Environmental Science Degrees

If you haven’t found a tasty food item that’s made from soy, then you haven’t been looking very hard. The bean is incredibly versatile – it can be created to resemble many different food-types, notably dairy and meat. But its biggest fans extol its health benefits, which have been well-documented. Studies have shown that soy contains antioxidants – daidzein and genistein – that have an anti-cancer effect. Additionally, it fights osteoporosis and enhances calcium retention. Whether you’re refining your diet or simply enjoy soy products, the food items listed below are excellent additions to your pantry or fridge.

1. Burgers
   Unlike regular burgers, soy burgers are low in calories and fat. And you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy a Boca Burger, which is perhaps the best-known of the veggie burger category because of its authentic meat-like taste. They’re easy to prepare; just take them out of your freezer and heat them up, and in minutes you’ll be ready to eat like a carnivore.
2. Sausages
   Looking to pig out on sausage without actually eating the pig? Soy sausage is another excellent food item for new vegetarians who are attempting to phase out meat in their diets. Italian sausages, kielbasas and beer brats made from soy can be enhanced with the additions of sauerkraut, vegetarian beans, barbecue sauce or a bun with ketchup and/or mustard.
3. Tempeh
   Most Westerners are unfamiliar with Tempeh – a food native to Indonesia that’s high in protein and appropriate to eat with a variety of foods. It’s composed of slightly-fermented soybeans that have been cooked, and it’s made into a patty. Sometimes Tempeh is combined with grains and seeds, giving it a unique flavor. It can be used as a meat substitute and a soup, salad or stir-fry add-on.
4. Tofu
   Tofu has been a staple of the Chinese diet for more than two millennia, and today, it’s a popular food item among Westerners. Made from soy milk, tofu’s best attribute is its ability to absorb the flavor of the foods with which it’s combined. There are numerous tofu recipes, including tofu rice pilaf, tofu sloppy Joes or lasagna.
5. Nuts
   Soy nuts are a tasty snack that can be made at home during a rainy day. After soaking in water for several hours, simply bake them for 30 to 50 minutes or stick them in the microwave for 10 to 15 minutes. They’re an excellent source of energy, so stock up on them and eat them when you’re on the go.
6. Soy Bars
   If you like granola bars, then you’ll enjoy soy bars. They come in a variety of flavors and include large quantities of protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, amino acids and antioxidant isoflavones. It’s an excellent snack for health-conscious people who prefer to avoid fatty and salty foods in between meals.
7. Cheese
   Cheese lovers can enjoy the taste of regular cheese without the fat and cholesterol. At your local health food store, you’ll find varying types of soy cheese – like mozzarella, cheddar, American, parmesan, pepper jack and monetary jack – many of which possess the texture and melt-ability of regular cheese.
8. Soy (Milk) Shake
   Soy shakes are low in fat, high in taste and easy to make. For example, if you crave a strawberry shake, then simply combine two cups of silken tofu, two cups of fresh strawberries, a half-cup of ice, a half-cup of plain soy milk, two tablespoons of honey and two tablespoons of jam – and blend. You can also purchase readymade soy shakes from health food grocers.
9. Ice Cream
   Even if you’re on a dairy-free diet, you don’t have to sacrifice ice cream. Soy ice cream offers all of the flavor that traditional dairy-based ice cream offers, but with less saturated fat. There are a variety of brands that produce soy ice cream, so you can taste test until you find one that best resembles the real deal.
10. Yogurt
    Soy yogurt is abundant in grocery stores, offering a low-fat alternative to dairy-based yogurt. An added benefit of soy yogurt is the presence of lactobacteria, which promote the health of your digestive system and lower your chances of getting colon cancer. Its flavor and nutritional value can be enhanced with the addition of fresh fruit.

Going green has become all the rage in recent years and tree-huggers have been at the forefront of the movement. The term tree-hugger was originally coined during an anti-logging movement in which the people in protest would link their arms around a tree in order to preserve it. In recent years, it has become less of a pejorative, as self proclaimed tree-huggers have adopted the term, and thus have used it in the names of their organizations and green businesses. If you go to great lengths to preserve our environment, exhibiting some of the 10 characteristics, behaviors and practices listed below, then you might be a tree-hugger.

1. You know the intricate details of every green issue
   There isn’t a single environmental issue or piece of environmental legislation that has escaped your grasp. You know a little more than just, say, global warming is bad. You can describe the process and affects of ozone depletion, and recall the average volume per decade that the ozone layer has shrunk. You can name the sponsor and provide a summary of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.
2. You’re an active member of environmental protection organizations
   If you’ve joined or contributed to organizations like Greenpeace and the Sierra Club, then you’re a tree-hugger. You take an active role in the environmental protection of your community and beyond by protesting the destruction of forest land, planting trees where they previously have been leveled and educating children about the perils of abusing the environment.
3. You’ve boycotted businesses that have harmed the environment
   You will never buy gas from BP again. You haven’t purchased a ConAgra Foods product since the 2006 CERES Report awarded the company just four points out of 100 for its poor environmental practices. If you live in an energy deregulated state, you thoroughly research the environmental record of each company before coming to a decision on which to choose. By taking these actions, you ensure that your daily behavior doesn’t encourage mistreatment of the environment.
4. You keep it natural when it comes to food and clothing
   When you open your pantry or refrigerator, a wide array of organic food products stare back at you. You may or may not consume large amounts of granola, which may or may not be a Kashi product. Many tree huggers also happen to be vegans, so you probably don’t possess any food or household items made from animals. You aren’t a stranger to hemp, and wear clothes made from the fiber.
5. Your home is entirely eco-friendly
   Your home is equipped with all kinds of eco-friendly upgrades, like Energy Star approved appliances and light bulbs, low-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads and perhaps solar panels. You use your air conditioner and heater sparingly, and they’ve never been on full-blast. You ensure that your home doesn’t waste any energy, and its CO2 footprint is infant-sized.
6. Your trash can has never once held a glass, carbon, plastic or aluminum item
   You have four independent bins stationed in your kitchen, and each one holds nothing more than its designated material – glass, carbon, plastic or aluminum. You are 100 percent consistent when it comes to recycling items made from these materials, so absolutely no exceptions are made when guests are over. All of your friends know that when they’re in your home, they better put their waste in the appropriate bins- or else.
7. You recycle for other people
   You’ve encouraged your friends and family to recycle, and have even gone so far as to separate the trash in their trash cans and set up home recycling stations in their homes. When out and about, you stop to pick up recyclable materials in the street, and become incensed when people aren’t properly utilizing public recycling bins.
8. You own a hybrid vehicle (if you own a vehicle)
   If you own a vehicle, you own a hybrid vehicle. And it might be adorned with a variety of bumper stickers that advertise your tree-hugger-ish personal beliefs. The rear of your car tells people to “Think Green” and “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” It advertises your affiliation with the Green Party and the Sierra Club. In short, you fit the stereotype of hybrid drivers.
9. You shun energy hogs
   From SUV drivers to friends who run their air conditioners on full-blast, you can’t help but shun the energy hogs who seem to have little regard for the environment. Perhaps you’ve even lost friends or made enemies because of such lifestyle differences. You just can’t fathom their ignorance pertaining to such an important issue.
10. Earth Day is your favorite holiday
    You celebrate Earth Day to the fullest by spending the day planting trees – which reduces greenhouse gas emissions, of course – picking up litter, constructing birdhouses, teaching other people about the environment and possibly attending Earth Day fairs. It-s the perfect time to espouse your ideology, spreading the message of environmental responsibility and protection – things tree-huggers care about.

Are you looking for a cool way to get around, yet you want to be unique? Well here are 35 bicycles that will help you fill that need. These bikes range in all sizes, shapes, and forms, for everything from riding on the street to cruising down the beach.

1.
Now this is a cool way to get your rowing exercise
done while cruising around town.
—

2.
Although this looks like something off a farm
from the 30’s, I bet its fun for the family
or friends to ride around in.
—

3.
Hey sometimes you just want to be
confortable when you ride up to the store.
—

4.
Here’s an interesting way to get
attention while riding around.
—

5.
Well that’s one way to put those boots to work.
I wonder if you built this these days with
Nike Air Jordans, would you float away?
—

6.
This one is very cool, but I have
to wornder about the steering control.
—

7.
No problem steering this one,
with that school bus steering wheel.
—

8.
Hey some people just like to show
their Olympic support.
—

9.
Now that’s actually a cool idea,
you can put the kids or groceries in there.
—

10.
For those that like a little bling
on their bicycles.
—

11.
This is really cool, as you are riding along
just hit your front brake and go for a roll.
—

12.
I can’t tell if she peddles with both her feet
and her hands, or just steers with her hands.
But she does have some serious brake disk on this thing.
—

13.
Now all he needs is to put a
playing card in each wheel.
—

14.
I’m not sure how you peddle this one,
it looks like you have to do crunches
to get it going.
—

15.
Riding high is cool but,
it may be hard to ride down
the streen in this one.
—

16.
Now I really like this one,
it has that morotcycle look.
—

17.
This is a cool bike for couples,
however I have to wonder which
one gets on first.
—

18.
Now that’s sweet. I wonder how fast
he can get it going.
—

19.
I’ve seen several versions of these, they
are made to crusie around town, mostly for
tourist. One steers and 7 peddle.
—

20.
I guess starting and stopping,
are the hardest thing to do on this one.
—

21.
This one is cool, but I do wonder
why they dropped the peddles down instead
of leaving them on the top part. Seems
like it would make for a long reach.
—

22.
Who say’s you can’t turn a bike into
a all terain vehicle?
—

23.
This one is for those who have
to use the restroom frequently.
—

24.
Now this looks fun, but I hope its
not connected in a full circle, otherwise
that would get old quick.
—

25.
Now is it better to see where you
are going, or where you have been?
—

26.
Here’s another one where those
tight turns may be a problem.
—

27.
This one is great if you are riding
up to save someone from that
second story window.
—

28.
Now this one is cool, made for
riding up and down the beach.
The wide tires keeps it from
sinking in the sand.
—

29.
Now that one looks pretty
easy to get on and off of.
—

30.
Now that’s going Green, build
one out of natural materials.
—

31.
This looks like fun, but
I bet those tires are hard
to get going.
—

32.
This one is great of fixing small
pot holes or packing the ground
getting ready to lay sod.
—

33.
I like these chopper bikes,
but it bet the turning radius
is not that good.
—

34.
Do you think they will let
you ride it through the store
to get your groceries?
—

35.
I wonder if this is eaiser or harder
to ride than a unicycle.
—

Living Green is not just something people do, it’s a way people live. Living Green is the understanding that Earth has a limited amount of resources and we only have one Earth, so we have to take care of it, keep it clean and protect the environment we live in. Otherwise there won’t be much of a life for our children and their children. Here are 50 sites that will help you Live Green. If we all do a small part, it will add up very quick.

1.  Going Green – This site is all about going green. With post from how living green can save you money to what does living green mean, this site has a ton of information.

2.  Skippy’s Vegetable Garden – Brought to you by Kathy and her dog Skippy, this site is a journal of a small home garden. Follow along with Kathy and Skippy as they work in and out of their garden each year.

3.  The Constant Gardener – This is another site about a small garden by someone who is married with a child, journaling the process of living with a family while maintaining a garden.

4.  City Happy – The diary of our struggle to live a green and fair life. Although this site may not have many new post moving forward, it has a wealth of information that is still very good to read through.

5.  Eco-Chick – This site it all about fashion and makeup while staying green, thinking about the environment since as they point out “Mother Earth is a Woman”.

6.  Eco-Living – Eco-living is the art of living your dreams while minimising your impact on the environment. Topics will include waste, energy, recycling, green building, transport, food, product reviews, book reviews and anything else to help readers live within ecological limits.

7.  Eco Village Green – Joe Barrios uses this site to share his knowledge and experiences in everything around living green. He hopes that through reading his site, he will be able to help others to start thinking about the environment.

8.  Empress of Dirt – In this site Melissa talks about her quest for a simple, frugal, creative, and healthy life on a tiny urban homestead.

9.  Every Small Thing – This person is trying to notice one small thing every day that she can do about global warming, and to blog about it almost every day in hopes that it will add up to something by the end of one year.

10.  Good To Be Green – This is a green site dedicated to Eco-Friendly Living and the exchange of ideas on how to better take care of planet earth and the universe.

11.  WhatItCost – Is an online leader in providing information on the costs associated with a wide variety of services and concepts. Whether you want to know the price range of practical activities — such as removing a tree stump from your yard, having your teeth whitened or joining a gym – or are interested in our more unusual articles – such as the cost of climbing the Seven Summits, being cryogenically frozen or cleaning up a murder scene – you will find all this and more on our website.

12.  Alltop – This site has articles on anything and everything you ever wanted to know about living green. From politics to gardening, if you have a question, it’s here.

13.  The Fun Times Guide – This site is all about how to live green, where to start, what to do, etc., while keeping it fun, simple, and interesting.

14.  Jen’s Green Journal – In this blog Jenni writes about local and national politics from an independent-left point of view. she’s also exploring ways to live with less impact on the planet and trying new ways to be an involved and active citizen.

15.  Green LA Girl – Siel is an environmental writer and activist, and green LA girl is her personal blog about eco-friendly, sustainable living in Los Angeles.

16.  Leslie Land – In this blog, Leslie talks about everything from food to design and much more. With decades of writing about gardens, she knows what she is talking about.

17.  Gaiam Life – This site is a gathering place to communicate our values and to provide people with a gathering place to share thoughts, ideas and feelings about the world we live in and our relationship with it. We hope that our microcosm of the world community is a nurturing, supportive, positive destination for people seeking health, wellness and sustainable living.

18.  Living Green, Living Well – This blog is about the things we CAN do. Intentional green practices can help us all live more in alignment with what’s good for the air we all breathe, the land we call home and the water we all drink. We become what we practice.

19.  No Impact Man – A blog by Colin Beavan about what each of us can do to end our environmental crisis, make a better place to live for ourselves and everyone else, and hopefully come up with a happier way of life along the way.

20.  Pool To Pond – Through this site Marshlady talks about everything we can and need to do to help keep Earth healthy and clean. The point of MarshLand, USA is to be a teaching instrument for the community.

21.  Save The Ribble – A blog dedicated to preserving the beauty of the River Ribble, and opposing the Riverworks ‘vision’ to build a barrage on our River and develop on our riverbanks, floodplains and green spaces, causing damage to wildlife and the environment and increasing the risk of flooding to our homes.

22.  Sustainablog – This site is an ECO Comparison Shopping Engine, where you can look at all sorts of products that will not only help you live a green lifestyle but the products themselves are “green”.

23.  That Green Blog – Their mission is to reduce environmental degradation and improve quality of life by fostering new consumption patterns and promoting sustainable lifestyles.

24.  The Go Green Blog – The Go Green Blog is a great place to find information and facts about the environment. You can also learn easy tips & tricks, as well as find some awesome eco-friendly products to incorporate into your everyday routine to make your lifestyle a Green one.

25.  The Green Bean – This site is about everything Green, from fashion to health, if you want to know about it, this site has it.

26.  The Bride Wore Green – As a bride-to-be, Samantha wants to have the perfect wedding – and one with a low impact on the environment. Follow her as she details how they are greening their nuptials.

27.  Bags On The Run – Through this site you can purchase a variety of “Green” bags for use when shopping.

28.  Chelsea Green – For over 26 years, Chelsea Green has been the publishing leader for books on the politics and practice of sustainable living. In this site you can read about the books as well as purchase them.

29.  EcoGeek – EcoGeek was conceived and founded (and is run and edited) by Hank Green. Hank spends most of his time thinking about how our brains can save our planet and has, in the last few years, become something of an expert on the subject. He appears regularly on Planet Green’s nightly news show “G Word,” and has written on the subject for a variety of print and online magazines.

30.  EcoStreet – At EcoStreet we’ve tried the green lifestyle, and we’re eager to pass on what we know. Going green doesn’t have to be complicated, so we’ve dismantled it into smaller pieces to make it more accessible to regular people.

31.  Environmental News Network – ENN is the leader in environmental news. If you want to know what’s going, from life to laws, you will find it in this site.

32.  Enviroblog – This site offers smart discussion of the latest science and news on toxins in your food, water, and air, and what government agencies should be doing to protect public health.

33.  Green Living – Green Living is a blog branch from NiceHomeLive.com. Green Living Home by living green and using green products. Help our earth from Global Warming and preserve the environment.

34.  Green Living Project – This sites mission is to educate and inspire individuals and communities to live a more sustainable lifestyle through stories focused on unique and diverse examples of sustainability from around the world.

35.  Green Living Tips – This site offers Earth friendly advice for going green. Reducing costs, consumption & impact on the environment!

36.  Greenopia – Greenopia is your local guide to green living. Their mission is a basic and big one: They set out to create a directory of eco-friendly retailers, services, and organizations and conducted extensive research on those they listed in the guide.

37.  Green Talk – The mission of this site is to connect those who made the large leaps and to those who still need a helping hand or those somewhere in between. Many of the posts on this site will be generated by my own personal experiences whether I am looking for an eco friendly material or someone stopped me to ask me a green question.

38.  GreenYour – This site was started by a group of environmental experts, writers and researchers who felt the need for an online resource that people could turn to for answers on how to “green” anything.

39.  Groovy Green – Groovy Green was started as a way to organize the large amounts of information swirling about the little town of Ithaca, NY concerning renewable energy and sustainable living. It has since branched out to cover national and international news, products, and the people fighting to make a difference in promoting sustainability.

40.  Live Green – Live Green makes eco-friendly living and business practices easier and more affordable in DC, Chicago and beyond. We are a membership organization that provides support to green businesses in the local community and secures great discounts on everyday green products and services for consumers.

41.  Max Gladwell – Max Gladwell™ is the nexus of social media, geolocation, and green living. Their mission is to provide coverage and analysis about this compelling mix of technology and humanity from a unique point of view. It is to produce original content and inspire healthy conversation about the challenges we face individually and as a global society. It is to challenge conventional wisdom and offer an alternative to the echo chamber. Max Gladwell is the voice for social media, geolocation, and green living.

42.  Nature Mom’s Blog – In this site you will find the random thoughts and experiences of a mom trying to live a more natural family life, for health and for the planet.

43.  7Gen Blog – The 7Gen blog is the voice of the Seventh Generation Nation, a place where we share thoughts and tips about living green, keeping our families healthy, and social responsibility. We hope to see you here often!

44.  Sustainable Table – Sustainable Table celebrates local sustainable food, educates consumers on food-related issues and works to build community through food. Start with our introduction, or jump right in and get involved!

45.  Sustainablog – Looking for the perfect green gift for a family member? You’ll find what you are looking for and more at sustainablog’s eco shopping guide. You’ll even be able to compare prices on many of the products we feature. And if you’re new to the whole “green” thing, don’t worry: we’ve created a number of resources to help you make informed choices about the environmental benefits of almost any product.

46.  The Compost Pile – This blog is an outlet for all of the interesting news and tidbits Rhodes Yepsen comes across while researching compost and sustainability.

47.  The Daily Green – The Daily Green features daily news, tips, seasonal recipes and community photos. We have a host of bloggers and contributors, and our features cover a variety of topics, including gardening, nutrition and food safety; saving money and energy at home, in the car and everywhere else; the latest research about global warming and the health risks of chemicals and toxic toys; as well as unique topics you’ll find nowhere else (like that architectural marvel, the shipping container home).

48.  TreeHugger – TreeHugger is the leading media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream. Partial to a modern aesthetic, we strive to be a one-stop shop for green news, solutions, and product information. At TreeHugger we know that variety is the spice of life, so you can find all you need to go green in our up to the minute blog, weekly and daily newsletters, weekly video segments, weekly radio show and our user-generated blog, Hugg.

49.  Veggie Gardening Tips – This site features gardening tips, organic techniques, and ornamental plants for growing incredible vegetable, fruit and herb gardens.

50.  WorldChanging – Worldchanging.com is a nonprofit media organization headquartered in Seattle, WA, that comprises a global network of independent journalists, designers and thinkers. They cover the world’s most innovative solutions to the planet’s problems, and inspire readers around the world with stories of new tools, models and ideas for building a bright green future.

After getting back into riding to help in my plan to lose weight, I started looking around for cycling blogs that could help with everything from tips and tricks to just pure inspiration. Here are 55 of those sites that I have found both very useful and entertaining. If you take a look through these site, I’m sure you will find some you have seen before as some you haven’t, but they all have information that everyone on a bike needs.

These sites have been put in order of Google rank.

1.  BicycleTutor.com – Through this site, Alex Ramon, uses his talents to provide written as well as video tutorials on how to work on your bike.

2.  Bike Commute Tips Blog – Paul Dorn, co-author of The Bike to Work Guide: What You Need to Know to Save Gas, Go Green, Get Fit, uses this site to share with you some of the tips and tricks that you will find in his book, as well as new ones that he’s found since writing the book.

3.  BikePortland.org – This site is all about biking in and around Portland Oregon, with tips and tricks to get around as well as events that are going on.

4.  Bike Snob NYC – All about the cycling culture, the good and bad, this site is here to do everything from give reviews, vent about issues, and more.

5.  Girls and Bicycles – Sarah Chan uses this site to help inspire women and some men, to start riding vs. driving, to help not only the environment but the community and yourself as well.

6.  Bike Blog NYC – As a blogger, film maker and purveyor of the bicycle, Michael Green uses this site to share his thoughts and information about bicycling in and around New York City as well as Critical Mass.

7.  BikeRadar.com – This site is full of everything from news, reviews, gear, routes, and a great community forum. If you are looking for information, be sure to check this site out.

8.  This Is Cycle Chic – This site started out as a photoblog, a place to put pictures of girls on bikes, since then it has taken off as one of the top sites promoting fashion while riding. Who says you have to dress bad to ride a bike?

9.  Copenhagenize.com – Each and every day roughly 500,000 citizens choose the bicycle in Greater Copenhagen. This blog highlights who they are, why they do and how it was made possible.

10.  Bike Hugger – This site is all about product reviews, news, the community, events, and the people in and around the culture of bicycling.

11.  Austin on Two Wheels – This site is the online magazine for Austin cycling culture with a vision of covering all aspects of Austin’s cycling community.

12.  Bicycle Design – Since 2005, this blog has been the place for discussion of design in the bicycle industry. All types of bicycles (and other human powered machines) are covered here, from the latest high-end road and mountain bikes to transportation oriented bikes and unique utilitarian designs.

13.  Bike Skirt – This site is just what the name says, it’s all about girls on bikes wearing skirts. Talking about everything from where they ride to tattoo’s.

14.  Commute by Bike – This site is about beginner tips, reviews, and gear that you will need to start commuting by bike to wherever you need to go.

15.  Drunk Cyclist – This site is written by many different contributors and has topics that range from Bicycle Advocacy, Bike Tech, to stuff for sale.

16.  Kent’s Bike Blog – Kent Peterson uses this site to discuss his world of bikes, from fashion to events, you never know what he’s going to talk about.

17.  London Cycle Chic – This site offers tips and advice on how to combine safety, practicality and style to achieve true urban cycle chic.

18.  Riding Pretty – This site is all about bikes and fashion, from fashion shows to bicycle art its here. If you want to look cool, or looking for something to hang on the wall, take a look through this site.

19.  The Bike Show – The Bike Show is a weekly radio show about cycling. It is broadcast in central London on radio art station Resonance 104.4fm.

20.  Velo Vogue – This is another great site all about the bicycle and fashion, bike life and culture.

21.  EcoVelo – This site is the public expression of our personal commitment to reduce our impact on the environment by employing bicycles as our primary mode of transport.

22.  Fat Cyclist – Elden realized that he needed to lose some weight, so he used public humiliation to help. By posting his weight online, as well as info about his rides as he went along, he was able to push himself to lose some weight. Read along and see how he’s doing now.

23.  Velorution – This site not only has a blog about biking in the UK, but they also have a large line of bikes and accessories for sale.

24.  Imagine No Cars – This site is all about alternative transportation and urban design, to move toward a more carfree life.

25.  Bike and The City – This site is all about the bikes and the people that ride them in and around San Francisco.

26.  Bike by the Sea – This site was started to share the passion for sustainable urban design and livable cities. This site has everything from exploring cities on bikes, public health, public art, slow fashion, to inspiring others to cycle.

27.  Cycle & Style – This site takes a broad look at the bicycling world from the unique perspective of women. We aren’t just guys who think they know what women want to hear. We are women who are passionate about cycling: the advocacy issues, the rides, the great bicycles, clothing and gear, and stories about women in cycling.

28.  Cycling Tips – This site if by Wade Wallace, cycling in Australia he uses this site to share his experiences, tips and tricks that he has learned over the years.

29.  Bicycles & Icicles – This site is all about riding bikes in Alaska, how to stay warm, gear, and more.

30.  Bicycle Law – Bob Mionske is an attorney with a law practice that is exclusively focused on representing cyclists, and bicyclelaw.com is the website for his practice. On this site, you will find legal advice for cyclists who have been injured by motorists, unsafe road conditions, or defective cycling products, and what cyclists can do to best protect their rights.

31.  Bike Commuting in Columbus – At Bike Commuting in Columbus, you’re going to get advice, opinions, news, and hopefully some engaging articles about the topic of bike commuting and other forms of alternative transportation such as rail and walking.

32.  Biking Toronto – BikingToronto is a “social” site focused on being positive, constructive and fun to build relationships among people, organizations and businesses who love bicycles in our great city.

33.  Cozy Beehive – As a mechanical engineer, Ron likes to talk all about the bicycle, from the history to personal perspectives, it’s all here.

34.  Dave Moulton’s Blog – An ex-bicycle frame builder’s personal thoughts on bike history, tech, bicycle culture, and often just life in general.

35.  Gwadzilla – Rants on Cycling and on Life photos of people and bicycles that pass in front of my camera.

36.  Trackosaurusrex – This site is all about the bicycling culture, from fashion to the bike itself, with post ranging from fashionosaurusrex to chainring rotor, this site has a wealth of information.

37.  Bike Blogs – This site started out as just a list of a few links to blogs, but quickly grew into a full listing and categorization of a ton of bike blogs. If you are looking for some information this site either has it or has links to it.

38.  RocBike – RocBike.com is a home for utility and recreational cyclists across New York State. If you commute by bike, if you ride with your family on the weekends, if you use your bike for errands or to take the kids to school, you’ve got a home here at RocBike.com.

39.  The Old Bag – This site by Jeanne covers everything from riding nekkid under your bike shorts to photos from the bike. With a wealth of information, this is a site you don’t want to miss.

40.  Stimulus Bike – Whether we ride bikes for commuting, recreation, or exercise we want our infrastructure to support all forms of transportation. Riding a bike is a healthy alternative to driving, while still being a viable means of transportation.

41.  The Path Less Pedaled – This site is about two people who made the decision to drop out of the status quo and find others around the world who have done the same. Paring down their lives to just what will fit on two bicycles, Laura and Russ are embarking on an extended bike tour throughout the US and beyond.

42.  Bike Hacks – This site is all about the bike, keeping it going and safe. With post ranging from keeping your bike locked up and away from thieves to different modifications you can make to make you biking more comfortable.

43.  Bike Commuters – BikeCommuters.com provides news, articles, product reviews, and how to’s of anything that is related to bike commuting. Readers can enjoy an up to date selection of information that will help commuters from the grocery getting person to the guy that has a 60 mile commute.

44.  Podium Café – This site is part of the SB Nation which is the largest and fastest-growing network of fan-centric online sports communities. From the beginning, they have focused on developing the highest quality grassroots sports sites on the web.

45.  Ride-Strong – This is a great blog for cyclists with articles from reviews to stories about accidents, if you want to know, it’s in here.

46.  Danos Modern Life – Dano uses this site to share his world of bike riding, from photos along the ride, to musings about life.

47.  Jerome’s Bikes – This site is brought to you by Jerome, a photographer and bike rider, he uses this site to share some of his adventures.

48.  On Biking – Though Halldor Gunnarsson dabbles in photography and writing, he pays the bills by working in a bike shop. Through this site, he shares some of his photos and musings about his rides.

49.  Bike Trailer Blog – This site is for discussing all things to do with bicycle trailers and related topics such as bicycle commuting and advocacy.

50.  Biking To Live – Bryan started this site to help chronicle his riding while working to lose weight, it has since transformed into an inspiration to other to get out and ride.

51.  Women’s Bike Talk – This site provides a unique forum for women’s cycling issues on the world wide web. Their posts range from race reports and product reviews, to discussions about finding the best cycling products for women and much, much more.

52.  The Life And Times Of Biking Brady – Kevin Brady uses the bicycle as much for everyday activities such as commuting to work, going to the store, going to the recycling center, as he does for pleasure. The less he pays in gas, the better he feels both mentally and physically.

53.  Bike Noob – Ray Niekamp uses this site to share his experiences in the world of biking in hopes that others will be able to gain from his experiences and be inspired.

54.  Let’s Go Ride a Bike – This site is by two ladies who decided to get into bike commuting, slowly replacing all other modes of transportation.

55.  Girl On Bike – This site is about bikes, food, and more. With post from Women and cycling to Getting crafty in the east bay, I’m sure you will find something worth reading.

We hardly ever stop to think about the creatures on this planet that are dying out. There are many reason for a species to die out, from taking over its habitat to general evolution. Here are 20 creatures, some very cute, some pretty ugly, but they are all in danger of losing their existence.

1. Solenodon

The strange solenodon is a mammal found primarily in Cuba and Hispanola. Sure, it looks cute and manageable enough – sort of like an over-sized hedgehog. However the solenodon injects rattlesnake-like venom through its teeth, the only mammal to do so. Easily annoyed, the solenodon bites at the drop of a banana leaf. Still, being both a carrion feeder and insectivore, it is a vital species in its ecosystem. It was thought to be extinct until scientists found a few still alive in 2003.

2. Kakapo

This is not only the rarest, but the strangest parrot in the world. Imagine a rather portly nocturnal bird that never flies, preferring to hike through hilly forest for miles every night. It weighs in as the heaviest parrot in the world at 8 pounds. There are only 62 Kakapos remaining on earth.

3. Angler Fish

The male Angler fish is 1/20th the size of the female angler fish. The huge, traumatizingly ugly spiny fish with the glowing “fishing rod” lure you saw in Finding Nemo? That’s the female. The male is that tiny little blob attached to his horrific goddess that you never noticed. He burrows in with his teeth and she “feeds” him ex-utero style until he eventually loses his eyeballs, then internal organs and finally his life. Anglers are deep-sea fish, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe from threat.

4. The Kiwi

The endangered Kiwi is a flightless bird. As if to make up for its winged impotence, the kiwi is actually a violent, temperamental little bird. But its quirks don’t stop there. The only bird with whiskers is also distinctly dog-like in its ability to sniff out food and threats. In fact, it has the most highly developed sense of smell of any bird, lifting its “nose” (beak) into the breeze to determine its surroundings, just like a dog would. Contrary to popular belief, the kiwi does have wings, but they are tiny and difficult to detect under the loose, fluffy, hair-like feathers.

5. Olm

This unusual amphibian is blind, lives to 100, and goes ten years at a stretch without food. It lives in the subterranean waters of Italy, Croatia and Herzegovenia, where it scares the locals with its strange, human-like skin. Its nickname, in fact, is the “human fish”. Unlike most amphibians, the olm lives in the water for its whole life. Another oddity of the olm: its neotenic (larval) gills.

6. Bumblebee Bat

One of the smallest bats is the Bumblebee bat, which at its largest measures 1 inch. These tiny mammals hover like hummingbirds and like all bats prefer caves and love feasting on insects. They can easily perch on the tip of your thumb. This tiny bat dwells in Thailand and is considered one of the 12 most endangered species. There are fewer than 200 remaining.

7. Aye Aye

Sharing something in common with bats, Aye Ayes are the only primates of the mammal world to rely on echolocation for hunting. The aye aye is a rather unusual cousin of us humans. It lives in spherical nests with a small hole for entry and exit. It uses its long, slender middle finger to tap on trees in order to find tasty insects – and it uses this same finger to scoop them out. Perhaps it is due to its unusually-large eyes and ears that this unique, sensitive primate is believed to be a demon or a bad luck omen.

8. Hooded Seal

Males of this arctic seal species have both an inflatable skull hood and nasal balloon. When aroused, angered or simply showing off, male hooded seals can inflate their sacs that are a foot or more in diameter. The nasal balloon can be inflated through one or both nostrils and is bright red. Unfortunately hooded seals are now considered by many scientists to be endangered.

9. Echidna

The Echidna is one of two egg-laying mammals in the world (the other is the famous duck-billed platypus). Though it looks a big hedgehog-like, this spiky creature is shy and non-confrontational. The echidna has a long, moist snout and an even longer tongue which it uses to feast on termites. It has no teeth, so it has to “chew” termites by crushing them between its tongue and mouth cavity. There are actually 4 species of echidna, and along with the platypus, they are the only monotremes.

10. Monito Del Monte

The “little mountain monkey” of South America is not a monkey, but rather a marsupial, thought to have arrived from Australia long ago. It’s tiny – only about 5″ full grown. They are nocturnal and carnivorous, and famous (well, among scientists) for their unusual tail, which can store enough fat to make this little pipsqueak double in size. This allows them to go for long periods without food.

11. Yellow-Eyed Penguin

The Yellow-Eyed Penguin, native to New Zealand, is the rarest and strangest penguin in the world. It can dive to an astounding depth of 400 feet, likes to feed 20 miles from shore, and prefers to nest in the forest rather than on the beach. Penguin families tend to keep to themselves rather than congregate as most penguins do.

12. Duck-Billed Platypus

It’s venomous, It’s got a duck’s bill, and otter’s feet and a mammal’s body. Oh, and it lays eggs. No wonder Western naturalists were confused by the platypus when it was first introduced. The platypus, along with the echidna, is a monotreme (egg-laying mammal). It’s native to Australia and Tasmania where it was hunted to near-extinction during the 1800s for its fur, but has been protected since the turn of the 20th century.

13. Dugong

The Dugong is a cousin of the manatee and is closely related to the elephant. The dugong is unique in that it has a split (whale-like) tail and will “perch” underwater on its tail in order to keep its head above water. The dugong is thought to have inspired ancient myths about mermaids. The dugong is hunted for its meat, oil, skin and bones. It is extremely endangered.

14. Blobfish

The Blobfish is a fish that lives in the deep waters off the coasts of the Australian mainland and Tasmania. It is sometimes known as a deep sea fish. Due to the inaccessibility of its habitat, it is rarely seen by humans.

15. Hornbill

The Hornbill is a found in tropical and sub-tropical Africa and Asia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly-coloured and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. Hornbills are the only birds in which the first two neck vertebrae are fused together; this probably provides a more stable platform for carrying the bill.

16. Glass Frog

The Glass Frog is endangered, as well. This frog is absolutely stunning, so it would be a shame if we let it die out. Note the visible organs in this beautiful specimen. Unfortunately, with tropical rain forests in Central and South America threatened, the glass frog may go extinct.

17. Chinese Giant Salamander

These giant Salamanders live in wet areas, under houses, etc. The United States is also home to a giant salamander called the Hellbender, and it’s…well, the name fits. However, it is not as endangered as the shockingly strange-looking Chinese cousin. The Chinese giant salamander can grow to be nearly six feet long.

18. Giant Coconut Crab

This is not photoshopped. This is not a hoax. That is a giant crab on a garbage can. They’re native to Guam and other Pacific islands. Coconut Crabs aren’t endangered, per se, but due to tropical habitat destruction they are at risk. These crabs can crack a coconut in one swipe; but they’re generally too slow to be very dangerous to humans.

19. Mexican Walking Fish

The Mexican walking fish, or axolotl, is one of the most bizarre creatures. And there’s a lot more than just its appearance that’s strange, not the least of which is its ability to regrow limbs. The Mexican walking fish isn’t actually a fish, it’s a salamander. They’re also closely related to frogs and other amphibians. They share many of the same characteristics, including a three-chambered heart. Tourists in Mexico City will see the Mexican walking fish’s native habitat–the waterways around the city.

20. Weta

Think of this cute critter as you would a common mouse: not terribly enjoyable to have underfoot, but vital to the ecosystem all the same. The weta is native to New Zealand however it’s non-native species, pest eradication and general ugliness have all contributed to the sad plight of the weta. There are actually over 70 species of weta, with 16 being endangered or at risk. The giant weta was thought to be extinct, but a new population was recently found.

Air pollution has been a worldwide problem for many years now. It is important to breathe in clean air because it can make a huge impact on our overall health. However, it has been a very long time since this world had clean air. With factories polluting the air, unnecessary burning of plastics, and smoking among others, the result has been obvious: bad air quality.

Few cities have the luxury of having clean air; for many, it is an everyday problem. A list below can tell you the top 10 cities that have the worst air quality in the world. Even if your city isn’t included in the list, it is still important to take better care of the environment.

1. Linfen, China. China is becoming famous not only for its quick economic upturn, but also for its ghastly air pollution. With the cities of Beijing and Shanghai trailing behind, Linfen is a much worse city. It is home of the coal industry of China, with both legal and illegal coal mines all around. Sulfur dioxide and other chemicals in the air are in staggering numbers which should be controlled soon.
2. Norilsk, Russia. Because of the city’s production of nickel and other metals, Norilsk has become the worst air polluter in Russia. Copper, nickel, and sulfur oxides are some of the things spewed into the air in disturbing numbers. Because of this, there’s a high mortality rate in children and bigger chances of having respiratory diseases.
3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After taking over Los Angeles’s title to the worst air polluter in US, Pittsburgh has been trying to recover its former glory. Although named as “the most livable city in the US,” Pittsburgh is struggling over the fact that pollutions from Ohio are coming their way. It’s not their fault that the garbage of another’s blows into their city. But the fact remains; it has the highest short-term particle pollution in US.
4. Mexico City, Mexico. Because of its geographical location, Mexico is having a hard time with its air pollution. With three mountains around them and an area high above sea level, Mexico City’s smog gets trapped in clouds and humid air. The Mexico tries to do something about it alright, but with four million people living in the city, it’s hard to get things done. They experience about 300 days of dangerously high ozone levels because of the cars polluting it.
5. Windsor, Canada. Yet again, another city is crying foul over their air quality. Although Windsor accepts that they are a major producer of automobiles, 90% of air pollution comes from the US. The smog coming from Ontario and the Midwest are too much that Windsor has one of the most polluted airs in the world.
6. Milan, Italy. You may not believe it but Milan has big air problems too. The city has the most smog in Europe because of all the cars running around. Small chemical particles are the cause of health worries, which can cause respiratory problems and cancer. Fortunately, Milan is fast becoming successful in dealing with their air problem.
7. La Oroya, Peru. Lead is the major problem in this small city. Although this is a mountain village with a small population, the smelting industries has made this unlivable. Sadly, there are still families living in the area and 99% of the children have large amounts of lead in their bodies. It will take centuries and millions of dollars to lower the lead contamination.
8. Pernik, Bulgaria. This city has the worst air pollution in the entire European Union. Because of the metallurgy plants in the city, the dust is dangerously high. Not only are the factories major contributors of pollution because there are very old and used cars in the city that aren’t being converted in less harmful metals.
9. Cairo, Egypt. Hydrocarbons, lead, and other particles cause this city to become one of the worst in the world. The city’s pollution is similar to Mexico City and LA, made much worse because of the hot weather and lack of rain. The air quality is about 100 times worse than the safe standards.
10. New Delhi, India. Congestion in traffic is the main cause of Delhi’s air pollution. Thousands use cars everyday to do anywhere, and this takes the toll in the city. The air can be seen as dark and cloudy because of the smog. Factories located in the area doesn’t help too.

I collected these facts from several sites across the Internet, I also double-checked each of the facts as there are several different estimates for the consumption of trees by cause. I strongly encourage people to do additional research on the number of trees killed every year around the world.

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It’s a new year and a great time to resolve to reduce your carbon footprint. Check out these Top 10 Green Energy blogs to learn what’s new in green innovations. Discover what the future of green cars looks like. Network with other ‘clean energy’ professionals and learn how you can start a new career.

1. Inhabitat.com – This blog documents amazing new inventions that are really eco friendly. Many current articles are documented on ideas that are being dreamed up all over the world. The fascinating and ingenious inventions are fun to check out as well as inspirational to get everyone to “Go Green”.
2. Greenenergyreporter.com – A truly intriguing blog filled with reports on biofuel, wind energy, geothermal energy, solar energy and more. This blog brings important political happenings to the forefront so that everyone knows what is happening on capital hill and tells you how you can have a voice.
3. Greenenergyforearth.com – An earth conscious blog around since mid 2008 is now going to be a source for videos from many different places. They have taken on the challenge of rounding up important environmental videos from other major sources and providing a “one stop shop” for anyone looking for eco-news
4. Wendmag.com – For those wanting to combine travel and doing something good for the environment this website provides the information and logistics to make that happen. This blog provides a great forum for activists wanting to discuss current green energy topics.
5. Greenenergymarket.org – College students looking to find ‘clean energy’ careers will find this blog a valuable resource. It’s filled with How to’s to create a greener home for yourself, as well as reporting current news related to environmental issues.
6. Mygreeneducation.com – College seniors or people wanting to get into ‘clean energy’ careers need to check out this blog. Find green job boards, networking opportunities, environmental education opportunities and more.
7. Alternative-energy-news.info – To find a font of information check out this site. The articles are varied and include nanotechnology, converting carbon dioxide into liquid fuel using bacteria, and the latest ‘climate-friendly’ childcare center in Denmark.
8. Greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com – This news based blog reads like the New York Times so if you like that, you’ll love this blog. News articles report on research being done to check up on energy star claims.
9. Green.autoblog.com – If you love cars you will love this blog. Find out all about the new green cars being invented and how they compare to others already on the market. Also read stories about modifications being done to boost gas mileage.
10. Consciousconsuming.blogspot.com – Read tips on small things you can do every day to reduce your carbon footprint. Find out if organic food is all it’s cracked up to be. Learn how you can grow your own food pesticide free and in your own back yard.

Gardening has become one of the staples of owning a home that seemed poised to diminish in recent years with the advent of women in professional careers, but has in fact made a comeback due to the rise in eco-friendly living and food prices.  Many housewives now have begun to devote their time to creating organic gardens, even compost heaps, in an effort to better the nutrition of their family.  The economy has additionally helped in developing more gardens around the nation, as people are trying to save money on the rising cost of groceries through opting for home-grown methods.

Many Americans have additionally recognized the health benefits as well as the cost benefits in growing vegetables from home.  This easy endeavor was a thing of the past until the economy and green movement have rekindled a new generation of gardeners.  The amount of money a garden saves you monthly can be a noticeable change on many of your expenses, as most vegetables cost merely pennies to make.  Picking out what you want to grow is half the fun in creating your own garden, as well as realizing that you are in charge of every aspect of the vegetable’s growth.  You are in charge of nurturing it, as well as ensuring it reaches a certain stage before picking it.

There is a certain joy that comes with creating your own garden in your own backyard that is unparalleled.  Flower gardens are no longer what women strive to maintain, but have instead been replaced by organic vegetables and other natural types of food.  The popularity of gardening has grown so much that many herb seeds and plant sales have risen up 40 percent from last year, indicating a new boom in business.  This new generation of gardeners has not only revisited an older pastime, but also has been heavily involved in green measures that are helping to preserve the environment.  Health and food safety have become big issues for many eco-friendly moms who have opted to try their hand at gardening as a healthy alternative.  This way, they are aware of every chemical that is going into their children’s stomachs, rather than relying on the safety of commercial grocery stores.  While the rise in food prices is the major reasoning for the influx of gardens, the ability to revisit an age old tradition which older generations participated in, is a different experience altogether.

Gardening is a difficult task to undertake, and many first-timers have to be properly educated as to the amount of labor that can go into maintaining an effective vegetable garden.  With the recent rise in seed sales, more gardening stores have been forced to give lessons to many of these new gardeners, though they see this as a blessing in disguise since their sales have tripled in recent months.  Gardening has become a new fad across the country that has served to recreate a simpler time in our nation’s history.