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Green Holidays: O come all ye environmental
Green ways to put the sanity back in Santa

by Carol Inkellis

Greened out? Overwhelmed by the greenwashing onslaught? Ready "to wash that green right out of your hair"?

Fear not, for we have gone beyond most of the "green hype" and discovered some great gift ideas to honor those near and dear to you, maintaining the spirit of the season without generating a lot of waste.

We'll start with the Better World Shopping Guide by Ellis Jones, the ideal reference for both the most and least eco-conscious on your list. Based on Jones' belief that through our purchases we choose the kind of world we want to inhabit, the book, iPod app and Web site (www.betterworldshopper.com ) provide a comprehensive and reliable ranking of the social and environmental responsibility of more than 1,000 companies worldwide, with ratings of a multitude of services and products.

Less comprehensive, but more accessible and quite informative, is Josh Dorfman's The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget. Recognizing that people buy stuff, Dorfman reports on products and services that are not only eco-friendly, but also meet standards for price, quality and style. His goal is for real-world innovation that makes it attractive for individuals and companies to embrace environmental change. Check the Web site, www.lazyenvironmentalist.com , for articles, a blog and an assortment of interesting and enlightening links.

Admittedly, these books may seem a bit too preachy and might not be received in the spirit in which they're given. Not to worry: It is pretty easy to gift green-ly.

Whether your giftees are already living eco-sustainably or are new to saving the environment, the brand-new Veggie Bed (www.theveggiebed.com ) is a terrific present. Marin native and Bay Area resident Andrea Vincent's effort to do away with the millions of plastic bags used for produce and bulk foods resulted in this polypropylene divided tote with two smaller removable "pj bags." Handy for grocery shopping and the farmers market, it can be used for toting many other items as well. And the price is right: $3.99; additional two-packs of "pj bags" for $1.99. It's currently available only at Mollie Stone's grocery stores—but, according to the company, the Veggie Bed will be coming to a store near you soon. It's estimated that more than 1,000 plastic produce bags will be replaced by each Veggie Bed.

Bay Area-based flip & tumble (www.flipandtumble.com ) carries reusable produce bag sets (five for $11). These multi-use bags, constructed of polyester and machine washable, measuring 12-by-14 inches, are a perfect antidote to the ubiquitous plastic bag. The company's brightly colored roomy nylon shopping bag, which easily folds into itself to become a small ball about 3 inches in diameter, was designed to hold a whole lot of purchases--or anything else for that matter. Unlike canvas bags, this one won't rip--and it looks a lot better on your shoulder, too.

Speaking of the farmers market, it's also a good spot for picking up gifts. In addition to the olive oils, spices, jams, essential oils and other gourmet goods to choose from, a whole section is devoted to artisans selling their handmade wares. Among the most unusual is artist Briana Kaufmann, whose recycled kitchen implements take on a new life as whimsical art objects, charms and pins. Other items fashioned from recycled materials can be found as well, along with hand-dyed silk, organic wool knits, ceramics and much more. Besides acquiring individually crafted gifts, these purchases support the local economy. Wrap these gifts in fabric or reusable bags. The Japanese have been doing it for centuries and it is considered to be an art by many.

In keeping with the "reduce, reuse, recycle" theme are meaningful gifts that don't require more "stuff." Although many here and worldwide are in need of everyday essentials to get by, most of us have too much.

Tickets to a play, concert, dance performance--even movie tickets--are thoughtful, especially to those whose budget doesn't allow for much in the way of entertainment, or for those who could use some diversion, but wouldn't do it for themselves. There's certainly no shortage of events in the Bay Area to satisfy anyone's taste—check the Sundial section, or the more comprehensive calendar online at www.pacificsun.com for upcoming shows. Make this gift more special by accompanying the giftee(s) as well.

Museum memberships are valuable gifts that last all year, providing opportunities for learning and reflection—and they don't add to the landfill. Plus, members get to walk right in without having to wait in line. The Bay Area is home to a diverse array of art, science and children's museums--far too many to list here. Memberships to museums, zoos, etc., in other parts of the country (and world, for that matter) are easy to obtain for those who live far away.

For film lovers, the California Film Institute (www.cafilm.org ) is a great deal—free passes, reduced-price tickets all year and discounts for the Mill Valley Film Festival.

Worried about the effect of Nature Deficit Disorder on nieces, nephews, children of family friends? A pass to the California State Parks (parks.ca.gov )--boy, can they use the money--is good for all parks still open in the state. Nature lovers and outdoorsy types all over the country could get a lot of use from a National Parks pass (nps.gov ); locally, that means free entrance to Muir Woods.

Marin Municipal Water District (marinwater.org ) also sells annual passes to the Mt. Tamalpais watershed, which covers 130 miles of trails and provides picnic tables and peaceful surroundings.

Donating to a cause that your giftee supports or is involved in is a respectful, in some cases reverent, way to recognize someone. Even if you aren't aware of any particular group or cause, you should know enough about this person--or family or group of people--to choose a local, national or international group. (If you don't, you might want to rethink the gift-giving.)

The American Red Cross offers a holiday "catalog" of gifts, which makes a donation more tangible because your gift recipient knows where his or her gift is going. For example, $25 will vaccinate 25 children against measles. Find out more at american.redcross.org .

Animal lovers--and who doesn't have several on their list?--would appreciate helping out any number of animal-protection groups and causes, from our own WildCare (wildcarebayarea.org ) in San Rafael to global organizations. WildCare treats more than 3,000 sick, injured and orphaned wild animals every year, with the goal of returning them to their natural habitat; it also sponsors nature education activities. There's also SPAWN, the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (spawnusa.org ), which, in addition to its work to protect native fish and fish habitat, also sponsors a number of events.

Thinking globally, there's Heifer International (www.heifer.org ), whose mission is to help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant. Or, an endangered sea turtle can be adopted through Caribbean Conservation Corporation (cccturtle.org ).

Numerous organizations that work to improve the lives of animals--and the world--exist, and with a little work online, or the help of a reference librarian, you can find a good match.

Talk about a green gift--cards from the Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org ) help America's national forests by planting a tree in honor of the recipient. And it is a gift that lasts a lifetime.

Cooking a meal, grocery shopping, providing transportation, caregiving, etc., may be the most valuable gift of all for someone in need. It sounds hokey, but it can make an enormous difference in someone's life. If you don't want to make your own "gift certificates," download them from regiftable.com .

Then there's regifting--which definitely fits in with the eco-mantra reduce, reuse, recycle. Though widely practiced, especially at this time of year, it is frowned upon. But it is an environmentally friendly concept. Of course, most of us save those weird and inappropriate items for the company party's gift exchange. As the old saying goes, one's man's trash is another man's treasure.

Gift Carol with your ideas at cinkellis@pacificsun.com

Posted by joan kirsner, a resident of the Mill Valley neighborhood, on Dec 6, 2009 at 8:23 pm

This article gave great ideas for eco-giving, complete with links and Web sites. Thanks!

Posted by johnny marin, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Dec 7, 2009 at 11:44 am

My carbon foot print will be larger than most this year. I've bought more lights for the house and plan on lighting them every night till the new year. I have removed all florescent lights and gone back to incandescent bulbs. We're driving around the Bay Area to shop wherever the bargains may be. We're importing foods from out of state and even out of the country. We may even fly to So. Calif. to visit relatives instead of driving. It sure is nice to be an American consumer.

Posted by Tim, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Dec 7, 2009 at 4:33 pm

Johnny marin your behavior works well for you, apparently, and most of our fellow citizens, but if I lived in most of the rest of the world, it wouldn't cause me to feel good about the U.S. when 200 countries are trying to work together to do something about saving the planet.

The United States, with less than 5 % of the global population, uses about a quarter of the world’s fossil fuel resources—burning up nearly 25 % of the coal, 26 % of the oil, and 27 % of the world’s natural gas.

and

The 12 percent of the world’s population that lives in North America and Western Europe accounts for 60 percent of private consumption spending, while the one-third living in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa accounts for only 3.2 percent.

Web Link

Posted by anon, a resident of the Mill Valley neighborhood, on Dec 7, 2009 at 4:54 pm

johnnymarin, funny answer as usual, ha ha!!

I'm there also. But I do agree that membership gifts to the museums or other attractions that require donations or fees is a great gesture.

Listen, we started leaving our "carbon footprint" the day that we were born. There's not too much we can do until we die, so we may as well live a little while we're still around.

If you see extra plastic bags laying around out there, RECYCLE them.

I'll be wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas as I recline in front of my beautifully lit tree this year and nice, toasty fireplace that I light almost every weekend.

Merry Christmas to all!

Posted by johnymarin, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Dec 7, 2009 at 5:04 pm

Tim, just maybe the reason the U.S. and the western nations use all the power is because that's where all the civilized people and their cities are located. If the rest of the world still enjoys living around a campfire, that's their call not mine, not ours. We are the ones that discovered oil, gas, wind, nuclear power and solar. We developed it for our use so that we could enjoy burning it up to our hearts desire. We are the ones flying to the moon and Mars and building space shuttles. If the boys and girls who live in the jungles, deserts and islands want some of these wonders, then let them invent, develop and enjoy the fruits of what is available in our modern world. I have zero guilt for our consumption. You can give your part away and live in a tent if it make you happy. I will live my life to the fullest and sing myself into the grave with the lights turned on (100 watt incandescent). Al Gore can kiss my butt.

Posted by Tim, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Dec 8, 2009 at 3:01 pm

Most of the rest of the world is trying to arrive where we are. It's not about guilt. What good does that do? Human nature seems to be pretty consistent everywhere. It's about taking some responsibility and using our resources and skills to attack the problem that we have had a large share in creating. (without blaming us or anyone else for what human beings have just been doing naturally) More evidence of the problem:

"Despite recent fluctuations in global temperature year to year, which fueled claims of global cooling, a sustained global warming trend shows no signs of ending, according to new analysis by the World Meteorological Organization made public on Tuesday. The decade of the 2000s is very likely the warmest decade in the modern record, dating back 150 years... The period from 2000 through 2009 has been “warmer than the 1990s, which were warmer than the 1980s and so on,” said Michel Jarraud, the secretary general of the international weather agency, speaking at a news conference at the climate talks in Copenhagen."

Web Link

Posted by johnnymarin, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Dec 8, 2009 at 4:39 pm

For the sake of argument, let agree that this or the previous decade was warmer. I remember back in the 70's, the claim was that the earth was cooling. Now according to glacial history, the earth has cooled and heated dramatically in the past 7 billion years without our help. And when I say cooled or heated, I mean to the point where life was restricted to just a few longitudinal degrees of the planet. So if it is heating, it's doing it all by it lonesome self with out my Christmas lights and carbon dioxide exhalations. No way can you or the fools in Copenhagen convince me otherwise. My source comes for climatedepot.com not Al, the liar, Gore.

Posted by Tim, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Dec 9, 2009 at 8:46 am

The World Meteorological Organization has 189 member nations whose expert weather people participate. To ignore that and call them all fools is to ignore the combined best weather science of not only the U.S. but of the whole world. Maybe all the world's experts are wrong, but I'm not betting on it.

Posted by johnnymarin, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Dec 10, 2009 at 1:58 pm

I am betting on it. I'm also betting that Al Bore will have to give his Nobel prize back. And I betting he will have to give the Oscar back as well. He'll get to keep the millions he fleeced from companies that had to pay to stay in business. Of course the representatives in Copenhagan are for global warming. They are the ones who get paid to promote it. They are ones who will profit from it's implementation. I don't want our country to be held to any standards other than the ones that help this country. That's the same way China, Russia, India and Brazil feel as well. I don't want one job or business being shipped overseas as a result of this bogus theory. We have plenty of regulations in place to cover our carbon foot print. Any more is a nail in the coffin of our national strength. I want to drill off of our coasts for oil. I want ANWR to be developed in Alaska. I want natural gas to be developed. I want more coal fired energy plants. I want more Hetch Hetchy dams on the rivers. And last but not least, I want twenty new nuke plants built. Then we can tell the Arabs and Hugo Chavez to kiss our collective asses.