October 27th, 2006
You are currently browsing the articles from EcoSherpa written on October 27th, 2006.
Well fall has certainly ‘fallen’ up here in Ontario. Not surprisingly many people are now raking up and bagging their leaves. As an avid composter, what DOES however never cease to amaze me as I drive around town, is the sight of countless bags of leaves waiting by the curb for pick-up.
I know I shouldn’t stress about it too much (or be surprised in the slightest) since we do have a decent municipal leaf composting program, but part of me wonders why more people don’t take advantage of this fantastic composting material now that its so abundant!
Here’s what ‘The Rodale Book of Composting’ (Rodale Press, 1992, p.95) has to say about leaves:
Because trees have extensive root systems, they draw nutrients up from deep within the subsoil. Much of this mineral bounty is passed into the leaves, making them a superior garden resource … Pound for pound, the leaves of most trees contain twice the mineral content of manure. The considerable fiber content of leaves aids in improving the aeration and crumb structure of most soils.
Fall leaves tend to be a carbon-rich material (C:N of 40:1-80:1) so you’ll definitely want to add a source of nitrogen. If you happen to cut your lawn with a power mower, why not simply collect some of your grass clippings during your fall lawn mowing sessions and mix these in with the leaves you rake up?
The ultimate technique (especially if you have a mulching mower) involves simply mowing the lawn (preferably when slightly damp) with the leaves still on the ground – this way you are mulching, mixing and collecting your materials all in one fell swoop. Its then ready to be piled and composted.
Mulching and moistening the leaves (if dry) is especially important if you plan on making a large active (thermophilic) pile. If you are simply using the leaves as fodder for your vermicomposting bin (red worms absolutely LOVE decaying leaves) these are not quite as critical for success (although moisture and decreased particle size always help accelerate the vermicomposting process!).
In colder regions compost heaps will certainly slow down or stop decomposing entirely during the winter months, but be assured – if you start composting grass and leaves now, by late spring you should still have a very nice rich material to spread on your gardens.
As for me, I have other plans in mind! You may recall that I’m hoping to fend off Old Man Winter this year (see Composter Update) so I’m currently in squirrel mode – gathering/preparing large quantities of the various materials needed to keep my composter ‘snug as a bug’ and well fed during the cold months ahead! Needless to say, I may resort to becoming a leaf thief during the next few weeks!
Anyway, be sure to try composting grass and leaves this year – and do stay tuned for another composter update soon!
Technorati Tags: composting, compost, autumn, fall, leaves, mulch, mulching, vermicomposting, red worms, composter
Written by Bentley on October 27th, 2006 with 1 comment.
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I came across Stan Slaughter’s website and I have been meaning to write about him for months now. Who is Stan Slaughter? Stan is an environmental educator and seasoned performer. He has been traveling across America since 1987 performing original old favourite Earth Songs at schools, museums, libraries and festivals.
Stan has a unique approach to environmental education and has uses his musical talents to help children understand some of the more complex environmental problems we are faced with today. It is great to see someone pursing their passion of teaching and helping to educate the leaders of tomorrow. It is important for the youth of the World to learn sustainable living practices early on to help shape those practices into sustainable habits.
Side Note – I am not sure if Stan is having some difficulty with his website but at the moment it is quite difficult to navigate. His home page doesn’t really lead you to anywhere. I remember a few months ago being able to navigate the site better.
If you are interested in visiting his website, click here.
If you are interested in checking out Stan’s products click here
Written by steve on October 27th, 2006 with 1 comment.
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Eco 4 The World is about positive environmental action. Celebrities, politicians, groups and individuals link up for a sustainable future. Celebrities like Sting, Alicia Keys, Darryl Hannah, Simple Plan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and others are lending their star power to help improve the planet we live on. Eco 4 The World is produced by Big Durian Productions and in partnership with UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), Regency Foundation Network and Asian Development Bank.
ECO 4 THE WORLD is the first interactive, environmental television series. Upbeat, fashionable, real, this is not your usual documentary coverage. According to the website, Eco 4 The World is different because it brings together positive environmental stories from all over the world, but because the hosts are engaged in their own ongoing saga of power struggles and relationship developments.
I had a chance to view the site and I am impressed with the amount of celebs willing to put their name to this project. I would love to view the episodes that they have filmed, but unfortunately I could not find out how to view the episodes. It would be great to increase awareness and education by placing the videos on their website for online viewing. Perhaps this will happen in the next few months.
To be honest, the website is lacking in content. I think they spent more time focused on celebrity endorsements than actual education and information. If any readers out there know of where you can watch the Eco 4 The World Episodes drop us a line. I would love to learn more about this publication.
Visit Eco 4 The World
Technorati Tags: Eco 4 The World, Sting, environmental television series, Alicia Keys, Darryl Hannah, Simple Plan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)
Written by steve on October 27th, 2006 with 1 comment.
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Photographer, Yann Arthus-Bertrand is on a mission to inform, educate and bring awareness to climate change and sustainable development. Using a camera and a helicopter, Arthus-Bertrand traveled the world snapping images to display in his traveling exhibition, Earth from Above.
Over 50 million people in more than 100 countries have already seen the traveling display that showcases 120 photographic enlargements of the word as Arthus-Bertrand sees it.
The article from The Age states:
“His images are his own brand of activism. They show the Earth as both fragile and dominant, a place of irreplaceable beauty and nurture, and which typically dwarfs those who are responsible for keeping it habitable, yet somehow manage to exploit it.”
It is great to see people sharing their message in such a creative way. People need to visually see what is going on in the World in order to see their affect on the planet. For many the old expression, “out of sight, out of mind” is often true. Yann Arthus-Bertrand should be commended for his efforts and people and I hope that is exhibition has inspired some of the 50 million people that viewed his work to change their habits and look for sustainable living practices.
“We have to do it now. People are responsible — don’t wait for politicians,” Arthus-Bertrand says.
To read the article found at The Age, Photographs that plead for the planet.
I was just over at Arthrus-Bertrand’s website and it is a goldmine of information on sustainable development. The pictures are amazing and beautiful. Normally I am not a big fan of music on websites, however, the music that is on his website sets the mood and is powerful. You can even send your friends and family ecards that showcase Arthus-Bertrand’s photographs. I could spend hours on the website.
Technorati Tags: Yann Arthus-Bertrand, photogrpahy, sustainability, sustainable development, climate change, inspiring change
Written by steve on October 27th, 2006 with no comments.
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It looks like KLM is about to introduce “sustainable coffee” in an attempt to protect forests. Environmentalists are skeptical that the move is simply “greenwashing”, designed to shift focus from the damage their emissions cause to the environment.
I can see how many people would think KLM is simply trying to divert attention and use their new sustainable coffee policy as a PR tool to gain some positive publicity. However, I think it is important to recognize their efforts and they should be encouraged to pursue more sustainable practices. There is no doubt that airlines, including KLM, create an enormous amount of carbon emissions each year. I wouldn’t run out and give them the eco-award of the year but I would commend them (on a small level) for their sustainable coffee policy. Unfortunately we are faced with the dilemma of not having transportation alternatives over long distances. Perhaps we need to encourage the airlines to conduct more research and development into better “sustainable practices” and methods to operate their businesses while offsetting their negative effects they have on the environment.
Here is the article from Times Online in case you are interested:
KLM Slammed over eco pledge
Technorati Tags: KLM, sustainable coffee, sustainability, airplane emissions, green coffee
Written by steve on October 27th, 2006 with no comments.
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