Tricks of the Trade, by MSNBC
Perfect timing! Our online and last meeting discussions on trading products and services were very supportive and practically everyone is interested in considering the idea for their own needs. I really liked this video as it showed how beneficial it can be for small businesses during these tough times.

10 Ways to Get Green Tax Breaks, by Planet Green
Most of these I knew about, but this list is easy to understand. What tax breaks have you filed for in the past? Any you are going to file for this year?

Energy-saving Ideas – Wacky or Wise?, by WhatTheyThink
We talked briefly at a previous Sisters meeting about if anyone was able to take advantage of a four day work week, but it didn’t sound like many could or had asked yet. Maybe if you take the chance to ask and form it as a win-win for both parties, it could really save you and your business time and money. Have you asked for it at your work yet?

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Daily Sustainable consists of three daily relevant environmental articles gathered in one place. Just for you. We are now prompting discussions, so please leave your feedback!

G Word Video: Keep it Green Bees, by Planet Green
Some great basic information. Really, these little guys deserve a lot more respect that they get. When you see a bee in your garden or house, do you kill it or set it free?

Silence of the Bees, by Nature on PBS
This was an excellent special I caught back in June. Taking an investigative view by attempting to get to the root of the problem, researches seem to go in circles trying to find what is causing colony collapse. Have you caught it yet? You can watch it here. PLUS a ton of more information from Nature and Nova.

Can a Tiny Microphone Save the Bees — and the Food Supply?, by Wired
From last year, but a quick easy read. I think the Nature video above covers it from this point of gathering information on. Have you heard any more information on the subject? We would love to link to it.

Oh, and maybe you will want to go see The Secret Life of Bees this weekend?

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Daily Sustainable consists of three daily relevant environmental articles gathered in one place. Just for you. We are now prompting discussions, so please leave your feedback!

Chimps: Not Human, But Are They People?, by Wired
An interesting read. If we redefine what the word “human” really is, would we be taking a much stronger action against global warming and the possibility of extinction?

Wildlife Conservation: The Elephant and the Text Message, by SharedIdeas
At least this is decreasing the elephant deaths, but it’s not like the elephants are doing it on purpose. Do we really have a right to live where they had a right to live first?

Databases for the Environment, by EcoGeek
I agree with the writer. They should have made these quite a while ago. But with the companies who are funding these projects, is it really any surprise? What do you think, are they doing it authentically or for their public image?

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Daily Sustainable consists of three daily relevant environmental articles gathered in one place. Just for you. We are now prompting discussions, so please leave your feedback!

Growing lunch, by The Oregonian
Wonderful and inspiring. Doesn’t surprise me coming from our green city to the south, but we need to do it here as well. Does anyone know if their local schools are doing the same?

The Overflowing Box of Veggies, by Slate Magazine
A fellow sister said her CSA also sends along recipes with her boxes of veggies to encourage using everything they get. Do you know of any other good solutions? How have you been handling your excess food, if you have any?

5 Reuses for: Tea Bags, by Planet Green
Maybe a tad off subject, but still relevant. Whether it’s tea or coffee, we should be composting all types of food scraps and not throwing them in the garbage. Just because it’s compostable, doesn’t mean it’s going to benefit by going into a plastic trash bag for years. What do you always make sure to compost?

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Daily Sustainable consists of three daily relevant environmental articles gathered in one place. Just for you. We are now prompting discussions, so please leave your feedback!

Study Says Closing Roads Might Cut Congestion. Huh?, by Autopia from Wired
An interesting read. Have you experienced deciding to go another route only to get caught up in the same backups? Would it be better if we limited some of the routes we take during rush hour?

Largest Solar Cell Printer in the World Opened in Massachusetts, by WhatTheyThink
Can’t wait for these to roll out in full production.

Of Sludge and Salad: Wastewater Greens the World’s Gardens, by Newsweek
A great continuation from yesterday’s shower video, but at a different angle. At what cost do other countries need to put food on the table? On another note, are you doing any water collection at home while you wait for the heated water to get to the faucet? Personally, I have been saving it to water my plants, but as it gets colder, I am trying to find other uses for it. Got any ideas?

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Daily Sustainable consists of three daily relevant environmental articles gathered in one place. Just for you. We are now prompting discussions, so please leave your feedback!

Of course this works in Cali so it may not be too practical here in the northwest, but I think we can all take advice on the biodegradable soaps and short time on the showers. I think it helps to visualize how our soaps affect the environment by imagining them going right into our gardens. Does anyone have anything like this in their backyard or home?

Leading From the Middle: The Power of the Green Champion, by GreenBiz.com
For all of those who have taken on the role of “green leader” in your companies. You are not alone! What steps have you taken with your company?

Shannon Quimby has a quirky way of finding new uses for, well, everything, by The Oregonian
What have been your most successful repurposes or “renew it” projects?

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Daily Sustainable consists of three daily relevant environmental articles gathered in one place. Just for you. We are now prompting discussions, so please leave your feedback!

Earth From Above
A upcoming photography exhibit by Yann Arthus-Bertrand showing in New York from May through June of 2009. Just amazing photos and can’t wait to see more. For some reason, this helps me get a bit more global in perspective. While at this site, please check out the other projects they are involved in with the French TV series and their upcoming film (see below). Certainly worth your time. Have any images you found opened your eyes?

Home
Movie by the same photographer, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, above. Please check out the trailer under Videos.

Reflections, by Seattle Tall Poppy
I most agree with the last lines of this post. We should focus on the happiness, kinship and kindness we bring each other instead of something we can purchase in a box. What do you think?

No Words, by Tea & Cookies
Written about six months ago, there are some of the same themes coming up and I feel the same about getting up and out of my little box that I live in and taking a good look around me. What can I do? What can we do?

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Daily Sustainable consists of three daily relevant environmental articles gathered in one place. Just for you. We are now prompting discussions, so please leave your feedback!

I apologize to all in advance, but I will make it up to you tomorrow! These are so important, I must to a “business edition” of daily sustainable today.

Starting a Business in a Downturn, by BusinessWeek Small Biz
These are all so important to focus on right now. And this related post was a great recommendation too. Keep your head up and we will all get through this together!

How the Economic Crisis Will Help Clean Tech, by EcoGeek
These ideas were in the back of my mind when I wrote this yesterday. What do you think?

Bailout Bill Is Rife With Tasty Green Pork, Wired Science
Ok, I promise that this is the last of the heavy, business/economic posts for a while, but we have to be informed. What would you like to hear more of?

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Daily Sustainable consists of three daily relevant environmental articles gathered in one place. Just for you. We are now prompting discussions, so please leave your feedback!

From “Rock Music” to “Rock Paper,” by WhatTheyThink
Some great alternatives papers here. Has anyone used any of these? What are your favorite papers? I use Gray’s Harbor 100% post-consumer recycled paper for my office and I don’t print much, but would definitely try others.

Grande Americano, Extra Green, by The Slate
Which is better, a styrofoam cup or a reusable mug? I think we can figure this one out, but I liked the reasonings for going reusable if you want to prompt others to do the same.

At long last, the giants — Pottery Barn, anyone? — pledge to cut back on catalogs, by PDX Green
I have been using Green Dimes for the last 9 months and it’s been great. Still fighting some local generic “Resident” junk mail, but overall it’s been cut down by two-thirds. Almost all of my bills are online instead of coming through the mail as well. You should also check out DoNotMail.org which is just like the Do Not Call Registry, but for junk mail.

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Daily Sustainable consists of three daily relevant environmental articles gathered in one place. Just for you. We are now prompting discussions, so please leave your feedback!

Look out, Oregon, for a global warming land rush, by Eric Mortenson, The Oregonian
Is Seattle prepared? Where would we go if we had to move?

Greening Your Business – A Hands-On Guide, by WhatTheyThink
I will have to check this book out, but I don’t find the spreadsheet type ones very inspiring. Give me something more creative, encouraging and thoughtful any day.

Algae fueling the green revolution, by Lisa Stiffler, Seattle PI
IMHO, I still think we will have to depend on a variety of different fuel sources, but this looks promising. Which alternative energy are you dying to try?

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Daily Sustainable consists of three daily relevant environmental articles gathered in one place. Just for you. We are now prompting discussions, so please leave your feedback!