Renewable energy always seems to capture the spotlight and garner media attention.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that government financing of “green energy” has become such a hot topic in Congress, especially over the last twelve months. From the fall of the solar manufacturer Solyndra in 2011 to the recent collapse of Amonix, government-backed renewable energy programs receive “all the buzz” on Capitol Hill.

Yet as these fiery debates rage on, politicians and energy wonks tend to ignore another issue that remains just as integral to the sustainable movement—energy efficiency.

While lawmakers argue about renewable energy, utility companies have been actively offering incentives to encourage energy savings (check out this example in Michigan). These efforts have actually done more to reduce fossil fuel consumption and nuclear
waste than renewable investment.

The European Union has long pushed renewable energy development, but even European countries have started to encounter economic obstacles to their efforts. The main issue with renewable development is that new technology requires huge capital investments, and the payoff often doesn’t come for a while.

Germany has been stealing most of the limelight today with its promise to go “nuclear-free” by 2022 and become fully “renewable” by 2050. Twenty percent of Germany’s electricity comes from renewable sources, and three percent alone comes from solar. These numbers are impressive and show extraordinary potential for the future. Unfortunately, the government is starting to realize that it bit off more than it could chew.

Officials recently announced that the government would only be able to cover half of the program’s $420 billion price tag, and reports say bankers are unlikely to front the rest. Germany emerged as an economic leader in the European Union economic crisis, but its policymakers are panicking as they discover that large-scale renewable investment is a bit
over their budget.

Currently, the average German family of four pays $14 a month in subsidies for renewable energy programs, while the average household pays 36 cents per kilowatt-hour on average; Americans, in contrast, pay around 9.8 cents.

Spain, the first country to make “solar” cool, essentially withdrew from the green race a couple years ago in an effort to save its economy, and it continues to struggle with debt problems. Renewable programs have stagnated overall, and the future remains uncertain. Italy, on the other hand, has a more practical reason to become more self-sufficient. Most of the country’s electricity comes from nuclear plants in France, and this imported power is very expensive. Solar programs have gained some momentum, justified by the country’s ideal climate. But economic setbacks, combined with the Mafia’s corrupt absorption of subsidies, have increasingly shifted the government’s focus to offshore drilling.

Last week, the Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti announced that the country would be reopening its coastlines to drilling in an effort to stimulate its lagging economy. In other words, renewable programs have been placed on the backburner until further notice.

At the same time, China is taking advantage of renewable subsidy programs throughout the world, including those of the U.S.A. Several countries buy their solar panels from China, placing it as a renewable industry leader.

In summary, renewable energy has been struggling throughout Europe, while China has made a pretty penny from its renewable-related exports.

As for the United States, renewable energy sources comprise 14.3 percent of our total domestic electricity production, leaving the remainder open to fossil fuels and nuclear power.

If we truly want to limit our dependence on oil and cut back nuclear waste immediately and avoid the economic pitfalls of our neighbors, we have to attack the problem at its source before we fully venture into renewables.

We need to become more energy-efficient.

The Congressional Budget Office reports that about ten percent of our federal government’s energy-related tax subsidies go to energy efficiency, while almost 70 percent goes to renewable energy. Ironically, energy efficiency continues to stimulate
the economy on a large scale as it cuts utility costs and makes businesses cheaper to run, while government subsidized renewable programs have only made a small dent in our fossil fuel and nuclear consumption.

Moreover, some businesses that waste electricity are rewarded with deductions on their tax returns, while those who opt to be energy efficient receive no benefit.

According to Energy Department figures, the amount of energy necessary to support just one office worker for a day produces twice as much greenhouse gas emissions as that person’s drive to work. Simple improvements in lighting, heating, cooling and windows
could do a great deal to limit our wasteful energy practices, but the incentives for these areas are hard to come by.

Should we lose hope in green power and slash all renewable subsidies? No. We simply need to reprioritize.

Renewable energy is still “all the rage” in the “sustainable” world, and renewable programs will continue to gain ground as technological advancement lowers the cost of investment. They are a step in the right direction and worthy of government support.

But the source of our energy consumption is clearly the more pressing issue at hand. We can’t overlook the potential of energy-efficiency as we strive for a more sustainable world.

Ingenious app developers are at it again with some new and updated tools to revolutionize the way we go green. While my last “app update” spotlighted a wide range of “green apps,” I decided to focus this piece on a topic that was applicable to everyone—food.

The world of environmentally-conscious food can be convoluted and deceiving to the average person.  How can consumers possibly know the environmental impact of every single food item? How do we know when to buy organic? And finally, how do we know the seasonal foods in any given area? Well, with the power of smartphones, these answers and more are now at your fingertips:

1) Fishing for Sustainable Seafood

If gazing at a seafood menu leaves you swimming in sustainable concerns, Seafood Watch, a free app sponsored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, employs GPS technology to suggest the best seafood to eat by region and offers a list of restaurants and seafood markets that offer greener options. Seafood Watch is available on iOS and Android.

As for sushi lovers, a new app called Green Sushi Selector has pre-researched everything on the menu. Search any fish name (in Japanese or English), and this convenient tool will tell you whether the fish is endangered or caught in an environmentally insensitive manner, and how often you should be eating the fish to sustain a healthy diet. At 99 cents, the app costs less than a California roll and works on iOS and Android.

2) Organic Shopping: Behind the Labels

As organic foods become increasingly popular in stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, it has actually become harder to know when to buy organic. That’s where Soleil Organics, a new iOS/Android app, comes in. Simply look up the item by category on your smartphone, and the app will tell you whether you really need to buy food with an organic label.

While many non-organic foods use pesticides, others (like asparagus) don’t attract pests, meaning you don’t have to worry about the label. We all know how shockingly expensive organic foods can be, and this app has the potential to save organic shoppers a lot of money.

As Green Living Press has already mentioned in a previous article, various fruits and vegetables fall under the Dirty Dozen label, meaning they are the most likely to be touched by pesticides. To view which produce items you should be concerned about, check out the Dirty Dozen app, put out by The Environmental Working Group. This handy app lists 15 fruits and vegetables that don’t need the magic label to be considered organic.

The Organic Trade Association, in alliance with Earth Day Network and Music Matters, has also released a free iPhone app that is bound to save you some spending money. “Go Organic” offers free e-coupon books for organic products to empower you in your crusade against pesticide use.

If you’re not a coupon queen (or king) after downloading that app, the addition of CouponSherpa’s free Apple/Android app will at least guarantee you the status of “eco-conscious miser.” This app gives offers an extensive list of mobile coupons to make sure your wallet isn’t taking any abuse for your environmental consciousness.

3) From the Farm to Your Fridge 

Farmers’ markers are the place to be when you want to get your produce straight from the farmer’s hand, but even farmers’ markets can be deceptive as you pick out your seasonal produce.

To simplify the confusion, Locavore has come out with an iOS/Android app that highlights in-season foods based on location and even offers great recipe suggestions from Epicurious to expand your culinary wisdom. Locavore combines GPS technology with the “almighty” power of Wikipedia to save you time and make sure you are eating the freshest foods.

If you find yourself lost in the urban jungle, you can use 3^rd Whale to find the closest greenest businesses to help you do your grocery shopping in the most eco-conscious way. While the app goes beyond grocery stores and food sources, it nonetheless remains a valuable resource in the hunt for sustainable foods.

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Having a green diet is not only better for Mama Earth; it’s better for your overall health. While all the little details seem a bit overwhelming, your eco-sensitivity is bound to become a lot simpler and lighter on your pocketbook.

Let’s face it: pets are part of the family. So it only makes sense that they should do their part to stay green like the rest of your household. (Did they really think they’d get off that easy?) Follow these suggestions, and your furry little companion may just become as green as Ed Begley, Jr., minus the bicycle.

1. Get Creative, and Save Some Money Too:

Pets, regardless of how beloved they are to us, can be a major burden to our wallets, especially during these trying times. This means that we simply need to get creative and opt for sustainable solutions. Why go out and buy everything for your pet when you can find basically everything lying around the house?

Quite often, pet food is made with processed junk that would never be suitable for human consumption. So, to protect your pet’s health and to save a little green, consider making your own pet food. PetSide.com has some good eco-friendly recipes. If your cooking skills are so bad that you don’t even cook for yourself, you can always settle for natural and organic alternatives. They may be a bit more expensive, but they will likely increase your pet’s longevity.

As for shampoo, even the most pampered pups can deal with a homemade formula. Trying an all-natural dish soap instead of shampoo can eliminate the pesky issue of fleas. Add some grapefruit extract, and you can say goodbye to ticks and mites. If your dog hates bath-time, this oatmeal-based, dry shampoo formula from TLC will definitely make you happy. On the other hand, it doesn’t mean that you can stop bathing Fido completely.

What about all of those pet toys that we can’t resist buying at the supermarket or pet store? Well, believe it or not, you can make your own pet toys with everyday objects. Get crafty with old tennis balls, rope, and socks, and your dog or cat will have a blast.

2. Dealing with Doodoo:

It may be convenient to simply grab a sandwich bag on the way out the door, but think twice before you preserve your doggie’s “creations” for eons and eons. At the same time, you don’t want the poop getting washed away into the sewer, where it can find itself in beaches and rivers. Biodegradable poop bags are the most sensible solution. Some of the better brands, such as Oops I Pooped, are actually resistant to both heat and moisture.

Or, if you really want to be crazy, you can actually compost it along with other types of pet waste in a pet waste composter. Note, however, that this type of compost is not meant for edible plants, as there is always the risk of E. coli contamination. Doggie septic systems likewise break down your dog’s “presents” into an absorbable liquid for your lawn.

As for your kitty, try shopping for a more sustainable cat litter. Not only is clay litter strip-mined (which is bad for Mama Earth), the clay contains carcinogenic silica dust that can end up in your cat’s lungs. Likewise, the clumping agent (sodium bentonite) can clog up your cat’s system, as it expands even once it is ingested. Swheat Scoop, a natural wheat litter, is not only completely biodegradable; it doesn’t generate dust. Other sustainable litters are made of corn, recycled newspapers or wood chips.

If either decide to “let loose” on your beloved carpet, use diluted vinegar instead of bleach. Try to absorb as much as you can with a towel before applying this mixture. Bac-Out, an enzymatic stain and odor eliminator, is another eco-friendly alternative. This product functions as a sanitizer as well.

3. Other Ways to Go Green:

Even the slightest efforts can make a difference. As much as you may like how cute your pet looks when you dry it with a blow dryer, towel or air dry it instead. When it comes time to take your dog for a walks, don’t drive to the dog park—walk there instead (if possible).

Adopting your new best friend from a shelter is highly encouraged, but if you’ve already found him, you can still help the cause. Consider donating your old newspapers to the Humane Society, ASPCA and other animal rescue groups. They line their cages with these, and could always use more of them. They also gladly accept any resources that you can offer them. Call your local shelter for more information.

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It’s about time Rover and Felix did their part, and that you started to get them on the right path. Going green is not only good for the environment; it’s good for your pet. And, if nothing else, all the money you save in pet food and accessories will put you in a more “playful” mood.

Some of the greenest dairy farms exist in California. Could this be why our cows are so happy? Perhaps.

But throughout the nation, dairy is one of the greenest sectors of the agricultural industry.

While farmers will likely “milk” this out for all it’s worth in our “sustainable age,” the facts simply don’t lie.

According to the Innovation Center for US Dairy, “greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the dairy industry make up only about 2 percent of total US emissions,” and the industry has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 63 percent since 1944.

Farms tend to be handed down from generation to generation within the family and thus sustainability is an integral component of how they do business.

1) Reducing Emissions ‘Til the Cows Come Home
The California dairy industry has reduced its air emissions by about 28 percent over the past six years, and part of this has emerged from a greater attention to VOCs. Volatile organic compounds (or VOCs for short) are an issue that affects just about every industry when it comes to sustainability.

According to James Garner of Dairy Cares, a statewide coalition of dairy farmers working on sustainability issues, fermentation of silage is the largest source of VOCs on dairy farms. Farmers have recognized this environmental issue, and have limited emissions through several common sense techniques. These include keeping a smooth face on the silage pile, as well as keeping the silage in feed bags.

2) Letting “It” Flow: The Importance of Water Management
Dairy farmers not only “cry over spilled milk”; they are very sensitive about water. As Dante Migliazzo, a dairy farmer from Atwater, CA notes, “We recycle everything from our water to our dirt. Everything is done in proper balance.”

Clean water is used to cool the milk and wash the cows. However, water is constantly recycled around the farm in a way that is both sustainable and scientific.

When cows do their “business” in their respective stalls, their manure is flushed from the barn floors with recycled water and collected in a pond. This “nutrient water” is then used to irrigate crops. As such, dairy farmers are able to avoid the use of synthetic and chemical fertilizers.

The process is actually a bit more complex and scientific than it sounds. Farms in the California Central Valley abide by a “nutrient management plan” which determines the ideal combination of manure and water for the soil. At the same time, they keep an eye out for groundwater resources.

Ray Gene Veldhuis, owner of RV Dairy in Cressey, CA, has been (literally) digging beneath the surface to discover the mysteries of efficient nutrient use. After taking several samples, he has come to realize that commercial fertilizers were virtually unnecessary “when nutrient water was applied agronomically.”

3) Producing More Than Just Milk
It may be one of its stinkier elements, but cow manure has the potential to revolutionize the dairy industry. Manure releases harmful methane gas into the atmosphere. Thanks to the innovation of methane digesters, dairy scientists have seen the light…even if they’ve had to squint a bit in the process.

The process is simple: cow manure is placed into a containment lagoon where a natural microbial process converts the “stuff” into methane. The methane gas is then treated and used to fuel a generator. Jon and Tami Tollenaar’s dairy farm in Elk Grove has actually been able to produce 1.5 million kilowatt-hours annually as a result of their methane digester system. That’s enough to power approximately 180 homes.

Unfortunately, this form of technology requires a heavy capital investment, and thus its popularity hasn’t quite “taken off.” Likewise, they use natural gas engines, which still generate NOx emissions. Research efforts are as aggressive as ever and are happening right on the farms.

RV Dairy has been a leader in researching other methods of deriving energy from manure. As he comments, “Current methane digesters are doing the right thing, but I’m looking for something better.” The goal of his work is to convert the manure into a sludge form that could subsequently be converted into an energy source (either biodiesel or natural gas). As Veldhuis explains, this could potentially develop into a whole new industry.

Several dairies throughout the state and nation have likewise decided to generate their own power and have installed solar panels throughout their farms. The results have been phenomenal. Garner says that these panels often power “around 85-90% of their needs.”

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As dairy farmers throughout California and the nation become more and more familiar with developing technology, they will continue to set the bar for the entire agricultural industry.

It’s bound to be “udderly” marvelous.

Sometimes, green energy doesn’t quite “fit the mold.”

In fact, LightManufacturing, LLC, has redefined the molding industry. We’ve all heard of solar power as a mode of producing electricity, but LightManufacturing is the first to apply the sun’s thermal power to plastics.

LightManufacturing systems use state-of-the-art Solar Rotational Molding (SRM™) technology to replace costly and inefficient traditional rotational molding methods. By applying concentrated solar thermal energy and simple, low-cost manufacturing machinery, LightManufacturing avoids the expense of factories and utilities.

1. Why Solar Rotational Molding?

Rotational molding is the most common method used today for manufacturing long-lasting goods such as agricultural and industrial water tanks, boats, road barriers, and kayaks. Plastic powder is placed into a hollow metal mold, which is heated in a big oven while being turned. Once melted under the inside of the mold, it is then cooled and ejected from the mold. And the process begins again.

The issue with traditional rotational molding is that it uses fossil fuels like natural gas and kerosene and produces a significant amount of emissions- 2 billion pounds- every year in a very inefficient process; most heat is actually lost through the chimney.

Frustrated with this wasteful technique, LightManufacturing CEO Karl Von Kries sought an eco-conscious alternative. He decided to apply solar thermal technology (similarly employed in rooftop solar hot water systems) to rotational molding. The end result became solar thermal rotational molding.

Solar Rotational Molding is as simple as looks. The process basically uses large computer-controlled mirrors, known as heliostats, to reflect the sun’s high-energy beams to the molds, which are rotated on fixed position armatures. The heliostats adjust with the sun throughout the day.

2. Efficient, Affordable, Versatile, and Just Plain Awesome

Solar Rotational Molding uses no outside electricity at all, and is much more efficient than traditional solar energy sources. As Von Kries notes, “Solar thermal is the most impacting way to apply solar.” While traditional solar power operates at 20 percent efficiency, solar rotational molding systems operate at 75 percent efficiency, setting an unmatched industry standard.

Even better, the machinery does not demand the capital investment typically associated with solar power (they are 75 percent cheaper than traditional rotational molding systems), and manufacturers can easily set them up just about anywhere. No building is required. This means that transportation costs are essentially slashed.

Plus, they are adaptable. Von Kries notes: “Traditional molds can actually be plugged into our machines. Simply apply the solar black paint, and you can mold parts in our systems.” Thus, this product could almost instantly change the market.

3. Revolutionary Sustainable Design for the Global Market

The most revolutionary part of their solar thermal systems is their heliostats. Instead of using glass to reflect the sun, these heliostats use a stretched, metalized plastic film. Not only does this make for a higher quality product, it is cheaper to produce and replace than glass, and it doesn’t shatter. One can only imagine the amount of stress this would relieve from the buyer.

In the global perspective, solar thermal production seems to have incredible potential. With low labor costs in developing countries, “materials and energy become a bigger piece of the pie,” Von Kries argues, and with these costs significantly reduced, solar thermal seems to be the obvious solution.

The best part is that these systems are viable at about 49 percent of the world’s land area. This means that virtually any country can utilize this technology, from developed nations like the US and Australia to emerging markets like India, Africa, and beyond.

You may be asking yourself: How is this sustainable if it’s producing plastic?

Well, the beauty of these systems lies in their ability to melt almost any type of plastic. In addition to petrochemical plastics, they can actually use recycled, post-consumer plastics and bioplastics. And the emissions linked with transportation are decimated.

4. The Future Looks Bright

So what is the future of solar thermal? Is this technology transferable? Von Kries is taking things one step at a time, but is already of the game: “We’re looking into injection molding and other processes that would have immediate cost savings and huge reductions in emissions.”

LightManufacturing sets a fine example for the field of green manufacturing. By melting away all the stereotypes associated with green energy, they have produced something that is truly easy and accessible for manufacturers throughout the world.

You may have been pounding out another great workout on the treadmill, watching an old episode of “Jersey Shore” from the screen, when it suddenly hit you.

Just as Snooki is throwing her latest fit, you hop off the treadmill and say to yourself: Is my workout harming the environment?

Perhaps your moment of “crystallization” wasn’t so dramatic. You might not have even been watching “Jersey Shore” when it happened. For all we know, it could have been “Glee.”

In any case, you’ve realized that it’s time to review your fitness routine. If so, this article is your eco-revelation. By following some of these simple tips, your workout will be greener and maybe even more fulfilling.

1. Run Away from the Treadmill

Treadmills are the most inefficient machines you will encounter in your gym visit. They typically use about 600-700 watts of power, which is the same as 3-4 televisions running simultaneously.

Hop on the elliptical or stationary bike instead. Typically self-powered, the most inefficient run on a sixth or seventh of the power necessary to run a treadmill.

Better yet, skip the gym, and do your cardio outdoors. Several psychological studies have been conducted on green exercise, and results suggest that even as little as five minutes of it “is likely to boost self-esteem and mood.”

Likewise, unless you are very private about your workout, exercising outside “is more likely to increase a person’s frequency of exercise compared to indoor exercise.”

Plus, leaving the car at home saves gas, which doesn’t seem so bad these days when you take a look at the current prices at the pump.

2. Seek Out Eco-Friendly Gyms

If you still prefer the gym prior to making your summer appearance on the beach, be sure to scope out the greenest gyms in the area before “committing” to one. Finding the right gym is a big step for anyone, but some basic criteria can help guide your decision.

Electricity usage is obviously a major element. Eco-friendly treadmills (especially those without separate tv screens attached to the top), non-motorized and power generating machines, and eco-friendly televisions are marks of an eco-conscious gym.

Also, look at the gym from the ground up. Some gyms use recycled rubber or cork flooring to make a green “statement.” And no green gym should lack energy-efficient lighting.

If you really want to be nitpicky (which is never a bad thing when it comes to the environment), see if their towels, soap and toilet paper are composed of recycled, non-toxic, or organic items.

3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

If you’ve read any of my articles, I probably sound like a broken record, but the 3 R’s of Recycling relate to just about any eco-friendly behavior.

Reduce: Reduction of any sort may seem counterproductive to exercise, but some common habits can really increase your eco-impact.

Reduce your energy bill by washing all your workout clothes, uniforms and towels in cold water, and line dry (make Grandma proud). This will also increase the longevity of your gear.

If you’re at the gym, you can be an “eco-cop” by turning off unattended televisions and by using unpowered equipment. Unfortunately, most gyms don’t offer honorary badges for this kind of behavior, but hopefully the personal satisfaction will be sufficient for your ego.

Reuse: Always check out thrift stores and yard sales before purchasing fitness equipment. Not only will this save you money (athletic gear is usually a serious investment), you will reduce the number of petroleum-based materials that enter the landfill.

On that same note, try to use refillable water bottles. This will save you from having to buy plastic water bottles all the time. Plus, Mama Earth will thank you: plastic water bottles comprise billions of pounds of harmful waste every year, and take ages to decompose.

Recycle: As they say, true charity comes from the “sole,” so instead of dumping your old shoes or old gear, why not recycle them? Nike has a Reuse-a-Shoe program that turns any brand shoe into running tracks, playground surfaces and more.

New American Dream also offers an eco-friendly depository for used sporting goods, including yoga mats, t-shirts, baseballs and practically anything you found at your local sporting goods store. If your workout gear is beyond usable (or fashionable) condition, make sure it finds its way to the right place.

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By doing your part (in a small or large way), you can save money and free the environment from unnecessary waste. In other words, you’ll feel even better about yourself when you hit the beach.

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“They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong.” -President Ronald Reagan. Brendan Pringle is a regular contributor and Managing Editor of Green Living Press.

Gas prices are soaring and environmentalists are grinning with hope for hybrids. Could this be the beginning of a green car boom? Perhaps.

As many probably remember, the OPEC oil crisis had a similar phenomenon, opening a larger market for compact and subcompact cars in America.

Hybrid and electric cars aside, Ford, Chrysler and GM have recently unleashed new lines of smaller vehicles. According to MotorTrend.com, compacts will soon reach the popularity level of midsize cars in the U.S. as they did in Western Europe.

We may not want to admit it, but expensive gas gets as much attention as Kim Kardashian’s love life.

But with the advent of new technologies, things are not as black and white as environmentalists would like them to be. As gas prices rise, hybrid and electric models become more appealing, yet even still, the price tag is generally quite a bit higher than standard models. And, as Edmunds.com notes, “the menu of gas-powered vehicles that achieve more than 30 miles per gallon and even 40 miles per gallon is vastly expanding.”

Who will fair the best in this market is hard to decide. Figures from 2011 show that import cars are no longer “all the rage.” American cars are finally getting a grasp on the car market. Honda and Toyota are still facing the consequences of natural disasters, and German cars have only recently jumped on the “green train.”

Hybrid sales will continue to rise, but an economic slump has made people think critically about overall cost benefits. Edmunds.com recommends looking at reasons other than financial ones, as the “the economic equation is iffy and constantly shifting.” Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book argues that, “beyond a certain fuel price point, the higher the fuel prices the lower the benefits of alternative fuel vehicles.” Flores points to the higher premium paid for these types of cars.

Another issue is that alternative energy vehicles are not always made for convenience. The Nissan Leaf is the first all-electric car released to the consumer market, and boasts 73 miles per charge. But its limited range may turn off those with even the greenest heart. It’s really only meant for short trips.

“Style Ain’t Nothing”: The Ultimate “Tipping” Factor

Consumers are not only looking at energy-efficiency or environmental impact. Accenture found in a recent survey that “just over a third of respondents named higher gas prices as a reason to purchase a greener car.” As we all suspected, it’s all about “the look.” Style is everything. Even environmentalists have a sense of style when it comes to car choices. Cars have to have an ”organic” and revolutionary look in order to take over the car market.

Take the Nissan Leaf: Typically, drivers take pride in their grills. As AutoTrends.org reported, the Ford Ensel’s “horse collar grille was compared with a toilet seat,” while the original Subaru B9 Tribeca’s triangular grille “never caught on and was panned by critics.” But the Leaf has no grill; it only has a hatch that opens for access to its recharging port. However, designers have used this to create a “swept back” look that doubles as a means to cut aerodynamic drag.

Nissan effectively turned an auto “fashion faux pas” into a show stealer. Stylists actually said they “went right up to the edge of unusual,” as they aimed to keep the car “iconic but not weird.”

The Tesla Roadster has likewise turned a lot of heads, despite its outrageous price. Why? Quite simply, it looks like a racecar. With its curvy combination of retro and futuristic motifs, it has had a “pivotal role” in getting people interested in electric cars, … even those who can’t afford them.

Advertising: Connecting Clients and Cars

Alternative energy vehicles can also be extremely difficult to market. The Volt faced this problem before it even hit the market. All of its commercials still left the consumer with questions, and without a personal connection to the car. “Powertrains” and other advanced technical features are not common knowledge to most consumers.

As a 100 percent electric car, the Nissan Leaf avoids this with the concise, catchy tagline: “The Leaf runs on electricity, saving the planet from global warming.” That, and a cute polar bear, are enough to sell a car that’s still inconvenient at best.

Americans can be optimistic about the future of the green car industry. Whether people go for the hybrids or stay true to energy-efficient gas-powered cars will ultimately depend on one overlying factor: if the car isn’t sexy, it isn’t going to sell.

Resources

If you are looking to compare cars, this is a great site to start your search: http://cars.findthebest.com/

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“They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong.” -President Ronald Reagan. Brendan Pringle is a regular contributor to Green Living Press. 

You may recall a time early in your childhood when you were actually excited to receive mail. The joy of opening up an envelope addressed specifically to you may have given you a burst of gratification or some temporary meaning.

Unfortunately for most of us, those days are gone. We have entered the grown-up world of bills, bills, and more bills. Emails have replaced informal written notes, and Facebook posts have replaced birthday cards. As we face this reality shock, one thing remains fixed – junk mail.

Aside from being a common household annoyance, junk mail is responsible for a significant percentage of waste production. In fact, 5.6 million tons of junk mail is discarded in U.S. landfills annually. The financial cost: Americans cough up $370 million each year to dispose of unrecycled junk mail.

Don’t fret—the solution is just a couple clicks away.

1) Free Ways to Rid Yourself of Junk Mail

Since it’s almost impossible to determine who is selling your mailbox’s real estate space, the question becomes: How do I stop it at its source?

As you may expect, the process of targeting each and every source of junk mail on your own is time consuming and frustrating. However, modern innovation has developed a quick and simple resolution.

Catalog Choice, a non-profit group, has created a new, free service that helps households easily target every source, and “unsubscribe” in less than 10 seconds. Their directory of companies is extensive, and their website is extremely user-friendly.

The best part about it: you don’t have to deal with anyone on the other end. You can easily remove your address with no questions asked, and if you continue to receive mail, you can file a formal complaint.

It’s not surprising that over 1 million households and businesses have created their free Catalog Choice accounts. And this is just the beginning.

If you want to opt out of all “prescreened offers of credit and insurance,” check out OptOutPrescreen.com. As its website clearly states, OptOutPrescreen.com is the “official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of firm offers of credit or insurance.” The site gives you two options. You can Opt-Out for five years or Opt-Out permanently. To rid yourself of these annoying offers, visit their website today or call them toll-free at 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).

And to finish the job, take advantage of the Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service. Once you register on this site, your name is automatically placed on a “delete” file that is recognized by around 3,600 organizations. In addition, they allow you to opt-out of a large number of email lists.

2) Fax Spam: An Unresolved Issue

“Fax Spam” is another annoying dilemma for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, we are virtually powerless in the chaotic world of facsimile. There is no such thing as a “Do Not Fax” list. The only way to opt-out is by contacting each individual company. While sending a few pieces of black or dark construction paper through the fax machine may seem like a just vindication for all of that paper and ink wasted on your end, keep in mind that this damages the environment more than the person on the other end.

If you want to really “stick it” to the “junk fax” industry, JunkFax.org can help you get even through the judicial process. Don’t expect any punitive damages; your reward will simply be the pleasure of knowing that justice has been served—for you and Mama Earth.

3) The Global Dilemma

Americans are not the only ones being bombarded with junk mail. Our friends across the pond have been coping with an increasing problem of mailbox stuffing. Each year, over 21 billion pieces of junk mail end up in British mail boxes—that’s over 550,000 tons of soon-to-be waste.

Fortunately, households can finally get rid of this unnecessary waste by following the simple steps listed on the Direct Marketing Association’s Mailing Preference Service website (mpsonline.org.uk).

The Royal Mail actually accounts for around 25 percent of direct mail, and has used it to keep the price of stamps down to a minimum. Their unaddressed junk mail is a bit more difficult to eliminate, but you can always contact Royal Mail directly about it via their website—RoyalMail.com.

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Through these basic measures, you can finally reclaim your mailbox. While this mail reduction may make you feel temporarily “unpopular” (no one wants a vacant mailbox), your action will contribute to a greener world. This feat alone is bound to boost your self-esteem as you wait for love letters and other “extinct” forms of correspondence to appear in your box.

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“They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong.” -President Ronald Reagan. Brendan Pringle is a regular contributor to Green Living Press.

Before LEED, there was nothing.

This may sound like an overstatement, but LEED set a modern standard for green building. While other movements existed before it, nothing really had a commensurate level of legitimacy.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, provides a certification process based on sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED remains a leader in green building certification.

The coveted LEED plaque has become one of the most fashionable trends among the architectural elite. It sells buildings to high-end clients and governments, makes architects and builders look good, and creates an incentive to invest in the newest green trends.

But while this program is effective in making buildings more sustainable, its reach is stunted by several problems.

First of all, it’s really expensive. A simple building certification can cost tens of thousands of dollars—cash that could be better applied toward other sustainable substitutes (i.e. solar panels, energy-efficient LED Lighting, etc). According to the mayor of Park City, Utah, LEED-certification for the Park City Ice Area was going to cost $27,500, so the city decided to invest instead in three small wind turbines to power the arena’s Zamboni.

The issue is no different for residential and commercial developers. As Jeff Martin, Senior VP of Specialty Construction, Inc. in San Luis Obispo, comments, “I find that most clients want a sustainable building that is cost-effective and efficient. But paying a commission on top of everything for nothing more than a plaque does not give them the incentive to make such a large capital investment.”

From the planning stages to the last-minute alterations, LEED is costly. One must commission a professional to ascertain whether mechanical systems are performing as designed. Then you must computer model your building’s performance. Add the costs of professional documentation and LEED registration, and you might as well take out a second mortgage on your house.

Unsurprisingly, LEED-certification has transformed into a money-making industry. What started out as a “small operation with seven paid employees” now has a “116-member staff and earns 95% of its $50 million annual budget.”

Second, the LEED point system is ineffective and not properly weighted. Since only 26 points are required for certification, builders can get their plaque with few and minor energy-saving tricks. For this reason alone, the relative impact of LEED is minimal. While LEED-certified buildings often have a 25% to 30% lower energy usage than conventional buildings, participants of the Architecture 2030 Challenge have adopted a 50% target.

In addition, builders often choose more affordable point-mongering gimmicks rather than invest in green technology that would actually improve the building’s overall sustainability. Builders and developers will naturally cut any corners necessary to get this plaque.

And lastly, there’s the bureaucratic headache. LEED certification demands a great deal of time, patience, and paperwork. And that’s only when you receive approval on the first shot. If your application is rejected, the headache only continues. No wonder less than 7000 projects nationally have received LEED certification in the last decade.

So if LEED isn’t the solution, what is?

Well, depending on your LEED grievance, there are two excellent paths available for green recognition.

Option #1–The Green Globes® Rating/Certification Program: If LEED costs will surely burn a hole in your pocket, opt for this cost-effective route instead. Part of the Green Building Initiative, this certification program is much cheaper than LEED and doesn’t take a rocket scientist (or consultant) to figure out. In fact, online pre-assessment tools leave no guesswork to builders and developers.

Green Globes® ratings are based on four factors: energy efficiency, water conservation, overall pollution, and indoor environment health. Projects that have passed an initial assessment with a minimum of 35% are able to schedule a third-party review for a Green Globes rating of one to four Green Globes.

The Green Globes® Rating/Certification Program represents a positive compromise of green achievement and feasibility. In other words, it makes green recognition more “accessible” to the hoi polloi.

Option #2—The Living Building Challenge: If you see LEED as more of a profiteering scam than a civic-minded program, then this is the route for you.

The Living Building Challenge, started by the International Living Future Institute™, is comprised of seven performance areas (or Petals)- Site, Water, Energy, Health, Materials, Equity, and Beauty. Petals are subdivided into twenty Imperatives. These Imperatives are relative to just about every type of project and are mandatory. The Challenge is a holistic approach to certification without any of the LEED loopholes. While certification isn’t as expensive as LEED, the immediate costs of compliance can be significant.

The objectives of the Living Building Challenge are ambitious and civic-minded. Cal Poly Architecture senior Austen Diliberto explains, “The goal is to some day design buildings which are not only environmentally neutral, but actually contribute positively to the environment.” The question is: are you up for the “Challenge”?

LEED created the foundations for green building standards, but remains flawed at its core. Whether you are concerned with costs or looking for a more aggressive approach to sustainability, don’t give into the hype. There are better ways of getting recognition for your efforts.

The frosty days of winter present the ultimate endurance test. How long can you stand without touching the thermostat?

When you share a central heating system with your miserly landlady downstairs (as I did last winter in Italy), you start to grow a thick skin and quickly learn how to argue about the temperature in Italian. Whatever the case may be, there are greener and cheaper methods than cranking up the heater. Follow these tips, and you may be able to spare your piggy bank until tax season:

1. You Are What You Eat … and Drink
Food supplies energy to the body, and energy equals warmth. You don’t need to resort to a pre-hibernation diet throughout the winter season, but good hearty meals can work wonders. Perhaps, for the sake of sustainability, Jenny Craig can wait until after February.

In addition to eating warm foods like soup, winter-specific nutrition can keep that heater down a few notches. Cold weather actually lowers blood pH, and low blood pH makes you feel cold. A diet rich in protein and fat (i.e. meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and dairy) can easily counter this phenomenon.

Likewise, niacin (vitamin B3) helps expand your capillaries, increasing circulation to the hands and feet. So, stock your fridge with some niacin-rich milk, eggs, all-wheat products and cheese. Spicy seasonings heighten this effect by further increasing your blood circulation. At the same time, iron-rich red meats and leafy vegetables can boost your body’s heat production.

As for liquids, coffee lovers may be a bit dismayed. While this magic caffeine booster may warm your soul, it actually lowers blood pH, which makes you feel colder. A short-term switch to herbal or green tea is the best way to keep your body warm during these cold months.

2. Layer Up and Keep It Classy
Big puffy jackets have never been in fashion, and let’s face it: Bill Cosby is the only one who can really “pull off” thick, knitted sweaters. Don’t expect either of these fashion trends on the cover of Vogue anytime soon.

Don’t ruin your groove: layer up instead! The truth is, several fitted layers are actually more effective than a thick single layer. Consider trying three basic layers:

First, there’s the underlayer. Two-ply long johns and undershirts (cotton inside, wool outside) are a nice start. Don’t underestimate the wonders of long pants and long sleeves. Moreover, two layers of socks (thin, cotton ones covered by heavier woolen ones) will keep your feet toasty warm.

Then, there’s the midlayer. Depending on how cold it is, you may think of wearing a nice set of woolen clothes: shirt, pants and hat. If you live on the California coastline like me, pretty much anything will do.

And finally, there’s the outer layer. This is the “weatherproofing layer” that will protect you from the elements. If you’re in the snow, a parka is excellent, and a nice windproof face mask will keep Jack Frost from nipping at your nose. Opt for a rugged mountaineering boot to protect your feet.

Then again, if you are hanging out in a milder, snow-free zone like me, a simple windbreaker and nice thick pair of shoes will do the job.

3. “Mind the Gap!”
If you’ve ever visited England, you may have noticed that the “Tube” in London courteously reminds its daily passengers to “mind the gap.” Who knew this industrial city could offer us such an important eco-friendly suggestion? Gaps make for drafty homes and provide heat with a speedy escape route.

Weather-stripping is the best way to seal all the gaps around your windows and doors, and caulking quickly seals all the gaps between permanent building materials. Check out all the joints between the foundation and siding, baseboards and floorboards, and areas where pipe and electrical wires enter your house. Don’t cheap out on this money-saving tool. Price and longevity are interconnected.

When caulking and weather-stripping aren’t enough, “draft stoppers”- insulating fabric tubes- do the trick. These “door snakes” are cheap and simple, and are perfect for your sealing your garage or basement. You can even make them at home.

If your damper isn’t performing its job, chimney balloons are the best way to seal your chimney. These convenient tools are much cheaper than a damper replacement, and fit snugly beneath the fireplace’s damper.

Don’t let the winter season drain your wallet or cramp your style this year. Whether you’re shoveling out snow or “bravely” enduring the drop of a couple degrees, stay warm and keep it classy. A more sustainable and affordable winter is within your reach.