Are Bicycle Cities the new green?

Driving around Atlanta, you'll start to notice that there are more areas popping up with bicycle lanes to accommodate our fellow bike riding citizens. Take Atlantic Station for example, where I have yet to actually see anyone riding a bike. The concept is great and even though it hasn't taken off yet in our beautiful traffic congested city, could Bicycle Cities be the new green? Gaston, South Carolina has a planned bicycle-only development, which will not allow cars, will be home to 10 eco-friendly houses and 4.5 miles of interconnected bicycle and walking trails. Read about this bicycle city here. I'm not sure if I'm ready to trade in my car garage for a bike rack but to each his own. Would you be open to moving to a community like this? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this one!

How to make safe Natural Sunblock

Ladies (and gents) pool season is among us and though I dread sitting out in near 100 degree weather, pretending to look cute while sweating profusely....I have a child who loves going to the pool! This year, I plan to go the au natural route (for sunblock of course) and see if natural sunblock is just as good as the store bought ones.


Cruising on eHow, I actually found three recipies for natural sunblock that you can make yourself:

 

Things You'll Need:

• Coconut oil
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Aloe vera juice
• Helichrysum Oil
• Chamomile Oil 

Option 1: There are many different recipes for natural sunblock. One simple type of natural sunblock is a combination of aloe vera juice and coconut oil, mixed in half and half proportions, and applied to exposed areas of skin every hour or so.

Option 2: Helichrysum is an essential oil that is very effective as a natural sunblock, but is also very potent. It can be mixed with coconut or olive oil and applied every few hours. Approximately 4 drops of Helichrysum Oil should be used for every 100 drops of coconut or olive oil.

Option 3: A slightly more complicated formula for natural sunblock is as follows: 1 oz coconut oil, 1 oz extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 oz aloe vera juice, 5 drops Helichrysum Oil, and 3 drops Chamomile Oil. This mixture should be applied every hour or so for best results.

Demand Complete Reform of the Failing Kimberley Process to Prevent Conflict Diamonds

People always wonder what they can do to help create change in this world. They see terrible things happening in the news and say "wow that's such a shame" and then it's back to the hustle and bustle of their everyday life. Well if you are one of those people, here is your chance to contribute...use this link to sign the petition to ask for reform in the Kimberly Process. See info below from the co-founder of Brilliant Earth:

Over the past few months, shocking events have occurred that demonstrate the flaws in the international system to keep conflict diamonds off the market. We are writing to share some news you may not have heard, and to ask that you take a moment to help put a stop to outrageous human rights abuses that have taken place in Zimbabwe.



The Kimberley Process is the international certification scheme intended to combat the problem of conflict diamonds. Established in 2003, the Kimberley Process is supposed to ensure that diamond mining does not contribute to war, oppression, and suffering. Certification by the Kimberly Process adds the international community's "stamp of approval" to a diamond's origins and opens the door to the global marketplace.

The Kimberley Process is currently certifying Zimbabwean diamonds as "conflict-free" despite clear evidence that mining for the gemstones has led to serious human rights abuses. As we shared on our blog, the Zimbabwean military under President Robert Mugabe has seized control of the country's diamond mines and has used forced labor, murder, and torture to keep production going. The profits from these diamonds are helping Mugabe's authoritarian regime continue, and rough gems are being exchanged directly for arms that go to supply Mugabe's military.


The Kimberley Process has shown that it is unwilling to take action and continues to certify Zimbabwean diamonds. Meanwhile, the diamond industry continues to back the Kimberley Process. Recently, industry veteran Martin Rapaport resigned from the World Diamond Council, a diamond industry trade group, in protest over how the industry has turned a blind eye to human rights abuses in Zimbabwe's diamond fields. Even though Rapaport helped create the Kimberley Process, he lamented that it "has become a process for the systematic legalization and legitimization of blood diamonds."


When oversight systems break down, it is up to retailers and consumers to make their voices heard. Both should demand to know with certainty the origin of every diamond in the global supply chain and the conditions under which each and every diamond has been mined. At Brilliant Earth, we have been working since 2005 to build a more eco- and people-friendly model for the production of fine jewelry. Today, we ask that you join in our efforts.

Please sign our petition demanding complete reform of the Kimberly Process. The Kimberley Process must broaden its mandate to sufficiently address human rights abuses in the diamond trade. Most importantly, it should incorporate worker exploitation, violence, child labor, and environmental destruction.


Please take a second to forward this petition to friends, family, and anyone considering the purchase of a diamond.


Sincerely,


Beth Gerstein


Co-founder of Brilliant Earth

Conflict free diamonds are a girls best friend

Well, well...just when I thought buying diamonds would conflict with my new eco-friendly lifestyle, revelation in the form of an e-mail saves me from my grief and leads me to Brilliant Earth, a jewelry company committed to providing only the highest quality luxury products without sacrificing social and environmental responsibility. Music to my soon-to-be conflict free diamond encrusted ear lobes!!! Brilliant Earth's mission focuses on three important facets:



Providing Quality
Brilliant Earth provides the highest quality jewelry originating from pure sources and harvested using socially responsible practices.


Fostering Change
Brilliant Earth provides education about the social and environmental issues affecting the jewelry industry and identifies ways to help.


Promoting Growth
Brilliant Earth supports underdeveloped communities ravaged by the jewelry industry by donating a share of our profits.

Sustainable way of living (introduction)

GA Lawmakers Pass Water Bill

The Georgia 2010 Legislature passed the Georgia Water Stewardship Act, a water conservation plan based on recommendations from the Governor’s Water Contingency Task Force. A majority of the Act’s provisions take effect in July 2012 and coincide with a federal court order requiring that Georgia reach a water-sharing agreement with Alabama and Florida by July 2012 or face significant reduced withdrawals from Lake Lanier. The water conservation measures include:

• By August 2010, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division (EPD) must examine its programs and identify opportunities for water conservation.
• Beginning in 2011, outdoor watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Farms, personal food gardens, nurseries, golf courses, and athletic fields are exempt from this provision.
• By 2012, public water systems serving at least 10,000 individuals, and by 2013, all other public water systems, must conduct a water loss audit applying EPD’s minimum standards and best practices.
• By July 2012, builders will have to use high-efficiency plumbing fixtures in all new construction and “submetering” to measure water use.

The Act also creates a 12-member committee to investigate opportunities to create additional water supplies, including reservoirs.

INFO: Contact Alice Miller-Keyes at 912-262-3185 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              912-262-3185      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Preserve the Planet: Go for Green Furniture

In the wake of dramatic climate changes and global ecological downgrade, more people have resorted to using green furniture. The manufacture, materials, marketing, and distribution involved in these eco-friendly furniture have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, logging activities, and land waste disposal, thus, supporting earth preservation initiatives.

Most eco-friendly furniture such as beds, desks, chairs, and tables have bamboo plywood as its base material. Being the fastest growing plant in the world and considered a type of grass, bamboo is perhaps the most efficient material to use in eco-friendly furniture. In addition, it does not require replanting, unlike traditional hardwoods. Mature bamboos bear an extensive root system that continually sends up new shoots without any external manipulation. Highly adaptable to eco-friendly manufacturing processes, bamboo plywood is exceptionally durable and lasting.

Along with bamboo, the inner structure for most green furniture is made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified woods such as maple. The FSC safeguards the forests by focusing on specific practices associated with growing and harvesting trees including the provision of stream buffers, the prevention of soil erosion, and the protection of wildlife. Thus, consumers can be assured that FSC certified materials come from eco-friendly processes that do not contribute to the destruction of the environment.

Going for eco-friendly furniture does not only help reduce damages to the environment, it can also be an active statement to pursue environmental preservation initiatives. Celebrities such as George Clooney, Edward Norton, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Natalie Portman have actively endorsed eco-friendly alternatives such as hybrid cars and green furniture. It just goes to show that anyone can do their part to help save the planet.

Resource Box:

Viesso, a Los Angeles, CA-based company, offers eco-friendly alternatives for traditional furniture. Typically made from recycled organic materials and safe processes, Viesso’s green furniture are both stylish and durable. Learn more about The Viesso Way by visiting http://www.viesso.com/ or call (310) 453-3604 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (310) 453-3604      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.