This is the first of what I expect will become a continuing feature: Ecolinks, a quick-read collection of environmental and green living articles. The idea will be to hit some of the more interesting and current material out there in a format that won’t tie you down for more than about five minutes, assuming you chase and scan a few of the links.
Most of the articles will be coming from the sites I subscribe and browse on a daily basis. But I’d like to invite your contributions, particularly if you happen to be a green publisher or writer. Just connect with me and send along your links, along with a brief note on why you think they’re important. The more material I receive, the more often I’ll publish. You can also see the latest information I’m sharing through Google Reader in the sidebar feature What I’m Reading, which is updated more-or-less continuously.
- How will General Motors’ impending bankruptcy effect the company’s green auto plans? GM stock dropped to junk pricing today on the expectation that the auto giant will file for protection Monday. But the GM-Volt blog says the company’s greatly anticipated electric hybrid program shouldn’t be interrupted. The rumored plan is said to transfer GM’s best assets to a new — and debt free — company with 90 days. Production within these cherry picked programs should continue through the bankruptcy process.
- Virgin is the best of the worst when it comes to airline environmental impact. Greenopia released another one of its product ranking features today: a list of what they consider the ten greenest airlines. Let’s face it: There’s just nothing green about burning tons of jet fuel and blowing carbon dioxide through the stratosphere. But Greenopia gives both Virgin and Continental props based on things like fleet age, carbon offset purchases, and how green the airlines are on the ground. One caveat — the supporting article volunteers very little detail on how these factors were actually weighted. So take it with a grain of salt, and see the raw list here.
- To earn your Master’s degree in green communications, you must literally change the world. How is this for a final exam? Treehugger reports that the University of Texas, El Paso, is setting up a Master’s level green communications program at four international locations. To graduate, you must demonstrate how you have changed the world. Measurable social change is your final thesis. Until the program’s directors are satisfied you’re actually making a difference, it’s no diploma for you. Check our their eight-page brochure here (650KB PDF download).
