From the outset, we wanted Green Options to be a space where people talk to one another about the green topics that matter to them. While we set the agenda here on the blog, and in other portions of the site, our Discussion Forum is the place where you decide what needs addressing. If you haven't visited the Forum, drop in, and strike up a conversation…or join one.

As Ryan and Jimmy showed Tuesday, there's still plenty to discuss regarding the topic of climate change. While I'd guess that most of the team members here at GO fall into the 90% of people who've accepted the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other scientific bodies regarding the role CO2 emissions play in the climate crisis, there's still much to discuss and debate about the action we need to take. Economics tend to be at the core of most discussions about large-scale action, and conversations about the costs and opportunities created by environmental challenges need to occur within the public and private sectors, as well as among informed and concerned citizens.

Some other fodder for discussion:

• The human costs: Climate change is definitely an environmental justice issue, particularly since the developing world will likely "feel the heat" the most.
• The broader ecological costs: We've all read and heard about the polar bears. What other implications does action (or inaction) on climate change hold for other environmental challenges?
• The "marketing" angle: A recent post at The Oil Drum addresses the long-term consequences of climate change in light of research that shows we human beings tend to be very short-term in our thinking. Marketing guru Seth Godin noted last year that "global warming" is an ineffective phrase from a marketing standpoint. How do we communicate the threat of climate change without resorting to "chicken little" tactics?

Clearly, I've just touched the tip of the iceberg (a fitting metaphor, no doubt!). Got something to say about climate change? Say it in the Forum…

Admin Update: GreenOptions.com should be back to 100%

The Green Options site went down for a short time last night while our development crew upgraded the system. So, if you see anything wrong trying to linger around today, please report it and we'll take care of it!

While some joker will no doubt chime in and say that this phrase is a contradiction in terms, we're looking for a "green (political) conservative" to join our blogging team.

From the time we created our editorial policies, we agreed that we wanted to remain neutral in terms of our political leanings. We'd focus on green political issues, and praise or criticize based on results or potential results; not on party or ideological labels. We know that there are people on both sides of the political spectrum who share our passion for green living, and our concerns about the environmental challenges that face us. We want our readers to recognize that there are "green options" in the political realm, also.

As such, we want to expand our political coverage, and present views from both sides of that (artificial) divide of right and left. Ryan, our current politics writer, will be representing the progressive side; we need someone that feels more comfortable with a conservative take on the environmental issues of the day.

What we're looking for: in short, a "green conservative." That is, someone who tends to favor free-market solutions to environmental problems over those created by government. This person could certainly fall into the "energy hawk" category. While party affiliation isn't as important to us as ideas, we'd guess that this writer would identify as a Republican, or maybe even a Libertarian.

What we don't want: a "red meat" ideologue (on either side). We're looking for reasoned arguments, not bashing the other side. We know Ryan's up to the job for the progressive side, and we also know there are plenty of green conservatives who can make their argument with eloquence. We do want passion, but passion for solutions…

Think you're the person for us? Or, do you know that person? Drop me an email or a private message, and tell me why. We'd love to get this feature going ASAP…

Thanks to all of the writers who submitted entries into Green Options' "The Lighter Side of Green" contest. Given the time frame for entries, and our pre-launch status, we were happy with the response we received. Thanks to all of you that took the time (and exercised your patience) in providing your response to the entries: rest assured that we considered your votes when we chose a contest winner.

The winner of the "Lighter Side of Green" is…. drum roll please…

Wendy Laird, author of "There is Nothing Funny About Environmentalism."

Wendy will receive the $100 prize, and a one-month starter contract as Green Options' resident humor writer. We hope that you're looking forward to her contributions as much as we are!

Again, many thanks to all of you who participated in the contest! This was only our first — we'll have many more!

Just a reminder that the entries in our "Lighter Side of Green" humor writing contest are up and ready for your votes. We have had some glitches with the voting system (which our developers are handling), so please make sure to:

• Vote in order
• Vote on every entry

We appreciate your feedback — it will definitely figure into our choice of the contest winner!

The submissions for Green Options' "The Lighter Side of Green" Contest are ready for reading… and voting! We've added a rating feature to each essay so you can tell us what you think.

We'll be deciding on a contest winner this week, and your response will certainly play a role in our decision. The winner will receive not only a $100 cash prize, but also a one-month starter contract as a blog columnist — so let us know which writer you'd like to see come back! We'll announce the winner next Monday.

Many thanks to our entrants — we'll have a tough time with this one!

Wow!  It's the first day of February — only a few days until Green Options goes live in all of its glory.  February 1st is also the last day to submit entries to Green Options' "The Lighter Side of Green" contest.  We've received some great entries (yes, we've been laughing), but we're also guessing that a few procrastinators can still tickle our funny bones.

So, if you're a humor writer who's driven by deadlines, get your motor running — today's the day!  We'll post all entries this weekend, and invite visitors to take a look, and let us know what they like. We'll choose a winner during next week's launch, and announce him or her on February 12th.

Crank up the computer and the coffee pot, and get us your entry — we'll accept them through midnight Pacific Standard Time.  Email them to lighterside@greenoptions.com.

On Monday, we announced the Green Options The Lighter Side of Green contest, and we've been really pleased with the response we've received. Of course, we'd love to see more contest submissions, so if you think you can make us laugh, take your shot at a $100 cash prize and a starter contract as GO's resident funny man or woman.

Having trouble thinking of a topic for your 250-500 word column? That's probably not because there's not enough material out there; rather, there may be too much! Nothing's off limits: our personal habits and quirks, the statements of politicians and/or activists, or even the statements and actions of green critics are all fair game. We're looking for light humor vs. biting satire; poking fun vs. roasting over the coals.

February 1st, the contest deadline, is getting close — one week from today. Send your submissions to lighterside@greenoptions.com.

Let’s face it: those of us living and promoting the green life can be awfully serious. That’s understandable, as we’re dealing with serious issues like climate change, resource depletion and ecological degradation.

At Green Options, though, we know that green can be fun. In fact, we even believe it can be downright hilarious! And we’re pretty certain that some of you also see the lighter side of the green life.

With that in mind, we’re pleased to announce the Green Options A Lighter Side of Green contest. We’re pretty sure that there’s a green Dave Barry or Art Buchwald out there, and we want to find that writer and hire him or her. The contest winner will receive a one-month starter contract to write for Green Options, and $100.If you think you’ve got the goods to tickle our funny bones, write a 250-500 word column that addresses some element of the green life in a humorous manner, and send it to lighterside@greenoptions.com in MS Word or rich text format by February 1st. Feel free to poke fun at your fellow greenies (we can use it occasionally!).

When we launch on February 5th, we’ll publish all of the contest entries, and ask for comments from GO readers. On February 12th, we’ll announce the winning entry (which will be chosen by the Green Options staff). Once we work out details with that writer, we’ll start featuring his or her work in a weekly column.

We’re moving quickly on this one, so don’t wait around – February 1st is the deadline for entries. We’re looking forward to laughing a lot…!

While we're quite happy with the team of writers we have on board, we could use a couple more. If you're a writer or blogger with a passion for green living, and can commit to daily blog posts (6 per week), we'd be interested in talking to you.

When we launch, we want to publish 8-10 quality blog posts per day that inform and enlighten our readers about the wide world of green living. Our bloggers do have areas of focus, but there's lots of room for branching out.

We're looking for writers with a lively style, and a command of the facts on their chosen topics. We want writers who can communicate sometimes complex ideas to readers who may be fairly new to green ideas. Experience, particularly with online writing and/or blogging, is good, but not necessary: we're certainly willing to nurture the right person. The main requirements are solid writing abilities, and the ability to communicate your passion about the green life. We will pay you for your efforts.

Interested? Questions? Email or private message me. Quill pen not required.

UPDATE: Wow! Thanks to all of you that have expressed interest in blogging for us — and I do mean all of you! I'm in the process of responding to inquiries — if you haven't heard from me yet, you will.  Because we've received many excellent inquiries, I'm going to close this offer for now.  I'm sure, though, that we'll be looking for writers again in the near future.

Also, if you're interested in contributing entries to the Green Living Wiki, please feel free to contact me.