- Vijay Vaitheeswaran (part one)
- Vijay Vaitheeswaran (part two)
- Vinay Gupta
- Alyce Santoro
- Mathis Wackernagel
- Tom Price
- Martha Marks
- Paul Hawken
- David Suzuki
- Wal-Mart's Green Gurus
- Alisa Smith and James Mackinnon, authors of Plenty
- Bob Perkowitz of ecoAmerica
- Ed Begley Jr.
- The Weather Channel's Dr. Heidi Cullen
Entries for November 26, 2006 - December 2, 2006
Total this week: 124
Global Forests Set to Return? Study Gives Cause for Optimism
by Treehugger Interns on 12. 2.06
Unsruprisingly, Treehuggers love trees. The usual pessimistic headlines about the state of the world’s forests can make for pretty depressing reading. Imagine our delight then, to read here on the BBC website about a new study that claims things aren’t quite as bad as they seem. In fact, the research suggests we may be reaching a tipping point where the world moves from deforestation towards restoration – possibly increasing global forest cover by as much as 10%, or an area the size of India....
Green Turtle Beats Hares In Canadian Liberal Party Race
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.06
The Natural Governing Party of Canada, AKA the Liberals, have ruled this country for most of the last hundred years, with occasional time-outs for bad behavior when the Conservative Party fills in. We are in one of those time-outs now, and the Liberals are choosing their next leader, which in every case but one in the 140 years of the country has meant the next Prime Minister. There were smart candidates running including front-runner Harvard professor Michael Ignatieff, then there was former Ontario premier Bob Rae, and among the long shot candidates, the plodding, intellectual environmental candidate Stephane Dion. After the four-ballot shootout the new Leader of the Opposition is Dion, whose first line was "How did I get here? Canadians are as concerned as I am about building a sustainable environment for our children." and "The Issue of our times is sustainable development." This TreeHugger has never voted liberal, was drifting from the NDP to the Greens, but I am shocked to see such a committed environmentalist winning the leadership of Canada's major party against such profound odds. Al Gore: fire up your campaign, Green is on a roll. ...
Paul Kedrosky on The Economics and Emotion of Global Warming
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.06
Popular venture-capitalist blogger Paul Kedrosky has more patience than me, slogging through the transcripts of the Supreme Court global warming case, Massachusetts vs. EPA. "I tried to stay balanced while reading this week's Supreme Court oral transcripts from Massachusetts vs. EPA, the global warming case, but it's tough. This feels like instant history, the kind of document that people will look back on in a hundred years and say there was a great example of a missed opportunity, a point where things began to really get away. So much sophistry, so little substance. You can, of course, understand the temptation to wait for more data, to argue lack of standing, or to argue about the costs and consequences of carbon dioxide curbs. But then ... while the global climate is a highly complex system, the science is also more settled than the Appeals Court and the EPA make it sound. Start reading the climate scientists' amicus brief on page 17 to get a sense of how climate research is being warped to serve a political purpose....Go ahead and read the respondent-friendly briefs too, like the AEI's, but even there you see that the arguments are mostly at the margin, about the amount of change, and about humans' ability to cope with those changes -- higher sealevels, more freakish weather, etc. -- than about actions that might be taken now to mitigate those responses.::Infectious Greed
...
G Magazine: Guide to Green Living in the 21st Century
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 2.06
The very comprehensive Green Pages directories have barely landed on the shelves of Australian newsagents, and we have a new publication joining them. G Magazine purports to be “Australia's first green lifestyle title”, but magazines like the 32 year old Earth Garden or quarter century veteran Renew, amongst others, might take umbrage at this claim. The publishers say, “G is a glossy and stylish guide to green living in the 21st century: an upscale, environmentally-friendly, consumer guide for people who want to reduce their impact on the planet but don't want to compromise on quality of life.” Their new bi-monthly costs $5 at the newsstand, and the premier issue runs to 66 pages that cover the sort of topics one might typically find on TreeHugger like green weddings (and here too), ethical investments, eco-renovations, organic ice-cream and the like. We liked the number crunching section on the back page, which included this little gem, "Cars burn half the world's oil and account for 6 per cent of all global-warming pollution." Printed on 55% recycled paper (post-consumer content not disclosed), the magazine said to also be carbon neutral. All the best to G mag, there can’t be enough voices spruiking the greener lifestyle message. ::G Magazine....
Peter Menzel's Hungry Planet
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 12. 2.06
A Family in China (copyright Peter Menzel Photography)
We really enjoyed Peter Menzel's Material World, which uses artistic photographic images to vividly demonstrate the consumer overdrive in some societies in contrast to the material simplicity with which it is possible to live on this planet. Now Menzel is back with another fascinating peek into the lives of our neighbors around the globe. In Hungry Planet, Menzel documents the foods families eat each week in 24 countries. ...
Bicycle Winnebago — Exhibit B
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 2.06
Maybe you spied Brian’s amazing bicycle ‘motorhome’ yesterday. That was the solo version. Stand by for the two person model. Brad Graham has based his dual occupancy, electric-assist, pedal-powered trike on the Kyoto Cruiser (plans for which can be purchased at Atomic Zombie). He is figuring on a total of 300 lbs (136 kg) total for a vehicle that will include a double bed, table, gas stove, LCD screen and even a kitchen sink. Photovoltaics on the roof will charge the battery. Each rider has their independent 36 speed transmission. The end result will be aerodynamic (unlike the CAD image shown here) with a front fairing for the pilot and passenger. Brad is anticipating a top speed of about 25 kph (16 mph). ::Kyoto Camper Human Powered RV. ...
Axis of Climate Gases
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 2.06
What to call a comparison of the combined GHG emissions of Texas, California, and Pennsylvania with those of North Korea, Iran, and Iraq: The Axis of Gases? How about the Droppings of Iscarus? We don't have those numbers right at hand; but, we do have, via World Resources Institute, a map, originally featured in Science magazine (by subscription only), which shows how regions within the U.S. compare to other major international remitters. As depicted, various regional U.S. emission totals from 2001 were greater than those of Great Britain, Canada, Russia, India, Brazil & South Korea, respectively. WRI comments, "... if states were ranked individually, six states -- Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Florida -- would rank among the top 30 emitters internationally”....
Kimberly-Clark Filtration Offers Energy Star Products
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 2.06
Via “Facilities Management” magazine online we learned that “Kimberly-Clark Filtration Products has become an ENERGY STAR Partner [with USEPA]… Kimberly-Clark Filtration Products supplies HVAC system air filter media with lower pressure drops than conventional air filtration media, which translates into reduced energy costs to operate the HVAC system…They offer online access to an energy cost calculator to analyze HVAC operating costs and estimate the energy savings available with various air filtration technologies. So far so good. ...
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by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 12. 1.06
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Earthtalk :: Outdoor Wood Boiler Woes
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 12. 1.06
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: Several of my neighbors have installed outdoor wood furnace boilers to heat their homes instead of relying on oil or natural gas. But is all the smoke these boilers create good for my health? -- Susan MiHalo, Michigan City, IN
As the price of fuel has risen in recent years, more and more homeowners across North America are turning to alternative ways of heating their homes. While some might opt for forward-thinking alternatives--like tapping solar, wind or geothermal sources of energy--others prefer to step back to perhaps the oldest source of heat, burning wood. For those with easy access to firewood and the need to heat a large house or multiple buildings, outdoor wood furnace boilers are an obvious, though potentially noxious, choice....
This Week on TreeHugger Radio…
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 12. 1.06
This week’s segment is all about Daryl. TreeHugger’s interview with Daryl Hannah touches on the actress’s quest for a green existence in the limelight of Hollywood, her fight to help preserve Los Angeles’ legendary urban farm, and the evolving challenges of the booming biofuel industry. Tune in to Air America’s EcoTalk every week for TreeHugger Thursdays, and every weekday for Betsy Rosenberg’s unique commentary and world-class guest list. :: Ecotalk.net...
Most Huggable
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 12. 1.06
Al Gore tempts Jay Leno with “hot glacier on glacier action”… A DIY guide to transforming jewel cases into frames for your photo jewels, complete with moving picture tutorial… The CEO of General Motors speaks at the LA Auto Show about his company’s hybrid plans before a run-in with some pushy MPG reformers… Amory Lovins talks oil endgame strategy on Charlie Rose (video)… For the urban farmer tired of un-ergonomic chicken coops, the Eglu is the iPod of hen houses…...
Self Sufficient 'ish' -- The Urban Guide to Almost Self Sufficiency
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 1.06
It would be grand if we could all live on a few acres in the country, grow our own food in an organic garden out back, grow cotton and hemp and raise sheep to make our clothes and keep a goat around to mow the lawn and be very nearly self-sufficient; unfortunately, that's not the way it works for many of us, who live dense urban areas or slightly less dense suburban areas and simply don't have the space and time to plant, grow, harvest and process everything we need. Happily, there's Self Sufficient 'ish', the urban guide to almost self-sufficiency (we've mentioned their vlog before); they offer a growing database of self sufficiency articles with an emphasis on the organic grower. From making your own soya milk and tofu and soap (something TreeHugger has dabbled in before) to tips on organic container gardening and jam making, there are lots of ways to ease your load on the consumer supply chain and consume more efficiently. There's also a forum to trade self-sufficiency ideas, best practices, and even goods and materials. From studio apartment dwellers to homesteaders in the country, there's something here for everyone who wants to live a self sufficient-ish lifestyle. ::Self Sufficient 'ish' via ::Hugg (Chickpea)
...
TH Week :: Mod Mod Mod
by Dominic Muren, Philadelphia, USA on 12. 1.06
Despite rumors to the contrary, modernism springs eternal from designers all over the world.
This week our writers chose to hi-light some of these great mod designs.
:: Lloyd found Bemz, a great little company making slipcovers for IKEA to extend the life of your stuff.
:: Lloyd also sleuthed out these great looking eco-homes in London.
:: Warren caught on to Patagonia's scheme to find a less polluting method of making walking shoes.
:: Lloyd tracked down Ari Leinonon's Floating Prefab Sauna.
:: And Lloyd brought us This piece about the Northwood Blanket Company's recycled sweater blankets....
The Complaints Choirs of The World
by Karin Kloosterman, Jerusalem, Israel on 12. 1.06
Art therapists would agree. No better way to get out your pent up “green” frustrations than by finding an artistic outlet. That’s why we love the idea of belting out one's environmental pet peeves by way of song. Global Warming got you down? Wish your city had better recycling programs or more bike lanes? These are some of the issues that the Complaints Choir of Helsinki and the Complaints Choir of Birmingham are singing about. While the Birmingham group are easier to understand, we think complaints sound way funnier in Finnish:
You can't get rich by working
And love doesn't last forever
In the public sauna they never ask
If it's ok to throw water on the stove
Old forests are cut down and made into toilet paper
And still all the toilets are always out of paper...
Maybe its time for TreeHuggers everywhere to unite and start our very own choir?...
Architecture For Humanity UK + Crisis Helping The Homeless This Christmas
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 12. 1.06
For 35 years the homeless charity Crisis has run the Open Christmas project to help alleviate loneliness at Christmas for London’s homeless. This year Architecture For Humanity UK has joined forces with Crisis to transform derelict buildings into welcoming and comfortable centres where people can come together to eat, socialise and celebrate. ‘Crisis will open 7 centres around London between 23 and 30 December, the shelters offer a range of services and learning and skills activities that will inspire guests and help them to rebuild their lives in the New Year. The centres are usually disused warehouses or open plan office sites. We then create sleeping and eating areas, bathrooms, kitchens and day activity spaces from the "empty shells" we have available. An army of volunteers including joiners, plumbers and electricians work flat out to transform the buildings over a three week period.’ It is this army of helpers that AFH and Crisis need to build now. They are looking for volunteers and skilled trades people, especially carpenters, who can donate some of their time to help with the building. They are also asking for donations from companies for the tools and materials that they need to transform the dilapidated spaces into homely places to spend Christmas. ...
Ecosa Institute: Enrolling Now for a Sustainable Future
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 1.06
Over TreeHugger's relatively short but fast-paced life, it has been amazing to watch as sustainability has really begun to enter the collective conscious of the mainstream world. While we like to think we've played a part in this, it's really the work of people like Tony Brown and the Ecosa Institute (see our interview with Tony here) who give us stuff to write about. The Ecosa Institute is fostering a new, very TreeHugger design philosophy based on nature, and they want to teach it to you! They're doing fabulous work teaching the next generation of architects, designers and other professionals working with built environments that sustainability and design are not only no longer mutually exclusive, but totally complementary. The Ecosa Program is also a career exploration program, where students get an example of what it's like to work on real projects in a professional setting, as well as get exposure to the various professional options that a career in sustainability can provide. Concepts on the syllabus include passive solar design, permaculture, site assessment, alternative materials and their selection, and active solar design. For non-architects and architects alike, the work exemplifies holistic thinking in action, as well as reveals the challenges and rewards of creating feasible, practicable change for a sustainable society. We highly recommend the program to anyone interested in sustainable design; enrollment for the Spring semester is open now, and that one semester will change your whole career. For more information on the program and enrollment, visit the website; check out some examples of student work: affordable townhomes in Phoenix, an entry into the Cradle-to-Cradle home competition and some urban renewal in downtown Prescott. ::Ecosa Institute...
TreeHugger Radio 9
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 12. 1.06
This week’s segment is all about Daryl. TreeHugger’s interview with Daryl Hannah touches on the actress’s quest for a green existence in the limelight of Hollywood, her fight to help preserve Los Angeles’ legendary urban farm,
and the evolving challenges of the booming biofuel industry. (listen)
...
The Traditional Dorito Harvest on North Carolina Beaches
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.06
Everyone is excited when the Dorito season approaches. Children just want to be out there as the ocean bountifully provides, running through the sand, picking up Doritos just in time for the holidays, to export round the country for everyone's pleasure. It reminds us of the Spaghetti Harvest but the back story is far more significant. Containers drop off ships every day, and their contents are not always so edible or easy to pick up as this load of Doritos. A few years ago there was a big story about a container full of rubber duckies going overboard and a scientist tracking the duckies progress to Alaska; again cute and cuddly, but not typical. For every container with duckies or doritos there are ten or a hundred with stuff we don't want dumped into our oceans.Unfortunately it happens in international waters, the insurance companies pay up and nobody monitors it. The oceans are big so who cares?
...
::Deck The Halls With The Slate Green Challenge
by Brittany Jacobs, Seattle on 12. 1.06
Looking for the perfect holiday gift that doesn’t increase your carbon footprint? Giving gifts such as concert tickets, music lessons, and restaurant gift certificates do not require gift-wrapping and use minimal resources. Treehugger’s list of holiday gift certificates might give you a few ideas as you search for ways to give consciously this holiday season.
For more ways to reduce your impact, check out The Slate Green Challenge with Treehugger. With information on topics such as water, electricity, holidays, and heating, you are sure to shave off a few extra CO2 lbs this season. It all starts with a carbon footprint quiz and the goal is to end with a 20 percent collective reduction of our carbon emissions. Be one of the first 500 to complete the challenge and get a free t-shirt from our sponsors at I’m Organic. ::Slate Green Challenge Welcome ::Slate Green Challenge Week 6: Holidays...
IKEA Forever: Bemz Covers for your Worn Out Furniture
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.06
So who sells millions of identical chairs and sofas all over the world, that eventually are going to get a bit tattered, torn up by the evil cat or stained beyond recognition at too many parties? IKEA. So talk about a brilliant idea: make aftermarket slipcovers for the IKEA line, even pieces that are no longer in production. Add a wider range of fabrics, patterns, colours. We love it because it is so simple and logical an idea, and will stretch out the lives of millions of Ektorps, Karlandas and Kramfors worldwide. ::Bemz via ::New York Times...
TreeHugger's Green Gift Guide 2006
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 1.06
New for 2007: Be sure to check out TreeHugger's new 2007 Green Gift Guide!
What's All the Talk?
Welcome to TreeHugger's Holiday Gift Guide for 2006! This time around we've included 10 categories with 10 ideas each - all things TreeHugger from this past year. For more ideas, visit our 2005 Gift Guide and be sure to check out TreeHugger's "How to: Green Your Gifts." Happy Holidays!Nau and Again. Part Two of our Interview
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 1.06
Our interview continues, with the team at Nau, a new outdoor apparel company, chasing the goals of beauty, performance and sustainability. Today we delve more into their business practices. Visit here for the first installment, where Ian Yolles, with insight from the rest of the Nau crew, provided in-depth answers on the company’s products and materials.
TreeHugger: What motivated Eric Reynolds (who over 30 years ago, co-founded Marmot, one of the first outdoor companies to use Gore-tex) to start up another company in the already crowded outdoor industry, particularly one that needs to jump through so many self imposed hoops?
Nau: The motivation stemmed from a genuine desire to do things differently and, hopefully in the process, inspire others to think and act in similar ways. Eric and the founding team knew that if our aspiration was to simply create yet another genre of performance-oriented outdoor product, we might as well pack up our bags and go home. The world doesn’t need another traditional outdoor company, but perhaps the world does need ......
Bicycle Winnebago — Exhibit A
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 1.06
Weird how things come at you in a rush. Almost in a day of each other, we've had two stories land in our in-tray, about folk making bicycle motor-homes. Lord knows how many more are out there, but let’s kick off with these. Exhibit A comes courtesy of Jonathan at Bike Portland. Pics via one of his blog's readers, Bob. As you’ll read, when you wander over there for the extra images, this beastie has apparently been on the road for the past two years. It’s inspiration is said to be the moon rovers and landing vehicles, which might account for all the silvery stuff. Seems there had been substantial rain for the days preceding the 'photo shoot', but the interior of the gentleman's creation was nice and dry. ::Bicycle Motorhome at bikeportland.org....
Wrap It Better with Artists
by Bonnie Alter, London on 12. 1.06
Every treehugger knows that wrapping presents in newsprint is de rigeur this season. But forget about the comic section. Impress your friends with gifts wrapped in (recycled) paper designed by the artistocracy of England's artists. Every day this week, the Guardian has printed a full-sized sheet of festive wrap on newsprint, with a design by one of the hippest of the stars. Oddly enough, they are all rather grim and threatening. Monday's wrap was by Timorous Beasties, known for their macabre depictions of seemingly everyday scenes--it's a sinister picture of Santa and his reindeer (pictured bottom left). Tuesday is Rachel Whiteread, with photos of cardboard boxes taped up (top right). Wednesday is Paula Rego who specialises in drawings of tortured and pained Jane Austen figures (bottom right). Tracy Emin's (left) is a sketch of wine and fish with the words "The Friday Supper" reversed and Mark Tichner's is a wreath with three raised fists and the words " If I Can". Which one is best for wrapping the Oxfam goat? :: Guardian...
Local Cooling: Tuning Your Computer to Save Energy
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.06
Its a whole new category: ecosoftware. Last week Greenprint and now Local Cooling, a free Windows program that "fights global warming from your desktop." Sort of. What it really does is fairly straightforward- It reads the device manager to find out what is in your computer and calculates the wattage you are consuming (but does not actually measure it) then tweaks the settings of your power options- monitor, disk and shut-down, and gives you a running tab of how many trees you have saved by shutting down rather than leaving things on. It does not seem to do anything that one could not do themselves if they went into power options on the control panel; it does not monitor fans or CPU speed or any other major power user. It actually doesn't seem to monitor anything. It is pretty and easy to configure, and we like seeing that we saved .023 trees today, but is also taking up 20,000K of memory. Cute idea, but call me back when you can actually do something that I can't do by adjusting settings in the control panel or simply shutting down my computer when I am done with it. ::Local Cooling...
Boomerang Recycled Paint
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.06
In 1999 a job training program in Victoriaville Quebec put kids to work on a recycling project. Then the Quebec government put an environmental fee on each can of paint sold to finance its collection and the job training program became an industry. Now over six million pounds of paint are collected each year. It is sorted by type, separated by colour and poured into huge vats to obtain a homogenous blend. It is then filtered, a few additives are put in to control viscosity and it is packaged (nicely) and sold at C$12.95 a gallon, a lot less than new paint. it is available in a range of trendy colours, as latex, alkyd or stains. A million cans of Boomerang paint were sold last year. What a great business model of public and private partnership, and proof that a little money paid up front as a deposit or recycling fee can have a big impact.::Boomerang Paint...
"Eco-Homes" For Sale in London
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.06
Well, they call it an eco-home. It is a solid wood Slovenian prefab system called RIKO that is made from glue laminated pine for the interior and timber cladding on the exterior, a layered system that is up to eight inches thick, all from sustainably harvested forests. The walls are panellized and shipped complete with windows and doors. Three full houses were shipped in five trucks and assembled in central London in five days. ...
HER Design Incorporates Cradle-to-Cradle Certified Wool In Fashion Accessories
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 1.06
We covered HER Design's high-fashion handbags about this time last year. Their recent foray into use of a CTC certified material of construction, however, made a re-visit worthwhile. Pictured is the new "Techtonic", a unisex work bag suitable for 15-inch laptops. Features include pocketing for cables, files, and magazines, a hidden tuck lock closure, contrast lining, and padded dividers. In Cradle-to-Cradle certified wool flannel, from Pendleton, with Vegan Leather trim. See the women's version, the "Leaf," pictured below the fold.
...
Seen in New York: LED Holiday Lights in Midtown
by Celine Ruben-Salama, New York, NY on 12. 1.06
The holiday season is upon us and all around the city festive decorations are up. For the second year in a row, the little sparkly lights that grace the streets of my Midtown neighborhood are LEDs! Manufactured by the Diogen company, these long-lasting, low-maintenance, lights are so energy-efficient over a half-mile of lights can be connected end to end with just one single electrical plug!...
LA Auto Show: Toyota Camry Hybrid is Green Car of the Year
by EcoGeek.org on 11.30.06
The Toyota Camry has been the top-selling vehicle in America for eight of the last nine years. This year, the 2007 version was unveiled with a hybrid option. The hybrid system bumps mileage from 24/34 mpg to 40/38 mpg but the price stays reasonable at base price of $26,000.
While Honda's newest hybrid model, the Accord hybrid, uses it's hybrid drive train more to boost performance, Toyota is betting that Camry consumers will be more interested in efficiency. Hopefully, they're right. This 60% increase in city driving efficiency today brought Toyota one of the highest honors of environmental automobiles, Green Car Journal's Green Car of the Year award....
Submarine Lumberjacks Harvest Underwater Forests
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 11.30.06
The underwater forests of the world are waiting to be harvested. When massive hydroelectric dams are created, huge areas of forest are often flooded, submerging habitats and displacing whatever human communities happened to call that place home. But the forests that become part of the underwater landscape can be well preserved for decades, and are still viable stocks of timber. Harvesting underwater lumber from rivers and man-made lakes is not a brand new idea, but Triton Logging Co., the “underwater harvesting specialist”, has a bit of an edge. The Sawfish is a 7,000 lb, unmanned logging submarine that is remotely controlled from the surface. The robotic lumberjack latches onto the trunk of a submerged tree, attaches inflatable airbags to the trunk, deploys its chainsaw, and then releases the tree to float up to the surface....
TH Blog Love – Our Favourite Greens Of The Week
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 11.30.06
Clean Air Watch: Inhofe's last hurrah: blame THE MEDIA for global warming by Frank O'Donell. 'Clean Air Watch has learned that Senator James Inhofe, the soon-to-be-deposed chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, is planning one last hurrah, and it’s going to be a doozy.'
DH Love Life: FunGuy by Daryl Hannah
This week Daryl goes to meet Paul Stamets, the amazing mushroom man who we were inspired by at The Green Festival in San Francisco a few weeks ago. They say he is the greatest mycologist ever to have walked the face of the earth!...
Helical Piles: A Mimimal Green Foundation
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.30.06
We spent the morning wandering about the huge Construct Canada exhibition hall, Following the green balloons marked "Green Products" and getting depressed by the proportion of obvious greenwashers but cheered by the few gems. One that had no balloon but should have is the Techno Metal Post, developed in Quebec as TechnoPieux. In northern US and Canada foundations have to go below the frost line, requiring basements or crawl spaces. If a building is on piers, a big hole is dug and a sonotube is put in and filled with concrete. Invariably there is landscape damage, piles of dirt and a big mess to be cleaned up. It is very permanent and requires concrete and redi-mix trucks. Then there is the techno-post....
LA Auto Show: Schwarzenegger Comes to the Show
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 11.30.06
Word started spreading yesterday afternoon that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would be making an appearance at the LA Auto Show this morning, and that he might even use the appearance to announce a new biofuels initiative. Fifteen minutes before he appeared, one of his people also said an announcement was coming. Unfortunately, all the buzz was wrong -- the Governator did appear, and praised the show itself (this is the 100-year anniversary), the automakers there, and the state's initiatives to minimize emissions spewed from millions of California cars, but announced no new plans for biofuels. He was joined by executives from BMW, GM, Tesla, Honda and Daimler-Chrysler, as well as a representative of the Union of Concerned Scientist. We all received a press release noting the governor's environmental achievements. Needless to say, we were a bit disappointed. The governor's appearance did, however, underscore the theme of environmental impact running through the show, and variety of strategies (some really impressive, some notably disappointing) the auto industry is implementing to address personal transportation's heavy environmental footprint. So far, we've seen lots of hybrids and fuel cell concept cars, so were happy to see the Tesla Roadster (an electric vehicle) get prominent placement at this morning's news conference. One point that industry reps have also been making throughout the show -- fuel cell cars are electric cars. We don't know if these means that hydrogen represents the primary means by which car makers will pursue electric vehicles; we do know that they're pretty excited about it in spite of the long timeline projected for commercial viability of fuel cell cars....
Most Huggable
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 11.30.06
A heliotropic apartment tower powered by the sun is planned as Dubai’s most recent wonder of the world… In England, “homespun” wind power is making leaps and bounds… From here the Vue is looking pretty sweet: 70 mpg and plug-in capability… The Climate Protection Campaign presents the EcoBabes Calendar for 2007… Urban eco-pioneers, Path to Freedom, launch an online trove of green goods… ...
The Green Zebra Guide: Helping San Francisco Go Greener
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.30.06
Hot on the heels of yesterday's post about Let's Green This City comes another resource for TreeHuggers in San Francisco. The Green Zebra guide is a directory, coupon book and educational resource all in one for Bay-area dwellers who want to live a little greener. It includes dozens of environmentally-conscious and community-oriented businesses, and offers deals on their products and services. Inside, you'll find 250 exclusive offers from organic restaurants and markets, eco-friendly retailers, spas, Yoga and Pilates studios, independent bookstores, bike shops, museums and more, so there’s something for just about everyone. Knowing that we can't shop our way to sustainability, Green Zebra can also answer many of your questions about living green in the city. Searching for a nearby Farmers’ Market? Not sure where to dispose of batteries and light bulbs? These questions and more can be answered with the links in their resource section. The book, which is printed on 100% recycled paper (98% post-consumer recycled) processed chlorine-free, goes for $25 and offers over $12,000 in savings; buy it from the website or from any number of area retailers. ::The Green Zebra Guide via ::Green Girls Global...
French Presidential : Nicolas Hulot, A New Game
by Erwan Pianezza, Locronan, Brittany on 11.30.06
Remember April 2002 in France? Did you enjoy extreme right's Le Pen running fast against Chirac? Looking for more action as the 2007 presidential election race is getting warm in France? This year you might well enjoy a furious ecological row as Nicolas Hulot, ex TV star, is splashing the game, doing his best to move candidates to make environmental issues a top priority for the years to come in France. Nicolas Hulot's message is clear like a Gore movie : we cannot afford to wait....
Apeiron Institute Looking for Caretakers in Rhode Island
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 11.30.06
For all of you in my area of the world, here's a post for you! The Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living is looking for 1-2 persons, couples welcome, to serve as caretaker(s) for it's environmental education center in Coventry, Rhode Island. The Center is a state of the art environmentally designed facility and program center demonstrating more than 50 ecologically friendly systems, technologies and products including:
- Energy Efficient Design that uses 70% less energy than traditional homes
- Passive and Active Solar including Solar Electric and Hot Water
- Non-Toxic Paints, Stains, Caulks, and Sealants
- Recycled Roofing, Carpet, Lumber, Insulation
- Solar Greenhouse, Radiant Floor, Masonry Heater and Bio-Diesel Heat Systems
- Natural Materials Building Methods - Straw Bale, Light Clay, Lime and Clay Plasters....
IKEA Printing Houses In UK
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.30.06
“In normal projects, you find the plot and then you start thinking about what kind of building will fit there — then you are looking at a five-year process,” he [Lars Wild Nordlun, product manager for Ikea home BokLok} said. “We have a product. We love it and we are proud of it. We have it and we go out and look for land for it. That’s very important — find a plot of land for the building rather than a building for the plot of land.” Yikes. We love IKEA, and we love prefab, but we also like mass customization. We like buildings designed for their environment, their context. The new IKEA houses are supposed to cost 20% less than conventionally built ones, and they do not look too bad, but this could be Levittown all over again. Too much of a good thing? ::Building Design (subscription) via ::Mocoloco
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European Commission Cranks Down Carbon Caps 7%
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11.30.06
New Scientist is reporting that, "The European Commission set tough new caps on carbon dioxide emissions for 10 nations on Wednesday [30 November 2006]. The move means Europe has taken a significant step towards meeting its Kyoto Protocol commitments... Experts say the allowances are stricter than for the scheme's first phase, from 2005 to 2008. Overall, the European Commission (EC) set the allowances almost 7% below the levels requested by the national governments. They are also 7% below the actual recorded emissions in 2005". Crosslands Bulletin (via subscription) notes that "Consultants, brokers, and environmentalists are cheering the European Commission in Brussels". ...
A Year of Living Generously
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.30.06
A Year of Living Generously started as an online experiment based on a hunch: that looking after this planet and its people is what we are all here for, and, that if many of us can make small changes in our everyday choices, then over time we can make a big difference for everyone. It's a very nice-sounding idea, if maybe a little chimeric, but it worked well enough that after a trial period (one year), the 100 people living "more generously" grew to the next prescribed level of 300; with a sizable wait-list, everyone was invited to join, and the community is now over 1000 and keeps on growing. So, what is living "more generously"? Turn off the tap while cleaning your teeth, compost, switched to an ethical bank, offset your travel, try to shop locally; some are easy (take a minute to sign up online as an organ donor), some are a bit of a hassle (switching to an ethical bank) and others might be impractical and are definitely a challenge (getting rid of your car). Through it all, take note with the virtual community; not only does the collaborative process reinforce and support generous behavior, but it's full of new ideas. Actions currently at the top of the list include bringing your own shopping bags, unplug your chargers when not in use, and using planet-friendly home cleaning products; all things we can all do (even without working too hard), all things that can really add up. Membership is free, and has spread throughout the UK. ::A Year of Living Generously via ::Hippypshopper...
Pocket Guide to Good Fish Choices
by Bonnie Alter, London on 11.30.06
It is hard to keep track of which fish are endangered and overfished and should be avoided and those which can be eaten with a clear conscience. When confronted with an array at the supermarket or on a restaurant menu, one panics and goes for the familiar….cod or salmon. A bad or good choice? Here is an easy solution to the dilemma: this handy little pocket guide, about the size of a business card, that lists the details of which fish to eat and which not to. Published by the Marine Conservation Society, this leaflet and the larger, more informative website Fishonline, helps consumers to choose fish that are from healthy and responsibly managed sources and are caught using methods that cause the least damage to the environment. The site provides differing levels of detail including pictures of the fish, reasons to avoid, and advice about purchases. So about that cod: if it is from the Pacific, it's o.k., but if it is from the Atlantic, where the stocks are depleted, then it is a no no. It’s easy to make the right choice, when you have the right information. :: Fishonline ...
NYC to Require Rechargeable Battery Recycling
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 11.30.06
In October, we wrote about the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation’s (RBRC) Call2Recycle program. At the time, the program appeared to be an innovative, but still voluntary approach to address the growing concern over e-waste. However, as of December 1st, new legislation will require New Yorkers to recycle rechargeable batteries. The same law will also force retailers and manufacturers of rechargeable batteries to take back and recycle used batteries that are sold in New York City. Unlike traditional recyclables, the batteries will have to be dropped off at select locations. Thanks to the RBRC, drop-off spots include: Radio Shack, Circuit City, Cingular Wireless, Staples, and others. Of course we urge readers everywhere to recycle their used rechargeable batteries even if its not required by law. To find an RBRC location near you click here....
Patagonia Put Their Best Foot(wear) Forward
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.30.06
Patagonia have put their toe in the water of the footwear market before, with reef walkers, and shoes for soggy sports like kayaking and fishing, amongst other offerings. But, as we alluded to 18 months ago, they’ve now opted to leap in feet first. Over 30 styles were recently exhibited at outdoor trade shows, with a few styles being quietly released at retail as we type. With the rest following in time for the northern spring ‘07. In adhering to their ‘best product causing least harm’ ethos, Patagonia have selected green materials throughout the line These include natural latex from Hevea rubber trees, Vibram’s Ecostep outsoles, which have up to 30% recycled rubber, with uppers in hemp or vegetable tanned leather. Patagonia president and CEO, Casey Sheahan, says of the collaborative venture with Merrell that they are “working together to find materials and construction methods that can greatly reduce footwear manufacturing pollution.” Whilst Craig Throne, general manager for Patagonia Footwear is quoted thus, “Environmentally, we have taken every step we can but have not compromised on the durability of our product."...
Tips for Winter Biking
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.30.06
me on a typical February day (not)
Warren usually does the bike posts, but he is in Australia and somehow we don't think winter biking is a challenge there. Tombola at ::Hugg points us to an article with Ten ways of making cycling bearable in November (not that November in London or even Toronto is tough) but that will work all winter. The video of a Toronto winter rider also has a good tip: get a junker bike, the road salt will corrode it in a season or two. We would add our own tip: call your City Councillor and demand that they keep the bike lanes plowed.::Times Online ...
Bio-Glass: Finally, a Real Use for Recycled Glass
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.30.06
Droning on about Bill McDonough, we use glass as an example of his point about recycling vs downcycling vs upcycling; we go to the trouble of taking it to the curb for pickup, then they throw it in the truck and it is basically useless, as all of the different colours of glass get mixed together. In the end most is ground up and added to asphalt for paving. Now, those clever people at Coverings Etc, (talked about here before) have created Bio-Glass, slabs of 4' x 9' by 3/4" of 100% recycled glass. It can be used for countertops, flooring and accent walls, and will soon come in tiles. Of course the white is made from post industrial waste because they can control the source and ensure it does not get contaminated, but what we really like is the coloured stuff that is made from post-consumer waste. The dark glasses will be up to 100% post consumer. In a perfect world this stuff should be cheap as Urban Air Hazard: Traffic Is Major Cause of Particulate Emissions
by Tim McGee, Helena, MT, USA on 11.30.06
Traffic is a major cause of particulate pollution in the urban environment. While this may not be news to those living next to the highway, the exact cause of the pollution and possible solutions is something that we should sit up and notice. Fine particulates in the air are known to result in the premature death of over 300,000 people in the EU annually. Indeed, it is the increase in mortality that has led to firmer regulations of emissions in the U.S. and Europe. A recent report from The FINE Particles - Technology, Environment and Health – National Technology Programme in Finland reviews the latest research and technology used in monitoring traffic and the potential to create cleaner combustion engines. The report (PDF) addresses the details of how these small particles are created, and examines the technologies in development that might help us reduce this increasing hazard....
Shiloh Wind Power Plant: A Profile Of California’s Wind Power Future
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11.30.06
The San Francisco Chronicle recently profiled California's Shiloh wind project:- “One hundred white windmills, their blades stretching 122 feet, line the hilltops west of Rio Vista…Each of its turbines can generate the same amount of electricity as 15 older windmills, some of which still dot the same grassy hills…It is spread across 6,800 acres, vastly more than a traditional power plant would require. At roughly $220 million, it also cost more to build than a plant burning natural gas or coal…But as Shiloh's developers note, its fuel is free...The turbines pump no carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide or sulfur dioxide into the air. And the land still belongs to property owners who will continue using it to grow hay and graze sheep. For project details a pdf download is available here .
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Northwood Blanket Company: Old Sweaters Live Again
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.30.06
Old sweaters can go to the landfill, or sit on the racks at thrift shops for years. At Northwood Blankets, old sweaters live again as high quality multicoloured blankets. "Our sweaters are sourced from thrift merchants throughout the studio area. Once acquired, the sweaters are washed using a unique process designed to enhance the natural qualities of the fibre. They are then cut, sorted and sewn into our fabulous products" The jurors at the Leonardo Da Vinci awards for Innovation said: "This simple idea presents an opportunity to be more aware of sustainable alternatives, conserve energy and keep warm at the same time." ::Northwood Blankets found at ::One of a Kind ...
Bike to Baggage in 3 Seconds: The Mobiky Genius
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11.30.06
Whoops, we’ve been sprung. Ana of Portugal has dug through our vast archival library and discovered we are bereft of the Mobiky Genius. How slack is that? For about $700 you get an aluminium framed and rimmed bicycle, with 12’ wheels, that folds into hand luggage is a mere three secs. And the scissors-like folding action still allows the wheels to hang down, so you can trundle the Genius along without needing to carry it. Though there is a built-in padded handle for when you do have to lift or carry its 13 kg (~30 lbs). A three speed sealed Sturmey Archer Hub (read minimal maintenance) provides some assistance on hills, for a bike that is said to suit riders of 130 – 195 cm height, weighing up to 110 kg (4’3” – 6’ and 240 lbs, for metrically challenged). The French designed folder comes complete with folding pedals, bell, fenders (mudguards), kickstand, and carry bag. A suspension stem saddle is available as an option. And if green trim is not your thing, then try cobalt, dark blue, orange or red. The Genius is said to ride like any standard diamond frame bike, though it is ideally suited to short urban distances. Or mixed commutes - riding from home to local train station and thence from city station to the office. Ana so loves her Genius that she started spreading the word in Portugal. Six out of six Amazon reviewers rate it a full five stars, for function and cool. ::Mobiky Europe and ::Mobiky USA....
Honda Gets "C" For Sustainability; GM Gets An "A"
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11.30.06
Last year we introduced you to the Claremont McKenna College, Roberts Environmental Center "PSI Sector Reports". We explained that "The Roberts Environmental Center at Claremont McKenna College uses student labor to normalize corporate sustainability self-reports into an easy-to-grasp index". Well, Roberts recently released the motor vehicle sector report and was it a stunner. The global list of major car and parts makers were each graded cumulatively using weighted combined factors: EI = Environmental Intent; ER = Environmental Reporting; EP = Environmental Performance; SI = Social Intent; SR = Social Reporting; and, SP = Social Performance. You should be sitting down for this. And we got to say up up front that we're not sure how much weight mileage gets in the EP category (if any). Referring to the chart above, companies getting "A+" are: General Motors (U.S.A.); Volkswagen (Germany); and, DaimlerChrysler (Germany). Toyota did OK with an A-. But Honda just got an average - "C." For a quick glance at how the visual index ranking works we excerpted a small portion and put it in the extended text below. To see the entire report with all the details look here.( a pdf file download)
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Dagoba Sold To Hershey's
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 11.30.06
This isn't exactly breaking news, but seems worth bringing up as the season of treats closes in. In October word spread that, like Scharffen Berger before it, Dagoba had been sold to Hershey's. By most reports little seems to have changed at Scharffen Berger so far, but it's hard to feel like Dagoba is the same Dagoba, isn't it? We've loved it, loved it some more, potentially been poisoned by it, and gone back to loving it. Here's hoping the changes take root slowly. Read founder Frederick Schilling's thoughts and the animated discussion that follows at chocolate expert David Lebovitz's world renowned food blog. :: ...
Light Brown is The New Green is the New Black
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.29.06
NEW YORK: We hope that this is just a phase and that the whole world isn't going to look like the inside of a UPS warehouse........
LA Auto Show: GM, Saturn Announce Vue Plug-in Plans
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 11.29.06
Treehugger has joined journalists and bloggers from around the world for the two-day extravaganza of media events leading up to the 100th Los Angeles Auto Show. We'll be bringing you news of some of the bigger developments and announcements as they unfold -- it's already been an exciting time! The events kicked off this morning with a keynote by GM's Chair and CEO Rick Wagoner. Wagoner's speech focused on GM's plans for "greening" its fleet by focusing on flex-fuel models, electric cars (yes, the EV1 got a prominent mention) and fuel cell vehicles, and included a brief announcement of expansions to Saturn's Vue Green Line. At the press conference that followed, Jill Lajdziak, general manager of the Saturn division, detailed the company's plans to release a front-wheel-drive, 2-mode hybrid system in the Saturn Vue Green Line, and to follow that with a plug-in version of the vehicle. According to company's literature, the 2-mode hybrid system will increase the Vue's fuel efficiency by 45% (over the non-hybrid version) with the following operations:...
Tru Light
by Celine Ruben-Salama, New York, NY on 11.29.06
We don’t have to tell you that energy conservation is critical, but it’s a message that lots of New Yorkers need to hear. Under the guidance of Solar One a group of high school students from Manhattan Comprehensive High School have taken this task upon themselves. Under the moniker Tru Light, the group educates New Yorkers about the importance of energy conservation. By selling high quality Energy Star™ compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) at discounted prices they provide New Yorkers with a means to reduce their individual impact on the environment while saving energy and their own hard earned cash. ...
TreeHugger Picks: Readers' Take on Sustainable Cities
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.29.06
Awhile back, we initiated a series of posts encouraging our readers from across the globe to tell us about their cities: the green good, bad and ugly of the city, including things like public transportation, suburban sprawl, air quality and other considerations often given when looking at the general "greenness" of urban areas. We learned some interesting things.
1) In Portland, Oregon, we learned about the ease of biking around town, and the rain.
2) The people of Austin, Texas told us about the reliable public transportation but lamented that it's still in Texas.
3) In New York City, we heard all about the great public transit, hybrid cabs, efficient space use but were reminded of all the pollution: noise, light, and garbage.
4) The citizens in Toronto, Ontario were equally pleased and upset by the bicycle-friendliness of the town, but many agreed that public transit was getting too expensive.
5) Lester Brown pointed out that, almost without fail, big cities are unhealthy, inefficient places to live, though they don't have to be....
Most Huggable
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 11.29.06
Students use Google online document sharing to brainstorm climate solutions… The National Science Teachers Association rejects 50,000 copies of An Inconvenient Truth, and Exxon the suspect… Are you a Winter cyclist? Here’s ten essential tips to keep your tips from freezing off… PET Castles: pioneering tropical construction from discarded soda bottles… “Eco-Freaks,” a new book by John Berlau, exposes environmentalists for the shysters they are…...
Let's Green This City: San Francisco's Online Green Community
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11.29.06
Living green can mean so many things, from biking to work to using solar power. LetsGreenThisCity.com provides info on all points in between for San Francisco, from sustainable businesses to solar schools to making life more sustainable around your home and at work. TreeHugger's own Nick Aster is on board, providing helpful hints and resources for ways to be green in the city by the bay. The site also offers a forum for Bay Area users to sound off about all the green options available around town. Yet another great example that you can be green at home, at work, on the go, with your dollars and with your time. Click on over to see what's happening; if you're in San Francisco, sign up to contribute to the forums, learn more about your city, and lend your knowledge about getting greener to your fellow Bay Area TreeHuggers. ::Let's Green This City via ::Sustainable Style Foundation's online sourcebook...
China's Green Revolution: How Far Will it (Not) Go?
by Alex Pasternack, Beijing, China on 11.29.06
Chinese environmental activists and Tibetan residents remove rubbish from Namtso Lake in Tibet, known as the lake of the heaven (Reuters).
This week, Chinese media reported an “unprecedented” spate of coal mine accidents that took place over the past five days. In and of itself, the six accidents are not surprising—nor, likely, is the scale unprecedented. But the wide publicity the tragedies received within the country, alongside today's conviction of two mining bosses, is a sign of something new.