Recent Articles

I recently stumbled upon my new favorite website called TIG.org, Inspire, Inform, Involve. TakingITGlobal's mission is to empower youth to understand and act on the world's greatest challenges. They are changing the power of the online community by facilitating global education, social en...

Did you ever see the classic Batman movie with Michael Keaton and the legendary performance of The Joker by Jack Nicholson? The plot is simple; Joker is a bad guy, putting toxin chemicals in all of Gotham City’s beauty products. The movie is cinematically silly and dark, but not so far o...

I was recently shopping at Whole Foods in Montclair, running around like a crazy vegetarian looking for ingredients for my new favorite jicama-citrus salad. It went off without a hitch, beloved by my meat-eating family. As I was checking out, there was a table with a lovely, young woman ha...

We all want to eat healthy and the cost of shipping our fresh fruits and vegetables from the farm to our plates is a huge deterrent from eating healthy all the time. Transportation is where the majority of the cost comes from. New York City based BrightFarms is trying to cut out the truck d...

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Today was both gorgeous and starting to be sweltering hot. Here are a few tips to keep cool in the coming months of hotness, (and not the sexy kind, the don’t touch me its too humid and sticky) and staying a nice shade of green too.

1.Travel Consciously...

Spring is here, and it's time to chase the musty, dusty odors out with the winter chill. After months of closed windows and hastily shut doors, you may feel like your house is suffocating you…and maybe it is. The EPA reports that the quality of indoor air can be far more toxic than outdoor air. H...

For many, one of the most emphasized concepts during the course of childhood was the concept of playing fair. At times, this message was communicated through a meaningful glance from a parent; one meant to direct you to share a snack with a younger sibling. At others, it was a lecture from a teac...

Jacquelyn A. Ottman new book title “The New Rules of Green Marketing-Strategies, Tools, and Inspiration for Sustainable Branding” is an inspiring portal of the growing green market and how companies are cleaning up their act to become sustainable for the people, planet, and profits. Ms. ...

One of the most valuable lessons in life comes with the realization that beauty can exist within the simplest places. Despite some of the very magnificent things that life has to offer, some of the most magical moments happen when each of us do something as simple as taking a breath. On the surfa...

One of the most valuable lessons in life comes with the realization that beauty can exist within the simplest places. Despite some of the very magnificent things that life has to offer, some of the most magical moments happen when each of us do something as simple as taking a breath. On the surfa...

As humans, we are fortunate enough to co-exist among various forms of life that thrive in ways so different from our own. Though we have deemed ourselves as the superior form of life, there is much to be learned from the “silent life” that exists in the air, the water, and the trees around us. A ...

At the end of each month, many of us break out our checkbooks, bank
statements, and other documents in order to begin the process of
reconciling our personal finances. As we part ways with April and
make room for May, keep in mind that our finances aren't the only
accounts that need to be s...

In life, we have all encountered a certain situation where the loss seemed to outweigh the gain. From these and other experiences, many of us have learned to follow the age old idiom that advises us to “cut your losses”, and simply move on. An invaluable lesson in life-but sometimes very hard to ...

Tonight is the season premier of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. I can tell you I don't watch much TV, but this is a worthwhile hour to spend in front of the tube.

If you missed last season, Jamie went to a town in Virgiina deemed the unhealthiest in the USA. This season Mr. Oliver is in LA, ...

How clean is your green? Recently, following my passions I have been reading up on green marketing and the incredible power it has. We want to buy products that are good for the environment, be consumers supporting companies that promising all they can to our eco-friendly needs. With all this...

What are your plans for this Saturday night? A romantic dinner by candlelight perhaps or a night dancing in NYC? Either one would be wonderful but keep in mind that a global event will be going down this Saturday night. This Saturday, March 26th is the annual global celebration of Earth Hour, b...

From a certain perspective, life can be viewed as a giant puzzle, and we, the puzzle-makers. For the most part, we are responsible for the task of finding the pieces of life, and working to make sure they fit together in a way that creates peace, harmony, and of course, sustainability. Fortunatel...

The push to raise the profile of soil carbon is gaining momentum.

Governments around the world and not least from the developing world appreciate they have to find ways to increase food production and security while reducing or reversing the loss of carbon from their soils.

The discussions ...

A famous thinker once captured the true essence of modern life, when they coined the phrase that goes as follows: “Civilization is a limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities”. In a time where most processes occur with the aid of an electronic device; our great technology dependence is ...

With only two months down, and ten to go, it's fair to say that in some aspects, we are still in the “dressing room”. In a sense, we are in the process of exploring different ideas and policies to see how they fit before we settle into the groove of 2011. Naturally, decisions that are made during...

Last week I mentioned the Mauno Lao observatory monitoring carbon and other greenhouse gases. www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/#mlo.

I noted the upward trend is very pronounced and levels of CO2 are well beyond anyth...

Behind each step taken towards "greening" our lives, there is a driving force that has influenced us greatly enough to alter some part of our lifestyle. This force is usually in form of an individual or organization that has made a statement strong enough to move us from the rock of familiarity t...

In this blog I wanted to flag a couple of numbers from the Mauna Lao atmospheric carbon dioxide monitoring station. The main point to note is that the planet is on track to exceed 395 parts per million Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide in March or April 2011. We are already effectively in uncharted terr...

When it comes to the topic of encouraging people to get outdoors, it seems as though we are bombarded with conflicting messages. Various industries that promote healthy lifestyles have made it their goal to communicate the benefits of revitalizing our bodies and minds through physical exercise an...

In this article I want to explore in very broad terms the concept of a carbon trading system. Cap and Trade has become one of those technical terms that have become politicized to the point of being unrecognizable. Essentially, cap and trade is a relatively standard, low risk and proven approach ...

In the time that has passed since the advent of the idea of creating a sustainable society, considerable efforts have been made to communicate the responsibility of being mindful consumers. As we strive for awareness in our individual lifestyle choices, it is essential for us to consider the choi...

This article explores two emerging and fortunately convergent concepts – Carbon Sequestration and Soil Health.

Most of the carbon dioxide and global warming debate to date has focused on the science of measuring and monitoring emissions, the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere and the potential e...

If you have ever wandered through a forest, you are likely to agree that there is a quality that closely resembles the society of mankind. In one short stroll, you can encounter an endless variation of trees, plants, and other greenery that all manage to thrive in one environment despite their ou...

It often seems as though the economics of modern day life clash with the concept of life itself. Somewhere in the midst of purchase power, profit, and private corporations, we forgot the most important “p” word: people. This lapse of memory is visible through the resistance to ideals such as the ...

The film "Gasland" includes a multitude of interviews with people whose property and water have been affected by fracking, the process of extracting natural gas from the earth below their property by pumping chemicals and water into holes drilled 8,000 to 11,000 feet deep. (A mile is 5,280 feet...

On any given day, the human mind processes countless amounts of thoughts and ideas that often disappear into the deep crevices of the brain. The most proven method of rounding up these lost gems of knowledge is simply to surround oneself with like minded individuals and engage in conversation. Un...

Was one of your New Year’s Resolutions to do more to help the environment and “go green”? Do you now find yourself struggling to come up with easy, inexpensive ways to do this that will not drastically affect your daily lifestyle? If yes, then look no further. Here at EcoMaids NJ, we have come ...

To some extent, renewable energy is a concept that has been tweaked and twisted to express a wide spectrum of dissimilar beliefs. As always, you have the extremists i.e., people who believe that all modes of life should be derived entirely from renewable sources of energy which include the sun, o...

"The grid is continually getting greener. You can't say that about oil!" So said one electric car owner last evening to the comment that the majority of U.S. electricity comes from coal, and that is hardly greener than oil. The main speaker said that even with present technology, "An electri...

In 2005, the United States Environmental Protection Agency published a report entitled “Everyday Choices: Opportunities for Environmental Stewardship”. In this report, the concept of environmental stewardship is roughly defined as “the responsibility for environmental quality...that can be reflec...

Happy New Year! I suspect I’m not the only one who has resolved this year to avoid being sucked into my email for hours a day. This is much easier said than done, of course, and as usual, after reading an email this morning, I found myself perusing the internet clicking here and clicking there,...

Although the New Year has arrived, it may be hard to recognize if your house is brimming with leftover holiday cheer. Some remnants can be banished with ease, such as boxes of ornaments and Christmas lights that can reclaim their place among the abandoned treasures gathering dust in the basement...

Although the New Year has arrived, it may be hard to recognize if your house is brimming with leftover holiday cheer. Some remnants can be banished with ease, such as boxes of ornaments and Christmas lights that can reclaim their place among the abandoned treasures gathering dust in the basement...

Well folks, the whirlwind of wrapping paper and ribbons has finally settled into a calm, reflective anticipation of the new year. Sadly, its time to replace the gadgets and gizmos of the Christmas wish list with something a bit more practical: resolutions. As always, there are those that are ea...

It's safe to say that many have found themselves firmly planted in the midst of a whirlwind of holiday festivities. Let's let the dust settle for a moment, and turn our minds toward a less frenzied, yet equally important aspect of the holiday season. The Christmas Bird Count is an early-winter bi...

Voted best eco-gift by The Awarenest, we love it and so will you. The Sno Wovel is the World’s Safest Snow Shovel and environmentally friendly too.

I ordered my Sno Wovel last year before Christmas, we already had snow here in New Jersey before December 25th. The Sno Wovel had to be assembled ...

It's always nice to put the present on hold, and travel through history to catch a glimpse of the various practices that have evolved into the traditions we now treasure. Today, Christmas trees are viewed as a key symbol of the holiday season, and for many, the celebration is incomplete without t...

As we progress in to the heart of the holiday season, many are likely to belong to one of two categories. Some may find themselves stuck in the agonizing stage of wracking the brain to come up with clever gift ideas. Others may find themselves forming a smug smile, completely secure in the knowle...

Family, friends, parties, dinners, get-togethers celebrations, the holidays are filled with social interactions that happen indoors and focus around good company and food. Your house has to be cleaned and prepared for guests, food must be made served and then leftovers stored. It can be a ...

Art, in its many forms, has grown to become a historical necessity; it functions as a medium through which we understand the vision, thoughts, or practices of people from a different time. One can only imagine the concepts that will be reflected in the various works that will take root and fly ...

In a few short days, we will prepare to undertake the various celebratory practices deemed as appropriate for “Thanksgiving”. For many, this will include consuming a wide array of meats, treats, and other dishes of delight. Luckily for all, the ‘Nest is bringing another savory item to the table...

In many ways, the advancement of technology has and will continue to perpetuate a sense of unfamiliarity between ourselves and our natural environment. The advent of gadgets and gizmos that can manage and multi-task almost every aspect of our lives has left us both awestruck and somewhat unappre...

In less than a week, many will gather to encourage, educate, and enjoy a process that is well known here at the Nest: recycling. November 15th 2010 will mark the 13th anniversary of “America Recycles Day”, the one day that is set aside to reinforce a task that has grown to become an integral part...

Universally speaking, garbage is a nasty notion. The word itself paints an unpleasant picture of slippery banana peels, unidentifiable gunk, and an unsightly mixture of all sorts. Blessed is the day upon which the trucks arrive to gather and banish a week’s worth of waste to unseen regions. Out o...

Many of us diligently bring our reusable grocery bags with us to the store and farmers market but what about all those plastic produce bags? I don’t see anyone with reusable produce bags in line with me at check out. We sometimes forget how many of these bags are used once and thrown away. Accord...

Autumn’s biggest seasonal event is Halloween. Counting the parties, treats and costumes, many Americans look forward to the festivities of Halloween for months, and some celebrate a few times in the season. For the eco-inclined, however, the only thing scary about this holiday is the am...

A company called Conserve has introduced a cost effective green cleaning option. These are planet friendly cleaning tabs which are just added to water to create a solution to clean just about anything in your home. This includes bathrooms, kitchens, glass and windows, and other surfaces. The Fan...

Economic uncertainty. Depleted energy sources. Unfortunately, these are the issues that sit heavy on minds and slip from the lips of many across the nation. Whether the crises we face take shape in unsightly employment rates, or environmental stress, it’s clear that we need an alternative. As “gr...

Recently I sent an e-mail response to a friend of mine. I received this message back in my inbox with this message “I heard your email” DriveSafe.ly. read it to me. I will get back to you soon". Intrigued, I clicked on the the link and found...

Products labeled Fair Trade are starting to become a more familiar sight to many consumers. What does fair trade mean and why does it matter? It means a fair wage and safe and healthy working environment for laborers, a fair product price to farmers and producers through direct trading whenever...

Maybe the names of the flavors alone made me believe that I was eating something that was as natural as could be….flavors such as Cherry Garcia, Karamel Sutra, and Imagine Whirled Peace strike a certain chord in this retired ‘tree hugger’ and made me think, hey now this stuff is just basic sweet ...

In the fast pew years, an abundance of information has been unearthed regarding the ill-desired impact that automobiles have on the environment. Many admirable changes have been made including the creation of hybrid and electric cars, as well as the use of flex-fuel, a blend of ethanol, a renewab...

Another summer has come and gone with the telltale sign that football season is once again upon us. According to Sporting Intelligence, football ranks at the top of the list with the highest attendance of any sport in the world, with a whopping average of 67,509 fans per game translating to over...

Meet my new friend Bobble! This innovative, patented reusable water bottle filters water as you drink. A replaceable charcoal filter pulls out impurities before your first sip. I love the shape and it is comfortable to carry around and extremely light weight.

Ok, so what are the specs? The Bo...

Local green cleaning expert shares tips on keeping warmer while staying green

Fall is fast approaching and most homeowners should start thinking about getting their houses ready for the cooler months. Our eco-friendly cleaning expert reminds owners to think green even as the leaves are changi...

In recent news, grizzly bear attacks near Yellowstone have been connected to a decline in whitebark pine seeds, an important source of nutrition for grizzlies and a number of other animals and birds. Some point out that this connection is inaccurate because the season for the seeds, which accord...

Many of us will encounter a tipping point of some sort throughout the course of our day. A tipping point is the point at which something becomes out of balance and moves from one state to another. For example, our mood. We may wake up happy, in a great mood, full of patience, ready to destroy th...

I’m sure I’m not the only one who remembers covering my textbooks with used shopping bags. Who knew we were so eco-chic back then? I also remember coming home with a list of supplies my Mom had to get for me and that Bee Gees lunchbox, made out of who knows what, that I just had to have. When ...

Saving Ocean Life: movie review

The movie "End of the Line," based on the book of the same name by Charles Clover, had much amazing photography and many frightening facts. However, it did have its upside, which seems worth emphasizing. Clover was asked toward the end, "Are you optimistic or p...

What do 1Sky, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Green America have in common? All three non-profits work hard for the environment and they will all benefit from the fundraising efforts of Climate Ride participants. The upcoming Brita Climate Ride California 2010, is scheduled to take place in Nor...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with authority to regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act, has set limits for the first time on toxic emissions including mercury and fine particulate matter affecting both existing and new cement plants. The EPA estimates that these regulations, whic...

It's amazing - ever since we started to compost, we literally only need to change our garbage bag once a week! But not only that, looking into compost and what it does for the planet, it turns out that composting is the most effective way to improve our soil’s well being. In addition, new researc...

According to the Eco Hotels and Lodge Collection website , of the more than 2,500 properties around the world claiming to be green, the EHLC estimates that “no more than 5% of these Properties fully del...

As recently reported on the CBS News see video bed bugs are becoming a national pain in the – well, everywhere! Bed bug related calls to exterminators are up 57% nationwide over the past...

Wow! Someone on Capitol Hill has finally realized that the lack of government regulation on personal care products is unacceptable and has decided to do something about it. Thank you to Rep. Jan Schakowsky along with Rep. Edward Markey and Rep. Tammy Baldwin who have introduced the Safe Cosmeti...

I was very excited to try out the GreenSmart Neogreen laptop sleeve, especially since I have been using my daughter’s old messenger bag to tote my laptop around. I had no idea that a laptop sleeve could have such value besides the obvious bump and thump protection.

The GreenSmart neogreen lapt...

According to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, no. It is their position that it would require an “unlikely sequence of events” to do so.

In a recent article, The Gloucester County Times noted that “. Commissioner Bob Martin has assembled a special Gulf Spill Team to monitor the s...

In a battle against childhood obesity, The Center for Science in the Public Interest has informed McDonald’s of its intent to sue for using toys to promote their kid’s meals. It is their standpoint that the promotions violate consumer laws in several states, including New Jersey.

However the c...

This past holiday weekend I was introduced to "Skoy" the paper towel alternative. I try my best to use dishtowels and rags in my home to clean but do admit to some "recycled" paper towel use. I was excited to try the cleaning cloths, especially after reading on the companies website that 2.5 mill...

The long, lazy days of summer are here and along with the barbecues, the beach and the poolside festivities, comes the giver of light and the cause of skin-cancer in more than 1,000,00 people each year – the sun. As you plan your get-togethers and vacations, don’t forget one important item for yo...

In times of disaster, the people of the United States have time and time again shown themselves to be resourceful, courageous and passionate, and the current BP oil disaster in the Gulf is no exception. However, as the hundreds and thousands of animals and plant life drown in a sea of viscous pet...

Everyone loves barbecues. The warm summer breeze, the mouth-watering smoky aromas, the sweet taste of homemade macaroni salad... it becomes easy to forget about being eco-friendly when you're too busy taking care of dirty paper plates and empty beer cans. So what can you do to avoid being too was...

There are many reasons to eat organic produce, including for your health, but one you may not be aware of is that - when it comes to growing food – healthy, regenerative soil is vital. Organic is the only method of growing that is sustainable.

An estimated 10,000 species of microbes, including...

Last weekend was the first time I wore my flip flops this season. A good feeling as then I know summer is really here, not so excited to put on a swimsuit but that’s another story!

Would you believe that flip flops are some of the most common debris to wash up on Kenya’s beaches? UniquEco has ...

Most of the food Americans eat travels over 1500 miles to reach the plate. Produce from California travels over 2000 miles to reach New Jersey. For every California calorie we eat, 87 calories of fuel are used trucking it here. Food is shipped for our convenience with little consideration for dis...

We came across this company a few months before The Awarenest launch and couldn't wait to share Looptworks.

Loopworks repurposes abandoned materials into cool limited edition clothing and accessories. Looptworks re-uses the world's pre-consumer excess, aiming to reduce manufacturing waste and ...

Welcome to The Awarenest! We officially launched on Earth Day – April 22, 2010. Thank you for visiting and your comments and feedback are most welcome.

You won’t find a generic “green” directory here. Our goal is to support and nurture each individual county’s unique character and spirit. E...

Welcome to The Awarenest! We are thrilled to have officially launched on Earth Day – April 22, 2010. Thank you for visiting and your comments and feedback are most welcome.

You won’t find a generic “green” directory here. Our goal is to support and nurture each individual county’s unique cha...

Recently I saw "No Impact Man" in Montclair, NJ. The screening itself is a community event hosted by Community Green. Every month people from all over NJ come together to view and discuss an environmental movie. "No Impact Man" seemed to be a favorite as there was record turn out and the discussi...

Welcome to The Awarenest and our live Beta launch! The website's official launch date is Earth Day April 22, 2010. Between today and April 22 we will be in Beta test mode. This allows us time to tweak any technical issues; e-mail any comments or suggestions we would love to get your feedback.

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