Clean Energy
Solar Power Rocks (solarpowerrocks.com/minnesota) estimates that you can cover 50% of your electricity needs on a 400 sq ft roof and increase your property value by over $6,000 by installing solar photovoltaic panels. A solar hot water heater is significantly cheaper, just under $3,000 after rebates according to Solar Minnesota (solarminnesota.org). Solar hot water can reduce your hot water bill by 80%.

Your neighborhood, school, or place of worship can start a clean energy project with the help of Metro Clean Energy Resource Teams, or CERTs (cleanenergyresourceteams.org). CERTs will help connect you to resources, education, and volunteers to help launch your project, or set you up with a group already at work. One example is the Southeast Como Neighborhood Solar Thermal Project, where neighbors teamed together to receive a bulk discount on solar panels. More...

Scrub the tub Mix baking soda with water for an abrasive scrubbing paste, or substitute castile soap such as Dr. Bronner’s in place of water for extra power. To disinfect the bathroom, spray with hydrogen peroxide and rinse with water.

Claim the drain Pour baking soda in the drain, add 1 cup white vinegar, and watch the volcano, just like in grade school. Flush with hot water and repeat if necessary.

All hands on the pans Mix white vinegar with enough salt to form a paste, and watch the grease slip away. Add 1 tsp lemon juice for scent and extra power. More...

Buy organic
Conventionally grown cotton is responsible for as much as 10% of pesticide use in the world and up to 25% of insecticide use annually, according to Grist. The chemicals can impact workers and leach into the groundwater. Because the United States produces more cotton than all countries except China, much of this is on our soil.

Next, ask about the processing method for cotton, wool, and other fabrics. Look for those that use natural dyes and avoid chlorine bleaching. Organic Consumers estimates that 1/3lb of chemicals are used in the production of a cotton T-shirt, so buying secondhand comes second to buying a product that avoids the conventional cycle.
 
Image: CreativeCommons/Cosmic Kitty More...

Have you ever wondered what your neighborhood is doing to reduce its environmental impact? How about using a scavenger hunt to find out? We were surprised to find a home with solar panels that we'd never noticed right around the corner, but couldn't uncover a single rain barrel. Think you can photograph everything on this list? More...

People around the world will unite for the planet on June 5th for World Environment Day 2009, for a strong call for environmental action just six months before the crucial United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen.

World Environment Day is truly a People's Day: it is the chance for everyone, young and old, with their community or with close friends, to show that they care for the planet. Visit the website so you can learn what is happening in our country and around the world. You may register your activities so others can learn what you are doing to protect the environment and reduce Global Warming. Simple actions can have large impacts and now is the time to focus on positive changes – at home, work, school and the entire community.

June 5, 2009
Worldwide Activities
http://www.unep.org More...

Are you ready for more sun and more fun in the great outdoors? So are we. To launch into summer, we're sending our June newsletter soon with free printable coupons for outdoor recreation and reminders of all the great deals in our book.

If you aren't signed up yet, enter your email in the box at upper right. We only send newsletters monthly.

Here's a sampling to get you interested. This Tizzi bathing suit by Kelly B is 65% bamboo and 25% organic cotton (with 8% spandex), and USA made. Order online ($130) from Nimli.

Image via Nimli. More...

We're promoting outdoor recreation--running, hiking, biking, swimming, camping...hang gliding, you name it--for all of June. Submit your fun photos to show others in the community what you're up to. Winners will be chosen frequently throughout the month to receive a free book.

You can submit other photos of green living at any time.

Twin Cities Sustainable City on Flickr

Please note: To meet our criteria, the outdoor recreation must be non-motorized.

Image: Flickr/Creative Commons More...

Do you blog about local food, sustainability, or local living, and want a free Blue Sky Guide ($20 value)? Link back to a recipe or farmers market how-to which we post between May 8th-22nd, plus add us to your blogroll, and we'll mail you a free Blue Sky Guide. Limit one per person, ends May 22nd or when/if we hit our book limit, at which point we will post a notice on the homepage.

We will use the pingback at our site to identify you, so expect an email from us to your blog email. Please note you must link to a recipe or how-to article to create a pingback, linking to the directory does not create the necessary link.

Update: Due to a site glitch, you need to email us directly at editor@ecometro.com with your link to show that you wrote about us. Please include your mailing address so we can send a book.

Tell your friends! More...

Toby Ng Design created images of the world's statistics including water, food, energy, HIV, computers, fear of attack, and more. Where do you fit in the village? The World of 100. More...