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Greenhouses are working!

Submitted by Aviad on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 17:11

It cannot be easier than that!

Our household now is in the loop of having enough green leaves to feed itself. We even have some surplus, which we share with our neighbors, who take care of the garden when we are not here.

Apparently greens like Aurugula and different types of lettuce really like hot and humid environment. Now, after experimenting for few months, I can say that this greenhouse endeavor worked very well for our bellies ;-)

The garden is a roof top garden, facing the winds from Lake Merritt and the SF Bay, which, in turn, gets its winds from the Pacific. At least this is MY theory to why our apartment feels like a light tower 90% of the time during the year. So, I added the greenhouses to protect the plants from the wind and the cool temperature most of the time and I gained the heat effect and faster growth of the plants.>>Read more »

To Every American in favor of Green Housing

Submitted by izmet on Mon, 12/21/2009 - 17:46

Dear Readers and Friends,

There is an alarming trend developing that is sabotaging environmental progress. Citizens of the US should have the right to choose safe, environmentally-responsible housing. Unfortunately, new appraisal rule changes have been implemented that prevent a logical environmental choice from being made. It is imperative that people have a choice to build disaster-resistant structures that are also energy efficient, cost-effective, and beautiful.

Please read the article below from David South, of the Monolithic Dome Institute. Then check out their website and learn more about the monolithic dome as a safe, green housing choice.

Until next time...become the change you imagine.

>>Read more »

My first compost bin

Submitted by Aviad on Wed, 07/01/2009 - 20:21

Today I went to buy red worms for our compost bin. One bag of 1,000 worms cost me nearly 30 bucks. The worms seem to be nice, though pretty shy... I unpacked them into the ready-in-advance soil and of they went into a warm, dark and moisten world, the underground.

I was told that red worms do not like bread, so I am currently>>Read more »

Why are we wasting time?

Submitted by C Robb Worthington on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 13:33

Any investment in further increasing our dependence on oil is a not only a foolish waste of resources and time but increases the impact on our society when the crunch shows up. As posted earlier, the amount of energy required to pump dwindling reserves is increasing, from 100:1 in the 1930's to 11:1 today.>>Read more »

Bermuda garden #1

Submitted by C Robb Worthington on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 10:32

This is the first garden, organic of course, I helped establish in Bermuda. On the right, behind the bench is the first bed, it was already full of soil and ornamentals. We planted lemon balm, parsley, bell peppers, marigolds, mesclun mix, jalapenos, kale, and red lettuce and are still harvesting from it.>>Read more »

Does your TV watching drive needless consumerism?

Submitted by C Robb Worthington on Sat, 06/20/2009 - 14:11

I've noticed that many folks will economize on many things, used cars, used computers, clothes lines instead of dryers, but when it comes to television only the latest and greatest will do. Why is this? Perhaps folks are using home entertainment to supplant going out, perhaps it is simply a more effective and efficient means of escape when the screen is 50" across and accompanied by surround sound. In any case this insatiable need to have an incredible television is consumerism at it's most pernicious. The TV after all is the most direct conduit into the home and into your brain for endless marketing and propaganda designed to keep us consuming and complacent. This doesn't have to be the case. Check out this excerpt from a story at The Thrifty Chicks, read the rest of the story there;>>Read more »

A simple recycled materials passive solar batch water heater, in Bermuda

Submitted by C Robb Worthington on Mon, 06/08/2009 - 02:00

The 30 gallon water heater tank and mirrors came from a bathroom renovation and were headed for the dump, the double pane windows from an apartment renovation, the lumber from two separate home renovations, the insulation lining the bottom, top and sides came from various packaging materials destined for the dump. The only materials purchased, to the tune of about $200, are the screws used to assemble it, the plumbing supplies, sealant and paint, as yet uncompleted as you can see.>>Read more »

Green Energy Consumer Options

Submitted by Anna M. Gralton PhD on Mon, 03/16/2009 - 10:04

Energy deregulation means Energy Choice means Green Power. Or does it?

Often we don’t equate the free market with eco-friendliness. We see devastating repercussions when the market is allowed to take over. Hang on … wait a minute Nelly. What about the right to choose 100% green power in a deregulated energy market??? Is this baloney or is it reality?>>Read more »

Green Toilets part deux

Submitted by kitalooclef on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 20:28

After some searching, calling, and sticker shock, I have a plan. I found a retailer near me that sells Sterling dual flush toilets. I've looked at plenty of other brands, but I need a price that I can live with and local availability.>>Read more »

It's Broke, don't fix it!

Submitted by C Robb Worthington on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 12:43

Michael Pollan has often been quoted as saying that by continuously designing new fixes into a broken system, we just move it farther and farther away from operating the efficient way that nature intended.

I know he was referring to food and agriculture but I think this idea can be applied to many issues of the day.>>Read more »