Earth & Space

Know of a group that's doing great work to support your community or have a community-building idea of your own? If you live in the Northeast United States, Green Mountain Coffee and Ashoka's Changemakers are holding the "Revelation to Action" contest to find and help fund the most innovative ideas to bolster communities in the Northeast states. 

This two-day, alternative building workshop featuring energy expert Dan Chiras will be held March 13-14, 2010 in St. Louis.

Fairness and repeatability share this essential value: They can be visualized today, even when sustainability cannot. If we make fairness and repeatability part of our criteria for decisions today, they contribute to sustainability in the long-term even if they don't provide permanent solutions.

This week Andrea and Dan are excited to discuss something MOTHER EARTH NEWS fans love: growing tomatoes! Other show topics include energy efficiency and storm windows. Plus, during the project of the week, you'll learn how to make your own tomato cages.

Having great tools makes any project easier, whether you're building an entertainment center, pruning trees or fixing a frozen water line after dark. Advice from a trusted friend is always helpful, so we've listed eight tools that are good deals - either because of superior quality, creative design or multiple uses. And you can purchase each of these tools new for less than $100.

Macrameing has been a popular craft medium for decades. Share your most outlandish macrame project.

Dan Chiras questions the idea that disposable items are worth the tremendous waste they create.

The experience of growing one's first garden is a thrill one will never forget.

Michael Morley will post regular updates about his progress building a unique green home with structural insulated panels (SIPs). Here, he discusses options for installing a colored concrete floor, and considering whether to install a solar hot water system.

With some land and a bit of know-how, you can raise your own sheep for food, fiber and the "shear" fun of it. Sheep are especially good animals for small-property owners who don't have the space to raise cattle but want some kind of livestock. Find out how to get stared with your own flock with this advice from the book "Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep," the classic, go-to authority on all things sheep.

A new era of green cars calls for a new way to distinguish noteworthy vehicles. Enter the 2010 Best Green Cars from MOTHER EARTH NEWS. For our first annual list, we spotlight six reliable cars capable of 40 mpg or better. Five of the six are available for $25,000 or less. All are regarded for their safety features and mechanical reliability. And, because different people need different things from their cars, we present a variety of best-of lists - from best green cars for the least bucks to best green trucks.

Choosing from among various heritage breeds can be tough, but finding a breeder can be even tougher. The Society for Preservation of Poultry Antiquities' Breeders Directory is a resource to make finding reputable chicken breeders easier.

Dan Chiras discusses the differences between power purchase agreements and lease programs, and the benefits of taking advantage of either.

The highest goal of politics might be to instill a sense of fairness in society, since that sense of fairness promotes tranquility, productivity and prosperity. The cooperation that undergirds a healthy society - the social contract - is based on a sense of fairness. Without it, a society is unhealthy and unproductive and, ultimately, ceases to exist. As the next big challenges facing our species will be global challenges, considering fairness from a global perspective will be one key to creating true sustainability.

Has Toyota's recall of more than 8 million cars affected your faith in the automaker?

Get rid of junk, make money and reduce waste with these garage sale tips.

This week hosts Andrea Ridout and Dan "The Solar Man" Lepinski speak with a guest from the world's largest global conservation organization. They also chat about herbs and how they can improve your heath, plus visit with a green gas station owner. Finally, you'll learn how to make delicious homemade pesto.

It can be challenging to stay physically healthy and keep your spirits up during the winter months. You tell us, what do you do to say healthy this time of year?

Readers share regional gardening resources.