Halloween is such a great time of year…we get to pretend to be someone, or someTHING else! It’s not, however, the greenest of holidays, especially of late. Millions of costumes made of synthetic fibers shipped all of the way from China are stocked in every store around town. They may set you back just $15 but the carbon footprint on those costumes is huge. So what are the alternatives?

Costumes

Get creative!

• Use items from around the house to make a costume.
• Visit thrift stores & consignment shops for used clothes and accessories to make the perfect ensemble.
• Borrow or trade costumes among friends.
• Paper maiche a mask!
• Want something new? Silk costumes are considered more eco-friendly than petroleum based polyester fibers.

Examples we’ve seen that worked great:

• The Chef: chef’s hat, apron, a mixing bowl & wooden spoon…toss some flour on your face for the full effect.
• Leftovers: perfect for someone that has a lot of used but clean aluminum foil leftover. Place all over body. Ta da! (Thanks to Baby Posh Garage for this idea!)
• “Just Out of the Shower”: a robe, slippers, and a towel around your hair.

Green Costume Ideas & Resources: 50 last minute costume ideas, green halloween costume ideas, Planet Green’s Halloween guide

Decorations

It’s harvest festival time, so let’s feature some of the great colors that nature has to offer!

• Use pumpkins, gourds and apples to decorate, and later cook them into delicious snacks, meals, and pies!
• Hang sheets as ghosts…think old school!
• Stuff jeans an a shirt with old plastic bags or newspaper to make a scarecrow
• Use recycled materials and recycle or reuse whatever you can after the big day is over.

Treats

Times they are a changin’. Don’t expect to see the same old candy that you received when growing up. There are many more eco-friendly options available now.

• Candy: organic candy bars and lollipops are sold at stores such as Whole Foods
• Toys: instead of junk food (even if it is organic), kids will enjoy things to play with. We’ve recently stumbled upon these soy-based crayon rocks. See more ideas at Green Halloween.

More Green Halloween Ideas

• Bring an extra bag along when trick or treating to pick up litter along the way. via: About.com
• Use  wind up or shakeable flashlights (you make the power) to guide you through your tricks and treats. via: Green Halloween

If you haven’t heard the term “350″ yet, you certainly will soon enough. October 24, 2009 is set to be the International Day of Climate Action. We’ll explain it a bit more below, but this 90 second animation does a great job of summing it up:

The mission of 350.org really explains why “350″:

350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis–the solutions that science and justice demand.

Our mission is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis—to create a new sense of urgency and of possibility for our planet.
Our focus is on the number 350–as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. But 350 is more than a number–it’s a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.

To tackle climate change we need to move quickly, and we need to act in unison—and 2009 will be an absolutely crucial year. This December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to craft a new global treaty on cutting emissions. The problem is, the treaty currently on the table doesn’t meet the severity of the climate crisis—it doesn’t pass the 350 test.

So how do you get involved? Search for activities that are already planned in your community. Here in South Florida where Eco Echo is located, there are dune plantings, 350 Day Festivals, and eco-themed lectures.

You can also help “Build the Buzz” by spreading the word to your family, friends, and neighbors in some creative ways! We like the simple sidewalk chalk idea, and the yummy cookie idea (bake some at a perfect 350 degrees and others that get burned at 450). Visual and tasty!

How will you 350?

The recent Frankfurt Auto Show brought much buzz about green cars, with seemingly every manufacturer bringing out the latest in tiny, eco-friendly vehicles. In fact, Inhabitat rated the Top 5 Alternative Motorcars from the show, and Volkswagen’s concepts placed first and second.

VW, whose 2009 Jetta TDI won Green Car of the Year, showed off the E-up! and L1 concept cars in Frankfurt.

The E-up! is a teeny electric car that is set to launch in 2013. It’s being dubbed the Beetle of the 21st Century by Volkswagen…meaning that they intend this little 10.5 foot long car to be huge!

It’s got a range of 80 miles and can recharge 80% of the battery in just an hour! Sign me up!

For all the technical details, head on over to AutoBlog.

The L1 is VW’s 1-Litre car. Claimed to be the “most fuel-efficient car in the world”, this puppy is coming in at 170 mpg. This is a hybrid diesel vehicle that could also be seen on the streets around 2013.

As you can see, this one definitely has a concept car / Jetsons feel to it. Very slick!

For more details, check out AutoBlog.