Concentration of CO2 in the Atmosphere

Wood: A Sustainable flooring

By Cindy Humiston Weed

Wood has been the go-to material for flooring for centuries. It’s not only an attractive, durable and biodegradable natural resource, when harvested and grown in a responsible manner, it is also sustainable.

Long before “being green” was popular, Planet Hardwood in St. George, Vermont was ethically sourcing what […]

Why Choose Natural Paints?

By Jessica Barber Goldblatt

We are surrounded by painted surfaces, in our homes. In conventional paint formulas, there are three basic elements which are pigment, binder and an agent to combine the pigment and binder into a liquid solution. In recent years the paint industry has responded to consumer demand for more healthful, […]

You Can Get a Crazy Amount of BPA from Cash Register Receipts

By Paul Rauber

Ever since early exposes showed the endocrine-system-disrupting effects of the industrial chemical BPA, manufacturers have discontinued its use in water bottles, baby bottles, and binkies. (That’s why everyone drinks their water out of metal containers these days.) In estimating human exposure to the gender-bending chemical these days, federal regulators assume that […]

The Art of Cross Country Skiing

by Roger Lohr

Cross country (XC) skiing is a terrific way to enjoy the great outdoors in winter. The pleasures of XC skiing can take your mind off the stresses of the daily grind, whether you seek the solitude of solo skiing or are spending some quality time with family and friends. It’s also a […]

Loon Snowmakers Cut Electricity Use by One Third

New snow making equipment at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire.

By Tamsin Venn

Many New England downhill ski areas are taking steps to reduce energy use. Loon Mountain is a leader in that effort in New Hampshire. In the past three years it has cut its electric bill by […]

Brain Health 101

By Larry Plesant, Vermont Organic Soapworks

I will quote Woody Allen, “My brain! Why that’s my second favorite organ!”

This article is the first in a two-part series on maintaining a healthy brain in modern times. Twenty-first century humans require super nutrition to maintain healthy brains! Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and […]

The “Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Additives”

by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit dedicated to protecting human health and the environment through research, education and advocacy, launched its “Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Additives” in November 2014 to educate consumers about which food additives are associated with health concerns, which are restricted in […]

Vermont Awards $270,000 to Support Clean Energy and Food Scrap Recycling

From the Vermont Department of Public Service

As announced on January 21, 2015, Casella Resource Solutions and Grow Compost have both been awarded Clean Energy Development Fund grants ($139,000 and $131,549 respectively) from the Vermont Public Service Department (PSD) for two pilot projects to demonstrate the anaerobic digestion of food scraps.

PSD […]

Joint Legislative Sustainability Resolution

By George Plumb

The terms “sustainable” or “sustainability” are often used now, as well they should be in these environmentally challenging times, but those terms are rarely defined by the users — never mind in a scientific way with meaningful parameters. Fortunately the Vermont legislature is considering a resolution that would do […]

VT Law School Solar RFP

and Campus Sustainability Efforts

By Annika Kolasa

In response to a December 2014 request for proposals, Vermont Law School received seven offers from regional solar energy developers to construct and own a 500-kW solar installation whose net-metering credits and associated renewable energy credits would be sold to VLS for the next 20 years, significantly reducing […]