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It's Easy being Green

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  • RecycleMania!: RecycleMania pits universities against each other to see who can recycle the most waste.
  • Green Is the New Black: Designers at the 2011 New York Fashion Week are making more of an effort to be eco-conscious about fashion, proving green is the new black.
  • Earth-Friendly Pet Care: Cleaning up after a pet doesn’t require using toxic chemicals that harm the earth. Just a few basic household items will do the trick.
  • The Legacy of Ray Anderson: Interface, Inc.'s founder and green business pioneer was an early champion of environmental entrepreneurism.
  • Capturing Climate Change: Photographers worldwide are changing how we see global warming and helping to move us to action.
  • No More Mosquitoes: There’s a new all-natural bug spray ingredient in town, and it smells good, too.
  • Getting Some Green Back: Federal and state tax credits can help you save money on your taxes next year while reducing your energy consumption.
  • A Week for Mother Earth: This Friday marks the 41st anniversary of Earth Day, but caring for the Earth is more than a once-a-year responsibility.
  • Plant the Roof: Green roofs help offset carbon dioxide and purify air in urban areas while lowering utility bills for homeowners.
  • Catchin’ a Break: Quick tips for enjoying spring break without maxing out your wallet or the environment.
  • Deep-Fried Worms, Anyone?: Eating insects isn’t that crazy an idea when you consider the environmental benefits. And the recipes are endless.
  • Climate Games: Global warming video games offer a fun way for users to test solutions to environmental problems.
  • Bioplastic-tastic: Bioplastics made from renewable biomass are becoming a widely available alternative to conventional plastics.
  • Green Acres: Xeriscaping, or dry landscaping, is a green way to cut water waste and have a great-looking garden.
  • Green on the Screen: Four critically acclaimed environmental documentaries to keep your eyes on this season.
  • Greener Ways to Ski and Board: As the ski industry finds itself increasingly at the mercy of climate change, these tips can help you find greener ways to ski and board.
  • What We’re Thankful For: This Thanksgiving, take a moment to give thanks for these green initiatives and the benefits they achieve worldwide.
  • Laying the Track for High-Speed Rail: New recipients of federal funding for high-speed rail projects were announced last month. Here’s a look at the projects underway across the country.
  • Forty Shades of Green: A group of 40 cities works together to combat global warming, proving it’s easy being green on a global level, too.
  • Which Is Greener? Take Two: It’s time to test your knowledge of green products and practices once again with this interactive quiz.
  • Nice Package: CAP’s look at different approaches to green packaging.
  • Energy on the Go: On-street recharging points can help the new generation of electric cars hit the road and keep going.
  • Green My Ride: Not all of us have hybrids, but we can green what we have with these six simple steps.
  • How to Green a Campaign: Environmental considerations are often lost in the hustle and bustle of campaigns. Here are a few easy ways to make campaigns more efficient.
  • White Is the New Green: Using white and other light colors on roofs and roads can help save on energy costs and fight global warming.
  • Finding Vegetables in Unexpected Places: Urban farming addresses both environmental degradation and problems in inner cities, reducing crime, improving nutrition, cleaning up neighborhoods, and building community.
  • Fishing for Sustainable Answers: The oil spill in the gulf is threatening many underwater species, bringing attention to the question of where our seafood comes from.
  • Leave Only Footprints: Hiking etiquette demands respect for the environment on the trail. But what about at the mall?
  • Cleaner Concerts: Musicians are pioneering new ways to keep their concerts environmentally friendly, and their fans are following suit.
  • Futbol’s Footprint: Host country South Africa and international soccer body FIFA are facing criticism for not doing enough to mitigate the environmental effects of this month’s World Cup.
  • Greening Your Baby: Babies have a responsibility to help the planet, too. But sometimes they need a bit of help to lead greener lives.
  • Sunscreen: Friend or Foe?: Several studies give sunscreen mixed reviews on effectiveness and safety, but natural alternatives get the thumbs up.
  • Less Is More: Programs that recycle old electronics such as cell phones are good, but perhaps a better approach is to use less gadgets in the first place.
  • Embrace the Waste: Britain and other countries are doing more than just flushing their human waste down the toilet. The United States should get a whiff.
  • Triclo-what?: Triclosan is found in a multitude of everyday consumer products. But what is it and how safe is it?
  • D.C. Bag Tax Benefits Local River: The District of Columbia’s three-month-old tax on nonreusable bags has cut plastic bag use and raised money to clean up the Anacostia—one of the most polluted rivers in the country.
  • Rail Transport Picks Up Speed: High-speed rail got a big push from the president last year, and with good reason. Here’s a look at why more high-speed rail is a good thing.
  • Going Green Pays at Tax Time: If you made your home more energy efficient over the past year or bought a fuel-efficient car, it may be time to get some of that money back.
  • Fashion Forward: Vancouver’s eco-fashion industry will strut its stuff at the Winter Olympics this week and an upcoming international eco-fashion event in April.
  • Hot Cars, Cool Planet: This year’s Detroit Auto Show featured lots of new fuel-efficient hybrid and electric vehicles. See a slideshow of some of the cleanest of the green.
  • Saving the Slopes: Skiing and other winter sports are threatened by climate change. Businessmen and skiers alike are working together to preserve the pastime.
  • Snow Control: Try these tips the next time you're stuck shoveling snow to avoid harming the environment with toxic deicers.
  • Seasonal Eats: By choosing food that’s in season we can maximize nutritional value, minimize global food shipments, and build a future on local and sustainable practices.
  • The Wonder of Wetlands: An interactive explains why wetlands are a vital part of our ecosystem and what we can do to keep them healthy.
  • Lessons from an Inspiring Film : A new documentary explores why it’s not always easy being green, but also why the challenges of being green are worth the rewards.
  • TGIF Can Save Us Money: A four-day workweek extends weekends but there are other benefits: less energy use, less pollution, and a better work-life balance.
  • Mystery Fragrances: Ingredients in perfumes may pose health risks but consumers can get empowered and seek alternatives.
  • Making Buses Cool Again: BRT systems could help both developed and developing countries meet their transportation needs while fighting climate change.
  • Help for the Hurting Potomac: Washingtonians can’t swim in their own river because of pollution, but smart policy and public pressure can make a difference.
  • Plug In and Save: Using an energy monitor can help you minimize your consumption and maximize your savings.
  • Six Ways to Green Your BBQ: Summer is officially underway, and that means outdoor cooking. These tips will help reduce your barbecue’s impact.
  • Earth Day Gets a Boost from Online Networks: Advocacy organizations, government agencies, and environmental networks are all using the Internet to promote Earth Day and make it easier for people everywhere to participate.
  • Yellow Taxis Shift to a Greener Gear: Taxi companies across the country are seeking their own solutions to the climate crisis by taking steps to lighten their carbon “tire tracks.”
  • Wine Goes Organic: Retailers and winemakers are promoting organic and sustainably made wines that have caught the attention of the First Family, among others.
  • What’s a Climate Friendly Diet?: Authors and researchers examine the effects of diets on the health of humans and the planet, and they find altering habits can improve the health of both.
  • Top Cities to Leave Your Car at Home: Several websites have taken up the difficult task of ranking the top cities where you can get around without filling up a tank or sitting in traffic.
  • Smart Buildings for Future Skylines: Office buildings contribute as much as half of the energy used in the United States, and they can do more to curb their impact on the environment.
  • How Green Was My Inauguration: President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration will be climate and bike friendlier, and the inaugural balls will cut waste and lower their carbon footprint.
  • Interactive Quiz: A Guide to Compost: Composting turns household waste into mulch and fertilizer, saving you a trip to the store and providing a nutrient-rich product for your lawn.
  • 10 Tips for Greener Gifts: Before you fight traffic at the malls, consider these shopping alternatives that will take some stress out of your holiday and do the earth some good.
  • The Paper Elephant: CAP offers the facts when its comes to America's secret love affair with paper, along with ways to cut down on its use.
  • Jolly Green Schools: The increasing number of green schools are allowing students as well as teachers to breathe and learn a little easier.
  • Turning the Tide: Efforts such as the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup are trying to get people to see blue as well as green.
  • Peddling Pedaling on Campus: Colleges and universities nationwide are adopting incentives to encourage students and staff to leave their cars at home and bike instead.
  • Keeping TVs Alive: Used electronics have occupied enough space in our nation’s landfills, and recycling them is only one of many options to keep their heartbeat pumping.
  • A Drier Bottom Line: 10 steps businesses can take to lower water consumption and become environmental caretakers.
  • Green Your Clean: Safer, alternative products exist for cleaning your home, and many homemade concoctions do the trick as well.
  • A Win-Win Solution: Green-collar job training programs in inner cities help lift low-income residents out of poverty and encourage low-carbon practices.
  • Chicago’s Alleys Get a Makeover: Chicago is resurfacing its alleys with sustainable, permeable concrete that will provide the city and the environment with great green benefits.
  • Spare the Air? Share the Road: The concept of sharing—whether it’s bikes, cars, buses, or subways—is moving out of kindergarten and into the realm of eco-minded commuters.
  • Clearing a Cluttered Mailbox: Reduce your junk mail load by signing a petition for a national Do Not Mail registry and joining opt-out lists for direct marketing companies.
  • It All Comes Out in the Wash: Switching to efficient and energy-conscious washers and dryers can reduce the water and energy cost of the typical laundry routine.
  • The Secret to a Greener Lawn: Gas-powered lawn mowers account for 5 percent of our air pollution. The solution? Go electric (or hand- or animal-powered).
  • It Pays to Recycle: RecycleBank gives people incentives to recycle and helps cities save money on waste management.
  • A Bright Idea: Compact fluorescent light bulbs have been around for years, but still aren’t as widely used as they could be. It’s time for a second look.
  • Going Green to Save Some Green: Learn how UPS and FedEx are ramping up their miles per gallon, which helps them save money on gas, but also does a lot to reduce emissions.
  • The Next Generation of Electricity?: The first smart grid project is underway, and this new system for distributing electricity holds promise for consumers and the environment.
  • Bye Bye to Plastic Bags?: China’s ban, which took effect this week, is one more battle in the worldwide war against plastic bags.
  • Biofuels Go for a Spin: The American Le Mans racing series is using cellulosic ethanol and searching for cleaner technologies, while Nascar shows interest in alternative fuels.
  • Mission Zero: Ray Anderson took Interface from a company with no environmental vision to a leader in sustainable business.
  • Living Off the Grid: Residents in Oregon and Los Angeles are joining the ranks of Americans unplugging from commercial power and generating their own.
  • The Reinvention of Greensburg: The town of Greensburg, KS used the devastation of a tornado as an opportunity to transform itself into a model green community.
  • Sustainable Learning: America’s colleges and universities are riding a green wave in the fight against global warming. Here are some of the leaders.
  • Horse Power: The Healing Harvest Forest Foundation logs with animal power, trains biological woodsmen, and promotes human/forest relations.
  • Get Your Hands Dirty: Growing your own fruits and vegetables can be a simple, cost effective way to help the planet and stay healthier.
  • ReUsing Buildings in Buffalo: Buffalo ReUse puts young people to work while recycling demolished building materials back into the community.
  • Energy Bars and the Environment: Clif Bar’s efforts to become a sustainable business include a variety of sustainability projects and eco-friendly production.
  • Ditch the Water Bottle: Mayors, colleges, and individuals are all working to promote tap water and fight the bottled water industry.
  • Is This the Greenest Neighborhood?: Oregon’s Pringle Creek Community, built on 35 sustainability goals, boasts some of the greenest homes in the U.S., with a resume to prove it.
  • What Does That Certification Mean?: Find out which products really are green with this quick guide to trusted environmentally friendly and energy efficient certifications.
  • Universities Lead the Way: Stanford is one of many colleges changing to more energy efficient and environmentally-friendly buildings, programs, and amenities.

Where We Stand on Energy and the Environment

CAP is pioneering progressive, 21st century policy proposals to transform our nation and our economy in ways that protect the global environment, boost global prosperity, and create sustainable sources of clean energy to reduce the world’s reliance on dirty, carbon-based energy. Our low-carbon policy priorities encourage comprehensive upgrades in the efficiency of energy production and consumption as well as environmentally safe and sustainable energy diversification. And our commitment to sound scientific energy and environmental technology innovation exemplifies progressive ideals and pragmatism at work.