8 Going Green/Environment
More and more people are realizing that we need to take care of the Earth so that it can sustain our communities, future generations, and the amazing diversity of life that occupies the planet. This chapter contains websites and other Internet resources concerned with protecting and preserving the environment and its creatures. Read on to find resources related to animals and biodiversity, conservation and preservation, living greener, climate change, alternative energy sources, and the like.
ANIMAL RESCUE
WEBSITES 
Animal Rescue, Inc.
Animal Rescue, Inc. finds homes for stray animals in the Baltimore, MD–York, PA region. Its website tells you about its facilities and how to volunteer or adopt a pet.
Animal Rescue TV
This weekly television show spotlights people helping animals. On the website, see what’s on this week’s show and find your local station. You can also watch last week’s show, look at videos and photos, and read amazing animal rescue stories.
Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary has two facilities for abused farm animals: one in New York and one in California. The organization works to expose cruel farming practices; it rescues animals and educates people about factory farming and other abusive practices. Read rescue stories, plan a visit, or get involved.
Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary
This Ohio-based organization rescues, cares for, and finds homes for farm animals that have been abandoned, neglected, or abused. Read about featured animals, find an animal to adopt, or learn how you can support Happy Trails.
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
Wildlife rehabilitators care for injured, sick, or displaced wild animals until they can be returned to their natural habitat. NWRA promotes wildlife rehabilitation, provides a professional organization for rehabilitators, and educates the public about their work.
North Shore Animal League America
North Shore Animal League America, located in Port Washington, New York, claims to be the world’s largest no-kill animal shelter, saving an animal’s life every 27 minutes. Here you can learn about and support the shelter’s work, view animals up for adoption, and get tips on how to care for your pet. Has an online store.
Performing Animal Welfare Society
PAWS protects and offers sanctuary to performing animals, exotic pets, and other wildlife. Its website describes the organization’s three sanctuaries, presents news and events, and educates visitors about captive wildlife. Shop in the PAWS shop or support its work with a donation.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory
What should you do if you find an injured wild animal or orphaned baby bird? This site gives tips for dealing with wildlife and tells you how to locate a wildlife rehabilitator. Some of the links are outdated, but there’s good info here.
BLOGS 
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation
www.flintcreekwildlife.org/blog
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation is an Illinois organization that cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, with the goal of returning healthy animals to the wild. Its blog gives news and patient updates.
BIODIVERSITY
WEBSITES
African Biodiversity Network
This organization seeks to protect and promote African biodiversity and traditional cultural practices in the face of growing industrialization. Here you’ll find news and information about the organization’s priorities, programs, resources, and partners.
Biodiversity 911
Kids will enjoy this educational site, which presents “the amazing variety of life on Earth.” Learn biodiversity basics, play educational games, watch video clips, and find out what you can do to protect biodiversity.
Biodiversity Economics
This field of study uses economic tools to promote ecology and conservation. The main feature here is a searchable library of biodiversity economics papers; there’s also a directory of biodiversity economists and a list of events and conferences.
Biodiversity Hotspots 
Conservation International has created this site to call attention to places around the world where biodiversity is threatened. In addition to news and featured hotspots, the site has these sections: Hotspots Science, Hotspots by Region, and Resources.
Biodiversity Project
With a focus on North America, the Biodiversity Project works to protect, restore, and conserve ecosystems. Read up on biodiversity basics and get information about the project’s programs, services, and publications.
Biodiversity Support Program
A program of the World Wildlife Fund, BSP promotes caring for the world’s biological diversity. Here you’ll find information about BSP’s programs and publications.
World Atlas of Biodiversity
http://stort.unep-wcmc.org/imaps/gb2002/book/viewer.htm
This interactive map gives information about endangered and extinct species and shows where biodiversity is at risk.
World Resources Institute: People & Ecosystems
WRI’s goal is “to reverse rapid degradation of ecosystems and assure their capacity to provide humans with needed goods and services.” This section of its website provides information about threatened ecosystems, as well as maps, data, and how sustainable businesses can protect ecosystems.
BLOGS
Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog
Luigi Guarino and Jeremy Cherfas write about biodiversity issues that apply to growing and producing food.
Tropical Biodiversity: The Amazon
http://bosque-santa.blogspot.com
Steven Alexander and his wife manage the 261-acre Bosque Santa Lúcia forest reserve in Brazil. On this site, Alexander blogs about the plants and animals of the forest. Lots of good photos.
VIDEOS 
Explore Biodiversity
This site was designed by scientist-educators to teach about biodiversity. Watch videos that explain and explore biodiversity, from bacteria and plants to fish and birds to mammals. Also has video podcasts.
CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION
WEBSITES
The Conservation Fund
Since 1985, this nonprofit’s mission has been “to [protect] America’s most important landscapes and waterways for future generations,” focusing on wildlife habitats, working farms and forests, community green spaces, and historic sites—more than six million acres in all. Learn about the fund’s work, current issues, and how to help.
Conservation Magazine
Published by the Society for Conservation Biology, Conservation magazine reports on current topics and controversies. Read featured stories, browse the archive of past issues, subscribe, and take a virtual tour of the current issue.
Related Site
Conservation International
Conservation International aims “to protect life on Earth and to demonstrate that human societies will thrive when in balance with nature.” The site’s Discover section explains about CI and what it does. The Learn section covers important issues such as climate change, land use, protecting oceans, and more; Explore acquaints you with priority areas and conservation regions. Check out the Act and Give sections to get involved.
Defenders of Wildlife
As its name suggests, Defenders of Wildlife works to protect wildlife, particularly endangered species. You can read wildlife-related news and fact sheets about wildlife and habitats, as well as information about programs and policies. Learn how to defend wildlife through activism and supporting the organization.
Earth Day Network
Make every day Earth Day by visiting the Earth Day Network, which promotes environmentalism and year-round action to protect the Earth. Watch environmental videos on Earth Day TV (requires flash); find out about news, current issues, and events; and get involved as a volunteer or donor.
Earth Island Institute
This organization supports grassroots efforts to conserve, preserve, and protect the environment. Here you can learn about current projects or launch your own. Check out the current issue of Earth Island Journal, read the editor’s blog, or subscribe online.
Earthjustice
Earthjustice believes that “the Earth needs a good lawyer,” and this nonprofit, public interest law firm is providing it. Founded in 1971 as the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, Earthjustice works to strengthen and enforce environmental laws. This site explains how Earthjustice works and how you can help.
Ecological Society of America
The ESA is a scientists’ organization that promotes ecology, the study of relationships between organisms and their environments. This site offers science and education resources, certification and job information, a directory of certified ecologists, and more.
Ecology Project International
EPI offers field-based educational programs that bring students and scientists together to learn about the environment and promote conservation. Programs exist in Baja California, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, and Montana. Find upcoming courses and download an application.
EcologyFund.com
When you visit EcologyFund.com and click a button, you contribute to preserving land or reducing pollution—and it doesn’t cost you a cent. The site’s sponsors contribute money to these causes for each click. Come back each day and click again to save more land. Or contribute even more by setting up a free email account (funded through ads) or shopping with the site’s sponsors.
Environmental Defense Fund
This organization works with businesses, governments, and communities to protect and sustain the environment. Learn about the EDF’s work and current projects and find out how you can contribute. Areas of interest include global warming; land, water, and wildlife; oceans; and health.
Environmental Media Fund
www.environmentalmediafund.org
The EMF calls itself “a catalyst for solutions.” Its mission is to promote environmental issues using film, video, digital and interactive media, media-based educational teaching tools, and special events. Learn about current projects, request EMF assistance with your own project, or make a donation.
Forest Protection Portal
This site’s goal is to protect and conserve forests, working to end deforestation and promote sustainable forest management. Here you’ll find news, links, action alerts, and a blog—all related to forest protection.
IUCN Red List
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has put together a list of threatened species around the world. Visit this site to learn about endangered species (including photos) and how to help save them.
LandScope America
An online guide to natural places in the United States, this site has interactive maps, data, success stories, and plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Mongabay.com
This site gathers conservation and environmental science news, presenting relevant articles in one place. You can read news related to particular topics, such as rainforests, view photos, or explore the kids’ pages. Has a blog.
National Audubon Society
The Audubon Society maintains a nationwide network of local chapters and nature centers, promoting scientific and educational programs and advocating for the conservation of natural ecosystems and wildlife habitats, with a focus on birds. Learn about birds and the environment, take action on urgent environmental issues, and find an Audubon chapter or nature center near you.
Related Site
National Wildlife Federation
Animals in the wild cannot speak for themselves, and the NWF provides a voice for them, to protect wildlife for future generations. Visit this website to explore these sections: Wildlife, Global Warming, Outside in Nature, Magazines, and Shop, or make a donation online.
Natural Resources Defense Council
The NRDC “works to protect wildlife and wild places and to ensure a healthy environment for all life on earth.” Its informative website presents news, current issues, and policy information. There are sections on Green Living and Green Business, as well as videos, podcasts, interactive features, and a blog.
Nature Canada
More than 40,000 individuals and 350 nature organizations belong to Nature Canada. The sections of its site are Connect with Nature, Endangered Species, Bird Conservation, Parks & Protected Areas, and Nature Network.
The Nature Conservancy
Founded in 1951, this conservation group has more than 1 million members and projects across the United States and around the world. Here you’ll find nature-related news and features, information about regions and habitats, podcasts, book reviews, a carbon footprint calculator, Nature Conservancy magazine, an online store, and much more.
NatureServe
NatureServe is a network of natural heritage programs that provide information about rare and endangered species and ecosystems under threat. Visit its site to learn more about its projects and local programs; get animal, ecology, and plant data; or make a donation (join NWF or adopt an animal).
The Rewilding Institute
This organization’s goal is long-term wetlands and wildlife conservation across North America, with a focus on protecting large carnivores and their habitats. This website explains about TRI’s programs, lists resources and events, and has a blog that comments on relevant news.
Save the Whales
Since 1977, this organization has worked to protect whales and other marine mammals through educational programs. You’ll find lots of resources about whales, as well as action alerts, membership info, and an online store where you can adopt a whale and buy merchandise.
Sierra Club
From its beginnings in 1892, the Sierra Club has aimed to help people explore and protect the Earth and its wild places. The site offers blogs, up-to-the-minute environmental news, a radio show, and a newsletter. You can learn about the Sierra Club’s current environmental initiatives and how to do your part. Join the Sierra Club, book an environmentally friendly trip, or buy merchandise in its online store.
Student Conservation Association
Creating the next generation of community and conservation leaders, the SCA aims to “inspire lifelong stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.” Learn about the SCA’s programs, internship opportunities, and how to request help in the field.
Wildlife Conservation Society
The Wildlife Conservation Society promotes science, conservation, and education to save wildlife and its habitats. Explore its site to find out about its conservation efforts around the world, educational programs, and publications.
Related Sites
http://nyzoosandaquarium.com/cpz
http://nyzoosandaquarium.com/qz
http://nyzoosandaquarium.com/ppz
The Wildlife Society
This nonprofit organization focuses on science and education to protect wildlife and its habitats, emphasizing biodiversity, sustainability, and benefits to society. You can learn more about what the Wildlife Society does, check out its publications, and search for a wildlife-related job.
World Land Trust
This international conservation group preserves the rainforest and other habitats by buying acreage—more than 350,000 acres so far. Learn about current projects and how you can help.
Related Sites
World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund, with nearly 5 million international members, works to protect wildlife in 100 countries. This site is packed with resources about wildlife, nature, and conservation, including a searchable database of more than 26,000 species. Read the latest environmental news, view wildlife photos, or get fun stuff like wallpaper, ecards, and games. Support the WWF by making a donation, shopping in its online store, or booking a trip.
BLOGS
Conservation Value Notes
http://conservationvalue.blogspot.com
Conservation biologist Jonathan L. Gelbard is founder of the Conservation Value Institute, “whose mission focuses on researching and educating the public in ways to simultaneously solve environmental problems, save money, and improve our health and quality of life.” His blog looks at the ways in which a healthier environment can benefit people and communities.
Endangered Ugly Things
http://endangered-ugly.blogspot.com
Not all endangered animals are cute and furry. This blog champions those other endangered species, from the giant palouse earthworm to the purple burrowing frog and beyond.
Invasive Species Blog
http://invasivespecies.blogspot.com
If you’re concerned about the effects that invasive species have on their nonnative environments, check out this blog by Jennifer Forman Orth, Ph.D.
Marine Conservation Blog
www.marineconservationblog.blogspot.com
Multiple contributors from the Marine Conservation Biology Institute write about issues related to protecting our oceans and their creatures.
Related Site
The Ohio Nature Blog
Ecologist and nature photographer Tom Arbour blogs about the natural landscape of Ohio. Lots of photos.
VIDEOS
Earth-Touch.com
Watch high-definition wildlife videos from around the world. Also has a podcast and blog.
PODCASTS 
Cephalopodcast
A great resource for learning more about oceans and ocean life. There’s a related blog, too.
Living on Earth
Hosted by Steve Curwood, Living on Earth is a weekly radio show broadcast on more than 300 public radio stations. It features environmental news, interviews, and commentary. On this site you can find out where to tune in or listen to a podcast of the show.
WIKIS 
Encyclopedia of the Earth
This is a wiki with a difference; it’s written and edited collaboratively, but by a group of credentialed scholars and educators. The idea is to create a reliable, accurate reference about the Earth, its environments, and how societies interact with those environments. A great reference.
FAIR TRADE
WEBSITES
Co-op America
Co-op America’s mission is to “harness economic power… to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.” Here you can learn about Fair Trade products. The Responsible Shopper guide reveals environmental and employee abuses by companies and makes suggestions on how you can act to curb such abuses.
Fair Trade Certified
TransFair USA certifies fair-trade products, so you can be sure your shopping dollars support earth- and community-friendly businesses. Learn about fair-trade certification and where you can find fair-trade products.
Fair Trade Federation
A group of businesses and organizations committed to fair trade, this federation promotes fair trade and public awareness of its importance. Here you’ll find these sections: Explore Fair Trade, Find Members, Get Involved, and Join Us.
Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International
This nonprofit trade association develops and reviews fair-trade standards and assists certified fair-trade producers. Read fair-trade news, learn about standards and products, and check out FLO publications and films.
Fair Trade Resource Network
Dedicated to promoting the fair-trade movement, this site spells out fair-trade basics, lists news and events, and makes suggestions for taking action. You can also watch videos about fair-trade communities and products.
BLOGS
CRS Fair-Trade News
This blog, a project of Catholic Relief Services, presents fair-trade news and spotlights products and events.
SOCIAL NETWORKING 
World of Good
http://community.worldofgood.com
In partnership with eBay, World of Good, Inc. has created a community whose members have a shared commitment to socially and environmentally responsible products and shopping. Members can create blogs, contribute articles, and start forum discussions.
GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE
WEBSITES
Fight Global Warming
This site, sponsored by the Environmental Defense Fund, presents the science behind global warming and examines its impact on the planet. Find out how much your daily habits affect climate change and how you can make a difference. Has a blog, Climate 411.
GlobalWarming.org
This site takes a skeptical view of global warming, scrutinizing economics, science, and public debate. You can read news, research, and the Cooler Heads blog.
An Inconvenient Truth
If you saw—or didn’t see—Al Gore’s 2006 movie about the effects of global warming, take a look at the film’s official website. You can learn more about the movie and the DVD, read about the science behind the film, and find out how to take action. There’s an educational guide and other goodies to download.
NASA Earth Observatory
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov
View satellite images of Earth and learn about changes to climate and the environment. Sections include Data & Images, Features, News, Reference, Missions, and Experiments. There’s also an interactive glossary of science terms.
National Geographic Global Warming Interactive
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/environment/global-warming/gw-overview.html
Understand global warming and how it affects the Earth by exploring this site. There are articles and interactive features on topics such as greenhouse gases and effects of climate change on wildlife.
Photographic Documentation of Climate Change
www.worldviewofglobalwarming.org
Photographer Gary Braasch displays dozens of photographs, along with articles, about the effects of climate change around the world. Sections include Antarctica, Glaciers, Coastline, Oceans, Polar Thaw, as well as other places and issues.
Science and Environmental Policy Project
Founded in 1990 by S. Fred Singer, the SEPP consists of international scientists performing policy and research analysis related to global warming and other environmental topics. The site’s FAQ addresses common questions and misconceptions about climate change from a scientific perspective.
Skeptical Science
This site examines and refutes the arguments of global warming skeptics, based on science.
StopGlobalWarming.org
This site offers tips and articles about what you can do to decrease global warming, as well as news, video features, and other resources. You can join more than a million other concerned people in the Stop Global Warming Virtual March, an online petition to reduce carbon emissions.
We Can Solve It
This site’s philosophy is that by working together, people can put a stop to global warming. Sponsored by the Alliance for Climate Protection, the site presents news, solutions, action alerts, and success stories.
BLOGS
Climate of Our Future
The bloggers here offer news, articles, and commentary related to climate change.
DeSmogBlog
The goal of this blog is to convince readers about the reality of climate change and the science that points to it. Here you’ll find news and opinions about global warming.
RealClimate
On this blog, working climate scientists write about news and developments in their field. Posts relate strictly to science, steering clear of politics and economics.
Thoughts on Global Warming
http://thoughtsonglobalwarming.blogspot.com
This anonymous blogger, who describes himself as “politically moderate on the liberal side of things,” writes about climate change and alternative energy.
VIDEOS
Global Warming Videos
View videos about global warming, or register to upload your own. The site also has news, articles, and forums on the topic.
PODCASTS
Climate Change Podcast
http://npg.nature.com/climate/podcast.html
Occasional podcasts about climate change and related issues, from Nature Reports.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
2People
Here’s a social network with a mission: to educate people about global warming and join together to find solutions. When you join, you can find like-minded friends, get involved with (or start) a local group, and find inspiration in actions others are taking.
FORUMS/DISCUSSIONS 
Topix Global Warming Forum
www.topix.com/forum/news/global-warming
Join the debate on global warming in this lively forum. Posts can get personal at times; it’s not for the thin-skinned.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
WEBSITES
Energy Information Administration
If you’re looking for official statistics about energy and energy use, this is the place to go. The EIA is part of the Department of Energy.
National Park Service
If you’re yearning for open green spaces, consider visiting a national park. The website of the National Park Service lists and profiles parks in all 50 states. You can also learn what the NPS is doing to protect natural resources and ecosystems.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
This service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture works with private landowners “to conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources.” Find out about the programs NRCS offers, read news and features, and check out conservation resources.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Environmentalists will be interested in the section of the USDA’s site that’s devoted to Natural Resources and the Environment, which has a plants database, a water management center, a live webcam on Mount St. Helens, and more.
U.S. Department of Energy
The Department of Energy’s website offers energy-saving tips, news and special features, and information about the DOE and what it does. Sections include Science & Technology, Energy Sources, Energy Efficiency, The Environment, Prices & Trends, National Security, and Safety & Health.
U.S. Department of the Interior
The DOI’s mission is to protect and manage the country’s natural and cultural resources. Visit this site to learn about the department’s programs and initiatives and listen to podcasts from the Interior Department Radio News Service.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA is charged with protecting both the environment and people’s health. The agency’s website contains a lot of information: news, programs, and features about environmental issues such as acid rain, climate change, recycling, and wetlands. Read the site’s blog or submit a question for an EPA official.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The mission of the Fish & Wildlife Service is to work with others to “conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.” Read about the service’s programs, including wildlife refuges and protecting coastal ecosystems.
U.S. Forest Service
The Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, manages 193 million acres of public lands in national forests and grasslands. See what the Forest Service does, get maps and brochures of national forests, and check out the video and photo libraries. Kids will enjoy meeting Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl in the Just for Kids section.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
This commission is responsible for policies and regulations related to nuclear reactors and waste. Its website has these sections: Nuclear Reactors, Nuclear Materials, Radioactive Waste, Nuclear Security, and Public Meetings & Involvement.
GREEN LIVING
WEBSITES
Campaign Earth
This site offers a monthly challenge that will help you reduce your ecological footprint for the good of the planet. You can register to receive the monthly challenge via email, read information about global warming and other issues, or make a donation.
Earth 911
Act locally to improve the environment globally. Find a recycling center near you and make Earth-smart shopping decisions by learning about life cycles and potentially hazardous materials of many products. Has a blog and weekly newsletter.
EcoMall
This directory lists hundreds of sites with thousands of products for environmentally conscious consumers. Search for a specific product or browse dozens of categories.
G Living
This site emphasizes “the darker, cooler side of green” with edgy articles and interviews, all with a focus on the environment and green living. Features videos, audios, forums, and more on topics ranging from cooking, fashion, and greening your home to celebrities, music, and travel.
The Green Guide
Sponsored by the National Geographic Society, the Green Guide offers tips for green living: home, health, fashion, cooking, gardening—it’s all here. Check out the buying guide, blogs, and Green Guide magazine.
Green Home Guide
Want to make your home greener but unsure where or how to begin? The Green Home Guide brings together environmentally conscious folks with green building and design professionals who can give you the answers you’re looking for. Sections include all aspects of building/remodeling, as well as Ask a Pro, where you can submit specific questions.
Green Home: The Environmental Store
This online retailer specializes in environmentally friendly products, from all-natural clothing and home furnishings to appliances, pest control, and restaurant supplies. If you’re looking for green products, start here.
Green Living
Here’s an online store specializing in products to make your life greener. Search for a particular product or browse categories such as fair trade, green building, pets, and for the home.
Green Living Ideas
As its name suggests, this site is packed with ideas for environmentally responsible living. Here you’ll find articles, GreenTalk Radio podcasts, news-letters, and an online store.
Green Living Journal
Calling itself “a practical journal for friends of the environment,” this magazine contains articles about topics such as organic gardening, green building, health, eco-careers, and more. Has local editions for several U.S. regions.
Green Living Tips
Articles here offer a wealth of tips for living an Earth-friendly life. Categories include building, business, cleaning, clothing, energy, family, food, gadgets, garden, health, home, pets, repairs, transportation, and water. Read current tips and submit your own. Has a blog and a newsletter.
GreenBiz.com
If you’re interested in making your business greener, spend some time on this site, which features articles and how-tos about going green while keeping an eye on the bottom line.
Grist
Specializing in environmental news and commentary, this site keeps you informed about what’s happening with the environment and provides tips and suggestions for going green. The site’s blog is called Gristmill.
Planet Green
http://planetgreen.discovery.com
Planet Green is a television network that provides 24-hour programming on living in an Earth-friendly way. See what’s on, watch video clips, play games, or participate in the forums. The site’s sections offer green-living tips in these areas: Fashion & Beauty, Food & Health, Home & Garden, Tech & Transport, Travel & Outdoors, and Work & Connect.
TreeHugger
There’s tons of information here for anyone who wants to take responsibility for a greener, healthier Earth. You’ll find news and articles on all aspects of green living, how-to guides, tips on buying green products and gifts, audio and video podcasts, forums, and a whole lot more.
U.S. Green Building Council:The Green Guide
This informative, comprehensive site has everything you need to make your home greener. Find out what makes a home green and how going green can benefit you. Get green remodeling guidelines and information on green home programs. Also has news, events, and resources.
White Apricot
Those who want to be trendy, stylish, and ecofriendly should like this site, which sells fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products.
BLOGS
Living the Green Way
Thomas C. Davis Jr. blogs about living green and protecting the environment.
Two Steps Forward
Joel Makower writes and speaks about corporate environmental practices, clean technology, and green marketing. On this site, he blogs on these topics.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
Care2
When you join this site, you join more than 9 million like-minded individuals who want to make the world a better place. Make connections, join environmental groups, sign or start a petition, view and share photos, and get tips on healthy and green living. Visit the Click to Donate section to support your favorite causes with a daily click—for free.
GenGreen
GenGreen promotes green living at the local level, helping you find recycling centers, green events and businesses, cooperatives, and Earth-loving people in your area. It also has general tips for green living. When you join GenGreen, you can make connections, create a blog, contribute news and events, join in discussions, and more.
Green Home: A Huddler.com Community
This community focuses on living a greener life. Create an account and you can write product reviews, participate in forum discussions, contribute to the site’s wikis, and more.
NUCLEAR ENERGY AND NUCLEAR WASTE
WEBSITES
AboutNuclear.org
This site, the public information site of the American Nuclear Society, has two tracks: Nuclear Science and Technology; and Nuclear Education, Research, and Careers.
Related Site
How Nuclear Power Works
www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm
Ever wonder how a nuclear power plant produces energy? This site explains it all in detail.
Nevada Nuclear Waste Task Force
This task force works to protect the environment and inform the public about plans to store nuclear waste in Nevada.
Nuclear Energy Institute
The NEI is the industry organization for nuclear energy/technology companies. Its site promotes nuclear energy by examining these key issues: Protecting the Environment, Reliable and Affordable Energy, New Plants, Safety and Security, and Nuclear Waste Disposal. Has resources and statistics, as well as breaking news and policy updates.
Nuclear Waste News
This site publishes news stories and sells special reports about regulation, research, projects, and innovations related to dealing with nuclear waste.
Nuclear Waste Task Force
www.sierraclub.org/nuclearwaste
Sponsored by the Sierra Club, this site looks at problems and statistics about nuclear waste. Includes a nuclear waste overview, maps, news briefs, links, recommended reading, and more.
RadWaste.org
Primarily a reference for radioactive waste management professionals, this site also provides information about radioactive waste for the general public. Its Waste Link directory contains links to more than 10,000 companies, research centers, regulatory agencies, and other entities concerned with nuclear waste disposal.
U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
The NWTRB is a federal independent agency that provides scientific and technical oversight of the Department of Energy’s program for dealing with radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. This site explains more about the board and what it does.
RAINFORESTS
WEBSITES
Rainforest Action Network
If you’re concerned about the fate of the world’s rainforests and their ecosystems, visit this site for education and ways to take action. Issues include forests, global warming, human rights, energy, and sustainable economics.
Rainforest Foundation U.S.
The Rainforest Foundation supports the indigenous people who live in rainforests in their efforts to protect their environment. This site has action alerts, rainforest facts and figures, a section for kids, an online store, and other resources.
The Rainforest Site
Help save the world’s rainforests with a free daily click. Thanks to the site’s sponsors, each click preserves several square feet of rainforest land, with nearly a million square feet protected so far. Buying from sponsors saves even more land.
Rainforest2Reef
The mission of this nonprofit is to protect Mexico’s Selva Maya rainforest. Here you can read about the group’s current research and projects, join its mailing list, or make a donation.
Tropical Rainforest Animals
www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com
A comprehensive resource about rainforests and the animals who live there, this site also looks at threats to rainforests from global warming and pollution.
World Rainforest Information Portal
Sponsored by the Rainforest Action Network, this site is an excellent starting point for learning about the world’s rainforests. Sections are listed as questions: Why are rainforests important? What’s happening in the rainforests? Why are rainforests being destroyed? How are rainforests protected? How can I help?
BLOGS
Rainforest Revelations
Packed with photos, this blog features flora and fauna of Australia’s Daintree rainforest.
VIDEOS
Rainforests: Videos and Movies
www.nature.org/rainforests/explore/video.html
The Nature Conservancy has gathered video clips and movies that transport you to the world’s great rainforests.
VIRTUAL WORLDS 
Second Chance Trees
This isn’t a virtual world in itself, but a project within the Second Life virtual world, creating an island that represents a real-world rainforest. As you explore the island, you can find out more about Earth’s rainforests and the dangers of deforestation. Plant a tree on the island, and the project plants the same species in the real world.
RECYCLING
WEBSITES
Bureau of International Recycling
A trade federation for the recycling industry, BIR promotes materials recycling around the world. Find out how recycling works as an industry, read recycling-related news, and take a look at BIR’s professional publications.
Californians Against Waste
Founded in 1977, this group is “a non-profit environmental research and advocacy organization that identifies, develops, promotes, and monitors policy solutions to pollution and conservation problems posing a threat to public health and the environment.” Its site isn’t just for Californians—read news, get involved, and learn how to live green. Has a blog.
Compost Guide
For beginners, this site gets you started with composting: what you need, what you can compost, and how it works. Has a blog and a store where you can buy composting supplies.
Freecycle
Freecycle operates on the idea that one person’s junk is another’s treasure. When you’ve got something you want to get rid of, list it on Freecycle, and someone will take it off your hands. Membership is free, and all items posted must be free. Freecycle has more than 4,500 local groups, so you’re sure to find one near you.
Internet Consumer Recycling Guide
If you’re just getting started with recycling, this guide can help. It gives a quick overview of what you can and can’t recycle, where to take recyclables such as cell phones and eyeglasses, and how to reduce unwanted mail.
Keep America Beautiful
The Keep America Beautiful campaign emphasizes reducing litter, promoting recycling and waste reduction, and beautifying community spaces. Offers information, ecards, and a section just for kids.
Master Composter
Everything you ever wanted to know about composting, from the basics to how to use finished compost. Also has educational resources, a message board, a glossary, and links to local resources.
National Recycling Coalition
This nonprofit is “dedicated to the advancement and improvement of recycling, waste prevention, composting, and reuse.” Its Consumers section tells you where, how, and what to recycle; gives top 10 lists; and has the Conversionator, a fun, interactive calculator that gives recycling facts and figures.
Recycle City
Designed for kids, this EPA site offers games, activities, facts, and more to promote recycling.
Recycler’s World
Here’s a place where you can buy or sell recyclable materials: by-products, scrap, waste materials, or any used item. Includes a directory of recyclers.
RENEWABLE AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
WEBSITES
Alternative Energy News
www.alternative-energy-news.info
Focusing on news and information about renewable energy, this site offers these sections: News, Events, Forums, Photos, DIY (do-it-yourself projects), and a directory of websites for further information.
Alternative Energy Store
http://home.altenergystore.com
This site’s motto is “making renewable do-able,” and it offers the materials and resources to do just that. The store sells renewable energy merchandise. Beyond that, the site’s Learn section offers alternative-energy resources, including articles and how-to videos, and its Community section lets you connect with and learn from others making the switch to alternative energy sources.
AlternativeEnergy.com
There’s a world of information here about alternative and renewable energy: news and features, announcements, videos, photos, products, jobs, and more. AlternativeEnergy.com is also a social network of people working to save the planet. When you join, you can create a blog, upload photos and videos, join or create groups, posts stories and announcements, and more.
EnergyPlanet
This directory has links to renewable-energy sites and resources in dozens of categories, from biodiesel and electric cars to hydrogen, solar power, and wind energy.
EnergyRefuge.com
Look here to find news and articles about the latest in alternative and renewable energy, as well as energy-saving tips you can use right now. Has a store and a blog.
Greasecar Vegetable Fuel Systems
This company makes kits that convert diesel cars and trucks into vehicles that can run on filtered used vegetable oil.
National Center for Appropriate Technology
With projects both local and national in scope, NCAT aims to help people “by championing small-scale, local, and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources.” Learn about NCAT’s current and past projects, see what events are coming up at its six regional offices, and check out sustainability resources.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
NREL is committed to renewable energy—it even powers its website with electricity from renewable sources. There are lots of resources here: a primer on renewable energy, the science behind emerging technologies, and applying those technologies in the real world.
ZPEnergy
Dedicated to the “new energy revolution,” ZPEnergy gathers news about experimental—and sometimes controversial—energy technologies.