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
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
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
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
If you are new to WebEcoist, click here to sign up for the RSS feed and take a look through our archives and galleries. Also be sure to visit WebUrbanist and see architecture, interiors, furniture and more design at Dornob.
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55 Comments
September 4th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Many thanks for the mention. We’re honored and appreciate that you didn’t just list the blogs blindly by rank but actually read them and understood how each is unique. Job well done.
But we have to do something about our logo. If you look on our about page, the avatar is the MG logo: http://www.maxgladwell.com/about/
September 4th, 2008 at 11:24 am
This is a great list. In the future, you should consider including a green legal category (or maybe you alaredy have).
Chris Cheatham
http://www.greenbuildinglawupdate.com
September 4th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I’m new to the green scene with my site but I love all of these sites you have listed. I love Max Gladwell and Grist. They’re all super and I get a ton of ideas, inpsirations and tips from all of them. Thanks for this. Maybe someday I’ll make it to the top 25? Maybe?
September 4th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Kudos to the team who compiled this list. You’ve got all the regular suspects (Treehugger, Grist, Worldchanging, HuffPo’s new green section etc.) and some great finds like Max Gladwell and Inhabitat. Of course, there are a few sites here I was not aware of. I’ll enjoy exploring them all. Thnx. ~ Franke James
September 4th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
This is a great list of blogs to subscribe to for green coverage! I’m updating my reader right now.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Thanks so much for this list and leading the Green Revolution. As long as we keep spreading awareness, we may get somewhere with our environment as a community. I don’t know if you guys have seen or heard about it, but there’s a new show out called battleground earth on Discovery Channel’s Planet Green starring Tommy Lee and Ludacris, which is all about solutions to our environmental crisis. Take care all!
September 5th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Thanks to you
September 5th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Hello,
Please check out my blog when you get a chance!
http://earthyfinds.blogspot.com
Thanks for the helpful list!
Hyla
September 18th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hi,
A lot of my favourite green blogs are in your list as well as some I haven’t come across before. I’ll be checking them out. It’s good to see a mix of blogs from different countries as it shows that the world is concerned about green issues.
Thanks,
Ethical and Green
http://www.ethicalandgreen.com
September 19th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
You can find more independent green blogs listed at the Best Green Blogs Directory. We are working on adding more as we go along. We had a database blowup so we are working to recover from that..
September 28th, 2008 at 9:39 am
The sites you listed are all awesome; I use many of them often for reference. But don’t discount the little people. Even Treehugger didn’t hit the top of the list overnight!
October 1st, 2008 at 6:36 am
Hello
Nice site!
Bye
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 am
Did you hear? Russian agressor attacks USA…
More info here: hotusanewx.blogspot.com
SHOKED!!
October 4th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Alex Papas is getting ready to bring you the first Green Island in the world, called Star Island. Papas and his partners are developing a paradise within a paradise, for the rich and famous. This luxurious 5-diamond private island community is nestled at the northern end of the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Just a 55 min flight away from Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale or Miami and only a 10 min boat ride to the island and Harbour Island is also only a 10 min boat ride away, yet light years away in its unique culture and ambiance of unhurried ease.
This 35-acre private island paradise will consist of 45 beachfront and dockage estate lots. There will be a condominium-hotel and waterfront bungalows. The island will have every amenity possible including world renowned restaurants, cafes, boutiques, club house, grocery store, tennis courts, basketball courts, state of the art fitness center & high end spa, marina, helicopter pad, and a park. Private boats and limo take you to and from the island and the airport. Hundreds of palm trees will cover the island and its beautiful sandy beaches. The island has elevations up to 24 ft and the best bone fishing in the world. The entire island will be managed as a 5 diamond hotel. Anyone can call at two or three in the morning to request a bottle of champagne and your favorite midnight snack. We’re creating a luxurious atmosphere. When done the island will be 100% off the grid and carbon neutral. In addition to being self sustaining the development project which includes a mix of private home, resort residences and bungalows plans to use environmentally friendly materials including LED lights and geothermal temperature control devices.
For more information on Star Island Bahamas go to http://www.starislandbahamas.com
You can contact Alex Papas at 954 729 8888
October 9th, 2008 at 1:09 am
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October 10th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Hello.
The images were released to celebrate the arrival on Monday of Emma Tallulah, the couple’s third daughter.
Bye.
October 13th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
SustainLane.com (alexa rank 99,034) offers members in its social network the ability to post blogs, product reviews, info about their green businesses, and green how-to’s. To view the latest green blogs, click here
October 20th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Hi. What a great list. Thanks. There are some places I’ve never heard of and will check out.
Please also visit my green blog if you get a chance: on a ledge (http://progressivekid.wordpress.com).
November 11th, 2008 at 5:43 am
DAESH ONOTOLE V PRAVITELI VSELENNOI!
November 11th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Nice site, thanks for information!
November 12th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
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December 13th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Great list, and I hope you’ll consider Green Living Ideas for any future revisions!
Best,
Sean Daily
Editor In Chief
GreenLivingIdeas.com
December 29th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Thanks for the list. Hope you take a look at http://www.offthegrid.com for future list insertion.
Judd Boyer
Off The Grid.Com
January 4th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Very cool, I appreciate all the extra blogs to check out. Thanks
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:34 am
We would like to raise awareness for Dressing Green, as our focus is 100% Organic Apparel for men and women.
Product
To create, market and sell the highest quality clothing made exclusively from organic and natural fibers while using the fewest chemicals possible in all stages of production.
Social
To operate the company in a way that is fair and equitable to all stakeholders and by supporting suppliers and partners who use Fair Trade practices and in turn improve the quality of life of their workers.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
please add my website to your site i would realy be thanksfull
February 4th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Going green is not a trend, the market will be opening up and accepting it more and more as people realize that true efforts to go green are indeed helpful. A lot of companies are trying to make the switch without raising prices, and usually they may not have too if the choose the right supply chain. Our website features tips and links to if you’d like to visit. Happy Greening.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Hi guys –
Hope you’ll check out our new website, LayZgreenPeople.com. Our belief is that Tree-Huggers, Corporations, and the Government are not going to save our Planet, we ALL have to do our part. The premise is that alone, it might not feel like much to save a paper cup and drink from a mug for your daily coffee, but if MILLIONS of other people do it, NOW we’re making an impact.
We also have a Pledge Pix section to showcase people are participating in the pledges.
Anyway, enough of my “preaching”, but would love to have your feedback on our mission and site!
Warm regards,
Preeti
February 21st, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Really great list. I wish my blog was one there
but these are definitely all really great green blogs.
March 4th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
What do you think of ELF? (Earth Liberation Front) Why does the FBI have such a grudge against them? Elf is just defending us against companies that are harming us by murdering the environment. Shouldn’t those CEOs be the ones sitting in jail?
March 10th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I was wondering if you would be interested in helping me promote my new fictional book, Quantum Earth on your blog. It’s about a group of scientists trying to find out if human thought is the cause of the increasing natural disasters on the planet that threaten to wipe out humanity. Do we create our own reality on a larger scale such as this?
March 17th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Very informative site. Great job!
March 25th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Great list!!! I really enjoyed looking through the different websites. Hopefully my solar blog becomes part of the list until then I will continue to blog away. Thanks again for this great read
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Nice article.
I would like to share with you one startup that aims to save money and environment: neighborrow.com.
neighBORROW is a “green” web-based start-up that facilitates the borrowing and lending things among neighbors or other groups. neighBORROW combines the traditional notion of borrowing a cup of sugar from a neighbor with modern technology, using the Internet to facilitate borrowing and lending of nearly anything among people in local networks. The website, currently in pBETA, uses accountability metrics such as deposits, user reputations and borrowing history and customizable privacy settings to help ensure the safety of its members’ property. Users have the flexibility to decide what and with whom they are willing to share by participating in private and public networks. These “neighBORROW-hoods,” have been created in apartment buildings, dormitories, offices, and other natural localities, and have been used to pool and catalog extensive online inventories of CDs, DVDs, video games, books, tools, sporting equipment, baby items and many other durable goods…
April 11th, 2009 at 8:23 am
A new site dedicated to clean energy news, products, and analysis is 2nd Green Revolution:
2ndgreen.com
April 27th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Great list! Would love for everyone to check out Greenwala, The Green Social Network. Community, over 5K products from Amazon, blogs, and much more. Look forward to connecting with everyone.
Chief Wala
Live Green and Prosper
April 27th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Great list! Would love for everyone to check out Greenwala, The Green Social Network. Community, over 5K products from Amazon, blogs, and much more. Look forward to connecting with everyone. We just launched out of our beta 2 weeks ago.
Chief Wala
Live Green and Prosper
May 15th, 2009 at 11:07 am
My wonderful, older brother is an amazing example of what one person can do, over time, when dedicated both to saving the environment and saving money!
This is his blog:http://solarpete.wordpress.com/
The electric company pays him money at the end of each year for the extra electricity he generates from his solar panels. It’s not a small amount of money, either – we’re talking 4 digits!
His entire life-style is sustainable.
I’d love for you to check out his blog and let me know your thoughts!http://solarpete.wordpress.com/
June 11th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Very good info. I really like browsing the different websites. Hopefully my green carpet cleaning becomes part of the list. Thanks for this great post.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:24 am
That was a nice read
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