Culture & Celebrity

Photo via Smashing Magazine.

Each year Americans spend billions of dollars on Halloween candy, costumes and other Halloween related décor-type items (over $3 billion was spent in 2006 alone). They're shelling out $20-50 a piece on costumes and $10 and up on bags of candy.

But, this year more-so than in years past, people have enhanced awareness of health issues like cancer, obesity, and diabetes rates, of environmental health, and this year less people have the luxury of spending their hard earned dollars on store-bought costumes so they're being forced to look elsewhere for their ghost and goblin attire.

All of that brings us to my five tips for throwing a greener Halloween...in ways you may not have thought of.

Culture & Celebrity

Hello there, TreeHuggers, and welcome back to the weekly roundup of Mother Jones' environment news.

You've likely heard that the US Chamber of Commerce is shrinking as its members balk at the organization's Draconian climate policies. That's too bad for the Chamber, especially since, as Josh Harkinson reports, the Chamber wasn't as big as it claimed it was. Three million businesses strong? Not by a long shot.

Meanwhile, in California, Gov. Schwarzenegger steals the spotlight from the real stars of solar power legislation. But Bill McKibben makes the case that it'll take more than politicians to fix the climate before time runs out.

This week's Econundrum sheds new light on an age-old chestnut: Do snot-nosed kids trample all over the planet? And speaking of snot, the latest symptom of climate change is floating islands of mucus in the Mediterranean. Read all the charming details here.

That's all for this week. For more greenish news from Mother Jones, check out the Blue Marble blog.

Culture & Celebrity

Image credit: Jenni Grover

Call me a cynic, but I've never really understood the idea—promoted or at least implied, in my experience, by many a new parent— that having kids somehow magically wakes you up to the urgency of protecting our environment. Or that if you're already a green minded soul, that parenthood will somehow take you to the next level of green goodness. As was demonstrated by the storm of comments unleashed after my piece on why eco-activists still have kids, or by the continued concern over ever rising global population figures, there are plenty of childless greens who are likely, somewhat justifiably, to call hypocrisy at any breathless diatribes from new parents about protecting the earth for our precious new generation as we evangelize about the wonders of organic onesies and reusable diapers. Yet as I return from paternity leave, and as I adjust to being the father of Lilia Maven Butler Grover (who is of course beautiful. unique, borderline genius etc etc etc), I do find myself looking at the world with fresh eyes. Here's what I've learned...

Culture & Celebrity

There's just something about a family-owned and operated business, especially when they all test products before selling them to the public. Such is the case with Nature's Baby Organics, which manufactures and distributes organic hair and skincare products developed for children. But the cool thing about Nature's Baby Organics is that they can also be enjoyed by the entire family. That's because the ingredients found in Nature's Baby Organics products are clean and healthy but also perform well so adults can use them too. You can rest easy in knowing that all of their products have been formulated and tested for infants, children and adults with eczema and sensitive skin. After all, these very conditions are what inspired this family to produce their natural and organic products.

Culture & Celebrity

eco Bella Bello's organic cotton 'Los Antelope, California' tee. Credit: eco Bella Bello

The designers behind Everlasting Hope are outfitting youngsters in certified organic fabrics come Spring/Summer 2010 with eco Bella Bello -- a collection of kid-sized graphic tees. View a preview of the cute and catchy organic-cotton tees, after the jump.

Culture & Celebrity

Image credit: Elegant Roots

Whenever we post on the more luxury end of green items - whether it's Arms & Barnes reclaimed furniture or expensive electric cars - we always get hit with comments complaining that most folks can't afford to live like that. So I must admit that posting on Elegant Roots' sustainably made kids clothing and toys has me a little worried - $59 for an 'organic' penguin is likely to get some folks' backs up. But isn't cheap and ubiquitous what got us into this mess?

Culture & Celebrity

Image via Kate.net.

Reading, writing, arithmetic, social studies...oh, that class used to make me sick, too. But, what are you going to do? School is back in session and that means homework, bagged lunches, after-school activities, and plenty of Friday night lights. But it can also mean you running a mean, lean, eco-family machine!

Here are five ways to make that a reality:

Culture & Celebrity

Image USFWS

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has concocted a plan to encourage children to spend more time outside and take an interest in the environment: describe it in a video game. “Neighborhood Explorers” targets outdoor-deprived children aged 8-11; it’s 3 characters—Mia, Steve and Lucy—teach children about various species and all the cool things that happen when one is not glued to the computer screen.

While the Service is undoubtedly well intentioned, the strategy seems a bit suspect. For one, there’s the obvious paradox of using an implement of sedation to encourage activity. It’s like “Drink Responsibly” stickers on a beer pong table.