Consider attending a revolutionary convention planned to take place in San Francisco, CA on March 24, 2009.  The convention, called Green: Net 09 will be focused on the Internet Technology industry. 

Topics include: Dotcom Investors Turn to Cleantech, Energy-Efficient Data Centers, Software Tools for Measuring Impact and Managing Risk, The New Networked Car, Power 2.0, Leveraging the Social Web for Green Activism–Profitably. 

Whether you are looking for green business ideas relevant to your skills or simply curious about how the amazing power of computers will be used to carry the world into the green future, this conference may be just the event you have been waiting for.

Now, according to a recent press release on prweb.com, they are marketing to funeral homes.  The release states “fifteen funeral homes in Western, East Coast and Midwestern states currently carry Twisted Limb Paperworks’ handmade 100% recycled personalized memorial bookmarks and seeded thank you notes.”   More designs and programs for remembering our loved ones who have passed are in the works. 

This is a fantastic example of how simple green business ideas can be.  Don’t make it complicated by trying to jump into a new technology requiring years of expertise and loads of startup cash.  Focus, instead, on the countless everyday products out there which are in need of renovation and updating. 

Of course, the state of the economy brings difficult times for every industry; however, Editor Joel Makower believes there is still reason to be optimistic.  Unfortunately, less optimism is reserved about whether or not business practices are being adopted at the rate required to save us from our selves.  Yet another reason for you to get involved and make green business your business! 

This is a no-nonsense report which looks at all sides of a controversial topic.  Have a look… 

Fast Company has come out with a great article, titled, “Ten Best Green Jobs for the Next Decade.”    Many ordinary hard-working citizens have been setback by America’s current financial crisis.  What better way to get back in the game than with the industries poised for inevitable success?  With Obama’s new groundbreaking initiatives, the green revolution is finally underfoot.

Here is the list.  The original article noted training programs and degrees for most jobs, but I did the honors of providing links so you don’t have to hunt them down, and I filled in the holes when possible.  Good Luck!

The jobs are:

1.  Farmer–Bring it back to the basics with sustainable farming practices.  Often small-scale operations, sustainable farming is a great way to go into business for yourself.  At least with the economy slump, you won’t have to worry about how much food is on the table! 

Top-Notch Training:  University of Vermont: Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture (New York State), Evergreen State College (Olympia, Washington)

2.  Forester–Caretake the forests, teaching local communities sustainable forest management practices and monitoring environmental impact.

Top Notch Training:  Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (New Haven, Connecticut), Duke University: Nicholas School of the Environment…, (Durham, North Carolina),     University of Michigan: School of Natural Resources &  Environment

3.  Solar Power Installer– Learn to harness the power of the sun, a renewable energy resource with infinite potential.  This improving technology has a very bright future.

Top-Notch Training:  Almost every decent-sized city has local programs which can teach you to install solar energy systems.  Do some homework.  Local governments are enthusiastic about initiating these changes, so new programs are usually well advertised.  If nothing comes up, try contacting the local university and finding out who can point you in the right direction. 

4.  Energy Efficiency Builder:  Builders and architects are beginning to understand our creations must integrate with nature rather than interfere.  Additionally, we can harness many of the Earth’s natural processes for our own comfort and convenience.  A very innovative field!

Top-Notch Training:  Arizona State University School of Architecture: Energy Performance Climate-Responsive Architecture, University of Michigan: Alfred A. Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning, The Earth Institute at Columbia University (New York City)

5.  Wind Turbine Fabricator– Are you one of the thousands who lost or is losing his/her job in the outdated automobile industry.  Unfortunately for those of us who depend on this American icon for the livelihoods of their families, times are changing.  Embrace that change and take your skills into a new industry which needs you.  Use your skills to help create the solution.  There is a place for everyone in the green revolution, and wind turbine technology needs highly-skilled people who know metal and mechanics.

Top-Notch Jobs:  American Wind Energy Association Job Board

6.  Conservation Biologist– Help preserve the ecological systems we have not already crippled.  Earth itself is an intricate and complex system.  Be proud of ensuring its beauty is there for our children, as well as its ability to support human life.

Top-Notch Training:  Center for Conservation Biology at the University of Washington , Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University (California), College of the Atlantic (Maine)

7.  Green MBA and entrepreneur– Guide major corporations in the right direction, or go into business for yourself.  Businessmen will indeed be the leaders of the green revolution.

Top-Notch Training:  Stanford School of Business, San Francisco’s Presidio School of Management, Leeds School of Business (University of Colorado at Boulder), Bainbridge Graduate Institute in Washington

8.  Recycler– Get a job or start your own business recycling.  Repurpose used goods and minimize waste.

Top-Notch Resources: Recycling: It’s Your Business –website listing resources and guides for those interested in starting a recycling business.

9.  Sustainability Systems Developer–Do you have an extensive background in computer systems technology?  With all this new technology and infrastructure, systems developers will be required to keep everything running smoothly.  Whether manufacturing computers or finding new ways to put them to use, your skills are in high demand.  I could not find degree programs targeted specifically towards sustainability systems; however, Fast Company’s suggested companies are all making a call for resumes.

Top-Notch Training:  V2Green, WindLogic, IBM

10.  Urban Planner– New urban planning practices take not only the environment but quality of life into consideration.  Organizing the communities we live in is a field going through revolutionary changes.  Design the cities of the future!

Top-Notch Training:  Penn Institute for Urban Research (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania),  Harvard: Department of Urban Planning and Design (Cambridge, Massachusetts), Portland State University: Nohad A Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning (Oregon)

Of course, top-notch training is not a necessity to break into these fields.  Check with your local universities and colleges to see what they offer.  Or consider turning one of these jobs into a green business idea.  By jumping in as the momentum begins, you may find the current picks you up and carries you along.

In light of the new American president’s honorable commitment to make the environment a critical priority, a priority which will be used pull us out of economic recession, tens of thousands of jobs are going to be created in California alone. 

How can you be prepared to step up to the plate and be part of the history unfolding before us?  For Californians, this guide could be a good first step.  It provides information on training and placement programs, resources for apprenticeships, and helpful profiles of a variety of green jobs. 

According to the EDF, this guidebook is great for people who don’t have much education or traditional experience, and the careers which are becoming available “are real pathways out of poverty.”  Divided into the major categories of solar, water, wind, green building, and alternative fuels, this book highlights the changes which are coming and what opportunities are available, even for interested parties who do not live in the region. 

If America’s current economic troubles have knocked you back to square one, why not start over where it counts, in an industry which will have all the backing it needs from a forward-thinking government?  I will make it a point to search for more great starting points for those of us who are not in California.  More to come…

Think world travel is beyond the grasp of an eco-friendly reality? 

Think again…   

Hard-core travelers use bicycling as a means to travel around the world, allowing them a cultural and existential experience most people cannot fathom. 

Case in point:

Two adventurous spirits named Tim and Cindie Travis—a couple with a dream and the will to make it happen.  Originally a special education teacher and a geologist, they were what could be considered obsessive bicyclists.  Not only was their first date a bicycle ride but Tim proposed as he pulled up alongside her on a later trip, and then they sealed the deal riding together through Las Vegas’ tunnel of love five years later. 

 The honeymoon?  You guessed it—a bicycle trip.

A worldwide bicycle tour had always been Tim’s dream, and over the years Cindie slowly warmed up to the idea.  Finally, she was convinced.  After extensive planning, they sold everything they owned and rented out their home to go on a 7 year journey around the world.  Everyone thought they were crazy and tried to talk them out of it, but they persisted, laying their belongings on the front lawn and temporarily moving into an RV.  Finally, they ditched the RV for $500, and they hit the road on March 30, 2002. 

A webpage was set up as a travelogue in order to keep their friends and family informed, but, as masses of web traffic accumulated, they soon realized it could become a significant source of income to fund further travels.  As the “finish line” of their amazing seven-year journey loomed in sight, they dreaded the return to their old life, and so they formulated a financial plan which would allow them to continue indefinitely.  So far, their plan is working, and the current aim is to keep riding around the world for twenty plus years.

Their website, www.downtheroad.org, is their main source of income, and it is also a portal for promoting their self-published books.  It is an extensive source of inspiration and know how.  Readers can easily be lost in the maze of material, which covers everything from detailed accounts about planning and financing their travels, travelogues, equipment and gear reviews, and advice for others who wish to follow in their footsteps (or, the revolutions of their wheels, to be precise).   

A brief survey of the site reveals a vast array of methods employed to earn money.  Always on the go, working on the internet is no simple commitment.  They often complete projects “at a park bench or in [their] tent on battery power.”   Their first book, The Road that has no End, illustrates the personal journey they took to make their dream a reality.  Their second book, called Down the Road in South America has been introduced as the first in a series of accounts about their travel adventures.

The most inspirational part about their story is certainly their courage and determination; however, we mustn’t forget they are showing the rest of us a way to travel which is a better cultural experience, better for you, and better for the environment.  Bicycling is the purest form of transportation.  Not only does it provide an eco-friendly means of travel but it cultivates an attitude of awareness which leads to walking lighter on the Earth.  It brings you closer to your environment, slows you down, and forces you to interact with Nature.

Maybe not all of us are bicycling experts like Tim and Cindie Travis; however, I have met many people on my own travels who have taken similar trips around beautiful places, such as North America and New Zealand.  The trick is to take your time as you get started, let your body adjust, and over time it gets easier.  Don’t give yourself rigid schedules.  Start with something easy to warm up.  Over time, cruising down the road will be second nature. 

Not interested in world travel?—consider using a bike as a sole means of transport.  Before I left on my own travels, I sold my truck and began bicycling around my city, though I was running a business and attending a university.  In a month and a half I lost thirty pounds without any other form of exercise.  I found I was happier than I had been sitting in my air-conditioned truck with leather seats and amped-up speakers.  I was forced to interact with the people around me, and I felt like I was truly living. 

Care to follow their lead?  Don’t take it from me.  Take it from the experts.  Here are some resources to get you started:

Downtheroad.org–Cindie and Tim’s website alone offers all the information and inspiration you need to emulate their legendary lifestyle.

Cycling around the world—Paul van Roekel and Anja de Graaf are two cycling enthusiasts from the Netherlands.  They did a two year round-the-world trip years ago, and they continue to ride on long trips together every year.  Their simple website offers inspiration and information for other around the world cyclists.

http://www.stevendwilliams.com/–Over the last two decades, this die-hard has wheeled across six different continents and traveled more than 120,000 miles in 70 countries.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/12/world.bikers.irpt/index.html#cnnSTCText –Starting to think you are to over-the-hill for this?  Read this CNN article about Pat and Catherine Patterson who, at the ages of 62 and 48, sold their real estate, cars, and possessions to hit fifty-seven countries on four continents in four years.  A life changing experience at any age…

 The Best Folding Bikes of 2008: A Review–An article by, Optimal Ride—The Gas Free Travel Guide, examines the most innovative folding bikes.  A great option for the bicyclists who would rather take a plane than a ship from one continent to the next, these can be folded up and checked in as baggage, allowing you to have your own dependable bike no matter where you go. 

Ecovelo–A great blog about using a bicycle as a primary mode of transportation to preserve the environment.

Bicycling Life: A web-site for Everyday Bicyclists—This site focuses on bicycling for both transportation and recreation.

Don’t let concerns about the environment stop you from seeing the world!  Travel is an essential step in recognizing and addressing the problems we face, and it opens your mind to new paradigms of thought–something we could all use in our lives.  Instead, change the methods of travel, and your travels will be all the better for your having done so.

are paving the way for

alternative energy. 

In a recent article

by the BBC World News,

reporter David Shukman toured

a nearly-finished solar tower

in Seville, Spain. 

The tower stands forty stories tall and will be capable of powering six thousand homes when finished in 2013. 

The concept  is quite simple, actually. 

Thousands of mirrors surround the concrete skyscraper, focusing the sun’s rays onto the base, thereupon turning water into steam. 

As the steam rises, it spins large turbines to generate electricity.

This massive project is an encouraging example of the innovators who are stepping up to the plate and doing something about the climate crisis. 

However, the technology does have it’s flaws. 

For instance, the tower in Seville will not continue supplying power throughout the night when the sun goes down. 

One proposed solution is to use saltwater ponds at the base of the tower to store the heat for later.

 Another disadvantage is the cost of this power, which will come out to about three times the cost of traditional energy, but project leaders claim this will no longer be a disadvantage as the price of solar goes down and the price of traditional fossil fuels goes up. 

A similar project in Australia was to be the most ambitious engineering project ever undertaken, but was downsized and then postponed when government funding was given to a competitor’s large-scale project, which, curiously was not quite so large-scale.  

The revolutionary company, Enviromission, was planning a solar tower big enough to create 200 MW of power and power 200,000 homes. 

When built, it would have been the tallest building in the world. 

Instead of using mirrors, the solar chimney would have been encircled by a greenhouse stretched over 20,000 acres with a sloping roof that rose as it neared the tower. 

As the air warmed inside the vast expanse below, it would have rushed along the sloping roof towards the solar chimney, creating a vacuum and turning a turbine. 

In this design, excess heat would have been stored in the ground in the daytime and released throughout the night, allowing power generation all night. 

They have an awesome animated video of the original project on their website.

Enviromission will not let the dream simply die. 

They are planning several smaller versions of their solar power plants across Australia and even have their eyes on some large tracts of land in America. 

Solar towers will certainly lock down their place in the energy future. 

Current technologies are still quite primitive, but we musn’t forget this industry is rather young. 

True, many of these ideas have been around for a long time, but solar power is only recently been given the attention it needs due to the global warming crisis. 

As we begin to implement these grand schemes, innovations will progress the technology. 

The sun is an infinite source of energy if we learn how to tap into it.

It is quite humbling to think we could pull so much from the simple physical law which causes heat to rise, and this idea is an encouraging sign of what is to come. 

What other natural processes will we find a way to harness? 

How else can we learn to live “with” the land?   

 We certainly are standing on the brink of a new era in human technology. 

Once you have given something away, you are allowed to post wish-list items on the page in hopes of finding something you need.  According to an associated article, one couple used freecycle and similar “swap” sites to find almost everything they needed to construct a whole barn!  Others have found ipods, printers, furniture, and various smaller items.  I foresee a huge news story coming off this page in the near future as more and more valuable items find new homes. 

This is a fantastic idea.  We all could use a little less clutter in our lives, and some things just aren’t worth the effort to put up for sale.  Freecycle provides an easy disposal solution without recklessly wasting the Earth’s resources.  Eventually, it would be great to get away from the materialistic mentality and stop buying things we don’t need, but until then Freecycle offers a novel way to turn your trash into someone else’s treasure.

Go sign up now and clear clutter from your home.  Then when you suddenly want or “need” something, you can log in and ask for it.  Who knows, this resource may even end up saving you a lot of money.

I commend them for their service and ingenuity.

Eating organic whole foods encourages sustainable farming practices, cuts down on burning fuel to transport goods, and saves energy otherwise used to create processed foods.  Fortunately, eating these foods also protects your body from the onslaught of unwanted chemicals and pesticides that are known to cause cancer and whole foods are easier to digest, allowing nutrients to be readily available.  Using a bike as your main transportation is another great way to minimize your environmental impact and will provide a way for you to stay in excellent shape as you go about your business.  Furthermore, finding new eco-friendly ways to spend your leisure time opens doors to activities that bring you outside in the fresh air and keep you moving. 

Harness this by challenging yourself to develop a workout plan with a minimal environmental impact.  Don’t buy into the limiting belief which says you need a gym membership to get in shape.  Most people who buy them never use them past the first month and keep paying the monthly fee because they feel too guilty to cancel.  The truth is if you want to get in shape you have to find the motivation to do it.  It doesn’t matter if you are running on a treadmill or running down the street, if you cannot get up in the morning and get started, your health will never improve.

Even if you do use your gym membership, think of the tremendous strain you are putting on the environment to improve yourself.  Imagine how much fuel you burn going to and from the gym every morning (for that matter, imagine all the wasted time).  Imagine the power used to keep all those treadmills running and those lights burning.  It is a waste, and a prime example of the American habit of slamming our heads into the wall for no apparent reason. 

We don’t need to drive to a gym and hop on a treadmill in an industrial looking warehouse full of workout equipment to lose weight.  I remember as a child looking at a hamster on its wheel, running but never gaining ground, and feeling a strange sadness.  The hamster has no choice but to be locked in its cage, and so it runs on its wheel.  If he had a chance he would run outside and probably not come back.  We have the choice, and more often than not we choose the wheel.  That is madness.

I am all for making healthy lifestyle choices, but the gym phenomenon just keeps coming across as more and more pointless to me.  It is much more time efficient and psychologically beneficial to get up in the morning, put on your jogging shoes, and go for a nice run in the fresh morning air.  If you have bad knees, hop on a bike or just take a brisk walk.  Get outside in the sunshine.  Take in the scenery and see what is happening in the neighborhood.  When one route gets old, change it up and try another.  Imagine how much easier it will be to find motivation under these conditions.  And it is cheaper too.

So challenge yourself to develop a workout program great for you and the environment.  Challenge yourself to develop a plan you can implement at home, without forking out cash to some gym.  Bring it back to the basics.  There was nothing wrong with the exercises you did in gym class.  There is a reason they have been around for so long; they are all you need to be strong and healthy. 

Here are some great ideas to get you started:

1.  Push-ups — Everyone knows the value of this exercise and I think it’s safe to say everyone knows how to do them.  In fact, the military still uses these as one of their primary fitness building tools.  The best part is they require no equipment and can be done anywhere.  They build a powerful back, chest, shoulders, and midsection.  Multiple variations exist if you need to make them more challenging.  For best results, break them into sets as you would a weight-training exercise.

2.  Sit-ups or Crunches — These are all you need to create a well-chiseled six pack.  Just as with push-ups, break them into sets.  A great way to maximize a crunch is to hold it at the top and squeeze for a count of five to ten seconds before allowing yourself to go back down.  To make them more challenging, set up a bench or a plank at an angle.

3.  Pull-ups — Buy a cheap pull-up bar at at fitness store or construct your own and save money.  Pull-ups do wonders for your upper body strength.  If you can only do one, just do one.  Slowly work your way up until you can do two sets of ten each day.  Then shoot for twenty.  Alter the exercise by changing the direction your hands are facing or the distance between your grip.  This is a great exercise for your back, shoulders, and chest.  Combined with push-ups, it may be all you need to fully strengthen and tone your upper body.

4.  Jogging — Going for a morning jog performs wonders for your cardiovascular system and is a great way to start your day.  You can make it more intense by running faster or doing wind sprints.  For a well-balanced cardio program, try interval training.  Jog moderately for about three minutes, sprint for thirty seconds, and then jog again.  Repeat this process for a half an hour or more.  As well as working both your aerobic and anaerobic cardiovascular systems, this will make your workout more interesting.

5.  Biking — The great thing about bicycling is it can be used as an effective mode of transportation.  Incorporate it into your day just to get to work if you live within a reasonable distance and you will achieve instant results.  If running on pavement is too hard on your knees, bicycling may provide a great alternative for your morning cardio.  Plan bicycle trips on the weekends.  When you are traveling, renting a bike is a great way to see a new city or local natural wonders.

6.  Dumbbells — A good cheap set of dumbbell’s is a great complement to a home workout program.  They can be stored just about anywhere and are great for a multitude of different exercises.  The advantage they have over barbells is they are independently held in each hand, allowing a greater range of movement and training your muscle to balance as you lift, press, or curl.  Here is a program with great exercises only using dumbbells.

7.  Kettlebells– Long popular in Russia, these simple weights consist of a large iron ball with a rudimentary handle.  They have long been a main tool in the arsenal of Russian strongmen.  In recent years, they are gaining increasing popularity in America, especially in mixed martial arts.  Kettlebells provide a lot of the benefits of dumbbells with an increased range of motion and build amazing grip strength. 

8.  Calisthenics And Aerobics– Bring back the old school with lunges and jumping jacks or invest in some more modern aerobic videos.

9.  Stretching or Yoga– All you need for this are some good stretching positions and clear floor space.  Stretching is a great way to keep your muscles supple and prevent injuries.  Yoga, on the other hand, incorporates a mind/body awareness and has a spiritual basis.  Yoga also holds stretches for longer periods of time than traditional stretches and may provide more balance and core strength.

10.  Outdoor Excursions And Hobbies – Come up with ways to spend your free time which are easy on the environment and provide you with an active outlet.  Take up surfing, kayaking, or rock-climbing.  Learn a martial art.  Join a softball league.  Plan hiking trips.  Become a weekend warrior.  Cultivate an active lifestyle and you won’t need to spend time in a stuffy gym.

11.  Meditation– Don’t forget to exercise your mind and spirit.  Find a nice quiet place where you can sit and clear the clutter from your mind.  Meditation has amazing personal benefits and is a great way to start or end your workout.

You don’t need all of these ideas to create an effective workout.  Try using two or three of them and you will find they may be all you need to build strength and endurance.  Just get out there and do something.  Avoid the gyms.  Don’t let anyone convince you to pay them so you can go inside a big empty building with everyone else and run on a machine.  You can do it all for yourself at home for less money and in an environment conducive to well-being.  If you need the social interaction, find a jogging buddy or use the extra time you’ve saved to join a club.  There is no need to tax the environment so we can get in shape.  The environment provides many ways to achieve all the health and well-being we need.