Earth Day, celebrated April 22, was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970.
“Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation’s campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam… a national day of observance of environmental problems… is being planned for next spring… when a nationwide environmental ‘teach-in’… coordinated from the office of Senator Gaylord Nelson is planned…”
The “Green” movement has had its ups and downs since then, from the Solar Thermal heyday of the 80’s to the universal solar, wind, and smart-grid movement of today. Since the first Earth Day, the environmental movement has increasingly transformed itself from a largely grassroots, citizen crusade to a professionally-organized and increasing sustainable enterprise. Environmental organizations now employ tens of thousands of full-time employees, including leaders who often make $150,000 or…
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At EWG, we work to provide useful, science-based information to help you safeguard your family from environmental hazards. We also work to reform federal policy on toxic chemicals so that the earth is a cleaner, safer place for us all.
So please join us in celebration of Earth Day by changing how you live - a little or a lot, then by letting the government know that you want better protection from chemical pollution.
Make a personal change
Switch to earth-friendly lightbulbs. Start with our Green Lighting Guide to identify which energy-efficient bulbs have the least mercury, where in your home they should go and how to use them safely.
Eat organic when you can. Put our Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in your wallet (now!) so you can eat organic without breaking the bank.
Do that dusting. Pets and young children are the most vulnerable to dust-bound pollutants, but cleaning your home is free, easy, and everyone benefits from cleaner indoor air.
Then get political
Ask the…
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Every day is Earth Day at the Napa Valley wine country’s spanking new Bardessono, believed by many to be America’s greenest hotel, spa and restaurant. Enveloped by vineyards and the town of Yountville, this five-acre farm-turned-small, design-centric hotel is flanked by 72, 300-foot geothermal wells and constructed of hand-milled wood salvaged from redwood wine tanks, retired walnut orchards and Monterey Cypress. An organic garden and kitchen feed hungry guests after days of touring on hotel-owned Orbea bicycles, rooftop swimming and botanical spa treatments.
The 62-room luxury hotel, spa with a 92-seat restaurant and bar are situated on an old family farmstead in the tiny town of Yountville, famously home to such three-star restaurants as The French Laundry. The property blends itself into the surrounding community through a series of extended community walking paths.
Before the hotel even opened, contractors Cello Maudru distinguished the property by recycling 93 percent of all…
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As the summer travel season approaches, the current economic downturn has many Americans concerned about discretionary spending. To assist travelers in planning memorable, affordable vacations that fit their budget and interests, AAA has featured eight of its more than 100 member-exclusive AAA Drive Trips(r) on its recently launched travel blog, at AAATravelViews.com. Available to all travelers, AAA TravelViews features travel stories and photos, tips and information, industry news and insights from AAA insiders.
AAA offers more than 100 flexible, preplanned AAA Drive Trips itineraries that range in length from two to five days and travel through most of the United States and Canada providing many options for travel close to home. The AAA Drive Trips include photos, an overview map, driving itinerary, mileage and estimated driving time for every leg, sightseeing information and links to detailed information on cities, attractions and events. Where overnight stops are suggested,…
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Accor has reaffirmed its commitment to reforestation. By April 2010, some 1,000 Accor hotels will be actively involved in Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign, an initiative launched last year in association with the United Nations Environment Program.
Accor’s commitment to Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign
This highly innovative global reforestation program is designed to finance seven tree-planting projects around the world. Accor has pledged to donate 50% of the savings on laundry costs resulting from the responsible behavior of hotel operators and their customers. An awareness-building campaign has been organized in participating hotels, asking customers to keep their bath towels for more than one night. So that they understand the full importance of reusing towels, a message is posted in each bathroom informing them that “Here, YOUR towels plant trees.”
Accor is also providing special training to floor staff and chambermaids in charge of linen.
Launched…
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The price for any company to go green, whether it is in the travel sector or not, is typically higher than the non-green alternative. In the current economy, its easy to think that most companies would opt to forego the green initiative in order to save a few bucks. However, according to a recent study by the American Marketing Association (AMA) and Fleishman-Hillard, companies are continually investing in green programs in an effort to win over consumers.
According to polling, 50% of marketers suggest that the economic crisis actually encourages the adoption of green practices, while most plan to put even more emphasis on developing corporate sustainability opportunities in the near future.
“At a time when the economy requires everyone to stay focused on the essentials, it’s noteworthy that businesses are putting sustainability programs into that must-do column,” said Nancy Costopulos of the AMA. “The business community is embracing environmental sustainability in a way that…
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As governments around the world debate how to address climate change, indigenous communities will be among the first and hardest hit. Rising sea levels are displacing thousands in island nations, while droughts and floods are destroying the natural resources indigenous communities rely upon for survival.
Indigenous communities have long played a vital role in protecting the ecosystems that support society as a whole. Much of the world’s8217;s remaining forests are on indigenous lands, and studies have shown that in Brazil, deforestation in indigenous areas is lower than in government-run protected areas.
As the threats of climate change grow, many indigenous communities are taking action to conserve their vital natural resources “from the mangroves that shield them against storm surges, to the coral reefs that provide them food to the forests that supply clean drinking water. By conserving forests and other natural areas that serve as carbon sinks, indigenous communities are also…
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June 8th marks World Ocean Day, a time for communities across the globe to experience and appreciate the wonders of the deep blue, including a close-up and personal encounter with giant sea turtles. SEE Turtles is offering a free volunteer placement service at www.seeturtles.org that matches interested volunteers with sea turtle conservation projects in Mexico, Costa Rica, Tobago, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. As one of the world’s most mystical and prehistoric creatures, sea turtle exploration presents many opportunities to see these endangered gentle giants and participate in conservation efforts that are underway to protect them.
Watching a green sea turtle gracefully meander through the water or witnessing a horde of leatherback sea turtle hatchlings scramble to the ocean may be one of the most joyful experiences in life. Sea turtles are among the earth’s most ancient and fascinating animals: they have been a mainstay in six of the world’s seven oceans for millions of years,…
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I am pretty excited about the first (of hopefully many) Carrotmob event at the Pike Place Place Brewery in Seattle, Washington. If you haven’t heard about Carrotmob, you should check out their website and get hooked into their sustainable consumer network.
Carrotmob organizes environmentally conscious individuals to reward businesses for being eco-friendly. One way they do [...]
We’re getting ready to exhibit at the Log & Timber Frame Home Show in Concord, NH this weekend. If you are interested in building a timber frame, post and beam home, or a green home with conventional materials, we hope you can stop by to see us! Show information is listed below.
6th Annual New England Log & Timber Frame Home Show Douglas Everett Arena Concord, New Hampshire April 24th - April 26th Bonin Architects - Booth #49
Looking for discount tickets and directions? Check out our Green Events page! Remember to stop by our booth to pick up a free Home Show chart to keep track of the vendors you’ve visited!
Show times:
Friday, April 24th: Noon - 7:00 PM Saturday, April 25th: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday, April 26th: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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