Groundswell is “an all volunteer outfit of designers and activists committed to social change.” Last Friday, they caught up with our Founder and Creative Director, Jerry, and Sami, our Media Liason and Director of Sustainability for an interview, posted here.

This group of obvious visionaries, “confronted with the motto, “The truth is your best tool”, wanted to know just how The Change integrates “good for the world” businesses with politics, spirituality, anarchy and a free market to grow good commerce.

Jerry dives into the conversation first, explaining, “To create something I find some core truth that works for me. Yet when that truth is overlaid onto a brand that’s essential mission is to sell stuff at the highest profit –it becomes uh, what do you call it, oh that’s right, a fucking lie. I started to think about this around the same time I started becoming hyper-aware of all the problems we’re facing in the world. And SUV’s had a lot to do with this. Being surrounded by SUV’s really set me off. I did a lot of SUV flyering at first.”

For more inspiring truth, take a look.

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

I admit, whenever I felt a bit lazy or rushed, I used to tell myself driving just a few miles to get somewhere couldn’t be so bad. Other times, I tell myself I have too much to carry. And that’s just what I was thinking last night when I started to my car to make my weekly CSA pick-up last evening.

I live only 3 miles from the drop-off site, but I’ve been driving my car there for almost a year. The bike ride hasn’t been the issue - it was the jars and cartons. For some reason, I’ve assumed that I needed the car to transport them. Well, you know what they say about assumptions - !! This time, I stopped and looked at the jars…looked at my bike panniers…looked back at the jars…and it finally occurred to me that they would easily fit inside. And, if I put a jar on each side, there would be no danger of them hitting together and breaking. The 2 egg cartons fit snugly alongside, stabilizing the bags nicely.

As it turns out, this decision is more important than I previously thought. Not only do short trips matter to the environment, but “Sixty percent of the pollution created by automobile emissions happens in the first few minutes of operation, before pollution control devices can work effectively.” Whoa. There goes my rainy day rationalization! “Since “cold starts” create high levels of emissions, shorter car trips are more polluting on a per-mile basis than longer trips.” For more, go to Bike2015Plan.org.

Needless to say, I hopped on my two wheeler and was back with my milk and eggs in less than 25 minutes. And, as always, feeling energized and lighter from the exercise. In fact, after putting things away, I rode again until sunset, wondering about how many other ways I could save energy, fuel and emissions that I had not thought of yet.

There’s good and bad news about all of this. The bad news first from League of American Bicyclists: According to the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey, 25 percent of all trips are made within a mile of the home, 40 percent of all trips are within two miles of the home, and 50 percent of the working population commutes five miles or less to work. Yet, more than 82 percent of trips five miles or less are made by personal motor vehicle. (Read more details about driving habits here.)

The good news is that many of us can change these daily driving habits with a little creativity and determination. Consider walking, riding bicycles or scooters, ride-share and public transportation. If possible, carry less, or simply get your gear on. You may have to get used to stepping out of the “race” to get places, but there’s no better way to avoid stress and tension. Your fitness and stamina will improve quickly as your habits change and your body will thank you for many years to come.

by Tao Oliveto, Eno River, NC

Yesterday, after another scorching day, we went to the Eno River at early evening, wearing bikinis and boots and with dogs in tow. Before long, we found a deep spot and jumped in. I found out herding dogs aren’t crazy about swimming, but will be happy to run along the water’s edge while you float downstream. By the time we got out, it was dusk, the sky was growing dark and rumbling. Only our boots made it back on for the hike back. The rain was loud and hard and wet.

It was the perfect mini-adventure.

Well, almost perfect. Those hiking boots and that bikini in the photo above, are both old eco-news. I wear my boots in rough and usually wet conditions daily, so I need durability, comfort and performance. With this kind of wear, I have been (somewhat guiltily) replacing them about every 3 years. I’m happy to learn that next time, I can find all those qualities from “going-green” companies like Patagonia and Timberland, which have several versions of outdoor boots, ranging from light to heavy duty. More recently entering the outdoor shoe scene, (always-have-been-green) Vegan Essentials has these rugged-looking hikers available.

As for the bikini - I haven’t worn out a swimsuit since my years of water-skiing and windsurfing. (I no longer waterski because of the fuel use and my windsurfing equipment went to a friend when I could no longer walk to a beach.) So, a new suit is not in my future. However, “window shopping” is still fun when the suits are sexy without being sinful. At least 5 designers are taking the plunge into green fabrics. There are even bikinis ala recycled plastic bottles by Aaron Chang and Faeries Dance.

Guys who like it wet, can go with quick-drying hemp trunks at Rawganic.

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Day two of a head cold has left me a little spacey. I was going to write about the hybrid converter, recently available to turn current hybrids into plug-ins…but, I’m not lucid enough to do the research, so I’ll instead give in to my impulse to be dreamily respective instead of informative. My apologies!

Besides, I haven’t quite let go of the experiences in VT - how it felt to swim in the cool river, hike near a mountain in a long warm rain, see so much history in one place, and meet new people who are making change happen. Some of it was just out there, but much of it was simply in the details. Sometimes, just paying attention is what matters most.

On Monday evening, when I stepped out of the airport, there was a rainbow stretched across the sky and that seemed a significant ending to the trip. But the bliss wasn’t over yet…

In fact, I arrived home just after dark, grateful for a giddy greeting from the dogs, whom I immediately took walking in the woods behind the house. Suddenly, we were surrounded by fireflies blinking a strangely blue, sparkling light. There seemed to be hundreds. We stopped and basked in this glow for long, sumptuous moments and in it, I heard hope for the future.

Animals and Nature speak to us every day in many ways. Stop, look and listen to the magic. You never know what you may hear..

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

I met Lisa Frangipane today, resident/owner at The Flats in Carrboro, and founder of the Todd Street Community Garden. A smaller version of the flourishing spot nearby, which has already seen two bountiful harvests, this happy veggie garden is also lovingly cared for by residents and rain barrels.

Whenever I meet someone who is doing something unusual and interesting, it seems like they are doing even more interesting and unusual things. This holds true for Lisa, a teacher and avid cyclist who also commutes on her beloved two-wheels. I met with Lisa and took these photos just before she left for a Summer in MA, where she will be living off-grid with friends and building a yoga studio.

Lisa was inspired to blog about this adventure. You can catch up with her at Wicked Mad NE

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

We were back in VT this past weekend, making more plans regarding our eventual relocation to Brattleboro. We had to fly again, and yes, I have some eco-conflict over that, but will now stick to visiting one/time per year for an extended period, making the road trip in my Hybrid and not driving when I get there. That’s an Eco-promise.

The local food co-op, located downtown, was once again a source of nourishment during this trip, for both my body and soul. Here’s some highlights:

The first thing we came upon after arriving on Saturday, was The Plastic Monster - a mean-looking, definitely UNgreen man made of plastic bags, standing menacingly at the front door of the Co-op. It spoke a loud and clear message regarding our country’s Death By Plastic. I can imagine  that the patrons who forgot their reusable bags in the car were readily walking back to get them. I’m certain this creative plastic presence will plant more seeds in others. Nice.

A Co-op event on Saturday was Member Appreciation Day, where they served local beef and veggie burgers for a $1 suggested donation - the money collected going to stock local food shelves. Sweet.

On Sunday, we returned for lunch to find a group of enthusiastic and adrenalized women outside the storefront, who had ‘Baked for Obama’ - offering up the homemade treats to passersby, in trade for a donation towards his campaign support. They tirelessly engaged people in conversation, asking and answering questions from all. When Hillary’s name came up, one of the Obama Bakers showed me her Hillary button, now retired under a layer of clothing. Smile.

Strolling past again that afternoon, a creatively designed bicycle parked outside caught my eye. Making a trip for groceries with his small daughter, this industrious dad had left the car at home and pedaled down on this awesome kid-carrying bike/cart. He told me a friend from Oregon makes them. Cool!

In many parking lots throughout town, particularly at schools, there are “No Idling” signs which asked people to tun off their engines when stopped. Ahhhh

On Sunday afternoon, we found a swimming beach secluded along the River, just a short bike ride out of town. Although it was obvious that this is a popular Summer gathering spot, it was clean and free of trash. And the water was warmer than I expected! Double Ahhhhh.

On Sunday evening, we sat overlooking the River with our new VT friends, and enjoyed watching some young Brat Boys below. There, in long shorts and shirtless, they did what young men do…when Summer comes North…and the River runs. Sigh.

Some things just feel right. OM

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

The curtain I wrote about last week, has arrived from Health Goods. I was first pleased that it was sent in minimal packaging, with NO promotional materials included. The good news just kept on coming when I read the cover sheet (which was printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based ink):

100% RECYCLED polyester fabric

Water-repellent and anti-microbial

Fabric and product made in USA

Requires no shower rod hooks - buttons made from sustainable  Tagua nuts

Each full size curtain saves 130,000 BTU’s of energy

It comes in 3 sizes, so I was able to get one for my stall shower without all the extra material. I’ve used it a few times now and it truly is water-repellent and has no smell whatsoever. I’ve been fighting mold on my hemp/cotton curtains for so long, that this is a thrill for me. This curtain will never need to be replaced - it’s heavyweight and obviously durable - what a happy thought!

To order or for more info., go here. Pass it on to your showering friends!

by Jeannie Newell, Crested Butte, CO

Sooooo sorry I missed posting on Sunday — I guess part of ‘off the grid adventuring’ is that you really have to plan for things, because internet access is not as easy to come by when you live in the woods. Here’s what happened yesterday in my new town:

Sunday was the 4th annual Bridges of the Butte tour.  It’s a 24 hour all ages non-stop bike ride that people take in teams & in shifts.  Some people do the whole 24 hours by themselves to win pretty sweet prizes like ski passes, but others just do it for the fun.  Also people wear their everyday garb or outrageous costumes!  This town is very into playing hard and wearing costumes whenever possible.  Michael and I took a couple of shifts for the fire department’s team, so I threw on a weird looking outfit, feather boa and went riding!  I realized 5 minutes into it, that it was just good for the soul.  The loop is an easy 2.5 miles and you take it as many times in your hour as you can, my legs were burning by the end of it!  And that was just one of the several races that have been going on here this week - Ride the Rockies, Fat Tire Bike Week and The Wildflower Rush are all going on….

This is a place all it’s own.  It’s a place where a person can be as normal as they want to be, or really nurture their inner weirdo.  All transitional moments aside, I think I might like it here.