Green Options

Fair Trade is growing rapidly at a 40% compound annual rate, and it is increasingly important to ensure the over 1.4 million producers and workers within the Fair Trade structure have a voice.

The Fairtrade Labelling Organization (FLO) was established with the mission to go beyond the basic minimum requirements of both producers and traders by expecting them "to continuously improve working conditions, to increase the environmental sustainability of their [...]

Editor’s note: We’re always happy to share green and ethical financial opportunities with you. We ask that you remember that we’re not financial advisors, though, so we are sharing… not recommending. Always do your own homework before making an investment.

Whether you just cashed in with a winning lotto number or just have a bit of extra cash lying around, investing can be easily overwhelming and intimidating. If you want to avoid financing [...]

Google Earth recently launched their Outreach program to raise awareness about various issues. Outreach is intended to give non-profits "the resources, tools, and inspiration that they need to leverage the power of Google Earth for their cause."

There are many groups which are harnessing this visual power. Having already reached many through the visually powerful mountain-top removal through the Appalachian Voices and mapping the destruction that has raged [...]

Now your smile can be shared with others as the first Trans Fair
certified cosmetic line have arrived in the US. Queen Helene Naturals,
which has
produced natural cosmetics since 1940, has developed a line of
four organic skin care products made from Fair Trade cocoa butter.
While natural and organic cosmetics have been appearing on more
and more shelves, including giants such as WalMart and Target, this is
the first line that
has ethcially sourced its ingredient and [...]

Now your smile can be shared with others as the first Trans Fair
certified cosmetic line have arrived in the US. Queen Helene Naturals,
which has
produced natural cosmetics since 1940,  has developed a line of
four organic skin care products made from Fair Trade cocoa butter.
While natural and organic cosmetics have been appearing on more
and more shelves, including giants such as WalMart and Target, this is

Air travel turned a bit greener yesterday as Boeing unveiled their 787 Dreamliner. This new jet, their first since 1995, has been in development for the past 6 years with the goal of reducing it's environmental impact. Rather than the typical aluminum, with which other planes are made, the Dreamliner is comprised mostly of carbon fiber (50%), a lighter alternative which produces 20% less carbon emissions than its competitors. [...]

Image credit: Fair Trade for surgical instruments, Mahmood F BhuttaAs the Fair Trade movement moves into the consciousness of society, so too does the exploitations that occur when fair trade criteria are not met. The past year has highlighted an unlikely, but important, sect of production in Pakistan. Pakistan is one of the world's leading producers of surgical instruments, approximately 20%, though the producers see little, [...]

When the thermostat starts to creep up, there's no reason to give up your morning coffee: just cool it down for a refreshing treat! Honey Iced Espresso Ingredients: Two shots of espresso (regular coffee will work in a pinch): just make it strong. Use one of the many Fair Trade, organic and shade-grown coffees available. This is a triple whammy that ensures farmers were paid a fair wage, no nasty chemicals are tainting your drink or the environment, [...]

Cheers! Have a refreshing sip of an organic beer. Except it's not organic, but it says it's organic. But it's not. What?The USDA, which certifies organic products, announced a controversial proposal in May which would allow "38 new non-organic ingredients in products bearing the 'USDA Organic' seal. Most of the ingredients are food colorings derived from plants that are supposedly not 'commercially available' in organic form." However, included among these [...]

Paper or plastic? By now we've all been educated to respond with a resounding "no thanks!" The benefits of BYOB (bringing your own bag) are overwhelming, but what bag to bring? [...]