PLAYgreen

Green Skies on the 4th of July

 

“Green” fireworks may brighten Fourth of July displays in future

Fireworks, flares and other so-called "pyrotechnics" traditionally have included potassium perchlorate as the oxidizer, a material that provides the oxygen that fireworks need to burn. Perchlorate, however, is an environmental pollutant with potential adverse effects on people and wildlife. Pyrotechnics contain other ingredients, such color-producing heavy metals, with a similar potential.

Studies have shown that perchlorate from community fireworks displays conducted over lakes, for instance, can lead to perchlorate contamination of the water. 

Researchers, however, have developed new pyrotechnic formulas that replace perchlorate with nitrogen-rich materials or nitrocellulose that burn cleaner and produce less smoke.

In the article, C&EN Associate Editor Bethany Halford says these nitrogen-rich formulas also use fewer color-producing chemicals, dramatically cutting down on the amount of heavy metals used and lowering their potentially toxic effects.

Some of these fireworks have already been used at circuses, rock concerts and other events, but none have been used at large outdoor displays. The problem: cost. The big challenge in launching these "eco-friendly" pyrotechnics into the sky is making them cost-competitive with conventional fireworks while maintaining their dazzle and glow, the article explains.

The article notes that fireworks manufacturers have little incentive to further develop the new green fireworks because no federal regulations currently limit releases of perchlorate from pyrotechnics.

Source: American Chemical Society, " Green" fireworks may brighten eco-friendly Fourth of July displays in the future, viewed June 26, 2009 

Greening Dad

Can't think of what to get the #1 man in your life for Father's Day? Check out these green gifts for dad. Go green Dad, go! 

Rockin' Dad

Hook up your music-loving Dad (or in-need-of-musical-taste Dad) with an iTunes online gift certificate. Dad can pick his own tracks , and you can take all the waste from wrapping, packaging, and plastic CD cases outta the mix. 

Fishin' Dad 

Bottle Cap Lures  are lures made from soda and beer bottle caps -- that really work. Keeps the caps out of landfills, new materials out of production, and Dad out on the water reeling 'em in. 

Gadget Dad

Splurge on you Dad by giving him the  Solio Hybrid Charger  to recharge his cell phone, MP3 player, digital camera, and all the other electronic stuff he manages to cram into his pockets -- all with stored-up power from the sun (free power - woo-hoo!) or the socket. 

Organic Dad 

Every man deserves a little R&R....pamper him with an Every Man gift basket from Lula Organics. Includes skin-soothing, paraben-free Every Man Jack shave gel, body wash, and face wash; soap from Pangea Organics; a recycled, reusable razor; and a wooden body brush. 

Sporty Dad

Green Tee Time!  Nothing says "I love you, Dad" like these Eco Golf Balls. They are water-soluble golf balls that dissolve in water after 96 hours, so he won't be leaving plastic evidence of his birdies and bogies for millennia. 

Source: Ideal Bite, "Top 10 Best Eco-Gifts for Father's Day," viewed June 17, 2009

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Now what? 

You've graduated. You're smart. You're talented. Employers should be falling at your feet, right? Well, maybe not in this economy. Try something new with either AmeriCorps or Green Corps.  You will be able to put your passion to work, and do something different. 

AmeriCorps 

Started by President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, AmeriCorps was formed by the National and Community Service Trust Act, which established the Corporation for National and Community Service and brought the full range of domestic community service programs under the umbrella of one central organization. AmeriCorps workers get a stipend for their work and a wide range of benefits. Programs vary and there is something for every interest. 

Get paid back to play dodgeball? Heck yes! A notable AmeriCorp program in the Bay Area is Sports for Kids. This program puts the play back into the day of elementary schools across the country.  Check out their job openings.

Green Corps 

The one-year Green Corps program intersperses intensive classroom instruction with multiple campaign efforts. Trainees gain hands-on experience running field campaigns to win environmental protections and public health initiatives. Throughout the year, each trainee receives specific individualized feedback on all aspects of his or her work, as well as local mentorship from environmental organizers throughout the nation. At the end of the training, the Green Corps program facilitates trainees' placement in permanent positions with leading environmental and social change groups. 

Source: AmeriCorps, www.americorps.gov; Green Corps, www.greencorps.org 

Movin' on Up

Exams are done. Papers are turned in. Your scored a date with the cutie from Econ. However, your dorm looks like it's hit by a hurricane and your parents will be here in less that 24 hours to pick you up. Avoid throwing stuff away this year with these great recommendations...

Cash Flow

Get some much needed cash by selling goods on Craigslist or eBay. Another person's trash is another person's treasure. 

Donate

On your way out of town, hit up Urban Ore on Ashby. 

Swap

Use the online swap sites  Freecycle, Rehash Clothes, or Swaptree to exchange gear. You're done with Chem but still need a language credit? Check out Bookbyte. 

Trade

Even though the summer will only last for three months, campus technology will be a whole new scene when you return in for Fall semester. Upgrade your gadgets with cool programs such as Gazelle.

Source: Ideal Bite, "Ideal Bite: Graduation Day" May 19, 2009

Mother (Earth)'s Day Gift Ideas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treat your mother well this Mother's Day. Check out these eco-friendly gifts.

For the Cookin' Mom....
After all of those years of homecooking, your mom deserves some updated and eco-friendly kitchenware.  Bambu offers elegant and minimalist bowls and utensils are a useful addition any kitchen. Made from 100% organically grown bamboo, each item is constructed of renewable materials by a manufacturer working to integrate safe and sustainable business practices in China.

For the Pampered Mom...
Pamper the most important lady in your life with handmade soaps, rich bath and body oils. Stop by Body Time on on Telegraph Ave.

For the Sporty Mom...
Perfect for the mom who likes to get outdoors, Patagonia has a wide collection of threads and gear. You can track the footprint of your goods with the Footprint Chronicles feature. 

For the Metropolitan Mom....
Does your mother want a green thumb but doesn't have the space? Give her a "Garden in a Bag".  Choose from basil, cilantro, chives, dill, lavender, oregano, parsley, and sage, or get them all. It's a no-hassle system that works in well in all types of kitchens and homes.

For any Mom....
Quality time together. Nothing says "Mom, you're the greatest!" more than an afternoon with your mom. If your mom is local, take her out for a walk, hike, bike ride, or trip to the Berkeley Rose Garden. If that's not her style, make her a farm fresh dinner with goodies from the Farmer's Market. It's fun, easy on the budget, and a great way to say thanks.

Good for Mom; Good for Mother Earth

Still looking for a gift for Mom? Why not go green this year and give her an inspiring and eco-friendly gift? Show mom you care about her -- and mother earth -- by sponsoring a Wild Place in her name! A virtual Wild Place sponsorship helps to preserve America’s wild legacy, and shows you care about our beautiful places. Choose from the Everglades National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Acadia National Park. Maybe next year you can go there together!

Help protect these wild places and the wildlife that live there. A virtual sponsorship in her name only costs $20 and comes with a letter of recognition, personalized certificate of sponsorship, fact sheet with fun facts about the special place and the wildlife that live there, and a frameable picture of your special Wild Place. More info.

Source: Sierra Club

Cal & UCLA Law Schools Launch Environment Blog

 

 

The law schools at UC Berkeley and UCLA recently launched a new environment blog, Legal Planet, to help more people become aware of climate change, energy, and environmental law and policy. The collaborative blog reports on research from the law schools’ think tanks and legal scholars. Legal Planet gives readers valuable insight on the latest developments, including new environmental policies, federal and state legislation that impact renewable energy, and Supreme Court decisions. Click here to check out their blog.

Charge Your iPod Without an Outlet

 

On Berkeley’s Campus, the universal usage of iPods cannot be denied.  We listen while we walk to class, study, eat, workout, and even for some, when we sleep. 

So what does all this iPod use mean?  Lucky for us, it means we have access to our favorite music 24/7, making waiting for the bus or other mundane activities more bearable.  Unfortunately it also means that with a battery life of 12-14 hours iPods are constantly being charged, contributing to energy use and pollution.

Instead of continuing to plug you iPod into the wall, consider some of these green ways to charge up instead!

• Play with a yo-yo.  That’s right, a Swedish inventor just came out with the iYo-Yo charger which will generate power while you yo. 
• Use portable solar power.  There are now more portable solar power models then ever before.  Some even attach to your backpack so you can charge up as you walk around campus. 
• Crank your way to power.  It's actually sort of surprising how many hand crank chargers have emerged in recent years—and many will handily (hello, bad pun) power your iPod.

For more ways to charge your iPod in an environmentally friendly fashion, check out 7 Green Ways to Charge Your iPod.
 
Source: “7 Green Ways to Charge Your iPod”, Planet Green, viewed March 20, 2009

Come to the PLAYgreen Festival

The PLAYgreen Festival
Friday, February 20th at  Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union

Join thousands of UC Berkeley students, campus and community supporters as they touch, taste, feel, experience and learn about the latest products, fashions, technology, services, sounds, cuisine and career opportunities from the very best local and national eco-friendly companies.
Hosted by Cal Recreational Sports, admission to the ultimate eco-experiential festival is FREE!
The PLAYgreen Initative

Created by Cal Recreational Sports, PLAYgreen is our initiative that provides eco-friendly resources, news, information and solutions for individuals who want to play, work and live a greener lifestyle.

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Event Schedule

10:00am – 4:00pm — Green Exhibitors Hall
10:30am – 4:00pm

• Eco Art Show
• Green Steps – How to Workshops for Living Green
• Electric Bike Test Rides on Spieker Plaza 

12:00 – 2:00pm — Green Eats
2:00 – 3:00 pm — Eco- Fashion Show

Schedule subject to change without notice!

A special thanks to the Cal student group BEACN for their hard work in helping Cal Rec Sports develop the PLAYgreen Festival!
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Green Steps

Featuring How To Workshops for Living Green presented by the following community and Cal student groups.

• 10:00am Student/dorm life solutions from discards presented by Berkeley Innovation
• 10:30am Eco Villages presented by Living Routes
• 11:00am Recycled Fashion presented by the Buffalo Exchange
• 11:30am Bike Safety presented by Bicycal and the Green Bike Share
• 12:00pm Urban Gardening presented by SF Garden for the Environment
• 12:30pm Green Careers: Discovering your Green passion presented by Green Careers
• 1:00pm Why Buy Local presented by Buy Local Berkeley
• 1:30pm Repairing your bike presented by Bicycal and the Green Bike Share
• 2:00pm Worm box composting presented by Whole Foods
• 2:30pm Creating a green friendly living space presented by the Green Room
• 3:00pm Greening your closet presented by Huddler

Schedule of workshops and presenters subject to change without notice.

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Electric Bike Test Rides

• Held on Spieker Plaza from 10:00am – 4:00pm
• Featuring the A2B model
• Take a test ride and enter to win the new A2B electric bike from Ultra Motor at the PLAYGreen Festival! As if that’s not enough, Ultra Motor will be raffling off Giro helmets and Timbuk2 bags for all test riders.

·         Brought to you by UlTRA Motors

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Green Eats
Featuring sustainable food samples from the following Bay Area Restaurants
12:00 – 2:00pm

• Amanda’s
• Ben & Jerry’s
• Extreme Pizza
• Henry’s
• Khana Peena
• Saul’s Deli
• Skates on the Bay
• Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto
• Tapioca Express

Schedule of participating restaurants subject to change without notice!
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Eco Fashion Show

• Held on the stage area from 2:00 – 3:00pm
• Featuring fashion designs and models from the Cal student community
• Stop by the Fashion Experience throughout the event
• Brought to you by UC Berkeley student groups – FAST and BARE with support from Goodwill Industries.

Cal's Green Bike Share Program

 

 

Tired of driving round and round looking for a parking place while you’re running late for class?  Not only are you wasting  gas money, but you're increasing emissions that leave a negative footprint on our planet. But no worries, as UC Berkeley students have come up with a way to not only help you go Green, but give you a workout too.

Green Bike Share is a student-run, non-profit organization that was founded this year.  The goal of Bike Share is to increase environmental, social and economic sustainability by renting out bicycles to the UC Berkeley students and city community.  Their overall philosophy is to promote the use of bicycles, cut down on greenhouse emissions emitted by gas vehicles, and promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle on campus and in the community.

For just $15 per semester, you can check out bicycles for up to 48 hours.  The rental stand, which opened at the beginning of fall semester, is located next to the Cal Student Store on Lower Sproul Plaza.

Green Bike Share currently has a fleet of 20 bikes, but is hoping to have a total of 100 by next year.  To keep you and the bike safe,  locks and lights are given free of charge with bike rentals -- helmets can be purchased for $10.

For information on this great new program on campus check out this short video clip produced by CalTV , then visit the Bike Share website at www.greenbikeshare.net to get started. The program was also featured in a great article at green biz.

Source: Green Biz, Green Bike Share, Viewed October 16, 2008