CONSERVATION DICTIONARY The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation.From: www.DoSomething.org
WIND POWER Converting wind into energy through wind turbines. Info from: http://environment.about.com/od/renewableenergy/a/wind_power.htmL
Wind Power Starts with the Sun Wind power is actually a form of solar power, because wind is caused by heat from the sun. Solar radiation heats every part of the Earth’s surface, but not evenly or at the same speed. Different surfaces—sand, water, stone and various types of soil—absorb, retain, reflect and release heat at different rates, and the Earth generally gets warmer during daylight hours and cooler at night. As a result, the air above the Earth’s surface also warms and cools at different rates. Hot air rises, reducing the atmospheric pressure near the Earth’s surface, which draws in cooler air to replace it. That movement of air is what we call wind.
Wind Power is Clean and Renewable Wind power should be considered an important component of any long-term energy strategy, because wind power generation uses a natural and virtually inexhaustible source of power—the wind—to produce electricity. That is a stark contrast to traditional power plants that rely on fossil fuels. And wind power generation is clean; it doesn’t cause air, soil or water pollution. That’s an important difference between wind power and some other renewable energy sources, such as nuclear power, which produces a vast amount of hard-to-manage waste.
Wind Power Sometimes Conflicts with Other Priorities One obstacle to increasing worldwide use of wind power is that wind farms must be located on large tracts of land or along coastlines to capture the greatest wind movement. Devoting those areas to wind power generation sometimes conflicts with other priorities, such as agriculture, urban development, or waterfront views from expensive homes in prime locations.
The Future Growth of Wind Power As the need for clean, renewable energy increases, and the world more urgently seeks alternatives to finite supplies of oil, coal and natural gas, priorities will change. And as the cost of wind power continues to decline, due to technology improvements and better generation techniques, wind power will become increasingly feasible as a major source of electricity and mechanical power.
AUGUST 2011
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. From: www.DoSomething.org
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC)
Organic chemical compounds which vaporize under normal conditions, such as methane. The can damage soil and groundwater and contribute to air pollution.
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored.
EPA’s Office of Research and Development’s "Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study" (Volumes I through IV, completed in 1985) found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. TEAM studies indicated that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed.
MAY 2011
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. From: www.DoSomething.org
What is SRI? From:http://www.socialinvest.org/resources/sriguide/srifacts.cfm
Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) is a broad-based approach to investing that now encompasses an estimated $3.07 trillion out of $25.2 trillion in the U.S. investment marketplace today. SRI recognizes that corporate responsibility and societal concerns are valid parts of investment decisions. SRI considers both the investor’s financial needs and an investment’s impact on society. SRI investors encourage corporations to improve their practices on environmental, social, and governance issues. You may also hear SRI-like approaches to investing referred to as mission investing, responsible investing, double or triple bottom line investing, ethical investing, sustainable investing, or green investing.As a result of its investing strategies, SRI also works to enhance the bottom lines of the companies in question and, in so doing, delivers more long-term wealth to shareholders. In addition, SRI investors seek to build wealth in underserved communities worldwide. With SRI, investors can put their money to work to build a more sustainable world while earning competitive returns both today and over time.Socially responsible investors include individuals and also institutions, such as corporations, universities, hospitals, foundations, insurance companies, public and private pension funds, nonprofit organizations, and religious institutions. Institutional investors represent the largest and fastest growing segment of the SRI world.
APRIL 2011
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation.From: www.DoSomething.org
Renewable Energy Source Energy that we get from a source that can’t run out. The biggest source of renewable energy is solar radiation (sunlight). Also known as “green power” or “clean energy”. Learn more below from: Wikipedia, the on line dictionary Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished). In 2008, about 19% of global final energy consumption came from renewables, with 13% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.2% from hydroelectricity.New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 2.7% and are growing very rapidly.The share of renewables in electricity generation is around 18%, with 15% of global electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3% from new renewables. Wind power is growing at the rate of 30% annually, with a worldwide installed capacity of 158 gigawatts (GW) in 2009,and is widely used in Europe, Asia, and the United StatesAt the end of 2009, cumulative global photovoltaic (PV) installations surpassed 21 GWand PV power stations are popular in Germany and Spain.Solar thermal power stations operate in the USA and Spain, and the largest of these is the 354 megawatt (MW) SEGS power plant in the Mojave Desert.The world’s largest geothermal power installation is The Geysers in California, with a rated capacity of 750 MW. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs in the world, involving production of ethanol fuel from sugar cane, and ethanol now provides 18% of the country’s automotive fuel.Ethanol fuel is also widely available in the USA. While many renewable energy projects are large-scale, renewable technologies are also suited to rural and remote areas, where energy is often crucial in human development .Globally, an estimated 3 million households get power from small solar PV systems. Micro-hydro systems configured into village-scale or county-scale mini-grids serve many areas.More than 30 million rural households get lighting and cooking from biogas made in household-scale digesters. Biomass cookstoves are used by 160 million households. Climate change concerns, coupled with high oil prices, peak oil, and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialization.New government spending, regulation and policies helped the industry weather the global financial crisis better than many other sectors.
MARCH 2011
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation.From: www.DoSomething.org Ozone Depletion A steady decline (4% per decade) in the total amount of ozone in the Earth’s stratosphere.
from:http://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/Ozone/depletion.html Major and minor sources of stratospheric chlorine Author: Brien Sparling
Stratospheric chlorine is at present the major catalyst of ozone depletion. Since this area is considered a little more controversial I have referenced it more heavily. Personally I have found very little disagreement among atmospheric researchers on major causes of Ozone depletion, particularly the role of man-made chlorofluorocarbons in the depletion
Major sources of stratospheric chlorine: At this time human activity accounts for 75-85% of the chlorine in the stratosphere. The remaining 15-20% comes almost totally from Methyl chloride, most of that from natural sources and burning of biomass. Large, explosive volcanoes contribute an additional couple of percent.(1-5) Notice that care must be taken to specify major sources of stratospheric chlorine since sources of tropospheric chlorine are quite different (sea-spray, volcanoes, volatile organic compounds) (6,7) Most of the tropospheric chlorine compounds never make it to the stratosphere; they are quickly decomposed by natural oxidants and the chlorine converted to water-soluble species, such as HCl, which get rained out of the atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons are very non-reactive in the troposphere, with life-times ranging from 50-200+ years, and so they eventually make it up to the stratosphere.
Minor sources of stratospheric chlorine Volcanoes: Volcanoes differ greatly in the amount of HCl they put out. But since, on the average, over 90% of a volcanic plume is water-vapor most of the HCl produced gets precipitated out of the atmosphere in 1-7days. Large amounts of sulfates also present in plumes cause water droplets to form quickly; the chemistry that can take place on these droplets is complicated and not fully understood. Within the last 200 years our planet has had six volcanoes with enough explosive power to project material into the stratosphere. The most recent two: El Chichon in 1982 and Mt.Pinatubo in 1991, were very closely studied by atmospheric scientist. Using balloons, satellites and even planes which flew through the volcanic plumes, and large masses of data were collected and analyzed. Modeling and later observations have shown that more than 99% of the volcanic HCl is removed by absorption on to water droplets or ice crystals without ever becoming catalytically active in the stratosphere.(15,17 ). Somewhat of a stir in the popular press was created by active eruptions of an antarctic volcano, Mount Erebus, from 1976 through 1983, but its impact on stratospheric chlorine levels (16,17) was shown to be minimal.
FEBRUARY 2011
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. From: www.DoSomething.org NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCE A natural resource that can’t be replenished because the rate of formation is slower than the rate of consumption. Fossil fuels, metals, minerals, and groundwater are nonrenewable.
According to http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com: Non-renewable resources are energy sources that we use and consume faster then nature produces them. Fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, take centuries to form naturally, and crude oil takes millions of years to form. These resources are not infinite and over time, most experts believe they will cease to exist. Here are some scary facts regarding non-renewable energy according to The Ecologist, based on current worldwide consumption rates :
•The natural gas supply will run out within the next 35 years. •Within 70 years the world’s current oil reserves will be gone - If the current rate of consumption continues for oil, the supply is predicted to run out within the next 14 years. Not only is the scarcity of these resources a global problem, the resulting pollution of using fossil fuels is as well.
Not Just Fossil Fuels When most of us think about non-renewable resources, the first thing we think about is fossil fuels. Though these fossil fuel energy sources are the most widely publicized, there are other resources that are slowly running out such as:
•Aluminum •Copper •Silver •Gold •Diamonds Once people mine these materials, they cannot be replaced at a sustainable rate.
JANUARY 2011
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. From: www.DoSomething.org HYDROELECTRIC Energy obtained from water, usually by damming a river or by using tidal power. Hydropower is electricity generated using the energy of moving water. Rain or melted snow, usually originating in hills and mountains, create streams and rivers that eventually run to the ocean. The energy of that moving water can be substantial, as anyone who has been whitewater rafting knows.
This energy has been exploited for centuries. Farmers since the ancient Greeks have used water wheels to grind wheat into flour. Placed in a river, a water wheel picks up flowing water in buckets located around the wheel. The kinetic energy of the flowing river turns the wheel and is converted into mechanical energy that runs the mill.
In the late 19th century, hydropower became a source for generating electricity. The first hydroelectric power plant was built at Niagara Falls in 1879. In 1881, street lamps in the city of Niagara Falls were powered by hydropower. In 1882 the world’s first hydroelectric power plant began operating in the United States in Appleton, Wisconsin.
A typical hydro plant is a system with three parts: an electric plant where the electricity is produced; a dam that can be opened or closed to control water flow; and a reservoir where water can be stored. The water behind the dam flows through an intake and pushes against blades in a turbine, causing them to turn. The turbine spins a generator to produce electricity. The amount of electricity that can be generated depends on how far the water drops and how much water moves through the system. The electricity can be transported over long-distance electric lines to homes, factories, and businesses.
DECEMBER 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org
GREEN DESIGN and LEED Certification Incorporates environmental principles, such as durability, efficiency, and renewability, into constructing a building or designing a product. WHAT IS LEED?FROM: www.usgbc.org LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system,providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. LEED is a voluntary certification program that can be applied to any building type and any building lifecycle phase. It promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in key areas:
Sustainable Sites...Choosing a building’s site and managing that site during construction are important considerations for a project’s sustainability. The Sustainable Sites category discourages development on previously undeveloped land; minimizes a building’s impact on ecosystems and waterways; encourages regionally appropriate landscaping; rewards smart transportation choices; controls stormwater runoff; and reduces erosion, light pollution, heat island effect and construction-related pollution.
Water Efficiency ...Buildings are major users of our potable water supply. The goal of the Water Efficiency credit category is to encourage smarter use of water, inside and out. Water reduction is typically achieved through more efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings inside and water-wise landscaping outside.
Energy & Atmosphere ...According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings use 39% of the energy and 74% of the electricity produced each year in the United States. The Energy & Atmosphere category encourages a wide variety of energy strategies: commissioning; energy use monitoring; efficient design and construction; efficient appliances, systems and lighting; the use of renewable and clean sources of energy, generated on-site or off-site; and other innovative strategies.
Materials & Resources...During both the construction and operations phases, buildings generate a lot of waste and use a lot of materials and resources. This credit category encourages the selection of sustainably grown, harvested, produced and transported products and materials. It promotes the reduction of waste as well as reuse and recycling, and it takes into account the reduction of waste at a product’s source.
Indoor Environmental Quality ...The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans spend about 90% of their day indoors, where the air quality can be significantly worse than outside. The Indoor Environmental Quality credit category promotes strategies that can improve indoor air as well as providing access to natural daylight and views and improving acoustics.
Innovation in Design...The Innovation in Design credit category provides bonus points for projects that use new and innovative technologies and strategies to improve a building’s performance well beyond what is required by other LEED credits or in green building considerations that are not specifically addressed elsewhere in LEED. This credit category also rewards projects for including a LEED Accredited Professional on the team to ensure a holistic, integrated approach to the design and construction phase.
NOVEMBER 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org
Geo-Thermal Energy Obtaining energy from the heat of the earth. Though it is considered renewable, heat can eventually be depleted after a certain point, and therefore it is not entirely renewable.http://www.energy.gov/energysources/geothermal.htm
Geothermal Energy...is the heat from the Earth. It’s clean and sustainable. Resources of geothermal energy range from the shallow ground to hot water and hot rock found a few miles beneath the Earth’s surface, and down even deeper to the extremely high temperatures of molten rock called magma.
The Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Program supports the U.S. geothermal industry in providing diversity, and therefore security, in domestic energy supply options. This support also helps the industry maintain its technical edge in world energy markets, thereby enhancing exports of U.S. goods and services and U.S. job growth. Energy works in partnership with U.S. industry to establish geothermal energy as an economically competitive contributor to the U.S. energy supply. The Office of Scientific and Technical Information maintains technical reports related to geothermal energy on its Geothermal Energy Technology (GET) subject portal. Information on geothermal generation and capacity is available through the Energy Information Administration.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=geothermal_home-basics Geothermal Heat Pumps Using the Earth’s Constant Temperatures for Heating and Cooling while temperatures above ground change a lot from day to day and season to season, temperatures 10 feet below the Earth’s surface hold nearly constant between 50° and 60°F. For most areas, this means that soil temperatures are usually warmer than the air in winter and cooler than the air in summer. Geothermal heat pumps use the Earth’s constant temperatures to heat and cool buildings. They transfer heat from the ground (or water) into buildings in winter and reverse the process in the summer. Geothermal Heat Pumps Are Energy Efficient and Cost Effective According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal heat pumps are the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, and cost effective systems for temperature control. Although most homes still use traditional furnaces and air conditioners, geothermal heat pumps are becoming more popular. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA have partnered with industry to promote the use of geothermal heat pumps.
OCTOBER 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) A federal government program that helps government agencies purchase environmentally friendly products and services and stimulates other companies to “buy green.”
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) EPP helps the federal government “buy green,” and in doing so, uses the federal government’s enormous buying power to stimulate market demand for green products and services. Geared first to help federal purchasers, this site can help green vendors, businesses large and small -- and consumers. Use the easy index to: Find and evaluate information about green products and services. Identify federal green buying requirements; Calculate the costs and benefits of purchasing choices. Manage green purchasing processes and much more. Go to http://www.epa.gov/epp/ for all the information.
What are EPPs? Environmentally preferable products (EPPs) are products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to competing products or services that serve the same purpose. They may include, but not be limited to, items that: •Contain recycled materials •Minimize waste •Conserve energy and/or water •Consist of fewer toxic substances •Reduce the amount of toxic substances disposed or consumed •Protect open-space •Lesson the impact to public health Read the full story at: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=afsubtopic&L=5& L0=Home&L1=Budget%2C+Taxes+%26+Procu rement&L2=Procurement+Information+%26+Re sources&L3=Procurement+Programs+and+Serv ices&L4=Environmentally+Preferable+Products+(EPP)+Procurement+Program&sid=Eoaf
SEPTEMBER 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org
Environmental Impact The change to the environment whether it is harmful or helpful.
AUGUST 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org
Environmental Footprint The environmental impact of a company or person, measured by the raw materials and non-renewable resources or products it wastes.
JULY 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org
Emission The release of any gas, liquid or solid
JUNE 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy.from: www.DoSomething.org
Emission Controls Any measure that limits and reduces the release of emissions.
MAY 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org Ecosystem The interconnectedness of organisms (plants, animals, microbes) with each other and their environment.
APRIL 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org Biomass Most commonly, plant matter grown for the use as biofuel.
MARCH 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org
Biofuel Fuel that is produced from renewable sources.
FEBRUARY 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org
Biodiversity A large variety of different species represented in a certain area.
JANUARY 2010
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation. We will be starting with Alternative Energy. from: www.DoSomething.org
Biodiesel A clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic resources, such as soybean oil.It can be used in diesel engines with little or no modifications.
DECEMBER 2009
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation.We will be starting with Alternative Energy.from:www.DoSomething.org
Biodegradable The ability of a material to be broken down or to decompose by natural processes.
NOVEMBER 2009
CONSERVATION DICTIONARY ...The A-Z terms we should all know about Energy and Conservation.We will be starting with Alternative Energy.from:www.DoSomething.org
Alternative Energy Energy from sources that do not produce harmful emissions; for example, unconventional power from the sun, wind or running water.
OCTOBER 2009
Unplug Unused Electronics
Did you know that a cell phone charger can still consume electricity even when a phone isn't connected to it? In the average home, 25% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. To stop these "phantom loads" when devices are not in use, unplug them or connect them to power strips, which can then be turned off.
SEPTEMBER 2009
Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) found in LaurelLake, Lee
What to look for: Zebra mussels look like small clams, with a yellow or brown "D" shaped shell and dark and light stripes. Zebra mussels are attracted to moving water and prefer water that is shallow (6-20 feet) and rich in algae From the Caspian Sea to the Great Lakes and now in BerkshireCounty…Zebra Mussels have arrived in the Berkshires specifically at LaurelLake in Lee. They originally arrived in the Great Lakes in 1988 by accident and it was thought that they were expelled into the lake by ballast water from large ships. These mollusks enjoy our temperate climate and have spread to many lakes and rivers in the US and Canada from their original US contact point. They are exceptional filter feeders and clear the waters they inhabit of all phytoplankton and small zooplankton…causing great upset to the natural order in out lakes and upsetting the natural balance of the eco system. Please read more about this problem at the following websites: THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE: http://www.gma.org/surfing/human/zebra.html THE US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatics/zebramussel.shtml
AUGUST 2009 From the APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB on the web at:http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/mountainwatch/forest-flower watch.cfm VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for a Forest Flower Watch The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) needs your help documenting forest flowering times along mountain trails this spring and summer. We provide the how-to guides and data sheets for you to use on your next hike.New, in 2009 we are piloting 6 new forest flower species for Southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic region.You can also request the materials to be mailed to you.
JULY 2009
For your 4th of July Picnic...think about this. ✮ When picnicking, use reusable bamboo plates and flatware. ✮ Set out recycling containers for bottles and papers at your party. ✮ Do not use styrofoam products.
JUNE 2009
Recycle your newspapers.One year's worth of daily papers weighs 1/2 ton.Every ton recycled saves 17 trees. Plug home office equipment into a power strip which your turn off at the end of the day. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs.Replacing 5 incandescent saves $25. Don't drive too fast!Driving 75mph rather than 65 mph can reduce fuel economy by as much as 15%.
May 2009
Got Too Many Plastic Pots? Try This! If your pile of empty plastic pots and cell-packs is getting dangerously high because you hate to send them to the landfill, here's an earth-friendly solution. Last fall our friends at Milwaukee's BoernerBotanical Gardens and UW-Extension hosted a Plastic Pot Recycling Weekend. They invited local gardeners to bring in their empty plastic pots, cell-packs, garden trays, hanging baskets, fertilizer and mulch bags, greenhouse poly film, irrigation drip tape, and landscape edging to be shredded on site by a company that makes plastic lumber for decking and outdoor furniture. With the help of 50 Master Gardener volunteers, the event netted a staggering 21.5 tons of plastic! Another weekend is already in the works, and we're hoping maybe you'll be inspired to help get one started in your neck of the woods. To learn more, email patrice.peltier@ces.uwex.edu or call 414-525-5638.
CONSERVATION TIPS Go PAPERLESS Look up Phone Numbers on the computer and cancel Phone Books which accounts for 10% of the National Waste Stream.
Sign Up for On-Line Banking and choose not to get a paper copy of your bank statement.
Give an empty egg carton to a local farmer to reuse…keep cartons out of the trash.
Only print out needed pages on the computer.Cut down on paper usage.
Avoid using COVER PAGES on Fax Transmissions and save paper.
April 2009
Something to think about…read more from the web at:
GreenWorks Cleaners By Clorox A major challenge in getting people to go green is to overcome the perception that environmentally friendly goods don't work as well as conventional, nature-wilting products.
Clorox, having made its name in chlorine bleach, must be especially sensitive to that marketing hurdle. But the company stands by its claim that its new line of products GREEN WORKS Cleaners represents no compromise in performance. Made primarily from coconuts and lemon oil, cleaners in the Green Works line are formulated to be biodegradable and non-allergenic, and are packaged in bottles that can be recycled. Costing only about 50 cents more than old-school competitors, Green Works cleaners won't do much damage to your purse, either!
March 2009 The Members of The LenoxGarden Club Are cordially invited to attend: GREEN is BEAUTIFUL CONFERENCE Sponsored by: Southern BerkshireRegionalSchool District The Vreeland Institute Flying Cloud Institute 9:00 am April 16, 2009 Keynote Speaker: James P. Van Dyke Vice President of Environmental Sustainability Jiminy PeakMountain Resort
James P. Van Dyke Vice President of Environmental Sustainability Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort James P. VanDyke serves as Vice President of Environmental Sustainability of Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, in Hancock Massachusetts in the far western Berkshires.Jim is the chairman of Jiminy Peak’s Environmental “Green” Team and charged with ensuring Jiminy’s environmental issues are in the forefront of the minds of staff and guest: Climate change, reduction of our use of fossil fuels, conservation and preserving our pristine environment.Jim has stepped up to promote the resort’s “Forever Green” education program with tours of Jiminy Peak’s Sustainable Energy Center and the Wind Turbine – Zephyr at the resort and by invitation to schools, civic organizations and private groups. Under Jim’s guidance, Jiminy Peak has instituted resort-wide standards to help sustain or improve its environment for future generations. Two specific projects lead the effort in the arena of energy conservation and efficiency.First, Jiminy has one of the most energy efficient snow making systems in North America.Collaborating with Jiminy Peak’s President Brian Fairbanks on what is referred to as the “Pentti Head”, a patented snow making system, their snow making air to water ratio is one of the best in the business.Second, Jiminy Peak’s most ambitious project, the purchase and installation of the only 1.5 Megawatt wind turbine at a mountain resort in North America, possibly the world.The turbine was commissioned on August 15th, 2007.With energy costs in the millions already, Jiminy Peak is an example of private enterprise investing in wind power generation to keep energy costs down, and help to preserve our natural resources for generations to come. The Wind Turbine Project has allowed Jiminy Peak and it’s Environmental Team, to promote its use of conservation measures, the implementation of alternative energy generation and all of the other environmental sustainable programs that have been developed and implemented over Jiminy’s history. When asked how he would best describe his journey from “Liftie” to V.P. he would use the phrase “I am always looking for new adventures, but mostly I’m trainable”.
February 2009 LOCATE Multi-Flora Rose NOW
The winter months are a perfect time for spotting and locating the Multi Flora Rose on your property.Locate them and mark them for removal.An in depth look and more information on this invasive weed:
Common Name:multiflora rose Scientific Name: Rosa multiflora Thunb.ex Murr. Family Name: Rosaceae - Rose Family
January 2009 Go GREEN II Flower Show Conservation Exhibit Opportunity
THE ANSWER IS BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND An examination of current wind power projects in BerkshireCounty and beyond. Project description, location, energy output.Is this our future?
15 December 2008 REDUCE, RE-USE & RECYCLE This holiday season
This holiday season take steps to reduce household waste while not limiting your holiday cheer. 1. When out shopping be sure to bring you own tote bag rather than accept the store’s bag for your purchases.Be sure to check the packaging for the items that you are purchasing…Less packaging means less waste in our landfills. 2. If your town recycles Christmas Trees by all means bring it for chipping. And be sure to remove all decoration.If not… use the branches for mulching or place the tree near your bird feeders for added protection for visiting birds to your feeder. 3. Recycle boxes and cartons from holiday gift giving…be sure to separate corrugated cardboard.Bundle it and take to your recycling center. 4. Try not to use wrapping paper.Add a bow to a holiday bag or tote.These bags and totes are recyclable.Save them for another year.Give gifts in baskets or containers…Wrap items in pretty holiday tea towels. 5. Try to buy Greeting Cards made from recycled paper…Look for the highest post consumer content that you can find.Use postcards and eliminate envelopes and excess paper.Clip holiday cards for your next years gift tags. 6. Having a Holiday party? Forget the disposable paper plates, paper napkins, plastic utensils and the styrofoam cups…Bring out your cloth napkins, china and silverware.It will not only look more elegant it will help save the environment. Happy Holidays Everyone, MaryEllen
15 November 2008 Corn from Ethanol… Is It Eating Up US Conservation Land
Check out the on-line info below by clicking on the link below:
15 October 2008 Skip the bottled water Bottled Water generates large amounts of container waste…Why not consider the following:Use a water filter and purify your own tap water and fill a reusable water bottle, preferably a metal container rather than a plastic one and keep it with you at all times.It’s economical and environmental sound.
September 15, 2008 The following information is from the “DCR August Citizen Forester” ALB Found In Massachusetts As of Friday August 1, 2008 Asian Longhorned Beetle Anoplophora glabripennis was officially added to the growing list of invasive pests in Massachusetts. Residents of the Greendale section of Worcester reported finding Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) in their neighborhood. Click on ALB Regulated Area for a map of the quarantine area. Nursery stock, wood and plant debris from tree species affected by ALB are prohibited from being transported out of the quarantine area. Preferred Host Tree Species: all Maples, Elm, Willow, Horse Chestnut, Poplars and Birch; other less preferred trees species include: Linden, London Plane, Mountain Ash, Hackberry and Mimosa.
Description: adult ALB is .75” to 1.5” in body length, very long antenna with each segment alternating between black & white. Shiny black in color with crisp white spots on wing covers. Larvae are typical of round-headed borers and feed in vascular area before boring into sapwood & heartwood to pupate. Exit hole of adult beetle is a 3/8”-1/2” round hole.
Resources for Asian Longhorned Beetle Information in Massachusetts City of Worcester: Office of the City Manager www.ci.worcester.ma.us/cmo/beetles.htm 508–929–1300 Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Report ALB sightings at: www.massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or call 617–626–1779 (Pest Alert Hotline) UMass Extension www.umassgreeninfo.org
August 15, 2008 The following information is from the GCA website Conservation Committee “PLANTWISE”. More information is available from:www.beplantwise.org 1. Know your plants. Find out which plants cause problems in parks or natural areas in your region to know which species to avoid. 2. Use non-invasive alternatives. Ask a nursery about non-invasive plant alternatives. Native plants often have similar characteristics to invasives without the damaging ecological side effects. 3. Watch out for invasive plant hitchhikers. Check clothes, belongings and vehicles for seeds and pieces of plants that attach and drop somewhere new. 4. Have a care if you share. Many invasive plants move around because they are attractive garden plants. Do not share cuttings, seedlings or plants that are invasive with neighbors and friends. 5. Use only seed mixes that are invasive plant-free. Check the ingredients of seed mixes to make sure invasive plants are not included. Buy seed mixes from reputable sources that guarantee the purity and content of their seed. Take your regional native plant list with you when you buy the mix. Plantwise Guidelines 6. Use weed-free soil and mulch mix. Some invasive plants are introduced because they were contaminants in landfill soil and mulch mixes. Purchase from reputable manufacturers that guarantee the purity or weed-free content of their soil and mulch mixes. Look for a tag that says “Certified weed-free.” 7. Be especially careful with aquatic plants. Don’t just dump them! Invasive aquatic plants are often introduced as attractive water garden and aquarium decorations. 8. Keep an eye on new sprouts and volunteers. Invasive plants can come from anywhere and spread very quickly. Some make attractive additions to our gardens but can spread very quickly by producing lots of seedlings. Control your invasive garden plants by hand pulling or mowing unwanted seedlings to prevent them from growing to maturity. Be aware of what is coming up in your yard and take care to control these new invasives. 9. Dispose of invasive plants carefully. When disposing of invasive plant material consider whether there are any seeds, fruits or cuttings that could re-sprout. At a minimum, bag these materials to help prevent their spread. If it is permitted in your area and can be safely done, consider burning the plant material. 10. If you can’t part with your invasive plant, remember – contain it, control it or cage it. Please be responsible. If you have a plant in your garden that has invasive tendencies, take special steps to keep it in your garden such as inserting root barriers, trimming regularly or harvesting fruits or seeds before they are spread.
July 15, 2008 Use a Timer on your Water Heater
Decide when you need your hot water the most and set the timer…for instance: an hour in the early morning and 2 hours in the late afternoon. You will reduce your use by 21 hours.And you will have plenty of hot water.More info available at:www.thedailygreen.com
June 15, 2008 Recycle Old Hoses! By Anne Fredericks
One of the largest problem in world landfills are items made of rubber or hard polymers that imitate rubber: tires of all kinds, baby diapers and the seemingly innocuous garden hose.
These items, manufactured to last—do! They are exceedingly difficult to break down, so they do not decompose when added to a landfill or garbage dump. Before you throw your garden hoses in the garbage, there are many useful ways to recycle them.
My favorite use for old hose is to cut pieces to size to fit the handles of pails and buckets. They become easy to grasp, especially if you have any arthritis in your hands. Carrying loads of water or kitchen scraps for compost becomes much easier.
In your garage, tool room or storage area, a chain or piece of heavy wire threaded through a length of hose and screwed to the wall becomes a great holder for driveway markers or tomato and bean poles. In larger lengths they are useful for holding lumber in place. You could also use this configuration to hang your watering can or other items with a hook when floor or surface space is at a premium. For slugs and earwigs, smaller 3” pieces of hose may be cut and placed in the infested areas in the evening. The critters climb in to this dark, damp space to make a home. In the early morning, collect your pieces, flush out the offenders and repeat the process as needed. Garden loppers will cut a hose with ease.
If you have too much old hose, after you have cut what you have to size, share the bounty with your neighbors. Landfill excess is a growing problem that will effect all communities and all our neighbors.
May 15, 2008 Grass Clippings
Leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. They contain 6% nitrogen and leaving them scattered over the lawn can reduce fertilizer rates 50% or more.
Source: Garden Clippings, horticultural newsletter, March-October 2008, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
April 15, 2008 Save Energy
Switch to cold water washing and save 80 percent on energy used for laundry and save an estimated $60 a year. Hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer and save 700 pounds of C02 a year.
March 15, 2008 More on Rain Barrels Why do I need a Rain Barrel?
Residential irrigation can account for 40% of domestic water consumption in a given municipality. Rain barrels not only store water they help decrease the demand during the sweltering summer months
February 15, 2008 Rain Barrels Have you been paying high water bills in the peak of summer lately? Why not install a rain barrel to collect all that "free soft water" containing no chlorine, lime or calcium, coming off your roof? We all realize the need for conserving water to help protect the environment, and this will save you money as well. Jytte Brooks
January 15, 2008 Looking Back at the Holidays and Forward to 2008 Are you tired of buying and disposing of reams of wrapping paper for Christmas, Birthday and Special Events? Consider making simple colorful cloth bags of varying sizes that can be used over and over. Insert your gift then add a beautiful ribbon and VOILA! No more paper to buy and throw away. There you have a conservation idea we all can use and feel good about. Joann's Fabrics has a great selection of patterns and textures. Have Fun! Watch for another conservation idea in the next newsletter. Ideas welcome Juliet Emery julietemery@gmail.com