ABOUT US

OUR MISSION

The Green Life helps the growing number of environmentally aware, health conscious Americans make informed lifestyle decisions. Through education, outreach and advocacy, we support a consumer-driven movement toward sustainable consumption, while guarding against corporate greenwashing.

OUR WORK

Guide to The Green Life

Be simple, healthy and sustainable in every aspect of your life. The Guide to The Green Life is a unique resource that organizes green living into different everyday choices categories. Each section gives you a background to the topic, the ways in which it impacts you, and options for living green and protect the environment.

The Green Life Blog

Environmental news is everywhere. Check out our blog to see what's new in environmental news, read our perspectives, and contribute your own.

Take Greenwash to the Cleaners

Take Greenwash to the Cleaners is an interactive watchdog campaign to explain, expose and erase greenwash in labeling, advertising and public relations. The campaign features the annual Don't Be Fooled report profiling the ten worst greenwashers of the year, the Greenwasher of the Month e-newsletter and the Cleaning Crew, a team of volunteers who identify cases of greenwash and post them to our website for the world to see. For a primer in spotting and stopping greenwash, enroll in Greenwash 101.

Action Center

Be a leader in the green living community by bringing your environmental awareness and health consciousness to bear on local, national and global issues. The Consumer Campaign Clearinghouse highlights the diverse consumer-focused work led by organizations and coalitions from around the country and the world. Periodically, we issue Action Alerts requesting immediate help from green living leaders. Hone your skills as an activist with our library of Resources.

Earth Day Resources

Earth Day Resources encourages citizens to reclaim Earth Day from greenwashers. Earth Day was launched in 1970 as a national day of observance of problems facing the planet. Yet in recent years, corporate sponsors of Earth Day events have tried to turn April 22nd into a day of observance of themselves. Earth Day Resources works with event organizers, participants and sponsors to counter the greenwashing of Earth Day.

OUR PEOPLE

Staff

Jemilah Magnusson – Program Coordinator

Board

Caroline Harwood – Former Coordinator, Earth Day 2000
Christy Leavitt – Clean Water Advocate, U.S. Public Interest Research Group
Matthew Wilson – Field Director, Grassroots Campaigns Inc.
Wendy Wendlandt – Political Director, National Association of State PIRGs
Amy Perry - Former Staff Manager, National Association of State PIRGs

Organizations listed for identification purposes only.

OUR HISTORY

Earth Day 2000

On April 22nd, 1990, 200 million people in 141 countries celebrated Earth Day’s 20th anniversary. The largest global demonstration in history occurred as everyday environmentalism was spreading across America. Books such as 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth and Hints for a Healthy Planet weren’t just bestsellers, they were cultural phenomena. The term "green consumer" was coined as a vivid and efficient description of individuals who base their purchasing decisions not just on price and convenience, but on environmental values.

In response to demand for reliable, up-to-date information to help individuals live Earth Day every day, environmental leaders created the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization Earth Day 2000, "The Consumer Clearinghouse for the Environmental Decade." Earth Day 2000 issued a popular bi-monthly newsletter featuring tips and tools for leading an environmentally friendly lifestyle, including advice about green products, environmental and consumer news, and greenwash reports exposing companies that projected an environmental image which their business practices did not back up. The organization also published the annual Countdown 2000 report, tracking the progress being made towards environmental goals set by Earth Day organizers in 1990.

Earth Day Resources

While Earth Day 2000 carried its consumer programs, Earth Day Resources, a companion organization, was working with Earth Day organizers to keep the true spirit of Earth Day alive as a protest to protect the planet rather than a corporate-friendly festival. To honor the 25th anniversary of Earth Day in 1995, Earth Day Resources joined the state PIRGs and 25 other environmental organizations in the Free the Planet petition drive which gathered 1.5 million signatures in support of 25 simple, sensible steps to save the Earth.

Earthday Resources for Living Green

In 2001, when Earth Day 2000’s name was no longer as cutting edge as the information it continuously supplied to eco-conscious consumers, it came together with Earth Day Resources to form a new organization named Earthday Resources for Living Green. Earthday Resources for Living Green maintained the consumer programs of Earth Day 2000 and embraced the mission of Earth Day Resources by helping Earth Day organizers arrange successful events free of hypocritical corporate influence.

The Green Life

On April 1st, 2004, Earthday Resources for Living Green became The Green Life. The transition involved the launch of an expanded website, new projects and campaigns, and (as any reader of this organizational history will appreciate) an abbreviated name.

CONTACT US

The Green Life
114 State Street, Ste. 200
Boston, MA 02109
(877) EARTH-46