100% Certified GOREGANIC

[Scout1071]

Cross-posted at Daily Kos.



Over the last 2 years (or more), there has been a significant movement afoot to convince Al Gore to run for President in 2008. Yes, I agree with that sentiment, but that's not entirely what this diary is about, so I do hope you'll stay tuned for the rest of it.

There was a time in my adolescence where I was really into environmental issues. I worked to raise awareness for various causes, even going so far as to help organize an activist group in high school. I became a vegetarian and tried to lessen my impact on the earth in every way possible.


But, then I went to college and into the work world. My life changed - and some of my priorities changed as well. Although I have always tried to adhere to those basic environmental "laws" that I learned in high school, I started to loosen my parameters as to what constituted "conservation", etc.

I just didn't take it as seriously any more. It seemed like we had lost the battle. I really wasn't doing my part to lessen my impact any more. Sure, I did some recycling here and made conservation efforts there, but it wasn't the same. And the vegetarian thing? It went out the window when I was trapped in a lake house all day with torrential rain.....and a BBQ Brisket in the oven. For a native Kansas Citian (the BBQ capital of the world), 8 hours of that delicious smell proved to be too tempting.....and I never looked back.


Enter Al Gore and An Inconvenient Truth.

He reignited that fire and desire to make a difference and help save the planet. So, I got busy.

- I created a recycling center at home. There are no recycling efforts at apartment complexes in Kansas City. Curb service is available for actual houses, but no such option for apartments. So, I found the nearest recycling center and began to redouble my efforts.


- I began mapping errands to save gas. No more running here, there, and everywhere. I then took it a step further and purchased a scooter. It gets 80 mpg and I drive my car very little these days. I bought a trunk for the back that can hold my groceries, etc. I have already saved bundles on gas.



- Conserving water and decreasing my own home usage. I'm watering my garden only this year. The grass? It's do or die for the lawn. I don't turn on the sink and let it run while I load the dishwasher or brush my teeth or any other number of ways that I realized I was wasting water. (confession that it has been many, many years since I let the water run while brushing my teeth, but you get the picture.) And maybe most importantly.....no more bottled water! I rarely buy it anymore. I invested in a decent water filter and some reusable water bottles.

- I have been focused on buying locally grown, organic foods. I now make the effort to hop on that scooter and get to the farmer's market at least once a week. Not only does the food taste better, it's better for me. Less time at the grocery store, means less temptation for processed foods, sweets, etc. Not content with just the farmer's market, I found a way to grow peppers, tomatoes, fresh herbs, etc at my apartment.



These can be used on a balcony, patio, etc. I'd highly recomend these to anyone with a small space that wants to grow fresh veggies and herbs.

- I have significantly decreased my meat consumption (replacing most beef with locally raised buffalo). I now try to only allow myself to eat one meal a day that contains meat - if that. Turkey sandwich for lunch? Veggie option for dinner.

- Replacing light bulbs with the new energy saving bulbs. I got a great deal on these bulbs at Costco and replaced all the old bulbs. Along these lines, I unplug everything I can think of when not in use. Microwave, cell phone charger, computer, etc. These "ghost" appliances continue to drain energy even when they are not in use.

- Cutting back on the recommend amount of detergent/soap. You never need the "recommended" amount. They recommend you use as much as possible so you buy more of it. I've also begun to replace many of my household cleaning items with eco-friendly or homemade versions. They work just as well without all those nasty chemicals.

- I now air dry my clothes. Why waste the energy when Mother Nature does a fabulous job of drying your clothes?! This doesn't always work for me, but I use this option as much as possible.

You get the picture. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Could I be doing more? Of course! But, the point is that I am making significant changes and I know I'm not the only one. I'm learning more every day. And I owe so much of it to Al Gore's inspiration. He has provided an important wake-up call to America and the world. He has shown incredible wisdom and vision. When you couple that with the fact that Al Gore has been right on this ill-conceived war from day one and that he has consistently spoken the truth about the Bush Administration and the dangerous path they have led us down......well....that's when I knew......

I'm not just an Al Gore fan. I'm 100% Certified Goreganic.



I am committed to changing my life to make this planet a better place. And not only does that mean that I am going to continue to change my lifestyle to lessen my impact on this earth, I am equally committed to seeing Al Gore in the White House. Because I think that with Al Gore in the White House, we can truly make America and the world a better place.

As such, I began to look for some Gore paraphanelia to show my support. I wanted it to reflect how I felt, while being simultaneously environmentally friendly. I had a hard time finding such a style and because I've had a little time on my hands, see my Good Bye Corporate World diary, I decided to make them myself. Of course, I thought you too might want to show your support for Al Gore and the new (old) movement to save the planet, so I made some for my closest friends as well. Introducing http://shop.goreganic.com/">Goreganic line of t-shirts and hats. I have created several designs with Al Gore and the environmental theme in mind. All of the shirts and hats are made of 100% organic cotton, non-toxic dyes and made with labor and environmentally friendly production. The guys at Just Go West are printing the shirts and hats for me. They are even run on wind energy! Not to mention the fact that they've been great to work with on the Goreganic project.

These are limited edition (ie - at some point I'll stop making them) and I won't be writing any other diaries promoting the t-shirts, so I hope that you like them and tell your friends! Please check out the Goreganic myspace page at Goreganic Myspace and if you have a myspace account, by all means, add me as a friend! I'll be posting different conservation tips each week and encouraging others to leave tips in the comments section. I have also launched Goreganic.com, but it is still a work in progress.

Whether you end up with a Goreganic t-shirt or not, whether you support Al Gore in 2008 or not, I can only hope that you too are changing your lifestyle for the good of planet. It's the only one we have.

So, without further ado, here are the 4 initial Goreganic designs:









UPDATE: I forgot to mention that I will be using a portion of the proceeds to purchase carbon offsets that will fund renewable energy projects. To learn more about how you can do the same, visit http://www.climatecrisis.org

UPDATE #2: It looks like the "Re-Elect Al Gore 2008" is the early favorite. Would you rather see that on the hats than the Certified Goreganic logo? Let me know in the comments below and I'll get those ordered this week!

[greenbriar]

1. I want two shirts

one of the re-elect Gore

and I will work my ass off for gore in 2008


I like my tee-shirts large womens...I don't like them past my butt but to end at the waist


have also asked to be friend on myspace

[Scout1071]

2. Terrific! I'll add you to myspace friends asap.

And if you want one of the t's, just check them out here:

http://shop.goreganic.com/

I just signed up for Google Checkout, so I'll be adding that option soon.

Thanks for the kind words.

[lovuian]

53. Me too

Add me too

[Oilwellian]

3. Great post, Scout

DRAFTGORE.com...if you donate to their cause, they'll send you a really cool bumpersticker. I wasted no time putting it on my car and so far have gotten a LOT of thumbs up.

[Scout1071]

4. I'm all signed up on the petition.

I think I have a link to it on the myspace page.

Thanks for the note!

[InvisibleTouch]

5. I love this post!

Big K&R from me, and thanks for pointing out how important the power of inspiration is. And also how a passion for the environment and a fervent desire to see Al Gore take his rightful place in the White House, are not in any way mutually exclusive.

I do a lot of the same things you do, but you had me thinking, "Hmm, I wonder if I could make do with a scooter for around-town stuff, when I don't absolutely have to drive my big ol' van?" (Answer: "No," sadly; too much damn traffic and too many crazies on the road around here; I'd never feel safe. But I'll keep the option in mind if I move to a better location.)

I love your designs, but I'm not so big on white t-shirts with a logo. I'd love to see these as stickers, though! Any chance of adding that option?

[Scout1071]

6. Fortunately, organic cotton is soooo in demand right now that

it is difficult to find in all the good colors. Bad for Goreganic, but great for the planet. If you check the http://shop.goreganic.com/ page, you'll see the shirts are actually "natural", with the "I'll work my ass off" available in Navy.

I'll have other colors available in August.

I am also looking into the sticker/magnet option and may add those this week.

[DesertRat]

7. I'd buy a bumper sticker!

My favorite is the I (pine for) Al Gore!

:hi:

[Scout1071]

10. Awesome.

I love that one too.

[sellitman]

36. Ordered!

Great job!

[Scout1071]

39. Thanks a bunch sellitman.

It will ship late this week or early next week and I really hope that you enjoy.

[sellitman]

60. If I had a "My Space" you would be on it.

:toast:

[FogerRox]

8. myspace request on the way

[Scout1071]

9. Great....I'll add you ASAP.

[FogerRox]

32. Very cool, thanks.

[evlbstrd]

11. Wonderful!

Are you still in KC?
We have a Draft Gore Meetup Group, and just came back from manning a busy table at the Take Back America Conference.
I like the last tw designs.

edited because my brain farts and I leave out words.

[Scout1071]

12. Yep, I'm here.

When is the Draft Gore meet-up?

[evlbstrd]

14. Great!

I actually need to schedule the next one. The Fourth holiday messes things up a bit. But If you go to http://draftalgore.meetup.com/8/calendar/ you'll find our meetup dates. Right now, it's set for Tuesday night, and I haven't updated the agenda (you just reminded me of that). But it's at my house. Bring your designs!

[Scout1071]

38. Is the meet-up next Tuesday still on?

I wasn't sure since you said the holiday wasn't jiving with people's schedule.

[evlbstrd]

57. I'm having one.

Whether people show or not. If not, more beer for me!

[proud patriot]

13. Bookmarked for later

:hi:

[Scout1071]

17. I hope that you enjoy later then!

[malaise]

15. Great post

K & R

[Scout1071]

26. Thanks malaise.

I just hope everyone is pitching in. I learn more everyday.

[Scout1071]

16. IMPORTANT UPDATE:

I can no longer edit the diary to add this info, so I'll have to post it here:

UPDATE #3: I just reviewed some of the orders and noticed a glitch with the shipping. It was charging too much. Sooooo, for tonight only, until I get the shipping info corrected, I have taken away all shipping charges. FREE SHIPPING! For those that have already ordered, I will be in contact about refunding your shipping. Thanks again everyone.

[motocicleta]

18. FYI

Old motorbikes without catalytic converters pump out something around 4 times as much emissions as engines with cats. So you're saving gas money, but your scoot is pumping out the equivalent of an old car getting 20 mpg worth of emissions. I ride, and this information was a big drag to me. I figured you'd rather hear it from a DUer than somebody in person with an axe to grind.

Otherwise, nice post.

[Scout1071]

19. Mine is actually a 2002.

So, hopefully it is not so bad.

[motocicleta]

21. Excellent. It looked older. My bad.

Does it have a cat?

[Scout1071]

27. I really don't know.

But, you know that Honda Elite body really hasn't ever changed. I guess if it "ain't broke....don't fix it."

[motocicleta]

28. Just sayin'

If we want lower emissions, we have to pay attention to stuff other than mpg. I think that may be counter-intuitive to most people, but it is still true. We need a serious database of emissions for all vehicles, so these questions can be easily answered. Not just for shucks, but because the market needs perfect information in order to function properly. How many vehicle purchases would be changed if folks really knew how much emissions their vehicle pumped out? I suspect quite a bit.

I guess this is a pet project of mine that I shouldn't drag into your thread, but I feel like I have to make it an issue every chance I get until I get the emissions database we all need.

Cheers.

[Cha]

20. Terrific! I'm so proud

of you and the changes you made to help our Planet!

[wiggs]

22. Great point. Great idea with the shirts. knrnt.

[wiggs]

23. He is a leader. He makes a positive difference. He's the anti-Bush. nt

[tridim]

24. Any plans for bumper stickers?

I'd proudly display one of those on my car.

[Scout1071]

25. Yes, I'll likely add them this week.

But, why not an organic shirt? Super soft and no chemicals!

[Mabus]

29. Love the designs

Hopefully I'll meet you soon at evlbstrd's Gore meetup.

[Scout1071]

30. Thanks Mabus.

I hope to meet you as well.

[Scout1071]

31. One bounce before bed.

Thanks DU.

[OneBlueSky]

33. Al Gore just has to say two words, and the presidency is his . . .

"I'm in." . . .

[Gelliebeans]

34. Belated K & R

Gimme one of them shirts!!!

;)

[Gelliebeans]

35. Super easy to order with Paypal

a couple of clicks and I was done! Thanks Scout.

:yourock:

[Scout1071]

37. You are welcome Gellie.

Thanks for ordering!

[Gelliebeans]

58. Glad to help

a fellow DUer and help get out the word! :)

[Gelliebeans]

59. I meant to ask you

Do you have an estimate on delivery? It doesn't matter to me really but I am pretty excited about getting my stuff!

[helderheid]

40. I WANT them! Love the recycled and the Goreganic - must have them!

[Scout1071]

41. Thanks helderheid! I've worked hard pulling it all together.

I was more complicated than I thought it would be, but they are finally "live".

FYI - They will ship early next week.

Thanks!

[helderheid]

42. Yippee!!! I bought them :)

[lildreamer316]

43. I love this post. n/t

[Dora]

44. Would you do the Re-Elect in a bucket hat?

[Scout1071]

45. I will certainly look into it for you (and others).

I am adding the Re-Elect as an organic baseball hat.

Unfortunately for me and Goreganic, organic cotton products are in extremely high demand right now and inventories are limited or sold-out. Fortunately for the planet, people are catching on to the nasty facts about conventional cotton and they are turning to organic cotton - creating the high demand.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your interest and all you do to help save the planet!

[SharonRB]

46. These are great!

Run, Al, run!

I've started doing as much as I can and have started a program where I work to educate our employees about what they can do at home to help. We've phased out styrofoam in the office, gotten recycling bins, etc. We're doing what we can and hope to roll out the program to our other offices around the country (and around the world?) by letting our corporate offices in DC know what we've done.

[Scout1071]

48. Nice work Sharon.

I would encourage you and your co-workers to shut down as many computers and equipment as possible when you leave. Electronic devices like copiers, microwaves, computers, etc. collectively are a huge drain.

It'll help the environment and the bottom line for your business.

Thanks for all you do and for the kind words.

[SharonRB]

61. You're right, but we can't shut our computers off at night

We can shut off our monitors and printers, which I've started doing. They push updates down at night and will not let us shut them off. Believe me, I've asked.

[Scout1071]

62. Yea, a lot of bigger companies do that.

But, at least you are turning off the monitors and the printers. Good for you.

[northofdenali]

47. I'd like to have the "Re-Elect:" and "Kick Ass" t-shirts -

ASAP! Our "Golden Days" Celebration is coming up and I'd love to have them in time to wear to the various events.

On the carbon-reducing "plus" side - I'VE GOT A NEW CLOTHES LINE!!! I love it. I've already trained the spouse to turn off lights (a real pain in the ass to do, but he's finally made it a habit) and we take our 70 MPG motorcycle everywhere in decent (above 40, not pouring or sleeting or snowing) weather. We don't have AC (of course, even though it gets to 85+ here and the sun's out all night) - and the dishwasher is a mere memory.............

Please PM me and tell me how to get the shirts!!! I love 'em!! Terrific idea, great rant (you got a rec & kick) and I'll keep trying. My lawn hasn't been watered in ages, and I've got tomatoes, carrots, cukes, collards, swiss chard, cabbage, leaf lettuce, onions and kale planted. Won't see any real results till mid-July but we'll eat well this summer and can/freeze a bunch for winter.

My kitties like the bugs that like my veggies - hee hee!

Thank you for what you are doing.

[Scout1071]

49. What a great post northofdenali.....

Thanks for all that you are doing. Keep spreading the good word!

As far as the designs, they are all available at http://shop.goreganic.com

But, also check out my myspace page and add me if you have an account: http://www.myspace.com/goreganic

Thanks again!

[northofdenali]

51. Your blog has been subscribed to -

probably not decent english, but at least it'll kick again! :kick:

[Gelliebeans]

50. another kick.

;)

[RestoreGore]

52. Hi Scout

Good to see your work paying off as you relayed to me in the message you sent me. However, I can't buy anything now because I am saving my money for Live Earth and to send to other environmental endeavors but I do wish you luck with it. I also know what you mean about being inspired by An Inconvenient Truth. I am writing a book about the global water crisis and am on the introduction now. It will probably take me close to a year to get it all together, but I am determined to do it. Even though the environment has been my heart since I was a child Mr. Gore's movie definitely has had a hand in inspiring me to do this as well.

It's also good that you are cutting your water usage down too. I have cut mine to a minimum as well with shortened showers, not using excess water, not flushing as much, and only washing dishes once a day from a basin I keep in my sink which I fill with water in the beginning of the day. I also do not buy bottled water or any drinks in plastic bottles and recycle as well as using reusable cloth bags when grocery shopping, using CFL bulbs, etc., as well as not eating meat at all, and frankly, I don't miss it. It isn't a sacrifice to have a sustainable lifestyle, and as a matter of fact it actually not only helps the planet but saves time and money for you. So again, thanks for your dedication to living more sustainably, and hopefully Live Earth will awaken that spirit in many more people throughout the world. I got word that Live Earth parties for people not attending the concert have been planned in over 80 countries. That looks like a god start. Anyway, good luck to you.

[Scout1071]

54. Thanks for the encouragement.

And just so you know, I will be bringing some of these T's to Giants Stadium for Live Earth. I had planned on going anyway, so I might as well bring my T's. If you wanted to meet up before the show and get one in person, just PM me and we'll work it out.

Thanks for all you do. We are all in this together.

[RestoreGore]

55. I don't think you will be allowed to sell them there

Just so you know. I know from attending many events there that any kind of personal sales are prohibited on their property.

[Scout1071]

56. Sssshhhhh........