Begley Street

As most of you know Ed Begley Jr. is big into environmental activism. He had a really great television show called Living With Ed that was on a few years ago. He is back with a show that documents his family as the attempt to build the greenest home in america. Here is either the first episode or a clip from it:

http://www.evoxtelevision.com/video/?id=193

Green Links For The Week Of 9.15.13

Here are some green stories I came across this week:

Smart bike navigation tool gives directions, tracks your time, and maps and shares routes

America warming up to new hydropower

Explained in 90 Seconds: Your Fridge Is Accelerating Climate Change—But It Doesn't Have To

BioLite CampStove beautifully burns through biomass

A Tour of Green Buildings Showcases Smart Design and Energy Savings Across India

This Is A Pretty Cool Commercial

I saw this commercial this morning and thought I'd share:

Loading A Dishwasher To Save Water

A Cloth Diaper Class

On Sunday we went to a cloth diapering class. It was provided by Park + Vine and was free! It was a fairly informal even where we got a chance to learn about the differences in cloth versus disposable diapers, the pros and cons of both, and we got to 'try out' various types of cloth diapers sold there. There are a ton of options out on the market right now (something I'll get into a bit more in a later post). It was good fro me to get a chance to play with each kind and see how they work.

The most important ting that we took away from it was the laundering part. People are really freaked out about human waste (as they probably should be). But as a parent, poop is something that happens and you just have to deal with it.

It was also refreshing to hear that we would be saving money going the cloth route. Cloth diapers are more expensive up front but you only need to buy a few dozen. Let's say we pick a type we like for $15 each. If we buy 36 it will cost us $540 one time. A study ran on normal disposable diapers said that they can run about $2500/year. Since your kid will be in cloth diapers for at least two years possibly two and a half, you're looking at $5000 to $62500 in diapers. That is much higher than $540 up front. Sure there are more expensive diapers we are interesting in, but still we will be saving money in the long run.

It was a cool experience and I can't recommend Park + Vine enough if you live in the greater Cincinnati area.

Here is a link to the schedule for the rest of the year for the cloth diaper class.