Posted by: johnny_a
in MyBlog on Feb 27, 2009
As we try to find ways to beat the pains of the poor economy, more households are planning to grow their own produce in 2009. According to a National Gardening Association (NGA) survey, that's an increase of 19 percent over 2008 survey numbers, almost double the growth in activity from the previous year. Those that plan to "grow their own" fruits, vegetables, and herbs are also seeking improved quality, taste, and safety in the food that reaches their dinner plates.
21 percent of all American households are planning to start a food garden in 2009. A well maintained home garden will yield an average return of $500, considering a typical investment and the average market price of produce.
"As in previous recessions, we've seen increased participation in and spending on food gardening as people look for ways to economize," explained Bruce Butterfield, research director for the NGA. "That said, these results suggest the interest in food gardening may continue to increase, even after the economy improves."
While the economy is one of the leading factors driving Americans away from grocery stores and into their backyards to grow their own fruits and vegetables, when asked, only one in three of the survey respondents said they were motivated to grow their own food because of the recession.
Here's a breakout of the numbers on some of the reasons why more households are turning to home gardening:
- 58 percent said for better-tasting food
- 54 percent said to save money on food bills
- 51 percent said for better quality food
- 48 percent said to grow food they know is safe
Source:
National Gardening Association
Posted by: johnny_a
in MyBlog on Feb 20, 2009
Last week, I twice watched inventor Saul Griffith's lecture on "Climate Change Recalculated". For about an hour and a half, Griffith speaks in concise, non-political terms on the amount of energy that is required for us to continue to live at the 'quality of life' that we enjoy today, and how we cannot sustain this existence through the burning of fossil fuels. If we continue on our current course, we'll head dangerously past acceptable limits of carbon in the atmosphere in about 40 years. His talk includes a monologue on the staggering amount of non-carbon emitting energy sources we must manufacture over the next 25 years in order to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Griffith's seminar is a product of his desire to calculate his own personal energy consumption in extreme detail, which he did for the full year of 2007. We see a pie chart that shows how much energy is used to fulfill every aspect of his 2007 life, including the embodied energy in his "stuff", his dietary habits, and his auto and jet travel. Wishing to trim down from an 18,000 to a 2,200 watt (the world average) lifestyle, we see the impact of the 200 or so watts that are used to produce the plastic bottle that holds his 20 ounces of flavored water.
Posted by: johnny_a
in MyBlog on Feb 12, 2009
Reyooz is a site that we just found that provides a simple way for members to give away unwanted "stuff" for free. It's a mash up of the Google Maps application on a friendly looking and easy to use web site.
The goal of the site, according to founders Justin Robinson, Mark Meyer, and Peter MacRobert is "is to get more people to see the benefits in passing things on and increase awareness of our impact on the planet."
Posted by: johnny_a
in MyBlog on Feb 04, 2009
This public service announcement was produced by an organization called "Let's Act Now". The goal of the clip is to raise awareness of the incredible amount of energy that is used in the process of growing meat. And yes, the massive volume of greenhouse gases that are emitted by the livestock themselves! According to a recent report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, animal farming produces more greenhouse gases than all global transportation combined.
I just can't give up my occasional burger or steak, but I've reduced my consumption for health, budgetary, and ecological purposes. So while I'm not fully on board with the meatless diet that Let's Act Now advocates, their PSA is effective, provocative, and worth sharing.
