Who am I to say no to going out to dinner? Oh right — I'm the Momster.

7:19 minutes (1.68 MB)
Josh gives some great insight and tips on the world of green investments.

I’ve loved the Oregon Zoo since I was a child—the groovy mosaic and sculpture of turtles outside signaling excitement that was inside. The zoo has transformed in the last thirty years, that two-turnstile mosaic entryway giving way to a massive entrance for the most attended paid tourist attraction in Oregon. I’ve gone from funky bell-bottoms to organic Mom clothes, trying to spend my money on things that reflect a more concerned, careful way of living. Already sold on the vastly improved habitats and the mission of the zoo, I was astounded to learn just how passionate the people who run it are.

These days, picking out an energy bar for your next adventure can be a daunting task. Should you skip the adventure and pass the day comparing nutritional ingredients and packaging, or is there one that clearly stands out from the rest? If you demand social and environmental responsibility from the businesses you support, all natural and mostly organic Clif Bar products may be the best choices for you.

Colorado’s New Belgium Brewing Company, based in Fort Collins, makes some of the country’s best microbrews – including Fat Tire, Blue Paddle, and Sunshine Wheat. But as important as the quality of the beer is the philosophy of the company, which is dedicated to energy efficiency and social responsibility. Founded by a social worker and an electrical engineer in 1991 – in a basement, with a home equity loan – New Belgium has been finding ways to reduce its CO2 emissions for nearly a decade. The brewery is powered by wind energy and uses sustainable technologies and Earth-friendly throughout its business. New Belgium’s media director Bryan Simpson told LIME about the company’s policies, and why he likes going to work every day.

I've long been a fan of ABC Carpet and Home, the lush, somewhat boho-chic houseware emporium in New York City where you can spend hours roaming about on the creaky wood floors and coveting one item after another. So it was with deep satisfaction that I read a story in today's New York Times about the company's president and CEO, Paulette Cole, and her two-year-old grand plan to turn the store's inventory into a wonderland of sustainability and social consciousness.

Last year, a widely syndicated news story declared, "More Couples Choosing to Make Their Weddings Green." But despite the growing interest in eco-friendly nuptial celebrations, planning a green wedding isn't nearly as easy as it should be. It involves either a lot of extra cash to spend on a one-stop organic event planner, or a lot of extra time to spend micro-managing details. I should know: I'm getting married next month, and I'm exhausted from trying to find enviromentally sound options for every aspect of the wedding.

The 2000's - or aughties, if you prefer - may well become known as the beginning of the green technology boom. For evidence, look no further than the New York Times and the Washington Post, which have both featured stories in the past few days about tech icons funneling money into alternative energy and other green ideas. "Internet Visionaries Betting on Green Technology Boom," read the Post headline yesterday.

There's no more appropriate way to tour the landscape of sustainable living than astride a two-wheeled – and zero-emission – steed. That's why Portland Peace and Justice Center organized