- 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 March 25, 2007 - March 31, 2007
Total this week: 145
Shimon And DiCaprio Swap Green Plans In Israel
by Karin Kloosterman, Jerusalem, Israel on 03.31.07
It’s not exactly new news, but when high-profile celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio come all the way to Israel, Israelis tend to talk about it for months. So in a way, Leo's landing in the Holy Land still feels fresh! On a visit with his Israeli model girlfriend Bar Refaeli earlier in March (besides bodyguard brawls with the paparazzi), Leonardo’s visit entailed a meeting with Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres where the two talked green shop. According to BANG: Shimon told Leonardo about his Peace Valley project - a joint Israeli-Jordanian-Palestinian economic development plan - and Leo spoke about '11th Hour' his documentary on the environment.The Blood Diamonds star announced filmmaking plans in 2005 and true to his word, is promoting his soon-to-be-released feature-length documentary on the state of the global environment. According to the National Ledger, Leonardo said the film will focus on those who acknowledge global warming, such as Stephen Hawking, Mikhail Gorbachev and Andrew Weil....
Doie Launches Spring Collection 07
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 03.31.07
The beautiful bamboo clothing line Doie has recently launched it's Spring Collection 07. Elaborating on her theme of dark soft shapes with highlights of oriental style silks the designer Sara Kirsner has expanded her sports/leisure wear collection to include a more structured look. The spring collection includes wrap tops and dresses, halter neck styles and empire lines, all modelled by none other than TreeHugger's friend and ally Summer Rayne Oakes. For the first time the Spring collection is available to buy online directly from the Doie website. :: Doie...
Circular Reasoning on China's Circular Economy
by Mark Ontkush, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 03.31.07
China is drafting its first law on creating a “circular economy” that provides a legal framework for its national sustainable development strategy. Mao Rubai, chairman of the Environmental and Resources Protection Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the draft law will improve resource efficiency, and is expected to pass at the end of the year. The handling of eWaste is included in the framework, of which China takes about 70 percent of the world's 'supply'....
Be Wise and Join a CSA
by Kristin Underwood, San Diego, CA on 03.31.07
This is not just the story of a local farmer making good, this is the story two people, Bill and Marsanne Brammer, sharing a love for healthy food and working hard to spread organic food both locally and nationally. Begun in 1977, the Be Wise Ranch offers local San Diegans an alternative to mass-produced produce. With just a few avocado, citrus, peach, nut, pomegranate and apricot trees, this husband and wife team launched their organic farm, selling mostly to area farmers markets and wholesale distributors. As their produce selection has exploded, so has the wildlife in the area, which the owners attribute to their location next to a wildlife preserve and their abundance of trees free of pesticides, which many birds nest in....
Haute Trash: Fashion from Rubbish
by Kathreen Ricketson, Canberra, Australia on 03.31.07
Image: Trash to Fashion Awards New Zealand 2004
Trash to fashion is not a new concept, but might be just a little out there for most. TreeHugger has touched on trash fashion before in the story on Trashin' Fashion and Trashion. Personally I love the inventiveness of anybody willing to turn old trash into wearable art which is what most of these creations are. But ... Who is doing it? And why?
Haute Trash is a troupe of artists and designers who produce runway fashion shows and other performance art featuring haute couture made from society's trash, they create fashion out of trash in order to entertain, educate and empower others to rethink, reuse and recycle. They are appearing at Burning Man's Green Open House on 14 April and Sierra College Earth Day Celebration on 19 April....
"Wow, Architects Are Cooler than Al Gore!"
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.31.07
So said Archinect after reading a new report from the UN entitled "Buildings and Climate Change: Status, Challenges and Opportunities"
"Buildings can play a key role in combating climate change," the U.N. Environment Program said in a report issued in Oslo during a conference on ways to promote economic growth without damaging the environment. Simple measures include more blinds to keep out the sun in hot climates, switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, better insulation and ventilation. "Avoid building a bigger house than you need," was among the tips.
It also recommended refurbishing old buildings rather than demolishing them and designing new buildings for long use. The report also said there were other factors to keep in mind--even gender. Some studies have shown women prefer higher room temperatures than men, even when wearing similarly thick clothing. ::CNET Read the entire report (7 mb pdf) here...
Arrange from Everyspace
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.31.07
Everyspace is a team of Brookyn designers who "find inspiration in the challenges of urban living and aim to design furniture and household objects that offer creative solutions for city dwelling." The arrange shelf is designed "to integrate nature and furniture. Originally intended for a front hallway, the shelf functions as a catch-all for your comings and goings and doubles as a modern receptacle for flowers. Install the back plate on a wall and change the orientation of the shelf left or right for different looks. The tubes can be easily removed and filled with water as needed. All components are sustainable, simple to put together and easy to dismantle." Made from bamboo, steel, glass and rubber.
They have a wonderfully minimalist booth this weekend at CA boom; nothing but butcher paper and felt pen. Pictures at ::NotCot ::Everyspace
...
Lyocell Hoodie from Fila
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 03.31.07
We’re always on the prowl for new workout clothes. They are often hard to find - whether it’s the price, the fit, the weight…who wants to be uncomfortable in expensive workout clothes? So when we read about Fila’s tissue-paper-thin top, perfect for the upcoming spring season, we felt okay about ditching the college sweatshirt (okay, well sorta). It’s so lightweight that we can wash it at night in time for our workout the next day not to mention that it’s made with 100% Lyocell. We’ve mentioned Lyocell before, the biodegradable cotton alternative made from wood fibers with a silky feel. Many of our readers commented on the cost in our previous posts but this hoodie is $60. Now if only it would warm up so we can take our workout outside…Available for men as well. Via ::Women’s Health ::Fila...
World's First Electric Bike Rally: Open To All
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 03.31.07
In China, You Can't Be Green If You Wear Fur
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 03.31.07
Thank goodness the developed world is not subject to such fractiousness. Otherwise, how would anything positive be accomplished by Kyoto signatories in the face of climate disaster? Via: The Electric New Paper:- At China's annual session of parliament, the actress Gong Li "put forward a proposal to clean up the environment. However, after the state-run media splashed photos of the star with a fur over her shoulders, there have since been cries for her removal from the political body, reported AFP...A youth website did an online poll and found that of the more than 12,000 respondents, 52 percent said Gong Li had no right to serve in the lower house, while 26 percent said she was vastly unqualified...Others felt that it was 'shameless' for her to wear fur while talking about the environment, and some even called for her to be 'punished'." The context for the actress' statement, apparently, was "the importance and urgency of processing garbage, sewage and excess gas,..." Indeed. Image credit: China Information...
Rats Kicked Off The Spinach Plantations...With Herbicides
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 03.31.07
Via Monterey County Weekly:- In a desperate attempt to keep virulent strains of E. Coli bacteria away from spinach, farmers are reported to be spraying their field margins and grassed waterways (as pictured) with Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, on the theory that by killing the grasses, a scourge of poopy rats and crappy cattle will be kept away. Someone seems to be forgetting to address the key question: how might rats, or any other mammalian life forms that might visit the spinach fields, come to host virulent strains of E. Coli in their respective guts? One obvious possibility is that they've been hanging around feed lots where maintenance doses of antibiotics are handed out prescription free. And then there's the self defeating aspect of trashing water quality, while increasing flood flow peaks downstream. TreeHugger urges you to read the entire article...and then send in your check for membership in the nearest Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Yea, we know. It's winter and locally grown spinach is not to be had outside California and Florida. Popeye had the answer. And it's gonna taste so good when it's in season. Image credit: Aerial photo of grassed waterways in tilled cropland USDA Agricultural Research Service....
Kedrosky on the Nitrogen Fertilizer Perfect Storm
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.31.07
Everything I know about economics (which isn't much) I have learned from Paul Kedrosky, who notes that nitrogen fertilizer prices have gone through the roof. Corn needs fertilizer and we have noticed that there is a lot of corn being planted these days. Paul says "Why are nitrogen fertilizers costs up so much? Demand is part of the equation, but there is a supply issue as well. Keep in mind that the price of nitrogen is tied directly to the price of natural gas, with 1 ton of fertilizer requiring about 33,500 cubic feet of natural gas. The upshot is that with rapidly increasing demand, plus increased components prices, we have a pricing perfect storm for nitrogen fertilizers."
Why does nitrogen fertilizer need so much natural gas? Paul recommends this link, discussing the Claude-Haber process. Fritz Haber is a fascinating character; read more about the new biography of him at Amazon. ::Infectious Greed...
No-Tillage Farmers Look to Earn Carbon Credits
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 03.31.07
This week it was announced that South Australian no-till farmers were hoping to receive carbon credits due to the notion that their farming practices reduce carbon dioxide emissions by cutting soil oxidation and not requiring the burning of stubble. According to the Conservation Agriculture Alliance if such a deal was to go through about half of that states farmers might qualify. A memorandum of understanding was signed with carbon credit retailer Carbon Planet. You may recall we mentioned zero-till farming in Brazil last month. In case you’ve forgotten what it was all about we would encourage you to have a peek at the seven benefits listed after the fold. These were lifted from the site of the Western Australian No-Tillage Farmers Association (WANTFA), who started out in 1992 to reform farming methods. And they need to, as soil salinity is the greatest immediate problem afflicting the West. The area of salt affected land in Western Australia is increasing at a rate of one football field per hour, with about 450 species of native flora and 250 species of invertebrate water fauna facing extinction in Western Australia’s wheat belt. Due to WANTFA’s success they’ve since spawned associations in other states and in New Zealand, now totalling 4,000 members that make up the aforementioned ::Conservation Agriculture Alliance, via ABC....
Getting Ready for Earth Day: Greening Your Car
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 03.30.07
[Ed. note: This is the second post in TreeHugger's series featuring easy, high-impact ideas and tips to help you get ready for Earth Day. Stay tuned for more!
Though TreeHugger doesn't advocate driving, we realize that it's still the way that many people get around every day. Whether you're a daily commuter or a weekend wanderer, there are lots ways to green your car use, beyond taking the bus, hopping on your bike or simply not climbing behind the wheel as much.
1) Going the speed limit is the "single most immediately effective thing you can do" and it doesn't matter if you drive a hybrid sedan or an SUV: the benefits are immediate and massively propagating.
2) Proper tire inflation reduces rolling resistance and improves your gas mileage; some say inflating with nitrogen makes tires leak more slowly, and some say it doesn't matter.
3) Take action with Pump 'Em Up if you're looking to get active and help others make their cars green(er), and see where you compare (and add your two cents) with what our readers are driving.
4) Gadgets like the solar-powered car vent can help keep you cool without having to flip the switch on the A/C and further tax your engine and reduce gas mileage.
5) Beware: new car smell is toxic and air quality inside cars is often worse than outside. See where your car ranks and learn some tips for keeping toxics to a minimum in your car's interior.
For more tips about greening your car in preparation for Earth Day, check out TreeHugger's How To Green Your Car guide....
Hierro: Spain's Completely Renewable Island
by EcoGeek.org on 03.30.07
Spain has declared that El Hierro, one of the smallest of Spain's Canary Islands, will soon be completely carbon neutral. The island, with a population of around 10,000, will be powered by a combination of wind and hydroelectric power.
Most of the islands power will be taken from it's 10 megawatt hydroelectric infrastructure. Interestingly, excess wind power will actually be used to pump water uphill into one of two reservoirs. The potential energy of that water will then become a kind of gigantic battery for times when the wind isn't so strong. This unique system basically allows for wind power to become a steady, instead of intermittent, source of power.
The wind turbines will also power a desalination plant for the islands population. Of course, just in case, a diesel generator will be maintained just in case the carbon-neutral system fails. No word on exactly when the system will be up and running, but the windfarm and pumping stations are already being built. ::AP...
Most Huggable: Live Earth Taking Heat In DC, Changes to Endangered Species Act, Beef Eating Moms
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 03.30.07
A study suggests that beef-eating mothers produce sperm-deficient boys… Oxford researchers have a fuel cell under development that runs on air sprinkled with hydrogen… Changes being pushed in the White House would make new endangered species listing harder to pass… Senator James Inhofe is raising objections to a Live Earth throwdown on the Mall on Capital Hill… A wind turbine with an observation tower? Check out the vid… Most Huggable is a daily roundup of some of the most tantalizing stories from Hugg.com, TreeHugger’s user-generated green news site. Why not submit your own green news? ...
Beyond LEDs: GE Accelerates OLED Development
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 03.30.07
OLEDs (Organic Light-Emitting Diodes) are thin, organic materials sandwiched between two electrodes, which illuminate when an electrical charge is applied. OLEDs are flexible, so they can be incorporated into things like wallpaper, curtains and car interiors. GE has been developing OLEDs since 1999, and in 2003 they demonstrated a 2'x2' OLED light source (see pictures above). For a behind-the-scenes look at what is going on, check out this recent blog post by one the GE engineers involved in OLED development. After the jump, there is a video that shows OLEDs being bent, and having holes punched in them:...
TreeHugger Picks: Biomimicry in Product Design
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 03.30.07
When it comes to concepts central to the notion of TreeHugging, few are higher on the list than biomimicry. We have a lot to learn from the way things are designed in nature, and both the general principle and more specific examples can be applied to everyday products to help them more effective, last longer, and be more efficient (see our recent look at sea sponges used for solar power for a great example). Here are a few of our picks for biomimicry in product design.
1) Biomimi-wha? If you're new to the subject, read a quick 'n easy definition of the concept in lay terms.
2) Sto Lotusan paint uses "the Lotus Effect" that mimics water beading off a lotus leaf to essentially be self-cleaning.
3) Read our interview with Seventh Generation's Gregor Barnum to learn about how the company integrates biomimicry in their products.
4) Check out "Better By Design: An Innovation Guide" for a bevy of everyday products that use of design-for-environment and biomimicry principles.
5) Want more? This biomimic database has lots more examples of biomimetics used to solve engineering problems, even if its design leaves a little something to be desired....
Spring Cleaning: "100 Reasons to Get Rid of It"
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 03.30.07
The March/April issue of Blueprint includes a great article entitled “100 Reasons to Get Rid of It.” According to the article, 80% of what we own we never use and 1.4 million Americans suffer from chronic hoarding and clutter. We found it inspiring, not just because it made us realize how much clutter we really have, but because our time for spring cleaning is quickly approaching and there are so many other options rather than just throwing something in the trash. The article includes some of our favorites like Swap-O-Rama-Rama, Freecycle, Earth 911, Paperbackswap, Recycline and Peerflix. But they also introduced to several new organizations as well, such as Help 1 Up (furnishes homes for disaster victims), Operation Fairy Dust (sends formalwear to teenage girls who need help getting to the prom), World Computer Exchange (sends computers to more than 50 developing countries) and Youth For Technology (puts scanners, computers and cameras in the hands of deserving, impoverished kids around the world). You can view the full article here. ::Blueprint...
Surface Magazine: The Spring Fashion Issue
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 03.30.07
While not an out and out "green" issue, the current issue of Surface magazine puts some thought and effort into coverage of some green products, services, ideas and people. They've come up with some interesting takes on the topic, starting with the "Preface" (page 016), which notes, "So while being green seems surprisingly easy these days, it has become ever more difficult to define exactly what this means, especially within the design community." What follows is their attempt to flesh this out from their design-oriented, glossy perspective. They take note of the edgy, ethical fashions from Noir's Illuminati II collection (page 053), which makes use of organic cotton cultivated by local workers in Africa and whose sale benefits the newly established Noir Foundation, an organization that supports African workers. John Houshmand's salvaged-wood furniture gets a nod on page 061, as does artist Miwa Koziumi, who recycles discarded plastic beverage containers into stunning pieces of art (mostly sea creatures). ...
Wanna Buy a Whale Faucet?
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 03.30.07
It sounds strange, but the whale faucet actually looks like a killer whale and seems set to work wonders in eliminating the use of disposable cups in household bathrooms around the planet as it enables the standard faucet to serve as a water fountain and mouth rinser all-in-one. It simply acts as an adapter that hooks on over the standard faucet, and then allows you to redirect the water flow in an upward direction just like a fountain. What to do when that's not what you need? Well that's simple too, just let the bottom of its mouth hang down and it acts like any other faucet you've ever seen. So couple all of that functionality with a price of just $2.99, kids genuine enthusiasm for things like a novel toothbrush and their propensity to waste other things like plastic disposable cups, and I'm betting this may be one household invention that can really make a difference in your house. ...
Big Reports for Teenie Tiny Products: LCA and Nanotechnology
by Jenna Watson, Barcelona on 03.30.07
A report released this past week confirms that LCA is “an essential tool for ensuring the safe, responsible, and sustainable commercialization of nanotechnology.” U.S. and European experts concluded this in the report titled, “Nanotechnology and Life Cycle Assessment: A Systems Approach to Nanotechnology and the Environment.” With the number of nanotechnology-enabled products entering the market expected to grow dramatically -- from $30 billion in 2005 to $2.6 trillion in global manufactured goods using nanotechnology by 2014, wisely implemented assessment tools such as LCA can help corporations and researchers determine likely environmental impacts at various stages in a new nanotechnology product's life cycle. It also enables governments, industry and consumers to compare the environmental performance of a novel nanotech product with that of conventional products already on the market.
The report is based on discussions among 27 international nanotechnology and LCA experts from a two-day workshop held in October 2006, and is being simultaneously released by the European Commission (EC) and the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, an initiative of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and The Pew Charitable Trusts. The report concludes that our cherished International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other widely used frameworks for LCA are fully applicable to nanomaterials and nanoproducts....
Cameron in Trouble Over Wind Turbine
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK on 03.30.07
David Cameron, the conservative leader, has hit a snag in his green campaign. A wind turbine erected on his house has been found to breach planning permission, and has been removed. The permission was for a turbine attached to the chimney stack, which it was not. Surveyors are now unsure whether the stack is strong enough to support the turbine at all, so it is currently lying in Cameron's house.
The turbine was part of a green overhaul of Cameron's house, including 'solar panels, high-level insulation and systems to recycle both air and water'. Critics have said that it's unlikely the turbine would provide a useful amount of power in it's urban location however....
Aquarium Owners: Are Your Fish Fair-Trade Certified?
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 03.30.07
As we normally associate fair trade with products like coffee, chocolate, and handcrafted goods, this probably seems like a really strange question. But, in the case of one species of tropical fish, a number of environmental organizations, and the pet industry, are pushing for a certification standard. For fifty years, the cardinal tetra (shown above) has been sustainably harvested by residents of Brazil's Rio Negro region. The income from the sale of the fish has kept the local economy humming, so logging and mining haven't gained a foothold. That could change, though, as commercial fisheries in Florida have experimented with breeding cardinal tetras. Successful farming of the fish could have devastating consequences for the Rio Negro economy, and, by extension, it's ecosystems:...
That’s ‘One’ (Weird Looking) Folding Bike
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 03.30.07
The ‘One’ bike is a design concept by industrial designer, Thomas Owen, a recent graduate of the UK’s University of Derby, from whence he departed with a B. Sc. (Hons) in Product Design, Innovation and Eco-design. Seems he studied subjects like Eco-design Methods and Strategies, Eco-design Management, Eco-design Applications and Appropriate Technology. Some of which must have lead him to take on the not inconsiderable challenge of redesigning the world’s most efficient means of transporting humans. A prototype ‘One’ bicycle was made, but it doesn’t look like it was quite road-ready. We do however like that Thomas did think outside the diamond (frame), though wonder if he was influenced by the Locust by Czech designer, Josef Cadek? Either way it’s an interesting take for a cute looking city bike. ::Thomas Owen via Yanko...
Contradiction in Terms Dept: Sustainable Parking Structure
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.30.07
Only in California could one find such a deliciously silly story. Santa Monica has just opened "the nation’s first sustainable solar-powered parking structure. The six-story, 882-space structure at the Civic Center features photovoltaic roof panels, a storm drain water treatment system, recycled construction materials and energy efficient mechanical systems."
Evidently the cars are well treated: “From the Santa Monica Mountains to Catalina Island, these parking spaces have the best view in town.” And they are going for LEED certification, which should be a challenge for an above grade parking garage, even if it was made from site-grown bamboo and ventilated by flapping butterfly wings.
After all, the City is spending $180 million plan to add 1,712 parking spaces over the next ten years- just what every city needs right now when we are trying to discourage cars, not give them ocean views. ::Lookout News...
The greencodeproject: No Impact Media
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 03.30.07
Hollywood may have brought us The Inconvenient Truth, Who Killed the Electric Car?, The Day After Tomorrow, etc. They may have carbon offset such films as Syriana and Sweet Land. They may travel to the Oscars in hybrid cars, or cruise tinsel town on a bicycle. But maybe they also can be more holistic in their approach to their craft, like, say, the inimitable Robert Newman. At least that seems to be the aim of the greencodeproject. Documentary and filmmakers, cross-media producers and broadcasters are encouraged to adopt their own mini Kyoto. “The essence of the project will be to research and develop a Green Code for Film, an open set of guidelines, suggestions and principles which will guide the actions of those individuals and companies who support the Code. These might range from the smallest of eco-actions like using fair trade coffee in the office, or using post-consumer re-cycled paper, to hiring production vehicles from transportation car-share co-ops now springing up everywhere, to making larger commitments to community education or producing more socially engaged, or bio-ethical media.” Their official Canadian launch is planned for the Hot Docs festival in Toronto late next month. ::greencodeproject....
Teach Them Young: Solar Toys
by Bonnie Alter, London on 03.30.07
There was an old song, "they've got to be taught, before it's too late", about teaching children to " hate all the people your relatives hate"...but we aren't advocating that aspect. Instead, teach them the principles of a wind generator and how solar power works with these scientific and good looking toys for children. The "Blow-light" (pictured) generates small amounts of electricity when you blow on the blades. This lights up the LED's, giving a bright neon colour to the mini-wind turbine. Plus it's fun. Then there is the frog solar robot kit for the older child, that hops along in the sun. Or a lovely little helicopter with rotor blades that go round in the sunshine--put it in the shade and the blades stop turning. For the man who has everything, there is a metal, miniature wind turbine for his desk. The turbine blades spin when sunlight falls on the solar panel. For Father's day: a toy golf cart that moves along a flat surface when sunlight falls on the roof. Plus all kinds of solar gadgets, garden accessories and DIY kits. Where do all these treats come from? A small, family-run business whose owners have backgrounds in conservation and engineering, trying to "stay true to their 'green beliefs' by making the best use of new technology". And they have a largely paperless office, and operate close to home. :: Select Solar....
Fast Company: A HIP way to Think About Green Companies
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.30.07
HIP stands for Human impact and profit. Fast company and two San Francisco firms teamed up to "evaluate and rate publicly listed companies. Our goal: to look beyond good intentions and focus on concrete results--how human impact drives the bottom line--as a guide for investors seeking to generate compelling returns and benefit society.....Our analysis assessed the share of a company's products and services that contributed a net positive benefit to customers' and employees' health and wealth; the net positive benefit to society, including the environment; the value or benefit paid to employees and suppliers; and the share of that value that was fairly distributed (that is, by gender, ethnicity, or income class), including executive pay."
It actually works better online than in the magazine, because you can click on the numbers instead of going back and forth, and easily click through to backup information. I was pretty surprised at some of the ratings, with United Technologies coming up with the highest practices score, but they have their methodology. Worth a look at ::Fast Company...
‘Environmentalism: Biggest Threat to Freedom’
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 03.30.07
Czech President, Vaclav Klaus, recently offered a warning that environmentalism and measures to curb climate change are a threat to human freedom. When I read these and other similar statements, my initial thought was to write a scathing assessment of his remarks. On second thought, I realized such outlandish ideas might not even warrant a response. But I thought our readers might be entertained by the following quotations. Enjoy. “The biggest threat to freedom, democracy, the market economy and prosperity at the beginning of the 21st century is not communism or its various softer variants. Communism was replaced by the threat of ambitious environmentalism.” “While some deserts may get larger and some ocean shores flooded, enormous parts of the earth (could become) fertile areas able to accommodate millions of people.” Finally, Klaus called environmentalism a “religion based on political ambition rather than science.”...
NICE Electric Car Company: Is it a Car, is it a Van, is it a Vectrix?
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 03.30.07
We briefly mentioned NICE electric car company in our post on the London Motor Show here. It looks like they are shaping up to be a serious competitor to companies like GoinGreen in the expanding electric car market in London. Not only are they now selling the Mega City electric city car, and the Multi Truck II, a delivery van designed for London businesses, they are now also the London dealer for the much awaited Vectrix – a high performance electric scooter which our correspondents have previously drooled over here and here. We are guessing this is a pretty new arrangement, as no prices for the Vectrix are up on the NICE site yet, but they are unlikely to be cheap....
The 1914 Galt Prius
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.30.07
For everyone who thinks hybrids are new, we offer the Galt Gas Electric, built in Galt, Ontario (now merged into Cambridge ON, home of one of Toyota's biggest plants). This was, according to the Globe, "a masterpiece of engineering." It had a twin-cylinder, 10-hp, two-stroke engine that ran on gasoline and kerosene at a steady 800 rpm. This drove a Westinghouse generator that produced 40 volts and 90 amps. The electricity generated was stored in four batteries located in running-board boxes. It had no transmission, but a single control lever provided five forward speeds — up to a maximum of 50 km/h — and three in reverse. The lightweight Galt was reputed to be capable of achieving fuel economy of about 4.0 litres/100 km (60 MPG- hey, thats good for a two grand rebate!) and to be able to travel about 30 km on battery power alone.
Toyota should tool around the block and pick up the rights- the Fleming Gray company is still operating there, although they are now making hockey skate sharpening equipment instead of cars. More in ::Globe and Mail
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Daimler Chrysler's Plug In Sprint Hybrid Van Test
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 03.30.07
Via Planet Ark: "Daimler-Chrysler said it would produce a "test-fleet" of up to 20 plug-in hybrid versions of its 2007 Dodge Sprinter in order to evaluate the performance of the electric vehicles in real-world driving conditions...DaimlerChrysler said it would combine the rechargeable battery on the Dodge Sprinter with a diesel engine for a bigger gain in fuel economy, saying that would be the first real-world test of that technology." As pictured, the Sprinter is a commercial vehicle with high top suitable for side racks, standing up, etc. Miscellaneous items: there is always an after-market for "conversion" of commercial vans for recreational travel - that could lead to the first hybrid RV; we have no idea if the Sprinter implements regenerative braking; and, Chrysler the company is up for sale, which, when transacted, will surely lead to pressures to reduce costs. Will the test lead to commercial production? Image credit: Dodge....
The 100MPG Naro Car On Display
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 03.29.07
The Naro Car is a slim vehicle that operates a bit like a motorcycle, with a banking action to prevent it from tipping over. The car is designed for city use as a personal commuter, a taxi or a delivery vehicle. It is intended to return over 100 miles per gallon from a 4-valve gasoline engine (too bad it's not an electric vehicle). The Naro will be on display next week at the AFVI (Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute) show in Anaheim, California....
SmartPower’s Clean Energy Ad Challenge; Win $10,000
by Celine Ruben-Salama, New York, NY on 03.29.07
“Clean energy. It’s real. It’s here. It’s working.” So says SmartPower, a nationwide, non-profit marketing campaign that promotes clean energy. Issued in 2003 their 20% by 2010 challenge aims to have 20% of the US energy supply come from clean, renewable sources by 2010. SmartPower focuses on communicating the overall quality and dependability of clean energy to a mainstream audience thus building a robust clean energy market by stimulating demand for clean energy in new market segments. Their approach seems to be working; in 2004, SmartPower and collaborators created demand for over 100 gigawatt-hours (GWH) of clean energy in Connecticut!
The group uses a mix of traditional and viral marketing methods and works in close collaboration with cities and towns, faith communities, educational institutions and businesses to spread their message. Right now, they need your help! Become the winner of $10,000 by participating in their Clean Energy Ad Challenge a YouTube video contest. More below the fold…...
Using Maple Syrup To Make Bioplastics
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 03.29.07
Researchers in Canada have discovered that maple syrup may aid in the production of bioplastic. It turns out that a form of bacteria called alcaligenes latus has a sweet tooth, and behaves particularly ravenously when exposed to maple sap and syrup. Researchers found that the bacteria not only thrive when added to maple syrup, but also transform the sugars in the sap into a family of natural polymers that can be used to make plastic-like materials that are biodegradable – everything from "green" food packaging to drug-delivery films that dissolve harmlessly in the body.
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Coal Mining Returns to UK
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK on 03.29.07
South Wales is seeing a resurgence in deep coal mining. A mine in Cwmgwrach is taking on 60 workers, and a nearby mine at Aberpergwm will soon be ready to take on 200 more. These mines, and others like them, are restarting production following an almost total slump since the 1970's.
Mine chairman, Gerwyn Williams, says; "In seven or eight years a lot of things have changed. The price of coal has gone up and Europe is faced with an energy gap. We don't think that renewables are going to meet the gap that we've got, so everybody will come back to coal."
Increasing demand for power, and new applications for coal are increasing demand, but it does feel like a step backward. Those Welsh hills would be a lovely spot for a nice wind farm.
See also: ::Tim Flannery on Coal, ::Book Review: Big Coal - The Dirty Secret Behind America's Energy Future...
Absent "Blue Skies," Beijing's Air Now Officially "Hazy"
by Alex Pasternack, Beijing, China on 03.29.07
Beijing has issued daily pollution reports since 1999, but weather reports always called the grey or yellow layer of particulates that often covers the city wu, or "fog." Starting this month, they've given the stuff a slightly more accurate name: mai, meaning "haze." Whatever they want to call the airborne product of power plants, construction sites and cars (the word for "smog" is fog + haze, wumai) the government says its making some progress on reducing it: last year, the city claimed 241 "blue sky days" last year, which was three more than its target and 141 more than in 1998. But even that term is a bit foggy, since blue sky days include days of moderate pollution; and anyway, the number of days with severe haze increased. The director of Beijing's environmental bureau recently stated that adding more "blue sky days" would be "very difficult." And last year, the government admitted, it failed to meet its 2 percent emission reduction targets last year: SO2 emissions rose 1.8 percent higher than the previous year, while Chemical Oxygen Demand, a water pollution index, gained 1.2 percent. How many more euphemisms can there be?...
Convenient Truths: Sheryl Crow Touring for Climate Change Solutions
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 03.29.07
Celebrities are certainly doing their part to spread the word on the climate crisis; now, musician Sheryl Crow is contributing to the effort with an 11-date tour of college campuses. Crow and StopGlobalWarming.org founder (and Convenient Truths judge) Laurie David will combine their talents with a program of information and music meant to encourage college students to get active, and do their part in the fight against climate change. The tour will begin on April 9th with a show at Dallas' Southern Methodist University, and conclude on Earth Day (April 22nd) at Washington, D.C.'s George Washington University. Along the way, students will see a full program: a 90-minute presentation by David, music from Crow, clips from An Inconvenient Truth, comedy, and a dialogue with audience members. To keep its own carbon footprint down, the tour buses will run on biodiesel....
Building Green: Energy Efficiency and Aesthetics From The Same Materials (Part 9)
by Ted Owens, New Mexico, USA on 03.29.07
Depending on the area that you live in and the local building codes, the straw bale walls can either support the roof directly (load bearing) or the roof can be supported by a post-and-beam structure. There are many ways to construct a straw bale or green home. I chose a post-and-beam structure because it was required by code in this area. The advantage of this approach is that the roof can be completed before the straw bales are stacked. This will help to protect the bales from rain during construction. The advantage of a load-bearing straw bale wall is that the vertical posts are eliminated from the construction process, thus saving some wood.
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Green History Song Loop
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 03.29.07
Some of you may recall summer of 1983, when Wayne Newton replaced the Beach Boys at the White House Fourth of July party, after US Interior Secretary James Watt reportedly deemed the band unsuitable. Ancient history right? Actually the circumstances then seem, in retrospect, oddly reminiscent of those surrounding this contemporary story. Via LA Times:- "Promoters of "Live Earth" — which they describe as "a 24-hour concert on 7/7/07 across all 7 continents" — wanted to use Washington's National Mall as the North American venue. When the Interior Department rejected the proposal, questioning whether planners could get enough portable toilets for the expected crowd, the promoters turned to Congress. In partnership with Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection, "Live Earth" organizers sought a congressional resolution allowing them to hold the concert...on the steps of the Capitol." That's where the plans changed. ""While it's unfortunate for the American people that we are being blocked from staging the U.S. concert in our nation's capital, the show must go on," Chad Griffin, a "Live Earth" advisor, wrote in an e-mail to supporters on Capitol Hill." What happened? See the whole Inhofe, er. the whole article here. Image credit: Beach Boys Band...
Etheco Offers to Pay You to Go Green
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 03.29.07
A frequent complaint TreeHugger hears from people who are considering purchasing green products and services is that they're more expensive than their conventional counterparts, and it's often the case. Things like food, furniture, transportation and even utility service that consider the planet's well-being generally cost more, for a variety of reasons. In an attempt to turn the tables on this phenomenon, ethical and green-living website Etheco (whom we've mentioned before) has partnered up with UK Power to pay consumers in the UK to go green. That's right; in exchange for switching to a greener electricity supplier, they'll give you the £11 commission they would ordinarily receive for helping broker the deal. Says Jason Hollingsworth, a founder of Etheco, "We’ve developed this tool to help combat the greenwash used by some companies to sell, what amount to nothing more than highly compromised and confusing products...We are all for an open source approach to ethical living and green energy in particular, the more informed the consumer is and the easier it is to make the right choice, and the more people who make that choice, the happier we are. If this means we have to pay everyone in Britain to switch, then we will." Learn more about the initiative and make the switch at their website and read the full release after the jump. ::Etheco ...
Biodegradable Sports Car Debuts
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 03.29.07
Students at Warwick University in England have built a car out of biodegradable materials. The tires are made out of potatoes, the brake pads composed of cashew nut shells, and the body of the car is hemp. The car, which runs on bio-fuels, and bio-lubricants, has a top speed of 125 mph. ...
Sundance Channel Launches The GREEN Minisite
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 03.29.07
In preparation for the debut of The GREEN presented by Robert Redford, the first block of dedicated all-green programming coming to a television near you April 17, our friends over at the Sundance Channel have launched The GREEN minisite. Designed to support and enrich the television programming, the site will present multimedia content focusing on our planet's ecology and concepts of green living that balance our needs as humans with responsible use and care of the planet. Designed for both education and entertainment, both television and minisite programming will emphasize information, practical advice and community building, and it looks like it's going to be great. TreeHugger's own Simran Sethi (who's also on The GREEN advisory board) will be co-hosting the television programming with Majora Carter (watch a great video of her speaking at TED2006 here), and we're excited to see what their take on green TV looks like. Stay tuned for more from Sundance Channel in the coming weeks, and click on over to the TreeHugger Blog at sundancechannel.com for more. ::The GREEN minisite...
Getting It Right Before It’s Too Late
by Ron Dembo, Zerofootprint on 03.29.07
No one can have failed to notice the shift in public perception of climate change in the past few months: the scientific debate, dangerously prolonged, is truly over. But this is not in itself a victory for those who are struggling to avert planetary disaster (as I’m sure most readers are well aware). Before there is anything to celebrate, we’ll have to take that momentum and turn it into action.
Right now, action is often something we talk about in very general terms. We want to “do the right thing,” or “take our responsibility seriously,” or “go green.” But what all this means is not always clear. I don’t mean to unfairly accuse anyone of greenwashing. But I think it is safe to say we’re not all pulling at the same oars, both as businesses and as individuals. And that’s probably natural. Consensus is just emerging now.
That makes this a threshold in human history. This may sound like Hollywood melodrama, but the inescapable fact is that the decisions we make right now will have a disproportionate effect on future generations. In other words, it is a time when leadership will bear immense rewards.
For this reason, I was very proud to take part last week in a conference that brought together some real leaders. Some were household names. Federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion, Toronto Mayor David Miller, former Prime Minister Joe Clark all spoke passionately about leadership and the environment. I took the stage immediately after it was vacated by a man named Al Gore. (I have to say, speaking after Mr. Gore teaches humility.)...
Home Lighting and Mercury
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK on 03.29.07
We've known for some time that energy saving bulbs contain mercury; it's essential to how they produce light. However, the manufacturers have previously explained that the energy saved results in less mercury output from power stations. This saving is more than enough to offset the problem, so it was a step in the right direction.
Unfortunately, new research shows that the mercury released when an energy saving bulb is disposed of is in a form more able to enter the food chain than that released by power stations....
Greening the Almighty Yuan: Consumer Choice Comes To China!
by Rachel Wasser, Beijing, China on 03.29.07
You’re reading TreeHugger, so you know that the green in your wallet can be leveraged for a greener globe. Eco-consumption, though something of a contradiction in terms, is an idea, a movement, and finally a market with deep roots in the Western world. (These are our roots, treehuggers!) Now, with consumption rapidly rising in China, the awesome power of consumer choice is finding its way to the Middle Kingdom’s expanding middle class. “The conditions are ripe for consumers to support [green consumption in China],” says Ma Jun, a prominent Chinese environmental activist. “They have multiple options and the government is very open on the provision of environmental information.”
Last week, just in time for World Water Day, a coalition of 21 Chinese environmental groups called on consumers to pressure polluters using their purchasing power. The campaign, dubbed Green Choice (not to be confused with this Green Choice, which we’ll be covering soon), has made use of the government’s provision of environmental information to produce a blacklist of companies cited for violating environmental laws. So who’s made it onto the Great Wall of Shame? Nearly 5000 Chinese companies and over 50 multinationals, including American-Standard, Dupont, Nestle, Panasonic, and PepsiCo. Much more post-jump....
Ask TreeHugger: Black Clouds and Air Conditioners
by Helen Suh MacIntosh, Cambridge, MA, USA on 03.29.07
Question: Our air-conditioner has begun emitting black, soot-like particles when we turn it on. We've tried cleaning the filter but it continues. Are these particles dangerous? Does this mean that we need a new air conditioner? Also, how do you know if an air-conditioner is leaking freon?
Response: Window air conditioners contain rubber gaskets that can become brittle after many years of use. As a result, the rubber gaskets can eventually break apart into tiny pieces that can then be blown out of the air conditioner. If your air conditioner is more than several years old, the black dust is probably these little pieces of gasket that are blown from your air conditioner.
These gasket pieces are probably not dangerous. Since you can see the specks of the gasket, the gasket pieces are too big for you to breathe them into your lungs. It is possible that little gasket pieces can get into your body if they get blown on your food or if they get on your hands and you happen to eat them by mistake. But, eating these gasket pieces by accident are unlikely to be cause you any harm. ...
Sngle Fmly Dtched 56' mstr 35,440 SF Cleveland
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.29.07
Seth recently said that zero was the new black, we say less is the new more, but clearly the message has not reached Cleveland, where some guy named LeBron James is building a 35,440 square foot house complete with a theater, bowling alley, casino and barber shop. Oh, and a recording studio, aquarium and a sports bar. The master suite has a two storey tall walk in closet and is forty feet wide and fifty-six feet long. According to the Akron Beacon Journal:
'A place like this does not have a ``dining room.'' It has a dining hall (roughly 27 by 27). It not only has a ``great room'' (34 by 37), but a bigger, two-story ``grand room.'' The ``family foyer'' off the six-car garage -- near the elevator -- is inconsequential compared to the ``grand foyer'' inside the front entrance, complete with a sweeping, divided staircase leading up to four second-story bedrooms.'
Most of the Akron commenters think that it just great that he has stayed in his home town, and think that he can spend his megabucks any way he wants. Many TreeHugger commenters get mad at me when I complain about rich people enjoying themselves. But surely in this day and age there is a happy medium between comfort and a house with a carbon footprint the size of Ohio. ::Akron Beacon Journal...
Water Outta Thick Air: The Whisson Windmill
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 03.29.07
Yep, it is another one of those wacky inventions that will send droves to the comments section to decree it is doomed to failure. But at least its Australian inventor is optimistic enough to be taking out international patents on the design. Max Whisson’s apparatus draws air [62] in past a fan [10], whose blades are cooled by the overlay of tubes carrying compressed refrigerant [right image]. The blades thus being colder than the ambient air temperature cause water vapour in the surrounding air to condense on the fins [52] beyond the spinning blades. This liquid water is then collected [56]. Max, a retired medical specialist believes a four-metre square (43 sq ft) device could extract an average 7,500 litres (~2,000 gallons) of water a day. According to one news report, he says there are about 10 to 15 litres in every 1000 cubic metres of air, or as he adds: "An average-sized window with a gentle breeze flowing through it will produce a million cubic metres of air every hour.” Max was, apparently, inspired by fog harvesting and the Namib beetle, both of which we’ve covered previously. Via ::The Australian, ABC Online and IOL....
Stella McCartney's New Skin "Care" Line
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 03.29.07
We know that designer Stella McCartney is very eco-minded and it is apparent with each new venture. TreeHugger has covered her in the past from her vegan boots to her Pampering perfume. Now we’re bringing you the latest on Ms. McCartney and her new skin care line called Care. The line, launched this month at Sephora, “caters to those who’d say ‘never’" and is inspired by Ms. McCartney’s own personal philosophies. Care contains no endangered plants, genetically modified ingredients, petrochemicals, paraben preservatives or synthetic fragrances. In addition, it contains 100% certified organic active ingredients. Although it does seem to be on the expensive side, it is comparable to other luxurious skin care products and combines ultimate pampering and nature. Via ::Body + Soul and ::Hugg ::Sephora ...
TreeHugger Radio: A Conversation with Ed Begley Jr.
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 03.29.07
This week on TreeHugger Radio, Simran Sethi talks with actor and eco-advocate Ed Begley Jr., a man who not only walks the walk, but drives and bikes it as well. Mr. Begley’s life has most recently been chronicled on Living With Ed, a reality TV show that goes inside his home to see what makes this green machine tick. Ed is also a final judge in TreeHugger’s Convenient Truths user-submitted video contest. Listen to TreeHugger Radio each week on Air America’s EcoTalk, here on TreeHugger.com, or pick up the podcast on iTunes. (listen/right click to download) ::TreeHugger Radio ...
Space Invaders: New Objects for Small Spaces
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.29.07
This month's Metropolis Magazine covers design for small spaces: "As urban dwellers are confined to increasingly compact quarters, there is greater demand for space-saving innovations in the home. Storage solutions and efficiency appliances are two ways to make the most of small square footage." Some, like the Ecopod Recycling Unit, the Columbo designed Boffi Minikitchen and the Sheer Kitchen have been seen here before; others are wall and storage systems that are not particularly unique to small spaces; others are very cool, like a fascinating "dining desk from Poggenpohl or the Belatto Action Wardrobe that also can act as a room divider. The new Bosch fridge fits in 24 inches and has a vacation button to reduce energy usage (and even a Sabbath Switch for orthodox jews!), Remember, Small Fridges make Good Cities! Worth looking at in ::Metropolis...
Carbon Planet: A Transparent Carbon Offsetter?
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 03.29.07
At our back-of-house email meetings TreeHugger’s writers have been debating the merits of various carbon offset schemes. One of the reoccurring themes to surface was that of transparency, of where the money was going. Particularly as most such offset companies seem a little coy about this aspect. So it came as a bit of a surprise when digging around Carbon Planet’s website to learn they were remarkably very frank on this point. “People sometimes question Carbon Planet's margin (which is currently running at thirty percent). Why, they ask, should they purchase carbon credits when Carbon Planet is taking ‘so much’.” They go on to say, ”We choose to publish where the money you pay goes because we are committed to transparency and because we want to allay fears of new potential customers that the wholesale price of carbon credits is vastly less (e.g. 1%) than our retail price. However, we do not expect to be criticised for margins of the order of thirty percent. First, the thirty percent is a gross margin, not a profit margin. From that thirty percent we must run Carbon Planet — sales, marketing, web site, supply, the lot, and at this stage the profit is very much smaller than thirty percent.” Elsewhere on the site they even go to the trouble of telling you who they bank with, and which brand of computer they use. Much more on their business model can be found at . ::Carbon Planet’ Philosophy FAQ....