In these times of unnatural disasters—such as BP’s out-of-control oil-hemorrhaging drill “spill,” as well as extreme weather events caused by increasing climate volatility—more people are seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint: i.e., their consumption of fossil fuels (petroleum, coal, and natural gas). We are all essentially junkies—or oiloholics—who don’t know how to live without these substances.

Power plants (especially those that burn coal), transportation (particularly emissions from cars and jets), and energy use for homes and buildings (e.g., for heating and cooling) are the primary sources of carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide and methane. [For detailed information on the percentage of emissions from different sectors, see the U.S. Energy Information Administration: Emissions of Greenhouse Gases Report and Architecture 2030’s data analysis.]

Until government and industry help shift our infrastructure and economy away from dinosaur fuels and into clean, renewable energy sources, we’ll never be able to get truly “clean”—so we should all be pushing for government to end subsidies and tax breaks to dirty energy industries and to support cleaner energy sources (e.g., solar, wind, tidal power, biomass, and some types of biofuels—a topic for a future post). But we can also do a lot right now, in our everyday lives, to start getting ourselves less addicted.

In addition to the most obvious steps that can be taken to reduce our direct use of fossil fuels and electricity generated by fossil fuels — such as driving as little as possible and conserving energy and water at home/work/school— there are lots of other ways that each of us can lessen our dependence on filthy fuels. You can do so in every area of your life, from choices you make for your home and household and yard and garden, to your vehicle/transportation, travel, food, and other consumer choices. For example, plastics and many household products (such as common cleaning products and personal care products) contain petrochemicals, so it’s best to choose alternatives to such products (e.g., glass instead of plastic bottles/containers, and all-natural household/personal products).

I’ve compiled this compendium of several online resources that list specific ways that we can start tackling our individual and collective carbon addiction:

• CO2 Smackdown: How to Lose 10 Tons of CO2 in 12 Cash-Saving Steps (NRDC)

• How To Fight Global Warming (NRDC)

• Twelve Steps Toward an Oil Change: Actions You Can Take in Response to the BP Oil Spill (Global Green USA)

• 350.org Climate Solutions/Actions for 10/10/2010 Work Parties, etc.

• Ten Tips to Get You Started (10:10:10)

• What You Can Do About Global Warming (Union of Concerned Scientists)

• Climate Choices: Reduce Your Impact

Take a look at The Green Spotlight’s official Facebook Page for more frequent postings of brief news blurbs and recommended links. And if you have a Facebook account, please consider connecting to the page by clicking on the “Like” button at the top. Feel free to share links, recommendations, or comments with The Green Spotlight community.

These days, more homeowners (and renters) are interested in making green home improvements, and they’re particularly interested in knowing which improvements have a low cost and a high (or fast) payback—i.e., a good Return on Investment, or ROI. A few of the most common suggestions for easy, low-cost projects that reap significant savings (in energy, water, and dollars) are:

• Switch to LED and/or compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs. (Note: When buying CFLs, choose low-mercury products. And CFLs cannot be thrown in the trash; because they contain mercury, they must be recycled by a hazardous waste facility. Some stores, such as Home Depot, collect used CFLs.)
• Switch to Energy Star appliances and electronic equipment when it’s time to replace old units.
• Install Energy Star ceiling fans, to reduce or eliminate the need for air conditioning.
• Switch to WaterSense plumbing fixtures (e.g., dual-flush or other high-efficiency toilets, and ultra-low-flow faucets and showerheads).
• Insulate your hot water pipes; and add insulation to your attic (and/or walls and basement).
• Have a home energy audit done to check for air leaks and identify other inefficiencies or areas that need improvement; a home performance contractor should then make the needed improvements. More and more companies are springing up to offer these services. (One of the first companies on the scene was Recurve, formerly called Sustainable Spaces.) You can search here for a contractor near you who has been accredited by the Building Performance Institute.

For other ideas and helpful cost/benefit assessments, check out this new book: Green Sense for the Home: Rating the Real Payoff from 50 Green Home Projects, by Eric Corey Freed and Kevin Daum (Taunton Press, April 2010). Here’s the publisher’s description of the book: “When does a green home project make financial sense? The authors of this book provide the answer to this and other questions relating to the cost (and relative value) of environmentally friendly home improvements. They walk readers through 50 green home projects and break them down according to the positive impact they have on the environment, as well as the impact they may have (both positive and negative) on the reader’s wallet. They evaluate a wide array of projects, including insulating pipes, weatherizing doors and windows, composting and recycling trash, installing a solar hot water heater, installing green countertops, upgrading appliances, building with reclaimed materials, and installing radiant heat.”

Other recent books include Green Home Improvement: 65 Projects That Will Cut Utility Bills, Protect Your Health & Help the Environment by Daniel Chiras, PhD (RS Means) and This Green House: Home Improvements for the Eco-Smart, the Thrifty, and the Do-It-Yourselfer by Joshua Piven (Abrams).

For additional information and tips, these are some online articles and websites with lists of green improvements that are good investments:

• 15 Green Projects for Under $500 (GreenHomeGuide.com / This Old House)
• The Energy Efficiency Pyramid: A guide for energy retrofit work (GreenBuildingAdvisor.com)
• 10 Tips for Energy Savings and Healthy Living [PDF]  (Global Green USA)
• 16 Ways to Green Your Home [PDF]  (U.S. Green Building Council)
• 10 Ways to Beat the Heat (GreenHomeGuide.com)
• EnergySavers.gov (Department of Energy)
• Energy Star: Home Improvement information

If you’d like assistance with choosing and implementing green home improvements or remodeling strategies, I am a green advisor who can provide this type of assistance through email consultations (or phone or in-person consultations). Click here for more info.

I’d like to let everyone know about these important new books, which were written by a few of my esteemed colleagues. Please click on the links below for more information about each tome:

Thriving Beyond Sustainability: Pathways to a Resilient Society, by Andres Edwards (New Society Publishers) — This book will be available in May (2010), but it can be pre-ordered now. Here’s an excerpt from the publisher’s description of the book: “Thriving Beyond Sustainability draws a collective map of individuals, organizations, and communities from around the world that are committed to building an alternative future—one that strives to restore ecological health; reinvent outmoded institutions; and rejuvenate our environmental, social, and economic systems. The projects and initiatives profiled are meeting the challenges of the day with optimism, hope, and results, leading the way in relocalization, green commerce, ecological design, environmental conservation, and social transformation.” Click here to read reviews of the book, the book’s Foreword (by Bill McKibben), Table of Contents, or an annotated bibliography.

Fundamentals of Integrated Design for Sustainable Building, by Marian Keeler and Bill Burke (John Wiley & Sons, 2009)— This book serves as an in-depth textbook for design students and a comprehensive reference for practitioners. It presents the history, issues, principles, technologies, process, and practice of sustainable building design, as well as case studies of model projects. In addition, it promotes active learning by providing design problems, research exercises, study questions, and discussion topics.

While the majority of businesses still have a long way to go to be environmentally sustainable, it’s clear that interest in greening the business world is on the rise. One of the many signs of this is the growing number of Sustainable MBA programs cropping up around the country (e.g., the Presidio Graduate School’s MBA in Sustainable Management, Dominican University’s Green MBA, and at least 20 others). Another indicator is the gradual greening of massive companies like Walmart, which recently developed a Sustainability Index to assess the sustainability of its supplier companies. We’re also seeing the emergence of “green” banks, such as New Resource Bank. And some cities and counties have established Green Business certification programs for local businesses.

Given the significant environmental, social, economic, and health impacts (as well as the political influence) that many companies have, it’s critically important that we support and create businesses that implement responsible and sustainable policies and practices—businesses that reflect our values and whose practices and products aren’t compromising the length or quality our lives.

Among U.S. companies, a few that have shown early and exceptional leadership in sustainability are: Patagonia (the recreation/outdoors outfitter), Interface (the commercial carpet company), Seventh Generation (household products), and Straus Family Creamery (organic dairy).

Two of the many recent books on green business are:

• Confessions of a Radical Industrialist: Profits, People, Purpose–Doing Business by Respecting the Earth, by Ray C. Anderson (the founder and chairman of Interface, Inc.). He also wrote the excellent book Mid-Course Correction: Toward a Sustainable Enterprise, back in 1998.
• Green Recovery: Get Lean, Get Smart, and Emerge from the Downturn on Top, by Andrew Winston

And a seminal book on green business is:

• Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and Hunter Lovins. This was published in 1999. Ray Anderson credits Paul Hawken’s 1994 book, The Ecology of Commerce, with inspiring his initial epiphany and shift towards sustainability.  For other books on green business, click here.

These are some of the major online hubs for news and information on green business:

• GreenBiz.com
• Sustainable Industries
• CSR Wire (Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Newswire)
• SustainableBusiness.com
• Green America: Responsible Shopper Guide and Green Business info
• Fast Company: Ethonomics articles on CSR and green innovations

Also, author and consultant Andrew Winston has a good green business blog.

And last but not least, the following are some of the most prominent groups and networks that help companies improve their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts and their environmental performance:

• Business for Social Responsibility
• Ceres: Investors and Environmentalists for Sustainable Prosperity
• Global Reporting Initiative: Sustainability reporting framework
• Social Venture Network
• The Natural Step

If you need a brief escape from heavy news and feel like reading something a little more fun and frivolous (but not totally frivolous), check out the green gossip and celebrity news on Ecorazzi. The weblog covers limelight news and celeb activism on environmental, social/humanitarian, and animal rights issues. It’s sort of like an online People magazine for enviros.

You can browse for articles about specific famous people, by searching through names that have been “tagged” (e.g., Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Sheryl Crow, or Ed Norton, to name just a few of the more noteworthy celebs of substance), or browse by category. Categories include: Film and TV, Music, Fashion, Cars and Houses, Building and Construction, Business, Politics, Animals, Healthy Living, Events, Contests, and Videos.

I try to come up with thoughtful gifts that are well-suited for each recipient. But I also strive to be a thoughtful consumer by choosing gifts that meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Non-Stuff: Gift certificates or tickets for activities, special events, services, restaurants, or favors; or donations or memberships to non-profits
2. Products with green attributes: e.g., solar charger for cell phones and other electronics; organic cotton blanket; organic food; soaps, lotions, or bath products made with entirely natural, safe ingredients, etc. (Beware of “greenwashing,” of course. Many manufacturers now make environmental claims about their products; when possible, look for evidence or third-party certifications that back up their claims.)
3. Homemade, locally-made, or Fair Trade goods (i.e., avoiding cheapo stuff that could have been made in an overseas sweatshop using child labor)
4. Useful stuff: Things that most anyone can put to use, e.g., consumables (favorite specialty foods); fun/cozy socks; a mini-LED light for a keychain; a good book about a topic of interest to the recipient
5. Small stuff: Items that don’t use a lot of resources, don’t require a lot of packaging/shipping material, and won’t take up much space in someone’s home

Check out stores that sell green products in your area. And to avoid driving around a lot, also check out web retailers that offer green items, such as:

• Gaiam: Gift Guide Landing Page
• Real Goods: RealGoods.com
• Viva Terra: Save up to 70% on natural home décor, organic gifts, and more at VivaTerra.
• Patagonia: Patagonia.com
• Solio (solar chargers): 10% off all Solio Classic Silver Products. Use coupon code GoClassic09
• Trikke (electric “carving” vehicles, sort of like a combination between skis, a scooter, and roller blades, for street or snow use): Enjoy fun fitness and green transportation on your own TRIKKE Tri-bred. Free shipping on select models.
• GreenHome: GreenHome.com
• Organic Bouquet: Organic Flowers & Gourmet Gifts, including organic chocolate
• Powell’s Books: Enviro books

(Note: I am an affiliate ad publisher for some of those companies.)

For other green product ideas, reviews, or advice, take a look at these sites:

• Green America: See the Green Gift Guide, UnShopping, Responsible Shopper, Fair Trade links
• Center for a New American Dream: Simplify the Holidays
• SustainLane
• Good Guide: Ratings of natural, green, and healthy products
• The Simple Living Network
• Other resources/links

If you have other gift ideas or websites to suggest, please leave a Comment below.

The good folks at BuildingGreen recently announced their eighth annual Top Ten Green Products. Of the ten they selected, three of my favorites are: Baltix office furniture; Mobile solar power generators; and Pentadyne flywheel energy storage for uninterrupted power supply systems (the flywheel essentially uses magnets and physics, as an alternative to using batteries).

The following are key online resources for information on federal, state, and local environmental tax credits, rebates, and other financial incentives. Most of the incentives that are available are for installing energy-efficient equipment or renewable energy (e.g., solar) technologies.

FEDERAL

These are good directories of federal income tax credits, grants, other incentives for energy-efficient products—for consumers, as well as businesses, builders, and manufacturers:

• Energy Tax Incentives Assistance Project
• Database of Incentives for Renewable Energy: Federal

Click here for a clear summary of the main tax credits currently available: essentially 30% of various energy-efficiency improvements (up to $1,500) and 30% of the cost of solar energy installations. For info on federal grants (to organizations and agencies), go to Grants.gov.

STATE AND LOCAL

Check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency for a compendium of options, organized by state. Also check with your municipality (city and county governments) and local utility companies. Many offer their own green rebates and incentives. And this is a great summary of energy-efficiency grants and funds provided to state and local agencies by the 2009 economic stimulus/recovery bill (ARRA).

CALIFORNIA

For those of you who are in California, there are numerous entities offering green rebates and other incentives. Take a look at these resources:

• California listing from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
• Flex Your Power’s listing of energy-efficiency rebates and incentives (including incentives for energy-efficiency HVAC equipment, appliances, lighting, roofs, water saving products, etc.)
• California Solar Center’s listing of solar incentives
• California Solar Initiative’s solar rebate application
• CEC Emerging Renewables Program rebates for wind or fuel cell installations
• PG&E’s rebates for efficient equipment and appliances
• Consumer loans for solar panel installations (Solar Home Equity Loan), from New Resource Bank
• California Economic Recovery, Energy-Related Programs

If you know of other useful directories or resources related to green financial incentives, or if you have made use of energy tax credits or other green incentives, please share your experiences or suggestions by leaving a comment below.

NEW (added 1/19/10): Also check out the directory of energy rebates and tax credits at EnergySavvy.com. Enter your zip code and the site will give you a list of applicable state, local, and federal incentives.

The next time you find yourself renting a car or calling for a cab, ask whether a hybrid or other low-emissions vehicle is available. Increasingly, rental car companies and taxi services are providing such vehicles in their fleets, and some offer exclusively green options. Consider it an opportunity to take a hybrid (or other eco-vehicle) for a test drive. If you can’t find one that’s available where you are, at least make sure to get a compact car (or whatever size is adequate for the number of people in your group). There’s generally no need to get a gas-guzzling SUV, van, or limo if you’re shuttling around fewer than 5 people. If you’re renting a car and the representative offers you a larger vehicle for the same base price, keep in mind that you’d pay more for gas to run the larger vehicle, you’d be producing more air pollution, AND it would be harder to park.