The Green Parent Pick: Go get a real tree. Sure, it means cutting down a tree. But these days nearly all Christmas trees are grown on tree farms. So deforestation is not an issue and it is really no different than harvesting corn or any other crop. From a global warming perspective, sustainable tree farms actually provide a continued “sink” for carbon dioxide emissions. And real trees are not made from PVC plastics that are harmful to the planet. Just be selective about the tree farm you choose to buy from and look for one that does not use an excess of pesticides and other chemicals.

Green Parent Tip: Get the family together and head out to your local tree farm to cut your own Christmas tree. Surf over to to see if there is an organic tree farm in your area. When the holidays are over, toss your undecorated tree in the backyard to provide wildlife habitat or in the compost bin for next year’s mulch.

Live Trees: A live, potted Christmas trees may seem like a good option for Green Parents, however, you have to make sure that you live in an area where your tree will thrive once it is planted. In addition, live trees are truly not meant to endure the warm temperatures inside your home. So it’s best to either leave it outside or bring it in for only a few days during the season.

Green Parent Tip: If you really want a live tree, your best bet would be to find a suitable tree in your backyard, and decorate it (with eco-friendly decorations, of course) right where it stands.

Artificial trees: Artificial trees require the use of a significant amount of energy and petroleum-based (PVC) resources in their manufacture. In addition, most artificial trees today are manufactured in China, and are literally shipped halfway around the world to their destinations. And there are also some new concerns about residues of lead and other chemicals on artificial trees.

However, if you are going to buy one tree that you are sure you will use and reuse year after year for the next few decades, the environmental damage caused by producing and shipping your tree would be minimal when averaged out over the lifespan of the tree. And just think of all the gas and energy you will save from year to year by not having to head out to the local Christmas tree farm.

Green Parent Tip: Purchase an artifical tree that is made in the U.S.A to minimize the pollution and resource consumption caused by shipping. (Check out and for aritificial trees that are 100% lead free and made in the U.S.A.) Reuse the same tree from year to year.

Burlington, VT (2), Portland, OR (3), Madison, WI (4), Fargo, ND (5), Rochester, NY (6), Minneapolis, MN (7), Spokane, WA (8), San Francisco, CA (9), and Norfolk, VA (10) rounded out the green driver top 10.

At the opposite end of the scale, cities such as Fort Worth, TX (95) Birmingham, AL (96), Riverside, CA (97), and Yonkers, NY (99) were found to be the country’s biggest gas-guzzlers.

The biggest fossil fool? Arlington, TX (100).
Click here for an interactive map ranking each city in the study.

For the whole story, see Driven to Extinction? or check out the July/Aug issue of Men’s Health at your local newsstand.

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 energy. Aims for 25% of U.S. energy to come from renewables by 2025

Fuel-Economy Standards for Cars: Supports fleetwide standard of 40 mpg by 2020 and 55 mpg by 2030

Coal:

Proposes a “phased-in” requirement to require new coal plants to trap and store carbon emissions. Supports “clean-coal” technologies that produce fewer emissions than conventional.

Nuclear Energy: “Agnostic” regarding nuclear power
Barack Obama

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050

Renewable Energy: Proposes $150 billion over 10-years in investments in renewable energy. Calls for 25% of U.S. energy to come from renewables by 2025 and 30% of the federal government’s electricity to come from renewables by 2020.

Fuel-Economy Standards for Cars: Supports standard for cars of 40 mpg and light trucks of 32 mpg by 2020.

Coal: Would consider a moratorium on new coal plants unless they trap and store carbon emissions as long as this moratorium does not slow the construction of new plants. Supports “clean-coal” technologies that produce fewer emissions than conventional.

Nuclear Energy: Supports nuclear power

John McCain

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Coauthor of the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act, which would reduce emissions 65% by 2050. Supports a cap-and-trade system.

Renewable Energy: Supports renewables but does not have an articulated plan for investments or standards. Voted against a 10% standard in 2005 and a 20% standard in 2002.

Fuel-Economy Standards for Cars: Supports raising standards but has not stated a target.

Coal: Supports U.S. use of coal.

Nuclear Energy: Supports nuclear power

Mitt Romney

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Does not support a cap-and-trade system unless it is enacted globally.

Renewable Energy: Supports renewables but does not have an articulated plan for investments or standards.

Fuel-Economy Standards for Cars: Opposes raising standards and calls for “other steps” to make cars more efficient

Coal: Supports U.S. use of coal.

Nuclear Energy: Supports nuclear power.

Knowledge is Power

Need more info? Check out these sites for comprehensive info about each candidate’s environmental voting records.

League of Conservation Voters
Grist: How Green Is Your Candidate?

Need to Register?

It’s not too late! Click the link below to register and then get out and vote!

Why Go Green?

The standard solvent used in 85% of the dry cleaners in the U.S. is is perchloroethylene (or Perc), a central nervous system depressant known to cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness. It has been linked to reproductive problems, including miscarriage and male infertility and it hasbeen listed as a hazardous air pollutant and a probable human carcinogen under the federal standards. Perc is also rough on the planet, contributing to both air and water pollution.

How To Green Your Dry Cleaning

1. Skip It: It goes without saying (but I’m going to say it anyhow), the most eco-friendly thing you can do is to avoid clothes that require dry cleaning.

2. Get Wet: If you do have clothes that need to be dry cleaned, look for a “wet cleaner” that uses computer-controlled washers and dryers in combination with water and non-toxic, biodegradable detergents to clean delicate fabrics such as wool, silk, linen or rayon. Wet cleaning does not contribute to air or water pollution and it’s safe for the people cleaning your clothes. (Here’s a directory of wet cleaners.)

3. Give It Some Gas: Dry cleaning that uses liquid carbon dioxide is another green alternative. This technology uses CO2 that is captured from existing industrial and agricultural emissions (so it doesn’t contribute to global warming) . Several years ago, Consumer Reports compared eco-friendly dry cleaning methods and gave the edge to liquid CO2 for producing the best results in tests for shrinkage, discoloration, and preservation of texture. However, this method is “less green” than wet-cleaning as it does use detergents that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

4. Green Earth: GreenEarth dry cleaning utilizes a silicone-based solvent, siloxane, to clean clothes in a process similar to traditional cleaning. It is often billed as “green” because the chemicals it uses are less toxic than Perc. However, there is still concern about the safety of siloxane for both human and environmental health. Siloxane is highly flammable, it is manufactured using chlorine, and its use may release dioxin emissions. And the verdict is still out on whether or not siloxane is a carcinogen.

1. Leave The Flying To Santa

: Traveling by airplane releases significantly more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere (and therefore causes more global warming) than traveling by car or by train.

2. Tune Up Your Sleigh: If your holiday travel includes a road trip, make sure your car is in tip-top condition so that you can maximize gas mileage, curb air pollution, and save a few bucks at the pump. Get an oil change, check your car’s fluid levels, belts, and spark plugs, and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Click here and here for more info about driving green.

3. Lighten Your Load: Go easy on yourself and the environment by pairing down your holiday luggage. Whether you travel by car, train, or plane, the more baggage you have, the more pollution will be emitted to get it to your location.

4. Offset It: Offset your holiday carbon emissions with companies such as GreenTags or Green-e that invest in projects to absorb or prevent the release of carbon dioxide. (Green Parent Tip: Carbon offsets also make a great gift! Click here for more eco-friendly gift ideas.)

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 further ado, is The 2007 Green Parent Holiday Gift List…a list of gifts you can feel good about:

Give The Gift That Gives Back

Charities: Check out The Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) to find a charitable organization to match the interests of anyone on your list. The independent site lists charities by category and gives detailed information about the mission, efficiency, and capacity of thousands of organizations.

For The Little Idealist: Even the youngest recipient will be delighted with a charitable gift that piques her interest. Does the kid on your list love books? Donate her favorite title to the local library. Does he love the outdoors? Give him a gift membership to the Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org) or the Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org). Or adopt-an-animal from the World Wildlife Fund and your recipient will receive info about the animal as well as a plush version to cuddle. For more ideas check out Idealist.org (www.idealist.org) for a listing of charitable groups that were founded by kids.

Offsets: Help friends and family offset their carbon footprint with a gift of renewable energy credits (RECs) or greentags. The money you spend on carbon offsets will be used to support projects that reduce or sequester carbon emissions. Check out Carbon Neutral (www.carbonneutral.com) or Green Tags USA (www.greentagsusa.org) to calculate carbon emissions and purchase greentags.

No-Waste Gifts

Flowers: Send your loved ones a bouquet you can feel good about from Organic Bouquet (www.organicbouquet.com.) For something unique, try the Fresh Myrtle Wreath Frame; a beautifully lush wreath made from domestically grown myrtle. It can be used as a frame, a wreath, or a centerpiece. $64.95

Chocolates: The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without chocolate. Dagoba Organic Chocolate (www.dagobachocolate.com), Green & Black’s (www.greenandblacks.com), and Newman’s Own Organic Chocolate (www.newmansownorganics.com) all make deliciously decadent organic chocolate selections. For something extra fancy, try Art Bite Chocolates made from organic Costa Rican chocolates. These hand decorated treats come in four delectable flavors: Whole Pistachios, Dried Ranier Cherries, a local specialty, Organic Cocoa Nibs and Chipotle Pepper, $29.95 (for 1 dozen).

Eco-Friendly Sweets: If your child has a sweet tooth (and what child doesn’t!) he will love making his own treats with a Glee Kit. Choose between the Chewing Gum Kit, the Gummy Candy Kit, and the Chocolate Kit. Each one comes with all of the ingredients necessary to make the treat as well as fun stories and info about the origins of the candy.

Toys You Can Trust

Roy Toy Building Sets: Roy Toy Classic building Sets, such as the Log Cabin and the Fort are Made in the U.S.A. from solid wood and non-toxic finishes. Each set contains over 140 all-wood pieces and a complete set of building instructions so kids can use to get down to building. $29.95

The Power House Kit: from Gaiam gives kids the supplies they need to build a model house complete with PV solar panels, wind turbine, greenhouse, and desalination system. The kit comes with an illustrated manual that includes 70 experiments and 20 building activities. $175.00

Organic Cotton Stuffed Animals: Look for a stuff animal, like this puppy or bear from Gaiam, that contains nothing but pure 100% organic cotton and low eco-impact dyes. $12.99

Puppets: Sequoia Wildlife Finger Puppet Playset: This beautiful playset contains six wildlife puppets (owl, bear, blue jay, squirrel, hare and fox) and a 17-inch plush sequoia tree. Older kids can put on puppet shows for little ones (and vice versa) to learn about animals, nature, and communication. Net proceeds of the sale of this toy benefit the Sierra Club. $39.95.

Cool Eco-Friendly Stuff

Gifts To Pamper: Does someone you know need a little pampering? Try the Feel Amazemint gift set from Aveda with all-natural products that cool, refresh, and protect the skin from environmental damage. $29.99. Or try the Angelica Gift Set from Aubrey Organics, a light citrus parfum and bath powder (made from rice and tapioca…not talc) set made from organic ingredients that are certified cruelty-free and vegan. $21.95

Eco Gadgets: Boys can’t resist their toys, so gadgets such as a hand-crank flashlight for the car or a solar-powered radio for the boat are sure to be a hit. Check out Sundance Solar (http://store.sundancesolar.com) for a number of eco-gadget selections.

Recycled Gadgets: Motherboard Business Card Case: This sleek case has a circuit board cover which fits snugly over a brass-colored metal base. Holds up to a dozen cards. No two patterns are exactly alike. $25.00 or Record Label Holiday Ornaments Laser cut from vintage 45 rpm records, these zero waste ornaments come packaged in sets of three different records in a clear, recyclable box. $18 for a set of three.

Books For All Ages

Hoot by Carl Haissen

Nature’s Art Box by Laura C. Martin and David Cain

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

The Magic Schoolbus: At The WaterWorks by Joanna Cole,

The Gaia Girl Series by Lee Welles

WoodsWalk by Henry W. Art and Michael W. Robbins

Worms Eat My Garbage: How To Set Up & Maintain A Worm Composting System by Mary Appelholf

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 see your loved ones this Thanksgiving.

1. Take The Train: Traveling by train causes less environmental pollution than traveling by car or by plane. And just think…you won’t have to strap the kids into a car seat, worry about traffic, or have to navigate your little ones through airline security.

2. Get A Tune Up: If you are planning to drive, make sure your car is in tip-top condition so that you can maximize gas mileage (and make fewer painful trips to the pump). Make sure your tires are properly inflated to improve your fuel efficiency by another three percent. Click here and here for more info about driving green.

3.

Offset It: No matter how you decide to travel, offset your carbon emissions with companies such as GreenTags or Green-e. Carbon “offsets” invest in projects that absorb or prevent the release of carbon dioxide.

Photo courtesy of Elvis Santana

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 % by the year 2050. Click here to learn more about the Step It Up initiatives.

In April, tens of thousands of Americans “Stepped Up” to attend the 1,400 events held in each of the 50 U.S. states. The collective event was dubbed “the largest environmental movment since Earth Day 1970.” The people spoke…and now the elected officials are listening. So now, while we have their attention, comes the next phase of the event. This Saturday (November 3rd) Americans will once again “Step It Up” to demand leadership and action from our elected officials with respect to climate change. Family-friendly Step It Up 2007 events will once again be held all over the nation, bringing speakers, activists, and elected officials together to call attention to climate change. Click here to find an event near you. Will you be part of this historic event? I’ll be attending the D.C. event and I hope to see you there!

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 each year on utility bills to operate water coolers.

You can eliminate the waste consumption and resource depletion of traditional water coolers, bottles, and fountains by installing an inexpensive water filter on the office kitchen tap. Keep a stash of water pitchers and cool reusable cups and mugs nearby so that employees always have access to cold, fresh, clean water. Make the kitchen area a fun spot for employees to gather (and gossip) and they’ll never miss that wasteful old cooler!

Image courtesy of Lotus Head http://www.pixelpusher.co.za

Now, I know it can be difficult enough to get your kids to eat veggies as a side dish. If you tell them their dinner is “vegetarian,” you risk an all-out mutiny. But it’s easier than you think to pull off a vegetarian meal. Cheese pizza is popular with kids of all ages, and the same goes for mac and cheese, bean burritos, or spaghetti with a yummy marinara.

If dinner is a hit and you decide to take things one step further, consider taking PETA’s “Pledge To Be Veg” for 30 days. Sign up at their website and they’ll send you an email loaded with recipes and tips for going veggie. Check out their “Chew On This” video below for 30 reasons to go vegetarian. (Please note…THIS VIDEO IS VERY GRAPHIC. IT IS NOT FOR CHILDREN OR FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.)

Watch more videos at PETA.org