Al Gore's Endorsement

To many inside the environmental community, Former Vice-President Al Gore is an idol. It is indisputable that the current Presidential race is colored by his work educating Americans about global warming. Not only have Democrats emphasized the need for expansion of technology to defeat greenhouse gases, but even the Republican front-runner has proposed a cap and trade system to begin drawing down emissions.

As if he hasn't contributed enough to the policy debates over our environment, many want Al Gore to use his endorsement to influence the 2008 Democratic Primary race. Despite this pressure, Gore has promised to wait until the Democrats choose their nominee before he campaigns for anyone. This according to the CNN Political Ticker.

Of course there is a lot of discussion of how much these endorsements really mean, in terms of actual votes cast. With momentum such an important factor in the Democratic race, getting a Party celeb like Gore to endorse you might shift media coverage at just the right time. Regardless of the timing of Gore's endorsement, the most important benefit of his support is the immense list of fundraisers and organizers he has at his disposal from his own campaign and environmental efforts.

Share a Greener Love this Valentines Day

The December holidays were not very long ago. You're probably still paying off your credit card debts from all the gifts you bought. Thinking of buying more presents for your significant other this Valentines Day is probably not very appealing. So why not avoid all that needless shopping and do something thoughtful for your partner this year?

By avoiding more consumerism and emphasizing more romance, you get the dual benefit of being green and appreciated this year. Below are my tips for combining your love for the planet and lover in one special day.

• Start With Breakfast in Bed: Slip out of bed a little early, take the dog for a walk and cook up a delicious homemade breakfast. Your mate will love the extra time in bed and whats sexier then feeding someone veggie bacon?
• Make Your Own Valentines Day Card: Put some time and energy into making your own card. Use magazines and catalogs laying around the house to piece together a funny or romantic card that you can sneak into your mate's briefcase or backpack for them to discover during the day.
• Set the Mood: After work, make sure your mate will come home to a cozy, dark, bee's wax candle-lit environment with delicious organic wine and relaxing music. Get the romance started with a nice massage. Here's a tip, don't mix romance and dinner. You or your mate might feel self-conscious with a full belly and smelly breath. Save the meal for after the "dessert."
  
• Prepare an Organic, Vegetarian Meal: Once you both feel nice and relaxed, go to work on dinner. Leave out the nasty preservatives, chemicals and pesticides that make your body feel contaminated and bloated. Martha Stewart has some Valentines Day recipes that are sure to impress.
  
• Cuddle Up With Their Favorite Movie: Sit back on the couch with a blanket and enjoy a movie in the dark. Even if you both fall asleep, it will be the end of a perfect Valentines Day.
  

If you would like some more unorthodox gifts for your sweetie, you can adopt a cute baby animal from the National Zoo to help preserve their habitat. Buy Endangered Species Chocolate to donate money to protecting endangered species. You can plant a tree in honor of your love that will grow for many years to come. Of, if you must, you can buy fair-trade, conflict-free diamonds.

Super Tuesday Environmental Policy Round-Up

Today is a big day for anyone living in the 22 states with primaries and caucuses where they will cast a vote for the Presidential nominee of their party. After all the hype and excitement winds down, the decision you make should obviously be based on which candidate agrees with you on the issues and is best positioned to bring their ideas into fruition.

I generally try to parse out the rhetoric from actual accomplishments. Thats why I have blogged both the campaign promises of the candidates AND their records. In case the environment is an issue that is as important to you in this election as it is to me, I have listed out all the blog posts I've done on the 2008 Presidential Election below. I hope whatever information you're looking for is found in one of these posts.

Remember, one of the Green Pieces is voting green. Stay informed and don't forget to vote!

• McCain and the Environment
• Obama vs. Clinton on the Environment
• With Obama, is it the 1970's Again?
• Ron Paul's Environmental Issues
• Ron Paul's Environmental Q&A
• Republicans Divided Over Warming
• Hillary on the Sputnik Anniversary
• Ron Paul's Environmental Policies
• 2008 Candidate Environmental Policies, Part I
• 2008 Candidate Environmental Policies, Part II
• Carter Endorses Edwards' Environmental Stance
• Hillary Clinton's Updated Energy Policy
• McCain Concerned About Gas & Vilsack Out
• McCain Believes Global Warming
• 2008 Candidates and the Environment UPDATE
• Hillary's Energy Idea
• Barack Obama's Environmental Policy
• Presidential Candidates on the Environment

Vacations That Cost the Earth a Little Less

The holidays are long over and now its just winter time. There is something about this part of the year that makes people start thinking about their warm weather vacation plans. I recently received some cruise pamphlets in the mail, so I know I'm not the only one thinking about getting away to a warmer climate.

Eco-tourism has definitely reached the mainstream. In fact, its become so popular, there are many "wannabes" out there looking to make a quick buck. People want to have the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat while enjoying beautiful beaches or lush tropical forests. If this is your idea of a perfect getaway and you're currently researching vacation options, let me help you out.

First, let me point you to an organization of conservation experts who have created standards for eco-tourism. They have been around since before eco-tourism was cool and are by far the experts on the subject, the International Ecotourism Society. On their site, you will find a link on the left hand navigation panel that leads you to "Travel Choice" an area listing travel companies approved by the organization. Surfing through some of those different companies will offer a quick glimpse into some of the different opportunities available.

Second, follow the rules for responsible ecotouring...

1. Learn about your destination before you get there. Read guidebooks, travel articles, histories, and/or novels by local authors and pay particular attention to customs such as greetings, appropriate dress, eating behaviors, etc. Being sensitive to these customs will increase local acceptance of you as a tourist and enrich your trip.

2. Follow established guidelines. Ask your ecotour operator, guide and /or the local authorities what their guidelines are for limiting tourism's impact on the environment and local culture. Staying on trails, packing up your trash, and remaining set distances away from wildlife are a few ways to minimize your impact in sensitive areas.

3. Seek out and support locally-owned businesses. Support local businesses during your ecotravels to ensure maximum community and conservation benefit from your tourist dollars

Finally, when you pick your destination, make sure that you take every opportunity to support local businesses and to donate to conservation efforts in the area. Make this part of your vacation budget. The more money these local conservation efforts earn, the longer they can protect natural ecosystems for future generations.

Avoid Hot Water from Your Tap

For years, people have said that hot tap water is unhealthy. Its easy to dismiss as an "Old Wives Tale" but a recent story in the New York Times explains why there is some truth to this advice.

The reason is that hot water dissolves contaminants more quickly than cold water, and many pipes in homes contain lead that can leach into water. And lead can damage the brain and nervous system, especially in young children.

Lead is rarely found in source water, but can enter it through corroded plumbing. The Environmental Protection Agency says that older homes are more likely to have lead pipes and fixtures, but that even newer plumbing advertised as “lead-free” can still contain as much as 8 percent lead. A study published in The Journal of Environmental Health in 2002 found that tap water represented 14 to 20 percent of total lead exposure.

Scientists emphasize that the risk is small. But to minimize it, the E.P.A. says cold tap water should always be used for preparing baby formula, cooking and drinking. It also warns that boiling water does not remove lead but can actually increase its concentration. More information is at www.epa.gov/lead or (800) 424-5323 (LEAD).

Green Super Bowl Party

The Super Bowl is a big, manly event. A Super Bowl party should have beer and pork rinds, not wine and cheese. Is having a real Super Bowl party and being green mutually exclusive? No.

• You're going to be drinking a lot of beer on Sunday night. Put out a separate garbage can so your friends can toss cans and bottles into it.
  

• Don't buy Styrofoam or plastic cups. Your grandkids will be dead before those Styrofoam cups disintegrate and plastic cups are made using overseas oil. Instead, shove your glasses in the freezer so they're frosty for the game.

• You know those cheap paper plates you keep buying for these parties? They're lame. You have to stack 20 so they don't fall apart under greasy pizza. Avoid a party foul, pull out some regular plates so the food doesn't end up on your friends' lap.
  

There you go. Follow those 3 simple tips and you can have a real Super Bowl party without disrespecting the planet.

Knowing Where to Recycle

You can now recycle pretty much anything in your home. That doesn't mean everything recycles easily, some plastics and Styrofoam are notoriously difficult to recycle. However, if you are looking to rid yourself of some old computers, batteries, cell phones, sneakers, etc., there is someone who will take that junk off your hands and make into something useful.

A great website I recently came across is www.earth911.org. This site makes it so easy to recycle, even a busy, important person like you can do it! Simply enter what it is you're looking to recycle, i.e. paint, electronics, batteries, rubber, etc. Then enter your zip code. Earth911.org will bring up a list of local groups who will happily accept your stuff.

Check it out the next time you decide to clear out that junk drawer. We don't want the toxic chemicals in batteries, cell phones, electronics, etc. seeping into our water at the dump.

Make Effective, Non-Toxic Home Cleaners Yourself

You can save money by making your own home cleaners. The truth is, most cleaners you find on your grocery store shelf are based on recipes that have been around for a very long time. The manufacturers have just added perfumes, dyes, chemicals and petroleum to make these cleaners cheaper and more marketable.

Under your sink you will probably find all the ingredients you need to make home cleaners that are effective, non-toxic, non-odorous and safe for your family. According to Care2.org, these homemade cleaning products only cost 1/10th of the price of store bought cleaners! Below are their recipes for making home cleaners that work and make your home environment a healthier one.

SUPPLIES
Baking soda
Washing soda
White distilled vinegar
A good liquid soap or detergent
Tea tree oil
6 clean spray bottles
2 glass jars

CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER
Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn't leave grit.

Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.

WINDOW CLEANER
1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle

Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

OVEN CLEANER
1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn't work for you it is probably because you didn't use enough baking soda and/or water.

ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

FURNITURE POLISH
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

VINEGAR DEODORIZER
Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don't even rinse but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.

MOLD KILLERS

Tea Tree Treasure
Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I've used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.

2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.

Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.

Global Warming Legislation

Global warming has finally made its way onto the list of top legislative priorities in Washington. Last Fall, Congress passed an energy bill meant to curb global greenhouse gas emissions by mandating better fuel economy in cars and funding alternative energy development.

This year, the U.S. House of Representatives is making a promise to pass legislation targeting global warming directly. Its not clear yet exactly what provisions will be included in a global warming bill. Some are anticipating a cap-and-trade system for factory emissions, others are looking for a moratorium on traditional coal power plant construction.

Environmental Defense has filtered through all of the Members of the House of Representatives to highlight 10 who hold the most power in either supporting or opposing this important legislation. I will past the list below. I encourage you to contact these Representatives by email, phone or letter and tell them why Global Warming legislation is vital to homeland security, green collar job creation, and a healthier planet for the next generation.

• John Dingell (D-MI) – Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee with jurisdiction over drafting a global warming bill; has been in Congress since 1955 and is the longest serving active member of the House and second longest serving member in history; represents a district with several auto plants; despite close ties to the auto industry, Rep Dingell helped write automobile fuel economy standards in the 1970s and the 1990 Clean Air Act; has promised to move comprehensive global warming legislation through his committee this year.

• Rick Boucher (D-VA) – Chairman of the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee, where global warming legislation would be marked up before moving to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee; represents a rural district in southwestern Virginia with a significant coal-mining constituency; has worked extensively over his 25-year career on technology issues; has pledged to work with Chairman Dingell to move global warming legislation this year.

• Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) – First woman Speaker of the House; has made fighting global warming a top priority for the 2008 session; last year, established a special committee to explore global warming policy options and keep the process moving; promised that after Congress passed the Energy Bill last year, they would begin work on global warming legislation.

• Joe Barton (R-TX) – Former Chairman and current Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; since 1985, has represented Texas's 6th Congressional District, stretching south and east of Dallas-Fort Worth; is a vocal global warming skeptic, having said "I cannot imagine any objective finding that CO₂ is a pollutant"; has pledged to lead the fight in the House to stop global warming legislation.

• Edward Markey (D-MA) – Chairman of the newly formed House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming; also serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Committee on Natural Resources; since 1976, has represented Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, which is made up of Boston's northern and western suburbs; for many years has been a strong voice in the Congress for global warming action and energy efficiency.

• Henry Waxman (D-CA) – Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the second-ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee; since 1975, has represented California's 30th Congressional District, a coastal district outside of Los Angeles; introduced one of the most aggressive global warming bills in Congress – the Safe Climate Act – which would adopt a cap-and-trade program to cut America's global warming pollution 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

• Fred Upton (R-MI) – Ranking Republican on the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee; since 1987, has represented Michigan's 6th Congressional District, which is on Lake Michigan's southeastern coast; has a moderate voting record and likes to tout his independence from House Republicans; supports investments in new energy technologies and says we should do something about global warming.

• Jay Inslee (D-WA) – Sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Natural Resources Committee; also serves on the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming; is in his 6th term representing Washington's 1st Congressional District, which lies on the Puget Sound just north of Seattle; has introduced various bills to promote clean energy and energy efficiency, including the New Apollo Energy Act; is the author of a new book on clean energy solutions, entitled Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy.

• Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) – Sits on the House Natural Resources Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; is in his 9th term representing Maryland's 1st Congressional District, which lies on the Chesapeake Bay's Eastern Shore; is coauthor of the Olver-Gilchrest Climate Stewardship Act, first introduced in 2004 as the companion bill of the Senate's McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act; this bill would establish an economy-wide cap-and-trade system to cut America's global warming pollution 75% by 2050.

• Mark Kirk (R-IL) – Sits on the House Appropriations Committee and is a member of the House Climate Change Caucus set up to research global warming policy options; is in his 4th term representing Illinois's 10th Congressional District, which is comprised of Chicago's prosperous "North Shore" suburbs; a cosponsor of the Olver-Gilchrest Climate Stewardship Act and an influential member of the group of moderate Republicans in the House.

That Was Easy

One of the biggest drains of electricity at home or in the office is your computer. Its easy to forget all of the different things your computer is doing at any given moment and just how much energy it takes to do these things.

For instance, your monitor has a back-light and a screen that must stay on, your computer has a little fan that must run constantly, the large metal drive that holds your data must keep spinning in order to work, etc. etc. etc.

If you are like most Americans, you probably leave your home or work computer running even when you aren't in front of it. Not only does this age your computer at a faster rate, but it also wastes money in utility costs.

You can set-up your computer to manage its power usage by turning off after specific periods of inactivity. If you want to make things even easier, you can buy the Eco-button. The Eco-button is a piece of hardware you attach to the USB port on your computer. Whenever you are stepping away from your computer, hit the button, and your computer will go into a deep sleep. It is actually more effective then clicking the "sleep" setting on your computer.

Obviously this is an incredibly convenient way to save money and protect your computer. There is an additional component to the Eco-button. With the hardware comes software that measures your computer's electricity usage and tells you just how much money you're saving by using the Eco-button. This is instant gratification for anyone tired of paying high utility bills.

You can check out the Eco-button HERE. It only costs about $20.

A R.I.P. for the V-8 Engine

The V-8 engine was once a symbol of American strength and ingenuity. It has powered Ford's big land boats since the 1930's and is still a staple in many large trucks. But times change, and the V-8 is going the way of the dinosaurs.

Technology has paved the way for engines that are more efficient and, therefore, more economical. In place of V-8 engines, Ford has created a turbocharged 6-cylinder to power big sedans, sports cars, and some trucks. It supposedly is better for the environment too. GM is canceling any orders for new V-8s to prepare for new mandatory fuel efficiency standards passed in Congress last year. Chrysler is not giving up on its highly advertised Hemi V-8, but the engine will be combined with a hybrid engine in their big S.U.V.'s to improve fuel efficiency.

Its not as though the car manufacturers awoke one day and decided they didn't like V-8s anymore. Car buyers made that decision for them. Sales have dropped 24% for V-8 powered cars. Until people start refusing to buy S.U.V.'s or heavy-duty trucks with V-8's, it is unlikely the engine will be pulled from these bigger cars. But sedans with V-8's are going to be so rare, Toyota doesn't even offer the option of putting them in their car anymore. Honda has never had a V-8.

Do-It-Yourself Laptop Bag

This post is for Jillian out in LA-LA land. She sent me a great do-it-yourself project.

Now I don't recommend making this cardboard laptop bag if you live in a rainy climate. I do recommend that you buy the new Macbook Air to put inside this cardboard bag, as it is less likely to bust out.

Anyways, get yourself a big cardboard box and go to town...

McCain and the Environment

UPDATE (9-05-08): A far more accurate description of McCain's current environmental views can be found HERE. 

UPDATE (8-29-08): This post was written many many months ago before John McCain more clearly delineated his environmental policies. Thousands of people stumble on this post all the time, looking for insight into McCain's view on the environment. For quite a while, I have felt I was doing readers a disservice by leaving this post out there even though it doesn't reflect the current beliefs of John McCain. For that reason, I am now including links to several recent posts that will provide a more complete portrait of what John McCain will do, if elected President, with the environment...

• To see a short description of McCain's VP, Gov. Sarah Palin's environmental views, click HERE.
• To read about McCain's interest in drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, click HERE.
• To read about McCain's misleading campaign ad on wind energy, click HERE.
• To read about the sudden campaign cash influx McCain received from oil executives after his flip-flop on offshore oil drilling, click HERE.
• To read about McCain's 0% rating by the League of Conservation Voters, click HERE.
  

I don't mean to offend anyone, but most Republicans pay lip service to the environment. Theodore Roosevelt set a great example for Republicans through his dedication to conserving our natural environment. He sowed the seeds for the Wildlife Refuge system, the United States Forest Service, and the National Park system. Unfortunately, an emphasis on supporting business has trumped conservation in the Party and their environmental policies have suffered.

Senator John McCain offers hope to those who are both Republicans and environmentalists (no, they are not mutually exclusive). Among a Republican primary pack of candidates who are more interested in old energy technologies then new, McCain stands out as a realist. What are McCain's views on the environment and what is his record?

John McCain has kept pace with the environmental movement.

• In 2002, McCain introduced a bill that would raise fuel-economy standards to 36 miles per gallon by 2016. It took five years for a similar law to pass in the Senate.
  
• In 2003, before "An Inconvenient Truth," McCain co-sponsored the first bill in the Senate to mandate reductions in the emissions. A watered-down version of the law passed last Fall.
  
• He held hearings in 2003 & 2004 on climate change while he was Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee.
  
• He opposed the 2005 Cheney energy bill (like Clinton, but not Obama) because of its oil industry give-aways.
  
• He has always opposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
  
• Finally, he supports a cap-and-trade program for factory emissions.

To label McCain as an environmentalist would be misleading, however. In keeping with his "maverick" reputation, McCain has supported some issues that make true environmentalists unhappy.

• The League of Conservation Voters has scored McCain a paltry 26% compared to Obama and Clinton in the 90% range. However, they did endorse McCain in his 2004 campaign.
  
• Supports the development of more nuclear power plants.
• Believes continued coal use should be considered. Also supports development of coal gasification and carbon capture/storage for coal plants.
  
• Voted against the 2007 energy bill which mandated improved fuel economy standards by 2020 (to be fair, it isn't clear why he voted against this very watered-down bill)
• Voted against a 2005 bill that set standards for the U.S. to diversify its energy portfolio to include 10% renewables by 2020.
  
• Opposed President Clinton's "roadless rule" in the National Forest system which would have prevented timber companies from taking trees from reserves.

Frankly, McCain's environmental record is far more good then bad. He has truly been at the fore front of some controversial issues, and he should be applauded for that. In the past 2 years, it seems he has regressed in his support for some of these issues.

If you want to read an interview with Senator McCain about the environment, go HERE.

To read Senator McCain's environmental platform straight from his '08 candidacy website, go HERE.

Plastics Recycling by the Numbers

Out of sheer boredom, I bet there has been a time when you've flipped your Coke bottle over and seen that little number on the bottom by the recycling triangle. "What does that mean?" you've asked yourself. Well, I asked myself the same thing, so out of sheer boredom, here is the explanation.

Just as aluminum and glass cannot be recycled and blended together to make a new product, different types of plastics cannot be mixed to make new plastic products. For this reason, a number system was created to discern one type of plastic from another. When corporations buy recycled plastic from recyclers, they request the plastic number that will best meet their needs.

Here are the various number distinctions and what products they are generally used for...

1. Plastics marked #1 - These contain Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Most 1 products are soda, beer, and food bottles or trays. When recycled, PET turns into long fibers which are generally used for carpets, jacket filling, t-shirt fabrics and shopping bags.
   
2. Plastics marked #2 - Milk and water jugs fill the 2 category. These are high-density polyethylene (HD-PE) plastics. Clear HDPE is easy to recycle into new containers. Bottles that are made of colored HDPE is often found in plastic lumber.
3. Plastics marked #3 - These products are made of vinyl or polyvinyl chloride. They make up the clear food packaging and plumbing pipe category. Very few products can be found in this category, so unfortunately recyclers focus more on the bigger money makers instead.
   
4. Plastics marked #4 - This is low-density polyethylene (LDPE). This type of plastic is very flexible so it works great for plastic bags. The problem is that plastic bags are very difficult to recycle because it actually requires less energy to make a new bag then to recycle an old one. They go to the dump. This is why it is sooo important to use cloth bags rather than plastic bags at the store. BRING YOUR OWN BAG!
5. Plastics marked #5 - You know this plastic, its the one your yogurt, butter and these types of containers are made of. Unless there is an industry near your home that really needs this type of plastic, it is not likely recycled and is sent to the dump. Try re-using them yourself in place of tupperware.
   
6. Plastics marked #6 - This is polystyrene. The most evil plastic of all. This is what CD jackets, eating utensils, and take-out food containers are made of. Styrofoam is also made of this plastic. This is almost never recycled and takes a very long time to decompose. It also hurts wildlife by getting stuck in digestive tracks.
   
7. Plastics marked #7 - Only buy this plastic if you plan on keeping it forever. It is impossible to recycle. Look for #7 plastics on imported goods and lids. Just stay away from #7!
   

So there you go. A breakdown of the plastic number system for recycling. I guess the moral of the story is that plastic is not a natural product. It was created by scientists. Technology is great, but not often great for the environment. Whenever you can, stay away from plastic, and always recycle.

My thanks to Jane Bogner for the info

Congo's Gorillas Threatened by Rebels

From MSNBC...

VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK, Congo - Not far from a hillside where several mountain gorillas shot dead last summer lie buried, park ranger Innocent Mburanumwe peers across a primordial canopy of treetops into what may be the most dangerous game reserve on earth.

The lush sanctuary — home to some of the world’s last mountain gorillas — was thrust onto the front lines of Congo’s latest war in September. Since then, the fragile habitat in the Central African highlands has been overrun by rebels and soldiers, transformed into an off-limits war zone.

In the world of wildlife conservation, the biggest worry most rangers face is the extinction of endangered animals. But in Virunga National Park, where more than 120 rangers have been killed over the last decade, they also worry about their own survival.

Read the whole story HERE...

Apple's Green-Up at Macworld

Today marks the beginning of the Macworld Conference in San Francisco. This is the annual convention that brings together Apple, Inc. and companies who manufacture Apple software or accessories.

Apple has always taken a lot of flack from Greenpeace and other environmental organizations for having a pretty mediocre record on non-toxic merchandise and recycling programs. Obviously, Apple is an easy target with its popular iPod and Mac product lines. But being a successful company impugns upon Apple more responsibility than your average consumer electronics company.

Back in May of 2007, Apple CEO Steve Jobs published an open letter addressing concerns about Apple's environmental impact. In it, Jobs explained Apple's plans to move to LED back lit technology in their computer screens, which eliminates the use of mercury in manufacturing. He also noted Apple's computer recycling program which... "Recycled 13 million pounds of e-waste in 2006, which is equal to 9.5% of the weight of all products Apple sold seven years earlier. We expect this percentage to grow to 13% in 2007, and to 20% in 2008. By 2010, we forecast recycling 19 million pounds of e-waste per year — nearly 30% of the product weight we sold seven years earlier."

You can read more about Apple's environmental stance HERE and recycle your Apple product by going HERE.

There are many predictions out there about what great new product Steve Jobs will unveil during his infamous key note address on Tuesday morning at Macworld. Last year he introduced the world to iPhone. This year he could introduce a thin, ultra-portable version of the amazing Macbook laptop called, "Macbook Air."

In addition to new products, Jobs is expected to address the progress Apple has made in reducing their environmental impact since May. He could also discuss new ways Apple plans on progressing their environmental efforts. Keep in mind, Al Gore is a member of the Apple Board of Directors!