- Emily Pilloton Discusses the Hippo Roller and other Designs for Humanity (Part One)
- Janine Benyus on Biomimicry in Design (Part Two)
- Janine Benyus on Biomimicry in Design (Part One)
- Andy Revkin - Climate in the Obama Age
- Fred Pearce - Confessions of An Eco-Sinner (Part Two)
- Fred Pearce - Confessions of An Eco-Sinner (Part One)
- Chris Goodall - Ten Techs to Save Our Butts (Part Two)
- Chris Goodall - Ten Techs to Save Our Butts (Part One)
Entries for January 2, 2005 - January 8, 2005
Total this week: 48
William Stanger Monolith Table
by TreeHugger on 01. 8.05
Stranger Furniture is rather rustic, and we mean that in a good way. William Stranger (who named the company for himself and not a qualitative assessment of its weirdness, we presume), has been building with wood for nearly two decades. His philosophy emphasizes creating striking, functional objects that retain respect for the environment and sustainability, while his materials are salvaged from the “urban landscape” or harvested from well-managed forests. His work, like the Monolith bench seen here, is gorgeous. But a quick note from his bio really says it all: “William prefers trees to tables. He can not make trees but he finds himself driven to make tables.” Love the tree, love the table. A special selection of Stranger’s work is currently being showcased at the Gallery of Functional Art in Santa Monica, Calif., the gallery that represents him. His work is also available directly through his site. ::Stranger Furniture [by MO]...
Monsanto pays $1M for GMO bribe
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
News just in, that grows on our post about the WorldWatch history of GMOs. “American agribusiness giant Monsanto has agreed to pay a $US1 million penalty to settle charges of bribing the Indonesian Government. The company "agreed to accept responsibility for the conduct of its employees in paying the bribe and making the false books and records entries," the US Justice Department said in a statement. The bribe made by a Monsanto employee was aimed at facilitating the cultivation of genetically modified crops and falsely certified as "consultant fees" in the company's books and records, assistant US Attorney-General Christopher Wray. Direct from ::ABC News Online [by WM]...
North America & Australia announce computer recycling programs
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
Following on from our earlier piece on electronic junk comes news that home and business users, from either side of the Pacific, now have more options for their old computers than just sending them to landfill. Down Under, Dell will take back desktops, laptops, monitors, printers, servers and even handhelds. For $36 AUD Dell will arrange collection of a computer/monitor combo, from users home or office, and deliver it to EPA licenced recycling facilities in Sydney and Melbourne. Lead will be recycled out of the glass in CRT monitors. In North America Ebay has just launched their Rethink Initiative, in concert with a heap of technology folk, the likes of ......
Win 25k Worth of Solar Panels--This Weekend Only!
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
Calling all cool Northern Cali cats: The South Bay Spring Home & Garden Show taking place this weekend (Jan. 7-9) sounds like the hot spot to be. That’s mostly because the door-prize giveaway is a $25,000 dollar solar package— a complete turnkey grid-connect system—from Kyocera and Akeena. The deets: You must not have a shady roof and you must live in a qualifying utility district no farther than 75 miles away...
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"Do SUVs Make You Stupid?"
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
Well, seeing as it's Friday, we thought we'd pass on a little light reading for you to peruse over the weekend. And so we give you a recap of the latest from anti-establishment columnist and humorist extraordinaire Mark Moford, of the San Francisco Chronicle. Today’s rhetorical question: Do you SUVs make you stupid?
Citing the “willful ignorance” of the SUV-owning, which, admittedly, includes friends and family, Moford points out that despite the Schwarzeneggerazation and greening of California, SUV sales nationwide have plumped up a whopping 56 percent in the past eight years. On top of that, they have terrible safety records and tend to be in more accidents, are awful polluters (duh), and “tend to flip over easier than Paris Hilton after a dozen Bacardi shooters.” ...
Building Blocks at Kid-O
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
There was a bit of a tiffle in the comments at Apartment Therapy about whether Kid-O’s high-design toys were for the kids or really for the design snob parents. We’re staying out of it, but we will say this: every kid needs a set of building blocks, and these stringable ones are extra cool. The Signa Blocks, shown here ($85 USD), were designed by Kurt Naef and Sarah Preston for ages 3 and up, and the wood comes from ecologically supervised forests. Have a look at sets for other ages in the extended post. Available from the New York shop or online. ::Kid-O [by KK]...
New York Times: Prefab Catching On
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
It’s not your daddy’s prefab anymore. The New York Times recently said that while efficient and ugly postwar housing gave prefab a bad name, the idea that prebuilt homes are necessarily nasty is quickly disappearing. In the US, 95% of homes are built without an architect, so the possibilities for prefab are vast—and getting cheaper. They cite Loftcube, which we told you about a while back, and Flatpak, which we’ll tell you about soon, as two examples of prefab houses with a modern aesthetic. Worried that buying a house off the shelf means it’s going to look like everybody else’s? Fear not: these units are at least as customizable as your average cookie-cutter home in McMansionland, and more and more architects are pitching in to widen the range of sexy prefab houses available. Could 2005 be the year they take over? We’re hopin’. As the year unfolds, keep an eye on our prefab category to get the latest. ::New York Times [by KK]...
Earth Speaks Women's Wear
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
The heart of Brooklyn may not seem the most likely place for an Earth-friendly fashion house to appear, yet that's exactly where the headquarters for Earth Speaks are located. The compnay, which calls out to "people who practice consciousness as a way of life," offers a full wardrobe made from organic cotton, hemp, and silk. Though prices are surprisingly affordable, Earth Speaks, which also promises sweatshop-free labor, donates three percent of its profits to organizations that promote peace, human rights, and the environment. ::Earth Speaks [by MO]...
Henrybuilt Kitchens
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
Seattle-based Henrybuilt bamboo kitchen systems would be any remodeler ’s dream come true, eco-minded or not. But the studio’s attention to detail doesn’t stop with its gorgeous lines, perfect curves, gentle color contrasts or modern sensibility. For these custom-built kitchen designers (the studio has a superb furniture collection as well) eco-conscious design isn’t just the icing on the cake—it’s an integral ingredient in the recipe of good design...[by MO]
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Engineers without Borders
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
Who’d have thunk it? Yet another ‘... without Borders’ group. “Human development is about people: their desire and struggle to expand their freedoms and lead lives that they value.” Not what you would might normally expect to hear from the mouths of engineers. But this Canadian based organisation do take a different approach to things. In views very reminiscent of the ITDG, they “focus on developing the capacity of the local technical sector to ensure that that innovative, appropriate and sustainable solutions to people's problems are locally generated and available.” And while they offer overseas placements in ‘development’, they go to great pains to spell out what a delicate exercise this is. Five local engineers could be employed for the cost of one Western placement! So the role comes with considerable responsibility. Indeed topping the list of attributes for assessing someone for a EWB placement is humility, good cross-culture communication skills, empathy and genuine caring for individuals. But still they can have 10 times more applicants than available placements. ::Engineers without Borders [by WM]...
Mantis Electric Bike (or is it a scooter?)
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
Cool looking cruiser, huh?. Might only get you 18 miles (29 km) from home, on a full charge but think of all the heads you’ll turn on the way! Twist the throttle to max and you’ll feel the G’s come into play as you hit a top speed 16mph (26kph). zoom zoom. As you charge the 12v gel battery for your next foray, regale your mates with specs on the aluminium hex frame, dual suspension and front disk brakes. And if that doesn't impress, blind 'em with the dual headlights. £400 from ::ebikecentral [by WM]...
Other green printers
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
We've been having spam 'issues' with our Comments, so you might’ve missed a reader’s reference to a recent story. He was pointing out the environmental benefits offered by Ecoprint. They run an operation using 100% wind energy, via a Green Power scheme, making it greenhouse emission free. They’ve developed their own eco-inks, which are very low in VOC offgassing and some are free of heavy metals. In addition to the usual high recycled content papers, they have experience with tree-free stocks, like kenaf and hemp. And non-polluting citric acids for cleaning their presses. Another reader has also noted Anderson Lithograph. Click on that link just past to learn about their very solid efforts in print sustainability. [by WM]...
Interface Entropy carpet tiles
by TreeHugger on 01. 7.05
If you go down the woods today you’re in for a big surprise! Instead of finding a Teddy Bear's Picnic, you might just find some carpet designers. That's where Interface say their design team hit upon the the idea for Entropy. A carpet tile with chaos and disorder built-in. Just like the floor of a forest. Combining a single dye lot with a random pattern, allows for tiles to be moved anywhere, facing any direction. If tiles wear out, in high traffic areas, or get stained, just replace them. The randomness hides the new tiles amongst the older ones. Longer life for your flooring, less inventory needed by suppliers. ...
Energy Plant to Use Poultry Biomass for Fuel
by TreeHugger on 01. 6.05
In Benson, Minnesota, Fibrowatt, a Philadelphia-based developer, builder, owner, and operator of biomass-fueled energy plants, has become the first U.S. power plant that will be fueled primarily with poultry litter. Currently under construction, the plant is about 125 miles west of Minneapolis. The plant will consume about 700,000 tons per year of biomass; about 90 percent of that will be poultry litter (mostly turkey), with the remaining 10 percent encompassing other agricultural biomass. This will allow the poultry industry an alternative way of disposing of yucky by-products, though TH is unsure of the drawbacks that come with using poo for fuel, or the measures to be taken to confirm cleanliness. Still, it appears to be a good idea, at least in theory. The plant is expected to begin operating in early 2007. Never thought we’d say this, but here’s hoping lots of companies become chicken-shit conformists. Via Sustainable Business ::Fibrowatt [by MO]...
California's New Appliance Efficiency Standards
by TreeHugger on 01. 6.05
California—the U.S.’s apparent star environmental state—has set yet another precedent that will hopefully become a trend nationwide. The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved new regulations that will require appliances sold in the state to be the most energy-efficient in the nation. Regulations placed on various items, including incandescent lamps and audio and video equipment, are expected to save 100 megawatts of load growth each year as consumers start buying the new appliances. The regulations will go into effect beginning in January of next year...
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Cork Mosaic Tiles
by TreeHugger on 01. 6.05
As a natural material that can be renewably harvested from the bark of trees, cork ranks high on the TH list of eco-friendly materials. Commonly used on boats, where its anti-mildew properties are much appreciated, cork can also be an excellent choice in the home for kitchen and bathroom floors, and even walls. But since it usually comes in large tiles, it can look awkward or be diffcult to install in smaller spaces. Habitus fixes that snafu by offering attractive cork mosaic tiles, an intersting take on traditional ceramic. They come on 12-by-24-inch sheets for easy laying. The drawback: Unlike larger tiles which can be fitted into place (or sometimes feature tongue-and-groove click-ins), these must be glued to floor. The good news is that they can be stained or simply finished with a water-based polyurethane. $12/square foot. As seen in The New York Times ::Habitus (Web site under sontruction) [by MO]...
Jake Gyllenhaal and Future Forests
by TreeHugger on 01. 6.05
“I think I was brought up pretty aware of the environment,” Jake Gyllenhaal tells the BBC, and making The Day After Tomorrow made him more conscious of environmental issues. While the film may have been high on the cheese factor, director Roland Emmerich tried to make the production carbon-neutral by paying Future Forests to plant trees that would offset the movie’s CO2. Gyllenhaal himself had trees planted in Mozambique, spending around $10,000. Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt have also made donations—if “donation” is the right word. The trouble is, Future Forests is a profit-making company, and it would be greener for stars to reduce their emissions rather than trying to offset them. On the other hand, using jets to get to filming locales is part of the territory for actors, so this could at least be a positive step. And the celebrities are raising enviro-awareness. What are your thoughts? Via Grist ::The Observer [by KK]...
Vulcana Recycled Rubber Placemats
by TreeHugger on 01. 6.05
Outta the landfill and onto your table. Usually we’d say that it’s more eco-friendly to skip nonessentials like tablecloths and placemats, but these ones from the maker of the Hobo bag come from recycled car tires (stitched with hemp, no less), so dressing up the table is actually reducing waste. $15 USD at Vegan Unlimited. ::Vulcana [by KK]
Check our tables category if you need something to put the placemats on!...
USGBC To Solicit Public Commentary on LEED Guidelines
by TreeHugger on 01. 6.05
From time to time, the U.S. Green Building Council, which draws the guidelines and gives out the accolades for sustainable building in the U.S., solicits public commentary on proposed final drafts of its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating Systems. That means anyone—not just the architects and designers that make up the council—has a chance to put in his two cents about the organization’s guidelines. The first comment period will be open for at least 30 days, after which USGBC will post a summary document on its Web site explaining how the comments will be worked into the next draft. A second public comment period will then follow......
Q&A. - Green Employment Resources (Updated)
by TreeHugger on 01. 6.05
Just discovered your site. I like it.
I am wondering if you can help me out. I have been searching for a job with a green company. As you know, they don’t grow on trees in abundance. I am interested in a green company vs. working for a non-profit type deal.
Do you know of any resources that I might utilize in connecting with such a company? Rob....
GEM E2 electric car
by TreeHugger on 01. 6.05
Now, this may not set speed records, like the previous electric vehicles we’ve discussed, such as the Eliica, Tango or the Venturi. But it is pretty cheap and not a prototype, so you can buy one today. Designed for low speed (25mph or 40kph) around-town use, it will get 30 miles (48km) on an 8 hour charge - plugged into a standard US 110v power outlet. Comes in red, yellow, green, white, blue, and silver, with a bunch of optional accessories, such as soft or hard doors and luggage boxes. GEM stands for Global Electric Motorcars. They were acquired by the DaimlerChrysler Company, in 2000, but still make their home (and the cars) in North Dakota, USA. The smallest of their range is the E2. It costs $6995. ::GEM [by WM]...
Architect footwear by Footprints
by TreeHugger on 01. 6.05
Ssssh, we think the TH boss is still on holidays. He has a thing against this brand of footwear. Let's try and sneak them past him, while he’s not looking. An abrasion and slip resistant outsole, that can be resoled when it does eventually wear out. It’s made of a special polyurethane that is said to be recyclable. Cushioning is providing by a cork midsole, a 200 year proven performer in footwear – which is definitely biodegradable. ...
WorldWatch on GMOs
by TreeHugger on 01. 6.05
If you haven’t yet encountered The Worldwatch Institute, make it your duty to look them up. For 30 years they have researched and reported on the state of the world, looking towards a environmentally sustainable and socially just society. In their current WorldWatch magazine is a typically easy-to-digest 12 page article on the history of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Lawyer and environmental journalist, Claire Hope Cummings, tells a tale so laden with ominious portent it could scare a strawberry into thinking it was an arctic fish. Mexican farmers have their traditional livelihood at risk due to the invasion of their indigenous corn by the unwanted GM version. Organic industries stand to lose their certification. And no-one has the foggiest of how to put the genie back in the bottle. As a consultant quoted in the article says: “the hope of industry is that ... there's nothing you can do about it. You just short of surrender.” Well, don’t lay down your sword just yet. Download a free PDF of the article – become informed – become active. ::Worldwatch Magazine Jan-Feb 05 [by WM]...
Single Speed Design Big Dig House and Building
by TreeHugger on 01. 5.05
This TreeHugger lived in Boston for a bit of the massive Big Dig road construction project, and boy was it ugly. Metropolis tells us it’s not all bad, though: architectural firm Single Speed Design is reusing parts of dismantled I-93 interchange ramps to build the Big Dig House in Lexington, Massachusetts. Genius! No trees chopped down, lots of landfill space saved, and a house that’s strong enough to support, well, a semi truck. More than 600,000 pounds of steel and concrete are being reused for the house, which the architects say shares similarities with prefab construction but has the added benefit of customization. The idea initially came from Paul Pedini, a VP of the main Big Dig contractor, Modern Continental. The company also owns a site in Cambridge where they had planned to......
Green Cities Exhibitions: SocióPolis and Verdopolis
by TreeHugger on 01. 5.05
Two exhibitions with similar names and similar themes. SocióPolis (no, not a city for sociopaths; that would be an entirely different design challenge) is the brainchild of Spanish architect Vicente Guallart, who invited other renowned architects to submit designs for a new section of Valencia. Sustainability and social integration were key factors in the urban renewal concept project: inspiration was taken from medieval monasteries that grew food for the community in their gardens. Models, interviews, and presentations of the designs can be seen at the Vienna Architecture Center through January 31.
Earth Pledge’s Verdopolis, running in New York February 8-13, ......
Q&A. Eco Coffee for the Office
by TreeHugger on 01. 5.05
Q. I’m hoping you can help me out here … the company I work for has recently switched to one of those “brew your own cup” types, which requires each drinker to insert a new, non-recyclable-plastic pod into the machine before brewing. You can imagine how much waste this creates, in an office of over 100 employees. (I’m trying to get them to switch to ceramic mugs instead of paper cups, we’ll see how that goes). So I’d like to recommend a quality coffee brewing system which will instantly brew good coffee in an office environment, without the incredible waste being created with this current machine. Any ideas? Gratefully, Jennifer - a tea drinker...
GreenerPrinter
by TreeHugger on 01. 5.05
Fortunately there are quite a few printers out there prepared to use recycled content paper on their presses. However what sets GreenerPrinter apart from many is the extra effort they put into the process. Yes, they exclusively use stock from New Leaf Paper, which is predominately high post-consumer recycled content, mostly without chlorine belaching. Yes, they use vegetable based ink on a computer-to-plate press. But what was more interesting is distribution of the finished product. This is said to be 100% climate neutral due to their purchase of emission offset points from programs like Green Tags and Wind Builders. Such thought to the production and distribution process has seen the business certified by the Climate Neutral Network and as a Green Business by the Association of Bay Area Governments. ::GreenerPrinter [by WM]...
Car congestion taxes and curfews
by TreeHugger on 01. 5.05
Wanna drive into some European cities? Betta get yourself a low emission hybrid vehicle. This is the message being sent by municipalities from London to the Italian Alps. For the past couple of years in London, drivers have had to pay a £5 Congestion Charge in a 617 sq mile (1,579 sq kms) area of Greater London. 203 cameras record vehicle licence plates on entering the zone and match this against payments. Infringements incur a £100 fine. Some exemptions are allowed, such as for disabled drivers and for drivers of alternative fuel or electrically propelled vehicles. These are certified by Transport Energy, whoses Powershift program offers subsidies for individuals and businesses, who wish to purchase such vehicles....
Safe Turn Indicator
by TreeHugger on 01. 5.05
From the country that invented the ‘Blackbox’ aircraft flight recorder comes a safety device for a more benign form of travel. An automatic turn indicator for cyclists. Riding a bicycle might be good for your health and that of the planet but at times it can be downright dangerous. One of the challenges is to stop being hit by the proverbial bus. We’ve mentioned flashing pedals, flashing spokes/wheels and improved dynamos before. Now with the ‘Safe Turn’ you just raise your hand to indicate a turn and it begins flashing — like the indicators on a car. The internal ‘tilt’ switch automatically sense the arms change of position and sets off 3 blinking LEDs in an amber housing. It stays blinking while your arm is raised. The angle of lens can be adjusted to suit your riding position or style. Available in February 2005 for about $25-30 AUD. (Yeh, its from Australia.) ::Safe Turn [by WM]...
Canadian War Museum by Moriyama & Teshima with Griffiths Rankin Cook
by TreeHugger on 01. 4.05
Yeah, we know; a war museum isn’t the likeliest enviro pick. A Japanese-Canadian interned during WW2 maybe isn’t the likeliest architect for the place, either. But under the building’s theme of “regeneration,” it all makes sense. We’ve been saying a lot about green roofs, and that’s because there’s so much you can do with them. Here, Raymond Moriyama’s grassed roof slopes out of the ground to regenerate the earth broken by the building—instead of using up valuable space, it opens new public green space. The new War Museum is scheduled to open in Ottawa in May. ::Moriyama & Teshima ::War Museum [by KK]...
MechoShade EcoVeil Shadecloth
by TreeHugger on 01. 4.05
MechoShade calls it “the revolutionary eco-effective solar shadecloth.” They spent six years developing the project with Cradle to Cradle eco-bigwigs William McDonough and Michael Braungart, achieving a three dot rating on their sustainability scale of five (though no product has got all five dots yet). Instead of the PVC typical to shadecloth, EcoVeil uses EarthTex thermoplastic olefin yarn coated in more of the same polymer, allowing the whole shebang to be melted down into new shades with no degradation of quality (MechoShade takes the cloth back so you don’t have to rely on the local recycling center having the right facilities). The mono-material approach also means any cut-off in the factory can be immediately reused, reducing the potential landfill waste by a million pounds. For now you can pick from the eight colors with a 5% openness to the basket weave; more options will be introduced as the company phases out its PVC solar shadecloth in favor of EcoVeil. If you’re counting on big windows for passive heating, cooling, and lighting, it’s nice to be able to cover them in something besides a pile of PVC. ::MechoShade [by KK]...
Network on the Life Span of Consumer Durables
by TreeHugger on 01. 4.05
Late last year saw the launch of this network. Although the name is far from sexy, hopefully their findings will make the earth move, so to speak. The average American throws away 1,606 lb (730kg) of household waste per year, while per capita Europeans discard about 430kg. Technological advances in product design and manufacture (and let's not forget cheaper ‘off-shore’ labour) have driven down the cost of what used to to be called ‘consumer durables’ to the point where they are now ‘consumer expendables.’ They are so cheap new, that the cost of any repairing has almost been negated. Just turf it and buy another one! To solve this dilemma a three year £65,000 ($124,000 USD) grant has been provided ... ...
Hemp Big Bean
by TreeHugger on 01. 4.05
A TreeHugger reader liked the organic hemp/cotton sofa we recently profiled, but felt the cost was a bit of stretch for her purse. Entirely understandable. Well, this Bean Bag, while certainly not having the aesthetic of the sofa, is 27 times cheaper! It has a hemp cover and passes up on the traditional polystyrene beads. The filling for this bag is pre-consumer recycled scrap foam, that has been shredded. In a nice twist, the chair is vacuum packed for shipping, which means the truck gets to transport more than air, which the case with styrofoam based bean bags. $190 for the single chair. Lounger and sofa also available. ::The Big Bean [by WM]...
Kiri Houndstooth Curio Shelves
by TreeHugger on 01. 4.05
Rustic, but with a geometric twist that adds modernity, these Kiri Houndstooth shelves are great for displaying small vases, knickknacks, or that snow globe collection you just can’t get rid of. Kiri wood, also called paulownia wood, is a sustainably-harvested, fast-growing wood that’s also known for its strength, stability and light weight. The rough-looking finish is achieved by first burning and then waxing the ashes back into the wood, highlighting the natural grain. $18 ::Beneficial Bug [by MO] ...
Green Building Council announce royalty free Green Star
by TreeHugger on 01. 4.05
The World Green Building Council have recently rebuilt their website and now they announce that the Green Building Council of Australia will release a royalty-free licence of its environmental rating tool - Green Star- to all World Green Building Council members. Built on the British BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and the American LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) systems, Green Star establishes a common language for the measurement for green buildings, through integrated, whole-building design. Now worldwide members of the WGBC (see below) can have access to the intellectual property in this program to assist endeavours in their own countries....
How To: Build Your Sustainable Portfolio 101
by TreeHugger on 01. 3.05
New year, new resolutions. If one of yours is to begin (or continue) converting your financial portfolio in a greener grouping of money-making opportunities, here are some tips that can help. There are few magazines dedicated to helping you invest your money in profitable, responsible public companies, but a recent article from Progressive Investor gives some insightful tips that we’ve summed up below. For example, did you know that natural food stocks have outperformed the market for years due to positive demographic trends? Or that energy stocks will run up quickly in an accelerating economy, but tank in a difficult economy?
1. Masterlist your universe
Create a list of companies that would be stoked about investing in. For starters, it doesn’t matter if they’re big or small, or what industry they’re in.
2. Stick your nose in their business...
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Nusta Spa
by TreeHugger on 01. 3.05
Sophisticated design melds with high standards of sustainability at downtown D.C.’s Nusta Spa, which, like their friends at TH, believes that “being green does not mean doing without.” At Nusta Spa, the architects and aestheticians alike believe in using non-toxic, rapidly renewable, and recycled materials manufactured in an environmentally friendly way. Not only is the 5,000-square-foot space itself constructed with an eye for the green building, but the products used are eco-sensitive, and even printed materials use eco-friendly ink. The result? What they refer to as “high-performance green design” and a healthier environment for work and relaxation.
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Hokey Spokes LED Bike Lights
by TreeHugger on 01. 3.05
Alright, alright already. We give in. After touting Michael Kertesz’s Spoke n'Wheels project for the Tisch School, we got like a bazillion tipsters telling us that Hokey Spokes exist. Yes, we know: They are very, very cool, and do indeed do the trick. Made by Illumination Design Works, Hokey Spokes are transparent light “blades" that attach to your bike’s spokes, kinda like those little plastic thingies you had when you were a kid, but way, way cooler. As you ride, the blades spin, while an itty-bitty computer modulates the internal LED lights, displaying your groovy, customizable images or text. Another Burning Man favorite. Not cheap (but still wicked cool) at $29.95 per blade. ::Hokey Spokes [by MO] [Ed Note: Yes, yes. We know you think we are “sooo last year.” Just pipe down already.] ...
SAUVs: Solar Powered Robots For Clean Water
by TreeHugger on 01. 3.05
We think we too may have dreamed this up during our G.I. Joe phase as kids, but researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have been testing some pretty damn neato underwater, solar-powered robots at Lake George, N.Y. With the goal of developing a network of distributed sensing devices and water-monitoring robots, including solar-powered autonomous underwater vehicles (SAUVs) like the one seen here, the scientists are hoping to detect chemical and biological trends that may guide the management and improvement of water quality. The SAUVs will allow underwater robots to be deployed long-term by using solar power. Once fully realized, the technology will hopefully allow for more accurate monitoring of complex environmental systems. The researcher considers this research a big step in obtaining real-time, 3-D sensor monitoring of water quality, which would be a boon to watery eco-systems. Via Exuberant Pantaphobia ::Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute [by MO]...
Eco-Celeb: Sienna Miller
by TreeHugger on 01. 3.05
So what’s a beautiful young actress and model to do after snagging Jude Law? Promote sustainable, fair-trade clothing, of course. Sienna Miller spoke up for People Tree, insisting, “There’s no reason why organic and fair-trade clothing can’t be sexy.” We think she could probably make a paper bag look sexy, but we love that she loves the company’s organically-farmed cotton and handwoven fabric anyway. ::You Magazine via People Tree [by KK]...
ReturDesign Rock-n-Roll Shelf
by TreeHugger on 01. 3.05
If Droog’s gorgeous-but-precarious dresser from reused drawers makes you a bit nervous, Rock-n-Roll makes a good compromise. Still cobbled together, with a hint of the random but unified by the repeated circular shapes. The recycled paperboard tubes (in diameters from 6 to 16 inches) are attached to each other with velcro so you can put ’em together any which way. If velcro reminds you too much of kids’ shoes, why not put it in a kid’s bedroom? $195 USD at ::Vivavi [by KK]...
Green Brand by Sansegal
by TreeHugger on 01. 3.05
A range of shirts, tops, jackets and legwear is produced by Sansegal from recycled cotton T-shirts, that have been rescued from a trip to the landfill. It seems Sansegal have a patented blending system that takes the shredded t-shirts and shade matches them into colour groups. Some acrylic and polyester is added strength and washability. According to Sansegal, this helps in saving the 1/3 of pound (150 gm) of agricultural chemicals that are used to make a single virgin cotton T. (Eons ago, a British company, Evergreen, offered similar fabrications, including a cloth of recycled denim jeans, blended with recycled PET bottles - true recycled poly-cotton.) ::Sansegal [by WM]...
Green Steps at Outdoor Retailer
by TreeHugger on 01. 3.05
The premier outdoor sports trade fair in North America is offering to showcase those outdoor companies, who have an environmental stewardship story to tell. Businesses who sign up will have special Green Steps carpet in the aisles outside their booth. And this is a massive show (for such a relatively small industry) - 30,000 attendees - so big it spills out of the vast Salt Palace Convention Center, in Salt Lake City. In addition to carpet detailing, businesses will also have a highlighted presence in the Show handbook and on Outdoor Retailer’s website. This may not sound overly remarkable but in 23 years of running these shows, this will be the first time that certain businesses will be separated out from the herd. And all on the basis of their acknowledgement of taking some green steps. The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005 is in Salt Lake City, Utah 29 January 29 to 1 February. ::Outdoor Retailer [by WM]...
Crispina recycled Equinox blankets
by TreeHugger on 01. 3.05
Over 150,000 lbs (68,000kg) of discarded clothing has been salvaged to make Crispina blankets. Using mostly wool products, they wash garments and sort them into particular themes before combing the elements into a new whole. Quirky elements of the original apparel are retained to fashion unique goods. The Equinox series, for example, includes stroller rugs for $120 USD, right up to King size blankets at $460. ::Crispina Equinox [by WM]...
Solar Sailor
by TreeHugger on 01. 2.05
We’ve showcased hybrid cars and hybrid bicycles before and now is time make mention of the watery equivalent. Hybrid marine power combines electric drives with the power and range of hydrocarbon and/or alternative fuels. Solar panels charge the electric engines to offer better acceleration, quicker emergency stopping and easier handling. Although useful for applications such as tourism, recreation and fishing, they also under scrutiny for duty as urban ferries, where they would use 50% less fuel, generating a correspondingly 50% less emissions. Passengers also experience less noise, vibration and fumes. But the solar wings are not passive. They can be adjusted, so as to act like real cloth sales, ... ...
Quiksilver Initiative
by TreeHugger on 01. 2.05
“Surfing ... is faced with polluted water and the destruction of fragile reef systems. In many parts of the world they've already taken paradise and put up a parking lot.” So says Quiksilver Europe’s CEO Harry Hodge. "The environment needs surfers to play a role in its preservation. We've talked about it for long enough, now we're getting serious". And the Quiksilver Initiative is the moniker they have given this seriousness. It has three basic tenets. That Quiksilver improve their own environmental performance. That they respect the environment through the products they make and distribute. And thirdly an environmental information program be supported via local boardrider clubs. ...
Organic Athlete
by TreeHugger on 01. 2.05
This new star-up organisation has, as one of its goals to “Become a leader in promoting healthful, plant-based and ecologically responsible lifestyles.” They have a grand vision, which is taken up in their nine point ‘Statement of Principles’. Organic Athlete informs on high performance vegetarian or vegan athletes, organic fruit and vegetable diets, equity in sport, minimising ecological footprints and athletic endorsement of socially and environmentally responsible businesses, among other lofty aims. They have a team of vegetarian doctors, nutritionists, advocates, and athletes on board to help them achieve these outcomes. An online newsletter being one of their information mediums. ::Organic Athlete [by WM]...
Architecture for Humanity
by TreeHugger on 01. 2.05
A few posts ago we mentioned the fine work of Habitat for Humanity and how they are responding to the Tsunami disaster. In a very similar vein is the efforts of Architecture for Humanity. Established 5 years ago to “promote architectural and design solutions to global, social and humanitarian crises”. AFH work on the principle that the wealthy nations of the world have more than enough design talent, that they can well afford to share with those where such resources are thin on the ground. They believe “innovative, sustainable and collaborative design can make a difference.” In the past they have consulted on projects such as earthquake recovery in Turkey and Iran, mine clearance and playground construction in the Balkans and refugee housing in Afghanistan. Obviously their attention is now focused in the north Indian Ocean. They have teamed up with WorldChanging to establish a fund to assist with the building of schools, infrastructure and medical clinics. Initially they set a target of $10,000 USD but this was quickly surpassed and now they are targeting $100,000 USD. Help them get there by donating @ ::Architecture for Humanity [by WM]...
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