Green Travel Made Easy

James Stevenson, Pinellas County Extension Specialist, Urban Sustainability

Have you had enough yet? Ready to get out of Dodge? If you are “Leaving on a Jet Plane….” this summer, it is possible to “offset” the carbon cost of your journey with the help of some of the largest travel companies.

Ofsetting refers to projects that compensate for emissions by providing for “sinks” that will absorb the equivalent amount of carbon. Many of these projects involve funding re-forestation projects, both domestically and abroad, with the majority in developing countries.

Check out Expedia’s “traveler’s guide to going green” Travelocity has partnered-up with TerraPass who offer bundles that fund clean energy production, methane mitigation strategies for farmers and landfill gas capture. These offsets are only a few dollars and can be added to the price of your ticket with one quick click.

Orbitz has engaged Carbonfund.org and offers links and information at their microsite, eco.orbitz.com. From there, you can purchase offsets for both domestic and international flights (a flat-fee for each.) According to their website, Carbonfund.org makes it easy and affordable for everyone to offset their carbon footprint with high-quality, 3^rd party verified renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects.”

Travelocity offers access to GoZero carbon emission offsets through their “travel for good” program. This program not only helps travelers offset carbon emissions, but also offers access to socially-responsible travel options and options that support our domestic economy. Don’t forget, being green is not JUST about the environment!

We’d love to hear about your green travel adventures this summer. Either use the “comment” option below or send us an email to sustainability@pinellascounty.org and we’ll post a selection in the coming months. Enjoy your green trip!

Green Business Practices

Mary Campbell, Urban Sustainability Agent, Pinellas County Extension

Becoming a more environmentally- friendly business is a choice that can reap big rewards. Green Business practices can help save money, attract customers, enhance your reputation and help make a business more efficient. A company policy of environmental stewardship or mission that includes sustainable practices will help create the vision. There are three main areas where a business can become more green and sustainable:

Improve energy efficiency and water conservation
Changes in work practices
Recycling and waste reduction

Improve Energy Efficiency and Water conservation
There are simple ways to reduce energy and water use and save money at the same time. An energy audit can be done by Progress Energy to review where there may be easy impacts to reduce energy use, as well as long-term investments for the future.

Implement staff guidelines for turning off computers, peripherals, as well as office and meeting room lights. Water conservation in outdoor landscapes can save thousands of gallons of water each year (see Florida Yards and Neighborhoods ).

Changes in Work Practices
To become a green business, employees need to be a part of the practice changes that will make it successful. Creating a green committee that promotes these new practices will be a good start, as well as educational programs for staff. Discussing green purchasing practices, energy conservation, double- sided copying, green meetings , reduction of paper use through electronic sharing, telecommuting and other innovative sustainable practices will help the team get started. Start small and build on these practice changes gradually until they become habits. Develop a staff pledge program and rewards around the new practices (take the Check Your Green Commitment At Work Pledge to get started).

Recycling and Waste Reduction
Reducing waste in an office can make a positive impact on the bottom line as well as reduce your carbon footprint. Get a waste assessment to determine strategies and options from Pinellas County Utilities Solid Waste.

Develop an Action Plan

1. Evaluate environmental programs that fit well with your vision and mission.
2. Communicate your environmental initiatives to customers and staff.
3. Report successes and get feedback.

Resources:
Ten Steps to Green Business Practices

Keeping Your Family Healthy Room by Room

Vestina F. Crayton, Pinellas County Extension Specialist, Urban Sustainability.

Your family’s health is a top priority for most. One way to keep your family healthy is by understanding and managing the sources that affect their indoor air quality. Since the average person spends approximately 90% of their time indoors, it is important to take a closer look at the areas or items that may compromise the quality of your indoor air environment. Depending on the level of exposure to certain indoor air pollutants, acute or chronic health concerns can occur that may range from mild eye irritation to death. Research has shown that air pollutants indoors can be greater than those found outdoors.

This chart highlights some of the common indoor air pollutants, associated health effects and control measures (reactions vary from person to person)

Indoor Air Pollutant	Health Impacts	Control Measures
Mold	Sneezing, Coughing, Asthma	Keep house cool, dry and clean
Carbon Monoxide	Symptoms similar to flu: nausea dizziness; brain damage	Install a CO alarm
Lead	Slows physical, behavioral, and learning development	If your house was built in 1978 or earlier have it tested by a professional
Radon Gas	Lung Cancer	Have house tested Call 1-800-SOS-Radon
Asbestos	High levels can cause lung problems	Consult a professional for testing, repair and removal
Tobacco Smoking	Second hand smoke increase the risk of disease and death in children and non-smokers	Eliminate or reduce exposure
Formaldehyde	Watery, burning eyes, breathing problems	Eliminate or reduce exposure to pressed-wood products
Volatile Organic Compounds	Dizziness nausea; neurological and reproductive disorders	Follow the instructions on proper use and store appropriately
Pesticides	Dizziness nausea; neurological and reproductive disorders	Follow the instructions on proper use and store appropriately

Take a tour through the US Environmental Protection Agency virtual home to learn about some of the most common sources of indoor air pollutants.

If you would like to test the levels of indoor air pollutants in your home, contact your local health department.

For more in-depth information about how to minimize indoor air toxins to create a healthier indoor environment, Pinellas County Extension will be offering a Healthy, Home, Healthy Family seminar September 12, 2009. Please check back for more details and to register at Pinellas County Extension.

References

Hyun-Jeong Lee, Audrey Norman, “My Florida Home Book 2.2: Keeping Your Home Healthy”FCS3294

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Web site 

Join us for a Webinar on June 11

This is an introductory program on the basic facts about climate change. Scientists now show evidence of ongoing impacts such as sea level rise, warming of the oceans and air, and changes to our environment. Learn about impacts to Florida and our coastal regions.

Title:  The Basics of Climate Change

Date:  Thursday, June 11, 2009

Time:  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT 

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. 

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista 

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer 

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/646458202

Marine Agent Offers Information for Pinellas County Residents

Mary Campbell, Pinellas County Extension Director, Urban Sustainability Agent

As summer provides more opportunities to enjoy our beaches and waterways, Extension has valuable information available to residents to promote safe and environmentally-friendly ways to enjoy the marine environment.

A big part of the quality of life we enjoy is through our water-related activities that are provided by the 588 miles of coastline around Pinellas County.  Boating, swimming, bird watching, fishing and enjoying the beach are all a part of the recreational opportunities available. 

Through the Sea Grant Marine Extension program, information is available on a variety of topics to help us protect our marine environment and stay up to date on various programs and policies related to protecting this resource.

Pinellas County Extension utilizes the expertise of the Marine Agent located in Manatee County, our neighbor to the south. John Stevely is the Sea Grant Marine Agent in Manatee County and he is available to provide the latest information on marine issues. Access to his newsletter, the Marine Scene, is now available from the Pinellas County Extension website and his webpage is available to provide a variety of resources. 

Florida Sea Grant uses research, education and extension to create a sustainable coastal economy and environment.

Whether you are an avid fisherman or enjoy kayaking, Sea Grant has information that supports our marine resources and helps to make sure this resource is around for future generations to enjoy.

Email Mr. Stevely using the link above or visit Manatee County Extension to learn more.

Emergency Energy Assistance Available For Seniors

Pinellas County Health and Human Services Department provides emergency energy assistance of up to $600 to senior citizens unable to pay their power bills. 

Funds from the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco/Pinellas Inc. can help residents age 60 and older who are in danger of having their power disconnected during the designated cooling and heating seasons when demand and bills are higher than normal. 

Eligible seniors must have a crisis with a delinquent notice from the utility company or a notice that power has been shut off to be considered for help. They may also qualify to receive repairs to a cooling unit or a voucher for fans, heaters and blankets. Applications are now being accepted. 

Eligible seniors can receive help up to twice a year during each high-demand season. Health and Human Services staff members screen applicants to determine if they meet income limits. The income limit is 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline. For a household of one, the limit is $16,245 a year. For two people, the income limit is $21,855 (add $5,610 for each additional member of family units with more than eight members.) 

Prospective clients can either stop by a Health and Human Services office or call for 

an appointment and information.  Call or email Annie Shaw at (727) 464-8400 in Clearwater or Ann Eicher at (727) 582-7781 in St. Petersburg.  Health and Human Services offices are located at 2189 Cleveland St., Suite 230, Clearwater and at 647 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 

Assistance is provided without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, disability, religion or national origin. 

This program is funded by Area Agency on Aging of Pasco/Pinellas, Inc. 

Pinellas County Health and Human Services

Area Agency on Aging

 

OOPS! What to Do With a Broken Compact Fluorescent Light

James Stevenson, Pinellas County Extension Specialist, Urban Sustainability

A broken CFL has the capacity to release the small amount of mercury contained within it in the form of a gas. Should you accidentally drop a CFL, follow the EPA’s “Cleanup and Disposal Guidelines for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs – June 2008” linked below.

First and foremost, as soon as the break happens, clear out. Get pets and people away from the area and shut off the AC or heat. Open a window or windows if possible and allow at least 15 minutes for ventilation to occur.

If the break occurs on a hard surface, use stiff cardboard to scoop-up fragments (don’t sweep—this can cause bits to go airborne—or vacuum) and place in a glass jar or a sealed plastic bag. Use strong tape such as fibrous duct tape to collect the rest of the glass fragments and powder. Finally use a damp cloth to clean the area. Place all the items used during the clean-up process into the glass jar or sealed plastic bag being used for collection.

If the break occurs on carpeting or a rug, carefully collect fragments and place them in a jar or plastic bag, and use strong tape for the tiny bits. If you choose to vacuum, dispose of the vacuum bag or canister contents in the jar or plastic bag. It is important to ventilate the room where the break occurred for the next several times you vacuum.

Now that you’ve got your jar/bag of hazardous waste, what to do next? In Pinellas County, “We want people to bring broken bulbs and associated cleanup materials to HEC3 (Pinellas County Solid Waste), not put them in the regular trash,” says Andy Fairbanks, Waste Reduction Program Supervisor, Pinellas County Utilities Solid Waste Operations.

See links below for more information. Hey, accidents happen. The good news is CFLs do not need to be handled very often (only seven years in some cases!), so the odds of a mishap are greatly reduced.

Cleanup and Disposal Guidelines For Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) June 2008

Information on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury
July 2008

Pinellas County Household Electronics & Chemical Collection Center