New plans for the protection of the country’s National Forests have finally been drafted. Many conservationists say that fresh ideas are long overdue considering the fact that the same mitigation and maintenance plans have been in effect since 1982. Creating sustainable methods for guarding the resources and wildlife of the National Forests should be a constant process because the areas under protection are always evolving. Changes in global climate, species number, water quality and availability are among the many factors to be considered when protection plans are being altered or created. (more…)

The ocean going cargo ships that deliver many of our consumer products – from cars to electronics – consume millions of gallons of dirty fuel and emit a frightening array of emissions and toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. Eco Marine Power, a Japan-based technology company, has designed a propulsion system for ocean going vessels that reduces the consumption of dirty fossil fuels. The Aquarius Eco Ship concept incorporates solar and wind power into vessel design to reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency.

The center piece of the design is the Aquarius MRE System (more…)

Make your way to Santa Monica for some musically enhanced exercise this Earth Day. Exercise isn’t always regarded as fun and can often be thought of as a burden in our fast-paced lives. However, a wonderful cultural opportunity to unite yoga, fresh air and international music has arrived. On April 20-22nd 2012, Earth Day weekend, the Tadasana Festival will be taking place in Santa Monica, California. The festival will showcase the collaboration of some of the World’s most experienced and renowned yoga instructors with a diverse group of talented international musicians. (more…)

Ah, the day in which hearts are most associated is soon upon us. For those with significant others, the following are just a few alternative gift suggestions that may guide you away from standard diamonds and chocolates.

Check out uncommongoods.com. They offer an assortment of really cool gifts.

• Missing Piece Puzzle Necklace (photo at top) – These two pieces of jewelry may make you sigh, “Awww.” Granted none of the material is made from recycled goods. But each piece is handmade. Combined together, the two necklaces fit exactly like a puzzle and read, “You are the missing piece to my puzzle.” Note: if the chain is too short, just add your own.

• Cymbal of Love Pendant (photo above) – Wound recycled guitar strings and broken drum cymbals make up the circle surrounding the heart and the heart, itself.
• Upcycled card cases – This unique card case features the inspirational words, “Live your dream.” Discarded plastics and newspapers make up the card case’s colorful look. What better way is there to show how much you care than to acknowledge that person’s dream(s)?

If your sweetheart trends to the “sweeter” side of Valentine’s Day, take a gander at these lovely websites for some organic chocolate.

• Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates – Some of their Valentine gift sets even have a vegan option—perfect if you have a vegan lover! Disclaimer: Sweet Earth Organic Chocolate truffles are not vegan, but they do look delicious. Fair Trade: Yes.

• Endangered Species Chocolate – Perhaps your special someone has a love for animals? Then a gift from Endangered Species Chocolate could be the perfect choice! A $15 donation to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is made with each purchase. Either you or the one who receives your gift will get a free e-membership to AWF. A cute plush is included! Fair Trade status: They state they are Ethical Trade.

• Rose City Chocolatier – They have vegan truffles. Actually, they have just about ‘vegan everything’ regarding chocolates. All of their chocolates are made from fresh natural ingredients – the boxes that these chocolates come in as Valentine gift sets are simply adorable. If you check out their website, you’ll see that one of the lids to their boxes is dressed like a tuxedo suit—fancy. Fair Trade: Unknown.

I hope your Valentine’s Day is a memorable one!

Swedish designer Helena Fredriksson creates modern, elegant and classic garments (see photos above) that feature gorgeous draping. Her fusion of the romantic and the mysterious is seen juxtaposed in a soft color palette with both oversized and body tailored designs. Believing in sustainable consciousness, Helena produces her pieces locally, in Brooklyn, NY, and uses only the finest, eco-friendly fabrics to create her Bergman inspired collection.

See more of the H Fredriksson line @ junoandjove.com where many of the dresses are now on sale.

(above) Is your honey the literary type? If so, one of these lovely bracelets made from recycled letterpress type might make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.  $95 @ the nBreed Supermarket shop

Not every guy- or gal – can pull-off wearing a bow tie, but for those who can, these handcrafted adornments are made in limited numbers using recycled fabric remnants, vintage deadstock or special found fabrics. The bow ties must be hand tied – a small price to pay for this level of style. They’re adjustable in length and feature discrete hardware.  $68 @ poketo.com

Handcrafted in wooden-eyewear-specialist Shwood’s Portland, Oregon woodshop, these snazzy Canby sunglasses feature a timeless design. The wooden frames come in a choice of Cherry, East Indian Rosewood, or Zebrawood – all sustainably sourced from authorized and supervised plantations in different African countries. The shades feature Carl Zeiss or polarized lenses that offer 100% UVA/UVB protection and lots of style.

related: more eco-fashion on The Alternative Consumer

The message is all around us and the Beatles said it so well, “all you need is love.” As we approach Valentine’s Day couples make plans for a romantic evening together. Restaurant reservations are confirmed, flowers are delivered, cards sent and chocolates presented with a big red bow.  How can those of us who are flying solo get through the day without feeling lonely, rejected or just plain unworthy of romance? EcoChi reminds us that love comes in many forms…

• Love of self – Schedule a pedicure at a local salon. The winter can be tough on your feet so soak, moisturize and sit back and enjoy the foot massage. Choose a red nail polish to attract passion in your life or a soft pink or mauve to attract a kind and gentle lover.
• Love of Friends and Family – Plan a gathering in your home. Express your love with recipes that are a proven crowd pleaser. Most people would rather enjoy an old favorite than a new recipe. Comfort food like mac’n’cheese, hamburger sliders, coconut shrimp and chocolate chip cookies are sure to make everyone feel loved.
• Love of Community – Serve a meal at a local hospital or soup kitchen. Share your big heart with those in need and the result is an unexpected gift to yourself.
• Love of worship, prayer and spirituality – Studies have shown that people who have a place that they regularly visit for worship, prayer or spiritual practice have a feeling of belonging. This sense of connectivity and fulfillment can improve one’s health and leads to a happier and sometimes longer life.
• Love of Mother Earth – Take a walk outdoors, open your arms to the heavens and feel the magnificence of the universe. Gather pine cones, acorns or stones and put them in a bowl-bringing nature indoors. Light a candle (healthy choices are bee’s wax or soy), play calming music and meditate and then jot down your thoughts in a personal journal.

Connect with the love that lives within you on Valentine’s Day. Treat yourself with kindness. Splurge on fresh flowers and place them in a vase and showcase them in a place where you can enjoy their beauty. Break out a box of chocolates, get cozy with a book or favorite movie and celebrate the life you love!

Debra Duneier is an accredited LEED Green Associate, Certified Eco-Designer, Feng Shui Master Practitioner and Author of EcoChi: Designing The Human Experience. For more about EcoChi and Debra visit www.ecochi.com

Related: more articles from Debra Duneier on The Alternative Consumer

photo credit: heart island shutterstock.com

• Could Cheap Natural Gas Slow Growth of Renewable Energy? – npr
• Giant Crack in Antarctica About to Spawn New York-Size Iceberg – natgeo
• US: Mid-Atlantic Wind Farms Take Step Forward – msnbc
• NASA Report: Greenhouse Gases, Not Sun, Driving Global Warming – livescience
• Texas Region Emerges From Brutal, Record Drought – huffpost

wind turbine photo via shutterstock.com

This Great Green Giveaway is generously sponsored by EarthEasy.com.

We’re giving away a set of Vers Audio earbuds – the perfect, eco-friendly partner to your portable music player.

In this day of disposable plastic electronics, these high-quality, handcrafted wood earphones stand apart. Not only do these earbuds make music sound great, but also they’re made from sustainably harvested US cherry or walnut. They feature an in-ear passive noise cancellation design that blocks 90% of the surrounding sound, assuring an ideal listening experience in any environment. More good green cred – the earphones come in a felt-lined recycled metal carrying case.

Winner has their choice of either cherry or walnut earbuds.

Note: The manufacturer, Vers Audio, plants 100 trees for every tree they use.

Entering is easy: do one or more of the following, and receive an entry for each comment you leave:

• Sign up for eartheasy’s monthly newsletter, full of sustainable-living tips, exclusive offers and discounts
• Like Eartheasy on facebook.com/Eartheasy
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Optional ways to enter:

• Sign up for our free monthly enewsletter for insider eco tips, news & deals
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• Subscribe to our RSS feed, and like Alternative Consumer on Facebook.

For prize notification be sure to add the following to your email address book: m at AlternativeConsumer.com.

Open to residents in USA and Canada. Retail prize value: $39.99 + free shipping. Contest ends Monday, February 13th, 2012 11:59pm PT. Winner will be selected in our Random Drawing, and notified by email on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Winner has 24 hours to claim their prize, or the offer is null and void. Winner’s first name will be included in this post.

As always, we will not share your email or contact info with anyone. Good luck!

Though we live in a disposable consumer society where convenience, price and ease of use often trump other, more earth-friendly, considerations, there are changes afoot. Schick is now making one of our common everyday products – the razor – in a greener fashion.

Yesterday Schick introduced its new Schick Xtreme3 Eco disposable razor. The new razor uses 100 percent recycled plastic in the production of its handle and 100 percent post-consumer paper in its packaging. Manufactured and shipped out of the company’s 99.9 percent landfill-free facility in Milford, CT, Schick estimates they’ll be saving over 103,000 pounds of virgin plastic material and 15,500 pounds of virgin paper from going into landfills each year by using recycled materials in the new razor. (more…)