Stupid Human EcoTricks
As my blogger friend, Hank Green of Eco Geek mentioned a couple weeks back, he’s become a little obsessed with the host of Zaproot’s weekly green vlog, Jessica. She has a most bewitching way of filling us in on the green news of the week, and I’m totally hooked too.…
North America's First Carbon Tax
No more cruising the strip in British Columbia! It has recently become North America’s first jurisdiction to introduce a consumer based carbon tax! B.C Minister of Finance, Carole Taylor, also vowed that every cent will be returned through tax cuts and credits. It’s a good way to keep people aware…
Compost Modern 08 Wrap-up
Sustainability promises to be one of the defining issues of our time, one with profound affects on our personal and professional lives. For designers, it represents unique challenges as well as tremendous potential — nothing less than an opportunity to redesign how the world works. Compost Modern 2008, a joint…
Be a Cycle Hottie!
Keeping warm in colder weather without looking like a North Face refugee We all know riding your bike instead of driving is not only eco-friendly, but good for our butts and legs (and hearts!) too! But to really make a dent in how many global warming gases you produce, you…
How Green is Your Vote?
One of our readers pointed out a lack of political discourse on environmental issues. Earthlab has compiled a breakdown of what the candidates wish to accomplish with regard to the environment. Alex, thanks for bringing this up and for the link from earthlab! 2008 Presidential Candidates – Environment Top Democrat…
Nature Kids, Hot Water Woes, and Pellet Stoves
I want my child to connect with nature, but how can a suburban park be designed to both protect visitors from Lyme disease–carrying ticks and restore the natural ecosystem? —Lena Crandall, Scarsdale, NY The funny thing about wildlife (even the kind that finds its way into parks and playgrounds in…
Smartest Car; Still Worse Than The Dumbest Bike
The process of buying and making new cars isn’t the solution to this enormous fossil fuel problem we’re having. Hackneyed as it might seem, we need to develop long term sustainable community transportation, AND to rethink the way that we structure our lives around cars. Buying a smart car is…
Eco Chick FINALLY Run on Renewable Energy!
Since I run Eco Chick from my home office, and since up until last month renewable energy was NOT available from my electricity provider, this blog was run entirely on fossil fuels (how embarassing!). On one hand it was kinda cool; my electric never came from a huge corporation like…
Don't Be A Turkey: Get Your Thanksgiving Feast Green
Originally posted on The Huffington Post on November 14th, 2007 Photo from Channel14.com. In 1621 the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians stuffed their faces in an autumn harvest feast–the first Thanksgiving. Although Historians aren’t certain of the menu, it’s safe to say the pilgrims weren’t gobbling up pesticide-smothered potatoes…
Green Guru: Environmental Costs of Dried Fruit, Battery-Powered Mowers, and Red #40 on Hummers
Since I write this column for Audubon Magazine, I thought I would share my (laboriously researched) advice with Eco Chick readers. In considering the hidden costs that come with shipping fruit—trucking it around the globe in refrigerated containers—I’m wondering whether it’s more energy efficient to eat dried fruit? —Justin Van…
