Tag: environment

Paperless Yellow Pages

PaperlessPetition.org will expedite an end to this needless environmental waste, educate consumers on free and easy alternatives, and shed light on the growing inaccuracy of readership statistics that drive advertisers to still invest in this antiquated medium

who can deny, the unsolicited distribution of phone books is absolutely absurd? First of all, phone books are terrible for the environment. Just consider the massive amount of energy consumed for their production and distribution. 540 million are doled out every year. And even though many are 40% post-consumer recycled, phone books still require enormous quantities of paper, ink and oil. When we throw them out–usually within 5 seconds of finding them on the doorstep–they steal space in the local landfill. Second, NOBODY EVER USES PHONE BOOKS! Honestly, when’s the last time you opened one? They’re absolutely outmoded dinosaurs. Who needs them when there’s Google 411? Besides, doesn’t everybody know the best escort services are listed in the alt-weekly? Ok, ok. I’m being a bit extreme. Of course, not everyone has internet access and many people use phone books for local listings. Yet, given today’s information age, is it not possible to have a strict solicit-only system for these energy and resource sucking manuscripts? I raise my glass to such a concept. If you agree, here are some simple ways to join the fight against useless phone book distribution.

unclear why this travesty hasn’t been put to sleep yet.
obsolete technologyobsolete technology

walking around here today, i was greeted by these 2 sad views: stacks of unloved yellow pages, delivered unasked to disinterested customers. this is what an industry in transformation looks like. maybe this helps to illustrate my fitness allegory, and why going to the GYM is not the answer for these companies.

one shouldn’t underestimate the “Gore” effect, where there is a consumer backlash against pillaging our forests to produce a product that has limited value and that few people use.

+1 stop wasting that paper already!

You’re asking me to tell my advertisers to invite criticism? You’re asking me to actually create a platform that lets that criticism happen? Are you nuts?

When I answer the phone I usually say “James Governor”. Here is a helpful hint – when someone says their name when they answer the phone, its best to not then say “Could I speak to Mr Governor?”

yp sales droids have some learning to do

online media companies collectively will sell more ads in local markets this year than such individual hometown media as newspapers, broadcasters and yellow pages

excellent.

100 Worst Invasive Species

  1. Acacia mearnsii (shrub, tree)Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) is a fast growing leguminous (nitrogen fixing) tree. Native to Australia, it A. mearnsii is often used as a commercial source of tannin or a source of fire wood for local communities. It threatens native habitats by competing with indigenous vegetation, replacing grass communities, reducing native biodiversity and increasing water loss from riparian zones.Common Names: acácia-negra, Australian acacia, Australische akazie, black wattle, swartwattel, uwatela
  2. Achatina fulica (mollusc)The giant African land snail (Achatina fulica) is a threat to the sustainability of crop systems and native ecosystems, having a variety of negative impacts on native fauna, from competition for resources to the spread of diseases to direct herbivory of native plants. Native snails in fragile island ecosystems such as Hawaii and the French Polynesian islands are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of A. fulica and other introduced snails. The best way to prevent the further spread of A. fulica is by strengthening international quarantine systems.Common Names: Afrikanische Riesenschnecke, giant African land snail, giant African snail
  3. Acridotheres tristis (bird)Mynas (Acridotheres tristis) are native to India, but have been introduced all over the world, mainly for their being able to reduce the insect population in agricultural areas. However, they reduce biodiversity by competing for nesting hollows, destroying chicks and eggs and evicting small mammals.Common Names: common myna, Hirtenmaina, Indian myna, Indian mynah, Martin triste, mynah
  4. Aedes albopictus (insect)The Asian tiger mosquito is spread via the international tire trade (due to the rainwater retained in the tyres when stored outside). In order to control its spread such trading routes must be highlighted for the introduction of sterilisation or quarantine measures. The tiger mosquito is associated with the transmission of many human diseases, including the viruses: Dengue, West Nile and Japanese Encephalitis. Many countries around the world have been colonized. Some events in Europe have been correlated to used tire imports (Italy, France, Belgium) whereas other are of unknown origin and not related to tyres (Spain) and at least one (Netherlands) seems to be mediated by imports of gardening plants.Common Names: Asian tiger mosquito, forest day mosquito, mosquito tigre, moustique tigre, tiger mosquito, tigermücke, zanzare tigre
  5. Anopheles quadrimaculatus (insect)Anopheles quadrimaculatus a mosquito is the chief vector of malaria in North America. This species prefers habitats with well-developed beds of submergent, floating leaf or emergent aquatic vegetation. Larvae are typically found in sites with abundant rooted aquatic vegetation, such as rice fields and adjacent irrigation ditches, freshwater marshes and the vegetated margins of lakes, ponds and reservoirs.Common Names: common malaria mosquito, common malaria mosquito, Gabelmücke
  6. Anoplolepis gracilipes (insect)Anoplolepis gracilipes commonly known as the yellow crazy ant is associated with human-modified environments, such agricultural areas or urban zones. On some tropical islands, including the Seychelles and Christmas Island, it has reached high densities, devastating native invertebrate and vertebrate populations, especially previously-threatened birds. In at least one case its removal of a keystone species has resulted in a change in forest composition and a decrease in nutrient cycling. It affects native fauna by competing for food resources, altering the habitat or predation. By lowering biodiversity, it indirectly threatens tourism sectors. Its relationship with various honeydew-producing insects exuberates scale insect populations, affecting native flora and causing significant damage to plants and economic losses in agricultural systems.Common Names: ashinaga-ki-ari, crazy ant, Gelbe Spinnerameise, gramang ant, long-legged ant, Maldive ant, yellow crazy ant
  7. Anoplophora glabripennis (insect)Native to China and Korea, Anoplophora glabripennis (ALHB) has been intercepted in solid wood packaging material in the USA (14 states) and Britain. Known infestations were discovered in New York (1996) and Chicago (1998) ~10 years after the beetle first entered the US An infestation was also discovered in Austria in 2001, ~2 years after its introduction into Austria.Common Names: Asian longhorned beetle, Asiatischer Laubholzkäfer, longicorne Asiatique, starry sky beetle
  8. Aphanomyces astaci (fungus)Aphanomyces astaci is commonly referred to as crayfish plague. It is a specialized parasitic fungus that infects only crayfish species. This fungus is endemic of North America and it is carried by North American species, i.e. signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus, Procambarus clarkii and Orconectes limosus. The parasitic fungus A. astaci was introduced into Europe by imports of North American species of crayfish in the IX and XX century. Native European crayfish populations are not resistant to this fungus. It has since devastated native crayfish stocks throughout the continent.Common Names: crayfish plague, Wasserschimmel
  9. Ardisia elliptica (tree)Ardisia elliptica is a shade-tolerant and evergreen tree that grows rapidly, forming dense monotypic stands that prevent establishment of all other species.Common Names: ati popa’a, shoebutton ardisia
  10. Arundo donax (grass)Giant reed (Arundo donax) is a perennial grass which has been widely introduced into primarily riparian zones and wetlands in subtropical and temperate areas of the world. Once established, it forms dense, homogenous stands at the expense of native plant species, altering the habitat of the local wildlife. It is also both a fire and flood hazard.Common Names: arundo grass, bamboo reed, cana, cane, canne de Provence, carrizo grande, cow cane, donax cane, giant cane, giant reed, narkhat, ngasau ni vavalangi, Pfahlrohr, reedgrass, river cane, Spanisches Rohr, Spanish cane, Spanish reed

Aerocivic

I started this fuel economy project after the Hurricane Katrina-inspired gas price run up, as I have a long commute and, except for a few hybrids, the car companies were busy introducing models with ever poorer gas mileage.

if a guy can fix his car to 40 KML for $400 in his backyard, WTF is detroit’s problem?