Last summer, I was walking up from the beach at Gay’s Head on Martha’s Vineyard. (They’ve renamed the place Aquinnah, but I’m sticking with the original name, thank you very much) and then headed up the steep dunes, and over the top. When I got to where the sand meets the more rocky soil, I stopped to put my Chakos back on, but then decided to go barefoot instead.

As I walked up the path, seagrasses waving in the setting sun all around me, I could feel what was beneath my feet change. It started more sandy, and warmed from the sun, then small pebbles cropped up, and as I went around a bend, I felt the ground cool and dampen and the pebbles recede into the soft, more claylike walkway. As I headed up another rise, warmth again seeped between my toes, and as I reached the road to wait for the bus, the concrete burned my feet and I put my shoes on.

On that ten minute walk, I remembered something I knew as a child, which is that you miss tons of information from the earth when constantly wear shoes. I used to spend entire summers essentially barefoot (I grew up at the end of a dirt road in the Hudson Valley) and when I was 8 I could have told you how long it had been since rain from the viscosity of the mud that pushed between my toes since I spent hours I playing in the wetland next to my house. I don’t know if I could tell you that now, though I’m certain I could learn again.

Men’s Vivo Barefoots at the Terra Plana store.

So when a couple months ago I heard about the barefoot running movement, and the new book, Born to Run, I was intrigued. The premise is that our fancy $200 uberpadded sneakers are actually BAD for our bodies when running, and can actually cause or exacerbate injury. Which makes sense if you think about the fact that we have only been wearing such contraptions for about 20 years (flat, unpadded Converse All Stars were the sneaker of choice for basketball players for years). So I went hiking with a friend in Connecticut and took off my sandals and did a bit of trailrunning with naked feet, which was fun as long as I was careful (and this forces one to focus on each step, which is interesting). And then…

The Vivo Barefoots and these maryjane versions all have removable inserts made from recycled materials.

Then I was lucky enough to be invited to a great event put on by Terra Plana and tried a pair of their barefoot-like sneakers, the Vivo Barefoots (which are also super ecofriendly). I then went running in the Catskills in the Vivo Barefoots and though my feet were protected, I really felt the ground beneath my toes, which was a really grounding (haha) experience. Barefoot running is really fun, but for a barefoot-like experience, the Vivo Barefoots are a close second. I also got a chance to talk to Galahad Clark, the president of Terra Plana, and Christopher McDougall, who wrote Born to Run (and is a barefoot runner himself- see his video at the bottom).

Eco Chick: What was your impetus for creating a barefoot-like shoe?

Galahad Clark: Millions of years of evolution have shown us that being barefoot is the healthiest way to be for the body. It is only in the past 30 years that running shoes have become laden with padding, arch supports and technical advances that countless studies and medical professionals show are doing more harm than good.

To me it is common sense, if you pad the foot not only do you stop it from working, but you mask if you are doing something wrong. Barefoot running or walking encourages mid foot strike and preventing hard unnatural heel strikes and encourages natural posture and motion.

Based on this simple principle Vivo Barefoot is as close as you can get to the shoe not being there at all and offers this back-to-basics philosophy for modern life. The VivoBarefoot shoe has a uniquely thin and puncture resistant sole (a patented technology) that gives all the protection of normal shoes and the health benefits of walking barefoot.

EC: Why do you think the idea of barefoot or less shoe is appealing to people right now?

GC: There is definitely a tipping point happening right now as people realize that barefoot is really that way to go. In addition to Chris’ book, and the many studies being published and I think people are looking for back-to-basics answers. From roof top organic farms to making more meals at home, I think we are catching on to the idea of simplicity and natural.

This is not about selling a gimmick. That is not what we’re trying to do. It is not just about making your butt tighter or getting a better work out (which barefoot will do) it is also about sensory perception, knowing what is going on in the earth beneath us, and liking it…

EC: What’s your connection with the book, “Born to Run” and the barefoot running movement?

GC: I picked up “Born to Run” and spent all night reading it – I could not put it down. I was actually in Mumbai at the time and was after finshing it, got up at 4am and ran barefoot on the beach. This book is pure inspiration, it is about running and loving to run,. Without competition or ego, just for the fun of it – like kids run. The Tarahumara tribe run up to 150 miles in virtually barefoot with no injuries. The book really tells the barefoot story well and shows exactly why barefoot is better.

These slip-ons are favorites of Gwyneth Paltrow!

In the video below, Christopher McDougall, who wrote the book, Born to Run, talks about the barefoot running movement and how he got to write the book:

The second I saw this shot on the gas 2.0 page, I knew I wanted one! This has to be the coolest car ever! This is what I want for Christmas (or before, if possible, LOL).

The XR3 is a three-wheeled plug-in diesel hybrid, getting 225 mpg, or if you’re cruising on diesel alone, about 125 mpg.

From the original article by my friend and eco-car enthusiast, Jerry James Stone:

Introduced back in June of 2008, the two-passenger car was designed so it can be assembled using readily available parts. Fully constructed, the car weighs in at 1480 pounds and has top speed of 80mph. And while you can only get 40 miles out of its li-ion battery pack, it can be plugged into any standard wall socket.

More pix and info here.

Genetically modified organisms were not sufficiently tested before entering our food chain. Today, more than 60-70% of packaged foods contain ingredients that have been genetically engineered. Loopholes have allowed industry to avoid disclosure regarding genetically altered food products and it is time to demand testing and regulation. Concerned citizens have the chance to voice their concern to the USDA.

The folks at FoodDemocracyNow! have sent out a simple form letter that you can copy and paste. It is time to stop experimenting on our bodies. Do you really want to eat a tomato that contains the genetic information of a grouper?

Here is a copy of the form letter – send yours! You can also contact your local legislators, join grassroots activist groups and work to strike up dialogue with anyone who cares about what they eat!

How to Submit Comments to the USDA:

Include “Docket Number APHIS-2008-0023” at the top of your correspondence or in the subject line of your email.

Online Instructions:

1. Click here to send your comments to the USDA electronically or go to:

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=0900006480903a8e

The result with Document ID number “APHIS-2008-0023″ is the Interim Final Rule for comments on Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms

2. Click on the “Add Comment” icon and follow the instructions on the next screen.

Tell USDA to: 1. Withdraw the proposed rule; 2. Release the EIS for public review and comment and to be used as a basis for further rule-making; and 3. Suspend all new GE crop approvals until the above has been satisfactorily completed and unless and until GE crops are proven safe.

SAMPLE LETTER (Please cut and paste)

To whom it may concern,
Docket No. APHIS-2008-0023
Regulatory Analysis and Development
PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Re: Docket No. APHIS-2008-0023, Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms.

I am very concerned about the risks posed by genetically engineered crops. They threaten human health, family farmers, and the environment. I urge USDA to withdraw the proposed rule, publish the Environmental Impact Statement for public review and comment, and suspend all new GE crop approvals in the interim.

After USDA releases the EIS, a comment period of at least 90 days is needed so the public has the opportunity to fully participate in a transparent process on this important issue. This will not only aid in the development of the final EIS but also in the drafting of a new proposed rule. The current proposed rule does little to close the loopholes in the regulations the rule is designed to replace and it creates more gaps than it fills.

Sincerely,
Your Name Here!

Americans have a love/hate relationship with the French. So of course as an American and a “greenist,” I had to do some hardcore observations of Parisian “green” habits and compare them to what we do here. What I discovered from my four days in the “City of Lights” is as follows.

(1) Recycling
There is a recycling program in place in Paris, but I am not sure if the Parisians are interested. On some streets they have huge recycling bins for bottles and cans, but most of them were covered with graffiti (which happens to be all over the city). In the parks, they have recycling bags next to the the garbage bags but as you can see in the picture, recyclables are also placed in the garbage bag. On a walking tour the Marais, I asked our tour guide about how well Parisians recycle. She said they are horrible and during our tour she opened a recycling bin from an apartment building to show us what she meant. It was filled with recyclables and non-recyclables.

(2) Reusables
My husband and I went in a few supermarkets (which I love to do whenever I travel abroad), and outdoor markets and I think I saw maybe 5 people using reusable bags. The worst was in the outdoor markets where you can buy fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese, bread, fish, flowers and much more. The biggest one we went to was in Versailles, and everything was put in a plastic bag. Many did bring their own reusable totes but those bags were then stuffed with plastic bags. It appeared to me that they may use more plastic bags than we use.

(3) Transportation
Paris is a very busy city with lot of traffic. But I would not say that they have any more traffic then New York City. They do drive smaller, and most likely, more efficient cars (I didn’t see one Hummer or SUV) and many people ride bikes and take the subway. I think more people ride bikes in Paris then they do in Manhattan–but not as many as in Beijing. But the most ingenious thing that we observed in Paris was a bike rental system called Velib. The system began in July 2007, with 10,000 bikes, and now they are up to 20,000 bikes all over Paris. Riders can buy monthly, daily or hourly passes to rent bikes stationed at more than 1,400 automated stations across the city. A bike can be rented from one station and returned to another. From what we saw, and from the doubling of the number of bikes in use, it appears that the Parisians love the system. My husband and I wished we had more time to try it out. Its funny, the first few days in Paris we weren’t sure what these bikes were. Initially we thought they were motorized, then we didn’t understand the rental system. By the time we figured out what was what it was it was time to go. I wonder if this would work in NYC?

(4) Food
You should know that I have an obsession with food. Our trip to Paris had some gastronomic highs–the picnic in Versailles– and some lows–dinner at Chez Andre off the Champs-Elysées. So of course I had to find out where the French food comes from. I think this is a department that they really do better than we do. French farmers say no to GMO’s –they even strike and riot to oppose them on a semi-regular basis. None of the fruits or vegetables grown in France are from genetically modified seeds. NONE! We can’t say anything like that here. You can also find organic produce in Paris. We spoke to some butchers and they insisted that none of the meat is treated with antibiotics or hormones and that beef is grass-fed. One of the butchers we spoke with even made a stink face when referring to grain fed beef. I could not find anywhere on the internet to confirm or deny this so I have to take their word, for now. I did ask Shannon Hayes, a grass-fed beef farmer from Sap Bush Farms and author of The Farmer and the Grill and she said “It is my understanding is that not all meat in France is grass-fed. But a fair amount is. Quite often it depends on the breed – charolais beef, for example, is supposed to be exclusively raised on grass. When I was there I saw a lot of cattle grazed and fed in the barn – a model that is infinitely more sustainable than factory farms, but not, according to our strict definitions, grass-fed. The meat is also much more likely to be raised on small farms, not from confinement facilities.”

So what do I take from my trip to Paris?

I’ve been seeing it everywhere in New York City; guys with beards now that the cold weather is here. And I’m loving it! It’s sexy, and just a little bit fuzzy too. When I put together a meeting of green bloggers a few weeks back, ALL of the guys had beards, and none of them are hippies, though they are all creative, dynamic men.

Why am I talking about beard trends on an eco-blog? Because not shaving every day is definitely low-impact:

-Less hot water used in the shower or at the sink

-Less or no need for razors or shaving cream (which often comes in those huge unrecyclable containers)

-Hair on your face keeps you just a bit warmer outside- and in. Turning the thermostat down just 1 degree can save you 5% on your heating bill!

Boys with Beards! My friends (L-to-R) Dan Shapely and Brian Howard, editors at The Daily Green, and Muhammed Saleem, top green Digger, and
Me with my friend Ari, who hasn’t worn a beard in years, and is now a convert!

That’s (L to R) Joe Hollis, Botanist, Herbalist, Mentor and Master of Teas, Curtiss Martin, blogger at Scribemedia, and Shea Gunther, blogger and eco-entrepreneur sporting the facial fuzz.

Leo was spotted with a beard recently while being honored at the Marrakesh Film Festival!

But ladies, please DON’T try this at home…. even if you’re as cute as Avril Lavigne!

Do you NEED more cute guys with beards? Check out the New Yorker’s slide show!

Harry Potter books give me a headache. I’ve read all of them and finished Deathly Hollows this morning.
Spoiler: I was extremely disappointed that Harry didn’t die. It would have been too cool.

The only good thing about this particular Harry Potter book was the way in which the publishers/author went out of their way to ensure that it is one of the most environmentally friendly books ever published.

The orders for Deathly Hollows have surpassed the 2.5 million copy mark at Amazon.com and just over 1.3 million from Barnes and Noble. In June the export orders from Bloomsbury Publishing were 17% above what they were for the sixth book The Half-Blood Prince. Scholastic released a record breaking 12 million copies.

Millions of Potter fans eagerly awaited the release at 12:01, some dressed up and some freezing cold – such as the Australian man who jumped into a cold ass lake to get his pre-purchase receipt. Before the release a publishing company accidentally released 1200 copies and a man sold a copy on ebay for $250. The wikipedia entry had the entire plot line detailed nearly a week before the book was ever released. I personally recommend reading the wiki and not the book…

A book this big is bound to kill a lot of trees. But instead 16 publishers used eco-friendly paper including Scholastic who wasn’t going to but then faced a boycott. This initiative saved 200 000 trees and avoided almost 7.9 kilograms of green house gases. This is the equivalent to taking 1 577 cars off of the road. In all the book spurred the development of 32 new eco-papers, 6 of which were made exclusively for the book. In comparison, in 2003 you could find one publisher printing on eco-friendly paper, but now the Harry Potter initiatives have prompted 300 publishers to adopt new and better environmental policies. This could inspire other companies and publishers to do the same saving many forests – including Canada’s own Boreal that loses a lot of life from book publishing.

Believe it or not, MTV is seeking eco-activists for its award winning documentary series TRUE LIFE. The series is looking to cast young environmentalists taking on the issue of global climate change in their schools, towns, and greater communities.

I spoke with MTV this morning and it sounds like they want the real fanatics, the militants, and the protesters. I’m not sure if this means those willing to go on a hunger strike, spray paint neighborhood SUVS . . . or perhaps spike a couple trees on a local logging site . . . who knows, but if you “appear” to be between the ages of 17 and 28, and are passionately fighting—hard—for an environmental cause, email them at: ecoactivist@mtvstaff.com with all the details of your story, your name, location, phone number and a photo. To learn more about this and other MTV casting calls visit their casting website.
Thanks for the tip Remy C .

“I don’t understand about diamonds, and why men buy them. What’s so impressive about a diamonds except the mining?”

—Fiona Apple

Many of the prisoner-laborers who work Sierra Leone’s open-pit mines end up in shallow graves, executed for suspected theft, for lack of production, or simply for sport. (© Jean-Claude Coutausse/ CONTACT Press Images)

A few years ago, I asked for jewelry for Christmas; I wanted my boyfriend to give me something that I could wear and be reminded of him. When he gave me a pretty sapphire and diamond necklace, I tried not to be horribly disappointed. After I explained why I wasn’t into the gift, he gallantly returned the expensive necklace and exchanged it for a gorgeous green amber amulet for half the price. Amber I can love: Composed from the preserved living blood of a tree, it often contains pockets of ancient air, or even an unlucky insect, and catches the light in ways that a diamond never could.

Maybe its because I studied Geology in college that I see diamonds differently than most women. To me they are just cold carbon chains, unique from common coal and graphite only in the way the atoms line up. Diamonds have a crystalline lattice structure as opposed to coal’s earthy conglomerate one.

But I’ve determined that its neither geology nor taste that is the real reason that I don’t want a diamond ring (or teardrop earrings, or a honking diamond necklace when I strike it rich) one day. It’s the fact that the majority of diamonds are made from the backbreaking labor of the African people who mine them (who make about $30 a week officially, but usually make half that) and the Indian people who cut and polish them (the average price to cut a stone is about .25) Diamonds are also used to fund wars: Rebel leaders in Sierra Leone have used diamonds to pay for weapons that have thus far killed 75,000 and left 12 million homeless. Since Americans buy 65% of the world’s diamonds, you can bet our lust for the gems has financed murders.

Most poor countries have few laws to protect the environment and even less to enforce them. Diamond mining opens gaping holes in the Earth and pollutes the water as topsoil and mine ‘tailings’ (toxic chemicals) wash into surrounding waterways. I’ve seen this first-hand in the US, where there are regulations, and lets just say ‘destroyed landscape’ pretty much sums it up.

On top of all of this, diamonds are a racket. It costs less than $10.00 to dig a .8 carat diamond out of the ground, polish it, and ship it to the US, where it will be sold for $1000 or more. Diamonds are only valuable because companies set artificial price controls. Diamond marketers spend billions yearly on advertising to convince us that diamonds mean love, power and exclusivity, when really they are plentiful and cheap.

From Wikipedia: 

The production and distribution of diamonds is largely consolidated in the hands of a few key players, and concentrated in traditional diamond trading centers (the most important being Antwerp). The De Beers company holds a clearly dominant position in the industry, and has done so since soon after its founding in 1888. De Beers owns or controls a significant portion of the world’s rough diamond production facilities (mines) and distribution channels for gem-quality diamonds. The company and its subsidiaries own mines that produce some 40 percent of annual world diamond production. At one time it was thought over 80 percent of the world’s rough diamonds passed through the Diamond Trading Company (DTC, a subsidiary of De Beers) in London, but presently the figure is estimated at less than 50 percent. De Beers used its monopoly position to establish strict price controls, and market diamonds directly to consumers in world markets.

You can read more about Amenesty International’s experience with diamond mines here. And don’t let me get into gold mining…(that will have to be a future post).

If you or your loved one insists on a diamond, there are thousands of vintage stones out there; you can use one to create a new ring or necklace, or enjoy a more old-fashioned style. There are also many great sustainable jewelry companies out there, and there IS the option of ‘conflict-free’ diamonds from Canada, but for me, the environmental consequences of any kind of mining are too extreme to justify it, even if the miners are paid a fair wage.

There’s a gorgeous new e-zine out of foggy ‘ole England! (I swear the Brits are way ahead of us when it comes to making green look great.) Style Will Save Us comes from  some of the same fine folks that brought us Ergo Living, a fabulous (but short-lived) print eco magazine.  a small London-based team headed by Virginia Rowe.

And I LOVE it. It’s gorgeous. It has lots of great content. Every story tells you why whatever they’re reporting on is “good for you” and “good for the environment”. It is available digitally only (‘no paper here, we’re saving trees’) OY! Did I mention it looks fabulous?

I mean, who doesn’t love a mag that has a whole feature on re-loving terrycloth! And really hot clothes that are fair-trade Ugandan organic cotton, and the funkiest looking deoderant I’ve ever seen! Yes, I’m gushing. It’s like if H&M went eco (Hint, hint, initialed importer of lovely vestments….)

I’ll certainly be keeping my eye on this one!

Betcee May emerging from the Ruins of Indian Point, Illustration by Justin Theodoro Teodoro

There’s a new movement to shut down Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in Westchester County, New York. Having grown up about 10 miles from this reactor, I am first in line when talk turns serious of getting rid of it. Rock the Reactors is planning a “shut down the plant” concert in November, and Democratic candidate for governor Eliot Spitzer is running on a platform of shutting the aging beast, (which is located only 24 miles from NYC) off.

There are a host of organizations, like Riverkeeper, who can fill you in on the whys and the hows of the issue. Their site explains how the plant (which was recently cited for leaking waste into the Hudson River), is not economical, not safe, not secure from terrorists, and certainly not environmentally friendly (though there are plenty of folks, from the Bush administration to some enviros, who think that nuclear power is the only way to alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels).