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Sustainability: Things you can do

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Conversations, Opinions and Blogs
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What you can do

Challenges and pledges

Individual & Family Actions

  • General

    • 08-06-02: Take a Bite out of Climate Change
      Did you know? "One-third of the world's human-made greenhouse gas emissions come from food and agriculture."

    • 07-4-8: 51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment - The Global Warming Survival Guide | TIME
      Can one person slow global warming? Actually, yes. You—along with scientists, businesses and governments—can create paths to cut carbon emissions. Here is our guide to some of the planet's best ideas.

    • 07-4-1: This Land
      An Award-Winning Series
      "This Land" is an information series that extends its reach from the backyard to the back forty. It is a treasure-trove of information on ways that homeowners and farmers can protect their health and enhance the environment.
      For homeowners, this could mean cutting down on chemical use in the yard, managing yard waste and household waste, improving the indoor environment, and more. For farmers, it means finding ways to reduce soil erosion, cut chemical costs, and improve groundwater and surface water without sacrificing yields.

    • 07-4-1: The Simple Living Network
      Since 1996 The Simple Living Network has been providing resources, tools, examples and contacts for conscious, simple, healthy and restorative living. |We hope you enjoy your visit as you explore our Community Services and the hundreds of Resources for simple living featured in our on-line directory.

    • 07-3-25: Step It Up 2007 : Index
      This April 14th, tens of thousands of Americans will gather all across the country at meaningful, iconic places to call for action on climate change. We will hike, bike, climb, walk, swim, kayak, canoe, or simply sit or stand with banners of our call to action:

    • 07-3-25: An Inconvenient Truth > Take Action
      The average American generates about 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year from personal transportation, home energy use and from the energy used to produce all of the products and services we consume. CALCULATE YOUR PERSONAL IMPACT to see how much CO2 you produce each year.
       JOIN THE GLOBAL WARMING VIRTUAL MARCH at www.stopglobalwarming.org.
      You have the power to make a difference. Small changes to your daily routine can add up to big changes in helping to stop global warming.

    • 07-3-25: Top 50 Things To Do To Stop Global Warming
      Global warming is a dramatically urgent and serious problem. We don't need to wait for governments to solve this problem: each one of us can bring an important help adopting a more responsible lifestyle: starting from little, everyday things. It's the only reasonable way to save our planet, before it is too late.
      Here is a list of 50 simple things that everyone can do in order to fight against and reduce the Global Warming phenomenon: some of them are at no cost, some other require a little investment but can help you save a lot of money, in the middle-long term!

    • 07-3-8: PlayGreen – The green book that anyone can edit
      Playgreen, a wiki written by eco-conscious citizens and a panel of experts.

    • Getting2Zero - Working toward a sustainable future
      Great site. Much of my material comes from this site

    • Sustainable Living Handbook ~ F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods and Supplies
      Searchable online or downloadable

    • Home : ENERGY STAR
      Fed government: information on a wide variety of energy saving ideas, appliances, home improvements, etc.

  • Air Travel

  • Automobile

    • 07-3-27: Top Green Cars
      Top Green Cars is a online magazine that shows that going green doesn't mean going slow. It offers a unique perspective about all current technologies, alternative fuels, revolutionary concepts and cars that take environmental performance into account. Even if you are not an alternative energy enthusiast or don't think that green or hybrid cars are performant enough, subscribe our feeds, you may change your mind soon

    • Fuel Economy
      FIND AND COMPARE CARS...Gas mileage (MPG), greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information for new and used cars and trucks, Compare Side-by-Side, Search by Class

    • Car Talk
      Lots of tips on ways to save on fuel and gas emissions

    • American Cars Fuel Mileage Comparison
       

    • TerraPass | Prevent global warming, reduce carbon dioxide pollution, promote alternative energy
      Calculate your car's emissions:

    • EPA - OTAQ - Fuel Economy Impact Analysis of RFG
      Effect of various factors on fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions

    • California Cars Initiative for Plug-In Hybrids
      CalCars is a non-profit startup formed by entrepreneurs, engineers, environmentalists and consumers. Our projects tackle national security, jobs and global warming -- at the same time.
      We promote plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). PHEVs are like regular hybrids but with larger batteries and the ability to re-charge from a standard outlet (mostly at night). They're the best of both worlds: local travel is electric, and you always have a gas-tank backup.

    • Plug-In Partners
      Plug-In Partners is a national grass-roots initiative to dem-onstrate to automakers that a market for flexible-fuel Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) exists today.

    • School Bus Program, Bureau of Air Quality, Department of Environmental Protection
      School Bus idling

    • Hybrid Center: Hybrid Cars, Trucks, and Suvs
      Union of Concerned Scientists
      Above, you'll find a number of key consumer resources to find out how hybrid vehicles might fit into your lifestyle, detailed comparisons of hybrid technologies, reviews, and comments from current hybrid owners around the nation.
      The Tech Center delves into the details of hybrid vehicles so anyone can understand and appreciate the advantages of hybrids, and can differentiate a "full hybrid" from a "hollow hybrid."

    • 07-07: Enertia Bike - Home
      How do you get there? 
      There are a number of good transportation choices today. All of our choices have an impact on the future. Some might tell you that you need to do without...that the good times are over. That's not the way we see it. Have a close look at your new option, Enertia, then make your move. 
      Enertia is Momentum for Change.
      Visit our “Green Facts” section to see how the Enertia manages over four times the energy efficiency of the most popular hybrids and over twice the efficiency of an all-electric car. 

  • Cleaning

  • Electricity

    • Maine Green Power
      The Maine Green Power Connection helps you understand and buy green power in Maine.
      Clean Energy Maine is a statewide campaign to introduce Mainers to clean electricity from renewable resources.
      "Green power" is electricity generated from sustainable and clean energy sources.

    • DSIRE: DSIRE Home
      DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Choose one or both databases to search:

    • The Citizenrē Corporation
      Solar Power to rent: The Citizenrē REnU program is the first to give you the chance to adopt green energy in your home without having to make a huge investment.
      Our REnU program takes care of all the usual headaches and does it with the most attractive terms in the industry.

    • Skystream 3.7
      Residential Windpower

  • Disposal

  • Energy

    • 07-07: Wind Powering America: State Wind Resource Maps
      One of Wind Powering America's key activities for states is to provide validated state wind maps. Below is a color-coded map, which indicates which states have validated wind resource maps, which states are planned, and other wind maps that have not been validated. Click on a state to go to its wind resource map or you can use the drop down lists below to get to state wind resource maps.

    • 07-07: Wind Energy Resource Atlas of the United States
      List of Maps

  • Food

    • 08-05-02: Eat Low Carbon Diet Calculator - Bon Appétit Management Company
      Low Carbon Diet Calculator, Eat Low Diet Carbon, Carbon Calculator, Bon Appétit Management Company The Bon Appétit Management Company Low Carbon Diet Calculator is designed to allow you to compare the relative carbon impacts of your food choices.

    • CSA Farms near Brunswick, Maine
      Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) aims to use sustainable agricultural practices to provide you with locally grown foods for your table. By becoming a shareholder at a CSA, you build a relationship with the people who grow your food, the land on which it was grown, and ultimately with the food you put on your table. Community supported agriculture provides a marketing method for small, local farmers using sustainable practices to deliver their foods more directly to the locals who will eat them.
      The advantages of CSA include
      higher quality food,
      less energy spent on transportation and packaging,
      organic farming practices that eliminate harmful pesticides and fertilizers that contaminate our food supply,
      humane treatment of animals, and
      the opportunity to eat foods raised in harmony with your local environment.

    • Deciphering Food Expiration Dates

    • 07-5-7: Eat Well Guide :: Home
      Welcome to the Eat Well Guide, the easiest and most comprehensive way for you to find wholesome, fresh, sustainable food in the US and Canada. Find food in your neighborhood and when you travel that is healthful, humane, better for the environment, and that supports family farmers. If you would like to read more about sustainable food, please visit our New to the Eat Well Guide.

    • 07-5-7: Sustainable Table
      Every day, more and more consumers are shopping smarter, eating healthier, and enjoying an abundance of fresh, locally-grown products. Sustainable Table was created to celebrate this fast-growing, dynamic movement, to educate consumers on food-related issues, and to help build community through food.
       Today’s dominant form of agriculture relies on synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, large amounts of water, major transportation systems and factory-style practices for raising livestock and crops.  Artificial hormones in milk, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, mad cow disease, and large-scale outbreaks of potentially deadly e.coli are all associated with this industrial form of food production.

    • Oceans Alive - Best & Worst Seafood Choices
      Best & Worst Seafood Choices Our guide can help you choose fish that are healthy for the oceans and safe to eat. (Learn about seafood and your health and fish to avoid.)
      Green text indicates fish that are both high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in environmental contaminants.
      Red text indicates fish that are high in mercury or PCBs (see individual fish pages for more information).

    • Monterey Bay Aquarium: Seafood Watch Program - A Consumer's Guide to Sustainable Seafood
      Your seafood choices make a difference! Our Seafood Guides help you make choices that are good for you and good for the oceans.

    • Welcome to the Marketing Pages of the Maine Department of Agriculture
      Find information about and locate Maine farms, apples, maple products and more

    • Welcome to KidsGardening! Garden Resources, Gardening for Families, Teacher's Garden and Shopping for Gardening

    • Local Harvest / Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food
      The best organic food is what's grown closest to you. Use our website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.
       Note: At this time they only have a place in Jonesport

    • 07-3-6: Drink tap water; bottled water requires a lot of oil for manufacturing and transportation

      • Water Filter Comparisons - Compare Water Filters From Amway, Aquasana, Brita, Pur, Culligan, Kennmore
        We have compiled data on what we feel are the top 10 leading brands on the market today and created a standard format that can be used to rate these or any home water treatment product. We've based this comparison on each product's initial purchase price, the quality of the water it produces and the ongoing costs related to usage.
        Only "certified" performance claims were considered in our reviews. All of the brands listed in our "top ten" comparison have received certification by either WQA (Water Quality Association), NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and/or the CA Department Of Health Services, all of which require significant documentation of performance claims

  • Heating/cooling
    Solar Contractors

    • Energyworks L.L.C. - Renewable and Efficient Energy Systems
      As fossil fuel supplies dwindle and the health of our environment becomes a growing concern, more Mainers will be looking towards alternatives to meet their energy needs. Some will look to the sun, some will look to forests, and others will use cleaner burning fossil fuels as efficiently as possible.

    • Making Solar Current™ | Ascendant Energy
      Solar provides the solution to our energy, environmental, and economic needs now. Daily, the sun delivers clean electricity, hot water, space heating and cooling that lets everyone lock-in today's energy prices forever.
      Ascendant Energy brings solar to a higher plane by developing roof tops, parking areas, and other underutilized real estate. Using innovative technology and financing, Ascendant is making solar current.

    • Assured Solar Energy - "Energy as sure as sunrise"
      Assured Solar Energy is a solar design and installation company located in North Yarmouth, Maine serving homeowners and businesses in Maine and New Hampshire.
      We offer domestic hot water heating systems, pool/ hot tub hot water supply, air, space, photovoltaic, commercial ventilation and process heating systems.  We seek to match your project with the best technology available on the market today.

    • SWNL Solar Winds Northern Lights
      Renewable Energy Consultants

    Supplies

    Coops

    Maine Solar Rebate Info

    • Maine State Energy Program - Solar Program
      Funds are still available for solar thermal systems, however, the photovoltaic money has been totally reserved through the end of the program in 2008. There are no funds available for new PV systems.
      Governor Baldacci’s Solar Initiative was signed into law on June 29th, 2005. The Solar Energy Rebate Program applies to solar electric and thermal energy systems purchased after July 1, 2005. The Maine Public Utilities Commission Rule Chapter 930 governs implementation of the Act.

  • Housing

    • Climate Change and Sustainability: Carbon Neutral Prius
      TC Hazard describes his almost carbon neutral home

    • ~ Zero Carbon House ~
      The Zero Carbon House is a low energy demonstration project to show how renewable energy can create a unique living experience on a remote island in a severe climate. A holistic approach has been taken to eliminating household carbon emissions that would normally result from heating and powering the home, running the family car and growing and transporting food.
      The house is based on a standard design from a timber frame company. Timber is a low embodied energy, renewable material that will be sourced from Scotland to minimize transportation costs and impacts.

    • Getting2Zero - Working toward a sustainable future
      Great site. Much of my material comes from this site

    • The Home Energy Saver
      The first web based energy audit
      Investing in a home on your street could be more profitable than investing on Wall Street.

    • Determine your carbon footprint with a carbon calculator

      • Maine Home Performance
        The Maine Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® (MaineHP) Program links Maine homeowners with qualified and certified contractors who provide one-stop-shop access to a whole-house approach to:
        reducing energy bills; improving comfort; improving the safety; reducing maintenance costs; improving the health of occupants of buildings

      • The Conservation Fund - Go ZeroSM
        Climate change has become the most pressing environmental issue of this century. But while most Americans agree that we must do something, the challenge seems too great, too complicated for any one of us to make a difference -- until now.
        The Conservation Fund has launched a new program that makes it easy and affordable for individuals, corporations, or even entire communities to Go ZeroSM by measuring and then offsetting their carbon dioxide emissions – simply by planting trees.

      • Welcome to NativeEnergy's Life Style Calculator
        The SafeClimate carbon footprint calculator allows you to determine carbon dioxide emissions from major sources: home energy consumption and transportation by car and plane.

    • Efficiency Maine
      Efficiency Maine is a statewide effort to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs, and improve Maine's environment. Efficiency Maine is funded by electricity consumers and administered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission).
      If you are a Maine resident or own a business in Maine and want to know what programs are available, please look at the Programs and click on the area that best suits your interest.

    • 07-3-8: Underground living
      For an idea of the future direction of architecture look down at your feet. One day you may unsuspectingly be walking on top of housing, offices and even cities.

    • Green Home Building: Index
      Welcome to greenhomebuilding.com where you can find a wide range of information about sustainable architecture and natural building. As an example of natural building, the image at the upper left was taken during the construction of the earthbag house that has served as the home for greenhomebuilding.com and Kelly and Rosana Hart, your hosts.
      The reason for building greener homes is really quite important. We need to live more lightly on the earth, because the degradation of our environment is compromising not only our survival, but the survival of most other living beings on the planet. We can no longer ignore the impact we have on the earth's ecosystems. The way we live, the choices we make in providing for our needs, will have an enormous influence on the quality of life of those who will follow us. Now is the time to take responsibility for the consequences of our life styles!

  • Waste

    • 07-3-2: freecycletopshamme : FreecycleTopshamME
      Freecycle (TM) TopshamME Freecycle Network, where one person's trash is another's treasure!
      FreecycleTopshamME serving Sagadahoc County, Brunswick and surrounding towns in Maine. If you are nearby, please join us!
      Connect with people who are throwing away items you want, or who want what you have to throw away -- and have fun in the process! No item is too big or too small; but since this is a FREEcycle list, all items must be 100% FREE. Who can participate? Any individual, group or business. Simply join to post, include your Zip Code in your reason for joining.
      Freecycle...one simple idea that's changing the world one gift at a time.
      The TopshamME Freecycle Network is modeled after the Tucson Freecycle Network, the original Freecycle. Find out more about the VERY fast-growing international movement at Freecycle.org and spread the word!

    • RecycleBank - Philadelphia
      Maybe we could get one of these started in our community

    • Save a tree

  • Water

    • H2ouse: Water Saver Home
      Home Tour: Take the tour to investigate your water saving opportunities in each area of your home. Click on each location to show you both the facts and specific advice.
      Check out the Top 5 Actions to discover some of the best ways to save water in and around your home.
      How much water are you using at your home? The Water Budget Calculator will help you find out!
      Visit the Garden Guide to find inspiration for beautiful water conserving gardens.

    • Well Water Quality
      Different agencies within the State of Maine provide information on well water safety.  Use this page to link to the right agencies.

    • water meter
      Where is the meter?; How do I read it?; Checking for leaks; Monitoring/budgeting water use

  • More lists and tips

  • Reference

    •  Energy Power Shift
      The author explores exciting new technologies available today that will revitalize local communities: creating 6.5 million NEW jobs that cannot be outsourced; eliminating the need for foreign oil; eliminating nuclear power plants; eliminating toxic dumping and landfills; reduce reliance on the electrical grid; enhance homeland security

    • Low-Impact Living Initiative
      Low-Impact Living Initiative (LILI) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help people reduce their impact on the environment, improve their quality of life, gain new skills, live in a healthier and more satisfying way, have fun, and save money
      practical things you can do to reduce your impact on the environment

    • NRDC: OnEarth Magazine, Spring 2007 - Get Up! Stand Up!
      How to Build a Mass Movement to Halt Climate Change by Bill Mckibben

    • EcoIQ.com: Environmental Communication, Education & Media
      What We Do. EcoIQ.com exists to support and promote a transition to sustainability. Our sites are approaching two million page visitors annually from more than 100 countries. We provide media and educational products and services, and we focus on the strategies, tactics and tools needed by leaders, educators, and advocates working for sustainability. If you would like to be involved - as a speaker, journalist, author, videographer, photographer, or webmaster - contact us here.

    • Union of Concerned Scientists
       

Organizations helping you promote sustainability

  • 07-3-21: Maine Environmental Citizens Online
    JOIN Maine ECO (Environmental Citizens Online)!
    Here's your chance to join with hundreds of other like-minded Mainers making their voices heard when there is an important environmental decision to be made by policymakers. Leaders from local, statewide, and national organizations, all working to protect Maine's natural treasures and quality of life, work together to provide members with up-to-date information about these issues and how you can make a difference. Maine ECO provides a powerful means for getting our collaborative message to elected officials, administrative decision makers, and industry leaders -- quickly, easily and effectively!

  • 07-3-21: Protect Maine Families — Home Page
    Every day, Maine families use products that expose us to hazardous toxic chemicals. Toys, televisions, water bottles, cooking pans, cosmetics — these are just a few of the thousands of products that contain hazardous chemicals that threaten the health of Maine families.Learning problems, autism, breast cancer, asthma — these and other health problems are all on the rise. Scientists have linked exposure to toxic chemicals to 180 different diseases and conditions. Toxins in the environment are among the causes of these critical health problems that can be prevented!

  • 07-3-21: Environmental Health Strategy Center — Action Alerts
    Keep Deca Out of Our Kids!
    * ACT NOW to help prevent learning disabilities -
    Does making fire-retardant products require endangering our children’s health? We don’t think so. And neither does the Maine Department of Environmental Protection or the Maine Fire Protection Services Commission.

  • 07-3-21: Maine Conservation Voters Education Fund - Welcome!
    Welcome to Protect Maine, the website of the Maine Conservation Voters Education Fund. Here you will find useful information on how to make your voice heard on behalf of Maine's natural resources.
    Protect Maine Families Project
    Every day, Maine families use products that expose us to hazardous toxic chemicals. Find out how to protect your family.
    Environment 2006: A Candidates' Forum
    on a variety of environmental issues. Read the candidates' responses.

  • 07-3-21: MaineWomen.org
    The Maine Women's Policy Center was founded in 1990 to improve the economic, social, and political status of women and girls in Maine through public policy and leadership development.
    The Maine Women's Policy Center is committed to systemic change. For sixteen years we have organized, trained, and supported women to effectively participate in the policy-making process. We have consistently backed up women's real life experiences with research and facts, and partnered with our sister organization, the Maine Women's Lobby, to amplify their concerns in the legislature and develop policy solutions that address their needs. We especially seek to serve those women who are underrepresented in the formation of public policy - particularly rural women and women with low incomes.

  • 07-3-21: Maine Environmental Policy Institute
    The mission of the Maine Environmental Policy Institute (MEPI) is to help Mainers understand the importance of healthy ecosystems to their families and communities. The Institute, an independent nonprofit organization based in Hallowell, Maine, is dedicated to researching environmental challenges facing the state and reporting this research to policy makers and the public. MEPI has received the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence and the Sierra Club's Environmental Media Award.

  • 07-3-21: Citizen Salon
    Citizen Salon is an informal exercise involving the sharing of political and cultural information in an open, comfortable environment. The past, present and future of our democratic experiment will be discussed with invited artists, activists, writers, and researchers. Events are open to all global citizens.
    We currently offer a comfortable space in which to discuss current events, local, national and global issues. In the Zero Station space, feel free to bring your laptop to come use the free WiFi and catch up on the blogs or write letters to your Senators and Congressmen. Peruse the library of over 150 titles and growing.

  • 07-3-21: Maine State Legislature - Home
    Leadership, Members, Committees, OPEGA, Constitutional Officers
    Legislative Council Members, Schedules, Meeting Summaries
    Legislative Council Non-Partisan Staff Offices, Employment Information
    Various publications, including legislation, statutes, Legislative Record, guides, reports and handbooks.
    Find your Legislators, Ask-A-Librarian, Session Information, Executive Director's Office

  • 07-3-21: State of Maine Legislature Bill Status Search
    Search by committee, subject, LR number, or other variables, click on Advanced Search.

  • 07-3-21: Maine House of Representatives: List of Representatives
    Members of the Maine House of Representatives with biographies

  • 07-3-21: Maine Senator Index
    Members of the Maine Senate with biographies

  • 07-3-21: Maine Legislature: List of Joint Committees
     

  • 07-3-21: Maine.gov: Official Web Site of the State of Maine
     

 

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Last edited on 08/01/2008