Archive for the ‘Outdoor + Environment’ Category
Earth From Above
One of my favorite photographers, Yann Arthus Bertrand, is bringing his work to the US in 2009. Bertrand’s aim is to inspire people to think globally about sustainable living and he does so by taking his art to the sky. Shooting from airplanes, Bertrand manages to capture impressive shots that visually teach us about environments around the globe.
His new exhibit, Earth From Above, will feature 150 4-ft. by 6-ft. prints, on display in New York City from May 1 2009 to June 28, 2009. The exhibit will then take off for the other coast and be displayed in California. Another excellent example of artwork meant to change our perspectives on how we live and interact with the world around us.
See more pictures here.
1% For The Planet – choose the environment
Business can be a good thing. At least if those businesses are part of 1% For The Planet. The idea is simple: 1% of sales are donated to an extensive network of environmental organizations worldwide. If you believe in the environment, pass along or post this video to spread the word. Because even in a bad economy, we have to take care of the environment. Therefore, making educated consumer choices means supporting companies that believe in the world we live in and are devoted to protecting it. That’s a healthy choice.
[Via The Cleanest Line]
10 adventure gear companies you should know about…
Check out my most recent article over at Matador. It’s all about the adventure companies you should be buying your gear from. Why? Because they all stick to their environmental and social morals and even in a consumer society are trying to make positive change. I’ll tip you off to the top 3: Patagonia, MEC, and Marmot. For the rest, read it here.
Parking spaces gone green for the day
This is what I call a constructive use of a parking space. It’s all part of Park(ing) day, an annual event that turns paved spaces into temporary green ones. Here’s a list of all the cities that are participating.
[Via Inhabitat]
Bikes to Rwanda
These people are doing good things… if you like coffee you should definitely give this video a look. Check out BTR here and fall in love with the organization just like I did.
I am not a Paper Cup
I refuse to buy coffee if I don’t have my own mug with me (unless the cafe gives me a real mug to drink out of). And I don’t buy bottled water. Call me a Portland freak, but it’s probably doing a small part to reduce waste. That’s why this mug caught my eye; it’s green and creatively designed…. looks like a horrible disposable cup, but really it’s made pf porcelain. And won’t burn your hands. Obviously the company is banking off of the whole “I Am not a Plastic Bag” craze, but I am sort of hooked on the idea. You can buy one at the momastore.
[Via 1plus1]
The next thing to put on your reading list
The nice thing about working at Wend is that I get to read some pretty interesting books. This is the one I am currently working on and I must say that it’s proving to be a pretty compelling read. Where do I begin? Bottled water… ok, it’s what I drank all through Asia as to not get sick, but in the US I think it’s one of the most appalling inventions. And it’s not just because of the plastic. As author Elizabeth Royte points out in the opening chapter of Bottlemania: How water went on sale and why we bought it, there’s a moral question at play: should private companies be profiting off of a public resource? So read the book and come up with your own conclusions.
Why we should all love bikes
Gas is expensive bla bla bla…. we all sound like broken records, but I do love this graphic via Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange which is a good reminder of just how great a bike is in a $4+ per gallon of gas economy. Plus there’s nothing better than riding your bike on a sunny summer morning.
Consumption, China and carbon emissions
I came across an interesting article on China and its carbon emissions this morning and it got me going. I’ve been trying to be a more conscious consumer for quite some time now, and I will be honestly and say that it’s pretty difficult. Leave it to Michael Pollan to change the way I grocery shop; I can’t even buy a piece of fruit without having an internal dialogue with myself about where the item came from. But food aside, clothes and electronics are even worse, and it turns out that the developed world’s obsession with cheap prices supported by the Chinese export industry are exactly what is leading to China’s extreme carbon emissions.
Here is an excerpt from the blog I wrote over at Wend:
“Economists now say that 1/3 of China’s carbon dioxide emissions can be attributed to the manufacturing of exported goods. That means that in 2005, 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted into the atmosphere just so that we in developed countries can continue consuming cheap goods.
Studies like these underline the importance of being a conscious consumer; choosing local and sustainable brands over the cheaper imported versions. True, it is difficult to live a 100% import-free lifestyle, but making an effort to support local businesses is a step in the right direction. This holds true for many goods, from surfboards to vegetables. And when you need a product that isn’t produced locally, the best is to seek out companies that are committed to running sustainable operations, and using sustainable materials, abroad.
It’s easy is to blame climate change on someone else, but what we should be doing is taking some personal responsibility. As the Olympic Games kick off and the question of pollution and air quality in Beijing remains an issue we should all be asking ourselves; just how much are we responsible for?”
As travelers and world citizens we need to be conscious about the effects we have not only on our immediate space, but the global space as well; our decisions affect not only ourselves but every human being on this planet. When we travel we interact and learn, making us more aware of our role in a global society; being a conscious consumer is just one of many important responsibilities of that role.
blog.annabrones.com 