Wii games now come in eco-friendly cases

So Nintendo is reportedly making the switch to more eco-friendly cases for their Wii games, though I have yet to find out how it's greener than the original packaging. It's not winning over a lot of gamers, though, because apparently, it's a lot flimsier than the original case, and makes the disc more prone to scratches. Any thoughts from those of you who've seen the new case?

_{Photo from Ripten}

Thank you Card

From Environment New York:

On June 10, New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand stood up to oil companies and other big polluters by helping defeat an attempt to roll back the Clean Air Act.

The defeated resolution, sponsored by Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, would have stopped efforts to hold oil companies and other polluters accountable for their global warming pollution through the Clean Air Act, delaying efforts to transition to a clean energy economy and increasing our dependence on oil.

But, in a close 47-53 vote, Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand provided two critical votes to stop this proposed bailout of oil companies and continue efforts to tackle global warming pollution.

Let your senators know you appreciate their efforts for the environment. Click here to sign our thank-you card to the senators.

Save the Turtles

From Credo:

News has just emerged from the Gulf Coast that BP is burning endangered sea turtles alive. 1

A boat captain who has been leading efforts to rescue the endangered turtles says BP has blocked his crews from entering the areas where the animals are trapped, effectively shutting down the rescue operation.

BP is using "controlled burns" to contain the oil spill. Shrimp boats create a corral of oil by dragging together fire-resistant booms and then lighting the enclosed "burn box" on fire. If turtles are not removed from the area before the fire is lit, they are literally burned alive.

The sea turtle most affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is the Kemp's Ridley2 which is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Parties responsible for killing the endangered turtles are liable for criminal penalties that include prison and civil fines of up to $25,000 per violation.

As a result, BP perversely has a financial incentive to let the endangered turtles be incinerated rather than to allow rescue crews to cull them from the burn boxes before the containment fires are lit.

"They ran us out of there and then they shut us down, they would not let us get back in there," said turtle rescuer Mike Ellis in an interview with conservation biologist Catherine Craig that was posted on YouTube.com.

Enough is enough. Tell BP to allow the rescue boats back in and stop burning endangered sea turtles alive. Clicking here will automatically sign your name to our petition.

Thank you for working for a better world.

Hands Across the Sand

From Earth Day Network:

"Yesterday afternoon, a Louisiana judge overruled President Obama's suspension of offshore drilling. This decision leaves Big Oil free to resume operations off the Louisiana coast, despite the obvious risks.

It's more clear than ever before: offshore drilling will continue to expand unless we keep the pressure on government leaders and the oil industry. This Saturday, we have a chance to focus the world's attention on this crucial issue through a massive coordinated action: Hands Across The Sand.

On June 26th At 11 AM, tens of thousands of individuals will head to nearby beaches to join hands in a massive demonstration of support for clean energy. With enough supporters, these simple events will make a powerful statement the world cannot ignore - please join us and draw a metaphorical line in the sand against offshore drilling

Find and attend a Hands Across The Sand event near you

We hope to make Hands Across The Sand the largest demonstration against offshore drilling in history, but we need your help to reach this goal. Please take a few moments to find an event near you. You don't even need to live near a beach - use the event-finder to choose a local solidarity event.

Can't find a nearby Hands Across the Sand event? Step up and organize one for your community - we'll connect you with local organizers to take your demonstration to the next level.

Hold a Hands Across The Sand event in your community

Thanks for everything you do. We hope to see you at the beach this Saturday!

Kathleen Rogers
President, Earth Day Network

PS, don't forget to show your support by wearing an Earth Day Network t-shirt to the beach."

Address the Mess

Comedy Central's Address the Mess campaign will donate $1 (up to $50,000) to the Gulf of America Fund each time you re-tweet Stephen Colbert's tweet:

"In honor of oil-soaked birds, tweets are now gurgles."

Go to Stephenathome now!

Paint it Green

If you're repainting this summer, how about trying Benjamin Moore's Natura? It is virtually odorless and has zero VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). It carries their Green Promise designation. You can also try their Ben interior and exterior paint which has low VOCs and low odor.

Nailed it!

'Tis the season for wearing open toed shoes and sandals and that can only mean one thing: Pedicures! I found the Nina Ultra Pro nail polish at my local Sally beauty store. It is free from toluene, formaldehyde and DBP(dibutyl phthalate). According to Esther's Nail Center:

DBP or 'dibutyl phthalate' is a plasticizer that makes nail polish flexible. Toluene is a colorless liquid used as a solvent. And Formaldehyde helps harden nails. It's also a cheap preservative used in shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and children's bubble bath.

Other non-toxic nail care brands are Adoree, Zoya, Nubar, Honeybee Gardens, Suncoat, and Earth Therapeutics. So show off those pretty toes this summer without worrying about carcinogenic chemicals.

Colbert to the Rescue

Heartbroken over the environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico? Funnyman Stephen Colbert stepped up to the plate. The Colbert Nation teamed up with Bing to help with clean-up efforts. Stephen Colbert raised $100,000 on Monday's show to start the Gulf of America Fund. The fund is being managed by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. Click here to make a donation.

Bravo Mr. Colbert! Keep up the good work.

Who are the world's greenest consumers?

The results might surprise you. Even with Americans beating the drums and calling for everyone else to start living in a greener way, the U.S. has ranked last in the Greendex 2010: Consumer Choice and the Environment — A Worldwide Tracking Survey--for the third year in a row. Topping the list out of 17 countries include India, Brazil, China, and Mexico, with consumers in these countries steadily making environmentally sustainable choices every year. The survey is held every year and focuses on consumers' energy use and conservation, transportation choices, food sources, the relative use of green products versus traditional products, attitudes towards the environment and sustainability, and knowledge of environmental issues.

You can download the full Greendex report here (PDF).

Gulf Oil Spill

This shouldn't happen to any of God's creatures.

From Moveon:

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico should be a wake-up call for Washington: it's time for a plan to end America's addiction to oil. Sign a petition to Congress and the White House telling them it's time for a bold plan to get America off of oil.

Click here to sign the petition.

Dawn to the Rescue

Seeing photos and footage of the wildlife affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is heartbreaking. Dawn is doing its part by donating $1 for every purchase of a bottle of their dishwashing liquid. The International Bird Rescue Research Center and the Marine Mammal Center are the recipients of the donations.

Taxis of Tomorrow

New York City's quintessential yellow taxicabs need a make-over. Here are some of the NY Taxi and Limousine Commission requirements for the new fleet:

• meets highest safety standards
• lower emissions and improved fuel economy
• more useable interior room
• wheelchair accessibility meeting ADA guidelines
  

Go on the taxi of tomorrow website and sound off.