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Josh Loposer

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Eco-Beat, 7/3

Should all public fireworks displays be banned? Have you prepped the grill for a green bbq session? What organic ice creams will satisfy an Independence Day craving? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Stephen Colbert: Fourth of July Under Attack!
Eco-activist Benjamin Schroeter is suing Seattle to block its 4th of July fireworks display -- set to be held at a defunct coal to gas plant -- because it may release all sorts of nasty toxic stuff, harm wildlife, etc. Is this dude talking sense, or taking his quest a bit too far?

Lowering Your 4th of July's BBQ Emissions
Burgers and hot dogs are one of the most fundamental elements of a proper 4th of July par-tay, but when it comes to emissions, not all methods are created equal. Simple tricks like using lump charcoal and flipping your meats frequently can help you avoid extra carcinogens.

The Tastiest Organic Ice Creams
Don't get caught with a tasteless, fake tasting ice cream this Fourth. The tasters at Grist have put together reviews of both the top organic and the top non-dairy ice cream options. The importance of flavorful, satisfying, ice cream can't be overstated, don't mess this up.

Eco Fireworks Aren't Necessarily Green
The greenish color in fireworks is created using Barium, a particularly nasty chemical to breathe or find in you public water supply.There are eco-friendly fireworks available ... and they are considerably more expensive, but they won't blow up your local ecosystem.

Better Know Your SPF
While soaking up rays at whatever body of water you choose to crowd around this weekend, it would behoove you to know what SPF (solar protection factor) is right for your epidermis. Hint: the SPF number has nothing to do with how long the sunscreen lasts.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 7/2

What's Jessica Alba doing to reduce her ecological footprint? Wanna exploit your talent for gripping, inspiring photography to win cool stuff? Have you ever successfully grown any plant without watering it? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Jessica Alba's Green Lifestyle Makeover
After last month's shark poster incident, we know that Jessica Alba is a serious eco-activist (an outlaw even). In an interview with Vogue, she shared some of the ways she's gone green at home. My favorite: Her lawn is made of recycled tires -- no watering or mowing.

Exploit Your Creativity to Protect Our Waterways
Looking for a way to combine your love of nature with your disgust for litter? Every Friday in July, Wend is holding a photo contest to help inspire activism by showcasing outstanding snapshots of exquisite beauty or exquisitely trashed beauty. Details here.

Ant Colony is Taking Over the World
An Argentine species of ants has spread across the planet, viciously attacking all rivals while recognizing each other as if they were all part of one unstoppable, globalized super-colony. Of course, humans unwittingly spread them to every continent except Antarctica.

Dry Farming is Not an Oxymoron
Farmers in drought-ridden California are boldly making the water-wise transition to "dry farming." Sounds like a excellent plan ... for a cactus farm. Right? Well, apparently these farmers have discovered that certain apples, tomatoes and grapes thrive with very little water.

The Future of Highway Taxes
For me, there's just no topic more fascinating than how we will pay taxes in the future. I'm kidding. Still, when everyone is driving solar powered cars, the gasoline tax will be a woefully inadequate way to fund highways. The alternative: A GPS monitored mileage tax.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 7/1

Wanna know all about the real Dr. Temperance Brennan? Need some green moving tips? Which energy bars taste are a cornucopia of deliciousness and which taste like bear scat? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Emily Deschanel is Green to the Bone
We may know her as Dr. Temperance Brennan on Fox's "Bones," but those who know her best, know her as an environmentalist, animal activist, and green fashionista. Like most of us, she wants solar panels on her roof and a Tesla in the garage. Check out the interview.

Moving Tips: What's the Greenest Way to Pack?
Packing up all of your belongings -- only to load them onto a truck for a couple hours and then unload them -- sucks, to say the least. Still, what's the greenest way to move your junk: boxes, plastic containers ... rented plastic crates? Check out Grist's eco-moving tips.

The Energy Bar Taste Test
An energy bar (or two) can replace a meal when you're out on the trail, but some of them are severely lacking in the flavor department. The taste of some bars has been compared with "bear scat" and "kitty litter." Compare the Sierra Club's ratings with your personal faves.

Would You Wear Solar Clothing?
As we've seen with the solar tie, solar bra, and now the ugly solar (fishing?) vest, clothing that features PV panels can catch a few geeky headlines and charge a few cellphones, but overall they seem way too geeky for mass adoption. I'm still confused by the solar bra.

LaGuardia Birds Attack Again!
Even after NYC's controversial move to gas thousands of the Canadian geese around LaGuardia, birds are still terrorizing passenger jets! Maybe they're taking revenge for their fallen comrades, maybe they're protesting high carbon travel. We don't know their demands yet.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/30

Why did Fiat let a panda get behind the wheel? Is your neighborhood increasing your risk of developing cancer? Are the uneducated, miscreants you call friends still drinking wine out of the bottle? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Use Endangered Animals As Crash Test Dummies?
The latest ads for Fiat's gas-sipping hatchback features pandas, walruses, and penguins testing the vehicle's crash worthiness. The message: the 500 is safe and has a low environmental "impact." Don't freak animal lovers, I'm pretty sure it was Photoshopped.

My Morning Jacket Donates to Animal Sanctuary
Jim James, front man of My Morning Jacket, is releasing a George Harrison tribute album and all the proceeds will go to the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. The timing seems a little unfortunate though. Most of my money's tied up in Michael Jackson tribute memorabilia.

These Polluted Cities Up Your Cancer Risk
Is the city you live in increasing your risk of developing cancer? According to the EPA, about 600 neighborhoods in the US have a cancer risk that exceeds 100 in one million. That means 100 people that live there over a lifetime will develop cancer from pollution alone.

Oh Crap, it's the Dog Flu!
Could your dog be incubating a deadly superbug in order kill you and take your spot on the couch? According to experts, the H3N8 canine flu has infected some 10,000-30,000 dogs in the US, but has yet to infect a human. Paranoid? There is a vaccine available for dogs.

Is Boxed Wine Really Greener?
If you're going to endure the disrespect from you wine snob friends, you might as well make sure that your boxed wine has a lower eco-footprint than their beloved bottles (so you can be an eco-snob and judge them too). Pablo from Treehugger says feel righteous box drinkers.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/29

Why wasn't Michael Jackson's eco-friendly super single released in the US? What's the greenest way to move your family long distance? Will Madonna be an urban chicken farmer? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Michael Jackson's Green Chart Topper
Did you know that MJ's #1 best-selling hit in the UK -- topping both "Thriller" and "Beat It" -- was an eco-jam about environmental degradation entitled "Earth Song?" OK, it's no "PYT" or anything, but still it was huge overseas. Watch the video.

Maximize Your Garden Space
Looking for a way to grow a respectable garden, but you've only got a balcony or studio apartment to work with? Go vertical. With the right plant selection and shelving, it is possible. Indoors or out, vertical gardens help filter your air and they look awesome!

Green Tips for Moving Cross Country
Is it better to rent a gas-hogging moving truck, or buy a plane ticket and just sell all of your furniture and replace it all with used/vintage gems when you get there? There may be options you haven't thought about, like Amtrak or moving pods, or, my favorite: hire a pedicab.

Madonna: Urban Chicken Revolutionary?
Rumor has it that Madonna misses her British country estate so much, that she wants to bring some chickens along to her new pad on the Upper East Side. Ya know, to make it feel more like home. Is Madge a local food enthusiast? Or are these simply pets?

Stella McCartney on Meat-Free Mondays
Don't worry. Stella reassures us that giving up meat for one day a week "doesn't make you a cranky, hemp wearing pot smoker ... If everyone gave it up on a Monday it would be more effective than everyone stopping driving their car on a Monday."
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/26

What will become of MJ's tiger children? What's Ray Romano's earth shattering eco advice? Who's greener: The city mouse or the suburban mouse? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Michael Jackson's Orphaned Tigers
Shocking the world of pop culture to its very foundations, Michael Jackson died yesterday at age 50. His tigers -- Thriller and Sabu -- have gone with Tippi Hedren to join the pride at The Roar Foundation's Shambala Preserve, north of LA.

Ray Romano and Queen Latifah are Green Tipsters
Ray Romano and Queen Latifah took time out of promoting their flick "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs 3D" to give MNN some of the cheesiest celebrity green tips I've ever heard. Sell your recyclables? Buy a giant thermos? Seriously? Check out the video.

The Search for a Greener Cold One
The craft beer movement has exploded recently. That's awesome because, by definition, craft breweries market locally, support local agriculture, and many have embraced a sustainable business model. So, drink up guilt-free (then sell the bottles, right Queen Latifah?).

Sears Tower Gets Eco Makeover
Wind turbines, solar panels, LEED certification. .. the Sears Tower is pulling out all the stops in an effort to make it the tallest and greenest building in the Western Hemisphere. The renovations will save the energy equivalent of 150,000 barrels of oil per year.

City Commuters Emit 70% Less than Suburanites
I know this might come as a shock, but driving an SUV five miles every time you need a carton of milk produces more emissions than walking two blocks. Still, 70% fewer emissions is a pretty enormous gap. Moving to the city is one of the easiest way to shrink your footprint.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/25

Should you go green to score more celebrity dates? Are nudists the most eco-conscious travelers around? What's worse: mosquito bites or mosquito repellent? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


If You're Not Green, Celebs Won't Date You
Eco-friendly habits are the new personal hygiene. OK, so maybe hygiene is still pretty high on some people's lists, but TV personalities like Spencer Grammer (Kelsey's daughter) won't even date you if you're not water conscious. Just FYI.

Traveling Nudists Pack Light
Worried about your carbon-intensive vacation plans? To offset some of your impact, some nudists naturists would say 'leave the clothes behind.' Apparently, there's a whole culture of green naturists that preach the virtues of skipping laundromats and detergent altogether.

Composting: It's the Law
SF Mayor Gavin Newsom signed the nation's first mandatory composting law yesterday. The city has set a goal to divert 75% of its landfill waste, and they're currently at 72%. I'm forecasting some stinky green compost bins baking in the heat this summer.

Should I DEET or Get Eaten?
When it comes to mosquito repellents, DEET is pretty much hands-down the most effective chemical -- but there are some pretty serious concerns about its safety. DEET can cause fatigue, memory loss, etc., but of course malaria sucks too. There's got to be a happy medium.

Reducing Your Dishwashing Footprint
Has anybody tried these Seventh Generation dishwasher pacs? From what I can tell, just pop these tablets in your dishwasher's soap compartment and whammy -- clean dishes. The box is recyclable, the only waste is the baggies where the tablets live.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/24

Why is Daryl Hannah wearing handcuffs? Is Michelle Obama turning the White House into a hippie commune? Should cash-strapped cities be hiring ad firms to promote their tap water? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Daryl Hannah Gets Locked Up
Eco-warrior Daryl Hannah can't seem to steer clear of Johnny Law. She and about 30 other protesters got loaded into the paddy wagon after blocking West Virginia's State Route 3, which leads to a Massey coal plant. Rock on! Daryl's a repeat offender!

The White House has a Compost Bin
Actually, make that three compost bins. After importing her compost from celebrity chef Dan Barber for this year's ridiculously successful planting season, the First Lady is taking her organic gardening up a notch with on-site kitchen waste composters.

Minneapolis Pays Big Bucks to Promote Tap Water
In most US cities the tap water is not only safe, but it's just as pure as many bottled waters. The trick is getting a bottle-addicted populous to give it a chance. Minneapolis recently launched a controversial $180K campaign to encourage people to tap into city water.

Is it Ever Green to Eat Factory Farmed Meat?
If you're at a dinner party and you notice that someone's going to throw out some perfectly good, factory farmed meat, is it greener to take it home and make meatloaf despite your anti-factory farm principles? Check out Grist's answer to this philosophical dilemma.

The Country by Country Water Footprint Breakdown
I don't know why, but I just love maps, no matter what they're attempting to document. It could be radioactive monster sightings, I don't care. This one happens to be the various water footprints of the world -- an issue that's gaining more awareness these days.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/23

Have Fatboy Slim and Jarvis Cocker joined the Blue Man Group? Looking for ways to look smart and save your office some money? Need an excuse to procrastinate mowing the yard? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Fatboy Slim Has the Climate Change Blues
Blue is the new green for Oxfam protesters at Copenhagen's climate conference. To help roll out the new "Demand action until you're blue in the face" campaign, Fat Boy Slim and others are showing how easy it is to get the new paintjob on video.

Reduce Your Office's Footprint
Energy Star and Danny Seo have developed a website to show you how to slash your office's energy bill and even create a "Green Team" of coworkers (not modeled after Will Ferrell's trash-talking Green Team). A penny saved is a penny earned, and that's job security, people.

But I like Coffee and Bananas!
If you tend to obsess over your carbon foodprint, you've probably come across a startling revelation: most of our favorite food vices come from the tropics! Though there's no silver bullet, Grist has come up with some ways to help combat those food miles.

More Mowing, Mo' Watering
Of all the suburban lawn farmers I've met, virtually none of them enjoy mowing the grass in the summer heat. Good news! Letting your grass grow a little longer will actually save you some water. Longer grass = more shade = recipe for laziness.

Coke's Trashy Art Installation
In support of UK Recycle Week, Coca Cola commissioned a sculpture that sorta kinda blurs the line between art and trash. Artists built a Coke can sculpture that delivers a pro-recycling message to birds and UFOs flying over the English coastline, but looks trashy from the ground.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/22

Is Andy Dick auditioning to be the next face of the McDonald's empire? Are we on the brink of a dot-eco revolution? Have you ever wanted to bathe in your favorite pilsner? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Andy Dick as Evil Ronald McDonald
There are few things in this world more disturbing than seeing Andy Dick dressed up as Ronald McDonald and wielding a meat cleaver ... but that's the horrendous sight that greeted passersby during a PETA protest in Chicago. Check out the video.

Is Sparkling Water as Bad as Bottled?
The general rule of thumb here is this: if it comes to you in a disposable container and rides on a truck, it's not eco-friendly. That said, slamming sparkling waters all day in place of Coke or Red Bull has to yield some kind of green benefit due to the health factor.

Succulent Tips for the Xeriscaper
These hardy little plants have developed quite a following over the last few years, mostly because they look awesome, but also because, in terms of maintenance, they're second only to fake plastic flowers. Still, do you know how to ignore these plants properly?

The Dot-Eco Revolution
Could GreenDaily one day drop the ".com" in favor of a spiffy new ".eco" domain name? A growing number of eco-geeks (including the inventor of the internet, Al Gore) are backing the idea of giving environmentally-oriented sites their own top-level domain.

All Natural Beer Soap
Want to smell like you've bathed in a pool of your favorite beer without exceeding the legal limit? The Beer Soap Co. not only makes cleansing suds enhanced with your favorite premium beer, but you can even wash your hair with it. It's the bar of soaps (sorry for the pun).
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/19

Are green babies the next big Hollywood trend? Why is Stephen Colbert talking about huffing smokestacks? Need some tips on how to green your dish washing routine? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Pregnant Ana Ortiz Plans Low Emissions Baby
Ugly Betty star Ana Ortiz is planning to school her daughter the ways of a low-impact lifestyle. Says Ortiz: "My daughter's just going to be really hip! My goal is to be as eco-conscious as possible. There's so much out there for parents who want to do that."

Stephen Colbert Grills Clean Coal Guru
Sure, "clean coal" sounds great, but as Stephen points out, cleanliness is relative. For instance, you can't put your head in a smokestack and huff the clean coal vapors safely. I think that's just good, practical advice for anyone to follow.

You Might Get Pulled Over by One of These
If you live in LA County, you may soon see your local Sheriff's deputy cruising around in an all-electric Mini. I'm not sure how the Mini's compact style complements crew cuts or aviator sunglasses, but it doesn't exactly play into the intimidating, tough guy image.

Keeping Your Dishes Green and Spot Free
So you got a fabulous new high-efficiency dishwasher, but it requires some kind of weird "rinse aid" potion. Grist has some tips that can help your family skip the mysterious dish-drying chemicals while keeping you glassware deliciously spot free.

The Bicycle Lifestyle Guide
So you wanna start riding your bike on short trips, but you need a little pep talk? The Bicycle Lifestyle Guide is a short and sweet biking bible that will help you learn (and review) some biking basics. You can even save paper and read it online.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/18

Why is Al Gore backing a non-hybrid car company? Are Michelle Obama's organic veggies dangerous? Need an eco-friendly way to de-stink your bathroom? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Al Gore: Auto Industry Tycoon?
Doesn't it seem like a weird time to get into the car business? Al Gore doesn't think so. He's thrown his support behind V-Vehicle Co., a new car company moving into an ex-GM plant in Louisiana. Venture capitalists Kleiner Perkins and T. Boone Pickens are also on board.

The 5 Greenest Cities on the Planet (to Visit)
Based on what criteria, I'm not quite sure (hotels? transportation?) , but Treehugger has put together a list of the "5 Greenest Cities to Visit." Some are also the greenest to live in ... I'm not sure I understand the difference, but I do want to visit all of these places.

It's Harvest Time for Michelle Obama
Remember the organic garden that the First Lady planted in late March? Yesterday, she invited the fifth grade farmers who helped do the planting back to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor -- despite Big Ag warnings that she should have used pesticides.

CYA With Poo-Pourri
Tired of nasty chemical aerosol fresheners? Now there's a environmentally friendly way to deodorize your bathroom with a self-deprecating sense of humor: Poo~Pourri. It's made from essential oils and you spray it directly on the bowl before you go.

Are Pro Sports Killing the Planet?
Sure, the turf may be green, and sometimes, so are the jerseys ... but for the most part, pro sports organizations are lagging in their efforts to promote a sustainable business model. Grist is launching a sport by sport, in-depth look at what each league can do.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/17

Why are Naomi Watts and Liev Shreiber digging in the dirt? What's greener: Drip irrigation or xeriscaping? Does your legume habit amount to a hill of beans, ecologically speaking? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Naomi Watts Plants a Tree
Teaching their sons about environmental responsibility and the joys of playing in the dirt, Naomi and husband Liev Schreiber took their sons to Galilee's Jewish National Fund Park to do some family tree planting. Sounds like fun, I hope they offset their travel footprint.

The Water Saver's Shower Ritual
Rethinking your shower routine is an easy way to save H2O and, of course, shrink your utility bill. Sure, you've heard most of these ideas before, but it's way more fun to watch every water saving shower tip you've ever heard crammed into a one and a half minute video.

The Drip Irrigation Vs. Xeriscaping Breakdown
Looking to make some water saving changes in the yard before sprinkler season? You've probably considered going with either drought-resistant vegetation, or a more conservative watering system. Now, how do they stack up in a head-to-head water conservation deathmatch?

Father's Day Procrastinator's Special
So, you still haven't done your shopping for dear old dad and you'res starting to feel the shame ... Is he a tree hugger? An outdoorsy type? You may be in luck. You could sponsor a wilderness area, print out the official certificate, and you're done.

One for the Bean Counters
Beans, beans, they're good for your heart, they're a musical fruit, and they're a great way to supplement your protein intake on meat-free Mondays. But, do you know which beans have the lightest energy footprint: canned or dried? If your a bean fiend, you've gotta check this out.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/16

How in the world did Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono end up on the same team? Is it possible to combine two of my favorite things; being lazy and saving the planet? Are you following proper food waste disposal procedures? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono Join Forces?
In one of the clearest signs that Armageddon is now upon us, Paul and Yoko actually teamed up yesterday to promote "meat-free Mondays." The famously antagonistic icons want Britons to go meatless one day a week to curb greenhouse emissions.

The Lazy Environmentalist Makes TV Debut Tonight
Feeling totally lethargic, but you want to save the world anyway? You can plant your butt on the couch and watch Josh Dorfman explain all about the virtues of lazy environmentalism tonight during his show "The Lazy Environmentalist" on the Sundance Channel.

Leo's New Digs
Leonardo Dicaprio sold his hilltop Malibu estate in favor of a leaner, greener condo in Battery Park. The new place, overlooking the Hudson River, exceeds Gold LEED standards with solar panels, local stone, and all kinds of eco-improvements.

You Do What with Your Food Waste?
When it comes to food waste, most of us are presented with two general options -- wash it down the drain, or compost it. What happens when you throw a septic tank into the mix? Isn't using the in-sink-erator pretty much like composting?

Arnold Falls in Love with the Peapod
California governor and reformed Hummer addict Arnold Schwarzenegger test drove Chrysler's cute little NEV (neighborhood electric vehicle) -- which has a hair-raising top speed of 35mph -- and reportedly "fell in love with it." Check out the video.
Green in a Flash:

Eco-Beat, 6/15

Does Mariah Carey really need all that luggage? Why is Matt Damon walking two miles to haul water out of a well? Who do you trust when it comes to green computing? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips


Mariah Carey's Luggage Footprint
The world's reigning "least green celebrity" is back in the news with her extravagantly ecoblivious ways. Her luggage, all 23 pieces, was snapped by the baggage paparazzi at London's Heathrow Airport. Does Mariah's luggage have a bigger footprint than your whole family?

Matt Damon's Clean Water Campaign
The Bourne actor is on a mission to boost sanitation and access to clean water in places like Zambia. That's why he's backing the Water for the World Act 2009. Says Damon, "I walked two miles with a 14-year-old girl to a well-the closest water source to her village."

A Whole Lotta Yacht
Russian "oligarch" Roman Abramovich just launched the world's largest and most wasteful personal yacht. This thing has two heli pads, a pool (billionaires hate saltwater), and a missle defense system. It costs $120K to gas up his second largest boat. Sheesh.

Who Makes the Greenest PCs?
The three major US computer makers (Dell, Apple, and HP) are locked into what's being called "a green arms race," because they all believe that a computer's overall greenness is a crucial tiebreaker when it comes to decision time. Hooray for consumer empowerment!

In the Trenches at Bonnaroo
Organizers of this year's outdoor mega hippie-fest put forth a serious effort to minimize the concert's impact on the environment. So, how did their green efforts look like on the muddy, beer-soaked ground? As you might expect, there were some hits and misses.
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