This guest post was submitted by Daniel Fielding, the editor of Shades of Green, a blog highlighting developments made towards preserving the environment and improving quality of life. The London Olympic committee's workforce reached a milestone of over 12,000 strong this week. This wouldn't be big news: unless you consider the fact that half of these jobs can be designated as sustainable. Everything from the toilets in the Olympic Village, to the swimming pools heater will be employing sustainable technology at levels never seen before on such a large scale.

This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes on the topics of online college courses. She welcomes your comments: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   Living in a dorm is an exciting aspect of the collegiate experience. You'll be learning how to share a usually restricted space with one or more roommates, thus immersing yourself in the joys and challenges of communal living. The best part, however, is that now that you are living in your own space beyond the confines of your family home, you can make some substantive changes to the way you live such that you have a positive impact on the environment. Here are a few tips for living a greener lifestyle in student housing. 1. Buy locally, buy used.Want to reduce your carbon footprint before even moving into your dorm? Instead of purchasing all the furniture and other living items you'll need at home, and then lugging it with you on the way to college, effectively increasing the need for transportation, buy all the items you'll need in the town or city in which your university is located. Also, consider purchasing used furniture from venues like Craiglist. There are also websites like Freecycle where you can get dorm room necessities from collections of stuff that people living in your area no longer want.

Dominican University of California's GreenMBA is an engaged learning community that seeks to promote financial viability, ecological sustainability, and social justice in business and organizations of all types. Students graduate with practical skills and experience, prepared to innovate, communicate, and lead effectively in the face of global challenges.

  The hands-on event will showcase hybrid, electric, ethanol, biodiesel, natural gas, hydrogen and other vehicles. Among the cutting edge cars to be offered for free public test drives are prototypes of Toyota’s Plug-In Prius, yet to arrive in showrooms, and exciting new technologies from Ford, Mitsubishi and others. Private owners are invited to show off their vehicles in the Owners Showcase, spotlighting everything from homebuilt cars to Tesla Roadsters. Attendees will learn how to cut emissions and transportation costs through breakthrough solutions ranging from the latest alternative fuel vehicles by major manufacturers to high-mileage conversions by local mechanics. Test drives, Expert speakers, Exhibits and more! Saturday, October 910:00am to 5:00pmCraneway Pavilion, Richmond, CAJust Minutes from 580 $10 at the door; Get in FREE if you register at www.GreenDriveExpo.com  

SB Seminars are coming to San Francisco, NJ/NYC, Austin and Twin Cities, October-December 2010! Designed for Mgr, Dir, VP level executives in businesses with sustainable brand-building interest. Learn how to execute on growing opportunity for sustainable brands. Choose from five 1-day courses taught by experts in Brand Strategy, Communications, Product Design, Supply Chain, and Data & Metrics. Students leave with proven tools for job success and a solid grounding in some of the complex principles and practices involved in building brand innovation + value, reducing costs, improving efficiency and empowering customers, clients, and employees through sustainable innovation. More Information: SBseminars.com

This summer we learned more about the power of essential oils here at Green Maven. One of our founders got sick back in June and a wise friend recommended that she try taking an essential oil blend called "Thieves" which consists of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, and rosemary. This powerful oil is produced by a company called Young Living Essential Oils and can actually be taken internally. Apparently during the bubonic plague there was a group of thieves that stole from the dying and the reason they survived is because they had come up with this concoction to protect themselves. Not sure if that is just a fable or if it's true but we found that it did help her get better. We had thought that essential oils were just meant for external use but we also discovered during the high heat of the summer that you can also take peppermint essential oil internally and it acts as a cooling agent in the body. A good friend tried it at Burning Man a few years ago and said it worked immediately for heat stroke. Another friend uses it to soak her feet during the hot summer heat. ***Now you need to be really, really careful with taking essential oils internally and make sure you follow the directions. Not all essential oils can be taken internally but they can be used externally almost always safely. We received a nice package early this summer from Jody Garbutt over at RubyBlaise Essentials. She sent us some samples to try from her aromatherapy sprays. They too have been a lifesaver this summer during the heat, stress, and times of sickness. Jody founded her company in 2007 after being introduced to the power of aromatherapy from her massage therapy business. The RubyBlaise line includes a variety of sprays that range from room, body and foot sprays to even deodorizers. They have great names such as "Happy Mist", "Calm Baby", and "Hippie Mist" (which we weren't surprised to find includes a bit of patchouli). Our favorite, which went the fastest, was the Happy Mist which is made of bergamot and grapefruit essential oils. We'll have to ask Jody what it is about those two ingredients that makes us so happy! Essential oils and aromatherapy have now become a part of the medicine chest here at Green Maven. We are convinced that they really do have healing powers. Hey if they can keep people alive during the bubonic plaque there must be something good about them!

  The Green Chamber of Commerce has announced the start of its national expansion with the launch of a second chapter in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first chapter was started in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2007 and has over 300 active members ranging from architects to banks and law firms. These businesses want to move the economy toward cleaner energy, less dependence on fossil fuel, and help prevent the economic and social disruptions associated with climate change. The American Sustainable Business Council which represents over 50,000 businesses; California Business Alliance for a Green Economy and B-Corp have partnered with The Green Chamber to advance these concerns in national and regional policies. "A number of people have said to me that they assumed we would begin our expansion in Seattle, Washington or Portland, Oregon - cities with exemplary commitments to sustainability. They've been quite surprised that Las Vegas is our first new chapter. I think it makes perfect sense; we're supporting a growing community of socially and environmentally responsible businesses. The fact that Las Vegas is ready for a Green Chamber of Commerce is evidence that the commitment to green business is moving beyond the obvious early adopters and is on its way to being commonplace throughout the United States," said Melinda Cheel, Executive Director , Green Chamber of Commerce. About the Green Chamber of CommerceThe Green Chamber of Commerce was created to strengthen a growing business movement that supports sustainable business practices, promote the success of its members, and advocate a green public policy. The Green Chamber provides its members with promotional opportunities, discounts, hosted events, a voice in national policy, and tools to become more environmentally and socially responsible. Some of the leading sponsors of the San Francisco Chapter include: Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP, Green Dentistry, and Dharma Merchant Services. The Green Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting requests to start chapters in other US regions. Visit: http://greenchamberofcommerce.net Las Vegas Green Chamber of Commerce: http://lasvegas.greenchamberofcommerce.net Contact:Janet PomeroyPresidentGreen Chamber of This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

GreenMaven was contacted a few months ago by a company named, O'BON which we learned in French means "Oh Good". They wanted to send us some samples. Having never heard of them and curious about free samples, how could we say no! The package arrived and when we took the samples out, we were pleasantly surprised. They sent us a couple really cool journals made out of sugarcane and some pencils made out of recycled newspaper. The sugarcane journals are wonderful! Having used them all summer long for note taking during meetings and keeping life organized in the paper world, you can hardly tell that the paper is made of sugarcane. We learned from their website that they "collect the sugarcane pulp used to make [their] paper from the sugar industry, where it is common practice to either burn or dump the leftover sugarcane "waste." The journals come in an assortment of beautiful colorful designs. They also sent us some really neat pencils from their Wildlife Series that we passed on to some kids we know who are going to use them for school this Fall. What's cool about these pencils is that not only are they made of 100% recycled newspaper, but they also have an educational element. "By designing our products around animal designs and environmental facts, our goal is to nudge kids down the path of environmental responsibility and curiosity." It was also fascinating to learn on their website that they have an O'BON School Program where kids can trade in their old pencils for new ones and their old pencil will get donated to a child who needs a pencil. Better yet, kids can sell O'BON products to raise funds for school projects. In addition they have O'BON Causes which will match every purchase of O'BON products with a donation to The *Arbor Day Foundation* to plant a tree. We recommend checking out O'BON this fall for your Back to School needs and hope that you love their products as much as we have!

Tired of increasing electricity prices and oil spills?Declare your energy independence and enter to win a FREE solar electric system for your home! NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Open to homeowners in California and Colorado. See Official Rules for Eligibility. Promotion begins on July 23rd, 2010 at 6pm PST and ends on September 15th, 2010 at 6pm PST. One Grand Prize consisting of a Real Goods Solar Home Solar Electric System up to 4 kW in size (ARV: $30,000.00) will be awarded to winner. Winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. Official Sponsor: Real Goods Solar, Inc., 27 Simms Street, San Rafael, CA 94901.*Savings depend on current electricity usage and utility rate schedule.

YourGardenShow.com, the world's first social media platform dedicated to gardens and their cultivators, launched from its San Francisco headquarters this week after two years in the making. This interactive website features an expansive 6,000 vegetable database developed by Cornell University (778 varieties of tomatoes!) and a 5,900 ornamental plant database powered by Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the U.S.A. The site is free to use. With gardening the most popular leisure time activity in the English-speaking world, YourGardenShow.com aims to unite the 25,000 square miles of America's gardens and beyond, encouraging passionate gardeners to "show and tell." "Gardeners visit over the virtual garden gate -- with one click of a finger you can be transported from an Italian Grand Garden to a vertical window garden in downtown New York -- everyone's got something to share," say husband and wife co-founders Tom Finerty (Emmy-Award winning producer) and Lisa Marini (Master Gardener). Members share their gardening activities and legacy through photos and videos while tracking their garden's progress and growth on their Garden log -- or 'GLOG,' a fun timeline journal developed exclusively for the site. YourGardenShow.com offers hyper- localized features, making it easy for gardeners to identify their unique local climate and plant hardiness zones, and showcases what other gardeners in the region are planting and when. Interactive possibilities on the site are endless -- the most exciting of which is the Phase II addition of the Citizen Science initiatives, co-developed with the nation's top environmental leaders. YourGardenShow.com is supported by a growing team that includes 'Groundskeeper' Mark Kane, former Executive Garden Editor of Better Homes and Gardens. "Creating a resource and network of global 'neighbors' trading tips and spreading green thumb wisdom is a fantastic tool for the growing worldwide gardening community," says Mark. YourGardenShow.com was developed by Pivotal Labs (Twitter) and designed by Hot Studio (Ancestry) in San Francisco. Online Marketing is being handled by Earthsite.

Join the GreenMaven.com founders for an exciting, exclusive experience with the best of eco-innovative vehicles, fashion, technology, food, wine, design and lifestyles of tomorrow. Coming to life Wednesday, May 19, at The Carneros Inn – Napa Valley, CA, the Taste of KI (kee) features test rides and drives of the revolutionary Tesla Roadster pure electric sports car, models clad in high-end sustainable fashions by renowned designer Bahar Shahpar, a home design galleria curated by the Bay area’s own eco lifestyle expert Zem Joaquin of ecofabulous.com, and a host of organic bites, spirits from Organic Nation, and Biodynamic wines. Additional highlights include the latest zero-emission motorcycles from Zero and Brammo, gourmet organic living food samples by New York chef Matthew Kenney, ‘Waking the Warrior Goddess’ book signings by Dr. Christine Horner, and a host of short presentations from innovative technology, transportation, clean energy, eco fashion, social media, architecture and sustainable living personalities. Complimentary food, and Biodynamic wine from Grgich Hills, Cowhorn, Cooper Mountain, and Quivira Vineyards will be provided. The Taste of KI also features an exclusive display area for Tesla, BMW Mini E and Bay area EV owners to stage their vehicles in the Plug In America vehicle corral. With a very limited number of tickets available, the Taste of KI is truly an exclusive, one-on-one sampling with the forward living movers and shakers of tomorrow. We invite our GreenMaven.com community to be our guest at this event. Use the promo code "greenmaven" to receive a 50% discount off tickets.

Today is Blog Action Day! If you are unaware of what this means, it is a day set aside for bloggers to write about one issue in order to cause greater awareness and make a difference in the world. This years subject is climate change. One of my absolute favorite activities is snowboarding. In my senior year of high school I raced varsity on our snowboard team, and had been boarding 3 years prier. I remember the very first day I learned, it was in a blizzard. There was fresh powder every day I got up to the slopes. It was a wonderland. Each year, however, the snow has been falling less. Powder has gotten increasingly rare. This last winter each night the snow fell, we had a freeze and we were left with really hard snow. It is hard enough to work up the courage to attempt a 180 off a jump, but when the surface you are landing on is basically ice, all my courage goes out the door.  Moving into spring, it is seen across the country that rivers are not flowing so freely. Less snow means less water.

Founding Chapter of National Federation to help Green Businesses Hosts Annual Celebration at Green Law Firm in Oakland, CA On November 5, 2009 at 5:30pm PST the Green Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its second year with an event titled "Building an Honest Economy". The event is hosted by Wendel Rosen Black & Dean, a Green Chamber business member, and features an awards ceremony and speech by Ahmed Rahim, CEO and co-founder of Numi Organic Tea. With major businesses such as PG&E and Apple withdrawing from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in opposition to its stance on climate change, more businesses are looking to alternative organizations to represent their values. The Green Chamber of Commerce is offering just that.

I just finished reading a book written by Christie Matheson called Green Chic, Saving the Earth in Style. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great, simple resource guide to greening all aspects of your life. Christie’s background is in writing for travel, fashion and food publications such as Body and Soul, Glamour and the Boston Globe Magazine and she has co-authored several books on these topics. Having no background at all in being ‘Green’, Christie spent a couple of years researching the topic of ‘going green’ and thoroughly documenting everything you can do in your life to make a difference without sacrificing your style. She actually proves that by going green you can increase your chicness! What I really appreciated in Green Chic was Christie’s easy-going and sometimes humorous writing style and her overall philosophy about ‘going green’. “It’s not about consuming more, it’s about changing your way of thinking. How can we still be stylish and chic while doing our part to save the earth?” For me personally having been living a green lifestyle for several years now, I was especially touched by chapter 5, Hello Gorgeous. In this chapter she reminded me of the dangers of cosmetics and beauty products as well as how to trim down my clothing consumption and how to style out my closet more effectively. I highly recommend getting a copy of this book and passing it on! It is published by Sourcebooks, Inc, www.sourcebooks.com and sells for just $10 on Amazon.com. Stacie Shepp, Green Maven Editor