Just thought I would let everyone know we have two more Green Communities listed on our main website, and we excited to have them on board! We have been needing a community in Tennessee, and now we have one!
Edenburgh Green Community
Kingsport, Tennessee is the home of a wonderful sustainable community called Edenburgh. Please take a look at this community, and view all it’s green features. It is located in Northeast Tennessee. Here also is the link to the Tennessee green communities page, even though they are the only ones listed.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has a new Green Community! Take a look at Southbury Green Community. These homes are LEED certified too, and adding to our list of green communities in South Carolina!
Oh, we also listed new Green certified builders! Well, actually one builder, but they serve two states:
Green Builders in Connecticut: John Desmond Builders Inc.
Green Builders in New York: John Desmond Builders Inc
Have you seen our huge list of Green builders in Colorado? Wow, it’s huge…
Don’t forget if you want to advertise your green community, or building company, go to our advertising page and let me know!
Lately while looking over a network of social media blogs on the ‘environment and sustainability’ I realized how fortunate it is we can connect with people of kindred spirits and enthusiasm.
Sharing a common thread these networks help us promote the value we place on a world that’s safe, clean, and sustainable for future generations.
Being part of this growing group of individuals who come from many walks of life is an amazing privilege. The fact that we belong to a ‘community’ of like minded people shows the organization ‘social media’ brings to the focus on environmental sustainability.
Social Media helps us not become fragmented as we network ideas and news. In this social circle we find persons who regularly share their ideas, green tips, campaigns, and efforts to clean up our environment while staying organized and supportive to others who strive for the same goals.
Here are a couple outstanding blogs which host blogger’s who post regularly the latest news from around the world for a sustainable future.
Starting at home, we can save both money and resources. Take for example something as simple as ‘paper towels.’
Over the years I’ve gotten into the habit of buying paper towels for everything around the house from cleaning to drying hands. Sanitary and easy!
Well, recently I added up how much I spent a year on them and was shocked to learn it was over $500.00.
Now, to some this may seem like a small thing but it’s not. Paper towels are just one item that has a great impact on our pocket books and a darker side for the environment.
If we think ‘trees’ and deforestation we may change our tune.
Deforestation depletes precious natural resources for many living things dependant on these forests and is one of the causes of global warming.
Needless to say, I’ve gone back to the old fashion way of cleaning and drying my hands, a cotton towel.
It works wonderfully and it’s sanitary, each family member has their own personal towel and it’s washed with the rest of the laundry. Easy!
Here’s a great link that provides items to help us ‘Get Smart’ at home and supports a sustainable future for our children and the planet.
As we face effects of a recession and maybe a financial crisis it’s time for us to ‘Get Smart’ to buy only what we need.
Here is our new “Short” video. What do you think!
Al Gore was a guest speaker today at the Web 2.0 summit in California. Here is a snippet of things he spoke about, but all in all he challenged Obama to get this country to sustainable resources within 10 years, which means greater emphasis on green communities. Take a look at the news article.
How many people think if they go ‘green’ it won’t make an impact in the environment, what change can one person really make?
Well … the power of one person’s example can bring positive change to those there around. How can we help you ask?
Let’s discuss 5 ways we can help family, neighbors and co-workers to go green.
Lighting:
This makes a huge impact and is one of the easiest ways to help green your environment.
Change your light bulbs at the office to Energy Star rated light bulbs and fixtures since they use 2/3 less energy than regular lighting.
Encourage everyone to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs which use less energy.
Transportation:
Whether it’s a daily commute or vacation help yourself and others create ways to reduce toxic emissions.
Rideshare or carpool to the workplace, or consider mass transit if that is an option.
When running daily errands try to limit them to one trip and have a mapped out plan to cut down driving.
When traveling on vacations rent a hybrid or use mass transit in the city.
Energy:
One thing that consumes a lot of energy at home and office is your computer.
Make a habit to unplug it from the power strip when you leave the office at night.
A computer that is turned off and still plugged in is burning energy.
So make it a habit to unplug or invest in a energy saving computer system that have their own sleep settings and can shut on and off by themselves.
Paper:
Did you know the average worker wastes 10,000 pages of paper per year?
To reduce that impact on the environment print carefully and go paperless.
If you must print encourage others to join you in a recycling program.
Eating:
Good eating habits can help the planet. Use ‘real’ silverware, coffee mugs, china for your daily meals.
Ignore the notion ‘paper or plastic’ are okay because they are not.
Switch to ‘Organic’ foods grown by local farmers that will help both you and your local area. The basics are to eat local, eat seasonal, eat organic, and eat less meat.
All of these will help you help others help our environment, in more ways than you think! In addition, take time to read these seasonal tips, “12 Practical Ways to Green-Up Your Autumn.”
Help others to ‘go green.’ We are saving our planet one step at a time and one person at a time.
I think so. It’s already obvious that the US is focusing on getting greener, but we are actually behind in times, especially when it comes to green bags for shopping. In a previous post I wrote about Wal-Mart and the influence of green in their stores, notably their ‘Eco-friendly bags.’ I had several good comments about this post, and wanted to share some comments, and pictures that a commenter wrote, Richard Mc Laughlin from France! Notice what he said,
“I live in France. We have not had the paper option for over a decade and plastic has been gone for 5+ years. Bring your own bags or just toss the loose groceries in the trunk of your car. Personally, I love it. My bags are bigger and better than the give-aways. They have handles that never break and just an overall better experience.”
Can you believe that? France has not had plastic bag options for over 5 years! I don’t want to even think of how many plastic bags are in our landfills. Anyway, I thought I would show some pictures Richard sent me of common bags in France, ones he uses, and a web site where you can purhcase them (In France). Also, he said that these fashionable bags are about 18 inches tall, 2 feet by 8 inches at the base. Yes, these are huge! So perhaps you can shop around for a variety of sizes, but the important thing is give it a try!
Web site in France for Eco-Shopping Bags
Here are some in the US:
Do you have a web site for Green Bags you buy from?
The other day I was in Wal-Mart, and although I have shopped there several times in the past months, I have to be honest I never noticed the “green” influence they are promoting. For example my eye was drawn to this display of ‘energy smart’ light bulbs in a center isle, WOW! Have I been under a rock? I have not purchased light bulbs in over a year, but rest assured these will be in my cart next time! Do you realize that over 6 years, these will save you $90 per 3 pack? Yes, these bulbs last 6 years! Hey I know it’s just $15 per month savings over typical bulbs, but this is just one bulb…Multiply this by 6 or so in your home…
Next, when I checked out, I noticed these bags, but have known about these for sometime. The tag line says “Paper or Plastic?” then in green it says “Neither.” These bags are made of recycled materials, and reusable!
Wal-Mart is doing it’s part to some degree to reduce carbon footprint, how about you?
Take a look at Wal-Mart’s determination to help with sustainable living.
We just wanted to say congratulations to a brand new green community near Chapel Hill called Briar Chapel, North Carolina!
We already wrote a nice article on Briar Chapel, so take a look! They are going to be having an open house September 27th, 2008 11:00-3:00.
I wanted to share this news that was announced on Google’s web site, or should I say their secret domain! They are inviting people to submit ideas that can help peoples lives, the environment, community etc, then there will be voting to decide which idea makes it, sort of like an “American Idol” thing. You must submit your idea before October 20th, 2008, then later in January, the voting begins on submitted ideas! I have to say I am impressed with this contest, they are actually going to fund 10 Million dollars to help get your idea, or project off the ground.
I really appreciated their comment here; “new studies are reinforcing the simple wisdom that beyond a certain very basic level of material wealth, the only thing that increases individual happiness over time is helping other people.”
This is so true. I laud Google for promoting this thinking, because that is exactly what Sustainable living, and communities stands for as well.
Below are the areas or choices you can submit to:
Take a look at their cute video explaining in cartoon form, what Project 10 to the 100th is.
For additional details, visit these links to get the scoop on this exciting new contest, and project.
What do you think about Google’s project? I would love to hear your feedback.
