***4/20/07: Prior to the chat with Simran it was announced that one Gather member would receive a pack of gifts from the Sundance Channel for his or her participation. I would like everyone to congratulate Genine Hopkins for being selected!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gather will be hosting a live chat on Tuesday @ 1:30PM EST (10:30 AM PST) with Simran Sethi, co-host of Sundance Channel's The Green.
Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, THE GREEN becomes television's first regularly-scheduled programming dedicated entirely to the environment. Each week THE GREEN will present original series and documentary premieres about the earth's ecology and concepts of "green" living that balance human needs with responsible care for the planet. THE GREEN reflects the current tipping point in public awareness about ecological issues and the trend towards environmentally sustainable approaches to modern living. Hosted by award-winning journalist Simran Sethi and community advocate and MacArthur Fellow Majora Carter, two dynamic leaders who have distinguished themselves with revolutionary ideas in such areas as civic planning and global business practices.
Simran is an award-winning journalist and has hosted Ethical Markets, a series that highlights sustainable business practices and corporate social responsibility. She has appeared on Oprah and Martha Stewart. Simran holds an MBA in sustainable management from the Presidio School of Management and a BA in Sociology and Women's Studies from Smith College.
Gather will randomly select one member who participates in the chat with a "Green" pack of gifts, courtesy of The Sundance Channel.
Join us in welcoming Simran Sethi to Gather!
------------------------------------------------------------
To participate in the chat, here are some helpful tips:
1) Use the comment tool below to post your questions and comments. To see new comments and keep up with the discussion, you will need to periodically refresh your screen. You may refresh your view by using the refresh button on your browser, or the F5 key on your keyboard, or through the Ctrl+R key (on Windows) or CMD+R (On Mac) key combination.
2) Once you have posted a comment to the conversation, refresh your screen (see above). Don't worry about accidental double-posting of comments, as Gather technology prevents doing so without a screen refresh between posts. This will ensure that you can more quickly "chime in" with your thoughts.
------------------------------------------------------------
Do you have a "Big Idea" for the environment. Join The Green to learn more about Robert Redford's new television series about sustainable living. To join, click here.
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 73
I recently read in "Vanity Fair" (their latest Green Issue) that water is going to be an increasingly scarce resource in the future. What steps do you suggest citizens take to help ensure the preservation of water resources in this country and around the globe, where potable water is an increasing concern in many countries?
On a good note, I just saw a segment on my CBS affiliate that a way to counteract factory output of CO2 emissions by using algae. The "used" algae can be recycled for biodegradable fuel or feed. I tried to find a link, but even the local news channel I saw it doesn't have a link. I'll try to research it before the chat. I must mention the lead in by our local anchor, which again started with a statement which gave the impression that global warming may or may not exist; again "cyclical" was used, (haven't they done their homework?)
"An Inconvenient Truth" was my wake-up call. The hard data presented shows there is nothing cyclical about it. My geography class has also been studying the effects of deforstation extensively, especially during the South American segment. The only thing I can say is that putting your head in the sand does not make this problem go away. I have downsized my vehicle, (I would love to be able to afford a hybrid), and replaced all my lightbulbs with incandescent energy savers. We are implementing a system for recycling and my daughter's "Environmental Club" at our local community college is reaching out to local middle and high school students by creating a "mini-dump" model to show how long garbage takes to biodegrade. It's a start!
I look forward to joining this group and participating in the chat!
I don't know if this is on-topic, but would like to ask why we green folks and companies aren't concentrating on solar - better panels, small units, less expensive panels, retro-fitting. Electric bills in my state are sky high, and it's frustrating to read about this concentration on wind turbines, rather than quiet, non -obtusive panels.
The warming will bring the tropical diseases up north and down south a bit further than current.
Stopping the warming may not even be possible at all, as the sun is getting a wee bit hotter every day, and the moon which has an effect on the weather is getting further away every day and changing weather patterns a wee bit also. However, the carbon and methane that is added to the atmosphere by us folks is making matters worse.
What to do? Clean water, Solar panels up on the rooftops, I don't know.
But I do understand the desire. More corn for fuel equates to higher feed costs for poultry, beef, and pork, and besides burning ethanol or burning gasoline has about the same effect overall, besides burning gasoline in cars is only a small prat of a larger problem. Burning natural gas and coal for power puts a lot more hydrocarbons in the air than the cars and trucks.
What about India and China?
Everyone wants a TV and to be on the internet now.
Working from office centers that are tied multiple corporation via the communications available would reduce the traffic in one party vehicles, however, no corporation wants to share that type of decentralized space with any other corporation.
I feel that we all as the people on this earth are mostly focused correctly with the necessary improvement in health care, clean water and more economical electricity and communications in this world of ours.
However, we in general seem to still belittle and taunt our neighbors way too much, as apposed to working together. I think that's basically caused by invalid assumption in the different religions on earth, and will also be very difficult to change.
When Beekeepers on the east coast of the United States complain that they have lost more than 70 percent of their stock since late last year, while the west coast
has seen a decline of up to 60 percent, is the government showing any concern?
How much of this disaster is actually being caused by genetic engineering in plants as suggested by certain scientists, and how much of it is caused by the blatant ignoring of pesticide regulations?
What is being done to counteract or stop this mysterious decimation of apiaries in the country?
Can there be anything more alarming than the domino effect of this disaster on the environment...?
To quote Albert Einstein — "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."
.
I am especially, concerned of the alarming rate in Africa that in less a few years over 1 billion will be without clean water or water at all. Nothing to drink, No sanitation, and no water needed to grow food to eat? What can be done now for these people? What, can we do help? Welcome to Gather!
In 2003 my husband and I began construction of our first off-the-grid home. We make our own energy so we are forced to conserve. We rely on solar power and an inverter system. When we first started the project most people in our lives (except for one Aunt & Uncle who live off-the-grid) thought we were crazy. These days it seems like people really appreciate what we've done to make this home as Green as possible. It is our goal to preserve the beautiful woodsy area that the home is on.
My question to you is: what can be done to promote building Green and even living off-the-grid? We did it because we did not want bills in the mail and because we had no other choice with the spot we picked. I don't believe more books written on the topic will make a difference. We've been able to educate the people in our lives and show them how our system works. It's really easy to use recycled building materials and start using solar or wind power in your own home.
I just feel the topic is not really discussed as much with builders or in the construction industry.
Thanks for your time, Leah
Leah, you are so inspiring! I am trying to get myself off the grid, too. I think the key is really celebrating where we are and detailing the steps it takes to get there. The idea of living off the grid is really daunting to most people, you know?
Maureen and others, I think that we each have the opportunity to make our planet more inhabitable for ourselves and future generations. And you will see everyday people doing just that on "The Green." Whether you care about supporting local food systems or weaning yourself (or our nation) off fossil fuels, you will meet innovators from all walks of life who are all working towards being socially and environmentally responsible.
I'm looking for ideas on how to make gray water and water harvesting more mainstream in our communities. Many county health departments will not allow gray water systems even when adequate filtration devices are in place, and when the water is used for irrigation only. Obviously, the benefits of using water for indigenous plantings around the periphery of structures, parking lots, and along avenues, goes on and on beginning with absorbing harmful particulate matter out of the air, reducing the heat load by creating shade and buffers between the suns rays and structures, and adding oxygen to our air. Do you have suggestions of how to incorporate rain harvesting into the design criteria for new developments? Gray water is also only a cistern away. How do we deal with our city and county planners? Any presentation materials or ideas you can direct me to will be much appreciated. Suzi Moore McGregor, author of Living Homes: Sustainable Architecture and Design (Chronicle Books)
Remember, many small people, doing many small things, can and DO change the world!
I think you are hitting upon a really important question. The US comprises about 4% of the population but we are responsible for 25% of the world's carbon emissions and China & India are eager to pursue the Western mode of consumption and wealth. We have a great opportunity to be a market and world leader by embracing renewable energy sources -- from solar to wind to biomass. Not only for reasons of the very real challenges of climate change, but in the interest of public safety, national security, and economic prosperity.
Genine, I don't think costs are an issue because if you pay up front for even 1 solar panel then you will reduce your bills. It will pay for itself over time. We do not get any tax breaks or rebates (it's in Maine) but we did it because we had no choice. I think the rumors/facts about the costs need to be sorted out. :)
There are a lot of things you can do. The key to going green in an apartment is not thinking about what you can't do, but figuring out how you creatively CAN.
I live in an apartment and am making my own little citystead. If I can do it, so can you. It takes us all :D
Also, I did find out through research that installing solar for your home is cheaper than doing your ownd wind turbine. Just in case any of you have considered either option. :)
Liz B, I am so glad you are recycling. I have never owned a home and always lived in apartments. I think some of the most important and impactful things we can do (in addition to recycling) are:
1) Change incandescent bulbs to CFLs
2) Use zero or low VOC paint for our walls
3) Change to low-flow shower heads, displace water in the toilet tank, and use low-flow filters on all faucets
4) Make sure to look for Energy Star appliances
5) Unplug all items that are not in use like cell phone chargers, computers, etc. They draw 40% of their power when they aren't even in use.
6) Try to read the newspaper online to save trees
7) Try to compost all organic scraps in your trash
8) Try to buy local, seasonal and organic food
9) Use non-toxic cleaning products in your home
10) Drive less -- bike, walk or carpool
I just made those up off the top of my head. But there are many more things we can all do.
You are so right! A national climate policy would do wonders. That definitely should have been on my list - VOTE. And then make sure to hold your officials accountable once they are in office.
I enjoyed the Solar Living Sourcebook when we first started our project. It's a great book!
Suzi, to your question of rainwater harvesting & grey water capture, I would suggest contacting the department of sustainability in Chicago. I am amazed by what they are doing here and I know that there are hugh-rises in NYC that are also trying to incorporate these efforts into their green buildings (check The Solaire in Battery Park City).
Good luck and I will look for your book!
I can't believe grown-ups are leaving us with this mess!!!!:-( Sometimes I want to scream, but instead I blog on Greenpeace!
I think as a community we should pull together and each contribute many small acts of kindness to our planet. Plant a tree. Replace your conventional toilet with a dual flush toilet (each flush saves 68% in water volume used). Use a rain harvesting system for your irrigation. Add a porch on the sunny side of your home. Replace your window glass with low E glass. Insulate attic spaces and add roof ventilation. And next time you replace your car, buy a hybrid. If every year each person did one act of kindness the compounding effect would be enormous. We all need to work together to save our planet and put pressure on our legislators to create incentives that would encourage big business to do the same.
For those who want to compost in an apartment, the easiest and least obtrusive (not smelly) way to compost indoors is with vermicomposting, or red worm composting) There is a book about this called "Worms eat my garbage".
I wonder if there are low-income low-interest loans and/or grants to help those who really want to improve their energy efficiency? Any ideas?
Wishing you green success in your small (and large) acts of kindness for the planet. And if you are online tonight, please join me at the Sundance Channel Cafe in Second Life to discuss ways to reduce our carbon emissions.
Green love,
Simran
Thanks for joining us Simran! And thanks to the Gather community for all their great questions and ideas. Until next time!
We have a responsibility to all the children on Earth. Now is our chance to teach and show our children to take care of what precious little we have.
Earth is a gift, something that should not be abused. We are abusing, we are killing the hope and the home of all the children out there. Think of the children, let them be our voice, our inspiration.
Remember Dr. Seuss and his story of the Lorax. "I am the Lorax I speak for the trees." Let us speak for the trees, the Earth, our children and our children's children. Isn't it time we did something for them?
Take your family and friends to your city's festival, or get together with the local park board to plan one yourself. It may be a little late for this year, but you can always start early for next year. :)
Any act of appreciating what we have and the beauty of nature can be a lesson in ecology. Thius weekend, take a walk or go on a picinic in a local park or wild place with those you love and get back in contact with what we are trying to preserve.
Another resource for teaching enviornmentalism through science is http://www.insectlore.com. You can even raise ladybugs and release them in your school's garden as natural insect prevention. (see below)
There are also several grants and other things available for schools who start a school garden, pond, or permaculture patch with the students. http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants.asp is a great place to start your search. Organic school gardens are likely able to get even further grants. School gardens can also become small market gardens where the produce can be served in the cafeteria, sold in any way or given to the students to take home and eat themselves. It is an exciting teaching tool.
Welcome to the journey!
Sounds like it was a wonderful chat and I am so upset that I missed it.
My gerbils shred my junk mail.
They sweeten it as they go.
The shredded paper composts quickly in the compost pit.
I can't tell you if vermicomposting is faster, since I haven't tried that yet.
Those gerbils don't stop at junk mail.
They shred packaging from the grocery store, too.
I've had less than one garbage bag in 3 months -- and it's almost all plastic and glass. Even that can be controlled better.
My body has been negatively responding to the chemicals in the air for over 10 years, as a result I have become quite aware. I appreciate the attention this is getting.
Thanks and hope I can make the next chat if you have another.