Peer to Pier: Conversations with fellow travelers

Published by View From The Pier in May 2011 is an inspiring interview with Sue Coppard, the founder of WWOOF conducted by Meg Pier
 
Sue Coppard is founder of WWOOF, a worldwide network that serves as a conduit linking volunteers with organic farms. In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer volunteers food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles. Created in 1971 and one of the world’s first voluntourism organizations, WWOOF was borne out of Sue’s desire to periodically escape her life as a London secretary and spend time in the countryside. Today WWOOF is a global movement, with over 50,000 volunteers working on 7,000-plus host farms in more than 100 countries.

I first learned about WWOOF from one of its host members and another “Peer to Pier” subject, Claudia Scholler, proprietor of Cortijo El Saltador, a traditional Andalucian farmhouse in the foothills of Spain’s Sierra Alhamilla.

In getting acquainted with Sue I learned not only a great deal about organic practices but also got an education on a wide range of other areas–from the basic tenet of anthroposophical philosophy to the potentially huge and positive impact of simply following your own heart, and the wisdom of not needing to have all the answers before embarking on a new endeavor. Not to mention, I remembered all my own reasons for seeking adventure and being out-of-doors! I hope you enjoy this conversation with Sue.

This above all, – to thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.

~William Shakespeare, 1564 – 1616


Meg: Can you explain what WWOOF is?
Sue: WWOOF is an acronym standing for World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms. It is a cooperative network, now worldwide, which offers members the opportunity to stay as working guests on a wide variety of organic farms, smallholdings, gardens and other rural enterprises. No money changes hands, it’s an exchange. In return for your help on the land and with other tasks you receive bed and board, and a lot more besides: farming and agricultural experience – even training to change to a rural life; contact with nature and animals; access to beautiful countryside; good physical exercise; learning a host of other skills such as bread making, weaving, cheese making, bee keeping, cider making, or running a farmers’ market stall; friendships with people from many different cultures and nationalities; and the chance to experience entirely different ways of life, regions, or even continents. The world is your oyster! Alternatively, you could visit the same WWOOF place regularly and get to know your own region throughout the seasons – leaving a considerably lighter carbon footprint!

On top of all this, you have the satisfaction of knowing you are helping the stalwart but not overwhelmingly-rewarded people who make up the Organic Movement around the world – which will surely be the salvation of the planet.

I wish to acknowledge the immensely hard and inspired work by so many WWOOF organisers which are responsible for WWOOF’s extraordinary growth. Many countries now have their own WWOOF organization, all quite different as each is independently self-governing and has evolved in its own individual way. Those WWOOF Hosts in a country without a WWOOF organization belong to WWOOF Independents, an internet network.

Meg: Can you describe what led up to WWOOF’s creation?
Sue: In 1971 when I started WWOOF I was secretary to the Textile Research Unit at the Royal College of Art in London.

I loved London and …


Toyota Prius v Expands Iconic Hybrid Family

Published by New Design World on Monday, 30 May 2011 by MaryP
 

The newest entrant in a growing Prius family of hybrid vehicles, the Prius v delivers an unparalleled blend of versatility and fuel efficiency in a comfortable, mid-size package. A new evolution in hybrid vehicles with excellent cargo space and Prius’ heritage of environmental performance and fuel economy, the 2012 Prius v will go on sale in Fall 2011.

Image by: HybridCars

The new Prius v, with “v” expressing the vehicle’s versatility, will meet the needs of growing families with active lifestyles while providing the same attributes traditionally found in the Prius DNA. Despite the spaciousness of a family friendly midsize vehicle, the Prius v will deliver estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 44 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined.

“The Prius v brings leading-edge hybrid technology to customers who need more room and provides more cargo space than 80 percent of all small SUVs,” said Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter. “And because it’s a Prius, it produces 66 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle and will have the best mileage ratings of any SUV, crossover, or wagon sold in America. We think that’s a win-win for everybody.”

The Prius v will be utilizing …


Eco-friendly products: Just add water to …

I think that the whole concept of using “house cleaners” is corrupt. We agree and manufacturers produce (now ‘better’, ecological) enormous variety and quantity of such when in principle we do not need them at all. I do not see much eco-friendliness in making them because still there are chemicals, plastic bottles and a lot of waste.
First of all, Keep Your House Clean and Tidy. This is the easiest way to avoid most of “house cleaners”.
Then, Clean Your Home Regularly. By doing so, which is a lot easier and faster you can reduce house cleaners use even further.
And last, possibly one cleaner such as dish washer can do it all.
But if you want want be really eco-friendly, try ordinary soup, vinegar and baking soda. They will help you clean windows, cooker, fridge, floors, toilet bowl and bath tube.

Below, it is how some see the household cleaners to be an eco-friendly

Published by NJ.com on Friday, 27 May 2011 by Kimberly L. Jackson
 

… new highly concentrated household cleaners in reusable bottles

The latest eco-friendly household cleaners are coming in tiny cartridges, sold with empty spray bottles and aiming to reduce plastic waste by asking buyers to add their own tap water to the highly concentrated formulas.

Unlike old-school concentrates that are diluted in a bucket of water, these cleaning agents are dispensed from small units called pods. In the case of two brands, Just Add Water System and Planet People’s IQ cleaners, the spray bottles are first filled with water to a specified level and the pod is inserted into the bottle’s neck.

The pod releases active ingredients into the water when the sprayer tube is inserted through its top and the cap is tightened. Both products require only 1/3 ounce of cleaner per bottle. Once empty, refill pods allow the bottles to be reused.

All said and …


Ecoholic

Published on Now Toronto on Thursday, 19 May, 2011; When you’re addicted to the planet by Adria Vasil
 

Why don’t green cleaners like Ecover list all their ingredients?

Sometimes you have to put on waders and trek through a swamp to get a good answer in life. Other times the answer is quick ’n’ dirty, as it is today.

 

Why don’t most green cleaners, or any cleaning products for that matter, divulge all or any of their ingredients? Simple: no one’s holding a squirt gun to their head.

We now have mandatory ingredient lists on cosmetics (not the case just five years ago), but there’s still no sign of compulsory content listing on dish detergent or toilet bowl cleaners. It’s an outrage, really, considering all the lung-irritating, skin-inflaming, hormone-disrupting, water-pol-luting and cancer-linked cleaning chemicals on the market.

You’d think green cleaners …


Organic insight

Published by Garden Center Magazine on Wednesday, 18 May, 2011
 

Garden Writers Association Annual Webinar reveals survey findings on natural and organic gardeners

Consumers are more likely to purchase products described as “natural” or “eco-friendly,” according to findings presented at Garden Writers Association’s Annual Webinar (www.gardenwriters.org) held March 24. The session, sponsored by Scotts Miracle-Gro, offered an overview of results from a survey conducted by market-research company Ipsos-Reid.

 

The survey asked participants about “natural” and “conventional” lawn, garden and indoor-insect control products. The “natural” category included products described as “green, organic, natural or eco-friendly.” The products could be homemade or purchased in stores.

Results showed that …

Completely Off-Grid Eco-Friendly Outdoor Lighting Solution

Published by PRWeb on Thursday, 19 May, 2011
 
Urban Green Energy, unveils its Boardwalk street light, a sustainable outdoor lighting solution that operates entirely on wind and solar

Urban Green Energy (UGE), the leading manufacturer of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) and hybrid renewable energy solutions, announced today its newest product, The Boardwalk, a hybrid wind and solar streetlamp. The Boardwalk is the second addition to UGE’s line of hybrid wind and solar outdoor lighting, after the successful launch of its Sanya hybrid solar streetlamp in December. The Boardwalk gives customers an elegant and completely off-grid lighting solution that is perfect for parks, pathways, and quaint passageways.

As Urban Green Energy’s sustainable solution to elegant outdoor lighting, the newly introduced Boardwalk operates completely on wind and solar energy, just like its predecessor Sanya. Equipped with a 60 watt LED light that is powered by a 600 watt eddy VAWT and a 150 watt solar panel, The Boardwalk’s distinguishing feature is its old-fashioned and traditional design, reminiscent of the gas streetlights prevalent at the turn of the last century.

Characteristic of the entire …


Earth Day 2010: 40 Years and Going Strong

Published by EHS Today on Friday, 22 April, 2011 by Laura Walter
 
On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, organizations and communities across the nation will come together to celebrate, honor and protect the earth while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.

“Forty years ago, Americans across the nation took up a call for cleaner air, safer water and unpolluted land,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson in an Earth Day message. “They saw that to keep our families healthy, to build clean communities and to make America stronger for the future, we needed to protect and preserve our environment.”

EPA will hold free Earth Day events on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., April 24 and 25, where Jackson and senior EPA officials will be in attendance. Exhibits will include an environmental crime scene forensics demonstration; cutting-edge automotive technology; climate change habitat loss exhibits; environmental videos; an interactive environmental hazards booth for kids; backyard composting demonstrations; a Chesapeake Bay water model; and more.

“As we look to the past, we are also focused on …


Feeling Skeptical about “Green” Products?

To find the line between greenwashing and environmental victory, Wake Forest University Sustainability Director Dedee DeLongpré Johnston advised, “If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is.”

That means even products touted as organic or eco-smart might not be as Earth-friendly as they seem. Before purchasing that product, consider the following:

Where was the product made, with what materials, and under what conditions?
How much water and …


Graphine paper 10 times stronger than steel

Published by Digital Trends on Friday, 22 April, 2010 by Jeff Hughes
 

This is indeed very interesting product and who knows it may revolutionize many industries. However, how much it is an eco-friendly as claimed by scientists product? The manufacturing process may pose some eco-friendliness doubts but … possibly it could be improved.


New material processed from raw graphite is stronger than steel and may revolutionize the automotive and aviation industries.

 

 

Scientists at the University of Technology Sydney have developed a new graphene paper, a composite material made from processed graphite that is as thin as paper but is stronger than steel.

The UTS research team’s breakthrough with the material is the result of their unique production and heat testing method which found out these exceptional properties for the graphene paper.

The research team, supervised by Professor Guoxiu Wang, took raw graphite, purified it, filtered it with chemicals and pressed it into sheets.
The graphene paper not only has ten times the strength of steel but …


Branson Targets ‘Dirty’ Cargo Vessels

Published by Fox News Latino on Monday, 06 December, 2010 by Tom Parmenter
 
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has declared war on the shipping industry with a new climate change initiative.


Yes, yes, I know; It was published 5 months ago but I think it is interesting to know and because it is the first time I heard about such initiative I decided to have it here. Yes, I should know it earlier but … I didn’t, my fault and is too late to moan. I can’t change this 🙂 Give it a go anyway, for knowledge is never too late.


The Carbon War Room, an independent venture, wants to see an efficiency rating on every ocean going vessel to help clean up the industry.


It is the first of many industries being targeted by the group which believes climate change can be solved through business rather than government summits.

Ministers from 190 countries are into their second week of negotiations in Cancun, Mexico with no sign of a global deal.

Sir Richard told Sky News: “It is up to us business leaders to help those politicians deliver, they haven’t delivered so far, if they don’t deliver we can’t afford to wait.

“It is up to us to get our house in order …


Mexican Scientists Developing Eco-friendly Cement

Published by Fox News Latino on 4th March, 2011 by Peter Fairley
 
Scientists at Mexico’s Research and Advanced Studies Center, or Cinvestav, are developing a new type of cement that they say will reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by up to 80 percent while lowering the amount of energy consumed in the production process by as much as 50 percent.

 

“Cement is the second most consumed product in the world after water, due to population growth that in many cities requires the development of infrastructure, buildings and homes,” Cinvestav, which depends on the National Polytechnic Institute, said Thursday in a statement.

Yet the intensive use of cement “is …