Unfortunately my knitting project to create some reusable bags out of our old plastic ones is moving along a bit slowly. Luckily ChicoBags had a stall set up in Chicago, so we headed over and grabbed some. I have no idea how I missed these great bags in the reusable round-up last month.

The Chicobag holds 20 lbs, and trust me I put this to the test last weekend. The handles are thick enough that carrying heavy loads doesn’t hurt, and they are long enough that the bag can easily be thrown over your shoulder. It measures 18″ x 13″, but the best feature is the built in pouch! Each bag stuffs into the attached pouch, measuring only 4″ x 2 ½” x 1″. It comes with a small carabineer, so hooking it to a book bag or keychain is easy, and the suckers small enough it even fits in my stylin sari purse. If it gets dirty just throw it in the washing machine, and it comes with a 1 year warranty.

We all know reusable bags are the way to go, but the key to success is remembering to bring the dang things. Luckily Chicobags are small enough they’re easy to have on you so they’re easy to remember. They are made in China by “a fair labor, fair wage manufacturing company” and run only $5. Old Chicobags can be sent back to be recycled into door mats, dog beds and prayer flags. A great option on your reusable quest!

One of the vendors that looked like the most fun was Xeko (pronounced zeekoh).

Xeko is

“the two-player trading card game, is designed to inspire the next generation of eco-leaders by connecting kids with nature through an engaging and enriching adventure. The amazing animals of Earth’s hotspots, beginning with Madagascar and Costa Rica, are the stars of the Xeko game. Xeko is sustainably made from recycled materials and soy inks; 4% of net game sales are donated to Conservation International for its programs to help save the earth’s hotspots from destruction.”

The myth of Xeko is a secret ecological knowledge order and seemed popular with the kiddos, there was never an open seat at the demo table! The game is for about 8 and up, and requires no game board, only cards similar structure to the popular Magic the gathering. There are tons of different cards of plants, animals and insects. We’ve all see bee’s, but the Aye-aye and Hairy-eared Dwarf Lemur were new to me! The cards have bright pictures and information about the species along with the game points.

The Xeko game “features remarkable plant and animal species from Earth’s biodiversity hotspots first identitfied by Norman Myers and recongnized by Conservation International. Currently numbered at 34, the hotspots contain 75% of the planets most threatened mammals, birds and amphibians while covering just 2.3% of the Earth’s surface. An estimated 50% of all vasular plants and 42% of land vertebrates exist only in these hotspots.”

The goal of gameplay is to build the strongest Xeko-system, and stresses a balance between spending and conserving not found in other games. “A Xeko Master understands that balance is required to support any ecosystem. A balance of spending resources to support diverse - and sometimes endangered - species, as well as conserving resources for the future.” Fostering this understanding of a delicate balance is an intregal, and frequently overlooked, aspect of developing a young mind.

To this end they also provide ways for kids to go green, including the 3 R’s, links to more information on hotspots and more environmental information, and their green star program. The green stars are earned by returning the booster pack wrappers to the company to be recycled.

Matter Group’s, the creators of Xeko, mission is

to foster sustainability by creating and marketing world-class products and media that entertain and inspire people to make a difference. Matter Group’s founders, investors, employees and partners believe that doing well is doing good. The company’s success is measured by our triple-bottom line: profibilty, environmental impact and social contribution.

A quick break from Greenfestiness too address the media frenzy around Sheryl Crow. Apparently Ms. Crow has gone insane! She wants us to use only one square of toilet paper per trip! Madness! How utterly uncivilized, no one in the world would do something so crazy.

Except about 75% of the people in the world use no toilet paper, and when you consider the average American uses “over
100 single rolls—about 21,000 sheets—each year,” the waste of our waste begins to seem like a pretty big deal.

I have to admit, when I first read that No Impact Man was going to toss the tissue, I had a cultural doh! moment. Ok, no TP=less waste, got it, but uhhhhh . . . how??

The how has been a question faced by many travelers and is addressed by Dr. Jane Wilson-Howarth in How to Shit Around the World, which I’ve added to the reading list! For more details on the exact details on the how, check out World Hum. Before you get too grossed out, according to Wilson-Howarth the hand method is actually more sanitary

“You get good bacteriological cleaning with just rubbing your hands together with soap under running water four times,” she says, and cites a study which says you don’t even need soap. “It can be ash or mud, just rubbing your hands together under water with some kind of washing agent. Even dirt from the river bank will give you good bacteriological cleaning.”

Many commenters at No Impact have experience with this method, finding plain tp to be less refreshing and clean. Read more…

This was an incredible trip, truly an invigorating injection of hope, inspiration and spirit, which is much needed in today’s world. Frequently it is the evils of humanity which are displayed, and it is all too easy to become mired in their horrors. Yet here was a broad spectrum of thousands of people, and though there existed a many foci, from organic to green to fair trade, there was a common factor which bound everyone together within a palpable energy. Every person was convened there on a journey towards betterment, from the small steps to the gallops.

This incredible energy began with Judy Wicks of the White Dog Cafe. Judy spoke on Local Living Economies: Green, Fair and Fun, and as Brady mentioned addressed the strategic value of cooperation in a competitive market.

Judy also spoke to our society’s idea of success, and the detrimental effects this idea in action can cause to individuals, community and the environment. We are raised to believe that bigger is better, more money is always preferred, and possessions attest to the person. This has created a culture where we work tirelessly, want constantly, and are never content. There was a Target commercial which ran recently and ironically summed this display of our cruel cycle with endless chants of “i want it. i need it. i want it. i need it.”

These self traits of perpetual cravings also translate into the business world, where we have taught that no amount of money is sufficient and no means to securing it are off limits. Stories of large corporations acting without concern for communities are common place, as are the community benefits of small, locally owned and operated businesses. But, as Judy pointed out, success is still measured by others in the profits, the bottom line. As she found success with the White Dog Cafe so too came the thoughts of expansion and growth, however Judy quickly realized growing bigger would succumb to that idea and in so doing remove the human connections so vital to true success.

True success is not about the bottom line, but rather the multiple, or triple bottom line. A multiple bottom line considers “not just making money, but how the socio-cultural, ecological and economic aspects are considered through the course of doing business.” We have entered a new era which

requires new economic theory and new economic institutions based on the concept of a triple bottom line:
* Sufficient material goods
* Sustainable ecological systems
* Optimal quality of life, based on the abundance of personal and community-oriented services

With the growing popularity and consumer demand of multiple bottom line, transparency and accountability, and local, community based businesses, it is a brilliant sunrise into this new era.

There is so much more to share from the Green Festival, like Black Gold and Tadeese Meskela, some incredible games, bags and coffees and the beautiful closing ceremony.

Alicia and I are being educated and inspired along with thousands of others at the Chicago Green Festival this weekend. The festival is happening in Chicago’s massive McCormick Place on the shore of Lake Michigan. Hundreds of green companies, cooperatives and organizations have their products and services on display. Dozens of leaders of the green movement are speaking on five stages.

So far today we’ve chatted with many other fair trade retailers and wholesalers comparing notes and making connections to help grow the movement. One of the wonderful aspects of business in the fair trade industry is the willingness of market competitors to cooperate in the name of advancing the cause of fair trade. One amazing woman, Judy Wicks of progressive White Dog Cafe in Philadelphia, spoke elegantly of the need and strategic value of cooperation in a competitive market. The goal of continuous, dominating growth has proven to be unsustainable over the long run for many corporations. She contends that a network of small to medium local and regional businesses cooperating with one another can provide a healthy and sustainable living for more people than the traditional dog-eat-dog marketplace.

We saw another incredible woman speak. Amy Goodman of independent news show Democracy Now! spoke on the need for independent media to counter the subjective reporting of corporate media. She issued her rousing speech to a standing room only audience of well over a thousand people. Check out Amy on the daily broadcast of Democracy Now! on streaming online video and audio or on one of over 500 independent and public radio and television stations across America. Her broadcast reveals a starkly real alternative to network and cable news sources.

We’re off to see Chris O’brien, Beer Activist and author of Fermenting Revolution, talk about how to drink beer and save the world. Alicia and I will have much more to report in detail and with photos throughout the week. So stay tuned!

The prospect of cheap, reliable and efficient solar energy is still considered by many to be the holy grail of renewable energy to power homes and businesses. Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a solar cell that improves efficiency by ‘growing’ carbon nanotube towers that create provide three-dimensional structure for the solar reactive compound cadmium telluride. The cadmium can then absorb photons striking the cells from a wide range of directions. This animation shows how the technology also improves efficiency by absorbing photons from light bouncing around between the carbon nanotube towers.

From the press release:

The new 3D solar cells capture photons from sunlight using an array of miniature “tower” structures that resemble high-rise buildings in a city street grid. The cells could find near-term applications for powering spacecraft, and by enabling efficiency improvements in photovoltaic coating materials, could also change the way solar cells are designed for a broad range of applications.

“Our goal is to harvest every last photon that is available to our cells,” said Jud Ready, a senior research engineer in the Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). “By capturing more of the light in our 3D structures, we can use much smaller photovoltaic arrays. On a satellite or other spacecraft, that would mean less weight and less space taken up with the PV system.”

(via Green Options)

Kiva, a Swahili word meaning “agreement” or “unity”, is an amazing microfinance website that allows you to lend directly to people in need. As Brady posted previously, microfinancing is the loaning of small amounts of money to the asset-less poor. Matthew and Jessica Flannery, the founders of Kiva knew that while ” there were many microfinance institutions lending money to the working poor all over the world, none of them allowed average-income individuals to lend smaller amounts of money to someone else.” The lending minimum is only $25, and you are able to choose the exact person and business you wish your loan to benefit. As to repayment,

The chances of being fully repaid are pretty high. Here are some statistics:

* So far, Kiva has experienced a 100% repayment rate on all businesses with completed loan terms.
* Prior to Kiva, our Field Partners have historically experienced a >96% repayment rate with the poor they serve.
* In the past 30 years, over 100 million of the world’s poor have received a micro-loan and demonstrated a >95% repayment rate.

There are lists of the people, their business, their country and how they will use the money. 100% of the loan amount goes to the entrepreneur, Kiva is sponsored only through additional donations. You are able to view the amount already contributed until the total is reached, after which periodic journals are sent detailing the entrepreneurs progress. Once the loan is fully repaid, typically within 6-12 months, you may withdrawal the funds or reinvest. Kiva works with field partners in different countries who are in the communities working with the entrepreneurs to ensure success. Read more…

Ronald Reagan used the term ‘free and fair trade’ in a radio address in 1986 and the term ‘fair trade’ has been thrown around the political landscape ever since. Now, this political ‘fair trade’ movement has little to do with the independent international consumer movement of which Two Hands is a part.

This political ‘fair trade’ movement is pushing for accountability in US trade agreements and it is nonetheless important. The November 2006 election was enormously successful for politicians who are using the term ‘fair trade’ to describe their approach to trade policy. The voters who issued this mandate are still fighting and their focus right now is on stopping the renewal of fast track authority. David Sirota, author of Hostile Takeover, writes that the domestic fair trade movement has just scored a big victory by successfully pressuring Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) to reverse his position on the issue. Fast track gives the president authority to negotiate agreements that the Congress can approve or disapprove but cannot amend or filibuster. It was passed as part of the Trade Act of 1974 and is subject to Congressional renewal periodically. The Congress did not renew fast track in 1994 and did not renew it again until 2002, but then by just three votes in the House literally in the dead of night at 3:30am.

Under fast track, the president is authorized to negotiate trade agreements with foreign countries without consulting Congress or state legislators. After the executive branch locks down the terms of the deal and writes the implementing legislation, Congress is only permitted a yes or no vote, while states are virtually left out of the process. Thus, state and congressional officials elected to represent the public interest have no role in the process but to approve or disapprove the whole package.

Without the terms of the trade details subject to debate and amendment in the House or Senate trade deals under fast track nearly always lack provisions most Americans support such as labor rights for foreign workers and a propensity to drastically favor the interests of US-based multinational corporations over the interests of US workers.

While I don’t necessarily agree with every position the ‘fair traders’ maintain, I certainly agree that fast track authority is undemocratic and gives even more power to an already incredibly powerful branch (err… person) of our government. The people should have a say in the terms of trade agreements our government authorizes, not simply a yea or nay vote without possibility of amendment.

What say you on the issue, dear readers?

Supersize Me is a documentary by filmmaker Morgan Spurlock in which he lives on nothing but McDonald’s for one month, following 3 simple rules:

1) No options: he could only eat what was available over the counter (water included!)
2) No supersizing unless offered
3) No excuses: he had to eat every item on the menu at least once

In the end, his health deteriorates much faster than any doctors predicted. Not surprising, the golden arches responded to the theory that “if you eat too many carrots you’ll turn orange” with a few changes to the menu and a website arguing against the drastic health deterioration Spurlock experienced. While I find it hard to believe McDonald’s has gained any substantial ground towards the healthy end, it is also equally delusional to believe anyone pulls through those golden arches believing they’ve found a balanced and healthy meal. Can we ultimately villanize only the fast food chains? Do we as consumers not have a bit our increasing weight to carry? McDonald’s, along with all other fast food restaurants, cater to our hectic lives, they are convenient and taste good. Is there no alternative? Is the hope of a place to purchase healthy, organic and local value meals beyond imaging?

Much to Lawrencians joy, Hillary Brown has answered this question in Local Burger, “the next generation of burger joints!” Local Burger “buys its naturally raised meats and vegetables from 45 local vendors, most of which are located in Douglas County or a 20-mile radius of Lawrence.” Brown, along with the Sundance channel, also began a 30 day stint featuring Daniel Fisher, a confessed fast food junkie. Inspired by Spurlock’s adventure eating only McDonalds, Brown and Fisher took a different spin. Fisher would follow Spurlock’s rules, replacing the restaurant with Local Burger. Similar to Spurlock, Fisher received a full physical before and after the experiement.

The final results were weight loss of about 23 pounds and a dramatic drop in cholesterol from 285 to 166. Fisher learned to eat better, but not less. “I think it’s time for people to be aware of what they’re eating,” Brown said. “It doesn’t have to taste bad to be healthy, and it doesn’t have to be fat-free to be healthy.”

In addition to having some fantastic meals, they also host a weekly meat market from local farmers. And Brown is well aware of the impact typical restaurants leave upon the environment, and has addressed by sending all food scarps to a local farm for composting and recycling, as well as the carbon emissions saved from buying locally! They are continuing to strive towards the future with the following goals:

We have our hearts set on a super-high efficiency dishwasher - it’s all about saving a little H2O!

We hope to be using biodegradable to-go containers in the near future

We are looking into the use of solar panels and other ways to be energy efficeint at Local Burger

Also, be sure to check out The Green, a new series on the Sundance channel. Local Burger is featured on April 17th at 8 pm as part of the episode “Eat.”

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream made a tasty announcement yesterday. Beginning April 17th Ben & Jerry’s will be using fair trade certified vanilla extract and cocoa powder to flavor their plain vanilla and chocolate ice creams. While the rest of the ice cream’s ingredients will continue to be conventionally acquired this is another step toward growing fair trade. The vanilla and chocolate ice creams will join Ben & Jerry’s coffee ice creams as using fair trade ingredients. Only slightly less cool than fair trade ice cream? Free cones. Ben & Jerry’s is celebrating by offering anyone and everyone a free ice cream cone on April 17th. Try one of the fair trade flavors and encourage the company to keep following this trend!