And being on the receiving end of a treasured mix tape, you knew that your love would last forever. That is until he started to make a tape for that girl in second period math class.

Ah young, fickle love.

Taking cassettes to the next level, these crafters have taken old tapes and remade them, or remixed them, into some pretty nifty items:

• Over at Craftster, freepepper has created this wonderful wallet (pictured) out of a cassette tape. Instructables has a good tutorial on how to make one of your own.

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The ROTHBURY Music Festival held at the idyllic Double JJ Ranch near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan attracted about 40,000 music lovers from all 50 U.S. states and 15 countries. And while the four-day festival attracted musical acts as diverse as Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio, Snoop Dogg, Modest Mouse, and Primus, politically-engaged attendees were also invited to participate in a dozen “think tank” events with the theme: “Finding Energy Independence.”

To curate ROTHBURY’S series of think tank events, Festival organizers brought in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change climate scientist and Stanford University professor, Dr. Stephen Schneider. Schneider helped kick-off the Think Tank series of events with a live taping of the national radio show E-Town. Joining Schneider was former Green Party Vice-Presidential candidate Winona LaDuke. The pair discussed how we might move forward with political solutions to climate change and they both put particular emphasis on the tremendous importance of the upcoming 2008 election.

“This is the fusion of information and emotion,” Schneider said of the dual roles of speakers and musicians. “The message will spread way beyond ROTHBURY.”

Think Tank events were scattered throughout the four-day festival and to keep things fresh, they were also scattered throughout the Double JJ Ranch, to give the events as broad exposure as possible.

With panel discussion names like: “The Path to Energy Independence and a New American Revolution;” “How America’s Youth are Driving the Energy Revolution;” How Do We Motivate the Masses to be Part of the Energy Revolution?” And “The Energy Revolution will not be Televised - Demanding Change from our Political Leaders and the Media,” this ecopolitical geek was in heaven. But catching all of the great panel discussions would have been a Herculean task for anyone, let alone a devoted music junkie like myself.

The ones that I did catch (besides the ones at the larger stages), were attended by a very thoughtful and interested cadre of folks, spanning the spectrum of environmentalism from committed enviros to the “green curious.” But what may have been the most special aspect of the Think Tanks themselves was seeing and hearing some real big names in music talk about what they do as individuals or as a band to lessen the environmental impact of their touring.

Speaking with particular candor about this very matter was one member of the band Sound Tribe Sector Nine who noted that they were more than a little aware of the ecological footprint of their touring the country with large coaches, tractor-trailers to haul the gear, and electricity-sucking light shows and sound systems. And even though they took steps to mitigate that impact (at one point the band used to claim carbon-neutral tours) the large footprint still tugged at him a little bit.

Festival organizers Madison House and AEG Live spoke openly about raising the bar for music other music festivals, both in terms of the actual sustainability of such a large undertaking, but also in terms of harnessing the energy from that large undertaking and focusing it on a larger social cause.  And while they succeeded at raising that bar, I’m guessing they see room for improvement and will come back with an even more impressive festival experience next year and for years to come.

Other Posts About ROTHBURY:

• “ROTHBURY: Festival Also Sets Sights on Food and Waste”
• “Win ROTHBURY Tickets”
• “Winner Announced: What is Right/What is Wrong with the Environmental Movement Today?”

Photos: 1. Mike Gordon and Trey Anastasio of Phish - Michael Weintraub; 2. John Bell of Widespread Panic - Tim Hurst; 3. Sherwood Forest by Day - C. Taylor Crothers; 4. Sherwood Forest by Night - C. Taylor Crothers.

We’ve all experienced them somehow, from a well meaning friend or a grandparent. And for me, there is something truly offensive about cheery, annoying, repetitive music before 8am. It makes me drink coffee. Fast.

But it is shockingly not all about me, no. My daughters love music and love to dance, and of course I want to encourage this. I’m also eager to encourage in them a love of other cultures, language and musical heritage. I want their taste in music to be open and diverse, not always expecting the same kind of forced glee or silly lyrics found in many of today’s kid’s music.

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BUT, for the really adventurous out there - I did find this wonderfully endearing YouTube clip of a man (the language barrier won’t matter) delighting in showing the world how he fashions apples, carrots and even asparagus into musical instruments. It is music so good you can eat it! (Sorry … couldn’t resist).

It is a little weird - but what a fantastic way to take the fear out of vegetables. I don’t know that I can pull off this trick with my paring knife, but I might give it a try. If nothing else, this will provide at least 10 minutes worth of hysterical laughter from my son. 

Enjoy the clip after the jump. 

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Music for a Green Planet takes many traditional children’s songs, as well as other popular classics, and changes the lyrics to reflect a green message. I have probably listened to this cd a dozen times in one day, as my children absolutely adore it, and I do too.  The first track is a version of  “She’ll be Comin’ Round the Mountain” only she’s driving a hybrid and using biodiesel.

We’ll be driving biodiesel when she comes
We’ll be getting cleaner mileage when she comes
We’ll be a part of the solution
Cause we’re making less pollution
We’ll be driving biodiesel when she comes

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News is in that the recent Tune In. Turn On. Drop Off! event we mentioned earlier this week was hot! She and Him (composed of actress/singer Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward) performed for the participants at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills.

While green launch parties are great fun, my biomimicry-intrigued self is drawn to The Independent nature article out now called Eco-pop: Songs in the key of life ~ “A new breed of eco-pop artists is making musical ’soundscapes’ that get closer to nature than ever before.” They discuss how scientists are increasingly reaching out to musicians to engage the public in their work.

Music (no matter what the genre) is a great catalyst for innovation, motivation, even social change and environmental consciousness. What are some tunes that are moving you in a good direction?I’d like to share some recent playlists I’ve found to give you a burst of spring fevor:

1. Eco-fashionistas @ Natural High Lifestyle seem to know what to play.
2. Jack Johnson is a chill, soothing listen.

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   ]]> http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/04/17/feelgood-jukebox/feed/ http://sustainablog.org/2008/04/08/rothbury-a-music-festival-with-a-purpose/ http://sustainablog.org/2008/04/08/rothbury-a-music-festival-with-a-purpose/#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:36:33 +0000 Timothy B. Hurst http://sustainablog.org/2008/04/08/rothbury-a-music-festival-with-a-purpose/ As has been reported on the Green Options network in the past, enviros and music festivals go together like peanut butter and jelly. The synergy between the two may be no more evident than on July 4th weekend 2008, when the town of Rothbury, Michigan will play host to a “party with a purpose.” The four-day ROTHBURY music and camping festival is being promoted as a “cultural assembly; one where music fans, artists and progressive thinkers gather to celebrate much more than music.” It is Rothbury’s goal to harness the unique energy of the live music community into a durable social movement toward an important cause: Climate Change and Clean Energy Alternatives.

   Promoters say that ROTHBURY is committed to producing a near zero-waste concert. The first to tackle a green program of this magnitude at an around-the-clock (camping) concert in the USA.

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   ]]> http://sustainablog.org/2008/04/08/rothbury-a-music-festival-with-a-purpose/feed/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/04/01/fabulous-fabrics-sonic-fabric/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/04/01/fabulous-fabrics-sonic-fabric/#comments Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:22:48 +0000 Skye Kilaen http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/04/01/fabulous-fabrics-sonic-fabric/ I realize that on April 1st, it’s a bit risky to post about fabric made from recycled cassette tapes. Are you going to believe me? It’s true, though! Sonic Fabric, the creation of designer Alyce Santoro, is woven from recycled cassette tape and cotton. It’s recorded with a sound collage before weaving, and you can actually listen to sounds from the fabric by running a tape head over it.

   No, really. I’m serious.

   Granted, Santoro describes the sound as “kind of like scratching a record backwards or radio static” because you’re listening to many strands of tape at one time. So a Sonic Fabric dress isn’t exactly a replacement for the IPod.

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   ]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/04/01/fabulous-fabrics-sonic-fabric/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/01/31/trade-your-childs-books-for-new-ones-with-swaptree/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/01/31/trade-your-childs-books-for-new-ones-with-swaptree/#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:24:58 +0000 Jennifer Lance http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/01/31/trade-your-childs-books-for-new-ones-with-swaptree/ While reading one of my favorite parenting blogs Z Recommends, I noticed an advertisement for Swaptree. Swaptree provides an online service where you can trade books, music, dvds, and video games for free with other users. This is a great idea for children’s books, especially as children outgrow pictures books and are ready for chapter books.

   Swaptree was started because the founders noticed:

   • their mothers were frequently trading books with their network of friends
   • their nephews played a new $55 dollar video game for a week or so, and then never again
   • their shelves (and everyone else’s shelves that they knew) were filled with hundreds of CDs and DVDs that weren’t going to see the inside of a CD or DVD player anytime soon
   • the price of college textbooks had gotten out of hand

   Read more of this story »

   ]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/01/31/trade-your-childs-books-for-new-ones-with-swaptree/feed/ http://jessicajanefrench.greenoptions.com/2007/10/16/capturing-the-light-of-god-with-solar-panals-a-story-of-a-priest-his-church-and-environmental-sustainability/ http://jessicajanefrench.greenoptions.com/2007/10/16/capturing-the-light-of-god-with-solar-panals-a-story-of-a-priest-his-church-and-environmental-sustainability/#comments Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:02:17 +0000 Jessica Jane French http://jessicajanefrench.greenoptions.com/2007/10/16/capturing-the-light-of-god-with-solar-panals-a-story-of-a-priest-his-church-and-environmental-sustainability/
   What do you get when you combine an undergraduate degree in sociology and three masters degrees in sociology, divinity studies and urban planning with an intense love for the Lord? A priest on a mission … that’s what!

   Since 1998, Rev. Charles Morris has been on a mission to make his church a sustainable place to worship, and the results are quite impressive. St. Elizabeth’s Church, in Wyandotte, Michigan, is not only a place of God, but a place of innovation as well. It has taken Rev. Morris almost ten years, and over $150,000 to make his church a beacon of both religion and sustainability, two things he believes go hand in hand.

   It all started with a heightened awareness of the harms of global warming, mixed with a responsibility to to his faith. The more educated the Reverend became about peak oil and depleted natural resources, the more worried he became about the prospects for future generations. At the same time, he could not help but feel that every bit of energy wasted was somehow connected to God. As he put it, "I was worried about our relationship to energy, and about our relationship to God… he is the creator of all everything, including life and energy." Instead of preaching from the pulpit, the Michigan priest got involved.

   And the result? St. Elizabeth’s is one of the most environmentally comprehensive churches in the United States. On the roof of the building are solar panels and a wind turbine that provide the electricity for the community rooms and for the basement of the church. There is also a solar collector that provides the building with hot water. Moreover, the roof is home to a solar fan, which removes the hot air from the attic of the church.

   But, the innovations do not stop there! The church’s 1,400 square feet of stained glass windows are covered with a solar netting that regulates the inside temperature: it retains heat in the winter, and lowers cooling costs in the summer. The church also boasts compact fluorescent bulbs and LED lighting technology throughout the building. Pretty impressive, huh?

   Like I mentioned before, the environmental overhaul cost the church about $150,000. While this may sound like a ton of money (which it is!), it is the money saved that made this project economically feasible. Currently, the church is saving about $20,000 per year on energy costs, which means it cut its former energy costs by over half. If you project those savings through ten years, the church will not only make its money back, but it will have saved over $50,000 in utility expenses.

   Aside from what he sees as a responsibility to the Lord, Reverend Morris has some pretty persuasive reasons for going green. As he told me, "we have a responsibility to the next generation, and to the generations after that. To ignore the current state of the environment is not only reckless, it is negligent." Sometimes, it seems as though it is the people with the largest sense of imperative that make the biggest changes for what they believe in.

   Becoming sustainable has not exactly been a crystal stair for Reverend Charles Morris, though. When asked about the biggest challenge in the greening of both his church and his life, the Reverend tolds me, "lethargy — it is easy to lose momentum when undertaking such a large task. Also, bad habits. I am no different than anyone else: I have parts of my routine that I need to change to reflect my belief [in sustainability]."

   Lethargy and bad habits are just the beginning of what Father Morris has had to overcome to get to where he is today. One of the things he claimed posed the biggest hurdle for him, in terms of achieving a higher level of sustainability, was a lack of support and education. When undertaking something like an environmental overhaul, there will always be people who don’t get it, which is why we need to construct an atmosphere that encourages people to try new things, and to take risks.

   According to Father Morris, "We must create the conditions that foster green lifestyles, and education is a good place to start." Reverend Morris is a staunch advocate on environmental education and sees it as a necessary step to making this country more sustainable.

   When asked what the biggest environmental harm resulting from the way most Americans live their lives, the Reverend responded quickly:

   The poor, the invisible people of this country who suffer the most from the destruction of the environment. It is the people suffering from asthma, heart attacks and other health problems. We, as a country do not acknowledge these people. Because of our consumer culture, they are isolated and the only way to fix that is through education

   Education is not the only way in which we can decrease our environmental impact though. The Reverend believes that business must step up and take a leadership role in the greening of this country. He explains,

   Businesses need to take charge. They need to not only green their own practices and act as a model for the rest of the country; they must provide the capital and incentive to get us to the next level. We are on the cusp of the ‘next phase,’ but businesses must realize that going green can be profitable. When this happens, you will see a shift in the market and the increased affordability of green technology.

   While not all of us may have the resources to undertake a environmental overhaul anytime soon, Reverend Morris has some good advice for those people just getting started greening their lives. "Start reading! It is easy to look at your environmental impact and go from denial to despair. Instead, you must go to decision. You need to figure out what you can change, make the necessary modifications and then celebrate your victories." And celebrate he does. Father Charles Morris is not only a wonderful example of what can be accomplished with a little determination; he is man who truly practices what he preaches.

   Photo credit: Detroit MetroTimes

   ]]> http://jessicajanefrench.greenoptions.com/2007/10/16/capturing-the-light-of-god-with-solar-panals-a-story-of-a-priest-his-church-and-environmental-sustainability/feed/ http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/10/12/green-musicians-and-greener-music-festivals/ http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/10/12/green-musicians-and-greener-music-festivals/#comments Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:48:41 +0000 Gavin Hudson http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/10/12/green-musicians-and-greener-music-festivals/
   

   

   Continued from Greening Your Groove.

   The environmental movement has been rolling along fast this year, and rocking to boot. A green rhythm is beating in the heart of today’s music scene and music lovers young and old have their fingers on its pulse.

   This summer, the SOS Live Earth Concert brought together musicians to stages around the world for one glorious day of music and festivities. The message: take personal action to reduce our species’ impact on the environment, and encourage governments and business leaders to follow. These round-the-world concerts were not an isolated, one-time event. Many of the artists who performed, as well as others, are making a concerted effort to help the environment, and grow concern for the well-being of the planet.

   Some environmentally in-tune musicians hold benefit concerts; some even tour by bicycle or biofueled bus. Most incorporate environmental messages into their lyrics. When you buy music from the following artists or go to their concerts, you’ll be supporting the work they do for the environment. Whether you’re looking for green concerts or music festivals, discovering new bands, wondering what issues musicians care about, or looking for music with a message about the Earth for your children, you’ll find it in the list and links below.

   Green(er) Music Festivals

   Tennesse’s Bonnaroo Music and Art Festival website says, "The future of our planet is a big deal for Bonnaroo - and it should be for you, too." ‘Rooers are encouraged to offset their travel to the concert and have the option to buy organic foods and natural products. The festival also uses biodiesel generators on some of its stages, and offers 2,000 recycling bins throughout the concert grounds. Read more here.

   Seattle’s Bumbershoot is made green with biodiesel generators, clean energy from the Seattle City Light, no Styrofoam, an optional $2 donation to offset carbon, and a plethora of information about how to get to and from the event by bicycle or public transportation.

   Chicago’s Lollapalooza: organic local foods, bio-fuel, recycling, bicycle resources, and compostables make lolla green. There’s even a section called "Green Street" where concertgoers can learn more agout how to take action to improve the environment.

   San Francisco’s Power to the Peaceful showcases artists with environmentally progressive messages. It also recycles and encourages listeners from out of town to stay in the Serrano Hotel, a member of the California Green Lodging Program.

   Austin’s South by Southwest festival is offsetting its carbon footprint, giving tips on getting to and from the festival sans car, and donating $5,000 to plant trees.

   Vans Warped Tour has a set of "Warped Eco Initiatives" (WEI) that it hopes will help it to become more environmentally friendly and to encourage eco awareness. Biodiesel, green catering, and solar-powered sound systems top the list of green highlights at this seriously wicked music fest. Read more here.

   Green Musicians by Genre

   Alternative

   Will Thom Yorke of Radiohead be the eraser of global warming? He’s certainly making the effort as a supporter of the Friends of the Earth’s Big Ask campaign to reduce climate change. Watch a video interview with this artist and read more here.

   Blues

   Bonnie Raitt has something to talk about: the environment. Clean energy, sustainable living, electric cars, and energy efficient buildings are also things she advocates talking about. She’s even listed by the Department of Energy as a large purchaser of green energy, which she uses to offset her music tours.

   Country

   Willie Nelson may urge mamas not to let their babies be cowboys, but he’s quick to encourage them to be environmentalists. He’s on the road again, this time with his own line of biodiesel, Biowillie. He’s also actively involved in the Farm Aid concerts, which support producers of local, organic foods and humanely raised farm animals.

   Folk

   The Indigo Girls have more than just the power of two — they have a whole Green Team made up of their environmentally savvy fans who help the band to keep their concerts as environmentally friendly as possible.

   Hot Buttered Rum is a green machine, or at least that’s what they call their biodiesel tour bus.

   Hip-Hop

   The Roots are carryin’ on the environmental message with their "Stop the Violence: Go Veg" campaign with PETA. The group also advocates composting. Watch this video and read more here.

   Spearhead with Michael Franti have been bringing power to the peaceful for years now in the San Francisco Bay area. This year, they’ll be extending the green-themed concert internationally with a December 1 music festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Check it out on their website.

   Pop

   Justin Timberlake is bringing green back. He’s passionate about water issues, especially as the lack of drinking water throughout many African countries. Read more here.

   Sheryl Crow hopes the power industry will be strong enough to soak up the sun with solar energy. She went on tour this year with concerts that educated her audience about the serious nature of climate change. Read more here.

   Kylie Minogue has come into the environmental world as the face of the "H&M Loves Kylie" swimwear line, which is donating ten percent of its profits to WaterAid. Read more here.

   Madonna once said that her ambition was to rule the world. Today, she’s helping to green it. A percentage of profits from the first million downloads of her hit inspirational song "Hey You" went to fighting climate change. Read more here and check out the video here.

   Punk

   Green Day came around a long time ago to the environmental movement. They put their green fingers to work with the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to come up with this great website about how to become involved in saving the Earth. You can also watch a number of their environmentally conscious music videos and interviews here.

   Rock

   If the Barenaked Ladies had $1,000,000, they’d probably spend some of it furthering environmental issues. The group is on the board of World Wildlife Fund Canada and runs a pretty green concert tour. Read more here.

   Dave Matthews has a crush on the environmental movement. From offsetting the carbon of the band’s tours to using green diapers at home, he’s making the world better every day.

   Jimmy Buffett has found one particular harbour in the sea of environmental issues: manatees. He’s the co-founder of the Save the Manatee Club, which encourages people to adopt a manatee and boat responsibly.

   Pearl Jam is rockin’ the green world, raising funds for environmental causes from preserving the Madagascar rainforest to funding renewable energy. Read more here and check out their website on climate activism.

   With Sarah Harmer aglow about conservation, you just know things are getting better. This folk/rock musician co-founded the group Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL), which seeks to conserve the natural habitat Niagara Escarpment Rural Land. She’s even toured on foot to raise awareness for her conservation concerns.

   Bon Jovi wants people to have a nice day and a green home. Lead singer Jon Bon Jovi jokes that he’s motivated to save the environment by guilt over the "huge hole in the ozone layer my haircuts created." He’s now the founding ambassador of the Habitat for Humanity Ambassadors Program. Read more here.

   Jack Johnson is good people, and he cares about the environment. He tours by biodiesel, offsets his carbon, donates 1% for the planet, and co-founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation to promote environmental education. Read more here.

   Youth

   Put On Your Green Shoes is a compilation by various artists.

   The Banana Slug String Band strike a silly, fun chord with kids and also manage to bring serious and educational messages. They’re also a rocking group for adults to listen to. Albums include Singing in Our Garden and Dirt Made My Lunch.

   Ella Jenkins has been on the green kids music scene for years. She has a "solution to pollution" and teaches kids how about the "environmental game." Check out her new CD, Come Dance By The Ocean.

    

   References and Resources

   For more environmentally happening musicians, check out the following websites:

   Musical Partners | Rock the Earth, "Defending the planet one beat at a time"

   Eco Music For Kids | Leonardodicaprio.org

   15 Green Musicians and Bands | Grist

   Links for Environmental Songs and Music | Planetary Exploration

   How Green Is the Music? | Austin Chronicle

   Celebrities Going Green | AOL

   Photo Source:

   Power to the Peaceful 1 | Flickr

   ]]> http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/10/12/green-musicians-and-greener-music-festivals/feed/ http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/10/09/greening-your-groove-part-one/ http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/10/09/greening-your-groove-part-one/#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:00:12 +0000 Gavin Hudson http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/10/09/greening-your-groove-part-one/ Are you a green music pirate? (ARRR!) Free music downloading has generated a lot of debate, with some artists for and others against it. Well, here’s a positive note for all you lyrical plunderers: downloading music is more environmentally friendly than buying it on CD. But you don’t have to be scurvy about it either: these days, it’s arguably much easier (and cheaper) to buy your music fair and square on iTunes than it is to buy CDs at the music shop. Besides, you’re more likely to find new musicians you like in the gigantic online music archives than in the cramped aisles of a music store.

   Here’s the green beat: CDs contain aluminum, polycarbonate, lacquer, dyes, nickel, and chemical feedstock from oil, none of which are particularly groovy for the environment. And the jewel case and shrink-wrapping don’t make CDs any healthier for the planet. Plus, with iPods and similar technologies abounding, how often do we buy the CD, upload the songs to our computers, listen to the tunes on our laptops and handheld devices, and never again touch the CD itself? These days, as this green blog puts it, CDs are nothing more than extra packaging for the music we buy. Spare the waste and the toxic materials by downloading your music directly.

   By now, High Fidelity fans everywhere are groaning. Forgo the experience of music shops? But consider this a fresh spin: with a music library on your computer and not all over your house, it’s much easier to arrange your music — not alphabetically — but chronologically in the order that you discovered the musician, or however you like.

   Many readers will also ask, justifiably, whether it’s actually more environmentally friendly to use a computer or handheld MP3 player to listen to music than it is to buy CDs. Let’s look into this a bit because it’s a good question. As per the computer, we’ll assume that no one actually buys a computer just to listen to music. Rather than buying a CD player and hundreds of CDs, we can get all of our music using a single instrument that we would have purchased in any case. Therefore, even if it takes more juice to run a computer than a CD player, we can safely say that listening to music on your computer is better than buying CDs and playing them on your computer or CD player. Just remember to turn the computer on to use it and turn it off when we’re done. If you mostly like to listen to music on the computer, problem solved.

   But what about handheld MP3 players — are they better for the environment than CDs? Greenpeace has an interesting article full of both criticism and praise for Apple’s iPod. The bad news for iPod users? These devices too are made with toxic chemicals, and when they break, they are cheaper to replace than to fix. On the other hand, CDs also have a definite lifespan and will sooner or later become landfill. But here’s the good news: iPods are recyclable. The final factor that gives MP3 players the edge over CDs is simply that they hold so many songs. The iPod classic holds up to 40,000 songs. At about 15 songs per disk, that would add up to over 2,600 CDs. Lastly, some environmentalists will also appreciate iPod features like the downloadable Animal Ingredients List A-Z, a "portable, quick reference for vegans on-the-go." Features like these can make being green a little easier.

   Lastly, there’s the question of the energy used by the servers that hold music for people to buy online. They’re left running 24/7 to allow people to buy music at any time of the day or night. Rather than arguing that this energy use is less environmentally taxing than the energy used in manufacturing CDs, let’s do one better and take action on the issue. According to the Climate Counts consumer scorecard, Apple isn’t doing much to address climate change. This could swiftly be rectified if, say, ten percent of Apple iTunes users contacted the company asking it to run its iTunes servers on clean energy. Change has to start somewhere, and this is a good opportunity.

   For those of us who are less digitally wired, there’s still the good old radio. A long product lifespan, low energy usage, and dozens of music radio stations give the radio impressive eco credentials. If considering the ins and outs of CDs vs. downloads makes your head spin, relax. We’re here to enjoy being green. Just turn the radio on and let the music flow. Also, it’s worth checking out online radio. One site I highly recommend for discovering new artists is Musicovery.

   If you’re using electrical devices for music, don’t forget to turn them off and unplug them when they’re not in use to save energy. For an extra eco touch, you can get a solar charger for your iPod or computer. You can also choose to power your music (and your home) with renewable energy from your local utilities company or an energy offset provider.

   So turn up the volume and get your groove on. Dance like nobody’s watching and let the green times roll.

   References and Resources:

   Apple iTunes Store Environmental Impact | Torants

   iPoison + iWaste | Greenpeace

   Apple and the Environment | Apple

   Compact Disc | Wikipedia

   Compact Disc Manufacturing | Wikipedia

   Can I Buy Green Power In My State? | US Department of Energy

    

   Photo Source:

   Streetart in Lisbon,Portugal | Flickr

   ]]> http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/10/09/greening-your-groove-part-one/feed/ http://heidistrebel.greenoptions.com/2007/09/18/the-clubbers-guide-to-eco-cool-the-paris-techno-parade-sets-the-beat/ http://heidistrebel.greenoptions.com/2007/09/18/the-clubbers-guide-to-eco-cool-the-paris-techno-parade-sets-the-beat/#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:14:41 +0000 Heidi Strebel http://heidistrebel.greenoptions.com/2007/09/18/the-clubbers-guide-to-eco-cool-the-paris-techno-parade-sets-the-beat/ Green events are in, but are they for real? Whether it is a music festival or a sports championship, a biennial fashion show or an annual athletics meet, cultural and sporting events are increasingly being promoted as environmentally friendly. Given their size, many of these events inevitably generate inordinate amounts of greenhouse gases and unthinkable volumes of waste. So any plan to curb the harmful effects is a welcome initiative. But are the promises to protect the environment fulfilled? Are the words followed by actions? Or has the green cause been commandeered as an effective commercial gimmick? Has "help save the planet" become merely a trendy marketing slogan?

   Here in France a number of recent events have been placed under a green banner. The 2007 Rugby World Cup, still in progress, and the 2007 Techno Parade, held in Paris on Saturday, were advertised as the first ecological events of their kind in the world. In each case the organizers vowed to take concrete actions to reduce the impact of the given event on the environment. The French Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development, headed by the Minister Jean Louis Borloo, is a chief sponsor and co-organizer, and therefore features prominently in the publicity campaigns for these happenings. There is, however, a growing discrepancy between the organizers’ words and their actions, a seemingly cavernous rift between declaration and implementation.

   Technopol, the organizing committee of the Paris Techno Parade, appears to be more consistent. Last year’s parade was dedicated to the fight against hunger. With a deft publicity campaign, the organizers were able to raise awareness about the cause and collect funds for NGOs engaged in the battle to reduce hunger around the world. This year, the parade was pitched as "a celebration of the planet." Technopol announced their commitment to protect the environment and, addressing all clubbers and techno lovers, stated that the success of the event "also depends on you and your cooperation." They put together a guide for the eco-conscious partygoer.

   The leaflet entitled "The Clubber’s Guide to Eco-Cool" provides 10 steps the clubber can take to "help save our planet." They are not revolutionary steps, but they are feasible and they are geared toward the clubber. So for example, the first step concerns hygiene: "if you want to smell good out there on the dance floor, before going out take a shower and not a bath. You’ll save water, and time. And don’t forget to turn the tap off while you’re brushing your teeth." To demonstrate the value of these acts the leaflet includes figures: 30 to 80 liters of water consumed during a five-minute shower versus 150 to 200 liters for a full bath. Another step touches on fashion: "did you know that fair-trade organic fashion is hip/trendy? Clothes and accessories made with organic cotton and bamboo are now the staple of every self-respecting clubber’s wardrobe." A third step encourages the clubber who wants to be at the vanguard of cool to consider recycling the old cell phone when purchasing the latest model.

   The ten suggested gestures cover the partygoer’s entire night out, from water and energy saving tips before leaving home, advice about how to keep emissions at a minimum when traveling to and from the club, through ideas about reducing waste at the club, to the breakfast of local seasonal fruit back at home in the morning.

   After carefully following the instructions in the guide, the eco-cool clubber and green techno lover may legitimately ask what the organizers of the parade have done to fulfill their eco-mission. What about the event itself?

   Technopol lists the five actions that were planned to make this years Techno Parade greener than last year’s: the purchase of emission offsets, coordination with a major French NGO, production of environmentally-friendly pamphlets, a reduction in sound pollution and sustainable waste management. In collaboration with a carbon offset company called "Action Carbone," Technopol calculated the CO2 emissions generated by both the parade and the normal running of the organization. To offset those emissions the sum of 1000 euros will be donated to a biogas project in India.

   There is no reason to doubt that actions will follow close upon the organizers’ words. Nor is there any cause to believe that the parade program and leaflet were printed on anything other than recycled paper using chemical-free inks. Then again, it is difficult for us – the eco-cool clubber, the environmental onlooker and the green techno lover – to know for sure. On the other hand, we were able to check out the sound control and waste management vaunted by Technopol.

   When the first float in the parade rolled slowly by, the techno beat seemed to be at a reasonable eco-friendly volume. But then, the sound blasting from the third and fourth trucks pounded the air, battering the thoracic cages and engulfing the gentle heartbeats of we who were standing at a considerable distance from the floats. If that was the reduced volume, what was the regular volume? Enough to shake the foundations of those noble Parisian abodes and to inflict lasting damage on our eco-sensitive eardrums.

   As for the waste management, we could see that the organizers had good intentions. They meant well. There were several recycling stations, placed strategically along the parade route. At each station, a brigade of volunteers dressed in bright yellow T-shirts was present to direct us to the proper bin, depending on the type of waste we were carrying. The system appeared to be so carefully planned. It was bound to be a success.

   Unfortunately, there were a few unanticipated glitches that undermined the whole endeavor. One recycling station was at the foot of a monument to the French Republic. A contingent of friendly riot police stood guard to prevent any wayward eco-cool clubber, environmental onlooker or green techno-lover from climbing up onto the monument. Fair enough. The only problem was that the policemen stood in front of the recycling bins. Volunteers were supposed to collect our waste and place the various items into the appropriate containers, separating glass, paper, plastic and food. Somehow it was difficult to attract their attention, and as a result waste ended up everywhere but the recycling bins.

   The recycling station in Bastille circle, which was both the starting and finishing point of the parade, was directly accessible. We were able to inspect the bins. Empty. There were enough volunteers milling around. A few of them said things were looking much tidier than last year. Indeed a quick stroll down the first leg of the parade route an hour after the procession had moved through, was enough to confirm that the Parisian sanitation engineers had done an excellent job in cleaning up clean. But what was the final destination of those tons of garbage? Not the recycling plant.

   Overall, without being too harsh, we decided that the organizers did not fulfill their promises to reduce sound pollution and manage the waste produced by the parade. Not all was lost however, for the publicity campaign must have raised some awareness about what each of us can do to help save our planet. Let’s hope. The danger is that we, the clubbers, onlookers and techno lovers, or for that matter the rugby fans, rock n roll aficionados and fashion buffs, have faith in event organizers and in the Ministry of Ecology, and that we do not recognize the publicity stunts for what they are: all hype and very little action.

   Paris Techno Parade

   ]]> http://heidistrebel.greenoptions.com/2007/09/18/the-clubbers-guide-to-eco-cool-the-paris-techno-parade-sets-the-beat/feed/ http://claytonbodiecornell.greenoptions.com/2007/09/13/burning-mans-green-aspirations-part-i/ http://claytonbodiecornell.greenoptions.com/2007/09/13/burning-mans-green-aspirations-part-i/#comments Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:55:52 +0000 Clayton B. Cornell http://claytonbodiecornell.greenoptions.com/2007/09/13/burning-mans-green-aspirations-part-i/ Last week, 46,000 revelers finally broke camp and split the scene of this year’s Burning Man festival, The Green Man. You could call it the "biggest party in the world," though it defies categorization and convention: part art, music, rave, pyrotechnics show, and costume orgy, it’s probably the only place in America you’d see a 1,000-foot-tall mushroom cloud intended for politically-minded artistic expression.

   Yep, that’s right - a 1,000 ft. mushroom cloud, and no, that doesn’t mean above-ground nuclear testing has resumed in the Nevada desert. It just means that the artist who built Crude Awakenings - a 100 ft. tall oil derrick - wanted to blow it up at the end of the festival (to "dramatize the worshipful relationship and dependence modern man has toward oil"), and to do so he used 900 gallons of jet fuel (apparently off-spec fuel given to him by NASA) and 2,000 gallons of liquid propane, not to mention the timber and steel used in the structure. You can see it on YouTube here.

   So how does such a staggering display of firepower — the largest explosion in the events history — contribute to an event thematically-focused on reneewable energy and green tech? Well, lets just say it’s "green in theme"…

   "If you were really green, you would have walked."
   - Posted sign at the entrance to Burning Man

   Burning Man was founded on a novel concept: take a population the size of a small town, institute a gift economy (no vending or sales allowed) but maintain basic legal structure (state and federal laws still apply, mostly), and then demolish all regularly-maintained social conventions. Want to dress up like a samurai? Great. Don’t feel like wearing any clothes at all? No problem. Don’t want to sleep ever again? That’s a given. It’s like the Matrix meets Never-Never-Land.

   So just how Green was this Man, anyway?

   Now don’t get me wrong — I dig the theme. In fact, it’s part of the reason I went this year, and I drove to the festival without burning a drop of petroleum. But a remotely-located, 46,000-person party based on the primal need for really loud electronic music and torching large wooden effigies doesn’t strike me as particularly low-impact.

   Consider the amount of road and air travel required by those attending the event (the kids next to me spent $300 in fuel to get there, and only stayed 2 nights). People attend from every corner of the globe, which involves considerable international travel, and thousands of road trips that otherwise may not have happened. Add to this the absolutely massive scale of pyrotechnic displays, and the total CO2 bill for the 8-days of Burning Man comes out to about 27,000 tons of CO2 each year (2006 data).

   Seems like a lot, except when compared to the 23,013,698 metric tons of CO2 the US emits anyway in those same 8 days. (2005 data - EIA). In case you were wondering, Burning Man represents an increase of 1/10th of a percent over business as usual. And since many travelers are taking regularly scheduled work vacations to attend the event, it would be hard to claim this is a unique increase.

   Even so, the festival has made some effort to reduce its impact. In 2005, the "Cooling Man" project was founded to offer carbon offsets for festival-goers. The project’s web site estimates that if 70% of burners (32,200 people) offset 1 ton of carbon dioxide emissions, Black Rock City would become the first carbon negative city in the world. Of course, that depends on how you feel about carbon offsets, and who actually participates. Since offsetting 1 ton only costs $10, it’s unclear why they don’t just tack this onto the ticket price (tickets cost around $250 anyway). So far this year, the Cooling Man project has offset 627 tons of CO2.

   As you may have heard, the big deal this year was the Green Pavilion underneath the man, with 30,000 square feet of decidedly science-fair-like green-tech exhibits, including solar and wind power, alternative fuels (a Greasecar SVO conversion), and one electric car plastered white with playa dust. At least 50% of the power for the displays came from a 30 kW solar array that was given to Gerlach, NV, after the event (which will generate $3 million of electricity over the next 20 years, at no cost to Gerlach/Lovelock residents). Two other solar projects were also designed and sponsored by Burning Man, including a 120 kW solar array in Gerlach, Nevada and a 60 kW solar array in Lovelock, Nevada. Burning Man also swapped out all of Gerlach’s (population 500) old light-bulb’s and replaced them with compact fluorescents.

   These would be considerable investments for a group of partiers that didn’t really care about their impact, but I think it’s fair to say they do, and next week I’ll talk about more of the smaller-scale environmentally-minded steps "Burners" were taking, including powering their dance music with biodiesel. I’ll also hit on a few of the other cool exhibits, like the CO2-to-algae display, and have some general conclusions about this year’s fest.

   To be continued…

   "The Green Man" from WorldChanging

   "Crude Awakening Arises at Burning Man" from Wired

   ]]> http://claytonbodiecornell.greenoptions.com/2007/09/13/burning-mans-green-aspirations-part-i/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2007/08/27/its-alright-to-play-with-your-veggies-if-they-are-organic/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2007/08/27/its-alright-to-play-with-your-veggies-if-they-are-organic/#comments Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:46:00 +0000 Jennifer Lance http://ecochildsplay.com/2007/08/27/its-alright-to-play-with-your-veggies-if-they-are-organic/
   Only 5 days left to leave a comment and enter our monthly drawing for a hemp Eco Child’s Play bag.
   ]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2007/08/27/its-alright-to-play-with-your-veggies-if-they-are-organic/feed/ http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/08/21/movie-review-arctic-tale/ http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/08/21/movie-review-arctic-tale/#comments Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:51:40 +0000 Gavin Hudson http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/08/21/movie-review-arctic-tale/ Arctic Tale brings us to a frigid world of snow dunes and sloshing sea ice. It follows the lives of a young female polar bear, “Nanu,” and a young female walrus, “Seela.” Like all children today, Nanu and Seela are growing up in a rapidly changing world. For Nanu and her family, a 20% decrease of sea ice and warmer, earlier summers bring a severe food scarcity. Meanwhile, shrinking icebergs supply scarce resting places for Seela and her plump pinniped pod. Both take to the open ocean in a desperate bid for survival—great rulers of the north turned to exiled refugees.

   The expert cinematography of Arctic Tale captures an age-old tragicomedy with a new and unsettling twist. Ardent lovers, defiant youth, unmitigated kindness, and sex jostle with death, solitude, violent battles, and the turbulent upheaval of a mighty and ancient kingdom. The drama unfolds around a polar bear and a walrus—children of rival families in a strange and beautiful world of unicorned whales and a cold sun. What we as an audience do not see until the movie’s end is how intimately we are entwined in the plot.

   The film makes no overt mention of global warming until the very end. By sidestepping the link between this phenomenon and mankind, the film smartly avoids the emotional recoil of those who still have difficulty coming to terms with our species’ influence on our environment. Rather than confront the issue from the human perspective, the film simply documents the dramatic effects of warming in the far North. Only after the film closes does the focus again return to the human world with suggestions about how each of us can reduce our impact on the climate.

   Except for our role in climate change, the rest of the film is devoid of any human presence. The filmmakers are quite successful at documenting a world that is largely unknown to most people. They share some of the most intimate moments of the film’s protagonists. We are taken beneath the water to see Seela nursing at her mother’s belly and inside of a polar bear’s cave, where Nanu bears cubs of her own. If we judge the movie solely on the merit and skill of its documentary filmmakers, it lives up in every way to the masterpiece, March of the Penguins. Most of the soundtrack also sets a solitary, sentimental, almost indie feeling that is perfect for a film “at the edge of the world.”

   However, instead of recreating the epic drama of March of the Penguins, this film was marketed toward a much younger audience. Queen Latifah’s playful, sassy narrating tone resonates with the “cute and cuddly” theme of the movie poster, which was clearly aimed at drawing parents and children. Those who come with the expectations seeing another March of the Penguins or An Inconvenient Truth may be disappointed to find a younger target demographic.

   Still, making stories of the natural world accessible to children is perhaps the best way to instill in them the importance of caring about our impact on the environment. The success of theatricals like The Lion King and television stars like Jeff Corwin are hopeful signs that the genre of Nature-Adventure will soon open wide enough to appeal to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. By more regularly glimpsing the natural world, we are able in some sense to remember our part in it.

   The magic of the movies is that we leave the theater feeling like the hero or the heroine of the film. As the credits roll and we stand up from our plush, popcorn-scented seats, we take with us the intrepid bravery of Indiana Jones or the humble tenacity of Frida Kahlo. But rarely do we leave the theater feeling like a polar bear or a walrus!

   I left the theater on a chill, cloudy Seattle afternoon. The shifting of loose brick under my feet transported me back to the arctic, where thin ice was crumbling beneath thick paws.

   ]]> http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/08/21/movie-review-arctic-tale/feed/ http://aliciaerickson.greenoptions.com/2007/08/16/please-dont-feed-the-rock-stars-farm-aid-concert/ http://aliciaerickson.greenoptions.com/2007/08/16/please-dont-feed-the-rock-stars-farm-aid-concert/#comments Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:32:52 +0000 Alicia Erickson http://aliciaerickson.greenoptions.com/2007/08/16/please-dont-feed-the-rock-stars-farm-aid-concert/ On Sept. 9th in Randall’s Island, NY, many artists, including board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews, will take the stage to help bring awareness to and raise funds for Farm Aid. Farm Aid began with the first 3 musicians in 1985 as an effort to bring awareness and assistance to family farms, and to help them compete in an aggressive corporate environment. Farm Aid achieves this through their annual concert, the Good Food Movement, crisis and networking services, and grants to organizations which defend the rights of the family farmers within the system.

   The annual concert seeks to unite “farmers, artists, consumers, and concerned citizens to build a powerful movement for good food from family farms.” The musicians above will be joined by such conscious artists Tim Reynolds, The Allman Brothers, Counting Crows, Matisyahu, and Guster, among others. The concert has the goal of being the first ever to serve 100% local, organic, humanely-raised and family-farmed food.

   Expanding beyond the borders of the music event, Farm Aid has arranged for New York restaurants to participate in the program Fresh from the Family Farm on Sept 4th-11th. Participating restaurants will provide at least one dish that is either “grown locally, produced by a family farm, or certified organic, and the proceeds benefit Farm Aid.”

   The Good Food Movement seeks to highlight the benefits of purchasing from small local farms to consumers. They have various ways to find good food, and a quick reference page for understanding labels such as "organic," "fair trade," and "free farm certified," as well what "hormone," "antibiotic," and "GE free" means. They also briefly address the common problems with all-natural and free-range products.

   With agribusiness’s “processing and marketing 95% of all commercial food,” and thousands of families pushed off their farms each year, it’s important that intervention happens before the family farm is extinct. Bringing awareness to the family farmer’s plight is especially relevant now as the 2007 Farm Bill is being debated in Congress. Through subsides focused on selected crops, billions of dollars ends up funneled into large corporate farms with only a few small drops making it down to the family farms. As we are becoming more aware of the dangers of food altered through genetic engineering and irradiation, and the effects of food miles, unsustainable farming practices, and dumping due to subsidies, we are at risk of losing the ability to choose something better as the small farmer slowly disappears. As consumers, our most powerful voice is through our dollars, so look to shop local, organic and fair trade and support your local farmers.

   ]]> http://aliciaerickson.greenoptions.com/2007/08/16/please-dont-feed-the-rock-stars-farm-aid-concert/feed/ http://alexho.greenoptions.com/2007/07/11/results-of-live-earth/ http://alexho.greenoptions.com/2007/07/11/results-of-live-earth/#comments Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:17:36 +0000 Alex Ho http://alexho.greenoptions.com/2007/07/11/results-of-live-earth/ Shakira Performs at Live Earth: Image credit: APLive Earth officially set the record for the most simultaneous concert viewers at 30 million streams on MSN on Saturday. It was the largest global entertainment event in history with an estimated 2 billion attending the events on 7 continents and 10,000 affiliated events. Having the technology of live streaming video has allowed the event to be easily accessible to people who can choose to watch the different concerts online as well as watch it at a later time at http://liveearth.msn.com.

   According to Nielsen ratings, however, the three-hour special on NBC only received 2.7 million viewers and was the least-watched U.S. program on Saturday night. A total of 19 million people watched at least 6 minutes on NBC, CNBC, Telemundo, Sundance Channel, Bravo, MSNBC, and Universal HD. The event also occurred during the July 4th weekend, when most people usually aren't watching TV.

   There has been skepticism about the event and its performers as it required many artists to fly to the events, some in private jets, and could have created more CO2 as a result of the concert. Al Gore has defended the cause as a start of a 3-5 year program with a message that reached out to 2 billion people across the world. While some celebrities such as Sting and Cameron Diaz take active participation in helping with the efforts, others may not. Madonna and Black Eyed Peas both performed new songs that they wrote for the event. The goal is that with the help of the celebrities, more people will be aware of the issues and even the celebrities that attended and performed at Live Earth learned a lot about the issues. Whether or not, the concert really made a difference is really hard to judge. What are your thoughts?

   Sources:
   Newsday.com
   Foxnews.com

   ]]> http://alexho.greenoptions.com/2007/07/11/results-of-live-earth/feed/ http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/07/06/join-the-worlds-biggest-party-rock-it-like-its-green/ http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/07/06/join-the-worlds-biggest-party-rock-it-like-its-green/#comments Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:19:54 +0000 Gavin Hudson http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/07/06/join-the-worlds-biggest-party-rock-it-like-its-green/ Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adreamer_awd/90778278/Start the countdown! Less than 24 nail-biting hours remain until the start of what is potentially the biggest party the world has ever seen, and you’re invited. Starting Saturday morning, the Live Earth concert series will host more than 100 music artists (including Madonna, Metallica, Dave Mathews Band, and The Police, just to name a few) for 24 hours on 7 continents and as many as 2 billion people will take part. For those keeping track, that’s one-third of the entire planet’s population, united on one day: 7/7/07. What will they be celebrating? Taking action to mitigate climate change.

   According to the event’s official webpage, “Live Earth will use the global reach of music to engage people on a mass scale to combat our climate crisis.”

   You can join the rest of the planet in celebrating the steps we have taken and the steps we must take to reverse climate change. Live Earth concerts will be broadcast around the world by television, radio, and the Internet. You can be a part of it all at one of over 6,000 locations worldwide that have agreed to host Live Earth parties to view the concerts. To find a party near you through the Live Earth network, go to www.joinliveearth.org/page/event/search_simple. You can also join parties through MoveOn.org.

   References:

   Live Earth Concert

   Join Live Earth from your city

   Live Earth 7-Point Pledge

   ]]> http://gavinhudson.greenoptions.com/2007/07/06/join-the-worlds-biggest-party-rock-it-like-its-green/feed/