February 24th, 2008

Green Magazines Abound

Posted by Shayna Prunier

Put down that eye candy magazine – you know the ones I am talking about! How about picking up a thought provoking and environmentally inspiring magazine to read?  There are now a variety of great green publications to choose from, and we thought we would review a few of our favorites here at Low Impact Living.  Some are very technical and some are more about living a green lifestyle, but all of them are chock full of great ideas, thoughts and innovations. 

Before we get into the reviews, we should note that any publication geared toward the green consumer should be making an effort to print on recycled paper or FSC certified paper, and using organic inks for print.  Some publication companies might even be going the extra mile by using green energy to power their operations or offsetting their carbon footprint by purchasing credits.  Also, used magazines or newspapers should ALWAYS go into the recycling bin and not the trash upon completion.  Better still– try reading your favorite magazines online and save the paper altogether!

Green Magazines We Love

Natural Home offers environmentally concerned homeowners the information they need to practice earth-inspired living.  It features articles that discuss topics about the home, gardening, remodeling, redecorating, health, and inspiring projects for the eco minded.  Often you can source a fabulously yummy organic recipe or get an idea for using an old household item and turning it from trash to treasure.          

Plenty is a newer magazine that provides a little more insight into the green world around us with articles about current environmental issues.  Their motto is “It’s easy being green” and their goal is to prove it through awareness and knowledge.  You will find tips for DIYers and cool new products for your home or office.  In every issue, you will find updates on People, Technologies, Eco-Travel, Green Gear, and much more.  Plenty is about eco-conscious abundance, and true to the title, there is an abundance to be gained every two months from this magazine.  It is sold at retailers like Whole Foods and also available online. 

Another great green lifestyle publication is Mother Earth News. It focuses on sustainable living and offers great nitty-gritty do-it-yourself green projects. It also covers renewable energy, organic gardening, natural health and other topic areas.

Eco-Structure is on the more technical side of green design and technology.  You can always count on them to introduce you to the latest innovation and have some very detailed analysis articles about green technologies and the performance of green buildings.  This magazine is not for the beginner in green design, but it will launch you into a new realm of knowledge. The most helpful aspect comes from the laundry list of all the resources and products used for every project mentioned in the magazine.  For all you design professionals, this is a HUGE help and time saver when doing research for current green projects.  I am constantly fascinated by the articles in Eco-Structure and look forward to its arrival every month for a true cover-to-cover read.  It is a free subscription and well worth checking out.   

Environmental Design and Construction  is a magazine for the academic in all of us.  Although it is probably the most senior green magazine on the racks, it is often overlooked in favor of its fancier and newer counterparts.  It should not be dismissed since it is always chock full of educational resources.  It is best known for its annual comprehensive list of green resources and products called the “Green Book”.  If you are a design professional, building professional, or facility owner, add this guide to your shelves and link this website to your favorites.  It is truly an oldie but goodie.     

GreenSource Magazine  Aside from solving the mystery of when it will arrive in your mailbox, this newcomer to the racks is a winner.  The leader in Architectural books and magazines, McGraw Hill Construction, has teamed up with the staff of Building Green for content and articles.  McGraw Hill Construction is a powerhouse for all kinds of construction and building resources including Architectural Record and Sweets catalogs which are found in every Architectural office. Building Green is a leader in environmental education and information and is best know for publishing Environmental Building News and the GreenSpec directory. GreenSource focuses on actualizing a green building and the process involved.  For all you LEEDers, this is a great magazine to guide you through the LEED rating systems and implement it into construction projects.   

Dwell has always been on the leading edge of modern style and design.  Although it is not specifically a “green” magazine, you will find many green references, products, and information in every issue.  Dwell is extremely popular with the consumer market as a leader for providing information about modern dwellings.  The Dwell empire even has its own trade show every year in San Fransisco.  It is a very progressive magazine and you can count on it every month for introducing something new and unique.  My only complaint is the overwhelming pages with advertisements, and often from companies that are unrelated to the design industry.  Aside from this, Dwell is a great coffee table magazine and will always inspire you intellectually every month.

The anxious anticipation of the arrival of your favorite magazine holds a different value in every person.  I am like a kid in a candy store when mine arrive! We would love to hear about other green magazines and publications that you look forward to reading every month for the latest and greatest environmental news.