by Ashley Dawson
ashley@louisville.com

Kiss buyer’s remorse goodbye this holiday season and give in order to do good for the place we all call home.

Whether you’ve been an environmental enthusiast for some time, or you are just now considering global warming as more than mere propaganda, take the opportunity this year to give something other than just another thing to re-gift.  With the current tr/files/storyimages/in going green, the market makes it easier than ever to buy gifts for everyone on your list.

The Adventurer

This personality makes it especially easy to give green. You can purchase a membership to Bernheim forest for this person by logging onto www.bernheim.org. Jefferson Memorial forest also has gift certificates for use at their public education programs, camping, and gift shop where all proceeds go to the forest. On a larger scale, a national parks pass is a great gift for the adventurer who gets around and can be purchased at www.nps.gov. And lastly, a bike is a great gift that promotes a healthy environment and a healthy body.

The Gardener/Chef

A window box herb garden will allow the gardener or chef in your life to thrive even in the coldest of months. A compost promotes sustainability and is a great tool for a gardener or a chef with a vested interest in the way their ingredients are grown. www.composters.com has an extensive collection. There is a plethora of cookbooks with emphasis on organic methods. Chez Panisse Cafe Cookbook by Alice Water is one that advocates the use of locally grown and seasonal ingredients. According to GOOD magazine the United States uses 60,000 plastic bags every 5 seconds. Help slow that rate and give canvas shopping bags.

The Music Lover

A gift membership to the Public Radio Partnership in the name of your fri/files/storyimages/or family member gets them all the perks of the program with the added benefit of supporting public radio and doesn’t contribute to the doom and gloom of global warming. An itunes gift card or concert tickets are also great ways to give experiences rather than things, which don’t /files/storyimages/up shoved in a closet.

The Tree Hugger

This person is probably already making an effort to be environmentally responsible so get them something they normally wouldn’t purchase for themselves. Through the Nature Conservancy you can purchase an acre of rainforest, coral reef or a plot of endangered land here in North America, whichever place you think the gift recipient has the highest regard for.  If someone on your list is an animal lover the Sierra Club has over 80 species of animals to choose from for “adoption.”  Caron dioxide emissions are a main provocateur in the state of our planet. You can learn more and purchase carbon offsets in the name of the environmentalist on your list at www.carbonfund.org. The Tufts Climate Initiative and the Stolkholm Environment Institute also have websites to help you navigate through your options. According to www.41pounds.org, Americans receive 41 lbs. of junk mail a year. You can stop that from happening to the tree hugger on your list  by visiting their website.

Green Gifts for Everyone

The Inconvenient Truth is a great gift for those who are already on the planet saving bandwagon as well as for those who have yet to make the jump. Tickets to any event or movie are widely appreciated- and maybe you’ll even be invited. Memberships to zoos and museums are great educational gifts to promote appreciation of the world we live in. Organic chocolate and wine are luxuries to be enjoyed by even those unaware of their benefits. Last but not least, the Planet Earth DVDs are a collection of awe-inspiring cinematography capturing unprecedented footage reminding us all there is no place like home.