Why going green might ultimately be pointless

/
Why going green might ultimately be pointless

It’s hard to ignore the expanding “green living” industry, even if you don’t particularly follow it or practice any of its tenets. Globally, more and more people – particularly those who are middle to upper-middle class, urban and peri-urban dwelling – are pursuing healthy living options, buying more organic and non-GMO foods, raising awareness about the presence of harmful and toxic chemicals in the water, the air, and the personal care products we consume, and investing in renewable energy sources.

Yet ultimately, going green may be pointless. Here’s why, and what you can do to make sure that your efforts to go green are actually helpful…

Read More

A Homeowner’s Guide to Environmentally Conscious Water Use

/
A Homeowner’s Guide to Environmentally Conscious Water Use

Guest post by Jason Baldauf

It’s almost impossible to imagine modern living without the convenience of running water. We take it for granted that we can cook, clean, wash and bathe with it. As such, we may not think about how imperative it is to conserve and protect it. Despite being readily available with a turn of the spigot, it is not an unlimited resource.

Read More

How small-scale farming can help reduce the effects of climate change

/
How small-scale farming can help reduce the effects of climate change

This past summer was terrible for my crops. I eagerly started the process of sowing seeds and transferring seedlings and cuttings into their permanent homes and looked forward to the day I could begin harvesting the results of my hard labor. I was also in the process of renovating my home for sale and purchasing another, so working in the garden was a welcome relief from the stress and uncertainty of that process. At least it was supposed to be…

Read More

Addressing the Global Water Inequality Crisis – Infographic

/
Addressing the Global Water Inequality Crisis – Infographic

Guest post by Tom Murphy

In a planet that’s 70% water, you’d be forgiven for thinking that there was more than enough of this precious resource to comfortably sustain its population. However, when you think through how much of this water is fit for human consumption, you realize that maybe there isn’t a whole lot to go around for more than 7 billion inhabitants. In the Western world, water scarcity certainly isn’t a problem for most (with some exceptions in pockets of the US, the EU, and Australia ), but delve deeper into impoverished Third World/Global South nations and it will soon dawn on you just how shocking the disparity of water availability is on this planet.

Read More

Eco-Labels Around the World (Interactive Infographic]

/
Eco-Labels Around the World (Interactive Infographic]

Guest post and infographic by Customlabels.net

Nowadays, people are more aware of the impact their purchasing decisions can have on the environment. In order to reduce their ecological footprint and negative impact on the natural world, a growing number of consumers have decided to buy products that will do less harm to the environment. They avoid buying bottled water, use their own grocery bags and choose eco-friendly products as much as possible.

Today, various products can have an “eco-friendly” or “green” inscription on their packages, but sometimes these statements can be false. So if you want to be sure that you are buying a product that is produced with a more controlled, less detrimental impact on nature, you should look for eco-labels on its packaging.

Eco-labels are certificates that mean that higher standards of environmental protection are upheld during all stages of the product's life cycle. Eco-labels are often mixed up with environmental labels, but they are actually a subgroup of environmental labels.

Check out the infographic below to learn more about eco-labels. It will give you an interactive overview of their meanings, managing organizations, and the industries they apply to.

Read More

Why Are Today’s Homes Still Unhealthy?

/
Why Are Today’s Homes Still Unhealthy?

Guest post by Will Sandford

Do you think your home offers a clean and healthy living environment? If you answered yes, you are thinking like the majority of people. However, unfortunately, you are wrong. Even in 2018, many houses and apartments are unfit for living, and we will explain why. So, let’s begin.

Read More

How to Turn your Car into an Eco-Friendly Vehicle

/
How to Turn your Car into an Eco-Friendly Vehicle

Guest post by Adam Fuller

Air pollution is one of the major factors that affects the spread of global warming. Certain inventions can help lessen the effect of harmful gases into our atmosphere, and one prominent innovation that has been contributing positively to reducing the burden on our the ecosystem is an eco-friendly vehicle. Over the years, and after consulting numerous studies about the best solutions for reducing harmful vehicle emissions, car manufacturers have offered one of the most effective ways to reduce vehicles’ hazardous impacts to the environment: manufacture and sell more hybrid and electric cars. While it is arguably one of the best solutions to reducing vehicle emissions, it is an undeniably expensive option, and thus ultimately not for everyone.

Even if you can’t afford to purchase a hybrid or electric car, there are things you can do to help reduce the impact of harmful emissions from your current vehicle.

Read More

The Case for Conservation-Friendly Construction

/
The Case for Conservation-Friendly Construction

Guest post by Roof Stores

With the population ever-growing, the construction of residential and commercial properties is encroaching more and more into wildlife habitats, affecting how animals are able to live. The expansion of urban areas is leading to 1 in 10 UK wildlife species facing extinction, and this is something that we have a responsibility to try and change.

An important focus is being placed on solutions to allow us to continue to construct and build infrastructure, whilst also allowing us to peacefully coexist with the surrounding animal species and cause as little harm as possible to their natural habitats; this shift in focus is leading to the term ‘conservation-friendly construction’.

Not only is the construction of houses changing, specific elements within buildings are being developed to further help animals. Very specific innovations, such as changing the glass in windows to a different reflective nature so that birds don’t confuse them with flying into foliage or clear sky, are becoming more advanced. This is a simple addition to any home, one which shows that conservation-friendly construction doesn’t need to take over the whole house. Instead, small touches like these can make a difference to the welfare of wildlife.

Take a look at the infographic by Roof Stores below to get a better sense of existing issues and see how conservation-friendly construction can remedy them.

Read More

The Real Cost of Litter

/
The Real Cost of Litter

There are not many places in the UK today where you will not see at least one piece of litter. Indeed, statistics from finance experts Money Guru report that roughly 62 % of people drop litter at some time, although only 28% ever admit to the fact. Litter and the resulting clean-up costs the local authorities, and the UK tax payer, more than £1 billion per year. £6 million of this is simply picking up litter from roadsides that has been thrown from passing cars. 

Read More

Must-Have Apps for Nature Lovers (Infographic)

/
Must-Have Apps for Nature Lovers (Infographic)

Guest post by Jarrimber Furniture & Cabinetry

Having an interest in nature does not automatically exclude you from being enthusiastic about technology, and vice versa. While some nature lovers might decry the modern ubiquity of smartphones and mobile devices, there’s no reason why people who enjoy nature cannot use technology to supplement that interest...

Take a look at this infographic by Jarrimber Furniture & Cabinetry for the full list of must-have apps for anyone with an interest in exploring the natural world.

Read More

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Green Building

/
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Green Building

Guest post by Derek Lotts

We all know that today it’s all about going green. Homeowners are aiming to lower their energy consumption and large companies are trying to reduce their waste. And things aren’t different when it comes to building. In fact, the term “green building” has become quite popular among the people in the industry. Still, not too many people know exactly what green building is all about. That’s why we’ll be kicking things off by covering the basics with a list of 5 frequently asked questions about green building. Make sure you stay tuned.

Read More

How Does Thrift Shopping Help You Save the Environment?

/
How Does Thrift Shopping Help You Save the Environment?

Thrift shopping at second-hand stores, consignment shops, rummage sales and online used-good directories is not just for environmentalists and hipsters, but a viable solution for anyone looking to go eco-friendly in small ways.

Before going into the green benefits, here’s how thrifting helps you:

  • Saving Money – Thrifted clothing is far more affordable than new clothes of comparable quality.

  • Smarter Buys – You tend to spend more time looking over each item instead of buying it outright.

  • Unique Finds – It’s highly unlikely that anyone else is walking around in the same clothes as you.

  • Creative Potential – You might be inspired to try new combinations, or even some DIY reconstruction!

If that wasn’t enough, here are 7 ways in which thrifting helps the environment:

Read More

Checklist: Buying and Selling Property With an Oil Tank

/
Checklist: Buying and Selling Property With an Oil Tank

Guest post by Billy Willard of Willard Environmental Group

Buying or selling a home can be difficult enough on its own, but factoring in the presence of a heating oil tank on the property can make this process even more challenging. For example, although many homes in the Northeast rely on heating oil tanks to keep them warm in the winter, they can represent a significant obstacle to anyone buying or selling a home. That’s because the complications oil tanks bring to a property can be enough to give a buyer reason to reconsider; in turn, that can make it much more difficult for a property owner to sell. Cleaning up after a leaky oil tank is a major burden for a property owner, given how harmful leaking oil can be to the surrounding environment. Anyone who is buying or selling a home should be aware of how an oil tank can affect their decision-making process and understand what his or her responsibilities are to avoid being caught by surprise after the sale has been completed.

Read More