April is Water Conservation Month in Florida

If we could use 2 less gallons of water per day, we could save 60 gallons a month and 720 gallons a year !

Dozens of agencies and local governments in Florida are joining together to promote the importance of water conservation. The St. John's River Water Management District has some great tips for lawn and landscape irrigation which accounts for more than half of all residential water use.

April has been long known to be a dry month in Florida. As spring planting begins, the demand for water usage goes up. Lawn and landscape irrigation accounts for more than half of residential water consumption. Therefore, for the  past 16 years April  is recognized as Water Conservation Month in Florida.

Although Florida practically surrounded by water, not all of that water is fresh for drinking purposes and water levels fluctuate. Read more on water conservation at floridaswater.com.

Florida Harvest Power Garden and Central Florida - The Compost Capital

Collected food waste awaits processing.

An amazing thing is happening to food waste at the Reedy Creek Improvement District in Central Florida. This is where 50 tons of organic food waste is collected daily from local events and businesses. The Florida Harvest  Power Central Florida Energy Garden then processes it into organic fertilizer, electric power and reclaimed water used for irrigation. Read more of this astonishing story by Jim Carchidi in the Orlando Business Journal. Those of us at home can collect food waste in much smaller proportions with kitchen size compost pails. This compost can then be used as organic fertilizer for our gardens. 

A Happier Morning With a Touch of Color

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Gazing at flowers while sipping the morning coffee can have a positive impact on the rest of the day. An article on Opra.com/Team Mom by Corrie Pikul, shows that scientists have proven this to be true. The article states that evolutionary psychologists say we equate the sight of flowers and plants with subconscious thoughts of safety, reward, and promise. 

Convincing yourself that the day will be "coming up roses" is as simple as putting some fresh flowers in a vase by your bedside or on the breakfast table. The more color the sunnier and happier the day will be!

The truth is in the studies by Harvard Medical School psychologist Nancy Etcoff, PhD. She states that upon waking, women who say flowers feel happier, less anxious, and more energetic.

So good morning everyone! Have a great day!

Earth Hour 2014 In Sydney, Australia

In Australia, Earth Hour 2014 focused on the need to tackle climate change to help preserve the Great Barrier Reef .With 3500 candles used to spell out ‘Lights out for the Reef’ on the front lawn of Parliament House, the concern of climate change effects on the Great Barrier Reef was the foremost topic highlighted at the event. The Reef's size has shrunk by about half and will be irreversible in a little over a decade if action is not taken.

 
 

Water Conservation at a Car Wash? You Bet!

Amazing, isn't it?  Surprisingly, even the carwash industry is keeping a watchful eye on water conservation.

Most people use about 100 gallons of water when they wash their cars. Currently some car wash businesses claim to use between 40-60 gallons of water per car and reclaim 90% of that water. The International Carwash Association has dedicated much of its effort to evaluate the impact of the industry on the environment, to educate and provide to industry leadership.

In 1999, the "Water Conservation in the Professional Car Wash Industry" report was published. It describes the water use and conservation techniques for self-service, in-bay automatic, and conveyor car washes. The results of that examination were designed to advance the discussion of water usage, conservation and reclaim in the professional car wash industry.

When your car needs washing, do you look for an environmentally friendly car wash?

25 Year Anniversary of the Exxon Valdez Alaskan Oil Spill

Exxon Mobile recently became the first oil and gas producer to agree to a new level of transparency about the risks placed on their business by more strict carbon emission limits.  It's nice to see progress from a company responsible for one of the most tragic environmental events of our time, but we still have a long way to go before our waters are completely safe from the threat of future environmental disasters. 

The Alaska oil spill of 1989 did result in a few immediate changes in the industry.  Oil tankers' double hull design requirements, for one, and more stringent operating procedures for transporting oil in Alaskan waters, both of which have contributed to a drop in shipping spills. However the damaged caused by the spill 25 years ago is not over. 

Alaska's coastal ecosystem is permanently damaged. Thousands of gallons of Exxon Valdez oil still pollute the beaches of Prince William Sound; this oil is still toxic and still hurting the ecosystem near the shore.

Unfortunately, the only sure way to prevent future spills in our waters is to reduce our reliance on gas and oil.  Read more at Ceres.org, CNN.com, The New York Times, and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council. 

We'd like to hear your thoughts.  What do you think should be done to ensure your favorite summertime beach isn't destroyed by oil?

Pythons Overrunning The Florida Everglades

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The Florida Everglades is rapidly becoming overrun with Burmese Pythons. Estimated numbers of these snakes in the Everglades range from 5,000 to over 100,000 and is rapidly growing. Since there are no known natural predators for these snakes, the challenge is on to prevent them from spreading. The Nature Conservancy in Florida launched a Python Patrol in 2008 of over 400 trained responders who can safely and humanely capture and remove these and other constricting snakes. Since 2002, over 2000 of them have been removed. Products made from these predators range from shoes, clothes and handbags to "Everglades Pizzas" made with python meat.

Do you know of any tanneries in Florida who can help make use of the pythons?  What do you suggest the State of Florida do to solve this ecological problem and prevent it from continuing? 

EARTH HOUR 2014 Is Coming March 29 8:30pm

Be a part of the world-wide celebration of Earth Hour 2014 by turning off or dimming the lights at 8:30 pm local time. This event spans over 153 countries and over 7,000 cities and towns from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Eiffel Tower to Sydney, Australia, the home of the event. The hope is that together we can inspire awareness and action to solve the climate crisis.

What will YOU be doing during Earth Hour?  Tell us on Facebook. 

Spring is here... Time to light up the garden!

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When the sun goes down, these colorful solar garden stakes will light up your garden for hours.  A wondrous combination of artisan hand-blown glass with the sustainability of solar powered lighting.  They are available in two colors: a red/orange combination and a blue/green combination. These beautiful glass globes will ensure that your garden is full of color both day and night.

Green Living doesn't have to be all or nothing

This post is dedicated to my cousin, Sarah, who is a constant source of inspiration.  We were recently discussing healthy eating habits and the currently-popular nutri-bullet.  I was trying to think of reasons why I shouldn't buy one and she said, "you know, it doesn't have to be all-or-nothing..."  And I said, "you know what? You're right!"

The same applies to adopting a sustainable lifestyle. It doesn't have to be 'all-or-nothing'. Every small change counts and makes a difference.  Each one of us can make small, incremental changes that will have a lasting impact on the environment. Don't have a recycling program in your town or city? Start one.  Don't own a reusable shopping bag? Pick one up, or two and give one to a friend.  Paying it forward can take on a whole new meaning! And before you know it you'll be making a much bigger difference than you ever thought possible. 

What are some examples of things you and your family do to live a little greener?