To Green or not to Green

Solar Energy and the Job Market

2009-11-23T18:05:00.022-05:00

by Megan McLaughlin

The economy has certainly seen better days and although jobs are few and far between, many companies have recently seen an increase in the availability of jobs. Solar Energy companies seem to be doing quite well as far as jobs are concerned. If you are looking to jump start or change your career and have been held back due to the state of the economy, perhaps you may be interested in looking into solar energy companies.

For example, one company in particular is boasting many wonderful jobs right now; SunPower. According to the history on their website, "SunPower has been developing world record-breaking solar technology since the 1970s." Today, they "continue to provide high-energy solar systems for the world’s business and technology leaders, governmental agencies, retailers and other entities, along with the highest-efficiency solar panels for international residential customers."

With job offerings across the country and around the world that include Accounting, Customer Service, Engineering, Marketing, Sales and so much more, SunPower is certainly holding up pretty well during this tough economic time. They also offer great benefits including health and employee solar purchase benefits. Not many companies offer that kind of incentive!

For more info about greening your future and your resume, check out this article: Green Your Resume or this one: The nitty gritty green job search
No matter what, Experience will always been one of your greatest resources for starting and building on your career... Sign in or join today!

Meet Schlumberger

2009-11-16T18:11:00.014-05:00

by Megan McLaughlin

Schlumberger: "The leading oilfield services provider, trusted to deliver superior results and improved E&P performance for oil and gas companies around the world. Each day, in 80 countries, we help our customers find and produce oil and gas. Through our wellsite operations and in our research and engineering facilities, we are working to develop products, services and solutions that optimize customer performance in a safe and environmentally sound manner."

This month, Schlumberger will be attending the EnergiseYourFuture Youth Forum in Paris, France. "During EnergiseYourFuture, delegations of students, academics, young professionals, experts, think tanks and NGO’s from all five continents of the world will enjoy three levels of discussions: keynote plenary sessions for strategic thinking, workshops for a deep-dive into the overall themes and for generating new ideas and resolutions, and “Knowledge Cafés” for knowledge sharing and informal networking."

While at the event, Schlumberger will participate in debating 3 key themes;
A Reality Check on Tomorrow's Energy Landscape
An Ethical and Sustainable Energy Industry: Making it happen
Tomorrow's Leadership: Matching our Skills to the Challenges.

Schlumberger has been gathering ideas and submitted by their followers and blog-readers via this online survey. Today is the last day to submit your ideas! Submissions close tonight at 11:59pm EST. If your idea is chose, you will be recognized for your contributions and all selected participants have a chance to win an 8GB iPod touch!

Check out Schlumberger's blog and their survey page for the EnergiseYourFuture Youth Forum and give them some great ideas for a chance to gain recognition at a global forum. After the forum is over, you can continue to follow Schlumberger by reading their Community Blog.

Keep it Simple

2009-11-09T17:48:00.014-05:00

by Megan McLaughlin

Simple Shoes: "Shoes for a happy planet," is the slogan of this eco-friendly company. Simple Shoes finds sustainable ways to make "gazillions" of shoes.

Its been about 15 years since I've even thought about Simple Shoes. When I was younger, I begged for a pair of Simple clogs for some reason. Since then, this company has come a long way. Born in 1991, Simple Shoes was created as a response to the over-hyped sneakers that were gracing the shoe scene at the time. However, it wasn't until 2004 that this company decided to change themselves in hopes of changing the world. Since then, they have introduced several collections, like ecoSNEAKS and Green Toe. These collections are super eco-friendly, affordable and fashionable!

Simple Shoes is now committed to making products that are 100% sustainable, and they plan to keep it that way! They make shoes for men, women and kids and they also have a line of bags. So next time you are shopping around for a pair of comfy shoes, think Simple!

Are You Green Certified?

2009-11-02T18:28:00.010-05:00

by Megan McLaughlin

Just about everyone uses computers and a large percentage of those who do are definitely using the internet. Many people also have websites, whether for personal or business purposes, but not everyone has a Green Certified website! CO2Stats is out to change that.

Now that you're reading this, you may begin to notice this little bug on many of the web pages you usually browse. CO2Stats offers green site certification by calculating the combined electricity used by computers visiting a site, the servers providing it and the networks that connect them. CO2Stats then helps to make a site more energy efficient (and load faster), and purchases renewable energy to neutralize the carbon emissions due to generation of that electricity. Pretty cool, huh?

According to the CO2Stats site, "it is an easy-to-use service that makes your website carbon neutral and energy-efficient, and that provides certification that you have taken steps to make your site environmentally friendly." So if you haven't already found ways to make your website more eco-friendly, check out CO2Stats and get your site Green Certified! Its an interesting, fun way to care for the environment while bringing some green appeal to the web!

For more about websites and web design, check out these links:
How a Website Comes Together
90s Web Design

Get Naked!

2009-10-27T15:14:00.012-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

You haven't lived until you try Naked Juice! It is delicious and its creators are committed to making the world a greener place!

"From fruit to blender to bottle to gulp, Naked Juice is dedicated to making it easy for you to contribute to a greener world." And just how are they doing this? They use recycled plastic bottles that can be recycled again and again. They also have big plans for the future...
By 2010, they are planning to reduce their oil consumption by 57,000 barrels a year, which, in turn, will cause them to use 48% less energy in the process!

Now for the best part - the juice: 100% all-natural, 100% juice made from the best fruits and vegetables, they never add sugar, preservatives, artificial colors or flavors! Each of their bottles contains over 3 servings of fruit and they are oh-so-delicious.

Do yourself a favor and give Naked Juice a try! You'll be helping Mother N. out as well! Look for these guys in your local grocer...

(Pre) Winter Green

2009-10-19T19:09:00.008-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

For many of us across the U.S. and even in other parts of the world, it seems as though we have skipped right over fall and found ourselves in the middle of winter! The lack of an Indian summer has left many of us longing for warmth again already, but for others, it is a cue to start gearing up for the winter season. For plenty of people, winter means hibernation, and for sports enthusiasts, it means skiing, snowboarding and all sorts of outdoor, snowy activities.

Greenzer.com provides a very informative list of ways to think green when planning winter activities. As usual, the number 1 tip involves staying local! Transportation to and from winter sport destinations like ski areas can be very costly. If you are fortunate enough to live close to winter sport destinations, keep within the area. If you need to travel further to find what you're looking for, do it wisely!

The article also makes an interesting suggestion; consider the amount of carbon emissions expended to run a ski lift and to groom the trails...it would be greener to try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing! But if you just need the thrill of the slopes, be mindful of your actions and think green at all times!

No matter what you decide this winter, make sure you always consider what you can do to make your life a little greener.

Some people tend to spend more money in the winter. If that's you, check out this article: Winter Time Spending
Everyone hates being sick, especially during the cold winter months. Read this article about battling the "winter sickies."
And here are some interesting suggestions about snow removal!

Fall for Eco-Friendly Fashion

2009-10-13T09:04:00.008-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

What do your clothes say about you? Are you always style-conscious and fashion-forward, or do you just grab the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning? Whatever your style method may be, this fall, consider adding some eco-friendly fashions to your wardrobe.

For women, She-Bible and Kelly B are great places to find, organic styles. Most of their fashions are made right here in the U.S. of A. and from 100% organic cotton and other natural fibers. And if you don’t already know about it, Etsy is a great place to find handmade, eco-friendly or vintage/recycled clothing, accessories and etc. Check out this neat scarf, for instance, from RagingWool on Etsy…

It is made of cashmere, from recycled sweaters and it is fab for fall (and winter, of course)!

US News had a great article about 5 Ways to Green Your Fall Clothes Shopping. Their #1 tip: “Fashion is cyclical, and that means that hand-me-downs are back in style.” This couldn’t be more true! Shop recycled/vintage and dig up some great finds by rummaging through your parents’ old threads. US News also suggests – try just not shopping at all, which is a great way to save money, too!

For more fall fashion tips, check out this article about dressing green. Or this article about being fashion forward in an eco-friendly way!

Eco Tourism

2009-10-07T13:32:00.008-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

Fall is here and the summer season has left us for good. No more trips to the beach or summer BBQs by the pool. It is bitter sweet. The warm and inviting glow of summer ends, but as the crisp, clean colors and scents of fall usher in you are still longing for a weekend getaway or a pre-holiday season retreat. Plan a fall getaway in eco-friendly style.

A great place to start researching a wonderful trip is EcoTour, "your source for planning an eco holiday." Whether you're looking for a big vacation or a little 3-day weekend road trip, you can get some great ideas from EcoTour!

So what is Ecotourism? According to EcoTour, "The aim of our Ecotourism Resource Centre is to act as an informative guide for users about the concept of Ecotourism. In addition, useful resources have been provided to further increase understanding & provide guidance for ecotravel." For EcoTours, many activities include getting in touch with nature; hiking, biking, mountain climbing, camping. These are some eco-friendly ways to reduce your carbon footprint while taking a break from the everyday. Even if its just for a weekend or even a day, take a quick trip to immerse yourself in some of the beautiful fall foliage the earth has to offer!

Check out this site for some great, eco-friendly camping advice!
Take a look at this Experience blog about Five Ways to Travel Green
Or this one about a Greener Vacation

Thinking Green for Halloween

2009-09-14T14:53:00.017-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

I bet you never thought there were ways to go green for Halloween, did you? You probably just weren't thinking about how easy it can be! There are several small things you can do to ensure that you and your friends are enjoying this holiday in an eco-friendly way!

Try buying healthy, organic and Fair Trade treats! All of your favorite stores that sell organic and Fair Trade products should be selling these goodies. Some popular treats are, Bug Bites and Yummy Earth lollipops and other candies.

You may be a little too old to go trick-or-treating, but these eco-friendly Halloween tips apply to everyone:

Tell your younger siblings, nieces, nephews and neighbors to ditch the paper and plastic and do it the old-fashioned way...use pillowcases to stash your treats!

Don't buy plastic costumes!

If you're going out, bring an LED flashlight, and if you're staying in, use LED light decorations instead. In addition to saving the earth, you will be saving money!

Last but not least: Don't Litter! This is the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint and its a no-brainer!

For some green costume ideas, follow this link.
And to learn how to properly dispose of your aging Jack-O-Lanterns, check this out!

Great Green Pets

2009-09-08T11:52:00.016-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

Whether you have a four-legged friend or not, its great to know that there are eco-friendly pet supplies out there to satisfy everyone's pet care needs.

"GreatGreenPet is a shopping blog devoted to the green, eco-friendly, pet owner. We comb the web and find environmentally friendly products for you and your pet." At GreatGreenPet you can read about pet toys, treats and pet supplies that are good for the environment and our furry friends. Their topics and product reviews aren't just limited to dogs and cats either! GreatGreenPet has advice about eco-friendly pet supplies, food and toys for rabbits, reptiles, mice, hamsters and horses, too!

One of their latest blog posts highlights a recycled chew toy for dogs. According to the blog, "Planet Dog makes this recycled chewbone from materials left over from manufacturing other products. It is non-toxic, and you can recycle the scraps when your dog is done with it." Sounds like a great way to make your pooch and Mother Nature happy!

GreatGreen isn't just limited to pets... they also have other blogs about shoes, travel, gadgets, baby and more where they offer advice on which great green products you should buy and where you can find them! These blogs serve as a constant reminder that its great to be green!

On Target: Eco-Friendly

2009-08-31T10:45:00.012-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

We're all familiar with Target's bright red bulls eye symbol, but does everyone know about Target's push to be a bit more Eco-friendly. Now, everyone's favorite, trendy, cost-effective and convenient department store is offering an array of Eco-friendly products. Still affordable and smarter than ever, Target has been turning very greener every chance it gets.

Online shopping is super quick and easy at Target.com and this is the best place to see all of the Eco-friendly products they offer. Target's Eco-friendly page breaks items down into categories like "Home Essentials," "Kitchen + Dining," and "Apparel + Gear." Under Home Essentials, for example, you will find many bedding sets, pillowcases and other bedroom/bathroom needs made from natural materials, bamboo and 100% organic cotton.

From baby clothes to water filters and cookware products, reusable bags and home decor made from recycled materials, Target is offering some great, green solutions that won't break the bank. Next time you go to make a purchase from a department store, consider what you can do for the environment by choosing to shop at Target. You can go green and save: stay on Target!

For more tips about shopping and saving the Eco-friendly way, check out these links:

Green is your style
Labeling the Grocery Store
My Reusable Bag Payday

Learning Green Lessons

2009-08-25T10:16:00.005-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

Summer is wrapping up quickly and you may not have given school a single thought yet! However, now is the time to get ready to hit the books again and, this year, you should consider trying it the green way! There are tons of school supplies that are better for the environment and you don't even have to special order or scour the earth to find them. Most of these supplies can be found right in your usual stores...you just need to know what to look for!

According to an article on Care2.com called Green Pencils and Pens, "Every year Americans discard 1.6 million pens. Placed end to end, they would stretch 151 miles—equivalent to crossing the state of Rhode Island almost four times!" Another article on Care2.com, Best Cool Green School Supplies, offers great solutions to the anti-green school supply issue. Here are some tips to remember when shopping for school or office supplies this fall:

- If you're looking for pencils, find some that are made from recycled materials
- Buy paperclips that are made from recycled steel
- Find a staple-free stapler (so cool)!
- Buy cardboard notebooks and recycled paper
- Stop using paper bags for your lunch!

If you're still wondering how you can start off the school year on a green foot, check out some of these blog articles on Experience.com:

Be a back-to-school green machine
Work Green
And when you're done with your supplies, check this out: Winter Break Can Be Green

Volt for Prez

2009-08-18T10:11:00.007-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

The green wave of change is still hitting the car industry hard and its really starting to pay off. If you haven't already heard of the Chevy Volt, it is Chevy's electric solution that is expected to get 230 miles per gallon! Tree huggers everywhere are bracing themselves - is it too good to be true? It is way too good and it is very true!

According to Chevy's website, "The Extended-Range Electric Vehicle that is redefining the automotive world is no longer a rumor! In fact, its propulsion system is so revolutionary, its unlike any other vehicle or electric car that's ever been introduced." The Chevy volt uses NO gas, therefore, it produces NO emissions.

Expected to launch in 2010, this revolutionary vehicle will only need one electrical charge per day, which is expected to cost only $.75 - $2.50 for the average household. This year, the Volt has already been recognized and awarded by many critics. The Green Car Journal gave the Volt it's "Green Car Vision Award" at the Washington Auto Show for "a bold and far-reaching approach that promises to bring an exceptionally fuel efficient model to consumers at reasonable cost."

To read more about GM, the Volt and Electric Cars, check out these links:

GM Knows Green...
Green Technology Series

Roses are Red, Money is Green...

2009-08-04T13:16:00.007-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

...so why not do something to make banking clean? Banking and managing credit cards can all be done from the internet - completely paperless! Banks and credit card companies are now, more than ever, offering "paperless" statements and banking. Here are a few ways to do your part when managing your finances.

Many banks offer paperless statements and online bill paying; you just receive an email notification instead of a paper statement in the mail and you can write checks electronically. These methods are faster and so much easier for you, too! All of your information is at your fingertips and following the activity on your account is always just a click away.

Paperless, online banking is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and reduce the headache of waiting for a paper bill in the mail! Planet Green is encouraging people to think of it this way; "Every time you receive a paper bill in the mail, the paper for the bill has to be created, the ink for the printers has to be expended, the paper bill must be placed in a paper envelope and delivered to a mail center by truck or plane, then brought to your doorstep..." See how many instances of environmental damage you can avoid just by making online banking easier for yourself anyway?!

Get some more ideas for going paperless with this article: "Ditching paper..."
Or check out this article about making money during and after college: "Avoiding the Poor College Student Cliche"

Got a Clunker? Want Cash?

2009-08-10T15:24:00.009-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

If you haven't already heard of Cash For Clunkers, listen up! As detailed by Wikipedia, "The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), colloquially known as "Cash for Clunkers," is a U.S. federal scrappage program intended to provide economic incentives to U.S. residents to purchase a new, more fuel efficient vehicle when trading in a less fuel efficient vehicle. The program was designed to provide stimulus to the economy by boosting auto sales, while putting safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles on the roadways."

Although the program ran out of funding rather quickly, last Thursday it won an extension when the Senate voted in favor of providing an additional $2 billion with the hopes of boosting the tiring auto industry. According to The Washington Post, "[the program] offers vouchers worth up to $4,500 for drivers trading in their gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient vehicles."

Not everyone is pleased with Cash for Clunkers, but the program's popularity speaks for itself. Its a multiple-edged sword; it encourages American's to buy new cars, which will ultimately spur the economy. It offers citizens a chance to purchase a car at a lower rate, which, in these tough economic times, can be very helpful to some people. Most importantly, it takes unsafe cars off the road and replaces them with vehicles that are better for the environment!

Check out these links to read more about buying cars and doing your part for the environment!
Get rid of your clunker
Save Gas By Car-Sharing
Car Buying 101

Green Your Face

2009-07-29T11:31:00.005-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

Most girls have certain makeup products they can't live without, but if going green is more important than your beauty needs, you should be checking out all of the natural products that are out there today! This one might be for the girls, but there's a few things that gals and guys should know about clean, green, healthy skin.

According to Green Daily, "Unless it says 100% certified USDA organic, there's no certainty that all of the ingredients are organic. And natural can mean almost anything!" This is especially true when dealing with makeup and skincare products. Today, it is trendy to try "mineral" powders, blushes and other makeups that are being marketed as "Natural." However, if you pay close attention, you hardly ever see the USDA Certification. This Organic Makeup and Skincare Resource can point you in the right direction!

This is for everyone (guys listen up too) - SUNSCREEN! Protecting your skin from harmful, damaging UVA and UVB rays is so important. Luckily, there are many organic products that can help you battle these blasted beams of light. Pristine Planet offers some great advice and direction on products that are good for you and the earth. "Kiss My Face" lip balm is great for protecting your lips and brands like "Badger" make an organic sunscreen.

For more advice on makeup and healthy living, check out these links:

Everyone's makeup should be some shade of green!
Health Nuts Blog

Green Thumbs

2009-07-20T14:16:00.011-04:00

Green gardening is all about being organic - avoiding the use of chemicals during the entire process. Whether you're living in the country or the city, a house or a small apartment, you can always find a place to plant something green.

Extremely Green is a great website that provides tons of information about gardening. This site is the best source for all of your organic gardening supplies and tips on gardening, the green way. Extremely Green offers solutions to lawn care, pest control, fertilizer and more.

Another thing to consider when thinking about green gardening is composting. Green Thumb Goodies will tell you, "[Compost] can be mixed into the soil before planting or applied to the surface of the soil as a mulch." If you have a place to put your trashcans, you probably have a little space to put a compost bin. If not,see if some of your neighbors are interested in composting too - if space is a concern, sharing a compost bin could be a great solution!

Location is obviously the main concern, but all you really need is a small space like a patio or balcony where you can set some pots and planters. Here are some great tips from Backwoods Home Magazine. If you're living in close quarters, but you still want to get a green garden going, start by learning how to garden in a small space and then refer back to the resources that will tell you how to do it organically!

Check out these links for more interesting tid bits about gardening and farming:

Career for the Year: Life on the Farm
How to get the most out of rain
Sustainable White Green House

Eco-Friendly Cruisin'

2009-07-13T11:39:00.009-04:00

by Megan McLaughlin

Summer time is all about relaxing and taking it easy and for many, getting away for some R & R. Plenty of people head to the beach, but many will also plan vacations and one of the most popular ways to vacation is going on a cruise. However, this may not be the best way to try and save Mother Nature some angst. Give the environment a break this summer. Check out how this cruise line is pitching in!

According to Andrea Bennett of Travel + Leisure online, "Royal Caribbean recently invested millions of dollars into energy conservation and limiting waste dumping. And lines such as Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity are continuing to become more environmentally friendly." Its true! Cruiseshipforum.com is reporting that, "Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines have added General Electric’s alternative engine technology — gas turbine — to their newest ships. This system reduces nitrous oxide emissions by 80% and sulfur oxide by 98%. As an added relaxation bonus, the engine is less noisy than traditional ones."

Trying to plan your cruise with ships that are becoming less damaging to the environment is great, but another thing you can do is depart from a port that is close to home. This will save on your travel costs too! Your travel time will be reduced and so will the negative impact on the environment.

Learn more about financing your trip here. And check here for 5 Ways to Travel Green!

Your Eco-Friendly Summer

2009-07-06T09:43:00.014-04:00

By Megan McLaughlin

Summer is here and for many, that means more travel. Gas prices are higher, roads are more congested and shore destinations are packed with travelers. If you’re looking to save a little money and make mother nature proud, you should consider some of these ways to make your summer a little more eco-friendly.

Road and Travel Magazine offers some great tips for vacationers, like using public transportation or a bike to get around your destination or “Hit the farmer's markets for locally grown foods, skip the chain restaurants in favor of locally-owned establishments, and buy fair trade products as souvenirs to make sure your money goes into the locals’ pockets.” Both of these tips are great advice, but one of the biggest pieces of advice offered by Road and Travel is “Give your house a vacation.” Don’t leave lights on when you’re not home. Instead, put a few lights on timers while you’re gone. Also, adjust your thermostat to a more modest setting; you don’t want your house to be a heat box when you return, but if no one’s home, there’s no need to keep your normal, probably chilly, air-conditioned setting!

Another great way to reduce your carbon footprint this summer is to purchase eco-friendly travel items. Greenzer offers greener ways to shop online and one of the brands sold there is Solio. “"Plug into the Sun" as Solio says of its eco-friendly, solar-powered charger for handheld electronic devices. Solio brings you green convenience, eliminating the burden to keep track of many different chargers for every different device you own.” Solio offers hybrid chargers to power your iPod, GPS and many other electronic devices while you’re on the go.

So whether you’re traveling to the beach, the lake, a warmer destination to soak up the sun or a cooler destination to beat the heat, consider some of the simple things you can do to be a little more eco-friendly this summer!

The Lazy Environmentalist – The Show!

2009-06-30T20:36:00.011-04:00

By Megan McLaughlin

Follow host Josh Dorfman on his quest to save the planet - one wasteful couch potato at a time! With help from a professional "mixologist," a "hypermiler" and other environmental experts, Sundance Channel's original new series, THE LAZY ENVIRONMENTALIST is sure to help change wasteful ways!

Josh Dorfman, the author of The Lazy Environmentalist, now has his own show, featured on the Sundance Channel. His theory is that making good environmental choices shouldn’t cause you to drastically alter the way you live your life or make any sacrifices. On his brand new show, Dorfman finds ways to prove his point. From finding organic and local foods for a chef to improving the gas mileage for a courier service and teaching some frat boys how to help the environment and themselves!

On his website, Dorfman explains, “I love this challenge because it’s an opportunity to demonstrate to people that greening their actions is not only better for the planet, but also for them, in terms of their quality of life. He knows its hard for a lot of people to acknowledge global warming when it doesn’t seem like there is a real, straightforward plan for solving the issue, and that’s why he’s here to show you how to take some easy steps in the right direction.

For some easy solutions for going a little greener, check out these links:

10 Quick and Easy Ways to Green Your Home and Reduce Waste

It’s Easy Bein’ Green: The Environmentally-Friendly Classroom

Green Living

2009-04-14T08:27:00.000-04:00

By Megan McLaughlin

Its spring and the world is looking green again, but just seeing green isn’t always enough; being green is always important too. With Green Home Environmental Store, you can shop for the latest and greatest green products for every room of the house! Even if you’re not looking to spend a lot of money, you’ll want to check it out because it may be a great place to pick up a few things or, if nothing else, a wonderful resource for new, green products and ideas!

Whether it’s the bathroom, the bedroom, living room, dining room, or even garage, Green Home has something to offer! Earning itself the title of “#1 search result for ‘environmental products’ on Google,” Green Home is certainly no stranger to the World Wide Web. The site is very easy to navigate, offering several different browsing options from a clickable map of the home, to products and specific categories and even gift ideas.

Within each section of the clickable home map, you can choose from each room in the house and your search is narrowed, from there, down to “Department Areas.” For example, within the living room, you can view chairs, couches, chests, carpet cleaners, accessories, tables and more. From there, you can choose to see the “Better Selling Products” or continue your search within a specific department area of that room.

If you you’re looking for a new way to go about your spring cleaning or if you’re in search of better products for yourself and your family, Green Home Environmental Store is the place to go; one stop, green shopping is one of the best ways to outfit your home and treat yourself and Mother Nature to something new!

Green Building Resource Guide; Eco-friendly Building

2009-03-31T10:01:00.003-04:00

By Megan McLaughlin

Whether you’re buying your first fixer-upper or you’re looking to remodel your current home, planning and building that dream addition or updating an outdated room can be costly, to the environment, that is. If you’re looking for yet another way to take part in greening our world, turning to the Green Building Resource Guide may be your best bet.

“The Green Building Resource Guide is a database of over 600 green building materials and products selected specifically for their usefulness to the design and building professions, rather than merely their green material content.” Clearly, a lot of effort has been put into this guide, to make building with green materials, just as effective as building with materials that aren’t safe for the environment or that could be better for the environment.

The Green Building Resource Guide is offered for a 30-day trial period. The CD-ROM allows you to initiate searches and modify your exact needs; this can save you time and money during the planning stages of your project.

In many cases, these materials are not only better for the earth, they are also better for you. For example, within the Green Guide Photo Gallery, a photo displays a project where formaldehyde-free laminated sheathing was used. Many first-time users of this guide may be surprised at how practical some of these materials are.

Did you know that newspaper can be used as loose-fill insulation? You’ll find yourself saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?” And the beauty of it is…you don’t have to, because the green guide will do the thinking for you!

The Ultimate Guide to Life

2009-04-07T09:31:00.003-04:00

By Megan McLaughlin

Do you spend hours researching the best products whether for your own health, your family and friends or the environment? Or maybe you are just curious to learn more about the products you are purchasing and using from day to day, in your home and at work or school. If you’re usually thinking, “safe, healthy and green,” the Good Guide may just have all the answers you need.

“Good Guide" provides the world's largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home.” You can use the Good Guide as a wonderful resource for finding green products and healthy foods to make sure you’re choosing items that are right for you. You can browse products by category; food, household cleaners, toys and more.

With the Good Guide, you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about fruit and cereal, for example; some may be low in sodium and high in fat. You probably didn’t know that Reduced Sugar Cinnamon Toast Crunch (normally a very sugary cereal) can actually be good for you! According to The Good Guide, it’s rated at the top of the Cold Cereals category. You can also gather details about different medicines, for instance, which is better: Advil or Tylenol? Just let The Good Guide be your guide!

Reduce, Reuse, Reinvent…the Hand Bag

2009-03-24T12:11:00.003-04:00

By Megan McLaughlin

Some people couldn’t care less about style and fashion, but those who do are constantly searching for new and unique ways to reinvent themselves and their wardrobe. Staying on top of the latest trends and styles can get pricey, but perhaps you are just in need of quality instead of quantity. Designer Ilanit Neutra, dares to tread a road less traveled with her interesting and eco-friendly hand bags.

Graphic and Industrial Designer, Stylist and Set Designer, Ilanit Neutra “is recognized for the exceptional quality and style of her creations.” A new and different way to reduce and reuse, Neutra began creating handbags from used tires. Her design involves using the rubber inner tubes of old truck tires. These handcrafted pieces are each unique in their own way. You will have to see it for yourself to believe it, but apparently, these old tire tube bags feel soft and silky!

As stated on the Neutra website, “every tire tossed away is an irreversible environmental devastation, as tires are made from non-recyclable materials.” Although, you may not be able to get your hands on one of these handcrafted pieces, it’s refreshing to see that someone is turning trash to treasure and besides, its fun just to peruse these designer bags!

To learn more about clothing and style that speaks to you (and the environment), check out this blog about AuH2O Designs. See how one woman is saving the world, one recycled t-shirt at a time and how she got her business off the ground.

Windy Cities

2009-03-18T13:22:00.003-04:00

By Megan McLaughlin

Humans have been using wind power for thousands of years with no signs of stopping. Wind power plays an important role in our society and its use is growing rapidly.

According to Wikipedia, Wind produces about 1.5% of worldwide electricity use, but this percentage is growing. In fact, it has doubled since 2005. “In several countries it has achieved relatively high levels of penetration, accounting for approximately 19% of electricity production in Denmark, 10% in Spain and Portugal, and 7% in Germany and the Republic of Ireland in 2008.”

The United States is working toward using wind energy more frequently. Wind energy professionals are constantly working on new products and methods. Thanks to the WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition, these professionals are able to gather each year to exhibit and promote new products and services and to learn and discuss the latest industry developments. This year, WINDPOWER is being held in the windy city itself, Chicago, from May 4th through 7th.

The WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition has grown immensely over the years. In 2001, 1,000 people attended WINDPOWER. Just last year, over 13,000 people attended and according to the Why Attend section of the WINDPOWER site, “The United States wind energy industry installed 8,358 MW in 2008.

This means that wind energy capacity in the U.S. grew by 50% in one year and has grown by an average of 32% annually for the past five years.” It’s the growth of conventions like this one that are inspiring people and educating them to learn the best ways to give our earth the attention it deserves.

Get some facts and stats about wind power here. Also, take a second to learn how non-professionals are getting involved in wind energy solutions too! Check out this blog; Wind Power for the World.