Avoid idling your car. We know: It’s cold, you’re waiting to pick someone up, they’re late, and you don’t want to turn off the car and get out, or you can’t park it, or both.
Credit: Slate.com
Sometimes it seems easier to sit in that car with the motor on. But the next time you’re tempted to idle, keep this action in mind. That’s all we ask: avoid idling. Not: don’t idle your car under any circumstances! Simply think twice about it, even if you don’t own a car but use one sometimes. Even if you ride in a taxi or an airport shuttle occasionally—and, for example, you notice the driver has the engine running in seasonable weather, with his window open. This way, you’re informed. And you can add 20 points to your score!
Of course, if you have an electric car you can idle all you want. Right?
No gas: no fumes! Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept
Idling is a common—and unfortunate—practice among drivers, although there is little evidence that it has any benefit. Some people claim that idling in the winter is good for warming up your vehicle, but gently driving your vehicle will warm up it up much faster than letting it idle.
Others claim that it takes more fuel to start your vehicle than to let it idle for a minute. This is a myth; according to the Department of Energy, the fuel used to start your vehicle is equivalent to amount of fuel your vehicle uses when it idles for a few seconds. When your vehicle idles, it gets zero miles per gallon.
Idling also pollutes. There are schools that have adopted idle-free zones for dropping-off or picking-up kids so they won’t be inhaling that much exhaust—both inside and outside idling vehicles.
Did you know that children breathe in twice as much air for their body weight as adults? Here's a sign that's available from the Portland (Oregon) department of transportation.
In London, a new campaign urges drivers to 'make a small switch' to help deliver cleaner, healthier air... see www.tfl.gov.uk
Reduce unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions by turning off your car if you’re going to be stopped for more than ten seconds.
During winter, try idling for ten seconds, then start gently driving to your destination.
Consider asking your school or local business district to adopt an idle-free zone.
The news of Chevy Volts catching on fire does not encourage us to buy one any time soon – regardless of GM’s buy-back offer. We hope it’s an easily fixable glitch (anyone know how to fix a battery-coolant leak?), because the idea of being able to plug in instead of fill up is extremely appealing.
Click here for all of Practically Green’s Green Car actions.
We asked Jeff Evanson of Tesla for the big picture. Jeff’s a former race-car driver. Do these early days of electric-vehicle (EV) development remind him of the early days of aviation, when the Wright brothers et al crashed into cow fields and could not seem to get off the ground?
Wright Brothers Kitty Hawk 1st Flight 1903, McMahan Photo
“It’s not really like aviation,” he explained, “because we’re transforming an existing industry.” It’s more like the invention of the iPhone, which has revolutionized handheld communications and so much more. Tesla launched a two-seat roadster in 2008 at an exorbitant price, and the strategy worked: it’s sold out and is being driven mainly by celebrities and other high-end types. “We wanted to prove that EVs don’t have to drive like a golf cart.”
Assuming electric cars are safe – and Jeff assures us they are – what is so great about EVs?
- they don’t use a drop of gasoline: they plug in
- cost of gasoline: zero
- emissions: zero
- cost of maintenance is also likely to be less, because there’s much less to break: “there are practically no parts replacements, no hot boiling pieces of metal under the hood; no bulky spark plugs…”
Chevy Volt
Battery range varies depending on the battery – and on factors like speed, cargo weight, climate control, and topography – it takes more oomph to drive uphill than on the flat. The Nissan Leaf can go for approximately 100 miles on a single charge; the Volt goes for 35 miles.
The Leaf has a partnership with SunPower solar for residential charging stations; this quick video is the simplest visualization we’ve seen of how the sun can easily power your EV.
Nissan Leaf: solar powered and charging
We’ll confess a crush on the Tesla S series, made in the USA, coming in summer 2012. It ’s available with a range of 160, 230, or 300 miles. Model S will be able to be quick-charged – 150 miles in 30 minutes. (Here is the New York Times’ story about Tesla fast-charging.) The Tesla S will also cost significantly more than a Leaf or a Volt: $57,400, or $49,900 after a federal tax credit for green vehicles. Jeff compares the sedan to a BMW 5-series in size, except it has more cargo space because there’s no engine under the hood!
Tesla Model S
We spoke with Camille Ricketts at Tesla to find out what it’s like to work there. No, everyone doesn’t get a free roadster. But Camille and others who commute to the Palo Alto headquarters can do so in a shuttle van; they can order fresh produce to be delivered at the office; and employees bring their dirty laundry to work, where it’s sent to an eco-friendly dry-cleaning service.
Of course, before you buy a new vehicle, consider a pre-owned one. And if you take an EV for a test drive, please let us know how it goes!
BMWi goes from 0 to 62mph in 8 seconds. Eta, 2013, price tba.
I’ve recently been on a whirlwind tour of major cities in the US for Practically Green. Which, I know, is not very green. As half of this travel was on the West Coast (and we’re headquartered in Boston), eliminating the flying burden wasn’t really an option. But I somewhat haphazardly decided that instead of jumping into a cab or renting a car, perhaps I could commit to trying out every other form of green ground transportation in the process. Yes, even in Los Angeles, that last city on this tour.
Knowing my Type A personality that could get a little over-zealous on this challenge, I did commit to three principles:
1. I would not risk missing a flight or being embarrassingly late to a speaking engagement or client meeting for the sake of this green traveling challenge. If time was unexpectedly tight, just suck it up and take a cab.
2. If it was dark and I was alone, in an unfamiliar town/place, I would use good judgment about transportation choices and safety.
3. Boston didn’t count. I live here. I know the options. Some work well (awesome ability to call for a hybrid taxi out of the line at Logan). Some not so great: public transportation from Newton to the airport at 4:30am.
With that, my first stop was Seattle, Washington. My birthplace. And a town not known historically for being super friendly to green transportation choices. Except that now it’s one of the greenest cities in the country and with that has come what might be my FAVORITE new train line in this country–the Central Link Light Rail, which opened in 2009. It’s a bit of a walk from the terminal, but it whisks you right downtown and is extremely clean and light. Had all my meetings and hotel been downtown, I would have been set. Except I was having lunch on Capitol Hill, dinner in Mercer Lake and had meetings in Redmond the next day. Could I get to all of these–and back–on public transportation? This is when I discovered that Google Transit is a green traveler’s best friend–and that Seattle’s bus system is really pretty good. I got to every destination with one transfer or less, the trips were on-time and I felt safe at all times. One city down, five to go!
Next stop was New York City and this is where I had to break the cab habit first. In 10 years of living in New York City, I had never taken public transportation back and forth from LaGuardia or JFK. Which is, in hindsight, totally embarrassing. Fortunately, I was flying into JFK which has the awesome airtrain that connects you into one of two subway lines–the A or the E. It also connects you to the Long Island Rail Road, which runs every 5-15 minutes during peak times. The first trip, I tried the E. It worked very well taking about 45 minutes from airport into the city. The second flight in was on a Saturday and I tried the A. That took forever—probably 1.5 hours–at least 20 of which was waiting for the A. The third trip I tried the LIRR and that’s by far the fastest and easiest. Will definitely choose that option from now on for the times I have to fly in. Once in Manhattan, the subway system is extensive and easy to navigate, if not extremely crowded at times.
Next stop: Austin, TX. This stop prompted one of the funnier responses to my attempts to navigate public transportation.
I arrived extremely late and was staying near the airport so had the shared hotel shuttle to use that night. However, the next day, I needed to get downtown. I asked the desk clerk whether I could get a train or bus into town and got back a completely blank stare. ”A what?” she said. ”A bus,” I said. ”Oh–we don’t have those.” Well, according to Google transit, yes they did. So I ended up taking the shuttle back to the airport and sure enough, for $1 I could take an Airport Flyer bus to a stop one block from my hotel. (For the record, Austin also has a train, but it doesn’t go to the airport).
Next stop: San Francisco. Now this city has not just one, but TWO train systems. BART, which goes to the airports in Oakland and SF and the Metro, which goes around San Francisco. And if the trains aren’t enough, there are also lots of Metro buses to get to and fro. However, San Francisco was also the scene of the first bailing due to being late. One $30 cab ride later, I was kicking myself for not planning better. Not only was green transportation better for the environment, but it was a ton better on my wallet!
Washington DC (Reagan National) came next and they win for “most convenient Metro stop to the airport terminal.” One thing I’d learned about all these public transportation options is that there is a trifecta for making it work as a business traveler: advance planning, flat shoes, and a light bag. I can’t figure out why it’s so hard to build these new stations closer to the terminals, but in many cases they are a 1/4 to 1/3 mile walk. So you do need to be prepared to log some serious mileage. Except at National. Heels allowed.
So now, I’m five cities down and the last stop is the doozy–Los Angeles–the car capital of America–for Opportunity Green. As our team was preparing a mobile application for the event, we asked several friends in LA about public transportation choices and the advice wasn’t particularly encouraging. Concerns were expressed about convenience and safety to the point where we questioned whether we should recommend it to attendees (we did), and I set out to see for myself. Google Transit directed me to the trains, but also said it would take close to 1.5 hours versus 16 minutes for driving. OK–that’s crazy. Landing in LA, the information-counter guy warned me off the trains too. But he explained that there was a non-stop, public bus called the FlyAway that would go to Union Station and from there, I could catch the LA Metro train to my hotel. Simple enough.
But now I needed to get to a meeting in Culver City and time was ticking—OK–resolution #1: don’t be late. So I asked the hotel for a taxi, preferably a hybrid. I didn’t get a strange look at all and a few later, was whisked away in a hybrid. On the way home, I did take the bus back from Culver City to downtown. It was relatively easy to navigate, fast and efficient, but as darkness started to fall, I will admit that it came the closest to feeling risky.
Six cities later, I am very encouraged about the improvements in public transportation in the major cities of America, at least for tourists and business travelers. Admittedly, it’s not Norway or China with rapid transit right into the terminal. And if it were not for Google Transit and nice people at airport information counters, it would be extremely challenging to figure it out. But armed with a smartphone and flat shoes, it is totally doable. It’s also fabulous on expenses. I estimate that I saved at least $500 in taxi and rental car costs for these six trips alone. Just think how much money an entire big company could save if their people were encouraged and motivated to use public transportation for conferences and other business travel! And for those people and companies tracking their footprints, the environmental impact quickly adds up.
If you are a member of Practically Green and want to green your business or personal travel, we’ve added a ton of new actions this fall to get you started:
Take public transportation between events
Take a hybrid taxi or limo service
Select a green hotel when traveling
And now, for the record, I’m signing up for this action for the rest of the year: reduce unnecessary air travel with phone and video conferences. Happy Travels!
SmallBizSaturday falls on November 26, and we can think of at least 12 great reasons to participate:
Shopping street in Carmel, California
1) Pump your precious bucks into the indigenous economy: the cash register rings where you throw down; and it rings throughout the entire network behind the proprietor – think about the bookkeeper, the recycling service, shop employees, employees’ babysitters, coffee shops where you go to refuel while you buzz through your gift list….
2) Get to know your local retailers: the dogged and inspired people who work hard to make their establishments better than the ones you find at the big-box mall or online.
3) Save on shipping and transport expenses — yours and the merchandise’s!
4) See, touch, feel, sniff instead of going online and clicking.
5) Avoid the stress (and time-wasting, gas-guzzling jams) of snarling crowds focused on Black Friday.
6) It’s a party! Many local outfits have chocolatey goodies, music, and other fun enticements – at least, the ones we know do…
7) Uniqueness: if it’s one-of-a-kind you crave, your chances are improved by shopping a stand-alone, one-of-a-kind shop.
8) Three gifts for them, one gift for me…. Enjoy a tasty local lunch or mani-pedi as a reward during your errands.
9) Get outside!
10) Save money: many SmallBizSaturday participants offer coupons, deals and other incentives.
11) Enjoy ancillary activities that your ingenious local retailers dream up. For example, KaightNYC is hosting a Wool and the Gang Knitting Party: “The holidays are just around the corner, what better gift to give than to knit that someone special, something special!”
See? Told you local shopkeepers are serious about having fun this season (refer to point 6 above).
12) Shopping local gives you another reason to bring your reusable shopping bags (see the fab selection from BlueAvocado) and earn Practically Green’s Green Shopper badge!
For more info, including a ZIP-directory, visit the Small Business Saturday Facebook page. And please post your stories and recommendations for Small Business Saturday!
Most of these points hold true for the other 364 days of the year: Shop local businesses regularly!
Save money being green
In a skittish economy, money trumps all. Everyone wants to boost efficiency, reduce waste, and be healthy not only because it’s the right thing to do but because it’s miserable watching cash float away any more than we must. Practically Green has 70+ actions you can do that are either free or that will yield impressive financial results.
Check the list! You’re probably doing lots of these things already. You’ll see several to do starting, well… Now!
Here’s a sampling. The point value tells you the relative impact of each action:
Turn thermostat down by 4 degrees in the winter (50 Points)
Turn down hot water heater (20 points)
Turn off the heat dry feature on your dishwasher (20 points)
Switch to reusable towels or dish cloths at home (20 points)
Install one low-flow shower head (20 points)
Use reusable shopping bags regularly (10 points)
Unplug (or avoiding buying) your second refrigerator (50 points)
Turn off the lights when you leave a room (10 points)
Unplug chargers and appliances when not in use (20 points)
Buy antique or secondhand furniture and home goods (50 points)
Buy a pre-owned home instead of building new (200 points)
Commit to 25 of these next steps, and you’ve earned the Frugalista badge. Who wouldn’t want this coy pig on their Practically Green dashboard?!
So go ahead, pick your 25 actions and get this savvy oinker on board your green program!
Energize Phoenix is a partnership between a city, a local power utility, and a university.
“We can be just as sophisticated about getting you to reduce your energy consumption as somebody selling you a Hummer can be to get you to increase your energy consumption,” says Arizona State University social psychologist Susan Ledlow, as reported by Emily Badger on The Atlantic.com.
Ledlow wants to create the social norm that energy conservation is something everyone does. This is a distinctly different message from “energy conservation is something you should do.” She wants people to hear that many, many people care about this, and that those people are doing something about it. “The more people hear that,” Ledlow says, “the more it becomes a social reality.”
We caught up with Badger on how she became interested in the subject of environmental psychology:
“It’s a relatively new field, the idea of taking marketing best-practices on how to influence people to behave sustainably, increasing their energy efficiencies, for example, as opposed to consuming cars or building McMansions…. There was an existing model that said if you give people the right information about how to make efficient choices, stick it up on a web site, eventually they’ll change. But that’s not enough, and people realize it. Cities all over the country have posted information on how you can get your lawn clippings picked up, but it just sits there! And now there’s a new imperative: with the economic downturn it’s simply not practical for people to be wasteful any more. We’re all looking for ways to save money.”
Emily Badger, Reporter
Susan Ledlow, Social Psychologist
Badger says that real-life energy efficiencies can go viral via the power of peer pressure: “it’s possible to envision a norm that catches on in one block, spreads up the street and eventually to the neighborhood level. Neighbors chat about their retrofits, their bill savings during a rough economy. Then they see a familiar face on a subway ad for happy insulation customers. The idea spreads along the rail line. The average consumption figures on the monthly electricity bill tick down, and the norm expands out regionally.”
“People are far more persuaded by what everybody actually does, even when they say that they’re not,” Ledlow says. “There’s just experiment after experiment where you can get people to change their behavior to match the behavior of the people around them. And then they will swear that that’s not why they did it. Yet we know that happens.”
We know that positive behavior change happens at Practically Green — we hear this all the time; we share user comments on our Facebook page and via Twitter @practicallygrn. And Groups is part of it: registered users automatically join 4 Groups, including their state and zip code Groups.
My Groups (L to R): Facebook, Practically Green Staff, SXSWEco, Zip, State, Country, All of Practically Green
People love to compare their scores with their friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Have a look at the Practically Green Staff Group here.
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No wonder we felt a buzz in Boston when this state scorecard was released by the ACEEE last week; for the first time, Massachusetts ranks number 1.
From the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy 2011 Scorecard
Michael Sciortino, Policy Analyst, ACEEE
“In a sour year for the economy, energy efficiency remains a growth sector that attracts investment and creates jobs,” lead author Michael Sciortino says. “It’s just plain smart to invest in energy efficiency, and that’s what the leading states are doing. There are so many things that can be done… energy efficiencies are abundant anywhere in the country. And yes, some states take this scorecard as a call to action.”
Note to States: why not sign up at Practically Green?! That way you can compare your energy-efficient progress with your peers and boost your rank next year!
Commuting to work and school: what gets people to change their routines? Is it money, time, convenience, attitude? Something else? How do you launch a new habit?
I suspect it’s different for all of us.
Personally, there’s an internal conversation between the lame, stuck-in-her-rut Sarah and the creative, can-do Sarah.
Last night before bed:
Sarah: I really should go have that flu shot I’ve been meaning to get. Tomorrow morning first thing is a good time.
Lame Sarah: But how will you do that and continue on your new bike-to-work routine? You don’t even know if there are bike racks at the clinic! You don’t have a lock! You’ve never done this before!
Can-do Sarah: Bring the bike inside with you, L.S. You KNOW there’s access for wheelchairs and strollers at the clinic. Why not?
Why not indeed! Voila: me exiting the clinic with my bike:
I asked Megan Ramey, biker extraordinaire of A Better City, to share her professional perspective on changing commuter habits. After all, she spends her days coming up with ways to encourage an entire metro-region to change:
There are two important considerations regarding commuter mode shifting: 1) it’s a solo venture and 2) we are creatures of habit. So unfortunately, it’s not the incentives like health, efficiency, time, community and money that cause a mode shift, it’s the large barriers like traffic, train delays, gas prices, congestion tolls, totaling your car (my case as an undergraduate student); or large lifestyle changes like moving to a new city or changing jobs. The incentives work well to reinforce the good habit and influence future lifestyle change decisions, but ultimately the barriers are what disrupt the bad behavior and routine and force the person to try alternatives.
Note: In Boston, we are enjoying an amazing new bike-sharing program called Hubway. Powered by Alta bikes, Hubway has racks of tough bikes at convenient locations all around town. You can check the map displayed at every rack, take a bike for part of your trip. Train/bus/subway commuters can pick up a bike at South Station, for example, and ride over to a rack near the office or school, then walk the rest of the way.
This map shows my route from home (Start: walk to pick-up bike rack H); ride to flu shot clinic; ride to deposit bike rack H; walk across the bridge to the office (Finish). It’s not a straight line, one-mode solution, but it was fun, interesting, efficient — I got my errand done — AND I earned a bunch of Practically Green points! Click here for the Low Car Diet: http://practicallygreen.com/actions/low-car-diet.
New York City plans to launch its bike sharing program next summer. The San Francisco Bay Area won’t be far behind. Chicago, Miami, and Washington D.C. are already rolling.
So think about it: Could you bike for some of your errands, or for part of your commute?
We love holidays! World Carfree Day encourages everyone to rethink transportation choices on September 22.
At Practically Green we’ve got a Low-Car Diet: see below of a few of the ideas and click here for the full set. You might consider some tweaks to your transportation regime: carpool, car-share, oreven look into a more fuel-efficient vehicle. (Pre-owned is good, too!)
My personal Carfree dream: FlyKly, a new electric bike. I can so easily imagine zipping around town on one of these babies: fully charged it can go 40 miles at 20 mph. Zero emissions. They’re currently available online, and you can test-drive one in New York City. More on that soon…
Electric FlyKly Bicycles. Craving.....
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Walk your errands, by Andrea Learned
This suggestion sounds overly obvious, right?
My recent move from a small town in Vermont to a dense urban neighborhood in Seattle has re-ignited my enthusiasm for being strategic with my walked errands. Plus, I have a dog.
I’m like most people in that I need to fit trips to the library, post office, grocery store and all those types of things in and around my working hours. (I am unlike some people in that I have no commute, and work from home, so this does make walking household errands more do-able). My strategy is to stop each morning and think of the stuff I need to get done. I then map out (in my head) three things, at most, that I can get done while also walking my dog.
Because I deliberately chose to live in a well laid out, mixed-use neighborhood when I moved here a few months ago, my errand runs include coming across clever pocket parks, a few hidden pathways between the waterfront and residential areas, industrial boat works blocks amid new coffee shops (this is Seattle) – all on the way to my car repair shop. As well, I gain new insight for future bike routes that I might otherwise have missed in driving too quickly by. (as in: “oh.. so that little street flows into THAT bike route…” ).
"Teeny, one residential lot, garden-filled 'pocket park.'"
Once I start thinking about paths and doing errands in groupings that are walkable, I then keep challenging myself to be even more efficient or to find yet another new sight on future errand walks. For me, walking begets walking. I find myself extending what “walking distance” means (compared to “biking distance,” for one), because the slower, street scale pace, can be incredibly calming and enjoyable. Clearing my head and getting exercise are extra bonuses in trying to live a more green life.
"Cool old building, which I noticed was being renovated ... because I was walking, could stop & ask one of the workers what it was going to be - a B&B!
Now, excuse me while I put the leash on my dog…
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Andrea Learned is an author (Don’t Think Pink), blogger, and expert on gender-based consumer behavior, with a focus on sustainability influence and communication. In addition to her blog (http://learnedon.com), Andrea also contributes to the Huffington Post and Greenbiz.com. Follow her on Twitter @AndreaLearned
Meet Lori Alper: blogger, lawyer, mother – and passionate traveler. Here she is with her family in Paris, sigh. We asked for Lori’s Green Family Travel Tips and she doesn’t disappoint — her post hits on 8+ PG actions. Enjoy!
Fly non-stop rather than connect 20 points
Fly one of the top green airlines 5 points
Bring a reusable water bottle 10 points
Low-car diet 5 to 200 points
Keep your showers short 20 points
Shut off the water when brushing teeth 10 points
Turn off the lights when you leave a room 10 points
Contribute to the local community/economy 10 to 50 points
And we just had to add this one, partly because we loathe the red-eye and also because it’s worth a surprising 50 points:
Fly during the day, and not at night
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10 Tips for a Green Family Travel, by Lori Alper
Traveling has always been in my blood. It began when I was very young. I took my first plane ride when my family packed up and moved from New York to Wisconsin. I spent most school vacations traveling by plane to visit my grandparents in Florida. Now living in Boston, traveling has remained an important part of my life. I travel with my family for vacation and to visit cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles that live in far off places.
As a self-proclaimed “greenie” I have given a lot of thought to my frequent travels. I know that the most eco friendly means of travel is to stay put or to travel by foot, bicycle or public transportation. When we stay local this works. But for long distance travel we need a plane. Fortunately, there are many ways us eco-aware tourists can make our travels green.
10 Tips for a Green Family Travel
Eco friendly skies
- Fly non-stop. Thankfully new non-stop flights are popping up to more remote locations. Flying non-stop reduces carbon emissions since much of the fuel burned on airplanes occurs during take-off and landing.
- Fly one of the top green airlines. Practically Green has a great list of airlines that have made an effort to reduce their impact on the earth.
- Use a mobile boarding pass. This will save many trees from being used as paper. The only problem I have found with mobile boarding passes is that each family member needs to have a smart phone to download their pass. My young children don’t have their own phones so I haven’t been able to use this feature when traveling with my family.
- Reduce waste. Sometimes when I travel all of my green habits are thrown by the wayside. I have been making a conscious effort to bring along my reusable water bottle. Although it can’t be filled when going through security it is nice to have along for the trip. I pack it empty and fill it later. I always try to avoid buying plastic bottles of water-they create waste and the plastic is harmful.
- Once you’re there take public transportation, walk, or bike whenever possible. By choosing public forms of transportation you will keep your carbon footprint to a minimum. Sometimes there’s no better way to see a city then to walk or cycle.
The hotel
- Find a hotel with sustainable practices. Hotels throughout the world are becoming more and more eco friendly, but some are doing a better job than others. Before you book a hotel room check with a hotel rating site like Eco Hotels of the World, and find places to stay that take environmental issues into consideration.
- Take advantage of the linen reuse program at hotels. Many hotels offer these programs to guests, encouraging them to reuse towels and linens. This on average saves the hotel 11 to 17 percent on hot water and sewer costs. Although the hotel is directly saving money, this program has a large environmental impact by reducing the amount of water needed and detergent used.
- Keep your showers short, and shut off the water while you’re brushing your teeth.
- When you leave your hotel room don’t forget to turn off the lights, air conditioning/heat and television.
One more green travel tip: Contribute to the local community. Wherever you are, make an effort to shop at local markets and use local businesses. Buy local, seasonal product rather than imported products.
The good news is these tips are incredibly easy and don’t require much effort or sacrifice when traveling.
Are any of these tips already part of your family travel? How do you make your travel green?
Author note: Lori Popkewitz Alper is the founder and editor-in-chief of Groovy Green Livin, a site dedicated to sharing simple green living tips and current information on sustainable living with individuals, families, schools and businesses. Connect with Lori and Groovy Green Livin on Facebook /Groovy Green Livin, via Twitter @groovygreenlivi.
Sign up for a car-sharing program
Stressed by your commute? Want to liberate yourself from the expenses and hassle of owning a car? Conscious of noxious fumes in the air? Do you really NEED your own car? Want to test a cool new low-fuel alternative?
At ZipCar, certain rules apply: Can I bring a pet? Pets must ride in carriers. Can I smoke in a ZipCar? No. As in, Never.
My own experience with Zipcar has been magical. The most cumbersome part was the one-time sign-up process, but I suppose a relatively careful driver check is a good idea — especially since ZipCar provides complimentary gas and insurance coverage! Choose your vehicle and pick-up location online, and — amazing to me — the car is THERE as promised, and ready for you!
I can choose my wheels, where & when I want to use them!
Zipcar offers vehicles in hundreds of locations: http://www.zipcar.com/find-cars/
If you’re a college student – or faculty, employee, or simply live in the neighborhood – chances are you have Zipcar or another car-sharing service close by. (Join ZipcarU on Facebook here.) And starting today, vehicle choices include a new fleet of Ford Focus and Escape vehicles at discounted rates. Bill Ford has been interested in traffic-congestion solutions for decades, and Zipcar convinced him that a partnership made sense:
“It’s a great way to reach these first-time drivers,” Mr. Ford said. “And the data shows that the No. 1 reason people leave Zipcar is to buy a vehicle, and that they are heavily influenced by what they have driven as a member.”
“Millennials appear to have developed a very different view of the automobile. Access and convenience are their top priorities, meaning that Zipcar and its alliances with companies such as Ford can deliver what they want easily, affordably and with the technology and sustainability they truly value,” said Zipcar chairman and CEO Scott Griffith.
Are you a Zipcar member? How do you like it? Do you have another idea to make transportation more convenient — and greener?
I’m ready to go public with my new routine: Walking to work regularly. I’m beyond gratified to see that this action is worth 200 points on Practically Green, because it feels like a major change to me, WALKING instead of stuffing myself into the subway. Between us, I am so proud of myself it’s ridiculous!
Now that I’ve been at it for a few weeks, I’m a convert, so here are my tips on how to make a change like this in your life.
Plan. First, plug in your coordinates on Google Maps. Click the “beta” pedestrian option. 
No excuses! Do not balk at the extra time this is going to take. Do not complain about the weather! No whining! Just do it. This is 46 minutes of “me” time.
Note route highlights. Mine include a Whole Foods and a scenic bridge over the Charles River. On my way home yesterday, I stopped in at WF to buy fresh dinner veggies – felt so Parisian stuffing a head of lettuce and a cuke into my bag!
Scenic view from the Longfellow Bridge on my walk home
Decide what to wear. Notice the weather, i.e. temperature, wind, likelihood of rain. Also anticipate your potential for sweating (PFS). My PFS is high. And, I walk briskly — I want this to count as exercise, of course!
The morning of my inaugural walk to work dawned with pouring rain. I was ready with my monsoon slicker. By the time I arrived at Kendall Square the crisp “work” top beneath was drenched. Luckily I had a spare t-shirt to put on. Now I’ve got it down: I wear a roomy t-shirt for the trip over and morph into presentable start-up guru in the hotel bathroom next door. (Note to self: remember to bring a People Towel tomorrow!)
En route
Ready for work!
Don’t forget the sunscreen! Make-up: forget it due to PFS. Note to self: will need to revisit this once summer tan has faded.
Bag: I am not yet 100% satisfied with mine (husband’s conference swag) and would love recommendations.
Cargo: I have made a few cargo adjustments. I now lock my laptop at the office so I don’t have to lug it. I wear sneakers on the walk. I keep a pair of shoes at the office (okay, two: one heels and one flats).
Carriage: a yoga/pilates aficionado, I remind myself constantly that the walk is a 46-minute opportunity to suck in my abs and keep my shoulder-blades rolled back and away from my ears.
Amusement. As so many pedestrians know, from President Lincoln to Virginia Woolf, walking is great for thinking. In a world jammed with texts and screens, it’s refreshing to unplug completely for the better part of an hour. No doubt you’ll find your own little things to “do” with yourself as you march along.
And it is a march! It’s a triumphant, glorious feeling to move oneself to work in the fresh air, noticing from a distance the T as it hurtles over the same bridge, the wretched grimy train cars packed with passengers barely visible through the opaque windows. It is nice not to smell everyone else’s summer aromas, to arrive at work dewy and invigorated.
What happens when it gets cold and icy? I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, haha. Stay tuned.
We love introducing Practically Green to great people who want to live healthy & green — and who better than Birchbox, a hard-working team of NYC start-up whizzes with a genius delivery scheme for beauty brands. They chose ONE action for every day this week.
Today: Walking to Work by Lorelei Orfeo, assistant editor at Birchbox. She’s got 200 new points for this action!! For inspiration, tips, and product ideas on Walking to Work Regularly, click here: http://practicallygreen.com/walk-to-work-regularly .
Photo: Bill Cunningham, "On the Street," The New York Times
Living in NYC, I’ve never really considered my transportation a big energy concern. I never drive, rarely take cabs, and rely on public transportation for all my day-to-day activities. Easy access to the subway and busses is something I’ve come to expect and love about living in a city. For all the advantages though, it can be a pretty uncomfortable situation. There’s nothing like being squished into a subway car with 100 other sweaty people during rush hour to make you appreciate the privacy of a car. And while the MTA in New York is making some excellent energy improvements, they still have a ways to go to transition fully to more energy efficient trains, escalators, and maintenance systems. These things don’t happen overnight, of course.
So when a big move brought the Birchbox office closer to my apartment, I knew it was time to switch to a healthier commute. Instead of a 5-minute walk to the subway and a 10-minute ride, I take a 15-20 minute walk. In the last week I’ve taken a new route every morning, discovered a cute little park on the way, and stopped to run errands on after work at night. It’s reduced stress in my mornings because I know exactly how long it’s going to take to get to work and I get a little energy boost while walking. If you aren’t lucky enough to live quite so close to your office, try walking home in the evenings when you have more time or driving part-way and walking the rest. The only downside? I miss the time I used to spend reading on the train! I may have to invest in some good audio books to make up for it.
We’re celebrating On-the-Go summer actions and can’t think of a better guide than Megan Ramey, shown here biking to work with her daughter, who gets off at the first stop for childcare…. Check out these 7 biking actions – and their points! Megan gets 150 points on Practically Green for biking to work regularly!
credit: Kyle Ramey
“We’re a car-free family. This is how I function the best: using a bike for my transportation. It gives me peace of mind.”
Peace of mind? Biking in Boston, headquarters for extreme drivers? We asked Megan to please explain.
“Bike maintenance is so easy compared to auto maintenance. It’s not like a car that breaks down. Once you buy a bike, for maybe $400, you have a dependable means of transport. You’re in the fresh air. Second, it’s a built-in gym workout. I’ve lost 25 pounds over the course of five years. Third, it’s extremely easy to get around on a bike. I go door to door, don’t have to look for a parking pace. Don’t have to look for a gas station!”
What about blizzards? Thunderstorms?
“In bad weather I take the T.”
What about attire. This can be a challenge, right? Not for Megan:
“I don’t wear special clothing. I just think about it, don’t go too fast so I don’t get sweaty. I’m careful to stay four feet from car doors, I do not use roads that busses are on, and in Massachusetts it’s legal to take the lane. Google maps has a new biking option for directions, so it’s easy to figure out a route.”
Have to say we’re getting pretty interested. Maybe biking to work one day a week is possible.
More tips from Megan:
credit: Kyle Ramey
- The bike you ride is very important. You need a rack or a front basket – you do not want to carry stuff on your back because then you will get sweaty.
credit: Mother Nature
- Make sure you have a chain guard.
- And a bell.
- I ride a three-speed Phillips, it’s easy and durable.
“Hey, if you want to include some great resources for ‘on the go’ biking with kids: www.totcycle.com and www.2wheels1baby.blogspot.com.” {this is Megan’s blog}
What about helmet hair?
“Not a problem for me. I have a Bern helmet and it even has detachable earflaps for colder weather!”
Hmmm…. this crisp white one might be perfect for summer:
Psst to Megan, submit this product idea right on the action page!!
Why not give it a try?
Okay, I just added Bike to work one day a week to my plan!!!!
What about you? Do you bike to work? To school? To shop? For fun? What are your tips and what might encourage you to bike more?
Note: Megan is the Sustainability Programs Coordinator for A Better City, which organizes partners around the city of Boston’s vision for transportation, land development and environmental sustainability.
A Better City is a new business partner at Practically Green, with a customized PG platform created to support their member and employee programs. If you work for a company that’s interested in creating a robust interactive tool for green initiatives, RSVP to Linda Natansohn, linda@practicallygreen.com.
Stressing about your holiday plans? Take a deep breath and consider a Staycation! Anna Rabhan’s guest post has me absolutely itching to… stay home!
(P.S. In addition to all of Anna’s excellent suggestiuons, I want to share this one from my friend Tamara: the JBF America’s Classics. It’s a collection of amazing and little-known locally owned restaurants. See if there’s one near you!)
Stay Put: Make Your Vacay a Staycay this Year, by Anna Rabhan
It wasn’t until I left my home state that I realized how much I hadn’t seen of it. That’s a good place to start. Ask yourself, “What would a tourist to my area do?”
The term “staycation,” referring to saving money by eschewing the air travel, hotel stays and frequent restaurant meals long-distance travel requires, popped up in the U.S. during the 2007 financial crisis. However, growing climate concerns have caused us to also consider the detrimental effects of long-distance travel. The 3,000 gallons of fuel an airliner burns just on takeoff and the 50 tons of trash and over one million gallons of wastewater produced during a one-week cruise give us pause when dreaming of our getaway.
Staycationing is a greener option because eliminating air travel means not contributing to the significant emissions and fuel and energy consumption involved. Eliminating a hotel stay means not contributing to the several million gallons a year of water that a large hotel can use, the massive energy consumption its constant occupation causes, or the huge amount of waste it produces. Aside from those obvious environmental impacts, one must also consider that the food vacationers eat is generally not produced or distributed in a sustainable way, that vacationers produce much more waste than when they are home, and many more factors that aren’t as in-your-face as a jet.
Besides, planning a fabulous staycation is so easy! A good starting place, especially if you’re new to the area, is the local or state tourism bureau. Type “Visit(State or City)” into your browser and you’ll find tons of them. It’s a great way to discover local festivals and interesting things to do like the garlic festival in Gilroy, CA, stand-up paddleboard eco-tours in Florida, and Samuel Adams Brewery tours in Boston.
Virginians and Marylanders: Have you ever actually been *inside* the Supreme Court building?
It wasn’t until I left my home state that I realized how much I hadn’t seen of it. That’s a good place to start. Ask yourself, “What would a tourist to my area do?” Chances are that you know of a lot of cool stuff to see and things to do that you’ve never actually seen and done yourself! A Texan may have been to Paris, but has he seen the Alamo? Been to the Space Center in Houston? We tend to overlook what’s close to us, perhaps thinking that we’ll get to it someday, in favor of what seems exotic. On a staycation you can explore those hometown treasures.
If you’d rather not hang out with all the other tourists, break the mold and search out the secret spots. There are several publications, like Hidden Portland by Carye Bye, designed to help you find these places. But part of the fun of these little American cubbyholes is finding them yourself. So, Oregonian, go on a solitude treasure hunt led only by Ev Hu’s vague clues. Just promise not to reveal the locations if you do find them!
Florida boasts parks other than Disney World! Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka is historic and beautiful
Another great way to plan your staycation is to theme it up. Think about what you’re interested in. A Kansan history buff can follow a bit of the Santa Fe trail, learn about the intersection of Native Americans and European settlers, experience pioneer life, and sample everything from American Indian to vegetarian fare all in the little town of Council Grove. Check out USA Today’s “10 great places to discover Midwest charm” for more inspiration.
Boston is awesome, but nearby Quincy’s offerings include John Adams’ home and stone library
If you are a seasoned staycationer and it seems like you’ve exhausted your options, it’s time to get weird! How about visiting the remnants of The Museum of Questionable Medical Devices in Minnesota? Consult the Weird series of books to get started. With rocks that move all by themselves and a submerged town that rose up again out of Lake Mead, there’s way more weirdness in Nevada than just Las Vegas.
Check out Practically Green’s action pages on reducing leisure air travel and other travel-related topics, and start planning your awesome staycation today!
Anna Rabhan is a freelance writer, editor, educator and consultant. She writes a column about green issues as the Organic Adventurer and is a green home and living consultant. She enjoys taking her dog to the park, traveling, kayaking, photography and anything else that gets her close to nature. Check out her green actions on her Practically Green page!
Did we mention how much we love working with our Editorial Director Alexandra Zissu?
I am not sure how she does it all. I suspect she has no sleep, perhaps she has an identical twin. How else could she produce Practically Green’s actions, write occasional pieces for The New York Times, consult on healthy living, advise her mother on wallpaper, think of putting her woolens into the freezer in moth season (i.e., now), play in afternoon puddles with her kindergartener? And always look so stylish when we skype? (And I think she might be married to some sort of a celebrity, too….)
I may never know. But on top of all that, Lexy’s book The Butcher’s Guide to Well-Raised Meat, is about to come out. Every carnivore on your list should own it. It’s just in time for grilling season and Father’s Day, and we want to announce it to the world. (Click here for a meatball recipe…. For The Perfect Steak, see p. 175. For Bite-Your-Tongue-Tacos, p. 185. For Chicken Rub: p. 216. I could go on and on.)
* * * OVER TO LEXY: * * *
There is tremendously much to be gained from exclusively buying and eating meat from animals that were raised sustainably: it’s better for the animals, it’s better for the earth, it’s better for the farmers, it’s better for us. I believe so strongly in this that I devote an entire chapter to understanding what this means and how to obtain it in my second book, The Conscious Kitchen. But one chapter wasn’t quite enough. Which is why I spent the past year and a half plus writing a book, my fourth, The Butcher’s Guide To Well-Raised Meat: How To Buy, Cut, And Cook Great Beef, Lamb, Pork, Poultry, And More, with Joshua and Jessica Applestone of Fleisher’s Grass-fed and Organic Meats in Kingston, New York. It comes out June 7th and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Beyond the writing there were visits to farms, slaughters, slaughterhouses. I watched countless animals being broken down from whole to parts (oddly ballet-like and beautiful to see burly men and women find and coax out cuts like constellations in a sky of flesh); a lost art in a world of shrink wrapped meat parts in supermarkets. I even donned a mesh apron and attempted to carve a little myself–it’s a lot harder than it looks.
I once went on a trip to a Wal-Mart with Jessica, one of her apprentices who now owns a shop in L.A., and the master butcher who has taught generations of chefs at the Culinary Institute of America. There we read packages for three straight hours, getting a true sense of what conventionally-raised meat looks like. Back at the shop, Jess walked the apprentice through a taste test: the Wal-Mart meat versus what she sells. I balked, refusing to put conventionally-raised meat in my mouth. There was a little tension that day, but I think everyone understood it was my deep conviction and understanding of what happens to conventionally-raised animals that made me the right writer for this project. Kept in cages and pens, hopped up on drugs (scary hormones and antibiotics), and fed the most horrible genetically modified crap imaginable.
It is amazing to me that the general public knows so little about what they eat, and yet willingly dines on — and feeds their children — meat from truly unhealthy animals containing residues of these drugs and this feed. We are what we eat. We are also what the animal we ate ate, too. If I served you a plate of chicken shit, would you puree it and spoon-feed it to your baby? No. But this is considered acceptable cattle feed, according to our government. And we offer those cattle to our families. I. Cannot. Put. That. In. My. Body.
Sustainable isn’t a government defined or third party certified term, unlike USDA organic. The key factor in something truly sustainable is therefore human interaction: I know my butcher and they know their farmers and their slaughterhouse guys and how they operate. This trust is better to me than USDA organic. I know the right questions to ask anyone selling at the farmers’ market to see if I also trust them. It’s clearly not as deep of an understanding as I have with my butcher, but we describe in The Butcher’s Guide To Well-Raised Meat the sort of questions you want to have answered to establish a similar trust. I prefer meat from local small farm pastured animals to something that might be raised on a big farm far from where I live, then frozen and shipped to me, even if the latter has been certified organic.
Finding sustainably raised meat can be a challenge. But in The Butcher’s Guide To Well-Raised Meat we explain how to find it no matter where you live. So if you don’t happen to live in and around the Hudson Valley, or near Brooklyn, where Fleisher’s is opening a second shop in September, you can still find well-raised meat near you. Just because something is local doesn’t mean it is automatically sustainable. You’re looking for healthy farming practices that don’t harm the environment, humane animal treatment, support of farming communities, fair wages and treatment for laborers. And you need to know your producers so you can trust what they’re saying about pesticides and fertilizers, hormones and non-therapeutic antibiotics. Fleisher’s doesn’t freeze and ship; that’s unsustainable.
Consumers can play a big role in what is and isn’t sustainable. Not only should we be seeking out sustainable meat, but also we shouldn’t be eating tons of it. Raising animals for food is an energy intensive experience. To lower the impact, we can reduce how much we eat. This will also help even out the cost of switching from conventional (cheap) to sustainable (more expensive) meat. We have great tips in the book on how to eat pastured meat on a budget. Being a conscious consumer means understanding that if you’re buying from people who are raising and selling whole animals, it’s sustainable to eat the whole animal. There is only one hanger steak on an entire steer. So if you get to a shop or a farmers’ market and there is no hanger left, that’s why. Don’t walk away because you didn’t get what you wanted; it’s the rare person that gets the hanger when you’re not buying boxed conventional meat. Buy something else. Ask what else tastes similar that is still available, or what else might be good. And don’t forget to ask for cooking instructions or check out the recipes in The Butcher’s Guide To Well-Raised Meat. Something that was outside roaming instead of penned up all of its life will be leaner and more muscular and therefore need to be cooked differently.
Enjoy!
P.S. Just noticed the tiny tagline on Lexy’s website, an enchanting stream of consciousness rivulet: “research obsessed writer trying to help you make the world a better eco friendlier place one simple nontoxic step at a time for us and our children and their children and the earth we share”. Exactly.
Early bird reviews:
“Particularly handy are the easy-to-use guides that reveal the best cooking methods for specific cuts of meat, ensuring that you’ll never make the mistake of deep-frying a cow spleen again. Let grilling season commence! TimeOutNewYork
“…clear, useful instruction on dealing with cuts of beef, lamb, pork, and poultry, interesting meditations on sustainable dining, and a dozen or so recipes thrown in for good measure.” Publishers Weekly
News Picks:
Dan Shapley, our friend from The Daily Green, wrote a great piece this week: The Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of 2
011. The only thing more straightforward than the title is the article itself. In true Daily Green fashion, Shapley’s article is smart, helpful, and consumer-friendly. I suggest you give it read, it is truly astonishing how far we’ve come with fuel efficiency. And remember to get PG points while you’re at it!
The New Contraband: 8 Doomed Items in the New Green World: This slide show from Fast Company is a little frightening, but definitely worth a read. From common examples like Styrofoam and plastic bags, to surprising mentions like Happy Meals and pets, Fast Company opens our eyes to some pretty interesting environmental and health concerns.
You must check out the Green Wine Guide from TreeHugger! Instead of simply mentioning the formalities of the green wines (which is wonderful in and of itself), they feature a delicious recipe that perfectly complements each wine! When I read this I was dying to host a dinner party, I bet you will be too!
Photo credit Jaymi Heimbuch
When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the movie “Clueless” (it was the early 90’s, give me a break), and hence in
love with Alicia Silverstone. So you can imagine how absolutely ecstatic I was when I found out that instead of making appearances on Law&Order or starring in infomercials, she’s making a living as a green superhero! Check out her website The Kind Life, or read her book, The Kind Diet (vegan awesomeness).
Multi-Media Pick:
With the Superbowl rapidly approaching, I couldn’t help but feature this hilarious commercial from 2010. It continues to be one of my favorites of all time. Bravo Audi, we love green!
New and Cool Pick:
Top 5 Green Gadgets that Juice Your Phone: I can’t stand it when my phone loses battery, but I feel guilty charging it all day. This article from Inhabitat gives a few great green options for keeping your phone fully charged with no more guilt! Don’t forget to earn those PG points, too!
This week's PG Picks created by Samantha Roach
News Picks:
Looking to help out with a great cause? Check out Million Trees NYC! This PlaNYC goal is one of 127 great initiatives to make NYC a better place. Get inspired to do the same where you live! With cool recent news stories and tons of different options to help out, the site is a must-see! Whether you locate a great place to plant a tree, volunteer to plant one, or donate $, there are endless options to do your part! And remember, get your PG points for planting a tree!
Next time you’re looking for a great read, check out Better World Books. Whether you’re looking for a mystery novel or cookbook (or Textbook if you’r
e me!), they have it all! The best part? They’re a great cause, too! I stumbled over the “Our Impact” section of their website and was beyond impressed. Not only have they “re-used or recycled over 53 million pounds of books and raised over $8.6 million for global literacy and local libraries,” they also feature an awesome story of a specific cause. (I read about Edna Adan Ismail of Somalia). Visit this website, you won’t regret it!
I’m a big fan of Preserve products, so I was thrilled when I found this article by Pablo Paster of Treehugger, one of my favorite sites! Preserve really means it when they say: “Nothing wasted. Everything gained.” Paster gives us the low-down on the benefit of recycled toothbrushes and more!
Benefits include:
Photo from Preserve
- 54% less water;
- 75% less oil;
- 48% less coal;
- 77% less natural gas; and
- 46% less electricity.
Don’t forget to check out Preserve yourself for more info! And get PG points for switching to a recycled toothbrush!
Multi-Media Pick:
I was on The Environmental Blog website today and came across a hilarious video posted by johntarantino1 in 2008. If you haven’t seen it before, or even if you have, you have to watch it! As someone who tries to bike a lot, weather permitting, I could certainly feel this guy’s pain. As we try to do what we can to live healthy, green lifestyles, let’s laugh at the obstacles that come up! Do like this guy does and get PG points!
New and Cool pick:
Green Universities: Tips for Going Green at College:
Thank you, thank you to The Daily Green! I just HAD to share this awesome part of their site. Even if you’re not in college yourself, maybe you were at one time, or know somebody that is. If so, they, and you, know how hard it is to be green when you’re away from home (I know I struggle!). This section of The Daily 
Green is all about going green at college! From the best dorm plants, to the best Environmental Studies programs, it is full of great information for everyone, and not just college students. I’ve never seen this type of resource, talk about new and cool!
This week's PG Picks created by Samantha Roach
News Picks:
19 Easy Home Winterization Projects: The Daily Green gives some great tips on warming up your house this season without turning up the heat! From the draft snake to caulking and weatherstripping, this article provides lots of energy-saving ideas to help you save money and earn PG points at the same time!
Rhoost Baby-Proofi
ng Products: This video from Daily Grommet introduces a line of child-safety devices made of recycled materials with no screws or adhesives, without BPA, PVC, lead, or phthalate. The line, Rhoost, was created by Vianka Perez Belyea and Tavinder Phull, two mothers sick of the traditionally complicated baby-proofing methods. The products are also portable: perfect for visits to Grandma’s!
BaaLLS: Another great alternative to traditional dryer sheets! These reusable, handmade, wool dryer balls reduce drying time for a full load by 40%! They are also unscented, use no chemicals, soften clothes, and reduce static. Made in the U.S. of 100% pure virgin wool, these dryer balls are a great way to earn PG points!
Multi-Media Pick:
Air-Powered Car, AirPod: The Future Of Urban Transportation? This article and video from The Huffington Post covers the latest invention in transportation. In the UK, a tiny car was created running on — that’s right, you guessed it — compressed air. Emitting nearly nothing, with speeds up to 50 mph, this little car could be the future! It may seem out of reach for the average motorist, but for now there’s always the hybrid! Purchase or lease one today and earn PG points!
Interested in fashion? Sheila Viswanathan of The Good Guide gi
ves a great interview with Howard Brown, co-founder of Stewart+Brown on his sustainable clothing label. The interview discusses Brown’s reasons for creating a sustainable fashion brand, what we can look forward to in the 2011 collection, and the importance of product transparency when promoting sustainability.
New and Cool Pick:
On cold winter days like these that we can’t help but dream of our next vacation. How about instead of a regular hotel or resort, yo
u look to something different. The 5 Cool Eco Friendly and Green Hotels, from Montana to Botswana, chosen by the Travelphant Travel Blog are just the tip of the iceberg. Next time you schedule a trip, look for hotels like these! From organic food, to recycling waste, these destinations have it all when it comes to green.
This week’s PG Picks created by Samantha Roach
Ever wonder how you might become a more eco-conscious airplane traveler?
Photo: SmarterTravel.com
Here’s how you find out:
Go to Practically Green and type the word “FLY” into the search box. You’ll get seven suggestions:
Drive on a short trip (<400 miles) versus fly
Fly non-stop rather than connect
Reduce leisure air travel significantly (1 or fewer trips per year)
Choose train over plane for most trips under 400 miles
Fly during the day, not at night
Fly one of ‘top 10′ green airlines
Purchase carbon offsets for a flight
These actions range in impact from low (5 points) to high (100 points).
Can you guess which one is the most impactful? The least? You might be surprised!
Do you have an idea that we haven’t thought of yet? Please suggest it to us! Below the search results you’ll see: “Are we missing something?” and a clickable button: “Please suggest an action.”
Once you’ve taken the Quiz and registered, you can also recommend products and services across the entire database.
* * * Bon voyage! * * *
News Picks:
Steve R
Still looking for New Year’s resolutions? How about changing your transportation habits! The year ahead in bikes, an article by Elly Blue on Grist, discusses getting around on two wheels in 2011. Better infrastructure, more bike-sharing programs, and environmental urgency could propel bike usage forward! Remember, you can get PG points for committing to bike-related actions in 2011.
Nike Print Pack: Shoes Made from Old Magazines: That’s right, magazines. Just when we thought Nike couldn’t get any cooler! I have a bunch of friends that would love a pair of these recycled kicks. Just another way to reuse!
School gardens i
mprove health and academic performance, reduce discipline problems:
In an article on world.edu, Jennifer Copley gives some great insight as to why education continues to become a crucial aspect of green living. The article provides explanations of major health and behavioral benefits of school gardens, including some helpful statistics. Advocate for your child’s school to start a garden today and earn some PG points!
Multi-Media Pick:
A vision
for sustainable restaurants: As green living continues to spread, it’s no wonder the restaurant industry has begun to take the hint. English chef and restaurant owner Arthur Potts Dawson is a pioneer. Watch his talk on TED and be inspired to visit a dine-green certified restaurant near you…and of course earn some PG points!
New and Cool Pick:
Giving Those Old Gadgets a Proper Green Burial: Mickey Meece’s NY Times article sheds light on some of the most difficult recycling challenges of today. Old chargers or remotes you don’t know what to do with? The article suggests many helpful and unexpected places to turn including Best Buy, Target, Apple, and cell-phone service providers, many of whom offer trade-in programs which will also earn you PG points!
Bryce Vickmark for The New York Times
This week's PG Picks was produced by Samantha Roach, Practically Green intern, Northeastern University '13
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