http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents Where it Pays To Buy Green. http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/359 Everyone knows that how we live in our homes has an effect on the environment; and simple lifestyle changes can have major impacts. But what about our living environment itself; how can we make changes to our homes that lessen our impact locally and globally? What do we need to do to begin this change? Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/358 Who doesn’t love a good summer movie? There’s one that just came out in IMAX theaters filled with action and adventure. It’ll make you laugh, cry and keep you on the edge of your seat. No, I’m not talking about “The Avengers”. I'm talking about “To the Arctic 3D”, the latest nature documentary directed by Greg MacGillivary, that shows the Arctic like never before. And who’s the villain in this movie? Well, it’s us. The Arctic is warming and it’s causing the ice to melt at a drastic pace, which is throwing off the delicate Arctic eco-system. The film shows us how vital the ice is for the survival of Arctic tribes and wildlife...and possibly our planet. Entertainment and Media http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/357 The Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database has been a treasure trove for those seeking the complete lists of ingredients and their purpose in cosmetic products. Now, EWG, a founding member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, is in the midst of creating a new database to educate the general public about what really goes into cleaning and air-freshening products. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/356 The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming – we’re officially in spring full swing and the friendly daffodils are just one of many daily reminders of why we need to save our planet. Eco-aware households have come a long way from the granola-and-Birkenstocks lifestyle, and eco-friendly Web sites are treasure chests of upcycled goods, sustainable products and handmade housewares to add to your eco-sanctuaries. Check out these creative finds from Etsy and EcoPlum: Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/355 Welcome to my beauty column! While I normally devote this space to a few different brands in one product category each month, I couldn’t resist sharing the details of a new nail polish line developed especially for little girls called Piggy Paint: Natural As Mud. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/354 Harkening back to our roots, nature has never been so on trend. From simple white, recycled tunics to nature-inspired jewelry made from reclaimed metals, earthly spring styles keep your cool—effortlessly and sustainably Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/353 One of the best ways to understand green construction practices is through the study of projects that have been certified by the U.S. Green Building council through the LEED green building standard. Buildings comply with LEED requirements at different levels. Base level LEED Certification is definitely not the same as LEED Platinum. Unfortunately, the general consumer is unaware of the monumental differences between one category and another. General http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/351 Another month, another room! This time, we are going to help you ‘green’ your living or family room space. Since a lot of time is spent here, it’s important to make sure that you’re making the most of your eco-friendly options. If you’ve been following the Room to Room Challenge, you might’ve noticed that some of these tips are applicable to all rooms. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/350 Circuses are usually known as happy places, but for the animals that perform in these circuses, that isn’t always the case. Ringling Bros Circus has made headlines over the last few months since PETA uncovered footage of elephants being repeatedly hit and abused with metal bull hooks by their trainers. The Greatest Show on Earth had to pay the greatest settlement in November for violations of the Animal Welfare Act – $270,000. Celebrities are using their elephant-sized fame to get the message out to the public that they should stop supporting Ringling and other animal circuses. Entertainment and Media http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/349 Green is no longer just a buzz word; it's engrained into our collective consciousness for good reason … we need to save our planet! It may seem like an overwhelming task, but if we all pitch in, even in the tiniest of detail (which I like to call “Shades of Green”), Mother Earth would be much better off. And, from materials to production to shipping, there are many different levels -- or shades -- of green that a company can obtain. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/346 April has arrived; the month of Earth and Arbor Day, and the ideal time to refocus and buckle down hard on fighting climate change. As international forums gather, politicians discuss and parliaments and congresses flounder, global warming is becoming ever more real for people across the globe. No longer a “benign” concern about rising sea levels and shore houses, entire nations are preparing to relocate their peoples as ocean waters and temperatures rise. Climate Change http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/344 Call it trendy or simply timeless, but wearable art—the complete mergence of fashion with art—is here. And if turn-of-the-century predictions are true, these pieces are here to stay, beginning with handbags—toteable art galleries taken to the street.   Clothing and Accessories http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/343 Just over a month ago, the FDA released a report showing that some of the most popular store-brand lipsticks contain high levels of lead. Now, new studies conducted by the FDA reveal that some imported face creams and other cosmetics contain high levels of mercury, which like lead, is also highly toxic. Personal Care Products http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/342 Where do you find the space to grow produce in a city, when space is already so limited? The answer may lie in Hydroponic Agriculture. The concept is simple; create a space to grow produce within the bounds of the city. The product in turn would have a smaller carbon footprint (if any), it would be more readily accessible to consumers, and would produce food that is fresher and better tasting. The Island of Cuba is a great example of how a peak oil scenario pushed Havana to use idle plots of land within the urban context to supply food to its inhabitants. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/341 This month we review hair oil...   Months of winter weather can leave locks lackluster. Indoor heat is drying, while outdoors, high wind gusts whip hair around and do damage to cuticles and ends. Now that Spring has almost sprung, it’s time to help hair out with some special treatment—in oil! Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/340 This month, we are continuing with the Going Green Room-to-Room challenge. In honor of Daylight Saving Time this weekend, we are going to focus on your bedroom; a place where you could spend up to a third of your day. Here are some tips to take your love nest to the next level and make it a green nest! Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/339 The Simpsons, America’s most adorable animated family, or should I say adoh! –arable, just aired its 500th episode! The town of Springfield is fed up with how much the Simpsons antics have cost the town over the years and the Simpsons are voted into exile. Lost with nowhere to go, the Simpsons stumble upon “The Off-the-Grid, Unincorporated Settlement – The Outlands”. Entertainment and Media http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/337 Is finding the perfect shade of red worth getting sick over? You might want to rethink your pucker color after a recent FDA study found that about 400 lipsticks manufactured by some of the most popular drugstore brands, contain traces of lead, a toxin long banned in paint due to its negative effect on humans. The element can affect the nervous system and cause blood and brain disorders, especially in children. Some of the brands that were tested and found to contain the highest amounts of lead are Cover Girl, Revlon and L'Oréal. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/336 With the weather going from bitterly cold to lukewarm to raw and rainy and back again, there’s not much opportunity to soak up some local nature without being exposed to the mercurial elements. Have no fear though; Hollywood has not failed you! The next few months have a surprising number of films with environmental themes that will keep Earth in your thoughts, no matter where you are. Environmental Regulation and Policy http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/335 If there was ever a year that put a stylish stiletto in the green fashion scene, 2012 is it—beginning with The Green Shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. See the designers, the looks and get the inside scoop on green fashion taking the main stage. Clothing and Accessories