GreenBiz News has a cool story about plastic bags, or rather the cease and desist of plastic bag use by some companies.
Turns out that IKEA will be halting plastic bag use by October in their U.S. stores. Good news since plastic bags are one of the worst items ever in terms of recycling. People simply don’t recycle their plastic bags. Thus far IKEA has been selling their plastic bags and donating the proceeds to tree planting efforts. That’s nice, but getting rid of them altogether is so much better.
To find out who else is saying, “See ya” to plastic bags …read more

There’s been some interesting green news out there for tree hugging families this week. What has been going on? Well…
In the news:
The effect chemicals have on the male reproductive system.
Hundreds of Investors Discuss Climate Risks, Opportunities at U.N. That must have been a lively little party (yawn) – actually they were talking about some good stuff including how to get, “Congress to pass a mandatory national policy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60-90 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.”
There’s a new book on greenwashing out – a book, that I’m sure, I’ll be taking a look at soon (I’ll …read more

This week in, “Why are they even discussing this news” – some people would just love to allow loaded and accessible guns in public national parks. (insert cussing if this was not a family blog). Seriously people; this is unbelievable. I don’t know about you, but at least 95% of the time when I’m at a national park, I experience very little trouble from other families hiking and the squirrels. What’s next?
Remember that cartoon I found a long time ago?:

Do you think some politician saw this and fell for it? Because you know, it was just a joke. 
Maybe, just maybe, …read more

Green news and blog headlines this week that may be of interest to your tree hugging family…

The most sustainable restaurant in America. And it’s family friendly LEED certified and pizza.

Type 2 Diabetes May Be Linked to Pesticide Exposure – I wouldn’t get too jumpy though, it’s a new study.

Ha. Too funny -13 ways to spot an eco-poser.

The dangerous side of eco-lighting.  Very interesting video.

Groovy solutions for urban commuters

The Forest Service is kicking off a national “Get Outdoors” campaign. This campaign is meant, “To encourage children and their parents to take advantage of recreational opportunities on national forests to develop a …read more

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 …read more