Month: November 2010

November 19, 2010

Green Maps

Stony Brook University’s Sustainability Task Force created this green map to “better spread the word and inform people of all the wonderful programs and projects that are either already completed or currently underway” in that university area.  The interactive maps has icons by topic such as Admin, Cultural Awareness, Decreases of Carbon Footprint, Energy Consumption, Transportation, etc which you can click on to include or remove from the map. It also lists specific green initiatives (showing the icon) and provides more information about these initiatives.  You can  mouse over  icons on the map and see the topic and click on the link for more information.

Google maps allows users to create custom maps that can be shared with others. A library could create a map of their campus or community area, with icons representing topics or categories, and more information/links, to help guide people to green programs, projects and resources in their area. Any library doing something like this already?

Here is a video explain how to create My Map in Google Maps:

November 16, 2010

Bottled Water continued …

The NYT today has piece on bottled water.  I love the opening stat….

Drinking 8 glasses of water a day costs you: $.49 a year from the tap =  $1,4000 a year from bottled

Pay more, produce more waste, and more industrial emissions to encourage more  climate change!

Though people seem to disagree w/ this idea,  studies show most tap water is fine to drink, and bottled water has no set regulations so you could be getting poorer quality of water from that than your tap … or… getting the same water from your tap but paying for it in plastic bottle!   The biggest reason why people buy bottled water – LAZINESS –  HABIT! yup, it’s easier in the grab a bottle than bring your own refillable. Bottled water wasn’t around much before the 1980s and we weren’t dying of thirst, I think we can handle it again.  Also note in the US producing bottled water consumes 17 million barrels of oil annually. conserve water and oil!

No matter your age, you can make a difference.  There are movements on some campus that are student driven to ban water.  Seattle U and U of Wisconsin and other colleges will be banning bottled water on campus.Go students!  Or check out this story about a the octogenarian who has been pushing to ban bottle water in Concord!

Did you know…. 86% of plastic water bottles end up in the garbage?

What can your library do? start by stopping to offer bottled water altogether. Sell reusable water bottles w/ your library logo and have a filling tap on your water foundations or a large jug of water at events. Educate people. Show the film Tapped.  Embed the Story of Bottle Water video on your website. other ideas?

November 4, 2010

Story of Bottled Water

We recently showed the film Tapped at our campus UNCG Sustainability Film & discussion series – something worth considering showing at your library.   It’s “manufactured demand. ” 1/3 of all bottled water actually comes from the tap.  and 80% of these water bottles end up in landfills.  Find out more –  here is a a great video to watch:

The Story of Stuff: Bottled Water.

 

Can you ban bottled water in your library?