Talk about a cover-up. Just today, the Boston Globe disclosed that electricity giant NStar has been conducting a secret operation that allows their customers to pay more to get their electricity from wind power rather than a carbon-polluting source. Actually, the program, “NStar Green,” isn’t a company secret -- but I hadn’t heard of it, none of my neighbors had, and Brookline Climate Action had to go door-to-door to tell people about it. It might as well be secret.
I don’t think NStar Green is some big, bad greenwashing scheme. NStar probably let the program languish because investing more money in it would yield little profit. And that’s okay, because it’s not NStar’s job make clean energy -- or dirty energy. It’s NStar’s job to make money. A corporation is responsible for making profit, and anything after that is optional as long as it’s legal. ... read more
The priHummerYou want a PriHummer? It’s easy, just get an SUV grille, mount it on your Prius with a few zip-ties, and... instant mojo. Feels so good, right? But, where does that SUV mojo come from anyway? Product designers know how to convey status, and SUV design navigates American status narratives like a 4x4 bounding over desert arroyos. Maybe once we know why we find these vehicles so appealing we can finally stop buying them.
Calling all Keen For Green fans in the Des Moines area! Septembe 30th marks the second annual ARAG Green Fair!
This free event at Capital Square Atrium is open to the public. This is a free event is open to the public. WThere will be over 35 vendors attending providing individuals and businesses with information about being green. ... read more
Iowa Health Systems, who was a vendor partner in 2010, has joined ARAG as an official Sponsorship Partner for the 2011 event.
I live in Massachusetts, which is Dunkin Donuts country. While the affinity for a Dunkin Donuts cup of joe is strong here, Dunkin's commitment to the environment is seriously lacking. Many of their hot coffee drinks still come in Styrofoam.... read more
Environmental organizations such as Greenpeace recently began to put pressure on YUM!Brands, parent company of many large fast food restaurants, due to the immense damage they are doing to tropical rainforests. YUM! Owns chains including Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, A&W and Long John Silvers and has over 38,000 locations across the globe.... read more
Last May I saw a shining vision of sustainable urban living. A couple I know had totally retrofitted their house for full energy efficiency and were giving tours to show how it could be done. The house, a 19th century Boston triple-decker, had leaked btu’s for over a hundred winters but now it’s insulated, ducted, and sealed, and ready to play its part in a 21st century green city.... read more
Last May I saw a shining vision of sustainable urban living. A couple I know had totally retrofitted their house for full energy efficiency and were giving tours to show how it could be done. The house, a 19th century Boston triple-decker, had leaked btu’s for over a hundred winters but now it’s insulated, ducted, and sealed, and ready to play its part in a 21st century green city.