• More Images

Category: Reduce, reuse, recycle

Bag the bag in the District

On a recent trip to the Giant supermarket while in Washington, D.C., I was shocked to see how many people brought in their own canvas shopping bags. Seemingly everyone was trolling the aisles with them. Why? INCENTIVES!!

As of Jan. 1, businesses that sell food or alcohol in the District have to charge 5 cents for every paper or plastic shopping bag that leaves the store. Yuck, right? Not TOO horrible, considering they will GIVE you 5 cents back for every bag you bring in to carry out your groceries. Check out the Q&A on this program. It appears that they covered all the bases!

Could this work here? Thoughts?

Category: Community

Who are the people in your neighborhood?

I remember this song from my childhood; it talks about the "people that you meet, when you're walking down the street, they're the people that you meet each day." Or at least that's how I remember it. It got me thinking, who are the people in my neighborhood?

Further, what are the things in my neighborhood? As I have learned more about community and neighborhood development, the power of personal connections in our neighborhoods and communities have been highlighted. We can't care about what we don't know about. I have learned that people are amazing. Their stories, their lives, their perspectives and their journeys. If we take an active role in learning about our neighbors we can begin to take a more active role in creating sustainable neighborhoods because we will cherish those relationships.

Beyond relationships though, are the parks, businesses, roads, trees, etc. in our neighborhood. While our transportation technology has certainly enabled us to get from A to B more quickly, many times we aren't spending time "walking down the street." Starting a running club, walking group, or simply connecting with a neighborhood to go for a jog can help all of us to learn more about our neighborhood resources.

Category: Media

Key environmental journalist leaving NYT

Andrew Revkin of The New York Times is taking a buyout from the paper and will be moving on to a position at Pace University.

While Revkin's writing no longer will grace the Gray Lady's pages, the esteemed environmental journalist will continue to contribute to the Dot Earth blog for the foreseeable future. Dot Earth is an excellent source of accessible, well-informed reporting about the health of the planet -- I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I found out he'll continue with it.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure to hear Revkin speak at the Society of Environmental Journalists annual conference, where he moderated a panel with former vice president Al Gore. Revkin was as personable and knowledgable a guy as you'd imagine, having read his work. Clearly, you could see that here is an intelligent person who's doing just what they're meant to do. At Pace, he will continue to pursue that passion by developing new envrionmental programs, teaching, researching and writing.

"I want to look at the role of journalism in the larger world of environmental communication, how information matters in terms of policy and behavior," Columbia Journalism Review quotes him as saying in a recent interview.

While it's a relief Revkin will continue to blog and a gift to academia that he will get the breathing room to research and teach environmental issues, his departure from the newsroom is a huge loss for the craft.

So, here's saying hats off and thanks for your many years of fine work, Mr. Revkin. You'll be missed! And, here's hoping that other journalists in the field will step up to try and patch the huge hole left by your absence!

Category: Community

Urban Neighborhoods Initiative

I have begun a new chapter in my community involvement efforts. I have recently begun work with the Urban Neighborhoods Initiative (UNI), which is focused on creating sustainable communities in Detroit. Oddly, despite the varied challenges plaguing Detroit, this is one of the only organizations I was able to find (in 18 months of searching) that is taking an active role in making tangible changes to our communities.

UNI's focus is purposefully vague. In addressing the challenges facing any community, there will simply not be a one-size-fits-all methodology that can be employed. There is not a simple, quick fix to change a neighborhood. Rather, one must involve themselves in the community, assess the challenges and opportunities and develop a plan for the community to address those challenges. By necessity this will have to include an assortment of community improvement projects, service offerings for the community members, business initiatives, etc. While creating green areas, parks, and other commmunity improvements assist in creating a sustainable community, UNI's focus is broadly defined so as to address the totality of a communities challenges, as efficiently as possible.

I hope to contine to blog regarding our efforts and the results of our work. Most recently, as part of UNI's community development committee, I have participated in identifying challenges, recognizing the areas in which UNI has begun to impact the community, and to develop solutions. In the coming months, we will begin refining our plan for the next two years with projects we believe we can complete next year and those that require a two year process.

I am extremely excited and encouraged by these preliminary meetings. I believe that we are undertaking meaningful projects that will tangible impact this community and improve the lives of its residents.

Category: Events

Green 'D' a hot topic

Plan to attend the Model D speaker series December 16. In partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Model D will host a bevy of local organizations in a panel-style discussion about the realities of a greener Detroit -- what does it mean, and how do we get there?

Panelists will include landscape architect Jeff Klein of Classic Landscaping, The Green Garage, Detroit Evolution Lab, and representatives from the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan's Bureau of Energy Systems.

After a brief introduction from each panelist, discussion will open up to the floor.

Admission is free and the event begins at 6 p.m. at the MOCADÃ, in Detroit's Midtown. Model D asks that you register for the event in advance.

• Enlarge

Category: Volunteer / donate

Forgotten Harvest accepts donation "greener" than money

In line with their mission to reduce hunger and waste, Forgotten Harvest took delivery of their first hybrid-powered truck in June. It will be on the road this holiday season rescuing and delivering fresh food to social service agencies throughout Metro Detroit.

The Class 7 Freightliner with a 20-foot fiberglass refrigerated (all-electric) truck body was generously donated to the nonprofit by Daimler Trucks North America, Daimler Financial Services and Johnson Refridgerated Truck Bodies. It will enable Forgotten Harvest to rescue an additional ONE MILLION pounds of fresh food each year with a fuel savings of 30 PERCENT! This is very cool! With that savings, Forgoten Harvest will be able to direct their donations toward more Earth-friendly methods of food distribution.

If you are looking for a good "green" cause to donate your time, money or foodÃ, to this holiday season, check out Forgotten Harvest.

Category: Eat

Sustainable eating

To me, life is a journey, and many lessons are learned along the way. Of late, I have found myself drawn to life's lessons regarding sustainable food choices. In the last two years, I have learned a great deal about sustainable business practices, living options, energy, and community. Admittedly, there is a great deal more for me to learn.

That being said, our family is trying to make more mindful, purposeful decisions about the foods we eat. We have taken active steps to become more educated about how and where food products are produced, how they are packaged and delivered, and what they do to our bodies. With two young (and growing!) boys, we are certainly mindful of our budget, but also how important nutrition is to their development and well-being.

While the science of food seems to be an ever-changing world with no shortage of opinions, we found the most persuasive science is the evidence from our own bodies. We have noticed improvements in our demeanor, or energy levels, our focus and simply the way we feel day-to-day. Our bodies are certainly telling us that our decisions are positive and responding as such. It has been amazing to us how dramatically the human body can respond to simple changes in diet.

Category: Products

Can't get enough of the Guff

Oh, my poor aching wallet. Guffly prides itself as providing "good stuff for good living," and they aren't foolin'!

Detroit-based Guffly features ecofriendly products and fair trade lifestyle goods like home, pet, clothing, office, and personal accessories. They are comitted to targeting fashion while respecting the environment.

As you browse their items, you wil notice each item is labeled with a button (such as "recycled," "fair trade," "biodegradable," "energy," etc...) to represent its contribution to carbon footprint reduction.

Sign up for the Daily Guff Newsletter. A note will grace your inbox, alerting you to the eco-friendly deal of the day. If you're not interested in the day's offering, shop the Top Guffs, a collection of Daily Guff offerings at a reduced rate.

In between clicks, check out their blog, which gives detailed information about the Daily Guff and the company that produces that specific item.

Look no further than Guffly for those hard-to-shop-for: Cuff links made from recycled Lego piecesÃ, and Scrabble tiles, business card casesÃ, made from circuit board pieces, totes woven with seats belts and lovely pendant necklaces made from broken plate pieces are all at your disposal.

Category: Fashion

Get framed!

Ask and ye shall receive! Just as I am researching a new pair of specs, my inbox pulls through in the clutch! An e-mail from Ideal BiteÃ, breaks down the latest in sustainable eyewear.

A few things to note:

-- New plastic comes from oil and never fully biodegrades. So NEVER just throw away old frames. There is certain to be someone out there who would love a pair of glasses, even if they are flashbacks from fashions past! Get those puppies off to the Salvation Army or Visions Detroit.

-- Reclaimed plastic and other Earth-friendly materials such as bamboo are surprisingly cheaper than the old plastic tortoiseshell standy-bys. Did you know that before the 1973 ban, tortoiseshell glasses were actually made from the shell of turtles. Where was PETAÃ, for that one?

-- What's old is new! Hit up a thrift store, score some cute, cheap horn-rimmed frames a la grandma and take 'em in to your optometrist.

Ideal Bite reccommends a few brands: Airwear, Equation, ICU EyewearÃ, and Amy Sacks.

Happy ogling!

Category: Products

Local company plays it Green Safe

I always find the most helpful reading materials while waiting on carryout at Mudgie's Deli in Corktown. Greg Mudge's countertop has introduced me to tour de troit, Grown in Detroit and The Greening of Detroit among others. The latest of lunchtime lessons: Michigan Green Safe Products.

Based in Detroit, Michigan Green Safe Products carries Earth-friendly alternatives to the traditional petro-based atrocities. According to my friendly flier, here's a breakdown of products. I found this particularly fascinating!

PLA "Corn:" Cold cups, lids, straws, souffle cups, deli/food containers, cutlery, hot/soup cups and sushi containers

BAGASSE "Sugar cane:" Plates, bowls, to-go clamshells and compartment containers

POTATO STARCH: Cutlery, forks, spoons and knives

PAPER "Recycled": Coffee grips, paper towel, napkins, toilet paper, facial tissue, can liners, stir sticks, ecoflame, "green" sterno, "green" cleaning supplies, shopping bags and produce bags.

My favorite miscellanous item? "Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags"!

It occurs to me that many of these items cater to the food service industry. But think about Michigan Green Safe Products when you plan that fabulous Chinese New Year party or a co-worker's birthday bash. The amount of non-biodegradable waste produced by a simple soiree is just brutal!

Shop online for a full range of very reasonably-priced products or buy local. Select Green Safe Products are sold at Plum Market locations in Bloomfield and Ann Arbor.

So, I am thanking Greg for whipping up the most taste-tastic Ivey sandwich yet AND for again making an education out of my 10-minute lunch break!