TODAY'S TURN: Let your green fingers do the walking

THE ISSUE:
Used to be that "going green" meant buying a pair of Birkenstocks, throwing on a hemp poncho and getting knee deep in murky compost. But now hard core has gone mainstream. Now "green" means so much more. In fact, the term has grown to stand for social and economic justice, and community and environmental health. When you think about it, a "green" business could sell just about anything nowadays - as long as they do it in a socially and environmentally responsible way. In fact, "green" is so common and so widespread that you'd need some kind of book or directory to keep them all straight. Hmmm......

THE GOOD TURN:
The National Green Pages is like a phone book. Except this one lists thousands of companies that improve the quality of life for customers , employees, communities and the planet alike. The screening team at Co-op America (the publisher) puts each company through a rigorous screening before letting them in the book. What are they looking for? More than just platitudes and trendy promises. They're looking for real commitment and action. They're looking for values. You can find all kinds of products and services in there, from all over the country - just now, three random turns of the page turned up skin care, futons and a financial services company. Even better, it has articles and tips on how to live a green lifestyle.

Click here to do this Good Turn.