/p>
Question:
What inspired you initially to begin your Trash Talk venture?
Answer:
As a society, we are bombarded with negative information aboutthe environment and our resources constantly. Feeling powerlessbecause we cannot afford to donate cash or time to a cause, webegin to feel overwhelmed by the immense environmental problemsour world faces. Psychologists know that simply performing onepositive action helps to define a positive outlook on life andwill inspire further participation from the individual.
Question:
How long did the Trash Talk column run?
Answer:
The articles began in 1999, and were published for about 4years. For the last couple of years, we have focused all ourenergies towards compiling the articles into a book that matchedour expectations and the publisher's deadline.
Question:
Why the title?
Answer:
We talk about trash so we simply called it Trash Talk. It was aneye-catching title for readers of our column, so we kept thetitle for the book.The concept of the book is to reduce, reuseor recycle items that were formally destined for the landfill.The idea of refusing to buy products with excessive packaging isanother key element discussed. You are sending a powerfulmessage to manufacturers when their sales figures decrease.
Question:
What kind of book is Trash Talk?
Answer:
Firstly, Trash Talk is meant to inspire participation from theindividual in easing the world's environmental strain. Theentire book is focused on bringing the reader inspiring facts,useful ideas, and a real sense of hope. We show how recyclingbenefits us all and discuss how the 4-R's of waste managementare implemented. By treating waste as a resource, the readerwill save money and better the environment.
Question:
Where is the likely readership? What type of person would beattracted to this book?
Answer:
Anyone that creates waste, that likes to save money and whowould like to lessen their personal impact on the environmentwould get something very useful out of this book.
Anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or depressed about the stateof the earth can find some comfort in our pages. Individuals andbusinesses will learn how to save money and time. Our financialconsultant tells us that if people could find a way to save just$7 a day they could contribute to their retirement monthly. Weshow people how to accomplish this simply by improving theirwaste and resource management.
Question:
What is the sales potential of the book? What are the interestsof the book?
Answer:
Zero Waste initiatives are gaining popularity in communitiesacross North America. Education systems are teaching recyclingand environmental sciences in their curriculum. And, the lasttime we checked, the landfills were not getting any smaller. Itis in the best interest of all of us on this planet to make itas healthy and non-toxic as possible in order to remain. Withthis in mind, we felt it was vitally important to have this bookpublished, aiding communities in their waste reduction efforts.
Question:
What makes this book unique?
Answer:
Trash Talk is about implementing the Refuse-Reduce-Reuse tacticsfirst, in that order, before even considering recycling. Inthis, we are not trying to pronounce that recycling is anegative approach by any means - more a final solution when allother options have been considered. By taking matters into ourown hands we can ease the burden that is upon the recyclingindustry, decrease our own household costs and help preserve ourresources.
In all our research, we could find only four, or five, books onthis subject throughout North America. Most of these areregionally based and were written up to 10 years ago. We havewritten Trash Talk for a wider, North American audience. Weincluded a list of over 140 magazines, Internet sites, books andreports that were used in the writing process, as well asproviding statistics throughout the book. It is focused onproviding the reader with a sense of hope and the knowledge thattheir actions have a direct impact on their own pocketbook aswell as the health of the community. In fact, many chaptersclose with a list of the direct benefits attained by taking thesuggested actions and the chapters can be read in any order.
Question:
Why should anyone care?
Answer:
We think it is vital that people recognize the volume of wastegenerated in homes and businesses. Each bag sent to the landfillincreases municipal costs and the need to create new landfillspace. The ideas in this book will help individuals andbusinesses to not only manage their waste and resourceconsumption, but also purchase less.
We show readers how to turn their yards into organic, wildlifeparadises. Individuals will learn how to increase the value oftheir real estate. Employers will learn new ways of decreasingsick days and increasing staff production. Communities willlearn how to reduce smog and waste issues. Each - and every one-of these things we just mentioned can have a huge effect on thefinancial state and health of people within our communities.
Question:
What makes this book so enjoyable that people keep referringback to it?
Answer:
The hands-on reuse ideas make it easy to start right away withsimple projects around the home or office that make adifference. The positive approach gives the feeling that thereis hope and that no matter how small you start it is just that -a start. In no time the inclination to look at anything twicebefore discarding it will be a reflex action. Because readerslearn of the direct benefits of each action they make, we hopethey will find the courage to further their management journey.This book could very well be one of the best tools forindividuals and businesses to meet Zero Waste goals.
Question:
What is the best way to get started in recycling?
Answer:
Returnable bottles and cans are probably the easiest to beginwith, and have the additional incentive of receiving money forbringing them to the depot. All office paper, envelopes, cerealboxes, newspaper and junk mail can be put in one box and takento the depot. Cardboard is also easily recycled. However, notall glass is recyclable. Very few depots accept ceramics ordrinking glasses. Because mixed glass is less valuable thanseparated colors, many depots require glass to be sorted bycolor. Tin cans and aluminum foil can be put in another box.Labels on jars and cans are also recyclable.
It is easiest to start recycling these resources. When thefamily becomes used to these, they can consider recyclingplastics, metals and many other things. Recycling is the firststep in taking responsible measures to deal with our wasteproblems.
Question:
Do you have outlets for all your recycled items?
Answer:
Most communities have big recycling bins, reuse centers andtake-it-back programs available for the public. There aredifferences in each depot. For instance, some require labels tobe taken off cans and bottles - others do not. Some accept allrigid plastics from #1-#7 - others accept only translucent milkjugs. It is important to become familiar with local depotrequirements because the wrong thing can ruin the whole bin.
Question:
How does one "save time and money"? Provide some examples of howreuse works.
Answer:
Even before recycling, a plastic container can be reused forvarious storage means numerous times. This means the containeris not going to the landfill, contributing increasing municipalcosts and loss of land. The individual saves money by notpurchasing a storage container.
About the author:Written by Dave and Lillian Brummet based on the concept oftheir new book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned abouthis or her impact on the environment, that offers usefulsolutions to reduce waste and better manage resources.http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit
Electricity from Trash
Capturing methane from rotting garbage will help reduce climate change due to greenhouse gases.
Waste Management is creating electricity from rotting garbage at 100 of its landfills, and plans more such projects. This is a double win, as the methane gas produced by the garbage has a 21 times worse greenhouse gas effect than carbon dioxide. But now it can be captured to create energy rather than being emitted into the atmosphere.
Read more: Electricity from trash
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Astrologer Fails to Predict Cyclone
It wouldn't be important that an astrologer failed to predict the Myanmar cyclone if astrology weren't important there.
Continuing on the theme of what can and cannot be predicted, the weather is the next logical topic and evidently a noted Burmese astrologer has publicly apologized for his failure to predict Cyclone Nargis. But in a country like Myanmar where they take astrology seriously, evidently the citizenry depends on their astrologers for this kind of thing:
Read more: Astrologer is sorry for failure to predict cyclone
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Climate Analysis
From a post on calculating CO2 impacts correctly.
?m using this as an example of the kind of armchair analysis I would love to see more consumers and voters do on their own when faced with any buying or voting decision that has significant energy and/or environmental implications. Does this candidate?s claim make sense? How much money can I save by adjusting my thermostat a couple of degree or car pooling? How much CO2 can I avoid by signing up for 100% green electricity?
Read more: Analysis, done right
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Angelo's Is Back
Angelo's Restaurant in St. Marks was swept away by Hurricane Dennis.
Angelo?s was washed away by Hurricane Dennis in 2005 and just recently reopened this winter. It?s a beautiful place, lovely view and great food, but not the place to grab a quick and cheap bite to eat. We had enjoyable meal, though, sitting on the deck and watching the boats and birds over the bay.
Read more: Saint Marks Lighthouse
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Is Carbon Neutrality Actually Possible?
A look at whether products can achieve carbon neutrality.
The big question is where do you draw the line and say that this company is carbon neutral/negative and this one is not when they all rely heavily on carbon positive support?
Read more: Is Carbon Neutrality Actually Possible?
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Review: The End Of Suburbia
Will climate change force us to re-think suburban development?
Of course, no one knows what?ll happen to the suburbs we have now. Will they become the slums of the future? At least one expert in the film predicts a scarier scenario where we may not even have time to build new ?hoods with new urbanist design principles; we may just need to salvage what we have left in the face of global climate change.
Read more: Film review: The End of Suburbia
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Why Do They Hate Us?
A look at climate change and politics.
Yet another hot button topic these days is climate change and the environment. On the surface, you wouldn't think that this should be a conservative vs. liberal topic. After all, climate change is either happening or it isn't. And yet this is an issue that divides conservatives from liberals as much as any other.
Read more: Why do they hate us?
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The Perfectly Timed Vacation
Hurricane Ivan and other hurricanes have changed travel economics.
The best deals on lodging aren?t necessarily found in the hotels, but the low-rise condos. Thank Hurricane Ivan for that, she says. Many hotels were damaged by the 2004 storm, and have recently been repaired and reopened. So if you don?t mind staying in a condo, low season ? at least when it comes to saving money ? may last longer than a season. It could extend months, or longer.
Read more: 4 secrets for the perfectly timed vacation
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We Interrupt This Program
Has the federal government lost all credibility in natural disaster recovery?
Excuse me, while I open a space in the political discussion to point out something beyond the primaries on Tuesday - a powerful series of thunderstorms ripped through the Mid-South with tornadoes that killed at least 54 people and injured hundreds. They have been promised help by George W. Bush, which I can tell you as someone who lives in an area struck by hurricane Ivan in 2004 and knows what the Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas Gulf Coast still looks like after Katrina and Rita in 2005, is not going to happen any time soon.
Read more: We Interrupt This Program
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Anatomy Of A Local Breaking News Story
A great behind-the-scenes look at coverage of Hurricane Wilma from the local point-of-view.
Back in 2005, when Hurricane Wilma was about to smack the Naples area, our news organization made a commitment that when it came to real-time coverage, we were not going to get beat on this story by CNN or The Weather Channel or any other news organizations.
Read more: Anatomy of a local breaking news story
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Hurricane Felix Making Landfall
Is the quote machine broken:
The Nicaragua coast is experiencing powerful winds and surge at this time, as the wrath of a catastrophic monster category 5 hurricane Felix with winds of 160mph and gusts close to 190mph moves inland over Nicaragua very close to Punta Gorda and Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Felix is the second category 5 hurricane to make landfall this year, and before Hurricane Dean a week or so ago, there were no land falling hurricanes at category 5 status for 15 years.
Read more: Hurricane Felix Making Landfall In Nicaragua
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Save The World From Your Desktop
Seven good tips to reduce climate change from the comfort of your computer.
Use GoLoco to make carpooling a whole lot easier, and do your part to reduce CO2 emissions and lessen traffic congestion.
Read more: 7 Ways to Save the World Using Your Desktop
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Dean Update - Monday, Aug 20, 11 AM
Waiting for Hurricane Dean.
Everybody?s talking about the hurricane and now everyone?s saying that it looks like it?s going south. We?re continuing our preparations (and so is everyone else, apparently), but we?re less worried. We?re reminded that with both Hurricane Emily and Hurricane Wilma, it barely even rained in Merida. It?s good to keep in mind that what happens on one end of the Yucatan Peninsula, doesn?t necessarily effect the whole peninsula.
Read more: Dean Update - Monday, Aug 20, 11 AM
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600 Naked People On A Vanishing Glacier
Click through for pictures of the living sculpture atop the vanishing glacier.
Installation artist Spencer Tunick and Greenpeace Switzerland present a living sculpture: hundreds of naked people symbolise the vulnerability of the glaciers under climate change.
Read more: 600 naked people on a vanishing glacier
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Bad Climate Change News Was Too Optimistic
The news on iceberg meltdowns is bad.
However, China is preparing for climate change induced disasters and plans 24 hour response with food and water for any emergency. Too bad the US isn?t doing the same.
Read more: That bad news about climate change was too optimistic
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Additional Resources
Surfing For The Planet - 100% Cotton, No Thanks
By Al, Thu Dec 8th
Surfing for the planet 100% cotton, no thanksFledgling surfwear retailer ZooZoo2.com founded by 12 year oldMolly Luke and still only 2 months old, is trying to teach thebig boys a bit about Read more...
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Additional Resources
Doujin Of The Ending To Doraemon
By Roberto Bell
Putting a smile on every kids face for almost 4 decades is Doraemon. Forget about Hello Kitty, here you have a cat, a robotic cat that opened children’s mind, exercised imagination and all the while Read more...
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We strive to provide only quality articles, so if
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And again, thank you to those contributing daily to
our climate change website.
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