- 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)
grant said: "Hum, interesting that they used a helicopter to film this stunt that comments on global warming. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty confident ..." [read]
scott said: "I sure am glad we gave $14 trillion dollars to bankers instead of using it to subsidize products like these. Products that liberate rather..." [read]
said: ""And it is green because/" Because bikes are pretty much the greenest mean of transportation ever devised. And well designed bikes are just..." [read]
Cancerman72 said: "Hmmmm....I live in Toronto and I have never seen a sign like that....lol..." [read]
Cancerman72 said: "I do but I understand why some hate cyclist biking through there walking paths and sometimes tearing up the path with their bikes...." [read]
Entries for November 13, 2005 - November 19, 2005
Total this week: 78
Reintegrated Carafe and Tumbler
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.19.05
Here's a completely transparent gift for your friends and associates who appreciate, even in paralipsis, when efficient techniques to produce something. In this case, glass is disintegrated, coaxed into a liquid state and the then reintegrated into a carafe and tumbler. Priced at twenty-nine U.S. dollars. :: Reintegrated Carafe and Tumbler...
Un-Treehugger: Quote by US Senator Chuck Grassley
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 11.19.05
We try to keep things positive around here and leave it to others to report the negative stories, but once in a while we read something that gives us brain cramps and that has to be mentioned out of some kind of morbid fascination. This quote by Iowa senator Charles "Chuck" Grassley is a prime example of not getting it. He said: "You know what? What makes our economy grow is energy. And Americans are used to going to the gas tank (sic), and when they put that hose in their, uh, tank, and when I do it, I wanna get gas out of it. And when I turn the light switch on, I want the lights to go on, and I don't want somebody to tell me I gotta change my way of living to satisfy them. Because this is America, and this is something we've worked our way into, and the American people are entitled to it, and if we're going improve (sic) our standard of living, you have to consume more energy." via ::Clusterfuck Nation, ::Official US Senate Grassley Website...
Peak Natural Gas
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 11.19.05
Regular readers of Treehugger are probably starting to become familiar with the concept of peak oil (primer). We've written about it quite a bit, but we must not get tunnel vision and think that it is the only fossil fuel that can reach peak production and then decline. Natural gas is actually more probablematic in some ways since, as The Oil Drum mentions today, it depletes even faster than oil. The reason is simple: It is much easier to get a gas out of the ground than a liquid. The EIA point out (pdf) that in 1970 gas well depletion rates were 20%, and by 1996 had reached 49%....
EPA to Update Fuel Economy Test Procedure
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 11.19.05
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will update its fuel economy testing procedure (see our post about the Union of Concerned Scientists' position on the issue) before the end of this year and the new standards could go into effect in two years. The goal is to get results (the miles per gallon (mpg) stickers that you see in the windows of cars in dealers lot and on automakers' websites) that are closer to what drivers can expect to see in the real world. The current tests were created in 1977 and since then a lot has changed: "things such as speed limits, a lot more cars with air conditioning and other equipment, people do a little bit more stop-and-go and probably accelerate more than assumptions [and there is also a lot more idling]," said Stephen L. Johnson, EPA Administrator....
Earth To America: Get Your Laugh On
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 11.19.05
I must confess, I'm a little nervous about tomorrow night's "Earth To America" comedy program airing on TBS at 8/7c. I mean, what if it is boring, or worse yet - awkward and you know, dorky? Fortunately my fears are quelled by the high talent making an appearance. Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Robin Williams, Cedric the Entertainer, Ray Romano and Ben Stiller will be on stage as will Al Franken, Christopher Guest, Julia Louis- Dreyfus, Kevin Nealon, Wanda Sykes, Stephen Colbert, Rob Corddry, and, from the puppet world, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and the cast of "Avenue Q." Who knew they were wacko treehugger types? Hats off to organizer Laurie David for bringing them all together. ...
Hewlett Packard to Remove Bromated Flame Retardant from Product Casings
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 11.19.05
Hewlett Packard has announced that it will remove a bromated flame retardant (BFR) from the outer case parts of all new products released after December of 2006. The specific BFR to be removed is tetrabromobisphenol A, one of a family of chemicals used in the plastic components of many electronics, as well as in fabrics and building materials. BFRs have been associated with endocrine disruption and impairment of mental skills, and have been found in women’s breast milk. Bromated flame retardants in electronics can also make e-waste more hazardous. HP announced the goal as part of its Design for the Environment initiative, which has also included the elimination of PVC from external parts, the elimination of mercury from certain products, and e-waste recycling measures. :: HP...
Sea Change: Gourmet Magazine on Fish and Sustainability
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.19.05
We do not often look to Gourmet Magazine for stories on sustainable dining, but the December issue covers the Fish story in detail. They list many restaurants that do not serve endangered species or questionably farmed fish and note that "It is startling to open the menu of the country's finest seafood restaurant and read "Le Bernadin will not serve Chilean sea bass in support of NRDC and SeaWeb's educational efforts to speed the recovery of this endangered species". After the last few fish posts we are relieved to find that there is still some fish we can eat and places to eat it. They list many resources to learn more:
::The Fish Times
::Seaweb
::Natural Resources Defense Council
::Seafood Choices Alliance
::Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
...
Grist Magazine Interviews Larry David
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 11.19.05
We recently wrote about Larry David's hybrid, a Prius that he is giving away (or rather that his wife his giving away, according to the Grist interview) as the main prize for the StopGlobalWarming.org campaign. In the interview, we learn about something that sounds quite interesting: "At 8 p.m. (7 p.m. Central) on Nov. 20, TBS will air "Earth to America!," a two-hour comedy extravaganza produced by Laurie and starring Larry that is designed to get America laughing -- and, more to the point, learning -- about global warming. They promise it will be an upbeat, non-preachy, gut-splitting TV special about one of the least funny issues on the planet." ::Grist Interview with Larry David, ::Earth to America!, ::StopGlobalWarming.org, ::Curb Global Warming & Win Larry David's Hybrid, ::Preserving the Earth, One Joke at a Time...
R.I.P. Donald Watson (1910-2005)
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 11.18.05
As living beings, what we eat is of the utmost importance to ourselves, but as part of the great ecosystem that is the Earth, it is also very important to nature and it counts for a great portion of our ecological footprint. For these reasons and more, we want to pay a small tribute to the late Donald Watson. He founded The Vegan Society in 1944 (with Elsie Shrigley) and invented the word "vegan". Random thought read somewhere else online: "He outlived Robert Atkins." ::The Vegan Society, ::So You're an Environmentalist; Why Are You Still Eating Meat?, ::Veganism at Wikipedia, via ::Vegan Porn (no actual porno, don't worry - and don't be disappointed)...
Dwell House for Sale
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.18.05
If you've got the bucks, you can buy the house that started the prefab revolution- The original Dwell House by Resolution 4 Architects of New York, the result of a competition run by Dwell Magazine.We know, its not that cheap, it is not that green, but it is the mother of modern prefab. The smaller, cheaper and greener ones are coming. ::Wall Street Journal...
"Weird Eco Habits" Contest Sneek Peak: Urban Chicken Coop
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 11.18.05
With only a week to go in our "Weird Eco Habits" contest, we thought it might be time to give all of you faithful TreeHuggers a glimpse into some of the fantastic entries we have been receiving. The first of these sneak peeks takes us to Seattle, where TreeHugger Brad Hole has used recycled materials to create a very unique urban chicken coop. Brad told us, "I just finished building a chicken coop for my urban backyard in Seattle. Who says you can't raise chickens in the city?!" ...
BitLight LightHitParade: Old CDs Put to Good Use
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.18.05
Recycling CDs is not as easy as it should be, and they are definitely not landfill or incinerator-friendly, with their persistent plastic and ugly chemical characteristics. Artist Serghej Petrov has figured out a way to recycle them into art, without turning them into a disco ball or hanging collage over baby's crib. Check out his BitLight LightHitParade lamp; it has about 800 used CDs and creates a very cool ambient light source. He uses both an LED light source, which consumes only eight watts of power, and a cold cathode lamp, which is a little closer to 30 watts, but neither emit enough heat to be dangerous to the lamps artistic shell. This version stands 100 cm (a trifle over three feet), and he also has a suspended smaller version. The 100 cm version is available here. ::BitLight LightHitParade
...
TH Week: Treehugger Transport
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 11.18.05
This week, a theme that stood out was a number of green personal transportation options. Whether you're using the wind, water, or your feet, these are some unique ways to get around more smoothly -- time, and energy wise.
:: Lloyd harnessed Toronto's winter winds with the Windski wind powered snowski.
:: And another Bamboo snowboard to help you beat the fiberglass blues.
:: Warren found that arms power bikes too with the Champiot rowing bicycle.
:: Collin pointed out this incredible portable island made of soda bottles. ...
Sharp Solar Panels on ABC's ''Extreme Makeover"
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11.18.05
Solar Panels by Sharp, which we've covered before reportedly will be utilized in an "Extreme Home Makeover" show being produced for ABC. Could it be that the "makeover" craze will cause millions of US citizens become TreeHuggers? From the Business Wire of Nov. 16th 2005 we learned that "Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, the world's leading producer of solar energy products, recently contributed a solar energy system to ABC's hit show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" for a project in Douglas, Kansas. The televised episode will air in January 2006...The episode details the reconstruction of a house destroyed by a propane gas leak explosion. The Nutsch Family lacked the insurance or income to rebuild their home, so the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" crew constructed a house for them that is powered only by electricity". ...
Recycled Transit Token Cuff Links
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 11.18.05
These transit tokens from New York were discontinued in 1980 and have now been recycled into cuff links, courtesy of their designer Ward Wallau. He spent 11 years petitioning the NY Transit Authority before they finally gave him permission to use them in his jewelry, making them truly special. These unique cuff links are also available with recycled transit tokens from Boston, D.C., San Francisco and Chicago. We mentioned these briefly on a previous cuff link post not too long ago, but with the holidays coming we thought it'd be a great stocking stuffer for him. Available at ::Eco-Artware...
Windski- a wind-powered winter sport.
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.18.05
While taking our hits for yesterday's post on snowboards, we learned about the Windski- almost a hybrid of three different sports, it takes a ski, a shrunken snowboard/skateboard deck, and a windsurfer sail and smushes them all together into a sailboard for snow. This looks like a fabulous alternative for those of us with lots of flat ground, frozen lakes and piddly hills. For thrill seekers, speeds have been measured at over 45 MPH. What a great idea- we want one. (but with a bamboo deck!) ::Windski and watch the "Best of" video thanks, tipster Clive ...
Green Envelopes – Spanish Postal Service start planting trees with Bosques de la Tierra.
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 11.18.05
Whilst standing in an interminably long line at the post office in Barcelona the other day my wandering thoughts were distracted by the nice bright green coloured envelope I had just bought to send my package in. To while away the waiting time I had of course been thinking up new schemes for how I would save the world that particular day. So I was amazed to be informed by the lovely green envelope that in fact I had already unwittingly contributed my pennies worth, or rather centimos worth, to planting some more trees. This scheme, 'Green Line: reforestation programme' links Post Office packaging to Bosques de la Tierra, a Spanish tree planting organisation that serves the same cause as the Carbon Neutral Company and Greenfleet but differs in the fact that it is made up of voluntary workforces who come together for community tree planting projects. The Post Office (Correos) and Bosques de la Tierra have come together for mutual benefit to sell ‘green’ envelopes and boxes made from recycled paper and cardboard and which donate one euro cent, in each euro spent, to the planting of new trees. ...
Recycle-a-Bicycle and Plan B
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.18.05
A TH reader, going by the name Wookosh, of NY, asked a while back where he might drop off his old bicycle inner tubes, and such forth, for recycling or reuse. Hadn’t really found a answer for him when these guys came to our attention. If they dunno, who would? For over a decade Recycle-a-Bicycle (RAB) have been “dedicated to youth development, environmental education, recycling and bicycle transportation in New York City.” They accomplish this through bike repair and maintenance courses for 10 to 18 year olds. After participating through three quarters of such a workshop, students can "Earn-A-Bike" on sweat-equity and spend the remaining time doing it up. That’s the program in a nutshell, though it’s heaps more comprehensive. But we wanted to take the opportunity to alert you to a relationship Recycle-a-Bicycle have with a like-minded organsation in New Orleans, known as Plan B — the Community Bike Project. Between the two them they are looking to raise funds to get more bike mechanics on the ground, so more salvaged bikes can hit the streets of hurricane ravaged New Orleans. Both seem to be genuine programs, with highly altruistic leanings, very worthy of any greenbacks you can spare. ::Recycle-a-Bicycle and ::Plan B...
The Champiot — An Arm Powered Quadcycle
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.18.05
Trying to compensate for a recent hiatus of bicycle posts, we return to human powered transport with a non-bicycle (four wheels, not two) and a vehicle that is powered not by legs, but arms. No need to flex muscles pulling a rowing exerciser precisely nowhere. With the Champiot you can have a full upper body work-out, and go places at the same time. Take the gym outside (and we don’t mean like those poor souls aboard the Bus Bike). The manufacturers are so delighted with the health benefits of using a Champiot, they cite a long list of ailments it can reduce the suffering of. These include insomnia, gall bladder stones and even decreased sexual drive. A more obvious benefit is to those Treehuggers with paraplegia, or others who have diminished use of their legs, who still want the fun and exercise offered by people propelled machines. In case you were wondering, both the propulsion and the steering are achieved via the handlebars. Not a new thang, it was originally developed way back 1947. $600 USD.::Champiot...
The Other Side of the Coin
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.18.05
The link provided here will take
you to a Flash presentation.
It is as quiet, as it is provocative.
As gentle, as it is hard-hitting.
As tipster Gustav E pointed out, “It's a reminder of what remains to be done...” Go have a look for yourself.
::The Other Side of the Coin...
Compostmodern Design Conference
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 11.17.05
"Designers have a hand in creating virtually every product, artifact, and message we encounter in the world around us,” write the creators of the Compostmodern design conference, “yet collectively we are only beginning to see ourselves as agents of change.”
Compostmodern is a one-day conference pivoting around the role of graphic and industrial design in creating sustainable societies. Hosted by the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the Industrial Designers Society of America, the event will take place in San Francisco on Saturday, January 21st. ...
Eco-Toys from Finland
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.17.05
The Netto Collection is a collection of toys and furniture made with organic and eco-materials, and non-toxic finishes. This Portable Lapboard comes from Finland — it is made out of hardwood and includes chalk and eraser for $60. They also have brick-and-mortar stores in various cities. :: Netto Collection
...
Gingerbread Spice Air Freshener by Citrus Magic
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.17.05
Citrus Magic is a company that specializes in making a whole range of household products using citrus oils, and other natural ingredients. For this holiday season they released this air fresher than combines the scent of gingerbread with a hint of citrus. This product is 100% natural, hypo-allergenic, and packed in a non-aerosol container. It's priced at $9.95. :: Citrus Magic...
Holiday Gift Guide: Online Eco-Stores
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 11.17.05
The good news is that environmentally conscious stores and designers are popping up all over the place, but if you've done your homework and can't find a locally owned eco-store in your hometown try one of these excellent online shops. You may even find one of the great gifts from our Holiday Gift Guide!
3R Living - high quality eco-friendly, organic products and gifts.
Anna Sova - luxury organics.
Re:modern - one-stop source for friendly modern design.
Fresh Unlimited - organic gifts and organic gift baskets
GreenFeet - eco-friendly products for everyday living.
Hip & Zen - modern lifestyle products that nurture the body and soul.
IIKH Retail Store - eco-friendly products for bath and body, home, baby, pet, gourmet, and other specialty items.
Pangaya - organic and environmentally-friendly products of exceptional quality.
Vivavi - Eco-Design boutique where eco consciousness meets high design....
PowerEscape Insight: Increasing Data and Energy Efficiency
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.17.05
PowerEscape has come up with a very TreeHugger formula for their work. They create data efficiency technology with the goal of achieving higher software performance and lower power consumption, and have figured out a way to have one hand wash the other. Their latest tool, Insight, aims to reduce power consumption by improving the "data efficiency" of any given C-language code as it is being written. The company says improving data efficiency in the initial stages of development yields higher performance for the same amount of power (see the graph). So what does all that really mean? In multimedia applications like digital video, audio, telecommunications and networking, according to PowerEscape, access to memory trumps computation when it comes to the consumption of processor bandwidth and system power, because it has to move data through a "complex memory hierarchy." Insight makes this much more efficient by analyzing the code and finding the bottlenecks. While all this may not mean much to anyone who isn't a software developer, we do approve of this approach, and we like the payoff: increased efficiency means decreased power consumption, which means longer battery life and lower energy bills. Whether its the microprocessors we featured yesterday or this data efficiency tool, we're happy to see an improvement in the efficiency and consumption patterns of normal things that people use every day. ::PowerScape Insight via ::Make Magazine Blog...
It Slices, It Dices: Scando Family Table
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.17.05
The design of this Scando Family Table was inspired by the combination of Japanese living and watching how children relate to the floor in their daily activities. Eric Pfeiffer created a table that engages children and accommodates their activities, while addressing the needs of adults who want furniture that is well crafted and multi-functional. The design makes use of wood efficiently using a single sheet of molded plywood. It's priced at $315. :: ModernSeed
...
Carnival of the Green
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.17.05
The Carnival of the Green is organised by City Hippy and Triple Pundit. It is a roving digest of the green blogosphere. Just like a regular real carnival it roams around offering a sample of its world. Next monday, Sustainablog will be hosting the carnival. See this page for more information. :: Sustainablog...
Tired of Living on Earth? Build Your Own Island!
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.17.05
We couldn't make this stuff up: this man, Reishee Sowa of Puerto Aventuras, Mexico, apparently grew tired of trying to live self-sufficiently on dry land, and did what any of us would have done. He built his own island out of used pop bottles. 250,000 of them, plus some construction leftovers and bags of leaves, make up "his island," though he's quick to point out that it's technically not an island by traditional standards. "You see not even the president is allowed his own island in Mexico," he says, "but technically I don’t have an island, I have an eco space-creating ship."...
Huge Solar Plants With Stirling Engines
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.17.05
Stirling Energy Systems is planning to build two separate solar farms, one with the capacity to generate 500 megawatts of electricity in the Mojave Desert near Victorville, California, for SoCal Edison, and a 300-megawatt plant in the Imperial Valley, near Calexico, California, for SDG&E. The utilities have signed 20-year deals to buy all the energy the farms can turn out, and have options to expand the plants if they are successful. Instead of using panels of photovoltaic cells, Stirling Energy Systems uses 40-foot-tall curved dishes that focus the sun's energy onto Stirling engines (see this previous post for more information on Stirling Engines). :: Wired...
Ecological Footprint Quiz
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 11.17.05
We received the coolest thing in our daily bite today (see our original post on Ideal Bite). The topic was “Holiday Travel Offsets” and one of the links that they featured was My Footprint – an ecological footprint quiz that calculates how much “nature” your lifestyle requires. By clicking through the quiz you specify what country you live in and then answer a few different questions such as “How often do you eat locally,” “How much gas mileage does your car get,” and so on. The results are noted by how many planets it would take if everyone lived like you did. We like the caution note: “This quiz may surprise you, shock you or make you think. Please remain calm…but not too calm!” Thankfully ours wasn’t that overwhelming, but we admit we still have some changes to make. Via ::Ideal Bite ::My Footprint...
Arbor: Snowboards with a touch of Treehugger
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.17.05
We have put our summer toys away and look out the window, hoping for snow, that we may get on our snowboard and carve some hill. We sometimes think that driving our Subaru two hours to get electrically hauled up a hill to fly down a clearcut trail on artificial snow is not exactly treehugger correct, but for excitement it beats the crap out of cross-country. Imagine how much better we would feel if we were on an Arbor plank- they build boards with topsheets out of bamboo and other sustainable materials. Their environmental policy:
*Using forest products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
*Being conscientious about the environment in designing our products.
*Giving back to the environment and the environmental movement.
*Developing a diverse line of wood-top boards anyone would be proud to ride.
It is sort of like turning a Hummer into a 50's woody-wagon by putting bamboo on the sides- We can't defend the sport but it sure looks like a smooth treehugger ride. ::Arbor Sports via ::Hippyshopper We wrote about Arbor last January but they have nice new boards and it is a new season, so forgive the repetition. ...
Momotombo: Organic Chocolate from Nicaragua
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 11.17.05
IKEA Gets Worms
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.17.05
A while back Roger Gray wrote to us about a project he’s been involved with called ‘Red Tag’, which we’ll get to in an upcoming post. Anyhow, by the time we got around to visiting Roger’s EasyGreen blog we discovered he also had a lovely story about IKEA getting into vermiculture. We talked about their environmental policies back here. Now it seems IKEA, the state of llinois and New Horizon Organics, have got together for a composting trial, to feed worms the food waste from an IKEA store restaurant. The wormfarms are mobile, being created in two trucks, and parked in the loading dock. If the trials are successful, it will help IKEA move from 70% effective recycling, to their goal of 90%. ...
Eco-Boudoir : Say No More
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.17.05
We keep saying being green can be sexy. But Jenny White, founder of Eco-Boudoir doesn’t think sexy in a figurative sense, more the literal. “Like many people, I love to have luxuries in my home. But not at any cost. The more I looked into how luxury items are made the more convinced I became that there is a need for sustainability in this area.” Jenny has created a line of rugs, cushions, throws and ‘accessories’ suitable for Treehuggers who like to take their eco-values behind closed doors. The cotton is organic, the leather chromium-free from a closed loop tannery; the wool from free range; hormone and antibiotic-free alpacas; the silk created by wild Indian moths, that came to a natural end; and the furs are reused (which we initially took to mean from previous applications, although elsewhere on the site it mentions their furs are residual from meat production - a tad confusing.) Oh, and the cream on top (so to speak) is the inclusion of one our favs - bamboo fibre, for cushions. (Ps. It’s one of those Flash intensive sites) ::Eco-Boudoir via The Guardian Observer magazine...
Virgin To Do Aviation Ethanol?
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.17.05
Ever on the lookout for a marketing opportunity and bucking the status quo, Richard Branson, head honcho of the Virgin group, has announced his next likely venture: Renewable Jet Juice. "We are looking for alternative fuel sources. We are going to start building cellulosic ethanol plants (to make) fuel that is derived from the waste product of the plant," he said. "It is 100 per cent environmentally friendly and I believe it's the future of fuel, and over the next 20 or 30 years I think it actually will replace the conventional fuel that you get out of the ground." Currently there are four airlines under the Virgin banner, which gives a fleet of close to 100 aircraft, using about 700 million gallons (2,650 million litres) of fuel annually. ...
How to Make Treehugger Your Homepage
by Lindsey Lake, New York on 11.16.05
Making TH your homepage is simple and will allow you to easily access the latest Treehugger posts by just clicking your home icon! We've provided instructions below for anyone who needs assistance in setting this up. If anything is unclear, please email tech(at)treehugger(dot)com.
Choose your Browser:
IE FireFox/Netscape Other
Instructions on Making TH Your Homepage With Internet Explorer
On the top of your browser window find the Tools menu. Click on it, and on the dropdown that appears, click on Internet Options.
Next, in the window that appears you have two options. 1) If you are currently on the Treehugger.com homepage, you can click the Use Current button, and Internet Explorer will automatically take the page you are on and change your homepage to that page. Or, 2) if you want to make sure that TH is being made your homepage, type http://treehugger.com manually into the field and click Apply at the bottom of the window. Treehugger will now be your homepage!
Still need help? Email tech(at)treehugger(dot)com
Instructions on Making TH Your Homepage With FireFox/Mozilla/Netscape
In your browser locate the Tools menu at the top of your browser window. On the dropdown menu choose Options (the last item on the list).

Next, on the window that pops up, you can manually enter http://treehugger.com into the location field, or click the Use Current Page button. When finished, click OK and your homepage will now be Treehugger.com!
Another option, which is slightly quicker, is to click on a link to treehugger (like here), but instead of letting go, hold down your left mouse button and drag that link up to the home icon on your browser's address bar. This will prompt your browser to ask if you would like Treehugger to be set as your homepage, and clicking Yes will complete the process!
** NOTE ** Due to the customization options available for Firefox and Mozilla steps may vary
Still need help? Email tech(at)treehugger(dot)com
Instructions on Making TH Your Homepage With Other Browsers
If your using a browser other than those listed above, here are some tips on how to make TH your homepage.
In almost every browser you will have a row of options (menus) at the top of your browser's window. Like listed above, the one you will need to find is normally titled Tools. An alternative may be Preferences.
Once you locate your menu that stores the tools for your browser, you will need to look for a choice called Options or Preferences. A window will than pop up, where you can change settings for your browser. In most cases the option to change what your homepage is one of the first options that appears on the screen. If it is not, click the other tab options in that window until you find the one you are looking for. Once located you can type in http://treehugger.com into the field. Than you will need to find the option that tells the browser to save your changes (normally a button that will say Save, Done, Apply, or Ok).
Still need help? Email tech(at)treehugger(dot)com
Red Flag Design: Boat Sail Bags
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.16.05
Stuart Sproule and Barnaby Killam started Vancouver, B.C.-based Red Flag Design to create unique bags that more uniquely focus on the material and the construction process. Before starting production in 2004, they researched materials that held meaning other than simple aesthetics, materials that had history and stories embedded in them. The first such material they came up with was recycled boat sails (which is a topic we've covered before), and their line of AUM (Alternate Use Material) bags was born. Eight different designs are produced under the AUM line, from large duffels to purses and wallets, and each is super-functional and one-of-a-kind. Red Flag feels that because these materials were created solely with a specific function in mind, making them into something different transforms their previously functional attributes into elements of beauty. They have a snazzy new website, complete with an online shop where you can order your own; if you live in or around Vancouver, you can also find out where to go and get one in town. ::Red Flag Design...
Sun Microsystems Creates "First Eco-Responsible Microprocessor"
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.16.05
Sun Microsystems is touting its new UltraSPARC T1 processor as an industry first. While increasing speed and efficiency (it has support for up to 32 simultaneous threads, with eight threads executed per clock cycle, for anyone keeping score), the new processor also draws an average of about 70 watts, anywhere from half to a third of more traditional processors, which are typically between 150 and 200 watts. Since less energy means less heat, this also cuts down on the amount of cooling needed, which serves to further save energy. Sun claims that removing the world's Web servers and replacing them with half the number of UltraSparc T1-based systems would have the same effect on carbon dioxide emissions as planting 1 million trees. It expects to ship systems based on the processor by the end of the year. More information on the UltraSPARC can be found here, and info on all of Sun's environmental efforts is here. ::Sun UltraSPARC T1...
Toyota Takes Factory Efficiency to the Next Level
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11.16.05
Plenty of businesses encourage recycling and perhaps "green purchasing". Some, even a few of the big multinationals, are famed for their occasional green designs. We haven't seen many big companies, though, which continually green their designs, continually make more efficient operations, and empower employees to inspire. Although one anecdote does not make a trend, one of our "tipsters" has pointed out yet another example of Toyota going for the "Full Green Halo Effect". According to the greenouse seller "Growing Spaces", a Toyota Vehicle Manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky plans to use a 51 ft Growing Dome Greenhouse to show recycling of organic waste and efficient use of resources....
Julian Lwin's Urban Oasis
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 11.16.05
We liked (or was it love love loved) Julian Lwin’s Galapagos Table so much and we thought this was along the same lines. The Urban Oasis is such a cool and modern way to display your houseplants, especially if you’re living in a small place. The durable steel frame is fully recyclable and so are the aluminum steel pots. Packed in with your shipment will be a list of the best air purifying plants so you can filter all those common pollutants that develop in your home. ::Julian Lwin Design...
Deep Impacts: salmon farms threaten marine life and human health
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.16.05
Every year the kid from British Columbia's Wilderness Committee comes to the door, and every year we take some literature and give him a few bucks- they deserve it. This year the literature was about salmon farms, and everything we discussed in our previous post was barely an introduction. ...
Recycled Clothing by Hyena
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 11.16.05
One of our tipsters, Annalisa D., shops exclusively from independent designers and she told us that Hyena is one of the best that she’s found in a long time. She said that the quality of both purchases she has made has been fantastic so of course we went to check it out. Annalisa told us the recycled fabrics that Hyena chooses are quality and her designs seem to us to be clever and affordable and remind us somewhat of Preloved. We definitely like her concept but her store is still somewhat scarce (especially for those of us without a Greyhound) and we do hope that she plans to expand. Hyena’s online store can be found on Etsy, a site similar to eBay except that all items are handmade. ::Hyena...
Junk Mail Holiday Cards
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.15.05
After featuring a set of recycled holiday cards, we discovered that Green Field Paper offer a whole range of recycled cards on their web site — see all the cards here. They have a variety pack that contains eight 100% Junk Mail cards with assorted designs on each card, and matching recycled envelopes for $9.95. :: Green Field Paper...
"Weird Eco Habits" Contest: Send Us Your Entry
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 11.15.05
It is aobut time you got some recognition for your "weird" eco habits. TreeHugger and online retailer Greenloop have teamed up to do just that. Enter our "Weird Eco Habits" contest, and if your entry is the best/coolest/weirdest eco-habit we find, Greenloop will hook you up with a Loomstate T-shirt + Vy and Elle bag prize package. Go check out their website for exactly what is in store for the winner. To enter, all you need to do is write to us at: contest [at] treehugger [dot] com - and tell us what your "weird" eco habit is. Just make sure you get your entry in by November 25th! ...
Hemp Toiletry Bag
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.15.05
It's a durable toiletry bag made out of 100% sustainably grown hemp. The fabric is waterproofed, and the bag has many zippered pockets to organize all of your personal products. It also has a hook for hanging, and a small mirror inside. Available for $27.50 from GreenFeet. See also this smaller version from Hemp Goods for $9.50, and this travel case for $36.50....
100% Bamboo Crewneck by Bamboosa
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.15.05
Bamboosa is a comany that makes bamboo clothing in their factories in South Carolina (see this previous post for more info). They've just introduced some new colors for their women's bamboo crewneck: Chocolate Brown, Bamboo Green and Charcoal Black. The crewneck features reinforced taping in the neck and shoulders, double needle hem on the sleeves and bottom. It's priced at $26. :: Bamboosa...
Solar Energy Curtain
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.15.05
Created by Sweden-based Interactive Studios subsidiary Re:form, this modern window dressing builds up a charge during the day and uses embedded materials to provide illumination at night. The curtain is made with combination of cotton, solar-collecting and light-emitting materials. During the day, the shade can be drawn to collect sunlight. During the evening, the collected energy is expressed as a glowing pattern on the inside of the shade. :: Re:form via Engadget via Inhabitat...
Therapy In A Box Introduces Fair Trade Gift Baskets
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 11.15.05
Gift shopping is now on everyone’s mind for this coming holiday season (see TreeHugger’s holiday gift guide) and Therapy In A Box is giving shoppers the opportunity to give back. Their new Fair Trade Collection features recycled telephone wire baskets, which are handmade by the Zulu people of South Africa, and are available in four different themes that feature organic and all-natural products: “Imagine,” “Dream,” “Harmony” and “Kindness.” By purchasing one of these gift baskets, Therapy In A Box will donate 10% of this collection’s proceeds to A Bridge For Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting self sufficiency and the dignity of work in rural Africa. The donations pay the artisans a living wage and are also reinvested in further jobs, training and development. The gift baskets range from $86-$250. Thanks for the tip, green LA girl! ::Therapy In A Box...
T-Shirts by GrooveKing
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.15.05
GrooveKing prints simple designs on cotton T-shirts, which are made by American Apparel. The creators are a team of designers with backgrounds in product design, architecture, graphic design, and fashion. The shirts sell for $26 with free shipping. :: GrooveKing via Vestal Design...
Ski Green this Season with Clif Bar
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 11.15.05
With the alarming news that snowpack in the Western U.S. will diminish by 70% over the next 50 years and that some ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains will be shut down by 2050 (if global warming continues at its current rate), Clif Bar has announced that for the ’05-’06 winter season they will be launching a nationwide campaign to green the slopes at several ski resorts. The campaign consists of several different initiatives that Clif Bar is taking, the first being a partner with the 2006 Golden Eagle Awards program, which honors the nation’s most eco-friendly ski resorts. ...
The Julianica Chair
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.15.05
Wow...just when we thought we'd seen the pinnacle of recycled car seats turned into chairs with Anthony Pagani's Old Faithful-winning Audi driver's seat/office chair. This four-headed monster is the work of Javier Sanchez Merina, an architect and architectural design teacher at the University of Alicante in Spain. Apparently, after discovering that used BMW seats could be had for cheap from a local junkyard, he simply added an articulated joint and a couple of wheels, and the rest is history. The joint allows for a wide variety of configurations, from all four side-by-side to two each face-to-face to a round table of sorts, and the electric controls on each seat obliges the needs of each user with a custom "ride." We have to admire the remarkable ingenuity and versatility; even if it's a little industrial for everyday use. Quite an accomplishment nonetheless; more pics are available here. via ::Edgar Gonzalez Blog...
The TH Interview: ZeroFootprint CEO Ron Dembo
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.15.05
Dr. Ron Dembo is Founder and CEO of ZeroFootprint, a Toronto, Ontario-based organization created to build a marketplace for people worldwide to engage in sustainable commerce. Before founding ZeroFootprint, Dr. Dembo was President and CEO of Algorithmics Incorporated, an Enterprise Financial Risk Software Company. Prior to founding Algorithmics, he was a professor of Computer Science and Operations Research at Yale University.
CD: ZeroFootprint is just six months old. How has it gone so far? What successes can you report?
RD: We have found a large number of people are very receptive to our novel approach, which is unabashedly commercial yet done in a socially responsible manner. We are still in our infancy and expect to see an exponential growth in content in the near future and a growth in membership as a result of this.
Our current content, include the ZeroPages, which is a global directory of eco-friendly products, services and programs and ZFP, an online magazine of current motivational stories about people who are making a difference....
Kushtush Organic Bedding
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.15.05
Kushtush reckon they have everything “you need for the all-natural bedroom or nursery in fine organic cotton and organic wools, from bed pillows, organic cotton sheets, blankets, comforters, duvets and mattress pads, to hand made organic mattresses from Amish communities.” And the claim would appear to be accurate. A very focussed line of bedding and bathware, predominately from organic cotton. Kushtush are very proud of their ‘Made in the USA’ moniker too. But we did take a fancy to their 50/50 Certified Organic Merino Wool / Certified Organic Cotton Blankets. An unusual blend and encouraging for this writer to see Australia being creative in the supply of Merino wool (and importantly organic in this case) as normally our nuclear free neighbours in New Zealand are stealing our thunder (see the IceBreaker clothing line.) Strangely it is recommended you don’t immerse these blankets in water, but spot wash them ?! $150 USD for the Twin size. ::Kushtush...
CSIRO's On-Demand, Solar Powered, Hydrogen Device
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.15.05
It seems the crew in the white lab coats at CSIRO, Australia’s scientific research body, might read too many Arthur C. Clarke novels. But instead of just imagining a future world, they are attempting to build one. Now they have come up with a device about the size of a microwave oven that could be powered “... from a solar panel to extract enough hydrogen per day from water to power a family car for up to 150 kilometres [93 miles].” If that weren’t revolutionary enough, they figure they are only about 3-4 years away from a commercialised unit. (A financial partner is being sought). Apparently the hydrogen created by the ‘electrolyser’ has a long shelf life and can be converted to electricity as individual demand requires. This removes that oft quoted bugbear of a hydrogen economy - the roll out of an expensive new delivery infrastructure. Combined with photovoltaics, this electrolyser, could, if it fulfills its promise, offer a very decentralised energy system. The mind boggles. Via ::CSIRO online magazine Solve...
White Clover versus Fescue: A Cultural Examination of the Green Stuff
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11.15.05
Irv's food for thought provoked social unrest. It was break on my summer job, during which conversation had once again drifted to lawn care. Being something all the guys were thought to have in common, lawn care came up every week. One historic Monday, Irv could hold his silence no longer. "I had to re-seed my dandelions this weekend" he said. Stunned silence. "They all died..those beautiful yellow flowers died in the drought" he explained, his face in deadpan. Unbearable expressions from the rest of the crew sent us back early to our work stations that day. And so it goes wherever native grass flourishes, and even in places where it does not, like Arizona. Do something different to your lawn and others think you're crazy, even if the result is beautiful and, environmentally speaking, an improvement. Could we Americans finally be ready for some lawn variety? As if to anwer this question, the parties behind the "Oregon Hill Land Wars" have displayed true scientific and artistic bravery in removing all lawn grasses, sowing the yard with 16 pounds of White Clover seed. Unlike Irv's co-workers, the neighbors of the clover covered lawn appear not to have been offended. Green-think and common sense, it seems, has spread like clover in partial shade. For proof that cultural evolution can be occur in America, have a look at the blog which documents all the goings on....
Taking back the City: Newmindspace
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.15.05
Deforestation Slowing According to United Nations
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 11.14.05
Not that the world's forests are not still being destroyed at an alarming rate (not yet the time to stop hugging trees), but there is some good news for a change: "thanks to efforts in planting new trees and restoring degraded lands as well as natural [forest] expansion in some regions, the net loss is a little lower," said Mette Loyche Wilkie, co-ordinator of the agency's Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005. [...] An average 7.3 million hectares was lost annually over the last five years. This was down from 8.9 million hectares (22 million acres) a year between 1990 and 2000." That's almost a 20% improvement on average. Deforestation was most extensive in South America, where an average of 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres) were lost annually over the last five years, followed by Africa with 4 million hectares (9.8 million acres). ::BBC, ::Deforestation of Amazon 'halved'...
TreeHugger Holiday Gift Guide
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 11.14.05
Take a peek at our 2006 Green Gift Guide, too.
Many TreeHuggers feel conflicted about the holidays. Afterall, it is a season during which love and humble thankfulness are celebrated by careening madly around a shopping mall desperately consuming scads of (possibly useless) stuff. On the other hand; getting and giving gifts can be a lot of fun, especially when the presents are made by good people working to make the world a better place.
To help you in your quest to find organic chocolate for your vegan girlfriend, or eco-friendly golf tees for your not-so-vegan dad, or a hemp T for your fashionista sister; TreeHugger has put together an eco-gift guide to help you and your family have a greener holiday. We'll be adding new ideas throughout the season, but here's something to help you get a jump on your holiday green giving.
This guide is just a start, so please let us know some of your ideas for eco-friendly holiday gifts! And may your every wish come true…...
Hive Cubes by Boom Design
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.14.05
These "Hive Cube" shelves where designed by Craig Varterian for Boom Design. The system uses individual storage spaces connected via pins for infinite expansion. An eight cube stack is pictured here but a single Hive Cube can be used as a side table. Boom's wood products comes from sustainably managed forests, and the lacquers are all water-based. The Hive Cubes are available from Mod Living for $125 or PlushPod :: Boom Design...
Baltic Rocking Horse
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.14.05
This rocking horse is imported from Europe where it has been in production for over 50 years. It's made out of birch plywood and has a hand-painted face. It's more sustainable and less toxic and plastic rockers, and priced at $59. :: Offi
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Jute and Rattan Handbag
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.14.05
It's a handbag made out of renewable materials for $7. This shopping bag from Indian is made out of handcrafted jute and the handles are made with rattan. Nice gift. :: Overstock...
Recycled Glass Ornaments
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.14.05
These ornaments are made out of cut glass, which is reclaimed from glass factories around the he city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Cuenca is well known for handcrafts, and there the artists glue the pieces of recycled glass together to shape the ornaments. A piece of copper wire added to the edge for strength. Each set comes with six different figures, and costs $45. :: Overstock...
Bent Ply and Bamboo Serving Trays
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.14.05
The green serving tray seen here is from Urbana Design and is made of molded poplar with plywood feet. It's priced at $150. Compared to plastic or metal, wood is a far less energy intensive material to use in manufacturing of products like serving trays. It lends the piece an unique character too. Even better is the hand-made bamboo tray made of circular coils, available for $28 from Thousand Villages....
Re-f-use Revisited: 150 Examples of Sustainability
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.14.05
Re-f-use Revisited, a design exhibition featuring (you guessed it) approximately 150 examples of sustainable design, opened yesterday at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Running through December 13, the exhibition brings many different opinions and approaches to sustainability, from recycling to durability to the argument about which should be the focus during the design process. There are way too many great examples of sustainable design to mention them all, but after a quick glance, some TH favorites have made the cut, from Frank Gehry's Wiggle Side Chair to Herman Miller's Aeron Chair. The exhibition has been touring throughout Europe for over five years. More info on each of the cool designs and designer philosophies at the website. ::Re-f-use Revisited via ::Core77...
Seascape Lamps
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.14.05
Seascape Lamps features modern, minimalist lighting with a decidedly retro yet natural feel. Their collection combines materials like woven bamboo and rattan in the shades with simple, polished chrome or modern wood designs in the base to create a sleek, balanced look. Seascape encourage you to be creative, and mix and match from their varied collection, combining materials to build a lighting design that'll brighten any dark corner of your life. Whatever you choose, we encourage the use of a fluorescent bulb, to keep those energy bills low and your lamp happy for life. More info and e-commerce at their website. ::Seascape Lamps via ::design*sponge...
Bus Bike from Brazil
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.14.05
The cooling of coastal sea breezes or CO2 emitting air conditioning? The smell of the ocean and sea salt, or the sweaty stench of a dozen people crammed in a confined space? The squawk of a seagull and squeals of kids building sandcastles, or the exhaltations from a reincarnated PE teacher? The idea of riding an exercise bike inside a bus, as it drives past the beach is just so surreal it reminds me of a classic Michael Leunig cartoon. This conveyed the image of a character showing their child a gorgeous sunset on TV — while the real thing is happening right outside their window. (See a copy in a 2.8 MB pdf here ). Life does imitate art. If you must see more of this lunacy, get your Portuguese phrasebook out and head off to ::Bus Bike....
Biodiesel Feedstock Collected to Unplug London's Arteries
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11.14.05
Conventional practice for restaurant oil and grease waste is generally one of two things: either hire a service to haul off and "manage" the grease bin contents; or, sneak it down the drain. We home cooks follow suit. In fact we're probablly far worse for the environment by our actions. We either smuggle grease and oil to the landfill, in a jar, or pour it down the drain directly. The local result of grease pouring is shown in the picture. At the sewerage plant, further downstream, oil skimming and grease trapping are a basic part of the public employee's job, paid for by taxpayers. The oil and grease entering the sewerage plant either gets burned, producing C02, or "digested" by the sewerage bugs, which also produces C02. No matter how much grease reclamation happens, all the animal grease and plant oil purchased as food ultimately ends up being biologically or chemically oxidized. If not by our own metabolism, it happens by chemical or bacterial breakdown in sewerage systems and surface waters. ...
Portable Music Player Has Long Life Battery
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.14.05
Apple Computer has been threatened with lawsuits and harangued by weblogs for issues over the battery life and scratchablity of their iPods. All of which reinforces the notion that no matter how wealthy we might be, we’re rarely happy. Someone may have a spare few hundred dollars lying around to purchase one of those hot music players, holding thousands of songs and playing hundreds on a single battery charge, all the while being small enough to fit in their shirt pocket. But still they're not satisfied. They want to go sue someone or harass them. How solipsist. In much of the world, recorded music is an outright luxury. (For example, the US Dept of Ag reports (pdf) that, in some African states, household expenditure on food is 71% of total income, yet in the US it’s but 9%. So while this photo has been doing the email circuit under the caption of “Zimbabwean iPod?”, we may wish to temper our chuckles with the understanding that, according to Nationmaster, 70% of Zimbabweans live below the poverty line, compared to 12% in the US. If nearly 3/4ths of what you earn is being spent to simply feed you, then owning a rig like this probably way surpasses that Bang and Olfsen sound system some ‘westies’ might covet. In his own realm, the gentleman pictured here, may be richer than us all. ...
Pure Beauty - The Organic Pharmacy.
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 11.14.05
For those of you who are on a quest for the purest of all pure beauty products we think we may have found the Holy Grail for you! In a small corner of west London stands an inconspicuous looking store which, once you are on the inside, turns into a treasure trove of lotions and potions in their purest organic form. The Organic Pharmacy is a one-stop shop for the best in natural beauty and health care. Amongst other well known brands such as Dr Hauschka and Living Nature, they make their own brand, a comprehensive range which is hand made in small batches by the in-store homeopathic pharmacists.
The Pharmacy also has a health clinic where you can have a general health assessment, a skin consultation, and they can design a personal detox programme for you....
Recycled Communist Pre-fab: Conclus
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 11.14.05
Report: Whole Foods West Hollywood Lifestyle Store
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 11.14.05
We recently filled you in on Whole Foods' plan to open a lifestyle store in West Hollywood. None of us has checked it out yet, but tipster Erica was kind enough to investigate.
Clothing and accessories: "About half of the store is clothing - an decent selection of baby clothes (organic fabrics), tees, pants, jeans, handbags, even a few dresses. Most of it seems to be organic cotton and hemp; some of it is fair traded without green raw materials. They have a lot of companies represented including Gaiam (clothes and bedding), Ecolution (hemp bags), World of Good, many many others. There are some nifty handbags made out of recycled newspaper, old flip-top soda bottle caps, and soda can flip-tabs. The jewelry section is unimpressive; very hippy-dippy and not at all what styling Angelenos are wearing. Hopefully they will work on that."...
Urban Voids: Last chance to enter design competition
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.13.05
While cruising Inhabitat we stumbled over a link to a design competition to develop strategies for Philadelphia's forty thousand empty lots, the thousand acres of prime urban land that has "become one of the nation's foremost examples of urban abandonment and extensive sprawl." The missing teeth in so many urban centres seriously need fixing, and as the 'burbs become unsustainable such land will be an important resource. This is a very interesting competition- winners in phase 1 go on to receive $ 5,000 for Phase 2, Reconnecting the Lots Treehugger was late from the gates on this one- Registration closes at 5:00 EST on Monday November 14 so architects and urban designers, move quickly. ::Urban Voids...
Inhabitat on Green Roofs
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.13.05
Hotels Impressing Guests With Green Toiletries
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.13.05
The U.S. lodging industry consumes billions of bars of soap and bottles of bathroom amenities every year. Now one company, Pineapple Hospitality, is offering dozens of 100-percent biodegradable guest toiletries and other amenities. Apparently, hoteliers like the toiletries because the natural scents and ingredients tend to make an impact on guests. The products line which Pineapple Hospitality offers is called "Environmentally Sensitive Amenities", and it contains minimal preservatives, minimal labeling and are packaged in non-bleached natural board for easy biodegradation. :: Hotel News Resource...
Eco Twill Chambray by Park B. Smith
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.13.05
These "Eco Twill" curtains from Park B. Smith are made 100% cotton and dyed with plant and vegetable extracts. The cotton is not organic, but the curtains do make use of wooden buttons, and come a variety of natural colors. They are available for $19.99 each. The only organic cotton curtains we know of are made by Anna Sova. :: Amazon
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Electric Chain Saws
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.13.05
Electric chains saws are quite efficient devices when compared to conventional, gas-burning chain saws. Some advantages are: they are easy to start and stop, run quieter, and there are no fumes to inhale, fuel to add or spark plugs to maintain. They also tend to be two or more pounds lighter on average. Electric chain saws do have some drawbacks though: most notably, they are tethered to an electrical cord, so your working area is limited. They also tend to cut wood slower, and are not as suitable for felling large trees.
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Popular Science's Best of What's New: TimberSIL
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11.13.05
Popular Science recently published their Best of What's New 2005 — a round-up of what they consider the year's most innovative products. Grand Winner under the "Home Tech" category is a wood treatment system called TimberSIL. TimberSIL is a non-toxic, non-corrosive, fire retardant, arsenic free wood treatment that is also free of heavy metals. ...













