Tree Hugging Family - Living Green

Green News for Tree Hugging Families

by Jennifer on October 25th, 2007

Sorry I’ve been MIA. It’s been one of those weeks. I do have some quickie news flashes of note.

Be a non-consumer:

In re-news (as in each year it comes around) Buy Nothing Day is quickly approaching. This year it falls on November 23rd in North America and on the 24th internationally. For those of you new to the concept Buy Nothing Day is brain child of one of my faves Adbusters. At least it has been for as long as I can remember — not sure if the original idea was theirs or not (I’ll look into it). Buy Nothing Day is a day to get back to basic and simply buy nothing. Much of being a green citizen is curbing consumption and this yearly event is a great way to make a big statement. Just think when everyone else is out frantic at the malls you can be home chilling with the family. More to come on this event soon but for now this is a sort of get thinking prompt.

I love the new Buy Nothing ads each year but this one is one of my faves:

Building and climate change:

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) released their new suite of climate change guidance documents on October 18th. You may think I’m not an architect and or British so this doesn’t apply but in fact it does. The new guidelines were created to be especially architect and consumer friendly across the board. Available for download are:

• Climate Change Briefing - a document that sets the scene on the relationship between buildings and climate change.
• Guide to Low Carbon Performance Methods and Assessment Methods – “focusing on new and existing buildings, this guidance covers energy and environmental standards for the main building types (residential, commercial and public), and includes references and links for more detailed information.”
• Guide to Low Carbon Design Tools — (just what it says).

Upcoming reading (over the next six months) will include a Carbon Literacy Briefing, Guide to The Principles of Low Carbon Design and Refurbishment and Guide to Low Carbon Skills and Training.

Download and learn more at RIBA.

Be green & save money at the same time:

Green Deals Daily launched and now have their feeds all nice and set up and believe me you should subscribe. I’ve read that the site was created to supposedly assist Canadians in finding cream of the crop green deals on the web but after some visits it looks friendly to those outside of Canada as well.

They offer green item coupon codes and seem to be updating quickly with everything from 8lbs Organic Coffee $25 Shipped @ Amazon to Save 10% on sustainable handbags and accessories @ Ecoist plus so much more.

I haven’t spent a lot of time there but they seem to have a Digg-like set-up going on where people can vote for super deals. Additionally they offer links to posts and articles like How to Invest in Alternative Energy Stocks and they donate 5% of site profits to Carbonfund.org.

For the kids (and rest of the family):

The perfect simple autumn leaf gathering primer! Set up as a school curriculum I believe (ignore that) this guide really has some great basic information on how to be a super slick leaf gathering family.

It offers parents who know little about leaves the best tips for talking to kids about them along with Crayon Leaf Rubbings, Autumn Wreath designing, follow up, and a few more pieces of leaf gathering advice.

That’s some of the latest news — why not tell me what you’ve seen lately that’s cool for tree hugging families.

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POSTED IN: Change the World, Consumer Choice, Earth Friendly Living Ideas, Energy, Green News, Grow Green Kids, Nature, Shop Green, Sustainable Building