Donate Your Denim And Make A Difference Today!

When I started putting this blog together I wanted to do something fun like “5 Totally Hot Ways to Ditch Your Denim & Be Green About It…” Yes, that was actually the original title.  But as I researched, I came across something so very cool, that I couldn’t wait to share it with YOU.

I found COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.^® denim drive changing the world one pair of jeans at a time.  In 2006, a grassroots student organization took off educating students about the green and renewable values of denim.  Just one year later 14,556 articles of denim had been collecting, which nearly doubled the initial estimates.  The collected denim was then sent to a leader in the recycling community, Allen Company.  The denim was compacted into 1,000 lbs. bales and then shipped off to JBM Fibers where they would return the denim to its original cotton fiber state.  But, the quest isn’t quite over for the denim.  Finally Bonded Logic Inc. converts the denim into UltraTouch™ Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation.  The insulation is then used in houses built by Habitat for Humanity.

UltraTouch™ is composed of 85% recycled cotton fibers; it is an environmentally safe, itchy-free insulation that doesn’t have carcinogenic warnings, formaldehyde or chemical irritants.  It even insulates and absorbs sound up to 30% more than typical fiberglass insulation.  Most importantly, it is one of the ONLY insulation products with an active mold/mildew inhibitor.

The COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.^® denim drive has rendered 270,617 articles of denim; these have produced over 585,000 sq feet of UltraTouch™ Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation and are now warming 540 homes in communities in need.  The denim drive was so successful that the organization has had to temporarily suspend collections.

Since collections have been suspended, start putting your old jeans aside now for when this gets going again.  If ever there was a fabulous and worthy cause that we could use our old clothes for, then this is it!  Donating your old jeans here not only renders a green and eco-friendly product, but it also specifically goes to help human beings build a home to stay safe and protected in.  I truly can not wait to donate my denim to them as soon as possible!

How We Can Make A Difference In A World Water Crisis

I am truly touched and affected when I come across companies and organizations doing something to actually change the world and save lives.  Today I was directed to CSDW.org (of Proctor & Gamble), and I learned some staggering facts as well as some fabulous resolutions.  CSDW (Children’s Safe Drinking Water) is a program designed to bring safer water to a big part of the world.

It took a while to process some of the following information and how terribly dangerous many communities water supplies are.

• More than one billion people do not have access to safe water.
• Diarrhea caused by drinking contaminated water remains a leading cause of illness and death among infants and children in the developing world.
• About 1.8 million children die every year due to diarrheal diseases.
• More children die from diarrheal illnesses like cholera and dysentery than from HIV/AIDS or malaria combined.
• P&G has collaborated with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) since 1995 to develop safe drinking water systems that people can easily use in their homes.
• There is conclusive evidence that simple, low-cost interventions at the community level can dramatically improve the quality of household stored water and greatly reduce the risk of diarrheal disease and death.
• It is well documented that simply providing safe, clean, drinkable water can reduce deadly diarrhea and other devastating diseases by about 50%.

To combat this hazardous situation, the CSDW is distributing the PUR Packet (a product of PUR), to clean up to 10 liters of water at a time.  The PUR Packet is exceptionally more useful in these cultures because a little bit goes a long way; they are also a greener response to this problem by saving on the countless water bottles sent to these struggling cultures. P&G works with organizations like PSI, CARE, World Vision, Aquaya Institute, USAID, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the International Council of Nurses, Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs, Save the Children, Samaritan’s Purse, and Americares; these organizations and the CSDW are over half way to their goal of cleaning 4 billion liters of water before 2012.

If you would like to help this global movement, then don’t wait another minute.  The CSDW accepts PayPal.  Even small contributions can make a huge difference.  One PUR Packet cleans 10 Liters of water, and costs 10¢.  $1.00 will provide one child with clean water for 50 days, $7.50 can provide that same child with clean water for a year, and $30.00 gives one family clean water for a full year.

3 Alternative Energy Sources To Follow

This morning, I found a great article from Fast Company discussing the world’s largest Tidal Turbine; I got really excited about how alternative energy is evolving, and I did some research.  Here are three things cool new developments for alternative energy:

1)      Hydroelectric Power & Tidal Turbines

Hydroelectricity has been around for quite some time; it’s probably best recognized by harnessing the power of rivers through turbines and dames, but in 2008 the first commercial tidal turbine went live in Northern Ireland.  The next big step for hydroelectricity looks like a $7.5 million and 130 ton machine that will immediately generate 1 MW (energy to power 1,000 homes); it’s name: The AK-1000.  By 2020 this machine should generate 700 MW.  Check out the Atlantis Resource Corporation for more details!

2)      Solar Thermal Power

Beyond traditional solar power, solar thermal power plants focus the sun’s energy using parabolic troughs to feed into a steam cycle around 700 ° F.  The steam powers turbine generators that can generate up to 250MW.  Using thermal storage technologies, energy can be stored and released on demand.  If you want to know more about Solar Thermal Energy, a leading US company Solar Trust of America is doing some incredible stuff.

3)      Algae-Based Fuels

Just last week, the New York Times published a blog about a $52 million deal for just one San Francisco based company (Solazyme) to commercialize their algae-based fuel.  Solazyme is also contracted to the US NAVY for 20,000 gallons of fuel for ships while creating and generating new jet fuel.  The University of Tulsa also received $1 million in funding three years ago from San Diego-based Sapphire Energy Inc. along with a $750K federal grant for algae-based fuel research project focusing on energy for automobiles.

Most of these alternative forms of energy have been in development for some time now, but with increasing awareness from the rest of the world due to events like the Gulf Oil Spill we are seeing faster improvements toward a greener future.

Organic Bug strives to provide goods that are eco-friendly and organic as our part to make tomorrow a better place.

Terrapass: Offsetting Your Personal & Professional Carbon Footprint

All of us leave a carbon footprint, and while some footprints are bigger than others – it’s wonderful to see companies developing ways to help offset some of the eco-damage that we can cause. I recently was turned on to Terapass, and was very impressed with what I saw.

First and foremost, Terapass is a company that allows you to purchase the reduction of your carbon footprint. Here’s how it works: You (as a consumer or a business owner) may calculate an estimate of your carbon emissions, you may then purchase your TerraPass online, the proceeds then go to 10 separate projects (in 2010) in North America that are either Wind Farms, Landfill Gas Capture, or Farm Power (making the best use of animal waste.

Terrapass walks the walk as well as talking the talk. 100% of their carbon offsets are verified annually by broadly accepted standards. They also only sell carbon offsets that are happening in today’s world and do not depend on future developments (for example waiting for the maturation of trees). Finally, they maintain transparency by promoting and making available the sold carbon credits, including the project name, location, type, standard, verifier and the exact quantity of carbon credits that they purchased from each project. This way, you know exactly where your money goes.

If you haven’t checked this out yet, you should! It’s a great way to help save the planet while maintaining responsibility for your own carbon footprint!

Featured Non-Profit: Alliance For International Reforestation (AIR)

When you make a purchase at Organic Bug, know you are using your power as a consumer to affect positive change in the overall environment and social climate.  Organic Bug works with 1% for the Planet to give back to non-profits that share its belief that industry and ecology are inherently connected.

One such organization on the list of affiliated non-profits at 1% for the Planet is AIR: Alliance For International Reforestation. For the past 3 years Organic Bug has chosen AIR as one of its most treasured recipients, pledging a portion of 1% of gross sales to support the programs initiated and maintained by this outstanding non-profit.

From AIR’s Webpage: The Alliance for International Reforestation, Inc. or AIR, is a non-profit organization working to make a difference for the people of Guatemala and Nicaragua. AIR plants trees, establishes tree nurseries, provides environmental education for teachers and farmers, digs wells, builds fuel-efficient brick ovens, and helps to educate everyone about the environmental challenges facing Central America.

AIR was founded in 1992 and is maintained by its Founder & Chair of the Board of Directors, Dr. Anne M. Hallum. Professor Hallum has worked at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida since 1987 and teaches in the Department of Political Science.

Stetson is just 45 minutes from the Organic Bug office & warehouse and Organic Bug Co-Founder, Peggy English, has enjoyed meeting and corresponding with Dr. Hallum during the course of their ongoing partnership.

Peggy remains impressed with the fact that “at least 93% of all donations to AIR go directly to Guatemala supporting ongoing projects there~addressing the causes of rural hunger & deforestation.  I love that this organization addresses not only the symptoms, but works on solutions through education, planting of tree nurseries & teaching sustainable farming.”

AIR now has close to 300 community tree nurseries & over 1500 farmers have been trained in their own fields to use methods that will increase crop yields without using chemicals. The replanting of trees helps to prevent mudslides & erosion on the eerily deforested slopes that are sadly a part of the Guatemalan landscape.

Although AIR is a small non-profit, it has big goals and is at the top of our list to continue to support in the coming years.

NRDC Meets Celebrity

Celebrities have all come together to pass a legislation bill that will make American history if passed. They are featured in a video made by the Natural Resource Defense Council Action Fund that directly talks to voters about getting off their tush and contacting their state Senator. Anything from a letter to a video sent to them is what they are asking. Stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Long and Emmy Rossum are amongst the celebrities that make an appearance.

NRDC Action Fund: Who are they and what are they doing?

The Natural Resource Defense Council or NRDC has created an Action Fund that will hopefully assist in the passage of legislation that will jump start clean energy economy. It will also support legislation that supports the reduction of pollution. Both of these factors are key in the battle of climate change. As we all may know that in a nationwide dispute, problems are solved through legislation, and that many great movements have started first with policy. Now is that time.

The overall goal of the NRDC is the passage of a comprehensive clean energy policy that will re-power the economy and lead a way to non-dependence on foreign oil. The main goal right now that involves all is to mobilize us and the rest of the community to vote for clean energy legislation. The action fund recently assisted in the passing of the American Clean Energy and Security Act. A main part of their efforts relied on social media and overall web based news, feeds and conversations. The Action Fund is working with NRDC and other partners to implement steps and strategies to pass ACES in the Senate this year. The strategy recently used was a “Hero’s and Villains” themed web page that identified how members in strategic states voted and asked that activists be on the side of the Hero’s.

The NRDC understands that the environmental movement is not everyone’s belief or understanding, which is why they work to build coalitions with strategic partners to make sure that those who are worth listening to get a worthy and large audience. This component is very important to their passing of the bill, which is why they have created the video–to virally enter the homes of millions of Americans that hopefully will give this a second look, pass it on and possibly even write or send a video to their Senator.

Ok, now you have the information and you may ask: so what? Well for your information, this is a country that is ultimately determined by its citizens and demands that you care for it for the good of the people. Make sure that if environmentalism is on your list of importance in life, that you take action in situations such as this. This provides an incredible opportunity for both you and your fellow Americans to make a difference with the way we handle our energy and dependence on foreign oil. The passing of this bill is reminiscent of the old phrase “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.

To learn more check out this video -

What Does it Mean to be a Woman of Green? Check Out the Organic Bug Spotlight of the Month

When Mind Over Markets co-founder Carolyn Parrs spoke at Green America’s Green Festival in San Francisco; she asked a group of women “What does it mean to be a woman of green?”

She shares the answers on her site: Women of Green; a podcast and online community designed to give women a voice on behalf of our planet and future generations:

It means to be a woman who is willing to stand up and to speak out behalf of the earth and the people of the earth against so many of the thoughtless wrongs that are being perpetuated.

It means you are conscious about what you are doing.

It means changing habits a little at a time.

A woman a green is a woman who is connected to her heart and to her womb.

It means to be empowering and empowered and to be able to speak your voice about the things that are important to you.

It means to motivate people and inspire them to make a difference.

Carolyn’s vision has led to a wonderful online resource for business owners, entrepreneurs, parents, teachers, writers, activists- ANYONE who wants to help make a positive change for our environment. 

Women of Green is our “Organic Bug Spotlight” of the month and I encourage you to tune in so we can, as Carolyn says, “Turn Up the Volume” and add to the conversation!

Check Out Blue Gold: World Water Wars

As a world we are rapidly losing our fresh water supplies and as with anything, there are massive politics behind ownership and distribution. This factor naturally worsens the situation due to the unfair distribution and withholding of water to those in need. The questions and scenarios of what will happen as water becomes increasingly scarce is answered in the documentary Blue Gold: World Water Wars.

The documentary looks at how we are using up water faster than it can be replenished through natural systems – we are mining as much as 15 times more groundwater than is being replenished, at the rate of 30 billion gallons a day. To add insult to injury, we are polluting it beyond use, destroying the wetlands that are natural filters, and blocking the rivers that carry nutrients that keep the water healthy and lands fertile. To top it all off, leading scientists state that we are essentially decertifying the world and are approximately 50 years away from a water crisis.

The solutions we’ve come up with are addressed as well. Anything from shipping water to desalination and the side effects that negate the benefits is documented and looked at.

We have to completely overhaul the way we use water if we want to avoid serious wars over this precious resource in the near future.

Our only choice as individuals is conservation, being an advocate for the world’s resources and for our future. Ultimately, the world’s water supply is at risk of disappearing rich or poor alike. If you are interested in getting informed and involved, we highly encourage you to watch this film.

Run! Run! Run! June 2 is National Running Day!

The journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step- Lao-tzu

An entire day has devoted to bringing awareness to the numerous benefits of running.  Who knew? National Running Day is an initiative to nationally promote running as a healthy, easy, and accessible form of exercise.

I have personally benefited from running since I have begun training for a half marathon through an amazing program: Team in Training that benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Whether it’s five minutes, 15 minutes, or 45 minutes, every little bit of time spent running makes a difference in the goal to live healthy, happy, and heart strong.

You can participate in National Running Day anywhere—you don’t have to be in one of the cities hosting events to take part. At the least, all it takes is to wear your running shoes throughout the day, go for a run, and invite a friend to join you.  Join us for National Running Day on Wednesday, June 2, as we come together as a nation to take strides toward leading healthier, fitter lives.

Organic Bug Celebrates World Fair Trade Day on May 8

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