::Last Day of The Slate Green Challenge!

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:30:00 GMT

Think a screen saver reduces your electricity usage? Think again! A moving-image screen saver consumes as much electricity as a computer in active use and a blank screen saver is only slightly better. When you leave your home or office turn off your screen saver or monitor or shut your computer down completely. By doing so, you will decrease your carbon emissions and extend the life of your machine. Today marks the last day of The Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger, but it's not too late to make a pledge to reduce your CO2 emissions. Take our carbon footprint quiz and we will provide you with numerous ways to reduce your impact on the Earth including information on home/office, water, and heating. The first 500 contestants to finish the challenge get a new organic t-shirt from our friends at I'm Organic. You better hurry! ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 8: Home/Office ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Slate Green Challenge

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 14:26:10 GMT

Paper manufacturing is one of the six most energy-intensive American industries, accounting for about 35 million tons of CO2 each year. There are numerous ways to positively impact your paper usage around your home and office like printing double-sided copies, using only high recycled-content paper, and opting out of unwanted junk mail services. It's the last week of The Slate Green Challenge, but you can still join the pledge to reduce your carbon emissions. Measure your impact by taking the carbon footprint quiz and we will supply you with information on how to reduce your impact through such topics as holiday shopping, energy usage, and transportation. If you are one of the first 500 speedy contestants to finish the challenge, our sponsors at I'm Organic will supply you with an organic cotton t-shirt. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 8: Home/Office... Read the full story on TreeHugger

::The Slate Green Challenge: Week 8 - Home & Office

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 11:30:00 GMT

Looking for an inexpensive way to reduce your carbon emissions at home? Try making your own household cleaners from natural ingredients. Many conventional cleaners are made with petrochemicals and other potentially toxic chemicals. By creating your own special blend, you can save plastic and money while reducing your CO2 emissions. It is the last week for the Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger, but it's not too late to join the pledge to reduce our collective carbon emissions by 20 percent. Start with a carbon footprint quiz and continue with articles that relate CO2 emissions to such topics as holiday shopping, transportation, and water usage. If you are one of the first 500 challengers to finish, our friends and sponsors at I'm Organic will supply you with a brand new organic t-shirt. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 8: Home & Office ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

::The Slate Green Challenge: Week 7 - Water

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:30:00 GMT

Struggling with high energy bills? Your home water heater could be the culprit, as it accounts for approximately 14 percent of your energy usage. If your gas water heater is more than 10 years old, you might consider replacing it. A water heater that old might be operating at less than 50 percent efficiency! Consider replacing it with an energy-efficient tank or a heater without a tank, which warms up water only when you need it. For more ways to reduce your carbon emissions and your bills, head over to The Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger. Almost 30,000 readers have pledged to reduce their collective emissions by 20 percent. After you take the initial carbon footprint quiz, we will provide you with information that ranges from transportation to holiday shopping and ways to reduce your impact through each of these activities. The first 500 lucky challengers will walk away with a new t-shirt from our friends and sponsors at I'm Organic. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 7: Water... Read the full story on TreeHugger

::The Slate Green Challenge

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:30:00 GMT

You might be surprised to find out that using your dishwasher is typically more efficient than handwashing those dirty dishes. Washing your dishes by hand uses an average of 10 to 15 gallons of water, while automatic dishwashers use around 8 gallons. When you use your dishwasher, make sure the energy-saver option is on and wait to run the dishwasher until it is full. If you rely on old-fashioned elbow grease to wash your dishes, try to turn off the water while you're scrubbing. This will not only save gallons of unused water but also cut back on your utility bills. To learn how your water usage and other daily activities relate to your carbon emissions, head over to The Slate Challenge with Treehugger. Join the 29,292 people who have pledged to reduce our collective CO2 emissions by 20 percent. It all starts with a carbon footprint quiz and continues with information on how to reduce your impact on the Earth. If you are one of the first 500 lucky challengers to complete the challenge, you could walk away with a brand-spanking new t-shirt from our sponsors at I'm Organic. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 7: Water... Read the full story on TreeHugger

::The Slate Green Challenge: Week 7 - Water

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 11:40:00 GMT

If you are using a conventional showerhead with an optional flow restrictor, you can save more water and substantially improve the quality of your shower with the purchase of a high-performance showerhead. Efficient showerheads, which you can find for less than $20, you can cut your water usage by 25-75 percent without sacrificing the quality of your shower. However, the cheapest and easiest solution for improving your water efficiency is to cut down on your shower time. The shorter your shower, the more CO2 you'll save from heating the water, as showers account for two-thirds of all water heating costs. Surf over to Slate to check out this week's installment of The Green Challenge, all about one of our most precious commodities - water. Haven't hopped on the bandwagon yet? You can start anytime with our carbon footprint quiz and join the pledge to drop a collective 20 percent of our CO2 emissions. The first 500 lucky challengers to complete the challenge win a T-shirt from our friends and sponsors over at I'm Organic. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 7: Water... Read the full story on TreeHugger

::Deck The Halls With The Slate Green Challenge

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 09:30:00 GMT

Looking for the perfect holiday gift that doesn't increase your carbon footprint? Giving gifts such as concert tickets, music lessons, and restaurant gift certificates do not require gift-wrapping and use minimal resources. Treehugger's list of holiday gift certificates might give you a few ideas as you search for ways to give consciously this holiday season. For more ways to reduce your impact, check out The Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger. With information on topics such as water, electricity, holidays, and heating, you are sure to shave off a few extra CO2 lbs this season. It all starts with a carbon footprint quiz and the goal is to end with a 20 percent collective reduction of our carbon emissions. Be one of the first 500 to complete the challenge and get a free t-shirt from our sponsors at I'm Organic. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 6: Holidays... Read the full story on TreeHugger

::The Slate Green Challenge

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:30:00 GMT

Opening up holiday gifts can be fun and exciting, but all of that wrapping paper helps add to the 1 million extra tons of trash that is created during the holiday season. If every American household wrapped three gifts in recycled materials, we could save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields! You can help cut down the amount of garbage you send to the landfill by reusing old wrapping paper, gift bags or boxes. Be creative this season by covering your presents in nonconventional gift wrap such as old maps, the Sunday comics or cloth. If can't live without purchasing new gift wrap, try to buy recycled paper or tree-free paper made from hemp or flax. 28,541 people have joined the Slate Green Challenge with TreeHugger in a pledge to reduce their carbon emissions by twenty percent. It's not too late to join us! Start with an initial carbon footprint quiz and we will then provide you with information on how to reduce your impact on the Earth. Be one of the first 500 and receive a Slate/Treehugger Green Challenge t-shirt from our friends and sponsors at I'm Organic. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 6: Holiday... Read the full story on TreeHugger

::The Slate Green Challenge - Week 6

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 09:30:00 GMT

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time for some of us to start hanging those beautiful energy-wasting holiday lights. Before you rush out to string those cheap incandescent bulbs, think about replacing them with lightemitting diode (LED) strings. While these decorative lights require more up-front cost, they use up to 95 percent less electricity (less carbon emissions!), last up to 10 times longer and are less of a fire-hazard since they produce very little heat. So, ponder that before you start to create your own winter wonderland. There's only three weeks left in The Slate Green Challenge, but it's not too late to join the 27,876 readers who have pledged to collectively reduce their CO2 emissions. It all starts with a carbon footprint quiz and follows with articles and how-to's on reducing your impact on the Earth with topics such as transportation, food and water consumption, and this week's edition on the holidays. If you are one of the first 500 speedy contestants to finish the challenge, our sponsors at I'm Organic will style you out with a new t-shirt. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 6: Holidays... Read the full story on TreeHugger

:: The Slate Green Challenge

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 09:30:00 GMT

While cleaning might not be your favorite chore, in some cases it might help to reduce your impact on the environment and put a little ease on the old pocketbook. Vacuuming the coils of your refrigerator can work toward eliminating dirt buildup, which helps the energy-sucker run more efficiently. Likewise, cleaning the air filters in your air conditioners and hot-air furnaces helps save 5 percent of the energy used to heat and cool your home. If you are in the market for new appliances this holiday season, make sure you shop for the eco-efficient Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star label. Looking to trim off a few pounds after the holiday? Look no further than The Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger. Join the pledge to trim twenty percent off our collective carbon emissions and learn simple ways to reduce your impact on the environment. Throughout the process we will provide all sorts of tips and information on topics such as transportation, holiday shopping, water and electricity. The first 500 to complete the challenge will look lean and green in their new t-shirt provided by our sponsors at I'm Organic. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 5: Electricity... Read the full story on TreeHugger

:: Reduce Your Impact with The Slate Green Challenge

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 09:30:00 GMT

Although compact fluorescent light bulbs require higher upfront costs, they use two-thirds less energy and last eight times longer than the average life span of an incandescent bulb. One simple CFL purchase of less than ten dollars has the potential to reduce your carbon emissions by 1,300 lbs and save you around thirty-six dollars throughout the life of the bulb. Better yet, if every American household took the same action we would eliminate 800,000 cars' worth of greenhouse-gas emissions. Talk about an easy way to make a big impact! For other easy ways to make a big impact in reducing your carbon emissions check out The Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger. Over 27,000 of our readers have made the pledge to collectively reduce their CO2 emissions by twenty percent, so why haven't you? This week's topic of electricity addresses ways to reduce your impact while trimming your energy bills. If you are one of the first 500 contestants who are serious about the challenge our sponsors at I'm Organic will have you looking both conscientious and cool in your new organic cotton t-shirt. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 5: Electricity ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Slate Green Challenge: Week 5 - Electricity

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 13:22:00 GMT

Nowadays, it's hard to live without your iPod, laptop, alarm clock, cell phone, television, and all those other modern conveniences that make life a little easier (and more fun). But, did you know that leaving these devices plugged in while not in use constantly draws at least 1 kw of energy per gadget? If you are like the rest of us (guilty!), you could be using up to ten appliances at any given time. Try unplugging your gadgets or using a power strip that can be shut off completely, which can save up to 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per two-person household annually, as well as hundreds of dollars off your energy bills. To date, almost 27,000 people have joined us on The Slate Green Challenge. That equates to a pledge of 46 million pounds of collective CO2 reduction! There are four weeks remaining in the challenge and you can still join us. It all starts with a carbon footprint analysis and follows with information on such topics as food, transportation and this week's topic -- electricity. Be one of the first 500 to complete the challenge and win a free t-shirt from our friends and sponsors at I'm Organic. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 5: Electricity ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Eco-friendly gift boxes from Saul Good Gift Co.

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 15:45:00 GMT

With the holidays right around the corner, you might be stressed about finding the perfect gift for both your business associates as well as your loved ones. Saul Good Gift Co., a Vancouver, BC-based business, might be your one-stop-shop this season. The company's line of gift boxes could fulfill your hopes of giving stylish gifts that also have minimal impact on the Earth. The fully-recyclable boxes are not only fun, but also complete with numerous gourmet and organic products including fair-trade coffee and teas, organic body care products, and yummy chocolates and snacks. Saul Good (get it? ... "s'all good") is making sure their sustainable bases are covered with responsible resource usage, support for local BC-based businesses, and involvement in social causes, and they do all this while selling environmentally friendly, low-impact products. These eco-chic gift boxes just might ensure that your giftee's health, taste buds, and community are s'all feeling good this holiday season. ::Saul Good... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Slate Green Challenge

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 09:30:07 GMT

It goes without saying that we each get at least one article of clothing each holiday season that we could really do without. (How many scarves does one person really need?) Instead of tossing your unloved, unwanted duds in the garbage, try donating them to your local consignment store. This helps to reduce the carbon emissions that are associated with incinerating them or sending them to a landfill. And while you are out shopping for gifts, try buying vintage clothing or garments made out of hemp or bamboo. Not only will you give a thoughtful gift that helps to reduce your impact on the Earth, but also it will help you look fashionable and eco-chic with all your loved ones. Want more simple ways in which to reduce your carbon emissions? Join The Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger. Almost 27,000 people have joined the pledge to reduce our collective emissions by 20%, so why haven't you? It all starts with a simple carbon footprint analysis quiz and follows with ways to reduce your impact. And while we are on the topic of low-impact clothing, we should also mention that you will have a chance to win a new organic cotton shirt from our sponsors at I'm Organic if you are one of the first 500 to complete the challenge. Good luck! ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 4: Wardrobe... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Slate Green Challenge - Week 4

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 09:30:00 GMT

Over the past few years, organic produce has been a hot topic and one which you hear about on an almost daily basis. But what about other organic crops? Cotton, one of the most widely grown crops, uses about 25% of the world's insecticides and another 10% of the world's pesticides. (Yikes!) What's even scarier is that it takes almost a third of a pound of chemicals to grow enough cotton for just one article of clothing. On the other hand, organically grown crops use less fossil fuel, 50% less energy, and release fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than conventional crops. So, for all you eco-savvy shoppers, buying organic cotton clothing should be on your list of ways to go green. Not only does it reduce carbon emissions, but also keeps you looking great and feeling good about reducing your impact on the Earth. For more ways to progress toward a greener future, check out Treehugger's new guides for How to Go Green. We aim to provide over 100+ guides on ways to green your lifestyle and we start with tips on reducing your impact through your wardrobe, meals, transportation, and heating. While you are at it, head over to The Slate Green Challenge. Become one of the 25,000+ readers who have pledged to collectively reduce our carbon emissions by 20%. We will provide you with the tools and information you need to reduce your carbon footprint and I'm Organic will provide you with a new t-shirt if you are one of the first 500 to complete the challenge. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 4 - Wardrobe ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Welcome to week 4 of the Slate Green Challenge

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 15:06:00 GMT

We all know how good it feels to go out on the town in a new outfit, so why not show it off to your whole neighborhood? Line-drying your clothing not only saves money, but also decreases your yearly carbon emissions up to 350 pounds per person per year. Likewise, running your washer on cold and only when it is full could save an additional 200pounds of CO2 emissions per person per year. A little effort can make a big difference and reducing your impact on the Earth will help you feel as great as you look! For more ways to curb your carbon appetite, join The Slate Green Challenge with TreeHugger. Beginning with a carbon emission footprint quiz, the challenge will continue with information on several lifestyle topics related to reducing your CO2 output, such as taking a peek inside your closet, which this week's installment does. (Other segments address water, electricity, holiday shopping, and more.) Join in anytime on the collective effort to reduce our overall footprint by 20 percent. Did we mention the prize? The first 500 people who complete the Challenge will receive a T-shirt from our generous friends and sponsor at I'm Organic. Happy dieting! ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 4: Wardrobe ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Slate Green Challenge

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:30:00 GMT

Although driving a hybrid car conserves over one ton of carbon dioxide per year, we realize that not everyone is ready to go out and buy a brand new car. However, if you were really serious about reducing your impact, adopting a vegan or vegetarian diet would knock off an extra ton and a half of CO2 emissions. It's true! One calorie of animal protein releases more than ten times as much carbon dioxide than does one calorie of plant protein. If you want to make a positive difference and can't live without your t-bone, try curbing your carbon emissions (and your waistline) by eating one less steak or burger per week. Come join the 24,000 readers who have pledged to collectively reduce Treehugger's carbon emissions by 20%. The Slate Green Challenge starts with an initial carbon footprint quiz and follows with tangible suggestions and information on how to curb your emissions and reduce your impact on the Earth. Our friends at I'm Organic are providing prize t-shirts to the first 500 who fulfill their pledge. Happy dieting! ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 3: Food ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Slate Green Challenge

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 09:30:00 GMT

Hopefully by now you've made a commitment to read labels, purchase organic, and support local farms. (If so, we applaud your efforts to live a greener lifestyle!) However, have you noticed in what type of materials your favorite products are packaged? Purchasing food and other consumer goods with reusable, recyclable, or reduced packaging could reduce your emissions by 230 pounds a year. Knock off another 17 lbs by using your own reusable grocery bag to transport your healthy fare. Carving off pounds while purchasing food - who would've thought? For more information on how to lose hundreds of pounds in emissions per year, join The Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger. Sign up with the thousands of readers who are making an effort to collectively reduce our CO2 emissions by 20%. Think you have what it takes? It all starts with a simple emissions footprint quiz. If you are one of the first 500 to cross the finish line, our sponsors at I'm Organic will hook you up with a new t-shirt. Good luck! ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 3: Food ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Slate Green Challenge - Week 3 Food

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Still waiting for the verdict on organic foods? The truth is out! It's a fact that organic, locally produced foods taste better and contain more nutritional benefits than conventional, mass-produced grub. Not to mention that organics have less of an impact on soil, wildlife, water and the climate. When you purchase local organics, you help support community farms that are smaller-scale, more biodiverse, and use half the amount of energy as traditional industrial farms. Plus, it's an easy way to trim 20% off your annual carbon emissions! Find ways to curb your carbon appetite by joining The Slate Green Challenge. We will provide you with news and information on issues from holiday shopping to energy use to this week's topic, food. It all starts with an initial footprint quiz. Be one of the first 500 that helps us collectively cut our CO2 emissions by 20% and win a Green Challenge t-shirt from our sponsors at I'm Organic. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 3: Food... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Join the Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger!

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:00:49 GMT

Did you know that wrapping your water heater in an insulating jacket could not only save you money, but also keep 1100 lbs of CO2 out of the atmosphere? The best part is that you can buy an insulating wrap at most local hardware stores for about $20. (Don't worry, the initial cost will be quickly deflected by your energy savings!) Another quick and inexpensive way to save both money and energy is by regularly changing your air filter in your hot-air furnace. This $10 fix will help clean the air by removing problem particles and can save around 175 lbs of carbon emissions throughout the year. Over 22,000 people have joined the Slate Green Challenge with TreeHugger in a pledge to reduce their carbon emissions by 20%. You should join us! Start with an initial carbon footprint quiz and over the next 8 weeks we will provide information on how to reduce your impact on the Earth. Be one of the first 500 and receive a Slate/Treehugger Green Challenge t-shirt from our friends and sponsors at I'm Organic. ::Slate Green Challenge with TreeHugger: Heating ::Slate green Challenge with TreeHugger: Welcome ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger Welcomes Brittany Jacobs

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 11:55:54 GMT

Brittany currently resides in Seattle and is a sustainable MBA student at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute. When not studying (or writing for Treehugger), you can find her over at WorldChanging coordinating their book launch tour. After graduation in June, she hopes to work toward greening consumerism and raising public awareness of its purchasing power in the field of pr/marketing.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Brittany Jacobs, Seattle

::Last Day of The Slate Green Challenge!

The Slate Green Challenge

::The Slate Green Challenge: Week 8 - Home & Office

::The Slate Green Challenge: Week 7 - Water

::The Slate Green Challenge

::The Slate Green Challenge: Week 7 - Water

::Deck The Halls With The Slate Green Challenge

::The Slate Green Challenge

::The Slate Green Challenge - Week 6

:: The Slate Green Challenge

:: Reduce Your Impact with The Slate Green Challenge

The Slate Green Challenge: Week 5 - Electricity

Eco-friendly gift boxes from Saul Good Gift Co.

The Slate Green Challenge

The Slate Green Challenge - Week 4

Welcome to week 4 of the Slate Green Challenge

The Slate Green Challenge

The Slate Green Challenge

The Slate Green Challenge - Week 3 Food

Join the Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger!

TreeHugger Welcomes Brittany Jacobs