Late last year, the NWF organized a trip to Greenland to see firsthand how global warming is affecting the second-largest body of ice on the planet. The mission of the Americans who traveled to Greenland on this trip is to return home and be able to spread the word about what they witnessed - namely, the rapid melting of ice that will contribute to drastic changes in sea levels. A change in sea level of only a few feet could be disastrous for not only wildlife, but also human inhabitants of low-lying coastal areas.

Day 1’s video explains the mission of the trip, and Day 2 begins to delve into the dramatic experience of seeing (and hearing) the real effects of global climate change.

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. Almost 50% of Americans who live to the age of 65 will have skin cancer at least once. We rely on sunscreen to help protect our skin. But chemicals in conventional sunscreens have been linked to a host of health problems. For example, common ingredients in chemical based sunscreen (as opposed to mineral blockers) such as benzophenone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate may mimic the hormone estrogen. And, none of the chemical based sunscreens are reef friendly. In fact, a recent study found that the chemicals in chemical based sunscreens may be bleaching our coral reefs. We pollute our coral reels with 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreens that wash off our bodies.

But an eco-friendly solution does exist. Mineral based sunscreens containing titanium or zinc seem to be a healthier option, and do not appear to contribute to coral bleaching.

One we love is the California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen, $16.16. Click here to read more

Last year’s toy recalls for lead paint-contaminated toys scared most parents. Lead is a potent neurotoxin, particularly harmful to children’s developing brains. Lead exposure may result in developmental disabilities, cognitive impairment, slowed growth, damage to the central nervous system and has been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children are particularly susceptible to lead exposure because of their smaller size, greater rate of absorption of lead and ongoing development. As a result, lead paint-contaminated toys can pose a problem, particularly for younger children still prone to mouthing toys. But even children who don’t mouth toys are still at risk of exposure to lead if the toys contain lead-contaminated paint. If children play with a toy and lead dust comes off in their hands, they can ingest the dust from their hands, or paint chips can be ingested. Even a contaminated paint chip the size of a staple can elevate a child’s blood lead level.

A safe, eco-friendly option is Plan Toys’ Shape Matching Toy, $19.50, which combines six different puzzles on a board. The child matches the corresponding halves to fit within the spaces on the board. The board is slanted for easy use, the brightly colored pieces are attention-grabbing, and it’s great for helping kids learn to differentiate colors, shapes and forms. Click here to read more

Most conventional wood floor cleaners contain harsh chemicals linked with a host of adverse health effects. Wood cleaners often contain 2-butoxyethanol, which can depress the central nervous system and can irritate; isopropanol, which can irritate the skin and the upper respiratory tract; and ammonia, which can irritate or damage the lungs. Conventional cleaners also often contain synthetic fragrance, which means that they usually have phthalates to sustain the fragrance. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors (also called hormonally active agents) and have been linked to adverse health effects in rodent studies. Elevated concentrations of phthalates in household have been linked with asthma and allergic symptoms in children.

An option to replace those conventional cleaners that we like is Method’s o-Mop Wood for Good Floor Cleaner in Almond, $8. Wood for Good Floor Cleaner is free of 2-butoxyethanol, isopropanol, and ammonia. Click here to read more

We’re all for the gentle glow of fire light. It’s perfect for sitting down to a scary story or a s’more (preferably one with yummy natural marshmallows). But when it comes to things like prepping a campsite dinner or a nighttime “what were those strange noises” investigation, it’s nice to have something that will really light up your life.

Lit by LED, the choice for a greener glow, The Brunton Glorb Extra-Bright LED 1-Watt Lantern will light your path (or tent) at the press of a button. The LED is a more environmentally-friendly choice than traditional light bulb lamps or petroleum-derived kerosene options, and if you make sure to use rechargeable batteries, the eco-conscious element is even bigger. Click here to read more

You can only hear “are we there yet?” and “can we go home now?” so many
times before kids start to take a little of the relaxation out of your
vacation. As exciting as a summer trip can be for them, there are bound to
be moments of boredom — whether on the way there or at your destination.

Bringing a new toy along on your summer plans can help quiet cries of
discontent. We like the award-winning Plan Toys Pirate Ship, whose happy
sailors and detailed design should satisfy a range of ages. Also, though
we love the creativity of musical toys (like the Musical Band), the
Pirate Ship works well for close quarters play. Click here to read more

Last Wednesay, we launched the public beta of Greenzer in France at www.greenzer.fr. The site opened its doors with over 5,000 products from over 30 retailers. This is our first launch outside of the US and we’re excited to make this announcement such a short time after our public beta launch in the US on Earth Day ‘08.

In the Fall of 2007, I was introduced to two really bright web veterans in France that were writing a business plan for a green consumer website. Their plans focused on creating a place for consumers to learn about and shop for eco-friendly products and services online. Sound familiar? As Greenzer was a bit further down the path, we decided to join our efforts and the result of this collaboration is greenzer.fr. Click here to read more

Get out your semi-formal summer attire, your romantic side and your wallet: it’s once again wedding season. This year, however, you can bring green into even the whitest wedding by foregoing the registry and picking an original gift that’s good for the environment.

While the bride and groom are inundated with soup spoons and toasters, why not give them something to help them unwind from the big day and toast not their bread, but their union. The Ceago Opulent Vintner’s Collection opens to reveal two wines (red and white, for either taste), assorted roasted nuts, fresh fruits and chocolate caramel pecan clusters — all of which are organic. Plus a bottle of biodynamic, cold-pressed olive oil to get things cooking back at home. We recommend reading up on Organic Style’s website to find out more about the benefits of biodynamic agriculture. Click here to read more

Daily Greenz #169

Various pesticides have been linked to a host of adverse health effects, including autism and increased risks of developing childhood leukemia.  While regulatory agencies and medical establishments, including the American Academy of Pediatrics claim that DEET (the pesticide used in most topical insect repellents) is safe, studies have found that DEET can slow motor skills and impair central nervous system function, especially if used with permethrin (used on some outdoor clothing to repel insects).  These studies associated adverse health effects such as skin irritation, headaches, seizures, restlessness, rapid loss of consciousness and even death to sustained, regular use of DEET-containing repellants (at least once per day, for 5 or more days).  So, you might want to skip products containing DEET.

One option we like is Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent, $8.  It uses scent from essential oils to repel bugs. It relies primarily upon rosemary to repel insects, but other natural ingredients include oils of citronella, castor seed, cedar, lemongrass, and peppermint. 

One helpful hint when using Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent: because it relies primarily upon scent, you need to apply and re-apply generously in accordance with the instructions.

Click here to read more

Daily Greenz #168

The official shoe of summer? Sandals, sandals, sandals. This time around, fashion seems to dictate that the more straps on your sandal, the better - gladiator styles are more stylish than ever.

So why not take part as a green gladiator? The Alkali sandal from Patagonia has enough straps to keep you hip, enough detailing to make a statement, and enough green elements to fit your eco-conscious lifestyle;  both the midsole and the rubber sole are made of partially recycled materials. So the impact you make is not only a stylish one, but also an eco-conscious one. And bonus - they’re so comfy you can wear them anywhere and everyone.

Click here to read more