Can’t decide which environmental group should get your donation? Green Wish™ has done some of the work for you.

What do the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, the Coalition for Clean Air, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and Roots & Shoots have in common? They are just a handful of the American organizations which have benefited from the work of grassroots organization Green Wish™, a non-profit charitable organization that helps non-profit environmental groups support community projects through small donations at local retailers and online. Currently centered in Los Angeles, the mission of Green Wish™ is straightforward, “to collect money for smaller local groups that are deserving, and in much need of support.”

Green Wish™ was founded three years ago by Raphael Sbarge, a veteran actor who now plays Jiminy Cricket (and Dr. Archie Hopper) on the hit TV show Once Upon a Time. Raphael is the father of two children, whom he credits with being the inspiration for starting Green Wish™. “I am looking to leave things a tiny bit better if I can, and with so much that needs support, how can we not all try to do our part?” he says. “I wanted to create something meaningful for my children. I care greatly for the environment and helping others. Green Wish™ is the perfect way to do just that.”

Raphael Sbarge and Son. Photo by T Love Photography: Tena Fanning

Green Wish™ chooses recipient organizations under the guidance of uber eco-promoter Ed Begley Jr. and an environmentally conscious Board of Directors. They currently support nine groups that focus on key areas such as air, water and land-related issues and sustainability education, and Raphael admits that they receive a lot of requests. The board has placed financial caps on support though and once those caps are met they accept applications from different groups or consider those brought to their attention or nominated by board members. Raphael says “we are grateful for all the requests and there is so much need out there it is hard, on a personal note, to say no to anyone. Our hope is to come back to them, slightly later on.  The groups we currently support are very appreciative, and have thanked us repeatedly — not just raising money for them, but also awareness of the work they do right in the community.”

One of the unique aspects of Green Wish™ is that it is a non-profit that raises money for other non-profits. While the public can donate online, Green Wish™ also has a point-of-purchase donation program in select stores in the Los Angeles area. Point-of-purchase cards provide an easy way to direct money into community groups in small denominations and the goal of Green Wish™ is to give 90 cents out of every dollar raised directly to local charities. Raphael said that because the program has a “hyper-local focus,” retailers have embraced it as a way to communicate to their customers that they are concerned about environmental issues, particularly in their own community. Retailers also have expressed how much they appreciate the novel idea of helping not just one but nine different groups.

The Board of Green Wish™ includes a cast of Hollywood eco-activists but it’s not just glitter. The organization has recently enlisted the help of Jess Adkins, PhD and Professor of Geochemistry and Global Environmental Science at California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The geochemist and oceanographer hosts a series called Ask a Climatologist on the Green Wish™ YouTube channel. Green Wish™ is also currently in the process of setting up chapters around the country to help groups in other regions. On another note, Raphael has partnered with Ed Begley Jr. to produce a web series called On Begley Street where they document transforming Ed Begley’s home into the most ecologically advanced home in North America.

So, what are Green Wish™’s criteria for choosing potential non-profit organizations? If your organization is thinking about applying, tell them about the work you do, where you do it, how long you have been doing it and how Green Wish™ might find out more about your project. Even though the selection process is currently closed, they’ll keep and catalogue your organization’s information for future discussion by the Green Wish™ Board of Directors.

Because his children were the inspiration for Green Wish™ Raphael was asked by Green Solutions if his children have had any input in choosing potential groups to be funded. Raphael said that while his children had not made “any special requests as yet,” he would be “very interested in them finding their voice, their passion, and putting energy behind it [Green Wish™ or their passion] to make a difference in the world they will ultimately inherit.” Some sound advice for all of us.

1.  Transit Chair

Handmade in the USA from recycled street signs, this unique chair has a story to tell. Priced at almost $2,000 (USD), maybe the $100 pentagon-shaped stop sign tray is a better option for your wallet. Nonetheless Reworks upcycled shop is a great destination for eco home décor.

2.  WaterRower

Designed from verified sustainable wood, this rower uses water instead of mechanical equipment to simulate a real rowing experience. On cold rainy spring days, it’s not always possible to exercise outdoors. This machine is the next best thing and it doesn’t even need to be plugged in! Hopefully it doesn’t waste too much water though.

3.  Recycled Umbrella Backpack

What better way to keep your valuables dry than with a backpack made from recycled umbrellas and other reclaimed materials! Pricy, but no two designs are the same.

Photo by Mathew Yake

4.  Recycled Keyboard Frame

There are a lot picture frames out there made from recycled materials, but this may be one of the most innovative. Affordable and definitely a conversation piece. Although, you should steer clear this company’s other non-eco friendly items though.

5.  Solar Queen

This is something all eco-conscious people will appreciate. The sun’s power will make Her Majesty’s wrist, twist and wave. Other than the solar power though, this product does not seem to use any reclaimed materials or sustainable manufacturing methods. But still, it’s an absolute laugh riot!

6.  Recycled Trash Can

This is not a very luxurious item. But it is definitely an essential for the home, everyone needs a waste bin, so why not get an affordable one like this made from recycled plastic. Make spring cleaning fun! It’s too bad Umbra doesn’t use environmentally friendly materials in all of their products.

7.  Recycled Coconut Basin

This eco washbasin is made from recycled coconut husk and sealed with resin. It doesn’t come cheap but it really takes recycled materials to a new height.

8.  World Art Hot Cups

An excellent choice for cafes and other hot drink retailers are these compostable insulated compostable cups! The design comes in a few different colours, and no sleeves or double cupping is required! Made from 100% renewable resources.

9.  Ethical Sneakers

Manufactured in Europe, and made using only earth-friendly compostable ingredients like cork and hemp, these hot shoes are available online and in stores now from OAT shoes. Best of all, they come with seeds so that when you are ready to retire your kicks, you can bury them in the garden and get flowers!

10.  Recycled Clothes Pegs

Wouldn’t people who tend to use clotheslines to naturally dry their clothes want to use recycled clothespins as well? It’s a hard item to find! Thankfully Eco Force took on that challenge. Made from 93% recycled plastic.

From Caps to Bowl

Take a hint from artist Elizabeth Noisette. Bottle caps and wine corks among other lids, work well for this type of bowl design.

From Magazines to Collage Art Deco

Almost anything could suffice when it comes to creating eco-art out of found materials (tape deck film, tires), but magazines are an easy place to start. Cruzine has a fantastic recycled art list compiled, and Collager/Artist Derek Gores (sample displayed below), is a huge inspiration.

From Material Scraps to Baskets

Everybody’s got some old drapes, bedding, or other material items lying around the house somewhere. Or if not, a willing neighbor or friend would probably be willing to part with some. Below is a spring-inspired cloth-basket design from the Sometimes Crafter. Hint: check out the blog for a full tutorial.

 
 
From Glass/Plastic Slab to Coffee Table

Glass, plastic and wooden slabs are everywhere. Sometimes they just need a little gussying up, some legs and voila a new coffee table! Reused Relics refashioned an old three-pane glass storm window.

From Ugly Old Chair to Fancy New Chair

Many thrift shops, garage sales, liquidation centres and even dumps are a gold mine for abandoned chairs. Why not even get a few different styles, and use the same cloth to cover the seats by stapling underneath and reattaching. Good Housekeeping has some excellent advice.

From Old Windows to Greenhouses

Ineffective windows may let drafts into your home, but for plants, they provide pretty good protection.

 
Reclaimed Wood Headboards

This seems to be a popular DIY project; perhaps because the wood stays put, doesn’t interfere with the space, and has a beautiful rustic look. Let Shannon and Dean show you the way on their blog.

 
 
Upcycled Suitcases

Suitcases seem to be popular with the upcycling crowd because they retain shape and look very charming. The structure also makes it easy to turn them into new things. The double decker cat bed from Etsy.com is a fantastic example!

 
From Old Shutter to Magazine Rack

The slats in this old shutter are a perfect place to hold cards and magazines. With a little paint and TLC this could be a great home décor addition.

While the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is gearing up to do their 2012 Census of Agriculture, the count it makes every five years of US farms, the general consensus already is that the trend will show more young farmers and more green practices.

That’s a very good thing. The National Young Farmers Association (NYFA) says that nearly one quarter of American farms are expected to retire in the next decade. Not only is that, but also across the country the average age of farmers is nearing 60. This is unsettling news since we depend on farms for our meat, dairy, produce and grain.

But we can be hopeful if the trend towards more young people starting and working farms continues. According to MSNBC, university enrollment in farming programs has increased as well as interest in farmer training programs.

It’s not hard to see why there is a flock to farming. Many young people look at farming as a way of getting out of the cities and away from the stress of corporate jobs that may offer little or no job security. Then there are the factors that demonstrate the market need: the rising consumer demand for organic and local produce, a big increase in farmers’ markets where farmers can sell their product and the growing popularity of community supported agriculture programs. There’s the allure that working a farm allows the farmer to make their own hours and see the fruits of their labour, literally. There’s also the fact that people are more aware than ever of how the climate is changing and what that could mean to future crop yields unless they take action now. And finally there’s a lot of unrest about the process our food takes to get to our table and the big business behind it.

Like starting any business though, breaking into farming isn’t without some barriers. The obstacles most people often face are access to land, the ability to obtain the credit to purchase, lease or rent the land needed and access to capital to get the machinery and other materials needed. On top of that, there can be difficulty securing health care in an industry that sees many accidents and injuries.

And that’s without including Mother Nature’s challenges. Farming’s dependency on Mother Nature means that the yield, and the income, can be unpredictable. Drought, insects, flooding, infestation or extreme temperatures all play a part in what comes to fruition.

But there is help out there; a lot more help than farmers had decades ago. There are proposals to provide young farmers with improved support and loans. In 2009, the USDA began giving money to universities and non-profit groups to train beginning farmers.

There is also a lot of help for established farmers. From networking to seminars on growing techniques, there are groups throughout North America that offer the support and information to help farmers keep going. Some even lobby politicians for more backing to support agricultural bills and organize technical skills sharing sessions and solution sharing. Groups such as the National Young Farmers’ Coalition, Farm Credit Canada, FarmAid.org and the National Farmers Union are just a few examples of what exists to help new farmers out. Other organizations such as The Greenhorns work to promote the benefits of farming and the need for more farmers. The Greenhorns recently released documentary that details the lives of some young farmers and how they are making it work.

Despite all of the help available, new farmers still face many problems. One major problem is the inability to get a loan. Despite the help of programs, without a loan, many farmers find themselves dipping into their savings to keep their operation going, not a process than can go on for a long time.

Once a farmer has their farm going though they have a technological advantage that didn’t exist for older farmers. Social media networking can play a huge part in a farm’s success and is a growing trend among farmers. AGChat.org is one example that exists to help farmers and ranchers connect through social media and will educate them on how to connect through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms.

Social media can allow a farmer to network with other farmers, advertise what he/she produces, notify others about events and generally get their name, good reputation and what they do out there.

Farmers can also use social media to inform fellow farmers of infestations or find out what might be infesting their crops by posting a picture on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest. They can also share farming techniques.

Current social media technology allows farmers to constantly update and post pictures of how their crops are doing and how they are being grown, something that many consumers are concerned with these days.

With more and more farmers’ markets popping up, social media technology makes it easier for farmers to sell their product to a larger group of people.

Social media also has the added benefit of connecting a farmer who may be working a remote farm without much contact to many farmers around the world.

So whether it’s a rooftop garden in the city or a large spread in the country, farming can be a great career choice. New farmers today have many obstacles to overcome but so many rewards to gain. And the biggest reward is that it brings healthy, delicious food to our tables.

Photo by Stephen Ausmus

BARC, based in Hamilton, is a community not-for-profit group that assesses and promotes clean up projects in Hamilton Harbour and its watershed. The group works with all levels of government and the private sector to promote their ideas and obtain support for their efforts.

It was back in 1985 that Hamilton Harbour was listed as one of 43 areas of concern in accordance with the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Years of industrial activity by steel manufacturers Stelco and Defasco, as well as other industries, had left the Hamilton Harbour with a toxic mixture of polluted water and much of the shoreline unusable to the public.

To combat the environmental damage, several stakeholder groups from government, industries and the environment instituted a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) in 1992, with the goal of the harbour being de-listed as an area of concern by 2015. The goal of the RAP hopes to revive sustainable natural ecosystems in the harbour and the watershed while making it functional for recreational activities and economical growth.

The three main principles that RAP strives to meet are an ecosystem approach, zero discharge of toxic substances and sustainable communities.

Today, BARC follows a mandate that includes promoting, monitoring and assessing implementation of RAP, promoting, protection and appreciation of the Hamilton Harbour watershed ecosystem, assessing and enhancing public awareness of their issues, promoting and developing public information and education programs. The group also provides advice and information in support of environmental protection and they collaborate with other organizations with similar objectives.

In the 20 years that they have been going strong though they have had many milestones to celebrate. Most recently they were awarded the Earth Day Canada’s 2011 Group Hometown Hero Award. The awards recognize groups who are working towards making their environment healthier.

BARC has also headed efforts to restore Cootes Paradise Marsh, a 320-hectare environmentally significant wetland. It has also improved water clarity, decreased E.coli levels in the water, increased the percentage of publicly accessible shoreline by 28 percent and has seen the return of native fish and wildlife to the harbour and wetlands due to their cleanup efforts.

To work towards their goals, the group runs many different programs and events.

Adopt A Creek: Groups or businesses can spend a half a day or an entire day assessing the health of a local creek.

Yellow Fish Road: Educates students on the impact of pollution entering urban storm drains. Volunteers paint yellow fish symbols beside storm drains and distribute fish-shaped brochures to remind people to properly use and dispose of hazardous household chemicals.

Don’t Feed The Waterfowl: The waterfront can be improved by not feeding the geese, ducks and gulls as their pooh contains bacteria that can become a health hazard.

Marsh Volunteer Planting: Many species lost over the years need to be replanted. Each year groups of up to 15 volunteer planters wade through the marshes to replace native shrubs, plants and trees.

Many more programs join those listed above. BARC also holds meetings, seminars, workshops and events to raise money.

The group still has a major hill to climb in the form of The Cube. Known as Randle Reef, it’s the industrial corner of the harbour that consists of a 630,000 cubic metre blob of coal tar that was dumped into the water before the 1960s and before any pollution laws. It remains the most contaminated site in the harbour and the worst Canadian site of its kind in the Great Lakes.

The preferred clean up strategy is an on-site containment facility that will cap the contaminated sediment. At a cost of $105 million, it is to be split among federal and provincial governments, but no action has been taken.

BARC goes to show what a concerned group with definite goals can do over a long period of time. Both the harbour and its inhabitants thank them.

DeeDee Morrison is a sculptor and installation artist who combines green consciousness with sustainable designs to create art that is both esthetically pleasing and green functioning. Morrison has a love of plants, biological forms and light. She also has an interest in the natural world as well as one in technology and science. She takes pride in using heavy industrial metals and laser jet cutting to create sculptures that are both solar-powered and sustainable. All of her sculptures hold these attributes.

The result is innovative, solar powered, sustainable sculptures that not only make the world more beautiful, but also a greener place to live.

Born in New Orleans, Morrison now works in Birmingham, Alabama.
In addition to steel and aluminum she also works with quarry rock. She makes her designs on paper and then a CAD designer transmutes her drawings to a format that is sent to a laser service for precision cutting of the pieces of steel or aluminum needed. Morrison welds the pieces together and clear lexan material is riveted to the structure under the patterned cutouts and sprayed form the inside to achieve different colours. Interior lights are powered by LED or solar device and placed in the interior space of the sculpture.

She then has to install the artwork, move the artwork to the appropriate location and secure any permits needed.

Her latest piece is the Seed-Pod which was installed in Chattanooga near the wetlands in Renaissance Park. It’s based on a design of a seed pod opening up and the lunar panel has been built to form the shape of a seedpod and botanical scenes. The solar power collects energy during the day and then releases it to the seedpod at night, and makes it light up.

Morrison used 84 aluminum coloured Lucite panels that were laser cut and re-fabricated to create her Seed-Pod solar sculpture. The design, which measures 8 feet by 12 feet, was inspired by studying organic forms and the geometric principles that determine their patterns and structures. The design mimics the patterns found in seeds and seed cases, stems, flowers and fruits, shells, beehives and wasp nests.

Morrison believes that solar sculptures that are set in the right environment are effective ways to demonstrate how solar energy works and can become an icon of sustainability for a city. As an example, Seed-Pod is a visual display of the power and energy that’s available every day from a single solar panel’s relationship with the sun.

Located near the Seed-Pod sculpture is the 18 foot solar tower that collects and stores energy from the sun. While the tower collects the sun’s energy during the day the Seed-Pod emits the light at night.

This works by having the solar panel convert sunlight into useable energy and transferring that energy through the charge controller to the battery bank. The controller scales down the energy produced to the correct 12v voltage to charge the batteries. The batteries then store the energy to be used when it’s needed. Two 92AH batteries run the 12 LED floodlights for about 14 hours before they need to be recharged and require 10 watts of power each.

The sculpture also sports a sunny yellow colour, meant to project the image of the warmth of the sun.

Several other sculptures of hers have been installed in Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida and Washington. Morrison’s sculpture Sun-Catcher is installed in Clearwater, Florida while her sculpture entitled Landscape resides in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Seed Pod will be on exhibit for 18 months as part of Public Art Chattanooga’s 2012 Biennial Sculpture Exhibition.

Make doing the laundry a green event by saving energy and water

Laundry day doesn’t have to be the same old routine. Switch things up by dropping wasteful energy and water consuming habits and bringing in the green, energy and water saving tips. Here are some simple things you can do to make the transition.

Washing

Fill the washing machine to capacity whenever possible. Washing a full load will save more energy and water than washing several smaller loads.

Use energy saving features on your washing machine. Switch the setting to accommodate lightly or heavily soiled clothing.  Sort your lightly soiled clothing from your heavily soiled ones. For lightly soiled clothing, use the sud-saving feature if it’s available on your washing machine. This feature saves any wastewater for use on the next load. Use this feature only if you’ll be washing the second load straight away.

Use lower temperature settings. Hot water requires more energy to be heated. Try using warm or cold water instead. Some detergents are perfect for cold water use, so the next time you shop for detergent, look for those that work best in warm to cold temperatures. Pre-soaking heavily soiled clothing may also help when washing with lower temperatures.

Reduce the temperature on your thermostat. Adjusting the thermostat temperature to an adequate 120 F helps you save energy as well as protect your little ones from possible scalding.

Drying

Sort all lightweight and heavyweight clothing and dry two loads in a row. Lightweight clothing takes less time to dry and uses less energy. When the lightweight items dry, the dryer will be warm enough to dry the heavyweight clothing without using more energy than necessary to reheat the dryer. Air-dry clothing whenever possible.

Time your washing and drying. If you time your loads so that the next load follows right after the last one, the dryer will be hot and would not use additional electricity or gas to heat up.

Use energy saving features. Settings such as auto-dry avoids wasting energy and prevents over drying, which may cause static, shrinkage, and even shorten the life of clothing.

Avoid over drying clothes. Remove clothing from the dryer when still lightly damp to reduce wrinkling and the need for ironing—another energy guzzler.

Avoid adding wet clothing to a partially dry load. Your dryer saps more energy when it takes longer to dry newly added damper clothing.

Clean dryer filter after every load. A lint-free filter creates better airflow and shortens drying time.

Taking care of your immune system with pre- and probiotics and antioxidants

Your body’s immune system is resilient and strong, and typically does well with defending itself from viruses, bacteria and other micro-organisms that can cause diseases. Sometimes, though, it becomes weak, and a virus enters, compromising your immune system. When this happens, what can you do to enhance your immune system? While there are no proven studies that bridge the gap between having a healthy lifestyle and a strong immune system, general healthy-living and foods rich in pre- and probiotics and antioxidants are a great way to boost your immune system.

Healthy living is a good line of defense for your body. Your body, including your immune system, functions better when you follow healthy living options such as exercising regularly; eating foods high in fibre, vegetables, and fruit; avoiding smoking or excessive drinking; sleeping about seven to eight hours each day; and getting health checkups regularly.

Choosing immune boosting foods with pre- and probiotics and antioxidants is said to also be a great defense for your body. Probiotics are beneficial “microorganisms introduced into the body for their beneficial qualities,” while prebiotics are “non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines.” Prebiotics are generally thought to feed probiotics, which in turn may positively impact your health and immune system.

Prebiotics come from carbohydrate fibers called oligosaccharides. Once you eat them, oligosaccharides are thought to travel through your digestive system, helping good bacteria grow and flourish along the way. Some foods containing oligosaccharides include fruits, legumes and whole grains.

Probiotic bacteria like lactobacilli, in turn, may help to prevent growth of bad bacteria, viruses and yeast in the digestive system, and other areas of the body, by fighting them. They are naturally found in fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut.

Antioxidants are “molecules that are capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules,” that is, “vitamins and minerals that help to eliminate free radicals, toxic byproducts that are produced when fuel is burned by the body.” They are essential for proper functioning of the immune system and are said to help protect the body. Antioxidants are naturally found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grain cereals, red wine, tea and herbs. Specific foods include pecans, blackberry, grapes, cranberry, grapefruit, apple, blueberry, beans (red, pinto, kidney), garlic, carrot, tomato, teas (green, black, herbal), ginger, garlic, spices and red wine.

Commercial/wild fishermen like those characters from the Perfect Storm, do the opposite of what aquaculturists do; commercial fishermen capture wild fish. Animal Planet reports that “across the globe, fishing fleets are now two to three times larger than what our waters can sustain and support, and on top of that, some fishing methods have a domino effect of sorts, with practices and gear causing destruction on species that aren’t even the primary target.”

Aquaculture, on the other hand, is the controlled or semi-controlled farming of fish, crustaceans, and plants in saltwater or freshwater openly, or with tanks. Mariculture is the same controlled farming, only using marine organisms. According to the USDA Living Science Department, potential opportunities for aquaculture include: “production of food; stocking public bodies of water, or public or home aquaria; or for biomedical applications.”

Commercial fishermen need a license because they are fishing from actual populations in the oceans and freshwater sources, and these populations must be regulated to maintain the diversity of species and their existence. However, boats often fish illegally, and these numbers often distort the data of actual vs. reported fish counts. Aquaculture farm populations are regulated by the farmers themselves, and most countries have laws, policies and licenses that govern aquaculture facilities.

So which is better for the environment, aquaculture or commercial/wild fishing? Species are generally more protected through aquaculture because the equipment used to capture the fish is better able to reduce negative effects during capturing. Also, aquaculture facilities are not only capturing fish, they are also replacing their stock in a sense. Commercial fishing can lead to over-fishing, a term used to describe the phenomenon whereby fish are being captured at a faster rate than they are able to reproduce, rendering the population unsustainable. And this number doesn’t even account for people who fish illegally.

Many fish have gone extinct… It’s debated whether certain extinctions were due entirely to overfishing, but many believe it was a big cause. Rory Carroll reported for the Guardian UK, about the Amazon river’s arapaima fish being at risk of extinction because of overfishing and “errors in classification.”  This remarkable fish can grow bigger and heavier than a human! Aquaculture could be a solution for reversing threatened populations, as some think it makes the populations of fish easier to determine and control. As well, there is considerably less stress placed on the natural habitats of sea creatures. If done right, it can potentially lead to all-positive results and be extremely sustainable.

However, not all underwater fish farms are clean. According to Greenpeace, a few negatives that can come with unsustainable aquaculture include: food security, the use of fishmeal for feed that would otherwise go to local populations, depletion of water and inefficient waste systems.

Surprisingly, aquaculture is not a new phenomenon. It has been around since the mid 1800s in Canada, and similar times elsewhere. If done sustainably, it could have tremendously positive implications for the world hunger crisis. With the world population hovering over 7 billion and rapidly growing, it is vital to think of global food production capabilities as we approach 2020. The demand for fish has more than quadrupled from 1950 until today and it is still on the rise.

With that, today there are a plethora of food production considerations to take into account. The world’s water supply is becoming increasingly polluted and many areas are deemed unable to support living organisms. At the same time, many fish farmers and some in aquaculture have issues with waste disposal, antibiotics and other chemical and environmental substances.

While some choose not to consume fish or meat based on personal reasons and/or disapproval of quality in substance and production, others point the finger at soy and vegetable producers (even those that claim to be green) and say that they use chemicals and the production of their food is not that healthy either. What is the repercussion of all this? It can be hard for a consumer to make decisions on what to eat when the politics behind food culture is so confusing.

In fact, in a recent blog post made by Dr. Scott Wallace, a Sustainable Fisheries Analyst, revealed that “Canada’s Atlantic longline fishery for swordfish is about to receive an ecolabel from the Marine Stewardship Council. This fishery has been shown to kill about 35,000 blue sharks and catches over 1,000 endangered loggerhead turtles every year.” So, fisheries that may appear sustainable, and even have eco-labels, may not actually be the most green.

The best option is to try and support the sustainably-proven aquaculture producers for the use of food products by researching the producers. David Suzuki is a very trustworthy source; he lists his top ten sustainable seafood picks. Help keep current aquaculture facilities safe by checking your government’s policies and try and work towards implementing licensing and policy standards and laws.

There are also certain underwater creatures that are notoriously linked to bad capturing methods. In Animal Planet’s excellent guide, they explain never to request Chilean Seabass or eel, and to avoid fish from particular waters. Getting wild fish can sometimes mean supporting overfishing, but some aquaculture facilities do not have the greenest practices. The best thing to do is research; even visit your nearest aquaculture facility, and always try to buy locally when possible.

Livia Firth’s Green Carpet Challenge

Besides Michelle Williams, Jennifer Lopez, or Angelina Jolie’s right leg, Livia Firth’s Green Carpet Challenge was the hottest thing to hit the red carpet this year — environmentally speaking.

For the third year in a row Firth, an entrepreneur, eco-fashionista and the wife of actor Colin Firth, has issued the challenge to celebrities attending awards this season. The challenge is to wear only outfits that were sustainable or eco-friendly on the red carpet. From the Golden Globes to the Grammy’s to the BAFTA’s to the big one, the Oscars, all awards shows were options for eco-fashions to be worn.

This year’s challenge had something new. The challenge paired famous designers with A-list stars to create and wear sustainable outfits for the Oscars. Gucci, Tom Ford, Sarah Burton and Stella McCartney are just some of the fashion designers involved.

Firth was equally as successful on the celebrity side. Best Actress Oscar winner Meryl Streep wore a shining gold dress by Lanvin made of eco certified fabric, while Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh wore an Ermenegildo Zegna tuxedo made with eco-friendly Merino wool. And of course, Firth herself doesn’t miss out. The bright red Valentino dress she wore to the Oscars was made of recycled polyester from plastic bottles.

Earlier in February, Firth had actors Viola Davis and Michael Fassbender join her cause while wearing sustainable creations to the BAFTA’s, British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards. Daviswore a Valentino gown made from recycled materials; the first eco-gown made by Valentino, and made especially for Firth’s Green Carpet Challenge. Fassbender wore an Armani suit made from ethical wool and recycled materials.

And last year Downtown Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern wore a locally sourced up-cycled wool dress to the Royal Television Society Awards.

Besides the celebrities who get to wear these great fashions, charity benefits too. All of the sustainable gowns from the 2012 Green Carpet Challenge will be auctioned at the end of the year to benefit Oxfam and the United Nations Fashion4Development. Last year Christie’s auctioned off both the Oscars and Golden Globes gowns with the proceeds going to the Natural Resources Defense Council while Oxfam auctioned off the rest.

One of the most recognizable fighters for eco-style, Firth began her green carpet challenge at the Venice Film Festival. She wore a Reclaim to Wear 1950s strapless cocktail dress in silver satin and for the premier of her husband’s movie, The King’s Speech, she wore an outfit made of one of his old suits.

And when her husband hosted the Met Ball inNew Yorkshe wore a silk jumpsuit by Stella McCartney covered in reclaimed vintage beads with a detachable skirt made of hemp.

In 2008, Firth opened Eco Age, a shop in west London, which sells high end eco-friendly clothing and accessories.

Firth is now looking to move into design and is working on a line for the online retailer Yookx’s eco brand Yooxygen in partnership with Reclaim to Wear.

With designers like Stella McCartney, Valentino and Armani outfitting celebrities in green fashion it’s only a matter time before many other big names join the cause and hopefully mainstream fashion as well. It’s nice to see someone using their love of fashion to change the world, one green carpet at a time. Saving the environment is in indeed fashionable.

Photo: Getty