We’re all eager to find a viable solution to reduce greenhouse emissions without ruining the economy, but coal probably ain’t it right now.

Clean coal is nothing but “a joke,” according to Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune. And the reasons to believe him are compelling, turning ex-coal hopefuls like me against this apparent fraud in the alternative-fuel biz. And despite ample buzz surrounding the idea of clean coal as a pristine energy source, prominent nature defenders such as Greenpeace shun the pursuit of coal as an answer to our climate-change problem. Looking beyond the hype, it’s pretty easy to see why coal’s squeaky-clean image is only a facade.

Here’s the theory behind clean coal: Coal is the dirtiest form of energy that exists, but by limiting emissions you can reduce the pollution. To achieve this, you can “scrub” away noxious impurities like sulfur, which causes acid rain when burned, and then build plants that capture greenhouse gasses as the coal burns in order to prevent them from entering the atmosphere. Another option is to avoid coal combustion altogether in favor of a gasification process that uses oxygen and steam, no burning required.

This all sounds pretty good, right? Unfortunately, environmental experts smell a wolf in sheep’s clothing. First of all, the technology for carbon capture and gasification simply isn’t there, despite billions of dollars worth of research. Brune notes that the capturing process we’re working on is too expensive, uses massive amounts of energy and requires the construction of new plants just to trap the emissions from existing ones—not exactly efficient. Plus, the very act of mining coal is highly destructive, often involving the removal of entire mountaintops. Not cool.

The truth is that coal has powerful lobbyists spending tens of millions of dollars to convince us and Congress that clean coal is the answer, says Greenpeace. Lobbyists run alluring ads on TV during prime viewing times, omitting the fact that coal burning produces mercury contamination in addition to air pollution, literally spewing carcinogens. Coal already produces about half of our electricity, which is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country.

The good news is that we don’t have to look far for better alternatives. Brune endorses natural gas as a “bridge fuel” until we find a better solution—which could even prove to be coal if we discover safe and effective extraction and burning options. As plentiful as natural gas is in the United States, this option makes sense until technology catches up with our needs.

Smaller-scale renewable options also work well for certain communities. The Natural Resources Defense Council pushes wind energy, solar energy, hydropower, geothermal energy and offshore tidal energy where they’re possible. Farmers can even produce energy using gases from animal waste—I assume they remove the smell.

With all the options out there, clean coal just doesn’t make sense right now. With luck, technology will find a way to make coal sustainable; but until that happens, we’re better off looking elsewhere to solve our energy needs.

image: gynti_46

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Haven’t gotten into online shopping yet? You may want to make the shift if you care about the environment.

Ooooh, the thrill of opening up the front door to find a mysterious brown box, carefully taped shut and stamped with the Amazon logo or the address of a far-away eBay seller. Very few delights in life compete with the simple pleasure of getting a package, even when you already know what’s inside. Fortunately for delivery-lovers such as me, ordering products online for home shipping is, in fact, among the most environmentally-friendly ways to shop. And while it’s still important to consume less to preserve the planet, it makes sense to procure those items you really need with a few clicks of the mouse instead of trekking down to the brick-and-mortar store.

The folks at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon Green Design Institute studied the environmental impact of shopping online at Buy.com versus traditional in-person shopping; they found that hitting the Internet for supplies and gifts creates 35 percent less greenhouse gas and energy waste than traditional shopping. During the online shopping portion of the experiment, the majority of environmental damage occurred during packing and “last-mile” delivery. For retail stores, most of the emissions came from customers driving to the store and back.

For a product to reach a retail destination, it must first be shipped to a distributing center, then to a warehouse and finally to the store itself. In the online shopping world, there’s often no need for a warehouse—after clicking “confirm order,” a distribution center gets the message and ships your book, bath towels or knee-high boots directly to you. Combined with the fact that you don’t need to leave home to pick up your goodies, this translates to a significant environmental savings.

Of course, this study only reflects the Buy.com shipping model, and some online retailers may use less eco-friendly shipping practices. Plus, there are still some situations when it’s greener to stay local. For example, if you’re after a hemp T-shirt and that boutique down the street happens to sew its own, it’s probably far greener to drive a mile and buy the locally-manufactured item than to order online—after all, that shirt has never seen a factory, distribution center or warehouse. Bike there to score even more green points.

On a positive note, more people are buying online than ever, helping to reduce the environmental impact of shopping. According to Bloomberg, experts predict a 45 percent increase in e-commerce between 2012 and 2016. And with online sales in 2012 totaling $327 billion worldwide, that promises to be an impressive leap indeed.

Not to bust the party, but there is one important point to hammer home: There’s really no such thing as “green” shopping. Every item you purchase takes resources from the earth, and is probably manufactured in an energy-guzzling factory and treated with toxic chemicals. Then it’s packaged in wrapping that uses even more resources before it’s shipped—sometimes halfway across the world—to distributors. And that’s before you even see the product. Green consumption is minimal consumption, so don’t forget about the environmental price tag that comes with every bar of soap or cute pair of skinny jeans you spot on Amazon.

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It’s enough to give you nightmares, but the sad truth is that some of the materials in your mattress may be harming your health.

You only suds up with natural shampoos. You’ve spent your bottom dollar to eat organic, and you wouldn’t be caught dead using conventional laundry soap. But despite all those efforts, your trusty mattress could be toxic. Potential allergens run rampant in the mattress industry, and some of the chemicals in your bed may be linked to dangerous illnesses such as asthma and even cancer.

Considering you spend about one-third of your life in bed, the stuff you sleep on is pretty important—and the contents of your mattress could pose a serious threat based on sheer exposure time, according to author Debra Lynn Dadd. The best remedy here is education—and rest assured, there are safe mattress alternatives out there to improve the health of your body as well as the planet.

Perhaps the most dire health risks come from polyurethane foam products purchased before 2005. These contain high levels of polybrominated diphenyl esthers, or PBDEs, which are fire-retardant chemicals linked to impaired memory and learning, thyroid problems and liver damage. In addition to mattresses, polyurethane foam—prized for its softness and ability to conform to your body shape—is also common in pillows. 

Even foam beds and pillows made after 2005, which typically don’t contain the most toxic PBDEs, aren’t healthy options. They’re usually made with petroleum, which can irritate your respiratory system as well as your skin. When author and organic mattress maker Walter Bader sent a memory foam mattress in to a lab for testing in 2005, the lab reported finding 61 chemicals, some of them carcinogenic. Beyond the foam, mattress glue often contains formaldehyde, which can trigger asthma and allergies and is linked to cancer of the throat and lungs.

And although babies may be even more susceptible to dangerous chemicals invading their fragile systems, crib mattresses have an abysmal track record. According to research conducted by Clean and Healthy New York, 72 percent of crib mattresses studied contained at least one potentially toxic chemical. Nearly one-fourth of the varieties tested contained proprietary fire retardants, water guards or antibacterial treatments, and thus did not divulge specific ingredients.

The good news is that the market is getting better. Twenty percent of the mattresses in the Clean and Healthy New York study did not contain dangerous chemicals, and safe options exist today that weren’t around a few years ago.

So what’s the best way to protect yourself and your family? It isn’t really enough just to look for organic ingredients, because even products with the “organic” label may use toxins for fireproofing, or have organic cotton on top but icky foam underneath, mingling with the springs that prop up that all-natural exterior.

Consumer Reports recommends looking for products with the “Oeko-Tek Standard 100” label, only sported by mattresses free of many of the worst-offending toxins. They also note that hypoallergenic mattresses are typically made with natural latex instead of chemical-laden synthetics. Mother Jones recommends Savvy Rest brand beds, which come with a hefty price tag but are among the safest options. If you can’t afford to replace your old mattress, at least keep it well-covered to minimize exposure. A thick, organic mattress pad just might help you rest better—and healthier—at night.

image: KaylaKandzorra

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Atkins dieters don’t know what they’re missing with carbs that are healthy for you and the planet…

If you’re feeling guilty about all the carbs in that giant plate of spaghetti you inhaled at lunch, give yourself a break—pigging out on grains may not be wonderful for your waistline, but it’s a lot better for the environment than gorging on just about any other type of food. That’s right, grains are the most energy-efficient fare around, according to Scientific American. In fact, grain production uses less than half the energy of the next-best choices, fruits and vegetables. Meat, poultry, fish and eggs are the worst energy offenders, so eat those conservatively.

Even though grains are inherently green, choosing the right ones can do even more to help save the planet. Look for these next time you hit the supermarket:

Whole grains – There’s a good reason every major bakery is hawking whole-wheat bread these days; whole grains are far superior to refined ones nutritionally. And the whole versions are better for the environment, too. Manufacturers remove the bran and germ from refined grains, and then often bleach the endosperm to make white flour. This process requires machinery that uses energy. Often, the grains are enriched with vitamins to replace some of the lost nutrients, using even more resources. The grains may need to be transported to and from the milling factory, which involves fuel for transportation. Don’t fall for breads “made with” whole grains—you want 100 percent whole. Even with whole grains, look for the least-processed options; the fewer the ingredients, the better it probably is for the environment.

Locally-grown grains – The greenest grains are the ones grown near you, regardless of variety. For many North Americans, this means wheat, but some regions like British Columbia produce spelt, Kamut, oats and other grains. In some cities, like New York, local farmers are rediscovering grains and selling fresh flour through delivery programs or farmers markets. Check your local listings for grain farmers, and use locally-grown flour for pancakes, breads and muffins. Patronize farmers who use pesticide-free growing practices.

Organic grains – If you can’t go local, go organic (like you didn’t know that already). Traditionally-grown grains are treated with nasty pesticides that seep into our water and soil, and may eventually make their way to your plate. When buying national brands, look for the USDA organic label. These products are grown without any synthetic substances, are not genetically engineered, and aren’t produced using icky things like radiation and sewage sludge (yes, they use those for conventional farming). When you buy locally, however, don’t necessarily rule out growers that aren’t USDA certified—it’s often harder for small farmers to gain certification. Inquire about growing practices and use your common sense.

Healthiest choices  – For your body’s sake, pick the grains that are as good for you as they are for the planet. For the most digestion-friendly fiber, go for wheat, barley, rye and triticale. For metabolism-supporting manganese, teff is your best bet. Quinoa is an excellent source of folic acid, which can help prevent birth defects. If you’re ignoring the advice in this article and eating conventionally-grown grains, you may want to avoid wheat; the FDA detected pesticide residue in about 42 percent of wheat samples.

image: Yaisog Bonegnasher

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Fluffy and Rover don’t know much about climate change, so it’s up to you to take the lead and be a green pet owner.

Our pets are consumers too, and the food, toys and blankets you give them impact the environment as much as your own, human-friendly products do. In fact, New Zealand scientists Robert and Brenda Vale claim that one medium-sized dog causes more environmental damage than an SUV. Instead of running from the issue with your tail between your legs, take some of these simple steps to green your dog or cat.

1. Go veggie (at least sometimes).  It takes far more resources to raise cattle and other livestock than plants, and most pet food is especially meat-heavy. While the idea of vegetarian pets is controversial; WebMD explains that dogs can often be healthy on meatless diets with careful planning and supplementation, but cats don’t fare as well without animal products. Still, just participating in Meatless Monday with your pets, or buying peanut butter treats instead of beef jerky, can make a difference.

2. Skip the breeder. You already know that adopting is the most humane way to pick up a puppy or kitten. (You do, don’t you?) Well, it turns out that cruel puppy mills—which often house their animals in filthy, torturous conditions—tend to overbreed, placing extra strain on the environment. Head to the adoption shelter or check the classifieds to save a pet’s life—it’s just good karma.

3. Buy organic (and humane). You know all those nasty hormones, pesticides and antibiotics that come with your average burger? Well most pet food comes from the same factory-farmed cows, chickens and fish that eco-minded consumers are afraid to touch themselves (though from far more unsavory parts). And these days, there’s simply no reason to compromise. You can make your own dog food with organic, free-range meats, brown rice and veggies, or buy organic brands like Newman’s Own Organics and Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Organic formulas.

4. De-flea naturally. The ingredients in many commercial flea medicines were derived from chemical warfare experiments, according to Mother Earth News. Chemicals like carbamares and organophosphates can make your best friend nauseated, and even cause convulsions. Skip the toxins and look for natural products with diatomaceous earth, made from fossilized algae. Brand names include Nature’s Wisdom, Thomas Laboratories and GreenSense. It also helps to keep your home clean and vacuumed, emptying the vacuum cleaner after each use.

5. Get Chemical-Free Toys and Accessories.  With the wide assortment of green pet goods on the market today, you have no excuse to keep buying the same toxic plastics and chemically-treated blankets and collars. In the best pet stores, shelves are stocked with organic catnip, organic collars and leashes, biodegradable waste bags and hemp toys. If your local pet shop doesn’t offer any of these products, look no further than your computer. Online vendors like Vitacost, Only Natural Pet Store and Organic Dogs and Cats are there to help. Even big chains like Petco have some green options.

image: -=RoBeE=-

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Hybrid cars are all the rage. But are they really greener?

Some people might call my car a junker, but I roll around town in my 1997 Nissan 200sx with pride. That’s partially because I’m glad to tout my non-preoccupation with shiny new stuff, but mostly because my trusty little subcompact gets 35 miles to the gallon on the highway. That’s right—read it and weep, hybrid-SUV owners. The truth is that, despite the clever marketing, hybrid cars are not always greener than their traditional counterparts—and not just because of gas mileage.

First of all, let’s talk new versus used. Cars require factories to produce them, which require parts, which require raw materials…you get the idea. So that Prius uses a whole lot of energy and resources before ever seeing the sales lot. In fact, Wired magazine estimates that pollution-wise, building a new Prius is equal to burning 1,000 gallons of gasoline.

Given the wastefulness of auto production, it’s often better to buy a used car than a new one, even if the mpg is somewhat lower. Obviously a Hummer is a worse choice than a Prius in almost any case (unless that monstrous vehicle runs on biodiesel), but a car built a decade ago that gets around 30 miles to the gallon is greener than a new hybrid that gets 46 mpg, according to Wired.

Speaking of mpg, not every hybrid gets great gas mileage. The aforementioned SUVs range from 20 to 34 miles to the gallon, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. (Ahem, not quite up to par with my little 2-door.) Hybrid pickup trucks are even more abysmal, with Chevys and GMCs ranging from 20 to 23 mpg. Surprisingly, pricey luxury cars are the worst offenders: a 2013 Lexus LS 600h gets 19 mpg city and 23 highway, and the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 gets just 17 mpg city and 24 highway. Yep, that’s 17 luxurious miles per gallon driving on surface streets. But I bet it’s fast.

Despite the eco-unfriendliness of certain models, there are a fair number of hybrids with better mileage than most traditional cars. The 2013 Prius gets 48 mpg city and an impressive 53 mpg highway, while the 2013 Ford C-CMAX gets 47 mpg across the board. Interestingly, you can come close to these numbers with a true blast from the past like the 1986 Honda CRX HF, which gets 42 mpg city and 51 highway — but the repair bills could get steep.

So what’s an eco-lover to do? Emissions-free electric cars are a good choice, but only if you live in an area that produces clean power. Otherwise, think small and used. If you don’t want to risk something too old, a used hybrid might be a good idea. They’ve been out long enough now to hit the used-car circuit and get better mileage than many other options. Whatever model you go with, it’s crucial that you consider the ecological impact of your choice. Transportation emissions are responsible for most of the pollution in the United States, spewing toxins into the air we breathe and contributing to climate change — which affects all of us.

image: SusanAstray

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