e2, The Economies of Being Environmentally Conscious - a Show on PBS -- California Laws Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
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Television is not my favorite thing -- especially the regular networks.

So, last night, avoiding all the typical shows around Halloween, I ended up watching PBS on KCET from Los Angeles.

I just sort of stumbled on this show - it came on after something else I had watched.

I was so glad to hear what was said -- it was one of a series of programs on PBS, "e2 is an ongoing PBS series about the economies of being environmentally conscious with a combination of policy, technology and ingenuity, from energy consumption to building efficiency. It chronicles global efforts to solve pressing ecological challenges." http://www.pbs.org/e2/

This particular show was about California's bills that have passed the legislature and been signed which set standards for greenhouse gas emissions -- both with some vehicles and in industry -- by certain dates.

According to one of the experts on the show, the standards set should put California's level of greenhouse gas emissions down to the levels of 1990 - 18 years ago.

Of course, this means enforcing the standards.

What I also liked hearing was that per the legislation on industry standards, industries cannot import dirty energy -- such as that from burning coal -- from other states.

I felt like jumping for joy!!

Maybe we can do something on a massive level to keep this planet living!!

California is apparently leading the way in the USA in climate change laws -- with some states following our example.

Of course, I would like to see it at the Federal level, but I am glad to be living in a state that is doing something about how human impact causes climate change/global warming!

Something keeps running through my mind -- many of the larger buses in Los Angeles run on Natural Gas because it is considered Clean Energy -- I was in a cab in Los Angeles last Monday that was "Natural Gas Only". The taxi cab driver told me that in many asian/eastern countries, a large percentage of the cars run on Natural Gas.

In the United States, can you buy commercial cars that run on Natural Gas and are there places where you can buy Natural Gas for private vehicles?

I don't drive a car now for medical reasons, but I think this would be something to look into. Many of the Hybrids that you can buy commercially have really good mileage, but still use gas from oil which causes greenhouse emissions.

Car manufacturers who make cars for gas from oil keep pushing on needing oil and are warning that some standards are going to make it difficult to have the popluar SUV's meet the standards. But, logically, I can't help but wonder because if large buses can run on Natural Gas, why can't a SUV??????

We are going to need to change the way we think -- and the manufacturers are going to have to re-think some things. I am aware that changing how you manufacture a vehicle will mean possibly difficult changes in the factories that will cost money, but we need to weigh the "costs" -- the negative impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and a way to have clean energy running our vehicles!!

And, oh, I checked out the sponsor of the PBS show -- http://www.autodesk.com/green -- "Autodesk supports sustainable design awareness and adoption through leadership, design solutions, and sponsorship programs."

Autodesk's Sustainability Initiative:
1. Conduct Our Business Responsibly
2. Optimize the Environmental Impact of Our Operations
3. Make Our Products the Best Available for doing Sustainable Design
4. Amplify Our Impact by Partnering with Leading Innovators

Sustainable Design - including for manufacturers.

At least they are trying to do something!! They are contributing to a green economy!!

It gives me hope!!

Support sustainable living at all levels!!


Ruth

ECOETSY AUCTION FOR A CAUSE - About 10 hours left to bid!!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items
RSS Crochet Thread Plus - Internet Shop of Crochet Thread

Well, folks, this is the last day -- about 10 hours left on our auction for a donation to The Nature Conservancy!!

Check out the EcoEtsy blog: http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com/

Check out the auction page: http://www.ecoetsy.com/auction-oct2008.html

Check out the photo album of what's being auctioned off: http://ecoetsyauction.myphotoalbum.com/

What we are doing is part of a green economy.

What The Nature Conservancy does is part of a a green economy and a live planet!!

Be part of it!!

Ruth

UPDATE! EcoEtsy AUCTION FOR A CAUSE - 1 Day Left To Bid!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items
RSS Crochet Thread Plus - Internet Shop of Crochet Thread

October 30th is tomorrow!! 1 day left from the time I am writing this to bid on our basket of eco-friendly goodies with the proceeds going to The Nature Conservancy!!

Read our EcoEtsy blog, http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com for news and pictures of the donated items -- and the update! See some detailed photos and info about the people who made them and how!!

Bid and get the auction information at: http://www.ecoetsy.com/auction-oct2008.html

Photo Album of the items donated: http://ecoetsyauction.myphotoalbum.com/

The Nature Conservancy, with all the land and ecosystems they have protected over the years, is very deserving of the donation!! And, actually, what a fun bunch of goodies to win!!

If you haven't already -- check it out!! If you have - or have bidded, see where the bidding is at now!

Ruth

EcoEtsy AUCTION FOR A CAUSE Ongoing!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items
RSS Crochet Thread Plus - Internet Shop of Crochet Thread

Our EcoEtsy AUCTION FOR A CAUSE is still ongoing with some bids already put in -- yes, we have some bids and if you are interested in it and haven't bid yet, you'll need to bid yourself by the Thursday evening (Oct. 30th)!

Check here! http://www.ecoetsy.com/auction-oct2008.html

After today (Sunday), there are 4 days left to bid on the collection of about 60 handmade, eco-minded items!!

Take a look at the pictures of what has been donated and is being auctioned off:

http://ecoetsyauction.myphotoalbum.com/

Remember -- the proceeds go to The Nature Conservancy!!

I have a picture here of the bag I crocheted for the Auction. It is a small bag - about 3 1/2 inches in diameter and 5 inches high. It is green, ecru and glittering sienna.

Us like-minded folks in EcoEtsy really have the welfare of our environment and the people who live in it on our minds (you should see our emailing sometimes!). We really make an effort to live our lives and conduct our businesses in such a way as not to harm our environment and maybe even help it!!

Below I will quote my favorite philosopher on the environment, Aldo Leopold, in that there is a value to protecting our environment even if there doesn't seem to be a commercial profit in it. Protecting elements in our environment that are essential to its healthy functioning, even if that protection doesn't have a commercial value, is important for our lives. Of course, if you find new ways to use things that would otherwise be thrown out, you can reduce waste (good for the environment) and save money you would otherwise have spent on something new (good for your pocketbook), but some economists would tell you that consumer spending is a good sign of the economy - I would say to find other things to spend your money on while Reducing, Reusing and Recycling.

Aldo Leopold from "Substitutes For a Land Ethic", which is part of "The Land Ethic", which is part of "The Upshot" in the book, A Sand County Alamanc, copyright 1966 by Oxford University Press:

"To sum up: a system of conservation based solely on economic self-interest is hopelessly lopsided. It tends to ignore, and thus eventually eliminate, many elements in the land community that lack commercial value, but are (as far as we know) essential to its healthy functioning. It assumes, falsely, I think, that the economic parts of the biotic clock will function without the uneconomic parts. It tends to relegate to government many functions too large, too complex, or too widely dispersed to be performed by government.

"An ethical obligation on the part of the private owner is the only visible rememdy for these situations."

We, in EcoEtsy, who are putting on our AUCTION FOR A CAUSE, are private owners.

The Nature Conservancy is an organization who's funding is based on donations from private owners and who works to protect those uneconomic parts that are so essential to the healthy functioning of the land community we live in -- to our "web of life".

We, at EcoEtsy, are trying to be ethical in our lives and businesses - and our AUCTION FOR A CAUSE is part of that.

From me, Thanks to everyone who has participated - our EcoEtsy Co-Leaders, the donators, the bidders and all who helped promoting!!

Ruth

P.S. - You can find the book, A Sand County Almanac, online - and through the Aldo Leopold Foundation, http://www.aldoleopold.org/.

MORE OF MY FAVORITES FROM DESIGN STYLE GUIDE!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items



I have some more favorites from the Design Style Guide (search for tag: interiordesignteam) on www.etsy.com.

I am truly amazed at some of the beautiful, artistic work I see for sale on Etsy!!

I look through some of the Treasuries on Etsy -- and some of the items just pop out at me -- they appeal to me artistically and some of them are very practical -- of course some are purely decorative!

But I am of the opinion that it is important to have some beauty in your home to enjoy -- whatever you admire and whatever you can afford. There is an amazing selection on Etsy -- at all dollar levels!!

So here are a few people on etsy who I think are worth checking out!!

1. Very Earthy Pottery by Rob Drexel from New Mexico -- I just love it!!
http://www.robdrexel.etsy.com

2. Absolutely beautiful handmade quilts by Betty Grafton!! I like them all - but at this moment, I am partial to the Unicorn!! http://www.bettsquilts.etsy.com

3. I so admire the paintings of Slavko!! He has original paintings, some prints, some really detailed artistic pendants and some sculptures in his shop!! http://www.slavko.etsy.com

4. I like stained glass - I have had a stained glass suncatcher of a harp hanging in my home since the 1980's!! I discovered a suncatcher of a Cardinal by Dianas Stained Glass on Etsy and was pleasantly surprised - I also like her lamp with "Paddy the Pinto" in stained glass (I am a bit partial to horses in art!). http://www.DianasStainedGlass.etsy.com

So that's a few more talented people on Etsy!!

For pictures, look to the right and down here on my blog -- I have a display of MY FAVORITES on Etsy -- you can click on the pictures to see the listing and get to their shop!!

Enjoy!!


Ruth

EcoEtsy AUCTION FOR A CAUSE is ON!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items
RSS Crochet Thread Plus - Internet Shop of Crochet Thread

OUR AUCTION IS ON!

The auction information: http://www.ecoetsy.com/auction-oct2008.html

THE PHOTOS ARE UP!!

The photos of what is in the basket being auctioned for the donation:
http://ecoetsyauction.myphotoalbum.com/.

A VARIETY OF THINGS FROM JEWELRY TO BAGS TO CARDS TO SILVER -- TAKE A LOOK -- ALL HANDMADE, ALL ECO-FRIENDLY, SOME THINGS MADE FROM RECYLCED, RE-PURPOSED OR "RESCUED" MATERIALS!

FINAL PROCEEDS TO THE NATURE CONSERVANCY!!

Ruth