A MESSAGE FROM ED:

The Gulf oil spill is a terrible tragedy that never should have happened. Thanks to MyGulfAction.com, you can be part of the solution. Join today and start pledging to reduce your energy use. Together, we can offset the oil that has leaked into the Gulf — and can work to end America’s reliance on unsustainable fossil fuels.

-Ed Asner

Check our ad from today’s New York Times!

Please share MyGulfAction.com with your friends, family and social networks. We’re nearing 10,000 gallons of offset oil and need your help to keep making a difference!

One week in, and the growing My Gulf Action community has already offset over 5,000 gallons of oil from the BP Gulf disaster by making smarter choices about their energy use.

If you have already created an account, thank you! You are making a real difference. Keep pledging reductions. And help us spread the word. Share MyGulfAction.com with your friends and social networks.

By Brandon Rose

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Carmakers are looking to improve fuel efficiency of vehicles by redesigning their tires. Michelin has been sponsoring an event called the Challenge Bibendum, which is a global sustainable mobility event. Didier Miraton, one of Michelins three managing partners said,

“Working through the Challenge Bibendum and with all of the players in the electrical mobility industry, we came to realize that autonomy (i.e., range) on an electrical urban vehicle was 30 to 40 percent linked to the fuel efficiency of the tire, therefore, it gave us the thrust to go into the direction of the low-emission tire, the urban electrical vehicle tire, that would provide very low fuel efficiency not just to reduce CO2 impact but actually to allow this kind of vehicle to run because it would bring autonomy that would make them viable.”

Seems as though they have plenty of room ahead and a lot more to discover.

Here are a few “Tips about Tires” for better fuel consumption tha…

By Lauren Keane-Farrell

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Thinking about a vacation this year? California dreamin’ or bound for Europe, you can now travel and consider the environment. Greenopia has just come out with its top 10 greenest airlines, documenting environmental achievements such as fuel conservation, alternative fuel types, recycling programs, green building design, green food options and carbon offsets.

Virgin America topped the list. At just two years old, Virgin America has newer planes that prove to be fuel efficient in both consumption and emission. In addition, Virgin America only serves fair trade coffee. The airline even encourages their passengers to be conscious of their carbon footprint when flying. The negative? Virgin America doesn’t have any LEED certified terminals or office buildings. However, with their dedication to green initiatives Virgin America clearly deserves the title as the number one greenest airline.

Is your favorite airline on the list? Here are the the …

By Erin Molon

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West Virginia is, in my opinion, one of America’s most overlooked treasures. With its majestic mountains, raging rivers, and miles of forests, it’s hard to beat when it comes to natural beauty.

In fact, West Virginia is one of my favorite places to be. Growing up, I spent a lot of time wandering land that seemed untouched, exploring the majesty of nature and all that West Virginia has to offer. My Grandpa, a lifetime resident, drove me around the mountains and into the valleys, giving me an appreciation for the nature, telling me stories of his childhood and sharing the details of his life in the coal mines.

This was a main reason for my interested in attending the special screening of “On Coal River,” a documentary that shines a light on the dangers of mountaintop removal mining practices and their effects on the surrounding communities.

The documentary focuses on a few members of a coal community, Marsh Fork, who are seeing the effects of th…

By Brandon Rose

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If you thought electric Super Bikes would be wimpy and slow, think again. Michael Czysz made the MotoCzysz E1pc, a battery powered motorcycle that can reach up to 140 MPH running at 500 volts. That’s beating its closest competitor with a top speed of 102 MPH.

The motor is called “D1g1tal Dr1ve” which directly connects the throttle and the rear wheel to make this ride a racing BEAST. Also, the battery that powers the electric motor connects without any wires for easy transfer.

Obviously, a key component in Super Bikes is racing. The MotoCzysz E1pc is getting ready to race this week in the 37.7 mile Isle of Man TT. This race can “make or break” you and your motorcycle, literally. This is due to the fact that the track is designed to give your motorcycle instant credibility if you’re motorcycle and you the rider, can complete the windy track. In the 91 years of Isle of Man TT’s race history, 227 people have unfortunately died. Hopefully, no trage…

By Lauren Keane-Farrell

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When it comes to expressing an opinion about global climate change people engage in a variety of activities. Some make changes at home; some participate in protests and other, go swimming.

Lewis Gordon Pugh (http://www.lewispugh.com/pages/default.aspx)  is a British environmental campaigner who has undertaken the task of completing long distance swims around the world to create environmental awareness.

On May 22, 2010 he completed a 1k swim at an altitude of 5,300m under the summit of Mount Everest to bring attention to the impact climate change has on the Himalayan region. The glacial lake was approximately 2 degrees Celsius. Pugh states that this was one of the most difficult swims he has ever undertaken.

In July 2007 Pugh swan 1km across an open patch of sea in the North Pole to similarly draw attention to the melting of the Arctic sea ice.

Pugh is no newbie to swimming. (http://www.lewispugh.com/about/swims.aspx?swims…).  In Januar…

By Erin Molon

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While many of us are stunned at the devastation of the oil spill, unsure of how to respond, residents of a small town in Alabama are taking matters into their own hands.

According to Fox News, Magnolia Springs has decided to rent 9 barges (for the bill of $6,000 a day) to block of their local bay. These barges protect against waves that might disrupt several lines of boom that surround the area. After one line of boom was set up near their area and was ruined within days of its placement, this is an investment that their community sees as a necessity.

Although the town was willing to go ahead with or without government permission, the community has received the go-ahead to try their method of protection and have received $200,000 in grant money to help fund the initiative.  Local firemen and community members are behind setting up this barrier and are doing so to protect the community and lifestyle that they love.

The link below will bring you to a v…

By Brandon Rose

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Did you know that more than half of the 500 most popular sunscreen products could actually increase the speed at which malignant cells develop and spread skin cancer? It’s because they contain vitamin A or its derivatives, according to the Environmental Working Group.

Well isn’t this ironic? I always applied sunscreen because my parents told me I’d get skin cancer if I didn’t. Not only are these popular sunscreens harmful to your body but they may also be destructing the eco systems in which you swim, as well.

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Each year, 4000 – 6000 tons of sunscreen is washed off beach bodies and then enters the ocean. According to the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, certain sunscreen ingredients have been shown to cause destruction of the coral reefs. In their experiments they showed that chemicals like parabens, ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate, benzophenone-3 and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor induce a viral infection of algae …

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By Lauren Keane-Farrell

Think driving across country to lower your carbon footprint is tough? Check out this guy who decided to walk from New York City across the United States for nine months. His reasoning: “I’m just doing it for the hell of it.”

Matt Green started his journey on March 21^st, 2010 from Rockaway Beach, New York. He plans to end up in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. Green thinks he can cover 15 miles a day, so the total distance will total 3,100 miles.

And for lodging? Green states in his blog, that he goes around knocking on doors at nighttime asking if he can pitch his tent in their yard.

With his smart phone, Green has kept up a website about his trip. Currently on day 68, Green blogs and post pictures about what he has seen and who he has met.

If Matt Green can make it across the country on foot than why is it so hard for us to walk to work, school or the grocery store? If the money you’ll save and the positive impact you’ll make on the environmen…

Climate Culture would like to wish everyone a happy Earth Day 2010! Over the past year, environmental awareness has permeated pop culture exorbinantly. Green initiatives are on the collective mindset more than ever. Climate Culture is enabling people to take awareness to the next level: take action. Get your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and classmates to learn what they can do to help keep our environment healthy. Contact info@climateulture.com to see how you can take advantage of our community features.

Climate Culture would like to wish everyone a happy Earth Day 2010! Over the past year, environmental awareness has permeated pop culture exorbinantly. Green initiatives are on the collective mindset more than ever. Climate Culture is enabling people to take awareness to the next level: take action. Get your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and classmates to learn what they can do to help keep our environment healthy. Contact info@climateulture.com to see how you can take advantage of our community features.

Earth Day 2010

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If you’re living anywhere in the Eastern United States, there’s a pretty good chance you’re dealing with some impressive and historic snowfall. Being stuck inside can be boring, but it can also be costly in terms of energy usage. You might be using a lot more energy on a daily basis simply because you’re home using lights, appliances, and heating whereas on a normal day you might be at work and school. Step inside Climate Culture’s reduction center and discover ways to save energy and money while stuck at home on a snowy day.

The Climate Culture staff would like to express our heartfelt condolences for Haiti. We’ve all seen the terrible devastation and loss of life that’s been sustained in and around Port Au Prince. People are still being pulled out of the rubble on a daily basis, and food and water supplies are just starting to make it into some deeper areas of the city. We all have an important opportunity and responsbility to respond to this disaster. Please consider donating to the Red Cross for Haiti relief, even the smallest amount will help. http://www.redcross.org/

If you’re seeing a strange version of our site, it’s because we’ve made some changes to our technology that’s actually going to help the site run faster and provide a smoother experience. You can alleviate the problem by clearing your browser’s cache. If you would like assistance in clearing your cache, here are some instructions: Firefox users click here: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/How+to+clea… Microsoft IE Users click here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/using/h… For other browsers, a google search might help. Don’t forget to return to Climate Culture!

It’s hard to believe that we’ve closed the books on another decade, the first of the new century no less! Looking back on the last 10 years, we’ve seen the environmental movement and climate change issues rise to the forefront of both the political and mainstream landscapes. It’s innovators and risk takers like yourselves that have helped these issues become so prominent. Let’s continue to innovate and work together over this new decade to neutralize our carbon output! Do you think this is a realistic goal for 2020? Introduce Climate Culture to your friends and family, and help spread the word on how easy it can be to cut down on your emissions and live more efficiently!

The end of year holidays bring forth lots of emotions. We’re stressed out about spending our money on gifts for family and friends and we scramble to get the last of our busy work out the way. Meanwhile, we’re excited for some deserved time off with family and friends. Don’t forget to check out the Climate Culture Reduction Center for some last minute ideas on saving money to afford gifts. Take some time this holiday to talk with family and friends about efficiency, and how they can give back for the environment. Be sure to stay tuned at http://www.twitter.com/climateculture for holiday specific actions on how you can reduce your carbon footprint and show that you care about your world!

It’s that time of the year again when we sit down with our families, enjoy delicious festive feasts, and exchange gifts expressing our love and appreciation for one another. This is the time of year that we are urged to give thanks for all the things we feel fortunate for. This is also an opportunity to help spread the message of energy efficiency and sustainability. We encourage you to pass on your practices to family and friends in this time of gathering. Show others how easy and practical living sustainably can really be. Don’t forget, Climate Culture can provide real and tangible results on money savings, so show your parents how to save money, and maybe you’ll get a little extra for Christmas this year. Also, be sure to follow our twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/climateculture for Thanksgiving and holiday specific actions on how you can practice sustainability with a festive flair!

America’s Greenest Campus was an outstanding success with tens of thousands of particpants among hundreds of schools! We have even bigger ambitions for our next round and are looking to you for help in designing and planning the next America’s Greenest Campus. Please send us any feedback or ideas for the next contest, particularly ideas that can help us empower you to make a bigger impact on campus. The suggestion box is open! Email adam@efficiency20.com to submit your feedback and suggestions.

University of Maryland and Rio Salado College have emerged victorious in the America’s Greenest Campus contest! Congrats to both schools. Be sure to visit the official AGC homepage at http://www.AmericasGreenestCampus.com to see how your school ranked and to check out the winning stats. If you have suggestions or feedback for future contests, please email admin@climateculture.com with anything you’d like the contest staff to see. Thanks to all 21,000+ participants for making this campaign an amazing success. Remember, just because the contest has ended does not mean that you shouldn’t still be reducing your environmental impact. If you haven’t already, sign up, encourage your friends to sign up, and reduce that carbon footprint!

Our 7 month long contest, America’s Greenest Campus, officially ended this week. During the contest, we worked with over 20,000 participants among nearly 500 schools and reduced over 18 million pounds of Carbon! The winners of the contest will be announced on Wednesday, October 14th. In the meantime, please continue to use Climate Culture and encourage your friends and family to sign up and see how sustainability can fit into their lifestyles.

Be sure to stay tuned to http://www.AmericasGreenestCampus.com for the contest winners and news on the future of AGC.

This is the final day that you can participate in the America’s Greenest Campus contest. We’ll be closing sign ups at 12:00 Sharp, PST. Please note, you will still be able to sign up for Climate Culture, however, no sign ups after the contest close will count towards your school’s participation. In the coming days, we’ll crunch the final numbers to determine the winners and are planning on announcing the victorious schools on October 14th. Please stay tuned to this space for more news and updates.

As we approach the end of the contest, we’re seeing unprecedented levels of participation from campuses across the country! This proves that all of our participants and members are helping to spread the word and raise awareness about environmental sustainability. We’ll be accepting sign ups right until the very last moment of the contest, at midnight on October 5th. Don’t forget, we also have sign up sheets (accessible by clicking this link: http://climateculture.s3.amazonaws.com/agc/sign… . Use these sheets to get friends and community members signed up, then simply send them (scan and email) to adam@climateculture.com .

As we approach the end of the contest, we’re seeing unprecedented levels of participation from campuses across the country! This proves that all of our participants and members are helping to spread the word and raise awareness about environmental sustainability. We’ll be accepting sign ups right until the very last moment of the contest, at midnight on October 5th. Don’t forget, we also have sign up sheets (accessible by clicking this link: http://climateculture.s3.amazonaws.com/agc/sign… . Use these sheets to get friends and community members signed up, then simply send them (scan and email) to adam@climateculture.com .

As we approach the end of the contest, we’re seeing unprecedented levels of participation from campuses across the country! This proves that all of our participants and members are helping to spread the word and raise awareness about environmental sustainability. We’ll be accepting sign ups right until the very last moment of the contest, at midnight on October 5th. Don’t forget, we also have sign up sheets (accessible by clicking this link: http://climateculture.s3.amazonaws.com/agc/sign…. Use these sheets to get friends and community members signed up, then simply send them (scan and email) to adam@climateculture.com.

Check back here often, as we’ll have some exciting announcements leading up to the end of the contest.