October 2008

Can’t get much greener than running – though driving a hybrid to your destination is a close second (or third or fourth) – but definitely faster. Now you don’t even have to run to win – just pick the top three pros you think will win the NYC Marathon this Sunday – November 2, 2008 – and you can drive one of the greenest cars on the road. But hurry – you have to make your picks by Nov. 1, 2008. Run to the computer and get those fingers moving — that’s a first step. Hey, we all have to start somewhere.

By Susan Seliger

Lower your carbon footprint in style. Bikes are nice – and green machines are keen. But hey – a free car – who can quibble with that? Especially if it’s a spiffy, fuel-efficient 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid worth over $24,000. That’s what Charter Cable TV is offering – no purchase necessary. You have until the end of October to see if you’re the lucky one. So forget the stock market and start clicking.

By Susan Seliger

OK, turning your computer on may take a minute longer than just tapping the mouse each time you sit down at your desk. (And the cat may have to find another warm place to loll about. ) But ask yourself this: if somebody offered you $75 just to add two mouse clicks to your daily routine (click Start; click Turn Off Computer, done) wouldn’t you take it?

Throw in the fact that you’ll also be reducing carbon emissions and letting your computer catch up on its beauty sleep, and it becomes a no-brainer green move. Save even more if you turn the entire power strip off that feeds the printer, your phone and ipod charger, desk lamp all the other appliances that suck energy just be being plugged in.

Need more incentive? Use that minute of warm-up time to stand up at your desk, and do a few body stretches (reach your hands up to the ceiling) and neck turns (shake your head gently Yes and then No) to keep from getting so stiff once you do sit down. That’ll save you another $75-$125 in chiropractic fees.

And that’s just for one household with one computer — imagine if you’re a small business with 100 computers — that’s $7,500 in savings. I bet you can think of a few things you’d like to do with that chunk of change.

Photo credit: www.lacyloos.com/about/cats.php

By Susan Seliger

There is probably no single piece of clothing that has ever been as popular –around the world — as blue jeans. What’s not to love – you can dress ‘em up, dress ‘em down. And best of all, they solve that most annoying of all first-thing-in-the-morning questions: “What’s clean enough to wear?”

In the U.S. we more than 500 million pairs of jeans– that means annual sales figures are over $13 billion ($13.4 billion in 2001, the last concrete figures I could find reported).

So just imagine how much we could reduce our collective carbon footprint if each of us handled our favorite fanny-covering in a greener fashion. It’s easy – try these tips:

1. Buy organic jeans from the start.

Ordinary cotton uses a lot of water and chemicals in the treatment process. Check out Levi’s eco-friendly line.

2. Look for hemp jeans:

This versatile plant – and don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about – is ideal for jeans. Fewer pesticides, fewer chemicals, all good.

Check out these sources for hemp jeans: Hempest and Rawganique.

3. Repair your old jeans:

You know those rips look cool anyway. And for those in the wrong places, take out a needle and start stitching. Add your own design while you’re at it.

4. Wash sparingly.

Ok, if the jeans can stand up by themselves, it’s time to scrub. But really, until then, save some water.

5. Recycle the old when you buy the new:

Gained weight? Lost weight? Whatever – there is someone out there who will want the old ones. If they’re in good shape, try a vintage clothing shop. Otherwise, find a Salvation Army near you, or a Goodwill — they’re always ready to do their part in keeping us a little greener.

Photo credit: total health break throughs: