Miss Earth Maryland Celebrates World Oceans Day 2015

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been busy but blessed, all thanks to the Almighty. Today, June 8, is World Oceans Day. The theme for this year is "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet." WOD is the United Nations-recognized day of ocean celebration and action, to support action to protect the ocean.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

We are all linked to the ocean. Even if you live inland, your actions and behaviors can impact the oceans and its resources. Trash and pollutants are carried out to sea from land via rivers, streams, and the wind. Both inlanders and coastal residents can make small changes in their everyday lives to help conserve the ocean. One simple change is to avoid using disposable plastic bags. More than 8 million tons of plastic trash, including millions of disposable plastic bags, litter the ocean every year. Packaging store purchases in reusable bags will reduce trash in our oceans and help save the lives of sea turtles, whales, dolphins, seabirds, and other wildlife who call the ocean their home.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Five Ways To Protect Our Oceans

[1] Eat Sustainably-Caught Seafood

By doing this, you will protect the health of the fish populations and protect coral reefs. Use the Ocean Wise Guide before you shop with your family.

[2] Grow/Buy Organic

You will protect coral reefs and limit dead zones. This farming/gardening method doesn’t use chemicals or dangerous fertilizers. Plant an organic garden. Buy and eat organic food. Check for organic certification labels and the PLU number that starts with “9.”

[3] Make Less Waste

You will decrease marine litter and protect coral reefs. Buy items with less packaging. Stop using disposable containers. Buy milk in recyclable cartons, not in plastic bags. Pack litter-free lunches. Use cloth bags or metal containers.

[4] Stop Using Plastic

You will decrease marine litter. Replace the plastic things in your life with other materials like glass, wood, or metal. Use biodegradable plastics made from plants (corn). Recycle ALL plastic. Properly sort all garbage and recycling. Have plastic-free picnics!

[5] Reduce Your Carbon Footprint.

You will limit dead zones and protect coral reefs.

[BONUS] Use Organic Sunscreen

Additionally, use sunscreen with safe ingredients. You will protect coral reefs. It’s better for your body AND the ocean!

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Sources: 

EcoKids

Azura

Miss Earth Maryland Celebrates World Environment Day 2015

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing great, all thanks to the Almighty. Today, June 5th, is a very special day because it is World Environment Day! This year's theme is "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care." WED is the opportunity for everyone to realize the responsibility to care for the Earth and to become agents of change.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by ROS Productions

Fact: World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.

Purpose of 2015 Theme: Living within planetary boundaries is the most promising strategy for ensuring a healthy future. Human prosperity need not cost the earth. Living sustainably is about doing more and better with less. It is about knowing that rising rates of natural resource use and the environmental impacts that occur are not a necessary by-product of economic growth.

EVERY DAY IS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY!

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Source:

United Nations Environment Programme

My Green Maryland - 5 Ways To Protect Maryland's Water Quality

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing well, thanks be to God. I'll be sharing tips and tidbits on how we can practice sustainability in our everyday life and be environmentally-responsible with my series called "My Green Maryland." For today, I'll be sharing five ways we can protect Maryland's water quality in our everyday life.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

[1] Try composting to recycle yard wastes and reduce fertilizer use.

[2] Create a "rain garden" to keep rain water in your yard to replenish plants.

[3] Plant trees, shrubs and ground cover to protect bare soil and reduce runoff.

[4] Help to start or participate in programs to recycle and safely dispose of used oils and household hazardous wastes and containers.

[5] Report any dumping of inappropriate materials into storm water drains (such as oil, antifreeze); and construction sites over 5 acres that do not have erosion or sediment controls, to your local municipal officials.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Source: 

Maryland Department of the Environment

My Green Maryland - 5 Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Your Workplace

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing fantastic, thanks to the Almighty. I'll be sharing tips and tidbits on how we can practice sustainability in our everyday life and be environmentally-responsible with my series called "My Green Maryland." For today, I'll be sharing five ways we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the workplace. Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, which make our planet Earth warmer, are called greenhouse gases. These gases include: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by ROS Productions

[1] Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Reducing, reusing, and recycling at the workplace helps conserve energy, and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Reduce, reuse, and recycle at the office by using two-sided printing and copying; only printing what you need; buying supplies made with recycled content; and recycling paper products, batteries, and used printer cartridges. For old electronics (e.g., computers, monitors, cell phones, TVs), investigate leasing programs, manufacturer and retailer take-back programs, and municipal programs and events to ensure reuse and recycling. You can also donate used equipment to schools or other organizations and take advantage of any available tax incentives for computer donations.

[2] Manage Office Equipment Energy Use Better

Did you know that the total electricity consumed by idle electronics equals the annual output of 12 power plants? Save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at work by setting your computer, monitor and other office equipment to power down when not in use. Activate the power management features on your computer and monitor, unplug laptop power cords when not in use and turn off equipment and lights at the end of the day. Plugging everything into a power strip makes it easy to shut everything down at one time.

[3] Commute With Less Energy

Switching to public transportation, carpooling, biking, or telecommuting, can save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on your way to and from work. Encourage your employer to offer commuter benefits that address limited or expensive parking, reduce traffic congestion, improve employee recruiting and retention and minimize the environmental impacts associated with drive-alone commuting. If you do drive, find out the fuel efficiency of your vehicle at the Federal Fuel Economy website, and make more environmentally informed choices when purchasing your next vehicle by using EPA's Green Vehicle Guide.

[4] Use ENERGY STAR Products

Office products that have earned the ENERGY STAR feature special energy-efficient designs, which enable them to use less energy while performing regular tasks. Look for ENERGY STAR-qualified office equipment, such as computers, copiers, and printers, in addition to more than 60 product categories, including lighting, heating and cooling equipment, and commercial appliances.

[5] Develop Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Developing a greenhouse gas inventory is a critical first step toward measuring and managing your organization’s climate change impact. An inventory is a list of emission sources and the associated emissions quantified using standardized methods. Many organizations are taking this step and by doing so find that most of their emissions come from building heating and cooling, fleet vehicles, electricity use, and employee travel. EPA’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership is a resource center to help all organizations identify and achieve cost-effective GHG emission reductions.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Source: 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

My Green Maryland - 5 Things To Know About The Patuxent River

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing well, thanks to the Almighty! For today's "My Green Maryland," I'll be sharing interesting things about Maryland's own Patuxent River. The Patuxent River is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in the state of Maryland. There are three main river drainages for central Maryland: the Potomac River to the west passing through Washington D.C., the Patapsco River to the northeast passing through Baltimore, and the Patuxent River between the two.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by ROS Productions

[1] Size

The 937-square-mile Patuxent watershed had a rapidly growing population of 590,769 in 2000. It is the largest and longest river entirely within Maryland, and its watershed is the largest completely within the state.

[2] County Boundaries

The Patuxent River marks the boundary between Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles and St. Mary's counties on the west and Howard, Anne Arundel, and Calvert counties on the east. The Chesapeake estuary's deepest point, 130 feet below sea level, is in the lower Patuxent.

[3] The Three Tributaries

The Little Patuxent River, the Middle Patuxent River, and the Western Branch are the three largest tributaries. The Middle Patuxent flows into the Little Patuxent just upstream from the historic Savage Mill in Savage. The Little Patuxent then joins the Patuxent just southwest of Crofton. The Middle Patuxent flows 24 miles (39 km) through the middle of Howard County, while the Little Patuxent flows 38 miles (61 km) through northeast and southeast Howard County and western Anne Arundel County.

Governor's Bridge over Patuxent River near Bowie, Maryland

[4] Pauxent River State Park

Patuxent River State Park is located in Howard and Montgomery counties, along the upper 12 miles of the Patuxent River. The park is comprised of 6,700 acres of natural areas and farmlands. Recreational use is primarily hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. A portion of the park is a state wildlands area.

[5] NAS Pax River

The Patuxent Naval Air Station at the mouth of the river has continued to grow over past decades, providing along with tourism another main economic engine in the lower river valley which includes the popular boating center of Solomons.

[Bonus] History and Commerce

Tobacco farming dominated the Patuxent's economy for the two centuries following settlement, with about sixty percent of Maryland's tobacco coming from the Patuxent valley by the late 18th century.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

My Green Maryland - 5 Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Your Home

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been busy but happy, thanks be to God! I'll be sharing tips and tidbits on how we can practice sustainability in our everyday life and be environmentally-responsible with my series called "My Green Maryland." For today, I'll be sharing five ways we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our home. Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, which make our planet Earth warmer, are called greenhouse gases. These gases include: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

[1] Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Reducing, reusing, and recycling in your home helps conserve energy and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from resource extraction, manufacturing, and disposal. If you don't already know or are unsure, find out if there is a recycling program in your community and start practicing it in your home. If there's no program available, engage and encourage folks in your neighborhood to start one. Be the change you want to see. Recycling is something my mother has always instilled in me from a young age, and I'm proud to be a resident of a county such as Montgomery County that has a program that caters to this practice. Practice the 3Rs in your home by recycling your newspapers, beverage containers, paper, and other goods.

[2] Use Water Efficiently

Did you know a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day? It takes lots of energy to pump, treat, and heat water, so saving water reduces greenhouse gas emissions. 3% of the nation's energy is used to pump and treat water so conserving water conserves energy that reduces greenhouse gas pollution. Reduce the amount of waste you generate and the water you consume whenever possible. Practice simple water-saving actions such as: not letting the water run while shaving or brushing teeth; taking shorter showers; save money by using products with the WaterSense label; and repair all toilet and faucet leaks right away. Running your dishwasher only with a full load can save 100 pounds of carbon dioxide and $40 per year. 

[3] Green Yard Practice

Composting your food and yard waste reduces the amount of garbage that you send to landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Only water your lawn or landscape when needed, and do it during the coolest part of the day; early morning is best.

[4] Heat and Cool Smartly

Heating and cooling accounts for almost half your energy bill (about $1,000 a year). You can decrease this cost with simple practices such as changing air filters regularly and properly using a programmable thermostat. Having your heating and cooling equipment maintained annually can save energy, while helping to protect the environment. Depending on where you live, you can cut your annual energy bill by more than $200 by replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR-qualified equipment.

[5] Seal and Insulate

Reduce air leaks and stop drafts by using caulk, weather stripping, and insulation to seal your home's envelope and add more insulation to your attic to block out heat and cold. By being a knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor, you can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs and significantly enhance home comfort with comprehensive sealing and insulating measures.

[Bonus] Spread the Word

Tell your family and friends that energy efficiency is good for their homes and good for the environment because it lowers greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Share this information and practices with folks in your circle, and together we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our homes.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Source: 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Miss Earth Maryland Presents... Earth Month 2015 (Week 4)

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I am doing great, thanks be to God! As some of you may know, April commemorates Earth Month! If you are connected with me on Facebook, you will have noticed that every day last month, I posted interesting tidbits about planet Earth in my Thank You, Mother Earth series. Below is a summary of Earth Month 2015, the final week:

Day 22: Molybdenum

The name (Molybdenum) is from Neo-Latin molybdaenum, from Ancient Greek molybdos, meaning lead, since its ores were confused with lead ores. Used in alloy steels to make automotive parts, construction equipment, gas transmission pipes; stainless steels; tool steels; cast irons; super alloys; and chemicals and lubricants. As a pure metal, molybdenum is used because of its high melting temperatures (4,730 F) as filament supports in light bulbs, metalworking dies and furnace parts. Major producers are the United States, Chile, China, and Peru.

Day 23: Zeolite

Zeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals commonly used as commercial adsorbents and catalysts. Natural zeolites form where volcanic rocks and ash layers react with alkaline groundwater. Zeolites also crystallize in post-depositional environments over periods ranging from thousands to millions of years in shallow marine basins. Zeolites are used in animal feed, cat litter, cement, aquaculture (fish hatcheries for removing ammonia from the water); water softener and purification; in catalysts; odor control; and for removing radioactive ions from nuclear plant effluent.

Day 24: Silver

Silver is used in coins and medals, electrical and electronic devices, industrial applications, jewelry, silverware and photography. The physical properties of silver include ductility, electronics conductivity, malleability and reflectivity. Used in lining vats and other equipment for chemical reaction vessels, water distillation, etc.; a catalyst in manufacture of ethylene; mirrors; silver plating; table cutlery; dental, medical and scientific equipment; bearing metal; magnet windings; brazing alloys, solder. Also used in catalytic converters, cell phone covers, electronics, circuit boards, bandages for wound care and batteries. Silver is produced in the U.S. at over 30 base and precious metal mines primarily in Alaska and Nevada. The leading global producers include Mexico, China, Peru, Chile, Australia, Bolivia and the U.S. The U.S. was 57% reliant in 2012. 

Day 25: Sodium Carbonate

Sodium carbonate (soda ash or trona) is used in glass container manufacture; in fiberglass and specialty glass; also used in production of flat glass; in liquid detergents; in medicine; as a food additive; photography; cleaning and boiler compounds; pH control of water. Most U.S. production comes from Wyoming. The U.S. is a major producer. Trona, is mined in several areas of the US and provides nearly all the domestic consumption of sodium carbonate. Large natural deposits found in 1938, such as the one near Green River, Wyoming, have made mining more economical than industrial production in North America.

Day 26: Tantalum

There are many species of tantalum minerals, only some of which are so far being used by industry as raw materials: tantalite, microlite, wodginite, euxenite, polycrase. Tantalite is the most important mineral for tantalum extraction. Tantalite has the same mineral structure as columbite; when there is more tantalum than niobium it is called tantalite and when there is more niobium than tantalum is it called columbite (or niobite). Tantalum is a a refractory metal with unique electrical, chemical and physical properties used to produce electronic components, tantalum capacitors (in auto electronics, pagers, personal computers and portable telephones) ; for high-purity tantalum metals in products ranging from weapon systems to superconductors; high-speed tools; catalyst; sutures and body implants; electronic circuitry; thin-film components. Used in optical glass and electroplating devices.

Day 27: Tungsten

More than half of the tungsten (also known as Wolfram) consumed in the United States is used in cemented carbide parts for cutting and wear-resistant materials, primarily in the construction, metalworking, mining, and oil- and gas-drilling industries. The remaining tungsten is consumed to make tungsten heavy alloys for applications requiring high density; electrodes, filaments, wires, and other components for electrical, electronic, heating, lighting, and welding applications; steels, superalloys, and wear-resistant alloys; and chemicals for various applications. 

Day 28: Clay

A clay pit is a quarry or mine for the extraction of clay, which is generally used for manufacturing pottery, bricks or Portland cement. Clay is used in floor and wall tile as an absorbent, in sanitation, mud drilling, foundry sand bond, iron pelletizing, and light weight aggregate. It is produced in 40 states. Ball clay is used in floor and wall tile. Bentonite is used for drilling mud, pet waste absorbent, iron ore pelletizing and foundry sand bond. Kaolin is used for paper coating and filling, refractory products, fiberglass, paint, rubber and catalyst manufacture. Common clay is used in brick, light aggregate and cement.

Day 29: Beryllium

Beryllium is used in the nuclear industry and to make light, very strong alloys used in the aircraft industry. Beryllium salts are used in fluorescent lamps, in X-ray tubes and as a deoxidizer in bronze metallurgy. Beryl is the gem stones emerald and aquamarine. It is used in computers, telecommunication products, aerospace and defense applications, appliances and automotive and consumer electronics. Also used in medical equipment. The U.S. was 10 percent import reliant in 2012. 

Day 30: Environmentalism

Woman of the Earth
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental protection and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements. Environmentalism advocates the lawful preservation, restoration and/or improvement of the natural environment, and may be referred to as a movement to protect plant and animal diversity. For this reason, concepts such as a land ethic, environmental ethics, biodiversity, ecology and the biophilia hypothesis figure predominantly. At its crux, environmentalism is an attempt to balance relations between humans and the various natural systems on which they depend in such a way that all the components are accorded a proper degree of sustainability.


Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Ruby B. Johnson
Seeking Sponsors for Miss Earth United States 2015