**Reminder** GreenFixes Free Environmental Webinar Series

For all you readers out there who are subscribed to the RSS Feed and don't check the homepage of GreenFixes very often, here is a reminder for the second GreenFixes environmental webinar, as I didn't post on it directly but added it to the homepage only: 

"Being socially responsible in business is being pushed more and more on corporations around the world.  As a result, business leaders are struggling with trying to understand how doing the right thing actually goes hand in hand with creating and building a stronger business.  In this webinar, our main speaker will pose the most significant questions regarding Personal Social Responsibility (PSR) in business and why it’s so important in the current economic climate. These questions will be answered by our speaker, Arvind Devalia, a business consultant and author of the recently published book, Personal Social Responsibility. 

These are powerful questions that will change you and your business forever.  They will challenge your current business strategy and show you that being ethical and environmentally responsible still allow for profitability.  Be prepared to walk away with a better understanding of ethical choices going hand in hand with company profits and questions that you can pose to your own CEO’s regarding corporate social responsibility. 

You’ll learn: 
•  What PSR (Personal Social Responsibility) is and the importance it is to each individual’s journey. 
•  What CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) means and how it applies to your company. 
•  Practical questions to help build a business case for social responsibility and sustainability within your corporation. 
•  How being socially responsible will help your company also be more profitable. "

If you're looking to get a better understanding of corporate social responsibility and what it means within the business world in regards to environmental sustainability, check out this FREE educational webinar.  Register now, as seats are limited.  

Registration link below:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/562933089

Tapping Into Wave Energy

With the approach of winter, swells return to our beaches and pound the shorelines.  The changing seasons bring powerful Pacific storms, sending waves barreling into the coastline in a timeless display of natural power.  The smoothed out pebbles and sand on the beach showcase the waves powerful energy.  Yet, apart from providing a fleeting ride for an occasional surfer, the power of waves has gone largely unused.  How could we have missed this potential energy supplier for all these years?   How much energy could one wave generate?  

The power of waves has gone unused, but this is rapidly changing.  One day ocean swells will be used as a harnessed energy that will power all of our lights at home.  The quest to use ocean waves as a source of energy is not new though.  It stretches back well over a 100 years in California.  However, with many failed inventions and little success, after years of effort by many people and companies, interest waned with the rise of coal and oil powered machines.  

Now, a resurgent interest in wave energy has been ushered in rapidly as environmental awareness is heightened.  With 70% of the world's surface covered by ocean, a remarkable opportunity exists.  According to studies, capturing a mere 0.2% of ocean energy could power the entire world. Just the wave energy off American coasts can provide as much electricity as the nation's hydroelectric plants.  Waves transmit more energy than wind because water is denser than air.  The power density is perhaps 100 times greater.  This translates into the need for less ocean space to produce the same amount of electricity a larger land based wind park generates. This would leave the vast majority of coastal waters untouched.  Think of the opportunities this would open up in respect to environmental savings and opening up other used resources.

There are a few test products out there now that are being used to determine if it is possible to gather wave energy.  One such test is a buoy that is a point absorber design.  The buoy contains a vertical metal spar coiled in copper.  Surrounding this spar a float with magnets rises and falls with each passing swell.  It's almost the same principal as shake flashlights.  The magnet moves past a copper coil generating electricity.  The electricity then is carried to shore through transmission lines along the seafloor.  Development of these buoys for full scale utility use is underway and may be supplying electricity in as little as two years.  

Another device is the AquabuOY 2.0 from Finavera Renewables.  This device is entirely powered by waves.  The hydraulic fluid located inside the buoy is just pressurized seawater, so there are no hydraulic oils on board.  The main elements are a buoy, acceleration tube, piston and hose pump.  Seawater enters the buoy with the rise and fall of each passing swell powering a two-stroke hose pump that pressurizes the water.  The water is then forced through a turbine that powers a generator to produce electricity.  

The ocean remains the greatest potential for untapped renewable energy on Earth.  The push to capture this source of clean power is being chased by corporations, universities, state and federal government and community based organizations.  Companies like Finavera Renewables are riding the wave of public support for clean energy.  They signed the nation's first power purchase agreement for wave generated electricity with PG&E.  The Humboldt County Offshore Wave Energy Power Plant is slated to also provide electricity by 2012 from buoys moored 2.5 miles offshore.  

Unfortunately, there is still the need for adequate environmental review and analysis of potential impacts to marine ecosystems.  Waves may provide a clean source of electricity but environmental concerns still linger...electromagnetic fields existing around the buoys may interfere with marine mammal and fish sensory systems.  Possible physical effects from buoy placement and underwater transmission lines may also alter local wave patterns, currents and beaches.  Other problems still remain unknown until further studies show them.  While the wave energy industry is just now emerging, there is still a long ways to go with it.  It is very possible that it will have long-term success in providing an alternative energy source.  It will take more studies and cooperation, but the light at the end of the tunnel is shining - here is a possible opportunity to help clear other pollution ridden sources of electricity.  

**Reference:  DEEP Magazine, D.E. Putnam, 2008.**

Thinking Green for Thanksgiving

Next week will mark the annual Thanksgiving dinner everyone will celebrate.  Here are a few tips to have a healthy, happy eco-friendly holiday for kids and adults alike:

DON'T purchase plastic, disposable utensils, cups, or plates.  Yes, the dish load to wash will be a major job at the end of dinner, but consider it a great way to share family time and catch up.  Plastic cups can really build up at these dinner parties because people put them down, forget which cup is theirs, and grab another, increasing the wasted plastic.  You could tap into your creative energy and buy really inexpensive glasses that fit your occasion.  From margarita glasses, beer mugs, or wine glasses, you can decorate them with the name of each guest so not only will your guests know which glass is theirs, but they'll go home with a fun party favor.  If you must buy cups or any other item, purchase corn-starch plates, utensils, or glasses.  At least then, those will be able to be composted.

DO recycle.  Set up recycling bins or bags in set recycling areas at your party.  If you must use cans/bottles, set up recycling areas specifically near that area so your guests know where to dispose of these items.

DO replace paper invitations with online invites.  Paper invitations can look great but let's face it, they usually end up in the trash.  You can design your own sophisticated online Christmas invitations, Thanksgiving dinner invites, Hanukkah invitations, and really any invitations for all occasions using online sites such as Evite or MyPunchbowl Design Studio.

DO buy organic pumpkin pie from a local farmers' market.  Food from local farmers' market is often less expensive than the supermarket this time of year and you'll be supporting local farmers which is great for your local economy.  Compost all food waste.

DO consider planning a 'game' time after dinner.  Activities keep everyone, kids and adults alike, in one main room and reduces the energy waste and light pollution that may occur with everyone scattered throughout the house.  Consider it family bonding time.  Or, set the kids up with a movie in one room, while the adults talk in the next room.  This way at least only two rooms are being used instead of any extra ones.  If the family is scattered around the house, decorate the house with candles to cut back on using electricity.

DO decorate "green".  Bring your party to life by decorating with plants and flowers.  You don't need expensive bouquets to make a statement with flowers.  Get a bunch of small vases and put one or two flowers in each of them.  Then you can even hand them out as party favors when the guests leave.  

DO  use a linen tablecloth instead of a disposable plastic one.  It will look nicer and you can reuse it time and time again.

DON'T purchase store-bought turkeys.  Not only are they unhealthy and filled with several different chemicals to keep it "fresh" for Thanksgiving distribution, they are also inhumanely slaughtered.  The Broad Breasted White is the standard market turkey available in grocery stores.  They are often times raised in large barns in massive numbers and slaughtered at 3 to 4 months of age.  These turkeys grow so large, they often have heart failure and may actually break their own legs under their own weight and suffer in pain until slaughtered.  There are several farms however that raise Heritage turkeys, which are hardy, disease resistant, intelligent creatures.  They aren't ready for market until 6 to 7 months of age- and that extra time gives them a flavor like no other - a real, honest-to-goodness turkey flavor.  They are naturally moist and juicy- no brining, larding, or other culinary tricks are needed for superb results.  Most of the store-bought turkeys taste a bit salty.  Farms such as Blue Oak Ranch raise the turkeys in a more humane, naturalistic setting and also hand slaughter the turkeys, which reduces the amount of "stressed" chemicals and endorphins released in the turkey's body.  Most store-bought turkeys are delivered by truck, sometimes by long distances, and cause the turkeys to be extremely stressed, which release these chemicals into their body which then transfer into yours.  Find a farm like the one above in your area and support humanely raised and slaughtered turkeys!

Use these tips for your Thanksgiving dinner and you'll have a green Thanksgiving holiday in no time!

The Real "Children of Men" Story

For anyone who has seen "Children of Men", the premise of the story was a bit frightening.  The movie is set in 2007, when no child has been born for 18 years and science is at a loss for an explanation, while the population is quickly dwindling.  Humankind is facing the likelihood of its own extinction.  It is a scary scenario, but one that holds some truth to it.  

The CBS documentary, The Disappearing Male, discusses the steady and dramatic increases in toxicological threats for the  male reproductive system in the last few decades.  Due to common chemicals that are found in an array of everyday products, young boys and men are experiencing such problems as genital deformities, low sperm count, sperm abnormalities, and testicular cancer.  Not only are the chemicals affecting their reproductive systems, they are also affecting the chances of them having ADHD, autism, and other disabilities.  Click here to watch the trailer or view the actual documentary.

Some scientists state that declining male fertility rates could be the first sign of extinction for humans.  It is one of the most important subject to address, however it is the least publicized and talked about among our top governmental officials and scientists.  Currently, we have awareness on environmental toxins and the effects it has directly on the environment itself, but we are not looking at what effects environmental toxins and chemicals have on human health.  Look for this to be a topic that is highly addressed in the future.

Facts about male infertility:

• Sperm counts have been cut in half in the last fifty years - and 85% of that is abnormal.
• In the last few decades there has been a 200% increase in male genital birth defects.
• Male birth rates have declined. Since 1970 there have been nearly 3 million fewer baby boys.
• http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/doczone/2008/disappearingmale/infertility.html
  

GreenFixes Blog Posts Are Back!!!

After a brief hiatus, the GreenFixes blog is back in business.  With a new look and feel, check back in every Monday and Wednesday for new exciting topics and feel free to comment on anything you find interesting!!

Make A Change -- Vote!

In honor of the presidential election tomorrow, I am posting to remind everyone to VOTE!  It is up to us to make a difference and this election is more important than ever....it is not too late to make an environmental difference.  While it starts with each of individually, it helps to have some of the political figures standing behind environmental concern and change.  Review policies and political viewpoints carefully...then VOTE!

Also-- check out the Mayors Climate Protection website.  Not only can we make a decision in the presidential election, but we can also make sure our own mayors are supporting the environment.  There is definitely great information regarding what mayors support the environment and have signed the Climate Protection Agreement for their cities.  They provide best practices guides and data from surveys.  The website also provides legislative updates.  

Remember, it's up to us to be informed and make the best decisions regarding our future....Arm yourself with knowledge and we'll meet you at the polls!