Archive for the ‘Green Local’ Category

Go Green with RainXchange  March 24^th  6:30pm   FREE

One of the most exciting components of the Green movement is the new found interest in conserving and managing our precious water resources.  Although we are called the Blue planet did you know only 1% of our resources are fresh available water?  Over the next 10 years it is predicted that our longstanding tradition of taking our precious water resource for granted will lead us into commodity volatility similar to the oil industry.  In our region, water shortage is not always a concern, however the new urbanization that brings excessive rainwater runoff and pollution potentials are. 

Learn how you as a responsiblehomeowner/business owner can collect, store, and reuse rainwater in a remarkably user/eco-friendly way!  The RainXchange system goes way beyond the capacities and limitations of the rainwater barrel.  In the Midwest and California these systems have been a major part of “Greening the Community”.  Be the first in Saratoga County to learn firsthand about this exciting new rainwater harvesting system.

Chips Landscaping is the  husband wife team of Chip and SueAnn DuBois serving the Saratoga Region for 16 years.  Chips specializes in the design and construction of indoor and outdoor water features.  They are Saratoga County’s ONLY nationally Certified Aquascape Contractor (CAC).  They provide sustainable landscape solutions through design, products, and practices.  Sue Ann is also a Saratoga County Master Gardener and Chip is certified with the International Certified Pavers Institute (ICPI).

Grow Your Own Organic Vegetable Garden   April 14^th  6:30 FREE

How great would it be to eat delicious vegetables grown right in your own backyard? I know many people don’t have the time or know how to accomplish this vision, that’s why we are having Beth and Michael of Urbavores come and talk to you about how they can help. Whether it is just a consultation and plan or full blown installation and maintenance they can help make your vision a reality!  RSVP appreciated!

Rain Barrel Workshop   April 17^th   9:00 am    Cost $55

Come build a rain barrel using a recycled 55 gallon food grade barrel.  Plants love the ambient temperature and non chlorinated water that comes from rain harvested from your roof.  Additional benefits include saving on your water bill and reducing the amount of runoff entering storm drains.  Attendance is limited to 9 people so don’t wait to sign up as its first come first serve! Call 306-5196 or e-mail Karen@green-conscience.com

Last night I had dinner at my favorite and perhaps one of the most well known vegan restaurants in New York City, Angelica’s Kitchen. When I dine there and I am by myself I like to sit at the “community table” where I have met some very curious and delightful individuals. Angelica’s has daily specials that are usually so enticing that I rarely order from their regular menu. As was the case last night- I had the Saag Paneer, healthy & delicious. Supporting a business like Angelica’s is a pleasure because they have a great product and a philosophy of kindness and sustainability. Angelica’s Kitchen is truly an example of a green restaurant on a mission to help our planet and promote mindful eating and organic foods.

Not only is Angelica’s devoted to serving clean fresh and local foods, but they maintain direct relationships with the farmers and customers who support their business. Angelica’s Kitchen believes in fair trade and makes sure that it’s ingredients are purchased from vendors who use renewable sources of energy. They are active participants in the food donation program City Harvest, which collects food from restaurants throughout the NYC area and redistributes it to the homeless.

Visit them at http://www.angelicakitchen.com/

New York, NY – The growing community of Battery Park City now has its own library. On March 18, The New York Public Library will open its Battery Park City branch, an environmentally friendly library which provides a wide range of services for the community. The public is invited to celebrate the branch’s opening with a morning ceremony, an architectural tour of the library, and a day of free events for the entire family. The 10,000 square-foot, two-story branch is located at 175 North End Avenue.

“The striking new environmentally friendly library in Battery Park City is sure to quickly become a beacon for the community,” said Paul LeClerc, President of the New York Public Library. “At a time when people are depending on libraries more then ever for free resources and job assistance the library is a crucial resource for the neighborhood. We are deeply grateful to our elected officials, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and City Council Member Margaret Chin for their support of the branch’s construction. We also greatly appreciate the generous private funding provided by Goldman Sachs & Co.

Photo: Tim Furzer

With light streaming through broad windows and glimpses of the Hudson River the $6.7 million Battery Park City Library provides a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for the public. The 88th branch of the New York Public Library will anchor the bottom two floors of the city’s greenest residential high-rise to date. Designed by the architecture firm 1100 Architects, the branch includes 24,000 items, 36 public access computers, and separate reading areas for children, young adults, and adults. A multipurpose programming room on the second floor is also featured, as well as two self-checkout machines for public use. The Library was constructed with a focus on environmental sustainability and will be the first GREEN Library in Manhattan. The branch is expected to receive LEED Gold certification from the U. S. Green Building Council. Some of the features contributing to the branch’s environmental efficiency include:
 

• an efficient technologically advanced low-energy heating/cooling system

• low-flow sanitary fixtures which reduce water consumption

• low-energy lighting system

• use of recycled and renewable building materials including a wood floor constructed with off-cuts from window frame manufacture, carpets constructed from old truck tires, millwork made from recycled cardboard composite, and terrazzo with recycled glass and mirror aggregate

• the inclusion of a dedicated area for the collection and storage of all recyclable materials accumulated during the day to day operations of the branch

• use of a large number of the products that are low emitting in order to help the overall indoor air quality.

“Libraries play an important role in communities throughout the city, serving as a place for people to gather, attend readings, access the internet and more,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “The new environmentally-sustainable Battery Park City branch will be a model for future branch designs and an asset for the local community for decades to come.”

“Expanding literacy, arts and education to any neighborhood in New York City is an issue we at the City Council feel is one of the most vital for New Yorkers,” said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “Having access to these materials is essential to the growth of our neighborhoods. Battery Park for so long did not know what it was to have these resources available to them down the street from their homes. Now, residents downtown and throughout the City will be able to enjoy this new branch and the new resources it brings to this beautiful area of our City.”

“The opening of the Battery Park City library is another big step in the continuing progress of the community as one of the great neighborhoods in our city,” said New York State Senator Daniel Squadron. “Public libraries are more important than ever in the 21st century, in which broad, democratic access to information–whether printed or digital–is more important than ever.”

“I am delighted to join Battery Park City residents in welcoming the newest branch of the New York Public Library to the neighborhood,” said United States Congressman Jerrold L. Nadler. “I am proud of this terrific New York institution and believe that it profoundly enriches the lives of those who use it. As a lifelong enthusiastic reader and library patron, I hope that residents will enjoy this library as much as I have always enjoyed my local libraries and read to their hearts’ content.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the New York Public Library and the residents of Battery Park City in opening this beautiful new library,” said Councilmember Margaret Chin. “To have a public facility like this, in a community like Battery Park City, is really wonderful, especially with the construction’s focus on environmental sustainability and what we hope will be a LEED Gold certification. It’s important that we teach our children about the environment as we instill in them a love of reading and learning, while providing a great place for our seniors and others in the community to read and gather. I also want to specifically recognize my predecessor, Councilmember Alan Gerson, without whose work this library simply would not exist, and also the work of Community Board 1 Battery Park City chair Linda Belfer, a tireless champion of all things Battery Park City.”

“As Chair of Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations, I am ecstatic that this library has been finished,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “Any day that a library opens is a very good day for the community it serves. This library will enhance the educational and cultural life of the neighborhood.”

“The new Battery Park City library and the expansion of New York Public Library services means the promotion of literacy, education and technology for local residents,” said New York City Council Member Vincent Gentile. “Public libraries, particularly ones developed in an environmentally friendly way like this one, enrich the neighborhoods in which they’re placed; it’s a joy to see all the benefits that come along with a new public library being introduced to a neighborhood that didn’t have those resources at their fingertips before.”

Library Hours
The Battery Park City Library will be open: Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Grand Opening Celebration

Thursday, March 18, 2010
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free and open to the public
175 North End Avenue

10 a.m.,
Opening ceremony and ribbon cutting, with elected officials and special guests.

11 a.m.,
Architect’s tour and overview of environmental features

11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
Crafts with Linda DeCresenzo, program for children of all ages.

2:30 p.m.
Poetry Reading

3:30 p.m.
“Birds of Prey”, a program for the whole family that examines such birds of prey as hawks, owls, falcons or other species! Patrons will get to touch raptor artifacts and a lucky volunteer may get to help with some of the demonstrations. Presented by the New Canaan Nature Center.

Source: New York Public Library

This recipe eliminates the messy, time-consuming process of preboiling the noodles—use any whole-wheat, brown rice, or regular lasagna noodles right out of the box. They’ll cook in the sauce.

Directions

1. To make Filling: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic in oil 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden. Add spinach, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until wilted. Transfer spinach mixture to bowl of food processor. Add tofu, cream cheese, basil, and nutritional yeast, and purée until mixture is thick and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

2. Spread one-quarter of Speedy Red Sauce recipe on bottom of 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Cover with one-third of noodles (4 or 5 noodles), then half of Filling, and ladle on another one-quarter of sauce. Repeat layer of noodles and remaining Filling. Spread sausage evenly over top, and top with one-quarter of sauce. Finish with final layer of noodles and remaining sauce. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.

3. Cover lasagna with foil, and bake 30 minutes, or until bubbling hot. Uncover, and bake 15 to 20 minutes more, or until noodles are tender and topping is melted. Remove from oven, and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

ingredient list-

Serves 8

Filling – Try to find organic and local versions of all ingredients for a greener version of recipe.

• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped (2 cups)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
• 1 10-oz. bag fresh baby spinach
• 2 12-oz. pkgs. firm tofu, drained
• 1 8-oz. pkg. vegan cream cheese
• ½ cup chopped fresh basil
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast

Lasagna

• 5 ½ cups Speedy Red Sauce
• 12 uncooked whole-wheat lasagna noodles
• 12 oz. vegan Italian sausage links, cut into thin rounds, or soy sausage crumbles, broken apart
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella flavor rice or soy cheese (3 oz.)

Nutritional Information

Per :

Source: Vegetarian Times

LOS ANGELES — A California lawmaker wants to make his state the first to ban incandescent lightbulbs as part of California’s groundbreaking initiatives to reduce energy use and greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.

The “How Many Legislators Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb Act” would ban incandescent lightbulbs by 2012 in favor of energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

“Incandescent lightbulbs were first developed almost 125 years ago, and since that time they have undergone no major modifications,” California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine said Tuesday.

“Meanwhile, they remain incredibly inefficient, converting only about 5 percent of the energy they receive into light.”

Levine is expected to introduce the legislation this week, his office said.

If passed, it would be another pioneering environmental effort in California, the most populous U.S. state. It became the first state to mandate cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, targeting a 25 percent reduction in emissions by 2020.

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) use about 25 percent of the energy of conventional lightbulbs.

Many CFLs have a spiral shape, which was introduced in 1980. By 2005, about 100 million CFLs were sold in the United States, or about 5 percent of the 2-billion-lightbulb market, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

That number could more than double this year. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. alone wants to sell 100 million CFLs at its stores by the end of 2007, the world’s biggest retailer said in November.

While it will not give opinion on the possible California law, the EPA recommends CFLs.

“They save money and energy,” EPA spokeswoman Enesta Jones said. “They are more convenient than other alternatives and come in different sizes and shapes to fit almost any fixture.”

Also, CFLs generate 70 percent less heat than incandescent lights, Jones said.

About a fifth of the average U.S. home’s electricity costs pays for lighting, which means even if CFLs initially cost more than conventional lightbulbs, consumers will save, Jones said.

A 20-watt CFL gives as much light as a 75-watt conventional bulb, and lasts 13 times longer, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit group studying energy issues.

Southern California Edison, an Edison International subsidiary and one of the state’s biggest utilities, runs a program that cuts the cost of a CFL by $1 to $2.50. In the past year, SCE has helped consumers buy 6 million CFLs, it said.

California Energy Commission member Arthur Rosenfeld said an average home in California will save $40 to $50 per year if CFLs replace all incandescent bulbs.

While not commenting specifically on Levine’s likely legislation, Rosenfeld, winner of the Enrico Fermi Presidential Award in 2006, said the switch from incandescent bulbs became feasible about five years ago when CFL performance improved.

“This is clearly an idea whose time has come,” he said.

Levine, a Democrat from Van Nuys in Los Angeles, last year introduced a bill that will become law in July that requires most grocery stores to have plastic bag recycling.

Source: Reuters By Bernie Woodall

American Canyon
Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa
http://gaianapavalleyhotel.com

LEED certified, Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa bills itself as Napa Valley’s “first fully environmentally-sustainable hotel .” Named “Mother Earth” in Greek, the hotel provides waterless urinals, low-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads. The emphasis on nature can also be found on their grounds, which consist of native and climate-adaptive plants, as well as a swan and Koi pond that uses only recycled  water.

San Francisco
The Orchard Garden Hotel
http://theorchardgardenhotel.com

Located just three blocks from San Francisco‘s Union Square and all the major department stores, this LEED certified boutique hotel is the sister property of the Orchard Hotel and stands green and proud. Inviting earth-toned rooms (all of which are deluxe) come with all-natural fabrics, ergonomically correct mattresses, feather pillows and 100 percent combed cotton bedding. Rooms have been constructed with low emission paint and carpet, and the hotel utilizes chemical-free cleaning solutions and organic bath products.                                                                                             

Chicago 
Hotel Allegro
http://allegrochicago.com 

The Allegro is part of Kimpton’s EarthCare program, promoting a sustainable planet. This downtown Chicago hotel features towel re-use, water recycling and non-toxic cleaning agents. All materials are printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper, and energy-efficient light bulbs are used. Indulge in a complimentary cup of organic, fair trade coffee in the lobby before heading out to the Chicago theatre scene or the shopping Mecca on Magnificent Mile.

Nantucket
Hotel Green
http://vanessanoelhotelgreen.com

Celebrated shoe designer and hotelier Vanessa Noel’s Hotel Green is Nantucket Island’s first environmentally conscious organic luxury hotel. It boasts nine individually decorated rooms and one two-bedroom suite incorporating high-end environmentally friendly and sustainable products. Frank-Gehry-designed recycled cardboard chairs and coffee tables sit on Gaiam hemp area rugs, which are complemented by natural bamboo window shades. You’ll also find hemp bathrobes and towels in your room as well as a selection of organic beverages and snacks.

Manhattan 
70 Park Avenue Hotel
www.70parkave.com
Another Kimpton property committed to sustainable practices, this boutique hotel even provides in-room spa services and has a yoga TV channel and complimentary yoga accessories. The hotel uses non-intrusive, high quality, eco-friendly products and services, including in-room recycling bins and non-toxic cleaners. This is a hotel for discerning guests who seek a haven of quiet with the ambience of their very own Park Avenue pied-à-terre.

Washington D.C. 
The Fairmont Washington, D.C.
www.fairmont.com/washington
Did you know that if you park your hybrid car at this hotel in Washington’s fashionable West End, you’ll receive a free dessert? In addition to sweets, this hotel has a green procurement program, including the reduction of pre-packaging, ensuring that supplies, equipment, fixtures and furniture are environmentally sensitive. The hotel also donates soaps, amenities and food from buffet lines to shelters and soup kitchens. Being green never felt so good!

 Source:  www.gayot.com

1)    Chargers and Electronics
Unplug chargers for cell phones, computers, and mp3 players when they are not being used.  When left plugged in, they leak energy.  Another solution is to use a power strip; turn it off if you are not using the items plugged into it.  Setting your laptop into sleep mode reduces energy use up to 80%, even better: turn it off completely if it will not be in use for an hour or longer.

2)    Lighting
Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).  They produce the same light level as regular bulbs, but use about a quarter of the energy and can last up to ten times longer. 

Unlike ordinary light bulbs, CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury in the glass tubing, so special clean-up and disposal methods are needed.  In case of breakage, have people and pets leave the room.  Open the window and shut off the central air heating/conditioning system, allowing the room to air out for 15 minutes.  Pick up the pieces of broken glass and put them in a jar with a metal lid or a plastic bag.  Use sticky tape to pick up any remaining glass shards or powder, and then wipe the area with a wet paper towel.  If a spill comes in contact with any absorbent surfaces, the items become contaminated and must be disposed of accordingly.  For further information: http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm

You can also replace ordinary switches with dimmers or motion sensors.  Whenever a dimmer is not turned all the way up, you are saving energy.  Motion sensors will turn on a light and keep it on only if someone is in the room.  Utilize natural light as much as possible; try reading a book or doing your work during the day.

3)    Clothes
Instead of throwing away old clothes, recycle them!  By donating textiles, you can help reduce the number of unwanted textiles that end up in landfills and incinerators.  In New York City alone, over 193,000 tons of recoverable and recyclable textiles are disposed of every year.  GrowNYC’s Office of Recycling Outreach and Education (OROE) provides drop off locations at NYC Greenmarkets. Click here for locations.

4)    Fans
We all know that turning on a fan during the summer will cool down a room.  But turning one on in the winter can help improve heating efficiency.  As your radiator heats the room, the warmer air rises to the ceiling.  By turning on your ceiling fan to the lowest setting, the warm air is circulated around the room.  A fan uses much less electricity than a heating system, reducing energy use.

5)    Cleaning
Whether they are empty or full, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers use about the same amount of energy.  It is more efficient – and helps you save on your electric bill – to wait until these appliances are full before use.

When buying a washing machine, look for front-loaders.  These models use up to 25% less energy and water than a standard washer.  You can save an additional 10 cents a load by washing with cold water whenever possible.  Almost 90% of energy consumed by washing machines is used to heat the water.  Keep the lint filter in the dryer clean, since a clogged filter can increase energy use up to 30%.  During the spring and summer, another eco-friendly alternative is hanging your clothes up to dry!

6)    Colors
If you are painting a room, consider using a lighter color.  Dark colors absorb more light, requiring you to use more energy from light bulbs to achieve the same effect as a room with lighter walls.

7)    Insulate
Whether during the summer or the winter, insulating your home is an effective way to save energy.  An insulated home does not gain or lose heat as quickly as a non-insulated one, so it is easier to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors.  Close your windows and seal drafts around the window and doorframes to keep the hot or cold air out.  In the winter, you can also use clear plastic barrier film to cover window frames; the film traps cold air that might come into your house even if the windows are closed.  Up to 16% of your heat can be lost through unprotected windows.  Insulating lowers the demand on your air conditioner and heating system, reducing your electric bill and extending the life of the system.

Faucets
One way to conserve water is to seal leaks in plumbing fixtures.  Repairing the plumbing with replacement washers can easily stop leaks.  This is something that you can do on your own, though novices might ask a handy friend or a plumber.  Fixing a leak from a hot-water faucet is doubly beneficial; the leak makes the water heater work harder and wastes energy.  Another thing you could pick up at a hardware store is a faucet aerator.  These aerators add air to the water coming out of the sink, reducing the amount of water used but maintaining water pressure.

9) Plastic
Try to cut down on how much trash you generate in a normal day.  Instead of using disposable cups and utensils at delis and coffee shops, bring your own.  Instead of grabbing plastic cutlery along with your lunch, eat with metal ones from home.  Carry a reusable plastic or stainless steel mug with you for hot or cold drinks.  At the end of the day, bring your cups and cutlery home to wash them and be ready for tomorrow.  Bring cloth bags to the supermarket to carry groceries home in, and bring your own reusable plastic containers when you go to buy take-out.  Reusable containers and utensils help keep plastic and Styrofoam out of the landfills.

10) Driving
You don’t have to buy a new hybrid or electric car to be environment-friendly when you drive.  Follow the speed limit, regularly clean your air and oil filters, keep your tires inflated, and carefully step on the gas and brakes.  While pushing the pedal to the metal is fun, maintaining a cruising speed (e.g. 55 mph) uses less gas.  These simple tips can improve your fuel efficiency up to 25% on highways.

11) Plant a Tree
The MillionTreesNYC program, one of the 127 initiatives of PlaNYC, intends to plant one million trees across the city’s five boroughs within the next ten years.  Not only do the trees beautify our urban landscape, they enrich our environment and the quality of city life.  Trees capture atmospheric carbon dioxide in their tissue, alleviating the greenhouse effect.  Trees also help filter out air and water pollution, and capture and retain stormwater.  To make New York City a greener place, you can volunteer for MillionTreesNYC (http://www.milliontreesnyc.org/html/involved/get_involved.shtml) or plant a tree in your own back yard.

Programs:

ConEdison

•    The Power of Green – A list of 100 facts about conserving energy.
o    Visit http://www.coned.com/thepowerofgreen/100tips.asp for more information.
•    PowerMove – Use PowerYourWay to shop for electricity and natural gas from a variety of suppliers and qualify for a 7% discount off the ConEd price of energy supply for two months.
o    Green Power – Purchase green power through ConEd.  The service will cost a little extra, but you will help make New York a cleaner, greener city.
o    PowerMove – Use PowerYourWay to shop for electricity and natural gas from a variety of suppliers and qualify for a 7% discount off the ConEd price of energy supply for two months.
o    Visit http://www.poweryourway.com/powermove_residential.asp for more information.
•    Green Power – Purchase green power through ConEd.  The service will cost a little extra, but you will help make New York a cleaner, greener city.
o    Visit http://www.poweryourway.com/greenpower.asp for more information.

NYSERDA

•    BeCool – Replace your old air conditioner with an ENEGY STAR qualified model to be to save money and conserve energy.
o    Turn in your old, functional through-the-wall air conditioner to be eligible for a $100 BeCool incentive.
o    Turn in your old, functional window air conditioner to be eligible for a $35 BeCool incentive.
o    Contact GetEnergySmart.org or 1-877-NY-SMART for more information, and a list of locations to turn in old units and participating retailers.

Environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and boho-chic. The casually elegant eco-lodges and resorts featured in this line-up are good for the planet, support local communities and offer romantic rainforest experiences year-round.

Hotel Highlights: With luxe accommodations and a spa, The Lodge at Chaa Creek provides pampering par excellence — along with a slew of high-octane activities (think horseback riding, river rafting and canopy explorations). Sustainability Highlight: One-hundred percent of lodge employees are local community members.

Hotel Highlights: For an authentic taste of Guatemalan customs, culture and cuisine, book a trip for two to the Takalik Maya Lodge. Guests at the cozy bed and breakfast receive three complementary meals a day and can choose from a number of activities, including horseback riding, bird watching and arts and crafts. Sustainability Highlight: The hotel boasts 10 acres (four hectares) of protected natural forest reserves, which provide habitat for numerous native species.

Hotel Highlights: With private cabins in the heart of the Nicaraguan jungle, Sábalos Lodge is a dream for ecotourists. Overlooking the San Juan River, the eco-lodge offers basic comforts in the midst of natural wonders, including abundant plant life, migratory animals, birds and an assortment of reptiles. Sustainability Highlight: Committed to ensuring the health of the local community, the lodge donates medical supplies and funds to the San Juan hospital.

Hotel Highlights: Located on a private farm and bordering the Pacific Ocean, Morgan’s Rock is a luxury location where guests are invited to embrace their natural surroundings and unwind without the distractions of city life. For couples who prefer a faster pace, activities such as scuba diving, biking and horseback riding abound. Sustainability Highlight: In addition to conserving and maintaining almost 2,000 acres (799 hectares) of primary forest, this Nicaraguan hotel also created a road clean up campaign to recycle waste and educate local residents.

Hotel Highlights: Bordering Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park — the “crown jewel” of a world renowned national park system — Casa Corcovado Jungle Resort is tucked away in the trees and accessible only by boat. Sustainability Highlight: The resort is committed to demonstrating that alternative energy sources can be practical and are the best option for remote locations.

Hotel Highlights: From relaxed days at the beach to hikes in the national park, activities and options are plentiful at Si Como No. The best part: views of the Manuel Antonio coastline, thought to be one of Costa Rica’s most breathtaking beachfronts. Sustainability Highlight: Si Como No is one of only four hotels in the country to receive a rating of “five leaves” — the highest available from Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism.

Hotel Highlights: Winner of the Small Luxury Hotels “Caring Luxury Award,” Hotel Punta Islita‘s tiered layout offers seclusion and incredible ocean views, while providing guests with easy access to rugged beach and mountain landscapes, neighboring communities and more. Sustainability Highlight: Hotel Punta Islita sponsors complementary education, professional training and English language programs.

Hotel Highlights: By prohibiting large groups and tour buses, The Lodge at Chichen Itza provides peace and tranquility to its guests, allowing them to enjoy southern Mexico’s tremendous cultural resources while maintaining a sense of calm and privacy. Sustainability Highlight: The lodge is decorated with community art and handicrafts, demonstrating a commendable support of local artisans.

Hotel Highlights: For the couple who wants endless options, Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa could be the perfect choice. The all-inclusive resort in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula allows guests to choose from an assortment of activities (including wind surfing, water aerobics and bocce ball), six restaurants and seven lounges — and it’s located just five minutes from the ruins of Tulum. Sustainability Highlight: As part of a program to reduce its carbon footprint, the resort installed low-energy LED lights and sensors that turn off appliances when spaces are unoccupied.
Source: The Rainforest Alliance

The Green Lifestyle Film Festival is a celebration of filmmakers who dedicate their talents, income and energy to examining what sustainability really means.

From how we birth our young to how we raise children, the construction and design of homes in which we live, to how we deal with illness, how we move about the earth in our physical bodies, and how all this is reflected in how we feed ourselves, to how we treat others in the animal kingdom all in the name of “the perfect steak” the “fashionable coat or accessories” or for entertainment, and its impact on all spheres of life on Planet Earth.

   The Green Lifestyle Film Festival was created to address a concern by the film festival’s founder (Dorit), that medical costs, lack of proper preventive, medical care, allegiance to a failing disease management system, an increasingly industrialized food system and non-distribution of very critical information have become a hindrance to achieving what is our most basic birthright- radiant, robust, vital health and free flow of information pertaining to the sanctity of life and the nourishment of the  human spirit.  This is all reflected in the fear based, violence-ridden films that are box office draws, and a media based culture that projects and perpetuates these very themes.

So much  “green washing” is also taking place, all in the name of rampant consumerism, that fiction and fantasy need to be replaced by integrity and adherence to a compassionate, all encompassing new economy backed by meaningful actions.

The films selected for the Green Lifestyle Film Festival seek to fill that gap. Wisdom and reverence for the Laws of Nature are being presented as options for ignorance and fear based decisions.

The next Green Lifestyle Film Festival (GLFF), which is an international, non profit event, will be held at UCLA’s James Bridges Theatre in Los Angeles, California, USA   from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st March 2010.

When the time comes to replace your couch, dining room chairs or even a few lamps ever think of  slightly used?  I am speaking of gently used furniture that is still in good condition.  This can be a great way to not only save money but also to help the environment and live a greener lifestyle.  Look no further than The Freecycle Network, found online at www.freecycle.org.  

            Freecycle is a locally based grassroots organization where people come together via the internet and give away gently used items that they no longer need.  The process is simple: place an ad in your local area in the group listing .  The ad is reviewed by the freecycle website people and in no time you can connect with a potential buyer.  When a buyer is interested they directly contact the donator of the item and arrangements are made for an easy and hassle free pick up.

            It’s a grassroots organization and a nonprofit movement of people who are giving both giving and receiving on a local level for the good of their communities and the environment. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer and membership is free.  Freecycle has created a place where people can help each other to get great gently used items and save money while promoting recycling and reusing . 

            Start A Freecycle™ Group – If you are interested in starting a Freecycle™ group in your area, this page will help you find out how we can help you.