Get Your Free Organic T-Shirt

...with your $30 contribution to the Obama campaign!

The last few Presidential elections, for me, were about picking the dog with the least fleas.

Not much has changed this time around, but the state of our planet and country are in complete disarray. This election requires our careful reflection and analysis. Because none of us have much time for that, here's a link to Grist, which offers a fact sheet on their home page for each candidate in regards to the environment.

The Obama camp has received the full support of the Sierra Club, as you may or may not be aware. I feel rather confident in my statement that I expect most, if not all of the remaining environmental groups to do the same.

Since the Democratic party has pledged that they are running the entire campaign on the pocket change of average Americans vs. special interest money (a rather noble gesture), I feel that it is my duty to help.

The Obama Camp is offering a "free" organic T-shirt to all contributors of $30 or more. There are several pages on his site to make a donation, but only this page offers the organic shirt. Click here for the Obama T-Shirt contribution page.

So if you are a supporter of the Earth or Obama, or you think you may be a supporter, or if you just like organic T-shirts, take one down for the cause. Read more!

Calling All Greenies, Hippies, Enviros & Emos!

Seriously, folks, take a look at this and please help!

Climate change is an urgent issue that requires immediate solutions. That's why I've joined with Al Gore and others across the country and around the world who want to halt global warming.

We're on the verge of being over one million strong and I'm asking you to join us. Please click here today to become part of the solutions to global warming: http://wecansolveit.org/alliance

If leaders in business and government are going to make stopping climate change a priority, we need to send a loud message that we want action now. That's why I'm asking you to get involved today: http://wecansolveit.org/alliance

Together, we can stop global warming. Read more!

Who Cares about Carbon Offsets?

Apparently, a lot of companies.

According to a recent article in the New York Times, individuals and corporations have spent over $54 million dollars last year on carbon offsets, which are credits towards tree planting, wind farm projects, solar plants, and other eco projects. This figure is likely to double next year, with the rising awareness and popularity of the "green" cause. Major corporations like GE, Bank of America, VW, and Dell offer offsets with the purchase of their products.

With the growing popularity, skeptics are beginning to ask questions. Who are these little known carbon offset companies? Is the money going to good use? Is this really offsetting carbon in the atmosphere? How is that measured? The FTC, which regulates advertising claims, recently began hearings on the "green markets", including offsets.

Companies like Terrapass.com and Carbonfund.org have been the benefactors of this new trend. You can visit their websites yourself and make your own determination. But one corporate sponsor takes it a step further. Gaiam Living, the eco retailer's management insists on visiting the actual site before donating a percentage of their profits. They want to see first hand how their dollars are put to work, and that it's completely legitimate.

Not a bad idea.

Unless you have the time and money to actually visit these companies, you might try other options. Plant your own trees instead. Invest your money directly into a green mutual fund or solar company's stock. Trade in your SUV for a hybrid model or Prius. Or simply sell your house and live in a turkey coop with no electric or running water like Burt's Bee's multi-millionaire co-founder, Burt. Uh, maybe not. Read more!

Sustainability+Cocktails=Green Drinks

There's nothing like a nice stress relieving cocktail! Now you can booze it up AND meet interesting environmental types at a pub near you, thanks to Green Drinks International. Green Drinks is a non profit company that set out to create informal meetings/cocktail parties where environmentalists could meet and talk. With the explosive popularity of eco living, GreenDrinks has sprouted up in 309 cities worldwide, including Seoul and even Kabul for heaven's sake! Hey, climate change must be really serious if they are even meeting about it in Kabul! Anyway, it's a great cause and a wonderful opportunity to meet people and network.

Find your next meeting at http://www.greendrinks.org. Bottoms up! Read more!

Al Gore in Bali - Support the Cause!

There is a lot of green talk going around. Eco this, green that...on my site, in the papers, and all over the place. The more we hear it, the more it seems like a trend of pop culture vs. an eminent threat to our planet. Not be so serious, but it kinda is. In Oslo, at the Nobel Prize Award Presentation Ceremony, Al Gore urged superpowers like the US and China to step up to the plate and stop using each other as an excuse to stalemate. Mr. Gore reminds us that it is up to this generation to solve this problem, and the future of our world depends on it. These are facts- the scientific evidence has been supported.

Right now, delegates from 190 countries are attending the UN Climate Change Summit in Bali. Help me in supporting Gore in Bali by signing the petition found at http://www.climateprotect.org/standwithal.

It's difficult for us to think that one person's purchase of organic food or compact fluorescent light bulbs will make a difference in the long run, but they will, exponentially speaking, so keep up the good work greenies, and don't lose sight of the finish line.
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The 12 Days of Xmas Green Gift Guide

After a brief green gift research trip, I have returned, blogging once again to my huge fan base of 3, and noticed that the holiday shopping season is officially in full swing! The concept of being green and buying frivolous gifts for one another that we don't want or need is a bit conflicting, however, it is tradition so let's not be a Grinch about it! As a result, I have compiled a small but green gift list to help you evolve into the giving greenie that you are. We are sooo Hollywood.


1. Timberland Earthkeeper Boots- for men and women. They are made with organic cotton, PET linings (plastic soda bottle material), recycled rubber and are 100% waterproof. Available in 4 rich colors for $140/$160 ladies at timberland.com. Comes with the cheesy bracelet that I don't recommend wearing!


2. Adopt a Polar Bear. Since global warming is deteriorating the environment for these creatures, shouldn't we try and save them? Yes! Adopt your very own polar bear, and for as little as $25, you will receive a photo and fact sheet about your bear, a personalized adoption certificate, and even a cuddly plush polar bear toy. I love this one. Go to www.wildlifeadoption.org today and teach your kids something for a change!


3. Aveda gifts. Aveda makes some of the most wonderful hair, body and beauty products on the market, and they are all natural. The company's manufacturing facility is powered by 100% certified wind power. Go to aveda.com, click on gifts, and find something special for both ladies and men. I like Five Paths to Peace, pictured at the top. It's kind of crunchy yet luxurious too.

4. LED Tire Air Alert. This is a cool gadget. Did you know that if your tires are running low on air that it takes more energy to power your car? Make sure your tires are at their optimal levels with Air Alert. An LED light flashes when you need more air. Smart! Find it at www.terrapass.com.

5. Buy Carbon Offsets. Looking for a gift for someone who has everything? If this person travels a lot by plane or auto, or if they simply exist on this planet and don't live in the woods like an animal, they use energy and by purchasing a TerraPass, you will be funding clean energy and carbon reduction projects across the United States. Or they can go back to the woods like Tarzan, their choice. Go to www.terrapass.com for more details.

The 12 days of Xmas will continue with another 7 gift ideas over the coming week. I know its unbearable to wait but it will be worth it. I hope you are getting my very dry sense of humor. Ciao.
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Reduce Your Junk Mail for Free

Are you receiving a lot of unwanted catalogs that clog your mailbox? If you are like me, you dispose of 90% of them without even opening them. Sometimes I save my favorites, pretending that I'll have 5 minutes of free time to sit down in peace with a cup of coffee and meander through them. Hey I can dream, can't I? They end up right in recycling. What a waste of a tree.

The fact is, it takes approximately 53 million trees to produce the 19 billion catalogs that are sent out to homeowners annually. That's a lot of green. If you would like to join 165,000 other consumers and simply opt out, now you can. A coalition of environmental groups has introduced a free Web site, called CalalogChoice.org that allows people to decline delivery of over 1,000 catalogs. Unlike GreenDimes.com, or 41 Pounds.org that charge for this service, CatalogChoice.org is free and encourages consumers to reduce their catalog consumption, not to eliminate it completely.

This morning, I tested this service. After logging in, I opted out of 44 catalogs that I know that I receive but never look at. CatalogChoice takes you through an alphabetized list, and you can choose each vendor one by one. This task took a total of 10 minutes. Then you can review what you have done, and opt back in if you made an error. CatalogChoice also allows you to invite friends, which I highly recommend. Who WOULDN'T want less crap in your mail??

Within 10 weeks, your mailbox should be free of that unwanted junk mail and together, we will have saved a tree or two, million.
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