Hair Soaks Up Oil Spill

The video above clearly demonstrates how different oil spills negatively impact our environment and how bundles of hair can clean up the oil spills.

Watch this video and discuss!

No Impact Man Movie

In this movie, Colin Beaver decides he wants to make the least impact on earth, aptly titled "No Impact Man". This movie is a documentary of his one-year journey. He first started by refusing to buy anything with plastic, then buying only local/organic foods, walking, biking and taking the stairs (even if it means meeting on the 42nd floor), and eventually turning off the power to his apartment, along with his baby daughter and couture-wearing, reality show addict and coffee-loving wife!

Is it really possible to make no net impact on the environment while living in a high-rise condo in New York City? In other words, no trash, no elevators, no subway, no air-conditioning, no refrigerator, no television . . .? Go rent the movie and see for yourself!

Be forewarned - while the movie is subtitled, the special features section, apparently consisting of educational instructional videos how to do this and that... isn't. That's the only disappointment I had with the movie.

Here's Colin's blog if you'd like to read more about him and his experiences... and his book, No Impact Man.

A successful Eco-Deaf Clothes Swap!

Many of the deaf women who showed up at this event discussed about how they benefited from the clothes exchange: They socialized, they met new people, they shared delicious food recipes and craft ideas, and their children made friends with and played with other children (and some even tried on clothes, see the little toddler trying on in front of mirror).



Not only did they get rid of unwanted clothes in their closet (Benefit #1), they went to a community event such as a clothing swap (Benefit #2), they find new items to bring back home without paying a penny (Benefit #3), and the pile of clothes that nobody takes--- are donated to charity (Benefit #4).

I decided to do a research about the difference between just going straight to the Thrift shop to drop/donate clothes and going to a clothes swap, here is what I found:

Only about one-fifth of the clothing donated to charities is directly used or sold in their thrift shops. “There are nowhere near enough people in America to absorb the mountains of castoffs, even if they were given away.”

That's why we all feel better that we've traded in almost half of the clothes we brought- so we can feel better about that 1/5th of the clothes that actually get re-used through thrift shops.

Another blog explains why the "consumerism of clothes buying" is hazardous to the environment:

1. Each time you rush to the shops to by a seasons worth of new clothes, that at the end of the season you will throw away because you are bored of them, you are creating damage to the environment.

2. Not only are you creating unnecessary waste which is likely to contribute to the growing problem of landfill but you are also increasing the environmental impact associated with clothing manufacture.

3. Synthetic textiles in landfill do not break down and so remain in the ecosystem.

4. Dyes and chemical finishes can also wash out with rain water into the water systems.

5. Even natural textiles cause environmental problems. When they break down they create methane which is a powerful green house gas.

6. There are a variety of other issues associated with the manufacture of new clothes including pesticide pollution and carbon footprints.

By swapping clothes you can help to reduce all of these. So EcoDeaf encourages you to do something like this in your home area!

Happy swapping (and hopefully, blogging about it!)

Going Green: Deaf Kids Share Ideas on How to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

Going Green! was the theme of an annual contest hosted by Gallaudet's Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. Over 645 entries were submitted from all over the USA and Canada from deaf and hard of hearing children and this online magazine shows their essay, art and photos of their ASL video submissions.

Hosting a Green contest means they need to walk their talk. And they did! They used soy ink and paper from sustainably managed forests that conserve biodiversity... they plant over 650 million new trees per year to keep forests thriving.... You go, Gallaudet!

Some snapshots of the winners below. Go see the full magazine yourself at this link. Enjoy- these Green deaf kids are our future!

Seattle Green Festival: THIS Weekend! June 5-6

THIS WEEKEND: Seattle Green Festival at the Washington State Convention Center,
June 5 - 6.

www.greenfestivals.org





Hundreds of exhibitors on
green living, purchasing, and investing, plus local/organic food court,
kids' activities, hands-on workshops, and more...

We have ASL interpreters scheduled for all mainstage speakers (including Amy
Goodman, David Korten, Adora Svitak, Bill Ayers, and more), plus
additional terps on-site for first-come/first-served interpretation at
the smaller stages, at the booths, etc.

Text Andrew at 202-321-1707
if you have any questions, and check in at the ASL table at the front of
the hall to schedule an interpreter for anything other than the
main-stage speakers.

Learn more at www.greenfestivals.org

Be Prepared to be RAWKED!~

Opening 2nd week of June 2010!!

Rawk Star Cafe
32522 US Hwy 19N
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
727-772-7295
www.rawkstarcafe.com

Eat Like a “Rawk” Star

Come in a check out our Raw-to-Go selection of conveniently pre-packaged Organic RAW-VEGAN Food Items …for ANY time of the day! We also have Hand-Crafted Raw Chocolates, Desserts and Snacks…ALL freshly made in house!! We make GOING GREEN easy …from the inside out!!

I'm PROUD of them and honored to be part of this shining moment! We will RAWK you!!~

Let's RAWK on!~

Clothes Swap - A Smart Way to be Green and Glam!

Old clothes shouldn't die. They should find new life with a proud new owner. How? By swapping clothes!

Clothes swap is a new eco-community trend that explores creative reuse through the recycling of used clothing.

Several of my friends and I are planning a Clothing Swap event next weekend in Austin, TX. We are hoping it will be successful. Planning to be in the area? Bring your unwanted clothes to Gateway Community Center on June 5th.

Not in the Lone Star state? Don't fret, there are many ways to become involved in this new trend:

One blog suggests how you can start doing this...

1. Declutter. Clean out your closet and find items to swap
2. Find. Find your buddies who are doing the same... and see if they all are interested in looking for events to swap clothes. Or create your own if you feel like you have enough buddies/people to attend. You can find through...
* View upcoming swaps in community bulletin boards
* Look up clothing swap in your area on this website
* Word of mouth (or hand)
* On Facebook or Twitter
3. Attend. Bring unwanted but fab items in great condition
4. Get pampered. Relax, mingle, and be creative which clothes would look good with those red shoes you just bought.
5. SWAP. Take home your favorites for FREE
6. Feel great. Relish new-to-you items and help a local charity
7. Share. Tell your story on EcoDeaf!

And, a video of what it looks like... (sorry, I tried to find captioned ones- but you can get basic idea from viewing this video).

Happy Swapping!

Fantasy Challenge! Show a Fantasy World at DeafNation World Expo

During the DeafNation World Expo in Las Vegas (July 18-23, 2010) this summer there will be an ASL entertainment contest for "Fantasy Night."

Elise "Lisi" Whitworth invites EcoDeaf readers to submit a video showing a fantasy of a thoroughly sustainable and healthy world/lifestyle. Are you up for the challenge of creating a piece that attracts attention to this fantasy? Information about this contest is at Fantasy Night Contest. Click on the link to learn how you can 1) gain 15 minutes of fame, 2) win $500, and 3) increase awareness about issues important to you and our world.

She insists, "Even if the eco fantasy video doesn't win, this would gain a lot of good exposure to issues and spread awareness as we get our audience to vote for Fantasy Night winners. I really hope someone submits something!"

Deadline for submission is Monday 5/31/10

When you submit your piece, let EcoDeaf know!!

Toilet paper roll: A new use!

Do you enjoy photography? Experimenting with new ways of taking pictures?

An EcoDeaf reader shares another use for an used toilet paper roll.

The toilet paper roll can be transformed into a photography tool by creating a pinhole in it and fastening it onto the lens of the camera. It can be taped onto the camera or held with your hand.

This will create a pinhole effect, focusing the viewer's attention to a specific element in the picture. It also can be used for vignetting by adjusting the image's brightness around the edges of the image

Experiment away!

Peak Oil - Visually Explained

Decyhpersmc shared the video of excellent summary on oil dependency on YouTube. This video explains how the production of oil and plastic materials are connected.

decyphersmc — April 26, 2008

"A quick 3 minute video visually explaining Peak Oil, what oil is used for, and what the future may hold with regards to Peak Oil. This is the culmination of my year-long thesis project looking at how Graphic Design can help communicate a complex topic such as Peak Oil."