- 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 July 2, 2006 - July 8, 2006
Total this week: 95
New Silk Production Technique Does Not Require Killing Worms
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07. 8.06
Kusuma Rajaiah, an Indian man, has developed a new technique for producing silk that does not require killing silk worms in the process. [Note: We've been informed that a company in Oregon, Peace Silk, already uses this technique]. Right now, producing a silk saree involves killing of at least 50 thousand silkworms. Rajaiah has won the patent for producing the "Ahimsa" silk. Ahimsa is a religious concept which advocates non-violence and a respect for all life. However, the production of the silk is more expensive. For example, a saree which costs 2400 rupees to produce using regular silk, will cost 4000 rupees when made with Ahimsa silk.
...
Energy Efficient AMD Processors Reach Retail
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07. 8.06
In May, AMD announced that their new Athlon processors were built for energy efficiecy. AMD said the processors would cut the power requirements of desktop processors by over one-third, boosting the performance-per-watt process. Basically, the processors will reduce power consumption in active and idle states. We featured AMD previously for their green energy initatives, and because they are reducing the lead contained in their chips. ...
The Vertical Gardening Future
by Treehugger Interns on 07. 8.06
High density housing is a great use of building and energy resources, and, with 80% of Americans living in cities (and the world as a whole rapidly moving towards a majority urban population), it's becoming the norm, putting space at a premium and making every square foot count. Planting in soil and even hydroponics have a large footprint and a large volume of planting medium, but aeroponics easily expands vertically with a very slim footprint. A California environmental technologies company called Synergy has developed an aeroponics demo composed of a sleek vertical grid of plants through which water and nutrients trickle, fed by a PV-powered pump six times a day. Given the value of the air-scrubbing qualities of plants in urban areas, in addition to their food and aesthetic value, we may be looking at the future of urban gardening in a small-spaces-are-beautiful world. [Written by: Eva Jacobus]...
ApartmentTherapy: Urban Gardening
by Treehugger Interns on 07. 8.06
It's the dilemma of the urban treehugger: how to get by in the concrete jungle without losing touch with the green jungle. ApartmentTherapy is running their 2006 “Greenest Thumb” contest for city gardeners, showcasing the tenacity of apartment-dwellers in creating garden space out of roofs, sidewalks, and fire escapes. Some want to grow fresh herbs and vegetables. For some, it's about having a small green oasis in the city. For others, it's an exercise in reclaiming the urban landscape. Many are recycling found or scavenged materials into their gardens, reusing concrete test plugs as borders and both found pots and damaged drawers as planting containers. [Written by: Eva Jacobus]...
Disposable Earth
by Treehugger Interns on 07. 8.06
Stephen Hawking's recent call for the colonization of space is, as Gristmill recently pointed out, often derided as the concept of a “disposable earth”, a wishful-thinking scenario where, when this Earth is too damaged and resource-poor to support us, we can just sail off into space to find what we need elsewhere. The BBC borrowed the term for “Disposable Planet?”, a six-part online series discussing the problems of using our resources to support a growing population today while leaving a habitable world for tomorrow. Perhaps the most interesting feature contained in the series is "A tale of two cities", a comparison of Alexandra, a township of Johannesburg, and the city of Curitiba, Brazil, which examines the role of urban planning and what it can – and can't – fix, as well as the close connection between urban poverty and the front lines of the fight for sustainability....
No-Mow Lawn Seed Mixes: A Grass Roots Transformational Biotechnology
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07. 8.06
A lawn that needs mowing only a few times each year sounds like the ideal sustainable solution to all the “what mower to buy” questions we get every year at TreeHugger. Were this to become popular it would also sow the seeds of many destructive transformations. Imagine it. Not only could it eliminate the noisy mowing and spraying rituals, making almost everyone happy; there would be losers as well, as the stock of numerous lawn care and mowing product companies took a permanent dive. "Landscaping" (mowing and mulching) businesses would change drastically or go out of business. Millions of low paying landscape jobs would disappear. In the secondary impact category, fertilizer runoff would abate, concerns about children and pets playing on weed killer would disappear . ...
Holy (chocolate) Cow Batman!
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 8.06
One for our vegan friends, and those who have a interest in the welfare of farm animals. Portuguese artist, Zoe Birrell, a student at Scotland’s Glasgow School of Fine Art has created an art exhibit that explores the issues surrounding dairy farming. “The life of the modern dairy cow, kept perpetually pregnant and thus full of hormones whilst suffering the emotional stress of loss of her baby calf inspired Zoe to focus on these psychological and physiological issues and the ethical alternatives.” So she conjured up a herd of choccy bovines. 300 of which are being sold to the public, the resulting funds to be set aside for rescuing a dairy cow or calf for care in animal sanctuary. And before you reach for your keyboard to type “wottabout the milk in chocolate?”, let it be known that Zoe used 53kg (her body weight) of fair traded, organic, vegan chocolate to make those moo cows. (see earlier post on Plamil). Although specifics aren’t divulged, the packaging of the for-sale beasties is described as 'eco-friendly' and the installation space has been cooled using “ecological and sustainable alternative refrigeration systems.” Via ::PR Web....
Shell Draws A Bright Line: No Food For Fuel
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07. 8.06
ZDNet News reports that “Royal Dutch Shell, the world's top marketer of biofuels, considers using food crops to make biofuels "morally inappropriate" as long as there are people in the world who are starving, an executive said Thursday. Eric Holthusen, a fuels technology manager for the Asia-Pacific region, said the company's research unit, Shell Global Solutions has developed alternative fuels from renewable resources that use wood chips and plant waste rather than food crops that are typically used to make the fuels”. ...
Plamil: Vegan, Organic, Fair Trade Chocolate
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 8.06
Originally started over forty years ago, Plamil (or 'Plant Milk' as they were then known) introduced the first British-made soy milk, and apparently they were also the first UK company to manufacture organic chocolate. The cocoa they use is purchased via a fair trade arrangement. No animal products are used in the manufacture of their products, which also include egg-free mayonnaise and carob bars. Some of their more exotic chocolates come with equally unusual ingredients, like organic cayenne, organic orange oil, organic ginger oil, and shelled hemp seeds. It’s always encouraging that we have so many businesses out there with the nerve and verve to tread this path. Especially those who has been in the biz for so long. ::Plamil...
William McDonough on Nuclear Power
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07. 7.06
In response to a question from GBN's Peter Schwartz on why some green thinkers neglect to mention nuclear energy as a viable renewable energy source, William McDonough said: "Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" Quote from 2006 Fortune Brainstorm conference in Aspen, CO, via ::Z+Blog, via ::Open the Future.
Recommended reading: ::Cradle to Cradle...
Producing Biodiesel From Trap Grease: Fry-o-Diesel
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07. 7.06
Trap grease is the malodorous waste grease which restaurants trap before it goes down the sewer. Today, those restaurants pay people to take it away, so trap grease is essentially free. It hasn't been exploited like yellow grease, which is recycled vegetable oil. Now a company called Fry-o-Diesel is attempting to use trap grease to produce biodiesel. The company is headed by Nadia Adawi and her business associate Michael Haas. Haas call the grease the “the foulest, ugliest” and most chemically challenging crude biodiesel feedstock he has ever brought into his lab. ...
Brightest Organic LED: Konica Minolta Claims Breakthrough
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07. 7.06
Right now, Organic LEDs (OLEDs) are only used to light small electronic devices, but they may become useful in general lighting applications. Konica Minolta claims to have made a breakthrough in this area, by producing a bulb with a brightness of 1,000 cd/m2 and an expected lifetime of about 10,000 hours. They've released this fuzzy photograph of the prototype. The company says: “Running at 64 lumens/W, the device can be used as a backlight for handset displays. The company claims that it offers the world’s most efficient electric light source and is suitable for use in general lighting applications.” :: Via DigiTimes Display via Groovy Green...
TH Interviews Care2 Founder Randy Paynter
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 07. 7.06
As the founder and president of Care2, Randy Paynter is a leader in harnessing the power of online social networking to drive positive change for the environment. Randy started Care2 in 1998 and survived dotcom capriciousness to become one of the leading social networking sites on the Web, growing to the current membership of over six million. His enthusiasm and faith in our ability to make progressive change are infectious - so if you prefer to be a doomsdayer, read this interview with caution!
TH: How effective do you think online organizing has been for the environmental movement? Are we all just talking to each other, or are we having an impact on the "real world?"
RP: I'm continuously amazed by the impact our members are having. Some of the change is personal. For example, every day we get letters from members who have gotten rid of the toxic cleaners in their house and are now using nontoxic alternatives, or who used our social network to raise money for an animal shelter, or joined a nonprofit they learned about through Care2....
Al Gore to Speak to Wal-Mart Executives
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07. 7.06
Wal-Mart has asked Al Gore to address its store executives next week during their "quarterly conference on sustainability" (we wonder for how many quarters that conference has been going on). Gore will talk about global warming though it is not clear if he will give the slide presentation that was made into An Inconvenient Truth. Speaking of that movie, Rotten Tomatoes ranks it at an equal 4th of all movie playing in the US with 92%. That rating is based on reviews of the film, not dollar figures. The book version is also doing well at #3 on Amazon's Best Sellers list. ::Wal-Mart Warms to Al Gore via ::ThinkProgress. See also: ::Wal-Mart Hires Rocky Mountain Institute, ::Wal-Mart Wooing Seventh Generation?...
Sting's Limited Edition Guitar
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 07. 7.06
Back in 1999, Martin Guitar Company designed two guitars called the Limited Edition Certified Wood Sting Signature models. These guitars were designed for Sting himself, in recognition of his long and successful career, in addition to his long-standing commitment to the environment. More than 70% of the wood utilized in the construction of each of these models is harvested from forests independently certified by the Rainforest Alliance's "SmartWood" program and Scientific Certification Systems, both of which operate in accordance with the rules of the industry's governing body, The Forest Stewardship Council. Most recently, Martin Guitar Company introduced a smaller acoustic guitar, which Sting has not only enjoyed but also wrote a few hits with. Called “The Sting: Mini Signature Edition”, Sting asked that this guitar be built with tonewoods managed and harvested with forest preservation in mind. Like the original, 77% of the wood utilized in the construction of the Mini also originated in forests managed in a sustainable and ecologically responsible manner. In addition, the guitar utilizes spruce braces from reclaimed sources constituting 8.4% of the utilized wood. Only 100 of the Mini guitars were made and each carries two labels: one with a Signature Edition signed by Sting and Martin Chairman C.F. Martin IV and the other a Sustainable Wood Series label that explains the wood content percentage. Via ::Sustainable Style Foundation ::Martin Guitar Company...
Bouncing Baby Whales
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 07. 7.06
In recent years, the number of gray whales born on the Pacific Coast have been declining to worrisome numbers. In 1999 about 270 whales washed ashore dead, many of them from malnourishment. Whales munch on fatty little crustaceans called amphipods and as the ocean heats up, populations of prey have been reduced. But like the birds in Europe (listen to story), it appears that whale populations are bouncing back. ::AP via Hugg...
TreeHugger Picks: Green Restaurants
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07. 7.06
We TreeHuggers can't get enough local, organic food from our farmer's markets and CSAs, but sometimes, we have to take a break and go out for some food. It's good to know there are so many places to go that still embrace our taste for TreeHugger fare. Here are our picks for restaurants to hit up this weekend.
1) Dine carbon-neutral with Bordeaux Quay or Terrior; we don't care which was climate-friendly first.
2) For those who need good food fast, stop by O'Naturals in the northeast, Burgerville in the northwest or Chipotle in lots of other places.
3) Looking for straight-up organic? Seattle's Sterling Café or Washington, D.C.'s Restaurant Nora (the US's first certified organic eatery) are good bets.
4) If local food tickles your fancy, Canteen in London, Blue Hill in New York, Mixt Greens in San Francisco and Habana Outpost, also in New York, are worth a look.
5) Nothing near you? Check out the Green Restaurant Association or the Happy Cow's Vegetarian Guide for more places to eat green while eating out....
Zaadz: Social Networking to Change the World
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07. 7.06
Social networking is all the rage these days, with sites like Digg and MySpace on the tip of everyone's tongue, it seems. For internet users who hunger for a more community-oriented, group-hug-type experience, we're happy to point a finger at Zaadz. The new site (still in beta) has a plan to build a social network with a purpose: a community of seekers and conscious entrepreneurs circulating wisdom and inspiration and even TreeHugging. Zaadz (Dutch for "seeds") has a simple mission: to change the world. To quote the site, "Our math goes like this: you be the change + you follow your bliss + you give your greatest strengths to the world moment to moment to moment + we do everything in our power to help you succeed + you inspire and empower everyone you know to do the same + we team up with millions like us = we just affected billions = we (together) changed the world." So check it out, meet some people who share similar, pro-TreeHugger values, and help them start changing the world. ::Zaadz via ::Eco-Chick...
Organic Cotton Fleece, via Spirit of Nature
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 7.06
Not something you come across everyday. Even here on TH where we have a half decent collection of green clothing, the only organic cotton fleece apparel that deemed to reveal itself from the vast archives was for a striped sweater and matching horse’s head! Perfect for very cute munchkins, but if your days of wearing faux animals are a fading memory, you might prefer these soft 100% organic fleece jackets (£38), and vests (on special £12). They use zippers free of nickel, which European studies have shown to be a skin irritant to a surprising number of people. Even if these are not quite your thing, fear not, Spirit of Nature have a broad range of other eco threads, including tops and pants made from blends of hemp and organic cotton (we were just talking about this material the other day), as well as hemp with yak wool. ::Spirit of Nature. ...
US State Department Publishes Clean Energy Solutions Journal
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 07. 7.06
We US-based Treehuggers are quick to note that, while many state and local governments are creating innovative strategies for addressing global warming and other environmental issues, the federal government often seems mired in inertia and/or partisan squabbling. Thus, we were pleased to discover that the July issue of the State Department's Economic Perspectives journal series is entitled Clean Energy Solutions, and contains a collection of articles detailing the environmental, economic and security benefits of a national shift towards cleaner, greener energy sources. The journal touts an impressive list of authors, including the Rocky Mountain Institute's Amory Lovins, the American Council on Renewable Energy's Michael Eckhart, and the Clean Energy Group's Lewis Milford and Allison Schumacher....
"Biodiesel" Added to Merriam Webster's New Dictionary
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07. 7.06
It has it's own magazine; you can make it from algae; celebrities can't get enough; you can roast coffee with it. What could lay claim to all this and more? Biodiesel, the wonder fuel, and Merriam-Webster's dictionary has validated its existence by inserting it in the 11th Edition of the big word book. Joining other culturally relevant words such as "mouse potato," "bling bling," "drama queen," and "unibrow," biodiesel will be there for anyone still curious about the difference between biodiesel and ethanol. On the word's promotion, Jenna Higgins, a spokeswoman for the National Biodiesel Board, said, "That symbolizes to me that biodiesel is becoming a household word. You know you've arrived when you're in the dictionary." ::Merriam Webster via ::AP and ::NPR...
Light + Air Door
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07. 7.06
If you are going to live without air conditioning, cross-ventilation helps a lot. Pre-AC, people had transom windows over their doors; this door has a series of holes that are opened and closed with a sliding knob, allowing air and light to pass through as desired but still allowing some privacy. The perforations remind us of Jean Prouve's Tropical house. Lovely. Designed by ::Seven O2 via ::Yanko Design...
Hawaii Moves Towards Energy Independence
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 07. 7.06
Located 2,575 miles from California’s coast, Hawaii depends on the twice weekly arrival of oil tankers for its fueling needs. In light of this fact, the Senate Energy Committee recently approved a $1 million ethanol demonstration project for the 50th state. These funds will help Hawaii comply with a new state law requiring that 85% of all gas sold on the islands contain 10% ethanol. Despite the abundance of sugar cane, Hawaii has not yet developed its own ethanol industry. It has subsequently relied on imported ethanol to comply with the new law. The $1 million will give the state the ability to research and develop sugar-to-ethanol production....
Defining Social Entrepreneurship
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07. 7.06
Social entrepreneurship has come under scrutiny by the Financial Times. They define it as a “halfway house between profits-driven businesses and charities". The FT considers Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project to be one of the UK’s best-known (and most successful) social entrepreneurs. The Eden Project was set up in Cornwall, England’s poorest county, and after five years, 6 million visitors are expected. Others include Jamie Oliver, who created the chain of restaurants called Fifteen and John Bird, founder of The Big Issue. People Tree clothing has also been noted. Social enterprises typically “weave doing good into the warp and weft of their trading activity”. The Eden Project includes a very strong ecological message into its family outing concept. Fifteen restaurants, located in London and newly opened in Cornwall, train drop-out school kids to become chefs in restaurants appealing to an up-market crowd. The Big Issue is a credible magazine that provides employment to its homeless vendors. According to government statistics, there are more than 55,000 social enterprises in the UK with a turnover of more than £27Bn per year. According to the FT, “the growth of social enterprise reflects broader interests in ethical business models. It can take the profit motive to parts of the voluntary and public sector that have in the past been hostile to it. :: Financial Times...
Smallest, Coolest Apartment Contest
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07. 7.06
We do go on about "less is more", that the key to sustainability is living with less, making fun of monster homes and playing up micro homes. In reality, in cities like London, Tokyo and New York, people live with less every day- that is why cities are so energy efficient per capita. Apartment Therapy recenty ran a competition to find the smallest and coolest apartments and they sure did. We loved the winner, David and Im's Onespace; it has so much elegance and cleverness, but really looks less like an apartment than one of our glamorous new prefabs. Tied for first is Jenny and Clove's LA'sh pad-they are working within existing parameters and had a harder time, but we could live there happily. All of them are demonstrations of the cleverness and versatility that people dig up when they have to live with less. We who do not live in such dense urban centers should learn from this- it is our future. ::Apartment Therapy...
Kenaf Factory to Provide Jobs in Rural Spain
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 07. 7.06
There is good news this week for sustainable farming in southern Spain. The British eco-technology company SPDG has been awarded a substantial grant from the Spanish government of 1.97 million euros to develop a kenaf production factory. It will be ‘capable of processing 10,000 tonnes of locally-grown kenaf into fully recyclable materials that can replace glass-reinforced plastics and fibre-glass in the construction, motor and electronics industries.‘ We’ve grown pretty fond of the Jute related Kenaf plant here on TreeHugger. As an annual plant, with a higher cellulose content than wood, kenaf is a versatile crop that can be used to make paper, rope, cloth and its seeds produce oil. Its fibrous quality also makes it useful as a bio-composite as we’ve seen in Toyota’s use of Kenaf for their car interiors and NEC’s mobile phone casing. ...
11th International Bicycle Design Competition
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 7.06
Ît’s on again. Although in sympathy with Lloyd’s comments on the 9th event, we would like a little more info about the previous winning bikes. The website is a little too obtuse for this wee brain. But guess the main thing about a comp like this, is an opportunity for designers to get their brain cells firing on a product that might just be the most efficient vehicle on the road. The organisers obviously have this in mind stating “We hope that through the coming together of different design concepts and cultures, bicycle product design can be promoted worldwide. Moreover, we also wish that a way of life incorporating bicycling could be spread worldwide, and make a contribution to improve environmental conditions.” Registration is now open and first design submissions are due 15 August 2006. ::International Bicycle Design Competition, via ::Dexigner....
"Cradle to Cradle" Umbrella? What's that?
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 07. 6.06
As part of our Umbrella Inside Out competitions, we are asking for an umbrella conceived with a Cradle to Cradle (C2C) sensibility. Some of you might be wondering what the heck that means. Luckily, TreeHugger has written a lot about C2C. You can find an introduction to the revolutionary text here. This is the gist: McDonough (architect) and Braungart (chemist) propose an industrial revolution, but this time, a green one. Taking cues from biomimicry, they propose that WASTE = FOOD, and suggest that things should be made from one of two types of materials: biological nutrients, which decompose naturally, and technical nutrients, which are designed for upcycling (little to no quality lost during recycling).>>>Continue reading this post>>...
EcoPetal Boutique
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 07. 6.06
You see green designers on TreeHugger, and maybe find a few pieces here and there where you live. Sadly, places offering a full range of sustaina-stylish goods, like gominyc, are still a rare and precious find. From July 14th - 22nd, lucky Southern Californians can create entirely eco-centric wardrobes at the House of Petals in West Hollywood. Grab some del Forte denim, a little Stewart+Brown action, some UnDesigned, Grace Trance, or Loyale, perhaps an Anna Cohen piece, or maybe a Deborah Lindquist bustier. Those are just some casual to couture offerings, and we haven't even delved into the accessories. If you'd like help putting it all together, make a private appointment with a stylist on July 16th or 18th. Who thought head-to-toe eco would ever be possible? If you're wondering about the petal tie-in, House of Petals will soon offer organic bouquets. Find out more on Urth TV, and get details here. :: Via a number of designers and Stacie Wickham...
Wattson: Monitor Your Home's Energy Usage
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07. 6.06
Wattson is a clever device that monitors the energy usage in your home. Turning any appliance of, off, or switching it to standby creates an immediate effect, showing how much power the appliance takes to run, and how much money it costs to keep it running. There are two parts to Wattson; a sensor that lives near the home's electricity supply, and the wireless, handheld display that can be taken anywhere in the home, so you can tell if the microwave or toaster uses more electricity. iPod-esque styling makes it easy to leave it on the coffee table or in the kitchen without causing an eyesore, and the two modes (instantaneous power consumption and overall cost per year) help equate electricity usage with spending money. To wit: a 100W light bulb left on for a year might cost $130; switching it to a 18W low-energy bulb would drop it to about $33. Connect Wattson to a computer, and you can become part of an online community, collaborating to see how individual energy savings are making a big difference as a collective. We think it's a great way to help contextualize your home's energy usage -- it really adds up. ::Wattson via ::Hugg...
Reader Question: Environmental Slogan for T-Shirt?
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07. 6.06
TreeHugger reader Aarin G. writes: "Dear Treehugger, I'm a law student and part of a student-run environmental group on my campus. We're in the process of trying to whip up some quick T-shirts for our organization to promote us but also to raise funds for our activities throughout the year (including raising money for scholarships so law students can do environmental public interest work during the summer (typically organizations that can't afford to pay for the work)).
We need to get the shirts made quickly, so don't have much time to create an elaborate design. Do you know of any "green" slogans or phrases that we could use for our T-shirts that wouldn't be some kind of copyright infringement? We're a little lacking in the creativity department, but I thought you guys might have some good advice. Thanks for the help. Aarin G. Environmental Law Society - University of Hawaii - W.S.Richardson School of Law." Drop your slogans in the comments!...
Inconvenient Christians Giving Away Movie Tickets
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07. 6.06
A few months ago we wrote: Evangelical Christian Leaders Urge Proactive Climate Solution and More On The Evangelical Climate Initiative. Now we learn that a group calling itself Inconvenient Christians is giving away tickets to Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. Except for the religious angle, it is very similar to Share The Truth, another website that gives away tickets for the global warming documentary. It's interesting because we haven't seen people offering free tickets to strangers since Serenity came out. Thanks to Nick Aster for the tip. See Also ::The 4 Stages of Global Warming Denial...
Apple Lags Behind In Recycling and Toxicity
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07. 6.06
Apple makes greats computers, but the iLife isn't quite as harmonious as it might seem. The company lags behind in its recycling program for older computers, and in the elimination of toxic components in new computers. Apple will not recycle its older computers for free, they will only do so if you are buying a new Apple. Even Dell recently announced that, starting in the fall, they will take back all Dell products from individuals worldwide, even if you are not buying a new Dell product. Another important step for Apple would be to facilitate recycling at any of its Apple Stores, instead requiring customers to mail in their computers. As for Apple's newer products, they are mostly free of heavy metals, but their components still contain PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), TBBA (tetrabromobisphenol A) and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). See Apple's own statement on materials for details. See also these articles Social Funds and Computer TakeBack Campaign....
Cholesterol Lighting: Old Made New
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07. 6.06
Cholesterol is a clever new light designed by Shoko Cesar, Greg Ball, and Darryl Barton. Made from reused clear plastic egg cartons, the design debuted at the THAW 2006 show, which just wrapped up earlier this week. Say the designers, "North America's rich and over-indulgent culture generates millions of tons of waste that flow into the landfill every year. Cholesterol lighting helps to block the flow of waste by adding beauty to our devalued waste products. By reusing material that is on its way to the landfill, Cholesterol adds aesthetic value to a disposable material and asks the user to reconsider: what materials are disposable, and what materials can be reused for their aesthetic value." For the first time this year, all THAW entrants had to incorporate sustainability into their forward-looking designs. ::IDEA via ::MoCo Loco...
Bazura Bags - Made from Recycled Materials
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 07. 6.06
Eco-fashion has become such a thriving organic movement and we love to see new designers striving to create quality and style. Toronto-based Bazura Bags is the newest line of handbags and accessories to catch our eye (ahem, we just happened to be looking for a new clutch). These high quality pieces are made from colorful discarded juice containers designed by a women's cooperative in the Philippines. The company practices fair wage and it began with six women and has now blossomed to more than 500 members. Half of the employees work full time at the Co-Op, which also pays school children to collect over 50,000 used juice containers per day after school. In addition to the juice box designs, we really like the bags made from recycled aluminum soda and beer cans (shown here). It doesn’t look like they sell the bags online to individual consumers, but there is information on the website for wholesale inquiries. ::Bazura Bags...
Paul Newman & Michel Nischan Open Organic Restaurant
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 07. 6.06
Celebrity chef Michel Nischan is to cuisine what Danny Seo is to home décor - a public figure dedicated to bringing green ideas to mainstream America. Like Mr. Seo, chef Nischan has partnered with the LIME network to host a TV series on eco-living. His cooking program "Pure and Simple," combines kitchen demonstrations with on-the-scene travels by Nischan as he discovers new techniques and ingredients and brings them home to his kitchen on a sustainably run farm in the Hudson Valley. Seo and Nischan also share a knack for bringing celebrity spangle to the green movement, as demonstrated by Nischan's recent collaboration with Paul Newman. Some time this summer the pair will open the Dressing Room, a locally-grown organic restaurant next door to the Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut. As an adjunct to the dining establishment, Nischan has also helped establish a new farmer's market that will run in the shared parking lot of the restaurant and playhouse. Via: Hugg ...
German News Site Offers Eco Podcast
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 07. 6.06
In many ways, Germany is ahead of the game when it comes to dedication to environmental issues. Want to keep up-to-date on the country’s progress and news? Deutsche Welle and nature conservation organization the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have embarked on a weekly English language podcast, titled “Living Planet.” In addition to local coverage, the show features periodic reports on the state of the world’s ecosystems and the pressure they are under due to the consumption of natural resources, according to press material. Subscription (also available through iTunes) is free. ::Deutsche Welle Image courtesy of Olof Pock/Deutsche Welle....
TH Blog Love – Our Favourite Greens Of The Week
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 07. 6.06
EcoStreet: Up to 75% Off at People Tree by Tracy Stokes
‘Sin-free sales shopping – indulge to your heart’s content because every item you buy is helping people in India, Bangladesh, Thailand and other countries around the world to work their way out of poverty and develop their traditional skills.’
EcoTalk: Make Congress "Oil Free" by Betsy Rosenberg.
This week Betsy Rosenberg talks to Eli Pariser, Executive Director of MoveOn.org talks about their drive to rid Congressional campaigns of contributions from big oil companies.
Grist: Words fail me. Well, not really. By John McGrath
‘So Andrew Sullivan says global warming is like the WMD "debate" before the Iraq War… Riiight. I can think of a number of ways that Iraq and climate change are similar, but that isn't one of them. Let's count the ways:’...
The Future of Champagne
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 07. 6.06
Greenpeace recently reported that the Champagne region in France is under threat of radioactive contamination. According to the rainbow warriors, a leak in a storage cell was reported at a nuclear waste dumpsite in Soulaine. Tests also revealed low levels of radioactivity in the groundwater less than 6 miles from the region’s famous Champagne vineyards. This is true despite promises made in the 1980’s by ANDRA, the national nuclear waste agency operating the site, that it would not release any radioactive waste into the environment. Regardless of these problems, the facility continues to receive nuclear waste from both domestic and foreign sources. Once it reaches its capacity of 1 million cubic meters of plutonium and other radionuclides, it will be the world’s largest nuclear waste disposal site. Meanwhile, a new dumpsite is being proposed for the region that would store France’s most radioactive material. See also ::Green Nuclear Waste? and ::Gorbachev Sounds Off on Nuclear vs Renewables...
Mitsubishi Releases Diesel Hybrid Truck in Japan
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 07. 6.06
Just as Ford is edging away from hybrid cars in the U.S., Japanese automakers continue to be less, ahem, fuelish. Motivated by the high cost of fuel in Japan and tough emission standards, among other factors, Mitsubishi Fuso this week unveiled the most energy-efficient medium-duty truck in the world, the Canter Eco Hybrid. With its diesel-electric drivetrain, the Canter offers the best of both worlds: a Li-ion-powered electric motor that kicks into action during stop-and-go driving (ideal for city-bound, delivery-type trucks like this), and a high-efficiency, cleaner-burning diesel engine for highway cruising (which, of course, can always be powered by some good ol' biodiesel). The truck also shuts off its engine while idling, and includes a regenerative braking system that "recycles" energy expended when the truck slows down into electrical energy for later use (here's a diagram of the truck's different operating modes). The result is a 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over similar trucks, and the first commercial truck to meet Japan’s new long-term emissions regulations, due to come into effect August 2007....
Renewable Planet: Mapping Green
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07. 6.06
After posting about biofuel mapping, we learned about Renewable Planet, " a free and accessible resource that highlights the number and variety of renewable energy projects from around the world. Here is an opportunity to celebrate and learn about the impact individuals and organizations have already made and continue to make as part of the renewable energy community." Just in our area, we found wind farms, biofuel companies like Iogen, and TreeHugger faves like Stratus Wineries. One clicks on the symbol and gets all kinds of useful information and links. (here we clicked on the Melacthon wind farm) They promise to add biofuel sources and look for contributions from individuals or businesses to expand the detail and texture of the mapping- plan your next green bicycle tour here. ::Renewable Planet...
New, Biopolymer Versions of Sorona(R) and Hytrel(R) From Dupont:
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07. 6.06
We often get inquiries about environmentally advantaged plastic products. 'Where can I find item "X" made with recycled plastic, compostable plastic, biopolymers, less toxic material, etc'. Over the last year, TreeHugger has posted on over 50 products offerings related to polylactic acid (PLA), a biopolymer originating from corn sugar fermentation (search our archives with the string "PLA" for links). Two other biopolymers with a much longer commercial history are latex rubber and nylon-11 (N-11 is made from a by-product of castor bean oil). The latter two are applied in only a small fraction of the millions of polymer products in global commerce. The good news is that more biopolymers are approaching commercial viability for a long list of familiar and unfamiliar objects. For example, DuPont expects to begin production in 2007 of new high-performance thermoplastic resins and elastomer products made from two of its latest bio-based materials. ...
Drammatic® Liquid Fish Fertilizer
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07. 6.06
Take one part Lake Michigan water, three parts invasive oceanic salmon, 2 parts sport fishers, and one and half parts organic food growers of the world; mix with the company famous for invention of the “#400 Water Breaker hose nozzle” and you get Drammatic® Liquid Fish Fertilizer . Dramatic enough for to be sprayed on roof-top gardens overlooking Broadway....
Voller Fuel Cell Battery Charger
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07. 6.06
We remember when the first cel phones came out, and they were either big Motorola bricks or you carried them in a bag. These days you can lose your iPod or celphone anywhere, but you still have to plug in for recharging. We suspect that the 20 pound briefcase-sized Voller Automatic Battery Charger is but the first of many devices that will solve this problem- it is a hydrogen powered Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. It has USB, cigarette lighter and mains sockets, and can pump out 65 AC watts continously and can run an iPod for a week on a cylinder of hydrogen. Rock on! ::Engadget
UPDATE: we are going to lie down and let Warren ride over us with his bicycle three times in punishment for not noting that he wrote about the Voller at the Photoshop phase over a year ago. ...
Teaching Kids to Go Green
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 07. 6.06
While we believe that the best way to raise children to become Treehuggers is to get them out into the natural world regularly and often, we certainly think green schools will also play an important role in creating the next generation of environmentally-aware citizens around the world. So, we're delighted to see that the Go Green Initiative, founded in 2002 by PTA president and concerned mom Jill Buck, already has tangible results to show from its efforts "to create a culture of conservation on campus." During the 2005-06 school year, the eighty schools in five US states participating in the program reported impressive numbers in terms of waste diversion. According to a release from the organization, Go Green schools saved:...
Hampton Court Flower Show: Sunshine Garden
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07. 6.06
Set in the historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace, on the banks of the Thames, the Hampton Court Flower Show is a lower key, more informal event than the Chelsea Flower Show in May. This summer there is a serious drought in south-west England so there is a "hose pipe ban"--that means no sprinklers on the lawn, only watering cans permitted. The English take this restriction very seriously. In response to this and the larger issue of climate change, the Mayor of London has sponsored a "Sunshine Garden" at the Show. Designed to resemble a typical London back garden, it is made entirely from recycled or sustainable products and is full of water saving ideas that can be applied anywhere. The designer, Paul Stone, has included a compost bin, a wormery, and water butt (plastic barrels for collecting water). ...
EcoDesign Conference on Energy using Products (EuP)
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 6.06
In the pipeline for a bunch of years the European Union directive on Energy using Products (EuP) was tabled late last year. Aimed at the energy efficiency and sustainability of any product that requires power to operate, it will impact the design of any of new products introduced into Europe. A conference was held last month, aimed at developing an understanding of what this all means for designers, and their companies, keen to do, or continue, business in Europe (and other regions implementing similar measures). A similar conference was held earlier this year in Thailand, which we noted here. It was also under the auspices of the British Centre for Sustainable Design, a leader in bringing this issues to the fore. The CFSD believe that eco-design processes hold the solutions to these increasingly prevalent design issues. Particularly, one assumes, with other directives like Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) already making their mark. ::Centre for Sustainable Design, via ::Dexigner. (Thanks Pat, for the date clarification)...
Nutiva's HempShake (Organic and Fair Traded)
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 6.06
How’s this for a list of ingredients for a chocolate shake? Organic hemp protein, organic Fair Trade Certified chocolate, organic ramon nuts, organic guar gum, inulin from chicory root, organic mesquite pods, organic Fair Trade Certified evaporated cane juice. According to Nutiva, “hemp protein contains 66 percent edestin—easier to digest than soy—and, unlike most soy protein, isn’t processed with hexane solvents.” And these new shakes are said to be rich in Omega-3s too. In one of the other flavours you’ll taste Açai berries and Brazil nuts sourced from the Amazon rain forest. This is apparently America’s first Fair Trade Certified organic protein shake. Don’t imagine there are a heap of companies in a position to challenge that claim at this time. We’ve previously noted their hempseed energy bars, organic hemp oil and organic coconut oil. But this one entered our radar via Remy’s post on Hugg (he mixes his with pineapple juice - organic, we hope!). Nutiva HempShake. ...
Kiwis Lick Renewable Energy
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 5.06
Just this week New Zealand made all green philatelists salivate. They released a series of stamps celebrating the fact that over 60% of the country’s electricity is generated as renewable energy via their hydro schemes (90c). The stamps not only reflect the influence of this source of fossil fool free energy, but myriad other forms too. The largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere is at Tararua, Palmerston, supplying juice to 30,000 homes (45c). The biogas technology used at Waikato is said to be able to service a similar number of houses near to such facilities throughout the country ($1.35). Long before Lord of the Rings fever hit , the Land of the Long White Cloud was attracting tourists to its geothermal wonders, which have also been harnessed to provide 18% of primary energy needs ($1.50). And finally our old fav Solar, shown here on the $2 stamp, powering a remote lighthouse. (and yeh, we know you don’t have to lick—or luck, as a Kiwi might say—stamps anymore, but the wordplay just tickled our fancy.) ::NZ Post, via Groovy Green. Thanks Michael. ...
Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07. 5.06
Shroom Pillows by Swigg
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07. 5.06
Brooklyn-based designer Stephanie Wenzel brings us swigg, a line of graphic, modern-inspired goods for the home. Our favorite is the 'shroom collection pillows. The tagline "eco-friendly... because" is befitting of her style: funky, simple and fun; the pillows are produced using a variety of TreeHugger-friendly materials including organic cotton and eco-intelligent polyester (produced in a no-waste, closed-loop manufacturing process). We dig the prints, the style and the ethos; all the goods can be had from a variety of retailers from San Francisco to New York City. ::swigg via ::Eco-Chick...
Levi's Jeans Go Organic for Fall 2006
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07. 5.06
Ubiquitous denim brand Levi's will be adding 100% organic cotton jeans to their fall 2006 product line. Levi's jeans made with organic cotton will be available in a range of popular fits and finishes and marked with a few subtle identifiers. Jeans made with all, or a significant percentage of, organic cotton will be signified as "Levi's Eco" and feature an embroidered lowercase "e" inside the front pocket, or at the bottom of the right leg of each jean. A natural colored canvas "Levi's" tab and "Two Horse Patch" made from 100% organic fabric as well as natural colored pocket stitching of the brand's arcuate will also indicate the jeans are made from organic cotton. Other TreeHugger-friendly elements include the use of recycled buttons, rivets and zippers, and natural indigo was used to dye some styles of jeans. All external packaging will be made from organic fabric or recycled paper and printed with soy-based ink....
The World's First "Magnetic Levitation" Wind Turbines Unveiled in China
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07. 5.06
Chinese developers have unveiled the world’s first permanent magnetic levitation wind power generator at the Wind Power Asia Exhibition 2006 in Beijing. The device is called a MagLev generator, and is being regarded as a key breakthrough in the evolution of global wind power technology. The generator was jointly developed by Guangzhou Energy Research Institute under China’s Academy of Sciences. The MagLev generator is expected to boost wind energy generating capacity by as much as 20 percent over traditional wind turbines. ...
SolarVenti: A Solar Powered Dehumidifier
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07. 5.06
SolarVenti is a solar powered ventilator and dehumidifier from the U.K. The device works by warming cold night air, and moving it inside your home or vehicle. The designer explains the operation this way: "After a cold night all of the atmospheric moisture is lying on the ground as dew or frost leaving a very dry but cold atmosphere. SolarVenti takes in this cold dry air and warms it before pumping it into your house where it sucks out moisture from the fabric of your property and replaces the colder damper atmosphere." The device has no operating costs, and it can be fitted to any South, South West or South East facing wall where there is little or no shade. Prices start at £323. :: SolarVenti via Red Ferret...
Italy Leads Way With 'Green' Goods
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 07. 5.06
Italians have a lot to crow about today: a brilliant last minute victory over Germany in yesterday's World Cup match and recent news that the country leads the European Union in the number of companies making goods that qualify for the EU "Eco-label." The daisy symbol label is granted to products that pass Eco-label environmental impact tests and is placed on products ranging from cleansers to appliances. Ninety-two of the 309 European companies that passed the test are Italian, followed by Denmark with 53, France with 48 and Spain with 21. The country that gave birth to the "slow food" movement often associated with sustainable agriculture, also produces more organic crops than any other country in the 25-nation bloc, according to the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements. Via: Hugg...
Home On The Desert Range
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 07. 5.06
Wheat crops in a scorching desert? Orange groves on saline soil? A team of researchers in Israel believe they have found the key to unlocking the potential of land previously deemed unsuitable for agriculture. The result, they say, may provide the means for solving world hunger. "Back in 1998, we discovered 77 different types of filamentous fungi in the Dead Sea, some were rare and sporadic, and others were much more common and even reached the bottom of the sea 300 meters down," Professor Eviatar Nevo, who initiated the research, told ISRAEL21c. "We became interested in the fungi's genetic resources - what made them thrive in the salty Dead Sea." ...
Green Till the End
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 07. 5.06
Germany-based design firm Uono has discovered a way to make a casket both green and...stylish? (for lack of a better word). Environmentally-friendly handmade Cocoon, composed of rapidly-renewable untreated jute and natural resin, sports a “new, timeless shape and an overall look free of the associations of the typical rectilinear casket,” according to the firm’s Web site. It is also significantly lighter than traditional designs, insuring an easier journey into the ground. This high-gloss, podlike departure from standard fare has blasted into the market. The firm recently received a Silver Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) from the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and Business Week magazine. Read more on organic burial here, here, and here. ::Uono via ::Industrial Designers Society of America...
LG's Steam Washing Machine uses 35% Less Water
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 5.06
LG call this the “first ever Steam Direct Drive washer that uses steam technology to clean garments.” What they don’t do is tell us how it accomplishes this feat. We learn it has 9 washing modes, error message indicators and various other do-dads. And let's not forget that it comes in a line of prints (!), and colours as well. We are told it is a A++ energy rated washer that uses 35% less water. Less than a top loader? Less than a traditional LG front loader of the same size? We don’t know, although we are informed that not having a belt to spin the drum makes it completely silent. All of which is wonderful but a little noise on what makes it perform would have been welcome. Sells for about £1,000 or $1,818 USD. ::LG Steam Direct Drive,via Appliancist.com, from a tip by Tony....
Toyota to Race Lexus Hybrid in Tokachi 24-Hour Race
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07. 5.06
Toyota has announced that its Lexus GS450h will compete in the Tokachi 24-hour endurance race in Hokkaido (in northern Japan) from July 15 to 17. The Lexus engineers are after technological feedback; they want to gather data to "provide insight into how to make hybrid systems smaller, lighter and more efficient," and they also want to learn more about "the potential of hybrid systems in motorsports." The main modifications to the car will be in the suspension, wheels and tires, a safety roll cage and fuel tank, some aerodynamic tweaks and a reduction of vehicle weight. It's interesting to note that the hybrid system itself seems unchanged. ::Toyota to Enter Hybrid Sedan in 24-hour Race, ::Lexus's New Hybrid: Will the Fast Make You Furious?...
Learning from LEED at Inhabitat
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07. 5.06
Inhabitat continues its Green 101 series with Lesson 2: how to create a more sustainable site. Once again they provide a translation of LEEDspeak into comprehensible form, with beautiful images of green buildings treading lightly on the native, natural landscape. It is inspiring. ::Green Building 101 at ::Inhabitat...
Carbon Sequestration: Speed Bump or Wall?
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07. 5.06
No, that's not the head of a fly. It's a carbon dioxide (CO2) molecule. Looks harmless, but now it's causing some headaches among the scientists who are developing carbon sequestration methods (basically, capturing CO2 from the combustion of fossil fuels and burying it under ground to keep it from contributing to global warming). Richard A. Kerr writes in Science: "Scientists testing the deep geologic disposal of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide are finding that it's staying where they put it, but it's chewing up minerals. The reactions have produced a nasty mix of metals and organic substances in a layer of sandstone 1550 meters down, researchers report this week in Geology. At the same time, the CO2 is dissolving a surprising amount of the mineral that helps keep the gas where it's put." It's not leaking so far, but it will require a second look before carbon sequestration can be used on a large scale....
Ben & Jerry's Climate Change College
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 07. 5.06
Are you an 18-30 year-old from the UK, the Netherlands, Ireland or Germany who believes that ice caps, like ice cream, are best kept frozen? Then you may want to consider applying to one of the most unique and selective learning experiences we've seen, Ben & Jerry's Climate Change College. This six-month, part-time program is looking for six people willing to complete the course of study, including a ten-day field trip to Greenland, in order to become ambassador's for the World Wildlife Fund's Powerswitch Campaign. The College is accepting applications for year two of its program, and will accept two applicants from Great Britain, two from the Netherlands, and one each from Ireland and Germany....
Tower of Power at the Home Show
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07. 5.06
This "tower of power" was created to illustrate the many options for green housing available today. It was on display at the Daily Telegraph's House & Garden Fair--a very upmarket show for a very conservative crowd--which just shows how the concepts of environmentally friendly housing and energy conservation are making great inroads. Created by Michaelis Boyd Associates, (Conservative leader David Cameron's architect for his new green renovation), it displays the machinery in situ for a range of energy savers: rainwater harvesting, through an underground system that can save up to 30% of water, solar thermal heating, to heat the hot water and solar Photovoltaic panels. The green roofing is made of a blanket of sedum and sedum compost. The little booklet that accompanies the display is a treasure chest of information; it lists the favoured manufacturer for each item. StealthGen is the wind turbine of choice because of its small size and quietness. Donnachadh McCarthy, who had London's first green house (see Treehugger), is recommended as the consultant. As the architect says “There is something wonderful in creating hot water from the sun and electricity from the sun and the wind”. :: Daily Telegraph House & Garden Fair...
Greening The Bronx
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 07. 5.06
A 10,000 square foot green roof was recently installed on the Bronx County Building by J.P. Patti and Magco, Inc, divisions of Tecta America. The semi-extensive green roof, designed by Green Roof Service is the largest in the Bronx, and the first on a New York City owned building. Bronx Borough President, Adolfo Carrion, Jr., said: "I am very excited that my office is able to provide this green roof as a gift to New York City. I hope that this demonstration green roof project will inspire the City to install green roofs on other city-owned buildings". The green roof will help retain storm water, filter air, and reduce the urban heat island effect. It will also provide noise reduction and energy savings of between 10-15%. Perhaps the roof’s proximity to Yankee Stadium will also help inspire George Steinbrenner to incorporate green building techniques into plans for his team’s new ballpark. See also ::Green Roofs: A primer and ::Chicago Wal-Mart to Sprout Green Roof...
An Elegant Composter for your Pied-a-Terre
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07. 5.06
Are you living in a trendy pod like Jade Jagger is designing for and everything you have must be beautiful, but still want to compost? Industrial Designer Christopher Huntley is showing the perfect sollution at the 2006 RCA (Royal College of Art) show. A cutting board is on top; wine storage below and in between, a rotating composter. See pictures of rotting vegetables in the prototype here; via ::RCA Show Thanks, Harry at Mocoloco!...
Disposing of Dim Bulbs
by Rose Fox, New York City on 07. 5.06
Treehugger loves compact fluorescent bulbs: they use very little energy, give off very little waste heat (those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are enjoying being able to leave the lights on in the summer swelter), and last for years. Like all fluorescents, CFs contain mercury and shouldn't be tossed in the trash when their day is done. That's where LampRecycle comes in. The site, developed by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, provides extensive information on recycling facilities and regulations across the U.S., plus links to relevant EPA pages. (While you're there, check the battery recycling information. It may not be compulsory yet, but it's a good idea.) LampRecycle was originally designed for businesses, but we suspect their Recycling Household Lamps page is going to start seeing a lot of traffic as more and more households make the switch. ::LampRecycle. See also: ::What About Mercury From Compact Fluorescents?...
China's Automotive Era Kicks Into High Gear
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 07. 4.06
A few months ago, I was driving near Shenzhen, in southern China, when the scope and the shape of the country's development struck me for the first time. I looked out the window at one point to notice what looked, almost impossibly, like a major intersection you might encounter in New Jersey or Florida. Or rather, what such an intersection might look like if it were to be built overnight.
There were workers quickly turning dirt into asphalt, a scaffold shrouding what would likely become a convenience store or another of many road-side restaurants, and the requisite gas station. Down the road, we passed an argument over a fender-bender; after that, a luxury golf course. The rest--the big office parks and parking lots--hadn't arrived yet, but they couldn't be far off. We were on our way to visit a crowded jewelry factory which, like many in the area, had recently raised its wages not out of any social obligation but to better draw workers from the countryside, who are being attracted by comparable jobs and better lifestyles closer to home.
Encircling, and driving right through it all, is the car. Fifty years after President Eisenhower created the U.S.'s first interstate highway system, China is embarking on its own road trip....
Review: Toyota Camry Hybrid
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07. 4.06
A reviewer at epinions.com recently took a Toyota Camry hybrid (we previously noted its engine, saw pictures and analyzed pricing and fuel economy) for a spin, and was not impressed. After admitting that the car was in line to be the "perfect family car," with more power, better fuel economy and a comparable price after the tax credit than the conventional Camry, the real deal came up short. It was lacking in power, the handling was soft, and the shift between gas and electric engines was too noticeable; all in all, the car "isn't quite ready for prime time." The reviewer, who goes by Mkaresh on the site, has over 400 auto reviews under his belt, and a Ph.D. thesis written while spending a year-and-a-half inside a vehicle manufacturer studying how and how well it understood the consumer when developing new products, so he seems to know his stuff from a consumer angle. Will the rest of the world agree? We'll keep you posted. ::Epinions.com via ::AutoblogGreen...
Fordhall Farm Lives
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 4.06
Last month Los Angeles' South Central community farm was bulldozed. A scenario that was depressing for many, as this was an icon of local food harvesting, right where the people wanted it. A remarkably parallel battle has been underway in the UK. Fordhall Farm one of the oldest organic farms in Britain was on the chopping block. We covered the story before, here and here. The great news is that the two twenty-somethings have been successful in raising the £800,000 (~ $1,458,000 USD ) by selling shares in the land for £50 each. ‘The campaign has been run from the 16th-century farmhouse where Charlotte and Ben were brought up. "Things have gone crazy in the last couple of weeks," said Charlotte. "We have 10 or 15 volunteers every day processing applications. We now have 5,500 shareholders. A few weeks ago we had only 2,500.’ Just as South Central had some A-List celebs helping out, so too had Fordhall, in the shape of Sting and Prince Charles, amongst others. A hard fought and well deserved win for the Hollins brother and sister duo of Ben and Charlotte, and their band of merry volunteers. A brilliant effort in securing the longer term viability of a heritage organic from the ravages of commercial development. Reason enough for fireworks. Fordhall Farm via The Guardian and The BBC....
UV Light makes Eco-Friendly Microchips. Cool.
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 4.06
University College London has a team of researchers who might’ve come up with a greener microchip. And cheaper too. Chips normally require manufacture via energy hungry furnaces pumping temperatures around 1,000°C (1,832°F) but now this team of boffins have made it happen at room temp, through the use of low heat Ultra Violet light. Seems the UV light (at a wavelength of 126 nanometers, in case you were wondering) cause oxygen molecules to energised atoms which are ideal for oxidising silicon, without heating it. Although just at proof-of-concept prototyping stage the idea is that the production energy load is lower and costs might fall, not mention the environmental savings in not having to fuel those furnaces. Because the chips don’t need to be heated it has been suggested that chips could possibly be also made on cloth, paper and plastic. via ::Technology News and ::All Headline News....
Update: Bavaria Bear Shot
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 07. 4.06
The bear on the lam in Bavaria, “Bruno,” technically known as JJ1, was shot and killed by three Bavarian hunters last week, after a green light from the region’s environmental ministry. Shortly before his death, bikers snapped the photo above. Now, in perhaps a misguided plan to “honor” Bruno, Bavaria plans to stuff and exhibit him in Munich's Museum of People and Nature. Bruno, who escaped from a reserve in the Italian and Austrian Alps, was part of an EU initiative to bring back the endangered European brown bear. The shooting—and the news that the bear will be stuffed—has outraged Italy, according to The New Zealand Herald. ...
Ethanol vs. Biodiesel: Just the Facts
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 07. 4.06
Reader Jacob Varghese asked yesterday "what's the difference between ethanol and biodiesel? which one is better, cheaper..." While some of us responded "Well, that's the fundamental philosophical question of our day (or, at the very least, the $64,000 question)," we decided not to go there. Instead, here are some of the facts about ethanol and biodiesel, with a few thoughts on which on might be better, depending on your transportation needs.
What are they?
Ethanol is "an alcohol product produced from corn, sorghum, potatoes, wheat, sugar cane, even biomass such as cornstalks and vegetable waste. When combined with gasoline, it increases octane levels while also promoting more complete fuel burning that reduces harmful tailpipe emissions such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons." (Abengoa Bioenergy)
Biodiesel is "a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean oil, and which meets the specifications of ASTM D 6751." Or, for those of you who want a more technical definition, it is "a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats..." (National Biodiesel Board)...
Manure Power In The Spotlight
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07. 4.06
The New York Times has an excellent story on ‘poo power,’ a technology that we have covered extensively and which makes us think the Gray Lady is following our green lead. Excuse the self-flattery please, and we’ll try to get the cows back in the barn. First off, we urge you to read the original Times story. There’s no point in repeating their well-reported analysis. But there are some by-ways and meta-stories we’d like to explore with you....
TreeHuggerTV - Sustainable Skateboards
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 07. 4.06
RenewAire: Green Building Equipment Goes Green
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07. 4.06
RenewAire , a Madison, Wisconsin (USA) company which manufactures and markets energy-recovery ventilators, has constructed a green industrial facility and office building: laudable because RenewAire products are commonly used in their customer’s green buildings. RenewAire has applied for (LEED) certification for the facility and also is scheduled to be awarded a “Green Globes” from the Green Building Initiative of Portland, Ore. Key green design aspects are detailed after the fold....
The Prettiest Pollutants
by Rose Fox, New York City on 07. 4.06
For many Americans, the 4th of July wouldn't be complete without fireworks. Macy's puts on a huge spectacle in New York City—they proudly proclaim their use of "55 times more fireworks than the average show in the United States"—and in any big city or small town you can find someone who will proudly tell you that their firework display is among the best in the nation. Unfortunately for those of us who love the pretty lights in the sky, fireworks are often propelled by gunpowder, and the accelerants and heavy metals used for coloration can leave traces in the air and water for days or even weeks after the party is over. The effects are worsened by muggy summer weather and its accompanying poor air quality. ...
It's a Moving Meadow...
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07. 4.06
It’s a meadow, on a butty boat, towed by a tugboat, through the canals from Bath to London. Created by artist Tania Kovats, the moving meadow is “both an idea of a landscape and a floating miniature landscape itself”. It will “trace a line… making a connection between two places, and leaving a trace of its journey in the mind of all those who encounter this floating garden”. The moving meadow is a reminder of the links between nature and the past. It is a diary of a journey of varying landscapes, laden with history, and of the manoeuvring of the boats through it. The canals were once essential routes for trade and communication. Tugs moved coal from mines to power stations. The James Loader, now lovingly restored, was built in 1946 and worked until 1962, when a harsh winter forced the coal traffic onto trucks forever and marked the end of an era. ...
caféDiverso Wants Your Stories & Photos
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 07. 4.06
Has that time of the year arrived when you start feeling restless and really want to go on holiday? Well, we might sooth (or fuel?!) your impatience and take you travelling from your armchair (less CO2 for sure) with these stories and photos by the multimedia travel publisher caféDiverso. Because they believe that Everyone Has A Good Story, caféDiverso promote real-life stories and photos of a worldwide network of writers and photographers. That way they ‘explore people and cultures rather than just places, accommodation and activities’ which makes them what they call the new generation of travel publishing.
Voices is the series of books you can browse on their web site or submit your story or photo to for publishing. But Barcelona based caféDiverso isn’t just a publisher, it’s a community of members around the world, connected through a forum, the travelling notebook project and the writers’ and photographers’ corner....
Most Huggable
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 07. 3.06
Make sure your firework-watching lawn chair or picnic blanket has wireless Internet, cause you aren’t gonna want to miss out on your daily dose of green news. Viva la naturaleza! Fireworks are more polluting than you might think, but there are clean methods that don’t compromise on bang… George Soros discusses the global energy crisis and the American impediment to world stability… A zero-energy home under $200 grand, in Oklahoma City, of all places… The Living Steel design competition challenges architects to confront the task of housing the population boom… Grist peruses Made to Break, the new book on American’s obsession with disposability…...
General Electric Opens Wind Turbine Plant in China
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07. 3.06
General Electric (GE) Energy announced on June 28 the official opening of their first wind turbine assembly plant in China. It is located in Shenyang and will produce 1.5 megawatt turbines. The first unit was completed in late March 2006 and the delivery of the first units is expected by July. "Our world-class wind turbine assembly facility in China builds on the success and experience of our wind factory in Salzbergen, Germany and adds to our ability to support growing customer demand in the renewable energy segment," said Victor Abate, vice president of renewable energy for GE Energy....
Latest Hollywood Couple: Schwarzenegger & Chevron
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07. 3.06
California's governor often says that the environment is a priority for him (he has even made green his official campaign color). He's opposed to the Clean Alternative Energy Initiative (we wrote about it here), "a landmark ballot measure that would finance alternative energy research and development by imposing a tax on oil companies. (The initiative is backed by dozens of California green groups, and would boost the state’s economy according to UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.)" Could this opposition have anything to do with about $2 million in political contributions by oil companies he received, or the fact that Chevron gave $600,000 to his campaign and paid for his trip to the 2004 RNC in New York? "Chevron also reportedly enjoyed 'considerable influence' over the content of the Governor’s major reform proposals in 2004, which included significant benefits for the oil industry."...
Green Biking Is Red In Lyon
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 07. 3.06
Le Ballon Rouge ("The Red Balloon"), is a French film sans dialogue that Canadian children born around the year 1973 got to see in elementary school. Images of the little boy and his red balloon, wandering around the streets of Paris filled our heads with French fantasies. Temporarily stationed in Paris, and while working on a magazine story on the Green Map System, this TreeHugger found that one of the greenest innovations from another French city- Lyon- is red. Via Mary Byrd Davis' blog, the city of Lyon has let publicist J. C. Decaux and his company provide 176 bike stations for two thousand red bicycles (up from 1,500 a year ago) available for use by the public 24/7. ...
10 House- a Wiki to Build a Green $10,000 House
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07. 3.06
Some, like Howard Roark, would say that architects and designers are independent sorts who don't work well on co-operative projects; certainly there is evidence in New York that nothing has changed. Consequently we think it brave of Paul at 10 house to consider a cooperative project where everyone contributes their ideas to build a wiki that "will be a repository of information, methods, and materials to build a green house for approx. $10,000." Who knows, it may even become as important as the Team 10 Primer. ::10 House via greensapien at ::Hugg...
So Why is Ford Backing Away from Hybrid Commitment?
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 07. 3.06
David Roberts at Gristmill may have well summed up all of our responses to the news that Ford Motor Co. is moving away from recent "keen interests" in hybrid technology, and choosing to focus on "flex-fuel" vehicles: WTF? During the taping of the most recent theWatt Podcast today, host Ben Kenney came across a line in the New York Times' article on this development that may hold the key: "Car companies receive a credit for each vehicle they produce that is capable of running on ethanol or a similar bio-fuel." Did you know that? We certainly didn't. It turns out that Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988, which was renewed as the Alternative Fueled Vehicles Rule of 2004, does just that. According to the US Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center, these laws create an incentive for auto makers to build cars capable of using alternative fuels by "[giving] a credit of up to 1.2 mpg toward an automobile manufacturer's average fuel economy which helps it avoid penalties of the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards." The Union of Concerned Scientists calculates that this results in a "...roughly a 65 percent bonus in credited fuel economy" (see their table for exact figures). While Ford denies this credit played a role in its decision, it is clear that cars running on biofuels automatically raise the company's corporate average fuel economy. While hybrids would help here, too, almost any car in Ford's fleet can be made a flex-fuel model with relatively simple modifications, while hybrids would require major new investment in the manufacturer's infrastructure....
America's Air Conditioned Nightmare
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07. 3.06
Graph shows changes in population since the "Air Conditioning Age" started circa 1950
In an earlier post we linked to Alternet's first post on the massive impact of air conditioning; they recently published part two, which discusses its impact on the settlement of the United States and the change in its political makeup and voting patterns. Few inventions, perhaps even just the automobile, have has such impact on the way we live. Here is a link again to the first part.. Read also the second part: "Luxuries like comfort air-conditioning are affordable only in a make-believe world with unlimited fossil fuel reserves and a method for pumping carbon dioxide into outer space (or unlimited tolerance for nuclear disaster and storage for radioactive wastes). In a greenhouse future, we will need every kilowatt we can squeeze out of wind machines, solar arrays, and biomass just to fulfill essential needs. None will be left over for cooling down the Astrodome." ::Alternet...
From Chip Bags to Handbags
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07. 3.06
These great looking handbags and wallets are made out of recycled or factory-second potato chip bags. Working with a Mexican charity dedicated to education on sustainable resources, they are made by hand by women’s groups and prisoner support groups. The bright colours of the original bags mean that the purses are vibrant in colour. They are carefully woven so that the original designs and logos are retained and emphasised. The bags are waterproof and durable due to their original usage. They also make men’s bags out of the soft inner tubing of rubber tires. These come in messenger bag styles and knap-sack shapes. House wares include place mats and wastepaper baskets. By weaving the crisp bags in different ways different patterns are made. Some come in silver by using the inside of the chip bags. A colourful and salty addition to your summer wardrobe. :: PlanetSilverchilli
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Moby Headlines Benefit for East River Conservation
by Rose Fox, New York City on 07. 3.06
Yes, you read that price tag correctly. The folks at the Coastal Marine Resource Center of New York, or CMRC, are very serious about their work on coastal conservation and public waterfront access, and they're proving that they have what it takes to fundraise with the big boys. Pop artist Moby (previously featured on Treehugger for his Lower East Side vegetarian hangout teany) will officiate and perform with vocalist Laura Dawn and guitarist Daron Murphy; guests will eat and drink and dance and schmooze. Funding for the event comes from a long list of sponsors and $100-and-up tickets. The crunchy granola types might not love the commercial aspects, but if it helps to support this very worthy cause, we'll take slick PR over oil slicks on the East River any day. ::Coastal Marine Center to Host Benefit via ::The CMRC...
Biodiesel Magazine: Now Available Online
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07. 3.06
For anyone who can't get enough transesterified plant and animal oils, Biodiesel Magazine is now available online. The virtual version contains an archive of all print edition articles, and will feature weekly web-exclusive content, like a poll-type "Question of the Week" and an "Ask the Expert" column; the current expert question deals with the potential impact of ultra low sulfur diesel will have on the burgeoning biodiesel industry, for example. The magazine partners with the authorities at the National Biodiesel Board and currently has 3,000 subscribers. When you want to know about the most efficient way to make it, or who's brewing the stuff, it's worth a read. ::Biodiesel Magazine via ::AutoblogGreen...
Firefly Lighting Innovations: Better Than LEDs?
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07. 3.06
TreeHugger's infatuation with light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been long and diverse; from practical applications like traffic lights in India to whimsical products like LED cufflinks, there isn't much we don't like 'em for. A new company stands to take this kind of technology to another level. Firefly Lighting Innovations is a brand new company that utilizes electroCeramescent technology, also known as "light emitting ceramic device" or LECD. Calling it "the latest breakthrough in solid state lighting technology," LECD boasts many of the same traits as our favored LEDs: very durable, virtually maintenance free and consume extremely low levels of energy; LECD products also do not generate heat, keeping them cool to the touch and the fire danger low. The company's first product to the consumer market is the Firefly Light Tray which creates a soft, non-obtrusive glow and consumes extremely low levels of energy, costing only pennies a year to operate....
Dell Raises the Bar on Computer Recycling
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07. 2.06
Dell recently announced that it would offer free recycling of any of its machines, regardless of whether their owners were buying replacement systems from Dell. Previously, consumers needed to buy new Dell equipment to qualify for free recycling, a requirement that remains the practice for many other leading computer companies. "Dell's new program sets the bar high," said Kate Krebs, executive director of the National Recycling Coalition in Washington. With the new program, consumers will go to Dell's Web site (see this page) to print out a mailing label, then contact the company's recycling office to schedule a pickup by a local recycling contractor. Hewlett-Packard, Apple Computer and other companies have introduced less ambitious programs to encourage the recycling of obsolete equipment. ...
Ecodrive Releases Lithium Powered Scooters
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07. 2.06
Ecodrive, a large Canadian supplier of electric vehicles, announced today that they will be releasing the world's first commercially available electric motorcycles and scooters powered by Polymer Lithium-Ion (PLI) batteries. The company says the polymer technology will overcome many of the shortcomings associated with other types of rechargeable batteries. The batteries will be used in their E-cycles and EVT lines of electric motorcycles. :: Ecodrive...
The Neco Showerhead (7.1 litres per minute)
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 2.06
While most water conservation suggestions would have you reaching for a showerhead rated to 2.5 gallon per minute (gpm) or 9.5 litres per minute (lpm), there are plenty of others that can trump this measure. And we’ve noted a few here, like the Tiara, Bricos, and one from Real Goods. Some of these, such as the Aqua Helix can get down to a very admirable 0.5 gpm (1.9 lpm), but many folk want to save water whilst also having a hearty shower too. The Neco Showerhead, at 7.1 litres per minute (or 1.9gpm), might just be an halfway house between the sublime and the ridiculous (being old style showers at 20+ lpm [5.3+ gpm] ). It is said to use a "patented vacuum flow technology", that renders a higher pressure than other low-flow showers, and they suggest you get a spray sensation greater than that of 9.5 lpm showerheads. $99 AUD. From ::Neco...
CO2nned? Carbon offsets under the spotlight
by Treehugger Interns on 07. 2.06
New Internationalist (NI), a monthly magazine with the self-proclaimed mission of bringing you "the people, the ideas, the action in the fight for global justice" has taken up the subject of carbon offsets in its July issue. Under the title "CO2nned: Carbon offsets stripped bare", the magazine levels some very serious accusations against the companies and organizations claiming to offer "carbon neutrality" to their corporate and individual clients. The NI is certainly not without a political bias, and the issue is far from an even-handed exploration of the concept, but it does raise some very interesting questions.
Some of the NI's biggest criticisms are leveled at tree-planting projects. A report by Adam Ma'nit claims that many offset projects serve as little more than subsidies for monocultural mega-plantations of non-native species, often forcing indigenous people off the land, clearing existing vegetation and releasing stored carbon from the soil. He also points out that climate change may threaten these very plantations through increased fires, pests and diseases. Even when projects appear to address concerns of local people and sustainable development, Ma'nit is skeptical. He cites the example of Coldplay's involvement in a tree planting project organized by the Carbon Neutral Company. Of the 10,000 mango trees that were planted in the band's name in Karnataka, India, a later report by a British newspaper, the Sunday Telegraph, found only a few hundred still alive with the Carbon Neutral Company and it's project partners in India wrangling bitterly over who was to blame. Ma'nit's report, however, does not mention that the Carbon Neutral Company promised to make good this short fall by funding other more successful projects elsewhere.
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Lessons Learned: The Guardian Explores Greener Schooling
by Treehugger Interns on 07. 2.06
Treehugger has reported previously here, here and here on the UK based Guardian/Observer newspaper and its increased focus on sustainability. Another offering last week saw the publication taking on the subject of sustainability in schools. As part of their weekly Education section, an 8 page supplement entitled “Going Green – How to Become a Sustainable School” tackled everything from renewable energy to sustainable travel plans for pupils. Greener computer equipment, more efficient buildings, waste reduction, and awareness raising amongst pupils were also explored. Not all of the articles appear to be available online, but their website does feature a very interesting article by Lucie Carrington on the challenge of building greener schools. Amongst other highlights was a useful list of resources for teachers including the excellent eco-schools website, details of an award from Toyota of £15,000 to registered green schools, and information on Groundwork, a charity dedicated to transforming school grounds into sustainable outdoor spaces for learning and fun. It certainly looks like the UK’s education system is finally making some significant moves towards a greener future, and the Guardian is intent on supporting it. [Written by: Sami Grover]...
World's Most Energy Efficient Vehicle? A Bicycle
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07. 2.06
We are always on about how efficient bicycles are as a means of mobility. See our early Eco-Tip on the topic. More recently the WorldWatch Institute published some intriguing figures on cycling. Comparing energy used per passenger-mile (calories), they found that a bicycle needed only 35 calories, whereas a car expended a whopping 1,860. Bus and trains fell about midway between, and walking still took 3 times as many calories as riding a bike the same distance. They also looked at a measurement called: ‘Persons per hour that one meter-width-equivalent right-of-way can carry’. In this case Rail scored tops with 4,000 persons, but ‘autos in mixed traffic’ still managed the worse rating with only 170 people. Bikes did pretty well, relative to cars, achieving 1,500 persons per hour. This is the sort of impact that Critical Mass rides around the planet try to demonstrate on a regular basis. The stats also inferred that cycling contributes to a nation’s health. For example, they found that only 1% of urban travel in the US was by bicycle, a country with 30.6% of adults considered obese. This contrasted with the Netherlands where 28% of urban travel was via a bike, and only 10% were obese. More at WorldWatch Matters of Scale....
