A Bluedot Living Newsletter

If this newsletter is cut short by your email program. View it in full here.

Two sisters on Martha’s Vineyard built “green” houses and showed that there are many ways to create sustainable homes: One (pictured here) was a complete renovation of a historic homestead; the other was a green modular, for which that sister built much of the furniture. See the story, and the bittersweet tale of the sisters, on our Martha’s Vineyard site here.

–From a story summarizing the findings of the latest IPCC assessment report on climate change mitigation by Frank Jotzo, a Lead Author for the Synthesis Report and Mark Howden, a Vice Chair of the IPCC Working Group and a Review Editor of the Synthesis Report. Both were involved in the government approval session for the IPCC Synthesis Report. This latest report tells us all, again, that we must address the threat of climate change now, that we have the technology necessary, that it makes economic sense, but that a gap exists between what is required and what is being done. Without doubt, they tell us, “it must be done.” But as importantly, “it can be done.” May we all work so that it will be done.

• Cleo Carney grills her dad, Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance

• Raise your roof repairs: Mr. Fix-it shows you how

• Easter bunnies love carrot cake. You will too!

• Dear Dot tallies the (eco) cost of sample-sized products

• Toad & Co.’s colorful clothes have us cheering for spring

DISPATCHES FROM ALL OVER

BIG IDEAS AND LOCAL CHANGEMAKERS

LA-based reporter Victoria Thomas shares a conversation with the filmmakers of a stunning documentary focused on extreme conservation; Bluedot student reporter Cleo Carney talks to her dad, former governor for the Bank of England Mark Carney, about his shift to climate activism; and Bluedot copy editor Laura Roosevelt recommends a “climate read” she loves, Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.

A recent study examined what motivates people to adopt environmentally sound behaviors.
Want to read about it here?

THE BLUEDOT KITCHEN

Mr. Fix-it Fixes Roof Shingles

Dear Dot: What’s the impact of free samples
from department stores?

BUY LESS/BUY BETTER

Sustainable solutions are in bloom! Whether it's Brooklyn creating 100 miles of bike lanes, prescribed burning on Martha's Vineyard, or Pascale Beale talking seasonal produce, we are excited for spring time!

FOLLOW US

Bluedot's Guide to Getting Rid of Anything

Our spring cleaning recently unearthed a half-dozen ancient and thoroughly deceased cell phones, which prompted us to find out how to dispose of them responsibly. Want to get rid of some e-waste of your own? Consult Bluedot’s Guide to Getting Rid of (Almost) Anything. 

Have something you’re wondering how to dispose of or rehome? Let us know and Want to get rid of some e-waste of your own? we’ll do our best to help. Email us at editor@bluedotliving.com.

What’s Behind the Name “Bluedot”?

“There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world,” astronomer Carl Sagan wrote in 1994’s Pale Blue Dot. “To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.” Sagan’s humbling words inspire us to deliver stories to you that reflect his and so many others’ work to cherish this blue dot. Please consider forwarding this newsletter to your friends and family to share and inspire real-world eco-actions we can take at home and in our Martha’s Vineyard community. 

Thanks for being part of our Bluedot community!

–Jamie Kageleiry and Leslie Garrett

Editors
Write us at editor@bluedotliving.com