From Disaster to Sustainability - One Town's Success Story

I just read the article about the small town in Kansas that was decimated by an EF5 (very worst) tornado in 2007 - the documentary is amazing if you take the time to watch and absorb it...if you have ever been through a tornado or hurricane, you will understand! They say it is like the end of the world. No electricity, no lights, many houses gone...what would YOU do?

Here is the link if you want to see it for yourself and missed it in the Footprints - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08PM3YEqBcE

The results? 95% of the town was hit and destroyed, with over 1,000 homes gone, 250 businesses gone. They could have given up and all moved away. and that would have probably been easier. But this town decided to do something different. 500 residents met and the spirit of collaboration and hope, decided to refocus their energy on rebuilding their community - into a model of eco-friendly sustainability. Since they were starting with nothing, they were able to rebuild and revision their community in a completely new way, acknowledging the way their agrarian ancestors used to live. And more than that, now they had a mission.

One man, David Wallach, that lives in this community, calls himself a "social entrepreneur" and moved here with his wife to get away from the big city and live off the earth. He said, after the tornado hit, “Greensburg’s is a story of being stripped bare of everything you thought you knew and having to start over. Here was an opportunity to work with a community that was experiencing the kind of loss and suffering that my wife and I know firsthand — relatively few people really know that in the same way we do. And that is important; it is important that we have experienced loss, too. We thought we had something to give.”

To see photos of how they rebuilt and resurrected their town with a new purpose and model for sustainability, go here to Blue Planet Green Living to see the article - http://www.blueplanetgreenliving.com/2009/10/15/rebuilding-after-disaster-%E2%80%93-greensburg-becomes-a-green-town/

“Greensburg is like a living science museum,” explains Wallach, who serves as the executive director of Greensburg GreenTown. “It is a place where people come and immerse themselves and experience a sustainable community." After such destruction, it is good to see a town so anxious to rebuild and revisit their reason for being, and set an example for other towns. What an inspiration! :)

Singing about the Environment can be cool! :)

When you think of "saving the planet" or conservation, it may seem boring, irrelevant or even politically charged - who knows how to REALLY determine how much Global Warming is affecting us, and why did Al Gore "really" make that movie?

Well, all I know is that I want to help the planet in my own way, and do what I know will help - things like using my car less when I can (less toxic emissions in the air), drinking water out of a "good" plastic water bottle (saving money on bottled water and saving lots of landfill space), recycling aluminum cans, plastic and glass (even less to go to landfills), and....watching this video!! :)

www.acespace.org/crush

This was made by a 15-year-old that was inspired by Al Gore's movie, but it is done in a very creative and modern way, to get the younger generation interested in what is good for the planet (such as riding your bike) and to stop things that hurt it through carbon emissions of fossil fuels (gas guzzling Hummers). It is customizable for guys and girls, and it is fun to watch and send to friends, even if you are WAY older than 15. Go ahead - it's fun AND educational! :)

And then get inspired by going to the main site www.acespace.org and look at their blog, resources for teachers, and the videos there - here is one example of a high school presentation that kids really liked! - acetrailer.com (the you tube version). Learn more about this progressive, innovative program for today's teens to make a difference today that will help clean the planet up for our future tomorrows!

Help Save the Rainforest with One Click!

Have you heard of The Rainforest Site? It is connected to The Hunger Site, The Literacy Site and the other worthy causes that have sponsors that help with that cause when people like you and me click on the sites daily, and shop their eco-friendly and local-made products.

If you want a daily reminder to click, they can send you one, and if you sign up for the daily reminder or the newsletter, you will get two Free Treehugger Bracelets. Better still, they'll fund the preservation of an extra 91 square feet of land if you are a brand-new registrant!

So if you want ONE little thing you can do easily, online, every day if you like - go to TheRainforestSite.com - and click and shop to help save the rainforest!

Go Green with Global Force around the world!

How can we "go green" around the world?

I know that many people are interested in doing things for the environment outside of the U.S. - in fact I am a little jealous that I can't ride a bike safely in the street in most places because we have not built our streets to accommodate them like many European countries have. I also know that hybrid cars are gaining in popularity and eventually they will be affordable and efficient. I just found out about a 100% electric "powerbike" - see http://www.brammo.com/learn/ for details - that can and will revolutionize how we mobilize ourselves - no gas needed ~ I would love to get one someday!

I love seeing new technology when it really solves a problem that we have with an innovative solution. And I love it even more when the organization promoting the technology (product/service) has an entrepreneurial and charitable side to it as well - innovative companies will be the ones to survive today's financial landscape. People need to know, like and trust you - at least your brand or maybe a personal contact with you - before they are willing to do business with you these days. And social networks are definitely ONE way to get to know someone and see who they are in a non-sales environment. If a company can combine social networking/community with a "real" product or service that is optional but in line with what I believe in - I am much more likely to purchase it - aren't you?

Enter Global Force Network - they call themselves "The World's First Ever Revenue Sharing 'Green' Social Network" ~ and I love this part - "Making a Living while Making a Difference"! I know we all have different things we want to be a part of to make this world a better place - whether it is a better life for our kids, better health, a better financial future - you can find these here at Global Force, no matter where you live in the world. We have English and Spanish sites, and will soon have a French one, along with more languages in the future.

So if you are entrepreneurial and want to see the vision that they have here - go to www.globalforcenow.com and watch the 9 min video about the company and what you can be a part of. Join the community for FREE at http://www.globalforcenetwork.com/signup and introduce yourself and your dreams for "going green" on your bio page. Get to know some of us in the community and think about what you want Global Force to be for you.

And take one small step towards making this world a better place for you and your family and the planet! :)

The Story of Stuff - and Our Planet

Whew - I have not written here since the summer celebration of our country's independence...I suppose I needed the break to decide what to write next - I have to be "inspired" and don't want to write JUST to write...but I am BACK and going back to what is important to me - helping people with small ways they can help themselves and the planet, whether it is through natural products, or actions we take on a regular basis to make life on this planet sustainable for our children.

I don't know about you, but growing up I never really thought about what it meant to be a "consumer". If you needed something, you would go to the local mall or grocery and buy it. You never thought about "global warming" or why it was important to recycle - I don't remember doing that as a kid...and now I know that is just the tip of the iceberg.

These days I think they are definitely doing more to teach kids how to recycle and what we are doing to the planet. And since so many more people are aware of what is happening, and how many of the world's resources we in the US are consuming in comparison to the rest of the world, you have to wonder why many of us don't "get it" and how we have been conditioned into believing we "need" all this "stuff". And its not just the US but globally - we need to see the big picture and why it is SO detrimental to our planet to keep going down this path of rampant consumerism.

This short fun film will show you the cycle of how goods are manufactured, sold and discarded, and how it was changed from the 1950's to what it is today - mass consumerism at an unhealthy level - AND what we can do about it. It's fun and interesting - and will really make you think - and act - to help us ALL have a better tomorrow.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Let me know what you think - I'd love to hear your comments.

And one more idea -

I just joined GlobalForce, a new Green Social Network, which aims to preserve our planet. It's a safe online community where we can exchange ideas and together find solutions to escalating environmental issues. They give you simple tips and tools for your own green living that you can share with everyone you know and actually BE a part of the solution.

First watch this 9 min video to see what we are all about - www.globalforcenow.com .

Then go to http://www.global4orce.com to see how we can network together and really make a difference!
Go to this link to join our community for FREE - http://www.globalforcenetwork.com/signup .

You'll enjoy meeting others and you will be making a difference - isn't that inspiring? And for those who want to make a Living while making a Difference - email me or check out the site for more info on that! :)