Water

According to the National Atmospheric Deposition Program, since the instillation of the Clean Air Act of 1990, acid rain has decreased dramatically. From 1985 to 2008, sulfate emissions decreased by 50% while nitrate emissions fell by over 30%. Conversely, the levels of acid ions in our rainwater have decreased by similar percentages.

Acid rain damages buildings, bridges and roads and can cause widespread damage to the ecosystem. The study has shown the Clean Air Act has done what it set out to do and this is good news. While we do have work to do, knowing that we are on the right track is cause for celebration.

Climate

Many people have not heard of the Monte Pascoal-Pau, Brazil Ecological Corridor project for reforestation, but they should! Not only will the project create a 37-mile long corridor for migration, but will expand the habitat of threatened species in the country of Brazil. As if this wasn’t enough, the first 28 acres that have been planted will remove up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide per year for every 2.4 acres planted.

Once the project’s goal of covering 2400 acres with new forest, the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the air could be up to 360,000 tons over a 30-year period. Researchers estimate that this number is the equivalent of removing 65,000 vehicles from the world’s roadways!

Recycling

Do you know why we recycle? Most people are aware that recycling prevents mountains of waste from building up in landfills but, beyond this, have no idea how recycling helps the environment. Recycling reduces the waste and greenhouse gases that it takes to produce aluminum by up to 95%. The numbers are 70% for plastic, 60% for steel and 40% for plastic and glass.

Not only do we produce fewer emissions, but also for every ton of paper that is recycled the number of trees cut down to produce paper is reduced by 17. According to Stanford University, by recycling for one year, they saved over 33,000 trees and reduced the need for iron ore, coal and limestone by 636 tons. These numbers are staggering and only given by one university! Think of how dramatically these numbers would increase if all universities were tallied, and how those numbers could further soar if every business and household were factored in.

NASA

We all know that NASA is responsible for space exploration but did you know that they are also responsible for environmental research? NASA conducted a study on alternative-energy and, as a result, developed a method of using algae to produce clean fuel.

Scientists have since come up with an idea to place wastewater filled, semi-permeable membranes in the ocean. The algae that will eventually grow in the membranes will feed on the waste. The algae will then create their own waste, a byproduct of which is biofuel that can be harvested from the membranes. This method of biofuel production doesn’t pollute the ocean, as the algae consume all of the waste. The only end result byproducts are oxygen and water!

While there is still a long way to go towards healing our planet and preventing further damage, we do need to stop and remember to be thankful for the strides that have already been made. Perhaps our newscasters and politicians would do well to concentrate their efforts on letting us know how our ‘green’ changes are benefiting the environment. People are often more apt to follow through with a lifestyle change when they are aware of the positive effects. And follow through is what we need, now more than ever.

Author Tom Blanchard tries to be less wasteful about all things, and along with that is saving money that could be better used elsewhere. To that end, using discounts when possible, such as Coupon Croc of the UK, allows him to use money saved to donate to green projects whenever he can.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48089670@N00/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Green Thanksgiving - Follow Our Three L's

Buy produce with LESS packaging… Reduce waste before the food even hits the table!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coollibrarian/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Buying bulk foods uses LESS packaging

Checkout this fabulous guide to using bulk foods for your Thanksgiving feast brought to you DiscoverBulk.com;
Using Bulk Foods for Thanksgiving

Save your Turkey and eat the LEFTOVERS! Come up with inventive ways to eat all of that leftover Turkey.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kudzuplanet/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Using all of those LEFTOVERS is super green

The BHG Guide to Using Leftover Turkey

Buy fruit and vegetables from LOCAL producers – find your nearest farmers market and try to buy all of your required fruit and veggies there to support local farms.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/weaselmcfee/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Buy LOCAL produce from farmers markets

Search for a Farmers Market near you

So there you have it, that was our run down of the three L’s for a green Thanksgiving celebration. Let us know if you have any extra tips for an eco friendly Thanksgiving holiday…