In Depth


Green is the new black...and blue


A daily commuter takes refuge in walking to work


By Rachel Eddey


I have never had a love affair with public transportation. Save for one pleasant Greyhound trip during which a chatty dentist from Pennsylvania bought me a muffin at a rest stop (which he then told me I shouldn't eat due to its high sugar content), the rumble-tumble of whatever mode of transport I choose leaves me feeling motion sick, inappropriately touched, or both. When I moved to New York City five years ago, where the allure of a new job in environmental grantmaking one-upped my commuting concerns, I bought a case of Dramamine and hoped for the best.

For two years, on the perma-brink of tears, I nudged my way through rush-hour crowds on the six train while praying for a sliver of pole around which I could curl my hand. Countless bodies suffocated all available space, umbrellas and newspapers tucked into the crevices I, at five feet and 100 pounds, fought to overtake. I guarded any territory I managed to secure first with stares, then elbows. (I reserved pinches only for emergency situations, the commonality of which rose at an alarming rate.) Every day, the drama queen in me came home, often sporting mysterious black and blue bruises from baby carriages and laptop cases, and proclaimed, “That was the worst trip of my life!”

Continue reading Green is the new black...and blue

Plenty’s guide to planning a gorgeous green wedding


From attire and flowers, to food and invitations, Plenty’s style and food editor details the ‘how to’ of an eco ceremony


By Jessica Tzerman



Planning a wedding can seem overwhelming enough without factoring the environment into every decision. We get it. But, oftentimes eco-consciousness goes hand in hand with a more relaxed (read: less stressful) occasion—not to mention fresher food, lower costs, and more room to get creative with the details. After all, an afternoon affair for 50 in your local park requires no lighting or artificial heating or cooling (provided you plan with the seasons in mind), and lets you inject your personality—and budget constraints—into every aspect of the event. But even if your dream is a designer dress, 700-strong guest list, exotic flowers, and dancing ‘til dawn, there are ways to tread lightly without sacrificing the traditional wedding experience.

That’s where we come in. Inspired by fall’s ascent as the “New Wedding Season” (August-October is the new April-June, according to the National Association of Wedding Ministers), we’ve pooled all our green wedding resources so you don’t have to. Whether you’re just getting started planning a low-key gathering or rounding out the final checklist for an over-the-top party, Plenty’s guide to eco-friendly weddings is here to help. 

Continue reading Plenty’s guide to planning a gorgeous green wedding

The Plenty 20 awards for 2008


Plenty Magazine recognizes 20 businesses, 20 people, and 10 ideas that will change our world


By Anuj Desai, Dan Fost, Liz Galst, Tobin Hack, Jessica A Knoblauch, Alisa Opar, Sarah Parsons, Mindy Pennybacker, Victoria Schlesinger, and Jessica Tzerman


The Plenty 20 logo designed by Hinterland

There are game-changers and then there are world-changers. From Internet giants working to make renewable energy cheaper than coal, to a sea captain monitoring the ocean’s plastic waste, to the growth of intentional communities (they’re not just for hippies anymore)—welcome to Plenty’s second annual list honoring (in no particular order) 20 dynamic individuals and 20 pioneering companies that are bettering the planet, plus 10 innovative ideas that will revolutionize how we live. 

THE PLENTY 20 PEOPLE:
Al Gore
Andrew Revkin
Charles Moore
David de Rothschild
Fred Krupp
Frederick Kirschenmann
Heidi Cullen
James Hansen
Joe Lovett
Kathleen Sebelius
Kevin Wall
Lester Brown
Maude Barlow
Michael Pollan
Mindy Lubber
Nicholas Negroponte
Peter Diamandis
Van Jones
Vinod Khosla
William McDonough & Michael Braungart

THE PLENTY 20 BUSINESSES:
A123 System
Applied Materials
Arup
Bon Appétit Management Company
Coskata
Environmental Working Group
Forest Stewardship Council
Google
Home Depot
Iberdrola
IBM
Innovest Strategic Value Advisors
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Nike
Patagonia
Pizza Fusion
RecycleBank
Swiss Re
TransFair USA

THE PLENTY 20  IDEAS:
Carbon Labels
Closing the Loop
Economic Energy Efficiency
Green Affordable Housing
Green-Collar Jobs
Green Media
Intentional Communities
Living Catalogs
Nature Education
Skyscraper Farms


2008 The Plenty 20

Continue reading The Plenty 20 awards for 2008

Can we stop hurricanes?


The US government hopes to with new technology and new funding


By Victoria Schlesinger



In the X-Men movies, superhero Storm conjures and quashes thunderheads and raging winds at will. It’s a superpower scientists might like to wield to annihilate hurricanes, but in the real world, they have a better chance of easing the fury of these vicious storms than stopping them. And while we’re not even there yet, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will take a significant step this fall toward taming hurricanes. Continue reading Can we stop hurricanes?

A green home renovator's guide


The complete Plenty manual for healthy, renewable, energy-efficient materials that will add value to your home and let you breathe a lot easier


By Brita Belli, Brian Clark Howard, and Tracy Tullis


Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company's Safepaint is a powder made from milk protein and lime with pigments

Whether your home just needs a touch-up or you’re feeling more ambitious, it’s a very good time to go green. Eco-homebuilding is expected to double its market share by 2013 to between 12 and 20 percent, according to the National Association of Homebuilders. Energy savings and improved quality of life are top drivers of this growth. And green products are getting the job done. “Many sustainable materials perform as well as, but often better than, traditional products,” says Sarah Beatty, founder of Brooklyn, New York, building suppliers Green Depot. 

Continue reading A green home renovator's guide
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