on 07.13.09
on 07. 9.09
Should we be eating more beef in order to slow global warming? It sounds counterintuitive, but it may be so: Cattle could be part of the whole ecological equation to solving climate change and restoring healthy, bio-diverse ecosystems. I am a vegetarian, but I maintain there is a place for grass-fed beef on family menus—and pasture-raised cattle in global warming solutions. Cows can help more than harm if they are sustainably raised.
on 06.24.09
Photo via stock.xchng by ortonesque
Let’s clear up one issue: There is no such thing as local vs. organic. When it comes to consumer choice, we should be buying local and organic, though for mostly different reasons.
on 05.17.09
Photo via: James Jordan
We all need to have goals. Goals help guide us and give us wings to reach new heights. Becoming green is not a natural process for everybody, and in fact, many of us could use a little help here and there. Maybe we are trying to reduce consumer spending, red meat consumption, or energy consumption. Whatever your environmental goal, they are actually no different than any other success program, and should be treated as such.
on 04. 5.09
Photo via: Todd R.
It's called the Strip Wash Challenge. I among a few other here on Treehugger signed up to take on this challenge which involved making it through an entire week using only natural body cleansers and the least amount of water possible. We were armed with only a pouch of Moroccan Rhassoul Clay and a alum stone deodorant rock from Natural Spa Supplies. It's the ageless battle of organic nature against the stinky journalist... who will be the last one standing!
on 04. 2.09
Image credit: VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm
For nearly 40 years, Earth Day has been the one day when even the least eco-minded trade their apathy for (usually) a spade and a tree sapling. From its start as a counter-culture demonstration in 1970--which led to the formation of the EPA and to bills protecting the environment--to the worldwide celebration in 2000 that involved more than 200 hundred million supporters in 184 countries, April 22 means something different to everyone. Figure out which cause you want to support--and how--with the ideas and activities in Planet Green's How to Go Green: Earth Day guide.
on 03. 3.09
Photo credit: Getty Images / Martin Poole
For most of the country, it doesn’t quite feel like spring just yet—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start thinking about your spring cleaning routine. This is the perfect time to start de-cluttering, organizing, and scrubbing down your home from top to bottom, so that when the weather does finally warm up you can spend your time outside in the sun instead of inside with a bottle of cleanser—because even if you’re not a through-and-through neat freak, a solid deep clean can make your home greener, more efficient, healthier, and safer. Over on Planet Green, our new How to Go Green: Spring Cleaning guide gives you all the information you need to keep your clean eco-friendly; read below for a preview, and click the button below to get started on a green Spring Break.
on 02.24.09
Image source: iStock
It's almost that time again. Can you feel it? Just a few more weeks left and then freedom, blessed, joyful, wonderful freedom -- at least for a week that is. But with everyone you know leaving responsibility (and sobriety?) behind, what's a green guy/gal to do? How do you chill out, relax, refresh, have a good time, and still not wreck the planet in the process? Is it possible to party on the beach without having to pay environmental penance with a boatload of carbon offsets? Over on Planet Green, the How to Go Green: Spring Break guide is here and just in time. Before you book your plane tickets or bum out because you have to miss out, let us help you out.
We've got tips on finding a locale, booking a place, scavenging some grub, partying, and also going alternative for the week. Got kids? No problem, because we have some tips to help keep the kiddo's busy and entertained for the week. Trying to save money? Why not? We've even got tips on being a "local tourist" that will help you enjoy your vacation and still feel like you "went somewhere."
Hop below the fold for a few tips to help this plan come together, or click on over to Planet Green to get the full story on How to Go Green: Spring Break
Image credit: Getty Images/Nicholas Monu
Green celebrities offer something of a mixed bag. While there's no denying their influence on popular culture and our collective conscious -- an influence that can (and has) definitely been used for good -- their jetset lifestyles, big houses, and extravagant habits can rack up a pretty hefty carbon footprint.
While it's easy to cast the first stone, there's no denying the positive change green celebs can affect on the world. They have the resources and connections to start progressive, world-changing organizations to bring publicity to causes that might otherwise go unnoticed, and a permanent soapbox to make sure that millions of people know about them. Plus, we just love to gawk at them. That's why we put together the How to Go Green: Like Celebrities guide over on Planet Green. Click on over to see which ones are making a big green difference, and how you can emulate their good deeds in your own life.
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Photo credit: Michael Blann/Getty
So, you’re engaged (or thinking about becoming so): Congrats! We wish you all the best for a long and happy (and green!) life together. But between the cake tastings, the dress fittings, and the choosing between peonies and posies, you’re going be making a lot of decisions about your wedding—and about your future.
Now is the perfect time to sit down with your partner and talk about what kind of green life you see yourself living—and then keep all those things in mind next time you pull out your wedding notebook. Stuck for ideas? Planet Green’s How to Go Green: Wedding Engagement guide can help with tips for cutting the waste from everything from the big question to the big day to the maybe-not-so-big ring.
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Photo credit: iStock
There are plenty of books, guides, shows, and sites dedicated to helping you find a date, but for the truly green at heart just any old date won’t do: you need a mate that shares your passion for the environment. And once you’ve found one, you’ll need ways to keep your relationship as green as the rest of your life: think carbon-neutral dates, romantic (organic) dinners, and afternoons spent gazing into each other’s eyes while volunteering to pick up trash.
That’s where our How to Go Green: Dating guide over on Planet Green comes in: It’s full of tips and advice for making sentimental gestures and lovey-dovey memories that are as green as that compost pile you keep out back and the bike you use for commuting. Click through for more suggestions to impress the next eligible single you meet with your green moves, or click below to read the whole story.
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Photo credit: Manfred Steinbach/iStock
So you’ve already traded driving for biking on short trips, started eating less meat and more local vegetables, and are consistently buying carbon offsets to counteract your plane trips. Ready for a bigger green challenge? Try switching to alternative energy at home. Instead of depending solely on the electric grid, you can harness solar energy, wind power, hydropower, or even geothermal energy to keep your home warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and buzzing with electricity.
Read on for a sampling of tips, or click on over to our guide for How to Go Green: Alternative Energy on Planet Green for the full story.
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Photo credit: Getty Images/Stockbyte
Skiing and snowboarding are such exhilarating outdoor sports that it seems wrong to not be green when you hit the slopes. So why not minimize your impact every time you go?
We'll help you pick out the greenest ski resorts—some are installing wind turbines, buying carbon offsets, and implementing carpooling programs. We'll also look at stellar green gear like solar paneled ski suits and bamboo boards, point out the most egregious eco-offenders in the industry (oh, indoor ski resorts, how your very concept makes me shudder) and advocate greener, crowd-less cross country skiing and riding.
Here's a quick sample of our newest, and snowiest guide, How to Go Green: Skiing & Snowboarding, over on Planet Green.
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Photo credit: Graham Hill
Working from home sounds like a sweet deal: trade work clothes for sweats, skip rainy and crowded commutes, and set a schedule that fits you best—whether you’re an early bird or a night owl. And while there are some obvious environmental pluses to giving up commutes, take-out lunches, and weekly printer paper deliveries, setting up a home office comes with its own opportunities to cut back on energy use, trim waste production, and condense your carbon footprint.
Planet Green’s How to Go Green: Working from Home guide gives you all the information you need to green your daily grind, from where to look for comfortable chairs made from recycled materials to how to arrange your workspace for maximum productivity. Click below to read the whole guide, and find a few quick suggestions after the fold.
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Photo credit: Tyler Stableford/Getty Images
Ahh, January. The holidays are over, winter weather is in full force, and since you just noticed you’ve gained five pounds since Thanksgiving, you no longer allow yourself to drown your sorrows in Godiva. If you’re jumping on the lose-weight-in-’09 bandwagon (along with, well, just about everyone else) then a fitness plan is a key element—but it doesn’t have to mean signing up for a gym where you’ll spend a lot of money and contribute to a whole lot of wasted energy. It’s easy to get a green workout with a few basic supplies—many of which you probably already have in your home—and a few small changes to your daily routine.
We’ve listed a few of these techniques after the jump, but for even more green workout ideas, head over to Planet Green and the How to Go Green: Workouts guide. Your muscles will thank you.
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Photo credit: Getty Images/Domino
We generally run into two schools of thought on New Year's Eve: it's either an excuse for a raucous night at the bar and massive quantities of bubbly, or it's a night for amateurs that's better spent watching the ball drop with a few close friends. No matter which category you fall into, it's easy to make your Eve a little greener with organic champagne, recycled glassware, DIY noisemakers, and non-disposable decorations. And if, regardless of whether you went out or stayed in, you had a little more to drink than you meant to-well, we can help with that, too.
Check out the guide for How to Go Green: New Year's over on Planet Green to get tips on going green on the big night, and making green resolutions that'll last all year. Hit the jump for a quick taste of what's available on the guide, and click below to read the whole guide.
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Photo: Kelly Rossiter
There is something about sipping on a cocktail surrounded by friends that makes a party feel special. It doesn't matter what the time of year, whether you are getting into the holiday spirit, or sitting on a dock by a lake. Anybody can uncork some wine or crack open a beer, but serving a cocktail takes some thought and imagination. Choosing the perfect cocktail to serve is a great way to set the mood of the party.
It also takes a bit of ingenuity and legwork to make those cocktails green. From liquor to shaker and everything in between, we'll help you with lots of other ways to green your drinks, in our guide for How to Go Green: Cocktails over on Planet Green. Read on for a small sampling of our tips on how to make your cocktails tasty and green.
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Photo: Getty Images/Ryan McVay
Beer isn't just the poster beverage for college parties, your after-work wind down, and lazy Sunday afternoons everywhere—no, beer is also a key player in a multi-billion dollar industry that reaches into the far corners of the world. Everyone loves beer—even environmentalists—and that might be why there's been a recent boom in green, organic spirits, sustainable and alternative energy-powered breweries, and environmentally conscious, discerning drinkers.
That's why it's as pertinent time as ever to think about what we all can do to green our beer drinking—and there's more to do than you might think. From supporting sustainable, even solar-powered breweries, to drinking organic, pesticide-free beers, to steering clear of excessive packaging in cans and bottles, this in-depth guide to environmentally conscious imbibing dives into the wild, burgeoning world of green beer. You may never think of boozing the same way.
Read on for a quick taste of green beer tips from our new guide for How to Go Green: Beers.
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Image: Getty Images/Pamela Moore
With all the planning, cooking, and cleaning, the last thing you want to think about is greening your Thanksgiving, right? But this is the perfect time to reflect and reassess your holiday preparations with a nod to sustainability.
It's not as hard as you might think. We've broken it down to make Thanksgiving an easy, eco-friendly, and fun holiday for all involved. Follow our countdown and you can make an easy transition to a more sustainable holiday tradition. With extensive tips on menu planning, decorating, shopping, cleaning and more, we've got you covered from now 'til leftovers with our guide for How to Go Green: Thanksgiving Day over on Planet Green.
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Image: Getty Images/Gallo Images - Neil Overy
Technology has become an essential part of daily life, from cell phones to televisions, music players to laptops. Electronics, though, have a significant impact on the environment. But don't despair. There are countless ways to green up your gadgetry -- or even use your gadgets for environmental causes -- and we have information tips, guides, fix-it solutions and facts all in one place to help you go green with your technology.
Read on for a small sampling of the tips from our new guide for How to Go Green: Gadgets.
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Photo credit: Image Source/Getty Images
School teachers, listen up! This is a call for help. You are one of the first lines of defense in the environmental movement. In a few short years, the upcoming generation will decide the fate of this planet. And when it comes to how to teach children science, math, and geography, you're the best at it. The interdisciplinary skills they learn today will be the planet-saving skills they enlist tomorrow. Now, we know that's a lot to bear on your shoulders, so we've put together a guide that will help you in the classroom -- and outside it, too.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to help children develop a connection to the environment, through both learning and experience. We know that most of you went back-to-school in September, but we have it on good intelligence that some teachers may have spent their summers traveling and golfing, rather than working out lesson plans. We certainly don't take issue with that, and with the Go Green Initiative's annual Earth Summit -- a national conference focused on going green in the classroom -- taking place in Syracuse later this month, it's a perfect time to start planning some eco-activities for your students. Enter our handy cheat sheet for school teachers.
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Photo credit: Getty Images/George Doyle
How much time do you spend every day at your job? How much of that time do you spend frustrated that your green personal life doesn't translate in the workplace, wanting to do more with your professional life? If you daydream about aligning your personal convictions with a fulfilling and inspiring professional position, then maybe it’s time to think about a green job search.
"But wait!" you may be thinking. "I work in ________ (fill in the blank: accounting, teaching, metal working, carpentry, chemicals, housekeeping, transport, retail, sales...) How can I find a greener job?" Better to ask yourself: where will my job be in the future, if sustainability is not key to my company's bottom line? You don't want to be left behind; you want to be at the forefront of the new economy, right? Read on for some tips from our guide for How to Go Green: Job Searches.
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Photo credit: IMAGEMORE Co., Ltd./Getty Images
With gas prices ever on the rise, people living farther from the workplace, and traffic conditions worsening by the week, the daily commute is increasingly having an impact on our wallets and our lifestyles -- as well as global climate change. From getting the best gas mileage to work-from-home jobs to reducing air travel and international travel (by holding teleconferences, for example), improving your commute means improving your quality of life.
To help you do so, we've rounded up our best tips for eco-friendly commuting, improving your green travel, starting a carpool, commuting by bike, and much more in our guide for How to Go Green: Commuting. Read on for a sampling of the tips you'll find....
Photo credit: Getty Images/Peter Dazeley
The bathroom is the room where we begin and end each day, with a variety of cleaning routines designed to help keep us healthy. Odd then, that the room in which we clean our teeth, our skin and the rest of our bodies (not to mention dispose of our waste) is often filled with toxic chemicals, and, even then, not very clean itself. So, how do you stay clean, promote good health, and go green in your bathroom?
We've answered these questions (and more) in the all new How to Go Green: In the Bathroom guide over on Planet Green. Check it out for all the details about going green in your bathroom, and keep reading for a taste of the green bathroom tips....
Photo credit: Getty Images / James Woodson
Every year, intrepid young men and women set out for college. Even more exciting than this, is that for many of them, it's their first chance to live away from home. But, with the excitement and fun of furnishing a new dorm room comes a price. Every year, college students (and their parents) generate thousands of tons of garbage, because of the choices they make in buying furniture and accessories. Luckily, getting your dorm room to be green has never been easier. All it takes is a little effort, a little creativity, and a few tips and tricks. Click through for the best ways to make it happen. ...
Photo credit: iStockPhoto
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