It is easy being green

• Jul
  26
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• 1

This past week I did quite a bit of flying. From Boise to Spokane, Spokane to Boise, Boise to Salt Lake, Salt Lake to Dallas... you get the picture. And while I normally love a good Internet read, most airlines still aren't friendly to in the air Internet. So, as many travelers do, I purchased a magazine. The magazine I picked up was body+soul - a great read on living life in balance. The pub focuses on good living, from being green, to eating well. They had a great list of Easy-to-be-Green Ideas that I wanted to share with you. (for the full list of 31, visit their website... it's worth it) 1. Farm Fresh - get to know a local farmer 2. Reuse - drink water from a reusable water bottle 3. Get outside - skip the gym and exercise outdoors 4. Unwrap - reuse your Ziplock bags 5. Go Fish - eat sustainable fish (visit the Blue Ocean Institute for more information) 6. Eco-Chic Bag - bring a reusable bag to the supermarket 7. Go Vegetarian - Eat a meal or two without meat 8. Save Power - remember to unplug your electronics 9. Cut Paper Use - cancel the phone book delivery 10. Go Digital  - sign up for online banking and stop receiving paper statements And there are 21 more where that came from! These items seem so simple, and they are. So if you are already doing all of the above, way to go. If you aren't, why not start today? Have additional ways to go green with ease? Let us know! We want to hear from you.

Finally an award show I’m interested in

• Jul
  19
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• 0

The glitz of the Oscars, the glam of the Tonys and the ridiculousness of the MTV movie awards - people love these shows... but why don't awards that go to people who have done good have more coverage. Well, VH1 and DoSomething.org are looking to change this. Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored our country's socially conscious do-gooders. The do-gooders have to be under 25 and represent true change in their field, cause or issue. The five nominees will be award the following: • a community grant ($10,000) • participation in a live VH1 show • media coverage • continued support from DoSomething.org  The winning do-gooder will recieve $100,000 to continue their world-changing activities. The award show will be broadcast tonight live at 9/8C on VH1. Best of luck to all the deserving finalists.

On the Ground Post #3 – A Sustainable House, More Than Just a Home

• Jul
  16
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• 0

Recently back from an international climate justice conference in Bolivia, Esther Yang was eager to discuss her passion for sustainable, affordable housing. “I’ve always wanted to choose a profession that would use my passions and convictions; one that would provide a home and a community of support for people,” Esther said. “Housing should not focus on the production of objects and inhabitable containers; it is about fostering a place that allows someone to feel that they belong.” At 31, Esther has a graduate degree in architecture from the University of Virginia, taught architecture classes at the University of Arkansas as an assistant professor and is in the final month of her tenure as an Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow. She has spent the past three years working in New York City at a non-profit, Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation, to provide affordable and sustainable housing to communities in the Northwest Bronx. Beyond her focus to improve fundamental construction practices, Esther has managed 13 sustainable projects. One project involved harvesting rainwater to flush toilets. She also managed a project to refurbish a solar thermal system to preheat domestic hot water to reduce fuel costs. These projects work to alleviate important environmental issues for urban areas across the nation. “I’m passionate about promoting practices that facilitate better operation costs because it’s more funding we can devote to our residents and their homes,” Esther said. “Sustainability is such a buzzword these days, and this isn’t about installing cool bamboo flooring, it’s about caring for the environment as a whole while working to house people in a community that is affordable to them.” Her fellowship has allowed her to inject insights into local, national, and international forums. She has worked to develop tools to assist development and property management companies to make more efficient and productive development. Her fellowship has also opened doors for her to devote time towards her greater goals of affecting housing domestic and international development policies. Esther was invited by The Bolivian Mission of the United Nations to participate in the climate justice conference in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The conference propelled her thinking about sustainable practices into a world perspective. She said she was “forced to recognize her ignorance about global concerns and returned with recharged convictions to advocate more compassionate and considerate decisions that address immediate needs of domestic and international communities.” “I learned in Bolivia that everything I do has to fit into a larger framework of thinking,” Esther said. “The housing industry has come to a level of complacency with a primary focus on price. I no longer just look at wood as an aesthetic luxury or the cheapest option; I have two populations to consider. I might be empowering my residences in the Bronx with wood from the rainforest, but at the same time I can’t justify implementing the wood because I’ve impacted someone else across the world negatively.” Her passion for sustainable housing flows out of an even greater passion to see others enjoy being in a place that they can afford and feel connected within a community in which they feel pride for.  It’s a passion that can be seen in the path her life has taken and heard in her voice as she talks about her projects. “I’d like to scrap words like “green” and “sustainable” and not talk about someone’s home as “product,” but a place that is supporting their lives from a different perspective,” Esther ardently stated. _________________________________ By Abby Wambaugh Abby is a marketing manager for an iconic, international travel company. She tweets, writes and loves the mountains. Above any professional goal, her heart desires to see justice in an unjust world. Abby is contributing seven blog posts in a series called “On the Ground.” The series focuses on real people making a difference through volunteer work. We’re so excited to have Abby contributing to our blog.

The Unthinkable

• Jul
  12
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• 0

We all know it can happen. We are aware that it's out there. Senseless violence that results in the death of good and wonderful people. And this time, it's close to home. It is with great sadness that we pass on the information that one of Invisible Children's employees was killed in a terrorist attack. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Invisible Children family as well as the family of Nate "Oteka" Henn. He will be missed and his sacrifice will not be in vain so long as there are people like him in this world.  Here are the details and more information. (FROM INVISIBLE CHILDREN'S BLOG) In loving memory of Nate “Oteka” Henn It is with deep sadness that we write to tell you that one of our dear friends has been lost in the terrorist attack earlier today in Kampala. Nate “Oteka” Henn was killed by an explosion that ripped through a rugby field where hundreds of people had gathered to watch the final match of the World Cup. Nate worked with us at Invisible Children for a year and a half and leaves behind a legacy of honor, integrity, and service. From traveling the United States without pay advocating for the freedom of abducted child soldiers in Joseph Kony’s war, to raising thousands of dollars to put war-affected Ugandan students in school, Nate lived a life that demanded explanation. He sacrificed his comfort to live in the humble service of God and of a better world, and his is a life to be emulated. Nate was determined to go to Uganda and see the homeland of the friends he had made on tour. His love for the Ugandan students he had worked with is exemplified by the deep friendships he forged with them. He was not serving some idea of down-trodden Africa. He was serving Innocent, Tony, Boni, Ronald, Papito, Sunday and Lilian. These are some of our Ugandan students who fell in love with Nate’s wit, strength, character and steadfast friendship. They gave him the Acholi name “Oteka”, which means “The Strong One.” Some of them were with him at the time of the attack. Nate was not a glory-seeker and never sought the spotlight. He asked not to be made a hero of. But the life he lived inspires reflection and imitation. In a facebook status update he made just before his trip to Uganda, he wrote, “thank you for helping me achieve my dream of getting to Uganda” and while there he wrote home about being in the best days of his life and loving his time with his Ugandan friends. Nate’s life ended while living out this dream, a selfless dream of putting others first, seeking peace, and living a life of integrity. He will be forever missed, forever remembered, and his legacy will live on in our love and deeds. For more information and news about the terrible attack, click here for the New York Times article. Sincerely, the Invisible Children family.

The price of freedom…

• Jul
  5
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• 0

Yesterday, we celebrated our freedom in the United States of America. I don't know about you, but my day consisted of eating too much, hanging out with friends and family, watching some fire explode in the sky and basically enjoying living the good life. I am truly grateful for these freedoms and precious moments. And yet, there are millions of people worldwide who are denied this very basic principal. They should not be forgotten.  At Project 7, we are lucky enough to meet organizations and individuals that are working to set free and support those who are oppressed. We applaud them for their efforts and are so glad we can help spread the word and lend support in any way possible. Our friends at Love146 summed it up yesterday using the words of the great Nelson Mandela - "To be free is to not merely cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." So we ask you: are you living your life in a way that respects and enhances the freedoms of others? And if so, what could you do to help those who aren't free?