Author: Jovana Ruzicic
Website: http://www.enviroblog.org/2009/03/toxic-personal-care-produc…

Last week was particularly exciting to be at EWG and part of  the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The new report shed even more light on an old danger we all know about– personal care products that our youngest use are loaded with a cocktail of toxic chemicals, including known and probable carcinogens. The  U.S. government has not established any safety standards formaldehyde or 1,4-dioxane in personal care products.

The report was widely covered in the media which triggered action by a major supermarket chain in China that pulled some Johnson and Johnson  products from its shelves. While we here at EWG are not advocating that  U.S. retailers  take similar action and make wholesale inventory dumps of all children’s personal care products, we do believe toxic cancer-causing chemicals should not be in a baby’s bubble bath or lotion, and urge manufacturers to test products for these and other toxins and remove them before they end up on store shelves.
 
The U.S.  is at risk of…

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/03/18/australias-accor-hotels…

Over 100 Accor Hotels across Australia will ‘switch off’ in support of Earth Hour on March 28th, in an effort to build awareness for climate change and the need to reduce global warming.

Accor Hotels have supported Earth Hour since its inception in 2007. Throughout the country, Accor hotels will again turn lights off or significantly reduce lighting throughout.

Guests staying at Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons and Ibis hotels during Earth Hour will be treated to a candlelight experience in restaurants and bars and encouraged to support the Earth Hour effort.

Accor Hotels are committed to sustainable business practices and the Earth Hour initiative complements other environmental initiatives undertaken across the hotel network. These include:

Green Globe Certification
Novotel are the first hotel brand to undertake Green Globe certification in the Pacific region with six hotels in Australia and two in New Zealand successfully achieving…

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/03/18/starwoods-latest-elemen…

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has just announced the opening of Element Houston Vintage Park, the first Element hotel to open in Texas, boasting a new travel experience with comfortable public spaces, modern style and eco-friendly design.

The newly constructed, 123-room hotel is a key part of the new Vintage Park lifestyle center located in bustling northwest Houston. The General Contractor for the Element is Benchmark Development Corporation of Dallas. This is the first of two Element projects between the ownership group, development team, and InterMountain Management. The Element Hotel in Lone Tree, Colorado will open in the summer of 2009.

Awaken to Smart Eco-chic Design
The Element brand’s unique design philosophy is evident the moment guests arrive. After passing through a signature portal that provides a literal bridge to the Element interior, guests will be greeted with streams of natural light from a multi-storied window wall. The vitality of the lobby will be matched by the…

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/03/18/mountain-lodges-of-peru…

Two years after the opening of the first trans-Anden lodge-to-lodge trek to Machu Picchu, Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP) has won the grand prize of the renowned competition TO DO! – Contest Socially Responsible Tourism. Following a comprehensive jury inspection on site, the prize was awarded during this year’s travel trade show ITB in Berlin on Friday, March 13th.

“This is the result of our business strategy which from the beginning included the involvement of local communities and the use of environmentally sound practices”, Enrique Umbert Jr, General Manager of MLP is glad to point out.

The rationale for the award says: “MLP offers unusual trekking tours that satisfy the highest expectations regarding comfort and quality.”….”The company combines an economically promising strategy with comprehensive social and ecological responsibility in a plausible manner and helps to strengthen cultural identity.”

In Peru, the MLP tourism concept is innovative and unique, as…

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/03/18/launch-of-new-scholarsh…

Spirit Journeys has just announced the launch of its SpiritFund donation campaign; designed to help make it possible for people to attend retreats or workshops who would normally not be able to do so. Spirit Journeys is a spiritual gay travel (http://www.spiritjourneys.com) organization and SpiritFund is a natural extension of their mission.

SpiritFund is a scholarship program designed to help make it possible for people to attend retreats or workshops who would not be able to do so without the fund. Many people have experienced the trauma of suddenly losing a partner, or have had dramatic shifts in employment or health. During such times, extra expenses might limit access to the sort of healing work Spirit Journeys offers. There are many others who could also benefit from such a fund: young people just starting their “working” lives, couples with children and only one income, those that currently have a low income, etc.

The SpiritFund scholarship program is funded by donations…

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/03/18/the-outer-links-volume-…

Each and every day, scores of high-quality, well-written content is published in the effort to further the advancement of knowledge and activism regarding “greener” lifestyles. TerraCurve wants to promote these efforts as much as possible. This new column, “The Outer Links”, is a first step in helping spread the word.

“The Outer Links”, is designed to highlight some of the “best of the web” content as it pertains to a responsible and sustainable lifestyle, with an obvious emphasis on travel. Each and every day, scores of high-quality, well-written content is published in the effort to further the advancement of knowledge and activism regarding “greener” lifestyles. TerraCurve wants to promote these efforts as much as possible. This new column, “The Outer Links”, is a first step in helping spread the word.

A Green Recovery For All : "Your city is about to get a few million dollars for green investment and job training from the Recovery Package. That money can…

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Author: Jean-Paul
Website: http://www.thechicecologist.com/2009/03/julia-failey-unique-…

There is something about artisan jewelry that captures me, but only when it is beautiful and unique. Julia Failey embodies that spirit with her wonderfully designed nature inspired eco jewelry. I am especially drawn to the pieces displayed below, and it was the rose vine bangles that really captured me.
Designed and crafted in her Chicago [...]

Related posts:

1. Eco Friendly Reader Suggestions - Green Jewelry and Sustainable Furniture Design
2. A Green Valentines Day - Celebrate Your Love with the Environment Too!
3. Simply Wood Rings - Eco-Concious Jewelry

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Because of the harmful side effects of solvent-based interior stains and finishes, manufacturers have dramatically reduced the amount of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) their products offgas over the past several years. As a result, there are now quite a few water-based solvents available, qualifying for LEED points in the EQ Credit 4.2: Low-Emitting Materials: Paints & Coatings category.

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