Algae lamps have the abilityto collect more CO2 than trees.  Energy production through algae plants is being researched, and there are products like lamps being designed and developed to harness this energy. Researchers at Stanford have been studying the electrical current that algae plants produce during photosynthesis, a plants way of creating energy by converting sunlight into chemical energy.  Scientists have been developing lamps that will generate electricity from algae, and are revolutionizing the way we produce energy. So Cool!

These lamps work by collecting CO2 and sunlight, which causes the algae to undergo photosynthesis. During the photosynthesis process, the algae lamp charges a battery that will then release light. I think lamps like these will be a great way to reduce electricity consumption from dirty energy like coal, oil, and gas. The lamps even look cool, while at the same time making the air cleaner and lighting the world.

http://www.earthtechling.com/2010/06/light-up-latro-algae-pet-lights-looks-like-beaker-of-green-goo/

http://news.stanford.edu/news/2010/april/electric-current-plants-041310.html

I love Girl Scouts!  Not only do I love the organization and what they are doing for girls, but I also love their cookies.  After all, who doesn’t love Girl Scout cookies?  However, I now have a new reason to love Girl Scout Cookies.  For those of you who have already purchased them this year, you may have noticed new packaging:

In the past Girl Scout Cookies were purchased by the box, but this year they are being sold as packages.  For most varieties of cookies, the only difference you will notice is the package in place of a box.  However for two varieties of Girl Scout Cookies, Thanks-A-Lot and Lemonades, you will notice that the cookies come in actual recyclable film, which is similar to the film cookies are normally bagged in, inside the paperboard boxes.  ABC Bakers, which is one of two licensed bakers of Girl Scout Cookies, started the new packaging in 2010 with only the Thanks-A-Lot Girl Scout Cookie.  They estimate that this change saved 150 tons of paperboard from the trash!  It also allowed them to ship more cookie packages per truck saving approximately 2,600 gallons of diesel a year!  However don’t worry too much about the paperboard packaging, as it is recyclable as well.

Turning to the side of the cookie package, you will notice a GreenPalm Sustainability logo.  This means that both ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers are official members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which is committed to producing sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible palm oil.  This means that all of the palm oil used in Girl Scout Cookies is sourced from RSPO.

In addition to sustainable packaging and palm oil, some varieties of Girl Scout Cookies made by ABC Bakers are also vegan.  Vegan food is more environmentally-friendly because it doesn’t have the large carbon-footprint made by animals.  Our vegan cookie-lovers will be please to know that they can enjoy the Thin Mint, Thank-A-Lot, Lemonades, and Peanut Butter Patties Girl Scout Cookies.

And there is one more environmentally-friendly reason to love Girl Scout Cookies: when a Girl Scout Troop in the Eastern Mass Council (which is most of the SouthCoast Energy Challenge area) sells at least 24 packages of cookies, Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass (GSEM) will symbolically adopt a dolphin from the National Wildlife Federation!  Now what did you say your favorite Girl Scout Cookie was?  Mine is Carmel DeLites!

http://www.abcsmartcookies.com/

http://www.abcsmartcookies.com/earth-friendly-practices

http://www.abcsmartcookies.com/out-of-the-box

http://www.girlscoutcookies.org

http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/pdf/2012_new_cookie_box.pdf

http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/faq.asp

http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/cookies/Cookie-Book.pdf

Gerard Moliné, a product designer in Barcelona has designed a more environmentally-friendly way to leave the planet, and transition to the next life, nothingness, or whatever else awaits our bodiless spirits.  It’s called the Bio Urn (or Urna Bios in Spanish) and it’s made of composted coconut shell, compacted peat and cellulose, with tree seeds inside.  After the ashes are added, the urn is then planted and a tree grows in memory of the deceased.  Personally, I’m intrigued by the possibility of tree cemeteries (or should I say forests) instead of our current tombstone cemeteries.  What do you think?  Could you see yourself using a Bio Urn?

http://bigthink.com/design-for-good/this-awesome-urn-will-turn-you-into-a-tree-after-you-die

http://www.gerardmoline.com/

Lately I’ve been realizing that I seem to be going to the gas station a lot more often than I was a few months ago.  At first I thought it was because I was driving more, but then I looked at my car’s computer and realized that my MPGs were lower.  Has anyone else ever realized that your car used more gas in the winter?

I did some research to try and found out why.  I learned that there are three main reasons for lower MPGs in the winter.  I also included a link to a useful article below.

1.  In the winter the many people start up their cars earlier before driving so that the car will be warm, and in order to help melt the snow while cleaning off their cars.

2. Oil is thicker increasing friction and decreasing engine efficiency.

3. Gasoline is a mixture of different chemicals, and in the winter gasoline tends to contain more butane while lowers efficiency.

As for increasing MPGs, check out the second link with tips for pumping gas.  Let us know if they work?

http://www.lockergnome.com/technobabble/2013/01/18/winters-effect-on-the-fuel-efficiency-of-the-toyota-prius-ford-c-max-and-other-hybrids/

http://onemansblog.com/2007/12/12/tips-on-pumping-gas/

Our dependency on petroleum is filthy and has caused irreversible destruction, yet as a nation we are still trying to find ways to get deeper into the ground and pump more oil into our homes, cars, and industry.

The Keystone XL Pipeline is a proposed 1700 mile pipeline that if approved would pump 700,000 barrels of dirty, carbon heavy tarsands oil from  Alberta Canada through the U.S. , to refineries on the Gulf Coast. The construction of this pipeline would have a horrible environmental impact. The tarsands pipeline will spill, threaten fragile environments, increase American dependency on oil, and it won’t created nearly the number of jobs it promised.

The current Keystone XL pipeline that had been up and running since 2010 has leaked more than a dozen times including one leak that dumped 21,000 gallons of tarsands crude. The new Keystone XL pipeline would carry 35 million gallons of oil every day. A pipeline carrying that much oil has the potential for any leak to be catastrophic. That much oil could begin passed through hundreds of miles of precious forests, landscapes, and bodies of water. For example, the Ogallala Aquifer is at risk for contamination if the tarsand pipeline is built , which is drinking source for millions of people. Also, the pipeline will aid in the destruction of Canada’s boreal forests. These ecosystems are too fragile to put at risk.

At what cost can we keep feeding our addiction to fossil fuels? How can we afford to use 3 gallons of water to produce one gallon of oil? The deeper we dig for oil, the more dangerous it is. Can we afford another ExxonMobil or BP spill? We need tell Congress Keystone XL is NOT in the public interest and we want to reduce our carbon emissions, invest in sustainable energy, and lessen the impact of climate change.

Great change has happened in our world because the people have come together to advocate and fight for change.  Get to an action or a protest to stand up for our environment!

The other day I picked up some frozen corn from the grocery store. It came in a convenient microwave steamer package and I thought I’d give it a try. Upon steaming it up for dinner I was amazed at how good it tasted. Not being much of a frozen corn girl – the last time I had it was when I was a kid – I was amazed at how much flavor it had. How did they do it? Was it natural? Perhaps a GMO product? So, I did a little research on the prevalence of GMO products and found a good article on WebMD sighting some interesting information.

“Experts say 60% to 70% of processed foods on U.S. grocery shelves have genetically modified ingredients. The most common genetically modified foods are soybeans, maize, cotton, and rapeseed oil. That means many foods made in the U.S. containing field corn or high-fructose corn syrup, such as many breakfast cereals, snack foods, and the last soda you drank; foods made with soybeans (including some baby foods); and foods made with cottonseed and canola oils could likely have genetically modified ingredients.

Researchers from the Food Policy Institute at Rutgers’ Cook College found that only 52% of Americans realized that genetically modified foods are sold in grocery stores and only 26% believed that they have ever eaten genetically modified foods — a modest 6% increase since 2001. ”

GMO Food risks include:

• Introducing allergens and toxins to food
• Accidental contamination between genetically modified and non-genetically modified foods
• Antibiotic resistance
• Adversely changing the nutrient content of a crop
• Creation of “super” weeds and other environmental risks

Benefits include:

• Increased pest and disease resistance
• Drought tolerance
• Increased food supply

Find out more here:  webmd article

Also check out Friends of the Earth website: http://www.foe.org/

Study done with GMO corn on mice: gmo corn and mice

Well the world didn’t end on December 21, 2012, so you can all stop worrying now, Right?  Wrong!  Below is a video on the very real ways the world could “end” (aka disaster striking) within your lifetime.

http://www.upworthy.com/5-horrible-things-that-are-going-to-happen-because-of-climate-change-in-your-lif

Are you looking for a green job in SouthCoast Ma? Well, here are 3 Green Job Opportunities that you can apply for now!!!

1)
SOUTHCOAST ENERGY CHALLENGE LEAD COMMUNITY ORGANIZER (Resume and cover letter due January 15, 2013)
The SouthCoast Energy Challenge is a regional energy savings campaign. The goal is to engage people from all backgrounds across SouthCoast MA, to reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions, and enhance long-term community sustainability. Project staff will encourage individual action and promote friendly competition among towns, schools, churches, and other community organizations. Project strategies include public education and marketing, direct- and non-direct action organizing, community outreach and e-based social marketing.  The Lead Organizer’s primary focus will be to develop and coordinate a volunteer base, and manage the organizing interns.  The position will be salaried, at a competitive rate, based on experience. The ideal candidate would commit to the Challenge for at least one year, ideally staying on board into the future. This position will start as early as February 4th, 2013. For more information, please visit www.southcoastenergychallenge.org/blog/ or contact the SouthCoast Energy Challenge with any questions, at info@southcoastenergychallenge.org, or at (508) 910-1871. (Submissions considered on rolling basis.)
Lead Community Organizer: Click Here for the Full Description
2)
SOUTHCOAST ENERGY CHALLENGE COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ORGANIZING INTERNSHIP – Winter 2013 (Resume and cover letter due January 15, 2013)
The primary focus of the SouthCoast Energy Challenge Outreach & Organizing Interns will be community engagement through canvassing and tabling at events, to spread awareness and increase participation in the Challenge. Interns will work closely with the Program Coordinators to organize and promote the Challenge in all of SouthCoast, MA. Some of the work will be in our Dartmouth Town Hall office, but predominantly, the Organizing Team will be expected to work in the community at large. We are seeking college-aged or older applicants for these positions, and request a one-semester commitment with the possibility of staying on into the Spring and Summer of 2013.  Beginning February 4, 2012, schedules will be flexible in consideration of school commitments.  Some weekday office hours will be assigned.  All interns will be required to work evenings and weekends.  Interns will work a total of 10-15 hours per week.  For more information, visit www.southcoastenergychallenge.org/blog/, call 508-910-1871, or contact info@southcoastenergychallenge.org.  (Submissions considered on rolling basis.)

SEC Winter Internship: Click Here for the Full Description

(The SouthCoast Energy Challenge is a project of SEEAL (Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance). Lead SEEAL partners in the Challenge include: Marion Institute, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Sustainability Office, SRPEDD, SEMAP, and the Ocean Explorium. SEEAL is a program fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts.)

3)
SEEAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT (Resume and cover letter due January 15, 2013)
SEEAL (Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance) is seeking a full-time (about 35 hours per week) Administrative Assistant to work with our Executive Director, to perform basic accounting and administrative functions.  S/he will work with software programs to include Microsoft Office software, FIMS, Basecamp, and WordPress.  This is an opportunity to get involved with a premier, collaborative, regional sustainability organization.  This will be an independent contractor position–the pay rate will account for insurance, and benefits, but not self-employer costs.  Ideal candidate will commit to at least one year.  The individual will work mostly weekdays, 9-5, and some evenings and weekends.  Please send a resume & cover letter to jmarshall@seeal.org, or send to SEEAL, 63 Union Street, New Bedford, MA. (Submissions considered on rolling basis.)

SEEAL Administrative Assistant: Click Here for the Full Description

ENTRY & VIDEO REQUIREMENTS:

Content: The film must fit within the contest and festival’s theme, “Sustainable Living.” It can focus on any subject relating to sustainability such as: energy efficiency, renewable energy, buying local foods, green transportation, global climate change, etc.

Check out www.southcoastenergychallenge.org, for ideas. The film can focus on living—at school, at home, during the holidays, in a day, etc.

Length: The film should be a minimum of two minutes long and should be no longer than 7 minutes.

Format: The film can be live action, 2-D, 3-D, or stop motion animated. All entries should be submitted on a DVD with the film’s script, and all participation waivers (will be provided) by mail, to the SouthCoast Energy Challenge, at the following address:

SouthCoast Energy Challenge

63 Union St.

New Bedford, MA 02740

Credits: All forms of media (photographs, music, video clips, etc.) used in the film that were not created by the students must be credited in the film’s end credits.

SouthCoast Energy Challenge Resources: Once your entry form has been received you will be emailed an invitation to a shared dropbox.com folder. The folder will contain some important information as well as some useful resources. The participation waivers you need to submit for everyone appearing in your film will be stored here. Also, SouthCoast Energy Challenge logos, brochures, image files, and other resources that you may use in your project if you wish to, will be in this folder. You are not obligated to use any of the design elements in this folder but you must use the participation waivers, there. NOTE: This folder is a resource that will be used by all the teams so please do not edit any of the original files. Instead, make a copy of the folder and store it on your own computer or flash drive and make any edits from there.

Waivers: Anyone who appears (or in the case of animations–speaks) in the film must sign a SEC waiver, which must be submitted with the DVD and script by the film submission deadline. NOTE: Anybody appearing in the film who is under 18, must have their parent/guardian sign a waiver to give them permission to participate in the film.

TIMELINE & DEADLINES:

One-hour information sessions:

-November 28^th at BCC 800 Purchase St. New Bedford, MA from 6:30 to 8:00pm

-December 5th at Bristol Community College’s Green Center, Fall River Campus from 6:30 to 8:00pm

If you’d be interested in attending an info. session please RSVP to jennifer.challenge@gmail.com

Entry forms due: February 1st, 2013

Film Submissions due: March 1st, 2013

Top five films announced: April 1st, 2013

Public screening of top five films: April 11th, at Location TBA

NOTE: Entries (form and film) must be postmarked by the deadline date. Late submissions will not be accepted.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS:

Participants should be students, grades 9-12, at a school in Southeastern MA—in one of the following cities or towns: Acushnet, Attleboro, Berkley, Carver, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Mansfield, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, New Bedford, North Attleboro, Norton, Plainville, Raynham, Rehoboth, Rochester, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, Wareham, or Westport.

Students can work individually or in teams, as long as each team member’s information is listed on the official entry form.

Outside actors can be used in the film, and students are allowed to work with a teacher as an advisor. However, student participants listed on the entry form must be the ones writing, directing, shooting, and editing the film.

Entry Forms: Entry forms (at end of this packet) must be filled out completely and mailed by the deadline date to the SouthCoast Energy Challenge.

SELECTION PROCESS, SCREENINGS, AND PRIZES:

After all submissions are received on March 1st, a committee made up of SouthCoast Energy Challenge staff and community members will view and judge the films.

The selected top five films will be announced on April 1^st, 2013, and screened for the public on April 11th, 2013, at location TBA. At the end of the screening, the overall winning film will be announced and the students will be given their prize.

The top 5 films will also be posted on YouTube, and added to the SouthCoast Energy Challenge website for the public to watch.

The prize for the winning film is $500—a $250 cash prize, as well as a $250 donation in the student’s name to their choice of school club, non-profit organization, or charity. All participants must list their donation recipient on their entry form.

Download the Official Entry form here:Challenge Video Contest__Info & Entry Form111512