University of Florida Student Amanda Aschenbrenner paints a new pair of TOMS shoes at Style Your Sole, an event to promote sustainability amongst students. Photo: The Independent Florida Alligator

Oprah & Dustin Team up for Green

Dream of meeting Oprah? How about joining actor-extraordinaire Dustin Hoffman on set of his latest film? Thanks to Chartiybuzz’s sixth annual Chevy Chase Green Auction online, your wildest wishes could become oh-so-real. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Dustin Hoffman, Stephen Colbert, Dave Mathews Band, and Regis Philbin have teamed up to bring once-in-a-lifetime items and opportunities to the auction block. Proceeds benefit The GREEN Community Schools, who strive to create model GREEN schools and promote sustainability.

The Emerging Green Economy

With much green talk amongst industries and households, eco industry watchers are saying the world has officially entered an emerging green economy – a trend that will only continue to gain momentum, says eco-expert Kim Carlson.

U.S. Supermarket Trader Joes Ranked Worst Nationally (Again)

In the third edition of Greenpeaces seafood sustainability scorecard Carting Away the Oceans, more than half of the leading supermarket chains in the U.S. have made some sign of progress in increasing the sustainability of their seafood operations.

The World’s Greenest Museum

From a living roof to the natural lighting and ventilation system, the new California Academy of Sciences has implemented sustainable building practices that work in unison with nature — environmentally sensitive practices that are very much in tune with its mission to explore, explain and protect the natural world.

The San Francisco-based Academy is home to an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, as well as world-class research and education programs.

Founded on the heels of the gold rush in 1853, it is the oldest scientific institution west of the Mississippi River, says Director of Exhibits and Programming Chris Andrews (below), who has been with the Academy since 2005.

“Its early members conducted the first comprehensive survey of the states flora and fauna. Over the past 156 years, its scientists have explored some of the most remote places on earth, from deep ocean trenches off the coast of the GalÃ

What Exactly is Eco Tourism Anyway?

Besides having less of an impact on the planet when you travel, what exactly defines eco tourism?

According to the Centre for Ecotourism, Hector Ceballos-Lascurain created the term “eco tourism” in 1983 to mean “nature-based travel to relatively undisturbed areas with an emphasis on education.”

The term “eco” is a combination of three words environment, culture and oriented travel. The International Ecotourism Society says eco tourism can be defined as “responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people”. In short, ecotourism is an insightful, mindful and participatory travel experience to natural and cultural environments, assisting the well-being of the local cultures and environments for future generations. Eco tourism, however, is different from nature tourism because it puts more emphasis on conservation, education, traveler responsibility and active community participation.

10 Ways to Experience Green in Mendocino

As the first county in the US to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Mendocino has long been recognized as eco-friendly and environmentally-oriented. Mendocino County has been at it so long say some, they have actually advanced living in harmony with the earth to the point where being green doesn’t forsake luxury.

Drinks for a Cause

Australia’s Sustainability Drinks events, held in each month in Adelaide and Melbourne, provide an opportunity for those interested in creating a more sustainable world to exchange ideas and hear different perspectives about social and environmental challenges. Organizers say the events attract people who are interested in making a positive difference.