Greener Indiana

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Comment by Jon Sperl on July 1, 2009 at 11:57am

The Hoosier Environmental Council has launched a video contest for this summer and fall, coinciding with movement of major energy/global warming legislation in Congress (a historic bill just passed out of the House last week!)

The contest is called Green Energy NOW! and the goal is to find out what Hoosiers are doing to fight global warming in their daily lives and why/how they are advocating for green energy/climate action (personally and/or legislatively) – in new and creative ways (online videos).

Prizes will be awarded for the four videos that are:
- the funniest: $200 prize
- the most creatively produced: $200 prize
- the most thoughtful/well-researched: $200 prize
- the HEC favorite (GRAND prize): $500 prize
- All participants will receive an HEC organic cotton t-shirt and window decal...

You can make your video with a video-camera, a webcam, your cell phone, or post an image slideshow/presentation with music/voiceover. Keep your video under 3 minutes and upload it to the contest's YouTube page:

The contest begins June 30 and ends August 24; winners will be announced on HEC’s website and the YouTube page on August 31 and contacted personally to arrange receipt of prizes.

For video ideas, software resources, and official contest rules, download these guidelines

Spread the news about this contest to your friends/family. This is a great way to keep the energy/climate conversation going - but in a more creative and personal way. We all want a good bill, but our relationship with the environment runs deeper than legislation - what's your story?

Comment by Sam Miller on June 29, 2009 at 1:22pm

Amazing and helpful statistics.

An easy step in the right direction is to use "permanent" plastic bottles and refill from the tap. We started doing this about 3 years ago and have reduced our bottled water guilt dramatically.

Regarding the observation you shared about plastics, I humbly suggest a look at Alan Weisman's book The World Without Us. The chapter on plastics is eye opening and frightening. Humans have made over a billion tons of the material since WWII and we don't show any signs of slowing down.

Trying to reduce plastics use is incredibly difficult in this society...no doubt, but we vote with our money, so any redirection to other materials helps reduce demand!

Comment by Dee Bennett on June 29, 2009 at 11:57am

I would like to see more attention to bottled water. Not only is it bad for our enviroment, but it is also unhealthy for our bodies.

According to a study in National Geographic;
Worldwide some 2.7 million tons (2.4 million metric tons) of plastic are used to bottle water each year, according to EPI.

The plastic most commonly used is polyethylene terepthalate (PET), which is derived from crude oil.

"Making bottles to meet Americans' demand for bottled water requires more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel some 100,000 U.S. cars for a year," EPI's Arnold said.

About 86 percent of plastic water bottles in the U.S. become garbage or litter, according to the Container Recycling Institute in Washington, D.C.

Plastic debris in the environment can take between 400 and 1,000 years to degrade.

Producing the plastic bottles burns an estimated 1.5 million gallons of oil, enough to run 100,000 cars for a year.

The annual transportation of bottled water burns 500,000 gallons of oil, or enough to power more than 80,000 homes for a year.

Making the plastic bottle uses twice as much water as fits inside the bottle.


Did you know that ionized alkaline water is up to 6 times more hydrating, loaded with powerful antioxidants, higher in oxygen and helps detox and balance you body's pH?

If you would like to see how your water measures up, I would be happy to test it for you, and bring you a gallon of Ionized Alkaline Water.

317-507-1582
www.ionways.com/deebennett

Comment by Connie Zeigler on June 24, 2009 at 6:56pm

I'm just curious as to why a notice about a new article on the coffee blog is being posted to Greener Indiana? If I want to read the coffee blog I'll join the coffee group. Since my email notices only give a name and say a conversation's been posted, I have no idea what it is until I get here and then I'm always a little frustrated that it's really just about your coffee business. I don't mean to offend but my time is important to me, as I'm sure yours is to you, and while I appreicate your enthusiasm about your product and your passion about coffee I think it belongs in the coffee group rather than showing up here on a regular basis.

Comment by Shari Boultbee on June 24, 2009 at 6:08pm

The Good, Bad & the Ugly of Blending. Fresh Coffee Blog has a new article to read. I hope you enjoy this one.

Follow the link on the picture, if you dare!
Shari

Comment by Jon Sperl on June 24, 2009 at 4:54pm

Action Alert: House Will Vote FRIDAY on Historic Energy/Climate Legislation
Contact Your Rep. Now

The American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act will come to a vote this Friday, June 26. ACES is the most sweeping and comprehensive energy reform package ever brought before Congress and for the first time in history would close the carbon loophole that is degrading our climate with greenhouse gases.

While not perfect, the ACES bill (HR 2454) is an impressive accomplishment that, if passed, would jump-start the transformation of America`s energy economy toward one that is renewable, efficiency, clean, and competitive - toward one that create jobs, reduces dependence on foreign oil, and increases American competitiveness in the green energy industries of the future. ACES has broad support from utilities, energy companies, labor unions, and environmentalists.

The consensus on global warming is clear: we must act boldy, now. Passage of ACES (and ratification of a comparable bill in the Senate over coming months) would allow the US to go to international climate change negotiations in December as a leader, not a laggard.

A number of Indiana`s House Representatives are leaning in support of the bill or on the fence. If you haven`t acted on federal energy legislation yet, this is the time. Please call your district legislator and tell him to support a strong, science-based ACES bill that will do what`s right for the economy and the environment.

Pete Visclosky (District 1): (202) 225-2461
Joe Donnelly (2): (202) 225-3915
Brad Ellsworth (8): (202) 225-4636
Baron Hill (9): (202) 225-5315

Talk to your friends and family about the ACES bill and encourage them to take action as well. Download this easy informational guide on ACES easy debate guide.

Comment by Alan Applebaum on June 23, 2009 at 9:57am

Indy Magazine is now offering fantastic advertising rates for green businesses. If you are looking to advertise your business, city wide, in an affordable way, please contact me. Act now because space is already running out for our August issue. 317-245-8200

Comment by Shari Boultbee on June 9, 2009 at 9:46pm

Exciting Coffee News in Indy Magazine
Midwest Organic Coffee Company has an article in the newest issue of Indy Magazine. Read the details.

Comment by Ed Peszek on June 4, 2009 at 10:31am

Jim there are many ways you can "Go Green"! If you would like I can meet with you and discuss the various options - ED (epeszek@augustmack.com)

Comment by Jim R Sapp on June 4, 2009 at 10:18am

I am remodeling an old lumberyard in castleton Indiana.I have turned it into an office building and am currently trying to rent out covered spaces for storage. Long story short I would like to make the building more green. Any affordable ideas? I also wanted to try to make my garage door company AGD to reduce its footprint as well.

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