[faerietails2]

I just read this article, and I'm horrified.

I'm going to be anal about my plastics usage from now on.

[dusty]

Take part in the Global Day of Action on Climate Change, December 8!

http://www.globalclimatecampaign.org/

[nohope]

More Green wins and impressive percentages in November 6 local elections

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Monday, November 12, 2007

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org
Brent McMillan, National Political Director, 202-319-7191, brent@gp.org

Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party has released its final tally of Green victories on Election Day, November 6, 2007.

16 Green candidates, out of 94 who ran on November 6, won their races for local office (pending confirmation of David Lussier's county legislature victory in New York). A total of 142 Greens ran for public office in the 2007 off-year elections.

"We're very proud of all our 2007 candidates. Along with our winners, we also note that Green candidates who didn't win received impressive percentages in cities and towns where Greens are still a new party, or where local politics have been dominated by a single party, as in Baltimore and Tucson. These percentages prove that more and more Americans are willing to vote Green, and that the party made a leap forward in 2007," said TE Smith, a member of the DC Statehood Green Party.

GREEN VICTORIES on November 6

CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org

Larry Bragman and Lew Tremain were re-elected to the Fairfax City Council. Mr. Bragman finished first with 1,322 votes or 40.74%, and Mr. Tremain finished second with 969 votes or 29.66 %. Three candidates competed for two seats. http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/rv/main/Cu...ion/Results.htm

CONNECTICUT http://www.ctgreens.org

Alan Brison scored an upset victory in his race for Ward 10 Alderman in New Haven. Mr. Brison beat his competition by 100 votes in the East Rock and Cedar Hill neighborhoods.
http://ctgreens.org/candidates/brison2007

Jean deSmet was elected First Selectman of the town of Windham. (At 9:30 pm on Tuesday, Ms. deSmet was 120 votes ahead of the Democrat and far ahead of the Republican.) Ms. deSmet is also co-chair of the Green Party of Connecticut.
http://www.VoteJean.com

Hector Lopez (incumbent) and Erik Eisenberg were elected to Constable positions in New Canaan, among six candidates running for six positions. Mr. Lopez finished fifth with 748 votes and Erik finished sixth with 645 votes.
http://www.ctgreens.org/fairfield/2007Candidates/Lopez.htm
http://www.ctgreens.org/fairfield/2007Cand...s/Eisenberg.htm

Write-in candidate Lief Smith won his race for Redding Constable.

ILLINOIS http://www.ilgp.org

The Illinois Green Party met the early filing deadline on November 6 for placing presidential, congressional, and other candidates on the ballot for the state's February 5 primary. In 2006, Illinois Greens who their ballot line, overcoming difficult ballot access rules and obstruction efforts by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who used $800,000 in taxpayers' money trying to block the Green Party. Green gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney drew over 10% in 2006, more than twice Illinois' 5% requirement to maintain ballot access. According to Phil Huckelberry, chair of the Illinois Green Party's government and elections committee, the party has set a goal of having 100 to 110 state and local candidates on ballots in 2008. For more information on Illinois Green races, contact Mr. Huckelberry at 309-268-9974 or <phil.huckelberry@gmail.com>.

MAINE http://www.mainegreens.org

John Anton won his race for Portland City Council. Mr. Anton finished first among four candidates for two at-large seats, drawing 6,320 votes or 29.04%.
http://www.johnanton.us/

MARYLAND

Dan Robinson won his race for Tacoma Park Town Council Ward 3. He finished first of two candidates for one seat with 234 votes or 67.6%.
http://danrobinsonforcouncil.org/

MASSACHUSETTS http://www.massgreens.org

Chuck Turner easily won reelection to Boston City Council (District 7) with 81% of the vote.

Luc Schuster won reelection to the Cambridge School Committee, finishing fourth out of nine candidates for six seats. Mr. Schuster received 1,658 first place votes.
http://www.voteluc.org/

NEW YORK http://www.gpnys.org

David Lussier, running in a partisan race for County Legislature (District 7) in Albany, has a five vote lead with all machine votes in on Election Night. 90 affidavit and absentee ballots remain to be counted on November 14. Mr. Lussier's 531 votes places him ahead of Democrat Brian Scavo (526 votes). Mr. Lussier campaigned vigorously among absentee ballot voters, and Greens are optimistic that his victory will be confirmed.
http://www.lussierforleg.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Sam Ettaro won as a write-in candidate for Curwensville Borough in Clearfield County.
http://www.ettaro.com
http://www.citizensadvocate.net

VIRGINIA http://www.vagreenparty.org

Three Virginia Green were elected to local Soil and Water Conservation Boards: Chris Simmons in Loudon County; Kathleen Harrigan (write-in) for the Tri-County Soil and Water commission in Fredericksburg; and Daniel Metraux in Staunton.


GREENS WITH GOOD PERCENTAGES
Races where Green numbers show major increases over previous elections or Green candidates achieved significant percentages in cities dominated by a single party.

Arizona
Beryl Baker received 27% for Tucson City Council (Ward 1); Dave Croteau received 28% for Mayor of Tucson.

Indiana
Kathleen Petitjean captured 23% of the vote in the 1st District City Council race in South Bend, the largest percentage of votes ever garnered by a Green candidate in the state.

Maryland
Bill Barry received 27% in his race for Baltimore City Council. Maria Allwine drew 17% for Baltimore City Council President. Both ran against incumbents in a city long dominated by Democrats.

Washington
Joe Szwaja finished second out of two candidates with 21,471 votes or 29.47%. Sally Soriano lost her reelection to the Seattle School Board with 25,966 votes or 38.22%; her opponent raised $130,000 with the help of corporate contributors for a $5,000 a year job.


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Green Party News Center
http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml

Green Party Speakers Bureau
http://www.gp.org/speakers

2007 national Green Party meeting in Reading, Pa.: video footage, blog and media coverage
http://www.gp.org/meeting2007/

"2007 Green candidates to watch on Election Day, November 6" Green Party press release, November 1, 2007
http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2007_11_01.shtml


~ END ~

[divaintraining]

I think it's so great that the going green trend is picking up so much! I have gotten a lot better about carrying extra bags with me so I cut back on plastic bags. I came across this video that given some fun ideas on how to make your own bags...I'm going to give it a try when I have some extra time over Thanksgiving!
http://better.tv/bettertv/?cid=713311276&a...src=rafbettertv

[coela]

Another click site:
Clickety-click for climate balance!

Yeah, so it's in Swedish, but you can still see the button. ;-)
You can also mail 10 people about it (the "TIPSA"-button) and neutralize
100 kilos of carbon dioxide. Neutralization is made mainly through planting of
trees, but also research in energy-effective engineering and projects in
developing countries. The trees are planted in e.g Senegal.

[ginger_kitty]

Thanks freckle, I'll check those out.

[freckleface7]

ginger-
I am currently using 7th Generation's dish soap, but also really really liked the Sun & Earth brand as well.

Coela-
I think you are exactly right about all the waste-labor materials to manufacture the paper plates; on some level I think I probably already knew that, but had been too lazi to thought-process it all the way through like that, so thank you.
I admit I am terrible about using my dishwasher, but only when it's a full load and on the most energy efficient cycle and still hand wash a fair amount of our dishes conservatively too.

cross posted w/ another thread: Gaiam Living (.com) has a new Zero-Out program with the Conservation Fund that let's you buy a tree to be planted in your name for just $2** that says it will negate (in time) the carbon made to ship your order to you.
I ordered my frecklette some stuff from there ( a 100% organic cotton shirt that donates to the aspca but they have lots of other non-profit choices too, such as dr's w/out border etc etc) and am "getting her a tree." (comes w/ a certificate too.)
Gaiam is the very first company to be doing something like this and I think it's really exciting; I would Love to see the idea spread, esp as I am doing most of my holiday shopping online this year and in fact, think I will order additional tree's for each order I place anywhere regardless.

[ginger_kitty]

Can anyone reccommend an earth friendly dish soap? I but this one at the store that said all natural, biogradible, and all. But it also said keep away from pets, and didn't clean very well.

I have been trying to live a greener life.

[coela]

I have a question here -

which is worse/better for environment :

using paper plates to conserve water in this time of terrible drought here in the US, or using regular plates that have to be water washed, to save tree's that are used to make paper plates? ( & yes I know there are p. plates made of recycled paper.. maybe I just answered my own question?)

Considering you already have your plates at home, and all you need is maybe a few litres of water per day for the washing up, compared to:

growing trees (land & time needed), fuel for machines to cut down trees, transporting people who'll plant new trees, transporting trees to wood industry (and power & water used there), water & power (and chemicals) needed for the factory that makes paper plates, people commuting to factory, transportation for paper plates from factory to store, power & water needed for store, transportation for you from your home to the store to buy paper plates, and then energy needed to pick up garbage & recycle paper plates, I'd say you can wash your regular plates instead of buying new ones.
With as little water as you can (i.e not the dish washer).

I feel very bad for you with this horrible drought you have, it really seems like a nightmare.

[hoosierman78]

so at first i thought the flushable diper thing was an awsome solution, but in a water drought wouldnt flushing the toilet be using just as much water as soing cloth diper laundry? just wondering.

Well, it depends. First question, is how old is your toilet? If you have a newer model, they only use about 1.3 - 1.5 gal/flush, whereas an older model will use 2.5 or even more, depending on age. It also depends on how you wash them. If you use a front-loading washing machine to wash 30 or so at a time, then that probably conserves more water. If you hand wash them one or two at a time, given most sink faucets are rated at 1.5 - 3 gal/minute, if you take more than a minute per diaper, you're probably better off flushing disposables.

Since I also assume (possibly incorrectly) that you'll already be flushing any poo deposited in the cloth diaper, you may as well just get the flushables, as you'll be using the flush water anyway.

[freckleface7]

I have a question here -

which is worse/better for environment :

using paper plates to conserve water in this time of terrible drought here in the US, or using regular plates that have to be water washed, to save tree's that are used to make paper plates? ( & yes I know there are p. plates made of recycled paper.. maybe I just answered my own question?)

[tankgirl]

well yah, you can throw them out too, and they are biodegratable sure, but throwing them out in plastic bags wont make them any more biodegratable would it? you would have to compost them or something? im not trying to be argumentative, im just wondering. im planning on having kids in the next few years and i try to be as green as possible (while still living in a city) and ive been wondering about things like this. thats so funny that throwing away human poop is illegal!

and yah vinegar is good for so many things around the house, its amazing.

[phobia]

I don't have kids and therefore no diapers, but I have to ask -- if they're flushable, are they compostable?

PS -- I've discovered that diluted vinegar is really good for cleaning painted walls, and also anything chrome. Makes it all shiny-like!

[pepper]

you can trash them too, they're biodegradable. poop should get flushed either way, even with disposables. throwing human feces in the trash is totally illegal, fancy that eh? millions of parents a day breaking the law unbeknownst to them.

[tankgirl]

so at first i thought the flushable diper thing was an awsome solution, but in a water drought wouldnt flushing the toilet be using just as much water as soing cloth diper laundry? just wondering.

[venetia]

Thanks for those tips, Hoosierman.

You are right, getting on the grid would be costly, plus having it disconnected and reconnected all the time adds up too. They are selling those wind turbines here - we don't get much wind where I have in mind but it would be worth a try, and they look great. The area is pretty darn temperate - it will never freeze or get very hot - but it rains a lot and is wet and humid. So for the actual construction I'll probably be looking at what else is going on in the region. It doesn't make sense to ship things if I can avoid it.

Hmm well you two have given me a lot to start investigating! Thanks!

[hoosierman78]

Luckily out there is where my family IS; they'd all be within shouting distance (well, loud shouting anyway). Part of my motivation is that I miss them. There's drinking water there, but I don't think it runs fast or plentiful enough to generate power.

The mountains in BC sounds intriguing. Thanks for the building tip, I actually hadn't heard of those. Some people here are into adobe etc but that's about it.

Venetia-
There are actually quite a few options you can go with. There are small, propeller hydro units that don't require much velocity/flow to produce electricity. More info on those here.

Depending on the sun/wind available, pv cells & windmills could prove cost effective as well. There are relatively new vertical axis wind turbines, that don't have the enormous propellers to create an unsightly view or chop up birds. Also, they are much quieter than traditional wind turbines.

One other thing. I know you mentioned it wouldn't be for full-time living, but if you would like a more permanent type of building, insulated concrete forms (ICF) & structural insulated panels (SIP) provide tremendous strength, along with very high insulating values. If procured from green minded vendors, the materials are almost as renewable (and not nearly as susecptable to mold & rot) as the straw bale & cob constructions.

If natural gas is available, you can always opt for a fuel cell. THey are about 99% efficient, and their only emissions are heat & water.

I think you will find that any of these will be relatively expensive, but then again, if it is that remote, getting hooked up to the grid can also be quite costly. I don't know your budget or your electrical needs, but in my experience, a combination of 2 or more power sources, combined with battery storage provide electrical power that is all but identical to being hooked up to the grid.

[venetia]

Luckily out there is where my family IS; they'd all be within shouting distance (well, loud shouting anyway). Part of my motivation is that I miss them. There's drinking water there, but I don't think it runs fast or plentiful enough to generate power.

The mountains in BC sounds intriguing. Thanks for the building tip, I actually hadn't heard of those. Some people here are into adobe etc but that's about it.

[pepper]

oh my goodness, are you actually ME?
"I'd like to build a small shack in the bush ("woods") in the next 5 years, and thought it would be better to stay off the national grid, given that I don't actually plan to live in it much."
this is how i ended up in the mountains in bc, searching for my "off the grid".
i missed my family too much though.

there are fantastic courses you can take in haybale and cob house building, check that out if you haven't already. as for the power, you could have a water wheel if you were close to water and so inclined, though it would be costly initially to set it up. solar panels are advancing by leaps and bounds and personal windmills are everywhere these days. it really depends on your budget and what you can do yourself.

[venetia]

I'm just beginning to think about it really. I'd like to build a small shack in the bush ("woods") in the next 5 years, and thought it would be better to stay off the national grid, given that I don't actually plan to live in it much. But I really don't like diesel generators. So then I was thinking about water turbines, solar panels, even those things where you use a bicycle!