Sustain-a-Links #2
August 25th, 2006 by Vihar ShethPosted in Recent Readings
Issue Two. Bigger, badder, bolder . . . 10 different links, 10 different sources, 10 different topics, all related to what should concern each of us. I didn’t relay this in the initial post but each link is set up as follows:
Category | Linked Article | “Quote” from or teaser about article | Author (if applicable), Source
The format is pretty simple, gives credit where credit is due, and gives the reader information about the article and enough enticement to click the link. And isn’t that all we want in life? No, I’m also considering the following formatting:
“Quote” from or teaser about article (teasers should be first after all . . . )
Linked Article | Author (if applicable), Source | Category
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Action | Make the Switch | “Replace one 100-watt bulb with a just-as-bright 30-watt compact fluorescent, and cut more than 1,300 pounds of the global warming pollutant carbon dioxide over the life of the bulb. Swap out two bulbs to lower your household emissions by more than a ton!” This is a no-brainer. Freakin’ do it. | environmentaldefense.org
Building | Seattle Justice Center | Whoopin’ ass the right way. This building epitomizes sustainable design, and if they can build it for the dregs of society (the criminals, not the cops) then why not for the rest of us?! | Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce
***** Check It! *****
Fact | Ecological Footprint Quiz | Wow. This is fascinating, if not depressing. I took the quiz and sucked it up huge. My ecological footprint is a 19 acres. This is markedly better than the U.S. average of 24 acres but would still require 4.3 planets if mimicked by every human. Boo to me, and us. Apparently there are 4.5 biologically productive acres per person on earth. Throw away your cars!!!!! | Earthday Network
***** Checked It! *****
Food | Corn shortage predicted by 2008 | If we use all of our corn to make fuel but have nothing left to eat, what’s the point of driving? | Darya Zarin, EARTHtimes.org
Gifts | Environmental Gifts | These guys sell everything from stapleless staplers to vests made from recycled soda bottles. Personal favorites include the flip flop mat the organic stain remover - which is awesome depending on which two words you group together. | Surprise.com
Global Power | The Re-Balancing of Global Growth | Delhommais makes some interesting points about global growth and the shift of power, or economic dominance at least - great quote at the end of the article. | Pierre-Antoine Delhommais, Le Monde (c’est francais)
Green Roof | It’s Alive | Say “ruff” and I’ll slap you. “A compelling sustainable design argument for green roofs is that they prolong the life of conventional roofs by protecting them from ultraviolet radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations—the two primary sources of roof membrane degradation.” Also, “Green roofs not only save money by lengthening the life span of roofing membranes, they also yield short-term savings by insulating buildings and reducing energy use. Research shows green roofs can cut energy costs in half in summer and by 25 percent in winter.” | Doug Curtis, National Parks Service, Nature & Science
Organization | National Center for Appropriate Technology | Strange name. Usually a subject adjective like “appropriate” isn’t found in an organization’s name but whatever, I agree with their definition so I’m not going to lose sleep over it.” Since 1976 the National Center for Appropriate Technology has been serving economically disadvantaged people by providing information and access to appropriate technologies that can help improve their lives.” This doesn’t scream sustainable but check out the site, they’re sustainability pimps.
Renewable Energy | New Wind Energy | Let political exhaust power your home or business! | Community Energy, Inc. (pretty much the same as New Wind Energy)
Style | MahaDevi Designs | “It is our goal to provide people with beautiful, individual, environmentally and socially sustainable clothing. All garments are designed and made by hand in Canada, no sweatshop labour! We work with Hemp, organic Cotton, alternative natural fibers like Soy and Bamboo, and recycled materials.”
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Whew! Good links are not easy to find. I hope you enjoy today’s selection of articles and websites. The Ecological Footprint Quiz just blew my mind . . .
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