Does it drive you insane when a company says they are “going green?” Do you even believe most companies when they make these claims? If you answer yes to the first and no to the second question, you aren’t alone. Each year, Lake Superior State University accepts nominations for words people  want to banish in the new year. Submissions are accepted on their website. On the top of 2009’s list? The word “green.” 

Maybe Kermit was right – being green really isn’t easy.

So how are we to grapple with this situation? Do we remove the word entirely from our vernacular when speaking of our environmentally responsible actions? Is that even really possible? Can we really not use such catch phrases as “going green,” “green your life,” or dare I say it… “Be Green Minded?” Those of us who are aiming to change our lives (slowly or overnight!) want our actions to speak as loud as our words but we also want our words to be heard by the not yet eco-converted. But if terms like “green” will no longer be heard by the public because of its gross overuse, what else can we say?

Not to be outdone however, other eco-chic words like carbon footprint and carbon offsetting are on the 2009 list of words to banish as well. Overuse and likely the lack of understanding lead the rally to move away from terms like carbon footprint and carbon offsetting.  These words, however, really help quantify the impact we have on the environment as well as how much we reduce our impact through changes in our actions. Most of the public needs clear results in order to be compelled to act and these phrases help with just that.

BeGreenMinded wants to hear from you. What do you think about these results and the language used to describe environmentally responsible actions. Have you too grown tired of words like “green” and “carbon footprint?” Let us know in the comments below.

Image by Flickr user kevygee used under a Creative Commons License.

Chanukah began last night and for those with a mind towards green living, this is THE holiday of the year to make your celebration as low impact as possible. Why? Well, the basis for Chanukah is, in part, the miracle of a single days worth of oil lasting eight days. Clearly the lesson is conservation, right? It may be a stretch but more and more Jews nationwide are buying into these ideas.

First, start with purchasing beeswax or soy candles instead of conventional paraffin candles made from petroleum. Not only are paraffin candles made from nonrenewable sources, many claim that they produce more soot and smoke than their more eco-friendly brethren made from plant derived oils and natural beeswax. There are even kits you can use to make your own. 

Use an electric menorah? Consider trading your conventional bulbs for CFL tapers. Also, put your menorah on a timer so that it is not on all night and turns on at dusk to save even more energy. 

We all have read about greening your gift list, but here are a few ideas specific to Chanukah. Consider giving donations to charities or nonprofits you support in honor of your recipient. For a truly unique gift, choose a gift which can help the less fortunate become self sustainable and gain training. Bake yummy treats for gifts and wrap them in either recycled containers or glass ones. Recipients get some home baking and a reusable container they can pack their own goodies in later. 

Wrapping presents? Wrap them in recycled paper including the Sunday comics or pick up copies of a newspaper printed in another language (I’m a huge fan of the papers free at Chinese markets, but many Jewish book stores offer Israeli newspapers). It’s the novelty which makes it fun, after all.

If you are a member of a synagogue (or even a church for that matter!) consider using Chanukah as an opportunity to start greening your facility and rededicate it as an EnergyStar building. Take the first steps by changing out those conventional bulbs with CFLs and institute a recycling program.

Lastly, you can’t have a true Chanukah without some latkes. Make yours healthier and more sustainable by making them with local organic potatoes and onions and cage-free, organic, eggs. If you can find them, use organic matzo meal too. Need a recipe? 

3 organic baking potatoes
3 organic, cage-free eggs (local is best!)
1 medium to large organic onion
1 cup (at least) matzo meal
Salt and pepper to taste 

Peel and chop potatoes and onions, add in blender with eggs. Puree. Pour into a bowl, add salt, pepper and matzo meal. Mix. Consistency should be mushy. Let it sit so matzo meal can absorb the liquid a bit. Heat oil in a pan, fry (1/4 cup batter per latke) until brown, flipping halfway through. Place on plate with paper towel to absorb extra oil. Enjoy with applesauce, sour cream, jelly or other topping.

Happy Chanukah!

Image by Flickr user Mfajardo used under a Creative Commons License.

Everyday most Americans make choices about their transportation habits and over the next few days, I am going to give you a few tips to help you make those difficult choices just a bit more easily. Today, lets focus on your plans to rent a car for the holidays or whenever you travel.

You may not yet own the eco car of your dreams, but every time you rent a car, you have a chance to not just test drive that hybrid you have been lusting for but also reduce the amount of fuel you use (and in some states, travel in the carpool lanes).

More and more rental companies are offering green rental cars. From smaller, more economical vehicles to hybrid and alternative fuel cars, the rental car industry is trying to help consumers make the right choice.

For those of you traveling to destinations west, particularly areas of California and Arizona, a company called EV Rentals aims to provide travelers with the most technologically advanced green rental cars available. Their fleet consists entirely of hybrid-electric, natural gas and electric vehicles. This is an excellent opportunity for travelers to test out vehicles they may have only read about.

For those of you wondering how you can rent an environmentally-friendly car in the rest of the country fear not, there are options. Rental car companies, Enterprise, Alamo, and National have all made a commitment to going green. This includes increasing the number of fuel-efficient vehicles and reducing their overall carbon footprint. Not to be outdone, Hertz Rental Car Company has made a Green Collection available to consumers. Make sure to ask specifically for eco-friendly cars when making your reservations.

For those of you interested in testing out other alternative fuels and happen to be in select areas of Hawaii, Bio-Beetle offers biodiesel vehicles. Biodiesel is a clean-burning diesel fuel, made from 100% natural, 100% renewable sources such as vegetable oil recycled from restaurants. Because their vehicles are retro-fitted to accept biodiesel, they offer a wide variety of cars, trucks, and even jeeps which you can cruise around the islands in. This is certainly a unique way to experience paradise.

Consider changing just your rental car choices as your next step to a greener way of living, a greener way of travelling.

Image by Flickr user Pogo Stick used under a Creative Commons License.