We all know that driving SUVs and smoking cigarettes are harmful to the earth, but how many of us pass over that $20 party dress at H&M to save the environment? A cloud of black exhaust doesn’t hover over the hanger and a thin wisp of smoke doesn’t trail behind after you’ve slipped it on, but that cute little number leaves a not-so-pretty pollution footprint all the way to your closet.

For starters, let’s talk fiber. With the consumer demand for cheap, fashionable clothing on the rise, man-made fabric is once again being manufactured so the fashion industry can keep up with the latest trends at affordable prices. Polyester — the most widely used fake fiber — is made from petroleum and the process uses a lot of energy while requiring crude oil. Many textile manufacturing plants produce mass amounts of harmful emissions into the air. The by-products of production include acid gases and other virulent compounds which seep into the ground surrounding facilities and make their way into water. Workers at these plants are required to wear protective gear and sometimes end up suffering from respiratory complications.

Cotton is okay though, right? It’s natural and softer than polyester at least. Cotton may not require the manufacturing synthetic fabric does, but it certainly contributes to the deterioration of the environment. The growth of the cotton crop depends heavily on pesticides, which are sprayed into the air, contaminate the soil and not only kill insects attacking cotton plants but also non-threatening bugs beneficial to the earth. When the cotton is ready to harvest, herbicides are applied to make picking easier, exposing manual laborers to toxins that increase the risk of cancers as well as respiratory and neurological disorders. The wind carries all of these toxins to the trees and water affecting surrounding wildlife and the natural ecosystem. In the United States alone, non-organic cotton crops account for a quarter of all the pesticide used. In developing countries, where regulations on pesticides are even less strict, spraying cotton plants and other crops is often more toxic.

Fiber is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how clothing manufacturing affects the world. International outsourcing of labor to ensure lower prices in stores accounts for abusive working conditions across the globe. It also requires transcontinental shipments of goods, widening the environmental footprint of manufacturing.

Designer styles are practically disposable today — especially for women — but before you trade that Andrew Jackson for a one-time-wear outfit, consider the consequences of its creation. Swapping apparel, shopping consignment and mending clothes looks even more appealing now — thanks to the state of the economy and for the sake of the planet.

photo by taryn domingos

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I’m having tea, an aromatic ginger maicha blend, with my friend Blu when the conversation turns – as it inevitably does – to biking. There’s still the gossiping over Sex and the City reruns or even a shared workout at the gym, but riding is what we have in common, something that runs deep in our mottled lives: Day jobs, night joys and grocery store runs – all on two wheels.

So, Blu and I chat about biking just like we do boyfriends. There’s always something to talk about because, as chicks who ride, it’s elemental.

My other friends marveled when I made the choice to go from four wheels to two:
“You’re going to bike everywhere? Even in February?” Elizabeth exclaimed.
Unfortunately, my ‘just watch me’ attitude seemed to hit below the belt for some, as if I was making a judgment on their cars, their unchanged lifestyles. People are quick to tell you why they love to drive, as soon as they find out that you don’t.

“It’s all about the independence of being able to drive wherever I want” tops the charts. Makes sense, right? Then again, if racing myself down a two mile hill with the wind in my hair isn’t freedom, I need a lesson fast.

Seriously though, let’s not compare a bicycle to a registered lethal weapon. When I get on the saddle each day I don’t have any choice but to embrace the obvious differences.

My thighs
My calves
My breath
Green air (strange concept, I know)

I propel myself through this city, like a bullet thrust down a pavement barrel.  At 5’3” with a 47” Novarra Corsa, I am frail compared to the next girl, cozily ensconced in a grand of steel. But once you take on a bike, the power surge of endorphins that come with constant exercise will send you to the moon.

There’s a dark side, of course.

I bought my first car upon graduating college and was always behind the wheel. I routinely drove the thirty miles south to visit my parents. Road trips to Portland were always rolling. So, when two years later, I decided to give it all up for a fifty dollar Peugeot picked off Craigslist I was very VERY BAD AT BIKING. I didn’t know a hybrid from a fixie! I kept the bike in the lowest possible gear (when your pedals spin really fast), unabashedly rode on the sidewalk and walked up hills.  Plus, it’s scary. I’ve had a few gnarly crashes and once was hit by a car (in a crosswalk no less) so with a macabre slideshow of various medical emergencies drifting through my subconscious, I always expect the worse from even a Volkswagen Beetle.

You want to know the secret? That laundry list you just read? I’m not complaining. The downsides to this lifestyle don’t have anything on the benefits that come from making a conscious choice to go against the grain, to go green as a stunning exception: that girl who rides her bike.

photo by pat castaldo

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What do Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney and Brad Pitt have in common? They are all ecosexuals! A new term has been coined on the West Coast that puts metrosexuality to shame, it’s called ecosexuality and describes people who look for mates that share the same environmental concern.

If you think “environmentally friendly” or “socially conscious” men are limited to the dirty hippie stereotypes, think again. Ecosexuality combines GQ sexiness with a heart for something more than just a big bank account and fancy car.

Personally, I’ve done a lot of dating over the past few years and the men who will always occupy a little part of my heart were those who were, in some way, green. Whether it was the guy who told me he once donated to PETA, who loved An Inconvenient Truth, who refused to buy farmed salmon or who made energy efficiency a bigger priority than affordability when buying a car, they all had an unforgettable effect on me.

To me, nothing is sexier that a man who has a heart for saving the environment. This doesn’t mean he has to be David Suzuki, but that he cares for it enough to make green decisions in his life, like asking for the most sustainable hard wood floor at Home Depot. It just screams compassion – and that he’ll probably be a better lover and father because of it.

Now this is not to say that there is no hope for the man you’re currently dating or interested in if he’s not green. I’ve educated many men over the past who have now become full-fledged greenies.

So what if you decide you want to date an ecosexual but don’t know where to turn? No problem! With green lifestyles becoming so chic in mainstream media lately, it’s no wonder that men’s ecosexual traits would now become dating criteria.

Dating websites are popping up at an alarming rate where one can now choose mates based on their carbon-neutral, fair-trade consumption or vegetarian lifestyles.

And if you’re not sure whether or not you qualify as an ecosexual, you can now take the fun ecosexual quiz.

So whether you prefer to love global and date local or are looking for Zero-carbon love, ecosexuality is where it’s at.

Enjoy green dating!

Hear more from the Urban Green Girl at her blog about green living solutions for urban girls.

photo by roger mateo poquet

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The three R’s of environmental education have been etched in the minds of Americans for decades. Across the country, households reduce energy waste by turning off lights and unplugging electronics. They reuse plastic bags and take out containers for trash liners and Tupperware. And plastic, glass, and cans are instinctively deposited into recycle bins.

This environmentally conscious trio has now evolved into a potent quintet of buzz words with the addition of two new R’s. Refuse and repair arm us with new ideas to combat waste and remind us how small gestures can initiate big change.

Here are just some of the ways you can refuse instead of consume:

•        Banish unsolicited junk mail by removing your name from marketing databases and credit card companies. Call any credit card company that keeps contacting you to stop receiving unwanted offers.

•        Buy loose fruits and vegetables — not a package of three peppers or a bag of apples.

•        Don’t ask for double bagging at the grocery store. Better yet — altogether refuse a bag for just two or three items.

•        Let friends and family know you prefer donations in your name or nothing at all as opposed to unwanted gifts.

•        Pick up seasonal and local produce rather than favoring imported goods.

•        Forgo disposable products by using a rag instead of paper towels and a handkerchief instead of tissues.

•        Don’t be afraid to shy away from products made by companies who harm the environment.

•        Adopt a no gimmick policy. Not every monumental event in your life requires a “How To” book or stack of magazines.

Prepare to save some green by opting to repair instead of replacing certain items. Socks, boots, furniture, small electronics, watches and jewelry can be fixed as opposed to tossed in most cases.

Despite the ongoing encouragement to save the planet, we are constantly tempted and inclined to buy inexpensive, expendable goods that break quickly and can be replaced cheaply. Especially in this time of economic difficulty, our tight budgets favor our impulse to find ways to get the most out of the products we invest money in.

The two new R’s expect consumers will take a moment to consider their choices and make thoughtful purchases. Refuse asks us to decline convenience packaging and unnecessary products. Repair depends on consumers saving up for a sturdy kitchen table that will last a lifetime or taking the time to reupholster that comfy couch with vintage fabric instead of placing it out on the curb. Whether there are three or five R’s, taking care of the environment is ultimately our responsibility.

photo by king desmond photography

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You are probably already aware that as of February 17th, some US TV stations will switch from analog to digital broadcasting. Although the benefits are obvious in terms of better picture quality, where does this leave all the old CRT and analog TVs when e-waste is already a mounting problem in United States?

Good news, if you currently have an analog TV, do not despair as you can get a digital-to-analog converter box to watch over-the-air digital broadcasts. They will also work with subscription services to cable or satellite TV.

If you still really want to get a new digital flat screen TV, then at least recycle your old one. This will help decrease e-waste which not only overcrowds landfills with toxic waste, but is also socially unjust. Did you know that we ship our e-waste off to developing nations where it is taken apart in a toxic manner, often by young children?

Recycling your old TV has never been easier thanks to myGreenElectronics, a site operated by the Consumer Electronics Association where you can locate recycling centers by zip code. Californians can also contact YNotRecycle, who will come to your house to pick up your electronics for free or you could go to eRecycle with its list of drop off locations.

If you’re in the market for a new digital flat screen, please choose an energy-efficient TV, such as Sony’s new Bravia VE5 eco line which is not only energy efficient, but turns off if no one is watching thanks to its sensor.  Sony also has a recycling program where they will take back your old Sony TV’s, another reason to purchase a Sony.

For more information on e-waste and how it affects United States, please contact Basel Action Network

Hear more from the Urban Green Girl at her blog about green living solutions for urban girls.

photo by don fulano

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We’ve promised to fill you in on some good green tips in ‘09 but not to overwhelm you with burying you leaf by leaf, suggestion by suggestion, fact by fact, but giving you just what you can handle. And we know you can handle more.  So here’s a quick recap before we move on.

The last suggestions:

• Use CFLs to light your way to going green…and your home.
• Sign up for paperless billing and flaunt the tech-savvy girl in you.

The new two-step for That Green Girl:

Un-Plug It!
I am again guilty of perpetually leaving my cell phone and various other electronic necessities; toaster, ipod/computer charger, blow dryer, straightener, etc., plugged in. But even when turned off or not in use, they can waste hundreds of dollars a year in energy. So when you’re not using it Un-Plug It! Using a single power strip for multiple devices is the best way to cut down on energy for idle electronics.
Eco-Fact: 60-80% of the electricity used by electronic devices is sucked out when they’re idle.

Recycle! Recycle! Recyle!
It’s a simple thing really, place another bin beside your regular trash can. Place plastic, glass and aluminum items in it…done. Look up your local recycling center; you’d be surprised how close one actually is to you. Most centers pay for your recyclables. (SWEET!) A couple of months of recycling can add up to a guilt-free shopping spree!
Eco-Fact: Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

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The perils of global warming, deforestation and deterioration of our oceans looms large. And even though, as Gen Y-ers,  we’re well informed and concerned with these matters, what exactly are we doing about it?

Whether you’re an environmental activist, protester or supporter, there’s no better way to make a difference than by joining an environmental organization. One of the most reputable and highly successful non-profits protecting and conserving the environment is Greenpeace International—existing because our planet needs a voice, solutions, change, and action.

It’s hard to believe that what started off as a handful of determined activists protesting on a boat in Alaska in the early 70s is now one of the most successful environmental organizations—boasting approximately 2.5 million members worldwide.

With countless green organizations out there, what makes this one so unique? Greenpeace encourages citizens to get involved and be part of the solution. They take pride in a peaceful approach and creative campaigns to expose global environmental problems while promoting solutions that are essential to a “green and peaceful future.”

Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and the proliferation of green products hitting store shelves only reflect the urgency of global warming. Taking matters in their own hands, Greenpeace is putting Congress on the hot seat, working with businesses to implement solutions, and exposing secrets of corporate polluters. The issue of nuclear power very much concerns Greenpeace, which not only finds it highly dangerous and unsafe, but also uneconomical and unnecessary.

If you believe ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things, check into Greenpeace. The possibilities are limitless! Take action online, start a blog, donate, support, subscribe to the Greenpeace YouTube channel, spread the word, fan a Facebook page, friend the MySpace site, volunteer, get a job with the organization, have your ideas or voice be heard or simply just make you life a little greener. There’s no better time than now to be part of the global effort to save this planet. Get inspired, join Greenpeace and be a part of the change!

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At New York Fashion Week in early 2008, green became the new black. Nine top designers including Marc Jacobs, Narciso Rodriguez, and Ralph Lauren created one-of-a-kind designs promoting renewable and reusable non-pollutant materials, proving that organic clothing can be fashionable.

If you’re a fashionista with a penchant for eco-chic designs, then you’re no stranger to labels such as American Apparel and Stella McCartney. Both are known for carrying eco-friendly threads and products; making them widely popular among the fashion crowd. Consumers worldwide are becoming more environmentally conscious when it comes to selecting an outfit or sporting accessories.

With countless companies claiming to be “eco-friendly,” or “green,” it can get confusing as to what constitutes as organic.  Simply put, organic clothing is made of all-natural, non-synthetic materials. Those plant-based materials which have not been radiated, genetically modified or treated with synthetic or chemical pesticides. These days, designers are using organic fabrics like cotton, wool, silk and hemp for many of their lines.

Fashion pioneer Stella McCartney incorporates wool, silk and other animal derived products into many of her designs. In an industry where leather goods mean big bucks, McCartney refuses to use fur or leather in her clothing line, which makes her a fashion renegade. Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow are avid wearers or Stella’s designs, but just by looking at her clientele you could guess that her gear can be a bit pricey.

American Apparel, a Los Angeles based counter-culture clothing company which has sworn off sweat-shop labor, is a bit more budget friendly. They sell 100% USDA organic shirts under the “sustainable” label, which is manufactured in LA. American Apparel sets itself apart from other retailers by being a vegan-friendly clothing company as well. You’ll find tank tops, pants, denim, dresses, vintage clothing and accessories for men, women and children in a plethora of colors (and metallic sheens if you so desire) in their stores. Their prices are slightly higher than other retailers, but both hipsters and plain-Janes are willing to fork out a few extra dollars for the quality and selection.

Recently Humanity Clothing announced their teaming up with the Nickelodeon/Viacom company to create limited edition eco-chic, luxury fashion t-shirts. The cause-driven clothing line plans to create a series of five environmentally themed t-shirts inspired by the networks animated hit SpongeBob SquarePants. Helena Cho, fashion designer and Co-Founder of Humanity says, “We hope that just as SpongeBob always conveys an environmentally conscious message to his audience, this t-shirt will do the same to children and adults alike.” The 100% organic cotton marine-life themed tees (encrusted with crystals!) will be available later this year.

The environmentally inclined consumer has steered every facet of the fashion market—from high end to hipster to youngster. But is wearing organic clothing more about a lifestyle than a trend? As the organic movement grows, consumers will continue to purchase eco-friendly clothes and products if their hearts are in the right place. If you’re feeling inspired to help make a change through your clothing purchases but can’t afford to splurge on eco-chic designs, look out for bargain retailers that offer eco-friendly lines. With all these stylish and green fashion alternatives, you’ll not only look but feel fabulous.

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We’ve promised to fill you in on some good green tips in ’09 but not to overwhelm you with burrying you leaf by leaf, suggestion by suggestion, fact by fact, but giving you just what you can handle. And we know you can handle more.  So here’s a quick recap before we move on.

The last suggestions:

• Stay away from the plastic water bottles.  We suggest non-toxic steel.
• Carry a tote with you for all your shopping needs.

The new two-step for That Green Girl:

1. Light It Up
C’mon Girls, incandescent light bulbs are sooo 2004. CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Although initially more expensive, and funny looking, you save money (yeeaah!) in the long run because CFLs use 1/3 the electricity and last up to 10 times as long.
Eco-Fact: By replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL you can keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

2. Paperless = Fabulous
As a “grown-up” I know all to well the complexity of monthly bills. The envelope they come in, the statement inside, and the envelope they send you to send your check back to them; it all adds up to a big heap of waste. So to achieve green goddess status, go paperless when at all possible! Electric, water, credit card and yes even that painful student loan bill can all be paid online. Several companies now offer special rewards (uh, hello Victoria’s Secret angel points) for paying online. So go forth my friends, and E-Pay.
Eco-Fact: Every ton of paper recycled a year saves 17 trees and 7000 gallons of water.

These tips are pretty basic, but if you’re not living by them, you’re not making a difference. Good luck Green Girls! Stay tuned, when these green habits become second nature, we’ll have more to keep you gorgeously green!

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Going Green was one of the biggest trends of ‘08, and it’s going to stick around in ‘09.  More chic than high-waisted skirts, more comfortable than platform heels, from organic veggies (grown locally of course) to t-shirts, hybrid cars to vegan makeup, the green movement is sweeping through every facet of life and IATG is here to help.  We know that going from green weak to green chic can seem daunting but regroup with these quick, cheap and easy ways to make you That Green Girl, two steps at a time:

——-

1. Girl of Steel
Plastic water bottles were the greatest hurdle to overcome in my personal green movement. I was addicted to them. But I am living proof that this vice can be conquered. Non-toxic steel water bottles are the best alternative. Choose a cute one in a color that makes you happy, and every time you fill it up think of all the money you’re saving not buying cases of water.
Eco-Fact: Americans’ demand for bottled water last year required the equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil – enough fuel for more than 1 million U.S. cars for a year.

2. Be Tote-ally Green
Plastic bags have begun to be taxed in hundreds of cities worldwide and dozens of countries have banned them outright.  Non-woven polypropylene tote bags are the most highly recommended product, but any sustainable bag will do. The trick is to use it over and over and refuse using any paper or plastic market bags. They are popping up all over the place, so choose one that speaks to your personality and never leave home without it!
Eco-Fact: The EPA estimates that it takes a plastic bag over 500 years to decay in a landfill.

These tips are pretty basic, but if you’re not living by them, you’re not making a difference. Good luck Green Girls! Stay tuned, when these green habits become second nature, we’ll have more to keep you gorgeously green!

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