Image by Per Ola Wiberg / Creative Commons

I don’t know about where you live, but it has been getting pretty hot around here. Temperatures have been closing in on 100°F and I’d say it is about time for some eco-friendly summer tips. Last year I covered this topic as well, and I figured it would be worth repeating, especially for those of you who missed out. So in honor of the “greenie” in all of us, here are my eco-friendly summer tips that are worth repeating:

1. Let in some light. Why waste electricity in your house or workplace, when all you need to do is open the blinds and you’ve got light.

2. Get a few living air purifiers aka indoor plants. They will liven up your home as well as help fight indoor air pollution, which is often worse than most of us realize.

3. Plant some native plants. There are many reasons why you should do this, but here are a few good reasons to plant native species in your garden. Of course, one of the best reasons is that you won’t waste so much water.

4. Start your own backyard (or front yard) garden and grow some fresh fruits and vegetables. They’re organic and they taste better. Here are a few ideas for vegetables to plant in July.

5. Find out when your local Farmers’ Market is being held and go there to get some in-season, local produce.

Image by Andy Fell

6. Eat at home. Get away from processed foods and start making more meals at home. It’s cheaper and better for you too.

7. Remember to practice healthy summer grilling tips. And even though it isn’t grilled, I wanted to share my new favorite recipe, Anita’s Lime Avocado Quinoa Salad, and yes, this tasty recipe is perfect for summer picnics and parties.

8. If you need to do any driving, slow down a little. Not only will it help with your fuel consumption but it will help you enjoy your drive time. A proven fuel additive wouldn’t hurt either…hint, hint.

9. Quit idling. Just turn off the car. Turn it back on when you are ready to go again. It’s that simple and it saves gas and harmful emissions. (The new Malibu Eco has a cool feature that switches off the gas-guzzling engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and lets it idle on a lithium-oin battery.)

10. If you can walk or ride your bike instead, then do so. Many people don’t consider this as a viable option, but just think how much you used to walk around when you were younger. Those feet were made for walking.

Image by one2c900d

11. If you need to go somewhere a little further away, check public transportation options. Riding the bus or taking the train are smart ways to get around during the summer.

12. Make the simple change so you do all your energy-heavy chores off peak hours. Do your laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cooking, etc. at night. Doing so will cut your energy bill and help prevent your home from heating up unnecessarily during the day.

13. Skip the dryer and hang your clothes out to dry. If you have the space to do so, might as well take advantage of it.

14. Plan a staycation. Maybe you don’t have time to go on a full-blown vacation. Maybe you’d rather stay closer to home. Either way, here are 25 great ideas you can incorporate into your staycation plans.

15. If you are planning on going camping this summer, be sure you learn how to have a “leave no trace” camping trip. Some simple basics can help ensure others will be able to experience the beauty of your camping spot just as you did.

16. Is the thought of going somewhere to camp during the summer months a little too daunting? Set up camp in the backyard. Especially if you have kids, this is a great idea for a smart, eco-friendly activity the entire family will enjoy.

Image by zet

17. Have a potluck get-together. Invite family and friends over for a picnic or backyard party. Ask them each to bring a specific food item (in a reusable container) along with their own dinnerware, cups, etc. This way you’ll have a great mix of foods and drinks. Plus, there will be very little clean up or waste afterward. Check out these green picnic tips.

18. Remember the sunscreen. But not just any sunscreen, you need to choose a non-toxic sunscreen so you aren’t polluting your skin or the environment.

19. Drink, but don’t waste water. Your body needs water to stay healthy and hydrated. So you need to drink water. Don’t waste it though. Any “leftover water” can be used to water plants, give to your pets, etc. Just be aware of what you are doing and you will probably save quite a bit.

20. Unplug. Even if you missed this challenge on the 4th of July, it doesn’t mean you too can’t make a personal commitment to unplug more and reconnect with family and friends. Declare your independence from technology.

Image by Ben

21. Since you are going to unplug, get outside! That’s right, I saved this one for last, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t important. It’s key not only for your health, but your peace of mind to get outside, breathe in some fresh air and enjoy nature a little bit. Go for a hike, a walk, a bike ride, relax in the pool, sit on the porch…whatever you do, just get outside for a bit every day.

There you have it. 25 simple eco-friendly tips to help you get through the summer. If you have any personal favorites, let me know. I’d be happy to hear what eco-friendly things you’ve got planned for the summer. Have a great one and as I always say, have a biofriendly day!

Most people have a certain vehicle in mind, or at least an idea of what they are looking for, before they go car shopping. In fact, many people already have the make and model picked out before they even step foot on the lot. But who is to say that particular vehicle is going to be what they really need and want? Who is to say that vehicle was made with their particular needs in mind? Does it have eco-friendly features and technology designed to assist them on the road to fuel efficiency? Well, that’s where four moms from GM come in with the Malibu Eco.

Never before has a vehicle like the Malibu Eco been designed from the get-go, not only based on what the company feels the consumer is looking for, but with direct insight, input and hands-on engineering expertise from real-life moms. With safety, comfort, eAssist technology, fuel-efficiency and the peaceful quietness that all moms long for, the Malibu Eco is a truly joint effort on behalf of moms (and dads) everywhere.

First let me cover just a few of the features of the new eco-friendly Malibu Eco:

• eAssist technology which aids in increasing fuel efficiency by cutting off fuel to the engine during deceleration,
• a regenerative lithium-oin battery pack recharges when the vehicle brakes and powers the vehicle during stops,
• the battery then starts the vehicle’s engine when accelerating from a stop,
• the energy from the battery also provides a boost to the engine in order to increase fuel economy,
• the entire exterior of the vehicle is designed to deflect the wind and thus increase the vehicle aerodynamic capabilities,
• there is an eco-efficiency gauge so you can tell how well you are doing on staying “green”,
• an electric auto stop indicator lets you know when the vehicle is running on the battery during the stop/start mode and more.

Although the Malibu Eco is not 100% electric, with the technologies it incorporates, it allows owners to travel approximately 580 highway miles between fill-ups, despite having only a 15.8-gallon fuel tank. That’s close to 37 mpg, not too shabby for a combustion engine. I’d even add a little Green Plus® to further assist in decreasing my harmful emissions and increasing my fuel economy.

Now let’s get to the four moms, in particular, who have had a direct hand in bringing the new Malibu Eco to life:

First we’ll start with rocket scientist, Aerodynamic Development Lead Engineer, and roller derby skater Suzanne Cody. Suzanne is one of GM’s aerodynamic engineers and, just as importantly, she is a mother of two. While Suzanne has worked on a number of GM vehicles, she had an intrinsic role in directly shaping and forming the Malibu Eco in order to reduce wind drag and increase fuel efficiency. Her chosen field and desire to make sure the Malibu Eco is exactly what moms (and dads) alike are looking for is what drove her to combine her passions to bring the Eco to a whole new level.

Next comes Kara Gordon, mother of two and Noise and Vibration Performance Development Engineer. Kara brought a unique feature to the Malibu Eco in the fact that she brought the gift of silence. Although having two young sons doesn’t necessarily bode quiet, Kara did a tremendous job of incorporating the calmness of her daily yoga routine and the peacefulness of her organic garden into the Malibu Eco. She went to extremes to identify then eliminate the wind, tire, road and other vehicle noises in order to make the Malibu Eco one of the quietest vehicles ever.

Now we come to Julie Kleinert, mother of four, grandmother of two and the North American Child Safety Technical Lead for the new Malibu Eco. As you can imagine, Julie has one of the most important roles at GM, and in particular with the Eco. She is in charge of integrating key vehicle safety technology into the vehicle in order to make it safer for children. As a parent, I value her work tremendously, because I know there is nothing more important to me than the health and happiness of my two kids. That is why I’m glad Julie is on the job. She has authored three technical papers and has an industry-first patent for a safety technology currently under review. She has also co-authored two technical papers comparing real-world crash conditions with those in manufacturer crash tests. Needless to say, she has really made a difference in the industry and specifically with the Malibu Eco.

Last but definitely not least is Tracy Mack-Askew, international traveler, mother of two and the Vehicle Line Manager on the global platform for the Malibu Eco. Tracy has worked at GM for 13+ years and has played a role as a design engineer, mechanical engineer and harmony engineer for a number of GM vehicles. On the Malibu Eco she was fully responsible for bringing engineering and manufacturing together to see to the end product available today.

With their combined skills, hard work, dedication and commitment these four women have truly shaped the future of GM and the Malibu Eco.

Image by Dorena-wm / Creative Commons

Well, the weekend is here and after a long week, I figured it was time to catch everyone up on some of the weekly green news I’ve seen, heard and read about this week. I know many of you keep up-to-date on the latest and greatest in environmental and green news, but here are a few you may not have checked out. Either way, take a gander at this week’s green news:

1) German Government to Oppose Fracking: In what some consider a bold move, Germany has stated they are pulling the plug on plans that were intent on using hydraulic fracturing aka “fracking” to extract natural gas.

2) For all you environmentally-friendly chocolate lovers out there, you’ll be happy to know that the UK’s only carbon-neutral chocolate is transported by sailing ship. That’s definitely one way to travel. Now if they could just get the price down…

3) Only 1 in 10 Americans is a Global Warming Denier: How do you feel about global warming? Do you believe it? Are you moderately concerned? Are you not quiet convinced? Well, according to a recent report only 10% of Americans are convinced there is no such thing as global warming and that what we, as humans, do have no impact on global temps whatsoever.

4) Speaking of global warming, or actually climate change, how about taking a 3-minute journey through the last 250 years of our climate history…

5) Have you been pondering the idea of getting an electric vehicle? With PG&E’s new EV proposal laying groundwork for $1-per-gallon fuel, now might be the right time to seriously consider it. Of course, we’re talking the equivalent of $1 a gallon, but you get the point.

6) Plastic trash altering ocean habitats: There is no lack of information on the importance of recycling, cutting down on the use of plastic materials and working hard to see that trash does not end up in the ocean. Unfortunately we are now seeing “a 100-fold upsurge in human-produced plastic garbage in the ocean is altering habitats in the marine environment”. So much so that damage to the world’s oceans may cost trillions.

7) World’s rarest (and one of the most endangered) gorillas caught on film in Cameroon. It’s nice to hear stories about the life and survival of species that we rarely see or even know still exist. What’s even better is getting a glimpse of them in their natural habitat…watch the video and you’ll see what I mean.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to green news for the week, but hopefully it will help to either peak your interest to find out more or at least put a little green in your life. Hope you have a wonderful and biofriendly weekend ahead. Don’t forget to get outdoors and check out some of that green that nature so aptly provides.

With a gasoline prices as high as they are, getting the biggest bang for your buck at the pump is essential. In fact, families are reportedly spending more on transportation than on food these days. That is anyone who drives a vehicle needs to be aware of some of the basic fuel economy tricks of the trade.

Now, you may be aware of some of these already, you might even do a few of  them off and on, but when it all comes down to it, if you really want to save money and improve your fuel economy, take the following suggestions to heart. You’ll be glad you did.

Infographic provided by Staveley Head

As I said earlier, when it comes to saving gas and increasing fuel economy, there are many steps you can take. The key is to first learn about how your driving technique is impacting your fuel economy. From there you will be able to make changes that will allow you to save time, money, and heartache. Add in a little Green Plus® Gasoline fuel saver or Diesel fuel saver and you’ll see your vehicle’s harmful emissions going down and your fuel economy going up. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Image by Vijay / Creative Commons

Since 1872 people have been celebrating the “tree-planting holiday” known as Arbor Day. This year, National Arbor Day falls on Friday April 27th. While Arbor Day is a creative way for people and groups to get together and plant lots of trees, in reality, any day is a great day to plant a tree. I mean what could be more biofriendly than planting a tree?

Did you know it is estimated that more than a million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day, 140 years ago? The value, not to mention the beauty, of trees has been broadly recognized for generations and generations. That is why there is no question as to the numerous benefits trees have to both our personal well-being and to that of the world around us. They remove CO2, they produce oxygen, they can help keep an area cool and provide shelter and homes for wildlife, some can produce food and much more.

USDA Photo by Lance Cheung / Creative Commons

I think George Orwell had it right when he said:

“The planting of a tree, especially one of the long-living hardwood trees, is a gift which you can make to posterity at almost no cost and with almost no trouble, and if the tree takes root it will far outlive the visible effect of any of your other actions, good or evil.”

Martin Luther made clear the value of trees when he said:

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”

Even Franklin D. Roosevelt had a clear view on the importance of forests and trees:

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. ”

That is why on this Arbor Day I urge you to join the Arbor Day Foundation in helping to replant our national forests.

If you would rather celebrate Arbor Day in a more personal manner, you can do any number of biofriendly things such as: taking the time to learn more about the different kinds of trees around your home, going for a nature walk and enjoying the beauty of the trees, or planting a tree of your own.

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” – Proverb

Image by Atli Haroarson / Creative Commons

For 42 years Earth Days have come and gone. What makes this one any different? To start, today there are more than 22,000 Earth Day Network partners in 192 countries participating in the Earth Day mobilization movement. In addition, more than 1 billion people around the world will be taking part in this year’s Earth Day activities and events.

All in all, Earth Day is a great way for the people of earth to join together in a common purpose to “help Mobilize the Earth™”. It is one day when “People of all nationalities and backgrounds will voice their appreciation for the planet and demand its protection.”

I, for one, am all behind doing that because I truly enjoy certain aspects of this planet and I want my children and their children to be able to enjoy them too. Unfortunately, after Earth Day is over, many people are going to go right back to their “normal” non environmentally-friendly habits and routines.

There are a few actions, here and there, that will seep in. Actions that people will take home with them. One of the simplest things EVERY person on the planet can do though, is to pledge to do an act of green. I don’t mean you should make a one time pledge, but rather a pledge to do an act of green that you can continue to do each and every day throughout the year. Here are some examples of pledges you can make this Earth Day:

• Reduce your food waste. (Tip: It all starts with planning)
• Plant and maintain a vegetable or herb garden.
• Plant a tree.
• Set your thermostat to save on energy costs associated with running your air conditioning (recommended is 78 when you’re at home and 85 when you are away).
• Save water. Try these 10 simple ways to conserve water.
• Make more fresh, local and organic meals at home.
• Go for a walk every day.
• Help keep your park and neighborhood clean.
• Donate your unused clothes and household items.
• Carpool or take public transportation at least once a week.
• Switch to natural cleaning supplies to clean your home.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Here are a few more energy-saving tips that will also help you get through Spring and into Summer. (I know it feels like Summer here already.)

It all starts with making one simple pledge, one simple change in your life and lifestyle. Then this time next year you’ll be a lot further along and you’ll probably find your simple “act of green” has become the new normal.

Almost 993,000,000 people have pledged to do an act of green this Earth Day. What act of green are you pledging to do this Earth Day and beyond?

Image by Alex Healing / Creative Commons

With the recent earthquakes we’ve been experiencing and hearing about in the news, I thought it would be a good opportunity to touch on whether or not global warming, or climate change, could be contributing to the seemingly increased quake activity and how we can be prepared in case of an earthquake.

Now to start off, you’ve probably heard about the recent magnitude 8.6 earthquake off the west coast of Northern Sumatra, followed by an 8.2 aftershock.

Image from USGS

You also may have heard about the magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Mexico that could be felt all the way to Mexico City. Did you hear about the magnitude 5.9 earthquake off the coast of Oregon? And what about the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in the Gulf of California? How about this morning’s 6.0 in Iwaki, Japan or the 5.7 in Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, Mexico? Just take a look at the number of earthquakes that are happening on a daily basis. This graph is a clear indication of the location, magnitude and frequency of earthquakes around the world over the past five years.

Accordingly to the USGS, and as of this writing, there have been more than 7099 earthquakes in the last 30 days alone. In the past seven days over 280 of those earthquakes were magnitude 2.5 or greater.

But if you take a look at the graphs below, you’ll see that we are not experiencing any dramatic increase in seismic activity, especially from larger magnitude earthquakes. In fact, the USGS states:

“We continue to be asked by many people throughout the world if earthquakes are on the increase. Although it may seem that we are having more earthquakes, earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater have remained fairly constant.”

That means there is no real indication that global warming, climate change, or any other significant man-made factor is triggering more earthquakes. Not to say those things aren’t contributing factors to the stress of the planet, or that they won’t be a significant contributing factor in the future, but at this point none of them are THE factor behind earthquakes.

The fact is that the planet is billions of years old, spinning through space, with an inner core reaching temperatures of up to 9800°F. The Earth is constantly changing. Of course, with more than 7 billion people inhabiting the planet, we are bound to have some kind of an impact on those changes.

That is why it is important to take care of this planet, because it’s the only one we’ve got right now. Earthquakes will continue to happen though, regardless, so while we take actions to reduce, reuse, recycle and care for the Earth, we also need to ensure we are prepared for when those earthquakes do happen.

The USGS recommends you have these supplies on hand in case of an earthquake. Here are also a few other eco-friendly items you might want to have in your earthquake kit. If you have pets, don’t forget to have a pet survival kit for them as well. Your pets will have needs, as you will, so it is important to be prepared to care for them. Just in case, you might want to get a waste bag kit and some poo powder too. You never know how long you’re going to be without standard amenities after an earthquake.

When it all comes down to it, while global warming may not be triggering more earthquakes, earthquakes are going to continue happening, so are other natural disasters. The important thing is to be prepared. Are you prepared? If not, what are you waiting for?

Image by Helga Weber / Creative Commons

April is National Stress Awareness Month. It is a time when people from all walks of life can learn about how stress impacts not only their day to day lives, but their health, their sanity and their overall well-being. In honor of National Stress Awareness Month, I wanted to share a few environmentally-friendly ways to help you lower your stress levels and live a happier and healthier life.

1) Get outdoors every day. Whether you spend 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes or more outdoors, getting fresh air and sunlight is good for you. Indoor air pollution is a real problem and with people working so many hours indoors these days, getting outside for a dose of fresh air is essential. Besides, sunlight gives you a little natural vitamin D, helps to lighten your spirits and improve your mood.

Image by Salil Wadhavkar / Creative Commons

In addition, when a person feels the stress of work, family, bills, etc. piling up, getting outdoors can help clear the mind and allow you to get your attention off your problems. Some people even find that getting outdoors, talking a walk or getting some fresh air helps to clear their mind and allow them to tackle obstacles better.

If you have kids, letting them regularly explore the great outdoors is a no-brainer. Studies have found that kids who spend time outside are less stressed, happier, healthier, and smarter. Don’t you want that for you and your kids?

2) Add some plants to your office and/or home. As I mentioned above, indoor air pollution is a real problem. People don’t realize how toxic the air in both their home and their office can become.

Image by Moose Mama / Creative Commons

Thankfully, there are plants that can help remove those toxins from the environment and clean out the air. Here are some of the top plants to reduce stress, cut toxins and help you live a little greener.

3) Plant a garden and grow some of your own food. Not only is growing your own food a way to eat healthier by ensuring the vegetables you are putting in your body are natural, organic and free of toxins, but it is a great way to lower your stress level too. Spending time tending to your garden can help relax you, allow you to get your hands dirty and truly create something wonderful (and tasty).

Image by Manjith Kainickara / Creative Commons

Many cities now have seed libraries where you can “borrow” seeds and then either return seeds from your own flourishing garden or offer some of “fruits” of your labor at a local Farmers’ Market and such. Seed libraries are cropping up everywhere. Check your local area and find out if you have one near you.

Well those are three very simple and truly environmentally-friendly ways to de-stress in honor of National Stress Awareness Month.  Of course there are numerous other ways you can lower your stress levels on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis, but I figured these three would give you a good start. So why not get going now. Let’s begin with taking a deep breath, getting up from your chair, going for a walk and taking a look at the wonderful world all around you. See you outside!

Image by Craig Mayhew and Robert Simmon, NASA GSFC / Creative Commons

Saturday, March 31st at 8:30pm marks Earth Hour 2012. Will you be there? Will you be joining in? Will you be going dark for an hour to show that when we, as individuals, ban together we can make a difference? Well…I will if you will.

First of all, for those of you who are unfamiliar with it, Earth Hour started back in 2007 as a way to show parents, kids, entrepreneurs, employees, businesses, politicians, governments and others that we can make a difference and change the world we live in. Last year, hundreds of millions of people, in more than 5000 cities and towns, in over 135 countries across the globe participated in Earth Hour.

Although Earth Hour is only for one hour, it gives the world a chance to unite under one common purpose to fight man-made global warming and climate change.

No matter what your views are on climate change or whether or not you feel mankind plays a role in global warming, you probably have noticed that things are continuously changing on this planet we live on. Knowing that, it is kind of hard to argue with the fact that there are changes we too could make to lessen the impact, so to speak.

This year’s Earth Hour is a little different however, because in addition to joining the millions and millions of people around the globe who will be turning their lights off at 8:30pm on Saturday, March 31st, people around the world are daring others to make a difference that goes beyond Earth Hour.

Take a look at this challenge from supermodel and Earth Hour global ambassador, Miranda Kerr:

Then there is this one from Australian actress, Isabel Lucas:

This one comes from Guinness World Record holder, base-jumper, Heather Swan:

Here’s another one, this time from foodie, environmental writer, wine enthusiast and a personal friend, Jerry James Stone:

Go here to take a look at some of the other challenges and then either accept one of the “I will if you will” challenges to go beyond one simple hour and do something that will make a difference., or upload your own challenge. As WWF says “Do something awesome for the environment. Get something awesome in return.”

Even the kids can get involved! The Lorax says he’s going to change his moustache green for a whole day if at least 500 children promise to turn their lights off during Earth Hour. And as The Lorax tells us, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

I look forward to seeing some of the other challenges. If you have a good “I will if you will” challenge either share it in the comments below or send it to me on Twitter so I can retweet it for you. Remember to use the #earthhour hashtag when you do. And remember to spread the word.

Image by Jaine / Creative Commons

In honor of World Water Day 2012, I thought I would take a quick look at the importance of water in our society, in our lives and in our future. We’ve all heard the saying, “Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink”. Although water is a somewhat renewable resource, with over 7 billion people inhabiting the planet, water is being used at an alarming rate, often much faster than it is being replenished.

In fact, did you know that water is used to produce almost everything we eat? Of course some foods use more water than other foods, but according to reports, agriculture accounts for 70% of our total water use. Also, the We Are Water Foundation warns that “We Eat More Water Than We Drink”. That fact does not even take into account all the water we are wasting when we throw away uneaten food.

To add to that, there are many countries where people take water for granted. Of course we’ll have water? Just turn on the faucet and it is there, right? No. That is not true for much of the world. Over 880 million people lack access to clean water, and over 3.5 million die each year from diseases caused by contaminated, dirty or otherwise unhealthy water.

And this all happens despite the fact that technology exists to take some of the dirtiest water and filter it so it is clean and drinkable. There are LifeSaver® bottles, the LifeStraw, Tea Bag Filters and more, all designed to give people access to fresh water.

You may wonder what this has to do with you. Well, even in fully developed areas, if disaster strikes, the lack of clean water will have a dramatic impact on people’s lives and their ability to survive. That is why it is important to not only understand the value of water, but to know how to get clean, fresh, drinkable water from unexpected sources.

Our water usage goes far beyond what we drink and eat, though. Take a look at this infographic in order to get an idea on where you may be wasting water and what steps you can take to lower your usage and save money in the bargain. If you think about, you are probably wasting more water than you should. Sometimes simply taking the time to become aware of your actions, is enough to get you started on making a change.

There is little in this world that does not require water in some shape or form. Water is used in agriculture, manufacturing, science, technology and more. That is why it is extremely important that we take measures to curb the crisis and protect our water resources.

Take a look at the Big Picture and you will see how vital clean, fresh, accessible water is to you and the rest of the 7 billion people on this planet. How would your life change if you didn’t have access to clean water like you do now?

So in honor of World Water Day 2012, please take a few moments and figure out what you can do to save water at home, at the office, in the garden, while cooking, when you are out and about, and more. Every action helps.

As a further note: for those of you who are interested in learning more about how climate change is impacting not only our water supply, but our future, 350.org is hosting an event on May 5th to help everyone”Connect the Dots“.