End of Summer Contest - all through November!

WIN A 50$ GIFT CARD! Or a Gift Certificate, whatever you choose.

Win a 50$ Gift Card or Gift Certificate in the online store of your choice at My Power Mall (Choose here!)

Here is what you have to do:

1 - Visit 5 of the lenses in my SUMMER Group at Squidoo that interest you, favorite them and leave comments on them

2 - Decide which of them you like best and nominate it for the award "SUMMER Lens 2008"

3 - Go to my profile and send me an email ("Contact me") giving me these details:
URLs of 5 lenses visited, favorited and commented
URL of lens you nominate
Write "SUMMER Lens 2008" in subject line

That's all.

See you there, good luck!

Twilight Time: 3 Ways to Green Autumn Lighting Needs

By Chris Baskind of Lighter Footstep

No, it's not your imagination. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are already getting shorter -- by almost two minutes each day, depending on your latitude.
It all adds up. This time next month, most commuters will be returning home by twilight. Summer activities will be at an end, and we'll all be spending more time indoors.
Lighting typically represents about 25% of a home's overall energy use. A 1997 study found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that homes use 50% more power for lighting in the darker months than the rest of the year. This means that making adjustments now can payoff both in lower annual energy bills and in a reduced environmental footprint for your household.
Ready to lighten your autumn lighting needs? Here are three ideas to get you started:


Convert your fixtures to CFLs
We've written extensively about Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) in the past, and there's no shortage of documentation showing their energy saving value. If you've not already re-lamped your fixtures, a full complement of CFLs could easily reduce your lighting power needs by 60%. A couple of things to keep in mind: CFLs work differently than their incandescent counterparts, so do your homework before choosing CFL bulbs appropriate for your household. And since CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, they shouldn't be tossed out with the regular trash. Learn how to properly dispose of your old CFLs before it's time to retire your first expended bulb.


Install motion detector switches wherever practical
Motion detectors are widely used to regulate outdoor security lighting. But they're also useful indoors. Hall and bedroom fixtures, for instance, lend themselves well to on-demand use. Walk into a dark room -- the lights turn on, without fumbling for the switch. More importantly, they turn off when you leave. Inexpensive motion detector switches are available at most hardware stores and home centers. They're both productive energy managers and a real convenience item.


Be aware of your energy habits
Your parent were right: turn off that light when you're done with it. Sitting down to watch TV? Take a moment to walk around and switch-off the lights you don't need. It's possible to trim 10-15% of your lighting needs just by being more conscious of bulbs burning in storage areas and unoccupied rooms. It only takes a second to save.
(End of Article)

More resources:

CFLs: What About Mercury? by Joyanna Laughlin
Energy-Saving Light Bulbs Q&A by Joyanna Laughlin

Attention: These are articles from the GAIAM Community. Should you feel inclined to shop there, DON'T! Access GAIAM via your Power Mall to secure your rebates.

PowerMall IT!

CFL Bulbs are available in your Power Mall at:
GAIAM
Buy.com
Bellacor

Indoor Wireless Motion Sensor

available at: Home Depot

How to find the stores:
The easiest way to find these stores in your Power Mall is to go to "Jump to a store" - left hand column, bottom. Here all stores are listed in alphabetical order.

Not a member of My Power Mall?

Access stores directly, shop without earning rebates:

GAIAM

Buy.com

Bellacor

Home Depot

Photo by TrekEarth: Rainy Sunday by Dan Bachmann

green living

5 Places to Go Before They're Gone

5 Places to Go Before They're Gone

:: By Vicky Uhland

For centuries, travelers have summited the glacier-covered peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, trekked through the Amazon rainforest and marveled at the more than 50 species of lemurs on Madagascar. But increasingly, these and other ecological wonderlands are being threatened by environmental degradation — everything from global warming to deforestation to simple human neglect.
Eco-conscious travelers who want to see these places before they disappear often face a dilemma: Will their desire to leave a physical footprint result in a carbon footprint that will speed up the demise of these incredible and fragile destinations?
Not if those travelers embrace eco-tourism, says Matt Kareus, director of marketing for Boulder, Colo.-based eco-travel company Natural Habitat Adventures. “The main benefit of eco-tourism is that it offers a sustainable source of income to the people who live and work in endangered places,” says Kareus.
Locals ranging from tour guides to hotel maids benefit from eco-travel, Kareus points out, because eco-travel creates jobs that help keep locals from having to work for companies or industries that contribute to the degradation of their ecologically sensitive homeland.
Here’s a look at five global destinations in peril, plus links to sites where you can help ensure their preservation — whether through eco-tourism or simply a donation to programs that protect and restore them.

1. South American rainforests
South America is home to the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests, both victims of deforestation.
The Atlantic Forest once spanned about 330 million acres in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, according to the Nature Conservancy. The rainforest, which includes the popular tourist destination Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfalls in the world, is home to 20,000 plant species and almost 950 types of birds.
Only 7 percent of the Atlantic Forest remains today in the wake of deforestation resulting from the growth of commercial sugarcane, coffee and soybean plantations.
But Conservation International reports that the Atlantic Forest region has been “the cradle of the Brazilian environmental movement,” with about 9.6 million acres under government protection. Another 2.8 million acres are under private protection in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
The Atlantic Forest Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund also makes grants to assist landowners in sustainable management, and supports small projects dealing with biodiversity conservation.
The 2.3-million-square-mile Amazon rainforest, which covers 40 percent of the continent and is home to more than 300,000 plant species, faces an ecological crisis but isn’t as imperiled as the Atlantic Forest.
According to Greenpeace, 15 percent of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed, mainly by logging, mining and industrial agriculture. Another 1,700 square miles of the Ecuadorian portion of the rainforest is the subject of a $6 billion lawsuit against Chevron for allegedly dumping more than 18 billion gallons of toxic waste into it.
Greenpeace reports that about 1 percent of the Amazon rainforest is under Brazilian government protection through Extravist Reserves, but one of the most effective ways to help protect the Amazon is by buying only timber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as having been harvested sustainably.

2. Everglades National Park
This 1.5-million-acre area in Florida boasts coral reefs, cypress swamps, panthers and manatees, and is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist.
According to the National Parks Conservation Association, since 1934, the Everglades has lost half its size and 90 percent of its wading bird populations, mainly because of development and pollution. Global warming is a serious factor in future Everglades erosion — the EPA predicts that the sea around Florida will rise 5 inches in the next 25 years, threatening the wide ring of mangroves that protects the freshwater Everglades from the seawater-filled Florida Bay and endangering thousands of species that can survive only in fresh water.
A massive federal, national and local relief effort is underway. NPCA reports that the Everglades Restoration Plan is expected to pour at least $8 billion into Everglades ecosystem restoration during the next 30 years.

3. Antarctica and the Arctic
Scientists are scrambling to predict how climate change will affect the polar ice caps that make up the Antarctic and Arctic, and how global warming might affect the polar bears, caribou, snowy owls and other species that call this frozen habitat home.
A new study by the British Antarctic Survey notes that the Antarctic Peninsula has undergone some of the fastest warming on Earth — nearly 37 degrees over the last 50 years.
The United Nations reports that the 20,000 polar bears that range across the Arctic are having to change their hunting patterns as the ice retreats, leaving fewer areas where they can hunt, and the bears are becoming smaller. The World Conservation Union predicts that the Earth’s polar bear population could drop 30 percent in the next 30 to 50 years.
There are a few efforts underway to limit global warming’s impact on the Arctic and save the native species. The U.N. Development Programme is one of them, working with local communities to better manage their ecosystems and protect the areas where polar bears live.

4. Madagascar
The fourth-largest island on Earth is astonishingly biodiverse. This tropical island off the southeast coast of Africa is home to eight plant families, four bird families and five primate families found nowhere else on Earth.
Madagascar is also home to two-thirds of the world’s chameleons, 50 species of lemur and the world’s most endangered tortoise, according to the World Wildlife Foundation. But inappropriate agricultural methods have almost completely deforested the central plateau of Madagascar, and Conservation International estimates only about 17 percent of the island’s original vegetation remains. In addition, according to WWF, rising sea levels caused by global warming are affecting the coral reef ecosystem around the island, along with the migration routes of turtles and whales.
Until recently, Madagascar’s rapidly growing population had little incentive to preserve its natural resources. But the government has launched a five-year environmental action plan, establishing national parks and nature reserves, and is asking for worldwide funding assistance. In addition, Conservation International has launched a $1 million program to support eco-tourism in Madagascar.

5. Mt. Kilimanjaro
The glaciers on this 19,340-foot peak in Tanzania could be completely gone in 10 years, according to a variety of scientists who have studied Mt. Kilimanjaro. New research shows that climate change is the likely culprit for the melting ice caps, which have eroded from 12.5 square miles in 1889 to 1.5 square miles in 2003.
A 2004 University of Massachusetts study found that deforestation created less moisture in the atmosphere around Mt. Kilimanjaro, contributing to reduced cloud cover and precipitation and increased solar radiation — which likely contribute to glacial evaporation, notes another study by European and American researchers.
Though many researchers assert that little can be done to reverse the process, a Jane Goodall Institute program called Roots & Shoots is working to prove them wrong. The group’s new reforestation effort in Tanzania, called ReBirth the Earth, focuses on tree planting in the Mt. Kilimanjaro region and provides field training for 100,000 area students. The youngsters learn about alternatives to tree-cutting practices, managing water retention, and establishing nurseries of native-species trees.

Other ways to help save endangered places
While giving directly to organizations that support conservation in these ecologically sensitive areas is an excellent way to ensure that their wonders remain for future generations, there are also other things you can do to travel sustainably. Brian Mullis, president of Sustainable Travel International, a nonprofit education group based in Boulder, Colo., offers the following suggestions:

> Stay at eco-lodges or hotels that use renewable energy, serve locally sourced food or make a point of employing locals. Check out greenhotels.com, greenstop.net, responsibletravel.com or ecotourism.org to find eco-friendly lodging.
> Offset the emissions from your plane, train, bus or car by either choosing a carbon-neutral travel guide company or buying carbon credits. You can calculate how much your air miles are costing the planet at the Natural Habitat website.
> Rent a hybrid car; many agencies now offer them.
> Consider a volunteer vacation that allows you to work on conservation projects. Charityguide.org’s Volunteer Vacations page is a helpful resource.

Additional Resources
World Wildlife Fund
International Ecotourism Society
Sustainable Tourism website of the Global Development Research Center

(End of Article)

Source: This is an article from the GAIAM Community

Gaiam.com is a health-conscious, environmentally responsible lifestyle company whose goal is to bring LOHAS to the mainstream. The Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) concept is centered on the idea that our own health and happiness is connected to the health of our planet. Taking a holistic approach to our content and product selection, we encourage wholesome lifestyle choices with healthy, green products for your home and body.
PS: Should you feel inclined to shop there I advice you to join My Power Mall first. Gaiam.com is one of 10000+ stores in this mall. When you shop from your own mall, you will get great rebates on your shopping.

Autumn Leaves are Coming: Get Ready to Compost!

By Chris Baskind of Lighter Footstep

Don't think of it as autumn. Think of it as nature's little hint to get composting.
Fall is just around the corner -- and with it, an ample supply of carbon-rich leaves to stock your compost pile. Rather than sending them to the landfill, why not set them aside to improve next season's soil?
Leaves count as "brown" bulk in a compost heap. They're half the equation: you'll need a roughly equal amount of nitrogen-bearing "greens," as well. Green material includes grass clippings and most forms of vegetable waste from your kitchen. Mix the two together with a little water, air, and sunshine, and you're set to improve next season's soil -- while reducing your household's output of solid waste.

Pulling it all together
Starting a compost heap can be as simple as layering brown and green materials and adding water. In practice, an enclosure is the best way to keep pets and pests out of your fresh compost, while maximizing the pile's efficiency. It can be as simple as a 3-by-3 foot mesh. Leave one side open or allow it to be removable so you can easily aerate the pile.

Wet is wonderful
Ideally, a compost heap should be kept about as wet as a wrung-out sponge. If you're building a new pile, you'll probably want to add a little water as you lay out your layers. How much you'll need to water the pile -- and how often -- will be determined by your local climate. Loosely covering your compost heap with a tarp or drop cloth might be sufficient to hold moisture. Dry areas will require more attention.

Turn, turn, turn
A healthy compost heap should smell earthy, not rank. Ammonia-like odors are usually a sign of anaerobic bacteria. You've got to turn your stack about once a week to make sure beneficial bacteria has enough air to grow. An old-fashioned pitchfork works just fine.

Commercial compost bins
Manufactured compost bins are a convenient alternative to the traditional pile. They're generally made of plastic -- often from recycled materials -- and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some of the most popular rotate, which makes turning your pile an effortless task. Since they're closed, commercial bins are a good choice if you have problems with pets or pests plundering your compost. You'll also enjoy more control over the heap's moisture, which translates into quicker compost turnover.

Composting resources
Want to find out more? Here are some great places to find composting advice and supplies:
Compost Guide: Background information and supplies. A fairly comprehensive guide to designing and managing all sorts of compost projects.
Compost This: A Lighter Footstep favorite. Lists virtually everything you can -- and cannot -- compost.
Garden Organic: This page has a clean explanation of the differences between "cold" and "hot" compost piles.
Red Worm Composting: Got kids? This will be popular. Vermicomposting uses earthworms to break down your compost pile. Icky, fun, and efficient. It's also popular to do red worm composting indoors: a great option for apartment dwellers or in places where an outdoor pile isn't practical.


(End of Article)

My Power Mall Resources

Garden Tarp
Item 51085 at Plow & Hearth
Heavy-Duty, Contractor-Grade Materials
It's as easy as this: pile leaves, grass clippings, hedge trimming and weeds on the Garden Tarp, grab the corner handles and drag it to your compost heap. Durable, contractor-grade polypropylene with sturdy webbing handles. Size 78" x 78"


Push Lawn Sweeper
Item # 90517 at bloomingbulb.com
Description: Save the planet, do away with raking, and have the nicest looking lawn on your block! This 26” lawn sweeper makes easy work of sweeping up cut grass, leaves, and assorted litter that lands on your lawn, walkway, or drives. The bag releases easily for dumping when full. Folds for storage.

Compost Digester

Item 2818 at Gardens Alive!

With just this compost bin and your own yard waste, you can produce a steady supply of rich, fertilizer humus for your garden. The bin’s design speeds the composting process, yet it is attractive enough that you won’t have to hide it from the neighbors.

Made of 27 lbs. of thick, heavy duty molded 100% recycled plastic, the Compost Digester will withstand harsh weather, curious animals and the hard knocks of garden tools. Side slots allow proper air circulation, while the rigis lid keeps compost from drying out and keeps away pets and wildlife.

Compost Alive® Activator with Quick-Start TM Compost Innoculants

Item 2585 at Gardens Alive!

Quickly and easily makes valuable compost

Only from Gardens Alive! Compost Alive!’s all-natural mix combines specially selected micronutrients naturally occurring bacteria and fungi. Together, they work to quickly convert organic wastes to quality compost. Compost Alive!’s micronutrient system provides the energy needed to jump start decomposition; Quick-start Compost Inoculants speeds the composting process while controlling odors. Strong smells aren’t just covered up; they’re actually eliminated by the bacteria and fungi in Quick Start.

Superior Digging Fork

Item No. 36325B at Jackson & Perkins
The strongest, easiest-to-use garden fork you can buy.Recommended by J&P® horticulturist, Mike Cady, for superior design and performance. Lighter weight and solidly built! This state-of-the art, stainless steel fork is more resilient and easier to lift and maneuver than forged steel versions. Soft, contoured handles are kind to wrists and hands.

Brushed Stainless Steel Compost Pail Keeps It Simple
Item #36-263 at Gardener's Supply Company

The perfect match for today's sleek, modern kitchens, this compost pail is also extremely practical. Brushed stainless steel won't take on the odors or colors of onions, garlic and other pungent food scraps. Rinses clean and is dishwasher-safe, too.

The Best Way to Pan for Gold: Compost Sifter
Item #36-000 at Gardener's Supply Company

Black gold, that is! Just put finished compost into the pan and give it a shake. Finely-textured finished compost falls through, leaving stones, sticks and uncomposted materials behind. Use the sifted compost in potting mixes or add it to your flower beds and gardens. The rest goes back into your compost pile for more cooking.

You can even buy WORMS at your Power Mall!

Red Wiggler Worms
Item #02-232 at Gardener's Supply Company
Hungry Worms Turn Kitchen Waste into Compost
Convert food scraps into nutrient-packed compost with Red Wiggler Worms. They're fast, efficient and odorless!
Worms digest chopped kitchen waste, leaving rich castings behind.
Starter population multiplies to a peak population of 8,000 in a few months
Comes with how-to guide on worm composting
Shipping season is mid-April through October

How to find the stores:
The easiest way to find these stores in your Power Mall is to go to "Jump to a store" - left hand column, bottom. Here all stores are listed in alphabetical order.

Not a member of My Power Mall?
Access the stores directly, shop without earning rebates:
bloomingbulb.com
Gardens Alive!
Gardener's Supply Company
Jackson & Perkins
Plow & Hearth

Become a member of My Power Mall and save and earn

green living

Entrecard makes a bold move in blogging history

Frankly I cannot understand why there are still some of you bloggers who aren't in EntreCard. This is a brilliant system that finally delivers the traffic we all want for our blogs! And what is more - it is an incentive to visit other blogs daily, so you have the additional joy of reading great blogs on a daily base. You get credits for both - visiting and being visited!

AND NOW - fot the first time in history you get credits, too, for commenting! Entrecard has just announced partnership with SezWho:

"The objective is to make valuable contributions to others’ posts, and fast track your blog to success."
"The credits we give you per comment bridge the gap between your desire to comment and the effort required to actually leave a comment. It will serve as a daily reminder that you should be commenting on blogs that interest you. It will give you a push to go above and beyond your normal comment, and make the best comment you can. Exploring blogs in your niche, making valuable contributions to them, and forging new relationships should be a routine, not a rarity. After all, super-bloggers are made, not born."

Watch THIS VIDEO to see exactly what SezWho does.

How to join

Step 1. Join Entrecard: just click on the E-widget in my sidebar where it says: Get One (= an EntreCard). It's easy, it's FREE and it works.
Step 2. Register with SezWho via Entrecard Dashboard
Step 3: Installing SezWho on your blog
Step 4: Rating Comments and Earning Credits

Once SezWho is installed on your blog, and you’ve registered your account with Entrecard (see Step 2), you will now start earning credits when you leave comments, and others will earn credits when they comment on your blog, dramatically increasing the frequency with which your blog gets commented.

Now I think this is really "a bold move in blogging history"!

I have installed SezWho on all my blogs so you can now use the feature right here if you want.
But I will not conceal from you that there are of course different opinions on that. There is already a great debate underway whether this "getting paid" for comments is a good thing ot not!

Read JoeTech versus Steven Humour

What is your point? Join in and share your thoughts here. You are very welcome.

2-Minute Stress Escape

Lupins
Originally uploaded by Green Destiny

Take a break from your hard work - relax watching these videos:

2-Minute Stress Escape

Escape to the majestic mountains and waters of the Canadian wilderness as Dr. Rouse guides you into relax mode with a simple yet incredibly de-stressing breathing technique.

Nature-Scene Stress-Reaction Check

What's your mental reaction to stress or to other's emotions? You can change it. Naturopathic physician, wellness coach and triathlete James Rouse guides this mindset-adjuster that takes you out of your head and into the altitude of Canadian wilderness.

Videos from GAIAM Life.

Should you feel inclined to shop at GAIAM.com I advice you to join My Power Mall first (it's free). GAIAM.com is one of 1000+ stores in this mall. When you shop from your own Mall you will get great rebates on your shopping.

Related Articles:

How to De-Stress in 1 Minute

Zen and the Art of Walking

Check out these interesting blogs from all over the world. These are fellow blogs in the Technorati Improvement Program, run by Omar Abid.

The technorati improvement program subscriber list:

Omar Abid Weblog
The Free College Counselor
Skoyu - Blog of a Web Enthusiast
troubleshooting PC and Network Connection
Affiliate Revenue Resources
HQ Celebrity Photos and Wallpapers
Scouting My Power Mall for GREEN stores, brands and products
Sherry Rambling
Shopping
I luv contest
Ebook and Product Reviews
MORINGA OLEIFERA, tree of miracles
Eclikx
From Africa to Asia
Work and Travel on four continents
Ni pensar que es tan sencillo
Learn how to earn extra pocket money from the Internet
Exotic photos from Borneo
Increase traffic to your blog
All Beauty Natural

Win a green festival/camping kit for the summer

EcoStreet Blog has just announced a new competition.

Win a green festival/camping kit for the summer
by Tracy Stokes

The festival and camping season is on the horizon and to help you stay green through your outdoorsy adventures in 2008, Ecotopia have launched the Eco Festival Pack. With this pack, you'll be able to considerably reduce your carbon footprint at events. It contains everything you need to have a happy, healthy and eco friendly festival or camping experience.
This is what the kit contains:

Freeloader Solar Charger Freeloader is an advanced portable solar powered charger that can power everything from phones to gaming machines to digital cameras anywhere, anytime. Power is taken from Freeloader's solar panels or via a supplied charge cable that plugs into a computer's USB port. It comes in a tough but stylish aluminium body that can take the knocks of every day life whether you're away on business, climbing Ben Nevis or chilling out at the V festival or Glastonbury.

The Freeplay Kito LED Lantern Combining Freeplay technology with the reliability of LED illumination, with the Freeplay Kito LED Lantern you'll never worry about replacing batteries or bulbs again, or even charging from a wall. A 60-second wind provides one hour of illumination - the more you wind the longer it shines.

Badger Tangerine Breeze Lip & Body Balm Sooth and moisturise your skin and lips with this fruity scented Badger balm's blend of essential oils. making it the perfect all purpose product to keep with you at all times. Handily packaged in a cute tin to carry with you wherever you go.

Kingfisher Toothpaste A natural toothpaste that's suitable for children, vegetarians, homeopathic users (shame some of you can't touch the mint), vegans, Halal, and some kosher diets and people who want good healthy teeth. Kingfisher is approved by the British Dental Health Foundation.

Preserve 100% Recycled Toothbrush Recycled Plastic Adult Medium Toothbrush.

Tushies Baby Wipes These wipes are perfect when you can't face the festival showers? Keep clean and fresh, even in the sweatiest of conditions. Tushies natural formula wipes contain Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and are hypoallergenic and alcohol-free. Each wipe is thick and comfortably soft. The natural cleansing lotion will moisturise and soften your skin and are biodegradable. Contains 80 wipes.

Condomi Condoms Totally biodegradable, all condomi condoms are free of animal derivatives and meet or surpass all global and domestic quality accreditations. A new take on the concept of safe sex.

Natracare Organic Feminine Wipes For everyday freshness, during your period, or when travelling, Natracare certified Organic Cotton natural wipes, enriched with Calendula and Chamomile are gentle for cleansing delicate skin because they only use ingredients derived from plants and never use the harsh chemicals and damaging preservatives used in everyday wipes. Essential if your weekend away coincides with that time of the month.

Toms of Maine Deodorant Banish smelly pits with Toms of Maine Wood spice Gentle Deodorant, created specifically for people with sensitive skin. A combination of sage extract and lemongrass oil is used as odour-fighting botanicals and only mild fragrances are chosen. This deodorant smells great.

Degradable Refuse Sacks At the end of your festival experience, clean up your living area with 100% degradable refuse sacks that will degrade to just CO2 and water after its useful life.

To buy this kit will cost you £59.99 (a saving of £10 compared to buying each product separately), or you can win a kit by entering our giveaway offer. To stand a chance of winning, simply click here to enter the competition. Good luck!

PS 05-16-08: The competition is now closed. But you can still uy the kit at Ecotopia.