How Green is your Christmas Tree?
A common misconception during the holiday season is which type of Christmas Tree if any is most environmentally friendly. Some options seem to be more so than others, but they may in fact be actually doing more harm that good. Here are the most popular options listed in order how eco-friendly they are.
No Tree Needed
Just because society leads you to believe that you have to have a tree does not mean you have to go down that route. This is true green option, but could leave you house feeling less festive unless you decide to be creative. Why not collect pine-cones and tree limbs that have fallen down and use them throughout your house. You get the same feeling as having a tree and you can distribute them throughout your house.
Living Trees
This is often an overlooked way to still celebrate the holidays with a beautiful tree, while still being a friend to the environment. Live trees do not need to be cut down and can be replanted after the holidays are over. This seems like the best option as it is the best of both worlds. You don’t have to sacrifice anything and you can contribute to better air quality and reducing carbon emissions. There are several options when choosing to a tree that is still alive.
Tree Rentals
Various companies have been created across the country to provide a a rental service for your holiday trees. They charge a fee anywhere from $80-$100 to deliver a tree to your house and pick it up when Christmas is over. This option not only allows you to get a living tree to decorate, but you don’t have to pick a tree up and find a place to dispose of it. On top of that, the tree will be replanted in your local community to provide more greenery and better air quality. If you live on the west coast, you could check out the Original Living Tree Company or try searching for a local tree rental company in your area.
Local Nursery
This option requires you to find a local nursery or gardening center to buy a tree. You still get a tree in your house, but the problem is that you have to have room to plan the tree immediately after you are done using it. Having to transport the tree and plant make buying a live tree not as practical, but makes complete sense if you want a new tree in your yard.
Organic Tree Farms
A new breed of tree farms have started to be be born throughout the country. Many traditional farms use harmful pesticides and insecticides to keep bugs off of the trees. Organic and local farms, just as with produce, are all across the nation and allow you to get a tree without the risks to yourself and the environment. You can also recycle them to receive mulch or for other uses after you are finished with them. This makes them a fairly green option as you are not wasting the trees after you are done with them and they have limited environmental damage. On top of that, their cost is usually comparably priced to trees that are exposed to pesticides. To find a local tree farm that grows organic trees, check out Green Promise. If you can’t find a organic farm on the list, you can also visit a a local farm and inquire about where their trees were grown.
Traditional Tree Farms
Even though this seems like the least green option when shopping for a holiday tree this year, in my opinion it is not. There are pesticides used in most farms throughout the nation, but usually the amount used are limited as described in a study done by North Carlina State University. I still think it is a better idea not to use pesticides at all, but still a better choice than going artificial. Just as with going organic, be sure to recycle your tree after the holiday season is over. This will ensure that it does not go to waste and can be reused. Earth911.com has a great recycling directory in which you can find recycling locations in your area. You could also inquire with your local community to see if they offer recycling as well and provide free mulch in return.
Artificial Trees
Artificial trees in principal seems like one of the more eco friendly options on the surface. You buy a tree once and you reuse it for years to come. The biggest problem with this is that the majority of artificial trees are made from PVC plastic that is based from petroleum. Not only does it not biodegradable, but it is also not recyclable. This means that even though you can have a tree for many years, there is no safe way to dispose of it. Also, some artificial trees are known to be harmful to people because they can contain lead in them. This makes especially dangerous to children who may play with the tree. On top of that, many of the trees bought are made in China. Artificial tree’s don’t necessarily have to harmful for the environment. You could always try to make one out of various recycled materials.
EPA Launches Environmental Fugitive Site
The Environmental Protection Agency launched an environmental fugitive website this week that lists the top criminals the EPA is tracking down. All have fled their local jurisdictions or even left America. This is the EPA’s version of the FBI’s most wanted list, but just involving crimes related to harming the environment. Some of the crimes that these horrible fugitives committed include:
- Illegal Smuggling of Ozone harming chemicals.
- Dumping dangerous chemicals and pollutants.
- Discharging oil into the ocean.
Some of these crimes are horrible acts against our environment. The list includes 23 of the top offenders against our environment within the U.S. As you can see, not only are the crimes listed acts that could harm the environment, but are extremely dangerous for us. They are dumping chemicals into local bodies of waters that could filter into our drinking water. All cases are bad, but Raul Chavez-Beltran is one of the worst offenders:
Raul Chavez-Beltran ran an environmental cleanup company in El Paso, Texas, that is accused of transporting hazardous waste from factories along the Mexican border and improperly disposing and storing it in the U.S. In one case, he allegedly stockpiled mercury-laced soil from an environmental spill in a warehouse.
Why? I just don’t get the decisions these people make as well as the horrible companies these fugitives work for that usually are just as guilty if not more. To make a few quick bucks and get away from actually spending money on producing items cleanly, they put out fragile environment in more jeopardy than it already is. The biggest problem with the EPA is that they usually only handle larger cases and are extremely under funded. They are only a staff of 189 investigators for the entire nation. It seems like more money needs to be focused on these critical offenders and making sure that they, along with any company associated with them, are prosecuted to the fullest of the law. If the government starts catching and prosecuting these individuals more, it could also prevent future environmental crimes.
The US Auto Industry Bailout Bill
I’m sure you’ve all heard of the enormous amounts of media coverage revolving around the Congressional bailout package for the US Auto Industry to prevent them from going bankrupt. The amount has change from $25 billion to $14 billion, but it is still a substantial amount the Auto Industry is asking of us to lend them. I am torn between the two sides of this issue.
Economic Stability
This bailout is just a loan to major auto makers of this country and would help provide stability for our economy. They are going to be paying back this money and there would be strict government regulations put into place to ensure that they start producing more eco-friendly vehicles including hybrid and all-electric vehicles. Another ramification is that if any or all of the top auto makers in our country went under, it would leave any already fragile economy is a horrible state. This seems drastic, but it could even push us into a depression. The ramifications of something like this happening could be devastating.
More Eco-Friendly Cars
I would hate to see our economy hurt even worse, but part of me wants these companies to go out of business because of their failed attempts at keeping up with the time. They have failed to show that they can make car efficiently and on top of that they haven’t shown that they can produce an affordable, production ready eco-friendly vehicle. If we do give them this money, will they really strive to be more innovative like many other small more innovative smaller auto companies? I don’t think so. I really would rather our country provide more loans to smaller American companies like Aptera and Tesla who are the leading edge of the auto industry. With more funds, these smaller companies could make a production ready car that would nearly eliminate our dependency on oil. Whether it be electric, hydrogen or some other type of energy to run vehicles off of, many would be welcome to the change.
This is an extremely complex issue that is a lose-lose no mater which happens in my opinion. How do you feel about this bailout bill and do you think these companies deserve this money?
Poll: Oil Consumption Patterns
Over the last few months, gas prices have lowered to amounts we have not seen in years. They were looking as if they would drop to lows we haven’t even seen since the beginning of this century. There has also been talk of lower expected demand for oil in the upcoming months despite how low gas prices have fallen. I am conducting a poll to see how the price of oil affects your use of it.
Please provide any comments you have about the fluctuating prices of oil and your answers to the poll.
Loading ...Bush Administration Puts Engangered Species Act At Risk
A special “Midnight Session” conducted late last month could put many of the endangered species of animals and plants in our country in extreme risk. In order to meet a deadline of 60 days before the current administration leaves office, they are hard at work to finalize regulations that would eliminate federal wildlife experts from having a deciding factor if federal projects pose a threat to endangered species. This just leaves me scratching my head because this is one of a few instances in which this administration is trying to push out last minute regulations to post further damage to our already fragile environment ( Oil Shale Drilling being another ).
I did not know regulations like this could be put into place over such a short period, but they are going to go through with them. Even with heavy criticism from other lawmakers and environmentalists, the Department of the Interior is still going through with it.
The rules eliminate the input of federal wildlife scientists in some endangered species cases, allowing the federal agency in charge of building, authorizing or funding a project to determine for itself if it is likely to harm endangered wildlife and plants.
These regulations would also exclude federal agencies from worrying about carbon dioxide emissions that also pose thread to endangered species. At the moment, it looks like they are on target to meeting the deadline. If they do, it would make it hard for the new administration to overturn them. There does exist a Congressional Review Act that would allow Congress to overturn these ridiculous regulations, but has not been used often. Luckily some people in Congress are still fighting for the environment representative for the House said:
The House, in consultation with the incoming administration and relevant committees, will review what oversight tools are at our disposal regarding this and other last minute attempts to inflict severe damage to the law in the waning moments of the Bush administration.
What gets me is that the executive branch has this type of power without consent from the Congress. I just don’t get why our government is allowed to continue to pursue their own interests and fill their pockets and nobody seems to be stopping them. There seems like no good that could come out of a bill like this or the drilling of Oil Shale and regulations like these can be passed.
What are you thoughts on the Bush administration’s “midnight regulations” that throw away years of hard work to help protect our environment?
One-Third of China’s Famous Yellow River Polluted
After a recent scientific study by the Yellow River Conservancy Committee, 1/3 of this Chinese river has been show to be polluted with unsafe industrial waste. The study determined that the water quality has dramatically decreased over the last few year and is said to be unsafe for use.
33.8 percent of the river’s water sampled registered worse than level 5, meaning it’s unfit for drinking, aquaculture, industrial use and even agriculture, according to criteria used by the United Nations Environmental Program.
This is an extremely shocking as millions of people in China depend on this river and this pollution could really have dangerous long term affects if something is not done to reverse the pollution. What is even more surprising is that only 16% of the river that was studied was found to be safe for ordinary household usage. This is really sad and many are not surprised of these staggering numbers. Many industrial firms in the area are heavily polluting into the river and are not being held accountable for their actions. Local governments are not properly monitoring these companies and just enabling them to use the river as their personal dumping site.
The biggest problem in China is that the local governments are not taking enough action as they should be. China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection has tried to do further to shut some of these factories down due to their unsafe practices, but have limited power. The local environmental agencies that have the power to do so are not taking the appropriate action. It sounds to me like corruption in the local governments could be the major reason that these ridiculous practices are allow to be continued. It’s good to see that the federal government’s environmental ministry is trying to do more, but they are ineffective with their limited power. Let’s just hope that more can be done either stop these businesses from continuing to pollute as they are or shut them down. This is such a beautiful river as seen from the picture and so many people depend on it for their daily lives.
Make Your Own Homemade Pesticides and Repellants
Many pesticides and insecticides are some of the most dangerous items you have in your household. Advertisers for popular brands of these products would like to make you think that the only way to repel bugs from your garden/plants, your home and your body are their harmful chemicals. Not only are they harmful for you, but they also are geared towards killing insects instead of simply repelling them. You can make homemade cleaning products, why not make your own insect repellents?
Why should I use them?
The typical pesticide and insect label always contains a huge CAUTION, HAZARD, or DANGER on the back of the labels. There is a reason that these products contain these labels as they are in fact hazardous to humans as well as animals. Who knows what reactions your body could have to these horrendous chemicals that most of the times you have never heard of or don’t even know how to pronounce. It just makes sense to use homemade pesticides that are made from natural ingredients. You can also insure that the ingredients will not harm the pests intentionally, just repel them naturally. You also won’t have sticky and smelly substances on your food or your body.
Besides being safe for your family and the environment, you can save tons of money. The store bought products are usually pretty pricey. Have you seen how much a mosquito repellent can cost you? The ingredients in homeade products are usually far cheaper and only require a few ingredients to make.
Pesticide Recipes
The key to repelling pests from your garden or plants is make them have an appalling taste or something to kill the pests with harming the plants. A key ingredient to many homemade pesticides I found was soap and strong tasting products like garlic and peppers. The following recipes will keep most pests off of your plants:
Oil Mixture
- 1 cup cooking oil ( i.e. canola or vegetable )
- 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap
- Use 2 ½ teaspoons of this mixture in 1 cup of water
Spray on the surface and underside of leaves to coat insects in various stages of development.
This mixture is especially good with eggs and immature bugs. Be careful on the type of liquid soap you choose. I had good luck with dishwashing soap with no additional additives like anti-bacterial ingredients. I accidentally used it with on that had them in it and it almost killed a plant of mine.
Soap Mixture
- A few teaspoons of liquid dishwashing soap
- 1 gallon of water
Spray on the surface and underside of infested foliage. The soap acts to paralyze insects, which prevents them from feeding. The pests eventually die of starvation. For heavy infestations spray every 2 to 3 days for 2 weeks.
This is a very generic mixture that can fight off most any insects. Make sure to use a light liquid soap here as well to ensure not to kill your plants.
Garlic/Pepper Mixture
- 1/2 cup hot peppers of your choice
- 1/2 cup garlic cloves ( onions will also do )
- 2 cups water
Steep this mixture for 24 hours. An easy method for steeping the tea is to combine the ingredients in a clear glass jar, seal, and set in a sunny location. Strain and spray onto foliage.
This is another good general mixture that will fight off most bugs.
To find additional natural homemade pesticides, please visit Garden Volunteers.
Repellent Recipes
Repellents seem to use the sense of smell and vision to detract pests away.
Mosquitoes
They are one of the most annoying pests that always seem to find a way to bite you when you are out side during a nice day. Some simple ingredients you can put on exposed skin to detract them from biting you
- citronella oil
- vinegar
You could also try wearing pastel colors that will distract the mosquitos from wanting to even look at you. Another way to try to lower the population is to attract more birds and dragonflies.
Fleas and Ticks
This is more for your pets, but one method is try to rub talc on your pet or supplementing their diets with garlic or Vitamin B to distract them from getting on your pet’s skin.
Ants
To prevent those pesky ants from entering you house, make a line of either cream of tartar, red chili pepper or paprika to stop them in their tracks.
To keep most pests out of your home, just make sure you keep all crumbs cleaned up and do not leave any open food containers laying around the house. Also, make sure to take the trash out often and be sure to clean on a regular basis. To find additional repellent ideas, the EPA has a great guide to keeping those pests away from you and your house.
What if you don’t want to make homemade products?
If you currently have chemical products or prefer them, just be careful to read the label properly to make sure that you don’t harm your family, animals or the environment by using them. Also make sure to properly store dispose of them as it could have damaging effects if they are exposed to the environment improperly.
