We’ve seen how environmentalism can be applied to studies of literature, but what about Torah learning?
While our Eco-Rabbi is one example that it’s possible to view Torah from an environmental perspective, there are other paths to environmental Torah learning blossoming all around us.
I recently spent a wonderful week relaxing and enjoying the green and quiet of Tuscany, an area of Italy steeped in viticulture and olive oil production.
We went there to rest, write and read, dip into the pools of mountain streams, and kick back high in the quiet mountainous area outside Fivizzano, an ancient town commanding spectacular views of the Lunigiana area.
We saw wild deer playing, and heard tales of wild boar. Here’s a quick plug for the place we stayed at: La Mandria, meaning ‘the herd’……a small herd of creative souls tending 34 organic acres, ably managed by The Little Herbert.
Also, it is not essential to drive (Italian drivers are only marginally worse than Israeli drivers, and the waiver on a hire care contract is extortionate), as the region is well served by rail, and a long meandering journey to/from Rome topping and tailing the holiday just add to the pleasure. The area is prima for hikes and cleansing the lungs. The area is very much one of the world’s ‘green lungs’, and to be in a place without light pollution is also welcome.
Yes folks, to celebrate the coming of spring, we here at Green Prophet have a great green giveaway!
Thanks to the kind people over at Sourcebooks Publishers (sourcebooks.com), we have 2 copies of ‘Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style‘ by Christie Matheson to give away. See the recent Green Prophet review of ‘Green Chic’ here.
All you have to do is find out the answers to the following questions, based on our wonderful Green Prophet archive of great green posts; email them to us: james “at” greenprophet.com asap, and the first 2 correct answers win the 2 copies.
If you are far away, we will post the prizes, but if you are in the vicinity, lets find a more eco-friendly means of delivery. And as with usual competition rules, family and partners of Green Prophets unfortunately aren’t eligible (but I will happily lend you my copy if you ask nicely…).
Good green luck to you all!
Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or for cleaning around your home. Use your creativity and save our planet one drop at a time!
“Embrace the fabulousness of green living”
Green Chic – Saving The Earth in Style
by Christie Matheson
Don’t believe it is possible to remain stylish while going green and living a simpler, more planet-friendly lifestyle? Then this book is for you – writer Christie Matheson has aimed her new book precisely at this target audience.
For her, there is no need to downscale and live in ‘houses made from recycled tires’ (if perchance you do wish to, see our recent review of the film ‘Garbage Warrior’ here), but Matheson’s mission is to highlight the wonderful ways of being green by buying better, greener, friendlier-made stuff!
If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then your shower is probably not so environmentally-friendly. Replace it with a water-efficient showerhead and you’ll save lots of water… and money while you’re at it!
Jewish blog, Jewneric made the claim the other day that “Going Green” May Be Hazardous to Your Health. Their argument in a nutshell is such:
Florescent lights contain mercury. Even though they save energy the mercury causes more damage to the environment, due to careless disposal, than the extra energy an incandescent gives off. Therefore they are more dangerous.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ikrI_wroag&feature=user[/youtube]
40,000 people cheered in Rabin Square last night as the Tel Aviv City Hall lights were turned off and the numerous cyclists powering the Earth Hour concert took their places. At exactly 8pm, Israeli President Shimon Peres ceremoniously turned off the lights in the Azrieli Tower and simultaneously the lights of the City Hall – behind the stage of the concert – were shut off as well. It was dark. But then the music started.
Israel Chemicals has signed a deal with the Yam Thetis consortium to buy 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas until 2015. And apparently being green can be profitable as well, because the company estimates that the switch will ultimately save them $100 million a year.
Israel Chemicals, which manufactures fertilizers and specialty chemicals, bears the distinction (according to them) of being the first large industrial company in Israel to switch most of its chemical plants to natural gas.
Big companies cutting back on fossil fuels and profiting in the process? It sounds almost too good to be true–here’s hoping that there isn’t a catch.
Source: Reuters
Our clothes are an integral part of our lives–they can reflect the type of work we do, our beliefs and even our moods. So it may come as a shock to know that our clothes can also pose a health risk and do serious damage to the environment.
Most people prefer to wear 100% cotton clothes believing this to be the best option. It’s a naturally grown fibre, what could be better?
But it turns out that your conventional cotton T-shirt just isn’t what you thought it was. Cotton is in the top three of worst offenders for environmental damage in agriculture, with a very high price to boot for the people growing it.
The World Health Organization estimates thousands of deaths annually from the use of highly toxic chemicals for growing cotton. Yet more highly toxic chemicals (at least 8,000) are used in the processing and manufacturing of cotton, and they then add chemicals such as formaldehyde, which leave residues in the fabric, exposing you to skin irritants. It is well known recommendation by doctors to dress children suffering from eczema in organic cotton clothing.
The good news is that more and more organic cotton clothing for children and adults is available today.
Organic cotton clothing falls into two categories: 1. Clothing made from organically grown cotton. 2. Clothing made from organically grown cotton which is then processed and manufactured following strict ecological guidelines. For example they do not use chlorine based bleaches to whiten the fabric, nor do they use heavy-metal based dyes, azo-dyes, nickel based zippers or accessories, and no chemical finishes are added. All this promises you the cleanest, highest quality cotton possible.
So how do I know which is which? Well to buy an 100% organically made T-Shirt, you need to look for certification. There are several organizations that inspect and certify the manufacturing process, including Demeter, EKO Sustainable Textiles (SKAL) and Agreco. It is always best to support organic agriculture and buy clothing made from 100% organic cotton, but if it has no certification for manufacturing, the chances are that the finished items have chemical residues in them.
It is also very important to know that babies and children are far more sensitive to these residues; their bodies are still developing and their bodies work and breathe faster, increasing their intake of chemicals in their environment. One of the biggest concerns is that when dressed, our bodies heat our clothing causing chemicals present to emit gases, making it a lot easier for our bodies to absorb them.
So where to find organic cotton clothes? Tinok Yarok sells baby clothes made from 100% certified organic cotton (SKAL), following fair trade practices for baby’s first year. It is highly recommended that the first layer of clothing next to the baby’s skin be organic, and the rest go second hand. Baby clothes have short lives and can be passed between friends and family, making it the best eco option and financially easy. “Cotton,” which has several shops throughout the country, also designs a range of women’s clothes using organic cotton.
Note: It is very important to understand why organic cotton clothing is more expensive:
1. You are paying the true price, which includes the farmer’s price, the factory worker’s wage and work conditions, as well as the toxin-free manufacturing process.
2. If you buy a baby suit for ten shekels on the market, chances are it was made in the Far East, where workers routinely work under sweatshop conditions and children are often employed. There is no inspection process to follow the manufacturing process; cheap highly toxic chemicals are run of the mill, threatening the environment, the workers’ health and your own.
3. And cheap often means very low quality, so in the end you end up buying and spending more!
Lastly, if your closet is feeling unmanageable, consider custom closet organization systems that can clear the clutter and provide a nice design accent for your child’s closet.
Before you buy anything though, first check with your family and neighbors if they have any storage systems to give away.
Do you have any leaks? It’s time to take care of that! If you fix your leaky faucets and plumbing joints it can save 20 gallons per day for every leak stopped.
Keep your eyes open and your flashlights near tomorrow night between 8 and 9pm, because Tel Aviv will be taking part in Earth Hour – an international initiative that aims to reduce power consumption by turning off lights and, as a result, decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
This will be the first time that Tel Aviv – or any Israeli city – participates in the global movement. At least 24 cities worldwide will be participating in the event, including Bangkok, Chicago, Dublin, and Sydney (which inaugurated the Earth Hour concept in 2007).
Green Course , the only nation-wide student environmental organization in Israel is organizing a demonstration this coming thursday. They are protesting the unreliability of the current public transportation.
When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Turn the water on for each dish individually. If you are considering a dishwasher look for energy and water conservation ratings when making your decision.
Municipal elections will be held across Israel in November, and here in Jerusalem the current incumbent, Uri Lupolianski, will be challenged by Nir Barkat and Arcadi Gaydamek.
While Jerusalem is always hotly contested for many reasons, this year a coalition of green groups has launched an initiative to get the environmental agenda high on each candidates list of priorities. Hopefully local politics across the country will start to green.
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