If the number of electronic gizmos you carry makes you feel like Inspector Gadget, the SeV jacket’s “Personal Area Network” will finally give you somewhere to store everything: concealed pockets (30 of ’em!) and channels let you keep all your devices connected without strangling yourself in wires. Cool. But it’s the solar version that gets the TH a-ok. The flexible panels on the back are perfect for days when you don’t feel like dragging your solar backpack all over town. With a middleman battery, they charge most USB-chargeable devices, including cell phones and MP3 players—direct sunlight will give a full charge in 2-3 hours, but the battery is usable as soon as it starts charging. The downside: won’t charge an iPod, which apparently has to be authenticated by a computer to be charged (they’re working on a fix). But with another player, the panels can be removed and used without the jacket—we’re thinking lazy picnic afternoons filled with solar-powered music. Special prices $425-$535 USD at ::SCOTTeVEST [by KK]...

Although seen by some as a bit of a design cliche, the humble paper clip is one of the more instructive examples of an eco-product: • solves a problem with panache (and without adding to any larger problem) • purpose is swiftly understood (no manuals required) • remains useful across varied linguistic, cultural. racial, social and economic divides • single material (no contaminating components or composites, assuming it's a plain, polished aluminium version!) • made of a readily recyclable material • can be re-used (over and over and over....) • simple, elegant design • aesthetically pleasing • can used for many other purposes • lightweight • requires no other equipment or tool to be used • inexpensive • timeless (well, for the past 100 years or so, anyhow) If only all products could say the same thing! It's not perfect but it does better than most. ::History of the paperclip [by WM]...

Stephen Brooks grew up in North Miami, Florida and has been living in Punta Mona, Costa Rica since 1995. After an eye opening trip to Costa Rica, Stephen was inspired to make a positive impact on the planet and started Costa Rican Adventures, www.costaricanadventures.com, an educational eco-tour company striving to raise environmental awareness. After identifying and enumerating the many environmental problems there, Stephen wanted to present possible solutions and in 1997 founded the Punta Mona Center for Sustainability and Education, www.puntamona.org. In 2003, Stephen founded the Sustainable Solutions Caravan, a nonprofit organization promoting sustainable living by driving several buses running on recycled vegetable oil from San Francisco, California to Costa Rica. This led to the co-founding of the Conscious Goods Alliance. The "Veggie Bus" travels the country as an eco showroom featuring coconut floors, bamboo paneling, natural latex cushions covered in hemp, recycled paper countertops, an alcohol fueled stove and solar panels providing electricity. In 2005 Stephen co-founded Kopali Organics, a company which sources and develops sustainable, organic products from small farm cooperatives around the world and is distributed through Whole Foods Market in the United States. Foods that are "Good for you, the farmer and the planet we all share", www.kopaliorganics.com. In 2006, Stephen envisioned and co-founded Kopali Communities, an ultra ecological developer and builder of planned communities in Costa Rica, www.koplaicommunities.com. Stephen's passion lies in seeking more sustainable ways to live our daily lives without compromising quality of life. Stephen traveled around the world in search of experiences in sustainable living culminating in the creation and hosting of "Edible Adventures" for the Travel Channel in 2006 and now he is the food field reporter for Planet Greens Daily news show G-Word....

Why should women have all the fun? Some eco-chic for guys! A 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton T-shirt sweater. Seemingly ideal for shovelling snow! Having established their own factory in China, Of the Earth continue to produce clothing for men (and women) in a range of biodegradable fabrications using ramie, silk, hemp, organic cotton, tencel, wool, bamboo, yak, cashmere and more recently soy fibre (which we’ll have more info on soon). This year they are hoping to have organic certification for all their fibres. To date the soy, linen and cotton are organically certified. The long sleeve T shown is $38 USD and available in several colourways from ::Grassroots Natural Goods [by WM]...

We had a lot of interest in the Paper Vase we highlighted made from recycled magazines. Unfortunately it is no longer available. So thought we'd track down some appropriate replacements. Here are five examples of what we found. The ‘Radiator’ vase (shown here) is die cut from recycled newspaper and bound to create a dense fan or book page affect. A waterproof aluminium tube in the centre holds the flowers. $32 USD from Wishing Fish. The other innovative uses of recycled paper that follow are handmade in Brazil. A picture frame, handbag, cachet-pot, and an amazing looking evening bag/clutch. ::Wonders of the World [by WM]...

We’ve had this post in the pipeline for ages, but events in the Indian Ocean have prompted us to move it up the list. Habitat for Humanity is a widely respected, nonprofit organisation that seeks to “eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world”. Originally conceived in the US back in 1976, they now operate in 100 countries. Basically partner families contribute a huge amount of ‘sweat equity’ - their own time as labour in constructing the houses. They can then buy them using a no-interest loan from Habitat, who make no profit from the loan either. Through this unique participatory approach, Habitat expects they will have, by 2005, provided housing for one million low income peoples around the globe. Habitat for Humanity already had a presence in Tsunami effected countries of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh. They are now working with the local people to gauge needs in short and long term housing. For example, HFH Sri Lanka believe that for less than $100 USD they can make many damaged homes habitable. You can support such work by donating online. ...

If a stapler doesn’t use staples, then shouldn’t it be called a stapless? Or maybe an unstaple? We’ll leave that one to the linguists, but for the time being, we’ll refer to it as the manufacturers do, as a “staple-less stapler.” Instead of using the tiny pieces of metal that add up to lots of waste, this ingenious little device joins your papers by punching a small, neat hole in your documents and folding the remaining flaps together for a secure binding. No paper is torn off of your sheets and there’s nothing to toss out or pry apart with your fingernails. So simple, but so smart. We’re sure even Milton would give up his red Swingline for this. $5.95 ::ShiptheWeb.com [by MO]...

At a time when modern society normally slows a little, so families can come together, thousands, maybe millions, have recently had their relationships torn apart. Tragic as the Asian Tsunami has been for many visiting foreigners, those that survived, can at least leave the physical horror behind and fly home. But for vast multitudes ‘home’ has been washed away, along with their loved ones. They have no other place. As we open our wallets and our hearts for those in dire need of our support, this is a concept worth heeding. All of humanity, has indeed, no ‘other place’ to go. This planet is our home. Even as refugees, we have nowhere else to flee. Nor do any of the other species, with whom we share this tiny, water-covered orb of life. Respect and care for one another, may just help us get along – in this one place we all call ‘home’. TreeHugger wishes a happy and safe New Year for you and your world....

Prefab is great. Modern prefab is glorious. Green and modern prefab sends us into a swoon. Get the smelling salts, ’cause NowHouse is all of these things. Bamboo cabinets, cork floors, solar power start off the list of eco-features in this house by San Francisco’s CleverHomes. Prefab, patent-pending wall panels beat conventional construction against fires and earthquakes, and are “quicker, greener and cheaper” according to a great SF Gate article on the house. But it gets better....

You wouldn’t want all your fancy green furniture to go up in flames, so of course you’ve got a smoke detector. But not all detectors are created equal: there’s a choice between photoelectric and ionization detectors, and the latter contains a tiny bit of radiation. Radioactive Americium-241 releases ions that react with smoke in the detector to change an electrical current. It’s not enough radiation to harm you, but it’ll have to go into a landfill eventually—a definite eco no-no. The alternative photoelectric detectors instead works using an internal light source, which reflects light to a photocell when smoke enters the chamber....

Another twist on the folding bicycle. Structural hinges allowing the bike to collapse down to a small package for commuting, or for stowing in an apartment or car boot (trunk). Made from aluminium alloy it claims to be the “lightest folding production bike.” At 10.5 kg (23 lbs) the claim might be true. It folds in about 10-15 seconds, into its own carry bag, which does double service as the pannier bag. And like iXi bike the Airframe has folding pedals, which with the folding handlebars make it a snap to store in narrow spaces, like trains and offices. Hoon along with the four speed Shimano Nexus hub. Some reviewers suggest that the Airframe has a level of ‘flexibility’ in the frame structure that takes a bit of getting used to. UK designed and made. ::Airframe [by WM]...

A backyard inhabited by sleek Etra furniture or colorful designs by MetaMorf is no place for a folksy birdhouse. That doesn’t mean the birds have to head next door to the less stylish neighbors, though: Modern Birdhouses offers three designs named after architects from the famous Arts and Architecture Case Study Houses, all in sustainably harvested teak. Suddenly the neighbor’s alpine cottage birdhouse doesn’t look like such prime real estate. $125-$150; online or in shops. ::Modern Birdhouses [by KK]...

Ideally all the thirsty spectators at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City would have brought their own refillable drinking vessels. But the organizers knew it wasn’t going to happen that way, so they went with the next best option: biodegradable plastic cups. It takes more than chucking them on the compost heap for them to degrade, but industrial processes can do the trick—perfect for a high waste volume event like the Olympics. Natureworks PLA, the plastic used in the cups and these produce packages, is made from cornstarch (a renewable resource). NAT-UR—the manufacturer of the Olympics cups as well as biodegradable plastic cutlery, compost bags, and other products—can provide a full, customized service to help companies plan and implement biodegradation. 100 10 oz. cups: $26 online. ::NAT-UR (formerly Biocorp) Natureworks PLA Packaging [by KK]...

The latest from Williams-Sonoma isn’t a new jet-powered espresso machine or a Le Creuset pot in the shape of a dog, it’s their packaging materials, which now consist of Flo-Pak Super 8 loosefill—a fancy way of saying “peanuts” made from recycled polystyrene. Now wait a sec--we know that polystyrene isn’t the most ideal material on the planet and that just because they’re made of recycled stuff doesn’t make them any better when they do make it to the landfill. So before you get your disposable-packaging panties in a bundle, let us explain... ...

Listen kids, we’re just as confused with this Governator shiz as anyone, but we can’t say we’re displeased about the latest of the dude’s executive orders. Turns out Ahnold has taken yet another green step toward making California an environmental leader. On December 14, he signed an executive order that requires, among other things, that all new or renovated state buildings meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating or higher. That’s the body’s second strictest rating, and will require buildings to meet certain energy efficiency and materials criteria. ...

Stepping down the aisle and want the maximum emotional impact, with the least environmental one? Consider these folk. They offer wedding gowns of floaty hemp/silk or hemp/tencel blends. Advice on reception catering, with leads to bakers who make such triumphs as organic, vegan, wheat-free tiered cakes, and biscoti, no less! Even tips on organic wine and beer. Ceremony atmosphere notions, like candles of soy, hemp and citronella oils. Plus music suggestions, including links to Musicians United to Sustain the Environment (M.U.S.E.). Sources of organic flowers or dried natural flower arrangements. Ecotravel hints for the honeymoon too. You could say their website is a bouquet of bright ideas for eco-nuptials. I do. ::Organic Weddings [by WM]...

Plonk your posterior (and two others) down on one of these. Handmade, one at a time, to order. Organic hemp upholstered over organic cotton cushioning batts, which are wrapped in a barrier of organic cotton sheeting. Frames of American hardwood timber, from “well managed” forests, with maple feet. Individual craftsmanship is not cheap alas. $5,200 USD. ::Bean Products [by WM]...

Everyone knows how we love creative re-use. So when we found this cool door mat, we flipped for it. Made from blown-out flip-flops, these colorful rubber mats will reportedly last a decade—and can probably stand up much better to the four seasons than your flimsy little beach shoes. Does that make this an example of up-cycling? We think so—after all they do for us, everyone hopes their fave pair of thongs will be reincarnated as something superior. $20-40 ::Wetsand.com [by MO]...

T-shirts designs from Mission Playground come with cool artwork paired with catchy phrases (“It’s not the conditions, it’s the decisions” and “Nature rocks,” for example) in order to increase people’s awareness about environmentalism. Some (though disappointingly not all) of their garb is made from organic cotton (we’ll assume they're working toward more of that) and the company uses only PVC-free inks. We're giving them the overall green thumbs up, since they're indeed making the seeds of change more visible and looking to a cleaner future. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone thought of the Earth as our playground? ::Mission Playground [by MO]...

The first prefab Dwell Home competition excited our aesthetic senses, but the second invitational added sustainability to the focus. We’d be giddy to live in any of the entries, especially the prize-winner by Escher GuneWardena Architecture. It isn’t the only entry topped by a green roof, but it’s different from others we’ve seen because it uses native plants rather than sedum. These plants don’t need a lot of water, which keeps the green roof from becoming a brown roof in the dry Topanga Canyon. Many architects say their houses blend into the natural surroundings, but this one actually makes good......

Intel Centrino’s energy-saving tactics were designed to keep battery life long in notebook computers. But just because your desktop computer is permanently tethered to the home office doesn’t mean it shouldn't be a high-energy appliance. That’s why AOpen and DFI have put Centrino’s Pentium M processor into motherboards built for desktops. Result? A thermal power reduction of 80% compared to a Pentium 4—down to 21 watts—and they’re nice and quiet, too. Independent testing found the two companies’ boards to perform similarly at just over 2,000 MHz. If only it would fit in a Cubit chassis, we’d be well on our way to a custom enviro PC. Available from AOpen retailers and DFI retailers. Thanks to Chris Liendo for the tip! ::Tom’s Hardware Guide ::arstechnica [by KK]...

The design-build phases of Alchemy Architects' Wee houses are probably a bit different than most that you’ve seen. The first step in the process, for instance is to “find a place you love.” Step two is the Dreaming Phase, in which the client imagines exactly what they’d like their little box to encompass. The rest of the process is slightly more traditional, except that it’s cheap and fast, because they can be theoretically placed anywhere accessible by truck, including the desert or the tundra. The prefab units, available as studios or one- or two-bedroom units, come standard with container (as in shipping) siding, a pine floor and walls, and Ikea cabinetry. Sure to counteract any McMansions in your neighborhood. Thanks for the tip, Michele W! About $45-89k. ::Wee Houses (pdf) [by MO]...

Borrowing from the physics of transpiring plant leaves, Stomatex high-tech textiles use the art of biomimicry to imitate nature for useful applications. This super-textile uses a pattern of dome-shaped vapor chambers to allow body heat and perspiration to exit through the tiny pores at a controlled rate, keeping the body temperate no matter the level of activity and maintaining a microclimate between the skin and the fabric. Made from a closed-cell foam material, Stomatex is a Neoprene-like fabric made from a lightweight, ultra-thin, non-porous polyester membrane that is weatherproof and highly breathable and can be used for applications from athletics to healthcare... ...

Oversized superstores such as Kmart and Home Depot—large, free-standing retail spaces with only one major room—were efficiently designed to suit their retail purposes: Stock comes right off the truck and goes directly onto the shelves, ready to convince consumers to buy, buy, buy any and all bargains in sight. But as retailers abandon buildings across the nation in order to move into bigger spaces, what will become of the envelopes they leave behind? That’s the question Julia Christensen, an artist with a background in electronics, first began investigating last January... ...

Street-chic skaters already know that IPath footwear keeps you ice cold. TreeHugger types can hop on that bandwagon, since the company produces about a dozen different styles of footwear fashioned from hemp. Guaranteed to suit your needs, whether you’re looking for a straight-up skating shoe or a comfortable chukka for session-free afternoons. About $35-75. ::IPath [by MO]...

In the early to mid 90’s there was huge boom in hemp awareness and hemp clothing companies popped up everywhere, like mushrooms on a dark night. Unlike many that vanished, when the bubble burst, Two Star Dog have stayed the distance--a testimony to their classic design and adherence to quality. Although branching out into the mainsteam, since their hemp days, they still produce eco-apparel for the discerning, with tencel and linen also joining the fabric palette. No online store but you can email them (info@twostardog.com) for your nearest stockist. ::Two Star Dog [by WM]...

We’ve normally got our noses buried in Dwell or Metropolis so we can excitedly report back to you on all the juicy things we find. But TreeHugger isn’t too proud to peek at somewhat lower-brow sources, so we can tell you that photographers for Star recently snapped Liv Tyler’s assistants caught in the act of delivering Seventh Generation baby products for newly born Milo to the family’s Manhattan apartment. The eco-friendly line includes chlorine-free diapers, biodegradable and non-toxic laundry liquid for baby stains, and refillable packs of baby wipes. ::Star ::Seventh Generation Baby [by KK]...