Like any movement, you have to expect a few unusual, out-of-the-box ideas to pop up from time to time. Well, here's one from Electrical Contractor Magazine (www.ecmag.com) that I thought was innovative and inspirational enough to share.
It doesn’t surprise me that there is growing interest in capturing kinetic energy to generate alternative power for other needs. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion (from moving muscle for example), and it makes sense in this day and age of "green." So the researchers at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, have done just that—they can capture energy from the movement of a person's knee! Max Donelan, head researcher on the project, is developing the technology for the common market. One minute of walking will generate 10 minutes of cell phone power or could power GPS locators, motorize prosthetic joints or an implanted drug pump. Their first use, however, is for producing power for artificial limbs. It's being compared similarly to hybrid cars, which can produce electricity from braking.
Personally, I am very happy to hear about this story. For a few years now I have been saying to my spin class instructors and gym owners that all of us in spin class should have our bikes hooked up to a grid that would collect all of our hard work, effort and tremendous energy output in order to run the lights, hot tubs and juice bar throughout the day at the gym. Just imagine how much money could be saved! If gyms were set up with a “Gymenergy” © system, everyone taking part in the capture of kinetic energy could potentially benefit from reduced-cost memberships, day passes or other perks depending on how many minutes were logged on a treadmill or step machine or in a spin classes per week. Not to mention the potential for the gym to actually make money on the energy it creates by selling the electricity back to the electric company.
It definitely could put a new twist on one's workout, that's for sure! Innovative times indeed.
This weekend, my 6-year-old daughter and her 7-year-old best buddy decided they wanted to support Earth Day by honoring their 4th grade friends who founded G.R.E.E.N. (Get Ready for Green Education Now) with an iced tea and lemonade fundraiser. I was quite happy to accommodate them since there was no way around their infectious giddiness to help out and get involved. Their pursuit to raise money on a spring break weekend while many of their friends were out of town impressed me. They were out to do good and thrilled to do so.
After making their signs out of brown paper bags, arranging the fruit bowls, preparing the lemonade and honey-sweetened peppermint tea, setting up their table and umbrella, and encouraging each car to stop, I was stunned at how few passersby actually did. The girls looked at one another in disgust while car after car flew by without stopping, and they began shout even louder. Thankfully several local police officers, a few really nice bikers, and a couple of cars ladened with kids cheering for lemonade all patronized the stand. With smiles and abounding energy, each took turns explaining where the proceeds were headed; the innocent patrons didn’t know who they were dealing with! As each used cup went into the makeshift brown paper bag garbage pail, one of girls would immediately add that tips were welcome (despite a reprimand from me!), all of which would also go to G.R.E.E.N. Now who could resist that?!
After 1 1/2 hours, the gals made an impressive amount and had me directly drive them to their friend's home to present the donation. I have never seen my daughter so diligently approach a task like this and was very impressed with the determination of both of them. Neither of them gave up when at the beginning no one wanted to be bothered. Rule of thumb: Always stop to support and encourage a child selling lemonade, and you may just witness their joy in supporting a worthy cause. Don’t get caught up with the minutia—just keep it simple and joyful!
Hand-me-downs can be a fantastic way to recycle gently used clothes. Let's be honest: A current wardrobe can be costly, and do we really need all of that "stuff"? Don’t get me wrong, I go shopping all the time to check out the current trends in color, styling and even new technology with fabrics, but I’m finally somewhat past wanting (or needing) to have the absolute latest look found on the rack. It finally sunk in that too many of those fantastic hot items that I couldn’t live without are still in my closet a year later, tags in tact. And I know I’m not alone on this one.
For me, shopping has become something I look forward to when I have something specific I want to find. But for other times, I am very flexible and creative. That's when opening a bag of hand-me-downs is actually fun! You really never know what you will find. From time to time, a treasured goodie even prompts us to ask the donor, "Are you sure you want to part with this?" But typically the old adage is true: One person’s trash is another’s gold… And often most rewarding is the glee on the face of someone to whom I’ve returned the favor by offering a bag of goodies that have been plucked from my closet.
Just think about hand-me-downs as a win-win: Besides the fun of giving and receiving new treasures, cleaning out closets and passing along garments can mean savings in our pockets—and also less of a drain on energy production and resources, smaller carbon imprints and less waste. More women, men and children being clothed through little effort and simple acts of kindness—how awesome is that? With the change of seasons right now, why not clean out your closet and organize a swap with your friends? Or make a donation to one of the many reputable charities that clothe needy families?
Now that’s recycling at its best!
Last Saturday, I had the pleasure and good fortune to stop by my hometown’s first Green Fair to see what my neighbors are working on and what they have to offer concerning all things green. To say the least, I was very proud to see the teenagers and a couple of fourth graders leading the way. Kids are the future, no joke!
These phenomenal kids enthusiastically presented their grassroots approach to green education outreach with GREEN (Get Ready for Environmental Education Now). This got me to thinking... if these incredible kids can think globally and outside of the box, so can everyone. Still charged by their efforts, I decided to check out some of the innovative green ideas and initiatives presented on the Internet. I was amazed at how many there are—in fact, the list is endless. There are so many neat and interesting companies doing their best to make an impact.
One company in particular really caught my attention: Earth Aid Enterprises, whose logo is, "Smart for your wallet. Smart for your world." From what I learned, they are focusing on providing sensible home energy-efficiency solutions for all Americans. EAE’s goal is to reduce America's greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to removing 1,000,000 cars from the road. In order to do that, they have created a kit (which is customized for the homeowner, apartment dweller and even student) that can help us equip our homes with energy-efficient products. One of the things I love about the site is that as you shop, the site calculates how much you can expect to save on your energy bill. Check them out at EarthAidKit.com.
I am through buying conventional wrapping paper. I can't believe I just said that, but it's true! I'm turning over a new leaf effective immediately.
I have recycled brown paper shopping bags and wrapping paper from gifts received that I always reuse, so I am set. I know I can do it because this past Christmas, my daughter, Toby, and I wrapped all of our gifts by reusing the tissue, boxes and ribbons from previous holidays and no one seemed to care. In fact, everyone liked the idea when I told them what I had done!
Toby and I have quite the system going: She lets me do the sometimes complicated task of wrapping the gift (brown paper can be stiff), then she gets to doodle her creation on the package, and voila! Her efforts always make the present even more special and unique to the recipient.
This is a worthwhile change that is an easy commitment for most people. Your gifts will have a personalized look, and before long, you'll have your friends doing it too! I have found that as long as I have a good attitude about the whole conservation movement, those around me do too. Many of my friends and colleagues have really responded to my eco habits and have made changes in their lives accordingly. Now talk about grass roots!
Knowing that my new resolution will positively impact the environment impresses my daughter and makes me proud. Join me; this one’s easy!
