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MU Power Plant Webisode from Beth Ford on Vimeo.

-Beth

NBC is Going Green

Hello green readers!

I hope you like the above video from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon because I thought it would be very fitting for our green blog! 

Originally, I was just going to blog about the Christmas Tree in Rockafeller Center going green, but then realized that would coincide nicely with the fact that NBC has declared this week their Green Week. So, most of their TV shows have incorporated that in some way or another. Apparently NBC even has a policy called "Green is Universal." This little song medley showcased in the video above, was from last night's show. I think the best part is at the end when his talks about the floors in the studio being green. 

I had no idea until I actually read up on this a little, but apparently Jimmy Fallon was one of the first people to have a "green" set. Before the show began in early 2009, the set was built entirely eco-friendly. Fallon told The Huffington Post, "Everything is recycled. We are building everything with recycled metals and using all green lighting." Since they were starting the set from scratch, apparently its NBC's police to make everything green! Crazy that such a monster of a company puts so much emphasis on environment friendly tactics.

NBC didn't necessarily have as much to do with this one, but the Rockafeller Christmas tree is right by their studios, and as of 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg made the decoration more efficient for the environment. In 2007 NYC released a press release discussing the new details to the tree and its eco-friendly changes. They added a solar energy roof, which helped power the tree's new energy efficient LED lights. The roof is the largest privately owned solar energy station in Manhattan and will conserve energy for the area year round. A NYT article said the changes shift the energy consumption from 3,510 kilowatt hours to 1,297 kilowatt hours a day. The savings is equal to what 2,000 sq foot house would use in a month. Granted, some people argue, why even have the energy eating tree at all, but at least if they are going to have it, it has gone "green."

Now even our local NBC station has gone green! In the coming weeks and months the station will air an "8 Goes Green" franchise with stories about the green economy. Be sure to check it out because some of our team members will take part!

Let us know if you watch any of NBC's green week, and what you think, via our twitter @gogreen573

-Christy

What Fad?

Unemployment continues to rise, right? Not if you're looking for a green job!

There's been lots of talk the last few weeks about the national rate of unemployment, but we've got some good news...According to Pew Research, jobs in the green sector increased 9.1% from 1998 to 2007. This is my blog post for this week for 2 reasons. One, as a resource for those who are unemployed or know someone who is. And two, because I think this data fights the myth that 'Going Green' is just a fad.

First of all, here' s the link to help you start or advance a sustainable career (as in one that helps the environment and lasts for a long time, haha): Get a Green Job!

The site is one of many but I really like it because it's a blog...that means there are hundreds of jumping off points for that one location. Plus it's written by someone who is in the business, living the life you may want to have.

The trend of green business and careers in the field is no fad. Don't believe us? Follow this link to an Associated Press article with a ton of hard facts. Here are a few of my favorites about the troubled state of Michigan:

- "Michigan, which has lost hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs, saw a 10.7 percent increase in clean energy jobs from 1998 to 2007."
- "Pew counted 22,674 clean energy jobs in Michigan in 2007. To put that into perspective, Michigan lost 38,400 jobs in April alone."

Pursuing green solutions and alternatives is not just the right thing to do anymore. It's the smart thing. Business leaders are grabbing the idea by the horns and not only running, but making money as they go.

Just think about the last time you sat down to watch an hour or so of television. Last night's Biggest Loser episode had several promos for green products to go with NBC Universal's 'Green Week'. KOMU is beginning its own green segment. Even Sesame Street is celebrating 40 years by starting a two year campaign to educate kids about the world around them.

If Elmo and Big Bird can do it, so can we.

Emily

Transporting to a Green Environment

There are many ways we can go green just by changing our form of transportation. It's a little harder with the winter season, because a lot of green activities involve being outdoors....hard but not impossible!

One of the things that the city of Columbia has accomplished is becoming very bike-friendly. Columbia Mayor Darwin Hindman is a big bicycle advocate. Ever an 76 years old, he still bikes about 60 miles each week. Columbia has done many things to help further accommodate biking in the city. Road intersections have changed to have bike routes, and the New Providence Road expansion which was opened today has bike lanes added, as well as sidewalks and pedways. Columbia is an example of a city that is definitely trying to promote health lifestyles and help the environment.

Going outside of Columbia, bigger cities are trying to do what they can to go green. One way cities are making this possible is by changing the make-up of their city transportation...trains. Clean electric trains are a major form of daily transportation for many places. Rail travel is more energy efficient and uses less fuel than cars or airplanes. A good example of this is Amtrak introduced 80 new vehicles to their Auto Train. These train cars are lighter and they have helped reduce annual diesel fuel usage.

Going green isn't just a process taken on by the United States, but it involved the whole world. For example, some of the top eco-friendly trains to travel on are in different countries. Here are examples I've found on green transportation:

1.) Sweden's "Green Train" - It features a new engine with a permanent magnetic motor with speeds as fast as 180mph. This has improved its energy consumption by 20 to 30 percent.

2.) France's AGV - Instead of a traditional diesel engine in the front or back, each carriage on the train is fitted with its own engine.  So far, it has improved energy by 20 percent.

3.) Spain's AVE S103 - This train runs on an electric motor and the average cruising speeds reach 200mph.

These forms of transportation are becoming more and more popular, and could in the future actually be beating out the airline industry.

GG573 love,

Chelsea

MU Power Plant

The next installment of the GoGreen573 webisode is on its way! But until that time I'll explain the good stuff.

MU's Power Plant services the University of Missouri campus, and does so by using biomass fuel. Currently, Campus Facilities uses wood waste to generate electricity. Enormous piles of chopped up pallets and other wood chips are mixed with coal, and wood waste is a "plentiful" and "available" resource throughout the area. If I had in Milk Duds the amount of wood chips dropped off at the plant daily, I'd be one happy lady...Additionally, the MU Power Plant website notes using wood waste as a fuel source decreases the campus fuel bill by $50,000.

The plant also uses tire-derived fuel. That's right, tire-derived. The plant partners with Missouri Department of Corrections, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and Missouri Department of Transportation to collect tire scraps and use them as an alternative to coal. According to the site, the plant burns the equivalent of 350,000 tires each year. Though it may not sound like it, tire burns cleaner than coal. Using tire scraps saves MU $300,000 each year. As my mom would say, holy guacamole, Batman.

Multiple biomass projects are in the works at MU's Power Plant, too. Researchers are testing grass and crop waste to see if these resources could be effective biomass fuels.

Check back for the webisode!

Signing off,
Beth

Going Green for Fashion

Hey guys!

At this point in our blogging, its easy to see that the idea and concept of "going green" is basically in every part of our society around us. We can be  kind to our environment during Holidays, Tailgates, and Dating. But, one aspect that I don't think we have covered yet is green fashion. Clothes, bags, shoes, etc. now all have catchy little phrases on them like "Green is the New Black," or "This is my plastic bag." It has become almost trendy to be green in today's fashion world, even though more often than not, the people wearing the clothes have no idea how they can go green, or even what that might really mean. So, its time to break that down a little bit.

Organic Clothing means that the fabric is made from materials that are grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides. Certified Organic means it is grown in a controlled setting with no "pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers, and are certified by an international governing body such as Control Union, IMO, or One-Cert." 

There is a whole other type of material grouping called "eco textiles." These have reduced carbon, energy and pollution. 

There are many reasons to buy and support these types of clothing and materials, one being that in order to make cotton, it requires a large quantity of water. This has even led to water shortages in some parts of the world.

Another option is bamboo clothing. This is a more breathable fiber, causing you to be cooler in the winter, and/or warmer in the winter. It has a great ability to absorb water faster, so good for working out, or sweating in the summer. The material is also wrinkle resistant and should require less care. HOWEVER, one problem with this miracle material is the process in creating it involves chemicals that can harm the environment if "left unmanaged."

All this information can be found at Fashion and Earth, which was this great website I found that laid out the facts, instead of being just more confusing jargon. 

So, in order to learn more about green fashion, I found a fashion show in Columbia, and went to it last Thursday evening. I interviewed a couple of the people there, and people involved with the program. I created a webisode that you can check out below!

Let me know your thoughts!

The show included clothing and accessories from Factory Green Clothing.

They have clothing for men and women, accessories, stuff for your apartment, and shoes. The website also has a blog, and allows for you to submit ideas for the catchy t-shirt logos. 

Go find some cute green clothes and let us know about them!

Christy

Chain Restaurants Go Green

Hey Everyone!

  Back for some more green fun are you? Well, I have something that will satisfy your stomach and your need to help the environment! I found some interesting news on chain restaurants that are going green... and it's starting with Chipotle! Chipotle restaurants are going to get solar panels on 75 of there restaurants next year!

Installation of these solar panels is already underway in some major cities including Denver, Colorado, Dallas, and San Antonio. This project is supposed to get rid of about 20 thousand tons of carbon dioxide emissions. When this is completed, Chipotle will be the largest producer of solar energy in the restaurant industry.

Also, three Chipotle chains will have leed-certified buildings, and one being built in Illinois will have an on-site wind turbine. The restaurant propelled by the wind turbine is capable of supplying up to 10 percent of its electricity demand.

Some other things restaurants are doing is using eco-friendly marketing. Restaurants can do this by offering green specials or putting certain logos next to items that are eco-friendly and organically grown. Customers will appreciate this as well as be interested in coming back to a place that also helps the environment!

Now you Shakespeare lovers might find this pretty cool... I found a pizza place that is located in numerous locations in ten very lucky states! The restaurant's motto is "Saving the Earth, One Pizza at a Time!" Pizza Fusion started in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has created an empire for America's favorite food...pizza. The restaurant serves pizza in its purest form, free of any artificial additives and 75 percent of the menu is organic.

Pizza Fusion even delivers your pizza to you in company owned hybrid vehicles, uses 100 percent of their power consumption from renewable wind energy, they have leed certification, and they even provide organic classes for kids. Pizza Fusion is unlike any other business, and they care about going green! Pizza and eco-friendly...who could ask for more?

Too bad there is no location in Columbia.... but don't worry guys, the GG573 Team is on it!

Tune in for more green news tomorrow!

-Chelsea

Buy Your Way to a Greener Tomorrow

Here's an interesting concept I heard about on the radio a few weeks ago: carbon offsets, a measurement of metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent.

San Francisco's International Airport launched offset kiosks in September. Here's how they work: as you rush to your gate to catch an early flight for a New York afternoon meeting, you can use flysfo.com or one of the kiosks to calculate the carbon footprint of your flight. Using the carbon footprint number, travelers can learn how many carbon offsets would be required to compensate for their trip (VERs=Verified Emission Reductions). If the traveler is feeling guilty about their hefty carbon footprint, or wants to make the world a greener place, the traveler can contribute to those carbon offsets. According to the SFO press release:

"When the amount is set, 3Degrees, a local San Francisco carbon and renewable energy marketing firm that manages the Climate Passport kiosks, sources carbon offsets from The Conservation Fund’s Garcia River Forest Project and the San Francisco Carbon Fund, to ensure an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases has been reduced."

Basically, you're buying an offset through the kiosk, which is tangibly little more than a receipt. Offsets can include projects throughout the country and world supporting green efforts. Here's an interesting article from Budget Travel following three travelers who bought an offset; the reactions including vindicated, ambivalent, and ripped-off.

TerraPass.com, a carbon offset project, allows site visitors to buy carbon offsets. The site lists various projects in the U.S., including landfill gas-to-energy projects and wind energy facilities
(none of the projects listed were in Missouri, though).

Seems like a neat concept, created by free-thinking idealists. I wonder if an idea like this - paying for piece-of-mind - will take off. On one hand, travelers cannot see the effects of their $7.65 or $31.50, so why should they care? Then again, travelers can't necessarily see the effects of their round-trip airfare on the environment, so let's hope they care.

-Beth

Keeping up with the Climate

As mid-Missourians know, the weather can drastically change over the course of three hours. We've all seen it, we all hate it. Today, it is November 6th, and it is in the 70s. What is that? This isn't Florida. Now, I'm not complaining, and neither is anyone else in Columbia. But, as people have started to prepare for the winter, how do you compensate for a nice, warm, sunny day like this? You can't make your house completely cool friendly or completely heat friendly, because the weather fluctuates.

Well, there may be an answer. Apparently some researchers at MIT may have invented roof tiles that change color in the temperature. The article is very interesting, and you can find similar ones here, here and here. Basically, when it's hot out, the tiles will turn white. White reflects the most heat and will save energy. But, when it's cold out, white doesn't work as well and won't save you as much money. That's why the tiles turn black when it's colder, absorbing more heat and saving you money again.

Now, the product isn't market-ready yet, and the fine people at MIT are still working on that product, but imagine what that could do for us out here in mid-Missouri? Here, it's cold one day and hot the next. I remember two years ago, it was 65 on a Sunday and that Monday morning, it was in the high 50s to start off the day. Three hours later, it was snowing "dippin' dots" so it seemed. We all know the weather is crazy here. Maybe this research and development can really impact the lives of not only mid-Missourians, but the rest of the country and world.

We are looking for ways people are going green, but how are you conserving energy during certain seasons. Do you open the windows and use fans in the summer to prevent using a/c? Do you bundle up and use space heaters during the winter to prevent from using the heat? Let us know. And definitely keep an eye out for these 'Thermeleon" tiles, they are really interesting.

Green for the Game

Hey guys!

First, I just want to let anyone know who might read this post before tonight, that there is a Going Green Fashion show in Columbia at Ingredient in the downtown district. It starts at 7pm, and includes dinner and a show of "green" clothes by Factory Green. I will be sure to attend and update you with the highlights from the event. 

But, in spirit of a sports filled week (Yankees winning the World Series last night, and the Mizzou Tigers taking on Baylor this weekend), I thought I would find out some ways to be green while tailgating for the big game. 

This website called FourStatesHomePage  has some great ideas on staying green while pre-gaming. 

• Carpool - this saves gas, and money from parking
• Bring Local Beer - support a local brewery 
• Search for Organic Beer - fewer harmful chemicals to the environment
• Cook mushroom burgers or veggie hot dogs
• Use propane when grilling - it leaves less waste and burns cleaner than charcoal
• Use reusable dishes and utensils that you can take home, wash and reuse, opposed to wasting paper and plastic dishware
• Bring a bag for recycling containers - just because you aren't at your home doesn't mean you can't separate these materials from trash
• Extreme idea: bring a "crank radio" (honestly I don't even know what this is) but apparently it doesn't use electricity or batteries, but you are still able to listen to the pregame show

I found a couple other websites that offered similar ideas. Here are the links to the specific tailgating stories.

LighterFootstep

TreeHugger

Earth911 - this one has a cool idea of making a reusable table cloth out of old t-shirts with your team's logo, recycles worn out clothes, and prevents you from using a plastic table cloth.

It also suggests using a solar radio to rock out to some jams. 

TailgatingIdeas - This website also had some additional ideas:

• use stainless steel skewers to make shish kabobs instead of wooden ones
• buy in bulk
• use tupperware
• tailgate in hybrid vehicle
• use a "cap-trap" to open beer bottles so you don't lose the bottle caps and liter 
• Use a "keg bag" to keep things cold instead of ice to save water

Try these ideas this weekend when tailgating for the Mizzou football game, or another sporting event!

Tell us if you have another idea for green tailgating via Twitter @gogreen573

-Christy 

Students for Sustaining!

Youth activism, community organizing...call it whatever you'd like. The point? Young people are powerful. Name any cause and it wouldn't take long to think of student group or organization of young people who worked hard for it. The move to go green is no exception.

There are groups all over the 573 area who are taking action to make our worlds greener. Here's a closer look at just a few of them.

Greeks Going Green

This group is all about raising awareness and then doing something about it. They draw on their members, who are also members of fraternities and sororities all over the country, to reach out and make the first steps to going green. There are eleven chapters across the nation-everywhere from Georgia to Kansas to California. Last year the University of Missouri chapter focused on getting chapter houses on campus to start and stick to recycling plans.

Student Sustainable Initiative Fund

I'm so so excited to tell you about this one. The best part about it...you can actually get money from these guys for your green projects (if you're a student at Mizzou). It's an effort by MSA-Missouri Student Association-to encourage students who have great ideas but lack the financial support to make them happen. This year they have $12,000 to give out and you have 8 days to make your pitch for it.

Here's a peek at the process...
- Submit your proposal: By November 12, 2009 (there's still time!)
- Give your oral pitch. Based on that and documented plan, find out if you get any funding by Friday, November 20.

Click on the link to find out more! If you have questions, let GoGreen573 know. We'd love to help you get started and follow you as begin your 'greening'.

Two groups, two completely different approaches with a common goal: make our earth a better place to live, for longer. Next week I'll tell you about one more University of Missouri organization that is making huge strides. It's called Sustain Mizzou and its list of awards is beyond impressive.

For making this and every week a green one,

Emily

A Green Christmas

It's hard to remember to be environmentally friendly with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner. I know many ideas on how to save the Earth probably aren't at the top of everyone's to-do lists. If your in college you're focusing on exams and probably just lounging around over break. 

If you're a mom, well then you've already got a million things to do during the winter season and from experience with my own mother she is terribly busy around this time and going green is probably the last thing she's thinking about.

And... if you don't fit in one of those categories than I'm sure you fall into this one. EVERYONE IS BUSY. WE ARE ALL BUSY. 

BUT....

I am going to give you some quick, easy tips on how you can have a Green Winter Season. Going green isn't just planting a tree in the summer, or turning off your air conditioning... but it needs to happen year round for us to make an impact. So with Winter approaching, here's what you can do to help!

1.) Check your doors and windows to make sure they're sealed properly. Sure, this sounds like a no brainer to most of us, but the fact of the matter is cold air could be leaking in causing you to put your heat on higher. The simple task of checking these areas can save you a lot of money!

2.) Still use other methods of transportation! You can still go green in the winter. Put treads on your bike...ride with others to work... walk! All you need to do is make sure you're bundled up before you leave the house.

3.) Use non-toxic salts and de-ice products on your driveways. This is extremely easy to forget and it is something that can make a huge difference!

4.) Take advantage of the weather! Go for a family hike, and if there's snow go sledding! This not only burns away Christmas calories, but also doesn't hurt the environment!

5.) My last tip for you is to bundle up. Put on a sweatshirt before you decide to crank up the heat. Put on more layers before you touch that dial, and I promise you will see your utility bill decrease dramatically.

Okay, so there's a simple list of things you can do as the weather is getting colder. Remember going green is a year round activity and although we are all very busy this list is short and easy! So come on, everyone! Let's have a GREEN Christmas!

gg573 love,

Chelsea

Mi casa es su casa...and sustainable!

You may not be in the market to buy a home right now...but it never hurts to start thinking about the process a tad early. While you're at it, it never hurt to consider sustainable home practices, either.

Homes use energy, this much should be obvious. Whether for lighting, heating, cooling, electrical appliances, energy keeps houses warm and toasty and the coffee machine cooking. Smaller homes take less energy to heat and cool, and as air conditioners are the Hummers of household energy use, you could save some major wattage by scaling down (and using an overhead fan!). (Click here to see a table of typical energy costs by appliance.)

Instead of using a traditional heating and cooling system, homeowners can opt to use a more sustainable option: passive heating and cooling. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests home buyers looking to go green follow five key principles in heating and cooling their homes passively. Highlights of the report include using strategically placed windows to heat with sunlight and using insulation to its full extent.

More tips - - Keeping the temperature steady can be achieved with a shovel: digging into the earth helps the house to maintain a small variant in temperature year round. Using local products to build your home cuts down on the gasoline emissions from shipping product from all over the place.

Think creatively to utilize less energy and make your home more sustainable. Sustainable=fabulous.

-Beth

Braik Brothers Tree Care from Beth Ford on Vimeo.

Here's a webisode on Braik Brothers Tree Care. Check it out!

-Beth