This post is Part 2 of my holiday gift to readers and to other environmental researchers and writers that spend their time trolling through the web in search of good sites.

Consumerism

GreenerChoices.org – Published by the folks who bring us Consumer Reports, GreenerChoices.org is an online initiative designed to inform, engage, and empower consumers about environmentally-friendly products and practices. The site includes product ratings, calculators, eco-label information and buying guides to help steer your eco-dollars in the right direction.

Knowmore.org – A resource for those looking for information on Ethical Consumerism. Initially compiled as a wiki by volunteers, Knowmore.org runs the “Behind the Logos” project to help consumers understand the corporate practices of the world’s most profitable companies.

The Center for a New American Dream - An organization with the mission to help Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. The Center identifies environmental issues facing consumers and provides tools, resources and solutions to help Americans change their ways.

Directories & Guides

Local Harvest – Local Harvest is a comprehensive directory for?small farms, farmers markets, and sustainably grown foods. Whether you’re looking to find a farmer’s market where you’re going to be vacationing or are interested in learning more about CSA programs, you can find what you need by visiting the Local Harvest site.

MetaEfficient – Dubbed “the guide to highly efficient things,” MetaEfficient publishes lists of all kinds of highly efficient and green goods. From broad product categories like “Furniture,” to niche goods like earpods, MetaEfficient finds the most sustainable goods and delivers the scoop in their guides.?

The Green Guide?- Find out how to incorporate “green” into every area of your life with National Geographic’s Green Guide. The Green Guide is updated regularly with tips, products, companies, services and advice on going green, and is a reputable source of information for all things green.

Online Communities/Social Networks

Huddler’s Green Home – If you’re looking for a community full of like-minded eco-individuals, consider joining Huddler’s Green Home. You can submit product reviews, contribute to the site’s green wiki or engage in any number of green forums on this eco-focused social networking site.

MakeMeSustainable – MakeMeSustainable is an online community that provides individuals and businesses with the tools necessary to identify and accomplish their sustainable goals. Members can calculate and track their carbon emissions, encourage others to join the movement, and build a network of individuals, businesses and organizations that are committed to achieving a sustainable future.

People For Earth – People for Earth members work together to take action, learn, share, connect and collaborate on projects that promote eco-friendly living while addressing the serious issues related to the future of the planet. Community members can launch and join groups, post content, engage in debate and network with others who share their goals and ideals.

Research Resources

CorpWatch – The CorpWatch website is packed with information, links and research that citizens, journalists and organizations can use to hold corporations accountable for their actions. In an effort to aid researchers and keep an eye on big companies, CorpWatch provides news, analysis, research tools and action alerts about corporate practices around the globe.

The University of Michigan: Statistical Resources on the Environment – This no-nonsense site is a portal for statistical information related to the environment, global warming, climate change, pollution, alternative energy and other eco-topics. Use this site to find facts that back up your claims and fight propaganda and incomplete arguments with concrete data.

USGBC Green Building Links – The USGBC has compiled an extensive list of green and sustainable building resources. You can use this site to find organizations and governments that have implemented sustainable practices in the planning and development of their communities.

Think Tanks & Research Centers

RAND: Energy & Environment – RAND works to solve complex social, economic and governmental problems using scientifically-backed research and quality analysis. Drawing on multiple departments within RAND, the Energy & Environment group compiles research and works toward developing solutions that balance environmental concerns with economic development and social needs.

Union of Concerned Scientists – The Union of Concerned Scientists is a science-based alliance of citizens and scientists working together for environmental solutions and responsible change in government policy. Combining rigorous scientific analysis, innovative policy development, and effective citizen advocacy, the Union of Concerned Scientists strives to achieve practical environmental solutions.

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Let me start by admitting that I am a total news junkie. I spend way too many hours researching, reviewing, investigating, bookmarking, and searching for information on all kinds of issues, especially those relating to all things green. In the year that I’ve been writing for GreenBuyGuide, I’ve compiled a list of 1000+ eco-based resources, blogs, organizations, companies and news sites that I use when researching upcoming blog posts.

When writing these posts, I try to find the most up-to-date, accurate and interesting research to support my claims and add credibility to our site. In doing so, I’ve noticed that it takes time to really know which sites offer reliable, substantive data, and which sites are compromised by political agendas, corporate sponsors, or incomplete offerings.

As a holiday gift to my readers and to the other environmental researchers and writers trolling through the web in search of good sites, I have compiled 2 blog posts packed with excellent eco-resources. As always, I am open to suggestions and appreciate learning what others out there already know about the eco-issues affecting our communities, nations, and world.

General Interest & Data Sources

Environmental News Network (ENN) – The Environmental News Network is a mainstream news site that publishes comprehensive environmental news in an easy-to-understand format.

EnviroStats – A good resource for statistics, fact-checking and research related to environmental (and other) topics. The site also includes links to government agencies, environmental organizations and eco-information portals in the US and Canada.

Treehugger - Treehugger covers all kinds of green issues, has a wealth of links and resources to check out, and is a great starting place for learning about a range of eco-issues. The site’s “How to Go Green” guides are particularly helpful.

Business & Corporate Governance

Business Ethics Magazine – An online magazine that examines the intersection of business and society, and rates companies based on their corporate responsibility and programs. You can find resources about corporate responsibility, including 19-years of lists of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens.

Coop America – Coop America’s mission is to harness economic power?the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace?to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. The Coop America site provides resources and tools to help businesses and organizations realize a greener future by leveraging their financial muscles.

GreenBiz – Concerned with aligning environmental responsibility with business success, GreenBiz offers over 8000 resources, (including daily news, feature stories, reports, checklists, case studies, and links to organizations) in an effort to educate and inform the public on these issues.

Government & Public Policy

EarthTrends – Committed helping drive responsible decisions by governments and individuals by providing accurate information on critical issues, EarthTrends offers the public a large breadth of statistical, graphic, and analytical data in easily accessible formats. EarthTrends is sponsored by government-focused organizations including the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the World Bank Group.

Environmental Protection Agency - Federal agency with a mission to, “protect human health and the environment.” I use the EPA to confirm information, learn about government programs and policies, and find how the government defines environmental issues.

FedStats - A search portal for official statistical information produced by the Federal Government. This site has several search options (by state, by agency, by topic), so you don’t have to know exactly which agency produced the information you’re seeking.

Science & Technology

Carbon Fund - The Carbon Fund site is packed with resources and information to help people and businesses reduce their carbon emissions. Start at Carbon Fund if you’re interested in basic information about carbon emissions, carbon offsets, or your carbon footprint.

EarthPortal – Governed by the Stewardship Committee of the Environmental Information Coalition (EIC), Earth Portal is a comprehensive resource for timely, objective, science-based information about the environment.

Seed Magazine - Though not entirely eco-focused, many of the science articles and sections in Seed Magazine intersect with environmental issues and current events.

Sustainability

Business for Social Responsibility – An organization that works with an extensive network of companies to develop sustainable business solutions and strategies for the business community.

Green Options – If you’re looking for blogs about sustainability and making sustainable choices, check out Green Options. The Green Options site includes a range of articles from the company’s network of environmental writers and bloggers.

Sustainable Communities Network – An organization that links citizens to resources and to each other in an effort to promote, build, and understand sustainable communities.

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It’s possible to stay true to your eco-beliefs this holiday season by giving gifts that aren’t actually things. Instead of buying clothes or books or electronics for your loved ones, consider investing in non-profit organizations that are working to preserve, conserve, and protect open spaces, watersheds, parks and wildlife habitats across America. By giving gift memberships, having trees planted in honor of your friends, or buying from merchants who give a percentage of their profits to environmental organizations, you positively impact the environment and stand up to consumerism and excess.

There are all kinds of organizations that are committed to protecting, preserving and restoring the wildlife, forests, open spaces and bodies of water in this country. Before buying your friends and family more stuff that they may or may not need, consider giving your money to one of these organizations and using your consumer power to do good now and throughout the coming year.

For Hikers: With a mission to the preservation and management of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail’s natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources, a gift membership to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy helps provide primitive outdoor-recreation and educational opportunities for Trail visitors. Membership includes a subscription to A.T. Journeys: The Magazine of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, as well as discounts at the organization’s Trail Store and an Appalachian Trail Conservancy decal and patch.

For Bird Lovers: If you have loved ones who spend their weekends trekking through wetlands in search of elusive birds, a Gift Membership to the National Audubon Society might be the perfect gift this year. Having advocated for the preservation of natural habitats and wildlife for over a century, Audubon lobbies Congress to preserve and protect wildlife habitats, and restore already damaged ecosystems by building parks and wildlife preserves. Members receive a subscription to Audubon, the organization’s bi-monthly magazine, as well as access to Audubon sanctuaries and preserves around the country.

For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Founded in 1922 to save outdoor America for future generations, the Izaak Walton League is dedicated to restoring watersheds, reducing air pollution, protecting open spaces, and instilling conservation ethics in outdoor enthusiasts. Your gift of a Membership will help further clean air and energy campaigns, wilderness and public land protection programs, and efforts to save vulnerable watersheds and streams. The Izaak Walton League offers members discounts on publications and merchandise, and provides subscriptions to their quarterly publication, Outdoor America, to thank members for supporting the organization.

For Urban Adventurers: The Central Park Conservancy works to restore, preserve, and maintain Central Park as a beautiful place for leisure, recreation, and the appreciation of nature. If you’re looking for a unique way to support the organization’s objectives and beautify the city, you can purchase daffodil and tulip bulbs and have them planted in honor of those special people in your life.

For Boaters:The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is the only independent non-profit that is dedicated to saving and restoring the Bay and its tributaries, and has worked non-stop to “Save the Bay” for over 40 years. You can honor a loved one this holiday season by having a tree planted in the Bay’s watershed by donating $25 to the organization.

For Arborists: You can help protect the forests and ecosystems of America when you donate money to American Forests as this holiday season. The organization plants trees “in the right place, for the right reason,” and one tree is planted for every dollar you give. American Forests is a world leader in planting trees for environmental restoration, a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry, and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests.

Happy Holidays!

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Although the environmental movement has been around for years, many communities are just starting to understand the importance of incorporating green practices into urban planning, business practices, and governmental regulations. Large and small cities have started writing green policies into their planning and development codes, and citizens are petitioning to get green initiatives on local ballots.

By demanding the incorporation of green practices and environmental regulations in planning and development decisions, environmental advocates are affecting how sustainability is incorporated in their towns and cities. When looking at cities across America, it’s easy to see that there are plenty of cities who have been “going green” for years (such as Portland, Oregon), and other communities that are just stepping up to the green challenge. Regardless of what cities have done in the past, the fact that so many cities are taking steps to build sustainability into their communities is good for everyone. In an effort to find the greenest places in America, I’ve compiled a list of the greenest American cities using surveys from Country Home, SustainLane, Popular Science and Our Green Cities.

Methodology

Though focused on the same end result (the greenest American city), each of these 4 organizations used different criteria in determining what makes a city green. In compiling their list, Country Home looked at the official energy policies, green power, green buildings, and the availability of fresh, locally grown food in each community. I was disappointed that the Country Home data wasn’t explained in greater detail, but also found it interesting that the cities on their list were comparable to the cities selected by the other organizations.

Popular Science provides the detailed methodology used in determining their top 50 cities, which includes a ranking of sustainable practices in the Electricity, Transportation, Green Living (buildings, construction, development), and Recycling/Green Perspectives of each city. If you’re interested in learning exactly how Popular Science selected their 50 greenest cities, make sure you check out these case studies that break down the methodology used in the survey.

To figure out their list of sustainable cities, Our Green Cities applied their own “Index of Taking Sustainable Cities Seriously,” a checklist that looks at smart growth activities, land usage, transportation, energy policy, pollution, and sustainable projects taking place in each of the cities. If you’re interested in what makes a city sustainable according to Our Green Cities, you can read their definition here.

SustainLane applied an impressively comprehensive method of determining the greenest cities in America, and offers an in-depth explanation of their methodology on their website. Using primary and secondary research to compile their list, SustainLane analyzed data collected from NGOs, city and state governments, federal agencies, their own interviews and surveys, and public data sources (such as academic research and media studies) to find the top green cities in America.

And the Winners Are…

1. Portland, Oregon

2. Greater San Francisco Bay Area, California

3. Seattle, Washington

4. Chicago, Illinois

5. Boston/Cambridge

6. Boulder, Colorado

7. Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

8. Eugene, Oregon

9. Denver, Colorado

10. Albuquerque, New Mexico

The cities on this list have worked hard to incorporate green building practices, renewable energy sources, and innovative land use policies into their communities. Portland has 35 LEED certified buildings and strict limits on development, while San Francisco has planted fruit trees on city streets and made recycling a top-priority. If you’re interested in learning more about the eco-policies that guide these cities, check out the SustainLane rankings. SustainLane provides a wealth of information on each of their top 50 green cities, and you might just find ideas on how you can get your own city on the list in coming years.

Additional Resources on Sustainable/Green/Eco-Friendly Communities

Center for Sustainable Cities

Sustainable Measures: Sustainable Community Indicator Checklist

Regional Environmental Center Sustainable Cities Project

The Institute for Sustainable Cities

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