Archive for March, 2011

ECO WOMEN: The Best Planet-Saving Tips

“In honor of Earth Day, we showcase five women who are devoted to protecting our future. Here, they give us an eye-opening look at what it takes to live a more eco-aware existence.”

Melinda Kramer
Age 30

Job Founder and codirector of Women’s Earth Alliance

“ECO WOMEN: The Best Planet-Saving Tips” via Loren Chidoni – Women’s Health Magazine

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Dedicated recycler bones up on green techniques to pull off ambitious renovation

Ben Bradley didn’t play with regular toys growing up.

He would just take them apart and put them back together.

“My parents finally realized they should not buy me typical toys, and started getting me radio kits and stuff like that,” said the Arkansas native.

After he bought his first house in 2007, his old habits kicked in, and he began to take it apart.

Now that he has stripped it down to the bare bones, Bradley plans to put it back together keeping one goal in mind: to be as green as possible.

“I’m going to do what I can to the best of my ability. As a homeowner, unless you have a lot of money, it’s hard,” he said.

Not wanting to attempt such a major endeavor blindly, the local courier has done his research.

The same year he bought his house, he traveled to Global Exchange’s and Co-Op America’s Green Festival in Chicago to soak up some information.

“I was completely mentally exhausted. I was there until they pushed me out of the building,” said Bradley, 39. “It was really liberating. All of a sudden I had more information than I even knew what to do with. It was like being drunk on information. It was like all of a sudden, this was possible.”

Dedicated recycler bones up on green techniques to pull off ambitious renovation via Lesley Young – The Commercial Appeal

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What’s Really ‘Green’ in the Confusing World of Mattresses? Part I

“Last fall, I began work for my first client in the “green” mattress industry, Spaldin Sleep Systems. To familiarize myself with their products and the current state of sustainability in the sector, I researched Spaldin’s materials and certifications and developed a competitive landscape matrix. I dug into the websites of over a dozen top green mattress brands and read peoples’ blog and forum questions and comments about green mattress motivations. I also led a team that staffed Spaldin’s booth at Green Festival in San Francisco, where we heard dozens of green mattress questions and concerns first-hand.

What I’ve learned is that while there are many exciting advances happening in what’s historically been a polluting industry, the mattress sector is drowning in the same kind of greenwash that plagues other industries.  The marketing language on mattress makers’ and  retailers’ websites too often features vague, unsubstantiated claims, resulting in confusion about what these claims really mean in terms of measurable, verifiable benefits to the health of ecosystems and people.”

What’s Really ‘Green’ in the Confusing World of Mattresses? Part I via Jonathan L. Gelbard, Ph.D. – Triple Pundit

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A Second Season Of THE FABULOUS BEEKMAN BOYS Is Ready To Bloom This March On Planet Green

New Season on Planet Green airs March 22nd, 2011

SHARON SPRINGS, NY – May 21, 2011 In season one, THE FABULOUS BEEKMAN BOYS officially bought the farm… now season two asks, “Can they keep it?”  Dr.Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell never expected to win the hearts of America when the inexperienced city slickers left Manhattan to move to the country.  However, television’s two favorite “gentlemen farmers” did exactly that when they purchased the Beekman 1802 Farm in Sharon Springs, N.Y. This spring, Brent and Josh (along with Farmer John, Polka Spot the llama and a growing army of goats) return for season two of THE FABULOUS BEEKMAN BOYS, beginning March 22 on Planet Green at 10 PM (ET/PT).

THE FABULOUS BEEKMAN BOYS documents the adventure of a lifetime, as Brent, a former vice president of healthy living for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and Josh, an advertising exec and best-selling author, try to generate enough income withBeekman 1802 so that Josh can leave his job in the city and live at the farm full time.  With Josh inManhattan and Brent three hours away at the farm, the couple has created a recipe for conflict.  Although their first year of sacrifice is officially over, the struggles for the “gentleman farmers” are just beginning.

Season two introduces a new character to help calm the chaos — handyman Dan — and brings back many familiar faces, including Brent’s friend and former employer, Martha Stewart, as well as surprise appearances by Rosie O’Donnell and well-known chef Marcus Samuelsson.  Viewers also will be reunited with the one and only Farmer John; as well as Doug and Garth, the owners of the legendary American Hotel; and of course, Polka Spot the “diva llama” with attitude.

“We are thrilled to bring back THE FABULOUS BEEKMAN BOYS for a second season on Planet Green,” says Laura Michalchyshyn, general manager and president of Planet Green.  ”In less than a year, Brent and Josh have become enduring signature faces on our network and have won legions of devoted fans.  Beek-Geeks will go crazy for season two, as the stakes are raised and we see if THE FABULOUS BEEKMAN BOYS can keep their relationship and their Beekman1802 business afloat.  Of course, there is also a whole lot of llama drama.”

THE FABULOUS BEEKMAN BOYS is executive produced by Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey and Tom Campbell from World of Wonder.  Angela Rae Berg is co-executive producer and director.  Lynn Sadofsky is executive producer for Planet Green.

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About Planet Green:

Planet Green is the multiplatform media destination for people looking for something new.  Launched on June 4, 2008, Planet Green is following the evolving conversation about sustainability and is the entertainment brand that champions the visionaries who move our world forward in small and large ways.  Planet Green and its two robust Web sites, planetgreen.com and TreeHugger.com, offer unique, insightful and inspiring content related to how we can evolve to live a better, brighter future.  Planet Green’s original programming, digital tools and content will entertain, educate and activate.

About World of Wonder:

Innovative production company World of Wonder is behind such entertaining hit series as “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (Logo), “Million Dollar Listing” (Bravo), and “Fantasia for Real” (Vh1).  They have recently announced a show featuring Sarah, the Duchess of York (OWN).  In addition, World of Wonder has created award-winning films and documentaries such as “Inside Deep Throat,” “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” “Party Monster” and “Monica in Black and White,”  Their documentary “The Last Beekeeper” (Planet Green) recently won an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Nature Programming.  With offices in Hollywood and London, the company has produced cutting-edge fiction and nonfiction programming for HBO, Showtime, VH1, IFC, Discovery, MTV, BBC, PBS and Channel 4 UK, among others, and can be found online athttp://worldofwonder.net/.

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The Last Ink Cartridge You Will Buy

“I suppose you could believe the marketing about new nozzles and special heat, colors, etc. but the bottom line is that the cartridges are small, expensive and apparently designed to run out (dry out from non-use or have an expiration time set on their chip) as quickly as possible.

With all that in mind, in 2009 I wandered into the San Francisco Green Festival. I found the usual farmers, the chemists, the arts and crafts…and then I noticed Silo Ink. A tech company! It seemed too good to be true. They will sell you a kit to replace your inkjet cartridges with a nozzle that is connected to an external ink tank, like a large-format professional printer. Their setup costs a little over $100, which seems like a huge bargain compared to a set of regular inkjet cartridges that last 1/10 as long yet cost at least $60.”

The Last Ink Cartridge You Will Buy via Malware City

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San Francisco Green Festival

Join Alice at the 10th Annual San Francisco Green Festival April 9 & 10 at the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco! While you’re there check out visionary speakers, over 300 green businesses and a Green Kid’s Zone. Plus the brand new DIY station that teaches you how to grow your own food, install solar panels on your house and compost your leftovers! The SF Concourse Exhibition Center is located at 635 8th Street (at Brannan). For tickets and details visit www.greenfestivals.org.

San Francisco Green Festival http://radioalice.radio.com/events/2011/04/09/san-francisco-green-festival-3/#ixzz1HG3M62rg via Radio Alice 97.3

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Spring to Life at San Francisco Green Festival #QR Code Poster

“Celebrate Green Festival’s 10th Anniversary at the Spring San Francisco Green Festival, April 9th-10th at the SF Concourse Exhibition Center!”

Spring to Life at San Francisco Green Festival #QR Code Poster via Digital Reporter Tech Trends

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Volunteer at the Green Festival and Get Free Admission

“The 10th Anniversary of the Green Festival will be held from April 9-10, 2011 at the San Francisco Concourse and Exhibitor Center. The event will include over 125 renowned authors, leaders and visionaries. There will be a lot of learning, networking, and new products and services.

Volunteers receive free admission all weekend, an organic t-shirt, snacks, membership in Green America and Global Exchange, and 10% off Green America and Global Exchange stores. You can volunteer as an individual, as a group, as part of the street or media teams.

For more information about the festival, speakers and exhibitors, see www.greenfestivals.org. You can reserve your shifts online at www.greenfestivals.org/sf. If you would like to volunteer as group, call (828) 333 – 9415 orvolunteer@greenfestivals.org.”

Volunteer at the Green Festival and Get Free Admission via Mark Quan – Local Contributor, Yahoo News

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Inner Tradition’s solar panels offset 22,000 lbs. of carbon

Located in the heart of the Green Mountain state of Vermont, book publisher, Inner Traditions Bear & Company, is practicing environmental consciousness by installing solar panels on their office to reduce energy use.  The system can generate 13,000 kWhs per year, offsetting the production of over 22,000 lbs. of carbon.

Founded in 1975, Inner Traditions is a leading publisher of books on indigenous cultures, perennial philosophy, visionary art, ancient mysteries, spiritual traditions of the East and West, sexuality, holistic health and healing, self-development, as well as recordings of ethnic music and accompaniments for meditation.

In July 2000, Bear & Company joined with Inner Traditions and moved from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was founded in 1980, to Rochester, Vermont. Together Inner Traditions Bear & Company have eleven imprints: Inner Traditions, Bear & Company, Healing Arts Press, Destiny Books, Park Street Press, Bindu Books, Bear Cub Books, Destiny Recordings, Destiny Audio Editions, Inner Traditions en Español, and Inner Traditions India.

Inner Traditions Bear & Company will be providing an exciting array of literary genres at the San Francisco Green Festival April 9th and 10th. They will be located in booths 551 and 552 For more information or to peruse an extensive collection of topics, visit www.InnerTraditions.com.

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US Climate Change Concerns Approach Record Low

“I could editorialize about this for a while, but here’s the straight story: A new Gallup poll found that just 51% of respondents said the worry “a great deal” or “fair amount” about climate change. That’s one percentage point away from the all-time low recorded in 1997. It’s also down from a high of 66% registered in 2008.

Other bits of drooping concern for the future (yes, some editorializing…) included a drop of eleven percentage points when it comes to people believing that the effects of climate change are already occurring, now down to 49% of respondents.”

Climate Change Concerns Approach Record Low via Matthew McDermott – TreeHugger

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