Spotlight: AASHE-Connecting Sustainable Education Nationwide

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, or AASHE, is really making a big impact on the nation. AASHE is a membership driven–501(c)(3) institution that is leading the way in empowering sustainable colleges and universities by connecting and standardizing sustainability practice on campuses nationwide.

Being apart of the AASHE network grants resources, programs and professional development for those involved. The most important factor that AASHE contributes is its ability to unite colleges and universities that lead in sustainability transformation. By working with campus faculty, students, administrators and staff alike, they provide a professional home for sustainability in higher education.

There are two ways to get involved. As a student, AASHE offers a variety of professional development programs and resources to its members including conferences, webinars, workshops, conference calls and the wide network that it is connected to. As a business, it connects them with their communities and aligns themselves with green leaders by becoming a business partner.

More than anything, AASHE is designed to help higher education practice sustainability as a norm, not as an exception. They achieve this by encouraging collaborations and helping facilitate the generating and achievement of goals for the campus as a whole.

There are many ways of getting involved in AASHE. Whether you are a business looking to become a partner, or a student that is already a member of AASHE,  a student looking to getting their college involved, or a K-12 school—AASHE is attempting to connecting and transform the everyday standards of our educational system as we know it.

If you are interested in inquiring whether your school is or should be involved, please contact AASHE

St. Patrick’s Day COLOR ME GREEN GIVEAWAY, March 17, 2010

Before you head off to drink green organic beer at your local Pub Crawl on St. Patty’s Day, join our shenanigans on Twitter! Our GIVEAWAY has a new twist this time around so pay attention!

Our crafty Organic Bugs want you to get to know us a little better. So, on St. Patrick’s Day I will pose 2 questions (something like~what are some of our favorite products, what specials are we having, what are some gift ideas we love~you get the idea) at 2 different times during the day on Twitter and you can go find the answers on Organic Bug!

On St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17^th, I will tweet the first question on Twitter @OrganicBug at 1pm EST and the second question will follow at 3pm EST.

How to Participate:

1. First make sure to follow me on Twitter @OrganicBug
2. Watch for the 2 contest questions that I will ask on Twitter March 17^th at 1pm and 3pm EST.
3. Visit Organic Bug to find the answer.
4. Tweet the correct answer and the 10^th person to answer correctly WINS*! Include #ecogiveaway as your hashtag. Your tweet will look something like this:

@OrganicBug The answer to question 1 is… #ecogiveaway

And yes, it is possible for the same person to be the winner of both prizes IF you answer both questions correctly and happen to be the 10^th person to do so for each question.

And yes, we will ship your prize to most addresses in the US including Alaska, Hawaii + US Territories, APO/FPO + Canada.

We will notify the winners via Twitter and winners will be posted on our Feed Your Eco Blog!

*Winners have 48 hours to respond to our notification with shipping information otherwise another winner will be chosen.

Now that you’re all jazzed up, see what GREEN goodies you can win during our St. Patrick’s Day COLOR ME GREEN GIVEAWAY!

Prize #1:  The Green Glass Company is committed to preserving our natural resources so they developed a process to turn reclaimed bottles into usable glassware! You can win a set of “Copenhagen” Tumblers made from the bottom portion of Carlsberg beer bottles. They are fun, festive, unique and Green in more ways than one! Set of 4 emerald green 8-ounce glasses valued at $33

Prize #2:  Green Toys set out to provide parents with a healthy alternative to traditional plastic toys. And so they have with a line of rough ‘n tumble plastic toys made from recycled milk jugs! Green Toys are not only healthy for kids, they put less stress on good ole mother Earth. You can win a recycled plastic Recycling Truck that not only teaches youngsters about recycling~it is recyclable, too! Interactive toy truck valued at $25

So, join the shenanigans on Wednesday, March 17^th! I’ll tweet the first question at 1pm EST and the second question at 3pm EST. Go ahead and mark your calendar; set an alarm for 2 chances to win!

Dance as if no one were watching,
Sing as if no one were listening,
And live every day as if it were your last.
–Irish Saying

Let the games begin!

Music Scene Goes Green

By nature, the touring industry has a negative impact on the environment because of the combined carbon footprint of tours, concerts, videos and albums. We are left to wonder, is there anything really green about the music scene? There wasn’t until Guster’s vocalist/guitarist Adam Gardner and his wife, Lauren Sullivan, founded Reverb- an environmental organization devoted to greening the music industry. Since its start-up in 2004, Reverb cut more than 67,000 tons of carbon from the music industry and greened 81 tours by creating outreach displays at concerts, partnering up with environmentalist groups, offering bio diesel fuel for vehicles, and encouraging recycling and waste reduction. Taking Reverb one step further, the couple started the Green Music Group, a project created to inspire environmental change. The GMG launched on January 30, 2010 and is founded by a team of musicians, fans, record labels, and music industry leaders who seek to inspire environmental change through powerful music performances that spread awareness of global issues. With the support of founding members (including Dave Mathews Band, Linkin Park, The Roots, Sheryl Crow, Barenaked Ladies, Bonnie Raitt and Maroon 5), GMG wants to “make big changes by targeting small tasks to use the collective power of the music community to take action and bring about universal environmental change”.

So what does the future look like for GMG and the music industry? We can expect to see new eco-friendly standards for venues, labels and tours, green grants given to up- and-coming artists, environmental challenges aimed at members and prizes donated to groups.

If you want to support positive environmental action within the music industry you can sign up to become a part of the GMG crew. To show their appreciation, you are automatically entered to win an autographed eco-friendly guitar and you will even receive a free song from the launch session. Not a bad gig, eh?

Stay up to date by following the Green Music Group on Twitter!

Become a fan of the Green Music Group on Facebook

Check out this video from the Launch Event!

Wrap With Care, Save the Polar Bear!

Unlike natural extinctions, plants and animals are disappearing at a rapid rate because of one species: us. Did you know there are now 6.8 billion people and the number is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050?

To help people understand the impact of overpopulation and to give them a chance to take action in their own lives, the Center for Biological Diversity created a unique campaign to draw attention to the problems of overpopulation.

The Center in Arizona distributed free packets of Endangered Species Condoms representing six endangered species: the polar bear, the snail darter, spotted owl, American burying beetle, jaguar and the coqui guajon rock frog. The campaign launched on Valentine’s Day, and over 3,000 volunteers distributed over 100,000 condoms to encourage people to “hump smarter, save the snail darter”.

The condoms are being distributed in each of the 50 states to highlight how unsustainable human population growth is driving species extinct at a disastrously rapid rate. The aesthetically pleasing packages which feature clever slogans can be found in bars, supermarkets, schools, local events and you can even order a free package from their website (not to mention 5 people will be chosen to win a lifetime supply of rubbers). They are distributed to anyone ranging from college students, to grandmothers, to ministries, to healthcare providers. Each package contains two condoms, original artwork and information on that species including facts about overpopulation and the extinction crisis as well as suggestions on how the human population can be stabilized.

The comedic approach is to catch people’s attention, get them to laugh and hopefully get them to talk about overpopulation which is happening right here, right now.

The campaign works to ensure a world that is livable for other species by encouraging people to practice responsible reproduction.

To learn more about the Center’s campaign

To enter to win a lifetime supply of condoms.

Less is More

Between the Saints winning the Super bowl and today being Fat Tuesday, Louisiana’s excitement has been taken to a whole new level. Despite the threat of rain and chilly temperatures, Mardi Gras events are going on as planned. Millions of people stand shoulder to shoulder in the streets of New Orleans to take part in the festive parades and to watch in awe the extravagant floats that fill the streets.  This year, artist Catherine Pears impresses many by taking Mardi Gras to a whole new level by turning it green.

Recycling is something the eco artist Pears surely takes seriously. Not only does she see the benefits of recycling but to her, the most obvious ways of recycling is to reduce and reuse, which is exactly what she did to create this year’s Mardi Gras float. The float features three women-the 3 graces- made from scratch out of cloth, wire, fiberglass and other random objects. The eyelashes on the women are made from old worn out paint brushes, the cloth that was used was left over from previous projects, and the wire came straight from a metal scrap yard. She’s not even ashamed to admit that she will pick up things from the side of the road if she thinks it will be useful, like dead tennis balls and pieces of  styrofoam. She even used old latex paint, creating a float that is as environmentally sound as possible. We appreciate Catherine Pears and give her major kudos for her ability to conserve resources and turn Mardi Gras green.

Now, who said it ain’t easy being green?

Mother Earth… Would You Be Mine?

Love… whether it’s exciting, fresh, eternal or simply just nonexistent, love deserves a day of recognition. This year, show your love of each other and your love for the earth by mixing red with green. Here are a few ways you can enjoy a relaxing, eco-fabulous Valentine’s Day:

If you’re going to love your honey like you love the planet, show it with flowers, make sure they are organic. Flowers grown organically are best for the environment because of the reduced toxic chemical usage, which creates a safer environment for the farmers and for our earth. Not to mention organic farms promote long term sustainability on farm lands which support the health of our planet. Be picky about where you buy your flowers because many flowers found at the supermarkets and other floral departments come from other countries. By doing this they are generating a larger carbon footprint since they have to import them by plane using large amounts of fuel and energy. Make sure to invest in socially responsible flower companies by buying organic or fair trade flowers. Sierra Eco is a fair trade flower company, which vows to change the world… one flower at a time. There are also ways to extend the life of your freshly cut flowers without the use of chemicals, here’s how.

Buy fair trade organic chocolate and pair it with your favorite organic fruits. Play your part in a more equitable trading partnership by purchase fair trade chocolate from companies like Divine. Look for chocolate that has a certification logo for Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, or some other indication on their packaging that assures the item to be produced both sustainably and ethically. Chocolate itself is considered and aphrodisiac and causes your brain to release serotonin which makes you feel like your falling in love, which means it’s clearly needed for Valentine’s day.

Finally, send love letters…online of course! Sending the ones you love e-greetings is a great way to reduce the need for paper consumption but still let people know that you are thinking about them. We like Evite or Punchbowl because of the variety of cool designs. Reducing the amount of cards you send drastically reduces your carbon footprint. This year, we challenge you to think outside the card stock and be considerate as to how your card sending impacts the environment as well as other traditional Valentine’s Day practices. This is the only earth we have, so let’s love it as much as we can. Happy Valentine’s Day

Simple Safety Protocols for DIY

Homemaking, healing and gardening: These are all such fundamental aspects of human life on this planet and are extremely important for that reason. The tools to create a more intentional and sustainable daily existence all stem from the tiny actions that we perform in our everyday lives. That being said, DIY projects should not be limited to people with a lot of time, space or experience. DIY is for everybody and creates a natural way to live on our own terms. However, it is important to remember that even natural formulas can hurt you. Here are a few things to keep in mind while participating in DIY projects, creating and using homemade remedies:

Natural does not mean Edible. Although compounds like borax and washing soda are more safe than most, if not all, the ingredients you will find in your local drugstore there are still some things that should not get into your body. Remember to wash your hands after mixing cleaners and clearly label the containers you keep them in. Check out this The Daily Green’s simple recipes for cheap green living, for more information on how to make your own green cleaning solutions.

If you are pregnant, there are certain herbs and oils you should avoid. During pregnancy, it is extremely important that you are aware of what goes into your body. While most herbs are rather safe for an individual to take, there are quite a few that can cause certain problems for pregnant women. Because each pregnancy is different with its own precise details, the best way to use herbs during pregnancy is under a physician, midwife, herbalist, or a homeopathic doctor.

A great resource is the Herbal Encyclopedia. This site will tell you what herbs are recommended and herbs that should be avoided during the different stages pregnancy and development. Or you might find this article on herbal remedies for women to be useful.

For additional information on alternative medicine and herbs during pregnancy check out Herb Reference.

Know your Body!

Pay attention to your body when/if something is making you feel sick, itchy or just straight up uncomfortable. The whole point of DIY is to make you feel better, not worse. Take care of yourself and pay attention to your body and how it reacts. You can learn more about potential allergic reactions to herbal remedies at  the guide to herbal remedies.

Remember: plants have families

If you know you have specific allergies, you will obviously want to avoid using that herb.  However, do your research because a lot of herbs are closely related and you will want to avoid using any herb related to the one you’re allergic to, for cosmetic or medicinal purposes, otherwise you could experience an allergic reaction or worse. A great resource to help you learn more about plants and their families is the Online Botany Guide.

DIY is about making our lives intentional and perhaps more simple. It allows us to pay close attention to our bodies and the systems that we know are right for us. Not to mention you’ll spend less money and reduce packaging all while doing your part to keep our beautiful Earth natural

Make Love. Not Landfill.

If you’re cleaning out your house and find yourself not too sure about what to do with those items covered with dust, we have created a list of some odd household items that you may have never thought to recycle. There are tons of agencies, organizations and programs who would be more than happy to take those unwanted items out of your possession. When in doubt, do some research and find out how you can help people and organizations in need. Here are some items you can and should recycle!

It’s something that we wear everyday, well some of us anyway, but what do you do when it doesn’t fit anymore? Yeah I am talking about your Bra. Yes, I am telling you that you can recycle your Bra! If it doesn’t fit, recycle it! A bra Recycling program called The Bosom Buddy Program is more than willing to take your old bras. The Bosom Buddy Program, started up by a textile recycling company in Arizona gives donated bras to women who need them, through shelters or other programs that help women gain self-sufficiency. So ladies, and perhaps gentlemen who enjoy wearing bras, go clean out your bra drawer and donate them to a good cause!

Enjoy your wine but recycle the rest. Recycled wine corks can be made into flooring tiles, building insulation footwear, bulletin boards, packaging materials, and sports equipment. Natural corks, which are made from the bark of a cork tree, are ideal for recycling because they are renewable, natural, sustainable and energy-efficient. However, synthetic corks are made from petroleum- based products are not accepted for recycling. Companies like Yemm & Hart produce recycled building materials, are are devoted in turning used corks into floor and wall tiles.

It’s about time you clean out that closet, and when you do, make sure to send your gently used items such as board games to people who may enjoy using them. Adult appropriate items can be sent overseas to our U.S. Soldiers through programs such as AnySoldier.com. AnySoldier has a list of items that may be of value to the men and women serving our country. Visit their website and they will tell you what to send and how to send it.

As long as they don’t stink, go through your old shoes and donate your gently used athletic shoes to a good cause. Through the organization Shoe4Africa, your old athletic shoes will be forwarded to athletes in developing countries. A little bit goes a long way and this kind of donation means more than you know.

You probably have an old iPod that you don’t feel comfortable throwing away (which you shouldn’t)! Apple’s commitment to responsible environmental citizenship, includes ensuring that an iPod is properly disposed of at the end of its life. Apple’s Recycling Program covers your iPod or any cell phone regardless if the manufacturer or model. Not to mention you get a 10% discount from your next purchase. Not a bad gig, eh?

It always seems like a good idea at the time to spend a large amount on a formal dress that you know you will probably only wear once. It’s time to clean out those closets and donate those beautiful gowns so someone else can look pretty in them too. Charities such as Glass Slipper Project are more than willing to take those old prom dresses off your hands and out of your closet (making room for your new dresses). The Glass Slipper Project will provide young high school students new formal dresses that they would not have been able to afford otherwise.

Remember back in the day when we used phone books? It’s a hazy memory but I am sure you remember what those are, because they are probably taking up so much space in your kitchen drawers. When you finally get around to cleaning out those drawers, don’t throw those big books away, recycle them! You can go to yellowpages.com/recycle to find out how to dispose of them appropriately.

It’s hard to let go of the past but if you think your ready, we ask you to take out those old trophies, dust them off, kiss them farewell, and send them on their way. Send them to Art Inc. this company will gladly take your old, valuable award and make new art to give to children groups or other causes like the Special Olympics. Don’t worry, you still are #1 even if you don’t have a trophy to prove it

Last but not least ( but maybe the most surprising) is human hair. Yes, the hair on your head. Well, you can’t recycle the hair still on your head but the hair that comes from your head, you can! Did you know that human hair can be composted? It can also be recycled into dense mats for soaking up oil. Matter of Trust is a public charity started because the Hair for Oil Spills Program in 2000. Very interesting and definitely worth checking out!

If you need more assistance in finding out what to recycle and how visit Earth911

How Would You Like Your Eggs?

Was there ever such a thing as an egg being an egg or have there always been specialty eggs with prices to match? Conventional, free range, organic, cage free… but what does it all mean? Let’s take a closer look at egg labels.

Conventional eggs are packaged with no special labels. However, in regards to the animal’s welfare, less than half a square foot of space is devoted to each hen (which is not even enough room for them to spread their wings) . Typically the diet is unknown or not noted.

Cage Free is pretty much self explanatory and has everything to do with the welfare of the animal and little to do with diet. The hens are free to move as they wish without being confined to a cage or any restricted space. They are able to engage in natural behaviors such as walking and spreading their wings.

Free Range implies that chickens live on thriving green pastures. Also known as Free Roaming.

Organic labels means the hens were fed only organic feed. This could also mean no animal byproducts are found in the feed. They are fed an organic all vegetarian diet, free of antibiotics and pesticides as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program. The USDA has to approve it to be organic in order for it to be sealed that way.

Vegetarian means the hens were fed a strict vegetarian diet. However, chickens are in fact omnivores not vegetarians and will naturally eat bugs, and grub. This term has little to no significance to animals living conditions and welfare.

Pastured means the chickens were raised on a pasture. With all access to the sun, grass, bugs, grains and other feed (sounds glamorous doesn’t it…it is).

So now the real question, which type of eggs are the healthiest? The USDA claims that all eggs are equally healthy. However, the input should correlate with the output right?

According to a study done by Mother Earth News, pasteurized eggs have 1/3 less cholesterol, ¼ less saturated fat, 2/3 more vitamin A, 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids, 3 times more vitamin E, 7 times more beta creotene, and 4-6 times more vitamin D.

So, next time you are at the store, take a closer look at the kind of eggs you tend to buy. The things that set the higher price should be taken into consideration (diet and welfare) and are worth the extra buck to make certain you are not only getting the most bang for your buck (nutrition wise) but that you are also supporting farmers that take the welfare of chickens seriously.

Breaking the Try-Cycle

This is the time of the year when we promise to do more  of one thing or less of another. We write reminders to ourselves, we tell our friends so they can hold us accountable, we enroll at a gym, we watch what we eat, and we do anything and everything to meet those New Year’s resolutions, except for the things that will actually get us there.But we know that more than half of all New Year’s Resolutions are not met within the first 3 months. This year, lets break the Try-Cycle.

First and foremost, saying one thing and doing another are completely different. You have to start with a plan. With that, you have to define what is being taken on or given up. Then ask yourself, why? What is this going to benefit and how much? This will get you to think about how you measure success.

-Start small. You don’t necessarily need it to be a small goal because it all depends on what it means to you. However, by small we mean, defined. With that being said, make only one defined goal because it’s hard to get what you want if you don’t even know what you want! Choose a goal that is meaningful to you. Internal motivation is going to be your biggest power play that will help you reach your end goal. Choose to take on or give up something that you know benefits YOU and possibly the people around you.

-Write yourself a letter. Visualize yourself having achieved your goal. How does it feel? Address it to yourself and date it and do not open it until that date. When you do this you are getting a dose of that feeling as though you have won and this will create a positive thought process which will kick start the momentum for success.

-Avoid absolutes. Studies have shown that resolutions fail when people vow to “never do that again”. Progress and growth toward an end goal is the healthiest way to go about reaching your goal. Quitting anything cold turkey could be the ultimate set up for failure.

-Treat yourself well and set up a reward process. It’s okay to be firm about how you’re going to achieve your goal but remember you are human. Don’t worry about the setbacks because in this situation, persistence is key. Reward yourself with things that will act as motivators. After all, you do deserve it.

-Write it down and think about how you measure success.  What are the pros and cons? What are the obstacles and how do you plan on getting over them? If and when you slip up, who is going to be your motivator to start back up again? Which brings me to my next and most important point…

-Tell everyone. With the support from your family and friends, anything is possible. There is absolutely no shame in not being able to keep your resolution without the help of others motivating you. Get a buddy, join an online community, zero in on a role model who you can aspire to be like. Use your resources and tell everyone you know, so they can hold you accountable and encourage you to meet your end goal.Ultimately, everything you do has to start with controlling what you are thinking, saying and doing. Hopefully, these things will help you think, say and do whatever needs to be done to achieve your goal. Good luck and remember to believe in yourself!

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