Center for American Progress Center for American Progress
Issues It's Easy Being Green
It's Easy being Green

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Recent Articles

  • 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.
  • Energy on the Go: On-street recharging points can help the new generation of electric cars hit the road and keep going.
  • 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.