- 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 May 22, 2005 - May 28, 2005
Total this week: 82
Hase Pino: a Tandem with a View
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 05.28.05
She sits there, patiently waiting to go, tempting you. Taunting you. Her designers devised a 12,000km (7400 miles) trek across Canada under 240 kg (530 pound) loads to test her. Where will she take you? London to Gibralter? Paris to Peking? New York to San Francisco? Or maybe just a pleasant cruise to the theater: you know you can never find parking there for the car...
She's the Hase Pino which you have long coveted and finally own. A tandem bicycle with a recumbent seat forward and a regular post seat for her captain, she allows her riders to pass the time in pleasant conversation without even raising their voices. And the oddness of the arrangement ensures that you are greeted with smiles wherever you go. The bike has other advantages:
...
Capstone Micro-Turbines burn waste gas to make power and heat a greenhouse.
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 05.28.05
Following commissioning of these 8 Capstone Turbine Corp., biogas-fueled microturbines at a landfill in France, Capstone distributor Soffimat placed a follow-on order for more. The renewable power created feeds into the power grid of EdF, the nation's electric utility. EdF will buy the renewable energy for approximately $150,000 per year. Heat and carbon dioxide from the microturbines will be used in a nearby greenhouse. This CHP application is similar in concept to a 12-C30 landfill gas fueled CHP array near Chicago that was designated "Project of the Year" by the landfill methane division of the US EPA.
...
Hybrid Version of Nissan Altima to be Made in USA
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 05.28.05
After Toyota's announcement about the hybrid Camry, here comes Nissan: "Nissan Motor Co. said it would build gasoline-electric Altima sedans at a U.S. plant starting in late 2006, becoming the second Japanese carmaker to produce hybrid vehicles in the world's largest auto market. [...] The hybrid will be a 2007 model." Because of a partnership, part of the hybrid technology in the Altima will come from Toyota (the gas engine will come from Nissan, though). And there's more to come in the hybrid world because Ford is also expected to make hybrid versions of its Fusion and Milan midsize sedans by 2007.
::Nissan to Build Gas-Electric Altima, ::Nissan Unveils Altima Hybrid Prototype, ::Nissan to build gas-electric Altima sedans, ::Nissan Prepares Altima Hybrid for North America & ::Nissan is Next [by MGR]...
Smart LED's from Rensselaer will Adjust to Your Body Clock
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05.28.05
The LED-crazed kids at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are at it again. In a paper published in this week's Science, they talk about how LED's not only will save huge amounts of energy (they don't yet but theoretically can) but can be used in much more sophisticated ways. Because different colours can be so easily mixed, they see opportunities galore:
-lights that change colour through the day to adjust to our bodies circadian rhythm-"According to a basic physics definition, this light has a high color temperature, while evening light has a far lower color temperature. Lighting that offers the ability to adjust color temperature could benefit human health, mood, and productivity"
-brake lights that can communicate with the brakes of the car following too closely;
-controlling the spectral composition of grow lamps to improve the out-of-season production of fruits and vegetables. (and will be a hit in head shops)
They admit that there is a lot of work to be done, and LED's in other frequencies have to be developed. (Read Wired here about the backlash against blue LED's) nonetheless, people have not rushed to changing to compact flourescents because they are not an improvement over incandescents functionally (if cost of operation is not relevant to you). LED's offer the possibility of being a dramatic functional improvement. ::PhysOrg
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Prototype: Interstate Traveler Project
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 05.27.05
There are mainstream projects for sustainable development -- things like building material recycling centers, electric bikes, solar powered water heaters -- and then their are projects on the... shall we say "fringe". So, as you read the next few paragraphs, bear in mind that this is more of an exciting idea than a definitely feasible one. With that disclaimer in mind, the Interstate Traveler Concept is the answer to everything from replacing highways, to switching to hydrogen power, to revitalizing the steel industry......
All-Natural Latex Bedding Outsells Foam
by TreeHugger on 05.27.05
According FoamSource, a large supplier of natural bedding, there has been explosive growth on a national scale in the latex foam mattress industry for 2004 and 2005. The company states that natural latex foam bedding products are outselling memory foam by 2-1 and the trend is continuing to grow. Individuals interested in the principles of "green living" are partly responsible for the increased demand for natural latex bedding. FoamSource has reported a very positive response from media that caters to a natural lifestyle. However, the majority of the demand comes from individuals who have suffered from dust and mold allergies in their sleep. Latex is one of the top choices for natural bedding, the others are cotton and hemp futons. :: FoamSource [by Justin Thomas]...
New Diaper Recycling Technology to be Launched
by TreeHugger on 05.27.05
Smallplanet, a Canadian company, this summer will launch a disposable diaper recycling program. Smallplanet will use the services of Knowaste, which has patented technologies for the recycling of absorbent hygiene products. The Knowaste processors will sanitize the diaper material and mechanically separate the individual components so the wood pulp and plastic can be recycled. The recycled wood pulp can be used in many different applications, including wallpaper, shoe insoles and oil filters. ...
Double-Sided Solar Panels
by TreeHugger on 05.27.05
Double your solar power? These double-sided solar panels, exhibited at World Expo 2005 are actually only 1.3 times as effective as regular, single-sided ones. The panels collect light on both their sides, and are installed vertically. This means that frames and other materials can be reduced in the installation. Another advantage of vertical installation is fewer problems with accumulated snow, dirt, bird droppings and the like. That last one is a big plus in my book. :: Solar Panel Exhibit [by Justin Thomas]...
Cocoa Vino Organic Bonbons
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 05.27.05
Dedicated to celebrating the everyday beauty of life, Cocoa Vino couples two of life’s most sensual pleasures - chocolate and wine. Alisha Lumea and Avril Pendergast-Fischer, both graduates of the French Culinary Institute, have got this recipe perfected. Wine offers a very robust flavor, which makes it a perfect match for chocolate and at Cocoa Vino these delightful bonbons happen to be organic as well. They use Green & Black’s chocolate (oh so yummy!), fresh, all-natural GMO-free cream from a farm in upstate New York and the centers are made with organic and sustainably produced wines and liqueurs from some of the world’s best artisanal producers. The bonbons come in six luscious flavors and 12 are in a box for $27. They make a great gift and Cocoa Vino offers custom boxes for corporate and wedding favors. By themselves or paired with a “companion,” these bonbons are the ultimate pleasure. ::Cocoa Vino [by KD]...
Experimental Clock Made With "Wooden Plastic" Gears
by TreeHugger on 05.27.05
These clock gears are made out of a "wooden plastic". They were used to make a large clock exhibit at the World Expo 2005 held in Aichi, Japan. It's true that composites of wood and plastic and been previously developed. In this instance though, the clock gears are made out of 100% waste wood. These materials are heated at 392°F in a high-temperature steam boiler, to break down the wood fibers. ...
Man trades 1800 pounds turtle for Mercedes
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 05.27.05
In other news, an Albanian fisherman swapped a 806 kilos "dermochelys coriacea" (leatherback turtle) for a used Mercedes that was offered to him by an Italian fish trader. At first, six men tried to drag the turtle to the shore but in the end they had to use a mechanical excavator to do the deed. The event made local nature conservationists react, and we could almost hear the slapped foreheads from here: "The deal provoked the despair of Albanian Natural Science Museum director Idriz Haxhiu, who has personally rescued 450 turtles caught in fishing nets, in a programme that has the support of the United Nations."...
Walden Kayaks Update
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.27.05
In November 2004 we told you of a canoe made from recycled milk jugs. One month later were sadly informed you that Walden Kayaks had closed their doors. Now we bring good tidings. Marty Bloomberg has advised us that he purchased 100 of the Walden Kayaks and with former employees has made these available at wholesale, plus ten percent. He also has their paddles available. Email him for details. Marty also advises that Meyers Boat in Michigan purchased the Walden name and many of the moulds, so may be able to assist with parts for existing owners. (We don’t know however if Meyers will retain the recycled HDPE construction.) Thanks for the update Marty. [by WM] ...
Re-Prints of Rock Album Posters on Forest-Friendly Papers
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 05.27.05
Legendary album covers from The Eagles, The Doors, Joni Mitchell and others re-imagined on socially and environmentally responsible Domtar EarthChoice papers
MONTREAL, May 25 /CNW Telbec/ - Renowned album cover artist Gary Burden of Malibu-based R. Twerk & Co. and Gary Gonzales from Inglewood, Calif.-based "green" printer Insync Media have made the era of peace, love and rock 'n' roll come alive on environmentally and socially responsible Domtar EarthChoice papers.
One-of-a-kind, digitally printed, 47-inch by 47-inch wall posters are accompanied by introductions Burden wrote, with quotes from the artists themselves, to tell the histories and insider stories of the album covers. The exhibit will travel to Chicago, Dallas, New York and Toronto later this year....
Norway to get Maya 100 Electric Car
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 05.27.05
In the middle of last week, Electrovaya, a Canadian company, and Miljobil Grenland, a Norwegian one, announced that they were forming a partnership to bring the Maya 100 electric vehicle to Norway and "neighboring countries". I've said it and I'll say it again, the electric and mostly electric plug-in hybrid transportation paths are very promising and more effort should go in developing them, so kudos to Electrovaya. Green Car Congress has an in depth post about the Maya 100, well worth reading if you care about EV: In it we learn that Electrovaya's battery technology (Li-ion superpolymer) is quite advanced and that they are already developing the next generation which is even more promising. Early adopters take note, the current North-American price of the Maya 100 is $70,000. No word yet on the pricing for Scandinavia.
::Electrovaya And Miljobil Grenland Announce Partnership, ::Green Car Congress [by MGR]...
Waterwall
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.27.05
Although not related to the song by Oasis, this is a wonderwall. Because that brown thing you see to the right of the pic is not merely a fence. It’s a water tank. In fact, just one of those fence sections will hold 1,200 litres (317 gallons). As Lloyd’s recent attendance at the Rainwater Conference highlighted, after a misguided hiatus, Australia is rediscovering rainwater tanks. But many suburban houses have no room to add or retrofit the traditional round tanks or dig huge holes in their yard. So a pair of Aussies decided to invent the water wall. Their clever thinking earned them a win on the New Inventors TV show. Available in ‘heritage’ colours to suit renovated houses, they are made from high grade polyethylene, Has a life expectancy of 25 years and one section sells for $1,000 AUD ($760 USD). ::Waterwall [by WM]...
Onsustain.com
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05.27.05
Onsustain.com is a new online shopping site that is promoting sustainable design, which they define as follows:
"Design is about creativity, functionality, statements, trends, concepts, and communication. Sustainability is the same. The time for dumb-design is over; sustainability is leading the way with design that fulfils our need for functional and attractive artefacts while reducing their environmental load and providing social progress." As a green lifestyle filter we will be following them closely! ::Onsustain via ::Sensory Impact ...
More on Marmoleum
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05.27.05
Treehugger has marvelled at Marmoleum before (marblized linoleum flooring) but we just attended a presentation where we held the ingredients in our hands and we were so impressed that we thought a little more detail was in order. ...
Treehugger Photo Contest
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05.27.05
Ok, we have had no new submissions for two days and there are a lot more pictures out there. We publish solo's today- a wind farm near Palm Springs, CA. We are going to up the ante by announcing a prize- our personal copy of "Monsanto House of the Future". This 12 minute heartbreaking work of staggering genius projects a 1957 family into the distant future, living in a plastic house, with plastic furniture and plastic clothes. It is truly a lost classic, a vision of the future, up there with Sleeper and Metropolis. Enter the Treehugger Windfarm Photo Contest....
Pig Poo Power
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.27.05
According to the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), the pork industry contributes over 1% of the methane and nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture. While in Thailand, pig manure also contributes markedly to high nitrogen and phosporus accumulation in soil and water. In overcoming such dilemmas, the AGO, a couple years ago, suggested that “there may be significant opportunities in biogas production, particularly for large enterprise.” And blow me down, they were right. For here comes news that piggy poo is going to be a source of electricity. Energy Australia reckon their new plant will convert poo to run not only a piggery, but have enough left over to power 1,500 houses. Plus, it will stop the release of methane, a greenhouse gas ... and pongy smell to boot. ::ABC News Online [by WM]...
Bikeblender HPB: Human Powered... Blender?
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 05.26.05
So often in life, the right things aren't found together. Ice cream and Hot fudge had to wait thousands of years before refrigeration made their union possible. A cold pillow on a hot night is sublimely perfect, but always elusive. And after a grueling bike ride, all you want to do is collapse into a heap sipping something cold. Well, collapse away: A new human powered gadget is going to set you free......
A Bright Future – Global Dimming Could be Reversing
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 05.26.05
If you have never heard of global dimming, this (part 1, part 2) should bring you up to speed. The latest news is that, according to the recent studies, the trend of reduction in solar radiation observed from 1961 to 1990 could be reversing. Things are getting brighter. One of the possible consequences is that "the 'dimming' may have lead to a slight negative radiative forcing, somewhat masking the global warming signal; the reversal [...] may have removed this masking effect and lead to the signal being more obvious in the 1990s." Could we possibly have underestimated global warming? But lets not go too fast. RealClimate warns us to be cautious with this new data until it's studied more.
::Global Dimming may have a brighter future [by MGR]...
Xtracycle: Like An Xtra-cab For Your Bike
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 05.26.05
Once you make the leap to commuting and traveling by bicycle instead of car, you feel as free as a bird...Until you have to carry back 200 pounds of groceries for a party, or 20 board-feet of lumber for a project. Current bike trailers and racks just can't stand up to these kinds of loads without becoming extremely dangerous and unpredictable. With that in mind, the savvy engineers of Xtracycle have created the next evolution of the pack bike......
Eco Moms vs. Nascar Dads
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 05.26.05
Listen up Moms! Now normally TreeHugger doesn’t get into discussions about activism unless of course it’s posted in our UnTreehugger category – take Cellboost for instance. Okay, we do have a Take Action one as well, but here's a successful organization we’d like to highlight and fully support. The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) and their program called “Listen to Your Mother” is capturing women all over the country and world who are posting their pictures and letters for Bill Ford, Jr., president of Ford Motors, (aka: the biggest gas guzzler of automakers for the past five years) and are asking him to start producing zero-emissions vehicles. It is the goal of these women to help get the auto industry back on the eco-track. So Moms, help RAN in letting Ford know that mother does indeed know best and that we want to see a cleaner future for our little ones. ::ListenToYourMother.org [by KD]...
More Wind and Solar-Powered Web Hosting
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 05.26.05
Yesterday we wrote about solar-powered web hosting. The company we mentioned is not alone in that field; there are many more hosting providers that are powered by wind or solar (either directly from solar panels and wind turbines, or by buying clean energy credits from the utility company). If you have a website, or are thinking of creating one, please consider green hosting. Have a look at the companies I found......
Hybrid Gas Savings Calculator at MixedPower.com
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 05.26.05
Lately, we've been covering hybrid cars and websites about them, and in the comments of one of these posts reader Daniel tipped us about a website we had overlooked, and in particular about its "Gas Savings Calculator" online tool. You simply input the price of gas where you live, the mpg figure of your current car (ideally the real-world mileage that you're getting, which is almost certainly below the EPA's official number), how much your drive on average and it allows you see how much you'd save with any of the currently available hybrid models. Easier than napkin-math.
::Hybrid Vehicles Gas Savings Calculator [by MGR]...
Community Power- Putting People into Power
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05.26.05
Through our Windfarm Photo Contest we learned of a presentation last night at the Massive Change exhibition (more about that for days to come)and attended it at the Art Gallery of Ontario. James Murphy of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association presented a vision of a Community Co-operative model of distributed energy generation. ...
More on the Rubbish Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05.26.05
Guest Treehugger Bonnie Alter reports from London on the Chelsea Flower Show on the "Rubbish Garden"-
The Real Rubbish Garden at the Chelsea flower show is a very prosaic garden, in a place where the "wow" factor reigns supreme.
The fascinating part is the way recycled materials have been used in the composition of the various built components. The edges of the pond are made of crushed, recycled pirated CD's which glitter because they are set in resin. The plastic resin is made from recycled waterbottles. The lids of the storage containers are made of Bank of England notes set in resin. The sides are decorated with tin can lids, tops of wine bottles and coffee stir sticks. The "concrete" walls surrounding the garden are glass and lime. The gabions--a term for wire containers, are filled with bits of old and broken clay garden pieces.
The garden has a lot of interesting ideas for committed environmentalists with a creative streak. ...
Wall Street Discovers Renewable Energy.
by TreeHugger on 05.26.05
Looks like Wall Street is finally entertaining the thought of investing in renewables. "HUNTINGTON, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2005--Green Energy Resources (OTC.PK:GRGR) confirms it will speak, and host a luncheon at the Wall St. Renewable Energy Finance Forum at the Waldorf Astoria in New York in June. The conference will be attended by the biggest names in the electric power industry and Wall Street investment community"...
What is the invitation to invest in? Mix woodchips with coal powder, add air and, skipping futher capital investment, feed directly to coal fired generators; what comes out is electricity with fewer mercury and greenhouse gas emissions, and satisfaction of any state imposed renewable energy targets. Plus, carbon credit sales, and, in a painful twist of irony, export sales of US-grown wood to Europe so they can meet their failing renewables use targets. [Ouch!] And there's more....
Organic EcoWool (and ... shhh, Possumdown)
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.26.05
If you would like your wool to be organic but are looking for something more suited to your jeans than a catwalk , take a peek at EcoWool. Shorn from Merino and Perendale sheep on New Zealand’s South Island, it is said to be the world's first knitwear certified by Bio Gro. This ensures that the sheep do not graze on pastures exposed to synthetic pesticides or herbicides. Nor are toxic chemicals used in the production process. The Raised Neck Sweater shown here is $299 NZ ($213 USD)
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Ultra-Compact, Light, Eco-Modern Designed Folding Bike
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.26.05
What! Another folding bike? Surely Treehugger must’ve reviewed them all by now? Nope. They just keep coming. The Slingshot is different to many, in that it has a full size frame and wheel geometry, a little like the Paratrooper. But the most obvious difference is, that a quick glance would lead one to assume they forgot to fully weld the frame together. But instead of a total tube construction, the front of the frame is stainless steel cable. It’s an integral part of the bikes inherent suspension (soaking up to an inch of shock), while reportedly still providing a highly stable ride....
Paloma Glass-infused Pottery
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.26.05
Huh? Glass-infused? Basically ceramics which have been fired with the inclusion of imbedded reused glass pieces. The glass has been collected from roadsides, trails, recycle bins or used jam jars and wine bottles. When added to the pottery it creates durable candleholders, incense burners, clocks, tiles, stepping stones and even jewellery. Although strong and heat resistant, the semi porous nature of the now crackled glass makes them unsuitable use with food or liquids. Various colours available. ::Paloma Pottery [by WM]
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Solar-Powered Web Sites by SolarHost
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
Yep, you can power your web site via the sun. SolarHost claims to be the only internet company that is totally powered by renewable energy. SolarHost maintains a large, privately-owned solar power system, comprising 12 high-density 110W panels. After the immediate AC/DC power needs are met, excess power gets stored in a massive battery bank. The owners say it would take five days of darkness to shut them down. ...
Bamboo Textile
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 05.25.05
As the latest chapter in our never ending love affair with bamboo, bamboo, and more bamboo, we're currently crushing on Bamboo Textile. Despite its boring-as-cold-oatmeal name, the clothes are totally decent. The standard fare of shirts, tanks, and scarves is 70% bamboo for comfort and antibacterial goodness. Plus, they are planning to have some not-so-common extras like socks in the future. But perhaps the most exciting (and currently not accessible on the site) is the prospect of buying raw bamboo fabric for making your own creations. Also recently covered on MetaEfficient
:: Bamboo Textile [by DM]...
Power and Fresh Water From the Deep Ocean
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
John Craven, and his company Common Heritage Corporation (CHC) plan to produce "sustainable" power and fresh water by drawing water up from the deep ocean. The project is intended to provide electricty, water and food for a new residential and commercial development on Saipan, the largest of the Marianas Islands in the Pacific. CHC plans to sink a 24" pipe down 3000 feet to pump the seawater to the island's surface. ...
Everlite: Solar-Powered Portable LED Lights
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
Three worthy attributes: "portable", "LED" and "solar"! Everlites are task lights that run automatically from dusk to dawn. They are charged by a weatherproof solar panel, and are meant to run for 12 hours on just 3 hours of sunlight. They are also intended to be portable, for use at campsites and remote locations. They have a compact and "mini" versions too, which are even smaller than the one shown here. The manufacturer says you can also plug you in your cell phone or GPS into the lights, using a car adaptor and a 12V accessory. :: Everlite [by Justin Thomas]...
TreeHugger Survey – It’s a Win/Win Proposition
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
At TreeHugger we know that our readers are the coolest folks on Earth – but we can’t be certain that potential sponsors will take our word on it, so we created a survey to get some “reader stats” to quantify said coolness factor. Readers that take a few minutes to respond to the online survey can enter to win an eco-fabulous T from Glo 4 Life and help TreeHugger remain one of the Web’s premier sites for environmental living....
Cooperating with Images - La Lluna
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
How do charities, NGO’s and social services promote their work? Well usually with a lot of difficulty since graphic designers, photographers and ad execs all come at a very high price. But here in Barcelona it seems as though good causes are getting some good help......
Sprol: Your Ticket to the Worst of Earth
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 05.25.05
After you've had your fill of warm, happy places from google siteseeing, slouch on over to it's wicked alter ego for some wallowing. Sprol is the brand new world siteseeing site all about showing off the biggest ecological disaster areas around the world. Everything from uranium refineries to urban sprawl is exposed by this site's all-seeing satellite eyes. The creator, Automat, hopes that this little peak into the seedy underbelly of our earth will galvanize people to change their ways. We recommend it as a dose of strong medicine when you feel like giving up the treehugger life and buying an H2.
:: Sprol World Tour [by DM]...
Eco Lips
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
Did you know your lips are one of the most sensitive parts of your body? Unlike the rest of our skin, our lips have no extra moisturizer other than the saliva, which in fact dries them out even more. It kind of seems like a no-brainer that we’d only use organic but when our tipster Kristin M. (who also happens to be a member of the International Society of Skateboarding Moms!) wrote to tell us about Eco Lips, we were surprised that so many people out there didn’t use organic lip balm. Eco Lips uses organic herbs and moisturizing vegetables for their products and sell just about every kind you can think of, from berry to hemp to medicinal, they even come with an “Eco Clip” or “Eco Leash” that easily attaches to your gear. Since our skateboarding mom was SO impressed, we signed up to have them send a sample for just a buck. And don’t forget to recycle those empty lip balm tubes! ::Eco Lips [by KD]...
The Swap-O-Matic
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
Swap-o-matic is "a new fun way to reduce consumption and waste in our community! The Swap-O-Matic is a vending machine that allows you to give away things you don't need, and get things you like, all for FREE!" It is also a very cool thesis project by Lina Fenequito combining her passions for art and social justice. It allow users to "rethink spending patterns, view consumption with a different perspective, and explore issues of material possessions and American consumption through a public installation" If you are in New York you can see the real thing; the rest of us can participate online, sort of an ebay for recycling. Be sure to watch the commercial at ::Swap-O-Matic via ::NearNearFuture by [LA]...
Pedalite Self Charging Bike Light
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 05.25.05
Faithful treehuggers everywhere can appreciate the genius of this tiny gem. How many times have you set out for a nighttime trip on your trusty bicycle, only to find that the batteries in your warning flasher have run out completely. Worse yet, maybe you're coming back home from somewhere, so you have no choice but to brave the streets invisibly. The Pedalite makes these woes a thing of the past......
Today Show: Real-world impacts of driving a hybrid
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
HybridBlog followed the Today Show's "Great American Gas Challenge": The idea was to have three families take a vacation across the US with the same budget but each in a different type of vehicle (one of them being a Civic hybrid) to see the real-world effects on their vacation. All of this started because of a survey which showed that 60% of US families are changing their vacation plans because of "high gas prices" (good thing they're not driving in Europe). They approached the hybrid's characteristics from pretty much only the monetary angle, but if the mainstream is going to be convinced it's probably going to take at least that....
Treehugger Photo Contest
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05.25.05
The entries are pouring in for the Treehugger Photo Contest. Today we present Stewart Russell's shot of the Windshare Cooperative turbine on the Toronto waterfront. "WindShare was started to provide an opportunity for citizens to generate Green Power in Ontario's new deregulated electricity marketplace."- The public could invest in the project and expect a return both in money and power. We will follow up to see how it is turning out for investors. ::Windshare
We also post this picture because we shot the same one, on our first post about the competition., but it is not yet on Flickr because they check out new subscribers before posting their pictures. We will be there eventually.... ::Treehugger Windfarm entries by [LA]...
Cloning endangered species - Watch out!
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
At a time when more species are constantly being added to endangered species lists, could cloning technology step in? This 2002 article tells us that China was "just a step away from being able to clone giant pandas". I couldn't find out anything about whether they did or not since then, but in the case of pandas, hunting and habitat destruction are largely responsible for their endangered status. Could cloning alone do anything more than push back the problem a little farther down the line?...
Rainwater Richard
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05.25.05
After our post yesterday about rainwater harvesting, Treehugger Geoff tipped us about Rainwater Richard, who established Tank Town, builds rainwater collection systems and started America's only rainwater bottling plant. He had quite a struggle getting it approved for sale (Notwithstanding Dr. Coombe's statements that it is purer than mains water, people are concerned about rain water purity) but after putting in a sophisticated filtering system is able to sell it bottled-its available online. He writes a good website too. ::Richards Rainwater by [LA]...
Colorado Welcomes US' Largest Corn-to-Ethanol Plant
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
As with all things ethanol, this is a conflicted tale, with surpising insights. Reported in the Greely Tribune this week: "When Great Western Ethanol's plant ... becomes operational..., its impact will stretch from Iowa to California. The plant, at full operation, ... will use 50 million bushels of corn annually to produce 140 million gallons of ethanol,"... the first production will be marketed "along the Front Range. Perhaps surprising to some, Weld County and the rest of the state don't grow enough corn to meet the plant's needs. The plant will have to import corn to produce ethanol from farms in Nebraska and Iowa".
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Ecofish - Environmentally Responsible Seafood
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.25.05
Being a ‘pescatarian’ (vegetarian, who eats occasional fish) makes one acutely aware of the world’s radically depleted fish stocks. EcoFish are doing their bit to address this issue. The first US seafood distributor of sustainably certified seafood, this six year old enterprise, services over 1,000 grocery stores and 150 restaurants. Their ‘chain of custody’ certification is under the auspices of the international Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) program, modelled on the more well known Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Chefs can get info via EcoFish Direct. Packaged seafood products bear the MSC eco-label, so grocery customers can make informed decisons. ::EcoFish [by WM]...
Zaishu - seat/table/box/artwork
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.25.05
It seems that ‘Zaishu’ is Japanese for small seat. It also functions as a small table and storage box. Requires no tools or problematic fittings like nails, screws or adhesives. Made from plywood “ideally salvaged from construction sites”, the seats simply slot slot together, in an operation that can be completed in as little as 11 seconds! Requiring no packaging, the seats are designed to take on a used patina, with he external artwork has been created a variety of designers and artists from Australia, Japan, Korea, and Italy. Designed by Matthew Butler, whose business, Blue Square, makes the claim: “Environmentally, we are a 'carbon neutral' company where we guarantee that a tree will be planted for each chair sold.“ ::Blue Square [by WM]...
Terramai - Unloved Becomes Much Loved
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.25.05
“Every minute of every day, over 20 hectares [50 acres] of tropical forest are being cut down.” The first words from a book written a quarter of a century ago. A tome that was most probably my personal eco epiphany. So it's always a joy to report on businesses that reduce forest destruction. Originally founded about 15 years ago, these guys have been salvaging wood to provide quality timbers for beams, siding, trim, decking and flooring. The first Californian lumber company to deal exclusively in reclaimed wood. They rescue “Burgundy stained redwood siding from antique wine tanks, massive Douglas fir timbers from turn-of-the-century industrial buildings, ......
Seacell: Seaweed Enhanced Underwear and More
by TreeHugger on 05.25.05
Want a bit of the ocean in your clothing? Seacell is a fabric made out of Lyocell (a 100% wood pulp fiber) and seaweed. The theory is that your skin will absorb nutrients from the seaweed, which is quite mineral- and vitamin-rich. From what I can gather, Seacell incorporates 5% seaweed content. The fabric was devised in Germany, and has been certified by the European "Eco-Label", which promotes green products. The manufacturer, Zimmer AG, says that the porous, open structure of the Seacell fibers "breath" well and absorb what your skin expels. Seacell is mostly being used in bras and underwear, but it also being used in bedding. REI sells a Seacell travel blanket, for example. :: Seacell available from Underwear Options via Popgadget [by Justin Thomas]
...
Stone & Giacomotto Cacao
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
Nathan Stone and Christophe Giacomotto specialize in raw cacao beans — in fact, that's all they sell. Their intention was to provide a source of unadulterated cacao for the home chef, where subtle flavor and texture of cacao beans is desired such as in mole poblano (a mexican dish with a chocolate-based sauce). They import the raw beans and nibs from places like Trinidad, Papua New Guinea and Madagascar. ...
Man Makes Wind Powered Pond Aerator, Sells It on EBay
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
Scott Hite has made a pond aerator that is powered only by the wind. You could install in your pond for aeration purposes. But it will also attract sightseers interested in capturing a photograph of an alien space probe. It is suitable for ponds up to 8 feet deep and is capable of 0.15 CFM. About his invention, Hite remarks: "It is a good aerator for small ponds of 1/4 acre or smaller. It is also an excellent aerator to be used in any pond to prevent winter fishkill. The aerator works very well and the wind speed for start-up is less than 5 mph." He can be contacted via his web site. :: Pond Aerator [by Justin Thomas]...
Treehugger at Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
We attended Toronto's rainwater harvesting workshop this morning, looking for the answer to the question- why bother when we are beside a freshwater lake and can just pump more? a) The answer- infrastructures for pumping and cleaning water are not growing as fast as the population and we cannot pump it fast enough.
Dr. Peter Coombes of the School of Environment and Life Sciences talked about the Australian experience, where around Sydney they have a similar problem. ...
ducduc: Adaptable Children's Furniture
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
ducduc is a newly formed design collaborative that focuses on creating furniture for infants and small children. They are bringing some new ideas to a fairly static genre, especially in terms of what "convertible" means. Not only do cribs convert to beds or changing tables to dressers, the furniture also adapts as babies mature into childhood and adolescence. This means less furniture to buy, more to reuse. duduc also uses non-VOC lacquered veneers in their designs. The web site being reconstructed, but the designers can be contacted via email. :: ducduc by [Justin Thomas]...
The TH Interview: Argentinean Architect Carlos Levinton
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
The investigation group commanded by architect Carlos Levinton has been working in the research and development of sustainable models since 1986, and has created a lab that explores the employment generation by/and the development of materials. The transformation of trash into constructive materials, different prototypes of eco-houses, and even the development of a plan for the reconstruction of Asia after the Tsunami are some of the results of the group studies.
Their main projects include four types of eco-houses (some of which were implemented in different regions of Argentina), building materials as PET bricks and compressed TetraBrik plaques. Plus, the group and Levinton's aim is to make the materials and techniques easy to transmit to the precarious populations, in order to produce them in what they call Social Factories....
Eco-tip: Pine cones make good cat toys
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
Instead of buying small toys made in Asia from questionable materials, under questionable labor standards and shipped across the globe using much precious energy, why not just go for something all natural, biodegradable and free. My experience has shown that pine cones are a perfect toy for playful kittens. They're hard enough to withstand abuse, yet light enough to be easily thrown around during play (especially on hardwood floors). You can also tie them to a string and have them dangle around. Hours of fun for kitty! [by MGR]...
Porsche to make a hybrid
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
According to the Detroit News, Porsche will make a hybrid version of its Cayenne SUV in 2008/2009. One reason behind this decision is certainly the rising oil prices which must have played a part in the 27% decrease in sales for 2005 so far. It is very doubtful that a Porsche SUV, even if hybrid, would be of much interest to a treehugger, but it is nonetheless a significant vehicle......
ENERNOC Rewards Negawatts: an Electricity Demand Management Service
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
like an ee cummings poem
getting in touch
with your ENERNOC
negawatts
make
climate sense...
Rubbish Garden at Chelsea Flower Show
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
Garden designer Claire Whitehouse has built a garden around rubbish as the main attraction in this year's Chelsea Garden Show, opening today. The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) commissioned the rubbish garden "to show that recycling, re-using and reclaiming can make for a fantastic, usable, modern garden that can attract wild birds and create a haven for other wildlife".
The show also has set strict standards this year to eliminate the use of peat, as the peatlands are habitats for birds and rare plants.
read tips on creating a real rubbish garden after the jump.
::Chelsea Garden Show by LA...
New system to purify hog waste
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
Don Lloyd of Little Creek Hog Farms demonstrated his $150K purifying system by drinking what only six hours ago was "pig water." Hog farming is a big environmental problem with "hog lagoons" threatening rivers, underground water springs and constantly releasing airborne pollutants. Lloyd's system is one of many that received a state grant and it is competing against others to get selected by North Carolina as the solution to their porcine waste problem. It is estimated that this system is 40% cheaper to operate than a lagoon, but its most interesting characteristic is that it makes the waste water potable and turns the solid waste to compost. Very promising, at least until everybody becomes vegetarian.
::System Changes Hog Waste Into Clean Water
[by MGR]...
Treehugger Photo Contest
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
The entries are beginning to come in at the Treehugger Wind Farm Photo Contest- We present here Sparktography's stunning "A foggy day at the wind farm near Walla Walla, WA." Submit your pictures to Flickr and tag them treehuggerwindfarm before June 15.(If you are opening a new account it may take a few days for the picture to show up in the public stream.) by [LA]...
Green Restaurant Association
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.24.05
The GRA, a national non-profit organization is looking to improve the eco practices of an industry they suggest represents 10% of the US economy. To help their members become more environmentally sustainable the GRA offer restaurants research, education, consulting and marketing amongst other initiatives. An online store provides a wide range of catering needs. They also provide guidelines against a very extensive list of environmental matters:— energy efficiency & conservation, water efficiency & conservation, recycling & composting, sustainable food, pollution prevention, recycled, tree-free, biodegradable & organic products, chlorine-free paper products, non-toxic cleaning & chemical products, green power, green building & construction and employee education. ::Green Restaurant Association [by WM]...
The World Legacy Awards
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.24.05
Conservation International (CI) believe that “with an estimated US$ 3 trillion in annual revenues, tourism has emerged as one of the world's largest industries” adding significantly to local economies where CI works. But they also note that “tourism in key biodiversity areas can be both an opportunity for conservation and a threat to biodiversity. Ecotourism can provide income to local people and, by its reliance on healthy ecosystems, offer a powerful incentive to conserve and protect biodiversity.” So to further these views they teamed up with National Geographic to launch the World Legacy Awards, recognizing environmentally and socially responsible tourism practices that are helping to protect our planet's natural and cultural heritage. The 2004 winners are from Dubia, Australia, Indonesia and Barbados. Visit here for a quick peek at how these entreprises have succeeded in “generation of local economic benefit; tourist benefit in terms of both satisfaction and knowledge gained, and promotion of sustainable-tourism principles through education and awareness-building.” ::World Legacy Awards [by WM]...
Tunza by the UNEP
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.24.05
A recent survey may have found that some young people aren’t engaged by environmental issues, but the United Nations Environment Program is not planning on leaving them uninformed. The UNEP has facilitated a web-based enewsletter under the tag of Tunza. And it does have ‘tonnes of’ entertaining, interesting and important stories, written by young people for young people. Hardly a spring chicken myself, I was keen to settle down and peruse news from youth correspondents, based in locales like Brazil and China. The current issue is on urban living. I learnt about the German Parliament being heated by vegetable oil, how Singapore provides half its water needs from harvested rainwater and US corn that grows 50% bigger when fertilised by waste urine! So skip, don’t walk. Skate, don’t run, over to — ::'Tunza’ @ our planet [by WM]...
Tacoma Man Installs Sizeable Rainwater Cistern
by TreeHugger on 05.24.05
Rainwater — it's almost always purer than groundwater. It's abundant. It's free. Based on this reasoning, Tim Bennecker installed 1700-gallon cistern in his front yard in Tacoma, Washington. He plans on using the water to flush his toilets, wash his clothes and irrigate his lawn. The tank cost $1900 and the excavation cost him $3000. This kind of installation may never pay for itself. However, Bennecker said he set out to be a “test bed” to encourage such systems in new homes. Otherwise he could have have opted for more affordable, 500 gallon above-ground cistern. See this guide for more details on sizing a cistern. :: News Tribute article [by Justin Thomas]...
Recycling Plastic into Roads in India
by TreeHugger on 05.23.05
K Ahmed Khan came up with an idea to mix recycled plastic with ashphalt to lay roadways. Khan has been running his company, KK Polyflex, for 20 years, producing plastic sacks. About 8 years ago he realised that the anti-plastics lobby had a point, and that the industry was ignoring the problem of plastic waste. He rolled up his sleeves to create an opportunity out of the situation. The plastic appears to have strengthened roads by enhancing ashphalt's bonding ability, and made the roads longer lasting by rendering them more impervious to water. ...
First "Wave Farm" Announced
by TreeHugger on 05.23.05
A wave power plant, the first of its kind, is set to go on line off Portugal in 2006. The Norwegian energy company Hydro is a major funder for the project. The power generators will appear as giant orange tubes floating on water off the coast of northern Portugal, will use wave motion to produce electricity by pumping high-pressure fluids to motors. The generators were developed by Ocean Power Delivery, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The first, three-generator phase of the wave farm would produce 2.25 megawatts of electricity, enough to supply 1,500 Portuguese homes. :: Wave Farm [by Justin Thomas]...
pair Networks: Thanks!
by TreeHugger on 05.23.05
pair Networks are the people nice enough to host Treehugger's newly upgraded dedicated web server. We were especially pleased to discover they run their hosting business with some eco-initiatives in mind. pair employees are asked to shut down non-essential devices when they are not in the office, and even when the devices are not active (monitors and empty server aren't left running). ...
T-shirt Recycling with Cronick Valentine
by TreeHugger on 05.23.05
We know we aren’t the only ones that still have those concert t-shirts from the 80s that we just can’t get rid of…it’s okay to admit it. They might be a little worn, but Scott Cronick, owner of Cronick Valentine in the East Village of NYC can still recycle them. How? He makes duvet covers and pillows so you can start sleeping with your favorite tee (if you haven’t already) and iPod cases and purses so you can show them off at your nightly hot spot. Cronick fuses the shirts to fabrics and other materials stiffened with felt to make it durable. At his Ninth Street location, you can either bring in your old tees or buy one that he’s recycled. The store also uses salvaged steel frames and packing peanuts as shelving and cardboard tubes to frame the artists work. So the next time you’re struggling with the thought of retiring that Van Halen tee – think again. ::Cronick Valentine [by KD]...
CMR Fuel Cells: Fuelcells Finally Hit The Big Time?
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 05.23.05
Fuelcells, fuelcells, fuelcells. Enough already. It seems like every day there's some new piece of news about how this technology is right on the edge of transforming the way we power our portable world. But every day the solution remains elusive. Today, CMR Fuel Cells claims to finally have what it takes......
Habana Outpost: Even Grilled Corn is Better Green
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 05.23.05
You can think of a restaurant as a place to hang out with friends. Or, you can think of it as a convenient way to avoid the damned-dirty-dishes syndrome. But start talking about a restaurant as a vehicle for environmental change, and people might call you a little loopy. Luckily, Café Habana proprietor Sean Meenan isn't listening......
The BBC's eco-friendly garden design contest
by TreeHugger on 05.23.05
A few months ago, in the context of their Planet Under Pressure series, the BBC asked its readers to "design a garden which is a relaxing green space for you, your family and friends, uses natural resources in a sustainable way and encourages a wide range of plants and wildlife." The results are in and the entries are interesting, but it's unfortunate that the size of the images makes it a bit hard to see some of the details and read some of the annotations. See for yourself....
Skid Mounted Filtration Unit by Niro, Inc.
by TreeHugger on 05.23.05
For the next step up in water filtration after clay and coffee grounds, this company, Niro, Inc. offers custom-designed membrane filtration systems utilizing microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, or reverse osmosis. The company Filtration Division designs, engineers, manufactures, and installs membrane filtration systems of all sizes for the dairy, food and beverage, fermentation and biotechnology industries. More about why this matters to TreeHuggers after the fold....
Another way of walking through life: El Naturalista
by TreeHugger on 05.23.05
This is the slogan of the Spanish natural shoe company El Naturalista, which was founded in the Rioja region of Spain and is now selling in outlets around the world. Their website gives the impression of a caring, forward thinking company with respect for tradition and a healthy approach to designing for the future....
China to build offshore wind farms
by TreeHugger on 05.23.05
China. A country that we're hearing a lot about in the eco-community lately. Mostly doom & gloom, but a few encouraging things like this China Daily article which reports that China plans to "make offshore wind farms a key part of its renewable energy program within two or three decades." With wind turbines ideally 50 kilometers (30 miles) off the coasts, it's estimated that Chinese sea winds could generate 750 gigawatts. This further confirms what we've reported two days ago: wind has tremendous potential....
Héctor Canteros' Educative Recycled Games
by TreeHugger on 05.23.05
Argentinean chess professor Héctor Cateros has developed a way to close a perfect circle: he found they could recuperate the recreation breaks in schools for playful purposes and diminish the discipline problems among the kids, all by using different types of recycled materials to make the children build their own games.
"I started with this ideas in 1998, motivated by the need of urgent solutions to discipline problems in the recreation spaces at schools, the lack of resources to buy games and the poor offer of good games in the market", he explains. ...
Wind Farms: Beauty or Blight? Photo Contest
by TreeHugger on 05.23.05
This weekend we read of yet another group of NIMBYs objecting to a wind farm on Georgian Bay north of Toronto. Notwithstanding the fact this is Canadian Shield, there is no agriculture or industry other than pandering to rich City folk, and a wind farm might bring people a little work and a little money. (Read also David Suzuki.) We did a search for ugly wind farms on flickr and must admit, some look pretty scary.
Do you have any pictures? Post them on Flickr with the tag treehuggerwindfarm We will beg GH to supply a prize of some kind for the best picture in the beauty and the blight categories. thanks ::PSFK for the idea. by [LA]...
Hempline Automotive Composites
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.23.05
We know that cars are being made with parts from sweet potato derivatives but from hemp? Well, yes. As previously alluded to, hemp had been used in car prototypes, by Henry Ford. Now, according to Hempline, automotive composites are the single largest user of hemp fibre in North America. Building on innovations in Europe, hemp is currently finding work as a replacement for glass-fibre. ...
LikeaBike: An EasyRider
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.23.05
How's this for product endorsement? ”I don't like when Mom and Dad always get stopped by people who want to talk about my bike... I like it best after it rained so I can run my bike through puddles.” Joseph (3 years, 7 months). The bike in question is a LikeaBike, brainchild of German product designer Rolf Mertens. It suits kids 2 to 5 years old, who are too young for a real bicycle but still benefit greatly from developing a sense of balance, movement, oh yeh and fun....
Nicholas Dattner Timber Tables
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.23.05
"Imagine a material so technologically advanced that it is self generating, infinitely renewable, requires no attention, maintenance or capital investment, comes in thousands of varieties, has almost infinite uses and is produced in the world's largest factory whose pollution control is so effective that the only by-product is oxygen. ......No it's not something from a science fiction, its wood." So went one of Nicholas Dattner’s ad campaigns. A unashamedly evangelical promoter of timber furniture, he offers what he modestly calls “the most beautiful tables in the world’. ...
Hybrid cars: some online resources
by TreeHugger on 05.22.05
There are many websites dedicated to informing potential buyers of hybrid cars and giving tools such as discussion forums, databases to track fuel efficiency, etc, to people who already own one. We've already mentioned HybridCars.com last autumn, but a few other sites are worthy of note: GreenHybrid.com has many interesting features including a "real world mileage database" compiled from the site readers' data, a section where you can learn the basics about hybrid cars and read some more detailed articles about particular models, and a moderately active discussion forum (the most active probably is PriusChat.com)....
Pedal People: the Bicycle Delivery Service
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 05.22.05
Thanks to Treehugger David Lively who alerted us to Pedal People after he heard their story on his local National Public Radio (NPR) station. Serving a town with no municipal trash or recycling pick-up, Pedal People has stepped in to provide a solution for the residents who don't have the capability or time to deliver their own trash to the central collection points....
