Paros, Greece, from the back porch of my hotel roomThis week, we've got something exclusive for you: an inside look at a major symposium on climate change hosted by Greece's Andreas G. Papandreou foundation. The Foundation invited me to participate in the event, and I just arrived on the Greek Island of Paros a few hours ago.

Needless to say, I was very excited by this invitation, and not just because I get to spend a week in the Greek Isles and still call it work. Papandreou's annual Symi Symposium brings together great minds from around the world each year to discuss solutions to global issues. The participants include politicians (several members of various parliaments, and one president), business leaders, academics and representatives of non-governmental organizations. This year's theme is "Climate Changes Everything," and I'm definitely looking forward to hearing the perspectives presented on addressing the global climate crisis.

Some minor travel mishaps kept me away from the symposium's first session, "After Kyoto: How to Design a New Global Accord." Now that I'm here, I'm definitely looking forward to upcoming sessions and workshops on energy alternatives, social entrepreneurship, the "Green Economy," and climate change in the developing world. I'll be providing details throughout here, and may even give podcasting a try (there's a studio for it here). I'll also take plenty of photographs… everything is worthy of a picture here!

The Papandreuo foundation has graciously picked up the tab for me to attend and cover this event.

Cross posted at sustainblog

As regular readers of GO know, the world of green technology is moving forward at a blinding pace. Every week (shoot, sometimes every day) brings many exciting stories about breakthroughs and developments, ranging from more efficient ways to light your home to next-generation renewable energy solutions that can power whole communities. It's both challenging and exhilarating to try to keep up with the latest news.

Of course, those of us who aren't designers, engineers or scientists likely come up with questions (perhaps many of them) about these developments. Why does a CFL use less electricity to produce light? Which is the best long-term solution for personal transportation: hydrogen or batteries? And, just how do solar panels turn sunlight into electricity? You're certainly not alone if you're asking these questions…

In order to give you a place to ask about green tech, we've partnered with EcoGeek.org to create "Ask the EcoGeek," a weekly column that will answer some of these questions. Each week, Head EcoGeek Hank Green will choose a question submitted by a reader from Green Options, EcoGeek.org, or another participating site to answer in the column.

Got a question that you think might be appropriate for Hank? Just use the submission form we've created to ask it. Hank's working on his first column (already got some questions from EcoGeek readers)… look for it regularly on Thursdays.

Max admitted to a perpetual state of confusion yesterday, but when it comes to making the right choices for greening our lives, many of us feel the same way. We're surrounded by choices, particularly in how we spend our money, and more and more products and services are touting their environmental benefits. So, which is it: hybrid or high-mileage conventional vehicles? Biodegradeable disposeable products, or recycled ones? Paper or plastic?

Of course, we try to answer many of those questions here at GO (paper or plastic? Neither!). But, you may still be faced with decisions that put you in a quandary: you can see environmental benefits in both options, but aren't sure which choice is best. So, we've created a discussion forum for those green quandaries.

Throw your confusion out to the GO community: more than likely there's are members here who can help you make the best choice. Even if you get a discussion going, and there's no clear winner, you know more than you did when you started.

Thanks to GO member serenity_ii for the suggestion — it's a good one!

We hope all of our US readers enjoy the long weekend, and get to spend some quality time relaxing with family and friends.

Many of us will be doing that, also, so it will be a bit slower this weekend. While we do have some very cool posts planned, there won't be a Weekend Review, or Weekend Web Review. We'll be back next weekend with the full range of content features.

Have a happy, safe and green weekend!

Most of us have a fairly narrow view of what it means to recycle: we gather materials (aluminum, paper, glass, plastic) in blue bins and either leave them on the curb for a pick-up service, or take them to a drop-off point. British site How Do I Recycle This? takes a much broader view of the concept — essentially merging reuse and recycling — and provides a forum where users can submit there own ideas for getting more use out of items that most of us would throw away without a second thought.

If you don't live in Great Britan, don't let the UK URL, or location of publishers Louisa Parrry and John Leach, put you off: there's very little in this blog's many posts that applies only to Brits or Europeans. Furthermore, don't expect the tried and true reuse projects that many of us did when we were kids (i.e., making bird feeders out of milk cartons) — the range of materials and recycling/reuse ideas at How Do I Recycle This? is quite eclectic. Some of the more unusual items:

• Foam pizza/garlic bread bases
• Tablet/pill blister packs
• Shed pet hair
• Dead electric razors
• Old potatoes

Parry and Leach post new items on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and users are welcome to submit suggestions (whether they've successfully reused or recycled them item themselves or not).

The most impressive aspect of the site is its focus on harnessing the ideas of its users: Parry and Leach do offer their own suggestions when they have them, but every post is geared towards gathering ideas from readers. This is Green Web 2.0 in a pretty pure form: anyone can contribute their "authority" on the subject. While some items require an explanation of regulations for safe disposal (i.e. CFLs), the majority of the "trash" listed on the site encourages a free and creative exploration reuse possibilities.

"How Do I Recycle This?" has been online since April, 2006, and appears to have recently grown in its offerings — as recently as April, most posts appeared at the end of the month. I have no doubt, though, that the site's readership will keep it in "junk" that can find a better place than the trash can or landfill. The publishers have also launched a companion site, Compost This, that's a bit more directive, but still very useful.

We've been thrilled by the recent pick up in blog comments and discussions going on at Green Options: we're glad many of you feel comfortable participating in discussions here. Ninety-nine percent of those comment have been constructive, thoughtful and informed. The other one percent… well, we're making some changes to address spam (which has picked up also) and uncivil behavior.

After deleting a ton of spam yesterday, I asked our developers to turn on moderation for comments submitted by users not registered at GO. This does not mean that you won't be able to add your voice to the discussion without becoming a member; rather, it means that those comments will have to be approved before appearing on the site. The content team will be checking the moderation queue frequently, so it shouldn't be too long before your comment appears.

On the issue of civility: let's face it — people find it way too easy to be rude or obnoxious online. We're not speaking face-to-face; we probably haven't even met the person with whom we're having a conversation. From our perspective, though, knock-down, drag-out flame wars add nothing to a given debate, and certainly don't add any value to Green Options. So, feel free to engage in spirited argument, but, if an exchange devolves to name-calling, insults, obscenity directed at another user, etc., we will remove those comments (or, if we're feeling cheeky, we'll disemvowel them). We don't want to stifle discussion; rather, we want to encourage it. We believe that a community is built by people who treat each other with courtesy, even when they disagree. We want all GO users to know that they can offer their opinions and knowledge without being bullied, insulted or otherwise mistreated.

We value your participation at Green Options, and are always interested in your ideas for making the site the place you want to discuss sustainability and green living. Let us know if you have questions or concerns.

Rural Renaissance: Renewing the Quest for the Good Life: New Society Publishers, 2004Editor's note: Welcome to the Weekend Review, another addition to our weekend lineup. Each week, one of our writers will review a book, film, event, multimedia product, etc., that will relate to your quest to green the good life.

Ever dreamed about quitting the nine-to-five routine, getting out of the city or suburbs, and moving to a little farm in the country to raise organic vegetables and chickens? Of course you have: most of us trying to live more sustainable lives while maintaining an otherwise conventional existence likely share some version of that dream. John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist's Rural Renaissance: Renewing the Quest for the Good Life gives a reader a first-hand account of their efforts to live that dream, and shares the knowledge and wisdom they've gained while building both a business and a family in central Wisconsin.

I expected a "how to" book when I first started reading. What I found, to my surprise and delight, was much more eclectic and fascinating. There's a wealth of practical information on renewable energy systems, strawbale building, food preservation and water conservation, but all of that is wrapped in the compelling story of how this couple transitioned from full-fledged yuppiehood to country living with a light footprint.

While not a traditional, straightforward narrative, all of the "how to" sections of the book connect with John and Lisa's personal journey and transformation. A reader will not only learn about different kinds of solar and wind power systems that can be integrated into a rural homestead (or other residences), but also how the couple went about choosing the equipment they now use, how they financed it, and even how new friends such as "Super" Bob, and Phil and Judy, played integral roles in helping these homesteading newbies make the right choices and install their systems. In the spirit of these helpful neighbors and friends, John and Lisa share ample lists of organizations, web sites and books that can help others wanting to build a more sustainable lifestyle. In many cases, there are personal connections here, too: the couple has worked with many of the non-profits and government agencies, met and spent time with authors, and used this information in their own effort.

The book's title might lead a reader to believe that Rural Renaissance concerns the "rebirth" of rural communities that have fallen into economic and cultural decline in recent decades. That's certainly a part of the book, but the renaissance described in its pages is much more varied, nuanced and complex. John and Lisa themselves are "reborn" as they transform the farm into Inn Serendipity, their home and "funky" bed and breakfast. They experience the birth of their child Liam, and the forging new friendships with rural neighbors from a variety of backgrounds. The share fellowship and community with other rural residents, b&b guests, and fellow devotees of "right livelihood." And they discover a way of life that's bursting with connection: to the land and environment, to the people around them, and to each other.

I got a chance to meet and chat with John and Lisa before we opened for business on the first day of the Chicago GreenFest. After reading their book, I hope our paths cross again. They're created a lifestyle that's both enviable and inspiring — I hope they'll continue to share their stories with those of us still dreaming…

For more information on John and Lisa's activities, visit the Rural Renaissance website.

If you're a regular reader of Green Options (or even if you're not), it should be obvious that we're committed to providing you with a wide range of information and ideas on "greening the good life." We also want to make sure that we're giving you the information that will benefit you the most, so we've created a couple of ways that you can let us know what matters to you.

First, we're going to start a new regular feature: the Green Living Q&A. If you've got questions about living the green life, no matter how big or small, submit them to our writers using this form. They'll be constantly reviewing the questions we receive, and writing posts that answer them. If one of them chooses to answer your question, you'll get credit for asking it, including a link to your site, blog or GO member page.

In addition to questions, we know that many of you have green tips and strategies that you use in your daily lives, and we'd love to help you share them with the Green Options community. If you'd like to submit a tip to Rebecca and Amy for possible publication as a Tip o' the Day, just send it along to them through this form. As with Q&As, if we publish your tip, we'll be sure to acknowledge your contribution with your name and a link.

We want Green Options to be a community where users not only learn more about living a greener life, but share their own knowledge and experiences. As always, we welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions!

Greenland MYTH: When Eric the Red and his Viking buddies settled Greenland, it was a lush pastoral paradise fit for farming and raising animals.

Facts: As climate change skepticism has developed into a full-blown industry, a number of myths have filtered out about historical patterns of warming and cooling: just mention the “Little Ice Age” or the “Medieval Warm Period” to your favorite skeptic, and let ‘em go…

As a history buff, I always found today’s myth fascinating. As Coby Beck at Grist notes, Viking leader Eric the Red gave Greenland its name not because it was lush and green, but because he wanted folks back home to think it was:

Greenland was called Greenland by Erik the Red (was he red?), who was in exile and wanted to attract people to a new colony. He thought you should give a land a good name so people would want to go there! It likely was a bit warmer when he landed for the first time than it was when the last settlers starved due to a number of factors — climate change, or at least some bad weather, a major one.

But it was never lush, and their existence was always harsh and meager, especially due to the Viking’s disdain for other peoples and ways of living. They attempted to live a European lifestyle in an arctic climate, side by side with Inuit who easily outlasted them. They starved surrounded by oceans and yet never ate fish! (Note: this was not a typical European behavior, and is a bit of a mystery to this day.)

The issue here, of course, really isn’t Greenland’s name; it’s the idea of a Medieval Warm Period that skeptics claim was comparable to the present day in terms of the average temperature (or even warmer!). By extension, ice melts on Greenland aren’t that big a deal: it’s happened before.

Coby has thoughts on the Medieval Warm Period, and points to information from NOAA. RealClimate, the blog for anyone interested in hardcore climate science, also presents a number of reasons why the perception skeptics have about the Medieval Warm Period are likely incorrect.

Greenland wasn’t green in the tenth century… and we don’t want it to become green this century…

You may be wondering "What's up with the blog — there are usually more than two posts up by now!"  Yes, there are.  We've been working through a migration to a new host for Green Options, and part of that meant asking our writers to hold off posting until we could complete the move.

So, we'll have posts up today — just not at the usual early times.  Come back by… you'll find the usual mix of great posts from our writers.