May 27, 2008

Give a Waste Not Center Gift Certificate to Your Favorite Teacher

The end of the school year is fast approaching. Looking for something unique to say thank you to that special teacher? Neil Drobny of the Central Ohio Sustainability Alliance suggests a gift certificate from the Waste Not Center!

For $10, your favorite teacher can "shop" at the Waste Not Center for one day and pick up some free art supplies, office supplies, or whatever else might catch his eye. Because the materials are donated by local organizations, the inventory varies.
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It's one more great way to align your values with your actions, and to lead the way to a sustainable future.


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March 2, 2008

Tuesday's Ohio Primary

Back in January I posted links pointing toward the candidates' stands on the environment and climate change. I'm posting some items I've posted previously here again for reference.








Grist also has (had?) a great page on the candidates, but the whole Grist site appears to be down right now. In the event it comes back soon:



Edited 3/3/2008 to correct a linking error.

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// posted by tina @ 11:01 AM 0 comments

January 22, 2008

Managing the Risk of Climate Change

My baseline assumption about you, Green Buckeye reader, is that you are already convinced about the need for environmental sustainability or you wouldn't be reading this blog. For that reason I have typically refrained from posting items that aim to convince people that climate change is real, anthropogenic (caused by human activity) or needs to be acted on.

I've recently rethought that practice. The reason? I figure you have friends and family and colleagues who are not yet convinced, and that you may be looking for ways to convince them. So, I've decided to pass along information that you can use to support your own leadership efforts.

This short, entertaining video was produced by Greg Craven, a high school science teacher in Oregon. In it, Greg, aka wonderingmind42 on youtube, presents risk management arguments for acting on the global climate change issue. Hold on, I know you just glazed over when you read "risk management." Don't worry, Greg wears funny hats and runs pyrotechnics during the explanation, so I promise it isn't what you think!



Thanks to my blogging buddy Andy for pointing it out!

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January 21, 2008

Compare the Candidates on Energy & Climate Change

Even though the pundits are saying Ohio's March 4th presidential primary comes "too late to matter," I'm reading up on the candidates' positions on energy and the environment.

Of the online candidate comparisons I've found, I like Grist's the best. It displays pictures of the candidates as a visual cue, and it divides the energy and environmental issues into a manageable level of granularity. Grist seems to have the most comprehensive coverage of this issue overall with their regularly updated article, "How Green Is Your Candidate?"

Another good comparison comes from the League of Conservation Voters. Click their 'Chart the Candidates' link for an easy-to-compare matrix like Grist's. This site also offers more in-depth coverage of each candidate as well as the candidates' responses to a set of questions.

An interesting take on a comparison matrix is Popular Mechanics' site Geek the Vote '08. The information on that site appears to come primarily from the policies posted on the candidates' web sites.

Depending on whom you consider the most credible source, you might also want to check out similar comparisons from NPR, the Pew Forum, or the Council on Foreign Relations.

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// posted by tina @ 10:25 AM 3 comments

January 20, 2008

Community Gardens for Central Ohio

Sustainable Worthington is sponsoring a number of gardening programs this winter, including one that may result in a community garden for Worthington! If you're interested in eating locally, you can't get food much more local than the veggies you grow in your own garden.

Check out Sustainable Worthington's upcoming programs on their Meetings page.

Franklin Park Conservatory's Growing to Green program supports local efforts to create and maintain community gardens. You can also learn about community gardens and find a list of community gardens in Central Ohio at the American Community Garden Association web site.

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January 19, 2008

Center for Resilience at OSU

Central Ohio is the home of The Ohio State University, which provides us with lots of opportunities to benefit from research and higher learning. The Center for Resilience at OSU is one such hotbed of research that supports "resilience of industrial systems and the environments in which they operate" - in other words, industrial and environmental sustainability.

If your organization is looking for ways to improve supply chain resilience or to explore a by-product synergy network, you owe it to yourself to check out the work going on at the Center for Resilience.

The Winter 2008 issue (.pdf) of the Center's newsletter lists several other sustainability-based research efforts ongoing at OSU, and provides a brief explanation of by-product synergy (i.e., Bill McDonough's waste = food).

I heard Joseph Fiksel (.pdf), the executive director of the center, speak at a meeting of the Capital City Organization Development Network (CCODN) last year. He's very knowledgeable and dedicated to taking a systems approach to environmental sustainability.

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// posted by tina @ 10:37 AM 0 comments

January 6, 2008

AEP Offers Renewable Energy Certificates

Toby Boyce hosts the regional real estate blog Sadie's Take on Delaware Ohio. Recently Toby pointed out that AEP is making renewable energy certificates available to consumers. For less than $2 a month you can buy two "Green Product blocks" that support the production of about 200 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy from a landfill gas called methane.

AEP has published an understandable FAQ for this new "Green Pricing Option" on their customer service web site.

Thanks to Toby for making us aware!


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December 16, 2007

Central Ohio Green News

While Green Buckeye has been dormant, other local bloggers have been covering the green beat:

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// posted by tina @ 1:19 PM 0 comments

November 29, 2007

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

There is now a permanent site in Central Ohio for disposal of household hazardous waste. This means you don't necessarily have to wait for a monthly collection day to safely dispose of that nasty stuff in the garage. Details are at SWACO's web site.

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// posted by tina @ 9:56 AM 1 comments

September 30, 2007

Bucks for Your Broken iPod

From the folks at donewaiting.com, here's news of an online business that buys your used or broken iPod. Better than throwing it out!

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// posted by tina @ 5:56 PM 0 comments

September 22, 2007

World Carfree Day, But Not in Columbus

Did you know today is World Carfree Day? No? Neither did I.

As far as I'm aware, there are no local celebrations of World Carfree Day in Central Ohio. In fact, there appear to be no celebrations in Ohio at all. It looks like the concept of "carfree" hasn't hit Buckeye consciousness. Groups like 1000 Friends of Central Ohio are trying to get us to think about light rail and other forms of public transit, though.

Can you imagine Central Ohio going carfree on a Buckeye game day?!

The university is making it possible for tailgaters to recycle now, and they're picking recyclables out of the trash from the stadium. So we're making progress!

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// posted by tina @ 11:40 AM 0 comments

September 8, 2007

SRCO Joins COSA and Becomes COSR

In July, the Sustainability Roundtable of Central Ohio (SRCO) voted to join the Central Ohio Sustainability Alliance. As a result, SRCO has changed its name to the Central Ohio Sustainability Roundtable (COSR).

There are a lot of intelligent and thoughtful people on the COSR listserv. You can join the conversation by subscribing to it here.

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// posted by tina @ 4:23 PM 0 comments

September 4, 2007

What's In a Name? KFCB Becomes COSA

Late last spring, Executive Director Neil Drobny announced that Keep Franklin County Beautiful was pursuing a new strategic direction and changing its name to the Central Ohio Sustainability Alliance (COSA).

As a result, COSA will expand and enhance its focus on sustainability, which is great news! You can help them out by volunteering, or perhaps by getting your business or school involved in the Waste Not Center.

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// posted by tina @ 7:16 PM 2 comments

July 28, 2007

Sustainable Healthcare in Central Ohio

This week Belgian blogger Ria Baeck points out videos that describe conversations about creating sustainable and affordable healthcare here in Columbus. While her primary interest stems from her practice of hosting and facilitating meaningful conversations, we can directly appreciate the story told by Phil Cass of his journey to develop a better community - our community.

Phil is the CEO of the Columbus Medical Association. The ongoing conversations around healthcare are happening under the banner of Our Optimal Health. If you would like to participate in these conversations, RSVP to attend an upcoming assembly at the Fawcett Center. The next one is August 9.

This is the first in the series of three videos available on YouTube:



Thanks to Ravi Tangri, who uploaded the videos to YouTube.

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// posted by tina @ 5:47 PM 0 comments

Jack/Zen on Sustainable Practices

Cleveland blogger Jack Ricchiuto blogs his personal practices for sustainability this week.

I have tried to become more mindful of how much printing I do at work. In the last month I've stopped printing my daily calendar from Lotus Notes. At first I thought it would be hard to live without it, but it turns out I don't need it most days. That's one piece of paper less each workday - it seems small, but year after year and person after person it adds up!

There are so many small things we can practice in our lives to improve and extend our use of resources. What practices have you taken up or built upon recently?

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// posted by tina @ 11:53 AM 3 comments

July 14, 2007

MORPC Wants Your Help With Web Site

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is asking for your help with redesigning their web site. You can provide your assistance by taking the survey, which is available until July 31.

Three of the five questions are freeform text, so you might have to think about what you want to say!

This survey is another indication to me that MORPC seems to have a fresh attitude toward community participation. It's great to see that they asking for input.

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July 4, 2007

Independence Day in Central Ohio

Today Inhabitat has a nice piece about ways to green your 4th.

Central Ohioans have a Red White & Boom! hangover today. Many more quaint local fireworks displays are scheduled for this evening. Here's hoping that the rain holds off until 11 p.m., or that it blows over before dusk!

This gorgeous image of fireworks by local photographer Ed Kreminski.

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// posted by tina @ 11:55 AM 0 comments

June 10, 2007

My del.icio.us Added to Sidebar

I've added a new element to this page. If you scroll down a bit, you'll see the "my del.icio.us" heading in the right sidebar with a list of links appearing below. These are links that I've discovered one way or another. Some are related to Central Ohio, some to sustainability, and some to my other, unrelated interests.

As I add items to del.icio.us, the list here updates automatically. So you'll notice that the list will change periodically. I've set it up to display the links in reverse chronological order, so the newest items appear at the top.

If you have an interest in seeing other web sites or articles I've added to del.icio.us in the past, you can click the "my del.icio.us" heading. That takes you to my list of links on the del.icio.us web site. From there you can click on tags for topics of interest.

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// posted by tina @ 5:48 PM 0 comments

May 28, 2007

MORPC Regional Brainstorming Results Available

MORPC recently published the raw data from the regional brainstorming session they sponsored April 19. You can check them out on the MORPC website.

Some SRCO members attended, and there was quite a bit of discussion on the SRCO listserv about the World Cafe process used to generate participation. Many seemed to feel that this strengths-based approach to participatory planning was inadequate for communicating the seriousness of the impacts of peak oil combined with global climate change. I don't think that educating Central Ohioans about the nature of peak oil and global climate change was really the objective of the session, so I can't say it failed on that count.

Were you in attendance? What did you think of it?

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// posted by tina @ 11:42 AM 0 comments

May 26, 2007

Make Art, Not Trash

Michelle Stitzlein makes sculpture and other art out of recycled objects. Recycled art probably won't save the world, but it's a great reminder that castoff materials can be reused and repurposed! And isn't hers cheerful? Michelle is the same artist who has been featured on Artzine all month, too.

Michelle will be leading a family workshop at the Franklin Park Conservatory July 14 where you and your kid can make a Chillin Flower Magnet. The workshop is free with admission.

And if you grow to love making art from recycled objects, for a few bucks you can become a member of the Waste Not Center and access loads of free raw material. Or, on the supply side, if you have art or office materials to donate, give the center a call at (614) 278-9445.

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// posted by tina @ 3:38 PM 0 comments

May 15, 2007

What Color is Your News?

NBC4 news will go green Thursdays at 6 p.m. Marshall McPeek will "show you simple and inexpensive ways to go green, highlight the city and state’s efforts on the initiative, and show you what some of your friends and neighbors are already doing to benefit the environment."

You can suggest stories to McPeek at itsaboutgreen@wcmh.com.

They've got a little web page going on there, too.

When I started Green Buckeye, I thought it was filling a need in Central Ohio for sustainbility news and resources that wasn't being filled. Looks like maybe the mainstream media is starting to fill that need, too. Cool.

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// posted by tina @ 8:31 PM 0 comments

March 26, 2007

Think Globally, Eat Locally?

Environmentalists say that one way to lower your carbon load on the planet is to eat food that is produced close to home. They say that eating spinach that was grown 20 miles from home instead of 2000 miles from home means that less energy was expended in getting that spinach to you.

If you like the idea of eating locally, check into Restaurant Widow's post on community supported agriculture (CSA) in Central Ohio. Lisa provides a nice explanation of what CSA is, what you might expect from a local farm's CSA program, and a wonderful list of local CSA farmers.

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// posted by tina @ 11:21 AM 0 comments

March 24, 2007

Fivelimes Adds Columbus

If you read Treehugger, you may have heard of the green social networking site called Fivelimes. At Fivelimes, you can add and rate sustainable products, services, and businesses. The big news is that the folks at Fivelimes have added Columbus to their list of cities!

To get the ball rolling, I added The Northstar Cafe to the list for Columbus. So far, that's the only thing there that's Columbus-based. I invite you to surf over to Fivelimes and help build the list of all that is green and good in Central Ohio!

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// posted by tina @ 5:43 PM 2 comments

CGBF LEEDs the Way

Over at the Columbus Green Building Forum, Meera Parthasarathy and company are laying the foundations for the practice of green building design. If you're a building industry professional in Central Ohio and don't know about the CGBF, you owe it to yourself to check them out!

If you're interested in energy modelling for LEED buildings, CGBF is sponsoring a workshop on eQUEST software. Details and registration are on the CGBF web site, of course.

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// posted by tina @ 3:26 PM 0 comments

March 11, 2007

Meet the Greens

There's a brand new environmental web site for kids from WGBH. It's so new that there isn't a ton of content yet. So far there's an introductory "Episode One" animation and links to other kid-friendly sites.

Apparently, the site is one part of the wish of photographer and TEDPrize winner Ed Burtynsky.

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// posted by tina @ 1:53 PM 0 comments

February 24, 2007

What Would Environmental Justice Look Like in Ohio?

You know how sometimes you see or learn about something for the first time, and then suddenly you notice it popping up all over? It was probably there all the time, but you just didn't recognize it, so you couldn't see it or name it.

Lately I've been listening to a series of podcasts that are published by TED. I listened to one by Majora Carter of Sustainable South Bronx last night, and that was the first time I had heard the term "environmental justice." At least, that was the first time I heard it consciously. (Where have I been - under a rock? This woman won a MacArthur grant!)

Anyway, I opened my email this morning to find a message from Pat Marida of the Central Ohio Sierra Club announcing an upcoming program on environmental justice. The newly formed Ohioans for Health, Environment, and Justice are hosting programs in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. The group is looking for input on a proposed environmental justice policy for Ohio.

The Columbus event runs from 10:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at Marion Franklin Recreation Center on Lockbourne Road. Click over to the OHEJ web site or the Green Buckeye calendar for more details - an RSVP is requested.

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February 20, 2007

Friends, They May Think It's a Movement

My friend Rosa invited me to join 2People yesterday. Since Rosa's always way ahead of the crowd, I definitely had to check it out.

2People wants to make global warming the critical issue in the 2008 US elections. They plan to do this by connecting people who care about climate change through their site.

If I get two people involved, and you get two people involved, and each of them invites two people . . . we can make the difference. Go on over to 2People - and bring a couple of friends!

There are seven of us Buckeyes on 2People today. I'll bet we can double that by the end of week. What do you say?

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// posted by tina @ 8:21 PM 8 comments

February 18, 2007

Waste Not Center: One Man Gathers What Another Man Spills

You can magically transform unused or unwanted materials and supplies into arts and crafts!

Did you know that Keep Franklin County Beautiful runs a program called the Waste Not Center? The center accepts donations from businesses of out-dated, unusable, or otherwise unwanted materials and supplies that have potential for use in arts and crafts projects.

Your old stuff goes to member artists, teachers, and students. They take your unwanted materials and make magic. You throw less away and make artists, art teachers, and kids happy. The center picks things up, and your donation is tax deductible, too!

If you want to participate, check out the Waste Not Center.

Executive Director Neil Drobny tells us that out-of-season display materials or outdated promotional items are typically in strong demand. The Center doesn't accept furniture or electronic equipment.

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// posted by tina @ 4:41 PM 2 comments

January 27, 2007

Welcoming Sustainable Worthington!

The ever-alert Ira Weiss regularly shares many links to stories of interest on the SRCO listserv. Earlier week he pointed out this one about the formation of Sustainable Worthington.

You can learn more by contacting one of the group's organizers, Lisa Staggenborg.

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// posted by tina @ 12:24 PM 0 comments

January 21, 2007

Margaret Wheatley Speaks at OSU This Week

Leadership and the New Science author Margaret Wheatley speaks on the kind of leadership needed by the world today at The Ohio State University Tuesday, January 23 at 4:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

While you may not associate her with sustainability, her work is directly applicable. Leadership and the New Science is a work about how chaos theory and quantum science might be applied to organizational and societal change. (And creating a sustainable society is going to take a lot of change!)

The most succint description of the event is available on the Women's Place web site at OSU.

Film and Video Theatre, Wexner Center
1871 High Street
Parking available at the Ohio Union Garage (15th and High St.)

The lecture is titled " The Future of the World Depends on Women." (Clicking this link opens a .pdf file.)

Titles by Wheatley include:

Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World
A Simpler Way
Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future
Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time

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// posted by tina @ 5:25 PM 0 comments

FCC Environmental Forum: January 25

First Community Church sponsors a variety of environmental programs through their Environmental Forum. The 2007 season begins January 25 at 7:00 p.m. with a program entitled "How Can I Make a Difference?" Jed Scott Swift of Naropa University is one of the conveners.

It looks like a great lineup! February programs include "All Aboard Ohio" and "Sustainable Transportation."

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// posted by tina @ 4:49 PM 0 comments

January 16, 2007

A Streetcar Named . . . Brutus?

Paul Bonneville at Columbus RetroMetro blog is initiating an extended conversation around the topic of streetcars in Columbus.

In addition to providing an extensive list of recent media coverage of the streetcars, he's begun an email list for people who want to continue to stay informed. Click over to the post on Columbus RetroMetro, and tell him Green Buckeye sent you!

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// posted by tina @ 2:35 PM 0 comments

January 15, 2007

What's Your Poison?

In studying CEOs during graduate school, I learned a bit about Lee Raymond of Exxon. What I learned was so appalling that I immediately stopped buying gasoline from ExxonMobile.

Since then I've been filling up at BP. Yes, if I could live without gasoline I would be a better person. No, BP isn't perfect, but in comparison to Exxon, it seemed to be a better choice.

An article titled "Pick Your Poison" in Sierra magazine this month rates the gasoline companies from the perspective of environmental responsibility. I was pleased to discover that BP is still a better choice than Exxon. But maybe you're a dedicated Shell customer?

Read the article to find out how your brand rates. And I invite you to share which brand you buy, and why.

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// posted by tina @ 4:21 PM 3 comments

January 13, 2007

More Buckeyes: More Green Drinks

It appears that Ohioans are sweet on Green Drinks! This week Treehugger featured Green Drinks Cincinnati , which had its inaugural gathering in November.

A quick review of Green Drinks International reveals Ohio chapters in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus.

Hey Toledo, Youngstown, Athens, and Marietta - anything in the works?

And don't forget - Green Drinks Columbus meets this week at Surly Girl.

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// posted by tina @ 12:27 PM 0 comments

January 7, 2007

Is TreeHugger a Bad Player?

You've probably seen the Treehugger and WorldChanging blogs - these two blogs are among the largest that focus on the environment. Even though they aren't "local," I've provided links to them in the sidebar since I scan them regularly myself looking for things that I can potentially provide a local perspective on here.

On Friday, Treehugger posted a survey that was created partially in response to this post on another blog called bottleworld.net. The original post on bottleworld is critical of the optimistic, consumerism-based stance taken by both TreeHugger and WorldChanging. Bottleman (the author) makes some great points about the responsibility sites like TH and WC have since they are now viewed as authorities on sustainability. And in the comments, Lloyd Alter of TH responds to the criticisms.

The posts and comments taken together are a fascinating read and expose and explicate some of the different approaches being taken by the myriad of people who care about the future of this planet and its inhabitants. If any of that interests you, I encourage you to click over and read the post and its related comments.

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// posted by tina @ 1:26 PM 0 comments

December 24, 2006

How Patriotic Are You?

Thomas Friedman, author of The World Is Flat, says that his motto is:
"Green is the new red, white, and blue."
You can read the full story on Timesunion.

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// posted by tina @ 12:16 PM 1 comments

December 11, 2006

Bill McDonough : Cradle to Cradle Design

Architect and designer Bill McDonough inspires both through his actions and his words. If you are looking for a little inspirational boost, listen to this McDonough presentation at the Social Innovation Conversations web site.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll come away refreshed and ready to face the world again.

Or, if spoken word isn't your thing, you could read McDonough's book, Cradle to Cradle.

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// posted by tina @ 7:24 AM 0 comments

November 30, 2006

Easy Way to Make a Difference Every Day

Sometimes it's hard to feel like one person can do anything to help save the planet - we're so small and so the problem seems so big and so far away! What can one person do?

The Rainforest Site provides an easy (and free!) way to help save the rainforest every day. Simply surf to their site and click the Preserve Endangered Land button. The site sponsors donate a little money for each click, and you get to feel good about contributing to the solution.

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// posted by tina @ 6:36 AM 0 comments

November 29, 2006

How to Green Your Gifts (TreeHugger)

Feeling a little guilty about the rush to consume this time of year? TreeHugger has a timely article about green gift-giving.

From the minute you step out the door to shop, to choosing, wrapping, and delivering a gift - they've got it covered!

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// posted by tina @ 6:58 AM 0 comments

November 28, 2006

Driving Green

Are you confused by alternative fuels? Wondering about green cars?

Sam Spofforth, Executive Director of Clean Fuels Ohio, answers your questions about "Driving Green" this week at the Environmental Forum of First Community Church.


Thursday, November 30
7 - 9 p.m.
First Community Church
1320 Cambridge Blvd.
Brownlee Hall
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More details are available by clicking thru to the Clean Fuels Ohio events page or the First Community Church calendar listing.

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// posted by tina @ 8:09 PM 0 comments
Graciously hosted by George Nemeth of Brewed Fresh Daily. Thanks, George!