DIY Eco-friendly Crafts

In our modern world, people tend to buy everything instead of making it themselves. The result? Big industry taking over everything-- deciding how we impact the environment, deciding what we buy, and controlling the quality of our products. So why not break the cycle and make our own things?
Eco-friendly crafts can be things that are useful, advocacy-oriented, or just darn fun-- as long as they have a smaller impact on the environment than most products. Today I will be showing you some of my favourites.

Eco-friendly Bag: This is really easy to make. All it takes is some leftover material (I got mine from my family's scrap fabric bin, but you could always use an old T-shirt or two if you'd prefer), scissors, needle and thread, printable iron-on sheet and iron (optional), and some patience, of course!
Step 1: Cut the fabric to approximately the right size. Do it twice in total.
Step 2: Sew together the two pieces so that one side is open. Turn it inside-out.
Step 3: Sew down the material on the open end. If there is too much material on the inside, cut some of it off. (But be careful not to break the threads!)
Step 4: Print off a logo onto an iron-on sheet. Make sure the writing is backward-- this will come off the sheet and onto the bag the right way.
Step 5: Iron the logo onto the bag, following the instructions provided with the iron-on sheets.
Step 6: Sew the handle onto the bag. This can be any sort of fabric strip, really. (If you have trouble sewing the handle on sturdily, staple it on... It works!)

Awareness Letters: These are even more simple. All you need are some of those little iron-able beads that come with peg boards, called Perler Beads. You make them into letters that form an environmentally-themed phrase, word, or sentence, and then iron them together as the package explains. Then take a picture of it post it on the Internet and get your message out!

Eco-friendly Coasters: To make your own coasters, all you need is some leftover cardboard from old shoe boxes or the piece you get inside calendars, something to decorate it with (For the first one, I used a stargazing calendar, the one in the middle is from the plastic and mesh of a bag of oranges, and on the right I used a Christmas card), some tape, and scissors. Basically, you cut out little squares of cardboard and cover them with your decoration. Leave a bit of extra hanging over the side so you can tape it in the back. You may need to cut off some of the covering in the corners at the back, but I'll leave that to your judgement. Although Christmas is over for this year, that is not to say that you can't save them for gifts later on, or use them yourself!

By the way, I have a new e-mail address that anyone can use to get in touch-- ecofuzzyATgmail.com (replace AT with @, because I'm trying to avoid spammers who scan the web for e-mail addresses.) Use this e-mail address to tell me how I'm doing in the blogosphere, give suggestions, and ask questions. I'll be happy to get back to you! (But if you know me personally, please use my personal e-mail.)
Have a good week!

Make Your New Year's Resolutions Sustainable

                              

Well, it's almost the end of the year! Can you believe it? A lot has happened in 2011. From an environmental perspective of what I got done, I quit and then re-started Hug a Tree Today Seriously, I started up The Animal Rights Action Site, I got the idea of using ration books and used one for the month of December (alas, read the haiku below), I signed a LOT of petitions, I stuck little slips of paper into library books with my blog's URL on them (hey-- I'm not the only one who does that), I joined Taking It Global (a youth organization that has lots of great resources to make change), and I wrote an article or two for Teen Ink on issues about the environment. I can't remember what else I've done-- I'll add them if I think of them...

So now with New Year's Day on its way, you're probably thinking about what New Year's Resolutions to try. Please keep the environment in mind for these such things! Here is a list of suggestions:

1) Commit to using half the amount of paper as you did in 2011. Here is a list of ways to do so on my Taking it Global blog. http://princesscat.tigblog.org/post/5331133

2) Go vegan-- try it for at least a month. If it helps to make a more official commitment, you can pledge on one of these websites: http://whyveg.com/pledge.php https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2055&c=pfvskvp09

3) Commit to bicycle to work/school/stores.

4) Decide to cut back on your television time by one-half. Even better, stop watching TV altogether!

5) Dry your clothes on a clothes rack instead of a dryer.

6) Commit to using a ration book every month.

Well, I could go on all day, but that's enough to give you the idea!

Hug a Tree Today, Seriously also has a New Year's Resolution-- I aim to get 1000 page views by the end of 2012! Can you help me achieve my goal? I already have 411 page views at the time of writing. You can see the number of page views at the bottom of the page-- it changes every time you visit. Please tell your friends and family about my blog so that I can reach 1000 page views by January 2013!

MOST IMPORTANT POINT!!!: To acheive your goals, you must plan them out carefully, decide what you want EXACTLY, decide how you will get there, etc. The best way to do this is to use S.M.A.R.T. goals:

Specific: What is your goal? "To use less electricity", while having good intentions, is hardly specific enough. Instead, you could say something like: "To use the clothes dryer once per week and hang out all other clothing on the clothes rack."

Measurable: How will you know when you have reached your goal? In the example above, it would be when you only use the clothes dryer once per week.

Attainable: Is it physically possible? "To consume nothing for the rest of my life" is impossible, but to comsume less resources is. If your goal is not possible, you will be chasing it for your whole life and constantly tripping up over it.

Realistic: This refers to whether it is likely to happen, judging by your lifestyle, needs, and how much you want it. For example, if your goal was to bicycle to work every day, but you work in a different town than you live in... well, good luck-- I won't be responsible for the outcome. Similarily, if you DO live close to work/school, but you aren't motivated enough to bike, your goal will, unfortunately, be useless. Make sure that you have the motivation to achieve your goals.

Timely: Set dates. In the clothes dryer example, you could mark January 3rd as your date to get a clothes rack, by January 7th you start experimenting with how well the clothes dry on the rack (you do not necessarily need a fabric softener for this, by the way, but if you do, make sure to go eco-friendly, vegan, and animal-testing-free!), by February you dry all your socks and underwear on the clothes rack, by March you dry pants and towels this way as well, etc.

Haiku:

It lies desolate

On my desk, almost all used up

This month's ration book

(My ration book was well used, however.)

By the way, here is the logo for Hug a Tree Today, Seriously. It is the picture that you should be able to find somewhere on your web browser while you are on this site! Does it work?

Up next: DIY Eco-crafts!



Don't idle!

Nope, I am not talking about lazing around (although we shouldn't do that too much, either!). I am talking about cars.
Cars, of course, cause air pollution, and air pollution causes smog, depletion of the ozone layer, and poor health for humans and animals, not to mention plants. The gasoline must be derived from the Earth, harming animals and ecosystems. Oil spills are the extreme examples of this devastation.
A lot of people think that idling is better than stopping the engine and starting up again. But in fact, idling for more than ten seconds uses up more gas than it would if you re-started. So when you are waiting to pick someone up or stopping for a snack, make sure to turn off your engine! You will be doing so knowing that you are making one more step towards being eco-friendly!

Greenify your hobbies!

Hey there!
Hobbies-- things that we enjoy in our spare time-- can be both helpful and detrimental. Usually the more natural hobbies are better for you and the environment. When something involves a lot of technology, it obviously harms the environment, but it can also complicate your life and leave you feeling unfulfilled.
I figured that I couldn't exactly tell you to stop all your hobbies if they aren't eco-friendly; however, swapping a consumeristic activity for an eco-friendly one definitely makes a difference! You can even make an existing hobby more sustainable! Here is a list of some 100% eco-friendly hobbies:

• walking/hiking/bicycling/canoeing/kayaking/swimming
• playing a musical instrument
• sports
• antique collecting (which is very fun, by the way)
• astronomy and cloud-watching
• cards and non-digital games
• bird-watching
• juggling
• meditation and yoga
• dramatic arts and public speaking
• window-shopping

Well, I could write more, but that's the idea of how easy it is to be eco-friendly and have fun at the same time. Assuming that you have time for hobbies, why not try some new eco-friendly hobby today? Do it outside where the lighting is natural and you'll get a bonus point.
There is also the matter of making current hobbies more eco-friendly. It's easy-- if your hobby involves paper, try to use paper with writing on one side already; if it is crafts, use recycled or organic materials; minimize car trips whenever possible; with many other hobbies, you can simply use the materials you have on hand instead of buying new ones.
I recommend that you stay away from electronic hobbies, as, like I said, they are typically unfulfilling and consumeristic. Television, especially, does not do anything at the end of the day but eat up your time. However, start up an environmental blog or do some online activism and I'll support that!
So go ahead and start up some new eco-friendly hobby! And tell me about your experiences afterward!
Carolyn
(P.S. I was on someone else's blog yesterday, and I realized how easy it is to ignore the requests for comments. However, please do make a comment, rate the post with the boxes below, and take the poll on the side of the page-- it really helps. Thanks!)

Stop those leaky taps!

This may seem silly, but a really smart thing to do is to always make sure that the faucet is completely off before leaving a sink. Why? Well, I did an experiment to judge how much water is wasted on dripping taps. Here are the results:
At a mere 17 drops per minute, a dripping tap can emit 3mL of water per minute.
In an hour, therefore, this would have accumulated to 180mL-- in between one half cup and one cup.
In a day, this number would have risen to 4.32L, or about 17.5 cups of water.
If everyone in the world did this for a year, the total would amount to approximately 11,037,000,000,000,000L of water.
What can we do with the above amount of water?
Let us leave it be in its source and keep the ecosystem flourishing. I would love it if we stopped draining lakes and started simply using less water, wouldn't you?
So please turn off the taps you see dripping in your house. Educate your family members to do the same. Think of how much we could save!
By the way, now is the ideal time to start using your ration books (see earlier November post)! I have started mine for the month of December already. I'm wondering how well I will do...
Until next week!

I'm Dreaming... of a Green... Christmas

Do you love Christmas? I know I do. We had better start being sustainable now before we have to be, don't you think?
Here are the things you need to know to have a truly eco-friendly Christmas. (I apologize if you don't celebrate Christmas, but perhaps you could adapt this information to your own holiday?)

1. Presents! Presents! Presents!
I have to admit, we tend to be so materialistic nowadays. It isn't a matter of what to do for someone special on Christmas, it is more a matter of what to buy. However, we can show someone that we care about them and the earth at the same time! Here is a list of green gifts for your loved ones on Christmas.

• Give them something consumable, like muffins or gingerbread cookies or even a pie! Edible things are always good-- they're going to eat something, so why not some delicious vegan baking? (But tell them it's vegan afterward, as some people don't realize that vegan food tastes like "normal" food.) Find recipes at www.allrecipes.com/Recipes/everyday-cooking/vegetarian/vegan/dessert/Top.aspx or adapt your own to be more green.
• Check out a nearby consignment shop for beautiful objects of all varieties. I visited a consignment shop once, and I found about five different things I wanted to take home immediately!
• Find a non-material way to help someone. Go over and help them as they clean their house or pet-sit for free while they are in New Zealand. This totally avoids cliches and it can be fun!
• Make something for them. This isn't only for kids; you can use your talents for this. If you are good with crafts, for instance, you can make a cool ornament for their Christmas tree made from old cans. See www.planetgreen.discovery.com/feature/green-diy-projects/ or do a Google search.
• If all else fails, buy from a green supplier that has organic or re-used materials. For those of you doing shopping on the Internet, a good website is: http://www.therainforestsite.com/store%20
• If you want to buy a video game for a child or friend, well, please don't, as it hurts the environment more than necessary, but if you aren't going to listen to me, then at least make sure that it does not include violence. I am convinced that one of the main causes to my classmates not seeming to care about animals, the environment, and general respect for one another is the violence and more that they were exposed to by video games, the Internet, and television.
• Did you know that about 4 million tons of shopping bags and wrapping paper are used every Christmas? WOW. So let's wrap our gifts in objects like scarves, reusable gift bags from last year, tea tins, and whatever else we might have on hand. Avoid ribbons and bows, too, as they go straight to the landfill. And make sure to bring your own bags to the store, okay?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I don't know about you, but I think that we need to re-think what we do with our Christmas cards! I remember being shocked as a young child learning that most Christmas cards are thrown away shortly after Christmas. It would be a good idea to cut out the picture on the front of the card so that you can use it next year. Or you can ditch traditional card-giving altogether and wish them a "Merry Christmas" in person instead.

Oh Christmas Tree!
Please don't buy a Christmas tree! It is sad to see all the trees lined up to go into the garbage every New Year. However, buying a plastic tree is not the answer, either, as plastic virtually doesn't break down. Instead, use a live, potted Christmas tree, which you can plant outside after a few years. It'll be nice to have a little tree inside the house for a while anyway. You could even go really symbolic and use a teeny sapling as your tree to symbolize new life.

Christmas Cooking tips
Like I said earlier, it is more environmentally-friendly to follow a vegan diet. You can learn more here: www.chooseveg.com/environment.asp . Also, aim for organic foods this Christmas to avoid pesticides. My last piece of advice would be to only cook what will be eaten. If there is waste every year, make smaller portions of your Christmas dinner foods so that everyone gets enough but doesn't have to deal with leftovers.


A Final Thought...
Christmas should be fun, so enjoy it, but remember to wish the Earth a merry Christmas by taking care of it at the same time!

More info: www.eartheasy.com/give_sustainchristmas.htm

Thanks again, everyone!

Simplify Your Life

Apparently some people don't believe that this is possible, but believe me, it is. What are the benefits of living simply? Here are a few:

1. Personal Fulfillment; the more complex and difficult your life is, the more stressful it becomes, but a simple life is easy, happy, and sustainable
2. Environmental sustainability; we can reduce however much we use by so much. Think of what life was like 200 years ago (you may need a history book for this!). If they got on with that much without extensively hurting the environment, then we can too. We should not to be destroying endless amounts of rainforest, polluting our skies and water, and harming our animals. We can reduce the damage (and even turn it around!) by living simply. "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." ~Mohandas Gandhi
3. We must share the Earth with other human beings. If there was no poverty, unemployment, then there would also be no war. (Bonus Point: No war also means less environmental damage!) Another quote that illustrates this: "Live simply so that others may simply live." -Mahatma Gandhi

So, how to live simply? That's simple!

1. Buy less stuff. Only buy something if you need it; this includes food, basic utensils, and clothing. Fill up the time that you would have spent shopping for fun with something else that you find fun. In a book I was reading, the author says that if you didn't need it before you saw it in the store window, then you don't need it at all!
2. Organize your stuff. If we can't even locate anything we need, we'll have to buy a new one, thus adding to the clutter. It's also just nice to feel like you have it under control, don't you think?
3. Don't overdo your entertainment. It is fun to have fun (surprise!), but we can have fun without cinemas, TV shows, movies, theatre, new books, video games, and computer games. Try to set a rule that next week will be screen-free week. (If you need to, only use the computer for a quick check of your e-mail and/or work. No IM allowed.)
4. Don't bother with exercise machines-- walk, jog, or cycle outdoors instead. (The weather isn't too cold yet!)
5. Donate your unwanted stuff to thrift and consignment shops. Be ruthless! You won't need it again, anyway. We must share our stuff with others if we want to reduce the consumeristic behaviours of the west. Before throwing something away, ask yourself: "Could I donate this? or would anyone want it who I could give it to? or could I turn it into something useful?"
6. Get rid of junk mail at www.DMAchoice.org , which represents many countries, by the way! Junk mail, in the US (sorry, no Canadian stats found), amounts to 1.5 trees per household per year-- which totals to 100 million trees made into junk mail per year in the US alone.
7. Avoid commuting. It's bad for the environment, and you probably don't like it, anyway! Try to live near your work or school, or switch to a place closer to your home. And then, walk or cycle to get places!
8. Prepare quick, green meals ahead of time so that you don't feel tempted to slap together a cruel turkey sandwich instead. Even better, rid your house of meat, eggs, and dairy. Try this website: www.webecoist.com/2008/09/01/20-delicious-vegan-meals-recipes-that-dont-suck/ , guaranteed to satisfy everyone!
9. You don't need to wash your shirt after every single use; only wash it if it is smelly or dirty. (Bonus: Use toxin-free, animal-free detergent!)
10. Finally, use less water. Shorter showers, etc. Time your next shower, then plan by how long you can reduce it by. It is better for the environment and it gives you more time to do other things!

And there you go! I hope that you can simplify your life by following at least three of the suggestions.

Next up: Green Christmas!

Eco-friendly conferences and what they offer

Last weekend I attended the 2011 Ecomentors Youth Conference, and in September I was at the 2011 Youth Summit for Biodiversity and Sustainable Living. Since I love making lists, here are the highlights of each conference.

• 2011 Youth Summit for Biodiversity and Sustainable Living, hosted by the Ontario Nature Youth Council
• Took place at a YMCA camp in the lovely Cedar Glen, which is in the Oak Ridges Moraine. There were cabins with running water and everything!
• Programming was wonderful. The workshops I went to included a nature hike, "Waterlution", electric cars, archery, and more.
• Vegetarian/vegan food was served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and snacks, too.
• Major group activities such as icebreakers, keynote presentation from Lisa Glithero (founder of Students on Ice excursion group), and the Great Group Challenge! Late in the evening, we got to listen to an Anishanabe elder's Aboriginal stories and sing songs around a campfire.
• What I got out of it: FUN, motivation, information, freebies, and membership in the Ontario Nature Youth Council. (To join the Ontario Nature Youth Council, go to the Ontario Nature's Website.)
• Insiders info: There's gonna be one next year, so make sure you go!...
• See pictures at: http://www.ontarionature.org/connect/nature_guardians/biodiversity_summit.php (and try to find the picture that I am in!)

•  2011 Ecomentors Youth Conference
• At St. Paul's University in Ottawa
• Lasted for the day
• My workshops included: Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots, Becoming Nature Guardians (with Ontario Nature), All About Forestry, Greening Sacred Spaces: Protecting What We Love, Biodiversity Issues.
• At the beginning and end of the day we had presentations. The first one was from Emily Hunter, "eco-warrior" and daughter of Robert Hunter, who is the founder of Greenpeace. The second wasn't very good, so I won't mention it. Emily Hunter is an awesome speaker and person, though.
• The day also offered Ecomentors Speed Training, which people could enter if they wanted to teach others in their community as an Ecomentor!
• Their website is: http://www.ecomentors.ca/, put together by Earth Day Canada; go to http://www.earthday.ca/pub/
• A "green lunch" was served, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. (I didn't try it, though!)
• What I got out of it: information, motivation, springboard for new ideas, inspiration, a chance to connect with other Earth-caring people, freebies, and info on how to participate in some eco-friendly contests (Upcoming-- go to http://www.everydayheroesfestival.com/ and http://www.earthday.ca/pub/campaigns/upcycling/ .)
• Chances are, there'll be one next year, so keep checking their website!

If you're not a youth, but you want to get involved, you could either volunteer at one of next years events or go to a non-youth environmental summit (although youth would be welcome at most of those, too). For global conferences (some of which are in Canada), see http://www.conferencealerts.com/environment.htm . Medium things are on http://www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/?list=environmental-conferences-in-canada . If you want a small-scale event, go to http://www.greenottawa.ca/ . You may be able to find something ecofriendly at http://www.ottawafestivals.ca/category/festival/ . Please, get involved! The environmental movement needs you!

Let's go back to WWII (without the fighting!)

I recently read a book called Flygirl. It was about a pilot woman living during WWII.
Now-- in that book I learned a bit more about rationed items. People kept "ration books" which had little coupons that would let them buy the items, usually foods, that were scarce. Every time they bought one of those rationed items, the clerk at the store would tear out the coupon to show that they had had their share. The books were issued once a month. Get it?
Wouldn't it be cool if we could make our own "ration books"? Think about it: things are becoming scarce nowadays. You won't notice it if you go to the store, because they don't want you to believe that. But there are some communities that really need the stuff that we rather carelessly splurge on. There are obviously some essentials that we need, but sometimes we either waste it or get too much of it. You can make those little coupons to fit your lifestyle. Every time you use something that takes up electricity or resources, take off a coupon with what ever you did written on it and store it away. When all the coupons for one activity are gone, you'll have to wait until next month! The point is to use less than you do already, so make it a challenge each month! Also, please use GOOSE (Good On One Side onlEe) paper to save resources! You can also write up your goals on a separate sheet of GOOSE paper to help you remember (see examples below).
Here are some things to consider when writing up your very own ration book:

• water: shower, tap, swimming pool, dish-washing

e.g. "This month, I can have 28 five-minute showers, fill the swimming pool 2 times, hose down the car once." (make a coupon for each shower, etc.)

• energy: clothes dryer, computer, television, music, radio, video games, oven

e.g. "This month, I can use the oven to cook or bake things 15 times, have 10 twenty-minute video gaming sessions, and use the clothes dryer instead of air drying methods three times."

• transportation: cars, buses, airplanes

e.g. "This month, I can drive or get a ride with someone to unnecessary things (like to see the movies) five times. I will not fly on an airplane this month."

• food choices: how you prepare it, what you buy, how it is packaged, restaurants, organic, home grown

e.g. "This month, I can buy/eat  foods individually packaged in plastic 15 times, I can eat 40 meals that do not include raw foods, etc."


So those are some ideas right there. I think I'd better practice what I preach and make a ration book today. If you don't know what to do with all the money you'll save by doing this, you can always donate it to your favourite environmental organization, or donate some items that you no longer need to people and animals in need. Double your positive impact!

Here are some pictures of WWII ration books:

And...

SPECIAL SURPRISE.
I have included "About Me" pages to my blogs (see sidebar), which include information on how I became interested in these issues, as well as some of my hobbies. Also, look up at the url of the page. There should be a teeny koala there!

Next week: I will talk about eco-conferences and the ones I have gone to, which include the 2011 Youth Summit for Biodiversity and Sustainable Living, and the upcoming Ecomentors Conference this weekend!

Track your progress on sustainability

I found a great website called Ecoaction Teams, http://calculator.ecoactionteams.ca , that allows you to assess the amount of resources you save, as well as the improvements you can make. There are even competitions to see who can save the best! Anyway, please go and create an account, then see how you can make a difference in your life. And don't worry-- the site seems very reputable. Like my blog, it focusses on what you can do and are doing, not what you are doing wrong (hey, we all have flaws).
(P.S. Interested in animal rights and welfare? Go to http://www.theanimalrightsactionsite.blogspot.com/ , another of my blogs, to learn more! On that blog I post every Sunday, and for this one I post on Fridays.)

Coming up next week: Let's go back to WWII (without the fighting) and a special surprise!

Green Halloween

There are lots of things you can do to make your Halloween greener. Please read all or part of this post, depending on what applies to you.

1) Pumpkins: You can cook your pumpkin and make it into a pumpkin pie or another kind of sweet food. Some people say that you can only cook special kinds of pumpkins, but you can actually use any kind. The seeds taste fairly good roasted, but make sure to put a bit of spice on them first! (You could also mix them into a casserole.) Here are a few links to pumpkin recipes (but remember, the point is to be eco-friendly and use your Halloween pumpkin!): http://www.boutell.com/vegetarian/pumpkin-pie.html which also tells you how to prepare a raw pumpkin, http://www.theppk.com/2008/10/pumpkin-oatmeal-cookies/ or use another recipe. If you really don't want to cook with it, then try this: bury your pumpkin in your yard/garden. It will compost and make the soil richer!

2) Candy and trick-or-treating: If you are handing out candy, I suggest giving them something like organic vegan granola bars. Sure, there is still wrapping, but at least there is less impact on the environment in the process of growing the ingredients. Of course, you could even hand out fruit, but some kids or parents might throw it away because they don't want it or are afraid it is contaminated! If you are trick-or-treating yourself, well, my first advice is don't, but if you really want to, please donate most of your candy to the food bank, because most of my candy always went rotten before I ate it.

3) Halloween parties: It depends on what kind of party you're going to. If it's the sit-down-eat-dinner sort of thing, perhaps you could bring a vegetarian dish (even if you aren't veg, it still helps the environment on a once-in-a-while basis). If it is an activity-based party, then perhaps you could do some outdoors-y activity. Just keep the environment in mind at all times!
Thanks, eco-trekkers!

PS: A group called Ecomentors is holding a youth conference on November 5, so check out their website! ecomentors.ca

Welcome back!

Hello everyone. I'm back to blogging again. This time I'll be giving my blog an all-new layout-- just a lot more structured than last time. I hope you can continue to read it!
The things I'll be focusing on are eco-friendly tips as well as information on environmental issues. I'll also include little bits of info on animal rights here and there, just because that matters a lot, too.
I post every Friday or Saturday, so come around then to read the next post! Also comment on my posts, if you have time.
Carolyn

Fashion Accessories

OMG, I totally missed last week's post! AAAH! Oh well. I hope I haven't lost any of you! Now, on to this week's post...
If you want to know how to make economically and ecologically friendly wallets and purses, this is what you've been waiting for!

Here is a colourful bag made of soda cans. All you have to do is cut the aluminum and staple them together. Follow this link to get the details and the how-to: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=nj7sh2bt5upoeo0s7i3ike6ik4&topic=310236.msg3561103#msg3561103


You can also make a duct tape wallet! Here is a link to a how-to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAAicTg2tjo (But you don't need the video. You can just use common sense ;) OK?)

I hope you found this cool. If you want some other ideas, go to: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/5-fun-fashion-accessories-made-from-repurposed-materials.html
Keep reading!

How to Reuse "Useless" Old Books

They're never useless! Here are some ideas.
1) Bookshelf

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/five-things-to-do-with-discarded-books.html

2) Scrapbooks: You can cover the pages with colourful (recycled) paper and pictures, quotes, or just things that make you feel good. They are really fun to make.

Gotta go!

Blog Catalog Member!

Cross your fingers, everyone! I've submitted my blog to www.blogcatalog.com, and if it gets approved, it'll be posted on their website. Then even more people will hear about it!

Filler Post

Hello, I don't really have anything to say this week, but keep coming back for more next Saturday!

How To Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day is on Friday, April 22 this year! So you might be wondering how to celebrate it. Here are some tips:
1) Wear green. It isn't just for fun; when people ask you why you look so green today, you'll be able to tell them it's Earth Day!
2) Read my blog in the evening. (What a perfect way to end your day... haha... not really, but still)
3) Educate yourself about the environment. Perhaps pick out a book from the library about the wonders of nature, environmental challenges, or a how-to guide on helping the environment.
4) Have an organic, locally-grown, animal-free meal on Earth Day.
5) Arrange a litter cleanup in your neighbourhood scheduled for April 22.
Finally, I've heard many people say it: Every day is Earth Day.
Oh, and how true that is.

Treat Yourself... the Eco-Friendly Way

Let's face it: you come home in the evening, you're tired, you don't want to work or think-- you just need to relax. You may think you don't have time to be eco-friendly, but in reality, you do! You can be eco-friendly and treat yourself the same time! Here are some ideas on how to do this:
1) Spend some time on my blog. :)
2) Enjoy a fresh, organic, locally-grown fruit salad.
3) Go out for a day for a hike in the wilderness, bird-watching, and a picnic.
4) Watch a movie on the natural world, environmental issues, and what you can do about it.
5) Go shopping at a thrift store like Value Village. (The clothes are actually quite gorgeous.)

Well, right now I'm pressed for time, so I've got to fly! But at least by writing the post in my blog I got to treat myself... the eco-friendly way.

Read... the eco-friendly way

I like reading, and I will let nothing get in the way of me and a good book! However, I always make sure I read... the eco-friendly way. There are many options nowadays for doing this.
1) Borrow library books
2) Download books onto your e-reader (if you have one!)
3) Many people like to actually own and hold their books. So, buy second-hand books.
4) Attend a book swap, or hold your own. You can go to a book swap with the Ottawa Women's Book Club, for example.

Want to go a step higher? Here are some books to read... the eco-friendly way.
1) The Little Green Handbook by Ruth Cullen: Practical tips for everyday living, divided into very short "chapters".
2) Green Career$ by Jennifer Power Scott: A guide for teenagers on how to "make money and save the planet"!
3) 250 Things you can do to Green the World by CosmoGirl: For teen girls. Similar to The Little Green Handbook and my blog.
4) Eco-friendly Families by Helen Coronato: How to raise a family the eco-friendly way.
Of course, this is only a sampling of what's out there. Have fun!

Top 10 ways to Re-Use Cans and Jars

"Reduce, re-use, recycle"-- each of these actions is mighty important for living a sustainable life. But one of them should be remembered more often: "re-use"! Recycling is important and useful, and it uses less energy to recycle than it does to throw everything in the garbage and produce new ones, but it is not the eqivalent of "giving back". It takes energy and waste to recycle. This is why we should try to re-use whatever we can before it hits the bins. That being said, lets look at some cool ways to re-use our metal cans and glass/plastic jars:

1) Remove any labels to create a pencil holder for your desk. You can decorate it, if you'd like, with pictures, colourful (recycled) paper, ticket stubs, etc.
2) For glass jars, put the dry ingredients to a recipe in them and tape baking instructions to the side. Give the gift of instant-freshly-baked-brownies to a loved one!
3) Re-use as a container for just about anything-- elastics, pennies, cookies... you name it!
4) Use to hold homemade pasta sauce or vinaigrette salad dressing.
5) Make candles in them!
6) Turn into a plant nursery for little tomato plants, etc.
7) Use as flower pot.
8) Use as lamp covers-- no, seriously, see this site for cool pics: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/08/james-shaw-jar-lamps.php
9) Turn trash into art! Paint your cans and jars, and get creative. These can make perfect gifts even if you have no artistic talent. (And if you are an artist, you could even sell them!)
10) If all else fails, give them to a child as a craft material. You never know what they'll come up with...

Do you want more? Go to: http://www.squidoo.com/reuseglassjars
Lastly, remember to celebrate Earth Hour tomorrow! See my previous blog post for details!

Get Set for Earth Hour!

Are you all prepared for Earth Hour this year? For those of you who don't know, Earth Hour is taking place on Saturday 26 March from 8:30pm to 9:30pm, when we turn out all the lights and everything else in our houses (except the furnace and the fridge!) to save energy and raise awareness.
This is their logo:

"60" represents the 60 minutes in an hour, by the way, and the + signifies that we will go "beyond the hour".

So, what are you going to be doing during Earth Hour? Here are a few of my own favourite tips:

1) Light some soy wax candles and enjoy a late candlelit dinner

2) Take a walk

3) Sleep (that's what I'll be doing! As a matter of fact, my Earth Hour will be an hour earlier, from 7:30pm to 8:30pm)

4) Host a party, make your own music, chat with friends, serve veggie sandwiches, etc.

5) Practice your storytelling skills with family or friends

6) Play cards, board games, and any other games you know of

7) Cuddle with your animal friends

8) Make a list of ways to help the environment in the future!

Make sure you unplug your appliances so electricity won't go down the drain! Even unplug your digital clocks-- you still have your watches and analog clocks, right?

Have fun!

Some things to look at

Here is my lantern:

Your House is Haunted

   That's right... just as I said last week, today I'll be talking about "phantom loads".
   Phantom loads are appliances that are plugged in to the wall when they're not on. People tend to think that just because it isn't officially sucking up energy, it really isn't. Period.
   But I'll bet you didn't know that phantom loads can use up to 40% of electricity from your household appliances! Not only cell phone chargers, but also anything else that uses a transformer-- like TVs and stereos.
   Oh, and BTW: phantom loads are also called vampire draw or vampire load, so any house with them must be seriously haunted! De-haunt your house while helping the environment and reducing cost by unplugging all your electronics when not in use.
   Right now, I want everyone reading this to go around the house and look for wires. If you see any, unplug them! (Make sure there aren't any people on the other end of the wire, mind.)
   Thanks for following this blog!

Turning Negatives into Positives

    Today I'm not here to talk about reducing the negative impact we have on the environment-- instead, allow me to explain how to have a net positive impact on the environment during your life! I like to put it this way...

    There are two different forms of helping the environment:

    1) Passive
    2) Active
    Passively helping the environment is the effort of not doing. Like not buying stuff you don't need, reducing your eco-footprint, and saving paper by printing on both sides. Actively helping the environment, on the other hand, is through doing. Like picking up garbage around your neighbourhood, fundraising for an eco-friendly cause, or even just encouraging others to be more environmentally-friendly.

    Passively helping reduces the negative impact, and that is mainly what people tend to focus on. But actively helping is important, too. If we relyed only on passively helping the environment, we would never have a positive imact on Mother Nature-- just a less bad one. Which is why we need to look for ways to actively make a difference. You don't have to go too far out of your way-- just do something. And even if you never achieve that net-positive-eco-friendly-guru status, just remember one thing:

    There are so many ways you can help the world. Yes, the environment, but also other humans, animals, and yourself. You might very well be helping one of these categories, and that is good because they're important too. You can still have a net positive impact on the world, if not the environment.

    But this blog is about the environment, so...
    Make a table of lots of the ways you passively and actively help the environment. I'll make one for me as an example:

Passive

-turning off lights

-using scrap paper in class

-being a vegan

-refraining from computer games and TV

-unplugging things when they aren't in use (I'll tell you about phantom loads next time)

-etc.

Active

-writing in this blog

-encouraging others to use scrap paper and generally be eco-friendly

-writing articles for Teenink.com

-the speech that I'm going to give today at the public speaking contest on veganism

-etc.

    If your lists aren't quite as long, don't sweat it. Just start brainstorming, that's all.

   Well, then, happy brainstorming!

Take a Walk

Good morning! Isn't it the most beautiful day to go for a walk?
We've all been told that going for a walk is good for our physical and mental health... but did you ever consider that it's good for the environment??? Here's why:
1) Time spent outside is time spent away from electricity-sucking machines. Think about it: if you aren't going to go on that walk, what are you going to do? I can bet that it somehow uses electricity, like checking your e-mail or doing some work under blaring lights. So give all that a break once in a while and take a few deep breaths in open air. Which leads to my next point...
2) The more time you spend outdoors, the more respect you have for the outdoors. When it becomes part of your life, you'll realize how much you want to help keep it as fresh and natural as possible. You'll also start spotting environmental challenges, like people over-watering their lawns or noisy cars speeding past you. Seeing these things isn't fun, but at least you'll see more ways that you can help reduce your negative impact... and have a positive one!
3) Why don't you take this a step further by picking up garbage on your walk? You'll be cleaning up the neighborhood at the same time...
And that's the blog post for this week.
Have a nice walk!

Go Vegetarian and Save the Planet

Today I'm going to give you an introduction to vegetarianism. It is so good for the planet; every environmentalist has got to do it!

First, there are a few types of vegetarians. Here are the main ones:
Vegan: no animal products (meat, eggs, dairy, honey) but who can eat grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, soy products, vegetable oils, and sugar!
Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian: no meat, but who eats dairy, eggs and honey, and plant products
Lacto Vegetarian: they make the exception of milk
Ovo Vegetarian: they make the exception of eggs

Going vegan is really important for you to do. Animals are being obscenely abused this very minute and we must do something to help them! I for one do not want to eat my friends. Plus, eating animal flesh and their by-products is just plain unhealthy.

Of course, this is an enviroment blog. But did you know that going vegan is good for the environment, too? So if animal abuse and heart disease isn't enough for you, please read on.

Did you know...?

• It takes 14 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of wheat, BUT it takes 441 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef. That means the grain takes more than 31 times less water!
• Animal agriculture is very inefficient because the crops that are grown for the animals lose their energy as they go through the animals. After all, the animals burn almost all of that energy in everyday living. If humans ate the crops instead and stopped breeding animals to eat it for us, world hunger would be greatly reduced.
• Who wants to save the rainforest? I do! :) But unfortunately, much of the rainforest that is being cleared is to make way for cattle grazing. In fact, in order to produce 1 rainforest-cleared hamburger, creatures from 20-30 plant species, 100 insect species, and dozens of other animals are destroyed. There are 121 different species that have become endangered due to cattle grazing.[http://www.chooseveg.com/extinction.asp]
• Runoff from factory farms creates dangerous waters for fish and swimmers and when the wind blows all the toxins over to villages, the humans living there have been reported to have suffered from headaches, illness, and inability to breathe.

So now I hope you are able to make the right decision. This is just the beginning (or a continuation) of your journey through vegetarianism and veganism. Here are a few links to get you started:

• Excellent website for more information, recipes, and help getting started: chooseveg.com
• Vegan starter kit: http://www.mercyforanimals.org/vegan-starter-kit.aspx
• Teen health wesite about veganism: http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/vegan.html?tracking=T_RelatedArticle
• Teen health website about vegetarianism: http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/vegetarian.html?tracking=T_RelatedArticle
• An article that I wrote on veganism: http://www.teenink.com/hot_topics/environment/article/291427/Have-a-Heart-and-Go-Vegan/

Enjoy!

How to Eliminate Toxins at Home

What to do:
1) Keep toxin-eliminating plants in your house, such as Spider Plants, Gerbera Daisies, Peace Lilies, Chrysanthemums, and Philodendrons. They also add oxygen to the air and look nice. (If you know me, I might be able to give you a clipping of my Spider Plants when they grow bigger.)
2) Concoct your own potions... cleaning potions, that is. It's what us witches and wizards do all the time, but muggles can do it too! ;) Just mix together one part vinegar and one part water, and that's all you need to wash the bathroom sink!

What NOT to do:
DON'T: 1) Buy lots of stuff at the mall. Many objects produced by industry, like jewelery and crayons, for example, actally contain toxins! Instead, try to make your own things as much as possible. This can be fun-- candle making, jewelery making, etc. Just remember to make the beads as well!
OR 2) Eat butane. Did that make you laugh? But no, it's true. I was checking the ingredients of my All-Vegetable Shortening and there was an ingredient called TBHQ in it. I looked it up and it turns out that TBHQ is a toxic carcinogen. And it is a form of butane. EEK! And in a non-stick cooking spray, I found Propellants Isobutane and Propane-- in the ingredients list!

Keep your home toxin-free and you'll be looking up to a safer, greener future.

10 Fun Ways to Re-Use an Old T-Shirt

1) Donate it to your local Salvation Army.
2) Save it until you have about ten of them and then sew them all into a quilt.
3) Cut into squares to turn into little bags, and fill with nice-smelling things like cinnamon, pinecones, etc. Put these bags in your drawers to keep the musty smell away!
4) Cut off the graphic and use it for something else, like a bag, pillowcase, or other shirt.
5) Stitch the bottom of the shirt closed and turn it into a pillowcase or shoebag.
6) Use it as padding for packages.
7) Turn it into a dog blanket.
8) Cut a few t-shirts up and sew them back together into a new one!
9) Use as gift wrapping.
10) If it is still in good condition, swap with a friend or pass down to someone else.

Welcome!

Welcome, welcome, to my blog! This website was created to give you tips on how to be more eco-friendly. Every weekend I will post a new tip... I have lots! Please come back regularly to see my latest eco-tip. I look forward to seeing you!