Naturally Earth Friendly

A pioneer in the industry since 1973, Chicago based ShoreBank focused on economically helping those communities that other banks avoided – whether based on race or income, they were discriminated against. ShoreBank found a niche in helping to revitalize forgotten communities, becoming profitable after only 2 years in operation. In 2000, they realized the world was not as they hoped it would be. Instead of accepting this ShoreBank decided to expand their focus to help environmental issues. They realized that these communities could not fully achieve economic prosperity without simultaneously building strong sustainable communities.

Mission: ShoreBank invests in people and their communities to create economic equity and a healthy environment.

Specifically the ShoreBank Pacific, a partnership between ShoreBank Corporation and EcoTrust, was the first commercial bank to support environmentally sustainable development in our nation. Not only are they contributing jobs to their local communities, the science staff will help their business customers identify sustainable business practices while often helping that client redirect more resources to continue and grow their business.

Dedicated to preserving our communities and environment, ShoreBank has announced they will be making a $25 donation to Green For All for each person who funds a ShoreBank Direct Online High Yield Savings Account through the end of November.

“That’s why we are pleased to work with businesses like ShoreBank who stand up for people and the planet. They will be key partners in the work ahead.” - Green For All

Bottom line: ShoreBank has a compelling mission, is socially responsible, and is environmentally friendly. These are things one would not normally associate with a bank. But that’s just our point. ShoreBank is unlike every other bank out there. With a 35 year history, its’ mission-based and morally conscious ways of being have helped it stand out above the rest. ShoreBank will continue to be a forward thinker in helping to rebuild the planet sustainably and economically.

* Special thanks to Tracy for informing Naturally Earth Friendly about this amazing opportunity to bank with those that believe in protecting our nation’s underserved urban communities while protecting our environment.

Created near the Earth’s surface by the decay of organic matter, such as in the landfills, methane is then carried into the atmosphere by the rising air in the tropics. A relatively potent greenhouse gas, methane has a high global warming potential 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. Recent data shows that after a slowing down of methane build up over the last ten years it may be back on the rise.

The Earth’s methane concentration has increased by about 150% since 1750, and it accounts for 20% of the total radioactive forcing from all of the long-lived and globally mixed greenhouse gases. - Wikipedia

One of the possible reasons for this is the large amounts of methane being released from the ocean floor. This in turn has been suggested to having an effect on the rapid global warming of our planet. Then as a vicious cycle, the added methane in the atmosphere heats up the Earth and results in more methane being released because of the added pressure.

A recently discovered increase in the release of methane from the melting permafrost is also concerning scientists. Measurements are showing a five times greater release than what was estimated earlier in Siberia. Because of this area heating up faster than other places on Earth, the melting permafrost will have an additional affect on global warming. Ice reflects the sun’s rays and heat, while the ocean water soaks it up. The less ice we have, the more the planet heats up. This can cause more releases of methane gas.

If this keeps up, we’re sure to see an increase in powerful hurricanes, severe heat, floods, and more. To start at home, click here for the StopGlobalWarming.org Action Items list.

Until now, it has been internationally believed that the United States ranks number one, worldwide, as the country with the highest greenhouse gas emissions. However, a new report, to be published by the Journal of Environment Economics and Management next month, claims that China has already overtaken the United States as the world’s “biggest poll

read more | digg story

I don’t know about you, but it feels like the days are hotter than I remember as a kid. I live in Orange County, California and this year’s weather seemed off. Winter is never that cold, I mean it is Southern California, but it was warmer than I expected, April didn’t have the typical showers and June gloom was in July. Plus it feels about 5 degrees warmer these days compared to a few years ago.

So it’s getting hotter. Now what?

One thing is that the more hot days we get, the more smog. If you live in big cities or suburban areas, you know how unpleasant smog can be. It’s not pretty to look at and it certainly isn’t the best to breathe in. You see, smog is created when sunlight, heat and stagnant air meet with nitrogen oxides and various VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. It sounds more complicated than it is.

Basically the more smog, the harder it is to breathe. It can cause inflammation, irritation, shortness of breath, coughing, I can go on and on. That’s just for those of us in basically decent health.

What about those with asthma?

Growing up with childhood asthma made it difficult to play with my friends, being out of breath just for running down the street was uncomfortable. I was lucky to grow out of my asthma. But what about the kids today?

They say that the number of people with asthma has more than doubled in the past 25 years, the rates in children are the soaring leaders. So what are we going to do to stop this trend? Even just a couple small changes can add up to make a big difference in our efforts to stop global warming. Click here for 3 ideas from FightGlobalWarming.com.

FightGlobalWarming.com is letting us vote for our favorite ad. Watch the ads below and vote for your favorite. Personally I liked the tick, tick, tick one. That is until I saw the man move out of the train’s way. Wow, that made me skip a breath.

Click here to vote for your favorite.

Tick

Train

We Can Solve the Climate Crisis wants 50,000 people to watch this ad in the next 72 hours.

$427 million. That’s what the oil and coal industries spent during the first half of 2008 on lobbying and advertising. They’re protecting their interests – and hurting ours.

This ad is running on TV right now, but we need millions more to see it. The special interests will outspend us, but we can compete head-to-head with them when we find ways to share these messages for free.

We want 50,000 people to watch this ad in the next 72 hours.

Will you help?

Forward this to your friends.

I’ve never been attracted to Digg.com, I understand what it is and like what I’ve seen, but never enough to just sit around reading articles like my husband. That is until now, I’ve fallen in love with their Environment section.

That’s exactly where I read an interesting article by Cyrus Farivar. In it he talks about the use of multifuel cars, where you can fill up on one or both fuels. It doesn’t matter what the ratio is, the car will adjust it’s systems and make it work. Who knows where gas prices are going to be next year, why aren’t these being offered here? Detroit are you listening?

Right now it’s being made in Brazil (Betim Plant), Argentina (Ferreyra), Turkey (Bursa), Poland (Tychy), India (Pune), South Africa (Rosslyn), China (Yuelin) and Vietnam and also built under licence in Nampo, North Korea, as the Pyeonghwa Hwiparam.

From 2004 to 2007, sales more than doubled just in Brazil. What’s taking Detroit so long? Why aren’t they here? I think Toyota did a good job making the American car manufacturer’s realize there is a market for those of us who want something eco-friendly with the Prius.

Take a look at what we’re missing out on. Like I already mentioned, the Brazil FIAT Siena is available with 1.0 and 1.4 Fire engines and 1.8 engine. All the engines are flexfuel (Brazilian gasoline and Ethanol) and one 1.4 Fire is tetrafuel (Nafta, Brasilian gasoline, Ethanol and Natural Gas for cars). It’s the fourth generation, and looks like a keeper. I wonder how long until something like this is offered here in the states, hopefully not too long.

To read the entire article by Cyrus Farivar, click here.