Part 1 in a 4 Part Series: Your 100-Item Guide to the Green Web
(Image via Andrew*)
This 4-part series aims to be a helpful guide to some of the web’s best green blogs, forums, tools, and social networking sites.
Part 1: Blogs
There are over 6,000 blogs related to the environment on Technorati, and countless more news feeds, webzines and cool-hunters. There are hundreds of high-quality, well-written green blogs, so it’s very difficult to limit the list to just 25. This list seeks to balance depth with breadth and rankings popularity with diversity. These blogs represent many different topics, from general interest to news to lifestyle to tech.
Category: News
Blogs are grouped into relevant categories for easy browsing. Note that many blogs can fit into more than one category, but an effort has been made to classify according to the major focus of each blog’s content.
Treehugger
Technorati: top 100; Alexa rank: 4,850
Launched in 2004 by serial entrepreneur and designer Graham Hill, Treehugger defined a new online green space and quickly ascended to the ranks of the web’s top blogs. With radio, forums, video, television, its own social bookmarking network, and more than 30,000 posts, Treehugger is a comprehensive resource for sustainable modern living. Treehugger publishes posts by over 30 writers around the world updating 24/7. Discovery recently bought Treehugger and the site is now partnered to Planet Green. It’s not hard to see why: with over 2 million unique visitors per month and a Technorati rank of 19, Treehugger is by far the biggest green blog online today. The content is focused on green news, products, and events.
The Daily Green
Technorati: top 2K; Alexa rank: 26,362
Though technically an online newspaper, The Daily Green is loaded with blogs, videos, community features, and plenty of helpful guides that is quite comprehensive. It’s more consumer-focused than Treehugger. Readers will find everything from information about going green to the “Weird Weather Watch” to breaking news and consumer health advice. Well-known environmental journalist and activist Brian C. Howard is an editor of “the consumer’s guide to the green revolution”.
Huffington Post Green
Technorati: #1; Alexa rank: 619
The new green section of HuffPo is already a go-to resource for reading the latest news and views from leading environmentalists (Graham Hill drops by, among many notables). HuffPo is known for editorializing in a liberal direction, and the new Green section is no exception. The content is a mix of news, op-eds and more sensational stories. Huffington Post is the #1 blog in the world, according to Technorati.
Category: Lifestyle
14. Green Options
Technorati rankings for each blog here; Alexa: 83,275
The Bay Area-based Green Options blog is unique in that it is a green network of blogs. The site features 15 blogs ranging from news to politics to technology to food to business to crafting. The main page is a good “one stop shop” general resource that displays content from each sub site. Green Options Media was created to reach light green, newly-conscious consumers with practical tips and accessible news and views. Founded in early 2007.
Green Daily
Technorati; Alexa rank: 44,508.
Part of Weblogs, Inc.’s DIY Life channel, Green Daily offers timely news and product stories and reviews. As with all Weblogs, Inc. properties and the other blogs in the channel, the site is a high-volume publication compiled by numerous freelance writers. Green Daily covers news, products, gadgets, technology, politics and celebrities.
World Changing
Technorati top 2K; Alexa rank: 70,000
Calling itself a solutions-based online magazine, World Changing is a collaborative blog dedicated to helping people change their thinking. The official mission statement reads: “World Changing was founded on the idea that real solutions already exist for building the future we want. it’s just a matter of grabbing hold and getting moving.” Featuring original content in categories like Stuff, Shelter, Cities, Community, Business, Politics and Planet, the site focuses on positive, innovative green developments, stories and events.
EcoSalon
Technorati rank; Alexa rank: 97,000
EcoSalon is a new lifestyle blog geared to women. The site features plenty of diverse content ranging from sustainable design, decor and eco fashion to green art and news, healthy living, food, how-to’s and a splash of tech. Blogger Sara Ost heads up this irreverent site that blends ethical style with practical green living.
Lighter Footstep
Technorati; Alexa rank: 316,000
Offering quick, digestible highlights of green products, news, events and policies with an emphasis on personal sustainability, Lighter Footstep recently debuted a new, improved design and more features. Though it is lifestyle-focused (the official tagline reads: Living Lightly, Living Green), because the site also publishes environmental news it can be considered a general interest green blog.
Category: Design
Inhabitat
Technorati: #64 of the Top 100; Alexa: 18,751
Launched by architecture student, green consultant and designer Jill Fehrenbacher in Spring 2005, Inhabitat focuses on “future forward design for the world you inhabit”. Topics include innovative materials, future-thinking design concepts, architecture, technology, sustainable style and more.
Ecomodder
Technorati; Alexa: 60,185
“Wrench smart – drive faster – save fuel.” With gas prices out of control, ecomodder has quickly become a popular site for auto hacks, hypermiling and green tech. Active forums, regular reviews and a strong community vibe give this green niche site a distinctive feel.
Category: Tech, Oddities, Science
Environmental Graffiti
Technorati: top 2K; Alexa: 28,086
The home of “seriously awesome environmental news” doesn’t take itself too seriously. Focusing on the bizarre, odd, unusual, funny, cutting-edge and unexpected, Environmental Graffiti delivers a well-written mix of news, analysis and innovations with a wry edge much like Ecoble. The site was launched in May 2007 by lawyer turned “graffiti artist” Chris Ingham Brooke.
EcoGeek
EcoGeek
Technorati: top 1K; Alexa: 35,959
Veteran eco blogger Hank Green founded and runs the EcoGeek blog (which now has several green sister sites). Green is a prominent member of the social media community, is often seen on Planet Green, and has written for numerous publications. The team at EcoGeek blogs about all things green and geeky: from sustainable technology to amazing green gadgets to future design.
WebEcoist
Welcome to WebEcoist, host of this list and a new blog dedicated to topics in sustainable living, green design and environmental oddities. Focusing on positive developments, interesting and offbeat news and appreciation for the wonders of the planet and its creatures, WebEcoist seeks to provide an interesting, unique and educational green experience.
MetaEfficient
Technorati; Alexa: 95,568
MetaEfficient, “a guide to highly optimal things” covers green efficient products and technology. Launched in 2004, founder Justin Thomas saw a need in the blogosphere for product and technology reviews of all things efficient. MetaEfficient has expanded and grown to cover a wider range of sustainable, efficient products and services, from books to furniture to gadgets to toys to cameras, cars, cleaning supplies and more.
Ecofriend
Technorati top 10K; Alexa rank: 64,095
Featuring a mix of product design, green news, how-to lists, natural oddities and technological developments, Ecofriend is an older blog – it’s been around since November 2005. The content was as diverse then as it is now – have a look through the archives.
Eco Tech Daily
Eco Tech Daily
Technorati; Alexa: 186,816
Eco Tech Daily and Lighter Footstep (#21) are sister sites. Chris Baskind’s daily wrap-up of the latest in sustainable technology and green developments is a handy morning read for anyone interested in keeping up on the very latest and breaking in green news, especially sustainable energy and green tech.
Ecostreet
Technorati; Alexa: 135,904
Though not a big site by rankings standards, Ecostreet has been around since 2002 and has an incredible depth of content. Ecostreet truly covers it all – from amazing geography to organic cotton to organic food to tech to…well, it’s comprehensive. The site features a directory and forums that require registry, so it has a bit of an old school vibe, but it’s a quality read full of useful information.
Category: Analysis and Opinion
Ecorazzi
Ecorazzi
Technorati: top 5K; Alexa: 43,919
Ecorazzi is the Perez Hilton of green. The definitive eco gossip site hilariously (and ruthlessly) mocks celebrities as they attempt to gain green cred, and calls out the greenwash wherever it occurs. Praise is also given to celebrities who genuinely contribute to and promote green issues.
Grist
Technorati; Alexa: 39,573
Featuring blogs, news, analysis and unapologetic snark, this Seattle-based webzine and blog is home to the beloved tongue-in-cheek Ask Umbra column and is famous for its witty headlines and sassy attitude. Beneath the tone is sturdy journalism and solid research. A broad range of topics and diverse opinions meet the new Grist reader.
Triple Pundit
Technorati: top 10K; Alexa: 89,045
Triple Pundit, founded by sustainable business expert Nick Aster, publishes this green blog covering news, technology, politics and business developments as they relate to the triple bottom line: people, planet, profit. Triple Pundit’s mission: “Economy, environment, and society are interdependent. For too long business has thought of itself as separate. We aim to change that.”
Max Gladwell
Technorati; Alexa: 135,410
Gladwell’s site is a unique blog nestled at the fascinating intersection of green issues and social media. Featuring compelling analysis and interesting topics – you’re as likely to read about The Daily Show or the election as you are to read about water saving myths and green social sites – the blog is engaging and you never quite know what will be published next.
Earthfirst
Technorati; Alexa rank: 106,913
Noted green entrepreneur and social media whiz Shea Gunther has recently taken the helm as publisher at Earthfirst (not to be confused with the environmental organization). Earthfirst is hipster green analysis with a definite edge. The about page warns: “We think green should be fun and cool, and are in love with the power of sarcasm and snark. Greenwashers and jerkasses of the world: beware. We’re watching.” Go get ’em.
Category: Ethical Consumption
Smart Planet
Technorati; Alexa rank: 76,421
Smart Planet a consumer-oriented general interest site backed by CNET. It features a practical and comprehensive mix of green product reviews, news, and features. (Green web O.G. Adam Vaughan, the editor of Smart Planet, is also the founder of New Consumer and Hippyshopper. In addition, he writes The Green Guy, his personal blog.)
22. Alternative Consumer
Technorati; Alexa: 132,602
The Alternative Consumer is a site for all things healthy, eco-friendly and new. Featuring smart reviews on the latest products, especially fashion and decor. The Alternative Consumer’s Technorati description explains that the site “provides product reviews, green news and info to the next wave of smart consumers … fresh thinkers who consciously style their lives with their health…and the earth’s in mind.”
Hippyshopper
Technorati; Alexa: 154,192
Hippershopper, produced by Shiny Media, is similar to other green product review blogs. However, this “guide to ethical consumerism” is a Nigel’s green web award winner. Everything from fashion to gadgets to food and drink is reviewed at this upbeat, informative blog.
Ideal Bite
Technorati: top 10K; Alexa: 55,858
Ideal Bite, “a sassier shade of green” is a light-hearted consumer-oriented blog and newsletter that focuses on sustainable products, organic food, earth-friendly living and health topics. The blog is fairly casual; the newsletter is clearly the service emphasis and subscribers will learn about earth-friendly living as well as gleaning quirky facts and interesting tips from each edition.
Don’t forget to see these green-savvy blogs too: WebUrbanist and Dornob
25 of the Best Green Blogs and News Websiites
25 of the Best Green Web Tools, Applications and Resources
25 of the Best Green Forums and Social Media Websites
25 of the Best Green Agencies and Organizations Online