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Jackson Browne's Green Tour

Posted by krissy on February 28th, 2011

Last fall, Jackson Browne made our list of Five Green Bands and Musicians.  And as usual, Mr. Browne does not disappoint, as he works hard to green his current tour.

When it comes to being green, Jackson's no newbie!   He started Muscians United for Safe Energy back 1979 with keen and green musician Bonnie Raitt -- before many were aware of the importance of sustainability.

Nowadays, Jackson Browne is greener than ever.  His brand new Gibson guitar is made of sustainably harvested wood and his home generates its own power.

Here's what he's doing to keep his tour green:... read more

A Greener Red Carpet

Posted by krissy on February 9th, 2011

Hooray for Hollywood!

awards going green

It's that time of the year...awards season!  Both the Grammys and the Oscars are this year, and both awards shows are going green.  

Here's how:... read more

  • The red carpets are made from recycled water bottles.
  • The food served will be local and organic
  • The power will be 100% renewable.  
  • The food will be served on reusable china and glassware.
  • The silverware will be compostable.
  • Food waste will be composted.
  • All glass, plastic, and alumnium will be recycled.

How to save the whales

Posted by krissy on February 4th, 2011

As a kid growing up in the '80s, there were three things that got me interested in the environment:  reducing litter, acid rain, and saving whales.

My friends and I would start environmental clubs wanting to raise money to adopt whales.  The clubs never went very far, but our hearts were in the right place.

You don't hear as much about acid rain and saving the whales as you did back then, but whales still seriously need our help.... read more

Obama's State of the Union & the Environment

Posted by krissy on January 26th, 2011

obama's 2011 state of the union

Last night, President Barack Obama discussed a couple of topics during his State of the Union speech that would be of particular interest to environmentalists.

Obama set a goal of having 80% of American households get their power from clean energy sources by 2035.   These energy sources would include nuclear, wind, solar, and clean coal.

Also by 2035, Obama said that it was his goal to have 80% of Americans have access to high speed rails by that year. 

Lofty goals, but I hope they happen.  ... read more

A Book Club Session with Colin Beavan (No Impact Man)

Posted by Lisa Seyfried on January 26th, 2011

Reminder: Personal Choice Can Have an Impact!

Last weekend I had the opportunity to lead a book club session with author Colin Beavan (No Impact Man).  The book follows his journey to reduce the impact he and his family have on the environment.  He starts with the simple things like using reusable grocery bags and biking to work everyday, but then gets really serious about the no impact plan and takes his apartment 'off the grid,' using solar power to power the few things they needed (like his computer for writing).  ... read more

TGIF Keen & Green Celeb: Bill Nye

Posted by krissy on January 20th, 2011

If there are any 90s kids out there, you probably remember Bill Nye the Science Guy on television.  More recently, Nye has been the host of Stuff Happens on Planet Green, and appears on The Weather Channel discussing ways to save energy.

Over the years, Bill Nye has spoke about the dangers of climate change.  On Larry King, Nye once said, "I'm sure [climate change] is real. It's where we have put so much -- so many greenhouse gasses, so many molecules of greenhouse gases.......the speed that the world is getting warmer is getting really fast. And what's happening is these molecules hold heat in, in the same way glass holds heat in a greenhouse. That's where we got the name."... read more

Endangered Species Wednesday: Brown Bears

Posted by krissy on January 19th, 2011

endangered brown bearThese cute (but not so cuddly) bears are also called Kodiaks, grizzlies, and Russian brown bears.   According to The Great Bear Foundation, most brown bears today only thrive in protected habitats.  

Did you know? 

Bears are the only mammals that do not pee or poop the entire time they are in hibernation! Doctors study the way bears recycle their pee to help human patients with kidney failure.

Why are Brown Bears endangered? 

Humans often kill Brown Bears out of fear.  They are also sometimes killed for fur trade and food.... read more

Colleges Go Green: Mills College Leads in Sustainable Practice

Posted by michelle on December 21st, 2010

Mills Green

Why is it important for colleges to go green? “That’s an easy questions!” replied Mills College Sustainability and Recycling Coordinator Britta Bullard.  Over the course of our hour-long interview, Britta explained the importance of teaching leadership and accountability, preparing students for the world in which they live, and modeling community activism for change.


Mills College is located in the beautiful rolling foothills of Oakland, California.  Mills has been recognized for its excellence in Sustainability in Princeton Review “Guide to 286 Green Colleges” and as one of Sierra Magazine’s “100 Coolest Green Schools.” In addition to housing 2 LEED certified buildings (one platinum and one gold) and a leading Environmental Sciences degree, Mills students and faculty and staff play an active role in initiatives that link them directly to the local and global green communities. Here are a few of my favorite ways:... read more

TGIF Keen & Green Celeb: Emma Watson

Posted by krissy on December 16th, 2010

Last week's green celebrity was Sheryl Crow.  This week our Keen & Green Celebrity is Harry Potter's Emma Watson!  Emma has said, "I cannot not be green."

Emma Watson: actress, Ivy League student, environmentalist, and now organic clothing designer!   "I wouldn't have done if it was just a clothing line.  The reason I did it because I cared about the issue behind it," Emma Watson told Access Hollywood.  

Emma's line, Love from Emma, is part of the UK's People Tree brand.   Their items are organic and fair trade.  "I didn't feel that there was a huge amount of clothes out there that are Fair Trade and organic and it's so great to give people the choice to wear something that makes the world a better place, to wear clothing that does some good," says Emma.  ... read more

Banff springs snails suffer because of climate change

Posted by krissy on December 16th, 2010

In Banff National Park of Canada lives the Banff springs snail.  They exist nowhere else in the world outside of Banff National Park, and now they are threatened -- possibly due to climate change.

On PRI's The World, conservation biologist Dwayne Lepitzki spoke to Lisa Mullins about the snail.

Over the last 12 years, some of the thermal springs dried up in Banff National Park.  There are a few theories as to why, but Lepitzki thinks that the most plausible is climate change.  He believes that changes in precipitation are causing the springs to dry up, which used to be a rare occurrence, but is now becoming quite common.  Until 1996, the only recorded instance of any Sulphur Mountain thermal spring drying up was the Upper Hot Spring in 1923 -- and that's it.  ... read more