- 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 September 9, 2007 - September 15, 2007
Total this week: 233
Fall Fashion 07: Stewart + Brown
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.15.07
While putting together its Fall 2007 collection, Stewart + Brown revisited the sepia-toned romance of early 20th century locomotive travel—trains careening noisily down the rails past lush, picturesque scenery, while elegantly dressed passengers sipped from delicate bone-china teacups.
Mongolian cashmere, organic cotton, merino wool, and surplus fabrics are cut into soft, feminine sweaters and loose, diaphanous dresses. Endless layering and matching options await for adventure seekers. More designs below the fold. ::Stewart + Brown...
Is 'Green Limousines' an Oxymoron?
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK on 09.15.07
Luxury car maker, Bentley, want to create a greener range of cars in order to get closer to tighter proposed EU limits on emissions. The head of the company, Franz-Josef Paefgen, said, "We are currently forming a view on the matter, for instance by talking to politicians in England. And when the view is complete, we will decide in spring 2008 what to do."
However, whatever measures the manufacturer takes, don’t get your hopes up - they won't be drastic. Paefgen went on to say that no one should expect the car maker to release a small, three-litre car - which would still be an enormous car by other manufacturer’s standards....
Building Green and Local in Cuba
by Eliza Barclay, Nomad on 09.15.07
The Building and Social Housing Foundation this year chose a pioneering project in Cuba as a winner of its World Habitat Awards, which honor practical and innovative solutions to current housing needs and problems with a £10,000 prize. The project, entitled "Ecomaterials in Social Housing Projects," seeks to to make building materials more affordable and accessible to local people using resources with low embodied energy, often through recycling wastes.
...
The World's 10 Most Polluted Places
by Eliza Barclay, Nomad on 09.15.07
The Blacksmith Institute, an NGO that works to solve pollution problems in the developing world, has released its second annual list of the World's Most Polluted Places. This year's list includes two sites each in China, India and Russia, and one site in Azerbaijan, Peru, Zambia and Ukraine. Many of the sites' pollution comes from mining of heavy metals like lead and chromium; all of the sites pose serious threats to human health and the environment.
In La Oroya, Peru, for example, 99% of children living near the local heavy metal mining and processing industries have blood lead levels that exceed acceptable limits, according to studies carried out by the Director General of Environmental Health in Peru.
The individual cases are grim, but Blacksmith tempers the news with its Success Stories, which demonstrate how pressure to clean up pollution can yield great results. In recent years, Blacksmith has successfully precipitated the closings of lead smelters and the banning of leaded gasoline, and funded soil remediation, pesticide removal and water treatment plants in dozens of countries around the world. We applaud Blacksmith's great work, and hope this year's most polluted places see extensive clean-up in the coming months....
Sustainable Brands ’07 Conference: In New Orleans
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.15.07
Here's another great example of US corporate engagement with sustainability. Logos are from some of the leaders. Lets hope the conference creates a great many more followers.
"The countdown to Sustainable Brands ’07 continues, as more and more big brands and new green brands alike make plans to gather in New Orleans September 26-28 to support the rebuilding of New Orleans, honor the reality of corporate contribution to climate change and discuss rapidly emerging best practices associated with turning environmental and social responsibility into a new driver of brand value."...
Quote of the Day: Amy Jaffe on Alternative Energy
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.15.07
Photo credit: fieldsphotos
I really think it has to be a national initiative. There are groups of people who have called from an Apollo-style national initiative in science, [an effort that is going to take decades]. And so it's really important to start focusing on the science today.
[We won't see any real progress] until we have a real direction. You're going to spend a billion dollars a year for ten years, just on fundamental science because the kinds of technologies that are here with us today are technologies that require huge breakthroughs, especially in storage technologies....
Corporate Climate Response Conference: In Chicago
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.15.07
We see increasing evidence that US corporations are taking climate change seriously. Here's an example. There might still be enough time to register for Corporate Climate Response, which takes place September 25th and 26th at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown Chicago. (The following is quoted from a recent email promotion.)
"Twenty top companies will share their climate change and sustainability strategies at this unprecedented gathering. Caterpillar, Ford, BP America, Abbott, Time Inc, Motorola, Walgreens, Anheuser-Busch, Wal-mart, Dow, McDonalds, IBM, AIG, Excelon, Intel and Baxter Healthcare are among those presenting. Over 200 sustainability professionals have already signed up for this unique green networking opportunity.
The content covers all the fundamentals of climate change strategy: Over the course of the two days, well be discussing carbon footprint and life-cycle analysis, energy efficiency, waste management, fleet management, green power and RECs, carbon offsetting, emissions trading, engaging the public, and more.
"If we are to truly address climate change and other environmental issues we must have everyone at the table,"said Mayor Richard M. Daley. "This gathering of some of largest companies in the world is definitely a step in the right direction.""
We hope the attendees all read their TreeHugger briefing links on Chicago. Plenty of good examples!
Conference brochure is here. Registration directly here, with prices quoted. ...
Majority of American Public Opposes Mountaintop Removal
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 09.15.07
It turns out it's not just us TreeHuggers who vehemently oppose the Bush administration's proposed expansion of mountaintop coal mining: according to a new survey by the Opinion Research Corporation, fully 2 out of 3 Americans disagree with its plans "to ease environmental regulations to permit wider use of 'mountain top removal' coal mining in the U.S."
"The lack of public support -- regardless of political views - for mountain top removal coal mining is one of the most striking results of this survey. Only about four in 10 self-identified Republicans support the proposed Bush Administration rule. The softness of this GOP support is evident in that two out of three Republicans -- 65 percent -- favor more energy conservation as a first step before more MTR coal mining is permitted. While Democrats may have a more predictable profile on this issue, it is worth nothing that Independents are about 50 percent less likely than Republicans to support the rule and far more likely to embrace increased energy conservation as a more palatable alternative," said ORC Senior Researcher Graham Rueber....
This Water Purifier is a Real "Life Saver"
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 09.15.07
Inspired after watching the coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 hurricane that devastated parts of Southeast Asia, Michael Pritchard - a businessman who runs a water treatment plant in Ipswich, U.K. - invented a highly effective water purifying bottle. The "Life Saver," which can purify 4,000 - 6,000 liters with one filter, could potentially revolutionize the way fresh water is distributed to disaster areas and has already become a hot seller amongst military chiefs eager to provide better drinking water to their soldiers.
Unlike most typical filters, which can eliminate bacteria but not viruses (which measure about 25 nanometers in length), Pritchard's bottle cuts them out and can even cut out faecal matter, thanks to a filter that takes out anything above 15 nanometers. Earlier this summer a prototype of the "Life Saver" was awarded the "Best Technological Development" at a Soldier Technology conference.
Let's hope this bottle also makes it into the hands of the millions who live in deplorable conditions in developing countries. Paging the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation...
Via ::The Daily Telegraph: Bottle makes dirty water drinkable (newspaper)
See also: ::Stefani Water Purifiers: an Alternative to Plastic, ::Could Nanotechnology Help Purify Your Water?...
Aaron Chang: recycled fashion swimsuits
by Kristin Underwood, San Diego, CA on 09.15.07
Another great find at the Action Sports Retailers (ASR) Trade Show 2007 is the new line from Aaron Chang. These are the first fashion swimsuits to incorporate environmental materials and they look great.
What is Aarong Chang and how did he get involved in developing womens swimwear? Well-known in the photography world, his work has appeared on over 100 covers, on coffee table books, on countless ads for companies like, Nike, Yamaha, Polaris and Levis. As an avid and legendary surfer, nature has always been in the forefront of his mind and he had a desire to incorporate his personal values with his professional work. According to Aaron, “I would like to convey through photographs a sense of wonder with the amazing design and architecture of life.”...
Murphy Oil Seeking Nearly 700% Wisconsin Refinery Capacity Expansion - The Coming Texification Of The Upper Midwest
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.15.07
Who could forget the BP Lake Michigan discharge controversy. Looks like Alberta Tar Sands extracted crude oil will be refined in the Lake Superior watershed as well.
"Arkansas-based Murphy Oil Corp. has been meeting with environmental regulators from the State of Wisconsin and the federal government to find out what permits it would need to launch its own $6 billion refinery expansion in the lakeside city of Superior. City officials claim the upgrade would boost refinery capacity from 35,000 barrels a day to 235,000."...
Retro-Progressivism: The View from the Onion
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.15.07
UK Conservatives Issued Strong Green Challenge From Within
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 09.15.07
The UK’s Conservative Party hasn’t always put green at the core of its agenda – even fairly recently it has been challenging proposals for pay-as-you-throw garbage disposal, despite evidence from mainland Europe that such schemes can dramatically increase recycling. Nevertheless, party leader David Cameron has been making increasingly green noises, and he has even been seen sporting a pair of Worn Agains. While these may be encouraging signs, the real proof will be in the party’s policies. Now Cameron has been faced with a significant challenge from within his own party, as The Guardian reports:
The quality of life policy review, which was widely leaked in advance, set out plans for a moratorium on airport expansion and higher taxes on short-haul flights and gas-guzzling cars - but the authors sought to reassure the party faithful that it did not represent a break with Tory tradition. The group's chairman, John Gummer, compared the changes it was proposing to past initiatives by "Shaftesbury, Disraeli and Wilberforce". "I see no contradictions between greenness and economic issues," said Mr Gummer, the former environment secretary. "It's basically Conservative. We are about giving to the next generation something better than we've received ourselves."...
Prototype of the Smart? The Micro-car Circa 1924
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 09.15.07
There really is nothing new under the sun. It seems that unusually small cars were around, even back in the early days of the horseless carriage. We wander if the on-going safety debate, seen so often on the pages of TreeHugger (here and here, for example), was also an issue back then. ::Shorpy::via site visit::
...
Eurobike Awards 2007 - Green Machines
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 09.15.07
You can hardly say "bikes" and "design" in the same sentence without finding something green behind the discussion. That is why we wait with great anticipation each year to learn the winners of the annual Eurobike Awards. This year, 269 entries from 27 lands made going tough for the judges at the Eurobike International Bike Conference.
Top honors went to the GreenMachine, a recumbent from a small dutch company, Flevobike. This is the all-round, maintenance free bike you've been looking for. The drive train is completely enclosed, to keep your suit greaseless and your chains mud-free. A Rohloff hub ensures years of shifting with ease, under load or at a standstill. Fitted out with bags and carriers, the GreenMachine is a mean touring machine (see photos over the fold). Although we can't see quite how, the manufacturers also claim simple and user-friendly disassembly and compact stowaway. We'll be looking this one up in person to check it out. Dealers are in the Netherlands, Belgium, Danemark, Germany, Scotland, and Switzerland....
Face Off: Our Sunblock & Sunscreen Picks
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.14.07
1. Sunblock Vs. Sunscreen
Slathering yourself with sunscreen isn't the same thing as applying sunblock, a popular misconception surrounding sun protection. The key difference is how they work. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sunscreens are chemicals that shield your skin by absorbing and/or reflecting both long- and short-wave ultraviolet rays from the sun, known as UVA and UVB, respectively.
Sunblock, on the other hand, is made of physical or inorganic ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, that physically deflect harmful UV rays, daily exposure of which could cause wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer....
TH Forums Highlights: Edible Yards, Air-Cleansing House Plants + More
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 09.14.07
 | 1) "Is 'hyperlocal' the new organic?" wonders Forums user OG, in relation to the topic of edible yards. Who grows their own? Who wants one? Who doesn't? "What can they do to contribute to sustainability? What are their drawbacks? Can we be food self-sufficient within a city's borders? Discuss." |
 | 2) User charityjunebug has a question about house plants: "I want to improve the air quality in my apartment, so I went to a local nursery and pretty much walked out after 2 minutes. I have no clue what I am doing, and it seems like a lot of the plants were meant to be re-potted and left outdoors (?) Does anyone have any suggestions about a good house plant?" Spider plants, English ivy and the peace lily have all been recommended...anyone else? |
 | 3) Lastly, Forums user practica is advocating that we all aim to make our dwellings a bit more sustainable. "Here in Minnesota we have lots of granite and limestone - so why did my neighbors send to the South for marble countertops for their bathroom? Why did my cousin insist on some pretty blue stone from France? We need to change policies, but we also need to change our daily lives. And if we each move one pebble, we can dig our way out of this mess." |
Picture of the Day: Northwest Passage
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.14.07
I had to rotate the picture from the original source to accomodate my world view, but there it is, the northwest passage, clear from end to end. I have read of Nansen drifting in the ice, and Amundsun spending two years to get through here, and now it is something that recreational sailors are doing. Unbelievable. ::Livescience...
International Team Of Scientists To Test South Atlantic Carbon Sink In 2009
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 09.14.07
In an attempt to test the possibility of mitigating the effects of global warming, scientists from India, Germany, Italy and Chile plan on “sinking” carbon emissions into the Scotia Sea, off the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Atlantic, during January to March 2009.
By depositing 20 tonnes of non-toxic iron sulfate into a 1,000 square kilometre area of the sea, it is hoped that the iron particles will create fertile conditions for the explosive growth of phytoplankton or algae and microorganisms that will soak up carbon dioxide....
Blissen's 2008 Hidden Habitats Calendar
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.14.07
West coast artists Jill Bliss and Saelee Oh have tag-teamed to bring us 13 luscious months of nature's magical, undiscovered places in all their whimsical, illustrated glory.
Each 2008 calendar ($15), which measures 9.5” x 11” open, is printed in full color with vegetable-based inks on 100 percent recycled (50 percent post-consumer waste) paper, processed chlorine-free. ::Blissen...
The Travelpod: Prefab Mobile Hotel Room
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.14.07
Here is an idea for your next trip to Burning Man or Glastonbury: why get wet and muddy with the riffraff when you can see the show from your mobile Travelodge hotel room? It has all the accoutrements of their standard room, including a luxury double bed, bedside lights, duvet, pillows, fully carpeted floor, window blinds, dressing table & light, mirror, chair, flat screen TV, DVD player with a collection of DVD's, air conditioning, heater, bedside lights and a illuminated headboard, tea / coffee making facilities, washroom with bio-degradable toilet and washbasin with running water.
All in a polycarbonate box twenty feet long by eight wide, with great views if a bit deficient in privacy, and for only 26 quid (about a hundred bucks, the way the American dollar is going these days). Travelodge is having a contest, closing on the 30th where you can win a free night. ...
Wretched Excess Dept.: The View from the Onion
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.14.07
Organic Watchdog Group Takes on Aurora Organic Dairy, USDA
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.14.07
Photo credit: cookingupastory
Oh what a tangled web the organic industry can weave. Way back in 2005 and 2006, Wisconsin-based organic watchdog group, The Cornucopia Institute, filed complaints that the Platteville, Colo. farm owned by Aurora Organic Dairy, one of the largest organic milk and butter producers, confined thousands of organic cows in factory-like feedlots, instead of grazing them on pasture land as federal organic regulations require.
Then in August, the USDA announced that its investigators had found Aurora in "willful violation" of 14 provisions of the regulations of Organic Food Production Act, including failing to provide its herd with access to pasture, introducing conventional dairy cows into organic milk product too quickly, not keeping proper records about how its cows were raised, and buying non-organic bedding....
Recycled Ceramics and Dishware from Sarah Cihat
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 09.14.07
Brooklyn-based designer Sarah Cihat scours garage sales and thrift shops, looking for ceramics that she can give a second life to. She takes the discarded dishware and reglazes it, turning old and frumpy cast-offs into fun, funky, artful dishes. Fond of the silhouette, most of her work features animals, people and things like anchors and skull-n-crossbones in colorful contrast the ceramics' new glaze; says the designer, "Each piece represents a rejection of more brand new products filling shelves and storage closets. Rehabilitated Dishware is a subtle statement of the importance of recycling and the renewed value of unwanted things."
Her work is available from a list of stockists from New York to Los Angeles, and via Rose and Radish online. Hit the jump for more pics from her gorgeous new collection. ::Sarah Cihat via ::design*sponge...
Absolut Downloads Judges: Josh Rubin
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.14.07
With digital designs we decide what we want from the best in the world, not what Mr. Store Manager picks out. The Long Tail is at our fingertips as we cruise from Korea to Kansas for the design that suits our taste.We have asked designers to provide examples of their work for you to download and build in our demonstration of a downloadable world, but we are also inviting the public to submit their designs as well; who knows what is out there. (Instructions here) But wait, there's more: we are putting together a talented jury to pick the best of the submitted design, which will be manufactured, so that so that you have a professionally built prototype that you can sell online to others, or just enjoy. ...
Simple Living Manifesto: Simple Can Be Green, Too
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 09.14.07
swissmiss points us to the Simple Living Manifesto, a list of 72 ways to simplify your life. Not surprisingly, this list is full of some good green tips as well. Some favorites:
9. Purge your stuff.
11. Edit your rooms.
13. Simplify your wardrobe.
17. Limit your buying habits.
32. Make your house minimalist.
34. Consider a smaller home.
35. Consider a smaller car.
36. Learn what "enough" is.
44. Try living without a car.
71. Live closer to work.
::Simple Living Manifesto via ::swissmiss...
TreeHugger Radio: Greenland’s Bounce-back, Norway’s Organic Prison, and Seattle’s Goats
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 09.14.07
This week, Jasmin Malik Chua looks at how Greenland’s melting glaciers are causing bedrock bounce-back, and what this means for earthquakes and volcanoes on the top of the world. Stan Cox tells how the go-go housing boom left America with an extra large serving of McMansions; and how the green home alternative isn’t necessarily any better. In Norway, they’ve got a green prison where inmates recycle and eat organic. And in Seattle, councilman Richard Conlin is about to win a fight that will let his citizens keep miniature goats, and all the sustainable perks that come along with them. Listen to TreeHugger Radio on iTunes or listen/right click to download. ::TreeHugger Radio (TreeHugger Radio is written and produced by Jacob Gordon and hosted by Simran Sethi). ...
Razing Buffalo: Why is This Happening?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.14.07
When I was in high school, we used to race to Buffalo on double lunches. It had everything: great art deco buildings, great shopping and terrific wings. It also has a great location on the biggest source of fresh water in the world, Niagara Falls for cheap green power, and a canal straight to New York City. It has the infrastructure we need to support the people who will no longer live in Phoenix because of the heat and the cost of fuel. As John asks, How Long Until The Rust Belt Becomes The Life Belt?
Yet so much has changed. The New York Times says that "today, in this city beaten down by decades of factory closings and residential exodus, the razing of thousands of vacant houses is being touted as a sign of progress....
Pull the Plug on Vampire Power For Good with GreenSwitch
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 09.14.07
For all you phantom load haters, vampire power fighters and idle current killers: check out GreenSwitch, a new wireless home energy control system. With the flick of a switch, you can turn off all the electronics in your home that aren't being used, effectively cutting off all standby power from your TV, stereo, lights and other devices that draw power whether or not they're actually switched on (somewhat reminiscent of this concept). Originally developed for the hotel industry, GreenSwitch has crossed over to the residential market, and it gets the "Ed Begley Seal of Approval," appearing on his TV show, Living with Ed, earlier this week.
The GreenSwitch people say that it has saved some of their hotel users 25% to 45% in energy costs, making the payback period pretty reasonable (less than two years). Anything we can do to put a stake through the heart of vampire power is a good thing, for sure. The full release is below the fold. ::GreenSwitch...
Aging U.S. Sewers Ready to Burst
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.14.07
Recent flooding in the Midwest has dredged up yet another crisis involving nation's aging infrastructure: Heavy rains are regularly overwhelming worn-out sewer systems—some cities have sewage pipes that are 50 to 100 years old—resulting in sewage overflow and, causing lake and river pollution, and generally being very very unsanitary (to say the least).
Roughly 860 billion gallons of raw or partially treated sewage are pumped by already overtaxed sewer systems into America's waterways, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The problem of aging sewers is only going to grow bigger as federal funding for repairs has fallen, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers....
Warren Buffett's Jet Company Makes Carbon Offseting Mandatory
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 09.14.07
While this isn't likely to make a lick of difference to you or us, it should garner the attention of those eco-celebs who still do quite a bit of flying to promote their initiatives. NetJets, the jet company owned by Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, has just announced that from now on it plans on incorporating the costs of carbon offsetting into the bills of their European operations' clientele - which will add about €4,000 (or £2,720) to a customer's yearly cost.
According to Mark Booth, the chairman of NetJets Europe, 3 of the company's top 5 customers have already signed up for the new initiative and he anticipates that others will be quick to follow suit (and, if they don't, they will automatically be signed up upon renewing their contracts). The company will be working with EcoSecurities, an Oxford-based company, for its offsetting projects. As part of its environment strategy, Booth also said that NetJets Europe will fund a next-generation jet fuel project at Princeton University.
The NetJets Europe boss pushed the environment strategy, which includes funding for a next-generation jet fuel project at Princeton University in the US, after meeting Professor Dan Esty, an environmental academic, at the Davos forum. "This is a unique programme that will set the bar for everyone else," said Prof Esty. NetJets will invest in carbon offsetting projects through EcoSecurities, an Oxford-based company. Carbon offsetting allows firms to invest in schemes such as tree planting that atone for the negative effects of the carbon dioxide they generate.
Via ::Guardian Unlimited: Private jet firm makes carbon offsetting mandatory (news website)
See also: ::Bio-fuel Tested in Commercial Jet Engine, ::Biofuels for Jet Planes - Branson Reveals (a little) More...
Team 7: Sustainable Wood Furniture, Naturally
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 09.14.07
TreeHugger never tires of finding examples of companies and designers that have discovered that there is a better way to do things. Safer, healthier materials, designs that will last for generations and manufacturing that considers the planet and its people are all hallmarks of this "better way" and the latest example we've found is Austria-based Team 7.
Their wide variety of classically-inspired modern furnishings is made largely with wood, which all comes from sustainably-certified forests; when it comes to manufacturing, the company has earned the Austrian Ecological Quality Certification for their ecologically-friendly production practices. Because they're concerned with indoor air quality, minimizing harmful off-gassing, and keeping toxics out of their furniture, only very low-VOC finishes are used, and PVC is not allowed -- go here for more details on their sustainable production practices.
As for the various collections, they're beautifully modern; sleek and warm without being overdone. The Magnum dining collection is above; several more are below the fold. Their portfolio also includes living room, bedroom, kitchen and kids, which will have to wait for another post. ::Team 7...
Revisiting Potenco's Innovative Pull-Cord Generator
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 09.14.07
In an ideal world, most of our energy needs would be met by cheap, simple, yet elegant devices like Potenco's revolutionary pull-cord generator (PCG). We've raved about this power generator before and - during our brief romp through this year's WIRED Nextfest - had the chance to meet Colin Bulthaup, the startup's ambitious CEO, and test the device out for ourselves.
With very little effort, we were quickly able to generate enough energy to power half an hour of talk time on a cell phone and 2 hours' worth of play time on an iPod Shuffle (see below the fold for a side-by-side comparison). According to Bulthaup, a single minute of pulling generated enough energy to also power 1 hour of LED flashlight use or to take 35 pictures with a conventional Nikon SLR camera. Its output typically ranges between 12W and 15W, with a maximum of 20W. ...
Wacky Life-Sized Chess Match Aims to Educate, Cool Planet
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 09.14.07
What’s one unique, creative way to draw attention to global warming and the issues surrounding it? Well, the folks at Global Inheritance recently came up with the idea of an ultimate chess match played on a life-sized board between the forces of good and evil. Yep, that means hummers vs. bikes, coal vs. solar, factories vs. trees… It all played out this weekend during the Virgin Festival in Toronto as a fun, great way to get people thinking about the better choices they can make to help slow the process of climate change that promises to “checkmate” all of us if we don’t get our act together.
...
Organic for Outdoors - Klattermusen’s Rimfaxe Jacket
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.14.07
When, last year, we dropped by Swedish outdoor gear maker, Klattermusen, we thought their Einride jacket might be made from organic cotton. We can now confirm that to be true. And they’ve added other models, like the Rimfaxe, seen here, and pants. A highly wind and water resistant (tho' not w’proof) super dense weave of SKAL certified organic cotton.
But they’ve taken the environmental design issue further and made these garments fluorocarbon-free. That is the water repellent finish on the exterior of the cloth that makes water bead into droplets (when the garment is new) is no longer a teflon-like derivative. But it was a hard road of R&D to get there, which might be why they are keeping mum, for the moment, on the details of their new alternative.
But Klattermusen do mention that their Merino wool garments are also available in Eco Blue styles that were dyed with natural herbs. “Its colour fastness is not as good as that of chemical colours, so it may well fade a little after long use, giving the garment a special Eco patina that we like a lot.” And more eco innovations are due for 2008. Great to see the little companies taking up the good fight when it would be easier financially to simply go with the flow. ::Klattermusen....
Quote of the Day: Emily Enderle on Diversity in the Environmental Movement
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.14.07
Photo credit: chrisjfry
It is an exciting time to be a member of the environmental movement in the United States. Large events and organizations, including the Super Bowl, the Oscars and Yahoo, are becoming carbon neutral. The largest global retailer, Wal-Mart, is currently going green. Mainstream magazines, including Sports Illustrated and Vanity Fair, are featuring environmentally-focused cover stories and editions. Beyond the financial incentives and the celebrity glamour associated with being green, many previously unengaged segments of the population, including religious communities, people of color and people from different socio-economic classes, are becoming increasingly interested in participating in the movement's efforts.
Currently, however, there is a lack of diversity and inclusivity in environmental institutions and our movement. This is a systemic problem. Diversity is about strengthening the movement we are dedicated to by making it resilient and capable of adapting, regardless of what we face in the future. Widespread understanding of the values that diversity can provide is essential to enhancing our collective effort and the world, yet such understanding is still absent in far too many places."
—Emily Enderle, Framing the Discussion (2007, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies)
[Via ::SES: Science, Education & Society]...
How Long Until The Rust Belt Becomes The Life Belt?
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.14.07
Alabama is contemplating a pipeline to the Great Lakes. We've said it time and again: transient drought will not drive the US Federal government to pipe Great Lakes water to the drought stricken states. If it becomes severe enough, and the impacts come as fast as they did during the Dust Bowl era of the 1930's, it will be the citizens that move to the water and jobs, not the other way around.
Let's not forget that agriculture is the largest consumptive water use category and that farmers in Alabama, like farmers everywhere, want their share of corn ethanol profits. Check out this headline from Southeast Farm Press: Interest in corn production hits fever-pitch in north Alabama. Not to mention, pumping water over thousands of miles takes a great deal of energy - gasoline-fueled water pumps possibly? Insanity.
Have a look at the US Geological Survey graphic (pictured) in which the color brown denotes severe hydrologic drought - dried up streams and wells in other words. There are thirsty folks in the Great Lakes region that will be clamoring for their own pipelines.
These realities won't stop the drought stricken from having their mirage, however. Reminds us of those cartoons from the early 1960's where the character is lost in the desert and hallucinating an Oasis on the horizon....
The Take On Plastic Bags in Israel
by Karin Kloosterman, Jerusalem, Israel on 09.14.07
There is no way to put it delicately Israelis – it’s time to get rid of the plastic bag fetish.
“Bags that cling to coral reefs strangle the coral to death in the same way that they can cause the death of a person whose head is wrapped in a plastic bag,” said Benny Shalmon, the regional biologist of the Nature and Parks Authority of Eilat in a recent Haaretz expose on Israel’s plastic bag problem. ...
Recipe of the Week - Chocolate Cake
by Kelly Rossiter, Toronto on 09.14.07
My beloved daughter has just left for her second year of university. There are two big differences between this year and last for me. The first is that I am no longer a neophyte empty nester. I don't sob in public anymore. I still miss her like mad, but I am cool about it. The second is that she no longer lives in residence and now rents an apartment, where she may cook. So, I have undertaken a little project for her which I did for my son when he moved from home a few years ago. I am compiling and handwriting a book of her favourite recipes for her to use in her new home. My husband is devoted to his computer and thinks I am nuts to spend all that time writing when I could type it and print it out so much faster. Of course, that isn't the point. I want them to have a book that they can take off the shelf in 30 years that contains the recipes they loved as children, written in their mother's hand....
Ktrak: Putting the Mountain in Bike
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.14.07
Snow is probably not the first thing on many readers minds right now (though way down here, some is forecast for the mountains this weekend). But no matter. For the makers of the Ktrak say this rear track drive bicycle is equally at home in sand, as the winter white stuff.
Strictly speaking its not their bike, but yours. They simply supply the kit and you take off the wheels and affix the caterpillar-like drive to the rear, and if so inclined, a ski runner to the front. Shown to the trade last year the 26” version should be turning up in shops soon, with 20” and 24” models due for release early next year. It adds ‘bout 5-7lbs (2.2 - 3kg) to a normal bikes total weight.
With a claimed 25 times better traction than standard wheeled bike, this might be the thing to make winter cycling less arduous for Lloyd and his legions. ::Ktrak, via Transition Times....
Mr Motorvator: An Electric Assist Kit for the Brompton folding bike
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 09.14.07
Triko: Streetwear With A Soul
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 09.14.07
Streetwear designer Hector Estrada’s fashion line Triko not only gives good style, it gives back to the Earth. Organic cotton textiles and coconut shell and tagua hardware help Estrada craft his vision of fashion with a purpose. Says Estrada, "A lot of times as a designer, you're reminded that this career isn't rocket science and that nobody's life depends on what you do. The more I thought about it, though, I thought, 'This may not be huge, but I can use it as a vehicle to bring awareness to more important things.' "
Among the things Triko is bringing awareness to is the cause for threatened and endangered species. Not only does the label donate to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Defenders of Wildlife and Solar 1, Triko is the proud sponsor of Pinstripe the tiger and Bowtie the penguin, adopted through the Defenders of Wildlife adoption program.
Triko is a sweatshop-free enterprise, strives to source fabrics and materials from sustainable sources and supports clean energy through the purchase of renewable energy credits. Though boutique-quality and limited edition, the prices in the online store make Triko an easy choice for you or your fave streetwise guy (sorry girls! boys-only designs for now…) Via:: NorthJersey.com ...
Baby Clothes for that Special One
by Bonnie Alter, London on 09.14.07
These exquisite baby clothes, hand-knit out of pure organic cotton, come with a heart-warming treehugger-style story. Made in Paraguay, by a small company started up by two sisters--one lives there and the other lives in London. They had wanted to do something ecological and sustainable and of good design and from their country. After getting pregnant they came up with their idea. Beautiful hand-knit baby clothes, made from the softest organic cotton grown in their native land. They are working with local people, employing 34 neighbourhood women to do the knitting and crotcheting. Some pieces are hand-loomed and embroidered as well.
They named their company aravore which means a piece of heaven. The sisters do the designing themselves and the pieces have a luxurious look to them. But they are still simple and suitable for young children and babies, rather than making them look like they are mini-teenagers. The clothing comes in a soft cream colour because that is the natural colour of the cotton. Each item is individually made and attached is a little card with the maker's name and signature. There are dresses, hats, scarves, baby blankets and booties. A wonderful gift for your favourite little friend. :: aravore babies...
Breaking Green Records In Philadelphia
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.14.07
"Philly Car Share now claims 25,000 members, and has lowered midweek rates on Priuses to $2.90/hour, $29/day."
I had a stereotype Philadelphia Pennsylvania as being bit slow on the green uptake; but those high and growing car-share membership numbers indicate otherwise. Think how many fewer parking spaces are needed when that many people share cars. And there's less "stuff" needed to make transportation happen.
The idea of giving customers free rail passes to get to and from the shared cars is a brilliant green business tactic. Think about how much more empowering it is for people thinking of moving to an apartment near mass transit when thy know that making that lifestyle choice gives them easy,free access to a car share option. Bikes next?
Let's see if any politicians try to mess with it by imposing a rental-car type tax on car sharing as they have elsewhere.
Via:: Atrios....
Return Of The Ferries: Fun & Profit With Efficiency
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.14.07
Yesterday Lloyd posted on the rebirth of pier vacationing: a logical outcome of reduced-impact travel and the local vacation options that had been cherished by our grandparents. Add to that, ferries are coming back...at least to the US Great Lakes.
"Plans for a passenger and cargo ferry crossing Lake Erie between Ontario, Canada, and Lake County got a boost Wednesday from Canadian officials who agreed to put $315,000 toward a study...But Lake County must compete with Ashtabula and Cleveland port authorities seeking similar agreements to launch ferries. Local officials expect only one ferry line will be launched." Notably, "the Lake County ferry ride would be about one hour shorter than Cleveland's." Done deal then.
Ferries require two docks. On the US side of Lake Erie, it is estimated that "about $50 million would be needed to build new docks and reinforce ports before the ferry would launch in Lake County."
Whether the new ferry has the amenities of a truck stop, or intstead becomes a maritime expression of the slow food movement, we hope it'll be a relay party. "Lake County's proposal would accommodate 60 semis, 400 cars and 700 people in one trip. Initial plans call for a movie theater and restaurant on the freighter." I imagine I'd have a Burning River Pale Ale on the northward crossing (got the historic reference?), and possibly a LaBatts on the southward crossing. Served with a Brat, unless smoked whitefish or beer-batter perch are on the menu.
Via:: Cleveland Plain Dealer,Lake Erie ferry proposal gets a financial boost. Image credit:: Boat Nerd archives...
Survey: If You Wanted A Pet, Where Would You Go?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.14.07
While nosing around our sibling sites at Discovery I found Petfinder.com, a free matchmaking site with 255,653 pets looking for homes. Being the type of person who sees dogs only as producers of crap on the sidewalk, I found the numbers absolutely staggering- there are that many abandoned pets in shelters in America? According to our How to Green Your Pet, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born every day in the US. Where do they all go? Do animal lovers take them from shelters or chase expensive purebreds?
Photo: Jasmin's new cat Mir, which coincidentally she got through Petfinder yesterday!
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Ethanol: It's a Pasta Disasta
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.14.07
We have noted previously that demand for ethanol feedstocks has driven up the price of beer in Germany, tortillas in Mexico and pasta in Italy; Yesterday the Italians demonstrated that they have had enought of high prices and went on strike.Consumer groups organized protests in Rome, Milan and Palermo—and even handed out free pasta, bread and milk to passers-by to help ease the pain for those who decided to support the strike and forego pasta purchases at supermarkets and restaurants. "Prices increase by five times between production and consumption," Toni De Amicis, a leader of Italian farm lobby Coldiretti, said during a protest in Rome. "The right recipe is to reduce the gap between production and consumption."
According to the Associated Press, economists and producers say pasta price hikes are being driven by increasing wheat prices worldwide. The demand for wheat is the result of several trends, chiefly an increasing demand for biofuels, which can be made from wheat, and improved diets in emerging countries where putting more meat on the table is raising the demand for feed for livestock, said Francesco Bertolini, an economist at Milan's Bocconi University. ::Mercury News
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Giant £40 Million Battery for the UK
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK on 09.14.07
UK electricity company, Eon, are planning to build a huge battery to store power from sustainable electricity sources. Because sources like wind and solar aren't constantly reliable, some kind of storage is necessary if a 100% sustainable grid is to be created in the future. This is especially true of solar power in the UK, where sunshine is as elusive as an honest politician....
Guilt-Free Teak and Rosewood?
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 09.14.07
Luxury hardwoods—there's just so much controversy over this one. New is very bad...and reclaimed? Well, then we just wonder what slice of architectural history was torn down. But here comes hardwood supplier East Teak. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, this firm is the first in North America to distribute reclaimed teak and rosewood stamped with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) seal of approval. Hailing from U.K.-based Brooks Brothers UK, Ltd. (no relation to the clothing company), each piece of wood is gleaned from old buildings by hand, according to East Teak, and can be specified for large-scale projects. ...
Chicago Company Offers Hybrid Conversions
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK on 09.14.07
Sierra Nevada Brewery: Beer Powered by the Sun
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.13.07
By the end of this month, the Sierra Nevada Brewery will be almost entirely off the grid. Already, the brewery has four fuel cells operating 70 to 75 percent of the facility's power, according to Cheri Chastain, the company's sustainability coordinator.
In a few short weeks, the solar panels they've been installing all summer will be ready to capture some rays, enabling the brewery to approach 100 percent self-sufficiency when the sun is at its peak. (Chastain expects the brewery to be around 80 percent efficient during off-peak hours, at night, or on cloudy days.)
Already a model of sustainability, the brewery also focuses efforts in recycling, heat recovery, carbon-dioxide recovery, water conservation, energy efficiency, and byproduct recycling. Now that's what we call one green brewski. ::Paradise Post
See also: ::How Green is Your Beer?, ::Solar-Powered Beer at Anderson Valley Brewing Company, and ::Global Warming Beer: Greenland Brews with Melting Ice Cap...
Arm & Hammer Dye and Fragrance-Free Detergent
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.13.07
Arm & Hammer has developed a dye- and fragrance-free version of its Essentials Liquid Laundry detergent for people with sensitive skin. Made from naturally derived surfactants and biodegradable plant-based soaps, the dermatologist-tested detergent also contains no phosphates, bleaches, or petroleum-based cleaners.
This new formulation is more concentrated, which means more value for money and less packaging for the same amount of product.
You can also get Arm & Hammer's Essentials Fabric Softener Sheets that are made from 100 percent plant-based soaps, although we recommend skipping the disposables and making your own. Simply mist a moist washcloth with a dab of liquid fabric softener and toss into the dryer. Adding half a cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle is also said to do the trick. ::Arm & Hammer...
Organic Food: Healthier for You and the Planet
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 09.13.07
Though known colloquially as food that is grown to be more healthy (and is more expensive), in order for organic food to be certified as such, it must be produced under specific, legally-regulated standards and be subject to testing in order to retain certification.
Organic food: the definition
In agriculture, this means that crops were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without food additives (like chemical preservatives). When it comes to animals, they must be reared without the routine use of antibiotics and growth hormones and fed a diet of organic foods. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified....
Fall Fashion 07: Positivitee
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.13.07
Wear your favorite cause on your chest (or hip, as the case may be) with Positivitee's line of sweatshop-free activist shirts and tees. "My daughters and I wish to walk softly on the Earth," says Heidi Matonis, the company's president and founder. "But we also wish to be heard."
Coming this fall are six new designs, printed on 100 percent organic cotton Henley and thermal shirts, with a show of support Retired Thoroughbred Foundation (above), Oceana, Save the Children, Heifer International, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and the Good Dog Foundation. With the purchase of each shirt—prices range from $20 to $50—five smackeroos are donated to the respective organization.
Click below the fold for a preview of all six shirts. ::Positivitee...
Watch Farm Aid 2007 Online
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.13.07
Photo credit: Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve Inc. 2007
Didn't make it to Farm Aid this year? You can catch all 21 sets of the entire Randall's Island show online, including performances by The Counting Crows (above), until Thursday, Sept. 19. (After that, it will be accessible to FarmAid members only.)
Watch it for a small donation or, if you're feeling cheap, for free. Don't be that cheap person. ::Farm Aid...
BuyGreen: Women's Jeans
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 09.13.07
[Ed. note: This is the second in our series of green Buying Guides, TreeHugger's helping hand for a quick, easy, hip way to shift your life in a greener direction today. Check out the Men's Jeans guide and stay tuned for more.]
TreeHugger loves denim for its versatility: dress up your jeans with a blazer and heels for an impressive first impression; dress 'em down with a t-shirt and sneakers for running errands; or sex 'em up with a blouse or button-down for a night on the town. With so many choices out there (and more being added every day), it can be hard to find the right combination of fit, cut, wash, style and materials, which is why we've chosen a wide variety of looks to flatter any pair of legs and fit any budget.
Ladies, you'll find jeans blended with lycra for a little extra stretch, 100% organic cotton for a wearable, versatile fit, along with straight legs, bootcuts and more to help you match your style with your ethics. Hit the jump to see the list and find your perfect pair....
In the Shadow of the Moon
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.13.07
In the Shadow of the Moon, producer Ron Howard's breathtaking latest film, chronicles the history of the Apollo program by bringing together the surviving crew members of every manned Moon mission. With the help of digitally restored, rarely before-seen archival footage, the former astronauts describe, in their own words, a time when humans walked on the face of another world.
The Apollo program was forged in the middle of the Cold War; In 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech to Congress challenging the United States to put a man on the Moon and return him safely back to Earth before the decade was up. ...
RideAmigos: Car-Sharing in NYC
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.13.07
Ride-sharing gets up close and local for New Yorkers with RideAmigos, a new money- and planet-saving service that launched earlier this month.
The site, which allows you to create cab-shares online, hooks you up with other New Yorkers who are embarking from the same place or headed to the same destination....