Top 15 Green Blogs

There are over 6,000 blogs related to the environment on Technorati, and countless more news feeds, and webzines.. There are hundreds of high-quality, well-written green blogs, so it’s very difficult to limit the list to just 15. This list seeks to balance depth with breadth and rankings popularity with diversity. These blogs represent many different topics, from general interest to news to lifestyle to tech.

1. Treehugger - Launched in 2004 by serial entrepreneur and designer Graham Hill, Treehugger defined a new online green space and quickly ascended to the ranks of the web’s top blogs. With radio, forums, video, television, its own social bookmarking network, and more than 30,000 posts, Treehugger is a comprehensive resource for sustainable modern living. Treehugger publishes posts by over 30 writers around the world updating 24/7. Discovery recently bought Treehugger and the site is now partnered to Planet Green. It’s not hard to see why: with over 2 million unique visitors per month and a Technorati rank of 19, Treehugger is by far the biggest green blog online today. The content is focused on green news, products, and events.

2. The Daily Green – Though technically an online newspaper, The Daily Green is loaded with blogs, videos, community features, and plenty of helpful guides that is quite comprehensive. It’s more consumer-focused than Treehugger. Readers will find everything from information about going green to the “Weird Weather Watch” to breaking news and consumer health advice. Well-known environmental journalist and activist Brian C. Howard is an editor of “the consumer’s guide to the green revolution”.

3. Huffington Post Green – The new green section of HuffPo is already a go-to resource for reading the latest news and views from leading environmentalists (Graham Hill drops by, among many notables). HuffPo is known for editorializing in a liberal direction, and the new Green section is no exception. The content is a mix of news, op-eds and more sensational stories. Huffington Post is the #1 blog in the world, according to Technorati.

4. Green Options – The Bay Area-based Green Options blog is unique in that it is a green network of blogs. The site features 15 blogs ranging from news to politics to technology to food to business to crafting. The main page is a good “one stop shop” general resource that displays content from each sub site. Green Options Media was created to reach light green, newly-conscious consumers with practical tips and accessible news and views. Founded in early 2007.

5. Green Daily - Part of Weblogs, Inc.’s DIY Life channel, Green Daily offers timely news and product stories and reviews. As with all Weblogs, Inc. properties and the other blogs in the channel, the site is a high-volume publication compiled by numerous freelance writers. Green Daily covers news, products, gadgets, technology, politics and celebrities.

6. World Changing – Calling itself a solutions-based online magazine, World Changing is a collaborative blog dedicated to helping people change their thinking. The official mission statement reads: “World Changing was founded on the idea that real solutions already exist for building the future we want. it’s just a matter of grabbing hold and getting moving.” Featuring original content in categories like Stuff, Shelter, Cities, Community, Business, Politics and Planet, the site focuses on positive, innovative green developments, stories and events.

7. Inhabitat - Launched by architecture student, green consultant and designer Jill Fehrenbacher in Spring 2005, Inhabitat focuses on “future forward design for the world you inhabit”. Topics include innovative materials, future-thinking design concepts, architecture, technology, sustainable style and more.

8. Environmental Graffiti – The home of “seriously awesome environmental news” doesn’t take itself too seriously. Focusing on the bizarre, odd, unusual, funny, cutting-edge and unexpected, Environmental Graffiti delivers a well-written mix of news, analysis and innovations with a wry edge much like Ecoble. The site was launched in May 2007 by lawyer turned “graffiti artist” Chris Ingham Brooke.

9. EcoGeek - Veteran eco blogger Hank Green founded and runs the EcoGeek blog (which now has several green sister sites). Green is a prominent member of the social media community, is often seen on Planet Green, and has written for numerous publications. The team at EcoGeek blogs about all things green and geeky: from sustainable technology to amazing green gadgets to future design.

10. Green Business Bureau – The GBB blog and news section covers a variety of green topics such as green business certification, green technology, green marketing, green products, green regulations, and various “how to’s” on going green to save money.

11. Grist - Veteran eco blogger Hank Green founded and runs the EcoGeek blog (which now has several green sister sites). Green is a prominent member of the social media community, is often seen on Planet Green, and has written for numerous publications. The team at EcoGeek blogs about all things green and geeky: from sustainable technology to amazing green gadgets to future design.

12. Ecorazzi - Ecorazzi is the Perez Hilton of green. The definitive eco gossip site hilariously (and ruthlessly) mocks celebrities as they attempt to gain green cred, and calls out the greenwash wherever it occurs. Praise is also given to celebrities who genuinely contribute to and promote green issues.

13. Eco Tech Daily – Eco Tech Daily and Lighter Footstep (#21) are sister sites. Chris Baskind’s daily wrap-up of the latest in sustainable technology and green developments is a handy morning read for anyone interested in keeping up on the very latest and breaking in green news, especially sustainable energy and green tech.

14. Mother Nature Network – MNN is a resource and an everyone’s eco-guide offering original programs, articles, blogs, videos, and how-to guides along with breaking news stories.

15. Hippyshopper - Hippershopper, produced by Shiny Media, is similar to other green product review blogs. However, this “guide to ethical consumerism” is a Nigel’s green web award winner. Everything from fashion to gadgets to food and drink is reviewed at this upbeat, informative blog.

Source: Green Business Bureau

Cleaning up the Environment one bag at a time: An interview with Sharon Rowe.

The eighth installment in our on-going Leaders of Sustainability series of interviews with executives and entrepreneurs of sustainability-minded business is with Sharon Rowe, CEO and Founder of ECOBAGS, the pioneering firm that introduced reusable bags to U.S. consumers nearly 20 years . Today, ECOBAGS manufactures and distributes a complete line of reusable bags using natural and certified organic cotton, recycled cotton and hemp/cotton blends. Read the rest of this entry »

Environmental Regulation made Easy – An Interview with Jonathan Brun of Nimonik

The fifth installment in our on-going Leaders of Sustainability series of interviews with executives and entrepreneurs of sustainability-minded business is with Mr. Jonathan Brun, Partner at Nimonik (www.nimonik.ca), an on-line service than helps businesses track and understand environmental regulations. Read the rest of this entry »

Interview with Geoff Baker – Co Founder of easywash

The third installment in our on-going Leaders of Sustainability series of interviews with executives and entrepreneurs of sustainability-minded business is with Mr. Geoff Baker. Geoff is one of the founders of Vancouver based easywash; one of the first environmentally-friendly car washes in B.C.

Our hope is that entrepreneurs and business leaders of sustainability-focused businesses will find this series helpful and instructive in growing their businesses and dealing with both the challenges and opportunities facing small business trying to make a profit while also reducing their impact on the environment.

Here now is my interview with Geoff Baker of easywash. Read the rest of this entry »

Canadians Won’t Quit on the Environment

The Globe & Mail recently published an article about a poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of the Dominion Institute. I found the results of the survey, and the subsequent coverage by the media, of great interest.

Among other findings, the survey found that:
- 55% of Canadians believe that serious action on climate change should NOT wait until the recession is over.
- 57% of Canadians believe that Canada should take serious action on climate change right now, even if it means higher defecits.
- 59% agree that Canada will have an environmentally-sustainable economy within their lifetime.
- 66% of Canadians agree that they are prepared to pay more for an energy-efficient product.

Good news indeed.

However, 71% of respondents agreed (but just 30% strongly) with the statement that it is more important for the Canadian government to focus on jobs than on climate change at the moment. Not surprising give the current economic “doom and gloom” in the media, and increasingly affecting the real economy. (Just imagine how much worse the Great Derpression would have been if it had come at a time of the internet and 24/7 cable news coverage)

What I found particulary illuminiating was that consumers do not necessarily see economic development/prosperity and the environment as being opposite sides of the same coin or opposing priorites. The survey found that 73% agree that the Canadian government should only adopt econoimc stimulus measures that are environmentally sustainable.

This is a critical findings, and one that will have implications for businesses of all sizes across Canada. With Canadian consumers increasingly holding the view that their Government should pursue economic development policies that do not come at the expense of the environment, can the same expecation for businesses be far behind?

The good news is that progressive companies of all sizes have found that incorporating sustainability as a key element of their business strategy is an excellent way to create a competitive advantage, increase profits while reducing its impact on the environment. And with any good strategy – it works in both good and poor economic times.

Look forward to your thoughts…

82% of Consumers Buying Green Despite Battered Economy

The above is a title to a press release recently released by Green Seal and EnviroMedia Social Marketing. I’ve included a link at the bottom of this post if you would like to read the entire article.

Unfortunately, the bold headline is not nearly as promising once you uncover some of the details within the press release.

The press release states that “four out of five people say they are still buying green products and services today–which sometimes cost more–even in the midst of a U.S. recession”. While technically true, these figures are somewhat misleading.

In the body of the press release it states that “half of the 1,000 people surveyed say they are buying just as many green products now as before the economic downturn, while 19 percent say they are buying more green products. Fourteen percent say they are buying fewer environmentally green products”.

So technically, I guess one could say that approximately 82% are consuming green despite the tough economic times (~50% + 19% + 14%)but this obscures a few important nuances…

- Those in the “half of 1,000 people” group that is “buying just as many green products as before…” may in fact be buying very few green products to begin with – they just won’t be buying less.
- Those in the “14% group” may still be buying green, but will be buying less green due to the tough economic times.

I guess the good news is that 19% of those surveyed intend to purchase more green products despite the gloomy economic outlook.

Here is the line to the full release if you are interested in taking a look for yourself.

82 Percent of Consumers Buying Green Despite Battered Economy

Look forward to your thoughts,

JKL