While consumers can restore their eco-ego through carbon offset programs after buying an SUV or plane ticket, new research suggests that buying green products functions as a type of "moral offset."

Researchers at the University of Toronto questioned the assumption
that the "green consumer" is also socially responsible and a
humanitarian. The study
found that making environmentally responsible consumer choices leads
people to make unethical decisions (or at least not as nice ones) later
on.

Much of what we throw away is made of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen, the same elements that make up the fuels we burn

By burning our trash directly in waste-to-energy plants creates thermal energy for steam that can be used for heating or generating electricity. But burning waste also creates pollutantion.  Conventional waste-to-energy is probably not the optimum solution to our waste disposal problems.

Ever since 2003, the Philadelphia Eagles have made enormous strides in reducing the organizations impact on the environment. See what they've done: http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/gogreen/news.asp

i always thought party balloons could be used for something useful and now they are. huge balloon-like objects will be installed later this month not far from the national laboratory are in fact Cool Earth Solar's solution for capturing the sun's heat. Here's how it works: With one shiny side and one clear one, the 8-foot-diameter device reflects sunlight at 400 to 500 times its usual intensity onto a small solar cell mounted in the center of the balloon. That's where power is produced. Each balloon has a cooling system and a mechanism that allows it to track the movement of the sun.

But a 21st century high-tech eco-village soon emerges from the mists.

There are paths leading to water recycling facilities, composting,
recycling, and 25 acres of organic-certified farmland, four of which
are planted with anything from hops for beer making to sweet peas. A
silver sign is prominently displayed in recognition of Serenbe's
ecologically sound construction, proving that Serenbe is not the
average cookie-cutter housing development.

read more

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/18/serenbe.green.community/i...

i'm one of those people who like to hang dry ALL of my shirts. My husband thinks i'm crazy, but just by hang drying my shirts they last ALOT longer!! Not to mention the color doesn't fade. it's a little embarrasing to admit that i still have shirts from when i was in college, which was about 15 years ago. crazy, i know. 

well, come to find out that all this time hang drying my shirts is good for the environment! who would've guessed it? simply by hang drying your clothes you are in turn saving energy. how simple is that?