More Hip Than Hippie #276 - eBooks vs Books: Who's Greener?

A new study finds that e-readers could have a major impact on improving the sustainability and environmental impact on the publishing industry.

According to Amazon, sales of eBooks have outnumbered sales of hardcover books for the first time ever. Will e-readers spell the end of books as we know them? The Hipsters read between the lines to find the greenest way to turn the pages. Also, Val blows out the candles and Dori has a barrel of fun!

Beer: In the foothills above Chico lies the sleepy town of Magalia, home of Feather River Brewing Co. Their Dark Canyon Ale is a pleasing brew that would probably pair well with a hearty meal.

Chocolate: Round 2 of that Kallari Chocolate from Amy in San Diego. The 70% Single Source Organic Ecuador delighted Dori, while Val sent it to the Hall of Fame!

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! When the kids are chomping at the bit for something to do, break out Glee Gum's Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit! Made in the USA, this fun kit comes with everything you need to make 50 pieces of gum...if you stick to it, that is. Check out the chocolate and gummies kits too.
• Polar Excess. Stuff his stocking with eco-friendly luxury condoms this holiday season, then bring on the Ho Ho Ho's!
• Earth and All Her Friends. Coldplay announced they've become patrons of ClientEarth, a non-profit environmental law watchdog.

• Watt a car! Congrats to General Motors, whose Chevy Volt was named 2011 Car of the Year by Green Car Journal.
• Egg Foo Lung. The air in Beijing was so dirty last week, the US Embassy officially described it as "crazy bad". Chinese officials prefer to call it "breathtaking".

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Go for a spin! Now that you've turned on the heat, it's time to reverse your ceiling fan. The blades should be revolving in a clockwise direction to push the air up against the ceilings and down the walls. A ceiling fan can help lower energy consumption in the winter by up to 10%; just don't run it when no one's in the room!

• According to Cleantech, e-readers are greener than books...if you really use them!
• The impact of books and e-readers is measured in a variety of categories.
• More people read eBooks on laptops than on e-reader devices. Of course, if you prefer using your phone, there's an app for that.
• If you're giving an e-reader gift for the holidays, you're not alone!
• Amazon has an excellent program for recycling the Kindle.
• The folks who brought you The Story of Stuff made a quick primer on the environmental impact of electronics.
• Chin up, technophobes. PC World has 5 reasons you don't need an e-reader.

OK music lovers, let us know which holiday song we should lip-synch for your viewing pleasure! Give us your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Sarah in NYC needs coffee! We like the French press, percolator and Melitta manual drip for a variety of reasons. As for seasonal essential oils, try cinnamon, clove, orange and peppermint.
• Alex in Cleveland discovered a cool, convenient water bottle alternative: the Vapur Anti-Bottle.
• Trystan at Yahoo! Green chilled us to the bone with a story about a possible chocolate shortage in the future.
• Sarah from Wisconsin employed ChicoBags to make clever shoebox gifts for kids around the world, thanks to Samaritan's Purse.
• Laurel in NYC called our attention to Broadway Green Alliance and their fab fundraisers to help 'green' the theatre industry. Check out Broadway Bands!
• Kati in Chile is spreading the word about us in her adopted country. ¡Gracias!