Welcome back to the Planet Forward blog for another edition of our weekly green news highlights. This week: the EPA maps out the worst greenhouse gas emitters; 15 resolutions for a greener New Year; and 8 steps to a healthy home: the key for a healthy body and planet.  Just click on the links to learn more.

EPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions Image Credit: epa.gov

The EPA maps the worst greenhouse gas offenders in the US.  The EPA has developed an interactive map to help you understand who the major greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters are in the USA. “EPA’s online data publication tool allows users to review information quickly and easily by filtering GHG data in a variety of ways including by facility, industry, location, or gas. The tool displays data in two distinct sections:  “Direct emitters” are facilities that combust fuels or otherwise put GHGs into the atmosphere directly from their facility. This data is the default view for the tool. “Suppliers” are those entities that supply certain fossil fuels or fluorinated gases into the economy which, when combusted, released or oxidized emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This data may be found by accessing the suppliers section of the publication tool.”

15 Resolutions for a Greener New Year.  There are lots of zero cost green resolutions on the list from the Daily Green created by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).  Green basics like recycling, using reusable bags over plastic, and banning bottled water in favour of reusable bottles and good old fashion tap water make for excellent resolutions that are also easy to implement.  One resolution that I immediately followed up on for my own household was to stop receiving those unwanted catalogues, which I seem to unintentionally stockpile and then eventually recycle.  19 billion catalogues are mailed in the US annually which requires 53 million trees to produce, not to mention the carbon footprint to deliver it to your mailbox.  It’s time to get off those mailing lists sending you catalogues you aren’t even looking at.  Besides, what’s in the catalogue is also available online which is a much greener way to shop anyway.

8 Steps to a Healthy Home: The Key for a Healthy Body and Planet.  This article from the Huffington Post is a nice compliment to the green resolutions from the NRDC.  Again, simple green tips for a healthy planet and healthier you.  In fact, some of the steps suggested are also on the green resolution list like avoiding toxic chemicals and green cleaning with vinegar and baking soda instead; or eliminating bottled water with tap water and reusable bottles; or simply buying local and organic. 

Got any green resolutions of your own?  Sound off in the comments.  Stay tuned for more green news.
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