globalbriefs
ecotip
Greening Garbage
Best Weddings
Activist Turns City Food Waste into Rural Soil
Small, Simple, Sustainable
Jeremy Brosowsky had an epiphany at a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, greenhouse a few years ago that set him on a more sustainable path: “What if we could take our garbage and grow food in it?” He was in the Midwest to learn about urban agriculture at Growing Power, the pioneering urban farm of McArthur Genius Fellow Will Allen, and was considering starting a rooftop agriculture business. Allen’s emphasis on the importance and elusiveness of fertile soil intrigued him. “If you don’t dramatically improve the soil, you cannot grow food in cities,” Brosowsky realized. His solution was to create Compost Cab (CompostCab.com), a Washington, D.C.-based service that picks up and delivers urban food waste to local farms for composting. Nearly 100 cities already divert food waste from landfills, but Brosowsky emphasizes, “Composting is not just about waste reduction. It’s about food production, education, jobs and creating social benefits.” He hopes to roll out Compost Cabs in other cities.
Every couple wants their wedding to reflect their values. Concern for the environment prompts planning that supports eco-friendly local businesses and avoids generating the considerable waste and carbon footprints of traditional events. Veteran green wedding planner and environmentalist Kate Harrison, author of The Green Bride Guide, who blogs at GreenBrideGuide.com, assists couples through the process. “I advise couples to look at simple substitutions in line with their style and budget,” says Harrison. “Every choice adds up.” By invitation only. Digital invitations cost just pennies apiece; options like PaperlessPost.com offer the appearance of a paper invitation, arriving in an envelope that “opens” on the screen. Also consider elegant renditions of more conventional invitations made of recycled, upcycled or organic papers. For the invite that keeps on growing, try seed-studded paper creations that guests can plant in their backyards. Where the guests are. Selecting a location central to most of the guests minimizes the celebration’s carbon footprint, reduces travel expenses and maximizes attendance. “Consider picking a venue with natural beauty already present, such as a beautiful garden or ballroom,” advises Harrison. “You’ll cut down on the amount and cost of décor you’re buying just for the wedding.” Let them eat cake. Food and flowers are among the most costly components of a wedding, yet sustainable options can be just a worthy fraction more. A cake made with organic flour, a natural sweetener and local cage-free eggs, for example, can cost just $5 more. The key is finding a vendor willing to work with the couple’s values, says Harrison. Simple gifts. Americans spend an estimated $20 billion annually on wedding gifts, a high-impact opportunity to support local green economies. Harrison recommends establishing registries for experiences, charities and products (select sustainable options like recycled glass dishes or organic linens). Consider a local, seasonable wedding favor that guests can eat or reuse, such as maple syrup for a fall wedding in Vermont. Generally, keep all elements small, simple and local—and your own—for an occasion that truly cherishes both loved ones and our planet.
Sinking Reptiles World Turtle Day Sounds Alarm Since 2000, people around the globe have celebrated World Turtle Day, held this year on May 23, to increase respect for and knowledge of the world’s oldest creatures. Susan Tellem, co-founder with Marshall Thompson of American Turtle Rescue (ATR), states, “These gentle animals have been around for about 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of the exotic food industry, habitat destruction and the cruel pet trade.” They believe that turtles may be extinct within 50 years and suggest ways to increase their chances for survival for future generations: n Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop; it increases demand from the wild. n Never remove turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are sick or injured. n If a tortoise is crossing a street, pick it up and gently place it on the other side in the same direction it was headed. n Write legislators about keeping sensitive habitats preserved. n Report cruelty or illegal sales to a local animal control shelter. n Report the sale of any turtle or tortoise less than four inches long, which is illegal throughout the U.S. For more information, visit Tortoise.com or Facebook.com/AmericanTortoiseRescue.
natural awakenings
May 2014
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