Green Plastic

Credit Cards Go Green

By Jacque

I received an email advertisement recently from Citi Cards promoting “Greener Banking for a Greener Environment”. It seems that Citi has partnered with The National Arbor Day Foundation in a program to promote paperless statements. The benefits? For every person who enrolls in “Paperless Statements” Citi will donate a tree to be planted “where needed most”.

What can one tree do? According to The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, one tree absorbs more than a ton of carbon over its lifetime. That same tree provides oxygen for up to four people in one day, claims the Tree Canada Foundation. The University of Washington College of Forest Resources says that trees can reduce heating and cooling costs on a typical home by up to 12%. The U.S. Department of Agriculture tells us that the net cooling effect of one tree, on the environment, is equivalent to ten air conditioners operating at 20 hours per day.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not promoting consumerism via credit card purchases. I understand that our habits of consuming need to be reformed, if we are to combat the negative effects of product packaging and distribution on our environment. Conversely, for some who are looking for an easy way to take a positive step, changing to paperless statements is a great option. It is nice to see a credit card company take it one step further. Kudos Citi.

New Video: 

Fireworks: Friend or Foe?

Fireworks:  Friend or Foe?

By: Jacque

  Fireworks are a national past time.  Many of us have fond memories of enjoying them with friends and family.  But, could these same fireworks be putting our health and environment at risk?

According to AQMD, the particulate levels in the areas around fireworks displays increase by about 100 times and do not return to normal until midday the next day.  These particulates can cause a host of physical reactions including, coughing, soar throats, and burning eyes, with increased risks for people with asthma.

In addition, the particulates from fireworks wind up in the environment.  The particles settle on the ground and contaminate waterways.  A study, done by the Environmental Protection Agency, found that the level of some chemicals increase by 1,000 in an Oklahoma lake, proceeding a fireworks display.

Disney to the rescue!  Among others, Disney has been working to develop cleaner fireworks.  One option is ditching carbon-based materials for nitrogen atoms. According to scientists, this will introduce far less smoke into the environment.  Another option is fireworks that use nitrocellulose.  These fireworks emit water, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide instead of smoke.

With environmental concerns driving the undustry, it looks like there may be a bright future for fireworks.  All puns intended. 

Have a safe and green holiday weekend,

W2G

Original article:  Los Angeles Times