In fact, I think he’s brilliant. If you are in the Chicago area tomorrow don’t miss the opportunity to see him speak. Vice President Al Gore will be at the Chicago Theater. There are still a few tickets left.

The conversation will likely be centered around important themes embedded in his next book, due out November 3rd, called Our Choice. This event should not disappoint those thirsty for more about fresh solutions and plans that can vastly influence a “greener” planet.

“An Inconvenient Truth reached millions of people with the message that the climate crisis is threatening the future of human civilization and that it must and can be solved. Now that the need for urgent action is even clearer with the alarming new findings of the last three years, it is time for a comprehensive global plan that actually solves the climate crisis.
Our Choice will answer that call.”

-Vice President Al Gore

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The business of reclaiming wood from a number of sources is not a new concept. It is really gaining popularity as folks start to realize how beautiful reclaimed wood can be.

Bonus: Using reclaimed wood reduces waste and conserves natural resources.

The most common wood in the reclaiming process originated from “old-growth” forests that were likely several centuries old at the time of their harvest. Although it varies by species, the older reclaimed woods often have a rich color and strength (tighter growth rings) that you can’t find with newer woods taken from younger forests. That is a huge benefit to many people looking to use wood as building material or decoration.

Reclaimed woods have a number of obvious uses including support beams, flooring, siding or shingles. People also use reclaimed wood to make walls, doors, furniture, and countertops. We can reclaim wood from a number of sources. Popular salvage comes from old barns and buildings, old docks, and even old logs found submerged in lakes and rivers. It is a great opportunity to reuse hundreds of different species of soft and hard woods especially those that are extinct or near extinct like the American Chestnut and Longleaf Heart Pine.

What a fantastic way to extend the life of a tree that had life taken away from it prematurely.

Check the internet for a lumber company that specializes in reclaimed woods. I recommend one that sources 100% of their product from the reclaiming process.

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March 20th welcomes the “official Spring” for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere of our beautiful blue planet. Depending on where you live, this can coincide with warming temperatures and a bit of flooding.

There are several places in my area where the snow piles have melted and the floodwaters receded. Both are popular places for trash to collect (both naturally and/or through human influence). Has your keen eye noticed locations like these in your area?

It is a great opportunity to go out with a pair of gloves and pick up the litter. I recently scoured my neighborhood in two 10-minute sessions. I dedicate the first wave to gathering trash and the next for any recycle worthy items. I even got a nod from a family in the area and they started their own little clean up too. Nice!

When I finished got exercise and helped the environment. I encourage you to look for ways of taking your Spring cleaning to the next level.

Hope the rest of your week is great!

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Your neighbor, your family, your friends, and your partner are not you. Well, duh! Seriously — that is o.k.  You are an amazing creature.

All living and non-living things exist on this planet for better or worse. So, why not make it better. It is important to remind ourselves that we are interconnected and have tremendous power as individuals. You really do have a choice in all the actions you take. It is a matter of changing up a few of your actions along the way to help keep momentum moving in a positive direction. You know, that thing called “free will”.

Complacency is an easy way out and often seen as lazy when faced with the alternative. Being proactive with positive intent is far more rewarding — even if the individual does not realize the beautiful trend that follows. This applies to just about anything. When we give that attention to ecology, think and work smarter with our use of natural resources, or even feeding the hungry —you can literally change the world.

There is an older Public Service Announcement (PSA) commercial from the United States Forest Service with good ole Woodsy the owl. They closed one variation of their message with the phrases:

”Give a hoot, don’t pollute” and “In the city or in the woods, help keep America looking good!”

To this day, Woodsy and Smokey Bear (and other icons) help remind us of how the importance of individual actions. Awareness, education, and action are keys to making this world a better place — for all. Do the right thing…I believe in you!

I said all of that to lead into my surprise when reading the recent poll results conducted at Planet U. Here is the question and the results:

Wowie! Only 17% of folks would actually pick up a can and recycle it. I welcome your comments and I am curious as to what gets in the way of NOT doing that action (i.e., don’t want to carry it around, think others will do it, hello-germs ew!, etc.).

Here is a tip that I do that makes it easier. I fold a piece of paper destined for the recycle bin and put it in my pocket while on walks. When I see a can, or something else recycle worthy, I use the paper as a buffer if it is sticky, dirty, or wet. Then I plop it in the recycle bin. Wait for it…

Ahh what a great feeling!

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