Many people enjoy living in sunny climates if they don’t have to experience their actual temperature, and they are willing to pay high electricity bills to do so. Like so many technological advances, the benefits of standard air conditioning are obvious, the drawbacks, less so.

The next time you plan a vacation that involves boarding a plane, consider what you can do to minimize the impact of your travel on the planet. Implementing even small changes will, in turn, also minimize your impact on economies and societies around the world. Besides looking for creative ways to minimize your travel footprint, consider carbon offsetting options.

The rising price of oil, the establishment of tax incentives and standards for “greener homes” and "greener businesses", and the creation of innovative technologies have sparked interest in energy efficiency and renewable sources of power. This interest has produced, and continues to produce, a wide array of alternative energy resources, as well as many effective practices for energy conservation.

Alternative fuels and the vehicles that utilize alternative fuels are making a significant positive impact not only in terms of carbon emissions and the reduction of global warming, but also to the world's political climate, both of which are heavily affected by our use of, and dependence on, foreign oil.

Ayurveda is an ancient holistic health science from India. Sanskrit for "the Science of Life," this complete system addresses the prevention of illness, and the diagnosis and treatment of negative health issues. It's systematic approach will help you stay healthy by connecting the power of your mind with the physical health of your body.

Babyhood is the best time to focus on infusing your child’s experience with green values. Help to green your baby’s initial encounter with the planet in every way by surrounding them with a green environment—take every opportunity to do so, because they will be up and out before you know it.

Many people are looking for ways to paint Wall Street eco-green—instead of dollar green—by investing in eco-friendly businesses. It's good to keep in mind that the choice of where to establish checking and savings accounts can also impact the environment and affect the sustainability of local communities. In addition, there are a number of ways that you can make even the smallest bank account work for you, the planet, and the sustainability of your own community...

The interior of our home is often a more toxic and unnatural environment than what we encounter outside because many of the things that fill our homes constantly circulate harmful and invasive toxins. Since our non-waking hours—quite a chunk of the day—are spent in bed, it’s especially important to minimize the level of toxicity in our bedding. Many green bedding alternatives are priced very comparably to non-natural options, and they provide a wonderfully soft and long-lasting defense to help you fortify your sacred sleep space against a toxic invasion.

From the Americas to Europe, Asia, and beyond, beer is truly a worldwide passion. What's more, recent studies suggest that beer, in limited quantities, can even be good for you. However, it's even better for you—and for the environment—when you drink locally brewed and organic beer whenever possible.

There’s no easier and effective way to make your daily commute green than to swap your car or bus ride for a bicycle. Not only does ri ding a bike to work and to complete your errands improve the health of the environment on a daily basis, it saves money and improves physical fitness. And the best part—it’s also fun!

Wouldn't it be great if you could simply "grow" your own fuel? With Biodeisel, not only is this possible—the product is clean, stable, and uber environmentally friendly. With its ease of integration into existing infrastructures, the simplicity of manufacturing the fuel, and its favorable energy balance ratio, biodiesel is poised to become a major force in the American energy market.

You've reduced your energy consumption and converted to more ecofriendly energy sources. But what to do about the carbon dioxide pollution that can’t be reduced so easily? For some, the answer involves carbon credits... The purchase of carbon credits is quickly becoming a popular way for corporations to offset their contribution to the level of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.  Some companies now sell carbon credits to consumers, providing you with a surprisingly inexpensive and easy way to minimize your personal contribution to global warming.

In a world where an ever-increasing concern for the health of our world can no longer be ignored, emission reductions have been targeted as one of the most viable solutions to alleviate the strain on the environment. Harmful byproducts of industry such as greenhouse gases are affecting individuals, communities, and the entire planet.  One of the most prominent methods used to tackle this issue is the cap and trade market for emissions, also known as an emissions trading scheme (ETS). 

Carpeting already accounts for 70% of floor coverings in the United States, with the majority of carpet materials being unsustainable to the environment, as well as unsuited to the health of the people who live with them. When purchasing of any of these products, it is still important to consider the eco-friendliness of backing material, the sustainability of the constituent material—how it's harvested, and the energy involved in farming production and shipping distance.

Think tech hasn’t yet caught up with a green vision that skims the horizons of the future? Think again—green tech is here and its setting its sights on the cell phone. By carefully reviewing the environmental and health-based impacts and perusing the green cell phone options, you can make a wise decision when it comes to purchasing this most relied-upon tech tool.

Over the past several years, the U.S. has seen tremendous growth in the number and variety of artisan and farmstead cheesemakers. This has resulted in an abundance of delicious cheeses, distinctively marked by the unique characteristics imparted by each individual region and technique. Artisan cheeses are now widely available, found in gourmet food stores and farmers’ markets all over the country.

Chocolate: the iconic sinful, decadent food. The idea that chocolate is, by its very nature "bad for you," is ingrained in our minds. But, if you think eating a chocolate bar makes you feel better, you aren’t imagining it. Chocolate doesn’t just give you a pleasurable feeling, it also has proven health benefits. Chocolate isn't the problem, the issue is how we grow, process, and consume it. It's possible to enjoy chocolate with a clean conscience, even a sense of virtue. There is such a thing as healthy chocolate.

Over the last few years, designers have seriously upped the eco-style ante with fashion-driven, wearable pieces that give consumers a mission—an improved sense of style and a clear conscience. Organic cotton, hemp, recycled fibers, sustainable style— all buzz words fast becoming hip lingo around fashion design studios.

Cohousing is a style of living sometimes called intentional neighborhoods. It differs from other intentional communities most significantly by the fact that it consists of clusters of privately owned, self-sufficient homes surrounded by pedestrian-friendly common land. But cohousing is far more than a mere planned development...

Far from being just another drink choice, coffee is truly a worldwide institution—and obsession. Because it is consumed in such mass quantities across the globe, the choices as to how coffee is grown, manufactured, and ultimately consumed have a major impact on both the world economy and the global environment. Drinking green coffee—and by 'green' we mean that derived from organic, shade-grown, and fair trade certified coffee beans—ensures that farmers and the environment also get a little "green" for their resources and efforts.

Would you like to improve the quality of the food you eat, decrease your personal impact on the environment, build a stronger connection to your community, and promote the standards of fair trade products at the same time? You can do all of these things simply by becoming part of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm in your area. CSA farms operate as partnerships between farmers and members of the community who buy shares in a farm's harvest each growing season.

The average American household produces more than 200 pounds of kitchen waste every year—why throw it into our overflowing landfills when you can use it to improve your lawn and garden? Composting will help you to minimize your constribution the world's overly abundant waste supply and provide you with a valuable, nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Pioneers of green building techniques are faced with the challenging task of identifying and integrating the use of innovative, sustainable materials into the canon of eco-friendly building.  In recent years, concrete and its use in flooring and countertops has gained popularity as a green building material, but not without an amount of controversy...

Would you like to stay healthy by improving the quality of the food you eat while decreasing your personal impact on the environment? Simply becoming conscious about how you cook your meals will help you accomplish all of these things. Green cooking is simple, sustainable, and quite frankly, food cooked in a green manner tastes better!

Most consumers assume that the products they are using daily on their bodies, rubbing into their skin, and using on their children have been tested for their safety.  Sadly, most seem to have been created with a complete disregard for the health of humans or the environment.  Fortunately, there's good news in store for those who don’t wish to avoid cosmetics entirely.  There are many makeup options with ingredients that don’t require a degree in chemistry to understand, and many responsible cosmetics companies that are genuinely concerned with their products’ impact on consumers and the environment.

Designing buildings that maximize sunlight for illumination is an efficient and effective way to lower your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and protect the environment. And not only that—we are phototropic beings, meaning that we are drawn to and thrive in environments infused with natural light. Studies show that shoppers buy more, students get better grades, and office workers are more productive when bathed in sunlight. Making winter sunlight a part of home light control systems has even healed people of seasonal depression.

Building a truly green deck can be a bit of a challenge. The desire for materials that will last for many years and require little maintenance is often at odds with the desire to produce minimal negative environmental impact. As you begin to spec out your decking choices, keep in mind that even materials that seem to be ecologically sound sometimes don’t hold up under closer scrutiny, while others that initially appear to be environmentally destructive can actually provide a more sustainable choice.

Most of us use deodorants, which neutralize the smell of perspiration, or antiperspirants, which minimize body odor by blocking sweat from escaping through underarm pores onto the surface of the skin.  Most conventional deodorants and antiperspirants contain several ingredients linked to serious health effects, from Alzheimer’s disease to virulent cancers.  Since deodorants and antiperspirants are designed to stay on our bodies for hours, this allows the potential for more harmful chemicals to be absorbed through the skin. 

Desktop computers, or PCs , are larger and consume much more energy than their smaller, more portable cousin, the laptop. This size differentiation automatically qualifies PCs as the “less green” computing choice.

But don't toss out your dream of an eco-friendly desktop workstation just yet! There are greener PCs out there that can lessen your environmental impact and spare your body the burden of toxin-laced tech components.

Doors that are part of a sustainably built house must be especially good at creating a seal between the outside and inside. A large part of energy conservation is about reducing heat (or cold) exchange with the outdoors; windows and doors are the areas of greatest heat loss in almost all houses. Sustainable building practices include the entire life-cycle of each part, so a green home door should ideally be produced in an ecologically sound way and it should be recyclable.

Though you, personally, may not be directly impacted by the current water crisis, it is here.  The world-wide effects of these climatic changes are even more severe – in parts of the world, privatization of the water supply is a common practice.  This privatization occurs as large corporations drain the water from entire cities and villages, sometimes even charging locals outrageous amounts for their own drinking water!

If you have ever thrown any kind of party, you know how much waste if left at the end... but with a few simple strategies, there doesn’t have to be.  Simply knowing your party planning options makes it easy to reduce your environmental impact and still host a memorable, cost effective, and enjoyable affair for your guests.

So you're ready to make some lifestyle changes in the name of the environment—but where to start? Whether it's changing baby diapers, the way you care for your pets, or your recycling habits, there are a broad array of different areas where you can make an impact on the world around you.

Characterized by a commitment to natural health care and global concern, the eco spa and green day spa movements utilize low-impact facilities and sustainable products for traditional spa treatments, such as massage, facials, hydrotherapy, and aromatherapy. At these eco-spas, a nurturing massage or a luxurious soak benefits the individual and the environment, making the leisure of a spa experience a benefit to all, rather than a guilty pleasure.

Human travel and leisure activities are generate carbon emissions, so it’s important to consider the impact of all of our lifestyle choices. Another value of eco-friendly travel is that it can also generate a change in attitudes, by taking an issue that is half a world away and bring it closer to our hearts and minds.

Are you an avid adventure-seeker with an international travel bug? Eco-tourism is principle-based, emphasizing a mutually beneficial partnership between the traveler, the environment, and the local population. By participating in "eco-vacations," tourists gain the richness of a cultural experience while creating a positive impact on the local economy and ecosystems of their travel destination.

Despite the huge recent push to significantly reduce emissions, if you take a look around, you'll note that cars still rule the road. The common mentality is that a bicycle (or walking, for that matter) is for those who live right around the corner from work, or don’t have any extras to tote along during the day. Not so—enter the electric bicycle.

Electric cars produce no emissions at point of use, so they don’t contribute to air pollution on the streets. They have fewer moving parts, making them more reliable and lower maintenance. They’re silent, they’re much more efficient than internal combustion cars, and they’re energy-flexible—you can choose a renewable source, a cheap source, a domestic source, anything you want—and you can change your mind whenever you want.

The majority of mass-marketed energy drinks are still chocked-full of artificial sweeteners, flavors, and preservatives—most of their energy-giving properties are based in high levels of added caffeine. Recently, the energy drink market has offered up a host of natural, organic, and sustainably-sourced choices. In addition, there are many alternative (not yet mass marketed) energy drinks avaiable.

Ethanol is an alcohol—in fact, it is the same alcohol found in your favorite wine cooler. It’s used as a fuel or fuel additive, substituting for gasoline or MTBE. Ethanol combusts more completely than gasoline does, resulting in fewer emissions, particularly of carbon monoxide. No sea birds will be losing their insulation to an ethanol spill, for ethanol is easily water-soluble, non-toxic, and biodegradable.

Eco eyewear may be easily overlooked, but stylish, sustainable options are right before your eyes. Whether you’re looking for reading glasses, optical specs, or even sun shades, a low-impact, planet-friendly choice will not only help you see better—it will have you looking good too. We've collected your best options for selecting, recycling, and reusing your specs. 

The goal of the fair trade process is to alleviate world poverty by empowering small producers. By eliminating middleman costs, more profit is returned to the producers while prices are kept competitive for consumers. Fair trade is much more than just a means to negotiate a fair price—the concept is aimed at supporting environmental sustainability, respecting cultural identity, and building grassroots democracy.

With the rapidly growing consumer interest in eating locally grown foods, the farmers’ market has never been more popular—over 4,000 are currently active in the U.S. Continuing this age-old tradition plays an essential role in the re-establishment of community values and in forging a renewed connection between the American consumer and the farmer.

Making a green statement in your fashion styles and beauty choices has never been easier! There are many options available to help you go 100% natural and organic with your personal care products. Natural and sumptuous beauty and body care treatments are now available at day spas, and natural, ethically produced clothing items and fashion accessories are hitting the shelves. Many eco-inspired designs are also just a click away, with a wealth of choices available on the virtual e-shelves.

Today, ambiance and space heating are separable technologies. If all you require is a romantic flickering flame on a hearth, there are some new green options available. Likewise, if you are looking for a way to heat your home that doesn’t use fossil fuels, wood (one of the oldest biofuels around) can be a good choice—just don’t try to use a fireplace to do it!

By staying informed and making knowledgeable choices about the fish you consume, you can enjoy the numerous health benefits of eating fish and seafood, while ensuring that marine life will flourish and continue to be around for future generations. If we wish to continue to draw from the bounty of sea, river, lake, and stream, we must learn how to balance that consumption with wisdom, blending knowledge and responsibility into a choice that guarantees the continued renewal of that which we harvest.

As with any other aspect of green building, the decision about what type of green flooring to use should factor in several basic principles such as: renewability of the material source, energy used in production and shipping, health effects of exposure, durability, and options for disposal when its lifetime is over, among others. There are plenty of alternatives to petroleum and clear cutting, and more green flooring options are available today than ever before. When you choose the right floor, you have an opportunity to make a commitment to mindful living, to taking better care of a body that is deeply affected by what it walks on, and do so in the sustainable manner that is right for you.

We can significantly boost our efforts to conserve and protect the earth by adopting a whole systems approach to eating. Growing awareness of our individual and collective responsibility for protecting the earth and her resources has motivated many of us to make important lifestyle changes. Food can be considered one of the final, important frontiers in green living.

Until recently, we were not offered a wide range of alternative choices to shoes made with standard processes and corporate-owned manufacturers.  Environmentally friendly footwear options of the past were limited to just a few models of sandals and tennis shoes, which were usually quite expensive.  That's all changing now... Increased awareness of the need to honor the earth in all areas, including clothing and footwear manufacturing, has spurred high consumer demand for shoes that are eco-friendly in materials, processing, and packaging—green shoes, if you will.

Fruit and vegetable phytochemicals—naturally occurring compounds necessary for sustaining life—are identified by scientists as key elements in disease prevention. Recent research also reveals that organically-grown produce is far ahead of its non-organic counterparts in terms of nutritional quality. If we want to maintain good health, slow signs of aging, and decreased our risk for chronic diseases, research points us in the direction of dietary health.

Green furniture is responsibly harvested from renewable resources and often incorporates recycled materials. The products are an integration of form, function, and eco-friendliness that help decrease landfill waste and preserve the planet’s vital forests, while supplying consumers with comfortable, modern alternatives.

An organic garden can supply you year after year with fresh and healthy organic food for a fraction of the price you would pay in a grocery store. A healthy and prolific organic garden takes time and effort to establish, but it teaches the green gardener valuable lessons about patience and provides a new appreciation for the subtle relationships that exist in nature. And there are ways to plan your green garden so that it practically takes care of itself . . .

Cars have always been a status symbol for those who drive them. Now that the they are available to more than just celebrities, at prices that anyone can appreciate, gas-electric hybrid cars have become the new status symbol for the green consumer. Stylish and undeniably sensible, these energy fusion dynamos are the toast of tree-hugging hipsterdom, but watch out for deceptive marketing and assumptions about intrinsic environmental friendliness—not all "hybrids" are the same shade of green.

With so many environmentally friendly products on the market today, finding the perfect green gift is easier than ever. But there is also a wealth of gifting ideas that involve spending little to no money at all. By striking a balance between only giving gifts you know that people will use and infusing your gift ideas with a flair bearing your unique personal style, gift-giving need not be an occasion of stress and anxiety—the process can easily reflect the pleasure that giving is meant to bring.

Every decision you make during your home building or remodeling project -- from the type of lumber used to the type of toilet installed -- will have an impact on both your pocketbook and the environment. As a result, it's important that you be sure to choose wisely.

Within the last 20 years, labor-related national discussion has focused on the marginalization of blue-collar jobs due to the outsourcing of work to other countries, where labor is less expensive and regulations less stringent.  Simultaneously, discussions surrounding the economic, social, and environmental costs of our oil-based economy have risen to the forefront of hot topics for public debate.  Out of this symbiotic combination of discussions has come a new and rising work forcet—the green collar worker.

With all manner of toxins invading our outside air space, homes, and offices, what is our body’s best defense against these invasive attacks? Switching to organic hair care products is one line of defense that can protect your scalp from unnecessary exposure to hundreds of known and suspected toxic substances. It's important to conduct a little of your own research because manufacturers are not required to list exact ingredients on product labels.

You can incorporate the principles of green living into your personal goals of pursuing health and fitness for life. Sustainability and quality are two standards that you can keep when you maintain your health in a natural way. Not only is green health and fitness good for the environment, your personal benefits will soar by including green living choices into your health and fitness options.

Not using energy is always the best solution. Whenever possible, a blanket or a sweater should be used to regulate body temperature. But for those times when the cold is too much to bear, those times when abstaining from heating can be hazardous to your health and well-being, one should still keep in mind the most efficient ways to warm up one's interior space. By utilizing energy efficient heating tools and techniques, you can acheive your desire for indoor climate control without sacrificing the need for outdoor climate control.

Our ancestors knew how to take care of themselves long before modern medicine existed by using natural medicines found in the trees, flowers, and herbs all around them. These remedies work gently, often without the harsh side effects experienced when using today's prescription medicines. They are also quite effective when taken in the proper dosages.

Holidays are a joyous time.  A time to gather friends, family, and loved ones around us.  A time to reflect on our lives with gratitude.  A time to relax.  A time to celebrate.  Unfortunately, more so than any other time of the year, they can be a period of excessive stress, waste, and pollution.  But it needn't be so!  You can make it through the holidays happily, with your moral, sentimental, and monetary value intact.  There are many simple and effective ways to reduce consumption without sacrificing revelry.  A few tried and true techniques will save you from a world of stress while helping to save the world at large.

Energy usage is a major player in the game of going green.  When it comes to energy use in your home, there are many things you can do to cut costs and boost energy efficiency.  From calculating your energy expenditure to becoming educated about green home improvements, your energy consumption can change dramatically with just a few simple steps.

Homeopathic medicines work in harmony with your immune system by gently stimulating it.  There are many green health care practitioners who specialize in homeopathy.  There are also many remedies available and diagnosis means noting everything surrounding the condition, and that means a professional is sometimes required.  It doesn't work to just go to the shelf marked headache and grab a remedy!

Whether you're on holiday or traveling for business, looking for ways to lighten the impact of your hotel stay is important.  Taking advantage of some quick "take action" tips and certified green hotel resources will guide you to a greener stay...

Our indoor spaces can hold more toxins than what greets us out-of-doors because our home is a virtually closed-off space where fumes and toxins can become concentrated. Having a clean space is essential for clarity of mind and creating the sense that things have a proper place. Some of what we welcome into our home as permanent fixtures continue to release toxic fumes, and in cleaning we only redouble these emissions by introducing additional toxins through our choice of products that contain harsh chemical constituents.

One of the most important things that you can do to maximize your household’s energy efficiency is to review your current usage by getting a home energy audit, and gradually replace existing energy-hungry appliances with green appliances. By following some general guidelines for regulating energy flow and properly disposing of old appliances, you can greatly minimize your carbon footprint on the planet.

Households consume approximately one-fifth of the total energy used by the U.S. each year. These are staggering statistics, but you can help turn the tide and save the environment while saving anywhere from 10 to 50% on your energy bill. Some of the biggest energy-sappers in modern homes are appliances. If purchasing new home appliances is not currently an option, there are still many energy-saving options that will help to make your home more eco-friendly.

Cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles that are powered by hydrogen fuel cells receive energy from the fusion of hydrogen atoms with oxygen atoms. Like any other energy source, there is a by product. Unlike combustion engines, there is no harmful exhaust associated with this technology—the only emissions from a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle are heat and water.

Who doesn’t love the sweet indulgence of ice cream? Is there anything more comforting, more infinitely satisfying? For centuries ice cream has functioned as a panacea for what ails us–both physically and emotionally—and it is currently experiencing a return to the old appreciation for high quality. These days it is as easy to find a pint of organic frozen yogurt or sorbet in your favorite flavor as it is to eat it.

While so many people focus on outdoor air pollution, few realize that indoor air pollution is a major problem. In fact, the US EPA ranks indoor air pollution among the top five risks to environmental health. Here are some strategies for enhancing the air quality of your enclosed environments:

If a homeowner is converting a home that was constructed prior to 1980, chances are that asbestos and other hazardous materials may be present.  Once every trace of asbestos is gone, here are some non-toxic alternative insulation materials to consider...

When green banking exploded into mainstream investing, it gave birth to a number of specialized investment companies and products. In recent decades, the success of environmentally and socially responsible businesses has drawn trillions of dollars into the investment arena, making SRI (socially responsible investing) impossible to ignore. It is estimated that SRI encompasses $2.3 trillion out of $24 trillion in the U.S. investment marketplace, making it clear that corporate social responsibility is increasingly a valid factor in determining investment strategies.

Glamorous gems, shiny silver, glitzy gold—how can we feel free to flash these around when so many bear the mark of harm to humanity and our planet?  Fortunately for us, today there are many ethical and ecologically responsible alternatives to jewelry that is sourced in destructive and unsustainable ways.  A new market has emerged for jewelry made from recycled precious metals and synthetic gems, in addition to a plethora of unique, handcrafted jewelry made from such things as recycled glass, post-consumer plastic, and natural materials.

Greening your children is about going beyond the things that you do to create a green lifestyle for your family—it is really all about education. The truth is kids learn more from there their parents than anyone or anything else—if living green is important to you, then rest assured they too will pick up the habit. Today’s kids will soon rule tomorrow’s world. The best that we can possibly do to prepare the next generations is to consistently teach them about the green living values that are critical for their own survival. After all, they do share a common future with our planet.

Choosing green appliances for your kitchen conserves valuable natural resources and saves you money in the process. When it comes to purchasing eco-friendly appliances for your kitchen, you’ll find a wide array of energy-efficient models. Continual advances in technology and design reduce the amount of energy needed to run large appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers.

Green landscaping methodology is set worlds apart from traditional landscaping techniques–green landscaping emphasizes the conscious selection of appropriate plants, water efficiency and conservation, and the use of fewer resources to achieve a stunning result that blends into the natural world and enriches the biodiversity in any surrounding ecosystems.

When sustainable yard care methods are practiced instead of the convenient "blow-and-go" standard, not only will your yard require less water, less fertilizer, and less general maintenance, but the end product will further please you with its astoundingly natural look and feel. Anyone can save money and still have a refreshingly beautiful yard to enjoy by utilizing inexpensive and low-tech organic yard care solutions. Many of these green techniques are not new, but rather reinventions of old tried-and-true methods that provide very rewarding results.

More durable, damage-resistant, and long-lasting than compact fluorescents and incandescent bulbs, LED lights neither flicker nor fail to save you tons on electricity costs. Close to a half a century of light technology has come to fruition, resulting in this lovely little marvel of luminosity, and people all over the world are lining up and lighting up for its fairly recent release on the residential market. While they perform very well in dimmable fixtures, and gently brighten heat-sensitive areas, the true beauty of LED's lies in their longevity, an asset made obvious by every struggle to replace those hard-to-reach bulbs.

Natural light from the sun floods our planet during daylight hours, providing lighting, warmth, and a clean-energy source for things like solar space heating, solar water heating, and solar electric applications. Nighttime hours are a different story, during which human reliance on energy-inefficient artificial lighting sources is brought to light. Traditional lighting options in use today warm the planet a bit too much for our collective comfort. However, the advent of forward-thinking regulatory agencies and technological advances are beginning to provide us with a new view of how our future will be lit.

Healthy and sustainable choices are needed in every corner of the market, and a rapidly expanding variety of organic alternatives to conventionally distilled spirits is rising to the occasion. Those who want to be healthy and enjoy brewed delights can now strike a balance between their own enjoyment and the sustainability of the planet, by supporting organic purveyors of distilled and micro-distilled liquors.

Are you in need of a healthy alternative to factory-farmed meats? A growing array of certified organic and sustainably-raised choices is available for your choosing. By supporting green, sustainable meat producers, you help to alter the destructive cycle of conventional agricultural practices and simultaneously ensure that you are consuming a superior product.

Micro hydro generators use modest water flows to generate electricity, and they trump solar and wind power in reliability because water runs day and night, independent of weather situations.  Let’s take a look at a typical hydroelectric power plant to better understand how this technology works...

Clearly milk is a staple of the American diet, but recent controversies have surfaced surrounding the production methods and alleged health benefits. Before you drink your next glass, make sure you know the facts about dairy production methods, hormone usage, nutrient content, and organic dairy options.

Beyond their two wheels to four, a naked exoskeleton to steel box, and the fact that they’re more maneuverable, motorcycles impress a much smaller carbon footprint than automobiles do. There are many new developments to check out in this green machine's makeup, as well as a few safety and emissions issues to keep in mind as you're making your eco-conscious motoring sustainability dream come true.

Naturopathic medicine, or naturopathy, is a system of medicine that aims to reconnect the patient with his or her natural environment. It is founded on the principle, vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature. The foundations of good health include a healthy diet, proper rest, adequate sleep, and water. Nature provides the living example.

Neighborhood electric vehicles—more commonly called NEVs and sometimes referred to as Low-Speed Vehicles (or LSVs)—are an economical and environmentally responsible alternative to driving a gas-guzzling combustion engine-equipped car on short trips around town or daily commutes to work.

Of all computers on the market, notebooks/laptops are some of the most energy efficient. As even more green laptop choices become available, many companies are joining efforts to promote earth-friendly recycling and disposability of older products. New component and packaging technologies are on the horizon, and we're dipping into Mother Nature's treasure trove of examples for a few ideas that will drive this tech era.

Originally created for endurance athletes, energy bars are now a mainstay of the American diet. It's important to choose a nutrient-dense energy bar that will provide an appetite quick fix and nutrients you need, without furnishing the extra fat, chemicals, and calories that you don't.

The three most significant office resource thieves are energy, water, and paper. Many offices have containers for recycling paper next to the copy machine or printer, and containers for glass and cans in the break room. Your office may even have developed strong "reduce, recycle, reuse" policies for all sorts of office supplies. While this makes a huge difference, a really green office requires a wider, more systematic effort that involves everyone, especially with regard to energy and water use. By focusing on key areas, your office can reclaim some of the resources that "energy thieves" have been stealing.

Holistic dentistry promotes preventative oral care and maintenance, and an environmental commitment to reducing waste and using non-toxic materials. The holistic dentist eschews the use of mercury and silver-based amalgam fillings and traditional x-rays, which create waste chromium and require other hazardous processing chemicals, in lieu of safe, biocompatible filling materials and digital imaging.

Looking for a way to make your house beautiful? There are many ways to update an old home, but whether you’re tearing down walls or just adding a little color, one thing you’ll definitely need is paint. Virtually hundreds of paint choices fill the shelves of your local hardware store, so selecting a healthy, dependable, and eco friendly paint can take a bit of time, unless . . . you are equipped with the knowledge of a few key qualities that set eco paints apart from the rest. Before we dip our brushes into that bucket, let’s look at some reasons why run-of-the-mill paint can be hazardous to our health and to the environment.

PDAs, Personal Data Assistants, sometimes also known as palm PDAs or handheld PCs, were originally conceived of as convenient hand-held devices for storing and retrieving simple data, such as addresses, in a wireless environment. Like everything else electronic, PDAs have become capable of ever more complex functions—some now have many of the capabilities of a full-size computer, and they’ve become essential to business communication of all kinds. And, as with all electronics, PDAs come with their share of sustainability issues. But there are many strageties for maintaining balance and eco-equilibrium with regard to your hand-held helper.

The benefits we gain from regular physical exercise are unparalleled—it boosts physical and mental health by offsetting depression, improving self-esteem, controlling weight, and preventing cardiovascular disease and other serious ailments. Whether you are just embarking on an exercise program or have long made fitness a priority, taking steps to green your own fitness plan only increases the benefits to the environment.

Widespread use of agricultural pesticides means that residues are frequently present in a variety of common fruits, vegetables, and grains that we consume. Pesticides use also contaminates our soil, water, and air, severely diminishing the biodiversity in soil and poisoning the water that humans and animals depend on for survival. It would seem that, with so much awareness about the seriously adverse effects, pesticide use would drastically decrease—and yet there are more in use than ever because they are extremely profitable for the companies that manufacture them.

Your animal companion can become an eco-friendly pet for an eco-friendly pet owner as you implement green living practices into your animal's care. Feeding your pet sustainably produced and organic foods, using green pet products, and keeping as much pet waste out of the landfill as possible are simple ways to green your pet's experience with the world.

The ancient art of pie making has resulted in sweet and savory pies of all kinds, with ingredients that include fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, nuts, fish, custards, and chocolate. Creating your own pie can be a satisfying endeavor, or you can find bakeries that offer a wealth of delicious pies made with high quality ingredients. Whether you are baking or buying, don’t forget that the best pies start with the best ingredients. From crust to filler, you can guarantee taste, health, and a guilt-free conscience by seeking out components that are local, sustainable, organic, and seasonal.

If you’re on the look out for the Next Big Thing in green cars, you might want to take a look at plug-in hybrids. Also called PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), plug-ins are so named because their batteries can be charged from the grid. At the same time, they still contain a gas tank and an internal combustion engine—hybrid features distinguishing them from fully electric vehicles.

So you've taken the neccessary steps to green your entire household, from the kids to the pets, the furniture to the garden, but did you remember the kitchen sink?  Water conservation plays a vital role in making your home resource-efficient and ecologically sound.  Whether you're building a brand new home or remodeling your existing one, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, yard, and other plumbing fixtures can help you draw the line between water use and water waste. 

Although chicken now costs only about one-third of what it did two decades ago, the environmental and human health considerations of commercial poultry industry practices are more costly than ever.  By supporting green poultry producers, you help to counteract the detrimental effect that the commercial poultry industry has on its animals, the environment, and the poultry industry workforce.

For those of you looking to get away from the polluting, petroleum-dependent, greenhouse gas-emitting, sprawl-inducing automobile, there is no urban alternative more pervasive than public transportation. Public transportation moves groups of people around in urban areas, and it’s difficult to imagine an environmentally-conscious city lifestyle without it.

Raw foodism entails eating food in a form as close to its natural state as possible, often basing meals on a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Most raw food plans don’t include meat; many don’t incorporate dairy; and some apply veganism in the strictest sense by excluding all products of animal origin, such as honey. All raw food plans endorse creatively opening your mind and palate to the abundance of vibrant, nutrient-dense, nourishing foods that facilitate our connection with the planet.

Although the written word is vital to self-reflection and education in our thriving, consuming, and increasingly conscientious world, the act of reading isn’t always a “green” experience. From the ink used in printing to the fibers used to make paper to the jet fuel used to ship books across the world, the act of reading is intricately woven into the fabric of our lifestyle and the lifeline of our planet...

Agents, brokers, homeowners, and businesses alike are all beginning to recognize the benefits of accessing and promoting the eco-friendly real estate market. As "Green-estate" grows, there is an increasing number of tax breaks, state grants for remodeling, and green-minded architects and contractors for the homeowner, or soon to be homeowner.

The more time we spend in urban environments, the more important it is to get away from life as we know it and venture into the great outdoors. Outdoor sports and recreation do much more than simply promote mind and body wellness. Being out and active in nature facilitates our connection with the world around us, even if our time investment extends to just a few moments everyday.

American consumers’ passion for new clothes has staggering environmental consequences.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Solid Waste estimates that Americans throw away more than 68 pounds of clothing and textiles per person per year, an amount that represents about 4% of the waste in municipal landfills!  You can sport recycled designs and retain a stylish edge—here's how...

It is important to continually integrate new practices into our lives as our awareness increases, and to remember that every little bit helps a lot. Our power to make change in this way is best affected by united efforts—many people doing some things, rather than one person doing many things. There are numerous recycling resources currently available to help us do our part.

Aside from the shift to make healthy food more innovative and appealing, there is a growing interest among chefs and restaurant owners to make their businesses more sustainable.  It is no longer uncommon for restaurants to support local and organic producers, and to design their menus only around foods that are in season.

Reuse is defined as the "recovery and distribution of discarded, yet perfectly usable materials," which provides an excellent environmental and economical alternative to exportation and landfilling. Reuse preserves resources, including the value of the materials, labor, technology, and energy incorporated into the manufacturing process. "Waste not, want not..."

A truly green roof can be much more than just a shelter.  Truly green roofs can collect water for gardens.  They can supply the energy for your electricity needs.  They can even cool cities and provide a habitat for plants and animals...

If you live in just about anywhere in Europe or Asia, it's unlikely that you'd need to be sold on the merits of motor scooters (also known by the eponym Vespas)—those fun, economical, and stylish two-wheel vehicles that are simply perfect for driving—and parking—in crowded cities. But keep reading, as you just might be surprised by some of the scooter's environmental implications. On the other hand, if you live in the US, you might want to start thinking about this alternate form of transportation.

Embracing a simple lifestyle is a way to infuse our existence with vibrancy by reducing external clutter, honoring ourselves and others, and nourishing a relationship with nature.  Simple living allows us freedom to take a bit of that precious commodity: time.  With a little bit of focused consciousness, you can make your life greener, more holistic, and positively connect it to all that exists around you.

Organic skin therapy will do wonders to provide your skin with a radiance you never thought was possible. What’s more, it removes clutter from your lifestyle by helping you to make simpler, safer, and more holistic skin care choices. So, if you want to focus on true personal beauty, one that comes from within, consider adopting a skin care regimen and a lifestyle that embraces green living values.

Living a simpler, more earth-friendly life begins with the kind of space you wake up in every morning. If contributing to a sustainable future is important to you, one single change in your lifestyle can make the biggest difference of all: living in a smaller home, apartment, condominium, or other type of living space. Just as any motorcycle is more energy-efficient than any car, small is beautiful when it comes to living spaces too.

Among the most promising technologies we have in the effort to fight global warming is PV, or photovoltaics. PV technology employs silicon to produce a voltage when encountering light. Solar electric power systems have gained widespread popularity over the past quarter century because of their many applications. PV can be an effective way to invest your resources in the collective effort to reduce global warming.

Solar space heating systems are economically viable because the investment will pay for itself in approximately 10 to 15 years. With solar thermal energy, we have the ability to store heat and use it even when the sun is not shining. Domestic solar thermal systems can sometimes provide for an impressive 75% of your energy load. Space heating with solar can have a huge financial impact for residential and commercial applications. Plus, you’ll start paying reduced utility bills—saving more money every time rates rise.

We all want to find the solution to the issues of global warming, the energy crisis, and international energy wars. Although there is no one solution to cure all energy ills, technologies such as solar water heaters (SWH) offer one piece of the puzzle. Solar water heating systems use clean, free energy from the sun to heat our domestic hot water and you’ll enjoy instantly increased home equity and reduction of utility bills starting from day one.

Celebratory events mark special milestones in our lives that we want to remember through the years. Since these occasions often set the stage for many people to gather together, it’s especially important to plan our events with planet in mind.  Let’s take a look at some eco event tips that will help you to minimize your earth-impact as you start planning for the next big thing.

Gone are the days of sitting on your front walk, coated with suntan lotion, tinfoil reflectors framing your face to maximize sun exposure.  A deep, dark tan is no longer a sign of good health.  It’s now considered irresponsible and unhealthy to purposely sit out in the sun for prolonged periods of time without skin protection, but many of the products promised as protection carry physical and environmental risks...

The “tankless” or “instant” water heater provides on-demand and instantaneous hot water at an efficient and less costly rate. Though the intangible savings of fossil fuel pollution and water waste are not immediately apparent, the fact that energy and water are such indelible aspects of a home’s eco-footprint means that the water heater is an ideal target for those aiming to conserve.

Tea is one of nature’s most ancient medicines that we have used for thousands of years to heal conditions in the body and restore vitality. Tea is one way that Mother Earth provides for our health and well-being, and in choosing sustainable options, we begin to return the favor.

Electronic equipment is a major source of hazardous waste, and needs to be disposed of properly to prevent hazardous substances entering the environment.  More than two million tons of electronic waste end up in U.S. landfills every year.  Many states have electronics recycling programs.  If you are replacing a computer that's still in working order, check to see if there's a local charity or nonprofit will recycle it.  Nationally, the Cristina Foundation accepts gifts of computers to be donated to people with disabilities.

Eco-friendly electronics and technology are at the forefront of concern for both users and manufacturers with the expectation for momentum to increase at a rapid pace. Check out green technology initiatives currently in practice and underway to narrow the gaping divide.

You may have noticed the latest trends of corporate environmental awareness, as evidence surfaces indicating that financial benefits can also be realized through socially responsible initiatives. Global recycling and product recovery programs, by which businesses take responsibility for what they make and sell, are already underway worldwide.

There are many companies today exploring and implementing telecommuting programs to allow their employees to work part- or full-time from home offices. Telecommuting offers numerous benefits to employers, workers, and the environment, including reduced costs, increased productivity, and a significant reduction in greenhouse gases.

As you create an eco-friendly lifestyle for your family, don't leave your children out! That newest toy that beeps and whistles until you want to scream does more than just drive you crazy—all that electronic wizardry can have a hazardous effect on the environment and possibly the health of your children.  As you go in search of green toys and gadgets that go easy on the planet and your kids, there are some easy guidlines that you can follow to ensure the safety of your little ones.

By now everyone knows that travel = carbon dioxide, the primary guilty party when it comes to global warming. How can we better balance our desires and needs to get from one place to another, and still minimize the carbon footprint we make on the planet? By taking the train, of course!

Consider for a moment that humans are the only species on our planet that generate waste—not exactly a distinction conveying a higher order of thought! In a natural cycle, one creature’s cast-offs are anoth