Does Anyone Hug the Tree Huggers?

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:30:02 GMT

That title was one of the many great TreeHugger-worthy entries to The Green Life, our six-word memoir contest in conjunction with SMITH Magazine. Now, in honor of Earth Day, we're unveiling the top entries from the contest. The grand prize winner--and recipient of an iPod nano etched with the winning memoir? "Saw the light, turned it off" by KayR. "Brilliant! I read my porn online now," by Marcus Eder, was snarky enough to capture second place. Eder can take a break from the hot online action to watch his new prize, a set of Planet Earth DVDs. Check out the four runners-up and honoroable mentions, or submit your own green six-worder after the break.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Buy Green: Great Contemporary Dining Room Chairs

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:30:43 GMT

The greenest dining room chairs are the ones that use reclaimed or recycled materials, organic fibers and sustainable manufacturing practices. If you don't already have green dining chairs, this guide will help you find some. If your old dining room chairs are barely hanging in there, and you don't want Uncle Tony to come crashing down when he sits down for dinner the next time he visits, you need to find some sturdy and sustainable dining room chairs that will not only stand the test of time, but look good doing it. In this Green Buying Guide, we will give you the low down on some of the most eco-friendly dining chairs out there. From FSC-certified wood to organic cotton to recycled materials, these green dining chairs chairs feature the best elements from some of our favorite sustainable designers. And, they are sure to please your hungry guests as much as your cooking (OK, for some of you, more than your cooking). Whether your style is elegant and formal or sleek and modern, hopefully you'll find a green dining room chair here to suit your taste. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger + SMITH Six-Word Memoir Contest: Ends Monday

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:35:40 GMT

Can you tell your life's story in only six words? In SMITH Magazine's new book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure, hundreds of people managed to. Now it's your turn. We've teamed up with SMITH--the online magazine that's best described as People meets the New Yorker--to bring you the green version of the Six-Word Memoir Contest. Got a smart philosophy? Traveled a strange path? Fall off the eco-wagon frequently? Tell us about it. You could win one of several spiffy prizes. TreeHugger is one of six sites hosting a Six-Word Memoirs contest (though we're certain that our readers will prove to be the most creative!). Read more about SMITH + TreeHugger, contest rules and prizes, and watch the amazing, stupendous, and occasionally tear-jerking video after the jump. Ready to start writing? Jump straight to Six-Word Memoir Contest: The Green Life.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger + SMITH Six Word Memoir Contest: Deadline Extended!

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:56:03 GMT

Good news! Those of you who did not get a chance to send us your six word green memoir can breath a little easier. We have extended the contest deadline to next Monday, February 25th to make sure we get everyone's memoir. In conjunction with SMITH Magazine, whose new book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure. started the six-word memoir craze, we are looking for stories that are funny, sad, triumphant - and everything in between. So, get on over to our contest page by next Monday, February 25th to tell us your green journey in six words. More contest details, including prizes and rules after the jump. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger + SMITH Six Word Memoir Contest: Last Day to Enter

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:51:33 GMT

Time is running out. You only have until the end of today, February 18th, to enter TreeHugger and SMITH Magazine's Six Word Memoir Contest. We want to know your green journey, but we're only giving you six words to say it. So, head on over to our contest page to see other TreeHugger readers' memoirs and sign up to give us yours. You could win an iPod nano engraved with your memoir, a Planet Earth DVD set, or a copy of SMITH's new book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger + SMITH Six Word Memoir Contest: Get Your Entries In!

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:59:55 GMT

"Back to nature. Back to Life." "Tired of talking ready to change." "Always looking for a better way." These are just three of the many six-word green memoirs we have received already in our Six Word Memoir Contest. However, if we still haven't received your story, we want to hear it! Head on over to our contest page and tell us in six words about your green life. Not only will it give you a chance to reflect on your memoir-in-progress (and bone up a little on your editing skills), you will have a chance to win an iPod nano engraved with your memoir, a Planet Earth DVD set or SMITH's new book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger + SMITH Six-Word Memoir Contest: Contribute Your Story

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:52:28 GMT

We are getting some killer memoirs over at our Six-Word Memoir Contest page, but we still don't have yours! So, get over there and tell us in six words your green life story. You could come away with an iPod nano (engraved with your six words of course), a Planet Earth DVD set or a copy of SMITH's new book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure. Just make sure you sign up on the contest page and enter by February 18th. More info and contest rules after the jump. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger + SMITH Six-Word Memoir Contest: Say It In Six

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:35:25 GMT

We've been telling you all week just how cool our Six Word Memoir contest is. Taking inspiration from SMITH Magainzes new book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure, we are asking TreeHugger readers to give us their green memoir in exactly six words. It could be six words that describe where you came from, where you are now, or the journey you went through to get here. Just as long as you keep it to six words, and get it to us by February 18th. Intrigued? Get on over to our contest page to see other readers' memoirs, check out a little more about the contest and sign up to contribute. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger + SMITH Six-Word Memoir Contest: Your Green Life in Six Words

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:21:44 GMT

Six-word memoirs are rolling in from TreeHugger readers the world over. Check out our Six-Word Contest page (treehugger.com/six-words) to see the latest six-word green memoirs and to find out a little more about the contest. If you haven't had a chance to send us your six-word green memoir, sign up on that very same contest page and tell us your story! ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger + SMITH SIx-Word Memoir Contest: One Week Left

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:36:10 GMT

TreeHugger + SMITH Six Word Memoir Contest: Green Memoirs

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:31:28 GMT

"Less dinosaur fuel. More organic beer." "Play in the dark, it's fun." "I stumble, but it's always forward." These are just three of the six-word green memoirs we have received already in our Six Word Memoir Contest. However, if we still haven't received your story, we want to hear it! Head on over to our contest page and tell us in six words about your green life. Not only will it give you a chance to reflect on your memoir-in-progress (and bone up a little on your editing skills), you will have a chance to win an iPod nano engraved with your memoir, a Planet Earth DVD set or SMITH's new book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Six-Word Memoir Contest: What Do You Have to Say?

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 12:07:42 GMT

Think you can sum up your green journey in exactly six words? We think if anyone can, it is TreeHugger readers. So, we have teamed up with six-word memoir experts SMITH Magazine to see what you've got. Head on over to our Six-Word Memoir Contest: The Green Life page and tell us your story or just to check out what your fellow TreeHuggers are writing. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger + SMITH Six-Word Memoir Contest

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:20:13 GMT

Shaq's Monstrous Carbon Footprint

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:20:58 GMT

It seems as if the only thing bigger than Shaquille O'Neal is his monthly gasoline bill. According to the Detriot Free Press, basketball star/actor (if you want to call Kazaam acting)/part-time Miami police officer Shaquille O'Neal spends $23,000 per month on gasoline for his harem of automobiles. This, in addition to $1,500 per month for cable television and $17,000 for clothing, are figures O'Neal (or more likely his attorney) came up with to calculate his monthly expenses in his recent divorce filings. So, even though these figures should be taken with a grain of salt, there is still quite a bit of consumption going on here. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Fleurville

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:21:42 GMT

Being a parent is hard enough in itself. Getting everything you need to have in order to be constantly prepared is even harder. Finding those things you need while staying at least somewhat stylish and minimizing the impact that "stuff" might have? Now there's a challenge. Luckily, unlike many other parenting tasks, you have help in this endeavor. Fleurville is a San Francisco-area company that provides a bevy of stylish, PVC-free bags for "modern parents." Moms (beach bags, sling totes), dads (DJ bags, messenger bags) and kids (lunch packs, kids messengers) are all covered. But, it is Fleurville's Re-Run line, with fabric made from recycled water bottles, that really gets TreeHugger's gears moving. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Time Has Come for Complete Streets

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:27:41 GMT

Although some cities may act like it, streets aren't just for private vehicles. They are for pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, public transportation vehicles, and so on and so forth. This idea is certainly not new news to most TH readers, but what is new is that now some localities are actually doing something about it. Progressive localities such as Seattle, Charlotte and Sacramento are starting to design streets specifically to serve multiple uses, not just one dominant type of transportation. The movement is being spearheaded by "Complete the Streets," an advocacy program started by American Bikes, and soon after endorsed by groups ranging from the Congress for New Urbanism to the AARP. Incomplete streets, hunks of blacktop with solid yellow and dotted white lines devoted to the private automobile, are frowned upon. "Complete" streets take ideas such as dedicated bike lanes, reduced street width, transit accommodations and pedestrian medians to make non-automobile users of streets safer and more apt to use different ways of getting around.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Stars Offset U.S. Tour

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:43:46 GMT

There's an awfully lot of great music coming out of Canada these days, lead by the bands on Toronto-based label Arts & Crafts. One of those bands, Stars, is now trekking across the U.S. on a fall tour and plans to make sure that they, and their fans, are jamming a carbon neutral tune. Leading the charge for Stars is Reverb, an environmental organization for musicians out of Maine. Reverb, as we mentioned a few months back, "assists artists and tour managers in everything from obtaining organic food to recycling guitar strings." For the Stars tour, the Reverb is helping to purchase renewable energy credits to offset the band's shows, transportation and accommodations. At U.S. shows, fans will be able to get in on the energy credit act by purchasing Stars Carbon Offset Stickers for a suggested donation of $5. Stars fans, we'll see you at the merch booth. ::Via Arts & Crafts ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Step It Up Cincinnati

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:42:56 GMT

How does a day full of straight from the farmer organic food, solar oven cooking, and a band playing with solar-powered equipment held at a local outdoor market sound? To us, it sounds like a party worthy of November's Step It Up America event. Held in Cincinnati's Findlay Market (a TreeHugger-worthy gem built in 1852), this addition to the November 3rd Step It Up festivities includes solar-cooked food, music by the Three Greengos and informational booths covering activities from solar power to organic farming. You can check to see what events are happening in your city on November 3rd by going to the Step It Up 2007 website. Via ::Findlay Market ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Are Electric Vehicle Charging Stations on the Way?

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:15:32 GMT

TreeHugger is undoubtedly psyched about electric vehicles such as the Tesla and Volt coming down the pipeline. However, it seems one critical piece of the electric car puzzle has been notably absent - how do you fill 'er up? Sure, if you live in an area where you can recharge through an outlet in your garage, things look good. However, for the rest of us, electric cars are impractical without some sort of infrastructure to get electricity from the grid into our batteries. Luckily, charging stations may be on the horizon. Yesterday, Project Better Place announced plans to provide a system of charging and battery exchange stations throughout the world. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Attack of the Green Monster

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:44:37 GMT

Sustainable Industries talks about the "green monster," they are not talking about the famous left-field wall in Boston, however they still are talking sports (although Fenway scores tons of points with us due to its longevity). Sports stadiums are increasingly being green-built in an effort to negate some of the negative impacts the massive events cause. We've already talked about several attempts for green sporting from baseball and both the football played here in the States and football as the rest of the world knows it. However, a few more structures are in the works that could take sustainable stadiums to a whole new level. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Green on TV: America's Next Top Model

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:05:37 GMT

So, picture a TreeHugger writer getting home, exicted to watch Game 1 of the World Series on TV. Now, picture that same TreeHugger writer instead sitting through an hour of the reality TV series America's Next Top Model because he couldn't get to the remote in time. Sad, isnt' it? Anyway, it seems green messaging is now getting so far into the mainstream, it is even invading reality television. Tonight's Top Model episode featured the models doing a recycling-themed photo shoot as a way to highlight how modeling can be used for the forces of good. Models were decked out in sets featuring recycled newspaper, plastic bags, aluminum cans, etc. Apparently, this whole season is "green" themed, including both the model's housing and the transportation they use.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Warming Temperatures Stunt Autumn Leaf Colors

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:32:26 GMT

Tourists and residents in New England used to receive a spectacular display of color on the second October of every year. However, in recent years, the show has been a bit duller and a bit later than usual. The culprit? What else - area temperatures consistantly warmer than average. The chilly fall nights needed to bring about the blanket of color aren't coming until much later now. What's more, the higher temperatures are making it easier for tree-hungry fungi to propogate.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Burlington [Vermont] have run above the 30-year averages in every September and October for the past four years, save for October 2004, when they were 0.2 degrees below average.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Prius Limo: Green Luxury or Frankencar?

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:09:03 GMT

This thing better have a regenerative-braking powered mini-fridge. In what has to be one of the weirdest looking things to come out of Canada since our very own Lloyd (j/k Lloyd!), an enterprising Canuck has taken two Priuses, welded them together, and made either what has to be the greenest limo in the world or the most gas-guzzling Prius - depending on how you look at it. However, the Canadian inventor/mad scientist says the car still gets 50mpg even with the added weight. We don't know if that is before or after the limo reaches its 10 seat capacity, but it sure beats the heck out of those hideous Hummer limo monstrosities. ::Via Ecorazzi and Autoblog ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Fall Into Solar Energy

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 21:20:59 GMT

Image - zone41 Holy khakis batman! Gap announced this week a partnership with MMA Renewable Ventures to host a 1MW solar panel array at their Fresno, California distribution center. Like other MMA partnerships we have talked about (such as the Denver International Airport and Fetzer Vineyards), MMA will own and operate the solar system on five acres of adjacent land, with Gap purchase the power for its facility. All in all the system will put out 1.9 million kilowatt hours per year, which the press release tells us equals the power requirements of 350 homes. Maybe we should now be expecting Gap to move towards organic threads? Oh, wait... ::Via press release ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Radiohead Breaks Through Last Digital Music Barriers

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:00:30 GMT

The digital music revolution may just be complete. With one of the world's most commercially and critically successful bands releasing their new album exclusively in digital form from their website, even the most strident High Fidelity-style music snob has to go digital. Radiohead's newest masterpiece, "In Rainbows," is exclusive to www.inrainbows.com until December, when a box set containing the album and accompanying artwork can be purchased for 40/$81. Still, digital form will still be the sole way to get the album without the rest of the box set extras included, and the only way to get the album without spending a fortune. In fact, you can pay whatever amount you feel you should on the site - a name your own price incentive to go digital. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Green Bible. No Really, The Green Bible.

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:55:19 GMT

Image - Flickr Logan Cody Hallelujah! Coming soon to an eco-hotel nightstand near you: a greener Bible. Christian publishing company Thomas Nelson Inc. announced today that it has just come out with the first FSC-certified Bible. With many church leaders taking a stand on environmental issues, we're guessing Thomas Nelson is betting they will put their money where their mouth is. Maybe we will even start to see whole congregations demand sustainably-made Bibles. Tyson Miller of the non-profit Green Press Initiative (which Thomas Nelson INc. is a part of ) chimed in:

Given the Bible's message of stewardship and the growth of the creation care movement, we hope to see other Bible and religion publishers following Thomas Nelson's lead through steps to use paper with less impacts on forests, people and the climate.

With this Bible at home and a solar-powered talking Bible for the road, you should have the green Bible beat covered. See also: How to Green Your Book (for Authors), How to Green Your Book (for Publishers) ::Via Green Options... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Montreal Wants Paris Style Bike-Sharing

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:38:39 GMT

In a race to become the first major North American city to roll out a "self-serve" bike-sharing program, Montreal might have the upper hand. The city is planning a bike-sharing project that could make stations available by fall of 2008, and could cover the city in 300 stations by fall of 2009. While San Francisco is also considering such a proposal, details have not been finalized. Both Montreal and San Francisco are looking to mimic European systems that have proven very popular in cities such as Paris.

The idea is to encourage Montrealers and tourists to use the public bicycles instead of cars for short, inner-city trips. Users will be able to pick up a bike at one station, use it, then drop it off at any station of their choice.

Montreal's plan calls for 2400 bikes in all. While it may not be the 20,000+ bikes expected in Paris' program by the end of this year, it's certainly a start. :: Via Planetizen and Montreal Gazette ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

MPG Marathon Makes SUV Sip Fuel

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:23:17 GMT

One of the results of last week's MPG Marathon was taking a Chevy Captiva SUV filled with seven people, and getting just over 42mpg out of it - 14% better than the official 37mpg. The Marathon was a UK-based two day trip using fuel-saving driving techniques to squeeze every last bit of fuel efficiency goodness out of vehicles. Autoblog Green quotes GM as stating the Marathon results prove, this drive proves "that an SUV can be an environmentally responsible way to travel." Our question to GM: Then what's stopping you from making that happen? Let's take a look at Chevy SUVs available here in the States.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

San Francisco Moves Towards Bike-Sharing

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:15:01 GMT

Although a few cities are scaling down bike-sharing programs, many cities are exploring the option for their citizens. Copenhagen, for example has 2,000 bikes at 110 stations through the city. Paris? Ten times that many bikes and slightly more than ten times the stations. And, with many of the advantages of car-sharing, such as not needing a personal vehicle, and the eco-cred of zipping around the city with human power, it's no wonder. So who's next to jump on the bike-sharing bandwagon? It looks like it could be San Francisco. The best part might be the cost to the city - close to nothing. Take that budget cuts! ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Paris Pledges Emissions Cuts by 2020

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 18:41:16 GMT

Image: Flickr - markhillary While many cities around the world are plagued by infighting when it comes to cutting carbon emissions, Parisians from all ends of the spectrum are coming together to create a green plan for the city. The city's new plan calls for a 30 percent reduction in energy usage and emissions from public buildings by the year 2020. In conjunction, Paris is taking steps to cut emissions in other city services.

Paris city authorities have already taken steps to reduce their environmental impact, using "clean" vehicles and recycled paper, and ensuring that all new public housing answers to high environmental standards.