The choices we make only affect everyone else

Bus Tracking System

2011-01-15T12:13:00.001-08:00

The Story of Stuff

2010-11-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

The Story of Stuff

How to Make Biking Mainstream: Urban Planning Lessons from the Dutch by Jay Walljasper

2010-10-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

How to Make Biking Mainstream: Urban Planning Lessons from the Dutch by Jay Walljasper

Plug for Preserve Products

2010-07-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,

I have used Preserve Toothbrushes for a couple of years now. What's the big deal about them? Well, rather than disposing of them, the company actually takes them back at no extra cost to you. They break it down and recycle the toothbrush to create the handle and put in new bristles! They have a line of products, not just toothbrushes. It's one less thing to throw in the trash! Please check out their website here.

Streetsblog Article: How to React to BP Oil Spill

2010-06-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

In response to the BP Oil Spill, I think people are thinking more and more about their impacts and demand for oil. In particular, a lot of it is used to drive our cars. Reading this article, I hope folks are starting to understand the importance of reducing our individual demands for fossil fuel to get around, but rather utilize more of our human-powered abilities. This is not to say that you shouldn't drive a car ever, but think about taking the bus somewhere, walking, biking, purchasing a hybrid or all-electric car. Do something to reduce your footprint in this world. I have said it since the beginning of my blog, "The choices we make only affect everyone else." Our individual actions are what creates the new norm in our societies. Please think about what you can do to create a sustainable future and stick to it.

http://ridesolutions.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/how-to-react-to-the-bp-oil-spill/

DC Seersucker Social 2010

2010-06-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

I had a great time to be part of an upcoming and successful bike subculture here in DC. It is a great way for cyclists in the city to express their love for bikes and have fun with it; all the while donning classic fashions with your own twist. Our destination was to Hillwood Estates in DC, which is a place I would recommend going to. It was a beautiful mansion and gardens that every participant in the ride enjoyed.

Bike To Work Day - Washington, DC - Think about how you can reduce your dependcy...

2010-06-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

DDOT Bike Lane Meeting

2010-03-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

The District Department of Transporation (DDOT) held a public meeting at the Navy Memorial Center on March 18, 2010 to display the exciting and bold cycletrack infrastructure in the Downtown, Golden Triangle district.

The new design was created based on public input and proven success stories from across the country and around the world. The streets that will receive the cycletracks will be the length of L St and I St, as well as the continuation of the counter-flow lane on 15th St to connect downtown and 9th St downtown. The cycletracks will be physically separated from traffic and will include great features such as bike boxes, bicycle traffic lights, and possible green markings.

Both the Director of Transporation and Mayor have fully supported a 'no holds bar' approach to the cycletracks downtown, and I commend them for it. The goal is to get the markings down before the summer.

This is an great success for the field of bicycle advocacy, as it grows the network here in the city. One key point to note is the accessiblity to the neighborhoods so people who do work downtown have reason to bike all the way into downtown. This is a great start and one big step to advocate for more biking in the city!

15th St. Contraflow Bike Lane - My Thoughts

2009-12-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

I recently took the 15th St. NW Contraflow bike lane here in DC and I wanted to share my thoughts on the issue.

Put aside the fact that the word yield and turn were intially painted on the pavement incorrectly, the lane definitely has potential and added benefits to the acceptance of a more diverse bike network in the city.

The Pros:

-- Physically Seperated Bike Lane - The bike going south on 15th is physically seperated by the parked vehicles. This creates a safer riding experience, especially going against the flow of traffic.

-- The fact that it's there - Given it's a test run, I am glad that they are trying this out. It has proven effective in other cities and countries, why not do it here in the capital.

-- Another alternative route for bicyclists to take.

The Cons:

-- Issue of fluidity and connectedness to the rest of the bike network - The lane runs from U St. to Massachusetts. Unfortunately, the existing bike network of routes do not actively connect you to this contraflow lane, which deters ridership usage. The route needs to connect up to V St. in order for it to connect to the V St. bike lane going East.

-- Visibility - The lane is there, yes. It is marked with flexible yellow posts, yes. There is signage, yes. However, the lane blends in with the road too much. I believe the bike lane should be painted green in order for it to be more visible and have drivers be aware that something is going on there and to think and look twice before they turn into one of the letter streets.

All in all, we need to keep this. People will learn to adapt to the new lane and the fact that it reduced traffic flow to two lanes. Bicyclists need more options on the road and to foster a greater importance of bringing the streets back to the people and not being just car-centric.

Bicycle Ridership UP in NYC! Keep Building Those Bike Lanes!

2009-11-09T19:24:00.000-08:00

Great Video on Bike Traffic Enforcement

2009-10-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

Removing Freeways - Restoring Cities by Charles Siegel

2009-09-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

I found a great article that argues the idea that removing freeways, which is currently being put in place, increasing property value, promotes smarter growth options such as boulevards, slow-moving traffic, reducing amount of cars and increasing public transportation, alternative transportation and walking.

Click here to read the article.

Copenhagen...city of cyclists

2009-03-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

I attended a bike conference here in DC where the Bicycle City Planner for Copenhagen was there to talk about the current state of cycling in his city. The video just shows some cyclists going around the city, but what was interesting to me in his speech was the way that he talked about bicycling through the city as a non-cognitive thing.

Some of the highlights from his speech gave me the impression that if the city of DC would get to the point where almost 50% of its inner-city residents ride their bikes to work, we need to create a far more vast and intricate network of bicycle roads in order to get people to ride their bike more. The main key in his speech for me was in surveying the people of Copenhagen, the people wanted their bike trip to be fast, efficient, and convenient, which means allowing bikes on the main arteries into the city. Here in DC, the diagonals, or state streets need an infrastructure for SAFE bike roads, which means physcially separated bike lanes. The number roads have been progressing with marked bike lanes, but I think there are a lot more streets that can be striped and/or remove one car lane to accomodate a bike lane. Synchronization of traffic lights were a big issue for the attractiveness of bicycling into work as well. They made a stretch of road in Copenhagen where the lights were timed based on an average bicyclist's speed, in that they were able to keep their momentum going and making it a more enjoyable ride, hence allowing more people to continue riding their bikes to work.

A lot can be said about the ways of Copenhagen, however, here in DC, we need to make bicycling a culture that allows more change to occur here and give more people an incentive to ride their bikes into work, including those for Virginia and Maryland.

Physically Separated Bike Lanes

2009-02-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've contributed to my blog...a lot has happened since then...I walked in the Inaugural Parade representing Peace Corps and took my first job since Peace Corps.

In any case, I watch a lot of video blogs from http://www.streetfilms.org/ They are a video blog website that documents different urban and bicycle planning projects that are happening in the country and other parts of the world. They explain how a project started and the impacts it has had on the community, as well as making it an effort for people to realize their potential for demanding change.

I would like to see more physically separated bike lanes in my new home of Washington, DC. Attached is the video from streetfilms that explains why it is such an ingenious and safe way to promote more bicycling and gas-free transport.

Click here to watch the short video describing the importance of physically separated bike lanes

Good Guide - Making Responsible Choices as a Consumer easier...

2008-11-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

Good Guide is a great search engine that strives to educate and promote responsible consumer choices in our everyday personal and household products. From shampoos to laundry detergents, this website "guides" you to make the right choices with your consumer dollars, ultimately creating more demand for more environmental and sustainable products. They break down each product with ratings and descriptions on how they score with environmental, health, and social impacts. If you sign up as a member with Good Guide (which is free), you can actually create a shopping list that can transfer to your phone! Think about it: you have a list of items in the palm of your hand that takes the guessing work out and can now shop with a more conscious and powerful message to the world of consumerism! Click here to check them out!

District Dept. of Transportation and their efforts to promote less cars

2008-10-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

I have officially moved to DC and it is an exciting time for me! What's exciting for me is learning about a new city and its efforts on becoming a more sustainable community. From recycling, bike-sharing programs, natural gas buses, and the metro system, all these things excite me and I can't wait to get involved and make a difference or advocate for a sustainable change and social shift to a better and more responsible society. My friend gave me an article (because he knows I'm into this stuff) about the district's efforts on implementing more bike lanes and promoting an infrastructure that condones a safe and reliable environment to ride bikes all over the district and beyond the beltway. Here is the link. Enjoy!

http://newsroom.dc.gov/show.aspx/agency/ddot/section/2/release/15264/year/2008

Recent Trip to DC

2008-10-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

I just recently came back from a fun-filled week with Peace Corps and friends. While staying in DC for the week, like the investigator as I am, I looked closely at public spaces, planning, and overall environment of DC.

One thing I spotted was the DC Bike Share Program! I was so excited to see it in person, I took a picture with it (as if it was a celebrity!) lol. I saw two stations located next to metro subway stops. I think it's a great idea, however, there was no literature posted on the post that educated people about the project, how they can sign on as a member and maps that shows all avaiable locations. I believe it's a test run, but that was one flaw I saw.

The Metro System in DC is great! It's very accessible and there is police security at night. Their seems to be a large number in ridership because of convenience and how it extends out into Virginia and Maryland.

The pedestrian walks are expansive, with trees and beds of flowers in place of a block of pavers. It provided shade and more trees in the city. Many people were walking and all crosswalks were very visible.

In terms of biking, I was happy to see quite a few people riding bikes. I even saw professionals in business suits riding bikes! Most roads have clearly marked bike lanes, but are not physically separated, it's a shared lane. However, most roads in DC are single lane or two lane traffic at the most. I have to say though, many bicyclists were not following road signs and were just making up their own ways. As a bike advocate, we cannot see any changes in policy and replanning for more bikes if bike users are not following the current rules.

All in all, it's a very calm environment walking and riding through DC. I decided to make the move to live in DC because of its accessibility without the use of a car. I hope to be part of more change for less cars when I move there. Until then, be a responsible consumer and demand change for the betterment of our health and lives.

Hub On Wheels Bike Ride...if we could only do this more often

2008-09-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

I just recently completed a 50 mile bike ride in Boston and it was a great first experience. As we were all riding the first 10 miles of car-free lanes, I had this crazy thought...it's not noisy, no pollution, a lot more people are on the roads instead of cars, people were friendly to each other, and we were all going in great speeds...why can't we all commute this way! Well, again, it was a crazy thought, but the idea was there. People described it to me as "The Perfect World." Interesting...I'll let you discuss.

2008-08-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

Do you live in a watershed area? I found out I was living in a watershed. What is a watershed? Well, as the picture illustrates above, it is land over which rain or snowmelt flow to rivers, streams, lakes, or ponds, and eventually into a larger body of water. Great illustration, huh? I think I see an ape scratching its head...anyway, it is important to know if you live in a watershed because whatever we do to the land, we do to the water.

So, I wanted to know what I could do to lessen my impact on the riverways. I contacted my local watershed council, the Blackstone Watershed, and got some great insight on their projects and goals to developing the watershed in a sustainable and environmental way, and literature about what I could specifically do to reduce polluted runoff into the water, and more importantly, why? Very straightforward and easily remedied.

Limit the use of fertilizer and pesticides. When they are washed into stormdrains, they harm aquatic life. My suggestion, use the organic choice fertilizers or chemicals that do not harm children, pets, and water quality.
Dispose your dog waste properly. Dog poop is raw sewage that could be washed into waterstreams if not picked up. It should be disposed of in the toilet or trash can. Like I mentioned in a previous entry, use biodegradable poop bags or newspaper.
Redirect rooftop runoff to vegetated areas or collect in rain barrels. That was one thing I convinced my dad to do, install a rain barrel. Now, you could buy those bendy gutter attachments so you can control where the rain goes. Keeping rainwater on site reduces runoff and even better, irrigate your landscaping with free water!
Use non-toxic biodegradable cleaners. They are gaining more popularity thanks to consumer demand, and are sometimes cheaper than products we have grown up on. Use no-phosphate diswashing detergent because phosphates accelerate plant growth in waterways.

I am proud to be part of my historic watershed, and I think if we follow what the experts say we could do to prevent polluted water, let's do it! Like I always say, the choices we make only affect everyone else. They will follow.

Get free CFL's installed in your home...seriously

2008-08-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

Project 20/20 started in the Spring of 2008 by Brown University students in order to replace incandescent light bulbs with the new CFL light bulb and thereby reducing carbon emissions in the greater Providence area. The students install CFL's (installation and lights are free) to homes who request them. They are targeted to low to middle-class income homes. My very good friend told me about the program, as her father requested the CFL's and he got them. They replaced ALL his light bulbs, even in the basement, and took the old ones with them. It is just a great program sponsored by Brown as part of their project to reduce their carbon emissions.

What a great find!

Eco-Challenge: Gas Mower vs. Reel Mower

2008-08-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

Can you spot the difference between these two photos? (Go Ahead, I'll give you a second...)

Which of the two photos represents mowing the lawn using a reel mower or the other, a gas mower? The answer a little later...first, how the challenge came about...

I recently heard of an argument as to whether a reel mower is a viable option for people nowadays. Yes, we are face-paced and want to get things done, but the realization of being more environmentally responsible of our choices and the price of gasoline, the challenge of the reel mower came about. So, I decided to figure out which of the two is better in cutting, time, and overall appearance after mowing.

One Friday, when the lawn was shaded, I used the reel mower. It took me about 1 hour to get it done. The grass was a bit overgrown, so it took me a while because I had to do a couple of run-throughs at points.

The next Friday, I asked my dad to mow the lawn using the gas mower. It took him about 20 minutes and put in the grass clippings in garbage bags to throw in the dumpster. Yeah, I know :(

So, looking back at the photos, can you tell which one of the photos is the product of the reel mower or the gas mower. Well, the first photo was mowed using the reel mower, while the second, the gas mower.

So, what are the pros and cons between the two, and what is the moral of the story. With the reel mower, you are exercising a bit more (which can be good or bad) and takes a substantial amount of time vs. the gas mower. However, the pros that I see in regards to the environment and responsible consumerism is:

you are not using fossil fuel
the clippings are being left on the grass and will biodegrade naturally
you are getting exercise, you don't have to stop to unload grass clippings

the cons to reel mowers:

takes longer to cut grass

the pros of gas mowers:

time saver

the cons:

uses fossil fuels
loud
smells bad
adds to CO2 emissions

So, overall, I choose the reel mower because it gives me very comparable results to the gas mower and it takes only twice the amount of time than a gas mower (what's the rush?)

If you have any comments, let me know!

Reel Mowers - The Reel Deal

2008-07-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

So, in my quest of figuring out ways I, myself, can reduce my carbon footprint and become a more sustainable and responsible consumer, I moved on to the lawn. This past month, I have been learning a lot of ways that we as consumers could become more sustainable and save money in the long run. One thing I learned is that reel mowers are coming back on the scene. Electric lawn mowers are also popping up as well. They're great, but when I started my scavenger hunt through my father's garage, I found a reel mower!

I talked to my dad about the situation. He is, for one, "green" in his own ways; he has an organic garden, makes his own wine, his own tools (sometimes), and recycles tin and scrap metal. One fault is that he tends to throw water bottles in the garbage. I have to work on that one. When it comes to the lawn mower, I suggested him trying the reel mower. His defense was is took too much time, will not cut as well as a gas mower, and he doesn't want the grass clippings on the lawn.

Ok, all viable arguments. But, I said, "What if I did the mowing myself using the reel mower?" He, of course, said sure! So, the key was to do it later in the day when the lawn was shaded. I didn't time myself (But, I will next time...) and it seemed like it took a bit longer than a gas mower, due to the fact that the grass was a bit high. (Hint: cut the grass when it is short)

After it was all set and done, my dad saw the lawn and just nodded and said, "that's ok." Aside from the trimming along the edges, the lawn was cut and it looked clean. The grass clippings were not very visible, and did not look messy. The incentive is that the grass clippings left onto the lawn is actually a great natural fertilizer for the grass. It will, of course, biodegrade, and will help the grass to grow. If there are a lot of weeds, I would suggest not to keep the clippings on the lawn.

So, I will do the "eco showdown." I will compare the gas mower and reel mower on looks and time and show the results at a later time. This should be a good father-son bonding moment...

2008-06-17T17:21:00.001-07:00

Reducing Package Size: What's the catch?

2008-06-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Some companies are reducing their packaging and playing off the reducing the ecological footprint aspect. Is it to make us feel better about buying their product, or is it their way of compensating for the price increase of raw materials and food. Well, I guess some things are better off with smaller packaging, but some products are being changed without the consent of the consumers, they are just trying to cut costs. This article shows an interesting point in package size and the ultimate affect of reducing package size. And if you are unsatisfied, voicing your dissatisfaction to the company's website is in order. Great article.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/shrinking-containers-rising-costs.php

Green Branding: A Great Guide for Sustainability and Competition

2008-06-10T11:50:00.001-07:00

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/green-branding-originality.php

A day of optimism

2008-06-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

Recently, I volunteered for the Rhode Island Sustainable Living Festival, created by The Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living. Meeting new and fascinating people, talking about sustainable living practices through consumerism, and throw in a little bit of Yoga -- you got a great day! Sure, they had the hybrid cars and the solar panels, but it was the individuals and local companies that made sustainable living a real and possible option for people. I had a memorable experience and wanted to share a few of the memorable people I met and what they're doing...

SCARLET BEGONIAS NATURAL SOY CANDLES www.scarletbegoniasoycandle.com

Candles are always great gifts, but natural soy candles are even better gifts. Soy candles have many advantages over candles that are produced using petroleum-based wax. Soy is all natural, non-toxic, biodegradable, and burns 2 to 3 times longer than a regular candle producing very little to no black soot in your jars! I had no idea! Scarlet Begonias candles are sustainable through and through. They hand-pour the wax, which does not include paraffin wax, lead or animal products. The wick is made of hemp, the jars are reusable, and they use recycled packaging.

LOCALLY SEWN
www.locallysewn.etsy.com

Locally Sewn, owned by a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (We always seem to find each other!), showcases clothing and accessories made from reclaimed fabrics and materials. She sells one-of-a-kind products, and does so with choice fabrics that are chic, timeless, and just plain cool! She started collecting her materials from Micronesia, where she served, and also from local sources as well. She can also do custom orders. You are reducing waste, but not sacrificing style, uniqueness, and functionality.

DUCKY LIFE ORGANIC TEA
www.duckylife.com

Ducky Life Tea provides organic, loose leaf teas, in many varieties, colors, textures, and scents. They are very passionate about what they do and see the benefits of loose leaf teas compared to pre-packaged and dull flavors of tea bags. They have an extensive line ranging from South African Honeybush to Miles' Rare Chinese Oolong. Don't know which to get? Their website is very comprehensive and helpful for choosing the right ones for you. They also have accessories, such as Press Infusers and packaged gifts. Great people and great teas.

Obama for President

2008-06-06T13:34:00.001-07:00

Well, let's all hope so. Since it seems clear that Obama has the clear Democratic nomination, I thought is was important to post an article about his environmental policies. Not all biased, the support of corn-based ethanol in the United States may not deem as a sustainable source of renewable energies. The link also has a 6 minute video of Obama talking about the issue. Check it out!

http://www.cutyourfootprint.com/news/lawsandpolicies/obama-environmental-policy-040608.asp

Poop Bags - A Dog Owner's Story

2008-06-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, I ordered a 3-month supply of Poopbags, found on www.poopbags.com Paul, the owner of Poop Bags, was sick of using plastic bags (huh, funny, same name and pesky issue). He realized the implications of plastic bags and decided to make fully biodegradable dog bags. It meets the ASTM D6400 specification for biodegradability, and comply with biodegradable product claims in all 50 states. Basically, the bag will degrade about the same time an apple will, given the fact that it will go into an "open" or "turned" landfill rather than an "anaerobic" or "locked" landfill. Please check with your local landfill for details. The website has a great facts page in regards to dog waste and plastic bags, which made me make the switch.

There are two great things aside from the fact that it is biodegradable. One, once tied, it does not leave a lingering smell of dog feces compared to putting it in a plastic bag. Secondly, the prices are very comparable and has free shipping for any size order. Example, I bought 100 bags for $18.98. I went over to my local pet store, which sold a competitor bag, Bio Bag; 50 bags for $9.99 plus tax. So, you have two great options here, but I like Poop Bags because I am supporting a start-up as well. So, be a responsible pet owner, pick up the poop the right way...a simple switch that you will feel good about.

One of the cheapest, easiest and earth-friendly ways to pack, move, ship, or store!

2008-06-04T05:05:00.000-07:00

I came across this website on planetgreen.com! It's a great, innovative company that has thought of such a great idea to reuse cardboard boxes. They provide gently used cardboard boxes and boxes from manufacturers due to misprints or some other crazy reason why it wasn't good enough for them. Again, not just for moving; if you want to reorganize your belongings, it's a great way to store and be a responsible consumer as well. They are sold in "kits" and the prices are excellent. Example, The "Average Joe" set comes with 17 boxes of assorted sizes, a Sharpie marker, a roll of packing tape, packing paper, and box opener, for $36. Free shipping to boot!

Hybrids 101: Consumer Report's Guide

2008-06-03T06:52:00.001-07:00

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=490581&topart=hybrids

Latest Al Gore appearance on TED

2008-06-02T19:02:00.000-07:00

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rUO8bdrXghs

So, what to do with all the plastic bags you have now?

2008-06-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

It's easy! You can actually recycle them at your local supermarket. However, be sure that the plastic bags have the recycable symbol on it...

Are they any other creative ways to reuse your plastic bags?

Sustainability in my own words and an example

2008-05-31T11:24:00.000-07:00

Sustainability to me is all about finding ways now that will not negatively affect or deplete our future natural resources. A simple example to start off with are the ultimate depletion of plastic bags in supermarkets. People are being educated about the effects of plastic bags; the extremely slow degradable rate, the amount of natural resources (crude oil) used up to produce them, and the health hazards it has once incinerated.

The solution: retailers have promoted the idea of BYOB, or Bring Your Own Bag. Most major supermarkets now carry mostly paper bags or sell cloth bags, which can be brought back over and over again to use. Whole Foods is one great leader in this issue. As of Earth Day of this year, they have eliminated the use of plastics bags in their stores nationwide. Even better, for every bag you use to bag your groceries, they give you a discount! (Where I am, 5 cents per bag) I'm not 100% positive about other markets, but I would love to know from anyone else!

Here's another great idea: I always keep cloth bags in my car or anywhere I go. If I go to Wal-Mart (which I see only use plastic bags), I tell them to put them in my cloth bags or I bag them myself! Put aside the shame and try it next time! I've gotten so many positive comments about it and never the "He's up to something" look. It's completely acceptable now, which is a great relief. Really simple actions like that makes you realize the amount of plastic bags you have reduced as an individual.

Also, next time you go to a drugstore and you really don't need to put that candy bar in a plastic bag, just tell them you don't need a plastic bag!

I would love to hear any comments or feedback and your stories...