By: Lavender Ruffman It is a common problem today that people want to lead more sustainable lifestyles but they do not have the time or resources they need. However, people often forget that any little step can lead to a bigger environmental impact. For example, instead of being a full on vegetarian, you could try limiting your meat consumption to a few times a week, and eat vegetarian the other times. Or instead of driving to school everyday, you could decide to carpool with others a few times a month. Though even when making decisions to live more sustainably, people do not know where to start or how to go about it. Take eating food for example. It is hard for people to find companies and restaurants that offer environmental benefits. Green for Green is now taking it upon themselves to research more sustainable companies that can help you in your journey for leading a more sustainable lifestyle. We will be posting about these every other week, and our first is a company called Farm Fresh to You. Farm Fresh to You What is it? Farm Fresh to You is a delivery service that allows you to pick from a variety of fruits and vegetables which will be delivered to your house once a week. All products are 100% organic, and are grown at sustainable, local farms. Products consists of the season’s best mix and can be customized to your liking. How does it work? You can order a delivery by going to the Farm Fresh to You website where you can choose where you want the delivery, what kind of box you want, and how frequently you want to receive products. You can select boxes that contain fruits only, vegetable only, or a mix between the two to name a few options, Also, before each delivery you have the option to view — and make changes — to the produce items arriving in your box. You have the choice of receiving products weekly, every other week, every 3 weeks, or every 4 weeks, with prices ranging from $26 to $58 depending on the box size and the products you order. Why is it beneficial? This company offers a wide range of sustainable products that are easy to obtain. You do not have to waste time or gas going to purchase them at a store or a farm as they are ready to be delivered to you weekly. This method also helps cut down on waste as you can order the certain amount of fruits and vegetables you want. This company also offers recipes for vegetarian meals that can help encourage you to cut down on meat more. Ordering from Farm Fresh to You is an example of a way in which you can lead a more sustainable life. Don’t make excuses when there are companies like this that want to make it easier for you to live healthier because your decision to live more sustainably will be more beneficial to the entire planet.
0 Comments
By Chandler Witt
Let me be honest here, I do not support the Trump presidency, and I do not think that it will have any positive effect on the environment or climate change as it stands now. That being said, as much as I am biased against it, I will only use factual information and quotes and will try to represent them as accurately as possible and not take them out of context, unlike some news organizations which I am sure we are all familiar with. In January, when preparing to be approved as Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson left Exxonmobil. As a retiring CEO he is entitled to a severance package from Exxon, something to the tune of $181 million dollars in shares over the next decade. While Tillerson may not control these shares, as they are in a blind and independently-controlled trust, he maintains a vested interest in the success of Exxon, not to mention the fact that he maintains direct ties with people who also stand to profit if Exxon does well. As for Exxon and its concerns about the environment, although they have several pages on their website advocating for environmental responsibility - each of them including pictures of nature with smiling employees and content about how they plan to protect the environment - its actions reflect a completely different set of values. In 1877 Exxon's own scientists discovered that burning fossil fuels negatively impacts the environment. Five years later, in 1882, an internal company report informed Exxon management “there are some potentially catastrophic events that must be considered … Once the effects are measurable, they might not be reversible.” Instead of seeing what they could do to lessen these effects, they spent the next 30 years funding climate change denial. To be fair, at this point the company was not controlled by Tillerson, but don't worry I’ll get back to him. You see, I expected that in 2004, when Tillerson became the CEO of Exxon, the company would do a total 180 and start admitting climate change is a real thing. However, for some strange reason (possibly because they stand to profit from the destruction of the planet) this didn’t happen. In 2016, Exxon was a few months into New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s investigation into how the corporate management knew about climate change for more than 40 years and did everything in their power to hide it from the public. Tillerson’s response to these charges was: “I really don’t want this to be a distraction.” Obviously he didn’t think that the allegations had any merit and didn’t want the Attorney General wasting his valuable time perusing these totally manufactured and frivolous claims. At this point I should also throw in that he was a trustee for the American Petroleum Institute, a national oil and natural gas trade association which represents the interests of fossil fuel companies across the country. You know, the same companies which stand to profit if Secretary Tillerson advocates for the relaxation of pollution regulations which are supposed to lessen the effects of climate change and protect public health. All I am pointing out is there might be a small conflict of interest, but hey I’m just one of the people who is gonna be living on this world and will have to deal with the problems Exxon has created. It's not like I’m the Secretary of State or anything important like that. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rex_Tillerson http://corporate.exxonmobil.com/en/environment/environmental-performance http://corporate.exxonmobil.com/ http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/4-priceless-moments-in-exxonmobils-history-of-climate-denial/ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/05/exxonmobil-investigation-climate-change-peabody http://www.api.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Petroleum_Institute http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-usa-environment-tillerson/u-s-state-department-nominee-tillerson-fights-climate-deposition-idUKKBN14X2KF By Elizabeth Byington Make your school supplies more eco-friendly by picking up some Decomposition Notebooks. These notebooks are chlorine free and use 100% post-consumer-waste recycled paper and soy ink. The large notebooks (7.5" wide by 9.75" high) go for around $8 and hold 80 sheets. The small notebooks (4" wide by 6" high) are at about $5 and hold 40 sheets. For these relatively higher prices, there's more than just the sustainability factor. The notebooks come in various design patterns, rather than in solid colors like regular spirals. One of my own Decomposition Notebooks has an illustration of constellations (as shown in photo) and another one of mine depicts an everglades ecosystem. Switching to eco-friendly school supplies is an easy step to becoming more sustainable, especially since these products are just as easy to use as what you would find at Office Depot. You can buy these books on the Book Binders' website, where you can find other writing items made from sustainable materials, and on Amazon. Book Binders' Website: http://www.bookbinders.com/ People rejoiced as the deadly wildfires that ravaged Northern California finally ended, but though the flames have diminished, the problems these fires have caused are still burning. They have killed at least 41 people and burned about 5,700 structures and over 213,000 acres since they exploded in force on Oct. 8 and 9. The fires destroyed nearly 3,000 homes and caused $1.2 billion in damage in the Santa Rosa area. As public health officials and environmental cleanup experts begin working on the cleanup, they must find ways to deal with the environmental devastations these fires have caused. These fires left behind a huge amount of debris and ash, which caused an abundance of harmful chemicals that may have depleted from houses and other structures. The cleanup of this fire will be a long process, as people are dealing with personal tragedies and repercussions of the fire, but it is important to keep an eye on the progress. In more personal matters, the Southern California area has been suffering their own heat issues as this week has demonstrated temperatures in the high 90s and in some places, the temperature hits . This record peak brings up worries of climate change, and with a president and a cabinet who won’t acknowledge this phenomenon, these concerns are valid. Many people are worried that these record temperatures and rapid fires may become California’s new normal conditions for October. Heat is nothing new to California, but the rise in fall temperatures could foreshadow a hot winter, so while we make our way through this week, we must focus on the possibility that temperatures like this may be a constant. Editor: Emily Htway A typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. In California, a state with a population of 39.25 million, there are almost as many cars as there are residents, and it seems that everyone has somewhere to be. Do the math, and we’re looking at around 184 million metric tons of carbon dioxide a year from California alone. So what can we do to reduce our carbon footprint and still get where we need to go? You might want to think about trading your parking permit in for a bus pass. Public transportation is not only a safe and economically friendly way to get around, but it also has the potential to reduce our greenhouse emissions by 30 percent. So how can you get on board? The city of Thousand Oaks offers public buses, shuttles, and dial-a-ride services. Thousand Oaks Transit (TOT) manages four local bus routes and one commuter bus route serving Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and surrounding areas. All buses are regularly cleaned and maintained and are powered by clean burning natural gas (yay!), and bus routes are designed to provide easy access to schools, hospitals, shopping centers, parks, and other public facilities (check out a full bus schedule below). Not only that, but each bus is equipped with free WiFi, security cameras, and bike racks to ensure for comfortable and convenient transportation. Bus fares can be paid in exact cash, by bus pass, or by transfer. You can buy your bus pass either on-board with the driver in exact cash or at the Thousand Oaks Transportation Center with cash or card. Discounts of 33 percent on regular fare single ticket rides and 65 percent on 31-day passes are available to students (middle school, secondary, and college) in Thousand Oaks. The Kanan shuttle offers free transportation to neighborhood schools and residential areas near Kanan Road (Oak Park and Agoura Hills). Shuttles also run on clean burning natural gas, are equipped with bike racks and security cameras, and are accessible to patrons with disabilities. During peak hours, shuttles run about every 5 to 20 minutes, and every 40 to 50 minutes during other times. The door-to-door Dial-A-Ride service is available for residents age 65 or older or to those with an Americans with Disabilities (ADA) card. Customers can use the service for anything from grocery trips to medical appointments. Do your part to reduce California’s carbon footprint and consider public transportation for your next commute. For more information, check out the official Thousand Oaks Transit website: http://www.toaks.org/departments/public-works/transit
We use plastics for almost everything in our daily lives. Unfortunately our reliance on plastic and the production of waste are having adverse effects on the environment. Plastic pollution is harming both terrestrial and marine animals that mistake it for food. Because it does not decompose, it sits and accumulates in landfills, creating areas that are highly polluted and unsuitable for life. Plastics, when heated, have even been linked to human health problems like cancer.
It is unrealistic to expect everyone to suddenly give up plastic, as it is so embedded in our lifestyles. There are certain products that need to have plastic in them to function, and certain activities and processes that would not be possible without plastic. However, there are also times when we use plastic unnecessarily. What I challenge you to do is look at the ways you use plastic in your day to day life and try to distinguish between situations when you need to use plastic, and ones where you use plastic out of habit-not necessity. Here are two common plastic products, and a few alternatives and tips to help you reduce you use of them. Plastic Grocery Bags
BOB VULFOV'S post on McSweeney's Internet Tendencies, about the titles of future National Geographic issue titles in 2030 is both funny and depressing. I hope these make you laugh and reflect on what we can do to prevent a future where these headlines are actual news... <<https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/national-geographic-articles-in-the-year-2030>>
By Ella FortneyThere are a variety of environmental organizations have and continue to fight for environmental protection in their own ways. I thought i'd share a few really cool ones and what they are doing for our planet :) Also, all of these organizations have opportunities for people, and sometimes specifically students, to get involved in their work. So if you are ever interested in doing a little extra to show your support for our planet you should check them out!
Global: Earth Justice: http://earthjustice.org/ This Organization refers to themselves as "Earth's Lawyer". They have created a network of environmental attorneys with the goal of protecting the earth and holding those who are not, accountable. They use five main policies: The Endangered Species Act, The Clean Water Act, The Clean Air Act, The National Forest Management Act, and The National Environmental Policy Act. On their Take Action Page (http://earthjustice.org/action) they make it very easy to participate in petitions. I did one while researching this post and it took about five minutes. Sometimes, as students, it can feel like we don't have a voice in politics. These petitions are an easy way-not only to make an impact, but to feel like you have the ability to make a change. Green Peace: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/ Green Peace focuses on peaceful protests, and as they put it "creative communication" to expose global environmental problems. Their website Green Peace Green Wire (https://greenwire.greenpeace.org/usa/en) shows volunteer opportunities and environmental events in and around our area. They also have a youtube channel where they show some of the crazy and fun ways they are protecting our planet. Local: The Tree People: https://www.treepeople.org/ This organization, located in LA, works to bring the green into urbanity through various tree planting projects. This is especially cool because most conservation organizations focus on preserving vegetation in wild areas-which, don't get me wrong, is very important-while TreePeople takes a modern approach by incorporating the wilderness into the concrete covered city. This not only brings beauty to the streets of LA, but can help with things like lessening the Urban Heat Island Effect or creating habitat corridors for wildlife. They also hold volunteer events where you can help The Mountains Restoration Trust: http://www.mountainstrust.org/ This organization focuses on maintaining biodiversity in the Santa Monica Mountains. They do a combination of research and preservation and have various volunteer opportunities for students and their families. I participated in one earlier this year, where we planted trees and cleaned up the areas surrounding the newly introduced vegetation. I had a great time and it was in one of the most beautiful fields I have ever seen. I would definitely recommend volunteering with them :) Heal The Bay: https://healthebay.org/ This organization focuses on all things water in southern California. The three main topics they work on are protecting our oceans from pollution, keeping our watersheds clean, and improving Los Angeles' water security. They frequently host beach and creek clean ups where you and your friends can volunteer an hour or two of your time to keeping these areas clean, safe, and beautiful. By Katie DangI have always been into podcasts. There's just something about listening and not having to focus your eyes on a screen, that draws me in. Here are three podcasts that focus on our environment, and continue to educate people from all walks of life.
By Ella FortneyOne aspect of the environmental impact of our food that a lot of people overlook is transportation. It is estimated that the average american meal travel 1500 miles to get from farm to plate. One way to limit the emissions from transportation is to buy local food. But how can we distinguish between what is local and what is not? Well one way to do this is by shopping at farmers markets. We have three main ones in our area that occur weekly. The Thousand Oaks market is every Thursday, The Westlake market is every Sunday, and the Newbury Park Market is every Saturday (Links and Locations at the Bottom of the Post) Another way to do this is by buying fruits and vegetables that are in season. Being that the average High Schooler doesn't know this off of the top of their head I have included a chart to guide you in your fruit and veggie purchases :) All you have to do is take a quick look and see if your favorite produce is in season. If it is, do a little happy dance and buy yourself that item, if not-maybe hold off for a few months. Obviously I am not asking you to restrict your diet completely to only the fruits and veggies that are in season, I just think that knowing about what's in season and what's not gives us the power to make the decision on what we do and do not want to buy. I also included a pdf at the bottom if you want to print yourself a handy version of this list for your fridge ;) This is another cool website that shows you the major fruits and vegetables that are in season each month of the year in So Cal, as well as all of the farmers markets in the Los Angeles Area. (http://recipes.latimes.com/produce-guide/) Links: Newbury Park Market: https://www.yelp.com/biz/newbury-park-farmers-market-thousand-oaks?osq=farmers+market Thousand Oaks Market: https://www.yelp.com/biz/thousand-oaks-farmers-market-thousand-oaks?osq=farmers+market Westlake Village Market: https://www.yelp.com/biz/westlake-village-farmers-market-westlake-village?osq=farmers+market
|