- 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 16, 2006 - July 22, 2006
Total this week: 114
Recycled Tableware by Belland®Vision
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.22.06
Responding to an earlier post, Compostable Tableware…Or Not , a reader named “Lars” told us about a German company, Belland®Vision, which “has invented a material for tableware and maybe also future packaging that allows closed material cycling”. Caution: the Belland®Vision website is heavily flash videoed, and though extremely well done, some browsers may crash from it. Also, it requires Windows Media Player for some of the functionality....
The Competition for Talent Goes Green
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.22.06
It's hard to get good help these days, especially when so many people are realizing that there is more to life than money. A lot of companies are beginning to offer incentives to attract TreeHugger types and make it easier to work without a car. PMA Landscape Architects in Toronto offers employees membership in a car-sharing program so when they can't bike to work they have an option. "When I was doing the [job] interview, I was happier to take a far more flexible approach in my salary negotiations because I would have 5,000 extra dollars in my pocket from not having to own and drive a car," says Netami Stuart, an avid cyclist and recent hire. BCE lets employees "hotel" in offices all over the country so if they don't have to go downtown that day, they can go to a closer suburban office and use a desk. VanCity and Nortel offer special closer parking spots for car poolers, and BCE again in Toronto and Montreal has bikes that can be checked out like a library book and used to get around downtown. ...
Electronics Products Environmental Assessment Tool Unleashed
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.22.06
According to InfoWorld, Dell and Hewlett-Packard (HP) hope to gain millions of dollars in government contracts now that they have listed dozens of their desktops, laptops and monitors in a database of environmentally sustainable IT products, [EPEAT - as covered previously in Treehugger] the companies said Friday. “Dell hopes to win some of those contracts by listing 28 products in the EPEAT database,…HP has listed 32 products, …”.
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Peak Oil, as seen by the ABC’s Four Corners
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.22.06
We’ve suggested you have a peek at the movie of comedian Robert Newman to see his irreverent take on Peak Oil. Now we share another multimedia presentation on the topic with you. Four Corners is the premier investigative journalism program on Australian television. Their report on Peak Oil aired recently, and can now be seen online in its entirety, by those blessed with broadband. At the time the show was recorded Australians were paying around $1.35 AUD per litre for fuel, Brits the equivalent of $2.20/ltr and Americans $1.00/ltr. Many reasons are offered by the various stakeholders as to why the price of oil is currently so high, but most agree that demand is greater than current supply. Four Corners summarises the many viewpoints with a simple statement that, “The last year in which the world discovered more new oil than it used was 1981.” Worth 45 mins of your time. ::Four Corners....
Kuyichi — Celebrating 5 Years of FairTrade EcoFashion
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.22.06
We first reported on Kuyichi back in 2004, when TH was still wet behind the ears, and barely old enough to be house trained. Kuyichi's hip looking apparel, made with ethical and environmental responsibility fitted TreeHugger's scope of green+modern design to a T(-shirt.) Six months later they were launching Made-By, a ‘shadow label’ co-op that had other European brands adopting their vision. Now as TreeHugger nears its two year anniversary, Kuyichi (Peruvian god of the rainbow) have already popped the cork on organic champagne, with five years under their belt. As the above image list clearly shows, they have much to celebrate. Salut! ::Kuyichi (for some reason their site doesn’t like Safari - try Firefox.)...
RARE Wiki: Threat Reduction Yellow Pages
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 07.22.06
Wiki Wiki means "hurry quick" in Hawaiian. It seems appropriate in the context of a the new Threat Reduction Yellow Pages Wiki, a project organized by the US-based non-profit conservation organization RARE, because it can never be too soon to stop the decay of biodiversity and the natural environment. Billed in the email publicizing RARE's new effort as the "Web's first Conservation Tools and Threats Wiki", the site is a unique vehicle for collecting grass-roots experience from the local heroes who are making a difference every day and making it available for others to follow in their footsteps. What works? What doesn't?
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Janet Dreifus, Thanks for Doing Your Thing
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 07.21.06
Readers were introduced to Janet Dreifus in April, when we let you know about Janet's Walk. I last was in contact with her then and thought it was time to update you all the progress of her west coast tour. When I visited her web site, however, I found that the intrepid 49-year-old returned home from her April trip exhausted and succumbed to breast cancer in June. Though I only knew her a few months, becoming immersed in this incredible woman's brave approach to life has made me re-evaluate mine. Janet was more hippy than hip, and I spend a lot of my time contributing to a "hip, not hippy" world. As we helped her get her web site going, and assisted in writing some of her materials, I worried about how people would respond to her frankness about her emotional past and openness about her spiritual beliefs while she spread the word about eco-issues. I worried about people making the micro-evaluations we all make daily, and dismissing her as granola-y or New Agey without hearing her message or seeing how amazing she was (we all do it in one way or another, and it sucks). She was absolutely dedicated to being herself, and touching people her way. I wish I would have spent less time worrying and more time just appreciating her -- another lesson she taught me, I guess. Janet's fearlessness, desire to use her life to its capacity with whatever time she had, and persistent self-loyalty are completely inspiring. Please get to know her a bit. :: Janet's Walk ...
The Tesla Roadster: Electric Sports Car
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 07.21.06
130mph. 13,500 RPM. 0-60mph in about four seconds. H-O-T! Meet the Tesla Roadster, the car that hopes to elevate plug-in electrics to lustworthy status. Judging from car-guru Jalopnik's first impressions, we feel it should have no difficulty in doing so. Not only does it have a design pedigree from famed UK sports car company Lotus, the engine, though quiet, promises to push you back into your seat. Even better, the battery technology seems to be relatively painless, something that will go a long way in pushing electric mainstream. In a measely 3.5 hour charge TreeHugger T-Shirt Design Contest: Show Us Your Creative Side
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 07.21.06
Get it while it's hot (and belive us, it is), $400 worth of green goodies from our friends at 3R Living. So, how do you get your hands on such a fine prize? It's really quite easy. Just enter our TreeHugger T-Shirt Design Contest by Friday, July 28th with your best TreeHugger t-shirt design. If your design is chosen as the best by TreeHugger readers, you will walk away with a $400 3R Living gift certificate. So, grab a TreeHugger logo (found at the bottom of the original contest post, find a TreeHugger slogan, or make your own graphics/slogan and send it to: contest [at] treehugger [dot] com. We are awaiting your entry!
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Most Huggable
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 07.21.06
Julia Roberts, the green angel, is now a spokeswoman for Dallas-based Earth Biofuels… OBVIO! electric cars coming from Brazil to North America… CalCars Tempts, Toyota Takes the Plug… After reflooding Iraq’s marshes, the balance of life is recovering… A podcast investigation of a thin-film solar scandal in the making…...
Robert Redford Announces Green Sundance Channel
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 07.21.06
Grist brings us news that the man who paved the way for Brad Pitt to be celebrated as a hunky-Hollywood TreeHugger, Robert Redford, has announced the launch of Sundance Channel Green. The new channel will "present original series and documentary premieres about the earth’s ecology and concepts of 'green' living that balance human needs with responsible environmental stewardship." ...
Last Chance: Call For Honorary TreeHuggers!
by Treehugger Interns on 07.21.06
Esteemed readers, we’d like your help in picking a bunch of honorary TreeHuggers for us to showcase. While several great suggestions have been flowing in, we’re still looking for that perfect TreeHugger! So far you guys have been vocal about Laurie and Larry David, Paul Hawken, and a ton of environmental writers, activists, and economists. Keeping it interesting, as always, a shout out to the Bush ranch in Crawford too! What do you think about that? Your vote could swing this so don’t forget to send your support. For ideas, see TH’s list of potential candidates after the jump or in the readers’ comments. Please e-mail your suggestions TODAY to jessica at treehugger dot com or simply add in the comments section. ...
Green Wonders of the World by BusinessWeek
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07.21.06
BusinessWeek recently did a round-up of some of the green architectural "Wonders of the World". Included in the survey was the intriguing structure seen here — it's the J.M. Tjibaou Cultural Centre in New Caledonia. BusinessWeek says: "Renzo Piano's cultural center in the South Pacific was the first to show that green architecture is as much about culture as technology. The use of local iroko wood and traditional construction methods reflect sustainable principles—both by reducing the distance materials must travel, and drawing on this French island territory's local economy. By riffing on the shapes of the area's traditional Kanak huts, the 10 individual structures dramatically blend into the landscape, while their vertical slats allow the prevailing winds to ventilate the interiors."...
Video: New Anti-Guzzler Greenpeace Ad
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.21.06
Greenpeace UK has just released a new video ad about SUVs in urban areas. "Using the language, style and production values of traditional car adverts, the film challenges the image portrayed by the advertising industry of 4x4 drivers escaping their urban environment for the freedom of the open road. Greenpeace took advice from advertising industry insiders before producing the film." Some might find the video a bit over the top, but considering that the auto industry spends more on marketing (especially for SUVs) than almost all other industries combined and that their adverts are often just as over the top in the opposite direction, we think it's only fair. You can watch the video here, download it here and read the Greenpeace press release plus some background info on the advert below....
TreeHuggerTV: NRDC Does Bonnaroo
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 07.21.06
Healthy Homes Or Why Are Most Homes Filled With Cancer Causing Substances (Carcinogens), Endrocrine Disruptors and Substances That Cause Birth Defects (Teratogens)?
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07.21.06
Most modern homes and apartments are toxic environments. As we live and breath in them, they are contributing to a number of diseases over time. There are two main problems: toxic products that people bring into their homes, and toxins leaked into the air by the home itself. Let's look at toxic products first. The worst offenders here are: artificial air fresheners, fabric dryer sheets, hair products and hundreds of other products commonly found on supermarket shelves. These products are filled with ingredients are carcinogens (substances that will cause cancer over time), and endocrine disruptors (substances that disrupt the human endocrine system).
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University of Florida: Conference on Campus and Community Sustainability
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.21.06
Next October (yeah, we're early on this one) the University of Florida will host the first "Campus and Community Sustainability: Sharing Best Practices and Visions for Florida's Future" conference. "[It] will provide a venue for the exchange of best practices and visions among Florida's universities, colleges, and communities. Speakers and panel discussions will focus on fostering strong relationships between institutions and their communities and emphasize the role of higher education in creating a more sustainable future." The keynote speaker will be award-winning journalist and novelist, Carl Hiaasen. At this early stage, the organizers are still looking for abstracts from presenters, ideas for roundtable discussion or workshops; submit your ideas here. You can reserve your ticket (they have special student prices) or volunteer to help coordinate the event here....
Agifish: Fill 'Er Up With Catfish Unleaded Please
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 07.21.06
If you ever wondered what to do with your leftover catfish guts, a Vietnamese innovator has come up with a dandy solution: catfish biodiesel. According to Reuters, a Vietnamese company called Agifish plans to turn catfish fat into fuel to run diesel engines. "The fuel is as good as diesel oil," said Agifish director Nguyen Dinh Huan who added that the company has been using the fuel, made from fat leftovers, to run pumps at its fish ponds in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang in southern Vietnam. We are not sure if this idea would be popular on Animal Farm (fish fat running a fish farm!), and it's not quite vegan, but the company claims that a kilogram of catfish fat could produce 1.13 litres of biofuel. Agifish plans on building a 10,000-tonne-per-year factory in 2007 to mass-produce the fuel for domestic markets. If it's using what would otherwise be considered waste, why not? ::New Scientist via ::Reuters. ...
News the Way it Should Be: “Beat the Press“ Graphic Design Competition
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 07.21.06
Those cunning eco-renegades at Global Inheritance have a challenge for you: design that magazine cover you’d most want to see on the newsstand. Beat the Press is Global Inheritance’s challenge to showcase the news that really matters. Entries will be accepted until August 24th. The top 20 winning artists will have their work toured during the TRASHed Magazine Exchange, and get their choice of shoes and T-shirt from Globe. We encourage entrants to post their creations in the comments section of this post for all to see. Other fiendishly clever Global Inheritance projects of note have included celebrity decorated recycle bins at major music tours and biodiesel RC off-road racing. Get busy and show us your work! Contest entries should be emailed to BEATthePress@globalinheritance.org. :: Global Inheritance ...
Jumbo Shrimp: Smart Car Conversion
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.21.06
Some have wondered if America will accept the Smart Car; Certainly this modest modification will be welcome. It has a little more ground clearance (65 cm) an addtional engine (a 5.7 litre six cylinder diesel) and a better view- you sit almost 3 metres (10 feet) up. The original three-cylinder diesel is retained to turn two big wind-up keys in the back of the car. Built by Mercedes-Benz in Athens, no word on fuel efficiency. ::National Post...
Bioplastic Made from...Cow Poo?
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.21.06
TreeHugger has seen it's share of bioplastics, used in everything from cutlery to packaging tape to baggies, and it's usually made from agricultural byproducts like corn or potato starch. A researcher in the Centre for Environmental Technology and Engineering in New Zealand has discovered another potential source for producing bioplastic: dairy-farm effluent, better known to most of us as cow poo in water. Dr. Steven Pratt is working on a way to turn carbon-based wastewater into a biodegradable, renewable form of plastic. The murky mixture he holds in the picture above is a mix of acids is produced by fermenting bacteria taken from wastewater ponds and fed with a glucose solution. Says the good doctor, "By using cheap and renewable sources there is a tremendous opportunity for biopolymer production to be made economic. At the same time, the problems of wastewater treatment and natural resource depletion are addressed.” ::Physorg.com via ::Hugg...
China to Track Vegetables During 2008 Olympics
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 07.21.06
It seems as if everyday brings another story about what China is doing to promote sustainability and to address its environmental problems. Why should today be any different? According to a report in the Beijing News, China will begin tracking its vegetables in an effort to ensure food safety during the 2008 Olympics. Each vegetable will be given an identity number and file so that its origins can be traced in the event of a ‘safety incident’. Furthermore, each vegetable will be inspected at a distribution center before being allowed to enter an Olympic kitchen. The report suggests that Beijing will need more than 5,000 metric tons of vegetables during the two-week event. This is clearly an attempt to address the potential for contamination from banned pesticides and pollutants that have previously been detected in vegetables from China. See also ::China Leads World in Renewable Energy Investment, ::China Imposes Consumption Tax on Chopsticks, and ::China Redefines Green...
Celebrity Endorsements Don't Sell Products
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07.21.06
Celebrity endorsements don't work, according to a heartwarming study. In fact, they came second last on the list of “very important” information channels that consumers used to judge products. In a new report by AccountAbility, a non-profit research institute, 10% picked celebrities’ opinions as important in helping them decide if companies were trustworthy--the only category to do worse was leaflets through the mailbox. Unfortunately, NGO’s and campaign groups were third to last. What consumers do rely on is information on the package, views of consumer groups, and friends and family. People also depend on websites and blogs to judge information, because they consider the motivation of those behind the claims. Formal certifications such as Fairtrade played an important role, but were not sufficient alone. Whilst “businesses are now recognising that social and environmental concerns are becoming mainstream”, the report noted that companies like McDonald’s and Nike haven’t been able to turn this into a business opportunity because the public doesn’t believe that their efforts are sincere. The popularity and strength of ethical consumerism is growing; however, there is still a gap between concern and action. There has not been a substantial decline in mainstream purchasing in areas such as long-haul flights, sale of 4X4’s and disposable fashion. :: AccountAbility via :: Financial Times...
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Deepwater Wind Farm coming to Scotland
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.21.06
Now who could complain about such a pretty picture. Yet NIMBY is the response to every new wind farm, and DOWNVInD (Distant Offshore Windfarms with No Visual Impact iN Deepwater- now they had to work hard to come up with that!) may be the answer- make'em big and put them so far out to sea that nobody can see. Canadian oil driller Talisman Energy is building two monster 5 megawatt turbines in its Beatrice oil field as a demonstration project, to test the technology for planting turbines in 150 feet of water, and we suppose, see who complains. Curiously, the power will be used to pump oil out of the declining field- at some point it takes more energy to get the oil out then you actually get from it. By using wind power, Talisman expects to extend the life of the field by 10 years. There is something truly ironic in using wind turbines to pump oil, but then again so is going DOWNVInD to pander to NIMBYs. ::Beatrice WInd Farm also ::DOWNVInD ...
Green Building 101: Materials and Resources
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.21.06
Pencils sharpened, class, because Inhabitat's lecture of the week is on Materials and resources, and it is a big topic so pay attention. Your Cliff Notes version, without their lovely pictures and prose:
-Get small. We always talk about living with less; It now pays LEED points.
-Get efficient. frame your building carefully and think about prefabs or SIP's.
-Get Local. Don't pay to ship materials across the country or the world.
-Build to last. Houses should last a couple of lifetimes.
-Pick your materials carefully. Think FSC.
-Don't waste. Anything.
That is the crib sheet, see the whole lesson at ::Inhabitat...
A Double Whammy - The Wind Powered Bike Light
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.21.06
Skateboards and mobile phones have gone wind-powered. so why not bicycles? Two of our faves in one. Bonus. Taiwan designer Hsieh Jung-Ya and his firm, Duck Image, won kudos from European design comps, like Red Dot, for his concept of a wind-powered bike light. A mini turbine is mounted on the handlebars and uses the bikes momentum to drive the blades. These in turn power a 1700 lux LED light. (A bike moving at 21kph is said to produce continuous power of 3.5 volts at 70mA, with the little generator whizzing round at 850 revs per minute). Unlike the problem with many hubs that stop working when the rider stops, this gizmo comes with a rechargeable lithium battery for constant light. Combined with gyroscopically powered LED pedals (with or without battery) this could be a groovy combination. Until that is we receive complaints from the Moth Protection Society about furry winged critters flying into the turbines path. ::Duck Image (Flash Alert!!! You have been warned), via Red Dot....
The GoBike - Another Snappy Folder
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.21.06
Around for a few years winning design awards, but not widely available at retail, the GoBike does appear to be popping up a bit more now. The iXi, Birdy, Bike Friday, Moulton and Brompton will have to welcome a newcomer to their ranks of hip, compact bicycles. Designed in Canada and made in Taiwan, the GoBike is made of aluminium, weighing in at about the 11 to 12 kg (24-26 lb) mark. It is said to ride and perform just like a full size bike, suiting riders from 142cm (4 ft 8 in) to 193cm (6 ft 4 in). As the pic indicates it can fold up to a tiny package - and like the Bike Friday - fit inside a suitcase. Yet it still sports high performance attributes, like a anti-dive front disk braking (rear disk brakes optional), and a very cool looking monoblade (single fork) front suspension. A plethora of accessories are available including carriers and panniers and travel bags. As is a non-folding frame version, known as the Tango, which has its own very trippy frame (see photo after the fold, so to speak). Their official website is a frustrating work-in-progress, but after much digging we did unearth another far more useful site complete with technical specs and photos. In Europe prices seem to start around €1,249, while in Canada expect to pay $1,500 CAD for base model. ::GoBike, via Corporate Knights....
Bo's A TreeHugger: Soap Star Peter Reckell, the Eco-Celeb
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 07.20.06
Well folks, this may be funny to some of you - but for schoolgirls like me who spent lazy summer days watching sands through the hourglass - my discovery that "Bo Brady" (as in "Bo & Hope" on Days of Our Lives) is a major TreeHugger counts as pretty big news. Peter Reckell (his real name) lives in a solar-powered casa that generates enough juice to sell power back to the utility company. Not only does he make the energy, he keeps his home efficient with insulation made of recycled denim. He's also under pedal-power during his commute to the set, though he did request a Bio-Beetle for his trip to the Daytime Emmy awards this spring. Fellow fans can check out his simple but straightforward website to see what he's got to say about his eco-passions. I always knew Bo was a stand-up guy, no matter what nonsense Stefano had up his dastardly sleeve. ...
HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.20.06
The second edition of this HOK-produced guidebook has been available since late 2005. There are plenty of us who need help with green design, so we thought the book deserved another mention. From the HOK website: “The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design,” one of the most influential real-world guides for improving building performance, health, productivity and long-term value through sustainable design, has been revised and expanded. The newly published second edition is reorganized to provide step-by-step guidance throughout the design process, while highlighting key issues for different building types". Including a forward by Paul Hawken, it is published by John Wiley & Sons. ...
Ford’s Climate Strategy
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.20.06
According to a recent AutoCar Magazine article: “Ford's chief in Europe and head of its Premier Automotive Group, Lewis Booth…envisions that 'in the next 10 or 15 years' consumers will become as aware of their annual carbon output as they are of their bank balance today”. ...
China Turns Up the Wind Power, Investors Feel the Breeze
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 07.20.06
Everyone knows that China’s enormous and unstoppable energy consumption is helping make the world hotter. But a cool breeze is blowing. The same week that the G-8 countries looked to nuclear amidst a global energy crisis and PetroChina announced a 6 percent increase in oil production, China not only announced it would spend US$175 billion to clean up its act but also focused on the source, beginning to build its largest wind power farm. Indeed, at an eventual output of 200 megawatts, it will be one of the world's largest.
It's another sign that China, which already calls itself the world’s biggest investor in renewable energy is serious about harnessing its enormous wind potential (estimated at 632 gigawatts onshore and 750 gigawatts offshore), and reaching its goal of using renewables to fulfill at least 10 percent of its energy needs by 2010. By 2020, China now aims to have 30 gigawatts of installed wind power capacity, up from just 1 GW last year, providing power to between 13 and 30 million households; the cost of reaching this goal will be around US$188 billion, says the state. Now investors are racing to catch the wind....
Most Huggable
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 07.20.06
The freshest, greenest, most lovable reader-generated news from Hugg.com: A closer peek at the NICE (No Internal Combustion Engine) electric car... EcoGeek takes a look at what may be in store for us in the field of sustainable air travel… The New York Times tells the story of the fight for the front yard… Triple Pundit ponders a gold rush at the landfill to reclaim precious metals disposed of… Tesla Motors unveils the much awaited EV roadster (more on that one soon)…...
Carlo Rossi's Jug Simple Furniture
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.20.06
Answering the question "What could be better than getting together with friends and enjoying a jug or two of wine?", Carlo Rossi's jug furniture is kind of a fun way to recycle some old bottles and jugs into something a little more usable (after the vessels are done holding wine, of course). Definitely on the lighter side of what usually graces the pages here, we like the collection for its DIY spirit and unusual functionality. We know you can make speakers from old whiskey barrels, but who would've guessed that wine jugs work, too? Also on the list are the "Chardonnay Chandelier" (but you can use any kind you want), as well as the aforementioned Sangria Sound System and Burgundy Bookshelf. The best part: each comes with building plans (and some have videos) so you can make your own at home. All it takes is a few empty jugs, an open mind and a little vision. ::Carlo Rossi's Jug Simple Furniture via ::Digg...
Angelinos Rejoice: 2 Public Biodiesel Pumps Arrive on the Westside
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 07.20.06
Well, it isn’t the newest news in the world, but the west side of Los Angeles now has two public biodiesel stations. USA Gasoline is selling B99 (the closest to 100% you’ll get at any commercial pump) at their Marina del Rey and Pacific Palisades stations. The Marina del Rey station is selling the soy stuff for $3.29/gal, just $.02 more than the cheapest gasoline. Palisades is slightly more because it’s full service (rather swanky), and also has a full-serve car wash, for the full experience. The arrival of the much awaited pumps are the work of biodiesel advocate and all-around fuel genius Kent Bullard (crane operator supervisor for Channel Island National Park and a great many other roles as well, including sustainability advisor to Daryl Hannah and the City of Ventura), and, as rumor has it, the good-hearted son of USA Gasoline’s owner. Filling up at either station requires membership in the Southern California Biodiesel User’s Group (SOCAL BUG), which is free and can be done at the station before your first fill-up. :: SOCAL BUG...
Travel Green with Lonely Planet
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 07.20.06
Oh Wanderlust! For those fellow restless, yet environmentally-conscious spirits out there, Lonely Planet has a book for you. Code Green: Experiences of A Lifetime is the publishing company’s latest reference book, and it contains 82 trips they say “will have a positive impact on the environment, culture, and economy of your next holiday destination." (This is despite the firm's recent push to discourage “casual” flying.) The concept is based on all types of travel, from budget to splurges, and covers international destinations. Trips range from an intimate encounter with the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, to studying yoga at an ashram in India, to sailing the coast of Maine with a salty native, to an Aboriginal-led tour of Uluru Rock in Australia. The book is printed on 100 percent recycled paper, with non-GMO soy-based inks, and available through Amazon for $13.59. ::Lonely Planet via ::The Seattle Times...
Share The Truth Giving Away Tickets to An Inconvenient Truth
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.20.06
As odd as it might seem to those of us who make regular rounds through TreeHugger, there are still a lot of people who haven't seen An Inconvenient Truth. It's sad, but true, but website Share The Truth (we mentioned them briefly before) is working on changing that, by giving away tickets to the film. They're accomplishing this by hoping that the film's call to action will help inspire those who have seen it to lend a hand and get some more people to go. By taking donations and pledges from people to cover the cost of tickets, popcorn and even parking, Share The Truth is spreading Al Gore's message about our warming globe to those who wouldn't have otherwise seen it, and they appear to have a pretty good start. Fresh off celebrating their one-month anniversary, they've announced that over $3,000 has come in via donations, meaning that there are 400 or so more tickets sold before they began encouraging people to share. It's more than money, though. The site also encourages visitors to simply sign up to put themselves on the map of movie supporters, or to help spread the word through their online forums. Either way, they're generating more buzz and getting some more butts in the seats, and we sure like to see that. ::Share The Truth via ::Hugg...
TH Blog Love – Our Favourite Greens Of The Week
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 07.20.06
Green LA Girl: Making Green Friends by Siel
‘Almost everyday, I get a beseeching email from someone who doesn’t live in LA. I’m enviro-conscious, they’ll say, but can’t find anyone around me who’s concerned about these issues. Can you help me? Consider e-social networks that let you hook up with people who live close to you concerned about the same issues.’
Grist: MP3's Company by Umbra Fisk
Umbra is asked this week whether CDs or MP3 players are more environmentally friendly. Outlining the pros and cons Umbra concludes that it is more important to worry, not about what you play your music on, but ‘pressuring manufacturers and governments to require end-of-life take-back plans for electronic products.’...
Honda Cools Off with Ice
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.20.06
Cooling with ice used to be big business- chop it in the winter, store it under sawdust and use it for cooling and refrigeration all summer. Movie theatres used to run fans over ice to bring people in all summer, making summer the biggest movie season because it was the coolest place to go. Honda's new Ohio plant is cooled by ice- not cut out of the river but made by two big 450 ton chillers that work all night using cheap base-load power, which then chills the air all day as the ice melts. While the system cost more at the beginning, it should pay for itself in three years and last at least thirty.
"What's cool about it is that it's using ice as the coolant as opposed to any sort of Freon," said Elaine Barnes, executive director of the Cleveland Green Building Coalition, referring to the ozone-depleting gas often used in conventional air-conditioning systems. "It is a very clean and environmentally friendly source of air. It's a very efficient system." ::Environmental News Network
UPDATE: John did his usual authorative coverage of adding ice to air conditioning here....
Wash Your Hands With Toilet Water
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 07.20.06
In the past, TreeHugger has written about numerous alternatives to the standard toilet. From composting to dual-flush, we thought perhaps we had seen it all. Luckily, the folks at Gaiam are offering the Toilet Lid Sink, yet another take on the porcelain throne. Rather than explain this device, I’ll leave it to their description: “with each flush of your commode, clean water that would otherwise go straight down the toilet is first routed up through a chrome gooseneck spigot to dispense pure water for hand washing”. Although the concept isn’t new, this design certainly appears to be less obtrusive than others. Furthermore, the Toilet Lid Sink installs without tools, and is relatively inexpensive. It even has a built-in soap dish....
UPDATE: The Earth Didn't Move For Me.
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.20.06
We jumped, really, but I guess enough of you out there slept in. For shame. ::ABC News
OK it is finally here. Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble, They're only made of clay but Jump Day is here to stay. We have no doubt that the Intarweb will crash along with most masonry buildings under the shock but TreeHugger will be up as soon as electricity returns and we can find our dialup modems. If it works, we will all live in a cooler, better world. Get ready to jump, today, at 11:39 GMT. Do NOT use the Jump Day site calculator- it did not take daylight saving time into account. See you after the jump! ::World Jump Day
All kinds of people say it is a hoax, an art piece by one Torsten Lauschmann, a german artist living in Glasgow, who has also busked across Europe with a solar powered sound system. Others point out that it just can't work, for reasons shown below the fold. However if we don't jump and it gets warmer, we will regret it, maybe not today but soon and for the rest of our lives. ...
OK it is finally here. Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble, They're only made of clay but Jump Day is here to stay. We have no doubt that the Intarweb will crash along with most masonry buildings under the shock but TreeHugger will be up as soon as electricity returns and we can find our dialup modems. If it works, we will all live in a cooler, better world. Get ready to jump, today, at 11:39 GMT. Do NOT use the Jump Day site calculator- it did not take daylight saving time into account. See you after the jump! ::World Jump Day
All kinds of people say it is a hoax, an art piece by one Torsten Lauschmann, a german artist living in Glasgow, who has also busked across Europe with a solar powered sound system. Others point out that it just can't work, for reasons shown below the fold. However if we don't jump and it gets warmer, we will regret it, maybe not today but soon and for the rest of our lives. ...
London Car Show: Battle of the Electrics
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07.20.06
Britain loves those little electric cars—with the launch of two more at this week’s British International Motor Show, there will be six different carmakers fighting for the “green” market. The benefits are manifest, especially for Londoners, since electrics are exempt from road taxes, the congestion charge and often rate free parking. The Mega City, manufactured by the NICE car company (NICE stands for no internal combustion engine) is a version of an existing Aixam design from France. Developed by a team formerly from Lotus, it is powered by batteries that can be recharged overnight from a household socket. It takes eight hours to charge, goes up to 50 miles on one charge, with a top speed of 40 mph. Unlike many of the “green” cars, it looks pretty normal. Smart cars are coming out with the new Smart EV--the battery version of the iconic gas car--and it promises a range of 80-100 mph on one charge with a top speed of 70 mph. Saab is entering the environmental fray with the Saab 9-3 Convertible BioPower Hybrid Concept. It is the first car to combine the use of pure bioethanol fuel and electric power on demand and it’s a convertible. :: British International Motor Show via :: The Independent...
Zerofootprint: "Al Gore, you had better get rid of your lawnmower"
by Ron Dembo, Zerofootprint on 07.20.06
What has Al Gore got to do with lawnmowers? A lot. I recently discovered, to my horror, that a typical gas powered lawnmower produces as much pollution in 7 hours of operation as a modern car does in a 100,000 miles of driving! Another way of looking at this is that the two-stroke gasoline lawnmower that is ubiquitous in the suburbs of North America, pollutes (PM, NOx, etc) as much in one hour as 40 late model cars running for the same amount of time!
Why? Because the off-road engines found on lawnmowers, leaf blowers, tillers, as well as snow blowers, snowmobiles and dirt bikes don’t have to have catalytic converters. These handy devices reduce gasoline emissions by about 90%, and are mandatory on cars and trucks....
Australia's International Solar Boat Challenge
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.20.06
Delft University have hardly dried off their solar watercraft after winning the Frisian Nuon Solar Challenge in the Netherlands and we get news that Australia is launching its own version. The International Solar Boat Challenge. Due to be held on 5 November 2006 in Sydney at the Penrith Regatta Centre, where the 2000 Olympic rowing champs were staged. A prize pool of $15,000 AUD is up for grabs with several classes of competition from piloted to model boats. All three tiers of education are encouraged to enter, as well as commercial entrants. There will be sprint slaloms and endurance races, and while the piloted boats may use batteries connected to their solar panels, the model vessels may not. Organisers are expecting entries from as far afield as Japan and the US. More details at — ::International Solar Boat Challenge, via Ferret....
EARTH TALK: Bottle Bill Bonus
by TreeHugger on 07.20.06
Dear EarthTalk: The soda bottle I'm holding only lists a few U.S. states and deposit amounts on it. Aren't more than just a few states requiring that bottles be returned for recycling?
-- Calvin Terry, Castine, ME
Currently 11 American states have “bottle bill” laws on the books that require a deposit of usually five or 10 cents on beer and soda cans and bottles that can be redeemed when empties are returned to the store. The state of Oregon pioneered such legislation, passing the first U.S. bottle bill back in 1971. Hawaii has the newest one, enacted in 2002. Meanwhile, all but two of Canada’s 13 provinces (the remote Northwest Territories and Nunavut) have bottle bills. As with the American laws, Canada’s provinces require deposits on all beverage containers other than those containing milk....
Radical! Personal Carbon Credit Swipe Cards for UK
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.20.06
While the G8 countries were agreeing to finesse the rhetoric over their various responses to climate crisis, the British environment minister, David Miliband was at home hatching a plan most radical. A user pays scheme based on personal consumption of carbon dioxide. All citizens would be issued with a swipe card with equal credits for carbon use. Those Brits who drive gas guzzlers and jet off to Fiji for their holidays would eat through their credit faster and have to buy more. Those who ride bikes or use renewable energy sources would need less credits, and could sell their spare points to a central carbon bank. Apparently everyone from the Queen on down would be required to abide by the system, with deductions being made wherever a purchase of non-renewable energy was made. Minister Miliband said, "If you think about us as individuals - we are emitting about four tonnes of carbon every year and that's probably three times as much as we can afford...” He sees the scheme run on the same basis as customer loyalty cards already in place. The Isle of Wight has been proposed as one possible location to run a pilot trial to test the idea. Who have thought we’d live to see the day when government could be both creative and bold? Gives one hope. Via ::The Guardian....
Bella Umbrella: Vintage, Refurbished Brollies
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 07.19.06
While we're excited to see what sorts of Cradle to Cradle models our Umbrella Inside Out entrants come up with, it's fun to point out some other relatively eco-friendly umbrella innovations. Chances are, if you've seen a vintage brolly in a film, magazine layout, or Broadway show, it came from Jodell Egbert's Seattle shop, Bella Umbrella. Her impressive selection of vintage finds can be purchased or rented, for fun or for weddings. In fact, it was her decision to hand out umbrellas at her own wedding, rather than rent a tent, that swept her into the "umbrella world."
>>Continue reading this post>>...
No Comment Dept.
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.19.06
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Most Huggable
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 07.19.06
Seen some green news you wanna share? A new eco product you love? That special blog you just can't keep to yourself? Read it, post it, hugg it. Hugg is reader-generated, reader-voted green news—media democracy at work. Here's some of the latest goodness: Mercedes to produce a mild hybrid S-Class in 2008… English designer Ziad Ghanem takes recycled fashions full circle… In Chicago, Works in Progress, at the Museum of Contemporary Art makes a show of sustainable architecture… The new bus on the bock: International rolls out the first hybrid school bus… Toyota starts talking serious about plug-ins… And don't forget to sign up for the newsletter and slide that RSS feed into your reader for easy access. ...
Pioneer Pure-Malt Speakers
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 07.19.06
All manner of speakers have found their way onto TreeHugger pages including: hempcone, nontoxic, gourd and of course bamboo. Now audio giant Pioneer brings another novel eco-speaker into the mix - the Pure-Malt speakers made from made from 50-year-old white oak whiskey barrels. According to Hardwarezone, the recycled wood "makes a surprisingly rich bass sound, maximizing speaker drivers performance, and representing the richness of the music." Gizmodo points out that chances are the material is more gimmick-y than green, but the Clean Japan Center still saw fit to award the speakers a resource recycling technology prize. ::Via Hardwarezone and Gizmodo ::Image from The Star Online....
Looking for NY area Eco-Designer with Invention/Design in Process
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.19.06
A message from TreeHugger HQ: "TreeHugger is trying to track down a designer in the general New York area that is working on an innovative eco invention or design. They would need to be available to be interviewed/shot/followed over the next couple of weeks. There would be a small stipend and the possibility of ending up being the core character in a half-hour television program and getting to pitch the idea to a larger corporation. Sound like you or someone you know? If so, please send a short, descriptive email to jessica at treehugger dot com asap."
About the picture: You can either read deep symbolism into it or decide that we simply didn't know what to put there. Both are valid....
TreeHugger T-Shirt Design Contest: Sponsored by 3R Living
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 07.19.06
The TreeHugger T-Shirt Design Contest has only two days under its belt, but we have already received superb entries from some of the creative minds that read TreeHugger. However, just like the "Rebel Yell", we want more more more. So, show us what you got. Send your best TreeHugger T-shirt design to: contest [at] treehugger [dot] com by July 28th for your chance at a $400 gift certificate from 3R Living and to have your design placed on the TreeHugger CafePress store. ...
TreeHugger Picks: Biofuels of the Future
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.19.06
There are a lot of varieties of up and coming biofuels, which is good, since they can power just about anything from a jet engine to a stove. Here are our picks for some of the ways to get the biofuel industry beyond soybeans and corn.
1) Algae has shown enough promise as an ethanol producer to be featured twice.
2) Grass pellets have a much more sustainable 70 day cycle compared to the 70 million years it takes fossil fuels.
3) Beef: It's what's in the biofuel when waste animal fat is converted into fuel.
4) Coconut oil makes a surprisingly good replacement for diesel, especially in regions where the fossil version is hard to come by.
5) Switch grass has all the right ingredients to be a go-to source for biofuel: high yield per acre, low production cost and low pesticide use....
National Geographic Society Buys 100% Wind Power
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07.19.06
The National Geographic Society in Washington, DC, has contracted to buy more than 39 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Pepco Energy Services. When combined with the cost of electric supply under an existing contract, the Society will pay less than the current rates for DC customers. Pepco Energy Services will provide Green-e Certified RECs from Sterling Planet, representing wind-generating resources across the U.S....
Toyota Camry Hybrid is a Big Hit
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.19.06
Two months after hitting the showroom floor, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is practically driving itself off the lot. According to a Toyota press release, the Camry Hybrid sold 4,268 units in June; Fast Company Now (Fast Company's blog) did the math, and judged that this is the first time in 2006 that a hybrid other than a Prius sold more than 3500 units. The addition of the Camry Hybrid gives Toyota ownership of the top three selling hybrids last month; Prius sold 9,696 units, and the Highlander hybrid sold 2,705 units. The big three give Toyota nearly 80% of the hybrid market share. The big hybrid sales are part of Toyota's best-ever first-half sales in 49 years of business in the U.S. We know that not everybody is enamored with the Camry Hybrid, but the numbers don't lie. Could Camry give Prius a run for it's money? ::Fast Company Now, ::The Auto Channel via ::Hugg...
Berlin: 250 Hydrogen Buses by 2009
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.19.06
The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe - the state-owned public-transit company - will buy 250 hydrogen-powered buses by 2009. That should be about 20% of their fleet. Berlin already has 14 hydrogen buses and 2 hydrogen refueling stations as part of the European HyFLEET:CUTE project. "The rapidly rising cost of diesel fuel is reducing the cost gap with hydrogen. Four years ago, the BVG was paying approximately €0.68 per liter (US$3.20 per gallon). Today, the price has increased to €0.94 (US$4.44 per gallon) and is expected to increase to €1.20 per liter (US$5.68) by the end of the decade." Thanks to ::Green Car Congress, ::Sprit zu teuer - Berlin tankt Wasserstoff (German). See also: ::Hydrogen Buses for Football Fans at the FIFA World Cup in Berlin...
Merger Promises Solar Power At Fossil Prices
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07.19.06
Thanks to a merger, a New Jersey company hopes to be able to provide solar power at prices competitive with traditional electricity without relying on rebates. WorldWater & Power intends to acquire Entech, a manufacturer of concentrating solar photovoltaic technology. Entech has developed concentrator solar power systems, supplied solar power for space missions for NASA and installed ground-based concentrating solar systems in North America....
Cheap Solar Power From Recycled Auto Parts
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 07.19.06
Can auto parts make solar power more affordable? That’s what two teams at MIT think, according to an article in the Technology Review, an MIT campus publication. The two groups are each tackling alternative, cheaper ways to solar-base electricity, with the intent to “put the ability to harvest electricity from the sun into the hands of villagers in poor countries and backyard tinkerers alike.” The concept is based on designs incorporating materials that are mass-produced for something else. MIT Graduate student Matthew Orosz’s uses a feed pump and steam turbine, harvested from power-steering pumps used in cars and trucks, for his solar generator. The article gives more of the lowdown on Orosz’s design, which, in simple terms, is a parabolic trough used to focus light on a pipe containing motor oil—ambitious readers could probably build their own. (Thanks to Mike for the tip):: Technology Review...
Adopt an Olive Tree, Reap the Harvest
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 07.19.06
Last year I gave an aspiring olive farmer a miniature olive tree as a gift. Since he has yet to purchase his acres of farmland…I suspect its life was cut short in his Berlin apartment. Italian grove Nudo has a better way to nurture a passion for olive trees—and support small-scale farmers. For 65 British pounds, you can adopt your own tree (or gift it out to a friend) and receive a year of produce. Nudo has 881 trees and eight groves. With names like Gruffina, Immacolata, Piano Piano, and Il Capo, the groves come with descriptions of the oil, type of tree, location in the grove, and difficulties encountered. ...
The TH Interview: Jason Smith, CEO of DriveNeutral
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.19.06
Jason Smith is CEO of DriveNeutral, a service that provides vehicle drivers with the opportunity to neutralize the negative effects their driving has on climate change. DriveNeutral is a non-profit enterprise of the non-profit Presidio World College’s Presidio School of Management, where Jason earned his MBA.
TreeHugger: Climate change seems like such a big, overwhelming problem. Can DriveNeutral really make a difference?
Jason Smith: The scale of the problem really shouldn’t affect our decision to do something about it. I used to wonder whether I could make a difference until I realized I was already making one. Why not make my impact positive and intentional? This brings up the question of which solutions will fit the scale of a global problem. Most people agree that energy efficiency and renewable energy are the way to go. The dispute hinges on how quickly we can get renewables to market. We can’t simply wait for the markets to catch up. We must act now. For that reason, I think DriveNeutral can make a huge difference. ...
A Bikely Story!
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.19.06
Whoa, Green Maps! Just look at them procreate. They might as well be rabbits. In the beginning there was THE Green Map. But the web has spawned a whole new family tree. Without even giving it much thought we can find maps for alternative fuels, renewable energy, gleaning (food salvage) and eco- travel. Now we can welcome a new budding member into the fold. Cycle routes from the world's cities, all collected in one place. It’s called 'Bikely' and seems to have been born in Australia, but quickly expanded into heaps of maps for cycling through Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, the US and elsewhere. Cyclists join up and post route descriptions with map overlays, so that others might benefit from their local knowledge. Shown here and after the fold (in a close -up) is a 50km tour of Sydney Harbour surrounds. In an embryonic stage Bikely has a few bugs, but as people people start to use its systems these hiccups appear are being resolved, via the online forum. Take it for a spin. ::Bikely, via a tip from Nick A....
China's Learning to Love Green Roofs
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 07.19.06
For every step that China takes in its blindingly fast Western-style economic growth, there almost always seems to be concurrent steps focused on the environmental impact of that same growth. So, while cars and drive-through fast food are catching on in the country, so are green roofs, it turns out. With Beijing planning for 45% greenery coverage by 2008, rooftops are starting to look mighty appealing:...
Solar Powered Air Conditioning Getting Real
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.19.06
Anybody in North America can understand the need for solar powered air conditioning today- there is so much sun, so much heat and everyone is hiding inside while all of our electric utiilities go into overload. On June 22, Matteran Energy fired up its new design for a low temperature system that produced 41 degree F temperature refrigeration using relatively warm water (160 degrees) right out of a common rooftop solar hot water heater. "This test was in preparation for demonstrating an air conditioner fueled by renewable energy sources. Our simple vapor cycle uses a venturi to produce the evaporation of refrigerant, and requires no compressor, no feedpump, & no absorption to cycle the process." Low grade heat like this is cheap and easy from a number of sources, including sun, geothermal, factory waste heat or burning just about anything....
Building with Hemp — The Book
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.19.06
Late last year we mentioned the Irish home made from hemp. Now you can get the book of the story, of building with hemp in general. Although from what we can glean for reviews, the digest is mostly about hempcrete, or Isochanvre, as it is known in France. (There are other forms of hemp building, but we’ll save them for another day). Hemp ‘hurds’ are the pithy stuff inside the fibrous sheath of the stem. Separating the fibre from the hurd was one of the production challenges that held hemp back and allowed cotton and nylon to rise in prominence. But once separated these silica rich hurds can be mixed with lime and water to make a material, like concrete, without its drawbacks. For example, hempcrete is about seven times lighter than concrete. The book, Building with Hemp, authored by Steve Allin, charts what is possible in the architectural realm with this material. It showcases the more than 120 different projects using it in Ireland over the previous nine years. As well as the hundreds in France since it was developed there 16 years ago. Sounds like an intriguing read. 192 pages with about 250 colour images. From ::Booksteps, for €35. Or at ::Amazon UK for £20 GBP....
Sample Organic Wines With o2NYC
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 07.19.06
o2NYC will be hosting an organic wine tasting Cool off with an Organic Cocktail Mixer
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.19.06
As we keep pointing out, it is hot out there, and TreeHugger is always on the lookout for cool ways to cool off. At the end of a hot day, what could be nicer than a cold organic cocktail. Modmix is a line of organic cocktail mixers- "our organic fruits and herbs come from clean, well-balanced environments that result in a cleaner, better-balanced planet. last but not least, because they're raised without the interference of artificial substances, organic foods taste better, and they're better for you." It comes in citrus margarita, lavender lemon drop and pomegranite, which is reputed to be good for your arteries so you can feel less bad about what the vodka is doing to your liver. ::Modmix via ::Product dose...
Monaco Goes Green
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07.19.06
When mention of Monaco comes up, one thinks of Grace Kelly, casinos, tax-evading millionaires and Formula One Car Racing. The new heir to the throne, Prince Albert II, has a scandalous playboy past. But he also has some new world-changing ideas. He has announced the creation of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for the Environment. Its priorities are to fight global warming, boost the protection of endangered species and improve the supply of drinking water in parts of the Third World where unhealthy water causes 8m deaths each year. He witnessed the effects of global warming on an expedition to the North Pole earlier this year and has attracted scientists and explorers to his foundation to help highlight the threat to the planet. He says he will make a financial contribution from his own considerable fortune to “set the ball rolling”. He drives a Toyota Prius and a Lexus hybrid and is urging citizens to walk or drive greener cars. Elevators and escalators are being built into the cliffs to encourage walking and decrease traffic. He is also putting a height limit on new office buildings to protect the views. Prince Albert said, "Monaco may not be the biggest country in the world, but I am determined to show it can be among the most innovative in its approaches to the environment." :: Palais Princier de Monaco ...
Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
by Rose Fox, New York City on 07.19.06
From Clamor Magazine's blog Everyday Revolution comes the news that Wainwright Bank is offering a one-of-a-kind Certificate of Deposit (CD) that benefits Equal Exchange, a venerable worker-owned fair trade company. The money that you invest in the CD is treated as a line of credit for Equal Exchange; at the end of a three-year period, you receive the money back with interest (currently 4.2%). In essence, Wainwright provides a way for you to lend money directly to Equal Exchange at low risk and decent rates. It's a great way to help both the company and your bank account to grow. (It's no surprise to see this innovation coming from Wainwright, whose slogan is "Banking on Values"; their Environmental Issues page has more information on their various eco-friendly banking products.) Unfortunately, the smallest CD currently available is $1000. While smaller ones may be more hassle than they're worth, we would love to see them made available to encourage everyday consumers, especially since Equal Exchange's website emphasizes how far they can stretch these contributions. It's also only available in the United States, though we're hoping other banks in other countries will create similar programs if this one works out well. Other than that, it sounds like a terrific idea. ::The Equal Echange CD via ::Everyday Revolution...
How to Make a Hip Pack
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 07.19.06
Ok. Even though I've reached a point where I can wear them now, it's still hard to say "let me grab my fanny pack." Makes me feel like I'm stuck on some sort of National Lampoon's Vacation with those aging Griswolds. "Hip pack" works. As does the concept. My favorite worldly possession, the duex filles en fil purse, has elements that can be used as belt and hip pack, and I do. It's great to have a cute, hands free valuables vessel for, say, salsa dancing or shows when you don't want the lipstick, driver's license, wad of cash, subway card, etc. bulge in your pocket. Or an albatross around your neck - er - purse to lug and worry about. Agathe over at Style Bytes shows you how to make your own, using the reclaimed fabric of your choice and an existing belt. An instantly gratifiying summer project! :: Style Bytes...
All Canadian Homes to be Zero-Energy Homes by 2030?
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.18.06
TreeHugger likes to keep an eye on the green building scene, and, whether we're learning more about the industry, reading books about how to do it or watching its products and services grow, there's a lot going on these days. Even so, our ears still perk up when we hear terms like "Zero-Energy Homes" (ZEH) or "Net-Zero Energy Homes" (NZEH). These buzzwords describe buildings that are connected to the utility grid, but combine highly energy-efficient design and technology with solar electric and thermal systems to produce as much energy as they use on an annual basis, resulting in net zero energy consumption. Homes like these have a lot going for them: improved comfort, as an energy-efficient building envelope reduces temperature fluctuations, reliability, because the systems continue functioning during blackouts and protection from fluctuations in energy prices and environmental sustainability are just a few. They optimize a variety of features, including climate-specific design; passive solar heating and cooling; energy-efficient construction, appliances and lighting; and solar thermal and solar electric systems....
Reader Question: Green Hotels in NYC
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.18.06
Reader Angela S. asked us the following question: "I thought I might contact you to see where I might find out about eco-friendly hotels in New York City, if there are any. The Explorers Club will be hosting a dinner celebrating major advances in tree canopy research this coming october and we would love to be able to put out guests up in such a hotel if available." If you have an answer, please leave it in the comments. Thanks!...
2Modern Adds "Eco" Section
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.18.06
2Modern has decided to lend us TreeHuggers a helping hand by consolidating a lot of their "eco-friendly" products all in one place. The new section, simply titled "2Modern Eco," showcases their selection of furniture made from planet-friendly materials like reclaimed wood and recycled parts, or with people-friendly practices like fair labor and fair trade certified, for example. You'll find designers like Material Furniture, Iannone : Sanderson and Legare Furniture, just to name a few of our favorites. For anyone who likes the modern aesthetic (and we do), 2Modern Eco looks like it will be a good resource for those seeking green furniture, lighting and accessories, as well as building the marketplace with goods that have the heart of a hippy but the aesthetic of a modernist. ::2Modern Eco via 2Modern Design Talk...
Serpentine Solar Boat To Set Sail
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07.18.06
It is slow and travels only a short distance, but builders of the Serpentine Solar Shuttle say it's the most advanced passenger ferry on British waters. Britain's biggest solar-powered boat debuted Tuesday on a lake in London's Hyde Park, opening what its developers hope is a door to the future of solar-powered transportation. The Serpentine Solar Shuttle - powered entirely by the sun - cruises at 5 mph and carries 42 passengers. "This is the most technologically advanced shuttle in the world right now," said designer Christoph Behling, who also designed the world's largest solar boat in Hamburg, Germany....
Biotech Thriving Due To High Oil Prices
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07.18.06
Forbes reports that scientists with San Diego biotech firm Diversa have descended into volcanoes in Siberia, plumbed thermal vents 3,000 feet deep in the Atlantic Ocean and crawled around the humid rain forests of Costa Rica. Their quest: microorganisms that survive in extreme surroundings by producing digestive enzymes that excel in withering heat and pressure--ideal for an industrial refinery. Back in the lab Diversa rearranges the genes inside these enzymes to make them even better at what they do. One exotic breed Diversa has begun selling produces ethanol 30% more efficiently than conventional methods. The $1.5 trillion chemicals industry has raised prices 60% in three years as costs soar for their mainstay ingredients--oil and natural gas. In search of a replacement, the industry is turning to a new breed of superbugs and enzymes....
Instant Survey: Flying The Eco-Friendly Skies?
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 07.18.06
China To Invest $175 Billion in Environmental Clean Up
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 07.18.06
In the latest mixture of red and green, today China announced it will spend an unprecedented 1.4 trillion yuan ($175 billion)—about 1.5 percent of its GDP—on projects aimed at controlling water pollution, improving air quality in smog-choked cities, disposing of solid waste, and halting soil erosion, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Sewage treatment plants will be built in 10 river valleys, 31 waste facilities will be set up nationwide, and new nuclear safety measures will be taken under the plan. As Xinhua adds, “Official estimates show that the annual output value of China's environmental protection industry will top 880 billion yuan by the end of 2010, with an annual growth rate of 15 percent.”...
Freecycle Arrives to Argentina
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 07.18.06
With all of the social and economic problems we have here in South America, sometimes it’s hard to believe people have time to think about sustainability and recycling. But more and more (with our help too!), people do. Another proof of this is the news that the Freecycle network has gained its Argentinean group. “This is just starting, we’re 200 members and few are active, but it’s only a matter of time, that the group gets noticed”, says Matías, 22 years old, one of the local website’s moderator. Although he says the big difference with northern countries is that in this area people always has a relative or friend with needs -so it’s harder for them to offer electronic devices-, another moderator (Victoria Anda) notices that “three months ago, there were only 100 members, and now the number has reached 200”. So it seems it’s time for us Argentinean -and why not South American- TreeHuggers to sign up and start giving! ::Freecycle Argentina
Through Shopping Urbano....
Arizona Utilities Pay Business Customers to Conserve Energy
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 07.18.06
Americans have complained loudly over the last year or two about the higher prices we pay for gasoline, natural gas and home heating oil, and our political leaders have put forth solutions they hope will, at the very least, appease voters as they head to the polls. In the midst of all of this rhetoric, though, we hear very little of the word "conservation." Most Americans know that conservation should be a part of the plan to lessen our use of fossil fuels, but we're not so good at following up on that knowledge. Conservation equals sacrifice in our minds, either in terms of levels of material comfort, or in heavy investments needed to conserve more energy. While those mental equations don't paint a completely correct picture, business owners who want to use energy more efficiently in their plants or offices usually do require a fairly sizeable initial investment. In Arizona, two of the state's utlitity companies have announced programs to create incentives for businesses in the state to use energy more efficiently by helping offset some of those up-front costs. The Arizona Public Service Co.'s new Business Solutions Program pays customers rebates for implementing certain efficiency measures, while Salt River Project is expanding a program that encourages business owners to install solar power arrays on their buildings. Both programs aim to support businesses wanting to adopt conservation measures, but wary of the extra costs:...
Dioxin Risk Is Back On EPA’s Table: Eating Organic Meat, Poultry, Eggs, Fish, and Dairy May Not Help
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.18.06
For years the US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) website has introduced the risks of human dioxin exposure thusly: exposure to “Dioxin and chemically-related compounds (referred to collectively as dioxin-like compounds or DLCs) … may lead to a variety of adverse health effects including reproductive and developmental problems, cardiovascular disease, increased diabetes, and increased cancer. Because DLCs tend to accumulate in the fat of food-producing animals, consumption of animal-derived foods (e.g., meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and dairy products) is considered to be the major route of human exposure to low levels of DLCs”. So it’s not from spies after all!
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Business in the Community Awards
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07.18.06
Corporate award ceremonies typically are self-congratulatory affairs for industry insiders. But the list of Business in the Community award winners provides a fascinating insight into how many small and large companies are introducing socially responsible and environmental business practices within their organisations. Marks and Spencer was company of the year because of its Fairtrade cotton clothing, its pledge to guarantee Britain’s diary farmers a fixed price for their milk and conversion of its sandwich packaging to cardboard sourced from sustainable forests. Radio Taxis Group is the world’s first carbon neutral taxi company, having reduced their net CO2 emissions to zero, instituted a programme to reduce emissions at source, and buying carbon credits. By improving waste management, Meadowhall Shopping Centre generated approximately 5,258 tonnes of waste, of which 3,413 tonnes were recycled. Kraft Foods is buying significant quantities of coffee beans from Rainforest Alliance certified sustainable farms and blending them into mainstream lines such as Maxwell House. Several construction companies were awarded for developing techniques to reduce the environmental impact of construction operations on site. :: Business in the Community via :: Financial Times...
10 Years Later: The Healthy House
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.18.06
Long before we were TreeHuggers, we were fans of good modern design, and as soon as the Healthy House was open to the public ten years ago we were there. The result of a competition, it was designed by Martin Liefhebber, who we knew from school days as a talented architect and piano player. We went for Martin's design rather than the Healthy house mumbojumbo but were soon busy learning about all kinds of things that we never thought about.......
Art to Save the Planet
by Rose Fox, New York City on 07.18.06
NYC artist Flash Light tells us that the "2D-D-Detritus" exhibit, the latest installment of the Art from Detritus series, has been extended through July 23rd. To be eligible for inclusion in Art from Detritus shows, artwork must be made primarily from discarded objects and materials. This year's theme is collage, and the materials used include fabric, bark, rubber, and string. Art from Detritus was started in 1994 by Vernita Nemec a.k.a. Vernita N'Cognita, an artist who's been working with found materials for over a decade. She continues to curate the show and is blunt about her reasons for promoting art made from trash: "Art from Detritus is an exhibit of art to save the planet." Her site has links to works featured in past shows. Any Treehuggers in town over the next few days can see the exhibit at Synagogue for the Arts, 49 White Street in Manhattan. Images of work featured in past Art from Detritus exhibits are available here. ::2D-D-Detritus...
Fruitstock - A Very Innocent Festival
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 07.18.06
Here’s a date for your London summer diary. In just a few weeks those very nice people at Innocent Drinks will be putting on a free festival in the park. Yes Fruitstock is back for the fourth year running and it looks set to be bigger, better and fruitier than ever! There is an excellent music line up, amongst others: Nouvelle Vague, AIM, Arrested Development and Norman Jay. Penguin books are creating a lovely library where you can while away the afternoon reading in a hammock. There will be open-air yoga, knitting circles, poetry slamming and kids entertainment in all shapes and sizes. On top of all of this, yes there’s more, there will be a competition run by Honda to design one of their new hybrids. And can you believe it the winner gets the car that they designed for a month! We’ve praised Innocent for their environmental policies and community projects before and Fruitstock will be no different. All programmes will be printed on 100% recycled paper, all cutlery, cups and plates will be made from recycled materials, there'll be more recycling points than ever before and lots of bike racks. All onsite fuel will be a bio-diesel blend, including the Sea Cow fish and chips van. And finally Innocent will be offsetting carbon dioxide omissions by planting trees. Rock on with your eco-friendly selves! ::Innocent Drinks Recipes ::Innocent ::Fruitstock.
Fruitstock, 5th + 6th August, 12pm - 9pm, Regent's Park, London...
TreeHuggerTV - Haute Green
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 07.18.06
Casa Camper Hotel to Feel at Home in Barcelona
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 07.18.06
If you’re ever coming to stay in Barcelona and need a place to stay, TreeHugger recommends Casa Camper, ‘a simple space with innovative solutions and a touch of Mediterranean humour’. Camper ingredients for a good life consist of comfortable shoes, healthy food and a good house (casa). That’s why together with the father of Vinçon, Fernando Amat, they designed this cosy hotel with 25 rooms; 19th century outside and modern and green on the inside (2005).
Start your day at the downstairs self-service 24h buffet with an organic apple & pear juice, read through the paper, check out the latest on TreeHugger (free Wifi) or plan your day with one of the big maps on the wall, designed by Amercia Sanchez (as are all the graphics).
Then rent one of their wooden Camper bikes and loose yourself in the Raval and surrounding neighbourhoods…...
BioTech Fashion Struts its Stuff
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.18.06
Last week in Toronto attendees at the 2006 World Congress on Industrial and Biotechnology and Bioprocessing were treated to a fashion parade. Apparel fro designers such as Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Stephen Burrows, Heatherette, and Elisa Jimenez, Linda Loudermilk, Teija Eloila, Kei Kagami, Nadia Fassi, Bagutta and more, sashayed down the catwalk. Most of the models wardrobe was crafted from Ingeo, the polylactic acid (PLA) fibre derived from Cargill’s corn sugar fermenting processing. While the resulting fabrics are compostable, we have previously expressed concern over the use of genetically modified corn for such applications. The photo shows a skirt which we believe to be Ingeo, while the bustier is seemingly made from recycled polyester. Ingeo is said to have the ability to mimic silk, polyester, leather and elastic.::Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), via Yahoo....
Tone Tubby Hempcone Speakers for Musicians
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.18.06
What's the difference between the Hempcone and a paper cone? Well fortunately that is one the questions asked, and answered, by the Brown Soun Inc. website. They aren’t using hemp for their speaker paper because it is green, but rather because it simply does the job better. “Basically the Hempcone just produces more frequencies then you have ever heard out of a paper cone. It has more bass response, better mids and a sweeter high range unlike a paper cone's shrill highs and lack of true bass response. There is no cone cry or ghost notes with the Hempcone. The Hempcone also loves power. It increases the 20 watt paper cone Tone Tubby speaker to a 40 watt speaker.” They put this improvement in high frequency and operating bandwidth down to hemp’s greater strength and stiffness compared to paper. Plus they suggest sound passes through hemp faster than tree paper allowing for “more dispersion of acoustical energy.” Uh huh. Just connect up your hempstone guitar and you'll be a'rocking. Apparently these professional grade speakers are so well liked that home and car speakers are on the drawing board too. ::Tone Tubby. ...
World's First AA Battery Powered Plane Gets Airborne
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.17.06
OK, so there were 160 AA batteries, and it only flew for less than a minute, to cover a little shy of 400 meters (~428 yards), but that is still a significant feat. Especially as it was a ‘personed’ flight, piloted by 53 kg (117 lb) Tomohiro Kamiya, from the Tokyo Institute of Technology....
How to Sweat Without Staining
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 07.17.06
How many shirts have you had to find a new use for because they grew rank? I'll admit to turning lots of tees into rags because of pit stains. Now that it's possible to add sustainable pieces to the closet, seeing them prematurely transformed becomes particularly vexing. Every time I tie-curl my hair using scraps from a beloved tent dress-turned-offensive-fabric-heap, it's hard not to think that it all could have turned out differently, that we could have spent many more summers together. Turns out, we could have.
Clean and Green is my nontoxic cleaning bible. Its laundry tips alone have saved at least a half dozen pieces, and the salt sweat removal nugget is my fave. Here's what the book recommends:...
BuenoStyle Organic Undies Send A Sexy Message
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 07.17.06
If last week’s Enamore hemp and silk undies were a little bit frilly or a little too pricey for some of your tastes then we’ve got a real treat for you today. The BuenoStyle range of organic cotton panties, by designer Christi York, are simple boy cut briefs in fun and funky colours with a fruity twist. With 'Eat Organic' emblazoned on the front there’s no doubt that York delights in direct messages! Or as she likes to say, ‘There's nothing like a little sexy sass to make people laugh!’ Christi told Straight.com. “I always buy organic foods, and was discussing the benefits of organic living with my boyfriend when I got the idea for the ‘Eat Organic’ panties.” She goes on to say that while organic cotton was the obvious choice to start with, she now plans to use other organic fibres in the upcoming t-shirt range. “There are materials out there that are even more sustainable, such as soy, hemp, and bamboo, and I’m planning to explore those options.” We’re also loving the BuenoStyle accessory range in which Christi reuses felt and leather off cuts as well as old vinyl records. Thanks to Lee for the tip. Via:Straight.com ::BuenoStyle...
Voting Opens Today In Green New Orleans Competition
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07.17.06
Today the environmental organization Global Green USA will reveal the finalists of its Sustainable Design Competition for New Orleans. The public is invited to help determine the winner by logging onto www.globalgreen.org and voting for their favorite. The winner will be announced August 30. Screen star and architecture aficionado Brad Pitt chaired the design jury; he is also one of the contest’s co-sponsors. Global Green received more than 100 entries to the competition, which seeks to build a series of green model projects that influence the course of redevelopment in New Orleans. Applicants were directed to conceive of a net-zero-energy apartment complex with integrated daycare facility for a 1.25-acre site in the city’s Lower Ninth Ward. To help visitors make informed voting decisions, Web presentations of the finalists’ submissions will be accompanied by an explanation of sustainability criteria.
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All Fuel in Portland to be Biofuel Blend
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.17.06
We've been pretty impressed with all of the ways that Portland, Oregon is a TreeHugger-friendly place. From the multitude of good responses that came from our "Tell Us About Your City" series, to the Portland Peak Oil group, to the sustainable neighborhoods and LEED-rated REI, the City of Roses was at the top of SustainLane's list of most sustainable cities for good reason. With all of these good green things, we're glad to see that Portland is still innovating and getting greener: starting next year, all fuel sold in the city will be blended with biofuel. Gasoline will have at least E10 (10% ethanol), and diesel will be blended with no less than B5 (5% biodiesel); both concentrations are low enough that conventional, unmodified engines can burn the fuel without any modifications. Critics worry that the lack of supply will drive prices up; we'll gently remind them that crude oil does nothing but get more expensive (it's tipping the scales at nearly $80 a barrel today; imagine where it'll be in a year!) while increases in both supply and manufacturing efficiency make biofuels more affordable every day. We'll check in with Portland next year to see how it's going. ::KOIN TV via ::AutoblogGreen...
Strip Shelf by Popular Architecture
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 07.17.06
The first time we saw Casey Mack's Strip Shelving, we liked it a lot. Then we learned the design had a TreeHugger angle, made with 75% sawdust, which made us like it even more. Then we read this quote by Metropolis: "The design world often seems split between two camps: the plastics-obsessed futurists and the earnest greens. Casey Mack bridges the wood-plastic gap." So it seems that Mack, proprietor of Popular Architecture, devoted to evolving urban building with a new focus on maximizing overlaps between pop culture, open systems, and sustainability, combines the best of many worlds: smart design, green materials and functional shelving. Strip, whose patent pending design is in advanced development, is currently being discussed with sales and marketing companies to get the shelves on the shelf. Free prototype samples (prototype pictured above) and more information are available for interested retailers and end users through info(at)populararchitecture(dot)com. ::Strip Shelving and ::Popular Architecture...
Ottawa: Light Rail Project Approved by City Council
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.17.06
The city council of Ottawa, Canada, has a approved 14 to 7 a CAN$780 million light rail public transit project. "The plan would see a 29.7-kilometre, 23-station LRT line run from the University of Ottawa in the north to Barrhaven in the southwest, snaking through many neighbourhoods." Even better, the mayor of Ottawa is already working on a second project for a East-West line: "I've always said that the minute north-south is approved, east-west [from Stittsville to Cumberland] will be my immediate priority, and it is," he said. "I think it's important to express my vision for east-west and how we expect to achieve it, so that we can move forward with that as the new No. 1 transit priority." With gasoline already around CAN$1.10/liter (~$4/gallon US) in the Ottawa region and no end in sight to the increase in oil prices (peak oil), it's nice to see some leadership in future-proofing the city. Now what we need is more bike paths, bike racks and eventually a congestion charge like in London. ::Ottawa council gives green light to rail project, ::Mayor quickly sets sights on light-rail, Part II, ::Ottawa council approves light rail project...
Israel & US: Really, Really Small Ways For Purifying Water
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 07.17.06
Opening the topic of nanotechnology at a dinner conversation among fellow TreeHuggers could be just as dangerous as mentioning the environmental benefits of GMO or artificial rain. But since this TreeHugger is already indulging in risk-taking behaviour by living in the Middle East, she is willing to open the forum. Here goes: a partnership for purifying water by way of nanotechnology was recently formed between the US and Israel, where both countries are to focus on four projects expected to yield extraordinary results for water purification within the next five years. PDF of workshop. ...
Cycle Commuting, Bike Buses and SUV accidents
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.17.06
The Sydney Morning Herald ran stories this weekend just past, regarding the rise in cycle commuting as a reaction to the rise the oil prices. One of the city’s bicycle stores reckoned on a 20-25% in sales of bikes, and had also observed a greater number on pedal pushers on commuting routing into the central business district. The City of Sydney had earlier this year completed its own research which gave credence to such anecdotal observations. Cycle traffic across two major bridges into the city had increased five and sixfold in recent years. In a strange twist the newspaper wondered if road accidents involving cyclists might've also increased proportionally. But a major inner city hospital said they didn’t have figures to suggest this. This must be more through luck than design, as Sydney is sure not the most cycle friendly city to pedal in. A issue which may’ve spurred the growth in ‘bike buses’........
TreeHugger T-Shirt Design Contest
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 07.17.06
TreeHugger readers are, on average, a very design-saavy bunch. So, when we were in need of new T-shirt designs for the TreeHugger CafePress store, we gots to thinking: what great design ideas are lurking in the minds of our readers? And, what better way to get the best and brightest ideas from you than to throw some eco-swag your way? Here's the plan - after the jump you will find the classic TreeHugger logo for your use in this contest. We want to see what cool, sleek, modern and creative things you can do with the logo, existing TreeHugger slogans, and/or any "green" slogans you may have up your collective sleeves. Points will be given for clean, simple design and creativity. And, as a reminder, all of our T-shirts are printed on white organic cotton, so make sure your design accounts for a white background. We will pick out the best designs and put them up for a vote by TreeHugger readers. The winner receives a $400 gift certificate to the online green home decore store 3R Living and the pride of seeing your creation proudly displayed in the much famed line of TreeHugger tees. Get the logo and contest details after the jump. ...
Sustainable Design Exhibition at the First Brazilian Design Biennale
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 07.17.06
If you happen to be in São Paulo before July 30th, don’t miss the first Brazilian Design Biennale, that’s taking place at Oca (Parque do Ibirapuera) until that date. The event’s goal is to show how Brazilian design has evolved over the years, its actual state and the different paths and initiatives its professionals have taken, along with the results they’ve achieved. “The Biennale aims to stimulate a shift in the direction the future is being build, parting from a reading of the past, of the way design has evolved. It’s also a reconstruction of the moment we’re in, ten years after the Brazilian Design Program was launched”, said the organizers (the organization Programa Brasileiro do Design). Besides that, it aims to prove that design is not a frivolous thing to make products nicer, but a tool to create solutions that improve people’s lives, production, and human relations. Inside the exhibition there’s a special place dedicated to Socio Environment Responsibility, put together by Oficina Nomade’s Christian Ullman. This area shows works such as the winners of the +Design -Waste contest, and different products developed with local communities and artisans. “Socio Environment design emerges as an indispensable tool to enrich the product’s purpose, its strategy and the system in which it works; and Brazil’s social and environmental characteristics are a unique thing the world wants to discover”, said Ullman. For further information visit Programa Brasileiro do Design’s website. (Check some pics of the exhibitions in the extended)....
Zerofootprint: What is offsetting?
by Ron Dembo, Zerofootprint on 07.17.06
Imagine for a moment that you are a farmer in rural India. Your life is simple but hard. You grow food for your family, with perhaps a little land set aside for a cash crop such as cotton or tea. To cook, you use wood from dwindling supplies in the nearby forest, or kerosene, for which you must pay with money that you would prefer to spend on medicines or your children's education. And both wood and kerosene produce fumes, causing respiratory problems for your family.
However, you own a few cattle, and if you had a biogas plant, or there was a village facility, you could turn the dung from your cattle into fuel for cooking as well as lighting. At a stroke, you would improve your family's finances and health, and raise your standard of living. The problem is that you don't have the funds to buy the biogas plant....
Organics Provide Hope for College Agriculture Programs
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 07.17.06
Just over a month ago, we took note of Washington State University's announcement of its new major in Organic Agriculture. The program's attracting students quickly, with one scheduled to graduate this Fall, and administrators in the University's agricultural college believe the program and others like it could stem the tide of rapidly decreasing interest in agriculture as a college major and career choice:...
The Canary Project: What Global Warming Looks Like
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 07.17.06
One method of showing people the reality of global warming involves graphs, charts and numbers -- let's call this the Gore method. While that method is effective for many of us, still others need something more tangible and, perhaps, even emotional. That's a big part of the rationale for the Canary Project, a photography collection by photographer Susannah Sayler and her husband Edward Morris. The couple have started a touring exhibit of the collection in order to show Americans the concrete effects climate change is having on some of the world's most treasured natural and urban landscapes. In making these images available, Sayler and Morris hope that we learn much more about the transformations occurring because of the changing climate, and perhaps even a little bit about ourselves:...
The TH Interview: Jo and Julian Spector, Founders of Natural Collection
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07.17.06
Natural Collection is a web-site and mail-order business featuring everything from recycled aluminium foil to hemp plastic scales. Winner of the Observer's 2006 Ethical Retailer of the Year award, Treehugger was delighted to have the opportunity to interview Julian and Jo Spector, the Oxfordshire-based founders of this small company. A husband and wife team, they started the business six years ago, having been previously involved in publishing and retail with a green bent.
TreeHugger noted that Natural Collection's website is very appealing in its modern, contemporary look. Jo Spector responded that she wanted it to have a friendly positive look; she didn’t want it to be apologetic looking just because it was ecological. She wanted it to be as exciting as any other retail site....
A Double Load of The Tyee: Bogota's Mayor and Climate Spin Fighter
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.17.06
Two good articles from The Tyee, an interesting little independent newspaper from British Columbia (Canada):
- The Mayor Who Wowed the World Urban Forum: An article about Enrique Peñalosa, the mayor of Bogota, a man who can teach us a lot about turning the urban environment into a place where treehuggers - and everybody - feel home.
- You Can't Spin Mother Nature: A piece about Jim Hoggan, creator of the excellent DeSmogBlog, a blog who's goal it is to counter the spin about climate change. To better understand what he's trying to fight, we suggest that you read Jim's Manifesto.
NYC Needs Leadership to Combat Pollution and Waste
by Rose Fox, New York City on 07.17.06
Our pals at the fledgling neighborhood eco-group Upper Green Side are making a name for themselves with long, impassioned posts to their blog. The latest is a plea for leadership from the New York City government. noise, air, and water pollution, as well as trash and litter. According to a recent Citizens for NYC poll, covered by the Daily News, noise pollution is the most common quality-of-life complaint in the city, followed closely by litter in the streets. Other common complaints included air pollution in Manhattan, illegal dumping in the Bronx, trash in Brooklyn, and overdevelopment in Queens. UGS calls on the Department of Transportation to reduce noise and improve our notoriously bad air quality by limiting the use of private cars in Manhattan, and on the Department of Sanitation to work with businesses on reducing the amount of trash they generate. (How many businesses know about programs and groups like Materials for the Arts, the Hudson Valley Materials Exchange, New York Wa$teMatch, and the Reuse Alliance? The infrastructure for waste reduction is in place; it's education that's called for now.) Ironically, another common complaint was lack of parking; let's hope lawmakers realize that the solution is reducing vehicle use rather than building yet another parking lot. ::Looking for Leadership on Noise, Pollution, Trash from ::Upper Green Side...
Most Popular Posts from Last Week
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.16.06
Here are the most visited posts from last week:
1) 800 Watt Hours A Day! The Most Efficient Modern House?
2) It's What's On The Inside That Counts - Luxurious Hemp and Silk Lingerie From Enamore
3) Holographic Solar: At Least 25% More Efficient!
4) Google to Tackle Global Warming
5) New Report: Offshore Wind Could Power Entire U.S....
Interesting Comments from Last Week
by Treehugger Interns on 07.16.06
30 readers have shared their Green Epiphany with us. Many interesting stories, read them here.
Stand By for a power struggle - check out the discussion on a proposed law to outlaw the Stand By mode on electronics in the UK.
Reader Josh wonders if it's time for solar to fire up in Washington state.
And everybody had an opinion on the Is Recycling Utter Rubbish? post.
Cartoon by Colin Whittock, post by Lien Thoo....
Quote of the Day: Tim Flannery, The Weather Makers
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 07.16.06
I'm currently reading The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery (see Lloyd's review) and wanted to share this quote with you:
It is our servants--the billions of engines that we built to run on fossil fuels such as coal, petrol and oil-based fuels, and gas--that play the leading role in manufacturing CO2. Most dangerous of all are the power plants that use coal to generate electricity. Black coal (anthracite) is composed of at least 92 per cent carbon, while dry brown coal is around 70 per cent carbon and 5 per cent hydrogen. Carbon and oxygen--the components of CO2--are close neighbours on the periodic table, meaning that they have similar atomic weights. Because two oxygen atoms combine with one carbon atom to form CO2, around three and a half tonnes of the gas is created for every tonne of anthracite consumed. Some power plants burn through 500 tonnes of coal per hour, and so inefficient are they that around two-third of the energy created is wasted. And to what purpose do they operate? Simply to boil water, which generates steam that moves the colossal turbines to create electricity that power our homes and factories. Like the great aerial ocean itself, these Dickensian machines are invisible to most of us, who have no idea that nineteenth-century technology makes twenty-first-century gadgets whirr. See also: ::Book Review: Big Coal - The Dirty Secret Behind America's Energy Future...
Severn Barrage Divides UK Environmentalists
by Treehugger Interns on 07.16.06
Treehugger has already reported here this week on the UK government's Energy Review. Predictably, it is a mixed bag from a traditional environmentalist's standpoint - the emphasis on efficiency and renewables will certainly be welcomed, whilst the re-opening of the nuclear debate will be decidedly worrying for many of us.
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First Hybrids, Now Plug-Ins? London Taxi Firm Aims High
by Treehugger Interns on 07.16.06
The website of UK based EVUK – the Campaign for Real, Long-range Electric Vehicles – recently carried an intriguing report that plug-in hybrid taxis may soon be heading for the streets of London. The report references an article in the Guardian which interviews Tom Pakenham, co-founder of Green Tomato Cars, who were previously reported on by Tree Hugger here. Apparently not content with their status as the only 100% hybrid taxi fleet in the city (possibly the world?), they are planning on further greening their vehicles by converting them to plug-in technology. Unfortunately, neither the article nor the company’s website gave details of when these conversions might happen, so Tree Hugger contacted Tom directly for more details. His response is included below:...
The KI Daylight Chair: Made of Recycled Car Parts
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.16.06
Somehow we seem to have missed this one, 'til now. The Daylight chair by KI has a seat and back fashioned from 100% recycled car battery plastic (from Japan), and some of the mesh in the seats was once car seat belts. Now while car batteries might be on the heavy side, the Daylight weighs in under 4kg (9lb), making it, we are told, about 40% lighter than most stacking chairs on the market. Not only a boon to those packing up after an event, but a worthy reduction in materials consumption. Plus its design allows for 40 or so to be piled onto a transport dolly. The reason we noticed the Daylight was because the new Phoenix Convention Center has just acquired 7,000 of them, with another 21,000 more to come. That’s a heap of car batteries saved from a trip to the landfill. ::KI, via The Arizona Republic....
If the Shoe Fits, Spare It — Rock/Creek, Chaco and dZi
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 07.16.06
You may recall the outdoor store that gave a discount for the trade-in of old shoes that went on to support Porters Progress. This scheme is of similar ilk. For the next couple of weeks, Rock/Creek, an outdoor retailer in Chattanooga will give 20% off a new pair of Chaco sandals to customers who donate their old footwear. The donations will be forwarded to the dZi Foundation. This is an organisation that, in their words, “provides sustainable programs that positively impact individuals and communities primarily within the Himalayan region. Our work is focused in the areas of education, health and welfare. These programs are designed to serve within the existing social framework, maintaining particular sensitivity to local culture and tradition.” Last year Chaco ran the same program with 100 retailers, and collected over 1,500 pair of useful footwear for dZi, as well as sending 400 pair via The Backpacker store to displaced hurricane victims in affected areas of Louisiana, USA. (Marmot, another US based outdoor company has also supported dZi, offering to match donations for the building of shelters for 2,000 Pakistanis following the earthquakes in the Bagh region.) ::Chaco, via PR Web....
Gateau d'Amour's Chocolate Empire
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 07.16.06
This week’s Pecha Kucha edition concentrates on tying the knot with as much commitment to the environment as to your betrothed. TreeHugger also has a few top tips for your big day, but we haven’t yet got as far as cutting the cake. We think it’s time to indulge. The Brighton based chocolatier, Anthony Heurtier, talked to Pecha Kucha this week about organic chocolate and wedding cakes made with locally sourced ingredients, as well as ambitions for his ‘Chocolate Empire’. “This Autumn, I am launching ‘The Chocolate Empire’ which will be dedicated exclusively to creating hand made organic chocolates. I will shortly be receiving my certification from the Soil Association and am exhibiting at the Fine Food Fair at Olympia, London in September."...
Michael Stadtlander's Moveable Feast
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.16.06
Michael Stadtlander used to work the stove in Toronto and was recognized as one of the best chefs in the country. We dined in his restaurant Nekah once and it was not dining, it was art. Years ago he packed it in, bought Eigensinn farm, and serves small groups incredible and expensive epic meals made from local foods, many grown or raised on his own farm.(it is considered one of the 10 best restaurants in the world by London's "Restaurant" magazine). Now he is taking it on the road, the Partridge Family of food, family and nine disciples in a 1988 GMC diesel bus running on biofuel cooked up along the way with a refinery kettle in the back. He's decked it out with water, fridges and a six-burner garland commercial range and is heading west....
Teeing Off With Corn Starch
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.16.06
When we first read this story about the environmental superiority of bioderadable cornstarch golf tees in comparison to ordinary plastic or wooden tees, it was right after a visit to The Onion, lending an absurdist flavor to the claim. Could 15 million biodegradable golf tees a month really make a positive difference to the environment? All green upstarts deserve a fair shake, so let’s let the market tell the tale. According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette , Disney is the biggest customer for the starch tees. Big company. That's a hint. Perhaps the real advantage is that money is saved if the grounds crew has less picking up to do?
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Electric Car with the Real Stuff
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 07.16.06
Speed. Power. The joys of eking a few more meters per liter out of a Prius is never going to make the blood race for people who live and breath speed and power. Meet the Wrigthspeed X1 prototype electric car. 0-60 in 3 seconds. Standing quarter mile in 11.5 seconds. Dusts Porsches and Ferraris in road tests. 170 mpg. Wait a minute, did you say 170 mpg?? I thought this was an electric car. Okay, it uses about 200Whr/mile for city driving. We will know green design has come of age when you can read the Watt-hours and think "oh, yeah, that's rocking". For now, the kind folks at Wrightspeed have done the math for us, based on 33,705 Watt-hours per gallon of gasoline....
