Thursday, January 01, 2009

Happy New Year!

Make a couple of your new year's resolutions green ones! Here are just a few easy suggestions:

  • Actually use those reusable bags that have been hanging in your closet for the past year. I have 1 Bag at a Time bags, which are great and I highly recommend. If you have none, spring a few bucks - you can find them practically anywhere these days.
  • Turn your heat down a few degrees when you leave for work during the day. Ask yourself the age-old question: if the heat is down during the day when no one is home to feel it, is the house actually cold?
  • Replace regular light bulbs with CFLs. Yes, they are pricy, so look for sales (at Target, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) and buy just a couple at a time to reduce the financial strain. If you are somewhat crafty, get some glass paint and create holiday ornaments out of the old bulbs.
  • Start thinking of a green project to take on when the weather turns: build a compost bin, plant a vegetable garden, plant a tree. Be creative!
7 New Years Eco-Resolutions for 2009

2009 New Year's Resolutions: Make Green a Habit in 2009

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Anti-coal

More anti-coal campaigning by the Reality Coalition:

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Greening your holidays

A few simple videos on how to green your holidays by the folks at Real World Green.





Friday, December 19, 2008

Terracycle

Watch more NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams videos on AOL Video

Friday, December 12, 2008

Treehugger's 2008 Green Holiday Gift Guide

I haven't looked through it all yet, but I wanted to post it while people still have holiday shopping to do!

Clean coal?

You heard it 10,000 times during the presidential debates, but let it be clear that "clean coal" in the U.S. is a myth!  As coal companies campaign to promote so-called clean coal, the Reality Coalition has launched its own campaign:

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Soles4Souls

Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program only accepts athletic shoes, so if you have other shoes lying around your closets, Soles4Souls is a great place to donate.  They collect both new and "gently worn" shoes, clean them (if necessary) and work with other charitable groups to distribute the shoes to people in need throughout the world.  My favorite eco-friendly efforts are those that not only benefit the planet, but also help less fortunate people.  Find a drop-off location near you or shipping information.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Repower America

Repower America is a plan to convert America to 100% clean electricity within 10 years. Join "We Can Solve It" for periodic updates and press releases. Here is their newest ad, which launches nationally this week:


If Barack Obama stands by his word, the next 4 (or 8) years might be just the springboard this country needs to move toward more efficient and renewable energy use and cleaner electricity.

"I strongly agree with Vice President Gore that we cannot drill our way to energy independence, but must fast-track investments in renewable sources of energy like solar power, wind power and advanced biofuels, and those are the investments I will make as President."
~ President-elect Barack Obama, July 17, 2008

Monday, December 01, 2008

Recycle old sneakers

(picture via nikereuseashoe.com)
You can recycle your old sneakers by donating them to Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program, which collects used sneakers (any brand, not just Nike) and recycles them to create a material dubbed Nike Grind, which is then used to build sports surfaces, such as basketball courts, tennis courts, tracks, etc.  Find a drop-off location here.  If no location near you, you can also mail the shoes directly to Nike (on your dime, unfortunately).  If you are involved with a non-profit or other group interested in organizing a Reuse-A-Shoe drive, APPLY HERE.

Remember, you can donate any worn-out sneaker (doesn't have to be Nike).

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Breathing Earth

Here's a cool site a friend forwarded to me - The Breathing Earth Simulation. It tracks CO2 emissions, birth rates and death rates for every country in simulated real-time. Simply scroll over a country and get the relevant info. Very impressive site - very disturbing data.