Good Dog!

Last year?s pet food contamination scare has many people wary of what?s in their best friends? food. The good news is that there are safe, less-processed alternatives out there for both daily feed and in-between snacks. Here are a few dog treats that are not only tasty, but healthy too. Our panel of canine judges rated each on a scale of one (yummy) to five (delicious!) paws.

Catch the Great Crane Migration

Each spring, hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes make a much-needed pit stop on the Platte River in Nebraska as they make their journey north to Alaska and Canada. Anyone can watch this amazing spectacle; here?s how.

Wind Power: Are Vertical Axis Turbines Better?

Worldwide interest in renewable energy options has given rise to a rash of new wind turbine designs. Some of the most recent models on the market are vertical axis turbines, which manufacturers claim are quiet, efficient, economical and perfect for residential energy production, especially in urban environments. We asked Mick Sagrillo, veteran residential wind power authority, to answer our questions about this technology and its future in the realm of alternative energy.

Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine recently found that supermarket chicken can carry antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter, a germ responsible for more than 2 million cases of diarrhea and 120 deaths in the United States each year. Although most people get better in 10 days or less without antibiotics, a group of antibiotics used to treat Campylobacter and other are essential for treatment of the elderly, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems. Because these antibiotics were recently routinely used in confined poultry production systems, where disease is a problem, we?re now battling antibiotic-resistant bugs in humans.

Refuges are ?Wildly? Successful

Our national wildlife refuges are more popular than ever as recreational destinations, according to a new report. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that nearly 35 million people visited refuges in 2006, generating almost $1.7 billion. The report also revealed that 27,000 private-sector refuge jobs produced $543 million in employment income.

An Auto Club with Good ?Car?ma

As the eco-friendly alternative to AAA, the Better World Club provides 24/7 roadside assistance in all 50 states. In addition to services similar to AAA, such as assisting drivers with jumpstarts and tire repairs, BWC has a roadside assistance plan for bicycles, and a 15 percent discount on new memberships for owners of hybrid and biodiesel vehicles. Plus, 1 percent of their revenue is donated to environmental cleanup and advocacy.

Sustainability Goes to College

From using biodiesel in their buses to serving locally grown food in their cafeterias, universities that belong to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact and build stronger, more self-sufficient communities. Many member universities offer sustainability-related degrees, access to online publications, presentations and resources shared from other universities, and more.

Book Review: Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House

Thinking of building a home from scratch rather than remodeling? Architects Carol Venolia and Kelly Lerner provide compelling reasons for working with an existing building instead. Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House describes ways to ?bring your home into harmony with nature.? The book is beautifully organized and contains abundant photographs and diagrams, valuable data and insights, personal experiences of the authors, and detailed case studies to further illustrate the benefits experienced by actual homeowners.

Great-tasting Garlic is Good for Your Heart

Since antiquity, people worldwide have used garlic to prevent and combat a long list of infectious diseases, cancers, heart disease and other conditions. However, some skepticism has surfaced over garlic?s most famous attributes: its ability to lower cholesterol. Nonetheless, garlic has been shown to inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol (oxidized LDL is what damages the blood vessels), reduce atherosclerotic plaque size, retard the deposition of calcium that hardens the arteries, mildly lower blood pressure, hinder platelets from sticking together in a clot, and reduce homocysteine (an amino acid that raises cardiovascular disease and stroke risk).

Water Wars: Bottled or Tap?

Bottled water manufacturers? marketing campaigns capitalize on isolated instances of contaminated public drinking water supplies by encouraging the perception that their products are purer and safer than tap water. But the reality is that tap water is actually held to more stringent quality standards than bottled water, and some brands of bottled water are just tap water in disguise. What?s more, our increasing consumption of bottled water???more than 22 gallons per U.S. citizen in 2004 according to the Earth Policy Institute???fuels an unsustainable industry that takes a heavy toll on the environment.