NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #18/NN_1992_18.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/5888

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Subject: RESOURCES: Environmental info; getting more
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Date: 18 Aug 92 22:59:20 GMT
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    The following may be crossposted or otherwise redistributed
    at will.

    Sorry, it's somewhat disorganized--but I certainly hope
    it's comprehensive :-).

                  <<< USER$DISK24:[NOTES$LIBRARY]QC.NOTE;1 >>>
                             -< The Quiet Corner >-
================================================================================
Note 36.56                       Save the Earth!                        56 of 56
GALLUJ::11ASHETTLE                                  299 lines  18-AUG-1992 17:29
                -< RESOURCES: Environmental Info; getting more >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The best tool we can possibly own when we wish to accomplish
    anything is *information*.

    If you want to do something as an individual (or as a club
    or organization) to save the earth, the best place to
    start looking for information is probably "50 Simple Things
    You Can Do to Save the Earth", available in bookstores in
    the United States for $4.95 USD, or by mail order from
    EarthWorks Press #25, 1400 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley CA 94709,
    United States of America.

    EarthWorks Press also publishes:  "The Recycler's Handbook",
    "50 Simple Things Your Business Can Do to Save the Earth",
    "The Student Environmental Action Guide", "30 Simple Energy
    Things You Can Do to Save the Earth" and, while I'm writing
    this note, also:  "50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save Your
    Life".  Any of these books should be available at bookstores
    or by mail order from EarthWorks.  "Very good" bulk rates
    are available.

    But perhaps you want information more specialized than any
    of these books can provide alone.  If so, the following list
    of resources may be for you.

    The information on this list is compiled from "50 Simple Things
    You Can Do to Save the Earth" and "The Next Step:  50 More
    Things You Can Do to Save the Earth".

    [Note to deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired individuals:
    sorry, but EarthWorks books don't provide info on whether
    any phone lines listed have a TDD handy.  I think it can be
    safely assumed most numbers, if not all, are voice numbers.]
    ==============================================================

    Toxic waste destroys the environment.  For a detergent
    fact sheet, or for information on stamping out polystyrene
    foam, send an SASE to:

    The Ecology Center
    2530 San Pablo Ave
    Berkeley, CA 94702

    For info and referral on recycling, packaging or activism
    (or to order a catalog of recycled paper materials) contact:

    Earth Care Co.
    Box 3335
    Madison, WI 53704
    [phone]

    20% of the energy we use at home go into our water heatFor more
    information on water heaters, contact:

    Larry Weingarten
    Elemental Enterprises
    PO Box 928
    Monterey, CA 93942
    [phone]

    Tire efficiency has a direct impact on the amount of gas
    our cars consume.  For a $4 kit (air pressure gauge etc)
    and a 12 page guide, contact:

    Tire Industry Safety Council
    PO Box 1801
    Washington DC 20013

    Saving energy has a tremendously positive impact on the
    environment.  "50 Simple Things" says the following
    resource is the best possible source of comprehensive
    information on appliance efficiency, including info
    on buying new appliances; especially reccommended
    by "50 Simple Things" are two booklets for $3 each:
    "The Most Energy-Efficient Appliances" and "Saving
    Energy and Money With Home Appliances":

    The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
    1001 Connecticut Avenue NW
    Suite 535
    Washington DC 20036

    We've all heard how serious a problem the hole in the
    ozone layer is becoming.  Find out more about how
    YOU can do something to preserve the ozone layer by
    writing for a pamphlet "Saving the Ozone Layer:  A
    Citizen Action Guide":

    Natural Resources Defense Council
    40 W. 20th St.
    New York, NY 10011

    Our cars alone contribute tons of carbon dioxide to the
    atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
    One way to keep some carbon dioxide out of the air
    (besides maintaining your tires, as re: a couple
    of addresses earlier this list) is to buy a more fuel-efficient
    car.  For a free gas mileage guide (to help you decide
    which make and model car you want to buy) write:

    Gas Mileage Guide
    Consumer Information Center
    Pueblo, CO 81009

    For more information on how to avoid toxic substances at
    your home (and there are probably more than you suspect)
    consult one or more of the following:

    "Making the Switch: Alternatives to Using Toxic Chemicals
    in the Home" ($6)
    Publication Dept.
    Local Government Commission
    909 12th St.
    Suite 205
    Sacramento, CA 95814

    "Nontoxic and Natural", "The Nontoxic Home"
    by Debra Lynn Dadd ($11.95)
    In bookstores, or from the author at:
    PO Box 1506
    Mill Valley, CA 94942
    (also has newsletter, "The Earthwise Consumer")

    The Household Hazardous Waste Project
    Box 87
    901 South National Ave.
    Springfield, MO 65804
    [phone]
    ($8 for book, "The Guide to Hazardous Products Around the
    Home"; includes tested recipieces for nontoxic substitutes)

    The Bio-Integral Resource Center
    PO Box 7414
    Berkeley, CA 94707
    (ask for publication: "Least Toxic Pest Management for Fleas";
    note that many traditional methods of flea management--flea
    collars, etc--may be damaging to your pet as well as the
    environment)

    Our heating systems burn hundreds of thousands of oil daily.
    For more information on how you can save energy and still
    keep warm, write for the booklet "Heating Systems":

    Public Informations Office
    Massachusetts Audubon Society
    Lincoln, MA 01173

    Balloons realeased in the middle of a continenet can wind up
    on the coast within days; once there, balloons can endanger
    our marine life.  1) Simple thing: don't release your balloons
    2) If interested in more info on balloon ecology, write:

    Balloons and Clowns
    703 N. Milwaukee Ave
    Libertyville, IL 60048

    For info on recycling paper (in pamphlet form, free) write:

    Paper Recycling Commitee
    American Paper Institute
    260 Madison Ave
    New York, NY 10016
    [phone]

    For free pamphlets on glass recycling:

    Glass Packaging Institute
    1801 K St., NW
    Washington, DC 20006
    [phone]

    For info on how to recycle, or for statistics, or how to
    set up fundraising events etc (most info free) write:

    The Aluminum Association
    900 19th St, NW
    Washington, DC 20006

    For a list of products using recycled packaging and an
    instructive booklet, send $2 to:

    Pennsylvania Resources Council
    25 West 3rd St.
    Media, PA 19063

    Precycling (buying environmentally sound products) helps
    save the environment.  The city of Berkeley launched a
    successful precycling campaign.  If you're interested
    in setting up a similar campaign in your area, call:

    city of Berkeley, California
    [phone]

    For more info on paper recycling, send $5 for "Your Office
    Paper Recycling Guide" (checks payable to City and County
    of San Francisco) to:

    San Francisco Recycling Program
    271 City Hall
    San Francisco, CA 94102

    For info on recycling programs in your area, or for a book
    on setting up your own ("Coming Full Circle", costs $10),
    contact:

    Environmental Defense Fund
    1616 P St., NW
    Washington, DC 20036
    Hotline:  1 (800) CALL EDF
    (translates into: 1 [phone])


    For info on how to order these booklets: ("How to Weatherize
    Your Home or Apartment", "All About Insulation" and
    "Superinsulation") contact:

    Public Information Office
    Massachusetts Audubon Society
    Lincoln, MA 01173


    If you are VERY committed to the environment, garden a lot,
    and live in an area where it doesn't rain a lot, you
    may want to know more about graywater tanks (which lets
    dirty water from your home accumulate in a tank, so this
    water can be used to water your garden; much of this
    water will actually *help* some of your plants.):

    Edible Publications
    PO Box 1841
    Santa Rosa, CA 95402
    (Send $6 for booklet; if you're in California, send an
    extra $0.36 for tax)

    Believe it or not, corporations do listen to their
    customers.  If we ASK for recycled (not just
    recycABLE) packaging, corporations WILL start to produce
    them.  (recycABLE packaging simply CAN be recycled, assuming
    the material can be recycled in your area; recyclED packaging
    is made from materials ALREADY recycled--thus more directly
    supporting the market for recycled materials).  Many
    products (e.g. foods, etc) have an 800 (toll free) number
    listed on the package.  If you want to contact a producer,
    and cannot find an 800 number for it, you can call the
    number below for 800 directory information to find the
    right number:

    1 [phone]


    Congresspeople listen to their voters, too.  Writing to
    your congressperson about important environmental bills
    could swing a vote.  Next time you have half an hour
    or so to write a letter to your congress person,
    contact one of the following hotlines to find out what
    environmental bills are up for grabs in Congress:

    The Sierra Club Hotline:  [phone]
    The Audubon Society:  [phone]


    Starting a butterfly garden can be a good school, community
    or group project, and it could help save endangered species,
    too.  Check out one of the following resources for more information:

    "Butterfly Gardening" (Self Help Sheet #7) ($2.50)
    The Xerces Society
    10 S.W. Ash St.
    Portland, OR 97204
    (nonprofit butterfly conservation organization; send SASE
    for list of titles & membership info)

    "Butterfly Gardening:  Creating Summer Magic In Your Garden"
    ($18.95, 192 pages w/color photos; check bookstores or
    write Xerces Society, above)

    "The Butterfly Garden"
    by Matthew Tekulsky
    Harvard Common Press
    Cambridge, MA
    [phone]
    (how to raise butterflies from larvae stage)


    Some people believe overpopulation is putting a strain
    on the environment.  For more info, contact:

    Zero Population Growth (ZPG)
    1400 16th St., NW
    Suite 320
    Washington, DC 20036
    [phone]

    Population-Environment Balance
    1325 G STreet, NW
    Suite 1003
    Washington, DC 20005
    [phone]