Green Thinking Blog

Stonyfield Farm began this wonderful non-profit organization called Climate Counts in collaboration with Clean Air-Cool Planet. The main goal of the organization is to bring consumers and companies together to fight climate change on Planet Earth.

In a stroke of genius, Climate Counts created a scorecard to compare companies on their commitment to fighting global warming. Companies were given a score based on 22 criteria that measure climate footprint, efforts to reduce climate impact, support (or lack of support) for progressive climate policies, and publicity of their green efforts.

Check out the 2008 company scores here. Just click on a sector and you’ll find links to the rated companies and a breakdown of their climate scores. I’ve listed a few superstar companies below that topped the list (they received the green “striding” stamp of approval for eco-friendliness)

• Proctor & Gamble (household products) - score: 69
• General Electric (media) - score: 71
• Nike (apparel and accessories) - score: 82
• Stonyfield Farm (food products) - score: 78
• Unilever (food products) - score: 75
• IBM (electronics) - score: 77
• Canon (electronics) - score: 74
• Google (internet/software) - score: 55

Climate Counts also provides a copy of the blank scorecard, so you can see how these companies earned their chops.

Personally, I really appreciate a non-profit agency making this information available to the public. Companies need to be accountable for the effect they have on the climate. Make a mental note of the companies that earned the highest scores, and try to support them the next time you make a purchase.

Click picture to enlarge.

The Chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, recently told The Observer that people should avoid meat for one day every week to help reduce climate change and global warming. Dr. Pachauri won a joint share of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He says changing our diets is an important part of environmental responsibility because rearing cattle and other animals used for food has a huge effect on greenhouse gas emissions and habitat destruction. Pachauri also says avoiding meat for one day is an easy change compared with changing your mode of transportation.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. concluded that meat production produces about one-fifth of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Worldwide meat consumption is expected to double by 2050.

Going meat-free once a week is something that everyone could do on a personal level. If you want to try it, I recommend Monday as a good day. Check out Meatless Monday, a national public health campaign to help Americans prevent four leading causes of death: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.

I was browsing one of my favorite websites, TED.com (Ideas Worth Spreading), and I stumbled on a fascinating video about how mushrooms can clean polluted soil, treat smallpox disease and the flu, act as a natural insecticide, and restore the world’s ecosystems. Sounds crazy huh?

Well, let me know what you think after you watch this video. It’s about 18 minutes long and some parts are pretty scientific, but I was truly dumbfounded…in the best way. Gosh, I really love TED.

This video features Paul Stamets, an entrepreneurial mycologist (a biologist that studies fungi).

Here’s what TED.com had to say about Paul Stamets and why we should listen to him:

“Entrepreneurial mycologist Paul Stamets seeks to rescue the study of mushrooms from forest gourmets and psychedelic warlords. The focus of Stamets’ research is the Northwest’s native fungal genome, mycelium, but along the way he has filed 22 patents for mushroom-related technologies, including pesticidal fungi that trick insects into eating them, and mushrooms that can break down the neurotoxins used in nerve gas.

There are cosmic implications as well. Stamets believes we could terraform other worlds in our galaxy by sowing a mix of fungal spores and other seeds to create an ecological footprint on a new planet.”

I posted this blog at Laurel on Health Food today, and I think it’s equally important to Green Thinking readers. Check it out.

I read the October/November 2008 issue of Plenty Magazine today. If you haven’t heard about it, Plenty is a wonderful new magazine on all topics concerning the environment, living green, being eco-friendly, etc. I’ve only read two issues, but I love it so far.

In a great little article on Thanksgiving turkeys, Plenty talks about the problems with the broadbreasted turkeys most people eat on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, they have been bred to have very large chests and fast growth rates. While it makes for nice, large birds to feast on during the holidays, this practice causes some horrible problems with the turkeys.

Here’s a quick summary on some of the issues:

• Unable to fly because they’re carrying too much weight
• Can get hypothyroidism due to lack of exercise and unnaturally fast growth
• Become wobbly because center of gravity is over the toes instead of the middle of the feet
• Farmers remove beaks so the turkeys don’t become cannibals in close cages and warehouses
• Breast muscle takes up about 25-30% of body weight (instead of 7% like in the past forty years)
• Can develop osteoarthritis and other joint diseases that disable the joints or other body parts
• Large breasts and short legs make the turkeys unable the mate so they are artificially inseminated

(Ref: Plenty Mag, Oct/Nov 2008, p. 26)

As you can see, it sounds like a horrible life for our turkeys. Plenty advises that we purchase a heritage turkey this year instead of the popular broadbreasted variety. A heritage turkey has natural mating, a long productive outdoor lifespan, and a slow growth rate. You can read more details on heritage turkeys at the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy site.

When you have the chance, eating organic meat is really the way to go. Most eco-experts will tell you that Americans need to eat less meat overall, but many people look forward to a big roast during the holidays. So if you have the option, why not go for meat that’s better for you and better for the environment? Check out Care2’s “Top 10 Eco-Friendly Reasons to Buy Organic Meat and Dairy” for more info.

So, how do you get an organic heritage turkey? Slow Food USA says you can email albc@albc-usa.org to locate suppliers in your area. You can also go to LocalHarvest.org and purchase organic and heritage turkeys online.

Drawing courtesy of Ben Smith

While there are some great “green” cleaning products out on the market right now, you may want to consider some homemade, all natural cleaning with things you already have in the house. It’s a cheaper and healthier way to keep your home clean. There are a TON of homemade cleaning recipes out there if you Google search, but here are a few of the basics for easy access.

Drain Unclogger

You can use baking soda and vinegar to unclog any drain in your house. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain and follow it with 1 cup of hot vinegar. It will bubble and steam, but don’t worry, that’s normal. Once the bubbles die down, pour hot water down the drain to clear it completely. This same mixture can be used as a toilet cleaner, but you don’t need a full cup of each. Just sprinkle a little baking soda and vinegar in and swish around with a cleaning brush. (Green Living Ideas)

Glass Cleaner

Mix equal parts vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle and you’ve got a wonderful glass cleaner. You can also use plain water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Use a squeegee or old newspaper instead of paper towels to avoid streaks and cut down on waste. (Martha Stewart)

Furniture Polish

For finished wood, mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice in a bowl to make the polish. Dip a soft, dry cloth into the mixture and rub into the wood (in the direction of the grain). Use a soft toothbrush if you need to get in small spaces or between grains. Wipe off excess with a clean cloth. For unfinished wood, add 1 teaspoon lemon oil to 1 cup of mineral oil for the polish and follow the same steps as above. (eHow)

Mold/Mildew Remover

Add 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle and shake it to blend. Spray directly on mold or mildew in your shower, on your shower curtain, or even on a moldy ceiling. Do not rinse. Make sure the area is well ventilated because the tea tree oil smell is very strong. I’ve also read that you can sprinkle a couple drops of tea tree oil on any area where bugs like to come in. It will keep them away from that area. (care2)

Air/Fabric Freshener

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a spray bottle of water. Spray anywhere to freshen up the air or make a room smell better.

Stain Remover/Metal Polisher

A wedge of lemon or fresh lemon juice can be used to get out any stain on a counter or to polish metal. Squirt lemon juice onto the stain and allow it to dry. A wedge of lemon is a great way to freshen up your sink too. Rub the lemon all over the metal in the sink. For tough stains, try sprinkling baking soda on the lemon before you begin. (CHEC)

Do you have any homemade cleaning recipes of your own? Share ‘em with us and we’ll post it on our site. Happy cleaning loves!

Each year Ocean Conservancy holds an International Coastal Cleanup. Last year 378,000 people in 76 countries picked up 6.08 million pounds of garbage from over 33,000 miles of coast. Unbelievable, right? The five items people bagged the most were cigarettes, bottle caps, bags, plastic bottles, and food wrappers or containers. Something tells me this year’s turnout will break records. (Ref: Women’s Health Mag, Sep. 2008, p. 30)

The 2008 International Coastal Cleanup day is September 20th. Click here to register yourself to clean up a a waterway near you. If you don’t live near a beach, don’t worry, because cleanups are also held at ponds, lakes, and rivers.

In the meantime, check out the 2007 Cleanup Report. You can look up your state or country and see exactly what kinds of things were picked up by volunteers.

Last night I was flipping through my first issue of Plenty Magazine (I mentioned it in my 4th of July post), and I saw an ad for World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD). Naturally, I had to find out more details. According to their colorful website, WWMD “is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies.” WWMD is coordinated by the Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association.

On September 18th through October 18th, people all around the world take the initiative to test their local water bodies for quality factors such as temperature, acidity, clarity, and dissolved oxygen. One they get their results, the information is shared on the WWMD website.

So, how do you test the water? Well the easiest way is to buy one of the test kits offered for $13.00 (plus $7.20 U.S. shipping). You can order online or by phone with a credit card. The test kits can be used for a group of 5-10 people so you and your friends or family can split the cost.

What kind of water can you test? The test kits are designed for fresh water locations including bays, canals, creeks, ditches, drains, estuaries, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, oceans, rivers, springs, straights, streams, and wetlands. Wow, is anyone else amazed at all the different names of fresh water bodies?!

To get started, you can visit the Participate page on the website and follow the four easy steps:

1. Register your site.
2. Prepare your monitoring equipment.
3. Monitor your site.
4. Report your data.

If you’re like me, you’re wondering if using the test kit is hard. The WWMD site stresses that the test kit is easy for children and adults to use, so that’s a good sign. Visit the website and you’ll see smiling young faces that let us know that we can handle the job.

The data collected from 2005, 2006, and 2007 is also available for your review. Last year 46,000 people in 43 countries participated.

Lake Parón, Caraz, Peru

You might remember one of our first posts on Green Thinking Blog was about a wonderful eco t-shirt company called Tees for Change (see Tees for Change are Lovely). To make way for their new Fall 2008 line, they have put six of the women’s organic t-shirts on sale for $20 each and all jewelry on sale for 25% off.

Tees for Change shirts are made from organic cotton or bamboo and each t-shirt sale plants a tree. Fabulous! Act quickly if you want a shirt on-sale, because they’re sure to sell out fast.

Click here to get to the shirts on sale. Click here to get to the on-sale jewelry. The sale ends August 31, 2008.

I read an interesting article in the July 2008 issue of Publix Greenwise Market magazine. Apparently, one of the best ways to create a clean, non-toxic air environment in your home is to bring some plants inside. NASA has been using this trick since the 1980s when it completed some research on using plants to clean air in space capsules. It worked, and the research found that plants help metabolize chemicals by using them for food and energy.

A lead scientist on the NASA study, Bill Woverton, Ph.D., says bringing plants indoors is even more important today because “houses are more tightly sealed than in the past and contain a higher percentage of synthetic materials and products versus natural products.” The synthetic materials actually emit chemicals into our air indoors. Other recent studies confirmed plants can help reduce the level of pollens, dust, and allergens and keep humidity at a healthy range. Even more studies found that houseplants help reduce systolic blood pressure, increase productivity, decrease pain, and improve healing after illness or surgery. Simply amazing!

The GreenWise article said any kind of plant is fine to bring inside, just pick what fits you and your lifestyle. My tip is to figure out where you want to put the plants before you hit the store. This way you’ll know what to look for on the labels. Does the plant thrive in bright sunlight, partial sunlight, or low light? Here are a few suggestions from the article with a little help about how to take care of each:

• Ivy - Grows best in bright light, but avoid direct sun. Two-tone ivy likes more light than all-green ivy. Allow soil to dry before each watering.
• Calathea - Enjoys moderate light (put near a window facing east or north). Direct sunlight can burn up the leaves. Keep soil moist and mist the plant to provide a very humid environment.
• Fern - Likes low light and does well in a window facing north. Too much light will do damage. Mist the plant often. Allow soil to slightly dry before each watering.
• Croton - Keep in a warm place with good light, but not in direct sun. The light will help the leaves maintain their pretty range of colors. Allow soil to slightly dry before each watering.
• Anthurium - Likes bright light. Mist the plant often to provide high humidity. Allow soil to dry before each watering.
• Fittonia - Enjoys low light and windows facing north. Mist often to maintain high humidity.

Want more ideas? Head on over to Associated Content for their list of The Best Indoor Plants for Your Office or Home.

What else can you do to ensure your air at home is healthy?  Use less cleaning chemicals and bug sprays, keep it well ventilated, and check that your humidity is beweeen 30% and 50%.

Hmm…I wonder what kind of plants this house has inside? The outside is completely covered!

Attention eco-fashion lovers! I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite earth-friendly clothes, shoes, and accessories for you. The best eco-friendly finds are vintage or second-hand items that don’t require new resources to make. But, there always comes a time when you need something new. Maybe you’ll find a little green fashion inspiration here. I tried to choose classic pieces that weren’t ridiculously expensive.

Chica Rosa Bag - This adorable clutch would be great for a night out or as a handy makeup bag. The outside of the bag is made from 200 recycled aluminum can tabs and nylon thread. The inside has a nylon liner and a zipper to close it. Get it at Elsewares for $36.

Women’s Yuri Jacket - I think this basic black jacket is worth the $116 because you could find SO MANY occasions to wear it. It would be great paired over a button-down for work, or you could be saucy and wear it alone like the girl in the picture for a night out. Available in black or white, the jacket is made of 100% hemp muslin with a 100% silk lining.

Women’s Del Forte Denim Daphne Shorts - I love the dark denim and the cuffs on these long shorts. I also love how the girl in the picture is rockin’ some pointy toe pumps with them. They’re made of 99% organic cotton and are on sale for $68. That may be too pricey for a lot of people, but these were too cute for me not to mention!

Women’s ‘Cushee’ Flip Flops - These casual flip flops are made from hemp and recycled rubber. They come in sand, chocolate, or black colors. They look super comfy too! I really like the sand ones with the pink sole. $25 from Simple Shoes.

Women’s Organic Fine Jersey Short Sleeve T - I bet this baby-tee is super comfortable with its organic fine jersey material. The little green contrasting stitch on the shoulder is a cute touch too. $18 at American Apparel (a sweatshop-free company).

Women’s Loyale Temalpaid Pant - These yoga/dance/workout pants are low-rise and come with free shipping. Grey with purple or blue stripe at $55 from Pangaya. 92% Organic Cotton.

Men’s CAReen Shoes - These kicks are made from recycled tires and organic cotton. They come in muted colors including classic taupe, olive, espresso, and black. $65 from Simple Shoes.

Men’s Gap (PRODUCT) RED™ empowered T - I really like this basic off-white tee with the subtle block letters that spell “empowered.” The material is 100% cotton, and half of the proceeds go to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS. $24.50 at Gap.

Men’s Mossimo® Organic Shirt - Brown Suede - This classic button-down shirt is on clearance at Target for only $15.39 ($16.70 for XXL). Other available colors are blue stripe, green stripe, or taupe stripe.

Men’s Minimalist II Board Shorts - These solid color board shorts have a durable water repellent finish and are made from 100% recycled polyester through Patagonia’s Common Threads Recycling Program. Available for $55 in the following colors: meditation green, carbon, low tide, mars red, and blueblack. Patagonia gives 1% of profits back to the planet and is LEED-certified.