With Earth Day less than a week away, it's a great time to join Recyclebank, a website that rewards you with a little green for being green.
Through a points system, Recyclebank members earn coupons, gift cards and merchandise from companies like Kashi, Harris Teeter, Macy's and Home Depot -- all in the name of being more environmentally aware.
Recyclebank, which has more than three million members, is free to join, by the way.
In celebration of Earth Day, Target will be giving away free reusable shopping bags to customers on April 22.
But in the meantime, the big box store has issued a set of coupons on natural, organic and earth-friendly products. There are 38 coupons with a combined total of more than $50. The coupons are valid through May 5.
Duke University, known for its advocacy of global warming and environmental sciences, is adding "fracking" to its repertoire and holding a conference next week on the topic in Durham.
The Jan. 9 conference, free to the public, comes in the wake of a study issued last year by Duke scientists linking fracking to contamination of drinking water in Pennsylvania. The Duke study, incidentally, was roundly criticized by the oil and gas industry as biased and unsound, criticisms that are likely to be repeated at next week's conference.
Duke's conference, which will consider the environmental and social implications of fracking, is designed to bring together advocates and critics of fracking. The term refers to hydraulic fracturing, a technology that involves pumping water and chemicals deep into the ground under high pressure to release natural gas trapped in prehistoric shale rock formations.
The issue is gaining prominence in this state, where an estimated 1,400 square miles of shale rock are believed to hold several decades of natural gas supplies, mostly centered around Lee, Moore and Chatham counties. Supporters of fracking say it's the best option for tapping a clean-burning fossil fuel as an alternative to imported oil and dirty coal.
Republican lawmakers contend the legislation they accelerated on Wednesday is not less regulation for the environment but clearer regulation.
"We'ew just trying to make this process friendlier, clearer, so you understand what [the rules] are and can abide by them," said Sen. Harry Brown, one of the bill's sponsors.
Environmental groups don't agree.
"This whole bill is a polluter's wish list to hamstring state agencies from administering rules to protect public health and the environment, to bring rulemaking to a grinding halt," said Southern Environmental Law Center Director Derb Carter.
John Bruno, an associate professor of marine ecology at UNC-Chapel Hill, is at the center of an international debate about the health of the oceans. His findings, published in last month's issue of the journal Science, has sparked news reports and adds to the growing level of alarm. Read more about the Tar Heel of the Week here.
Scientists conducting experiments at Duke Forest reveal how a warming climate affects even the smallest woodland creatures. Read more about it here.
Baker Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of Baker Roofing Company of Raleigh, is featured on a Discovery channel show tomorrow morning, highlighting some of their "green" efforts in roofing.
"Shades of Green" will take a look at some of the company's gorgeous rooftop gardens in Raleigh.
Get more information over at the WarmTV blog.
Baker Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of Baker Roofing of Raleigh, will be featured on the Discovery Channel Monday for their efforts in green building.
The company has made a name for itself recently by creating some amazing rooftop gardens and for other speciality projects such as reflective roofs and roofs outfitted with solar panels.
"Shades of Green" will take a look at some of Baker's urban gardens on Monday's show, including a beautiful garden atop the Quorum Center in downtown Raleigh, where Baker Roofing vice president and co-owner Frank Baker (pictured) was interviewed by the video team last summer.
Several North Carolina colleges have been recognized for their environmental efforts in The Princeton Review's first "Guide to Green Colleges."
Sue Stock reports that local appliance stores are ready today for shoppers looking to cash in on the federal government's 15% instant rebate program on Energy Star appliance upgrades.
Some triangle stores opened as early as 5 a.m. today!
You can get more information from Sue's big story, which ran in the paper on Wednesday.
