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Environmental Research Affected by Bernie Madoff's Alleged Crimes
Tweet Share on Facebook December 16, 2008 Comment (9)Daily Kos today declared Bernie Madoff public enemy No. 1 for progressives not only because of his alleged Ponzi Scheme swindling, but also because he will instantly result in a loss of funding for hundreds of progressive organizations - some of which were doing environmental work. Madoff controlled the funds of the JEHT Foundation, a major source of grants for organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the ACLU. According to a statement from President and CEO Robert Crane, the foundation will close its doors next month. Virtually all of its grants will be cancelled.
There were several organizations that were doing environmental work supported by the JEHT, and may be affected. They are:
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Cost-Cutting Leads to Green Funerals, Cremation
Tweet Share on Facebook December 15, 2008 CommentCremation is greener than burial. Even though it takes quite a bit of energy to cremate a body, green experts agree that it's still better for the environment than the resources consumed to make coffins, and the toxic chemicals used for embalming. Traditional burial is still the most common choice for the deceased, but that may change in this economic climate - families who have been affected by the downturn are finding that cremation is a less costly way to say farewell to their loved ones. It's just another example of how the recession can unintentionally make us greener.
The Baltimore Sun found that funeral homes in the Maryland area have seen an increase in cremations in the past year, mirroring a national trend. The environment is not on the minds of the bereaved, though - it's all about cutting costs for the living:
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Year in (Somewhat Unsettling) Ideas 2008: Carbon Penance
Tweet Share on Facebook December 15, 2008 CommentReading through the New York Times' annual Year in Ideas list, I was struck, as many others certainly were, by the idea of "Carbon Penance":
We all contribute to climate change, but none of us can individually be blamed for it. So we walk around with a free-floating sense of guilt that’s unlikely to be lifted by the purchase of wind-power credits or halogen bulbs. Annina Rüst, a Swiss-born artist-inventor, wanted to help relieve these anxieties by giving people a tangible reminder of their own energy use, as well as an outlet for the feelings of complicity, shame and powerlessness that surround the question of global warming.
So she built a translucent leg band that keeps track of your electricity consumption. When it detects, via a special power monitor, that electric current levels have exceeded a certain threshold, the wireless device slowly drives six stainless-steel thorns into the flesh of your leg.
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Green Gift Guide: For Philanthropists
Tweet Share on Facebook December 12, 2008 CommentCaving to peer pressure (all the other green bloggers are doing it) and my love of online shopping, this week I'll feature ideas for green holiday shopping, for different recipients each day. The gifts will be green through and through, but not in a crunchy-granola-treehuggy way, and they won't break your budget. Today: Gifts for philanthropists.
Monday: Gifts for friends and coworkers
Some of the best philanthropic gifts are those that allow the recipient to decide for his or herself where to spend the money - not everyone has the same charitable inclinations as you. Many are available as e-gift cards, so there's no need to waste plastic. Here are a few places to find universal gift cards:
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Recycling Organization Confused For Adult Phone Service
Tweet Share on Facebook December 12, 2008 Comment (6)Companies looking to recycle their cardboard through one organization got quite a surprise when they called a toll-free line printed on many boxes. Recent callers to the Corrugated Packaging Council's recycling information line were greeted with a pleasant "Hey there, sexy guy," and offered a variety of, well, eager conversationists. Who knew going green could be such a turn-on?
Turns out, the Corrugated Packaging Council's logo contained a 1-800 number that has since been phased out - and was then bought up by a phone sex line. The company is urging anyone who prints the old logo on boxes to scrape it off of their printing plates, but there have been a lot of confused callers in the meantime.
Blogger Dead Tree Edition thinks this might be a good thing:
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Green Gift Guide: For Kids
Tweet Share on Facebook December 11, 2008 CommentCaving to peer pressure (all the other green bloggers are doing it) and my love of online shopping, this week I'll feature ideas for green holiday shopping, for different recipients each day. The gifts will be green through and through, but not in a crunchy-granola-treehuggy way, and they won't break your budget. Today: Gifts for kids.
Monday: Gifts for coworkers and friends
Friday: Gifts for philanthropists
Target's eco-friendly site features outdoor swings made of recycled tires in fanciful shapes - a horse, dragon and motorcycle, among others. (target.com, $79 - $129)
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Trees Have Rights Too: Yes or No? Discuss
Tweet Share on Facebook December 10, 2008 Comment (18)Presented without comment: Trees Have Rights Too
Today is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – we celebrate and call now for Planetary Rights.
We have chosen today’s date as the official date of our launch of the campaign’s website – welcome!
Just as the humanitarian crisis of the Second World War gave birth to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60 years ago in 1948, so now we have a planetary crisis that needs to be addressed with equal urgency. Now is the time to call for a Universal Declaration of Planetary Rights. Let today be a date to commence fighting for planetary rights.
Trees Have Rights Too is taking their petition to the United Nations today. Do trees have rights? Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Green Gift Guide: For Him
Tweet Share on Facebook December 10, 2008 Comment (3)Caving to peer pressure (all the other green bloggers are doing it) and my love of online shopping, this week I'll feature ideas for green holiday shopping, for different recipients each day. The gifts will be green through and through, but not in a crunchy-granola-treehuggy way, and they won't break your budget. Today: Gifts for him.
Monday: Gifts for friends and coworkers
Friday: Gifts for philanthropists
- A morning shave goes organic with soothing Burt's Bees gels and lotions in this travel grooming kit. (Burtsbees.com, $20)
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GM Apologizes in Auto Mag; Says They'll Do Better and Greener
Tweet Share on Facebook December 9, 2008 Comment (5)GM is really sorry that they're about to borrow as much as $18 billion from American taxpayers. And to prove it to us, the company has published a lengthy letter in Automotive News explaining its need for the money, and how it'll do better next time, if we would just please take it back and give it one more chance. Green plans were a part of the groveling.
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Kid Rock Attempts to Incite PETA War
Tweet Share on Facebook December 9, 2008 Comment (18)Singer Kid Rock, often seen in grandiose fur coats, has declared war on PETA.
"I want to go to war with PETA. My biggest extravagance is fur coats -- I've got every kind of animal in my wardrobe," he said, and dared activists to throw red paint on his furs.
Be careful what you wish for, Kid. It's probably not best to anger an organization that makes its own coffins.
Besides, if it weren't for the whole no-fur-coats-allowed thing, you'd think he'd be on board with a lot of what PETA does. Imagery in their ad campaigns seems to mimic his day-to-day life.
So, when he inevitably gets pelted with flour, will he deserve it?
