IG Oregon Street Team

Aileen Burns is most notable for being behind the merchandise table selling merch to hundreds of fans a night. With a resume that includes The Scene Aesthetic, The Plain White T’s, Snow Patrol, Shirts For A Cure, Silverstein, The Spill Canvas, and many more, you wouldn’t think that Burns would have the time to have the environment and its issues grace the back of her mind for a split second. However, this hard working 26 year old Hawaiian born and raised native does take into consideration on what is going on in the world around her. During hectic inventory counts and making sure everything is knit tight and perfect, Burns took time out of her busy day to speak to the Incredibly Green community on her thoughts about some hefty environmental issues and who the greenest band she’s been on tour with.

1.) What do you think is the biggest environmental issue today?
Finding affordable sources of alternative energy and lowering our dependence on oil, especially foreign oil in America.

2.) Why do you think that it is important for today’s youth to care and understand the issues surrounding the environment today?
Because they’re the ones that will have to live as adults with the repercussions of the damage we do to the earth now!

3.) You are on the road a lot as a merchandise manager correct? Have you come across a venue that is exceptionally green?
Yes I do a lot of touring, and although many venues are putting a stronger focus on recycling, not one really comes to mind that has taken big steps in becoming exceptionally green.

4.) Which band is the greenest you have toured with? The greenest member?
Jason Mraz has been hands down the greenest artist and touring environment I have ever encountered. He is VERY aware of the world around him and a true inspiration. On tour, all of his band and crew members carry eco-friendly water canteens and jugs of water were provided backstage for refills to lower the number of plastic water bottles that were disposed of each day. It was arranged with each venue ahead of time to make sure proper recycling bins were set up next to every single trash can throughout the building. All of Mraz’s merchandise is printed on eco-friendly recycled cotton using sweatshop-free labor. If I’m not mistaken, he’s also traveled on tour using alternative energy tour buses. I also know that his home in southern California is solar and wind powered.

5.) Being on the road, do you find it hard to stay green? What could you suggest to keep as green as possible?
It’s definitely tough to actively be green on the road because you don’t have all the conveniences of your home. I try to recycle as much as possible, and I walk as often as I can when I need to get somewhere that might otherwise be a short cab ride.

6.) On a personal note, when you’re at home do you and your family recycle?
My roommates and I recycle at home my parents have also been recycling in their home for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I used to go with my dad on weekends with all our saved cat food and soda cans to weigh and earn cash for them.

7.) If you could change one thing about the environment, what would it be?
Global warming. But the only way to change the environment is to change the people who live in it. I wish there was a way to plant the seed in the minds of the entire human population and make them realize how important it is to be active and aware of our environment’s needs. Every person counts!

8.) Anything else you would like to add?
Thanks for all your hard work IG!

If you have been around the Chain Reaction in California, then you have more than likely seen the red head vocalist of She Screams Remedy, Kyrsten Gammon and co either hanging out or taking to the stage. For the 18 year old who has her hands full with college, vocal lessons and band practice, she still has the time to speak out for the environment and how today’s children are ‘The leaders of tomorrow.’

 1.) What do you think is the biggest environmental issue today?

I think the biggest environmental issue today is a tie between pollution and the overuse of our limited resources. People don’t realize the effects of leaving their trash around, and by saving themselves a few seconds instead of throwing their trash away, they take away the beauty from our surroundings and damage thriving ecosystems. The second issue is the overuse of our limited resources, mainly gas. If the skyrocketing prices aren’t enough of an indication that something needs to be done, the oil spills (yes, BP was a big one, but oil spills are very common all over the world, no bueno) are incredibly damaging to ocean life, mammals, humans, everyone/thing. Other sources of fuel need to be researched and perfected so that we can bypass environmental and economic challenges brought on by the overuse of our limited resources.

2.) Why do you think it’s important for today’s youth to care about the environment and environmental issues going on today?

It is crucially important for today’s youth to care about the environment and environmental issues going on today, because these issues are going to directly affect them and their families, and they are the next to take charge of our society. The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and they should be educated in our environmental struggles so they can further better them. To ignore and turn a blind eye to what issues we face, in the environment, society, mind, etc, is detrimental to our well being. Therefore, by educating today’s youth and by encouraging them to take action, we have a better chance at a brighter tomorrow.

3.) If you could change one thing about the environment what would it be?

If I could change one thing about the environment, I would make it more resistant. It would be lovely to protect the environment, or rather, it have a stronger form of protection for itself. For example, it’d be nice if soil was resistant to water and fire and wouldn’t become as damaged when used or misused. That way we could keep and reuse plots of prior farmed land without the worry of the vitamins in the soil washing away during bad rain storms or after fires. Having said that though, I do believe that we have a tough environment to begin with, considering it adapts to changes. I mean, it’s never going to get upset or die, it’s just going to change, opposed to those who live in the ecosystems in certain environments who will die when change occurs. I think the biggest issue at hand, though, isn’t changing the environment, but rather changing how we treat it.

4.) Do you and your family recycle at home?

My family does recycle at home. We reuse water bottles, and drink from the tap more often than buying new bottles. We also have a trash can designated just for recyclables.

5.) Who in your band is the greenest?

That’s hard to say. I would probably guess Chris [Cisneros], since he doesn’t drive. He and Anthony [Agnostinacci] usually carpool together.  

6.) Have you ever come across a venue that is exceptionally green?

I haven’t come across a band that is exceptionally green, but Warped Tour is pretty eco-friendly. They have reusable bags, a booth where you can refill water bottles, recycling and trash cans all over, booths that are all about going green, etc. The Kevin Says stage runs off of solar power, too :]

7.) Do you have anything else you’d like to add to encourage fans to go green?

There are so many little things you can do to go green. Instead of taking separate cars, carpool. Refill water bottles instead of buying new ones. Throw away your trash. Recycle. Turn off your lights when you leave the room, and don’t blast the AC. All these things take seconds, and can even save you money. So why not do something that benefits yourself, as well as the environment that we love so much?

You might recognize Logan Thayer as being the guitarist for Phoenix, Arizona based power-pop band My Girl Friday. However, there is more to Thayer than most people might know about him. For one he is all for being Incredibly Green and Thayer took time out of  his day to share his views on what the biggest environmental issue today, why it is important for today’s generation to be aware about what is going on in the environment and more.

1.) What do you think is the biggest environmental issue today?

I wouldn’t really say that there is just one that is the biggest exactly. There are a lot that are huge such as oil spills, global warming, carbon dioxide and methane gasses being poured into our atmosphere, etc. I think awareness is the biggest thing that there is lack of though. If everyone knew and cared it could change things drastically.

2.) Who in the band is the most eco friendly?

Well although we all are, I don’t really see how the others in the band are because I’m not around them all the time. I do live with Tyler though and I know we try to live as eco-friendly as possible.

3.) Have you come across a venue that is exceptionally green?

I can’t say that I have yet, although I think it would be great if they started to become that way!

4.) Does your family recycle at home?

Yes they definitely do. When I lived with them I would always sift through the garbage and put things in the recycling bin. It made me feel better and I’m also a dirty boy that likes to sift through garbage…

5.) Why do you think that it’s important for today’s youth to be more involved and care about the environment and the environmental issues that exist today?

I think it’s important because each generation uses more and more of the earth’s resources and taking up more and more space on the planet. Soon enough, everything will be gone and who’s to say what will happen then? It’s important that we recycle and conserve as much as possible.

6.) Do you have anything else that you would like to add to encourage fans and other people to go green?

If you truly love and appreciate the place you live, then show it and do your part to take care of it. We all live on this planet together and we should all at the very least, make an effort to take care of it together.

Love all and live well!

Logan Thayer

The first turbines in a 175-megawatt wind farm expansion project in Oregon have begun generating electricity.

Portland General Electric Company is adding 76 turbines to its Biglow Canyon Wind Farm, in the third phase of the $1 billion wind farm.

It said yesterday that 24 turbines are now generating power in the expansion at the wind farm in the Columbia River Gorge near Wasco, in Sherman County.

Work on the third phase began in April, and is expected to be completed by the end of September bringing the wind farm’s generating capacity up to 450MW.

Jim Piro, PGE President and CEO, said: “Bringing the first turbines of the final phase of Biglow Canyon Wind Farm online represents a big step in developing more renewable energy resources for our customers and for the growing wind energy development in the region.

“We expect to have the entire 450MW wind farm online on time and on budget.”

Biglow

The Biglow Canyon project is PGE’s first fully-owned wind power facility, with the first 76 turbines coming online in December 2007 and a further 65 turbines added in August 2009.

The project is using 2.3MW wind turbines from German manufacturer Siemens, and was originally developed by Orion Energy LLC.

The utility, which serves 817,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon, said that with the variability of the wind, it expected the completed wind farm to provide an average of 150MW generating capacity.

This would be enough to supply 125,000 Oregon homes with power, it said.

soucre: Brighter Energy

Most people know Audrey Kitching for her vibrent pink hair and her insta success as an alternative internet model. However, aside from all the pink hair and the funky fashion that tends to land her in Stars magazine “Worst Dressed” category, Kitching has more to her than most see or even notice. For instance Kitching is all for Eco-friendly awearness, non animal tested hair and make-up products as well as organic items. Along with that, this outgoing model is also devistated by the oil spill in the Gulf and more than willing to help out the cause. In an email interview Kitching states, “I feel like so many people are in the dark to how serious and devastating this really is.” Many people may not care or even bother to try and help since many may only see it as a governmental issue or it mainly could pertain to people with the intrest. Sure, a picture is worth a thousand words, yet Kitching also believes that one way to help the situation in the gulf is by, “First and foremost, [being] educated about the situation!”. Not only knowing about the situation a great factor in realizing the situation is also knowing how to help. “I have seen hair salons making hair mats to soak up the oil. There [are] videos on youtube on how you can make one at home with scraps and old wigs.” When being able to gather everyday people to pitch in to helping this situtaion and not just those who many individuals believe can do more help. By bringing together everyone that is capable and willing to help stop this absurd situation a faster and more effciant way to clearing up this disaster can help reduce the time and save the creaters that help make our earth a more enjoyable place for the people to enjoy. But even everyday individuals can only do so much by themselves without the help of the governtment, who tend to be sitting on the sidelines watching as everything starts to happen and worsen as time goes on. “Its past the stage of watching and seeing what will happen. The oil needs to be cleaned up and plugged asap. Sitting around and watching the inside politics of the situation rather than banning together to save our earth is the frustrating part.”
Not only is the oil spill a frustration for the inhabitants of the place that serves as the home for millions of people and creaters, it is also a great worry for those who see the earth falling more and more into the pits of devistation. By being able to quickly subside major issues such as the BP Oil spill, as the people that call Earth “our home,” we need to make small changes that could poitentially help save us all from going into a rut.
Audrey Kitching doesn’t just flaunt and express her style to the world, she also believes that a greener and more efficiant earth is what we all should be worring about. “We [only] get one Earth.”

Tips:
-Go to your local hair salon and see if they are offering any help service for the oil spill and ask how you can help out as well.
-Find several informational websites and pass the word to your friends on myspace facebook and/or Twitter
-If you live near the gulf ask and voulenteer to help out whether it’s cleaning or even assisting with the animals.
-Every little bit of help counts, so get out there and do your share!