Perhaps the luck of the Irish will help make green dreams come true when it comes to the country’s goal to shift away from fossil fuels. Situated at the end of the supply chain and currently 90 percent dependent on imported oil, Ireland hopes to get 40 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 – far exceeding the EU’s target of 16 percent.

But luck might not be necessary in a nation driven by an urgent need for employment. Ireland sees its financial difficulties and depressed economy not as …

A new book offers advice on how to make your love life more eco-friendly.

Article by Darragh Worland and image by pinksherbet. First published March 2010 at Tonic.com.

What color comes to mind when you think about your lover? If it’s not green, then you’ve got a long way to go before you can call your relationship “eco-friendly.”

Well, praise the wood nymphs, because help is on the way in the form of eco-conscious author Stefanie Iris Weiss who has claimed the only spot on the love and relationship shelf

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You’ve got a black and brown bag but how about green? Bet you don’t.

You might want to ask yourself why as you navigate your fashionably sustainable world openly disguised as a greenie.

This $79 little clutch is not only fair trade and handwoven raffia, for you vegans it’s something cool that’s not simulating leather.

You may have noticed some of the interesting new foodish ventures happening in various parts of the country. L.A., Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area all have thriving street food cultures.

New York always has – especially in Queens where informal vendors gather under the overpasses at odd times of day and night.

There’s a cool factor in this (anything underground is automatically cool), but the compelling thing is how the economy is driving interesting new models and innovations. People are attempting to color outside the lines. New ideas …

Banana leaves – they serve as more than just undies for Adam and Eve.

In fact, Israeli designer and packaging innovator Tal Marco of Eco Way proposes that banana leaves can be used as an eco-friendly alternative to modern day to-go packaging.

Unlike many of today’s plastic take away containers that are petrol based and non-biodegradable, banana leaves are 100 percent natural and easily compostable. They’re ubiquitous in many countries, meaning they’re cheap and easy to come by. And because banana leaves are highly flexible and have a naturally waxy …

Erica Weiner’s Milagro heart necklaces woo me every time I go to her site. I always think it would be the best necklace never ever to take off, plus it looks good layered with other pieces.

“Traditionally, milagros (also known as ex-votos or dijes) are offered to a favorite saint as a reminder of the petitioner’s particular need, or they are offered to the saint in thanks for a prayer answered,” says Weiner.

The hand-casted hearts are from South America and were created with the intention of healing the brokenhearted. The …

Is summer fresh produce from Chile growing on you? Are you grateful to be able to buy grapes, plums, peaches and other August fruit in the dead of winter because of that 2004 free trade agreement?

That mindset is what the earthquake-ravaged country is cultivating in a new Cornucopia television ad campaign reaching out to American consumers who buy produce at Safeway, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Winn Dixie and other outlets that peddle an array of both imported and locally harvested fruits and vegetables.

The buy local mantra of the eco movement threatens international …

Eyeliners are the essential beauty tool, above cheek stain, lipstick and concealer. Okay, some might argue this point, but to a person who has sparse eyelashes and pale skin (hello!), the eyeliner can be, yes, essential. You can use them to change the shape of your eye, and you can use them to fill in your lashes.

There are a lot of eyeliners on the market, with pencil, liquid and cake eyeliners being the most popular. The only true skill you need is a steady hand, and …