Holiday stuff, BP, articles, and more

Hey everyone



A Fresh Squeeze has put out a list of local eco friendly toy and gift making companies (Treeblocks, Scrappynation, Xeko, The Earth Friends, Building Blocks, Timeless Toys, and Chicago Kids Bookstore) for the holiday shopper.

They also have written about recycling issues in the city and how to still go about recycling your materials.


Environmental News Network has also covered eco friendly shops as well as having articles concerning the conservation, trade, and many environmentally friendly topics.

The Chicago Tribune has an article outlining what the effects of the BP waste dumping into Lake Michigan.

The New York Times wrote an article on Chicago's Green Alleys. It mentions the fact that the city is doing some innovative environmental things while still being unable to create a workable recycling program. In my opinion, this city has gone far too long without a well working recycling program and it is clear that the government of the city is not going to do anything about it. So I hope you will join me in letting our representatives know that this is unacceptable by contacting your alderman. The city's web site is www.cityofchicago.org.

RED and more

Doing some research, I found out about a company called Recycled Energy Development that takes factories waste heat and converts it into viable power. Check out the web site and take a look at the size of their projects. Please pass on this company's info to any manufacturing execs that you might know. This is quite a large initiative and it seems like this company makes a difference in lessening the amount of greenhouse gases released by substantial margins.



ENN has reported that auto sales hit a 15 year low. This can be looked at as a good thing or a bad thing. The number of new cars on the road is less but the number of older cars off the road is probably less also. The story is below.

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/25369

There are a ton of new articles on emagazine.com. They cover Chevy's "green" designation to having a low carbon diet.

Environmental News Network

Hey


I have discovered a website named Environmental News Network. After spending some time perusing the site, I can tell you that its articles are informative and engaging. I recommend you take a look.


I know that the Bee movie with Jerry Seinfeld has a very important environmental message. The movie highlights the importance of the bees ability to pollinate the environment. It should be something kids and adults should remember the next time they see a flower filled landscape.

Veteran's day environmentalism notes

Hey everyone

First, happy veteran's day to all who have served or are serving now.

Now on to the environment!

The Sun Times today had a piece in the editorial section about cutting the recycling program due to budget concerns.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/645998,CST-EDT-edit12a.article

A Fresh Squeeze has provided an easy link to its site from wikipower. Click on the link below to sign up for its regular email information. It has provided this blog me with a lot of good information that has helped us all be more environmentally concious. I encourage you to click on the link below and sign up for their web updates (they come around once a week).


http://afreshsqueeze.com/index.php?site=6JF3JO9Z

There is an immense conference on energy being held in San Francisco on December 5th and 6th. It is run by Think Equity, one of the top investment firms around, and will have over 50 high level speakers. You can see the list by going to the Think Equity web site. If you have the time, I highly recommend it.

The Environmental Magazine has a great article on the amount of wind energy production, saying that it doubled 2007 expectations with over 4000 megawatts of power. The link is below.

http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3969

As always, let me know if you want to be added or taken off the email list. I don't divulge any info to anyone. Please tell others to check the site out and sign up on the email list. All comments and concerns are welcome.

Greenmaker Building Supply

Hey

Through A Fresh Squeeze email update, I was able to find a local building company named Greenmaker Building Supply that is focused on environmentally friendly materials and building processes. They are located here in Chicago on Pulaski. The fact that they are a local company motivated to bringing their clients the most effective building materials really excites me. I encourage you to check out the web site for their products and services.

As I said before, I found this information through the A Fresh Squeeze web site. I have found the updates very useful. You will want to give it a try.

The city of Chicago is playing with different ideas on how to make the city more green. There was an article in yesterday's Chicago Tribune that describes ways from improving the transportation emissions in both CTA vehicles and taxis, to new recycling programs.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/chi-tue_goinggreen_1106nov06,0,4369109.story

It should be noted though that the city is considering removing plans to improve the blue cart program because of budget concerns. This is alarming and we should not let the city bypass the recycling program just because they can't manage their books.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-council06nov06,0,85092.story

Let me know of any stories/topics/pics coming up and I will get them on the blog.

Mike

Solar Decathalon

Hey

I was watching the Sunday morning CBS show and there was a story about Washington DC holding a housing competition named Solar Decathalon. There are some amazing houses and it felt like watching an auto show. Click on the link for further info on the event.

Good Morning America showed a story about how sheep herders are are protecting their herds and the cheetahs that try to feed on them by using Anatolian dogs.

Over the summer I purchased some cloth shopping bags from Green Kits and mark the bag every time I use it and keep from using plastic bags(sort of like fighter pilots put kill marks on their planes). This week I passed 25. The cloth bags carry about two plastic bags of groceries. So I recommend purchasing a couple bags. I believe the ripple effect of using these bags instead of the plastic is enormous.

Continue to check out A Fresh Squeeze for more ways to improve your eco living.

Cheers and have a green week!