- 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 April 2, 2006 - April 8, 2006
Total this week: 93
Climate Race: Wind Rabbit & Nuclear Tortoise
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 04. 8.06
We have some more wind power myths to tend to below the fold. But we'd like to frame them, first, with the increased plausibility of an oncoming climate emergency. Here are the future drivers for the single scenario we'll look at. Per capita power consumption is increasing in many nations, but especially in US with high levels of immigration, homes full of appliances, and all things digital. To mitigate a coming climate crisis, we have a decade or less in which to begin a serious transition to lifestyles which are less carbon intensive. What mix of new electricity generation capacities will we build and why?...
Subversive Road Signs Ahead
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 8.06
Those electric signs that usually warn of construction ahead appear to have been subverted in Toronto- This is set up on the University campus. In fairness, SUV's are no longer made just in Detroit; our beloved Toyota and Honda seem to put some awfully big things on the road these days, and a lot of them are built right here in Ontario. Watch ::Kevin's video of it here via ::Spacing ...
by Ken Rother on 04. 8.06
...
by Ken Rother on 04. 7.06
Oscar Winner "Crash" Star Has A Green Epiphany
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 04. 7.06
Readers skeptical of Alliance Against Urban 4x4s might be chagrined by the unexpected outcome of a similar Greenpeace campaign. When actress Thandie Newton (Flirting. Interview with a vampire. Jefferson in Paris. Beloved. Mission: Impossible II. The Chronicles of Riddick. Crash.) returned to her BMW X5 to find a sticker bearing the phrase: “This gas-guzzling 4x4 is causing climate change”, and describing the damage done by such vehicles, her inner TreeHugger emerged. ...
The Clean, Yet Dirty, Martini
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 04. 7.06
It’s Friday and we’ve got Happy Hour on the mind, “natch.” We remembered a tip that we received earlier in the week about an organic martini that originated from the New York Times, and after digging through our stack of papers, we finally found it ourselves. Yes, dirty martinis happen to be a favorite, on the rocks preferably, and this one sounds deelish right about now. We really liked the writer’s (Jonathan Miles) sense of humor in this article as he writes about Counter, a popular New York City bar that serves all-organic cocktails: “…an organic cocktail needn’t come with a sidecar of wheatgrass. After the second drink it’s easy to forget you’re saving the world. It’s pleasant, nonetheless to be reminded, which is maybe why I took such a shine to Counter’s Dirtiest Martini, made with basil-infused vodka and greased with just enough olive juice to warm your tongue rather than singe it. A basil leaf, floating faceup in the glass, seemed to wink at me, providing a constant but gentle reminder of my martini’s clean dirtiness – or dirty cleanliness, take your pick.” Thanks for the tip, Lascelles! Via (and photo) ::New York Times
Recipe for The Dirtiest Martini, courtesy of Counter and the New York Times:...
Lime: From One Mustang to Another
by Lime Planet, New York, New York on 04. 7.06
Ford, longtime maker of Mustang sports cars, has taken an interest in another kind of mustang: the wild ones. The company raised more than $200,000 to help save wild horses from the slaughterhouse, where many of them could end up as a result of federal policies. The money will go to animal rescue groups to buy the horses and provide for their long-term care....
Plug-Ins, EVs, and Consumer Power: an Interview with Paul Scott
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 04. 7.06
Paul Scott makes illusions—he creates visual effects for the movies. But his fight to bring sustainable technology to the people is an epic unto itself. Scott has been instrumental in the “Don’t Crush” campaign that has fought (and won) against big automakers to keep electric vehicles on the road. He helped bring a feature film about electric cars to Sundance, and is co-founder of Plug In America, an alliance of green car advocates. He was kind enough to share his thoughts on the future of plug-ins, electric vehicles, and how people can get the cars they want. TreeHugger: By now, people are starting to catch on to what plug-in hybrids are all about. What’s their significance and what will their evolution be? Paul Scott: The significance of plug-ins is that they combine the best of two technologies. First, as most folks know, hybrids combine an electric motor with a small gas or diesel engine so that the electric power assists the internal combustion engine (ICE) allowing for more efficiency. Since electric motors are by far more efficient than ICE, the more electric power you use to move your car, the more efficient your driving will be....
TreeHugger Picks: Eco-Laundry
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 7.06
Ahh...Friday. The weekend is nigh, which, for some of us means time away from work to attend to life's simpler pleasures. One of these, without a doubt, is laundry. We all can't swing by the world's largest laundromat that uses solar electricity (in Chicago) or have self-cleaning clothes, so here are our picks for doing laundry the TreeHugger way.
1) If you have Samsung's SilverCare, the machine that generates silver ions to disinfect washwater and clothes to keep your clothes clean longer or Sanyo's Aqua that cleans your clothes without water, you're off to a good start. If you're in the market for a new machine, let TreeHugger help you do your homework.
2) Soap Nuts and Cot'n Wash are good alternatives to traditional detergents.
3) The Airwash just might be the future of laundry, using negative ions and compressed air to get the dirt out.
4) The WonderWash is a hand-operated, electricity-free alternative to getting clothes clean.
5) Once you're dirty laundry is clean, be sure to follow our how-to list for drying, wearing and future washing....
The Biodiesel Station - Sydney’s First
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04. 7.06
With all the recent talk stateside about biodiesel, thought it time we mention that in late January, Sydney quietly opened its own such service station (or the locals might say, ‘servo’). Initially it is going with 59,000 litres of combined capacity, spread across the offerings of the 100% blend (B100), B50, B20, and even some E10 (petrol with 10% ethanol). The prices in the photo are a bit out of date. It’s now in the realm of $1.30 AUD / litre, but remains cheaper than full petroleum diesel, due in part to (and will wonders never cease?) a federal government temporary excise exemption for biodiesel. Yay, we got something right! But price is not the only benefit being touted. The supplier is suggesting biodiesel use can lead to a “reduction in carbon monoxide emissions by up to 50 per cent and total hydrocarbons by up to 60 per cent when compared to fossil fuel.” Plus this: “Biodiesel is 10 times less toxic than table salt.” Plans are afoot for another 6 or 7 servos in the city, as demand grows. One story indicates that for ever unit of energy used to produce biodiesel, you get a return of 3.2 units of energy, whereas old petrol-diesel can only manage 0.9 units returned. Impessive. ...
Toyota's Fine-T Fuel Cell Hybrid Concept: Coming to NYC
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 7.06
Toyota will bring their Fine-T fuel cell hybrid concept to the New York Auto Show next week. Originally unveiled in Japan as the Fine-X, it's powered by a new downsized, high-performance Toyota fuel-cell stack, and the hybrid components are mounted beneath the vehicle floor, making for more cabin space and a low center of gravity. As with the Fine-X, Toyota used plant-based, carbon-neutral materials for a range of interior elements, like door trim, suede-like ceiling material, seat nets and floor mats. Deriving "plastic" and other materials by processing polylactic acid (PLA) from sugar cane, Kenaf and other plant fiber is an idea that Toyota has been after for awhile, though this concept has some pretty interesting innovations: four-wheel large-angle steering system and independent four-wheel drive incorporating in-wheel motors for ease in parallel parking is just one of them. To see the rest, check out the New York Auto Show, April 14th through April 23. ::New York Auto Show via ::Green Car Congress...
Vanity Fair's "Green Issue" Hits Newsstands Early
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 04. 7.06
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! We’ve got word that Vanity Fair’s “Green Issue", due to hit newsstands on April 11th, has arrived early! Featuring about a 20-page spread with environmental notables and celebrities from all over, we’re ecstatic to see TreeHugger’s very own Graham Hill (that's him in the front!). The content isn’t available online yet, so you’re going to have to visit a newsstand near you to pick up a copy. Pictured above with Graham, from left to right: Jennifer Boulden and Heather Stephenson of Idealbite, Laurie David of StopGlobalWarming and Chip Giller of Grist Magazine. P.S. – We’re still disappointed that it doesn’t contain recycled content. Via ::Grist Magazine Photo Credit ::Mark Seliger, exclusively for Vanity Fair...
H2PIA: A Vision of a Hydrogen Future
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 7.06
Here is a bucolic, utopian vision of the future, a brave new suburban world with a hydrogen powered car in every garage and an organic chicken in every pot. H2Pia generates power from wind and sun to make hydrogen so that everyone can live the hybrid suburban (shown here) , unplugged exurban or young swinging urban lifestyle."H2PIA is based upon self-sufficiency, clean energy, and a constructive partnership between the public and the private sector. H2PIA will work to secure and enhance our welfare in a way that balances our energy needs with the cost to the environment and our climate of producing this energy. The key attribute of the hydrogen society is that people produce their own energy. This is how it works:"...
Katrina Cottage II: Headed to Congress
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 7.06
The Katrina Cottage (which we first covered here) is back in the news. When we saw it last, it was a nice alternative to FEMA trailers, an example of "design that makes a difference" according to the architect, Marianne Cusato, but hadn't been put to use. We like the Cottage because they're cheaper and safer than a FEMA trailer, and are also more permanent; additions can be built, turning the cottage into a home. Herein lies the difficulty, though: under federal law, FEMA cannot spend money on "permanent" housing. Governors of both Mississippi and Louisiana as well as members of the Louisiana Recovery Association are lobbying hard for the Cottage as a better option (and considering residents of South Florida are still occupying FEMA trailers more than 13 years following Hurricane Andrew, they may be right). In the face of this, the Senate is considering an unprecedented step....
Recipe of the Week: Passover Walnut Tweed Torte
by Kelly Rossiter, Toronto on 04. 7.06
This TreeHugger’s family celebrates both Jewish and Christian holidays so our thoughts turn to the coming week and the Passover seder. For the duration of Passover, Jews are forbidden to eat grains that have been fermented or leavened. This provides the Jewish cook with a bit of a challenge, but there is a wealth of great recipes using matzo meal rather than flour and without using baking soda or baking powder. Our partner’s favourite way to eat matzo is to spread it with margarine and stand over the sink to catch the crumbs. I think this year we will try to broaden his culinary repertoire. This recipe from Gourmet Magazine calls for matzo cake meal. It suggests grinding matzo meal in a clean coffee or spice grinder if you can’t find cake meal. This seemed like too much work, so we just used regular matzo meal and it was fine. This makes a light cake with lots of texture....
The 7,000km Journey That Links Amazon Destruction To McDonald's Fast Food
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 04. 7.06
I don’t believe we have many McDonalds devotees in the audience (please correct me if I am wrong), so this news is probably not going so shatter any treehugger’s illusions! Nevertheless the article that John Vidal published in the Guardian yesterday makes for some startling reading. A recent report on the Brazilian soy bean industry, led by Greenpeace investigators, ‘follows a 7,000km chain that starts with the clearing of virgin forest by farmers and leads directly to Chicken McNuggets being sold in British and European fast food restaurants.’ There are however several steps in the food chain before they arrive at the conclusion that McDonalds is to blame for the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. First stop, after the farmers, is the ‘US agribusiness giant Cargill, which has built a port and 13 soya storage works in the Amazon region. It provides farmers with seeds and agrochemicals to grow hundreds of thousands of tonnes of beans a year.’ ...
Strange Waters: The pH Controlling Water Filter
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 7.06
For those of you who want water with that special something (see all of our other posts about Strange (wacko) Waters here) but have been convinced by our arguments against bottled water, we offer the Jupiter pH Water System. This US$ 945 device is "the first Water Ionizer in the world that has BioStone/Tourmaline , which generates negative-ions as soon as it makes contact with water. It activates water to assist in support of our metabolism, and circulation of blood. It also assists with skin diseases and actually helps to increase metabolism though better conductivity. In addition, Tourmaline generates FIR that enlarges capillaries, purifies water, and acts like a 'supercharger', assisting the water alkalizer to ionize and alkalize." to top it all off, "The JP104 has the new BioStone filter, which ‘supercharges’ output water by increasing its ‘wetness’ by 101% and ability to hold negative ion charge." What more could we ask for? ::Jupiter Melody via ::Red Ferret...
I Need a New (Vegan) Purse NOW, Part 2
by Bonnie Alter, London on 04. 7.06
If you want a handbag that is sleek, chic, and makes a serious fashion statement then Matt and Nat’s bags are for you. They have been featured in Flare, Elle and In style magazine, and carried by Kim Basinger and Drew Barrymore. And they are vegan, made of the highest quality synthetics and they have been endorsed by PETA. Created by a Canadian in 1997, well before Stella, the designer wants to make “cool products which also happen to be committed to animal rights”. Influenced by east and west, yin and yang, Matt and Nat’s embrace a philosophy which they call “positivity” and exhorts you to “choose life, salvation and peace within yourself”.
...
E-Drive Systems Delivers Plug-In Prius to California
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 04. 6.06
News about plug-ins is popping up like little hybrid mushrooms. The President, The New York Times, Scientific American and, most significantly, Boing Boing are all talking about plug-ins. These next generation hybrids hold the potential to give us 100+ mpg cars that can’t run out of juice (see our beginner’s guide). An important step forward was made this week as EnergyCS, a California engineering firm, delivered its first EDrive equipped Prius to California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). The AQMD plans to use the plug-in Prius for testing and evaluation, and may purchase up to six more this coming September. This also marks an important step towards a commercially available plug-in conversion system, which EnergyCS plans to market under the EDrive brand. "The delivery of the demonstration vehicles is a significant step towards a commercial version of the system," said Greg Hanssen, President of EDrive. :: EDrive Systems...
Aveda Celebrates Earth Month
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 04. 6.06
During Aveda's Earth Month you can get a professional salon service while helping to save threatened and endangered plant species. The Aveda Network celebrates the month of April with an international fundraising effort designed to raise money for a group of nonprofit Conservation Partners. Many spas and salons are offering "Appointments for the Earth," where stylists and other professionals provide services free of charge to clients who donate to the campaign (to be fair, if you participate consider a donation that is roughly equivalent to the salon's going rate). Additionally, the Network is selling a special edition "Light The Way" rose geranium scented candle - for which all proceeds will be donated to conservation programs. The candle comes in a 95% PCR glass holder and is made of 100% organic ingredients. Along with the fundraising effort, Aveda is collecting signatures on a petition to Congress and one to the United Nations to take action for endangered plants (both can be signed online). Visit the Aveda website to find a participating spa or salon in your area....
(Fast Food) Restaurant of the Week: O’Natural’s, ME & MA
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 04. 6.06
As the first organic fast-food restaurant, O’Natural’s has a pretty simple concept: Provide people with food that’s 100% food. With four locations (two in Massachusetts and two in Maine) the business is growing quite quickly and one quick look at the menu explains why. It’s comprised of Flatbread Sandwiches, salads, soups, Asian noodles and assorted breakfast items as well. Pizza is served after 4pm and a kid’s menu is also available. Clearly, the Flatbread Sandwiches are a favorite on the menu as the selection is quite distinct. Anything from a Chicken TMB (free roaming chicken breast meat with balsamic vinaigrette, tomatoes mozzarella and basil) to a Wild West (wild prairie raised bison meatloaf, roasted red peppers, cheddar and mustard) to a Mediterranean (organic hummus, lettuce, red onion, roasted red peppers and Swiss) can be found here. The café is designed to be a quick stop for people in a hurry, but the leather couches and pleasant atmosphere might make you want to stay. The people behind this great idea are Gary Hirshberg, President and CEO of the successful Stonyfield Farm, Pam Solo, President of the Institute for Civil Society (ICS) and Mac McCabe, Consultant to ICS. Here’s food for thought - they are now offering franchising options (hmm…). Via ::WRAL.com ::O’Naturals ...
Nissan to Develop Own Hybrid Technology
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 04. 6.06
Less than a year ago, Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Nissan, was saying that hybrid cars were "terrible business" and "a nice story, but they’re not a a good business" (notice the common theme?). Nissan was working on a hybrid version of its Altima sedan (picture above) anyway, but the technology was licensed from Toyota and the company seemed skeptical even about its own hybrid. Forward to a few months later, and now it seems that the Japanese car maker is changing its mind; it is working on a new electric motor, lithium-ion battery and inverter for its own future hybrid and fuel cell models. Executive Vice President Mitsuhiko Yamashita says that these parts should be ready for use by 2009 (so don't hold your breath). In the meantime, the Altima hybrid should come out for 2007. ::Bloomberg, via ::Nissan goes 180 degrees to develop own hybrid technology, ::Ghosn: Hybrids Are a “Terrible Business Prospect”, ::Nissan a Skeptical Maker of Hybrids...
French Rabbit: Savor the Wine, Save the Planet
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 6.06
French Rabbit has taken the drink container to a new level with their innovative wine packaging. Instead of using the traditional glass bottles, they've developed their own version of a drink box to sell their wine in, and the results are pretty interesting. The box weighs just about four percent of an ordinary glass wine bottle, meaning it would take 25 trucks filled with bottles to equal one truck filled with empty Rabbits. The package itself is made from polyethelene, aluminum foil and paperboard, so it's 100% recyclable, and its collapsible, which reduces waste volume by about 90 percent. The twist-on cap makes using cork a thing of the past. While it may seem strange to drink wine from what amounts to an oversized juice box, reviews have been positive; Mark over at 3rBlogging recently had some and gave it a rave review. The wine comes from the Boisset Winery in France, where the grapes are grown using "sustainable farming," and is available in Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet and Pinor Noir. ::French Rabbit via ::3r Blogging...
Biodiesel Boosted by Big Oil?
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 6.06
The burgeoning biodiesel industry got a friendly boost from a somewhat unlikely source: big oil. Motiva Enterprises, a large oil company headquartered in Houston, recently announced that the Motiva Enterprises terminal in Dallas will now offer biodiesel at any blend level. Petroleum distributors who deliver biodiesel to retail outlets and other customers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area can now load pre-blended biodiesel on their tanker trucks. This allows distributors to get more biodiesel distributed, as the deal eliminates the additional cost and inconvenience of making two stops to obtain the biodiesel and petroleum diesel, and purchasing blending equipment. Motiva, a partnership between Shell Oil Co. and Saudi Refining Inc., is among the first major oil companies to provide a blending and loading terminal for the alternative fuel; other refiners who already blend biodiesel at the terminal level include Valero Energy Corp. and Tesoro Corp. Biodiesel kingpin Willie Nelson was joined by fellow booster Morgan Freeman to announce the installation of a 30,000-gallon heated tank that will allow biodiesel to be loaded onto tanker trucks already fully blended with petroleum diesel. ::National Biodiesel Board [pdf] via ::Seattle P-I and ::Jalopnik...
Australians Concerned About Environment: Survey
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04. 6.06
"It would appear that the federal government is too pre-occupied with international issues [ .... ], and has failed to recognise that as a nation we are more locally focused on our children's future with health, education and the environment the top priorities," so said the researcher regarding the results of a recent poll. No, this isn’t a country of 52 states, though one of similar geographic size, but with six states and two territories. Seems Australians, if this survey of 1,000 is in any way indicative, have finally decided to worry about stuff other than the interest rate of their mortgage. So what else is on their minds? Health and education top the poll. Followed by "Developing new water sources" and "the environment generally". The real surprise is that "alternative energy sources" came in at sixth and global warming took eighth place. Well unleaded petrol just jumped 24 cents to be around 134 cents ($0.95 USD) per litre (0.26 gallon) [which I think is about equal to $3,66 USD per gallon], so that might account for the energy radar coming on. Cyclone Larry recently slammed into the Queensland coast causing widespread damage, and massacring 80% of the home grown banana crop, sending prices more than triple what they were a week before. ...
Instant Survey: Second Hand Shopping
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 04. 6.06
Maxim Publisher Planting Trees for 500 years
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 04. 6.06
We’d like you to meet Felix Dennis, the publishing genius behind über successful lad-mag Maxim, “your daily guide to cover girls, babes, sport, fashion, clothes..”, the critically acclaimed poet, and the…environmentalist? A wild contradiction of terms, Dennis has us intrigued. The New York Post says it best: “While his empire has been built in part on products printed on dead trees, he has often waxed philosophical on a desire to become a philanthropist and restore a major forest to his native England.” Turns out these rumors are true. ...
I Need a New (Ethical) Purse NOW
by Bonnie Alter, London on 04. 6.06
The arrival of spring is taking a long time and sometimes nothing but a new handbag will lift a girl out of the doldrums. Luckily this season there are lots of funky and stylish new purses that are pretty, ethically sourced and just waiting to get out there and smell the roses. For daily shopping everyone can use a brightly coloured, purple and orange striped basket, handmade in Ghana from Savannah grasses, from DesignAfrica (.net). Or you could carry a recycled jute bag made by Bangladeshi rural women. Originally used to carry concrete, these are very roomy and great looking with blue and red Indian lettering all over, from ::ganesha.co.uk
...
Arsenic in Chicken: Another Reason to Go Organic or Vegetarian
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 6.06
So like many people you have cut down on the red meat and increased your chicken consumption. "consumption of chicken has exploded. In 1960, each American ate 28 pounds of chicken a year. For 2005, the figure is estimated at about 87 pounds per person." Unfortunately there is a government approved additive to kill parasites and promote growth in chicken: arsenic. And even though we are eating 3 times as much, the allowable tolerance level has not been revised. "Those at greatest risk from arsenic are small children and people who consume chicken at a higher rate than what is considered average: two ounces per day for a 154-pound person." Fortunately there are alternatives: Tyson Foods, the biggest industrial chicken producer and not a TreeHugger favourite, stopped using arsenic. Organic chicken is arsenic free. It is a cumulative poison- if your crazy old aunts or significant other starts feeding you chicken every night, watch out. ::New York Times...
Natural Products Expo West 2006 - Mead, She Wrote
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 04. 6.06
[This is part 4 of a series of guest posts by Siel from Green LA Girl. For more, see part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 & part 5. -Ed.] A question keeping drinkers up at night: What's the difference between mead and melomel?
We found out at a wine and beer tasting at the Natural Products Expo West. Both are yummy and sweet -- and less heavy than either beer or wine. But unbeknownst to most, melomel is not mead, exactly. According to HoneyRun Winery, "Mead is wine made from honey alone." Melomels, on the other hand, usually also contain fruit or berry juice....
Recycled CD-Clocks From Acorn Studios
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 04. 6.06
These CD-Clocks (silver and blue) are hand made and reasonably priced (under $16 Canadian) from Acorn Studios. "Compact discs have been rescued from a life in the landfill and turned into functional art! Created by hand using three discs, each clock undergoes a heating and cooling process to create the unique iridescent cracked effect on the surface. Can be hung from the wall or used as a desk clock using the free stand provided". DRM trapped in time. Many huggs for the Acorn folks....
85 Lamps: Time to Retire
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 6.06
We love Droog Design-"The products they select need to combine functionality and conceptual clarity with a keen expression of awareness of cultural and technological references and contexts" and we love design site Funfurde. What we don't love is 85 lamps at 15 watts each, or 1275 watts hanging over our dining room table. In any other form of lighting besides incandescent that would light an entire house; in our kitchen we could cook dinner. In Droog's defense it was designed in 1993; however it is still for sale. TreeHugger has suggested Ban the Bulb; Perhaps it is also time to Ban 85 Bulbs as well, at least until they bring out the LED version. ::DroogDesign via ::Funfurde...
theMap: an Affinity Club Promoting Transit Use
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 6.06
Toronto's formerly wonderful transit system has been deteriorating for years, but for some reason many people just love the TTC and even celebrate it. TreeHugger faves Lori and Kevin at NewMindspace throw birthday parties for it; Spacing Magazine makes buttons of it; Robot Jonny produces anagram maps of it (and gets threatened with lawsuits by it); Now Joe Travers and the Ontario Chapter of the Sierra Club have set up (with no help from the TTC) an affinity program where you get discounts at stores around town just by showing your monthly Metropass as proof that you support public transit. Stores participating tend to be the TreeHugger type (eco-cleaners, health foods and Grassroots ) and are worthy of your custom. ::the Map...
Common Eco-Myth: Wind Turbines Kill Birds
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 04. 6.06
It's a given that anytime we post a story on wind power someone is going to comment that "turbines kill birds," suggesting that wind power may therefore be unacceptable. Compared to what? Hitting birds with automobiles (along with turtles, groundhogs, and deer)? Birds caught by feral cats? Birds colliding with buildings or phone towers? Quite possibly, a higher mortality will be attached to the transmission wires needed to get the wind power to market. Why, then, do many associate bird mortality only with wind turbines? We hope to get to the bottom of this "death by turbine" myth hole, and point to the factors that can actually be managed though public involvement....
World’s Largest Laundromat uses Solar Hot Water
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04. 6.06
On the roof there are 36 solar hot water panels. Inside are a 157 washing machines and 145 dryers. So it’s big. Maybe not still living up to its moniker of the World’s Largest Laundromat. But the aspect that gets our attention is that the panels, installed by Solar Service, save the laundry, in Berwyn, Chicago “about $2,000 a month." They do this by displacing around 2 million Btu (British Thermal Units, if you must know) of natural gas per day for washing clothes. The 40 square foot panels, arrayed in two banks, heat some 2,400 gallons (9,000+ litres) of water a day, which is about 20% of the laundromat’s needs. The laundry anticipates a return on investment (ROI) of about 5 years. It helps that the state covered half of the cost on a dollar-per-dollar program. The total package is said to be the largest solar hot water system in the State of Illinois. Oh yeh, it is a community based venue too. In 2004 they gave away a dozen bikes to kids, who participated in a "Read to Ride" literacy campaign with the local library. Thanks to Tipster Anthony B. for pointing us to the story in the ::Chicago Tribune (might require a subscription), with other info gleaned from the Sun Times. ...
TH Blog Love – Our Favourite Greens Of The Week
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 04. 6.06
Eco Street: The 7 Most Endangered Wonders of the World by Tracy Stokes.
Eco Street received a press release from Newsweek International this weekend about a feature that they are doing on how tourism, climate change and development are all threatening the world’s most treasured sites.
Green LA Girl: Global Green USA’s Climate Summit by Siel
Siel is still coming down hard and wittily on Starbuck’s fair trade CAFE practices. Check out her account of her recent run in with them at the Global Green USA’s Climate Summit.
Green Thinkers: Carnival of the Green #21 by Scott Smith
Greenthinkers is proud to be hosting the Carnival of the Green this week! There is a lot to cover this week from coffee to bamboo to angry golfers with guns to eco-snobs on South Park, so let’s get to it.
Suburban Treehugger: Earth Day Links For Kids by Kate West
Kate has been putting together a current list of links to sites of interest to kids for Earth Day. Some also include lesson plans for homeschooling parents. Enjoy!
Unplugged Living: Pak-Lite Flashlights by Kevin Humphrey
The design is beautifully simple: A small plastic cap that contains two bright LED bulbs snaps onto a 9-volt battery. LED’s being the low-energy users that they are mean that one 9-volt battery can power one of these flashlights for up to three years....
Indian State Shoots for Biodiesel Self-Sufficiency
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 04. 5.06
The state of Chhattisgarh in the east of India is striving to be the country’s first biofuel self-sufficient state by the year 2015. Of the 160 million jatropha saplings scheduled to be planted across all sixteen of its districts, half of those will be planted in wasteland areas. To encourage farmers to cultivate the hearty fuel crop, the government has decided to give away packages of up to 500 saplings to farmers. Last year, Chief Minister Raman Singh, a key promoter of the program, became the first official to use biodiesel in his government vehicle. The state of Chhattisgarh has ambitious plans to run all state owned vehicles on jatropha biodiesel by 2007. :: Green Car Congress and NewKerala. com (Image credit Daimler Chrysler)...
Hybrid Cars: There's Still Time For U.S. Tax-Credit
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 04. 5.06
Those of you who were afraid that the new US tax-credit for hybrid cars would end before they could get their hands on one, take a deep breath and relax. The credit of up to $3,400 for taxpayers who buy an eligible car will phase out for a particular manufacturer once it sells more than 60,000 hybrids (all the different models from a same car maker are tallied together), but so far even Toyota isn't close to 60,000, so you still have a few more months to make your move. According to Mike Chung from Edmunds, this could happen "as early as August and possibly September" for Toyota, but Honda has only sold 43,356 hybrids in 2005 so it's not sure that they will go over 60,000 in 2006. Ford, with 3,475 Escape hybrids in the first quarter this year, is not even close... ::Still Time To Buy Hybrid Car, Receive Tax Credit. See also: ::Toyota Camry Hybrid: Pricing & Revised Fuel Economy...
Psychologists To Examine Roots of "TreeHugging" Behavior
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 04. 5.06
More Details On Vanity Fair "Green" Issue
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 04. 5.06
Thank goodness Vanity Fair had the sense to include our very own Graham Hill in their upcoming eco-issue or the recently revealed paper faux pax may have lost TreeHugger readers altogether. But given their wise selection of featured environmental leaders, the April issue will still capture our attention. Hollywood.com fills us in on some details about what to expect between the (non-recycled) pages: George Clooney and Julia Roberts will star on the cover and in a photo shoot alongside Al Gore and Robert F Kennedy. Ms. Roberts will don the garb of a wood nymph and Mr. Clooney models a smart dark green suit. Other featured celebs include: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bette Midler and Edward Norton. TreeHugger readers will recognize George Clooney's Tango, to be pictured in a photo spread accompanying a feature article that describes his plans for Oil Change, a campaign to educate audiences and reduce dependence on oil. Thank you to The Fairest Tipster Of Them All. Via Hollywood.com ...
"Eco-Packaging" Contest: One Day to Vote
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 04. 5.06
The voting to determine the winner of our "Eco-Packaging" Contest is close, and with only a day left, your vote might decide who takes home the contest prize - a complete outfit from eco-style retailers Loomstate! Take a look at our great finalists and vote for the entry that you think exemplifies the TreeHugger mantra of green, modern design in the notoriously wasteful field of packaging.
...
Alcohol: The Ecological Fuel of Tomorrow?
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 04. 5.06
Ok, so maybe you can’t quite storm the liquor cabinet when it starts to get cold outside again…but the EcoSmart Fire by the Australian-based Fire Company has potential. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces are often smoky, if not toxic (and why not save a tree or two). Gas fireplaces, when done well, are an option….but how about one that uses a renewable fuel, like ethanol-based denatured alcohol? The flame for the sleekly-designed EcoSmart Fire is produced from this substance, called Ecohol. According to the manufacturer, it also burns clean, is biodegradable, and only emits ecologically-sound carbon dioxide and water-based steam. Without the need for gas, EcoSmart is easily attached—no extra pipes for a ventilation flue or a permanent gas connection. Plus, maintenance, the firm says, is a breeze. ::The Fire Company...
Ventura - Human Powered Digital Watches
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04. 5.06
Digital watches. Ha! How Cheap. You can almost get them free in a box of cereal these days. Think again. A Swiss company is producing luxury digital timepieces, with many a twist. While the pricing requires a well padded wallet, it’s more the technology employed that intrigued us. In 2000, Ventura launched what they termed the first automatic battery-free (that's the bit we like) digital watch. A “micro-generator driven by the centrifugal forces created by the movements of the wrist”, produces the electricity required. Turn the winder for extra power. A sensor notices when the watch is not being used, and shuts down the liquid crystal display (LCD), yet at the slightest movement it perks up, showing the correct date and time. Originally launched with BMW and winning a Red Dot design award, Ventura are extending the line beyond the Sparc (shown here) to including the funky new v-tec MGS, due out before the end of the year. If the Sparc lights your fire, first check you have the requisite $2,200 USD needed to own one. ::Ventura via Reluct....
TreeHugger Picks: Take Action Today
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 5.06
Sometimes, to accomplish a big objective (like, say, saving the planet) it takes a lot of small individual efforts. We like to believe that we can all make a difference every day; here are some easy ways that you can make a difference by the end of the day today.
1) Sign up to be a part of the virtual march at StopGlobalWarming.org.
2) Eliminate phantom loads by unplugging your cellphone charger and using power strips with an on/off switch.
3) Use less water by using whatever comes out of the tap (and not a drop more), and run your dishwasher on the "light" cycle.
4) Replace a burned out incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent and sign up to help ban the bulb.
5) Drive the speed limit if you climb behind the wheel....
Fuel Cell Powered Trains on the Rails In Japan
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 5.06
Much of Japan's fabulous rail system is electrified, but for those routes still running diesel-electric locomotives the NE-train is coming. The diesel generator is replaced with two 65 Kw Hydrogen powered fuel cells and a hydrogen tank to power the motors and it stores regenerative braking energy in batteries. Pollution? the Google translation (below the fold) says, "as for the excreta just the water"
via ::Akhabara News...
Cool Carpet from Interface
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 5.06
TH fav Interface (we've featured their modular Flor tiles, Entropy carpet tiles and to celebrate ten years of being green, just to name a few), makers of fabulous, sustainable modular carpets and more, has joined the masses in offering climate-neutral products. Cool Carpet earns its moniker through the purchase of emission reduction credits to cover the emissions resulting from manufacturing, production of raw materials such as nylon, transportation of raw materials and finished product, vacuuming and maintenance, and recovery at the end of life. Their credits come from a variety of sources, and are all third-party certified by Leonardo Academy’s Cleaner and Greener Certification Program, and meet the Climate Neutral Network’s criteria for credits. Cool Carpet is standard on Interface's i2 modular products and available on all of their modular products. More info to be had in their nifty flash movie and at their sustainability website. ::Cool Carpet via ::Gristmill...
Raw Beauty – A Natural Luxury
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 04. 5.06
Whenever you find someone with a love for food and a passion for cooking, you know you can’t go wrong. That’s exactly what inspired Janae Chang’s company, Raw Beauty. After an adventure in culinary school and realizing that so many beauty products have lost their natural essence, Chang decided her main goal would be to establish superior, handmade products by using only the best of raw ingredients. Her second goal was to develop a brand that was fun, fresh and exciting for both the body and mind. We found in these cold winter months that we loooved the Birthday Suit Body Butter and Beauty Queen Facial Cream. Both were perfect solutions to our dry skin. The Body Butter is thicker than most moisturizers but gave us the extra kick of moisture we needed, especially on our elbows, feet and hands. Not to mention how much we enjoyed the delicious smell. The Facial Cream is lightweight, making it a nice base under makeup, and our face was left feeling soft and smooth but not greasy. It’s created with jojoba oil, which closely resembles our body’s natural sebum. “Our world is so chemically unbalanced today,” Chang notes. “Your skin is the biggest organ in your body and should be treated as one of the most important.” ::Raw Beauty...
Who Should Sponsor Our Umbrella Contests???
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 04. 5.06
Have you seen non-biodegradable umbrella carcasses littered on the sidewalks after a storm? We have. Soon, TreeHugger and ID Magazine (along with Plenty, The Sustainable Style Foundation, and Earth Pledge) will announce a pair of design competitions called Umbrella Inside Out. The first competition involves designing a sturdy, sustainable umbrella. The second, fashion component asks for outfits made from discarded umbrellas. You get the idea: we want to encourage innovation around both sustainable design and smart re-use. TreeHugger readers will count down the finalists, who will then be judged in real-world venues by prestigious judges, with cool to-dos and a spread in ID to follow. But in order to create eco-fabulous events and generate the kind of attention we’d like, we, of course, need sponsorship dollars! What companies would you like to see supporting the competitions and getting all sorts of cred for making them happen? Tell us and we'll see what they think......
Reminder: HauteGREEN Deadline is Friday!
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 5.06
Procrastinators, this post is for you! HauteGREEN, the curated collection of the best in sustainable home design, is coming to NYC, and is still accepting submissions until Friday (April 7). There is no cost for submissions, and the form can be downloaded from their website. The event will run concurrently with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) from May 20-22, and will feature furniture, lighting, and accessories. Each submission will be judged on both aesthetics and sustainability, with the extensive sustainability criteria ranging from materials to manufacture to transport, use and more. Graham Hill, TreeHugger's founder and resident sustainable design guru, is one of the judges, so seeing his picks is reason enough to go check it out. ::HauteGREEN ...
Sustain Minihome Hits the Road
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 5.06
So many prefabs are vaporware- great ideas that never make it off the drafting board. Imagine our excitement to see the SIP walled, green roofed, solar panelled, stirling powered Sustain MiniHome hit the road to Toronto for its first exposure at the National Home Show. (although we cannot guarantee that all of those components are in this first unit) This TreeHugger may go over the top a bit about this little unit but it is the future- small efficient spaces, green materials and low impact. ::Sustain at the ::National Home Showin Toronto starting Friday. ...
USGBC Working Towards a Greener New Orleans
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 04. 5.06
What does the future hold for this storm-ravaged city? Perhaps for the first time, we have the opportunity to build a city from the ground up—incorporating a 21st century understanding of ecological issues. The U.S. Green Building Council hopes leaders in urban planning, real estate, neighborhood outreach and architecture will follow its sustainable plan. The organization presented “The New Orleans Principles," 10 suggestions for sustainable development in New Orleans, at a leadership luncheon last month. According to USGBC member Bob Odell, the city should reinvent its history of mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhoods with 21st century technology like solar electric systems, protected underground utilities, and updated public transit. ...
The Natural Store Presents A New Fortnightly Ezine - Pecha Kucha
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 04. 5.06
The Natural Store describes itself as an online department store specialising in the finest natural and organic products. It does indeed appear extensive with almost as many departments as Harrods! As their philosophy page explains, ‘Our dream is to one day provide you with everything you need, and would like, for your home and life, family and friends.’ Now added to their great selection of products is a fortnightly ezine, sent straight to your inbox, called Pecha Kucha. The launch issue features an interview with Enamore designer, Jenny McPherson. Pecha Kucha will keep you up to date with world of naturals and organics with style tips, cultural events and eco-advice. Thanks to Remy Chevalier for the tip. :: The Natural Store...
Chicken Little, circa 2006
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04. 5.06
The WorldWatch Institute take 244 pages to describe the State of the World, whereas here it’s accomplished in a few strokes of a pen. Cartoon by Clement, from Saturday 01 April 2006, in the ::Sydney Morning Herald...
BBC Documentary: Planet Earth
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 04. 4.06
If you ever start to forget why you are a treehugger, please watch the Planet Earth documentary series by the BBC. It has made me - if such a thing is possible - even more passionate about protecting all the different forms of life and ecosystems on our planet, and I've only watched the first episode. It is: "The most ambitious factual series ever commissioned by the BBC and a breathtaking exploration of our world." It doesn't address environmental issues directly, but there's no time for that as the camera moves rapidly from pole to pole in search of natural magnificence. But not mentioning environmental problems isn't really a downside because anybody who watches these films can't help but fall in love with our wonderful planet; there will be other occasions to learn more about the ugliness of pollution and habitat destruction. These films are certainly a good starting point to raising awareness and should be showed in schools all over the world. If you have the chance, please see these movies (preferably with your non-treehugger friends and family). Thanks to Øystein H-O for the tip. ::BBC - Planet Earth, ::Pre-Order the Book or DVD...
Citroën C2, Now With Stop & Start Technology
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 04. 4.06
French car maker Citroën introduces to the UK a new model of its C2 car. It features "stop/start" technology that allows it to shut off the gasoline engine when the car stops, and to restart it pretty much instantaneously (400 milliseconds) when the driver takes his/her foot off the brake pedal, producing a 15% reduction in fuel consumption in heavy traffic. That technology was first introduced on the Citroën C3 in 2004. The interesting thing for UK drivers is that Citroën is offering a cashback incentive of £1,696 (US$2,963, "sufficient to cover one year’s London Congestion Charge") to buyers of the new C2 Stop & Start. The price of the car in the UK is £10,690 (US$18,674), not including the cashback incentive....
ZenKaya: Prefab from South Africa
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 4.06
Headed by architect Eric Bigot, the driving concept behind ZenKaya is to make building a house as simple as buying a car. Once you have the house, the design is such that your lifestyle will be compact and simple as well; the studio unit is 3.4 meters wide by 6 meters in length; their system is expandable up to a two bed, two bathroom-sized home. Overall, simplicity combined with customization is the name of the game at ZenKaya -- "a headache-free process with cutting edge design," they call it. They want the design, production and delivery process to be as efficient as possible, leaving more time, money and energy to enjoy living. ::ZenKaya via ::Land+Living...
Lean and Green [Architecture] in NYC
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04. 4.06
Couldn’t see a better way to say this, so here it is unabridged: “The Architectural League created the New York Designs lecture series in 2003 to provide a forum for the presentation of innovative and accomplished built work in New York City. This year’s series will spotlight small projects that use the challenge of environmental sustainability as a catalyst for architectural invention. While there is general agreement within the architecture and design community that sustainability is a key issue for the 21st century, there is enormous internal conflict about what does or should constitute “green” design.” If you are an individual (”we are all individuals”. “I’m not!)*, or a firm that might have one to three such projects you’ve built in New York, then you have until 18 April 06 to get your submission in for consideration with this May/June lecture series. The League are also running an earlier series of lectures in April, called Architecture and Environment, which ask the question: Does "green architecture," as currently conceived, go far enough? Bill Kibben leads off on 17 April. (I’m beginning to take a shine to these guys.) ::The Architectural League, found via a Google search....
Leaf LED Lighting by Herman Miller and Yves Behar
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 4.06
Herman Miller has teamed with San Francisco-based uber-designer Yves Béhar to bring the world what they think is the next generation of interior lighting. Leaf is a combination of LED technology, engineering and design; "a fusion of technology with humanity," according to Béhar. Its unusual design allows for direct or ambient light from the same source -- kind of like a bunch of LEDs on a dimmer switch. "Leaf is designed to give the user a spectrum of choices to express light's magical and sensory variations," says Béhar of the light's ability to produce warm-to-cool colors with a simple touch control. Leaf has been developed according to Herman Miller's Design for the Environment protocol, emphasizing sustainable processes, materials and recyclability; overall, Leaf's LEDs consume less than 12 watts of power, carry a lifespan of over 60,000 hours at full power, and cut energy use by 40 percent compared to compact fluorescent lights. Officially unveiling will occur at ICFF next month, and Leaf will be available from Herman Miller retailers and dealers by July. ::aptbroadcast via ::MoCo Loco...
Instant Survey: Eco-Folks
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 04. 4.06
Hemptown No More
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04. 4.06
In the past we’ve given a goodly amount of coverage to Hemptown’s pushing of the envelope in hemp clothing with their Crailar biotech enzyme treatment. That’s all about to change. Not because they’ve fallen from favour or closed their doors. But due to a name change. As of about a week ago they they are going by the name of Naturally Advanced Technologies. Although established in Canada a decade ago to market hemp clothing, they are now planning to focus more broadly on the production of bast textiles like as hemp, but also other fibres such as bamboo and flax, and look at replacement of traditional composite fibers, including fibre-glass. This is expected to lead them “into industries such as apparel, medical and hospitality textiles, and auto, marine and airplane parts.” To date the company has shipped over “500,000 garments reducing chemical use by 86,634 pounds and saving 452,232,264 gallons of fresh water.” ::Naturally Advanced Technologies, via Sporttextiles....
Loyale’s New Spring/Summer Launch
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 04. 4.06
A little over a year ago, Jenny Hwa launched her clothing line, Loyale, in hopes of growing the business. This month, she’ll launch her third line in the collection, for Spring and Summer 2006, and she’ll incorporate some items that will be a first for her. Although Hwa has still included her activewear, she’s also included daywear as well such as dresses, skirts and tops. Using organic cotton and surplus fabrics, the new line is inspired by Loyale’s signature criterions: understated sophistication, alluring fit and charming details. Starting mid-April, Loyale will be available in 35 stores, including the Whole Foods in West Hollywood, and on 6 websites. Shown here is the Marseille dress. ::Loyale Clothing...
Selling Public Lands: Bad. Take Action!
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 04. 4.06
The Bush administration wants us to sell 300,000 acres of public lands to fund rural schools and county governments in 35 states and, maybe, pay off some of our national debt. I don't think I need to explain the short-sightedness and absurdity of this: we can find alternate solutions to pitting kids against precious habitat. In Montana, sportsmen and environmentalists are bucking the preservationist vs. recreation stereotypes and working together on the issue. After all, public lands not only protect vital habitat for bears, wolves and trout, but they belong to all of us. Should they really be sold off, for instance, to developers to build second and third houses for those who want to own a little piece of paradise? We should feel lame if we let our busy lives get in the way of speaking up about this. Learn more here; contact your Senator or Representative. As my bear biologist friend wrote to me, "This proposal has the potential to do more damage to the natural environment and change the landscape of this country than perhaps any other in our lifetime." Via Angela Klinefelter. ::...
TreeHugger TV: Episode 6 - Conserving The Florida Everglades
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 04. 4.06
Green Back Herons, alligators, dragonflies, butterflies and all manner of natural wonders are the stars of this weeks THTV episode, beautifully shot by m ss ng p eces in the Florida Everglades. John Adornato, the Everglades Restoration Program Manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, gives us a personal tour of the glades while highlighting new conservation strategies that seek to regenerate historic water flow. They have recently succeeded in stopping rock mining in the area which is a significant threat to the water supply and to the wildlife. John says that “It took fifty or more years to destroy the Everglades and it might take fifty or more to restore them.” This film shows that they are now working hard to conserve this unique eco-system.
The best way to get your regular THTV fix is to subscribe to our weekly podcast from itunes, so that you receive a new episode every week without any effort at all! You can also use the TreeHugger link to subscribe. Or you can visit You Tube and Google Video. Last, but definitely not least, iTunes and Quicktime users, here are your links: iTunes MOV – Don’t forget to check it out! Thanks to Rebecca Carter at Greener Miami for finding John and his organization for us. ...
Conphorm Bags - Topological Wonders
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 4.06
We do go on about "less is more"- which we define as the principle that good design can lead to more efficient use of materials and less consumption of resources with no sacrifice in utility.This TreeHugger doesn't usually do bags but rarely do we see such topological wonders as in the work of Conphorm- "These handbags are made from 2 layers of industrial wool felt with a zipper sewn around the edges. When open, the piece lays completely flat. When zipped, the piece turns into an organic 3-dimensional form. Comes in 4 sizes: wallet, purse, clutch, and carry. Felt is grey and zipper tape comes in orange, green, grey, and blue." Minimalist, mathematical and marvelous. ::Conphorm via ::Josh Spear...
How Many Wind Turbines For US$122 Billion?
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 04. 4.06
According to the March 31, 2006 London Daily Mail: - "The cost to the taxpayer of making Britain's nuclear power stations safe has soared to nearly £70 billion [US$122 billion], it emerged last night. Funding the cleanup of nuclear waste and decommissioning 20 civilian sites including Sellafield in Cumbria and Dounreay in Caithness, northern Scotland will cost far more than the original £48 billion estimate. The figure could be higher still because officials admitted they will not know the 'full costs' until 2008. And if the Government decided to reclassify plutonium as waste rather than as an asset, the costs would be pushed up by another £10 billion. The massive burden on the taxpayer was revealed as ministers confirmed the sale of British Nuclear Group, which will hand over control of Sellafield to the private sector". We thought this news item adds needed perspective to the notion that mitigating climate change with nuclear energy will be cost effective over the full life cycle. New sites will at some future point again have to be made "safe." Much of a wind turbine will have positive scrap value at the end of it's design life; while much of a nuclear generation station, and all of its uranium series waste will have a negative value....
Get Ready for Summer with a Grass Chair
by Bonnie Alter, London on 04. 4.06
The ultimate grow-your-own—the grass armchair. Here is the answer to those tricky design problems—where to put the garden chairs, what kind to buy, will they get rusty, be comfortable, be green, look good….The grass armchair is available from Purves & Purves, a furniture design shop. It’s a flatpack, do it yourself kit, consisting of a 14 piece corrugated cardboard frame and a package of grass seeds. It starts to grow after just 10 days. First decide on the best location for it—at the back of the garden so you can enjoy it in peace, or at the front so that you can watch it grow. But it can’t be moved so be serious about this. After you assemble the cardboard frame, you fill it with 240 litres of soil ( supply your own), sprinkle the grass seeds over it, and water it daily. Watch it grow. And enjoy. ::Purves and Purves...
Berkeley Cafeterias go Organic
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 4.06
Of course it would be UCBerkeley that yesterday opened the first certified organic cafeteria in America. "This is huge, and it's certainly the mark of the beginning of a trend in food service toward organic," said Jake Lewin, director of marketing and international programs at CCOF, the Santa Cruz-based organization that issued the landmark organic certification. Not only are they organic, they are TreeHugger friendly in other ways:" Natural lighting and energy-efficient fixtures cut electricity consumption. Low-flow water faucets conserve water. Tables are cleaned with cloth instead of paper. Excess food is donated to a local homeless shelter, and food scraps are picked up by a local company to be turned into garden compost." ::UCBerkeleyNews...
SECCO – Treasures from Wasteland
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 04. 4.06
Last week, Isabella Haas from Finland came to visit Barcelona and with her, she brought some truly quirky treasures from wasteland. She was for example wearing a ring made from an old type-writer key, her note book’s cover turned out to have been the inside of a keyboard and her handbag was made from recycled car tyre inner tubes. All of them are SECCO products from Finland. ...
Question: What Are the Best Global Warming NGOs?
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 04. 3.06
Caterina Fake asked WorldChanging: "So, I am really worried about global warming and I want to know which non-profit would be best for me to contribute funds to address the issue (and I figured you'd know)." Alex Steffen replies: "in North America, it seems to be the local and regional groups which are both doing the most inspiring work and most need the funds. For instance, the Northwest's leading climate NGO, Climate Solutions, is doing great work not only on educating the public but on getting nuts-and-bolts reforms to favor wind farms, biofuels and smart grids. Also, it looks like these local/regional groups are increasingly cohering into a networked movement to create national change in the U.S. and Canada." But he then redirects the question to WorldChanging's readers and asks for recommendations. We would like to do the same and ask you which are your favorite Global Warming non-governmental organizations (NGO)? You can answer in the comments here, or on ::WorldChanging....
"Eco-Packaging" Contest: Time to Vote
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 04. 3.06
It is time to vote for the winner of our "Eco-Packaging" Contest. Please take a look at all of the finalists below and vote for what you think is the best example of eco-packaging. Remember, the winner you choose will take home a complete outfit from our friends at Loomstate, so make your vote count!
- Lascelles Linton's Yeo Valley Organic Yogurt
- Jasmin Chua's Little Animals
- Lara Gordon's Netflix
- Ryan Freeburn's Co-Op Corn Starch Bags
- Jessica Wood's Austin Natural Soap
- Tiffany Threadgould's Good Mornin' Earrings
...
"Eco-Packaging" Finalist: Yeo Valley Organic Yogurt
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 04. 3.06
Sometimes simple ideas really are the best. Such is the case with the packaging for Yeo Valley Organic Yogurt sent to us by finalist Lascelles Linton. According to the Yeo Valley website, the yogurt "pots" are made from "thinnest possible grade of polypropylene necessary to ensure that our yogurts reach you in perfect condition." In order to reinforce the thin plastic, they use "a card label made from recycled board" to reinforce the plastic. The best part? The card label is perforated so you can easily separate the plastic from the paper for recycling both. You have to wonder why we don't see this sort of thing more often. As Lascelles says, "Not a[n] earth-shattering design but simple works."
...
"Eco-Packaging" Finalist: Little Animals
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 04. 3.06
Finalist Jasmin Chua sent us something for the little ones as her entry into the contest - Little Animals organic cotton shirts. Described by the website as "tees for little humans", these shirts are uber-green (organic unbleached cotton, made in USA) down to the packaging. According to Jasmin, "They come in packaging made from corn-based plastic, a completely renewable and compostable resource. (You can also, as the website suggests, use the box to rein in rogue crayons.) The tag that comes with the packaging can easily be recycled. Even the ribbon is pretty eco-friendly since I don't know of anyone who doesn't save pieces of ribbon to reuse with other presents--it's one of those gifts that keeps giving."
...
"Eco-Packaging" Finalist: Netflix
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 04. 3.06
When you think of multimedia packaging, you usually think of thick plastic cases with glossy paper inserts wrapped in more layers of sheet plastic - in other words, resource-intensive material...and lots of it. Thankfully, finalist Lara Gordon's entry goes against the multimedia-packaging grain - Netflix. Instead of the DVD cases you find at the movie store, Netflix uses a paper envelope, and you use that same paper envelope to send the movie back. As Lara's entry indicated, "Renting movies this way allows the rental company not to use the large plastic dvd packaging." There is no indication if they use recycled paper for the envelopes (which would be even better), but either way it sure beats the production of those oversized plastic cases. ...
"Eco-Packaging" Finalist: Co-op Corn Starch Bags
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 04. 3.06
Simple, functional, biodegrable, and even compostable - Ryan Freeburn's entry in our "Eco-Packaging" Contest has eco-mojo to spare. His local co-op packages their goods in corn starch-based plastic bags instead of what Ryan refers to as "regular old wasteful
plastic bag[s]". This way, once Ryan is finished with these radishes (or whatever else he may buy from the co-op), he can simply throw the bag in his compost instead of the trash. With little to no packaging ending up in the landfill, Ryan's entry shows why we get excited about bioplastics.
...
Lexus's New Hybrid: Will the Fast Make You Furious?
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 04. 3.06
Not everyone will like this car when it hits the market in May. Some car connoisseurs will lift their noses. Some environmentalists will lift their hackles. Other people will definitely lift their eyebrows in curiosity. Whatever feelings this car raises in you, the Lexus GS 450h is something we haven’t seen before. It is the first luxury hybrid sedan, a rear-wheel drive car that performs on par with any V8 in its class—only it’s a V6. The drive train is a newly redesigned hybrid system that pairs a 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor to produce 339 horsepower. The EPA fuel economy weighs in at a combined 26 mpg (25 city, 28 highway), slightly below Lexus’s initial expectations, and gets an SULEV emissions rating. The 450h will do 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Starting at $54,900, this hybrid will come with all the Lexus bells and whistles like voice activated GPS and rain-sensing windshield wipers. :: Green Car Congress...
"Eco-Packaging" Finalist: Austin Natural Soap
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 04. 3.06
Sometimes a product should be recognized for what it doesn't have rather than what it does have. Jessica Wood's entry, Austin Natural Soap, struck us with its simplicity and, in particular, with what it is missing - unnecessary packaging. Instead of most commercial soap which comes packaged in layers of plastic (and often packaged in another plastic bag to boot), Austin Natural Soap's only packaging is a singular paper sleeve. This allows for less resources being used and much easier recycling while still functioning how packaging should - giving brand recognition, product info and giving you the uncontrollable urge to buy it. Thanks, Jessica! ...
"Eco-Packaging" Finalist: Good Mornin' Earrings
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 04. 3.06
Finalist Tiffany Threadgould didn't have to look far to find a good example of eco-packaging - she uses it herself. We have covered her company, Tiffany Tomato Designs before, but this particular product may be one of her most inventive packaging ideas. Tiffany's "Good Mornin' Earrings" are pieces of real cereal dipped in non-toxic protective coating and, according to Tiffany, "packaged on reclaimed cereal boxes." She adds, "It also comes with a gift box which is an old individual serving cereal box." Now if that isn't creative re-use, we don't know what is. ...
Apple Talks About Building Green
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04. 3.06
Could it be that US televison's PBS is drinking a certain shade of Kool Aid? Previously we reported on their Global Warming series. Then about a possible planned series called Build It Green. And more recently on the program commencing in June: E2 — the economies of being environmentally conscious — narrated by Brad Pitt and commencing with an episode on eco-design. On top of all that comes what appears to be yet another series. Apple Computer are currently profiling an apparent 13-episode PBS series to be known as “Building Green.” It chronicles the 18 month journey of building a green house in Santa Barbara. While the Apple profile (they used Macs and Apple software to make the documentary) might tout the house as “greener than a leprechaun’s shamrock” it does come in on the mansion side of the equation, strawbales, photovoltaics and natural paints not withstanding. Yet to the series makers credit they do say: “The greenest thing you can do is remodel the place you have.” And to this end the show has ‘Easy Steps’ segments for those of us unlikely to be constructing anything of the scale shown in the feature house. For as the producer explains “More people are embracing sustainable living. It’s not just a fringe thing any more.” ::Building Green, Via Apple Computer....
San Francisco Compost Closes the Loop
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04. 3.06
In what looks like a functioning closed loop recycling system, San Francisco takes food scrap waste from over 2,000 restaurants, etc, converts this to compost, which nourishes soil for food and wine later served in the same eateries. Veggies trimmings, soiled napkins, and other biodegradable matter is collected from delis, caterers, hotels, markets and even households and sent to the Jepson Prairie Organics composting facility, where a high grade, nutrient rich soil enhancer is formed on a large scale. So effective is the process that, according to one article, “everything from crab shells and cantaloupe skins to steak bones” can be used as feedstock. Organic produce farmers in the region seem to love the result, as it supplies their soil with inorganic salts, potassium, nitrogen, folic acids, while aerating soil and and retaining water. Over 50 vineyards are participating in use of the compost fertiliser. Back in the city, some restaurants are achieving green waste recycling rates of up to 90%. All up, an impressive program. ::San Francisco Recycling.
...
Scoot: The Bicycle You Don't Have to Pedal
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 3.06
Offering the synthesis of simplicity and style, Scoot is the latest find in our never-ending quest for transportation alternatives to petroleum-burning, single-occupancy vehicles. Run on a lithium-ion battery, Scoot will get you about 30 miles (50 km) on a single charge. With a limit of about 18 mph (30 kmh), it's not going to set any land speed records, but is classified as a bike (no registration or special licence required), not a scooter, so it can be ridden where you'd normally take your human-powered two-wheeler (i.e. not a rush-hour freeway). The battery, which is removable for easy swapping and charging, takes six hours to retain a full charge. Currently being exhibited at the Milan design week, it's not in production just yet, but we think they might just be worth waiting for. ::Scoot via ::MoCo Loco...
Mobile Living Conference
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 3.06
The Mobile Living Conference is coming to NYC in May. Based around the idea that mobile living is the future and around the designs of people like Adam Kalkin (whose shipping container house and push-button house have been featured here before) and TH hero Bucky Fuller, the event will offer a unique look into the way people live and work in the new mobile society. Running concurrently with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), May 21-23, mobile homes, mobile phones, mobile computing, transportation, indoor and outdoor furniture are all topics addressed in the show, which also includes a film series, lectures and panel discussion and special exhibition components. Check it out to see the future now; check out the website for more info. ::Mobile Living Conference...
TreeHugger Picks: Solar-Powered Bags (and a Jacket)
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 3.06
Now that Daylight Savings Time has arrived, it's time to get out and derive the maximum benefit from that extra hour of sunlight every day. Most of us are busy people, with places to go and people to see, so here are our favorite ways to do solar on the go and keep cell phones, PDAs, mp3 players and even laptops charged up without having to leave your gear behind.
1) Voltaic Systems has a great backpack and assorted other bags for hauling your stuff and soaking up the sun (you can even turn it in to a solar-powered wifi hotspot).
2) Solarstyle's mini messenger bag is perfect for traveling light and using light to power your gizmos.
3) The Scott Solar SeV jacket is perfect for days when you need to recharge but don’t feel like dragging a backpack or messenger bag around.
4) The Power Purse offers solar functionality when other bags are too big.
5) Reware's bag is a hybrid daypack/shoulder bag that'll even charge some laptops!
6) Eclipse offers both a messenger bag and backpack so you can pick: one shoulder or two....
Janet's Walk: Breast Cancer Diagnosis Inspires Eco-Action
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 04. 3.06
One Tonne Challenge Cancelled
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 3.06
Hmmm. New Canadian Prime Minister Harper goes pyramid climbing in Cancun with George Bush last week, and the day he returns the One Tonne Challenge, a clever program to promote awareness of greenhouse gases and climate change, is cancelled. Coincidence? Conspiracy? Did they hang out reading Michael Crichton books to each other? We wonder. ::Globe and Mail...
Natural Products Expo West 2006 - Drinking With Sharks
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 04. 3.06
[This is part 4 of a series of guest posts by Siel from Green LA Girl. For more, see part 1, part 2, part 3 & part 4. -Ed.] Save sharks -- by drinking wine. That's the idea behind Shark Trust Wines, according to Melanie Marks, president.
"I love wine, and I love sharks," says Melanie, at a wine tasting at Natural Products Expo West. Combine her two passions, and you get a wine company that educates people about sharks and donates 10% of its profits towards shark research and conservation.
The four wines, which run between $10-14 a bottle, come from all over -- South Africa, France, and California. Each bottle has a label that tells the imbiber about the shark they were named after -- the great white, the reef shark, the sixgill, and the whale shark....
Vegetarian Belts from Truth
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 3.06
If you want to dress vegan, what better place to shop than vegetarianbelts.com. a site devoted to belts and handbags with no leather. It all comes from Truth Belts, voted the best leather replacement company in North America in 2003 in PETA'S proggy awards. Designer Renia Pruchnicki started making belts in her apartment in 2001 and has not looked back. She hopes that "Truth will encourage others to live their dreams. Wouldn't the world be a much better place if everyone told the truth?" Buy online at ::VegetarianBelts ; cooler site at ::Truth; found by Emma at ::One of a Kind ...
Vanity Fair Drops Plan to Use Recycled Content
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 04. 3.06
We were disappointed recently to find out through the o2 Network that the ‘Green Issue’ of Vanity Fair due out on the newsstands in just a few days, and featuring TreeHugger's very own pin-up Graham Hill, will not contain any recycled paper. People were already sceptical of Elle magazine’s attempt at going green by using 10% recycled content in their up coming green issue, many of us were hoping Vanity Fair would improve on this percentage. Unfortunately not, according to Remy Chevalier of Cocktail Organico who picked up this news on Muckraked. ‘Vanity Fair has dropped the idea of using recycled paper in the issue. "They were scrambling to do it but it was too short a time frame and they couldn't make it happen," says one insider. A spokeswoman for Vanity Fair did not return calls for comment.’ While this is bad news we are impressed by one intrepid member of the o2 group who didn’t let it get her down and has taken direct positive action. In response to Remy’s post Jen Pierce immediately emailed Vanity Fair with a letter entitled ‘The Real Problem Is When Setbacks Destroy Good Initiatives.’...
Green Ratings for City Cars
by Bonnie Alter, London on 04. 3.06
Time Out, London’s weekly guide, has rated the best of the current batch of small cars by using green criteria. These scores were based on fuel efficiency,carbon dioxide emissions and the very subjective views of the writer. The Best for Performance award, five stars out of a possible six, goes to the ubiquitous BMW Mini for being “easily the best-handling vehicle”. Best for Families is the Smart Fortwo. Time Out considers it be the “definitive city car—superbly built, comfy and spacious and great to drive”. Not to forget ease of parking. It is the cheapest of the lot at £6,810. The Nissan Micra C+C also receives 5 stars for having the most supple suspension, ample power—and being available in pink.Best for the environment is the hybrid Toyota Prius, as noted in TreeHugger previously. It is one of the few cars, along with the Smart Fortwo, which is exempt from the congestion charge in London. However it is also the most expensive, at £17,795 for the no-frills model--the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, has just bought one....
TreeHugger Welcomes Writer Bonnie Alter
by Bonnie Alter, London on 04. 2.06
Canada: 9 in 10 Fear Their Lifestyle is Not Sustainable
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 04. 2.06
James Hoggan and Associates conducted a survey of 2,500 Canadians and found that about 9 out of 10 "fear that over-consumption of the world’s resources threatens the health and welfare of their children — and lack of government leadership is the biggest cause of the problem". More than 8 out of 10 would want "stricter laws and regulations to support a more sustainable economy that protects and manages the country’s resources for future generations". More of the survey's findings after the jump....
UK: Wind to Power Over 3 Million Homes by 2010
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 04. 2.06
Lots of good news about wind power these days. Christine recently wrote that it created lots of jobs in Wind Power Works and Justin reported that Wind Power is Becoming Cheaper Than Conventional Power in some places. Now, the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) informs us that wind turbines are being installed faster than predicted in the UK and that "onshore wind farms will take the government halfway to its target of generating 10% of electricity from renewable sources by 2010." It is also interesting to note that despite some people's opposition to wind farms, a Guardian/ICM survey done in 2005 shows that about 70% of the UK population is endorsing the construction of a wind farm within 20 miles (32km) of their home. ::Onshore wind energy to power over 3 million homes by 2010, via ::Wind power 'ahead of predictions'...
EPA Headquarters Goes Green... Finally
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 04. 2.06
In a press release, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that its Washington, D.C. headquarters will now be powered by energy coming from 100% renewable sources. "In addition, the vast majority of energy at over 30 regional and laboratory facilities will come from sustainable sources." They have contracted to purchase about 260 million kilowatt hours of green power each year for 10 of the agency's offices and 21 laboratories. Only the U.S. Air Force (surprisingly) and Whole Foods Markets buy more alternative energy. "Energy for the EPA Green Power Purchase Program include sources such as biogas (methane from landfills), biomass (plant-derived material), geothermal, and wind. [...] Since 1999, EPA's commitment to green power has grown to cover approximately 88 percent of the agency's national electrical consumption." Good for them. They've done a lot of questionable things recently, so it's nice to hear good news. ::Green Power: EPA Walks the Talk, via ::Shea Gunther & ::Groovy Green, ::Whole Foods- 100% Wind Powered for 2006...
Germany's First Wave Power Plant Planned
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 04. 2.06
Germany's first wave power generation plant will be installed by Energie Baden-Württemberg Ag (EnBW) in cooperation with Voith Siemens Hydro Power Generation GmbH & Co. EnBW sees potential for wave power on the North Sea coast. The German pilot plant will rely on the only technology producing wave power in practice today....
TreeHugger breaks it down for you in a series of in depth how-to articles that will help you green your life. No time like the present!
Here are a few recommended websites.
- Ecotality Blog
- Ecostore
- Accidental Environmentalist Jolly Green Girl Confidential
- GreenShopper.com - Environmentally Friendly and Green Shopping Community
- Eco Investment Club
- Runaway Now
- Our Greener Life
- Sustainable is Good
- Variety Presents Green Hollywood
- Switchboard
- Architype Review
- Green Fertility
- The Blue Marble Blog
