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

Many people feel that their isn’t much they can do to save energy and help save the planet.  Common excuses I hear while at events are, I don’t own a home (I rent), or I already replaced my windows, or had a home energy assessment.  However there is a lot more that you can do.  There are many actions that anyone can take, see some of our challenge actions for examples, or watch the video below for more simple tips on what you CAN do to save energy, money, and the planet!

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

Check out this video about eco-transportation programs in Paris, France!  They have a bicycle-sharing program, that has a mix of public and private funding, along with an all electric car-sharing program.  How long until this is available in the states?

http://www.upworthy.com/see-the-car-thats-twice-as-green-as-your-prius

A while ago, I saw an instructional video in the explore stream on Google+ on how to use paper towels.  At first I thought it was a joke, another funny video, but I was wrong.  It was actually a video on how to dry your hands using only ONE paper towel!  Just remember shake and fold.  Try it, it really works!

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

What is your preferred search engine?  Google?  Yahoo?  Bing?  Did you know that there are search engines that donate portions of their profits to helping the environment?  And that these search engines are powered by the same great search engines you already know?

EcoSearch is powered by Google and donates to and supports the Sierra Club, TreePeople, National Resource Defense Council, Heal the Bay, and the Rainforest Alliance.

Ecosia is powered by Bind and Yahoo, and donates to World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) to help save the Rainforest in the Amazon.

Ecosearch.co is powered by Google, that planets trees based.  They also planet 2 trees for each like on Facebook, so like away.

Below is a video on how Ecosia works, for more information visit each search site!

Last time you went to your mailbox, how much junk mail did you get?  1 piece, 2, 3, more?  About 100 million trees are used in the production of junk mail each year.  So do yourself and the planet a favor unsubscribe!

Most people don’t know that there a number of website, and even some apps (for Android and iPhone) that allow you to unsubscribe.  So check out the links below, each website has it’s own advantages, and start saving paper!

• http://ww35.proquo.com/

• https://www.dmachoice.org/

• https://www.catalogchoice.org/

• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.readabl.paperkarma&hl=en

• http://www.geekwire.com/2012/paperkarma-mobile-app-stops-junk-mail-tracks-simple-photo-click/

Image Source: http://phoenix.gov/publicworks/recycling/junkmail.html 

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

Would you like to start composting and want some tips? Check out this video from Scott Meyer, Editor of Organic Gardening Magazine. Click here: how to compost.