April 22 may be Earth Day around the World, but in Washington DC, festivities kick off tommorrow, April 20th. U.S. events, produced by Green Apple Festival, will include A-list musicians and actors, environmental and community leaders, and dozens of exhibits on April 20, right before Earth Day.
2008 Earth Day Network/Green Apple Festival Free Line-up -WASHINGTON DC "Earth Day 2008 on the National Mall"
Rock out with Jordin Sparks, O.A.R., The Roots & Friends, Will I Am, Gov’t Mule, Toots and the Maytals, Thievery Corporation, DJ Cerphe from 94.7 The Globe, Warren Haynes, Umphreys McGee, DC Boys Choir, CityDance Ensemble, Urban Impact - A Joy of Motion Hip Hop Youth Company, Douge E. Fresh, Talib Kweli, Ne-Yo, Chrisette Michele, Edward Norton and more.... On April 20th, walk, bike, row or take public transportation to the National Mall in Washington, DC for a day-long event for the entire family.
MiMi and Boutique Mix's Earth Day Commitment
This year, I'm doing my best to make a committed effort to doing less damage to the environment. I am ashamed to say that prior to the last two years I recycled only sporadically, didn't turn lights off and used water and other natural resources very ineffciently. I am committed to doing much better. I am also elated to say that I used a compost toilet for the first time last month while attending the Vermont Law School Environmental Solutions Conference. I was asked to speak on "The Role of the International Lawyer on the Global Environment." It was an exciting event and I have been invited back to speak at a Genocide Conference, also hosted by the Vermont Law School in October of this year.
Here's a brief summary of the Enviromental Law Conference event, exerpted from the Law School Website.
SOUTH ROYALTON, VT – More than 250 law students from 28 law schools turned out for the National Association of Environmental Law Societies’ 2008 conference, “Picking up the Pieces: Reclaiming Global Environmental Leadership,” proudly hosted this year by Vermont Law School. Highlights of the conference, which ran from March 20-22, included a keynote address delivered by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and a reunion dinner featuring Richard Ayres and John Adams, two of the founders of the Natural Resources Defense Council who humorously recalled their experiences launching the NRDC in the early 1970s.
The three-day conference included two dozen panels and workshops that examined today’s environmental challenges and strategies for the future. Speaking on topics such as climate change, water scarcity, habitat destruction and China’s environmental degradation, more than 60 presenters took part in the conference, which was held at the campuses of the University of Vermont and Vermont Law School.
Back to the compost toilet. That was definitely an experience. For those of you who've never heard of a compost toilet, here's a brief description - Compost toilets are toilets which use little or no water and treat toilet wastes on-site for reuse as valuable compost. They work by providing a enclosed environment for the natural process of aerobic decomposition. The same type of environment on forest floors which decomposes wildlife droppings and converts them into valuable nutrients for the vegetation to use. Advantages - They reduce water storage or supply costs, possibility of a rebate for community sewage charges, production of compost, in many systems the ability to compost vegetable peelings and garden trimmings with toilet wastes.
A correctly installed and operating composting toilet will not smell at all because there is a positive suction of air through the toilet at all times. In fact, there should be less smell than a conventional toilet. hey will only “clog up” if the systems are overloaded. In most cases, they will easily tolerate the shock loadings of larger gatherings than normal. They will compost anything organic.
As I said - very very interesting, indeed. I don't see myself getting one of these, but I will use use them in lieu of conventional toilets when I visit Vermont Law School.
Shop Boutique Mix for Eco-Friendly Style!!
Gypsy 05 Organic Maxi Long Dress (from the Gypsy 05 "Green Line") - Nothing makes you feel more like a goddess than an eco-friendly, sexy, jersey organic maxi dress. This stunner passes both the casual and elegant evening look Feel like a star in this jersey organic maxi dress. This floor-length, unlined dress features a deep V-shaped neckline with twisted straps Made from organic fabrics, natural dyes, and produced in a solar-powered factory. Elastic band around the bustline of the dress. Also available in White. Click here to buy your eco-friendly maxi dress!!
Join Hayden and Kristin in saving the enviroment. This fabulous Gypsy 05 French Rose Organic Hoodie (Red) is made from bamboo-derived fabric, low impact dyes and a 90% organic printing process. Great addition to any eco-chic wardrobe. Click here to buy your hoodie!!
Going Green has never looked so fab!! Rock this “Good planets are hard to find” t-shirt with your favorite jeans or slacks. This tee is made using organic fabrics, natural dyes, and a 90% organic printing process. Look good while saving the environment!!! Also available in Dust. Click here to buy this tee for your guy!!
Red Bamboo Stunner. This large elegant “eye-catcher” is hand made from eco-friendly bamboo, jute and seagrass. It has an inside drawstring closure, cell phone pocket and an additional zippered pocket. Comes with a dust cover. Click here to buy yours!!
Sweet Mama Africa. Throw out that plastic bag and pick up one of these Africa design woven cloth bags. Dimensions: 15" X 15". Click here to buy yours!!
African Safari. Large Safari Jute Bag & Large Africa-Map Jute Bag. Fabulous large and sturdy bags hand-made and woven from jute cloth, with wood handles. Choose one or both of these fun and fashionable bags. Dimensions: 19" X 18". Safari/Map photos appear on both sides. Click here to buy your African Safari!!
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