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The Copenhagen Climate Conference Simplified

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 27th 2009 @ 12:01PM

Yvo de Boer

Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Credit: TORU YAMANAKA, Getty Images

You've probably seen references to the United Nations Copenhagen Climate Conference that is being held this December in Denmark. The goal of the gathering, which will include (almost literally) every country in the world, is to create a new global protocol to address climate change, and that will succeed the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.

I have to admit that news about this conference had become a sort of "cap/emissions/2 degrees warmer and we're all dead!" white noise to me. Climate change is another one of those topics that can be so overwhelmingly scary and negative that, like most people, after a while I tune it out.

An interview with UN climate chief Yvo de Boer simplified the goals of the conference for me, and made it seem more practical and less dire. It turns out they just have to answer four questions

Continue reading The Copenhagen Climate Conference Simplified




Filed under: News, Climate Change

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Eco-Beat, 8/26

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 26th 2009 @ 3:00PM

Can there be such thing as a sustainable 33-room mansion? Is it worth unplugging all of your appliances when you go on vacation? When was the last time you used a phone book? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Gwyneth Paltrow, credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty ImagesGwyneth Paltrow Plans 33-Room Mega Mansion
With two little ones running around, Gwyn's piddly $2.5M London townhouse is no longer adequate. That's why she bought the adjacent property and is renovating to make one 33-room mega house. You are going to explain how this is green in your newsletter, right Gwyn?

plug face, credit: Jake Mates, FlickrKeeping Your Bills Low While on Vacation
If you're skipping town this summer, you're probably wondering if there are ways to make your home more energy-efficient while your away. Casa Verde has a few simple tips to help you limit your home's energy-usage while you're kicking it on the beach.

phone books piled, credit: Monkeyatlarge, FlickrTime to Give Phone Books the Plastic Bag Treatment?
What's the biggest, thickest book in most US households? It's not an encyclopedia, or the Bible. It's usually a copy of your local Yellow Pages. Recycle it and a new 1800-page monstrosity will magically appear on your doorstep in two months.

college kids tubing, credit: Sheshoo, FlickrMissouri Legislators Ban the Wrong Plastic
In an effort to clean up rivers and discourage drunken river rudeness, legislators banned the following from the state's waterways: Beer bongs, mardi-gras beads, jello shots, and reusable sandwich containers? They meant to outlaw styrofoam coolers. Whoops!

Ellen Degeneres, credit: Kevork Djansezian, Getty ImagesEllen Degeneres Will Chair the Animal Acres Gala
The little ol' sanctuary for rescued farm animals has a pretty impressive guest list. If you'd like to wine, dine, and recline with tons of celebrities, all while helping to buy feed, shelter and veterinary care for these animal friends, ticket are available for the Animal Acres Gala.
Green in a Flash:


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We Can All Work on the 4th R: "Respond"

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 26th 2009 @ 12:09PM


Recycling on the streets of San Francisco. Credit: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Everyone knows the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Of course the truly green also practice the fourth R: "Respond".

I'm going to give all of you GreenDaily readers the benefit of the doubt, and take it as a given that you all Recycle -- the blue bins are ubiquitous in most cities, and if you really want one, you can even find it in rural areas. Heck, in San Francisco, where I live, we're even required to compost.

In these days of economic uncertainty (also known as "we're all broke anyway") Reducing is common because it makes good financial sense. No one needs to prompt me to turn out the lights when I leave a room, PG&E sends me a monthly reminder!

Continue reading We Can All Work on the 4th R: "Respond"




Filed under: Home, Activism

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Madagascar's Politcal Problems Lead to Lemur on the Menu

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 25th 2009 @ 4:40PM


The island nation of Madagascar is a refuge for several species of endangered animals. An amazing 5% of the world's biodiversity can be found on the world's fourth largest island, located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Africa.

International funding and support for conservation programs have helped preserve many of these unique species, including the iconic lemur. But this year the political climate became so volatile that Madagascar was suspended from the African Union, and a great deal of international conservation support was forced to withdraw.

Now that those pesky eco-watchdogs are out of the way, 60 Second Extinction Countdown at Scientific American reports that poachers are having a field day with the natural resources of Madagascar, harvesting timber and -- this really awful -- selling endangered lemurs to restaurants as a luxury food delicacy.

Continue reading Madagascar's Politcal Problems Lead to Lemur on the Menu




Filed under: Food, Activism, Plants and Wildlife

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Eco-Beat, 8/25

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 25th 2009 @ 3:00PM

What truth was so inconvenient that even Al Gore's movie wouldn't cover it? Forget the trace amounts of BPA in your SIGG bottle, what about the weed killer in your tap water? Do you have a killer record collection, or a eco-conscious one? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Moby, credit: Tim Whitby, Getty ImagesWhy Is Al Gore Dodging Livestock Emissions?
Given that animal production results in more of the world's greenhouse emissions than cars, Moby asked Al why he didn't mention this in "An Inconvenient Truth." Says Moby, "He answered honestly... Getting people to give up animal products is almost impossible."

hemp garden, credit: Edward the bonobo, FlickrA House Built Out of Cannabis
It's every stoner's dream, but soon it could be a reality. A company in the UK is bringing its revolutionary, carbon-negative and non-hallucinogenic cement to the US: Hemcrete. The stuff is 7x stronger than conventional concrete and it weighs about half as much.

weed killer, credit: Leo Reynolds, FlickrWeed Killer in Your Water
Speaking of weed, how would you feel if I told you that there's weed killer in your drinking water? Not too comforting, eh? It's called Atrazine, and it's used by farmers, golf courses, and yard of the month hopefuls. Banned in Europe, the EPA says it's OK for Americans.

baby browsing cds, credit: Rude Cactus, FlickrIs Your Music Library Green?
A new life cycle study of six different ways of consuming music confirms what we already know: downloading digital music is much greener than owning any kind of physical copy. OK, it's not exactly earth-shattering, but the results are enlightening none the less.

four generations, credit: Jun's World, FlickrGeneration Y Will Kill Us All
According to a recent study, the most non-conscientious, energy-wasting age group is (drumroll, please) 18-25. However, it's not from lack of concern for environmental issues. It's because they haven't taken the initiative to learn what appliances use the most water and electricity.
Green in a Flash:


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Eco-Beat, 8/24

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 24th 2009 @ 3:00PM

In these tough economic times, do you need some free tickets to Farm Aid? Do you trust Julia Stiles' fashion sense? Is PETA showing signs of weakness? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Willie Nelson, credit: Amanda Edwards, Getty ImagesShow Off Your Farm Fresh Photography
Wanna score front row tickets to watch Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Wilco, Jason Mraz and others at Farm Aid -- for free? The festival dedicated to supporting America's family farms is looking for pics that capture the beauty of America's family farms.

SIGG bottle, credit: Sterlic, FlickrDanger Lurks in Your SIGG?
When the BPA story broke, Sigg's aluminum bottles were offered up as the clear alternative to plastic. But are they really BPA-free? It turns out, the lining inside SIGG bottles made before August of 2008 do leach a tiny amount (below "detectable levels") of BPA.

bee costume, credit: Ssimm1rg, FlickrBee-Huggers: The New Tree-Huggers
Hugging a woman in a bee costume may not directly help stem the onslaught of CCD (colony collapse disorder), but it does help remind us that many species of the world's most popular yellow and black striped pollinators are facing extinction.

Julia Stiles, credit, Andrew H. Walker, Getty ImagesJulia Stiles Debuts Mock Fashion Line
Is the world of eco-fashion taking itself too seriously? Julia thinks so. That's why she's unveiled a new green clothing lineup of her own: Julia Stiles Styles. Featuring ties made from used Swiffers and suits made of newspaper, the collection has a very formal vibe.

fat lady, credit: Peta.orgPETA Takes Down Blubber Billboard
Wow, this might be a first. PETA has actually backed down from one of their patently offensive ads. They've replaced their controversial "Save The Whales" billboard following an unusually uniform wave of disgust from across the political spectrum.
Green in a Flash:


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Traffic May Interfere With Frog Mating

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 24th 2009 @ 1:45PM



Rumbling trucks may be cock-blocking city frogs! In ponds across Australia, it seems that frogs can't "attract the ladies" because of loud noise from nearby highways, according to a new report by Melbourne University ecologist Kirsten Parris.

Parris has been studying the lives of frogs in urban Australia since 2000. During this time period, the number of frogs has declined. She hypothesizes that male frogs, who attract a mate by having the most appealing "croak", are having a hard time being heard over the sound of city traffic. The result? Fewer mates, and fewer offspring.

Why do we care? Because animals having sex is fascinating! Have you seen Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno on the Sundance Channel? Besides being artistically clever, totally hilarious and starring the divine Ms. Rossellini, the 60 second clips are riveting because they're about s-e-x.

Continue reading Traffic May Interfere With Frog Mating




Filed under: News, Climate Change, Plants and Wildlife

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Eco-Beat, 8/21

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 21st 2009 @ 3:00PM

Will DC residents soon be able to pick up farm fresh produce at the White House? They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but what about a free striptease ... on the subway? Which universities have the lightest eco-footprint? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


President Obama on the produce aisle, credit: The White House, Getty ImagesAn Official White House Farmer's Market?
During a press conference yesterday, President Obama revealed that he and the First Lady are brainstorming on how to set up a farmers market at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave -- right on the White House lawn! It would offer produce from the White House garden and local farms.

Pole Dancing Championships, credit: Gaye Gerard, Getty ImagesOne More Reason to Ride Mass Transit
A group of exhibitionists has been giving passengers on New York's subway trains a series of random pole dances the summer -- for free. That's right, lovely ladies, nudity and major awkwardness all on your way to work. Should Amtrak hire these people to boost ticket sales?

college t-shirt, credit: thisshirtrocks.comTop 20 Green Universities
Looking for an eco-friendly institute of higher learning to retool your skillset as you wait for there to once again be these things called "jobs" available? Check out Grist's list of 20 schools at which to get your learn on in an earth-conscious manner.

whole foods sign, credit: Smcgee, FlickrWhole Foods CEO Causes Uproar With Green Advice
Though much of what he wrote was not particularly controversial; e.g. eating a healthier, plant-based diet would reduce the stress on our health care system, John Mackey's op-ed in the WSJ has been a rallying cry for those who generally want to take Whole Foods down.

General David Petraus, credit: Alex Wong, Getty ImagesThe Military is Protecting Our Endangered Species
It's not what you think. No F-16s are being scrambled to thwart would-be manatee poachers and no ranger units have been dispatched to defend red-legged tree frogs. Instead, the military's vast real estate is serving as protected habitat for many threatened species.
Green in a Flash:


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Tap Water is Smarter Despite the Lack of Celebrity Ad Campaigns

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 21st 2009 @ 12:04PM

Bring a bottle and fill it up at the tap! Credit: Tappening

We've all done it. In a weak moment at Walgreens, or maybe at the gym, you see the appealingly slender bottle of SmartWater, with all of those magical electrolytes that you've been conditioned to believe will make you stronger, thinner and (yes) smarter. Your good tap water intentions fly out the window and before you know it you're locking lips with Jennifer Aniston -- metaphorically speaking, of course.

Remember to stay strong! Don't give in to the lure of Jen's sunkissed smile and promises of Hollywood glamour!

It's easy to find information to help you strengthen your tap water drinking resolve. Our clever friends over at Fit Sugar have a great list of the reasons to pick tap water over bottled water, many of which are echoed by ingenious folks at Tappening:

Continue reading Tap Water is Smarter Despite the Lack of Celebrity Ad Campaigns




Filed under: Food, Health

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Eco-Beat, 8/20

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 20th 2009 @ 3:00PM

Wanna know how Alicia Silverstone's veggie diet makes her both "sparkling" and "more juicy?" Is director Chris Paine getting his revenge on those who "killed" the electric car? How hot will your city get in the Augusts of the future? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Alicia Silverstone, credit: Brad Barket, Getty ImagesDiet and Gardening Tips from Alicia Silverstone
Ever since the "Clueless" star switched to a plant-based diet in 1998, people starting asking "What have you done? You're sparkling." Honestly though, I doubt that's the first time anyone told her she was "sparkling."

Chris Paine, credit: Stephen Shugerman, Getty ImagesThe Electric Car Strikes Back
Since the runaway success of his first film "Who Killed the Electric Car?" Chris Paine has been waiting for the EV to make its second coming ... so he could make his. His sequel "Revenge of the Electric Car"is charging its batteries for a 2010 release.

hat lady, credit: Dean Ayres, FlickrThe Augusts of the Future: HOT
According to a study by Climate Central, the NYC of tomorrow will feel like the Atlanta of today -- in August. Cities like Denver, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis could join the "half-of-your-August-days-are-above-90°" club. Better stock up on cut-offs and sunglasses.

President Obama, credit: Sara D. Davis, Getty ImagesObama's Grandmama Gets Solarized
The President's grandmother is now living entirely off the grid, thanks to the work of young Kenyans working with Greenpeace. Says Sara: "I am very pleased that my home has been improved thanks to solar energy and I'll make sure my grandson hears about it."

PETA in Sydney, Greg Wood, Getty ImagesPETA Fights Seal Hunting With (Drumroll) More Nudity
In order to draw attention to the Canadian seal hunt, Australian PETA activists formed a naked Canadian flag in front of the Canadian consulate in Sydney. Is PETA beating the nudity thing to death? Guess it's better than making fun of fat women.
Green in a Flash:


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Clean Up and Get Down at the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Concert

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 20th 2009 @ 12:04PM

concert poster

Clean up a beach, then listen to great music! Credit: Barefoot Wines & Surfrider Foundation

Calling all people who like wine, clean beaches and live music, and can get to Asbury Park, NJ: Saturday, August 29 is your lucky day.

Barefoot Wines and Surfrider Foundation have been working together for three years, sponsoring beach clean ups that are followed by thank you concerts for the volunteers. This summer alone they've held 25 clean up/concert combos!

On August 29th, they're teaming up to host the biggest and best of the cleanup and concert combos, which will also be a celebration of the Surfrider Foundation's 25th anniversary. The Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Concert at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, will be a major party!

Continue reading Clean Up and Get Down at the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Concert




Filed under: Celebrities, Activism

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Eco-Beat, 8/19

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 19th 2009 @ 3:00PM

You can't put a carbon cap on rock 'n' roll, can you? Is Will Smith going to star in a movie about a "guilty liberal" who finally snaps? Will you pay more to live in a walkable neighborhood? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


U2's Bono, credit: Clemens Bilan, Getty ImagesU2's Tour-Print Slammed by Enviros
The band is setting all kinds of records with their "360 Tour", including one for the largest carbon footprint of any tour, ever. Critics say the construction and transportation of U2's gigantic set alone will emit more that Madonna's entire 2006 world tour. Yikes!

Will Smith, credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty ImagesWill Smith to Star in "No Impact Man," Maybe
A documentary about the sustainability guru is set to hit theaters in September, but apparently there's another "No Impact Man" project in the works and Will Smith's name has been mentioned. Will it be an eco-drama, a comedy, or a mockumentary? Who knows?

walk more sign, credit: Mike Licht, FlickrHow Much is Walkability Worth to You?
A group of researchers found that real estate values were typically higher in more walkable neighborhoods -- i.e. where you can go to the store without having to look for your car keys. Personally, I'd rather pay for bikeability, but they didn't ask me.

Nestle Re-Source, credit: NestleNestlé Launches Bottled Water Deposit Campaign
To combat the tidal wave of negative press about bottled water, Nestlé is actually offering incentives for those who return their Re-Source bottles to Whole Foods for recycling. The pilot program is launching in California and Arizona; more details here.

Winnebago model, credit: Telstar Logistics, FlickrIs Eco-Conscious RVing an Oxymoron?
If driving an RV across the lower 48 is your idea of a dream vacation, then you're going to have to be really creative in order to minimize/offset your vacation's impact. If you're not dead set on an RV, Grist has some great resources to help you go green on the move.
Green in a Flash:


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The Problem With Palm Oil

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 19th 2009 @ 12:03PM

baby orangutan

Palm oil plantations leave baby orangutans homeless. Credit: Dimas Ardian, Getty Images


You may have noticed palm oil in the news recently.

Confectionery giant Cadbury bowed to pressure in New Zealand -- including a boycott of their products at the Auckland Zoo -- and reverted to the recipe of their Dairy Milk bar that contains cocoa butter instead of palm oil. Last week LUSH Cosmetics announced that they will no longer use palm oil because of environmental concerns.

Why all the hubbub? For those of you unfamiliar with The Palm Oil Problem, let me share the basics.

Continue reading The Problem With Palm Oil




Filed under: Food, Natural Body Care, Plants and Wildlife

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Eco-Beat, 8/18

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 18th 2009 @ 3:00PM

Why are feminist groups up in arms over the new PETA billboards? Why are Ted Turner and T. Boone Pickens combining their magical money powers? Would you drink wine from a plastic bottle? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


PETA's Save The Whales Campaign, credit: peta.orgPETA Insults Obese Whale Activists
In their most blatantly offensive attempt to convert non-believers in at least the last six months, PETA has launched a new billboard campaign featuring an obese woman and the slogan "Save the whales. Lose the blubber: Go vegetarian." Wow, that's constructive.

Ted Turner, credit: Chris Hondros, Getty ImagesTurner and Pickens: Clean Energy Planeteers?
When two or more moguls join forces, they have the capability to move mountains or remove mountaintops. T. Boone Pickens and Ted Turner have teamed up to write an opinion piece in the WSJ advocating a "cash for clunkers" program for the utilities sector.

Change Your Underwear, Change the Planet
Designer Yves Behar teamed up with Pact to design a line of sustainable skivvies for those who embrace the idea that change starts with your underwear. All of these undies are constructed within 100 miles of where the cotton is cultivated and 10% of sales go to eco causes.

plastic wine bottles, credit: Mrlerone, FlickrThe Wine Bottle Goes Plastic?
To save space and cut down on shipping weight, some wine makers are looking into making the switch to plastic. Aside from the fact that it seems totally unappealing from a consumer standpoint, it could reduce shipping emissions. I think I'll stick with boxed wine.

beetle garden, credit: Nimariel, FlickrEco-Friendly, Not Pest-Friendly Gardening
Are annoying little insects turning your garden space into a battlefield instead of a sanctuary? There are alternatives to hiring a chemical hit man. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural insecticide that actually dries out an insect's exoskeleton.
Green in a Flash:


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Skip the Michael Vick Protests - For Now

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 18th 2009 @ 12:03PM


By now you've heard that the Philadelphia Eagles signed convicted dog-fighter Michael Vick, prompting a frisson of protester energy to pulse through the Internet. Most common were vows to protest at every Eagles game, as if that would actually change anything.

Yahoo sports blogger MJD at Shutdown Corner did an interesting post, basically telling protesters just that: You can't make Eagles fans turn against the team, and it's the wrong place to put your energy anyway. His extremely relevant point is that protesting games doesn't draw any attention to the evils of dogfighting, which is the goal, right?

Sure, use Michael Vick to get the issue in front of people, but don't make the NFL your battleground. Because when it comes to football vs. anything else, even hideous animal abuse, fans will pick football every time. You can find it wrong or disgusting, but it's simple fact. At least as long as the team is having a winning season.*

Continue reading Skip the Michael Vick Protests - For Now




Filed under: Celebrities

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