The Climate is Changing in the Cabinet

We have a lot to be excited about and much work ahead in the upcoming year - a new president, a revitalized "green collar" economy, an effort to broker peace in countries in conflict, and a renewed commitment to tangible actions that will stop global warming.

One of the best pieces of news I've heard in a long time was the recent announcement from Barack Obama that he is moving forward with a plan and is appointing a team of environmental advisers to work toward reducing emissions of the greenhouse gasses contributing to global warming.

According to an article in the NY Times by John Broder, Obama spoke to a climate conference in mid-November saying, “Now is the time to confront this challenge once and for all.” He added, “Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response.”

You can read the complete article here, as well as this article about Obama's picks for environmental and energy advisers. Their credentials, as well as their acceptance of scientific research (remember when scientists were used to promote facts, not undermine them?), are impressive.

Hooray! I think it might be time for me to drink some champagne, cry a few tears of joy (not necessarily in that order), and then get back to work.

Greetings...It's Still Paper

'Tis the season for holiday greetings, and while I enjoy receiving a a card or package in the mail as much as the next person, it seems that there must be a way to spread the holiday cheer without using so much stuff. Much of what we use gets thrown away, or in the best case scenario, recycled.

Now I'm certainly not springing into Scrooge mode here; like everyone else, I love the photo cards from friends of their adorable babies and tots.

But if you are sending a card this year, try to buy one with the highest percentage post-consumer recycled content. There are many companies making cool cards on recycled paper including Anne Taintor and Green Field Paper.

One of my fave's from Anne Taintor's collection.

For those of you going the e-route, which is usually free and uses no resources at all, I recommend a perusal of my new favorite e-card sight, someecards. The cards on this website cover most occasions, and they are actually funny, which is something that the vast majority of paper greeting cards often can't lay claim to.

For many more eco-friendly holiday tips check out my blogs over at Earth911:

A New Wrinkle in Holiday Gift Wrap

Green Holiday Parties Made Easy

Green Decor Galore