Environmentalism may be necessary to the survival of life on planet Earth but does it have to be so boring? Many people are desperately trying to create an answer of “no” to this question, but delivering hilarious jokes about cow farts and bad breath that changes the climate can be challenging.

After a little bit of digging, a few funny sources of environmental comedy turned up.

If you are looking for something a little bit different, then you should check out the Grinning Planet website [www.grinningplanet.com], where they have some comic strips themed around environmental topics [www.grinningplanet.com] (even if loosely at times).

It seems that a good amount of environmental humor is told through the use of cartoons. This website [www.chrismadden.co.uk] collects together a couple of cartoons from Chris Madden, an English cartoonist.

THE DAILY SHOW has a funny segment posted on their website. It might just make you laugh. Find it here [www.thedailyshow.com].

In bringing you more posts about comedy in the world of environmentalism, we hope to make the subject as exciting as possible, come back and see new posts from the blog on Eco-mmunity Homepage [www.sundancechannel.com]. Thanks again for joining us in THE GREEN BLOG.

You can use Eco-mmunity as a means of getting assistance switching over to electric vehicle transportation. If you want to connect with a person who is looking to convert gasoline motorcycles into electric motorcycles, then definitely check out member “russ2″ and his map marker. This nice fellow wants to convert your old motorcycle into an electric vehicle. When you click this link to his map marker [www.sundancechannel.com], make sure to click the “contact” button in the upper right corner of the marker and Eco-mmunity will send a message directly to the inbox of “russ2.”

If you are looking for more info on converting cars and motorcycles to use batteries instead of fuel, there’s a fantastic community-driven website that can hook you up with experts who are making these retrofits right now. Check out DIY Electric Car Forums [www.diyelectriccar.com]. You will find some really great advice and a thriving community of car modders. Maybe it is time for you to strap in and straddle an electric motorcycle. Will it make you the second coming of the Fonz? Probably not, but a duck tail and a little grease can work wonders. (Just try not to jump any sharks.)

Converting your vehicle to run on electricity could be an integral part of the green movement. Read below to find out why.

While large infrastructure investments into a green economy are vital to creating a healthy world, the lifestyles of individual people are collectively a greater force for creating a healthy environment. The reason for this is simple: buying patterns dictate to a large degree how green the manufacturing of a product will be. If everyone bought products that were produced sustainably and were good for the planet, we would not need government to step in a regulate. (Indeed, our current government frequently argues that the free market should decide such matters.) If 10% of Americans stopped buying fossil fuel cars and instead bought electric cars, the laws of competition would force companies to research and develop more efficient and cheaper electric cars.

Now it may seem overwhelming to consider how you could start driving an electric vehicle, as there are few suppliers for the product and most electric vehicles are prohibitively expensive for mass adoption. The solution to this problem is very often a Do-It-Yourself one. You could convert a regular fossil fuel car into an electric vehicle with time, patience and a drive to save the planet.

If you would rather buy a brand new electric vehicle, there are some options available to you. For an uncompromising electric sports car, check out the Tesla Roadster Video below.

If you are looking for a slightly more space age car, then you want to check out the NMG (No More Gas) vehicle in the video below.

Check out the Enertia Bike [www.enertiabike.com]. These beautiful works of art are being released as a limited edition model. Reserve one if you have the money.

Nissan has also announced plans to launch at least one all-electric car in the United States by 2012, and General Motors is readying the Chevy Volt – a “plug-in hybrid” – for mass production even earlier: 2010. That’s just two years away. To read more about the Volt, click here [en.wikipedia.org]. (Wait, aren’t they the guys that “killed the electric car” [www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com]? Yup – but with gas prices at over $4 a gallon and gasoline-powered car sales way down [online.wsj.com], they’ve had a change of heart.)

One big problem with electric cars has always been performance vs. range. The cars linked above all aim to solve that problem in novel ways.

Head onto Google and search for electric cars if you want to find some more options.

The Eco-mmunity is all about helping people change the world around them. Turn an abandoned lot into a garden for your community. Tired of tap water that smells terrible, use Eco-mmunity to rally your community and send letters to a state representative (and copies to a local paper), and sit back and watch as change happens.

How can an individual’s actions change their carbon footprint? There are many ways to do this on Eco-mmunity Map. Every time an Eco-mmunity member creates a marker on the map, there is a greater chance that another person who searches the map will find the marker and will learn about and possibly support a green force in the world. Add a marker for everything green in your world.

You can change the world with determination. While there is no reward without toil, at least the work of adding to the Eco-mmunity Map can connect you to your community and provide a few laughs from reading other people’s map markers.

If you are looking for a more traditional route of helping the environment, then check out the “Take Action Now” webpage of Eco-mmunity. If you want to help save resources and avoid the annoyance of endless Junk Mail, then check out GreenDimes. If you are interested in getting something to wear for your contribution, then check out TONIC’s designer t-shirts, each one supports a different charity.

Very soon we will be adding new functionality and features to Eco-mmunity. Expect to find these mysterious new features sometime in the spring and during the second season of THE GREEN.

Sundance Channel’s Eco-mmunity and TONIC have teamed up to make a difference for people and the global environment [www.sundancechannel.com]. Read on and get a brief introduction to TONIC and their new line of 4 designer T-Shirts.

See the difference you can make when you exercise your purchasing power.

TONIC partners with secular non-profits working around the globe who make huge differences in four key areas – the environment [www.sundancechannel.com], education, health care and human rights. All of our cause partners have proven track records in what they do best, are committed to action now, and ensure that support reaches its destination quickly and efficiently.

TONIC hands over a big chunk of our revenue, 40% on average, to the people who need it most. The good news is that we’re not in competition for dollars you donate to other worthy non-profits. We just sell you stylish stuff and support meaningful causes along the way.

THE FRESH TEE (LEFT)
We all need clean water to drink, cook and wash with, as well as to take care of daily sanitation needs. Some communities across the world lack this essential element of survival. WaterAid and Water 1st are two organizations providing communities across the globe with safe water and education – ensuring a better quality of life for future generations.

Let’s help bring it to them. Each of TONIC’s exclusive, organically-made bamboo [www.sundancechannel.com] and cotton Tees will help supply one person in Nepal or Honduras with access to clean water, latrines, and hygiene education.

THE NET TEE (RIGHT)
In parts of the world, a simple mosquito bite can kill – and a simple mosquito net can save a life. In Uganda, 2000 insecticide-treated nets have been successfully distributed. In Kenya, the use of mosquito bed nets resulted in a 44% decrease in deaths, and they just figured out a better way to deliver them. Against Malaria has provided insecticide-treated mosquito nets to families in Africa, saving hundreds of lives.

Let’s give them a hand. Each of TONIC’s exclusive, organically-made bamboo [www.sundancechannel.com] and cotton Tees will help fund the purchase of 3 mosquito bed nets for families in Africa.

THE SCHOOL TEE (LEFT)
Inderjit, a school teacher in India decided to take matters into her own hands. So she brought books and writing materials to the kids begging on railway platforms. She teaches 4,500 students a year through her “platform school” program. Millions of kids still need help.

Let’s help her. Each of TONIC’s exclusive, organically-made bamboo [www.sundancechannel.com] Tees will help fund a full year’s education for three children.

THE TREE TEE (RIGHT)
All species need healthy forests to survive. As the earth’s forests continue to disappear, one organization is doing something about it. American Forests is planting trees across the globe to help restore forest habitats – protecting the air we breathe and maintaining healthy habitats for animals.

Let’s help them. Each of TONIC’s exclusive, organically-made bamboo [www.sundancechannel.com] and cotton Tees will fund the planting of 25 trees in North America.

Make sure to use Sundance Channel & TONIC special order page [www.tonicgen.com] when you get your T-Shirts.

Sundance Channel’s Eco-mmunity Map has just gotten better. A new feature called “Marker Slideshows” has gone live on the Eco-mmunity Map. This feature creates a slideshow out of any list of markers. You can generate a list of markers by going to one of Eco-mmunity’s preselected groups or you can search the map with keywords and display the search results as a slideshow. To get to the preselected marker slideshows, click the “Map Marker Group” tab on the main map page.

We encourage everyone to experiment with map searches and to check out how cool the slideshows can be. You can also use the map marker groups as a source of inspiration when you are thinking about what map marker to add to Eco-mmunity map. For instance, if you live nearby an gourmet organic restaurant, then you should make a green business marker for it. Then Eco-mmunity editors can put that marker into the “select green foods” map marker group.

To get you started, here are some easy links to get started with the new slideshow feature. You will have to click the play slideshow button that appears next to the marker list screen in the lower right side of the Eco-mmunity map screen.

Green Holiday Gifts [www.sundancechannel.com]

Select Green Foods [www.sundancechannel.com]

New and Noteworthy [www.sundancechannel.com]

The endless products stocking the shelves of the world require industry to extract mountains of natural resources. Junk mail is very similar in that it can create enormous piles in your mailbox while simultaneously requiring a large amount of wood, water, energy and chemicals to make. If there was a company that specialized in stopping the annoyance that is junk mail, would you be interested? Since ending your flow of junk mail creates a healthier planet, GreenDimes provides a rare service which combines convenience and philanthropy.

Pankaj Shah, CEO of GreenDimes

Very recently, Sundance Channel’s Eco-mmunity joined forces with GreenDimes, because eradicating junk mail is a green choice where an individual can make a real difference for the environment. Eco-mmunity is all about empowering people with easy ways of make a positive impact on the world. If you are ready to sign up now, make sure to click here [www.greendimes.com] for a special discount on ending your junk mail. Otherwise, read on and discover great stories about how GreenDimes made people happy.

Here are some testimonials from current customers of GreenDimes

“I normally don’t send emails out like this, but I have been impressed with this service. These guys provide a service that reduces your junk mail (credit card applications, magazines, etc). I was tired of getting that stuff in the mail, so I signed up on Oct 10. This past Friday and Saturday, my mail was reduced to almost nothing. Anyway, for the $15 one-time fee I’ve been pretty impressed. No more shredding credit card applications and throwing out magazines.” – Member, Huntsville, AL

“You not only save tons of paper and other resources, but you make people like me feel they’re doing something to help, aside from riding a bike, driving a Prius, recycling, and trying to reuse whenever possible. Marching to my laptop with the latest catalogue to key them in makes my day better.” – Member, San Francisco, CA

“I just wanted to tell you how much I love your service! We had 3 days with NO mail last week. It was SO great! I have been telling everyone about your website & hope to give memberships as Christmas gifts this year.” – Member, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Here are a few situations where GreenDimes can change your life.

• GreenDimes can be of great benefit to elderly parents – who have a difficult time keeping up with the high volume of junk mail (and also tend to respond to pieces like sweepstakes, often spending more than they should)

• GreenDimes’ services can be gifted 24/7 – we see gifts increase substantially on Christmas Eve as members make last-minute gifting decisions and can print out a gift membership right from their computer.

• Members write how they add names of past apartment tenants and homeowners to their GreenDimes list and we wipe out annoying junk mail on their behalf as well.

GreenDimes makes it easy to get rid of your junk mail. We hope all members of Eco-mmunity will take advantage of the special discounted price available at the Sundance Channel & GreenDimes Impact Counter Webpage [www.greendimes.com].

When the grassroots organization, Lights Out San Francisco recently joined Eco-mmunity, we decided to join them and help take action for energy conservation. Eco-mmunity is intended to help people make connections. Like-minded companies and individuals need to become aware of each other and work together to solve the climate crisis.

Lights Out San Francisco is a citywide energy conservation event taking place on October 20, 2007. On this night, the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles will be invited to turn off all their non-essential lighting for one hour. In addition, free compact fluorescent light bulbs will be distributed throughout the city. You may ask: what good does one hour and one light bulb do? What do we hope to accomplish?
Lights Out estimates that turning lights out in San Francisco for even one hour could save as much as 15 percent of the energy consumed on an average Saturday night. The ongoing benefits of then installing CFLs in many houses and businesses will also be also significant.

Lights Out San Francisco was inspired by a similar event recently held in Sydney, Australia, called Earth Hour where, 2.2 million people participated. According to the post event calculations, one hour of lights out meant that 24.86 tons of carbon dioxide were not released into the air – the equivalent of taking 48,613 cars off the road for one hour.

Of course, we hope for the same or better here.

Thus far, LOSF has received a tremendous amount of support. Their growing list of supporters includes Esurance, Gap Inc., Integrated Archive Systems, PG&E, Safeway, Tides Center, and Yahoo!.

Eco-mmunity is proud to join that list. Since the Eco-mmunity Map exists to document and spread awareness to and about specific individuals who make green changes in the world, we are working with Lights Out to encourage all participants in the Lights Out San Francisco and Los Angeles events to create a map marker indicating their participation in the Lights Out event. Simply snap a picture showing your: candlelit restaurant, your home by moonlight or your lights out party and upload it to the map. The photos will appear in individual map markers that will be added to a new “Lights out” group on the map. You’ll be able to view all these markers in a unique “Map Slideshow” soon after the event.

[b]We are also asking all of our Eco-mmunity members across the globe to consider turning their lights off as well in solidarity and adding their photos to the map as well.[b]

“We’re very excited about the synergy between Sundance Channel’s Eco-mmunity and lights out San Franscisco. Now, people can mark the map to show that they’re turning out their lights or hosting a lights-out soiree. They can also upload photos of the night sky as the lights go out. Creating a place online where people have the opportunity experience and share this important energy conservation event. Our plan is to take what we learn here in San Francisco and apply it to citites throughout the US and the world. We believe the eco-mmunity, especially the map, will help us connect with more people.” – Nate Tyler, founder of “Lights Out San Francisco”.

Besides turning out the lights, feel free to include info about all your green efforts in life. Whether it be your awesome recycling system, your great energy saving appliances or the fabulous parties you can have when the lights are off, we want everyone in the world to see your marker. Get started on the Eco-mmunity Map now.

For more info on Lights Out and to sign up, go to LightsOut.org [www.lightsoutsf.org]

Reducing domestic transportation pollution created by cars is a great way to clean up roughly 40% of the greenhouse gas pollution in the world. In order to ensure that pollution emissions go down, current technologies point to one glaring problem: there is no cheap, modern battery technology that is ready for mass production. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association realizes just how serious the situation is and they are investing millions in research and development to see if they can come up with a new battery to fuel a new breed of Japanese cars.

Having the biggest stake in the American auto market, Japan has vested interests in developing a new battery-driven car (hopefully one you can plug in too). This truth becomes apparent when you consider that Japan is a small country that must import 100 percent of the oil they use in transportation. Before you scoff at the idea of an electric car, remember that the Tesla Roadster can knock the socks off a modern gas-guzzling Ferrari in terms of acceleration and can reach a maximum top speed over 100 mph.

If you have a fuel efficient car of your own, then make sure to comment on this blog and tell everyone about it. Also consider making a map marker on the Eco-mmunity map that tells everyone about your favorite sustainable vehicle and how you make the best use of it.

Sometimes it is necessary to focus on promising and hope-inspiring news stories, especially since the majority of environmental news stories are about doom and gloom. Recently, there has been a major victory for all Americans as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) managed to get the giant energy company American Electric Power to settle an eight year-long court case. The settlement is planned to cost the utility company $4.6 billion once all the chips are on the table. This settlement deals with 16 coal plants that were releasing unsafe levels of pollution. The fine will go towards cleaning up some of the pollution from these coal processing facilities as well as in updating the machinery with new regulatory devices.

At this time in the world’s history, these types of cases are really important in terms of setting landmark precedents. Without a healthy fear of being punished for criminally polluting the world, there is nothing keeping companies from poisoning the air, water and earth. There is far too much commerce and need for energy in the world for investigators to be keeping tabs on all operations, and it has become clear that “the honor code” is not sufficient to insure a healthy environment. Therefore, we must make examples of companies like American Electric Power if we are to insure compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

Wherever you are living in the world, chances are you might be near a power plant or a large industrial complex. If you notice any environmental problems that may be related to these types of operations, then we encourage you to comment on this blog post and/or make a “Green Action Needed” map marker on the Eco-mmunity Map. Then make sure to send your friends an E-card with a link to your map marker. You can get this link by clicking the “grab link” button on the display of any map marker.

The Eco-mmunity website has been nominated as one of the best Green related sites on the internet. While this news thrills all the people working behind the scenes at the Sundance Channel, the work and continuing enthusiasm of our Eco-mmunity members is the real reason why the Eco-mmunity Map is being honored with this nomination.

There is a user’s choice component to the award, so if any of you like the Eco-mmunity Map and want to see it’s work thrust even further into the limelight, then please visit the Pixelawards Website. [www.pixelawards.com]

On another note, the Sundance Channel Website as a whole is also nominated for Best Network Website. If you like what we do here at the Sundance Channel consider casting your votes for us.

Again, None of this would be possible without the feedback from all of our visitors and Eco-mmunity members, who are helping to make our website, and sometimes even the world, a better place.

Sundance Channel’s Eco-mmunity Map is now a few weeks old. The process of bringing this environmental reform tool into existence was long and arduous. While a rest might be nice, the clock is ticking on planet earth and more must be done to improve the Map. All of the Sundance Channel employees who have worked on this Map ponder new additions to functionality as well as ways of refining the existing tools used by the Eco-mmunity. Oftentimes, being too close to a project can make it harder to see problems or necessary additions that could improve user experience. Therefore, we are hoping our users could provide us with some needed insights.

Help from our exceptional Eco-mmunity Members would be delightfully useful in making the Map a stronger force in creating positive changes in every day lives and businesses. Please take this opportunity to login to our GREEN discussion area and help us do the right thing. After all, there is a tremendous potential for insight and innovation in the American spirit. Share some of yours with us!