Put your money where your mouth is. For those much needed essentials in life: clothing, bedding, wine and even chocolate why not buy responsibly? Today there are many companies concerned about the environment. These companies look for ways to reduce their impact on the world around them through recycling, using less energy, and supporting conservation efforts in other countries. By supporting those companies that have also taken the pledge to protect the environment, the environment will be better off.

If you’re not sure if a company is “eco” or not, there are ways to determine “eco-credentials.” Ask the following questions: does the company minimize or “offset” the pollution it produces? Does it donate money to environmental causes? Does the company offer recycled or recycleable products?

Some of my favorite companies by include: Patagonia, Under the Nile, Loomstate, Stewart and Brown,

People often ask me: “what’s the big deal with organic?”

or

“Why does ‘organic’ matter? How are organic products any better than regular–non-organic–products?”

There are many different reasons conscious consumers choose to use organic products. For one, organic food is considered far better for you! According to National Geographic, organics are better for the human body as, “organic produce packs in more antioxidants and other healthier and more flavorful phytochemicals than conventional produce.”

Aside from the personal health benefits, organic products are also considered better for the environment. Organic farming doesn’t contribute to soil and water contamination, and uses far less energy than commercial farming practices. So this year, try to buy organic whenever you can. Great places to start are with the staples: milk, cheese, eggs, etc.

As the world’s population and economy continue to swell, excessive water consumption is causing some major environmental problems including the degradation of rivers, wetlands, and bays. No need to give up your showers. Just save water with an inexpensive Low-Flow Shower head and faucet aerator. They’re easy to install and are reported to reduce water flow by up to 44% without reducing your water pressure.

In case you don’t know, low flow shower heads and aerators are ordinary shower heads that let water flow at a rate of 2 gallons per minute (gpm) . . . or even less. Ordinary shower heads, however, use 3-4 gpm. Simply installing high-efficiency shower heads and faucet aerators will therefore save about 12 gallons per shower and a predicted 7,800 gallons of water per year. All in all, a savings of 44% over non-conserving shower heads and a great way to cut down on water and energy.

Have to “run” to store? Ok, why not run to the store. Or walk! For longer trips, carpool or use public transportation. According to the American Public Transportation Association, public transportation uses about half the fuel consumed by cars, trucks and light SUVs. Cars account for 21 percent of the world’s global warming emissions. Walking and biking account for none!

If 2007 is the year in which you plan to buy a new car, consider opting for the most fuel-efficient vehicle you can afford, preferably a hybrid. Hybrid models range from the Toyota Prius, which starts at around $17,000 and gets around 51 miles to the gallon on the highway and 60 miles per gallon in the city, to the $60,000 Lexus GS 450h, which gets about 25 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway.

For great eco walking shoes click here.

For two New Years resolutions in one, pledge to save energy. You’ll save money too! It’s simple. Just replace standard appliances with Energy Star products.

Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy that highlights appliances that save 10-15% more energy than standard models with a blue star label (see left).

As the equation goes, less energy equals both lower utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions. According to the governmental organization, a home fully equipped with Energy Star products will operate on an estimated 30% less energy than a house equipped with standard products, saving $600 a year.

In 2008, choosing the most energy efficient product couldn’t be easier with Energy Star’s little blue label. With 18,000 plus products in 35 different categories (from washing machine to printers, refrigerators to desk lamps) you won’t have to worry about finding an appliance that meets your standards and style. You’ll just have to worry about how you’re going to spend the money you’ve saved.

P.S. don’t forget to do those simple things like turning off your lights and unplugging your cell phone charger when you’re not charging your phone. Though little, these tiny changes add up to make a difference–saving energy and saving you money.

This New Year, pledge to change your light bulbs. It’s really a no-brainer. Just swap your standard, but extremely outdated, incandescent bulbs for the latest and greatest bulbs on the market: compact fluorescents (CFLs).

Yes, that’s all you have to do. By exchanging your regular lightbulbs for those funny-looking swirly bulbs you’ll save energy and money.

Here come the stats . . . according to Energy Star, CFLs consume up to 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs. CFLs also last up to 10 times longer. Those numbers add up for the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if just one million households replaced four traditional light bulbs with four CFL light bulbs, Americans would eliminate 900,000 tons of greenhouse gases. And get this . . . if every American household changed just one light bulb to a CFL we’d 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.

Enough with the stats. Point is, there’s no good reason not to switch to CFLs. And several years ago it was difficult to even find a CFL. Today, you can find them everywhere. So take advantage in 2008 and change your lightbulbs.

It is important to note that CFLs contain an insignificant amount of mercury. If a bulb breaks, however, you want to clean it as specified by the Environmental Protection Agency. For more information on CFLs and tips to clean up a broken CFL bulb, without dispersing the mercury, click here.

With New Years just around the corner, it’s time to clean our slates and rewrite our resolutions:

• Spend more time with family.
• Quit that terrible habit.
• Go to the gym.

But with a planet in peril, let’s not forget to make a few pledges to the earth. As we embrace the New Year and vow to change our ways, why not cut down on energy use and water wastage while we’re at it? There are plenty of green New Years resolutions to be made. Finding it overwhelming? Not sure where to start? Over the next seven days I’ll give you seven simple suggestions for green-focused New Years resolutions. Today, lets begin with the simplest resolution of all . . .

1. Say No To Plastic Bags
Each year, Americans throw away enough plastic bags to wrap the planet 4,000 times. Considering it takes an average of 500 years for a plastic bag to decompose, we’re literally covering our planet with islands of plastic bags. This year, take the pledge. Carry a tote to the store or keep a reserve of already used plastic bags in your car, purse, briefcase or pocket. This way you’ll always have them on hand so you won’t forget them when you need them most . . .

Stay tuned for resolutions two through seven.

High-fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives, inhumane labor conditions, the excessive use of pesticides . . . the list goes on. But chocolate doesn’t have to be hard to swallow.

Chocolatier company, Larabar is putting an end to chocolate guilt. Larabar Chocolates are not only fair trade certified, but also completely organic. Organic products typically come from environmentally conscious companies that use original materials harvested in a sustainable manner. According to National Geographic, organic farming doesn’t contribute to soil and water contamination, and uses far less energy than commercial farming practices.

So give chocolate–in its purest form–a chance to sustain the lives of farming families and the planet. Larabar chocolates are popular because they represent chocolate in its purest form. Larabar’s JocolatOrganic Fair Trade Chocolate Bar is one of the best confections Larabar has to offer. The Larabar’s JocolatOrganic Fair Trade Chocolate Bar harmonizes fruits and nuts into a single indulgent bar you can feel good about eating. Organic, with no added sugars, and free of dairy, and most of all fair trade certified . . . the Larabar’s JocolatOrganic Fair Trade Chocolate Bar is more than a delicious treat.

As we all know, chocolate is absurdly delicious. Rich, creamy and “choc” full of antioxidants—it’s no wonder the ancient Mayan civilization referred to it as the, “food of the Gods.”

But self-indulgence comes with a hefty price tag—chocolate is truly bitter sweet. According to Treehugger.com “most chocolate sold in the U.S. comes from cocoa farms where farmers work in unsafe conditions, receive below poverty wages, many of them children under 14 years old who are forced to work and denied education.”

In addition to labor and humanitarian injustices, cocoa bean production is responsible for several environmental problems. The majority of the world’s cocoa farmers use large amounts of pesticides to ensure a better yield. These pesticides can cause great environmental damage from soil erosion to local ground water contamination.

To avoid guilt associated chocolate cravings (well, you’ll still get them) consider organic and fair trade chocolate. More on specific brands next post.

Psssssst. I’m over at The Big Guy Today.

See you there . . . .
and here’s a hint for what I’m writing about . . .