Tag Archives: eco-friendly tips

How to Choose an Energy Efficient Water Heater

by azulurwok Posted on February 10, 2016

Conventional water heaters have a 10 to 15-year life expectancy, so sooner or later, the water heater in your basement or utility room is going to stop working, or worse, stop working and start leaking. When that happens, youre likely focused on getting the problem fixed as quickly as possible, and not making a careful decision about what type of water heater you want. It’s best to starting thinking about a new water heater before you actually need one.

If you want to trade up to a more energy-efficient model or a bigger unit, do your homework now, so you can better discuss your options with your plumber when its time for replacement. If you leave the decision to the plumber, he or she might simply replace your existing water heater with a similar model.

Go for Energy Efficiency

Water heating accounts for 18 to 20 percent of the average households energy bill, and is second only to heating and cooling for claiming the biggest chunk of the energy budget. Replacing an old unit with a high-efficiency model will save you money and reduce your home’s overall energy usage.

The savings can really be significant. Thanks to new minimum water heater standards that went into effect last year, even standard models are more efficient than those manufactured in the past. Some models can reduce energy usage by 50% or more. However, those types of savings are only available on heaters that use heat-pump technology. The savings from conventional gas and electric water heaters will only be around 4 percent, according to the Department of Energy. But on a large scale, this shift to new standards will save 2.6 quadrillion BTUs of energy over 30 years and save consumers about $8.7 billion in energy bills. The resulting reduction in CO2 emissions will be like taking 33 million cars off the road for a year.

Read the Label

The easiest way to pick an energy efficient water heater is to read the Energy Guide label that comes with every unit. The label tells you the cost to run a specific unit compared with similar water heaters. If the label carries the Energy Star logo, the water heater meets additional criteria and is more efficient than standard models.

There are a number of considerations that help determine the estimated costs on the label. One of those considerations is the energy factor (EF). This number reflects the efficiency of the heater in converting fuelnatural gas, propane and the likeinto hot water. The EF is expressed as a decimal, so an EF of 1.0 means that 100% of the energy is converted to hot water. Electric water heaters often have a higher EF, but they can be more expensive to operate than gas-powered models. See the table below for more information.

Requirements for Residential Water Heaters

Type of Water Heater
New Minimum EF Requirements
Energy Star EF Requirements
50-Gallon Gas Water Heater
0.60
> 0.67
50-Gallon Electric Water Heater
0.95
> 2.0
Tankless Water Heater
0.82
> 0.90

Sources: DOE National Appliance Energy Conservation Act; Energy Star Product Criteria

Know the Hybrid Systems

Hybrid water heaters use electricity and heat pump technology to produce more energy than they consume. That’s why Energy Star products often have an EF of 2.0 and higherthey produce two times the energy that they use in electricity. The heat pump draws heat from the surrounding air and uses it to heat the water in the tank. When the surrounding temperature drops, the unit switches to standard electricity to heat the water.

Heat pump water heaters are very efficientsome models have an EF above 3.0. However, theyre also more expensive. You can expect to pay a 50 to 70% premium for a heat pump water heater.

Tankless water heaters are another option. These units provide on-demand hot water, so no energy is wasted heating water thats not being used. Tankless heaters are sized in gallons per minute (GPM) of hot water they provide. It can be tricky to figure out the right size for your family, so if youre interested in a tankless water heater, discuss your needs with a plumbing professional.

Size Matters

If you are satisfied with the amount of hot water your current water heater provides, there is no need to replace it with a larger model, as prices increase as the tank size grows. But if you do want a larger tank, there are a number of things to consider.

The most important is the First-Hour Rating listed on the Energy Guide label. This is a calculation that tells you the number of gallons of hot water the unit will provide over a set period of time. Its different from the tank capacity, because as you start using the hot water, cold water rushes into the tank that needs to be heated. The First-Hour Rating considers the size of the tank, the efficiency of the unit and even the temperature of the cold water entering the tank. A professional plumber can help you arrive at an accurate size.

Dont wait until a crisis to think about replacing your water heater. Understanding your options now will make the buying process much smoother when its time for a new model.

DIY author Fran Doneganis a home improvement specialist who writes online for The Home Depot. Fran is the author of the DIY books Pools and Spas and Paint Your Home. You can find a selection of energy-efficient water heaters, like the ones Fran discusses, available at Home Depot here.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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How to Choose an Energy Efficient Water Heater

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How to Tell if You’re Being Scammed by ‘Organic’ Labels

by VirginiBrowder Posted on February 7, 2016

Last month,Consumer Reportscontinued its crusade against the use of the term natural on food labels. The website and magazine has for several years correctly asserted that natural is one of the most misleading and meaningless food labels out thereand yet it’s used on product after product after product.

In a newsurvey of 1,005 shoppers,Consumer Reportsfound that two-thirds of shoppers believe natural means more than it does (note: the termis not even defined by the FDA) and almost half assume natural claims on labels are independently verified.

The meaningless natural label is one thing. But what about organic? Can we be sure that when products are labeled organic, it means they are almost completely pesticide-free?

Not always. Take companies whose name includes the word organics or organics. After the Cornucopia Institute, an organic industry watchdog group, exposeda number of companies who were skirting the qualifications for organic by putting the word in their products’ names, the United States Department of Agricultureattempted to clarify its stance on the matterin late 2014. Unfortunately for us, the USDA didn’t clear up much, saying that it would address potential violators on a case-by-case basis:

While we believe that the term, organic, in a brand name context does not inherently imply an organic production or handling claim and, thus, does not inherently constitute a false or misleading statement, we intend to monitor the use of the term in the context of the entire label. We will consult with the FTC and FDA regarding product and company names that may misrepresent the nature of the product and take action on a case-by-case basis.

Did you catch that? The USDA admits that the use of organic or 100 percent organic on food labels on non-certified products may be misleading, but claims organic in a company name does not imply organic production or handling. As a shopper, isthat how you see it? If most consumers believe natural implies a certain standard of production and handling, how much more is this true for a hyper-specific term like organic?

The best way to know for certain that a product is certified organic is the presence of theUSDA’s organic labelthe gold standard. Before a product can bear it, a government certifier personally inspects the facility, ensuring that no less than 95 percent of ingredients are organic and non-GMO, and that animal products contain no antibiotics or growth hormones.

As for everything else making grand claims or putting organic in the name? Verify, verify, verify.

Written by Steve Holt. Reposted with permission from Thrive Market.

More from Thrive Market:

The Many Health and Beauty Benefits of Raw Honey
The Terrifying New Film About GMOs You Need to See
5 Strange Superfoods that Belong in Your Smoothie

Photo credit: Paul Delmont

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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How to Tell if You’re Being Scammed by ‘Organic’ Labels

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Non-Stick Cookware Alternatives That Won’t Give You Cancer

by GarnetTca476 Posted on February 5, 2016

Research has shown that cooking with Teflon-type cookware could expose you to toxic chemicals that might cause cancer.

What can you cook with instead? Here’s a list of your best options, all of which are available in kitchen stores as well as big box and department stores or online.

Cast Iron – For decades I’ve been using cast iron for five reasons: it’s indestructible, it’s inexpensive, it’s easy to clean, it’s versatile and it works! Once cast iron is properly seasoned, you can cook absolutely anything in it, though you wouldn’t really need to use it for dishes that require boiling water. But it’s great for sauteeing, frying, braising, stewing and cooking something as simple as scrambled eggs. Plus, it works as well on the stovetop as it does in the oven. In fact, if you’re cooking a dish that needs to be browned on the top, you can easily move your cast iron skillet or casserole from the range to the oven broiler without missing a beat.

Clean it with a simple scrub brush or Brillo-type pad and hot soapy water, then either dry it with a towel, or just put it back on the range for a minute and let the heat evaporate whatever water remains. One downside is that cast iron is heavy. But I personally like the exercise I get using it and find that other than a 10-qt Dutch oven, it’s never too much to handle.

Stainless Steel – Stainless steel is excellent for boiling potatoes, rice and pasta, or for browning and sauteeing foods. Stainless steel can tolerate high heats, reports TwoKitchenJunkies.com in The Ultimate Guide to Healthy Cookware, unlike nonstick pans, which are unsafe when exposed to high heats. And as long as the stainless cookware (or any cookware, for that matter) doesn’t have plastic handles, it can go from the range to the oven. The downside of stainless is that food can quickly burn if the heat gets too high or the pan gets too dry. Then, the pan can be difficult to scrub clean. The denser or heavier the pan is, the better it will be at conducting heat and the easier it will be to clean.

Aluminum – Aluminum cooks a lot like stainless steel, but is a bit lighter. Cooking at high heat won’t emit toxic fumes, like Teflon-type pots and pans. But there is some concern that aluminum can leach into food and potentially have human health problems. I have aluminum 9×13 baking pans that I used to also bake lasagna in. However, I noticed that the lasagna would sometimes pick up an aluminum taste, because the acidic tomato sauce in the lasagna reacted with the aluminum in a corrosive way.

TheKitchn.com recommends using non-reactive cookware like stainless steel whenever your dish contains acidic or alkaline ingredients. Aluminum is good for boiling water, sauteeing vegetables and searing meatthough don’t deglaze the pan with an acid-based liquid! That said, you can buy anodized aluminum, which creates a leach-resistant, non-stick surface. The price will be similar to stainless steel.

Stoneware & Ceramics – Stoneware and ceramics can make good casserole dishes. However, beware of those glazed inside with materials that could contain lead or other toxic chemicals. Contra Costa (CA) Health Services warns against using traditional glazed terra cotta (clay) dishware from Mexico and other Latin American countries, as it is likely contaminated with lead. Similarly, the Department of the Environment in Australia warns against using highly decorated traditional dishes from some Asian countries,and antique pots and pans that are heavily decorated.

Glass – Glass is terrific for cookware, though it’s primarily available as a pot, rather than a skillet, and as baking pans, pie pans and casserole dishes. It’s non reactive, affordable and can go from the oven to the table, as long as you set it on a potholder or non-metal trivet until it cools down. One downside is that if you put hot glass on a cool metal surface, like the top of a stove range or a metal trivet, it could shatter into a thousand pieces. So use glassbut use it carefully, and pay attention to extreme temperature shifts.

If you currently use non-stick cookware and want to get rid of it, don’t donate it to someone else. Either send it back to the manufacturer, or just throw it away. If you must continue cooking with it, use it on very low heat and only for boiling water or other tasks that have little chance of burning. Do not use metal utensils, like spatulas or stirring spoons, as those could scratch the nonstick coating off and into the food you’re cooking.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Non-Stick Cookware Alternatives That Won’t Give You Cancer

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Best Non-Toxic Ways to Freshen the Air In Your Car

by BFSMireya457 Posted on January 25, 2016

The air inside a car can get pretty stinky. Bags of food waste. Spilled coffee and other drinks. Dirty gym clothes. Especially in the winter, when you keep the windows closed, the car just doesn’t get a chance to air out.

If you’re tempted to get one of those air freshener trees that dangle from your visor, don’t. Chances are they’ve been doused with phthalates, chemicals that can cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive problems, says the Natural Resources Defense Council in its report on the hidden hazards of air fresheners. They may also contain terpene, a volatile organic compound that can react with naturally occurring ozone to create formaldehyde, reports PreventDisease.com. Headaches, nausea and depression may ensue.

Instead, here are smart and safe ways to freshen the air in your car:

* Clean it out. Duh! Look under the seats, on the floor and between the seat cushions for old food, dirty clothes and anything else that might be stinking up the place.

* Wash it out. Upholstery and floor mats may need to be professionally cleaned; at the least, scrub them down with hot soapy water if milk, juice and other wet food have penetrated the fabric.

* Keep a trash bag in the car and empty it. Empty the bag when you fill up for gas or run to the grocery store. There are always trash cans you can use to easily dispose of your waste.

* Use non-toxic cleansers when wiping out the inside of your car. If you take your car to the car wash, don’t let the crew there wipe out your car interior with their industrial-grade cleanser; they’ll in all likelihood contain phthalates, synthetic fragrances and other chemicals that could make you sick or at the least, give you a headache. Make up a solution of hot soapy water using fragrance-free, plant-based soap. Use that to wash down your dashboard, steering wheel and other non-cloth surfaces in the car.

* Keep the windows open a crack when you’re driving. As long as it’s not raining or snowing, open the windows slightly to keep fresh air circulating when you’re inside.

* Use baking soda to absorb residual odors. You may already have an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb smells there. You can do something similar in your car. Upcycle a plastic food container, like a small margarine tub, to contain the baking soda. Punch holes in the top of the lid so air can get inside, but keep the lid on so the baking soda doesn’t spill. Put the tub underneath the passenger seat or below the back windshield so it is out of the way.

* Don’t spray perfume or commercial air freshener. The last thing you want is for minute chemical particles to be floating around in your car, where they’d be incredibly easy to inhale. Remove the source of the smell, clean your vehicle and crack the windows open to stay healthy.

Related
Car Washing the Eco-Friendly Way
Natural Stain Removal for Your Car

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Best Non-Toxic Ways to Freshen the Air In Your Car

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8 Climate-Friendly Superfoods for 2016

by LamarMcLendon Posted on January 16, 2016

Superfoodsare gaining popularityand for good reason. They directlysupport the immune system, reduceinflammation, support mental health,pack a nutritional punch,and boost energy, stamina and longevity.

Here are eightsuperfoods to watch in 2016 that are not only good for you, but also good for the planet:

1. Crickets

Long-consumed in many parts of the developing world, crickets are makingtheir way into cookies, milkshakes and other food items in the U.S.Photo credit: Shutterstock

Crickets are loaded with protein. They also thrive in hotter climates and survive off decaying waste and very little water and space,Mother Jonesreported.For this reason, crickets and other insects havebeenhailedas the next climate-friendly superfood. They can be ground into baking flour or protein powder, and addedto cookies, brownies ormilkshakes.

While eating cricketsor any type of insect for that matterhasnt completely caught on in the U.S., its making progress. Last year, fast food chainWayback Burgersput outa fake press release as anApril Fools jokeabout insect-filled milkshakes, but the idea was so popular that theyrolled out theirOreo Mud Pie Cricket Protein Milkshake.

2. Pulses

Theyre the dried seeds of lentils, beans and chickpeasand the UN hasdeclared2016 to be their year. They already make up 75 percent of the average diet in developing countries, but only 25 percent in developed ones, according to the UN.

That could all change, though. Pulses contain 20 to 25 percent protein by weight, approaching the protein levels of meat, which average30 to 40 percent. They also require far less water than meat to produce.

3. Amaranth

Amaranth is a complete source of protein.Photo credit: Shutterstock

Amaranth is the new quinoa, trend expert Daniel Levine toldThe Huffington Post. Its a grain-like seed that cooks quickly and can be added to salads, soups and stews. Its a complete source of protein just like quinoa, and it is loaded withfiber,B vitamins andseveral important minerals. Additionally, its beenshownto reduce inflammation, and lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

4. Kefir

Kefiris the trendiestfermentedfood right now (sorry, kombucha and kimchi).Its high in nutrients andprobiotics, and is incredibly beneficial for digestion andgut health.Many people consider it to be a healthier and more powerful version ofyogurt.

To make it,grains (yeast and lactic acid bacteria cultures) are added to cow or goat milk. The concoction ferments over a 24-hour period and then the grains are removed from the liquid.

5.Teff

Sometimes written as tef or tef, this pseudo-grain (its technically a seed)has a high nutritional profile and a taste similarto that of amaranth or quinoa. Thisancient grainhas survived for centuries without muchhybridization or processing.Like most other ancient grains, its high in fiber, calcium and iron.

Traditionally cultivated inEthiopia and Eritrea, teff can be grown in a variety of conditions.Teff thrives in both waterlogged soils and duringdroughts, making it a dependable staple wherever its grown. No matter what the weather, teff crops will likely survive, as they are also relatively free of plant diseases compared to other cereal crops,Whole Grains Councilsaid.

Teff can grow where many other crops wont thrive, and in fact can be produced from sea level to as high as 3,000 meters of altitude, with maximum yield at about 1,800-2,100 meters high, the council said. This versatility could explain why teff is now being cultivated in areas as diverse as dry and mountainous Idaho and the low and wet Netherlands.

6. Moringa

Moringa can be ground intoa powder.Photo credit: Shutterstock

Its often called the the miracle tree or the tree of life, according toTIME. Its commonly found inAsian and African countries, and almost every part of itpods, leaves, seeds and rootsis edible. Its agood sourceof Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and iron. Not only does it pack a nutritional punch, its also afast-growing, drought-tolerant plantthat is a promising biofuel and medicinal source.

7. Kelp

Kelp grows super fast (up to two feet per day), and requires neither freshwater nor fertilizer. And rather than contributing to our carbon footprint, as many fertilizers and food sources do, seaweed cleanses the ocean of excess nitrogen and carbon dioxide,Mother Jonesreported. One kelpfarmer on the Long Island Sound evenclaimshesrestoringthe ocean while producing a sustainable food and fuel source.

8. Waste-Based Food

This isnt as weird as it sounds. In order to reducefood waste, restaurants are findingcreative waysto use the edibleparts of plants and animals that are often thrown out. Last year, award-winning chef Dan Barber held atwo-week pop-upat Blue Hill, his restaurant in New York City, where he cooked with spent grain, cocoa beans, pasta scraps andvegetablepulp.

Written by Cole Mellino. Reposted with permission from EcoWatch.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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8 Climate-Friendly Superfoods for 2016

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5 Eco Escapes to Warm Weather This Winter

by MarianaMartine2 Posted on January 9, 2016

If you’re dreading the next three or four months of cold winter weather, perhaps it’s time to consider cashing in your miles or shopping the air fare sales so you can head to warmer climes at least for a week or two. Here are five of my favorite destinations, all of which have allowed me to lower my carbon footprint by camping when I get there or staying in a low-impact eco-lodge, anddoing some volunteer work.

1) Cinnamon Bay Campground, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands – Our family started going here when my children were literally toddlers (including one in diapers), and we returned several years in a row, usually in February, when the kids had a nice long break from school.St. John is considered a temperate rain forest; it also has the mountainous terrain that once-active volcanoes left behind, in addition to gorgeous beaches and fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving. Plus, much of the island is a national park, and the U.S. Park Service offers all kinds of activities for young and old alike. We always take their mountain-to-beach hike, which walks us past petroglyphs and around the three-dimensional webs that golden orb weaver spiders weave. Bring your own tent for “bare site” camping, or rent one of theirs, which includes clean sheets, picnic tables, and a barbecue. You can also rent a “cottage,” which is really two cement walls and two screened and curtained walls, but also some electricity. All showers and bathrooms are communal, but that never bothered any of us. Lower your carbon footprint by flying direct to St. Thomas, and then taking a ferry to St. John.

2) Whale Watching and Sea Kayaking, Baja California – February and March are the perfect times to go whale watching around Mexico’s Baja peninsula. This finger of land separates the Sea of Cortez from the Pacific Ocean; its sandy cliffs strike a gorgeous contrast to the deep blue ocean below and the robin’s egg blue sky above. You’ll kayak around Espiritu Santo Island, then head to Magdalena Bay and the safety of motorized skiffs, which will put you right in the middle of pods of 40-foot long migrating gray whales. Camp on the dunes above the beach, stargaze at night, and enjoy whales breaching in the bay while you eat breakfast in the morning.

3) Birding, Biking and Shelling on Sanibel Island, FL – If you’ve never been to Sanibel, you’re in for a treat. Located in Florida’s Gulf Coast, about an hour’s drive from Tampa/Fort Myers, this is the beach that’s famous for the billions of pale pink shells that cover its shores. It’s paradise for nature lovers, too, especially birders. The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge hosts abundant bird life; if you go December through March, you’ll see the most birds, though I was there Memorial Day week one year and wasn’t disappointed. There are several hiking and biking trails where you might spot alligators and birds like the white ibis. There are also two designated kayak/canoe launch sites, and places to fish for snook and spotted sea trout. Enjoy a sunset sail out of Captiva, Sanibel’s “sister” city. There are plenty of camp grounds on Sanibel and in the Fort Myers area as well.

4) Camping, Rock Climbing and Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park, California – If you’ve never been to Joshua Tree, you’re in for a real treat. This national park, located in southern California, encompasses two deserts: the higher Mojave, and the lower Colorado. The Little San Bernardino Mountains hug the park’s southwest edge, giving you many different ecosystems to choose from. The park takes its name from the unusual looking Joshua trees you’ll find there, but there are plenty of juniper, pinon pine, and various kinds of desert oaks, as well. The rock outcroppings, formed more than 100 million years ago as magma cooled beneath the surface, give the place an otherworldly feel. Camp in any one of the nine campgrounds on park grounds, though be aware that only three offer water and flush toilets. NOTE: Temperatures during the winter range in the 60s, but it does get down to freezing at night, so if you decide to camp, bring cold weather gear. Hiking ranges from natural trails to back country roads that are more rugged and challenging. There are thousands of rock climbing routes, too.

5) Canoeing and Kayaking on the Rio Grande – The Rio Grande sounds magical, and it can be. It follows the southern boundary of Big Bend National Park in west Texas for 118 miles. If you go the distance, you’ll see three major canyons: Santa Elena, Mariscal, and Boquillas. Take a half-day float trip, or extend your visit to seven days. Bring your own canoe, kayak, or raft, or sign on to a guide service. There are plenty of local outfitters that will provide guides, rent you equipment and give you up-to-date information on the river. You’ll have to bring your own water as well as food – and a passport if you plan to get out of your boat and step onto the Mexican side of the waters. If you have the time, spend a few days hiking and camping in the park’s back country, where you’ll find primitive campsites, some of which you can drive into on dirt roads that are best traversed with a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Do you have a favorite winter get-away? Please share!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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5 Eco Escapes to Warm Weather This Winter

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Get Solar Energy Without Putting It On Your Own Roof

by ErnestiHillard Posted on January 3, 2016

As appealing as clean energy is, you might be among the millions of people who can’t put solar panels on their own roof or pop a windmill up in their backyard.

Worry not. Here are two ways you can still get access to power that is not generated by coal, oil or other fossil fuels whose emissions pollute the air and cause climate change.

1) Stick with your utility, but switch to a clean energy provider. Solar and wind companies are setting up arrays of photovoltaic cells or fields of windmills, generating power and then shipping the electricity they generateto utility companies via power lines. The utility companies then distribute that power to customers who opt for clean energy through their existing grid. You get billed by your utility, receive uninterrupted service and if there’s a power outage, you contact your utility company, not the wind or solar provider.

It will cost you a little bit more money but it’s a pretty easy way tosupport a greater level of utility company investment in renewable energy technologies. The smallpremium on your electric bill helps cover the incremental cost of the additional renewable energy. As of the end of 2014, nearly 850 utilities across the nation, including investor-owned, municipal utilities and cooperatives, offered a green pricing option, says the U.S. Department of Energy.

You can switch back to primarily fossil fuels at any time without penalty. Usually you can sign up easily online, but as it happens, I signed up with someone who knocked on my door and had all the paperwork ready to go.

To find a clean energy provider in your area, contact your local utility company and find out who they do business with. You can get their number from your monthly bill or simply by searching for your utility by name on the internet.

Several companies compare all of the providers in your area to show the varying rates per kilowatt hour the companies charge. For example, ChooseEnergy.com provides rate comparisons for the following states: California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C.

You can also check this map developed by the U.S. Department of Energy. Click on your state to find out where green power is offered nearby. You’ll find utility green pricing programs (how much utilities charge to deliver non-fossil fuel power to your home) and a variety of other options for avoiding coal, gas and oil.

2) Join a solar coop or network. The Community Power Network is a great resource for consumers who want to support solar but don’t have the ability to install it on their own homes. You’ll find a variety of models to choose from.

For example, the Farmers Electric Cooperative’s Solar Garden Program in Iowa invites customers to buy part of a “solar garden” located at its main office building in exchange for a reduction in their monthly bill.

In the “Special Purpose Entity Model,” individuals join in a business enterprise to develop a solar project the community shares. In my own state of Maryland, the University Park Community Solar LLC and Greenbelt Community Solar set up limited liability companies that enables Maryland residents to develop solar power generation on buildings in the community.

In nearby Washington, D.C., the Sidwell Friends School (attended by Pres. Obama’s daughters) invited members of the community to purchase “solar bonds” so a solar system could be installed on the school.

There’s even an option for people who live in apartment buildings. Grid Alternatives is a nonprofit that helps people install solar on multi-family buildings by working together to get financing and figure out what photovoltaic system works best for the structure at hand.

Want to get started in your own community? Check out this Guide to Community Shared Solar put together by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Related
11 Solar Energy Myth Busters
6 Reasons to Get Excited About Obama’s New Solar Energy Plan

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Get Solar Energy Without Putting It On Your Own Roof

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Is Your Vegetarian Diet Bad for the Environment? We Unpack a Recent Study

by EleanoreTenney4 Posted on January 2, 2016

Meat production is harmful to the environment right? Those of us who follow environmental news have heard it said again and again: Cut down on meat consumption and youll be reducing your carbon footprint. The UN has estimated that about 18 percent of global carbon emissions can be traced back to meat production, and that doesnt even begin to take into account the issues of water waste and antibiotic use. Nitrous oxide and methane are two of the greenhouse gases commonly cited as problems, with the shipment of meat also bearing some of the blame for the environmental impact of animal products.

But a recent study has challenged the notion that a vegetarian diet is better for the environment. Research by scientists at Carnegie Mellon University suggestedthat switching to a diet high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, dairy and fish (admittedly not a part of manyvegetarian diets) actually increases carbon emissions compared to simply reducing calorie consumption overall. The study has raised a few questions, and more than a few eyebrows. Is vegetarianism harmful to the environment? Should we all stop eating lettuce and eat more bacon (as some headlines have suggested)? The short answer is no. But first, let’s unpack the study.

The study

Researchers compared the carbon emissions of three scenarios: One that followed the current USDA dietary guidelines, one that decreased calorie consumption overall, and one that maintained calorie consumption but increased the percentage of calories that came from vegetarian and pescatarian sources, including dairy and fish. The scientists then examined each of the diets for three factors, including water consumption, energy expenditure and greenhouse gas emissions.

The results

The scientists found that reducing calories overall – not switching to a vegetarian or pescatarian diet – was most effective at reducing environmental impact. This is because calorie for calorie, some vegetables, fish and dairy require even more resources to produce than some meat sources.

Lots of common vegetables require more resources per calorie than you would think, Paul Fischbeck, professor of social and decisions sciences and engineering and public policy, said in a news statement. “Eggplant, celery and cucumbers look particularly bad when compared to pork or chicken …You cant lump all vegetables together and say theyre good. You cant lump all meat together and say its bad.

Some writers have been quick to point out that theres tremendous variation in the calorie efficiency of both vegetables and meats. In her article for the Huffington Post, Hilary Hansen points out that while lettuce and cucumbers may not be particularly calorie efficient, veggies such as broccoli, rice, potatoes and kale fare much better. It’s also well-known that beef is profoundly worse for the environment than othermeat sources.In fact, some sourceshave suggested that beef produces 11 times more greenhouse gases than staples such as wheat or potatoes. Furthermore,locally, sustainably raised meats have a very different environmental impact than animal products from large factory farms in faraway states.

Also, as Rachel E. Gross points out on Slate, most vegetarians aren’t replacing their bacon calories with heads of lettuce. They’re probably replacing those calories with items like nuts, beans and whole grains, which have a lower environmental impact thanpoultry or pork and are more calorically efficient than lettuce or cucumbers.

You may also notice the “vegetarian” section of the study didn’t look at a fully plant-based diet, but instead included dairy and fish. Fish and dairy production bothhave environmental issues of their own. Overfishing is a huge problem for the world ecosystem, and dairy production generates significant greenhouse gas emissions, as it requires similar livestock-raising techniques to meat production.

Nevertheless, the study still challenges the notion that swappingmeatsfor vegetables, fish and dairy is not necessarily the best move for climate change. How can we modify our diet to reduce our climate impact?

Tips for reducing your carbon footprint through diet

Increase calorie-efficient foods such asbroccoli, rice, potatoes and kale. Reduce consumption of red meat, beef, dairy and shellfish. (You can see a list of the foods scientists looked at in this Washington Post articleand how they affect greenhouse gas emissions).
Only buy what you can eat: The researchers noted that reducing food waste would be the best way to cut down on carbon emissions. According to another study published this year, meat waste is particularly bad for the environment.
Support local farms: IFLScience reported that research shows a diet based on guidelines commonly found in Europe would be environmentally friendly. In this scenario, people get the majority of their food – whether its meat or veggies – from local sources.
Cut down on calories: Calorie reduction is carbon footprint reduction! Bonus: Research shows that reducing your calorie intake can increase your longevity. Just make sure to stay within a healthy window of total calories. Everyday Health reports that you need a bare minimum of 1,200 calories to stay healthy, but active people will require upward of 2,000-2,500 per day.
Buy sustainable seafood: Overfishing is a huge problem for the environment. Seek out seafood sources that have been certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Is Your Vegetarian Diet Bad for the Environment? We Unpack a Recent Study

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How to Drink Green Juice and Still Be “Green”

by FrancisBBLG Posted on December 31, 2015

Starting your day with a big glass of green juice is a hot health trend, as these emerald blends can give you a big boost of important nutrients. But juices and smoothies loaded with kale and spinach arent necessarily the other kind of greenthe eco-friendly kind.

Dont get me wrongI love juicing. It helps me get more servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and drinking it makes me feel virtuous. Below are some tips for making a juice that’s healthy for both you and the planet.

Make your own

Skip the store-bought juices with all their disposable packaging. Even if you put the bottles in recycling, it still requires a lot of energy and water for the recycling process. Instead, use a juicer or blender at home to not only have more control over your ingredients, but also to save money and cut down on trash.

Or if the prospect of washing and chopping all that produce is too much for you to bear, consider bringing your own reusable bottle to your local juice shop.

Be sparing with superfoods

Acai? Cacao? These exotic tropical species might be very nutritious, but so many superfood trends come from far away lands. These well-traveled ingredients have a bigger carbon footprint than produce thats grown closer to home.

Now, I know most people arent going to give up on chocolate, tea or coffee if its not produced in their region. However, it will still be friendlier to Mother Nature if you choose more of the nutrient-packed produce thats grown in your area. Here in New York, I love to make a seasonal juice with local winter vegetables, like carrots and beetsand naturally sweeten it with apple.

Go organic

Many juice experts recommend organic juice for health reasons, butorganic agriculture is arguably even more important for the health of the planet. When you buy organic fruits and veggies for your juice, youre supporting farmers who use fewer harmful pesticides and less synthetic fertilizer. If you care about avoiding genetically modified foods, buying organic also takes care of that.

Get ugly

Ugly produce that is! What matters here is the quality of the juicenot the physical beauty. Go ahead, buy that twisted carrot, that bulbous cucumber or the bruised apple. Some grocers are even offering discounts on their less beautiful produce. Looks wont matter once everything is blended into your smoothie, and youll be helping cut down on food waste.

Also, greens that are just a touch too wilted for salad are often still suitable for use in juice.

Compost

If you use a juicer like me, youre going to end up with a lot of pulpand even blender users will have their fair share of cores, peels and stems. Be sure tocompost these food trimmingsinstead of putting them in the garbage.

by Margaret Badore, from Treehugger

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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How to Drink Green Juice and Still Be “Green”

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Best Ways to Stop Junk Mail and Control Catalog Clutter

by Chun85Q30997584 Posted on December 28, 2015

You’d think that with all the online shopping everyone does, we’d be receiving far fewer catalogs and a lot less junk mail. But somehow, all those envelopes, circulars, and catalogs still seem to show up, unrequested and very much a nuisance.

Here are Care2′s best suggestions for putting an end to any unwanted mail, and a couple of my own.

1) Use the enclosed postage-paid envelopes or reply cards to send back a “cease and desist” request.– This is really easy. All you have to do is scrawl a “Please take me off your mailing list ASAP!” message across the card or the mail piece and put it right back in the mail.

2) Contact the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) -Register for the DMA’s Mail Preference Service, then opt out of national mailing lists. Doing so puts your name and address on a “do not mail” file. All DMA members are required to run their list of prospective customers against this file and remove individuals who have registered from their mailings. This list is updated monthly and distributed four times a year. It should take about three months after your name is entered on the quarterly file to see a decrease in the amount of mail you receive.

3) Check before you submit product registration cards. – Product registration cards don’t necessarily provide any actual benefits to you. A warranty gives you service and performance protection. But a product registration card might actually go to companies that want to market similar products back to you. Before you complete a product registration card, see where it will go. According to this Care2 article, many of these actually go to a post office box in Denver, CO, where Equifax Direct Marketing Solutions picks them up, compiles consumer information from the forms, and then sells the information to other companies for marketing purposes. If you must register your product, complete only the relevant information on the card, such as your name, address and product serial number. Leave blank requests for information about hobbies, travel habits, and other consumer activites.

4) Beware of sweepstakes and prizes. – When you sign up for a free sweepstakes or prize, you probably won’t win. And then, you’ll lose again when you start receiving junk mail from whatever companies your contact information was sold to. Feeling risky? Buy a lottery ticket where you don’t have to provide your mailing info. If you want to stop getting promos from Publishers Clearinghouse, starthere.

5) Stop receiving pre-approved credit offers. – I must receive four or five pieces of mail every week that are trying to get me to open a new credit card. I have just called (888) 5OPTOUT (888-567-8688), the Consumer Credit Reporting Industry Opt-in/Opt-out number to take my information off their lists. NOTE: You will need to provide your social security number and date of birth to do this.

6) Cancel catalogs. – There are two ways to do this. One is to call the toll-free customer service number on the catalog and ask the operator to remove your name from their lists. The second is to register for free with a group called Catalog choice. Once you opt out of the catalogs you don’t want to receive, Catalog Choice will work to get your opt-outs processed. The non-profit group works with over 8,000 companies and the largest data brokers to make this process as efficient as possible. (You can also try returning the catalogs to whoever sent them, but the post office might notactually take them back.)

7) Nix Val-Pak – Almost every week, a small blue packet of coupons shows up in my mail box. Until now, I had no idea how to stop them. I was happy to learn from Ronnie Citron-Fink in this Care2 article that I can remove my name from their list here.(For online coupon sites and e-newsletters, check out Groupon, Retail Me Not, Living Social, or The Krazy Coupon Lady.)

8) Get rid of Red Plum – This is a sales flyer that shows up at least once a week unrequested. It offers everything from discounted pizza to deals on window washing – none of which I’ve ever used. To get rid of Red Plum, go here.

9) Don’t sign up for mailing lists when you shop – Sales staff will ask if you want to receive “special promotions,” but that could mean sales fliers and catalogs from unrelated companies. Just know that any time you sign up for a store’s promotions and coupons, you’ll probably receive many from other stores as well.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Best Ways to Stop Junk Mail and Control Catalog Clutter

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