Green Holidays around the World - 7 days you should be celebrating next year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! As this year comes to an end we cherish our time with friends and family, enjoy some time off and celebrate with holiday lights and treats.

But did you know that there are dozens of GREEN HOLIDAYS that people celebrate around the world? That's right, we're celebrating the earth many times each year. This blog post will highlight some of our favorite green holidays!

NC GreenPower teams up with Yes Solar Solutions and Baker Renewable Energy to help out a disabled Army Veteran

Not everything is about profits and the bottom line for all companies. Recently, Yes Solar Solutions and Baker Renewable Energy teamed up with local nonprofit NC GreenPower to help get a wounded Veteran’s solar PV system back on track.

How to help N.C. after Hurricane Matthew

An aerial view shows flood waters after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, 

Oct. 10. CHRIS KEANE / Reuters

Recently, our local news stations have made me aware of the devastating lingering effects of Hurricane Matthew across our state and I wanted to share this with you all.

We didn’t even lose power at my house, but almost a million customers across our state did, and thousands are still waiting for theirs to come back on. Serious flooding is affecting many highways, roads and cities.

Breweries 2.0 - Organic and LEED Certified

The craft beer scene is booming - with more than 4,200 breweries In the US, small and independent craft brewers now have a 12 percent market share! Not only do some breweries offer organic beer, many breweries also have high sustainability standards - from being powered by solar energy to recycling local grain for the brewing process. 

The Rise of Electric Vehicles and why you should purchase one

In recent years the electric vehicle has gained a lot of popularity. What is all the hype about? Is it really worth it to invest in a car just because "it's good for the environment" or the new fashionable thing to buy? 

Wasting Water - A Guide to Conservation and Innovation

Every year on March 22 we celebrate World Water Day. According to the official World Water Day website, this international observance is an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference. It has been around since 1992 when the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development recommended an international observance. Here is why you should be mindful of your water usage every day and how you can easily conserve water.

Water Usage in the US

The US Geological Survey released a study which reports that the total freshwater and saline-water withdrawals for 2010 (the latest year it surveyed water use) were estimated to be 355,000 million gallons per day. The average American used 88 gallons of water per day – an amount that quickly adds up around the house for things like preparing food, washing clothes, flushing toilets, and watering lawns. 

Water Innovation around the World

In recent years there have been many new innovative technologies which aid people around the world in gaining clean water access and assist them in conserving water. 

How to reduce your Carbon PawPrint - Green Pet Ownership

Have you considered adding a new furry friend to your family this year? In the U.S. alone, the number of owned pets is estimated to be 70-80 million dogs and 74-96 million cats. In addition to being sweet, cuddly companions, your pets can also be hard on the environment.

If you love your pets and the environment, here are some resources to help you be good to both.

Don't Shop…Adopt!

The concept of recycling doesn't only apply to cans or newspaper. Just like going to the thrift store to get a good deal on a used item, consider rescuing and rehoming an adoptable dog or cat from your local shelter. Give them a second chance by "recycling" them. Each year 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters. An estimated 80% of these animals are healthy or treatable so why not give the cats and dogs already available a home instead of buying from a breeder? For more facts about pet ownership in the U.S. go to the Humane Society's website.

7 Tips to make your next Cup of Coffee More Sustainable

Who doesn’t like to start off their day with a steaming hot, freshly brewed cup of coffee? Drinking coffee while getting ready, driving to work or having breakfast is a part of many people’s daily routine all over the world.

On average, Americans consume more than three cups of coffee per day - which makes us the biggest coffee consumer in the world. We spend a whopping 40 billion dollars on coffee each year as reported by Harvard School of Public Health.

Did you know that you can help the environment by making the right choices when it comes to your favorite drink? This post will break down some of the most important factors to consider when it comes to coffee and its impact on the environment.