ReGeneration Roundup: 2008-09-05
We’re always on the lookout for tips and ideas to help us minimize our impact on the planet, and this time around, it’s the folks at Life Goggles that deliver. Today they published a short list of water-saving tips that not only will make a huge impact on our water consumption habits, but are easy to implement. They give numbers to back up their tips, and add some perspective on the water we needlessly waste everyday without even knowing it. For example, did you know that our daily showers consume up to 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) of water every minute?
Every day I sit in traffic on my way to work, I daydream about commuting by bicycle. I’ve wondered about how I’d go about doing it, and if I’m even capable of achieving such a feat, especially considering the brutal summer heat we experience in my hometown. Thanks to this article from Grist, I feel a little better about my chances. Not only does the article lay out a step-by-step plan for preparing for the commute, but they give a few interesting facts about the quality of life most regular cyclists enjoy (I’ll give you a hint: They are generally happier, healthier and more productive). Also included are some helpful links to help you figure out how many greenhouse gases your bike commute avoids, and a list of companies like Google and New Belgium Brewery they make cycling cheap and easy for their employees. When I decide to give the Herculean commute a try, you guys will be the first to know (if I survive it!)
Often the clues to our greatest sustainability and efficiency mysteries can be seen right outside our windows. With every piece fitting together perfectly and with it’s own purpose, nothing runs more efficiently and effectively than the natural world, but understanding why and how has continued to be a challenge. To help us understand what we do know, and how this knowledge can be employed for the greater good, Schumacher College in the UK will be offering a week-long course in biomimicry. Fortunately, for those of us who can’t attend the course, Treehugger’s Leonora Oppenheim will be attending it in October, and reporting on its progress. We’re really looking forward to hearing her observations and insights.
