New Social Networking Site Promotes Sustainable Living Among the Masses-

Sprawling Roots has announced the launch of its new online community which aims at linking together those who share the common passion of sustainability. The site will provide the public with an interactive meeting place to network with peers and exchange ideas, a platform which the Sprawling Roots team hopes will advance and develop the green sector in America and throughout the globe. Intended to be a “green” version of other social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, Sprawling Roots opens the door for users to generate their own content, analyze and research trends, attend online and offline gatherings for other “green” advocates, access environmental industry information, and check out what other people are saying via news feed. “We think there’s a real need out there for Sprawling Roots,” says David J. Mandruk, Sprawling Roots Co-founder. “Green advocates absolutely want the latest eco-friendly news – and we want to engage users through the news to become more involved in green community development.” D. Cotter, Co-founder and managing editor, adds, “But we also want users to chime in on things like alternative energy resources and green education programs. Users want to be able to network with other green movement supporters and see how they are advancing their communities.” According to D. Cotter, Co-founder and managing editor, “Networking with peers gives advocates the kind of green movement intelligence they can’t get in a newspaper article or from a piece of software.” Membership is free, so sign up now at http://sprawlingroots.com.

The Resort Giant Will Contribute Fuel Made from Waste Vegetable Oil-

For the third year running, Caesars Entertainment Corp. is again sponsoring the Big Green Bus tour across America. Operated by students from Dartmouth College, the Greyhound bus was converted to run on recycled waste vegetable oil (WVO) and will travel across the country to help cause a buzz around the importance of sustainability. The journey will take place through an 11-week period and will travel 12,000 miles through 31 states. The bus will make refueling stops at Caesars resorts — including Harrah’s New Orleans on July 23rd, Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino on August 3rd, Harrah’s Rincon Hotel and Casino in North San Diego on August 5th, and Cleveland Thistledown on September 3rd — along with other scheduled locations around the U.S. “Having Caesars Entertainment as a sponsor has given us great insight to its compelling sustainability practices,” said Nicholas S. Devonshire, Big Green Bus Fundraising and Logistics Coordinator. “With its broad reach, the company has shown us how caring about the environment can translate into large opportunities for innovation and resource savings.” The sponsorship initiative by Caesars Entertainment will help foot the costs of this “classroom on wheels”, offering the public a unique opportunity to receive the hands-on experience of working with a converted alternative fuel vehicle as well as education on the significance of conservation in today’s world. Every year, Caesars recycles 640,000 gallons of oil from its resort and casino restaurants around the globe with 123,000 gallons coming directly from the Las Vegas Strip. The veggie oil is actually recycled at the resorts, or removed and re-purposed for use in biodiesel and other products. “We are very proud to power the Big Green Bus and support these driven students in their quest to spread the message of sustainability across the country,” said Gwen Migita, Corporate Director Sustainability and Community Engagement for Caesars Entertainment. “Caesars employees are excited to take part in the many events scheduled at the resorts across the country.”

For further information about the 2011 Big Green Bus tour, its crew and sponsors visit www.thebiggreenbus.org.

For additional information about Caesars Entertainment’s sustainability efforts visit http://www.caesars.com/corporate/environment-sustainability.html.

Sustainable Food Management Not Only Saves Money but Also Protects the Environment-

Tossing a banana peel into the bin may seem like a pretty harmless and habitual action; but that banana peel could be accumulating to the ever growing problem of food waste. Many people are aware of methods and devices available to reduce the human effects of climate change. Using renewable energy resources, such as installing domestic solar panels and reducing electricity usage by switching to energy saving light bulbs are common knowledge. What many people are unaware of is that food waste is a huge contributor to climate change and the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases are increasing the temperature of the earth’s surface, with devastating global effects. Freak weather conditions such as: flooding due to rising sea levels; droughts caused by variable rainfall; and an increased risk of certain animal species becoming extinct because of an inhabitable environment are all symptoms of climate change. Greenhouse gases include methane, carbon dioxide, water vapor and nitrous oxide. When food is thrown away it is transported to a landfill site where it decomposes. As the food decomposes it releases methane – one of the powerful greenhouse gases. In the US, landfill sites are the largest source of methane emissions caused by humans, and are accountable for around 34% of all methane emissions. It is predicted that cutting down food waste would have the same effect of taking around 25% of cars off the road. If you have some extra space around the house, using a compost bin is an excellent way to avoid sending organic materials to the garbage dump and, to boot, it can be used as fertilizer to grow your own fruits and veggies. But it’s not just the environmental factors that are deterring people from wasting food. The US spends around $1B every year to dispose of food waste. Families are also affected; Love Food Hate Waste state a regular family with children could save an estimated £50 per month if they were to cut their wasting habits. This leaves people asking: Why are we wasting so much food? Expiration details on packaging are a predominant reason why so much food gets wasted. Confusion over the terms: Display Until, Best Before and Use-by are regularly misinterpreted by shoppers. It is important that shoppers understand what the date stamps mean to reduce food waste.

Use-by: This is the label that states consuming the product prior to the date stamp can be harmful to human health.

Best Before: This seems self-explanatory but can often be misconstrued. Best Before dates imply that the product may not be of the highest quality after the date stamp. Products containing Best Before dates are not perishable items and are not a health hazard to humans, should they be consumed after the date. However, some eggs may contain Best Before dates and these are an exception to the Best Before rule and should be treated as Use-by products.

Display Until: This label is stock rotation purposes and is for staff – not shoppers. Many people wrongly believe the product should be consumed before this date; this is not the case and merely relates to “shelf life”.

Many people generally lack knowledge or desire to utilize their leftovers from a meal. This is a huge contributor to food waste, and people are being encouraged to use their left overs. Many websites offer tips and recipes for leftovers which help families to significantly reduce their food waste and expenditures. Particular parts of food products can be inedible and there is no way for these to be added to daily cuisine. Home composting is an encouraged alternative to binning useless parts of food, such as egg shells, banana skins and tea bags. Some areas offer a food waste collection service in which families can put all their food waste in a specific bin which is collected weekly and used for compost and recycling. With climate change revealing devastating affects around the globe, the importance of being conscientious when it comes to waste is ever greater. In the 21st century, more people are becoming aware of the effects of global warming and how they can help to reduce the carbon footprint and carbon emissions.

School in Philippines Accepts Recyclables for Tuition Fees-

A non-profit private school, based in the Philippines, has launched a scholarship program to help lower income students afford a decent education. WISHCRAFT, or ‘We Integrate Scholarship with the Collection of Recyclables and Frequently Generated Trash’, provides prospective students with the unique opportunity to bring in old plastic bags, empty soda cans, scrap metal, used shampoo bottles, and other recyclable items for discounts on their tuition fees. A young high school student in the program, Arvee Rose Abayabay, says, “It’s a good programme for the students because it helps us a lot, especially in paying our tuition fees… The programme helps both students and the parents transform garbage into money for education while helping the environment.” Abayabay says she plans to go on to university to obtain a degree in nursing or food technology once she graduates high school this year. Elin Mondejar, the brainchild of WISHCRAFT, explains how the program works. “All students who bring in recyclables automatically get a credit equivalent discount on their school fees. The discount may be used by the student or donated to another student in need. There is really money in garbage, and the possibilities are endless. It makes students see garbage in a different light.” Its extremely inspiring to see young adults hustling in a way that is conducive both for their future and the environment around them.

Celebs Lend their Voices & Urge Consumers to Refuse Disposable Plastics-

Benicio del Toro, Jack Johnson, Ed Begley Jr. and many other celebrities are speaking out against disposable plastics and the waste they cause around the planet. Each actor has created a unique viral video to encourage people around the world to drop the plastic habit and pick up reusable items such as reusable bags and canteens. This problem will continue to plague our generation and others to come if we do not reach a consensus to refuse plastic bottles that contribute to waste and senseless animal deaths throughout the world.

You can be part of this campaign by turning down disposable plastic items as much as possible, raising awareness for this vital issue, and by signing this important pledge petition to “Rise Above Plastics“. Please urge others to do the same! Videos below are courtesy of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, with more celebrity spots on their website and YouTube channel.

Ecological Footprint Quiz Will Estimate Total Environmental Impact-

Curious about the ecological “footprint” you’ll leave behind on this planet? Want to be more environmentally conscious? By answering a few simple questions, the handy Ecological Footprint Quiz will estimate the impact you will leave behind for later generations. Afterward, you can learn how to minimize your consumption by using more sustainable products, housing, foods, services, and transportation. To take the quiz, visit MyFootprint.Org and please share with your friends and family! Educate those around you, in your city and work environment, about the countless benefits of going green.

Open House Event will Showcase Sustainable Buildings & Upcoming Technologies-

Discover small steps you can take to reduce fuel costs, increase energy efficiency and altogether minimize your environmental impact at the upcoming annual Green Buildings Open House. On Saturday, Oct. 2, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Associates is welcoming the public to meet-and-greet with green building industry professionals and homeowners, and visit local sustainable buildings throughout the country. Homeowners and facility managers will be showing visitors the latest in renewable energy, energy efficient appliances and sustainable building materials. Guests in the self-guided tour can visit homes and businesses from Oregon to Maine. To view the complete list of Green Buildings Open House host sites and to sign up for the educational event, visit NESEA.org.

University to Host “Carbon Pricing” Conference-


Wesleyan University, along with the Price Carbon Campaign, a grassroots organization of climate-policy supporters, is holding a conference that will probe new, contemporary methods to pricing carbon emissions. “Pricing Carbon: The Wesleyan Conference” will kick off November 19, 2010, and will draw to a close November 21. “Wesleyan University’s College of the Environment was established in 2009 to help students become better stewards of our fragile Earth,” said the Director of the College of the Environment, Wesleyan biology professor Barry Chernoff. “We welcome this opportunity to co-host a national conference of scholars and advocates intent on re-energizing U.S. climate policy on the eve of the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancún, Mexico, beginning November 29.” The U.S. has failed thus far in enacting extensive climate legislation which, for the most part, is blamed on an exceptionally flawed “cap-and-trade” bill that was too complex and neglected to hold polluting companies accountable.

“With the continuing failure of the cap/trade/offset mechanism to gain support in Congress, it’s time for climate policy makers and concerned citizens to rethink carbon-pricing options,” said Laura Bonham, deputy director of Progressive Democrats of America. “This conference will allow a broad spectrum of climate activists to seek a common agenda that will define the basic principles of good climate legislation, beginning with putting a clear price on carbon,” she added. This conference will address much needed reform in the tactical approach of carbon pricing and will offer a unique perspective from many industry professionals. Headline speakers include climatologist Dr. James Hansen, author-activist Bill McKibben, and environmental-justice lawyer and advocate Angela Johnson Meszaros. In addition to the keynote speakers, the conference will feature Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC), Dr. Gary Yohe, Dr. Brent Blackwelder, Dr. Elaine C. Kamarck, Cecil Corbin-Mark, Peter Barnes, Michelle Chan, Laurie Williams, Allan Zabel, and a growing assembly of other Members of Congress, economists, environmentalists, political scientists, student leaders, and advocates for environmental and social justice. Each of the speakers are experts in the economics and politics of energy and climate, and understand the value of pricing carbon emissions to lessen the effects of climate change. Conference co-sponsors include the Carbon Tax Center, Citizens Climate Lobby, Progressive Democrats of America, and Climate Crisis Coalition. Those interested are encouraged to register at the www.pricingcarbon.org, info@kyotoandbeyond.org or 413-243-2556.

Green Real Estate Education Partners to Offer Specialized Green College Programs-


Green Real Estate Education, an exclusive source of green education for the real estate industry, has joined forces with Pro Train LLC, to offer their customized online green training programs to college students. Pro Train, based in Raleigh, N.C., is a leading provider for affordable green programs in adult and continuing eduction in the United States. “Students who are introduced to our programs through Pro Train, LLC can take our online courses at lower costs. We still deliver the content but Pro Train, LLC is in essence our marketing arm, and we are excited about this affiliation,” says Kerry Mitchell, President of Green Real Estate Education. “ProTrain offers the most online Green, Renewable Energy and Sustainability courses,” says Tony Davis, Director of New Business Development & Partnerships for Pro Train, LLC. “We are pleased to offer Green Real Estate Education courses, Their fast track format is what colleges are looking for.”

“Students who take our fast track courses can advance quicker and are defying the myth that advanced degreed courses are the only way to achieve success in getting job.” Says Mitchell. “We equip our students to be leaders in the green economy.” The company has spent countless hours researching and designing programs for quick study in waste management, sustainability planning and green building basics. Their newest courses are for those in the health care and insurance industry. Green Real Estate Education is the only company offering green and sustainability guidance for those professions. “We have been approached by larger trade associations and hope to connect continuing education credits in the very near future.” Says Mitchell. For 3 years running, Green Real Estate Education has offered courses for real estate agents, loan officers and inspectors. Mitchell asserts, “the education is here, and ready, we just hope these sectors know they do not need to spend $300 or even $500 more to gain the knowledge for their specific career path.” Green Real Estate Education continues to thrive in an era of environmental consciousness and is on course to educate and train more than 10,000 “green” professionals by 2011. The company offers their certification programs online, on campus, and in webinar format. Please visit http://greenrealestateeducationonline.com for more information.

Government Grant for NMSU will Support Sustainable and Renewable R&D-

The International Relations Institute at New Mexico State University will receive $200,000 in federal funds to support the development of innovative energy sources for New Mexico farmers and ranchers. Most of the cash — $125,000 to be exact — will be apportioned to projects under the university’s Renewable Energy, Water and Arid Lands Task Force. Projects include a new solar system for a biodiesel project fueled by algae, a new solar power system for water distribution, and a solar system for an animal watering station. The remaining $75,000 will go toward a Migration and Immigration Task Force, as NMSU students and faculty are researching and teaching about immigration trends in New Mexico.