"What's the use of a fine house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?" ~ Henry David Thoreau
Think about what physically constitutes a home - building materials, appliances, furniture, décor, cleaning products, paint, insulation...the list seems endless. The U.S. residential housing sector is second only to China in terms of inefficient energy use. This makes our homes a major player in the depletion of precious ecological reserves. But, there is a bright green light lurking in the shadows of what seems like an environmental nightmare...CLICK HERE FOR MORE
Recycling Can Make Being Green Hilarious (VIDEO)
The folks who design for our future are looking to us for clues to helping people go greener. How about using humor? I recently wrote about how designers are incorporating people's behavior in their "design thinking." This 'power to the people' premise only goes so far (although, it is virtuous to always consider the consumers needs). The next common sense step to sustainable design is to implement a shift in people's behavior towards, let's say - garbage and recycling. My family was recently reminiscing about a trip we took to Spain to visit relatives. I asked one of my kids...CLICK HERE FOR MORE
Dar Williams Talks Sustainable Living, Music And The Book That Kicked Her Ass (Interview)
Singer songwriter Dar Williams has been a staple on the modern folk music scene for years. Her distinctively heartfelt vocals, reflective lyrics and rich acoustic guitar playing tell stories that resonate with her many fans. Music is in Dar's soul, and environmental activism is what fuels it. Dar is aiming her earth-loving commentary towards solutions that face the future of our planet. I sat down with Dar to talk about what's currently rocking her environmental core - a passion for...CLICK HERE FOR MORE
Less is So Much More: Living a Minimalist Life
Not long ago, troche I discovered a blog called “mnmlist.” I’ve been following Lloyd Alter’s Frugal Green Living series and he has added some interesting quotes from mnmlist creator, Leo Babauta, who also founded Zen Habits. What I really like about mnmlist is how refreshingly clean it is — no ads, no pictures, no clutter. What is mnmlist about? CLICK HERE FOR MORE
A Tipsy Idea: DIY Lamp from Wine Bottles
You've had a lot of fun emptying those wine bottles and now they are just ripe for an upcycled illuminating reuse. No doubt you've seen candlesticks made from wine bottles with overflowing candle drippings. That's one simple retro way to repurpose those wine bottles. Here's a more fashionable DIY lighting solution...CLICK HERE FOR MORE