We bring together the best tips, resources, links and contacts to help individuals, homes and offices calculate, reduce and offset their carbon footprints.
Next Green Car Super useful site that will put you as a green consumer in the driving seat. Comprehensive reviews of all the eco car options out there with an easy-to-understand comparison chart which allows you to weigh up the relative merits of each car according to its WGC Rating, its CO2, its MPG and Fuel Cost. The site has a toggle which will switch between UK- or US-centric information.
TIST TIST - The International Small Group Tree Planting Program - is an exceptional example of a reforestation model that really works.
TIST is in its 10th year of successfully encouraging subsistence farmers to plant trees, protect and create biodiversity, and improve livelihoods. TIST has proven that it is a scalable and replicable program that counters deforestation, drought, erosion, and poverty while providing new income from the global carbon market to its member farmers.
Yahoo: Green Yahoo have brought together a fantastic collection of articles, reviews and guides to advise you on every aspect of green living. Areas covered include: Buying a Fuel-Efficient Car, Commuting, Finding a Green Job, Gardening, Recycling, Recycling Electronics, Researching Global Warming Basics, Researching Your Vote and Reusing Stuff. The site also features a great shopping area where everything from bags made from truck tires to biodegradable golf tees is reviewed under the heading Why It's Green with a link either to subsidiary stores like The Green Loop or to Yahoo's own shopping page.
Grow Clean Air This program promises to pay out 70% of revenue for carbon credits directly to the farmers and empower communities in Africa and Asia to change their world and yours. Can't really complain with those sentiments can you?
BBC News: Carbon Market Clouded by Uncertainty Interesting article explaining the uncertain times facing carbon trading companies. This page also features a snazzy Flash presentation of how cap and trade systems can help curb carbon emissions.
Green Bang The GreenBang site features sections on Technology, Travel and transport, Energy and Fuel, Carbon, Sustainability, Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility. You can also check out their Greenbang TV channel and subscribe to their RSS feed for regular transport and technology-related green news.
TreeHugger: Green Cars and Transportation Articles Treehugger has a great eco Cars and Transportation section bursting with interesting articles on alternative transport innovations and resources. Check out also their How to Go Green Guides section where the TreeHugger team bring us lots of good advice about Cars, Hybrid Cars and Public Transportation. Always worth checking out these guides before making any green purchase.
All Things Eco Fantastic resource for finding UK eco businesses for every eco product and service imaginable. Categories include: Clothing / Accessories, Conservation, Eco Building, Eco Children, Energy / Technology, Ethical Finance, Family Events, Farms, Markets and Veg, Boxes, Food and Drink, Garden and Land, Health and Beauty, In the Community, In the Home, Recycling, Resources, Stationery and Office, Transport and Travel and Leisure. You can also view the eco news and green campaigns sections as well as browse their eco bookstore.
Neco Great site with sections on Insulation products, Solar equipment, and green products for Water, Transport, Lighting, Home & Garden, Pets, Books & DVDs, Skincare and Haircare as well as a Gadgets section and Baby, Toys and Sport departments.
Low Impact Living One of our favorite eco sites because the layout and advice is so clear and easy to follow. First select the area of your life that you want to 'greenify' (eg composting), then you're give step-by-step advice as well as links that will take you through to various suppliers who offer deals on the products you require. Simple, to-the-point and effective.
eHow: How to Offset Your Pet Ever considered the environmental impact of your pet? Well, according to one eHow contributor a medium-sized dog has “the same environmental impact as a Toyota Land Cruiser driven 6,000 miles a year”. What follows is an 8-step plan to help you 'offset' your pet.
BC Hydro: Green Electronics Guide Useful advice on buying energy efficient electronic equipment as well as explanations about the different labeling terms such as ENERGY STAR, Green Specs™ and EPEAT™.
cnet Reviews: Energy Efficiency Guide The techie team at CNET have put together a great guide on how to buy more sustainable and energy-efficient tech products including laptops, monitors, desktops computers TVs and cars.
Eco Button™ is an award winning retro-fit computer power saving device that can aims to make a difference to your PC power usage and help you reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your electricity bills. Site features product demos and videos to explain the concept.
Energy Foundation The Energy Federation's philosophy is simple: increased energy-efficiency and resource conservation are good for the environment and good for the economy. Among the eco products available to buy on their site are: Air Filters, Batteries & Chargers, Battery-Powered Lights, Carbon Offsets, Ceiling Fans, Controls & Switches, Energy Monitors, Light Bulbs and Fixtures, Heaters/Fans, Solar Cooking and Lighting equipment and plenty of water filtering equipment.
Greener Choices: Alternative-Fuels Comparison This site offers a rundown of the most common alternative fuels, compiled with information from the U.S. Department of Energy. Fuel types covered are biodiesel, electric, ethanol, hybrid electric, natural gas and propane and it gives a theoretical look at how hydrogen fuel will compare if and when it becomes a reality.
Yahoo: Autos: Top 100 Green Cars Yahoo present the top green cars on the market. Each car is given a green rating out of 100, and info is also displayed showing what technology is used (eg. hybrid, natural gas...) as well each car's fuel economy and of course its retail price.
ABC News: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint As this article points out, reducing your carbon footprint does not necessarily entail forking out for carbon credits. There are other much simpler ways to redress the balance.
Bristling Badger: Carbon Offsets Are a Fraud With a title like “Carbon Credits are a Fraud” it's an article which was always going to raise some hackles. The subsequent discussion is worth reading particularly if you're considering investing in some carbon credits yourself.
Carbon Offset Guide Comprehensive guide to offsetting and how to tackle your emissions. From a UK website but valuable information whatever your nationality.
Free Carbon Offsets A cynic's approach to carbon offsetting. These guys offer irreverent advice and outrageous offers of 100% free carbon offsets in what they see as an overly-commercialized industry lacking in integrity and real substance.
