Looking for a great place to move (or at least take a trip to) to see what the future will look like? Check out these five great, green cities— they are just the first to take the steps necessary to help our planet support us into the future. They’ve all done it, and done it well— so there is really no excuse for the rest of the world. If you can’t make it out to any of these places, just take some ideas from what they have done and bring them to your town hall, governor, or neighbor. If we clamor for change, we will bring it around!

1. Reykjavik, Iceland

This is one place that will certainly suffer if global warming has its way! They’ve done their part to ensure that energy alternatives to fossil fuels are put into practice through a fleet of hydrogen buses. The entire country’s heat and electricity comes exclusively from renewable geothermal and hydropower sources, as well—a feat unmatched anywhere else in the world. They plan to become fossil-fuel-free by 2050, and it seems that they are well on their way to reaching their goal.

2. Portland, Oregon, U.S.

This is the first U.S. city to enact a comprehensive plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, something that will be completely mandatory everywhere eventually. They have mastered green building, as the city boasts 92,000 acres of green space and more than 74 miles of hiking, running and biking trails. Additionally, their transportation system is ruled by light rail, buses and bike lines to limit the number of cars on the road.

3. Curitiba, Brazil

The lucky citizens of Curitiba have a bus system that is recognized as one of the best in the world, a flock of 30 sheep employed with trimming the grass in municipal parks, and over 580 square feet of green space per inhabitant. No wonder 99 percent of the locals are happy with their hometown.

4. Malmö, Sweden

This town is known already for its huge parks and large amount of green space, but the urban planners behind Sweden’s third-largest city are not resting on their laurels. Many neighborhoods have undergone massive, green transformations on the city’s way to becoming an “eco-city”.

5. Vancouver, Canada

The largest city is British Columbia draws 90 percent of its power from renewable resources, as it is a worldwide leader in hydroelectric power. They plan to replace the remaining ten percent with wind, solar, wave and tidal energy. What they can’t accomplish immediately is surely included in their 100-year plan for sustainability.

Two New Zealand researchers recently suggested that at over 2 acres, dogs carry a larger carbon footprint than a SUV. Cats are comparable to a small Volkswagen, a pair of hamsters compare to a plasma television, and goldfish have a carbon footprint that is comparable to two cell phones.

Cats and dogs are carnivorous, so they actually live higher on the food chains than humans, because humans are omnivorous. Meat requires much more land and energy to cultivate than anything else in our diets.

Now even your dog or cat can be green! How, you ask? I’ll tell you—and it doesn’t involve dye. Many products, from food to toys, are being made from sustainable materials that keep your pet’s carbon footprint to a minimum.

1. Catupon Pet Mat by Aster and Sage is a great use for recycled plastic soda bottles. This small, brushed mattress in two colors is perfect for cats and dogs alike. $16 per mat

2. Zanies Eco-Friendly Mice Cat Toys are an official “green” pet toy as a result of their low-impact dyes and reusability. $44 for a large package of mice

3. Simply Fido Organic Plush Hemp Dog Toy is made from low-impact hemp with chemical-free fillers and dyes, so if your dog gets hungry you can be sure that this little owl won’t hurt their tummies. $7.64 per toy

4. A Cheerful Pet Tugzees Dog Toys are made from 100% boiled wool and are handcrafted by Nepali artisans. They are natural, durable and washable, and are sold under fair trade guidelines. $19.99 per toy

5. Doggles Sillypulls Dog Toy is a kind of wacky tug-of-war toy made for larger dogs. It is constructed from ballistic, recycled nylon, so even if your dog doesn’t know that he is doing good by chewing on it, at least you will!

And of course, only buy your pet more toys if they need them or if you are already looking to buy some. Reduce what you buy, reuse what you have, recycle what you don’t need.

With trendsetters singing the hallelujahs of eco-alternative products, many companies produced their pro-earth answers, stuffing the market with the ubiquitous green leaf label. But how can a consumer know if the product actually does no harm? First, research as much as possible to know what’s behind the label. Don’t get “greenwashed”—the frightfully easy practice of labeling products “green,” when in actuality, they fall short of EPA standards. For example, the organic foods market often greenwashes the public, and some products are only organic in strictest sense of the word. Try to avoid these five products that contribute to the greenwashing scheme by falling short of their green claims.

1. “Eco-shaped” Water Bottle:

Since this single-use bottle design uses 30% less plastic than regular bottles, Poland Springs proudly boasts that they are “Doing their part.” The truth is, there is no need for plastic water bottles at all, and most plastic bottles end up in landfills, no matter their shape. Plus, the energy that goes into creating and transporting these bottles nullifies any “green” claim. You’ll live greener by drinking out of a reusable bottle made of stainless steel or aluminum.

2. Simple Green Household Cleaner:

This popular household cleaner labels itself as nontoxic and a “safer alternative” to other cleaners. However, a toxic solvent called butyl cellosolve is one of Simple Green’s key ingredients. Butyl cellosolve is also found in some traditional all-purpose cleaners. It seems Simple Green is aware of this problem, because its label warns customers to not “dispose near storm drains, oceans, lakes, or streams.” Simple Green maintains that the cleaner is nontoxic, but acknowledges the presence of butyl cellosolve. The company says they will soon launch a truly all-natural cleaner to meet customer demand, but in the meantime, stick with homemade mixes of water and baking soda.

3. Green Trash Bags:

Although marketed as biodegradable or compostable because they break down faster than normal trash bags, green trash bags must be used correctly to earn the green title. If not, they negatively impact the environment. If you fill a green bag with leaves, for example, the leaves break down along with the bag, and repurpose as mulch. On the other hand, if the bags are stuffed with empty containers of bug pray, bleach, cleaners, or similar, more common forms of “garbage,” the composting bag leaks whatever is inside. A regular plastic trash bag, although not itself good for the environment, contains whatever it holds and prevents toxins from getting out.

4. Toyota Prius:

Along with the recent safety concerns, the first—and most popular—hybrid car may or may not be an eco-friendly set of wheels. New, albeit conflicting, scientific reports take note that although the Prius claims to get up to 6o mpg, gas mileage is the last factor to weigh when considering the green qualities of a vehicle. The production, raw materials sources, and the shipping methods all matter more, and in these areas, Toyota definitely does not measure green. For example, the Prius’ battery contains nickel mined in a Canadian mill nicknamed “The Superstack,” because it produces miles of wasteland and pollution. The mined nickel then travels to Europe, China, Japan, and the United States for different steps in the production process via freighter—costly in both dollars and carbon emissions. Other studies debunk these, so do copious research before shelling out for any hybrid vehicle.

5. Artificial Christmas Trees:

These faux pines have long been lauded as a green alternative to chopping down a natural tree, but the unsafe levels of lead and PVC (and smell!) remain a concern, as many come from Chinese warehouses. As artificial trees age and spend most of the year in storage, they begin release lead dust. Artificial trees are also very difficult to throw out; the plastic does not decompose and cannot be recycled. Although pesticides are sometimes used on real Christmas trees, environmentalists say that real Christmas trees are the best option from an ecological point of view. Besides the fact that there’s no PVC or lead dust releasing, real Christmas trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. 
Christmas tree farms exist only to grow Christmas trees, so your purchase does not contribute to deforestation. You can even opt for an organic Christmas trees by looking up farms in your area.  Environmentalists also suggest purchasing a tree you can replant after the holidays, but if not, at least compost the tree or drop it off at a local area dedicated to repurposing the tree as mulch.

If you even further proof that going green is difficult, according to a study noted on the Freakonomics blog, new research concludes that green products negatively affect behavior. People who purchase green products “act less altruistically and more likely to cheat and steal after purchasing green products than after purchasing conventional products.” So going green makes you feel better, but act worse. And with SUVs and pesticides making eco-friendly claims these days, don’t trust the label. Do the research.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States generated 249.8 million tons of trash in 2008. Organic materials—including yard and food waste, wood scraps and paper products—made up more than two-thirds of this trash.

All of this could have gone in a compost pile.

Composting, an at-home method of nutrient recycling that takes nutrients left in organic waste and gives them back to plant and animal life, is an easy way to make a difference in the amount of garbage that our nation produces. Here, we’ll dispel the myths about composting and give you the tools to start your own pile.

Composting is not gross! If you do it right, there should be no smell and no attraction of vermin. Keep dairy, meat and fat products out, and there will be no odor. Vegetable scraps, paper products, vacuum lint, fireplace ashes, and even hair and fur can all go in the pile without problem.

You don’t need a big pile, though. Plenty of companies offer small, designer-styled composting cans that will fit right in to the green kitchen. If you are still worried about odor, these cans include a charcoal filter that will take care of any potential smell. If you don’t have a yard, you can still compost! Even if your home “garden” only consists of a few windowsill flower boxes, your flowers can still benefit from the nutrient concentrate that is compost—just transfer it from your kitchen pail. Or, if you have no plants that could use your organic waste, see if your city has a compost removal company that will come and get your compost for free.

If you do have room in your backyard, consider getting a container that will aerate the pile will storing it. Check out the rolling compost bin that can be rolled to your yard waste, filled up, and rolled to your plants to unload. The rolling action will add air to the pile and speed up the composting process dramatically. While creating a heap is possible, it will require time to mix it and could be violated by pests, making it less likely to produce good results. If you don’t want to have a container in your yard, consider digging a shallow pit for your compost—the warm temperature will increase the speed of compost production.

Besides reducing your waste and maybe even the cost of your waste removal, there is nothing better for your soil than compost. It can loosen clay soil and help sandy soil retain water, suppress plant diseases and pests, and increase yield.

If limiting your family’s waste production sounds like something you would be interested in, check out the EPA’s website for more information.

When breaking the ice with strangers at social gatherings, you want to make a good first impression. Why not doubly-impress with cool eco-facts that show off your smarts and green lifestyle? Here are ten quick eco-facts sure to impress.

1. A laptop is more environmentally friendly than a desktop. It consumes five times less electricity.
2. An aluminum can that is thrown away will still be a can 500 years from now!
3. Walmart is leading the green business evolution, but not “out of the goodness of their heart.” Walmart knows that it’s the future of business. In Germany, people simply stopped shopping at Walmart because of their unsustainable business practices. Now that they’ve gone green, Walmart (and their customers) saves money.
4. Traffic jams cause eight times more air pollution that traffic moving at regular highway speed. Ah, rush hour. Annoying and toxic.
5. There are more roads in our National Forests than in the entire U.S. Interstate Highway System.
6. In Michigan, the only state with a dime deposit on recycled cans, the redemption rate is 95%. Newman and Kramer were on top of this eco-fact years ago:
   
7. Americans represent only five percent of the world’s population, but they generate 30 percent of the world’s garbage.
8. Although the light bulb was invented to help mankind see in the dark, indoor lighting use peaks between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
9. The Gutenberg Bible, the first and second drafts of the US Declaration of Independence, and the original works of Mark Twain were all printed on hemp-based papers. Hemp-based paper production saves billions of trees each year.
10. It takes less gasoline to restart your car than it does to let it idle for more than a minute. Furthermore, if all the cars on U.S. roads had properly inflated tires, an estimated 2 billion gallons of gasoline would be saved each year, and gas mileage would improve 3 to 7 percent per vehicle.

You don’t even need note cards for these cool bits of trivia. Hit the keg, grab a handful of (organic) potato chips, and get the conversation rolling with one or more of these handy eco-facts.

Americans love shoes. In fact, there are around seven pairs for every person living in the United States. That’s a lot, especially when you take into consideration the materials used to make up our favorites. Most contain a number of different synthetic and petroleum-derived materials, manufactured in China, that release toxins like the carcinogenic dioxin into the air. Factory workers are exposed to dangerous glues and tanning agents for leather. By buying shoes made from sustainable materials, you will reduce the surprising carbon cost of footwear.

• While Simple Shoes manufactures their shoes outside of the United States, they are committed to using fair labor practices and sustainable materials for their products. Their sandals, casual shoes, sneakers and dress shoes are made from a combination of different recycled and sustainable materials, including organic cotton, recycled car tires and innertubes, hemp, silk, and cork. Their packaging is as minimal as it can get, and all biodegradable.

• Earth Shoes makes casual and athletic shoes from bamboo, hemp, recycled plastic and water-soluble solvents. Their special design, called a “negative heel”, promotes leg strength and weight loss by making the heel of the shoe lower than the thick sole of the arch and toes—in effect, you are constantly walking uphill. This lowered heel is supposed to align your hips and spine, straighten your head and activate your core—so not only are you doing the earth good by wearing these shoes, you are doing you body good as well.

• Patagonia puts a lot of thought into the materials they use to make their shoes, in addition to their functionality. While they still choose to use leather in some of their products because of its extreme durability and protective properties, they reuse hides from the meat industry that would be discarded otherwise. Their tanning process strives to be as earth friendly and safe for the tanners as possible. They offer a line of vegan shoes made with all water-soluble solvents and uppers made from recycled and synthetic materials. They recycle their own rubber scraps into soles, and use Heavea latex, which has an extraction process that is actually beneficial to the tree.

But before you decide to buy new shoes, consider the greenest options of all: shoe recycling. If your shoe breaks, repair it, rather than buying a new pair—it’s undoubtably cheaper. If you really want a new pair, try buying from a thrift store. Plenty of lightly worn and interesting shoes are available at your local Good Will or Salvation Army stores.

Do your best to purchase shoes made in the United States, preferably by union workers. Don’t be fooled by shoes manufactured in the Mariana Islands, however—while they are U.S. Commonwealth, the factories there are not required to pay the minimum wage o their workers.

While it might seem silly to worry about what shoes you wear, we must consider all the ways we can limit our carbon footprint and promote fair labor practices. If each of us recognized our significant contribution to climate change and globalization, then maybe these problems could be resolved.

As we have discussed in this post, bottled water is far from the most environmentally-conscious hydration solution. Greener alternatives to that include buying a filter or carrying reusable water bottles with you. But not everyone needs to go out of their way like that, some of us are just lucky because we live in cities where tap water is clean and drinkable. So are you one of the lucky bunch? Let’s take a look and see.

A couple of years ago Forbes.com tested the tap water from cities across the United States and analyzed the results.

Forbes studied data compiled from the Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR), which are provided annually by the EPA and community water systems. The CCR looked at each city’s water turbidity—commonly known as “cloudiness” –-as well as levels of bacteria, lead, and halo-acetic acids, which are byproducts of the water purification process.  Scientists have also found other contaminants, such as pesticides, germs, arsenic, and even rocket fuel in water samples.

Justifiably, the public often questions the healthful quality of tap water. According the Environmental Working Group (EWG), contaminated tap water can cause illness, especially among pregnant women, the elderly, and young children. Though tap water purity levels improved since being publicized, according to studies similar to the one conducted by Forbes, some cities still violated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards with very high levels of contaminants.

Despite the odds, high EPA standards and green living initiatives inspire many cities to ditch the bottle and reap the benefits of their local water supply. Seven of the top cities with the cleanest tap water include:

• Las Vegas, Nevada boasts low turbidity ranks #7 overall according to the Forbes study.
• San Jose, California is leading the way amongst green cities, by announcing plans to recycle or reuse 100 % of its wastewater within the next 15 years.
• Miami, Florida ranks #4 on Forbes’ top cities, and also scored in the top 25 for low levels of turbidity, bacteria, lead, and halo-acetic acids.
• Midwesterners who call St. Louis, Missouri home are proud of the clarity, aroma, and taste of its local tap water supply. The US Conference of Mayors agrees, and after a blind taste test in 2009, announced that St. Louis had the best tap water.  Furthermore, St. Louis water only had traces of the pollutants decried by the EPA.
• Austin, Texas scored consistently in the top ten with low turbidity, halo-acetic acid, and lead levels, and thus winning the silver medal in Forbes’ survey.
• In Kansas City, Missouri, even the drinking fountains ranked high in clean tap water studies
• But it’s Des Moines, Iowa that takes the gold according to Forbes and also ranks high in other studies. Des Moines had the second lowest level of bacteria amongst cities studied, along with a consistent top fifteen ranking due to low levels of lead, turbidity, and halo-acetic acid. A job well done by all comparisons!

If you don’t live in one of these cities or are still concerned about the quality of your tap water, invest in a carbon filter, such as those made by Brita. By avoiding plastic bottles, you save money and the environment, and anyway, many bottled water companies use the same source as your tap: local municipal water.

According to the International Energy Agency, to satisfy the rising electricity demands of consumer electronics in the next two decades, 560 coal-fired power plants (or 230 nuclear power plants) will need to be constructed. And did you know that a number of household electronics increase your electricity costs even when they are turned off? This is called ‘standby power’, and on average, an American home has over 40 electronics drawing it. Many electronics aren’t really ‘off’ when their switch is in the off position—they may wait, using power all the while, for the signal of a remote, or for the television screen to be turned on again. These products, listed with their standby energy usage as estimated by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, should be unplugged when you aren’t using them. Unplug, and watch your monthly electricity bill decline.

• Video Game Consoles: In an effort to save games, many video game players will leave their console turned on when they aren’t in use. In total, the nation’s gaming consoles use the same amount of electricity yearly as San Diego, the country’s ninth largest city. These can use up to 63.74 watts in standby.
• Televisions: Even when off, televisions with DVR capabilities use energy as they record or power their signal receptor for the remote control. These can use up to 48 watts in standby.
• Cell Phone Chargers: Have you noticed your charger is warm when it is plugged in to the wall but not into your phone? Only about 5% of the total power drawn monthly by a cell phone charger goes into charging your phone—the rest is wasted power when the charger is plugged in but not in use. These can use up to 1 watt in standby.
• Night Light: Even though it is daytime, your night light is still plugged in, using energy to provide light you don’t need. Unplug it, and then plug it in when it starts to get dark. These can use up to 1.2 watts in standby.
• Printer: No one is printing all the time, yet printers are typically left plugged in to wait until they are needed. These can use up to 22 watts in standby.

If your home has all of these things, and you keep them plugged in all the time, you are paying for an additional 135.94 watts to be drawn constantly when these electronics are on but not in use. Keeping things plugged in when you aren’t using them is a secret drain on your bank account, as well as a drain on our limited resources for power —so unplug away!

The term “carbon footprint” infiltrates our consciousness via the news, blogs, and even blockbuster films. But what is a carbon footprint? How do I measure mine?

A carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gasses (GSG) produced by an organization, event, or product. For the individual earth-dweller, a carbon footprint measures the impact of our daily activities on the environment, particularly, in regards to climate change.  To live is to burn fossil fuels for electricity, heating, transportation, and other activities.

Two categories of CO2 emissions make up a carbon footprint. The primary footprint measures direct, controllable emissions of CO2, such as home costs (gas, oil, coal, electricity) and transportation, both public and private (cars and planes).

CO2 emissions that result from an individual’s lifestyle and product consumption—from production to breakdown–make up the secondary footprint. These include: public and financial services, recreation, buildings, furnishings, car manufacturing and delivery, and clothing. In short, the more we buy, the bigger the carbon footprint.

How do I measure my carbon footprint?

Carbon footprints are measured in equivalent units of metric tons of CO2, and basic information about your lifestyle adds up to your personal GSG contribution.

How can I reduce my carbon footprint?

Once you know the size of your carbon footprint, take baby steps to begin reducing it.

The average American’s carbon footprint is 20.40 metric tons, whereas the worldwide average is 4 metric tons. The global target size is 2 metric tons per person.  Environmentalists and believers in green living have worked to establish worldwide carbon offsetting programs that utilize solar and wind energy or promote reforestation in an attempt to reduce the global carbon footprint. The Kyoto Protocol enforces clean development mechanisms, joint implementation, and emissions trading, but what can I do as an individual to reduce my carbon footprint?

Here’s a list of simple things you can do immediately:

At home (Primary footprint):

• Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use (lights, TV, Computers, etc.)
• Turn down heating and turn off when you’re not home
• When using water (dishwasher, washing machine, kettle), use only as much as water as you need and wash full loads each time
• Use green energy supplies in your home (light bulbs, electricity provider, insulation, refrigerator, boiler, etc.)

On the road (Primary footprint):

• Complete your weekly shopping in a single trip
• Carpool, take public transportation, walk or bike as much as possible
• Reduce the number of flights you take
• When staying in a hotel, turn off the lights and air-conditioning and request for your room towels to be washed every other day

Rethink your buying habits (Secondary footprint):

• Don’t buy bottled water if your tap water is clean and healthful
• Buy locally produced foods or grow your own
• Eat less meat
• Buy organic produce, avoid packaged products
• Recycle!