Adventures in Sustainable Living Patrick Keith

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast
Episode 176 
Overcoming the Roadblocks to Sustainable Living Part II
adventuresinsustainableliving.com

 

During the time that humans have existed on this planet, we have gone through multiple transitions. Each of those transitions have changed the course of humanity and ultimately improved our standard of living. It has also made our lives just a little bit easier. 

 

In our modern culture, we no longer have to provide for ourselves. You can have anything you want with one click. In fact, ease and convenience is top of the list for most people, not the impact they are having on the planet. 

 

But when it comes to a sustainable lifestyle convenience is not the king. It is our addiction to  convenience that is one of the common roadblocks to sustainable living. 

 

So join me for episode 176 where I continue to discuss how to overcome some of the common roadblocks to a sustainable lifestyle.  

 

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E176 which is called Overcoming the Common Roadblocks to Sustainable Living Part II.  

 

Sustainability question of the week

 

How much of the water that enters our homes actually goes down the drain? 

 

The average person wastes as much as 30 gallons of water per day. The average household uses 300 gallons of water per day most of which is used for flushing toilets and taking showers. Bottom line, 95% of the fresh water entering our homes goes down the drain. 

 

Good news story of the week 

 

African Forest Farming Initiative Making a Difference for Thousands with Tree-Planting and Micro-Lending 

 

And this story comes from Africa. I think by now most of us know that our current agricultural practices are truly the bane of our existence. And the United Nations estimates that bye the year 2050 we are going to have to increase our food production by 60% in order to feed the growing world population. 

 

Furthermore, the challenge in developing countries is that farming is how people feed their families and  provide some economic support. But one particular NGO may have found an answer to that challenge. Instead of just another tree-planting initiative, Trees for the Future is teaching local farmers simple agro-forests techniques. 

 

One area in particular consists of 41,000 hectares, which is an area 7 times larger than the island of Manhattan. Forest farms consists of native trees that serve as an anchor for a mixture of subsistence and cash crops. This in turn promotes local biodiversity.

 

Trees for the Future works with farmers for four years to produce viable farm lands that typically produce a surplus. There are now pilot projects in 9 countries involving 17,000 smallholder farms. The basis of these farms is that fruit and nut trees provide shade which retains moisture in the soil. Shade tolerant vegetables and shrubs are grown between the trees. Other sun-loving veggies are grown in clearings. Farmers can then introduce livestock if they wish. 

 

Farming projects also establish a small scale Village Savings and Loan Association. Farmers work together to save money, lend each other money at a low interest rate, and share the profits. 

 

The end game of this project is massive environmental restoration using regenerative agriculture. This is truly an important step in the right direction. Obviously us big shots in developed can once again learn something from the little guys. If you want to check out the complete article I have provided a link in the transcripts or you can go to goodnewsnetwork.org

 

This weeks round of applause goes to Trees for the Future and their sustainable regenerative agriculture projects around the world. 

 

So, let’s move on to this weeks episode. 

 

In the last episode I introduced the topic of overcoming some of the common roadblocks to sustainable living. In that episode I discusse

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast
Episode 175
A Green Foot Forward: Overcoming the Roadblocks to Sustainable Living
If you happen to have in-depth training or knowledge in a particular area it is easy to forget that many others do not have that same expertise. For example, the knowledge I have about the care of animals is second nature to me. Sometimes I forget there are many people who just do not understand the basics. 

But the same holds true when it comes to sustainable living. Such a lifestyle is second nature to me. Yet I see so many people who are interested but do not take the first step. Why is that?  To answer that question I decided to focus the next few episodes on the barriers and roadblocks to leading a sustainable life and how to overcome them. So join me for E 175 The Barriers and Roadblocks to Sustainable Living Part One.

 

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E175 The Barriers and Roadblocks to Sustainable Living Part One. 

Sustainability Question of the Week

What is the one thing that prevents you from living a more sustainable life? 

Good News Story of the Week

This week’s good news story comes from Chile and involves discoveries made while mapping previously unexplored areas on the ocean floor. 

The California based non-profit organization, called the Schmidt Ocean Institute,  spent time mapping the Salas y Gomez ridge, which is 2900 kilometers long (1800 miles). It extends off the coast of Chile to Easter Island and is comprised of over 200 underwater mountains some of which tower up to 3,500 meters. 

The team used a remote controlled underwater robot to investigate the marine life on the sea floor at depths of up to 4,500 meters. 

What they discovered is that each mountain hosted a vast array of distinct ecosystems. They discovered more than 100 new species many of which looked rather alien. These discoveries included many never before seen species including corals, spongers, sea urchins, amphipods and lobsters. 

The purpose of their expedition was to map 20,000 square miles (52,777 sq. km) in order to identify vulnerable species and collect data to support a designated international high-seas marine protected area. The purpose of this protected area is to save it from mining companies looking for natural minerals. 

Full species identification is expected to take several years. The institute’s next project is to explore the waters off the coast of Peru. 

Being a scuba diver, It truly is one of my favorite things to read stories such as this about the ocean. It truly is a whole different world much of which few people ever see. So, this week’s round of applause goes to the Schmidt Ocean Institute for working to save our oceans. 

Now let’s move on to this weeks episode.  

You know, I have been fortunate enough to be able to pursue several interests in my life for long enough that I could perhaps be viewed as an expert. Although I do not perceive myself in that way, I do know enough about a couple of different fields that I spend time teaching others. 

But when it comes down to day-to-day life if you happen to have in-depth training or knowledge in a particular area it is easy to forget that many others do not have that same expertise. If you have ever tried to read a scientific article published by a PhD that is 15 years into the career you will get an appreciation for what I mean. Whenever I read such things I think to myself “English please, English.” 

But despite my in-depth knowledge of certain topics, there are things in my life that keep my feet on planet Earth. 

For example, I have spent my entire life working with animals. Then I chose to go to veterinary school and I have now been practicing for over 25 years. Even now it always surprises me when I meet clients who are in their 30s and 40s and have a dog for the first time in their life. And of course they have lots of q

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast
Episode 174
Habits for Success: The Little Things Make a Difference
 

Have you ever wondered why people spend so much time on social media and then get depressed because they compare and despair? Have you ever wondered why 75% of our population feels that it is important to focus on living a sustainable life but they never take the time or put out the effort to make it happen. 

 

Has there ever been a time in our life that you risk everything in order to accomplish any one thing? When is the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone? When is the last time you set a big goal and achieved it? Yet such things are common place in the lives of successful people. 

 

So join me for E174 Habits for Success; the Little Things Make the Difference.  

 

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E174 which is called Habits for Success: The Little Things Make a Difference. 

 

 

Sustainability question of the week

 

Why is sustainability important? 

 

Good news story of the week. 

 

And speaking of the little things, did it ever occur to you just how valuable frogs really are to our environment and our agriculture. Frogs eat billions and billions of insects every year, which of course make them economically valuable for agriculture. But they are also a critical source of food for fish, snakes, birds, and other wildlife. Frogs are also important environmental indicators. They are often the first casualties to pollution or other environmental damage. 

 

Well, there are hundreds of volunteers dispersed around England that are working to make a difference. This group of volunteers literally walks across the roads to pick up frogs and other amphibians, places them in buckets and safely transports them across the roadway. 

One group in particular has reduced the road kill from 60% down to 3%. 

 

Now you may think it is easy to just swerve around them. But during mating season there are so many of them on the roads it you move over to avoid one you end up hitting another. Not to mention that these small frogs just look like leaves on even small twigs in the dark when it is raining. 

 

It is estimated that 203 rescue groups saved nearly 115,000 animals last year. If you multiply that by the number of female toads laying eggs, then the numbers are even higher. And believe it or not, there is even a waiting list to join the volunteer group. One group even crowdfunds the 1,500 pound fee needed to pay for the closure of the main road during breeding season. 

 

There is even a charity group called Froglife that coordinates the mass data collection that these efforts generate. 

 

Who would have ever thought that such efforts would be undertaken to save the little old frog. So, a round of applause this week for Froglife and the hundreds of volunteers across England that are working to save a valuable resource. 

 

E173

 

Okay, let’s get on to this weeks episode and talk a little more about habits for success and how the small things make a difference. 

 

First off I want to ask a question. Is anyone familiar with the concept of orienteering? If not,  I am certain we are all familiar with GPS because we use that everyday. We have GPS in our vehicles and GPS in our phones. Such technology greatly helps us especially when we are in an area of town that we are not familiar with. And certainly as much as I work in different hospitals having GPS and Google Maps is a tremendous help. 

 

But I distinctly remember a time when such technology was just not available. I carried a road atlas in my truck and was constantly dependent on road signs. And if I was trying to find something in the dark it was almost impossible. 

 

I laugh about this now but when Annette and I would be driving somewhere and her son Erik was still very young we used to commonly play a game with him which wa

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast
Episode 173
How to Vote with Your Dollars
 

You have likely heard me say that our choices make changes. This is because our choices drive the market place. Now you may not think that your individual choices can make a difference. But, it is the cumulative results of the individual choices of the 7.8 billion people on this planet that has gotten us to where we are today. 

 

One of the easiest things you can do as a consumer is make better choices with the dollars that you spend. From the consumer goods you buy, to where you shop, to your choice of diet, to where you do your banking, there are numerous ways to vote with your dollars. 

 

So join me for E173 How to Vote with Your Dollars

 

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is E173 How to Vote With Your Dollars. 

 

Sustainability Question of the Week

 

What can we do as an individuals to have an impact on climate change?

Good News Story of the Week

 

And you all know that I love stories about doing things in an unconventional manner because that is what I have done for the last 20 plus years. But sometimes if you just simply get away from mainstream you often find there are much more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to do things. 

 

And in our modern world, many people are looking at older methods of construction and using sustainable materials to build homes that are much more efficient. And this is exactly what Anthony Hudson, an architect in England, managed to do. This home was part of a European Union project to pioneer the construction of more efficient homes. 

 

The walls of this home are made from hemp straw, earth and water to form a substance called cob. And best of all, the building still complies with all local building regulations. Building with mud is of course a centuries old technique and there are some homes in Britain that have lasted more than 500 years.

 

This house was part of an EU funded project with a focus on net-zero carbon construction. Building with mud is of course sustainable, it is inexpensive, and easy to source. Additionally, this house has a green roof in order to support local biodiversity and to replace the green space taken up by the build site. 

 

So, there you are folks. For this week a round of applause to the EU for bringing sustainable construction into the 21st century. 

 

That said, let’s move on to this weeks episode. 

 

Have you ever wondered why people make ethical choices. After all, ethical decisions tend to generate and sustain trust. They demonstrate respect and responsibility. And ethical decisions show a sense of caring. In fact, these types of behaviors provide a foundation for making better decisions in the future by simply setting the ground rules for our behavior. Ethics are the principles that guide us to make a positive impact through our decisions and actions. 

 

More and more people these days are wanting ethical and sustainable choices. I think people are truly starting to realize that we need to move beyond a consumer culture. I say this only because there is an ever-expanding selection of fair trade, eco-friendly and locally made products. This seems to indicate that people want to feel as if the products they purchase support their values. Recent surveys show that 78% of consumers feel that sustainability is important and 84% say that poor environmental practices would alienate them from a company or brand.

 

But since we still seem to live in a consumer driven economy, one of the best things you can do is to be informed about the ethical behavior of companies that you tend to patronize. This of course is the beginning of making ethical decisions about how you spend your money. While this is a good place to start, building a green economy is about so much more. It is about supporting businesses that actually adopt green practices such as supporting the local economy a

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast

Episode 172

Would We Be Naked Without Synthetic Fabrics?

 

What exactly is a Spinning Jennie? Have you even heard of it? Few people these days own a sewing machine but surely we all have a concept of what it is and what it does. And even though not all of us have taken a chemistry class, we have some concept of a chemical concoction? But do you know what all of these things have in common? 

Certainly there can be no argument that advances in technology have dramatically changed our lives. New technology affects every single aspect of what we do, how we do it, and even right down to the clothes that we wear. But have you ever given any thought to what your clothes are actually made of. Are they natural, artificial, or synthetic? Do you even know the difference? 

So stay tuned for E Would We Be Naked Without Synthetic Fabrics?

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E172 which is called Would We Be Naked Without Synthetic Fabrics? 

Good News Story of the Week

Conservationists in the United States just won a great victory in the state of Alabama. Most everyone has heard of the Everglades and perhaps the Great Dismal Swamp, but few people have heard of “America’s Amazon.” It is an area of land also known as the Land Between the Rivers because it lies where the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers meet.  It is 8,000 acres of pristine wetlands and was just sold for $15 million USD for the purpose of conservation. 

The area is filled with lakes, creeks, and swamps and is home to so many species that is ranks as one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, ranking right up there with the Amazon. 

The former owners were made an offer from a timber and logging company and decided to sell it for conservation instead. 

Sustainability Question of the Week

What is the difference between a circular economy and a green economy?

 

While most of us may have never heard of a spinning Jennie, I think most of us have heard about the Industrial Revolution. This was a period of time where expanding technology and the invention of new machines forever changed our lives. Just about every aspect of manufacturing and industry was affected by advances in technology. The textile industry was no acceptation. 

The invention of the flying shuttle, the spinning frame and the cotton gin all began to change how textiles were manufactured.  However, it was the invention of the Spinning Jennie by James Hargreaves that is credited for advancing the textile industry to factory production. 

Prior to this the production of cloth from raw materials was a cottage based industry. All of this work was done within people’s homes and often the entire family was involved. The children would clean the raw materials, the woman would spin the materials into thread and yarn and the men would do the weaving. 

The challenge at the time was that this whole process was time consuming. There was often a huge gap between supply and demand. Raw materials had to be dropped off at numerous locations where the textiles were then made by hand. The finished goods then had to be picked up and transported to the merchant. 

The invention of the flying shuttle and the power loom made it possible to weave materials faster. But the spinning of the raw materials into threads and yarn was still done by hand one thread at a time and the spinners were unable to keep up with the increased demand for threads. 

James Hargreaves was eventually inspired to invent the Spinning Jennie, which used eight different spindles powered by a single wheel. This enabled one spinster to simultaneously produce eight threads in the same amount of time it took to produce one. Thus, the textile industry was moved from the cottage to the factory floor thanks to the Industrial Revolution. 

Literally for centuries natural and plant-based fibers were used to make textiles. T

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast

Episode 171

Simple Rules Are All We Need 

 

I so often marvel at the complexity of our society. 

It seems as if things were so much simpler when I was a kid. Even when I first moved to Colorado and was working a construction job, life was pretty simple. Now it seems as if there are rules, rules, rules and so many other things that complicate our lives. And everyone seems to complain about it. 

 

 

But are all these rules really necessary or is it simply the result of our complicated society? As it turns out, simple rules lead to complex behavior both in animals and in people.  And that is what I want to explore in this episode. The simple rules that lead to complex behavior and how that relates to sustainability. So join me for E171 Simple Rules Are All We Need. 

 

 

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E171 which is called Simple Rules are All That We Need. 

 

 

Sustainability Question of the Week

 

What is a sustainable economy? 

 

Good News Story of the Week

 

 

And let’s start out with the good news story of the week. This week’s story comes out of Florida right here in the United States. And the story is about manatees. 

 

 

About 50 years ago there were only about 1,000 manatees across the entire state of Florida. Even today, manatees experience significant challenges and an increased mortality rate due to pollution, loss of habitat, and a scarcity of their main food supply which is sea grass. 

 

 

Today there are between 7,000 and 11,000 manatees across the entire state of Florida. And if you have never seen them, often times the best way to do that is during the winter when they seek out warmer water in shallow coves and lagoons. 

 

 

At Blue Spring State Park in Florida the rangers and wildlife biologists were completed surprised by the sheer numbers of manatees that had accumulated inside the park. This area is often a refuge for the manatees during cold weather. A recent count was 932 manatees inside the park, which was 200 higher than the last count. 

 

 

Despite their rotund size, manatees only have about a 1 inch layer of fat. Consequently, they cannot survive indefinitely in water that is colder that 68 Degrees F. When winter temperatures drop,  they seek warmer water further inland. 

 

 

Such high numbers in the park is encouraging that the manatees are making a rebound. Truly if you have never experienced swimming with these magnificent creatures it is a treat and something I highly recommend. They are quite docile despite their rather large size. 

 

 

Now on to this weeks episode.

 

 

You have to know that one of the best things about living where I do is that I have the freedom to do whatever I want. That is, within reason. My three closest neighbors are several hundred yards away, one mile away, and two miles away respectively. All of us respect each other’s privacy, help each other when needed, and for the most part it is typically several weeks between times that we actually see one another. 

 

 

As far as the local authorities are concerned they obviously know we all live there. But as long as we are not causing a problem, starting a forest fire or otherwise doing something stupid to draw attention to ourselves, we are left to our own devices. In fact, this small area of the county, due to the difficultly of access, is considered a no rescue zone in the winter. 

 

 

In 25 plus years of living here there is only one time I have actually seen any sort of an officer up here. There was a concern over a possible forest because a thunder storm had moved through the day before and someone saw smoke. I tried to explain is was likely the smoke plume from my wood stove but no one was satisfied with that explanation. 

 

 

The local authorities have access through the private gate and of course came