 |
Finding clean drinking water is increasingly difficult and communities are already engaged in nasty legal battles over water rights. California has estimated it may run out of clean drinking water within 20 years. Plus, a new awareness of the bacteria and parasites that currently contaminate our drinking water and the environmental cost of bottled water are also fueling intense debate.
|
|
 |
There are many possible reasons for renting instead of buying, such as temporary need for an item, reducing financial risk and not to mention cheaper alternative to buying. It is considered a green alternative to owning a lot of stuff. Also, by renting unused items to other users, people are able to earn extra income while reducing consumption, thus saving natural resources and connecting people in local communities.
|
|
 |
Are you starting a new Green business, but you don’t know where to begin? Washington DC has a membership organization that provides support to green businesses and discounts on everyday green products and services for consumers. They are also helping new green businesses flourish, and investing in sustainable development projects. It is a network of individuals who organize fundraisers for DC-based community groups and progressive organizations. Its goals are to throw distinctive, creative events and foster collaboration between DC's artistic and progressive communities.
|
|
 |
Citizens have a right to know what toxic chemicals are being released into their communities. Luckily for US citizens, there's an internet database where you can find precise information about pollution problems and toxic chemicals. It allows you to view your neighborhood by zip code, and to view the types of hazards you're constantly exposed to, as well as a map of pollution and of course the culprits.
|
|
 |
Although mushrooms were only useful as culinary garnishes (or in some communities as hallucinogenics as well), two students from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y have found a cool alternate way to use them. They created and patented Greensulate, an organic, fire-retardant board made of water, flour, oyster mushroom spores and perlite, a mineral blend found in potting soil, and are hoping the invention will soon be part of the growing market for eco-friendly products.
|
|
 |
Since 1988, The Natural Step, an international non-profit, research, education and advisory organization that uses a science-based framework has helped organizations, individuals and communities move toward sustainability.
Founded in Sweden in 1989 by scientist, Karl-Henrik Robèrt, it works to accelerate global sustainability by guiding companies, communities and governments onto an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable path.
|
|
 |
In just one day at a local landfill, more than 300 old mattresses and box springs arrive for burial, but many communities are no longer accepting used mattresses in landfills, or are charging hefty fees for their disposal. The recycling of these items seems to be a ripe business opportunity for the savvy entrepreneur.
|
|
 |
Mmm, the smell of bright, shiny new plastic as you unwrap that hot little iPhone. It’s hard to believe that a year from now, when you outgrow it and buy a new one, it could end up as part of a mountain of gadgets, polluting someone's drinking water on the other side of the world.
|
|
 |
World of Good is a green enterprise that encourages environmentally sustainable practices, helps communities in many ways from paying artisan partners a fair wage, adopting strict ethical business practices, building long-term relationships with both producers and customers, and re-investing in the infrastructure of artisan communities through healthcare, education and development projects.
|
|
