Why Don't You..Schedule a Yearly Tune-Up for your Lawnmower?

Keeping your lawnmower in good working order will cut emissions by up to 50 percent and reduce fuel consumption by 30%. Most local hardware or home improvement stores offer lawnmower tune-up services.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

NASA Visualization Shows Global Temperature Changes



Where did 2011 stand in comparison to global temperatures from past years?
NASA recently released a visualization that depicts global temperature changes since 1880. Although nine of the 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 2000, 2011 was only the ninth warmest year on record, according to NASA.
The world's average temperature in 2011 was 0.92 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the mid-20th century baseline period of 1951 to 1980, NASA's press release explained.
James E. Hansen, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, said, "We know the planet is absorbing more energy than it is emitting. So we are continuing to see a trend toward higher temperatures. Even with the cooling effects of a strong La Niña influence and low solar activity for the past several years, 2011 was one of the 10 warmest years on record."
There is some disagreement over 2011's ranking, however. NOAA scientists arrived at the same temperature data, but have ranked 2011 as the 11th warmest year on record.
According to the Associated Press, 2011, which was slightly cooler because of La Niña, was still "hotter than every year last century except 1998."
Tom Karl, director of NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, explained that a cooler year did not mean overall trends of rising temperatures would necessarily change. "It would be premature to make any conclusion that we would see any hiatus of the longer-term warming trend," he said. "Global temperatures are continuing to increase."
Earlier this month, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moved the symbolic "Doomsday Clock" one minute closer to midnight. The decision to move the clock to five minutes to midnight reflects, among other things, growing global disruptions due to climate change.
Below, see NASA's visualizations of global temperature differences since 1880. Scroll down for video. Image and video courtesy of NASA.




Thursday, January 26, 2012

Interested in Volunteering?


Sign up for Team Works and you could be spending one Saturday a month making a real difference.
team
Team Works
Volunteer projects: Sats 2/11, 3/10, 4/14 & 5/12, 10am - 2pm (unless noted)
Kick-off party: Tues 2/7, 7pm
$35
 (includes t-shirt, kick-off and thank you events)
A perfect fit if you're looking to volunteer, meet some cool people and have fun all at once! Sign up for Team Works and you'll volunteer once a month with the same group of 15 peers - giving you a chance to get to know each other. Often times, Team Captains plan outside social events for the team too.
Projects are held at four different community organizations, to give you a variety of tasks and issue areas to impact with your volunteer service.
Teams and their volunteer projects:http://www.seattleworks.org/SW_TeamWorks_Teams
team
Can't commit to four projects?
We get it - you're busy! Start out with a Hot Project instead. These are one-time volunteer opportunities that can fit into your busy schedule.
Check out the calendar and sign up when you can:http://www.seattleworks.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Calendar_Page

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Endangered Animals Caught on Camera!

From The Huffington Post

With so many endangered animals in the world, one man is using his trade to educate people and make an impact.
Joel Sartore, a National Geographic photographer, has been traveling around the country with his son, Cole, photographing endangered zoo animals.
Joel explained to NPR, "The goal of this project is to get people to look these things in the eye before they go extinct. Not everything I shoot is rare, but a lot is." He estimates that there are 6,000 animal species in zoos and aquarium and he has already photographed almost one third of them.
This month, Joel is visiting several zoos with the hope that he can add at least 25 more species to his project. He explained on his National Geographic blog that photographing animals in front of black or white backgrounds is important to his project. He writes, "This black-and-white background technique gives all species equal weight and importance."
Joel also sees the human connection to endangered species. He writes, "It would be a crime to doom even one of these species to extinction. It may also threaten our very existence. It is folly to think that we can doom everything else to extinction but that we'll be just fine."
Although Joel's work has been titled the "Biodiversity Project," he is looking for help to rename it.According to his blog, the current title "is a mouthful, and he's looking for a catchier name that better conveys what he's trying to do."
Check out National Geographic's Field Test blog to help Joel think of a new name for his project. For more information about the Biodiversity Project and to see more of Joel's photos, visit his website.

Below, check out photos from Joel's project. Scroll down for video.
Damaraland mole rat at the Houston Zoo. This species is one of only two eusocial mammals, with members of colonies all serving specific roles, much like bees.

West Usambara two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia multituberculata) at the Houston Zoo
A Prevost's squirrel (Callosciurus prevostii) named 'Walnut' at the Houston Zoo.
A giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) at the Sunset Zoo.

Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) at the Houston Zoo.


Blue spiny lizard (Sceloporus serrifer) at the Houston Zoo.


Monday, January 23, 2012

University of Washington Named Greenest College In America

Thank you Nadine for sending this over!!!





Written by Melissa Hincha-Ownby
Sierra magazine’s fifth annual Cool Schools list is out, and the University of Washington takes the top spot with a score of 81.2. The University of Washington climbed up from number four last year to oust Green Mountain College from the first-place spot.
Sierra magazine recognized several different eco-conscious programs in place at the school including the University of Washington’s green building program. Every new building completed since 2006 has earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Other green features recognized by Sierra magazine include the use of EnergyStar appliances, the school’s use of renewable energy and a comprehensive campus recycling program.
Poultney, Vermont-based Green Mountain College, last year’s greenest college, came in just behind the University of Washington with a score of 81.1 out of 100. Green programs in place at the school include a renewable energy program courtesy of Central Vermont Cow Power — yes, cow power. The company captures the biogas from cow manure and converts it into usable energy.
The University of California at San Diego (UCSD) earned the number three spot this year, climbing up from number 15 on the Cool Schools 2010 list. UCSD’s generous use of solar energy helped the school snag a top three ranking this year.
While these three colleges should be commended for their eco-friendly commitments, the entire top 10 list deserves recognition.
Sierra’s 2011 Top 10 Coolest Schools:
  1. University of Washington (Seattle, Wash.)
  2. Green Mountain College (Poultney, Vt.)
  3. University of California, San Diego (San Diego, Calif.)
  4. Warren Wilson College (Asheville, N.C.)
  5. Stanford University (Stanford, Calif.)
  6. University of California, Irvine (Irvine, Calif.)
  7. University of California, Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
  8. University of California, Davis (Davis, Calif.)
  9. Evergreen State College (Olympia, Wash.)
  10. Middlebury College (Middlebury, Vt.)
The 2011 Cool Schools list was created after 118 different schools responded to Sierra magazine’s 12-page eco questionnaire. The survey included questions in 10 different categories, with a maximum of 10 points available in each category: energy supply, efficiency, food, academics, purchasing, transportation, waste management, administration, financial investments and other initiatives.
For more information on the top 10 schools or to see how your alma mater ranked, visit Sierra’s 2011 Coolest Schools information page.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Free Green Friday Deals!

 
     Choose between a Green Irene Kitchen Cleaner or Lotus Moon Sunscreen

 
 
GreenDeals | Connecting Green Businesses and Green Consumers | Powered by Green America
About | Advertise | Green America | Contact Us

30 Story Hotel Completely Built and Finished in Fifteen Days, on New Years Eve (Amazing Video)

from TreeHugger.com article copied straight from website. 


If you do nothing else, watch this video--it really is amazing!! Built Green and super safe!



As an architect, I find this completely amazing. Before the Olympics we showed the Ark Hotel erected in six days, but it had nothing on this 170,000 square foot, 30 story hotel that was turnkeyed in 360 hours. It completely changes the way buildings are constructed and, I believe, is about to change the entire industry.
Broad Sustainable Construction/Video screen capture
I have followed the Broad Corporation for years at TreeHugger, as they became the world's largest producer of air conditioning equipment. This prefabricated building system works much like the Kenner Girder and panel building set of my childhood; completely wired, plumbed, tiled and drywalled prefabricated sections are dropped on top of the columns that come complete with diagonal bracing, and then another column is stuck on top.
Broad Sustainable Construction/Video Screen Capture
Even the floor tiles are put on in the factory.
Broad Sustainable Construction/Video Screen Capture
All of the other components they need for that particular slab, the walls, the interior finishes, are lifted together with the slab, so there is no separate shipping of drywall or studs, everything you need is right there. What a difference this would make in work flow on a construction site.
Broad Sustainable Construction/Video Screen Capture
It really is incredibly clever; because that column stub is built into the slab panel they can just pile panels on top of column instead of trying to fit them in between a structural frame, the more conventional approach. Those diagonal braces give it the strength and rigidity it needs when building with so many shorter pieces.
Broad Sustainable Construction/Video Screen Capture
Wrap the whole thing in a six inch thick prefab skin and you have a building that claimed to be five times more energy efficient. (than what, they don't say). A heat recovery ventilation system delivers what is claimed to be 20 times purer air.
Kenner girder and panel set/Promo image
When I was a kid I used to play with systems like this, but never thought that they would actually become real some day. The implications of this are significant; construction is just about the only industry that has not been exported. But now the Broad Sustainable Building Corporation has designed a system that will let them build anywhere, to construction tolerances of +/- 0.2 mm. The architectural and construction world just changed.
Follow me on Twitter and Friend me on Facebook

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Your 2nd Fridge is Costing You

If saving electricity and cleaning out your garage are on your new year's resolutions list, Seattle City Light can help you check off two with our Refrigerator Recycling program. 

They'll haul away your old, working refrigerator or freezer for free, and give you $30! Plus you'll have an annual savings of about $150 in electricity costs. Make an appt. today for FREE haul away by calling 206-233-COLD or visiting www.seattle.gov/refrigerator  

You can get info on all of Seattle City Light's residential rebates here.  

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Thank You Facilities for the New Lighting!!!



As many of you may have noticed building B and D recently were retro-fitted with all new lighting. This involved removing the T-12 linear fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts and installing low wattage 25 Watt T-8 lamps with electronic ballasts.

We are now saving 37,530 KWH and $3,386.00 PER YEAR!


Thank you Lisa for heading this up, greeening up our offices and giving us excellent lighting to work under!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Welcome BACK Heather Ponder!!!

Oh I'm so excited to announce Heather Ponder will be returning to PlayGreen! Super exciting! Heather has previously brought lots of fresh new fun ideas to our little team and I'm sure this time around will be no different!

WELCOME HEATHER!!!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Welcome Erica Tawney!!!

Erica first approached PlayGreen a few months ago with this crazy composting idea and we loved it and her so we asked her to step in and join us!

She did and we are so excited to have her on the team! Big plans are brewing....

WELCOME ERICA!!!!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

2012 Green Goals: 12 Things You Must Do In The New Year

Article submitted by: Juan Rosales
Copied from Huffington Post



Year after year, losing weight and quitting smoking top most New Year's resolution lists.
But as we leave 2011 behind, a year that was filled with extreme weather and further disturbing evidence of human-induced climate change, why not add some green goals to your resolution list this January? Earth911.com offers a list of 12 green things that must be done in 2012. Check out what you can do this year to reduce your environmental impact, and click here to offer your own green resolution.
Tips and captions courtesy of Amanda Wills from Earth 911.


1. Replace single-use batteries in your camera with rechargeables


Over the holidays, you may have noticed that your camera eats up battery life faster than Takeru Kobayashi chows down 10 hot dogs. You can save a lot of energy (and money) by making the switch to rechargeable batteries. Sure, the upfront cost will be higher, but it will pay for itself in just three photo-worthy events.
READ: Single-use vs. Rechargeable Batteries
Photo courtesy of Flickr: poppydean



2. Make the switch to CFLs or LEDs already


While the actual details of the "light bulb ban" are still up in the air, there's no question that switching out your incandescent light bulb for a CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) or the even more efficient LED (light-emitting diode) will save energy and a ton of money for you in the long run. Incandescents turn just 2-10 percent of the energy they use into useful light, releasing the rest as waste heat. However, a CFL will save about $30 over its lifetime; pays for itself in about 6 months and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent. Seventy-four percent of Americans have already made the switch, so go ahead and jump on the bandwagon.
READ: Yes, You Pay More for CFLs, But Are They Worth It?


3. Replace one grocery item with a local or organic option


With the sagging economy, we know most people won't be starting 2012 with extra cash in the checking account. Don't get us wrong, eating all organic and local is ideal, but it's simply not feasible for a lot of us. Instead, chose one staple food that you purchase weekly and replace it with a local or organic option. Not sure where to start? Check out the list of the dirty dozen food items that you should buy organic. SEE: Your Guide to Local Winter Produce
Photo courtesy of Flickr:Wonderlane



4. Install a programmable thermostat


This is a great time to take advantage of the after-Christmas deals at that big-box chain retailer. Buying a programmable thermostat can save you some serious cash on your energy bills because it's a smarter way to heat your home. If used properly, programmable thermostats can save you up to $180 per year in energy costs, according to the EPA. Set the temperature to about 60 degrees during the work day and program the thermostat to reach your desired temperature about an hour before you get home.
READ: Home Weatherizing Tips for Renters and Owners



5. Go vegetarian for just one meal this week


Vegetarian Weeks were all the rage in 2011, but you don't have to cut out meat for seven days to make a difference. The average American consumes around 250 pounds of meat a year. Eating one vegetarian meal per week will save about 35 pounds of meat a year - that's 84,000 gallons of water, 245 pounds of grain and 15.5 gallons of gasoline.
SEE: 5 Low-Waste, Skinny Waste Vegetarian Recipes
Photo courtesy of Flickr:Hanataro



6. Download Earth911′s iRecycle app for iPhone or Android


Yes, we're tooting our own horn a bit, but the iRecycle app is a must-have for 2012. iRecycle can tell you how, where and when to recycle just about anything. Using your current location, ZIP code, address or city, get access to vital details for collection points, such as website, phone number, directions, hours of operation and other materials collected. It's also great for reading the latest news on living a green, healthy life. The best part is that it is completely free!
DOWNLOAD: iRecycle for iPhone and Android
Photo courtesy of Flickr:kennymatic



7. Clean out your garage of hazardous waste


Now that you have the iRecycle app (yes, we know you stopped reading this just to download it), put it to good use! Clear out some space in the garage or basement by finally getting rid of old paint cans, motor oil containers and other household hazardous waste (HHW). Hey, you actually can fit two cars in your two-car garage.
READ: Tips for Cleaning Out Your Garage
Photo courtesy of Flickr:Audin



8. Start just one DIY reuse project


If you're a regular reader of Earth911, you know we love cool reuse projects for the novice DIYer. From magazines and board games, to sports jerseys and food packaging, there is surely an activity to whet your appetite for some final creative exercise for the end of the year.
SEE: Reuse Ideas for Leftover Holiday Cards, Gift Wrap
Photo courtesy of Flickr:faungg



9. Shop for the materials to start your compost


2012 is your year. Stop procrastinating and make composting your New Year's resolution. Lucky for you, we're not asking that you get the whole thing started before Sunday. Instead, take it one step at a time and gather the items that you will need to get it going in January. The most important purchase you'll make for this project is your bin. Figure out where you want to place your compost first, then plan your bin accordingly. Use a covered or automatic bin for a compost in the garage or kitchen. For piles in the yard, an outdoor bin is your best bet. You'll also need a tarp to keep it covered in the winter. After that, start collecting your scraps! Here's what you can throw in the pile.
SEE: Guide to Composting in the Winter
Photo courtesy of Flickr:SuperFantastic



10. Learn how to hypermile for your commute to work


In 2009, we learned all about the concept of hypermiling, and it does make a difference even if you don't own a hybrid car. Hypermiling is simply making skillful changes in the way you drive so as to conserve fuel. You can get 35 percent better fuel mileage out of your current vehicle, no new purchase necessary. (Psst, if you don't own a car, see Tip #11.)
READ: Tips on Hypermiling
Photo courtesy of Flickr:dennis



11. Learn the public transportation routes in your city


For urbanites, owning a car (or driving your car everywhere) isn't really necessary. Take your weekend to study the bus or subway routes in your city. Getting to work without using your car or hopping in a cab may be easier than you think. Even better, learn the route to your New Year's Eve party - no designated driver necessary! If you live in one of the major cities in the U.S., HopStop is a handy tool to get you started.
READ: How to Carpool Anywhere for the Holidays
Photo courtesy of Flickr:Cem K. (iyiinsan)



12. Make a green resolution for the new year


Quitting cigarettes, losing weight and eating healthier should top your list of resolutions, but set some time aside to think about how you can make a difference for the environment in 2012. Over the past 12 months, we've written about some incredible people who have done great things for their local communities. So, browse our archives for inspiration and copy some of their genius ideas. Have a Happy New Year!