Yay, a blog!

Welcome to the new Environment Report blog! Come here for all the latest behind-the-scenes scoop, story extras and updates, more musings and insight from the ER staff on environmental news, and a chance to let the world know what YOU think about our stories by posting comments. Feel free to vent your frustrations, inquire about stories, or just share your thoughts.

Here's something to get you started: I've been thinking a lot lately about how trendy environmentalism has become. And it's not just your typically crunchy granola types that are paying attention. A-list celebs and people who never gave the environment a second thought are also succumbing to the fad. This year's Emmy's featured a "Green Room," filled with organic goods, and eco-organic swag bags appeared at Sundance instead of traditional giveaways. Not to mention the fact that celebs drive Priuses like they wear Marc Jacobs and Chanel.

But the overwhelming sentiment seems to be...don't go out of your way! Don't do TOO much! This is exemplified perfectly by John Mayer's idea of "Light Green," which you can find here on his blog. According to Mayer, getting worked up about the environment just isn't necessary: "No thinking about 'offsetting your carbon footprint'. No rallies. No brow-beating people who think the Earth just has a fever. Pick one thing to change this year, and keep the rest of your life the same."

Okay, so what do you think? Is this "light green" approach better than nothing at all or is it just one celebrity crooner's easy way out? Is it a way to give a nod to those fearful of climate change without having to change much yourself? Give us your thoughts right here on the Environment Report blog!