Initiative number two of the Live Earth pledge is:

1. Change four light bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFLs).
2. Shop for the most energy efficient electronics and appliances possible.
3. Shut off energy and lights when not using them.
4. Ride public transit or carpool one of more times per week.

No, Gore is not advocating a shop ‘til we drop supermarket sweep, just as long as we’re snatching up the latest ecologically aware electronics. Remember limiting consumption is key, but IF you truly desire that new gadget just make sure it’s energy efficient . . . it’s so easy.

To calculate and ensure appliance energy efficiency, first multiply wattage output value by hours of estimated use per day, divided by . . . haha . . . just kidding.

Buying energy efficient electronics and appliances is a cinch if you just use ENERGY STAR. Let the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy do the calculations for you. They spend the time and nerdpower identifying and rating energy efficient products; don’t let their hard work die in vain. The next time you buy an appliance look for the blue ENERGY STAR label and rest assured that your new product is in line with your Live Earth pledge.

In case you haven’t noticed, Live Earth is taking over the world. 24-hours of music across 7 continents is currently exposing billions to global climate crisis. The event marks the beginning of a multi-year campaign driving individuals, corporations and governments to take action.

One way Live Earth is promoting real change amongst us “individuals” is through a personal pledge to take on at least one of the following incredibly simple initiatives:

1. Change four light bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFLs).
2. Shop for the most energy efficient electronics and appliances possible.
3. Shut off energy and lights when not using them.
4. Ride public transit or carpool one of more times per week.

Though seemingly insignificant, just one of the above four options could make a huge difference. Take switching your 60-watt incandescent lamps with CFLs . . . according to the Environmental Protection Agency, if just one million households replaced four traditional lightbulbs with four CFLs we’d eliminate 900,000 tons of greenhouse gases. If every American household changed just one light bulb to a CFL, we would save enough power to light more than 2.5 million homes. That’s doing far more than taking 3.5 million cars off the road . . . permanently.

Maybe you’d rather ride public transportation, or turn your lights off whenever you leave the room. Whatever you do, consider taking the Live Earth pledge. It’s fun, informative, and will motivate you to keep up the good fight.

I love to snack. During my freshman year of college, however, I quickly learned that mindless snacking = major poundage. If you’re craving a salty, crunchy fix, but prefer to avoid regaining the freshman fifteen, consider organic nori sheets.

Nori is the Japanese name for the red alga Porphyra . . . in simpler terms it’s edible seaweed. Sounds gross, but it’s actually quite tasty. You’ve probably already enjoyed nori as it is the same flaky green stuff used to wrap your scrumptious sushi . . . mmmmm . . . dragon roll.

Most of all, nori contains a plethora of “good-for-you” ranging from an abundance of vitamin A, to an excellent source of iron and fiber. Traditionally nori was used by the Japanese to promote circulation and fight poor cholesterol. Japanese medicinal literature even refers to it as, “the reservoir of vitamins.”More modern nutrition sources, such as True Star Encyclopedia of Health claim nori as one of the best natural sources of vitamins and minerals. According to the Food and Drug Administration’s nutritional label, nori will give you potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. While two sheets of nori will give you:

- your daily requirement of vitamin A.
- vitamin B1 and B2 in amounts equivalent to 50~60 grams of pork, a sufficient daily amount.
- twice the vitamin C as an equivalent portion of tangerines.
- iron equal to 600 cc of milk or one egg.

High in nutrients, but low in calories . . . two sheets with all the above tops off at only 16 calories!

As said in my last post, I am on the prowl for organic cotton options. I haven’t had much luck (please send suggestions), but my search has lead me to a plethora of other great eco-fashion finds.

Here’s one made from recycled plastic. Yes, I’m favoring Patagonia again, but lets be honest . . . Patagonia rocks! Patagonia was the first major retail company to switch all its cotton clothing over to organic, the first to make fleece from recycled soda-pop bottles, and the first to pledge 1% of its annual sales to grassroots environmental organizations. Best of all, Patagonia started a trend that has big-name brands such as the Gap, Levi’s, and Nike incorporating organic materials into their products and taking steps to minimize environmental harm. The multinational company does much of its manufacturing overseas—an eco-minus for US consumers—but this fantastic Women’s Wind Tracker Top was produced locally in United States.

It’s a pretty good looking jacket and claims to be “light and stretchy enough for any heart-pumping endurance action” . . . sounds exciting! Windproof fabric covers the fronts of arms and the torso for full fast-forward protection; while quick-drying fleece stretch panels provide flexibility and cozy warmth on the upper torso, back, lower sleeves and under the arms, at collar and yoke on the vest. Details include a front two-way, reverse-coil zipper for adjustability; a large-capacity, zippered rear pocket with right and left-hand vertical zip access (this is beginning to sounds like a car commercial), and seams that are offset at the sides and underarms to eliminate chafing . . . I hate chafage!

My favorite part of this jacket is that it has thumb loops. Thumb loops are a fantastic evolutionary advancement in the apparel industry. They prevent gusts of wind, cold air, and foraging animals from getting under your sleeve. Stylish, eco, and innovative: I say genius!

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), organic produce, clothing and meat is all produced by farmers who don’t use pesticides, fungicides (is that even a word?), fertilizers, antibiotics, and growth hormones. Organic farming also encourages the use of sustainable (or renewable) resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.

Cotton is the world’s most popular fabric. Soft, light, and breathable, it’s used for almost every type of clothing: socks, shirts, sweaters, jackets, sleepwear, sportswear, and of course underwear. In the poetic words of Cotton Incorporated, it’s “the fabric of our lives.” Cotton farming, however, is harsh on the environment because cotton is a highly pesticide-dependent crop and accounts for ¼ of all pesticide use in the world.

Neither chemist, nor doctor, nor toxicologist, I should refrain from elaborating on those issues surrounding pesticide use. I will, however, mention that five of the top nine pesticides used on cotton in the U.S. (cyanide, dicofol, naled, propargite, and trifluralin) are KNOWN cancer-causing chemicals; all nine are classified by the U.S. EPA as Category I and II— the “most dangerous” of chemical classes.

I haven’t made the switch to wearing or buying organic cotton yet. Personally, I’ve found that the options for women are quite limited. I have, however, noticed that Patagonia carries some really adorable organic cotton options for men. I especially like their button-down shirts. To boot, some of the shirts are sweat wickers—perfect for those shower-free camping trips. Though I don’t go on shower-free camping trips very often, I’m feeling jealous of the men.

If any readers come across some stylish organic options for women please let me know by leaving a comment below. I’d greatly appreciate it.