PLAYgreen

Greening the Great Outdoors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahh, the great outdoors...fresh air, beautiful views, great hiking trails, swimming holes. The fun parts of camping are endless and there's really no better way to combine recreation with relaxation. However, when done without care, camping can be harmful for humans and nature! So, whether you are going on a deep woods backpacking trip in the Sierras or just doing a little car camping at Mt. Diablo, it's important to follow these eco-trip-tips...

Don't Get Trashed. Americans generate tons and tons of trash each year. Everything you bring with you (even the wrapper to your Clif Bar) should come out with you. If you leave something in the woods, chances are no one will come by and pick it it so make sure you clear your campsite before you leave. Read the Leave No Trace principles before you go and practice them while you are on your adventure 

Go Where You Know. While it's fun to explore, there is a reason that parks have designated campsites and hiking trails. Not only can going off-course be harmful to the environment, it can be harmful to your health (poison oak, bugs, things that go bump in the night). Unmarked trails and campsites are more likely to have these things. 

The Flame Game. Smokey the Bear might have been onto something -- every year thousands of acres of open spaces are destroyed by wildfire. Many of these fires are preventable. Do your part in preventing forest fires by checking with California's Department of Forestry and Fire before you camp. It is especially important to build and maintain your fire correctly to ensure safety during high fire season (Spring through Fall). If you are going to build a fire, make sure to burn only fallen wood. Don't cut down branches from a living tree. Don't clear a new piece of ground to make a fire. Some campgrounds provide you with a place to build a fire. Only clear new ground if you have to. Always keep an eye out for previously cleared places. Reuse those if possible.

When You Gotta Go. Thankfully, many campsites have bathrooms. If there is no bathroom, all human waste should be disposed of by digging a hole. Did your hike get you super sweaty? There might be a shower facility at the campsite. Feel like going au naturel? Feel free to jump in the nearest lake or pond, but don't scrub with soap -- it can cause serious damage the water's fragile ecosystem.

 Camping is awesome. There's not better way to get away from city and school life (apparently the woods don't have the internet...yet). So get out there and have fun. Happy trails! 

Source: www.planetgreen.discovery.com, "Eco-Friendly Camping Trip", viewed on July 16, 2009. 

Power to the Pedal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turn your workout into a rock out with a pedal power concert! The “Yokohama Human Powered Concert: Power Saving Saves the Earth," was put on NPO “ARCHSHIP” which focuses on bringing together music, people and community.

All electric power for the concert sound system was generated by pedaling  refurbished bicycles, which were attached to specially designed and engineered generators. Instead of charging concertgoers money for a ticket, they had them pay with pedal power! 

The concert also featured a cooking demonstration using only solar power, and a hands on demonstration comparing the relative energy consumption of Japan, the US and China using weighted handbags, entitled “can you lift the energy bag?” Now, that's a concert with a conscious!  

Been going to Group X spin class for weeks and think you wanna power a concert or event but can't make it to Japan? Get involved with the Bicycle Film Festival which could be coming to a city near you!  Check it out.

Source: treehugger.com, "Working out while watching a concert? Audience pedaling and powering the concert in Yokohama on Free Bikes.

Been going to Group X spin class for weeks and think you wanna power a concert or event but can't make it to Japan? Get involved with the Bicycle Film Festival which could be coming to a city near you!  Check it out.

Source: treehugger.com, "Working out while watching a concert? Audience pedaling and powering the concert in Yokohama on Free Bikes.

ecoPod your iPod

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Eco-Runner (pictured above) is an environmentally friendly iPod nano 4G case. Replacing neoprene with a special Eco-friendly material, this wrist/armband case is designed to accommodate the new 4G nano and the Nike+ Sport Kit receiver. The armband extension strap allows this case to be worn either on your wrist or your upper arm, which means, your iPod is secure during your work out and your arm is comfortable.  

Have you upgraded to an iPone? Fret not, Armpocket has come out with a product line of iPhone and iPod gear that is made from recycled plastic and bamboo. 

Buying eco-friendly gear is just another small step you can take to make the world a greener place.

Check out the Sierra Club's favorite eco-tunes!

See how one person "greened" their iPod!

Source: marware.com, viewed July 13, 2009

Go Green with Self-Powered Cardio Machines at the RSF

Going green at the gym might’ve never crossed your mind, but you can go easier on the planet when you’re at the RSF by using self-powered cardio machines. Instead of using electrically powered equipment, try choosing a self-powered cardio machine like the RSF's newer elliptical or stationary/spin bikes. Both of these are people-powered and don’t require electricity. If you’re not into the high-speed stationary machines, give the rowing machines a try (RSF 2nd floor). The benefit of self-powered machines is that they actually tend to burn more calories since you don’t have electricity propelling you. Another way to go green with your workout routine is running outdoors and using your own body weight for resistance.

Source: Planet Green

Summer Eats: What's in Season for June

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s in and what’s out?

A large part of staying in shape is eating a healthy and balanced diet. Now, more that ever we are becoming aware of and have access to, local, season produce. While you'll be set on the basics (carrots, lettuce, beets, etc.), some fruits and veggies will be out (oranges, fava beans, asparagus). 

Here are some highlights of  what is growin’ in the Bay Area in June. All of this produce should be available at your local supermarket and will most definitely be at your local Farmer's Market. 

Fruits: apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cherries, elderberries, figs, nectarines, peaches, plums, raspberries, strawberries.

Veggies: chilies, corn, nopal cactus, rhubarb, summer squash. 

Spices: fresh lavender, garlic. 

How Green is Your Workout?

 

Do you sweat when you work out? Do you sweat when you think of our planet's future? Well, whether you spend hours at the RSF, run laps around Edwards Track, or go for quick power walks on Golden Bear Track, this is the quiz for you. You might learn a thing or two about burning calories instead of carbon.

 

Take the quiz

 

Source: Sierra Club

What’s Really Beneath Those Labels?

 

Have you ever wondered what’s really in the personal care and household products you use everyday?  To help you find out, UC Berkeley professor Dara O’Rourke, associate professor in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, created a new digital resource available to consumers. O’Rourke recently launched a new website called the GoodGuide, a database that provides the world’s largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in our homes. The database allows users to search or browse over 70,000 food, toys, personal care, and household products to see what’s really beneath the label.

 

GoodGuide offers expert advice and recommendations to help consumers find better products and make wiser purchasing decisions. Check out the GoodGuide to see what's in your favorite products.

 

Source: California Magazine, Jan/Feb 2009 Edition

 

 

Annual Lecture on Biology, Behavior, and Environment

UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health and the Berkeley Center for Health Technology invites the community to attend the Edward E. Penhoet Annual Lecture on Biology, Behavior, and Environment. The event will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 4 p.m. in 101 Morgan Hall. Come listen to Susan Desmond-Hellmann, M.D., President of Product Development at Genentech, discuss the public health implications of advances in biotechnology.

Down to Earth Downward Dog

 

 

Make sure that your mind-body exercise routine is as green as it gets. Your mat is the best place to start. Many popular yoga mats contain PVCs or ployvinyl chloride, which are dangerous to humans and the environment. Yuck!

Foregoing a mat completely is one way to do it. Or you can use a towel. You can go super earthy with a grass or woven mat. But if want stick to using a sticky mat, check out Jade Natural Harmony Yoga mats. They are made from 99.5% natural rubber. 

Click here to find out why PVC is so harmful.

Want to part ways with your mat but don't know how? Check out 50 ways Gaiam Yogis re-rused their mats.

You Got Sole

Biking shoes? Running shoes? Cross-trainers? Yoga shoes? After workout shoes? It seems like almost every sport these days has a specific shoe for your precious soles. It's great for your performance and tootsies but could it really be that good for the environment?

Check out these useful tips on how to avoid sending your old sneakers to the landfill:

Donations: Donating your shoes is always good. You can go local at a Goodwill or abroad with organizaitions such as Shoes4Africa.

Recycling: Even if sneakers are completely done for, there is still a hope! Check out  Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program and watch your kicks get a whole new life!

Next time your in the market for a new pair....consider these 100% recycled running shoes. or Toms for after workout comfort.

See how Crocs is turning old shoes into new shoes.

Let your passion for shoes take you to Belize over Spring Break.