Blog Posts by TheDailyGreen.com

Which is greener, a commercial car wash or DIY? The answer: Go with the pros.

Commercial car washes require an average of about 45 gallons of water per car, whereas home washers typically use between 80 and 140 gallons, according to the trade group International Carwash Association. That's a big difference! Federal law requires commercial car washes to drain their wastewater into sewers, where it normally receives some treatment, versus simply running across the land.

If you are going to clean your own vehicle, check out the waterless wash products available now from many manufacturers, such as Eco Touch. Many are nontoxic, biodegradable and petrochemical-free. Just spray on, wipe and buff gently with a clean towel, and voilà. Clean car.

Want more easy ways to save water? Check out these simple ideas:

1. Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

Save water and money, and still have ample water pressure, with a low-flow showerhead, which can slash bathing-water consumption 50 to 70

Read More »from Why an At-Home Car Wash Is a Bad Idea

Find it impossible to find the right gift for Dad? Try one of these unique Father's Day gifts: Telling him he was right when he told you to ...

...Do What He Says
Ah, the advice you hated to hear ... Have you noticed that these are the same sage tips recommended by the architects of the new green movement? Gasoline at $4 a gallon (pay less by doing this) and a world turned upside down by global warming have made Dad's attention to every watt of energy seem smart (do you know as much as he does?), even trendy.

Impress Dad this year by saving all that energy you might otherwise spend driving to the mall. Dads are notoriously hard to shop for, and notoriously stingy. So skip the gift and tell Dad he was right. Tell him he's always been right. Tell him he keeps getting more right all the time. (Just do it. Father's Day is only one day a year.)

...Save Hand-Me-Down Clothes
Few would look to Dad for fashion advice. In fact, most would look to anyone but Dad. But as frustrating as it was to

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People have been hollowing out caves to make their homes for many thousands of years. In certain parts of the world, it was easier for prehistoric people who ran out of natural caves to carve out warm, dry spaces than to use other building methods. Houses were cut into soft sandstone cliffs in China and the Middle East, and into volcanic ash and lava flows on Pacific islands.

While many of these ancient structures are still standing, and a few are still inhabited by contemporary residents, there are also people experimenting with the benefits of modern cave living. And what may surprise you is that many of these homes are well appointed, with modern conveniences, good ventilation and even spectacular views. Most of them cost less than conventional housing.

As anyone who has ever visited a natural cave knows, underground spaces are naturally quiet and maintain a constant temperature, cool in summer and warm in winter. Plus, their primary structure is all-natural material, and it is as

Read More »from Would You Live in a Cave if It Looked Like This?

Before you think we're insensitive jerks, let's say it: the BP Gulf oil spill is serious stuff. We've seen the pictures and videos of the spill, we know how many lives have been lost, how many jobs will be affected and how many birds and other marine animals are in danger. But, like so many tragedies before this one, Americans use humor to get over their sadness and anger. So, let's take a moment to laugh at some of the more humorous reactions to the spill.

Check out funny videos, SNL skits and The Daily Show clips here.

The Scream

She'll be haunting the dreams of BP execs for years to come…we love her enthusiasm.
Gabriel Bouys / AFP / Getty Images

Related: How Much Bigger Is the BP Oil Spill Than Exxon Valdez Spill

Crazy Ideas That Were Real

A top hat to plug up the leak, hair to soak up the oil and a series of tubes to help fill the well. Series of tubes, series of tubes, where have we heard that before…oh, that's right.
Photos: Istock


BP Says "Let Them Eat Cake"

We'd love to

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The Rockies, Yosemite, Yellowstone... national parks that are all likely on your list of must-see places. But what about America's lesser-known gems that are equally incredible, and often more peaceful? This summer, consider avoiding the Grand Canyon throngs and venturing farther afield to some of these remote, pristine wonders of nature - a few of the least-visited national parks.


Isle Royale
Isle Royale is a true hidden gem - perhaps this is why Michigan's state gemstone (Isle Royale greenstone) is named after the remote little island that's closer to Canada than it is to the States. Isle Royale is the largest island in Lake Superior, the greatest of the Great Lakes. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Isle Royale National Park attracted 15,973 visitors in 2007.

Due to its remoteness, the island is populated by only about one third of the mammals that are found on the mainland. Interestingly, it is the only known place where wolves and moose live together without bears. If you

Read More »from Let This Year's Vacation Take You Someplace Unexpected

Four of every 10 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and two of every 10 will die of it. And according to the recent report submitted to President Obama by the President's Cancer Panel, simply establishing healthy habits - stopping smoking, reducing drinking, losing weight, exercising and eating right - may not be enough.

The panel reported that "the true burden of environmentally induced cancers has been grossly underestimated." The 240-page report is the first to focus on environmental causes of cancer, and in the letter preceding it, the panel noted that environmental exposures are not a new threat, but one that "has not been addressed adequately by the National Cancer Program."

Americans face an array of dangerous exposures, and the Environmental Working Group's research has found that children are born "pre-polluted" with up to 200 industrial chemicals, pesticides and contaminants that have been found to cause cancer in lab studies or in people. So, how

Read More »from Does Your Environment Put You at Risk for Cancer?

As summer approaches, most of us are excited to spend as much time outdoors as we possibly can. There are plenty of opportunities to work outside and earn some extra cash in your spare time (and they don't all require an "outdoor office").

Summer Jobs
The best part about these summer opportunities is that relatively little training is needed.

Camp Counselor
This can be a rewarding way to earn money and possibly even get the opportunity to travel around the world. Many counselors come to North America from overseas, and you can do searches to work at camps abroad. Depending on where you apply, the pay will be around $175 to $400 a week, but note that many camps do also provide room and board. Check out Campchannel.com for more information. Try one of these great green summer camps.

Photographer
Pursue this hobby on weekends and earn some extra cash. Digital photography reduces costs and exposure to harmful chemicals, and websites like iStockphoto make it easy to get paid for your

Read More »from Get Paid to Be Outside

I've confessed before that my enthusiasm for gardening usually dies on the vine long before the first cucumbers of summer are ready to harvest. I'm always looking for easy ways to satisfy my green thumb and, of course, ways to get the most broccoli for my gardening buck. That's why I'm a big fan of growing perennial vegetables in my garden - plant them once, and enjoy the fruits (well, actually, vegetables) of your labors for years to come.

Although - unlike fruits - there aren't too many vegetables that are perennials, many of the ones that do exist grow in a wide range of climates and, once established, are low-maintenance enough even for a lazy gardener like me. They're also among the healthiest veggies for you, and they're generally inexpensive to purchase.

Here are my personal eight great perennial vegetables:

Asparagus: Grows best in full sun and non-soggy, somewhat sandy soil. I like it cut into one-inch pieces and stir-fried raw with sesame oil and a little sliced ginger (top

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