Solar seems to be making waves in big business these days. As more and more companies strive to cut costs and reduce operating expenses, it seems that some have finally realized the economic viability of harassing free energy from the sun.

While it is true that installing solar arrays can be prohibitively expensive for small and medium sized businesses, bigger companies (who use more energy) have access to the resources necessary to make these concepts a reality. What’s great about large companies going green and building renewable energy projects is that, in addition to reducing their use of fossil fuels, the companies are paving the way and (hopefully) lowering the cost of installing these kinds of power projects.

In Contra Costa County, California, one of Budweiser’s cold storage facilities was recently fitted with a 16kW DC solar installation. Designed and installed by Perpetual Power, the installation includes 2,240 185Wp Mitsubishi Electric polycrystalline photovoltaic modules. Once the system is fully up and running, it is expected to produce approximately 60% of the building’s power needs. By adding a solar array to this facility, Budweiser is expected to save $100,000 annually in energy costs.

It seems as if Budweiser isn’t the only one who has noticed the relationship between more sustainable energy sources and tangible financial savings. FedEx Freight has a 282 kilowatt solar power system at its Whittier, California location, and produces 414,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. Alcoa – the mammoth Pittsburgh aluminum manufacturer installed a 588 kW, roof-mounted photovoltaic solar power system at one of its California locations in 2007. Stonyfield Farm has its own solar array too. Installed in 2005 at the company’s Londonderry, NH location, the company has a 50 kW solar photovoltaic array – the largest in New Hampshire.

Big businesses all over the country seem to be waking up to the realities of global warming, and rethinking how they do business. While a solar array here or a wind farm there might seem small in relation to how much we need to do to fight global warming, it’s important to remember that the tide is turning. Corporations tend to go where the money goes, so the fact that profitable businesses like Budweiser, Alcoa, FedEx and Stonyfield Farms are all using renewable energy to run their businesses, may mean that other big businesses aren’t too far behind.

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For the past few months now I’ve been working toward starting an agricultural business that will be powered by alternative energy, restored to meet green certification standards, and managed with the goal of achieving profitability through sustainable business practices. In order to understand what’s really involved in building a green business, I’ve spent all of my time learning about other organic businesses, researching alternative energy technologies, tracking down grants, loans and funding options, and pitching my project to anyone who would listen.

By centering my business around the concept of long-term environmental sustainability, I am standing up to the status quo, and making a statement that I will not compromise when it comes to doing what’s right by the environment. I know that building a green business from scratch isn’t cheap – I’ve done the research, and I know that it will cost me more to build sustainability into my business than it would were I to throw those philosophies aside.

Money isn’t everything, and I believe that by doing what’s good and what’s right, I can succeed and build the business of my dreams. And while I do understand the practical realities involved in starting a business, buying a farm, and installing all kinds of energy projects, I’m also learning that there are organizations out there who are dedicated to helping people like me grow these kinds of businesses.

A few weeks ago I received a message from a young man named Owen. In his message, Owen introduced himself, explained that he worked for a company called NativeEnergy, and stated that he had been given my business card at the Craft Brewer’s Convention a few weeks earlier. I had been at the Craft Brewer’s Convention (part of the business I am developing is a commercial hop farm), but didn’t recall meeting Owen, and had never heard of NativeEnergy.

Our "test crop" of hops.

NativeEnergy, I’ve since learned, is a carbon-solutions consulting company that helps business reduce their carbon footprint by selling carbon offsets and renewable energy credits, and also by investing in companies that want to install renewable energy projects. Having heard of my plan from my Development Officer (aka “mom”), Owen contacted me to learn more about my project and offer ideas on how NativeEnergy and I could work together.

Founded in 2001, NativeEnergy is based out of Burlington, Vermont, and has helped well-know companies, including Stonyfield Farm, Timberland, and The Dave Matthews Band, to install renewable energy projects and offset carbon emissions. The company helps businesses understand their options when it comes to creating carbon neutral projects, and points organizations in the directions they need when it comes to the early development of their plans. At the same time, NativeEnergy works with carbon emitting businesses to help them offset their carbon pollution.

Since receiving that initial message from Owen, I’ve had 2 productive conversations about my business, NativeEnergy’s initiatives, and what I can do moving forward to try and develop my renewable energy projects to line up with NativeEnergy’s model. And even though I’m still in the early stages of building my business (I don’t even own land yet), the people I’ve talked to have been helpful, enthusiastic and eager to see me succeed. It amazes me that there is a business out there who contacted me, who wants to help me, and who may eventually play a role in actually financing my dream!

When I realized that I had to build this farm, and do it in the greenest manner possible, I empowered myself to challenge the way business has always been done, and make change happen from the bottom up.? So even though I don’t have a farm yet, I’ve already invested time and energy in figuring out what I need to make my farm sustainable. Building a business like this – with a mind to what REALLY matters – is a win-win situation. By planning for the long-term health of the earth and environment, I think that I am planning for the long-term success of my business and my vision.

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I’ve noticed an abundance of reusable shopping bags being offered everywhere I go lately. The Massachusetts General Hospital Blood Donor Center handed over an attractive tote after I handed over a pint, the Craft Brewer’s Convention passed out their conference goodies in sturdy beige bags, and every grocery store I visit has cheap bags offered right at the register. Hooray! Perhaps the tide is finally turning.

I’ve found a whole new batch of cute totes and reusable bags that can be used to haul groceries, books, laundry, gifts, lunches and any other smallish-items you might be inclined to carry around. And remember, the easier you make it on yourself to incorporate reusable bags into your life, the easier it will be to make meaningful changes to your actions. So keep grocery bags in your car – you don’t need them in the kitchen! Carry small totes in your purse or bag, and buy the cheap ones when you leave home without your favorites. Remember, you can always give away bags you buy but don’t necessarily love.

If you’re one of those special people who likes to gift their friends with beer, or if you include six-packs as part of your picnic supplies, you might like these Bottle Bags from Reisenthel. These sturdy canvas bags fit up to 9 bottles, and are designed so the bottles don’t tip over or bang against wach other while being carried. These Fair Trade/Fair Labor bags are affordable and can be purchased at Reusable Bags for between $13.50 and $15.00 a piece.

When it comes to Reisenthel products, I also really like the Market Basket. Designed to resemble a basic grocery store basket, these aluminum-frame baskets are designed to carry up to 55 pounds of goods. I have seen people using these baskets at my local farmer’s market, and love the fact that they are structured and supportive enough to carry everything from containers of liquids to bunches of flowers or plants. The colorful patterns help too! You can find these baskets for about $35 on the Reusable Bag site.

Lunch bags don’t need to boring – at least that’s what I discovered when I stumbled on the Built NY website. Crafted from Neoprene (the material used to make most wetsuits), Gourmet Getaway Lunch Totes are insulated lunch bags that will keep your food and drinks cold for about 4 hours after being packed. The bags all have zip closures (so nothing gets in or out!), and are machine washable. Built NY sells the bags in a range of colors and patterns for between $22.00 and $25.00 on their website.

If you’re looking to do away with those plastic sandwich bags in your life,? you might like these funny ReUsies Snack Bags. Developed by a group of moms in Seattle, ReUsies are meant to replace plastic sandwich and snack bags. Both the small snack bags and the larger sandwich bags come in a range of kid-friendly and just plain patterns and colors. These bags are made from 100% cotton, and lined with PVC-free nylon. You can machine wash all ReUsies products, and feel good that by using these bags you’re keeping plastic from ever entering your landfill. The bags are a deal too, especially when compared to conventional plastic baggies that carry so many lunches to offices and schools everyday.

Remember, if you make the process of changing your eco-habits fun and enjoyable, you’ll be more likely to stick to the plan. Carry bags that suit your personal style. Buy enough bags to stash at home, in the car, at the gym, in your office – wherever you think you might need them! I buy groceries while working sometimes, so I try and keep at least 2 bags in my desk drawer there. Reusable bags don’t have to be a burden – with the right colors, the perfect patterns, and a collection of bags suited to your needs, you’ll always be both stylish and eco-chic!

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Last June I wrote a blog post about my personal Green Guilt. The post detailed my eco-sins, and at the end of it I promised that I’d try and make some meaningful changes and work towards reducing the negative ecological impact I was causing with these actions. In the 9-months since publishing that post, I am happy to report that, all-in-all, I’ve done a pretty good job at changing my behaviors and lessening my impact on the Earth. So without further ado…

1. The first item on last year’s list was the fact that I was driving 500+ miles per week. Between my 70-mile daily commute and trips back and forth to visit friends, I drove 26,000 miles? in just one year’s time! And while I do drive a relatively fuel-efficient VW Jetta, keep its tires properly inflated and get the oil changed regularly, I drove more than double the national average. According to the EPA’s Household Emissions Calculator, my driving habits in 2008 produced a whooping 8.3 tons of CO₂ last year – 3.7 tons more than the average driver!

Since the beginning of 2009, I have made an effort to reduce how much I drive, and so far I’ve stuck to the plan. While I still have the same commute, I work at home 2-3 times each month, and I visit my far-flung friends less often during the week. I’ve also been taking fewer trips to visit my family (who live about 50 miles from my house), and am staying longer (often overnight) when I do visit. In making these minor changes, I’ve shaved off 500 miles a month from my total – and am producing 1.92 fewer tons of CO₂ annually.

2. Next on my list was my lack of recycling at work. Because my workplace does not participate in mandatory recycling (on any level), I would often toss my plastic bottles and paper into the garbage bin beneath my desk. Since June, we’ve not yet implemented an across-the-board recycling program in our offices, but I have started recycling more and more on my own. And having cut down on purchasing beverages packaged in plastic bottles, I’ve reduced the overall volume of what I consume. In terms of work, I also essentially stopped printing anything, started turning off my computer more often, and do more lunch-time carpooling with co-workers.

3. My next sin was the fact that I threw away all kinds of food. This one killed me. I would buy beautiful fruits and vegetables with the highest intentions, only to let them rot in the fridge while I ate with friends, in restaurants or not at all. Since June I’ve gotten a lot more careful about not wasting food. I’ve started buying smaller amounts of food, cooking at home, and making sure that my veggies are chopped up and ready to eat when I load them into the fridge.

4. When I would go out on the weekends, I used to leave NHPR playing on the radio (for the plants perhaps?). Now I simply don’t!

5. Another of my previous guilt-inducing actions was that I didn’t always being a reusable mug when filling up at the local coffee shop. I am proud to say that, since June, I’ve probably filled up with reusable mugs 95% of the times I’ve enjoyed java from my local coffee shops! If I leave the house without a mug I go back and get it! And in an effort to further reduce my waste, I try to reuse the paper bags that come with the scones that I so love (thanks Popovers!).

6. OK, so I do sometimes (though not as often) buy coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts. When I do however (and it’s really only 2-3 times a month that I do), I have started going into the stores (instead of using the drive-through), and filling up with my reusable mugs.

7. Number 7 on my list was the fact that I liked to drive around with the windows open and the air conditioning on when it was hot outside. Honestly, it’s been cold for so long now that this seems like a moot point! And while I honestly can’t remember if I was still doing this at the end of the summer – I’m pretty sure I wasn’t. Most of my driving is on the highway, and it’s nearly impossible to be comfortable while doing 70 with the windows open.

8. The next item on my list dealt with my purchasing less-than-green clothes. In addition to the fact that I bought clothes made from synthetic fabrics, I would also buy goods manufactured by companies with sub-par eco-policies and processes. I’ve made some improvements in this area of my life, but my actions still aren’t as green as they could be.

My winter coat, ski hat and ski-pants are made by ecologically-conscious companies (The North Face, and Obermeyer), and about 50% of the clothes I’ve purchased since June have been second-hand. I will admit that I’ve bought a few Van Heusen shirts however, and their messaging on Corporate Responsibility includes one sentence on the preservation and improvement of the environment. I doubt the adorable Marc Fisher heels I bought last week are eco-friendly either!

9. Purchasing pre-packaged organic meals was another eco-sin on my list. And while I have reduced the amount of pre-packaged meals I’m buying (in large part because I’m cooking more), I still love Amy’s Kitchen organic meals – especially the Mattar Paneer! All I can say is, at least it’s organic!

10. Last but not least on my list was my love of Polar Seltzer and the countless plastic bottles produced through my freakish seltzer consumption. And while I am enjoying a bottle of the Black Cherry Seltzer as I type this, I have gone from drinking 2 bottles a day to about 2 bottles a month. The build-up of plastic bottle induced guilt was just too much, so I did what was right and put the bottles down.

While I can’t say I’ve changed all my bad habits and rid fully rid myself of green guilt, I think I’ve done a pretty good job of making changes that make a difference. I’m driving less, recycling more, reusing whenever possible, and remaining consciously aware of what I buy and how those products are sourced. My recycling bins have fewer plastic bottles kicking around, my closet is filling up with more second-hand treasures, and my plants seem perfectly content even though they no longer listen to NHPR when I leave the house.

Hope you’re having luck changing your habits too, and I would love to hear about the changes you’ve made for the planet!

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Jessica pointed out that we all have Green Guilt. What she really brought to light was that even people who hold green issues near and dear to their hearts can not do everything possible to live a greener lifestyle. But just doing some things will help make the world a better place. One way to know what you can do better is to look at what you are doing now and list your sins.

My list of green sins include:

1) I own a van. This in and of itself is not really a green sin if I was using it for what it was designed for. Carrying more than 4 people a good distance and reducing everyone’s carbon footprint. However, I usually am the only person in the van at any time and I only do short trips around the city. This could easily be accomplished with a smaller car or even by moped. In fact, the van was bought with the idea that a much larger family would be using it but life throws you a curve ball sometimes. I know I should get something smaller, I know it is too big for my needs, and I know the price to fill the take is pushing $70 now and will be well close to $100 by the end of the year. But people have odd attachments to vehicles. I love driving the van and the extra space has come in handy for multi-state moves and hauling big things. I should part with it but I can’t bring myself to do it.

2) I eat out way too much. When you think about all the things that go into eating out and how much energy is wasted just to provide me a “cheap” and quick meal it really doesn’t play into the idea of being green. From the gas emissions, to the electricity, to the packaging, to the huge waste generated, our fast food restaurants need to do more in terms of helping the planet and not destroying it. One good example of this is our local McDonalds this week switched back to styrofoam cups because they are cheaper for the owner. The plastic cups were actually a greener choice because while they use more oil based products, they were completely recyclable. But on the whole, I am encouraging this bad behavior by giving them more money so I don’t have to cook.

3) Big Box Stores get my money more than local farmers. Vermont has a very high number of local farmers who produce milk, corn, beef, and other products that are better for me and i know it. But convenience has me going to the local supermarket and buying processed food from who knows where over local produce. Several people have started eating only local products and have termed themselves as “Localvores“. While I can’t say I am totally comfortable with that I know I should be buying my meat from the local butcher and getting corn and other products from the produce stand. Cost and extra chores is the only thing stopping me.

4) Some things I am not willing to deal with in the name of conservation. For example, I hate being hot and I use air conditioning. Even tho this is one of the more northern states and I should be able to deal with just using fans I still click on the AC in the house. I also have no problem with filling up the van with a tank of gas and going for a drive. It is wasteful and increases my dependency on oil.

There are some good things to go with the bad. I telecommute so I have eliminated the 1.5 hours I used to spend in the van going back and forth to work. I recycle constantly because our community massively supports it. When I bought a washer and dryer, we went to Recycle North and CraigsList to buy used appliances.

The idea here is even if you do something small like turning off the lights when you leave a room, it will have a much larger impact than you realize. Also, not everyone will be Super Green and do everything. Just do your part and change the things you can. Every little bit helps.

When my parents bought their home in 1999, the garden above (and in the other photos below) was an apathetic patch of gray-green grass that went dormant in the winter and brought little joy to neighbors or pedestrians. During their first few years in the house, my parents built a border garden around the grass, erected the shed so they would have someplace to store their tools, and planted a few patches of flowers to brighten up the space. My parents didn’t have the time to do a full-scale lawn renovation; their 260-year old house needed all the attention they could spare.

After they’d lived in New England for a few years, I needed a place to live and moved into a house I’d only ever visited. I had no friends in the area, couldn’t work, and was broke, so I decided to do something productive and tackle the yard. For 2 years I worked nearly 40-hours a week in my parent’s gardens, and paid back their generosity in letting me live there rent-free by making their yard as beautiful, and grass-free as possible.

My parents and I spoke at length about ripping up grass in various parts of their yard, and we all agreed that we would keep a small patch in the backyard so there would always be? a place for children to play. Other than maintaining a small patch of green in the sunniest part of the backyard, my parents let me know that I was free to rip up all the grass I so desired and replace it with flowers and gardens.

I am not alone in my attitude towards grass lawns – environmentalists have been writing about the damage large grass patches wreck on the environment since Rachel Carson published “Silent Spring” in 1962. Carson wrote about the use of pesticides on grass, and how applying these kinds of chemicals caused harm to humans, animals, and ecosystems. And in the years since “Silent Spring” was published, writers, environmentalists, activists and ordinary citizens have raised their voices (and pens) to educate the public about the problems with grass.

Grass is widely prevalent in the US, and according to a NASA-funded DoD study (which I tried to find a source for but, after much searching, as unable to do so), lawns cover approximately 50,000 square miles of land in this country – or a land mass the size of New York State. To kill unwanted plants from growing with grass and maintain the luscious green associated with well-manicured lawns, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and other chemicals are applied to grass and the soil in which it grows. Water plays a huge role in maintaining grass too, and according to the EPA, approximately one third of all residential US water use goes to landscaping.

So if grass is so bad for the planet, why do so many people devote so much of their energy to its cause, and what can we do to shift away from the practice of planing, feeding, watering, mowing and otherwise maintaining grass lawns? Clearly there’s no one correct answer, and in some instances it’s good to have a little grass in your lawn. I’ll address a few alternatives to planing grass in a future post – in the meantime, think about your relationship with grass – do you enjoy sitting on the grass, do you spend hours each summer weekend mowing and clipping the plant, what would you prefer to grow if you were to rip up all the grass from your lawn…?

You can find out more on the environmental ramifications of grass from the following resources:

Turf War by Elizabeth Kolbert – The New Yorker, July 21, 2008

Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education by Michael Pollan (1991)

AntiLawn: Rethink Your Lawn Blog

From Lawn Addiction to Anti-Lawn Activism – Sustainable Gardening Blog, June 23, 2008

Turf Wars: The Battle Over the American Lawn – The Atavist

President Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation’s 44th President on January 20, and while it obviously takes time for real change to happen (especially in an organization as large as the Federal Government), the administration is already hard at work when it comes to the environment. Many of us who supported and voted for President Obama did so with the understanding that he would address the environment in an honest, and non-partisan manner once elected. In looking over some of his first actions as President, it appears that Obama is sticking to this agenda, and that the environment is not going to be swept under the rug for another 4 years.

The EPA has serious work to do in the next few years, and Obama’s pick to head the organization shows that he is serious about not allowing politics to derail the process. By tapping Lisa Jackson – a career civil servant who has dedicated her professional life to protecting the environment – Obama sent a message that EPA will not be run by outsiders. Jackson worked for the EPA for 16 years, and spent another 6 years at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Having spent her career regulating greenhouse gases, pollution and hazardous waste, Jackson is well suited to tighten regulations and demand compliance from businesses used to the Bush Administration’s somewhat ‘lax’ environmental policies.

To introduce herself and her governing principles, Jackson sent a memo to the EPA staff on January 23 (the day Congress confirmed her to the post). In her memo, Jackson sums up the new philosophy of the EPA in stating the 3 core values that will guide the EPA:

1. To uphold Science as the backbone for EPA programs.

2. To not compromise the integrity of EPA experts in order to advance a particular regulatory outcome.

3. To follow the rule of law – to exercise policy discretion and follow the directives of Congress and the courts.

Before the Bush administration took over the EPA, I would have simply assumed that the organization was being run according to these policies; after watching science, ethics and legal mandates being tossed aside for the past 8 years however, it’s refreshing to know that Obama’s surrogates are returning rationality and science to the forefront of the nation’s governance.

In addition to these administrative changes, Jackson outlined the directions in which she plans on taking the EPA during her tenure. Over the next few years, Jackson is going to guide the nation towards a low-carbon economy by reducing carbon emissions and creating “green-collar” jobs. She wants to improve air quality and intends to comply with legal air quality standards and tighten regulations to close loopholes that allow polluters to side-step current laws.

Jackson also intends to clean up the nation’s Superfund sites, protect consumers, employees and the environment from risks posed by the introduction of toxic chemicals into every day products, and address the health of the nation’s streams, rivers, lakes, bays, oceans and aquifers. With the backing of an environmentally-focused President and the legislative support of Congress, Jackson should be able to address these basic issues and allow the EPA to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment.

With so much attention focused on environmental issues lately, it seems as if we are constantly barraged with stories about the environmental impact of our actions and the damages done to the planet Earth. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by this kind of ever-present data, so I have broken a few choice facts down into digestible chunks of information for easy reference.

The facts aren’t great, and this isn’t a “look how good we’re doing” piece, rather, it’s the black and white of our impact on our planet. Each fact is backed up with the source I used to find it, so feel free to do a little digging of your own if you’re skeptical or if you’d like to learn more about these issues.

According to Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist, a typical online ‘Search’ generates about 7 grams of carbon dioxide. (Measuring Your Google Search’s Carbon Footprint by CNET.com). Overall, the IT industry produces 2% of global carbon emissions, or the same amount as the airline industry!

Each year over one hundred million trees are harvested and turned into junk mail. (Just the Facts: Junk Mail Facts and Figures from New American Dream and Conservatree). The production and disposal of all of this junk mail ends up using as much energy as do 3 million passenger cars!

Even though phone books are recyclable, people throw 660,000 tons of them into landfills annually (The Story of Phone Books from Earth 911). For every 500 phone books that end up in landfills, we needlessly waste 7000 gallons of water, 463 gallons of oil, 17-31 trees, and 3.06 cubic yards of landfill space.

In 2005, almost two million tons of e-waste were disposed of in landfills. Comprised of old cell phones, computers, television sets and batteries, this e-waste contains hazardous materials including lead and mercury that were never meant to be disposed of in landfills, and pose significant risk to people and the planet. (E-Waste: Harmful Materials from Earth 911).

Of the 215 billion plastic, glass and aluminum beverage bottles and cans sold in the US during 2006, a full 66% (2 out of 3, or 143 billion) were thrown out instead of being recycled. (Beverage Market Data Analysis from The Container Recycling Institute).

There are over 87,000 flights (commercial, cargo, private & military) in the US every single day of the year. (Air Traffic Control: By the Numbers from the National Air Traffic Controllors Association). And according to Boeing’s 2008 Environmental Report, aviation accounts for a full 2% of global man-made carbon dioxide emissions. (Boeing 2008 Environmental Report – page 3).

I’d like to give thanks to Brendan for constantly reminding me of the little things that make for huge environmental problems, and that also probably make Al Gore cry!

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If you’re looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint, consider unplugging, recycling or simply not buying any number of electronic and battery-operated gadgets. Since so many gadgets are already fully integrated into our lives, (think Blackberries, iPod docking stations and speakers, and wireless mice), manufacturers are starting to develop eco-friendly gadgets that can help us all stay connected while lowering our global and individual carbon footprints.

Some eco-friendly gadgets are solar powered, wind powered, or powered using kinetic energy. Gadgets are also being developed with more efficient processors, longer battery lives (which reduces the time needed to plug in and power up), and increased durability (for longer lives). When making your purchasing decisions however, keep in mind that the greenest route is also the one that doesn’t involve your actually buying anything! While green gadgets are an excellent step towards lower carbon emissions, you make the most impact when you choose not to make that purchase at all.

There will always be a need for certain gadgets, so make sure you choose wisely when you’re ready to make your purchase. Try to stay clear of totally useless or unnecessary consumer goods. Do you really need a Canine Treadmill? Will your life be that much more complete with a Cooper Cooler to chill your beverages on the spot, or are there other appliances in your life that can take care of that job? And honestly, how many crimping irons, curling irons, hair dryers and other power-hungry hair gadgets does one really need? The same holds true for the number of televisions, cable boxes, video game consoles, DVD/Blu-ray players, cell phones, MP3 players, blenders, and bread ovens in a given house – do you really need all that you have?

Next time you’re thinking about buying a new gadget, first consider whether you really need it or if you simply want it before making your purchase. If it turns out to be one of those gadgets you just can’t live without, make sure you buy green when you can, unplug it when it’s not in use, and use recycle the packaging materials if possible. To learn more about the impact your gadgets have on the environment, check out these recent articles:

Today’s New Gadget Gift Could be Tomorrow’s eWaste by Jordana Huber in Canada.com.

Home Electronics Significantly Impact Electricity Costs and Carbon Footprint by Dave Lewis of National Semiconductor on Green Supply Lin.

Green Gadgets on Green Inc., the New York Times environmental blog.

Finally, check out green-focused media outlets, blogs and consumer goods companies before buying any new green gadgets. Companies like Popular Mechanics are good sources of information when you’re looking to buy any kind of electronics equipment. Their recent article, Top 4 Eco-Friendly Gadgets Coming This Year by Seth Porges profiles the best green gadget’s from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.? TerraPass sells eco-friendly gadgets and chargers in their online store, and sites like EnviroGadget always have the latest news on eco-gadgets for people interested in cutting-edge consumer goods.

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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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