Pragmatism - The philosophy of accepting ideas with practical results as true and rejecting impractical ideas.  In other words: “What works best?”

When it comes to green, Stewart Brand is certifiably as green as it gets.  We’re talking old school true-blue earth lovin’ hippie and counterculture thought leader in the 1960’s type of green.  Today he lives on a boat in California, but back in the days of peace and love Stewart Brand was the editor of a little publication called the Whole Earth Catalog.  The Whole Earth Catalog was originally an American counterculture magazine that was first published in the late 1960’s and advocated everything you would associate with the hippie lifestyle.   As a young man Stuart was all about communal living and rural back-to-the-earth concepts.  

Today, he is still eco-conscious but has focused his energies on solutions instead of ideals.  In Stuart Brand’s latest book Whole Earth Discipline - An Ecopragmatist Manifesto, this member of the old school green generation shifts from the do-it-yourself attitude of traditional eco-thought to a new concept: how can we “do it” together?

Stewart’s new conclusion: “Cities are Green. Nuclear energy is Green. Genetic engineering is Green.”

Bold statements, and certainly out of sync with the typical thoughts of eco-idealists.  After all, treehuggers typically have dreams of self-sustaining organic rural communities off the grid. Nuclear powered cities and genetically engineered food are the opposite of that ideal, aren’t they?

Atomic Ideas

If you’re reading this on a computer screen anywhere on the continent of North America then chances are the electricity that powers the servers, infrastructure and your home or office computer were all generated using the most primal, basic and dirty technologies available: by burning coal.  Three decades ago the U.S. was poised to move into a new energy economy based on nuclear technology with 100 new nuclear power plants on the drawing board.  But eco-conscious Greens demonized nuclear power to the point that most of us think of nuclear power as a punch line on the Simpsons cartoon show.  The result was that the new plants were scrapped and coal consumption in the U.S. skyrocketed by 400,000,000 tons a year!

Brand asserts that most of our fears over nuclear power are due to misinformation and ignorance over new nuclear power technologies.  In comparing nuclear power that produces containable waste to other energy solutions nuclear power seems like an obvious and green solution that is certainly more sustainable than burning millions of tons of coal each day.

Communes and Cities

Back in the 1960’s and 70’s Stewart brand was a huge advocate of living in commune-style villages and experimented in commune living himself.  But today he says “Cities are Green.”, so what changed?

Well, few would argue that the formation of high-density residential and working systems result in logistical efficiencies in concerns such as land use, the shipment and delivery of goods and the centralisation of services.  Further to that Brand believes that the social implications of living in cities have a green take to the as well: less energy use, fewer children, and the liberation of women to name a few.  Brand believes in greening our cities by design and that we need to invest in making our high density living spaces sustainable. Sounds sensible to me.

Engineered Food and an Engineered World

There is a great quote from Stewart Brand from an interview in City Journal: “I daresay the environmental movement has done more harm with its opposition to genetic engineering than with any other thing we’ve been wrong about. We’ve starved people, hindered science, hurt the natural environment, and denied our own practitioners a crucial tool.”

The bottom line is genetically engineered crops - commonly referred to as GMOs – and the modern agriculture practices that often accompany them produce more food on fewer acres of land than non-engineered crops.  And the less land used the less deforestation that’s required to offset the requirements for farmland, not to mention less water and energy required to produce the crops season after season.

If an old school Green like Stewart Brand can break outside his box and think in terms of “what works” and “what’s practical” instead of adhering to Green Dogma, can you? 

Here are three questions for you:
1. Is there a better alternative out there to nuclear energy?
2. Can the Earth’s population sustain a massive drop in food supply if we switch back to 100% traditional agriculture?
3. Is it realistic or feasible for the entire population of the planet to redistribute into semi-rural communal eco-hamlets?

Did you answer “no” to all three questions as well?  Isn’t it funny how so many of us worry that there are no answers to global warming, the energy crisis or the population bomb when really the answers are simple and have been here all along.

» Penguin Books

It may seem a little late for spring cleaning given summer is pretty well here, but there's never a bad time to get organized and de-clutter your home. Your basement or garage seems like a natural place to start since those tend to be the locations where unwanted, unused items tend to be dumped. While you're sorting and organizing, there's no better time to add some green to those areas.

☆ Gather any bigger ticket items worth $100 or more that you no longer need and list them in a local newspaper or online classified site. Alternatively you can see if any family members or friends can put them to good use or donate them to a charity. If an item is damaged, offer them to someone who may be able to fix them or find other uses for them (like making a wallet from an inner tube). It is not recommended you donate damaged items since most charities don't have the resources to fix them.

☆ Collect all of your chemical supplies (ie. paint, powders, pesticides, etc) and categorize them based on their function. Take out all of the ones that you don't use and offer them to neighbors or friends, which may prevent them from having to purchase the product in the future. Consider replacing some of the more hazardous ones with green versions of the product if available. Anything you have leftover should be taken to a proper disposal center that can handle hazardous waste materials. They should never be thrown in the garbage or dumped down the drain.

☆ Organize anything you're keeping efficiently so you know where to look for it in the future. Being able to keep tabs on what you already own may prevent you from unnecessarily buying items you already own. If you're going to purchase a new storage system, consider wire racks which keeps anything kept on them visible and don't collect dust. Categorize items based on use and season (ie. garden tools and supplies, Christmas decorations, etc).

Organizing these rooms is easier said then done, so recruit other family members to help expedite the process. It's much easier to stay motivated when you have help and cut the required completion time down.

» The Seattle Times

Dr. Seuss once wrote, “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” He makes a valid point, but it’s also true, that the more you read, the more you may have an excessive number of books overflowing on your bookshelves. Buying used books or trading them via websites like Swaptree are great green ways to enjoy reading, but there’s another oft-neglected source of great material: your local library.

Once the known home of nerds, the latest best-sellers and cheesy romance novels, these buildings have developed into so much more. Good: You can usually get a library card and a year’s access to almost unlimited resources for less than the cost of one brand-new hardcover book. Better: Many libraries offer free cards to children under a certain age, so this an activity the whole family can enjoy.

To get you started, here are some examples of the types of resources you can find, as well as examples found in my own local library.

Cooking
If the kitchen in the home you grew up in looked anything like mine, one of the cupboards was probably stuffed full of cookbooks. Fast-forward to today, and there are countless volumes outlining endless possibilities in regional and foreign cuisine. Whether you’re into organic ingredients, vegan lunches or new curries, you never have to settle for the same boring meals and snacks day after day. You can even find kids cookbooks to get your little ones active and involved in the kitchen.

Pinky’s Picks: The Spice Kitchen: Everyday cooking with organic spices (Katie Luber, Sara Engram)

Gardening
‘Tis almost the season for planting, growing, watering and all of the other components involved in growing your own food. Whether you’re new to the gardening game or an old pro wanting greener thumbs, a good gardening book can make the task much more enjoyable and more importantly, successful.

Pinky’s Picks: Square Foot Gardening (Mel Bartholomew)

The Green Home
If you’re new to the process of turning your home into an eco-friendly abode, the sheer volume of books available on the subject can be overwhelming. Fortunately you don’t need to sink a lot of money into buying resources that may turn out to be less helpful than you originally thought. Explore a variety of periodicals and take the tips, ideas and information you find most helpful, and return the ones that are big, dull duds.

Pinky’s Picks: Green Sense for the Home: How to pay for and profit from 50 green home projects (Eric Corey Freed, Kevin Daum)

New hobbies
Cooking and gardening are pretty common activities, but maybe you’ve always wanted to try something new, yet been too afraid of wasting money if you don’t end up enjoying it/Explore your most adventurous interests and see if they really are something you could love long-term. Dying to learn Spanish? Always wanted to learn the almost-forgotten art of spelunking? Read up on it first.

Pinky’s Picks: Soapmaking: Self-sufficiency (Sarah Ade); The Holistic Beauty Book: Over 100 natural recipes for gorgeous, healthy skin (Star Khechara)

For the kids
Baby Bean received several books as baby gifts, but there’s only so many times a parent can read “Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?” before they begin to curse the good name of Dr. Seuss. When it comes to kids, their tastes change almost as much as their dirty clothing. Let them benefit richly from a diverse range of reading material by introducing them to the library. You can start introducing a wide range of books from the time they’re infants (for your own sanity!). The freedom to choose their own books can be just as much fun for them as a Hannah Montana marathon, and as they get older, they can graduate from sweet Sesame Street characters (who else fondly recalls “The Monster at the End of this Book?”) to educational materials, like fun science experiments.

Pinky’s Picks: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle; We dare you!: hundreds of fun science bets, challenges, and experiments you can do at home (Vicki Cobb, Kathy Darling)

Books? What Books?
The first thing you may see is row after row of books – more than you could possibly read in a lifetime. However veer of the beaten path of call numbers and you may find a surprise. While your library may not compare to Blockbuster, you might be lucky enough to find a decent selection of alternative media, both recreational and educational.

A prenatal trip to my local branch yielded DVDs containing invaluable information on new parenting topics such as baby care and breastfeeding. Papa Bean was even able to find one of his favorite home improvement shows. Now that Baby Bean is here (during the middle of winter no less!), we can also peruse the collection for her as well.

Pinky’s Picks: Baby Einstein: World Animal Adventure; The Muppet Show, Season Two

Etc…
Beyond great books and other resources, many city-run libraries offer free (or very inexpensive) programs for the whole family. Look for everything from writing workshops and homework tutorials to baby storytime and adult book clubs.

» Public Library

Maybe you hate the "used" smell or perhaps have the same level of patience as your toddler, but if you have specific reasons for avoiding the thrift stores in your community, it's time to get over that fear and embrace the idea of second-hand.

The items you find there have not only been saved from the depths of a landfill, but they're often priced much lower than similiar things you would find in a regular store - and in today's economic climate, both those points are hard ones to argue with. The saying "someone else's junk is another person's treasure" holds especially true - just because someone else didn't want something, doesn't mean you can't find good use for it. If you're new to the world of thrifting, there are some things to keep in mind before you reach the aisles.

What to look for
Clothing - Whether you're looking for a few new pieces to update your wardrobe or have a job interview coming up that requires a new suit, a second-hand shop generally holds more potential than you might initially believe. However, where you can really get more bang for your buck is in the children's section. Let's face it, kids outgrow their clothes and shoes in the time it takes to get from a store back to the house and keeping them attired can be an expensive task. Often times, when perusing the kid's clothing in a thrift store, you'll find things appear to have been worn only a handful of times for a fraction of what you would pay for a comparable item you purchase brand-new in a store. Even better, when your young ones are done with it, you can send it back to the store for another family to find and enjoy.

Household Appliances - When your coffee maker bites the dust, heading to Wal-Mart to pick up a new one might not fit within your budget. Look around for used household appliances that are still in good working order. People tend to get rid of their current appliances when they've upgraded to new ones or if they're broken. Always be sure to plug in an appliance to verify it's working and if not, to see if you can easily identify the problem. If you know a good handyman that can fix the issue for relatively cheap, you may just end up with a pretty great bargin.

Toys - You want to reward your child for good behavior or find a great birthday present for them, but the budget is a bit tight. Like clothing, kids outgrow toys and if they hold no sentimental value, parents often donate them to goodwill or thrift stores so they can find second life. Look caerfully and you'll probably find that new (old) bike or a stuffed animal to cuddle your child has been pleading for, with the need for a minor touch-up like some new paint or sewing a tiny rip. One word of caution: always check for a toy's origin if you're concerned about issues such as lead levels, and wash or sanitize as necessary before giving your child their new treasure.

Furniture - When you think of the furniture options at a thrift shop, you may get visions of horrible old floral patterns or chipped, splintering wood.. Well friends, that is exactly what slipcovers/sanders/paint were invented for. If the condition of a couch is still relatively good, try to ignore the hideous design and envsion its potential with a new covering. Likewise, old coffee tables or a kitchen table and chairs that are made of solid wood may look like they've seen better days, but with a good sanding and stain, can look brand new..

The benefits of used
Aside from the obvious points (you save money and re-using is great for the earth), the profits from may second-hand stores go to charities such as the Salvation Army. You also have great potential to find brand-new items that the previous owners simply never used, whether because they received duplicate wedding gifts or simply never really needed the item in question. And if name brands are a priority for you, guess what? You'll often find those at great bargain prices as well.

What to watch for
Always inquire about the return or exchange policy since many stores only offer final sales. This makes it especially important to try clothing on before taking it home or ensuring an appliance either works or can be fixed before purchasing. Also check clothing for any permanent damage such as ink or bleach stains or holes.

You'll also need a fair dose of patience since searching shelves and racks to find those fantastic items can be time-consuming or may require a visit to more than one store if you're searching for something specific. And finally, realize that not every trip to the thrift store will be a winner. Sometimes you'll score a huge victory, while other times you may leave frustrated over not finding what you were looking for. Thrifting is a hit-and-miss game, but when successful, can give you a huge sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that will keep you heading back for repeat visits in the future.

» The Frugal Shopper

About a year and a half ago I decided to take up knitting as a hobby.  I wanted something I could do on those cold, Canadian evenings that was productive and would keep me from mindlessly shoving food into my mouth while sitting in front of the television.  From the very first time I went into the yarn section of our local craft store, I have been enamored by the color, variety and luxurious feel of many of the yarn varieties available.  Indeed there is so much to choose from that it can be difficult to make a decision on exactly what type of yarn to use on projects.

One of the big differences between the different yarns available is the different sources that they come from.  Some fibers are man-made, some are plant based like cotton and soy, and many of the traditional yarns are derived from different types of animal fur. 

There are many different types of different yarn that are derived from animal sources.  Wool, mohair, cashmere, angora and alpaca are some of the common types available.  Being an animal lover I was interested in exactly how animal fibers used in yarn were collected and exactly how humane these practices were.  Initially I have to say that I wasn’t too concerned about the process of shearing.  After all, I have two small dogs who I routinely pay to have groomed in a very similar manner.  Of course, like all dog lovers I make sure they are well treated and left “fluffy”  When it comes to animals sheared for their fur, the information I came across definitely made me look more closely at which yarns I choose to buy.

If you type “yarn” and “animal cruelty” into a search engine, the first thing that automatically comes up is merino wool.  30 percent of merino wool come from Australia and is collected through a process called mulesing.  Merino sheep by nature have very wrinkly skin which can lead to fly strike: a painful condition where female flies lay their eggs in these wrinkles of skin.  To combat this (and probably just because it’s easier) merino sheep in Australia are shorn through a process called mulesing.  Mulesing is part shearing/part surgical procedure where, while being sheared, strips of wrinkly flesh are also removed from the animal’s hind quarters.  While it does heal into smoother skin which prevents fly strike, there is no required use of anesthetic on these sheep.  In fact, as with all the animals mentioned in this article, all surgical procedures such as de-horning and castration are done without anesthetic.  After mulesing, which in itself is very painful, these animals are left in pain for days.  As the shearers are paid by the pound of wool, their goal is to get the shearing done as fast as possible regardless of the treatment of the animal.  As with many animal rights issues there are two sides to mulesing.  Many animal rights groups have released very graphic footage of the mulesing process, while Australian farmers say it is still a necessary practice to avoid fly strike and most of them take care to ensure it is done humanely.  The reality is that there are no laws requiring these farmers to ensure the animals are not mistreated during the shearing process.  This is enough to make me avoid merino wool altogether.

Mohair and cashmere both come from goats.  While nothing quite as barbaric happens during the shearing process, the animals are routinely shaved too early in the season.  Most cashmere comes from China and Mongolia, where the cold winters produce their thick luxurious fur.  When the animals are sheared too early they are left exposed to the bitter cold climate that their fur is supposed to protect them from.  The angora goat, which comes from Tibet is now farmed mostly in South Africa and Australia.  Again, these goats are usually shaved too early in the season and left exposed to the elements.  As goats fur is slower to grow back then sheep, they are left exposed for a longer period of time.  The traditional method of removing hair from these goats involves simply combing out the loose hair which leaves the goats with some fur to protect them.  In many cases this is considered much too time consuming and labor intensive, so the animals are simply shorn in the same careless fashion as sheep.

Angora is another popular fiber, which is derived from the angora rabbit.  Traditionally the angora fur is collected by plucking and combing the loose fur off of the rabbit, which doesn’t sound too bad.  However, like every situation where animals are used to produce a product animal welfare can come second to high production.  Many times these angora rabbits are kept in cramped cages, and sheared carelessly.

The last, and best option for animal fibers is alpaca.  Alpacas are a more expensive animal and therefore tend to be treated quite well.  They also tend to be an industry that is popular on smaller farms instead of big industry.  Alpaca fur is usually sheared from the animal, but generally under better treatment.  Like goats, aplaca fur can also be combed out of the animal, however they are usually shorn. 

Like many people, I don’t like the idea that my relaxing hobby causes animal cruelty in any ways.  So, exactly what are the options available to avoid contributing to this abuse? 

For starters, there are many luxurious natural fibers available today that do not come from animal sources.  My personal favorites are bamboo, soy silk and cotton.

If you do want to use traditional animal fibers though, there are ethical producers available.  Look for local producers at farmers markets, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Ethical farmers will be proud of what they offer and how they treat their animals.  The internet is also a great resource, as there are many small producers who sell their cruelty-free yarns and fleece online.  Also, don’t forget that environmentally friendly and cruelty-free are related but do not always go together.  In general producers concerned about the environment are also concerned about animal rights, however a yarn can be environmentally friendly because a natural dye was used, but that dye could have been used on yarn that came from a mistreated animal. 

» Save the Sheep

Auctions are a great way to purchase brand-new merchandise at a price often far lower than full retail value. Think of it as a really, really good sale. Plus there's something exciting about the atmosphere at an auction: the whispered chatter as potential buyers preview items and discuss how high they're willing to bid; the silent eyeing-up of potential bidding competition and finally the fast-talking auctioneer frantically taking bids as people wave (or calmly raise) their hands. And then of course, there's the mounting excitement when an item is down to two bidders who call out price confirmations untiil one finally reaches their spending limit and relents.

In short, even if you walk away empty-handed sometimes, an auction can still be a fun and entertaining way to spend a few hours and it doesn't have to cost you much, not even a penny if you don't want it to.

What you'll find there
Anything and everything, depending on the type of auction. You may be picturing the old-school type where antiques were the merchadise du jour, however today's auctions are often full of items from companies that went out of business (commonplace in today's economic situation), damaged loads of freight (in which the items are often left unscathed), household items from local showhomes or recovered stolen property in which an owner never stepped forward to claim the goods. In any case, you may find lots that include furniture, appliances, tools, athletic equipment, flooring, jewelry, toys, canned food, bicycles - almost anything you can imagine. However it varies and can be very hit-and-miss, so don't be disappointed if the occasional auction is a total bust.

Tips
Most auction items are final sale and sold "as is", so always show up early before the event begins to view the merchandise. Most auction houses have a viewing time available and allow you to examine the goods to be sold. Check for any damage that may not be repairable and decide if it's a deal-breaker for you. Decide your maximum bid in advance so you don't end up paying significantly more than the item's value - or worse, more than you can afford. the only time you may be tempted to bid more than an item is worth is if it is an antique or rare piece you won't be able to find elsewhere.

The Pros
As mentioned above, often times merchandise is sold below retail value, especially if there is a lot containing several of the same item. Years ago Mr. Pinky Bean and I purchased hardwood flooring from an auction at a much lower cost than the woods we had priced out at the big chain stores. At times, you may find unique items that you are fairly certain few other people other.

You'll also be providing a good home for items that were thankfully not sent to a landfill.

The Cons
If the auction items you have your eyes on are highly coveted, you may face serious bidding competition and lose out in the end. While there may be multiples of the same item, at times there is only one up for grabs, so you could miss your chance depending how high a bidder is willing to go to get it. This is also why it is important to decide your maximum bid ahead of time; it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and spirit of competition and bid more than you would actually be willing to pay if you'd stopped to think about it.

As mentioned previously, most items are sold as is. While you should look an item over as closely as possible and plug in appliances to make sure they work, there may be times when you get something home and discovered damage you missed upon initial examination. The most you can do is look it over as closely as you can and hope for the best. There is also a chance that any manufacturer's warranty will not be valid for items purchased at auction, but it depends on the manufacturer. Just don't automatically expect that the dinged-up dishwasher will be replaced with a new one under warranty by the company that made it.

The Etiquette
There's no need to yell and wave your arms like a maniac when bidding, unless there are several bidders competing for the auctioneer's attention. Even then, simply calling out to confirm the current bid he or she has just announced shoud suffice, as should simply raising your hand high enough to be seen if they are facing your general direction.

Don't be too worried about simple gestures such as scratching an itch or involutary twitching. Most auctioneers require eye contact or obvious bidding attempts and won't consider every little move made by audience members to be a legitimate bid. If you accidentally move in a way the auctioneer takes as a bid, call out that it wasn't a bid and let the bidding for the item continue rather than letting the words "Going once..." escape from the auctioneer's mouth.

Finally, don't get your nose out of joint if an item you want is sold and you aren't the successful bidder. It's nothing personal - the winner was just willing to pay more than you were. If ithey are willing to shell out the cash, they're entitled to the item, it's as simple as that.

» Alliance Auction Service