Green Daily

How did Oprah accidentally started a bidding war for a Brazilian staple food? Looking for ways to promote a bike to work policy? Who will prevail in the super bowl of the hybrids: Insight vs. Prius? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.

Raiders of the Amazon? As we saw with the KFC debacle, when Oprah promotes food, hordes of hungry Americans respond. Since educating her followers on a little-know superfood called the acai berry -- rich in antioxidants but a staple food for Brazil's poor -- the wholesale price has skyrocketed.

How to Create a Bike Friendly Office Not that it isn't intuitive, but if you're thinking about encouraging employees to ride to work, maybe this awesome how-to guide will inspire you to adopt a bike-friendly plan of action.

Green Fashion Merger Luxury conglomerate LVMH just bought an almost 50% stake in Bono and wife Ali Hewson's sustainable clothing brand Edun. Does that mean the brand will water down its green mission? If you already can't afford their clothes, does it really matter?

The Prius Strikes Back Unconfirmed reports are going around that Toyota has taken 75,000 preorders for the updated 2010 model, set to go on sale in Japan on Monday. If true, that would pretty much blow away the Insight's pretty impressive sales figures.

Americans Are the Least Green Consumers Yeah, Americans were once again ranked as the least green consumers based on a number of factors like public transportation and eating local foods. Second to last place: Canada. The good news: At least we're getting better.

Green in a Flash:

• London's iconic double-decker buses are going hybrid!
• The EPA has released a summer guide to saving energy at home.
• US House may require 15% of energy to come from renewables by 2025.

(Photo by Getty Images)

The days are getting longer and school is almost out. That means it's time to make summer vacation plans!

After a few seasons of "staycations," many people are craving a break from their everyday life -- we want a little adventure! By the same token, the economy is still shaky, and the spirit of giving back is still a strong influence on all of our decisions.

How does a conservation-minded person reconcile all of these feelings and motivations?

One answer is to take advantage of the World Wildlife Fund vacation packages that promote conservation while taking travelers to remote sites in a sustainably-managed way. The programs offered include:

• a trip to the Arctic to see polar bears, who might be gone soon and need all the support they can get
• a voyage to Kenya's Masai Mara Reserve to help improve the water and ensure conservation of natural resources
• visit remote islands in New Zealand and help prevent the bycatch of dolphins
• a family vacation to Belize to help conserve the Mesoamerican reef, which you even get to visit on a snorkel excursion!

The International Eco-Tourism Society offers even more choices of location, beneficiary and location, as well as tips and educational tools. The site even has a brand new eco-tourism job board, in case the thought of going home fills you with dread.

If your budget is still a bit tight for international any travel, there's always a day at your local zoo. It may not be as exotic as Kenya or Belize, but it can still be educational, entertaining, and in a way you're supporting conservation efforts. And if you're very clever about how you take pictures, you might even be able to convince the gang back at the office that you were in a truly wild place!

Are you craving a Vegan alternative to McDonald's? Do Lay's potato chips fit your definition of buying local, even if the chip factory is just down the street? Are you part of the 24 percent of Americans who understand cap and trade? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all of the latest green news and tips.

Heather Mills' Cafe Gets a Name Considering the possibility for worldwide expansion, Mills has settled on the name "V-Bites" for her seaside cafe. The 100% vegan cafe in southern England is only the beginning. Mills envisions a V-Bites franchise across the street from McDonald's. Really.

Locavores Eating Lay's? Everybody's trying to be more conscious of where their food comes from these days. Seizing on that, Lay's is highlighting the fact that it's addictive potato chips are grow and produced in the gool ol' US of A. Does a bag of Lay's really qualify as local produce?

Farmers Get Paid to Go Organic The Obama administration and USDA have set aside $50 million for farmers who want to make the switch to growing organic crops. For farmers: This money won't last long, and the deadline to apply is May 29th. $50M just isn't what it used to be.

We're Over Gadgeting the Energy Supply Gadgets are the bomb dot com, we all know this ... but watchdogs are worried about what happens in 2030, when everyone on the planet has a iPod and a Blackberry. Apparently, we're going to need about 200 new nuclear plants to power it all. Gulp.

Cap and Trade: A Four Minute Lesson This week, we heard that 76% of American's don't know what in the heck this 'cap and trade' thingy is all about. Well, if you want a refresher, this geeky but helpful video can help you understand all the basics in only a few hand gesture-filled minutes.

Green in a Flash:

• Finally, a zero-emissions riding lawnmower!
• World's largest thermal solar plant planned for Arizona desert.
• Looks like the Obama administration is getting ready to pull the plug on hydrogen cars.

(Photo by Getty Images)

I know you're busy, and I don't want to add to anyone's daily burden of stuff to do, but if you're a pet owner, it's important to ask: Have you considered your pet's Carbon Paw Print?

Yes, I'm serious, but no, it doesn't have to be a difficult, expensive, or painful process to make your pet as green as you are! In fact, it might even make your life better.

No Need to Breed
There are a few simple things you can do from the start: always adopt, and remember to spay or neuter your pet. With so many more animals than homes, these two steps are the most sustainable and responsible things a pet owner can do.

Take to Your Kitchen
The next most practical and simple thing you can do is make your own pet food. There are some great dog food recipes here, and cat food recipes here. You may balk at the hassle-factor, but you must admit it makes sense. Just like with human food, you avoid unnecessary processing, you know exactly what's in it, and you can buy ingredients in bulk to save money in the long run.

Green the Poop
And then there is the poop factor.

For dogs, you need to deal with picking it up. A plastic bag takes forever to decompose. A plastic bag full of poop takes forever to compose, and smells that much worse. Use a biodegradeable or compostable bag, like the Mutt Mitt or the BioBags made from corn. Or you can use some of that cool TerraCycle All Natural Stool Destroyer!

I also learned lately that traditional clay cat litter is terrible on every level, so a green cat lover looks at alternatives there, too. You can use newspaper, or you can cut to the chase and get The World's Best Cat Litter, made of corn.

When a Toy Isn't a Game
The final thing to think about? Toys. Chew toys, chasing toys, that feather on the end of a string that drives Mr. Whiskers out of his mind. Before you buy, consider how and where they are made. Would you personally chew on a squeekie toy made in China? If not, maybe you should be buying your sweet puppy a nice hemp rope toy instead.

Of course, I firmly believe that Catnip is the greenest cat toy solution, and btw should be legalized asap. Hey man, it's a plant. It's natural. And I'm pretty sure Woody Harrelson's cat totally agrees with me.

Do you have a genius green pet owner tip? Drop it in the comments -- this is an equal opportunity poop problem solving community!

Do you know Tom Hanks' track record when it comes to electric cars? Which celebrity has been crowned the most anti-green for 2009? Need help choosing a healthier way to combat your bodily stink? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all of the latest green news and tips.

Tom Hanks Loves His Green Machine Here's some Tom Hanks trivia for super-fans: did he or didn't he ever own one of GM's all-electric EV1s before they were so cruelly destroyed? For the answer you'll have to check out his letter to The New Yorker.

Rewarding Anti-Greenness There are still 7.5ish months left in 2009, but for some reason, Treehugger has released its hilarious 2009 Anti-Green Awards. Seriously guys, a lot can change in 7.5 months. They must be going by the Mayan calendar.

The Pitfalls of Deodorant Sure, pit stains are embarrassing, but with some antiperspirants, the solution may be worse than the problem. Grist has put together a video that helps you stay stink-free while protecting you pits from nasty little chemical additives.

UK Tests GPS Speed Limiters for Your Car Transport for London is now testing a device that uses GPS tracking to automatically override lead feet and reduce emissions. The technology is not mandatory, but officials hope drivers will opt in. Yeah, right.

Will The EPA Crack Down on Marathon Runners? Marathons do have a tendency to trap unsuspecting drivers in carbon spewing traffic jams on Saturday mornings, but that's not what has congress worried. Rep. Joe Barton fears the EPA may want to regulate large hordes of runners as a source of CO2 pollution.

Green in a Flash:

• Joaquin Phoenix's sister has opened a green store in Florida.
• Warren Buffet is showing off new green pre-fab homes.
• What's it gonna take to make subsidy-free solar competitive cheaper forms of energy?

You're a conscientious shopper, and you pay attention to the green and ethical practices behind the businesses that get your money -- good for you! Now, apparently, you should be getting your booty over to Kohl's, which just came in as the number one purchaser of green power among retailers, and third overall.

EPA Green Power Partners that have completed voluntary green power purchases were ranked. Green power is defined by the EPA as "electricity generated from environmentally preferable resources like wind and solar."

Kohl's more than doubled their green power purchase for 2009, but still came in behind Intel Corporation, which came in at first place for the second year in a row, and PepsiCo. The full list includes a few names that just might surprise you, such as Wal-Mart stores and several states and cities.

There are plenty of other businesses making the list, and all together, EPA Green Power Partners are buying over 16 billion kWh of green power each year.

(Photo by Thames & Hudson)

For many of us, climate change means water shortage. Regions all over the world are experiencing drought, with corresponding restrictions on when and how you can use water. Gardeners feel these restrictions in a particularly sharp way. After all, the traditional, lush garden requires copious and regular irrigation, a practice that is becoming increasingly difficult -- even impossible -- to maintain.

The Dry Gardening Handbook - Plants and Practices for a Changing Climate is a new book by Oliver Filippi that offers an alternative perspective on the role of water in a planned garden. It provides options and techniques for a "dry garden" that leverages the natural traits of plants that thrive in "mediterrean" environments, like those found in Chile, California, South Africa, Australia and the Mediterrean region.

Although it's a relatively technical book -- there's lots of talk about dormancy and root development -- there are also hundreds of beautiful photos by the author who, with his wife, has dedicated 20 years to the study and cultivation of plants that thrive in dry conditions. You will gain a whole new appreciation for what defines a "beautiful garden."

The thing that makes this book a must have for gardeners who live in dry (or drying) climates is the A-Z index of plants that thrive without much water. The detailed entries -- over 400 of them, with illustrations -- make this intriguing book a valuable handbook and resource.

Even if you're a novice gardener, or don't have any green fingers at all, it's an educational read, as well as a fun one that communicates the Filippis' love of plants, and passion for this approach. Plus it's refreshing to read something that treats climate change as a condition we can react to, deal with and even learn from!

Which Hollywood starlet thinks that living green is super sexy? Would you share your condo with farm animals? Do you know how to lock your bike (it's harder than you think)? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all of the latest green news and tips.

Rachel McAdams is Eco-Sexy Actress Rachel McAdams is part of a trifecta of green ladies behind a new website called Green Is Sexy. While I love it when celebrities use their star power for a good cause, McAdams isn't exploiting her celebrity -- it's more of an organic team effort.

Farms Go Vertical? Sure, condo high-rises are all the rage right now, but agricultural high-rises? Really? So, my apartment window could look out over an indoor goat pasture? That's taking the mixed-use concept to a whole new level.

Bike Lock University In honor of Bike Week, StreetFilms has got a video to help you protect your favorite two-wheeled asset. Urban cycling guru Hal Ruzal describes common pitfalls and assigns grades to locking jobs on the streets of New York. He's a pretty tough grader.

Japan Is Insightful Get this: After a little over two months of sales, the new Honda Insight has become the best-selling car in Japan. Not just the best-selling hybrid, mind you, the best selling car. How awesome is that?

The Upcycled Buoy Chair The Buoy Chair (stool) is the brainchild of Pratt design student Evan Dewhirst. It consists of a buoy, an aluminum body, and a sustainable cork seat. Aside from the awesome ergonomic design, no glues or epoxies hold the stool together, only an internal harness.

Green in a Flash:

• Canada passes an E5 ethanol mandate.
• San Francisco wins the gold medal in recycling with a rate of 72%.
• A poll says that 76% of Americans have no idea what cap and trade is.

(Photo by 7th Generation)

I wish I could say that I'm clueless about why The Recycled Toilet Paper Debate keeps coming up, but let's face it -- we've had the "Eco-sandpaper Experience." Butts are tender and recycled paper can be rough!

Compounding the difficulty of finding a recycled TP solution is the challenge of finding a brand that meets the whole family's demands for softness, absorbency and cost, while being made with an environmentally-correct amount of post-consumer waste.

So why bother? There are plenty of compelling reasons for using recycled bathroom tissue. As the Natural Resources Defense Council says:

"If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber toilet paper (500 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 423,900 trees."

Just to do the math for you, when we cut down trees, we end up with more CO2 in the air, which equals climate change and melting polar caps and general mayhem. We need all the trees we can get.

At last it seems like technology is catching up with need. Recycled product choices have multiplied, and there are many recycled offerings that are both quilted and soft. Of course, the proof is in the wiping, so if you want to do your own comparison, take a look at:

• Seventh Generation -- 100% recycled, 80% post-consumer, quilted and surprisingly soft
• Trader Joe's -- 100% recycled, 80% post-consumer, and love that jumbo pack!
• Marcal Small Steps -- 100% recycled, minimum 60% post-consumer, 50 years of experience making recycled paper
• Scott Naturals -- 40% virgin fiber isn't great, but is better than 100% virgin fiber and you gotta start somewhere!
  

Got a bathroom favorite not on the list? Share in the comments!

Want some help in picking out the perfect eco-wine to go with your organic hummus? Why is Jessica Alba auctioning off her used baby gear? Looking for ways to keep your Bonnaroo experience in harmony with the planet? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all of the latest green news and tips.

Good News for Green Winos If you're like me, you've learned from experience that the wine aisle is not the best place to research green wines. Thankfully, the Sierra Club has teamed up with expert winos to select the 40 tastiest eco-friendly wines on the planet.

Celebrities Support Clean Water Auction Wanna score some movie star schwag while also helping provide sustainable, clean water for those who don't have access? One of the items is Jessica Alba's hand-me-down diaper bag "filled with baby goodies." That just doesn't sound right.

A Cleaner Greener Bonnaroo? OK, it's debatable whether the word clean could possibly apply to a four-day outdoor festival, but Bonnaroo organizers have set out to top their prior award-winning efforts. Check out this year's plan for optimum greenness.

The 48 Ton Photo-Op If you live in Manhattan, you might remember that horrifying Air Force One flyover from a few weeks ago. Yeah, well not only did it unnecessarily create a huge panic, but it was also a perfectly good waste of 48 tons of CO2.

Plastic Bags Are Arts and Crafts Fodder Can the ubiquitous plastic bag be the next hot homemade fashion item on the West Bank? Apparently, with just an iron and a handful of colorful plastic bags, Palestinian craft gurus are turning plastic bags into gardening gloves, purses, picture frames, etc.

Green in a Flash:

• San Francisco OKs a giant solar farm.
• Bust out the spandex, because this week is Bike to Work Week!
• Kansas approves a coal power plant as part of a "renewable energy bill," hmm.
  

The big environmental news over the weekend was an announcement that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar would not overturn an 11th hour Bush rule that limits Endangered Species Act protection for polar bears.

Environmentalists, activists and scientists have been lobbying to get the rule reversed since it went into effect in December. And it was a shock to most Democrats that Salazar didn't use his special authority to undo the Bush damage.

Salazar's explanation was that the Endangered Species Act is the wrong way to pursue corporate green house gas emitters, and he left open the possibility that he would enact other laws to strengthen environmental protection for polar bears and other animals whose habitat is threatened by climate change.

This actually sound sort of logical to me, and hints that the Obama administration might even have some other, bigger environmental changes in the works. But it was not good enough at all for environmental activists like Greenpeace. They're foaming at the mouth!

As soon as they heard the news, Greenpeace did a "direct communication" action outside of Salazar's office: Two activists ("solemnly") walked into the pond in front of the Department of the Interior building and dropped off a symbolic drowned polar bear.

Yeah, they sacrificed a big, white stuffed animal in a corporate water feature. How very PETA of them.

Actually, let me take that back. If PETA had been running that protest, the activists would have been topless, pregnant women, wearing polar bear masks. With duct tape over the mouths. In cages.

Maybe next time!

Looking for ways to make this Mother's Day a little easier on mother earth? Was Oprah tricked into starting a war with PETA? Ever thought about adopting ... an orangutan? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all of the latest green news and tips.

How to Have a Green Mother's Day So, Mother's Day is coming up and you're looking for ways to impress your totally eco-conscious mom. Here are some simple buzzwords to keep in mind as you shop: local, reusable, organic, and delicious. Oh yeah, and chocolate.

PETA Thinks Oprah Was Duped Was Oprah somehow deceived by KFC into giving away ridiculous quantities of factory farm grilled chicken? That's a pretty huge oversight for her and her insanely savvy marketing team. Sorry, I have to give Oprah a little more credit than that.

Be an Orangutan's Surrogate for Mother's Day The M.O.M. (Missing Orangutan Mothers) campaign is working to make sure that orangutan babies who've been orphaned thanks to the palm oil industry find a home at the Nyaru Menteng preserve. Here's a list of participating zoos.

Andy Kindler Looks for the Humor in Climate Change The Late Show's Andy Kindler also proved that climate scientists have a lot to learn when it comes to laughing at themselves. That's fine, because I did all the laughing for them and at them. See, climate change is fun and easy! Check out the video.

Wear Your Solar Panels With Pride Suntrica's wearable solar badge is the latest thing in green fashion. OK, fashion might not be the best word to describe it. Geekwear? Anyway, strapping one of these flexible panels to your body or backpack is a cinch. I'd wear one.

Green in a Flash:

• Plankton may not be able to save the planet after all. Doh!
  
• Can automakers re-brand hybrids to appeal to Republicans?
• The world's wind power capacity went up 29% in 2008, the US edging out Germany for largest producer.

(Photo by Richard Termine)

As Josh mentioned earlier this week, First Lady Michelle Obama has finally made the big time: she did a PSA for Sesame Street! She and Elmo star in the spot, which promotes the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise.

We know that Michelle is big into gardening, which helps you get both, so in her honor here are some tips for starting your own garden in your backyard.

Step One -- Pick Your Spot
Plants needs sun, space, water and dirt. You'll also want a spot that is safe from rabbits, deer, and light-fingered neighbors who crave fresh strawberries or zucchini.

Step Two -- Make a Plan
The experts at BackyardGardener are very clear about this: for a successful garden you need to figure out what you're going to do before you do it, and then you need to stick to your plan. This includes drawing a scale plan of your garden, deciding what you want to grow, and planning for different growing season so that your garden yields as many carrots, tomatoes and beans as possible.

Step Three -- Figure Out Your Soil
Knowing your soil will tell you which plants will do best in your garden, and what fertilizers you need to balance out any acidity or alkalinity, or to compensate for a lack of nutrients. There are ways to test at home, or you can send a sample to a lab and have it done for you.

Step Four -- Get Some Tools
I have to admit, this is my favorite part -- shopping! Your individual needs will depend on your preferences -- do you care if your shoes get muddy, or do you want gardening clogs? Is it more fun to get on your hands and knees and dig, or is it better to have a long pole between you and any odd mushrooms?

Whatever your preferences, some of the basics you'll want to pick up at Target or order from Gardeners.com include:

• sun hat
• gloves
• trowel or rake
• bucket
• watering can
• one of those cool kneeling things
• shovel
• bucket

Step Five - Pick Quality Seeds (Or Just Buy Some Plants)
If your seeds are duds, no amount of water, fertilizer or prayers to the Gods of Green Things will makes your garden grow. Purchase seeds from somewhere well-known to you, like your local organic co-op, or go to a big store like Home Depot where the high volume of shoppers means the inventory is probably fresh. There are also many well-known online seed sellers, like Burpee. Just remember, this is no time to pick up a deal at a garage sale down the street!

If the seeds thing is stressful, skip this step and buy seedlings, which are plants that have been started for you.

Step Six - Water and Weed
A lot of gardening is about hanging around, making sure everything is neat and orderly (weeding) and getting enough water. Some folks consider this to be the best part: A reason to spend time outdoors, getting a little (but not too much, that's why you bought a hat) sun and fresh air.

Step Seven -- Harvest and Share!
If you've done everything right, after a reasonable period time your plants should bear fruit -- or vegetables or flowers, depending on what you planted! Imagine your pride when you sit down to a big meal and savor food you grew yourself. And it's always a treat to visit a gardener and leave with a big bag full of produce, so enjoy the chance to be generous, even to those light-fingered neighbors. They'll probably appreciate it the most!

Of course there's a bit more to it than what I've outlined here, but remember that gardening is a fun, easy and rewarding way to spend time with your family, or as a time out from the hustle of everyday life. Check out some of these helpful online resources for more information:

• BackyardGardener
• How to Grow A Garden
• The Helpful Gardner
• Weekend Gardener
• How To Grow a Vegetable Garden by Cynthia Rice
• How to Grow a Low-Maintenance Garden by C. Colston Burrell

Photo caption: First Lady Michelle Obama visited Sesame Street, Tuesday, May 5th, to tape a Public Service Announcement with Elmo as part of Sesame Workshop's Healthy Habits For Life initiative. Mrs. Obama and her pal Elmo talked about eating right, exercising regularly and being a healthy and positive role model for children. (c) 2009 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved.

What's Michelle Obama's greatest thrill since moving to Pennsylvania Avenue? Are you ready to join the humanure revolution? Would you buy a car at Best Buy? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all of the latest green news and tips.

Mrs. O Makes Sesame Street Debut Michelle Obama has had plenty of lofty moments since moving into the White House, but apparently nothing compares to the thrill of appearing with Elmo and Big Bird in a PSA about healthy eating and nutrition. "I'm still thrilled. I'm on a high."

The Humanure Revolution is Coming A growing number of tenacious composting enthusiasts are getting down and dirty with what they claim is the next level of composting: i.e. going sewer-free. With just a bucket filled with wood chips, you too can enjoy recycling your own poo.

Religion Goes Green Mega-church pastor and registered Republican Dr. Joel Hunter is starring in commercials supporting a US climate bill. Faith and military groups are teaming up with directors from Hilary Clinton's campaign to get the word out. Politics sure makes strange bedfellows.

VW Dares to Take the Coffee Filter Challenge Would you drink coffee from a filter that had been stretched over the tailpipe of an idling diesel car? I don't think I'd even want to try coffee made with Prius emissions, but hey, I'm particular when it comes to my coffee. Check out the video.

Your Next EV Might Come from Best Buy Best Buy is set to sell Brammo motorcycles in its West Coast stores "very soon," and then other electric-powered transportation products. While that would be super convenient, I somehow don't feel all that comfortable buying a car at Best Buy just yet.

Green in a Flash:

• Amsterdam converted sewage treatment silos into a climbing gym.
• It takes about 34kg of CO2 to make a book, but who's counting?
• Tennessee Senate will soon vote on whether to put an Al Gore statue on the capitol grounds.

Even though HRH Prince Charles has been an environmental crusader for many years, lately he's been catching a lot of flack for all of the CO2 he emits while crusading against climate change.

(People! He's a prince! Royalty! He's never going to fly economy class from London to Rome. Never! If for no other reason than it's a huge security hazard for the other passengers!)

The Prince's preference for private jets aside, he is a very smart man who has spent years studying -- and crusading for -- ways to conserve the wild places in the world. In advance of the big climate summit in Copenhagen, he is kicking off a new campaign to save rainforests, with help from celebrities like Daniel Craig, the Dalai Lama, Joss Stone, Harrison Ford, and of course, Kermit the Frog.

I say "of course" because Kermit is always sticking his cold green area-that-would-be-a-nose, if he had one, into environmental causes. And also because the star of the campaign is another frog, a surprisingly lifelike animated frog that appears alongside the stars and "ribbits' at humorous moments.

The campaign is part of "The Prince's Rainforest Project" which has two goals:

• to raise awareness of the damaging effects for everyone of deforestation
• to identify appropriate incentives that will encourage rainforest nations to stop burning down vast areas of valuable trees.

My favorite part of this video is when Prince Charles points out that one way to save the rainforests to make the trees as valuable when they are alive and "breathing" as when they are chopped down for timber and to clear farm land. See? The Prince is a smart guy! And surprisingly practical for someone who mostly lives in castles with tons of servants, and who refers to himself in the plural.

Most importantly, he's a guy who is using his position to help save the world. It's almost enough to make me forgive him for the whole Princess Diana thing. In fact, if he can stop climate change, I'm willing to call it even.