Friday, May 25, 2007
Failing to Save the World
I've been realizing more and more lately that I really need a new pair of sneakers (or tennis shoes if you live in the part of the country that doesn't count). I've always hated my current sneakers. They're Nike walking shoes and in addition to their tendency to rip the skin off the back of my heels, they make me feel really bad since they were produced by some exploited child sweatshop worker. I decided that instead of just getting another pair of whatever is cheap, that I wanted to get some sweatshop free sneakers. Little did I know what a task that would be. Basically every brand you could possibly think of makes at least some of their shoes in China. Including New Balance which everyone thinks is an American company. Granted, New Balance is probably more responsible then some of their competitors, but it's still not the ideal solution I was looking for. Everything I've read seems to suggest that Saucony's are ok, but I can't really get any information either way. Timberlands also come recommended but their only sneaker-like shoe is really more a low hiker. I just want a pair of sneakers with decent arch support and some degree of shock absorption for walking and going to the gym. Aside from those options, the next best thing seems to be the european made spider sneaker from vegetarian shoes. You can check it out here. The problem is I would like to see them before I buy them and MooShoes only has a location in New York. So maybe I'll be going up there one day. I do kind of feel like a bit of an extremist to be buying from a company called MooShoes though. I guess I'm just put out that someone who is trying to be socially responisble can have such a hard time doing it. It's kind of frustrating to do hours of research just to be left with the choice of lesser evils. It's sad that no company wants to stand up, be a little transparent, and say hey we try to treat our workers fairly. None of this "it meets the local regulations and standards" crap. I have to make a decision soon though because I can't stand ripping up my heels anymore!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Ahh...Refreshing
Two posts in one night! Whoah. Too much to handle. Anyway, I was catching up on some old blog reading today and I ran across a little gem in Ben's blog that was too wonderful not to post on. Evidentally, Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies decided to set up a camera and film himself singing in the bathroom. I just watched one on youtube and it just reminded on how awesome Bare Naked Ladies are and how fun their music is and how much I need to find that CD and put it in iTunes if it isn't already. I remember when One Week first came out and everyone tried to memorize all the words and sing along. Well, now you can relive that moment on youtube. It made my heart happy.
A Recent Conversation on the Price of Gas
Random Friend: my parents and i were just fighting again about gas prices
Me: lol
Random Friend: my mom's like "i just heard they are making $200,000 a minute - this needs to be stopped"
Random Friend: and i was like "yep, you know how you stop it? stop buying it"
Random Friend: she didn't seem to think it was so simple Me: It's not the governments job to regulate prices
Me: That would make us socialist
Random Friend: exactly, and that's what my dad just said "the government stepped up and regulated utilities in the 80s - they need to do the same now for gas"
Random Friend: and i was like "we shouldn't just sit around and wait for someone else to do something about it"
Random Friend: i'm glad someone's on my side
Me: lol
Me: But I still want to drive to Paramus
Random Friend: exactly
Random Friend: WE ARE SO GOING
Me: lol
Me: I thought so
Random Friend: but see? the gas companies deserve to make that profit because i'm willing to pay them outrageous amounts of money to drive up to see you and then drive up to paramus
Me: Exactly. I 100% agree
Me: In fact, if you really believe in capitalism (which I don't necessarily), kudos to them for charging so much and making so much
Random Friend: exactly!
Random Friend: that was my point
Me: And and! The rest of the world pays this much all the time
Me: The oil companies are just "living the american dream"
Random Friend: i know! lol
Random Friend: which is why america sucks
Random Friend: blame america Me: Preach it sister
Random Friend: don't blame the oil companiesMe: You should have Jon Stewart's babies
Random Friend: i know!!! god i want to!
Random Friend: i know!!! god i want to!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
I thought I'd take a little break from saving the world today and tell you a story about something that happened to me recently. Well, I've probably told most of you this story, but I think the pictures really add something to it. So, here we go.
Oh! Look at the pretty ostrich! Let's stop to get a closer look!
Um...why is the ostrich running at us like that?
MAKE IT STOP! *frantic reversing* The ostrich is pecking my car!! AHHHH!
The aftermath says it all. Ostriches do, in fact, damage your car.
Oh! Look at the pretty ostrich! Let's stop to get a closer look!
Um...why is the ostrich running at us like that?
MAKE IT STOP! *frantic reversing* The ostrich is pecking my car!! AHHHH!
The aftermath says it all. Ostriches do, in fact, damage your car.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
How to Save the World, Part II
Next up: bottled water.
To put it simply, just stop drinking it. What is the point? Bottled water is simply an advertising hype, trying to make you think of safety purity. The truth is bottled water is not cleaner or safer then tap water. In fact, in a recent study by the National Resources Defense Council, one-third of bottled water tested contained a contaminant. The bottled water industry is poorly regulated with a significant share of the market completely unregulated. When it is regulated, bottled water is subjected to less rigorous and less frequent testing then city tap water. And as if that's not all bad enough, bottled water is allowed to contain small amount of E. coli or fecal coliform (which indicate potential fecal contamination) while positive results are prohibited in tap water.
In addition to this frankly disgusting information, we are spending 240 to 10,000 times more per gallon for bottled water then for tap water. And, just in case you aren't yet dumbfounded, a quarter (on a conservative estimate) of bottled waters are actually just bottled tap water. And according to FDA regulations, they are allowed to call this spring water. Obviously the bottled water industry is quite lucrative. In fact, one researcher said, "At as much as $2.50 per liter (or $10 per gallon), bottled water costs more then gasoline." I don't think we can blame Venezuela for that.
As if it isn't bad enough that you're possibly drinking poop and paying a 10,000 times markup on it, bottled water is hurting the environment. Bottled water produces unnecessary garbage and consumes excessive energy. Worldwide, 2.7 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year. In fact, making bottles to meet America's demand for bottled water requires 1.5 million barrels of crude oil a year, enough to fuel 100,000 US cars for a year. About 86% of these bottles become garbage or litter and take...oh..anywhere from 400 to 1,000 years to degrade.
The simple solution? Buy a reusable bottle and fill it up...from your tap! Or better yet, reuse your old water bottles. After all, they should last you another 399 years minimum. If you just can't bear the thought of drinking straight from the tap, invest in a Brita pitcher or Pur filter that attaches right to your faucet. There is absolutely no excuse for the pure excess and waste of drinking bottled water. Are we really that lazy as a society that we can't fill up a bottle before we leave the house for work or the gym?
That being said, bottled water certainly has a place. But for people whose tap water is unsafe to drink. Here's my challenge to you. For one year, stop buying bottled water. Heck, stop buying bottled beverages all together, and use the money you save (which could be quite substantial depending on your habits) and donate it to an organization that helps provide access to clean water to the millions of people around the world that actually need it.
To put it simply, just stop drinking it. What is the point? Bottled water is simply an advertising hype, trying to make you think of safety purity. The truth is bottled water is not cleaner or safer then tap water. In fact, in a recent study by the National Resources Defense Council, one-third of bottled water tested contained a contaminant. The bottled water industry is poorly regulated with a significant share of the market completely unregulated. When it is regulated, bottled water is subjected to less rigorous and less frequent testing then city tap water. And as if that's not all bad enough, bottled water is allowed to contain small amount of E. coli or fecal coliform (which indicate potential fecal contamination) while positive results are prohibited in tap water.
In addition to this frankly disgusting information, we are spending 240 to 10,000 times more per gallon for bottled water then for tap water. And, just in case you aren't yet dumbfounded, a quarter (on a conservative estimate) of bottled waters are actually just bottled tap water. And according to FDA regulations, they are allowed to call this spring water. Obviously the bottled water industry is quite lucrative. In fact, one researcher said, "At as much as $2.50 per liter (or $10 per gallon), bottled water costs more then gasoline." I don't think we can blame Venezuela for that.
As if it isn't bad enough that you're possibly drinking poop and paying a 10,000 times markup on it, bottled water is hurting the environment. Bottled water produces unnecessary garbage and consumes excessive energy. Worldwide, 2.7 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year. In fact, making bottles to meet America's demand for bottled water requires 1.5 million barrels of crude oil a year, enough to fuel 100,000 US cars for a year. About 86% of these bottles become garbage or litter and take...oh..anywhere from 400 to 1,000 years to degrade.
The simple solution? Buy a reusable bottle and fill it up...from your tap! Or better yet, reuse your old water bottles. After all, they should last you another 399 years minimum. If you just can't bear the thought of drinking straight from the tap, invest in a Brita pitcher or Pur filter that attaches right to your faucet. There is absolutely no excuse for the pure excess and waste of drinking bottled water. Are we really that lazy as a society that we can't fill up a bottle before we leave the house for work or the gym?
That being said, bottled water certainly has a place. But for people whose tap water is unsafe to drink. Here's my challenge to you. For one year, stop buying bottled water. Heck, stop buying bottled beverages all together, and use the money you save (which could be quite substantial depending on your habits) and donate it to an organization that helps provide access to clean water to the millions of people around the world that actually need it.
Monday, May 21, 2007
How to Save the World, Part I
In honor of...well nothing I can really think of except maybe my own personal motivation, I thought I'd give you all some of my favorite ideas for making a difference in the world. Most of these are things that I do or am trying to do in my own life. I think it's important to be aware of what's going on in our world (in case you hadn't guessed that by now) but it's not enough to just have that knowledge. We have to act on it. So, here's some suggestions from someone who is trying to blunder through it.
Up first: Fair Trade products
I'm a big proponent of fair trade products. Generally, fair trade products are produced by people who are living in extreme poverty (often women). These people can be a) employed by sweatshops or b) employed by groups or organizations that attempt to sell their handcrafts at a fair market price. Hmm. Tough choice. Not only does fair trade put money in the hands of those who need it, it also gives us a great opportunity to have access to beautiful hand crafted items from around the world without ever leaving the comfort of our desk or couch.
Here's a selection of some great resources to get Fair Trade/World Craft products. I've ordered from most of them, for both myself and as gifts and everyone has been more then delighted with their items.
The Hunger Site- Not only does this site have great fair trade items, many of them give you a profile on the organization or person that makes them. They also tell you how many cups of food they are able to donate to those in need from your purchase. While you're there, click the button to donate more food on the main page. I've ordered three things from this site and all arrived promptly and were absolutely beautiful.
thegroovymind- This site has a little of everything, and most importantly, fair trade coffee. I love coffee. I don't drink fair trade very often. I get very mad at myself for this. Make a small change in your life and make a big difference in the abusive coffee industry.
Ten Thousand Villages- This is my newest find and perhaps my favorite. It's part of the Mennonite Central Committee., which makes me somehow trust them more. They also have excellent information about fair trade, the artisans they work with, etc. They also have stores! and there just might be one in your area. And, perhaps the most fabulous of all, a gift registry. Whoa. Expect to see more of this.
A Greater Gift- This website is probably the most user-friendly and appealing and probably has the widest selection. This organization has been around a long time and does great work and they're a great choice to make sure that your dollars are being used well. They also have a handy gifts feature that helps you pick the perfect item for any occasion and person.
Worldstock- Part of overstock.com, I'm most suspect of this site. However, they do claim to be creating jobs and buying environmentally and economically sound products. I bought some great coasters made of African bottle caps from them and I had a few problems with the shipping and after a couple grumpy conversations, everything worked out just fine. They have some items you won't find anywhere else and some higher end furniture items. It's definitely worth checking out and if you see something you love, get it! A little help is better then no help at all!
Fair Trade Federation- If all else fails, this website has a list of fair trade merchants broken down by state.
World Vision Gift Catalog- This isn't exactly fair trade, but it's certainly a unique gift. Don't know what to give? Make a donation in someone's honor. World Vision lets you choose. Give a goat, fishing supplies, food, hope for sexually exploited girls, or a well. What a great way to honor someone or give a gift to the person who has everything. Instead of giving them something to dust every month, give them something that keeps on giving everytime they think about it: the knowledge that somewhere a child is thriving instead of starving because of a gift made in their name.
This is just a glimpse into the world of fair trade products. If you're looking for more info, just type fair trade into your search engine and see where it takes you. All of us buy countless gifts each year. Getting fair trade products for just a few of those gifts can make a huge difference in the lives of those who need it most. Next time you get invited to a shower, give a fair trade frame, serving piece, or candle holder. Your gift will certainly stand out in the midst of the typical wedding items. If you do decide to give fair trade, enclose a little note about fair trade items and where you got it so that they can fall in love with fair trade too. Not only will they love the gift, but you'll feel great about giving it.
Up first: Fair Trade products
I'm a big proponent of fair trade products. Generally, fair trade products are produced by people who are living in extreme poverty (often women). These people can be a) employed by sweatshops or b) employed by groups or organizations that attempt to sell their handcrafts at a fair market price. Hmm. Tough choice. Not only does fair trade put money in the hands of those who need it, it also gives us a great opportunity to have access to beautiful hand crafted items from around the world without ever leaving the comfort of our desk or couch.
Here's a selection of some great resources to get Fair Trade/World Craft products. I've ordered from most of them, for both myself and as gifts and everyone has been more then delighted with their items.
The Hunger Site- Not only does this site have great fair trade items, many of them give you a profile on the organization or person that makes them. They also tell you how many cups of food they are able to donate to those in need from your purchase. While you're there, click the button to donate more food on the main page. I've ordered three things from this site and all arrived promptly and were absolutely beautiful.
thegroovymind- This site has a little of everything, and most importantly, fair trade coffee. I love coffee. I don't drink fair trade very often. I get very mad at myself for this. Make a small change in your life and make a big difference in the abusive coffee industry.
Ten Thousand Villages- This is my newest find and perhaps my favorite. It's part of the Mennonite Central Committee., which makes me somehow trust them more. They also have excellent information about fair trade, the artisans they work with, etc. They also have stores! and there just might be one in your area. And, perhaps the most fabulous of all, a gift registry. Whoa. Expect to see more of this.
A Greater Gift- This website is probably the most user-friendly and appealing and probably has the widest selection. This organization has been around a long time and does great work and they're a great choice to make sure that your dollars are being used well. They also have a handy gifts feature that helps you pick the perfect item for any occasion and person.
Worldstock- Part of overstock.com, I'm most suspect of this site. However, they do claim to be creating jobs and buying environmentally and economically sound products. I bought some great coasters made of African bottle caps from them and I had a few problems with the shipping and after a couple grumpy conversations, everything worked out just fine. They have some items you won't find anywhere else and some higher end furniture items. It's definitely worth checking out and if you see something you love, get it! A little help is better then no help at all!
Fair Trade Federation- If all else fails, this website has a list of fair trade merchants broken down by state.
World Vision Gift Catalog- This isn't exactly fair trade, but it's certainly a unique gift. Don't know what to give? Make a donation in someone's honor. World Vision lets you choose. Give a goat, fishing supplies, food, hope for sexually exploited girls, or a well. What a great way to honor someone or give a gift to the person who has everything. Instead of giving them something to dust every month, give them something that keeps on giving everytime they think about it: the knowledge that somewhere a child is thriving instead of starving because of a gift made in their name.
This is just a glimpse into the world of fair trade products. If you're looking for more info, just type fair trade into your search engine and see where it takes you. All of us buy countless gifts each year. Getting fair trade products for just a few of those gifts can make a huge difference in the lives of those who need it most. Next time you get invited to a shower, give a fair trade frame, serving piece, or candle holder. Your gift will certainly stand out in the midst of the typical wedding items. If you do decide to give fair trade, enclose a little note about fair trade items and where you got it so that they can fall in love with fair trade too. Not only will they love the gift, but you'll feel great about giving it.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Bloggers Around The World
I ran across this article awhile ago somewhere or other. I think it's cool that blogging has enabled people across the world to express themselves and what's really going on in the world. Getting news from blogs is kind of like getting from the Daily Show in the US, so it's nice to know that blogging is a means of distributing truth in countries that lack the freedoms we take for granted. I also thought it was interesting that there was a group called Reporters Without Borders. Just didn't know that. The see also links at the bottom are also interesting. As I side note, I have lots of thoughts for things to write on and just not enough time to do it, so entries are coming, I promise!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)