Pittsburgh Resources
Whether you're a longtime "green" gardener, or a new convert to the idea of living with less impact on the plant, you need good information.
Phipps offers these resources to get you started on the path toward a more sustainable life.
1. Learn and Live Green
Some of the simplest things we each can do to build a sustainable ecosystem include learning about green issues, practicing recycling, and teaching kids to value their environment.
- Learn about sustainability and meet others who care.
- Envirolink: A non-profit clearinghouse of sustainability resources.
www.envirolink.org - The Natural Step: Working to build an ecologically and economically sustainable society.
www.naturalstep.org - Natural Resources Defense Council: Get the latest news on environmental laws and policies.
www.nrdc.org - Sustainable Business: See how the business world is going green.
www.sustainablebusiness.com - See the pollution Scorecard for your community.
www.scorecard.org - Sustainable Pittsburgh: Promoting sustainability in our region.
www.sustainablepittsburgh.org - Green Drinks Pittsburgh: Socialize with other environmentalists.
www.greendrinks.org - What, how, and where can I recycle?
- E-cycling Central
www.eiae.org - Earth 911
www.earth911.org - National Recycling Coalition
www.nrc-recycle.org - Battery Recycling
www.batteryrecycling.com - City of Pittsburgh recycling information
www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/pw/html/recycling.html - Construction Junction: Donate your used and surplus construction items (everything from bathtubs to paint) for someone else's project, and find what you need at a bargain price.
www.constructionjunction.org - Inspire the next generation to be a green generation
- Ecoliteracy: Teachers, get some great green lesson ideas.
www.ecoliteracy.org/education/sustainability.html - Green Squad: Help kids become aware of environmental issues.
www.nrdc.org/greensquad - Our region offers numerous opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
- Visit our State Parks.
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/index.aspx - Venture Outdoors
www.ventureoutdoors.org - Pittsburgh City Parks
www.pittsburghparks.org - Bike Pittsburgh
www.bike-pgh.org
2. Buy Safe, Local and Fair
Reconnect with the food you consume by learning where it comes from.
- How your food products are produced can have a major effect on their safety.
- Environmental Working Group: How safe are the products you buy?
www.ewg.org - Green Seal: Which products are best for you and the environment?
www.greenseal.org - Seafood Watch: Is your seafood safe?
www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp - Got Mercury: How much mercury is in your fish?
www.gotmercury.org - Certified Humane: Are your meat products raised humanely?
www.certifiedhumane.com - Food that travels long distances from where it is grown wastes energy and is not as fresh, and buying local helps to support the local economy.
- Food Route: Where does your food come from?
www.foodroutes.org - Find local producers:
- Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture
- www.pasafarming.org
- The Robin Van En Center, Wilson College
- www.wilson.edu/csasearch
- Local Harvest
- www.localharvest.org
- Farm to School: Bring sustainable eating habits to your school cafeteria.
www.farmtoschool.org - Find out about Slow Food.
www.slowfoodusa.org - Food doesn't get any more local than when you grow it yourself, and many people find gardening relaxing and enjoyable.
- Be a Seed Saver and encourage biodiversity.
www.seedsavers.org - Beyond Pesticides: Find safe alternatives.
www.beyondpesticides.org - Buy No Mow lawn mix and save gas.
www.prairienursery.com - Find out what plants can help keep your workplace clean.
www.coopext.colostate.edu/4DMG/Plants/clean.htm - Composting can convert some of your household garbage into fertile soil for gardening or planting.
- Teachers, make composting a classroom activity.
www.css.cornell.edu/compost/schools.html - You can make smart choices even when products are not grown locally. Fair trade practices support the environment and local economies around the world.
- Fair Trade Certified: Learn more about fair trade and sustainable production.
www.transfairusa.org - Forest Stewardship Council: Promote sustainable forest management with the products you buy.
www.fscus.org - Rainforest Alliance: Save the rainforest!
www.rainforest-alliance.org - La Prima: Buy fairly traded coffee beans.
www.laprima.com - Make informed choices about a variety of everyday products.
- The Green Guide
www.thegreenguide.com - We Can Live Green
www.wecanlivegreen.com - New American Dream
www.newdream.org - Find volunteer opportunities around the country and the world.
- Amizade
www.amizade.org - Student Conservation Association
www.thesca.org - World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms
www.wwoof.org
3. Get Energy Smart
Nothing impacts the planet more than our appetite for energy. Here are some resources for becoming more energy smart:
- Energy conservation means simply using less electricity.
- How To Reduce Your Energy Consumption
www.nrdc.org/air/energy/genergy.asp - Burning fossil fuels to make electricity is the largest source of greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
- Learn about the science behind global warming.
www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/ - Does your electricity come from mountaintop removal?
www.ilovemountains.org - Is green energy available for your home?
- The Green Power Network
- http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/
- Green-e
- www.green-e.org
- Buy carbon offsets to support green energy.
- Native Energy
www.nativeenergy.com - Green Tags
www.greentagsusa.org/greentags/index.cfm - Green buildings are designed to use less energy and limit impacts on the environment. These buildings are sprouting up locally and around the world.
- U.S. Green Building Council: Learn about green buildings.
www.usgbc.org/ - Green Building Alliance: See what's green locally.
www.gbapgh.org - The vehicles we drive can harm the environment as well, but technology and innovation are taking steps to reduce this pollution.
- Green Vehicles: How environmentally friendly is your vehicle?
www.epa.gov/greenvehicles - Learn about alternative fuels.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels.htm - Zipcar: Join a car share.
www.zipcar.com
