free scribbles

Recent Events

By my obvious lack of posting, a lot has been going on in my life recently, I've made forays into other forms of online social interaction, specifically Twitter.  Twitter is a popular microblogging platform which asks the question, "what are you doing?"  In 140 characters, people answer from the web, IM, PDA, or cellphones, building a community of millions interacting with each other and sharing links, thoughts, etc.

It has been an interesting experience. I was skeptical at first, but the platform has grown on me and frustrated me with its recent woes. 

This past Wednesday, for those of you not following me on twitter or friendfeed, I attended the UPA Conference at Bentley College.  From 9-6, I attended eight lectures given by some of the usability & experience designers in New England.  Needless to say, it was a thought-starting day and a refresher/rethinking of some of the principles I studied in school.   Several of the sessions didn't lead to copious notes, where others I hope to, over the next few days, transcribe from my notes and tweets into posts to share with you all. 

The Latest on Bisphenol A

Over the past month significant coverage has been devoted to the latest news about bisphenol A and its effects on humans.  Numerous studies have been conducted in the past and advocacy groups have taken stand on one side or the other.  The debate therefore ending with an inconclusive stalemate.  And while I'm late to write on the topic, better late than never.  It has been an issue that I've followed closely over the last couple of year as studies refute studies on a bimonthly basis and written on several times. 

Nalgene, the ubiquitous water bottle manufacturer, has seen the bulk of mentions due to its stance of continued manufacturing until conclusive evidence forced them to rethink there position.  Well, apparently that time has come as the company announced that they will begin a retailer recall of their product, looking to replace the polycarbonate line with a BPA free alternative. 

Two significant actions led to this recall, Health Canada declared that BPA was harmful to humans and further publication validating that BPA had been directly linked to breast cancer and early onset puberty in girls coming from the National Institutes of Health.   

The bottomline on this issue seems to be that of concession as Nalgene decided to go with the times and eliminate products with BPA materials.   It will be interesting to see if Sigg's profits increase in the upcoming months or if Nalgene will be able to get their alternatives in to market quicker than expected.   

While they are the most popular brand for water bottles, they are not alone in using polycarbonate, be cautious when using other plastic containers, especially if you have a baby.  We've just begun phasing away from polycarbonate bottles as my wife as been picking up new ones made of polyethylene bases, which are devoid of the harmful materials.

A Question about Water...

This is an issue near and dear to my heart as I have written about twice (especially since the topic is still highly researched and seemingly contradicting study results come out every six months). 

I am an advocate of both Sigg and Nalgene water bottles as valuable tools in the reduction of the popular consumption of valuable resources. 

Please take the survey at Treehugger and let's see where the world stands. How do you take your water?

Dell's Challenge to be Green

Back in May, I wrote about Apple's efforts to be an environmentally friendly computer manufacturer.  In an effort to be fair and balanced blogger (and not a hypocrite, this is being typed on a Dell), I am following up on that with yesterday's news about Dell. 

Both Target Green and Green Wombat wrote about this exciting news yesterday as Dell moves to be carbon-neutral by next year, an aggressive schedule that will certainly cause rivals to begin thinking about their own environmental footprint. 

As the world's resources dwindle and humanity's need to be better stewards of Earth, this sort of radical action not only causes businesses to change their practices but it allows those consumers to be more fickle in what products they buy. 

Dell has established a website to express their goals and programs: Dell Earth (I cheated and read the press release, I'll look closer when I have some time). 

This is not only the type of action that a company needs to take for the environment, but provided its genuine (it appears to be from the steps taken thus far), it is a great marketing initiative, leaving individuals like myself to rethink what type of computer to buy in the future.     

Working Away... Go and Play

The New York Times published an interesting article on the inequality of the American labor policies.  Walter Kirn, the writer, starts with a captivating statistic, presented in a snappy color diagram, and adds his own two cents. 

While I might argue that most of us are well-paid, it is clear that Americans can't leave the workplace and take a real vacation.  Executives must be rejoicing as the cubes overflow with industrious employees. 

I picked up this story on treehugger, where they posted a snippet of the piece and raised the notion that this is part of why Americans are not as concerned with the environment as our European counterparts.  We don't see the outside!  I think it is a valid point, but with increasing awareness by consumers of "green" the ideas of protecting our environment are gaining clout.

The other hair-raising point from this is the value of personal health.  If people aren't taking time off, how are they relieving stress?  On a micro level, I look at the fact that I have to schedule my lunch on a daily basis so that I can go running, if I don't have an hour blocked off somewhere in the day, I will lose any time to breathe fresh air.  Sure, I could run before work or after, but midday running is a great way to break things up.  And with an upcoming newborn, it may be my only time. 

The bottom line is, while I don't imagine this piece will change anything, it certainly puts us to the task of thinking more.  Taking a holiday or a stroll outside benefits the self and if you realize what's going on outside, it may benefit the environment. 

Massachusetts joins the 22nd Century...

An article in the Boston Herald, this morning, highlighted Massachusetts' commitment to the future, joining a 31 state initiative to monitor greenhouse gas emissions with the help of a nonprofit organization, The Climate Registry. 

Combined with Governor Patrick's signature on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in late January, this effort to monitor and reduce carbon dioxide emissions will improve the life of the natives and promote further investigation and involvement in the surrounding region.

Now, if the Cape Wind Project would take off...

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative

I don't remember the show that I was watching at the time, but a commercial came on which caught my eye.  The woman on screen was talking about how solar panels were being manufatured within the state of Massachusetts, making solar energy a great boon for the economy and the environment of the Commonwealth.

Since I started working in digital communications, I have focused more on the website at the end of the commercial.  If I am really interested in what I saw or heard, I will go check it out.  Granted I still live in an apartment, but solar options interest me for the future house. So I went to masstech.org, the website of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), the state's developmental agency for renewable energy innovation and economy.

The MTC operates several projects or subdivisions which invest time and money into renewable energy.  Tht two main efforts, John Adams Innovation Institute and the Renewable Energy Trust.  The John Adams institute is primarily focused on bringing technology into the state, be it an R&D facility or an innovative consumer product manufacturer, especially if their end product is hi-tech.

The Renewable Energy Trust has been established to educate and assist the Commonwealth's citizens with clean energy programs. 

Since Gov. Patrick took office, the state has been strongly invested in both these endeavors as they are very forward thinking and collaborative, involving many.

Earth Day 2007

I've been busy this week and haven't had the chance or energy to write.  But tomorrow is Earth Day and as someone who writes about environmental issues frequently I would be remiss not to make mention of the fact.

To be honest, I haven't celebrated the day in years.  Not until recently as I have become more active in environmental efforts have I even realized that the day was here until it was too late.  And while tomorrow is officially Earth Day, where a number of people will participate in events, we all can make a difference in small ways by recycling, reducing, and reusing.

Check out some links to Earth Day Resources:

• Earth Day Network
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Earth Day Section
• Nature Conservancy
   

2007 Boston Marathon Coverage

I write about running a lot here.

And since today is the Boston Marathon, I am following the race closely as it passes by my apartment.

It seems that the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) tried/is trying to do some event blogging. While I love the idea, for those avid runners or family members who can't make it to the race, don't get Versus, or live in the Boston area, where it is also airing on the CBS affiliate. I like it better when it's working.

The concept of live event blogging is popular. Think CES when Apple was unveiling the iPhone, Steve Jobs keynote was up to the minute. A commitment has to be made to have the right technology in place. It seems that the BAA inserted the idea as an afterthought.

The BAA has two individuals writing up their own expert commentary, news, and coverage: Barabara Huebner and Jim O'Brien. While Barabara is keeping up to the best of her ability, the site isn't, the actual Commentary page hasn't updated since 9:35am, so you can only read small snippets and if you missed something on the homepage, it's gone. And where's Jim? Haven't heard from him since before the start.

In the search of a better alternate, I found Running Times was offering live coverage. But keep receiving a timeout as the Server can't handle the load.

Meanwhile Versus and WBZ have two unique styles, expert and local. While I have watched some of Versus' coverage, WBZ offers a much funnier alternative, as the regular newscasters, who have no running expertise try to look good, focusing on the mediocre and obscure. And their websites both fall short. Versus doesn't even have it on the homepage. And WBZ is webcasting, which is could, although with their television coverage being technically challenged, how good will the live webcasts be?

In a sport that suffers from a lack of exposure, these elite and honored events need to capitalize on an audience that loves its niches and could use the internet audience.

April 14, 2007: Step It Up!

My wife and I went to the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo.  And while I was underwhelmed by the offering.  Orange & black just isn't my color combo.  I was hoping to see something great and spoil myself.

We walked down Newbury St. afterwards.  In a number of the stores, especially Patagonia and North Face, I saw stickers and signs for Step It Up 2007.  And while I was lax prior to today, I am excited to return home and see that it was a popular cross-country event to raise awareness and drive Congress to act.

What does Congress need to do? Cut Carbon 80% by 2050.  This goal is very feasible.  A 2% reduction each year will achieve it.  And while many individuals are already on there way to contributing, many others need to change the way they live.  And Congress can drive the country even further by enacting legislation to cause more rapid and grandiose initiatives for the environment.

I hope that many of you were able to participate in the actions, I wish I had known sooner.