Earth Day fail...

So I took the footprint calculator quiz and discovered much to my dismay that I'm an ecological hog. If everyone lived like me, we'd need 5.2 planet earths to provide enough resources. Just to support me, it takes 23 global acres of the earth's productive area.

How does the US rate as a whole?  Sadly, the gap between our ecological footprint and the planet's biocapacity to sustain us has only widened in the past two years.

The planet's not going to multiply, so how can I better fit the planet?   To decrease my footprint I'll:

• purchase products that use less packaging and those I do purchase will be made out of post-consumer recycled materials


• take less vacations involving air travel. I'll continue to carpool and purchase vehicles with better fuel economy.


• buy locally produced food (less packaging, trasport costs and the like mean a smaller footprint)


• plant a  fruit/vegetable garden and compost organic materials (zero packaging or transport costs).


• plan the week's meals in advance to cut down on food waste, trips to the market and impulse buying


• buy second-hand items, especially for the kids who grow out of things so quickly (recycling that's good for the earth and for the pocket-book)


• lower my thermostat by 4 degrees (and program it to stay low)


• continue to recycle (here's a list of recyclables from the EPA)


• continue to use the green option from my public utilities provider

Here are even more ideas for living green.

Business assistance for local entrepreneurs

The Small Business Administration and Department of Labor have partnered on a new website to help states offer assistance to local entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses.

The site is geared toward helping states take advantage of the $35 Million the federal government gave to states to implement Self-Employment Assistance programs to help those looking to create jobs in their communities.

These programs provide Unemployment Insurance recipients interested in starting a business with financial assistance, training and resources to get their businesses off the ground. Among the links to resources on the site, there is a link to the New York State fact sheet on how to apply for local assistance through this program.

Biz infographic of the week

Check out this great infographic of the ten most successful entrepreneurs under age 30.


Source: The 10 Biggest Entrepreneurs Under 30

 

Count down to earth day

This year, earthday.org is focusing their theme on facing climate change.  To draw attention to the fact that climate change impacts us all, a global mosaic is being built.  Organizers are asking folks to upload photos that include a face with a sign that says "The Face of Climate Change."  So go ahead and personalize your message to the world.

March madness bracketology: Census style!

Ready to get your Geek on?  The US Census Bureau has a new game where you can choose your brackets based on population tables.  Who knew Texas was bigger than New York?!

Infographics get a second wind

Infographics have been around for centuries, from ancient cave paintings  to modern subway maps to (probably the most recognizable infograph of all time) the Periodic Table published back in 1869.

Recently, infographics and info-art have gotten a second wind.  Data visualization has have become a popular trend for folks who want to quickly and easily present complex information.  It's no wonder since we live in an age where data is being produced at exponential rates.  In fact, Google executives estimate that every two days, we create as much data as we did between the "dawn of time through 2003."  Every two days!  Much of this is generated from social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Four Square and the like.

The increasing number of easy-to-use tools available has also made it easier for those without a degree in design to generate creative infographics; and to share them with the masses via social media.

Here's a few tools that you might try:



















....more tools.

To hell in a hand basket...

For some reason, the phrase "going to hell in a hand basket" came to mind as I was riding the escalator down to my afternoon sessions at the CIL Conference. Hmmm…

I was thinking, why a hand basket? Why? So, I looked it up and according the phrase finder it may be similar to going to hell in a hand-cart meaning life is easier (and probably more fun, just sayin'...) to be carried off to hell than to work hard for a place in heaven.

Or, it may relate to the imagery of heads collected and carried in a hand basket post-guillotining. Well, so much for associating hand baskets with bunnies and Easter candy ever again.

You're very welcome for this bit of useless info!