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Ask EcoGirl's Columns

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January 2010: Greening Your New Year's Resolutions

The new year offers us a handy time to identify the changes we want to make in our lives. And it's smart to include caring for the earth among our intentions, because the planet's well-being is key to our survival, and because aligning with the earth can help us achieve our personal goals. Here some example ways that you can eco-charge your New Year's resolutions to be healthier, save money, connect with others, and have more fun!

 

December 2009: Trimming Your Holiday Waste

A reader wonders how their family can reduce the increased trash they generate during the holidays. Yes, given how much our waste increases this time of year, this is a vital and fruitful time for us all to cut back. Luckily, as usual, EcoGirl comes to the rescue with an organized list of tangible ways that you can trim your trash, this holiday season and beyond, thus reducing your eco-impacts, your garbage costs, and even often having more fun! Topics you'll find covered in this column include: entertaining, food, greeting cards, gift wrapping, gift giving, disposal after the festivities, and resources.

 

November 2009: Detoxing Your Holidays

Unfortunately, our need to protect health and planet from hidden toxics doesn't stop during the holidays. This column offers specific tips for recognizing common seasonal threats and choosing less-toxic options, including when buying toy gifts. Plus there's information about how you can support current much-needed proposals to strengthen toxic regulations, thus better protecting ourselves for many holidays to come.

 

October 2009: Constructively Channeling Your Inner Eco-Rebel

Are you feeling guilty for not doing more for the earth? EcoGirl makes it easy for you to convert guilt into personal passion with her handy checklist for understanding what's holding you back. As you then use her simple steps for resolving these, in ways that fit with your life and style, you'll find that indeed acting for the earth can be fun and empowering. Really!

 

September 2009: What Does Green Mean?

With so many companies claiming to be green nowadays, a reader asks, how do I know which actions really make a difference for the planet? EcoGirl comes to the rescue with key tips for looking beneath green claims to recognize the more committed and effective approaches.

 

August 2009: Being a Smart Organic Consumer

Despite areas of controversy, organics are still a convenient way for consumers to choose food and agriculture that's healthier for themselves, their families, and the planet. But how do you know if something is really organic? And how do you sort out the organic issues and labels? Find out more in this column!

 

July 2009: Greening Our Techno-Tools

Our daily lives can be enhanced in many ways by today's technological devices, including computers, cell phones, cameras, TVs, stereos, game players, and more. However, it's vital for us to be smart about our use of these techno-toys, because they do have eco-impacts throughout their lifecycles. Here are specific ways that you can buy, enjoy, and discard these products while minimizing their harm -- and even saving money as well!

 

June 2009: Eco-Lighting for a Brighter Future

What's the story with these curly-cue "eco" lightbulbs? Yes, they lower energy use, helping save money and the planet. But they also contain mercury and can't go in the trash. Are we just trading one eco-problem for another? EcoGirl tackles one of the practical questions of eco-implementation with her usual combination of information and inspiration! (Hint: The answer is that, on balance, these CFL bulbs offer significant value for reducing energy use and thus climate disruption, but need to be handled with care. And there are emerging options to support. Read the article to find out more!)

 

May 2009: Remaking the EPA

For many years, it has seemed that the EPA has put corporate interests over its mission to protect the environment. Will President Obama's EPA really be any better?, asks a skeptical reader. EcoGirl says that real improvement is possible, if we help. And this is a key action for us to take. Because, by encouraging current efforts to restore the EPA's vital functions, we'll help improve our prospects on a wide variety of environmental and health issues.

 

February 2009: Pursuing Your Green Job Dreams

Green jobs are increasingly being discussed in books, magazines, even President Obama's economic stimulus plan. And, yes, by bringing together economic, ecological, and employment objectives, we can address multiple problems at once -- if we pay attention to the details. So, how can a job-seeker skillfully align with these trends, while avoiding the pitfalls?

 

January 2009: Happy Traveling on Public Transit

We've heard that using public transit can be great for both the planet's well-being and our convenience. But how do we get started? This column makes it easy, offering both resources and encouraging stories. By including public transit among our transportation modes, we can reduce our car pollution's contribution to climate change, reduce our shared wealth transfer to oil-rich nations, turn stressful travel time into useful time, and connect more with our community.

 

December 2008: Taming Our Tiny Ant Friends

Ant invasions can tempt one to use poisons. But they're no more effective than household cleansers! Instead of putting your family at risk, follow this three-tiered approach for addressing your visiting ant armies.

 

"Dear Patricia - I just read your article, "Taming Our Tiny Ant Friends." I think it's just great that you write these articles, and always with such conscious respect for the earth, and in this case, all those amazing little ants."
Patrice Ryan

 

November 2008: Greening Your Holidays, On a Budget

Yes, you can create greener winter holidays while treading lightly on both the earth and your budget. In fact, one of the silver linings of this economic downturn is that it can help us reduce the consumerism rates that are more than the planet can bear. Here's some ideas for how to do that while still having loving fun with friends and family!

 

October 2008: Preventing Plastic's Pollution

Plastic offers us durability, but makes long-lasting trash, both in our landfills and ecosystems. Even remote spots are becoming cluttered with this debris, creating for instance the "plastic island" in the northern Pacific. Scientists estimate that each year at least a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die from eating or getting entangled in plastic. Here's how to help protect the planet by reducing, reusing, and recycling your plastic.

 

September 2008: Great Sources for Environmental Info

Our information sources can either lead us wisely or astray. Too often mainstream coverage of environmental issues focuses more on celebrities, drama, and consumerism than on the real information we need to understand and support truly effective solutions for the planet. In this column, Ask EcoGirl highlights her favorite sources for keeping informed and taking wise action.

 

August 2008: Discarding Your Stuff - Ecologically

Do you have items that you want to discard - without adding to our overstuffed landfills? There are many ways to do this - plus make a little money and delight in contributing to others! In this article, EcoGirl walks you through the key ways you can sell and donate your goods, summarizing the benefits and drawbacks of each, highlighting creative options, and providing handy information about websites, local outlets, and more!

 

July 2008: Greening Our Money

Our current economic woes make it increasingly urgent that we shift to more earth-honoring ways, because our economy depends on functioning ecosystems. But how can we take care of the earth when everyone's budgets are so challenged? EcoGirl explores tangible ways that we all can nurture our economy's transition to wiser ways.

 

June 2008: Can We Afford to Care About the Environment?

I'm anxious about the economy, writes a reader, with rising gas and food prices, medical costs, even food riots. How can we worry about the environment when real survival issues are at stake? EcoGirl responds by describing how our survival depends first on the earth, both physically and economically. Therefore, our current economic disruptions actually offer us an opportunity to redesign our economic systems to better align with nature and thus better ensure the survival of us all!

 

May 2008: Affording Organic

With today's economic uncertainties, a reader wonders, how can I still include organic in my budget? EcoGirl offers tips for saving money, and a reminder that our true survival depends on our health and the well-being of the earth.

 

April 2008: Creating Your Personal Earth Action Plan

The current blossoming of green stories and claims in mainstream media can be both encouraging and overwhelming. Where on earth should we start in taking action? EcoGirl hears that a lot. So, instead of just giving you another list of tips to add to your already-stuffed do-list, this column maps out four simple steps for you to follow to uncover your personal approach to this topic. This Plan will help you both prioritize and feel excited about the impact you can have!

 

March 2008: Creating a Healthy Garden from the Start

Here in one place are the easy steps to creating a good foundation for your garden so that toxic pesticides and fertilizers just aren't necessary. Your harvest will be healthier food and flowers, a nurturing place to hang out, and a healthier world for all.

  

January 2008: Can I Afford to Go Solar?

Most people think solar is just for those with up-front capital. But what if you could take out a loan with payments equal to your current utility bill? Then you'd be converting an expense into an investment! (We love to do that!) And reduce your vulnerability to energy price increases. Oh, and help the planet by supporting our transition to earth-friendly energy sources. Here are the key notions to consider, and the steps and resources for you to determine if this approach is right for your situation.

 

"Solar financing is a complex topic and you nailed it."
Chris Cone, Writer, Coordinator Green Energy Loan Program

 

December 2007: Holiday Donations: Your Magic Wand for Planetary Change!

You can empower change in the world through your holiday donations (and perhaps even get a tax deduction!). Here are inspiring ideas for finding your own passionate issues, and suggestions for wonderful local groups you can support.

 

November 2007: Greening Your Gifting

Want to truly green your gifting? Here in one place are key principles for thinking green to include Mother Earth in your holiday giving. Includes specific ideas you won't find other places - plus great local resources!

 

October 2007: Seeing Through Green Eyes: Remodeling Green on the Cheap

Yes, being cheap can be good for the planet - when you see through green eyes! Here are great ways to remodel green and save money, including local resources that most folks don't even know about!

 

September 2007: Keeping It Clean: Less-Toxic Cleansers for a Healthier Home

Cleaning green doesn't have to be more expensive. In fact, you can clean your house less-toxically - and save money too! Did you know that you can do most of your cleaning with four common and inexpensive ingredients? This also makes space in your supply cabinet, reduces packaging waste, and keeps your home a truly healthy clean smell.

 

July 2007: Batteries Need Recycling Too

No, household batteries don't belong in the trash! Here's the straight scoop on where to properly dispose of your spent batteries in Sonoma County and beyond.

 

Other Planned Column Topics Include

Protect Your Family From Toxic Pet Products

Should You Buy an EcoCar?

Mosquito Protection Without Toxics

Perfume Dreams

Living Green Air Fresheners

Avoiding the Twin Pitfalls of Hope & Despair

Love Your Local Activist

Eco-Dining & Travel

Upcoming Events & Activities

To see some of the many other types of topics that can be covered in this column, based on reader and editor interest, seeThe Next STEP index of articles. Patricia Dines has been Editor and Lead Writer for The Next STEP newsletter since it's inception in 2000.

Note to Editors: Patricia can also offer your periodical a more traditional column format, named (for example) EcoHealthy Living, Everyday Green, or another name that works for you and your target audience. For samples, see <www.patriciadines.info/EHL.html>

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: You might also be interested in my articles on related topics in my Green Zone column.

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Ask EcoGirl is written by Patricia Dines, Author of The Organic Guides, and Editor and Lead Writer for The Next STEP newsletter, which gently educates readers about toxics and alternatives. For more information about her work for the planet, see <www.patriciadines.info>.

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This entire website is (c) Patricia Dines, 1998-2010. All rights reserved.
Page last updated 01/17/10
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