Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover

"Greenwashing is the practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service, technology or company practice.

Greenwashing can make a company appear to be more environmentally friendly than it really is. It can also be used to differentiate a company's products or services from its competitors by promising more efficient use of power or by being more cost-effective over time." 

(Get to source by clicking the word Greenwashing)

I stumbled upon a website about greenwashing, and realized that it might be something that not a lot of people are aware of.  As sustainability has become such a buzz word, companies have realized that if they use certain words/colors/marketing schemes, they are likely to increase their profits.  Sadly, this does not mean that they are actually improving their business or products, just that they want more money.  Here are the images I found on a site called One Green Planet:

I cannot make this any bigger. :( I hope that it can be read, if not, I suggest going to the link above.  Definitely worth the extra click. 

I really like this chart.  It shows what to look for and what to avoid when making purchases.  It is a good overview of greenwashing, and how to know if a product is actually a sustainable choice.  

I also have a book called Big Green Purse (the website is also a good source), that has very detailed sections on what the best products are, from cosmetics and cleaning supplies to paint and vehicle options.  I suggest checking it out.  It has proven to be a good reference book to have on my shelf.  

Green Streets

I wrote a paper on green streets for a course I took at UF, I recently brought it back out and reworked it a bit to use as a writing sample for an application.  However, looking through some of my old papers, I realized that they are exactly what I am trying to do through this blog, which is educate and spark interest. So I have many topics to (re)explore now! Here is my writing sample on green streets...

Traditional street layouts include impervious surfaces and curb and gutter systems, which increases stormwater runoff and pollutants in the water.  Green streets, which are most commonly found in the Pacific Northwest, use vegetation to enhance both public and private streets.  With the help of vegetation, stormwater is redirected from waste pipes into the ground, where the water is filtered and refuels the groundwater supply. 

There are different types of green streets, depending how much space there is and if the area is urban or more rural.  Stormwater curb extensions extend into the street, and often become a place for safe and convenient pedestrian crossing.  Stormwater Street Planters exist between sidewalks and the curb and work well where there is limited place.  Rain Gardens tend to go where there is plenty of space, and they are able to create safe crossings where awkward intersections existed.  Simple Green Streets dig up an existing planting behind curbs and cut the curb, replacing them with appropriate landscaping and the ability to capture runoff. 

Stormwater Curb Extension

Stormwater Street Planter

Rain Garden



Simple Green Street



Cost:

In Seattle, the SEA Streets initiative found that is saved 20 percent or more of the cost of conventional street drainage by installing green streets.  They spent $280,000-$325,000 per block for a green street versus $425,000-$525,000 for a traditional block.

Benefits:

Among other things, Portland has found that green streets have helped to reduce polluted stormwater in the city’s streams and rivers, reduce impervious surface, and increase urban green space.  Green streetscapes do enhance the aesthetics of a community, but they also provide a natural habitat, clean and cool the air, and reduce heat island effect. 

A major selling point for green streets is their ability to improve pedestrian and bicycle access and safety along roadways.  With narrower streets, local car speeds tend to decrease, which also lowers the likeliness of car accidents.  With the increased area of vegetation along the roads, there is a much larger buffer between vehicle and pedestrian traffic. 

Without curb and gutter systems, vegetation and soil is able to filter out the pollutants in the water before returning it to the ground or surface waterways.  Reducing stormwater runoff results in fewer sewer backups, less street flooding and reduced combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

Sources:

1.    Portland Green Street Program - http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=44407

2.    Green Infrastructure Performance - http://www.cnt.org/repository/BMP-Performance.pdf

3.    Green Streets Low Impact Development Initiative in Gaithersburg, MD - http://www.mepp.umd.edu/students/documents/Christine-Gallagher-Practicum-report-June6-2009.pdf

...pretty sweet, huh?

For Nothing?

Okay, a quick post, since I have so much to do..

I found this picture today, and I'm so excited, because it is something that I have tried to say many times, but haven't quite figured out how to get my point across...

I know that sustainability and climate change, etc. are very controversial topics, and that there are so many different viewpoints that it seems unlikely that everyone will ever share the same thoughts.  My personal viewpoint is WHO CARES?  If we can do all of these things (listed in the cartoon) and more to use less energy and fuel, and live healthier lives, why wouldn't we?  I don't think it matters so much if we believe that sea levels are rising and that we are running out of oil.  One less water bottle in a landfill is one less water bottle in a landfill.