AZGreen Magazine Holiday Issue 2010 by BEAM, llc

Seaon of Giving inspiration | awareness | stewardship | holiday special issue 2010

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Inside

Season of Giving Holiday Special Issue 2010

AZGM Features 10

Arctic Sanctuary: A Gift for Future Generations – The Arctic National Wildlife Celebrates 50 Years

Resources and the Gift 23 Human of Nature –

Environmental Fund of Arizona Workplace Giving Campaign

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree! How Green is that Evergreen?

55 Are Energy Bills Taxing Your Wallet? Get Audited and Get Some Financial Relief

A2Z Departments In every issue Editor’s Letter / Eco-Village

BOOKS: Editor’s Pick: Celebrate Green

DINING: Cheers! Wine on Tap

ESSENTIALS: Great Green Gifts

MONEY: The Gift of Green

TECH: LEDing the Way to a Brighter Future

06 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

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INSPIRATION

Harvesting Sustainability / fall - 2010

Holiday Special Issue - 2010

Rebecca Edwards | Snowden Bishop

a letter from the editor

This season has brought the usual hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, entertaining and exchanging presents. But there is so much more to the usual holiday spirit that seems to be overflowing now more than ever. So much so that, as we began to prepare our seasonal e-card to wish everyone a Joyous Holiday Season, we got a little carried away and decided to do something special to celebrate. A surprise issue of AZGreen! It seems the universe is conspiring to elevate our consciousness. We’ve noticed the surge in awareness about our precious resources and conservation as well as an increase in attention the media is paying to worthy causes, extraordinary acts of kindness and environmental stewardship. Despite the fact that this year has been tough for many financially, it is clear that people are coming together and giving of themselves in surprising ways. While some nonprofits have experienced financial setbacks due to the economic winter that has dampened our wallets, there is no shortage of good will. From toy drives to food banks, people in the communities are coming together to volunteer and spread the word about stewardship and charity like never before. We are inspired by the good tidings! This Holiday Special Issue celebrates The Season of Giving – when the bounty of the mind meets charity of the soul. It is dedicated to our non-profit alliance partners who inspire us every day by raising awareness and practicing stewardship to make our world a better place. Most of all, it is our gift to you, our readers, who keep us excited about the limitless possibilities that are born from caring about the world we live in. We are truly gratified by the response we’ve received about our humble publication, and have you to thank for enabling our circulation growth this year. We are delighted to know that we are reaching so many here in Arizona, throughout the United States and most surprisingly, all over the world! There are so many who have given of themselves generously and tirelessly to see us succeed. We are blessed with wonderful contributors, advisors, sponsors, families and supporters. Personally, I am blessed with an amazing and talented publishing partner, Rebecca Edwards, whose design and integrity are the bricks and mortar of our publication. Her incredible vision, persistence and encouragement go beyond what any partner could ever hope for. Rebecca, you are my rock! Thank you for making us look so good! On behalf of all of us at AZGreen Magazine, Happy Holidays! May the season bring you much bounty and joy, and may the coming year bring you prosperity, good health and peace.

Snowden Bishop, Editor≠ in≠ Chief

co-publishers Rebecca Edwards: Snowden Bishop editorial Editor-In-Chief: Snowden Bishop columnists Carrie Morgan Gabrielle Saveri writers Lynn Mushorn / John Slemmer Kate McClendon design & production Creative Director: Rebecca Edwards Graphic Design: Rebecca Edwards photography Audubon Society / Snowden Bishop Joan Gellatly / Wiki Commons website Ben Winton / Rebecca Edwards sales & marketing Meredith Brenalvirez / Rudy Brenalvirez advisory board Doug Edwards / Kevin Edwards Philip D. Allsopp / Evelyn Carlson Mary Lynn Kelly / Roselyn O’Connell James M. Strock interns Stephanie Pellicano printer Gordon Graphics, Inc. digital edition Texterity contact AZGreen Magazine 480.473.1430 8015 East Vista Bonita Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85266 www.azgreenmagazine.com advertising adsales@azgreenmagazine.com art department design@azgreenmagazine.com editorial editor@azgreenmagazine.com general inquiries info@azgreenmagazine.com subscribtions www.azgreenmagazine.com ©2010, AZGreen Magazine AZGreen Magazine is a bi-monthly publication published by AZGreen Magazine, LLC. The digital edition of AZGreen Magazine is available globally, via electronic delivery free of charge. Free hardcopy edition is distributed throughout Arizona by authorized outlets. Home delivery of hard copy is $29 per year by subscription only. The entire contents of AZGreen Magazine is copyrighted. No portion of this publication, including but not limited to public service announcements and ads created and designed by and/or photographs supplied thereto by AZGreen Magazine, may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no liability for the opinions contained within the publication provided by sources, contributors or advertisers. Publisher shall not be held liable for performance of goods and services provided by advertisers. Questions or concerns should be directed to appropriate contacts listed above.

08 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

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“The refuge reaches whole and unbroken from the Arctic Ocean’s wash of blue, silver, and gray in the up the North Slope to the foothills of the Brooks Range, it crests in glacier-clad peaks of the Continen embraces all five arctic and subarctic eco zones, each harboring habitats that together sustain an abu whole are the refuge’s wild rivers, which run north from the divide to the Arctic Ocean or south to the their way unimpeded by dams or concrete channels across this unyielding wilderness.” Laurie Hoyle

e north to the greens and browns of the boreal forest in the south. Climbing as tundra ntal Divide that settle southward into sparsely treed taiga. The refuge’s enormity bundance—a profound fecundity—of plant and animal life. Stitching these zones into a e Bering Sea. In silty jades, muddy browns, and intense, rock-stained reds, they braid

le, excerpt from Arctic Sanctuary: Images of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

by Snowden Bishop photography by Jeff Jones

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he Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the largest and most ecologically diverse wilderness area in the United States. It is the only national conservation area to encompass a complete range of arctic and subarctic ecosystems including coast, tundra, mountains, taiga and boreal forests. A network of 18 major rivers, two of North Americaís largest lakes and a series of warm springs support a wide variety of plant species unique to the Arctic region. The Refuge is also home to the most diverse population of wildlife in the circumpolar north, including polar, black and grizzly bears, Porcupine caribou, Dall sheep and golden eagles, to name a few. Spanning more than 19 million acres ñ an area roughly the size of North Carolina ñ the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is

the largest and best known of the 500 wilderness refuges in the United States. With no known introduced species, the refuge provides scientists an exceptional baseline for study of undisturbed eco zones, biodiversity and natural processes. As a last frontier, it is unencumbered by human interference, and still driven by ancient evolutionary energies. To date, it remains revered as one of the United Statesí mos t treasured assets. Although most people know about the Refuge, it is visited by fewer than 1,200 annually on average due to its remoteness. With the exception of a small Inupiat population at Kaktovik, a town located on the north shore, and Gwichí in Indianí s Arctic Village on the southern boundary, there are no human developments anywhere within its boundaries.

Often considered the crown jewel of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is also rich in untouched natural resources. With escalating demand for domestic oil sources, clean water shortages worldwide and the advent of new arctic waterways opening due to climate warming, it is becoming more and more vulnerable to development. During the last few decades, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has been the subject of heated congressional debates met with pleas of compassion from environmental and wildlife advocates who have battled for its preservation. Sought by those who see its financial potential, it has narrowly evaded would≠ be exploitation. When wilderness photographer Jeff Jones and his wife Laurie Hoyle accepted an invitation to go fishing on the northern

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whatsoever ≠ preserved in the stillness as if a gift for future generations to bear witness to their very existence. Jones took his first photographic expedition to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1990. Since then, he has returned to the Refuge more than a dozen times in all seasons, braving inclement weather and rugged living conditions. With no roads anywhere, Jones traveled into and out of the Refuge via rugged bush planes equipped for field landings. While inside, Jones traversed the terrain on foot and navigated the rivers in rafts. Weeks of hiking and carrying heavy photographic equipment and provisions required athletic stamina and calorie≠ rich meals. During the summer months, the light that prevailed 24 hours per day provided extraordinary luminosity for photographs but took its toll on scheduled sleep. Wild conditions posed numerous other challenges. Coastal marshes attracted insidious swarms of voracious mosquitoes so dense that they obscured the lenses. Gale force winds brought bitter cold thunderstorms and flash floods. Lightning strikes caused naturally occurring forest fires that delayed photography for days until the smoke cleared. Manipulating camera equipment in such extremes requires ingenuity and forethought to prevent malfunctions caused by moisture or ice crystals. As a precaution, Jones traveled with multiple camera bodies and stowed equipment in padded, insulated containers when navigating rough terrain. In the summer months, he used a portable solar roll to power his electronic equipment and charge batteries. slope of Alaskaís Brooks Mountain Range in 1982, they could not have anticipated that the adventure would inspire a project of monumental scope culminating nearly three decades later in the publication of a book and major exhibition of photographs coinciding with a nationwide celebration of the Arctic National Wildlife Refugeís 50th anniversary. Awestruck by its pristine wildness, Jones vowed to do whatever he could to raise awareness about the Refuge to encourage its continued protection. Jonesí new book, Arctic Sanctuary: Images of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge achieves just that. The voluminous collection of landscape photographs is a pictorial odyssey that pays homage to the diversity and raw beauty inherent in the Refuge. ì I could not have imagined the vastness of

the wild land before seeing it for myself. I remember feeling an overwhelming sense that we are just a small part of something so much greater than ourselves,î Jones recalls about his first impression of the coastal plain. ì We have an amazing and rare opportunity to keep such a huge and diverse piece of land intact, free from human interference. I realized that doing what I do best, photography, I have a chance to make people aware of not just its beauty, but also its importance.î By stark contrast to photographs Jones took of the North Slope oil fields and gravel beds in and around Prudhoe Bay west of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with grant funding from the Alaska Wilderness League, Arctic Sanctuary images depict pristine, majestic wild lands that are ecologically whole and untamed by technology or any human interference

During winter months, Jones was accompanied by an Inupiat guide well versed in Arctic wilderness survival. Born into a heritage of indigenous hunter≠ gatherers known for their close relationship to the migrating herds of Porcupine caribou, the Inupiat guides are skilled hunters, and as such, excellent protectors in the wilderness. ì It is humbling to realize that humans are in the middle of the food chain in such a remote area. I was grateful to be in the company of someone so familiar with the danger we faced,î said Jones. Surviving such temperature extremes required a massive calorie intake each day from a diet rich in fats, protein and carbohydrates; it was not unusual to consume 2000+ calorie breakfasts and high≠ calorie snacks every several hours to maintain body temperature. Sensitive

14 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

camera equipment required special care in the sub≠z ero temperatures as well. Jones often warmed hard drives used to store his digital images by placing them under his parka to absorb body heat prior to use.

of Alaska. Instead, it is intended to be inspirational, as if to forgive the litany

has surprising allies in otherwise pro≠ oil politicians such as Arizona Senator John McCain, who voted against Senate Amendment 3132, which would have opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, while progressive democrats such as those occupying current congressional seats have failed to close the door on development.

“Above all, the value of the refuge is symbolic: it is living proof of our respect and ability to restrain ourselves, acknowledgment of the fact that we share this planet and depend on it, human and other-than-human beings. As such, its preservation becomes more a moral imperative than just a common sense.”

Undaunted by the recurring challenges, Jones captured an extraordinary compilation of landscape photographs, 153 of which are featured in Arctic Sanctuary. The images are accompanied by contemplative essays written by Laurie Hoyle and a forward by Arizona≠b ased environmental journalist and author, Michael Engelhard, best known for his coverage of issues affecting Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other national wilderness preserves. The book is a work of art in itself. Jones purposefully omitted any overt visual reminders of the destruction that has already occurred at the expense of oil in neighboring regions

Michael Engelhard of political and economic agendas that threaten the Refuge. Despite the apolitical intentions behind Jonesí epic depiction of the majestic wild nature of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, its abundant natural resources, namely oil, has sparked heated arguments that transcend political affiliation and land squarely on economics. The Refuge

Both sides of the oil debate in Alaska have garnered impassioned support. On one hand, the depressed economy, pressure to reduce consumption of foreign oil and diminishing flow in the existing Alaskan oil pipeline are factors that have united unemployed residents, pro≠ development politicians and oil prospectors alike. On the other hand, scientists, environmentalists and progressive politicians warn that opening the Refuge to oil excavation may lead to devastating consequences for the

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In an article published in National Wildlife earlier this year, Engelhard wrote, ì Driven by oil revenues, potential jobs for constituents and ever≠ increasing demand for petroleum, Alaskaí s pro≠ development politicians repeatedly have introduced bills to open the Refuge to resource extraction. One senator even tried to put an Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling amendment on a bill designed to cut back global warming.î According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, future drilling is not the only critical threat to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Use of fossil fuels throughout the world has already taken a toll in the form of global warming, evidenced by diminishing glaciers and a drastic reduction of ice in the Arctic seas. The changes have also lead to rising tides and coastal erosion. Scientists have been observing the gradual temperature averages increase nearly seven degrees over the past five decades. The rising temperatures also threaten the permafrost upon which the fragile ecosystems depend. Changing weather patterns such as increased rain that causes ice conditions versus normal snowfall impact food supply for Musk ox and other herbivores. Forty≠ three fish species, 45 mammal species, and nearly 200 bird species reside indigenous wildlife and native Indian populations that depend on the wholeness of the regionís bio diversity for survival. ì These concerns impact our future,î warned Engelhard. ì Preservation of our natural resources and national treasures should transcend party lines and international borders. Conservatives and progressives, Republicans and Democrats alike will have to answer to as yet unborn generations.î While the nation seems united in respect for wild places such as the Grand Canyon, which enjoys national monument status, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has yet to garner a united defense. At risk are 1.3 million acres of delicate estuaries and coastal plains on the northern edge of the Refuge known as Area 1002. Set aside by Congress for environmental assessments, including assessments of its natural resources, Area 1002 cannot be developed or exploited for fossil fuels without prior Congressional consent. Legislation has been introduced on numerous occasions, and in 1995, a bill authorizing oil drilling in Area 1002 narrowly passed in Congress, only to be vetoed by President Bill Clinton.

in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, along with multiple species of moss, lichen and vascular plants that have adapted to the characteristics of their Arctic environment. These plants and animals are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Studies examining repeat photographs of permanent vegetation plots, both inside and outside the boundaries of the Refuge, have recorded changes since the middle of the last century. Images taken in 1948 have been compared with images taken within

ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

History Revisited Nearly 50 years after Theodore Roosevelt began to assign public parklands to a National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Park Service began a recreational survey in Alaska to identify areas with special natural values. Four years later, they recommended that congress set aside more than 8,000 square miles of undisturbed land in the Northeastern corner of Alaska for wildlife preservation. In 1960, Fred Seaton, Secretary of the Interior during President Eisenhower’s administration, signed Public Land Order 2214 establishing nearly 9 million acres of northeastern Alaska as the designated Arctic National Wildlife Range that would eventually join the National Wildlife Refuge System. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which renamed the wilderness the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, more than doubled its size to 18 million acres, designated its three major rivers as “wild,” and set aside more than 1.5 million acres of its coastal plain commonly referred to as Area 1002 for wildlife studies and fossil fuel assessment. By 1988, the refuge lands had increased by 1.3 million acres including barrier islands and lagoons along the Arctic Sea shores and lands formerly controlled by the State of Alaska to the south. Today, the Refuge remains the largest ecologically intact preserve comprised of 19.3 million acres managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It also remains the subject of political debate about its future and heir to the devastating effects of global warming. The Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, Defenders of Wildlife, Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service remain some of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s staunchest allies. Ultimately, its fate lies in the hands of Congress and the people of the United States. To learn more, visit www.fws. gov. To ensure Arctic National Wildlife Refuge remains protected, write to your representatives and senators and let them know you support continued preservation of America’s last, great wild frontier.

16 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait until itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gone.

worldwildlife.org

AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Celebrating 50 Years

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a place where the American frontier can be experienced on an epic scale. While thousands of people have found adventure, solitude and reflection in visiting the Arctic Refuge, millions more find inspiration in knowing that this unique piece of America exists.

Your national treasure. Your legacy. arctic.fws.gov

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“In the wilds we comprehend that in the big picture and over the long run security does not come from controlling and exploiting nature. The fundamental revelation of this first century of ecological science is that human well-being is inextricably linked to the health, diversity, and normal functioning of the global ecosystem.” Roderick Frazier Nash

the last 10 years. While few dramatic changes to vegetation have occurred within the protected Refuge borders, shrub cover increases, by contrast, have been documented in unprotected areas to the west.

ì Entirely new scenarios arise with climate change, like the potential of another Exxon Valdez≠sc ale spill if or when shipping lanes along Alaskaí s north coast will become technically and economically feasible due to the lack of sea ice,î he said.

Having returned to the northern shores numerous times since 1982, Jones has observed astonishing changes in the northern coastline. ì I have noticed a dramatic increase in the level of coastal erosion, especially in the last five years,î he explained.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has actively fought to prevent lawmakers from opening Arctic waterways targeted by BP, Shell and other major petroleum companies. When the Bush administration, during its final days, authorized sale of drilling rights in the Chukchi Sea, the NRDC in partnership with Earth Justice launched a counter attack in federal court charging that the government had failed to study the far≠

Environmentalists fear that a reduction in sea ice removes an obstacle that has prevented oil drilling in the region in the past, a point observed by Engelhard.

reaching impacts of oil development in the region, had broken U.S. environmental law and should be ordered to revoke drilling rights sold. More than a year later, on the heels of the BP oil disaster, a federal judge sided with the environmentalists in a ruling that bars petroleum companies from drilling until more impact and risk assessments can be made. An oil spill on any scale could be even more devastating in any Arctic waters, where cleanup would be next to impossible due to its remote location and frigid climate. According to Peter Lehner, executive director of the NRDC, ì The oil industry has no technology for cleaning up oil in broken sea ice ≠ ≠ one of the main places

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where polar bears search for food.î Polar bears depend upon the insulation of their fur to maintain body temperature. Oil absorbed by polar bearsí coats would have devastating results, similar to the fate of oil≠c oated birds that perished in the Gulf of Mexico. ì Oil≠c overed polar bears have almost no chance of survival.î Coastal erosion and melting ice also present problems for polar bears that have begun to give birth on land when they have no access to ice where they naturally create their dens. Other wildlife is vulnerable to development and traffic of any kind in the region. In 1987, the United States and Canada signed an international agreement for management and protection of the herds migrating through the U.S.≠

Canada border zone. In response, Canada has established two national parks along the eastern border of the refuge to protect the natural caribou migration route. Refuge advocates are hopeful that the United States will in kind form permanent protection of Area 1002. The coastal plain is the calving habitat for the Porcupine caribou herds that migrate more that 1500 miles north each summer to receive relief from biting insects that reside inland. Indigenous people, particularly the Gwichíin Indians, have depended upon the health of the caribou herds for centuries, and they depend on the continued health of the Refuge as a whole for survival.

20 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010 Similar issues plague the National Wildlife Refuges adjacent to the Southern United Statesí border with Mexico. With inadequate protection from development coupled with border security and immigration issues, natural migration patterns of indigenous animals have been severely compromised. Ocelots, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep are among other wildlife species that are critically endangered as a result of pollution, over≠de velopment, storm runoff, international border barricades, property fences, roads and other development limitations imposed on their habitat. Weív e also seen the results of human interference in major waterways such as the Colorado River and the Mississippi River Delta. It is unknown whether drastic action could ever reverse the damage that has already been done to these regions. What is known is what we can prevent, given the opportunity

to protect the last and largest remaining wholly intact, undisturbed ecosystem in the U.S. ì There is a wonderful feedback loop in witnessing what we can do to prevent

Despite the fact that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a place where most will never visit, Jones stands firm in his belief that people find a great deal of satisfaction just knowing it is there and will continue to be protected. ì I think it is human nature to want to know that wild places exist, that they are healthy, vital and free to proceed on their own without the interference of modern civilization,î he said.

“I think it is human nature to want to know that wild places exist, that they are healthy, vital and free to proceed on their own without the interference of modern civilization.” Jeff Jones

destruction of our wild lands. Choices we make in our every day lives determine whether or not places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will continue to thrive,î said Jones, who is hopeful that his work will make a positive impact on those who may be swayed to protect it.

ì Above all, the value of the Refuge is symbolic: it is living proof of our respect and ability to restrain ourselves, acknowledgment of the fact that we share this planet and depend on it, human and other≠ than≠ human beings. As such, its preservation is more a moral imperative than just common sense,î said Engelhard. In Arctic Sanctuary: Images of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Jones offers proof positive that the Refuge is a gift that we have the power to protect for

AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

An active environmentalist, Jeff Jeff Jones follows in the American tradition of raising public awareness of wilderness through art. His work has supported numerous art and environmental organizations including the Alaska Coalition, Alaska Wilderness League, the Northern Alaska Environmental Center in Fairbanks, Santa BarbaraĂ s Community Environmental Council and its Environmental Defense Center, the Murie Center, Wildling Art Museum, Sequoia Parks Foundation and the Sierra Club. The release of Arctic Sanctuary: Images of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (University of Alaska Press, University of Chicago Press, 2010) coincides with the nationwide celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Fifty images will be on an exhibition tour throughout the country. For more information about the exhibition, visit fws.org. The book is available at fine bookstores or online at www.lumnos.com, University of Alaska Press, University of Chicago Press and Amazon.com. To purchase a book signed by the authors, please visit www.lumnos.com.

22 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

We face many challenges in the global community brought on by practices and lifestyle choices made collectively over the last few decades. Some choices and outcomes we may view as out of our control, are within our reach. We have the power to change our current living habits and business practices to collectively reduce our impact and global footprint. Awareness is key to solving the global warming crisis. The Greenhouse Neutral Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awarness about climate change and the critical consequences we face as a result of carbon emissions, depletion of finite resources and destruction of delicate ecosystems. With education, awareness and change, we can protect our planet for future generations. To find out how you can be part of the solution, please visit us online at www.greenhouseneutralfoundation.org.

Robert Williamson, founder of the Greenhouse Neutral Foundation is the author of Zero Greenhouse Emissions: The Day the Lights Went Out - Our Future World. All proceeds from book sales will be donated to Greenhouse Neutral Foundation. The book is published in digital and hardcopy editions and can be purchased online. www.greenhouseneutralfoundation.org

AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

Human A Resources and the Gift of Nature

remarkable movement of corporate social responsibility is gaining attention across the country lately ñ remarkable in light of the economic turbulence that has left a wake of soaring unemployment and budget cutbacks in nearly every sector. Despite the economic challenges, major corporations, government institutions and private businesses continue to offer corporate giving programs that enable employees to make pre≠ tax contributions that support a host of charitable organizations. Some even encourage employees to participate in the giving programs by offering incentives like matching contributions or paid time off for community fundraising events and volunteering opportunities. While some employers allow their employees to freely choose which non≠ profit organizations they can support through the program, others adhere to guidelines set by charitable federations like United Way, Americaí s Charities or Global Impact. Among these organizations, guidelines typically limit employee options to a selection of humanitarian concerns such childrení s charities, health causes, social service and other community outreach initiatives that are funded through the companyí s partner federation. While these are very worthy causes, environmental non≠ profits are often excluded, despite the inextricable relationship between the environment and public health, social wellbeing and national security. Here in Arizona, a number of public and private employers are now offering employees an environmental option for the very first time via

24 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010 Environmental Fund For Arizona (EFAZ), a federation of 29 environmental and wildlife conservation nonprofits. EFAZ has successfully worked with public and private sector companies that restrict employee≠ giving campaigns to health and human services organizations.

The LEED Platinum certified Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center is a nature center in the heart of Phoenix’s Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area

ì We have been accepted into many companies adhering to this guideline because they recognize that human health is dependent upon environmental health. Our partner organizations protect health and human welfare in the most fundamental way,î said Laine Seaton, Executive Director of Environmental Fund For Arizona. According to Seaton, EFAZ successfully participates with companies offering side≠ by≠ side campaigns that are not mutually exclusive. ì Offering employees an environmental option is a great way to add a ë greení component to employee giving efforts while maintaining an existing relationship with other federations such as United Way.î ì We pride ourselves in the diversity of our culture ñ with so many employees, they have different backgrounds and interests. If you limit your choices, youí re not reaching your full potential,î said Karen Christensen, a systems engineer at Ratheon, southern Arizonaí s largest private employer that offers its employees EFAZ campaign options to diversify its corporate giving program. The City of Phoenix also began working with EFAZ as a way of diversifying its employee giving program. Until then, city employees had only one option for giving ñ the United Way. Alana Favela an information technology services employee for the City of Phoenix found it beneficial when the city diversified the giving options, especially for the younger employees. ì The younger generation is so diverse ñ a lot of diversity in what they believe and care about.î EFAZ is the only federation of environmental and conservation groups in workplace giving campaigns in Arizona.

What began as a collaboration of eight environment and conservation groups in 2001 has grown to an alliance of 29 member organizations working together on critical issues affecting Arizona. Today, EFAZ is included in 25 workplace campaigns and has raised more than $700,000 in donations for its member organizations. Through the corporate giving campaigns, employees are given the option to support member organizations individually or donate to a general fund that spreads the money raised evenly to each member organization. The money raised has made a significant impact in Arizona by studying and rehabilitating plant life and wildlife and protecting wild habitats, advocating for renewable energy, clean transportation and water reclamation, and raising awareness about sustainability, waste reduction and other environmental issues through education

The Desert Botanical Garden teaches and inspires visitors from the local community and around the world and preserve the desert’s natural beauty.

and community outreach. The environmental option has been beneficial for DMB Associates, Inc., an Arizona≠ based Real Estate investment and development firm that has acquired unique lands along with the responsibility to preserve them. As a result of their interaction with EFAZ, their employees have become active participants in these efforts. ì A healthy environment is a critical part of our quality of life. Getting out into nature helps restore us all to sanity,î notes Seaton. The objective of EFAZ is to coordinate programs that encourage people to engage with nature. Member organizations offer campaign partnersí employees field trips into wilderness places and also make presentations about natural resources, sustainability and environmental issues in boardrooms and classrooms throughout the state. ì Ití s really worthwhile to get involved. This opens up a whole new door and gives our employees more opportunities to give back to the community,î said Laura Rogers, Human Resources Manager

Orcutt Winslow, a company that has stressed giving back to the community since founded in 1972. ì Green is the hot topic now and so as weí re being ë greení in our work and designs, we can also support ë greení in our environment.î According to Seaton, the employee response has been very positive and interactive with the tours, workshops, volunteering and other outreach events where they can get involved personally with making a difference. ì I feel good that, even in a small way, what we do helps to get others excited about preserving the natural treasures of Arizona.î The financial upside benefits not only the receiving organizations but the employers and employees as well. The employee payroll deductions are pre≠ tax contributions and the matching contributions are tax deductible for the employers. Working with a federation such as EFAZ allows corporations to participate in philanthropic giving without expending internal resources to do so. One advantage of working with a federation like EFAZ is that the non≠ profits will receive more of the intended gift. Whereas some United Way affiliates will permit an employee to write in an environmental organization to receive the gift, they charge on average a 9.5% ì pledge lossî fee for donations to non≠ United Way organizations. Furthermore, they can impose minimum donation for non≠ United Way charities written in by the employee. By representing these excluded environmental groups in its own federation, EFAZ can protect the intended donations to ensure the maximum goes to the receiving organizations, and EFAZ imposes no minimums on any gifts made. ì Weí re committed to continue building our alliance and increasing awareness and donations through media/communications and by opening up new campaigns. Our goal is to open 5≠ 10 new campaigns per year to reach 75 campaigns by 2016,î said Lee A. Kohlhase, founder and treasurer of EFAZ. In recent years, EFAZ has raised on average $120,000 annually from our campaigns. Total gifts per member group range from $30,000 to approximately $1,500 per year. ì As the only ë greení choice in workplace giving in Arizona, we have an outstanding opportunity to leverage this niche and partner with companies and organizations that are committed to sustainability, the environment, and conservation.î Each campaign disburses donations to EFAZ differently ñ some monthly and some quarterly. EFAZ aims to

AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

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ENVIRONMENTAL FUND FOR ARIZONA distribute donation checks to our member organizations quarterly. With each check, a letter will be included to indicate which distribution it is. A summary of the total pledges for ALL campaigns will be given to each member organization as well. A pledge history for each member will be given out annually. Seaton is convinced that the value goes deeper than just financial advantages across the board. ì Ití s not about writing a check. Ití s about engaging employees ñ getting them plugged into the issues they care about and giving them opportunities to help via their time, talents, or donations,î she explains. Studies have shown that employees appreciate having expanded choices in their campaigns, which ultimately leads to increased giving and participation overall. For more information about how you can add Environmental Fund For Arizona to your corporate giving campaigns and learn more about the organizationsí efforts, visit www.efaz.com.

Campaign Partners: American Express Ameriprise Arizona CFC (Federal employees) City of Chandler City of Goodyear City of Mesa City of Phoenix City of Scottsdale Coconino County Desert Botanical Garden DMB Associates JP Morgan Chase Maricopa County CFC (Federal employees) Maricopa County Maricopa Community Colleges District Orcutt Winslow Architects Phoenix Zoo Pima County Raytheon State of Arizona Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine Town of Cave Creek Town of Queen Creek United Health Wells Fargo

Member Groups: Arboretum at Flagstaff Audubon AZ AZ Association for Environmental Education AZ Heritage Alliance AZ League of Conservation Voters AZ Land & Water Trust AZ Native Plant Society AZ Recycling Coalition AZ Wildlife Federation Desert Botanical Garden Desert Foothills Land Trust Four Corners School of Outdoor Education Grand Canyon Trust Grand Canyon Wildlands Council Gray Hawk Nature Center Liberty Wildlife McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Maricopa Audubon Society Museum of Northern AZ Native Seeds/SEARCH Oracle Conservancy Land Trust Sonoran Audubon Society Sonoran Institute Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center Trout Unlimited Tucson Audubon Society Western Resource Advocates Wild At Heart Willow Bend Environmental Education Center

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How many light bulbs does it take to change an American?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no joke: climate change is a critical issue for all life on Earth. But can the actions of one individual really make a difference? Visit nature.org to calculate your impact on the world around you and learn about steps you can take to make the world a better place for us all. nature.org/calculate Photo ÂŠ istockphoto.com / Color of Time

28 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

Journey to the nature within. Koelle Simpson is a Life Coach and Horse whisperer. She enjoys sharing the empowering life lessons horses have to offer through interactive workshops, corporate events, speaking engagements, and demonstrations. For information about workshops in your area, please call:

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AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

OH, Christmas Tree, OH, Christmas Tree! How GREEN is that evergreen? So, you’ve spent nearly an entire year greening your life. You recycle, repurpose and reuse as much as humanly possible. You have managed to get by without toxic household cleaners, pesticides or toiletries. You buy organic food from local farms. You tapped your savings to retrofit your home with energy and water efficient features and buy a fuel-efficient car. You’re officially living green and all is well in your new sustainable life. Until… Ho, ho, ho, the holidays are here! Time for all the home≠ warming traditions that make the Yuletide gay! You pile the kids in the car for the annual tree≠ finding mission and suddenly realize that your commitment to sustainability has presented a real eco≠ nundrum. You have only minutes to consider the options before leaving the driveway: real tree, or artificial? Which would amount to the least environmental impact? The days of driving eighty miles to the nearest Spruce forest to chop down your own seven≠ foot tree have long since passed. Purchasing a cut tree farmed specifically for the holidays may be more politically correct, but the thought of chopping down any tree for a two≠ week demise seems misaligned with your new eco≠ ethic. While tree farms act sustainably by making it a policy to replant new trees as soon as a mature crop has been cut, they seldom produce high volume without pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers. How safe are these chemicals present on trees brought into your home? You wonder, can a Christmas evergreen ever really be green? The excitement that earlier filled the car has evolved into panic as the children notice youí ve bypassed at least five urban parking lots that have been transformed into virtual Christmas tree forests. Your children exclaim, ì Thereí s another one, mom! Hey, where are you going?î ì Macyí s,î you reply almost unconsciously. Somewhere in the back of your mind youí re thinking that any good tree hugger would save a tree and buy a fake. On the other hand, a

plastic tree made in China out of petroleum products seems as ecologically distasteful as cutting down a real tree. You recall reading about the danger of lead dust present on many artificial trees manufactured in China. The thought of a never≠ green in your ever≠ green home calls for another strategy. Changing course, you scour the parking structure for the nearest exit. Your eldest child screams, ì Thereí s one, mom!î Your children are losing patience as you bypass numerous open parking spaces in the Macyí s lot. ì What are you doing?!î ì Nothing,î you say, unaware at first that you really meant it. The most ecologically sound option ñ doing without ñ could be received about as well as the Grinch who stole Christmas. If you take Peace on Earth, or at least harmony at home seriously, thatí s not a sustainable option at all. In the rear view mirror, which reveals the festively decorated department store gaining distance as you drive away, you catch a glimpse of your youngest childí s tears beginning to roll onto his cheeks. What to do? You ascertain that driving aimlessly around town all afternoon woní t solve the problem. Moments later, you find yourself parked at a local nursery marked by a big sign that reads, ì Organically Grown Living Christmas Trees.î The ì ahaî moment kicks in and the excitement returns on the faces of your children, who run toward the rows of potted Christmas trees. Dilemma solved. Or is it? While some people are blessed with sprawling backyards that can accommodate new evergreens planted each year, others

32 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

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with modest yards barely have room for the existing vegetation that vies for precious space. Furthermore, evergreens brought in from the mountains would be hard≠ pressed to survive a sweltering hot summer in the southwest desert ñ especially at the hands of a novice tree keeper. Far too often, living trees wind up as mulch because they require specific attention while they are in your home and even more once planted in the ground. So, what on earth can you do with a living seven≠ foot tree once the holidays are over? If it is lucky enough to survive the holidays in healthy condition, there are options. Some nurseries or farms will buy back evergreens and care for them until the holidays roll around again and resell them. Others may not buy them back, but will accept them for free. You may check with local landscapers or get lucky and find a private buyer in a local classified ad looking for the perfect evergreen. There are also a host of non≠ profits that would happily accept the donation. You can also check with your local park service to see if they have any reforesting programs. If so, your tree could find a happy home away from yours. Some organizations will even arrange to pick up and transport your tree to its new home.If the living tree reaches an unfortunate demise and is no longer living after the New Yearí s celebrations, its branches and trunk can be useful around the garden as mulch and protective layers. Over the last few years, a new trend in the Christmas tree business has emerged ñ living Christmas tree rentals. The first such service was offered ffered by a Portland, ff Oregon≠ based organic farm in 1992. In the last five years, Christmas tree rentals have become very popular in a multitude of other states, especially in California. More recently, the service has become available in Arizona as well. Schnepf Farms in Phoenix, Treeland in Mesa, Watters Garden Center in Prescott and Mesquite Valley Growers in Tucson offer ff ffer living trees for sale or rent. Ask for an organically grown tree to be certain it will be healthy and safe indoors. A green Christmas doesní t have to be a ì Bah Humbugî event. As you adapt to a more sustainable way of life, you may be pleasantly surprised by the new holiday traditions that replace the old, unsustainable ones. Your family may fall in love with a rented Christmas tree ñ some rental farms will allow you to adopt a tree, name it, and request it back the following year for another green Christmas. SB

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34 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

‘Tis the Season to Give the Gift of Light Billions of people throughout the developing world rely on unsafe sources for light – such as kerosene, diesel, and other fossil fuels – claiming the lives of more than 1.5 million people each year. To tackle this fatal issue, Project C.U.R.E., the world’s largest provider of donated medical supplies and equipment to developing countries, and Nokero, maker of the world’s first and only solar light bulb, have teamed up to launch Lights for Life. The program is designed to provide safe, solar light to people throughout the developing world who would otherwise live in dangerous, highly-polluted conditions. As the holiday season approaches and we begin to consider gift ideas, these benevolent bulbs seem like a bright choice. To donate a bulb, visit www.nokero.com/buygive.php. Your gift will be distributed through Project C.U.R.E.’s Kit for Kids program which aims to provide shoebox-sized “medicine chests” of everyday home healthcare supplies to families in need around the world. Learn more about Lights for Life by visiting www.nokero.com/buygive.php

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AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

books

everal years ago, Corey ColwellLipson was on a quest to make trick or treating healthier for her

“Celebrate Green is not a step-by-step instruction manual. It is not a manifesto of ecoconscious behaviors. It was conceived as a means to bring together ideas that will stimulate you to think and act in ways that may be new to you when you celebrate life’s most important moments.” Lynn Colwell and Corey Lipson-Colwell

children. Engaging her local Whole Foods market and a host of other organizations, businesses and parents, she sparked a movement in her community to make Halloween safer, more environmentally friendly and healthier for everyone. She and her mother, Lynn Colwell, took the idea to another level when together they conceived a book that would apply to all holidays. For Lynn, such a book had the potential to resolve the hypocrisy of going green every day except for celebrations and holidays when “un-earth-friendly” acts such as excessive consumption and waste generation peak. Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family was born. Articulate and entertaining, the Celebrate Green! offers information and ideas for earth-friendly and health conscious celebrations year round. From Christmas gift giving to finding conflictfree diamonds for a marriage proposal, from recipes to pest control, nearly every conceivable holiday or event is covered in chapters arranged by season. Throughout the book, the authors present potential pitfalls as well as common environmental debates and health-related dilemmas, each coinciding with well-researched solutions in the form of personal vignettes and sidebars. A lot of great questions are asked and answered in the form of conversational Q & A sections.

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Astonishing facts about waste, toxins, food, health risks and environmental threats offer provocative insight behind why their ideas are also important. Laced throughout the book is an underpinning of philanthropy. Prior to publishing the book in 2008, Lynn and Corey formed The Green YearÂŽ LLC, a company they eventually hope to turn into a not-for-profit business, giving proceeds to causes they support. They had pledged to donate 5% of the proceeds from the book to Treewing, a Seattle non-profit that works to improve the health of children and prevent obesity. Suggested environmental and charitable non-profits appear in nearly every section â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and so many ideas seem born from an ethic of contributing to the betterment of people, a community, or the planet. All in all, Celebrate Green! Creating EcoSavvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family is a delightful read and an excellent reference guide to keep handy all year. Recommended! SB

AZGreenMagazine.com l fall 2010/digital 39

The AZLCV, a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization is keeping score. Visit us online to view the 2010 Scorecard and see how your representatives voted on environmental issues. Our mission is to empower you to make informed choices for the benefit of future generations. Arizona League of Conservation Voters www.azlcv.org

dinning

Cheers! Cheers A festive dinner is incomplete without a glass of aromatic wine to compliment the flavor of a meal on the palate. Oenophiles and novice tasters alike seem to rejoice in the corking of a favorite bottle, traditionally shying away from boxed wines. As families and restaurants seek greener and more cost-efficient ways to entertain guests, wineries are beginning to rethink traditional bottling methods, opting instead for environmentally sound methods from growing to packaging. As a result, some truly amazing wines are turning up on tap from boxes and kegs.

Silvertap grows and sources sustainably farmed and organic grapes in some of Californiaí s top vineyard sites. Quality selections, such as their vineyard designate Sauvignon Blanc, are delivered to businesses in kegs. According to Karlicek, Silvertap Sauvignon Blanc has ranked in Postinoí s top three wines by the glass over the past month.

From San Francisco wine lists to The New York Timesí Wine Section, ì wine on tapî is suddenly showing up everywhere. This cheaper, greener and fresher alternative to bottled wine is quickly becoming a no≠ brainer for many top restaurateurs and chefs who doní t want to sacrifice quality. Sonoma≠ based Silvertap Wines is distributing organically produced wine by the keg to high≠ end restaurants now offering ffering tap wine by the glass across the ff country. Arizona is no exception. Wine on tap is currently being offered ffered at Tucsoní s Lodge on the Desert, Phoenixí s Hotel San ff Carlos, Postino Wine CafÈ , Queen Creek Olive Mill, San Carlos Motel and Z Pizza. The Windsor, an upcoming project from Postino Wine CafÈ located in North Phoenix, will offer ffer eight ff selections split between white, rose and red.

Ryan Clark, Executive Chef The Lodge in Tucson has successfully added tap wine by the glass to his wine selection. He said, ì We were looking for a way to increase traffic and liked the idea of offering ffering wines from the tap as a value priced quality product. ff Silvertap Wines are, without question, very much a popular item at the bar. Margins are superior and we are looking forward to adding another varietal to the mix.î

ì We worked pretty hard at evolving the guestí s perception of the medium. Thankfully, quality speaks for itself,î said Brent Karlicek, wine director at Postino, the first restaurant in Phoenix to offer ffer wine on tap. ì A taste of our featured wine ff has made me a believer. Weí re moving toward expansion of tap offerings fferings at all locations.î ff

Bottles, corks, labels, foils and boxes cost an average of $2 a bottle. Eliminating this cost results in lower prices for both the business and the customer. Keg wine cuts down on production costs from 20%≠ 25%, allowing businesses to offer ffer the consumer ff a better deal on quality wine. As keg wine eliminates oxidation, businesses no longer have to throw away half used bottles of wine. This wastage results in a higher mark up for wine by the glass ultimately affecting ffecting the consumerí s wallet. Speci fically, ff wine on tap reduces cost to the consumer by as much as 30%. Bottom line ≠ good for the Earth, good for the restaurant, good for the customer.

A number of organic table wines are being packaged in more sustainable containers. CalNaturale is another surprisingly delicious organic wine sold in a box with, not a tap, but a cap. Before you invest in your next case of wine for holiday entertaining, consider the healthy, green, tasty and cost≠ efficient alternatives on tap in a keg or poured from a box! If placing a box of wine on your dinner table is objectionable to your holiday aesthetic, a fine decanter will solve the problem and help the wine to breathe as well. SB

AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

With just one gift to Environmental Fund for Arizona, you’ll not only help to preserve habitats for the Mexican Gray Wolf and other wildlife, but you’ll help to keep our water clean and skies blue, maintain our open spaces, and so much more. To learn more, vsit us online at www.efaz.org

EFAZ – Working together to improve Arizona’s environment

essentials

Decorating and Gift Ideas for a Safe and Sustainable Holiday Real tin tinsel In order to avoid the flammability of earlier types of tinsel, almost all commercial tree tinsel is made from PVC. Need I say more? Oh, yeah, and your pets love to eat it. But you know, there’s nothing like tinsel on a tree, so opt for real tin tinsel and use it year after year. Consider it....retro. Get yours at www.pietersmatinworks.com.

Flameless LED Candles I like the ambiance of candles at a party. And it seemed to be with increasing regularity that we were forgetting to extinguish all the candles at the end of the evening. So when I discovered these gems I ordered up a dozen and never looked back. They looked enough like real candles that our guests couldn’t tell the difference from across the room. The candles come in a variety of sizes and styles and flicker like the real thing. Each one runs on AAA batteries that should last about 300 hours. The LED bulbs may outlast us. Give them as gifts or scatter them around the house for a little eco-ambiance. A Built-in timer lets you come home to a candlelit glow every evening. Go to www.brookstone.com for more great holiday decortaing ideas.

Recycled CD Christmas Tree Ornaments Here’s another recycled option for decorating your Christmas tree: recycled CD ornaments in the shape of a Christmas tree (above), a bell or a star. Go to www.unplggd.com for more great ideas.

AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

Environmental Accents Gift Box Here is a colorful gift package that celebrates artistic innovation and creative recycling! For you bicycists, this re-purposed bicycle chain makes a striking picture frame. When acompanied by a lidded candy dish and colorful ornament stars made from recycled glass and handmade paper, this makes a truly “sustainable” gift. Ten Thousand Villages is one of the world’s largest fair trade organizations and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization. To find out more, visit www.tenthousandvillages.com.

Wrapping non-paper Greenfield Paper is all about environmental responsibility. They offer wrapping papers handmade from recycled paper using soy inks rather than conventional petroleum inks. The Grow-A-Note plantable seed cards are an ecologically clever way to communicate a holiday greeting. Enjoy the message, then plant the card and appreciate the beautiful wildflowers that emerge from the seeds embedded inside. Other paper and card stock is made from hemp and recycled junk mail. See more options at www.greenfieldpaper.com

Blumebox With the holidays fast approaching there never seems to be enough time to think about the finishing touches for family get-togethers and hostess gifts. Blumebox solves this dilemma by offering a variety of products like the blumebud placecards, blume cubes, and blumebox holiday reusable flower containers which make ideal containers for gifts, cookies or candy. Each piece is 100% recyclable made from post-consumer material. Visit www.blumebox.com for more ideas on how to use these colorful eco-friendly treasures.

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AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

money

the holidays. Ití s that most wonderful time of year when we embrace age≠ old traditions ñ shopping for gifts, trimming our trees, wrapping presents, sending greetings and spending priceless time with family and friends. Each year, millions of us exchange gifts as a sign of friendship, love and gratitude. The act of giving is a joyful event, often even more than the act of receiving. In this age of heightened awareness about our environment, the tradition of giving has the eco≠ conscious among us considering the overwhelming effects eff ffects of our holiday traditions. According to the EPA, Americans generate more than one million tons of additional waste during the holidays each year. The number makes sense if you consider gift wrap, ribbons, disposable decorations, cards, product packaging materials and gift boxes are thrown away each year. Unwanted gifts account for a large portion of the waste generated as well. When you think of all the resources that go into manufacturing holiday gifts, packaging, gift wrapping and decorations, it can be disconcerting for even the lay≠ environmentalists among us. If achieving a more sustainable lifestyle requires adopting a new mindset about consumption and waste, we may need to rethink the act of giving during the holidays. This may present a conundrum for those intent on reducing waste and energy use, but who are also reluctant to sacrifice a treasured holiday tradition. The good news is that the act of giving doesní t always require a wrapped gift. Rechanneling the spirit of generosity and good will toward more sustainable and economical ways to share holiday cheer can be very rewarding for both givers and the recipients. One alternative is to give gift cards, which are readily available everywhere. They solve the problem of unwanted gifts, especially for anyone that would appreciate an opportunity to select their own. A better alternative, which may be very well received by anyone for whom a gift card would be more a nuisance than appreciated, is a charitable gift made in the name of the recipient to benefit his or her favorite cause or non≠ profit organization. Not only are these gifts sustainable, they are even more personal in nature than a gift card. Best of all, these gifts have the potential to give perpetually. Non≠ profit donations typically peak during the holidays, but due to economic challenges in recent years, donations have declined significantly. To make up for the decline, many non≠ profit organizations are offering some wonderful gifting alternatives that are as sustainable and affordable as they are enduring!

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o t k c Cli

Making a charitable donation in lieu of a gift is one practice that is becoming as popular as it is sustainable ñ and affordable. When you make a donation to a non≠ profit in the name of another, the non≠ profit will acknowledge receipt of the gift with a card or other acknowledgement stating that the donation or ì giftî was made in the name of the recipient. Knowing that the gift can make a real difference toward a good cause is gratifying. Knowing that the recipient of a donation in lieu of a gift appreciates your efforts is an added bonus! With so many non≠ profits to choose from, it is a good idea to do some homework before you decide. CharityNavigator.org and Gift.org are great resources to help you find organizations that are aligned with your intentions. We found a number of organizations that help to make gift donations easy. Here are just a few of our favorites: Eco-Libris: Pledge to Plant a Tree for Every Book You Give or Read Whether you are giving e≠ books or hardcopy books as gifts this year, you can make the gift of reading twice as nice by making a pledge to plant one tree for every book that you give. Eco≠ Libris makes it easy to pledge, and Eco≠ Libris will send you stickers you can proudly display on the gift bookí s sleeve to show your commitment to sustainability. www. ecolibris.net Habitat for Humanity: Send a Gift from the Heart Help a family in need of a safe, decent and affordable home. Gift from the Heart gift cards can be delivered to your recipients via e≠ mail or postal mail. When you make your donation, you will be able to choose the occasion and recipient the donation is honoring. www.habitat.org Just Give: Local Giving No matter where you are, Just Giveí s ì Act Locallyî tool makes it easy to find causes in your own backyard. Your donations will make your community stronger and support the needed services provided by local charities. Gift notifications can be sent via e≠ cards, available on their homepage. www.justgive.org Oxfam America Unwrapped: Gifts that Change the World Oxfam offers an online gift catalogue where you can find a unique gift that can help solve some of the worldí s most perplexing problems of hunger, water shortage, forest depletion and poverty. Whether you select a dozen chicks, honeybees, a pack of seeds, a water well or school uniforms, your gift will serve sustainability wherever the need is greatest throughout the world. You will receive a card depicting the specific charitable gift, which can be persd to the recipient. World Land Trust: Saving Tropical Trees at Christmas An ideal alternative Christmas gift that grows all year. Your chosen recipient will receive a World Land Trust Gift Pack with a Certificate and information on the work being done to secure acres of forest. www. worldlandtrust.org Many charities offer donation in lieu of gift options during the holidays ñ after all, it is the season of giving, when the gifts are also most appreciated. Red Cross, St. Judeí s Childrení s Hospital, Make A Wish Foundation, Good Will and The Salvation Army are just a few that are most in need of your generosity. There is a wonderful feeling that goes with knowing you can make a difference, and that feeling of good tidings is likely to be felt by the recipient of your gift in his or her name.n

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tech

50 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

“If every American home replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR light, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, about $700 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion

by Lynn Mushorn

The Way To a Brighter Future pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions of about 800,000 cars.” www.energystar.gov

As children, my brother and I were constantly being ì remindedî by our father to turn out the lights when we left a room. It was so ingrained in me that in my adulthood I have become a compulsive light≠ turner≠ outer. Little did I know back then that dad was right: lighting our homes is a huge energy sucker. In fact, according to the U.S. Energy Infomation Administration, by 2007, residential lighting consumption accounted for at least 15% of all residential energy consumption ≠ annually about 215 billioin kwh nationwide. Lighting is a major component of our lives. The way a room is lit can affect ffect the very mood of the inhabitants. The dim warm ff lights during an evening gathering with friends seem to prompt an easy flow of congenial conversation. Whereas the harsh lights in a department store dressing room invariably has me heading straight to the cosmetic counter. Hmm, perhaps thereí s something to this.

AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

A brief history of Light Emitting Diodes: The first LED experiments were conducted in 1907, but the first visible (red) LED light didnít come into being until the 1960ís. Initial consumer applications in the 70ís were in watch crystals and calculators, and they were very expensive. In the 1980s LED lights were available in greens and yellows. In the 1990s, blue LEDs became available. The most notable breakthrough, however, was the discovery of white LEDs in 2002. This changed the era of LED lighting and opened up an entirely new range of lighting options. Throughout the decades as LED technology was evolving, efficiency and light output were improving as well. The technological advances associated with LED lighting are still progressing at a rapid pace and these advances, coupled with increase in consumer demand, are gradually shifting the price point from cost prohibitive to serious consideration.

LED Technology Today: Over the next several years we can expect the benefits of LED use in residential applications to completely justify the expense. Several issues are at hand when considering the use of LED lighting in your home. First and foremost is the cost. At this point, the price of these fixtures and bulbs can be startling. It is difficult to see far enough into the future to justify the expense unless you compare the lifespan of the bulbs. Most incandescent light bulbs need to be replaced after 1,000 to 2,000 hours, and for average use, that is annually. On the other hand, LED lights last between 20,000 to 50,000 hours, significantly longer than any other form of residential lighting. Letís assume you have a particular light fixture that is on five hours per day, every day. Buying an LED fixture from a reputable manufacturer could conceivably mean youíd be shopping for a replacement bulb in 27 years!

light as far as humans are concerned is between 2700≠ 3100K. A halogen light may have a 3000K rating. A fluorescent may be 2700K, a standard 100W incandescent lightbulb will hover between 2600≠ 3100K, and a good quality LED will be around 2800K. A good way to remember this is in warm light your skin will look pink and warm, in cool light you will tend to look gray. Most favorable ambient lighting is warm in temperature. Kelvins are not the only factor to consider when choosing a light source. CRI, or color rendition index, is the ability of a light source to reproduce a color in comparison with natural light. Assuming 100 is pure natural color, the higher the CRI the more pure the color will appear. For example, compact fluorescent bulbs will run 50≠ 60. It is advisable to look for residential lighting with a CRI 80 or greater. The issue of light output, or brightness, is measured in lumens per watt. An ENERGY STAR qualified fixture, for example, uses far fewer watts than an incandescent fixture to produce the same amount of light. The energy savings are significant, and that means lower electricity bills. A standard incandescent bulb emits 10 lumens per watt. Halogen and LED bulbs are sold in varying lumens, so when replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs try to buy a bulb with comparable lumens to achieve the same level of brightness. Why are LEDs more energy≠ efficient? They emanate more lumens per watt. So a 100 watt incandescent bulb can be replaced by a 16≠ 20 watt LED. Since watts equal dollars, you can see where the long term savings in electrical use comes in.

In the future:

Other issues to consider when weighing options about LED lighting include ambient temperature and color rendition. Hereís t he essence of color and lighting:

Governments are passing measures to phase out incandescent bulbs. Several European countries have already phased them out and by 2012≠ 2014 bulbs produced in the U.S. will have to adhere to a 30% increase in efficiency for 40≠ 100 watt bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs and LEDs will then demand a larger market share.

Temperature of light is rated on a kelvin scale. Higher color temperatures (>5,000 K) are cool (blueish white) colors; lower color temperatures (2,700ñ3,000 K) are warm (yellowish white through red) colors. The sun at noon has a kelvin rating of 5500≠5600. The most ì naturalî

At this time it is not fiscally feasible for many of us to retrofit our homes with LED lighting. In building our new home, we opted to utilize LED lighting in the highest use areas, the kitchen and pantry. (What can I say ≠ ≠ weí re food oriented.) Gradually, as the cost of these lights

LED Holiday Lights: Holiday lighting has advanced significantly in the last couple of years. They use less energy than traditional holiday lights and they are cool to the touch when lit. LED Holiday lights come in multiple colors, sizes and shapes, and they are available nearly everywhere holiday lighting is sold. We also found some great online resources for LED holiday lights such as:

environmentallights.com ledchristmaslights.com

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eco-chic home furnishings|green building materials

decreases we will replace our CFLs and halogens with LEDs. Examine the lighting in your home. Consider upgrading to LED lights in the highest use areas of the home. It doesní t matter if you doní t intend to live in your home for the next 20 years, the reduction in energy use is instantaneous. We can have a positive impact on our global energy use and keep the lights lit for generations to come. One bulb at a time. And remember to turn out the lights when you leave the room. n

Providing

Sustainable Healthcare Through Excess Medical Supplies

Showroom hours: M-T-W-F 10-4 Sat 11-4 Closed Thursdays & Sundays

15816 N. Greenway Hayden Loop, #300 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Ph 480-998-2700 Fx 480-998-2709 www.naturalterritory.com

PROJECT C.U.R.E. is the world’s largest donor of medical relief to developing countries. We collect, reprocess and deliver more than two semi-truck loads a week of excess medical equipment and supplies, providing our poorest neighbors around the globe with desperately needed relief and life-changing healthcare. Please donate your medical supplies and equipment to PROJECT C.U.R.E. or make a financial contribution to cover shipping costs. Together we can deliver health and hope to the world.

480.262.7328 projectcure.org

2115 East Cedar St. #3 Tempe, AZ 85281

AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

8701 E. Vista Bonita Drive, Suite 115| Scottsdale, AZ 85255| (480)776-2700| www.janetbrooksdesign.com

54 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

Experience You Can Trust "There has NEVER been a better time to go solar! You can reduce or eliminate your growing electric bills, and receive numerous utility incentives, tax rebates and tax credits. These incentives are running out, so request a free solar consultation or quote from Dependable Solar today!"

Dependable Solar Products | Phone: 480-967-7781 | www.dsp-az.com

energy arizonarealestate123.com

you live in an older home, chances are your electricity costs are through the roof, literally! Air leakage and ineffective insulation could be taxing your heating and cooling systems, and taxing your wallet as well. On average, heating and cooling accounts for a whopping 56% of total home energy expenditures in the United States. In Arizona, cooling costs account for even more. American homeowners could collectively save billions of dollars in energy each year by taking simple steps to seal up leaky homes. In fact the savings could be as high as 80% per household, depending on its geographic location, age and physicality of the house. While nearly everyone knows where obvious air leakage occurs, such as in door drafts, windows and fireplace flues, few are aware of air that infiltrates even the most inconspicuous nooks and crannies in your house. It is even more difficult to determine where heat penetrates insulated areas. There are simple do≠ it≠ yourself methods to determine whether you have any air leakage. For instance, look for dirty spots near wall joints or vents. These are telltale signs air frequently escapes the area. During winter or summer months, when there is a significant difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, look for condensation in dual pane windows. If condensation appears, the window seals are ineffective and allowing air to escape. Another method requires a windy day and a stick of incense or a ì smoke wand,î

which you can find at your local hardware store. Electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, attic hatches, essentially any other opening that leads into wall cavities contiguous to exterior walls can allow air to escape. You may be able to determine which areas are leaking most by closing all your doors and windows and holding the smoke wand near suspect interior areas to see if smoke gravitates toward an opening. That is an indicator that your home has many other inconspicuous leaks that could be costing you hundreds of dollars each year and it is time to get serious about finding them. The best way to get the most accurate assessment of your homeí s energy efficiency is to have an energy audit performed by a credentialed professional. Like a tax audit, the purpose of an energy audit is to locate and plug loopholes through which money escapes ñ in the form of energy costs. Unlike an income tax auditor, the energy auditor is your advocate and is there to save you money! A home energy audit is the first step to assess how much energy your home consumes, to pinpoint where your house is losing energy and to determine the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. It can also help you evaluate what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. If the smoke stick produced evidence that your home is leaking precious energy, it may also have convinced you that to get serious, youí ll need to know exactly how

56 AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010 much energy you are losing. There is one sure≠ fire way to do that: Get an energy audit.

FINDING THE RIGHT AUDITOR

A professional energy auditor can determine the extent of your homeí s energy loss and devise a plan to maximize its efficiency. Selecting the right auditor requires a little homework. Since the field of energy auditing is emerging from its fledgling stages, it is a good idea to be sure to check the auditorí s credentials and level of experience. Energy auditors are certified by two national educational organizations, RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) and BPI (Building Performance Institute). Expect to pay between $250 and $500 for the energy audit. Beware of anyone offering a large discount. A significant price break could mean the auditor is new to the field, and building his/her resume. Even small miscalculations could wind up costing you more money in the long run.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Professional auditors use a variety of techniques and specialized equipment designed to accurately determine the energy efficiency of a structure. Decompression Tests, also known as ì Blower Door Tests,î measure the extent of leaks in the building envelope, while ì Thermography Testsî utilize heat≠ seeking cameras to reveal hard≠ to≠ detect areas of heat conduction, missing insulation and other thermal deficiencies. Typically, the first test your auditor will conduct is the blower door test to measure how much air is escaping from your house through air gaps, and determine the exact location, whether they are around windows, doors or the leaky venting that carries the heating and air conditioning throughout your house. The auditor will mount a powerful fan onto the frame of an exterior door. This fan draws air out of the house to lower the air pressure inside. Higher outside air pressure then infiltrates

in through all the leaks and openings. Once the air pressure becomes constant, the auditor can use one of two methods to determine where leakage occurs.

Most commonly, auditors will then use an infrared still or video camera that depicts all leaks as black streams. Some auditors prefer to use a smoke wand to reveal the leaks visible to the eye. Others use a combination of both methods. With either method, the auditor can trace the leaking airflow to the source and identify its location. Another technique an auditor will use to determine a homeí s energy efficiency is called ì thermography.î The advantage of thermography is that it determines the effectiveness of your insulation. Whether or not air leakage is occurring throughout your home, heat, through conductivity, could be penetrating into your house through ineffective insulation, making your Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system work much harder, often at full tilt. As you can imagine, this problem taxes not only the system, but also your energy budget and interior comfort. The infrared camera lens reads temperatures; the hotter the area the redder, the cooler the area the bluer, with all gradations of color in between.

PLUGGING THE LOOPHOLES

At the end of the examination, the auditor will have the information to assess trouble spots and make recommendations. Your auditor will likely prepare for you a fully itemized list of areas that need attention and a cost breakdown for each item listed. The list of maladies will include leakage occurring in door and window framing and seals, wall joints, electrical and plumbing openings, areas under the home between flooring and crawl spaces and attics. Chances are the original HVAC contractor didní t use acrylic masking, which is painted onto fiber tape at the seams of the ducts where various parts connect. It is amazing how poorly most HVAC systems work in a home after a few years in this climate. Many people are losing more than 30% of their heat and air conditioning to the outside, which costs huge amounts of money during the winter in mountain

regions and during peak summer months in the desert areas.

GET SOME FINANCIAL RELIEF!

Even small weatherizing upgrades can add up to large energy savings, which can provide very welcome utility cost savings as well. Federal, state and local tax incentives have been making weatherizing upgrades more affordable. Federal Tax Credits that were initiated as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are available for Energy StarÆ or other high energy efficiency retrofits on existing homes at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500 through December 31, 2010. These include insulation, sealing, HVAC system upgrades, ducting mastic, non≠ solar water heaters, windows and doors. While time is running for these incentives, discussions are underway about extending the Federal Tax Credit into the coming year according to the Tax Incentives Assistance Project, a non≠ profit organization that monitors nationwide income tax initiatives. Many Arizona cities, such as Scottsdale, also provide incentives for energy efficient upgrades. We found two great online resources for detailed information about Federal, State, Local and Utility incentives, rebates and policies that encourage and reward integration of sustainable and energy efficient retrofits in residential renovation projects: www.energysavers. gov and www.dsireusa.org. Utility providers, Tucson Electric Power Company, SRP and APS offer other incentives to Arizona residents that can boost retrofit budgets and provide savings over time with significant rebates, discounts and energy bill reductions. If you plan a major energy efficiency retrofit in your home, you may also consider taking an energy efficiency mortgage, which can offer 100% financing of your project, and depending on your current interest rate, actually reduce your monthly mortgage payments.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Doní t let energy loss tax your budget, your HVAC system or your comfort zone. Get audited now, close the holes and get some financial relief! Contributor Doug Edwards is a principal of the award-winning Edwards Design Group based in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is an expert in “Green” design/building science with more than 30 years experience and clients in California and Arizona. For more information about how you can retrofit your home with maximum energy efficiency, call 480-5637774, email doug@edwardsdesigngroup.com or visit www.edwardsdesigngroup.com .

AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

How can you save money naturally?

The answer is in your yard! The Benifits of a Geothermal System Lowest Operating Cost Environmentally Safe Forced Air & Radiant Long System Life Low Maintenance Quiet Operation Ultimate In Comfort Tax Credits & Rebates

Here’s HERS, What’s Yours? If you had to ask, “What’s HERS?” then you have likely never received an energy audit or borrowed money using energy efficiency mortgage (EEM). As homebuyers, lenders and granting organizations began to ask, “How energy efficient is that home,” the need for a standardized measurement determining relative energy efficiency became obvious. The most widely used and perhaps the top rating system determining the “green factor” of a residential property is the Home Energy Rating System (HERS), which was developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). RESNET’s standard is officially recognized by most lending institutions and a HERS evaluation conducted by a certified energy auditor is almost always a condition to qualify for most Energy Efficiency Mortgages. If determined before and after a residential retrofit, HERS is useful to evaluate the effectiveness of energy efficient retrofits. The Arizona Residential Multiple Listing Service now uses the HERS rating to identify energy efficient homes listed for sale, a practice that is becoming popular in other states as well. As the index becomes more widely publicized, a home’s value may depend upon the HERS... Do you know YOURS? For more information, visit www.resnet.us.

Call us today,

for more information or a free estimate.

866.700.5757

www.VerdeSolAir.com Family owned/operated since 1983 Serving Northern & Central Arizona

Heating

Cooling

Hot Water

#057904 (C-39) / #231432 (C-37R) / #074291 (L-79)

58 AZGreenMagazine.com l digital preview

AZGreenMagazine.com l december/digital 2010

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What We Do for Teachers Our resource center has a wide variety of unique and useful materials you might spend days or weeks trying to ﬁnd. Whether it’s plastic caps and fabric scraps or golf balls and ofﬁce supplies, T4T has many items to make your job easier and more rewarding.

for Students

The items we provide can open new worlds to a student’s senses. Tactile development, perceptual acuity, math, language, analytical skills, and more are honed and strengthened by the interaction between student and surroundings. These materials are crucial to creating positive and powerful learning tools.

for Business

T4T provides businesses with a smart, cost-effective alternative to “scraping” their excess supplies, end-run products, and material surplus by putting these items directly into the hands of local educators and students. It’s good for the environment, and good for business. Each dollar you donate to T4T allows a teacher to take more than $20 worth of supplies back to the classroom. Your product donation helps to keep our shelves stocked and allows teachers to find what they need. Your volunteer time helps our program operate more efficiently. It’s a Win-Win Solution For Your Business:

Donate surplus materials, and win three ways: 1. All donations are tax-deductible. 2. We pick-up your donated items for free, saving the time and expense of disposing at a landfill. 3. You have the satisfaction of helping your local schools as they face increasing budget cuts. It’s good for the environment, good for business, and most importantly, it’s good for students.

Don’t have surplus materials to donate? T4T also accepts tax-deductible cash contributions. Each dollar you donate to T4T allows teachers to take $20 worth of supplies back to the classroom. T4T also needs volunteers to collect, sort and compile materials. We welcome corporate volunteer groups.

DONATIONS: What We Need • Office Supplies, especially

• Foam, Mylar, Sponges, Vinyl,

• Plastic (pieces, bottles, caps,

•

• Integrated Circuit Packaging

• PVC Pipe • Returned Products & Recalls • Scrap Canvas & Fabric

pencils $ paper

•

Cassette Tapes, CDs, Video Tapes & Their Cases Cups (paper & plastic)

Wire & Magnets

Outdated Promotional Items • Paper Bags

packaging materials & utensils)

• Tubes & Magnets • Wallpaper Books • Wood Pieces • Recycling Materials • Whatever Else You Don’t Need!

Don’t have surplus materials -to donate?

T4T also accepts your tax-deductible cash contributions. Each dollar you donate to T4T allows teachers to take $20 worth of supplies back to the classroom. T4T also needs volunteers to collect, sort and compile materials. We welcome corporate volunteer groups.

1230 W Southern Ave, Suite 105 | Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-751-1122 | www.treasures4teachers.org

ecomall eco-village

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SUSTAINABLE READING It’s only natural

This year, give the gift that continues to give. We strive for a world where reading books doesn’t have adverse effects on the environment. Our mission is to make reading much more sustainable than it is today. Eco-Libris provides you with an affordable yet powerful way to make a difference: Plant one tree for every book you read. For each tree planted, you will receive an Eco-Libris sticker to display on your book’s sleeve, proudly showing your commitment to sustainability. www.ecolibris.net

Make it official! Join the GREEN evolution!

Hope for Friends is a grassroots non-profit organization that raises funds to help support women and families financially when they need it most. Our mission is to provide temporary and vital funds for friends encountering financial hardship as the result of breast cancer or sudden sickness. Many are single parents. Many have little or no income at the moment.

Visit www.hope4friends.org to make a donation today. 602 418 3290 : p tracy@hope4friends.org Hope 4 Friends is a 501(c)3

Our new resale boutique is now open in North Scottsdale. Shop with us for the Holidays, guilt free, and know that your purchase will save the lives of countless animals in need!

The Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization committed to promoting businesses committed to environmental and social responsibility.

www.phoenixgreenchamber.org To inquire about membership, call (602) 682-5566

480.488.9890 23030 North Pima Road Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 www.foothillsanimal.org

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, e r u t a N h t i CCoonnnneecctt wwith Us! J Gellatly Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center 3131 South Central Ave, Phoenix | 602.468.6470

Free Admission For hours and program schedule, visit our website: az.audubon.org Facility Rental Available