GPSEN

Report for October 23 (posted 10/28) This was the day to return home, but I had half a day to wander around Curitiba and take pictures.  Since it was Sunday, nearly all businesses were closed - one hallmark of a society that identifies itself as majority Catholic.  My attempt to find a store open that sold field guides to the local birds was...

Report for October 22 (posted 10/28) This was field day at the RCEs of the Americas conference, so I got way more walking in than budgeted for in my Ecochallenge.  The first part of the day was a ride on the city bus that took us to various stops around Curitiba and did a good job of covering all its highlights and neighborhoods, including in...

Report for October 21 (posted 10/28) So my idea of posting my notes from Brazil is already a little messed up because of the time lag ... the first full day of the conference was the 20th, not the 19th, but at least these are being entered in chron order.  (I am still time lagged, several days after returning home.) The second morning of the...

Report for October 19 (posted 10/28) First day of the RCEs of the Americas conference, in beautiful Curitiba.  Today on the bus ride to the university we stopped at one of the striking city parks, then spent the day on reports from the Latin American RCEs sharing their work with environment and development. Journal: Evidence of colonialism is...

Report for October 18 (posted 10/28) Recirculated airplane air, recirculated airport air, the movement of people from one place in an airport to another, the waiting in lines.  It all reminds me of the old movie Koyaanisqatsi (Life Out of Balance).  Precious little nature to be had here, even looking out of the airport windows there are only...

Report for October 18 (posted 10/28) Today begins the 26-hour journey to Brazil.  After a quick jaunt around the neighborhood I got a ride to the airport and spent the rest of today in airports and airplanes far removed from nature. Journal: Saying goodbye to my beautiful forested neighborhood, just as the sun starts peeking out of the...

Report for October 17 (transcribed and posted after Brazil trip, 10/28) Feeling better enough to get outside for short walks, but the wild weather continues, so I'm also doing the 360 nature observation from house today. Journal: Portland's climate is pretty mild compared to many other places, but the power of nature can still assert itself...

We've actually been doing this challenge action for about a month.  This should translate into a 55 kWh reduction in our electric use for October (19% of our average October usage).  The big deal about this is that it should have a major dent on the gap between our average production from the PVs and our consumption.  Right now our annual...

Oh, my goodness!  Here we are at the end of the EcoChallenge.  It inspired such fun!  And, I ended it with a bang. Beyond finishing the 300 minutes (and beyond) I committed to completing away from my computer, I did a completely new nature hike.  Granted, no matter where I walked today, it would have been new, but I am so tickled that I went to...

Not sure if this counts, but I truly did just have the most incredible time "in" nature or at least viewing it and really reflecting on geology, currents, the health of our oceans, and the impact of development.