Green Tip Tues: 10 Actions Recommended at The Future of Water Panel

Last night I attended a panel discussion on the Future of Water hosted by the Nature Conservancy and WBUR. The panelists explained and debated the complicated, fascinating issues of water distribution at both global and local scales. All panelists emphasized that urban water conservation is key to solving the global water crisis. With that in mind, here are some water conservation tips for Bostonians:

1. Be a thoughtful consumer. Panelist Sandra Postel explained that approximately 700 gallons of water is needed to make one cotton T shirt. Water is used in the production of almost everything you buy - so shop wisely, and if possible, consume less.

2. Learn where your water comes from. Most Americans don't know where their water is sourced beyond the tap. Knowing the source of your water will help you be wary of specific conservation issues in your area.

3. In the same vein, find out where your water goes after its flushed down the drain. For many Bostonians, the answer is Deer Island, and then 9 miles out in the ocean.  You can even take a tour of the waste treatment facility! (I did this a few years ago, and it was fascinating!)

4. Buy food from small, local farms (and ask them about their irrigation practices). According to Panelist Brian Richter, irrigated agriculture accounts for 93% of wasted (unrecycled) water use.

5. Track your water use. The average American uses approximately 2,000 gallons per day. Peter Brabeck, CEO of Nestle (one of the world's largest sellers of bottled water) has said that humans should only have a right to 8 gallons per person per day - could you live on that?

6. Be a squeaky wheel. The third panelist, Steven Solomon, stressed the importance of being loud about water issues because they are largely ignored by politicians. Such citizen concern has been the spark of many  anti-fracking policies across the U.S.

7. Change corporate behavior. Companies are huge water consumers. Find out if there are water conservation policies at your workplace, and consider how you could make them more effective. 

8. Education. Spread your knowledge and passion for water conservation to others. 

9. Be open-minded about paying more for water. Rate-payers (aka consumers) obviously don't want to pay more for water, but if we don't, our water infrastructure will continue to deteriorate as no funding is going towards fixing leaky water mains, and making efficiency upgrades. 

10. Get engaged. It was great to see such a good turn out at The Future of Water panel, and I look forward to see similar crowds at upcoming water-themed events around the city. 

New Perspectives: Eco-Friendly and Economical Dishwashing

image

As any efficiency expert will say, water is one of the most wasted resources in the home. In addition to washing bodies (showers) and washing clothes (laundry), humans use an enormous amount of water washing dishes. So, when you want to go green in the kitchen, an immediate savings can be found by addressing issues in the dirty dishes department.

Here are a few suggestions to get you on track.

When a Machine Does your Dishes:
Purchasing an energy-efficient dishwasher is a great way to reduce costs and eliminate waste. However, if you can't upgrade to an Energy Star dishwasher, there are still ways to maximize your efficiency:

• Only operate your dishwasher when you have a full load.

• Scrape your dishes and rinse them off before loading the dishwasher – even if your model has a food compactor, it can become clogged or have to work that much harder to dissolve the particles of food.

• Strategically load your dishes – many older models only have lower jets rather than jets below the top and bottom rack. This means if you have bowls or cups (anything to block the flow) on the bottom, the water never reaches the top rack and half of your dishes are not getting clean. Thus, by keeping slim, non-obstructive plates and pans on the bottom rack and bowls, cups and mugs on the top, you are giving all of your crockery a fair shot at cleanliness.

• Along the same lines, make sure your cutlery is contained in the basket – utensils can become dislodged and fall to the bottom, directly in the path of the spinning jets, and cause not only permanent damage to the motor but also require a second wash to thoroughly clean that load.

When YOU are the Dishwasher:
Since the biggest cost of washing dishes comes from the energy required to heat the water, most people believe that washing dishes by hand can save more hot water. However, if you wash dishes several times a day, you may be eliminating any surplus you created. You can keep more of your savings if you:

• Only wash dishes once a day.

• Use a clean, double basin sink if you can – fill up one side with hot, sudsy water. Allow the dishes to soak and remove them one at a time, scrub them and move them over to the empty side. When you're done with the soaking, drain that side and rinse the soapy dishes with clean water at one time. Move them to a drying rack as you go.

• Always air dry!

Whether in the kitchen, bathroom or elsewhere, what are some other cost-cutting and eco-friendly ways you have started saving water by going green?

A Home Depot sales associate in the Chicago suburbs, Jay Harris provides kitchen and bathroom tips to homeowners ranging from kitchen faucets and bathroom cabinets to sinks and light fixtures.

Fun Friday: Ethical Gift Guide for Fathers Day

1. Experiential gifts usually have less of an impact than material items. How about sailing lesson with dear old dad with the Boston Sailing Center?

2. If you think your dad would appreciate a more traditional gift, maybe a Jaan J. vegan tie would be up his alley.

3. Is your dad a big skiier? This wine rack made from upcycled skis is amazing!

4. A phone case is always an easy last-minute gift - make it an eco-gift as well by choosing a case made out of bamboo.

5. Not sure what dad wants? An open table gift certificate by using your open table rewards points is a great way to treat him to dinner while letting him choose the place. (BONUS: encourage him to choose a green restaurant).

6. Red Sox tickets. Who doesn't want to catch a game with Dad?!

Pencil It In: The Future of Water

image courtesy of The Nature Conservancy

WHEN: Monday, June 10, 2013, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

WHERE: Virginia Wimberly Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA

WHY: Join The Nature Conservancy this Monday for a panel discussion on The Future of Water. Sadly, this is, the last in The Future of Nature series. I went to the Future of Food Event in April, which was informative, thought provoking, and inspiring, so I am looking forward to attending The Future of Water to get a better sense of all sides of the issue, and hopefully feel inspired to take action!

Speakers:

Sandra Postel, Director, The Global Water Policy Project
Steven Solomon, author of Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power and Civilization
Brian Richter, director of Global Freshwater Strategies, The Nature Conservancy
Moderator: Meghna Chakrabarti, WBUR, co-host of Radio Boston

NOTE: Tickets will NOT be available at the door, so please register ahead of time.

image courtesy of RohDesign

Review Wednesday: Seventh Generation Unbleached Bath Tissue

image

I'll spare you my specific pros and cons of my toilet paper use and just jump to my conclusion: Seventh Generation Natural Unbleached Bath Tissue is a great product! Not only is this bath tissue 100% recycled, (which all TP should be, why should we use virgin paper for something we use for 10 seconds!) it is also unbleached. Its a little odd to see toilet paper that isn't bright white, but after the initial shock, the feel and effectiveness of the product is the same. 

So why purchase unbleached TP? The chlorine gas used to make paper white is extremely toxic and an environmental hazard. Chlorine pollutes waterways, destroying fisheries and threatening water-based industries. 

The unbleached bath tissue is also a product that supports the company's Campaign for a Toxin-Free Generation, which is specifically aiming to reduce childhood exposure to chemicals. 

Green Tip Tuesday: Have a Picnic

Last week, my book club met at Christopher Columbus Park and had a picnic - and it struck me that it was a very green meeting (though I need to remind some of my friends to use reusable shopping bags). Since the weather has been so amazing in Boston over the the past couple days, now is the perfect time to discuss green picnic tips!

1) We are lucky that Boston has lots of green space, so pick a park nearby for your picnic - no driving, or train needed!

2) Pack vegetarian snacks to share - preferably with locally grown ingredients.

3) Reusable tumblers, plates, and flatware are ideal, but if that is too heavy or fragile to carry to your picnic spot, try the stylish green disposables by Susty Party. (available at Whole Foods and online). 

4) Clean up after yourself! Dispose of trash and recyclables appropriately. And, bring extra reusable containers to split up the leftovers among the attendees. 

Picnics are a great way to have fun and enjoy the outdoors. 

New Perspectives: Ten Great Cycling Trips from a Seasoned Travel Pro

Douwe Osinga, founder and CEO of Triposo,  will do just about anything to see a new place through the eyes of a local. Triposo is also, admittedly, an office of cycling enthusiasts. We can combine our interest in travel with our love of bikes, all the better! This year, as summer travel season gets underway, we present a selection of some of our favorite places to go biking all over the world. Not all of these are for beginners (for example, Dehli), but all promise to offer a memorable experience for those looking to savor a new place in one of the most authentic - not to mention efficient - ways possible!

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Netherlands is a relatively flat country, and there really is no better place to ride your bike than Amsterdam (except maybe when it’s raining). The canals and alleys of Amsterdam are more bike-friendly than you might expect, and the piles upon piles of bikes, not to mention the streams of locals and tourists whizzing by you in the street, will quickly validate this city’s reputation as one of the most bike-friendly on earth.

photo

2. Marrakech, Morocco

The high Atlas mountains loom in the background behind the city, but Marrakech and its surrounding areas are actually surprisingly flat. Bikes are a very popular mode of transport here and a pretty good way to get around. That is, unless you want to venture deep into the Medina, or old city, where the streets are too narrow and crowded for most cyclists. Of course, that doesn’t seem to stop the locals!

photo

3. Kasghar, China

Kasghar is an oasis town in China, located along the famed Silk Road. As you probably know, bicycles are quite popular in many parts of China, but they are a particularly great way of exploring this area. The less than three mile ride from Kasghar to the Abakh Khoja tombs is a fun way to spend an afternoon, and a great way to see the surroundings, not to mention much less dangerous than riding your bike in the town center.

photo

4. Delhi, India

Delhi is filled with bicycles, particularly rickshaws. Once, while in Delhi, I got to ride a rickshaw bike (I actually had to pay extra.) Although I’m quite an experienced cyclist, maneuvering a rickshaw through Dehli traffic during rush hour is not for the faint of heart. Still, it was an unforgettable experience. I definitely recommend it for the intrepid among you.

photo

5. Brussels, Belgium

Cyclisme is a quintessential Belgian sport. While visiting, I had a lot of fun (and a few scares) while riding through the different neighborhoods of the Belgian capital, eventually winding my way down to Tervuren to visit the amazing Royal Museum for Central Africa. Bicycling through Brussels is a great way to get a feel for what it’s like to be a local, and a fantastic way to see the sights as a tourist.

photo

6. Paris, France

It took a lot of worker strikes by angry Metro employees, but Parisians have finally started to embrace la bicyclette. They have set up a great network of bikes called Velib that allows anyone to a bicycle by the hour. You can pick them up almost anywhere in the city and drop them off at the other end (Bonus: the first 30 minutes are free.) Paris has also added bike lanes to many of its notoriously busy streets, giving cyclists plenty of leeway to enjoy the City of Lights on wheels.

photo

7. San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is a hipster mecca, so it’s no surprise that bike culture is alive and well here. Some of San Francisco’s streets are certainly on the steep side, but with a little bit of planning, you can find routes all over the city that won’t murder your thighs (or that will, depending on your preference...) Moreover, riding over the Golden Gate Bridge on a bike is an experience not to be missed. Yes, it’s a touristy activity, but even locals will admit that the view is unbeatable. And if you’re too tired to bike back afterward, you won’t be the only one on the boat back from Sausalito.

photo

8. Berlin, Germany

Since Triposo’s headquarters is located in Berlin, I ride my bike all over this city. Going through the famous Brandenburger gate on my way to Einstein Café to chat with our lawyer one day almost made me yell out with pride, “Ich bin ein Berliner!” Rent a bike while visiting this seriously cycle-friendly city, and you’ll fit right in.

photo

9. Kathmandu, Nepal

Escape the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and explore the nearby valley by bike. There are stunning temples on all sides, and with a bit of luck you may catch sight of Mount Everest looming in the distance. 

photo

10. Valley of the Kings, Egypt

Most tourists would never consider it, but a bicycle is the perfect way to explore Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, which is lined with the tombs of ancient royalty. Pro tip: wake up nice and early to get started riding before the sun is at its hottest. This is the desert, after all.  When we did this, it was so hot on the way back that we had to stop into a few shops and pretend we wanted to buy souvenirs just to get some tea.

photo