Week 1

Thank you so much to everyone who submitted! There's definitely some good stuff in here. I think the blog is off to a good start.

Let's get to it, then! Where the participants had a lot to say, I've quoted them. I've also added my own commentary/explanations to a lot of the links. Here is how you spent your one green hour this week:

Vote:

So we're not currently in an election frenzy anymore (huzzah!), but that doesn't mean you can't stay up to the minute on what's going on in green politics. Places like the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (http://www.njpirg.org/) can help you do so. Obviously, this is state-specific, but check out this site for ideas about what to keep up with, and then find your local equivalent so you can stay involved!


Speak Up:

http://yourclimatechange.org/-- This petition will be presented to the United Nations Secretary General in 2014. By then, the petition's originator hopes to have "a billion linked hands." Let's help them get to that! We need to put pressure on world leaders to protect our planet. I know that I sometimes fall into the trap of wishing I could just run everything because then I'd fix the whole world, but it's much more actually helpful to join together with those around you to get things done!

Post-2015 Development Agenda (http://www.myworld2015.org/) -- Ariana says: "As you may or may not be aware, part of the international community is currently involved in dialogue about the Post-2015 Development Agenda (http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1561), which aims to build on the framework for global action on development established in 2000 by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A particular focus of this dialogue has been environmental sustainability and climate change. As part of this ongoing dialogue the UN has set up a global survey where anyone submit up to six priorities. Environmental priorities listed are: protecting forests, rivers and oceans; reliable energy at home (sustainably generated); and action taken on climate change." (The link at the top of this entry takes you to that survey to make your voice heard. Find more ways to take action at http://www.worldwewant2015.org/sustainability.)


Invest:

National Audobon Society (http://www.audubon.org/) -- For all your conservation needs. According to Mary, "Some of their members have actually complained that they have too much environmental content in their magazines. Someone has to safeguard the nesting areas!"

Viridian Energy (http://www.viridian.com/) -- Now, I live in an apartment, and I know a lot of you do, too, so I don't have much control over where my energy comes from. However, it helps to know what options are out there, so you can at least pass them along to people who have more options for things like this. Viridian is a good place to start to learn about alternative energy companies. They service many of the states that are represented in the current membership of this blog.


Support:

LUSH (lushusa.com) -- Elizabeth says: "LUSH sells fresh, handmade cosmetics made from natural ingredients (and obtained from ethical sources). They have donated to a huge number of environmental charities through their "charity pot" project:

http://charitypot.lush.com/charities/350-org/
http://charitypot.lush.com/charities/ancient-forest-alliance/
http://charitypot.lush.com/charities/clean-green-saskatchewan/
http://charitypot.lush.com/charities/canadian-youth-climate-coalition/
http://charitypot.lush.com/charities/ethical-expeditions-2/
http://charitypot.lush.com/charities/friends-of-nevada-wilderness/ (woo nevada)
http://charitypot.lush.com/charities/para-la-tierra/
http://charitypot.lush.com/charities/rainforest-partnership/
http://charitypot.lush.com/charities/the-wetlands-conservancy/

They are all about being green in their products and packaging. See this for an overview of awesomeness: http://www.lushusa.com/Green-Washing/green-washing-a,en_US,pg.html

They make anything that they can into a solid that doesn't need a container (solid lotions, shampoo bars, even toothpaste tabs). For their liquid items, they used recycled plastic (and lure you to bring 5 back in exchange for a free face mask, wooo). They sell fabric "wraps" for giving gifts instead of less sustainable types of gift packaging. I am a huge "lushie" and I can't get enough of their products. Other awesome things include: anti- animal testing campaigns and charities, animal and wildlife conservation and rehabilitation centers, and a boycott against resources that compromise the environments of endangered species (e.g. save the palms for the orangutans)!"

(Blogger's note: LUSH can be a bit pricey, but their products, in addition to being green, are very effective. If you can't afford to buy all of your toiletries there, at least remember them at the gift-giving holiday of your choice! I know they're always on my Christmas list. And I am extremely intrigued by these toothpaste tabs!)

Seventh Generation (seventhgeneration.com) -- Leah says: "One of the easiest ways to improve your relationship with the environment is to put your money into companies that take good care of the planet. You're already spending money on the products you need, so why not support your cause with mindful spending? I'd like to highlight a brand whose products I love and whose practices I greatly respect: Seventh Generation. Their range of natural cleaning products, recycled paper goods, and personal care items are formulated with environmentally-friendly ingredients that do the job at least as well as chemical-laden alternatives. Equally important, however, and perhaps more impressive, is the company's commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. Every decision about the company and about individual products is made with environmental impact in mind.

A few months ago, one of their products underwent a drastic packaging change. The Natural 4X Laundry Detergent used to come in a recycled plastic jug. Now it comes in a recycled cardboard bottle, all the parts of which are recyclable where recycling is available. 4X concentrated detergent means you can use a quarter of the usual dose to get the same amount of laundry clean, so there are more uses per bottle. The cardboard is lighter than plastic, so more bottles can fit in each delivery truck, necessitating fewer trips and saving gas and exhaust. The cardboard can be recycled or even composted. And the product works. What's not to love? I couldn't believe 66 loads' worth could fit in such a tiny bottle, so I kept a tally on my first cardboard bottle with a marker. It wasn't 66, because various family members use detergent differently, but it was enough to convince me (as if everything else weren't enough) that this is a product worth buying and using on a regular basis.

Read more about Seventh Generation's commitment to corporate and environmental responsibility here:

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/responsibility"

Leah also recommends SG's dish soaps and botanical disinfectant sprays.

(Blogger's note: I have actually listened to an interview with some of the higher ups in Seventh Gen for work, and they are EXTREMELY committed to their green mission. And I can also vouch for their super concentrated laundry detergent - it's especially great because you can use cold water while washing, and it's just as effective.)

GYOstuff Hydroponics http://www.gyostuff.com/FAQs.html -- This one's a little in-depth, but I'm excited about it. Growing your own food is a great way to live more sustainably, and hydroponics provides an efficient way to do so. This particular store and workshop center is in Cambridge, MA, but the FAQs can apply to everyone, and then you can search out more local options for wherever you are. Once you actually get started, this can go in Everyday Living, as well. (And if anyone has any experience with growing food this way, let me know for next week!)

Stahlbush Island Farms (http://www.stahlbush.com/) -- Sustainably farmed foods in biodegradable packaging - what a beautiful combination of words! You can find them in the frozen food section of the supermarket. They're not exactly cheap, but Mary says: "they do go on sale occasionally, and then you can stock up."


Everyday Living:

No more catalogs! -- If you get a lot of catalogs in the mail, start saving them. Every week or two weeks, call the customer service numbers on each of them and ask to be removed from the list (make sure you remove everyone in your household!). Save the websites for the companies you actually want to use.

Leave your car at home -- For car owners, if at all feasible, set aside at least one day a week where you don't turn it on. Do whatever you can by foot or bike.

Washcloths for napkins -- Who needs paper napkins? You don't have to break out the good linen every day; just get some washcloths that you can throw in the wash and reuse.

Cleaning with hydrogen peroxide -- Here are some tips: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/green-cleaning/uses-for-hydrogen-peroxide/.

Reusable shopping bags -- This one's a given! Keep your bags by the door so you don't forget them when you go out. Lots of companies are getting in on this action. For example, check out Stop & Shop:





Well, there you have it! Thank you again to everyone who submitted. Remember, keep getting people involved so we can all access more and more ways to live greener! And if there are ever any items that show up on here that are actually problematic in some way, please let me know. A lot of people like to tout their environmental credentials while hiding shadier practices. I'll try to keep them off the list, but if I miss something, please inform me!

I'm very excited about the future of this blog. Thanks for making it a great first week!