Introducing North Philadelphia urban kids to being in Nature

One of the most important thing we can do as a society is to support children in developing a wonderous, reverent, informed relationship with Nature.
Here is what a few dedicated educators are doing to introduce second graders from North Philadelphia to Nature.

San Francisco has implemented a compulsory Composting Law – What about Philadelphia??

Philadelphia has 2 composting firms – PhillyCompost and Bennett Compost and city wide composting efforts are still distant plans.

It’s now illegal to throw your food waste into the trash in San Francisco…what about Philadelphia??

The easiest way to help people change behavior

… Is to make it FUN

For a while now I have written about my struggles with what is it that I can do to move people to dispose of their trash properly and recycle.

One thing I do know – getting angry at someone who throws their bier can or sandwich wrapper out of the window of their car… will more likely get me into a fight than teach the benefits of recycling.

See the Playback Theater Performance on the subject right here >> Making Sustainability FUN

This latest initiative from Volkswagen brings us the factual proof that making it fun works.  I suggest you take a minute to watch this short video clip on the worlds’ deepest Trash bin:

Notice: In one day, the world deepest trash bin collected 72 Kg of trash when a usual trash bin just a few meters away collect 41 Kg less.

What is new at the 2009 GreenFest Philly?

In no particular order here is a short list of some of the new green offerings I noticed at the 2009 GreenFest Philly:

Phew… Philly Electric Wheels opens October 1st.

Earlier this year,  I was attracting your attention to a new generation of electric motor assisted Bicycles in the post titled “Emily’s Bike“.

This Fall, Philadelphia will have the first store in Pennsylvania selling electric bicycles and tricycles.

The store—PHILLY ELECTRIC WHEELS–is located in the “GREEN on GREENE” building in “Mt. Airy Village”.

GreenFest Philly is today: Sunday September 13th

The fourth Philly GreenFest is taking place today  Sunday September 13th from 11 am to 6 pm at 2nd and South Street in Philadelphia.

The Philly Green Fest offers “green” activities for the whole family:

“More Ass, Less Gas” – Live from the Philly Naked Bike Ride

Riding your bicycle is a totally Freeing Experience:

You can feel the wind blowing in your ears,
You can actually smell flowering trees,
You can feel insects flying into your forehead,
You can park anywhere,
You can go where most cars would never dare going
No gas to pay, no parking tickets,
You are out there, living life more fully.

The Philly Naked Bike Ride added another dimension
to the freedom of riding your bike: NAKED BICYCLING

Come to Philly in September to Get Your Slice of the Renewable Energy Pie

President Obama has pledged that $150-billion dollars will be put towards energy independence over the next 10 years.  Where can you learn about how to get your slice of this pie from leading public and private industry experts?The answer is the The World Green Energy Symposium and Exposition on Sept 25-26 to be held right here in Philly.

Cherry Hill Has a Vision for a Sustainable 2020: Can they do it?

Sustainable Cherry Hill  (SCH) has a vision for the year 2020.  In a remarkable 3 day visioning retreat,  100 community members — there by invitation only — hammered out a vision for what actions need to be taken to develop a sustainable community by the year 2020.

Narberth Greens Develops Turnkey Energy Challenge: Is your community ready to turn the key?

Avi Loren Fox of Narberth Greens

PhillyEcoCity recently spoke with Temple environmental studies major Avi Loren Fox, who is amassing quite a resume as an environmental change agent in Narberth and beyond.  Avi  founded Narberth Greens (NG) which recently won the nonprofit award from the Lower Merion Environmental Advisory Council for its efforts in encouraging sustainable practices, including recycling, town cleanups, and home-grown vegetable trading.