Viridescence - be green!

  As the holiday season approaches, it's essential to celebrate in a way that is mindful of our impact on the environment. The festive period often comes with increased energy consumption, excessive waste, and a higher carbon footprint. However, with a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy a joyful holiday season while minimizing your environmental impact. Here are ten eco-friendly ways to reduce your carbon footprint during the holiday season. 1. Choose Sustainable Decorations: Opt for reusable or biodegradable decorations instead of single-use items. Invest in durable, timeless ornaments and decorations that can be used year after year. Consider DIY projects using recycled materials to add a personal touch to your festive decor. 2. LED Lights and Timers: Replace traditional incandescent holiday lights with energy-efficient LED lights. LEDs consume less energy and have a longer lifespan. Additionally, use timers to limit the time your lights are on, ensuring they aren't needle

  REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT DURING THE HOLIDAYS By Amy Bradley Published 11/06/23. Revised 11/13/23. As you prepare for holiday travel, keep in mind these tips to help reduce your carbon footprint. Before hitting the road, ensure your vehicle is tuned up and running efficiently. Consider using a fuel-efficient vehicle or even walking around town for short distances. Make sure to turn off any electronics before you leave home to save energy.  Small actions like these can go a long way in reducing your impact on the environment while enjoying the holiday season. MAINTAIN YOUR VEHCILE Tuning up a vehicle before embarking on a journey is crucial for several reasons. It helps ensure that the vehicle is in good condition, reducing the risk of breakdowns or accidents while on the road. It also increases fuel efficiency, saving money on gas expenses.  Additionally, a tune-up can identify any underlying issues that may require attention, preventing further damage to the vehicle. Ultimately, havin

Upcycling Your Pumpkin: A Sustainable Approach to Halloween By Amy Bradley, October 5, 2023 As Halloween approaches, people around the world are excitedly preparing for spooky celebrations and creative costumes. However, this festive season often leads to a concerning amount of waste, particularly in the form of discarded pumpkins. Instead of letting your pumpkin end up in a landfill, why not embrace the concept of upcycling? In this article, we will explore how you can avoid waste this Halloween season by upcycling your pumpkin into fun and sustainable creations. How Can You Upcycle Your Pumpkin? Embrace Composting One of the easiest and most environmentally friendly ways to utilize your pumpkin is through composting. Instead of throwing it in the trash, consider adding it to your compost pile or bin. Pumpkin waste is rich in organic matter and nutrients, which can greatly benefit your garden or plants. By composting your pumpkin, you not only reduce waste but also create nutr

Protecting Your Plants: Essential Tips for Surviving a Heat Wave  By Amy Bradley, August, 14, 2023, Oakridge, Oregon As the scorching heat of summer intensifies, it's crucial to safeguard your beloved plants from the damaging effects of a heat wave. With a little extra care and attention, you can ensure their survival and keep your garden thriving. Let’s explore some essential tips to help you protect your plants during these challenging times.   Watering Watering is the key to keeping your plants hydrated and resilient during a heat wave. Increase the frequency of watering, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Water early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize evaporation. Consider using a drip irrigation system or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the roots, reducing waste. Mulching  Mulching is a fantastic technique to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or straw, aro

  Sunscreen Harms Coral Reefs By Amy Bradley, July 27, 2023 Sunscreen helps protect our skin from harmful UV rays. However, it is important to be aware of the potential harm it can cause to aquatic life. When we swim or engage in water activities, sunscreen can wash off our bodies and enter the water, leading to various negative effects on marine ecosystems.   One of the main concerns is the presence of certain chemicals in sunscreen, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. ( NOAA , n.d.) These chemicals have been found to be harmful to coral reefs, which are vital ecosystems supporting a diverse range of marine life. Studies have shown that even small concentrations of these chemicals can cause coral bleaching, disrupt coral reproduction, and ultimately lead to the death of coral reefs. ( NCBI, 2008)   Additionally, sunscreen chemicals can also have adverse effects on other aquatic organisms. For example, they can interfere with the development and reproduction of fish, disrupt th

Celebrate World Environment Day today by doing a good deed for the environment. Good deeds include: 1. Pick up trash 2. Carpool 3. Walk instead of drive 4. Support a local farmer 5. Conserve energy and water

  WATER POLLUTION: HELP KEEP STREAMS, RIVERS, AND OCEANS CLEAN Revision of October 2018 post Storm water is water and snow melt that does not soak into the ground. Storm water eventually runs off into the waterways. The flowing water picks up pollution off rooftops, paved areas and lawns. Pollution can include pesticides, fertilizers, motor oil, sediment, litter, and animal waste to name a few. The Problem Storm water and ditches drain into streams and rivers carrying the pollutants with it. Storm water polluted with fertilizers and excessive nitrogen damage the quality of rivers, lakes, and wetlands by introducing excessive nitrogen, which promotes algae overgrown and depletes oxygen. Pesticides, herbicides, and automotive toxins harm water quality and aquatic life. Additionally, animal waste has bacteria that when washed into the storm water can make rivers and lakes unsafe for swimming and fish consumption. The Solution When possible, buy household products labeled “nontoxic”. Clean

The company featured in this article uses plastic waste and concrete to create a light weight, durable building material.  The crisis of plastic waste pollution has a promising new solution

Spring Seasonal Produce Guide You can reduce your carbon footprint by eating produce that is in season. When you buy local, seasonal produce, you help reduce carbon emissions. Because seasonal produce is typically locally grown, it travels a shorter distance to get to market. Carbon emissions are also reduced because seasonal produce goes straight to market. Unlike, out of season produce that requires storage. This guide explores different fruits and vegetables available during Spring. Seasonal produce will vary by regional growing conditions and weather. Fruits and Vegetables Eat these farm fresh fruits and vegetables in the Spring ! Apples Apricots Asparagus Avocados Bananas Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Celery Collard Greens Garlic Herbs Kale Kiwifruit Lemons Lettuce Limes Mushrooms Onions Peas Pineapples Radishes Rhubarb Spinach Strawberries Swiss Chard Turnips