Are You Ready to Repay Your Ecological Debt?

According to the New Economics Foundation (Nef), yesterday marked this year's ecological debt day.  From now until the end of 2009, all natural resources consumed by our global population are above and beyond the amount that should have lasted the entire year at a sustainable usage rate.  

Society has been in debt to the planet for 29 years, steadily using up far more than our fair share of limited natural resources.  Even in the midst of deep recession, the dangerous trend of over-consumption continues - a habit that could have devastating results if it continues.

Who's to Blame?

Nef's latest report states that a single American emits a year's worth of carbon for a resident of Tanzania by 4 AM on January 2nd.  In the UK, the same amount of emissions occurs by 7 PM on January 4th.  

"Rich world consumption" is to blame for the ever-growing global debt to the environment.  Developed countries over-consume at a ridiculous rate, often using up resources for unnecessary purposes. 

'Boomerang trade' is an excellent example - while the UK exports 5,000 tons of toilet paper to Germany, Germany exports 4,000 tons of the same product back to the UK.  This simultaneous trade of similar goods exhausts fossil fuels that could be preserved for more worthwhile purposes.  A lack of renewable energy sources, coupled with the electrical-dependent lifestyles of wealthy nations, only adds to the problem.

What Can You Do?

Become a part of the No Impact Week Challenge: Enter your email address at the No Impact Experiment to receive information, tips and how-to's, and support for the first No Impact Week challenge.

Buy local: Support local farmers by participating in a CSA in your area; search for nearby manufacturers when you shop and patronize companies that utilize green shipping procedures; avoid imported products whenever possible, especially from companies that are not fair trade businesses.  

Reduce, reuse, and recycle: From composting and organic gardening to energy-saving electronics and sustainable homes, there are a variety of things you can do to lower your impact on the planet and minimize your personal ecological debt.

Contact your representatives: Urge your elected officials to support research for renewable energy and to build local economies.  You can contact government representatives by phone, post, email, and even twitter to voice your thoughts.

Share your ideas to repay our debt to the planet in the comments!

Source: BBC News

Images: kevindooley, Hector Melo A., quaziefoto

Brews for the Eco-Minded Drinker

The next time you call the boys over for a friendly game of poker or host a chip-and-dip fest with the ladies, Full Sail and New Belgium Breweries are hoping you grab one of their sustainable beverages. Respected in the nation for green business practices and tasty beers, these two microbreweries are leading the way in energy efficiency, recycling, reuse, and sustainability. Full Sail Brewing From their American Pale Ale to the Brewmaster's Reserve, Full Sail Brewing masterfully creates handcrafted ales and lagers in Hood River, Oregon. In the sustainable business world, Full Sail has certainly earned their ranking as one of the leading 100 green companies in Oregon – an honor bestowed upon the microbrewery by the Oregon Business Magazine. Besides using sustainable ingredients and embracing renewable energy, the brewhouse itself is an efficient wonder – built with reclaimed and recycled building materials. Other green business practices include:

• An on-site wastewater treatment facility
• Utilizing hops and barley from Northwest farms
• Recycling grain and yeast waste into cattle feed
• 100% recycled paperboard for packaging
• Energy-efficient lighting and air compressors throughout brewhouse
• Adopting a 4-day workweek (four 10-hour shifts) to reduce water and energy consumption by 20%.

The brewery has also achieved reduced water consumption in regards to their beer making process. While most breweries use 6 to 8 gallons of water to make just one gallon of beer – Full Sail accomplishes the same task with only 3.45 gallons of water. New Belgium Brewing Social and environmental causes have always figured into the plan for New Belgium Brewing, as they've continued to push the envelope with their own green business practices. In addition to the sustainable brewery features listed below, the company has also set goals to further reduce their carbon footprint by 25% and water usage by 10%.

• Exceeding the expectations of the Clean Water Act of 1973, New Belgium Brewing implemented their own process for treating wastewater. As a result, they also learned how to harness the methane produced by the process to create a fuel used to generate electricity and heat for the brewery.
• In 1999, New Belgium became recognized as the largest private consumer of wind-power electricity at that time. They also earned the honor of being the first wind-powered brewery.
• UV blocking windows, sun-tubes, and light shelves assist the brewhouse in taking advantage of more than 360 days of sunrays decorating the Fort Collins, Colorado skies.
• Measuring 55,000 square foot, evaporative coolers result in decreased energy use for the compressor-free packaging hall. The interior wood used to construct this newer facility is beetle kill pine, which New Belgium Brewing says give "fallen trees another life."

Photo Credits: Environmental Leader, New Belgium