To Prius or Not To Prius? Let’s Define “Hybrid”

post time August, 17 2008 member RHewitt

Hello, Friends

   Terminology can be one of the most useful, or destructive, tools we have at our disposal in the continuing effort to “Green Up” and sustain the health of our global home.  “Hybrid”, “Bio-Fuels”, “Carbon Footprint”, “Alternative Energy”, “Sustainable Business”—geesh!!  Although one should concede the necessity of useful and accepted words and phrases in the interest of  human interaction and communication,  the current crop of catch-phrases relating to our Green Wave of ecological and environmental  improvement can be somewhat overwhelming and confusing.

   “Dude–It’s Got a Hemi!”  -A weed-whacker could have a hemispherically shaped cylinder head.

   “Our Bread is Baked Daily!” -Maybe,  but on what day was this loaf baked?

   “Our Fishing Boat is Hybrid!”  -Powered by Gasoline or Paddles.

   You get the point.  In a world where slick, less than forth-right advertising seems to be the norm, we should remember the  timeless phrase “Let The Buyer Beware“.   Take your time and put some thought into how you can do your part to “Go Green”.  Recently, a new term has been making the rounds in the green blog circles.   Greenwashing  is the hip new word being tossed around, describing the efforts on the part of unscrupulous “sustainable businesses” and numerous other factions to paint a green facade on their products and services.  “Our gizmo is greener than their widget, so buy from us!”  It’s becoming more and more confusing and frustrating to determine what the right choice should be to maintain our goals for a healthy planet.

   We actually are not offering any answers - just some random observations regarding the global dialogue and its potential for abuse.

   Drive a Prius, or any other alternative means of transportation?  Sure, just don’t call that good enough!  We have a long road ahead of us on the way to global sustainability.  Let’s not let all of the other issues such as pollution, deforestation, soils control, waste management, etc., get left by the wayside!  Look inside yourself, into your heart, and make the best decisions but our beloved TerraMadre! 

  

    

  

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Now, Here’s Something New and Different!!

post time August, 8 2008 member RHewitt

My Friends,

   The last episode of our communication involved some existential ramblings revolving around the question of “In What Order Should We Chase The Methods of Healing of Our Beloved Planet, and Why Should The “Elite” Have The Say?”  Well, they don’t.  Oh, yes, they broadcast their alleged intelligence and doctoral effite arrogance as efficiently as the “Manure-Spreader” my grandfather employed  to fertilize our small wheat and mint farm.  The main problem they face is folks like you and me that peer right through their extremely thin B.S.  ‘Tis folks like us that actually do the work and get the cause out there who really make the difference! 

   Something new and different will be very refreshing, indeed!  How about just Thinking for Yourself?!?!  You all know in your hearts the things that you can (and should) do to help out!  You don’t need to listen to the false prophets who claim to be at the crest of the “Movement”.  All you should do is what your heart tells you to.  I don’t have a lot of time tonight, so please just look at your friends and at yourselves to decide what’s the right thing to do for our beloved “MOTHER EARTH”.

   Green Is Not A Neutral COLOR!!   “Do Just a Little–Become Part of Something HUGE!”      

Category Hydrogen Fuel CellTechnologyell | 0 Comments »

Atmosphere, Oceans and Forests-Oh My!

post time August, 7 2008 member RHewitt

I sometimes find disheartening the manner in which we collectively decide what is going to be the “hip” topic of the moment when it comes to the health of our planet.  Rainforest destruction, ocean pollution, green-house gas emissions, global warming–what will be the next “crisis du jour”?  I realize that my choice of phraseology might seem a tad humorless and droll, but come on, folks, just why is it that global warming is suddenly the impending death-knell for our galactic speck, when for decades we have moved from polluted lakes,streams, and rivers, thus our oceans, to the MacDonald’s beef cows taking over the globes’ rain-forests, to tuna fishermen

annihilating the Dolphin population, to melting polar caps, to who knows what next?  

   The point I’m trying to make is simply this–it’s in all of our best interests to keep a collective eye on ALL of the pain and destruction we inflict on our beloved “Mother Earth“!  Why just consider “carbon footprints” when we all know in our hearts that ANY footprints left by humans, be they in the forests, lakes, oceans, atmosphere, even on the MOON!, are millions of little injuries, scars, the Earth must continually heal.  Let’s help Her out with a few bandages in the form of–recycling, hydrogen-fuel cell energy for our vehicles in motion–cars, trucks, ships, trains, even air travel (check out Worldwide Aeros Corp. at www.aerosml.com),  and while we’re at it, why not a truly valid commitment to alternative energy for all of our living and working needs?  Let’s give the folks who are at the cutting edge of development of solar electric and wind powered electrical supplies some real aid!  Let’s get with the program and start SUPPORTING these new technologies.  Lotsa talk and no action doesn’t accomplish anything!

   Leave a note.  Let’s discuss some ways to get this movement rolling!!       Your Friend, Rick Hewitt

“Do just a little–Be part of something HUGE!”    GREEN IS NOT A NEUTRAL COLOR!

    

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A Wonderful Family (Green, Sustainable, Left, Right, Commies, Rednecks, Whatever–It’s Still Awesome!)

post time August, 5 2008 member RHewitt

Today I want to share some disconnected and yet viable thoughts (emotions) regarding my family and their incredibly disperse and yet tenable theories regarding our present global situation.  This shouldn’t take too long.

   The word “Dysfunctional” should have a photograph of our family anywhere one might look it up.  A person might think that the resulting siblings might require all the emotional and social aid that our neighbors could muster.  NOPE!  I’ve been blessed with an incredible variety of brothers and sisters who have over the years developed an amazing array of feelings and social mores that only a man of my strength could ever hope to decipher.  I have also been blessed with a new life involving my new-found family of six brothers and four sisters, all steered at the command wheel by an awesome Matriarch, Eveline, who is the absolute pillar of decency and steadfast logic and compassion.

   Yes, I’m kinda wandering off of the path that you all have joined me on, but sometimes a fella just needs to VENT!  I’m fifty-seven years old, have two wonderful sons, a plethora of nieces and nephews, a terrific Grand-son and two dangerous grand-nieces (we all hope they will survive in life as we all did by the grace of God–Read -pure luck).  Oh, and guess what!!  My incredible wife Maryann is the absolute foundation of my life!  If only you all could know just how much she informs (loves) me, and corrects (loves) me, and educates (loves) me,  we would ALL move on in our lives in peace and happiness.  Thanks for your patience-.

   Oh, by the way, we all STILL NEED TO SAVE OUR PLANET!!  “Do just a little–Be Part Of Something Huge!”

         GREEN IS NOT A NEUTRAL COLOR!!                Your Friend, Rick Hewitt

P.S.  Are There rules written in stone regarding blog content and text?  Let’s find out!!

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Our offspring will clean up, green up our global environmental mess!

post time August, 2 2008 member RHewitt

Some thoughts regarding the future of our fragile planet–

    During  my adolescent years, those people most important to me- my family, close friends, team-mates, fellow students- all seemed to be of the same mindset when it came to our environmental surroundings and waste management.  “Nothing to concern ourselves about–the Earth has always been and always will be our supplier of all of our needs and eliminator of all of our left-overs.”  As I matured and had a look around our country and the rest of the planet, I was assured that it didn’t seem to matter what we did to the Earth, her mountains, rivers, oceans, forests.  “Pollution?  No problem-it’ll just go away after awhile.  De-forestation?  Nothing to worry about-it always grows back, doesn’t it?  Ozone issues? Just let the wind blow-it’ll be alright pretty soon.”

   My oh my how things change (thankfully).  I believe that as our civilization progresses, grows more attuned to the “big picture” of just how our global environment works, interacts and regenerates, and enlightens itself to the needs of our “Mother Earth”, we really DO have a chance, an opportunity, to save ourselves from the miseries we have collectively inflicted on our ecology, our environment, our planetary home.

   Thanks to the wonderful new abilities we are blessed with, we have capabilities in the areas of knowledge-sharing, communication, plain old B.S.!, abilities that are seemingly limitless!  Let us use these tools to right our global vessel, and set a new course that will provide our future generations a solid, healthy, “Green”  port of embarcation from which to explore, expand, and enjoy all that there is out there!

  By the way, the title in no way reflects our feelings or desires for the future.  Sustainability, re-forestation, greenhouse gas reduction, global conservancy, the entire stewardship of our Mother Earth depends on US!, not our children.  Let’s get on with it!  “DO A LITTLE–BE PART OF SOMETHING HUGE!”

         GREEN IS NOT A NEUTRAL COLOR!

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Make EarthDay Meaningful!

post time April, 19 2008 member RHewitt

     To most of us it’s becoming more and more clear that “going Green” is not only simple and non-intrusive, it is almost ALWAYS financially beneficial!  That’s right–by using just a little common sense and general awareness, we can improve our “monetary challenge factor” with tangible savings in virtually ALL areas of our spending habits!

     Many things that we can do are almost painfully obvious, such as switching over to energy efficient light bulbs, better mileage cars, reuseable shopping bags, bicycling instead of driving, etc.  When you think about these easily attainable goals, your mind might start to crank out all sorts of other ideas that suit your own personal life.  These might include garbage-to-garden mulching, organic fertilizing of your patch of our planet, things as simple as keeping lawnmowers well tuned with a SHARP blade, hand-tilling your garden soil, even building a natural landscape that requires almost no environmentally adverse upkeep or harmful chemicals! 

     Think of all the things one can do with an empty bottle!  Rather than throwing it away, recycle it in your own way–maybe it will become a vase, a decorative nick-knack filled with layers of colorful seeds, beans, flower petals, etc.!  Maybe gather several different shapes and colors to use as garden ornaments.  Endless possibilities. 

     Old socks, tee shirts, etc. make great rags.  Aluminum cans and most other recyclable items have become quite VALUABLE to the local commercial recyclers.  I collect all of our things for several months and take them in for some serious CASH! 

     On a somewhat larger scale, it’s ecologically friendly to own an older home rather than moving into a new one that is brand new.  Recycling your older home and improving the “green” qualities of it eliminates the material and energy consumption necessary to build a new home.  This also relates to automobiles–drive and take care of a good old, comfortable, well-tuned vehicle, preferably one that can use bio-diesel fuels.  Sure, our current crop of hybrids are greatly helping reduce emissions, but it necessarily takes a lot of natural resources to actually build, transport, and market them.  Just a little something to consider.

     With EarthDay here once again it’s time to ponder every possibility potentially helpful in moving this wonderful GREEN WAVE forward.  Folks, I’m not one to get all excited and panicky when it comes to giving our environmental problems some thought.  Sometimes it pays to take a minute to sort things out, chat with your friends sharing ideas, and do a little to help our Mother Earth.

     Trying to do it all isn’t really healthy for you or the planet.  What is actually the MOST important thing is that you and your friends do SOMETHING.  If we all give just a bit back to her, she’ll heal up just fine and be here for our kids and future generations!

     GREEN IS NOT A NEUTRAL COLOR!

    

    

Category Earthday, Environment, energy, green, recycling | 0 Comments »

Thanks for your response!

post time April, 8 2008 member RHewitt

We here at The TerraMadre Foundation have been kind of over-whelmed at the incredible amount of interest shown in our web-site and contact page, and occasionally on our blog.  Thank you very much!!!  Please keep the interest flowing and expanding!!   Today a lot of interest was shown in how this planet will move forward in a healthy manner and still be able to accommodate and support us “Humans”.  Well, we have been spreading the word throughout the “Blogosphere” to contact as many areas of concern regarding our global problems as we can.  By the way, please don’t stifle yourselves when it comes to subjects for discussion!  We are all about the ENTIRE health of our little piece of galaxial matter.  ALL eco-friendly, environmentally helpful topics are welcome and freely discussed.

   Here’s a question–What would happen if we, as blatantly arrogant, greedy and selfish inhabitants of this naturally benevolent planet simply “Use UP” all of the resources that we have been supplied with and, quite rightfully, die off?  The obvious answer is, “Mother Earth” would take her own sweet time and heal herself.  Those of you who may not think she could rebound after our collective “rape” will hopefully come to realize that she was here eons before we showed up.  You bet we need to do all we can to right the wrongs that we inflict!  Please help us do just that.  Check out our website, www.theterramadre.org, and please share your thoughts with us and all of your friends.  Thanks for your wonderful interest!!!      Rick Hewitt

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Environmental Stewardship

post time April, 5 2008 member RHewitt

I’ve received some static regarding the inclusion of our global warming concerns in our overall commitments to the repair and renewal of our planets resources.  So be it–on occasion some folks who may or may not regard themselves highly educated in the technical areas of chemical alteration of our atmosphere might challenge the current thinking among those of us who actually care about the future health of our surroundings.  That’s o.k.  At least there is a very cacophonous cascade of dialog on the subject!

   What we are about is the TOTALITY of commitment to ALL AREAS of ecological and environmental sustainability.  This project is a very involved and sometimes frustrating challenge.  We are determined to provide all of our resources to the benefit of all organizations that prove they are not only similarly inclined and commited, but also show a history of genuine eco-friendliness that will leave less of an impact on our beloved “Mother Earth”.

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About The TerraMadre Foundation

post time February, 26 2008 member RHewitt

Who are we and what can we do?  The question is often asked.  The answer is both simple and refreshing.  We are people like you who have deep-seated concerns regarding the future of our fragile planet.  Global warming, renewable resources, eco-friendly corporate projects, hybrid automobiles, sustainable energy alternatives–all convenient catch phrases.  What we do is go to the forefront to initiate actual progress in the areas of ALL groups, companies, governing bodies, entrepreneurs, and educational institutions. 

We are not limited by politics, tax concerns, heavy-handed oppression, nay-sayers, or any other form of interference.  We, therefore, have the ability to actually HELP OUR PLANET!  With your donation (it doesn’t require your entire paycheck) we can provide the necessary funding to enable all of the players in the Green Movement to get a head start on the way to saving our fragile “Mother Earth”.  Please help soon.  We are running out of time.  Please go to www.theterramadre.org to learn more about our Foundation and how you can help us stop the damage we cause and start down a new green path to heal our beloved planet.

Category Environment, green | 2 Kommentare »