The Green Parent

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, about 29 million Americans brought home a real, live Christmas tree in 2006. But that still pales in comparison to the 70% of Americans who prefer to set up an artificial tree.  So which is greener?  Here’s how to make sure your Christmas tree is eco-friendly: The Green [...]

If you live in Seattle, WA, you can pat yourself on the back for being one of the greenest commuters in the country. According to a new study released in the July/August issue of Men’s Health, Seattle ranks #1 in a poll of 100 major cities in the U.S. for minimizing emissions. The study looked [...]

Just how green is your favorite candidate? Check out these fast facts to learn where each candidate stands on the top eco-issues currently under debate. Hillary Clinton Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 Renewable Energy: Proposes $50 billion 10-year fund to invest in renewable [...]

Kids and dry cleaning? You’re joking, right? These two go together like oil and water (literally). But for those of you who are adventurous enough to mix kids and dry cleaning, here’s what you need to know about the toxic chemicals used at traditional dry cleaners and how to find a greener alternative. Why Go [...]

The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without a visit with friends and family. So for many of us who have wandered a little from the proverbial family roots, that means a trip by sky, rail, or road. Here’s how to green your holiday travel. 1. Leave The Flying To Santa: Traveling by airplane releases [...]

Are you worried about your holiday gift list this year? With all of the news about global warming and environmental degradation, let alone sweatshop labor and toxic toys, what’s a Green Parent to do? Never fear, there are tons of gifts that you can give to show your spirit without selling your soul. Here, without [...]

More Americans travel over Thanksgiving than any other holiday. According to AAA, 37.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving, up 3.1 percent from last year. And while all of that travel is great for family bonding, it’s not so great for the environment. Here’s how to keep it green and still [...]

Are you going to be a part of this weekend’s historic Step It Up 2007 events? The Step It Up 2007 campaign was launched on April 14th of this year in an effort to draw national and international attention to climate change; calling on Congress to enact legislation that will cut carbon emissions by 80 [...]

The office water cooler is an excellent place for gossip, but not so great for the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Water coolers use 4 billion kilowatts of energy each year, producing annual pollution roughly equivalent to the emissions of over 700,000 cars. In addition, the agency estimates that Americans spend $300 million [...]

Skip the beef at dinner tonight and opt for a veggie meal instead. A vegetarian diet is not only healthier for you, it is also better for the environment. The production of beef makes more of an impact on the environment than any other type of food. According to a report produced by the World [...]

What is your stance on Wal-Mart? To me, Wal-Mart represents all that is good and bad with the world. As a parent, I am easily lulled by the convenience of doing all of my shopping in one place and the ability to purchase products at “affordable” prices. However, any joy I may feel from the [...]

Recycling is a great idea, but when you’re pressed for time, it may seem just so much easier to toss things in the trash. Let’s face it, when you’re trying to clean up the dinner dishes, help your kids with their homework, and put up a load of laundry, it can be a real drag [...]