- 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 September 18, 2005 - September 24, 2005
Total this week: 89
TreeHugger Welcomes Daniel Kessler!
by Daniel Kessler, Greenpeace on 09.24.05
Creating Electricity With Exhaust Gas
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.24.05
Hybrid Car Comes In Handy to Escape Rita
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.24.05
The Houston Chronicle has created a Rita blog to track hurricane stories. One of the posts is titled: "Why you want a hybrid" and can be read here. I'm sure most people have seen the unending lines of cars stuck in monstrous traffic jams, many of them running out of gas. Well, here's what Mike Matthews, a Houston Chronicle employee, sent via instant message: "FYI, Renee and I finally got to Palestine, TX at about 5:45 AM -- 30 hours after leaving our house in Clear Lake. The Prius still has about 1/4 tank of gas..." That's impressive, especially considering that the Prius has a 11.9 gallons (45 liters) fuel tank. The Prius' main advantages in this type of traffic is its ability to shut off the gasoline engine when the car isn't moving and to drive the car on electricity only at low speeds (the gas engine only turns on when the battery is getting low or fast acceleration is needed). Of course, a decent passenger rail system between cities and a better evacuation plan would have helped more people...
::Why you want a hybrid, thanks to R Tobon for the story....
Fat Tire Bike Tours--and Segway Tours
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 09.24.05
Summer's winding down and you're looking back on fond memories of great vacation adventures. But you can't rest on your laurels. You've set a standard to be beaten in your next get-away, and admit it: you are a bit envious of that lot on their Segways under the Eiffel Tower. So jot this one in your grey matter databank for the next time your travels take you to Paris, Vienna, Budapest, Atlanta, Chicago or Washington D.C. And hopefully you can let the good times roll in a restored New Orleans soon....
Tide Coldwater Detergent
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 09.24.05
For those of us who wash clothes in cold water to save energy, to save on electricity bills, or because our labels tell us to, Tide has formulated a coldwater laundry detergent that they claim washes clothes better than other detergents do in hot water. It seems their market research has told them that people want to save money by doing laundry in cold water, so they have responded and are marketing it as a money saver. Not to mention that clothes typically last longer washed cold. Surely not readily biodegradable or petrochemical free like the recently reported on “At Home” line, Tide Coldwater may carry more mass appeal than more gourmet brands. It comes in powder (which contains a bleach ingredient), and liquid (which does not).
In a related thought, has anyone ever seen a laundromat washing machine that charges different amounts for cold and hot washes? :: Tide Coldwater...
Ecocolor- Sustainable Alternative Wall Finish
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.24.05
The walls of the Blueskymod are clad in EcoColor- a remarkable new particle board from Columbia Forest Products, a company known to Treehugger for its formaldehyde free plywoods. It is designed as a replacement for melamine and other decorative surfaces and is tough enough to use as countertops. Made from 100% FSC certified wood, zero emissions and looks great. ::Ecocolors...
Everything connects: How getting rid of trans-fats kills orangutans
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.24.05
We read in ::Phys-org that Orangutan habitats are being destroyed by the expansion of palm plantations for the manufacture of palm oil. Being of a certain age where we watch what we eat, palm oil has been off the menu for years, as it is one of the most highly saturated of all oils and is a true heart killer. Remarkably, the recent panic over trans-fats has led to a dramatic increase in demand for palm oil, so manufacturers of potato chips can say TRANSFAT FREE! on their packaging. Moral of the story: do not just grab the transfat free chips or noodles- check the ingredients for palm oil (and almost all cheap ramen noodles, staple of students and treehuggers, are full of it) and only buy palm oil free. If you are fond of wasabi peas and other Asian delights, you will be shocked at how hard it is. ::Centre for Science in the Public Interest ...
Digital Textbooks from Zinio
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.24.05
Normally we’d be suggesting that textbooks would be best, if obtained secondhand or simply borrowed from the library. But Zinio and McGraw-Hill Publishers are confusing the issue somewhat. They’ve teamed up to offer totally digital, treefree textbooks, which they sell for about 50% the cost of paper versions. By using the Zinio Reader, like Adobe’s Acrobat Reader, you can search the entire contents, click on links for external information, make notations and use a highlighter pen (don’t try that with library books!) which is also searchable, so you can mark up pertinent research for your essay or paper. Although Zinio offer a page flip feature to make it seem you are digesting a paper book, reading long tracts of text on screen is still hard on the eyes. Tipster John C. reckons his student mates like 'em though -- mind you, he does work for Zinio. Still, we do appreciate the cost savings aspect. (Flash style demo here.) And, of course, we do get excited about all those trees left standing, ready for a hug. (Assuming we avoid thinking about the resources used in computer production, that is). ::Zinio Textbooks...
DIY Eco-Tech Contest: Rock the Vote
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 09.23.05
The three finalists from our DIY Eco-Tech Contest were nothing short of impressive. Now, we want to know which entry you thought was the creme de la creme. Before you decide, make sure to visit (or revisit) each of the finalist's entries. The first finalist was a solar-powered hydrofoil submitted by reader Terrence Breitsameter. Rob Matthies submitted his solar-powered bubble machine . Last, but not least, was a solar-powered FM transmitter/headphone combo by reader Ben Jandrell. Make sure to vote below for your favorite DIY eco-tech.
...
Prefab Homes by Dwell
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.23.05
Dwell Magazine has announced the launch of its own custom designed modern prefabricated homes. The initiative is a collaboration with three architectural firms: Empyrean International LLC, Resolution: 4 Architecture, and Lazor Office. The average cost of a Dwell home will range between $175 to $250 per square foot depending on size and local labor costs :: Dwell Homes by Empyrean...
Green Festival This Weekend In D.C.
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.23.05
Here's a reminder that the Green Festival will be hosted at the Convention Center in Washington DC this weekend (September 24 & 25). You can get tickets at the door for $15. If you ride your bike to the event, you get $5 off admission, and you'll receive valet bike parking service (for free). You can check out all the D.C. exhibitors here. There will also be guest speakers, food samples and movies screenings. I'll be there too, covering the event with gusto. :: Green Festival D.C....
Compostable Cutlery Made From Cereplast
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.23.05
These utensils are composed of Cereplast, a biodegradable resin made from corn and potato starch. Cereplast actually qualifies as a "compostable" plastic, which means it composts more readily than "biodegradable" bioplastic (you can read more about the definitions here). It was created by the company Cereplast as a cost competitive alternative to plastic, and it can actually be processed with conventional plastic equipment. The cutlery is marketed under the brand name Nat-Ur, which we covered previously on Treehugger. You can buy some of the cutlery for yourself here. :: Cereplast...
Next 1000 Years Calendar by Nikki McClure
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.23.05
All calendars should be produced like this one by Washington artist Nikki McClure. The calendar is printed in the U.S. on recycled, acid-free paper using soy inks. This is her fourth annual wall calendar, and it's filled with unique papercut designs, rendered with an x-acto knife. It's priced at $16. :: Elsewares
...
The Power Purse
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 09.23.05
Joe Hynek, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering at Iowa State University, received second place at the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists design competition back in April for his creation of the Power Purse. He wanted to design something that was attractive yet functional and this bag certainly is with the ability to recharge batteries and other electronic devices. We’re assuming that means cell phones and possibly iPods since the bag seems to small to charge, let’s say, your laptop (see the Voltaic bag for that one). Hynek has dabbled in accessory items before with hats and his next endeavor is to make solar products that can be laundered. Via ::Grist Magazine...
Coconut Power! Promising Diesel Alternative
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.23.05
WorldChanging has a very interesting post on how plain coconut oil is used to replace diesel in parts of the South Pacific. There, it is plentiful and can be had for $0.55/liter ($2/gallon), which is a lot cheaper than the price of diesel in that region, especially after the recent oil spike. In the past year, 200 mini-buses have been running on a diesel/coconut oil mix as a proof of concept, and many other vehicles have been running on 100% coconut oil. Some of the advantages over regular diesel: "it doesn't make black smoke, [...] has the potential to stimulate employment among local coconut growers ("For every ton of diesel fuel that we can offset, we can put back some $200 into the local economy."), and, perhaps most importantly for the world at large, it is an environmentally friendly fuel." Read more about this promising biofuel here.
::In Vanuatu, a proving ground for coconut oil as an alternative fuel, via ::WorldChanging...
Sweden To Detox From Oil By 2020
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.23.05
Goran Persson, the Prime Minister of Sweden, has announced that his country will try to end its fossil fuel dependency by 2020. The plan is mostly based on investments and tax incentives for the use and research and development of alternative sources of energy. The main reason for the effort is, according to Persson, global warming: "We are frightened by climate change today. The mean temperature of the earth is rising, and it is rising most nearest to the poles..." Persson said that 35% of the cars driven by government employees would either run completely on electricity or renewable fuels, or be hybrid cars. What else is there to add but: "Go Sweden! Show us how its done!"
::Sweden To Try To End Fossil Fuels Dependency By 2020, via ::The Watt, ::WorldChanging...
Oregon Child-Care Eco-Certification
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.23.05
The new program, coordinated by the Oregon Environmental Council, helps eliminate potential sources of toxins in and around child-care centers, including lead in drinking water and old paint, pesticides used on lawns or inside buildings, mold, and poor indoor air. The Iris Valley Learning Center, a certified childcare center in Keizer with 13 employees serving nearly 100 children (pictured), is the first childcare facility to qualify as “Eco-Healthy,” but in the next few months, OEC expects many more to follow in their footsteps.
...
Sico zero-VOC Paint
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.23.05
We liked the booth at IIDEX for OVOC- zero volatile organic compound- paint from Sico. We like the paint too. They say: "Designed with a formula excluding volatile organic compound, ZERO VOC, Sico Ecosource emits no offensive odour and reduces to ZERO adverse effect on the ozone layer. This new high performance 100%-acrylic latex paint has minimal impact on the ecosystem. It is the No. 1 choice to obtain LEED certification.: ::Sico...
at IIDEX: Recoflex- Flexible Chipboard
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.23.05
Our first question was "why? Who would want flexible chipboard?" It turns out that this product, made entirely of recycled rubber and cork, is great for curved furniture, display systems and whatever curveball you can throw at it. So new it is not yet on the company website at ::Regupol but lots of other cool recycled products are....
FUTUR Employment – Barcelona NGO creating jobs through organic cafes.
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 09.23.05
Whilst leafing through this month’s edition of Barcelona Metropolitan (our local English magazine) I came across a very interesting Treehugging enterprise. Futur is a local NGO that has been working in Barcelona since 1996 to provide jobs for people who aren’t readily employable, for example new immigrants, abused spouses, and ex-prisoners. Futur is training and giving new skills to people who are ready to integrate themselves back into society, through a chain of sustainable cafes in Barcelona. The first café, Café Just, was opened in 2001, and there are now two more. Not only do the cafes provide training and jobs, but they also finance the NGO, creating a productive loop which feeds itself. Their sustainable approach is reflected in their mission to provide employment to those who need it most, but also extends through to the running of the cafés which use fair trade, organic and vegetarian products. ...
Instant Survey: To Meat or Not To Meat?
by Jeremy McCumber on 09.23.05
Eternal Reefs - Leaving a Legacy
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.23.05
If you are a land lubber, then having your earthly remains metamorphose into a tree might sound like a great way to commemorate your passing. Check out Promessa Organic. But maybe your passion has been more with the Life Aquatic and a watery grave seems more appropriate. So how about becoming a reef? Eternal Reefs can take your ashes and mix them with special concrete formula to mould ‘reef balls’, which are then placed in the ocean to provide a marine habitat compensating for the many we are destroying. Your loved ones can do the mixing, if so desired, and they can observe your remains being deep sixed and be given a GPS reference, with the longitude and latitude of your living marine memorial. The company say that the reef balls should endure for 500 years, so they not only honour your life but “provide a nurturing environment for fish and other forms of sea life that are critical to the environment.” Thanks to Amanda L for the tip she sent us, ages ago. ::Eternal Reef ...
Tokyo Recycle Project #15
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.23.05
This sounds like a hoot. Japanese fashion designer Masahiro Nakagawa is at Sydney’s
Powerhouse Museum for two weeks, beginning 24 September, like an ‘artist in residence.’ He, and his team, will apparently concoct new clothing from old and worn garments, whilst haranguing mainstrean fashion and consumerism. According to the press release thingamee, this is a extention of work he has been engaged in since 1999, when he established a streetwear label, with the easy-to-remember name of ‘20471120.’ Nakagawa’s Tokyo Recycle Project, which “seeks to resucitate meaning between people and their possessions” through making these new streetwear (jeans) and haute couture (evening dresses) from reused apparel, has seemingly been a hit from Japan to NYC. At the end of the two weeks work there will be a “spectacular fashion parade which will showcase their inspired creations.” ::Tokyo Recycle Project #15...
Galactic Pizza — Down To Earth Fast Food
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.23.05
On seeing our recent post about the MM 1.0 electric ‘car’, Tipster Becca thought it might be the same vehicle now skooting about, delivering pizza in Minneapolis. Close, but not quite. Nevermind, the story of Galactic Pizza is worthy of its own post. Their restaurant is powered through an energy utility with wind turbines. The same renewable power charges their small fleet of electric delivery bike and cars. They have a pizza called the “CSA”, ‘coz they're a member of the local Community Supported Agriculture farmers network and this pizza includes whatever is in season and delivered that week. Another selection is “the Second Harvest Heartland pizza, where $1 is donated to this hunger relief organization every time the pizza is ordered.” The mozzarella cheese ......
"At Home" Cleaners by Fruits and Passion
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.22.05
A Canadian company Fruits and Passion has released a "At Home" line of home cleaning products which are eco-friendly and attractively packaged. They are all biodegradable with no petroleum-based ingredients. Their line includes: Ecological Home Cleaners, Fabric Softeners, Detergents, Cleansing Hand Gels, Room and Fabric Deodorizers, Glass Cleaner, and more. While great-looking packaging designs like this are welcome additions the green product market, we'd like to see alternatives to plastic be further explored by these companies. :: Fruits and Passion via Not Cot...
Organic Consumers Association Puts Out "SOS"
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.22.05
The Organic Consumers Association is issuing an "SOS" or "Safeguard Organic Standards" — a request for action. Apparently the USDA is moving to lower the standards for what qualifies as organic by proposing a list of synthetic ingredients they think should be allowed in organic production. This proposed legislation would also take away control over organic standards and future debate from the National Organic Standards Board and put it in the hands of the USDA, a government agency that has been highly criticized by organic groups for not adequately representing the best interests of the consumer. Congress votes today, Sept. 20th, on this issue which has much bearing on the future of organic food. :: Organic Consumers Association SOS...
Frontier Organic Herbs & Spices
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.22.05
One of the best places to get fully organic spices and herbs in bulk quantities is Frontier Natural Products Co-Op. Their products of excellent quality, and their range of spices and herbs is wide. Almost all of what they offer is available in 16 oz bulk foil bags. You can order direct from them and your orders are delivered very promptly. Readers have pointed out that Mountain Rose Herbs have similar offerings, with a slightly smaller selection available. :: Frontier Natural Products Co-Op
...
Fair Trade Trick-or-Treat Chocolate
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 09.22.05
Earlier this morning Kara offered some good advice to Q&A reader Meghan Q. regarding her quest for "reasonably priced, reasonably healthy Halloween fare." While Fair Trade Trick-or-Treat Chocolate from Global Exchange/Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates may be more expensive than regular Halloween candy, not only does it look delicious - it is a clever way to spread the word about fairly traded chocolate (consider all of the parents gee-whizing over this unusual candy). Sure it has sugar and calories, but the natural ingredients make it healthier than typical holiday candy with hydrogenated vegetable oil and potassium sorbate. This yummy treat is nothin' but good ol' sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, whole milk, brown rice, brown rice syrup, soy lecithin, sea salt, vanilla packaged in 100% biodegradable cellophane. ...
Blueskymod: First pictures
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.22.05
This treehugger is a lousy photographer but we present the first pictures of the BlueSkyMod prefab at IIDEX.
The Todd Saunders design is composed of two parts- the main room and the bathroom/shower/sauna, separated by a porch. ...
Moblogging IIDEX- Roger Martin on Design
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.22.05
We are at IIDEX, Canada's big trade-only design show, and started the morning being inspired by Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School of business at the University of Toronto. "the 20th century was about making stuff, and lots of it. The 21st Century will be about making things that delight users, that are produced elegantly, with the lowest posssible environmental footprint." Words that could be our new masthead. ::Rotman School...
Bicycle Film Festival 2005
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.22.05
Not only is a bicycle the most efficient means of transport ever devised, it’s now a passport to cultural enrichment. Polish your sneakers, iron your favourite T-shirt, scrub the chain oil off your gloves, so you can be presentable and upstanding for the Fifth Bicycle Film Festival. Hot from sell-out sessions in NY and London, it’s on the move to San Fran. 5 Oct sees an opening party, followed by an art exhibition the next day, as warm ups events for the two day weekend feast of cycling cinema, on 7-8 Oct. Pedal from Mongolia to Nepal, watch Bay Area riders zoom about San Francisco with no brakes and one gear, while a NY bike messenger goes one better and cranks it with one leg. Cruise the history of BMX freestyle, watch mud fly in Cyclocross, wobble as a four year old forgoes her trainer wheels, bomb the hills and streets of SF sans brakes, observe London’s streets from a bikes eye view, get arrested on a Critical Mass event and much more. Sounds like a heap of fun and a brillant way to celebrate human-powered propulsion. Jump the kerb to ::Bicycle Film Festival 05 for all the goss....
TreeHugger Welcomes Sara Novak!
by Sara Novak, Columbia, SC on 09.22.05
BusinessWeek Alternative Energy Special Report
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.22.05
Alternative energy is moving another step toward the mainstream. BusinessWeek has an issue full of articles about solar, wind, hybrids, conservation, decentralized production, etc. With Rita bound to make oil and natural gas prices rise dramatically (we hope everything turns out for the best - but lets not kid ourselves, this is a big one), we're sure that many people will look at this issue of BusinessWeek with a fresh perspective. Clean energies are starting to become quite competitive in some case, and downright cheaper in others (conservation and efficiency are of course the most cost-effective, and they work forever). You can read most articles online, although we don't know for how long, or you can buy the paper version (make sure to lend it to friends and family and leave it on the coffee table).
::BusinessWeek: A Low-Cost Energy Future, via ::Triple Pundit...
2005 Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Award Winners
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.22.05
The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is a "collaborative network whose purpose is to advance energy efficiency in the Midwest in order to support sustainable economic development and environmental preservation". They give out awards each year and have recently announced the winners for this year (there are 5 different categories, see below for a list) and will honor these winners on October 3rd at the Energy Solutions Conference in Chicago (for more information on the conference and a list of speakers, seminars and workshops, see this). To learn more about the MEEA's mission and goals, you can go here....
Think Outside the Chinese Box
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.22.05
When is an empty carboard package full of meaning? When everything you knew about paper and recycling is about to change. From the China Morning Post we just learned that China, where paper making was invented, is poised to become the world's number one producer of paper, overtaking the US inside this decade, and importing huge quantities of old growth timber to do it. A few brief quotes from the Post story illustrate: "In the last 10 years, about 14 large paper machines, each costing US$250 million to US$500 million with annual production capacity of more than 100,000 tonnes, were installed in China every year..." In that same period, "North America, however, was not adding capacity but shutting down machines..." "According to a report by CIBC World Markets, from 2001 to this year, China accounted for 47 per cent of the global increase in boxboard production capacity, 38 per cent of the global increase in newsprint production capacity and 44 per cent of the world's increase in production capacity of coated printing and writing paper"....
Q&A: Halloween Candy
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 09.22.05
Meghan Q. asked “I thought I'd ask you guys about this before Halloween gets any closer. Any idea where a TreeHugger can get some reasonably priced, reasonably healthy Halloween fare? I am googling right now but haven’t had any luck.” Well Meghan, you were right about this – we had a hard time finding some too so we thought we’d go ahead and make some suggestions for you. Granola bars, trail mixes, yogurt or carob covered raisins are our top rated snacks, plus they come individually packaged so parents don’t have to worry either. Other options are peanuts (but this could be risky with nut allergies), organic pretzels, cookies and chips, and all-natural fruit bars. Barbara's Bakery makes Snackimals in single serving bags and Newman’s Organics makes some delicious healthy and organic treats, such as Newman O’s and Fig Newman Bars, although we’re not sure if they come individually wrapped. Just as a side note, if you plan on having a Halloween party, don’t forget to support your local farmers by purchasing their pumpkins and apples. Any TreeHugger’s out there with other ideas for Meghan?
...
Myers Motors MM 1.0 (a.k.a. the Sparrow) Due Soon
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.22.05
OK, so maybe it looks like something out of a kids cartoon, but that’s not the only reason to put a big cheery grin on your face. The MM 1.0 could get you up to 70mph (113 kph) during it’s 20-40 mile (32-64 km) long electrically powered journey. Come 15 October 2005, the MM 1.0 (once known as the Sparrow) is due to move from prototype to fully fledged production vehicle. According to research by Myers Motors, of Ohio, 65% of all vehicle miles travelled have just one person in the vehicle and daily trips are less than 30 miles total, so they reckon the MM 1.0 will suit many urbanites. And in these days of high petroleum pump prices they might just be right, as they figure you get 60 miles for every $1 worth of electricity. Although classified as a motorbike in some US states, it has a full enclosed canopy, which protects not only the occupant from the elements, but houses the AM/FM radio & CD stereo, plus heater and defroster. We failed to locate the price anywhere on their site, but as they are handmade, in a staggering range of 13 colours, we don’t expect them to be cheap. More specs and pics to tickle your funny bone here > ::Myers Motors...
Sto Lotusan — Biomimicry Paint
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.22.05
Recently we were talking about minimal maintenance Keim paints for mineral based surfaces. And last year we were prattling on about clothes that could clean themselves. Well, those two stories now merge into one. Sto are selling a paint for mineral, cement and concrete surfaces that is self cleaning. Using technology developed by German scientist Dr Wilhelm Barthlott, who has dubbed it Lotus-Effect, after studying the phenomenon of water beading on lotus leaf. The resulting paint induces biomimicry by causing rain to ‘pearl off’ sliding down the wall. This is said to reduce the “build-up of micro-organisms (algae, bacteria, fungus) which flourish in damp and dirty conditions.” Thus keeping the facade clean and maintenance free. [see before and after pics in extended post]....
NationMaster — Nothing But The Facts, Ma'am
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.22.05
If one of the oft touted ideals of the web is that it can put information at your fingertips, then get your pinkies poised. For NationMaster is a fact gatherers absolute delight. For example, who has the worlds heaviest ecological footprint? Mmmm. Maybe the United Arab Emirates built Ski Dubai, just so they didn’t lose the dubious honour of topping this list of 141 countries. It takes almost 16 hectares, per each resident of the UAE, to keep them in the lifestyle to which they’ve become accustomed. The USA comfortably holds second place, using a bit over 12 hectares. Australia is seventh at 8.5ha. Yet for all that material wealth, the US is only the twentieth most generous, when it comes to ......
Real-Life Green Kitchen Renovation
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.21.05
The Washington Post recently featured an interesting article detailing a real-life green kitchen renovation by a Washington, DC homeowner, Lila Guterman and her family. During the renovation, a lot of compromises had to be made between cost and using truly eco-friendly materials. For example, they ended up building a countertop from Formica, which was not green but was inexpensive, allowing they to splurge a bit elsewhere. The floor is made from Marmoleum, a brand of linoleum, that's made out of eco-materials including linseed oil and natural pigment. He paid about $7 per square foot for it. They article goes on to describe their choice of material for each part of the kitchen. :: Washington Post...
Best Manual Juicers
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.21.05
Manual juicers are handy to have in the kitchen — they don't require electricity and are relatively inexpensive. They can juice a surprisingly large variety of fruits and vegetables. Best of all, they are usually easier to clean than their electric counterparts. Many people use manual juicers to squeeze wheatgrass into a nutritious drink. Most reviewers seem to recommend Z-Star Manual Juicer by Tribest, as the best juicer for its price. It was chosen by Discount Juicers as their top manual juicer....
Recycled Keyboard Bag
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.21.05
This is a bit strange, but hard to resist. It's a bag made of a recycled keyboards. It's one of the many "repurposed" pieces of art created by João Sabino. Check out his seat made entirely of bottles, and his fruit basket made of cut bottles. About these creations João says: I never use complex production techniques so, cutting, perforation and glue are the most used ones. All projects have an experimental “soul”, but all of them can be produced at a large scale.:: João Sabino via Core77...
Stream Garden by Green Fortune
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.21.05
The Inhabitat crew has made another great find — this time they've discovered a Swedish company, Green Fortune, which has designed a hydroponics product made for the urban household, called Stream Garden. It's basically more stylish and less complicated than a regular hydroponics system. Instead of soil, the plants grow in tanks, where you only need to check the water level and refill approximately once a week. Every three months, all water needs to be changed out and nutrients added. You can find more details on their web site. :: Stream Garden via Inhabitat via Core77...
Instant Survey: Grocery Shopping
by Jeremy McCumber on 09.21.05
BlueSkyMod Prefab Cabin
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.21.05
Here's the first picture of the new prefab cabin by BlueskyMod, being launched September 22 at IIDEX in Toronto. “It’s an experiment in simplicity of design, construction techniques and relationship to nature,” says its designer, Todd Saunders, the widely published young architect, born and trained in Canada and currently working in Norway. Manufactured from mostly local and recycled materials and utilizing processes that minimize waste, the cabin is eco-friendly. Its Nordic-inspired design and angular cedar detailing also make it a defi nite eye-catcher.
“When we sat down to develop the ideas that became this company, we all felt that our first design had to be a country retreat,” adds Richard Stark, BlueSky Mod’s co-founder with Hy Rosenberg . “First of all, the eco-friendly message will sit extremely well in the woods, on the farm or next to a river. But we also know that people tend to be more creative and open-minded when they’re building their own personal get-aways!” More to come on its plan and sustainable features.
UPDATES: their website is up at :blueskymod and you can see more of Todd Saunders' work at ::www.saunders.no...
MILA Concept - Natural Gas Powered Single Seater
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.21.05
Awesome! The Magna Innovation Lightweight Auto (MILA) concept car is a lightweight, aerodynamic single seater. Its 1.6 liters 4-cylinders engine has been modified so that it runs solely on compressed natural gas (CNG) and produce 150 hp (110 KW, a lot for a car of that weight, which means that it could easily be made more fuel efficient by downsizing the engine). That configuration gives the vehicle a top speed of 200 kph (125 mph) and an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph of 6.9 seconds. The modified engine is more at efficient burning natural gas than it was at burning gasoline (32% vs. 25%), and the car falls under the Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) category under Californian law....
Eco Decking Tile from Eco Woods
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 09.21.05
Available for several years in Australia, Japan and Germany, Eco Decking Tiles are just coming to the United States and is truly a product for all you DIYers. Your deck can be installed in a matter of minutes with these decking tiles because of the way they “snap” together. Screws, nails, adhesives or any other type of material is not needed for its installation. The tiles are crafted from Bolivian Ipe wood which naturally resists rot, decay, insects and mold without chemical treatments making these tiles last longer than your standard deck. Additionally, the hardness and natural durability of this wood allows the tiles to be installed and remain outdoors even in the harshest climates while sustaining little to no damage. According to Eco Woods' PR firm "the Ipe wood harvested for the tiles are regulated by the strictest environmental standards, providing homeowners the assurance, that their new deck is not only beautiful but also ecologically sound." Moving and can’t bear to leave your work behind? Disassemble in a matter of minutes and take it with you to your next home. Via ::PR Newswire ::Eco Woods ...
Eco Ammo(TM) by American Ammunition
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.21.05
If you're going to shoot, then at least make sure you're not spritizing lead dust all around. That's the first thing that came to mind when we read that American Ammunition, Inc." received an additional 1,000,000 round order for its line of ECO-AMMO(TM)". Their catalog explains that Eco-AMMO(TM) "meets the demand for close-quarters, reduced hazard munitions. Frangible projectiles [supplied to American Ammo by this vendor] break apart into harmless fragments upon hitting a surface harder than the projectile itself. Dangerous ricochets and collateral damage are virtually eliminated, while the lead free composition leaves no toxic residue. This so called “Green” ammo is ideally suited for training, indoor ranges, and any application where collateral damage must be minimized". Collateral damage sounds like a euphemism for lead contamination. Indoor ranges where lead ammo is used can have serious air quality problems; and, once a range is closed the building or grounds might qualify for Superfund ranking because of the lead residues....
Q&A: Non-Vinyl Shower Curtain Liners
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 09.21.05
We received a question from one of our readers, Richard M. He asked, “My wife tends to buy PVC shower curtain liners…do you know of any alternatives to this?” Well this is a great question, and one that TreeHugger hasn’t addressed before so we decided to search. Regular vinyl shower curtains release chemical gases and odors from their ingredients and are manufactured with non-renewable and chemical resources. They are difficult to clean and end up in a landfill where they don't decompose and could release dangerous substances into the ground. The alternative that we liked the best is a curtain made of 100% hemp found at healthgoods.com. Hemp is naturally resistant to mold and bacteria and it is also quick drying which means it won’t trap moisture in the tub like those vinyl liners that only add to mold growth (yuck!). This curtain will get wet, but it will not leak through. This means that no liner is even needed. Although these hemp curtains can be pricey (up to $69.95), they don’t even compare with the vinyl ones that need to be constantly replaced. Thanks for inquiring, Richard! ::Healthgoods.com...
Kitchen in the Round from Snaidero
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.21.05
We had to struggle for a moment to find a treehugger twist for this- "the concentric kitchen, designed to be in the center of the room, to meet the needs of the man who wants to have everything around him, who feels the need for a really modern approach. Ergonomics, dilated forms, a new way of thinking of socializing, living life full circle." We can't figure out what makes it particularly masculine other than one is certainly in Captain Kirk Command mode when standing in it, with its computer monitors and other gadgets. Oh, and the treehugger thing? it's made from 100% recycled aluminum. ::Snaidero via ::Trendir...
Investing In Alternative Energy - New Alternatives Fund
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.21.05
We heard about the "New Alternatives" mutual fund (which is actually not so "new" - it was created in 1982) while reading comments of a post about alternative energy investment at the Alternative-Energy Blog. It seems interesting, but sadly, it is only available to people in the US. You can read about their investment strategy here and find a list of the companies they invest in here (lots of interesting ones, mostly solar, hydro, wind, biomass, recycling, etc). Some of our other posts on green investment can be found here: Take Action: Green Investments and SustainableBusiness.com's List of Sustainable Stocks.
::New Alternatives Fund, ::Prospectus (pdf), via ::Alt-E Blog...
Leaf Blowers: Scourge of Humanity
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.21.05
Autumn approaches, leaves will fall, and the leaf blowers will return. They are loud, polluting and completely unneccessary. Some have called them a Scourge of Humanity and this treehugger agrees. Municipalities across North America are starting to regulate them and manufacturers are starting to improve them, although the new low emission John Deere version shown above still pumps out 68 Decibels, as described in the ::Wall Street Journal. There is the traditional alternative- the rake. No gas consumption, good exercise and cheap. Tipster Bonnie noticed the Kentish Rake- made by hand since 1871, 20 inches wide and no noise whatsoever. ::Harrod Horticultural ...
LED Chromatherapy in your Bathroom
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.20.05
We were so wrong to be critical of that LED bathtub. We learn from Whitehaus, who sell LED equipped sinks that you can adjust for colour mix, that one can achieve "a complete balance of the body, mind and soul" through what they call chromatherapy. Tune your LED's this way:
Based on chromatherapy, each color has a special meaning:
● Blue - relaxing and peaceful,
● Purple - immunizing and tranquilizing,
● Green - harmonious and stabilizing,
● Yellow - hopeful and digestive,
● Orange - creativity and ambition,
● Red - stimulating and energizing.
Forget the sink, we want to wire the whole house with LED's now. ::Whitehaus via ::Trendir...
IceStone For Kitchens
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.20.05
IceStone is a material for kitchen countertops that is both beautiful and eco-effective. Using technology developed by the late Tim McCarthy of the Great Harbor Design Center, IceStone is a terrazzo-like countertop material made of 75% recycled glass and 17–18% white portland cement, and small quantities of proprietary ingredients. The resulting material is nearly as strong and heat resistant as granite and less porous than marble. :: IceStone...
Solar a Key Component of Habitat for Humanity Home
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.20.05
Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver has dedicated its first "green home," designed to be energy efficient and environmentally responsible. The new design resulted in significant savings for the homeowner family — their highest utility bill that winter was $45. Now the Metro Denver group incorporates green design features in all of its houses. "Building energy efficient homes is something every affiliate should have as a goal," says affiliate executive director Lori Vaclavik. "By making minor changes in construction, families can save significant money through reduced utility bills. Habitat homes should not only be affordable to purchase, but also affordable for a family to own and maintain. And it sets an important standard for all builders to follow." :: Renewable Energy Access...
Mortgages That Reward Energy Efficiency
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.20.05
Cascadia Scorecard reports on a recent recent article that highlights yet another benefit of energy-efficient homes: they could qualify you for an energy-efficient mortgage (EEM). Since an energy-efficient house costs less to operate, Fannie Mae, the government-established private company that backs mortgages for low- to moderate-income homebuyers, recognizes that the money saved can be spent on housing costs. Thus, it adds the projected savings to the borrower’s income, raising that income and qualifying them for a larger mortgage. Built Green has a nice example how this can work on paper. :: Cascadia Scorecard
...
World Organic Congress Attendees Offered Carbon Levy
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.20.05
The 15th International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is underway in Adelaide, South Australia. And it what is believed to be a first for an Australian event, the 1,000 delegates from 40 countries, were offered the voluntary option of paying off their energy use to attend the conference. Thousands of natives trees are expected to planted following the event, funded through a carbon levy. Greenfleet have calculated that a visitor from Sydney is worth 2.5 trees, while an international attendee needs the equivalent of 17 trees to absorb the carbon dioxide in their transport to Adelaide. Apparently “the carbon dioxide produced by a return flight from Europe is the equivalent to a person's average car use for one year.“ Let’s hope this is a trend that other conferences can pick up on. While there remains some debate over the effectiveness of carbon offset programs, they certainly help participants consider the impact of their travel. And awareness is the first step on the road of behavioural change. Credit to the organic industry for yet again taking the lead. ::IFOAM 2005...
Top Rated, Energy Star Refrigerators
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.20.05
In terms of quality, cost and energy efficiency, Kenmore refrigerators get high ratings from Good Housekeeping and Consumer Reports. They make many "no-frills" refrigerators which are Energy Star compliant. Kenmore fridges have factory-installed ice makers, which are less prone to break down than those built into the door. For example, a reasonably priced, mid-sized Kenmore fridge is available from Sears for about $430. Top-freezer and bottom-freezer refrigerators are more energy efficient than "side-by-side" models, and they are less expensive. See this report from the Green Guide, for a list of the best Energy Star compliant refrigerators....
E•Cycle Electronic Waste Recyclers
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.20.05
How about a company that takes its customers hiking, camping. mountain biking and kayaking to give them an appreciation of the natural environment? Or one that provides staff with clothing made from organic cotton or recycled materials? Or donates 1% of its revenues to environmental organisations? These are some of the activities of the Californian based E•Cycle electronic waste recyclers. Unlike other players in this growing industry they proclaim a zero export policy. They break up the e-waste into 13 material streams and feed it back, after recycling, to local California businesses to make new products. An End Life Report records the serial numbers of data devices destroyed and reprocessed. Sounds like a very impressive program. How it's funded is not immediately apparent, but we assume it is a fee-based service. The E-Cycle environmental mission is described as “to eradicate the improper disposal of obsolete electronic equipment from the corporate and institutional sectors in the most ethical, cost effective, and accountable manner.” Thanks to Mike S. for the tip. Look for more info at ::E•Cycle...
GreenStop Alternative Fuel Filling Station Opens in Ontario
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 09.20.05
The first all-alternative filling station in Canada opened last week in Ottawa. Run by Topia Energy, Canada's biodiesel leader, Greenstop is a franchise model expected to spread throughout the country. GreenStop offers biodiesel and two ethanol blends. (Only B20 is available, however: 20% biodiesel, 80% petrol. People are still scared of the pure stuff, it seems, although I and untold others run on B100 with ease) Also part of the fueling station is the Real Café, stocked with organic snacks, natural soda pop, organic coffee, and fair trade cigarettes. Psych! No smokes. ::GreenStop...
Peace One Day
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.20.05
21 September is the United Nations International Day of Peace. That this event is universally celebrated on this day, with the intent of becoming a day of global ceasefire, is almost entirely due to the passion of one man. Britain’s Jeremy Gilley. Back in 1999 he commenced a personal project that he labelled Peace One Day. Producing a film of his journey, it documents how, in a borrowed suit, he travelled from London to Costa Rica, Africa, India, and the Middle East, all the way to upper echelons of the United Nations. He cajoled, enthused and urged everyone from school kids, to the Dali Lama to bring this day into reality. Finally he was in New York at the United Nations, with Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, about to ring the UN peace bell and proclaim the day, when literally within minutes of the event getting under way, two planes flew into the World Trade Centre. Yet, in the spite of a world changed, right before his eyes, he still persisted in bringing this event to the world. ...
The Windwandler – Topping up your energy on those dark days.
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 09.20.05
If you already have solar panels installed on the roof of your house I bet they have transformed your life and you are currently enjoying the new found freedom of being ‘off the grid’, but do you find yourself increasingly concerned these days about cloudy weather? With the winter months edging inevitably towards us the ideas of cloudier, rainier weather and shorter, darker days are enough to spoil any solar power enthusiast’s day! Well some smart guys in Germany have come up with a back up plan. The Windwandler is designed specifically to be used in conjunction with your solar panels when they aren’t able to work at optimum output....
Here Comes the Sun
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.20.05
Barron's Magazine has published a great overview of the solar photovoltaic industry dynamics worldwide. There's good and bad news. Lets get the bad out of the way first. There's an industry-wide shortage of the silicon needed to produce the common type of solar photovoltaic (SPV) cells. High prices and product shortages are going to be with us for a while. Second bad news item: there's seemingly only one "pure play" SPV producer based in the US. Alas, just when solar power seems ascendant, the US' position turns out to be as dependent on foreign SPV technology owners and makers as it is on foreign oil. Gulp. The situation was predetermined, given the long standing conflict of values between the US and other developed nations. There is some good news for the long view, as reported in the September 19, 2005 Barrons....
Clean Up The World
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.20.05
Clean Up The World (CUTW) is the name of a U.N.-sanctioned community-based project that was created in 1989 by Ian Kiernan. It started with the clean up of the Sydney Harbor by 40,000 volunteers, and now in 2005, the latest example is the cleaning up of turtle nesting beaches in Malaysia by 3,400 volunteers (they invited 2,000, but more showed up), many of them schoolchildren. "The clean up is not the answer to the whole problem but it is a very good start. What is important is the behavioral change among people that it brings," says Kiernan. The big cleanup happens in more than a hundred cities every year, on the second-to-last weekend of September, and attracts some 35 million volunteers, according to Clean Up The World (we suppose that's a cummulative number of volunteers over the years). ...
A Product Service System: Peerflix
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 09.20.05
Over the past year Netflix, and more recently Blockbuster, have both become so popular that almost everyone you talk to is signed up for their services. However, a new company called Peerflix might give them a good run for their money. Launched by two friends in California, Peerflix has been around for about a year now but in the past few months alone their user number has grown to about 40,000. Billy McNair, co-founder of Peerflix, said that the company’s research shows that 60% of the 4 billion discs sold over the past eight years were only watched twice. The difference between Peerflix and the other online services is this: Peerflix is a trading platform. ...
Urban/Rural/Wild- looking at city, country and the spaces between
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.20.05
“Urban, Rural, Wild” is a Chicago exhibition of 8 artists' work that includes gallery installations, associated off-site events, a resource center, and a film series to interrogate, rethink, and re-imagine city and country in the midwest. The program is written in incomprehensible artspeak, but we quote a relatively accessible portion below the fold. And google earth notwithstanding, look at the amazing satellite picture on the website, a portion of which is shown above.
::Urban/Rural/Wild at I-Space,Chicago, this fall. ...
Ride a bike? Maybe your food is a tax-deductable expense.
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.20.05
Last week Treehugger reported that teachers were getting expenses for riding their bikes to work. It reminded us of a famous Canadian tax case of a few years ago, where bike courier Alan Scott deducted his food costs as a business expense, as he rides 200,000 kilometres per year and consumes 4300 calories a day to keep going, at a cost (over a normal diet) of C$32.50 per day. After many years of hearings and appeals he won- the logic is unassailable. If you ride a bike in the course of doing business and consume extra calories to do so, then the food you eat should be a legitimate business expense. (and we will not get into how the suits always got to deduct the costs of their 3 martini lunches) So order a pizza and send the bill to Uncle Sam or whoever you pay taxes to! ::Alan Wayne Scott vs Canada...
DIY Eco-Tech: Time to Vote
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 09.19.05
It was hard work to pick only three of the great entries in our DIY Eco-tech Contest, but here they are. Thank you to everyone who entered, and congratulations to the final three. Now, it is time for you to vote for the best Eco-tech innovation. After all of the effort that went into each of these entries, all you need to do to show your recognition is to pick and click your favorite. In order to prevent e-ballot stuffing, please only one vote per person.
...
TreeHugger DIY Eco-Tech Finalist 3: Solar FM Cordless Headphones
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 09.19.05
The third finalist in our DIY Eco-tech contest is Ben Jandrell and his Solar FM Cordless Headphones. With solar panels charging Ni-Mh cells in both the transmitter and receiver, Ben is able to hook this sytem up to his laptop and roam throughout his garden unwired and self-powered. Not content with keeping this to himself, Ben seems to have an eye on the potential this might have in the commercial market. "Ideally on a commercial version the headset’s solar panel should follow the profile of the headband, but I’m not that clever." Thanks to Ben for sharing it with us and entering the contest. ...
TreeHugger DIY Eco-Tech Finalist 2: Solar-Powered Bubble Machine
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 09.19.05
The second finalist in our DIY Eco-tech contest is a solar-powered bubble machine sent in by reader Rob Matthies. Rob equipt a store bought bubble machine with solar panels to enable it to work whereever there is sun (and Rob says even on some overcast days as well). Althoughly mostly for children, Rob has seen many adults also have their interest piqued at his bubble machine. The machine has seen time at events throughout the city of Vancouver as Rob has been able to help bring awareness of solar energy throughout the notoriously rainy city. Thanks Rob for entering our contest. ...
TreeHugger DIY Eco-Tech Finalist 1: Solar-Powered Hydrofoil
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 09.19.05
The first finalist in our DIY Eco-tech contest is the solar hydrofoil we previously wrote about submitted by reader Terrance Breitsameter for the Marquette University Solar Energy Society. Their boat uses handmade solar panels and customized solar cells to power a hydrofoil boat, letting it fly on top of the water. In Terrance’s words, “Our 15' long boat constructed entirely out of carbon-fiber and kevlar weighs 300 pounds [including driver] and is capable of speeds over 30mph.” Thanks to Terrance and all those involved in the Marquette Solar Energy society (including who Terrance referred to as the “grandmaster”, Jay Schabelski and his wife Kathleen) for entering our contest. ...
Fuel Cell Powered MP3 Player from Toshiba
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.19.05
Suck on this, Steve Jobs! what could be cooler than an MP3 player that runs 35 hours on a 3.5 millilitre shot of methanol. Now if they get it running on ethanol you could really party!
Fuel cells usually run on 30% concentrations of methanol but Toshiba developed the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) to run on pure methanol to take up less space. ::Toshiba via ::PSFK read also ::Treehugger
...
Hoky Carpet Sweeper by Oreck
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.19.05
Carpet Sweepers are a great non-electric way to clean carpets quickly. So a recent review of a Hoky Sweeper on Cool Tools, caught our eye:You've probably seen Hoky Sweepers used in restaurants and hotels. They just plain work. No electric, no plugs, no noise & lightweight. So convenient to grab for a few second cleanup. Just push and they clean, even small crumbs.Hoky Sweepers have "rotorblades" replacing the traditional bristle brush, the are said to last 8 times longer and self-clean. These sweeprs have horsehair corner brushes and large soft rubber wheels. They are priced around $43. Available from DynaDirect. Story via: Goto Reviews ...
Toyota To Go 100% Hybrid
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.19.05
Toyota has announced that all of its vehicles would eventually be powered by hybrid gasoline-electric motors. "In the future, the cars you see from Toyota will be 100 percent hybrid," said Kazuo Okamoto of Toyota. There's no deadline for that, but at the rate at which Toyota is introducing new models (especially the predictably popular Camry Hybrid) and ramping up production, it should not take too long....
Instant Survey: Gardening
by Jeremy McCumber on 09.19.05
September 23-25: Peak Oil & Community Solutions
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.19.05
What are you doing this weekend? If you don't know and live anywhere near Ohio, we have the perfect idea for you: the Second US Conference on "Peak Oil" and Community Solutions is held from September 23 to 25 in Yellow Springs, and it should be very interesting. The speaker list can be found here and includes Richard Heinberg (author of The Party's Over: Oil, War, and the Fate of Industrial Societies and Powerdown: Options and Actions for a Post-Carbon World) and Michael Shuman (author of Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in a Global Age), among others. The conference will explore: The implications of Peak Oil, an in-depth look at changes in agriculture, the characteristics of a new economy, peak Oil’s effect on our financial system, alternatives to oil and our high energy way of life, the communities of the future and ways to transition and answers to "What should I do now?". You can also have a look at what last year's conference was like.
::Peak Oil & Community Solutions Conference, via ::The Oil Drum, ::Peak Oil Primer...
"Hey Baby, It's Carbon Neutral"
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 09.19.05
Among recently reported carbon neutral products and events (clothing, sports events, etc.), this one is without a doubt the blingiest to date. In what is also an interesting twist on the car sharing model we all know and love, Club Sportiva, with offices in San Franciso and Munich, offers its members timeshare access to a veritable harem of vehicular love slaves (Ferraris, Lotuses, Bentleys, etc.). The company has now announced that it will offset the emissions of its entire fleet of timeshare classic cars by signing up with Certified Cleaner Car, a service that calculates and offsets vehicle emissions using Green-e renewable energy certificates and carbon credits purchased through the Chicago Climate Exchange.
It is altogether possible that this indicates not only the expansion of the carbon trading and renewable energy economy, but also the rising sexual capital attached to eco-consciousness. If your Prius isn’t getting you all the desired results, you may want to give these guys a call. ::Club Sportiva...
Tree Hugger Journals From Turtle Press
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 09.19.05
The Turtle Press is a company that specializes in sketchbooks, journals and scrapbooks. All of their books, called Tree Huggers, are 100% post consumer recycled and acid free and come in small, medium and large. The Lil’ Tree Hugger Book is the company’s newest line. Designed especially for kids, they are made from 100% post consumer recycled art books and come with a label to describe how neat recycling is. Each book has 64 pages and they come in two different sizes, medium and large. Perfect for back-to-school art supplies. ::Turtle Press ...
Red Carpet-Green Cars Campaign Wins Big at the Emmy Awards
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 09.19.05
Celebrity vehicle of choice, the fuel-efficient hybrid, got red carpet treatment at this year's Emmy Awards. Nominee Charlize Theron (HBO's "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers"), actress Kyra Sedgwick (TNT's "The Closer"), Nominee Cynthia Nixon (HBO's "Warm Springs") and Nominee Jeffrey Tambor (FOX's "Arrested Development") planned to attend this year's Awards in fuel-efficient hybrid cars instead of gas-guzzling limousines....
World Solar Challenge 2005
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.19.05
This weekend sees the return of the biennial World Solar Challenge. “The ‘Challenge’ — to design and build a car capable of crossing Australia on the power of daylight, comprehends the most innovative research and development of alternative transport technologies.” At 8am on 25 September 2005, teams from 11 countries are expected to set off on the trip southward, to cross the continent, from Darwin to Adelaide [see map in extended post]. Most teams will take about a week but the real competitive ones should complete the journey in about four days. The even follows a similar route to that taken by the windpowered skateboard we mentioned previously. After the Challenge there will be ......
Household Name: Helping Green Brands To The Top
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 09.19.05
Adrian Saker, a 15 year veteran of the advertising industry, is fed up with bad companies using flashy advertising to entice customers with falsely green messages. So, this year, he started Household Name, a new advertising company which fights for the real green companies. They plan on building their base of clients on the basis of their corporate conscience, sustainability, labor fairness, opposition to global consolidation, and fair treatment of the planet. We love the idea of getting great green companies images cleaned up and pitting them against the worst eco-offenders. We only hope that Adrian and crew can handle the flood of business we wish upon them. Power to the green baby! :: Household Name...
Water Purification, Elegance = Simplicity
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.19.05
The Engineers Without Border's, Madison WI Chapter recently sent a student delegation to a rural Rwanda community to help implement a sustainable drinking water project. They were led by a UW Professor interested in averting the resource intensive "high tech, low impact" solutions engineers typically pursue. The project faced cultural challenges and yet met with success, as exemplifed by the blue water bottle shown. Look closely TreeHuggers. It's not your ordinary water bottle....
New High for Bottled Water
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.19.05
For those of you looking for a new standard of silliness for bottled water, we offer Oxyshot- deionized water containing a little salt and lots of "bio-available diatomic oxygen"- at sixty bucks for 250 ml, smaller than a can of pop. It's promoted as a pick-me-up for athletes, stressed workers, old folks and hangovers. However, as one doctor said: "The idea of getting extra oxygen through a drink doesn't add up. People get oxygen through their lungs, not their stomach." From Australia, where we know water is in short supply but surely this is a bit much. Female readers should be proud of Treehugger for not gratuitously using pictures of scantily dressed female bodybuilders from the Oxyshot website. ::Oxyshot via ::Guardian...
Wall Street Journal: High Gas Prices Make Sense
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.19.05
We noted last week how high gas prices were affecting demand; The WSJ recently noted that some economists suggest that it would be smart for the government to keep gas prices high, to reduce consumption and modify behaviour. "Taxes can change long-term behavior, as long as taxpayers believe the levies are here to stay. Pregnant women, for instance, sharply cut back on smoking after cigarette taxes rose steadily in the 1990s, according to a study by three New York City economists." One economist suggested that if prices stay high SUV sales will fall by up to 28%. Another economist, Mark Zandi, suggests a floating gas tax to keep the price around $3 per gallon, saying that stability and predictablity will encourage people to make appropriate choices. ::Wall Street Journal via ::Environmental Economics...
Decatur High School Principal Rides His Bike
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.18.05
In the random role-model category, we found this little inspirational story about Mike Ward, a high school principal who decided to ride his bike to work. When people in position of authority take initiatives like that and are not afraid of "how it will look", it makes the alternatives to our car-driven world more acceptable to others who are afraid to be "early adopters" and break the ice themselves. At first, Mr. Ward's coworkers didn't believe him, his students thought it was weird ("I thought it was really funny. A principal is supposed to be this tough guy, and here he is riding his bike to class. I could only imagine him parking it in the bicycle rack."), but he did it anyway and now many students are considering following his lead (although, sadly, no one had at the time the article was written). Ride on, Mr. Principal!
::Decatur High School head rides bike to class, via ::Cyclelicious...
Mother Jones Interviews Mike Millikin of GCC
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.18.05
We often link to Green Car Congress, basically the reference when it comes to green transportation, and so it is a pleasure to learn that the fairly popular independent magazine Mother Jones has published an interview with Mike Millikin, the man behind Green Car Congress. Grist Magazine has also done an interview with him last May; you can read Grist's Q&A here, and the questions from Grist's readers here. We would like to wish Mike the best and assure him that his work is much appreciated!
::Mother Jones Interview, ::Grist Interview, ::Grist Readers Interview, ::Green Car Congress, via ::WorldChanging...
Computer Recycling World Tour by Dell
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.18.05
Dell will offer free computer recycling in select cities across the US, Europe and Australia, says this press release. "Dell's Recycling Tour will begin Sept. 17 [yesterday -- oops] in Bracknell, United Kingdom, followed by events in Nashville, Tenn., Munich, Germany and Sydney, Australia throughout October and November. The tour concludes in Oklahoma City on Nov. 12 in celebration of America Recycles Day. Consumers in communities served by Dell's recycling tour will have the opportunity to empty their closets and garages of any brand computer, monitor, printer and other computer equipment and drop them off at their local collection event to be responsibly recycled." Dell also partners with the National Cristina Foundation to allow people to donate their old computers to charity. More information can be found on Dell's website, although at this time it doesn't seem like they have updated the page with all the details on the tour.
::Dell Recycling Tour Press Release, ::Dell Recycling Webpage, ::National Cristina Foundation...
Make Your Own Air Quality Indicator
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.18.05
Should you go for a run or hold your breath? This device takes air quality data from the internet and graphically shows air quality with LED displays. The designers hope it will be installed in public areas to encourage people to reduce pollution. Not only that, but they have made it open-source, providing complete instructions and programming. ::Air Quality Indicator via ::WMMNA...
Cottage in a Box
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.18.05
Toronto lawyer Hy Rosenberg has formed BlueSkyMod to develop a line of prefab cottages and commissioned Todd Saunders, a Canadian architect practicing in Norway,to design his prototype. The 125 square foot sleeping cabin is a demonstration in sustainable technologies, with composting toilets, sustainably harvested flooring and "a new environmental particle board" for the walls. This treehugger has provided some assistance and advice for the project, so look for greater detail and better pictures in the coming week. ::Globe and Mail
...
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.
