The Battle of the Blogs is being fought this morning in a grimy starbucks in Malibu, CA. The coffee is bitter and filled with the tears of small business owners. The company is less than stellar, a fine blend of drifters (who probably have millions in the bank) and posh soccer moms being weighed down by their accessories. But somewhere out there a battle call is heard, and regardless of the location, you bloggers will be read. And what a fine battle it will be…

Promote Your Business with Green Printers - by Melissa Stajda

I have various New Year’s resolutions, among them is to wear shorter skirts and watch less TV. For some of you it may be the bold task of starting your own business. Bravo! If you have any intention of breaking from the man, check out Melissa’s post on how green printing can be a great promotional tool.

When you’re running an indie business advertising is key to getting the word out. Having stacks of business and postcards on hand is invaluable when you’re trying to wrangle in new customers and business contacts. But if you’re running a business with the goal of being environmentally responsible in mind, then all of that paper and printing can seem wasteful. Well, fear no more because there are plenty of earth conscious printers working to help you promote your projects in a responsible way.

Eco-friendly paper order saves 237 000 BTUs of energy, 30.90 lbs of emissions and 0.33 trees - by Ecowriter

You already have your own company, eh? Well done. Your customers may be interested in how many trees your company saves. All it takes is teaming up with an eco-friendly printing company. The environmental savings will add up in no time.

Take into account that printing just 800 posters with an eco-friendly printing company versus your standard printing company for your next corporate event will produce the following energy and environmental savings:

- 0.33 trees preserved for the future.

- 0.96 lbs of water-borne waste not created.

- 141.9 gallons of wastewater flow saved.

- 15.73 lbs of solid waste not generated.

- 30.90 lbs of greenhouse gases prevented.

- 237,000 BTUs of energy not consumed.

Pitt’s 9th Ward Designers Graduate to Mumbling - by Sarah Nagy

Sarah isn’t impressed with Brad Pitt’s Make it Right project in New Orleans. Have we been blinded all along by those chiseled features? Are the designs, in fact flawed in their sustainability? Read her post and decide for yourself.

I have no issue at all with Pit’s charitable intentions. Housing certainly seems to be needed, as referenced by another headline this morning, citing the insecurity related to ‘no home’ for the huge recent decline in New Orleans’ mental health. However, I would like someone to remember that after the houses are built - (hopefully) they will be insured, that will have a cost. The design of the houses can impact the insurance premiums, the durability of the houses, and how well they are maintained.

How to Get 76 MPG - by Clayton B. Cornell

Want to know about the non-hybrid that puts the Prius to shame? Check out Clayton’s post below and be prepared to be awed.

He drove 1375 miles…[on] just 18 gallons of fuel– 1200 miles of which was accomplished on just one tankfull (15.5 gallons). His trip fuel economy was 76 miles per gallon. Rogers’ car included several small refinements that added up to the exceptional mileage: a drag reducing device he designed and built himself (pictures [here]), lower-rolling-resistance tires, low-friction engine oil, and use of a B5 biodiesel blend fuel to increase efficiency and improve emissions.

Tip: Green Holiday Gift that Really Makes a Difference! - by Jen Baeble

Haven’t started your holiday shopping? No worries, my father does all his shopping on xmas eve; it’s tradition. However, if that’s not your speed, than perhaps this WE ADD UP organic t-shirt will help you out. Every tee is custom hand-printed with a number that represents your unique position in the sequential global count. Its mission is to raise awareness for global warming, what number will you be?

The backs of the shirts feature different action messages - simple things that anyone can do to decrease their carbon footprint, like Bike, Unplug, Drink Tap, Organic, Mass Transit, Shower Together, Recycle, Buy Local - there are over 20 different messages to choose from for the back of your shirt. The design of the WE ADD UP tees is simple, clean, and appealing for both men and women - and all the tees are made of certified organic cotton that’s grown and sewn in the USA. The WE ADD UP line makes it incredibly easy and fun to get counted in the fight against global warming - and it lets us know that simple changes do make a big difference because WE ADD UP!

Think you have what it takes to enter the competition and propser in battle? Have great green inspired news and views? You, too, can enter Battle of the Blogs by starting your own GO Journal. Winning posts will be featured on the GO front page for all to read and reckon with. Let the games begin!