The Green Realtor's Christmas List

If I would ever buy a house in the bay area I would most likely choose Betsy Thagard to be my realtor. She is not only a smart woman and a mother of two (that also spins her own wool - she has goats in her backyard) but she also gives 10% of her commission to an environmental non-profit of your choice. She drives around in her electric car that is powered by solar panels that are located on the roof of her house.

She is...no kiddin': The green realtor....THE EcoBroker!

I feel very lucky to be on the mailing list for Betsy's newsletter - it's always a great read. Especially this last one! I just had to share this with you. Enjoy Besty's creative gift suggestions that not only will make the gift recipient a better person but you can also feel very good about giving...

from Betsy's newsletter (some of these tips are local to Berkeley - but I am sure if you do some research you can find similar programs in your area):

1. Give a gift of tree seedlings to a poor community in Peru. For $60, Heifer International will assist a community in planting a grove of trees that will provide fodder for livestock and help to reverse desertification. Your friend receives a card describing your gift made in their name.

2. Many of you have house-obsessed partners (yes, I know who you are). For $395, you can give your partner a Home Performance Green-up by Sustainable Spaces -- a thorough analysis of your home's environmental performance with recommendations of ways to become more energy efficient.

3. Got a friend who complains about junk mail? Sign them up with Green Dimes. For $36 a year, GreenDimes will remove your friend from direct mail lists and plant a tree every month.

4. Give memberships in great environmental non-profit organizations. The Sierra Club, Save the Bay, Friends of Five Creeks and the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association do excellent work and provide fun outings for members.


5. Encourage a friend who longs to be car-free by giving them a membership in Zipcar or City Car Share.

6. Gotta give a more normal present? Then check out the green goods and companies listed at CoopAmerica.

7. Okay, so I'm making you feel guilty about that new car or fancy trip to Hawaii that you've already planned to give your loved one? Well, then add a purchase of carbon offsets that will counteract your gifts' global warming emmissions. Go to www.terrapass.com to figure out your trip or your car's carbon emissions. Then pay Terrapass to support clean energy and industrial efficiency projects that will cancel out those emissions. For just $29.95, your partner can drive that Prius 12,000 guilt-free miles a year. A Hummer is actually a deal at $79.95 -- but PLEASE don't buy one.

The Coop America Holiday Tips page has even more ideas for greening your holidays.
Have a joyful, fun and relaxing December. And, if my husband asks, tell him I want that trip to Hawaii.

The world would be a better place if we all had a little bit of a Betsy in us.