Whole Travel Blog

If all goes according to plan in Raleigh, North Carolina, LED-lit street lamps might be the future of streets and neighborhoods across the country. Raleigh is currently conducting a test study to determine the lights’ durability, sensitivity to rain and severe weather conditions, as well as their overall effectiveness and longevity.

Although LED street lamps cost $500 compared to $70 for the traditional ones, they last at least twice as long and expend about 40% less energy.

Read the full report here.

With Halloween just around the corner, here are some tips to having a ghoulishly green time:

1. Bobbing for apples? Make sure to buy locally or organically grown varieties.
2. Go to a pumpkin patch nearest you to pick out your pumpkins for carving and decoration or make sure your grocery store has purchased them from a local patch.
3. Use LED lights instead of candles inside pumpkins; they’ll last longer and you can reuse them next year.
4. Save the pumpkin seeds you removed while carving and roast them for a healthy seasonal snack.
5. Make your own costume instead of buying one. Consider revamping an old skirt or shirt into something wicked, or explore the local Goodwill. Some tips for do-it-yourself costumes can be found at Planet Green.
6. Decorate your house with orange and black CFL bulbs.
7. Consider buying environmentally friendly treats such as candy made with fair trade or organic chocolate. Some ideas can be found at Global Exchange’s Fair Trade Store or Chocolate Bar.
8. Having a Halloween party? Use plastic cups, plates, bowls and cutlery which you can stick in the dishwasher and re-use next year.
9. Be sure to give kids cloth bags or pillow cases for trick-or-treating.

Earlier this week, Apple released a new line of MacBooks and MacBook Pros, that are, as we’ve come to expect from Jobs’ product lines, sleeker, slimmer, and sexier than the last generation models.

One major addition to this line: its environmental friendliness.

With features including a revolutionary energy efficient LED-backlit display, a recyclable aluminum body and glass screen, and even 41% less packaging, these new laptops are a surefire solution to overflowing landfills and increasing energy consumption.

Read more specfics here.