Since the advent of the hybrid, more and more companies are offering their versions as well as electric, biodiesel, and natural gas  cars. This year was no different. The big news was that VW announced they will be making an electric Beetle! This is exciting news for VW lovers, as the Beetle is a very popular model. Unfortunately, the introduction was just a concept and they won’t be out until 2013 or later.

But the good news is there are some exciting cars on the market! For instance, Ford is producing a Focus completely electric. Also, making an appearance was a natural gas powered Honda Civic, a newly improved Toyota Prius, a plug in electric Mitsubishi, and a diesel (which can run on bio diesel) VW Passat . The later which one the 2012 Motor Trend of the Year Award.

All five of these models make up the Top 5 Finalists for Greenest Car of the Year. The 2011 reward went to none other than the Chevy Volt. All these new technologies and greener cars is very encouraging, however it is important to remember they are not a perfect solution to the energy crisis. They are one step closer to cleaner travel. Either way, we are excited that there are greener options out there, than just plain old gasoline car. It is also great to see  more and more manufacturers produce green models.

Now, which one drives better? And which one is truly greener? That we will have to save for another post, perhaps when we have the chance to test drive a few models!

Organic Black Bean Soup

Prep Time: 10 Minutes    Cook Time: 30-50 Minutes

Dollop of Vegan Organic Sour Cream (optional)

Soak black beans overnight if you are using dried bean, but canned will work. Dice the carrots, onions, celery, and garlic. Place the beans, vegetable stock, and water in a large pot. Bring this mixture to a boil until beans are nice and soft. Add in the salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, chili powder, and cayenne or paprika. Mix this up and turn the heat down to medium. Add in the onion, carrots, and celery and simmer for about twenty minutes or until vegetables are tender. Garnish with chopped green onion and cilantro. Add a dollop of organic vegan sour cream for an extra treat and serve!

Companies who will be classified as “Benefit Corporations” will be held accountable for how their business impact the environment, their workers, and their community. They will be required to publicly publish environmental and social performance which will be monitored by third parties. Basically, this is going to provide a new frontier of transparency for the consumer and a new era of corporate responsibility. The New York law was largely written and sponsored by B-Corp, which has spearheaded the idea of the benefit corporation for a while now. Their co-founder, Andrew Kassay, urged the importance of this law taking effect, “The benefit corporation bill will unlock billions of dollars in impact investment capital and enable entrepreneurs across [NY] to start businesses that solve some of society’s greatest challenges.”

The real question is, will corporations and businesses make this move? Will they want to become a Benefit Corp? It seems likely, especially in the wake of California’s inauguration of the bill. Classification of Benefit Corporation began on January 3rd, 2012, with twelve eager companies ready to sign up! The first and possibly the largest to sign up was the clothing company, Patagonia, which has long lead the way in environmental outdoor clothing. They had championed the bill and wanted to show their support by being the first company to file in 2012. Founder and CEO, Yvon Chouinard, released a statement about the historic day: ”Patagonia is trying to build a company that could last 100 years. Benefit corporation legislation creates the legal framework to enable mission-driven companies like Patagonia to stay mission-driven through succession, capital raises, and even changes in ownership.“ Some other companies who signed up this year were Give Something Back Office Supplies, Green Retirement Plans, and Thinkshift Communication to name a few.

Major corporations such as Patagonia and smaller green/socially conscious businesses signing up means good news for the consumer and new Benefit Corporation classification. This could also mean good news for states like NY and CA who adopt this legislation. With the economy causing businesses to flee these states due to high taxes, bureaucracy, and expensive property, this could be a useful for drawing in new business or keeping other socially conscious businesses in state.

A new way of business has begun and we are happy to see it happen. Even better news, in both NY and CA, the bills were able to pass without much object. This means the political and social climate is accepting of transparent business tactics and changes like these could take hold in other states. Now if only more states could come on board, Benefit corporations could flourish in our nation. 

Worst Environmental Events of 2011: 

1) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster. By far the worst environmental event to occur in 2011. Following an 8.9 earthquake off the coast of Japan and the subsequent disastrous tsunami, the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant exploded and continued to meltdown. This was the single worse nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The event, which happened only months after Obama spoke of “clean nuclear power” in his State of the Union address, triggered countries throughout the world to review their own nuclear plants. It even sparked Germany end their nuclear programs. The radiation spread through Japan and was even picked up in Hawaii and California. It will be decades before we know the real impact of this disaster on our environment, our bodies, and the way we view nuclear energy.

2) Drought in East Africa:  Due to weather patterns and government issues, the people of the Horn of Africa suffered a severe drought in the Summer of 2011. Millions of people in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia were literally facing starvation. Refugee camps surged with hundreds of thousands and tens of thousands of children starved to death. The drought and it’s effects continue on for these countries. With little resources, humanitarian aid is still needed to combat these issues.

3) Fracking: Both the US Geological Society and a British Fracking Firm published studies stating that fracking does indeed cause earthquakes. Many earthquakes experienced in places such as Oklahoma and Ohio were shown to be directly connected to fracking, or hydraulic fracturing of the Earth to extract natural gases and petroleum. Not only was it proven to create earthquakes, but the EPA acknowledged the process has leaked toxins into Wyoming drinking water as well are re-issued a report from the 1980′s showing water contamination in West Virginia. Despite these studies, fracking continues to occur in the US as well as abroad. We are hoping these reports change our perspective on the practice in 2012.

4) More Oil Spills: Even though no oil spill on the magnitude of 2010′s Deepwater Horizon  occurred during 2011, last year still brought too many spills for our standards. In fact there was a smaller oil sick in the Gulf caused by a Shell pipeline, causing more damage to the barely recovered region. New Zealand and China also experienced decent sized oil spills, including one in China that was hidden from the media for almost a month. And just to add insult to injury, the villain of Deepwater Horizon, BP, experienced another spill. This time the victims were the arctic tundra as the Alaskan pipeline began to leak.  It will take decades to understand the effects of these oil spills and continues to raise eyebrows on our dependency on oil. Hopefully, these spills will fuel, pun intended, the alternative energy field.

5) Politicians Being, Well, Politicians: It’s no surprise that Washington is dragging their feet on real environmental policy. Well, technically it is a bit of a surprise that Obama, who ran on an environmental and clean energy bill is, but that’s besides the point. Our politicians are busy making deals with fat cats and oil executives and ignoring any real chance at making a difference. Here are just a few of 2011′s let-downs. Obama failed to tighten smog limits, even though we know carbon levels are rising. He has even been quiet on the Keystone Pipeline, with many analysts expecting him to approve it. Meanwhile, the Republicans continue to push for fewer environmental regulations. And with the 2012 elections fast approaching, candidates will do anything to please voters. Republican candidates have all vocalized their disgust with the EPA, with some promising to close its doors and end environmental regulation all together. No one knows how the election will turn out, but let’s hope for our Earth’s sake, the politicians wake up and stop worrying about getting re-elected for a change.

Organic Lemon Rose Bellini

You have many sources for organic champagne including Brut Nature Champagne and Proseccos. Check out this handy organic champagne guide for more choices. For Fair Trade vodka, we suggest you look for FAIR, made from Fair Trade certified quinoa. You should be able to find organic raspberries at your local farmer’s market, natural foods store, or grocery store. These locations should also carry organic lemon sorbet. We suggest using Natural Choice Foods Organic Lemon Sorbet. Now to make the drink…

In a cocktail shaker, add the vodka and sorbet. Shake these ingredients thoroughly and then add in the champagne. Stir, do not shake after adding champagne. Strain into a champagne flute and top with raspberries. Repeat for each drink served.

Eco-friendly Starter Kit: You’re low on time, but you want to get your loved one a gift that introduces them to using eco-friendly products. This should be a pretty fast and easy gift to put together. You can run down to your local store, Whole Foods, or even Supermarket, grab a bucket or basket and purchase some eco cleaning such as soaps, detergent, recyclable paper towels, shampoo etc. You may even be able to snag a helpful tip book at your local co-op or Whole Foods.

Travel Mugs: Disposable coffee cups are terrible for the environment, yet super convenient, as many people still use them. However, for the coffee, tea, or cocoa lovers on your list, get them a responsibly made travel mug. You should be able to find some at any store or cafe. Just be sure not to purchase any that are made of plastic. For a better treat, add some coffee or tea to their gift!

Organic Goodie Basket: Places like Whole Foods and supermarkets are open late and are chock full of organic goodies. Grab a basket and fill it with all sorts of organic items. You can do a fruit and nut basket, add some organic chocolate and crackers. Better yet, if you happen to have a Farmer’s Market in the next couple of days, purchase some fruit from local farms or some gift items like organic kettle corn.

Eco Bath Set: Another easy and quick gift for your loved ones that love to pamper themselves. You can find many eco friendly bath goodies, such as fancy soaps, bath salts, natural sponges, and of course bubble bath. Just go to the natural foods section or bath products section of most stores. Of course if you are going to a local natural foods store or even Whole Foods, you’ll likely only find eco bath items!

Organic & Local Wine, Beer, & Spirits: Most people appreciate a nice bottle of wine, a frosty bottle of beer, or a warm spirit to enjoy on Christmas Eve or day. An easy eco fix is to purchase organic versions. You have a ton of options in the wine department, as there are many wineries going organic or at least using organic grapes. Here is a small list of organic wines, but you should be able to locate many others at your local store, just be sure to read the label.  For beer, we recommend you go with your local micro-breweries, but there are also great organic beer companies such as Bison Brewery or Peak Organics.  Spirits may be a little harder to find a few days before Christmas, however, you may be able to find some of the larger organic vodkas and rums at a large liquor store. Look for Square One Vodka, Greenbar Collective, Rain Vodka, and Crusoe Rum. These gifts will definitely add a little kick to the holiday spirit!

Organic Homemade Sweets: When you just can’t think of anything to buy, make some gifts of your own, just be sure to get all organic ingredients! Many of your favorite holiday recipes can be made organic and even vegan! Everything from the cocoa to the sugar can be purchased organic and in bulk(that way you cut down on waste).  Try out some of our great organic and vegan holiday recipes or try one of your own.

Gift Cards: When in doubt, you can always purchase a gift card to an eco-friendly store or restaurant. There are plenty online stores, that you can just print or email your gift card. This gives you up until Christmas morning to purchase a gift! Try Autonomie Project, eco clothing & footwear, Greenheart, fair trade & eco gifts, and even Pangea Vegan Shop. Also, check out Pristine Planet for a whole host of eco gift cards.  If you have a local green or organic restaurant, consider stopping in and purchasing a gift certificate. For a list of Green Certified restaurants check here.

Donation Gifts: Another easy and quick online purchase, is to make a donation in your loved ones name. You can do everything from planting a tree to giving school supplies. You can even sponsor a rescued animal or adopt an endangered species. See our guide to Gifts that Keep on Giving for a great list of different donation options.

Vegan Jelly Donuts (Sufganiyot)

Chocolates: This is probably the most readily available fair trade gift, even major supermarkets carry some fair trade chocolate. You can go for the big bars made by companies such as Alter Eco or Equal Exchange, or you can go the gourmet route such as Sjaak’s, who offer everything from peanut butter cups to truffles. Or better yet, how about some fair trade fudge, some of it’s even vegan friendly!

Mints: That’s right fair trade isn’t just for chocolate anymore! You can actually find fair trade mints Vermints.  These organic Canadian mints are made with  fair trade coffee, tea, and chocolate in their flavoring. Keep your breathe socially conscious and minty fresh!

Homemade Goodies: If you can’t quite find what you are looking for in the sweets department, make your favorite recipe using fair trade ingredients! Some great ideas are Fair Trade Banana Bread made with fair trade bananas and sugar, or how about Fair Trade Chocolate Chip Cookies made with fair trade chocolate chips and sugar. Check out the Fairtrade Foundation’s recipe recommendations for great ideas.

Jewelry:  Another great fair trade item is jewelry. And as you know, you can never go wrong there. You can find anything from earrings to necklaces, and even rings. We love these Daphne bracelets made by displaces women in Uganda. Also, the bike enthusiast in us adores these recycled bike chain bracelets from Ten Thousand Villages. You can find a whole host of great stocking stuffers in beautiful jewelry from at Ten Thousand Villages and other fair trade shops.

Ornaments: Give them something to hang on the tree for next year. Flavours For Life has a wide variety of fair trade ornaments, including our favorite, the holiday gift bag that states “Shop Fair Trade.” Nothing like spreading a little fair trade message! Pristine Planet and Ten Thousand Villages also have great holiday ornaments.

Little Toys: For those youngsters on your list, go for the fun stuff! There isn’t a huge selection of fair trade toys and you aren’t going to find any fair trade legos any time soon (maybe!) but you can find a few sweet fair trade toys. Try Down to Earth Toys such as these cute veggie stuffed animals. For those musically inclined children, we love these wooden egg shakers made in Bali.

Autonomie: Our fair trade store is a one stop shop for great stocking stuffers and we just happen to be having a Holiday Moving Sale which includes some great deals on stocking stuffers. We have our new fair trade earrings and bracelets, made from recycled soda can tabs and bar codes. There are also matching soda can belts! But the best deal of all is our fabulous flip flips, made with FSC Certified sustainable rubber. They are currently on sale for $5.50 (regular $22). Also, if you are shopping for your other needs and spend up to $100 you receive a free stocking stuffer of your choice, including an Autonomie Gift Card.

Gift Card: Which brings us to our last fair trade stocking stuffer idea. The Gift Card. You seriously can’t go wrong here, letting someone pick out their own gift! There are a lot of great places to give an ethical gift card to, including Ten Thousand Villages, Autonomie Project, your local fair trade store, and  Greenheart Shop. For a full list check the Fair Trade Federation.

Organic Spiced Apple Cider

1 Shot Organic Spiced Rum (optional)

In a large pot, warm the cider, lemon juice, orange juice on medium heat. Make sure not to boil the mixture. Add in the cane juice, while constantly stirring. Add all the spices, sans one cinnamon stick into a cheesecloth and tie off. Submerge the mixture into the cider and let simmer for about ten minutes. Meanwhile, peel the orange and lemon for a few pieces of zest. Remove the cheesecloth and set aside. If you are adding rum, put a shot into your mug and mix before garnishing. Garnish each glass with one cinnamon stick and a few zest peels of lemon and orange and serve warm!