The end of the world as we know it?
Crap. (Am I allowed to say that?) I just went to see “An Inconvenient Truth”, the documentary by Al Gore about global warming. You all have to see it — this is our world, and our problem, and we better do something soon, or the world won’t be here for our kids, at least not like it is today. Not only that, it won’t be here for us! The website is www.climatecrisis.net. But go see the movie, seriously. It is not hopeless, we CAN change this, but in order to do that we have to understand it. Man I feel so restless, like I have to do something or change something but I have control over so little. But I guess I can change those few things I have control over. I am selling my car and buying a Honda Civic Hybrid at this moment. I am also bugging my dad about getting solar panels to provide energy for our house. So we’ll see how that goes. And I’m remembering to turn off the lights and all the appliances. If one person goes to see the movie because I wrote about it here, that would rock.
abby said,
July 11, 2006 at 4:48 pm
i love amy’s food, which led me to this page, and now i’m going to have to check this movie out and become enlightened on the whole global warming issue
i’m a big fan of documentaries… and the earth. so i’m thinking i’ll like it.
i just watched “the corporation” a couple of months ago, and i was really inspired/ disturbed. if you haven’t seen that yet, you should watch it. it touches on some environmental issues, too.
since a hybrid is a little out of my price range, i’ve started riding my bike everywhere- which is definitely a good alternative to driving. you’re saving the earth, saving gas money, and staying in shape. good times.
Taylor said,
July 14, 2006 at 3:08 am
Civic Hybrid, nice. You are a bit young to buy a prius, too yuppie
) I have to admit, the movie got me motivated again myself. I’m trying to see if I can afford to sell my car and buy a used VW Golf TDI and then run it on Bio-Diesel (The only problem will be actually finding one. Americans just don’t buy diesels, so there are even less available used). Last year I wrote a 20 page policy paper on global warming looking at the economics of the issue and corrective action the government can take. California has legislation in the works so I want to check it out and send my recomendations to my representative in Sacramento. With all the resources at berkeley, I could very easily get a grad student to help me do some research so that we can send hard numbers with the proposal and get some professors to sign off on it as well. If at the same time we publish it in some journals and get some media hits, it could work. California has tremendous weight in national policy: 1/6th of the nation lives in the state, and an even higher propotion of expenditure occurs here. This forces manufacturers to tailor their products to the California regulatory environment. Glad to see your doing your part to increase dialoge on the issue.
Nicki Baker said,
July 15, 2006 at 4:05 am
Although I probably won’t see the movie, I agree with you that we need to do more to preserve our environment. For me, it’s a religious things. We are stewards of the creation and should take care of a preserve it. Ideally, I would get solar panels to run my place, but I can’t afford it, and plus I’m in an apartment. I have visited a working solar house at NC State University, and it was neat though. There were panels on both the house and the garage, so the current from one building helped power the other as well. Easy ideas the people there gave us were to use the long-life lightbulbs, get a hybrid car for those who can afford them, use only as much electricity and water as needed, etc. They also talked about the process if distilling soy, corn, etc. to use as fuel. Since my body is fueled off a lot of soy, it only makes sense that my car can be too.
Jill Hesseltine said,
July 19, 2006 at 9:01 pm
Hi Amy,
I work at G Living.TV. We are an online Contemporary Green Lifestyle Network that produces weekly Modern Green Shows and we have an online Green Lifestyle Magazine coming online shortly. You can check our Green Chefs section- I think you would love it. I read your blog and you seem like a highly motivate passionate individual! I was inspired by your stance not to wear shoes to school and was reminded of my own youthful desire to be footloose and fancyshoe-free.
I talked with Errol last week over the phone and introduced G Living to him. I mentioned that I would like to contact you. I then spoke with the Founder of G Living and we would like to ask you if you want to be one of our Featured Bloggers on the G Living Network.
I will give you a brief history on my journey to G Living and you can learn more about G Livinng by visiting our site. I grew up just outside Lodi California (Clements). Very small town. My mother got the first recycling center started in Lodi by standing along the curb of the highway smashing cans out of a big pile next to her. She went on to save oak trees, Indian burial grounds, olianders on the 99hwy meridian, and started a brown bag program for elders, along with efforts to end Hunger, by standing outside the supermarkets enrolling people in The Hunger Project, as well as protesting Nuclear weapons at the steps of the state capital. As I child I was fortunate to be able to go along with her and be involved and acquire invaluable experiences. I spent some time during my summers collecting garbage and cans along the roadsides to clean up and recycle. I also assisted exceptional children on horseback in a program called “Trec”, (Therapeutic Riding For Exceptional Children).
This may explain my appreciation and gratitude to your family’s company and to the company I work for-The G Living Network.
Well, I look forward to meeting you through email or phone or in person at some point!
We are based in LA but I will be up that way to celebrate my July 24th B-day with Family and Friends- meeting in the Santa Cruz, Berkley,SF, San Jose area- to see my Green Hero- Mr. Paul Newman at the San Jose races!
Many blessings to you and keep up the good work!
Kind Regards,
Jill
Jill Hesseltine
Jill@GLiving.TV
Teresa said,
July 26, 2006 at 12:15 am
Hi Amy,
Great movie! Thanks for the recommendation.
Have you seen the movie, “The Future of Food”? It is very similar, but discusses the issues surrounding Genetically Modified Organisms (food stuff) and how it affects everyone in the US and Canada (2 countries growing GMO “food”). It also discusses how the U.S. FDA is allowing this untested “food stuff” to enter our grocery shelves–making the U.S. population the largest human experiment in world history!
Like “An Inconvenient Truth”, the movie points out that “this is our world, and our problem” (as you said).
You can order this film on netflix (www.netflix.com) or you can get more information directly from the website: http://www.thefutureoffood.com.
Hoping you will see it and tell your friends and family about this movie so that they can also be informed about the GMO issues. Perhaps even Amy’s website, could put a link to these movies to raise awareness to different issues and, for example, explain why it is so important to buy ORGANIC.
Just a thought. Glad to see you are doing so well. Congrats on the graduation.
Take Care,
Teresa
Amy said,
August 1, 2006 at 6:00 pm
Teresa,
Yes I have seen the future of food many times–it is a good movie! I have shown it to all of my friends and family and everyone I know. My family tries not to eat any GMO food and there are no GMO ingredients in any of Amy’s Kitchen’s products, even the ingredients that we cannot find organically grown. This is a very important issue for me and I am glad you brought it up–I will do a blog entry on GMO foods soon and make http://www.thefutureoffood.com a permanent link on my blog. There is already a section on the Amy’s website about GMO’s, why we are opposed to them, and what they are. Here is the link http://www.amys.com/faq/gmo.php.
Thanks again,
Amy
Poornima said,
August 4, 2006 at 6:20 pm
Hi there Amy!
Congratulations on your graduation.
My name is Poornima and I am from India.
I love everything that you have on your (food) menu. I am a vegetarian by birth, and if there is one food brand that I will buy and eat blindfolded, its Amy’s.
And thanks for your comments about this movie.
Several of my friends told me about this film as well. I have plans of seeing this one during the weekend.
I sometimes wonder if Humans are the worst things that this poor planet has had. Sigh!
Thanks Amy and to all at Amy’s for your great work.
Poornima
Poornima said,
August 4, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Oh! That was such an Indian expression!
“There is one food brand that I will buy and eat blindfolded, its Amy’s.”
What I meant was that I trust the brand that much that I dont have to worry abt anything NON vegetarian.
Poornima
Christine said,
August 7, 2006 at 5:00 am
I’ve never heard of the movie but I would agree that there is so many things, we can do to help our planet to where it’s saving people of the future and of course, us. I’m so going to check it out and watch it and hopefully, I can make a small impact around.
David said,
August 8, 2006 at 7:47 pm
I work in New York City, have not seen the movie – maybe yet – I am sceptical. You see the evidence portrayed is anecdotal. While there has been some change in climate, global warming is still hypothesis rather than theory.
There are scientists such as William Gray, the foremost hurricane climatologist in the world, who presents a very strong case that global warming is not occurring.
I always become uncomfortable when there is such wide acceptance of something so essentially unproven.
How do we combat global warming if it were so? Laissez-faire capitalism, there is no other way that is just or efficient.
Naturally, I expect total disagreement with my view!
Amy said,
August 8, 2006 at 8:28 pm
Just to clarify, I also have read articles by William Gray, and it seems to me that he does believe that global warming is occuring, but that he does not believe that it is humans that are causing this change. He does not think that human beings are capable of that, and that the changes are out of our control.
I still suggest you see it, even if for the sole purpose of being able to debate facts with someone who has seen it
-amy
Steve said,
August 17, 2006 at 7:16 pm
Dear Amy,
I am a large fan of your products (especially the salsa, which is becoming
difficult to find in my town!)
I would like to suggest a very interesting show on the Discovery Channel
about Global Warming, if you haven’t already seen it.
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/globalwarming/about/about.html
It presents some detailed scientific facts based on decades of research, and some up close and personal video of climates around the world that are already starting to become affected by a global rise in temperature.
According to Discovery’s website, “Global Warming: What You Need to Know”, will be airing again on August 21st, at 12:00 pm.
I found it scarily interesting and definitely an eye-opener.
-Steve
Amy Jo said,
September 1, 2006 at 12:00 am
Hi Amy ! ( Great Name, by the way ! )
Congratulations on your Graduation! My cousin, Johnny Myers works for your company and has told me many wonderful things about the food. I have searched for it and found it in WalMart ( at times ) and four Food Lions in my area. I have purchased most all the products so far and tried them all. The Cheese Enchilada is my favorite ! Keep up the good work !
My home town of Kannapolis, North Carolina is becoming a huge food research and developement campus in the next few years… Bring Amy’s Kitchen on down to Kannapolis ! We would love to see you here !
Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend….
And thanks for doing your part to save the enviroment.
Sincerely, Amy Jo Riggs
Dale said,
September 1, 2006 at 5:30 pm
Dear AMY… I have seen some big changes in the past! I have been around for as long as your parents at least! It’s true that it is scary! I just hope that people like you and your family, continue to do things the right way!
)
I think when it comes right down to the facts, everyone will sit up and take notice and not think of the environmentalists as a bunch of strange people! The evidence is CLEAR! It stares us in the face every day! Weather patterns have changed dramatically and will continue to do so, until we start using a different source of fuel. Like your electric Hybrid, Sun panels and so many other great ways! I watched a program on one of these TV new programs, about a man who showed us that we can use Corn as a fuel source, which will never run out and keep farmers in business!
He went on to say we could convert every gas station in America with this E85ethenol in a matter of 3 years~ (www.e85specials.com) or go to (www.answers.com and search for Corn Fuel!) (Answers.com by the way is a GREAT site for your studies, a quick download gives all the information you need on anything! I love the site!)
Anywho.. When this man told the Big Oil companies about this? they just laughed it off, and said: If you do that, we will just lower the price of Oil, we can do that anytime we want! NOW THAT… just ticks me off when so many people are suffering because of these greedy oil companies, when is it enough! All those costs are passed down to the little guys! I say use the corn fuel NOW! It’s better for the environment, better for the vehicle’s, better for the economy… it’s a win win all around. But the big boys don’t want to play! So, we as a whole in america have to show them who’s boss!
WE ARE, the consumer! So many people have breathing disorders, and sickness due to the air content! AIR Filters and Water filters are common place now! When I was young, if someone would have told me we would be buying water at a dollar for a 16 oz bottle? I would have said they were wacko! Let alone paying 3.50 a gallon for gas, and installing air filters in our homes!
OK, OK….I will get down off the soap box!
There is a better way AMY, and that’s all I’m saying, and we know how to make it happen! but it’s worse than trying to force a herd of cattle someplace, at least the cattle will go there, we just sit and wonder about it!
Like the Nike Add say’s: JUST DO IT! we know how now, there’s no reason not to!
Let me just say, Thank’s AMY to you and your parents for caring!
We all need people who care about the health of our people!
We still have a long way to go! Hopefully, by the time you finish school and start your family, people will start to WAKE UP!
God Bless you and your’s Dale
Coil said,
November 28, 2006 at 3:25 pm
Hi Amy,
It snowed last night while we worked in Medford. As I drove away the valley was surrounded by snowy hills and Tablerock. I just love maintaining this Organic Vegetarian Factory we are creating here.
We need to lower our carbon emmissions, as a species. Please don’t Freak Out about it and ruin your potential in life. We humans will figure out the solution, just keep caring and mind your business, too. Let’s work together forward a little at a time.
Coil
Stephen said,
December 1, 2006 at 1:55 am
I think we need to get this film on National TV! EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE IT!
Amy, here are some other films I think you would like:
1) The End of Suburbia
2) Fahrenheit 9/11
3) The Corporation
4) Supersize Me
5) Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
nikki said,
December 2, 2006 at 1:18 am
you are an amazing young woman. you remind me of me at your age- wise beyond your years and striving to save the world!
B said,
December 8, 2006 at 1:21 pm
Isn’t it great that we can have totally different perspectives on environmentalism and still love a good selection of products like Amy’s.
I for one have serious doubts in the existance of “global warming”(as I did years ago of the great worry over “global cooling”), but I do believe in proper stewardship of the earth. I also believe much of it falls under the good old golden rule. If I do not want my family, community, country poisoned by a pollutant, then one should not do it to anyone elses.
All the best…I need to go have some Rice Mac and cheese.
Gary Loewenthal said,
March 16, 2007 at 2:07 pm
We can all make a difference every day, lower our environmental footprint, and decrease our contribution to greenhouse gasses, pollution, and species destruction by eating a more plant-based diet, including the delicious offerings from Amy’s Kitchen.
Erica said,
March 18, 2007 at 2:48 am
Isn’t the world already bad for us today. Especially if people keep throwing gross nasty stuff on the ground. I think that if we have a garbage we should use it. Also, the oil spills are no help for things to get better. Technically no one really has any recolection of our world being ok. Yes, maybe it was once but now because of our pollution and our meaningless use of natural resources it’s just getting worse. We have to start planning for the future; not just what’s going to happen in a few days but in a few years. We have to start helping the planet not destroying it everyone needs to help. We do need this world and so will people after use. So what if maybe the world will still be fine until the day we die but what happens to our children or their children. We can all make a difference each and everyday just by doing something simple. Nothing is trivial so even if you help a little it will still be help. So, i dont mean to sound like a hippie with this whole letter, but this is a big issue and a little help will go a long way. Help your home the Earth out!
Beth Durham said,
March 20, 2007 at 3:51 pm
I want a Civic Hybrid myself, since it’s the Green Car of 2006. Does it drive well, honestly? I’ve heard negative things about hybrids being too noisy or the steering being too jerky.
I have to mention, if you watch Farenheit 9/11, make sure you watch Farehype 9/11, too. Michael Moore tends to manipulate what people say to prove his point, and made even the guys at South Park mad for using their quotes out of context for Bowling For Columbine. Supersize Me was really good, though.
I haven’t seen Inconvenient Truth myself, though I work at a Blockbuster. I am already really aware of the problem, and I’m not a big fan of Al Gore. Though it’s kind of like PETA, even if I disagree with them, I’m glad people are becoming aware that there is a problem. It does annoy me, however, to hear people come into my store and misquote ‘facts’ on global warming to other customers. I think (and hope) they’re trying to help, but spreading misinformation only hurts the cause. Actually, the current state of our planet has made me doubt whether or not I want to have children, which really breaks my heart. I think in the end, I will decide to adopt, not only to help a kid who needs a home, but also to take the decision of bringing another person onto this overcrowded planet off of my shoulders.
This turned out longer than I had intended! I just wanted advice on the car, hah.
Viren Bhanot said,
June 10, 2007 at 5:52 am
Wow Amy, I’m 17 and I’m about to start college (I’m from India), and you are EXACTLY the person I want to become…a go-getter, and a doer. But getting into Stanford = AWESOME! I’m totally hell-bent about getting into that University, and I’m already on their website (google me!). Thank you for inspiring me!
Diane said,
July 17, 2007 at 7:06 pm
I too am making the change over to vegetarian and I love Amy’s food. I am the mother of four and the grandmother of three and another on the way. I love this earth and want it to be a better place for my children and grandchildren.
I do my errands on the way home from work so I don’t have to take my car back to the store etc on weekends. I buy organic vegetables grown locally by a lady here in my county. I recycle. I walk where I can. I buy very few pre packaged or processed foods. They are expensive, full of crap that I can’t even pronounce and most of all every time you open them the box or bag has to be thrown away and generates trash. I buy a bag of rice and peel real potatoes etc. I grow herbs and season my food with them
Now that I’ve said all that I do want to say that I think Michael Moore and Al Gore are phonies. They preach to US out here about what WE should do to improve the earth while they THEY fly all over the world in private jets (wonder how much fuel they burn in a year), they live in their big mansions that they have to air condition and heat (wonder how much electricity THEY burn up per year,) fill their swimming pools, drive around in limos. lol. And that world concert thing that went on a couple of weeks ago. How many private jets do you think it took to fly people in to see that thing. And the electricity they used. I’m willing to bet they had a concession stand. Wonder how much trash THAT generated. I bet there was so much use of fuel for the jets and limos, electricity for bands (wonder how many trucks it took to haul all that stuff for the bands). Puleeze.
Sonu said,
July 23, 2007 at 1:29 pm
I just want to say that I love Amy’s foods. I been vegeterian all of my life, and sometimes it’s frustrating because there are so few options out there when you go out to eat. Thanks to Amy’s foods I get delicious foods without even having to read the ingredients. I hate having to read the ingredients on other products because the print is so small. I am just so thankful for Amy’s food products.
Far as global warming is concerned, I believe it is very real. I do not need some scientist or some politician like Gore to tell me that. It is in front of my eyes. You can see it. I do not understand how people can ignore it and say it does not exist. Like a lot of other people I also feel small when I think about this problem. There is a feeling of helplessness. What can one person do? How much can I affect the world? It is very difficult to go on but you have to stay positive. This problem can only be fixed if everyone takes responsibilty and is help accountable for his/her actions. You have to do your part and let other people do their part. Lead by example. Set a good example for your kids, your parents, your neighbors, and your co-workers. Slowly but surely, eyeryone will follow.
Elle said,
August 1, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I want to thank Amy and company as well … for quality and consistently bringing great food to the table. When I first purchased her products … Shepherd’s Pie and Spinach Fita, and the prices were a bit high to my thinking, things changed after eating and enjoying those meals. I still purchase them, and have expanded my palate with your other offerings. Thanks so much. PS – well worth the price!
Sarah said,
August 6, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Oh wow! Ms. Amy Jo (far above this post) lives in my area! And yes, there is a huge (1 million sq ft) nutrition research facility opening very soon in Kannapolis, sponsored in part by Dole. http://www.ncresearchcampus.net/
However, we just had a tobacco plant in Charlotte, NC close, and land is up for grabs (and jobs are needed). Open something down here, we’re all foodies in this area and would be honored to welcome in Amy’s kitchen. And hey, it would be great to put a Non-GMO, vegetarian food plant where a tobacco company used to be. That would be really neat. As long as the new owners aren’t producing something unhealthy, I’ll be happy.
Bill said,
October 18, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I’ve not seen Al Gore’s movie (and probably won’t), but one area which has me even more concerned is the use of plastics…especially in food packaging! As you know, plastic in general is not easily recycled and often times contains or produces toxic byproducts. These toxic chemicals can leech into the product which has been packaged. If they plastic is made from petroleum-based processes, I’d suggest moving to more environmentally friend and biodegradable starch- and corn-based plastics.
This is an interesting article to read when you have a break in between classes
http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/publish/travel-leisure/Our_oceans_are_turning_into_plastic_are_we.shtml
Diane said,
November 19, 2007 at 10:43 am
Some grocery stores have a recycle box at the entrance to place your used plastic bags. When put up my groceries I take one plastic bag, place all the others inside of it, tie the top and put it back in my car. Then when I return to the store I put it in the box at the entrance. If your store doesn’t have a recycle box they might be happy to put one out there if you ask them to.
SkeprepeSoync said,
December 18, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Hi all!
As newly registered user i only want to say hi to everyone else who uses this bbs