Results tagged “environment”

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It seems these days that everyone wants a piece of the $700 billion bailout bill, and now you, Philadelphia bicyclist, can have your piece of the monetary pie. Hidden within the bailout bill was a provision for anyone who bikes to work "regularly" to receive a $20 a month tax break from their employers, courtesy of the federal government.

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• Gothamist watched a series of civil disobedience events, protesting the Sean Bell shooting verdict, unfold across the city--over 200 people, including the Reverend Al Sharpton, were arrested. Somewhat related, on behalf of a black freelance reporter for the NY Post, the NYCLU sued the city and NYPD for racial profiling.
• Phillyist took a look at how city employees are bankrupting Philadelphia. Not that they need more cops on the streets there or anything.
• Seattlest wondered what it means when we see shoes flung over power lines.

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Pretty much every media outlet we rely on, mainstream or otherwise, constantly bombards us with "green" topics. Many retailers and manufacturers are moving towards greening their products (though whether they are successful or whether sometimes it is just greenwashing is debatable). These days it is pretty hard to avoid the issue, but sometimes there is just such an overwhelming amount of information, including both scare tactics and sound advice, that we might find ourselves using the handy old technique of avoidance. Since we know that's not the right answer either, probably the best way to go is take some time to sit down and think for yourself, considering all of the information that is out there, and decide what, realistically, you can do. And if you don't live alone, think about scheduling a time to talk to your roommate(s), significant other, family members, or whomever else about how you can work as a team to infuse some positive changes to your lifestyle. The key at first is to select changes that are realistic, that you can feasibly do. Don't pick as your first project a grand scheme to convert your house to solar power. Instead, think about planting a veggie garden in your backyard or patio (and maybe later add in composting to go along with it). Make a plan to carpool with a neighbor or a spouse. Try to limit yourself to one meat-based meal a day (if you are not already a vegetarian). Don't buy bottled water from Fiji. (Drink filtered tap water instead.) Wash your clothes in cold water and hang them on a rack to dry. This list could go on and on, but you get the idea—make it manageable to facilitate success rather than frustration and failure. Don't overwhelm yourself with doom and gloom, simply try to find ways to manage your life in a more environmentally friendly way.

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If you would like to become more environmentally conscious but think getting started is a rather daunting task, Sundance Channel's "The Green" might be a good place to begin your quest for knowledge. Beginning tonight, April 1st, Season 2 of The Green airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. and features a block of programming centered around the concept of environmental sustainability.

Biodegradable beer cups were the news of the day over at The Illadelph, which lauded Aramark's move toward more environmentally-friendly containers for the liver- and waistline-destroying treats served at Citizens Bank Park. Also, did you know that on opening day Phillies fans will eat, among other things, 15,000 hot dogs, 6,000 soft pretzels and 5,000 cheesesteaks? With bikini season just around the corner, we shudder to think of the implications.

For more than five years, Philadelphians have been ditching their own cars in favor of those owned by PhillyCarShare. The program's fleet of sedans, hybrids (which comprise more than 50% of the fleet), convertibles, and pick-up trucks has provided the right wheels for the job for thousands of part-time drivers in our fair city. Each car shared by PhillyCarShare members replaces about 23 individually-owned vehicles. The company itself has become a much-loved local success story and a tireless champion of green living.

What are you doing this Saturday night? At 8 pm (local time) many people across the globe will be participating in Earth Hour. (Warning: dramatic Jeremy Piven narrated sound clip at that link.) The concept behind the Earth Hour movement is simple: shut off your lights for one hour. Just to see what it's like. To get us thinking. Do we really need to be consuming all of the energy that we normally don't give a second thought to using? The movement has expanded globally since its origination last year in Sydney. Now many major cities have embraced it. (A hotel bar in Toronto is even advertising themed drinks in support.) Even though Philadelphia is not listed as a partner that doesn't mean you can't participate.

Don’t know about you, but when we think about driving in the city we start to get slight palpitations. Part of it could be that we’re used to walking and Septa; the thought of paying exorbitant amounts to park in UCity on a Friday night convinces us that the El isn’t so bad after all. Plus, there’s storage: when we were living on the outskirts of Center City a parking spot would have cost 2/3 of our rent. Don’t get us started on the exhaust fumes, particularly those from the ancient chariots some of us have to drive around in because after parking costs we can’t afford an upgrade. But there are times when having a car is a necessity, even in the city. You need one to escape the heat and exhaust for the cool ocean breeze in the summer for instance, or to do an IKEA run. And so a balance must be struck.

“Let me first say that it was not my intention to be a Pain in the Ass. I was far too lazy, arrogant and insecure to think I could ever be one. Apparently I was halfway there.

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A tall, icy glass of our favorite internet junk, just for you. LAist has more fun photos from the writers' strike, this time featuring fans and employees of Mutant Enemy Productions (Joss Whedon's production company), who all came together last Friday to support the strikers. Aw, look at Nicholas Brendon in his hat and glasses. And Summer Glau is so cute! Nintendo claims they are surprised by the Greenpeace report which we posted about earlier,...

The fact that this morning's article about "Bonnie and Clyde" turning themselves in starts with a story about Kirsch's tits would be funny anyway, but we find it particularly amusing given the focus and title of our post on the subject yesterday. Yesterday's snow storm didn't cause too much trauma, besides a few accidents, some icy roads and sidewalks, and some school delays. The developer working on the Girard Warehouses ("the historic complex of early...

What's new and/or interesting at Philly theaters this weekend.

Sometimes kids can be so frustrating that parents might want to throw them to the sharks. Well, on July 29th and 30th they'll get the chance to do just that. In celebration of Shark Week, the Adventure Aquarium is hosting a unique event at its Delaware Waterfront location.

So you're a fashion student, and you're taking a class about designing clothes for children. If there aren't a lot of Doogie Housers hanging around campus, you'll need to find some models elsewhere. The Drexel Fashion Department did just that, partnering with Charles R. Drew School, a UCity elementary school. An exhibit of the results, Project Imagine, opens Thursday night at Nexus, and runs through July 23rd.