Green Practices Toolbox

Atmosphere and Energy

Energy conservation and efficiency measures, renewable energy, alternative transportation, and GHG-limiting practices.

American Energy: The Renewable Path to Energy Security
Special report that explains an energy future based on abundant and clean renewable resources is not only urgently needed, but achievable.

Aquarium and Zoo Facilities Association
The profession association for construction and maintenance staffs of zoos, parks, aquariums and similar organizations.

Biking to Work Manual
Useful guide published by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation.

Can I Buy Green Power in My State?
State-by-state listing of all US alternative power providers.

Carbon Offsets Demystified
Carbon offsets can help you balance out a zero-emissions lifestyle.

The Climate Project
Sign up for an Al-Gore trained speaker on Global climate change.

Conserving Energy and Preserving the Environment: The Role of Public Transportation
Explains public transportation's important role in saving energy and reducing pollution. If Americans used public transportation at the same rate as Europeans - for roughly 10% of their daily travel needs - the US would reduce its dependence on imported oil by more than 40% or nearly the amount of oil we import from Saudi Arabia each year.

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy and Efficiency
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Diet, Energy, and Global Warming
Compares energy consumption of animal- and plant-based diets and demonstrates that GHG emissions of various diets vary by as much as the difference between owning an average sedan versus a sport-utility vehicle under typical driving conditions.

Efficient Products
Research and reporting on energy-efficient electronics (computers, monitors, televisions, etc).

Energy-Efficient Bulb Guide
Find the right energy-saving light bulb for any socket or function (excludes long fluorescent bulbs).

Energy Efficient Lighting Guide
Useful guide published by Chicago-based Clean Air Counts.

Find Solar
Locate a solar power professional in your area; estimate price, savings, and system size of your proposed array.

Fueling our Future
Co-op America ranks the current available automobile fuel technologies by environmental factors.

Global Warming on the Road: The Climate Impact of America's Automobiles
(PDF located in "How much do American cars contribute to heat-trapping emissions?")
American society and culture relies heavily upon the automobile and this shows in our disproportionate emissions: Americans, at only 20% of the world's population, emit 45% of the world's automotive CO2.

Green the Capitol Initiative
Details plans to reduce environmental footprint of US Capitol, beginning late 2007.

How to Talk to Climate Skeptic
A complete listing of articles in "How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic," a series by Coby Beck containing responses to the most common skeptical arguments on global warming.

IUCN's First Ever Assessment of its Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Assessment evaluates the greenhouse gas emissions arising from the operation of IUCN offices and business activities of IUCN employees for the calendar year 2002.

Phantom Loads
Article explaining standby power or "phantom loads."

Travel Matters
Emissions calculator based on transportation type.

Mercury content in CFLs
(PDF located bottom right under "Related Sources")
CFLs and Mercury Fact Sheet
(PDF located in "Fact Sheets")

US EIA - Fuel and Energy Source Codes and Emission Coefficients
Details pounds CO2 per unit volume or mass for all fuel and electricity types.

US EPA - GHG Equivalencies Calculator
Translate GHGs from units typically used in reports (e.g. metric tons of CO2e) into terms that are easier to conceptualize (e.g. equivalent number of cars not driven for one year).

US EPA - Green Power: Tags vs. Delivered Product
(PDF at bottom of page)
Explains the difference between green power "green tags" and green power "delivered product." Green tags are useful because they utilize areas of the country that are best suited for each type of green power.