Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint is a representation or measurement of the effect human activities have on the climate in terms of the total amount of greenhouse gases produced (measured in units of carbon dioxide). The main carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases directly Read more
2 Mile Challenge
The United States has the highest bicycle ownership per capita in the world – but it’s at the bottom of the list for using them. Combine this with the fact that forty percent of everyday travel in the US happens within 2 miles of where people live – and you have the basis for the 2 Mile Challenge.
The idea is simple – with 4 out of every 10 trips from your home being to the library, a coffee shop, grocery store, or even to work lasting two miles or less, why not take your bike. Each of us has a great opportunity to cut back on car trips without sacrificing much time or expending too much effort. Realizing a great opportunity to help fight climate change, Clif Bar created a game to see how many car trips could be replaced with a bike instead.
They are awarding a $25,000 grant to each of three nonprofit organizations helping to lead the charge. All you have to do is register, choose a team, and start pedaling your bike to earn points. By inputting your address in to the handy map widget they built, you can see just how wide a two mile radius around your house is, and how many everyday trips fall in this range. If 1 million people replaced a 2 mile car trip once a week with a bike ride, CO2 emissions could be reduced by 50,000 tons per year. The more people out there swapping cars for bikes equals more fun and more impact towards fighting climate change.
Maroon 5 Challenge
Maroon 5 is challenging you to make an eco-friendly change in your life. Support a non-profit organization in your area, sign up for their e-mail list, support their latest campaign, or volunteer with them – just get involved. In 2006, Maroon 5 was honored at the Environmental Media Awards for inspiring millions of fans at shows and online. They have fueled their buses with biodiesel, reducing the carbon footprint of their tours. And, in teaming up with non-profit movements like Vote Solar, they have given a positive and persuasive voice to personal energy reduction and alternative energy sources.
Submit a photo of yourself with the logo of the non-profit you’re supporting. Complete this Green Music Group challenge by noon EST on Friday, August 13th, and you could win a Sustainable Wood Series Martin acoustic guitar. And each time you complete a challenge, you’re automatically given an entry into the random drawing to win a Honda Insight Hybrid.
Maroon 5 are founding members of the Green Music Group along with names like Willie Nelson, Linkin Park, and The Roots. It is a coalition of musicians, industry leaders, and music fans using their collective power to bring about widespread environmental change within the music industry and around the globe. Every two weeks, a Green Music Group artist challenges you to make an eco-friendly change in your life.
Marine Debris Awareness
Marine debris, in addition to being unsightly, can also pose a threat to beachgoers and wildlife. You can help reduce the amount of debris that enters the oceans, and finds its way to beaches by following these guidelines:
- Think about the materials and packaging you are taking to the beach. Choose reusable items and use fewer disposable ones.
- Keep streets, sidewalks, parking lots and storm drains free of trash – they can empty into our oceans and waterways.
- At the beach, park, or playground, dispose of all trash in the proper receptacles or take your trash home with you.
- On a boat, bring all of your trash back to shore for proper disposal in trash cans or recycling bins, including fishing line and other fishing gear.
- Support environmentally responsible marinas.
- Properly stow and secure all trash on your boat.
- Remember that it is illegal to dispose of any plastic materials in all U.S. waters and anywhere at sea.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Get involved in cleanups in your area and encourage others to help keep the beaches and oceans clean.
- Report illegal dumping to your local U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Office.
Kauai Open Space
Your opinion will be heard by participating in an survey of the Open Space Commission asking which lands you would like to see the county acquire for public use. In 2002, Kauai voters approved an amendment that established the “Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund” and stipulated that each year a minimum of one half of one percent of the County’s certified real property taxes would be deposited into the fund.
Kauai residents can visit Open Space to take the online survey and share their list of public accesses and special places that should be protected or acquired. Surveys can also be picked up at the Planning Department, 4444 Rice St., suite 473, Lihu‘e, or at public libraries, and county recreation centers. The commission then analyzes each suggestion, reviews past suggestions, and formulates a list of priority projects.
Lands that qualify for purchase, acquisition or property entitlement must meet at least one of these purposes:
- Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains
- Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites
- Protection of significant habitats or ecosystems, including buffer zones
- Preserving forests, beaches, coastal areas, and agricultural lands
- Protecting watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply
- Conserving land in order to reduce erosion, floods, landslides, and runoff
- Acquiring or improving disabled and public access to, and enjoyment of, public land and open space
The council recently approved the acquisition of a piece of land to expand Black Pot Park in Hanalei, using $1.85 million from the Open Space fund. The state Legacy Lands Acquisition Fund gave an extra $800,000, and a special trust fund for parks and playgrounds gave $350,000 to go toward the land purchase.
