Results for ecoconsumer

Battle of the Bags: Will a plastic bag fee pass in Seattle?

TOM WATSON / Tuesday, October 21, 2008 08:27 PM

What ever happened to Seattle's fee on plastic and paper grocery bags? For awhile last summer it was one of the hottest topics in the city. Then the plastics industry put nearly $200,000 into petition drives to get it on the ballot. They were successful, so the city called off its January 1 start date for the fee.

Rumors are that it will be placed on the ballot in the August, 2009, primary election. I predict voters will not approve it. Personally, I believe this sort of fee system has merit, from a product stewardship standpoint. You wouldn't have to pay the fee if you used reusable bags. This would make people realize there are environmental costs to using single-use bags. But, even though it has a fair amount of support, these are the reasons I think it won't pass when it goes on the ballot in Seattle: More...

TAGS: LIVE, recycle anything

Green Book Review - "Seven Wonders for a Cool Planet"

EcoConsumer

TOM WATSON / Thursday, June 12, 2008 12:22 PM

Recycling works for books, too.

"Seven Wonders for a Cool Planet", a new book by Eric Sorensen and the staff at the Seattle-based Sightline Institute, updates a 1999 book by John Ryan of Sightline (then known as Northwest Environment Watch).

With plenty of timely new stats and a 21st-Century sense of urgency about global warming, this book feels fresh and relevant. It's a quick read - just over 100 pages - but for such a slight book, it's deceptively deep and inspiring. More...

TAGS: LIVE, books

Let's Go for a Ride - Biking as a Green Strategy

EcoConsumer

TOM WATSON / Tuesday, April 29, 2008 01:24 PM

Will bicycles ever be taken seriously in America as a means of urban transportation? What would it take?

One thing that would really help is if people besides just bike riders themselves start supporting the concept. This concept - progressive but not so far-fetched - would include safe streets for cyclists, designated bike lanes, driver and cyclist education programs, bike storage rooms at workplaces, incentives for people to bike or walk to work instead of driving, urban restrictions on cars, and more. More...

TAGS: GO, bikes

BYOB - A User's Guide to Reusable Grocery Bags

EcoConsumer

TOM WATSON / Monday, March 3, 2008 01:17 PM

Will this be the year reusable grocery bags go mainstream? Let's hope so, because most major grocery stores in the area are doing their part. Nearly every grocery chain now sells a nice reusable bag (with their name on it) for about a dollar. Now it's up to us, the customers. So far, most Americans have not gotten into the mindset - prevalent in Europe - of bringing bags back to the grocery store. It doesn't have to be the store's bag, it can be any reusable bags, or even disposable plastic or paper bags that you reuse a bunch of times. Somehow we just need to remember to do it. So let's take a look at some of the great options now available here in the Seattle area if you want to Bring Your Own Bag. More...

TAGS: LIVE, accessories, grocery, product reviews

Around the Green Dial

EcoConsumer

TOM WATSON / Sunday, February 17, 2008 02:32 PM

To quote a Bruce Springsteen song from last year: "This is Radio Nowhere - Is there anybody alive out there?" Fortunately, Seattle radio is not Radio Nowhere when it comes to the environment. You can find green info and coverage on several Seattle radio stations. Here's what I've heard, or heard about, or been a part of myself. It's certainly a selective list, and I won't mention every station in town. If I've missed anything, or you have anything to add, please send a comment.

KUOW - FM 94.9
One of two local National Public Radio (NPR) affiliates, KUOW has provided solid coverage of environmental issues. One recent example is their "Cracking the Climate Code" series in early February. On their daily interview/call-in shows, "Weekday" and "The Conversation," they also regularly cover topics such as green building and natural gardening. More...

TAGS: PLAY, arts & culture, music

Green TV

EcoConsumer

TOM WATSON / Friday, January 18, 2008 06:51 PM

What kind of environmental coverage will you find on local TV stations? It's definitely mixed, but overall it seems to be getting better.

I've been fortunate to work with several local stations on "green" stories and features on their news and public affairs shows. I also try to keep track of the overall environmental coverage. So, here's my take on it. I'm sure I've missed some things, so please comment if you have anything to add.

KING5

Gary Chittim with KING5 is the only local reporter I know of that is specifically on the environmental beat. I tip my hat to KING5 because they have had this environmental reporter position for a number of years (many folks probably remember their previous environmental guy, Scott Miller). Within the constraints of local TV news - usually 4 minutes or less to tell a story - Gary consistently delivers clear, balanced and engaging segments on a variety of topics, from soil erosion to global warming to air fresheners.

In the morning, KING5 and KONG6/16 (their sister station) feature reporter Tim Robinson occasionally does stories with an environmental angle. These are usually packages, including both live and taped segments at different locations. Tim's off-the-wall humor and enthusiasm make them worth watching.

KOMO4

This station has a strong consumer focus with their "Problem Solvers" team of reporters, and those stories often have a green angle. Main consumer reporter Herb Weisbaum has been especially receptive to green stories over the past year or two. One day he might be talking about LED (light-emitting diode) Christmas lights, and the next day it's low-flush toilets, always with an emphasis on practical, useful info for the consumer. KOMO also runs regular EcoConsumer segments every few weeks on the 4 p.m. news (with myself and anchor Mary Nam).

KIRO7

I haven't heard about or seen any particular environmental focus from KIRO. Of the three major Seattle stations, they definitely seem the least interested in green stories.

KCTS9

This public station (a PBS affiliate) has two locally-produced programs, KCTS Connects (public affairs) and About the Money (personal finance). Both of them have done green pieces, and this winter KCTS Connects is introducing a new regular environmental segment, which I will be involved with.

KCBQ13

This station runs occasional environmental news stories. The main ones I've seen or heard about have been on the morning newscast with Bill Wixey and Carmen Ainsworth.

KMYQ22

I haven't seen or heard about any environmental content on this station.

KSTW11

They do have a "Project Green" section on their website, with some green content and sponsorships, but I'm not sure what presence it has on the air.KWPX33 Erin Larson's public affairs show on weekend mornings has included some green segments.

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Overall, a decent showing, although I would like to see more in-depth coverage, and some locally-produced specials. Please let me know what I missed, and your own thoughts about the state of environmental coverage on Seattle area TV. Coming soon in this blog - Green coverage on local radio. More...

TAGS: PLAY, arts & culture, cinema

Happy Green Year

EcoConsumer

TOM WATSON / Sunday, December 23, 2007 11:53 PM

The green wave still hasn't crested. And we can all continue to be part of the eco-surge by going even more green and local in the new year. Here are five suggestions for new year's resolutions to help make it a great 08:

1) Adopt a thrift store.

Lots of us shop at thrift or consignment stores occasionally, but why not really take advantage of this method for reducing our environmental impact and saving money? Find your own special second-hand shop, one that carries clothes and other items that fit your personality. If it's off the beaten track, all the better. Visit frequently and get to know the staff. If possible, donate stuff there yourself, in addition to shopping. The store my wife has a special relationship with is the Lifelong AIDS Alliance Thrift Store on Capitol Hill in Seattle. I've gotten some great clothes there as well. And in 2008 I hope to develop more of a serious thing with Gentlemen's Consignment in the Madison Valley (I've only dallied there so far).

2) Visit a farmers market at least once a month.

I know many folks do better than that. But when we get busy during the summer, it's easy to forget about these terrific green resources. And in the late winter and early spring, we might not remember that several farmers markets are open all year, or most of the year. These include the Ballard and University District markets, and of course the Pike Place Market downtown.

3) Make water work for you.

If you have a yard, it's time to pay serious attention to where all the water goes. In the past few years we've had more heavy rains, and more flooding. I believe it's because of global warming, but even if it isn't, we can help the environment - and keep water our of our basement - by using the water on our property, or at least directing it properly. Getting a rain barrel or two is a good start, although to really take advantage of rain water you need a bunch of rain barrels, or a cistern. Also consider installing a rain garden - a low place in your yard, planted with native species, where water can collect. For a driveway or path, avoid runoff by using permeable concrete, stepping stones without mortar in between them, or gravel.

4) Hit the Green Festival.
Previously held in San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C., the Green Festival is coming to Seattle April 12-13, 2008. This eco-extravaganza at the Convention Center downtown is expected to have several hundred exhibits, music, food and more than 100 national and regional speakers (including yours truly). A project of Global Exchange and Co-Op America, the Green Festival is also funded by the city of Seattle and many other partners. I have the sense that this is going to be a happening for the green crowd - a fun, educational and revitalizing experience. The first day of the festival, April 12, happens to also be the day the Dalai Lama is speaking at Qwest Field in Seattle. Why not hit both events and make it a green, socially-aware, spiritual weekend?

5) Make a statement.

Yesterday my daughter and I walked to downtown Seattle (we live pretty close), and she showed me the Gum Wall at the Pike Place Market. I had never seen it before. It's in front of the Market Theater, down in the bowels of the market, where few people go. Thousands of people have stuck their old gum there, sometimes spelling out words or making pictures, but often just glomming it on there. It was oddly inspiring to me, and in my (one-track?) mind I even saw an environmental angle: It's taking something usually considered useless garbage - old chewing gum - and turning it into art, or at least a public statement. It seems to especially appeal to young people, maybe because it shows the possibilities in even the most mundane detritus. I hope we can all create our own version of the Gum Wall in 2008 - some sort of creative way to express the concept that "green" can take many forms, and that waste is in the eye of the beholder.

More...

TAGS: HOME, energy, energy efficiency, farmers markets, water conservation

Five for the Holidays

EcoConsumer

TOM WATSON / Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:54 PM

'Tis the season for consumption. So check out my top five local antidotes to the holiday consumption blues:

1) Best free holiday entertainment. For my money (except not really, because it's free), the Christmas ships win hands down. They visit more than 50 area waterfront communities from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23. Okay, I admit that the boats that gather for this do use a fair amount of fuel. But for all the people on shore, it's perfect because no one has to drive very far. In fact, many folks walk to their local beach to see the ships on their appointed night. You often see neighbors there, as you all enjoy carols sung by a local choir just offshore. You can also pay to actually be on the boat with the choir, but I'd rather be on the beach for free. It's the quintessential Puget Sound-area holiday experience. More...

TAGS: LIVE, arts & culture, eco toys, kids

What's In a Name?

EcoConsumer

TOM WATSON / Wednesday, November 14, 2007 01:21 PM

Maybe you've heard that Environmental Home Center in Seattle has changed its name to "ecohaus." My initial response: I hated it. But in the interest of fairness, first let me list what appear to be the advantages of the new name:

- It's shorter, and much less of a mouthful to say - three syllables instead of eight syllables.

- It brings the company's three stores - Environmental Home Center in south Seattle and Environmental Building Supplies in Portland and Bend, Oregon - together under one name.

- It looks nice with their new logo. More...

TAGS: HOME, green remodeling, hardware stores

Share and Share Alike  - Libraries, Tools, Cars, Bicycles and More

EcoConsumer

TOM WATSON / Thursday, November 1, 2007 02:29 PM

Seattle's largest reuse center covers an entire city block downtown, between Fourth and Fifth avenues and Madison and Spring streets. It's called the Central Library.

Only recently have I realized how much libraries and waste prevention (two of my greatest passions) go together. A library is the ultimate free reuse center - a monument to waste reduction. More...

TAGS: GO, green cars