GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG in COOPERATION Your Energy Green America's Mission Is to Harness Economic Power for a Just and Sus- Tainable Society

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 ISSUE 81

LIVE BETTER. SAVE MORE. INVEST WISELY. GREEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AMERICAN Cut Your Energy INSIDE Use in Half

5 CANADA 10 EASY WAYS BANS TOXIC Efficiency Pullout Poster P. 12 BISPHENOL-A First! REAL GREEN Energy efficiency is the closest thing we have to INVESTING a magic bullet to help clear the air, curb climate 6 COMMUNITY change, and save money. Page 10 INVESTING IN THE ECONOMIC CRISIS

REAL GREEN LIVING

8 GIVE GREEN GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

17 “PASSIVE” HOUSES YIELD BIG ENERGY SAVINGS

4 ECO ACTIONS 19 GREEN BUSINESS NEWS 20 ACROSS GREEN AMERICA 22 LETTERS & ADVICE Brittany Sivyer 15% o!! code: GREEN

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2 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG IN COOPERATION Your Energy Green America's mission is to harness economic power for a just and sustainable society. We work for a world where all people have enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and where the abundance of Choices Matter! the Earth is preserved for all the generations to come. Our programs grow the green economy, stop corporate abuse, tackle climate change, build fair trading systems, support local communities, and help families and Dear Green Americans: businesses go green. We define “green” to mean social and economic confess: I haven’t done it yet. justice, community and environmental health—people and the planet. I haven’t had a comprehensive energy audit. Watch this video to learn about our work I Over the years at our house, guided by the A publication of Green America (formerly Co-op America) advice in Green America’s publications and Green PUBLICATIONS BETTER PAPER PROJECT COORDINATOR America’s “50% in five years” energy-reduction DIVISION DIRECTOR Dennis Greenia Keaty Gross challenge, we’ve taken many significant steps. For EDITOR Tracy Fernandez Rysavy BETTER PAPER PROJECT ASSOCIATE EDITOR Victoria Kreha CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR Sophie Glass example, we installed a tankless water heater and SENIOR WRITER Sarah Tarver-Wahlquist CLIMATE INTERN a white, heat-reflecting roof. The programmable ADDITIONAL WRITERS Joe Edwards Sara-Katherine Coxon, Joshua Marks FAIR TRADE COORDINATOR thermostat, caulking, and efficient lighting and DESIGN DIRECTION Tracy Loeffelholz Dunn Elizabeth O’Connell appliances have all done an amazing job. And I just ALISA GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jenny Thuillier RESPONSIBLE SHOPPER COORDINATOR GRAVITZ ILLUSTRATOR Jem Sullivan Victoria Kreha love our ceiling fans, which increase comfort in our PUBLISHER Denise Hamler DIRECTOR, SOCIAL INVESTING & home reducing energy bills all year long. SPECIAL PROJECTS & ADVERTISING MANAGER STRATEGIC OUTREACH Fran Teplitz Rob Hanson The results? Our energy use for heating is down by over 40 percent— GREEN BUSINESS SALES & DEVELOPMENT GREEN CONSUMER MOBILIZATION & and we use less than half of the energy of the average house our size. COORDINATOR Sandy Burke TECHNOLOGY ADDITIONAL ADVERTISING Dennis Greenia DIRECTOR Mo Alem We love the savings on our energy bills. Best of all, our home is cozy ADVERTISING FELLOW Katharine Mannix SENIOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYST and warm in the winter and cool in the summer. ONLINE & SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR Bernadette Morales Gaskin Andrew Korfhage IT/SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR Pat Keyes But we haven’t yet done an energy audit. Reviewing the “Efficiency SENIOR WEB DEVELOPER Shireen Karimi First!” feature in this issue, I got totally inspired. That energy audit is EXECUTIVE TEAM TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT Hans Bauman EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Alisa Gravitz going to be my next step. I was talking to our editor, Tracy Fernandez EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Elizabeth O’Connell DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Rysavy about it, and she’s on the bandwagon, too. MAJOR GIFTS OFFICERS GREEN BUSINESS NETWORK™ So that’s my public pledge to you—I’ll be getting that energy audit, Amy Genevieve Kozak, Christy Schwengel DIRECTOR Denise Hamler MEMBERSHIP MARKETING MANAGER and Tracy and I will report out on what we learn. And I’m hoping that GREEN BUSINESS DIVISION ASSISTANT Misha Deborah Clive Dana Christianson through our audit, I’ll be well on my way to finishing Green America’s MEMBERSHIP MARKETING COORDINATOR BUSINESS SCREENING DIRECTOR “50% energy reduction in 5 years” challenge. Rebecca Shaloff Molly Rubin

SENIOR RESEARCHER Tish Kashani As you read this issue, take a moment to decide what your next steps ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS SCREENING RESEARCH INTERNS CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER Russ Gaskin will be to reduce your energy use by 50 percent. It is totally doable. Sara-Katherine Coxon, Nabil Haque DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & SR. MANAGER, MARKETING & MEMBERSHIP As Tracy reports in her article (p. 10), the people of Juneau, AK, nearly ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION Desireé Wolford Nora Marsh reached that mark in just four weeks in 2008, when they lost their main GREEN AMERICA EXCHANGE MANAGER Keaty Gross SENIOR ACCOUNTANT & BENEFITS MANAGER power lines due to an avalanche. If they can do it in weeks, surely, each Linda Carpenter GREEN FESTIVAL REGIONAL DIRECTORS of us can manage 50% in 5 years—that’s just ten percent per year! ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Jacqueline Petteway CHICAGO & DC: Alix Davidson, ACCOUNTING INTERN Adelaida Kusaga SAN FRANCISCO: Katrina Zalvalney, We all know what’s at stake, from the climate crisis, to avoiding new DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY & SEATTLE: Jenny Heins oil and coal tragedies like those we witnessed this year, to the concerns DONOR SERVICES Becky LaBounty Keyes CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY MEMBER SERVICES ASSISTANT Jesse DiLaura about our economy, jobs, and peak oil—the choices we make matter. PROGRAMS DATA ENTRY Deanna Tilden Make a personal pledge to yourself and your family—then make it a DIVISION & CLIMATE SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR ATTORNEY Lara Pearson Todd Larsen public pledge. Put it on your Facebook page, or in your holiday cards, BETTER PAPER PROJECT DIRECTOR FOUNDER/PRESIDENT EMERITUS and encourage your family and friends to join with you. Send them to Frank Locantore Paul Freundlich GreenAmerica.org/go/EfficiencyFirst to get the “how to.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mo Alem, Melissa Bradley, Bernard Brennan, Let me know what you decide: [email protected]. It matters. I Dana Christianson, Nikki Daruwala, Paul Freundlich, Russ Gaskin, Alisa Gravitz, care. I’ll be there to cheer you on as I report on my own progress. Priya Haji, Kathy Harget, Eric Henry, Andrew Korfhage, Todd Larsen For people and the planet, Green American magazine (ISSN: 0885-9930) is free with Green America Individual Membership (starting at $20/year) or Green Business Network Membership (starting at $85/year). For address changes or individual membership information, call Alisa Gravitz 800/58-GREEN or e-mail [email protected]. For Green Business Network information, call 202/872-5316 or e-mail [email protected]. Executive Director For article reprints, call 202/872-5343 or e-mail [email protected]. P.S. Green America gift memberships are a great way to help everyone Green America you know take green steps all year. See this special offer—and to vote 1612 K St. NW, #600, Washington, DC 20006 for your Green America board rep. Please also consider a generous year- 800/58-GREEN fax 202/331-8166 GREENAMERICA.ORG end gift to support our crucial work to tackle the climate crisis, stop corporate abuse, and grow the green in economy in 2011. Donate today Copyright 2010. Printed on 100% de-inked recycled fiber, elemental chlorine-free. to get it matched and double the power!

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 3 ECO ACTIONS THE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF OUR TIME

BetterPaper.org + ClimateAction.org CommunityInvest.org + FairTradeAction.org ResponsibleShopper.org + Sweatshops.org BP Oil Spill has Serious Effects on Human Health in the Gulf Region

the spill may have long-term effects on human and marine life. One of the main dispersants, Corexit 9527, contains the chemical butoxyethanol, a blood, kidney, and liver toxicant, writes University of Washing- ton toxicologist Dr. Steven Gilbert on the chemical database site Toxipedia.org. Nine days after granting BP permission to use oil dispersants to clean up the spill, the EPA asked the company to replace Corexit with a less-toxic dispersant. BP refused, even though EPA research pointed to 12 dispersants it deemed “more effective” than Co- rexit. EPA tests also noted that Corexit was more toxic to shrimp—a major economic resource for the Gulf coast—than seven of the alternative dispersants on its list. In addition, toxins from the spill are making their way inland. Oil-soaked boom—or plastic and fabric barriers used to contain the spill—are currently being trucked to several landfills and incinerators in Louisiana, Missis- sippi, Alabama, and Florida. The Associated Press reports that these states are dealing with the disposal of more than 50,000 tons of boom, which are contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen. Craig Morse Concerned local and environmental Corexit 9527, the oil dispersant BP used to clean up its Gulf of advocates question the safety of landfilling, Mexico oil spill, contains the chemical butoxyethanol, a suspected pointing out that three of the nine landfills human blood, kidney, and liver toxicant. that have accepted the oil boom recently have been cited by the EPA for groundwater pollution. These groups worry that local citi- he country breathed a sigh of relief lies along the Gulf and was one of the areas zens could be exposed to toxins leaking from Tin September, when BP permanently hardest hit by the oil disaster. these landfills into the water table. capped its Deepwater Horizon well, the The tests found levels of hydrogen sulfide “While the BP disaster will have untold explosion of which caused the worst ac- in the Parish that were 100 times greater effects on marine life in Gulf waters, it’s be- cidental oil spill in the world’s history. While than the level known to cause reactions in coming clearer that there will be a long-term the spill may have been contained, it’s widely humans. The chemical is a suspected neuro-, human health cost, too,” says Todd Larsen, understood that its effects on the planet and blood, and respiratory toxicant, and even Green America’s director of corporate the economy will be felt for generations. short-term exposure can cause nausea, responsibility programs. “This latest tragedy Now, experts say that the disaster will affect dizziness, confusion, and headaches. is another sign that it’s time to cure the US human health, too. Tests also showed levels of volatile organic oil addiction and turn to clean, green energy In May, the Louisiana Environmental compounds (VOCs)—a class of chemicals sources like wind and solar. Action Network released its analysis of air linked to several ill health effects, including Contact: To compare the social and testing data from Louisiana’s Plaquemine cancer—that far exceeded the state’s air- environmental performances of BP and Parish, compiled by the US Environmental quality standards. other major oil and gas companies, visit Protection Agency (EPA). Plaquemine Parish In addition, oil dispersants used to combat Green America’s ResponsibleShopper.org.

4 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG Canada Bans BPA help boost the immune system. Conven- The Canadian government announced this tional strawberries did have higher levels of fall that it will add bisphenol-A (BPA) to its potassium and phosphorus, though the WSU official list of toxic substances by November, scientists didn’t see this as a major benefit. becoming what is believed to be the first They noted that consumption of phosphorus country in the world to ban BPA outright. can have negative effects on bone health. Chemicals on this list cannot be used in The organic fields in the study had bet- consumer products sold or manufactured ter-quality soil, with higher levels of zinc, in Canada. boron, sodium, and iron. They also had Bisphenol-A is a suspected hormone higher carbon-sequestration properties, as disrupter, and hundreds of studies have well as more microbial biomass and enzyme connected it to obesity, hyperactivity, heart activity—indicating the soil was under “less disease, and cancer. It is used to make clear, stress” than the chemically farmed soil. hard polycarbonate (#7) plastic, and can be The study also found that the genetic di- found in beverage containers, the lining of versity of the organically farmed soil was sig- food cans, baby bottles, and sippy cups. BPA nificantly greater than the chemically farmed has also been found on store receipts printed soil. The researchers noted that such diversity Green America’s Desireé Wolford on thermal imaging paper (see p. 22). can help the soil ecosystem function better in test drove the Chevy Volt this In 2008, Canada banned BPA from use in fluctuating environmental conditions. summer. Chevrolet expects the baby bottles and sippy cups, and announced When it comes to qualities that consum- plug-in hybrid electric Volt to sell its intent to declare BPA a toxin. That move ers look for, the organic berries won out. out in showrooms nationwide. was delayed by a year, while the government Even though no chemical fungicides were considered a formal notice of objection filed used on the organic berries, they had less by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), post-harvest fungal rot than the conventional according to the Vancouver Sun. strawberries. And, the organic strawberries The ACC maintains that BPA is safe, but also had a “significantly longer” shelf life. the Canadian government rejected its objec- To top it all off, consumer panels that outlet (like the one used for clothes dryers) tion in July on the grounds that it “does not were part of the study preferred one variety for faster charging. bring forth any new scientific data or infor- of organic strawberries over all the others in Studies show that even when charged off mation with respect to the nature and extent the study for flavor and appearance. of America’s current coal-riddled power of the danger posed by bisphenol-A.” Contact: If you missed the “Organic or grid, PHEVs emit around 40 percent less Despite the fact that the US Environmen- Local?” issue of the Green American, carbon dioxide and 50 percent fewer air- tal Protection Agency has acknowledged that you can read select articles online at polluting volatile organic compounds than BPA poses significant health risks, the US GreenAmerica.org/go/OrganicOrLocal. conventional vehicles. Also, if most owners federal government has not moved to ban it. charged PHEVs at night and not during peak Eight states—Connecticut, Maryland, Mas- energy-consumption hours, no new coal- sachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, fired power plants would need to be built to Washington, and Wisconsin—have banned Here Comes the Volt! power them. BPA from use in certain children’s products, If the idea of driving a car that gets 150-miles Green America’s Desireé Wolford and and California’s state Senate passed a similar per gallon-equivalent sounds good to you, Todd Larsen test drove a Volt this summer in bill this summer, which as of press time was you might want to act soon. The Chevy Volt, Washington, DC. Though Wolford wor- awaiting Gov. Schwarzenegger’s signature. the first US-produced plug-in electric hybrid ried over the fact that the Volt doesn’t have dedicated space for a spare tire, both she Contact: For more on BPA, see Green vehicle (PHEV), will go on sale in November and Larsen enjoyed the ride—particularly America’s “Heal Your Home” guide at and is expected to sell out nationwide. since it means an exciting new generation of GreenAmerica.org/pdf/CAQ74.pdf. Chevrolet expects demand to outpace supply for at least two years, especially since climate-friendly cars has finally arrived. the car has an eight-year, 100,000-mile war- “The Volt drives well,” says Larsen. “It was ranty to reassure consumers about taking a no different than driving any other car, which New Study Underscores that chance on the new plug-in hybrid technology. to me is a great achievement. It also has a nice Like current hybrid-electric vehicles, instrument layout and comfortable seats.” Organic is Healthier PHEVs run on both an electric battery and The Volt will cost 33,500 to own, factoring Add another study to the growing list of gasoline. The difference is that its battery is in a $7,500 federal tax credit that will also evidence that organic is healthier than chemi- bigger and better than a standard hybrid’s, so apply to leased vehicles. Including the credit, cally grown food. Washington State Univer- it can run longer on a single charge. A PHEV it will cost $350 per month to lease a Volt, sity (WSU) released a study in September will run on its battery first, and once the with a $2,500 lease down payment. that found that organic strawberries were charge has been depleted, it will switch to a Contact: Prospective Volt-buyers can visit healthier for humans and better for the soil fuel engine. The 2011 Volt will go 40 miles on their local Chevrolet showroom or register than conventionally grown strawberries. its battery, and then another 300 miles on its for more information at GetMyVolt.com. The WSU study found that the organic fuel tank. PHEVs like the Volt have a plug to For more on the benefits of PHEVs, see strawberries had more vitamin C, cancer- charge the battery that can be plugged in to our “Fuels for the Future” guide, online at fighting antioxidants, and phenolics, which any standard 110-volt outlet, or a 220-volt GreenAmerica.org/pdf/CAQ72.pdf.

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REAL GREEN INVESTING

ShoreBank served some of the hardest hit areas in the country, including De- troit and Cleveland as well as the south side of Chicago. Unlike similar requests from many of its “too-big-to-fail” coun- terparts, ShoreBank’s request for Federal Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds was denied. “The US government failed to realize that by letting smaller banks fail, they are harming Main Streets across the country. Community investing banks lend to small, local businesses, which are the backbone of their community,” says Fran Teplitz, Green America’s director of social investing programs.

ShoreBank Rises Again Fortunately, ShoreBank’s mission to lift up low- and moderate-income areas of Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit will live on. This summer, Urban Partnership Community Investing Bank, based in Chicago, stepped in and purchased ShoreBank’s assets. Urban Banks and the Partnership Bank shares ShoreBank’s mission of providing loans and other financial services to underserved com- Economic Crisis munities, so it will continue to advance ShoreBank’s work. ith big changes occurring at If you are a customer of ShoreBank, two of the country’s largest WHAT? Set your mind at don’t worry—your accounts will be Wand best-known community ease: Community investing transferred over to Urban Partnership investing banks, socially responsible banks and credit unions Bank without an interruption in your investors may be wondering how the are just as safe as the services. No customers have lost any current financial crisis is affecting com- big banks. deposits, even those with over $250,000 munity development financial institu- in their accounts. ShoreBank assures its WHY? Your money is tions. Is the money in accounts at these customers that “all banking business federally insured at any continues as usual, and all relationship banks safe? Is opening new accounts in bank and credit union, up these accounts a sound financial move? to $250,000. managers remain the same.” And what will happen to the social and The Urban Partnership Bank has also environmental missions of the commu- WOW! Keeping your applied to become a certified community nity investing banks where changes have accounts in a community development financial institution (CDFI) taken place? investing bank provides through the US Treasury Department, Here’s what you need to know. much-needed financial further cementing its commitment to services to communities continue ShoreBank’s good work invest- Big Changes for a Community that need it most. ing in communities that need it most. Investing Pioneer In addition, the new Urban Partnership The Federal Deposit Insurance Corpo- Bank will be helmed by ShoreBank’s ration (FDIC) predicts that the number president and COO, William Farrow. of banks that will fail this year will However, ShoreBank m , America’s first exceed 2009’s total of 140. Community and best-known community develop- The ShoreBank Pacific Merger investing banks (see box on p. 7) are ment bank, has faced some difficulty in Big changes are also afoot at ShoreBank part of the broader banking world and recent months. After 37 years of serving Pacific m , a Seattle-based subsidiary are not immune to national economic low-income areas of Chicago, Shore- of ShoreBank and the bank with which developments and policies. Most are Bank’s Midwest bank became the 15th Green America has a co-branded VISA weathering the recession well, and Illinois-based bank to shut its doors card. ShoreBank Pacific plans to merge their services to low-income communi- (albeit temporarily) since the beginning with OneCalifornia Bank, a CDFI focusing ties are more essential than ever. of the year. on lending to local businesses, nonprof-

6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG across the United States,” says Sylvia Panek of the Social Investment Forum m . What Is a Community Investing Bank? “These funds are playing a critical role today in America’s economic recovery, Community investing banks are a type of community development financial institution especially in areas hit hardest by the (CDFI), which work in areas that are underserved by traditional financial institutions. recent financial crisis, by drawing people CDFIs are different from local “community banks” in that they have an express mission back into the economic fabric of their of funding community development initiatives. They grant loans for education, affordable community and promoting small busi- housing, or business start-ups to deserving low- and moderate-income people whom ness and job growth.” traditional institutions might consider “unbankable,” and they provide financial training to It was the mega-banks that were be- help those loans succeed. hind the creation of weak and predatory In 1994, Congress created the CDFI Fund within the Department of the Treasury. subprime mortgage products that helped The CDFI Fund certifies CDFIs and, since its inception, has provided upwards of $1 create the economic crisis. In contrast, billion in federal funding to these institutions. There are 885 CDFIs across the US. community development banks and For example, when Danny Schwartzman graduated from college, he wanted to credit unions help lift everyday people open up a café in Minneapolis that served local, organic, and Fair Trade food and paid up and ensure a healthy, fair economy workers a living wage. He found few banks that were interesting in funding a start-up going forward. green restaurant with a young prospective owner—until he met with a representative Given the choice between a federally from University Bank, a Sunrise Community Bank m and a certified CDFI. insured mega-bank invested in weap- After working with Schwartzman, University Bank not only financed the café, it gave ons and coal-fired power plants, and a him loans to turn the upper floors of the building he purchased into affordable-housing federally insured community develop- apartments. He also bought and renovated the building behind his. Since opening its ment bank invested in day cares, organic doors in 2009, the Common Roots Café has become a bustling 120-seat restaurant farms, and sustainable forestry, it’s clear that purchases organic ingredients from over 30 local producers. This “risky” business where your accounts can have the most venture also created more than 30 jobs, helping to make downtown Minneapolis powerful impact. For more informa- healthier and greener. tion community investing, visit Green America’s CommunityInvest.org. —Victoria Kreha its, and community organizations. your money go to different projects and The merger still needs to be approved safeguard you in case a bank does fail by federal regulators, which is likely to and you are waiting to get your money take two to four months. The ShoreBank back from the FDIC; your funds won’t all are you a Pacific name will also likely change, be tied up in one place. though the new name has not yet been “Accounts in community invest- green american? determined. The new entity will have ing banks are just as safe as those in assets of approximately $300 million and mega-banks, and their mission is critical will serve low- and middle-income areas to fostering economic recovery in this all along the US West Coast. financial crisis. They’re solving, rather “OneCalifornia Bank’s history of pro- than exacerbating the economic down- viding responsible, affordable financial turn,” reports Todd Larsen, Green services to low-wealth communities America’s director of corporate responsi- complements ShoreBank Pacific’s focus bility programs. on financing environmentally sustainable * businesses,” said Harry Haigood, chair- Your Deposits are Critical Get a free t-shirt when man and CEO of OneCalifornia Bank. It is more important now than ever to you make a monthly pledge to “We think this merger holds the promise invest in community development banks. support our powerful programs. of great synergy.” CDFIs provide funding to communities where traditional financial institutions Click this ad, fill out the form and commit a small amount each Your Deposits are Safe don’t usually dare to tread. Most large month to make big things happen banks do not think it’s worth the time Don’t be afraid to put your money into at Green America. a community development bank. Re- and paperwork to make loans for small member, all personal holdings in banks businesses who will not be borrowing are insured up to $250,000 per financial large amounts of money. Community in- institution by the FDIC, so you won’t vesting banks often focus on small, local lose any money up to that cap. That businesses as part of their mission. * Organic cotton, sweat-free t-shirt. Just submit this FDIC cap is effective until Dec. 31, 2013. “People with accounts in community form in the attached postage-paid envelope. Opening up accounts at multiple com- development banks are strengthening munity development banks will help communities, in their own backyard and

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 7

REAL GREEN living

TOP NOMINEES FOR OUR PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD So if someone in your life loves FOR GREEN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR high-end skin care products, introduce him or her to Brittanie’s Thyme m (brittaniesthyme.com).This woman- owned green business, based in Cedar Green Gifts Springs, MI, offers certified organic, truly natural products for all skin for the Holidays types, including a special skin care line designed for teens. “No excess packaging, reasonable prices, great natural, organic products for your skin (and they work!),” Green America member Freya G. wrote when she nominated the company. GIFT IDEA: The “Everyday Basics” set makes a sweet-smelling starter kit for all skin types. It includes a Citrus Facial Cleanser, Almond Oatmeal Facial Scrub, and Organic Everyday Moisturizer.

Faeries Dance This year, let your friends and family know that any eco-friendly clothing in their gifts was made without chemicals, by workers who weren’t exploited in sweatshops. Faeries Dance m (faeries dance.com) sells striking, eco-conscious clothing for women, from comfy sweat- ers to formal dresses, as well as select items for men and kids up to size 5T. The company ensures that all workers, in the US and abroad, are paid a living hat makes a truly green wage and work in healthy conditions. WHAT? Give green gifts business special? For all of It strives to run a green office, and it us at Green America, it’s the for the holidays. Commit W to putting 10% of your donates one percent of its profits to myriad ways they ensure that their busi- purchases into the green environmental charities. ness benefits their customers, workers, economy. GIFT IDEA: The thick weave of a Faer- communities, and the Earth. ies Dance “belted cardigan” sweater is If you’re buying holiday gifts this year, WHY? Get high-quality sure to keep the fashionista in your life we can help you avoid the crowds at gifts, goods, and services. warm and stylish. Made from organic the mall while making a difference with cotton, this three-button, wasabi green your purchases. Below, Green America WOW! Support businesses cardigan is hand-loomed in Peru by continues its annual tradition of sug- that go the extra mile to workers in a cooperative that meets Fair gesting gifts from the top nominees for protect people and the Trade Federation m guidelines. our People’s Choice Award for Green planet with your everyday Business of the Year. Every year, Green purchases. Grounds for Change Americans from across the country vote Fair Trade helps protect workers for their favorite green business. around the world from exploitation, Companies like these diverse People’s panies that are building a better way of while ensuring that they make enough Choice Award nominees—and all the doing business and a better world for all. from their labors to meet their needs members of our Green Business Net- and improve their communities. There’s work™—are green heroes, using their Brittanie’s Thyme no better way to spread the word about skills as entrepreneurs and leaders to Across the country, people are waking Fair Trade than by introducing someone change the way America does business. up to the fact that the products they use to high-quality Fair Trade products. When you buy green for the holidays, on their skin and hair may be making Grounds for Change m (groundsfor your loved ones will get high-quality gifts them sick. Chemicals in personal care change.com) sells certified organic and they’ll adore, together with the knowl- products have been linked to asthma, Fair Trade gourmet coffee, which is edge that those gifts come from com- nerve damage, and even cancer. also grown in the shade to preserve mi-

8 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG gratory bird habitat. The company also offers Fair Trade tea and chocolate. SAVE ON GREEN ITEMS MAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS This Poulsbo, WA-based business has One of our top nominees for One of the best ways to keep the taken many steps to green its operations, the People’s Choice for Green holidays stress-free, eco-friendly, and including powering its facilities with Business of the Year Award inexpensive is to make your own gifts— renewable energy and donating used provides a service, rather than or make a charitable donation in your burlap bags and coffee chaff to farmers, a product. Ecobunga! m collects loved one’s name. From homemade who use the bags for weed suppression discounts, coupons, rebates, and cupcakes to hand-decorated photo and the chaff as a soil amendment. free offers on all sorts of green frames, you can give gifts people will GIFT IDEA: The “Coffee Aficionado” treasure. For our best homemade gift gift box spells out its ideal recipient. It products, helping you buy green ideas, visit GreenAmerica.org/go/ includes four of Grounds for Change’s and save money. To get in on the greengifts. Have more DIY gift ideas? most popular gourmet coffees from savings, browse Ecobunga.com, E-mail them to editors@greenamerica. Bolivia, Peru, Ethiopia, and Guatemala, or sign up for its e-mail newsletter org, and we’ll add them to the list. and a bonus canister of Fair Trade hot to have green discounts delivered chocolate, all in recycled gift packaging. weekly to your in-box. And visit the special “Holiday Section” on Hazelnut Kids Ecobunga! for deals on green gifts. Even if the adults in your family have report people stop them to ask what it decided to forego gifts in the name of means, and it demonstrates that “we simplicity, it’s hard not to spoil the little add up” to a huge amount of change. ones. This year, tell Santa Claus to leave diapering system starts with “little GIFT IDEA: Get a T-shirt with your toys made with petroleum-based plastics gPants,” a reusable, waterproof cot- loved one’s favorite climate-cooling and hazardous paints and coatings back ton-and-spandex diaper cover that fits activity on the front, along with its own at the North Pole. tightly and comfortably. The little gPants unique number in the global headcount Instead, pick playthings from Hazel- come in a rainbow of fun colors, from against climate change. Our Green nut Kids m (hazelnutkids.com), an “Golly Molly Pink” to “Guppy Green.” Business Network™ (GBN) members online retailer offering a dazzling array Inside the cover, you place a gRefill, can even get a special “Green Business of sustainably produced, eco-friendly a flushable, biodegradable diaper insert Leader” shirt. toys for the young and young at heart. made from sustainably farmed wood Nearly every toy you can imagine— pulp. Once the insert becomes soiled, Stay Vocal from play dresses and building blocks simply toss it in the toilet, stir once with Stay Vocal m (stayvocal.com), a Nor- to miniature cars and classic board the enclosed “swishstick,” and flush. well, MA-based company, spreads its games—has an eco-friendly version The company also sells a “gCloth” message of reuse by rescuing used on Hazelnut’s Web site. The company insert, which turns the gPants into a T-shirts and new irregular shirts that details exactly what makes the brands it washable cloth diaper instead—making were destined for the landfill, redesign- sells green and child-safe on its compre- the transition away from paper diapers ing them into one-of-a-kind creations. hensive “Toy Safety” page. easier than ever. The company sells shirts for men, GIFT IDEA: Hazelnut Kids offers GIFT IDEA: Give new parents a “Sweet women, and children, as well as hats, so many beautiful toys, ranging from Bundle” set, which includes six little patches, and “Reuse Monster” dolls. meticulously crafted dollhouse furniture gPants, plus your choice of either two Some boast slogans touting the benefits made of sustainable rubberwood, to an gCloth inserts or a case of gRefills. of reuse (“because you can’t recycle animal-themed nontoxic Yahtzee dice the planet”), and some simply have fun game, to a charming and affordable min- We Add Up designs, like the shirts with shark graph- iature carousel that runs on solar power. We Add Up m (weaddup.com) is a ics on them (because founder and CEO business that wears its commitment to Alex Eaves says he can’t resist rescuing gDiapers curbing the climate crisis on its sleeve. shirts with sharks on them whenever the Americans send 3.6 million tons of dis- The company sells organic cotton T- opportunity presents itself). posable diapers to landfills every year. shirts that describe different actions GIFT IDEA: The “Reduce Domestic But it can be difficult for frazzled, sleep- people can take to reduce greenhouse Violence” benefit T-shirt makes a terrific deprived parents to give up the easy-on, gas emissions, from carpooling to recy- gift that spreads a message of reuse and easy-off qualities of disposables. Is it cling to supporting green energy. hope. The shirts are cast-offs from other possible to combine the eco-friendliness On the back of each shirt is a number businesses, imprinted with an original of reusable cloth diapers with the conve- representing where the wearer stands in design by California artist Seth Frost, nience of disposable diapers? New par- the global count of people who are entwined around the slogan “Reuse ents will be thrilled to know that they taking action to shrink their global Clothing, Restore Lives, Reduce Domes- can, with gDiapers m (gdiapers.com). warming footprint. The number is a tic Violence.” Five dollars from the sale The Portland company’s innovative great conversation starter, as wearers Continued on p. 18

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 9 efficiency First! Green American Feature

To curb the climate crisis, increase national security, and avoid economic disaster as peak oil looms, it’s time to accelerate energy efficiency. Take action today to cut your energy use in half in 5 years! Energy Efficiency: The Magic Bullet

Carter didn’t get everything right—he also called for increasing coal production to displace oil. But the majority of his energy strategy was visionary. Sadly, before his plan could really take root, he lost his bid for re-election. Our nation never took action, and subsequent administrations reversed or failed to reinstate Carter’s energy policies. Of particular note is the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which killed Carter’s tax credits for development of new renewable technologies. Experts say this one reversal caused the US to fall from its status as a world leader in renewables in the ’70s and early ’80s to the bottom of the pack, where it has remained to this day. Today, scientists warn that we’re ap- Getty Images/Sahm Doherty proaching peak oil worldwide—a 2010 President Jimmy Carter delivers his now-famous energy University of Oxford study warns that address at a joint session of Congress in April 1977. world demand for oil will outpace supply by 2015. Drilling and mining disasters like ack in 1977, then-President against the United States was over, and this year’s BP oil spill and the West Vir- Jimmy Carter gave a speech to the long lines and painful shortages at ginia coal mine collapse have become all- the American public in which local gas stations had come to an end. too-regular occurrences. National security he laid out a brave, ahead-of-its But even though things looked better experts still warn that our dependence on timeB energy policy. He exhorted Ameri- in the short term, Carter knew that the foreign oil has left us vulnerable to terror- cans to deeply conserve their use of country had to look toward the future. ist acts. And atmospheric carbon levels, gas and oil—to drive less, carpool, and The world is running out of oil, he told an important indicator of global warm- retrofit their homes to be more efficient, the nation in 1977. In fact, the US had ing, reached 386 parts per million (ppm) while his administration worked to already achieved its domestic “peak oil” as of last year and are steadily climbing. ramp up renewable energy sources and threshold and was on the downward end The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate create a platform for sustainable energy of its supply. Ever-increasing dependence Change says that once the world reaches consumption moving forward. on foreign oil left the US vulnerable to the 450 ppm threshold—which it is on “We must not be selfish or timid if more oil embargoes and other threats to target to hit by 2050—we will likely have we hope to have a decent world for our national security, he said. And he fore- reached the point where climate change children and grandchildren,” he said. “We shadowed disasters such as the recent BP is irreversible. simply must balance our demand for en- oil spill, noting that the thirst for more What might have happened had the ergy with our rapidly shrinking resources. and more oil would result in large-scale US embraced the green-energy future By acting now, we can control our future environmental degradation. back in 1977? Would global warming now instead of letting the future control us.” We have the technology to avert all of be a minor threat instead of a major one? The 1973 OPEC (Organization of Pe- those problems, Carter told the nation: Would we have gone through the tragedy troleum Exporting Countries) embargo renewable energy and energy efficiency. of September 11th, and the subsequent

10 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG The Recovery Act invests over $20 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Would we The Federal Stimulus billion into energy efficiency, including: live in a cleaner, safer world, with green expanding the Federal Energy Tax Credit technologies at the forefront? and Efficiency (see p. 13); putting $10 billion toward It’s impossible to know for sure, but limate activists are lamenting the fact low-income weatherization assistance and if the US had remained committed to ef- Cthat the US Senate was unable to development of energy-efficient low- ficiency and renewables after Carter left pass far-reaching legislation to tackle the income housing; earmarking another $8.9 office, things might be very different today. climate crisis in 2010—and with pundits billion to retrofit government buildings and predicting a shake-up in Congress after the make future government buildings green Efficiency: Time to Do It Ourselves November elections, many worry that such and efficient; adding $300 million to the While politicians are in gridlock on legislation won’t stand a chance in 2011, Energy Star program; and allotting $2.3 climate legislation, we cannot afford to either. However, the $787 billion American billion for a tax credit for businesses that have another 30 years go by without action. Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 manufacture technologies to make the US We don’t have to sit by and do nothing may provide some comfort—and solutions. energy grid greener and more efficient. while debates rage on and the laws needed Enacted to stimulate an economy in freefall, The Act also invests billions in clean to have an impact fail to materialize. Like the stimulus bill contained some landmark energy, including electric cars, renewable Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, we’ve always green-energy and efficiency measures, energy technology and tax incentives, had a large part of the solution within making it what TIME magazine’s Michael biofuels, and passenger light rail. The act reach: energy efficiency. Grunwald called, “the most ambitious will triple the amount of smart meters Buildings, including homes, consume energy legislation in history.” in US homes, quadruple the number of 70 percent of all electricity used in the The stimulus invests over $90 billion government-owned hybrid cars, and finance US—and they also use up large amounts into the green-energy future, aiming new green-energy research. of fuel oil for heating and other uses, to: cut the cost of solar in half by 2015, By 2012, the White House projects that states the National Resources Defense double renewable energy generation by the $90 billion will have created around Reducing the Council in its 2010 report, 2012, and ramp up energy efficiency and 700,000 green, domestic “job-years” (one Need for US Drilling Through Energy Efficiency. the development of new efficient and job for one year). If the US halved the energy use of just renewable technologies. the buildings that use oil for heat, it would save as much oil as 170 BP Deep- water Horizon spills, states the report. normal rate. ed on behalf of the nonprofit RESNET. Advancing energy efficiency is the With the city in crisis, the US Depart- The energy savings are there for the closest thing we have to a magic bullet ment of Energy sent Berkeley Lab scientist taking—consider this your invitation to to help combat the climate crisis, reduce Alan Meier, author of How to Save Energy in ramp up your efficiency efforts today. our need for oil and coal, and make our a Hurry, to Juneau to recommend how its Once you’ve taken the simple efficien- planet healthier. We already have the citizens could ... save energy in a hurry. cy steps in our “Top 10” poster (p. 12), technology to trim world energy use by Meier did a quick audit of several consider getting a comprehensive energy 50-70 percent and phase out oil by 2050, businesses and low-income housing audit to pinpoint the hidden energy says Rocky Mountain Institute scientist units in the city. His recommendations leaks in your home (p. 14). Many states Amory Lovins. Now we just need the turned out to be rather simple, including offer rebates to help you actually make public will, something Carter lacked. things like turning off appliances when the changes your auditor suggests. not in use, turning down thermostats, Then, measure your savings, and spread Get Started Today installing compact fluorescent light the word in your community about how Green America’s simple, doable propo- bulbs, and conserving water. The city easy it is to embrace efficiency (p. 15). sition: Let’s each cut our energy use by launched a public education campaign to Fifty percent is doable, right now, us- 50 percent in the next five years—just ten get all of Juneau, including tourists, on ing existing technologies, including new percent per year. Sound ambitious? The board the conservation train. “Passive Houses” (p. 17). It’s cost-effec- city of Juneau, AK, nearly reached that Within a month, the entire city tive—we’ll break even or save money. threshold in just four weeks. had cut its energy use by 40 percent, And our homes will be more comfort- When an avalanche knocked out the demonstrating how a community-wide able, our air will be cleaner, and we’ll hydroelectric power system that pro- commitment to simple changes of habit create much-needed green jobs. vided relatively cheap energy to Juneau can make a big difference. As Jimmy Carter said in a 1979 speech, in 2008, the city was ready. The electric While 89 percent of Americans feel “We often think of conservation only in utility switched over to a backup diesel that making their home energy efficient terms of sacrifice. In fact, it is the most system—which kept the lights on in is important, less than one-third believe painless and immediate way of rebuild- the state’s capital, but also sent energy their own homes are actually efficient, ing our nation’s strength.” prices skyrocketing to five times their according to a nationwide poll conduct- —Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 11 10 Easiest Ways to Cut Your Energy Use in Half

* Save 2% Save 19% TURN OFF THE LIGHTS INSTALL CEILING FANS Be mindful about shutting lights off Install Energy Star ceiling fans in the rooms you when you leave a room. If you have a use most often. They’ll help keep you cool in the Save 4% forgetful family member or roommate, summer while your AC works less or not at all. SHOW YOUR FRIDGE SOME LOVE paste reminders on the switchplates In the winter, switch them to turn clockwise to The refrigerator is one of the biggest or consider installing motion-detector circulate the warm air rising up to the ceiling back energy-users in your home, and if it was switches. Download our template at down into the room. built before 1993, it’s a huge energy hog. GreenAmerica.org/go/efficiencyfirst. Clean the coils on your fridge every six ADVANCED: Go with a white roof or install a months to keep it running efficiently, and ADVANCED: Replace your bulbs with greenroof, which will prevent heat loss through take up unused space with jugs of water, CFLs or LEDs. the roof in winter and cool your home down in which will hold in the cold better. Eliminate the summer. Read our article on greenroofs at a second refrigerator, if you have one. GreenAmerica.org/go/efficiencyfirst.

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Save 12% Save PLUG AIR LEAKS Save 10% 3% AIR DRY DISHES USE YOUR PROGRAMMABLE Replacing windows is often the least cost- THERMOSTAT effective step you can take to save energy, Using your dishwasher instead of so seal air leaks around doors and windows Nearly half of US homes already have a washing dishes by hand can save water, instead with caulk and weatherstripping. For programmable thermostat. Dig out that but if you let the drying cycle run, tips on sealing and refurbishing old wood owner’s manual and learn how to use you’re wasting energy and money. Skip windows, see our article on this topic at yours to maximize the efficiency of your the drying cycle and let your dishes air GreenAmerica.org/go/efficiencyfirst. Also, heating and cooling systems. Program dry. Newer, more effective and efficient consider putting up insulating curtains, your thermostat to turn itself down or dishwashers allow you to skip the step pasting low-e film to the window glass, off when you’re sleeping or are at work of pre-rinsing your dishes before you and installing storm windows or plastic or school. load them in the dishwasher. window films to further cut down on heat loss in winter. ADVANCED: Set a winter target of 68°F ADVANCED: Run your dishwasher when you’re at home and 55°F when (and your clothes washer, for that ADVANCED: Get a RESNET or Home you’re away. Set a summer target of 78°F matter) at night, during off-peak hours. Performance with Energy Star audit to help when you’re at home and 82°F when It’s our country’s peak demand that pinpoint your biggest energy losses. you’re away. determines the expansion of dirty coal-fired power plants. * Approximate energy savings based on the average home using 11,000 kWh electricity and 19,000 cubic feet of natural gas per year. 10 Easiest Ways to Cut Your Energy Use in Half

Save 1-3% GIVE YOUR WATER HEATER Save 9% Save 12+% A BLANKET WASH CLOTHES IN COLD, Adding an insulating cover to your water UPGRADE APPLIANCES LET THEM AIR DRY heater can reduce heat loss by 24-45 percent. Washing clothes in cold water gets them just Appliances use 20 percent of Also, turn your water heater down by ten as clean as hot, and cuts your washer’s energy the energy in the average US degrees, if possible. If half of US households use in half. Drying your clothes on an outdoor home. When it’s time to buy new did so, it would prevent 239 tons of lineline oror indoorindoor rackrack cancan savesave aroundaround $100$100 inin appliances, look for the most greenhouse gas emissions. energy costs every year. efficient Energy Star model you can find.find. TheThe biggestbiggest energyenergy hogshogs inin aa ADVANCED: Upgrade to a tankless or ADVANCED: Water and energy use are home are usually the refrigerator solar water heater, and save 14% off your intertwined:intertwined: producingproducing energyenergy usesuses water,water, andand (particularly if it was built before energy bill. And while you’re in your garage, providing clean drinking water requires energy. 1993) and clothes dryer. consider buying a super-efficient car or, better Take steps to conserve water everywhere in yet, a bike. Go to GreenAmerica.org/go/ your home. ReclaimtheStreets for more info.

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Free Money for Efficiency! Save 5% The following incentives can help you save money on efficiency retrofits: ELIMINATE “PHANTOM LOAD” • FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL INCENTIVES: Search dsirenet.org by zip code to find tax Many electronics still suck energy even incentivesincentives andand rebatesrebates forfor youryour renewablerenewable andand energyenergy efficiencyefficiency homehome improvements.improvements. when they’re turned off--such as powering • FEDERAL ENERGY TAX CREDIT: Save 30 percent, up to $1,500, on insulation, new windows, that little clock on your microwave when duct sealing, and other energy-efficiency improvements until Dec. 31, 2010. it’sit’s notnot inin use.use. UnplugUnplug youryour electronicselectronics oror • FEDERAL RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX CREDIT: Save 30 percent on renewable energy systems plug them into a power strip and switch it until Dec. 31, 2016. To read about how one Green America family took advantage of this off to save on this “phantom load.” and other incentives and went solar at no cost, visit GreenAmerica.org/go/EfficiencyFirst.

ADVANCED: Use a Kill-A-Watt meter • CASH FOR APPLIANCES: If you purchase an energy-efficient appliance for your home, you to measure the energy use of appliances can get cash back through your state. The federal government asked states to design and gadgets, even when they’re turned off. their own cash-for-appliances programs, and funding is available until Feb. 2012. You can also keep track of your home’s • H O M E S TA R : Proposed legislation would create a “Home Star” program, providing entire energy use with a whole-house rebate incentives to the American public to encourage Home Performance with Energy energy monitor. For more information, Star audits, energy-efficient retrofits, and the purchase of efficient appliances. At press see our article on efficiency gadgets at time, Home Star legislation was included in the July 2010 Clean Energy Jobs and Oil GreenAmerica.org/go/efficiencyfirst. Company Accountability Act. For more information, visit HomeStarCoalition.org. HOW TO FIND AN AUDITOR While you can get a free energy audit from your utility, a more comprehensive Home Performance with Energy Star audit will likely lead to bigger energy savings. Find a Home Performance with Energy Star auditor at EnergyStar.gov > Home Performance with Energy Star > Locations. Find Green America Green Business Network™ members offering audits in the “Energy: Products/Services” category of our National Green Pages™ (GreenPages.org).

Energy Star audit included a blower door test to find and measure air leakage, an infrared scan to identify insulation gaps, and inspections of air insulation and seal- Birdi All-Purpose Home Inspection ing levels in the attic and roof, combustion A Home Performance with Energy Star audit can help you make your home equipment (furnaces, boilers, water heat- more energy efficient while improving your indoor air quality. ers and stove), duct systems, mold and moisture levels, exhaust fans, and more. A Home Performance with Energy Star audit takes it even a step further by Comprehensive Energy checking the indoor air quality. Chandler von Schrader, a Home Performance with Energy Star Manager at the US EPA, de- Audit Will Hunt Down scribes it as a “comprehensive home as- sessment,” which reviews appliance and Biggest Gains gas line safety, checks for proper ventilation, interviews homeowners for indoor air-quality issues, searches for mold, and

tunned. That is how Carolyn audits and retrofits. These homeowners checks CO2 and smoke alarms. Beattie describes her reaction to are making long-neglected and much- In the Beatties’ case, the biggest prob- how much air leakage was found needed improvements to their homes lem was a lack of insulation in the attic. in her 1,450-square-foot house that make them more comfortable and “We brought their attic up to actually duringS a Home Performance with Energy healthier to live in year-round. They’re higher than existing code,” said Rogers, Star audit done by GreenHomes America saving money on utility bills and reduc- who explained that in California espe- at the end of last year. ing energy usage, thereby decreasing cially it is common to see homes lacking “It was really eye-opening to me,” said greenhouse gas emissions. adequate attic insulation. Beattie, 59, a retired phone company “I’m shocked at the number of homes After the Beatties implemented the worker who along with her husband that have little or no insulation in their fixes recommended by their auditor, the Glen, 60, a school teacher, have lived in attic and no insulation in their walls,” first thing they noticed was how quiet their 1954 ranch style San Fernando Val- said GreenHomes America senior VP of their house had become. ley, California, home for 35 years. “Once marketing Mike Rogers, who ten years “We were utterly amazed at all the we completed the auditor’s recommen- ago developed the Home Performance noise that was cut out by putting in the dations, it sure made a huge difference.” with Energy Star audit program while new windows and the insulation,” said The Beatties are one of a growing working at the US Environmental Pro- Beattie. “The second thing we noticed number of homeowners taking advantage tection Agency. was that it was warm in our house in De- of generous local, state, and national Companies like GreenHomes cember. In the past, we’d run the heat in energy-efficiency tax rebates and an in- America are trying to change that— the morning and the evenings, and we no creasing amount of companies perform- home by home. longer had to do that. It was rare when ing Home Performance with Energy Star The Beattie’s Home Performance with our heater came on. And then in the

14 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG Involve summer, we didn’t have to run our air conditioner as much as we had before.” Your GreenHomes helped the Beatties take advantage of various incentives. They utilized a federal tax credit of Community $1,500 that covered 25 percent of the total price for all the services. Only the insulation was eligible for the credit, but the cost of the insulation allowed them to max out the credit anyway. The Beatties also qualified for a Southern California Gas company rebate of al- most $413 for the attic insulation. Beattie says the Department of Water and Power raised its rates, so their bills after the retrofits are about the same. So instead she looks at their decreased energy usage as the measure of success— 4,621 kilowatt hours so far this year versus 5,008 kWh the first eight months of last year, for a savings of about eight percent; and 115 gas therms this year as opposed to 161 therms at this point last year for a savings of nearly 30 percent. Unlike her neighbors, she has avoided the extra expense of meeting higher monthly utility bills. But why choose an Energy Star audit over the free audits offered by many Alison Amyx local utilities? Ryan Meres (left) of the North Springs United Methodist Church in Atlanta “It’s like calling a tricycle and a car observes an energy audit provided free of charge by Gary Gabriel (right) the same thing. If you want a car, the through the Georgia Interfaith Power and Light’s Powerwise program. tricycle isn’t going to do it. Not all audits are created equally,” said Peter Van Buren, president of Maryland-based am Witherbee used to work had wasn’t as efficient as it could be, but TerraLogos Energy Group m . getting people fired up about she put off doing something about it. “To do a comprehensive audit, it political campaigns—but he’s “I had an energy audit performed takes a certified analyst at least three finding that people can get just several years ago, but I didn’t follow hours and they need to have upwards asS passionate about energy efficiency, through on any of the improvements,” of $10,000 worth of equipment in the particularly when they band together. she says. house coming to bear on the situation. Witherbee helps convene community She stopped procrastinating in 2009 af- So it’s a pretty complicated process and energy meetings all around Washington, ter attending one of the community energy requires pretty high technical skills. You DC, as part of his work with Weather- meetings organized by Weatherize DC, don’t get that for free,” said Van Buren. ize DC, a nonprofit that motivates and which focused on the benefits of making The Home Performance audit aver- assists homeowners with energy efficient efficiency improvements like air sealing ages between $400 to $500 minus any improvements on their drafty houses. and adding insulation—relatively low-cost subsidies or tax incentives. “You can see how effective it is when fixes that result in big energy savings. Beattie said she would wholeheart- neighbors talk to one another,” he says. “I finally decided to go all the way edly recommend a Home Performance “People put their heads together and and make as many improvements to my with Energy Star audit to anyone: “It think about how to move ahead.” home as I could. The energy meeting was rewarding to know we’d done gave me that final push I needed to jump something that was good for the envi- Weatherize Your Neighborhood on board,” she says. ronment, good for us, and worked out Judy Hubbard is just one of the Hubbard had her energy audit re- well for everyone involved.” group’s success stories. Like many viewed and found a local contractor to —Joshua Marks people, she knew her 90-year-old home do the work she needed. And she was

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 15 GREEN AMERICA RESOURCES

We have a whole library of articles devoted to energy efficiency. Discover: see who could cut their energy use the The Best Uses for CFLs and LEDs • Ways to Fire Your Clothes Dryer • How to Install most in one year. a Green Roof • Ways to Invest in Energy Efficiency and Green Energy • How to Buy The Church’s efficiency efforts re- the Best Appliances • Our Favorite Energy Efficiency Gadgets • How to Make Your duced its energy use by over 20 per- School More Efficient • How to Refurbish your Old Wood Windows • and more! cent—and won them the top prize in the Cool Congregations contest, $5,000 cash Visit GreenAmerica.org/go/EfficiencyFirst that the church has set aside for further efficiency improvements. But becoming one of the leading churches in the country for reducing so passionate about the importance of also reducing their carbon footprint and energy use, wasn’t just about making weatherization that, before the work practicing what many in the faith world improvements in the church itself. The on her house was even complete, she call “creation care.” Green Sanctuary committee also helped organized meetings in her own home to One church that made such an invest- spread the message of energy efficiency spread the word to neighbors. ment is Towson Unitarian Universalist to its church members, many of whom “I started talking to people in my Church outside Baltimore, MD. Congre- started making improvements in their neighborhood. I invited them to my gants at Towson started the process of own homes. And they also got their house to learn more,” she says. “Many of greening their church in 2006, when the local Habitat for Humanity branch to them were preoccupied with the larger church voted to apply for Green Sanctu- start using programmable thermostats, picture, like whether or not they could ary status with the Unitarian Universal- which can reduce energy use by over 10 afford to go solar. But I helped them see ity Association of Congregations (UUA). percent, into over 20 homes. the small changes they could make in The Green Sanctuary program helps their homes would have big results.” UUA congregations consider and adopt Take Action in Your Community And Hubbard soon had her own big environmental practices. Even if your city or town doesn’t have results to brag about. The months fol- “We started with the small things we a group dedicated to energy efficiency lowing her weatherization were some of knew we could do,” says Carel Hedlund, like Weatherize, DC, or IPL, consider be- the coldest on record in DC, but Hub- chair of Towson’s Green Sanctuary Com- coming an organizing force of your own. bard kept toasty warm while enjoying mittee. “We stopped using styrofoam Here are just a few ideas of how to get lower gas bills. “The cold winter really cups at coffee hour and replaced our together with your neighbors to reduce showcased how much more efficient my light bulbs with energy-efficient compact your energy use: house was,” she says. fluorescent bulbs. When we submitted • Host an energy community meeting Of the 30 neighbors who came to our progress to the UUA, they recom- with our step-by-step energy efficiency Hubbard’s energy meeting, nearly half mended that we take the next step and poster (see p. 12) as your starting point. went on to sign up with Weatherize DC get an energy audit.” • Help your place of worship honor or requested an energy audit from the A local home energy company, the environment by educating members DC Office of the Environment. Wither- TerraLogos m , agreed to perform a pro about energy savings. Form a green bee hopes that some of them will feel bono three-hour audit of the church. committee and get your congregation in- called to host their own energy meet- “The biggest priorities were air sealing volved with a local chapter of Interfaith ing, reaching out to more neighbors and and duct sealing, replacing old doors, Power and Light (InterfaithPowerand friends to spread the word. and putting solar film on our skylights Light.org)—or form one. Calculate For those hold-outs who still don’t and south-facing windows,” she says. your congregation’s carbon footprint at think it’s worth it, Hubbard will just The Church set aside $5,000 for im- CoolCongregations.org. keep telling them about the savings provements and hired a local contractor • Take the energy efficiency mes- she’s seeing each month on her en- to take the steps recommended by Ter- sage to your local school, and get it on ergy bills, and she’s “sure they’ll come raLogos. It organized a “caulking party” board. For the story of how one school around soon.” where 15 members came to the church embraced efficiency, visit GreenAmerica. armed with caulking guns to seal up leaks org/go/EfficiencyFirst. Bring Efficiency to Your around the sanctuary’s windows. • Take these ideas to work, too. House of Worship The committee also entered the Cool Whether large or small, building owners Another easy way to reach out to your Congregations Contest sponsored by or renters, workplaces everywhere can community to encourage energy effi- Interfaith Power and Light (IPL), a cut energy use and save money. ciency is through your place of worship. national organization that helps com- • Tell us about your progress! Let us Investing in energy-efficiency improve- munities of all faiths respond to climate know about your energy meeting at ments can save congregations much change through action and advocacy. In [email protected]. needed funds in the long-term, while the contest, congregations competed to —Sarah Tarver-Wahlquist

16 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG Joe and Rebecca’s super-efficient Passive House in Salt Lake City took their average energy bill from $120 a month to $20.

exchanges the indoor air for fresh air from outside, while keeping the heat inside. A system with added humidification is available for homes in dry climates, and those in hot climates may need a small supplemental air conditioner. “The comfort surprised me the most,” says Joe of his Passive House. “It gets cold here in Utah, and in a traditional home, you always kind of know what OurPassiveHouse.org it’s like outside in winter—the walls are cold, or you’ll walk past a drafty window. In this house, you can’t sense that. There have been times where we’ve “Passive House,” walked outside and went, ‘Holy crap, it’s cold out here!’ And then we have to go back in and put on another layer.” Aggressive Savings You don’t have to pursue Passive House certification to build one. Joe says A certified Passive House will cut down the energy used he and Rebecca did so to help out their to heat a home by a jaw-dropping 90 percent. architect and because “being the first in Utah held some allure.” You can also im Conlon lives and breathes energy Passive House will cut down the energy retrofit an existing house into a Passive efficiency—as president of Elysian used to heat a home by a jaw-dropping 90 House, though the process is currently quite extensive. If you’re not willing to JEnergy m , he oversees hundreds of percent, and will reduce the total energy \ energy audits every year and pro- use by at least 60-70 percent—all while tear your walls down to the studs, a vides energy-efficiency consulting to providing excellent indoor-air quality. certified Passive House consultant can green builders in the greater DC area. “It starts out with the goal of a home still give you advice on incorporating What’s got him excited lately is that is really high-performance,” says some Passive House elements. the movement to bring super-efficient Conlon. “If something is good, then let’s Joe estimates that they spent 10-20 Passive Houses to the mainstream. be great. If reducing drafts is good, elim- percent more than building a conven- “One of my employees had read about inating them is better. If more insulation tional home, but their average monthly Passive Houses and asked me to take a is better, then let’s insulate the heck out energy bill has gone down from $120 to look. I immediately fell in love,” he says. of these things.” $20. According to the Passive House In- So Conlon, who teaches classes on Joe and Rebecca (last name withheld) stitute US (PassiveHouse.us), when you energy audits in his spare time at the can attest to that. In 2008, the couple factor in energy savings, constructing or Green Building Institute (GBI), set out had finally saved up enough money to retrofitting a Passive House can be less to bring a Passive House course for home make their drafty 1960s home in Salt resource-intensive over its lifetime than builders to GBI. Lake City, UT, greener and more living in an existing conventional home. “It was very rigorous training, even efficient. Then their architect suggested Today, over 15,000 Passive Houses and for those of us who should already know building a Passive House instead. buildings have been certified in Europe. about green building stuff. And it really Like all Passive Houses, Joe and The standard has only recently made it blew our doors off,” he says. Rebecca’s new home is so well sealed to the US, but it’s quickly catching on. So what are Passive Houses, and why that it doesn’t need an “active” standard Joe says he and Rebecca “absolutely is this green-building professional over furnace for heating, relying instead on love” their new home: “I can’t think of a the moon about them? Created in 1996 super-efficient insulation, triple-paned single drawback.” by two German scientists, Passive House windows, captured heat from applianc- And Jim Conlon says his dream is to certification is likely the most stringent es, and passive solar building techniques build his own Passive House. “I know standard for energy efficiency in the that maximize the sun’s heat—such as how true and great they are in terms world. While green-building certifica- having many south-facing windows to of big picture, and they’re healthy and tions like LEED and Energy Star Homes capture the sun’s strongest rays. comfortable—and super-cheap, when are fairly easy to achieve with a few modi- Because they’re so airtight (Joe says you account for all utility bills you’d pay fications, building or retrofitting a Passive it’s like “living in a very comfortable through it’s lifetime,” he says. “I joke that House requires the very best energy-ef- thermos”), Passive Houses also have a Passive House is my new religion.” ficiency technology available. A certified Heat Recovery Ventilation system, which —Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 17 Continued from p. 9

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18 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG GREEN BUSINESS NEWS

THE LATEST FROM OUR GREEN BUSINESS NETWORK™ OF SOCIALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESSES

GreenBusinessNetwork.org + Find green companies in our National Green Pages™ greenpages.org +

Introducing the Green America Exchange (GAEx) s the great recession of 2008 began Ato unfold, Green America interviewed noted economist Bernard Lietaer in the “From Greed to Green” issue of the Green American. Lietaer, an international expert, has Lotus Foods been studying monetary systems for 26 years Lotus Foods cofounders Ken Lee and Caryl Levine with former President Bill and predicted the current economic down- Clinton. Lotus Foods was invited to join the Clinton Global Initiative thanks to an turn years ago. We asked him what is the innovative rice-growing method that reduces land, water, seed, and chemical use. best way to navigate the financial crisis and create long-term economic system change. His answer: implement complementary America Exchange (GAEx), an online B2B Lotus Foods Halfway to Its business-to-business (B2B) currencies to help complementary currency network aimed at local, independent companies build resiliency. helping green businesses survive the eco- Clinton Global Initiative Goal “Complementary currencies work in addi- nomic crisis and thrive. By turning un-sold Two years ago, Lotus Foods m co-founders tion to existing money, rather than replacing goods and un-booked appointments into Ken Lee and Caryl Levine received a special existing, official money,” he said. transferable, digital “Trade Dollars,” GAEx invitation to join the Clinton Global Initiative B2B currencies share some characteristics combines the benefits of direct barter with (CGI). Organized by former President Bill with local currencies like Time Dollars m , but the flexibility of money. Clinton, CGI is a collaborative of world scaled up for businesses. Companies turn Helping the local, green businesses in leaders, forward-thinking businesses, and the goods and services they provide into a our network to make sales and save money non-governmental organizations working to B2B currency. Businesses log into an online during tough economic times empowers confront the world’s most pressing prob- database and use the currency to “purchase” them to continue to do what they do best: lems. Each member pledges to achieve a the materials and services they need from provide fair wages to employees, build strong measurable “commitment to action.” and “sell” their goods and services to other communities, tread lightly on the planet, and Lotus Foods, which sells heirloom, organic, businesses within the network. bring their innovative green products and and Fair Trade rice, committed to introduce One of the longest-serving B2B systems services to more and more people. three to five rice varieties to market by is Switzerland’s WIR (for “wirtschaftsring” “We’re proud to be launching this new 2012—produced using a sustainable farming or “exchange circle”). Created during the program to serve green businesses and method called “systems of rice intensifica- Great Depression, the WIR system helped strengthen local communities,” says Keaty tion,” which requires less water, land, and small companies in Zurich survive. Soon, it Gross, GAEx manager. seed than conventional rice, and boosts yields was operating nationwide, and it’s still going For the conscientious consumer, the substantially. Rice is a staple food for half the strong today, serving over 25 percent of all Exchange provides even greater confidence world, so maximizing production without us- Swiss companies. Experts like Lietaer credit that Green Business Network members are ing more resources is a major global challenge. the WIR with helping Switzerland develop working to keep the money you spend within Ken Lee, Lotus Foods cofounder, traveled an international reputation as a safe, the green community, further strengthening to New York in September to report to CGI strong economy. and building an economy that works for all. that the company has introduced three new “[A B2B system] keeps businesses For now this is a business-only benefit, but rice varieties grown in this sustainable man- interconnected and trading with each other stay tuned, because Green America plans to ner to the US market. It is now working to without borrowing money from the banks, incorporate our individual members as well. bring more farmers, countries, and heirloom which is the real bottleneck,” said Lietaer. rice varieties into its supply chain, and to At Green America, we took Dr. Lietaer’s Contact: For more information, visit our Web certify all of its rice Fair Trade and organic. advice to heart. This summer the Green site, GreenAmerica.org/exchange or call Keaty Business Network™ launched the Green Gross at 202/872-5363. Contact: LotusFoods.com.

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 19 ACROSS GREEN AMERICA NEWS FROM OUR PROGRAMS AND MEMBERS

GreenAmerica.org Tell Hershey to End Child and Slave Labor in Cocoa Fields he Hershey Company is one of the larg- Test and oldest chocolate manufacturers in the United States—one that prides itself on its commitment to supporting its local community and underserved US children. But Hershey also has a secret: it lags well behind its competitors in taking responsibility for the communities around the world from which it sources cocoa. In September, Hershey released its first- ever Corporate Social Responsibility Report, in which it failed to outline a credible plan for International Labor Rights Forum ensuring that its supply chains aren’t tainted Young children ages 11-16 have been sold into slave labor and are forced to with forced labor, human trafficking, and work on cocoa farms in Côte d’Ivoire and other West African cocoa-producing abusive child labor—all notorious problems countries. The Hershey Company lags well behind its competitors in taking for companies that source cocoa. responsibility for the child and slave labor documented in its supply chain. But Green America was ready with our own report. Together with the International Labor Rights Forum, Global Exchange m , Take Action to Elect Your would be used to fund not war, but the rapid and Oasis USA, we prepared Time to Raise expansion of clean energy and energy efficiency, the Bar: The Real Corporate Social Responsibil- Board Rep; Double Your measures that can help prevent future wars and ity Report from the Hershey Company. We climate catastrophes, while creating a thriving released it the moment Hershey published its Year-End Giving clean economy. own to set the record straight. Green America is a member-directed At a time when Congress is unwilling to pass It worked, big time. Newspapers coast to organization. Please be sure to vote for your comprehensive climate-change and energy coast paired coverage of the Hershey report board representative (see insert between pp. legislation, and when the US is falling behind with news of our response, calling for Her- 12-13). And help us ramp up our ambitious in funding clean-energy technologies, CEVBs shey to take control of its supply chain and agenda to stop corporate abuse and grow provide a way to rapidly expand clean energy commit to Fair Trade. The report also put the green economy in 2011. Your gift today development in the US in a way that can appeal other corporations on notice that they will will be matched by the generous donors to to progressives, conservatives, and everyone get publicly called out on their greenwashing. our Year-End Member Challenge Fund (use in between. Our next step is to get Hershey’s custom- this link to donate now). ers and would-be customers to contact the company and demand that it “raise the bar.” SAVE THE DATES: We’re working to build a massive con- 2011 GREEN FESTIVALS™ sumer response to convince Hershey’s that Bring Clean Energy it’s time to step up the company’s efforts to Victory Bonds to Market The Green Festival is coming to even rid its supply chain of abuse. Please call Her- more cities in 2011. Make plans to shey’s today at 800/468-1714 (press “0”). The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the attend our “big party with a purpose.” We have a sample call-in script on our Web coal-mine cave-ins in West Virginia, and the rising rates of childhood asthma caused by site. Also, help spread the word and keep Seattle: April 2–3 air pollution all point to the fact that the the pressure on by posting your concerns on San Francisco: April 8–9 Hershey’s Facebook page, and ask it to offer world needs clean energy now—and the US Chicago: May 14–15 a Fair Trade chocolate bar. needs to lead the way. Green America’s Clean Energy Victory Bonds (CEVBs) are an innova- New York: Oct. 1–2 Take Action Contact: Find the report and a tive solution for financing a clean-energy future Los Angeles: Oct. 29–30 script for calling Hershey at RaiseTheBarHershey. for the United States. San Francisco: Nov. 12–13 org/take-action. Help spread the word by urging Based on the Victory Bonds of World War For details, visit GreenFestivals.org. Hershey to offer a Fair Trade bar on its Facebook II, which were purchased by millions of Ameri- page, Facebook.com/Hersheys. cans to help fund our victory in the war, CEVBs

20 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG CEVBs have many economic, environmental, and individual benefits, including helping to BEA Award Nominations create at least 1.7 million competitively paying Every year, Green America gives our Build- green jobs; financing clean-energy projects such ing Economic Alternatives (BEA) Award to as biofuels and wind power; and creating a sense an individual, business, or organization that of ownership and enhancing Americans’ faith in embodies our mission of using economic ac- their government. tion to build a socially just and environmen- Currently, Green America is working with tally sustainable society. We’re now seeking key legislators to get Clean Energy Victory nominations of those whose efforts are at Bonds introduced in Congress later this fall. the forefront of the issues we covered in our Take our online survey to show Congress that Green American themes in 2010: Fair Trade, there is public support for CEVB legislation in organic and local food, or energy efficiency. every state and Congressional district. Send your BEA nominations by Nov. 22 to [email protected] or Green Take Action Contact: Take our quick CEVB America, BEA Awards, 1612 K St. NW, survey today at GreenAmerica.org/takeaction/CEVB. #600, Washington, DC 20006.

NEW GREEN BUSINESS NETWORK WEB SITE Green America’s Green Business Network just got an online makeover. Our new and improved Web site will make it even easier to strengthen and support the green businesses that are leading the way to a just and sustainable economy. Check out GreenBusinessNetwork.org, and let us know what you think!

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LETTERS & ADVICE

Chevron Tries to Silence Its Shareholders BPA on Store his summer, Chevron took corporate bully tactics against Receipts? Tits critics to new and disturbing heights. It denied 18 I heard that several major chain proxyholders access to its annual meeting and refused to ac- stores were found to have cept their proxy ballots. Shelley Alpern, vice-president of Tril- bisphenol-A on their receipts. lium Asset Management m , reports that she examined many of How much of a concern is this? the denied ballots and believes they were legitimate. TRACY What can I do to keep this Green America staff experts have advocated for change at FERNANDEZ nasty chemical off of me? many corporate annual meetings through the years, and this RYSAVY Sharron McClellan is the first time we’ve heard of proxyholders being barred San Diego, CA from entering an annual meeting and voting their proxies. Alpern reports that one of the proxyholders who was TRACY: Bisphenol-A (BPA) is prevented from attending the meeting was Emem Okon who indeed a nasty piece of work. had flown in from Nigeria to talk about Chevron’s human Linked to fetal developmental rights and environmental impacts on her homeland. Others problems, obesity, and even attended the meeting to speak out against Chevron’s alleged • Fill out comment cards and cancer, this estrogen-mimicking toxic dumping in Ecuador, and for its funding of groups that send e-mails asking store and chemical was recently banned deny global warming. altogether in Canada (see restaurant managers to use Antonia Juhasz, director of the Chevron program at p. 5). Several recent studies BPA-free receipt paper—and to Global Exchange m , made it inside and spoke out during a have found significant traces advertise that fact. Q&A session against Chevron’s environmental and social of BPA on some store receipts printed on thermal imaging record, and started a brief chant of “Chevron lies!” Chevron The New paper. (You can tell this type retaliated by having its security arrange for her arrest as she of paper by scratching it—if left the meeting. Witnesses claim that once Juhasz stepped Green American the pressure leaves a mark, it’s down from the microphone, the meeting could have con- I have been your supporter for thermal imaging paper.) tinued. Instead, Juhasz was charged in late September with over 20 years—in the days Three studies released this “criminal trespass” and “disrupting a meeting or proces- when there was barely a news- summer indicate BPA may be sion” and now faces up to six months in jail. letter, much less a magazine with quite common on US store It’s imperative that Chevron be called to account for its terrific outreach and increasingly receipts. Tests conducted by heavy-handed tactics. Look up Chevron on our Responsible- impressive advertizing. I am very the University of Miscsouri for Shopper.org database for more info, and use the “contact” proud of you, and I use and rec- the nonprofit Environmental feature to write to or call Chevron executives. Let them ommend your Green Pages™. Working Group found that know this abuse of shareholders is unacceptable, and be sure You have truly gone national 40 percent of the receipts and have broadened your reach to mention if you are a shareholder or buy Chevron gas. in its national sample were into many appropriate areas. I —Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, Editor coated with BPA. The receipts forwarded your recent Green came from major chains American to our manager for like McDonalds, CVS, KFC, Chemistry found BPA on Here’s how to avoid getting Sustainable Princeton in (yes) Walmart, Whole Foods, and a sampling of European too much BPA on your hands: Princeton, NJ. Safeway, as well as the US receipts—and also found that • Minimize how much you BUT would you please con- Postal Service. The Missouri BPA can be deeply absorbed handle store receipts. Put them sider enlarging your type a little scientists found that the BPA through the skin, particularly in an envelope separate from bit? Even those who don’t wear on the receipts it tested was when the skin is wet. The other contents in your wallet. glasses have had trouble, I have 250 to 1,000 times greater than researchers said that trying • Take advantage of been told. the amount typically found in to wash BPA off your hands electronic receipts when Dr. Daniel Harris a can of food or baby formula isn’t effective. possible. Professor Emeritus, or in polycarbonate (#7) baby And the Warner Babcock • Don’t bother with gloves. Rutgers University bottles, which are primary Institute published an analysis of Koni Grob, an author of the Princeton, NJ sources of exposure. receipts taken from the greater Swiss study, told ScienceNews. TRACY: Letters like that make A Swiss study published Boston area, also finding BPA org that gloves will likely allow our day! About the type, we’ve in Analytical and Bioanalytical contamination in six out of BPA molecules to “migrate increased the san-serif type ten receipts. through.” size by a full point-size, and we’ve added a little more space between the lines. I hope that Please send your letters to: Editors, Green America, 1612 K St. NW, Ste. 600, helps, but if not, please let Washington, DC 20006. Or e-mail [email protected]. Letters used in me know at editors@ this column may be edited for length and clarity. greenamerica.org.

22 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG Concern for the environment has been a part of doing business at Wainwright Bank since 1993, whether recycling waste, offering The Green Loan,TM purchasing renewable energy, using recycled products, building green branches or financing millions of dollars in loans to environmental organizations such as Earthwatch Institute and The Trust for Public Land.

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