Author: Lisa Frack
Website: http://www.enviroblog.org/2009/03/special-to-enviroblog-by-a…

Special to Enviroblog by Amy Rosenthal, EWG’s Farm & Food Outreach Coordinator.

Here at EWG we spend a lot of time investigating the failure of the Federal Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to keep our food, water and consumer goods safe. We focus on toxic chemicals, but, as it turns out, the FDA works pretty much the same no matter what “innovation” is getting pushed onto the market without labeling or testing.

Take genetically modified (GM) foods. The new documentary The World According to Monsanto takes an in-depth look at the billion dollar, multi-national corporation Monsanto and its push to spread its bio-engineered seeds. Though Monsanto is the main villain of this story, the FDA, with its failure to regulate this new and controversial technology comes across as its unquestioning ally.

The beginning of GM seeds. In the mid 90’s, when Monsanto wanted to start selling its genetically engineered seeds, the FDA decided to treat GM foods just like their conventional…

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Author: easy eco blog
Website: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/easyecoblog/~3/31m2IxbVb7I/

Gift cards made from the toxic plastic PVC are all over the place, and filling our landfill.  It is time that more people recycled them. Refill them if possible. Look for ones made from biodegradable materials such as corn.
Earthworks will take your old cards and recycle then. Collect a big batch and sending them to:
Earthworks [...]

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/03/20/mega-resorts-are-anti-e…

A new report by environmental activist lobby group Tourism Concern claims that “mega resorts” are environmentally unsustainable, leading often times to the alienation of people in developing countries while stealing funds from the local economy.

Lobbyist group Tourism Concern is raising questions over “mega resorts”, claiming that the huge vacation destinations are destroying communities and are environmentally unsustainable, leading to widespread displacement of people from their land. The group’s report states that poor communities in developing countries, depending heavily upon their natural resources for their livelihoods, are the hardest hit; huge tracts of public and privately owned land are being acquired, often illegally, and sold off to real estate developers by governments looking to expand tourism in pursuit of economic growth.

Yet the truth, according to Tourism Concern, is that little-to-no profit from these mega resorts actually stays in the local economy.

“The…

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/03/20/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.

Group Wants To Further Polar Bear Protection : "The current population of polar bears have been estimated at about 22,000. Yearly, approximately 700 polar…

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Author: Jean-Paul
Website: http://www.thechicecologist.com/2009/03/invest-green-environ…

Now may not be the best time for this post, or is it? Market wisdom dictates to buy low, sell high. Well guess what, the market is pretty low right now and some technologies seem to have a rosy future. The Obama administration has made it clear that they will be investing heavily in alternative [...]

Related posts:

1. What is Greenwashing - The Spin of Environmentally Friendly Marketing
2. Green Up Your Launderd Clothing - Dry Cleaning Re-thought
3. A Great Green Workout - Create Your Own Energy at the Gym

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Tax credits for new green homes are better than ever! A 30% tax credit (including labor and installation), with no upper limit, is available for consumers building new homes (through 2016) for:

Photovoltaics
Solar Water Heaters
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Small Wind Energy Systems
Fuel Cells (for primary residences only)

The credit for photovoltaic, solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, and small wind energy systems does not have to be for your principal residence; so, rental units, second homes, etc… are all eligible.
For more information, see

2008 IRS Form 5695 to help you further with this provision.

There is a $2,000 tax credit for building a new energy efficient home, but it is ONLY available to “eligible contractors”; therefore, owner/builders may not receive the builder tax credit unless employed as eligible contractors.

See Energy Star and the IRS for more information.

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