Green websites to help you green your life

More than half of all boomers in the United States, about 40 million, are “green boomers,” according to an AARP survey.

These green boomers say they feel a responsibility to make the world a better place, the survey found. They buy environmentally safe brands and watch less television.

Earth Day is coming up on April 22. Here is a listing of green sites to help you get green, or get greener:

Building

• BuildingGreen.com. Articles and a directory of green building products.
• U.S. Green Building Council. Information on green building and green builders.

Chemicals

• Chemical Industry Archives. A project of the Environmental Working Group to show the public the dangers of chemicals as described in the documents of chemical companies.
  
• Pesticide Action Network North America. An organization that works to replace pesticide use with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives.

Cleaners

• CHEC’s HealtheHouse. How to identify and replace unsafe products and practices that expose families to pollutants in the home.
• Household Products Database. A database of more than 5,000 household products, with information on their potential health effects.
• Non-Toxic.info. A group that provides information about hazardous chemicals found in cosmetics and personal care products, in household cleaners, and in other toxic products.

Conservation

• The Nature Conservancy. An organization working to protect ecologically important lands and waters.
• The Trust for Public Lands. A national land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas.

Energy

• EnergyStar. Information to help you make energy-efficient choices when buying appliances, electronics, and lighting.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Information on renewable-energy technologies, energy facts and figures, and resources for further information.

Food

• Veggie Meal Plans. Vegetarian meal plans for a week.

Farmland

• American Farmland Trust. An organization working to protect the nation’s strategic agricultural resources.

Gardening

• Beyond Pesticides.
  Information on specific pesticides and “least toxic” alternatives for
  controlling garden and yard pests and a directory of providers.
• National Wildlife Federation. Tips for creating a wildlife habitat in your backyard.
• Organic Gardening. The basics of organic gardening from Rodale Inc.
• Plant Native. Information on the cultivation and preservation of native plants with directories of suppliers, organizations, and specific plant information.
• richsoil.com. Organic lawn-care steps made easy.

General Information

• Center for Health, Environment & Justice.
  An organization working to inform the public about the link between
  people’s exposures to dangerous chemicals in the community setting and
  serious public health impacts.
• Environmental Working Group. A research organization based in Washington, D.C. that uses information to protect human health and the environment.
• Greenpeace.
  An organization of environmental activist that works on global warming, destruction of ancient forests, deterioration of the oceans, and the threat of a nuclear disaster.
  
• Grist. Environmental news and commentary.
• LighterFootsteps.com. The emphasis is on helping people lead a lighter, more sustainable lifestyle.
• Terra Pass. Offers carbon offsets and green products and supports projects with funds from sale of carbon offsets.
• Treehugger. A one-stop shot for green news, solutions, and product information.
• Women’s Voices for the Earth. A national women-centered environmental health and justice organization.
  

Global Climate Change

• Climate. An overview of topics on climate change and links to more resources.

Recycling

• Earth 911. A search feature helps you find recycling centers or where to recycle specific items.
• Plug-in to eCycling. The Environmental Protection Agency makes it easier to recycle electronics by listing companies that take back used and obsolete electronics.

Shopping

• Co-op America’s Responsible Shopper. Information on the social and environmental impacts of major corporations from Coop America.
• craiglist. Quality items can be listed that you want to give away.
• Greener Choices. Products for a better planet, from Consumer Reports.

Sprawl Reduction

• Sierra Club. Initiatives designed to work at the neighborhood level to improve the livability of communities.

Transportation

• bikewalk.org. How to create neighborhoods and communities where people walk and bicycle.
• Daily Fuel Economy Tip. How to increase your gas mileage and save money at the pump.
• GreenCars.com. The best and worst cars for the environment.
• www.fueleconomy.gov. Side-by-side comparison of cars for fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution.

Travel

• Ecotourism. Travel opportunities that benefit communities and protect the environment.
• Green Hotels Association. A listing of hotels that are committed to reducing waste, conserving resources, and reducing or eliminating the use of chemicals.
• National Resources Defense Council. Reports on the water quality at vacation beaches.

See green matters for additional green Web sites that could be helpful to you.