The Top 10 TDG Stories of 2010

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2010 was quite a year, with Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook seemingly taking over the world, disasters in Haiti, Pakistan and elsewhere killing tens of thousands of people, miners receiving a spectacular rescue, and a venerable newsmagazine essentially getting swallowed by an upstart website. Great soccer was played, Nobel prizes were awarded and former child soldiers went home. The iPad changed the world for those who could afford it, while the majority of people on the planet still toiled away on less than $2 a day.

It's undeniable that 2010's biggest environmental story was the Gulf oil spill, and that's a disaster The Daily Green covered in detail. We hope our reporting and analysis have added some context to the important discussions the nation has been having about offshore drilling, regulation of the fossil fuel industry, consumption, oceans protection and a much-needed shift to renewable energy.

We also found it instructive to look back at our traffic reports for the year, and see which stories first published this year have connected the most with our readers. So we put together this list of the most visited 10 stories for 2010. The content covers a range of issues, from cars to food, saving money and endangered species, reflecting the diversity of subjects we cover every day.

Tell us which stories were your favorite, and what you'd like to see in 2011.

1. The Most Fuel-Efficient 2010 Cars and SUVs

Brief reviews and core stats of 21 cars, SUVs, station wagons and hatchbacks that get better than 30 mpg. This includes the iconic Toyota Prius, plus affordable, efficient offerings by Ford, Honda and Nissan. From the adorable Smart to a comfortable Lexus, there's something for a broad range of buyers.

2. 9 Food Label Lies

Truth in labeling has long been a hotly debated and nuanced issue. While we have come a long ways from the "swill milk" cut with cleaning chemicals that was sold in the 1800s, we still don't have legally defined, or universally agreed upon, definitions for words like "natural" and "free range." Do you know what "0 trans fat" really means?

3. The Dirty Secrets of 6 Scandalous Foods

Keeping track of green food trends can be exhausting. What's good food, and what's bad? Find out what you should know about chocolate, shrimp and other surprisingly "bad foods."

4. Planned Obsolescence: 8 Products Designed to Fail

It may not be the easiest phrase to pronounce, but planned obsolescence is built into many products we use every day. Don't you hate it when something breaks just after the warranty runs out? Or what about that new electronic gadget that fails to work with your old accessories from the same manufacturer? Such issues can have a real impact on our spending and consumption patterns, and therefore environmental consequences. See how consumers can fight back.

5. 11 Amazing Treehouses from Around the World

Who doesn't love a treehouse? They bring us closer to nature, and appeal to the kid in all of us. Pete Nelson's latest book, New Treehouses of the World, takes us on a fantastical voyage through secret hideouts and dream forts, from Long Island to Thailand and many places in between.

6. $1,500 Home Improvement Tax Credits

2010 was a tumultuous year when it came to politics, and not just because of the mid-term elections. Still, many consumers took advantage of this year's tax credits (up to $1,500) to make their homes more energy efficient. Unfortunately the deal runs out at the end of this year, although credits for solar, wind and geothermal systems remain until 2016. Partly on the heels of the tax credits, we saw heavy clicking on our 19 Easy Home Winterization Projects.

7. 7 of the Best 2010 Fuel Efficient SUV Crossovers

In addition to small cars, so-called crossovers also saw a lot of interest this year. Our guide to these slimmer, gentler cousins of SUVs includes relatively efficient models from Subaru, Toyota, Honda, VW, Ford, BMW and others.

8. 50 Healthy Foods for Under $1 a Pound

Longtime TDG contributor Jeff Yeager, the Green Cheapskate, has had a busy year, with a new book, a bicycle-based book tour, multiple national TV appearances and thrilling adventures with Gomer, his lovable compost pile. Jeff's feature on eating healthy on a lean wallet got us thinking about how much we blow on takeout and bar menus.

9. Extinct in Our Lifetime — 11 Species We've Lost Forever

In the most recent On Earth magazine, science luminary E.O. Wilson warns of the far-reaching consequences of the worst extinction since the time of the dinosaurs -- a distressing, immediate problem being caused by human beings. Many wondrous species have already been lost in our lifetime, from the golden toad to the Zanzibar leopard and Javan tiger. How many more will be lost?

10. 6 Surprising Facts About Organic Foods

In 2010, organic food continued to show strong growth, despite a weak economy and it's price premium. Still, organic isn't always the smartest choice, some popular brands are part of huge multinationals, and yields may surprise critics. We love organic, but how much do we really know about it?

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