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A Handy Reference Guide to the 20 Greenest Materials

green eco materials

True, we are still living in a material world, but cotton grown with pesticides is no longer the fabric of our lives.

The green movement is making huge strides replacing toxins and waste in the marketplace with organic fibers like bamboo and hemp, as well as good old corn starch, throw-away cork and used paper.

The brave, new soldiers of eco industry believe enough is enough when it comes to creating more waste and adding to our grossly overflowing landfills and plastic islands. Bet you do, too!

Instead, the …

ESC

A Collective Consciousness of Hope

School children across America, like the this group from Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco, gathered to sing songs like This Land is your Land and watch a historic moment in our history. Cheering, high-fiving and hugging, they celebrated not only the inauguration but a victory they badly need as a generation that has inherited a planet in peril and debt from sea to shining sea. The reiterated message has been clear: If someone with Barack Obama’s beginnings can end up as president, we can accomplish anything.

“When I grew …

ESC

Diamonds Aren't a Girl's Best Friend

Who am I to argue with the Madison Avenue suits who coined the phrase “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”?

If only diamonds were all we believe them to be. The violence resulting from the diamond mining and trading industry is, in a word, tragic. And, as it turns out, diamonds aren’t even as valuable as we’ve been told.

First, a little primer:

The U.S. happens to be the largest consumer of conflict diamonds, purchasing over $33.7 billion dollars’ worth of the rocks in 2005. Wondering what conflict diamonds are? …

ESC

Signs You Suffer from Cyberaddiction

My name is Luanne and I’m a webaholic. Okay, now you say “Hi, Luanne” cause you should probably be in a meeting, too.

If you’re like me, you’d wear a cyber patch if there was one on the market. For instance, right now the old cat is howling cause she’s starving and craving her morning salmon, but I’m busy writing this blog so she’ll just have to wait.

While I’m not prone to immoderate gaming (why bother when you can amuse yourself with Craigslist ads), I do exhibit several of the symptoms experts identify …

ESC

Save the Angel Oak!


Sometimes development is necessary; increasingly, we’re seeing sustainable examples. Yet at in some unfortunate cases, it’s controversial to say the least. We’ve all seen bulldozers lay waste to once pristine wooded areas in our countries and communities. The latest “People vs. Developers” case is centered on the ancient Angel Oak of John’s Island, South Carolina. The Angel Oak is the oldest living tree east of the Rockies – it is over 1,500 years old. It is truly a sight to behold.

Granted, no one wants to cut down the Angel Oak itself, but in order …

ESC

Heal and Empower with Tonglen

Got problems with your family, your boss, or your co-workers? Who doesn’t? Conflict and disagreement are natural parts of life; what really matters is how you choose to deal with them. Tonglen is one incredibly personal tool for dealing for difficult circumstances.

Tonglen meditation has been in practice since at least the 10th century. It’s particularly empowering because it gives you an opportunity to imagine yourself actively changing a situation with the power of your heart. Here’s how it was taught to me.

Close your eyes and breathe; take a …

ESC

Eco Links to Green Your Weekend

Blink, and you miss a week. That’s what it feels like, anyway. And we never got round to telling you about these, did we?First up, a "Marbelous" table that’s like a Pachinko machine. Watch as tiny steel balls spiral down the legs and collect in the feet. Scream as you step on the one that got away, and fly through the air. As fun as it looks, we’d like to label this one an Environmental Hazard. …

ESC

Petroleum: There's More Around Than You Know

As we become culturally more oil-conscious – conserving where and when we can – it can be shocking just how pervasive petroleum products are. It’s not just about filling up your car or agricultural chemicals anymore: oil is hidden everywhere. Here’s a short list of petroleum-based products that you might not have even considered.Toothpaste: If you see mineral oil on the ingredients list, well, guess what, you’re putting petroleum on your teeth. Mineral oil is prevalent in many cosmetic products, so check ingredients and go for natural options….

ESC

Mom, I Think I Solved the Energy Crisis?


Way back (er, six months ago) when EcoSalon was first unfurling, we reported on a terrific breakthrough by Super Soaker designer Lonnie Johnson in the field of solar cell efficiency. Now this remarkable step forward in sustainable energy is overshadowed by yet another -  from a 12-year-old in Oregon.

Most news stories are going to focus on William Yuan’s age – and no wonder. When I was his age I was still struggling with the rules of football, let alone physics. But Mr. Yuan seems something of a prodigy (now there’s a word to reassure …

ESC
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