Carbon Footprint

Cherry Hill automotive and motorcycle dealers, Eckenhoff Automotive, unveiled the eco conscious Zero Motorcycle line this Monday. Zero Motorcycles are dubbed “electric super motor bikes” manufactured in Santa Cruz, California. These days they’re the leader in the electric bike industry. I spoke with the father, son team - Ted and Glenn Eckenhoff- to get the scoop. Read on for details!

Rachael Kennedy recently completed her Low Car Diet with Zipcar, just like I did last year! We had a chance to ask her a few questions about her experience. She’s a recent Temple University graduate who moved to Philly last August. Just as she was going on her second year as a city-dweller and sick of the parking scene, she heard about Zipcar. The Low Car Diet seemed like a perfect trial period to go car-less. Now, for the questions: Green Philly Blog: How does it feel to be car-free?

Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, enjoying a picnic in the park, or hitting up the beach one last time during this Labor Day weekend keep in mind these simple tips : Reduce your carbon footprint and use public transportation or carpool with friends and family to your destination. Use the final celebration weekend of summer to enjoy locally grown produce like (get more info, after the jump!)

GPB reader, Jack asks... Q: I see the term “fair trade” on products. I know this is a good thing but what does fair trade really mean? A: The term fair trade refers to the movement that helps farmers or producers experience better trading conditions. Essentially, the approach focuses on exports coming from developing countries to developed countries and emphasizes paying the producers more (and more fairly.) Read on!

When you’re a voracious reader it’s easy to accumulate a slews of novels, periodicals and the occasional magazine. Reading is my go to relaxation method. Despite using the public library whenever I can I’ve accrued my fair share of books over the years. ( I reread and lend them to friends for maximum reuse.) While I’m here getting things off my chest - a few months back I noticed I had magazines piling up as well. My rule was: I’ll only buy magazines when I travel. Then I started traveling more frequently , and before I knew it my already crammed bookshelves were filled with magazines… that I’d eventually recycle. Still, I felt guilty contributing to paper consumption. What’s a reader to do?

A highlight of my week is picking up produce from my CSA share. I consider it a culinary challenge to base my meals around what's in the box each week. Furthermore, I love that the produce doesn't have to travel far to make its way to my table. But, when Fall rolls around I recognize that there is perhaps a more eco-friendly way to get my fruit - pick it.

Typically, we see lots of new companies giving momentum to the green movement - which is why when Philly's oldest pub goes green, it's even cooler. 150-year old McGillin’s Olde Ale House (13th & Drury) recently chose to switch from traditional light bulbs to energy-efficient LED lighting to both reduce their carbon footprint & energy costs. McGillin’s has already started their switch to completely LED lighting that lasts up to 50 x's longer than their current lighting (90% less energy than traditional bulbs), saving the pub’s electricity costs by more than 25%. Besides reducing fossil fuels, McGillin’s efforts to go green include strict recycling practices and focusing on local draft beers instead of choices bottled and shipped long distances. Chris Mullins, co-owner of McGillin’s says,

As the public becomes more aware of ways to cut down on our carbon footprint – one area to keep in mind is our food intake. Just where does most of our consumption come from? Beyond the produce sticker on loose fruit at...

Only 7% of Americans have tried to measure their carbon footprint, according to the Sacred Heart University Polling Center. Use this handy calculator to measure your carbon footprint: Get the CoolClimate Carbon Footprint Calculator widget and many other great free...