My Top Green Apps

I recently realized just how much time I spent wired to my electronics, and that made me wonder what were some of the green apps out there? the ones with a focus on being green, the ones that give you all sorts of green ideas, or the ones that try to bring those green thoughts to the fore-front of your mind. so some of my favourites are:


GoodGuide (free, on iTunes) this app gives you a rating for the product based on thier set of criteria, and if you have an iPhone all you need is a picture of the barcode.


Green Wars ($1.99 or free for the lite version, on iTunes) this game is a classis buy low sell high ecenomics game, but with a green twist. This game, has all green products like re-usable shopping bags.


Green Genie ($0.99, iTunes) this is a very fun app with about 100 green projects/ideas. This app also includes esential reading on sustainability, and a green glossary.


Pollution (Free) This app tracks the polution around you, pulling data from real-time air polution data, for over 1,380 cities world wide.


FishPhone (free, iTunes) this app gives you information about fish, their sustainabilty ratings, and similar, but more sustainable options, as well as wine pairings and recipe ideas. One cool note, even if you don't have a iPhone, you can find this information from any phone by texting 30644 with the message FISH and the name of the fish in question, and they'll text you back with their assesment and sugestions.

there are some of my top apps, what do you think? Is there one you love? tell me about it in the comments! :)

Smartphones and iPods

A lot of the time we can get so caught up in multi-media multitasking, using a computer, iPod, and phone all at once, that we don't stop to look at the environmental impact. Now there are definitely good points to smart phones and iPods/iPhones, in that there are apps for just about everything, meaning we don't always have to use extra resources on physical objects; for example c.d.s, maps, books, and calenders. The really exciting part of smart phones is the Eco-apps. Everyone says there is an app for everything, and in some ways there really is, and one of the best things about that is the number of Eco-centric apps! I did a post on one earlier this week () and some other interesting ones are FishPhone and GoodGuide. For a full list of my favourite green apps see . Some of the less good points of these are the small screen encourages the 140 character attention span promoted by twitter, and other multimedia social-sites. It can also allow people to continue to not think about their purchases in a long-term and environmental sense. All around, these new gadgets don't seem to be bad for the environment, and if used correctly can even be helpful. There is also a wide range of Eco-friendly accessories such as solar powered chargers.

Skeptical?

Have you ever tried to explain to some one the there really are enviromental problems, global warming is real, and has major impacts on every living thing on this planet. I myself have had this problem, and I wish I had known about this site; . It is a great website, that goes over what people are saying, why people are saying it, and whats really going on. Their motto is "Getting skeptical about global warming skepticism". They're site was created to help people look at the whole picture of climate change, not just the information that suits you. One of my favourite features is their list of "Most Used climate Myths". They've got a lot of great information, and all of it is on their iPod/smartphone app. Tell me what you think of it!

Eco-Games

Have you ever had a problem getting your troup or any group of children to sit still and learn about something? Or have you noticed that most the classes that are the most boring are the ones where you have to sit down be quite and learn? Thats because it isn't in human nature to want to sit around. So with this in mind I went looking for some games that will help teach different ecological principals and problems. One good site I found is http://dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/games/ecological/ecology.htm. They are an Onatario based site, and they have a lot of great games! Some of my favourites are : Quick Frozen Critters, Deadly Links, and Habbitat Lap Sit. What games do you like? Which ones do you find work best? I want to hear from you!! :D

The Coast to Coast Eco Challenge

The Coast to Coast Eco Challenge. This was a hiking trip from the East to West coast of Scoatland, with a "strong emphasis on the preservation off the environment". It was a four day trip, and it raised support for the Global Girls Fund. This was Created to help young women and girls from all around the world reach thier full potenial and help change the worl for the better. I want to know what you think of this! Do you think it was a great idea? Or one that could use work? Would you want to have an event like this in your area? Comment what you think!!

Original Link : http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/20100/1/CoasttoCoastEcoChallenge.pdf

Planting A Better Environment?

I've heard a lot about tree planting, and websites that allow you to pay a fee, and they'll plant a tree as a "carbon offset". Right now Girl Guides of Canada has partnered with TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and they are offering girls the opportunity to apply for a five hundred dollar grant, so that thier unit can organize a tree planting event, and plant a tree to help the environment. I think this sounds like a really cool idea, but what do you think?? Please comment to tell me your thoughts and opinions!

~A tree hugger :)
Original Link: http://www.girlguides.ca/uploads/File/opportunities_for_girls/challenges_and_activities/tree_planting_grant/tree-planting-grant-information-sheet.pdf