- 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 December 4, 2005 - December 10, 2005
Total this week: 94
MIEV: Mitsubishi Electric 4-wheel Drive Concept Car
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 12.10.05
With the Detroit Motor Show just a calendar page away, what alternative transportation concepts will join the Toyota Camry in the race for a new future? One hopeful contender from Mitsubishi will make its world premiere in Detroit: the Mitsubishi Concept-CT MIEV. Developed in California by Mitsubishi's American R&D arm, the CT MIEV(for Compact Technology Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle) is a 4-door, 4-passenger 4-wheel drive hybrid sportscar technology which relies on high density Lithium Ion batteries to drive in wheel motors at each wheel. The Concept CT MIEV benefits from a technology already in at least second generation development, having shown early successes in a 2-wheel drive version in the Colt model and passing road-testing of a more powerful version of the motor in a 4-wheel drive variation of the Lancer Evolution model. The options this technology could open to designers could really change the way we drive...
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More Photos of 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 12.10.05
Why is the 2007 Toyota Camry so exciting? Because it is the best-selling car in the US and many other countries, and for the first time it will be available with a hybrid drivetrain. It is probably the next big step in mainstream acceptance of fuel efficient, very low emission cars. We've been covering it fairly extensively lately (see links at the end of this post) and figured that it wouldn't hurt to show even more pictures, including of the interior. Don't worry, we're not turning into a car dealership; we just know that many people plan car-buying decisions ahead and that since information about the 2007 Camry hybrid is sparse at this time, that we should try to help people make informed decisions on whether to wait for it or not (and buy a Prius or Civic hybrid instead, maybe). A lot more below....
Root Basket of Organic Fruit
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12.10.05
We featured a root ball platter by VivaTerra previously. Now they are offering this unusual, hand-carved "root basket" made with reclaimed wood. It has a selection of 12 heirloom apples and pears inside. The fruit is grown on a farm in the Northwest — the apple are Braeburn, Fuji or Honey Crisp, and pears are Bosc, Bronze or Anjou Seckel. It's priced at $125. :: VivaTerra...
Solar-Powered Traffic Signs
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12.10.05
A Japanese company, Lintec Corp, is marketing solar-powered traffic signs. They are wireless, too, and supposedly save $2,800 on electricity over 10 years. The lights use LEDs, which means the bulbs don’t need to be changed for a decade. One other advantage is that the traffic signs will continue working if there's a power outage. Prices start at $960. :: Gizmodo via Groovy Green
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Shifting Into Green: A Holding Company For Green Design
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12.10.05
GreenShift Corporation recently launched an industrial design initiative to deliver cost-efficient and environmentally proactive 'greengineered' solutions. These services are administered by GreenShift Industrial Design Corporation ("GIDC"), a privately held GreenShift portfolio company. GreenShift expects GIDC to acquire, develop and market green technologies and to generate revenue initially from royalties, the sale of specific products and technologies, and greengineering services to third party clients. The current portfolio includes investments in several "green" enterprises. One of them disributes carbon nano-tubes, as represented in this graphic. See the full list below....
MotherPlants- a Supplier of Plants for Green, Living Roofs
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12.10.05
We love green roofs but have a short attention span, so this is an idea whose time has definitely come- A nursery devoted to growing plants specifically for green roofs. "We specialize in the drought-tolerant, shallow rooted species adapted to extensive and semi-extensive green roofs. We have many species of plug-size plants in stock, and are happy to custom grow any species not in stock, for your project." Based in upstate New York, They deliver to Eastern Canada, New England or New York on the day you need them. They are "committed to running an environmentally sustainable business, which uses renewable energy, environmentally benign growing practices, is a committed member of local community, and provides a good livelihood for its employees." Instant green roofs- What a wonderful idea. ::MotherPlants via ::Groovy Green...
Silk Purses from Sow's Ears: Denim Pine
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12.10.05
It is not quite as cold as it used to be in British Columbia, and the Mountain Pine Beetle has moved north to devastate the lodgepole pine forests, where a billion cubic metres of timber are at risk. As the trees die from the beetle infestation, the wood is stained blue by an associated fungus and deemed unmarketable- there is talk of chipping it for a new biofuel plant. Others are trying to make a virtue of necessity- they have labelled it "Denim Pine" and suggest that "It died from natural causes. In fact you'd be helping clear the way for new growth, Employing the local communities of those hardest hit by the beetle's wrath, and helping develop an even better rainforest for our children's children's to enjoy." We find the idea interesting- log homes have always seemed untreehugger to us but if it is already dead, that is another story. It worked for the Chinese Gooseberry (kiwifruit) worked too well for the Patagonian Toothfish (Chilean Sea Bass) why not rebrand beetle and fungus infested lumber? Low rent website at ::Denim Pine ...
Canadian Oil: At What Price?
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 12. 9.05
Most of you are already aware of the damage caused by the burning and the extraction of oil (like the apprehended damage caused by extraction in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, for example). But what about the famous Canadian tar sands? After only two years of digging for bitumen near Fort McMurray in Alberta, Shell has already dug up a pit that is as much as three miles wide and 200 feet deep. 400-ton trucks, said to be the largest in the world, are used to move around all that dirt, and it takes a lot of it since on average 2 tons of tar sand are required to make 1 barrel of oil....
Anglesey Sea Salt Co. is Soil Association Certified
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 9.05
Thought I might’ve found our first Welsh TH product post, but no, we’ve been there once or twice already. Anyhow, Halen Môn is a traditionally harvested sea salt, that is processed free of additives and contaminants in such a fashion that it has been awarded the coveted Soil Association ‘Certified Product’ Status. The SA is the preeminent organic certifing body in the UK, but as salt is not an agriculture product it can’t strictly be called ‘organic’, so this is the next best thing. Halen Môn retains the “natural trace elements that are present in seawater. Principally, these are magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium and iodine...” Anglesey Sea Salt Co. suggest that common table salt normally has the additives magnesium carbonate and sodium hexacyanoferrate II, which although help keep the salt dry, mean the trace elements are less readily absorbed by the body. They further observe that many peoples intake of salt is 3 times that of what the body needs. ::Anglesey Sea Salt Company....
Roo Poo is “State of the Ark” from Creative Papers
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 9.05
This cherub-like wallaby may just be more industrious that he first appears. He might in fact, be a mobile papermaking factory for a company in Tasmania. Inspired by elephant poo paper (which we noted in our mega recycled paper Q&A), the company has been using the efficient digestive systems of kangaroos and wallabies to help produce paper pulp (see pics). It comes out a blue/grey colour, and is blended (20%) with recycled cotton pulp to produce a much sort-after handmade paper. Creative Papers also use recycled cotton from denim jeans, also well as flax, mosses and native leaves from more exotic trees like Celery Top and Huon Pine. The company started as a work creation program, employing local people, and have since been exporting to the world. (At one point supply did not meet demand for the roo poo paper, so they put out an all-points-bulletin for people to donate bags of the scat!) And now for Sydney's famed Taronga zoo, they are indeed making a paper from their heffalump’s droppings. In recent announcements they will even be making a paper from beer, for a nearby brewery. Handmade, local, recycled, natural, attractive. All worthy TH qualities. ::Creative Papers....
Cool Prefab Homes from Iceland
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 9.05
Inhabitat recently featured these modern prefabricated homes from Iceland. They are designed by Glama-Kim, an architecture firm based in Reykjavik. Their Summerhouse (seen here) is comprised of two prefab structures. The main structure contains an open living and dining area, and the smaller structure is a bedroom. The home also features an outdoor hot tub, deck and pergola. ...
How to Protect Your Natural Fiber Shower Curtain
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 9.05
A natural fiber shower curtain is a smart alternative to toxic PVC curtains. (See this previous post for a guide to natural options). One problem though, is that the natural fibers tend to be susceptible to mold. If are lucky enough to have a hemp curtain, you'll find that hemp is more mold-resistant. However, if you need some extra protection against mold you can try applying some Water Shield from AFM Safecoat. This water sealer does not off-gas and protects the fabric against water. Apparently a "beeswax emulsion" works as well. :: AlerG
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Recycled Rays: Liquor Bottle Lights
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 9.05
There aren't that many opportunities to blend your affinity for liquor with interior lighting solutions. Enter Recycled Rays, a small Illinois-based company that makes accent lights from recycled booze bottles. We've covered this kind of thing before, though haven't run across many with this kind of branding. It might make a fun gift for the martini enthusiast on your list; there are myriad other bottle options for any rum, tequila or wine drinkers out there. More of a single malt fan? They've got those too, though the Vox bottle is our favorite for its lines and groovy reflection patterns. There is a 20 percent discount available for all Recycled Rays products if you link from Just What I Wanted. Price varies by bottle; Vox Vodka is US $37, available at their website. Thanks to Ryan for the tip! ::Recycled Rays via Just What I Wanted....
Hand-Cranked LED Spotlight
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 9.05
Well, we've covered hand-powered LED flashlights previously. But what we've got here is a hand-cranked spotlight with no less than 16 LEDs. The spotlight has a 6V battery than can be recharged in three ways: through a regular 120V socket, a 12V DC cigarette-style socket, or the crank generator. One minute of cranking will provide 3 minutes of light. :: Amazon and Sportsman Guide...
The Sarkis Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion at Hackensack University Medical Center
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 9.05
Opening this weekend, December 11th, the Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey is “introducing the hospital that will change hospital environments forever.” A huge insert was included in the New York Times this week that described it in the fullest of details. When building the new Sarkis Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, the Center realized that constructing and operating a building with environmental hazards can possibly result in basically a building that made people sick. And since they are dedicated to making people healthier, they wanted to create an environment that would heal. The new hospital not only meets U.S. Green Building Council guidelines for LEED but far exceeds them. They’ve installed systems that save energy and promote clean air and water and they also use environmentally responsible cleaning supplies, linens, medical equipment and even food for the patients. Specific examples include: formaldehyde-free wooden toys and PVC-free plastic toys for children, establishment of a rooftop garden to generate energy savings, cotton insulation made from pre-consumer recycled denim jeans and power receptacles are available in the parking garage for alternative power vehicles. And that’s just to name a few! These folks sure are an inspiration – too bad we’re so far away for when we get sick. ::Hackensack University Medical Center...
Unofficial Specifications for 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 12. 9.05
We've got our hands on some unofficial information about the 2007 Toyota Camry, including the hybrid version. If we were a big newspaper we probably couldn't publish this without confirmation, but since we are a blog and we'll find out soon enough if we were right anyway (Toyota debuts the 2007 Camry on January 6th 2006), we think we can get away with a disclaimer. Below the fold is what we got our hands on....
David Trubridge: Designing with Morality
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 9.05
New Zealand-based designer David Trubridge is a good example of why TreeHugger does what it does. His furniture and lighting designs are functional without being boring, sensually pleasing without being ostentatious and designed with respect for its relative eco-impact. He primarily works with wood, and is careful to design his pieces to minimize the volume of material and the impact of the construction and finishing process while maintaining his smooth aesthetic appeal. In addition to showcasing his work, his website is full of some poetic musings about the way he wants the world to work, and the change he wants to leverage through his own designs. Here's a sample: ...
Instant Survey: Recognizing Celebrities with Green Ideals
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 9.05
Google Does Public Transit
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 9.05
Google recently launched a new service called "Google Transit". The service is intended to make it easier to navigate public transportation systems. It cuts through the hassle of wading through various timetables and maps. Instead, you can just type your start and end addresses (and a time, if you like). In response, the system will tell you where to walk and what buses or trains to take. Right now, it only covers Portland, Oregon. But Google says other cities will be added soon. ...
King Coal Rules Down Under - And Over Here, And ...
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 9.05
From the Austrialian publication "World Today" we have this excerpt of a recent interview with the Australian Environment Minister Ian Campbell, who was speaking from the Climate Convention in Montreal. The reporter introduced the subject thusly: "...the energy sector continues to be the nation's [Australia's] biggest polluter, and ... it's increasing its emissions by 30 per cent –from 286 mega tonnes in 1990 to 414 mega tonnes in 2010. Electricity use is the most significant source, ahead of transport". Reply by IAN CAMPBELL: "No, I think Australians should not be concerned about that, because we are a growing economy. We've got a growing population. The population's going to grow by roughly 30 per cent from 1990 through to the year 2021. All of those people are going to want reliable energy supplies"..."The challenge for the next few years is to find out how we can create an ever increasing amount of energy, but with much reduced greenhouse gas emissions". Australia, China, and the US, plus a few other coal-dependant nations, have initiated a separate non-binding climate agreement as an alternative to the targeted Kyoto Convention approach embraced by the rest of the world. ...
Turner Prize goes Treehugger: Shedboatshed
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 9.05
There is a lot to like about this year's Turner prizewinner: Simon Starling's winning project was a wooden shed that he found on the banks of the Rhine, rebuilt into a boat and paddled to Switzerland. He also built a hydrogen powered motorized bicycle and rode it across the Spanish desert, painting a watercolour of a cactus with the water produced as exhaust. For his next project, he wants to drop a Henry Moore sculpture into Lake Ontario for six months so that it will get covered in Zebra Mussels. "Like the mussels, Moore's sculpture arrived on the shores of Lake Ontario via boat. British cultural legacy in the colonies is thus likened, metaphorically, to the invasive incursions of the dreaded bivalves." Art. Humour. Politics. Environment. What's not to love? ::Simon Starling via Guardian thanks, tipster Carl...
Real Estate 101: Greed, Stupidity and Government
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 9.05
Here is a remarkable story about greed and stupidity: Topsail Island in North Carolina is a sandbar, coming and going with the tides and the weather. Nobody with a brain in their head would build there but the government builds roads and provides flood insurance so the developers move in and sell houses to people who ultimately can turn to the government to bail them out when the next hurricane washes their house away. Real estate development cannot exist without government infrastructure investment- the roads, the services, the sewers and water. Where we live everyone complains about sprawl but there wouldn't be any if the government had not built a pipe you can drive a bus through to carry crap and dump it into Lake Ontario. In North Carolina they are building hurricane bait knowing full well that it is a good investment, Uncle Sam will back them up. Enough. The Wall Street Journal often gets it wrong but didn't this time. ::Wall Street Journal...
Orlando Bloom, Kevin Bacon and Mischa Barton star in Global Warming campaign.
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 12. 9.05
Climatestar.org have hit the celebrity jackpot! Rather than shocking us into action with dramatic photos of environmental disasters: burning forests or oil slicked seas, they have enlisted the smouldering good looks of Film and TV stars for a new awareness raising campaign on Global Warming. Orlando Bloom, Kevin Bacon, Mischa Barton, Josh Jackson and Jorja Fox are just some of the big names lending their services. Each of their posters addresses a particular issue related to the environment. Mischa asks us to ‘clear the air’, referring to the 6 million kids in the US with asthma which will be made worse by global warming. Kevin is saying ‘six degrees can make a world of difference’, referring to the prediction that global warming will raise the earth’s temperature by six degrees in our children’s lifetime. Josh is looking suitably hunky, but vulnerable next to a sapling, asking us to protect our trees, and we really dig the sexy photo of Orlando Bloom which in bold type says NOT COOL. ...
Peruvian Mundo Hemp Concept Store
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 12. 9.05
It might sound odd with all the hemp we’ve covered here and all the development this fiber has in North America an Europe, but in Latin American countries, hemp is not such a known resource and still many people associate it to drug consumption. That’s why the work of organisms like Mundo Hemp is so important. Mundo Hemp is a concept store in Cusco, Peru, which was born out of the need to introduce hemp as an alternative natural and renewable commodity. Here people can learn about this plant and buy clothing and house accessories produced in association with Mama Oqllo community, which colours hemp fabrics following the ancient techniques with local plants and herbs. Plus, they can taste food, soups and sweets elaborated with hemp flour and oil mixed with organic products. At the end of the day, a percentage of the store sales are dedicated to finance projects and information campaigns to make people aware about hemp. To know more about this place and their products, e-mail them at info [at] mundohemp [dot] com, or if you are in Cusco, step by Qanchipata 596 (San Blas, Cusco). ::Mundo Hemp ...
ZENN: A Low Speed Vehicle
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 8.05
Feel Good Cars, based in Toronto, Canada, has just started to market their low-speed electric vehicle known as ZENN, which stands for "Zero Emission, No Noise". The top speed of this electric car is 25 MPH and its range is 40 miles. ...
SmartWool Merino Hiker Socks
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 8.05
SmartWool is a company that specializes in creating 100% merino wool activewear. They are actively encouraging the ethical treatment of sheep — see this previous post for details on their attempts to end "mulesing". These socks from Smartwool are made of 73% merino wool (the rest is nylon and elastic). The sock's fibers will pull moisture away from the foot keeping it dry. You can also wash and dry this sock in a machine and it will not shrink. Available for $12.76 from ProLiteGear....
Recycled "Honeycomb" Bowls
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 8.05
Here's a good example of recycling with a modern aesthetic. These attractive "Honeycomb" bowls are crafted out of recycled metal. We aren't told what type of metal, but I'm guessing it's iron or copper. The price ranges from $46 to $89. :: Vivaterra...
Restaurant of the Week: Blue Hill at Stone Barns in NY
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 8.05
Located in Westchester County, New York, Blue Hill is a unique restaurant in the beautiful setting of the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a non-profit farm and educational center. Stone Barn’s mission is to “demonstrate, teach and promote sustainable, community-based food production.” The farm is open year-round and even produces food during the winter months in their greenhouses. That means that Blue Hill’s menus are designed around the seasonal ingredients that are grown on the farm as well as from other farms in the area. Everything is not only fresh, but local as well. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday and you can create your own dining experience by choosing from a variety of courses on their prix-fixe menu. The farm’s café, Blue Hill Café, offers snacks and farm fresh lattes for hikers and families that have visited the farm for the day. The working farm is open to the public and people are encouraged to visit and take in this unique experience and learn about farming firsthand. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Thanks for the tip, Sarah F.! ::Blue Hill at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture...
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid to Debut In January
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 12. 8.05
Finally, details on the 2007 Camry hybrid are coming! We have already said that we expect the Camry hybrid to use a 4-cylinder engine and we have posted the first photos of next generation Toyota Camry, and now Toyota has announced the world premiere of the car: "the all-new 2007 Camry mid-size sedan and the much-anticipated Camry Hybrid [will be unveiled] at a press conference at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit." The press conference will be held on Monday, January 9 at 1:20 PM and a video of it will be available on the official Toyota website....
Leonardo DiCaprio's Latest Eco-project: Global Warming Documentary
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 12. 8.05
Leonardo DiCaprio is teaming up with Tree Media Group to produce a documentary about global environmental issues. TMG is a production company formed with the mission to use media to support and sustain civil society. The feature length film, 11th Hour focuses on global warming and solutions to the climate change crisis. The movie is set to be released in Fall of '06. Too bad the good news appears to be overshadowed by the Sienna hubub (though in my book two eco-celebs hooking up can only be a good thing). Via Earth Times ...
"Weird Eco Habits" Contest: Voting Ends Tuesday
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 12. 8.05
Voting ends Tuesday, December 13th, for our"Weird Eco Habits" Contest, so vote for your favorite below (and feel free to comment telling us why)! If you can't get enough of TreeHugger contests, be sure to check out our December contest: "Reader Gift Guides". Those entries, as always, go to: contest [at] treehugger [dot] com. Please vote fot your favorite "Weird Eco Habits" finalist.
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Product Review: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 8.05
Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products are based on a simple, easy-to-follow mantra: keeping things clean is easy, you just need the right soap, and they believe to have created it. We've mentioned them before, and recently had the opportunity to put the mantra (and the cleaners) to the test, and they all did quite well. First, though, there are a few things we all should know about the products....
Flexible, Ultra-Thin Solar Panels for Hybrids by Solatec
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 8.05
Solatec LLC has introduced rooftop-mounted flexible photovoltaic panels to help recharge the batteries in hybrid cars, so long as the sun continues to shine. The panels are very thin (just 0.6 mm thick) and conform to the contour of the vehicle, so aerodynamic drag is not affected. The kit for the model year 2004-2006 Toyota Prius is the first to be produced, though Solatec claims a Civic hybrid version is on the horizon. The manufacturer-rated output power for both panels is 30 watts; this translated into an average fuel economy increase of 10 percent in a prototype, though the "four season" test is still pending. As with everything solar, there will be differences between radiation-friendly places and more sunshine-challenged locales. The kit costs $2,195 and will be available at dealer franchises across the US. ::Solatec via ::Green Car Congress...
Designing Buildings to Help People Fight Flab (and Save Energy)
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 8.05
Looking at the picture in Mike's Post yesterday, we are not surprised that Mazda has to pay people to walk to work- it looks like a typical suburban building surrounded by parking. Architects, owners and planners should be looking at ways to encourage people to walk rather than take the elevator or drive, through design innovation. Some are: "Buildings have long been designed so people can get from one place to another with minimum physical effort. Now, in a bid to fight a rising tide of obesity, companies, universities and other institutions are embracing the opposite idea: buildings that force employees to move around a lot more." In most buildings, stairwells are built to mandated fire code minimums and not particularly attractive. It is time that architects insisted on bright, beautiful and comfortable stairs as convenient alternatives to elevators; Its time they stopped placing buildings as isolated blocks surrounded by parking so that people can actually walk somewhere. Then people won't have to be bribed. ::Wall Street Journal...
Bamboo Bike by Calfee Design
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 8.05
If someone gave you the instructions: “occasional wiping down with a furniture oil is advised to maintain the beautiful finish”, you would hardly think they were referring to your bicycle. But such is the suggestion from Calfree Design of California. What began as a publicity stunt nearly a decade ago, found favour with staff and friends and would become a standard line in the range, with 3 models of bamboo bike frames. It seems that the limited supply Black Bamboo used in these bikes offers “Amazing Vibration Damping. Even better than Carbon fiber.” All the while providing good stiffness in a frame weighing a paltry 4 lbs (1.8 kg). Of course there is no such thing as a free lunch, and a bamboo frame will have you writing a cheque for $2,695 USD. But this is mid range for the custom frames that Calfee build. ::Calfee Bamboo Bikes...
Some Sound Ideas: Ecological Art
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 8.05
If you are in Toronto tomorrow visit Some Sound Ideas- a few ecological art, design, fashion and food solutions. Suzanne McKeag makes picture frames from "Green MDF" finished with non-VOC paints.::Magneadesign Silvana Bruni, who is also a drummer, uses battered drumheads and reinvents them. ::silvanabruni.com, Esther Parry and Amanda Sissons are thinking about new ways of dying fabrics to make heathier clothing, and the Golden Orchard will feed you with healthy organic fruit and veggies. all at 218 Close Avenue in Toronto, Friday at 7:00....
Tree2mydoor — Give the Gift that Gives
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 8.05
‘Tis the season for gift giving. But there are some gifts that just keep on giving, long after you have passed them over. Plant a tree, and for decades, if not centuries, it gives shade, habitat, oxygen, carbon sequestering, a sustaining water table and much more. Even in it’s afterlife it can yield up quality building materials, fuel, mulch, and eventually even soil. (Is it any wonder we like hugging the things?) Tree2mydoor reckon they are so great, they’ll deliver planting-ready trees directly to happy recipients. Cut flowers might be aesthetically pleasing, but for say £22 you could be giving an Oak tree, which if nothing else, will provide cool, beautiful, dappled light on a hot, globally warmed day. If you do have to give flowers consider their containers of native wildflowers. And they also offer corporate promotion packs as well. (Could this foretell the demise of the monogrammed golf ball? Oh, please, may it be true.) Currently just in the UK, Tree2mydoor want to stretch their limbs into “mainland Europe, North America (USA and Canada) as well as Australia and New Zealand.” ::Tree2mydoor...
Gau Designs: Sinks that Grow
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 8.05
We often fret about what is growing in our sink; Jean-Michel Gauvreau revels in it. He designs magnificent Zen Garden Sinks where the waste water feeds the plants growing alongside. Plant some spearmint and you can make your own toothpaste. ::Gau Designs via ::Inhabitat...
Get Newsfeeds on Your Toilet Paper!
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 7.05
With this gadget you'll be able to read Treehugger posts before you wipe! Created by Yi Tien Electronics, this device hooks up to your computer wirelessly, and prints random RSS posts right to your toilet paper. Whats the eco aspect here? Well, it's printing on paper that you'll be flushing (or composting) anyway. It also integrates “biometrically” with your toilet bowl. When you sit, it’ll weigh you, and according to the result, deliver your customized feed. Some say it's fake, who knows? :: Teapot The Cat via OhGizmo!...
Un-TreeHugger: The Inverted, “Trendy” Christmas Tree
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 7.05
Has anyone else heard this crazy talk about the hottest new upside-down Christmas tree “trend?” We’ve seen the pink trees, the snow-covered trees and aluminum trees and while reading the morning paper we came across this headline and was so astonished we wanted to write about it. Apparently stores that carry these new inverted, artificial trees can’t keep them in stock. They are designed to fight gravity and keep their umbrella shape, whether it hangs from the ceiling or sits in the stand for a floor display. However strange this trend may be though, this isn’t the first time it’s been done. Germany hung their trees upside-down back in the 12th century to represent the Holy Trinity. ...
Soybu Micro Chenille Throw
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 7.05
The Colorado Trading Company has created a fabric they call "Soybu" which is a blend of bamboo fiber and soy fiber. The fiber feels like cashmere — it's soft and buttery. There are two Soybu products available so far: this Soybu Blanket Throw and a Soybu Micro Chenille Robe. The blankets are priced at $65. :: Colorado Trading Company...
Taiwan's EPA Launces Eco-Friendly Product Web Site
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 12. 7.05
Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) recently partnered with the Consumer Foundation to launch a green products site. The EPA has been encouraging the development of environmentally friendly products since 2002 when they initiated a program to provide a green consumption label to products that passed the screening process. Sales of these products have not done as well as the EPA had hoped, but they believe that by providing a unique Web site devoted to environmentally-friendly items they will help drive the market. The site features business equipment such as CCD projectors, home electronic devices such as air conditioners, cleaning products and various building materials. Over three thousand products, offered by over thirty manufacturers, will be available at a discount during the first week of Web site operation. Via Taiwan Headlines ...
TreeHugger Contest: Reader Gift Guide
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 12. 7.05
All this month, TreeHugger has been bringing your our favorite green gift ideas in the Holiday Gift Guide. Now, it is your turn to tell us what your gift list is. Our contest this month involves searching TreeHugger and finding three gift ideas for friends/family. When you compile a list, send it to us at: contest [at] treehugger [dot] com along with a link to each TreeHugger post and a short description of what makes each gift worth giving. The TreeHugger staff and several of our friends will select the gift lists that best exemplify the TreeHugger spirit of green, modern, and interesting - and let our readers decide the winner. You have until December 16th!...
Sustainable Pop-Up Cards from Nepal
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 7.05
These pop-up cards are hand-made with paper with Daphne Bark. The trees are harvested from a managed forest in the hills of Nepal. The product is manufactured by artisans in the town of Bhaktapur. Proceeds from the sales are used for community development activities under a Community Development Program initiated by UNICEF/Nepal. They are priced at $3 each or $17 for 6, and include envelopes. :: Taraluna...
Instant Survey: Do You Wear Patchouli?
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 12. 7.05
Introducing Pro'tech'd: Launch Party in NYC tonight!
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 7.05
Pro'tech'd (say "protected") is a new company that's happy to be launching its first product tonight, and you're invited! Supporting their mission to create and distribute well-designed sustainable consumer products and create economic opportunities for women in developing countries, "Cozy" is designed to snuggle right up to your iPod and keep it safe from scratches, bumps and bruises. If you've got an iPod, they've got one to fit it, from Shuffle to Photo iPod, and each one in between (this is the second such groovy iPod holder we've seen recently). No need to undress, unless you want to; Cozy allows easy access to all features.
For any NYC TreeHuggers looking for something to do tonight, consider heading on over to Mannahatta at 9 pm for drink specials, live music from Damn Good Noise and the chance to walk away with an iPod Shuffle dressed in a Cozy. It's also your first chance to get one; they'll be on sale for 15 percent off. For anyone that can't make it tonight, Cozy will be available at the website soon. ::Pro'tech'd...
Shitake Mushrooms make Gourmet Biofuel
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 7.05
We often make fun of ethanol as a less-than-zero sum game, but people keep trying. In the forest, Shitake mushrooms produce an enzyme that dissolves wood, turning it into sugars that they feed on and creating rich soil. In the lab, scientists at the US Department of Agriculture have isolated the gene that creates the enzyme, and GM'ed a yeast to produce it. They hope that it can be used to digest rice hulks and harvest leftovers to make lots of ethanol. And, it may make an interesting risotto.::Renewable Energy Access...
Mazda Employees Encouraged To Walk
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 12. 7.05
Japanese automaker Mazda is recommending to its employees to walk to work rather than Zoom-Zoom their commute by car as part of an effort to improve their health and protect the environment. Small allowances of 1,500 Yen (12$) per month will be given to employees living more than 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) away from the office and walking a round-trip of 4 kilometers (2.48 miles) at least 15 times a month. It is permitted to take the train or bus as long as you get off far enough to fulfill the distance requirements. The monetary allowance might seem small, but we suspect that the fuel-money saved (gasoline is not cheap in Japan) and the health benefits add up to a significant difference, not to mention that it's good for good ol' Nature. A while ago we wrote about something similar: Yamaha Pays Employees to Leave the Motorcycle Home. ::Mazda Recommends Employees Walk to Office, ::Jalopnik...
Straw Ornaments
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 7.05
Ornaments don't get much more renewable than this. These ornaments were inspired by a tradition in Sweden that dates back hundreds of years, when seasonal straw ornaments were first used to symbolize fertility. The collection comes in a reusable storage and gift box. A set of 18 is priced at $16. :: VivaTerra...
Prego Does Organic
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 7.05
When we featured Ragú’s Organic Sauces a few months back a few of our readers wrote to say that Prego had started doing the same. Well we saw a commercial on TV last night for Prego’s new organic sauces and thought we’d go to their site to check out what they had to say. We have to admit that we were a little disappointed. Unlike Ragú’s campaign, Prego’s is a little more subtle. We liked how Ragú had educational information on their site about organic foods and they did a good job of marketing their newest venture. Prego does have nutrition facts for their two new organic sauces (Organic Mushroom and Organic Tomato & Basil) but that’s about all they can offer. And yet another big company jumps on the organic bandwagon, but our readers seemed to like Ragú’s sauce so we were curious how it stood up to Prego’s. Has anyone taste-tested it by chance? ::Prego...
Tree Ornaments from Old Lightbulbs
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 7.05
What do you do with your old lightbulbs when they burn out? (and you replace them with compact fluorescents, of course...) You could save them to stomp on at Jewish weddings or you can throw them out, or you could paint them and make charming tree ornaments, like these you can buy from ::3Rliving via ::Great Green Goods Any other good ideas? ...
SoyGuard® Premium Water Repellant & Wood Sealer from BioPreserve
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 7.05
Here's a soybean oil based wood sealer formulated with a small amount of recycled polypropylene. What makes this formulation especially interesting is that over 90% of the product is derived from soybean oil, in the form of "methyl-soyate", a co-product of biodiesel manufacture (see below for details). The sealer formulator/distributor, SoyGuard®, reports that it's "Premium Water Repellant & Wood Sealer products...[were] developed to provide superior protection for exterior wood against water, swelling, warping, and weathering. Patented clean air formulas contain methyl soyate, a natural solvent derived from soybean oil that deeply penetrates the wood surface and encapsulates wood cells with a protective coating of recycled polystyrene". On-line distribution price is listed at about US$30/gallon. We assume that the "clean air formula" description refers to the product not containing sufficient amounts of photo-chemically reactive volatile organic carbon (VOC) to contribute to ground level ozone formation. This makes it interesting for finishing off all those lovely pre-manufactured homes that TreeHugger loves to post about....
DIY iPod Bicycle Charger
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 7.05
A while back we brought you news of Geek Technique’s DIY Wind-up iPod Charger. Now Mark Hoekstra is back, with a further adaptation of the concept. This time he takes a notebook battery, a mouse, a bicycle dynamo and sets out to fashion himself a bicycle charger for his iPod mini. Does it work? Well, not at first, but Mark is persistent and eventually gets a positive result and his testing continues on. Check out the multitude of pics portraying how he fabricated this little wonder. ::Geek Technique...
Women & Cycling Calendar
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 7.05
Here is yet another great bicycle calendar from the Community Bicycle Network. The best entries in a poster competition have been printed "by our friends at Warren's Waterless Printing on recycled paper through their patented waterless process" as a fundraiser for CBN in Toronto. CBN does a lot to promote women and cycling- look at their Wenches with Wrenches program. Buy online from ::Community Bicycle Network or ::Grassroots also found on ::Spacing Wire, a fabulous new blog on Toronto....
Stop the Net: New campaign from the WWF
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 7.05
We have advertiser supported garbage cans in our city (um, what do we pay taxes for?) usually banal and about real estate or public service announcements. However we had to shoot a crappy Treo picture of the new World Wildlife Fund campaign to eliminate bycatch. It is very clever- under each of the usual slots they label Sea turtles, sea birds and fish, with the tag line "every day countless species of sea life are thrown away" Wonderful location-specific marketing for a good cause. ::StoptheNet.ca...
O-Wool Alpine Sweater From Sahalie
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 6.05
This warm mountaineering sweater is made from O-Wool, a USDA-certified 100% organic wool yarn. O-Wool is minimally processed without chemicals, reducing impact on both the environment and wearer. It also retains more of the wool's inherent protective properties — including water resistance. You can read more about O-Wool here. We also covered the Organic Wool Network in a previous post. The sweater is priced at $145. :: Sahalie...
Organic Loose-Leaf Green Rooibos Tea
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 6.05
Rooibos (pronounced "roy-boss") is a nutritious, caffeine-free tea grown the mountainous Cedarberg area north of Cape Town in South Africa. Commonly, the Rooibos plants are harvested, fermented and dried in the sun. The sun induces the change from verdant green to the mahogany red. However, some tea merchants are now offering a green version of Rooibos....
GM Keeps Its Greener Cars Out of North-America
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 12. 6.05
While GM is in big trouble and ready to do anything to get people to buy its huge SUVs (employee discount, releasing the 2007 models in late 2005, etc), it has many perfectly decent vehicles that it only sells outside of North-America through its Opel branch (though Mexico apparently gets some models). Case in point, the new Opel Meriva is a compact minivan, or large wagon, or crossover; it's hard to label, but it seems to have a high level of utility for things that people actually do (hint: it's not offroad) and a spacious interior relatively to its exterior footprint....
Hyundai Unveils New 2006 Accent Hybrid
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 12. 6.05
Toyota has already announced that it wants to make its hybrids cheaper, but they might still seem expensive compared to this newcomer to the field: The 2006 Hyundai Accent hybrid was revealed at the third Guangzhou international exhibition in China. "The hybrid-electric vehicle is equipped with a 1.4L continuously variable valve-timing engine delivering 90 hp, plus a 16-hp electric motor. The auto maker says the engine achieves a 44% improvement in fuel economy."...
Bamboo Bath Sets
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 6.05
Bamboo makes great accessories for the bathroom since it is water-resistant, and more durable than even maple. This bamboo bath set is by FG Designs. The whole set includes a lotion dispenser, toothbrush holder, tumber, apothecary jar, soap dish, vanity tray and wastebasket. Check out this similar "Ty Pennington Style" bamboo bathroom set from Sears. :: Frontgate...
Bamboo Fiber Mandarin Shirt by Kavu
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 6.05
Kavu is an outdoor clothing store in Seattle. They feature a few items made with hemp, bamboo and organic cotton. This women's Mandarin Collar shirt is made with 55% bamboo fiber and 45% bamboo viscose. It has coconut shell buttons. Unfortunately, bamboo viscose is processed with chemicals, unlike bamboo fiber — darn. It's priced at $52. :: Kavu ...
Be+Cause Clothing: Apparel for Life
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 6.05
Be+Cause is a new socially-responsible clothing line started by Tibetan Freedom Concert co-founders Erin & Deyden. The inspiration for the name? When asked why they've worked so hard to do so much good, the founders' answer was simple: because. A division of C3 Lab, be+cause focuses on good style and creative collaborations with a talented pool of artists and organizations; they aim to produce accessible fashion with responsibly-made products that support good causes. A percentage of proceeds of each shirt will benefit three organizations that work tirelessly in the fields of human rights, youth activism, and environment: ACORN and Southern Poverty Law Center, each earmarked for Katrina relief, and Students for a Free Tibet. The garments aim to inspire, raise funds and awareness for the beneficiaries, and are manufactured responsibly in the USA. In addition to the Hero 1 (pictured, one of three), you'll find other shirts and accessories for men and women. Hero 1 goes for US $28. ::be+cause via ::Cool Hunting...
BP's Carbon Footprint Calculator
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 6.05
The British Petroleum (BP) company is offering the world a "carbon footprint" calculator on it's website. A full run through takes only a few mintues, it's well designed for novice users, and the results give some indication of where next steps might be best taken. In that you are reading TreeHugger, we'll bet you've already done the easy stuff to reduce your "footprint" and are struggling with college payments, heating bills, and the like. Not much money left for solar panels or buying a high mileage car. What we're driving at is the question of whether rational tools like this calculator can actually motivate significant personal investment choices or whether they're just feel-good toys we use to show ourselves we've done the best we can? If so, the world also needs a calculator that would output a "Public Policy Advocacy Footprint". Corporations and NGO's would use it to determine the long range positive impact on society and the natural environment of trying to influence public policy one way or the other instead of letting the people speak directly to their legislators. Ideally the calculator would deduct the funds donated to Think Tanks from more constructive investments such as designing more efficient cars or emission controls, giving us a profile of action versus intent. ...
The TH Interview: Groundswell Founders Harris Davis and Jeff Cooper
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 6.05
Harris Davis (on the right) and Jeff Cooper (left) are the founders and co-creative directors of Groundswell, a brand-new NYC-based ad agency promoting socially and environmentally responsible brands and companies. Before starting Groundswell, both Harris and Jeff worked at several ad agencies in the NYC area; we recently caught up with both founders for a quick interview to see how their very own, TreeHugger-friendly company was doing.
CD: Groundswell is just starting up. How’s it going so far? What reactions have you had to your ideas to this point?
GS: It’s going well so far, but we’ve learned that starting a company like this without an existing client base is a tough proposition. And unfortunately, the perception among many potential clients is that partnering with an ad agency will be incredibly expensive. Originally, Groundswell was started simply to give us the freedom to pick and choose whom we wanted to work with —- companies we admired and whose products or services we believed in or used ourselves. We quickly realized, however, that we were primarily attracted to these businesses because they shared many of our own values, namely, social responsibility. We then began to consider the viability of building an ad agency around this principle. ...
Backyard Habitat on Animal Planet
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 6.05
One of our readers, Nancy L., was inspired by a comment posted to the feature about one of our “Weird Eco-Habits” finalists, Terry Dube, who has refused to mow his lawn and turned it into a natural space. We too were inspired by our reader, Turil, who posted the comment and with Nancy’s help we researched Backyard Habitat a bit further. By teaming with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), this Animal Planet show is all about making your backyard a better place for animals and nature. From turtles to butterflies, viewers learn about ways to provide an atmosphere for these animals while conserving natural resources and practicing sustainable gardening as well. And once you’ve turned your regular ole’ backyard into a wildlife habitat, the NWF will certify and recognize it to inspire your local community. Check out the show each weekday at 11:00am (EST). Congratulations to Turil and Terry for being inspirations and thanks for the tip that will be helpful for all of us! ::Backyard Habitat (National Wildlife Federation ::Backyard Habitat (Animal Planet)...
Sarah Harmer on protecting the Environment
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 6.05
Many stars and performers talk the talk about the environment, but Sarah Harmer walks the walk- literally. She spent last summer on the Niagara Escarpment, the 725 kilometer ridge running from Niagara to Tobermorey in Ontario. This supposedly protected resource is being exploited for aggregate to make Cot’n Wash – A New Way to Wash Clothes
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 6.05
When we went to search TreeHugger for this product we were surprised we hadn’t discovered it yet. Thanks to our tipster, Vicky S., we’re now bringing 20-year-old Cot’n Wash to all of you, our dear readers. Made from organic ingredients, this laundry detergent is pretty darn easy to use, especially their newest product called Dropps. Each Dropps packet contains enough detergent for an entire load of laundry and the whole thing completely dissolves in the washing machine. Now your better half has absolutely no excuses (ahem)! And the packaging it came in (including the original bottles of Cot’n Wash that are still sold) is completely recyclable. Another great product is their High Efficiency liquid, a low-sudsing formula that is perfect for HE washers. You can purchase their products online and prices are pretty reasonable. Thanks for the tip! ::Cot’n Wash...
Castor Canadensis Prefab Sauna
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 6.05
"The Sauna Box is dialectical investigation of the common shipping container and traditional sauna. Through this tension it addresses built environment issues – minimum impact, sustainability, and presents them in an accessible, usable form." -prefab saunas are run of the mill but this is different-" The Sauna Box is water tight and can be transported to any location, needs minimum site preparation, has a wood fired stove and is electrically powered by solar panels. Each Box is site specific and custom built. The outer skin is constructed of Cor-Ten steel, a material that withstands saltwater and used as sculptural material. This utilitarian, sculptural aesthetic is continued on the inside with hand made objects such as carved stone stools, stone sink, custom wood and metal work." Website is a work in progress but has a cool movie and soundtrack by our favourite band, Broken Social Scene- hugs for that. ::Castor Canadensis click here for ::pdf with more content via ::Mocoloco...
Scientists Sniff Out Cure For Bovine Farting
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 6.05
Fourteen percent, yep that’s 14%, of global methane gas emissions are from the intestines of farm animals. So there has been a race to find a way to reduce the level of cattle flatulence. And now it looks like scientists in Aberdeen, Scotland might breast the tape ahead of their compadres in Australia and New Zealand. Their tests indicate a possible 70% reduction in methane emissions, through a naturally occurring chemical food additive, based on fumaric acid. A year of further trials to commercialise the process has commenced. Can a human version for bean eaters be far behind? Via ::ABC Online....
CAT’s Cycle to Work scheme
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 6.05
Meet Lucy Stone, proud non-owner of a new bicycle to ride to work. An Information Officer at the UK’s Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), Lucy is the first employee to test out a scheme launched just a week ago. Called ‘Cycle to Work’ employees chose a bike, which CAT then buys, and rents back to them as a payroll deduction, over 1 to 3 years. The deductions come from Lucy's before tax gross salary, so she saves money. (A process also known as salary 'sacrifice' or 'packaging’). When the 3 years are up, CAT will sell the bike at less than the original purchase price. Lucy gets low cost transport and CAT get a healthy, fit employee (CAT note that “every year British workers take 166 million sick days, costing employers over £11 billion”) and our planet gets less greenhouse gases. Smiles all round. It would appear that employees can also access ‘cyclists' safety equipment’ as a tax-free benefit. The tax exemption program falls under the UK Government's Green Transport Plan and their Department of Transport have all the nitty gritty. ::CAT’s Cycle to Work...
ZeUS: Zero Emission Urban Scooter by Springtime
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 5.05
We've been quite taken with power-assisted bikes lately, with this electric version and this fuel-cell assisted one; now we bring you ZeUS, which is like a bicycle you don't have to pedal. ZeUS is a scooter powered by a rechargeable electric motor with a brain. The electric motor can be operated in a conventional way (100 percent of the available power available until the battery runs down), but ZeUS encourages a much smarter use of its resources. You can set a desired journey distance on the controls, and ZeUS decides how much power to supply to the motor according to the selected range. That way you can be certain of getting where you want to go, with a maximum range of about 30 miles (50 km) with the smart-drive feature enabled. In conventional mode, with full power available, ZeUS has a range of about 12 miles (20 km) and a top speed of approximately 28 mph (45 kmh) and uses regenerative braking to help keep the batteries juiced along the way. ZeUS also features direct drive to the rear wheel, saving enough power that it only takes a 13 pound (6 kg) NiMH battery to make it go. ::Springtime Industrial Design...
"Weird Eco Habits" Contest: Time to Vote
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 12. 5.05
There are six great finalists for our "Weird Eco Habits" Contest, but like the Highlander - there can be only one. So be sure to go back and look at each finalists "weird" eco habit and choose who you think deserves the prize package from our friends at Greenloop.
- Brad Hole's Urban Chicken Coop
- Joy Walsh's Bath Water Reuse
- Terry Dube's Urban Naturalization
- Dave Schmetterer's Battery Drop
- John T. Unger's Eco-BDSM
- Marc Doll's Tree-Friendly Fence (submitted by C. Gloddy)
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The Loon: Solar-Powered DIY Pontoon Boat
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 12. 5.05
Six-day boating cruise along Ontario's scenic Trent-Severn Waterway: "Cost of fuel for the 100-mile cruise? Zero. Amount of air and water pollution? Zero. Number of stares from other boaters? Countless." Monte Gisborne is a mechanical engineer who built The Loon, a solar-powered pontoon boat. "A guy with a 45-foot powerboat said his fuel costs were $5 a mile. I can do 10 miles a day for free with the sun [and 30 to 40 miles with batteries]," Gisborne said. ...
Everest Recycled Glitter Ball
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 5.05
It's another recycled Christmas Tree ornament, but this time the material comes from Mt. Everest. The tinsel inside each of these glass globes is made from slender fragments of aluminum oxygen canisters discarded on Mt. Everest. An artist, Jeff Clapp, turns these canisters that into bells and useful bowls, and the fragments are collected from this work. They are priced at $14 each. :: Eco-Artware via Great Green Goods...
Hockey Rink Gets Lit By Daylight
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 5.05
Most hockey arenas have no windows to let the sun get through. Slivers of sunlight can play havoc with the ice, causing soft patches and glare. So most arenas are closed-in and dingy. When the Cape Breton town of Port Hawkesbury decided three years ago to replace its old condemned hockey rink with a combined arena and civic center, it wanted the new complex to be a sustainable "green" building — energy efficient, welcoming, airy and bright. ...
Power Up with Banana Peels
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 5.05
In a story that can't help but conjure images of Doc Brown's "Mr. Fusion" in Back to the Future, Wired reports on the development of carbon-based fuel cells. Last month, SRI reported that they had developed direct carbon fuel-cell technology. Their researchers have shown that in a single step, they can take pulverized coal, or anything else that contains carbon -- we'll say banana peels, for example -- and directly transform the fuel's chemical energy into electricity by electrochemically oxidizing the carbon, much like the fuel cells we're more accustomed to talking about, minus the hydrogen, water vapor, etc. Two big differences with this setup: carbon fuel is easier to come by than hydrogen, and the byproduct of the electrochemical oxidation is carbon dioxide, though SRI claims it is emitted in such a pure form that it is easy to contain without allowing it to mix with (too much) air. According to a VP of physical sciences at SRI, the process is twice as efficient as traditional coal power plants, and despite being early in the process of development, they have high hopes for the new system. For now, the carbon fuel cells are producing small amounts of power on the scale of a few watts at SRI's laboratory in Menlo Park, California; SRI expects their capability to rise to 10 kilowatts by 2009, to 100 kilowatts by 2011 and to 500 kilowatts by 2015. ::SRI's Carbon Fuel Cells via ::Wired
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Sustainable Clothing Urged at U.N. Conference
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 5.05
Hemptown Clothing is asking delegates of the United Nations conference on climate change to consider Sustainable Textiles as a positive move toward meeting and exceeding their own goals. The conference is attracting unprecedented business interest now that pan-European emissions trading has begun and the Clean Development Mechanism is working to promote sustainable development and combat climate change.
"With textile crops like Bamboo, Soy and Hemp, we have the ability to grow, harvest and produce textiles at a fraction of the environmental impact of traditional crops like cotton," said Hemptown CEO Jerry Kroll. "Pound for pound a crop like Hemp requires no pesticides, toxic fertilizers or fresh water irrigation and far less land and energy."
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Solar Projector Will Help Teach Reading
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 12. 5.05
A solar-powered overhead projector will help teach reading in poor, rural African and Asian communities without electricity, the non-profit group that invented it said. The "kinkajou" projects text and images on a wall. It has been tested successfully in 45 villages in Mali and organizers hope to introduce the projector in India and Bangladesh. The machine, built to withstand heat and rough handling, uses microfilm and includes a solar panel, a battery, LED technology and an instrument to measure recharging. It costs about 50 dollars and the roll of microfilm, which can hold 10,000 pages, about $10. More information on the Kinkajou Design Journal web site. :: Newsweek via Greenthinkers
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Aveda’s Environmental Awards
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 5.05
According to lime.com, a 2001 white paper revealed that the magazine industry consumes 35 million trees annually. A few years ago Aveda started researching the environmental practices of magazines in which they advertised and began a company-wide policy requiring magazines to have a minimum of 10% PCR (post-consumer recyled) content to quality for an Aveda ad. Well last month at the Folio Show (apparently the Oscars of the magazine industry) Aveda honored Natural Health, Utne and the Sustainable Industries Journal with the first ever Aveda Environmental Award. These three magazines are printed on PCR paper and, in some cases, use chlorine-free bleaching and soy-based inks. We hope this will prompt other magazines to start cleaning up their act. Via ::Lime.com...
Instant Survey: Diamonds - Pretty Naughty Things
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 12. 5.05
A Look Inside the HER Design LLC Workshop
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 5.05
This being the second Holiday season for TreeHugger, we thought we’d ask for a tour of Santa’s workshop. Maybe see if any green designs had made it that far north since last year. Sadly, Northland Security Department refused. Then we met someone from HER Design LLC, a Massachusetts based designer of handbags and accessories, who was kind enough to invite us behind their web page for a chat about design and textile choices. Reaction? What a scrumptious green haberdashery. What temptations for an on-the-go sassy gal-about-town. The first we were shown was Leaf, a laptop-book bag (pictured here); then Mushroom, their “impact bag” for fall/winter; and, finally, Lily, a dressy prototype for spring/summer of 2006. Each bag featured varying amounts of “Treetap®,”, a fair-trade produced, natural rubber coated organic canvas. Besides Treetap®, Ultrasuede®, organic cotton, hemp canvas, and silk are their main materials of construction. As always, men are left to wonder, "what do women carry in these mysterious bags"? All the more intriguing here because HER Design bags are designed and distributed with sustainability and humane treatment of animals in mind. ...
Ecobunk Unplugged: The Best in Greenwashing
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 5.05
Who says environmentalists don't have a sense of humour? The Toronto Environmental Alliance is hosting its 15th annual Ecobunk awards. "Our annual fundraiser and comedy show pokes fun at the most outrageous
corporate green advertising of 2005. Sometimes we even point the finger
at ourselves. We present nominated ads under nine different categories and reveal the winner. The laughter lasts for two full hours." We're going, Thursday night. ::Toronto Environmental Alliance...
miniHome: The Green Prefab Modern Trailer
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 5.05
For those who wonder why Treehugger likes modern prefab so much, here is the answer. We think people can live with less and don't need so much space. We think prefabrication generates less waste and more opportunities for greener construction methods and technologies. We think traditional land development restricts peoples choices and costs too much money. We think the miniHome is just about the best answer to the question that we have seen anywhere. Ever. ...
Tesco Supermarket Recycles Christmas Cards for the Woodland Trust.
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 12. 5.05
Tesco is officially not only the biggest supermarket in the UK, but the biggest retailer with £1 in every £8 spent in the UK being spent at this superstore. Unsurprisingly Tesco is not usually praised for its Treehugger qualities, so it is especially encouraging to hear in the season of goodwill about this corporate giant’s enthusiasm for reducing landfill and protecting British woodland. The Christmas Card Recycling Scheme encourages people to drop off their cards at the supermarket in January, instead of throwing them in the bin. In January 2004 they collected and recycled 45 million cards, this year they collected 58 million, which is 1150 tonnes of rubbish. For January 2006 they are aiming for 60 million! All credit cannot however be given to Tesco, as the Christmas Card Recycling scheme is actually the great idea of The Woodland Trust who have had the smarts to team up with big guns such as Tesco and the countrywide stationers WHSmith. This idea of small environmental groups teaming up with big businesses is proving to be a particularly effective way of bringing environmental issues into the public consciousness. (see article on green envelopes) Penny Pulfrey, senior account manager for the Woodland Trust explained: "We think that the Christmas Card Recycling Scheme is well on its way to becoming an established annual recycling initiative. However, the really crucial part is the support we receive from the public. Without them recycling their cards, the valuable support generated by the scheme for the UK's woodland, plus the reduction in waste going to landfill as a result of cards being recycled, would not be possible. So, our message to people is please don't forget to recycle your cards. You have until 1 February to help us make this year's scheme an even bigger success than last year's."
::Christmas Card Recycling Scheme
[Leonora & Petz]...
Silvina Romero’s Recycled Fabric Accessories
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 12. 5.05
These pieces of “textile jewellery” are made by Argentinean clothing designer Silvina Romero out of discarded textiles, recycled pieces of fabric and threads. Silvina started out three years ago by picking up leftovers in Once, a Buenos Aires neighbourhood where all the fabrics dealers concentrate. That was the worst time for the Argentinean crisis, and this was a way for the designer to continue producing and making a living out of design. But soon, her work became recognized for its uniqueness. "I love that my pieces are built with another person’s trash, to make jewellery, usually associated to luxury and ostentation, with waste", says the designer....
The Rider: An Electric Commuter Trike
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 5.05
Somehow we missed this one. An electric commuter vehicle that folds up (see extended post) not bigger than an umbrella. Okay, at 14 kg (31 lb) it might be a tad heavier, but can your brolly transport you around town at 15 kph (9.5mph) for 4 hours (4 hrs)? Even Mary Poppins would’ve been impressed. The removable 24v battery slips between a fork in the handlebars, the electric motor drives the front wheel, and it boasts regenerative braking, though this may not make it from prototype to production model. Conceived as complementary transport to buses and trains, the Rider’s Israeli designer, Elisha Wetherhorn, is seeking support to bring this cool design to a street near you. Oh yeah, and it carves (leans) as you corner to add a little buzz to your commute. Top pic from Core77. Elisha can be contacted via ::The Rider...
TreeHugger Holiday Gift Guide: Hanukkah
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 12. 5.05
This year the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) has put together a wonderful set of resources for celebrating an environmentally-friendly Hanukkah. "Let There Be (Renewable) Light: A New Look at Hanukkah" is an awesome guide to greening the Festival of Lights, and to help out we've put together a little list of green gelt…
A - Natural Beeswax Hanukkah Candles from Global Exchange $15.00 (45 candles)
B - Recycled Glass Menorah from Vertige $170.00
C - Fair Trade Chocolate Coins from Global Exchange $3.50 (22 coins)
D - Sustainable Wood Dreidel from 3R Living $9.50...
Hemp Houses for Ireland
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 5.05
From the country that brought us the plastic shopping bag tax comes (belatedly) more good news. Over the past few years Irish builders have been experimenting with making houses from hemp. The first was a 450 sq ft office-cum-accommodation in County Monaghan. Built as a joint project between OldBuilders and EcoHabitats, is said not to have contributed any CO2 emissions via its construction materials. (Maybe not strictly true, as the hemp was shipped in from France, due to a hemp cropping ban in Ireland) A timber framed house, the walls were made with a slurry mixture of hemp shiv (the pithy core) and lime, laid up in layers using formwork. A lime render completes the package. According to the builders, it dries quicker than concrete, whilst also being more ‘breathable’. The sound and thermal insulation properties are said to be considerable. And by one calculation it would be possible to grow sufficient hemp in four months to build a house. The first house is pictured left, a later cottage extension is shown right. Read more in this Sunday Times article by Colin Coyle, and see the minute-by-minute photo diary of construction here (unfortunately though the images lack captions) :: Hemp House...
SmartWay: EPA Updates Green Vehicle Guide
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 12. 4.05
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated its Green Vehicle Guide (which is actually a guide of all vehicles, and not just the greener ones) with new categories they call SmartWay and SmartWay Elite. "SmartWay is earned by those vehicles that score 6 or better on both the Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Scores and achieve a combined score of at least 13 when added together [...] SmartWay Elite is given to those vehicles that score 9 or better on both the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Scores." You can see a list of all the SmartWay rated vehicles here. Not surprisingly, at the top are the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrid. We're not quite sure where the EPA is going with this branding-wise, but at least it makes it a bit easier to find less polluting cars. Thanks to Ben McCarthy for the tip! ::EPA - SmartWay, ::EPA Green Vehicle Guide...
Google Zeitgeist number 3: Tofurkey
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 4.05
We are fascinated by Google Zeitgeist, the unimpeachable electronic trend-spotter. It is usually like watching a train wreck but often tidbits show up- like Tofurkey at number 3. What could cause such interest in a vegetarian turkey substitute? Perhaps thinking about sustainability is no longer a fringe thing. Perhaps looking for alternatives to eating animals is going mainstream. Perhaps the world is going Treehugger. Perhaps we read too much into this.
::Google Zeitgeist ...
EcoDesignz: Bamboo Furniture for a Sustainable Future
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 4.05
We have been expecting this- bamboo as lumber replacement. "Due to recent technological advancements, it is now possible to convert raw bamboo culms into more conventional lumber and plywood such that it can be used to build virtually anything that traditionally has been made from wood." Ecodesignz produces tables, chairs and doors out of bamboo, using it like regular wood- there now appear to be no limitations to where and how bamboo can be used. We look forward to more exciting designs and one less z. ::Ecodesignz thanks, tipster guppygirl! ...
Danish Researchers Develop Hydrogen Tablet
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 12. 4.05
We all know we want to be cruising in hydrogen cars, but there are some safety issues associated with a vehicle whose fuel tank amounts to a powerful bomb of highly compressed hydrogen. Now, Danish scientists have made what they say may be an important step in the direction of safe and inexpensive hydrogen storage. Developed at the Technical University of Denmark, a new hydrogen tablet chemically stores hydrogen in a safe, solid form. The tablet consists of ammonia absorbed in sea salt. Ammonia is produced by a combination of hydrogen with nitrogen from the surrounding air, and the tablet therefore contains large amounts of hydrogen. A chemical catalyst releases the hydrogen when needed. Scientists claim the hydrogen tablet is so safe is could be carried in your pocket. :: DTU...
Canada: Green Party Kept Out of TV Debates
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 12. 4.05
As our Canadian readers know, a federal election is coming up next January in Canada. In recent years, the Green Party of Canada has been getting more popular and in the last election it received 583,000 votes, which is starting to be significant in a country of about 30 million people (registered voters is less than that; people who actually vote even less - you do the math). But despite that, the chief of the party will not be present on the 4 TV debates. The Greens haven't had a candidate elected yet, but in 1993 the Bloc Québécois was included in the debates despite not being officially recognized as a party yet, so there's a precedent....
Ecomobile: Green with Lead in its Blood
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 12. 4.05
Okay, here's the deal. I've been holding out on you. If you're like me, you don't have 80+ G's to drop on a fun ride. Especially if the kids and the dog don't even fit in it (kind of rules out the whole "you can live in your car, but you can't drive a house" logic). How can I torture you with something this cool that you just can't afford? But now that most of us can look forward to the affordable CLEVER covered yesterday, I'm just gonna throw the Ecomobile out there for those of you willing to tap your retirement savings (this is a good investment right?) because you just can't wait. ...
