mipmup's blog http://www.blogher.com/blog/35/atom/feed 2007-01-22T20:44:09-06:00 Will Algae Run Your Car? http://www.blogher.com/node/16883 2007-03-16T20:19:30-05:00 2007-03-16T20:23:50-05:00 mipmup
The quest for renewable energy sources is on and you've probably heard about the major players: solar, wind, hydrogen, ethanol. But who is writing about some other innovative sources you may not know about?

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The quest for renewable energy sources is on and you've probably heard about the major players: solar, wind, hydrogen, ethanol. But who is writing about some other innovative sources you may not know about?

Read about using manure for energy at Julie’s Fresh Air.

Learn about using oranges and algae as resources at Heather Yaxley.

Are termites the solution? Find out at Cocktail Party Physics.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by Jim Munnelly

]]> Banning the Bag: Plastic Gets the Boot http://www.blogher.com/node/16708 2007-03-12T15:33:51-05:00 2007-03-12T21:43:49-05:00 mipmup
Areas around the world including Australia, the United Kingdom, Paris, San Francisco, Bangladesh, South Africa, Shanghai and Taiwan are addressing the negative environmental impact of plastic bags head-on. Through taxation or outright banning, the bags that pile on the litter, take 1,000 years to decompose and despite being resuable and recyclable, are thrown away to the tune of 100 billion each year in America alone, are being edged out. Some statistics from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which urges consumers to buy reusable bags (I highly recommend reusablebags.com):

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Areas around the world including Australia, the United Kingdom, Paris, San Francisco, Bangladesh, South Africa, Shanghai and Taiwan are addressing the negative environmental impact of plastic bags head-on. Through taxation or outright banning, the bags that pile on the litter, take 1,000 years to decompose and despite being resuable and recyclable, are thrown away to the tune of 100 billion each year in America alone, are being edged out. Some statistics from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which urges consumers to buy reusable bags (I highly recommend reusablebags.com):

  • In New York City alone, one less grocery bag per person per year would reduce waste by five million pounds and save $250,000 in disposal costs.
  • When one ton of paper bags is reused or recycled, three cubic meters of landfill space is saved and 13 - 17 trees are spared! In 1997, 955,000 tons of paper bags were used in the United States.
  • When one ton of plastic bags is reused or recycled, the energy equivalent of 11 barrels of oil are saved.

Who is writing about this critical environmental issue which faces consumers across the globe?

Read what IKEA is doing about the problem at Oh My Stinkin' Heck.

Read a Canadian perspective and statistics at RK's Responsible Living, the blog of a freelance writer, editor and activist in Toronto.

Stumped about how to reuse your plastic bag? Visit No More Plastic Bags Please! to learn how to make a plastic bag bra.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by Carlos Paes

]]> Home Sweet Home: Green Buildings http://www.blogher.com/node/16555 2007-03-08T22:30:55-06:00 2007-03-08T22:33:58-06:00 mipmup
The U.S. Green Building Council lists the following environmental benefits of green building. Green building will:

  • Enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity
  • Improve air and water quality
  • Reduce solid waste
  • Conserve natural resources

Let's find out who's blogging about green buildings.

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The U.S. Green Building Council lists the following environmental benefits of green building. Green building will:

  • Enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity
  • Improve air and water quality
  • Reduce solid waste
  • Conserve natural resources

Let's find out who's blogging about green buildings.

Read about green homes in Connecticut at flying green @ flyingaway.

Check out the London Climate Change Action Plan, which includes a Green Homes Programme, at Green Ladywell, the blog of a Green Party councillor in London.

Find out what Orlando Bloom's new "green home" is all about at CelebGuru.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by Ronnie Bergeron

]]> Squeaky Clean? http://www.blogher.com/node/16395 2007-03-05T18:30:01-06:00 2007-03-05T19:12:49-06:00 mipmup
"The average American uses about 25 gallons of toxic, hazardous chemical products per year in their home [and] a major portion of these can be found in household cleaning products," according to the book "Prosperity Without Pollution: The Prevention Strategy for Industry and Consumers" by Joel S. Hirschhorn and Kirsten U. Oldenburg. How can we get the toxins out of our home? Is it difficult? Let's see what these writers have to say.

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"The average American uses about 25 gallons of toxic, hazardous chemical products per year in their home [and] a major portion of these can be found in household cleaning products," according to the book "Prosperity Without Pollution: The Prevention Strategy for Industry and Consumers" by Joel S. Hirschhorn and Kirsten U. Oldenburg. How can we get the toxins out of our home? Is it difficult? Let's see what these writers have to say.

Read about "Herbal Housekeeping" at The Front Porch.

Get do-it-yourself non-toxic cleaning recipes at One/Change.

In case you're not the diy-type, The Happy Vegan reviews some items from Seventh Generation, "the nation's leading brand of non-toxic and environmentally safe household products," according to their web site (which offers free coupons, by the way).

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by Roswitha Schacht

]]> Global Warming: What will a little gold statue do for the planet? http://www.blogher.com/node/16255 2007-03-01T20:55:01-06:00 2007-03-02T08:18:29-06:00 mipmup
"An Inconvenient Truth" was awarded an Oscar for best documentary feature last Sunday. The film addresses global warming and features Al Gore discussing our current "planetary emergency." Here are some writers exploring the film and its issues.

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"An Inconvenient Truth" was awarded an Oscar for best documentary feature last Sunday. The film addresses global warming and features Al Gore discussing our current "planetary emergency." Here are some writers exploring the film and its issues.

It's the Environment, Stupid. asks: "So what does this win mean for the 'climate crisis' movement and for the movie?"

Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show posts an email sent by Gore asking for support.

Simple Living provides a list of renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

All Is Not Luminous writes an open letter to Elisabeth Hasselbeck who recently said "that Al Gore is not eco-friendly enough."

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by Dawn M. Turner

]]> Going Social: Do-good entrepreneurship in London, Malaysia http://www.blogher.com/node/16105 2007-02-26T20:49:52-06:00 2007-02-27T08:18:10-06:00 mipmup
What is social entrepreneurship? These entrepreneurs "act as the change agents for society, seizing opportunities others miss and improving systems, inventing new approaches, and creating solutions to change society for the better," according to Ashoka, an association of social entrepreneurs. Who's writing about this growing business area?

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What is social entrepreneurship? These entrepreneurs "act as the change agents for society, seizing opportunities others miss and improving systems, inventing new approaches, and creating solutions to change society for the better," according to Ashoka, an association of social entrepreneurs. Who's writing about this growing business area?

Have Fun • Do Good, the blog of a BlogHer contributing editor, posts about a green MBA program.

The Nonprofiteer comments about an op-ed written about social entrepreneurship at the World Economic Forum. RantingsbyMM posts the op-ed in its entirety and is looking for any social entrepreneurs in Malaysia.

My (social) life, the blog of a Skoll social entrepreneurship scholar in London, writes: "Social change should not be a love-fest." Find out why.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

]]> Green Trends: Restaurants and banning incandescent bulbs http://www.blogher.com/node/15939 2007-02-22T16:40:59-06:00 2007-02-22T22:28:14-06:00 mipmup
Recently, an ad agency published 70 top product and services trends, many of which were "green." Here are some trends worth tracking.

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Recently, an ad agency published 70 top product and services trends, many of which were "green." Here are some trends worth tracking.

Learn about Ritu Primlani, multiple award-winning founder of Thimmakka’s program to "green" restaurants at Invincibelle (number seven).

Find out about the banning of incandescent light bulbs in Australia (number 56) at jaded thea.

Discover ways to bring organics into the home (number 17) at confessions of a shopaholic.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by ppdigital

]]> Blogging Climate Change: Richard Branson's Virgin Earth Challenge and a Live Earth concert. http://www.blogher.com/node/15685 2007-02-15T19:59:18-06:00 2007-02-15T21:46:43-06:00 mipmup
Climate change is top of mind of late to say the least. Here are some writers addressing the topic.

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Climate change is top of mind of late to say the least. Here are some writers addressing the topic.

Read about the Live Earth concert presented by Save Our Selves (SOS) – The Campaign for a Climate in Crisis at green LA girl.

Ellee Seymour is going to a debate on climate change tomorrow, 16 February and wants to know what questions she should ask the speakers.

Jo's GreenTech posts about Richard Branson's Virgin Earth Challenge.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by Jane M. Sawyer

]]> Good Green Reads http://www.blogher.com/node/15539 2007-02-12T21:04:37-06:00 2007-02-12T21:06:50-06:00 mipmup
The world of green blogs is wide and deep and can often be daunting for even the most dedicated blog reader. "Good Green Reads" is an occasional series highlighting three good green spots to start your adventure. Check out these writers to learn about sustainability.

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The world of green blogs is wide and deep and can often be daunting for even the most dedicated blog reader. "Good Green Reads" is an occasional series highlighting three good green spots to start your adventure. Check out these writers to learn about sustainability.

FoodShed posts about the "Best Way to Raise a New Crop of Farmer."

Buy Organic writes about the Sustainable Living Festival taking place this weekend in Melbourne.

Pacific Views posts "Sustaining Rural America: Information, Conservation and Grazing," written by an intern with the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

]]> Beyond Organic? http://www.blogher.com/node/15415 2007-02-09T13:38:28-06:00 2007-02-09T13:41:27-06:00 mipmup
According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (which uses the curious acronym ATTRA): "Biodynamic agriculture was the first ecological farming system to arise in response to commercial fertilizers and specialized agriculture after the turn of the century and is...an advanced organic farming system [with an] emphasis on food quality and soil health." I've often heard it referred to as "beyond organic." I learned more about biodynamics from these blogs.

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According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (which uses the curious acronym ATTRA): "Biodynamic agriculture was the first ecological farming system to arise in response to commercial fertilizers and specialized agriculture after the turn of the century and is...an advanced organic farming system [with an] emphasis on food quality and soil health." I've often heard it referred to as "beyond organic." I learned more about biodynamics from these blogs.

Find out which book Fresh as a Daisy - The Veggie Garden Experience is using for her growing biodynamic crops on her "tiny urban garden in south-east London."

Read about biodynamic wine at rachel's bite.

The Whole Wheat links to a biodynamics organization.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by Kevin Connors

]]> Warming Up: Blogging about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change http://www.blogher.com/node/15256 2007-02-05T20:42:43-06:00 2007-02-05T22:47:40-06:00 mipmup
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released new findings on climate change. Who's blogging about this important topic?

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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released new findings on climate change. Who's blogging about this important topic?

Read what a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom, Julie Morgan, MP, has to say on the report.

liberal catnip writes about "Global Warming Deniers."

Find a link to Gristmill article titled "How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic" at Eco-Justice Blog.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by Kenn Kiser

]]> Eco-friendly Product Finds http://www.blogher.com/node/15122 2007-02-01T19:16:54-06:00 2007-02-01T19:45:08-06:00 mipmup
Earth-friendly products abound. Read about some of them on these blogs.

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Earth-friendly products abound. Read about some of them on these blogs.

Eco-friendly fashion report at Fabulously Green.

Gadgets and even solar-powered flowers at Maria Energia.

Read about recycled leather bags at Bon Bons in the Bath.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by Michelle Kwajafa

]]> Responsible Recycling: E-waste http://www.blogher.com/node/14973 2007-01-29T20:44:24-06:00 2007-01-29T20:52:13-06:00 mipmup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 3 million tons of consumer electronic waste is generated annually. What to do? These bloggers explore some options.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 3 million tons of consumer electronic waste is generated annually. What to do? These bloggers explore some options.

Find out about a recycling partnership between Goodwill Industries and Dell at Life in Forsyth.

Learn about how the Consumer Electronics Association is going green at Shiny Shiny.

Read a post about the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, at SoCal Nature Blog.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by alexispuentes

]]> Environmental Vegetarianism http://www.blogher.com/node/14855 2007-01-25T19:49:48-06:00 2007-01-25T21:16:49-06:00 mipmup
Does being an environmentalist mean you should be a vegetarian? Read what these bloggers have to say.

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Does being an environmentalist mean you should be a vegetarian? Read what these bloggers have to say.

Solarkat's Eco blog, whose author initially went adopted a vegetarian diet "...mainly due to environmental and animal rights reasons," discusses differences between vegetarians and vegans and how her urban wildlife class got her thinking.

Dove's Eye View posts about vegetarianism and global warming and writes, "While I have gone vegetarian in the past, I doubt I would again. But I do try to eat more as my Mediterranean peasant grandparents did... ." Read her post to find out what she means.

lotusinthemud posts the article "Vegetarian is the New Prius," by Kathy Freston who writes: "It turns out that raising animals for food is a primary cause of land degradation, air pollution, water shortage, water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and not least of all, global warming."

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by rollingroscoe

]]> Happy Feet http://www.blogher.com/node/14734 2007-01-22T17:33:52-06:00 2007-01-22T20:44:09-06:00 mipmup
Your "ecological footprint" is defined as "how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard" by the organization Redefining Progress. Who's blogging about it?

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Your "ecological footprint" is defined as "how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard" by the organization Redefining Progress. Who's blogging about it?

eco-lovely posts her environmentally-themed horoscope that provides inspirational advice and easy steps to reduce our footprint.

ecofabulous posts about CoolingMan.

Visit Just Another Hitched Chick for a link to an ecological footprint quiz.

BlogHer Green and Eco-conscious Editor mipmup also blogs at mipmup.

Photo credit: Morguefile by anitapatterson

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