The Green House Cat

2008-02-22T13:39:00.002-05:00

Project BudBurst

From USGS Press Release

Volunteers across the Nation to Track Climate Clues in Spring Flowers

Starting this week, citizen-scientist volunteers will be able to help track climate change by observing and recording the timing of flowers and foliage.

Project BudBurst, operated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and a team of partners including the U.S. Geological Survey's USA National Phenology Network, allows U.S. students, gardeners, and other citizens to enter their observations into an online database that, over time, will give researchers a more detailed picture of global climate change.

The project, which will be launched on Feb. 15, will operate year-round so that early- and late-blooming species in different parts of the country can be monitored throughout their life cycles. Project BudBurst (http://www.budburst.org) builds on a pilot program carried out last spring, when a thousand participants recorded the timing of the leafing and flowering of hundreds of plant species in 26 states.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, University of Montana, and the USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) are collaborators on Project BudBurst, which was funded in part with a grant from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The project is also supported by the National Science Foundation and Windows to the Universe (http://www.windows.ucar.edu/), a UCAR-based Web site that will host the project online as part of its citizen science efforts.

"Climate change may be affecting our backyards and communities in ways that we don't even notice," says project coordinator Sandra Henderson of UCAR's Office of Education and Outreach. "Project BudBurst is designed to help both adults and children understand the changing relationship among climate, seasons, and plants, while giving the participants the tools to communicate their observations to others. Based on the success of last year's pilot program, this project is capturing the public's imagination in a way we never expected."

Project Budburst is one of the citizen-science partnerships of the newly created USA-NPN (www.usanpn.org), which is managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, and includes partners such as the National Science Foundation, the University of Arizona, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and many other agencies. The goal of the USA-NPN is to engage governmental agencies, environmental networks and field stations, educational institutions, and mass participation by citizen scientists in collecting phenological information on plants and animals.

Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, said Dr. Jake Weltzin, executive director of the USA-NPN. Examples of phenological events include the timing of leafing and flowering, agricultural crop stages, insect emergence, and animal migration.

"By observing these cycles through time, researchers can better understand and predict global climate change, and monitor drought conditions, wildfire risk, invasive species, and the spread of infectious diseases," said Weltzin. "In the long-term -- and with enough data -- such information can help us better understand, mitigate and adapt to ongoing and future climate change."

The USA-NPN will begin enlisting the help of working professional scientists and training citizen volunteers for more intensive plant-phenology monitoring later this spring. In addition, Weltzin said USA-NPN is closely collaborating with other already-existing networks – such as Project Budburst – to maximize the data collected.

How Project Budburst Works

As described on the Project BudBurst webpage, each participant selects one or more plants to observe. Participants begin checking their plants at least a week before the average date of budburst -- the point when the buds have opened and leaves are visible. After budburst, participants continue to observe the tree or flower for later events, such as the first leaf, first flower and, eventually, seed dispersal. When participants submit their records online, they can view maps of these phenological events across the United States.

Along with the partners noted above, Project BudBurst collaborators include the Plant Conservation Alliance and the universities of Arizona; California, Santa Barbara; Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Wisconsin-Madison.

[From the Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment]

2008-02-22T13:35:00.002-05:00

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) Spring Clean Up in East Falls Church

When - Saturday, February 23, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Where - Meet at Bear Rock Cafe, 2200 N. Westmoreland Street, Arlington to clean up the neighborhood and streets where Arlington and Falls Church come together.

Details - Please bring work gloves and dress for the weather. Refreshments provided. In case of inclement weather call 703-228-6406 after 11 a.m. for cancellation information.

2008-02-22T13:31:00.002-05:00

Eco-friendly Map of D.C.

Gridskipper, part of the Gawker media family, has a brief map and write up about environmentally friendly businesses in D.C. Worth checking out, but a little shallow.

Eco-friendly in D.C. [Gridskipper]

2008-02-22T13:17:00.002-05:00

Ever Feel Guilty about that coffee sleeve Cozy?

Our friends over at Etsy always have the coolest stuff. This morning I found a seller Rooty Toots (a Virginian, ahem). She has a collection of cat themed recycled wool felt coffee cozy for your morning coffee fix.

Plus, if you spill coffee on it you can refashion it as a cat toy.

$9.99 at Etsy

[picture courtesy of Rooty Toots at Etsy]

Rooty Toots at Etsy

2008-02-18T15:15:00.002-05:00

All Hail the DemoCat!

Look what I found. DemoCat T-shirts.

$19.99 at DogsforDemocrats

2008-02-17T19:50:00.004-05:00

Muffins, oh yeah.

INGREDIENTS

The Dry

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup white sugar (organic)
1/4 cup oat bran
1/4 cup quick oats or granola
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I like pecans)

The Wet

1 banana, mashed
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
OR
1 cup of light coconut milk
1 tbls of coconut oil

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan, or line with paper muffin cups.
In a large bowl, stir together the The Dry [all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, oat bran, quick-cooking oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently stir in the blueberries and nuts]
In a separate bowl, mix together the Wet [mashed banana, buttermilk, egg, oil and vanilla]
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix just until blended. Spoon into muffin cups, filling all the way to the top.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly touched.

2008-02-17T19:44:00.005-05:00

New Adventures of The Green House Cat

Last summer, The Green House Cat went west for a friend's wedding in Santa Fe, NM. Passing through the Texas panhandle, we saw a forest of great beautiful windmills! Oh, and they also have the "world's largest cross", but windmills way cooler!

2008-02-17T19:27:00.003-05:00

Are you ready to Rock Green People?

Guster guitarist/vocalist Adam Gardner and his wife Lauren Sullivan statrted a non-profit group which both encourages bands to find ways to make their tours more eco-friendly and gives other green business and non-profits a chance to get their messages out to college students.

Look for them at a college near you.

Reverb

2008-02-17T19:07:00.002-05:00

In 1980, the year I was born, the EPA started the Superfund program. The goal of the program was to create a pool of money to help clean up some of the most toxic sites in the United States. Unfortunately, twenty eight years later these sites still exist.
Artist, Brooke Singer created a website of her journey across America visiting each of the Superfund sites and chronicling them on her website in hopes of raising awareness about the program and the problems that still exist.

Superfund365.org

2008-02-09T16:23:00.000-05:00

Ugh, Dog Stuff, I hates the dogs....

Ok, no really, but my co-editor Toby does (kitten-hood trauma you understand).

Never the less, Treehugger has featured called Harry Barker, a company making practical, colorful and organic dog stuff. Luckily they have a page of cute organic stuff for us cats too, so we'll let them live.

2008-02-09T16:00:00.000-05:00

Finding that Great Green Home

So you want an ecologically sensitive home, but you don't want to have to do a messy remodel or go out to the middle of nowhere and build things out of clay of straw. Well, maybe an "Ecobroker" is for you. Ecobroker.com is a real estate industry web site devoted to listing green homes and promoting the products of ecologically friendly home products manufactures.

Ecobroker.com

2008-02-01T00:56:00.001-05:00

Your New Greenwashed Government

According to two different articles from today's Treehugger, both the U.S. Capitol and the CIA Headquarters are trying to be more environmentally friendly.

Now speaking as someone who had to work at the Capitol (a few years ago) the move towards sustainability was way overdue. I mean, where do I start?

Every staffer gets takeout from the cafeteria in plastic containers (no. 7 or No. 4..if I remember correctly)- All non-recyclable.
The lighting fixtures date from the 1930s to the 1970s when the last significant building and renovations were done.
Oh, yeah and the mini-power plant that generates power for the Hill (including the Library of Congress and the the Supreme Court) is a coal fire system thanks to the lasting political power of Sen. Byrd (D-WV).

Well now the Pelosi led congress is trying to do something about it, which is great and they seem to be off to a good start. But the CAO (which is in charge of the project) needs to remember that there are a lot of deep changes to the system to be made up there, both in terms of infrastructure and human behavior (including breaking a habit of waste).

Now in terms of the CIA, I really don't know much about their system or their culture. But it seems like a pretty unambitious plan.

[Treehugger.com]

2008-02-01T00:14:00.001-05:00

Cats' Eating Junk Food

The nice people over at Discovery Channel's Planet Green

have an article on additives in cat food. According to Discovery, most commercial supermarket pet foods are largely made from fillers and waste products from the commercial meat industry.

"In fact, the animals used to make many pet foods are classified as “4-D,” which is really a polite way of saying “Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Down (Disabled)” when they line up at the slaughterhouse. Unless that can of Chicken ‘N Liver Delite explicitly states that it contains FDA-certified, food-grade meat, you should know that its contents are considered unfit for human consumption—but apparently good enough for your cat or pooch."

Not surprising that given last year's pet food additives scare many more people are switching to organically certified pet foods.

BTW: Toby our editor in chief eats Innova feline diet*

*when not enjoying the occasional stolen goldfish cracker

2008-01-31T02:41:00.000-05:00

In Exile

"Oklahoma, where the wind goes whipping down the plane....."

Unfortunately, I have been in exile here in Oklahoma since May. I've been busy, what can I say.

Let's see "green wise" I've:

Started a compost bin in the back yard
Tuned a barren front yard into a verdant paradise of lawny goodness (organic, 'natch)
Planted flowers
Gathered seeds for a local Oklahoma wildflower garden
Got started on next year's vegetable garden
Strung a clothesline--and used it (well until the weather got cold)
Uprooted the large patch of Ivy under the trees in front garden to plant next year's wildflower garden and took out all the black landscaping plastic underneath it.
Joined a local food co-op

So yeah, lots of stuff. Oh, and also:

Applied to law school (and got rejected)
Started studying for the LSAT (again)
Helped boyfriend with boyfriend stuff
Lots and lots of research (on Green-stuff)

So sorry, blog for neglecting you. I promise to take better care of you in the future.

..

2007-06-12T15:48:00.000-04:00

Here in Oklahoma there is a yearly film festival called the Dead Center Film Festival. The festival featured a film called, Gimmie Green, about the American love affair with the lawn.

Here in Oklahoma, it is hot, shade-less and dry in the summertime, yet everybody seems to aspire to golf course style lawns. Seeing all those people sodding and mowing and sweating in the blazing heat seems like the entire state is suffering from some grass seed induced mass psychosis.

Gimmie Green attempts to answer some of the questions I have about this phenomenon. I seriously think that it needs to be included in the schedule of the next Greefestival.

More information:

"Gimmie Green", DeadCenter Film Festival

2007-06-12T15:43:00.000-04:00

Ok so i've been away for a while. I spend every summer in Oklahoma with my boyfriend so I have been busy, busy, busy working on his house and garden. OMG! So much work. I've started a compost pile but it's going...err.. rather badly. I'll keep you abreast of any new developments.

2007-05-07T23:26:00.000-04:00

Want to learn about alternative transportation? Sure, we all do.

Alternative Transportation Expo.

When - Tuesday, May 15, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Where - Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th Street S., Arlington, Virginia 22204.
(near Columbia Pike)

This event is organized by Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) in partnership with the Mount Vernon Group of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club and is sponsored by Flexcar.

Participating organizations/companies include Flexcar, Arlington Transportation Partners, Bike Arlington, WALKArlington, the Commuter Store, Arlington Transit, Arlington County Fresh AIRE, Nuride.com, Zipcar, and Telework Exchange. The free event will also include refreshments and door prizes.

The Alternative Transportation Expo is part of ACE's 2007 Green Living Challenge, a ten-month campaign to make Arlington a healthier, more sustainable community through personal actions. more information, contact ACE at http://www.arlingtonenvironment.org or 703-228-6427.

2007-05-07T23:22:00.000-04:00

Cat Event

Homeward Trails-"PawCasso"
Charity Art Auction
PetMAC is a proud sponsor of the Homeward Trails 2nd Annual PawCasso Charity Art Auction!

Please join us for a wonderful evening of art and fun to support Homeward Trails Animal Rescue!

Saturday, May 19th, 2007
6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Event and Ticket Info:
This exciting event features professional, beautiful framed art and sculpture in all sizes and price ranges courtesy of Marlin Art.

Join us for complimentary wine, beer, hors d'oeuvres, dessert, coffee and a fantastic silent auction.

The Executive Conference Center
3601 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA
Building entrance on 850 N. Monroe St.

**Parking available
**Accessible via Virginia Square Metro Stop

Preview: 6:00 p.m.
Auction: 7:00 p.m.
Cocktail Attire

Tickets: $30 per person/$50 per couple

Learn More and Purchase Tickets:

All proceeds from this event will go directly towards the rescue of homeless dogs, cats and small animals.

Enjoy an evening out while helping to save lives!

Exciting Silent Auction Items: Potomac river cruise, private airplane ride, sculputured art, theater tickets, weekend get-aways, Old Towne Pet Resort packages, NYC theater tickets, and much, much more!

email: sueb@homewardtrails.org
web: http://www.homewardtrails.org
Homeward Trails is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that rescues homeless dogs, cats and small animals from rural and local shelters. Without our help, these animals would face euthanasia. We give them a second chance at life! Open your heart today to a homeless animal by supporting Homeward Trails!

2007-05-07T22:57:00.000-04:00

Love my Luna

Way Number 31-Use Green Products

I thought about this last month during my period. I had read about reusable washable pads and tampons and had thought about them, but had always put off buying them. I thought that making the switch would be hard. But in keeping with my 51 ways effort, I thought I'd give them a try.

I was surprised that they were actually very pleasant and easy to wear. I had ordered a dark pad with two black liners. The way the Luna system works is that there is a pad which snaps onto your underwear and then there are two small pieces of ric rack (cotton strips) which hold the changeable pads in place. I used the first liner and soaked it with my soiled under ware from the day before. I rinsed them out and put the pad and liners into an lingerie bag and toted them off to the laundry mat with everything else. I finished washing them this afternoon and they came out as good as new.

I'm officially now a Luna convert! See their website here: Lunapads

2007-04-29T10:39:00.000-04:00

Vegan Chocolate Muffins

I love springtime. Yesterday I bought the most beautiful basket of strawberries. What is better than strawberries and chocolate.

Start by combining day ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Flour
2 teaspoons Baking powder
1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup coco powder (vegan)
1 cup chocolate chips (vegan)

Combine with the wet ingredients:

1 cup rice/soy milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Add additional soy milk if the batter is a little thick

Bake at 350 degrees

2007-04-22T13:14:00.000-04:00

D.C. E-Cycling Event Today

When: today, Sunday April 22, 11:00 am- 3:00 pm
Where: Freedom Plaza (13th and E St NW)

What: bring computers and peripherals for safe recycling

More information:: EPA E-cycling

2007-04-22T13:04:00.000-04:00

D.C. Learn-a-palooza

D.C.'s Learn-a-palooza is a collection of community workshops run by members of the Washington D.C. community across the city. The "festival" features a panoply of interesting and green options including, "How to Green your Home" and "Think local first". They are also still taking volunteers to help run workshops.

Events: April 28

Learn more about it here: D.C. Learn-a-palooza

2007-04-22T12:53:00.000-04:00

Bike-in Movie

What: Open air screening of the 80s classic "Breaking Away"
Where:Marie Reed Field in Adams Morgan.
When: Saturday, May 12, 7-10pm

Sponsored by the Washington City Paper and Washington Area Bicyclists Association

There will also be giveaways of goodies like VIP Improv passes and a Bike and much more.

For Additional Details: Washington citypaper

2007-04-20T21:52:00.000-04:00

Bi-annual Arlington Household Hazardous Wastes Collection Event --TOMORROW

Held at Thomas Jefferson Middle School on S. 2nd Street and Glebe.

The collection covers:

Household Hazardous Wastes (paints, cleaners, ect.)
Computer equipment and peripherals
Bicycles
Rechargeable Batteries

See the complete list: Arlington County

2007-04-20T21:43:00.000-04:00

Sierra Club Showing of Kilowatt Ours at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (on Columbia Pike, S. Arlington)

According to the website,

"When: Sunday, April 22nd (EARTH DAY!) at 6:30PM
How Much?: Suggested Donation of $5 to Sierra Club

Kilowatt Ours Reveals the Consequences of Our Coal Powered Economy. The film opens with Vice President Dick Cheney's energy policy speech in which Cheney makes the claim that America needs nearly 1900 new power plants in the next 20 years to meet projected electricity demands.

From here, filmmaker Jeff Barrie takes viewers on a journey from the coal mines of West Virginia to the solar panel fields of Florida, as he discovers solutions to America's energy related problems."

Official Website: kilowattours.org

Showtime is at 6:30 PM on Sunday, April 22 (Earth Day itself!), followed by a panel discussion, with a $5 suggested donation.

2007-04-17T09:22:00.000-04:00

Talk with the Treehuggers Tomorrow

Tomorrow Treehugger.com writters will be participating with a live chat on Washington Post.com tomorrow at 2PM. See Details here: WaPo

2007-04-16T10:10:00.000-04:00

Holy Climate Change, Batcat!

See how your hometown will look after the icesheet melts with this mashup between google maps and NASA topographical data.

MASHUP

2007-04-15T19:41:00.000-04:00

Tofu Watercress Stir Fry

Combine:
1 tbls fresh lime juice
1 tbls tamari sauce (Braggs Liquid Aminos)
1 tbls Mirin
1 tps fresh ginger
1/2 tps fish sauce

1 cubed package of Extra Firm Tofu (the kind you buy in the refrigerator case)

Saute:
2 chopped cloves garlic
1 scallion (or equivalent small onion)
2-4 tbls sesame oil

When garlic & onion reach translucent stage add the marinated tofu
brown on each side take care to minimize turning the tofu as it will fall apart if handled too much

turn off heat
add two bunches of fresh, washed Watercress

add the remaining marinade

cover and allow the watercress to wilt

serve over rice or udon noodles

2007-04-13T11:06:00.000-04:00

51 WAYS: Number 7, Hang a Clothesline

Sounds simple, right. Just hang a line, but as New York Times reporter, Kathleen A. Hughes reports these things can be more complicated than they used to be. For one, many jurisdictions and home owner associations forbid the hanging of clothes. For another, culturally we have fallen out of the habit. Kathleen makes it work for her. See her article: NYT

2007-04-12T12:23:00.000-04:00

51 Ways to Leave Your Carbon

....or rather, lower your carbon. The April 9, 2007 issue of TIME magazine featured "The Global Warming Survival Guide" which featured 51 ways that individuals can lower their carbon footprint.

I volunteer myself as a human human Guinea pig and in the next few months I'll be working the 51 ways. A "carbon" diet, if you will. It'll be like Oprah's Fit Club, only you know not annoying. E-mail me on the 51 ways if you have any suggestions or questions.

Here are the 51 ways (in brief):

1."Turn food into fuel" (biofuels)
2."Get blueprints for a green house" (passive efficiency)
3. "Change your lightbulbs" (conventional to LED lighting)
4."Light up your city" (using LEDs in public installations-such as street lights)
5. "Pay the Carbon Tax" (public policy-carbon caps vs. carbon tax on individuals)
6."Ditch the McMansion" (Smaller houses, greater efficiency)
7. "Hang up a clothesline"
8. "Give new life to your old fleece" (reuse/recycle clothing)
9. "Build a Skycraper" (new advances in green commercial construction)
10. "Turn up the Geothermal Heat" (finding and using new technologies to harness clean energy)
11. "Take another look at vintage clothes" (reuse/recycle clothing)
12. "Capture the carbon" (carbon sequestration)
13. "Let employees work close to home" (telecommuting)
14. "Ride the Bus" (public transport)
15. "move to a high rise" (low sprawl)
16. "pay your bills on-line" (paper reduction)
17. " Open a window" (lower cooling use)
18. " Ask the experts for an energy audit of your home" (energy efficiency)
19. "Buy green power at home or away" (finding and using new technologies to harness clean energy)
20. " Check the label" (energy efficiency)
21. "Cozy up your water heater" (energy efficiency)
22. "Skip the Steak" (emissions reduction)
23. "Copy California" (public policy)
24. "Just say no to plastic" (plastic reduction)
25. "Support your local farmer"(emissions reduction)
26. "Plant a bamboo fence"
27. "Straighten up a fly right" (public policy)
28. "Have a green wedding" (emissions reduction)
29. "Remove the Tie" (lower cooling use)
30. "Shut off your computer" (energy efficiency)
31. "Wear green eye shadow" (consuming environmentally friendly goods)
32. "Kill the lights at quitting time" (energy efficiency)
33. "Rearrange the heavens" (public policy)
34. "Rake in the Fall Colors" (emissions reduction)
35. "End the paper chase" (paper reduction)
36. "Play the market" (emissions trading)
37. "Think outside the packaging" (paper/plastic reduction)
38. "Trade Carbon for Capital" (public policy)
39. "Make your garden grow" (waste reduction)
40. "Get a Carbon budget" (public policy, emissions reduction)
41. "Fill'er up with passengers" (emissions reduction)
42. "Pay for your carbon sins" (carbon offsets)
43. "Move to London's new green zone" (emissions reduction)
44. "Check your tires" (emissions reduction)
45. "Make one right turn after another" (emissions reduction)
46. "Plant a tree in the tropics"
47. "If you must burn coal, do it right" (emissions reduction)
48."Drive green on the scenic route" (emissions reduction)
49. "Set a higher standard" (public policy)
50. "Be aggressive about passive" (energy efficiency)
51. " Consume less, share more, live simply" (waste reduction)

2007-04-10T20:51:00.000-04:00

Cats love the Colbert

Colbert recently interviewed Colin Beavan, AKA No Impact Man
on the Colbert Report.

Personally, Beavan makes me coughed up a hairball with his semi-self righteous hard-core douchiness. But Colbert can cat-my- nip anytime.

See it here: http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/?lnk=v&ml_video=84626

2007-04-10T20:35:00.000-04:00

Even green cats can't tread water forever!

One World.net is Hosting and On-line Discussion on the possible impacts of climate change. Check it out. One-World.net

2007-04-09T22:10:00.000-04:00

Cat Learns to Take the Bus

According to Brittan's Daily Mail, a cat in England has learned to use the bus.

According to reports, "The feline, which has a purple collar, gets onto the busy Walsall to Wolverhampton bus at the same stop most mornings - he then jumps off at the next stop 400m down the road, near a fish and chip shop."

This guy just might beat us at our own game! Daily Mail

2007-04-09T14:20:00.000-04:00

From Alingtonians for a Clean Environment:

Mark your calendars:

The Arlington Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE) a
is a twice yearly event where Arlington residents can safely dispose of
household hazardous materials, or recycle bikes, small metal items,
electronic equipment, linens, clothing, shoes, books, and eyeglasses.

Held: April 21, 8:30am-3pm. Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 125 S. Old
Glebe Rd, West parking lot.

Bring your household hazardous waste (Arlington residents only),
bicycles (donation requested), clothing and shoes, small metal items,
eyeglasses, books, cell phones, computer equipment, monitors/TVs (fee).

Compost bins will be available for sale ($10) on a first come first
serve basis.

More info? Call 703-228-6570 or go to the County Recycle Web Site
http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/Environmenta
lServicesEnvex.aspx or http://tinyurl.com/ysygx6

2007-04-04T15:22:00.000-04:00

Green Real Estate Scares in Washington region

The Washington Post-Express published an article on the availability of environmentally friendly real estate in the Washington D.C. metro area, especially in the condo market. The article suggests that the lack of green housing, especially in the condo market is due to low consumer demand:

"In order to find the perfect first condo, 26-year-old Gillette has enlisted Kiefer, who just launched Green D.C. Realty, a firm dedicated to the selling and buying of environmentally friendly properties. But the paucity of listings on his site (zero) and the difficulty Gillette has faced finding something that meets her standards (the Glover Park place didn't cut it — nor have the other 15 they've seen) reflect how far the Washington area has to go in greening its condo market.....

But without any vocal demand from the public for green properties, and without a concrete definition of what green really is, developers have been hesitant to embrace the available options."

See the whole article here: WaPo

2007-04-04T12:44:00.000-04:00

Everyday is Earth Day!

Every April it seems every newspaper, magazine and organization wants to promote Earth Day. Don't get me wrong, Earth Day is a wonderful way to promote environmental awareness. But most years it seems like after the middle of April we don't pay any more attention to environmental issues. I sincerely hope that this is changing.

In anticipation of Earth Day, Whole Foods has launched at program called "The Whole Earth Weigh-in-30 days in 30 ways"

But what's cool about this is that it includes a carbon calculator and coupons (and you know I love coupons)

See it here: Whole Foods

2007-03-31T10:14:00.000-04:00

Today is Potomac-Anacositia Cleanup Day!

The Green Housecat will try to volunteer this weekend. So pictures will follow.

Get involved and love you watershed, here.

Learn about why you should love your watershed, here.

2007-03-27T22:54:00.000-04:00

Cat Castle!

This is really cool! It's a modular cat jungle gym. Check it out! Catsplay

2007-03-27T22:43:00.000-04:00

Screen Printed Cat Pillow

No..not a pillow for cats, a pillow of cats. This really col cat pillow tutorial is posted on craftster.org.

2007-03-25T00:36:00.000-04:00

Global Warming Causing Kitten Population Boom!

According to treehugger and the Toronto Star a mild winter and early spring is causing a kitten population boom which is overwhelming local animal welfare agencies. Toronto Star

2007-03-24T23:54:00.001-04:00

See the Rest of the Climate Crisis Action Day photos at Flicker.

2007-03-24T23:44:00.000-04:00

Follow up on Climate Crisis Action Day at the Capitol, March 20, 2007.

Ok, so the greenhouse cat as an environmentalist and as a bear aficionado had to participate in Tuesday's Climate Action Day here in Washington D.C.

The rally got a good attendance and then we split up to visit the offices of our congressional delegates.

2007-03-24T20:11:00.000-04:00

All Most Purrfect..

The Sol-Cool air conditioning system using solar power combined with traditional grid power.

According to the company, "The two-ton, Hybrid SolCool platform with its Vortex Chamber, Dry Side Tubes, NXFASE Ice Battery, Supply Evaporator and Back Up Battery makes it unique in the market. The Solar Power Option, air purification, battery backup, 110/12 volt power and DC lighting and Ceiling Fan options make the SolCool far more comfortable, reliable, sustainable and secure than any other AC Unit anywhere."

Now if they only made window units.....SolCool

2007-03-15T19:40:00.000-04:00

Stop Junk Mail, ...make your mailman love you

Native Forests has a plan. Follow their steps, stop the junk, save the planet.

They recomend:

1. Call 888-567-8688. This single automated phone line takes you off the lists of all major credit bureaus and will take you off the list to receive pre-approved credit offers. You can also do this online at:
http://www.optoutprescreen.com.

2. The Direct Marketing Association represents many mail order sales companies, and estimates that listing your name with their mail preference service will stop 75% of all national mailings coming to your home.

To do this, send a postcard with your name, address and signature to:

Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
or download the online form

3. Companies that do not participate in the D.M.A. program must be contacted directly. In addition, if you only want some of your junk mail stopped, contacting individual companies is the way to go. You can write to firms that send you unsolicited material and tell them firmly to stop. Be sure to use the enclosed Business Reply envelopes when replying through the mail, and address them to Customer Service. You can also call the firms' toll free numbers and ask to speak with customer service.

4. Buyers beware...you are covered under a manufacturer's warranty whether a card is returned or not. These cards are primarily used to gather names for mailing lists. Write National Demographics & Lifestyles (a firm that collects this information) to have your name removed:

NDL List Order Services
1621 18th Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

5. To remove your name from major nationwide sweepstakes mailers, contact:

Publishers Clearinghouse
101 Channel Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Phone: (800) 645-9242

Readers Digest, Readers Digest Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570 Phone: (800) 234-9000
American Family Publishers, PO Box 62000, Tampa, FL 33662 Phone: (800) 237-2400
For more information, check out these web sites:

National Waste Prevention Coalition
Consumer Research Institute
Ecofuture

Nativeforests.com

2007-03-15T16:44:00.000-04:00

Iraqi Cat lifts the Sprits of the the Troops

This little guy "adopted" the Alpha Company of the Virginia Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment. The kitten apparently wandered into the base and befriended to soliders. Soon the troops had named her, Dawg, after the company's call signal. When it was time for the troops to come home they couldn't leave little Dawg behind, so with a little help the company was allowed to bring the kitten home to Virginia. Dawg is now one of two company mascot cats living at the company's barracks. Tricities.com

2007-03-15T16:14:00.000-04:00

*image from WWF.org

OMG, OMG, New Specie of cats discovered in Borneo!

According to scientists working with the World Wildlife Fund, clouded leopard cats of Borneo and Sumatra are a seperate species from other clouded leopards.

According to the WWF, "Genetic research results clearly indicate that the clouded leopards of Borneo and Sumatra should be considered a separate species," said Dr Stephen O'Brien, Head of the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, U.S. National Cancer Institute. "DNA tests highlighted around 40 differences between the two species."

The results of the genetic study are supported by separate research on geographical variation in the clouded leopard, based mainly on fur patterns and coloration of skins held in museums and collections." READ MORE HERE: WWF

2007-03-15T15:56:00.000-04:00

Washington Post had an article today about how the green movement is effectinng the local oet care industry. WaPo

2007-02-14T12:11:00.000-05:00

Cat Food: Vegan Chilie

Ingredience:

From the cupboard-
1/2 Can of red or black beans
1/2 package of Tempea
1 can of whole tomatoes
some olive oil

Spice-
1 tps red pepper
1 tps ground cumin
1/2 tps oregano
1/2 tps fresh ground black pepper
3-4 grains of freshly ground coriander or 1/8 tsp.

Vegies-
1/4 onion (or more)-dieced
1 minced clove garlic
Other seasonal vegtables are great--fresh corn, red/green peppers, minced carrots,ect.

Start with approx 1-2 tbps. oil in a deep pot or pan. Heat the oil over medium heat, add onion and garlic and cook until onions are translucent. Add diced and cumbled tempea, stir and brown. Add beans and tomatoes. Stir and add spices. Add additional vegies.

Cook over medium heat for 20-30 mins. Serve over rice.

2006-08-06T08:27:00.000-04:00

Washington Post's "Sunday Source" this week features articles on green clothing, green ideas, gas milage, and energy effecient agriculture. Check it out here.

2006-08-01T15:17:00.000-04:00

Today's News in Cats: Papa Hemingway's famous polydactile cats are in trouble with local authorities. The Guardian

2006-07-28T10:33:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder if there is a boneyard for old PDAs and Cell Phones? Well the nice people at lifehacker.com have found a site that uses old cells and PDAs and recycles them for charity. Check it out:http://recyclingforcharities.com/index.php

2006-07-27T15:52:00.000-04:00

For the Green House Cat, flying in a carrier is worse than flying coach, but our editor-in-chief will be flying back to his home state of Oklahoma later this week anyway. We thought it would be a good idea to talk about the protocols for flying with your pet. The Humane Society of the U.S. has a though and concise article on the "official" policies of the major airlines.

Before you book your flight it's a good idea to contact your vet and obtain a certificate of good health.

2006-07-27T11:05:00.000-04:00

Welcome to The Green House Cat. Our editor and content director Toby is an American DHS who loves birds, windows and girls who pet him. Our chief researcher and writer is his companion human, Cherie. Please e-mail us with tips on: cats, pet care, environmental housekeeping, environmental policy, environmental news.