Gas Energy Choice

    In previous posts we have talked about choosing your energy supplier, and having options for wind, and other alternative energy sources.  Recently, our household changed our Natural Gas supplier as well.  You many ask-- "what is the alternative source for natural gas?"-- well, there isn't really an alternate commercial choice for that.  However, Washington Gas and Energy Services (WGES) has recently started offering Carbon Offsets for your natural gas purchases.  By paying just a little bit more per therm, WGES is able to sponsor projects such as tree plantings in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, or capturing and burning off methane from local landfills.  In our house, that "little bit more" equates to less than $20 per year in additional gas costs more than we have paid in the past.  Signing up is just as easy as changing your electricity supplier-- let WGES know that you would like to make the switch and they will handle the rest.  Everything will still be routed through your BGE bill.

   We all make choices about what we support with our purchases.  What is important to you, and what will you choose today?

WGES Carbon Offsets

Buy Local Challenge

   This week is the annual Buy Local Challenge.  What do you have to do in order to participate?  Buy local food.  This effort, which was launched 5 years ago by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, encourages Marylanders to buy local produce from local farms at Farmers Markets, or participating shops and restaurants.  Buying locally is not only good for the environment, but it promotes your local economy.  The added benefit is that you get to know where your food comes from and often are able to talk directly with the farmers.
    Just because the challenge is running this week, does not meant that you cannot participate any time during the year.  Be aware of what you are buying, know where it comes from, and help the environment at the same time.
    Below are links to the Buy Local program website, and a list of local farmers markets.

   Buy Local Challenge

Anne Arundel County Farmers Markets

Water Restrictions and Drought

     Today, the residents of Western and Northern Anne Arundel county were placed on water restrictions.  Because of the ongoing drought conditions combined with the large water main break in Baltimore City, officials need us to limit our water use for the next two weeks until the water main is repaired.  This restriction impacts communities in the following zipcodes:  20701, 20724, 20755, 20794, 21054, 21060, 21061, 21076, 21077, 21090, 21108, 21113, 21122, 21144, 21225, 21226 and 21240.   
     
     Residents of these areas may NOT:   Water their lawns or gardens with a sprinkler or open hose, Wash vehicles or equipment at home, Wash paved areas, Fill or top off home pools or fountains.
     You are allowed to water your lawn or garden from a bucket, watering can, or hand held hose with a nozzle.  These restrictions are mandatory and do carry a fine if you are cited.


     As we are forced to use less water out of a requirement, please remember the farmers across the county who are facing severe drought as well.  As record temperatures and lack of rain continue, farmers are loosing crops and food prices will eventually rise.  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted that 78% of U.S. corn and 11% of soybean crops have been hurt.  Please pray about what we can do not only to help these farmers, but also how we can help those who will suffer and possibly go hungry, when food prices increase.  

Preserving Land

     We found an interesting article recently that talked about preservation of land and conservation of forests in the Dominican Republic.  In an effort to protect endangered species of birds, they are attempting to establish a biological preserve that can serve as a new home to these birds.  Preservationists are working with the government to acquire new land and allow natural reforestation.  Many private ventures are popping up that combine sustainable practices with other activities such as farming cacao and macadamia, or eco-tourism, and allow the re-growth of previously clear cut areas of the country. 
     They note that "It's much bigger than just this one little migratory songbird...If we protect it we automatically protect all the other elements of the flora and fauna, many of which are themselves under siege."  It is important to remember the cascade effect that is happening here. In the same way that we talk about the cascading events of bad things that get triggered when we are poor stewards of the earth, so also can we trigger a cascade of benefits when we start repairing the damage we have done.  Every action you take as a good steward of God's green Earth will have greater benefits than the action itself.  Start somewhere and take action.  Every act of stewardship is important.


Saving the Dominican Forest and an Elusive Songbird

Healthy Soil

     How healthy is your soil?  What nutrients does your lawn or garden really need?  We have talked in previous posts about being aware of the fertilizers that you put on your lawn or garden, as excessive nutrients are not good for the Chesapeake Bay.  But how do you know what excessive really is?  One way to find out is by getting your soil tested.  The Maryland Cooperative Extension office at the University of Maryland tested soil in the past, but they do not any longer.  Instead, they have published some guidelines and information on where you can send to get your soil tested, and what you are looking for.

     A soil test can not only tell you the pH, but also what kind of nutrients might be lacking or overly abundant, and whether there are any levels of heavy metals present.  Tests can cost anywhere between $6 and $20, and take anywhere between 1-2 days and 2 weeks to get results based on where you decide to send it.  The link below gives information on soil tests and a list of places you can get it done.  Once you know more about your soil, you will not necessarily need to apply a broad spectrum fertilizer to your lawn or garden, but instead will be able to add only what is needed.  Feel free to improve the quality of your soil and the heath of your plants, but do it in a responsible and educated way that protects the environment.



Maryland Cooperative Extension Soil Testing

EWG Shoppers Guide

The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit organization that lobbies on a wide range of  policies involving the protection of human health and how it relates to the conservation and sustainability of natural resources.  One of the resources that they publish is a Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in produce.  EWG is fully supportive of you eating more fruits and vegetables.They note that "the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure."  However, at the same time, they want you to be aware of the typical pesticides that you might find in conventionally raised produce so that you can minimize the associated health risks.
    EWG has a list of "good" and "bad" fruits and vegetables as they relate to pesticides.  While it is not always feasible to buy everything organic, this list gives you a starting point of where the higher health risks lie and which produce would be more beneficial to buy as organic if you are able.
     We all have to make choices about the type of consumers we are and what kind of agricultural practices we are willing to support.   While making a statement with your purchasing practices is a good place to start your activism, we all know that it is neither easy or feasible to make a statement with every purchase.  But, start somewhere.   Make a intentional choice.  Support practices that are not harmful to your health or the environment.  


EWG Shoppers Guide

Beach Water Quality

      So why does everyone say that controlling the water runoff from your property is important?  One reason is because it affects the quality of the water that is all around us.  Anything that you put on your lawn or garden such as fertilizers or pesticides, or even animal waste gets caught in the runoff and acts at pollutants.  Where does the runoff go?  In most cases sewer and stormwater are combined together.  Typically they are treated at a wastewater treatment plant before being further released into the environment.  Often, however, that combined wastewater is released untreated during a stormwater overflow.  The untreated water makes its way to our rivers, streams and Bay.
     All around the country this affects us when we go to the beach.  Some beaches have such poor water quality that swimmers can become sick from the pollutants.  The Natural Resources Defense Council recently released a report giving the status of many beaches around the country.  Samples were taken and then beaches were rated based on the amount of pollutants found.  Among the best rated beaches for minimal pollutants included beaches in Ocean City, MD and Dewey Beach, DE.  Below, you can find links to the report and a more specific link to the quality of specific beaches in Maryland.
     Please do your part to control what goes into our water, and help us minimize the pollutants.  It is not just the environment that you are keeping healthy, but your neighbors as well.


NRDC Testing Report

Maryland Beachwater Quality

Crofton Rain Garden

Look at what others are doing in our community!  The Crofton Civic Association, in conjunction with a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, was able to plant a large rain garden at the entrance "gate" to Crofton.  This rain garden will help filter runoff going into the adjacent pond, and will keep the area from getting swampy when it rains.  Volunteers who participated also received information and education from a Master Watershed Steward and the Bay-Wise program (which we have written about previously).   The large grant from Chesapeake Bay Trust is generated by the sale of Bay Plates and those who donate to the Bay Fund through their tax forms.
Congratulations to Crofton and the participants of this project, and thank you for helping to protect our environment.

Capital Gazette Crofton Rain Garden article

Changing Your Energy Supplier

Someone recently asked us, "Where do I go to change my energy supplier?".   Great question-- here is the answer!  
     Energy comes from a variety of sources-- coal fired and nuclear power plants, wind farms and solar.  All of that electricity is supplied to a common grid, and then distributed to the users.  While in our area, BGE is the only source for energy distribution, we have many options of how our energy is created or supplied.  Changing your supplier is as easy as doing a little research to decide who you want to use, and then signing up with that company.  The company that you sign up with will do all of the background paperwork to coordinate with BGE, and actually make the change.  Be aware that by default, BGE is both your supplier and distributor.  Also note that within all of the various options of suppliers, there are different rates available for different terms.  Maybe you only want to test the waters and see how it goes... then sign up for a one year contract with a supplier and at the end of the year, if you do not renew with them-  you will typically get defaulted back to BGE.  In our house, we found a company that had comparable rates to what BGE was offering, but provided 100% Wind Energy.  They even gave us a great little sticker to put in our front window that says so. 
     Some may ask, "how do I know that the electricity I am buying through this supplier is the energy I am getting?".  The truthful answer is that no one really knows where the electrons that are coursing through your wires were actually generated.  No matter where or how the electricity was generated it all goes to a common grid system and gets routed to where it is needed.  What is important is that you are showing your support for renewable energy by how you spend your money.  If enough of us show that we are happy to spend our money on renewable energy technologies, then eventually companies such as BGE will want to find ways to switch from coal fired technologies to more or equally lucrative alternate options.  Make a statement today about what is important to you.  Choose to spend your money on electricity supply that does not damage the earth.  Check out the links below to get the details on how to make the change.

How Energy Supply and Distribution Works

How to Choose and Switch Your Supplier

List of Supplier Options

Carbon Pollution and Social Justice

     On Sunday June 3rd, Ark and Dove will be welcoming a guest preacher-- Reverend Dr. J Herbert Nelson, II.  Dr. Nelson serves as the Director of the PCUSA Office of Public Witness which is charged with implementing the social justice and peace agendas of the Presbyterian Church.  "Its task is to advocate, and help the church to advocate, the social witness perspectives and policies of the Presbyterian General Assembly".  Dr. Nelson has become an educator in how Presbyterians can influence public policy to align with the moral and ethical issues that we believe in.

    In conjunction with Dr. Nelson's presence, we just happen to be offering a small advocacy opportunity after each of the services.   Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light is in the process of lobbying the EPA to adopt the proposed Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power Plants.  The EPA is currently reviewing and accepting public comment on these new carbon pollution safeguards and performance standards.  GWIPL would like you to sign a postcard that says you support these new standards.  They will then deliver your note of support, along with thousands of other notes from a wide variety of congregations and faith based organizations to the EPA to show that protecting our environment and our communities is important to us.

  While the Clean Air Act of 1970 does put a limit on certain hazardous air pollutants, "there are no limits on the amount of carbon pollution that can be released from power plant smokestacks".  The intent of the new standards will be to reduce carbon pollution, thereby reducing smog, and to shift to less polluting technologies in future power plants.  This is an opportunity for you to show your support for something that will improve the environment of communities across the country and lessen the health effects to those who are most vulnerable to poor air quality.  As Interfaith Power and Light notes, this "is a critical and historical step forward to directly address climate-changing pollution".  Dr. Nelson, in his blog from 2011, reminds us that John Calvin, the founder of Presbyterianism believed that "the Church had a responsibility to provide guidance to political leaders and structures in an effort to assist them in the implementation of Godly leadership".

   We hope that you will add your name to the list of those who support these new Carbon Pollution standards this Sunday. You can find more information in the links below.

Clean Air Act of 1970

New Carbon Pollution Standards

Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light

2012 Living Planet Report

     Earlier this month WWF International released the 2012 edition of its Living Planet Report.  This report is a survey of human demands on Earth's resources and analysis of its health. The report is created by "tracking 9,000 populations of more than 2,600 species, and the Ecological footprint; the demand on natural resources.

     What WWF has determined, is that we are living in an unsustainable manner by using 50 percent more resources than the Earth can produce.  Some have noted that we are living as if we have an extra planet at our disposal.

     The Director General of WWF International believes "We can create a prosperous future that provides food, water and energy for the 9 or perhaps 10 billion people who will be sharing the planet in 2050.  Solutions lie in such areas as reducing waste, smarter water management, and using renewable sources of energy that are clean and abundant-- such as wind and sunlight."

     Are we doing our part to create a future that will be viable for ourselves and the others on this planet?  Are we exploiting nature and our neighbors, or are we promoting justice and equality for all?  Every effort can start with the smallest of steps.  How will you help?

Bay-Wise Maryland Yardstick Program

     Back in March,  we posted about how you could get your yard certified as a Wildlife Habitat by Maryland DNR.  Here is another similar opportunity sponsored by the University of Maryland Extension office and the Maryland Master Gardener program.  The BayWise program wants to encourage you to use sustainable management practices in your yard and garden which will help improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay.   Through this program you are encouraged to:
           Control Stormwater Runoff
           Encourage Wildlife
           Protect the Waterfront
           Mow Properly/ Water Efficiently
           Manage Yard Pests with Integrated Pest Management
           Mulch Appropriately/ Recycle Yard Waste
           Fertilize Wisely
           Plant Wisely

    Within each of these categories there are specific activities which you are asked to practice and implement.  As a measure of your progress you get credits for each action that you complete which are equal to "inches" on the Bay-Wise Yardstick.  Your goal is to achieve at least 36 inches on the yardstick, at which point you can request a Master Gardener to come to you property to review your progress.  If you are approved by the Master Gardener, then your property will be Certified as "BAY-WISE" and you will receive a small yard sign to show for your efforts.  See the links below for the program information and the Yardstick checklist.  If you are interested in applying for certification for your property, the application is at the bottom of the website page.

Bay-Wise Yardstick Program

Bay-Wise Yardstick Checklist.pdf