Carnival of the Green #7

Welcome to Carnival of the Green #7!

Ho, Ho, Ho…..

I am happy to be hosting this week’s carnival!

I have been thoroughly enjoying the carnival since its beginning. It’s a great way to read others’ blogs and learn about green stuff.
Thank you to the Carnival’s previous host, Jen’s Green Journal, whose Big Top Show inspired the way I organized this week’s Carnival.

This is a special reminder that the next Carnival of the Green (#8)
is TWO weeks from now–January 2–at Suhit Anantula.

And now…..on with the show (or snow, depending on where you are)!

Holiday Eats

The past several years Tom and I have purchased a certified organic turkey for holiday cooking, basically to satisfy our meat-eating boys who haven’t yet taken the plunge into vegetarianism like the old folks. City Hippy talks turkey for christmas, organic, free range turkey sourced as locally as possible to be precise.

Gift Giving

~ for the holidays:

Triple Pundit suggests that one of the best holiday gifts you can give this year is the gift of carbon neutrality – check out TerraPass or Drive Neutral and pick up a few certificates to offset the emissions of your friend’s cars.

~ in general:

The North Carolina Conservation Network provides a list of the best green gifts they have given over the years. They would like visitors to add to their list.

~ for disaster relief victims:

Greener Magazine offers a review of electric space heaters as part of the program that Oxfam has partnered with ReviewCenter.com to raise much needed funds for Mid Eastern Earthquake relief. Every product submitted that is published generates a donation of £50 to Oxfam.

Beginning a New Year

As we prepare for the birth of 2006,Urban Eco, eco-friendly products for city dwellers, reminds us that even though there will still be issues like global warming and superfunds, their blog will continue to focus on green ideas for folks living in cities and there will still be all the great green blogs from which to get information and ideas. So, onward!

Issues

Our Precious Planet:

Obviously the connection between health and the environment is a strong one, and not just from a pollution standpoint. Daniel Rhoads of A Concerned Scientist comments briefly on the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment. He discusses the latest ecosystem assessment, as yet another important item to keep in mind when considering sustainability and environmental politics.

Initially concerned about casualties from the Hemel Hempstead oil depot fire of December 11th, Horticultural addresses the impact on the soil and our health as a result. She will continue to follow reports on how likely the toxicity of the soot will be to humans and their gardens.

Most of us have been approached by folks on the street wanting to give you printed material on any number of issues – from items for sale to environmental issues. Philobiblon offers a short but sweet post on the conflict between humanitarian and environmental impulses.

Commentary on negotiations for a climate change treaty can be found at Thoughts from Kansas, who points out that government officials want to dismiss the existing international treaty and subsequent protocols built upon it, so that, according to chief U.S. negotiator Harlan L. Watson, new programs and technology initiatives can be developed to address the issue.
The post explains the benefits of international intiatives, such as in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating a global climate of commitment to practices for a healthier planet.

Wind farms and the future: Josh also posts about a new wind farm in Kansas that offers a glimpse at the energy industry of tomorrow.

People Power:

Beginning with the eyes of the town residents of Alston, a hamlet perched in England’s Pennine mountains,Grist takes a facetious look at the dilemma of declining rural populations and the challenges that lie ahead for aging nations.
Around the world, a demographic shift is under way, with people having fewer children. The resulting population decrease could — more than hybrid cars or wind farms or policy shifts — be our best hope for the salvation of the planet.
Eventually.

Technology:

Is technology a sustainability issue? You bet. And it’s not just for “techie geeks”. Agroblogger is
developing an online community around the idea of Open Source Appropriate Technology, to gauge interest and to get the ball rolling in the sustainable blogosphere. Part I of the post provides a nice easy to understand history of this technology while part II offers an explanation of what other systems the open source model can be applied.

That’s All Folks ~ Parting Thoughts and Holiday Wishes

The Carnival of the Green was established by Triple Pundit and City Hippy. For more information on posting or hosting, check out their carnival launch posts: City Hippy and Triple Pundit.

Tom and I will be flying from our home in Utah to visit family in Maryland over the winter break. We make that trip two times per year – flying at the holidays and driving in the summer. Since I travel this much, I would be interested in seeing some information on our blogs about green travel and companies that provide the most green friendly services and have practices that prove a company commitment to a healthier planet.

Remember – the Carnival will return in TWO weeks ~ January 2, 2006!
Have a very happy chrismaramadakwanzakkuhstice!