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Building industry leaders working to promote environmentally responsible, energy efficient places to live and work.
Find out more about solar energy.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory provides information about alternative energy sources, including biomass power, geothermal power, hydropower, ocean power, solar power, and wind energy.
Find out what the government is doing to promote sustainability, conservation and recycling.
See what Europe is doing to protect the environment.
This United Nations agency has been working since 1972 to protect the earth's natural resources. With a global focus, they work largely through education in developing and developed countries.
This page highlights environmental conservation efforts that are going on locally.
A free bibliographic database from Ebsco designed to "help individuals and organizations interested in reducing the negative impact and increasing the positive impact they have on the environment. The database includes information for individuals, such as installing solar panels and recycling; for corporation needing information on green agriculture, hybrid cars or waste management; as well as, environmental laws, regulations and studies. The goal is for GreenFILE to be a practical tool for everyday information and a resource for academic study and classroom activities." GreenFile contains nearly 300,000 records. Some titles are full-text.
Our Earth.org, a non-profit environmental organization, created this Web site to facilitate the sharing of environmental ifnormation and ideas and make it easier for individuals, organizations and communities to be environmentally responsible. Includes information about recycling and energy and water conservation, as well as news on environmental topics and a forum for discussion.
This not-for-profit organization makes recommendations for products and services that are environmentally responsible.
Environmental, ethical sustainable products, services and news
A non- profit membership organizations that harnesses the power of economics to make environmental friendly changes.
Shop responsibly in Albany.
You can support local farmers and food producers. Find unique, healthy and green foods and products.
Founded in 1996 to promote sustainable agriculture and local food systems, promote earth-friendly agriculture, community-based food systems and nutritious, farm fresh local foods.
From Consumer Reports, green ratings on appliances, cars, electronics, food, and home and garden items. Also includes information on electronics reuse and recycling and environmental toxins.
Series of articles on sustainable cuisine (or "green cuisine"), defined as "following practices and management techniques that don't take any more from the world than they put back." Includes a brief history of sustainable cuisine, tips for buying sustainable food (such as buying locally-produced products), a sustainable seafood chart, and a chronicle of one person's experiences of joining a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. From Epicurious. Annotation: Copyright 2006 by Librarians' Internet Index.
Explains environmental product labels such as "bird-friendly," "cruelty free," "fair trade certified," "certified organic," and "USDA Organic." Browse labels by name, logo design, product (such as food or personal hygiene), and other factors. Includes a glossary, periodic updates and reports, trivia questions, and other material related to product labeling. From Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports. Annotation: Copyright 2006 by Librarians' Internet Index.
This website promotes sustainable consumption, "the use of goods and services that satisfy basic needs and improve quality of life while minimizing the use of irreplaceable natural resources and the byproducts of toxic materials, waste, and pollution." Find fact sheets, articles, book reviews, recipes, and other material supporting sustainable food choices. From the Sierra Club. Annotation: Copyright 2006 by Librarians' Internet Index.
From the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, this is a searchable online database containing information on tourism services and facilities in North America that link tourism activities with the conservation of natural areas.
This site includes a search engine that returns only "green" results, and a news reader that pulls together "green" stores from the Web.
"Dubbed the 'green living source for today's conscious consumer,' the Green Guide makes living in an environmentally-aware way easy, understandable, and practical." The site features product reviews (for items such as shoes, appliances, bedding, cosmetics, household cleaning supplies, personal care items, and pest control techniques), lists of ingredients to avoid, articles (such as on what happens to donated clothes), videos, blogs, and more. Also includes information about the associated print publication. From National Geographic. (Annotation: Copyright 2007 by Librarians' Internet Index)
Extensive bibliography on sustainable design of buildings, with listings for dictionaries and encyclopedias, handbooks, histories, journals, and resources for codes and specifications, design, building materials, construction methods, environmental health, energy, case studies, and more. Includes links to additional research guides on solar design, daylighting (natural lighting), and other design topics. From the Environmental Design Library, University of California, Berkeley. Annotation: Copyright 2006 by Librarians' Internet Index.
Consumer guide to sustainable and energy-efficient home design, with fact sheets on appliances and lighting, home cooling, household greenhouse gas emissions, water efficiency, construction of new homes, environmentally friendly building materials, renewable energy (such as solar and wind power), indoor air quality, and recycling. From the Rocky Mountain Institure, an energy policy research organization. Annotation: Copyright 2006 by Librarians' Internet Index
Compilation of background materials and progress reports from this research project for the development of "cool" roofing materials to reduce roof temperature of buildings and increase energy efficiency. Includes publications and presentations from the group. Also includes a "Pigment Database" giving "the solar spectral radiative properties of conventional and cool pigmented coatings." A collaboration between Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Annotation: Copyright 2006 by Librarians' Internet Index.
This fact sheet provides energy-conserving landscaping ideas, such as planting shade trees and creating windbreaks. Includes explanations of concepts related to heat exchange in the home, and illustrated tips for planning a home landscape. From the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. Annotation: Copyright 2006 by Librarians' Internet Index.
Put in your zip code and find out about activities and efforts in your area to support conservation.
Zero waste is a concept in sustainability that goes far beyond recycling to examine our social patterns and try to make changes to eliminate waste instead of just managing it.
The U.S. Department of Energy offers tips that can help you save energy. Using less means paying less, too! Read about how to increase gas mileage and save cash at the pumps.
Find out how much of an impact you have on the earth by taking this simple quiz.
The heart of this site is the "Find and Compare Cars" database, with miles-per-gallon numbers for vehicles from 1985 to the present. Includes a gasoline price page with links to national and regional fuel price information, information on vehicle safety ratings and air pollution, gas mileage tips, and material on hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Also find the most current model year "Fuel Economy Guide." From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Annotation: Copyright 2006 by Librarians' Internet Index
This site outlines suggestions for improving the heating and energy efficiency of a swimming pool. It covers pool heaters (gas, heat pump, and solar), pool covers (bubble, vinyl, and insulated vinyl), water temperature management, and swimming pool pumps. Includes diagrams and charts showing energy cost comparisons for sample U.S. regions. Part of the U.S. Department of Energy Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Annotation: Copyright 2006 by Librarians' Internet Index.
This article describes how changing your driving habits may result in substantial fuel economy improvements. Driving tips were tested "over a remote 55-mile route in the high desert of California." Tests with significant fuel savings included moderate instead of aggressive driving, lowering high speeds, using cruise control, and limiting excessive idling. Proper tire pressure and not using air conditioning did not result in significant fuel savings. From a company that produces car-pricing guides. Annotation: Copyright 2006 by Librarians' Internet Index.
"Use this online calculator to obtain an estimate of your personal greenhouse gas emissions or your family's greenhouse gas emissions. Then move on to the next section of the calculator to explore actions you and/or your family can take to lower your emissions while reducing your energy and waste disposal costs." Areas covered include transportation, home energy use, and waste and recycling. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Annotation: Copyright 2007 by Librarians' Internet Index.
College and high school students volunteering to restore American parks, forests and public lands. Internships and volunteer opportunities available.
One of the most widely recognized advocacy groups for environmental protection and sustainability.
America's most influential environmental organization. A non-profit, member-supported, public interest organization that promotes conservation of the natural environment through public education and lobbying.
This site is a clearninghouse for environmental organizations worldwide.