"Look - it's a bird, it's a plane ...
no, it's
EcoGirl!"
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Ask
EcoGirl
A syndicated eco-advice
column
Written by Patricia Dines
"Encouraging the
eco-hero in everybody!"
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EcoGirl
believes that
everybody
can be a
superhero for the planet.
Want to know
how?
Ask EcoGirl!
Knowledge is
her superpower!
Leaping
cynicism and despair
in a single
bound!
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Ask EcoGirl's Columns
** COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL**
AVAILABLE FOR SYNDICATION, CUSTOMIZATION & REPRINT
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
ECOGIRL, including how she can appear in your publication,
see the main EcoGirl
page.
- 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 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!
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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!
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- 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.
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- 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!
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- 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.
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- 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!
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- 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.
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- February
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.
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- "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
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- 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.
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- "Solar financing is a complex topic and you nailed it."
Chris Cone, Writer, Coordinator Green Energy Loan
Program
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- 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.
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- 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!
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- 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!
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- Other Planned Column Topics Include
Protect Your Family From Toxic Pet Products
Should You Buy an EcoCar?
Mosquito Protection Without Toxics
Does Organic Still Matter?
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>
FOR MORE INFORMATION: You might also be interested in my
articles on related topics in my Green
Zone column.
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>.
This entire website is (c)
Patricia Dines, 1998-2008. All rights reserved.
Page last updated 11/15/08
www.AskEcoGirl.info/AEcolumns.html