by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Speaking of dogs (see yesterday’s post below), I’m here to remind all of us that adopting pets from shelters or rescue groups is not only a great experience but is eco-minded as well. There are millions of dogs and cats housed in shelters, sanctuaries and/or euthanized all over the world. Although I concede that maintaining the integrity of certain breeds, like those used for working, herding and service, is important, don’t perpetuate unnecessary breeding - especially of the trendy, super-small breeds who often come from cruel and greedy puppy mills. Remember, each time you purchase a pet from a breeder, another unwanted stray or abandoned animal dies or sits in a cage, waiting for adoption.

The great experience? There is something magical about rescuing an abandoned animal and I believe they know it, too. More rationally, when you adopt an adult pet, you know more about them in terms of size, temperament and behavior. Many shelters now have behaviorists on staff and/or offer discounted training classes to help you choose and train.

Eco-minded? This may be a stretch, but I’m willing to stretch for anything furry. Face it, housing animals in shelters and sanctuaries uses resources and creates a lot of waste - and poop! Still want a Polly Purebred? Check with pure breed rescue groups instead.

by Tao Oliveto

This transportation alternative will make even the dog-less smile (adopt a dog, you’ll smile more). Walkable communities are catching on, but many of us still find ourselves with a few regular miles to travel every day. Those same many of us may own dogs that need lots of exercise - every day. Here’s mine.

Enter, the latest in dog- and planet-friendly trends - “eco-mushing” (thanks to Ideal Bite for cluing me in to this!). There are a few different ways to do this, some more complex than others. While actual mushing with harnesses sounds like a “for experts only” version of this activity, this Dog Powered Scooter, invented and produced in Bend, Oregon, looks super safe and user friendly to me - a fun way to get around town while Fido gets a workout. The price tag of $560 seems reasonable for regular use, but for the recreational musher, try arranging a “scooter-share” with other dog-loving friends. This scooter is irresistible and you can adapt it for up to 3 dogs!

Less pull-inclined dogs may prefer my bicycle version of “have dog, will travel”. I recently taught my younger dog, Ayla, to run along next to my bike (on leash). With no pulling required, it’s both less complicated and risky than the harness method, although it still requires training and patience to get started. Herding dogs catch on quickly, but I still started out carefully and gradually increased distance and speed. We now enjoy our commutes into town at few times each week and she gets lots of admiring attention.

See Ayla Run.
Traveling by dog is a blast, but be smart about it. Even a young, fit dog needs to build up endurance and strength slowly and keep in mind that you will never be asking your dog to sprint. Before you try this at home, read these official safety tips.

How green is this idea? Well, possibly a lighter shade, but for me it has made a difference in my weekly carbon emissions since I cut back on the car trips to the dog park.

by Tao Oliveto

What do light bulbs and plastic bags have in common? They can both change the world! In another step towards rethinking, retraining, and reinventing a sustainable (and logical) world, the “bring your own” movement is gaining ground. Resistance is futile so read on.

If changing one light bulb can dramatically change our energy use , imagine what the elimination of plastic bags could do towards lowering consumption, waste and pollution? How many retailers previously thought of the idea of charging customers a nominal amount for the normally free plastic or paper bags at the checkout as a way to both cut down on waste and create awareness? It was a long time coming, but Ikea took a stand and proved that even a little money talks. The popular home furnishing chain projects that they’ll cut plastic bag use by at least 50%, from 70 million bags a year down to 35 million bags.

No cool city should be left behind, so San Francisco followed up by becoming the first U.S. city to pass a ban on non-recyclable plastic bags at major supermarkets and drugstores, hopefully encouraging other cities to do the same and/or the industry itself to voluntarily change to compostables. To balance cost and reduce use overall, many stores are also now selling reusable bags at checkout at low prices, making it easy for consumers to think before they bag.

We Are What We Do is a movement inspiring people to use everyday actions to change the world. They started the planet-saving initiative, the Plastic Ain’t My Bag campaign, reaching out to both consumers and store management to convince them that a little savings can go a long way both for the planet and profits.

If you still are not convinced that bringing your own bag isn’t next in cool eco-trends, check out a tote bag proclaiming, “I’m Not a Plastic Bag”, designed by Anya Hindmarch and chosen as the official gift bag for celebrity guests at the 2007 Vanity Fair Oscar-night party. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to look cool as you byob. I’ve found bags for all occasions at thrift stores and farmers markets. Here are my recent favorites.

Make a statement. Make a difference. Bring your own.

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

We all are attracted to the glamour of travel and many of us count on taking at least a few trips each year. It seems to me, our spectator state-of-mind has given us an excessive appetite to get into our cars and/or hop on planes - spewing carbons with abandon - just to see something new or to “get away”. As the carbon cost of travel becomes a heady issue, I’m wondering if there is a better way to satisfy our craving for experience. In my earlier search to discover the unknown, I didn’t vacation much, but I relocated every couple years. Somewhat by accident, this version of sightseeing - though not carbon neutral - minimized my extra-curricular traveling and provided me with the opportunity to engage with the people and culture in a more authentic way.

However, now that I’ve been in one place for awhile, I remember how hard the travel bug can bite. So, I occasionally get on the road in my hybrid car, but much less than I used to - and I fly as little as possible. I’ve helped the planet and I have learned to truly enjoy vacationing where I live. After all, odds are there are lots of things we haven’t seen, done, experienced or discovered right where we are.

Although an extended travel sabbatical could be a growth experience for many of us, we don’t have to stop traveling altogether - I believe it’s important to see and know the world first hand. But, you know where I’m headed with this - we can all live more if we travel less. We can help stop global warming and benefit by becoming curious about and involved in our own communities. In yoga terms, “Be Here Now. “

And when we do have to/want to travel, there’s offsetting - a kind of dollars for deeds alternative to staying home. The idea is you “buy” a set amount of a renewable energy source to offset the carbon your non-renewable use of energy creates. You can offset almost any carbon emission, but be aware that not all providers are created equal. And don’t get your hopes up too high in the, er, clouds - offsetting that flight to Hawaii, your energy guzzling car or house is no substitute for cutting back where you can. For further discussion of the pros and cons of offsetting, check out Sami’s post on Treehugger.

We Changers offset all our business and personal air miles with Terra Pass. You can check out Clean Air/Cool Planet for other reliable offset retailers.