Today I am sharing with you a video that has repeatedly challenged and inspired me.

Co-op America also has a great article on sweat shop free clothing.

Here is a list of some basic tips:

1. Buy local.  Not only does this support your local economy, but you get to know the person creating the product and you can ask them as many questions as you like about their practices.  This goes for anything from food to clothing.  The clothing will more than likely be more expensive because it is handmade, but it guarantees that the product that wasn’t made in a sweatshop.  Etsy is a fun site to check out for handmade goods.
2. Buy used products.  Go to a thrift store or local consignment shop and look around.  You will find some great deals.
3. Research the companies you are buying from.
4. Look for a UNITE label.

It is important to note that none of these can guarantee that the entire product was made in a fair trade facility.  Most products are assembled from pieces made all over the world and a Made in America label could mean that only the finishing touches were put on in America (like buttons).  However, following these guidelines is still important.  It is just not a perfect solution to the social justice issues of labor practices.

Here are a few more helpful resources in your search for responsible shopping:

No Sweat Apparel

Co-op America’s National Green Pages

Green Home’s Products Page

Fair Green Trade

The Green Earth Directory

Finally, I would like to leave you with an interesting article on Portland, OR, a city that is attempting to go sweatshop free.

As you know, I went back to school last year to finish up my undergraduate degree. This has been a 6-7 year on again/off again process.  Although this does not hold true for most of my college career, I am pleased to be able to report that this season of my education has been a very positive experience and that, in less than two weeks I will be a college graduate!

In the summer of 2007 Kendall and I took a camping trip to Shi Shi beach just a couple of months before the start of classes. It was then that we talked about how we would integrate school into our lives.  As a married couple we had gone through me being a student before and had quickly come to learn that I did not do a good job setting boundaries.   We wanted it to look different this time. So, in the peace and calm of that camping trip we talked.

That conversation ended up setting the tone for the year. It was not all smooth sailing, but we had set our course and with gentle reminders, the support of loved ones, and the grace of God we were able to, for the most part, stay the course.

At the beginning of this endeavor I feared that, although I desperately wanted and needed these boundaries, freeing myself from my self-imposed pressures would lead to me becoming an average, un-driven human being. What would become of me if I no longer expected perfection? A sloth? A loser? An idiot with a degree?

I am happy to say that none of the above happened. What did happen is that I had the opportunity to put into practice the very things that I been working on internally for years. The result is that the setting of those boundaries and the subsequent work I did to implement and re-implement them, led to me having my most successful experience thus far.

I am having a hard time figuring out how to write what I want to say next without it coming out sounding like college entrance essay.  But this summer, oh this summer.  It was great.  It makes me want to break out into song everytime I think about it: Summer lovin’ had me a bla-ast, summer lovin’ happen so faaast.  Kendall and I spent my last summer quarter of school studying abraod in Prague.  Thanks in large part to the support and campaigning done on our behalf by Kari Tupper, Kendall and I were able to do it together (despite his being a long-time college graduate that would not officially be part of the program). It was an unusual situation and one that had never been braved before, but it was important to us that we have this experience together or not at all.  This was part of the verbal manifesto we created on Shi Shi, that although we were at different points in our lives we wanted to create shared experiences that strengthed our friendship and marriage.  We wanted to be part of each others individual worlds and we wanted to do this in person, not over e-mail, IM, or phone.  The result of the commitment we made to each other was that we got to experience together what has become the highlight of my formal education.

What stands out to me in all of this is the immeasurable value of the times Kendall and I have taken the opportunity to step out of the chaos.  When without distraction we inevitably end up having conversations in which we evaluate our own lives, as well as, our life together.  As a result we end up reorienting our lives according to what we value and arrive at conclusions that bring us immense freedom from the previously unexamined expectations of life.

There was so much that I learned during this trip that I look forward to sharing with you all here.  In addition, I have had the benefit of taking a few environmental science courses and hope to share with you some of the knowledge I gained through that participation.

Opponents of this proposal have said that it taxes those who cannot afford to purchase reusable bags. So to alleviate that cost, the city of Seattle will distribute reusable paper bags to all residents, also giving lower income residents additional bags to use.

The council also passed a ban on plastic foam food containers that is a two-phase project. The first phase will address take out containers and it will take effect in January as well. Restaurants will not be allowed to use plastic foam in their takeout containers. The second phase will take effect July 2010 and focuses on all plastic food containers and utensils. Businesses will be able to use only recyclable or biodegradable products for their food containers.

I’m glad to see that our city is taking steps to reduce the unnecessary waste produced by convenience. If you live in a place that is using plastic bags and you feel like you want to make changes to that, Bring Your Own Bag is a great organization that is fighting for that. They also recently posted to their blog specifically addressing the situation in North America.

In June Co-op America and Clean Edge Inc. released an assessment of the potential of solar energy in the next fifty years entitled Utility Solar Assessment Study. The 75 page report is detailed enough to include data and evidence to support it’s claims while refraining from being written in a dry, unengaging fashion.

The report’s analysis includes a general introduction to solar energy, including CSP (concentrated solar power), PV (Photovoltaics) technology and the electric utility industry. The report goes on to give a comparison of projected solar energy costs per megawatt with fossil fuel costs. I found this section especially intriguing because the solar cost projections given here, which are based on progressions in similar computer technology and the annuals decreases in solar energy costs in the last 20 years, are what will inevitably draw electric utilities toward major solar investments. Solar Utility investment as well as updating an aging, one way electrical grid are the greatest obstacles that stand in the way of major U.S. solar development according to solar energy experts. Presently, .1% of U.S. energy consumption is produced from solar energy, but Co-op America and Clean Edge Inc believe that this could reach 10% by 2025 if solar energy continues to grow at a rate of 40% each year as it has for the last decade. It’s an excellent report and I’d highly recommend it to anyone interested in solar energy.

I am groaning under the miseries of a diseased nervous System; a System of all others the most essential to our happiness–or the most productive of our Misery…Lord, what is Man! Today, in the luxuriance of health, exulting in the enjoyment of existence; In a few days, perhaps in a few hours, loaded with conscious painful being, counting the tardy pace of the lingering moments, by the repercussions of anguish, & refusing or denied a Comforter.–Day follows night, and night comes after day, only to curse him with life which gives him no pleasure.

Worsted Witch (thank you) brought to my attention the Mental Health Parity Bill, which will require insurers to treat mental illnesses in the same manner as physical illnesses. Please write to congress in support of this bill.

Los Angeles-based design company Stolen, Inc. was researching a project they were working on and came across some staggering information.

came across “Life Expectancy at Birth.” Andorra was the highest with 83.51 years, and all the way at the bottom was Mozambique with 31.1 years

They decided to do something about it. They’ve created a line of tshirts to educate and raise funds. It’s called StatAttak. Stolen will be setting aside 20% of the money from the sale of the shirts to build an orphanage in Mozambique.

Since Mozambique was the country that inspired all of this, the Sons of Stolen are putting 20% of the money from the sale of the shirts towards building an orphanage in Mozambique. Instead of giving the money to a charity, we will go to Mozambique with a group of volunteers from the design industry and build an orphanage from the ground up. We hope that this will help us better understand Africa and that a personal interaction with the local population will inspire everyone involved to keep working towards solutions to the many problems facing that continent.

Not only is this a great opportunity to make a change in the world, the shirts are also beautiful. Mollie and I will both be sporting StatAttak tshirts.

I also use creative problem solving regularly when it comes to environmental and human rights issues and the growing need to make changes to my lifestyle that can be difficult. Sometimes the difficulty arises because I am being a stubborn mule, other times it is because I have a major or minor need or want stands in opposition to a lifestyle change I feel I need to make. To keep from getting stuck or from just not doing anything at all I have to figure out a way to get enough of what I need/want without compromising the more important need.

There are times, like when the issue of buying fair trade coffee came up for me, that I needed to decide what I was going to do about it. I evaluated the situation, and my want (I don’t think that you can ever call coffee a need in any sort of seriousness) for coffee was never going to be more important than the well being of the person(s) that work on the coffee farms and therefore I made the decision to only support fair trade coffee. This means I have to ask if it is fair trade and do research on the local coffee shops. It also means that there are times when I don’t buy a cup of coffee even though it sounds like the perfect treat. Again, when the situation of switching to florescent light bulbs came up I wasn’t thrilled about the idea. Florescent light bulbs are depressing and sterile, which is the last thing I want my home to feel like when I am snuggling in to read a book at night. My solution was to have lampshades that are warm colors and therefore, soften the florescent light and allow my home to still feel warm and cozy.

There are times where I find myself picking the wrong battles to fight, or taking the wrong stance. I get resentful at times of life being hard and feel that I am entitled to not think of other people, or the world around me. Times where I feel I have earned the right to be selfish or not make one more sacrifice. However, part of life is making various sacrifices and it is best to come to terms with that. Some sacrifices are small (like the examples I listed above) and some are large and extremely difficult. Life is not about getting everything we want and getting it right now. Immediate satisfaction does not always equal long term satisfaction, pleasure, peace, happiness, or health. I have found that in many of the sacrifices I have made have ended up bringing me such a greater depth and joy to my life.

I want to encourage you all to use creative problem solving as much as possible. The more you do it, the better you get at it. At times solutions will easily surface and other times you will have to dig for them. Let’s not get stuck because an easy solution to what we want/need and what is best for other human beings and the Earth is not presented to us. Each of us has the ability to think and it can be such a wonderful thing when used.

The TED prize is used

[e]ach year [to] honor a maximum of three individuals who have shown that they can, in some way, positively impact life on this planet.

We are looking for inventors and entrepreneurs, designers and artists, visionaries and mavericks, protectors and persuaders. Our goal is to honor and empower these people by connecting them to the formidable resources of the TED community. Our prize-winners may be very different, but they will have this in common: They will be doing something that has extraordinary potential. Something whose positive influence could spread, transcending borders. Something that can contribute to the future of life on earth.

(Read more about what the TED prize is and how they make it happen.)

This year Bill Clinton won the TED prize and gave a great talk on his acceptance.

It is 25 minutes long. There were a couple of times where I nearly stopped it because I didn’t think I had the time, but I am so glad that I watched the whole thing and I would highly recommend that you do the same (you can skip the BMW ad at the end). This video gave me hope, chills, and made me teary. There is a lot that needs to be done in this world and a lot that we can do about it.

This is a very short summary of what Clinton says and does not come close to capturing all that he says or the spirit in which he says it.

Accepting his 2007 TED Prize, Bill Clinton says he’s trying to build a better world to hand to his daughter. Unequal, unstable and unsustainable, our world must correct its course, and private citizens (“like me”) can be powerful forces for change. His Clinton Foundation, fresh from its success negotiating down pharmaceutical prices in the developing world, is now running a pilot health care system in Rwanda, based on the work of Dr. Paul Farmer in Haiti. In 18 months, it has shown potential as a model for the entire developing world. Clinton’s TED wish: Help him build this system in Rwanda, to bring world-class health care to a people who have overcome deadly hatred to rebuild their nation.

Mel Rimmer presents A Load Of Old (Laundry) Balls posted at Bean Sprouts.

I tested eco washing balls to see whether they were any better than just using plain water. It seems they’re not, but surprisingly they’re also no worse for most washing than using branded detergent. So eco washing balls are a rip-off, and so is laundry detergent.

Mallory presents Denim Therapy posted at Miss Malaprop.

Denim Therapy specializes in reviving your old jeans and breathing new life into them before they make a trip to the landfill.

Riversider presents Riverworks “Undemocratic”: Michael Lavalette posted at Save The Ribble!.

We have kept blogging away with our points about the dangers of the proposals to barrage our river and build housing in its’ greenbelt. Now at last we are winning counselors to our side – proof that blogging works as a method that determined community campaigners can use to get their message across in a powerful and sustained way.

Patrick Quinton presents Breaking Up is Hard to Do posted at Cars Are Evil.

This post does not refer to any time sensitive links. It is more of a reflection on a particular topic that relates to the theme of my website. Thanks for your consideration.

John presents It is good to find a deal killer posted at hell’s handmaiden.

Suzanne Roman presents Polar bear “protected” posted at Towards Green.

Phil presents Plant Trees on Public Land « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity.

Ever think of a new way for everyone to easily help the environment? Well, I think I just did.

Vihar Sheth presents Zero Waste posted at green | rising.

Victoria E presents Nau News posted at Groovy Green

Our second question comes from Beo aka Robert: I have heard of a new eco fashion company called Nau with founders stemming from Big Names like Marmot and Patagonia. Can you give us an update on them?

Rey Thomas presents The Thomas Political Report: What The President Said, What The President Meant posted at The Thomas Political Report.

Don Bosch presents Creation: The Not-So-Silent Sermon posted at The Evangelical Ecologist.

Is God silent? Does He even exist? Look up! All Creation reveals God’s presence continuously and universally. Don Bosch invites you to a green meditation on the 19th Psalm over at The Evangelical Ecologist.

Darrick Dean’s presents Back to the Future: Cast Iron posted at The Evangelical Ecologist.

Sue Richards presents Auntie Aging posted at My Menopause Blog

Before you invite Auntie Aging into your life, check to see how green she is.

John presents Urban Ecosystems and Nature Writing posted at A DC Birding Blog.

Avant News presents Lipodiesels Shine at 2010 LA Auto Show posted at Avant News.

Zane Parker presents Coming to Terms: on bringing a kid into this world posted at Groovy Green.

This past summer and fall, the prospect of a child has provided abstract motivation for work on our small earthen house.

Wise Bread presents Seven ways to maximize your gas mileage posted at Lynn Cognito.

Lynn shares seven sure ways to maximize your gas mileage.

Matthew presents UPDATE: EPA to deny ‘Brokovitch’ carcinogen for residential use posted at EPA may allow ‘Brockovich’ carcinogen in wood preservative.

Matthew presents Study: Hybrid cars save money in long run posted at Enviroblog.

An Intellichoice.com study finds that hybrid cars, whose fuel efficiency alone may not justify their higher initial purchase price, are in fact more economical in the long run.

Biologist Sally Kneidel presents The House Was Rockin…The Night We Socked It to the Utilities Commission posted at Veggie Revolution.

The local struggle in North Carolina to reject Duke Energy’s plans for 2 new coal-fired power plants. The resistance is supported by the Clean Air Coalition and the Sierra Club.

Sally Kneidel presents Chimps and Gibbons Have Human Elements to their Language posted at Veggie Revolution.

It is about Sally’s earlier work, as a graduate assistant, teaching American Sign Language to surly young chimpanzees. This post begins with a December study about the recent discovery of human elements in vocalizations among wild gibbons.

Jennifer Killpack-Knutsen presents Sundance 2007 Films for Greenies and Environmentalists posted at Jen’s Green Journal.

Connor presents The Homemade Revolution: Why DIY is Better posted at Matisse & Jack’s Blog.

Homemade eco friendly energy bars and how they may be safer.

Greener News Room presents Journalist fights subpoena in Lt. Watada court-martial case posted at Greener Magazine

Journalist fights subpoena in Lt. Watada court-martial case. The Society of Professional Journalists, military reporters and editors, the editorial staff of the LA Times, Greener Magazine/NRP, Media Alliance and scores of community groups join in denouncing the Army’s attempt to turn journalists into an investigative arm of the government.

Nina presents Ten Money Questions for Mark Brand posted at Queercents.

Award-winning architect, Mark Brand discuss big vs. small houses in the Queercents series: Ten Money Questions.

Andrea presents Organic Fertilizers posted at Buy Organic.

Discusses the benefits of using organic fertilisers in your garden and how to improve your soil naturally.

January 8th – Hippy Shopper
January 22nd – Clay & Wattles