Green Living Magazine April 2020

APRIL 2020

MIKE MCMAHON / From a landscape business to

building community gardens A SILVER LINING / Earth heals itself

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CONTENTS

APRIL 2020

20

30

38

WORK

LIVE

5

WORKING TO END HUNGER

6

SOIL 101 FOR ARIZONA

10

MANIFESTING METASTREAMS

FOR THE PEOPLE, GREAT FOR THE 28 GOOD PLANET

12

SUSTAINABLE YOU

CORPORATION 30 NIKOLA The company transforms a space into a sustainable

14

SAVING A NATURAL WONDER

16

THE SILVER LINING OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

18

RESPONDING IN FAITH

Arizona’s food banks and local farmers team up What you need to know

Inspired tools and jewelry for well being Go crazy with houseplants Research through the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Earth begins to heal itself

HUNGER AND BUILDING 24 SOLVING COMMUNITY

Agave Farms grows Arizona’s agricultural scene through its unique nonprofit

The healing potential of hemp

showcase

BIRTHDAY! 33 HAPPY Earth Day and the EPA celebrate 50 years CHAMPION 37 GREEN Meet Tracy Dempsey Originals

What various Arizona faith communities are doing to help combat climate change

EXTINCTION 20 ECOSYSTEM The possible grim fate of wild mustangs in Arizona

PLAY

TO VIETNAM 38 TRAVELING Tips for American visitors

40 RECIPES Dishes to try GREEN, HE’S GREEN 42 SHE’S Earth-friendly switches

APRIL 2020

OUTRAGEOUS STUFF 44 COOL Green products to try

ON THE COVER SAVING THE PLANET / EarthX and Fed By Threads ALOE VERA / How it can help you

STRIVING FOR SUSTAINABILITY / The Global Reporting Initiative HEALTHY COOKING / The newest cookbook to know

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SCENES 46 GREEN Virtual events

Mike McMahon, owner of Agave Environmental Contracting Inc., Agave Farms and UFE. Photograph by Vince Alfaro.

Background image of Agave Farms. Photo by Vince Alfaro.

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greenliving | April 2020

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Yours in practicing a greener lifestyle PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DESIGN DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS DIGITAL COORDINATOR COPY EDITOR ADVISORY BOARD Sam Campana Ric Coggins Valerie Crosby Lori Diab Ken Edwins William Janhonen

Dorie Morales Michelle Glicksman Sly Panda Design Lindsey Murphy Kait Spielmaker Michael Ziffer

Jon Kitchell John Martinson Mary McCormick Eric Olsen Thomas Williams

CONTRIBUTORS Julie Andersen Mike Bambach David Brown Jennifer & John Burkhart Lisa Castrichini Ivy Ciolli Emily DiTomasso Kevin Galbraith Patrick Grady EDITORIAL INTERNS Emily DiTomasso Madi Page

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Green Living magazine is a monthly publication by Traditional Media Group, LLC. Periodical rate postage paid at Scottsdale, AZ. Publisher assumes no responsibility for contributed manuscripts, editorial content, claims, reviews, photographs, artwork or advertisements. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the company or official policies. Entire contents © 2019 Traditional Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Submissions will not be returned unless arranged to do so in writing. One print subscription is $39 per year or digital subscription is $12 per year. Canadian orders please add $13 per year for shipping and handling. International orders add $22 per year for shipping and handling. Bulk and/or corporate rates available. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is printed subject to errors and omissions. Green Living magazine is printed on recycled paper.

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3

Letter from the Publisher Dear Readers, I hope that you and your family and friends are healthy and safe during these uncertain times.

Happy 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! This year’s Earth Day does not look the way that we anticipated…

On a good news note, it is time to review some of the environmental blessings that are taking place. We are connecting with our families, our homes, and neighbors. We are seeing people connect to nature and get outside to hike and bike. I went to the park last Sunday and saw people enjoying the outdoors while maintaining the recommended 6 feet social distancing. The skies and oceans are blue, and we are seeing a reduction in global carbon emissions. We have a dramatic decrease in fossil fuels. The air pollution is lower because there are significantly fewer planes in the sky. We are using technology to connect with our clients, family, and friends. We are seeing wildlife in new places. On the flipside, we have an increase in both medical waste and other types of waste (for example, coffee stores that are no longer taking to-go cups for sanitation reasons, increasing the number of disposable cups now used).

In this annual Earth Day issue, enjoy our cover story, which is Q&A with Mike McMahon. Learn how he is engaging the community in urban farming and about his nonprofit, Urban Farming Education. Also, writer David Brown talks about what has taken place in the past 50 years of the EPA’s existence, and Ivy Ciolli engages us regarding what is happening with the possible ecosystem extinction of wild horses.

Then, flip to an informative article on Nikola Corporation, a company that is an innovator in the transportation world, and learn about its eco-friendly headquarters. Plus, Kait Speilmaker shares a good news article, and Kim Pham and Dr. Mark Morgan explain why Vietnam is a place that you will want to visit (when we can travel again!).

April is planting season, so learn from Emily Rockey why nutrient soil is so important; and last but not least, read about all the different products that can be made with hemp and where you can purchase them.

I encourage all of you to do something to celebrate Earth Day and make Earth Day every day!

Please contact us to let us know what you will do to celebrate. I can be reached through social media or email at dorie@greenlivingaz.com.

Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day, stated, “I urge you to make Earth Day a lifelong pursuit so that future generations may enjoy and pass along the bounties of our land, air and water.”

While you are remote, subscribe to our print, digital issue and newsletter so we can be in your mailbox or inbox.

Spread the sunshine and love, Dorie Morales

Dorie Morales

Publisher

P.S. We love to hear from our readers! Send us an email at editor@greenlivingaz.com with your comments on the issue, the green industry, or story ideas.

4

greenliving | April 2020

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WORKING TO END HUNGER

ARIZONA’S FOOD BANKS AND LOCAL FARMERS ARE TEAMING UP

BY LISA CASTRICHINI

W

hen we think about helping alleviate the noble cause of hunger, most people probably think of a soup kitchen, or of cleaning out their cabinets in order to donate items to a local food bank. Or, they think about holidays like Thanksgiving, when many charities raise money for the less fortunate to have a holiday meal. But every month, 860,000 Arizonans don’t know where their next meal is coming from. For them, this is an everyday reality. Food is expensive—and healthy food is even more expensive. So how do the 860,000 Arizonans who need assistance get access to healthy foods?

A bill was proposed in the Arizona State Senate called Friends of the Farm, which will allow local food banks the funding to purchase from local farmers to distribute to their clients. Similar programs have been implemented in other states, such as Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio.

By allowing food banks to buy locally, the bill also helps decrease a negative impact to our environment by limiting transportation, fuel, and packaging.

Not only is this a great program for local farmers, but it’s a win-win for the nearly one million Arizonans who face food insecurity. Those who are food insecure are more likely to have a chronic illness such as Type 2 diabetes or hypertension.

Eating healthy is difficult enough for most Americans who are not food insecure. greenlivingaz.com

One Arizona food bank knows that food can be medicine.

HonorHealth Desert Mission Food Bank and its Fourth Street Market gives clients a full grocery cart of food, most of it fruits and veggies. To help encourage healthy eating, Desert Mission also has food demonstrations at the market. The recipes used for the demonstrations are healthy, delicious, and easy.

In addition to food demonstrations, the food bank provides monthly cooking classes for the community.

The way we look at hunger in this country is changing. We can no longer just empty our cabinets with cans that have been there for who knows how long, donate them to a local food bank, and think we are doing justice to the underserved. Your health should not be determined by your income level.

The Friends of the Farm bill will help local food banks provide their clients with nutritious foods. Food is expensive, especially when you are living paycheck to paycheck. A program such as this can help those in our community who need and want healthy food options but don’t have the means to buy it.

Lisa Castrichini is a Certified Health Education Specialist. She graduated from Arizona State University in 2017 with a degree in Nutrition, and works in Arizona's Public Health system. When she's not helping the underserved population, you can find her at an indoor cycling class.

April 2020 | greenliving

5

SOIL 101 FOR ARIZONA WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

BY EMILY ROCKEY

"I have such bad soil."

P

erhaps you’ve heard this lamentation from Arizona residents, or maybe you’ve even thought it yourself.

However, two of our state’s five “Cs” that represent major industries here—cotton and citrus—grow in Arizona soil; plus a third (cattle) depends upon the soil. Do we actually have “bad soil”? Or might it be that if we learn a little about desert soils, we would find greater understanding, and in turn, greater success in our gardening endeavors?

What is “good soil”? There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to soil, as it depends upon the preference of the plant. If you learn how a species grows in nature, and then mimic those conditions, you will likely find success. A saguaro cactus grows wild in the Sonoran Desert where soils are sandy and lack organic matter, and do not hold moisture between scarce rain events. On the other hand, a lush fern that grows wild in moist, cool forests with ample shade and rich soil would do very poorly where the saguaro cactus flourishes. The cacti and other Arizona native plants are adapted and designed

6

greenliving | April 2020

to thrive in this soil and in the hot, arid conditions. To put a twist on the old saying, “To each plant their own soil.”

Once we identify what we’d like to grow and what environmental conditions those plants prefer, we can start to build a soil. In our backyards we have Sonoran Desert soils, so the easiest plants to grow are those that are native to the area, where the conditions match the plants’ needs. But if you wish to grow a non-native vegetable garden, or a fruit tree, our native soil will perform well with just some soil amendments.

Here is a guide.

FIND BALANCE IN THE SOIL Soil particles—sand, silt, and clay—should be balanced to allow water to drain, but not dry out so quickly that the plant is stressed for water.

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to respire, and are light or white in color when healthy. Make sure the soil drains well and is not saturated (unless they are water plants!).

INSULATE AND COVER THE SOIL In all climates and especially the desert, mulch is invaluable for its ability to conserve water. By creating a barrier, mulch reduces evaporation from the soil and lowers water usage.

It also insulates from extreme temperatures during both the winter and the summer. Did you know it can be 10 to 30 degrees F cooler beneath a layer of organic mulch such as wood chips or compost? Furthermore, as organic mulch breaks down over time, it adds nutrients back into the soil.

BUILD UP ORGANIC MATTER Perhaps the most drastic difference between desert soils and those of other parts of the U.S. is organic matter. Decomposing leaves are an example of organic matter. While most soils contain up to 10 percent organic matter, desert soils contain less than 1 percent!

You might ask, “Organic matter, what does it matter?” In nature, it is common to see plant debris on the ground. This layer of material, once living, provides many benefits. The natural ecosystem makes use of fallen debris: leaves, fruit that falls to the ground, mesquite pods, dead bugs, and animal excrement. With the help of microbes, all this organic matter decomposes and goes back into the soil to nourish plants for another season of growth. Talk about a no-waste operation: Mother Nature does it best!

GIVE THANKS FOR MICROBES Although we cannot see them, beneficial soil bacteria and fungi are working hard beneath our feet, “spoon-feeding” plants the nutrients from decomposing organic matter (or fertilizer).

They are the mediators of nutrient uptake, and thus are critical to growing healthy plants and food. Pesticides, herbicides, and petroleum-based fertilizers can be detrimental to microbial life, disrupting the delicate symbiotic relationship between soil and plants. Use organic products instead of synthetics, and feed soil and microbes organic matter such as compost.

GROW VARIETIES THAT ARE DESERT-ADAPTED Ask your local nursery professional or Cooperative Extension for recommendations. Some varieties of plants are better suited for our desert soil and climate, which makes growing them easier and more fruitful.

FIND PERSPECTIVE Just as Arizona does not have “bad soil,” you do not have a “black thumb”! A little patience and knowledge will go a long way to healthy, productive landscapes and gardens.

Emily Rockey a.k.a. “The Dirt Girl” is the director of sales and marketing at Tank’s Green Stuff, a locally owned recycling company that produces organic compost, mulch, and more, available at a store or nursery near you. Tank’s Compost is certified organic and adheres to the US Composting Council’s ‘Seal of Testing Assurance’ program. Tank’s Green Stuff is Good for People, Plants and Planet! To learn more, visit www.tanksgreenstuff.com

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greenliving | April 2020

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9

MANIFESTING METASTREEMS

BY KEVIN GALBRAITH

T

he story of how something comes to be is often as important as the product itself. This statement is absolutely the case in describing a company tucked away in the hills above Scottsdale, Arizona.

Metastreems is not just another company offering healing gemstone products. It takes only a short conversation with the founder, Cris Olson, to uncover the beauty within.

Olson’s odyssey began in 2006 when he was overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning in his home. As he recalls the incident, he remembers that his two dogs pulled him, unconscious, out of the house— and this is where he believes that he “crossed over” with a neardeath experience.

After recovering, Olson began to see “colorful energy” around people and plants. His life changed after that experience.

“Several people found me and became my teachers and mentors,” he says. “They helped me understand what I was going through and figure out my new ability and wrap my mind around it. I started seeing things that needed to be built using these principles.”

He began building things using sacred geometry.

Given this second chance at life, he realized that he was given the opportunity to help others in their healing process. When Olson’s own products were used to heal his injured hand, he knew he was on to something.

“I like to break myself,” he recalls. “I was in a terrible motorcycle accident, which resulted with one of my hands being amputated. Around Christmas last year, I was at a show and this guy walks up and used one of my pieces to heal my hand.”

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greenliving | April 2020

After that he knew what he needed to—and Metastreems was born.

The broad and intentional product line provides an abundance of inspired tools for healing and well being.

The intricate designs on the company’s rings and charms makes one appreciate the beauty of the sacred geometry involved in healing.

Other products, such as the polished, natural crystal-filled “Pen-ergy,” offer practical, multipurpose tools that can be a joy to use. The company’s varying product line is sure to have something that will please everyone, Olson believes.

The company’s dedicated team is focused on bringing healing, love and harmonious unity to everyone.

It is said that when things are “off,” to go back to your roots. That is just what Olson did with his art.

He comes from a family of jewelers.

So, going back to his ancestral skills as a jeweler, he channeled his desire to help others to enjoy the same gifts of healing. The sacred alchemy that is Metastreems is the result of combining the talents of passionate artisans and healers. On the homepage of Metastreems is the mission statement: “Our goal is to bring it all together in a way that also brings people, healing, and happiness together: Awake. Relate. Resonate.”

For more information, visit www. metastreems.com.

Kevin Galbraith is a grateful, compassionate, loving being who focuses on spreading love via art, music, and written word. He is especially inspired when he is able to see and remind others of their inherent beauty and goodness. Kevin currently lives in the western U.S. and spends his free time researching green technologies and minimalist lifestyles.

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SUSTAINABLEYOU SUSTAINABLE One thing you can do...

GO CRAZY WITH HOUSEPLANTS

BY KAREN LANGSTON

D

o you find when you take time to be in nature you just feel better? The more stressed we are in our daily lives, the more we need to reconnect with Mother Nature.

Did you know plants have numerous health benefits? But what if you can’t find the time to bathe in a forest or walk among the trees, especially during times like summer, when the temperature soars? Bring Mother Nature inside.

Houseplants are becoming quite trendy. Look at any home decorating magazine and you will see photos graced with houseplants of varying sizes. Your local nursery, grocery, and home hardware stores are full of plants perfect for the home.

Did you know plants can help reduce stress? Stress hormones deactivate the ability of our immune system to protect us and

12

greenliving | April 2020

keep us healthy. Look at the epic proportions of people suffering with depression, anxiety, low energy, and other wellness challenges. I wonder if they are lacking plants in their home.

Indoor plants have a calming influence. Seeing greenery and nature helps people feel more relaxed and calmer, which in turn benefits our everyday mood. According to Peter Bongiorno, author of Holistic Solutions for Anxiety & Depression in Therapy: Combining Natural Remedies with Conventional Care, touching soft and smooth plants may also make you feel calmer. Caring for plants can help increase compassion and, improve relationships, which in turn, creates the greater likelihood of caring for others. Flowers also have an immediate impact on happiness, and improve memory.

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TAKE A LOOK AROUND YOUR HOME AND OFFICE; IS YOUR SCENE GREEN? Plants are living filters. They have the ability to remove toxins from the air, including formaldehyde. They also filter airborne microbes and increase humidity. A 1989 NASA study looked at how Sick Building Syndrome and the off-gassing of building materials and furniture were making employees sick.

Researchers found that adding plants to the building helped to remove the toxic substances, as well as pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and other organic chemicals. Extensive research by NASA has revealed that houseplants can remove up to 87 percent of air toxins in a 24-hour period.

Other studies have shown that houseplants can help remove dust, which is quite helpful to those with allergies and other breathing problems. One study found a 20 percent reduction in dust with indoor plants and increased humidity, which is something we can appreciate during the dry Arizona summer heat.

Do you find yourself a little sleepy in the afternoon or does your concentration wane, especially while working?

Add some plants to your work space. According to numerous studies, plants help with concentration, and create happier moods, better job satisfaction, and stronger relationships.

Small plants such as cacti, or small, growing plants in a terrarium, are perfect for the desk. So, skip the coffee and grab a small plant instead.

If you can’t add plants in your work space, adding pictures of nature can provide the same mood-enhancing benefits. Switch your desktop background and screensaver to photos of lush landscapes. Take some pictures of your favorite outdoor space and add them to your work space. If you can, sit by a window and look out from time to time.

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CAN PLANTS HELP WITH A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP? You bet! When it comes to plants, we have an essential relationship—we need them to provide us with oxygen.

During the day, with the help of photosynthesis, plants take the carbon dioxide we exhale and turn it into oxygen. During the night, however, most plants do the opposite—they release carbon dioxide. So, keep these plants out of the bedroom.

Instead, add orchids, succulents, snake plants, and bromeliads as they create oxygen during the night (thus can help in aid in a great night’s sleep!).

Here in the desert we have screens on our homes to keep the bright sun out. This may affect your ability to keep houseplants healthy. You can remove screens on windows where the sun does not directly shine in, such as north-facing windows or windows which are covered by a porch or awning.

This will help bring in enough light for low-light plants.

Houseplants are relatively easy to care for. Small plants that are in 4- to 6-inch pots, require about a half cup of water, once a week. Larger plants in an 8- to 10-inch pot will require about 1 cup of water. Larger than this may require up to half a gallon of water, depending on the size. As for cacti, watering is typically every two weeks, depending on the type.

If you do not have a green thumb, start with smaller plants and follow the watering instructions. Set a time on your calendar to remind you when to water your plants. In return, they will love you back by keeping you healthy and in an upbeat mood! You may not be able to get out and garden. You can, however, bring the outdoors in with houseplants. Mother Nature will thank you!

Karen Langston is a certified holistic nutritionist working with clients and professionals on how to have three healthy poops a day. Poop well, be well. www.healthygutadvisor.com

April 2020 | greenliving

13

SAVING A NATURAL WONDER

RESEARCH THROUGH THE MCDOWELL SONORAN CONSERVANCY COULD LEAD TO MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL BREAKTHROUGHS

BY JANET PEREZ

Y

ou’d be hard-pressed to find an arid area in the Southwest as beautiful at the Sonoran Desert with its saguaros, mountains, palo verde trees and color-kissed wildflowers. Preserving a portion of this wondrous desert is the job of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, but now it’s confronting encroaching enemies.

Justin Owen, who has been the executive director of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy for more than two years, explains that there has been a large increase in a non-native bunch grass species that conservancy researchers are working to eradicate.

“The two non-native grasses that have been introduced to the Sonoran Desert are serving as the primary fuel load for the wildfires you see in California and all the way to Australia,” Owen says. “These grasses are wreaking devastation around the world.”

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This current research conducted by the conservancy’s Pearson Field Institute is an example of how Owen is taking existing resources and giving them a new purpose.

“Justin understands research as something that makes the conservancy different from other organizations,” says Don Gruber, a legacy steward at the conservancy. “Our own research on non-native plants is specifically focused on helping here, but we recognize that so much of what we're doing can be useful elsewhere, and we are also thinking about how best to share it.”

Overseen by the Conservancy, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale encompasses more than 30,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert. There are more than 200 miles of well-maintained trails where the preserve can be explored on foot, bike, or horse. The preserve is the largest urban land preserve in North America and the fourth-largest in the world. greenlivingaz.com

Opposite: Volunteers in the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy’s Construction and Maintenance crew do repair work on a trail at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Photo courtesy of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Through the Conservancy, as many as 700 people volunteer in various capacities to assist the roughly 750,000 visitors who pass through the preserve each year.

“Our job is to help maintain the safety of people using the trails by making sure the trails themselves are in safe condition and reporting when they're not,” explains Gruber, who also assists researchers.

While increasing visitors is all well and good, Owen says that when he first joined the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, its board of directors already knew that the organization had to move to the next level, but they weren’t sure what that was.

It was Owen’s job to come up with a plan.

“I would be lying if I said it was just me. I've got an amazing team with staff and volunteers that have really helped shape the organization as it sits today,” says Owen, who has lived in the Valley for 14 years. “We have shifted from an internallooking organization to an externally focused organization.

We still educate people on being stewards of the preserve, but we’re focusing on education in schools and scientific research.”

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy is working on research projects with Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University (NAU), and Scottsdale Community College. Owen is particularly excited about the NAU project, which, he says, could make a global impact.

The topsoil that keeps the desert land in place is eroding. So, in its Flagstaff greenhouses, NAU researchers created a large soil crust. This winter, the crust was transplanted in the desert.

“In the summer, we'll go back out to see if it was viable and sustainable,” he says. “Its survival can make a huge difference.”

While Owen is excited about the conservancy and the preserve possibly bringing about major environmental breakthroughs, he also has a soft spot for youngsters just learning about the desert in their backyards.

Owen has been able to expand the Conservancy’s Title I third-grade education program. He finds the program both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

“One of the classes that I got to interact with from South Phoenix was filled with children who don't have the opportunity to get out and experience the natural desert,” he says.

Janet Perez is a freelance writer based in Tempe.

A class of students take part in the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy’s Expedition Days. The children learn about the Sonoran Desert’s ecosystem and their place in it. Photo by Lynne Russell

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April 2020 | greenliving

15

THE SILVER LINING OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

Photo by Kait Spielmaker

EARTH BEGINS TO HEAL ITSELF

BY KAIT SPIELMAKER

A

s many of us entered the third week of March this year, we had no idea that our world would be placed on pause as if it were a song on our spring playlist. This uncertainty, paired with anxiety from a somewhat tumultuous news cycle, has had many feeling as if our world has been flipped upside down. Each day, I would wake up feeling uneasy and illprepared for what is coming next, but one day felt different.

In the wake of my seemingly current state of never-ending anxiety, I felt a wave of calm as social media graced me with something good. Amid the chaos, while the world around us seems to be crashing and burning, we should really stop and smell the flowers for a minute. The flowers in this case are seeing the lungs of the Earth, full and grateful that humanity has paused.

If you haven’t been following the news cycle or you have been avoiding social media, you may have missed the residents of Venice posting photos of the canals or the satellite imaging showing the greenhouse gas emissions over China. With many countries placing mandates on residents to help stop

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the spread of Coronavirus even further, our planet is showing signs of restoration in the absence of human activity.

VENICE, ITALY In Venice, the canals are the lifeline of the city. They are home to many boats and gondolas, as cars are restricted.

Venice has been the leading example of unsustainable overtourism in recent years, contributing further to pollution.

Venice officials have been working to preserve the city’s culture and charm while mitigating pollution in the city by limiting the number of tourists, including those from cruise ships, that are allowed there at one time.

Venice is a volatile and delicate place with a dense tourist population. In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, Italy was one of the first major countries to go on lockdown. While we have heard a lot of sad news regarding the people of Italy, we have also recently been seeing residents on their balconies, joining together in song; and now photos are surfacing of the clear canals flowing through the neighborhoods in Venice.

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CHINA China is the largest greenhouse gas (GHG)-emitter on the planet, and according to research from the Rhodium Group, it increased GHG emissions by another 2.6 percent in 2019. Since the COVID-19 virus hit mainstream in China in December 2019, coal consumption dropped by approximately 40 percent.

Furthermore, since the Chinese New Year on January 25, experts are seeing CO2 emissions drop by approximately 25 percent.

Environmentally, this is monumental, coming from a country with large-scale manufacturing and production.

When China’s residents re-establish back at work, there will likely be a spike in emissions as production and plants restart after a long shutdown. As part of the Copenhagen Accord in 2009, China pledged to shift its reliance away from fossil fuels and onto renewables by 15 percent by 2020 and to reduce carbon intensity of the economy, both of which seem likely attainable goals this year.

WHAT THIS MEANS Our planet is incredibly resilient. It means that when humanity is able to slow down, Earth can begin to heal.

It is evident that these are unprecedented and unique circumstances happening in our global communities. Our lives will eventually resume and restore, including our economy and the environmental impact that corresponds with that. Being able to witness what our environment is capable of repairing in such a short amount of time gives hope for the future and the livelihood of our planet. We may still have a long way to go, but the Earth is still alive and well, and carries the capacity to heal itself for future inhabitants.

Kait Spielmaker is a Michigan native who relocated to Phoenix, and is the digital content coordinator at Green Living Magazine. She is an avid hiker and is working on her master’s degree in Sustainable Tourism at Arizona State University.

THE UNITED STATES We can see evidence of this in our own neighborhoods, as well. A friend recently posted a photo from her window in Los Angeles, and in her 13 years of living there she had never seen the city landscape of Downtown Los Angeles as clear she had been for a few days.

In Phoenix, I recently drove over near Piestewa Peak, where there are great views of Downtown and South Mountain farther in the distance. I take this route almost daily to work, and on those drives I almost always notice how much air pollution settles among the Downtown buildings and obscures the views of the mountains in the distance. Today was different; there was no smog, traffic was light, and the views were breathtaking. You could see the curves from the shadows on the mountain in a way that to me was unprecedented.

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RESPONDING IN FAITH

WHAT VARIOUS ARIZONA FAITH COMMUNITIES ARE DOING TO HELP COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE

BY PATRICK GRADY

L

iving green, for those engaged in spiritual or religious faith journeys, often means living into your beliefs for the sanctity of creation or for the protection of nature and sacred places. As we look across the globe, people of various faiths are raising their voices, calling for immediate action to care for the Earth, our common home.

Here in Arizona, the Arizona Interfaith Power and Light (www.azipl.org) has been a leading faith-based advocate for mobilizing a statewide religious response to global warming.

Deepening the connection between faith and ecology prompts an activism of the heart to reduce the devastating effects of global warming. With faith communities in Tucson, the Phoenix area, Flagstaff and Prescott, AZIPL, on its own and in collaboration with others, offers workshops, films, speakers, and events to educate others on how to help build a clean energy future in our state. It also rallies individuals and congregations to advocate on behalf of particular local

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and statewide solutions in the areas of renewable energy, environmental justice, and food justice.

The faith community needs to be a prophetic voice in the face of this planetary climate crisis.

The faith community in Prescott is following this AZIPL model. So much has happened in the past few months. Sacred Heart Catholic Church, building on its major investments in solar and energy efficiency, has moved forward this past fall with the creation of an Earth Care Ministry, building on the prophetic voice of Pope Francis and his encyclical, “Laudato Si”. In late December 2019, Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist (GPUU) Congregation passed a resolution, a Climate Change Declaration of Emergency, perhaps the first congregation to do so in Arizona. The Declaration “requires our congregation and congregants to take accountable, faith-based, climate mitigating action in order to protect our congregants, greenlivingaz.com

community, country, and our Earth. It is critical that we all do whatever we possibly can to bring the interdependent web of life back into balance so that we can have the hope and possibility of a livable future.”

To that end, the GPUU Board of Trustees is directing all of its committees and teams, minister and staff, to “prioritize and ground our ministry in reverence for this Earth” by looking at all plans, policies, activities, and spending to reflect the “critical nature of Climate Change.” Bold and prophetic with an actionable plan.

Unity Church in Prescott has had The Unity Green Team for a number of years and is committed to “stewardship for a sustainable balance of nature and the sanctity of all creation.”

Prescott United Methodist Church (PUMC) is the first local church to engage with AZIPL-sponsored community-wide events around food and climate change, perspectives of other faith traditions, as well as hosting climate marches from its church to downtown Prescott’s Courthouse Plaza.

This Earth Week, PUMC will host the film, From Paris to Pittsburgh.

With this nucleus and a palpable interest in increasing activism around sustainability and climate change, representatives of these four congregations, as well as the Yavapai Climate Change Coalition and the Northern Arizona

Climate Change Alliance, came together in February to form the Prescott Faith Network for Earth Care. No, not just another meeting for already busy volunteer leaders. This Faith Network will provide an opportunity for sharing in order to learn from one another. It offers hope for developing a collaborative agenda and to scale up the faith voice in the broader community.

From that first meeting, the Faith Network initiated a campaign to encourage other churches/synagogues/ congregations/fellowships to observe Earth Care Sunday, April 19, as part of the larger Earth Week celebration. It commemorates the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. That’s a start. We have heard the cries of the Earth and we are responding in faith. We hope that our expressions of love for this Earth and all of humanity will be heard. And that our advocacy builds bridges to a more just and sustainable environment in our region, country and the planet. Stay tuned!

Patrick Grady is the Chair of the Yavapai Climate Change Coalition and recently elected to the Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance Board of Directors. In addition, he is active on the Green Sanctuary Team at Granite Peak UU as well as with other local faith communities concerned with care of the Earth. He and his wife, Leslie, live in the beautiful mountain community of Prescott.

Keeping of the Earth with GPUU Rev. Patty Willis. Photo courtesy GPUU

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ECOSYSTEM EXTINCTION

THE POSSIBLE GRIM FATE OF WILD MUSTANGS IN ARIZONA

BY IVY CIOLLI

E

arth Day falls on April 22 each year, and 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement.

The 1970s were apparently the awakening of more environmentally conscious minds, but sadly, half a century later, we’re still struggling to uphold the movements and legislation meant to protect Mother Earth and all its inhabitants.

lucrative holding pens, and only the lucky few find their way to sanctuaries who have to strategically bid to buy them at auction.

With this issue at the forefront of my mind, it’s our future generation that keeps me motivated to draw attention around such a controversial topic.

On this milestone Earth Day, turn your thoughts to the importance of our ecosystem. In a natural, healthy ecosystem there is a balance between predator and prey, with each regulating the numbers of the other. But when humans interfere by killing off too many of the natural predators, the result is unnaturally inflated numbers of prey species, which then leads to overgrazing, damage to the environment, and eventually mass starvation.

While skiing with my family in Park City, Utah recently, a horse-loving 10-year-old girl took the chairlift up with us on our first run. When she learned that we lived in Arizona, she immediately asked if we get to see wild horses on a regular basis. I explained to her when driving in the mountains, especially near the Salt River, you can be fortunate to see a herd of wild mustangs. Although, the reality is you may not be able to see them in the wild for long. I didn’t say this because I couldn’t bear to tell her that they are in imminent danger of losing their freedom. Instead, young children like her are put in my path to remind me to keep speaking up for the voiceless.

This overgrazing has become the fate of the wildlife that dwell on the land designated to the cattle ranchers—and can possibly lead to the extinction of wild mustangs. For these horses, their future looks grim. Many end up at slaughter houses in Mexico or Canada, some are held in ranchers'

As a child, I grew up horseback riding and had a horse named Bandit that my father saved from being euthanized. The highlight of my childhood was taking English riding lessons at a barn near my home, and on occasion, riding Western on a family friend’s ranch. In addition, my chiropractic father

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would adjust horses with a rubber mallet every Tuesday free of charge. Needless to say, I come from a family of horse lovers!

Management (BLM). It's the division of the government meant to protect them, yet it’s the cattle ranchers whose interests they’re actually looking out for.

I am a huge advocate of equine therapy for people of all ages at barns such as Hunkapi Programs in Scottsdale, where horses Grace Kuhn wrote a poignant article in the Salt Lake rescued from slaughter heal people as much as the people Tribune stating that across the West, cattlemen graze their heal the horses. I am also a supporter of horse rescues such as private livestock on our public lands. The grazing fee remains Healing Hearts in Cave Creek. Working to save Arizona's wild at $1.35 per month per cow/calf pair, which is the minimum horses is nothing new according to Jennifer Brumbaugh, executive For these horses, their future looks grim. Many end up at director at Healing Hearts, who slaughter houses in Mexico or Canada, some are held in shares that, “In 2018, news from Arizona's Navajo Nation was ranchers' lucrative holding pens, and only the lucky few shocking. Nearly 200 wild horses find their way to sanctuaries who have to strategically bid were found dead near a dried-out to buy them at auction. stock pond. While searching for a water source, these desperate horses burrowed themselves into the mud and couldn’t escape. It was a horrific sight. Yet, three allowed under the current law. This is a 90 percent discount lone newborn foals survived, and were taken to Healing Hearts with gratitude to tax subsidies. The public lands livestock for rehabilitation. Shared water sources with cattle and drought program produces only 1.9% of our nation’s beef, yet has cost were factors in this horrific event.” taxpayers more than $1 billion over the past decade.

As you begin to understand my passion for wild mustangs, you may or may not be aware of the impact of cattle ranchers, licensed killings of predators, and the natural migration of wild mustangs on government land that is now allocated to cattle ranchers for grazing purposes. I am constantly following the news regarding the wild mustang round-ups and removal from government lands managed by the Bureau of Land

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Kuhn stated, ”Keep in mind: The vast majority of the time, the taxpayer is not supplementing small family ranches; rather we’re footing the bill for large corporations taking advantage of a federal program.” Hence why they view wild horses as their competition encroaching on cheap, subsidized grazing land.

The BLM estimates that there are around 88,000 wild horses on Western public lands, while there’s 700,000 to a million

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grazing cattle. These wild horses are allotted just 17 percent of federal rangelands to inhabit. Of this, an astounding 80 percent is designated for privately owned livestock.

Those statistics and facts are heartrending, especially when I read on www.americanwildmustangcampaign.org that in 1971, Congress unanimously passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, a federal law to protect wild horses and burros from “capture, branding, harassment, and death.”

Declared “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people;

predators balance ecosystems and could help to regulate wild horse populations. But between hunting tags and government kill programs aimed at protecting livestock, hundreds of mountain lions are killed on public lands each year. Needless to say, if wild horses do not have predators; their population will continue to grow. But if we allow nature to take its course, the wild horse population would remain under control and endangered wildlife would not have to pay the ultimate price of extinction. Our ecosystem only functions properly when we allow these animals to live their natural lives in their natural habitat ensuring food and fertile land.

The impact of humans interfering with nature is undeniable. Our eco-system is suffering as a result. The demise of wild horses and other wildlife is inevitable unless we take a stand. It is my hope as well as many other to keep these wild horse bands intact and preserve their freedom before it’s too late. I have become very fond of a wild mustang sanctuary called Skydog Ranch, located in Oregon, that I hope to emulate one day. The founder’s mission is to try to keep these herds together and reunite families that otherwise would be split up and most likely sent to auctions where kill buyers are eager to sell them to Mexico and Canada for consumption.

and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene.”

The BLM, which exists as an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior, was charged with managing these animals on public lands. Sadly, this protection does not exist today. The reality is that the BLM uses low-flying helicopters to brutally stampede, capture, and remove wild horses and burros by the thousands from Western public lands. Wild horses and burros who survive roundups are stockpiled in government holding facilities. Those who can’t be adopted or auctioned off are sentenced to a lifetime of being warehoused in long-term holding facilities. At the very worst, wild horses end up in the slaughter pipeline.

According to the same site, approximately 80 million taxpayer dollars fund this mismanaged program annually.

These are facts that many are not privy to unless you start delving in and researching on your own. Needless to say, ranchers want public lands clear of any animals that inhibit their profits such as wolves, bison, mountain lions, and coyotes. In 2018, agents killed 2.6 million animals, including 375 mountain lions. The USDA will kill any predators that enter public land upon a rancher's request just because they are present on their grazing allotments. Mountain lions are natural predators of wild horses and burros. These apex

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Clare Staples, the founder of Skydog Ranch, kindly took time away from her daily routine of caring for these wild mustangs to give me the statement, “Right now, wild horses are being managed to extinction by the government agency mandated to care for them on public lands. If we continue like this, there will be no mustangs left for future generations—sold out for greed and profit and the almighty dollar. But they are worth so much more as their wild and free spirits represent everything good about the American West. We are doing all we can to raise awareness for them and urge others to take action to help them before it’s too late.”

Earth Day 1970 was the emergence of advocates for the wellbeing of our planet—now in 2020, live in the spirit of Earth Day every day by being the voice for wild mustangs and all wildlife on the brink of extinction. Trust that Mother Nature knows how to innately balance our ecosystem; all who rise from the soil resolve back to the soil in harmony.

Visit www.healingheartsaz.org/, www.skydogranch.org and www.americanwildhorsecampaign.org/ for the latest update on wild mustang Roundups and the SAFE Act (H.R. 961, Safeguard American Food Exports Act).

Any opinions expressed in articles are the writer’s.

Ivy Ciolli is a native of Arizona born with the innate desire to protect Mother Earth. She is a wife and proud mother of Cole and Brooklyn.

Her days are filled with volunteering at her children's school, and philanthropic work involving abused and neglected children and animals.

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Aeriel view of Agave Farms. Photo by Vince Alfaro

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SOLVING HUNGER AND BUILDING COMMUNITY

AGAVE FARMS GROWS ARIZONA’S AGRICULTURAL SCENE THROUGH ITS UNIQUE NONPROFIT

BY KYLEY WARREN

M

ike McMahon is uniquely qualified for the mission he’s set for himself. An urban farmer, sustainability expert, and the founder of Agave Environmental Contracting LLC, he is expanding his brand and empowering the Downtown Phoenix and Maricopa County communities in a unique way in the process.

McMahon’s latest entity, Urban Farming Education (UFE), is changing food scarcity through education. It mobilizes opportunities for agriculture throughout the Valley by introducing subcommunities to ecotherapy, farm business education, and sustainable practices to adopt when growing food organically. The company’s work thus far has already inspired partnerships with a number of nonprofits, schools, and local organizations.

Though as our world continues to navigate life amid the COVID-19 outbreak, farming education and sustainable gardening seem particularly relevant now, perhaps more so than ever before.

Where do you think your affinity for farming and gardening began?

One of my earliest memories was watching and then learning to love gardening with my father. My Uncle Bud had a huge, old cherry tree in his backyard that we would pick cherries from, remove the pits, and my mother would bake cherry pies. My father later transplanted a stick from my uncle’s cherry tree–which I now know the correct term for is 'cutting'–that eventually grew very large in our backyard. He also transplanted maples and oaks.

Produce coming from nature was always the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.

that I cared that much or letting on to him what I was doing.

How did Agave Environmental Contracting, LLC begin?

After I graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo, I immediately moved out west to Phoenix. My undergraduate degree in the engineering school was based on holistic problem-solving and environmental design. I wasn’t sure what I would do with that degree, and I am a little surprised now to see it was exactly what I needed to do all the things I am involved with today. My first few years in Phoenix were difficult.

I eventually went back to graduate school and worked as a landscaper. I had no intention of working out in the brutal heat of the desert for a career; it was simply a means to an end.

However, by 1990, I was ready to start my own company with a partner—Agave Environmental Contracting, Inc. Agave eventually grew to be the largest landscape company in Arizona. We eventually spread out to Southern California, with a little over 700 employees.

In 2015, we were approached by a representative of a land owner in Central Phoenix who was looking for a company to lease his property for a low rate if we could use it for agriculture. The owner had been holding the land for several decades and was waiting to either sell or develop it at a future Mike McMahon and a worker at Agave Farms. Photo by Vince Alfaro

By the time I was 12, I was taking care of 17 yards in my neighborhood. Most of this work consisted of mowing lawns, but all the houses had planter areas. In some, I was able to resurrect some vegetable gardens that the owners had long ago neglected. I became a farm spy at my own house, watching my father, and casually asking questions without showing greenlivingaz.com

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date. We took the property, and after meeting with the City of Phoenix, realized changing zoning to agriculture was not possible and the only temporary land use approval we could get for our purposes would be for a “community garden.”

At that time, we only entertained having a tree, plant, and cactus nursery for our own landscape projects. Since we had so much property (17 acres), we decided to try our hand at growing vegetables. We hired a few master gardeners and grew vegetables. There were a lot of lessons that came from mistakes.

The new entity would be called Urban Farming Education (UFE). Each facility would have its own priority and agenda.

Some spaces would be small, and some large. Some would want us to incorporate the garden for kids, and some would want outdoor shaded eating and meeting areas. Some would want an orchard or vineyard. Some might have non-potable canal or well water. Some might need a holding pond or tank, and need pumps and filters and irrigation. None of these presented any challenge for our team. After years of building large projects like parks, golf courses, subdivision roads, freeways, gardens and urban farms, we had found our purpose.

We were also a maintenance company used to stewarding and making spaces sustainable.

In the process of setting up UFE and also by having sold and installed many ReadyGo-Garden Systems, I realize how important it would be to have a manual/user guide which would be simple and straightforward in helping organizations determine what their urban farm/community garden’s purpose would be and how they could design programs around the garden to help them achieve their goals. In addition to transforming space into a The staging area for one of Agave Farms most compelling initiatives – the ‘Ready Go Garden personalized venue, the garden’s Kit'. Photo by Vince Alfaro functionality or purpose fall into one or all of the following four reasons: The first few years [of Agave Farms] were about trying new things on the property and learning about land development on the cheap. In an attempt to keep within City of Phoenix guidelines, we allowed public access and decided to allow any nonprofit to use our farm for meetings, workshops and fundraiser events. An unintended consequence of this was finding out about how many less fortunate people we had in our community, and how pervasive social issues are to what I call the “cycle of doom.” This cycle starts with “unwanted” people and gets worse from there. As I got closer to the people on the front lines, I could not reconcile my conscience with how global problems were all around me in my own city and how I was oblivious to them.

What inspired you to start Urban Farming Education (UFE)?

In the process of trying many business models for Agave Farms and working with our new Ready-Go-Garden-Bag System, I realized that one central location was not going to work. Homeless shelters, schools, foster homes, domesticviolence shelters, facilities for the disabled and elderly were dispersed all around our county, and most of the residents were not mobile. It was time to set up our own nonprofit, which would be a little different from most others. We would help people through a network of organizations that were already established, and we would build gardens which would take unused space at their facilities.

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•

Sustainability (supplement the community’s diet with fresh produce);

•

Education (schools and all those who want to learn about food and biology);

•

Ecotherapy (this is the spiritual side of working with nature);

•

Farm Business Model (based on scale, it is a great way to introduce people to business).

What have you accomplished with UFE thus far? And what are your future goals?

We have built seven gardens to date, including at three schools, one foster facility, two domestic violence shelters, and one kitchen in a church that feeds the homeless. They are producing produce and a sense of community. We have set a goal of building 1,000 more gardens in the next five years.

We also realize it is easy to build any facility, but what is more important is building a program around the garden that aligns its purpose around the mission of the organizations we serve. Ultimately, we are looking for our gardens and programs to be perpetual and sustainable themselves.

Kyley Warren is a Valley-based freelance writer.

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GOOD FOR PEOPLE, GREAT FOR THE PLANET THE HEALING POTENTIAL OF HEMP

BY CATHLEEN MITCHELL

W

ith Earth Day this month, this is the perfect time to celebrate the beauty and power of nature— including our favorite plant: hemp. Hemp has recently emerged from its prohibition to acceptance with well-deserved fanfare, and it’s exciting to share some of the numerous (and sometimes surprising) ways that it can be used to help build a more environmentally sustainable world.

Many people hadn’t heard about hemp until the modern cannabis and CBD industries emerged, but the truth is, hemp has been cultivated for its strong fibers for more than 10,000 years. It was discovered in rope on pottery in ancient China, where it was also used in paper and bow strings. The Japanese and Arabs learned about it from the Chinese, and then hemp made its way to Europe and Colonial America. By the mid-1600s, hemp was an economic staple with the Colonies producing cordage, cloth, canvas, sacks, and paper during the years leading up to the Revolutionary War. The first drafts of the Declaration of Independence were penned on hemp paper. Hemp fiber was so important to the young Republic that farmers were compelled by patriotic duty to grow it and were allowed to pay taxes with it. George Washington grew hemp and encouraged all citizens to sow hemp widely. Thomas Jefferson bred improved hemp varieties and invented a special brake for crushing the plant’s stems during fiber processing.

What is it about hemp that’s causing many people to refer

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to it as a “wonder crop?” Relatively easy to grow, industrial hemp can thrive in most conditions. It requires about half of the water and acreage needed to grow cotton and doesn’t need much to protect it from pests and diseases. Factor in its ability to sequester carbon from the air and return nutrients to the soil from which it grows, and it’s easy to understand why farmland dedicated to hemp production in the United States has multiplied exponentially (by about 100 times, according to the USDA) over the past five years alone.

Not only is the footprint of hemp much smaller than other widely used crops, but its use potential is vast and impressive.

Tall, sturdy hemp plants can be used to make clothing, rope, shoes, paper, bioplastics, biofuels, and building materials that require a fraction of the resources we’ve been dedicating to other sources of those goods until recently.

Hempcrete, a concrete-like material made of hemp and lime, has already proven to be an energy-efficient, breathable, moldresistant, versatile material that could replace the plastics and plasters currently used by homebuilders. If widely adopted, it could revolutionize construction during a time when the demand for eco-friendly infrastructure is steadily climbing.

It’s more than just the fibers of hemp that can be put to use. Hemp seeds provide a nutrient-dense food source rich in fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that can be consumed raw, hulled, or in other forms such as milk, protein powder, greenlivingaz.com

flour, and salad dressing. Oil made from hemp seeds has moisturizing, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory properties that nourish hair and skin, making it a great ingredient for lotions, soaps, shampoos, lip balms, and much more.

One of the greatest gifts bestowed by hemp is the high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) present in its flowers. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, inflammation, insomnia, migraines, and seizures are among the ailments now shown to be reduced or improved by activating endocannabinoid receptors in the bodies of humans and animals alike through high-CBD hemp extracts. Additionally, these benefits are realized without the side effects associated with common pharmaceuticals or the psychotropic effects of another well-known cannabinoid THC, high levels of which are within the flowers of marijuana plants.

Perhaps one of the most large-scale opportunities for hemp to demonstrate its utility is in the area of textiles.

Approximately 20 million tons of cotton are produced around the world annually, accounting for more than 30 percent of fiber requirements. Switching to hemp could have significant environmental impact for a multitude of reasons including:

LAND USE Cotton requires twice as much land per ton of finished textile compared to hemp, so the same demand could be met while saving half of the acreage currently used. Hemp also returns nutrients to the soil from which it grows and sequesters carbon dioxide out of the air, two sustainably useful traits that aren’t shared with cotton.

WATER CONSUMPTION For each kilogram of usable fiber, cotton requires more than 10,000 liters (2,642 gallons) of water while hemp needs 2,123 liters (561 gallons) according to a 2005 study published by the Stockholm Environment Institute. Other studies have hemp’s water consumption at half of what cotton needs, so hemp is the clear winner even granting cotton the more generous estimates.

Hemp can clothe us, house us, feed us, and heal us, and is a much better environmental choice than the materials we’ve relied upon for decades.

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PESTICIDES REQUIRED One quarter of the planet’s pesticide use is on conventional cotton fields while hemp is naturally pest-resistant and requires little to no insecticides.

Hemp bioplastics are made from hemp stalks that provide a very high cellulose count, around 70 percent—the element needed to produce plastic; it can also be heated and put under pressure to produce nanocellulose, a gel- like plastic product. Lego bricks as we know them will be a thing of the past. The company is now looking to replace the plastic bricks with a more environmentally friendly material and hemp bioplastic could offer a solution.

Using hemp for sturdy composites is nothing new—Henry Ford, who was a big advocate of hemp, made a prototype car in 1941 that had a body made from a hemp composite.

Hemp can also provide two sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels: hemp biodiesel, made from the oil of the (pressed) hemp seed and hemp ethanol/methanol, made from the fermented stalk. A conversion to hemp as a renewable fuel source would do wonders to help restore the planet’s health by protecting biodiversity, preventing fracking and stabilizing climate change by reducing air pollution.

In the age of conscious consumerism and a heightened awareness of what environmental impacts are attached to our purchasing decisions, choosing hemp could revolutionize multiple industries and create a more sustainable future for our planet. Readers who are interested in learning more can visit Kaya Hemp Co., located in Central Phoenix. The company is committed to supporting the resurgence of this “wonder crop” by offering a curated selection of unique and eco-friendly hemp products for people and pets, including premium CBD products.

Cathleen Mitchell is owner and founder of Kaya Hemp Co., a wellness boutique in Phoenix, AZ. Kaya’s mission is two-fold: to provide a curated selection of premium CBD products within a welcoming and informative environment, while advocating for all things hemp. Committed to sourcing only the highest quality products, Kaya is continually adding CBD and hemp products based on ongoing research. Cathleen takes great care in selecting the products she offers, bringing you a one-stop shopping and educational experience for all things CBD and hemp.

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Nikola Corporation • • • •

Founded: 2015 by Trevor Milton Headquarters: Phoenix Employees: Nearly 300 Green goal: Zero-emissions commercial transportation system leader.

• What they do: Design and manufacture battery-electric heavy-duty trucks for short-hauls and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) for long-hauls.

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• Range: BEV up to 300 miles, FCEV 500750 miles.

• Orders to date: 14,000+ FCEV truck reservations ($10 billion potential sales value) with robust demand for newlyintroduced BEV truck.

Photos courtesy of Nikola Corporation

greenlivingaz.com

NIKOLA CORPORATION TRANSFORMS ‘SHELL’ INTO SUSTAINABLE SHOWCASE

BY MIKE BAMBACH & EMILY DITOMASSO

L

ance Milton remembers the first time he saw the future home of Nikola Corporation in Phoenix after moving from Salt Lake City, Utah. “There was just a shell, the interior was not built at all,” said Milton, the company’s facilities manager. “We came in and added the third level.”

And a whole lot more.

Today, Nikola’s approximately $30 million research and development facility at 4141 E. Broadway Road is a showcase for the hydrogen-electric truck company’s vehicles and more.

It features 28-foot ceilings, industrial-sized 3D printers, 3 milling machines, 33 meeting rooms and one of the company’s hydrogen-fueling stations. Nikola plans to build 700 more fueling stations across the U.S. and Canada by 2028.

FROM SHELL TO SHOWCASE The company, named for the great inventor Nikola Tesla, is also home to nearly 300 employees who practice sustainability everyday in the state-of-the-art, three-story, 150,000-squarefoot facility.

They hold a lot of power over the building in the palm of their hands thanks to the Comfy app. It allows employees to help save energy by controlling the building’s environment, including lighting and temperature.

The app also includes a feature that allows employees to find other employees because they work in a fluid environment.

The building’s sensors have the ability to read how many people are in a room and determine the optimum temperature.

For example, if only one person is in the room, it will automatically be warmer than if there was a group of people in the room.

MERGER FUELS NIKOLA’S DRIVE

Nikola Corporation accelerated its transformation in March, announcing a merger with VectoIQ Acquisition Corp. The company will be known as Nikola Corp. and trade on the Nasdaq (NKLA). The merged company will be valued at $3.3 billion, according to electrive.com.

The merger will help speed the production of Nikola’s zero-emission-commercial vehicles. Nikola plans to break ground this year on a 1 million square-foot manufacturing plant in Coolidge, southeast of Phoenix in Pinal County, that will create 2,000 jobs.

Nikola plans to start production of its semi-trucks in 2021.

They will have 14,000 vehicles on the road by 2028.

The sensors that come with the app also control exterior lighting. So when the sun shines bright into the windows, shades will automatically come down and the building lights will dim.

“Our optimism has been shared by the investor community and we have been able to raise one of the largest private investments in public equity to date,” Steve Girsky, CEO of VectoIQ said in a conference call.

Inside the Nikola building, visitors and future investors can find differently structured rooms, LED lighting, and limited volatile organic compounds (VOC) — no VOC wall paint, low VOC metal paint and low VOC carpeting.

Trevor Milton, CEO and founder of Nikola, said he is excited to partner with VectoIQ to continue to the next chapter of growth for Nikola.

They chose HÅG Futu chairs, one of the most environmentally friendly chairs, because 96% of the materials are recyclable.

“I am ready for the next 20 years of growth and with our oversubscribed funding, the market is as well,” he said.

greenlivingaz.com

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The Badger, an electric pickup truck that Nikola Corporation unveiled in February, features an estimated range of up to 600 miles while delivering 906 horsepower and a towing capacity of more than 8,000 pounds.

Nikola NZT.

The company has a 24/7 gym that is employee designed and is every involving to meet employees' needs.

“We are forward-engineering (employees) so that when something becomes available, we can just plug and play,” Milton said. “We want to do the same thing with the building, anything that becomes available, that comes down the pipeline, that is what we want to do.”

There’s more on the way. Nikola plans to construct a cafe with locally sourced foods, along with adding solar panels to the roof to provide clean power to the building.

They have defined their brand in three different areas: simple, eco-conscious and innovative. That really speaks for what their brand stands for, externally and internally.

Mike Bambach has been a journalist for 40 years, working as an award-winning editor for local and national publications, including USA Today and CBS Interactive. Most recently, he was managing editor for ASU Thrive magazine.

Emily DiTomasso is a senior at Arizona State University, studying journalism. After graduation, she will work towards finding a writing or photography job. In her free time, she likes to watch movies, read, bake, and spend time with her friends, family and her dog, Toby.

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greenlivingaz.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

EARTH DAY AND THE EPA CELEBRATE 50 YEARS

BY DAVID M. BROWN

"At EPA, you work for a cause that is beyond self-interest and larger than the goals people normally pursue. You're not there for the money, you're there for something beyond yourself."

–William Doyle Ruckelshaus , EPA’s first and fifth administrator, 1970–73 and 1983–85

I

n June 1969, the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland, Ohio, spontaneously burned as chemical contaminants had been dumped into it for years. Earlier that year in January, on the other side of the nation, an offshore rig near Santa Barbara, California, spilled millions of gallons of oil onto the beaches.

Earlier still, in 1962, Rachel Carson’s dystopian Silent Spring envisioned that season without birdsong—a result of the wide use of DDT and other pesticides and chemicals.

As these disaster headlines appeared, other areas were preparing for their bold type in the next decade. In Bullitt County, Kentucky, a 23-acre site near Louisville had become a choice spot for dumping toxic-waste drums filled with heavy metal, polychlorinated biphenyls, and a 100-plus other chemicals; these deadly fluids were leaching down into the water table. Later known as “The Valley of the Drums,” the site moniker wryly echoed the title of the Valley of the Dolls, the 1966 bestseller by author Jacqueline Susann.

About the same time, in upstate New York, near now National Heritage Site Niagara Falls, chemically toxic water was seeping into homeowners’ backyards and homes. This was

Love Canal, which, paradoxically, had been envisioned as an ideal community in the late-19th-century. Again, buried drums were leaking poisons such as dioxin into the land and water.

Cancer rates were abnormally high as well as pregnancies ending with miscarriages; people died.

In the early 1980s, Times Beach, Missouri, followed—the largest civilian exposure to dioxin in the nation’s history. Until the area was remediated as a state park celebrating Route 66, the once residential area was a ghost town.

What had happened in just a hundred years to the New World of promise and redemption from the Old World? How had we so quickly sullied the America of people as diverse as Camden, New Jersey’s Walt Whitman, Harvard-educated Henry David Thoreau at Walden in New England, and Scottish immigrant John Muir studying the grand Yosemite Valley in California? American skies were clouded from smoke stacks and automobile exhausts. Our rivers could catch fire; today’s tide might bring in waves carrying oil, not surfers, to shore.

Americans needed to act.

View from space of Great Lakes. Photo courtesy EPA

greenlivingaz.com

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CELEBRATE, LEGISLATE, ADMINISTRATE Fifty years ago, in 1970, the nation did, with two similarly focused events: the populist Earth Day and the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

On April 22, approximately a quarter of a million people gathered in Washington, D.C., as Congress adjourned for the day, and many representatives and senators spoke at Earth Day rallies nationwide. In New York City, 100,000 people marched along Fifth Avenue. In nearby Philadelphia, people joined together in Fairmont Park to celebrate the bounty and sanctity of Earth.

In varying degrees of fervor since, the commemorations have continued, although this year’s activities will be curtailed by the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic.

Its regional administrator is John Busterud, an environmental and energy attorney and retired U.S. Army colonel with 30-plus years in the environmental industry. He was selected and appointed through a collaborative process between the EPA administrator and the president.

For him, five acts are fundamental achievements during the EPA’s first 50 years.

First, through the Clean Air Act of 1970, the EPA works with the states to reduce air pollution with programs based on rigorously gathered data and the latest science. “These actions have achieved dramatic reductions in air pollution, particularly here in the Pacific Southwest Region, preventing hundreds of thousands of cases of serious health effects each year,” Busterud says.

New York, 1970s and 40 years later. Photo courtesy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Following the enactment of The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and an executive order by President Richard Nixon, the EPA came into being on Dec. 2, 1970, consolidating disparate federal agencies. Individual environmental departments followed at the state level, including the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, created by the Legislature in 1987.

The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment through regulation issuance, environmental assessment, monitoring, research, standard setting, enforcement, education and grants. By enforcing laws set

by Congress, the agency, with more than 15,000 employees, works with state, tribal and local governments to ensure that Americans are protected from environmental risks at their homes, schools, workplaces, and public areas.

The current EPA administrator, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, is Andrew R. Wheeler. His deputy administrator and assistant administrators are similarly appointed and confirmed.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the EPA comprises ten geographic offices. Region 9, the Pacific Southwest Region, serves Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the U.S. Pacific Island territories, and 148 Native American tribes including the Navajo Nation in northeast Arizona.

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Also in 1972, The Clean Water Act, originally the Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972, established regulations for discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters and quality standards for surface waters, and EPA implemented control programs such as setting industry wastewater standards. In addition, the EPA also developed water quality recommendations for pollutants in surface waters.

Two years later, The Safe Drinking Water Act established protective drinking water standards for more than 90 potential contaminants.

In 1976, The Toxic Substances Control Act gave EPA the authority, both in intrastate and interstate commerce, to regulate the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides. The law applies to all types of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, antimicrobials, and devices.

And, greatly stimulated by public response to the Valley of the Drums and Love Canal exposés, The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as “CERCLA” or “Superfund,” was passed by Congress in 1980.

For these closed and abandoned hazardous waste sites, CERCLA imposed responsibility on the persons or companies responsible, and designated the EPA as the oversight authority. greenlivingaz.com

The act also created a cleanup trust when a responsible party could not be found.

the topics we as a nation have chosen to shine a spotlight on: clean air and water and Superfund. But in the areas where there is no strong federal legislation, the environmental problems get worse, areas like poor land-use choices, hidden fossil-fuel subsidies to give to energy companies, our continuing dependence on coal for electricity and, in particular, climate change.”

Love Canal, Valley of the Drums and Times Beach were all addressed

by Superfund, although the total effectiveness is still questioned by some.

The National Priorities List (www.epa. gov/superfund/superfund-nationalpriorities-list-npl) continually updates.

“I believe Administrator Ruckelshaus would be proud of what we have accomplished with our state and tribal partners over the past 50 years,” Busterud says. “As a country, we have made remarkable strides in ensuring a clean environment for all citizens.

We have made tremendous progress in providing clean and safe water across the country.”

He adds that these are not so much EPA failures but broad national ones.

John Busterud, EPA Region 9 Administrator.

Photo courtesy EPA

Climate change, in particular, Sachs calls “the defining issue of the 21st century, yet we do not have an American climate change law to address issues such as transforming our energy system and adapting our coastlines for rising sea levels.”

In the 1970s, more than 40 percent of the nation’s drinking water systems failed to meet even the most basic health-based standards. Today more than 93 percent of community water systems meet them, he explains.

Even though the early Ruckelshaus EPA consolidated a variety of environmental programs from other departments, today’s organization is still not as unified as it might be for the public welfare, Sachs explains.

The U.S. has also been a leader in cleaning the air. The EPA reports that between 1990 and 2018, air pollutants that it monitors have significantly decreased: ground-level ozone, 21 percent; sulfur dioxide, 89 percent; nitrogen dioxide, at least 50 percent; and carbon monoxide, 74 percent. And, between 2000 and 2018, fine particulate matter fell by at least 34 percent.

“We have EPA media-specific offices for air, water, solid and hazardous wastes. We have an environmental agency that is not holistic.”

And, with Superfund, contaminated lands are being cleaned at the fastest pace in more than a decade, Busterud says, noting that in fiscal year 2019 alone, the EPA deleted 27 Superfund sites, the largest number since fiscal year 2001.

“By far the major achievements of the EPA are in ratcheting down levels of water and air pollution over 50 years,” says Noah Sachs, professor, University of Richmond School of Law and director of the Merhige Center for Environmental Studies. “There has been dramatic improvement in environmental quality and public health. In terms of just the Clean Air Act, hundreds of thousands of premature deaths from air pollution have been avoided.”

One example: “We try to handle water pollution by taking constituents out of discharged water before it hits our rivers and streams, but those constituents are often sent to landfills and buried. We’re lacking coordination among these offices.”

So, too, this is a vastly underfunded agency, given the broad geography it is assigned as well as the spectrum of environmental sectors it is responsible for. The first budget Ruckelshaus was given, October 1, 1970, through September 30, 1971, was just beyond $1 billion.

Now, 50 years later, the 2019 budget is only $8.85 billion, hardly equal to the challenges the agency must deal with.

CRITICISMS AND CHALLENGES

Perhaps most tellingly, the agency has been weakened by its dependency on the changes of administrations and administrators, some with EPA agendas that were neither environmental nor protective.

Still, the agency has encountered criticism. As Sachs says, “The EPA is often called the federal agency no one likes to be the head of because it’s a punching bag for every interest, from the left to the right.”

The Sierra Club throws a right, the energy companies a few uppercuts.

“The EPA has done quite well on greenlivingaz.com

And, as Sachs notes, “Much of this money is given to states and localities through grant programs, and what’s available for implementing environmental laws is smaller. The EPA needs an increased budget to do its task effectively.”

Noah Sachs, University of Richmond School of Law. Photo courtesy Noah Sachs

“In the last 50 years, the EPA has shown it can get a lot done when it has effective, committed administrators not afraid to use the

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tools that have been given to them,” he says.

Sachs takes as an example the George W. Bush administration, which fought the idea that greenhouse gasses could be regulated under the Clean Air Act. But the Supreme Court’s 2007 ruling in Massachusetts vs. EPA disagreed and confirmed that the EPA did have that authority.

“We had to wait for President Barack Obama to implement that decision.

“On climate change, in particular, the science was there in the 1990s, and the EPA under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush could have acted sooner. And now the Trump Administration is trying to roll back the handful of Obama-era regulations on climate change as part of a rollback effort that includes about 90 environmental regulations in total.”

Busterud notes that the EPA is committed to continuous improvement. Its EPA Lean Management System (ELMS), for example, facilitates self-review and solution-making on issues that need to be addressed.

As a whole, the EPA will continue to focus on addressing challenges such as reducing lead exposure, investing in the nation’s water infrastructure and improving our recycling system, he explains.

In the Pacific Southwest, his priorities include addressing transboundary pollution challenges, remediating Superfund sites, supporting communities in cleaning up and reusing brownfield sites, taking action on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), addressing critical water issues including algal blooms and ocean pollution, and helping fund water-infrastructure projects.

“In Region 9, we approach these challenges as opportunities to work with our tribal, state and Pacific Island partners to serve the public,” he says.

Fortunately, Sachs continues, despite rightward shifts in the past 50 years—President Ronald Reagan, in the 1980s, and the Newt Gingrich-led Republican Congress, in the mid-1990s, are other

examples—Congress has never seriously considered repealing the core environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act. “And that should be seen as a victory,” he says.

For one, industry has adapted to these laws, making the capital investments to comply, and still been profitable, he notes.

Secondly, public opinion, across both political parties, has continued to overwhelmingly support the broad goal of maintaining clean air and clean water in the United States.

“It’s when you dig deeper, getting into questions of how we pay for it and what sacrifices industry should make, and when pollsters ask questions about climate change, that’s when you get polarization,” Sachs says.

Part of this continuing support is in the American spirit: the love of nature exemplified in the writings of Emerson and Thoreau and the glorious Western paintings by Moran and others; the support for national parks by President Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican, and the law establishing them signed

by President Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat; the dedication of Ruckelshaus, a Nixon Republican appointee, and William Reilly, a President George H.W. Bush-appointed Republican and career environmentalist. Red or blue, either side of the aisle, everyone wants clear skies and clean water.

Despite these embedded American sentiments and wide support for the EPA, its future is dependent on the American people—to express themselves through their congressional representatives.

The EPA can only do what Congress gives it the authority to do.

“If we want to have a more effective EPA,” Sachs says, “Congress has to give it the tools for 21st-century problems.”

For an explanation of the laws and executive orders EPA is charged with implementing all or a portion of, visit www.epa.gov/lawsregulations/laws-and-executive-orders. The writer thanks EPA Region 9 Administrator Busterud and PIO Denise Adamic and Professor Sachs for their helpfulness in providing material for this article.

David Brown is a Valley-based freelancer (www.azwriter.com).

Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve at sunset. Photo by Tom Mackie for Experience Scottsdale

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greenlivingaz.com

EACH MONTH WE FEATURE A GREEN CHAMPION WHO IS MAKING STRIDES IN THE GREEN COMMUNITY

TRACY DEMPSEY ORIGINALS MAKES GREEN TASTE SWEET AND LOOK EASY

BY MARIA LOPEZ

P

eeking behind all the chocolate and frosting at the local Tempe bakery Tracy Dempsey Origins is committed sustainable food advocate Tracy Dempsey, who works day-in and day-out to ensure her customers and staff know the importance of sustainability across industries.

In addition to the delicious creations Dempsey herself makes, local foods are top-of-mind at this bakery, thanks to her attention to sourcing from local farms and growers. She also recently launched a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, which offers the chance for community members to have access to seasonal Arizona-grown produce.

Dempsey’s retail shop also offers Arizona-grown wine, spices, and pasta to pair with a home-cooked meal.

The bakery was also part of the inaugural certified class of Local First Arizona’s Green Business Program, a free certification that assists local businesses in implementing business practices that reduce and divert waste, conserve energy and water, reduce transportation emissions, and prevent pollution. The Green Business Program launched successfully in Phoenix and Tempe, and is quickly growing across the state.

“While we have always made an effort to recycle, reduce waste, monitor our water and power use, it has been so helpful having another set of educated eyes to take us through the steps of putting even better practices into place,” says Dempsey.

“We believe businesses and business owners need to evaluate their environmental impact and become leaders in educating their employees, fellow business owners, and customers in ways to do so.”

Dempsey also advocates for sustainable food policy through local nonprofits including Blue Watermelon Project and Slow Food.

Inside the shop, her team are pros at reusing materials such as cardboard inserts from wine boxes to create signage, and have eliminated plastic water bottles, plastic bags, and Styrofoam. They participate in the Tempe Grease Cooperative to ensure proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease.

Other ways they practice sustainability: •

Pollution prevention methods: Opting for repurposed furniture and appliances, avoiding chemical weed killers, and eliminating chemical air fresheners.

•

Solid waste management methods: Recycling all acceptable materials and collecting organic material

to compost, donating items to second-hand stores and excess food to feed the hungry, recycling soft plastics, eliminating individually wrapped food service items, opting for reusable dishware and cups, and centralizing purchasing to avoid over-ordering.

•

Reducing pollution methods associated with transportation by carefully planning deliveries.

•

Water conservation methods: Monitoring the monthly bill to recognize spikes in usage opting for dry sweeping methods, and having a water audit performed.

Small businesses run on small budgets and long hours, so a giant green thumbs-up is deserved to those who go the extra mile to make a positive impact in their own place of work and community.

Learn more about the Arizona Green Business program at www.localfirstaz.com/greenbusiness. Find more green businesses to support at www.az.greenbiztracker.org.

Tracy Dempsey Originals is located at 1325 W. University Drive, Tempe. For bakery hours, visit www.tracydempseyoriginals.com. Sign up for its CSA at www.sunproducecoop.com.

Maria Lopez is the communications manager for Local First Arizona, a coalition of more than 3,000 local, independent businesses, and nonprofit working promote, support, and celebrate a vibrant and sustainable Arizona economy by educating citizens about local business ownership, social equity, cultural diversity, and environmental impact. She's passionate about building a better state by engaging everyday people in local issues and by highlighting businesses and community leaders who love their home and want to take it to new heights. More at localfirstaz.com

If you want to nominate a Green Champion, please email editor@greenlivingaz.com greenlivingaz.com

April 2020 | greenliving

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TRAVELING TO VIETNAM TIPS FOR AMERICAN VISITORS

BY KIM PHAM AND DR. MARK MORGAN

T

by various ethnicities. These are great places for hiking and the best places to experience a homestay with a local family.

Beautiful beaches in the central and southern parts are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

The country is also a popular tourist destination that welcomes millions of international visitors each year. Vietnam is often ranked among the best places for travel and tourism, according to websites such as TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet.

The ancient cities of Hue and Hoi An are ideal for visitors who enjoy history. Many places offer rural experiences for tourists to fish or harvest crops with local farmers. Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam, often amazes tourists with its dynamic and modern lifestyle.

he last American troops left Vietnam 45 years ago.

With the war over, the healing process moved forward quickly, especially since the U.S. government lifted the trade embargo in 1994. Nowadays, Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Vietnam has something for everybody: stunning natural landscapes, historical features, a vibrant mix of traditional and modern culture, affordable goods and services, and plenty of hospitality.

The Old Quarter of Hanoi showcases the hustle and bustle of local life with many restaurants, cafés, shops, and street vendors. Ha Long Bay is dotted with more than 1,600 islands and islets where tourists can take an overnight cruise to view stunning scenery.

The northern mountainous destinations such as Sapa and Ha Giang feature terraced rice fields that are maintained

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The number of American visitors to Vietnam has increased during the past decade. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the country welcomed more than 900,000 American tourists in 2019. Yet, some Americans wonder how they will be treated in Vietnam, and if there are lingering hostilities associated with the war. Via an online travel form, a group of American visitors and expatriates were asked about their experience in Vietnam. They said that Vietnam was a dynamic country where people concentrate on the present and future, and that, “Americans should not experience any xenophobia. Overall, the country is very warm and friendly!” greenlivingaz.com

As an American, you need not worry about your nationality when traveling to Vietnam. However, there are tips about local culture that you should pay attention to during your trip. Additionally, there are social and sustainable issues in the country that you can help to improve by minding your traveling behaviors. Here are some travel tips.

•

Do not be surprised if a local person asks to take a photo with you. It is a gesture of friendliness and hospitality.

If you want to take photos of locals, ask for their permission.

•

Similarly, avoid buying products and souvenirs made from wild animals, such as turtle shells, elephant tusks, or skins from wild animals.

•

Although Vietnam is developing quickly, many areas are still struggling. You can help the local people. A simple gesture is to donate books and toys for children at schools in rural areas.

•

Vietnam is a food paradise. Be open to trying different local foods and beverages such as pho (noodle soup), banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), Vietnamese pancakes, egg coffee, and local beer. Many foods are sold on the streets, but if you are concerned about hygiene, try the ones that you can see being made.

•

In Vietnam, you can easily find what looks like a Louis Vuitton bag or a Rolex wristwatch for less than $100.

Refrain from purchasing these counterfeit products. The problem of counterfeiting is widespread in the country.

By saying no to those products, you are making fair trade possible.

•

Lastly, smile and expect many smiles from local people, because Vietnam is a friendly country! Enjoy your trip!

• Be discreet about showing affection in public.

•

Support the local economy by using local tour services and consuming local products. A unique experience that tourists can find in Vietnam is to get their clothes tailored at one of the local shops.

•

Be aware that prices of goods and services are not fixed at many shops or local markets. Also, there is a price difference for local people and foreign tourists. Do not hesitate to bargain. It can be frustrating but it is a part of the local culture.

• Spare some time to help a local to practice English if you are approached. Local people do not have many chances to speak English with native speakers.

•

Avoid eating food made from wild animals, especially endangered species. Vietnamese people, like its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, have a taste for wild meat. Food from porcupines, snakes, or rats can be found in many local restaurants. Though it might add the thrill of experience for curious travelers, the practice can promote illegal hunting of wild animals.

greenlivingaz.com

Kim Pham is a Vietnamese Ph.D. candidate and a research assistant at the Center for Sustainable Tourism, Arizona State University. Pham worked for different travel companies in Vietnam before graduate school.

Dr. Mark Morgan is an associate professor at University of MissouriColumbia. In 2010, he was a Fulbright scholar at Vietnam National University in Hanoi and has been involved in several tourism programs across the country.

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RECIPES SPRING ROLL BOWL

Recipe and photo courtesy of Cara Carin Cifelli, Creator of Cara’s Kitchen and writer of Vegan Buddha Bowls

INGREDIENTS Peanut Sauce ½ cup (130 g) creamy peanut butter ¼ cup (60 ml) water 2 tbsp (30 ml) tamari or soy sauce 2 tbsp (30 ml) pure maple syrup 2 tbsp (30 ml) lime juice 1 tsp garlic powder Tofu 1 (15.5-oz [439-g]) package extra-firm tofu ¼ cup (55 g) coconut oil1⁄4 cup (60 ml) tamari or soy sauce ½ tsp garlic powder Noodles 8 oz (225 g) dried vermicelli rice noodles Bowls 1 medium-sized green cabbage, thinly sliced 1 cup (40 g) loosely packed chopped fresh mint ¾ cup (30 g) loosely packed chopped fresh basil ½ cup (20 g) loosely packed chopped fresh cilantro 3 medium-sized carrots, peeled and shredded 2 small radishes, thinly sliced 1 medium-sized red bell pepper, seeded and julienned 1 English cucumber, julienned 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced Garnishes Green onion Sriracha Fresh cilantro Crushed peanuts

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DIRECTIONS

Make the sauce: In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together the peanut butter, water, tamari, maple syrup, lime juice and garlic powder until well combined. If the peanut butter is not at room temperature, warm it in the microwave so it’s easy to blend.

Make the tofu: Remove the tofu from the packaging and drain the water. Then wrap the tofu block in a clean towel or several paper towels. Press down to remove as much liquid as possible, and then cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes. In a large skillet, melt the coconut oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cubed tofu. Let cook for 5 minutes, then toss or flip to another side. Cook for another 5 minutes and then toss or flip once more. Cook for another 3 minutes. Add the tamari and garlic powder and stir well. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Make the noodles: Bring a medium-sized saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the rice noodles and cook according to the package instructions, then drain and run some cold water over them to stop the cooking. Set aside.

Make the bowls: In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, mint, basil and cilantro. Toss to mix well, then divide among 4 serving bowls.

Divide the noodles and tofu equally among the bowls and top each bowl with the carrots, radishes, bell pepper, cucumber and jalapeño. Add the sauce on top and garnish with green onion, sriracha, cilantro and crushed peanuts. Serve immediately. greenlivingaz.com

GREEN LENTIL STEW WITH TOMATOES

Recipe and photo courtesy of Jyl Steinback, America’s Healthiest Mom, and Ashley Arpel Greenwald, co-Authors of Think Outside the Lunchbox

INGREDIENTS 7 oz. dry green lentils 1 small yellow onion, diced 2 medium garlic cloves, minced 1 large celery stalk, diced 1 large carrot, peeled and diced 1 medium potato, diced 1 tbsp. turmeric 2½ tsps. crushed cumin seeds 2½ tsps. crushed mustard seeds 1¼ cup unsalted tomato puree 1 tbsp. peanut butter Pinch of Himalayan salt to taste Black pepper to taste DIRECTIONS

Wash lentils, make sure to wash them thoroughly and remove any debris.

Next, prepare the spices – toast cumin seeds (from 30 seconds to 1 minute until your nose just gets a whiff of smoke and fragrance) and mustard seeds (2-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned, removing from heat when the seeds start to pop) on a dry pan, let cool and crush using mortar and pestle. Or make a bigger batch and grind in a spice grinder.

Heat a few tablespoons of water in a skillet or large pan.

Add onions and sauté them covered for 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally. Add water whenever necessary.

Next, add the carrots, celery, potato and turmeric; stir and sauté until completely mixed. Add crushed spices in along with turmeric. Add extra water if necessary.

IMMUNE-SYSTEM-BOOSTING SMOOTHIE

Recipe courtesy of Chef Abby, Whole Health Everyday INGREDIENTS 2 cups of spinach 1 cup of mango ¾ cup of sweeter dark-colored fruit such as cherries, cranberries, or pomegranate 1 carrot, peeled and cut into small chunks 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger 1½ cups of almond milk, coconut milk, or water 1 cup of ice cubes plus more to adjust consistency DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients (except ice cubes) in a high-powered blender, and blend until uniform in color and well combined, add ice cubes and continue until desired consistency.

Add lentils and enough water to cover the ingredients.

Mix well and cover with a lid. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes or until the lentils are tender. At this point, mix in crushed garlic and toasted/ crushed cumin and mustard seeds.

Add tomato puree and mix well. Bring to boil and simmer for another 5 minutes. You may leave the lid off, if there’s plenty of liquid or add more water if necessary.

When the stew is done, mix in peanut butter until it’s well incorporated.

Finally, let the stew cool slightly before you add Himalayan salt and black pepper to taste.

Garnish with fresh herbs, i.e. onion greens, parsley or coriander, and serve. greenlivingaz.com

April 2020 | greenliving

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SHE’S GREEN JOHN BURKHART

HE’S GREEN

EARTH-FRIENDLY SWITCHES

Product reviews from our eco-conscious couple John & Jennifer Burkhart

JENNIFER BURKHART

With temperatures as nice as they are in April, you have to get outside and appreciate Mother Nature. It's also good to show our appreciation by choosing products that don’t damage our amazing planet. Celebrate Earth Day this month by making at least one product switch to something more Earth-friendly. Need some inspiration? Read on, fellow Earthlings.

3BBAGS

REUSABLE PRODUCE BAGS HE SAID: Let’s be real, single-use plastic bags are ridiculous. I don't

want to soap box too much here, but as a scuba diver, I've seen firsthand the staggering amount of plastic in our oceans. These 3BBags are sturdy, with a solid cross-stitching on the seams. They are also machine washable, so they can be used over again without much work. In one year, just one package of these can keep 150 bags out of the oceans. Get one...please.

SHE SAID: These have been one of my favorite eco-

friendly switches. It's such an easy way to get rid of those insidious plastic bags. I love that these are made in the USA, have a lifetime warranty (sweet!), and that you get two different sizes for all your produce needs. Handy tip: I usually toss them in with a load of towels to keep them clean. The only tough part? Not forgetting them in the car.

PLANT PERKS

GARLIC AND HERB CHEEZE SPREAD HE SAID: We have reviewed quite a few of these cream

cheese alternatives over the years, and I'll tell ya, there are some funky ones out there. Some too tart, some too fluffy, but this Plant Perks spread was about as good as it gets. It had a delectable garlic herb flavor that had me going back to the cupboard for more crackers, and the texture was spot on. I could taste the cashews in the background a bit, but this is still a great sub for cream cheese.

SHE SAID: Wow. Cashews for the win if you want creamy, “I can't believe it's not cheese,” cheeze! I couldn't get enough of this perfect blend of garlic, basil, cilantro, and parsley.

So grab some water crackers (read: bland, plain) and let this deliciousness shine! You'll be fighting off voracious vampires in no time. And if it wasn't so spendy, I'd always keep some in the fridge.

SO DELICIOUS

BLUEBERRY CARDAMOM FROZEN DESSERT HE SAID: Milk alternative ice creams have come a long way.

We reviewed So Delicious coconut ice cream years ago and it was an icy mess. But this new So Delicious dessert was smooth and creamy just like the real deal. I'm not a huge fan of this flavor though. It tasted like blueberry pancakes with a cup of chai on the side. Interesting, but not amazing. Also… kudos to the person who named this company, though I've been telling you how I'm not a fan while also calling it So Delicious... well played.

SHE SAID: I've been dairy-free for a while, and miss

cow’s milk ice cream so much. Non-dairy ice cream rarely achieves that creamy, rich flavor. Imagine my surprise when this coconut-based dessert tasted deliciously creamy!

Sure, the cardamom was weird, but it was light, and kind of worked with the rich blueberry flavor. There is hope, yet!

UPTON'S NATURALS BAR-B-QUE JACKFRUIT

HE SAID: I went into this expecting pulled pork, which was a lofty expectation, I know. This is not, nor will it ever be, a replacement for good ol' fashioned barbecue pulled pork. Once I stopped comparing it I started to appreciate it a bit more. It was a sweet and peppery barbecue sauce slathered over a particularly fleshy fruit (think artichoke hearts). I would think this was pretty good if I'd never had the real thing.

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greenliving | April 2020

SHE SAID: If you've ever wondered what artichokes drenched in spicy BBQ sauce would taste like, just grab a box of this! Sure, it looked like shredded pork, but had a slippery texture and tangy taste of artichokes. All the chili pepper in the world (and this had a lot) couldn't distract me from the fact that this was nothing like meat-based BBQ.

greenlivingaz.com

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April 2020 | greenliving

43

COOLOUTRAGEOUSSTUFF HIBAR SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

HiBAR is one of the first-ever companies to offer salon-quality shampoos and conditioners that not only are good for your hair and smell good, but are also good for the environment. HiBAR’s hair care products say goodbye to plastic, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and silicones as a gentler approach to hair care and to the environment. Its solid shampoos and conditioners come in three different types; maintain, moisturize, and volumize. Whether you want to maintain your current hair state, add some more moisture to your hair, or want more volume, these products can serve you and the planet right.

Purchase online at www.hellohibar.com.

TRUCE FOAMING HAND SOAP

Truce Foaming Hand Soap is made using simple, natural ingredients such as organic pure Castile soap and essential oils. Germs and dirt don’t stand a chance against it. Whether you need a quick wash while prepping dinner, a deep clean after a day of gardening, or anything in between, Truce foaming hand soap will leave your skin clean, soft, and refreshed. Find the Foaming Hand Soap and more products by Truce at www.truceclean.com.

ECO MAMA LAVENDER MINT BLISS (*PUBLISHER’S PICK) Lavender Mint Bliss has been used by Eco Mama to clean thousands of homes and businesses across the Valley. This all-purpose cleaner can be used for any cleaning task, from deep cleaning to windows. Lavender Mint Bliss is made from pure steam-distilled essential oils, and plant-based natural soaps. The antibacterial properties in the oils and soaps combine to make one serious natural cleaning solution that you will fall in love with. Find the Lavender Mint Bliss all-purpose cleaner and more at www.ecomamagreenclean.com.

DEVITA ALOE VERA MOISTURE CLEANSER

Looking for a natural, daily foaming cleanser that lightly hydrates and gently removes dirt, makeup, oil, and impurities? Look no further than Devita’s Aloe Vera Moisture Cleanser. Filled with essential oils of geranium and lavender, your skin will feel soothed, calm and conditioned. Find this natural product and more at www.devitaskincare.com.

STUDIO11SOAP

Studio11Soap uses the traditional cold-process method of making soap.

Utilizing extra-virgin olive oil as the main oil and essential oils for scent combinations make this a mild, long-lasting bar perfect for anyone in the family.

Find your new favorite out of 17 current varieties at www.Studio11Soap.com.

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greenliving | April 2020

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April 2020 | greenliving

45

GREEN SCENES

APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS VIRTUAL EVENTS

Through April 5 WOW GALA

Instead of a one night in-person event, this gala for Childsplay has become an online campaign of passion. Patrons can enjoy an online medley of sights, sound and solidarity from the comfort of their own homes. An auction features items such as a night out, jewelry, and artwork. There is a raffle for a chance to win a stocked 30-bottle wine cooler. Raffle tickets are $50 each or $100 for three tickets. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 6.

Participants can also take part in a wine pull where they purchase a mystery wine bottle for $25, but bottles can be valued up to $200. For more information and registration, visit https://e.givesmart.com/ events/f0N/.

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greenliving | April 2020

April 13

Through April 15

Schneider Electric and Global Footprint teamed up and created a place for oneplanet compatible companies to learn new green strategies in 2019. These companies are those whose goods and services contribute to humanity’s ability to live within the means of planet Earth. On April 13 at 3 p.m EDT, these companies have the opportunity to work together, assess company strategies, and make sure they are using the planet resources to be the most successful possible. The American Sustainable Business Council advises participants to come to the webinar prepared with questions relevant to their business. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_eu9jWt2fSmu_GQWYSCfvkw.

In light of the recent panic and uncertainty happening in the world, the McLean Meditation Institute wants to help boost immunities and alleviate anxiety through daily virtual meditations. Anyone can tune in for a guided meditation at 9 a.m., 12 noon, and 4 p.m. PT (12 noon, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET) with Sarah McLean and her friends. These meditations will last 30 min and will also include a short discussion.

These meditations can be reached through Zoom and phone. All sessions will be posted on their YouTube for those who cannot make the specific times listed above. For more information, visit www.mcleanmeditation.com/.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR ONEPLANET PROSPERITY

FREE ONLINE MEDITATION BY THE MCLEAN MEDITATION INSTITUTE

greenlivingaz.com

GREEN SCENES

APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS VIRTUAL EVENTS

April 17

VIRTUAL MEET-UP: “SEED FUNDRAISING FROM A TO Z”

From 8:30 to 10 a.m. PDT, learn what seedstage investing is, how it works, and how companies get evaluated for it. This is a great opportunity for people who have or who are interested in startup companies.

Attendees can also learn how the Arizona Founders Fund evaluates, invests in, and supports startups in Arizona. There will also be investment stories about their current portfolios, and participants will leave with the knowledge of what next steps they need to take to secure a seed-stage investment. For more information and to RSVP, visit https://iem-phoenix-april2020. splashthat.com/

April 24

SUMMER IN THE CITY

The K2 Foundation made the decision to hold Summer in the City as a virtual event this year for the health and safety of participants. The event will take place on April 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PDT. There will be an online raffle and silent auction with additional donations starting April 10, closing the Friday of the live event. Depending on how many tables are purchased, a certain amount of raffle tickets will be given out for the chance to win a Prada bag. Proceeds will go to winners. If a table of 8 is purchased, 10 raffle tickets will be given along with sponsorship recognition; and if a table of 10 is purchased, 15 raffle tickets will be given with the same recognition. All proceeds will go to award recipients and local K2 programs. To buy tables and raffle tickets, visit https://k2adventures.org/ events/summer-in-the-city/.

greenlivingaz.com

April 22-25

EARTHX2020 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

Founded in 2011, EarthX has become the world’s largest environmental expo and conference. Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, the EarthX festival was cancelled, but the Earth Day celebration will be continued online. Most of the conferences will be held between April 2327, but some will continue into the month of May. These webinars are a great way to learn about the environmental challenges the Earth is currently experiencing.

Originally, the expo also included a film festival, but it was moved into the fall at the EarthXGlobal Gala. The EarthXLaw and EarthXEnergy’s Responsible Energy Acquisition conferences will also be held live in the fall. The 50th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration will be live-streamed on April 22. For more information, visit www.earthx.org/earthx2020-to-be-heldvirtually/.

April 28-30

TSC VIRTUAL SUMMIT 2020

The Sustainability Consortium Summit is a place to hear about the latest breakthroughs in sustainability science.

Valued members, retailers, suppliers, and more will be able to gather together from the comfort of their homes and share their knowledge on sustainable practices. This virtual event is a space for supply- chain innovation, team building, and sustainability breakthroughs. The first day will include four hours of workshops and the other two feature three hours of webinars. More information on the event will be coming soon. To make a reservation or for more information, visit www. sustainabilityconsortium.org/events/tscsummit-2020/.

April 2020 | greenliving

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