Green Stories
By: Import User
Updated: January 9, 2008
The Basics
“Going green” seems to be the hot phrase these days. Many people are spreading the word about protecting the planet by being environmentally friendly. We think it’s a good message. Over the course of the next year we’re going to bring you stories about the simple things we can all do to make a difference.Electricity
Electricity truly powers America. But most people say they’d love to cut back. For most it’s a pocketbook issue. For most it’s a pocketbook issue. For the planet it’s a health issue. We’ll show you how you can save money and the planet at the same time.
Heating
Heating is a huge expense for many people. It accounts for about 56% of the energy used in a home. Thats why many are looking to mother nature for help. We’ll show you how you can tap the sun, the wind and the earth.
Lighting
There are a lot of ways to live “green” these days. One of the easiest involves the way we light our homes. We’ll show you how you can save the planet one bulb at a time.
Carbon Offsets
When it comes to the environment almost everything we do has a side effect. Mowing the lawn… even brewing a cup of coffee can pump carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. That’s where the concept of carbon offsetting comes in. We’ll explain exactly how it works.
Pets
So you’re getting on board with the green movement and you want to become more environmentally responsible. You’ve changed the light bulbs… you’re recycling… you’ve installed a low flow shower head. But you want to do more. If you have a pet, we have some ideas.
Hybrids
Pain at the pump has people looking for cheaper ways to get around. That has car makers boosting hybrid production. We’ll show you how hybrids, once a luxury for environmentalists with deep pockets, are now becoming more affordable.
Coffee
Its the worlds most commonly traded commodity after crude Oil. 57 percent of American adults drink it everyday. A cup of joe, a jolt of java or a frosty frappacino...whatever you want to call it, its coffee. We’ll show you how our morning fix has an impact on the environment.
Plastic water bottles
We get it for free when we turn on the tap. But these days a lot of us just feel better about getting our water out of a bottle. But all those bottles are having a definite impact on the environment.
Meals
You dont have to become a fanatic to be environmentally friendly. It can be as simple as how you buy your groceries. We’ll show you what’s really green in the supermarket.
Food travel
Take a look at whats on your dinner plate. Where your food came from… and how far it had to travel to get to your plate could have a big impact on our environment. We’ll explain how the ingredients for an average meal typically travel thousands of miles.
Showers
You could be saving water, and not even know it. Its all about a little piece of plastic called a low-flow shower head. With it, youre saving money and water.Without it, youre letting more than cash go down the drain.
Easy projects
In this green report… some quick and easy projects you can tackle to save money and the planet. We promise they’re easy and not too expensive.
Construction
A major part of our green series has been sharing the little things we can all do to make this a better world. Of course there’s one sector of our economy that’s embracing green in a big way Architects and builders are thinking green in everything from homes to skyscrapers. This green report is all about trends in green construction.
Straw insulation
We’ve all heard the story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. In this green report we have a twist on the classic tale. It turns out building a house with straw isn’t such a bad idea after all.
Wind-commercial
When it comes to alternative energy, wind power is growing in popularity. Today it produces just one-percent of the world’s electricity. But in the last five years production has quadrupled… and the sky is literally the limit.
Wind-residential
With electric bills going up and up… many are wondering what they can do to cut costs. A company in west Texas thinks it has the answer. We’ll introduce you to a man who puts wind turbines in people’s back yards.
Weddings
Theres no doubt a wedding can be very expensive. When planning your big day you might want to think about the cost to the environment as well as your pocket. Guests may take flights to the ceremony. Others may drive long distances. Even the flowers you choose could travel from halfway around the world. Planning a green wedding in this green report.
Lawn care
Theres nothing more environmentally friendly than a well manicured lawn...right? Well... Not necessarily! In this green report ways you can make your yard really green.
Gardening
Gardening is the most popular hobby in America. But surprisingly many gardens can be harmful to the environment. Responsible gardening not only requires a green thumb… but a "green" approach.
Wardrobe
Chances are you recycle, and you probably try to conserve energy. But did you know that your wardrobe can have a big impact on the environment? In this green report, we’ll save the planet one outfit at a time.
Accessories
Accessories can make or break an outfit. But how you dress can also go a long way toward saving the environment. Going green on your next shopping trip can help keep some green in your pocket. And what shopper can refuse a bargain?
Eco-tourism
Eco-tourism is one of the fastest growing segments in the travel industry. It’s defined as "tourism to places having unspoiled natural resources, and a low impact on the environment." Eco-tourism 101 in this green report.
Great outdoors
Most Americans love the outdoors. On weekends and vacations we flock to mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes. It’s A way for us to escape the hectic pace of city life and reconnect with our youth. Of course the way we play may be playing havoc with the places we love.
Cleaning
Keeping your house clean can be hard enough. But how do you know which cleaning products to choose to keep your house healthy? In this green report a look at the trend toward "green cleaning" and what it means for your family.
Washing machines
More and more people are looking for new ways to be environmentally friendly. Some install solar panels and wind turbines… but doing your part doesn’t always take that much effort. In fact it can be as easy as doing the laundry.
Bbq’s
Americans love their backyard barbeques. Some people swear by charcoal… others prefer propane… and cutting edge grillers are even firing up solar ovens. The type of grill you use can have a big impact on the environment.
Work place
The workplace is one place where the green movement is really catching on. Many businesses have realized that being environmentally sensitive can actually boost the bottom line. Companies that cut back on energy and resources often save significant money. And green work places are usually healthier and more productive.
Cars
For most Americans a car is a necessity. Of course our love affair with the automobile has had a serious impact on the environment. Minimizing that impact doesn’t necessarily mean parking your car. There are some common sense things you can do to lighten your vehicles environmental footprint.
Investing
There’s a brand new type of investor in America. They’re called green investors and their ranks are swelling. These are people who want to invest in the environment as well as wall street.
Furniture
Green means more than a color these days when it comes to home furnishings. In this green report we’ll explain the three "rs" of eco-friendly furniture.
Solar power
If we could harness all the sunlight that reaches earth our energy problems would be over. In fact we’d produce a thousand times the energy we currently squeeze out of fossil fuels. Of course solar power isn’t a pipe dream. It’s being used all around us every day.
Public transport
In the United States 14 million people take public transportation each and every day. Thats a lot of buses and trains. Today there’s a big push to make all those engines run cleaner and burn fewer fossil fuels.
Ethanol
As the cost of crude oil goes up… so do gas prices. Its just one reason why more Americans want to move toward renewable fuels. In this green report we take a look at ethanol and what it means for the environment and the economy.
Dorm room
Each fall nearly two million freshmen head off to college in the United States. For most of them it’s their first chance to live away from home. In most cases it’s also an opportunity to outfit that first dorm room. In this green report how those decorating choices can have an impact on our environment.
Tailgating
During football season, tailgating is one of the biggest parties out there. Whether youre part of a huge crowd at a stadium or in your own back yard, you can keep the environment in mind. Green tailgates in this green report.
Recycling
Solid waste tripled in the United States between 1960 and 2001.But that number doesn’t need to be so large. There are easy common sense things we could all do to reduce our impact.
Schools
Across America the green movement has been gaining momentum in our schools. Chances are one near you has already implemented environmentally sensitive practices. One thing’s for sure the kids are starting to get the message.
Library
A library roof-top covered with dirt and wildflowers. A parking lot adorned with a wetland. Your first thought wouldnt be to call either a water treatment plant… but think again. In this green report, how one architect is giving a lesson on nature we can all drink to.
Community
Many cities across the country are looking for ways to go green. Some are focusing on a small town in central Illinois thats setting the standard for environmental friendliness. Urbana, Illinois is consistently ranked among the top ten cities in the country when it comes to protecting the environment.
Wood stoves
In the quest to battle global warming and clean the environment, an old technology may be new again. Cutting edge wood stoves may prove to be an efficient way to heat your home and save you money. And the icing on the cake, they promise to it without pumping a lot of smoke into the air.
Outdoorsmen
Sportsmen have a unique relationship with the environment. It’s estimated a third of all Americans hunt, fish or watch wildlife. They realize conservation efforts are in their own best interest. In Pennsylvania sportsmen have made it a mission to protect local waterways.
Indoor air
If you’re like most people, air pollution conjures up images of Belching smokestacks and black clouds. But the worst air you ever breathe may be right inside your own home.
Mold
When you mention allergies… many people think of wild grass, trees in bloom, maybe even pets. But millions of Americans suffer from another serious allergy. It’s one that can lurk in your home without you even knowing.
Hair care
Take a look at the label on your shampoo bottle. Chances are you’ll have a hard time pronouncing some of the ingredients. It’s causing some people to go green when it comes to personal hygiene.
Baby
Parents work hard to keep their babies safe. In this green report, we discover that keeping baby healthy can be good for mother earth as well.
Toys
Red, blue and yellow are very popular colors for toys. They’re thought to spur childhood development. But now a new color is enticing toymakers… green. When you consider that most young kids will chew on anything put in front of them… healthy toys make a lot of sense.
Microwaves
There are lots of ways to save money when you make dinner. Some people use coupons. Others cook in bulk. But your method of cooking can also save you money… and without really trying help save the planet.
Gifts
In this green report, tips on buying gifts. We all know the three "rs" of being green... Reduce, reuse, and recycle. But its the three "rs from grade school you’ll want to use gift shopping.
Electronics
For many Americans, cell phones, laptops, and TVs have become essential items. But in an environmentally conscious world the balancing act between technology and conservation can be tricky.
Electronic recycling
Ever wonder what to do with an old cell phone or outdated computer? There are better options than the trash. Electronics recycling in this green report.
Deforestation
Some scientists believe deforestation may be the most harmful thing we’re doing to the planet. Surprisingly, U.S. forestry experts say loggers aren’t their biggest challenge. Its population growth and the development of residential communities.
