Is a Sustainably Focused Farm Bill Possible?

We here at O2-Michigan dream of the day when our representatives incorporate sustainable design into all of their thought processes. When it just becomes part of every decision we make for the future. Until then we essentially agree with Slow Food USA in urging all people who eat honest to goodness food (or who would like to) to write to congressional representatives to share views about supporting food systems that place value on diversified crops and community-based solutions along with sustainable stewardship of our land.

To see more information, go to:
http://www.slowfoodusa.org/farmbill/index.html

And to take action today, go to:
http://www.slowfoodusa.org/farmbill/sample_letter.html

Walk Score

This came across our email listserv. While there of course are a lot of things missing from their algorithm to determine the walkability of your address - it pretty much just calculates distances to a variety of potential of destinations - I think it still has quite a bit of value at least as a way of comparing addresses. This Walk Score site is definitely worth trying out.

Detroit Urban Craft Fair

In a little over a week on August 4th some really cool indie artists from the area are going to converge on the Majestic Theater complex on Woodward Avenue for the Detroit Urban Craft Fair. Don't miss it.

GREEN DRINKS @ Art Fair

JOIN O2 MICHIGAN FOR GREEN DRINKS at the Ann Arbor South University Art Fair (Church St. south of S. University Ave.)!

That's right, the third wednesday of the month, July 18, is upon us and this month we again take advantage of the areas outdoor festivities. Please join us this Wednesday at 7:30pm, as we meet up for a strictly social gathering at Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair. Look for us in the beer/margarita refreshment tent in front of the AnnArbors107one.com entertainment mainstage on Church St. just south of the intersection with South University Ave. Look for the O2 Michigan/Green Drinks T-shirts. (T-shirt owners wear your shirt!)

Location:


Ann Arbor South University Art Fair, AnnArbors107one.com mainstage
refreshment tent on Church St., south of S. University Ave.

http://www.a2southu.com
http://annarbors107one.com/index.php?fuseaction=home.display&id=1240

----> meet up, talk, share ideas, hatch or incubate projects, relax,
have fun, and enjoy the free music

----> tell us about your green design projects for the summer

----> help us advertise, wear or pick up your very own Made in the USA
organic cotton O2 Michigan / Green Drinks t-shirt

Happy Independence Day!

Hopefully you're taking part of the day (or upcoming day) considering how to declare more independence from your carbon footprint. C'mon, it's pretty fun. If you are in the A2 or Detroit areas try walking/biking/commuting to the Ann Arbor Summer Festival (which hopefully you have been enjoying) or the 2007 Detroit CityFest (over the next few days in shadow of the Fisher Building). Two great festivals which the festival organizers (hint, hint) should really consider making more carbon neutral.





On a different topic, anyone ever done a life cycle analysis of fireworks? I like fireworks. The big shows that is, backyard scale fireworks seem kind of pointless and dangerous to me. But the big shows they're pretty entertaining. Can't think of a way to make them themselves sustainable so curious what has to be done to offset them.


(Apparently 252 million pounds of fireworks were sold in 2006 to individuals for "backyard" celebrations and there were 9200 injuries in 2006 from fireworks. Stats from Wisebread.)