It seems that everywhere we go our kids are being tempted by–even bombarded with–opportunities to consume excessive amounts of sweeteners, salt and bad fats (partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oil). Unfortunately sweeteners, salt and bad fat aren’t the only things we need to watch out for in junk food. There are a host of chemicals added to processed food
Energy Federation Incorporated is a MA-based non-profit that provides products and services to help people conserve energy and water. EFI’s online store sells energy efficient lighting, low-flow showerheads, and other conservation-related products directly to consumers. Many products that EFI sells, like dimmable CFLs, are hard to find at retail stores.
If you’re in the market for a new (or used car), you may want to visit the online website Fuel Economy. A joint project of the EPA and US Dept of Energy, Fuel Economy helps consumers make environmentally-informed decisions about their car purchases. One of the most helpful features of the site is a tool that scores vehicles according to environmental performance criteria (not only MPH but also annual gasoline consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution ratings). The site even allows you to do side-by-side comparisons.
Green Decade Coalition/Newton is a Newton, MA based non-profit that promotes environmental stewardship through educational programming and advocacy. Green Decade is a highly respected organization that works closely and effectively with city leaders on a wide range of environmental issues from energy conservation to waste reduction to transportation. Green Decade’s educational programming is also extremely high quality. Of particular note is their environmental speaker series and their green tours.
MassSAVE provides free energy audits to Massachusetts customers of a number of different utility companies including National Grid and NSTAR. Funded by the utility companies, MassSAVE’s mission is to help “save you money, improve the energy performance of your home, and reduce air pollution.”
In my view, an audit is valuable for anyone who wants to save money, conserve energy and improve the comfort of their home. MassSAVE not only provides this service free of charge, they also help homeowners act on their recommendations and provide information about rebates that are available from the utilities.