Grapevine

*  Peter Garrett, the former lead singer of rock group Midnight Oil, was named Australia's environmental minister in late 2007. 

*  Kettle Foods opened a LEED-certified potato-chip factory with 18 rooftop wind turbines in Beloit, Wisconsin, while Frito-Lay announced that its chip plant in Casa Grande, Arizona, will run on recycled water and renewable fuels by 2010.

*  Target will phase out all products containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a potentially harmful chemical compound. 

*  Automaker Daimler AG unveiled the first U.S. version of its compact, fuel-efficient Smart car in January. 

*  Transit planners at the University of California, Davis, have teamed up with the AAA auto club to give plug-in hybrids to 100 Northern California households for an eight-week trial period. 

*  Mayors from five of Texas's biggest cities have called for a new "state lightbulb"--a compact fluorescent. 

*  Ten dollars from each online DVD sale of Out of Balance, a new documentary about global warming (worldoutofbalance.org), will go to victims of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

--Lea Hartog, Sierra

Comments

[Cyndi Kosmicki]

I am so pleased when I see companies getting on board and being Evironmentally conscious, it definitely makes me want to buy from them.

Cyndi Kosmicki
Cocoa, Fl.

[Holly Dain]

I recently picked up my new Smartcar. It is so fun to drive and gets attention from everyone I pass. That is worth the price not to mention the 35 miles I am getting to the gallon in city driving. I love it!!!

[Shane Cooper]

Hello Everyone,
I just wanted everyone who enjoys beer to keep New Belgium in mind (Fat Tire, Sunshine, Mothership Wit-an organic beer-, ect.) Their brewery is in the town I live in (Fort Collins, CO.) and this is one of the greenest companies I've ever heard of, not to mention their generosity in the community. They obtain all their energy from wind turbines, plus some of it comes from their own water treatment plant, where they skim the methane and use that as well. I could go on and on. There aren't enough words to describe how great this company is. If every U.S. corporation was HALF as environmentally responsible as this brewery, we would be WORLD LEADERS in the cause to halt global warming. I hear there are other green breweries, I just thought everyone should know how amazing New Belgium is. By buying their beer and contribute to their green cause, little by little we force other breweries to get green or go by the wayside...

[Pamela]

How wonderful to know all the companies that are striving to change the way they do business--I keep a list and take my business to them--I really believe our country can be a leader in all things green. It's difficult to change old and sometimes lazy ways of doing things. I never drink beer but may have to start just to encourage the "green" beer companies:)! Pamela

[Christy]

Peter Garrett is absolutely amazing. I have been a huge fan since...well, always. Not only have I always loved Midnight Oil's music, but he is such an inspiration. He has done so much for the environment and to get out the message. If every celebrity used their fame to as good use as he has, the world would truly be a better place. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why I became so interested in the environment, but at least 75% of it has to do with this man. I love that instead of simply retiring from music, he retired to politics. If I could meet anyone in the world, it would definitely be him.

As far as his former group, Midnight Oil goes, you should definitely check them out if you don't know them. You'll probably at least recognize their biggest hit, "Beds are Burning." They always have a social message, very often about the environment.

[Jennifer]

Speaking of smart cars, if you can't afford a hybrid, get a Honda Civic. My 2001 Civic gets 41 mpg.

[DON COULON]

What is so great about the Smart car? It' s tiny, not a Hybrid and gets 31MPG. A coventional Toyota Corolla gets 40.

[Aaron Waiss]

I actually cancelled my reservation of a Smart car based on the mileage they Finally came out with. My 04 Accord (twice the size) gets practically as good of mileage as a tiny two seater. I just don't understand how Daimler could screw that up!

As another poster said, just get a civic or some other small car that can fit Twice as many people and get better mileage!

[trixie]

Don't understand why more environmental conscious sites don't recommend turning off air conditioners all together, a damp cloth around the neck, around the house or in the car cools a body down very nicely. Also, never see suggestions that dishwasher should be avoided altogether, they just mention BUYING enviro star appliances. Hand washing dishes is fast, easy and spreads some responsibility to young children. Would like to see this mentioned.