Month: June 2020

2020, Climate Action, Climate Change, Eco, sustainability June 27, 2020August 17, 2020

Toronto Is Far Ahead of Majority of American Cities | Waste Management

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 27, 2020 by Noreen Wise

While quarantined in Toronto, Canada for 14 days — with only 4 days remaining, yay — I’ve been able to experience first hand how in sync Torontonians are with their advanced sustainability waste management processes. In less than two years, Toronto is on the brink of zero-waste.

Providing curbside pickup for kitchen scraps is the final step in closing the loop to create a circular economy. Twenty-two percent of all landfill waste is food waste, and thus preventable. Compostable food scraps is vitally important for strengthening soil nutrients in the gardens, parks and outlying farms that our American communities support.

On this city street here in downtown Toronto, there is a designated green bin on the sidewalk that’s contained inside a neat and tidy wooden fenced bin hub, that includes: a recycling bin, a garbage bin and a kitchen scraps bin. All the residents are onboard and drop off their kitchen scraps regularly. Kitchen scrap green bin pickup is every Friday morning, while garbage and recycling rotate every other Friday.

What I found so amazing about the bin hub on this Toronto city block, is that there is so little waste. One of the bins is a half-size bin. I’ve never seen a half-size waste bin in America, only overflowing jumbo-sized bins. This in itself is a snapshot of what our greatest challenge is. The American perception that our overflowing giant bins are normal and acceptable, while the rest of the world exists on the half-sized waste bin.

Stepping into this beautiful Canadian sustainability scene from America, feels like time travel, instantly arriving at what many climate focused communities are striving for. Toronto is already living America’s aspirations. Canadians make it look so easy. It basically is. Just do it, is all it takes. Why do so many in America believe, and make it appear, too difficult to conquer?

How long will it take America to close the loop and have kitchen scraps green bins on every street? Americans are quick at responding to prize offerings and rewards, perhaps the quickest in the world. Shouldn’t we move just as briskly to capture climate action rewards.

San Francisco began requiring mandatory composting back in 2009. And according to AZCentral, at the beginning of 2018, San Francisco had a landfill diversion rate of 80 percent, the highest in the country, with the goal of hitting 100 percent diversion rate by 2020. This is a sharp difference from Arizona’s 20 percent landfill diversion rate in 2018, and goal of 40 percent by 2020.

The bottomline is that the majority of countries in the industrialized world are lightyears ahead of America and on the waste management front. We can no longer rely on local, state and federal government to take the lead on these critical issues. We American citizens have to jump into the driver’s seat and just do it, just do what needs to be done so we can catch up and reverse global warming. Composting and strengthening our soil nutrient levels to maximize carbon absorption is an immediate next step for all American communities.

Lets GO! Just do it… TODAY.♻️

2020, Climate Action, Climate Change, Nature June 21, 2020August 17, 2020

The Soil Solution | Climate Change

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 21, 2020

The many climate change solutions for lowering atmospheric carbon levels and keeping our children’s futures and lives safe, are all mapped out and well documented. The climate crisis is therefore more about the vast majority’s failure to implement, especially in America, rather than not knowing what to do to correct.

The most frustrating part about the startling failure to act, is how simple and easy the solutions are. Why so much resistance? Or is it more about apathy and procrastination?!

Let’s focus on the soil solution for a second. Soil stores 2x the amount of carbon than air and plants combined, British fungal network expert and author Merlin Shedrake outlines in his new book The Entangled Life, How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures. Shedrake passionately opens reader’s eyes to the hidden fungal mycelium network below our feet, pointing out that fungi are the “guts of the earth.”

Toxic fertilizers and pesticides destroy these vital, ecosystem-saving mycelium networks. While home and community composting preserves, strengthens and grows these networks enabling that much more carbon to be stored in our soil, as well as simultaneously supporting the good health of nature above ground.

Increasing the amount of nature grown above ground, increases the number of mycelium networks below the surface. The strategy is thus very clear and straightforward.

Home and community composting is imperative in maintaining healthy soil, begin today if you haven’t already started
Grow far more nature above ground; trees as well as shrubs, flowers, ground cover and window boxes
Don’t use toxic fertilizers or pesticides, instead choose one of the many organic alternatives

That’s it! These easy life-saving and game-changing steps in soil health are this simple. Let’s all begin TODAY! No procrastinating. 🌱

2020, Climate Action, Climate Change, Eco June 19, 2020August 18, 2020

Is Philadelphia an Eco-Action Model?

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 19, 2020

The importance of nature as one of the vital solutions in lowering the global atmospheric carbon level has been documented. It’s now up to us to implement this strategy as quickly as possible. Yes, we must start sprinting so that we can not only save our children’s futures, but save their lives.

Eco-action, with multi-layer landscaping, green exterior walls and green roofs, has numerous benefits:

substantially increases carbon absorption if applied everywhere
lowers air pollution
improves mental health
beautifies city streets, public spaces, and neighborhoods
increases property values
is easy and inexpensive to execute
strengthens community ties

In search of an American city to serve as a model for other US cities, it was exhilarating to find major success in Philadelphia, PA, our nation’s birthplace. A very positive omen. A city we’re all closely connected with and that unites each of us through the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, that now shines like a beacon of hope and inspiration during this monumentally important climate action era.

It appears that the genius behind the landscaping of Independence National Historical Park is very aware of nature’s role in solving the global climate crisis. Green walls, green roofs and layers of nature are budding everywhere. Not only in Independence Mall, but across the historic district, ivy on brick is a consistent theme.

Do you see the liberty bell in the left window?

Nature’s role in solving the global climate crisis is tied to the fungal networks below the surface, threading through the soil, connecting all plants through their roots. The more nature, the more fungal networks. The more fungal networks, the richer the soil. The richer the soil the more carbon storage. Oh, and soil stores twice as much carbon as nature.

It’s very clear that we have what it takes to overcome the looming climate crisis challenge. All solutions are readily available and easy to implement. Our greatest nemesis is procrastination. We all need to commit to acting on these solutions immediately.

Let’s GO! TGIF. Let’s start this weekend, which begins in just a few hours. Happy planting. 🌳

2020, circular economy, Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security June 12, 2020August 18, 2020

It’s Friday | Time to Get A Solar Quote

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 12, 2020 | by Noreen Wise

With many states now entering Phase 2 reopening, and corporations motivated to get employees back to work and make up for lost revenue, it’s the prefect time to click through and get a solar quote to take advantage of the many rebates, discounts and tax credits that are now available.

We should all be sprinting to lower our carbon footprints. Solar energy benefits are significant:

Substantial installation price drop in 2020
Reduce carbon footprint
Slash monthly energy costs
Increase home value
Store energy when you produce more than you use, earn income

During first four months of covid, we’ve seen how early action saves lives. So too with climate action. Fossil fuels are being phased out quickly. Investors are backing and growing renewables. There are plenty of incentives in most parts of the country, especially now more than ever, to jump in immediately, the same way we immediately purchased our face masks.

There’s no time left to be standing on the sidelines and wondering about whether to switch. Now’s the time to act. Click today and get a free quote and have a wonderful weekend.

Climate change is catastrophic and is expected to kill millions, but climate action is simple and easy. It just requires immediate action. Let’s save some lives and act TODAY.

Time to SPRINT!

circular economy, Climate Action, Climate Change June 10, 2020August 18, 2020

Goodbye Liquid Laundry Detergent | Hello Sheets!

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 10, 2020

Climate change consequences are catastrophic, but the solutions are simple and easy for the most part. So why aren’t we sprinting forward? There’s no time to waste. All we have to do is change our weekly habits. We’re already doing that with covid, so let’s keep up the momentum for change and include climate solutions in our routine.

We all bought facemarks in record time. Once we were told it was required, done. We have to do the same with many of our daily products, specifically laundry detergent, shampoo and conditioner. All three now come in bars, strips, pods and sheets. But this week, let’s focus on immediately eliminating liquid laundry detergent sold in the jumbo plastic jugs. There are multiple brands of alternatives.

Many of the name brands such as Tide, now offer laundry pods which eliminates plastic waste. But there are a plethora of new eco-brands that have eco-friendly product lines, many of which are manufactured by companies using solely renewable energy.

No time to waste. Let’s DO THIS! Make the change today. 🌎

Climate Action, Climate Change, Nature June 9, 2020August 18, 2020

Bartram’s Garden Philadelphia | Eco-Solutions

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 9, 2020

Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia, founded nearly 300 years ago by botany pioneer John Bartram, a plant hunter, who trekked through the American wilderness in search of unique species not native to Philadelphia, and returned with seeds, trimmings and saplings to plant on his farm, eventually acquired species from all thirteen colonies. Bartram’s garden now contains more species than any other botanical garden in North America, and is the longest surviving botanical garden on the continent.

In 1787, during the Constitutional Convention, when James Madison was trying to pass the US Constitution and the small states were at odds with the big states, after weeks of heated debates an immovable stalemate evolved. In apparent despair, Madison inspired several of the naysayers to journey with him to Bartram’s Garden to walk around for a few hours, believing nature to be a great cure, especially for troubled minds.

Madison’s stroke of genius worked. When they returned to cast their votes, several who had been at Bartram’s Garden changed their votes and the US Constitution was passed.

Bartram’s Garden | Photography by Noreen Wise All Rights Reserved

Nature is one of the most effective climate change solutions, and can successfully battle climate’s most vicious side effects. Scientists refer to nature’s positive impact on climate change as ecosystem based adaptation.

Spending a day at Bartram’s Garden over the weekend, made me feel as inspired as Madison must have felt back at the beginning in 1787. Extensive acres of layers upon layers of nature’s most wondrous species. What better way to cure such a destructive enemy than to beautify every inch of our landscapes with as much nature as possible. Come on, America, we can do this. We must begin today.

The layering of all different tree heights, shrubs, flowers, ivy, and ground cover, not only captures carbon, but captures and inspires the human spirit to respect and protect our vital resources and our children’s futures. 🌳

COVID-19, Health June 5, 2020August 18, 2020

Social Distancing in Stores Is Harder Than We Think

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 5, 2020 | by Noreen Wise

Most of us have the face masks and facial coverings down. I rarely see anyone without, except outdoors. But shopping in Whole Foods the other day was a huge wake-up call that it will be difficult to safely reach the other side of covid, when the vaccine is released next year, if we don’t think of better solutions for grocery shopping.

So many well-intentioned people completely zone-out in a grocery store aisle. Are grocery aisles even 6 feet wide? It doesn’t seem like they are. I plan to bring a measuring tape next visit so I can prove this. The biggest shock, were the two Whole Foods’ employees who totally stoked my fears that I would get covid if they couldn’t keep their distance. They must have a timed task list. I get it, the shopper who stands in front of the shelf where you want to quickly grab a product and just continues staring at shelf undecided. That same shopper is also oblivious to the fact that you’re waiting for them to move because you have to stand six feet away.

How about the woman who invaded my space in front of a fruit display because I was trying to keep my six feet distance from a nearby shopper. But this woman, saw an opportunity to maneuver in front of me and grabbed the item I was going to select. That’s not right. The weird part was that it didn’t seem like she did this intentionally, but rather it was if her thoughts were a million miles away and she was trying to bee-line over to what she needed because she was in a rush and her mind was elsewhere. Regardless, it still presents a health risk.

The biggest shock came when the Whole Foods employee decided to open a register when the line became so long. With a long bank of approximately 10-12 registers with only two in use, she opened the register right next to the checkout lane I was in which meant her customer was only inches away from me while we both checked out. I quickly moved to stand 6 feet away, but neither the employee nor the customer seemed to be aware that we were all too close and the cashier should have opened a register further away.

Next time I’ll be more vocal and go straight to customer service and ask for intervention. I now view this experience as a trial run that revealed the short comings of which there are many. This is not a time to be quiet about important issues like covid. The pandemic is going to be around for the next 12 months. If we want to save lives, including our own, we have to speak up and give the store the opportunity to address the situation.

I just read in Bloomberg News that there are now social distancing bracelets that beep if we get too close. Buzz-off, an italian start-up, is one example. We all need these. Again, it’s about saving lives.

Good luck out there! 😷

Climate Action, Climate Change, sustainability June 4, 2020August 17, 2020

Three States with the Most Charging Stations | Can You Guess?

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 4, 2020 | by Noreen Wise

After three months of staying at home, (and happy to do so), I must admit that I’ve never been so eager to plan a road trip this summer. Public transportation is still quite worrisome, but driving is an ideal option for social distancing while traveling. In fact, I’ve determined it’s the safest transportation option available.

With so many restaurants offering curbside pickup, and the empty highways luring me to take advantage of this unique opportunity, it’s exciting to ponder which destinations to add to my list. This may be the best summer ever to travel across country?

Is my exuberance getting the best of me?

Perhaps, but I was excited to read today that the three states with the most EV charging stations are:

California
Texas
Florida

Texas surprised me, actually. I had no idea that Texans were buying EV’s, but apparently they are. Excellent. Here’s a link that identifies where all the EV charging stations are located across America.

Facial coverings are needed at gas pumps and rest stops. Interestingly, I’m finding that it’s very easy to forget we’re in the middle of a pandemic when I travel. I better follow the great example I’ve seen and hang a face mask from the rearview mirror so I don’t get stuck without one. Happy travels. 😷

Climate Action, Climate Change, COVID-19, Environment June 2, 2020August 17, 2020

EV Charging Stations for Curbside Pickup | Solutions

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 2, 2020

After three months of staying home, and my commitment to keep on keeping on because it truly is much safer at home, I’ve now become passionate about curbside pickup. It’s such a positive and beneficial reason to get out of the house while still maintaining safe distances.

Last night I had the great fortune of hanging out in Bertucci’s parking lot for ten minutes while I waited for my delicious, piping hot four cheese ravioli. (I love how hot Italian takeout is. If I make ravioli at home, it’s never the same temperature as that of an Italian restaurant. I’ll speculate it’s the oven.) I felt inspired while I waited and soon began to imagine a dozen EV charging stations under the pretty trees, with cars attached to each one. (This was a particularly beautiful parking lot. Big and spacious with lots of nature.)

Charging stations seem like the perfect solution for mitigating the negatives of safer at home. There are so many incentives that businesses can use to fund the installation of EV charging stations. Installing charging stations that are funded by incentives are a painless way for struggling businesses to create jobs. More charging stations, results in more EV car purchases, which results in even more jobs. More charging stations at restaurants in particular equates to increased curbside pickup. This is so easy, and it all begins with the plethora of available incentives and tax credits and partnership with governors who are hoping that businesses will cut emissions quicker to reach the state targets.

Thank you Bertucci’s. This vision all began with your outdoor sign letting passerbys know you were open for curbside pickup. I immediately pulled in and called from the parking lot. Maybe you can throwback to the 50’s and have rollerbladers deliver meals to the cars the way I’ve seen in movies, and have music blaring in the parking lot for a feel good vibe which will make us order more food and hang out longer.

Let’s DO THIS!🎸