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Why Climate Change Matters to Women

November 29th, 2010

Why Climate Change Matters to Women by Diane MacEachern, NABBW’s Going Green Expert Solutions to climate change are usually discussed in terms of what\’s best for business or politics. But what about what\’s best for those who have the most to lose as climate change worsens: namely, women, especially those living in the poorest regions of the world? A new report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Women\’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) says that “women are disproportionately vulnerable to environmental changes.” The statistics... Read More

Tax Credits Can Help You Save Money and Shift Green – But You Must Act Fast

October 31st, 2010

Tax Credits Can Help You Save Money and Shift Green by Diane MacEachern, www.biggreenpurse.com, and author, Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World. Buying energy-efficient home energy systems, appliances, and cars can save you loads of money by reducing your energy consumption.  But the upfront cost of investing in efficient technologies can make ditching your old energy guzzlers for new energy sippers seem prohibitive. Federal and state tax credits help defray your purchase costs. Here\’s how: Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Home Renovations:... Read More

How “Organic” Is Organic Dry Cleaning?

August 22nd, 2010

Are “organic” dry cleaners popping up in your neighborhood? Are they legit, or another greenwashing scam? Here\’s the low-down: What Makes A Dry Cleaner Green? It\’s not PERC. Just because a dry cleaner claims to be “organic” doesn\’t mean it\’s free of toxic chemicals. That\’s because, scientifically speaking, any chemical is considered to be organic if it contains carbon. So even cleaners that use a solvent like perchloroethylene (PERC), which has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen,... Read More

Eco-Friendly Tips Will Reduce Your Car’s Environmental Impact

May 12th, 2010

High-tech electric and hybrid vehicles are all the rage right now. But you don\’t need to shell out big bucks for a new “eco” car if you give your own driving habits an environmental tune-up: Learn how to drive as efficiently as possible. Take note of these gas-saving tips and driving techniques and you\’ll visit the pump less often. Plus, you\’ll save $20-$50 a month on gasoline. Recycle your car once it has reached the end of its life. Don\’t send your vehicle to the junkyard before you\’ve looked at this list. Carpool and use mass transit as much... Read More

Want to save energy? Cuddle up under eco-friendly bedding & blankets

March 17th, 2010

Outside, the temperatures are dropping. Inside, what do you do? Turn up the heat — or stock up on cozy blankets and bedding, especially if they\’re made from natural fibers like organic cotton, wool, and hemp? What makes these materials more environmentally friendly? Natural fibers breathe more easily than synthetic fabrics, wicking away moisture if you sweat, and creating a layer of insulation when you generate your own body heat. Plus, organic and natural comforters and quilts do not contain \’finishing\’ chemicals like formaldehyde, a toxin that can irritate the skin,... Read More

Why Climate Change Matters to Women

March 17th, 2010

Solutions to climate change are usually discussed in terms of what\’s best for business or politics. But what about what\’s best for those who have the most to lose as climate change worsens: namely, women, especially those living in the poorest regions of the world? A new report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Women\’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) says that “women are disproportionately vulnerable to environmental changes.” The statistics speak for themselves: * Women and children are 14 times more likely to die than men during... Read More

How “Organic” Is Organic Dry Cleaning?

March 17th, 2010

Are “organic” dry cleaners popping up in your neighborhood? Are they legit, or another greenwashing scam? Here\’s the low-down: What Makes A Dry Cleaner Green? It\’s not PERC. Just because a dry cleaner claims to be “organic” doesn\’t mean it\’s free of toxic chemicals. That\’s because, scientifically speaking, any chemical is considered to be organic if it contains carbon. So even cleaners that use a solvent like perchloroethylene (PERC), which has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen, can... Read More

She shifted $1,000 of her budget to eco-friendly goods…and chickens!

March 17th, 2010

If you’re looking for ways to live a greener life, take some pointers from Fran Martin. Fran is the newest member of the One in a Million campaign, a feat she achieved by switching more than $1,000 of her household budget to products and services that offer the greatest environmental benefit. The campaign doesn’t ask people to spend MORE money. Instead, it encourages consumers to throw their marketplace clout behind non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives that often end up saving people more money in the long run. Who is Fran? Fran, who is married, 67, and the mother of grown children, has lived... Read More

House Cleaning? Use a Fly Swatter, Not a Sledge Hammer

March 17th, 2010

The way we\’re being told to clean our homes these days, you\’d think we were all living in breeding grounds for small pox, typhoid fever, leprosy, or some other awful disease that practically kills on contact. We\’re not. We ARE living in a world that we share with billions of “germs,” most of which are perfectly harmless. In fact, many doctors believe that living with germs keeps us healthier by helping us build up a resistance to their ill effects. This perspective seems to be routinely ignored by the cleaning products industry. A report by Women\’s Voices... Read More

Tax Credits Can Help You Save Money and Shift Green

March 17th, 2010

Buying energy-efficient home energy systems, appliances, and cars can save you loads of money by reducing your energy consumption. But the upfront cost of investing in efficient technologies can make ditching your old energy guzzlers for new energy sippers seem prohibitive. Federal and state tax credits help defray your purchase costs. Here\’s how: Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Home Renovations: You can earn up to 30% in federal tax credits on the first $1,500 you spend on improving the energy efficiency of your home. These credits apply only to existing home renovations and not... Read More