An Overview of Green Living and The Three R's

You have probably heard the term "going green", but like a lot people you may not know exactly what that means or how to do it. 

Living a "green" lifestyle simply means that you live your life in such a way as to reduce your impact on the environment.  To do this, we must strive to accomplish five things (See All-Recycling-Facts for more information):

1. Reduce consumption and waste;
2. Conserve energy;
3. Conserve resources;
4. Reduce pollution; and
5. Protect the earth's ecological balance with other living things

 That may sound like a daunting task but it doesn't have to be.  There are a number of things that each of us can do to promote a healthy environment.

In my opinion, one of the most important steps toward green living is incorporating the three R's:  Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. 

REDUCE:  By reducing what we consume we are having a direct impact not only on the processes it takes to produce items such as paper, plastic and energy but we reduce our waste.  The best way to reduce our waste is not to create it in the first place.  This step alone meets all five of the goals stated above!

REUSE:    Reusing an item saves resources, energy and money.  In addition, this step allows you to be creative.  Find ways to reinvent something instead of just throwing it out.

RECYCLE:  Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products.  We all know about paper, plastic and glass but almost anything can be recycled nowadays!  Here is one list of things that can be recycled but a quick search online will provide you with many more.

Going green can be fun!  Get creative with your efforts.  For example, besides traditional recycling I also use a company called Terracycle.  Terracycle upcycles and recycles items that are otherwise difficult to recycle and repurposes them into unique products.  You sign up for one of their programs, collect your waste and ship it to them.  They even pay the shipping!

The important thing to remember about going green is this:  Do something!  Start small.  Every bit counts!  There is a world of information online that can provide you with tips, ideas and answers to questions that you may have.  Here is a few of my favorites:  Go Green America TV, Recyclebank, Earth911, and Ways2GoGreenBlog. 

Green looks good on everyone!

Kim Johnston

The Truth About Modern-Day Slavery

Slavery was abolished is 1865, right?  Wrong!  Modern-day slavery (human trafficking) is thriving and is a big business worldwide.

According to enditmovement.com, there are 27 million men, women and children currently being held against their will in 161 countries around the world.  Many of these individuals are abused physically and sexually.  They are being forced to work in unspeakable conditions in factories, on farms, in sex related industries and other shadow businesses.

This  horrible practice isn't just happening in remote, unknown locations.  According to the US Government, it is estimated that between 14,500-17,500 victims are trafficked into the United States every year and that currently there are 200,000 people in the United States that are modern-day slaves.

In February of 2013, the END IT Movement was launched to draw national awareness.  It's objective was to "Shine a Light on Slavery" and it captured the attention of media outlets, celebrities, professional athletes and thousands of individuals around the world.  Actor, Nathaniel Buzolic joined the fight and has been a big voice in raising awareness.  Nathaniel is currently competing in the BiLLe's Celeb Charity Challenge for the End It Movement.

Unfortunately, just raising awareness doesn't bring freedom.   Change requires action.  The following is a list of organizations that have partnered with END IT and are making freedom a reality:

Made In A Free World

International Justice Mission

Free The Slaves

Not For Sale

The Polaris Project

The A21 Campaign

Love 146

Additionally, people worldwide have become involved in helping to raise awareness through social media campaigns, community events and fundraisers.  If you would like to help, you can check out my fundraiser on Crowdrise benefiting Love 146,  my friend Nadine Brewer's fundraiser, start your own fundraiser, organize an event, share this blog post, be a voice on Facebook or Twitter, visit one of the organizations listed above...just do something.   Together we can help those who feel helpless!

Kim Johnston

   

There Is A RYOT Going On - Get Involved!

The news is all around us!  Good and bad.  We see it and hear it everyday whether it be through newspapers, television, an online news source or social media.  Typically, we feel something - anger, sorrow, happiness - as we take in the information, but then what?  Sadly, a lot of people just let it go and move on, not because they don't care but because they don't know what they can do to help.  

Enter RYOT News.  Founded by Bryn Mooser and David Darg, RYOT offers an interactive approach to the news.  Here is how it works (from ROYT.org):

"1. Every story posted on RYOT.org is accompanied by an action box, which gives you a way to have an impact on the story, in some cases by donating to a leading organization making a positive impact on the issue, signing a petition, sending a tweet, or just sharing the story itself. Look for the gray box.

2. At the end of every story, you’ll find a RYOT note. This is where you can read about the connection between the article and the action(s) associated.

3. A percentage of all advertising revenue goes to a featured non-profit, which changes weekly. Just by getting your news from RYOT and sharing our stories, you are helping make a difference."

By providing a way for readers to act on a story, RYOT is empowering people.  When people feel that they, individually, can make a difference, positive things happen.  Change happens!

RYOT founders, Byrn Mooser and David Darg, along with activist Ian Somerhalder, recently spoke at the Social Good Summit in New York.  They discuss how the idea of RYOT came about, how it is changing the face of news and journalism and the importance of giving people a way to help.  Watch it here.

ROYT News is not only a way to learn about the important issues going on in today's world but it is a way to get involved and make a difference.  RYOT is how you can "Become the News"!


Web:    RYOT News
Twitter:  @RYOTnews
Facebook:  RYOT

Kim Johnston

Built of Barnwood - The Beauty of Being "Green"

Most everyone nowadays is familiar with the term "green".  Being "green" implies that one is taking necessary steps to reduce their impact on the environment.  Things like reducing, reusing and recycling are a vital part of this movement.

Built of Barnwood (BOB) was founded on this philosophy!

Bob and Ian Somerhalder started Built of Barnwood for the purpose of reclaiming, recycling and re-purposing vintage wood and building materials into beautiful pieces of art and home accessories.  It's about  "a passion for reusing things that are often forgotten, finding hidden beauty, and creating something from what we have."

This family business is based in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi but has a worldwide customer and fan base.  The Somerhalder family motto of "NEVER GIVE UP" has become a "battle cry" in the lives of people everywhere.

The most important factor of BOB is the people behind it.  I have had the privilege of meeting and talking with Bob and Dena.  They are the friendliest, most down-to-earth people you could ever hope to meet.  You immediately feel that you are talking to a friend!

If you are not familiar with Built of Barnwood, you really need to take a look.  Get to know this amazing family!  You can find them on the web, on Facebook or on Twitter!

Here is a couple of my great BOB items:

Kim Johnston

Chemical Pruning - In My Opinion

Recently the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) implemented the practice of chemical pruning in my area and it has drawn a lot of negative feedback.

Chemical pruning is defined as the application to plants of chemicals that restrict shoot or root growth.  According to TXDOT this method of  spraying trees and vegetation with a chemical herbicide is the "most economical way to prune trees and maintain motorist safety".  They also claim it is 100% environmentally safe.

As I make the drive to and from work every day I look at the dead trees and limbs and wonder: (1) how all of the dead vegetation is allowing me to see better and be safer? and (2) how this can be environmentally safe?  The answer to both - it isn't! 

TXDOT maintains that they have been using this method in other areas with great success but a quick search online found that residents in other areas of the state have voiced the same concerns/complaints and got the same standardized answers that we got.  I guess TXDOT defines success as dead vegetation and no real answers.

Remember the title of this article states that this is my opinion, so:  First of all,  when you introduce a chemical into the environment and over waterways, that is designed to kill trees and other vegetation - it, by definition, is not 100% environmentally safe!  Second, when you are spraying this chemical from a truck located 15-20+ feet away from it's intended target - not all of the chemical will hit it's target.  Finally, TXDOT states that, in part, this is being done to maintain the safety of motorist but if someone is driving their car 20 feet off the roadway - they probably have other issues to worry about than whether the trees are alive or dead. 

I would challenge any TXDOT official to do two things: (1) ride with me down US Highway 281 and explain to me the benefits of this sporadic spraying and how it is helpful to my safety and (2) prove to me this chemical is 100% safe...put some (same concentration used in the spraying) in a glass of water and drink it!  Any takers??

Anyway, thank you TXDOT - now our roadways look terrible, the falling dead limbs are reducing motorist safety and our lakes and rivers have a new contaminant.  Great job!

Ian Somerhalder Foundation - Empowering Change

Ian Somerhalder and the Ian Somerhalder Foundation is the inspiration behind this blog so I thought it only fitting to highlight them!

Ian Somerhalder started the Ian Somerhalder Foundation in December of 2010 out of a feeling of helplessness due to the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling disaster in April of that same year.  His objective was to educate people on the importance of protecting this beautiful planet and it's inhabitants. Thus, the mission of the Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF) is:

"The IS FOUNDATION aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures."

 ISF is now a worldwide phenomenon!  Check out this map of  the ISF Community Crews around the world!

The ISF family is an amazing group of people!  Loving, passionate and inspiring!  All focused on a common goal - making the world a better place!

Take a minute to check out ISF and I promise you will be inspired.  "Be the change"!

Kim Johnston

Thank you to Dina Khayal for putting together the ISF map!  It is awesome!

LINKS:

Ian Somerhalder         
Ian Somerhalder Foundation
Dina Khayal

The IS FOUNDATION aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. - See more at: http://www.isfoundation.com/about-foundation#sthash.kNKNLzeJ.dpuf

The IS FOUNDATION aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. - See more at: http://www.isfoundation.com/about-foundation#sthash.kNKNLzeJ.dpuf

How it all started....

My name is Kim Johnston.  I am 44 years old.  I live in a small, unincorporated community in central Texas.

My whole life, I guess I believed that environmental issues, conservation and those types of things were important and I felt that someone should do something about it.  But not me...I mean what could I possible do?  I'm just one person - a simple country girl from an obscure Texas community.

In March of 2013, I became familiar with the Ian Somerhalder Foundation (www.isfoundation.com) and was very impressed with it's philosophy and the strides they were taking to make a positive impact on the world.  As I browsed they articles I began to think that maybe it was possible for one person to make a difference.  Maybe....a simple country girl from an obscure Texas community could make a difference.

I started small by recycling plastics at home and getting my family involved.  I was shocked at how much plastic we were recycling.  And everything just took off from there....

I have since started a recycling program at work, I have made personal changes to reduce my consumption of plastics, paper and gas.  I have changed the light bulbs in my house to Cree bulbs (www.cree.com) and have been very conscious about turning off and unplugging electrical devices.

In August, 2013 I became a member of the ISF Texas Community Crew.  This wonderful group of people has been such an inspiration!  You can get more information by visiting their Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/ISF-Texas/355848924505068 or on Twitter at @ISF_TX.

With this new found belief in the power of one....I have organized and planned my first event.  On October 19th, 2013 I am hosting a Community Clean-Up and Recycling Day in my community.  I have received a tremendous amount of support for this venture.  The local paper has even interviewed me for an upcoming article.  I will let you know how it goes!!

The purpose of this blog is to let everyone know that one person can and does make a difference.  As Ian says - "Be the Change you want to see".  I will endeavor to provide interesting information related to recycling, environmental issues, green living tips and businesses.

Thank you all for being an inspiration!

Kim Johnston
Twitter:  @johnston76465 
Facebook:  Kim Davis Johnston