For years we’ve known about the inportance of using recycled papers and the environmental hazards of the printing process. And for years, some have made excellent progress in the field, while many are still unaware of the benefits of printing cleaner and greener.

While talking with our favorite printer, we asked where the industry was in relation to being more responsible to Mother Earth. From these chats, the Hopper Press Project was born.

The Green Guide is a great place to find information about green products and services. Practical, reliable, easy-to-use, a one-stop-information-shop, the Green Guide is “the first place I go for real green product information and advice,” says Maria Rodale, Vice-Chair of Rodale, Inc and founding editor of Organic Style magazine.

The Green Guide and thegreenguide.com are two highly integrated information products published by The Green Guide Institute (TGGI), a national non-profit, 501(c)(3) environmental consumer research and information organization.

Florida’s DEP, or Department of Environmental Protection, is an amazing resource for our state. Not only are they constant advocates for Florida’s eco-health, they are continually leading the charge on many sensitive topics, including alternative energy, sustainable development, conservation, preservation and greener living.

Today in their news feed, I received this and wanted to pass it on. Not just New Year’s resolutions, but green New Year’s resolutions.

The organic movement, if you will, is growing steadily in popularity and recognition. Not too long ago, it was a rare site to see organic anything. In the past 10-15 years it has been making its way into our homes little by little, until now. Organic cotton companies alone are reporting product sales growing at more than 40 percent a year.

Transportation impacts everyone in Central Florida. Therefore, every citizen should have an opportunity to participate in planning improvements to the region’s transportation system. So where can we go for information and to voice our concerns?

Metroplan Orlando, the transportation planning organization for Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties, recently implemented a new web log, commonly referred to as a “blog,” to provide citizens with important information. The new blog serves as a forum for discussion of transportation issues in Central Florida, providing citizens with a medium for information and an opportunity to share their comments, concerns, questions and ideas. In many ways, MetroBlogOrlando is an online, 24/7 public hearing.

Southface Energy Institute is an amazing resource on all things green. In the southeast US, they are the go-to people, instrumental in bringing sustainable practices to our region.

Dennis Creech, Executive Director, relates, “Since 1978, Southface has helped people save energy and water and conserve natural resources.”

“Southface’s programs and services are based on sound science and are inclusive of all members of our community. These programs and services reached about 40,000 people last year, and our media impressions exceeded 200 million. None of our accomplishments would have been possible without the support of our members and others in nonprofit, foundation, corporate and government sectors. “

“GM Suffers Massive Losses,” the headlines screamed this week. Wow, do you mean that we don’t want to buy ever bigger SUVs? I read the headlines from Forbes and API, and it sounds like a shocker. Big scoop… front page news: “GM Posts Another Huge Quarterly Loss.” Can even ‘employee discounts’ save the day?

For 30 years, and probably longer, the US auto industry has been in a state of denial. It’s not just the American car-makers, mind you; it’s the entire industry. But as I look at the current state of affairs, it comes to no surprise that GM could soon face bankruptcy.

According to the US EPA, every gallon of gasoline your vehicle burns puts 20 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and contributes to global warming. If you drive a vehicle that uses gasoline, or any fossil fuel, then you can play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change. You can reduce (or offset) the effect your driving has on the environment by supporting projects that reduce greenhouse gases anywhere in the world, and effectively make your vehicle “Greenhouse Gas Neutral”.

Pella Corporation is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of premium-quality windows, entry door systems, storm doors and patio doors. What makes Pella newsworthy is their vision and environmental ethic.

Pella’s Commitment To Environmental Stewardship
Pella is a responsible corporate citizen committed to responsibly using resources, as well as safeguarding the communities and environments in which Pella operates. Pella takes a comprehensive approach that maximizes recycling opportunities, minimizes waste and pollution, reduces consumption, employs the latest in waste management and recycling strategies, and ensures that products made by Pella are made to last.

How to you help spread the word about green building? How can professionals work together and adopt best practices, products and materials? By working together, of course.

The importance of industry partnerships has long been a strategic cornerstone of the Community Greenhouse Foundation (CGF), helping to fulfill our mission. CGF exists to raise awareness about sustainable development and smart growth. We work to facilitate and speed the adoption of green-building best practices, products and materials.

Community Greenhouse Foundation Partners with Private Sector, Creating Educational Program for the Public

The Community Greenhouse Foundation, a 501(c) 3 not for profit organization, has partnered with Riverside Commons, LLC producing an “Educational Demonstration Program” that will raise awareness and promote the utilization of Smart Growth principles for the State of Florida.

Riverside Commons, has agreed to let the Community Greenhouse Foundation utilize their project for the “Educational Demonstration Program” due to their belief and support in Sustainable Development.

Where can you learn about Smart Growth and Greenbuilding? Ecobuild America is an international expo focused on sustainable development. And GreenOrlando has free passes to get you inside.

What is smart growth? Smart growth is a concept, a movement, an idea, that we can better plan and manage how we grow. From my house, I can walk or ride a bike straight to my son’s school, safely without ever having to cross a major road. That’s smart growth.

DEP helps state government offices protect the environment, save money
Working to provide more opportunities for environmental stewardship, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is partnering with the Department of Management Services (DMS) to establish a statewide recycling program for State office buildings. White office paper and corrugated cardboard will soon be collected and recycled from all State offices in the Tallahassee area.

April’s Poll

In April the media was consumed with the Terry Schiavo case, and we asked what you thought about how this young woman’s life, or the end thereof, played out in national media. More than half of our responses favored life and suggest that justice was not served and I happen to agree with this position.

As the details came out, it seemed to me that getting one final, current diagnosis was not asking for too much. Judge George Greer felt otherwise and his rulings ultimately decided her fate.

The State of Florida is taking big, first steps in the direction of Hydrogen to fuel our transportation needs. Last month we mentioned two amazing news articles that signal the start of something wonderful. Imagine a world where we rarely use gas or an internal combustion engine. With concerns over global warming, climate change and pollution, the use of Hydrogen over oil is 25 years late… but is certainly welcomed.

Brevard Tomorrow is a community-driven initiative focused on creating a preferred future for Brevard County. This task takes solid direction, and here’s ours: We aim to bring diverse groups from around the county together to collaborate, communicate and proactively carry out initiatives that will protect and enhance the quality of life for all our residents. Simply put, we are people who want a strong community, now and forever, through qualities like top-notch education, a sound economy, and safe, scenic streets.

Florida’s Future - is a Choice. How we choose to build that future is up to us. To address just that, and promote sustainable building and more repsonsible development, Florida’s Green Building Coalition was formed. And to get the word out, the FGBC presents Greentrends 2005 from May 25-27, 2005 in Sarasota.

Greenbiz is the leading information resource on how to align environmental responsibility with business success. A wealth of news, jobs, infromation, tolls and resources –all free! There’s simply nothing like it–on or off the web.

GreenBiz.com works to harness the power of technology to bring environmental information, resources, and tools to the mainstream business community. GreenBiz is nonprofit and nonpartisan.

Our mission is to provide clear, concise, accurate, and balanced information, resources, and learning opportunities to help companies of all sizes and sectors integrate environmental responsibility into their operations in a manner that combines ecological sustainability with profitable business practices

Month’s Poll

In March we asked if growth is really an issue. Not only did just a hair over 10% think it wasn’t - 60% replied that the Space Coast is seeing too much, too fast.

How can our cities and towns cope with such rapid development? Is there any way to manage growth, or is development an unstoppable juggernaut?

On a recent trip to Tallahassee, Tom Gallagher, our CFO declares Florida, the State of Opportunity. How much of a good thing can we handle?

Are we witnessing the dawn of a brave new world?
Two amazing stories out of Tallahassee signal first steps away from dependence on oil, and could just be the beginning of a new era in the world of energy production.

Since the adoption of early automobiles, gasoline and fossil fuels have become an integral part of the American way of life and a crux upon which our economy relies upon. Hydrogen technologies, theorized for years, are now going mainstream, as realities of the cost of oil and the emissions that consumption brings, puts the issue on Governor Bush’s radar.