The Green movement has been around for some time, so why is it that some of us are just starting to hear about it? Or better yet, pay attention to "Green".
The media does their best to pick up on the "HOT" issues and with some big names backing the green movement, we've actually been hearing a lot more about these issues; global warming and why it's necessary to protect the environment. 
Some of the major backers of the Green Movement include: Al Gore, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Obviously, some big names that we all know, that are using their credentials to promote a better environment. Al Gore's Documentary - An Inconvenient Truth can be viewed via video at http://www.climatecrisis.net. Leonardo DiCaprio's Movie - The 11th Hour is scheduled to come out December 2007. You can view more information about this movie at http://www.leonardodicaprio.org/. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has made energy efficiency and protecting the environment one of his top priorities. You just need to visit his website at http://gov.ca.gov/issue to see his passion with this cause. CNN wrote on this in April, their article was titled, "Schwarzenegger pumps up green movement". You can view at the following link: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/12/arnold.green/index.html
Green Building Standards are Growing 
Organizations such as the National Association of Home Builders and the U.S. Green Building Council are avocating this way of building and are aiding the movement as well. Many more organizations exist that are part of this movement. One of them is LEED for Homes which rolled out in November 2007. LEED has been the certification system for the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) for commercial buildings and now is developing a certification program that will be tailor-made to homes. I'm one of the members for the West Michigan LEED Chapter... so feel free to contact me if you need any more information.
Discovery Channel to Start Focusing on the Green Movement
Not only do you have well-known people supporting this movement, TV programs and documentaries are trying to be part of the buzz as well. As reported by the New York Times on April 5, 2007, Discovery had plans to start a "24-hour channel focused on eco-friendly living, as part of a push into the rising environmental movement." (Siklos, nytimes.com).
PlanetGreen is the biggest effort that will tap into the green movement.
It would be kind of hypocritical not to follow the pattern of what "Green" people stand for and part of the movement for the company they have the following goals:
- To become carbon neutral
- To hold PlanetGreen Innovation Conference gathering "business leaders, scientists, and conservation experts". (Siklos).
- Create a companywide green initiative for their core business
- New channel would "specifically promote an environmentally friendly lifestyle." (Siklos).
Rising Energy Costs 
I'm not going to bore you with the specifics, but provide you with the links to view what is being said about rising energy costs: http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/22553.wss, http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html
Websites like: Ecobroker.com, Low Impact Living
These websites are fabulous and talk in general terms. A very good place to start. You really need to check out the Understand your impacts section located at: http://www.lowimpactliving.com/pages/your-impacts/your-impacts.
References: CNN.com. Schwarzenegger pumps up green movement. http://www.cnn.worldnews.com
Siklos, Richard. April 5, 2007. The New York Times. "Discovery to Start Channel Focusing on Green Movement." http://www.nytimes.com
Stay tuned for...Even Shrek is GREEN!
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