Sustainability

Earth Day 2013 events roundup
By Ellie Wilkinson
April 17, 2013 - 11:56am
Cleanups aren't the only way to show your love for the planet on April 22. Check out some of these other local events, and you can celebrate Earth Day all week long.

Earth Day is Monday, April 22, but Central New York has started the party for our planet a week early.

Nearly 5,000 volunteers picked up trash last Friday and Saturday in Onondaga County as part of the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency’s Earth Day cleanup. In those two days, they collected over 8,400 pounds of garbage. Cleanups are planned through this week and into the weekend around the county, if you’re looking to help out.

Sea turtles illustrate the harmful effects of light pollution
By Gwendolyn Craig
March 19, 2013 - 11:53pm
Renowned photographer Jim Richardson used examples from nature to explain how too much light affects all kinds of life.

Jim Richardson has been all over the world.  He’s published photos for over 25 stories in National Geographic and he's taken pictures from Kansas to Scotland.  But Richardson doesn’t flaunt his travels.  Rather, he started off his lecture at Hendrick’s Chapel on Tuesday night by showing us a place we all share, but so often forget — our place among the stars. 

"We live here,” Richardson said, pointing to a photo of a starry night.  “We live in the galaxy up there, the Great Milky Way." 

Valentine's Day green gift guide
By Ellie Wilkinson
February 13, 2013 - 7:26pm
Have an eco-friendly V-Day in Syracuse with our overview of sustainable and organic treats for your sweetheart — or for your sweet self.

Happy Valentine's Day from TheNewsHouse.com Roses are red, violets are blue, and your Valentine’s Day can be green this year with a few smart gift picks.

The Christmas question: Are real or fake trees greener?
By Jingnan Li
December 23, 2012 - 5:22pm
Artificial Christmas trees may last longer, but experts say that real trees are ultimately more sustainable and Earth-friendly.

With Christmas around the corner, people are flooding into stores for presents and thinking about how to decorate their homes for the holiday. One of the biggest decisions is about the centerpiece decoration, the Christmas tree. If you're environmentally conscious, you may be wondering which is better: the real tree, or the artificial tree?

Green-themed getups for Halloween
By Michelle Van Dalen
October 25, 2012 - 3:45pm
Make Mother Nature proud with these fun and simple ideas for costumes. See, it's easy being green!

Halloween is approaching quickly, and the leaves outside are turning from summery greens to lush reds. But just because the trees are becoming less green doesn't mean you should too. Make the environment one of your top priorities this Halloween with these green-themed costume ideas.

Tricks for green Halloween treats
By Riddley Gemperl...
October 25, 2012 - 2:53pm
Try these fall dessert recipes that are better for the Earth — and for your health — than conventional candies.

Trick or treat, give me something good and full of artificial sweeteners and trans-fats to eat?

Halloween candy is tempting and only in season once a year. Plus, it comes in “fun” sizes, so you can eat more and without feeling guilty. Well, without feeling guilty until you look at the ingredient list, or until you eat 15 candy bars and your stomach revolts on you — whichever comes first.

Student groups call for SU's divestment from fossil fuel companies
By Ellie Wilkinson
October 20, 2012 - 9:20pm
Syracuse and ESF students and faculty are planning a campaign to urge the university to cut ties with companies that contribute to climate change.

After environmentalist Bill McKibben spoke at Syracuse University on Oct. 10, a signup sheet circulated among students and faculty members who were interested in accomplishing McKibben's tasks to take action against climate change. Three student groups hosted a meeting today that marked the first step toward achieving these goals.

One World: Peace talks include the environment
By Michele Maciejewski
October 9, 2012 - 3:30pm
Caring for our planet has been one important thread running through talks during the Dalai Lama's two-day visit to Syracuse.

The Dalai Lama is at Syracuse University, in case you couldn't tell. His Holiness, along with other Nobel Laureates, activists and even a former CIA director have been talking about the current state of conflict and security throughout the world, as well as ways to foster peace.

Super-green (and small!) Starbucks opens for business in Colorado
By Michelle Van Dalen
October 2, 2012 - 7:44pm
The iconic coffee company proves its devotion to the environment with a new experimental shop that is LEED-certified and made with local materials.

Starbucks is the biggest mainstream coffee franchise in the United States, making it less appealing to self-proclaimed "hipsters" all about going against mainstream culture. Hemp-wearing environmental advocates have to scour the nooks and crannies of cities to find a different coffee joint worthy of hipsterdom. Well, in most cities, that is.

Save the date for "Save the Rain"
By Gwendolyn Craig
September 19, 2012 - 5:55pm
Stop by the "Save the Rain" program Saturday, Sept. 22 to learn about the Onondaga Lake cleanup and other sustainability efforts around Syracuse.

Rain or shine, “Save the Rain,” a program dedicated to reducing pollution in Onondaga Lake, will host the 2012 Clean Water Fair this Saturday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m.—2 p.m. at the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant. The fair will update visitors on “Save the Rain” projects.