Bulk waste syndrome hypothesis

I love buying things in bulk, especially non-perishable items.  Ranging from shampoo to all-purpose cleaners, many companies offer over-sized options.  Not only do these items help you save money, they're better for the environment.  Bulk buying helps to reduce packaging, thus reducing the energy and materials required to make the packaging, and thus reducing the amount of waste once the product has been used.  If you decide to purchase biodegradable, non-animal tested products, you're doing even better.  But I would like to suggest my bulk waste syndrome hypothesis.

Take, for instance, two options: one 48 oz bottle of shampoo versus four 12 oz bottles.  The latter option results in greater packaging waste.  The prior option, however, may result in fewer lathers-and-rinses.  Even though the two options offer the same overall amount of shampoo (48 oz), I hypothesize that the bulk shampoo bottle unknowingly makes people to use more shampoo for each lather-and-rinse, which is caused by the 'bulk waste syndrome.'  When people use smaller containers, they are more likely to use smaller amounts of shampoo because they perceive that not very much is available.  In the bulk case, people perceive that much more shampoo is available, and they are more likely to use larger amounts because of a lessened fear of running out any time soon.

I've run this idea by a couple of people, and they were quite shocked I'd even suggest such a ludicrous idea.  But, I stand by my logic.  Think about how you behave when your liquid soap is about to run out.  You use smaller and smaller amounts to stretch it as far as it will go.

Assuming for a moment that this hypothesis is true, what can you do about it?  I constantly try to gage how much of something I use.  It's easy to squirt an overwhelming dollop of toothpaste on your brush.  But take a step back and think, is it really necessary?  Most of it will probably never touch your teeth.  How much hand soap is really necessary to clean your dirty paws?  One full squirt from my pump would bath a small army.  Just think about it, and get back to me.

Image: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:TRESemmé.jpg

Meat = oil

The New York Times published an article asserting that meat equals oil. While we are becoming aware of the issues surrounding fossil fuels, the meat industry poses some similar concerns.

Like oil, meat is subsidized by the federal government. Like oil, meat is subject to accelerating demand as nations become wealthier, and this, in turn, sends prices higher. Finally — like oil — meat is something people are encouraged to consume less of, as the toll exacted by industrial production increases, and becomes increasingly visible.

Here are some ideas to chew on:

• livestock production generates nearly a fifth of the world’s greenhouse gases — more than transportation
• 2.2 pounds of beef is responsible for the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the average European car every 155 miles, and burns enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for nearly 20 days
• it [routine antibiotic administration] can result in antibiotic-resistant bacteria that threaten the usefulness of medicines that treat people
• grain-fed animals, in turn, are contributing to health problems among the world’s wealthier citizens — heart disease, some types of cancer, diabetes
• as the horrors of raising meat in confinement become known, more animal lovers may start to react

And I could go on. But why don't you read the article for yourself, think carefully about it, then act. You might start acting by clicking here for your free vegetarian starter kit. There's no need to go 'cold turkey,' but each pound of meat you DON'T eat can mean big change.

Image: http://www.nytimes.com/

Give the gift of appreciation

For those loved ones of yours who may be on the fence about caring for the planet, give the gift of Earthly appreciation this holiday season. The BBC has collected amazing scenes from around the globe in a 5-disc set called Planet Earth. From mountain peaks to oceanic depths, the images remind us how incredible, yet fragile, our planet is. Even for someone like myself who cares for the well-being of our home, I was continually awe-struck. The first four DVDs show animals and planets from around the globe. The fifth DVD sheds light on man's impact on the planet and potential consequences. If you decide to obtain this DVD set, I encourage you to check out some environmentally-less-harmful and cost-effective methods. I'll leave you with a quote from Amazon.com UK:

As befits the BBC’s reputation for producing some of the world’s best nature documentaries, the five-disc set Planet Earth is an epic travelogue, focussing on different ecologies and the unique animals that inhabit them. Once again, Sir David Attenborough provides the narration, as the cameras fly across the surface of the earth, zooming in to give us a bug’s eye view one minute, zooming out to give us an eagle’s perspective the next. The BBC’s cameramen filmed more than 200 locations, resulting in some truly spectacular footage, much of which has never before been seen.

Image: http://www.bbcshop.com/invt/bbcdvd1883

Meat: It's what's for dinner no longer

Americans certainly do enjoy their meat. A meal isn't complete until 90% of the plate is covered with a slab of charred flesh. Vegetables merely play a supporting role by making sure the meat doesn't slip off the plate. Here are a few more things you're getting with that heap of dead animal, according to Sustainable Table:

[industrial farm] activity was identified as a source of pollution for 48% of stream and river water, and for 41% of lake water.

grain-fed beef...requires thirty-five calories for every calorie of beef produced.

one study of 34,000 pigs found that 65% of the animals had "pneumonia-like lesions" in their lungs.

roughly 25,000 square kilometers or 6 million acres of the Amazon rainforest is cut down every year for grazing cattle and to grow soybeans that are used for animal feed.

To learn more, watch The Meatrix, a Matrix-style expose on the meat industry.

Because of what I learned these and other sources, I decided to cease eating meat of any kind and to try to consume eggs and cheese produced through sustainable methods. I don't necessarily ask everyone to take this route; you need to find what works for you. I'll have more information about animal agriculture in future posts, so be sure to check back regularly.

If you find these issues appalling as I did, I suggest ordering a FREE vegetarian starter kit.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Jersey_cow.png

Dear global warming skeptics

Chances are if you're reading this blog, you probably believe that global warming is real to some degree. There are, however, a few people who think climate change is made-up. They constitute a small percentage of the population. I am certain this group is highly correlated with the tiny group of people who still support President Bush. Regardless, let's assume (based on data) that global warming is real. What's the big deal?

I try to focus my blog entries on things that people can do to become more sustainable. This entry, however, is dedicated to 100 things you won't be able to do if climate change continues.

The Center for American Progress complied a list of 100 things that will be effected by global warming. Here are some that jumped out at me:

• less guacamole
• fewer polar bears
• more giant squid attacks
• melting glaciers
• more heart attacks
  
• more malaria
• reduced national security
• wasted money

Image: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Avocado.jpeg