- 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 July 17, 2005 - July 23, 2005
Total this week: 70
List of All Incentives For Hybrid Vehicles
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.23.05
The Union of Concerned Scientists has updated its Hybrid Center website with a list of all federal and state hybrid vehicle incentives in the US. "I think one barometer that something is catching on is whether politicians decided to jump on the bandwagon. Well, there are now hybrid incentives or bills in 31 states (including the District of Columbia) – a huge jump over last year." Have a peek and see if your state is in the list.
::Hybrid Incentives, via ::HybridBlog...
Wal-Mart Opens Green Supercenter in Texas
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.23.05
We at TreeHugger admit to posting more than our fair share of wind turbine photos lately. This one deserves special notice, however, as it is part of the experimental Wal-mart Supercenter store that just opened in McKinney, Texas. The experimental design elements include a nice menu of resource saving (cost cutting of course) measures. Some naturalizing is included. From the press release: "Wal-Mart has contracted with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to provide testing and analysis on store systems and materials, based on national scientific measurements and standards, for a period of three years". Having a good data set to back design change arguments is critical and we're glad to see it covered. This project takes it to the next level however. More below the fold....
EUM-2000 – Whole House Energy Monitor
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.23.05
A while ago we wrote about the Kill-A-Watt, a little device that allow you to to measure how much electricity whatever you plug in it uses. But since you can only test one appliance at a time, discovering the energy consumption of a whole house is not very practical. That's where this other gizmo comes in: The EUM-2000 is a whole house energy monitor. It can display the electricity used in KWh or in dollars (after you input your local rates). It costs US$200 and can be bought here.
::Energy Monitoring Technologies Inc., via ::MetaEfficient...
Japanese Toilets go Green
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.23.05
If you are fascinated by Japanese toilets that warm your bum, wash it and dry it and check your urine samples along the way, you will be thrilled to learn that Panasonic has now introduced a version that uses 75% less electricity. The secret is in the seat heater- it varooms from room temperature to 30 degrees celsius in less than six seconds. Lets hope it stops there...::Panasonic via ::Akihabara News...
BioBling? Oh my...
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.22.05
From Jalopnik, the car site with an attitude, comes this strange Los Angeles story about Colette Brooks, the ad agency owner who got Hollywood stars to show up at the Oscars in Toyota Prius hybrids. Now she's into what she calls BioBling. Basically, it's huge American cars from a bygone era and other "pimped-out" used cars with all the assorted bling-bling and modifications, but the twist is that they run on biodiesel. She now has 10 biodiesel vehicles, including a 1983 Cadillac Seville and a 1996 Mercedes E-Class sedan. "This is about making renewability sexy, about not sacrificing. You can have your bling and eat it too," she says. Well, that's LA for you, I suppose...
::Bio Goes Bling, via ::Jalopnik...
Cortiça -- A Cork Chaise Longue by Daniel Michalik
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.22.05
Designer Daniel Michalik has discovered the wonderful world of cork, which we've extolled before in posts about mosiac tiles and flooring, just to name a few. Michalik's work, focusing on using underutilized, unconventional materials, is simple and engaging, and maximizes the benefits of his medium. According to his website, "the natural flexibility of cork allows it to form fantastic, complex shapes no other material can match." Cortiça, the chaise longue pictured here, is equally functional indoors and out, thanks to cork's waterproof characteristics and stubborn resistance to mold growth. Skeptical? To again quote his site, "One client has hers sitting outside, and last I looked, they look the same as when I delivered them one year ago! Amazing." He has several other pieces displayed on his site, including a stool made completely from waste cork recovered from the bottle-stopper industry. ::Daniel Michalik...
Pedros Bicycle Bits
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.22.05
When we discovered that Bike USA 2005 had recycled handlebar tape, we wondered what else might be out there for bicycles. One thing lead to another and we arrived at Pedros. Purveyors of some greener items for pedal pushers. They have a wide collection of handlebar grips made, we believe, from 65% recycled rubber. They also have a seat bag, just right for humping tools around. This is made from reused inner tubes, which is pretty cute. Well, it would be if they hadn’t teamed those old tubes with a vinyl (boo hiss) fabric. But then they go and redeem themselves, with bike cleansers and degreasers that are biodegradable with some even derived from citrus extracts, having names like Oranj Peelz. An all natural ingredient lip balm is referenced on their site, as well, but detail on the contents are sparse. ::Pedros ...
Urgent Call from Architecture for Humanity
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.22.05
We have received an urgent request from Cameron at Architecture for Humanity.
"In 2004 Hurricane Ivan ravaged the island of Grenada. A majority of the housing stock was affected. After a disaster reconstruction can take years for life to be restored.
Last week Hurricane Emily hit Grenada head on. hundreds of families are displaced yet again. With 70 GV Shelters ready to go we are trying to coordinate a plan to deliver homes to the island by mid next week.
Unfortunately to make the plane the homes need to get from Georgia to the Amerijet at the Miami Airport. (we have access to a flight on Tuesday) We desperately need access to a 53ft flatbed truck that can drive from Kennesaw to Miami.
If any treehuggers out there have a relative, friend or know anyone who has access to a suitable flatbed please contact cameron (at) architectureforhumanity.org"
...
Top Five - IDSA's 2005 IDEA Winners
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.22.05
A respondent to our new survey must be a longtime reader, because they requested the return of the long neglected TH Top Five. Maybe this will mollify them somewhat. A while back the Industrial Designer’s Society of America (IDSA) unveiled the winners of their 2005 Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) competition. There were a few products that we have showcased previously, such as the iXi Bike, BYO Lunch Bag and Nike’s Considered Boot, but they also showed some other goodies, that we though you might find intriguing. None of the five selected designs are the typical overtly eco-products that you find here daily, but they do indicate the enironmental considerations are finally reaching into the darkest corners of designer’s thought processes. See pics and mini reviews below. (The People’s Choice voting looks like it is still open, if you want to pass judgement.) See the Jurors comments at ::IDSA IDEA 2005 ...
Frugal For Life - Simplify!
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.22.05
We often talk about efficiency in regard to cars, housing, energy production, etc. But what about being more efficient with our money? Keeping our finances in order and being eco-conscious are two very compatible things. Some may pejoratively call you a penny-pincher, but to Frugal For Life blogger Dawn, that's a compliment. The frugal life is about making choices, not consuming more than our share (opting-out of the consumption arms race) and not going into debt for things we probably don't need in the first place. Sumptus Censum Ne Superet (Let not your spending exceed your income). Not all the tips on the blog will appeal to everybody, but we're fairly sure that a least a few of them could benefit most people. It goes from how to make your own pizza (a couple of bucks of dough and toppings vs. what you pay when you order) to what are the best places to find free boxes, the multiple uses of toothpaste, how to make home-made anti-acid and tips about using less detergent. We also quite liked the post about tiny homes.
::Frugal For Life...
Worthwhile Canadian Initiative
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.22.05
Wind Powered Cars Drive the Future
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.22.05
A few weeks back TreeHugger's Lloyd Alter reported on the three Stanford University researchers who offered a breakthrough insight into hydrogen's role in our transporation energy future. In a nutshell: using "...wind energy to create hydrogen fuel could actually make this form of energy cheaper than fossil fuels, especially when the social costs of sources like coal and oil are considered". In the interest of getting a "good treehugger - bad treehugger" volley going, what follows is a brief, original scenario where wind to hydrogen ("Drive-by-Wind") works for transportation, replacing fossil fueled, ICE propulsion in most domestic vehicles. This scenario is framed by oil surpassing $100/barrel and staying there, as well as by society's willingness to internalize the pubic health costs caused by vehicle emissions. Public health cost control is a corrolary driver in other words. Other scenarios are possible of course. This is just a starting point for the long view....
Q&A Bicycle Tyre Rubber
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.22.05
Q.Hi There, A question triggered off the Natural Latex Bedding entry. For the treehugger-inclined, what are our bicycle tire options? In other words, which tires are better in terms of sustainable materials (including natural rubber or synthetics derived from renewable source material), production methods and reuse? When the fossil fuels run out, I want to make sure something still exists for my bike(s). Thanks! Andrew....
VOIP on a bike
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.22.05
Now how often have we talked about this here. Inveneo, a non-profit set up to bring 21st century communications infrastructure into the third world, has developed "A low cost, ruggedized, pedal and solar-powered PC and communications system that provides remote villages access to simple computing, voice calling, e-mail and the Internet." It's got LINUX, WiFi and VoIP- a biker geek's dream machine.::Inveneo via ::Make...
Umbra Fisk on Micro-Wind
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.22.05
This week, Grist magazine's always helpful Umbra Fisk answers reader mail about micro-wind. Since the reader is Canadian, she recommends the small-wind calculator, a website that allows you to check the wind potential wherever you are in Canada by entering your postal code. She also recommends the WindShare Cooperative in Toronto, which seems like quite a nice project. Canadians living in Toroton and interested in investing in wind-energy should have a look – see our Green Investments post. Mrs. Fisk then continues with more tips and recommendations. Read it for yourself.
::Ask Umbra: Easy, Breezy, Beautiful...
Biodegradable Place Settings
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 07.21.05
We wrote about disposable dinnerware from sinlessbuying.com awhile back that was made from 100% Bagasse, a fibrous pulp left over after processing sugarcane. Similar to these “party plates without problems” are these place settings found at Gaiam. What do the two have in common? They can both be tossed in the compost pile. These place settings are made from switchgrass, which is a high-yield perennial grass that is native to North America. They are then covered in cornstarch to provide strength, even when wet, and durability. The set is dishwasher safe so they can be re-used over and over and the cutlery is heat tolerant up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. A set of 12 plates, cups and cutlery is $15.99. ::Gaiam...
Semi-permanent 2005
by Che-Wei Wang, Brooklyn on 07.21.05
Semi-permanent New York is a design event run by the crew at Design is Kinky, and TheHappyCorp Global with the support Diesel. The event covers various fields within design ranging from graphic design, broadcast, illustration, photography, web, fashion, film, graffiti, animation, and more. Speakers include Charlie White, Chuck Anderson, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Fafi, Joshua Davis, Lobo, Paul Pope, The Orphanage, Threadless / Skinnycorp, and Visionaire, designers you already know or should know if you don't! September 9th & 10th at Lincoln Center - Avery Fisher Hall ::
Semi-permanent...
Take Action: Green Investments
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.21.05
Before we start, I want to make it clear that I am not qualified to give financial advice, so consider this more a reminder and suggestion than anything else... So here we go: According to our surveys, our readers are, on average, highly educated and have good incomes (they are high on the Global Rich List). It should then be fairly safe to assume that many are putting their money elsewhere than under a mattress. Sadly, too few people realize that even if they lead a virtuous life and try to have a healthy personal relationship with nature, their money could be working against them if it is invested in polluting and destructive enterprises. What I recommend is that you ask your financial advisor about green and ethical funds, or if you own stocks of a polluting corporation, consider letting them know – as a shareholder – that you would like them to get a better environmental policy (or you could just sell the stock and invest the money somewhere else). Money is a powerful tool. Use it for good....
Mioculture Presents the Bale Chair
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.21.05
This fun chair from Mioculture is designed to help reuse old or seldom-used books, magazines or other stackable materials. The Bale Chair is made from two FSC-certified wood veneers, nylon levelers, 100% recycled polyester webbing straps, and whatever you want to stack between the seat and the floor. Aside from putting all the books you never read in school to good use, the chair provides a fun synthesis of artistic expression and DIY-ingenuity, and an update is never more than a bookshelf-cleaning away. Mioculture's wall coverings and light capsules have previously been mentioned by TreeHugger. ::Mioculture...
Hydra Canoes
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.21.05
With the demise, last year, of recycled high density polypethylene (HDPE) kayak maker, Walden, we went looking for an alternative. We admit that our search ran out of steam, under the weight of too many other projects. But we did alight upon Hydra from Tennessee, USA. While they are experimenting with the notion of making hulls from recycled plastics, like the milk jugs that Walden used, at this point such vessels are not commercial. But they do say that their moulded seats and thigh braces are currently made of recycled polyethylene, so with the Northern Summer in full swing, it might be worth checking out craft such as the 'Sea Adventure' pictured. Oh, yeh, if you have an old unused plastic canoe hull hanging around, Hydra encourage you to call them to see if they can turn it into some other recycled plastic product. (Their parent company Rotonics is into all things plastic.) ::Hydra ...
The Folly of Artificial Pricing of Electricity
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.21.05
Our beneficient government-owned power company is today buying American electricity at 53 cents per kilowatt-hour and selling it to us for 5.8 cents. I find this to be a great deal and am using as much of it as I can. Others are being even more creative: in our downtown office towers, thermostats are calibrated for the suits and the female staff all have electric space heaters cooking away under their desks. Says accountant Tara Hodgson: "God knows we don't want to encourage men to wear sandals and short pants or sleeveless shirts." She finishes typing her e-mail with this: "Just for the record, my fingertips are frozen right now. You would think I was throwing snowballs in February." ::Jan Wong in the Globe and Mail...
Windscape- a design competition
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.21.05
We have discussed the beauty of wind farms at length, and how the scions of Cape Cod and Nantucket do not want wind farms in their backyard, thank you. Now the Boston Society of Architects is running a competion to determine:
-Can a wind farm be more than just a utility to generate electricity?
-Could a grid of off-shore wind turbines be a park, a sculpture garden, a sailing and water sports venue, a tourist destination, a center for scientific research?
-Can a wind park be a place to educate the community about the impact of wind energy on the environment?
-How do we address the proposed addition of wind farms to our physical and cultural landscape?
Fine questions all. We look forward to reporting the results. ::BSA via ::Archinect...
Maple Leaf Reforestation Company
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.21.05
Think locally, act globally...hey. This Canada-based maker of commercial greenhouses, Maple Leaf Reforestation, has started construction of a 2 & 1/2 acre model for the Chinese government to help initiate a massive reforestation project in Inner Mongolia. Meanwhile, back at the stratosphere ranch, soil particles from Mongolian dust storms have regularly traveled all the way across the Pacific Ocean, falling out with precipitation along the Western coast of North America, home of the Maple Leaf Reforestation company. Some details and hypothetical analysis after the fold....
AMD Chips To Contain Less Lead
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.21.05
Thanks to European Union and Asian regulations, future e-waste might be less toxic. Chipmaker Intel has already made progress at making processors and chipsets with a reduced amount of lead to meet the 2006 deadline, and yesterday their rival AMD (which mostly makes CPUs and flash memory) announced that they too will start offering chips with less of the heavy metal (you can read their press release here). Some of our other posts about e-waste and recycling computers that you might have missed: Recycling Computers and How much Crap is in them, Code Green, And Others, Seeking Answers to E-waste, Q&A. Recycling Electronic Media, Effective Electronic Recycling: Green Citizen and InterConnection: Recycling Computers for Developing Countries.
::AMD Press Release, ::Intel Lead-Reduction General Roadmap...
PRINT Magazine Goes Green
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.21.05
Tipster David R points us in the direction of the July August 05 issue of PRINT magazine, which “explores the new ways graphic designers are addressing social, ethical, and environmental concerns in their work.” We haven’t seen inside the mag ourselves but the articles sure sound intriguing: one labelled ‘Fibre Optimistic’ aims to debunk myths on recycled paper. Another peers into the PVC (vinyl) sign and banner industry to see what eco changes are afoot. There is a piece on Japanese innovative eco-design plus one on why haven't schools integrated sustainability into their programs. You can read the PDF from editor, Joyce Rutter Kaye, where she describes the brow-wrinkling that the issue generated. Like how one writer concluded that maybe .......
Terra Board - Kids Play Comes to the Office
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.21.05
Architect Eric Rosen and Furniture Maker Joel Stearns collaborated on the creation of Terra Board. Their blend of recycled paper, adhesives and hardeners (apparently no harmful chemicals are used) can be formed into tiles and panels, but can also do service as a wall surface. Offered in three products: Liquid, Puree and Blend, each of which can be had in 3 types: smooth, natural and textured. And in keeping with that run of threes, you can have either matte, semi gloss or gloss in the water-based protective finish. However just to upset the apple-cart, the tiles are available in but two sizes: 12 and 24 inch. That’s about the extent of our knowledge, so contact the guys directly for more detail on their modern papier mache (or get the kids to make up some samples on the kitchen table next weekend.) ::Terra Board ...
Nature & Decouvertes : chain stores with a heart
by Erwan Pianezza, Locronan, Brittany on 07.20.05
You might find a 100% bio product list in one of the 60 giftware shops of the Nature & decouvertes brand, but that's not exactly the only issue here : well established in more than 50 french cities, Nature & Decouvertes has high expectations in term of sustainability and plans to raise public awareness on the subject are clearly the priority on the premises. And that's no hoax : visitors (shoppers) clearly encouter a fresh spirit when being welcomed by the soft glitter of indoor solar powered fountains. With 4 millions customers and 600 employees, Natures & Decouvertes is probably one of the biggest environmental firms in France (and around the world ?)....
Nutiva’s Organic Hemp Oil
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 07.20.05
As TreeHuggers, we like hemp just as much as we love bamboo. We’ve featured the Natural Emphasis Fuel Bar and Alpsnack, both made from the one and only hemp seed, and now we’re bringing to you Nutiva’s Organic Hemp Oil. Warren mentioned their snack bar not too long ago, but we thought we’d write about the oil itself, just in case you TreeHuggers want to play around with some recipes. For thousands of years, hemp oil has been used for culinary purposes and is considered to be the #1 nutritional oil for health. Unlike flax seed oil, hemp seed stays fresher, longer. Nutiva’s 100% organic, cold-pressed oil is light green and has a nice light, nutty flavor. Their hemp oil is bottled in small batches and, unlike other companies, they add an induction foil seal to cover the bottle opening which prevents oxygen from seeping into the bottle. Hemp oil should always be used raw and uncooked. We think it’s delicious on salads and steamed veggies and you can also mix it into dips, hummus, pesto, guacamole, shakes and smoothies. ::Nutiva ...
Valcucine Kitchen Design
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.20.05
Valcucine builds low-maintenance, high-design kitchen accessories and hardware, complete with recycled, non-polluting components and energy efficient technologies. Founded in Italy in 1980, Valcucine, which has a showroom in New York, prides itself on manufacturing its products, which range from cabinets to countertops to range hoods and more, with the lowest possible environmental impact without sacrificing functionality, safety or design. Of particular note are the Ricicla cabinet doors, which, according to the website, are made of all recycled materials and use only 1/10 of the resources needed in more traditional doors. To insure its products don't endanger the health of anyone, from those who make them to those who use them, they don't use formaldehyde or synthetic varnishes, and have obtained the ISO 14001 environmental management standard certification. Valcucine also supports Bioforest, an association dedicated to biodiversity and the regeneration of natural environments. ::Valcucine North American or Valcucine Italy...
Environment Furniture
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.20.05
As the name suggests, Environment Furniture builds environmentally-friendly furniture using reclaimed hardwoods and sustainably-harvested mahogany. Peloba, their newest collection, features wood reclaimed from 100-year old homes in the Brazilian colonial city of Paraña. Based in Los Angeles, the company's furniture retails across the world, including North and South America, Europe and Saudi Arabia. Designer Jaya Ibrahim was chosen by Architectural Digest as one the World's Top 100 Designers in January 2002. ::Environment Furniture...
Packed Like Sardines – Density is Good
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.20.05
WorldChanging has a good post about this New Urban News article. It is about the energy savings that come from urban density. Quite interesting. For example, even homes with maximum Energy Star savings get beaten by the relatively sparse density of 12 housing units per acre, and at 48 units per acre ("a moderate apartment or condominium complex") the energy savings are double those of the maximum Energy Star savings. The biggest jumps in efficiency are from 6 units per acre to 12, and then to 18. After that, things slow down a bit but the benefits of urban density are still very real and worth taking into consideration....
Garbage Land: on the Secret Trail of Trash
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.20.05
Brooklyn author Elisabeth Royte has followed her garbage from her apartment to landfill sites to recycling centers, followed her waste down the toilet and has written Garbageland: On the Secret Trail of Trash. She tries to reduce her garbage output- "I began to slice my banana peels into squares the size of Wheat Thins and whittle my celery stalks into matchsticks". She interviews zero waste advocates who obsess over the re-use of twist ties. Look forward to a review soon. ::Garbage Land thanks, tipster Lucy...
Seeing the Future, Reflected in a Solar Stove
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.20.05
Wonderful picture, this: grandma's cooking emerging from sustainable technology. This sort of transformation is most needed outside the US cultural frame, though. TreeHugger covered the designs of several great looking solar cookers in an earliler post. ...
Jim Kunstler on the World Trade Center
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.20.05
Jim Kunstler gets a lot of ink on Treehugger (can you use that line in a blog?) and agree with him or not, the man can turn a phrase. We recently expressed disapointment with the new "Freedom Tower" in the WTC; Kunstler reviews it in his "Eyesore of the Month" column and just exudes contempt. Truer words were never said. ::Eyesore of the Month...
Living On The 100 Miles Diet, Part 2
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.20.05
A reader of Treehugger has criticized the 100-mile diet experiment and "food miles" research and it made us reflect on the articles. We think that their worth depends largely on how you look at them. Take the 100-mile diet experiment: If you think the series of articles is a call for everyone to turn to a similarly strict diet and renounce most of their favorite foods because they are not produced locally, then yes, it's pretty pointless to wish for much change to happen that way. But if you look at the articles as an experiment that aims at raising awareness about how much energy goes into what is on people's plates and encourage them to make some changes to their eating habits, then the series of articles will probably be successful. Lets have a look at part 2 of the 100 Miles Diet: In it, the couple decides to make some compromises to their near-vegan diet and start looking for local organic eggs. Predictably, things get a little complicated....
Ecologic at the Powerhouse
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.20.05
The Powerhouse Museum is Australia’s premier design archive. And as such, is very fitting that it should have a permanent eco-design exhibit entitled: Ecologic. Although there are oodles of interactives for the kids to play at, such as Bigfoot (“the first ecological footprint calculator to use Australian data and terminology”) and Ecotown (“sustainability indicators at a community level”) there is plenty to interest grown-ups too. A life cycle assessment (LCA) traces the complex product life of a foil packet of potato chips and a model highlights the attributes of Sydney’s first ‘sustainable house’, which coincidently, is only about 7 city blocks away. Now, while we realise that many Treehugger readers may not be dropping in to Sydney, just to visit the Powerhouse, they can get a wealth of information from the website, including online versions of the two interactives noted above. ::Ecologic ...
Global Rich List
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.20.05
Some ponce opens up his new laptop on the train into work and you go all green - with jealousy. You leave your tiny apartment and visit some friends for a BBQ and they have like this huge backyard and porch. Those hemp jeans you’ve spied on Treehugger are just so tempting too ... if only your old ones would wear out quicker. Ain’t it the truth that no matter how much we have, we always feel poorly done by. A bucketload of surveys have found that even millionaires are unhappy and reckon they need more dough. Click on the link below and see just how poor you really are. Developed by the folk at Poke, a creative company based in London, who “wanted to challenge people's perception of their personal wealth”. Go on, click. ::Global Rich List ...
Bananas for Fuel
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.20.05
We’ve mentioned bananas in organic energy bars, banana fibre lamps and bags and even banana paper, so it’s high time for a banana-lead energy revolution. The Australian Banana Growers’ Council figure that if we gathered up 6,000 tonnes of banana production waste (second-grade fruit and stalks) and put it through a waste-to-energy plant we’d get the equivalent of 222,000 litres of diesel fuel. And why use bananas as this new energy feedstock? “Because it is extremely homogenous, comes in high concentrations within a small geographic area and is fully bio-degradable." The project will be discussed at the Banana Industry Congress, held in Cairns, Australia in the middle of next month. ::Banana Growers’ Council ...
Mixmaster Moby Brews Up Tasty Teas
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 07.19.05
Disclaimer: I love Moby – his music makes me happy, so please forgive me if I go a little over-enthused on this one. Moby and his sweetheart Kelly own and operate teany, a fab veggie eatery in NYC. The place is brimming with exotic and tasty teas like “silver spring plum” and “vanilla berry cream,” each lovingly hand-selected by Moby and Kelly. With a vegetarian and vegan menu designed to offer tasty meals that will appeal to eaters of all persuasions, the couple intends to demonstrate that vegetarian eating can be inviting and complex....
3form Comes Full Circle
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.19.05
3form has announced Full Circle, a new collection of products in it's varia™ line distinguished for the way it connects ecologies and communities throughout the world. Said 3form CEO Talley Goodson, in a press release, "With Full Circle, we are creating relationships between designers and a diverse set of artisan communities around the world. We are also connecting our ecoresin™ varia™ products with the earth’s renewable resources. Full Circle is not just about wonderful options for the design world; it’s about a better quality of life for everyone." ...
Japanoid – Importing K-Cars in Canada
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.19.05
Japanoid is a Canadian importer of K-Cars (also called Keicars, keijidōsha) and other extremely compact Japanese cars. You can read more about K-Cars here or on the FAQ of the site, but basically what you need to know is: "Japan is a country with very few natural resources. So the Japanese government created very smart laws that give special tax breaks to cars of certain size and efficiency. [...] K-Cars must be under 4.4 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. Their engines are also regulated to be less than 660cc - no more than 64 horsepower." Some have more powerful engines than the K-Cars specifications yet keep the extremely compact proportions....
The Green House: a review
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.19.05
Treehugger thanks Raincoast Books, purveyor of treehugger-approved Harry Potter books and Princeton Architectural Press for sending us a copy of The Green House- New Directions in Sustainable Architecture by Allana Stang and Christopher Hawthorne.
Let’s get this over with right away- this book is not about green or sustainable design. It’s about camera ready green design- drop dead gorgeous houses that any architectural magazine would happily do a spread on. If any book defined the treehugger aesthetic, this is it....
Bruce Sterling Annotates Kunstler
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.19.05
Science fiction writer and "visionary in residence" at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Bruce Sterling is one interesting fellow and a major thinker (read his Viridian Manifesto) of the "new" environmental movement. He seems to be all around the internet at times, and his latest oeuvre is an annotated version of "What's going to happen as we start running out of cheap gas to guzzle?" off The Long Emergency by James Howard Kunstler, who we've covered and interviewed in the past. The short notes are sometimes sarcastic, but they raise many good points (or counter-points, rather) to balance some parts of Kunstler's thesis, and to defuse some others. Worth having a look.
::Viridian Note 00449: The Mad Max Scenario, via ::WorldChanging, ::Bruce Sterling's Blog...
The Climate Neutral Network
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.19.05
Maybe a ‘green’ product is crafted from organic, biodegradable materials or possibly from recycled and recyclable components but what about the energy used in production and distribution? If your company is pondering this conundrum, Climate Neutral Network says come talk to us. They are developing a program so companies can offset the global warming gases creating in the creation of goods and services. Such offerings that are "determined to have little or no effect on the Earth's climate" are certified as ‘Climate Cool’. With companies of the magnitude of BP Amoco, Dow and Dupont holding certifications, you might imagine some ‘greenwashing’ was at play. But it looks like the Network is trying to be as open to scrutiny as possible. They have enlisted suppoprt from luminaries like The Nature Conservancy, Rocky Mountain Institute, World Wildlife Fund and the World Resources Institute to keep an eye on the process. Strategies for offsetting are various, from installing solar panels through to planting trees. However external offsets as not considered useful, until members of the Network have already achieved "outstanding performance" in reducing their own global-warming emissions on-site. An independent third part certification organication seems to be on the cards too. Worth a peek. ::Climate Neutral Network ...
Swedx Welcomes Us to a New World
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.19.05
Started back in 1995, Swedx is a Swedish company that encases computer accessories, TVs and speakers in wood cabinets. Based on the idea that people are tired of being surrounded by a synthetic world, they want to bring warmth, beauty and harmony to the world through their unique products, which include mice, keyboards, LCD monitors and TVs and stand-alone speakers, all built inside clean-looking, ergonomically-designed wood casings. Their monitors are some of the slimmest around, allowing for easy use on small desks, and Swedx also makes wireless mice, and are working on a wireless keyboard. They claim to make their 100% recylable wood goods in factories with environmentally-friendly certificates, and their products are for sale on five continents across the world. ::Swedx...
John Masters Organic Haircare
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 07.19.05
We know some of you had some words about Aveda products so when tipster Danielle A. said she was in love (seriously!) with John Masters, we thought we’d investigate. Using non-toxic bases, Masters develops his own line of haircare blends from essential oils, plant extracts as well as organic cider vinegar. He spends time with chemists and herbalists to develop his products, which also include skincare and doggie wash. Masters’ salon (located in New York City) uses 100% all-natural products and cucumber slices for the eyes and a shiatsu scalp massage is complimentary with each hair wash. Talk about organic pampering! No wonder celebs like Sarah Jessica and Anne Heche are regulars. One thing we have to point out though is the fact that he imports most of his dyes from Italy. Not very TreeHugger if you ask us, however, Masters says the ammonia-free, clay-based dyes are not distributed in the United States. We’ll stick to the Bourbon Vanilla & Tangerine Hair Texturizer. Thanks Danielle! ::John Masters Organics...
Solar Powered Plane to Circle the World
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.19.05
Bertrand Piccard was captain of the first non-stop round the world balloon flight in 1999. Now he plans on piloting the Solar Impulse in the first non-stop circumglobal solar powered airplane flight in 2010.
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Freebie from Journal of Industrial Ecology
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.19.05
Yep, the Winter-Spring 2005 edition of the very esteemed, peer reviewed, international Journal of Industrial Ecology by MIT Press, is yours for nada, zilch, zero cost. Download this complete special bumper issue, which focuses on ‘Consumption and Industrial Ecology’. This particular edition “breaks new ground in providing systematic and quantitative assessments of the impact of consumption — what we buy and what we use — on the environment.” It covers topics such as worktime reduction, product life spans, quality of life and “the rebound effect”, (whereby we actually use more of something, because we perceive it to be greener, like driving more in your Prius, because it has better fuel economy). Other writers look at “the environmental impact of consumption at the household, city, and national levels in countries around the world.” So set aside some download time (there are 25 articles!) and get the good oil (so to speak) from key thinkers in this crucial area. ::Journal of Industrial Ecology ...
Weyerhaeuser Illegally Logging in Canada
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.19.05
A bit of sad news. We try to leave most of that to others, but sometimes when regular citizens and good organizations do investigative work to uncover some evil done on nature, we can't help but lend them a hand to help expose the problem and denounce the guilty party. In this case, Weyerhaeuser is in the spotlight. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society, the Rainforest Action Network and locals citizens of Saskatchewan have found out that the company is logging illegally in the Canadian Boreal forest to make plywood and copy paper (for Xerox and other US corporations). "Saskatchewan: The Province of Weyerhaeuser" is the case study. "Most people associate illegal logging with endangered forests in South America, Southeast Asia and Central Africa and are shocked to learn that it is going on in their own back yard right here in North America," said Brant Olson of Rainforest Action Network. If you live in Saskatchewan, it might be a good idea to tell your MP about this.
::Case Study, ::Saskatchewan Environmental Society, ::Rainforest Action Network...
Making Carp Even Bigger With Bio-technology
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.19.05
The University of Agricultural Sciences at Bangalore India recently reported development of a sterile carp that grows 47% faster, under aquaculture conditions, than its wild equivalent. The sterile carp, named "Chakri", was created through biotechnology intervention at the fingerling stage. As reported in the Deccan Herald: "Hitherto, the problem with common carp rearing was that these fishes were prolific breeders, offsetting the stocking density of the culture pond, resulting in a production of undersized fish of very low market value". “After 24 years of thorough research, a technology has been developed to induce sterility in a common carp to overcome the problem of uncontrolled reproduction in culture ponds,” said Dr G P Satyanarayana Rao, Professor of Fisheries at UAS."
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Static! Increasing Energy Awareness
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.19.05
One of the big challenges in getting people to embrace a greener lifestyle is providing direct positive feedback on the changes they make. A research project out of Sweden, under the name of Static! has been tackling this dilemma. To paraphase their objectives, they are setting out to make energy visible and tangible to all senses, while expressing the relations among different forms of energy used and supporting reflection on the energy behaviors over time. The Power Aware Cord (shown here) is but one of their projects. Electroluminescent wires in the cord produce different patterns of glowing colours to indicate the level of energy being used. In another project, the Disappearing-Pattern Tiles harness “a thermo-chromic (or heat reactive) ink, which fades when exposed to hot water in a shower. “The longer the shower, the less decoration on the wall! The architectural surface acts as a subtle reminder of personal energy use over time, reflecting the duration and waste of water during a shower.” Thanks to Cameron T, for the tip. Via Information Aesthetics. More @ ::Static! ...
Architects of Spin
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.18.05
We have had many posts on the aesthetics of wind turbines, we even ran a photo contest on it. Now, the big guns are getting in on it- Design firms like Britain's Grimshaw Architects are developing new turbines that are elegant and inspiring. Others are working to integrate turbines into their architecture. Guy Battle, consultant to the World Trade Centre before the turbines were stripped out, says: "Traditional buildings have been a drain on infrastructure - water, electricity, waste disposal, etc," says Battle. "Really we should be working towards something like an occupied infrastructure, just like windmills were once occupied. It's a paradigm shift in how we see buildings, and it means that architects are going to have to rethink their aesthetic. It's no longer about just responding to cultural and social urban factors. It's a whole different layer of architecture coming through that will begin to change the face of our cities." read ::the Guardian via PSFK...
Treehugger Survey #2: Get Hip & Zen
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 07.18.05
In our tireless efforts for a Treehugger that is exactly what our readers want it to be, we've put together the second Treehugger Survey. We've got questions! And only you noble Treehugger Reader, only you have the answers. So, in exchange for the short 10 minutes this survey will take, we've teamed up with tres chic Hip & Zen to offer you a chance at winning one of three 100 dollar gift certificates. This trendy little online boutique offers all kinds of cutting edge fashion and accessories for the quality-minded customer -- including some absolutely fabulous organic and recycled beauties. So tell us what you think; You might make out like an (eco) bandit.
::Treehugger Survey Number 2 ::Hip&Zen Note: All new questions so please take it even if you did the first one!...
Living Lands and Waters
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07.18.05
Living Lands and Waters has collected over 250 tons or nine barge loads of garbage from the Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri, Anacostia, Potomac, Illinois and Rock Rivers. It all started with one young man, Chad Pregracke, who grew up on the Mississippi River and just wanted to help clean it. :: Living Lands and Waters...
Organic Yerba Guayaki
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 07.18.05
Those of you who have followed a little our South American posts might remember our first organic yerba one, Titrayju. Now we bring you Guayaki, a business model developed by California Polytechnic University's student and graduate, Alex Pryor and David Karr, that introduced yerba mate to North Americans while helping indigenous South American families through fair trade and saving rain forests in the Amazon.
As we said in our previous post, yerba is a herb used to prepare a traditional infusion called 'mate', drunk mostly in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Yerba production requires several processes, and in most of those countries is an oligopoly of few enterprises which concentrate most of all that's made and sold. As small farmers that grow this herb don't own the machinery to get through the process, they have to sell their harvest to big producers for low prices....
Daily Kos to Build a Wind Farm?
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.18.05
The popular political blog Daily Kos allows its readers to write comments – like us – but also "diaries" that can be read by everybody. Blogs within a blog, more or less. This has led to the creation of a fairly strong community that often goes off on unexpected digressions from the main subject matter of the blog. The latest was pointed out to us by Dave Roberts of Grist: A Daily Kos reader called Jerome wrote a diary about a potential wind farm or wind turbine financed by the Daily Kos audience, and the community reacted enthusiastically (over 200 comments, almost all positive). It would be a for-profit endeavor, but also "a great symbol for the site, as well as a very concrete reply to people that ask us what to actually do to solve problems."...
Eco-car – Recharge your car
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 07.18.05
After our post last monday about the Geegoot solar powered ice cream van we have gone and found another Spanish eco-vehicle for you. Or rather several: Bicycles, mopeds, buggies, mini buses and vans are all motoring along on electricity instead of petrol. Yeah yeah I hear you say, but electricity uses up energy too! Well these vehicles can be recharged using solar power so how about that?! On the Eco-car website they state some irrefutable points on the ecological positives of driving electric....
Slingfings: Solar-Powered Retro Apparel
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.18.05
Handmade on the coast of New South Wales, Australia, Slingfings stitches funky, fun garments and bags from reclaimed vintage fabrics from the '50's to the '90's. There are twelve different bags and four basic garment templates featured in the Slingfings line, made unique by different repurposed, vintage fabrics found all over Australia. And Swinglings is solar-powered; according to their website, they are Australia's first climate neutral business, working with Climate Friendly to cancel their carbon emissions by funding the creation of alternative energy. ::Slingfings...
The Twike
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.18.05
No, it’s not a promo pic for a sequel of the sci-fi movie Gattaca. But it could be. Could also be an early adopter of Hypercar concepts, as long espoused by Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute. The Twike will propel two passengers along at speeds up to 80kph (55 mph) on a charge of its rechargeable NiCd (NiMH) batteries. Range is around 80km per charge, which reaches maximum after being plugged into a household socket for 2 hours. Conceived in Switzerland and built in Germany the Twike Active model can add 30% extra range due to its hybrid pedal power adaptation. The Twike is claimed to be the “most efficient motorised vehicle on the market”, with its manufacturers suggesting it has an energy consumption equal to 0.43 litres per 100km (550 mpg). Running on motorbike wheels, it has an aluminium chassis and recyclable resin hull. Steering is via a joystick, once you have entered your PIN into the onboard computer. (how sci-fi!) As we write, seven Twikes are making a cross-continent journey to highlight their vehicles green technology. More pics below. ::Twike ...
Bubble Fusion Joins The Energy Fray
by Tim McGee, Western Massachusetts on 07.18.05
Daniel sent in a great tip about new research into fusion power. Sonoluminescence, or light caused by bubbles, has been lurking in the depths of applied physics for a while now. A team from Purdue, Yiban Xu and Adam Butt (no jokes please - the man is a scientist), have translated an understanding of sonoluminescense into fuel for the fire that is 'cold' fusion reactions. Their research supports the idea that it is possible to create thermo-nuclear fusion at 'room' temperature in a device that could fit on your dinner table by taking advantage of bubbles in heavy Acetone....
Native Energy Cleans Up After Your Travel
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.18.05
Climate change is for real, despite what some (okay, one) of the world powers that be might be trumpeting these days. Sadly, our travel around the warming globe contributes to this phenomenon; emissions from planes, trains and automobiles all help keep warm air from escaping our atmosphere, and let's face it: people of the world can't (and won't) stop travelling at the drop of a hat. While the carbon-neutral movement is growing (see our coverage of London's taxis and Future Forests, for examples), NativeEnergy offers to carbon-neutralize your busy lifestyle by offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from each of the above forms of travel. They'll even do your hotel rooms for you; just click through their handy-dandy travel calculator, and choose either wind or farm methane energy (remooable energy, they call it) production to offset all those pounds of carbon dioxide. You can also help them build a new wind farm or farm methane generator; while you're at the site, check out how companies like Stonyfield Farms, Clif Bar and Aveda are keeping it cool by supporting their climate-neutral efforts. You can even get a free pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream for your efforts! ::NativeEnergy
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Arowhon Pines Resort goes Green
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.18.05
We have always loved Arowhon Pines Resort in Algonquin Park- The hexagonal log dining room is an architectural gem and the food is always sublime. When we did our annual pilgrimage yesterday we were thrilled to find that it has gone treehugger as well!
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The Global Observer - Hydrogen Gets Airborne
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.18.05
Last month a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) made a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) flight powered by liquid hydrogen. The prototype fifty-foot wingspan aircraft stayed up for a hour on the test flights, but if we read the press release correctly, the developers are suggesting the Global Observer, once in production (in about 2 years time) could remain aloft for a whole week, carrying a payload of 1,000lbs (454kg). It would seem that this aircraft has mostly military applications in mind but other more benign uses are also forecast, such as: “hurricane/storm tracking, weather monitoring, and wildfire detection/support” as well as use for mapping, agriculture and telecommunications. ::Aerovironment ...
The Forever Appliance: by PartStore
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.18.05
Easy, cheap access to replacement parts is the ultimate do-it-yourselfer's dream. Though it may not suit all TreeHuggers, a service like PartStore can save money and reduce your environmental 'footprint'. When a burner, battery, remote, bulb, gasket or knob breaks, for example, you might look for a repair service to come to your place. A tough one if you're living off grid. Murphy's Law makes it almost certain the service man will ask to use your phone to order a part to install "later". If the broken product is small and light, you'll have to get it to an 'authorized service center', where you will pay a fee for them to diagnose what you probably guessed before you sent it. Then you'll wait for a week or two while they order a part. In both cases, the service marks up the part cost by a hefty margin. With PartStore, on the otherhand, it's all up to you. And it's a geeky self confidence booster to sustain a beloved appliance or piece of electronic equipment by hunting up the OEM part in just a few minutes and having it delivered to your door like it was a book or CD. ...
Elephant Pump Wins Award
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.18.05
Cultural sensitivity. Now there is a phrase not often found in design circles. But it is one of key drivers for Pump Aid, who work with Shona communities in Zimbabwe to help them build ‘Elephant Pumps’. Drawing on a 2,000 year old Chinese design the pump has been adapted to African villages, where it can provide clean, accessible water. (Pump Aid suggest that “more than three million people die every year from diseases caused by unsafe water”.) Using technology that has local currency, the well is built with local sand, stone and handmade bricks. The rope plugs, integral to the design, are made by melting and moulding local waste plastics. A pump to serve 500 people can be made for a total cost of about £200 ($350 USD), with the major components having a lifespan of 50 years. ...
The Door Prize
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.17.05
Toronto is not historically a bicycle friendly city, but in the last few years has been trying hard to change, pointing out that switching to bikes reduces congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and obesity. Unfortunately the drivers are not, and the Door Prize- a driver getting out of a parked car and opening the door in your face- is very common. Consequently the City of Toronto has started an awareness campaign, including stickers to put on your side mirror saying "watch for bikes". While we can think of better places for bigger stickers (if they are looking at the sticker they already have got the message) it's a start. Treehugger is interested in hearing what other places do about this problem. ::City of Toronto...
Everlight : public solar light for everyone
by Erwan Pianezza, Locronan, Brittany on 07.17.05
There's no denying that public lighting is bound to remain an unavoidable evil in modern cities of the world. A quick zoom at the "Earth at night" map, sold by National geopraphic won't contradict this very basic truth. Imagine the energy needed to enlight the earth like that : in an article about the city of Albi who has started reducing electricity costs, french research institute CNRS estimates that global consumption of lighting equals more than 2,000 TWh in electric energy per year, which sums more than one-tenth (approximately) of global electricity production. ...
No Sweat – Organic T-Shirts & More
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.17.05
NoSweatApparel.com sells 100% union-made footwear and casual clothing. Bienestar International is the name of the company and No Sweat is the brand they use. The clothes are produced by workers in Canada, the US and the developing world. They believe that "the only viable response to globalization is a global labor movement." To keep prices low, they market directly to consumers using word of mouth and the Internet (it seems effective since they grew 750% last year - you can find 7 ways to help spread the word here). They have lots of interesting stuff, but what caught our eye was of course the organic t-shirts (for men and women) that come from Nueva Vida, a worker owned co-op in Nicaragua. Any bit of help to the emerging organic cotton market is important, because cotton is one of the most chemical-intensive crop there is.
::NoSweatApparel.com...
The UK in 2040: Predictions for the Future
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 07.17.05
If you are a fan of scenario-planning, or if you just like to give your imagination a little leash, you might enjoy taking a tour of the ADAS website. To celebrate 35 years advising government, agricultural and rural sectors, ADAS specialists have put their many expert heads together and come up with 35 predictions of how the UK will look in year 2040. Called “BlueSky 35”, the predictions are intended to encourage debate and assist with policy planning for the future. Even if you do not call the UK home, you will find many of the predictions require only a small speculation to apply to your own backyard.
Our favorite:
#18. Point of sale livestock welfare video: live digital media links will allow consumers to see the farming conditions when selecting meat in the supermarket.
To see more favorites and the link, read on...
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The Gas Powered Daiquiri Whacker
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.17.05
So many readers thought that the human powered bicycle blender was excessive and conspicuous consumption that we feel in necessary to point out that for about the same money you can purchase the Daiquiri Whacker- a blender powered by a 23cc noisy, polluting gasoline engine. Someday we will introduce the Treehugger award for the most conspicuously useless waste of money and energy and this will be up there.(After we carefully check out the quality of the daiquiris , of course....) ::gasblender via ::National Post and ::Gizmodo...
TreeHugger breaks it down for you in a series of in depth how-to articles that will help you green your life. No time like the present!
Here are a few recommended websites.
