- Emily Pilloton Discusses the Hippo Roller and other Designs for Humanity (Part One)
- Janine Benyus on Biomimicry in Design (Part Two)
- Janine Benyus on Biomimicry in Design (Part One)
- Andy Revkin - Climate in the Obama Age
- Fred Pearce - Confessions of An Eco-Sinner (Part Two)
- Fred Pearce - Confessions of An Eco-Sinner (Part One)
- Chris Goodall - Ten Techs to Save Our Butts (Part Two)
- Chris Goodall - Ten Techs to Save Our Butts (Part One)
Entries for February 3, 2008 - February 9, 2008
Total this week: 181
New Life-Cycle Assessment Reveals Your Photovoltaic Mileage May Vary
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 9.08
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Not all photovoltaic technologies are created equal; some, in fact, incur quite heavy environmental footprints - producing silicon, for example, consumes a lot of water and energy while refining zinc produces a sizeable chunk of emissions. Environmental Science & Technology's Naomi Lubick reports that Vasilis Fthenakis, a scientist at Columbia University and the Brookhaven National Laboratory, just finished a LCA of some of the leading technologies which determined that new thin-film cadmium-telluride (CdTe) materials - such as the ones we covered here - come out on top....
Next Up for Aircraft Technology: Bird and Bat-Inspired Flapping-Wing Planes
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 9.08
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
It's no big secret that we here at TreeHugger are ardent fans of biomimicry; we were therefore quite interested to read about the efforts of a team of University of Michigan engineers to design flapping-wing planes by seeking inspiration from birds, bats and insects.
Wei Shyy, chair of the university's aerospace engineering department, explained the source of his inspiration:
“Natural flyers obviously have some highly varied mechanical properties that we really have not incorporated in engineering. They’re not only lighter, but also have much more adaptive structures as well as capabilities of integrating aerodynamics with wing and body shapes, which change all the time. Natural flyers have outstanding capabilities to remain airborne through wind gusts, rain, and snow.” ...
This Hydrogen Car is a Real Toy!
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 02. 9.08
We've seen our fair share of hydrogen cars here on Treehugger. Some, such as Honda's FCX Clarity, GM's Equinox Fuel Cell Crossover and BMW's Hydrogen 7 are production ready (which does NOT mean they are being mass-produced!). Others, including the Cadillac Provoq, GM Sequel and Ford Airstream are merely concept cars. And, of course, this stream of limited-production and concept vehicles is rendered moot by the fact that the hydrogen infrastructure is not yet in place. As a result, there are plenty of people that doubt hydrogen vehicles will become viable in the near-term, and their doubts are not entirely unfounded. So while waiting for that vaunted renewable, hydrogen economy to come along, we've seen some neat hydrogen toy cars fill the void. The H-Racer and Discovery's Hydrogen Car are two such examples.
But now a new contender has stepped in to warm the hearts of kids and geeks everywhere. It's called the H2GO, and it was recently unveiled at the Nuremburg Toy Fair....
Serenity: The Solar Powered Video Tombstone
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 9.08
There may be holographic tombstones in the movie Serenity, but who knows how long they might have played after Mal and River left the scene? When the 'verse is that big, they probably don't come back to visit that often and don't worry about it.
However on this planet it is another story, and if you come back to visit your beloved, the video better be running. That's why Vidstone developed the solar powered Serenity Panel, 'Utilizing ground-breaking solar-powered technology, this weather-proof LCD panel provides families and friends with a timeless way to commemorate a life that’s passed at one’s final resting place." We think it so appropriate that they named it after the movie that inspired it, too.
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Human Cheese, Sweet and Tangy
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 02. 9.08
Six-Word Memoir Contest: What Do You Have to Say?
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 02. 9.08
Think you can sum up your green journey in exactly six words? We think if anyone can, it is TreeHugger readers. So, we have teamed up with six-word memoir experts SMITH Magazine to see what you've got. Head on over to our Six-Word Memoir Contest: The Green Life page and tell us your story or just to check out what your fellow TreeHuggers are writing. ...
My Climate Change Program Is Better Than Yours: Nuclear Rising
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 9.08
U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama promised on Friday to start working on an international pact to reduce global warming if he becomes the Democratic nominee, touting his plan to reduce U.S. emissions as stronger than that of Republican front-runner John McCain....
Video: Greener Gadgets Design Competition Winners
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 9.08
Can the Composting Porto-Potty Solve Israel's Water Woes?
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 02. 9.08
Consider this fact: flush toilets account for 40% of household water consumption in Israel. In other words, almost half of the water used in Israeli households goes to disposal and transport (through the sewage system) of peoples' daily needs. A new company, operating according to a "Jewish-holistic, small is beautiful" philosophy, believes that this is unnecessary. In a country where a chronic water shortage causes rivers, lakes and nature preserves to dry up, brings about the collapse of ecosystems and exacerbates an already intractable political situation, they just might be onto something....
UPDATE: Bleed Blue, Live Green T-Shirts Now Available
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02. 9.08
Our readers got so excited about Duke University’s Men’s Basketball Team’s efforts to Bleed Blue, Live Green that we posted on them twice. Now, thanks to tipsters Sasha and Anonymous, we are pleased to announce that the University has decided to sell the sought after t-shirts through the student shop. We’re delighted to see they were made and printed using sustainable materials and methods too. Go Duke! ::Duke University::via tipsters Sasha and anonymous – with thanks::
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Give Us This Day Our Daily Fuel (Bread): One Bushel At A Time
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 9.08
Most anywhere where corn is grown, you may substitute wheat in next year's planting. The opposite is not always true. In fact it's seldom true. As a general rule, corn won't easily grow where wheat is currently a dominant crop, unless irrigation is added. Hence, this year's record breaking wheat future price needs to be understood in the frame of competition for crop land, climate change, and corn-based ethanol demand. Risk for farmers is high, according to the National Association of Wheat Growers; but so is profit potential.
We are entering a period where family farmers will compete intensely with traders and distributors for a fair share of the benefits. With corn based ethanol tying up so much fertile land, there is a possibility that wheat prices may not, unlike every other time since the Great Depression, plummet a few years after peaking.
Wheat, corn, wheat, corn.... What's a farmer to plant?
Via::TwinCities.com, "Record wheat price ignites food inflation fears"...
2008 DWR Champagne Chair Contest: And the Winners Are...
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 9.08
The (organic?) bubbly has been popped, the champagne drunk, and designs of all shapes inspired. And after 500 entries came in from all over the planet -- in digital form, thankfully, to save on shipping and packaging -- the winners of the DWR Champagne Chair Contest have been announced (we announced it late last year). Grand Prize goes to Miwa Kleyla's Block B Chair (above, left); Staff Favorite goes to Matthew Glaysher's Weekend Bender (love the name -- above, center) and the Popular Vote goes to Akai Yang's 2-Player (above, right). Congrats to all!
The fifth annual contest asked cork and chair design fans around the globe to create an original miniature chair from nothing more than the wire, cork, cage and foil of no more than two champagne bottles (though glue was permitted, as an adhesive). The top 50 designs are hitting the road, embarking on a national tour that'll go from New York to Oregon from now until mid-May; hit the jump to see locations and dates for each of the stops. ::Design Within Reach 2008 Champagne Chair Contest...
Hot Water Becoming a Hot Topic: Geothermal in India
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 02. 9.08
With the debate over the viability of ethanol and other biofuels raging on (and on), some are betting – not on solar, not on wind power – but on geothermal power as the next best possible source of renewable energy (more information on geothermal here, here and here). In the U.S., which has the world’s highest installed capacity of geothermal power, this form of renewable energy is not anything new. Not to be outdone, China has also recently jumped on the steam wagon so to speak, and now Iceland’s Glitnir Bank has announced a joint venture with India’s LNJ Bhilwara Group to pursue a huge untapped potential for geothermal options in India....
Most Huggable: Is Wool the Answer?, Biofuel Bonanza, Fluoride Bad for Babies + More
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 02. 8.08
Could wool be the answer to killer cotton?
Cohousing might be the way to merge green building with affordability.
One company is going to combine cellulosic ethanol and algae biodiesel production technology, which they think provides a more positive energy balance than either one alone.
Take a spin through EfficienCity, a fun Flash town from Greenpeace that explains pretty much everything you need to know about clean, efficient energy systems.
Using distilled water with added fluoride is not good for babies...no matter what the package says, according to this piece.
Most Huggable is a regular roundup of some of the top stories from Hugg.com, TreeHugger’s user-generated green news site. Why not submit your own green news?...
TH Forums Highlights: Plug-In Hybrid Battery Power, Cutting Back Food Waste + More
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 8.08
1) Forums user Hydrotopia notes, "The new announcement by Toyota of installing plug-in batteries in hybrids at the factory was huge - except for the fact that they say the supplemental power supply will only give 7 miles of electric-powered distance! I don't get this? I thought some plug-in batteries were giving 40 miles and over on electric power? What is the deal here? Is Toyota undermining the technology? Why so few miles?" Though started a few weeks back, the thread has been revitalized with some good conversation; feel free to add your two cents.
2) User ml2620 says, "My husband and I are a bit shocked at the amount of food we waste. We tend to eat out alot because of our work schedules, so when it's time for the weekly search and seizure in our fridge - we easily throw out a few pounds of food that's gone bad - veggies, fruit, leftovers, etc. How do you manage to reduce your food waste - use what you have, make the most of scraps?" Composting is a hot topic here, so to speak, but what else can you do to keep the waste down?
3) Lastly, the Tata Nano has Forums user ed's attention: "The world's cheapest car gets 50 MPG, is a marvel of engineering and ruthless cost-cutting sure to bring greater mobility to people throughout the developing world. And that is what makes it so troubling to the U.S. Auto industry, who are helpless to compete." Is it a US car industry-killer, or not a viable western car? We've got votes on both sides; where do you come down?
Best of NY Gift Fair: Harry Barker
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 8.08
Get set for a greener Harry Barker this spring: Besides switching its bed inserts to fibers made from 100 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (also known as, aptly enough, PET, the same material soda bottles are made of), the pet-goods purveyor is adding new hemp bone toys, a striped hemp bed, and biodegradable pet-waste bags, as well as a bag dispenser made from 100 percent recycled plastic.
Colored with AZO-free dyes, the 100 percent organic hemp slipcovers are preshrunk and machine-washable. They'll be available in two shapes (round or rectangle), five colors (orange, green, blue, red, or brown), and three sizes (small, $120; medium, $140; or large, $160), but if you're champing at the bit, an organic-cotton version is currently for sale....
Best of NY Gift Fair: Argington Modern Kids Furniture
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 8.08
Argington's modern furniture, designed for youngsters, is also designed with the planet in mind; its solid wood is FSC-certified, constructed with non-toxic, low-VOC glues and topped with non-toxic finishes. Each piece from the Wonders collection -- individually named for one of the wonders of the world -- is designed with usability in mind, whether its the Delphi changing table's ability to "grow up" into a dresser, or the Sahara crib's convertibility to a toddler bed (both are pictured above; Sahara on top).
Other pieces in the Wonders collection include the Babylon toddler highchair (pictured after the jump) that adjusts and grows with your youngster and the slick, stackable Picchu dresser; all are available from their selected brick 'n mortar and online retailers. ::Argington...
Best of NY Gift Fair: Looolo's New Cushions and Blankets
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 8.08
Add some comfort and a pop of color and texture to your life with LoooLo's new cushions and blankets -- that's "La Rue" two tone above, with more La Rue and "Honeycomb" cushions and blankets below the fold -- unveiled this week at the New York International Gift Fair. We've been impressed before with their pillows and cushions and chic scarves, and are always glad to see more of their top-notch sustainability efforts, from organic cotton to Climatex felt and non-toxic yarns, applied to their fun design sensibility.
Looolo whose name is a visual representation of "100%," symbolizes their commitment to sustainability in every aspect of the design process, from making the choice to use organic materials during development to consideration of the environmental footprint our products leave at the end of their useful lives; all their products are 100% biodegradable, so you could just toss 'em in the compost heap and they'd break down. With such great design, though, we don't think we'd ever want to. ::Looolo...
Best of NY Gift Fair: Bluedogz Design
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 8.08
Based in Montreal and founded by a former ballerina, Bluedogz Design produces a line of gift tags, clipboards, and gift boxes, as well as other home accessories, crafted from recycled wood.
The myriad color schemes and patterns, ranging from modern to baroque, are designed to be mixed and matched with one another. Use one of 24 Teeny Tags ($2.99) to top off one of Bluedogz gift boxes ($6.50 to $15.50, depending on size), a wrapped present, a bouquet of flowers, or a bottle of wine—or alternatively, have the tags double up as napkin rings/place holders.
For chic note-taking, the clipboards—which we're quite enraptured with; we do love us some houndstooth—come in three different sizes: Micro (4x4 inches; $7.50), Mini (6x9 inches; $14), and Big (9x12.5 inches; $19.50). Each clipboard has a notepad, a pencil on a ribbon, and two magnets on the back, so you can, y'know, stick it up on something. Don't you feel more organized already? ::Bluedogz...
Child-Powered Toys, Trucks Give Batteries the Boot
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 02. 8.08
When toy industry veteran designer and parent Chris Clemmer got together with a couple of friends and realized there’s a mint to be made in eco-toys of one form or another they sat down and came up with Sprig Toys. A new line of kid-powered toys working to ensure traditional battery-powered toys go the way of the dinosaurs by harnessing all that pent up energy your child’s been carrying around....
Best of NY Gift Fair: Plank Yoga Mats
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 8.08
Bring some tongue-in-chick whimsy—or flat-out weirdness—to your yoga sessions with Plank's new collection of eye-catching, eco-friendly yoga mats, which are primed to make their debut in April. Made from EcoLite, a lightweight new material developed specifically for the yoga industry, these mats require less energy to produce than any other yoga mat, according to the company.
PVC-, latex-, and natural-rubber-free, Plank's anti-slip yoga mats are also nontoxic, biodegradable, and recyclable. You'll get to choose from four designs: a cobra (a reference to the cobra pose), a deep shag-pile carpet, pills scattered on a bathroom floor (eh?), and a plank of wood with a half-eaten blueberry muffin (we're not sure we get this one). Prepare to pony up $85 a piece to be the strangest, or at least the most talked-about, one in the studio. ::Plank...
Google Founders & Larry Brilliant on Saving the World
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 8.08
Best of NY Gift Fair: Tivi
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 8.08
So new that they were sent off only last week to be professionally photographed, these flat-pack bracelets from Tivi are made from maple and walnut veneer, silkscreened, and then laser cut into four varying designs.
Simply pop a piece out from its frame, slap it onto your wrist, and then attach both ends together with the button snap (not pictured).
Below the jump: Also by Tivi, a pair of cufflinks made from used Jack Daniels oak barrels and stainless steel. ::Tivi...
Waste Not, Want Not: Soap Bank from DesigNoDoubt
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 8.08
Getting every last bit of soap from a bar to do its job can be tricky; the smaller it gets, the harder it is to handle those slick little buggers. Instead of trying to mash them together, or into a new bar, the Korean design team DesigNoDoubt has a solution: just deposit it into the bank. Their "Soap Bank" is a slick little device that collects and helps you get your money's worth from the small remains of soap. When your bar gets too small to get a good grip on, just drop it in the slot and give the bag a rub when you need some soapy goodness. Cha-ching!
The Bank is designed to stick on any interior shower wall (it's a suction cup) and the top is a good place to keep you soap until it's small enough to fit in the bank. It might be the only time it's convenient to drop the soap. Get cleaned up with more pics below the fold. ::DesigNoDoubt via ::Yanko Design...
Solar Installer Real Goods Fills Paperwork for IPO
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 8.08
Solar installer Real Goods has dotted the i's and crossed the t's on the paperwork for an initial public offering (IPO). The company, which is now owned by Gaiam, had an estimated 2007 revenue of $32.7 million and profits of $490,000 (if you include revenue from two installers it acquired recently).
They want to raise money for further expansion, consolidation, and maybe other acquisitions. The NASDAQ ticker symbol will be "RSOL". ::Cnet News, ::Reuters, ::Best of TH: Sustainable Retailers, Part II...
Best of NY Gift Fair: Reisenthel CarryCruiser
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 8.08
Here's a stylish and ergonomically friendlier way of toting your groceries home, sans plastic bags and perhaps even sans car: Reisenthel's new CarryCruiser. It comes with shock-absorbing wheels, as well as a foldaway telescopic rod with a T-grip handle, to withstand curbs and bumps in the road.
You also get a large removable—and washable—liner with the capacity to hold one large shopping load. Lift up the accompanying strap to hoist the CarryCruiser onto your shoulder when moving up and down stairs, or use the lining on its own as a bag. Available in red, black, and floral, the CarryCruiser starts at $149. (Check the company's Web site for a retailer near you.) Also newish, the Mini Maxi Shopper MS, pictured below and approximately $9.99. ::Reisenthel...
Best of NY Gift Fair: Kina
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 8.08
The sister brand of Nui Organics, Kina handcrafts its baby booties in New Zealand using premium lambskin made from lambs that die of natural causes. No purposely bred animals or synthetic materials go into its shoes, according to Kina, just "recycled" lambskin that would otherwise go to waste.
Lined with a 100 percent lambswool inner, Kina's booties feature an elasticated opening for easy slipping on and a secure fit. They're available in five sizes from newborn through 2 years. For kids who are walking, however, Kina says its booties are for indoor use only.
Colors for 2008 include blue, pink, red, camel, chocolate, and spice. Retail starts at $35. ::Kina Collection...
High-Speed Passenger Rail Comes to the Americas
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 02. 8.08
The contracts have been signed, and the first high-speed railway in the Americas will be built very soon - but not where you're thinking. Argentina's new President Christina Kirchner, wife of former President Nestor Kirchner, signed the papers last month with a consortium led by French company Alstom to connect the country's major cities by high-speed rail.
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Los Angeles Wind Farm One Step Closer to Reality
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 8.08
The city of Los Angeles, the second largest in the U.S., has pledged to get one fifth of its energy from renewable sources by 2010. A step towards in that direction is the construction of a wind farm in the Tehachapi Mountains about 100 miles north of the city. The $425 million, 120 megawatt facility will have 80 turbines and a new high-voltage transmission line, and will help double the portion of electricity from wind that the city gets. It was supposed to come online in 2004, but various delays and problems kept it from being built until now. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also announced plans for another wind farm on an adjacent site. Together, the projects would generate enough electricity for nearly 130,000 homes. ::SFGate, ::LA DailyNews, ::Enercon E-126: The World’s Largest Wind Turbine (for now)...
Best of NY Gift Fair: JoshJakus
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 8.08
Berkeley, Calif.-based designer Josh Jakus previewed a few of his upcoming designs at the New York International Gift Fair last week, two of which venture into the realm of recycled rubber.
Pictured above are his 6-pack Coasters, which were inspired by the plastic rings on a conventional six-pack. "Add a touch of class to your next football party," says Jakus. How they work: Simply pop out the individual coasters for use, and then press them back into the rings for storage. The coasters come in your choice of black (100 percent recycled tires) and a variety of colors (30 percent post-industrial waste). Expect these to run from $16 to $18....
Cape Shank House by Paul Morgan Architects
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 8.08
That thing in the living room is a rainwater storage tank. Water is so central to our lives, and Paul Morgan Architects make it central to this house. "Within the living room the ceiling wraps down to an internal water tank. The tank cools the ambient air temperature of the living room during summer, supplies rain water, and structurally carries the roof load. Excess water drains to an external tank, and is used for flushing toilets, irrigating the garden, washing wetsuits [it's near the coast in Victoria, Australia] and occasionally for drinking."...
More Bad News about Biofuels: Land-Use Concerns Nix Benefits
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 8.08
Image courtesy of TheFriendlyFiend via flickr
In a clear sign that the biofuel debate is still far from being resolved, the publication of two new studies has once again raised doubts about the alternative fuels' supposed merits in helping to mitigate climate change. According to the new research, which will be published in the journal Science, most biofuels used today cause more GHG emissions than fossil fuels if the environmental impact of producing them - the razing of ecosystems - is taken into account.
As Timothy Searchinger, a professor at Princeton University and one of the study's authors, explained to the International Herald Tribune's Elisabeth Rosenthal: "Previously, there's been an accounting error: Land use change has been left out of prior analysis." This discrepancy, he alleges, had led previous studies to greatly underestimate the environmental damage caused by biofuel production....
Detroit Electric: 100 Years Old Brand Gets Recycled
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 8.08
Doesn't it sometimes feel like we're going backwards? Detroit Electric was founded in 1907. It was a brand of the Anderson Electric Car Company from Detroit, back when electric cars "were advertised as reliably getting 80 miles (130 km) between battery recharging. Top speed was only about 20 miles per hour (32 km/h), but this was considered adequate for driving within city or town limits at the time."
Now, Zap, the Californian maker of electric cars (the most exciting of them being the Zap-X, sadly still just a concept), and China Youngman Automotive Group are reviving the old brand. They will use it on electric cars and buses in 2009, with a "special edition" vehicle based on the original Detroit Electric planned. Zap will also use it for its upcoming (who knows when?) Alias car. ::Edmunds...
Orchestra Plays on Intruments Made of Car Parts
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 8.08
It Slices, It Dices: Ex Libris Bookshelf and Table In One
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 8.08
Taking inspiration from its own Ptolomeo and Ptolomeo Wall book shelf designs (pictures below the fold), the Italian designers at MOCO have applied the same space-saving, hidden shelving ethic to "Ex Libris," the table whose legs double as book storage. A great companion to Bookinist and Bibliochaise -- two chairs with a similar goal of combining seating and storage -- Ex Libris was unveiled last month at Maison & Objet in France.
We'll add this to the list of best small space shelving solutions. And it might just be the smartest table we've ever seen. ::MOCO via ::Freshome and ::Trendhunter...
TreeHugger + SMITH Six-Word Memoir Contest
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 02. 8.08
Can you tell your life's story in only six words? In SMITH Magazine's new book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure, hundreds of people managed to. Now it's your turn. We've teamed up with SMITH--the online magazine that's best described as People meets the New Yorker--to bring you the green version of the Six-Word Memoir Contest. Got a smart philosophy? Traveled a strange path? Fall off the eco-wagon frequently? Tell us about it. You could win one of several spiffy prizes.
TreeHugger is one of six sites hosting a Six-Word Memoirs contest (though we're certain that our readers will prove to be the most creative!). Read more about SMITH + TreeHugger, contest rules and prizes, and watch the amazing, stupendous, and occasionally tear-jerking Modu Cell Phone Changes Function with Jackets
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 8.08
At first glance, Modu looks to be just another gadget; a new cell phone that'll be in a toxic e-waste pile 18 months from now. But if Modu's developers can execute what they have planned, you'll never want to get rid of it.
As the name suggests, Modu is a modular gadget that starts as a cell phone, and can be inserted into multiple "jackets" that change its function: to a multimedia phone, a portable media player, a car sound system, a full car GPS, a bike mini-GPS and more. Slip on a new jacket, and Modu takes on a new function; the video below the fold even shows it slipping into a MacBook Pro, among other things.
Modu says it'll launch the phone in October in Italy, Israel and Russia for $200 with two included jackets; more would be available for $20 - $60 apiece. The company hopes the phone will arrive in the U.S. in early 2009, but no carrier deals have been announced...stay tuned. ::Modu via ::Gizmodo and ::DVICE ...
Heat Harvesting Marine "Robot" Glider Flight Announced By Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution & Webb Research
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 8.08
Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Webb Research Corporation (Falmouth, Mass.) have successfully deployed an "environmentally powered" marine robotic vehicle. The new robotic “glider” harvests ocean heat and uses the harvested energy to adjust buoyancy, sufficient to "glide" itself over great distances while collecting oceanographic data. See explanation below.In December 2007, a research team led by oceanographers Dave Fratantoni of WHOI and Roy Watlington of the University of the Virgin Islands launched a prototype “thermal glider” off the coast of St. Thomas. The vehicle has been traveling uninterrupted ever since, crisscrossing the 4,000-meter-deep Virgin Islands Basin between St. Thomas and St Croix more than 20 times....
The Next Polar Bear: Pacific Walrus
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 8.08
John Lennon wouldn't be happy about this one. The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a scientific petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to request that the Pacific Walrus be added to the list of protected species in the Endangered Species Act. “The Arctic is in crisis from global warming. Arctic sea ice is disappearing at a stunning rate that vastly exceeds the predictions of the best climate models,” said Shaye Wolf, a biologist with the Center for Biological Diversity and lead author of the petition.“ The Pacific walrus is an early victim of our failure to address global warming. As the sea ice recedes, so does the future of the Pacific walrus.”...
Hefty Bush Administration Budget Makes Big Cuts to Environmental Initiatives, Funds Nuclear Power
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 8.08
Lost amidst the general kerfuffle over the Bush administration's latest budget - ringing in at a hefty $3.1 trillion - has been a clear-eyed assessment of its environmental provisions, or, more accurately, lack thereof (unless you're a fan of nuclear energy). Chief among it are requests to fund the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) program, the first such nuclear weapons program in 2 decades, and to begin construction of a new plutonium pit facility (necessary for building new bombs) - at the tune of $10m and $100m, respectively.
The DOE is also seeking a 79% increase in funding for its Nuclear Power 2010 program, an industry-government partnership designed to foster the construction of nuclear power facilities. The budget request would extend the period during which businesses can receive financial support for new "clean energy" plants under the 2005 energy bill's loan guarantee program - amounting to up to 80% of the incurred costs....
What If New York City....Competition Winners
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 8.08
The results are in from the What if New York City... competition that we covered last year, and the 10 winners are a collection of well resolved, workable, mostly modular solutions. However some of the other entries that didn't win but were selected for notice are ingenious, elegant and inspired.
Ostap Rudakevych and Studiolindfors would let people stay close to home in airborne soalar powered homes, tethered above their former community in a floating layer of provisional housing.
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Hydroelectric Dams Affecting the Health of Lake Victoria?
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 8.08
A new study suggests that systematic overuse of water by two hydroelectric dams has decreased the level of water in Lake Victoria by at least two meters between 2000 and 2006 and that this drop was not influenced by weather. "The two dams, both located at the outlet of Lake Victoria in Uganda, have been using water at a rate of 20 to 50 percent above the allowable discharge agreed by Uganda and Egypt in 1957." As you can imagine, 2 meters over a lake that is almost 70,000 square kilometers is quite a bit of water. This has impacts on surrounding wetlands, the animals that use those as refuges (such as juvenile tilapia) and the people that live in the region....
House of Organic Sustainable Fashion Show
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 8.08
Hosted by Summer Rayne Oakes and presented by Ekovaruhuset, last night's House of Organic Sustainable Fashion Show—a five-hour-long (!) affair—featured the environmentally sensitive and socially responsible Fall 2008 Collections of six major labels: Ekovaruhuset, Anja Hynynen, Righteous, Bahar Shahpar, Fin, and Susan Cianciolo.
House of Organic was hosted at workspace designer Haworth's 31,000 square foot sustainable, LEED Gold-certified offices in New York City, just across the street from Grand Central Station.
Oakes burst upon the stage decked out in only a bikini and boy shorts. "I couldn't find anything to wear and none of the other girls wanted to share," she lamented. "But it's all organic, don't worry," she said, pointing to her semi-nude ensemble. To the rescue: Elisa Jimenez, best known as one of the Season 4 contestants of Bravo's Fashion Runway, who began snipping away at a sheath of white bamboo and Lycra spandex, while fitting Oakes on the spot. ...
Nigeria To Tax "Donated" Used Computer Imports
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 8.08
California To Require Net Zero Energy Buildings
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 8.08
net zero energy house by Zoka Zola
Ed Mazria challenged the architecture and building community to go fossil-fuel free by 2030; the community yawned, knowing that until the clients paid for it and the building codes required it, not much was going to happen too quickly. Now the State of California is doing just that. The California Energy Commission has recommended that all residential buildings be "net zero energy" by 2020 and commercial buildings by 2030.
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Super Soaker Inventor Working on Clean Energy
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 8.08
Lonnie Johnson was working on a Freon-less heat pump when he invented the Super Soaker. Since then, his toy millions have allowed him to quit his job at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (he is a nuclear engineer and holds more than 100 patents) and keep working on his inventions. The latest one is a solid-state heat engine that could potentially revolutionize clean energy production. He calls it the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Conversion System (JTEC). It has no moving parts like a photovoltaic panel, but the input is heat, like in a stirling engine. Johnson claims that at 600 degrees his device would be 60% efficient....
1000 Year-Old Castle Installs Solar Panels
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02. 8.08
We wonder what John’s un-green zombies would make of Dunster Castle in the UK, a 1,000 year-old Grade 1 listed building that has installed solar panels in its battlements in an effort to fight that most dangerous of foes, climate change. The move is part of efforts by the National Trust, which manages many of Britain’s historic sites, to take serious steps to tackle climate change and reduce its environmental impact. The Trust also recently came out in favour of increased protection for peat bogs, which are important carbon sinks and wildlife habitats, and has even been involved in bombing key bogs with bales of heather seeds in an effort to reverse their decline. So far, it seems, the Trusts efforts at Dunster Castle have avoided the attentions of the zombies, partially due to the ‘discreet’ installation of the panels. A spokesperson set out the reasoning behind the moves:
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Konzept Haus 9x9 by Titus Bernhard Architekten
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 8.08
Justin at Materialicous points us to a house built out of gabions, or metal cages filled with rocks, usually found in retaining walls. Here, they wrap the walls and roof. Built in 2003 in Bavaria by Titus Bernhard Architekten, the architects note that it faced considerable opposition from the community, and that the owner had great patience.
40,000 tons of stone act as a thermal mass to keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter....
Shake Your Money Maker and Power Your iPod
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 02. 8.08
Brace yourself – ever dream of becoming the Bionic Man or Woman? Well now's your chance to feel like Steve Austin or Jamie Sommers. Researchers from Simon Fraser University and the University of Michigan have invented a knee brace that generates power while you cross the street.
We wonder what kind of energy you can create on the dance floor?...
How They Build in Sweden: Panellized Prefab
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 8.08
Architect Greg La Vardera of Lamidesign (see his Plat House on TreeHugger here) writes about how different construction is in Sweden, quoting a correspondent:
"The houses come on trucks from rural places in Sweden. The windows are in, the insulation, wiring, wallboard where possible - every thing - the pipes, the wiring systems, the doors, stairs ... everything has been engineered and rationalized to reduce labor, find energy and material economy and work with the method of construction where stuff is pre-assembled as much as possible inside a building and then "erected" or installed on the site under very compressed schedules. These houses go from slab to dry in and locked inside of a week"
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Recipe of the Week: Pasta With Double Sun-Dried Sauce
by Kelly Rossiter, Toronto on 02. 8.08
Image credit: Toni Girl
I have been doing so much cooking lately with legumes and root vegetables that I have been having a craving for something sunny tasting. Mark Bittman came to my rescue in the New York Times this week with a recipe for a pasta with sun-dried tomatoes.
This recipe just completely hit the spot for me and it was very fast and easy to make. The whole thing only took as long to make as it took for the pasta to cook. Putting the sun-dried tomatoes into the pasta water was a great idea, because the pasta itself takes on the flavour of the tomatoes. Add a green salad and you've got an easy, really delicious meal....
Socket Sense: Yet Another Solution To A Stupid Problem
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 8.08
Here is yet another clever solution to a problem that should not exist- accommodating all those wall warts of different voltages and amperages, all in different sizes, all vampires. Sure, it is clever, with sliding outlets and 45 degree plugs, but this is a design and manufacturing problem that the vendors should solve and we shouldn't have to shell out 40 bucks to fix it. ::Socket Sense via Dvice
Two years ago Larry Page of Google complained “I’m going to just plead with all of you, let’s get the power supply problems fixed.” Douglas Adams once famously proclaimed " Time to declare war on little dongly things!" Let's take up his cause. One Voltage to rule them all!
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Tammam's Roving Catwalk For London Fashion Week
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02. 8.08
As the aspirational glitter and glamour of London Fashion Week draws ever closer we wonder if from outside on the street this glossy world doesn't seem rather impenetrable? But in keeping with the revolutionary nature of eco-design there is at least one designer who is determined to take ethical fashion out to the masses. To show their Autumn/Winter collection this year The House of Tammam has teamed up with Smart LPG and The Electric Transport Shop to create a roving catwalk around the city....
Tree Planters in Europe Adopt Guerrilla Tactics
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 02. 8.08
Forests are usually defenseless against the forces of development. However, Friends of the Earth - Europe has decided to help the forests fight back. With the help of advertising firm PH/LAW in the Netherlands, a website has been set up with a do it yourself manual for guerrilla tree planting (including instructions for documenting the subversive act) and several videos of guerrilla tree planters in action. ...
House of the Year: Brit Contenders
by Bonnie Alter, London on 02. 8.08
The long list (25 contenders) for House of the Year 2007 has been announced and there are several British sustainable houses included. The criteria are originality, innovation and sustainability, as well as consideration of the context. The Salt House (pictured) is a beach house at the end of a row of timber-boarded fishermen's houses overlooking the sea. It can be jacked up to a higher level to survive long-term, future rises in the water level, something that is becoming more likely on seashores around the coast. It is a prototype for flood-proof residential construction.
Focus House was designed as a low cost, low energy, low maintenance alternative to the standard family house. Built on a wedge shaped piece of land, it is a difficult adaptation to the street of Victorian houses, yet uses sliding glass windows, sustainable materials, has a very low carbon footprint and a zen garden. The Lighthouse is Britain's first zero-carbon house with solar panels, rainwater harvesting, biomass boilers and a windcatcher for ventilation. And the six finalists...
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Seattle Kids Are Exploring Trees Inside And Out
by Tim McGee, Western Massachusetts on 02. 7.08
Trees are the longest living and largest living organisms on earth. One acre of forest absorbs six tones of carbon dioxide and puts out four tones of oxygen. Trees are good noise barriers, making a city and neighborhood quieter. This is just the tip of the iceberg of information you and your kids can explore at the new exhibit 'Exploring Trees Inside and Out' at the Seattle Pacific Science Center.
We are a bit tongue and cheek about the treehugger name, but sponsors of the exhibit Doubletree Hotels and The Arbor Day Foundation are serious about getting kids to appreciate the outside world, even if it means going inside....
Grown Skis Go Back to the Future
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02. 7.08
The other day Collin noted some of the winners at the ISPO SportsDesign Awards for EcoDesign. If you didn’t follow the link through you might’ve missed Grown Skis, who picked up the ski equipment category. This young German company is combining traditional carpentry skills with modern ski design to craft a ‘freeride’ (backcounty/off piste) ski of some new fangled material they call wood.
80% of the ski comprises locally grown and sustainable harvested timbers; ash and fir, serving, the company believes, “as a natural sink for atmospheric carbon.” The design allows them to avoid the plastic top sheet, layers of titanium and fibre glass and plastic ABS side walls commonly found in ski construction. Additionally they’ve passed up on the printed foils and varnishes used to deliver the usual garish graphics. Preferring to simply let the grain of the wood tell it’s own story. Although they do allow a single burnt-on logo to ‘brand’ the skis. So to speak....
Salt Water Proposed as Cure for Common Cold in Children
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 02. 7.08
With cold and flu season in full swing, there’s more than a few parents worried about how to treat their children's colds without traditional medication and the answer just may be a dose of salt water.
Researchers in Europe recently reported that a nasal spray made from Atlantic Ocean seawater eased wintertime cold symptoms while preventing them from returning among children ages 6 to 10.
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Your Ecological Footprint: Defining, Calculating, and Reducing Your Environmental Footprint
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 7.08
Ecological footprint: what is it?
An analysis that gauges our impact on the planet's biological systems, the ecological footprint measures human consumption of natural resources in comparison to Earth's ecological capacity to regenerate them. Individually, each of us has "a footprint," and, collectively, they aggregate across geographical zones and other means of classification. Calculation of the footprint takes into account just about everything we do; from the food we eat, to the house we live in, to the car we drive and the other consumption habits we practice each day. It's a very complex calculation that answers a straightforward question: how much of the Earth's resources do our lifestyles require?
The expression of the size of our individual or collective footprint is usually expressed in the number of planets we'd need to support our current lifestyles (hint: everyone reading this on a computer is assuredly above 1). It's a very widely-used measure, and is most useful as a way to take a small amount of information and apply it to a wider population....
Winter Biking Isn't So Bad
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 7.08
I made a New Year's Resolution to never drive alone downtown all winter but to use my bike no matter what the weather. I already broke it last week when I had to carry books to a class that I teach at Ryerson University, but even though we had a foot of snow last night and many schools were declaring a snow day, I thought it might be interesting to see how the City copes and how much concern they have for the bicycling crowd. ...
Chiapas Biosphere Reserve Recognized as Biodiversity Protection Model
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 02. 7.08
La Encrucijada, a protected coastal wetland ecosystem in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, was recognized this week at the third World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, as a model of environmental protection. The event, held in Madrid, Spain from February 4-9, brings together representatives from more than 100 countries involved in managing protected areas.
La Encrucijada’s swamps, lagoons, mangrove forests and the only Zapatonal forest in the region serve as a refuge for an abundance of wildlife, including 73 mammal, 11 amphibian, 34 reptile, and 294 bird species. According to La Encrucijada's director, Francisco Javier Jiménez, the reserve's managers have been able to protect the biodiversity and ecosystems inside the protected area as well as some of the area that surrounds it. Jiménez added that he and his team have worked closely with local communities and the municipal and state governments to meet common goals over the last 12 years....
Genetically Modified Rice to Fight Global Warming in China
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 7.08
There are some smart people at Arcadia Biosciences. They not only have created a crop of rice that requires less nitrogen fertilizer, they also figured out a way to work with the Chinese government to allow Chinese farmers to get carbon credits when they use their rice. The reasoning is, less nitrogen fertilizer equals less nitrous oxide emissions (a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide). Under the Kyoto Treaty, the credits gained from that reduction can then be sold on the global market, bringing extra money to farmers. "Swapping global rice supply to the GM version, the company says, would save the equivalent of 50m tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, and generate £750m in carbon credits for farmers."...
Senate Votes Down Green Incentives
by Greg Haegele of Sierra Club on 02. 7.08
Last night a minority of Senators thwarted an attempt to move America forward when they voted to kill support for green tax breaks and incentives. The vote gave the Senate a chance to break with the old energy economy - dirty energy; taxpayer subsidies for billion-dollar oil, coal, and gas corporations like Exxon; dependence on foreign oil - and instead to step into the new economy of wind and solar power, clean energy jobs, and energy independence. Fifty-nine Senators made the right choice, but the green tax incentives lost by just one vote. (59 voted for it, 40 against, then Senator Harry Reid changed his vote for procedural reasons, making the final tally 58-41).
The good news is that this wasn't about partisan politics. Eight Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the bill: Snowe, Collins, Coleman, Smith, Dole, Domenici, Specter, and Grassley. Only one Senator missed the vote - John McCain was in Washington, but didn't show up for the vote. The bad news is that a minority of our leaders in Washington stopped America once again from investing in common-sense green solutions such as credits for high-efficiency appliances and energy efficient homes and businesses....
Tesla Motors May Go Public in 2008 or 2009
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 7.08
Can't afford a Tesla Roadster? Maybe you can afford a piece of the electric car company. Yesterday, Tesla chairman Elon Musk said: "I would say within end of this year or next year there is a good chance we would go public". He even let the door open to cooperation with other companies. "We occasionally have short conversations with other automakers," he said. This potential partner could be a U.S. company, "but there's a good chance it's not."
None of this is very surprising. Tesla will need lots of money to bring to market its second and third models, the White Star and Blue Star (code names). Each successive model is planned to be less expensive and sell more units. The White Star could be available in 2010 for around $50,000-$60,000, and the Blue Star will be "as affordable as possible" with a goal to move 100,000 units a year (though Musk didn't give a time frame). ::Reuters, ::First Production Electric Tesla Roadster Delivered...
Hairy Solar Panels Could Result From Nanowire Breakthrough
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 7.08
Solar panels are constantly improving and breaking records. We often hear about new exotic materials and strange shapes, but this could be the weirdest announcement yet: Researchers at McMaster University (coolest name ever) have succeeded in 'growing' light-absorbing nanowires made of high-performance photovoltaic materials on carbon-nanotube fabric. The nanowires are made from exotic materials like gallium arsenide, indium gallium phosphide, etc, and they can absorb more energy from the sun than silicon, allowing the creation of both efficient and flexible solar panels ....
Are You a Green Giant? Tell Your Story to Steelcase
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 7.08
The good people at Steelcase have launched a new site, called GreenGiants, dedicated to highlighting those who are taking big steps in sustainability. Designed for equal parts inspiration and information, the site spotlights those who have attained GreenGiant status -- so far, it's Architecture for Humanity's Cameron Sinclair, Public Architecture's Elizabeth Ogbu and The Wege Foundation's Peter Wege -- and provides resources, tips and further reading on how to care for your environment and the world's people; doing the things it takes to be a Giant.
The site also encourages you to tell your green story; they want to build a collection of stories and people across the planet, showing how many ways there are to join up with the GreenGiants team. Steelcase has earned its good reputation among greenies for its proactive climate change policies and outstanding, Cradle-to-Cradle designs, among other things, making for a pretty compelling green story. Now it's your turn to write your own. ::Steelcase GreenGiants via ::Core77...
The PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG Roadster
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 7.08
Wind in your hair, methane in your gas tank. After the biogas-powered train, paint-shop and prison, here comes the biogas roadster! The PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster will be introduced at the International Auto Salon in Geneva (March 6 to 16). From what we can see so far, it looks quite stylish, mixing old-school with modern. Lets look under the hood to see what makes it green(er)......
The TH Interview: Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia (Part One)
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 02. 7.08
The founder of Patagonia started out when he was little more than a teenager, selling his home-forged climbing hardware to “dirtbagger” mountaineers like himself. Although all he really wanted to do was travel and climb, he had a knack for innovation and invention, and Chouinard Equipment Co. evolved into Patagonia, arguably the most successful outdoor clothing company in history. In his fifty-something years of experimentation, Yvon Chouinard has racked up a list of industry firsts that defies enumeration, yet he describes himself as a reluctant entrepreneur who really just loves to climb, surf, and kayak the wilds of the world, and hopefully save them along the way. ::TreeHugger Radio Listen to the podcast of this interview via iTunes, or just listen/right-click to download. Check out part two here. Full text after the jump....
Must See: China's Driving Dream and Its $6000 Car
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 02. 7.08
Revolving Door Generates Energy, Maybe.
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 7.08
Inhabitat shows the Revolution Door from Fluxlab and describes it as "an ingenious sustainable energy harvesting idea that makes you wonder why no one else has thought of it before." Perhaps because a) lots of people have, it was up on halfbakery three years ago, b) more importantly, revolving doors are already hard for some people to use because of the resistance caused by the seals against the side and the weight of the door. Adding a generator adds drag and any more resistance is, well, futile. ...
Taking a Closer Look at Toyota's 1/X Plug-in Hybrid Concept
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 7.08
Image courtesy of Green Car Congress
After making a splash at last year's Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota's 1/X plug-in hybrid concept will be making its way to the upcoming Chicago Auto Show for its North American debut. Courtesy of Green Car Congress, we now have some more figures and features to chew over in anticipation of its official unveiling:
"The hybrid powertrain in the ultra-lightweight 1/X combines a home-rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack with a 500cc flexible-fuel engine in a system that is 1/4th of the total weight of the Prius powertrain. The result is a vehicle with the possibility of traveling more than 600 miles on a small four-gallon tank of fuel and achieving acceleration performance equivalent to that of the Prius."...
Do Something Good for the Planet: Take the Afternoon Off
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 7.08
Photo credit: much ado about nothign
Want to do something good for the planet? Punch out a little early. Take the afternoon off. Work less. This is the argument of Juliet Schor, a sociologist at Boston College, in "Sustainable Consumption and Worktime Reduction," a paper published by Dematerializing School: Green Learning
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 7.08
Thanks to technology and the internet, many products and services can be 'dematerialized'. For example, just think of how many songs and movies have been downloaded (with and without copyright infringement). Just the iTunes store has sold over 4 billion songs. That's a lot of plastic CDs and trips to the store...
Another area where dematerialization is starting to happen is education: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been getting 1.5 million hits a month on its OpenCourseWare site, and that includes about half a million hits for non-English translations. Gilbert Strang's linear algebra course is downloaded about 200,000 times a month! Hard to fit that many people in one class, but educating the equivalent of 4 large stadiums isn't really more work for him. Win-win....
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: "Out of Sight, Out of Mind"
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 7.08
Image courtesy of Greenpeace
Deep Sea News' Kevin Zilnio points us to a great piece in The Independent describing what has become known as the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch," or "trash vortex" - essentially a floating expanse of waste and debris in the Pacific Ocean now covering an area twice the size of the continental U.S. Believed to hold almost 100m tons of flotsam, this vast "plastic soup" stretches 500 nautical miles off the Californian coast, past Hawaii and almost as far as Japan:
"The "soup" is actually two linked areas, either side of the islands of Hawaii, known as the Western and Eastern Pacific Garbage Patches. About one-fifth of the junk – which includes everything from footballs and kayaks to Lego blocks and carrier bags – is thrown off ships or oil platforms. The rest comes from land."...
Best of NY Gift Fair: Kee-Ka
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 7.08
You're probably already familiar with Kee-Ka's ovary-tugglingly adorable range of organic-cotton onesies and tees, embellished with the company's signature watercolor designs. Now, hot off the Brooklyn-based baby outfitters' presses, is a line of socks for wee feetsies ($5), ages 3 to 12 months, made from 100 percent certified-organic cotton and available in your choice of pink, brown, green, orange, black, or red.
Made in Turkey under fair-trade conditions, the socks contain a small percentage of nylon and Lycra for stretchability and durability. You can find them at select retailers right now, or on Kee-Ka's Web site in spring.
After the jump, photos of Kee-Ka's more-recent offerings. ::Kee-Ka...
High-tech Modelling for Low-Tech Passive Solar
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 7.08
We do get all excited by fancy solar systems with pumps and panels, but the hardest systems to do well are the passive ones, which require good architectural design and careful siting, rather than throwing money at hardware.
The new Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center, designed by Lord, Aeck & Sargent, was designed very carefully indeed, using techniques from the aerospace and defence industries. They partnered with Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) to construct a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to study the air flow within the building. ...
Fairchild Semiconductor Follows Dozens Of Electronics Firms Into The Orange Room: Green Design In Electronics Is Off To India
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 7.08
My how things have changed. The US company that pioneered solid-state electronics is following the R&D wagon train to India, outsourcing power efficiency engineering work to be near colleges that nurture electrical engineering excellence. We had no idea that electrical engineering was so labor intensive. Wondering if those Indian colleges will share in patent rights?
Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE: FCS), a leading global supplier of high performance products that drive energy-efficiency, has opened a design center in Pune, India. This research and design (R&D) center will be responsible for designing and developing the company’s new generation of power MOSFETs and IGBT technology to support popular applications such as solar inverters, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), automotive, lighting and ballast applications....
The Wintles: "Britain's happiest eco-town"
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 7.08
Slapping solar panels on a suburban house is a step in the right direction, but it does not make a house green; there are so many things that have to change in the way we live to really reduce our footprint and actually improve our standard of living, sense of community and general all-round happiness. Bob Tomlinson has tried to do that in the Wintles, in Shropshire, UK.
Donnachadh McCarthy writes in the Independent: "Tomlinson feels that modern estate housing does not encourage people to put down roots and create good communities. The modern habit of moving home, on average, every seven years comes at a huge cost to the environment. Not only does it damage human relationships, but a huge amount of waste is created in the constant redecorating and refurnishing generated by this housing carousel."
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Testing Solar Gear on Kilimanjaro
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 7.08
The New York Times asked a typical American family, the Tishmans (they own a few buildings in New York) to test some solar charging devices when they do what typical American families do when they climb Mount Kilimanjaro, namely take along iPods, cellpones and BlackBerries.
The Brunton Solo, shown above and TreeHugger here, in combination with its battery unit, was quicker to charge but “quite a lot heavier” than other units and said set-up was trickier....
Kithaus at Design Within Reach
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 7.08
There has been a proliferation of garden shed designs recently; they are a great way to get more space without permanently adding on to your house, and can be a great place to work, work out or just get away from everything. They also often do not need building permits or zoning permissions. (for more information on the concept, visit UK site Shedworking; it is an art over there).
Kithaus, designed by Tom Sandonato and Martin Wehmann, is one of the lovelier units, and it is now available at Design Within Reach. This is fulfilling the promise of prefab: Architecture as industrial design, available to anyone off the shelf at any time. Architecture as product instead of service, possibly the future and salvation of the profession. Starts at $29,500 ($ 250 PSF), $44,900 as shown, without shipping or installation....
TerraPass Introduces New Carbon Offset Project Selection Method
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 7.08
Everybody likes choice and openness. TerraPass, one of the more successful players in the US carbon-offset selling business, has introduced a new management system, commensurate with that preference. Current choices for new places to invest income from the sale of carbon offsets are described on the TerraPass website. Customers and onlookers have 30 days to offer comments; after which, staff makes the selections.
This public comment technique offers what green investment portfolio managers call a "positive screen." Instead of picking investments as a closed business matter, and then taking a drubbing for any faults that may surface, TerrPass is publicly jurying the choices up front. It's not perfect, of course, but certainly a step in a positive direction.
Take, for example, the manure digester project located on Scenic View Dairy farm in Michigan (pictured). This one happens to be at the top of the current TerraPass list of projects under consideration for portfolio addition. We read the TerraPass project summary, and then, using the Internets, grabbed some more secondary intel....
TH Blog Love - Our Favourite Greens Of The Week
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02. 7.08
Green Guys Global: Convergence Cotton by Rob Drake-Knight
"The basic concept is regeneration; a farm that has used agro chemicals – cotton or otherwise is used to manufacture organic cotton. The cotton is grown using organic methods but is grown in the soil left by the previous farmer."
Green Options: Green Options Turns One: A Year Later… by David Anderson. Happy Birthday GO! "A year ago today, Greenoptions.com went live to the public for the first time. Jeff remembers those first exciting hours of our launch, but I trace the most important moments back to the start of a parallel timeline."...
Manor Garden Rises Again
by Bonnie Alter, London on 02. 7.08
Treehugger has been following the plight, and ultimate destruction of the Manor Garden Allotments. These were 100 year old community allotment gardens that had been bulldozed as part of the development of the new green Olympic 2012 site. Despite massive community protests and a plea to " encourage a more imaginative Olympic development which includes this special place with its healthy, green lifestyles and vibrant community" they were destroyed.
The art student, Thomas Pausz, wandered into the allotments before they were gone but never saw the shed that was used by all of the community there. For the Royal College of Art student show, he recreated the shed (pictured) from the collective memories and stories of many of the Manor Garden allotment holders. He asked them questions and reconstructed it from their responses. These included queries as to ways to get there, the interior, any particular features. He used the techniques and materials described by the original makers of the shed, such as the window fitter in the construction. All of the pieces are recycled: the table, flooring, and architectural parts. It is a "celebration of memory, the transmission of design know-how between the generations and of community survival against the odds." :: Royal College of Art...
Ryanair Boss: "Recession Would End Environmental Nonsense Among Chattering Classes"
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02. 7.08
When we reported that British Airways was seeing its profits squeezed by the twin threat of rising oil prices and increased competition from rail, commenter Ecobore suspected it had more to do with the budget airlines than it did any shift to greener travel. Budget airline Ryanair, however, is certainly not to blame as CEO Micheael O’Leary has just announced that he expects to see a 50% cut in profits due to higher oil prices – this announcement comes hot on the heels of his deputy CEO suggesting environmental concerns may already be impacting demand for flights. O’Leary, however, continued his tradition of baiting environmentalists with his usual strong language, by saying that he would actually welcome a recession as it would put an end to efforts to curb air travel: ...
Simple Shoes launches special edition ecoSNEAKS collection for StopGlobalWarming.org
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 02. 7.08
Simple Shoes, who we met at Bread & Butter recently, have just partnered up with StopGlobalWarming.org, a movement that has so far excited over 993,000 individuals to join the Stop Global Warming Virtual March, just like TreeHugger did (click here to join via the TreeHugger partner page).
Simple Shoes donates $5 from every pair of StopGlobalWarming edition products they sell. These include the Toepeeka flip-flop in two colors (launched in 2007) and the StopGlobalWarming ecoSNEAKS collection launched recently. Like all Simple Shoes, the ecoSNEAKS are made from sustainable materials: hemp uppers, recycled car tires bottoms, organic cotton linings, recycled plastic bottles (PET) shoe laces and foot beds, and water-based glues, and on top of that, they look great! ...
Responding To Climate Chaos, Or Tips For A Possible Apocalypse
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 02. 7.08
Faster Arctic Ocean melting is just one of global warming's positive feedback loops
The idea that global warming is speeding up climate chaos is starting to circulate in portions of the blogosphere as evidence about positive feedback loops (or in other words, accelerating negative consequences) and these loops' interactions emerges.
In a report presented to a UK government climate group some months ago and now getting a blog play, climate watcher David Wasdell explains his view of the exceedingly bad climate news like this:
"Extra heating because of the climate cycle creates a situation where the ice cycle is accelerated. Less albedo reflection increases the warming, which increases all the other things that are temperature dependent. So it is an interactive set of mutually reinforcing systems....[thus] we have what we call a second order feedback system. Feedback on feedback that accelerates climate change...and the possibility of what has been called "The Tipping Point" in the whole earth system."Because at Treehugger we're natural optimists, this kind of doomsday talk is only useful if it precipitates the types of changes that are great for the planet whether we're speeding toward "hot earth" or some other change scenario no one's even thought of yet. So what should we non-doomists try to do?...
Best of NY Gift Fair: Kidsonroof Totem
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 6.08
The latest toy from the Dutch designers of Kidsonroof, Totem ($34.95) can be anything your kids want it to be, whether it's an airplane, cathedral, sailing boat, or any fanciful construction their imagination comes up with.
Composed of more than 120 building cards imprinted with myriad signs, symbols, textures, and imagery, Totem comes with a manual that provides directions for four different models you can build: Katar, Yak, Barca, and Buran (see photo below). Plus, it's made from recycled laminated cardboard. In addition, Kidsonroof donates 5 percent of its profits to UNICEF projects. ::Kidsonroof; distributed in the United States by ::Hip From Holland ...
Laura Bush Joins National Park Foundation in Everglades to Launch Eco-Contest for Kids
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 02. 6.08
With a recent study revealing a 20% drop in youth participation in outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping since the 1980’s, I think it’s worthwhile to point out that Mrs. Bush and the National Park Foundation teamed up recently in the Everglades to announce this year's Junior Rangers Essay Contest. The theme being: "What can you do now to turn over a 'new leaf' for the environment and preserve our national parks?" ...
Today on Planet Green
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 6.08
:: What will you eat when the apocalypse strikes?
:: No more ramen: Learn how college students can save up to 75 percent on textbook costs.
:: What Star Wars taught us about saving the environment.
:: Get your sweetheart to go green by thinking pink.
:: Try a new vegetable: This week, it's maroon carrots.
:: Cook a dinner for the Year of the Rat: Noodles with mushrooms and baby greens.
:: Find out more about fair trade, and where to find products that support small farmers.
:: Collin tells us how we can keep pthalates out of food—and our bodies....
TH Forums Highlights: Living Without a Car, Good Green Quotes + More
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 6.08
1) Forums user Bram has a problem, "I'm a sysadmin & programmer. I don't have a car or a driver's licence. Apparently, possible employers think this is a problem. Any job I've ever applied for has always been easily accessible via public transport (which is pretty good in tiny Belgium). However, the most common reason for being turned down, was still my driving 'problem' (as they put it). How can I convince my future employers that I don't need a car for a 9 to 5 job."
2) User mmm_puddin has a melon-scratcher for us all: "Hi, I am looking for some really good bold, in your face, alarming environmental statements or facts or quotes." So far, there's a good one about biodiversity -- "We're in a period of massive extinction now. A year ago there were 5000 species on Earth that aren't here today. A year before that there were 5000 more species that aren't alive today." -- and tree planting: "If you planted 300,000 trees and allowed them to grow for their full lifetime, they would offset the amount of CO2 that a single 500-megawatt coal-fired electric plant in produces in a single week." Anyone else?
3) Lastly, Forums user kcmasterpiece is working on re-making the way we get around. "I asked myself a question a year ago. How can the bicycle be improved upon to add more power and less human work and be more of a replacement for a car? My imperfect conclusion was that we have to combine the power of animals with the efficiency of the bicycle. To date, the most efficient use of energy for transportation. My invention is a tandem attachment for a harnessed dog to petal along with the bicycler." Is this a reasonable idea, or just inspired nuttiness?
Best of NY Gift Fair: The Baby Bunch
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 6.08
A bouquet from The Baby Bunch blooms into an assortment of essential baby clothing to help babies—and their bleary-eyed parents—get through their first year with comfort and panache. The Organic Bunch, which comes in your choice of blush, cornflower, and apricot (the gender-neutral option), features an onesie, T-shirt, bib, hat, and a pair of socks, all in 100 percent unbleached organic cotton.
Embellished with recycled paper flowers and leaves, as well as wooden flowers, the Organic Bunch comes in two sizes: 0-6 months (up to 16 pounds) and 6-12 months (up to 22 pounds). Prices start at $69.95. ::The Baby Bunch...
Best of NY Gift Fair: Soybeam Scents
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 6.08
Green from inside out, Soybeam's eco-friendly line of soy wax aromatherapy candles comprise organically grown essential oils, GMO-free soy wax from U.S. farmers, and pure cotton wicks. The candles are encased in green (literally and figuratively) glass tumblers that were once bottles. When your candle has burned through, the wax is easily cleaned off the glass, leaving behind a reusable drinking glass you can toast the environment with.
The California candlemaker's packaging is made from 100 percent recycled, chlorine-free paper. Glue-free and printed with soy inks, the paper boxes are completely biodegradable, as are the seals that protect each candle during transit. Made from paper embedded with flower seeds, the seals can be planted for an instant garden. You get to choose from eight different delicious blends, including mandarin & grapefruit, coriander & peru balsam, and lavender & cedarwood. ::Soybeam
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Hoopla Paints DC with a Chic Shade of Green
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 02. 6.08
Despite the surfeit of green organizations and environmentalists fighting the good policy fight in Washington, DC, let's face it, the nation's capital is dowdy, offering fashionistas few outlets for green artisans and designers.
Hoopla would like to change that. Situated in the dense strip of bars, restaurants and shops on 18th Street NW that is the Adams Morgan neighborhood, Hoopla brands itself as the city's go-to spot for "global green style." That means soy based candles, handbags made from recycled records, paraben-free skin care products, and furnishings made from recycled bicycle, automobile and computer parts, among other intriguing items. The store has an extensive list of eco-friendly partners, including Sworn Virgins, makers of cozy knit dresses spun from pure bamboo, and TreeHugger favorites Ecoist and Montrealers Grace & Cello.
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Quote of the Day: Chris Jordan on Greener Gadgets
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 6.08
The problem with the green movement is that there's a hesitation happening right now. It has trouble reaching critical mass. It's stalling because everyone's waiting for everyone else to do something. ...
We can't wait another generation; we can't wait another 10 years. And I can tell you why the green movement isn't cool yet. Michael Jordan changed the face of basketball fashion overnight when he showed up to the game wearing baggy shorts ... He had a 1-800 number to the minds of tens of thousands of young people. The green movement doesn't have a Michael Jordan....
UPDATE: Sustainable Biodiesel Summit Sees Results
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02. 6.08
Last week we reported on the Sustainable Biodiesel Summit, an annual meeting that is held before the National Biodiesel Board’s convention as an effort to create positive change throughout the industry. Well, it would appear that effort is paying off – at this year’s summit National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO Joe Jobe and Board Chair Ed Hegland announced the establishment of a "Sustainability Task Force" to address and incorporate sustainable practices within the biodiesel industry. Co-organizer of the Sustainable Biodiesel Summit, Emily Bockian Landsburg, of Philadelphia Fry-o-Diesel (who have been doing awesome work creating fuel from grease traps) was chosen to lead the task force within the national board. Rachel Burton, of Piedmont Biofuels, summed up the reasons why this move makes sense for everyone, whether they are involved in biodiesel for their ideals or their wallet:...
XS500 by Miles: $30,000 $60,000 Electric Car in 2009 [Updated]
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 6.08
Last year, we wrote about the XS 500 by the Miles Automotive Group, what was supposed to be the first affordable electric car that can do highway speeds with a decent range. Unfortunately, it seems like the $30,000 price tag has almost doubled (inflation's that bad, eh?) to €40,000, which converts to a little under $60,000. But there's still hope: maybe this simply means that it will be more expensive in Europe than elsewhere. We've contacted a Miles employee to try to confirm what's going on.
Update: Good news! "Information regarding an increase in the projected price of the MILES XS500 which was listed on AutoblogGreen and Treehugger.com was the result of miscommunication between a writer and our EU distributor, MILES-Benelux BV. Our 2009 XS500 model is still projected to sell for $30,000 to $35,000 in the United States."...
Counter-Point: 4 Reasons Why Recession is BAD for the Environment
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 6.08
As a counter-point to Lloyd's tongue-in-cheek post about 10 Ways the Recession Can Help the Environment, here are some eco-reasons why we should wish a speedy recovery (we won't get into non-green reasons here): Firstly, when squeezed, companies will reduce their investments into research & development and green programs. These are usually not short-term profit centers, so that is what's axed first. Some progress has been made in the past few years, it would be sad to lose ground now....
SustainStyle: Organic Flowers and Levis, Fur-Free + More
by 1plus1 on 02. 6.08
Welcome to SustainStyle, a new weekly digest from the writers at 1plus1, a blog dedicated to eco-friendly fashion. SustainStyle will run every Wednesday.
This week we get ready for one of our favorite lovefests: VALENTINE'S DAY! Our "Dress Me" outfit gets us blushing for the annual date night and organic flowers help us set the mood. We also spread the love to fellow blogger TheGreenSet, new high-waisted skinny organic Levis, and the amazing You Bar. New York fashion also captures our attention as we spy DKNY riding bikes and Charlotte Ronson going fur-free.
xo.
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This week we get ready for one of our favorite lovefests: VALENTINE'S DAY! Our "Dress Me" outfit gets us blushing for the annual date night and organic flowers help us set the mood. We also spread the love to fellow blogger TheGreenSet, new high-waisted skinny organic Levis, and the amazing You Bar. New York fashion also captures our attention as we spy DKNY riding bikes and Charlotte Ronson going fur-free.
xo.
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55 MPH: It's time to bring it back.
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 6.08
A year ago we did a survey where we asked if it was time that we should all drive 55 again. While a plurality said yes, the majority said no and the comments were vociferously against it. Perhaps it is time to look at this again; much has changed in a year. What are some of the benefits of driving 55? Perhaps ask your candidates their opinions?
It could save a lot of fuel. Some estimates indicate up to 5%; In 1983, by which time many people were ignoring it, it saved 2.5 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel, or 2.2% of the total fuel used. Oil was a horrible $ 20 per barrel.
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Best of NY Gift Fair: Flat-Pack Origami Table by MIO
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 6.08
The New York International Gift Fair took the city by storm this week, finishing up yesterday after over 2,700 exhibitors showed off their latest and greatest in the Big Apple. One of the things we were pleased to see on the floor was this slick flat-packed Origami Table from MIO. The Philadelphia-based designers have impressed us with a wide variety of sustainable designs -- the Nomad System room dividers, Shroom lighting, Soft Bowls, Wall Pocket storage, 3D wallpaper, Bale Chair and cork flooring tiles all included -- and have branched out with this smart design.
As the name suggests, the Origami Table gets folded into shape from two pieces by its user. The two flat sheets of laser-cut steel are negatives of one another, essentially eliminating waste during production and requiring no tools or hardware for assembly. Once together, the structural table makes a sturdy side, end or bedside table (its 19 inches square); its available in white, black or red directly from the designers. More pics of the table in both its flat and assembled form are waiting below the fold. ::MIO and ::NYIGF...
Aveda Makes NY Fashion Week Greener
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 6.08
Photo credit: Jon Gurinsky
Aveda is taking some of the designers participating in the Fall/Winter 2008 Fashion Week in New York City under its green wing. Rodarte, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Rag and Bone, Thakoon, and Edun, with the help of the 100 percent wind-powered skincare and cosmetics company, have committed to taking the following steps:
1. Replace bottled water with New York City tap water, which will eliminate up to 300 water plastic water bottles per show. In lieu of the plastic water bottles, Aveda will provide reusable liter-sized aluminum water bottles backstage (see above photo)....
Applied Materials Acquires Italian Solar Firm for $334M
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 6.08
Applied Materials is a "major capital equipment producer serving the Semiconductor, TFT LCD Display, Glass, WEB and Solar manufacturing industries." Well, it seems like the scales are starting to tip towards solar manufacturing. They've acquired about $1 billion worth of solar firms lately, including HCT Shaping Systems from Switzerland for $483 million last August and now Italy’s Baccini, a maker of metallization and testing equipment for photovoltaic solar cell production (they've been working on solar tech for 40 years!) for $334 million. The company said it plans to cut the production costs for crystalline silicon cell and thin film modules while also reduce the grams-per-watt usage of silicon material.
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First Production Electric Tesla Roadster Delivered
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 6.08
Photo: Stephanie Lawrence.
Photos of the First Tesla Roadster Electric Car
Finally! Tesla Chairman Elon Musk got to put his hands on his very own all-electric mean-green machine, and not a prototype or crash-test sacrificial lamb; the first production Roadster, a.k.a. "P1", has been delivered to Tesla’s headquarters in San Carlos, California, and Stephanie Lawrence from Earth2Tech was there to take some snapshots (thanks!).
More photos after the jump....
Clevr: Cut Attachez Table by Shay Alkalay
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 6.08
Speaking of adding storage in unexpected places, Israeli designer Shay Alkalay (whose cheeky stain stickers we've mentioned before) has an artful, DIY-able solution. Called "Cut Attachez," the idea involves two careful cuts with a saw, a couple colorful runners and a drawer; a few minutes later, you have more storage (and a cooler table) than you used to.
Granted, it'd be a lot easier and more stable to just add a pull drawer, but we like the concept behind this idea. Alkalay looked at the table -- something many of us probably think of as just a place to put stuff on -- and envisioned a new, useful function for just about any table in your house. That doesn't mean we should all start hacking apart our tables, but it is a clever way to get more from what we've already got. Get up close and personal with more pics after the jump. ::Shay Alkalay via ::dezeen...
FutureFashion: Fashion Week's Green Kickoff
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 6.08
Earth Pledge FutureFashion Collection
Calvin Klein, Givenchy, Ralph Lauren, and Versace aren't names you instinctively associate with eco-couture. But these white-hot superstars of fashion came together with designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Jill Sanders, and Narciso Rodriguez on Thursday to kick off Fashion Week in New York City with a big, green bang.
Organized by Earth Pledge, FutureFashion was a dreamy display of one-of-a-kind creations using sustainable textiles, including organically grown natural fibers (such as hemp, silk, cotton, and wool), as well as newer materials such as bio-plastics and man-made cellulosics. "These materials are all selected because they reduce harmful chemical and energy use, and protect land resources for future generations," wrote Leslie Hoffman, Earth Pledge's executive director, in the event's program—printed on 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper with soy inks, of course.
Sponsored by Barneys New York, Lexus Hybrid, and Pure & Natural, FutureFashion minimized the impact of the event by using low-impact fabrics, Kumbuc wood for the runway (later returned to become furniture), as well as by serving local and organic food backstage. If you're in Manhattan, be sure to check out the looks from the show in the Barneys windows on Madison Avenue (till Feb 21). More photos from the show are below the fold. ::FutureFashion...
Enercon E-126: The World’s Largest Wind Turbine (for now)
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 6.08
Now that is a wind turbine. Still a prototype, the E-126 by German company Enercon is record-breaking. The tower is 138 meters high (453 feet) and its walls are 45 centimeters (18 inches) thick, the diameter of the rotor is 126 meters (413 feet) and the blades feature an improved trailing edge that boosts production. Rated at 6 megawatts, it will probably produce more than 7, and despite its huuuuge size, the turbine is easier to install than its predecessors because the blades are made of two components that can be transported separately. More pictures after the jump....
What Will be Climate Change's Tipping Points?
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 6.08
Image courtesy of soham_pablo via flickr
While the signs of unimpeded climate change already seem to be all around us - from the melting Arctic to the growing number of drought-stricken regions - we haven't yet reached what scientists identify as its "tipping points" - ways in which the planet could tip into a dangerous state that could endure for many centuries. As The Independent's Steve Connor notes in a recent article, that day may not be far off.
In a major new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists have identified nine scenarios under which the Earth could be tipped into a catastrophic state - most of which will likely occur within the next century. They warn that these will essentially become irreversible on a human timescale once they pass a particular threshold; the changes these scenarios will precipitate would be felt for many centuries to come....
This Valentine's Day, Make Love Greener
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 02. 6.08
It may be the thought that counts, but let's face it, if your intention doesn't come wrapped up with a big pink bow on Valentine's Day, you could be sleeping alone. Luckily, we've put on our thinking caps and come up with a plan so you won't get a figurative dagger through the heart (ouch!). From standards like chocolate and flowers to totally kissable coffee breath, we've got you covered morning, noon, and night. ::Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Giving Greener Love...
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life Dept.: 10 Ways the Recession Can Help the Environment
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 6.08
Cue up Eric Idle and sing along with the Life of Brian, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, and remember as we enter this recession that every cloud has a silver lining. Fion McDonald in UK business site Finance Markets notes ten ways that the recession can do wonders for the environment:
Reduction in Landfill: "The world produces billions of tons of domestic waste each year, and 25% of this comes from the USA - even though it only accounts for 5% of the world’s population. Less consumption means less packaging means less material needs to be dumped in land fill. Even when it’s recycled it needs energy which means more fossil fuel burning. Much better for the planet not to have any waste in the first place."...
Survey: How Green is your Local Government?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 6.08
TreeHugger John contributes this question: No matter where you live, if you're reading this on TreeHugger, you probably have an impression of your local government and of how environmentally focused and effective it may be. Please share with us, no matter what nation you live in, your characterization of local government.
Got a good idea for a poll? Want to know what your fellow TreeHuggers think? Suggest it in the comments below.
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Coal-Based Abstinence While 'Hooking Up' With Renewables: New Wall Street Paradigm Emerging
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 6.08
Three Wall Street investment banks are imposing new environmental standards that will make it harder for companies to get financing to build coal-fired power plants. 'Loan applicants have to prove they are good for the long term under future climate mitigation regulations.' Which will dominate the financing of new electricity generation: coal fired; or renewables?
Citigroup Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley say they have concluded that the U.S. government will cap greenhouse-gas emissions from power plants sometime in the next few years. The banks will require utilities seeking financing for plants before then to prove the plants will be economically viable even under potentially stringent federal caps on carbon dioxide, the main man-made greenhouse gas.Underscoring the coal-abstinence point of view, the big banks (going for a big bang) are trying to make their portfolios recession-proof by directing large loans and investments into green technology.
Wall Street's JP Morgan JPM and Goldman Sachs GS and the big utilities have been buying up renewable energy companies in a scramble to get a piece of the record-breaking growth. More than a half-dozen firms have been taken private, including names such as Noble Environmental, Zilkha and Community Energy....
Brits Care More About Animals Than Climate Change
by Bonnie Alter, London on 02. 6.08
Yesterday we read that a "study of 11,000 Americans found that 62% of Americans considered global warming a serious danger, and even those who are worried about it aren't doing a whole lot about it." Today a study of 100,00 British members and customers of the Co-operative Group (bank and store) found that only 4% consider climate change as their top ethical priority, compared with 21% who think animal welfare is the most important. Fourteen per cent consider fair trade as their key concern. Twice as many are concerned about the amount of packaging on their food as think global warming is the most important issue.
The Co-op is doing something about it. In response to the concerns raised on this ethical survey, their 2,700 supermarkets will no longer sell eggs from caged hens. Ethical trading was identified as a priority issue by 27% of members so from now on the Co-operative will convert its entire hot drinks range to Fairtrade; that includes tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Environmental issues are a priority concern for 22% of members so the glass used for the bottles for 26 different Co-operative wines will be reduced, saving a total of 450 tons of glass per year by using lightweight bottles. They will also reduce their own brand packaging by 15% by 2010, and add a further 66 pesticides to their prohibited list. :: Guardian...
Box Wings And Backward Fans For Cleaner Skies
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 02. 6.08
While some of us try to wean ourselves from our jet addiction and the engineers at Reaction Engines work out the kinks of a hydrogen-fueled hypersonic jet designed to get passengers from Brussels to Sidney between breakfast and lunch, a German non-profit called Bauhaus Luftfahrt is working on the wacky-looking "box wing" aircraft above and other goodies to help cut air travel's carbon dioxide emissions 35 percent by 2035.
Bauhaus, which includes Germany's MTU Aero Engines, is proposing to get to that goal in three steps: employing geared turbofan technology in conventional jet engines for a 15 percent CO2 reduction; adding counter-rotating fans into these same engines (5 percent); and lastly, equipping the system with a waste-heat recuperating technology for another 15 percent. An added benefit MTU said, would be quieter planes. MTU is studying incorporating the new engine systems into new aircraft designs like the so-called box wing. Not to be outdone,...
Cities Changing Before Your Eyes
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 5.08
Cities evolve; that is why they can turn green, adapt, thrive and change according to conditions, or fall so disastrously into ruin in a generation. Never have they changed so dramatically as in this Volkswagen commercial from Embassy Visual Effects. Try filming this in suburban Phoenix.
TreeHugger does not endorse driving Volkswagens through European cities when one should be on a bicycle, we just watch it for the buildings. ::The Embassy via ::NotCot...
Intrepid Group Sows Seeds of Environmental Awareness Among Iraqi Youth
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 02. 5.08
With all of the chaos going on in Iraq it’s a surprise to learn that somehow there is someone thinking about the education of Iraqi children when it comes to environmental issues. And while it’s just a start, the truth is that the longest journey begins with a single step....
Best Small Space Shelving Solutions
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 5.08
No matter how small you live, and how much clutter you can live without, storage is one thing it's always easy to run short on. The good people of Apartment Therapy have looked in corners, stairways, closets and even doorways to find the hidden places to stash books and other stackables we need to keep around. Their 8 best small space shelving solutions include the wrap-around ceiling shown above, plus a few more than include space efficiency tricks like floating and folding. They're great ways to get the most out of whatever space you have; hit the jump for pics of our favorites. ::Apartment Therapy...
More Americans Care About Climate, But Not Enough
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 5.08
It would be nice to think that the environment and climate change were front of mind affecting how people vote today; too bad it is probably not. A previous poll we covered noted that while most Americans believe climate change is happening, they really don't care. This new study of 11,000 Americans comes up with a different result. But not much.
The "Center of Excellence in Climate Change Communication Research (CECCCR)" study found that only 62% of Americans considered global warming a serious danger, and even those who are worried about it aren't doing a whole lot about it. But the study raised some other questions that made us wonder about it.
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If Green Tax Credits Go, Say Goodbye to 116,000 U.S. Jobs
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 5.08
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) hired Navigant Consulting to do a study about the impacts that a non-renewal of renewable energy tax credits by the U.S. Congress would have. Here's what they found: Over 116,000 U.S. jobs and nearly $19 billion in U.S. investment could be lost in just one year. Approximately 76,000 jobs are at risk in the wind industry, and approximately 40,000 in the solar industry. The states that could lose the most jobs include: Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota, Washington, Iowa, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and California. The lion's share of these states would lose more than 1,000 jobs. ...
In Japan, Your Nissan Helps You Drive Efficiently
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 5.08
Nissan just announced that users of its popular CARWINGS navigation system (only in Japan for now) will now have access to a new service called "Eco-Drive and You". There are three main components: 1) Eco-drive check, which shows your average fuel consumption, trends in fuel economy, a history and comparison with the last 2 records; 2) Eco-drive ranking, which shows your average fuel economy history and compares it with other CARWINGS members with the same car model, and displays annual fuel expenses and savings; 3) Driving Advice via audio guidance, various tips on more efficient driving.
Please Nissan, don't keep this technology Japan-only! Real-time feedback has proven to be very effective in making people more efficient drivers (in the Toyota Prius, for example). It's a lot easier to improve if you know exactly how you're doing... ::Nissan Press Release, via ::Green Car Congress. See also: ::We Want Fuel Economy Feedback in All Cars, ::Toyota to Introduce "Eco Drive" Indicator, ::Nissan to Develop Own Hybrid Technology...
Could Discovery of New Chlorophyll Give Plants the (Red) Edge in Solar Race?
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 5.08
Image courtesy of tamhistory1 via flickr
It may not have the same zesty appeal as the human genome sequencing project - or, heck, even that of the common fruit fly - but the recent sequencing of Acaryochloris marina, a cyanobacterium that appears in the South Pacific, could have comparably significant ramifications for the life sciences - and solar energy. In so doing, the international team of researchers discovered the presence of chlorophyll d, an extremely rare form of chlorophyll that allows the cyanobacterium to absorb light in the near IR region, or "red edge."
They believe Acaryochloris is unique in this respect; as a result, it holds a huge competitive advantage over other plants and bacteria that photosynthesize primarily by using chlorophyll a and b. Led by Robert Blankenship of the Washington University in St. Louis, the scientists are now hard at work finding the enzyme that causes the chemical structure change in chlorophyll d. They will insert several candidate genes into organisms that produce only chlorophyll a - the underlying reasoning being that any organism that then synthesizes chlorophyll d will have done so with the help of one of the genes. ...
Fat Smokers = Lower Health Costs
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 5.08
So that's the reason American Government policy started under the very recently deceased Earl Butz promotes a corn-based diet that Michael Pollan says is killing us; it keeps health care costs down. If either Clinton or Obama manage to provide national health care, they may even have to lift smoking bans and start taxing sports equipment and jogging shoes instead of cigarettes, and show Presidents lighting up again.
A new Dutch study has found that preventing obesity and smoking may save lives but it doesn't save money.
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i-Spec Q-100: A Biodiesel Analyzer in Your Pocket
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 5.08
This gadget probably won't sell as much as the iPhone with which is shares some design cues, but can your fancy touch-screen phone give you information about your biodiesel (at least until Apple's next software update)? Total glycerin, acid numbers, blend percent, and methanol content. The whole nine yards.
The i-Spec Q-100 has been introduced at the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo (Feb. 3-6, Orlando, Florida). Paradigm Sensors is the name of the company that makes it, and its CEO, Robert Young, said: "Our handheld provides a means to overcome a market barrier to alternative fuels: Poor quality biofuels that clog up engines." We're very curious to find out the real-world performance of these. If you knows more, let us know in the comments. ::Paradigm Sensors, ::Paradigm Sensors Introduces First-Ever Handheld Biodiesel Analyzer, via ::AutoblogGreen. See also: ::Green Basics: Biodiesel, ::Find Biodiesel With Your Cell Phone...
Go Play Outside; Nobody Else is
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 5.08
Ansel Adams-Autumn Moon
“I like to play indoors better ’cause that’s where all the electrical outlets are.” -that's a quote from a fifth-grader in an earlier post and it seems particularly appropriate now. A new study by Oliver Pergams of the University of Illinois-Chicago and Patricia Zaradic of the Environmental Leadership Program finds that park visits and applications to hunt, camp and fish in US National parks have decreased between 18 and 25 percent in the last twenty years.
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AGV: New Super-Duper-Fast Train From France
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02. 5.08
Photo: REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a speech, all kinds of bigshots stood around smiling. The event had all the pomp and circumstance of royalty coming to town, but this isn't about some monarch; it's the unveiling of the extremely fast AGV (Automotrice Grande Vitesse), Alstom's new train.
It's such a big deal for Alstom because the company was this close to bankrupt not long ago. They even compares the AGV to Airbus' A380 in importance and technological innovation. So what's the big deal? ...
Green House at Saks Fifth Avenue: Valentine's Special Today
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 02. 5.08
Selling earth-friendly fashions and spotlighting causes which are fashionable is the marketing gimmick behind a new niche boutique at Saks Fifth Avenue online store. You can get free shipping on your valentine's day order today for orders over $150; just enter the promotional code VALENTINE at www.saks.com green house. Saks has forayed into eco-design before, with individual fashion lines.
The TreeHugger scoop on the newest passenger to jump onto the green-train: the Green House fashions are simple and elegant, lending themselves to a low-consumption/high flexibility wardrobe. Fabrics made of organic cotton, bamboo and tensel (biodegradable eucalyptus fiber) as well as accents out of recycled material such as leather appear to fulfill the earth-friendly intentions of Green House. And spotlighting hip social causes can only do good...but TreeHugger is disappointed to see the well-intentioned but somewhat misdirected use of bottled water to promote the cause-of-the-day, charity:water.
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The Ecological Side Of Education in India
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 02. 5.08
What’s the most effective way to teach people the value of water and other scarce resources in a world where they are becoming more and more precious? The solution: start young – or at least that’s what progressive, ecologically-minded institutions such as the Vagdevi Vilas at Munne Kolalu, near Bangalore, India, are trying to do. Other institutions such as the Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan, are also aiming to show the way toward a revolution in the way ecology and sustainability issues are addressed in education and local communities. Begun three years ago, the school now has 2,300 students on an eight-acre property that performs as a laboratory for putting the school’s ecological education into action. ...
Un-Green Zombies Marching On: Chicago Area Home Owner Association Blocks Solar Panel Installation
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 5.08
A few years ago (ancient history in TreeHugger time) Jeff told us about homeowner associations stopping residents from hanging out clotheslines:- Do Clotheslines Really Lower Property Value?
(If those busy bodies had tried that with my Grandma Marge, God rest her soul, she'd have given them a mouth soaping, or worse.)
Un-Green Zombies, bent on hastily enforcing archaic and arbitrary standards and codes, also have been known to attack gardeners without provocation, as Lloyd reported in his post "City Destroys 10 Year Old Natural Garden."
They can pop up anywhere, anytime. Un-Green Zombies were recently seen marching on some Chicago Illinois area homeowners, for example, drawn to the solar panels. (No nasty naturalized front lawns or outdoor clothes drying involved.) So be prepared....
Sorry Detroit, Heavy Cars Are Not Safer
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 02. 5.08
A while back we covered the Competitive Enterprise Institute's claim that the new CAFE standards will cost lives due to lighter and, in their opinion, more unsafe cars. That led to some animated discussion--as well as some confusion--as to whether or not the weight of a vehicle determines how well it performs in a crash. Well, according to Laura Schewel, an analyst with MOVE, and Noah Buhayar, a fellow at the Rocky Mountain Institute, such confusion is common: Many consumers believe that the goals of a "safer car" and a "more fuel-efficient car" are at loggerheads, and that any increase in gas mileage will lead directly to increased fatalities. This misconception is based in large part on a common assumption: The heavier the car, the safer it must be. Collectively, Americans have bought into this idea. The mass of the average personal vehicle in the U.S. has gone up 29% since 1987.So what, in fact, makes a car safe?...
Party Dress: The Ultimate in Movable Architecture
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 5.08
Components: Five models. One dress. Three ladders. Two lights. 12 white folding chairs. Cupcakes. Mix them together and what do you get? Party Dress, designed by sisters Dana and Karla Karwas, " a music pavilion worn exclusively by five women seamlessly injecting architecture into fashion by using the body as space. Step inside the dress, taste a sweet cupcake, and enjoy an evening of chamber music."
It is like a collective version of Archigram's clothing for living in, or Ana Rewakowicz's sleeping bag dress, but for party time.
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Tao of Change Hosts Carnival of the Green
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 02. 5.08
This week is Carnival of the Green # 113 and it's being hosted by The Tao of Change, "a boots-on-the-ground view of the change that's a-foot." So head on over to their site to check out a round up of green news and events from the past few weeks, submitted by other bloggers and green sites. To learn more about Carnival of the Green, where it will be and how to host (we are now booking into 2009!), please click here to link to our previous post. ...
Aluminum House by Atelier Tekuto
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 5.08
Here is an interesting idea from Dezeen for a prefabricated house; Tokyo architects Atelier Tekuto (known to TreeHuggers for a really skinny house) are developing an aluminum structural system that also works as a radiator for heat, and a conduit for electrical and plumbing.
The architects note that "Although the manufacture of aluminum requires enormous amounts of electricity when being manufactured, the quality of metal stays stable and it’s perfect for practicing the ‘3R’s’: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Recycling aluminum requires only 3% of the energy to produce it. Changing the great amount of architectural waste into aluminum and recycling it results in reduction of environmental damage in a long run."
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Reality vs. Perception
by Jerry Stifelman, The Change, Chapel Hill, NC on 02. 5.08
Calling all green business people - if your company began as a way to enact your beliefs about sustainability, then your business is at odds with the status quo. This is a good thing. It gives you something to be true to -- something that's worth talking about. The typical corporation, on the other hand, does not have this advantage. A company that makes all its decisions based on increasing profits will do fine telling its story to its shareholders, but it's not a very appealing or engaging tale to relate to the general public. Hence the distance between most company's branding and their institutional realities.
When there is no distance between your genuine motivations and those that you profess, you have integrity -- which is the basis of effective branding. In other words, if you're genuinely, deeply green, you're not just good for the planet, you're good for the market. Read on for some ideas on how to use this to your full advantage....
Bleed Blue, Live Green - The Video
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02. 5.08
Move Over Sheik Oil and Peak Oil. Now it’s Geek Oil
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02. 5.08
Yep, some boffins believe they can make what they call a bio-crude oil, using their secret Furafuel technology. Dr Steven Loffler of Forest Biosciences with Australia’s government science research body, CSIRO and his white coated mates at Monash University announced they can, via a chemical process, produce a highly stable oil. This can be readily refined to an equivalent of either petrol or diesel from waste paper, timber and crop wastes.
In fact pretty much anything that is endowed with plenty of lignocellulose. They reckon even forest thinnings, straw and household green garden waste will do the trick. An added benefit of their process is that the bio-crude oil is also PH neutral, so it can be held in storage for a while, before further processing....
101 Holes In The Ground Heat Up Latest IKEA
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 02. 5.08
Behind a familiar blue box, David Johansson drills for geothermal gold
IKEA, that retailing paradox, has become more enamored of the big box store concept than ever - recently the company announced that it would eschew further development of web-based online sales in favor of more brick and mortar(!!!). While that's a somewhat untreehugger, last-century attitude, IKEA in Sweden is also going beyond the slightly shopworn 'we buy green energy' declarations of some retailers by generating a large portion of its own heating and cooling needs on site with geothermal heat pump systems.
At a new IKEA store in Karlstad, 101 separate holes drilled 120 meters (390 feet) into the ground tap 50 - 60 degree water that then provides 85 percent to the location's heating needs and 75 percent of air conditioning requirements (the actual pumping still uses electricity). The IKEA site is now one of Sweden's largest geothermal installations, and new stores at Uppsala, Helsingborg and Malmö are in line to get similar systems. Swedish IKEA stores get 91 percent of their energy/electricity needs from renewable sources (mainly hydro and wind), while globally the average is around 40 percent. Now if they could only figure out a way to get those cheap and (mostly) durable tables, chairs and kitchen doohickeys home to customers via sustainable transport! ::NyTeknik (Swedish only)
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North Carolina Architects Build Themselves a Green Home
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 02. 5.08
The North Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects is building itself a new headquarters in downtown Raleigh and, in the spirit of the times, it will be a green building. Chosen from 69 entries to the AIA's sustainable design competition, Frank Harmon's design (above) is meant to be a "deep green" statement. ...
Former Oil Executive Calls Out Vehicle Makers
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 5.08
The former chairman of Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell has called on the European Union to ban gas-guzzling cars, saying they are unnecessary, the BBC reported Monday. "Nobody needs a car that does 10-15 mpg (miles per gallon, 19-28 litres per 100 kilometres)," Mark Moody-Stuart was quoted as saying. "We need very tough regulation saying that you can't drive or build something less than a certain standard. You would be allowed to drive an Aston Martin -- but only if it did 50-60 mpg."Cynical thought: given that Shell (former employer) and other western based oil majors are looking a bit short on the reserves lately, arguing for more efficient vehicles being designed voluntarily will help keep government regulations at bay and sustain the business models of both oil and transportation industries. Story and image credit Via::Yahoo News...
Gumnetic: Bubble Gum Bin & Memory Foam Made from Used Chewing Gums
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 02. 5.08
This is some serious Cradle to Cradle design; a chewing gum bin that collects used gums to then turn this raw material into more bins. British designer Anna Bullus (we previously featured her disposable sugar mug) has invented this new material she calls Gumnetic, made from used chewing gums and bio resin. The first object created from Gumnetic is the Bubble Gum Bin. This sweet little object is upcycling bubble gum and turning it into a valuable raw material, potentially saving, in the UK alone, three and a half billion pieces of gum a year from going into landfill or worst, being stuck on the pavement. Nine out of ten city paving stones in Britain have had gum stuck to them, the removal of which takes expensive jet sprays or chemical treatments (Via I&DeA). Let’s hope these attractive bins will collect the gums in the future and give them a second life. ...
First Wind-Powered Building Inaugurated in Mar del Plata, Argentina
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 02. 5.08
Buenos Aires' most famous summer destination recently got its first wind-powered building. Its name is Cefira (in reference to Cefiro, god of the wind), and has a generator called IV 4500 which can produce 4,5 kilowatts: more than enough for the building's common-spaces requirements.
The eight-storey building was designed by Mariani-Perez Maraviglia architecture studio, but was a project of two entrepreneurs: Francisco Moreno Ocampo and Franco Tocagni.
Besides having clean energy, 80% of each apartment's walls are glass, which makes it possible for the units to take advantage of solar light. The spaces also have isolation systems that keep control of temperature and independent heating control, which many buildings in Buenos Aires don't have. Common-spaces also have intelligent lighting to avoid waste....
Snow Cave Saves Tahoe Skiers
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02. 5.08
Two skiers who disappeared near Lake Tahoe during a storm were found yesterday after two days in the cold. Patrick Frost, 35, and Christopher Gerwig, 32, both of San Francisco, created a snow cave shelter that saved their lives. Of course, you might not be thinking about this during a life-or-death situation, but snow caves are made of an all natural, potentially rapidly renewable material and only emit water (come Spring). The skiers used a plastic baggie to melt snow (you can use a recycled one). Tips for the best snow cave? ...
What About Mr. Stinky Fish?
by Bonnie Alter, London on 02. 5.08
Readers embraced the name Mr. Splashy Pants for an endangered humpback whale with great enthusiasm. What about Mr. Stinky Fish? Well, no. The World Wildlife Fund had chosen this catchy name for the mascot for its campaign for sustainable fishing. However, the fishing companies and supermarkets went crazy because they don't want any words evocative of slime or smell to be associated with fish. They forced the WWF to pull the campaign because it was 'misguided and unfortunate: it damages the industry'.
The new name: Mr. Super Fish. Hmmmm. However the message is important: as consumers we should look for the Marine Stewardship Council label when buying seafood so that we only buy fish which are not threatened by overfishing. The ones to look for include cod, plaice, swordfish, monkfish and mackerel. :: The Observer...
Love Is.... A Julian Lwin Acrylic Rod Lamp
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02. 5.08
How can one express the complex feeling of love in a lamp you may ask? Well, one of TreeHugger's favourite product designers, Julian Lwin, has given it a good go. Within this hot pink light box of love lies a more abstract idea. Using reclaimed acrylic rods embedded into a light box structure Lwin spells out the word 'Love'. However, on walking around the lamp there is only one view point where the word is intelligible, from any other angle 'Love' becomes a fragmented 3D graphic pattern. As Lwin says, "Love in an abstract concept, easier to experience than to explain." But, can you afford to share the experience with your valentine?...
TH Forums Highlights: Eco Stereotypes, Sigg Sipping + More
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 4.08
1) Forums user ChocolateBikes says, "Lately I have been feeling the stereotypes of being an "environmentalist". People think I've lost my mind because I have given up meat, and commute to school via bike in January, for example. My biggest frustration is when people ask me why I do these things, but when I go on to tell them, I can tell they have doubts about what I am saying. I guess my question how do you let those people who seem resistant to eco-friendly ideas understand the benefits of your choices, in a way that will get them to listen?" 'Huggers, how do you defend your turf?
2) User tammyhennig is looking for some Sigg converts: "Sigg bottles seem to be a very good product for me. I saw them at Whole Foods last night and they seem to be very light weighted. Of course it will feel a little heavy when I add the water but still it's not glass or plastic. I was concerned about the aluminum part but according to the company, it is safe to use. Same with the lining inside the bottle since it is water-based and non-toxic polymer." Who can give tammy some advice?
3) Forums user sensiblesustainable is doing some remodeling, and wants to do it green: "Our first task is to add a 1/2 bath and redo the laundry room. the space is approx 4 1/2' X 12', unfinished (cement slab). I am raising the floor up 6 to 7" to match the level of the rest of the house, and this will allow for running sewer, etc...so, what can I do to make this a sustainable or green remodel/renovation/addition?" Dual-flush toilet, FSC-certified flooring and energy-efficient appliances are all on the list, and a greywater system is not (too expensive) so what else should go on the list? Discuss.
Sit Bag: Old Suitcases Become New Seating
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 4.08
We've seen the Suitcase Bike, House in a Suitcase and the transforming Suitcase Chair; now, check out Sit Bag, from Turkish design collective MayBeDesign. They've classed up some old suitcases to create some retro-inspired seating that puts the ex-luggage to good use. Hit the jump to see more recycling at its best. ::MayBe Design via ::Apartment Therapy...
Fish Farming Moves to the Condo
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 02. 4.08
Today on Planet Green
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 4.08
:: Cook an economical and delicious dish of broiled black-pepper tofu.
:: Find out where you can recycle your empty perfume and other fragrance bottles—and maybe get a free pocket spray in return.
:: Learn how you can reduce your risk of electromagnetic-radiation exposure from your Wi-Fi, cell phone, and microwave.
:: What about putting your kid on the path to a healthy heart this Valentine's Day?
:: Is that "healthy" supermarket product really good for you?
:: Reduce your risk of dryer fires—and improve your machine's energy efficiency—by following this tip.
:: No more poring through supermarket flyers—find grocery steals and deals with a few clicks of a mouse button.
:: Just because something's all-natural, doesn't mean you should abandon all caution. We cover a few basic precautions you should take when dabbling with pure essential oils.
:: Download Hollywood movies, network and cable TV programming, and original digital video content to your PC for free. All you need is your library card. ...
Wayback Machine 1947: House from a Horsa
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 4.08
We thought David Hertz's conversion of a 747 into a house was interesting, but Arthur Bedford, a contractor in Southbourn, Hampshire, had him beat in 1947. He converted a WWII Airspeed Horsa Glider into a lovely little flat. "The glider-home will have three rooms - a bedroom measuring 10 ft by 7 ft, a living room 15 ft by 7 ft, and a kitchenette 8 ft by 7 ft. If the experiment is successful, the builder will convert more gliders. People baffled by the housing shortage will be able to have these homes built quite cheaply on their own sites. Photo shows men working on the exterior of the glider-home - 11th June 1947." The glider-home will have three rooms - a bedroom measuring 10 ft by 7 ft, a living room 15 ft by 7 ft, and a kitchenette 8 ft by 7 ft. If the experiment is successful, the builder will convert more gliders. People baffled by the housing shortage will be able to have these homes built quite cheaply on their own sites. Photo shows men working on the exterior of the glider-home - 11th June 1947.::Shedworking
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The Go Green Initiative's School of the Week: Walnut Grove Elementary in Pleasanton, CA!
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 02. 4.08
In terrific news, this week’s Go Green Initiative School of the Week became the first solar school in California just last week when Principal Bill Radulovich flipped the switch and turned on the solar energy! Perhaps not surprisingly, it's just the latest step they've taken as the folks at Walnut Grove Elementary School in Pleasanton, California have been transforming their campus from a "gardening, composting, recycling" school to one that's focused on saving energy while helping a school around the world do the same....
Mexico Boosts Wetlands Inventory to 19.8 Million Acres
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 02. 4.08
In honor of World Wetlands Day, Mexico added 45 wetlands to an international registry that promotes conservation and sustainable development, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Ramsar, which now covers more than 1,699 wetlands totaling 375 million acres, was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 to coordinate international efforts to conserve wetlands.
Mexico's Environment Secretary Juan Elvira Quesada announced Saturday that the 6.7 million acres of newly protected wetlands are located on Mexico's Caribbean coast, the Baja California Bay of San Quintin and the southernmost state of Chiapas. They raise the total area of Mexico's protected wetlands to 19.8 million acres. The new additions bring Mexico's wetlands inventory to 112 sites, second only to the United Kingdom in national sites. ::Via Associated Press in the San Diego Union-Tribune
See also our coverage of the National Wetlands Awards....
Green Candidate Guide From Envirowonk
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 4.08
New political website EnviroWonk (riding out of the Eco-Geek stable) has posted their "2008 EnviroWonk Super (giga), Post-Bowl, Fat Tuesday Primary Scorecard." Don't know why they did it as an image instead of text, that means I have to actually write something, which is annoying.
Everyone's position has "evolved" except for Huckabee who doesn't believe in evolution; Barack Obama has changed is views on coal; but as David Roberts of Grist noted in an earlier post, "It is difficult to think of a another policy issue on which the ground has shifted so far, so fast, and difficult to think of another policy issue on which the gulf between the two political parties is so vast and striking." ::Envirowonk , see also ::Plenty's comparison here. ...
McVities Harvest Near Blackpool
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 4.08
The kids are being let out of school early for the annual McVities harvest, an obscure British marine delight that occasionally washes up on the shore, free for the pickings. They are the edible spawn of some of the ten thousand shipping containers that spill overboard in the oceans each year, a small fraction of the 100 million containers on the go around the world. (see the North Carolina Dorito Harvest here)
Other bits of flotsam and jetsam are less delightful. Close to a billion gallons of oil is dumped into the ocean through accidents, cleaning bilges, leaking and runoff. ...
From Sketchbook to Street: The Evolution of Strida Folding Bikes
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 4.08
The Strida 5 -- "the world's lightest folding bike" -- was unleashed on the world a few months back, and is, by all accounts, awesome. dezeen tracked down Strida designer Mark Sanders for an interview about the design of the bike and peek at his sketch book; the result is almost like a photo essay, and the revealing look at the process shows it from concept to model to prototype to production (with a whole bunch of sketches in between). It's pretty amazing.
In the interview, Sanders talks about how he came to design the original in 1985 -- he was commuting 25 miles into London every day, having a hard time finding a balance between train and bus transit and walking for miles and miles -- and wanted to create something to make a seamless transition from human power to public transit and back again. More than 20 years later, with three models under his belt, we'd say he's done it. Hit the jump for some of our favorite pics. ::Strida via ::dezeen...
Forget the Jugs; Milk Bags a Hit in Canada, UK
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02. 4.08
We recently noted efforts in the UK to cut back on milk jug packaging by cutting the handle out of the equation; implementing this improvement in packaging would make the jugs 10 percent lighter. TreeHugger Lloyd commented that he was a fan of milk in a bag, getting rid of the plastic jug altogether, which is commonplace in Canada, but not a big hit here in the States.
Today's Evening Standard reports that the notion has spread to the UK, where supermarket Waitrose will expand sales Calon Wen's organic milk in Eco Paks (they started a trial last summer) that reduce packaging by 75 percent. Lloyd noted that his milk bags (in Toronto) aren't recyclable -- the high-density polyethylene jugs they replace are -- and it is unclear if the Eco Paks will go to the recycler or the landfill.
For those who think milk in bags would be tough to handle, read The Steps to the Usage of the Milk Bag for tips on getting the milk from the bag to your glass or bowl of cereal; hit the jump for a useful video from our pals at Hippyshopper on the same subject. Seems that the bag of milk is gaining popularity; what are your experiences (if any) with the milk bag? ::Calon Wen Eco Pak via ::Evening Standard...
Pet Topic: Olive Dog Spa Products
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 4.08
For the pampered pooch who has everything: Olive's line of 100 percent biodegradable doggie-spa products made from organic oils and pure botanicals, and completely free of any harsh chemicals, detergents, or surfactants. (And okay, we're suckers for the cutie-patootie packaging by Modern Dog.)
Your pup will roll over for the Bubble and Squeak shampoo ($15.50), formulated with certified-organic ingredients—such as naturally deodorizing peppermint and rosemary, anti-inflammatory lavender, and soothing calendula—and made in the United States. There's also Olive's Heaven Scent Fur Spritzer ($10.50), a blend of lavender, lemon, and patchouli essential oils to get the funk off the fur. Meanwhile, get your dog tail-waggingly fresh with Soap Lump ($5.50), a safe and natural flea-repellent bath bar made from citronella, goat's milk, and cedarwood.
Find other green goods for modern dogs at ::Olive...
Danish Power Plant by CF Møller Aalborg
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 4.08
Only in Europe would they have architectural competitions to design power stations; In North America Architects don't get a look-in at such things, the security and fencing consultant has more influence. In Skive, Denmark, CF Møller Aalborg wrapped 68 tons of copper around it. Says head architect Søren Tortzen to Icon Magazine: “Skive is a large residential town set in an entirely flat landscape and it was important to us that the station be something that was aesthetically appealing to the residents.” (Of course they have similar concerns in cities like Toronto)
And of course it doesn't burn natural gas or coal, it is a combined heat and power (CHP) station burning new biomass technology.
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Current State: How Design Makes Things Better
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 4.08
Maybe it's just that everything looks better on an iPhone- there have been other systems that do this kind of thing but none are so pretty. Over at Greener Grass they have designed Current State, "a real-time energy use monitoring system and timer for powered devices combined into one. The Current State system is made up of two parts, a mobile application for you cell phone, which allows you to control and monitor electricity use from anywhere, and a series of Plug-Ends that give you control over the products around your house."...
LEED Introduces Protactinium Level
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 4.08
According to Archinect, LEED Gold and Platinum ratings have been surpassed by Protactinium, which provides points for including cute kittens, puppies and baby seals.
"LEED has unveiled a new level of certification, Protactinium.
In order to qualify for the standard, building designers must commit to a lifetime of celibacy and staff the building exclusively with doe-eyed orphans from third world countries. The building must be a net CO2 sink, producing more oxygen than it consumes. Any bamboo used in construction must be certified panda-free. In the event that straw bale construction is used, the straw must be free-range, sustainably harvested straw.
The building must also levitate above the ground to preserve the site for future use. Only free-range, sustainably harvested electromagnets may be used to levitate the building. The electromagnets should also give back 10% of their energy to levitate doe-eyed orphans in third world countries." ::Archinect...
Nanoptek Combines Sunlight and a Nanostructured Photocatalyst to Produce Cheap Hydrogen
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 4.08
Image courtesy of Nanoptek, Inc.
The Massachusetts-based energy startup has developed a new process for producing hydrogen fuel from water using just sunlight and a proprietary photocatalyst. Reporting in Technology Review, Kevin Bullis describes its main advantage as being two-fold: it is "cheap enough to compete with the cheapest approaches used now, which strip hydrogen from natural gas, and it has the further advantage of releasing no carbon dioxide."
Nanoptek's technology centers on the use of titania, or titanium dioxide, a relatively cheap and abundant material, to absorb solar energy; according to John Guerra, the startup's founder and CEO, its engineers were able to modify the material so as to enable it to absorb more sunlight, rendering the process of splitting water to make hydrogen much more cost-effective....
Derrick Jensen Marvels with Fast-Talking-Philosophizing
by Jenna Watson, Barcelona on 02. 4.08
Derrick Jensen at Church of the Holy Trinity, Toronto, Canada. Copyright Njeri Damali Campbell.
We told you about the event last Friday, so here is a quick review of what we saw and heard when we attended Derrick Jensen’s talk in Toronto. The venue was packed with approximately 350 people, which was impressive, especially given the dumping of snow that was ongoing at the time. The talk started off on a comical note with Jensen asking if he could give the “swear word version” being that we were gathered in a local Church. The crowd overwhelming voted for the non-polite version, which Jensen said would take an additional 25 minutes.
He then proceeded to tell us that Star Wars was originally written by environmentalists, with him telling us the alternate screenplay at a rapid-fire pace. Of course, according to Jensen’s anecdote, the title was originally “Star Non-Violence, Civil Disobedience.” He was so convincing that I believed him for a sec. ...
St. Valentine's Day Lost in Consumerism?
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02. 4.08
Photo credit: kitta
As lovebirds and the lovelorn scramble for dinner reservations and floral extravaganzas, few will stop to ponder about St. Valentine or why his feast day is celebrated with plush teddy bears and giant red-heart greeting cards.
The feast day of St. Valentine, who was most likely a bishop in third-century Rome and was publicly beheaded for refusing to denounce the name of Christ, has evolved dramatically over the past 2,000 years, says Philip A. Florio, S.J., assistant to the vice president of student life at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Not all of these changes has necessarily been for the better, he notes. ...
Green Eyes On: Sour Milk
by Sara Snow on 02. 4.08
I was reminded of a valuable lesson this past week. That is, if you give people something to care about, they’ll care. And, maybe more importantly, we can affect change.
When I’m not in meetings on the coasts or speaking all over the country, I’m at my home in Indianapolis, with my husband Ryan and our dog, Makana. And while there are months when I’m not in Indiana a whole lot, I felt a profound connection to my fellow Hoosiers this past week and a need to fight with them and for them.
But first I have to back up. Last November, I was sitting on a flight reading about a milk-labeling issue being debated in Pennsylvania. The discussion was about a dairy’s right to use a label that declaring its milk was free of synthetic growth hormones. ...
WiMax on the Brain: Is "WiFi on Steroids" Safe?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 4.08
I laughed when I first saw TreeHugger Jasmin's Hulger phone, but they say it reduces the exposure to microwave radiation by 95%. TreeHugger has covered the issue of the dangers of cellphones and WiFi before, usually not taking it very seriously, as when we wrote about the university without WiFi or in our survey about microwave ovens, where a typical comment might be "I'm simply too occupied with life and real concerns to take-up fictitious ones as a hobby."
Others are not so sanguine.
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Survey: Did You Watch The Game?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 4.08
It is supposed to be the biggest TV event of the year; some watch it for the game, others watch it for the commercials; some just use it as an excuse for a party.
Others with lots of money crank out the CO2 by flying across the country to see a uniquely American event that leaves the rest of the world shaking their heads in wonder at the scale and excess.
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The Ecopak: Moulded, Printed, Biodegradable Paper-based Packaging
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02. 4.08
We’re big fans of packaging done right, and we really hate packaging done wrong. It’s no wonder then that we were intrigued when Mark Appleford of Varden contacted us about their new Ecopak packaging solution that “combines elements of pulp paper thermoforming with a specialized printing technology to create highly original and sustainable packaging.” According to Mark, the process uses recycled paper and cardboard pulp, but is finished to the same standard as regular cardboard. Printing and moulding is also finished in one end-to-end process. Mark lists the sustainability benefits to include:
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From Patent Protection To Patent Sharing
by Danielle Carpenter Sprungli, WCSBD on 02. 4.08
Taking their inspiration from the success of free and open-source software, where information sharing has led to the bountiful new product creation, IBM, Nokia, Pitney-Bowes and Sonya have created the Eco-Patent Commons to share their environmental patents.
In this open-source domain administered by the WBCSD, registered companies can contribute technology patents that benefit the environment but don’t represent an essential source of business advantage for them. Until today there has been no organized effort to make patents available, without royalty, to help enable the world community to reduce waste, pollution, global warming, and energy demands.
Their interest in this is three-fold: first, by sharing their patents, they can access innovations and solutions to accelerate and facilitate environmentally friendly ideas and perhaps lead to further innovation. Second, the companies are in a unique leadership opportunity to make a difference towards sustainable development by sharing their innovations. Third, the Commons provides an opportunity for businesses to identify common areas of interest and establish new collaborative development efforts....
African Seed Bank Deposits Arrive In Norway
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 4.08
TreeHugger April updated us on construction of an international seed bank (shown here in front view) in her post called Chilling Down Svalbard's Seed Saver. This followed Tim's post on the early planning stages called Norway Seed Bank: A Hedge Against Food Loss. The shelves are up, and the first load of seeds, from Africa, are enroute for long term storage in Norway.
Twenty-one boxes filled with 7,000 unique seed samples from more than 36 African nations were shipped to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a facility being built on a remote island in the Arctic Circle as a repository of last resort for humanity’s agricultural heritage......
It Doesn't Take a Genius: 'Power to the Pedal' Design Competition Underway
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 02. 4.08
Design 21: social design network works "to bring designers and non-profits together to create, share and discuss socially responsible design." In partnership with UNESCO, they have brought us the Heated Issue: A Global Warming Design and the DESIGN 21 Logo Competitions. The success of those contests, as measured by the quality of the winning entries, led DESIGN 21 to announce more design competitions. The latest, dubbed 'Power to the Pedal', is challenging designers "across the globe to create accessories for bicycles that would encourage people to make bicycling a part of their everyday lives."
Learn more about the reasoning behind the contest and the prizes after the fold....
What is a Swale?
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 02. 4.08
Gooc: Recovered Tires and Fabrics Footwear from a Vietnamese in Brazil
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 02. 4.08
These beautiful sandals from recovered tires are produced by Brazilian brand Gooc. Even though we've seen lots of designs with recovered tires, these ones are special not only because they're great looking, but also for the story behind them.
Gooc was founded by Thai Quang Nghia, a native from Vietnam who was rescued from a small boat at high sea near South-East Asia by a Petrobras ship (Brazil's largest petrol company). With only 21 years old, the Vietnamese was taken to Brazil without speaking a word of Portuguese and soon found a home and a way to make a living.
Keep reading and find many more pics in the extended......
When is a Tree More Than Just a Tree
by Bonnie Alter, London on 02. 4.08
When Anne Frank wrote her poignant diaries whilst in hiding from the Nazis during World War 2, she often mentioned the chestnut tree that she could see from her attic window. In her captivity, it was a source of hope and comfort: "The two of us looked out at the blue sky, the bare chestnut tree glistening with dew...and we were so moved and entranced that we couldn't speak." But now the 150 year old tree is dying, and is only expected to stand for another 15 years at most. The owner of the next door property where it is located wanted to have it cut down. A battle over its future erupted between those who felt that it must be maintained at any cost because of its symbolic value, and Amsterdam City Council which feared that it would topple over and hit the house. Others felt that because of its disease, it will soon become unrecognisable as her tree in any event.
As of this week, the Support Anne Frank Tree Foundation has won the battle and will take over care of the tree from the City of Amsterdam. A supporting structure is to be built around the tree....
But Is It Organic?
by Tim McGee, Western Massachusetts on 02. 3.08
Nitrogen gas makes up the vast majority of the air we breathe, around 78% by volume. Yet for most of biological life on earth nitrogen is difficult to obtain for a useful purpose. To become part of plants and animals it must first be fixed. Lightning strikes can fix nitrogen, some plants have evolved relationships with fungi and bacteria to fix nitrogen or we have been known to add artificial or natural fertilizer. But not all fertilizers are created equal. ...
Why Ethanol Production will Drive Food Prices Even Higher in 2008
by Lester Brown, Washington, D.C on 02. 3.08
We are witnessing the beginning of one of the great tragedies of history. The United States, in a misguided effort to reduce its oil insecurity by converting grain into fuel for cars, is generating global food insecurity on a scale never seen before. (Full report here.)
The world is facing the most severe food price inflation in history as grain and soybean prices climb to all-time highs. As a result, prices of food products such as bread, pasta, and tortillas, as well as pork, poultry, beef, milk, and eggs, are everywhere on the rise. In Mexico, corn meal prices are up 60 percent. In Pakistan, flour prices have doubled. China is facing rampant food price inflation, some of the worst in decades....
Another Benefit Of Hybrids: Discounted Tolls
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 02. 3.08
We recently reported that the state of Ohio is "changing laws that allow any hybrid into the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane." What this means is that only those "hybrids that improve mileage by 50 percent in the city or 25 percent overall" compared to non-hybrid models will be allowed into HOV lanes. The notion that any hybrid-no matter how efficient-should be allowed into an HOV lane even if occupied by only one person generated some interesting discussion. Some argued that any car above a certain fuel-efficiency (say, 45 MPG, for instance) should be allowed into the HOV lane, while others argued that High-Occupancy Lanes should be just that: reserved only for cars with two or more occupants. Controversy notwithstanding, the fact remains that hybrid owners get several perks, such as the aforementioned HOV rights and tax credits. Now, to add to those perks, "a small but growing number of toll agencies around the world are giving discounts to owners of some alternative-power vehicles."...
African Project To Revive Depleted Soils
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 02. 3.08
A five-year, $180 million project to revitalize the soils and agricultural sector of sub-Saharan Africa has been launched in Nairobi, Kenya. The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa's (AGRA) Soil Health Program will work with 4.1 million farmers to regenerate 6.3m hectares of farmland, which have been degraded by unsustainable farming practices in the last few decades.
"Currently, farm yield in Africa is one-quarter of the global average, and one-third of Africans face chronic hunger," says Dr. Namanga Ngongi, president of AGRA. "We know that the use of high quality seeds, combined with the rejuvenation of African soils, can begin to turn around this dismal situation."
The initiative will place a particular focus on women, who are the majority of small-scale farmers in Africa and other parts of the world. Other agencies have pointed out that assisting women farmers goes a long way to tackling social inequalities and a looming global food shortage crisis. ...
The Economist on Ultracaps and Tribrids
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 3.08
The Economist does a good summary of ultracapacitors, saying "A new version of an old idea is threatening the battery industry." It first covers the XH-150 "Tribrid" covered in TreeHugger here, and then continues:
Eventually, the so-called ultracapacitors on which the XH-150 is based may supplant rather than merely supplement a car's batteries. And if that happens, a lot of other batteries may be for the chop, too. For it is possible that the long and expensive search for a better battery to power the brave, new, emission-free electrical world has been following the wrong trail." ...
Tesla Developing Gas-Electric Hybrid Version of Whitestar (UPDATED)
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 3.08
Image courtesy of booleansplit via flickr
Courtesy of AutoblogGreen's Sebastian Blanco and CNET's Michael Kanellos comes the news that Tesla Motors is hard at work on a gas-electric hybrid version of its upcoming all-electric Whitestar sedan; both models are due out toward the end of 2009. Range is the main concern driving the production of the Whitestar REV, or range-extended vehicle, as Elon Musk, Tesla Motors' chairman, explained at a recent press conference.
Whereas the all-electric Whitestar is expected to run 150-200 miles on a single charge, the REV, whose gas motor will help recharge the battery pack while driving, is expected to go much further - possibly as much as 400 miles, if GM's Volt, which boasts that range, is any indication. ...
Nano-Style Approach to Capturing and Storing Gases Could Have Applications for GHG Management and Fuel Cells
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02. 3.08
Faced with the dual challenge of finding new ways to mitigate climate change and improve upon existing clean energy technologies, some scientists are starting to think small. As TreeHugger and other eco-minded blogs have documented over the last few months, the fields of nanotechnology and materials science in particular have witnessed a rash of innovative, promising discoveries and developments in these areas.
Now a team of researchers from the University of Calgary has unveiled a potentially groundbreaking new technique for capturing and storing gas: "molecular nanovalves." The immediate applications for these so-called "nanovalves," essentially molecular-sized containers for holding gas, could include greenhouse gas management and fuel cell development (think hydrogen). ...
Can BRT Encourage Bike Use?
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 02. 3.08
A feeder bus (left) and a bicycle parking lot (right) - two free ways to access Bogota's Transmilenio BRT system.
This is so much more advanced and hi-tech than anything I've ever seen in the US.Another great short film from the folks at StreetsBlog, this time about Bogotá's flagship BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) project, the Transmilenio. Moving 1.3 million people a day through the city, the Transmilenio is the centerpiece of the urban revolution that has occurred in Bogotá, Colombia over the past several years. ...
Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate wins Conscience Award
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 02. 3.08
Valentine's day looms. Chocolate is on your mind. So we are pleased that the prestigious "International Brands with a Conscience Award 2008" reminds us to remind you of the incredible story behind Tony's Chocolonely chocolates. You may remember that Tony's slavefree chocolate attracted attention due to founder Teun van de Keuken's remarkable attempts to publicize the bitter truth about chocolate. Van de Keuken tried to force Dutch authorities to prosecute him for buying and eating chocolate in violation of Dutch law that makes it illegal to receive goods that have been obtained unlawfully....
New York City Energy Shortage Projected: Nuclear & "Clean Coal" Proposed As Solution By "Some Experts"
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02. 3.08
In light of a state-projected energy shortage, New York needs an expansion of nuclear power; and, it's a near-"silver bullet" solution, according to an ex-Greenpeace expert. This, from a breakfast-talk held in the New York State Capital of Albany.
State energy experts forecast a shortfall of electricity in the state by 2012, especially in the New York City area.
A greenfield nuclear generation station would take around 10 years to plan, design, site, permit, and build. It'd have to be an existing site expansion if the solution is to be timely.
This next part is complex; but stick with us, please, because we think you'll find the plot fascinating.
This year, Gov. Eliot Spitzer has made passing a new power plant siting law [Article 10] a priority, although his deputies will not say if he plans to soften his stance in order to compromise with the Senate.
Power plants can still be built without an Article 10 law [currently expired and needing legislative renewal] in place. Without it, though, applications must go through a locally controlled and more open-ended process governed by the State Environmental Quality Review Act....
British Airways' Profits Squeezed by Eurostar and Oil Prices
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02. 3.08
Yesterday we heard how Spain’s new high-speed rail service is getting set to take on the airlines. Meanwhile, on the other side of Europe the airlines may already be suffering through the twin threat of rising oil prices and competition from an ever greener and more convenient Eurostar. According to The Guardian, British Airways has seen a drop in economy class sales to European destinations, though the airline sees the shift as a result of increased hand baggage restrictions, rather than any move to be greener:
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