Terra Cin

The power of baking soda :)

2010-10-01T12:41:00.003+08:00

Clearing up to make precious space on my computer. These things I've been meaning to post but haven't got around to it.

This pan before baking soda.

And this is after. :)

Didn't manage to take some of the heating element of the slow cooker. But it was with similar results. Most people don't dare to clean the heating part of the slow cooker as you can only wipe it. And so sometimes when food spills onto it and it gets 'baked' in, it gets difficult to clean. Just make baking soda paste, apply, leave on overnight, and voila. Everything comes off with a wipe!

In-Process-Compost grown vege

2010-04-24T07:53:00.003+08:00

I'm quite proud. My little fairy honeydew melon's the size of a tennis ball and looking a lot more like a honey dew melon now! Today, I took off it's sexy panty hose and checked it. And here's how it looked like.

And here's how it looks like getting all shy hiding behind the leaves with it's nylon stockings.

Also in my tiny pots, I've managed to grow and eaten lots of spring onions and mint. I've recently poked into the soil some neapolitan basil and rosemary. The Neapolitan basil which I got from Jusco were in packets. I had wanted to buy those in pots but they didn't have them. Hmph. But hey, these turned out ok and cheaper and I ate the rest of the packet! :D And they seem to be taking off.

The Rosemary, also from Jusco. They're taking their time. But at the same time looking like they might just take root. We'll see.

Ah, my pot of healthy mint. Isn't it gorgeous?!

And finally, ji-tin-jiu (chilies pointing to sky) that my parents gave me as seedlings. These have gone through horrible times. The last time I chopped the whole thing back to just a stalk. It seems to be liking where it's at and sitting in at the moment. The chillies are BACK! :D

Yah, you TELL 'em!

2010-04-22T21:06:00.002+08:00

I was very impressed with a friend's hubby yesterday. And it was Earth Day too! How very appropriate.

While he was stuck in traffic, a school bus up ahead was spewing rubbish - from the windows. Our dear friend stopped the car, got out, went to collect the rubbish, demanded to know who the rubbish was from, and gave it right back to the perpetrator and told him/her off!

Whoa... I wished I had the guts to do that. :D

It's Earth Day today. :D

2010-04-22T09:28:00.004+08:00

Today is Earth day. Funny, I'm not feeling it. I think it must be all that rushing around working on Biodiversity. I'm just soaked in Earth at the moment. Am I happy? Yes.

Yesterday, while the big noodle was at a friend's pet place, Kaitlin the little girl drew something very appropriate for the season. And with her permission, I took the cardboard home, and here's the story.

A tiger princess was kept locked up in a very very tall castle by an evil witch. And her brother the tiger prince came to rescue her.

It's a very simple story. But she just drew it out of the blue. She's got a great relationship with her brothers. :)

Magic Magic Mop

2010-04-19T17:35:00.002+08:00

My sister recently introduced me to something quite spectacular. A Magic-magic mop. Heee heee.

I've got one of those Kao Magic Mops that originally uses disposable bits of paper that helps to pick up the teeniest dust, hair, the works. I know, not very environmentally friendly. I got sucked into the whole, 'it is AMAZING!!! takes the work out of housework!"... Hmm... still have to worklah...

But back to my point. I've stopped using the magic mop for its original purpose. And it was just hanging around until my sister told me of how she's using her magic mop these days.

With pieces of cloth. And use it as a wet mop. For her apartment (and mine after experimenting), we'd have about 6 pieces of cloth ready, soaked in water, wring them lightly, attach it to the mop, and voila.

The floor's amazingly clean!

And when you're done, toss them with the rest of the laundry, and into the washing machine when laundry days come around. And if you're eeeked out by mixing with your clothes, then toss it in with the rest of the floor rugs laundry.

Have fun!

Tiger Blogfest Kickoff :)

2010-04-19T10:01:00.003+08:00

Yesterday, I got a reminder from a certain Monkey about a certain thing I got my self involved in. Now in these crazy times, and I'm meaning recently I've been caught up on a critical timeline for work, I was thinking, what did I get myself INTO?!

But thinking again, with a few more minutes, I thought, this is what it's all about. My blog. My 'activism'. My preaching to my 3 year old. My compost. The works. It's about my attempts at saving the environment. And currently "BIODIVERSITY" surrounding my whole life, I just got whacked in the head and in the twinkling of lights and blurriness, I saw a light with Sir David Attenborough's voice (a.k.a. "The Voice of God") And he said "DO IT"

Tiger Blogfest 2010.

There's a whole lot of good work going on out there in the effort to help keep tigers alive. MYCAT for one is leading a coalition in Malaysia in the race against time towards not only keeping the tigers alive, but to revive the population and they're starting with just a modest figure of 1000 from current estimates of less than 600. This is not very much at all considering just about 50 years ago, Malaysia had approximately 3000 in the wild.

From 3000 to less than 600 in half a century. That was the same time we proliferated as Malaysia.

It's embarrassing especially since Malaysia uses on its Federal Crest two tigers.

If Malaysia doesn't buck up and do whatever it can towards conservation of tigers in the wild,we better be prepared to either remove the tigers from the Crest, or consider replacing it with the images of a couple of battered/chopped up/emaciated caged up tigers.

Compost solution I'm happy with

2010-03-31T22:25:00.002+08:00

I finally found it. An apartment composting solution I'm happy with.

One that stays nose friendly, reduces my waste and best of all profits me with yum produce.

I've recently taken on to putting my compost into my plant pots that are bottom layered with a little soil. Then on top of the compost, another layer of soil. Perfect. Sit for a few days, then flatten it further, layer more from the kitchen. Another few spoonfuls of soil. Sit a few more days, then plant something. So far, I've got lovely green onions, chillies, mint, and up and coming, honey dew melon! Dunno how this one's going to turn out, but it's very exciting.

Photos soon.

Cold showers will keep it down to 3. :)

2010-03-30T07:27:00.004+08:00

I recently came across a photo of an environmentalist friend with sandwich card that says '4 minute shower, not a quarter hour'.

The shower, not the sandwich.

This is something I've been doing for quite a number of years now. And quite a few people seem to think it's a boo boo. I'm not going to name names here but even the Malay language has a relatively degrading term for this - Mandi Kerbau - which means that a bath/shower that's very cin cai (not going to do another explanation in one explanation). No soap, get wet run out. Nolah...

I don't know. Meaning I don't know how others do it. But hey, I've got great exfoliating shower gloves I use that I believe makes me clean (and I do believe it gets me cleaner than most others too!).

But you know, one thing that I know can get people to do the same? Switch off the power. :) Get rid of hot water. Then I guarantee you, they finish in under 3 mins - this usually applies to people who work 9-5. One shower in the morning and sometimes one shower in the evening. Nice and cool. :}

This is a haphazard post. I know. I'm sitting in relative cold after a cold morning shower.

Environmentally friendly packaging... Ironic

2010-01-06T23:53:00.003+08:00

The past few months had been a few of sleepless nights (working...) , travelling (working...), new responsibilities, holidays (more work for me!). Well, as much as they did cause significant weight loss, I personally found them very fulfilling. It's strange, people thrive on activity. And if you're swamped, you complain, but secretly you know you love it. But the moment the activity slows down, sometimes some of us get trapped in a lull. And somehow we just don't seem to have the energy to do even a fraction of the amount we are able to during times of active crazy working. That's me. Sigh. I need to get back on track.

Now back to travelling. I recently had had to travel for work. And fortunately (or unfortunately), on one of the flights, I travelled MAS to Kota Kinabalu. Now, MAS is the one where you get 'free food'. They serve you whether you like it or want it or not. On our alternative AirAsia, you only pay for food when you want it. And although they say you're not allowed to bring your own food and drinks on board, most of us have brought food and drinks. I bring along my bottle and fill up at the fountain near the entrance of the toilets. They do make it rather difficult to find, but it's there.

Anyway back to my point. MAS has recently joined the environmental awareness bandwagon. And they now serve their better tasting food in better looking packaging... PACKAGING... beautiful sugar cane-fibre box. Whoa... cun... very pretty. It even comes with another cardboard wrapping it explaining the whole deal with this box and MAS's environmental initiatives. Ooooh oooh oooh, and check out all the other packaging inside too. So neatly arranged. I loved the chocs best. That's a whole 6 layers there.

... ...

What is wrong with the picture here?

Sorry, I just have to not mention the point... It would just pierce my skull and my brains will spill out.

I've got a new part time composter!!!!

2009-11-11T01:05:00.003+08:00

Hahahaha, seriously, what I do have is a puppy I've fostered for a few days while my parents are out of town.

Recently, my parents adopted an adorably cute little big dog. It's a great little thing. Great temperament. Cuddly. But crazy shreddy nails!

Anyway, I've taken on the responsibility of providing food for it. That is, I have been buying kibbles for the dog. So so far, my father has been feeding it kibbles. Which I thought was of good quality already (pet shop store brand).

Until he came over here and I decided I would like to keep my legs (his nails are crazy!) and brought him to Cerys' schoolmate's mom's Pet Boarding/Care shop. This place is called Pet Epicure. One of the most comfortable pet places I've been to! In fact, the most comfortable. You take your shoes off outside. And inside, her kids roam free, has a little play area even, and the boarding kennels look so much more comfortable than anything I've seen in other places.

Anyway, back to my point, Alicia, the proprietor aka Cerys' schoolmate's-mom, gave me some pointers on how to train the dog but most of all she talked with me about giving raw food to it!

I wasn't quite sure about this until she took out some for Rocky (the dog) a plate and he gobbled it up greedily! Actually I've read it before, but looking at that, it's very interesting. What more, she lent me some books on this. I flipped through it very very quickly when I got back (still very busy working to complete some work in time for the deadline) and decided to jump in. Alicia also gave me to boxes of the food she prepared.

When I went out later to run some errands, I decided to get Rocky some meaty chicken bones (raw) as recommended as the main food component (60%). I wasn't quite sure about this. But decided, well, better try it here rather than when he gets back to my parent's place.

Chopped it up.

The results are amazing. He loved it!!!

The book says more about vegetables, fruit and etc to feed dogs. It's called the BARF diet (see Barf World) It's really exciting coz this means that I have now got another potential food 'composter'. Heeee heeeee. And he'll be better off from it too!

Pressies... OOoh... dilemma

2009-11-09T17:45:00.002+08:00

I recently held a birthday party for my just turned 3 daughter. And like any proud mummy, I wanted her to have a 'wonderful party' she'll love. And thankfully, I had wonderful friends who helped make this happen. It wouldn't otherwise have happened. But anyway, here's the deal.

At the end of the party, both hubbie and I was shocked to see the heap of pressies that our lovely guests brought for Cerys. I would be lying if I said I wasn't delighted. Pressies are FUN! It would also mean I can do away with buying her gifts for the rest of the year if we play it right. Hahaha...

Ah, delight delight...

Until hubbie reminded, all this CONSUMPTION! No!

Oh. Ya.... Consumption. Right, reduce... Hmm... So much for Terra Mummy.

The point is, I honestly can't help the delight I felt looking at all those pressies!... for Cerys. And I would love for her to be happy.

But all this consumption... sigh...

Need to think of better ways. We discussed this later with the lady proprietor and I think I'm not the only mummy who feels this way. I think for adults, you can think of 'easier' (c'mon, we're all busy 28 hr mother-maids-driver-corporate ladies!) environmentally responsible gifts like spa treats, holidays, etc etc etc. But for toddlers, got coupons ar?

Maybe I'm just stuck at the moment. IDEAS PLEASE!

Receipts receipts receipts...

2009-11-05T21:59:00.003+08:00

It's been a long hiatus.

But I'll try and restart. :) Slowly.

Just earlier when I was supposed to be hard at work, I had to clear some space on my desk. And this included a stash of paper I had just today cleared from my wallet. This stash of paper is actually accumulated receipts over a month or so. And I got quite surprised. Scary at the same time since I actually horde it in my wallet too! Anyway, my point is, we have so much paper from just transactions?

How ar? Each time I pay, I get a piece. Then if I pay by credit card, which is supposed to be 'environmentally friendly' for the future to do away with 'paper' cash, I get another piece, not even counting the two other 'merchant' copies.

Do we REALLY need all these pieces of paper? Is there any way around it? Wonder if anyone's thought about this.

Repair Repair Repair... What about my jeans' butt?

2009-07-31T23:13:00.003+08:00

I've recently been on a repairing/altering frenzy. My clothes that is. Clothes that I've grown out of... Erm, actually, I grew smaller. I shrank. So, most of my clothes either don't fit, or I can only wear those with belt loops and the waist scrunches in so bad I look like I'm wearing my hubbie's clothes. Well, maybe not that bad.

Luckily I found a decent place nearby who does basic alterations. The lady owner seems a little blur sometimes, but otherwise nice. And she seems very kind and friendly to her staff of more ladies at the sewing machines. The ladies are actually locals. I like that. Providing jobs and empowering ladies locally. Which means they're usually better paid too. Me happy.

A while ago, I did another round of filtering my clothes to determine which I have left collecting dust because they just won't stay up. Got quite a few pairs of shorts. I'm happy. I've been thinking of getting new shorts. But now that I've got my old pairs, I'm really quite excited about bringing them to size! And I loved them too. Now I get to love them again! Yay! And I don't have to go out spending hours hunting for stuff that usually don't fit me, don't look good on me, or are made of poor quality materials, and if they're not, cost the earth to buy!

Except, my last pair of jeans. I've not worn them for months now. They are a pair of nice Levis just about less than 2 years ago. What the heck are jeans made of these days?! They've got a very big patch of threads on the bum spreading from the middle seam outwards. I can't wear them out. A little too risque. It's been sitting there. I've been thinking endlessly, if not for that 'tear', it's otherwise still a very very nice pair of jeans.

Can fix ar? Well, most sites I've been to just says that's the worst part to fix (you just can't prettily) or fix enough to make them wearable only while you're painting. There was a site recommended by many ecofriendly sites. I got really excited. Went to the site and checked them out. Wow, the visuals are so cool. They could really repair them. Like Jotun color matching thingie except this is for thread. Coolness.

But this is in the States. That's $7/inch and for international postage, $85.

Hmph.

Hari Organik

2009-07-29T15:51:00.003+08:00

CETDEM's co-organising a Hari Organik with various other organisations. One of which is 'Slow Food' Klang Valley.

I'm quite excited. I remember reading about Slow Food in the UK. It's nice that it's reached our shores. Increasing wealth and prosperity while at the same time decreasing time has really made an impact on our views and intake of food. I look forward to attending this weekend. If you're interested. Here're the details! :D

Jalan 19/22 Padang

1st August, 3rd October and 5th December 2009

8.30 - 2 pm

More info:

of@cetdem.org.my

www.cetdem.org.my

Tel: +603 7875 7767

Save the turtles! :D ... the Turtle Ranger way

2009-07-24T11:41:00.003+08:00

There's a trio of ladies who's trying to raise awareness for Turtles. They'll be travelling across Malaysia in a 'turtle' car (aka. the Volkswagon).

One of the first public contact will be this Sunday, 26 July 2009 at the Sunway Pyramid Main Entrance.

Check them out! I won't be there unfortunately. I'll be looking out for seahorses and dugongs.

HSBC Online banking sucks!

2009-07-23T23:54:00.002+08:00

Okay, this is not particularly related to Terra. But maybe it is. Reducing trips to bank etc.

This evening, while doing my regular fund transfers on online HSBC, I encountered a very very serious annoying problem with their service.

Very often with HSBC or any of the other banks for that matter, while you're conducting a transfer, sometimes their websites may fail or be under service or something along those lines and they'll put up some sort of an error message telling the transaction cannot be done and asking you to come back and try later.

That's what happened this time. I gave all the particulars, clicked confirm, ok. Service error. Come back later. Oklah. Few minutes later, try again. Confirm. Ok. Went through. Moved on to the next transaction. Checked balance.

*GASP*

The previous transaction went through twice! That transaction was worth over RM4K each! Ouch!

Called up to HSBC, they denied everything. Said it's the customer's (aka ME) fault. Told me to go talk with the beneficiary of the funds transferred to.

Service. Go fly kite. Angry angry angry.

More on worms. Danger danger!

2009-07-21T23:37:00.007+08:00

While doing some research on composting worms, I found a fact that's of importance to anyone who is currently doing or thinking of doing vermicomposting.

The worms that are used in vermicomposting are exotic (meaning they're not local species). And worms to begin with have voracious appetites. If these hardy imported species get onto the forest floor, they will chomp away at all the thick leaf litter that nourishes tree saplings, prevents erosion and aside from that, due to their digestive system, the worms change the soil chemistry making it more alkaline. Rainforest floor is acidic and bacteria do not tolerate acidic soil thus this protects plants from disease and insects. However, when worms are introduced, they produce calcium carbonate which acts like lime on acid soil. This changes the microbial fauna from fungal to bacterial. And with rapid chomping and pooping, it overloads the soil with nutrients which injures the plants and/or leaches into streams and lakes. And if you have a tree garden, watch out for them too!

Earthworms don't belong in forests. Forests decomposers are fungi, microflora and and fauna.

Point is, make sure your worms stay in your composting bins and out of our precious rainforest.

These information were mainly based on studies done on Woodland floors. I'm not sure yet if they affect our tropical forest floors similarly, but the logic is there. If anyone has a more scientific confirmation on this issue, please do respond! Thanks.

Vermicompost in Hulu Kelang!

2009-07-19T22:09:00.003+08:00

I've been hunting high and low for some composting worm. Well, affordably that is.

Today, coming back from Sungai Congkak, I stumbled upon a place which sells the 'baja' (fertilizer). I drove in. Nobody.

I'm going to try again tomorow! Well, calling anyway. They had a phone number and email. I'm so excited. I hope he can sell me worms! I'm not out to do it for commercial reasons. I just need it for my kitchen waste!

Wish me luck!

No Tuna or Waste Food? Dilemma dilemma

2009-07-19T00:37:00.003+08:00

Most people who knows me well would know that I don't eat tuna. Why, coz at 12, I was apalled that one of my favourite animals then, dolphins, get caught when tuna does. And usually dies before they get thrown back into the sea. So, from then on, I would consciously avoid eating tuna.

These days I realize that tuna doesn't get it that great either. So, that's another reason. But then, so does any other living creature that gets eaten. I'm trying to reduce my animal food intake. At the same time trying to balance between ethics and nutrition.

Okay, but when you have a piece of tuna in front of you (not by choice) and nobody's eating it. And you know it's going to end up in the bin, thus wasting food. What's a girl like me to do? Do I leave it? Do I eat it?

I chose to not touch it.

Until the end when we're about to leave and it was still sitting there miserably in a sea of clean plates.

Chomped it down. :( Good or bad? Sigh...

Singapore Environmental Awareness ???

2009-07-18T14:03:00.006+08:00

We recently visited my pregnant sister in Singapore. It was great, visiting her and Hubbie's relatives, my parents able to visit their faraway daughter, visiting a conservation area in Johor, visiting a very good friend in Batu Pahat, and best yet, all those nappies, nappy covers, pre-loved clothes, baby reusables can all be used and loved again! :D Happy happy. Sort of justifies the distance travelled.

Anyway, what I noticed this trip disappointed me.

When I got there, while waiting for my sister to come home, we loitered around the lift lobby area on the ground floor. Eating something out of a plastic bag, I asked Cerys to go throw it in the bin when she was done. And when she wanted to do that, she toddled to the bin, looked inside, ran back and asked:

'Mummy, where's the recycling bin?' or, something to that effect in her own language.

I beamed. Ahh, how proud I am of her. But then it sunk in. Hm, where IS the recycling bin?

Over the next couple of days, I kept a look out everywhere I looked. From the ground up to the units, no sight of recycling bins or anything suggesting the like. Walking to the MRT station about 300m away, nada. MRT station shopping area, nada. MRT station, nada. WHERE ARE THEY?

Dunno, but if a very land-scarce country like Singapore doesn't separate it's waste and deal with it responsibly, where does all that rubbish go?

What I did see was on TV. On buses. On books. This Green thingie. It seems to be everywhere. But ground level, it doesn't look that great. Where can people put their recyclables if there aren't anywhere for them to put them? Out of sight, out of mind.

Shopping, bags seem to be everywhere. Well, so far, that isn't that different from it is here in the Klang Valley.

And at the end of my trip, just a mere 4 days, I've accumulated a thick stack of good quality card meant as parking tickets. Where to responsibly throw? Hm. Makes me quite happy we don't need to deal with all that paper here. We do, but seems a lot less.

Brought those back. Cerys had fun with them as toys. Now that she's done, into my recycling pile.

These are just a few of the things I have noticed while I was there. Perhaps I didn't go to the right places to see the right stuff. Perhaps someone will correct me and shed some light on this.

Baking soda works for pans!

2009-07-18T10:35:00.005+08:00

The 'Before' photo

And 'After' shot.

Skip the harsh cream cleansers, those awful powders, harsh steel scourers and do your pots and pans (not to mention your home and hands) a favor.

Use BAKING SODA.

It's something I've used for a long time now. But just recently I had an excellent specimen (two really, but I forgot to take photo) of just how easy it is to use baking soda to rid nasty stains from steel pots and pans.

Check out the before and after picture of the pan.

Just make a thick paste of baking soda and water, apply it on the stains if stained really badly like this one. Leave overnight. Gently scrub (read : relax, no need for hard scrubbing) the next day. And voila. Ok, this particular pan took a few soaks and rubs. But the point is, YOU really don't need to do much. Just leave it there. Let the baking soda work. And the pan stays scratch free. After that, just try and maintain by using a little baking soda on your sponge sometimes when you need it when washing up. Much easier and keeps the pan shiny shiny. Not to mention less harmful to the environment and your health.

The second specimen (no photos) was on the inside of a slow cooker heater unit. It was aluminium I think and the stain had really gotten stuck for 14 years. Yes, you read that right, 14 years. Again, make a thick paste, apply, leave, and wipe. This one came off much easier than the one on the pan even. :)

And I also use it all over the home. Wash basins, bathtubs, inside of teapots, stained cups, compost bin (I put it in a little container with holes), you get the drift. Excellent stuff.

Good luck!

Oh, for much cheaper options of baking soda, ditch going to organic shops or supermarkets, get your bags of 1kgs for under RM3/kg from baking supply shops. I get mine for just RM2.20 from Ampang's Perfect Formula.

A Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Q&A

2009-07-14T15:33:00.001+08:00

GREEN LIVING COLUMN PENCINTA ALAM AUGUST 2009
A COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL Q & A
By guest contributor Ee Lynn

Here are some questions asked of the Green Living coordinator via e-mail and at outreach events:

Q: WOULD A CNG CONVERSION/RETROFIT REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DRIVING MY CAR?

It definitely would! CNG or compressed natural gas is a domestically available, economical, clean-burning, alternative fuel source for vehicles. In addition, natural gas does not contaminate lakes, rivers, or groundwater as petroleum fuels do, because it quickly dissipates into the atmosphere if a leak or spill occurs.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calculated the potential benefits of CNG versus petroleum based on the inherently cleaner-burning characteristics of natural gas:
• Reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 90%-97%
• Reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 25%
• Reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 35%-60%
• Potentially reduces non-methane hydrocarbon emissions by 50%-75%
• Emits fewer toxic and carcinogenic pollutants
• Emits little or no particulate matter
• Eliminates evaporative emissions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called the natural gas Honda Civic GX the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle on Earth.

Q: I READ OF THE RECENT EXPLOSION OF A CNG-POWERED VEHICLE (A.K.A. NGV). IS NATURAL GAS SAFE TO USE AS FUEL?

The authorities are still trying to determine the cause of the explosion of the NGV reported in the newspapers. However, all professional bodies including the (U.S.) Union of Concerned Scientists and Environmental Protection Agency are of the opinion that natural gas is a much safer fuel than petroleum.

Natural gas is lighter than air. This means that it will not puddle (like petroleum) or sink to the ground like propane, which is heavier than air. Instead, natural gas will rise and dissipate in the atmosphere. Natural gas also has a higher ignition temperature. This means that it is much harder to ignite. Also, the US Dept of the Environment reports that the storage systems used for compressed natural gas are infinitely stronger that the petroleum tanks found on cars and trucks today.

Q: WHAT FACTORS SHOULD I TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE MAKING THE DECISION TO RETROFIT/CONVERT MY CAR TO RUN ON CNG?

Although some environmentalists have expressed concern that natural gas is also a fossil fuel and reliance on it may be ‘prolonging the problem’ of finding an alternative to fossil fuels, and that increased use of natural gas will require infrastructure investments that have a high environmental impact, the Union of Concerned Scientists believes that experience with gas-based fuels and their transportation/transmission infrastructure will facilitate a transition to future alternative fuel systems, such as hydrogen fuel. At the moment, natural gas is the most economical, widely accessible and cleanest-burning fuel for vehicles available.

As the writer of this column has been using a vehicle retrofitted to run on CNG since October 2008, her advice to those contemplating a CNG vehicle retrofit/conversion is as follows:
- Utilise only the services of licensed NGV installers and repair/service workshops.
- Ensure that there are at least 2-3 NGV stations within 3km of your home and/or workplace or along the route you regularly use. Refuel during non-peak hours so you will have a shorter queuing/waiting period.
- Recognise the fact that there may be a slight reduction in your vehicle’s torque/power, especially when going uphill or carrying a heavier load than usual.
- Sign up with online NGV locator forums to find out about the availability of NGV stations outside of the Klang Valley and to receive news on the opening/closure of NGV stations.
- Find out about, and adhere to, the JPJ and Puspakom certification and endorsement procedures.

Let's make sure the trees live!

2009-07-08T01:50:00.006+08:00

I just thought about it recently after hubbie suggested to me on what to do with my very full tubs of compost. Originally I had planned to bring them to an organic farm that's crazy miles away. But he suggested that we take care of our back yard. Literally.

Living in an apartment means I have no where to efficiently utilise my precious compost. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, right in our back yard almost, there's a nastily turfed up piece of land that's been very recently replanted with trees. Hubbie and I have been very cross to find out that that land is actually forest reserve land, but that's another story. After all the damage that's done to it, the land is parched and the trees don't seem to be doing too well.

Today, armed with a spade, hat, and a curious 2 year old, I finally took my tub of compost out and spread it around two very scraggly trees.

Which made me think. All the exercise I hear about tree planting is all great. In fact, I've also been involved in it myself. However, I don't know about what happens to the tree after that. Really, did it survive? Did it dry out? Is it a glorious tree now? I have no idea.

Now, back to the trees right here in my 'back yard'. They weren't planted by me. But I wanna try and help them flourish.

Kills six birds with one stone. i) eliminate kitchen waste ii) get rid of compost iii) help trees grow iv) contribute to increasing comfort in my home area v) teach kid about nature vi) get a bit of good ol' exercise. Hmm, one more and I'm the like the gallant tailor. Ha, I wish.

There are at least another 20 trees more to go. Two down. Second tub ready in a week.

Nice.

Economics of Climate Change in SEA

2009-07-03T21:52:00.005+08:00

I recently attended a presentation on a report called the Economics of Climate Change in SEA. It's a very interesting look at the financial aspects of NOT doing anything to tackle climate change and the cost of and benefits of actually DOING something.

The report is a modelled after the Stearn Review but it focuses on SEA. It uses for it's analysis four countries - Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. Having the largest amount of coastal lines (when comparing by continents), being already of relatively warm temperature, over 45% of reliance on sustenance agriculture, SEA will be severely affected by climate change. And if no urgent measures and actions is taken for South East Asia, it is believed that temperature may rise 4.8 degree centigrade and sea level will rise by 70cm by 2100 from 1990 levels. One thing they highlighted was that rice production could decrease by 50%. Scary thought for us rice loving Asians. In financial terms, loss of GDP could amount to over 6.7% which is twice more than the global average. This means it seems that we in SEA will get it worse than most in the rest of the world.

In the report, it details the amount of cost investments and the benefits it ill bring at the end of the projected period. I suggest that you read the report lest I misdocument or misinterpret the data.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/16893757/ADB-Economics-Climate-Change

or just go to www.adb.org

It's not wholly applicable to Malaysia since every country differs. And as one individual noted during the Q&A, Malaysia's largest source of GHG emission is not due to LULUCF (land use, land use change and forestry) but energy. The report claims that the largest contributor is LULUCF amounting to over 75% of total SEA GHG emissions. Although I personally feel differently about this particular issue that individual highlighted, I haven't yet got the facts to justify it.

New e-Eco-Magazine for Malaysia

2009-07-03T21:27:00.002+08:00

I only found this just a while ago while surfing for something else. I might as well post it here and get feedback on it. Anyone read it yet? What do you think?

http://ecomalaysia.org/

Not abandoned

2009-07-03T00:45:00.002+08:00

Just wanted to update this. I've not abandoned this blog. Just that recently things are a little hectic around the home. With visits to the doctor a little too regular for my liking.

Oh, and the door's handle's not looking too good. It's turning green. Photos later.

And I'll also be nourishing some scraggly trees nearby soon with my home made compost! Yay!

shiny shiny brass door handle Updated

2009-06-24T09:18:00.009+08:00

I'm working on my brass door handle the past 2 days. Started off with the remaining bottle of Brasso that we had from eons ago. Not good at all. It didn't do a wonderful job of removing the gunk, practically fumigated me and my daughter and my husband was horrified when I tried to wash my brasso tainted hands in the sink. *guilt*

Hmm, I remembered that vinegar did the job with hubbie's belt.

So I went online, did a little research and voila. Try vinegar and

salt.

Lots of elbow grease there, but it seems to be working. Very slowly though. They did mention, to go gently but come back again regularly. So, that's what I'll do. Here's a photo of it after brasso. I'll put up an updated photo after a few more sessions of vinegar and salt.

8/7/09: Not so shiny. Brass around key insert turning flaky green. The rest of the handle's gone all tarnished again. *sad*

Product Review: Bio-Home Dishwash Liquid

2009-06-23T17:00:00.003+08:00

Product Name: Bio-Home Dishwash Liquid (500 ml)
Manufacturer: Lam Soon Edible Oils Sdn Bhd
Price: RM6.49 from Cold Storage, RM5.50 from Isetan Supermarket
Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5

(By Guest Contributor Ee Lynn)

To me, looking for the biodegradable, eco-friendly dishwashing liquid that is ‘just right’ is an endeavour highly similar to Goldilocks’ attempt to find the right bed and porridge and what-have-you. ‘Good Maid Bio’ is supposed to be 100% plant based, but I am not convinced, on account of its surprisingly low cost, its strong cloying fragrance and its garish neon colours. Fruit and veggie waste enzyme is too watery and too stinky for me, and I am not persuaded by the science, or lack thereof, of homemade enzymes. Ecover and Ivory are both too watery and too expensive, and I refuse to pay RM12.99 or thereabouts to have a bottle of runny soapy water flown to me from halfway across the planet just so my kitchen runoffs do not kill toads and little fishes.

Imagine my surprise and delight then, when I discovered a locally manufactured brand of eco-friendly dishwashing liquid that is affordable, easy to use, and of just the right consistency. Resembling a bottle of handwash, each 500 ml bottle of Bio-Home Dishwash Liquid comes with a handy pump dispenser, thus eliminating the need to tip the bottle over each time you need a squirt of washing-up liquid.

I immediately liked the fact that it is produced locally, thus cutting down on the fuel miles each bottle had to travel. I also like its packaging, which makes it easy to use and which incidentally reduces wastage, because you are less likely to pour too much out when using a pump dispenser. I like the fact that it is free of dyes, because dyes are wasteful and have no real purpose except to make a product look appealing. I simply love its lemongrass and green tea scent, which is a welcome change from the conventional lemon-lime scent used in washing-up liquids. I like the fact that it is concentrated enough, so I am not just paying for a bottle of water with a dash of soap in it (I have been using my first bottle for over a month now, and despite the fact that I am a cleaning freak, I have not even used a quarter of a bottle).

But does it work? The label says that the product is Biodegradable, Eco-Friendly, Easy Rinse and uses Natural Ingredients. Apparently it is also made entirely of plant-based biodegradable surfactants, and carries the Singapore Green Label. The label further proclaims that it does not contain any phosphates, SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulphanate), synthetic dyes, caustic agents or animal-based ingredients, which is good enough for most of us.

Fortunately, this handy little bottle of washing-up liquid really does live up to its promise, in my book. I poured some of the leftover liquid (after washing up with it) on my Epipremnum pinnatum to see if they would survive. The plants thrived. I left a dab on my wrist to see if it would affect my already sensitive skin. It didn’t. I felt nothing and forgot all about it. I cleaned the sink with a little of the liquid and rinsed everything off using only one mug of water, so it really is easy-rinse. I used it for more than just doing the dishes with, to see if it would hold up against scrutiny, and it did. I rubbed some, full-strength, on a coffee stain and a grease stain on my t-shirts to see if it could clean and degrease effectively. It did. I added some to my biodegradable soap powder to clean the bathroom with, and everything came out spotless and smelling faintly of lemongrass. I diluted a squirt of it in a bottle of water and used it for general cleaning, and it managed to pick up dirt and remove spots and stains without leaving a soapy residue. I collected some of the soapy water in a basin while doing the washing-up and soaked some empty glass coffee jars in it to remove the labels and coffee residue. The labels and residue came off easily with a little scrubbing the next day (note that I wasn’t using Bio-Home full strength, but as leftover from washing up). I squirted a little of the dishwashing liquid on the washcloths and scrubbed the cloths hard to clean, degrease and deodorise them, and it worked a treat, too.

If I have any complaints about the Bio-Home Dishwash Liquid at all, it is that 500 ml doesn’t go very far and the manufacturer should produce larger bottles to refill the original one with, to cut down on packaging and waste. It would also help if the manufacturer were to include a full list of ingredients on the label or at least the website, to allow consumers to make an informed choice in order that we do not fall victims to greenwashing.

All things considered, I would rate the Bio-Home Dishwashing Liquid 4 ½ stars out of 5.

Extremism on refusing plastic bag...

2009-06-20T23:07:00.003+08:00

Today I did something which I am ashamed of. I want to blame it on my illness at the moment. But really, I can't. I was rude.

At the check out today buying a tong for my increasing number of compost tongs, I asked the check out guy 'no need for plastic please'. He nodded. Then he reached over and grabbed a smallish plastic bag, and wanted to cello tape it on the tong! I was 'no no no, I don't want plastic bag'. He gave me a slightly condescending look and said, 'for security'. I said no, and he again insisted. That's when I blew, I raised my voice (slightly but loud enough) and told him, 'look, no. do you realize the rest of the world is trying to REDUCE plastic usage? and you're giving me a plastic bag not even for proper usage but just on top of my bin just 'for security? NO! just stick on the receipt on top if you have to!'

All this was said in a huff.

I think Hubbie was uncomfortable with this. I asked him later what he thought and confirming that it wasn't quite what I said but how I said it, I realized, it's not fair to the guy.

I went back and apologised. Bruised my ego a little. It shouldn't. Because I could've been more polite. But I'm sure I bruised his ego earlier. I just hope that by apologising, his is slightly restored.

Angled or smooth loofah...

2009-06-19T00:29:00.002+08:00

Just googled and found that angled or gourd gourd can work as loofah. Wait, they ARE loofahs... And here I am cracking my head trying to figure out where this exotic gourd's from. And I see it each time I go shopping. Me going to market. Wish me luck! Any other suggestions?

Now to figure out how to plant in my extremely narrow balcony...

Loofah anyone?!

2009-06-18T23:24:00.004+08:00

I'm running out of loofahs for my cleaning.

Appeal: Does anyone know where I can buy loofahs affordably within PJ/Ampang area? I bought my last batch when I went for work in Kuching years ago for RM1.50 per piece. But now running out! Argh!

Better yet, does anyone PLANT loofah plants? Me want seedling! Can buy ar?

I love my loofahs as a replacement for all my sponges. For bath and household cleaning! And they disintegrate over time to nothing. Biodegradability right before your very eyes. So much better than sponges.

Carbon Calculator Review: GreenAsia

2009-06-17T09:46:00.004+08:00

www.thegreenasiagroup.com

Whoo, that took me a long time. Not to do the calculation, but since the last review. But here it is. :)

My carbon footprint: 6.72 tCO2 per year.

Pros:

1) Slightly more adjusted in the Asian context. It is afterall 'GreenASIA'. And the drop down includes Malaysia. Which is nice to know that we exist :)

2) The drop down menus are straight forward. Easy to understand.

3) Energy choices have got different measurements. Which makes it easier to input since not all of us use kWh or kgs or liters etc.

4) It immediately shows the calculations upon your entry. So you can tell how much your carbon input is based on what you just entered.

5) You can input up to three vehicles. And the drop down's very easy, no need to look for your car type in a long list. They've got a range of type of vehicle and engine sizes (e.g. motorcycle, small petrol car (<1.4>

6) Includes waste as a separate input

7) You can immediately purchase carbon offsets from them upon completion of calculation. One choice of where the funds goes to is a Malaysian paper recycling facility which uses natural gas as opposed to oil fired boilers or electricity from the national grid.

Cons:

1) Would prefer if a little elaboration or those question mark thingies to give examples of what sort of energy applies to which domestic use. For blur people like myself, I use gas tank for cooking. Is that natural gas? Or is that LPG? It would be good to have a little assistance there.

2) Public transportation's distance calculation's a little iffy. I wish they would have distances calculator for us. So, we waste less time googling how far our travelled distances are. Can estimatelah... but still... haiya...

3) No mention of other lifestyle habits that may contribute to carbon - e.g. choice of food, shopping habits, etc.

4) No benchmark to compare.

Upmarket shopping...

2009-06-14T22:28:00.002+08:00

Just something I noticed.

We went to KLCC today. With all the talk about reusing bags etc within the so called slightly more 'informed' society, all I saw today were bags and bags of Vincci, Isetan, G2000, and whatever you find there. I didn't actually notice many if ANYONE carrying their own reusable bag that seems remotely likely holding new shopping. I saw tons and tons of plastic and 'paper' bags.

Seems to me either, they are NOT buying anything (which is good), or they had loads of bags with names on them. Which is likely the latter since most WERE carrying store bags. So if go upmarket places must have fancy named bags is it?

Car that runs on AIR? drool

2009-06-10T09:21:00.010+08:00

*drool drool drool*....

There's a new car on earth, and it runs on air. How great is that?! It does however require electricity to compress the air at the moment. Given a choice, it's still the better option compared to fossil fuel (not taking into account walking, cycling and efficient public transportation). And the coolest (pun definitely intended) thing? Air conditioning is actually a side effect! Perfect for the sweaty tropical!

Can you imagine the SAVINGS THE GOVT WILL GET from everyone switching their cars to this in FUEL SUBSIDY REDUCTIONS?!?! Time to take it on oh Govt.... Oh but of course the savings will be channeled to the people in terms of car and compressor prices, yes? What better way to reduce our national Carbon Emission Level, traffic accidents, parking space, etc etc?

Here's the article I plucked from the Guardian, UK, published 14 May 2009.

How would you react to someone who tried to sell you a car that runs on fresh air? Perhaps you would think he was peddling a potentially planet-saving technology. More likely you would dismiss him as a conman or a fantasist. Yet that is precisely the pitch being made by French auto engineer Guy Negre, a good-humoured man in his mid-60s who claims to have developed a car powered by compressed air: one that produces a fraction of the carbon emissions of a standard engine, reaches speeds of 30mph-plus, that can travel 65 miles on a one-minute recharge and, best of all, costs from just over £3,000.

Negre is quick to point out the drawbacks of existing eco-car technology. "Hybrids are only marginally less polluting than the most efficient combustion engines," he says. "Hydrogen power is expensive and impractical. Fuel cells are expensive and unproven and electric cars are reliant on expensive, unreliable battery technology."

Given the number of false green-auto dawns, you might wonder why air-powered cars should be any different. While Negre's air cars have similar carbon emissions to electric cars (it all depends how the electricity to power the pumps that fill their air tanks is generated), he argues that air-power is a superior technology. "Compared to electric cars, air-powered cars cost a fraction of the price to buy, they don't need expensive batteries to be replaced every five years or so and crucially they take only a fraction of the time to recharge."

Negre previously designed racing engines for Renault and has devoted the last 13 years to developing compressed air technology at his factory in Carros, outside Nice, in southern France. He believes air power has a real chance of putting a rocket up the $2tn-a-year global auto industry, radically improving the quality of urban life and making a serious dent in global carbon emissions in the process.

I confess I was so sceptical that I reserved judgment until I had driven one of his cars. On the day I visited the factory, most of the cars were at Schipol airport in Amsterdam, where from next month they are being trialled as replacements for the huge fleet of electric service vehicles operated by Air France KLM. So the version I drove was an early prototype, a three-wheeler with no bodywork, steered by a joystick.

OK, it didn't deliver the smoothly upholstered power so beloved by conventional car enthusiasts. And it possessed all the glamour of a souped-up lawnmower. But it worked, easily reaching speeds above 25mph in the limited space of the factory car park, which doubles as a test track.

In full-scale production, air-powered vehicles will range from three-wheeled buggies to a four-wheeled, five-door family saloon. Although the number of models on offer now is limited for cost reasons, they could eventually include vans, buses, taxis and boats.

The cars are made of fibreglass, which is lighter and 10 times stronger than steel, claims Negre. The compressed air is stored at high pressure in shatter-proof thermoplastic tanks surrounded by a carbon-fibre shell. (The same tanks used to contain the fuel in gas-powered buses.) The air is released through pistons in the engine, which drive the wheels. Unlike conventional internal combustion engines, air-powered engines run very cold and thick ice quickly forms on the engine. This means that the only feature that comes for free in the air car will be air-conditioning.

Each car has an onboard pump that can refill the tank overnight. But Negre has also developed a high-pressure air pump - imagine a heavy-duty version of the tyre pumps found on a garage forecourt - that can fill the tanks in less than a minute. These could be powered by clean electricity - hydro, wind or solar - making the air car completely pollution-free. Even if carbon-generated electricity is used, CO2 emissions are still only 10% of a petrol engine's, claims Negre.

That's great for urban driving where journeys are typically a few miles. For longer journeys there's a hybrid, battery-assisted version, which Negre claims can reach 100mph and travel 900 miles on one gallon of petrol.

Clearly the idea is being taken seriously by KLM. Independent energyexperts are also cautiously optimistic. "I've looked at this technology and it can work," says Ulf Bossel, a sustainable energy consultant and organiser of the European Fuel Cell Forum. "It looks good over 50km or so. I see no reason why this shouldn't be a successful form of urban transport in the near future."

But perhaps the most credible endorsement of air power comes from a £30m deal the makers recently signed with Indian car giant Tata to license the technology in Asia for use in the ultra-cheap Nano. Negre has also signed deals to manufacture the car in the US, Latin America, and several European countries, but none as yet in the UK. However, he says he is close to sealing an agreement that could see air cars on sale in the UK within three years. But if cars running on fresh air fulfil their promise, why stop there? With just a few alterations, Negre claims a hybrid version of his new engine could even be used to power aircraft.

Seafood anyone?

2009-06-07T17:01:00.006+08:00

I just got this from a friend. I look forward to watching it. But it has been something that I've realized for sometime now. My seafood consumption has been relatively low for some time now. But I'm a real sucker for my ikan bilis.

Wonder when it'll come to Malaysia? The movie I mean.... I can't seem to download it on my blogger yet. So, you'll just need to use the link for now. End of the Line

Old cotton nappies... what to do?

2009-06-07T11:41:00.004+08:00

Now that my little girl's potty trained, and no one seems to want her old nappies yet, and starring at them everyday from my bed everyday's not helping, I am wondering, what to do with them ar?

I had some ideas...

1) Donate them to some poorer families? Not sure they will appreciate it... If anyone knows anyone who might appreciate them, please let me know!

2) Make napkins?

3) Make little bags that I can use while shopping (for smaller items like chillies, etc) - the napkins are CLEAN. That's what detergents and washing machines are for.

More ideas anyone?

A colony of fruit flies and lots of headache...

2009-06-07T10:53:00.002+08:00

No, the headache's not from the fruit flies. I've been very ill since last Tuesday. And so was my daughter. So please do forgive me for not updating my blog. I'll keep it coming when I get better. Oh one more thing, Covert Operations `78 (Ee Lynn) is a dear friend of mine also from MNS. She's an equally if not more amazing greenie. She's very kindly offered to contribute to my blog. I'm so pleased. And if anyone would like to contribute too about how it's like being green here, please do. :)

Well, I noticed the most that came out of not stirring it for 2-3 days (my compost) was that I bred a large colony of fruit flies. Not sure if that's a good thing or bad. But so far, I don't see anything particularly bad. Good thing I don't have a rabbit anymore though. Coz I did read that fruit flies can cause plenty of harm to rabbits.

The new batch of compost seems to be holding up well. No flies, fairly dry. Nice. :) Not smelly either. That or my nose is just plainly blocked.

Larvae in my compost.. .ewww

2009-06-01T22:25:00.003+08:00

I've been busy the past 3 days. So I have not stirred my compost. And I noticed today that it was beginning to smell. Despite the cover, and baking soda.

Pushed myself and found a few minutes, and yuck, there were these cream colored larvae crawling all over inside. Fruit flies I think... Stirred it. See how it goes tomorrow if I can find time.

Compost smell control

2009-05-27T21:03:00.005+08:00

Steps towards smell control is in place. Seems to be working better but can definitely improve.

The older batch has been given daily supplements of shredded newspaper in addition to stirring. On top of the pile, I've also placed a plastic container with perforated top cover half filled with baking soda. I intend to use the baking soda on my clean up day for scrubbing the toilet.

This older batch still smells considerably. But it does seem to be reducing. Either that or my nose is acclimatizing. And the moisture is being absorbed by the paper. Perhaps I'm getting my ratio better. Mind you, because neither Hubbie nor I quite like the smells of the compost leacheate, I've opted for no holes at bottom of tub. Hence a very wet compost bin. This makes it more difficult to manage. But it also means we only have to deal with the smells when I stir. Not all day all night.

The newer batch is also given shredded newspaper. One whole sheet per little sieve container full of kitchen waste. And of course, the stirring.

*fingers-crossed*

Product Review: Earth Choice Laundry Liquid

2009-05-25T22:36:00.004+08:00

Price : RM12.50 per liter (at 1/3 cup - 80ml per 'heavy' load, it works out to RM1.25 per topload)

Claims : Post-consumer recycled PET packaging, No animal testing or ingredients, Low chemical formula, Australian owned and made, Phosphate free, Biodegradable, "Quality Products That Don't Cost the Earth"

Ingredients : Water, Alkyl polyglycosides, Potassium oleate, Sodium coco fatty alcohol sulfate, Sodium carbonate, Sodium citrate, Fragrance, Hydroxymethyl ureide derivatives, CI 61585

My thoughts:

Price & packaging

Okay, at RM12.50 per bottle of 1 liter, I thought it was on the ok priced side when I compared it to an equivalent that I would buy. It's nice to know the packaging's made from recycled materials. However, I find the

sticker's unnecessary. Text is clear and easy to read and understand. The ingredients also clearly listed. Gives fairly clear instructions on how much to use. Cap could've been made more 'measure' friendly. I had to use a baking cup to measure 1/3 cup. But then again, I think the next time, I could just follow my MiL's advise, 2 glug-glugs is fine.

I'll need to check on the ingredients. I've not had much reading on some of them and will make a more informed review based on that in the future.

Washing

My first load with this was a white load. I didn't add anything to the wash except the recommended dose. I specifically took a photo of my 2.5 yr old daughter's shirt after a long day out and about with stains from ice lollies, soup, little bits of grease from playground floors, and just general stains. Also noted some blood on one of my articles of clothing. I put it into my top loading machine, set it to soak 1 hour, and normal wash.

After years of using fragrance free/minimal products in my laundry, the scent of this came across to me as slightly overwhelming. That said, it's still a whole lot milder than common brands which I find choking.

My daughter's shirt came out clean. The yellow from the ice lollly came off ok. General stains came off ok too. Not super white. But it wasn't all that clean to begin with. To be super clean, I've got to scrub. But me not super mom. To see for yourself, see photo comparison. The blood came out generally but still stained. Not too happy about that though.

My cloth napkins didn't come out too clean. They usually come out a whole lot cleaner. Other stuff which didn't need too much cleaning came out ok. I didn't smell BO on the clothes or anything, but the fragrance probably did away with that.

Overall, so far I'm not wonderfully impressed. However, I AM comparing it to my normal detergent which does use enzymes which would work on all that I've mentioned. And this detergent does actually mention cleaning without the use of enzymes... (which I gathered is not that great for sensitive skins, like babies' bums for instance). But I really would prefer if they didn't add the fragrance. Kinda ironic since they also mentioned 'without the use of heavy fragrances'. Guess it depends on whose nose.

For the next wash though, I'm going to try adding baking soda and the next, hydrogen peroxide. See how it fares then. I'll update.

I don't normally care too much for visual cleanliness, if it doesn't harm me too much, it should be ok. Just wear darker clotheslah.

Environmentally Responsible Pet Ownership

2009-05-22T16:54:00.002+08:00

(From Guest Contributor Ee Lynn)

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP

Some environmentalists claim that the best way to be an environmentally-friendly pet owner is to have no pets at all, because pets consume so much water and food and generate so much more disposable packaging and waste that it will put a strain on the Planet. However, most people would agree that animals bring us joy and happiness and improve our physical and mental health. Here are ways to ensure that you and your beloved animal companion do your part for the environment:

1. Adopt only animals that have been selectively bred to live with humans and depend on humans for care and companionship, such as dogs, cats and rabbits. Do not support the wildlife trade by purchasing exotic animals such as sugar gliders, raccoons, green iguanas and Indian star tortoises.

2. Opt to adopt – Our animal shelters and pounds are full of animals in need of good homes. By adopting from shelters and pounds, you are not only preventing the needless killing of healthy animals, you are playing your part in reducing the numbers of unwanted animals that may end up abandoned. Animal breeders contribute to the problems of pet abandonment and stray overpopulation by bringing more animals into the world when there is already an existing shortage of natural resources and fresh water.

3. Spay or neuter your pet – Pet overpopulation creates social and environmental problems such as noise and faecal pollution. Hungry stray animals scavenge in landfills and waste bins, chase people in their search for food, and contract and transmit diseases. The easiest and best way to end the plight of stray animals is by ensuring that your pet is neutered before he or she has had the chance to reproduce. You will save yourself the agony of trying to find good homes for the offspring, and feeding and caring for more animals than you could afford to.

4. Clean up after your pet – Letting your pet eliminate waste in public areas is antisocial, and could lead to groundwater pollution. There are several eco-friendly ways of disposing of pet waste. Flushing it down the toilet will ensure that your pet’s waste ends up in the sewage treatment plant. Try getting a pet waste composter where available. These bins are buried halfway into the ground and then filled with pet waste. From time to time, digester powder and water or activated charcoal is added to help the pet waste break down safely. Burying pet waste in ornamental garden beds (not in your compost bin or vegetable patch!) is an acceptable way of dealing with pet waste. Just ensure that it is away from water sources (lakes, streams, wells, irrigation canals). Dig a hole between 6 inches and 1 foot deep, fill it with pet waste and cover it thoroughly with soil to prevent flies and other disease vectors from being attracted to it. It is advisable
to bury pet waste a little distance apart each time to allow time and space for decomposition. Putting too much pet waste together in a hole may result in the formation of leachate or may attract flies and rodents. You can bury pet waste together with newspaper scraps, biodegradable litter, garden waste, lawn trimmings, sand and/or vegetable waste.

5. Go organic – If you could afford it, make or buy organic food, treats and/or toys for your pets. Organic products are better for the environment because they are produced without chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides, and thus are less likely to pollute water, soil and air or disrupt the ecosystem. In addition, organic products are better for your beloved companion because they contain no artificial colouring, flavouring, phthalates, preservatives or animal by-products from diseased animals.

6. Reuse old items and repurpose them into pet toys – Who says your pet needs plastic knick-knacks to be happy? Cut old t-shirts up and braid or knot them into tug toys, or sew 2 pieces together and stuff them with t-shirt scraps to make cushions and rugs for your pampered furry one. Old shuttlecocks, tennis balls, wine bottle corks, cardboard toilet roll tubes and small (but secure!) containers make great cat toys. Unwanted cardboard boxes of all sizes make great hideaways and cubby holes for cats, puppies and other small animal companions.

7. Use natural cleaning products – Your pet’s nose and paws may be more sensitive than the average human's nose or hands, so make sure you do your pet and the environment a favour by using only natural cleaning agents. Fruit or veggie waste enzyme can remove dirt, and lemon juice helps to deodorise ‘accident’ spots and deter pets from using the same spot as a toilet again. Lemon and orange peel work well as a chemical-free deterrent to stop your cat from climbing up the kitchen counter or scratching the furniture. A drop of multipurpose organic/biodegradable cleaning solution in a pail of water is good enough for cleaning the floor, gutters and kennels/cages. Choose biodegradable soaps and shampoos with natural ingredients.

8. A Friend Is For Life – A companion animal is a long term commitment, and he or she will depend on you for food, shelter, medical care and companionship for his or her entire life, so never treat your pet as a fad or an accessory. We depend on them for love, security and companionship – at the very least, we owe them a better life.

How Much CO2 Do Internet Searches Generate?

2009-05-22T16:45:00.002+08:00

(By Guest Contributor Ee Lynn)

HOW MUCH CO2 DO INTERNET SEARCHES GENERATE?

Many of you would have heard a public service announcement on radio claiming that “performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle of water” or about 7 grams of CO2 per second.

IS THIS TRUE?

We are happy to report, upon researching online, that the above does not refer to a one-hit Google search taking less than a second to complete, which Google says produces only about 0.2g of CO2.

It is only when a Google or other Internet search engine search takes several attempts to find the object being sought, and which may last for several minutes, that the CO2 emission rises. Various experts put forward carbon emission estimates for such a search of 1g-10g depending on the time involved and the equipment used.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CLICK ‘SEARCH’

“Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great deal of power,” said Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist whose research on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon. “A Google search has a definite environmental impact.”

A recent report by Gartner, the industry analysts, said the global IT industry generated as much greenhouse gas as the world’s airlines - about 2% of global CO2 emissions. “Data centres are among the most energy-intensive facilities imaginable,” said Evan Mills, a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. Banks of servers storing billions of web pages require power.

Though Google says it is in the forefront of green computing, its search engine generates high levels of CO2 because of the way it operates. When you type in a Google search for, say, “energy saving tips”, your request doesn’t go to just one server. It goes to several competing against each other.

It may even be sent to servers thousands of miles apart. Google’s infrastructure sends you data from whichever produces the answer fastest. The system minimises delays but raises energy consumption. Google has servers in the US, Europe, Japan and China.

CO2 EMISSIONS CAUSED BY INTERNET USE

Researchers have also calculated the CO2 emissions caused by individual use of the internet. Alex Wissner-Gross’ research indicates that viewing a simple web page generates about 0.02g of CO2 per second. This rises tenfold to about 0.2g of CO2 a second when viewing a website with complex images, animations or videos.

A separate estimate from John Buckley, managing director of carbonfootprint.com, a British environmental consultancy, puts the CO2 emissions of a Google search at between 1g and 10g, depending on whether you have to start your PC or not. Simply running a PC generates between 40g and 80g per hour, he says. Chris Goodall, author of “Ten Technologies to Save the Planet”, estimates the carbon emissions of a Google search at 7g to 10g (assuming 15 minutes’ computer use).

Nicholas Carr, author of “The Big Switch, Rewiring the World”, has calculated that maintaining a character (known as an avatar) in the ‘Second Life’ virtual reality game, requires 1,752 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

Though energy consumption by computers is growing - and the rate of growth is increasing - Newcombe argues that what matters most is the type of usage.

If your internet use is in place of more energy-intensive activities, such as driving your car to the shops, that’s good. But if it is adding activities and energy consumption that would not otherwise happen, that may pose problems.

GREEN LIVING RECOMMENDS:

1. Limit the amount of time you spend surfing the Internet and viewing unnecessary websites such as entertainment websites or playing online games.

2. Do not generate, forward or transmit spam. Use a spam filter to reduce the amount of time you spend online deleting unwanted mail. BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) the names and e-mail addresses of your e-mail recipients to reduce the chances of their names being ‘harvested’ from your e-mails by spammers.

3. Use the Internet as a substitute for activities that would otherwise use more fuel, energy and resources, such as paying your bills at a bank, going shopping, purchasing newspapers and magazines or sending snail-mail.

4. Do not conduct unnecessary Google searches, such as looking up your own name or your friends’ names!

5. If you have a blog, social networking page or Facebook page, reduce the number of applications and animations you have. Keep it basic. If it’s taking too much time to load your page, chances are, it’s using up more energy and releasing more CO2 than it should.

(Source: Extracted and compiled from http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5489134.ece)

Product Reviews: The beginnings

2009-05-22T14:05:00.005+08:00

I just realized something. One of the reasons I started out not using commercial organic cleaners are either because they are too inaccessible or too expensive. So I found cheaper, more basic alternatives.

However, I do respect that people are different. We do things differently and we think differently. And if there are alternatives to my alternatives, it's totally cool. We're all aiming towards a similar goal.

And today, while browsing at a local grocery store, I found some new 'green products'. Normally, I'd give these a good look, put them back and walk away. Neither positive nor negative about it. Just so. But as I thought harder, as I've mentioned, when I started looking aeons ago, these things are almost impossible to find or too expensive.

But I'm seeing slightly more affordable (read - affordable, not necessarily cheap... yet) and accessable stuff now. It's nice to know these things are available here in KL. If it helps people decide to choose greener products over their regular products, I think this will be worth it.

It's time to share.

'Green' stuff reviews to come:

Greenworks Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Clorox, USA) RM17.95/709ml

Earth Choice Laundry Liquid (Natures Organics, Australia) RM12.50/liter

Organic Tea Light Candles (Gewax Trading, Malaysia) RM2.20/10pcs

Carbon Calculator Review - carbonfootprint

2009-05-22T00:28:00.008+08:00

www.carbonfootprint.com

The very first carbon calculator I used. Also the first one on Google's list. Well, here it is. My first review. It'll need working on. But let's start somewhere.

My foot print is 8.68.

Country average is 7.00 tonnes.

Average worldwide footprint is 4.00 tonnes.

The worldwide targe to combat climate change is 2 tonnes.

Wow.

Pros:

1) It's got a 'save' function. Which will technically enable you to monitor your footprint.

2) Car selection range is quite extensive. I found my little Kelisa in it. Which is a relief.

3) Has a wide selection of 'other' fuel that maybe people other than me use. Like for boats, barbeque (coal), things like that.

4) Public transport selections are good too. Regular buses, long distance buses (coach), national rail, international rail, tram (not quite for us, but no harm I suppose), tube and even taxis. I like the taxis one.

5) Incorporates daily lifestyle choices like food, recreation and things like that into the calculator.

6) You can add it to your own website.

Cons:

1) Has selections like use of wooden pellets (for heating?), that don't apply to us. But then again, if you use it, it doesn't contribute to your carbon calculations. Can actually think of that as an upside.

2) Flight carbon calculator only has capacity for up to 5 flight itineries. Definitely not for frequent flyers. Then again, I think frequent flyers don't even dare to come close to the calculator.

3) Doesn't mention too much about waste. It's incorporated into the lifestyle (secondary) option.

4) Incorporates daily lifestyle choices into the calculator, which I find is very vague and can really really bump up your footprint size.

Pasar Malams

2009-05-21T23:43:00.004+08:00

I went to the pasar malam this evening. It's actually been a while since I've been. But really, things have not changed much. Or has it?

It's one I've not been to before, but generally stalls, people are pretty much the same.

But one thing that's definitely caught up with the times. The use of styrofoam and plastics.

People sitting at the makeshift tables slurping up their bowls of beef soup. Well meaning stall keepers offering you bag after bag of plastic so your cloth bag doesn't get wet - ???

Styro plastic gado gado anyone? By the way, I did have one of that. Aside from the damage I've done to ME (Ma Earth), I've also done myself damage, the sauce tasted burnt and I've got some nasty heartburn from it. Serves me right.

On the upside, I loved the warm tempe wrapped in banana leaf held tight with a little lidi stick. Loved that the vegetables I bought didn't have those plastic stickers holding them together which pulls off the vegetables as well when you pull the sticker off. Loved that I wasn't forced into bringing home unnecessary packaging that most supermarkets and hypermarts use on their fruit and vegetables. Loved that the vegetables are fresh. They have to be. They don't have the ill fate of having to sit in an air conditioned environment to preserve them while travelling long distances and negotiations and packaging.

Just back to good ol' shopping. I'm lucky.

Carbon Calculator Reviews - The beginning

2009-05-19T22:21:00.005+08:00

Recently Hubbie received an interesting phone call which made me sit up and realized that despite all my perceived efforts in reducing our impacts, I wasn't making it measurable. I felt I fell into the category of people who claimed they were concerned but were not making calculated measurements in documenting my carbon footprint. So how would I know if I'm making POSITIVE impacts?

Well, I immediately went online, clicked the first website to have a calculator. And was appalled at the size of my foot!.... print.

However, analysing it further, I really couldn't be sure. And I'm still not sure. I was told it's just an indication, and I'm sure it is. To help us vaguely identify things we could do to reduce our carbon footprint. And I agree.

But I also think it would be far better if we had a calculator that's more appropriate for us, in the Malaysian context. For the first one I did, was for people based in the US. And most of the others I found later were also for people in the US and Europe. And sometimes the calculators don't even work if you don't put in an American state. Hmph. I also don't use heating. In this heat, I think I'll roast.

Anyway, I've decided to just try them out. One by one. With set parameters and test them out to see their variations and what I think of them.

Here are my parameters based on the few that I've done so far. Will modify in terms of measurements as needed.

Electricity usage:

60kWh per month per person

180kWh per month in our household of three persons

Cooking gas:

14kg ESSO tank for half year

8.9kWh per month per person

Based on calculations of 11.94 kWh per kg

Waste:

2 kg per week for a household of three persons

Transportation:

Flight:

1 long haul approx. 10550km/way per year

2 short haul approx 300km/way per year

6 train rides approx 50km each per year

Vehicle:

1 1000cc petrol car

YOM : March 2003

Current fuel consumption: 17.75km/liter

Approx mileage per month: 1200km

For 2 adults

Wish me luck!

I desire... I don't... sigh...

2009-05-19T09:07:00.004+08:00

All this experimenting so far has brought me to this very tempting looking contraption on the right. It's known as the NatureMill Indoor Composting Bin by TreeHugger.

Oooh, you had no idea how tempting it looks and sounds. Takes up minimal space. No odor. No work. Almost all foods, including bones etc. Compost ready in a neat little tray in 2 weeks.

Price tag: USD299-USD399 excluding shipping of USD85 (or something like that...). And on top of that, it uses 5kWh. *egads*

I bet a lot of people like me, get so so tempted with machines like this. It takes the work out of composting for time strapped or lazy people like me.

(Ok, redemption time, I'm not THAT lazy. I've tried different methods of composting but none satisfactory so far. And I live in an apartment. I cook an average of twice a day producing fair amount of kitchen waste. So, you can imagine the number of 'composting bins' I have at home at the moment.)

There are pros and cons. I'll discuss them later when I've had some fuel...

Man on bicycle

2009-05-19T08:56:00.004+08:00

Yesterday while out with hubbie, we saw a man on a bicycle. I'm not saying we don't see this often, but this man was decked in a helmet, his bicycle has panniers, he's dressed very smartly and yet comfortably. He looks very comfortable on his bike. And he rides with respect for the traffic. Giving signals when moving in and out of lanes.

Just like I do! ;)

It's very encouraging to see.

It makes me feel good about myself too. Heee heee.

I'll write about my bicycle and cycling too soon. Maybe also put up a photo of my darling bicycle when I get a replacement camera.

Ant control

2009-05-18T22:42:00.004+08:00

Just wanted to make a note of something I did over the past couple of weeks during 'ant season' in my apartment. We have this 'season' a few times a year. I really need to scientifically record this. But anyway.

Now normally I don't care if they're outside and they don't bite me or my loved ones. But when they come in to my home, have illegal gatherings, fumigate my drinks with formic acid, and *egads!* bite, then I gotta do something.

Long before, I had resorted to all kinds of commercial pest control. Yep, I've done that. Not ashamed to admit it. I just look forward towards healthier alternatives, for the sake of the planet and my loved ones.

Okay, enough history.

I decided I wanted to try using almost nothing this time. Last season, and the few before, I used Diatomaceous Earth. It was non-toxic and effective. No problems with that.

This time, all I did was just sweep the floor first thing morning. And last thing at night. And when they got really scary - basically having illegal gatherings under stools or cupboard crevices, I just sprayed them with some soap water (a drop of LOC in a spray bottle full of just plain tap water).

Seems to work.

The sweeping seems to disorient them.

The soap water drowns them. If you were awake in Science classes during school, you'd remember that insects breathe with holes all over their body. And when in water, the water particles can't enter coz it's too big or something like that (I must have started to doze off around there). That's why they float and stay alive. Roaches don't get flushed down no matter how many times you try because of this same reason. Anyway, the soap water breaks the water tension and sort of just drowns them with almost a drop. Like I said, works on ants and roaches. Tested.

Smelly compost

2009-05-18T22:22:00.004+08:00

Bleh...

It's hard to do composting in an apartment.

I've got a tub of 'garbage enzyme' compost in my drying area. That stank. I also don't like that it creates methane and ground level ozone. So, I won't be doing that anymore.

Now back to old composting in a tub. This time without any drain holes (last time I did that, it stank all day all night, not only when I stirred it). But now with a whole lot more effort. Pouring out excess liquid every day. Stirring at least once a day if not twice. Still stinko. Sigh... Well, the first tub anyway. The second tub hasn't got a chance to start yet.

Still experimenting...

On the upside, our trips to the garbage bin has reduced to an average of only 1 a week. And only one relatively small bag - smaller than your normal plastic bag obtained from a super market. The medium sized one. Not one of those super large ones. This keeping in mind, we're a SOHO. And I usually cook twice a day.

Towards ZERO waste and beyond!

...

2009-05-17T20:29:00.001+08:00

The most difficult people to convince are the ones who matters most to you.

Refuse Refuse Refuse

2009-05-17T00:36:00.001+08:00

The first thing at all times before even considering the typical 3Rs is "REFUSE". I think far too many people don't realize that. Especially when it's not your doing.

I've been rejecting napkins at restaurants rather consistently these days now. And this evening, Hubbie brought me to a nice place. A few years before, I would've been a whole lot shier and less likely to assert myself. But me happy. This evening I told them to take the specially printed place mats and the napkins away. The waiter was taken back a little. For the napkin, he thought I just wanted another one. I had to explain to him, no, I don't want the napkin. Period.

My pasta came wrapped in baking paper. :(