According to a recent article published by stopglobalwarming.org, 4 million tons of gift bags and wrapping paper are thrown in the trash during our wintertime holiday celebrations. WOW!

Their tips: “try skipping the gift wrap and cut back on holiday waste. Use the least amount of packaging and wrapping as possible, or try alternatives to paper gift wrapping. Newspaper, fabric scraps, scarves, reusable boxes, tins and jars are great wrapping ideas. If you do buy wrapping paper, always choose recycled and save wrap and bows for re-use next year.”

If you have not already checked out their site, I highly recommend it. There are nearly a million and a quarter folks (including me) who have joined the Stop Global Warming Virtual March.

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Hi there. I was going to the store to replace my doorbell and noticed a determined group of people partnering to remove trash and other undesirables from the road’s shoulder. What a great opportunity to write and provide a big “hats off” to those dedicated folks that load up those telltale orange bags with litter. Or perhaps a 21 bag salute is more fitting.

Chances are good that your State’s Adopt-A-Highway program still has a stretch of road near you with your name on it. Adopt-A-Highway programs provide a great opportunity for individuals, clubs, for-profit/non-profit organizations and business, and even sororities/fraternities to step up with their good, environmentally conscious, deeds.

Hey, you get a small workout too! In most cases it’s a two-mile stretch to maintain. Typically it includes the options of removing trash, mowing/weeding, and even the potential of planting shrubs, flowers, and trees.

Don’t worry about the bags and safety vests. My research found that the Department of Transportation in your state would likely provide the bags, vests, and will even pick up and dispose of the bags that folks fill. If you don’t like getting out there and doing it yourself you just may be able to wrangle up some eager volunteers and/or work-for-hire folks that will help with the cause.

I am certainly going to look into volunteering for a cleanup in my area.

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A lady wielding an ugly bottle of cologne attacked me at the mall. She was attempting to lure me into purchasing some awful smelling men’s fragrance. If I really want to saturate myself with cologne at the mall, all I really need to do is visit one of those in-fashion unisex stores that seem to pipe in gallons of it through their air-conditioning vents.

eco-Buyer beware — many fragrances (for both men and women) use scents derived from flowers, plants, and trees that are susceptible to overharvesting. For example, the Brazilian Rosewood tree is a rare find in the wild due to humans harvesting it for just such a purpose.

I decided to conduct my own unscientific poll. I spoke to a sales person at a specialty store. Yes, only one person, but they have observed many folks. They said more people are taking a harder look at the ingredients to ensure the fragrances use sustainably harvested essential oils and botanicals (or are synthetic). Good job people!

Want another nudge towards earth-friendly scents… as much as 95% of the chemicals used to make some cologne and perfume are petroleum based. And, may include some chemicals known to cause cancer, affect nerves, cause allergies, etc. That’s enough for me to steer clear.

While you are taking those steps, also consider purchasing…

• bling-bling that’s not made from turtle shells, coral, or other animals
• furniture or other wood products made from sustainably harvested woods
• house plants/flowers that are grown locally versus those that are wild
• books/magazines printed with sustainable resources and soy ink
• food that is locally grown

Okay, I will stop here. But, I know you can think of a lot more.

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I am taking tiny steps to reduce my trips to the local coffee shop to help reduce the need to use gas, save money, help the environment, etc. After all, that is where individuals start to make a difference…tiny actions/steps in the right direction (although bigger steps are nice too).

I am talking about increasing my use of a manual coffee maker, coffee press, or if you really want to sound like you know what you are talking about…a cafetière. I have found that I enjoy coffee made in a press over a traditional pot or pod maker. In my opinion, the press allows more of the coffee’s blend of oils and flavor to come through. On the other hand, my wife would readily say that it makes it smell even more awful than before. I just love the smell and taste of coffee.

Have you ever glanced in the tiny trash bin located near the coffee and tea condiments? You really start to realize what some folks dispose of and waste for their daily cup of Joe.

The benefits of using a coffee press over the traditional coffee pot or trip to the coffee house include:

• Increasing the likelihood that a person will recycle. How many people do you know that are like me and take recyclables home? People are more likely to throw it in their bin at home from a convenience standpoint…do you agree?
• Eliminating the use of paper cups and heat shield sleeves (assuming you don’t use a travel mug or other reusable container).
• Minimizing the need to use electricity.
• Eliminating the use of a paper coffee filters.
• Eliminating the need to use a wood or plastic stir stick.
• Reducing the amount of unnecessary trash.

If using a French Press is not for you…that’s completely respectable. You can still make small changes to help the environment and resources.

• You can buy stainless steel filters for your standard pot.
• Buy large packages of sweetener rather than individual packets.
• Compost the coffee grounds or just dump them in your flowerbed to add some nitrogen back to the soil. Plants love it.

Do you have other ideas?

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Every month the world gets closer to maximizing efficiency while harnessing the power of the sun and wind to produce electricity. In this posting, we’ll explore some of the common misconceptions associated with Solar Power.

If you can think of a use for Solar Power, there is a strong chance it is in use or being developed. Solar Power is used in every state of the U.S. to warm water, provide power to signs, light walkways at night, provide power to operate homes and businesses, provide energy to pump water from wells, heat/cool the air, and even electrify fences for security — ouch!

Myth #1: Solar Power pollutes. Solar Power is not 100% clean/pure due to the use of some chemicals and toxic materials in the manufacturing of semiconductors. Let’s face it, how many materials made by humans really are perfect in that regard? But, it is a heck of a lot cleaner than fossil fuel sources.

You can sleep well at night knowing there are a number of regulations than monitor the process to maximize safety for all concerned. Companies producing Solar technology partner with independent agencies like UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to ensure the products and materials go through rigorous safety testing.

Myth #2: Solar Power is expensive. In many cases, it is one of the more cost-effective choices for power delivery. You can reach a breakeven point with cost/benefit in about 8-10 short years. This also depends on your circumstances. Many folks have even gone “off the grid” and never have to rely on power companies for their electricity. Some even have a surplus and can put it back into the grid to help others. An added bonus…you may qualify for state and U.S. government programs that give you incentives and breaks too.

Myth #3: You have to place Solar Power units on the roof. It is common to place solar technology on rooftops as a logical solution. However, solar technology can be placed anywhere the sun shines. Many buildings even work solar technology into windows, artistic structures that receive sun inside, roofing tiles, awnings, trim, and the building material itself.

Myth #4: Solar Power can’t meet the electrical demands of a large town. It is possible to supply a large portion of the U.S. with Solar Power. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Solar Power resource in a 100-mile-square area of Nevada could supply the U.S. with all its electricity (about 800 gigawatts) using modestly efficient (10%) commercial PV modules. Imagine if all communities expanded their reliance on Solar Power.

Myth #5: Solar Power only works in areas that receive sun most of the time. Devices used to capture solar energy can work well in all 50 states. Yes, even on cloudy days solar energy still reaches the earth’s surface.  There are even Solar Energy storage systems that can store Solar Power for up to a month.

Myth #6: Solar Power is the new standard. As an industry, Solar Power is still in its infant stages of being the big power provider on the block. Even though we are decades away from that ticker tape parade, it’s gathering momentum and every year we get closer to that reality.

Myth #7: Solar panels don’t last that long. Manufacturers are always improving the lifecycle of Solar Power technology. Even though solar panels lose a nominal amount of capturing ability each year, they can still last beyond a manufacturer’s warranty (many offer as much as 25 years).

Myth #8: Solar Power is less reliable than conventional energy sources. Extensive research has proved that, in most cases, Solar Power is more reliable. It is not bound by infrastructure or network problems, consumption, or power outages.

Myth #9: Solar Power can’t reduce our carbon footprint. Solar Power emits zero emissions and greenhouse gases. According to the U.S. Department of Energy: if the Solar Industry were to grow 25% each year (as predicted), the U.S. will offset 10 million metric tons of CO2 per year by 2027. That’s equal to the annual increase emitted by U.S. fossil fuel electricity generation. That’s even beyond carbon neutral and it would help the environment recover.

Myth #10: I need a southern exposure to use Solar Power. Solar panels can face south, east, west, and anywhere in between and still capture a decent amount of the sun’s energy.

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