It Never Hurts to Help

As many of you know, I sent 10% of last months online sales to Habitat for Humanity ($34 rounded up to $35). A lot of people have seen the ads for texting $10 to the Red Cross to help the people in Haiti, and many of you may have even sent money that way. Well, Habitat is trying to raise money to build shelters for all the homeless people in Haiti and would love it if you could send them $10 (or more if you can) too. Since I sent my donation as open use, hopefully it will be used where it is needed most. However, my small contribution will only go so far. But, as they say: Every little bit helps.

To that end, at the end of this month, I'm sending 10% of all online sales to the Natural Resources Defense Council. They've been fighting to keep our air and water safe and our natural heritage alive for years. It takes a lot to keep on top of all the legislation that will do more harm than good, and to let people know and lobby for legislation that will do more good. So naturally, the NRDC can always use financial help, and the lending of our voices, to do that. So far, I've only raised $4 through online sales, but I have two new online stores and am constantly adding new items to all three shops.

Which is to say, please have a look Here, Here, and Here, so you can see if there's anything that makes you want to help me raise more funding for the NRDC. Oh, and keep in mind, if you order custom work online that will also be counted toward the donation total. Whichever charity I'm donating to that month.

Yes, I am choosing a different charity each month. There are lot of worthwhile causes and efforts that I'd like to support. I do sign petitions and write to representatives, but I'd like to be able to help a little more this year. But I need your help to do it.

So... Thanks for helping out in any way that you can and I hope you'll help me to be able to send in a decent donation to the NRDC at the end of this month... And for help supporting deserving charities all through the coming year.

Cap'n Trade is Stupid

Environmental Rant alert!

Some of you know I've always been a bit enraged by Obama's announcement that Cap & Trade is one of his Climate Change solutions. Because it's an asinine idea. Doesn't work in Europe, won't work here.

Always been a supporter - and practicer - of the Reduce (Reduce, Reduce first!), Reuse (Reuse, Reuse, Reuse until it falls apart), then Recycle model. I managed the Bernal Heights Recycling Center for a couple years when I lived in San Francisco but I learned that practice long before that from family and educational After School and Saturday Morning TV (ahhh, the 70's;).

I turn off lights and unplug things when they aren't in use and use only as much as I need and try to figure out how to use less whenever I can. I use rechargeable batteries in everything that needs them, compact fluorescents, take my own shopping bags (even the ones for the individual food - I've been doing that since the SF 80's), buy in bulk when I can (from the bulk bins, not huge amounts at discount chains), try to buy only organic or transitional if possible...

My car gets around 35 miles to the gallon, I drive it only when I really have to, and I make sure it's running smoothly to keep the emissions down. When I can afford it, and there are cars made with Carbon Fiber bodies that get 200+ miles to the charge, I'll be getting an electric car. (A completely self contained enviro house is also on the list when the money comes in)

With my online jewelry store; I try to reuse every bit of shipping material I get sent with my supplies (and have a big bucket of the stuff I'm waiting to use) whenever I can (your online jewelry order will let me reuse some more;).

Almost all the metals I use to make my jewelry come from at least some reused, melted down, scrap. That's standard industry practice at this point. And a few suppliers are making a point of letting us all know that some of their metals are 100% from reused. I try to buy parts made in the US when I can (for lots of other reasons too but the closer it is, the less shipping pollution). Plus some of it is vintage and available even closer to my home to begin with. Same with most of my beads and some of my stones. Some stones I'll be using in the near future, I found myself. So no mining involved at all in that jewelry future.

Of course, there is more I could do, but I live in a small apartment so composting and rain water collection isn't an option. Plus, even with home ownership, our society isn't geared toward a lot of environmental household things unless you have a lot of money. Or you renounce all modern living altogether. Obviously, none of us can avoid new things and modern travel and conveniences without going completely Mountain, but every little bit you can do in your personal situation does really help. Some of it could even save you money.

Point is, Cap & Trade just encourages mining and drilling and waste and does nothing to encourage reduction and reuse. No renewable in that equation at all.

James Hansen purports Fee and Dividend instead. I agree. That makes the most sense. And, a few people in the government are moving toward that route with a new bill being worked out now: The CLEAR Act. Not all the way, but in that right direction. So, make sure you write to your government employees (oh yes, you hired them, you pay them - TELL them what you want them to do. That's their job!) and let them know you support the Clear Act and want it stronger in the direction of Fee & Dividend!

Ok, rant over. Now, let's all get out there and make a difference!

[This month 10% of my online sales are going to Habitat for Humanity. I've already got $30 waiting for more sales to add to the amount I'll be sending to them. Next month, 10% goes to NRDC. Hopefully I can get enough sales in January to send even more to them. Hope some of you can help me in that area; maybe even in both months. Thanks in advance!]