By Green Diva Meg


We are moving Green Diva Headquarters (which also happens to be my home!) in two weeks. Very exciting stuff, if not exhausting! We started painting this week. We've been researching this for a couple of months. We started back when we did a Sleeping Naked is Green segment with Chris Murphy of Smart Little House, who talked to us about the difference between low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound), zero-VOC, and non-toxic house paints.

ECOMII'S GUIDE TO BUILDING GREEN
HARD FACTS ABOUT VOC PAINTS

What we learned back then was that the VOCs that impact our health are not regulated - WHAT?!? Only the ones that are harmful to the ozone are regulated. There are a lot of other chemicals in house paint that are NOT researched or regulated. So, while the big paint companies are busy lowering if not removing some VOCs from their paints, there are a lot of other VOCs and hazardous compounds that have not been well researched or regulated. Many of these are suspected to be

For years I've been wanting a bike. Not a mountain bike. Not a road bike en route to conquering the Tour de France. But rather, an old school vintage-style bike complete with a basket and maybe even some tassels for long leisurely rides around town without the guilt of wasting a tank of gas. For the first time ever I live in a neighborhood that would make such a thing possible-a neighborhood boasting lots of streets lined with pretty houses and a hidden gem of a park tucked away on the hill overlooking downtown Syracuse. How could I dare to ruin a scene so picturesque by barreling through it in a gas-guzzling SUV? Needless to say, I've gotten bike fever all over again. Fancy a pretty bike of your very own? Here are 8 of my current favorites. And, yes, most of them have baskets!

- By Cyd Converse
Follow Cyd at Babble

For 10 ways to give your old bike a makeover, visit Babble!

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Search on fair trade purses and you'll likely see a number of results for recycled rice and feed bags. These colorful and practical purses have changed the lives of hundreds of Southeast Asian women.

Cambodian women rescued from trafficking create trendy purses from recycled rice bags. The women who hand sew these purses have been rescued from human trafficking. They receive training in sewing, language, and business skills. The technical skills they've gained have enabled many of the women to move onto other jobs or open their own businesses.

Rather than contributing to landfills, rice and feed bags are cleaned and cut into patterns for a variety of purse designs. The purses are truly unique because each rice bag has variations in its vibrant patterns and colors. Styles range from practical messenger bags to trendy purses suitable for any attire.

One simple idea that turns utilitarian rice bags into charming purses has creMessenger bag hand sewn from recycled rice bags by Cambodian women.ated productive, healthy and free lives for trafficked women.

Stephanie King

Fair Trade Designs

By Katherine Butler

Our relationship with the sun can be akin to hanging out with an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend. There was a time when he or she warmed you to the tips of your fingers. But if you let your guard down, you were toast. Consequently, it's time for us to rise up and reclaim our defenses, and keep our outer layer of skin intact. The essential rules to sun care are simple. Hats, clothing, and shade are key in your defense against ultraviolet rays. Sunscreen remains an essential component in preserving our skins, but we have to be careful with which brands we're slathering on. Foremost, do not be lured into a false sense of security of sunscreen - aka spending the entire day in the sun with only one application, then expressing bewilderment that you're burned. Be sure to reapply it every 90 minutes while you are in the sun, more if you are sweating or swimming. Look for both UVA and UVB protection. (Ultraviolet A is linked to skin cancer, while ultraviolet B causes

By Stephanie Rogers

Global fisheries are on the verge of collapse, global warming is raising ocean temperatures, coral reefs are dying at an alarming rate and runoff from farms and neighborhoods is fouling the seas with fertilizers and other pollutants. For Ocean Week, we want to show our love of oceans and how we can't live without them - we need serious action to protect them from these threats and many more, and we need it now. Thankfully, we have these 10 inspiring ocean conservation groups that are influencing public policy, drumming up public support, researching solutions, and even going out there and stopping illegal activities that harm wildlife.

Blue Ocean Institute The Blue Ocean Institute doesn't just work to preserve the world's oceans and all of the biodiversity they contain, it also aims to inspire a love for the ocean in all of us. Engaging the public with science, art and literature to foster a deeper connection with nature, the Blue Ocean Institute provides an

Simple DIY projects for wildlife in your backyardA quick visit to your local home and garden store will provide countless ways to rid your backyard of insects and other "pests," but what if your goal is to attract them? While some forms of wildlife can certainly wreak havoc on your backyard paradise, others can provide invaluable benefits like mosquito control, healthier plants, and much more.

Here are 6 quick and easy DIY projects that will transform your backyard into your own wildlife sanctuary.




Related: 10 chic ideas for eco-friendly home decor




For the kind critters of the worldBug Box
Not all insects are a nuisance! This simple DIY project uses scrap wood, bamboo cane, and old branches to provide a perfect home for helpful insects like spiders (that prey on insects and pests), ladybugs (preys on aphids), and bees support pollination).
Learn more at Gardeners' World







Help create a bee oasisBee Box
If you do not already know, the bee population is dangerously low. One of the primary reasons for this is a shrinking habitat. Do the world (and your garden) a favor by creating a bee box

Did you ever wonder where your recycled materials could end up next? We've got the answers.

Glass
A recycling superstar, glass retains its integrity when crushed and heated, meaning it can be reused indefinitely.

What It Becomes: Most recycled glass is turned into new glass containers and bottles, but a small percentage is used to make items like jewelry and countertops. Make sure you degunk the insides and remove lids and bottle caps. (They can be tossed in the bin with your steel cans.)

Plus: 25 Eco-Chic Ideas for Your Home

Paper
Recycled paper (staples removed, boxes flattened) is shredded and mixed with water to create pulp. That pulp is cleaned, mixed with additives, and pumped onto a moving screen that drains the water. The resulting sheet is pressed and heated.

What It Becomes: Office paper and cardboard often get made into more paper and boxes, as well as tabletops and cutting boards. Glossy paper can become newsprint, paperboard, tissue, or stationery.

Aluminum Cans
Prep