Shopping local is one of the best ways to be green. But what does shopping local really mean? If the store is buying everything from China or it’s your neighborhood Wal-Mart then the level of greenness just got a little dirty.

On the other hand, if you are fortunate to have a locally owned store that is buying U.S. made products and has eco-conscious buyers then you can be a cleaner shade of green.

We happen to live in an area that hasn’t always been too savvy about the environment until recently when two friends opened Fresh & Green in Bakersfield, Ca. Sometimes all it takes is a single movement by a couple of people, like what Jennifer and Sasha at Fresh & Green are doing, to educate the many. (Don’t forget that Google started with only two guys and now the world searches them over.)

Some may find it hard to believe that everyone doesn’t want to or wouldn’t like to shop online but the fact is that a lot of people just don’t. A local store that offers sustainable products makes it easier for local residents to buy products that are healthier and safer for them and the environment. Stores that offer green products can also become a local resource for consumers to learn about the effects that we have on the environment and how we can make productive changes in our lifestyle.

If you have a local store that offers sustainable and organic products shop with them before you shop online, even if you are spending a tad bit more money. It’s worth keeping the convenience of a quick trip to your local green outlet. Chances are you will get better customer service since the people can put a face with your name. If you aren’t sure if there is a local store that supplies sustainable and organic products, keep checking online. I ended up finding Fresh & Green in Bakersfield by a fluke click on a cloth diaper site. In these days of increased environmental concern and green washing, you just never know when a green store might pop up.

Interested in shopping local in more ways than just this one? Learn where to buy local produce.

Yep, you read that right… Chief Green Officers or CGO’s, are real job positions at companies both large and small, companies just like Frito-Lay and Google. When the internet came mainstream it created Chief Information Officers, so it’s no surprise that the Green Movement has brought with it green executives and company officers.

“Chief Green Officers are Sprouting Up“, an article from the Dallas News sums it up quite well..

Sustain ability officers – also known as chief green officers or by similar titles – at senior or middle management levels are becoming popular as more companies in Dallas and across the country paint themselves green. Google has a chief sustainability officer. So does Georgia-Pacific.

Many think the green buzz is not a fad and is here to stay. In addition to addressing environmental concerns, companies are going green to enhance their public image, gain an edge over rivals and cut costs as energy prices rise.

Yes, in that last paragraph they state companies going green as a business edge… which many companies do. We believe that the “Green Movement” is not a fad and that many companies both large and small are taking “green” very seriously.

Will ECO RVing be the next step in travel?

We hadn’t even heard of ECO RVing until just this past weekend. Carrie was on the Mothering.com Forum and came across a thread for families who live on the road in their RV’s and 5th wheels. It’s kind of funny that Carrie stumbled upon ECO RVing because about a month ago I mentioned something about us buying an RV and just traveling around. Of course the cost of gas came up in the conversation and we didn’t really revisit the topic of ECO RVing until we came across a blog about a couple who converted their diesel RV into a veggie oil powered machine.

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Define Carbon Offset: Wikipedia

A carbon offset is a financial instrument representing a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Although there are six primary categories of greenhouse gases,[1] carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e). One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases.

Businesses, governments and every day consumers like ourselves can purchase carbon offsets to mitigate our greenhouse emissions. The purchase of carbon offsets usually funds emission reducing projects such as wind farms and other renewable energy projects.

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