Treehugger: Tools for Self Reliance

Treehugger: Tools for Self Reliance: "Sometimes you can’t find a way to improve on another's words. TSFR being a case in point. We therefore quote: “Have you ever wanted to bang a nail and didn’t have a hammer? What did you do? Maybe you looked in the garden shed or popped down to the DIY [hardware store]. If you live in the countryside in Africa, you might have to think of something else. There’s nothing in the garden shed except a bush knife and a hoe. The market might be a day’s walk away and a hammer costs two weeks wages. Tools for Self Reliance is doing something about this. Today, hundreds of TFSR volunteers in Britain collect, refurbish, and ship tools and sewing machines to six countries in Africa. Each kit contains the tools needed to do a job - carpentry, blacksmithing, building, or sewing. We work with honest, effective local organisations with roots in some of the poorest communities in Africa.” [...]"

NPR : Using Resources: Disaster Relief vs. Mitigation

NPR : Using Resources: Disaster Relief vs. Mitigation: " Earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis. We can't prevent them, but couldn't we do a better job at limiting their impact? When should money be spent to save lives -- before or after disaster strikes? We examine the debate over disaster relief and mitigation."

Treehugger: Eco-Tip: Nappies and Diapers

Treehugger: Eco-Tip: Nappies and Diapers: "home-washing cloth diapers has only 53% of the ecological footprint of disposables. But of greater interest to us, as advocates of Product Service Systems (PSS), is that a nappy laundry service has a mere 37% of that footprint. In the middle of the debate are biodegradable nappies. These are formed with plant based plastics and under the right conditions will compost. However landfills just don’t offer the right conditions. They are so full of mixed waste, that no self-respecting micro-organism would be seen near one. (Once read about newspapers that were extracted from a New York landfill, during an archelogical dig. Been there over 25 years and were still legible!). If you have to use disposables, then selecting a truly biodegradable option is preferable, but don’t be disillusioned into thinking they will somehow go on to make a rich loamy soil. Alas not."

The Orion Online - Students aim to help Chico go sunny side up

The Orion Online - Students aim to help Chico go sunny side up: "Members of professor Laurie Wermuth's environmental sociology class presented encouraging information to more than 40 community members about shifting to solar-powered energy systems at a forum held at Chico’s City Council chambers on Thursday night...

"One group discussed the planning of New Urbanist housing developments, which emphasized pedestrian friendly living and safe, economically integrated neighborhoods. Another group described the local Doe Mill project that was the closest thing Chico has to a New Urbanist development. The next group talked about solar-thermal technology and its applications and effectiveness at reducing dependency on fossil fuels and reducing energy costs.

According to the statistics presented, the two apartment complexes studied could save up to $200 per month on energy expenses by switching to solar-thermal technology.

Another group described the government incentive programs that can reduce the cost of switching to solar power by about half. There are now six grant programs active.

The final group presented its efforts in researching the feasibility of switching Chico’s Pleasant Valley High School to solar energy. Using examples from other schools that have done the same, this project is still in motion. [...]"