Going Green Everyday

Posted April 22, 2008, 10:00 am in Living by Growing Bolder

Looking for a little inspiration when it comes to going green? Growing Bolder leads the way, with a list of stories and interviews we've done with people who are changing the world -- from small steps to giant change.

World Warriors

Deron Beal
One simple e-mail to a few friends turned Deron Beal into a recycling machine! Beal created Freecycle, a global Internet recycling network, in 2003 and the site has since spread like wildfire. Freecycle allows members to post messages about a wanted or offered item, and other members respond. There are 4.2 million members within 4,212 groups on the site and Beal says it reinforces the old adage, "one person's trash is another person's treasure."

Josh Dorfman
Taking care of Mother Earth is becoming more and more an important aspect of life these days, that's also becoming extremely expensive. Well, worry no longer. Josh Dorfman, the "Lazy Environmentalist," has the answer to leading a green and inexpensive life. Dorfman is the host of a popular satellite radio program and the author of a self-titled book about simple and easy ways to help keep the earth green. He talks with Growing Bolder about his inspirations and where America fits in the puzzle of environmentalism.

Dr. Arthur Rosenfeld
You know that little Energy Star logo that you see on light bulbs and appliances? You can thank one man for saving you thousands in energy costs. Dr. Arthur Rosenfeld is the father of energy efficiency. The 80-year-old particle physicist is renowned worldwide for his pioneering work in making energy more efficient. His lab is responsible for hundreds of innovations that have decreased the amount of energy waste in the world, including energy-efficient windows and light bulbs. Dr. Rosenfeld's work is credited with saving the U.S. nearly $1 trillion. He talked to Growing Bolder about what it's like to be the world's first "eco-geek," and what it meant to him to receive a prestigious award from President George W. Bush last year.

A Dorm to Save the Earth
Dave Finnigan is building a "dorm" for adults that will bring like-minded people back to the family table and make the planet a better place in the process.

Betty Olds
The fact that she is older than the tree didn't stop an 86-year-old Berkeley woman from climbing it to protest its planned demise. Betty Olds, a Berkley City Council member, climbed an 80-year-old live oak tree on the campus of UC Berkley to protest the university's plans to remove a grove of trees to make room for a $125 million sports complex. She talked to Growing Bolder about her time in the tree and what compelled her to climb it. She was joined in the tree by former Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean, 71, and conservationist Sylvia McLaughlin, 90.

A Hero for the Planet
At age 64, Dr. Peter Pritchard is still living his childhood dream. Time magazine calls him a "Hero for the Planet." He's been named Floridian of the year. And if turtles could vote, he'd be named the greatest man who ever lived.

Celebrating the Outdoors

Swimming with Gators
Well, it's the next best thing. If you want to see the wilderness the way it was meant to be, climb aboard an airboat. Forget the theme parks, GB takes you on a cool tour. Better keep your arms by your side 'til the story comes to a complete stop.

Let's Go Fly a Kite
Rediscover the simple pleasures of sending a kite soaring into the sky.

The Constant Gardener
Retired businessman Randy Knight is still working 40 hours a week, but he's not drawing a paycheck. He has discovered that the joy of volunteering combined with the joy of gardening equals the fountain of youth.

Stacy Allison
Many people dream of being the first to accomplish something extraordinary, but would you risk your life to do it? Stacy Allison lived to tell the tale of becoming the first American woman to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain but it took her a couple tries to achieve her goal. In 1988, after 29 days on the mountain, she finally reached that lofty milestone. She tells Growing Bolder that her first attempt left her trapped in a snow cave at 29,500 feet for five days following a record-setting storm. She says mountain climbing is a perfect metaphor for life's challenges. She used her accomplishment to get ahead in business. These days, she runs her own construction company and is a highly sought after motivational speaker. She shares her secrets of success that she learned on top of the world in her new book, "Many Mountains to Climb: Reflections on Competence, Courage and Commitment."

The Wandering Wickershams
How would you like to travel the world? What if it involved selling most of your possessions and hopping onto a tandem bicycle with your partner? Still sound appealing? Art and Judee Wickersham are pushing the limits of their bodies and marriage by embarking on an around-the-world bike trip. They tell Growing Bolder that they are two years into a projected five-year trip. So far, they've cycled through Central and South America, Australia and New Zealand and through much of Southeast Asia. They slowed down long enough to describe their adventures so far to Growing Bolder and to explain how they came up with this crazy idea. Plus, find out how the rest of the world reacts when they see their bicycle built for two loaded with bags coming down the road.

Tilly Grey
Tilly Grey has used her talents in various careers throughout her life, including teaching and reporting.
But she says something inside her changed when she turned 50. A year later, she quit her teaching job and started volunteering for Habitat for Humanity International's headquarters in Americus, Georgia. A few years later, at age 58, Tilly accepted an offer to move to Africa to be a news correspondent for the organization. Now 68, she has released her first book about her adventures. She talked to Growing Bolder about what drew her to Africa and what it's like to work with President Jimmy Carter.

Barbara Hillary
Barbara Hillary is a 75-year-old cancer survivor who recently became the first black woman to reach the North Pole.
The Harlem native says when she learned a black man had reached the top of the world but a woman hadn't, she decided to change that fact. She talked to Growing Bolder about her inspiring journey and her life philosophy.

Ray Zahab
Just like many people, Ray Zahab was a smoker living an unhealthy lifestyle. But unlike most people, he decided to change, and kicked his bad habits. The marathoner took off running in the other direction of life and became a spokesperson for important causes and healthy living. Zahab is an extreme athlete and an ultra marathoner who takes on intense challenges to raise awareness for causes like the need for clean drinking water in Africa. His biggest feat? Running across the scorching hot Sahara Desert. Zahab and two others spent 111 days running 12-15 hours straight without a single day of rest. But he's not done doing mind-blowing things for the causes that are important to him. Next year, he's on his way to the North Pole. He talks with Growing Bolder about how he plans to make it there in 35 days and what he's learned from all his exciting expeditions.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Something unusual is happening all across America. Men and women are getting up before the crack of dawn to participate in one of fastest-growing sports for the over-40 crowd.

Emily Kimball
Emily Kimball calls herself the Aging Adventurer, and she certainly has earned that moniker.
After the age of 60, she rode her loaded touring bicycle 4,700 miles across America and backpacked the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.
She is an author, speaker and motivator who encourages others to use the lessons learned from her adventures and apply them to everyday life.

Sean Swarner
Doctors gave Sean Swarner two death sentences, but now he's on top of the world. The two-time cancer survivor only has one functioning lung, and 15 years after doctors gave him two weeks to live, he climbed the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest. He talked to Growing Bolder about his latest efforts to scale Alaska's Mt. McKinley and how he helps other cancer survivors fulfill their dreams through his group, the Cancer Climber Association.

Creepy, Crawly Bugs
Entomologist Stuart Fullerton is on a mission to clear the name of insects everywhere. To him, the little critters aren't scary at all.

Creative Conservation

Don't Throw That Old Stuff Away
A unique art store takes your favorite pop culture items -- from old lunchboxes to posters -- and turns them into works of art.

Roger McGuinn Stays Cool
We knew he was cool, but this takes it to a whole new level. Byrds founder Roger McGuinn has gone green with solar-powered ice.

Going Green Everyday

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