400 ppm, What Happens Now?

Posted on May 21, 2013 by avatar

Almost All The Truth - What Happens After 400ppm?

We just reached what is likely the most important milestone in our climate‘s history, at least as observed through the lens of humankind. What does that convoluted sentence mean? We’ve reached 400ppm concentrations of carbon dioxide. The highest in millions of years.

I’ll let that sink in a moment.

400ppm. This is the number experts have long thought was the point of no return. This is the number that still may be, although some are considering 450ppm to be the new “worst case scenario.” I am not sure raising the bar in this instance is a good thing when we have a lot more data supporting a number which sparked a fantastic organization that stands for environmental activism: 350.org.

So I am thinking we have a few choices here.

Give up. Throw our hands into the air, declare the war won, and wait for the inevitable.

Hole up and listen to Free Bird on repeat. 

Recognize that while the earth may remain, our actions will make sure that our species, along with so many more, will not – stand up and do something!

And I think that includes listening to some of the amazing voices of our time. I was inspired by listening to the Dalai Lama and David Suzuki when they joined our governor and the executive director of Oregon Environmental Council at Portland’s Environmental Summit to discuss what our future can and should look like as our actions change the world for the worse and the better. There are great people who believe we have not passed the point of no return.

Individual actions matter.

Family actions matter.

Large group actions matter.

Policies matter.

We matter.

So what is one small step we can take today to alleviate some of the pressure on our environment? I would love for us all to name one.

 

 

 

Posted in activism, green living | 4 Comments

Make Things Monday: Schedule

Posted on May 20, 2013 by avatar

You may have noticed I have taken a wee blogging break recently.

Almost All The Truth - cocoon

We are nearing the end of the school year and our weather has cooperated so that it seems like summer is on the tip of Mother Earth’s tongue. This has meant outdoor fun, baseball games, and garden planning – even if that garden has yet to be planted. But while all this has been wonderful, it has no bearing on my blogging.

My littlest baby bear, my baby girl, my last child, just had her kindergarten round-up last week. She has been my light in the storm, as well as the tornado. When I recognized that the life, or less-than-life that I have lived these past couple of years has certainly taken its toll on her and her social/emotional skills, I knew much-needed to be done to prepare her for what has become public school kindergarten.

I have chosen to spend as much time as possible with her, intentionally, with purpose, and without screens. This means less time for blogging (however I have a million ideas!!).

So what’s a busy mama to do? Schedule, organize, and make every moment count – within reason, of course! An organization is going to be what I make today so that I can nurture the ones I love, the garden I want, and the blog I hope to have.

Whether you are a blogger or not, we are all busy people, so share how you squeeze in all the things you need and want without something getting left behind! I know I could use the help.

Posted in make things monday, my life | Leave a comment

Life Beyond the Screen

Posted on April 29, 2013 by avatar

Screen-Free Week 2013

Screen-Free Week 2013

Do you remember those old bumper stickers, “Kill your television!”? It was certainly a violent way to get people to pay attention to their tv watching habits. Television programming has changed since then. Some might argue there are even better programs on – particularly public television, documentaries, science – and some would venture we are continually seeing a dumbing down of the masses. Perhaps there’s both.   

We also aren’t simply dealing with televisions anymore, but iPads, iPhones, laptops, Netflix, Wiis, and all sorts of electronic screens our children – and us, don’t even try to kid yourself – spend a lot of time in front of.

From all the statistics, this one shocks me the most: the average preschooler spends 32 hours of week behind a screen. That number rises for older children.

More Research on Screen Time and Children

  • 29% of babies under the age of 1 watch TV and videos for an average of about 90 minutes. 23% have a television in their bedroom.
  • 64% of babies and toddlers (between 1-2) watch TV and videos for an average of slightly over 2 hours. 36% have a television in their bedroom.
  •  8- to 18-year-olds consume an average of 7 hours and 11 minutes of screen media per day. For older children and adolescents, excessive screen time is linked to increased psychological difficulties that include hyperactivity, emotional and conduct problems, difficulties with peers and poor school performance
  • Time with screens is an important risk factor for childhood obesity in both low-risk and high- risk populations.
  • Screen time for children under 3 is linked to irregular sleep patterns and is linked to sleep disturbance in 6- to 12-year-olds.
  • Children who spend less time watching television in early years tend to do better in school, have a healthier diet, be more physically active, and be better able to engage in schoolwork in later elementary school.
  • There is no credible evidence that any type of screen time is beneficial to babies and toddlers and some evidence that it may be harmful, yet 56% of parents of young children believe that baby videos are good for child development.
  • Adolescents who watch 3 or more hours of television daily are at especially high risk for poor homework completion, negative attitudes toward school, poor grades, and long-term academic failure.

This is why I believe in participating in Screen-Free Week (which starts today). Can you imagine what these kids could be doing instead?

I can.

They will too. Once they get over the initial moaning and groaning, they find plenty to do to entertain themselves and since I plan to not use my computer when they have free time, we can do a lot together.

Activities For Screen-Free Week

Need a little inspiration to get started?

Screen-Free Week Activities

Tuesday Top Ten: activities for Screen-Free Week

Kids Games (most are best for groups)

Zero to Three: A Year of Play

101 Screen-Free Activities

 

Will you participate in Screen-Free Week this year?

Note: Research compiled by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.

Posted in my life, parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Tomorrow Will Be Kinder

Posted on April 19, 2013 by avatar

All You Need Is Love 

I was still reeling from the tragedy that hit the Boston Marathon, the terrible accident at the fertilizer plant in West, Texas, when the recent news of the two suspects’ actions at MIT continued to prove how fragile our lives can be.

I feel sad that in many ways our society is becoming desensitized. I am not sure how many times I heard, and even thought to myself, ”at least it wasn’t like 9/11.” But if there is anything I know for sure it is that the good outweighs the bad every time. I hold on to that. You may not hear about every hero and every positive action, but they are there every day.

I believe you find inspiration and hope wherever you can in times like these. My children help. Music helps. Escaping into projects, books, baseball, anything really. Music is one of my favorites…

 Tomorrow Will Be Kinder

I believe it, if we can all find our inner light and love, tomorrow will be kinder.

Listen: The Secret Sisters – Tomorrow Will Be Kinder

 

Posted in activism, my life | 2 Comments