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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Green Tips for Keeping Up the Climate March Momentum

image courtesy of People's Climate

There is some serious momentum behind the climate change movement right now. How can we keep it going? How can we make sure businesses and politicians see climate change as an immediate issue? How can we continue to take action at home? 

For all of us pondering these questions in the wake of the largest climate march in history, the Huffington Post has provided some fantastic answers

Mainly, vote on November 4th. That is the one of the most important green tips of all! If you aren't already, please register to vote

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Win Tickets to BostonEco's Sustainable Home Event on Oct. 1

Learn what's happening in the local and global green scene! The event will include mix of local Boston area innovative companies to discover new eco living ideas including green home design, urban farming, energy efficiency and more. (BONUS: lots of free samples and giveaways!)

WHAT: BostonEco Healthy Living, Healthy Home
WHERE: District Hall, 75 Northern Avenue, Boston
WHEN: October 1, 2014 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Registration is just $15, but Boston Green Blog is giving away a free ticket! 

TWO WAYS TO WIN:

1. All you have to do is share a green living tip on twitter or facebook and tag @BosGreenBlog and @BostonEco, use the hashtag #BostonEco and include the registration link to the event: bit.ly/BosEcoHome

       example: Compost at home! #BostonEco bit.ly/BosEcoHome @BostonEco @BosGreenBlog 

2. Share a green living tip in the comments section of this blog post AND register for the BostonEco newsletter.

The contest runs until TOMORROW at 5pm! Contestants are encouraged to enter as many times as they'd like to increase their chances. 

Good Luck! 


*please note that facebook contest entries will only count if your mentions of BostonEco and Boston Green Blog are tags!

Monday, September 22, 2014

This Week's Eco Events



MONDAY
  • Register to get the password for Oscar compost collection bins in the North End and East Boston and continue the conversation online with #CompostBOS

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY
  • HEALTHY GREEN HOME TICKET GIVEAWAY CONTEST! Check back at Boston Green Blog on Friday morning for details.


SATURDAY


SUNDAY

Thursday, September 18, 2014

New Boston Solar Map Unveiled


Yesterday, Mayor Walsh launched Solar SystemTM Boston, a new map which enables homeowners and businesses to quickly and easily understand their roof’s solar potential and installation cost estimates. With over 12 MW of solar PV installed in Boston producing roughly enough power to supply 2,000 homes, the new solar map is one more tool to accelerate the adoption of solar and help Boston meet its goal of installing 25 MW of solar by 2020.

“Going solar is increasingly an attractive option for Boston homes and businesses,” said Mayor Walsh. “With solar prices plummeting, and Massachusetts having some of the best incentives in the country, this map will introduce the benefits of solar to a broader audience.”

Solar SystemTM Boston is a partnership with Mapdwell®, a Boston-based  M.I.T. spin-off that looks to advance collective sustainability through information, education, and choice architecture, to provide accurate and accessible information about going solar. The tool has mapped all 127,000 buildings in Boston for their solar potential and found that Boston has a potential for 2.2 GW (gigawatts) of solar power. While there are barriers to putting solar PV on every building with good sun access such as roof age and financing constraints, this map confirms the significant potential for solar to expand rapidly in Boston as installation prices continue to drop.

“The City of Boston prides itself on using data and innovative mapping technology to have a positive impact ,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief Information Officer for the City of Boston. “Solar SystemTM Boston will make it easier for residents to take action to increase the use of sustainable energy in the City.”

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Spotlight: Team J+A Whole Detox

WHO ARE THEY?
Jody and Ashley are certified nutritionists and health coaches that host seasonal detox programs for busy, young professionals. Detoxing helps program participants eliminate chronic headaches, digestive discomfort, and excess weight. It also helps clear up skin and balance moods!

WHAT IS A WHOLE FOOD DETOX?
The Whole Food Detox is a 14 day program guided by Jody and Ashley, that asks participants to only eat whole foods (i.e. no processed foods) and avoid gluten, corn, soy, caffeine, alcohol, red meat, and sugar.

HOW DOES THIS HELP THE ENVIRONMENT?
By eating only whole foods, you are reducing the amount of energy required to make your foods - most "processed foods" are processed by electrical means - using fossil fuels and a high amount of transportation to get from the field, to the factory, to you. By eliminating that middle step, you're not only getting cleaner food, but food with a smaller carbon footprint. Plus, the J+A program is largely plant based and non-meat proteins are encouraged!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Green Tip Tuesday: Purchase In-Season Produce


Nothing beats Fall in New England for fresh, local produce! Some of our favorite fall foods are just coming into season, so get over to your local farmer's market or farmstand and look for the following items that are in the peak of their season in September:

  • broccoli 
  • radishes
  • carrots
  • celery
  • cranberries
  • eggplant
  • hot peppers
  • raspberries
  • tomatoes
  • watermelon
  • apples
  • butternut squash (beginning of season)
Learn more about what crops are in season when over at the Peak-Season Map on Epicurious 

Thursday, September 11, 2014

New Community Garden at Woolson Street!



Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN), an affiliate of statewide nonprofit The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees), launched the new Woolson Street Community Garden in Mattapan on on September 6th with Mayor Martin J. Walsh.  Converted from a once vacant lot at 44 Woolson St. which the City of Boston transferred to BNAN, the new Community Garden is the newest of five community gardens in Mattapan, two of which are owned and managed by BNAN.

“In keeping with BNAN and The Trustees’ mission to work together with local residents, partner organizations, public officials and foundations to preserve, expand and enhance open space, community gardens, and greenways throughout the city of Boston, we are thrilled to celebrate the addition of yet another important gardening hub for area residents,” adds Vidya Tikku, BNAN Acting Executive Director.

With funding support from the Department of Neighborhood Development’s Grassroots Program, The Woolson Street Community Garden was developed through a collaborative community process that included residents, community gardeners, the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition,  Fairmount Greenway Open Space Task Force, Mattapan United and the Community Design Resource Center. The group first imagined, then designed, and finally executed the much-anticipated new space with a goal of improving the neighborhood’s access to green space where they can grow fresh fruits and vegetables and gather to practice healthy lifestyles.

Hurst Landscape and Site Services of Mattapan completed construction of the Woolson Street Garden this summer which features 11 at-grade gardens and one raised, universally accessible plot, each 15 x 20 feet, as well as a composting area and a stylized pathway inspired by the shape of a fern frond.   Pear trees, berries, herbs and flowers are planted in plots that line the street edge creating a colorful border and hint of what gardeners can grow in the soil and environment.  New gardeners have now organized to sow community as well as a fall crop in the community gardens.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

How to Detox Your Collection of Cosmetics

source image courtesy of Beauty High

On Just Us Gals, I've been posting a monthly series about non-toxic makeup and beauty products, that I thought would be very appropriate for Boston Green Blog readers too! Here is what you need to know: The U.S. only bans 11 ingredients from cosmetic products, while the E.U. bans over 1,000. The average American woman uses about 15 cosmetic products per day, which exposes her to small doses of some potentially harmful chemicals on a regular basis. While most of these chemicals probably won't make you sick, it is better to be safe than sorry! Am I right?! Here is how you can reduce your exposure:

And of course, let me know about your favorite products in comments or on twitter!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Tracking My Brainstorms

source image courtesy of Habitually Chic

As part of WeWork's "Track Your Brainstorm" Campaign, I am sharing how, when, and where I get inspiration for Boston Green Blog! 

My brainstorms are a little all over the place. I’m an avid list maker, which is great for capturing ideas on the go. Four years ago, when I founded BostonGreenBlog.com, I had no idea that writing the blog would help me land a writing gig at CBS and inspire the creation of Just Us Gals – a women’s lifestyle blog. Now, I am writing 9 – 12 blog posts per week in addition to working full time as a Sustainable Products Buyer at ClimateStore.com. It’s a lot of work to pack into one week. It is all work that I love – inspiring people to lead more sustainable lifestyles, but it takes a lot of time, so I end up having my best ideas while walking the mile to and from South Station on my way to work.

The walking portion of my commute is the only time of day where I’m not at a screen – even when I’m at the gym or out for a run, I still have headphones in with some type of media going, so my walks are my zen time. I’m able to breathe some fresh air and collect my thoughts. Especially over this summer when the weather was perfect every day, walks were a relaxing and stress-free time to prioritize my goals, plan the day ahead, and simply let my mind wander.

Being an observant person is key to garnering creativity. Even though I walk the same sidewalk, day after day, it’s amazing how many different people I see, or events being set up, buildings being built, and of course, conversations overheard. I use these as tidbits of inspiration to take with me throughout the day. Sometimes, I’ll stop and take a photo of something I want to remember, or add to one of my many lists stored in the “reminders” section of my iPhone. Once I’m at South Station, I hop on my commuter rail to work and boot up the ol’ laptop to get some writing done. Luckily, commuting through South Station is convenient in the afternoon because it is located right near the Melcher St. WeWork location which is a great place to meet other creatives and Bostonians with true entrepreneurial spirit! Its fun to meet so many other wonderful Bostonians working hard to make our community a hotspot for innovators.