[spotlight]
a daily dose of info & resources on sustainable style
MySpace Sponsors "Rock for Darfur" Concerts
October 12, 2006
On October 21, MySpace is sponsoring at least 20 concerts across the country. Called "Rock for Darfur", The campaign is MySpace's largest humanitarian effort to date. A portion of each ticket from every concert will benefit Oxfam's Sudan Crisis Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.
Included in the list are concerts by Citizen Cope in Seattle, Jamie Cullum in Reno, Ziggy Marley in Medford, OR and Amos Lee in Washington, D.C. MySpace also has more info on the crisis in Darfur, including a clip from George Clooney's trip and the trailer for the upcoming documentary The Devil Came on Horseback.
myspace.com via ecorazzi.com
Gift and Wedding Registry at 3r Living
October 10, 2006
Make your wedding, commitment ceremony, baby shower or housewarming a little more sustainable with the new gift registry at 3r Living, one of SSF's favorite sustainable retailers.
Give a gift or create and modify your registry with few easy clicks. Bed, bath, kitchen, home accessories and more are all there, all with a sustainable twist.
3rliving.com
NY Times Asks: Which Cows Can You Trust?
October 9, 2006
More and more dairy producers are shunning genetically engineered growth hormones in their milk in an attempt to hop on the "natural foods" bandwagon by offering a product that's healthier than conventional milk but less expesive than organic.
At a Safeway near central Seattle, for example, a half gallon of conventional Lucerne-brand whole milk was recently selling for $1.69, while the Horizon organic brand was priced at $3.69. Priced neatly in between, at $2.79, was the Darigold milk labeled as "coming from cows not treated with the growth hormone rBST." Many pure-food advocates oppose the hormone’s use on health grounds, saying it can require cows to be treated with extra antibiotics and can result in milk with higher amounts of a separate hormone linked to cancer in some studies. Experts say that avoiding the hormone is the main reason people buy organic milk, whose sales have been growing rapidly the last few years.
nytimes.com
Target Goes Organic with Archer Farms Brand
October 6, 2006
Target is hopping aboard the organic food bandwagon by introducing a private label organics line. The Archer Farms brand, exclusive to Target, will include a variety of organic groceries like whole-grain pizzas, pastas and complete dinners to dairy products, fruit strips and juices.
In addition, the produce department at SuperTarget is now certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), offering superior quality and prices on produce such as strawberries, apples, and other fruits and vegetables.
money.cnn.com via fiftyrx3.blogspot.com
The Energy Diet: Lose the Pounds (of CO2), Save Some Bucks
October 5, 2006
A quick lesson on how several small changes can pay big dividends in energy efficiency, "The Energy Diet" follows one man's quest to chop 1,000 pounds off of his carbon emission output. One degree on the thermostat and shutting unused lights off later, he's well on his way.
By combining small, unnoticable changes (like the thermostat) with breaking bad habits (like leaving unused lights on), the article shows all the ways that quick, easy changes add up to make a huge difference. Illustration: Elwood Smith
nytimes.com
Wells Fargo Makes Largest Corporate Renewable Energy Purchase in US
October 4, 2006
Wells Fargo & Company became the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in the US with the announcement yesterday that they will buy renewable energy certificates to support generating 550 million kilowatt-hours of clean, renewable wind energy a year for three years.
The purchase will offset 40 percent of Wells Fargo’s electricity consumption with 100 percent Green-e® certified wind energy. It will help develop renewable energy and prevent the emission of 380,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year, the equivalent of reducing the CO2 emissions of 75,000 cars annually or by reducing the equivalent CO2 emissions associated with 40,000,000 gallons of gasoline each year.
forbes.com via gristmill.grist.org
Simple Steps to a Greener Home with Danny Seo: Coming to TV & DVD
October 3, 2006
Coming to televisions everywhere (via lime.com) later this month, the latest offering in Danny Seo's Simply Green series is all about going green in the home and will be available on DVD early in 2007. Learn easy, simple, fun and stylish tips on transforming your home into a stylish and eco-friendly haven.
Following the tips on the DVD will help it pay for itself. Making sustainable lifestyle choices is more than just ecological; it can be economical, too. Save money and save the planet, all at once.
dannyseo.typepad.com
Greenlight's Fall 2006 Digital Magazine: Out Now
September 29, 2006
Just in time for Fall, greenlight's latest issue provides practical advice and inspiration in an easy-to-read digital format. The OSSA Award-nominated publication features ideas for an eco-Halloween, 10 real-life green cars, and much more.
Check out this issue of greenlight for composting made easy, school lunches kids will really eat, and a chat with sustainable superstar Laurie David.
greenlight-digital.com
Greendimes: Do You Give a Dime About the Planet?
September 28, 2006
Have too much junk mail? Want to help out the planet? For a dime each day ($3 a month), greendimes will stop the flow of junk mail to your home, and plant a tree for you each month.
The cost of junk mail is enormous -- each year, 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water are wasted -- so greendimes helps stem the tide and replenish what junk mail has taken at the same time, all for the price of a gallon of milk each month.
greendimes.com via makower.typepad.com
Upper Green Side: Making NYC's Upper East Side More Sustainable
September 27, 2006
Devoted to making New York City's Upper East Side more sustainable, Upper Green Side features neighborhood news and events, as well as action tips and current issues and campaigns.
They recognize that local and global issues are connected, and are working to do their part to make their neighborhood as sustainable as possible.
uppergreenside.com
Fabulously Green: Keeping Tabs on Eco-Style
September 26, 2006
Fabulously Green reports on the hottest eco-style products in fashion and interior design; products that blend eco-modern style with sustainability and social responsibility. Now that's fabulous!
From London's fashion week and 100% Design to fabulous finds in interior design from IIKH and other SSF faves, Fabulously Green is on the lookout for products that are pure sustainable style.
fabulouslygreen.blogspot.com
Which Labels Can You Trust?
September 25, 2006
With all the certification labels and logos on products out there, which ones can you trust? Here's a checklist to help separate the reliable from the less meaningful to downright misleading.
The best labels are transparent, hide nothing and have no conflict of interest, and include the USDA Organic, Fair Trade and Forest Stewardship Council, while the less reliable ones are labels that say "natural," "free range," and "non-toxic."
organicconsumers.org via hugg.com
S4: Substance, Sexiness, Style, Sustainability from Summer Rayne Oakes
September 22, 2006
New from SSF pal Summer Rayne Oakes, S4 is part newsletter, part fashion editorial and all sustainable style. The premier issue, all about bamboo's use as a sustainable fashion fiber, is now available for free download.
Included in the issue are some great features: 10 fashion designers dish on their use of moso; Delano Collection's modern influence; and a look at the relationship between fashion trends, humans and the environment. All worth reading -- nice work, Summer!
s4trends.com
Electrix Taxi To Hit the Streets in New York
September 21, 2006
Hybrid Technologies will supply a lithium-powered L-PT Cruiser for use as a NYC Yellow Cab. The all-electric, emissions-free taxi will be hitting the streets of New York City within the next two months.
It is anticipated that the L version taxi will also be used to highlight the Yellow Cabs 100th Anniversary in NYC, which commences in 2007.
greencarcongress.com
Ben Goldhirsh, Head Honcho of Good Magazine, Interviewed by WorldChanging
September 20, 2006
Fresh off Good Magazine's LA launch party, WorldChanging caught up with founder Ben Goldhirsh for an interview. He has some really interesting things to say about his magazine, walking the walk and doing well by doing good.
In addition to Good, Ben also heads up Reason Pictures, which will debut two new films in Spring 2007. He looks like the real deal and someone worth watching in the socially-conscious-media realm.
worldchanging.com