|
Watch the Show Now! |
|
Easy Ways To
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
With summer at its peak and energy prices at an all-time high, now is the perfect time to be conscious of your ecological footprint.
For cool ideas on how to do this at home, watch How to Create an Energy Efficient Home (09:08). On this episode, we traveled the country visiting conscious homeowners who are reducing their carbon footprint and their energy bills by using energy-efficient appliances, radiant heating and cooling, and solar panels.
If rising gas prices are getting you down, watch us Kick The Gasoline Habit (02:53) and learn fun, inexpensive ways to get around town in style without having to fill up the tank.
And if like most of us, you've done your best to live consciously, but have concerns about your carbon footprint, find out how to reduce its impact with a crash course on Carbon Offsetting 101 (11:12). This episode will teach you how to measure your Co2 emissions and get you started on the path to becoming carbon neutral.
Stay cool,
Michael & Bianca
|
|
Fun Ways to Kick the Gasoline Habit |
 Gas prices getting you down? Though most politicians are now advocating for offshore drilling as a way to control spiraling gas prices, the only sustainable solution to reducing pain at the pump is kicking the fossil fuel habit.
The good news is, there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives to guzzling gas. Watch this episode (02:53) for the latest in green transportation--from electric hybrid bikes to funky longboards--and other fun tips on getting around town without having to fill up your gas tank.
 Not ready to spring for that new hybrid? Then do what we did, and Blade Your Ride to save gas and reduce your car's C02 emissions without breaking the bank. |
| Carbon Neutral Is The New Green |
 Carbon Offsetting 101. According to Eric Carlson, the Executive Director and founder of Carbonfund.org, we should "reduce, reuse and recycle what we can, and offset the rest". Watch this episode (11:12) to calculate your carbon footprint, learn how carbon offsetting works, and understand why becoming carbon free this year could be the best thing you do for the planet.
|
|
Hot Product: Carbon Subtracting Drink |
 Nowadays, even the tea you drink can help you reduce your eco footprint. The award-winning organic drink company Guayaki's San Mateo and Traditional Loose Yerba Mates actually subtract more carbon from the atmosphere than they emit during harvesting, packaging and delivery to your local grocery store. On top of that, they're rich in antioxidants, help boost your metabolism and are a healthier alternative to coffee. Let's get to drinking! |
| Shop Online and Tread Lightly |
Did you know you can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 30% just by shopping online instead of at the mall? For conscious web shopping for everything from eco-fashion to home furnishings, check out eConsciousmarket. This socially responsible company sources some of the best eco-friendly products and sells them online at or below retail. What we love: for every purchase you make, they'll donate 10% to the non-profit of your choice. Giving really is the new getting! |
| 23 Steps Toward Energy Efficiency |
Easy Ways to Reduce Next Month's Energy Bill by 10%.
According to Co-Op America, taking just small steps to reduce energy in your home can really add up. For example, you can save 1000 kwh/year by washing your clothes in cold water, brushing off your refrigerator's condenser coils, and plugging major electronics into a power switch. And that's only the beginning: to read all 23 energy efficinecy tips, click here. |
|
Fall Fashion Is Almost Here |
 Do you have a favorite eco-fab designer the world should know about? Then share the good news! If we like their sustainable designs, we may give them a shout-out in our upcoming fall fashion line-up. | |
 |
|
Conscious Living on Elevision TV! |
Want to learn more about the Conscious Living movement? Then click here to watch our recent interview with the conscious crew from elephant journal's elevision tv. |
|
Conscious Q & A: Mercury in CFLs? |
Q: I just made the switch to CFLs in my home, but heard they contain mercury. Is this true? If so, is it better to switch back to my old incandescent light bulbs?
A: First, congrats on making the switch to CFLs! Since they use up to 75% less energy than incandescents, you've probably already noticed a reduction in your energy bills. Now to your first question: Do CFLs contain mercury? Yes. One of the things that helps CFLs use less energy is the fact that they contain trace amounts of mercury sealed within their glass tubing. However, according to the EPA, the amount of mercury contained in each bulb is an average of about 4 milligrams, which is roughly equivalent to an amount that would cover the tip of a ball-point pen. By way of comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take approximately 125 CFLs to match that amount.
Given the small amount of mercury each CFL light bulb contains, they pose little danger to the average consumer.
So why all the focus on CFLs these days?
Most advocates opposing the switch to CFLs are backed by large corporate oil, coal and natural gas interests. Sadly, these fossil fuel interests are the biggest contributors to global warming and environmental pollution, and their lobbying dollars are largely responsible for the anti-environmental spin currently taking place in mainstream media. (Read more) |
|
Coming Up... |
|
Rock the Vote:
CLTV's Heading to Denver for the DNC Can't wait 'til then?
See you next time! |
|
Pass It On! |
|
Forward this e-mail to a friend for a chance to win an organic tee. | |
