Why Should You Care?

     Why should you care about the environment?  When Zoo CREW first started with our Action Campaign each and every one of us had to ask ourselves why others should care about the environment. For the members of Zoo CREW we care about animals and our love of animals is enough for use to make changes in our own lives. But with the start of this project we were faced with the fact that for everyone we talk to a simple love of animals might not be enough.

     The truth is that we as humans need the environment to survive. There’s no way around it and there is no way to live without it. Butterflies are being negatively affected because of climate change they simply can’t deal with the extreme fluctuations in temperature year to year and the unpredictable season schedule.  Many of the fruits and vegetables that you eat each and every day are pollinated by butterflies and solely by butterflies. Without butterflies we would not have many of the fruits and vegetables we rely on.

     The simplest reason to care about the environment is because it’s our world and we need it. There is only one earth, one atmosphere, and so much of non-renewable resources. Once things are gone they are gone and there’s no getting them back. Humanity is at a fork in the road, we can go right and save the earth or go left and continue on the detrimental road we are on and decide not to care.

     Everyone has to decide why they should care about the environment. Is it because you love the earth, want to save money in the long run, or simplify love animals. Find a reason why you should care, because whether you like it or not this is everyone’s earth. So I’m giving everyone the challenge not just everyone reading this blog but everyone in the world, to find a reason to care about our earth and help save it.

    Zoo CREW has a reason to care done you?

Gabby 

If you enjoy our blogs and want more information on how to be environmentally friendly I encourage you to follow us on our various social media websites:

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Green Spring Cleaning

Today is the first official day of spring, even though it might not feel like it out side. For those of you out there who like me are an OCD cleaner and turns the start of spring into a full weekend if not week of non-stop cleaning. Then you are currently prepping and supply shopping. Unlike springs in the past my goal for this spring is to make my spring cleaning as environmentally friendly as possible.  This should be a goal for everyone not just for their spring cleaning but for everyday cleaning as well. Here are 2 simple tips for green cleaning that everyone can apply to there daily cleaning as well as spring cleaning.

Paper Towel vs. Cloth Towels:

Whether paper towels or cloth towels are more eco-friendly has been a debate among the world of going green. Some say cloth towels are about the same as paper towels because they have to be washed. But what it comes down to is how you use cloth towels. The average house hold washes clothes about once or twice a week depending on the house hold size. The goal of cloth towels is not to wash them as soon as they get dirty but to was them when you wash cloths, simply adding them to the towels that you normally wash.  For my household of four we can go through a roll of paper towel in about a week or two so using cloth towels saves not only money but trees. 

Green cleaners:

Green cleaning products generally fall into two category’s store brought and homemade. There are many green and organic cleaning products that can be brought right in your own grocery store.  When looking in stores for cleaners that won’t harm the environment make sure that the cleaner you pick is non-toxic, lacks man made fragrances, is biodegradable, and that the container that it is in is recyclable. Now in day organic and green cleaners cost about as much normal cleaners so you’re not spending more money that you normally spend. Many cleaning products can be made using products found right in your own home. Vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide are the basis for many homemade cleaners. Recipes can be found online for a wide range of homemade cleaners.

Don’t forget that this Saturday at 8:30 PM is Earth Hour. Turn you lights and electronics off for one hour in order to help the environment. For more information: http://zoocrewcampaign.blogspot.com/

Gabby

If you enjoy our blogs and want more information on how to be environmentally friendly I encourage you to follow us on our various social media websites:

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZooCREWCampaign

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ZooCREWCampaign 

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Earth Hour

Do you know what earth hour is? Don’t feel bad if you don’t, most people have never heard of it before. Earth Hour is a yearly event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). During Earth Hour people no matter where they are around the world or what they are doing turn off their lights and don’t use electricity for one hour.  This year Earth Hour takes place on March 23 (this Saturday) at 8:30. You’re not being asked to spend money, travel to a location, or make a life changing commitment. All you have to do to take part is turn off all of you electronics and anything that uses electricity for 1 hour.  To be honest at first I did not know what earth hour was and when I did find out I questioned whether I would be able to commit. But I asked myself what’s stopping me from taking part? The fact that I want to go on Facebook or that I want to watch TV? Facebook and TV will always be there for whenever I want it. But the Earth and environment is only here for as long as people keep it here. We rely on the earth for our entire life and I think we can spare an hour to take care of it in return.

Member of the Zoo CREW Campaign have taken the pledge to take part in Earth Hour and we encourage you to take part too. Because this is not only our earth it’s yours too.

For more information about Earth Day visit: http://earthhour.org/node?direct=true

Gabby 

If you enjoy our blogs and want more information on how to be environmentally friendly I encourage you to follow us on our various social media websites:

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZooCREWCampaign

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ZooCREWCampaign

Tumblr: http://zoocrewcampaign.tumblr.com/   

Instagram: zoocrewcampaign

Words are as Powerful as Action

     Helping the environment and being eco-friendly is not just about your actions. It’s not just about recycling, being green, carpooling, and saving water. Spreading the word about climate change and standing up for the environment is just as important as the actions in your everyday live. Most people don’t know what climate change is or how they can combat it. For each and every person that knows about climate change and going green you have a duty not only to take action in your own lives but to get others to take action in their lives. You don’t have to start a Facebook page or hold a rally; it’s as simple as talking to those around you.

     Spread the word about climate change and saving energy. Talk to your family about how their everyday actions can make a difference. For younger kids it can be as simple as telling them to remember to turn the lights out when they leave a room because it helps save animals. For older kids and teens you might direct them to read these blogs as a way to get a deeper understanding of how their actions affect the environment. Spreading the word can be as simple as talking to the moms in your parenting group about organic baby food and cloth dippers.  The more people that know about what is going on in the environment the more the environment is saved.

Zoo CREW has made the choice to spread the word about climate change, will you?

Gabby

If you enjoy our blogs and want more information on how to be environmentally friendly I encourage you to follow us on our various social media websites:

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZooCREWCampaign

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ZooCREWCampaign 

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Adjust your Input to Increase your Reusable Output in order to Decrease your Loss

 Going green can be broken down into input, reusable output, and loss. This problem sound like a math class, that most likely because I came up with this idea in math class. One of the most unique parts about being in Zoo CREW is that you learn to look at completely unrelated topics and relate them to animals and the environment

     Input is everything that you do, buy, or bring into your house. It’s the organic cleaning supplies and recycled water battles you buy; it’s also when you use ecofriendly light bulbs and car pool. Likewise it is also not using ecofriendly light bulbs, it’s the litter you drop in the street, and the times you decide not to recycle. The goal of being environmentally friendly is to keep you input as green as possible that means using recycled products, recycling, and buying organic food and products.

     Reusable output is everything that comes from your actions that does not negatively affect the environment. It’s the litter that does not go into a landfill; it’s the energy that you save, and the things that you recycle. Reusable output is everything that can return to input and be used over. Not all of your output is reusable; the output that is not reusable is considered loss. Loss is just that, the parts of the output that once they are used they are not use again. Loss is the CO2 admissions that are leaked into the air. It’s the bottles that are in landfills that are not going to be reused. It’s the environments that are loss and animals that are left without a home.

     So you might be asking yourself what all this means? The goal of being environmentally friendly is to adjust your input so that that it increases your reusable output and decreases your loss. Recycle cans so that they can be made into more cans. Use reusable battles so that there is no loss at all. You can also make things fun for the entire household by creating the challenge of trying to have no loss for a whole day. It won’t be easy but it’s not impossible and you might learn something new in the process. Remember make your input so that reusable output is high and loss is low. Always remember to be ecofriendly and do you part for the environment.

Gabby

If you enjoy our blogs and want more information on how to be environmentally friendly I encourage you to follow us on our various social media websites:

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZooCREWCampaign 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ZooCREWCampaign 

Tumblr: zoocrewcampaign.tumblr.com

Instagram: zoocrewcampaign

Recycling Basics

When the average person is asked how they are eco-friendly in their own life, in most cases there first answer would be that they recycle. In most cities recycling is mandatory and residents that do not recycle can be fined. Just because residents are forced to recycle or recycle by their own choice does not mean they are recycling properly. Like many others I follow the recycling basics all paper and plastic goes in the recycling bin, but like many other households on trash day there is no telling what’s in the recycling bin. Pizza boxes, egg cartons, tissues, and even the occasional bag of food make their way into my households recycling bin. Just because a household recycles does not mean they recycle properly, if recycling is not done properly then recycling can do more harm than good. If one piece of paper that has food oils on it gets into a batch of paper that is being processed and turned into recycled paper products it could ruin the whole batch and send it to the dump.  Sometimes it can be hard to remember what can and can’t be recycled but here is the basic 411 about recycling.

Recycling Yes and No’s:

Yes:  Soda cans, paint cans, glass jars and glass, battles can all be recycled. What many do not know is that aerosol cans also be recycled.  

No: Aluminum foil, paperclips, light bulbs, window glass.

Yes: All basic paper like newspaper, printing paper, magazines, and cardboard.

No: any type of paper product that you use to wipe your hands or face with, anything that has a wax coating and anything that has food liquids or oils on it.

Plastics can be a little more complex. Depending on your city some plastics can or can’t be recycled, so make shore to check you city guide line. Per Philadelphia guidelines.

Yes: All plastic #1-#7, #6 as long as it is not Styrofoam.  

No: Styrofoam, plastic bags, PVC pipe, and packing peanuts.

Always remember:

1. No container plastic, paper, or cardboard can be recycled if it as food liquids or oils on it.

2. The one major exception to all of these rules is Pizza boxes. The bottom of a pizza box cannot be recycled but if the top does not have oils from the pizza then is can be ripped off and recycled.

3. Check you city’s recycling guidelines there are always new products that are being added to the recycling list. 

Helping the environment not only helps the animals that live in it but it helps the humans that live in it too. Remember to always be eco-friendly in everything that you do and for more information visit our social media sites. 

Gabby

Presentation Update!

Today Ajah and Yesenia have presented their power-point about climate change for the first time! We have presented to Young Scholars Charter School to a group of very eager middle school students. We have talked about how climate change affects polar bears, butterflies, and even us. Towards the end of the presentation, we had a short fun trivia game. The students have answered all the questions with confidence. With every answer they gave, we have rewarded them with kit-kat (a sustainable palm oil candy).  This showed us that we have gotten our message across successfully, to further inform people about how their everyday actions affect polar bears and butterflies and how easy it is to establish ways to help. 

Within the next week, we will be doing our second presentation at Memphis Street Academy. Wish us luck in this process of promoting ways to help polar bears and butterflies and ways to help stop climate change.

Yesenia 

Eco Fashion

For any fashion lovers out there we all have been waiting for this week to come. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC kicked off yesterday making this week an exciting week full of events. From Diane von Furstenberg to DKNY fashion is a large part of everyone’s life. Whether you’re a shopaholic or a thrift shopper what you wear can impact the environment. From transportation to the chemicals that go into making clothes all of the steps impact the environment.

Buying local is always better even when it comes to fashion. Think about it in a step to step process the workers have to drive to the factory. They have to drive home; the clothes are shipped in a truck from the factory, are put on an air plane, and shipped. Once the air plane lands they are driven to a warehouse then from a warehouse to the store. Every step of the way gasses are being released into the air aiding climate change. Although not everyone can get clothing that was made in their own state buying US made clothing is a start. Buying clothing made in America not only saves the environment but helps support American jobs.

Next time you’re buying an outfit takes a look at materials it was created with. Today clothes are made with mass produced man made fibers. Chemicals are used for everything for dyeing clothing to flame retardant.  Factory’s leak these chemicals into the environment polluting streams and runoffs harming the animals that live there. Even the dyes that go into clothing can harm the environment, dyes that in many cases have environmentally friendly natural options. There are organic products and fibers that can be used to make clothing. There are even recycled products that companies are using to make clothing. If you’re filling thrifty, thrift stores are a great option. Not only are thrift stores local but instead of just throwing clothing out they can be recycled. To find more information about environmentally friendly fashion visits the websites below.

For my UK readers this is a 100% vegan and sustainable shoe company: http://www.beyondskin.co.uk/

Lists of eco-friendly Companies:

http://www.learnvest.com/2012/10/surprise-eco-friendly-clothing-is-actually-cheaper/

http://www.cherylana.com/

http://www.ecofashion-week.com/

Gabby

Green Wall Update 1

Hello, 

A part of our combined projects is a Green Wall.

So far, I've considered 2 types of Living/Green Wall Planters, and they are listed belowl. i've sent the information to our Coordinator, Allison Winas-Carpenter, so hopefully she'll decide which one to buy and which plants to get for our experiement. Our goal is to inform and demonstrate to people how easy and beneficial keeping a green wall is, so this is our first setup and update. I\

http://www.kinsmangarden.com/product/Living-Wall?SKU=ZWALL

This is a green wall, when everything is growing in it. I want to do this green wall as a sort of experiement, where if the second green wall (Link beneath) doesn't look too inspring, then maybe this one will. It's an in home green wall and it can  be set up everywhere. green walls are based on the idea that instead of expanding horizontally, you can grow plants just as well, except vertically.  

Having a green wall promotes a whole list of benefits, such as aesthetics, attracts pollinator insects, indoor air quality, property value (if large enough and maintained), saves energy by keeping heat, dampens noise pollution, plants have been known to reduce stress, it can receive LEED credits, if it's a whole wall, and it's sustainable.  

More info in this link

 http://greenovergrey.com/green-wall-benefits/overview.php

http://www.amazon.com/The-Urban-Garden-vertical-planter-hanging/dp/B004FOXK90/ref=sr_1_3?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1359907130&sr=1-3&keywords=wooly+pocket

This greenwall is more urban, instead of having specified holes and boxes for plants to be planted in, it actually has pockets, so yo can place in already potted plants or actually put soil in the pockets and plant seeds in it.  It's made of 100% recycled plastic bottles and doesn't require much weeding or bending. It's sort of an easy inside garden that's on the wall. I want to do this one in juxtaposition to the other green wall to show that having a green wall doesn't always have to be such a fancy looking thing, that it can basically be pockets of soil on your wall to be grown in.

The point of greenwalls is the idea of sustainability, where instead of expanding out and creating urbanization, you expand up. Think skyscraper, except with plants, which bring added benefits to any place. It relates to the animals of our Zoo CREW by helping butterflies and other insects, as well as spread the word of Polar Bears and frogs because having one indirectly benefits them by using less energy, conserves water,  and having even one aspect of sustainability helps to open up more windows of sustainability within a household. 

Plants that attract butterflies that can be easily planted in the greenwalls. 

Queen's anne lace (Daucos Carota)

Butterfly bush

Mint

Dill

fennel

Parsley

Black Eyed Susans

Aster

Coneflowers

Violet

spider flower

Snapdragon

Duong

Updates from the Groups!

UPDATES~~!

Our Skit Group ( Tatyanna Russell, Jennifer Spaller, Elyssa Trautz) just finished their script and are currently working on a place to present.  No more rough drafts! For a little preview, there will be butterfly wings and polar bear hats for family entertainment and education.

What would be a good place for them to present at?

Our Film Group ( Cory Edwards, Autumn Melvage, Muriyd Fuller, Derek Stein, Jasil Ivory, and Omar Hendricks) are currently trying to finish their 3 section script. The first section identifies the problem, the second section are interviews, and the third section are ways to establish help for endangered species.

What would you like to learn from the Conservation video?

As the Social Media Group (Duong Lau, Gabby Drummond, Yesenia Valle, and Ajah Robinson), we have sceduled who will post at what times, so look forward to them! Some topics include International Polar Bear Day, holidays, and what we, as individuals are doing on our own.

What would you recommend for us to post that relates to Conservation?

by Duong Lau and Yesenia Valle

Eco-Friendly Winter Tips

For most of the Philadelphia area we enjoyed a mild December but now as we go into February its cold outside and for many its cold inside as well. When it’s cold and comfort and convenience are at the top of your list remember to be environmentally friendly with these 3 easy tips:

1. Remember to insulate windows and doors. Take some time to go throughout your house and check windows for drafts. If you find that your windows do have a draft; foam liners, plastic, and spray foam can be used to keep heat inside the house. Remember to keep doors closed and try putting a rug under the door to stop the draft.  This will keep you from having to turn the thermostat up in the winter.

2. Whenever possible use natural products instead of chemicals. Traditional rock salt can burn the bottom of pet’s paws and cause harm when ingested. In many cases more salt is put out than needed leading to it running off into plant beds and local streams polluting the environment. An eco-friendly alternative is to use all natural de-icing salt or pet friendly salt that can be purchased at your local hardware store or on online.

3. When ice forms on your cars windshield instead of chemical de-icers use natural homemade products. A dish soap solution, rubbing alcohol solution, or vinegar solution can be used for de-icing. If ice forms do the environment a favor and take the time to go outside and scrape the ice off by hand instead of using a chemical solution. Natural at home deicing recipes can be found on this website:http://www.ehow.com/info_8706217_homemade-window-de-icer.html

The environment will thank you along with the polar bears, butterflies, and frogs. 

                                             

  Gabby

Helping a cold and helping the environment

I have a cold……..I’m cranky, tired, stressed, and it finals week. I can barely remember what I learned in school last week yet alone to unplug my phone cord. But I’m still making an effort, so I thought to myself what are some easy ways to help the environment while helping my cold without cutting into my study time. First thing I needed this morning was medicine lots and lots of medicine so instead of lazy having my mom drive across the street to the store I bungled up and walked. With a stack of tests to get done I needed something to cut the cold and get my energy going. Instead of going for the store brought tea that is transported from who knows were on a truck that releases gases that destroy the environment. I boiled a whole lemon sliced, with half a red onion sliced, and a bunch of organic honey.  The onion and lemon both came from the local produce market.  It doesn't taste half bad and I am feeling better; as is the environment. While my tea was boiling I unplug my cellphone cord, my laptop cord (because the battery was at 100%), and even unplugged my TV (helping me keep focused and helping the environment). If your relaxing at home spending your day reading blogs then lucky you. If you trying to stay strong and get through finals then you’re not alone. I’m done my tea and there is a history final that needs getting done. Remember to help yourself by helping the environment.

                                                                                                                                  

Gabby

Introduction

Hey my name is Gabby.  I’m a little bit crazy, funny, and I’m completely obsessed with school. When I’m not at the Philadelphia Zoo working on Zoo CREW stuff I’m working in the education department. My blogs will be on Mondays and Thursdays. I’m unique in the fact that I look at the world in a different way. 8 years of online schooling, 5 years of zoo camp, and 2 years of working at the Philadelphia Zoo has given me a different perspective of life and I look forward with sharing my view of the world with you.

If you enjoy our blogs and want more information on how to be environmentally friendly I encourage you to follow us on our various social media websites:

 Facebook: Zoo CREW Campaign

Twitter:  @ZooCREWCampaign

Tumblr: zoocrewcampaign.tumblr.com

Instagram: zoocrewcampaign