What Changes to Global Warming Would You Make If You Were President or Prime Minister?
With endless surveys on the internet about this same subject, I thought it might be a good idea to run one here, to see what creative ideas and solutions you may have for the water shortage crisis, pollution and global warming issues, within our own blog community.
Got any good ideas we can all share, on how you Reduce, Recycle and Reuse?
We disconnected our washing machine and drain the 'grey water' through a long balck hose out into the garden. We have an oasis in summer when everyone elses lawns and gardens are expiring and the plants actually love the soap! It keeps many of the bugs at bay, believe it or not ... it surprised me, because I thoght it would affect all my leafy friends, not so.
So, besides the obvious things we all can do, what would you do if you had the power to make sweeping changes - and if not, what do you do at home to contribute with little ones...
I'd really love to hear your comments on this one;
The Envirowarrior
Got any good ideas we can all share, on how you Reduce, Recycle and Reuse?
We disconnected our washing machine and drain the 'grey water' through a long balck hose out into the garden. We have an oasis in summer when everyone elses lawns and gardens are expiring and the plants actually love the soap! It keeps many of the bugs at bay, believe it or not ... it surprised me, because I thoght it would affect all my leafy friends, not so.
So, besides the obvious things we all can do, what would you do if you had the power to make sweeping changes - and if not, what do you do at home to contribute with little ones...
I'd really love to hear your comments on this one;
The Envirowarrior
Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
Fire News Blog
recycling system. Many people are. It means they no longer have to water their gardens. There are rebates available
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Welcome. Yes we do, but as I've said before in other places, they are very minimal when shown in reality. For example our local shire council only offers about AU$300 on a tank that is bigger in capacity than a small suburban block allows room for. Below that capacity there is no staggered rating for smaller, more practical tanks that suit.
However, you are right and all Shire's are different, someone wrote before from their Shire and said they had upped their incentive schemes. I am hoping that as time goes on the true reality of a profound water shortage hits home to everyone - including those who govern - then even more will be done to reduce the cost of intergrating the new technology.
For example, I feel that (practically) every house around the world should now have a tank included as a standard solar/pollution/environmental rating system. I think they should also have solar panels as rooves. Surplus energy can be stored in a public (local government run) public grid perhaps, as is now the trend in Australia with 'Green Energy.' Those with solar panels who draw a surplus supply can sell some back to the energy company, supplementing the bill.
Thanks for your comment.
Lilla.
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...sorry I was interrupted and had to finish quickly ...
I had wanted to ask you more about the toilet and grey water recycling systems, I don't believe they have reached our neck of the woods yet.
How does it all work and again, is there much cost involved?
Lilla.
Falling Haiku Leaf
Inner West Life
I haven't had a chance to see An Inconvenient Truth yet, but yesterday, I went out and bought the companion book. In relation to the title of your post, I'd like to know where we would be now if Al Gore had become President. I'm deliberatly not saying "If Al Gore had won".
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Al Gore is so passionate about what he does and not angry. When I saw the film I felt a great sense of agenda, but not hidden. It was out on the table and open and I believe had he won the US would certainly have concluded their commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, without doubt. In a part of the film he talks about the enormous amount of fuel emissions created by the US today in comparrison to Japan - who together with many other countries, lead the way in proving large populated countries can still make effective changes, despite corporate needs.
He uses wit and humility to relay his truth, through fact only and common sense, not through a feeling of injustice, or anger at having lost, or any negative means and fist shaking, but more a case of, how stupid are we for destroying the world around our own heads? An Inconvenient Truth progresses logically and is easy to follow and really brings home the message of how easy it would be to make the changes that could really turn things around - and relatively quickly too.
I believe he would have introduced a heavier Carbon Tax Levy for heavy industry, using the money to refine something like pollution filtering or refining petrol with ethanol? I believe he certainly would have made car manufacturing companies knuckle down to reducing fuel emission, as have Japan and European countries. As I've said before, although Australia is still relatively low on the fuel emissions scale, it looks bad because of the low population. Australia has around 20 million, the USA 300 million.
I think that would have been the start for his first four years, anyway. Thanks for asking such a good question LAD, as it has given me a chance to say that I think every thinking person should go and see this film, at least once, because his main message is clear, we can change this thing, it can be turned around and it wouldn't take much.
Are you planning to see it yourself?
I will get the companion book, thanks - I didn't know it was out in Australia yet.
Cheers
Lilla.
Philosophy Blog
But to me, the question of sustainability is a case either of placing your faith in technology, or believing that it's simply not possible for everyone on the planet to have the same standard of living, and therefore that the only fair solution is for everyone to go back to some sort of agrarian society.
Reduce, reuse, recyle, are just rearrangaing deckchairs on the Titanic.
What do you reckon?
Falling Haiku Leaf
Inner West Life
Yes, it certainly would be a different world.
My Aunt and Uncle live in Florida and were just beside themselves during the recall. I've been a Gore fan for many years. I haven't seen the movie yet simply because I don't really get out. 4 month & 3 year old.
Trapped.
Although one poll I've seen gives him a whopping 68% preference as Democratic leader (I can't remember where, which is a shame) I don't think he'd be in the running again.
I still think an interesting situation would be another Gore/Clinton (or, more likely, Clinton/Gore) administration. Up against a Republican Rice/Guiliano bill.
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Thanks for your comment. I am no expert either, but I have read a fair bit about the clean technologies that are available that can turn the planet around in decades. What we cannot stop is the population boom, but if each household held it's own water source, some back up natural power source and perhaps planted enough vegetables in their gardens to supplement some seasonal intake, we could cheat the planet into thinking there were only 3 billion of us, instead of 6Billion.
Sadly the preference remains at planting ornamentals everywhre that produce no fruit or herb at all. This boils down to education too and what needs to be taught in schools perhaps, some basic horticulture? Such simple gardening can reduce the packaging in landfills by up to 40% - massive amounts when added up over a population of millions.
I truly believe that it will take a mix of both philosophies to achieve this feat. The trouble is that every time a new technology comes out to enbale a step towards cleaner air, water, whatever; it gets bought up, or caught up in red tape and cannot comply to some standard, in order to be put into use.
I think that is partly what Gore is saying too.
I intend to feature some of these 'clean technologies' on this blog over the coming weeks in an effort to raise awareness of just how much is available, and relatively cheap too. Some of it, not as costly as we sometimes think.
Meanwhile, I must ask if you have seen the film yourself?
Lilla.
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thanks for your comment.
I do not know enough about American politics to comment, but like the sound of it - purely biased - because I like what Gore is peddling. I must admit I do not know the others involved and without research, could not say. The question is that you mention it as a great scenario ... does this mean it's possible? I would love to see Gore in a position of power, as I said, I believe his agenda is open. At least it gives voters something positive to focus on.
My sympathies on being trapped. I remember it well. All I can say is that it gets better, hang in there, you do eventually escape again - only to become a taxi driver. Perhaps put your feet up and enjoy it while you can ... *smile*
Cheers
Lilla.
We minimize use chemical cleaning products in the home. I make our window wash, general cleanser, carpet fresh, etc. Of course, I still use dish and laundry soap and the occasional "agent" for serious clean up, but for general home-cleansing, I try to make my own.
With a few essential oils and products that most homes have on hand, such as vinegar and baking soda (not mixed together!), one can make a wide variety of home cleaning products and avoid the harsh chemicals found in many commercial cleaning products.
My family also runs a home-based business with a network of web properties, and each website within our network donates 10% of proceeds to a charitable cause, including several environmental programs.
We use cat litter made from recycled material.
I've never heard of dumping "gray water" in the yard before. That's a great idea.
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Your place sounds wonderful, I bet it smells nice too. Have you tried burning sage once a week?
I also find that if I spray the shower with Apple Cider Vinegar and then put some baking soda on the scrubby-sponge-thingy, it cuts the grease like a miracle and the clean is really squeaky.
Try as I might I cannot get me eldest daughter, nor my husband to kick the meat habit, so I'm afraid I still indulge here and there, although for the most part the taste makes me stop quick enough. Funny because if I'm having a glass of wine, it makes me enjoy the meat more. I read somethere that alcohol actually makes you crave for meat?
I think the big thing for me is that people waste their gardens. Instead of planting beautiful fruit trees, they continue to plant useless ornamentals that, besides creating oxygen, do nothing more. What if it can offer fruit too? Some of the most beautiful foilage is to be found on fruit trees and their flowering and fruit laden branches cannot be surpassed for beauty and practicality. My wish is that everyone would plant grape vines instead of ornamental ones too. Wosteria is beautiful, but it only mimmicks the bunches of grapes I have hanging over my al fresco courtyard-thype-thingy outside, in summer. You can pick your own grapes after dinner. Anyone who has been to any country around the Mediterranean will know what I'm talking about.
PLANT FRUIT TREES PEOPLE!
Where the climate is cooler, carrots, sweet potato, parsnips and every other root vegetable grows so well amongst the ornamental bushes and gardens where this type of companion planting has been undertaken, look fabulous!
I guess you can tell I love my garden, huh?
Thanks for your excellent comment.
Lilla.
This year, I created a small space for some easy starters. We planted strawberries, grapes, cranberries, blueberries, and then found a hidden berry patch with elderberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Being my first attempt, I didn't do too well. I think I planted too late and didn't make sure the soil was condusive to planting. I got two whole strawberries! *LOL* - The blueberries and cranberries never came up, and while the grape vine spread like wild fire, it didn't produce fruit.
We've planned one area for next year's "big" garden, in which I hope to plant all sorts of stuff! It's my goal to make all of our jams and fruit spreads from scratch, to go with the breads & peanut butter I already make from scratch. I try to make anything I can from scratch, including mayonaise, for a few reasons. It makes me feel good to be in the kitchen, I love the way it makes the house smell, and it avoids all the preservatives and addatives in commercial foods.
As for flowers, you may laugh, but I'm "faerie-friendly" and we specifically selected flowers that would attract our favorite friends from the otherworlds. My daughter (age 12) planted phlox in her window garden planter in hopes of attracting elves. My son (age 14) is a HUGE lover of dragons, so he planted snap-dragons. And then I selected certain qualities, such as carnation for healing (bathroom window), orchids for romance (bedroom window), and flowers that stimulate creativity for my home office window planter, etc. - I've even convinced my adorable husband to give a shout out across the property before firing up the lawn mower or weed-eaters so the critters from this realm or otherwise wouldn't get caught by the blades.
Hopefully, my green thumb will be a bit better this coming year. I'll have all winter to study!
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Thanks for sharing,
Lilla.
Falling Haiku Leaf
Inner West Life
I've been O/S.
The two leading parties in the US are starting their internal candidate run for preferred party leaders. The election takes place on the first Tuesday in November, 2008. At this stage, we are seeing candidates in early campaign mode. The Dream Team for the Democrats are Gore & Clinton (Hilary – Junior Senator for New York),
I don’t think Gore has a strong chance, as a globally expressed green. Hilary Clinton, on the other hand, has a better possibility as first female President – shame about the husband shame.
The Republican Dream Team popular candidates are Condoleezza Rice (Secretary of State) & Rudy Giuliani (Former Mayor of New York City)
These are popular candidates only, and all four have yet to declare their official run.
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Welcome back, I hope it was a nice trip, full of good things.
Thanks for the outline. The possible candidates look intriguing, I know Gore and Clinton (don't we all), but not the others (where agenda's are concerned). Hilary Clinton sounds appealling doesn't she? Hmmm, I was talking to someone the other day about her becoming the first Female President and the general consensus here is that it would be good. I like the idea and I actually think that her husband's behaviour would work in her favour ... he only really disgraced himself, sort of thing, I don't know. Politics can get really confusing, but I am wondering ... does Hillary have a "green" agenda of any kind. Has she made any stand to act on the gloabl pollution issues?
L.
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Sorry to cut you off before, but my place is like being a revolving door sometimes... One of my children is disabled and there never seems enough hours in a day... the problem is that I haven't managed to get out into the garden lately and my plants miss me, and I them.
I loved your commentary and felt the sunshine reach me from outside and really appreciated it. Thanks for sharing it, truly. I have faeries at the bootom of my garden too, shhh, it'll remain our secret.
Your gardening sounds wonderful and reminds me that I have so much work to do out there in the vegetable garden that it makes my head spin.
I'm organising a birthday / Halloween party today and again, must fly....
That's one thing I would change if I had the power, is the public holiday schedule in Australia, there are none that actually say thank you to the earth in some way - acknowledging the ties we have to her, something like your rather excellent Thanksgiving. I believe that this holiday 'grounds' America and has helped shape it iinto a great nation. It attaches the people back to the earth - very grounding...
Lilla...