Boston Green Blog Netflix Pick

source image courtesy of The Washington Post

If you want to motivate your friends and family to do something about climate change, have them over to watch National Geographic's Six Degrees Could Change the World. Narrated by Alec Baldwin and based on Mark Lynas influential book, this movie goes through the causes and consequences of climate change. To be honest, its not the most uplifting film, but it will certainly leave you feeling inspired and itching to do something good for the planet!

Earth Hour is this Saturday

Join Jamie Foxx in fighting Climate Change this weekend!

Spotlight: Veggie Planet

source image courtesy of Zagat

I don't think I quite understood how easy being a vegetarian is until visiting Veggie Planet in Harvard Square for the first time. New vegetarians often feel like they're "giving something up," - trust me, you won't get that feeling at Veggie Planet. Their vegetarian and vegan pizzas are satisfying, delicious, and unique (Peanut Curry Pizza, anyone?). Plus, Veggie Planet is a member of Cambridge Local First, a network of locally owned, independently run businesses that share a commitment to building a strong local economy and a vibrant, distinct community. Finally, you can truly feel good about chowing down on pizza!!!!

Spring Greening

source image courtesy of EatBoutique

Traditional household cleaners contain a lot of potentially hazardous chemicals. Bleach, artificial fragrances, diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), preservatives and more are all fairly common ingredients. But are these chemicals necessary for cleaning? Unless your home is REALLY messy, there arae much safer, effective, and great smelling alternatives. 

Below are the best DIY healthy home cleaning recipes: 

• Oven Cleaner
• Bathtub/Sink Cleaner
• Hardwood Floor Cleaner
• Silver Polish
• All Purpose Cleaner

Have you tried any other DIY cleaning recipes? Did they work? Share your story in the comments section!

Get Greener This Week

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In order for Boston Green Blog to be helpful to its readers, I've decided to start using my Monday posts to publicize local green events and maybe touch on some environmentally-themed news. This will be a great way to kick of the week! My "New Perspectives" column that I usually post on Mondays, will now move to Thursdays. Let me know if you have any feedback for me on this change.

Best,

Cameron

THIS WEEK:

Monday: Meat Free Week begins!

Tuesday: G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines Training hosted by Deloitte

Wednesday: Biopharma Sustainability Roundtable

Thursday: No big events, so try being more sustainable at home with green living tips by Boston Green Blog.

Friday: March Walk/Ride Day

Practically Green's Personal Action Plan is Now 'One Small Act"

 Practically Green, the tool that allowed people to create personalized green action plans, has now become One Small Act as part of the NBC umbrella! The great news is that One Small Act has an app and a fun interface.  As people check off tasks on their action plan and gain badges, their sense of accomplishment motivates more action. This is a great way to get some insight if you want to be more sustainable but aren't quite sure what to do or how.

NESEA #BE14

REMINDER: Today is the LAST day of this year's NESEA Conference and Trade Show, so get to the seaport now! 

The Hempist on Newbury

The Hempest on Newbury St. in Boston's Back Bay opened in 1995. Since then, they've continued to sell hemp clothing - made from the rapidly renewable cannabis sativa plant which requires fewer resources and pesticides than other fiber-producing plants. Many are hesitant about hemp as a fabric material because it is derived from the cannabis plant, but others see this as a viable way creating domestically made, organic and ethically sourced clothing for Americans. Hemp is also incredibly durable, making it both versatile and long lasting. The Hempest offers hundreds of sustainability-sourced items to Bostonians, so make sure to check it out on your next shopping trip.

5 Ways to Use Fewer Zip Lock Bags

source image courtesy of  Speak Up for Blue

Like many, I grew up making my own lunches - peanut butter and jelly in a zip lock bag. Since then, I've become much more conscious of the waste my daily meals create. While bringing your own lunch is much more cost-effective (and often more sustainable) than buying lunch, there are ways to streamline the lunch packing process to avoid adding to landfills. 

1. Glass food containers or BPA-free plastic food containers are your best friend. Especially at offices where there is a dishwasher or sink available so you don't have to carry home a dirty container. 
2. Eat less meat. Freezer bags are often used to preserve meats. Kill two birds with one stone by going vegetarian and eating fresh produce that doesn't need to be stored in a bag. 
3. Re-use your bags. If you must use plastic food-storage bags, wash them out and reuse them a couple times before throwing them away. 
4. Simply don't purchase plastic bags. You'd be surprised how creative you can be when you don't have them as an option at your home. 
5. Stock up on food-making supplies at the office. If you have space, keep a loaf of bread and your other lunch-making ingredients at work - that way you don't have to pack a lunch at all!