Updated: How to Help Those Affected by Harvey

Being so close to Texas, and with Louisiana potentially in Harvey's crosshairs this week, the devastation is all I can think about. After the historic flooding in Lafayette and Baton Rouge last August, it's even more heartbreaking to watch Texas go through the same thing. The emotions are still so raw for so many in South Louisiana who have recovered and are still recovering from last year.

We have a lot of family and friends in Texas and southwest Louisiana, and my heart goes out to everyone dealing with the unthinkable.

Via Busted Tees

No matter how near or far you are to Houston, southeast Texas, and southwest Louisiana, there are ways you can help the thousands of families affected, flooded and displaced.

Note: This list was last updated on September 1, 2017.

American Red Cross

Help people affected by Hurricane Harvey by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Austin Pets Alive!

The organization says it has transported over 235 animals to its shelter since Saturday morning. How can you lend a hand? Make a donation, foster or adopt a pet, or volunteer. Find out more here. (Via NBC News)

Humane Society

Donate online here.

Salvation Army

Donate online here.

Texas Diaper Bank

Donate online here.

Food Bank of Corpus Christi

Donate online here.

Greater Houston Community Foundation

Donate to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund online.

United Way of Greater Houston

Donate online here or text UWFLOOD to 41444.

United Way of Mid-South Jefferson County

The offices for this branch of United Way, covering Port Arthur, are currently closed due to the flooding, but you can donate online here.

United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County

Donate online to the Harvey Disaster Relief here.

United Way of Orange County (Texas)

Their offices are closed until further notice, but you can donate online here.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge

Broadmoor United Methodist Church is collecting supplies to send to Texas. Items can be purchased and taken to Broadmoor or purchased online and shipped to 10230 Mollylea Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70815. You can also purchase items through Amazon at and have items 2-day shipped.

Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities USA, a Catholic social service organization, is seeking donations to help those who have been affected by Harvey. The group has set up a website devoted to Harvey relief. You can also text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 to donate. (Via WBRZ)

Cajun Navy

The Cajun Navy is accepting donation of essential items (non-perishable food, water, baby items (already mixed formula, food, diapers), cleaning supplies, etc.) No clothing, toys, etc. Donations are being accepted at Bead Busters and Float Rentals, 2034 Bonin Rd, Youngsville. These items will be collected by the Cajun Navy and delivered to flood victims in Texas and wherever it is needed. (Via KATC)

Local Food Banks

The Houston Press has compiled a list of food banks in the affected area, including Houston Food Bank, Galveston County Food Bank, Corpus Christi Food Bank, Southeast Texas Food Bank, and more. They recommend contacting a food bank directly about their need and what you can do. (Via Vox)

Donate Blood

The American Red Cross, and Houston organizations Carter BloodCare and the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center are accepting blood donations.

United Way of Southwest Louisiana

(As of August 30, 2017) Volunteer at the shelter set up at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Text HARVEY to 41444 to donate to this United Way chapter.

American Red Cross + Google

Donate to the Red Cross through this link, and Google will match all donations.

NOLA Pay It Forward Fund

Activated by the Mayor of New Orleans in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund: Hurricane Harvey will provide resources for the early relief and rebuilding efforts of those communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Episcopal Relief & Development

Donate online here.

Acadian Companies Employee Relief Fund

A group very dear to me, many medics worked throughout the storm (and continue to work after the storm) to help others, even as they lost their own homes. Donate online here.

Other Ways to Help

• List compiled by The Advertiser
• List compiled by Texas Monthly 
• List compiled by NPR

Flood Relief Tips

• Kelli Kaufman shares a few lessons learned from last year's flood in Louisiana for those in Texas in the aftermath of Harvey.
• Kristy Simmons of Baton Rouge shares tips on flood recovery.

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Come Hell or High Water

Oh, how we have seen both in the past week. The water hasn't nearly gone away, the rain insists on still falling, and everyone is focused on recovery.

Saturday morning, Highway 167 southbound.

We've seen the best in people - those who worked tirelessly to rescue residents. And the worst in people - those who still choose to loot and rob from the vulnerable.

It's still extremely surreal, even after looking at thousands of photos, both on the ground and from the air, to know that so much of our home has been underwater. Places that we all frequent. It's still so hard to wrap my head around that.

Heymann Park, along the Vermilion River, where I helped lead two groups of students painting park railings last fall.

Vermilionville flooded after the levee breached. The water reached the door knob of the Bayou Vermilion District office. Spots I was standing in just one week prior were now under feet of water. The spot where I photographed the candle I will be giving away (when the time is a little more right) is under feet of water. The no-till drill I wrote about is probably ruined, sitting in the shop, before it ever had a chance to serve its purpose. BVD employees are still kayaking to get to work and clean up.

The chapel at Vermilionville on Sunday, August 14.

One of the entrances to Vermilionville on Sunday, August 14.

During the Keep Lafayette Beautiful litter index survey last week, we toured parts of the city - and many of those parts ended up flooding. The photo I snapped of the illegally dumped recliner was taken near the bank of a bayou, so there's a good chance that recliner is now floating downstream.

So many homes were affected. Oh man, so many. It's hard to see yet another friend on social media posting photos of water damage in their home or their neighborhood submerged, or asking for help or advice or donations. If you weren't personally flooded, you know at least 10 people who were. It's mind-blowing.

Neighborhoods throughout Lafayette, Crowley, Branch, Abbeville, Maurice, Denham Springs, Central, Walker, Livingston, Baton Rouge and many more are focused on drying out and cleaning up.

Mother Nature has been so violent, unleashing the worst rain we've ever seen. We've done everything we can to protect our belongings and our worlds, but natures still knocks us down sometimes.

The Vermilion River at Surrey Street on Sunday, August 14, before the levee breached.

Through the heat and the God-awful smells, it's time to focus on cleaning up. The piles of contaminated and waterlogged debris are beginning to appear on curbs.

It's not the time for preaching about recycling your water bottles, or choosing reusable containers or bags. We all have a long road of recovery ahead, and the most important thing is keeping everyone safe, healthy and comfortable along the way. It's not anyone's fault; there's nothing sustainable about a devastating flood. There's not much that can be salvaged if it's been contaminated. It sucks to see so much trash, but it is literally trash at this point. What can be salvaged certainly will be. Those items will now hold dearer memories and more memories.

But it is important to conserve water to reduce the demand from already-overloaded treatment and waste facilities.

On Sunday, Phillip and I heard that United Way of Acadiana needed help transporting food to shelters and those in need, so we took his truck, got loaded down with MREs, and brought them where they needed to go. This week I helped clean up my future in-laws' yard and garage. It was not even close to the amount of effort so many others have put in. No matter how much or little you can do, it makes a difference to someone. It's dirty, it smells like crap, and it's not glamorous, but somehow the work must get done.

It's not about the statistics, although they're scary. More than 30,000 evacuated residents across the state. But behind that number are 30,000 people with unique stories. Beneath the sweeping aerial photos are each family's backyards. Even if you only make a difference to one or two of those people, it changes their world for the better.

It's not about whether national news covers the tragedy. We're here whether they talk about it or not. And our local news sources have done a phenomenal job keeping everyone updated.

It's been incredible to see people giving back during this time, through volunteering and donating. Our local nonprofits have been receiving the items they need, thanks in large part of spreading the word on social media. It's important to see what these groups need before showing up with a donation, so the process goes as smoothly as possible all the way down the chain.

Clothing is not needed right now. But toiletries and cleaning supplies are. Check where to bring them first.

If you read this before Thursday evening, KLFY is teaming up with United Way of Acadiana on Thursday, August 18, for Flood the Love. KLFY's website has a list of what UWA needs, and you can drop it off at the UWA location on Pinhook near the Thruway between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. Let's truly flood Louisiana with love.

The sunny days are coming, y'all. We'll get there.

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The Big Flood + How to Help

(Assistance lists below updated as of Tuesday, August 16, 8:15a.m. Post originally published Saturday, August 13, 4:30p.m.)

The past two days in South Louisiana have been unreal. In these low, flat lands, we're no strangers to rain or floods, but this is water we have never seen or will see again in our lives. The normally soothing sound of raindrops hasn't stopped since 4 a.m. yesterday, and now just brings a sense of dread about how much worse things might get.

I am so extremely grateful that our house is okay, but my heart breaks for all of my friends and family who are losing their homes. If you've been affected, my thoughts are with you and your family.

The Vermilion River in Vermilion Parish this morning.

It's a stark and tragic reminder of what nature can do, no matter how hard we prepare and protect ourselves.

The Vermilion River in Lafayette is at its second highest recorded level in history, and won't crest until tomorrow.

Graphic from KATC's Facebook

If at all possible, stay inside and off the roads. So many neighborhoods are flooded and residents stranded or evacuated. Wakes from traveling vehicles just makes the problem worse for already flooded homes. The coulees throughout the area are overflowing.

There are curfews in effect all over Acadiana this weekend, and the one covering Lafayette Parish (city of Lafayette, Carencro, Broussard, Youngsville, Duson and Scott) is from 7 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow. Drivers on the road during the curfew can be cited.

It's very important right now to conserve your water. Limit your water usage to what's absolutely necessary - because the drainage systems are so overloaded, flushing or draining water can back up into your house. The water that drains from your plumbing is treated and discharged to the Vermilion (or other bodies of water in the area) and right now that water has nowhere to drain.

Coulee Mine at the Horse Farm around noon on Saturday

If you're outside in the water, be careful of snakes or other Cajun creatures that may be hidden.

Damn right I checked first.

The road to recovery is going to be a long one, but generosity and community go a long way.

Want to help?

• Follow the Acadiana Flood Victims & Volunteers Facebook page to see specific things someone may need.
• If you have any extra items you may be ready to get rid of, donate them to local nonprofit organizations. Clothing, housewares, furniture, blankets, and other items will be in high demand in the coming weeks as families assess their damages. Donate anything you can to help out.
• Donate supplies to United Way of Acadiana (their website has a list of item they need.)
• Donate clothing to your local Goodwill.
• Follow local news outlets on social media for any updates on community needs, like if shelters need blankets or other supplies for evacuees. 
• As of Sunday afternoon, the Heymann Center does not need donations.
• The shelter in Scott is accepting donations as of Sunday afternoon. 
• In Ascension Parish, the Lamar Dixon Expo Center is looking for donations of baby formula for evacuees, as of Monday morning.
• If you want to donate money, look for local and reputable organizations who can make the biggest impact directly to victims.
• United Way of Acadiana Disaster Fund
• Text LAFLOODS to 90999 to donate to the American Red Cross.
• Text FLOOD2016 to 41444 to donate to Greater Acadiana United Way (which covers St. Landry-Evangeline United Way, United Way of Acadiana, United Way of Iberia and United Way Southwest Louisiana.) 
• Donate online to the Community Foundation of Acadiana's Disaster Response Fund.
• Offer a helping hand to neighbors or friends. Anything helps.
• If your home is good and you have extra space, offer to house friends or relatives.
• Sign up to volunteer with the Bayou Church.

Need assistance?

• LCVC has an updated list of hotels offering special rates for flood victims.
• Acadiana Red Cross is maintaining a list of open shelters throughout South Louisiana.
• U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage for flood victims.
• Visit GOHSEP's website for information on applying for federal and state assistance.
• Citizens in need of services should dial 211. (Locally, 232-HELP.) This United Way partner agency is available 24/7 to provide information, referrals, training and crisis intervention to people, organizations and communities so they can help themselves and others.
• Flood victims can shop for free clothing at any Goodwill Industries of Acadiana location on Wednesday, August 17.

If there are additional ways to help, or additional assistance available, I'll keep updating this list and sharing on my Facebook page.

The Vermilion River more than twice its normal size.

Please stay safe as we endure yet another evening of rain. Follow all city curfews, and don't drive if you don't need to. (And chances are, you DON'T need to.) If you have to evacuate, do it before it's dark. Watch out for wildlife in the water.

Meanwhile, Dax is handling up on the wildlife situation currently at our house.

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Making Your Hurricane Supplies More Sustainable

When you're a kid, the beginning of June signals the start of summer vacation. Off of school for two and a half whole months, yay!

When you're an adult, the beginning of June signals the start of hurricane season. Not yay.

There are always wildly varying predictions of how each year's hurricane season will turn out, but no matter what, it's best to be prepared, so you aren't scrambling at the last minute to get that last pack of toilet paper on the shelf.

And by preparing early, you can make your supply kit more sustainable. Yes, it's possible!

There are tons of supply checklists online, including in Lafayette Utilities System's annual Hurricane Handbook. I won't provide a complete list of what you should have, but I'll share a few sustainable alternatives to popular (and necessary) items.

View a copy of the annual LUS Hurricane Handbook here.

Lighting

Always keep a few flashlights on hand for if the power goes out. Hand crank lights work well, and some are solar-powered.

Many storm flashlights come with radios built in, but watch for ones that say they can charge cell phones. I tried one of these combination lights a few years back and it wouldn't even charge my Blackberry.

Be careful using candles for light, especially with children or pets in your home. Candles can be easily knocked over, causing even more danger. Plus, the fumes can be toxic if you are in a boarded-up house and you can't open the door because of the weather. If you stock up on candles, look for soy, vegetable or bees wax candles, which burn chemical free, with lead- or zinc-free wicks, which can also emit toxins.

Power/Energy

Stock up on batteries, and choose rechargeable ones if you can. Just keep enough charged and on-hand so you don't have to worry about it while the power is out.

Conserve energy in your refrigerator or freezer by opening it as little as possible.

Keep your cell phones charged as much as possible in case the power goes out. Invest in a few backup power banks to give you an emergency battery boost if you need it. (Many companies give these out as promotional items - keep them and keep them charged!)

Food/Water

Canned food is the best since it "can" last a long time and remain unspoiled before it's opened. But get food you would eat normally! That way, you can ensure the food gets eaten even if it's not during a power outage. Also pick up healthier options, so you don't resort to eating pure crap.

Be sure to have a manual can opener, or that food will be staying in the can. And if you have an electric stove, look for food you can eat that doesn't need to be heated.

Save your cans for recycling, but remember to throw the lids.

Buy snacks and other nonperishables in larger containers instead of single-serve to eliminate some unnecessary waste.

When you're getting bottled water, go for what has the least amount of packaging - and recycle the bottles. I always go for gallons of water, but if you need personal size bottles, choose the ones with eco-friendly packaging, no BPA, and less plastic. And conserve your water from the sink or bathtub. Keep your showers quick!

If you stock up with adult beverages (or throw a hurricane party), get canned beer or boxed wine, especially now that glass is not accepted under Lafayette's curbside recycling contract.

Don't forget to shop with your cloth bags.

Other Essentials

I don't like to advocate for paper materials, but especially if you have a family, it can be too much to wash dishes or clean rags during an extended power outage, especially if you need to conserve water or are under a boil advisory.

Look for paper plates made with recycled content, or invest in some bagasse plates and boils, made from sugarcane byproducts. Use reusable plastic cups.

Get toilet paper and paper towels made with recycled content.

If you have pets, make sure to get enough extra food and litter in advance. Save plastic bags to reuse for scooping when your pets have to go. If you use canned food, recycle the cans! 

If you like to keep all of your supplies packed together, get a reusable container made with recycled material that can be stored away, or thrown in the car easily. Larger cloth bags also work well.

Keep plywood boards safe and protected between seasons so you can reuse them each year.

Entertainment

If you have children, get old-fashioned toys and games to keep them occupied, so they don't drain the battery on your computer or phone. Coloring books are fun for kids and adults.

Stock up on books from the library.

Keep board games or a deck of cards on hand.

Just don't play ball in the house!


Prepare your home in advance, and you won't have to waste supplies at the last minute. There are many ways to outfit your home so it's always more protected from storms, from functional shutters to reinforcing your roof. Building or renovating your home so it's stronger will help minimize damage and destroyed materials.

If you make the decision to evacuate, secure your house first, and choose the most fuel-efficient car you have in your family. Gas will be a scarce commodity, and prices will go up. And you may end up traveling further than you want to. Stretch what you get as far as you can. Pack smart and don't forget your valuable documents. Keep them in a waterproof container.

Even if you don't live in a hurricane-prone area, use this guide for any kind of storm supply kit you might need.

Other resources:

• GOHSEP's Get a Game Plan
• Acadian Ambulance Safety Tips

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The Scoop on the 2015 Solar Decathlon

"What is a Solar Decathlon?" you might be wondering.

Organized and run by the U.S. Department of Energy, the biennial Solar Decathlon is an educational competition where teams from colleges across the country design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. The winner is determined by the home that best combines affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

The first Solar Decathlon was held in 2002, and starting in 2005, it has been held every two years.

In 2009, a team from UL Lafayette's architecture program designed and built the Acadiana culture-inspired BeauSoleil home as their entry in the Solar Decathlon. They were awarded with the Market Viability and People's Choice honors for their 800 square-foot, solar-powered, passive energy home. Before they embarked on the road trip to the competition, the team held a bon voyage party, where I was able to see the home up close. (Let's take a trip waaaay back into Eco Cajun archives!)

On Earth Day 2012, we visited the home again, where it now sits near Fletcher Hall on UL's campus. To this day, it still looks great in its spot, with a view of campus and Girard Park. And, fun fact, Gretchen, UL's director of sustainability, was a member of the team who built BeauSoleil house over six years ago!

The 2015 Solar Decathlon was held over the past two weeks in Irvine, California. Seventeen teams designed and built their idea of the perfect sustainable home for the competition, from:

• Cal Poly
• California State University, Sacramento
• Clemson University
• Crowder College and Drury University
• Missouri University of Science and Technology
• New York City College of Technology
• SUNY Alfred College of Technology
• New Jersey Stevens Institute of Technology
• University of Florida, University of Singapore and Santa Fe College
• UT Austin and Technische Universitaet Muenchen
• University at Buffalo, SUNY
• University of California, Davis
• University of California, Irvine; Chapman University; Irvine Valley College; and Saddleback College
• Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State University
• West Virginia University and University of Roma Tor Vergata
• Western New England University, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, and Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana
• Yale University 

Photo: Solar Decathlon Flickr

 
Get a look at each team's house on the Solar Decathlon website, from home renderings to gorgeous photos to all the details on just how the homes are sustainable, or view photos of each team's home, along with the competition itself, over at the official Solar Decathlon Flickr page.

Every detail is carefully planned when teams are designing and building their homes. From window placement to rainwater collection systems, strategic solar panel placement, types of materials used inside, and to overall home layout, every little thing counts in judging, to see if the home meets the contest criteria.

It's enough of a challenge to design and build an affordable home that achieves the environmental standards, but this year's winning home did all of it creatively, plus it tackled one more issue: hurricane resilience.

Photo: SURE House via Popular Science

The New Jersey Stevens Institute of Technology created the SURE (SUstainable REsilience) House as a response to damage done by Superstorm Sandy a few years ago. A well-planned layout, passive house standards, two kinds of solar panels, and smart technology are evident, but you may as well just watch the walkthrough video to see why this home is incredible.


I mean...I'd live in it in a heartbeat.

Every feature has a reason for being part of the house and the placement of everything is strategic. When the power cuts off, the home can still run, and it can even provide assistance for neighbors. This home literally has USB ports built into the exterior in order to charge electronics during a power outage. For you and your neighbors.

The solar panels that double as storm shutters ALSO function as shade for the deck.

Photo: SURE House via Popular Science

Photo: SURE House

Vox has a detailed write-up on the home, its features and its weatherproofing.

What's your favorite part of the SURE House?

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Rain Barrel Gardening

Earlier this year, I wrote about rain barrels as a natural alternative to yard maintenance. After doing my research for the post, and after starting to invest some serious time and labor in our yard, I decided that we had to get our own rain barrel.

Luckily, I knew the magic words to use when proposing the idea to my boyfriend: "It will save money on the water bill!"

SOLD.

There are other benefits too, like the fact that rainwater is better for plants, because it's naturally soft water and isn't treated with chlorine or other chemicals. (Of course, rainwater isn't completely pure, thanks to water and ground pollution, but it is better than using treated city water.) Rain barrels also reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and surface water pollutants that enter watersheds, like the Bayou Vermilion watershed around Lafayette.

One $37.50 online order later, we waited until pickup day. And then we showed up not realizing how many other residents had also ordered barrels, so we waited in line for 45 minutes. After inching forward enough, we picked up our new gray barrel and went on our way.

 

The barrel is a pretty manageable size, and it's got a screen lid, spigot/faucet hookup, and overflow and drain valves. Easy!

I'll admit, we didn't set it up properly for the first few weeks, instead waiting until approximately 15 minutes before it started to rain...for two days straight. Pro tip: Don't do that. Set it up in nice weather. Also, when it's still empty. Because, another pro tip: Full rain barrels are h-e-a-v-y.

We picked up four cinderblocks and four concrete bricks and picked the ideal spot in the backyard near the hose and where the rain falls steadily.

The cinderblocks and bricks raise the barrel to the perfect height to where the watering can fits underneath. It's very easy to flip the spigot and fill the watering can. And it feels so good because you know you're saving money!

It does make watering the plants in the evening a bit more pleasant. I feel like I'm staying true to nature, and just collecting the rain for days that don't have any. So far, the barrel has stayed sufficiently full, and we've used it often to water the potted plants and mulch areas. I personally have not used it with a hose yet, since I tend to stick with the watering can, but I need to try connecting the hose to see how well it performs. The barrel and spigot aren't meant for connecting to a sprinkler, so if you rely on automatic sprinklers, well, you just miss out on the eco gardening fun. 

It's important to water your plants in the early morning or evening, when the sun is not as direct. With the summer heat, water in the heat of the afternoon evaporates faster, so your yard really isn't getting a good soaking. It can actually dry out plants a little more.

We had some good rains yesterday, and I was excited to come home and see the rain barrel being filled up (and the screen doing its job keeping leaves and sticks out).

Just saving the water for a sunny day.

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louisiana snow day!

Excuse me, "sneaux day".

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why cold weather does not disprove global warming

The temperature here in South Louisiana has been hovering around freezing for the past couple days and has dipped into the upper teens overnight. The last time I remember it being this cold was about this time four years ago, as I remember driving to New Orleans to spend the weekend with a dear friend and watching my car's thermostat never get above 29*.

But anyway, when that cold cold air blew in, so did two other things. Scores of complaints about the cold weather, and jokes about how global warming must not be real. I will remember those complaints when we're entering month four of 90*+ heat, when I am hot, sticky, crabby and my hair is a frizzy mess. (You can always add clothes, but you SURELY can't take away when it's hot as eff outside. That just wouldn't be prudent or professional, am I right?)

So, about that global warming? A few cold snaps do not disprove climate change. The short answer is because weather is not climate. (And I'll preface this by saying I am neither a climatologist nor a meteorologist. Unless you count my second-grade report on cloud types and my fourth or fifth grade science fair project on the science behind temperature changes as expert research. In that case, I might know a little bit. I did make good grades on them. Otherwise, I just have a few handy links as source information so you know I'm not totally making things up.)

Here's why. Some simple grade school science definitions, courtesy of NASA:

Weather: what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time.
Climate: how the atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long periods of time.

So, this awesomely named Polar Vortex is a weather phenomenon, and cold fronts are weather patterns. Temperatures, precipitation, cloud cover and wind are all weather, and all short-term, but the statistics and data are all collected for research. Over the years, all that data is crunched to discover the long-term trends of what's happening in our atmosphere, and the results are known as the climate. For example, recording the daily temperatures for fifty years and then averaging each year's group of temperatures create data to show how the weather has trended to create a region's climate. Some scientists define climate as the average weather for a particular region and time period, usually taken over 30-years. It's really an average pattern of weather for a particular region.

The planet's average temperature has risen by 1.4°F over the past 100 years, and is projected to rise another two to 11.5°F over the next hundred years.

So, to correlate these crazy winter storms to global warming. Small changes in the average temperature of the planet can translate to large and potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather. The rising of the planet's temperature basically makes everything a bit more unstable… don't you get a little more agitated when you're hot and sweaty? So with the warming trends of the planet, it's causing weather to behave more erratically, leading to higher sea levels, stronger hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes (and other perceived causes of earthquakes from man-made activity is a whole can of worms I don't even delve into), and cold storms. And don't you behave a little more erratically when you're hot and agitated? I surely know I do!

Climate change is also a very natural phenomenon. It has happened for the billions of years our planet has existed and it will continue to happen long after we are gone. But there's scientific evidence supporting the theory that man-made contributions are changing our climate a little faster than it would have if we weren't producing crazy amounts of greenhouse gases. And yes, if you stop using aerosol cans in your daily life, you won't magically solve the global warming crisis. But as that saying goes, every little bit counts. And if everyone did their little bit, then maybe nature could do what it wants on its own time, instead of us speeding up the process.

So, for those people you know (relatives on Facebook, coworkers, many Southerners, etc.) who are all "Oh, it's so cold outside! How about that global warming, huh? What of that?", now you know how to tell them that their clever observation is incorrect. You're welcome!

(Thanks to my friends at Green Philly Blog for sharing some of these links on their Twitter and making my research super easy!)

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"it's the last days of summer in san francisco"

I've reluctantly returned to the real world after a vacation in San Francisco, a city in a state I'd never visited before. And I think it's changed me a little inside. I'm a born and bred Cajun girl, and I always tend to visit Massachusetts when I set foot on an airplane, so I consider myself as having a little bit of Masshole in me. Before this trip, I'd never been further west than San Antonio, Texas. And now I've been on the West Coast and dipped my toes into the (super cold) Pacific Ocean (or I guess more specifically, Monterey Bay).

Flying to San Francisco on a clear evening gave my boyfriend and me a strange feeling. Since our phones were on airplane mode, the time didn't switch to the correct time zone yet, so our phones and our bodies said it was 10pm, but the sunlight outside told us it was only 8pm. It felt like we were briefly living in suspended time, where we keep going, but the sun continues shining.

There are just so many good things I could say about San Francisco and our trip. I'm normally very good with directions and navigating, and in some moments on this trip, I was completely turned around and had to re-orient myself. The weather, the scenery and the lifestyles were different from anything I've experienced - yet so similar to experiences I do have. For example, the first day we toured the city, I got a distinct feeling of a combination of New Orleans' French Quarter and downtown Portland, Maine. 

The weather was beyond perfect all week. In fact, my only complaint about it was that it was too warm for all the clothes I'd packed. The highs were in the 60s, but with the sun and all the trekking we did, my light sweaters were too much. And in the evenings it was wonderfully crisp. The house we stayed in doesn't have air conditioning, because they don't need it. In the evenings we cracked the windows and let the natural air circulate through the house and cool us off. That just cannot happen down here. We'd either swelter in the humidity or get eaten alive by mosquitoes.

After a week, I really began to get used to the scenery, especially watching the mountains roll by as we rode the train into the city. And I didn't realize how used to it I was getting until we returned home and I was surrounded by the flat scenery of my town. Nothing compares to those mountain views. I'd do anything to have them just a little longer. (My boyfriend and I joked about printing pictures to hang in our windows.) I miss seeing them each morning as I make my way to work.

We saw such a variety of landmarks, from the typical touristy things like Alcatraz, Lombard Street, and the Golden Gate Bridge, to pop culture icons like the Full House house, Mrs. Doubtfire house and Amoeba Records, to wine country, to a beautiful college campus, to the beach, to the headquarters of Apple, Google and Facebook. We went to an Oakland A's baseball game. We went mini-golfing. We rented a Prius for one day - and my boyfriend drove it in the city (which was almost a roller-coaster ride). We rented bicycles for one day and rode 18 miles across the city hills and the Golden Gate Bridge (this Southern girl barely survived - it was intense in many ways). We walked around Golden Gate Park one afternoon as the fog swirled in. And "swirled" is about the only word I can think to describe it. We literally watched it move in, in this ethereal pattern, weaving between the trees in the park, giving the whole area a gray cast. It just felt so appropriate, and I could mentally play only Matt Nathanson's newest album, as it's an homage to the city Matt calls home. 

And the greenness of everything. It was so strange and yet felt so natural. Louisiana is almost light-years behind California and it was never more noticeable than in the few days after we returned home. I saw about three plastic bags all week, everywhere we went. We got a plastic bag for our restaurant leftovers one night, and it was biodegradable corn-based plastic. I used my Klean Kanteen at least 10 times during the week: each morning to carry coffee, and in the afternoons to alternately carry Gatorade, water or an occasional soft drink. I toted a reusable bag each day for any purchases. The one time we needed our own vehicle, we rented a Prius and enjoyed watching how our driving performed. I saw more public recycling bins than trash cans. I saw public compost bins next to those recycling bins. I saw wind turbines and a solar- and wind-powered Alcatraz tour boat. There were so many bicyclists. The bike lanes were painted green, separated from the road or dedicated bike paths. We used public transit. We saw zero-emission buses and hybrid taxis. 

What I loved most about it is that being green was just commonplace. You didn't have to take extra measures to recycle or reduce your plastic use. The alternatives were there in front of you. Here, it almost feels like you have to shout from the rooftops that you are recycling or being green in some way, in order to even be able to do it. And there, you just go about your normal day, being green at each step. 

Visiting San Francisco definitely opened my eyes, inspired me, and changed me. I hope to be able to return sooner rather than later. The week was hectic, and every muscle and tendon ached at some point, but it also gave me a chance to reflect a lot. By the end of the trip, I was ready to return home to see my family and my kitty, but I was not ready to get back to the pace of every day. I'm just so grateful that we were able to get away for a week and take a real trip, instead of a halfhearted vacation. We got to visit with my boyfriend's cousin and her fiancé (our gracious hosts) and get a taste of what it's like to live in California. I spent most of the week mentally playing California by Phantom Planet (not helped by my recent viewing of The OC Season 1).

Calistoga Bike Shop, where we rented bikes for a winery tour.

Chandelier made with wine bottles at Lava Vine.

  

Touring San Francisco with new TOMS and hot coffee in my Klean Kanteen.

A green bike lane. 

I was highly jealous we didn't get to ride the eco-friendly tour boat, but then again, we would not have been able to ride on the top deck!

Wind turbines, recycling bins and compost bins at Crissy Field.

Taking a small rest break while on our 18-mile bike trek.

Trash disposal is not the only option.

The Golden Gate Bridge on a gorgeously clear afternoon.

Waiting for my lunch order at a vegetarian restaurant near the UC Berkeley campus. The mushroom sandwich was pretty killer, and we got in a nice picnic on the campus.

Compost bin on the UC Berkeley campus.

The beach in Santa Cruz.

Cigarette butt disposal in Santa Cruz.

I wish all bike lanes were able to have a raised divider like this near the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz.

Apple headquarters.

Google headquarters. I LOVED all the Google bikes around their campus.

I was surprised to see a plastic bag within San Francisco, until I saw it's compostable. Well-done! I might've brought it home with me.

Haight Ashbury from the bus window.

The fog in Golden Gate Park.

A marker for a pedestrian path and bike lane somewhere in the city. The Walk man is also a symbol of one of my favorite Hanson songs.

Is it time for our next vacation??

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