The surveys have been conducted, the results are in—and things are looking good for green lifestyles around the world. National Geographic and the international polling firm GlobeScan conducted their second annual Greendex study and found that environmentally friendly consumer behavior around the world is increasing. Sadly, though, the United States isn’t keeping up.

The Greendex poll shows that more consumers worldwide are practicing eco-friendly habits. Photo Courtesy National Geographic.

The greenest consumers live in countries with developing economies, such as India, Brazil and China. The lowest-scoring consumers tend to live in countries with developed economies, such as Australia and European countries. The lowest-scoring countries surveyed were Japan, Canada and the United States.

The Greendex surveys 17,000 consumers in 17 countries and monitors what steps people are taking to preserve the planet. The poll asks about energy use and conservation, food sources, transportation choices, use of green products and more. Of the countries reviewed, 13 experienced an increase in eco-friendly consumer behavior from last year. Here are some of the ways people worldwide are living green this year:

• More consumers are keeping their home heating and cooling settings lower to save energy.

• More consumers are washing laundry in cold water to save energy.

• More consumers are buying secondhand household items rather than new ones.

• More consumers are repairing broken items rather than buying new ones.

• Fewer consumers are drinking bottled water. 

Although the increase can be partially attributed to growing environmental concerns, economic struggles played a major role in changing consumers’ behaviors. In most countries, the people surveyed listed the economy as their number one national concern, and of the people who reduced their energy consumption, 80 percent reported doing so because it would save money.

These simple actions prove that changing to a green lifestyle doesn’t have to be monumental. Whether it’s remodeling your home to make it more eco-friendly or switching to nontoxic cleaners, every little bit counts.

To find out how eco-friendly your life is—and how much you know about the environment—check out National Geographic’s Greendex calculator.

Let’s see if we can’t make a better grade next year.

I love yoga. 

In one hour I get everything I need: quiet, balance, stress-relief. I try to get to the studio every day, which means my poor mat is showing its age. But if I get myself one of those great new eco-friendly mats that have come on the market since I began practicing seven years ago, I face that old dilemma: What do I do with the old one? I don’t feel right about dumping it in the landfill, and it’s in no shape for another yogi to use. 

Manduka upcycles your old yoga mat into a new product. Photo Courtesy Manduka.

So I was thrilled to find Recycle Your Mat, a company founded by yogini Stephanie Stano in 2008. With help from companies such as Manduka (the company that made my mat), Recycle Your Mat will give my mat a second life as an upcycled or recycled product. (Upcycling is the process of turning a product into something else without chemically altering it.) Roughly 18 million people practice yoga in the United States, Stano’s goal is to collect 1 million mats this year. 

There are three ways to donate your used yoga mat. You can drop it off, mail it to Recycle Your Mat, or convince your yoga studio to become drop site (which is what I intend to do). Before donating your mat, clean it and roll it. Recycle Your Mat offers drop off locations in various communities, or you can just pack it up and send it. Once your mat is recycled, you will receive a coupon to purchase a Manduka eco-friendly yoga mat or other Manduka items. 

Namaste.

We’ve known that climate change could impact human health for years—and now we have affirmation from the medical community. 

A new report from the international medical journal The Lancet identifies climate change as the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. New evidence suggests that climate change is happening faster than originally anticipated. In the past century and a half, 12 of the warmest years on record have occurred in the last 13 years. As temperatures across the globe rise, billions of people—especially the poor—will be at risk for major health concerns. 

If climate change continues at its current rate, millions could face malnutrition because of food shortages. Photo By uncultured/Courtesy Flickr

Disease: Warmer climates mean rodent- and vector-borne diseases (transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and other bugs), such as malaria, Lyme disease, dengue fever and others, will spread faster than ever. Experts expect that by 2080 we’ll see 320 million additional cases of malaria, a disease that can be fatal if left untreated. Decreased rainfall in some regions is also expected to make access to clean water more difficult, which will likely increase the spread of disease. 

Food shortage: Rising temperatures, drought and erratic rainfall are expected to result in the breakdown of agricultural systems, leaving millions without food. Hunger, illness and death because of malnutrition in places such as Africa and other underdeveloped regions will worsen. Experts say half the world’s population could face food shortages by the end of the century. 

Natural disasters: A changing climate also increases the number and intensity of hurricanes, heat waves, flash floods and other natural disasters. Developing countries will probably be hit worst, as inadequate housing exposes more people to the weather’s effects. 

The report also calls for an international coalition study the health effects of current global climate change, but you don’t have to be part of that to make a difference. Start where you are by taking steps to reduce your carbon emissions at home, or checking out Natural Home’s tips for reducing global warming.

Reading the ingredients labels on cosmetics can feel like reading Russian, so it’s no surprise that most of us don’t check what’s in our skin care products before we toss them into our shopping cart or rub them on our faces. But if you’re not checking out what’s in your beauty products, maybe it’s time. 

For years, major cosmetics companies have been inserting potentially dangerous chemicals into their products, erring on the side of cost savings rather than focusing on their customers’ health. Now that summer’s here – along with the prospect of a new, seasonal skin care regimen – flip that bottle over and see what’s really inside your beauty products. 

Preservatives

Many skin care products contain preservatives, such as parabens, to lengthen their lifespan and kill bacteria. Because they’re cheap, cosmetics companies use ethyl-, methyl-, butyl- and propl- parabens, but these chemicals can irritate and harm your skin, and some of them even release traces of formaldehyde, a carcinogen. Parabens have also been linked to breast cancer. 

Keep an eye out for – and avoid – these ingredients: 

• Bronopol (often listed as 2-brono-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol)

• Diazolidinyl urea

• DMDM hydantion

• Imidazo lidinyl urea

• Quaternium 15 

Glycol

Glycols are often used in moisturizers because they lock in humidity (they’re also used in industrial antifreeze, paints and floor waxes). These chemicals absorb into the body through the skin, and overexposure can cause kidney and liver damage. Some glycols have also been known to damage the reproductive system and cause birth defects. 

There are several kinds of glycols: propylene glycol (a byproduct of petroleum), glycerin, ethylene glycol, carbitol and diethylene glycol. Scan the label for anything with methyl in its name as well as:

• EGPE

• EGME

• EGEE

• DEGBE

• PGME

• DPGME

Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)

SLS—which is also commonly used in engine degreasers, car wash soaps and garage floor cleaners—gives your beauty products that rich, foamy lather. Prolonged use of SLS can actually change the genetic information in human cells and can break down the protein in skin and hair. It has also been shown to cause cataracts and improper eye development.

Petrolatum

When gasoline is produced, petrolatum is created through the distillation process. Although it’s used as a moisturizer, petrolatum actually has the opposite effect. It coats skin and clogs pores, keeping skin from “breathing” properly. This in turn prohibits skin from naturally moisturizing itself. Petrolatum can also stimulate sun damage.

Artificial colors

Some moisturizers are made with synthetic colors. Because they’re based on coal-tars, many artificial colors contain heavy-metal impurities, such as arsenic and lead, which are known carcinogens.

Most artificial colors are labeled as D&C or FD&C with a number next to them. Keep an eye out for:

• FD&C Blue 1 (carcinogenic)

• FD&C Green 3 (carcinogenic)

• D&C Red 33 (shown to cause cancer)

• FD&C Yellow 5 (shown to cause cancer)

• FC&C Yellow 6 (show to cause cancer) 

If you’re looking for a good moisturizer that leaves out the parabens, petrolatums, glycols and other nasties, check out Aveda’s All-Sensitive Moisturizer or Aveda’s Brightening Moisture Treatment. 

Sunscreen

Not all sunscreens are equal, and many contain dangerous chemicals. These chemicals protect the skin on its surface but can be harmful once they’ve absorbed into the body. 

Look for sunscreens that contain zinc and titanium dioxide, two naturally occurring minerals. Burt’s Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen is made with titanium dioxide, a naturally occurring mineral that reflects light, and it comes in both SPF 15 and SPF 30. Aveda also makes some moisturizers with built-in sunscreen.
Burt’s Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen is made with titanium dioxide and is 99.11 percent natural. Photo Courtesy Burt's Bees.

Last December, the Quimby family paid $1,100 to heat and power their Winthrop, Maine, farmhouse for the month. Something had to be done. 

Jeld-Wen, manufacturer of energy-efficient doors and windows, came to the rescue. The company found the Quimbys during its nationwide search for the family with the highest utility bill, part of an effort to find out just how much difference efficient doors and windows could make. Jeld-Wen replaced the family’s old, heat-leaking windows with 35 new Energy Star-certified Jeld-Wen Vinyl windows (note: Natural Home does not recommend vinyl), installed two Jeld-Wen AuraLast Wood door system exterior doors and added insulation to the basement. 

The energy savings have been astounding: The Quimbys reduced their heating oil intake by half. In addition, their home is more comfortable. Before Jeld-Wen installed the efficient windows, doors and insulation, the family avoided spending time near the drafty windows. 

We hope you don’t have four-figure utility bills to contend with. But even if your situation isn’t as drastic as the Quimbys’, you can make similarly dramatic reductions in your own utility bills. First, find out if your home is leaking energy by performing (or hiring someone to perform) an energy audit. These audits uncover problem areas and find the proper measures to fix them, depending on your home’s needs. Many energy-efficient upgrades may even give you a tax credit under the economic stimulus plan. 

Last year, Natural Home helped a New Jersey family take steps to reduce utility bills in their old, drafty home. Watch this video to find out just how easy—and economically viable—these fixes can be.

I have kids. And every once in a while, I have to let go of my desire to feed them only locally grown, organic, good-for-you snacks. Letting them eat Fritos is just one more thing I said I’d never do—before I had kids—but found next to impossible in reality. 

Now I don’t have to feel quite so guilty about the environmental impacts of my kids’ snacking. TerraCycle is partnering with Frito-Lay North America to collect used chip bags and turn them into a variety of consumer products and green building materials. TerraCycle is an upcycling company, meaning that it uses waste in its existing form to create new products. Recycling, by contrast, breaks down the materials before new products are created. 

TerraCycle’s goal is to collect 5 million chip bags this year. All of FritoLay’s chip brands—Lays, Doritos, Tostitos and others—are eligible for the program. TerraCycle will turn the bags into items such as purses, pencil cases and tote bags, which will be available at major retailers, such as Wal-Mart, by late 2009. 

TerraCycle and FritoLay have teamed up to turn used chips bags into new consumer products. Who knows, your snack bag today could be your tote bag tomorrow! Photo Courtesy TerraCycle

To encourage people to participate in the program, Frito-Lay will donate 2 cents to a charity of choice for each chip bag sent to TerraCycle—and it’ll even pay the postage. The program is limited to FritoLay employees and up to 100,000 consumers, so the company is asking people to join, form or captain one of 1,000 Chip Bag Brigades if they would like to participate. Because the amount of brigades will be limited at first, FritoLay has said it would give priority to mothers and college students with a passion for the environment. 

The new partnership with TerraCycle reflects FritoLay’s efforts to make its products more eco-friendly. In the past five years, FritoLay has reduced the amount of plastic used in its packaging by 10 percent, eliminating 12 million pounds of material used to make the chip bags. In April the company announced that its Sun Chips will be sold in a fully compostable bag made from plant-based renewable resources by 2010. 

So as my kids pop open another bag, I know it may not be the best thing for their health, but at least the bag their chips came in won’t spend the next 100 years clogging up the landfill.

I was a vegetarian for many years, and I know it takes commitment. Since I fell off the wagon several years ago (when I was pregnant), I’ve tried to limit my meat intake and stick to organic, humanely raised beef, chicken and pork. And just for this month, I’m doing my best to abstain. 

Book publishing company Chelsea Green and Los Angeles conscious living website yourdailythread.com have teamed up to create the Meatless in May pledge. Both companies are committed to eating vegetarian meals throughout the month. The Meatless in May project aims to raise awareness about the number of carbon emissions associated with raising livestock.  The campaign stresses that eliminating meat from your diet keeps 5,000 pounds of carbon emissions out of the atmosphere each year—a number startling enough to get even the most casual environmentalist to notice. 

Colorful vegetables add important vitamins and nutrients to your diet. Photo By Computix/Courtesy Flickr 

The combined efforts of the two media teams, along with supporters on Facebook, will help spread the message about the benefits of going vegetarian. The two websites say that raising livestock amounts to 18 percent of greenhouse gases. That number is higher than the percentage of greenhouse gasses attributed to automobile emissions worldwide. 

Going vegetarian isn’t as difficult as some might think. Soybean-based products such as tofu dogs and soy-based energy bars make it easy to get enough protein in your diet. 

Try these recipes to get started with a meat-free month: 

• Vegetarian spring menu: grilled scallions and asparagus; risotto primavera with snow peas and fennel; beet and arugula salad with lemon dill vinaigrette; homemade strawberry shortcakes 

• Tomato brown rice paella with peas and cheddar 

• Honey-gingered carrots 

• Tuscan white bean soup 

Bon appétit!

I’ve found another great reason for indulging myself with great Aveda products. Seven of the company’s products have received Gold Cradle to Cradle certification, making Aveda the world’s first beauty company to receive certification for its sustainable products. 

Cradle to Cradle certification is a way to measure achievement in environmentally intelligent design. To receive certification, a product must use environmentally safe and healthy materials, design recyclable or compostable products, efficiently use renewable energy and water, and institute corporate practices that promote social responsibility.   

Among those receiving the highest marks were Aveda’s Smooth Infusion shampoo and conditioner, Dry Remedy Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, Pure-formance shampoo and conditioner for men and Green Science Firming Face Cream. While the products meet the Gold level certification requirements, the product and package are certified together at the Silver level. 

Aveda's Smooth Infusion shampoo and conditioner and Dry Remedy Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner received some of the highest Cradle to Cradle certification marks. Photos Courtesy Aveda.

This certification is hardly the first of Aveda’s environmental accomplishments. Since its founding in 1978, Aveda has strived to create products that are as beneficial to planet as to its customers. Aveda has also received certification for its Green Ingredient Policy from the Environmental Protection and Encouragement Agency, an affiliate of MDBC, the company offering Cradle to Cradle certification. Aveda describes green ingredients as being: 

• Sourced from organic, sustainable or renewable plant-based origins

• Providing fair compensation to suppliers

• Not negatively impacting the ecosystems from which they are sourced

• Biodegradable

• Involve environmentally responsible processing (for example, steam distillation rather than chemical extraction of essential oils)

• Animal friendly (and not tested on animals) 

Throughout its history, Aveda has been at the forefront of initiating green policies. It has formed partnerships with indigenous communities around the world to sustainably harvest ingredients; it was the first company to incorporate 85 to 90 percent recycled HDPE plastic into all of its products; and it was also the first company to manufacture with 100 percent certified wind power. 

I think I’ll go wash my hair.

How you spend your money matters more than ever these days. Here’s an easy way to connect with your community and make your dollars count. 

Fair Trade supporters, consumers and retailers throughout the country will come together on Saturday, May 9, for the Fair Trade Resource Network's World Fair Trade Day, with planned activities such as organized discussions and breakfasts to raise awareness and discuss the benefits of Fair Trade. Although Fair Trade applies to many products, the day will highlight coffee. Fair Trade is a way for buyers to develop lasting relationships with and fairly compensate artisans and farmers in developing countries. 

Supporters will celebrate Fair Trade’s accomplishments—enhancing the quality of life for people in developing countries—while taking a coffee break and enjoying Fair Trade products at any World Fair Trade Day site. Technically the event is just one day, but celebrations, seminars, mixers and breakfasts throughout the United States will lead to May 9. 

You can attend any of these events or start your own Fair Trade Day event in your local community, as long as at least one of the main drinks or food items served is certified by Transfair USA or produced by a member of the Fair Trade Federation. Starting your own event to honor developing countries, emerging artisans and hardworking farmers is easy and little training is necessary.

As tough economic times hit the renewable energy industry, unsold solar panels are collecting dust in warehouses in many parts of the country. But in Gainesville, Florida, homes, buildings and schools are glittering with brand new panels, installed after the city passed a feed-in tariff law, requiring the power company to buy renewable energy from local producers. Since the law passed in February, Gainesville solar contractors have more work than they can handle. Paradigm Properties, a local real estate company, is installing solar panels on its main building and 50 apartment buildings in Gainesville. Another investor is installing $16 to $20 million worth of 25-kilowatt systems on 80 rented roof spaces around the city. He believes they’ll yield $1.4 million in annual earnings.  

Solar panels are gaining popularity in Gainesville, Florida. Photo By Powerhouse Museum/Courtesy Flickr 

Gainesville is the first U.S. city to institute a feed-in tariff, which encourages entrepreneurial investment in clean energy by guaranteeing a market. Germany implemented feed-in tariffs in 1991, and they’ve been incentive enough for German companies to dominate the green energy market. Several countries have followed suit. 

Feed-in tarrifs are an elegant solution to many issues, and Rep. Jay Inslee of Washington wants to see it work for the rest of the country—not just Gainesville. He’s introduced a bill for a federal feed-in tariff just as they’re beginning to slip into the national conversation. Toby Couture of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory told Washington Monthly that six to eight months ago many of his colleagues had never heard of the tariffs. Now, he says, "Everyone on my team is asking, 'Why aren't we doing this?'"

Last weekend—the second anniversary of the tornado that destroyed the small town of Greensburg, Kansas—residents invited the public to see its progress toward becoming one of the first green towns in the United States. Greensburg homeowners and business owners have rebuilt much of the town with eco-friendly construction materials. 

In the devastating tornado’s aftermath, Greensburg city officials committed to using 100 percent renewable energy from a wind farm a few miles south and mandated that every city building be built to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED Platinum standards. 

The Silo eco-home will be a model for smallscale sustainable food production. The roof will be transformed into usable space through the creation of an herb and vegetable garden. Photo Courtesy Greensburg GreenTown. 

GreenTown is a community-owned organization that partnered with city officials to rebuild the town in a sustainable manner. With assistance from the USGBC and Ogden Publications, parent company of Natural Home, Mother Earth News, The Herb Companion and Utne Reader magazines, GreenTown has planned several buildings slated to qualify for LEED Platinum status, including the John Deere dealership, which opened for business in January; Sun Chips Business Incubator building, completed this May; and the Kiowa County Memorial Hospital, which will be complete in fall 2010. In addition to these buildings, the 5.4.7 Arts, a fine arts community center, achieved LEED Platinum level in 2008. 

In addition, GreenTown’s Chain of Eco-Homes project offers 12 model homes that act as “living laboratories.” Constructed of eco-friendly building materials, each home is scientifically monitored to determine how the materials perform. The homes are open to the public as lodging and as an information center. GreenTown broke ground last December and completed two homes on May 4, 2009. It hopes to complete two more homes by the end of 2009 and the remaining eight by the end of 2011.

I love my dog Rug. She’s become a member of our family, and we want to ensure a good quality of life for her. 

Natural Home editor-in-chief Robyn Griggs Lawrence keeps chemicals away from her rescue dog, Rug. 

As tick and flea season approaches, we won’t be dousing Rug in flea medicine or attaching a flea collar because we know that these can be harmful—both for Rug and for us. Flea collars often contain tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) or propoxur, which can jeopardize Rug’s immune system and leave damaging lifelong effects. According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, flea collars that contain these chemicals can damage the nervous system, negatively affect the brain and even lead to cancer. These chemicals are especially damaging for children as they delay motor developments and can lead to Parkinson’s disease. 

You can avoid these toxic chemicals by taking the following natural and preventive measures:

• Give your pet regular baths.

• Wash your pet’s bedding and clean the areas where your pet sleeps, such as sofas or rugs. Cleaning these surfaces the same day as you wash your pet.

• Use a flea comb in between baths.

• If you have carpet, vacuum regularly and clean area rugs.

• Boost your pet’s immune system with herbs.

• Create a natural flea and tick rinse with rosemary, wormwood, southernwood, lavender, pennyroyal or eucalyptus. Randy Kidd, a veterinarian in Kansas City, Missouri, recommends a combination of three or four of those herbs.

Until recently, few of us associated the word “green” with “major corporations.” Many companies, however, have made a commitment to green practices—and some even get 100 percent of their energy from renewable sources. The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a list of the top green power purchasers in the United States, and the results might surprise you. 

Several large corporations, such as Whole Foods Market, are purchasing wind power.  Photo By WA State DNR/Courtesy Flickr  

For the second year in a row, Intel Corporation secured the top spot, purchasing more than 1.3 billion kWh of renewable energy from wind power. That’s 46 percent of Intel’s total electricity use, and it keeps about 934,000 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere—as much as would be emitted from130,000 American homes. 

Although no other company buys as many kilowatts per hour as Intel does, several companies on the list were getting 100 percent of their total electricity use from renewable sources. PepsiCo, number two on the list, and Whole Foods Market, number five on the list, both fall in this category. PepsiCo bought 1.15 million kWh from various sources, and Whole Foods Market bought half a million kWh from solar and wind sources. 

The nation’s top 50 purchasers buy more than 11 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, offsetting as much carbon dioxide as would be produced to power more than 1.1 million average American homes. The companies work with EPA’s Green Power Partnership, which helps more than 1,000 organizations voluntarily purchase green power. Overall, EPA Green Power Partners buy more than 16 billion kWh of green power annually, equivalent to the CO2 emissions from electricity use in more than 1.5 million American homes. Purchase amounts reflect U.S. operations only and are sourced from U.S.-based green power sources. 

Now that major corporations have jumped on board, why not think about switching to a source of renewable energy yourself? Natural Home’s guide to alternative energy will steer you through the different options available and help you decide which one’s best for you.

Urban dwellers can’t seem to get enough of the simple life. 

Once thought the domain of farm folk, raising chickens is becoming more popular in urban and suburban settings. Chickens keep bugs away, provide rich compost—and sometimes get the neighbors talking. 

Raising chickens in the city is becoming more popular, but some residents oppose it. Photo by Kusine/Courtesy Flickr 

Neighbors who aren’t as enthusiastic about urban poultry are piping up. Across America, city and animal shelter officials are reviewing proposals that would restrict people from raising chickens and other farm animals in urban environments.

Urban farming enthusiasts, such as Jules Dervaes of Pasadena, California, are combating these proposals by raising awareness in town hall meetings about city chicken farming. Dervaes, whose garden was named Natural Home’s Garden of the Decade, lives with his three children in an urban neighborhood and grows a thriving organic garden that sustains the family. They sell fresh produce and chicken eggs to local restaurants while maintaining an attractive home and garden. 

Dervaes’ dedication to being part of a sustainable local economy motivated him to take interest in a neighboring city. San Clemente, about 70 miles south of Pasadena, currently has a zoning ordinance in place that restricts residents from raising chickens as pets; residents can have chickens as long as their home sits at least 100 feet from another house or lot. Residents who live on smaller lots cannot obtain permits.  

Although the proposal to ban all farm animals, such as chickens, cows and goats, is still on hold, Rick Gilliland, general manager of the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter, believes the proposal will be reversed and current zoning ordinance will stand. Gilliland doesn’t see a total ban on chickens in the future. 

Do you live in an area that bans or allows chickens? Leave a comment and discuss your experiences.