Bioplastics not necessarily the greenest

Bioplastics would seem to be a positive development in many ways. Rather than needing to have petroleum extracted and processed to supply the feedstock for making plastic, plant-based materials are used instead. However, a study by University of Pittsburgh researchers finds that plant-based plastics are not necessarily greener than petroleum-based ones. Read more from GetWithGreen.com. http://www.getwithgreen.com/2010/12/07/bioplastics-not-necessarily-the-greenest/

Clean Air Day

Clean Air Day is a celebration of environmentally-friendly activities that promote clean air and good health across Canada. It is a great opportunity to make environmentally-friendly lifestyle choices, for you, your family and your community.

http://www.cleanairday.com/

Green + WIRED = Sexy

Now that almost everyone across the political spectrum agrees that we are facing an ecological crisis, the main challenge for the green movement seems to be getting people actually change behaviors. More here, http://friendsofliveearth.ning.com/profiles/blogs/green-wired-sexy

Clean Green

I’ve been changing to environmental friendly cleaning products as I run out of the old chemical stuff.
I’m not advocating any specific product but my products of choice are from Seventh Generation, http://www.seventhgeneration.com/ . They have a full selection of kitchen, bathroom and laundry products. I plan on actually taking it a step further this year by making a few of my own cleaners.
The Eco-Me Home Kit, http://www.eco-me.com/ , has 2 spray bottles, a paste jar and a recipe book so you can use common household items to make your own cleaners. I was given one of these kits recently along with an extensive book for making even more products.

I hope some of you check out a few environmental friendly cleaning products for yourself.

Salt or Ice Melter?

Well, I switched to ice melter instead of salt this year.
It's a lot more expensive but I guess it's better for the environment.
When you use salt, it runs off into rivers and lakes causing salt contamination.
It can also affect farmers' fields, well systems and your ordinary lawn and garden.
Another problem using salt is the deterioration of concrete and asphalt used in your foundation and driveway. If you can afford to switch I hope you do.

Do you take a lunch?

The best way to green bag a lunch is to NOT brown bag it.
Read here, http://events.ca.msn.com/green/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=599518&imageindex=1

Eco-cab

Great story on the Eco-cab. Check it out. https://www.spesend.net/Spe404.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/gomobile.gomobile/IC080717081040/speasapage.aspx

A federal judge has stopped Mayor Bloomberg’s attempt to clean up the air in New York City by using fuel-efficient hybrid taxis.

The judge, Paul A. Crotty, of Federal District Court in Manhattan, issued a 26-page ruling (PDF) to stop the city from enforcing the rule because, he said in a written order, the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in a key legal argument — that only the federal government has the right to set fuel efficiency standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, which bars state and local governments from setting their own, competing standards. Read more here, http://redgreenandblue.org/2008/11/02/new-york-citys-green-taxi-program-red-lighted-by-federal-judge/

How do People Remember Their Reusable Bags?

So you bought a set of reusable bags, but now you can’t remember to bring them to the store. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. How do the experts at remembering their bags do it? We found out!
We surveyed 100 people on Mechanical Turk to find out how they remember their reusable bags. Respondents could enter in any method they chose. Despite the free form entry we found that most remembered their bags in 1 of 4 ways.
Read more, http://thegreenroutine.net/how-people-remember-reusable-bags/

Are Your Cabinets Eco-friendly?

Or, do they contain formaldehyde?Living ‘green’ definitely has it’s benefits. Not only is it good for our environment and health, but purchasing certain products will actually avoid carcinogens found in chemicals. Most cabinets these days are made of particle board that is full of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Read more here, http://www.getwithgreen.com/2008/10/01/are-your-cabinets-eco-friendly-or-do-they-contain-formaldehyde/

Your home network will need a Wireless Router, Linksys gets eco-friendly

Today Linksys (a division of Cisco) announced that they are jumping on the greener bandwagon with the delivery of eco-friendly packaging around their home networking gear, as well as ENERGY STAR compliance for some of their router products. Read more here, http://www.getwithgreen.com/2008/08/26/your-home-network-will-need-a-wireless-router-linksys-gets-eco-friendly/

Bringing Truly Green Office Supplies to the Masses

Here' a Canadian company showing how to effectively bring a broad range of truly green office supplies, affordably. Check them out, http://www.frogfile.com/

Watch Green Happen in Kansas

Greensburg, Kansas was already dying when a powerful tornado finally finished it off last year. But its thousand citizens decided to come back as a town worthy of its name. More here, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53458

Eco Cabs - Emissions and Fare Free Transportation

Imagine you're drunk. Toasted. No way you're driving home. Too far to walk. No cash in your pocket, and the ATM card's back at home. Then you see it. This little green bug of a vehicle, pulling up to you, and someone says, "Need a lift? We don't charge." More here,
http://www.triplepundit.com/pages/eco-cabs-emissions-and-fare-fr-003424.php

Tall Ship Belem Delivers Wine by Sail and Saves Carbon

Built in 1896, and named for the Brazilian seaport at the mouth of the Amazon, the Belem originally shipped chocolate in its hold from Brazil to France. At 170ft its first shipment of wine from Languedoc France to Dublin this February carried 60,000 bottles of fine wine saving an estimated 140 grams of carbon emissions per bottle. More here, http://greenupgrader.com/3182/tall-ship-belem-delivers-wine-by-sail-and-saves-carbon/

Top 5 myths about hybrid cars

To buy a hybrid or not to buy a hybrid?

That is the eco-question. Will it save you money? Will it save the planet? Myths abound about the pros and cons of modern hybrid cars. Read here, http://www.greenlivingonline.com/GettingAround/top-5-myths-about-hybrid-cars/

Second Tallest Building in the World to be Chicago Spire - Will be Green!

Chicago (TGW) – Foundation work has begun on the Chicago Spire, a rotating residential building that is likely to achieve an LEED Gold Rating.
More here, http://thoughtsonglobalwarming.blogspot.com/2008/06/second-tallest-building-in-world-to-be.html

Boxing in Green Wine

Vineyards are perhaps one of the most entrepreneurial of ventures.

Long the dream of many a corporate worker and the fulfillment of one by celebrities and those willing to spend lots of hours and lots of dollars to make it successful, wine is in the green news this week. Read here, http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/06/02/boxing-in-green-wine/

California School Sees Benefits of Solar Energy

California is home to some of the best solar resources in the U.S., a fact not lost on its residents and policy makers when it comes to adopting and supporting solar energy. One application for solar that is becoming increasingly popular in California is using photovoltaics to power schools. More, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52624

Plant waste biofuels benefit from food debate

TORONTO (Reuters) - In the search for renewable energy, turning

low-value materials like switchgrass and corn husks into ethanol to fuel cars is something of a Holy Grail. More here, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080602/wl_canada_nm/canada_ba_energy_cellulose_col_4