- 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 February 5, 2006 - February 11, 2006
Total this week: 84
V Day Guide: 50 Ways to Please Your Lover #20 - #16
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 02.11.06
20. Treat your fashion forward darling to Deborah Lindquist's sweet couture with a Valentine's Recycled Cashmere Sweater at Hip and Zen.
19. Please your sweetie with a beautiful fair-trade silver gemstone locket from Fair Trade Exchange.
18. Send your sweetheart an e-valentine that celebrates your love for one another and your love for the Earth. Nature Conservancy Valentine E-cards; E-Cards Valentines; Care2 Valentine e-cards.
17. Sow the seeds of love with WWF's "Love in a Bag," a reusable hessian drawstring gift bag that holds ~200g of Red Field Poppy and Corncockle wildflower seeds.
16. Serve your Valentine love in a cup with Gypsy Rose Petal Tea - organic black tea with red and pink rose petals.
#50-#21 Ways To Please Your Lover...
EPA Budget to Reduce Funding for Efficiency Programs
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.11.06
According to the newsletter “Inside EPA Weekly Report” (subscription only), the Bush Administration has proposed for 2007 fiscal year that EPA increase spending on “Homeland Security” stuff and reduce spending…we bet you can guess…on certain research programs. Specifically, the “… administration proposed a 43 percent funding increase for EPA homeland security initiatives”. “A host of research programs would in turn be slashed…, including $6.4 million for clean air research and $9 million for human health and ecosystem studies. The budget would also slash $4.4 million for sustainability studies, which includes a decision to zero out a $3 million technology verification research program that was created to accelerate the entry of new, cleaner technologies into domestic and international markets. ...
The Empty Piñata Scenario
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.11.06
According to Wall Street Journal article of February 9, 2006 (subscription only) “Mexico's huge state-owned oil company [Pemex] may be facing a steep decline in output that would further tighten global oil supply and add to global woes over high oil prices”. An internal report, which served as basis for the Journal’s story, covered several possible scenarios of declining production from one of Mexico’s larger oil “pools”. The worst scenario looked at would lead to a reduction of about 63% of Mexico’s daily crude exports to the U.S within two years, according to the Journal. Because Mexico is the US’ second most important supplier, even a ‘moderate case’ scenario could be serious for both countries.
...
Its All our Fault: Natural Gas Running out in Eight Years
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.06
A comic said "if I opened a funeral parlour, people would stop dying". We feel that way after installing a brand new high efficiency furnace two days ago and then reading that we are going to run out of natural gas in 8.1 years- before the warranty even runs out. Dave Hughes of Natural Resources Canada gave a lecture in Calgary on February 2 called “The Coming Energy Sustainability Crisis: Alternatives to Oil, Implications of Demand Growth and the Way Forward.”
"North America peaked in terms of conventional natural gas production in 2001–2002. Notable examples of the effects of this peak are the dramatic increase in prices for natural gas and natural gas-dependent products, such as fertilizers and plastics. Consumption trends and patterns were also explored. In every case, the phenomenal growth rates in our economy show a complete disconnect with the reality of the resources currently supporting them. Canada, for example, has 8.1 years left in natural gas reserves." ::Post Carbon Institute, ::Peak Natural Gas...
Katrina Cottage: The New Urbanist Response
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.06
One response to the Katrina crisis is the Katrina Cottage, a 300 square foot house designed for displaced residents. Most temporary housing looks, well, temporary- it is unusual that such concern for quality of life is expressed in a solution. Designed in a charette led by Andres Duany, a leader of the New Urbanism movement, it has a lot of things going for it, including its appearance (we tend to modern but it is certainly better than a trailer) its size (a great place to start, but they owe credit to Avi Friedman for use of the term Grow House) and its price, which is comparable to a typical FEMA trailer. Marnianne Cusato wants to "provide authentic traditional designs for affordable housing. Design makes a difference." We concur. ::Cusato Cottages...
TH Eco-Action: Bridging Cultures Through Design - RISD Students continue Guatemalan Sustainable Design Adventure.
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02.11.06
After reading about the RISD’s Bridging Cultures Through Design module and hearing about the students’ first impressions of Guatemala we are now interested to know what they’ve been learning from their collaboration with local artisans. Their time in Guatemala has been intensive, inspiring and action packed as they travel to the towns around Lake Atitlan to work with and learn from as many artisans as possible. Three students Chelsea Green, James Minola and Kathryn Maresca have been keeping track of their progress with a daily diary:
Sunday February 5: We departed from Antigua to Chichicastenango, where we researched various materials and products locally available in the market as well as collected samples to incorporate in prototype construction. Some materials collected include plastic flour sacks, used tread cones, textile remnants, and bound ikat threads. From there we continued on to Panajachel to settle into our temporary studio space. Panajachel is one of the five towns surrounding Lake Atitlan....
Students Loft Box Home
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 02.11.06
Imagine you are starting your studies in one of Germany's hallowed halls of higher education. If you made the grade, your acceptance guarantees you an education with only minimal student fees falling due. You are eligible for a modest package of student support and loans to cover your cost of living...but your rent is going to cost what??!!! Like many major cities with universities of good repute, the cost of living has skyrocketed out of proportion to a student's pocketbook. Ironic that at the same time, dark cob-webbed windows pitifully plead for anyone still conducting business or industry in these over-priced real estate markets to rent and occupy empty space. In step Michael Sauter and Sven Beck with Students-Loft (photo detail above by Sarah Schmid)....
ShetkaStone Revisited
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.11.06
A wonderful byproduct of an increasing environmental awareness is that more information is reaching an ever expanding number of ears and eyes. And hopefully then impacting more hearts and minds. A consequence of this enthusiasm for spreading eco-knowledge is that many similarly focused media will trip over each other in delivering the good oil. Not that this matters. The widest audience that can be reached, the better for the planet as a whole. But one such story that caught our eye recently, and brought on a chuckle, was a product called ShetkaStone. Our compadres over at inhabitat picked it up and posted a piece, under the heading ‘new material’. It was subsequently run as a story by Transstudio. All the while Treehugger had a near identical post patiently sitting in our archives dated way back to 2 Dec 2004. 14 months ago. A timely reminder, that as Treehugger approaches the 5,000 post milestone, there are plenty of good news stories out there, and we’ll continue do our darndest to get them to you, in as timely manner as we can. And of course, we’ll continue to reference the sites of our esteemed brethren, for the other scoops they get to before us. The more the merrier. ~:^) ::Shetkastone
PS. Shetkastone is a material with many of the properties of wood, but made from recycled paper....
Raw Hemp Milkmaker via Yaoh
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.11.06
Cool. I haven’t done a kitchen product post, since the recycled glass tumblers, where I got gently pummelled for not mentioning glass cutter kits. Wonder what I’ll neglect this time around? Not that I’m about to ring the Guiness Book of Records to double check, but we are told that this particular product is a world first! Seems the Raw Hemp Milkmaker can conjure up fresh hemp milk in but seconds. And should you weary of the taste you can also use it for sunflower, cashew, hazelnut and almond milk too. It’s £60, but the best feature might just be that it’s apparently easy to clean. And no doubt the thing works by dropping in a bag or so worth of dehulled organic hemp seeds. We're not entirely sure though, because the site is a tad thin on any detailed information. But such said seeds provide the full amino acid spectrum that "gives complete vegetable protein, whilst retaining the trace mineral content too.” And rich in Essential Fatty Acids Omega 3 and Omega 6 to boot. (£3 a bag, though size is undisclosed) Both from the “UK Purveyors of quality organic vegan hemp products using only the best natural ingredients” — ::Yaoh...
V Day Guide: 50 Ways to Please Your Lover #25 - #21
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 02.10.06
25. Is there anything more romantic than you and your lover lazing the days away in a tiny bungalow nestled in a tropical eco-park? Visit The Green Travel Network to plan an eco-tour trip for two.
24. Surprise your lover with a sparkling clean kitchen - courtesy of you and Mrs. Meyers' eco-friendly cleansers. (especially effective you are less prone to handle the household chores…)
23. Treat your sweetie to a luscious "Gift of True Love" organic body care gift set from Pangea Organics.
22. Valentine's Day makes poets out of even the least lyrical lover. Skip the glitz and write a love poem on tree free stationary from the Vickery Eco Collection.
21. If you don't know a merlot from a brunello, and your Valentine is no sommelier either, sign up for a romantic wine tasting class and follow it up with a membership to the Organic Wine of the Month club.
#50-#26 Ways To Please Your Lover...
Bamboo Housing Design Competition—Call for Entries
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 02.10.06
Bamboo Technologies of Maui has announced the first International Design Competition for Structural Bamboo Buildings. Seeking fresh ideas for bamboo structures, the competition calls for innovative designs for family homes, affordable housing, high-end houses, tree and pole houses, as well as temporary, portable, and emergency relief structures, among other categories. The chosen designer will win $5,000 and the possibility of having their design built by Bamboo Technologies, the competition’s primary sponsor. ...
The Social Costs of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.10.06
A report by the UK-based New Economics Foundation (NEF) concludes that the astronomical profits recently reported by oil and gas companies would turn into losses if the social costs of their greenhouse gas emissions were taken into account. They found that the $17 billion-plus profits reported by Shell and BP are dwarfed by costs of emissions associated with their products. Working with numbers from a report prepared for the UK government, NEF estimates that each ton of carbon dioxide emitted costs about $35 in environmental damage, which makes from some upside-down numbers for oil companies. According to Andrew Simms, NEF's policy director, "BP's direct activities and the sale of its products leads to 1,458m tons of CO2-equivalent entering the atmosphere, with a damage bill of £29bn ($51bn). Subtracting that from the £11bn ($19bn) annual profit it has just reported puts it £18bn ($31bn) in the red; effectively bankrupt. The same calculation puts Shell £4.5bn ($8bn) in the red, even as it reports an annual profit of £13bn ($23bn)." The report also has some harsh criticism of the way the British government is handling climate change, and some surprising statistics about where the government's revenue comes from....
HANNSpree LCD TVs
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.10.06
HANNSpree has a delightful line of LCD televisions somewhat reminiscent of Swedx's wood-encased jobbies. We like their slick, retro-modern design and ultra-minimal use of materials; each one resembles a flat-panel computer monitor in size. Each model has its own name (here we have the HANNSwood and HANNSvaas, respectively) and its own style, which can really color the room it lives in. So often things like televisions are static and sterile-looking, so we're glad to see a little personality in consumer electronics, and when the cases are built with a renewable resources instead of a petroleum products, it only makes it better. Prices run from $299 to over $1,000 US. ::HANNSpree via ::decor8...
Maine Manufacturers are Forced to Pay Recycling Costs
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 02.10.06
A few weeks back, a law went into effect in Maine to force manufacturers of televisions and computer monitors to pay for and handle the recycling of their own outdated equipment. The long-term goal of this new law is to give manufacturers an economic incentive to design less-toxic and easier-to-recycle products. European governments and Japan have been requiring manufacturers to pay for their recycling for some time now and in the U.S. electronic waste is a growing concern. Recycling costs are usually the responsibility of the taxpayer and Maine is the first state in the U.S. with this kind of mandate. Historically, the federal government has been reluctant to throw the costs of recycling back to manufacturers but analysts are thinking that a few other states may follow soon. California has a similar program, but there is an up-front disposal fee that is collected at the store when products are purchased and then the store distributes the money to pay recycling costs. With each computer monitor and television set containing about five pounds of potentially dangerous heavy metals as well as toxic chemicals, we’re hoping that the other states follow Maine – we like their idea better. Via ::E Magazine...
Waste of Packaging: Individually Wrapped Prunes
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 02.10.06
Can you think of a good reason why prunes should be individually wrapped? Yeah, neither could we. This "new and improved" packaging is just one of many excessively overpackaged items you can find in just about any aisle of your local supermarket. By simply doing away with the individual wrapping, this box would obviously use much less packaging. But why stop there? For extra TreeHugger points they could even invest in biodegradable packaging, including some plastics we have previously written about. This month, we are looking to you to help us point out some of the worst offenders in our "Waste of Packaging" Contest. To enter, just find something (such as these individually packaged prunes) that you think is excessively packaged. Email us a picture and description of what your entry is along with a short blurb on how you would make it a bit more TreeHugger-friendly to: contest [at] treehugger [dot] com. Get it to us by February 20th for your shot at winning a $250 gift certificate to online retailer re:modern!...
Instant Survey: Eco-Writers
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 02.10.06
There’s Still Light After Death: Castor Canadensis’s Recycled Tube Light
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02.10.06
Well here’s a witty use of dead fluorescents. While we like energy efficiency of fluorescent tubes we’re not so keen on their overly functional aesthetic and harsh illumination, not to mention the irritating flickering just before they die on us. They are not so easy to dispose of either, so we love Castor Canadensis’s idea of light after death. Bunch a load of dead useless tubes together to make a big tube, et voila you have a functional funky light! Castor Canadensis use incandescent bulbs inside, but we recommend some energy saving compact fluorescents. The Recycle Tube lights come in 2, 4 and 8 foot lengths. Castor Canadensis - they of the mobile Sauna Box – are a Canadian collective based in Toronto. Check out their new website to see their eclectic range of projects. ::Castor Canadensis via: MocoLoco...
The TH Week : Don't Take Our Word For It
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 02.10.06
This week in Treehugger, we had a number of stories showing that it's not just us who are all hyped up about green living. There are plenty of celebrities, politicians, and educators doing their part to get the word out about the green.
:: Lloyd clued us in to former Toronto mayor John Sewell and his discussion of suburbia.
:: Mairi turned us on the new green degree programs at New York's New School.
:: Erin walked down the runway with the news that Elle magazine's May issue will be an Eco-Fashion bonanza.
:: Leonora brought us RISD design student's first impressions about their eco-education project in Guatemala.
:: And this story about Al Gore's film "An Inconvenient Truth" and its recent success at Sundance....
TreeHugger Picks: Sports Gear, for Your Own Olympics
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.10.06
With the Opening Ceremonies for the Winter Olympics in Turin just hours away, the whole world will soon be watching the festivities in the Italian Alps. Dubbed "The First Hydrogen Olympics" as well as claiming the entire event to be climate-neutral, the Games have us with winter sports on the brain, so we're spotlighting some of our favorite gear to help you with your Olympic dreams, or at least get out and have some fun.
1) Grab an Arbor Snowboard and slap some TH-friendly snowboard wax on it.
2) Get outfitted from head to toe with this Ecolog recyclable jacket, these slick layers and outerwear from Icebreaker and eco super-socks by Teko.
3) Once out and about, be sure to help Keep Winter Cool and ski green, with help from Clif Bar.
4) If two skis are one too many or you prefer to skip the lift lines, check out Windski for some no-hills-required speed on the snow.
5) Finally, take a cue from Go Play Outside!, who can help outfit you for whatever the next weekend trip brings, so you can own less stuff and still have fun....
Bottled Water - Lifting the Lid
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.10.06
Lloyd’s recent post on the waste from bottled water had treehuggers wondering about the relative merits of water delivery:- Lexan, glass, HDPE, PLA, home filtering and suchlike? Thought I’d take a modest stab at trying to answer some of these ponderings. A caveat – I’ll ramble off topic a bit! Firstly let’s be clear about this, in most modern communities tap water is often more ‘pure’ than bottled water. Indeed, in the USA tap water is regulated by the EPA, whereas the FDA look over the shoulder of bottled water suppliers, using less stringent criteria. As eMagazine points out “40 percent of bottled water began life as, well, tap water.” In the same comprehensive article, eMag note that the NRDC had 1,000 bottles of water tested, and discovered that a “third of the tested brands were found to contain contaminants such as arsenic and carcinogenic compounds in at least some samples at levels exceeding state or industry standards.” And in one study at Syracuse University, "... they found that one-fourth of bottled water had 10 times the bacterial count of tap water.” And who is selling us this bottled water in the first place? ...
Cut Your Gas Consumption in Half in One Day
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.10.06
Yesterday morning we had a 50 year old low efficiency furnace, grossly oversized for our house, with a big chimney to the exterior. Since so much air and exhaust went up the chimney, the house is under negative pressure and cold air is drawn in through every crack and crevice in our 80 year old uninsulated brick house. Beside it is a water heater that holds 40 gallons, keeping it hot at all times. Both have pilot lights that run all the time. When fired up: 250,000 BTU's/hr. ...
Eating the City
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.10.06
photo thru Selfridge's window by tipster Bonnie
We have read and written about concerns regarding the rapid development of China and loss of its older housing and buildings in the face of relentless expansion. Beijing artist Song Dong "explores questions of transience, perception and the ephemeral nature of existence. Or, in plainer terms, he builds model towns out of biscuits. Cities of McVities, so to speak." It takes him about 10 days to build a city, zoned into business, cultural and traditional Asian areas, and then the public is invited to nibble away. "The purpose of my work is for the city I build to be destroyed," Dong says. "I don't have a particular city to copy from, nor a particular architectural style. I am merely following the town planning of the present day." What a delicious expression of a serious issue.. ::Guardian Feb15-Feb 22 at ::Selfridges, Oxford Street, London thanks, tipster bonnie...
Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Fallen Souffle Cake
by Kelly Rossiter, Toronto on 02.10.06
How can we resist a chocolate recipe just before Valentine’s Day? It may be a cliché, but we don’t care. This is not a difficult recipe and it looks quite beautiful. Just think of how impressed the object of your desire will be with your effort. The cake has an interesting mix of texture with a soft, dense chocolate on the inside and a crisp crust. You can make it ahead of time and serve it at the appropriate moment. Be sure to use a good quality chocolate. And champagne would be nice too.
Chocolate Fallen Souffle Cake...
The Shape of Things to Come: Like Oil, Goes Sugar
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.10.06
The Wall Street Journal notes that sugar, the eternal subsidy crop in the States, is no longer a food crop but is now an energy crop, and that the futures prices have gone through the roof as investors anticipate its use as a source for ethanol. It may be better for our teeth but Brazil now diverts 52% of its sugar crop to ethanol, and other parts of the world will follow. Expect more land to be cleared for it; expect more subsidies for sugar beets and other crops; expect very expensive Hershey bars, as we turn our continent into one big subsidized energy farm.
UPDATE: read story picked up by ::Post-Gazette
Read Treehugger on palm oil and orangutans , clearing the rainforest and loss of biodiversity...
Aeroscraft — Rebirth of The Blimp
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.10.06
If you liked our posts on the Magenn (a, b, and c), you might fancy this too. One of the many pitches used by Californian based Aeros, to sell their modern rendering of the blimp is to dub it ‘The Ecological Aircraft’. They go on to suggest it is “the first manned aircraft of its kind to be propelled by electric motors. This prop-motor combination allows for operations in ultra-low noise emission. This capability, together with the aircraft's inherent ability to stay airborne almost independent of power settings - not available in any other classes of aircraft - will allow [it] to operate in the most ecologically sensitive areas.” And then this; “They are energy efficient, expending fuel only to propel the airship, due to their inherent floating ability.” Compared to a passenger jet of similar carrying capacity it should require only half the fuel to operate. Plans are afoot to build 150-180 passenger cruisers for luxury travel, as well as city-to-city travel (LAX to JFK in 18 hours - although because the Aeroscraft can take off and land vertically, standard runways and infrastructure are not required.) Plus there are freight models too. “The idea is for the Aeroscraft to take 20 truckloads of goods straight from a factory in Japan to a warehouse in California in a day and a half, bypassing crowded ports and clogged rail lines.” A prototype Aeroscraft is, if I read correctly, being built at the moment, as proof of concept and is due to grace the airways in 2010, filled with its 14 million cubic feet of helium. Now that’s thinking big. ::Aeros via ::Dexigner...
LIME: Cleaner Ferries, Ahoy!
by Lime Planet, New York, New York on 02. 9.06
It’s not like they’re getting hybrid engines or anything, but New York’s Staten Island Ferries are going greener: One by one, the boats are being retrofitted to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from diesel fuel. According to the EPA, one boat has already been updated, resulting in a reduction of 16.5 tons of NOx per year and a 25% decrease in particulate matter....
V Day Guide: 50 Ways to Please Your Lover #30 - #26
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 02. 9.06
30. Thinking about popping the question? or just want to spoil your Valentine? GreenKarat's sustainable jewelry designs are sure to make your sweetheart's pals "green" with envy.
29. Always a classic - make a mixed CD of songs that you both love, or better yet - skip the plastic and make the transfer with one of these cute memory sticks.
28. Give your veggie honey a t-shirt that says it all: "Compassion is Super Sexy" from the PETA catalog.
27. Set the mood with scented soy wax candles from Timothy Han.
26. If you've got a stretch limo in mind to woo your lover, make it a carbon neutral ride with TerraPass. Lovers in either NYC or LA should check into the eco-luxury rides at OZOcar (NY) or Eco-Limo (CA).
#50-#31 Ways To Please Your Lover...
Click to Plant Trees
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02. 9.06
Fill out a form on Milliken’s Web site, and the carpet manufacturer will plant a tree. Yes, this is most likely a smart way to get you on their mailing list, but it's also a great green way to burn some online time. Single-handedly, you can inspire physical labor out on one of the manufacturer’s 138,000 acres of forest. The program is part of festivities for Georgia's Arbor Day, which was held February 17. According to press material, the campaign is the manufacturer’s way of sharing its “corporate fervor for foliage.”...
ELLE Goes Green
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 02. 9.06
Earlier this week Women's Wear Daily shared with readers that the May issue of Elle magazine will be devoted to environmentally friendly health, beauty and fashion. Laurie David of "Earth to America!" and Stop Global Warming will come on board as guest editor. The issue will also include articles and images from eco-celebs Cameron Diaz, Carolyn Murphy and Evangeline Lilly. The magazine itself will be printed on recycled paper, a move funded by Aveda - no doubt as part of their envelope pushing Folio awards program. In order not to compete too heavily with TreeHugger (lol), the magazine plans to mix in some "regular content." But as for chief editor Roberta Myers' concern that "[an entirely eco-friendly issue] would actually bore our readers to death," I believe I know of about 4,000,000 who would beg to disagree....
Tsunami Survivors Still Homeless for "Lack of Wood"
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 9.06
And it's all because of TreeHuggers who insist on protecting tropical rainforests. That's not what the Guardian article of 02/9/2006 reported. But how much ya-wanna-bet, that's how US media will spin it? The details: "Tens of thousands of Indonesian survivors of the 2004 Asian tsunami are still living in rotting tents, despite a months-long campaign to rehouse them, because the International Federation of the Red Cross has struggled to secure legally certified timber, it emerged yesterday. Only 235 out of the approximately 16,000 temporary shelters needed for the 67,500 Acehnese living under canvas have been completed since the programme began in September". Odd that there wasn't enough lead time, given that the WWF asked for sustainable timber use over a year ago....
Stove Fan That Runs Without Electricity
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 9.06
Here is the perfect accessory for anyone that picked up a pellet stove (be it the US or European version) this winter: a fan to help circulate heat that works without electricity. Just set it on top of the stove, and a heat-activated motor goes to work when it gets hot enough, fanning the stove's hot air around the room. This makes the stove more efficient, so you'll use less fuel for it, too. According to the manufacturer's website, the small fan moves about 100 cubic feet per minute (CFM), while the big guy moves about 150 CFM, though the speed of the fan varies with stove temperature; the hotter the stove, the faster it goes. Prices range from $139 to $179 US, depending on the size. ::Garrett Wade via ::Apartment Therapy...
Ford & GM Riding the Biofuel Bandwagon
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 9.06
Both Ford and General Motors are hoping to be better late than never to the world auto industry's alternative-fuel and alternative-energy party. Using the Chicago Auto Show as a springboard to show how into it they can be, (as if the Super Bowl wasn't enough) each automaker is jumping in to the ethanol pool with both feet. Ford announced that it will launch what they're calling a “Midwest Ethanol Corridor” by expanding E85 ethanol availability; by 1/3 in Illinois and Missouri this year, and by less quantified amounts in neighboring states as well. The first steps to create said Corridor will be to convert approximately 40 existing gasoline fuel pumps to E85 in Illinois and Missouri. Ford estimates there are 50,000 owners of Ford flexible fuel vehicles (FFV) in Illinois and 28,000 in Missouri, and they'll produce up to 250,000 ethanol-capable vehicles in 2006. Since they were already there in Chicago, Ford also announced that it is working with the city of Chicago to put hybrid taxi cabs on the roads of the Windy City beginning in 2007 (similar to the programs already rolling in New York and San Francisco)....
Get Out of the Cold and in Touch with the Earth at Stone Barns in NY
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 02. 9.06
Looking for something new and educational to do with the family this winter? A few months back our Restaurant of the Week was Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York and we recently received a newsletter from them announcing that they would be hosting a number of programs over the next few months. Most of the programs are family oriented and they are reasonably priced as well (some of them are even free). From collecting eggs to making your own mozzarella to a multi-course meal featuring several olive oils, there’s something for everyone at the Stone Barns this winter. In addition, every Saturday and Sunday there’s an Insider’s Tour that shows you a behind-the-scenes look at the agricultural center and they also have a new monthly event featuring a Community Meeting where everyone is welcome to join the farm and kitchen staff at Stone Barns to share their thoughts. Visit their website for specific details and to register. ::Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture
Continue reading for a list of upcoming events at Stone Barns…...
Green Conference to Hold Public Forum
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02. 9.06
The Building Energy Conference and Trade Show, to be held March 7-9, in Boston’s Seaport World Trade Center, is a big one for green building professionals. Sponsored by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, the sustainable forum features a wealth of current information on ecological construction issues. On Tuesday, March the show will feature Energy: Crisis or Opportunity, a free event, open to the public. The panel, to be held at 6:00pm in the Amphitheater at the Seaport World Trade Center, will be moderated by Jim Braude, anchor for cable station NECN. Braude will lead seven New England energy experts into discussion on the "Energy Gap;" how businesses can work to deliver profits to the private sector; and how individuals can enhance their quality of life and reduce energy costs. More information about the show, and additional events is available online. ::The Building Energy Conference and Trade Show ...
100 Mile Diet, Meet Oliver Rowe: Restaurant Serves Local Food
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 9.06
We have covered the 100 mile diet, where Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon are spending a year eating food from within a hundred miles of thier home. Restauranteur Oliver Rowe is taking the concept to a whole new level- he is opening up a restaurant where every ingredient comes from within the M25, a ring road around London. He is making his own oil from local rapeseed (canola) as an olive oil substitute; has found a local sparking wine, , flour ground in Ponders End and honey produced in Tower Hill. "I have found a mushroom farm in East Ham, fish from the Thames, a fantastic farm with lamb and pigs at Amersham and an ostrich farm in south-west London." He cheats a bit- coffee, tea and pepper; Salt is from Essex. Currently Oliver runs a popular pub called Konstam (in picture)- Konstam at the Prince Albert opens next month. ::Evening Standard
Read about the 100 mile diet, part 1 and part 2 and other posts about the benefits of local food. and don't forget localunch....
Evangelical Christian Leaders Urge Proactive Climate Solution
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 9.06
It has been widely reported that US Evangelical Christian leaders yesterday issued a statement pressing the US federal government to tackle climate change as a matter of urgency. In doing so, the Evangelical Climate Change Initiative, a group of more than 85 Christian leaders, invoked Jesus Christ in urging government and business leaders to "solve the global warming crisis". Surprisingly, the context of this public postion seems larger than just climate change. The attention-getter, though, was the reading at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington of the statement, "Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action", saying "human-induced climate change is real," and calling on the U.S. government to pass legislation establishing limits on carbon dioxide emissions..."This is God's world, and any damage that we do to God's world is an offense against God himself." ...
Distributed Energy Stock Index (DESI)
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 9.06
Could it be that Wall Street is taking the path of TreeHugger-dom? Anecdotal evidence is looking good. From a recent press release: "The Index Committee of the Distributed Energy Stock Index (DESI) approved the creation of a new segment focused on alternative fuels and fuel cells and the inclusion of 12 new companies into the DESI (see below fold for list)". "The Distributed Energy Stock Index (DESI) was created because in the post Sarbanes-Oxley, brokerage houses have reduced research activities and there are only a few analysts covering this sector". It seems that renewable energy stocks in particular, but also distributed power-related stocks have suddenly become more fashionable. ...
Wretched Excess: Marble Garages, Wired Bathrooms and $11,000 Car Stereos
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 9.06
After a commenter opined that Mobile Treehugger was unnecessary and excessive, we thought that gave us an opening to point out some really remarkable exercises in excess- Bathrooms with "toilet-side technology" with email and internet access. "When [one owner] answers the speaker-phone in his shower, the water automatically shuts off. He can open the front door for deliveries while shaving. He's also put the finishing touches on a waterproof computer that will let him answer emails from his sauna. ...People feel the need to be able to put out a fire from anywhere" says one designer. :: Wall Street Journal Almost as appalling is the $ 20,000 garage renovation ::also Wall Street Journal and then there is the B&O/Audi $11,500 car stereo via ::Gizmodo. ...
Q&A. Biodegradable or Eco Bike Helmets?
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02. 9.06
Q. I was wondering if there are any new ideas in helmet design? Possibly any that biodegrade just like the wheat based biodegradable cutlery on the other page. What about creating a biodegradable styrafoam? And I mean I want to be able to compost that thing once I've taken a nasty spill (ass-over-teakettle) and survived thanks to my trustry, but now broken biodegradable wheat-based helmet. If not we should be looking into this! So asked Jeremy Y. amidst the heated comment session that ensured when we flippantly proposed helmets for motorists....
California Bestows Waste Reduction Awards
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02. 9.06
The California Integrated Waste Management Board recently awarded the 2005 WRAP (Waste Reduction Awards Program) Awards, recognizing California businesses that have made “outstanding efforts to reduce nonhazardous waste and send less garbage to our landfills.” The program singles out five companies to receive the Wrap of the Year Award--the prgram's top honor. This year’s winners are Agilent Technologies, Byers’ LeafGuard Gutter Systems, Safeway, Walser’s, and Trinchero Family Estates. The latter, a family-owned Napa Valley winery, has earned the accolade for the past six years. Trinchero’s sustainable farming practices include “reuse of 50,000,000 gallons of wastewater and composting 24,000 tons of pumice (glass particles), and 1,000 tons of diatomaceous earth.” Yeah, we didn’t know what that last one was either, but we looked it up, and apparently, it’s “a light friable siliceous material” that comes from algae. This year, the winery cut its use of packing materials with a bottling upgrade. In total, the company has implemented an annual reduction of 850 tons in corrugated material and 100 tons of plastic shrink-wrap—and saved $750,000. WRAP winners receive an award certificate from the State of California and a WRAP WINNER logo, which can be stamped on products, advertising, and educational materials—in order to inform consumers of waste reduction efforts. ::The California Integrated Waste Management Board...
TH Blog Love – Our Favourite Greens Of The Week
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02. 9.06
City Hippy: Debate - Ethical Fast Food? By Al
Is an ethical company still an ethical company when it is owned, in part or whole, by an "unethical" company? Interesting discussion on MacDonalds owning part of Pret A Manger.
EcoStreet: Carnival of the Green no.13 by Tracy Stokes
It’s showtime! Welcome to the 13th edition of Carnival of the Green, the weekly compendium of eco-friendly and sustainable blog posts from the green blogosphere.
Land + Living: Professor Hardin, I presume? by James Lippincott
At the University of Arizona in Tucson, Mary Hardin has established a sort of desert Southwest counterpart to Mockbee's famed Rural Studio.
Rustle The Leaf: Leave It Green Podcast by Dan Wright & Dave Ponce
Environmental Comics, talk with each other and with guests about the environment, comics, and pretty much anything else they want.
WorldChanging: Global Warming Maps by Jamais Cascio
X-Maps appears to be a search interface for Google Maps. Buried within the site, however, is a listing of well over a hundred different locations in the US that produce large-scale emissions of CO2....
Euro Plastic into Diesel - Ozmotech licences Envosmart
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02. 9.06
Roughly this time one year ago we brought you the story of an Australian company, Ozmotech, who had developed a technology to convert scrap plastic into diesel fuel. Well, now the wires buzz with news that come the northern summer, sods will be turned to begin building the first European plant in Germany. Once up to speed the plant will “produce 38 million litres [10 million gallons] of diesel per year by processing 42,000 tonnes of plastics waste.” In 2007 Sweden, Poland and the Netherlands will also get plants, with Belgium, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Italy, and the Czech Republic to get a scaled down version. In all the Dutch firm, Envosmart, has licenced the technology to the tune of 200 million euros ($234 million USD). They say the “fuel can be used in any standard diesel engines of trucks, buses, trains, boats, heavy equipment and generators,” Envosmart obviously see a market opportunity in processing the detritus of western society, observing that the “total volume of waste is rising steadily, and the OECD predicts that by 2020 we will generate about 45 percent more waste than in 1995.” Scary. (Let's hope that treehuggers are doing their bit to help us come in well under that mark.) ::Envosmart via Planet Ark...
V Day Guide: 50 Ways to Please Your Lover #35 - #31
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 02. 8.06
35. Protect an acre of the Amazon in your Valentine's name at RainTrust's new heart-shaped nature reserve. The "Heart of Amazonas" reserve isn't on their web site yet, but they are inviting inquiries.
34. Give your sweetie a rub-down with the "stimulating, aphrodisiac composition" found in Primavera Eros Body Oil. The 99% organic formula is a blend of Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Osmanthus and other pure essential oils.
33. Pop your baby's cork with a bottle of organic bubbly. Select a variety from Kara's review of eco-champagnes.
32. Send your honey a singing valentine. This product service system is a sure-fire way to score big points in your darling's office gossip pool.
31. Start your Valentine's day off right with breakfast in bed featuring the sweet taste of Fiddler's Green Farm organic pancakes and a pot of steamy Groovy Mind fair trade coffee.
#50-#36 Ways To Please Your Lover...
TreeHugger "Waste of Packaging Contest": Enter and Win!
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 02. 8.06
Enter TreeHugger's "Waste of Packaging" Contest by Monday, February 20th, and you could win a $250 gift certificate from our friends at re:modern! All you need to do is send us a picture and description of any item that you think is overpackaged and untreehugger. Find something at the store, on the street, or in your home - we don't care where you find it, just that you do find it. Once you have come up with your "waste of packaging", we want to hear how you would make it better. Tell us what is wrong, and what we should be done to fix it. Email the picture, description, and solution to: contest [at] treehugger [dot] com by the 20th of February and you might walk away with some great re:modern furnishings, so get those entries in!...
Easy Glider: Born to Be Wild?
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 8.06
While this electric scooter doesn't exactly conjure thoughts of counterculture bikers in the late '60's and probably won't inspire a Steppenwolf reuinion, the Easy Glider does have it's merits for anyone not interested in the blood, sweat and tears required for transportation by foot, bicycle or even dog power. A 380-watt motor is attached to the big wheel and tows its rider along with the quiet, emission-free, backfire-proof power of electricity (which is where the "glide" part comes in), and the motor recharges itself while cruising down hills. The footbridge is detachable, which we guess is good news for skateboard and rollerblade enthusiasts looking for a ride. Easy-gliding doesn't come cheap; models range from $1,025 to $1,315 US, so we may have to stick with our trusty bicycles, though the guy in the picture looks like he's having so much fun, it's hard to resist. Made in Switzerland. ::Easy Glider via ::Engadget
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Bike Furniture Design
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 8.06
Finally, three of TreeHugger's favorite things, bicycles, recycling and modern furniture, all in one. Bike Furniture Design brings us this trifecta. While a lot of products that use recycled materials end up looking a little too much like their former selves for our taste, BFD has taken a cue from the contemporary, modern tradition and done a nice job making the furniture not look explicitly like bike parts. Many pieces have a linear, spaghetti-like quality (resulting from the use of tire rims) that stands out but, for the most part, isn't enough to make you dizzy by looking at them. There are several simple, clean designs that caught our eye; the Vector Table and Milano Lounge Chair are particularly striking. The variety of the designs is showcased by the different media who have picked up on BFD; it's been featured in Outside, I.D. and Bicycle magazines, and is exhibited in a dozen or so places in the US, mostly in the midwest. Price and availability inquiries should be made through the website. ::Bike Furniture Design...
Cork Fabric Available at Habitus
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 02. 8.06
A few weeks ago we wrote about the Cork Store, located in Ontario, Canada where you can go and buy the raw materials to make a slew of different cork based products. Recently, the New York Times wrote about a store in Manhattan called Habitus, where you can buy cork material that can be used to upholster furniture or to cover walls. The fabric comes in different patterns and colors (and custom colors are available as well) and apparently handles and wears similar to suede. It’s available at Habitus for $75/yard and the showroom is open by appointment only. Via ::New York Times ::Habitus...
TreeHugger Picks: Recycling for the 21st Century
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 8.06
TreeHugger sure likes recycling, but when it comes to products and materials recycled into "new" products, all too often their aesthetics leave a little something to be desired. Not so with today's picks, which are all groovy posts from our past that take recycling to new heights.
1) For anyone into large-scale aviation-related recycling, here's how to recycled a 747 into a house.
2) Many an art project has been undertaken using recycled materials. Our favorites: these gorgeous recycled metal vases and this recycled glass table lamp, and UpCycle Art, a whole site dedicated to recycled art.
3) You can't help but love the red ruler chair, painstakingly crafted from old red rulers -- that's right, no paint!
4) Nothing says "I love you" like a ring made from recycled gold or other precious metal.
5) When it comes to transportation, it's tough to beat the recycled yacht that made a go at a circumnavigational sail during 2004.
6) Book. Shelf. Get it? (it's such a fun idea, we went out and found another version). It's even available in customizable themes; order your Harry Potter collection today! ...
Exxon to USA: Stop Trying, Resistance is Futile
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 8.06
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. Thank you. I present you Mr. Stuart McGill, Senior Vice President of Exxon Mobil, the world's largest publicly traded oil company: "'Realistically, it is simply not feasible in any time period relevant to our discussion today,' Exxon Mobil Senior Vice President Stuart McGill said, referring to what he called the 'misperception' that the United States can achieve energy independence. [...] 'Americans depend upon [oil] imports to fill the gap,' McGill said. 'No combination of conservation measures, alternative energy sources and technological advances could realistically and economically provide a way to completely replace those imports in the short or medium term. [...] end[ing] foreign oil imports is not only a bad idea, but also impossible.' You got that people? Just give up and make Exxon happy. ::Exxon: America will always rely on foreign oil, via ::MetaFilter, ::Boycott Exxon!, ::Aide Who Debased Reports Finds Job at Exxon, ::Exxon on Global Warming...
Bottled Water: What a Waste
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 8.06
1.5 million barrels of oil in the US alone are used to make water bottles from polyethylene terephthalate, 86% of which are landfilled or incinerated. Often it is shipped long distances, like the 1.4 million bottles of Finnish tap water sent 4,300 kilometers (2,700 miles) to Saudi Arabia, or the popular Fiji water found in the US and Canada. ''Even in areas where tap water is safe to drink, demand for bottled water is increasing--producing unnecessary garbage and consuming vast quantities of energy,'' said researcher Emily Arnold. ''Although in the industrial world bottled water is often no healthier than tap water, it can cost up to 10,000 times more.'' Tap water comes to us through an energy-efficient infrastructure whereas bottled water must be transported long distances--and nearly one-fourth of it across national borders--by boat, train, airplane, and truck. This ''involves burning massive quantities of fossil fuels,'' Arnold said. Its time to buy a Nalgene and refill it rather than tossing empties. ::Common Dreams via ::Groovy Green ...
Why the Suburbs are What they Are: John Sewell Explains
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 8.06
This is not a Toronto story. Sure, it is about a lecture given by the former Mayor of Toronto John Sewell and it is about the development of Toronto and its suburbs, but the lessons are universal. As Kim Storey said in her introduction, "Listening to John Sewell is like going to the optometrist- he sharpens your focus." Mayor Sewell is giving four lectures on The Shape of the City: Challenges to Growth. We attended the first on Monday Night at the Gladstone Hotel. ...
Margaret Atwood on Green Roofs
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 8.06
Reading Toronto "looks at the city through the eyes of many of its most creative artists and arts institutions" . Author Margaret Atwood, both an artist and an institution, contributed to its Idea Bank:
Idea Bank - Bloodless Organic Flowers Grown On Tops of Warehouses...
Ecotone - Green Building Publisher Goes Carbon Neutral
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02. 8.06
Ecotone have graduated from publishing school with a double first. Not only are they the first publishing house in North America to devote themselves to green architecture and sustainable design but last week they announced that they are the first publishing company to go Carbon Neutral. “Every company can make a difference by combating climate change – our green building books are dedicated to providing environmentally responsible solutions. Having already taken many of the requisite steps in greening our business it was time to formalize our commitment by going carbon neutral” said Jason F. McLennan, founder and president of Ecotone. Ecotone is proud to have purchased 40 tons of carbon offsets from The Climate Trust and an additional 10 tons from the Solar Electric Light Fund to counterbalance carbon dioxide emissions produced in 2005 through the publisher’s use of paper, travel, fossil fuels, electricity and production of waste. Ecotone plans to continue its carbon neutral program from 2005 forward, investing in carbon credit and allowance projects that have the highest environmental credibility and value. :: Ecotone via: o2 group...
V Day Guide: 50 Ways to Please Your Lover #40 - #36
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 02. 7.06
Single?
40. If you've been lookin' for love in all the wrong places, give Green-Passions online dating service a go. The 100% free online community for environmental singles is a great way to filter out Hummer freaks and gold diggers from your search for true love.
39. But if online dating isn't your bag, consider attending a Green Drinks gathering in your area. It isn't a singles service, but is a great way to meet like-minded folk.
38. Grab a dvd of Romeo & Juliet or Titanic and spend a romantic Valentine's evening with sexy treehugger Leonardo DiCaprio.
37. Single and talented? What better night to give your first open mic a try? Couples will be distracted by their love and other singles will be more likely to cheer on your brave act. However, we don't suggest singing bitter love songs.
36. Who needs a Valentine to score rich, delicious chocolate? Treat yourself to the fabulous confections of Green & Black's organic chocolate bars and enjoy a dose of love-like endorphins, sans bickering and dirty socks.
#50-#41 Ways To Please Your Lover...
Fire-Fly Stove by Mo-Go-Gear (or go DIY)
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02. 7.06
The Trangia alcohol camp stove is over 50 years old and largely unchanged in all that time. It is clearly a design classic. But with the re-emerging trend for ultralightweight backpacking, the tinkers have been out in force and have set their sights on making featherweight renditions of this venerable cooker. One such commercial model is the Fire-Fly stove by Mo-Go-Gear. Made from 100% recycled materials, with an included stand that contains 30% recycled content, it perches upon the scales at a paltry 22 grams (0.7oz), yet is said to boil 16 oz (470 ml) of water in 5 to 8 minutes. For $23 USD you can get the Fire-Fly with a wraparound windshield. (The recycled materials are derived from old beer cans and spent .22 Magnum shells!) Or you could make a similar version yourself, by investing about $5 and 4-6 hours, following the clear and illustrated instructions on Readymade. Should you be even more adventurous, check out the 20 or so self-made stoves on the Make Gear page of backpacking.net. The Fire-Fly is available from ::Gossamer Gear....
For the Green Geek: A Bamboo Keyboard
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 7.06
Treehugger loves bamboo; now, to go with with our floors and furniture, how could we pass up a bamboo keyboard? After all, as Google translator says: "The bamboo of the natural material which is regularly used long in the people is adopted, the space of healing and relaxing is produced in the desktop which is made bloody." -we couldn't put it better. 9,800 yen in Akihabara- ::Links.co translated , ::straight Japanese, via ::Akihabara News ...
eZee Quando - A Folding Electric Bike
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02. 7.06
A reader (Rich) commenting on our earlier post on the Aprilia Enjoy suggested checking out the eZee bikes. So we did. And amongst some very slick electric assisted bicycles, we settled on the Quando as an indication of their line-up. What sets this one aside is that it’s a folding bike, that’s said to take only 30 seconds (don’t they all say that?) to become 226 litres (8 cu ft) of metal origami. Fully expanded the Quando weighs in at 25.7 kg (57 lb), including the NiMH 36V 9Ah battery. And it can manage a range of 32 km (20 miles) with a cruising speed of 25 kph (15 mph). AtoB Magazine in the UK is quoted as rating it: "A guaranteed winner... the best hill climber we've seen... would suit a commuter in a hilly city, storming up gradients that would leave conventional cyclists puffing and blowing." Elsewhere, the same magazine suggest a sister bike, the eZee Torq “goes like stink”. The Torq is slightly lighter at 24.7 kg (54.4 lbs) and has an increased ranged of 48 km (30 miles). All the bikes can be pedalled like a normal bike. See the full eZee range at ::50 Cycles...
London Gives Diesel Hybrid Busses a Go
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 02. 7.06
It is said that the Americans are putting their money on hybrids, while the Europeans are counting on efficient diesels to reduce emissions and increase milage. I’m rather fond of both, so it’s always exciting to see the two come together. Only time will tell if London commuters will share my enthusiasm as Transport for London unleashes 6 diesel/electric hybrid busses as an experiment in clean people-moving. The 6 Wrightbus Electrocity series busses will run the loop between Elephant/Castle and Royal Albert Hall. Sadly, though the busses combine two energy sources, they are not double-deckers. They may not be quite as flashy as the Ford Reflex diesel hybrid, but maybe quite a bit more practical. Mind the gap! Or do they only say that on the Tube? :: Green Car Congress...
Sustainable Business Practices Survey: Fill It Out, Win $50
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 7.06
What do you have to say about sustainable business practices? The Survey Central wants to know, and has launched a new online survey to learn more about what we all think about it. According to the release, survey participants have an opportunity to directly influence the way companies and organizations develop products, policies, and services; as if that weren't motivation enough, everyone who fills out the survey between now and tomorrow (Wednesday, February 8, so hurry up!) will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to amazon.com. Expect questions like "How well do you think business is doing to initiate and develop sustainable practices?" and "How much do you think consumers care about sustainable business practices?" as well as questions more specific to people who work in businesses in pursuit of more sustainable practices. ::The Survey Central via ::CSRwire...
Swap-O-Rama Rama: This Weekend in NYC
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 7.06
Do you dig recycling, fashion, do-it-yourself crafting and a generally having a good time? We know you do, which is why all TreeHuggers in NYC should head over to Swap-O-Rama Rama this Sunday, February 12, from 2-7pm. The event is a seasonal clothing swap and series of do-it-yourself workshops in which a community explores creative reuse through the recycling of used clothing; this time, it's at Galapagos at 70 N 6th between Wythe and Kent. Bring at least one bag of your unwanted clothing and a $10.00 donation and dive in to find your next favorite garment from the pile. It's all free, so take as little or as much clothing from this pile as you like. Right along the lines of Jacob's "seek and ye shall find" post from yesterday, this event offers a great opportunity to switch out your old, unused apparel for unknown treasures galore. There are also DIY workshops by local artists who are there to teach reconstruction/deconstruction sewing and crafting and a fashion runway to show off the best new finds -- ooh la la! The last event, in October 2005, had over 500 participants and recycled over 3000 pounds of clothing. ::Swap-O-Rama Rama via ::PopGadget...
Steelcase Releases PVC-free Office Dividers
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02. 7.06
A cube divider seems like such a simple thing, but it could be producing harmful chemicals while you work away at the office. Metro, a division of office furniture manufacturer Steelcase has just released Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)-free division components for open plan and private offices. Topo scrims and screens are completely recyclable, contain no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and produce no off-gassing. And there’s no style sacrifice—visually, the off-white mesh material is comparable to existing scrims—and sold at the same price.
Topo dividers are just the beginning of Steelcase’s battle against PVC. Last year, the manufacturer announced it would be PVC-free by its 100th anniversary in 2012. ::Steelcase
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California Sees Climate Change As Opportunity
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 7.06
According to a recently commissioned report, "climate action in California can yield net gains for the state economy, increasing growth and creating jobs. Preliminary modeling indicates that just eight policies that were analyzed in detail can achieve almost half of the Governor’s 2020 targets while increasing Gross State Product by about $60 billion and creating over 20,000 new jobs". This nugget from the executive summary showed the right stuff: "By acting now, California can gain a competitive advantage by becoming a leader in the new technologies and industries that will come into existence worldwide due to the common goal of reducing GHG emissions". Nothing like a bit of gold rush optimism on the left and Silicon Valley financial accumen on the right to slip the oily veil off the 'dire economic consequences' model....
The TreeHugger Test: John Masters Organics
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 02. 7.06
We always enjoy getting notes from our fellow TreeHuggers to tell us that they’ve tried a product we’ve featured. One of our readers, Darcy H., tried John Masters Organics after our post and loved the product so much we thought we’d share it with all of you as well. Darcy writes:
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New Canadian Cabinet: Fox appointed Minister of Henhouses
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 7.06
Canada's new Government has taken power and Rona Ambrose is the new Minister of the Environment. One of her former responsibilites was drafting the Province of Alberta's policy on Kyoto; Albertans consider it to be the worst assault on Alberta's energy-based economy by the federal government in 25 years. She is obviously smart and also young at 36- we will be open-minded and hope she is still willing to listen. ::CBC ...
Keyboard Bag- the Latest in Peripherals
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 7.06
So much computer gear is just thrown away- These bags made from keyboard keys let you show your treehugger credentials in style- be wired and green at the same time (Although we must admit that we cannot tell from the site if they are recycled, it would just be wonderful if it were so) ::Buzz via ::Red Ferret ...
It's Toque Tuesday in Canada: Fight Homelessness
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 7.06
Treehugger follows initiatives to alleviate homelessness, like Architecture for Humanity and Designboom's Shelter in a Cart. In Canada, today is Toque Tuesday, "a national campaign that gives people from all walks of life the chance to raise funds, raise fun and raise awareness in the fight against homelessness in Canada." Buy a special Raising The Roof toque with a minimum $10 donation at any Home Depot in Canada to support programs and initiatives "which help make a difference in the lives of thousands of men, women and children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness." Raising the Roof is a charitable organization dedicated to long-term solutions to homelessness. They try to build awareness about homelessness and what can be done; they raise funds for community groups working to alleviate homelessness. ::Raising the Roof...
An Inconvenient Truth - Al Gore Is A Hit With Enviro-Film At Sundance
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02. 7.06
Apart from serving as Vice-President, running for President, writing books, setting up TV stations and founding an ethical investment company, the man who never quite made it into the oval office has spent the best part of the last twenty years fighting the good environmental fight. Many of you who are politically, as well as environmentally aware, will already know this. Those who only remember him as the Commander–In–Chief who never was are soon to discover that Gore has a new calling; one much more important than being The President of The United States. An Inconvenient Truth is a new film documentary about Gore’s environmental crusade around the world to raise awareness on Global Warming. Geraldine Bell writes in last Sunday’s Observer newspaper that Gore has been giving ‘a passionate, expertly documented multimedia presentation on global warming, in halls and on campuses, mainly to invited audiences. This campaign is personal and impassioned. He has given the presentation, by his own admission, more than 1,000 times.’...
3M – a sticky business on its way to eco-safe manufacturing
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 02. 7.06
An eco designer’s biggest challenge is often finding the right material. This can be hard work, especially if you are designing a more complex object and those screws, adhesives, zips or switches that are supposed to hold the whole thing together just aren’t green enough and threaten to spoil the genius of your design.
Last week for example, someone from the o2 Group was looking for an environmental friendly adhesive. Remy Chevalier, one of our favourite tippsters, suggested having a look at 3M as ‘they were doing green management and design way before anyone else was, incorporating eco-safe manufacturing protocols into their product lines with little or no fanfare.’
3M is a technology company with brands such as Post-it, Scotch or Nexcare.
So I had a closer look at their web site which is now offering an extensive ‘sustainability’ page explaining their environmental protection, social responsibility and economic progress. ...
V Day Guide: 50 Ways to Please Your Lover #45 - #41
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 02. 6.06
45. Indulge your sweetheart with Cocoa Vino's organic bonbons. The handcrafted sweets couple two of life’s most sensual pleasures - chocolate and wine.
44. Take your Valentine to the ice or roller rink and *finally* have a couple's skate with someone with whom you actually want to hold hands.
43. Prepare a sumptuous soak for two with Jillian with a J's yummy, sexy Pink Sugar Bath Bombs. Made with all natural ingredients, these bath bombs are dessert in a tub.
42. They say trying new things in the kitchen helps keep the spice in your relationship. Sign up for a vegetarian cooking class and bring home some new recipes.
41. Taking out a personal ad for your sweetheart may seem cheesy, but this is the one day of the year where cheese is almost as good as chocolate.
#50-#46 Ways To Please Your Lover...
Ice Hotel for Romania's Carpathian Mountains
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02. 6.06
Much of the high quality hemp used for apparel, bags and footwear comes from Romania. So too does this story about an odd way to stimulate eco-tourism. An 8 bedroom “Ice Hotel” has been built at 2,000 metres above sea level on the shores of Balea Lac. Cable car is the only winter access. Shaped like an igloo (well, sort of) the hotel took one month to build, costing less than 10,000 euros ($12,000 USD). Serving wine at room temperature might be fun, because this will be between 0-2oC (maybe that’s why they offer Palinca, a Romanian form of plum brandy.) The idea was to attract people “and their cash to the unspoilt forests of some of Europe's greatest wilderness.” The Carpathian mountains is a haven for brown bears, wolves, bison, lynx and a wealth of other wildlife and plant species found nowhere else, but “the region needs money to tackle the poverty that environmentalists say could threaten the mountains.” According to news sources a “seven-nation plan to protect the Carpathian mountains, backed by the United Nations, came into force last month, seeking to protect wildlife, promote sustainable development and preserve the cultures of the up to 18 million inhabitants.“ Via the ::Bucharest Daily News and ::ABC Online...
Behold, The Urban Scavenger’s Treasure Map: Groundscout.com
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 02. 6.06
Last week, after finding some beautiful wooden CD racks in the trash (one still in shrinkwrap), I was mumbling how the adage “seek and ye shall find” could easily be changed to “seek in the garbage and ye shall find.” Ever since high school, when I would cruise the Boston suburbs following trash night around the city, seeking and finding glorious cast-aside artifacts, I have trusted in curbs and dumpsters to provide no end of worldly wonders (including the office chair I currently sit in). Well, technology has just raised the bar for dumpster-divers. Garbagescout is a website that allows people to post and retrieve great groundscores around New York. From your phone, you snap a shot of some good looking item in the garbage, email it to Garbagescout with the location and description, and it is posted on a Google map that others can browse. The freshest sightings are demarcated with a flaming garbage can. Dive in! :: Garbagescout via Inhabitat...
World Cup Taps into Hydro Power
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02. 6.06
In Europe, football frenzy is kicking into high gear. (Now that the Super Bowl’s over, we actually mean soccer—depending on what country you hail from.) During the four action-packed weeks of World Cup festivities (to learn about the climate neutral Finals click here) in Germany, stadiums, media centers, and hospitality areas alone will require power amounting to some 13 million kilowatt hours—that’s equal to the average annual consumption of 4000 homes. But thanks to Green Goal, the 2006 FIFA World Cup environment initiative, and minds at German power giant Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW), FIFA, and the Ecological Institute, much of this energy will come from eco-friendly hydroelectric power produced in Switzerland. In total, 13 million kilowatt hours will be fed into the German national grid between January and June 2006. Since Hydroelectric power does not produce carbon dioxide emissions, it is climate neutral. ...
Take Treehugger Everywhere: Mobile Edition
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 6.06
We love Treehugger and have become rather excessively tied to our computer viewing it. We often suffer pangs of withdrawal when forced to do something else, like work or eat. Imagine our delight to learn about the new Mobile edition- with our Treo in hand we can see the five latest treehugger posts wherever we are, to the eternal annoyance of family, others in restaurants and on chairlifts. Warning: Do not use while driving. See this work in progress at http://www.treehugger.com/mobile/
Does it work on your mobile? Let us know in the comments section. ...
Sanyo's Aqua: Wash Clothes Without Water
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 6.06
Sanyo's new washing machine, the Aqua AWD-AQ1, can clean your clothes without water. Oxygen in the air is converted to ozone, using an ozone creation device, and is sprayed on clothing inside the drum. Ozone has a strong oxidation action, which either destroys or disassembles the cell walls of bacteria. This allows for eliminating bacteria, odors, and dirt (organic matter). Sanyo's release says "recently, sprays that eliminate bacteria and odor are popular, and the Air Wash does mostly the same thing... it just happens inside the washing machine." The machine also has a "normal" washing cycle that uses water recycled from the rinse cycle and ozone together, leading to a big reduction in water use when compared to more conventional machines. Water that has been used for rinsing is stored inside a tank, where ozone microbubbles are injected, purifying the water. This water is again used either for the next washing or as dehumidification water when drying clothes; this whole process only uses 50 liters from wash to dry, while using new water requires 80 liters....
Iola Design: Bamboo Cabinets and Shelves
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 6.06
It's been some time since we've had a post extolling bamboo for its equally sexy and ecologically-sound properties, but we certainly haven't forgotten about how much we like it. Take the work of Iola Design, for example. We know they've got design chops, as seen in Dwell Magazine, and they make their innovative display shelving and cabinets from bamboo; need we say more? The picture above is a custom job (they offer a free conceptual design and estimate), though they have several standard wall mounts and free-standing cabinets for sale from the website as well (more pics below the fold). They offers a range of hues and colors from "natural" light to a more "coffee-colored" dark which they achieve through a carbonization process that colors the planks all the way through, so scratches in the finish are less evident....
TreeHugger Picks: Eco-Travel Info & Resources
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 6.06
With a bold prediction from a certain rodent late last week that winter would soldier on for six more weeks, we thought now would be a useful time to pull out some of our best eco-travel resources, (eco-tourism is "the buzzword" of 2006, after all) so you can start planning your escape from the winter doldrums post haste.
1) Here's a handy bundle of eco-travel resources to help you start planning from square one.
2) In the same vein, take a peek at Responsible Travel's website for info on holidays that "also contribute towards enriching destinations and benefitting local people." Nice.
3) The Environmentalist's Travel Guide has lots of simple ways to make traveling more TreeHugger.
4) Before you go, take a peek at the Green Travel Network, "the largest sustainable tourism community" on the internet these days, to find fellow eco-tourists and travelers wherever you're headed.
5) To keep it green once you get there, be sure to check out the Green Hotels Association....
TH Eco-Action: Bridging Cultures Through Design - RISD Students’ First Impressions Of Guatemala
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02. 6.06
Last week we told you about Rhode Island School Of Design’s Wintersession module – Bridging Cultures Through Design. The 6 industrial design students and 3 textile design students have now arrived in Guatemala for their 10 day sustainable design workshop with local artisans. One of the students Chelsea Green is keeping us up to date with their progress. She has sent some photos of the students and artisans along with some insightful first impressions by everyone involved.
February 4, 2006: ‘We arrived in Guatemala City on February 2nd and were quickly off via bus to our first hotel in Antigua. Antigua is a striking city of colorful Spanish colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. Yesterday we set up our first temporary studio in the courtyard of Casa de los Gigantes. Here we were introduced to some weavers from Chajul, as well as crochet artisans and pattern makers from Antigua. A local designer, Mario Rodas Hegel, owner of toy shop Mico, also met with us to discuss his experience of working with local crochet artisans for European fair trade export. ...
Revised EPA Fuel Economy Labeling Rule Issued
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 6.06
Direct from the US Federal Register: "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to the test methods used to calculate the fuel economy estimates that are posted on window stickers of all new cars and light trucks sold in the United States. A fundamental issue with today's fuel economy estimates is that the underlying test procedures do not fully represent real-world driving conditions. Although no single test or set of tests can ever account for the wide variety of conditions experienced by every driver, the new fuel economy estimates would more accurately reflect a number of important factors that drivers are likely to experience on the road. These changes will take effect starting with 2008 model year vehicles. Under the new methods, the City MPG estimates for most vehicles would drop 10 percent to 20 percent from today's labels, depending on the vehicle. The Highway MPG estimates would generally drop 5 percent to 15 percent for most vehicles. ...
Superbowl Ads: Ford Escape Hybrid & Toyota Camry Hybrid
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 6.06
The Superbowl ad for the Ford Escape hybrid SUV that we wrote about last week can now be viewed at Google Video. It is not particularly impressive or catchy, but at least it is was better than seeing GM pimp its ginormous Escalade and Hummer SUVs. Another interesting ad was the one pitching Toyota's 2007 Camry hybrid. The description reads: "Hispanic father is driving his young son in their new hybrid Toyota Camry. When the father explains how the hybrid car switches between gas and electric power, the son compares it to the way his father can switch between English and Spanish." ::Ford Escape Hybrid Superbowl ad at Google Video, ::Toyota Camry Hybrid Superbowl ad at Google Video...
TH Valentine's Guide: 50 Ways To Please Your Lover
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 02. 5.06
Recognizing that along with being lazy environmentalists, TreeHuggers might also be lazy romantics, we've put our heads together and come up with a few ideas to help you get your love on come February 14. Over the next ten days TreeHugger is going to count down 50 Ways to Please Your Lover. From suggestions on finding quality organic chocolate to tips on less material (but no less special!) ways to celebrate your love, we're going to help you put that twinkle back in your sweetheart's eye. Suggestions are welcomed AND encouraged!...
New York Museum Exhibits "Green" Towers
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02. 5.06
Through May, New York’s Skyscraper Museum will offer an interesting exhibit on green building design, “Green Towers for New York: From Visionary to Vernacular.” We may have more than a little difficulty believing there is anything environmentally-friendly about a skyscraper…..but the show will give an insider’s view of high-profile corporate headquarters, such as The New York Times Building (shown here), The Hearst Tower, and One Bryant Park, in addition to lower-profile, innovative residential projects designed to high-performance "green" standards. It might just be interesting to take a look at all the architectural models, renderings, computer simulations, building material samples on view, plus, starting February 7, the museum will also hold several lectures in conjunction with the show. The lectures will tackle questions like "Is New York ready to go green on a big scale?" and "What are the mechanisms that support sustainability in a market-driven model?," and address topics including Green Ground Zero: Guidelines for Downtown and Beyond and Battery Park City: Green through Government. The latter will discuss the mandatory green guidelines for new residential towers issued be the Battery Park City Authority. :: The Skyscraper Museum ...
Green Degrees Offered at The New School
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02. 5.06
Yale is not the only school on the block implementing green degree programs —now New York’s The New School is up for the challenge. The University launched the Tishman Environment and Design Center last month, which uses curriculum developed in collaboration with Lang College, Parsons, and The New School for Social Research to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees based on design-based research.
When it comes to environmental literacy, one of the school’s main goals is to get the next generation up to speed. Or as New School president Bob Kerrey puts it: “In a democratic society, we have an obligation as citizens to be environmentally literate in order to participate in some of the great debates of our time and to affect change on a local and global scale.” Teaching methods will take a holistic approach, drawing from historical and social evidence, with an emphasis on innovation within the context of cultural, economic, and ecological factors. ::The New School ...
USB Memory Sticks By Guido Ooms Which Are Ummm… Sticks
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02. 5.06
Okay folks do we think this is ‘TreeHugger Cool’ of niet (Dutch for ‘or not’)? What I do know is that it is very Dutch! As are the rest of Guido Ooms’ products: witty, irreverent, conceptual and mostly quite eco-friendly. I must admit I don’t know what is inside the stick of the Memory Stick, maybe all sorts of bad plastics and metals? I just hope you can reuse the stick at the end of the USB’s life. In my experience real sticks last a lot longer than USB sticks! Anyway I just had to show it to you even if I get shot down for it! Check out some other quirky products by Ooms: The Wireframe Chairs are pretty good looking, his strange use of wine glasses is interesting and we definitely like the ‘Blog’. ::Guido Ooms via Core 77...
Bird's Eye View of Air Quality
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 02. 5.06
As reported in New Scientist, Beatriz da Costa of the University of California at Irvine, and two students, Cina Hazegh and Kevin Ponto, plan to launch a 20 pigeon brigade to monitor air quality over San Jose, California, this summer. This one's got a lot of angles, and we like them all...
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