‘Day 7 – Duck Shoot’
courtesy of ‘DaGoaty’

From the deep, dark motives of rubber duckies to shivering dips in the chilly Chesapeake Bay to free tickets to the Washington Auto Show, there’s some creativity in the next couple of weeks’ green events. Without further ado, here are some new ways to save the planet.

Learn If a Duck Is Plotting to Kill You
Wednesday, Jan. 20
6:30 p.m.

Slow Death by Rubber Duck – Discussion and Book Signing
Downtown/U Street Corridor
Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th St., NW

To research their new book, authors Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie spent a week eating and breathing things that are abundant in our homes and offices, from dust to shampoos and toothpaste.

Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things tells the story of the toxins that accumulated in their bodies during that short time and jumps from there to the corporations that make these toxins, the governments that stand by and watch, and the effect it has on people worldwide.

Come for a talk and signing. The book is said to be hopeful, empowering readers with simple ideas for protecting themselves and bringing positive change.
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‘Frozen Potomac’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

As you pour the eggnog, make your resolutions and break out the noisemakers for New Year’s Eve, remember that donating to a charity before the clock strikes 12 can save you some money this spring in taxes. And of course make the world a better place.

Oh, right! Now, where to spend that hard-earned cash? Earlier this month, Tiffany did a great wrapup of several area charities worthy of holiday gifts. She covered charities that help with food, shelter and basic needs; animals; and youth and education. Give that list a whirl and, if you’d like to give your greenbacks to local organizations that green DC, check out these as well.

This, too, is far from a comprehensive list, so please add others that you like best in the comments. For more info, Charity Navigator and GuideStar can give you more information about nonprofits and their finances.

Clean Rivers

Potomac Conservancy protects the Potomac River by protecting the surrounding land by, for example, planting trees or establishing conservation easements. It also encourages policies that reduce stormwater pollution, save forests and the C&O Canal, and offers community conservation projects where you can collect seeds or plant trees. The group also monitors and reports on the river’s health, most recently on the river’s abundance of egg-bearing male fish, and holds fun events at its River Center at Lockhouse 8 such as music and canoe trips.
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