- 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 10, 2008 - February 16, 2008
Total this week: 203
Three Ways to Piss Off the French
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 02.16.08
"Studies" that arrive at conclusions long since known raise a serious question: who finances this work? In one of the most egregious cases of not trusting the available wisdom and having to prove it to themselves, the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the Grenoble School of Management have published a paper in the International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management concluding that hybrids are only a stop-gap measure which create a risk that more innovative technologies may be disadvantaged by acceptance of the (ultimately) non-sustainable hybrid models. How can a reasonable person respond to such inanity? We suggest three options....
Wayback Machine 1934: Bike Moves By Pumping Action
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.16.08
This is actually extraordinarily clever, a bike even simpler than, dare we say it, a fixie! By putting the axle of the rear wheel off-center, one propels the bike by moving up and down on the flat board. You probably start it like a scooter and then do continuous carefully timed jumpsquats to keep it moving. Sort of a tribrid scooter, longboard and bike. No chain, no sprockets,Video: Michael Pollan, Taking a Plant's Perspective
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.16.08
Greenspan Hearts EVs, Nucs, & Carbon Bubble
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.16.08
In an informal address to Houston Texas area energy execs, former US Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan recently had this to say.Ethanol, he said, was a "politically-driven fuel" and a less efficient means of meeting demand for transportation fuel in the U.S. For this reason, Greenspan touted nuclear power as the way forward to generate electricity in the U.S. and urged the development of electric-powered cars. "Global warming is real," Greenspan said, stressing the need for alternative fuels....
Milk Jugs Recycled Into Green Toys
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 02.16.08
When you send the milk jug in your fridge on to the recycler, it’s often the last you’ll think of it. But Green Toys, Inc. is busy recycling them for profit into their line of classic children’s toys. And as they point out on their website, every pound of milk jugs recycled means an energy savings equivalent to 3,000 AAA batteries, three weeks worth of the electricity needed to power a TV or enough to run your laptop for the entire month ahead.
Not to mention the fact that they’ll also provide a great way to teach your kids about the positive benefits of recycling waste products into something fun.
...
Lester Brown: Time's Up, Coal
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.16.08
Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute (and a frequent contributor to this site), launched a shot across the bow of big coal - claiming that the dramatic shift in public opinion away from coal-fired power plants signaled "the beginning of the end of the coal industry." Coal-to-liquid technology, which we've taken a dim view of in the past, and carbon sequestration are mere feints, he asserted, and much too carbon-intensive.
The proper strategy for supplying our energy needs - whilst mitigating our global warming impact - would be to invest in energy efficiency solutions and alternative sources such as wind and solar energy. What to do with the estimated 200 years' worth of coal still in the ground? Leave it there, Brown said. Predictably, his latest call to arms has aroused the ire of the coal industry, which accused him of "grossly" exaggerating opposition to coal and of being on a "jihad." ...
Surprise, Surprise: Google Also a Big Fan of Cheap Electricity
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.16.08
Image courtesy of Adrian Libotean via flickr
Google's recent decision to venture into renewable energy - while met with some skepticism by the press and its shareholders - was largely embraced by environmentalist groups and eco-oriented publications (including this one). Indeed, the move to support the creation of a gigawatt of renewable energy seemed to reinforce Google's image as that of a benevolent, forward-thinking giant - lending credence to its "Don't be evil" mantra. But is there more than meets the eye to the recent announcement?
Ginger Strand, an author and contributor to Harper's Magazine, certainly seems to think so. In a fascinating exposé, Strand confirms some longstanding doubts about Google's devotion to clean energy and the operation of its energy-intensive server farms. ...
TreeHugger + SMITH Six Word Memoir Contest: Get Your Entries In!
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 02.16.08
"Back to nature. Back to Life." "Tired of talking ready to change." "Always looking for a better way." These are just three of the many six-word green memoirs we have received already in our Six Word Memoir Contest. However, if we still haven't received your story, we want to hear it! Head on over to our contest page and tell us in six words about your green life. Not only will it give you a chance to reflect on your memoir-in-progress (and bone up a little on your editing skills), you will have a chance to win an iPod nano engraved with your memoir, a Planet Earth DVD set or SMITH's new book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure. ...
Organic Combat-Ready Balm Supports US Troops in Iraq
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.16.08
Reverse China Syndrome: Poisoning America's Supply Chain Through Incompetence And Greed
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.16.08
America's poisoned supply chain melt-down started in China during mid-2007, and appears to be continuing into 2008. Running in a direction opposite of that suggested by the movie China Syndrome.
Poisoned dog and cat food first came to public attention in the summer of 2007.
Then came lead paint on children's toys; and, lead-laced PVC everything from China.
Just before Christmas of 2007, there was this plastic sculpting toy for kids that contained a dangerous drug, added for reasons only known to the minds of mad polymer scientists.
Now, it's the biomedical supply chain, with roots in Chinese pig farms. What's next?...
Nike Talks Trash With Shoe Made From Manufacturing Waste
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.16.08
Steve Nash, the All-Star Guard for the Phoenix Suns, and Nike have teamed up to create the Nike Trash Talk, the first Nike performance basketball sneaker completely produced from manufacturing waste. Nash, who debuted the shoe last night in the Phoenix versus Dallas Mavericks game, appears to be quite a greenie himself: "Any opportunity to promote the environment and preserve our planet is a step in the right direction," he said in a press release.
Modeled after Nash's current shoe, the Nike Zoom BB II Low, the Trash Talk meets Nike's Considered design standards for sustainability, which we've discussed at length about, in the following ways:...
Emiliano Godoy's Arbol Lamps: Another LED Turn-On
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.16.08
Combining the warmth of sustainably-harvested birch plywood with the cool efficiency of LEDs, Emiliano Godoy (with help from Alejandro Castro and Alejandro Machorro) was a winner at the 2007 National Design Biennial in Mexico City for his Arbol Lamps. The trio created lamps that feature modular LED boards developed exclusively for this collection, which features a system of central joining that imitates the trunks and branches of trees, where the strength of the whole comes from distributing the work amongst all the limbs.
It's a smart way to design lighting like this; the pendant lamp pictured above is "assembled from eight identical pieces that join in a radial arrangement. This joining system was developed while looking for a way to distribute small sources of light (LEDs) in a three dimensional pattern, but using flat pieces which could be manufactured with low cost and minimal material use." Hit the jump for a free-standing version of Arbol and for more of Godoy's thoughts on sustainable design.
::Godoylab via ::Sustainable Design Update
See also: ::Emiliano Godoy's Biodegradable Knit Chair and ::Emiliano Godoy's Biodegradable Sugar Golf Tee...
Big Money Invests in Cleantech
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 02.16.08
Big Money seems to be getting the message: after Al Gore told an audience worth $20 trillion in capital that its polluting investments should be considered "subprime", US institutional investors pledged last Thursday to invest $10 billion over the next two years in emissions-reducing technologies. The investors also agreed to pressure companies to disclose climate change-associated risks and to incorporate green building standards into their investments....
Call for Entries: Electrolux Design Lab 2008, "The Internet Generation"
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.16.08
The forward-thinking gang at the Electrolux Design Lab are at it again. After crowning E-wash the winner of the 2007 competition whose theme was environmentally-sound, commercially viable products, they've announced a call for entries for the sixth edition of the design competition. This year's theme, for undergraduate and graduate industrial design students to ponder: products for the Internet generation....
Sasquatch Promotes Bike-Friendly Streets
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02.16.08
Most Huggable: Green(er) Fridges, the Million Tree-A-Thon, Decentralized Energy + More
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 02.15.08
Sub-Zero is working to make their huge products more efficient, but does that make them green?
Take a bite out of this review of the most and least contaminated produce, and get some tips on where to buy organic fruits and vegetables.
Check out this new initiative from Kedzie Press and Eco-Libris: the Million Tree-A-Thon. The goal: planting one million trees for one million books to be sold by Kedzie Press by the end of 2009.
Get the scoop on an alternative to using laundry detergent and softener when washing a load of laundry.
Plug in to this overview of decentralized energy: what it is, how it works and how it differs from the present (mostly inefficient) energy system.
...
TH Forums Highlights: Helping Others Go Green, Pellet Stoves + More
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.15.08
1) In an interesting twist on an old question, Forums user mikebeavis says, "Hi all, I was thinking about how we all talk about how we planted a tree, started recycling, installed CFL bulbs in our homes, etc. etc. etc. That is of course wonderful. But I wonder how many of us have helped someone else go green, whether they knew it or not? I'm a big believer that many people won't consider efficiency unless you can show them that it can positively benefit their wallets." What do you think: is it all about the cash? Is that a good enough reason to go green?
2) User kah has a pellet stove question for seasoned corn or pellet burners: "I have been thinking of trading in my large capacity wood stove for a pellet stove. I am finding the wood stove just too messy and even though I have the largest capacity that Pacific Energy makes, the burn does not last overnight. I had hoped that the pellet stove would cut my oil consumption costs and offer a longer burn rate over the wood stove. However, I have been told that if one is not mechanically inclined, that a pellet stove is not an option. This salesman said that the motors always need tweeking and it is difficult to find someone to service them." Yea or nay; true or false?
3) Forums user pdxuser wants to get technical: "Does anyone know if there's been an LCA to find out if using AA/AAA batteries is ever better than taking juice off the grid? As bad as a coal-fired power plant is, it seems like the production of an individual AA battery for its less than 3 watt-hours of electricity is very inefficient...The only setup I can think of that might beat the grid would be a battery recharged by a solar charger." We can almost hear the calculators calculating....
Today on Planet Green
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.15.08
:: Watch climate change unfold before your eyes with Discovery's new Web app.
:: Get recession-ready by making use of leftovers.
:: Top 21 ways to reuse old tennis balls
:: Find out how you can keep your eyelids peeled open, without...gasp...caffeine.
:: Should you repair or replace your computer?
:: It's feathers flying, all day and all night, at this Web site.
:: Learn how to find the perfect contractor for your green remodeling and building projects.
:: Swap baby stuff for free!...
Victoria’s Secret Offers Itty Bitty (Recycled) Bikini
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY on 02.15.08
Yesterday, during my post-work nosh ritual, I felt one Fig Newman too heavy as I surfed the Victoria's Secret 2008 Swimsuit must-haves, which had arrived in my inbox. Now, despite the name of their signature bra and scent, Victoria’s Secret hasn’t exactly been an angel when it comes to sustainable practices, but a Northeastern girl like myself (or any guy for that matter) can’t deny the promise of sun and sand that the brand's swimsuits bestow on a bleak February day. This year, however, feeling oh-so-over Valentine’s Day and not-so-bikini ready, I couldn’t relate. Not to Adrianna or Giselle nor their cup sizes, the glitz, the glamour--nada. ...
Handpresso: Get Your Java And Better Biceps, Too
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 02.15.08
This French-designed portable espresso maker, which requires hand-pumping to operate, may be just the kind of gimmicky gadget that looks a lot better than it works. At a cost of 100 Euros (about $145) and also needing special (and with their excessive packaging, eco-unfriendly) coffee "pods", the Handpresso has a single shining environmental attribute- that it is human powered. That's not only a plus for camping trips or any other kind of off-grid living, it is also just plain sustainably-minded.
But in spite of the smiling and sexy-looking hikers in the Handpresso infomercial enjoying what the web site says is "vintage coffee with a delicious aroma and a perfect crema" there's no exact explanation of just how long you'll need to pump to get enough pressure (the infomercial does note "just 16 bars") to produce espresso for two. Plus a source of pretty hot - 80 to 100C degree - water is needed for the Handpresso. Still, the idea of a shot of java anywhere is intriguing...what about the steamed milk? Via ::Handpresso.fr (French and English)
P.S. One organic brand of pods does seem to be available at podhead.com...but still!...
How to Green Your Kitchen
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 02.15.08
What’s the Big Deal?
The eco-friendly kitchen begins with eating green, but it doesn’t end there. Energy-efficient food preparation and cleaning habits, using equipment made from sustainable materials, and dodging toxic chemicals are also important if you want to have a truly healthy kitchen. Fortunately, making the right choices for your well-being is also good for the pocket and the planet. Our straightforward and simple suggestions for preparing earth-friendly meals--from fridge to food to cleanup--will turn you into a greener gourmet in no time.Powering 20,000 Homes: The World's Largest PV Solar Farm Opens
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 02.15.08
With an installed peak power capacity of 20 megawatts, world's largest photovoltaic solar power farm has opened in Spain. This farm surpasses the solar farm at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada which is rated at 14 megawatts. The new solar farm consists of 120,000 solar panels and covers 100 hectares (247 acres) in Jumilla, a wine-producing region in southern Spain, where the local Mayor says 300 days of sun a year are guaranteed. The farm's total annual production will be the equivalent of the energy used by 20,000 homes.
...
Syntec Biofuel: Closer to Fuel from Waste
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.15.08
TreeHugger readers made some good points in the comments of a recent post about biodiesel. It's indeed always a dilemma between happy and sad when there's a step in the right direction in something that is far from perfect to begin with. In the mid/long-term, the internal combustion engine is on the way out. It's just not very efficient at converting liquid fuels into mechanical motion (most of the energy is lost as heat).
But what about the short-term? Biofuels are a minefield. Corn ethanol? No! Methane from bio-digesters and landfills? Yes, better use it than have it in the atmosphere. Waste cooking oil biodiesel or SVO? Yes! Algae biodiesel? Probably, when available. Soybean biodiesel? Maybe. Depends where and how it was made and what it replaces.
But what about other types of biofuels made from waste? There's some news on that front from Syntec Biofuel. Read on for more....
TreeHugger + SMITH Six-Word Memoir Contest: Contribute Your Story
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 02.15.08
We are getting some killer memoirs over at our Six-Word Memoir Contest page, but we still don't have yours! So, get over there and tell us in six words your green life story. You could come away with an iPod nano (engraved with your six words of course), a Planet Earth DVD set or a copy of SMITH's new book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure. Just make sure you sign up on the contest page and enter by February 18th. More info and contest rules after the jump. ...
Smart Condo by Peter Busby
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.15.08
The standard Vancouver condo is a tall building with a small floorplate on a big podium. It has worked, but perhaps does not fit everywhere. Like in one of the more, um, shall we say "challenged" parts of town that has a great collection of older, lower buildings.
Peter Busby of Busby Perkins + Will is that rare bird with fabulous green credentials but can also design his way out of a paper bag, and has built an old-fashioned building with a traditional light well. ...
UCLA: New Super-Porous Materials Can Trap CO2
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.15.08
The atmosphere doesn't care how we do it, we just need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. So while you'll have a hard time finding people more opposed to coal plants than we are, we have to be realistic: Many of these power plants won't be closed for years and in the meantime anything that can mitigate the damage is good.
That's why these new materials created by Omar Yaghi and his team at UCLA are interesting. They are super-porous - 1 gram can contain up to 2,000 square meters of surface area - and absorb 80 times their volume in carbon dioxide while letting other gases pass through. The novelty compared to other similar materials is that it doesn't take much energy to release the CO2 afterwards, making it more energy and cost effective....
FEMA Formaldehyde Fiasco Festers
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.15.08
Last year John did a recipe of the week for optimizing formaldehyde exposure:
1. take small aluminum box;
2. fill with particleboard, composites, glues, carpet, luon plywood liner;
3. stuff tightly with jobless Katrina refugees with nowhere to go;
4. cook at high heat in southern sun until done.
FEMA was not happy with how it turned out, so they buried the critics' reviews and "ignored, hid and manipulated government research on the potential impact of long-term exposure to formaldehyde."
...
Exhaustburger Cooks While You Drive
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.15.08
Good TreeHuggers never waste a thing, yet so much heat is lost through the tailpipe. We have heard of cooking with your car engine before (there is even a book called Manifold Destiny about the subject) but when covering the Dining in 2015 competition we missed this clever trick for getting a little extra mileage out of your engine exhaust. ...
Ancient Findings Show Warmer Planet Could Mean More Insect Troubles
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 02.15.08
Could the planet experience a surge of insect migrations toward temperate climes brought on by the milder temperatures of a warming planet? The modern-day example of malaria-carrying mosquitoes moving to regions once too cool for them to survive is a telling precedent of what could come. Now, scientists studying another ancient climatological shift reported earlier this week that insects back then not only moved further afield, they also ate more plants and did more kinds of damage to them. Scientists speculate that 55 million years ago, a massive volcanic eruption or fires caused carbon dioxide levels to rise, resulting in a 9-degree Fahrenheit increase in global temperature over the course of 5,000 years – an event known as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. The earth remained warm for 100,000 years before cooling down, but not before atmospheric carbon dioxide tripled, making plants less nutritious and forcing swarms of tropical and subtropical insects to move into now-warmer temperate zones in search for food. ...
Best of Design Democracy '08: Accessories
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.15.08
We've been spotlighting Design Democracy '08 a lot this week; we love the idea of combining design, technology, mass customization and local manufacturing. The design competition that's looking at reconfiguring the way we consume things is confident enough that their point of view is a hit that they're offering the winning design a showcase at New York's International Contemporary Furniture Fair this spring. So far, we've seen some cool tables and seating; today is all about accessories.
Pictured above is the Objectify Fruit Bowl, designed by Adam Moody (who has licensed the design to New Zealand's Vanilla Design Store). The laser-cut bowl is made from sustainably-harvested hoop pine in four nearly-flat pieces in a design sensibility we've seen a lot in the rising tide of hyper-local manufacturing/downloadable designs: a design that can be easily created from flat(ish) pieces, a CNC router or laser-cutter, and a computer diagram; it's a really smart way to distribute design, localize manufacturing and use resources with frugal efficiency. Though designed as a fruit bowl, we could see this as a more utilitarian catch-all, from mail to magazines, keys and more. ...
Biodiesel: Even Better Than We Thought
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.15.08
A widely cited 1998 life cycle study by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture concluded that "Biodiesel yields 3.2 units of fuel product energy for every unit of fossil energy consumed in its life cycle" while "petroleum diesel yielded only 0.83 units of energy per unit of fossil energy consumed". Time for an update: A soon to be published 2007 study by the USDA and the University of Idaho finds that the energy balance of biodiesel is "a positive ratio of 3.5-to-1".
What has changed? Was the first study wrong?...
Words Can't Describe It: Humans' Impact on the World's Oceans
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.15.08
Image courtesy of B.S. Halpern
The verdict is in, folks, and, to no one's surprise, it ain't pretty: over 40% of the world's oceans are heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities with few - if any - left unaffected. The map, the product of four years' worth of meticulous research and number-crunching, was created by Benjamin Halpern and his colleagues at UCSB's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis....
Under Water City Proposed for Amsterdam
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.15.08
It seems a bit counter-intuitive; we are used to seeing Dutch floating projects, not buried ones. Architect Moshé Zwarts says ""There has always been a lack of space in the city, so what we are doing is building a city under the city by using a new construction technique, which will not interfere with street traffic."- by draining and then building under the canals.
And what does he propose filling it with? Parking, shopping and "leisure"....
China and Africa and Us
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 02.15.08
As Steven Spielberg's withdrawal from Beijing's Olympics reminds us, China's resource interests in Africa are tied up in blood. But China's material hunger hasn't just protected unsavory governments. It's driven up the price of resources like oil and put strains on already fragile ecosystems. That's especially worrisome in war-torn and extremely poor sections of Africa, where environmental damage can lead to deadly, vicious cycles of devastation.
But let's remember why China is in countries like Sudan, which provides 40 percent of its oil supplies to China. There are the thousands of new cars that hit its roads daily. There's all that massive construction. And then, of course, there's all that stuff they make and do for the rest of the world. China may be exploiting the developing world's raw resources in ways that make former colonial powers blush, with little regard for good governance, human rights or the environment. But for those of us who depend upon cheap Chinese goods, China is in Africa on everyone's behalf.
It makes me wonder, why stop at the Olympics? What if Steven Spielberg "boycotted" his iPod, his computer, his furniture?
...U.S. Moving Toward Ban On New Coal-Fired Power Plants
by Lester Brown, Washington, D.C on 02.15.08
My colleagues and I at Earth Policy Institute have been looking at coal-fired power plants and have just released a report about what we see as a positive shift.
In a report compiled in early 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy listed 151 coal-fired power plants in the planning stages and talked about a resurgence in coal-fired electricity. But during 2007, 59 proposed U.S. coal-fired power plants were either refused licenses by state governments or quietly abandoned. In addition to the 59 plants that were dropped, close to 50 more coal plants are being contested in the courts, and the remaining plants will likely be challenged as they reach the permitting stage. ...
Survey: How Do You Deal With Old Electronics?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.15.08
What do you do when your electronics die on their own or you have to put them down? It is less of a problem if you are orbiting Jupiter but New York is another story. There, they are considering legislation to make recycling of electronics by manufacturers mandatory, fed up with dealing with 25,000 tons of the stuff every year.
It is a big problem; old electronics account for about 40% of the lead found in municipal landfills as well as mercury, cadmium, and other toxic heavy metals in landfills and municipal incinerators.
...
Yet Another Of Ann Coulter's Dislikes: Electric Cars
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 02.15.08
Ann Coulter isn't shy about expressing her hatred of liberals in general and the New York times in particular, nor does she hesitate to proclaim that both climate change and evolution are hoaxes. Her inflammatory comments should come as no surprise; after all, she has done very well for herself as an author, columnist and commentator, and the basis of her success has been her willingness to speak her mind. What does come as a surprise, however, is another dislike she inadvertently expressed in a recent article about John McCain, the all-but-confirmed Republican nominee for president and strong supporter of climate change legislation. Comparing Senator McCain with Bob Dole, she said
Bob Dole from Kansas had a pretty good voting record, too. But no one fully believed he believed it. Another feather in his cap was that he didn't burden voters with a "Straight Talk Express," a means of conveyance even more useless and idiotic than an electric car.So Ann Coulter also hates electric cars. Never mind that Israel is hoping to sell them like cell phones, Google is actively testing plug-in hybrids, Tesla has just delivered their first production electric vehicle, and Miles Automotive Group, Aptera and others are looking to bring affordable electric cars to market. We've got some hypothesis as to what's behind her comments after the fold....
The Real Clean Coal? Former Mine Becomes Clean Energy Village
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02.15.08
With more than 50 proposed new coal plants being put on the back burner, it would seem that Big Coal is losing friends, even despite its recruitement of cute kiddies to push its message. But while any move away from coal would be a great thing for the environment, what about the communities that depend on coal for their economies? Coal mining communities may do well to start taking note of what’s been going on at the former Ollerton colliery in Nottinghamshire in the UK. Ollerton closed its doors in 1995, resulting in mass unemployment in the community. However, as we read in the ever informative Guardian, the locals were determined to create a brighter, cleaner future for their town:
...
Cohousing for Gen X and Y
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.15.08
Eastern Village, Silver Spring
TreeHugger loves cohousing, "a way for a group of people to work together to develop places to live that offer both privacy and community" and thought it particularly appropriate for aging boomers.
However Trendcentral notes that it is resonating with Gen Xers and Ys "who are starting families, searching for community and looking to pool resources. NY residents interested in becoming a part of such a community can join the recently formed Brooklyn Cohousing Group which is hoping to create a housing complex in the kid-friendly Park Slope area."
...
Time To Ditch Those Sub-Prime Carbon Assets
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.15.08
It's pretty easy to flag those sub-prime carbon assets too. They're the companies with the huge energy bills. They're the ones lobbying Congress to go easy on the carbon cap, and to"do something" to prevent power plants from burning up all the natural gas to generate electricity when they could be using "clean coal."
Nobel laureate Al Gore advised Wall Street leaders and institutional investors Thursday to ditch their "subprime carbon assets" - businesses too reliant on carbon-intensive energy - or prepare for huge losses down the road. "You need to really scrub your investment portfolios, because I guarantee you - as my longtime good redneck friends in Tennessee say, I guarandamntee you - that if you really take a fine-tooth comb and go through your portfolios, many of you are going to find them chock-full of subprime carbon assets," said the former U.S. vice president who won a Nobel Prize for his environmental work... Gore's remarks before a high-profile business crowd that collectively controls some $20 trillion in capital were intended to unleash a financial ripple effect that would force the entire world to start putting a price on carbon emissions and treating them as a scarce commodity.Via::Down Jones Newswires, "Gore Warns Business Leaders To Dump 'Subprime Carbon Assets'" Image credit::Responsible Investor...
It’s a Greenhouse Gas, Gas, Gas
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 02.15.08
‘Jumping Jack Flash, it’s a greenhouse gas’ learned Israeli government, trade and NGOs this week during a two-day workshop on voluntary greenhouse gas accountancy at a pleasant Finnish-built village near Jerusalem.
The meet was appropriately timed to the announcement that 15 Israeli cities are making a plan of action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Present at the workshop, aimed to teach Israel how create a system for greenhouse gas measuring and reporting, were Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection Gideon Ezra and a whole host of other officials from the governments of Germany and Mexico, plus some private firms and consultants from around the world. ...
WildlifeWorks Stalk the London Catwalk On Their Own Terms
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02.15.08
The fashion label WildlifeWorks made themselves conspicuous during London Fashion Week as the only ethical brand that took to the catwalk to show off their AW08 collection. It must be said that this coup was not so much down to luck as to money, it is just not possible to get onto the main schedule of LFW shows without substantial financial backing; as the Junky Styling crew can confirm, they had to get Kiehls as a sponsor in order to put on their independent show. The founder of WildlifeWorks Mike Korchinsky and his partner Andrew Smith bring in funding from previous successful IT businesses, but their money doesn't just produce fashion, the motivation behind the label is African wildlife conservation and development....
Colin Firth's Eco Store
by Bonnie Alter, London on 02.15.08
Colin Firth (of Bridget Jones and Mr. Darcy/Jane Austen fame) and his wife (pictured) have opened a beautiful 3-storey store, called Eco-Age, in Chiswick (London) selling ecological products and accessories. The couple, with two partners, have gone all out to make sure every aspect of the development is environmental. The building itself has been renovated to a high ecological, sustainable standard, including limecrete and recycled wood flooring, recycled furnishings (the counter is made of woven rubber bicycle tires) and greywater lavatory. They hope to become self-sufficient, solar wise by next month. The roof garden will be open soon, complete with solar panels and a wind turbine, as well as gardening tools.
In the basement is a consultancy where customers can get advice about home decoration such as eco paints, wallpapers and fabrics, energy efficient appliances and solar panels. There are two advisors as part of the staff who can assist, show samples, and know the solar technology. ...
"Fight Terrorist Use Ethanol"
by Jenna Watson, Barcelona on 02.15.08
2008 Copyright Greg Gladman
An endlessly talented friend and photographer, Greg Gladman, was in Florida last month and took this photograph of an exuberant "activist" roaming the streets of the State-most-famous-for-navals. What do you think it means? Who is the singular “terrorist” that this dude is referring to? And what is up with all those flags?
Curiously, if you look really closely and zoom in on that truck (like we did) there is a Florida Farm to Fuel website and what looks like a State Department logo. Is that a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services truck!? From what we can see it sure is. So much for keeping the church and state separate. What does "Remember me Jesus" have to do with fighting terrorists and ethanol? This will hopefully provide you with a little pick-me-up giggle to help you past the post Valentine’s Day blues. See more of Greg’s photos on his website here.
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Edun Fall/Winter 2008 Collection Preview
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.14.08
Edun, the socially conscious apparel line by U2's Bono and his wife Ali Hewson, previewed its Fall/Winter 2008, known as "Nocturne", at the Desmond Tutu Center in New York City on a wintry Tuesday.
While several platforms served as a catwalk, no strutting was involved. Each model stood mannequin-still on his or her support, before stepping down and getting up on the platform directly in front, slowly wending his or her way to the last platform in ultra-slow-motion. While this was a clever twist on runway fashion, the gimmick also resulted in a show that stretched on for hours. (The audience, plied with wine and Fiji water, didn't look like they minded so much, though.) The outfits? Serviceable, if unspectacular, although a couple of pieces did stand out, such as the amethyst shirt dress with balloon sleeves pictured below. There might have been a few more, but your very-sober reporter decided she really needed some shut-eye. Also, one of her cats had to be force-fed his medicine. (Sorry, Bono.)
More pictures below the fold. ::Edun...
Your Carbon Footprint: Calculating, Reducing and Offsetting Your Impact
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.14.08
In addition to metrics like ecological footprint, each of us (and each of the products and services we use and consume every day) has a carbon footprint; it's a way to measure the relative impact of our actions -- as individuals, as businesses, communities and countries, as we eat, work, travel, play, etc. -- in terms of the contribution made to global climate change. Measured in carbon emissions (usually in pounds, tons or kilograms), it's become an increasingly useful and popular tool to help contextualize global warming in our daily routines and lives.
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product or service, and everything has one, from the computer you used to find this article to the next meal you eat (and the one after that, and after that, and so on...) to the shoe that will leave a physical footprint on the ground the next time you walk outside. But that's only part of the story....
Today on Planet Green
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.14.08
:: Slovenly Oscar from The Odd Couple was pretty darn green. Find out why.
:: Our soup of the week: Anthony Bourdain's mushroom soup.
:: Learn the secret to making great-tasting biscuits.
:: Make your own non-toxic finger paints for your ankle biters.
:: Should you repair or replace your hot water heater?
:: Declare your love for tap water and win cool prizes....
Are Ethanol Mandates Good Economics? Maybe Not.
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.14.08
A few days before the story on oil from waste paper and other sources of lignocellulose hit the wires, the Australian Parliament released its research paper entitled, “The economic effects of an ethanol mandate.” It looks at the costs and benefits of proposals such as nation-wide petrol including a blend with 10 per cent by volume of ethanol (E10), such as is already mandated by some Australian states. Although the paper doesn’t spell it out in absolute terms it does suggest that in most cases there are more effective ways to achieve improved environmental and economic outcomes other than mandating ethanol fuel blends....
VIDEO HOW TO: Green Your Gifts #1
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.14.08
Olivia Zaleski has a green gift-giving tip for you. Watch the ecoriginal hi-definition video after the jump..
Valentine's Day can easily become an 11th hour gift-giving occasion even when we've been encouraging you to give greener love with our gift guide. So if you're sweating it out, planning to run from work to grab some last-ditch goodies for your green someone, perhaps someone needs to have a good talk with you. Specifically, that potential gift recipient. We're not suggesting you eat V-day crow, rather, it's never too late for the giver to simply speak with the give-ee before hand. No, no it doesn't spoil the surprise, you can hint and beat around the bush and have a right good, flirty time of it (flirting not recommended for blood relatives as that might get a little weird). By knowing what that special susty someone truly wants or needs, you can ensure that your gift doesn't go to waste or wind-up in a landfill. And you just might wind up having the romantic time of your life....
Jewelers Join in Historic Pact to Help Stop Pebble Mine!
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 02.14.08
When Eskimo schoolchildren in Alaska recently took to the streets protesting the opening of the proposed Pebble Mine for Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed, the truth is that the prospects for their success looked grim indeed. But they got a welcomed boost this Valentine’s season from an unexpected group of benefactors with a newfound appreciation for what this particular mine will do to damage the world’s largest sockeye salmon run. ...
Busybody Microbes Clean Up Mexico's Dirty Water
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 02.14.08
Microbial organisms are an impressive and under-appreciated bunch, and scientists and entrepreneurs alike are increasingly realizing their potential for cleaning up after our environmental messes.
ALIBIO, a small biotech company based in Mexico City, uses a bacteria known as bacillus subtilis to improve wastewater treatment systems in rural communities, increase septic tank efficiency, and digest effluents from slaughterhouses and pig farms, rendering them less pernicious. The company also has a line of agriculture products that clean irrigation water and enrich deteriorated soils, and an aquaculture line to immunize and protect shrimp against disease....
Fuzzy Math Leads to a (Serious) Reevaluation of Shipping's Climate Impact
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.14.08
Image courtesy of tinou bao via flickr
The Guardian's John Vidal has the scoop on a leaked UN study that reveals the extent to which previous estimates have low-balled - by almost two-thirds - the amount of emissions produced by the world's shipping fleet. Annual carbon dioxide emissions have now reached a whopping 1.12b tons - almost 4.5% of all global carbon dioxide emissions - a far cry from the 400m tons figure the IPCC had previously pegged.
In what must surely come as a slap to EU nations - which do not take these into account when calculating their emissions targets - the study suggests that shipping emissions will continue their meteoric rise - surging another 30% by 2020 - joining vehicles, housing and industry as one of the largest single sources of anthropogenic GHG emissions. To obtain these new figures, a team of international researchers, tasked by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), crunched the numbers collected from the oil and shipping industries. The results weren't pretty. ...
Clevr: Marta Antoszkiewicz's Kitchenette, for Urban Living
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.14.08
Apartment dwellers (and all those who think smaller is better) know that one of the keys to comfortable life in a small space is making it feel as spacious as possible; a few strategies for accomplishing this include keeping the clutter down, using individual items that serve multiple purposes and finding things that serve big purposes but have small footprints. Designer Marta Antoszkiewicz's "Kitchenette" collection falls into that last category; it's a cozy kitchen table whose chairs neatly slide away under the table when not in use. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
Quite reminiscent of Hans Olsen's Compact dining set (IKEA makes one as well, we're told), "Kitchenette" is smaller and replaces the warmth of the wood in Olsen's mid-century style with spare, clean, modern lines and a pop of red color in the seats. Antoszkiewicz, a recent graduate of the Industrial Design program at Carleton University, is looking for a design position to put this and other cool ideas to work. Hit the jump for more pics and see more at ::Marta Antoszkiewicz and ::Coroflot via ::Yanko Design...
Cromley Lofts: A Closer Look At The First LEED-Certified Condos In Virginia
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 02.14.08
Last month, I wrote about Cromley Lofts, the condos in Virginia that received a Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2007. Since then, I had to chance to visit the condos, and speak with William Cromley, the architect and developer of the lofts. William worked on the lofts from design to construction, so he was able to ensure that his green vision was completely realized in the finished homes, while still making the condos affordable.
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Ecocities of Tomorrow: How to Retrofit Your Downtown (The Abbreviated Course)
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 02.14.08
For those of you who are curious exactly how Richard Register's ideas would work in practice, here's what it could look like if Americans ever decided to retrofit their downtowns for true sustainability.
We know how to build the ecocity. It’s easy if you want to: up-zone for more density and diversity in the centers and withdraw from sprawl. We are replete with tools....
BYD F6DM: Will the First Plug-In Hybrid be Chinese?
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.14.08
Update December 2008: GM is Weeping: BYD F3DM Plug-in Hybrid Goes On Sale in China, 3 Years Before Volt
BYD is China's largest battery maker. Chances are, if you have a cellphone or a mp3 player, you have one of their products. The company is getting into the auto world, a move that only a few years ago would have seemed illogical, but now that the future will probably go to plug-in hybrids and electric cars, being good with batteries has become a key expertise to have when making cars (we're sure GM would agree - it is mostly batteries that are holding back the Volt).
BYD's first plug-in hybrid for the Chinese market will be the F6DM mid-sized sedan in the second half of 2008. Top speed should be 100 mph (160 kph), with a range of 62 miles (100 km) in all-electric mode and 267 miles (430 km) total after the gas engine kicks in. A fully electric version called the F6E is planned for 2009....
Big Apple First US City to Require Electronics Recycling
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.14.08
The wheels might turn slowly but they get to where they are going, eventually. Three years ago we reported that New York was contemplating the toughest laws in the nation on electronics waste. Today the City Council was to vote on what they call “trailblazing environmental legislation” to make manufacturers responsible for the ‘take back’ of their electronic products, no longer wanted by customers.
Apparently the city’s residents currently dispose of “more than 25,000 tons of discarded TVs, computers and other electronic equipment,” which is hardly surprising because it seems they also buy 12 million electronic gadgets and do-dads every year, amounting to about 92,000 tons in total. In applauding the legislation the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) points out that old electronics account for about 40% of the lead found in municipal landfills as well as mercury, cadmium, and other toxic heavy metals in landfills and municipal incinerators. ...
Ecocities of Tomorrow: An Interview with Richard Register
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 02.14.08
Author, theorist and philosopher Richard Register is one of the pioneers of the ecocity movement, with 35 years of experience advocating for cities that facilitate humanity's "creative and compassionate evolution" while contributing to the health of the planet. Richard is the author of several books, including Ecocities: Rebuilding Cities in Balance with Nature, and the founder of two nonprofits - Ecocity Builders and Urban Ecology.
This post is the first in a series of many examining current and future trends in ecological city building ahead of the 2008 Ecocity World Summit during Earth Day Week in San Francisco this April.
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An Electric Car That Dives Underwater: The Rinspeed sQuba
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 02.14.08
The Swiss Company Rinspeed has developed a new concept car called "sQuba", which is the world's first green diving car. This zero-emission, electric vehicle (EV) is capable of driving on roads just like a normal car, yet it can also be turned into an amphibious vehicle capable of diving, reaching depths of up to 10 meters (33 feet). The car has three separate electric motors. One motor powers the roadster when it's on land, and the other two motors are used for underwater propulsion. When you dive beneath the surface, two fender-mounted Seabob jets appear to help you navigate through the currents. Since "sQuba" uses an electrical engine it will not pollute the sea when it dives Here's a Bond-style video of the car in action:...
Set the Mood, Save Some Energy with "Hollow"
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.14.08
Designed specifically for use with energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs, "Hollow" mood lights from UK-based designers Blue Marmalade are a great way to turn down the lights (and turn up the romance). It's available in a variety of color combinations ranging from cool white and gray to punchy orange and yellow, and it's smart, utilitarian shape allows it to be used in a variety of ways, including lying on its side, standing on its edge or suspended from the ceiling as a pendant.
We've featured Blue Marmalade's work before and are still impressed with their ability to create great shape and structure from a minimal amount of materials. Though it's a bit too late for this year's Valentine's Day-related mood-setting, we'll bet there's a few more times throughout the year you'll want to turn down the lights. Hit the jump for more pics. ::Blue Marmalade...
Depressed by Your SUV's Horrible Fuel Efficiency? Turn Off the Onboard Computer
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.14.08
Credit: The Christian Science Monitor/Bennett
Overheard on a discussion forum about big Toyota SUVs, from someone who bought a Scangauge II trip computer: "I never realized that I average 10 mpg. Even if I barely touch the gas to get up to speed slowly it drops to around 4 to 6 mpg. Cruise control will hold me steady at 12 on a flat road at 60mph".
He got all kinds of advice, some of it quite depressing can be summarized as "If knowing your crappy fuel efficiency makes you mad, turn that thing off man. You cannot change it so don't get so bummed!"...
DIY AeroCivic: It's Ugly, But it Gets 95 Miles Per Gallon
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.14.08
It won't win beauty prizes, but Mike Turner's modified 15 years old Civic beats the crap out of Honda's high-tech Civic hybrid when it comes to fuel efficiency. A member of EcoModder.com, "an automotive community where performance is judged by fuel economy rather than power and speed", Mike achieved his impressive results with some radical (as you can see) modifications and efficient driving. The 95 MPG figure is what he typically gets when "driving at a constant speed from 30 to 65 mph on a flat road in 80 degree F temperatures with well broken-in tires." So it's not the average for all kinds of driving conditions, but still an excellent demonstration of the gains possible with aerodynamics improvements (the Aerocivic has a drag coefficient of 0.17).
Kudos to Mike! More photos after the jump....
Georgia Loses Water Grab Case: Might Need Engineering & Lifestyle Solutions To Drought Problems
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.14.08
There may be some truth to the adage that when lawyers dominate government, solutions to most problems take on a legal instead of a technical characteristic. Makes sense when you think on the US State of Georgia threatening to sue the US Army Corps of Engineers over water release rates, proposing to slip the State border a mile (into a reservoir), and now this:
It would take an act of Congress to get more drinking water out of Lake Lanier for metro Atlanta, a federal appellate court ruled Tuesday. Alabama and Florida immediately declared a major victory in the 18-year, tri-state water war, with Alabama Gov. Bob Riley calling it "one of the most important" legal decisions in his state's history. "The ruling invalidates the massive water grab that Georgia tried to pull off," Riley said in a statement. The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit comes at a critical juncture, with the three states rushing toward a Feb. 15 deadline to reach a long-term, water-sharing agreement.Via::Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Image credit::Groundwater, Water Tank...
TreeHugger + SMITH Six-Word Memoir Contest: Say It In Six
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 02.14.08
We've been telling you all week just how cool our Six Word Memoir contest is. Taking inspiration from SMITH Magainzes new book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure, we are asking TreeHugger readers to give us their green memoir in exactly six words. It could be six words that describe where you came from, where you are now, or the journey you went through to get here. Just as long as you keep it to six words, and get it to us by February 18th. Intrigued? Get on over to our contest page to see other readers' memoirs, check out a little more about the contest and sign up to contribute. ...
TH Blog Love - Our Favourite Greens Of The Week
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02.14.08
Freshtopia: Valentine’s Day pt II by Tanja Andrews + Oscar Grimm
"This Valentines day, we've gone buck-rogers with a racy show about aphrodisiacs! For the occasion we've concocted a pulse-pounding chocolate sauce chock-full of sensuous spices like maca, cayenne, and cinnamon to get you in the mood for love."
Inhabitat: VIDEO: Chris Jordan At Greener Gadgets by Jill Fehrenbacher
"Although our short video sadly doesn’t do justice to Jordan’s massive, mind-boggling photographs, (which take up entire walls in galleries), the video provides insight into the vision behind the art, and the innovative method Jordan uses to visualize statistics as fine art."...
Tired of Getting Zero Miles Per Gallon? Stop/Start Technology is For You
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.14.08
Walk, cycle, carpool, take public transit, car-share, telecommute. Try to live close to the things you need and to where you work. But if you have to own a car, get the most efficient model that fills your needs, drive sanely, combine trips, keep it in good mechanical condition and keep your tires properly inflated. That's basically the message that we would repeat in all our car posts if we weren't afraid of becoming redundant... But as long as there are millions and millions of cars out there, we need to look at green(er) cars of the future and at current ways to make our cars more efficient. One of these is stop/start, a relatively simple technology that is unfortunately almost completely absent from North-America (except in hybrids).
The way it works is simple:...
Cast Out Your Clutter with Thout Design's UtiliTILE
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.14.08
The brainchild of designer Patrick Turner, Thout Design's portfolio features a thoughtful collection of clever, space-saving, clutter-clearing designs with a sense of humor. Take "Forked Up," pictured above; part of the UtiliTILE series that frees up valuable kitchen space, it's useful tile for storing your utensils in a fun and space-efficient way. It makes setting the table is as easy as pulling out as many utensils as you need; magnets ensure that the utensils stay up there until you need them.
The rest of the UtiliTILE series is dedicated to the idea that it's nice to have shelves for all the things that otherwise clutter your space, but it's even nicer to have shelves that disappear when they aren't in use. It's a compact, modular, flexible system that offers an easy, elegant way to save space and do more with less. Hit the jump to see more. ::Thout Design...
Give Your Love Bunny an eCard
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02.14.08
Whew, when we tried to send a Valentine eCard this morning (green naturally!) we just found boatloads of poorly designed, agonizing attempts at humor. Then we came across the free video eCards on Rattlebox. Although some of the cards are a bit er...sexually loaded..the site offers at least some savvy, intelligent ways to show you care in an environmentally friendly-way (no wasteful packaging, minimal carbon footprint, and no cost!). Many of the cards are based on vintage movies. Also check out the Backwards Birthday Cake--the film starts with a crushed cake and rolls backwards to its previous form. ::Rattlebox via ::Google Don't miss our ::Valentine's Gift Guide More on Valentine's day ::50 Ways To Please Your Lover ::TreeHugger Picks: Green Your Valentine's Day ::Should You Buy Flowers for Valentine's Day? Ask Pablo, Get Answers ... ::Bloomin’ Flower Cards ::TreeHugger Holiday Gift Guide...
Happy Valentine's Day!
by Meaghan O'Neill, Newport, R.I. on 02.14.08
Today's the big day--a full 24-hours dedicated to wearing your heart on your sleeve, and eating chocolate with friends, S.O.'s, and even colleagues. But if you haven't put enough thought into what you should be doing for that one special person in your life, it's not too late. Our Valentine's Day Gift Guide is a green cheat sheet to the perfect last-minute memento or bouquet, and we also give you hour-by-hour ideas for keeping it sexy all day long. ::Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Giving Greener Love...
Quiz: How Much Of Our Chocolate Is Tainted By Slavery?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.14.08
A billion dollars of chocolate is sold for Valentines Day, much of that by Hershey's and Mars. They buy it through dealers like Archer Daniels Midland and Cargills, who buy it from equatorial cocoa growing countries. A big chunk of it comes from the Ivory Coast, where as many as 284,000 children are trafficked and enslaved to pick the crop.
For the answer click through to the next page...
Fishing Industry and Conservationists Work together for No Take Zone on Arran
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02.14.08
Fishing bans, such as the one saught for blue fin tuna by the World Wildlife Fund and the US government or New Zealand’s supposed ban on bottom trawling, can often be controversial. The conflict between conservationists wanting to protect our threatened marine resources and fishing communities trying to make a living can be a painful one. At least that is the perceived wisdom. However, the Guardian brings us an inspiring story about the Isle of Arran, off the coast of Scotland, where the fishing industry and conservationists have worked together to found the UK’s first community marine conservation site. It sounds like it has been a long time coming:
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The TH Interview: Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia (Part Two)
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 02.14.08
In part two of our interview with Yvon Chouinard, the maverick businessman talks about politics and the irony of living simply in a consumer society. He also rebuffs his brand’s “Pata-Gucci” reputation and explains why he’s started pouring cheap wine down the toilet. ::TreeHugger Radio Listen to the podcast of this interview via iTunes, or just listen/right-click to download. Catch part one here. Full text after the jump....
Xambox Scans And Files
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.14.08
We recently extolled the virtues of the paperless home, but some people have to keep the paper for legal and tax reasons. Back in the early days of the computer, our daisy wheel printer spit out three copies of every letter: one for the client, one for the job file, and one for the continuous file where everything was stuck on a clipboard by date.
Having evolved past that, we still have a file cabinet for every bill, statement and item of correspondence, and it takes time to put it all away. Wasted time if you have a Xambox.
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New House of the Future Coming to Disneyland
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.14.08
Motorola House of the Future, 1962, via Plan59
I have always loved houses of the future, even though the future never seems to come. I think that perhaps the Monsanto House of the Future (watch the incredible film of it here) inspired me to become an architect. So I was really excited to hear that Disney is going to build a new one. Until I read more.
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Feds Wanna Know: Do U <3 Them?
by Greg Haegele of Sierra Club on 02.14.08
We were fortunate to intercept one of what must have been many big red heart-shaped boxes being sent to federal government offices in Washington, DC. The box's contents? A dandy collection of those traditional candy hearts with words on them -- except these were obviously custom-made for some anti-environment federal agencies! We're sharing the 15 best that were in the box....
Velorution: London’s Folding Bike Rental Service
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.14.08
Velorution, a bicycle shop in London reckons visitors to the UK capital should make like a local and get about on a zippy folding commuter bike. To this end they offer a rental service for folders. Here’s the deal: “There is no faster way to do it than by bicycle. Order one of our models and we will deliver it to your room; at the end of the day, just leave it to the concierge and we will pick it up; couldn't be easier. If the weather is not friendly, we can rent you smart weatherproof jackets and trousers. Don't waste time in traffic jams!” You can choose from a Strida, Brompton, Dahon or even an iXi. ...
Urban Revitalization: Small Steps Yield Big Results
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.14.08
We talk so often on TreeHugger about the importance of cities, about the need to revitalize and re-inhabit our downtowns, and what valuable assets the infrastructures of Detroit and other rust belt cities are. Therefore we can't help but be excited by the Onion's story of what happened in Detroit's Warrendale neighbourhood after the Beautification Committee spent $ 150 to build a three foot by four foot urban park. The Onion says:
The green space, a rectangular patch of crabgrass located on a busy median divider, has by all accounts turned what was once a rundown community into a thriving, picturesque oasis, filled with charming shops, luxury condominiums, and, for the first time ever, hope....
I Love You but You Love Meat
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.14.08
Steve Legato for The New York Times
Some vegans think that you are what you eat. One said in an earlier post "I would not want to be intimate with someone whose body is literally made up from the bodies of others who have died for their sustenance."
To which Anthony Bourdain would say: “Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans ... are the enemy of everything good and decent in the human spirit.”
However the New York Times' Kate Murphy covers those who say "Why can't we just get along?"
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Create Your Own Climate Skeptic Think Tank: Answer Those Nagging Doubts
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.14.08
Don't let Competitive Enterprise, or Heartland, snag all the grant money from Big Coal and Big Oil. The recent availability of off-the-shelf climate modeling tools means you too can be a Think Tank expert. This model comes complete with thousands of years of climate data thrown in at no extra charge!
Daily headlines trumpet record-breaking temperatures, dwindling sea ice, and retreating glaciers around the world. But in the global-warming debate, definitive answers to questions about ultimate causes and effects remain elusive. Is our planet really destined for a hot future? Or are we simply experiencing a natural variation in Earth's climate cycles that will return to "normal" in time? Using carbon dioxide and temperature variations over the last 400,000 years – one company has attempted to answer the question: a natural cycle or human consequence?...
Sardinian Delights
by Bonnie Alter, London on 02.14.08
We loved these handbags from this year's Estethica show at London Fashion Week. They are made in a small village in Sardinia, by women in the town. They are handwoven and are a take on the traditional designs which are passed on through the generations. Usually they are woven into a bedspread and for a wedding trousseau and go from grandmother to mother to daughter. But these skills are disappearing due to the rise in technology, globalization and the emphasis on the new new.
The founder of this small company is Sardinian and is passionate about preserving the old traditions and honouring his heritage. He is working with the local women to make the designs more contemporary--similar to old traditional patterns, but with a modern twist. The bags are hand-made on traditional looms, the wool is from the sheep in the mountain village, the bags are lined with recycled fabric and ends of rolls of fabric. Eco-luxury combined with age-old tradition, a stylish combination. :: Pibiones by Antonello Via :: London Fashion Week...
H&M Launches Fashion Against AIDS T's Made from 100% Organic Cotton
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 02.14.08
Images by H&M, Photographer: Daniel Jackson
H&M, the Swedish high street store, has yet again made it into the TreeHugger news, just on time to spread some love for Valentine's day (check out Green Valentine for other great gifts). After applying the EU eco-label and the launch of their organic cotton collection last spring, H&M has launched Fashion Against Aids to spread awareness about HIV this month. Well-known artists such as Rihanna, Chicks on Speed, Good Charlotte, Henrik Vibskov, Jade Jagger, Justice, Katharine Hamnett, My Chemical Romance, Rufus Wainwright, Scissor Sisters, The Cardigans, Tiga, Timbaland and Ziggy Marley have each designed a 100% organic cotton T-shirts, tank tops or hooded sweater. Judging by the sold out racks of clothing the first days of the launch (at least here in Barcelona), the campaign is a great success....
Stirling Energy Systems Sets World Record
by Tim McGee, Western Massachusetts on 02.14.08
Stirling Energy Systems (SES) has a way of wrangling itself into the pixels of treehugger fairly often (see here, here or here). Their solar thermal technology, a mix between solar concentrators and sterling engines, has proven itself commercially and technologically one of the more exciting utility-scale renewable energy platforms.
Yesterday, along with Sandia National Laboratories they announced a new world record for a "solar-to-grid system conversion efficiency " of 31.25 percent over the previous record of 29.4 percent.
“Gaining two whole points of conversion efficiency in this type of system is phenomenal,” says Bruce Osborn, SES president and CEO. “This is a significant advancement that takes our dish engine systems well beyond the capacities of any other solar dish collectors and one step closer to commercializing an affordable system.”...
Ethanol: Eco-Labeled Yet Losing Luster Fast
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 02.14.08
Svanen, the Swedish eco-labeling association, is putting the finishing touches on an ethanol, methane and biodiesel labeling system that is expected to start popping up at fueling pumps in Sweden by the end of this year. For such a small nation, Sweden has a fairly voracious appetite for ethanol - the country imported 250,000 cubic meters (250 million liters) of ethanol last year - mostly from Brazil - to supply 1000 ethanol pumps and support the super-selling (34,600 in 2007) E85-ready vehicles, as well as many ethanol city and regional buses.
The Svanen biofuels label criteria will be similar to recent EU draft legislation calling for biofuels that are more sustainably produced, don't generate CO2 in production, and are not from newly cleared rainforest, grasslands or peatlands. In the meantime, two Swedish ethanol factories recently shut down before producing any ethanol due to higher raw material prices. As Lester Brown says in his recent book Plan B 3.0, wheat and corn and other grains are liable to reach their "oil price equivalent" if we continue to use them for biofuels. Via ::Svenska Dagbladet (Swedish)...
Most Huggable: Hard Happy Meal Facts, The Enemy of Nature, Green Valentine's + More
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 02.13.08
Learn what's really in your kids' Happy Meal.
Check out PopSci's top 50 green communities that are leading the way in successful environmental action.
Eco-Libris brings us The Enemy of Nature: The End of Capitalism or the End of the World? (Second Edition) by Joel Kovel.
A surprising number of the most harmful toxins ever created are found right in our own backyard; here are 8 household cleaners to avoid.
Nothing says I love you like loving the planet, according to Greenpeace....
Today on Planet Green
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.13.08
:: It's T-1 days to Valentine's Day. Learn what last-minute lovebirds should look for in their chocolatey expressions of amore.
:: Check out Summer Rayne Oake's new column on Planet Green. In our first installment, she dishes on V-day gifts.
:: Find out how to triple your refrigerator's lifespan in three easy steps.
:: Call it Netflix for the toddler set: Did you know you can now rent toys for your kids?
:: Instead of choosing the tried-and-trite route of chocolates and flowers, why not kiss hunger goodbye this Valentine's Day?
:: Kelly's on a gastronomic roll with part three of her Valentine's dinner extravaganza.
:: Last minute Valentine's Day gift: Turn a used wine bottle into an expression of your love.
:: You can use the salt shaker in your spice rack for much more than just seasoning. Discover this condiment's multitasking talents. ...
The TH Interview: Robert Chatwani, eBay’s Greenest Rising Star
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 02.13.08
He’s an eBay employee with a passion for people and the planet. And when he took his dream of enhancing the global market for people and planet-positive products to eBay executives they quickly recognized it’s potential. Now he’s engineered a unique collaboration between World of Good, Inc. and eBay that seems destined to bring a virtual marketplace and community for people and planet-positive products to the masses.
So read on to check out what this innovative entrepreneur has to say about changing the way the world of eBay looks at commerce.
...
TH Forums Highlights: Pros & Cons of Solar, Central Heating Math + More
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.13.08
1) Started over two weeks ago, a thread about the pros and cons of solar energy is still going strong, reinvigorated by Forums user Ian Gordon, who says, "Any discussion about the pros and cons of having your electrical needs "supplied" by solar power is really only scratching the surface if it does not also address "demand" simultaneously. Solar power is really only one component of a resource use system that lowers demand. Talking about the efficiency of one component in isolation is really an attempt to achieve small increases in efficiency, rather than the much larger increases in efficiency that can be achieved by looking at the big picture..." Lots of good stuff here.
2) User pdxuser says, "I don't use central heating anymore, but I've had this question ever since I did. Can somebody engage me in a hypothetical? Energy companies and every (not particulary authoritative) resource I've found online says that while you're at work or on vacation, you should turn your furnace down, not off. The reasoning is that if you turn the furnace off, it takes more energy to get back to the desired temperature than if you leave it on low. But this doesn't make sense to me." Does it make sense to anyone else?
3) Lastly, Forums user caliphile says, "can anybody help me to understand the differences between cradle to cradle and SMART certification (or one's superiority to the other)? i recently met with a rep from knoll furniture who informed me that the company is moving away from cradle to cradle and towards SMART. i was surprised by this as i was under the impression that cradle to cradle was the most comprehensive product certification system." We'll be talking more about this on TreeHugger soon; until then, what do you think?
Best of Design Democracy '08: Tables
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.13.08
Yesterday, we introduced you to Design Democracy '08, a design competition that's looking to prove that mass customization, hyper-local production and downloadable designs are all viable methods for reconfiguring the way we consume things; they're confident enough in the concept to offer the winning design a showcase at New York's International Contemporary Furniture Fair. We saw some cool seating entries, and today we'll take a peek at what's been entered in the tables category.
First up is Interlocking Side Tables, submitted by designjerk; the two side tables can puzzle-piece together to create a coffee table, depending on your needs, and offer handy geometric storage space in both configurations. It's a remarkably simple, useful design that would be a great space-maximizing solution. Hit the jump for another pic and more details about the competition....
Recycling Meets Design: Wine Bottle Vase Jackets
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.13.08
For wine fans who haven't used their empty bottles for construction or drinking glasses, or switched to the Tetra Pak or plastic bottles, MollaSpace offers a chic, easy way to upgrade your used bottles into vases (if you don't like the way that a plain wine bottle vase looks, that is). Just slip one of these cute jackets over top that old bottle of pinot noir, and your new vase is ready for display. Kinda silly, but kinda cool.
Two colors and two patterns are available, and all four are reversible; above are white lattice (left) and black blossom (right); hit the jump for their opposites. See also: ::Reuse Those Empty Wine Bottles: 5 Ways on Planet Green.
::Molla Space via ::Better Living Through Design...
Vote TreeHugger for a Golden Dot
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.13.08
"The Politics Online Conference sits at the intersection of smart politics, good governance, transparent democracy, and innovative technology" They also have a "Golden Dot" poll which this year is open to the public for voting. We are honored and surprised to see TreeHugger up there as a candidate for the Best Issue Advocacy Blog. against some pretty heavy stuff. Like who can compete with OMB (Office of Management and Budget) Watch?
Vote early and often for a Golden Dot at ::Politics Online
...
New York Police Anti-Terror Task Force Acting Like Environmentalists
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.13.08
Some green things you just don't want to see coming your way. Like a literally green chlorine cloud. Or a figuratively "green" fuel (corn-ethanol) that unexpectedly encourages deforestation, provides farmers an incentive to plow up conservation reserve lands, and drives up food prices on a global scale. And now this: police adapting Greenpeace-style tactics - not what the chemical industry wanted to see coming.
Undercover police secretly set up a fake company to demonstrate how easily and anonymously a terrorist could purchase chlorine on the Internet for a deadly chemical strike against the city. A videotape - presented Wednesday at a briefing of private security executives - discloses for the first time the results of "Operation Green Cloud" - a reference to the yellow-green color of chlorine gas.Apparently, New York City police did this after learning that chlorine has become a favored component of homemade bombs in Iraq. And they sent a copy of the taped results to the Dept of Homeland Security....
Reading Between the Labels
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.13.08
Greenguard meets all the tests for a good green label. It is a true independent third-party certification and is recognized by LEED and just about everyone else, "helping customers choose healthy, low-emitting products and materials and demonstrating a commitment to the environment through better indoor air quality."
So we were surprised to see an ad for Owens Corning's pink fibreglass insulation saying that it had Greenguard certification. We thought it had a formaldehyde binder in it. So how did it get Greenguard?...
GREEN DEETS 013 Greener Gadgets Wrap Video
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.13.08
Conference organizers Marc Alt and Jill Fehrenbacher sum up the events of Greener Gadgets 2008. Watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi-Definition video after the jump.
:: GREEN DEETS ::
:: 400 million consumer electronics are discarded every year
:: E-waste is the fastest growing category of municipal waste
:: Electronics account for 25% of home electricity use
:: The $150 billlion consumer electronics industry is one of the fastest growing industries on the planet...
3 Big Ideas to Avoid Recession AND Green the Economy
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.13.08
Big Media seems interested in stories that link economic recession and the environment: Our piece about 4 Reasons Why Recession is BAD for the Environment was picked up by both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Well, it's a good thing they're listening because we have a lot to tell about how to both avoid recession and make our economy much greener.
The first thing to do is: Tax "bads" instead of "goods". By that we mean that if you're going to tax something, get the incentives right and tax things like greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, etc), toxins (mercury, dioxin, etc) and things that are locally scarce (water in Las Vegas, for example). Don't tax things that you want more of, like labor, capital gains, investments, etc....
SustainStyle: Lighter Looks, Grow-A-Note, 365 Days of Eco-Fashion + More
by 1plus1 on 02.13.08
Welcome to SustainStyle, a new weekly digest from the writers at 1plus1, a blog dedicated to eco-friendly fashion. SustainStyle will run every Wednesday.
We're not sure if the groundhog saw its shadow, but we definitely feel spring is in the air. We started packing up our wool blends and replacing them with a lighter look in this week's "Dress Me" outfit. Also new this spring, Stella McCartney for LeSportsac with a full collection made from 100% recycled polyester! Other cool finds: grow-a-note (a card that can turn into a garden), fifty RX3 (365 days of eco-fashion), Alta Walker paintings (made on salvaged wood) and book journals.
xo.
...
We're not sure if the groundhog saw its shadow, but we definitely feel spring is in the air. We started packing up our wool blends and replacing them with a lighter look in this week's "Dress Me" outfit. Also new this spring, Stella McCartney for LeSportsac with a full collection made from 100% recycled polyester! Other cool finds: grow-a-note (a card that can turn into a garden), fifty RX3 (365 days of eco-fashion), Alta Walker paintings (made on salvaged wood) and book journals.
xo.
...
Starlightz: Earth Friendly Lighting for the Star in Everyone
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.13.08
Combining a variety of shapes, colors, patterns, and materials, "Starlightz" by Earth Friendly are a fun, versatile way to bring some star light into your home. Silk-screened by hand on chlorine-free, wood-free paper -- they use cotton fibers -- and packed flat into an envelope for shipping (which we love), each pendant and lamp is unique, thanks to the hand-made construction.
There's a huge variety of prints and colors here, so whether you're in to modern prints or ethnic patterns, black or white, monochrome or multi-colored, there's a combination that'll (star) light up your life; just don't forget to drop a compact fluorescent light bulb in there. See lots more at Artecnica and check out more pics below the fold. ::Earth Friendly via ::Green Design Girl...
California Proposes No Fishing Zones
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.13.08
This is a transformational idea: one that hopefully will "catch on" all over the world. Maybe even around the "Third Coast" ( Great Lakes).
California is proposing a series of new "marine protected areas" where fish are given enough refuge to reproduce and develop stable populations - populations with a normal age/class distribution.
At meetings in Pacifica today and Thursday, state officials get a first look at plans for "marine protected areas" along 360 miles of the Pacific Coast between Santa Cruz and Mendocino. It is the second phase of a multi-year effort to eventually cover the entire coast with zones where fishing is banned or restricted. In the first phase, 29 preserves were created in 2007 between Santa Cruz and Lompoc.Via::Sacramento Bee, Preserves sought for undersea life, Image credit::ibid...
Toyota iQ: Less is More for Small Urban Car
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.13.08
Toyota iQ, a Small Urban Microcar
The Toyota iQ was still a concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September, but things are moving fast and the production model is scheduled to debut at the Geneva Auto Show next month. All the details are not yet known, but what we can reliably expect to get is a tiny city car (less than 3 meters in length, or about 20% longer than a Smart) with an innovative 3+1 seating layout (1 adult and 1 child seat or luggage in the back). The engine will likely be 1.0 liter gasoline, possibly with stop-start capabilities like the Citroën C2. Read on for Toyota's press release and a photo of the iQ concept....
GM's Chevy Volt Price Goes Up; Stereo, Wipers to Blame
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.13.08
Click the image above to see our Volt slideshow.
August 2009 Update: The Chevy Volt is Rated at 230 MPG in City Driving
Chevy Volt Plug-In Hybrid Car
The GM Volt plug-in hybrid was supposed to hit showrooms in 2010 for $30,000. Well, apparently it's not that easy to redesign wipers, stereos and other electrical accessories so they drain as little juice as possible from the battery. GM has announced that the first generation Volt will be "closer to $35,000". The good news is that the late 2010 deadline hasn't been officially pushed back, though GM says that if it can't make it, the car might be delayed until the Spring of 2011.
Update: Myvolt? Voltbook? GM Launches Voltage Social Network
Update 2: What Does GM's Bankruptcy Mean for the Chevy Volt?...
Las Vegas Strip Could Run Dry by 2021
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.13.08
Image courtesy of http2007 via flickr
While the odds of winning it big in Las Vegas may still be (excruciatingly) low, the odds that the bustling Strip will run dry in 13 years are getting better by the day. A new study by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography estimates there is a 50% chance the Strip will run out of water by 2021 if no significant cutbacks are made - and a 10% chance it could run out as soon as 2014....
Stairs as Storage: The Upgrade
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.13.08
Last year just about every design website and magazine showed a set of stairs with storage built into each riser; over at Planet Green we even give instructions on how to build it.
Holger Kehne and Eva Castro of London's Plasma Studio have done a very elegant version of the storage stair in their Esker Haus, a renovation and addition in San Candido, Italy. It has an exterior stair that is a killer, too....
Mexico Gets Rolling with PET and Cardboard Recycling
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 02.13.08
Not long ago, we addressed Mexico's struggles in managing its burgeoning mounds of electronic waste.
But there is better news in other areas of recycling. Entrepreneurs are starting to take advantage of the 10 million cubic meters of waste generated every month in Mexico, with particular attention to polyethylene terephthalate plastic bottles, known as PET, and cardboard. According to the National Institute of Recyclers, at least 20 percent of the nation's waste can be recycled in one way or another.
Santiago García, general manager of the PET Recycling Promotion Association, says that Mexico's bottle recycling industry is worth an estimated $56 million with close to 120,000 tons captured, only 15 to 20 percent of the country's PET.
...
New Study Shows the Obvious: Americans Have Lots of Cars
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.13.08
Captain obvious strikes again. Americans have lots of cars! As much as we want more mass transit and walkable and bikeable cities, this only highlights why we also need cradle-to-cradle (100% recyclable and biodegradable) cars built and powered by clean energy, because all these vehicles won't disappear tomorrow. The study by Experian Automotive found that U.S. households that have at least one car have 35% chances of having three or more. The average is 2.28 vehicles per household....
RR House by Andrade Morettin Arquitetos
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.13.08
Itamambuca in the state of Sao Paulo has intense humidity, hot sun, heavy rain and lush vegetation, and evidently lots of bugs and other things running around.
Materialicous points us to the RR House, where Andrade Morettin Arquitetos' solution to this was to build a box within a box, the exterior shell having an ingenious system of fiberglass screens and nets....
Portland Opens First Vegan Strip Club
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.13.08
Greenwash Watch: Nokia's Remade Phone
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.13.08
Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Giving Greener Love
by Meaghan O'Neill, Newport, R.I. on 02.13.08
Credit: Abbey Goes Design Scouting
Valentine's Day is almost here. What's that? You haven't picked out something perfect your sweetheart just yet? Never fear! Our Valentine's Day Gift Guide will save the day. Whether you're looking for something sexy (eco-lingerie, anyone?), standard (organic chocolate and flowers always do the trick), or dematerialized (giving to charity comes from the heart), we've got something for everyone for a full day of good green lovin'. ::Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Giving Greener Love...
Designing with Carbon Dioxide
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.13.08
Whenever I write about what a lousy building material concrete is from an environmental point of view, and why I love wood, I take a lot of abuse. However this little drawing by Austrian architect Christoph Wassmann says it all: a cubic meter of concrete (which doesn't go very far in construction and is not readily recyclable) puts out 385 kg of CO2. A cubic meter of steel (which goes a long way and is recyclable) puts out a lot at 12,200 kg CO2/m2, but that is virgin steel and much of it now is recycled so it should be lower. Wood? it binds CO2 and has a negative rating, sucking in 900Kg of CO2 in its "manufacture" or growth. A cubic meter of wood contains 411 board-feet, or about 100 8' long 2x4s, which is a fair pile.::Anarchitecture...
A 30th Birthday Party, The Permaculture Convergence
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.13.08
Permaculture is a practice we’re rather partial to here at TreeHugger. It is a concept that defies simple definition, but has to do with designing human spaces, and particularly food production, so as to optimise lessons learnt from nature. Originally conceived by Australians Bill Mollison (R) and David Holmgren (L) (see TH exclusive interview here) the concept has spread around the world over the past three decades, but will celebrate its 30th birthday this year at home, with the Permaculture Convergence in Sydney, Australia....
Survey: Will You Be My Valentine?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.13.08
Some say it started with Lupercalia, a roman fertility rite celebrated on February 15. Others blame Chaucer, who wrote "For this was on seynt Volantynys day, Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese [choose] his make [mate]. Most blame Leigh Eric Schmidt, who made the first mass-produced valentine of paper lace in 1847. Wherever the truth lies, it is now big business: In 2006 Americans spent 13.7 billion dollars on it, and bought 190 million valentine cards. (WP); image from My anti-valentine
...
Catwalk Heat: Junky Styling
by Bonnie Alter, London on 02.13.08
It's London Fashion Week and treehugger is hitting the catwalk--in the interests of research of course. Off to the hip, grimy east end and a queue of hundreds waiting to get into the Junky Styling show. Located in an old warehouse turned bar, with the electronica music throbbing, it was the hottest, raunchiest fashion of the night.
Junky Styling is known for its edgy recycled clothes, mainly made out of old men's suits bought from second hand stores. The designers love using pinstripe and tweed and making these masculine fabrics into fabulous evening wear. There is no combination or re-creation that they haven't thought of. They can transform anything into a sexy dress or skirt for that wild party that you are yearning to stand out at. One dress (pictured) was made out of the cuffs of men's jackets layered into a tube with shoestring straps and complete with the gold buttons. Another was a red long dress, with black zippers covering the bodice and flowing on top of a red skirt. Yet another was made from green army jackets, with a red collar. ...
The Benefits of Raised Crosswalks
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02.13.08
Today on Planet Green
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.12.08
:: Get part two of our guide to wooing your sweetie this Valentine's Day through food.
:: Learn how convert heirloom brooches into wearable necklaces in a snap.
:: Whether you're someone who's still saving for new, energy-efficient windows—or you're a renter who doesn't have the latitude to make major home improvements—our quick window fix will give you instant energy savings.
:: Find out how easy it is to make wall hooks out of vintage silverware.
:: Make an inexpensive solar-powered food dehydrator in a few, simple steps.
:: You don't need an eco-concierge to help you plan a car-free vacation.
:: Check out how one crafter turned a vintage suitcase into a fetching pet bed.
:: Should you repair or replace your clothes dryer?...
A Step Closer to a Zero Emission Car?
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.12.08
Take two promising technologies - alternative energy and carbon capture - add a dash of ingenuity, and you may have the ideal recipe for a zero emission car. Or so a team of researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology hope: they've developed a technology to store and eventually recycle the carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles.
They envision a system that could trap the carbon emissions - which would be collected and processed at a fueling station - and reuse them to power vehicles, thus forming a sustainable closed-loop system. The scientists are currently working on a fuel processing device to separate the carbon dioxide from the hydrogen and store it in liquid form; the hydrogen would be used as a fuel source....
Art or Oil: Drilling Near Utah's Famous "Spiral Jetty" Earthwork
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 02.12.08
Between oil and everything else, is nothing sacred? Now, Utah’s most famous “earthwork” out on the Great Salt Lake may be threatened by a proposal to drill for oil off-shore. Created in 1970 by artist Robert Smithson, the large-scaled sculpture “Spiral Jetty” is a 1,500 feet long, 15 feet wide coil of basalt rock and earth that stretches out counterclockwise out into the red waters of the lake and is one of the more famous examples of the early Land Art movement. Depending on the lake levels, the Spiral Jetty can be visible or submerged and the isolated character of the area lends it a simple but raw beauty. Though the art piece is in the northern part of the lake and remotely-located from any town or road, the plans to drill for oil five miles out by Canadian company Amoco have sparked protest from across the world, prompting the state to postpone the decision for a permit. The deadline for public comment (see here) is extended until February 13....
Connecticut Teen Creates Fashion Statement in Fight Against Global Warming
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 02.12.08
When 16-year-old Sam Allen realized his devotion to fashion and the fight against global warming could potentially work wonders together he enlisted the help of a few friends and set out to create a line of clothing that would make a difference…
...
Bloomberg Deems Threat of Global Warming as Serious as Terrorism
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.12.08
Image courtesy of David Berkowitz via flickr
In a seeming attempt to upstage Al Gore - or at least revive talks of a stalled independent run for the White House - NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg ripped into the presidential candidates' positions on climate change, calling them too weak and unfocused. Addressing a UN summit on climate change, he deemed global warming as serious a threat to international health as nuclear proliferation and terrorism, arguing that, in the long term, it "has the potential to kill everybody."
"Unfortunately we have a system where nobody wants to say to anybody you have to stop doing something, or change something or pay for something . . . where all we want to do is say you can have something for nothing." He castigated the leading candidates for not making climate change a central component of their agenda....
Protect Your Macbook Air with a Steve Sleeve
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.12.08
The much-hyped Macbook Air and its thinnovative goodness have made a big splash with its svelte physique; the slick marketing hook is that it's thin enough to fit in a manila envelope. As with other Apple products, Macbook Air is inspiring a whole new industry of accessories to go with it, with these "envelopes" at the top of the list. The "AirMail" borrows most of the manila features, but its use of vinyl gets a thumbs down from TreeHugger, this cotton reusable bag is a step in the right direction (and sorta looks like the paper version) but wouldn't do you much good in a rainstorm.
Enter the "Steve Sleeve" (so clever) from Timbuk2, "built to fit the Macbook Air like an ultraglove." With a softshell exterior (just like the trendy mountaineering jackets) and an interior lining made from post-consumer pop bottles (that's PET plastic for those of you scoring at home), it's a pretty durable alternative that scores points with us for longevity and choice of recycled materials. Like the cotton version, if you're lucky enough to already have a Macbook Air, you'd better get something that'll keep it safe for awhile (and it better be something more durable than a paper envelope). If you don't have one yet, don't worry; the Steve Sleeve isn't ready to ship just yet. Stay tuned for more and hit the jump to get up close and personal with the ultraglove. ::Timbuk2...
Bank Of America CEO Launches A Big One Over The Climate Skeptics
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.12.08
Professional climate skeptics are so yesterday. Why do the Think Tanks even bother to pay their salaries?
Private investors alone can't spur an environmentally friendly "green economy," Bank of America Corp. (BAC) Chief Executive Ken Lewis [pictured] said Tuesday, as he called on Congress to create a cap-and-trade system to help control carbon emissions.... "We favor a market-based mechanism to set a value for carbon allowances, and a clear, federal standard that would give investors the certainty they need to plan for the future," Lewis said.And here's the money quote....
London Drivers to Pay $49 USD/Day Carbon Charge
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.12.08
London’s mayor, Ken Livingstone is a man who knows how to grasp the nettle, to make the hard decisions and act on them. If his revolutionary £8 per day Congestion Charge for car entering central London had people aghast at his audacity, they’d better sit down before taking in his next strategy. Maybe as early as this October, owners of vehicles emitting 225 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre will have to fork over £25 per day to drive their behemonths through London, a city that alone “generates some 7 per cent of Britain's climate-warming carbon emissions.”
The new charge is not so much about trying to reduce congestion, but rather curbing carbon emissions by 60% before 2025. "I believe that this ground-breaking initiative will have an impact throughout the world with other cities following suit as they step up their efforts to halt the slide towards catastrophic climate change," said mayor Livingstone. Via ABC and more at Times Online. ...
GREEN DEETS 012 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.12.08
Jack Johnson's advice to people who are getting overwhelmed with the static --
watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
Johnson’s 2008 tour is collaborating with groups around the world working in the realms of water quality, community & school gardens, land preservation, environmental education and more. Several nonprofits in each city will host volunteer events leading up to the show and will use donated concert tickets to leverage new members or raise funds for their projects. Participating nonprofits will interact with fans at the concerts in the “Village Green,” with the goal of raising awareness about local issues and engaging community action. National and local non-profits will be involved at every show and tour proceeds will be directed to these groups to support their ongoing projects.
2008 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT GOALS: Impact will be tracked throughout Johnson’s 2008 world tour to demonstrate how collective action can result in significant change. An end-of-tour report will be available at www.jackjohnsonmusic.com. The campaign is quantifying individual actions, including:
# of voters registered (United States)
Tons of CO2 reduced as a result of tour efforts
# of people participated in local events & projects leading up to the concert
# of actions taken and pledged to be taken
# of companies encouraged to take stronger climate change measures
# plastic bags and water bottles displaced by reusables
Pounds of waste recycled/composted at the venues
Dollars raised for local non-profits
Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
Best of Design Democracy '08: Seating
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.12.08
As Lloyd noted earlier, Design Democracy '08 is looking to prove that mass customization, ultra-local production and downloadable designs are all viable methods for reconfiguring the way we consume things. Focusing on furniture, they're hosting a competition whose winner gets a high-profile showcase at this spring's International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York; designers who dig flat pack, CNC routing and other tools of this next-generation manufacturing system are encouraged to submit designs by March 21. Until then, we'll take a closer look at some of our favorite submitted designs. First up: seating.
Rocker Prototype 3 (there's also Rocker Prototype 2 and Rocker Prototype), submitted by HollerDesign, applies this cool new design paradigm to a classic form: the rocking chair. With smart materials use and a clever design, a single flat sheet of wood becomes a three-dimensional rocker. Hit the jump for more chic seating competing for a spot on stage at ICFF. ...
GREEN DEETS 011 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.12.08
What inspired Jack Johnson to start the Kokua Hawaii Foundation? Watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
Jack Johnson, and his wife Kim, have spent the last five years quietly effecting change in their home state of Hawaii with their Kokua Hawaii Foundation and Kokua Festival, and worldwide through involvement in many social and environmental issues. In 2003 the Johnson’s founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Johnson’s native home state of Hawaii. Their mission is to provide students with exciting and interactive encounters that will enhance their appreciation for and understanding of their environment so they will be lifelong stewards of the earth. In addition to several school programs, the Foundation’s work has expanded with local community events and environmental action campaigns.
Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
Terracycle and Sponsored Waste
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.12.08
When it comes right down to it, recycling is a shifting of responsibility from the producer who made a product to the consumers and their governments that use tax money to collect it and deal with it; rarely does it pay for itself. We didn't have a litter or recycling problem when the bottlers had to pay a deposit; that's why they founded Keep America Beautiful- to shift the burden from them to you. That's why we think that there should be producer responsibility, with a deposit on everything from coffee cups to cars.
We are not there yet, but Terracycle has developed a great first step. They pay schools, non-profits and community groups to collect packaging from participants Honest Tea, Stonyfield Farm and Clif Bar. They upcycle the drink pouches into tote bags and pencil cases, the yogurt containers into planters; Clif Bar wrappers are "fused and woven into a strong material, which will then be used to make backpacks, gym totes and other products."...
Jay Inslee Wants Plug-In Hybrid Tax Credits in the U.S.
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.12.08
Congressman Jay Inslee (Washington's first congressional district) is keeping busy. After co-authoring Apollo's Fire, a book about U.S. climate and energy policy, and getting an amendment in the energy bill to create a plug-in demonstration project, he's now fighting to get tax credits of up to $3000-4000 for plug-in hybrids.
Inslee is also a member of the Apollo Alliance. To find out more about it, you can read our interview with its founder, Jerome Ringo.
Congressman Inslee wrote:...
TreeHugger + SMITH Six-Word Memoir Contest: Your Green Life in Six Words
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 02.12.08
Six-word memoirs are rolling in from TreeHugger readers the world over. Check out our Six-Word Contest page (treehugger.com/six-words) to see the latest six-word green memoirs and to find out a little more about the contest. If you haven't had a chance to send us your six-word green memoir, sign up on that very same contest page and tell us your story!
...
GREEN DEETS 010 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.12.08
Jack Johnson the parent talks about preserving the natural world for future generations. Watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
In the fall of 2003, Jack Johnson became the 50th member of 1% For The Planet. Johnson’s 2005 release of In Between Dreams became the first album to carry the 1% label and his 2005 world tour promoted the 1% For The Planet mission and brand and helped to launch the organization. Today 1% For The Planet is a growing global movement of 768 companies that donate 1% of their sales to a network of more than 1,500 environmental organizations worldwide. In the process, these companies pave the way for more corporate responsibility in the business community.
Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
GREEN DEETS 009 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.12.08
Hear about the environmental topics to which Jack Johnson is most drawn to when you watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
An Island to Oneself, Suvarov, Cook Islands:This is the story of the years which I spent alone, in two spells on an uninhabited coral atoll half a mile long and three hundred yards wide in the South Pacific. It was two hundred miles from the nearest inhabited island, and I first arrived there on October 7, 1952 and remained alone (with only two yachts calling) until June 24, 1954, when I was taken off ill after a dramatic rescue. I was unable to return to the atoll until April 23, 1960 and this time I remained alone until December 27, 1963.-- Tom Neale Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
g=9.8: Eco-Lingerie for Valentine's Day
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 02.12.08
g=9.8 isn’t a new brand for those of you that have been reading TreeHugger for awhile. But with Cupid making a visit in just a few days from now, we thought we’d mention their new styles, designed by young, French designer Sophie Young. Quick recap: g=9.8 is a collection of eco-friendly lingerie made from LENPUR® , a sustainable textile made from white pine tree clippings processed with enzymes into fiber. The wood fiber is made from sustainably managed wood and only certain parts of the trees are chosen, while harvesting coincides with normal pruning. Now back to those new styles…...
GREEN DEETS 008 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.12.08
Just how did Jack Johnson get so passionate about the environment? Watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
In 2000, Johnson directed a surf film entitled Thicker than Water with his film school friend Chris Malloy. The film features breaks from Indonesia, Tahiti, India, Ireland, France, Australia, and Hawaii, and Johnson provides various rhythms for the soundtrack, with some appearances being performed by G. Love & Special Sauce. Two years later, Johnson also directed another film entitled The September Sessions.
Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
Design Democracy Competition: Mass Customization Gets Real
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.12.08
It just hits so many TreeHugger buttons: Design Democracy is about revitalization of manufacturing in the rust belt around Richard Florida's concept of expanding the creative class. It is about Mass Customization and applied here to furniture design, much like Unto this Last in the UK. Founders Bryce and Kerry Moore write: "A well-designed product that exploits new technology and requires only small production runs will be competitive with mass manufactured products.... Being close to production allows us greater quality control and as an added benefit, our products are more environmentally sound because they do not need to be transported halfway around the world."...
NBC Coverage of Wave and Tidal Power
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.12.08
Should You Buy Flowers for Valentine's Day? Ask Pablo, Get Answers
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.12.08
Sustainability engineer Pablo Päster's work has appeared on TreeHugger several times before; his eye-opening analyses of bottled water, local food and old vs. new cars offer a thoughtful, thorough look at the true environmental costs of things many of us use every day. Most recently, in honor of Valentine's Day, he's put the sustainability spotlight on cut flowers.
His piece in Salon notes that in the US, between 60 and 80 percent of the cut flowers are imported, and most of them come from greenhouses in Latin America. Though some travel from as far away as Europe and Africa, 90 percent of the roses sold for Valentine's Day are from Colombia and Ecuador, and their carbon footprint is no small matter. Assuming your package weighs two pounds, shipping the flowers will contribute more than six pounds of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. And that's not even half of it....
Quotes of the Day: Kids on Global Warming
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.12.08
A lot of plastic can't be recycled. The turtles can get suffocated and it can go into the water. My dad gave her a cloth bag but she doesn't use it. Plastic drives me nuts!" —A seventh grader
"Earth is a lot of animals' home. If a lot of animals become extinct it would be hard for us to live." —Will, 8 years old
"He doesn't care about the polar bears, but I do. We're running out of fresh water and if you don't be careful the ice will never get frozen and the polar bears will have nowhere to go. Santa will have nowhere to live." —Amanda, 6, who spoke to her 7-year-old upstairs neighbor about his long, water-guzzling showers
::USA Today...
GREEN DEETS 007 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.12.08
Jack Johnson -- is he or isn't he an environmentalist? Watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
Full Name: Jack Hody Johnson. Born 1975, near Haleiwa, on the North Shore of Oahu. Son to a famous surfer throughout the islands - Jeff Johnson - Jack became an avid surfer himself and quickly turned pro. Unfortunately, Jack suffered a near death experience at age 17 after crashing his body into a reef during the Pipeline Masters. It was then, that he decided to turn to his other love: Music.
Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
Yet Another Mainstream Development where Solar is Standard
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02.12.08
Last month we noted how home developers in London were adding solar panels to mainstream homes yet hardly marketing the fact. Now we’ve come across another example of a major home developer hiding its (solar) light under a bushel. Looking at the landing page for Barratt Homes’ NU @ D2 development in Northampton, you’d hardly know that they’ve achieved an “Eco Excellent” rating with the EcoHomes Standard; that the 165 homes feature solar thermal and electric panels; rainwater harvesting; energy efficient design; nor that the entire development was designed after New Urbanist principles (for an explanation of what New Urbanism is all about, check out our interview with Andy Kuntz). We only found all this out because we came across the more eco-centric description of the development via the company providing the solar panels, Solarcentury. As we’ve said before, it’s encouraging to see features such as solar panels being marketed simply as “extra features for comfortable, modern-day living”.
Pssst! Valentines Day is just around the corner. For tips on some good green loving, check out our Gift Guide.
::Barratt Homes::via Solarcentury::
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Pssst...Hey Green Valentine! Check Our Gift Guide!
by Meaghan O'Neill, Newport, R.I. on 02.12.08
Credit: ulterior epicure
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...
Quick Quiz: How Much Water Do You Use Per Day?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.12.08
Stillsuits are not yet the latest fashion accessory in Phoenix, but we do have a water problem in much of the country, either through lousy planning, massive development or crumbling infrastructure. Water use in America per capita has declined a bit over the last few years, but is still pretty high. How much water do you think that the average American consumes for personal use, in gallons, per day? Red herring- the total water use per person per day is 1620 gallons.
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Best of NY Gift Fair: Envirosax for Kids
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.12.08
They won't be available in stores until mid-March, but we managed to get a sneak peek at Envirosax's new line for kids at the New York International Gift Fair last week. The goal: To get the wee generation into the habit of bringing their own. (Cue Whitney Houston crooning, "I believe that children are our future, teach them well and LET THEM lead the way." You sing it like it is, girl.)
You'll get to choose from six colorful kid-friendly designs. Made of lightweight, waterproof, and durable 100 percent polyester, these bags will retail for approximately $8.50 a pop. And, like their grownup forebears, these bags roll up for ease of portability, so you can toss a couple into your child's backpack or get them to stow one in their pockets. More juicy images below the jump. ::Envirosax...
London to Spend US$975 Million on Walking and Cycling Programs Over Next Decade
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 02.12.08
London is certainly at the forefront of efforts by cities to lower emissions of carbon dioxide, reduce traffic and air pollution, and promote healthier lifestyles. In addition to imposing a congestion tax , as well as a 'Dirty Lorry' charge, on vehicles entering the city, and otherwise tackling climate change through planning and incentives, London is now announcing that it plans "to create a new network of quick, simple, and safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians that represents the largest investment in walking and cycling in the city’s history."
This is not some token initiative, either. London is committed to spending US$975 million over the next ten years to implement five new programs "with the aim of having one in ten round trips in London each day made by bike, and saving some 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 per year ." Read more about the program after the fold...
Cotton Bollworm Shown To Resist Bt Produced By Transgenic Cotton
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.12.08
As long theorized, evidence has emerged that too extensive planting of Bt producing cotton in one setting can result in resistance to Bt by the ubiquitous Boll Worm. So how to mitigate against this? Pay some farmers not to use Bt modified crop seed? Encourage organic cotton farming round and about the Monsanto style plots? The solution seems like it would be a long term challenge if the economic benefits of using Bt producing cotton are high for the farmers.
University of Arizona entomologists looked at data from six experiments to monitor pests in fields sown with transgenic cotton and corn in Australia, China, Spain and the United States. They found evidence of genetic mutation among bollworms (Helicoverpa zea) in a dozen cotton fields sown in Mississippi and Arkansas between 2003 and 2006...The mutation entails a slight change in the bollworm's DNA to help it resist a toxin that the cotton plant exudes thanks to a gene inserted by biotechnologists. These GM toxins are produced in nature by a widespread bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis, which goes by the abbreviation Bt. The type of Bt toxin to which these bollworms have become resistant is called Cry1Ac.Via::TerraDaily, "First evidence emerges of pest resistance to GM crops: scientists" Image credit::Wikipedia entry for Helicoverpa zea...
Green is Present at Campus Party Brazil
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 02.12.08
(Pictures by Mauricio.beltran, Luisleao and vivoandando, from Flickr) From February 11 until 19, Sao Paulo is holding Campus Party, an event that was born in Spain which is described by organizers as the world's biggest electronic-entertainment networking happening in the world.
The event consists of gathering thousands of participants under the same roof to live and work together for seven days. The spot chosen in Brazil is the Biennale Pavilion at the Ibirapuera Park.
What's interesting for us is that the Brazilian edition is going green, offering to plant one tree for each participant and aiming assistants to plant extra trees through Click Arvore; and setting up a section of green activities under the 'Green Campus' section. "Technology is a fundamental tool to face the challenges the global-village presents, in a plural, ethical and democratic way," say the organizers.
Keep reading for more pictures and the set of activities.
Via Planeta Sustentavel....
Swivel Head - Folding for Full Sized Bicycles
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.12.08
A while back we were pummelled for a post on the X bike, a design concept, with many saying it was impractical. But MAS Design, who conjured up that particular idea, do have other more commercial designs. At least that is the view of Pacific Cycles of Taiwan, who bought the rights to use their Swivel Head patents, which allow for the folding of full sized bicycles.
The technology will get its production debut at a bike trade show in March 2008 when Pacific Cycles launch three models under the ‘IF’ branding. And it is possible this will spur a new interest in folding bikes, because both companies have significant background in the alternative bike market. MAS Design created the Strida, while Pacific Cycles produce frames and parts for well known niche bicycles like Birdy and Airnimal, (as well as their own line of rather phantasmagorical bike creations)
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Survivalist Green: Parents, Do Your Kids Know Where You'll Be Living In Ten Years?
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.12.08
Much of what we read about 'green tech' or 'green lifestyle' trending heads toward a slightly modified version of Business/Life As Usual. If we project this ahead a decade, it assumes rather small cumulative changes in human culture: a bit more E85, more hybrid cars, more Alberta Tar Scam (Mini-Me Style), somewhat better insulated homes on 1/4 acre cul-de-sacs, not-so-supersized meals, no severe climate change impacts, and so on. And, of course, everybody uses compact fluorescents. STOP
An equally plausible scenario is what we're calling Survivalist Green. Yes there's a Hippie back-to-the-lander aspect to this; and, an NRA membership in good standing ring to it. But don't be fooled: it's an entirely new cultural direction; a direction led by an earlier-than-you-think shift from cheap to very expensive oil.
Let's explore Survivalist Green, the transformational lifestyle era. Just for fun....
The Nag Asks: Why Do We Always Buy Roses on Valentine's Day?
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 02.12.08
We want to give our love to The Nag this Valentine's Day, purely for their best Nag so far. It's one that makes you think, it's educational, it's topical and it's very easy to do! The big question is: Why do we always have to buy our love roses for Valentine's? Surely there's a more original, more beautiful and even more sustainable flower we could give? The Nag's suggestion is that we should think more about seasonal flowers - what's in bloom this time of year in the UK? It sure ain't roses! Click through to find out which flower it is....
Green Tower Does Away with Hallways
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02.12.08
Jean Nouvel's vision of a green future doesn't include hallways. The big-name French architect and designer has a skinny and controversial $400-million, 45-story luxury condo tower on the boards for Los Angeles, and the design allows elevators to access condos directly. If built, the tower is expected to land LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, thanks to its thin design and pedestrian access (the latter is much debated). ...
It's London Fashion Week--Again
by Bonnie Alter, London on 02.12.08
It's back again: London Fashion Week and Estethica, the green fashion display, now in its fourth season. And along with the old favourites such as Katharine Hamnett, Ciel, Noir, there are some fascinating newcomers. Trends to watch: lots of greys, whites and blues ( despite the fashion mag's insistence on colours this spring), clothes are either casual or over the top and most interestingly--many designers are working with socially deprived groups to develop new skills or maintain old ones.
Fisher Garcia, a brand new company of two friends, reflects their love of luxury and Japanese textiles. In beautiful cream and indigo combinations, there are skirts and jackets made of pesticide-free silk and linens. The clothes are made by hand by a social enterprise collective in east London. The tops (pictured) and jackets have felted details which make scrunchy, irregular patterns, along with embroidery. A chiffon shirt has cut satin stitched on the front and an indigo skirt, made from metal-free vegetable dyes, has a batik effect. Elegant, unique and made from soft luxurious fabrics, these are for special eco-events....
Polar Explorer Will Live on Renewable Energy at the 2041 E-Base in Antarctica, Using 21st Century Technology to Tackle Climate Change
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 02.12.08
The first person in history to walk to both the North and South poles is Robert Swan, polar explorer, environmental leader and public speaker. Swan founded 2041 in order to preserve Antarctica by the promotion of recycling, renewable energy and sustainability to combat the effects of climate change. Why did he call the project 2041? -Because that’s the year of the review of the Environmental Protocol of the Antarctic Treaty. By protecting this treaty, 2041 works towards nobody ever needing to exploit the last great continent on Earth for minerals and fossil fuel. Part of the project is the E-Base, a sustainable green building constructed from post-consumer recycled and renewable materials. “Here at our 2041 E-Base we are using green, innovative and sustainable materials and applying them to the cleanest coldest place on earth. The E-Base will serve as a model globally and locally,” says Robert Swan....
Most Huggable: Organic Mega-Brands, Free Solar Panels, Stirring It Up + More
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 02.11.08
You might be surprised to learn that humongous food corporations own many of our favorite organic brands.
Take an in-depth look at the everyday life and times of a member of Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, the sustainable community.
Learn how to find free (or almost free) solar panels.
Canada's oldest bookstore, The Book Room, will be closed in 8 weeks; it was founded in 1839 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Dig in to the new book by Gary Hirshberg, CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, called Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World.
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: The Plastic Policy, Affordable, Reusable Bags + More
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.11.08
1) Forums user treadlightly has an interesting story about plastic bags: "Today my wife and I went to Kohl's so she could purchase a single long sleeve t-shirt. Upon checking out, we told that cashier that we didn't need a plastic bag. However, she insisted that we take a plastic Kohl's branded bag. We politely refused, but she bagged the item anyway. Upon receiving the bag, I removed the shirt and tossed the bag back on the counter and left the store." An encounter with the manager didn't net anything positive; is a store boycott next?
2) Speaking of reusable bags, user earthwriter says, "Does anyone know where you can find affordable cotton canvas shopping bags? I need more than 3 or 4 and they need to be sturdy, 100% cotton, not cheaply made like the crap poly bags they sell in stupormarkets. I've seen some advertised, but $4 or $5 is too costly for me at the moment, especially since I need more than 6 bags. I really want to stop using plastic and this is important to me. I'd appreciate some help here." Anyone?
3) Lastly, Forums user CarolinaJim asks sort of an interesting question: "If you were given a 1 Ton CO2 offset how would you use the offset?...I like to think of the offset concept in terms of offsetting the unavoidable energy like what is necessary for a household and/or a car. " He says its the equivalent of "burning about ~110 gallons of gasoline, driving a Prius about 6000 miles, flying from Boston to LA on an airliner, living in a college dorm for about 4 months". What are you most likely to zero out with your offset?
Today on Planet Green
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.11.08
:: Find out how to go paperless in your home office.
:: Make a Valentine's Day dinner for your snookums.
:: Learn how to evaluate the environmental impact of your business and how to reduce your company's carbon footprint.
:: Make a lace-up corset and a pair of boxers out of recycled fabrics.
:: Brrr...it's cold outside. Bake some challah bread.
:: Change your sedentary lifestyle, without much effort.
:: Browse books online for free, before you buy, so you can weed out the stinkers that will give you buyer's remorse.
:: Should you repair or replace your washing machine?...
Contest: What Makes You Eco-Fabulous?
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.11.08
What makes you eco-fabulous, hot shot? If you think you're the green of the crop, Origins Organics and Brickfish want to know. Show off your eco-savvy by sharing the everyday steps you take to reduce your carbon fooprint, in a photo, video, or blog post.
Up for grabs is a grand prize comprising a trip for two to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for four nights at the eco-friendly hotel Hotel Terra. Contest ends on Feb. 25. ::What Makes You Eco-Fabulous?...
Track the State of the Planet with Discovery's Earth Live
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.11.08
The home office (remember, TreeHugger is owned by Discovery Communications) has been working hard to create a cool new web application called Earth Live. It's a new interactive tool (just launched today) designed to help us all understand global climate change on a macro level; you can do so using almost real-time satellite data from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showing cloud cover, sea temperatures, the jet stream, and much more.
There's a handful of "stories," with long-term climate changes relating to the biosphere and gulf stream, and more timely, news-related stories as well, including events like the tornados in the southeastern US last week, Hurricane Katrina, and La Nina; each of the stories can be "plugged in" to the map to show what regional and global effects the climate is having, and what the implications are for those events.
Be sure to click the "Here's how to use it" button to take advantage of all the features it has to offer -- once you start discovering your own correlations between data and global changes, you can publish them to your blog, or Facebook, for example -- and try not to get fired for playing with it too much at work; there's a lot to see, and a lot to learn. Even if we didn't work for Discovery, we'd still think it was pretty awesome. ::Discovery's Earth Live...
Go Green Initiative's School of the Week: Woodman Home School in Atlanta, GA!
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 02.11.08
With schools great and small across the country going green through the Go Green Initiative, it’s impressive to see that the folks taking home the hardware with this week’s top honors are actually a part of the Woodman Home School. As home schooler Mrs. Woodman tells Go Green, they started the school year addressing their family's environmental impact before looking to determine how they will recycle and free cycle what they no longer use in the future.
So here's what they’ve been up to that you can do at your house too…
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Ugandan Coffee Farmers Worried About Climate Change
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 02.11.08
Photo credit: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
In their worldwide search for the best beans, coffee retailers like Starbucks have recently discovered the fine Arabica coffee varieties grown in Uganda and other east African highland regions. But according to a recent story in the South African daily Independent Online, the burgeoning cash crop for Ugandan farmers is increasingly threatened by climate change.
Coffee is seasonal in Uganda and thrives during the rainy, cool period, which usually lasts from November to February. But recently rainfall has been sporadic, putting fragile coffee plants at risk. And there have been more droughts in the past three years resulting in poorer quality beans....
Point/Counterpoint: Leigh Steinberg's "Green" Super Bowl Party
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.11.08
For the past 22 years, sports agent Leigh Steinberg has been hosting a swanky Super Bowl party, commemorating football's big day with a VIP affair. This year, for the first time, the party incorporated a handful of green initiatives -- carbon neutrality, green furnishings, an e-waste drop-off zone, local and organic food, an eco-friendly "swag bag" and more.
The party was held at Phoenix's Desert Botanical Garden -- whose "commitment to the community is to advance excellence in education, research, exhibition, and conservation of desert plants of the world with emphasis on the Southwestern United States" -- and the event benefited the Environmental Fund for Arizona (EFA), a coalition whose members collectively tackle every environmental issue facing Arizona. Still, the Super Bowl is a "greenhouse gastravaganza", and no big-time party comes off without some excess, waste and more mess than when it started. To debate the relative merits (and demerits) of the party, TreeHugger squared off against itself for some polemic point/counterpoint.
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Life Cycle Perspective On California Solar Photovoltaic Supply Chain
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.11.08
Most would agree that solar cells fabricated from silicon ingots that were produced with electricity generated primarily by hydroelectric power would be "as good as it gets" from a life cycle standpoint. Thinking about such things as mercury and carbon emissions, that is.
The worst possible source for silicon solar panels would likely be from an SPV supply chain that begins with Chinese coal-fired electricity....
EMF: Richard Box's Graphic Demonstrations
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.08
Peter Dibdin
It is always a controversial subject here. Are EMFs harmful? Are WiFi routers and cellphones frying our brains? While the scientific consensus in North America suggests we need not worry, the art of Richard Box gives us serious pause.
Box takes several thousand fluorescent tubes and "plants" them under power lines. "The piece is simple yet spectacular, making visible what would otherwise go unnoticed. The FIELD of tubes will flicker in to life across the hillside as the early evening light fades. The performance each evening is hard to anticipate as the daily operation of the electricity supply will differ and is always dependent on the weather." ...
A Picture is Worth... Air Pollution in China
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.11.08
This image, which was captured by NASA's Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (i.e. SeaWiFS), dates back to January 2, 2000; it shows a layer of polluted air covering a large portion of southeastern China. The increased use of fossil fuels is largely to blame for the opaque haze. Given that China now tops the U.S. in total greenhouse gas emissions, just imagine what a satellite picture of the region would look like now...
Via ::Econbrowser: China's air pollution (blog)...
Moscow Looks Like Sauron's Kingdom
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.11.08
Fans of the movies Lord of the Ring will immediately notice the similarities between the photo above and Sauron's kingdom. The picture above was taken by Alexander Petrenko and Andrew Maple wrote a little piece in English about Moscow's environmental problems.
"Today Moscow has nearly 3,000,000 cars. Gray-brown noxious haze of smog covers the streets filled with jam-packed traffic, which blows out tons of unhealthy exhaust fumes of carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals. Additionally there are 12 huge heat power stations, 53 district heating stations and 3,000 industrial enterprises still operating within the city borders. As a result concentrations of harmful substances often exceed maximum allowable by 10-20 times." ::Sauron's Kingdom - Moscow, via reddit. ::Seeking Oil, Russia Claims North Pole, ::Russia's New Environmentalist? The Kremlin...
Prime Minister Mini-Me Cans Science Advisor
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.08
Arthur Carty led the National Research Council for 10 years, taught at the University of Waterloo for 27 years, has seven honorary degrees, five patents and more than 300 research publications to his name; he was Canada's National Science Advisor. But Prime Minister Stephen Mini-me Harper, like his buddy to the south, sometimes finds science inconvenient, so he moved him way down the hall and then cancelled the position. MP Scott Brison says "Dr. Carty was a voice of reason on climate change, stem cell research, resource management and the environment, Does the Prime Minister not realize that his attack on science is making Canada look like the Flat Earth Society?" ::The Star
Science is inconvenient when it gets in the way of digging up the oil sands at the cost of Kyoto, or running nuclear reactors without required backup pumps (so he fired the nuclear regulator.)
Adam Bly, editor of SEED, broke the story. He writes:
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High School Homework: Make an Electric Car
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.11.08
We don't remember doing cool stuff like that in high school... Seems like we missed all the fun. Students of Napoleon High School in Jackson, Michigan, will convert a 1995 Saturn SP1 into an electric car this spring. The automotive-technology students have partnered with two area businesses (Nicholls Electric Car Co. and Tech Tooling Specialties) to build the center's first electric-conversion car. "It's the future,"' said Kyle Henry, a Napoleon High School senior. "It's what we're going to be doing."...
Upper Colorado River Basin Flows Projected Best In A Decade
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.11.08
Ever notice how lately nearly all water news feels bad? Flood or drought is what the news generally focuses on. At last some good news for the people who depend on the water of the Colorado River....
Victorian Architects Knew How to Design Off-Grid
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.08
Dylan Reid at Spacing quotes Michael Redhill's novel Consolation, describing an 1856 photography studio:
They did not have the benefit of Mr. Ennis’s skylight to effect the passage of light into the room, but the front south-facing window was almost as good. A series of three mirrors brought light in off the street and into the middle of the shop. … Being indirect, it was softer light, and exposures were longer and therefore more uncertain.He then continues with a description of what other tricks architects used back then to make interior space usable. ...
Casulo: An Entire Apartment's Furniture in One Small Box
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 02.11.08
It might not look like it, but inside this box, there's an armoire, a desk, a height-adjustable stool, two more stools, a six-shelf bookcase, and a bed with a mattress. Casulo, the brilliant, modular setup designed by Marcel Krings & Sebastian Mühlhäuser, hides furnishings enough for an entire room -- or, heck, an entire apartment -- in a small 31"x47" (that's 80 cm x 120 cm) box. Two people can lift, carry, and assemble (and then disassemble, when it's time to move) each piece of furniture within the Casulo in about 10 minutes -- it requires no tools for assembly -- and every part of the boxy exterior is used, negating any need for extraneous, wasteful packaging. Smart.
Casulo won the "Abraham & David Roentgen Award" in November 2007 for its "cleverness, finesse and qualitative realisation of the idea" and we think it's quite well-deserved; what a perfect solution for frequent movers and small space dwellers alike. More pics, plus a video, of the unboxing process, after the jump. ::Casulo via ::DesignSpotter...
Mitsubishi Keeps Testing, Improving i MiEV Electric Car
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.11.08
TreeHugger has been keeping an eye on the Mitsubishi i MiEV since 2005. Christine first wrote about the concept CT-MiEV and its drivetrain. Collin then had a look at the Mitsubishi "i" concept, then Jacob covered the first i MiEV prototypes, and later Justin wrote about another concept, the i MiEV Sport. Now's the time for another look since the most recent version shows a 23% increase in range among other improvements. Lets have a look....
Forget MPG, and CAFE, Think About VMT
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.08
Getty Images
We can drone on about fuel economy standards and miles per gallon, but the next big deal is Vehicle Miles Travelled, or VMT, because it is as much of a problem. in the 25 years from 1977 to 2001 the number of miles driven each year went up by 151%. Joseph White writes in the Wall Street Journal:
The reasons for the big growth in miles traveled are pretty obvious if you don't live in the center of a big city endowed with functioning public transport. To make space for ever larger suburban homes, housing developers pushed further and further from city centers and shopping areas. New neighborhoods often had street layouts cluttered with cul de sacs that forced people to drive farther to get to main roads or stores. Local zoning laws -- reflecting the preferences of residents -- tended to separate commercial and residential uses, and single family from multi-family dwellings....
Solazyme B100 Algae Biodiesel Goes on the Road
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.11.08
We recently wrote about Solazyme, a company that is working on making biodiesel with algae. Their approach is interesting: They grow the algae in the dark, and they've been focusing on how to scale production from the start so they might avoid some of the problems facing other algae producers. Their latest milestone is that they've successfully road-tested all blends of their "Soladiesel" algal biodiesel up to B100, which is pure bio-goodness. Okay, so the stuff works. Now lets see how it scales and how energy-positive its production is. ::Solazyme Ups Soladiesel Testing to B100. See also: ::New Company to Produce Biodiesel From Algae, ::Biodiesel from Algae and the Biofuels Discussion in Argentina, ::GreenFuel: Producing Biofuel from Algae and Power-Plant Emissions...
How's The Google Plug-In Hybrid Fleet Doing?
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.11.08
As we've mentioned before, Google is quite interested in plug-in hybrids. For those not familiar with the technology, a plug-in hybrid is just like a regular hybrid - it can be powered by either a gasoline engine or electrical motor, or both at the same time - except that you can also plug it in the grid to recharge the batteries, allowing a longer all-electric range. As they've said in Davos, Google's founders thinks that plug-in hybrids are an important stepping stone towards all electric transportation. That's why they built a small demonstration fleet.
Right now, Google has 2 regular Toyota Prius hybrids and 4 modified Priuses that have extra batteries and can be plugged-in. The cars have been rigged so that real-world performance data can automatically be downloaded. Lets have a look at how they're doing....
Keeping Gorillas In Our Midst
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 02.11.08
What good is having wildlife protection laws if the government and police don't enforce them? Taking cues from our personal heroes Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall is animal conservation hero Ofir Drori from Tel Aviv.
Based in Africa for nearly a decade, Drori is directing the Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA for short) in Cameroon. Known by locals as the "Man in Black" Drori, through a network of spies, is making sure the police and government are putting animal traffickers and poachers where they belong – in jail.
The World Wildlife Federation, he says, has a presence in Cameroon but rife with corruption, they can't stop the locals from hunting bushmeat or illegally exporting goods such as ivory.
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Laneway House
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.08
Peter Duckworth-Pilkington and Suzanne Cheng did what every young Toronto architecture grad wants to do: live on a back lane, that great swathe of real estate that just goes to waste because of literal NIMBY and political timidity. It comes up every couple of years and nothing ever changes, it is still almost impossible to get approvals for it. Sometimes buildings exist and get renovated, like Kohn Shnier's laneway house; Rarely do they get built from scratch.
Duckworth-Pilkington was also into green design before it was fashionable; he apprenticed at with Martin Liefhebber and worked on the healthy house.
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GREEN DEETS 006 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.11.08
Why does Jack Johnson choose music to reach people? Find out when you watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
THE “ENVIRORIDER” (environmentally-conscious production rider) In 2005, the Johnson’s, along with their crew, MusicMatters, and the leading environmental scientists developed the EnviroRider, an environmental handbook presenting eco-friendly options and actions for the various components of tour production (coordination, travel, venues, etc.). Since its 2005 release, the EnviroRider has been used by hundreds of artists and tours to date, quickly becoming the industry’s guide to green touring. Contact MusicMatters for more information on the EnviroRider.
For Johnson’s 2008 tour, the EnviroRider has been updated to reflect new technologies and practices, and includes more stringent policies for venue participation, requiring compliance with waste reduction, recycling, and CO2 offsetting guidelines. Trucks and coaches will use biodiesel, helping to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 78%, and fans will be encouraged to use mass transportation and car pools. All festival merchandise will be made from sustainable materials with a focus on reusables and renewables. The tour will promote locally grown and organic foods, bio-ware, composting and recycling. After all energy conservation measures have been taken, remaining CO2 emissions will be offset through support of a variety of carbon management projects near areas where the concerts are taking place.
Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
GREEN DEETS 005 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.11.08
::GREEN DEETS::
Tracks on Jack Johnson's new album
1. All At Once
2. Sleep Through The Static
3. Hope
4. Angel
5. Enemy
6. If I Had Eyes
7. Same Girl
8. What You Thought You Need
9. Adrift
10. Go On
11. They Do, They Don't
12. While We Wait
13. Monsoon
14. Losing Keys
Are any of these songs really about the environment? You might be surprised... Find out when you watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump. Also, listen to the new single If I Had Eyes....
GREEN DEETS 004 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.11.08
Does Jack Johnson intentionally set out to write songs about the environment? Find out when you watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
My friends and I have just finished recording a new album called Sleep Through the Static. At this point in my life I weigh about 190 lbs and my ear hairs are getting longer. I also have a couple of kids. My wife popped them out, but I helped. Some of the songs on this album are about making babies. Some of the songs are about raising them. Some of the songs are about the world that these children will grow up in; a world of warand love, and hate, and time and space. Some of the songs are about saying goodbye to people I love and will miss.-- Jack Johnson Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
GREEN DEETS 003 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.11.08
How does Jack Johnson deal with all the static? Find out when you watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
Jack Johnson’s record label, Brushfire Records, is blazing a trail in environmental responsibility among record labels. Brushfire is headquartered in a newly-renovated green building, leveraging a number of innovative features to keep their environmental impact low. These features include: solar panels providing all power for offices and studio, interior/exterior wall insulation made from100% post consumer waste (cotton from blue jean scraps), Duro-Last green roof, and recycled shingles. In addition, the label pays close attention to its internal operations, monitoring energy use and increasing efficiency through lighting and fixtures, reducing office waste and ensuring company-wide recycling, sourcing sustainable goods for office supplies and other operational needs, and offsetting all company CO2 emissions.
Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
GREEN DEETS 002 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.11.08
Is there an overall theme to Jack Johnson's new album? Find out when you watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
Sleep Through the Static was produced by JP Plunier, who was the producer of Jack's first album Brushfire Fairytales. Jack's band consists of long time members Adam Topol (Drums) and Merlo Podlewski (Bass), and Zach Gill (Keys) who joined the band during the tour to support In Between Dreams. The Album was recorded 100% on Solar Energy.
Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
GREEN DEETS 001 Jack Johnson Video Interview
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.11.08
Does Jack Johnson ever feel overwhelmed by the environmental problems in the world? Find out when you watch the exclusive TreeHugger Hi Definition video after the jump.
::GREEN DEETS::
Jack Johnson's most recent album Sleep Through the Static went on sale February 5th. He has released 3 solo records (Brushfire Fairytales, On & On and In Between Dreams), and contributed to a number of Soundtracks including Curious George, A Brokedown Melody, Thicker Than Water and September Sessions. These albums have sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Listen to the new single If I Had Eyes after the jump....
A 'Global Refunding System' to Fight Climate Change
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.11.08
Image courtesy of oxfam international via flickr
The message from the Bali climate change conference was clear: the road to ratifying a successor to the Kyoto Protocol will be a long and arduous one. Indeed, the difficulty inherent in brokering an international pact has led many countries to redouble their efforts to develop and enact national policies; most are understandably loath to relinquish any authority to an international body that may not have their best interests in mind.
A new plan put forth by Hans Gerbach, an economist at the Center for Economic Research at ETH Zurich, would foster an international framework, called the Global Refunding Scheme (GRS), that would allow states to determine their individual climate policies while simultaneously creating incentives for cooperation at the global level. ...
Mad Eejits Hosts Carnival of the Green
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 02.11.08
This week is Carnival of the Green # 114 and it's being hosted by Mad Eejits, a blog about family life and going green. 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...
How Can We "Uninvent" Suburbia?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.08
Alex Williams writes in the New York Times that suburbanites are getting greener, quoting corn-burning environmental writer Mike Tidwell: “In the American suburbs, people are suddenly literate in the language of carbon emissions and carbon footprints,” he said. “I’m hearing it in most mainstream places.” Like at parties: “This very nonhippie, not-environmental-cliché-type woman I heard asking another person, ‘I wonder what the carbon budget of these kiwis are?’ ” he said. “I was just astonished.”
People are trying, installing wind turbines, clotheslines, walking kids to school, but ultimately it is not a matter of changing light bulbs. Williams writes: ...
TreeHugger + SMITH SIx-Word Memoir Contest: One Week Left
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 02.11.08
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 Photos: Baby Hippo Adopted by 100 Year-Old Tortoise
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 02.11.08
Here's the heart-warming story of the day: "The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean, then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him."
More, with photos, after the jump....
What Makes a Picture Green?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.08
The People at Getty Images spent a year reviewing 2500 ads to determine what Makes a Picture (MAP) effective. They "interviewed trend experts like Marian Salzman and Simran Sethi" and surveyed consumers. Some of the highlights, selected by Environmental Leader:
Any Color but Green
“Expect the future to be any color but green because right now everybody uses green (and darker shades are predominant). The environment comes in all colors, and visual clichés do not compel interest. Expect to see a backlash on all familiar environmental iconography. Innovators will embrace the mucky, the messy, the colorful.” Um, Planet Green team, call rewrite!...
Survey: Is the Economy Affecting Your Shopping Habits?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.08
George Bush said this weekend " experts would say there isn't a recession" (so why the zillion dollar bailout?) but others think we are already in it. (Visit Planet Green to find ways to get recession ready and how to spend your tax credit wisely)
Have you changed any of your habits in the face of these challenges, particularly when it comes to "green"purchases?
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Wrapper Rage Making Consumers Crazy
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.08
"Wrapper Rage" is the anger that builds up as you try and open that sealed heavy plastic packaging. (TreeHugger called it "Wrap Rage" two years ago) Michael Wilson tells the Ottawa Citizen about cutting his hand: "I first tried my best to open it with my bare hands, but it wasn't humanly possible," he says. "It was sealed so well in plastic, it couldn't be opened without scissors, which slid off of the impenetrable plastic casing and cut my finger."
Even though consumers have been complaining about it for years, manufacturers are not eager to change....
Saddle Up: Bike-Sharing Program Arrives in Tucson
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 02.11.08
Cities around the world are trying to be more bike-friendly. Some are doing so by building bike paths, incentivizing cycling and bicycle-related industries, and implementing bike-share programs. Berlin, Copenhagen, Barcelona and New York City are four examples of cities that have actively worked to promote cycling.
The popularity of bike-share programs in particular has prompted numerous cities to look into them, including the University of Washington , NYC and Vancity, a Canadian Credit Union. Now, the City of Tucson, Arizona has developed a "new City Cycle bike-sharing program of the city Transportation Department."...
Fair Trade Man Becomes Low Carbon Man - Moves Into a Car Park
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02.11.08
Fair Trade Man, aka Ben Clowney, hit the headlines last year by eating nothing but fair trade products for two weeks. Such efforts should not be confused with Mr Clowney’s fellow Brit Ethical Man and his explorations of composting his own corpse, nor New York-based No Impact Man and his efforts to live without toilet paper. However, such confusion may be inevitable as we have just heard that Clowney is taking on a new persona, namely that of Low Carbon Man. It seems that such super-hero alter egos are part of Mr Clowney’s job as campaigns manager for Tearfund, a Christian aid organization that is this year calling on people to hold a carbon fast for lent. While such a campaign is certainly admirable, given the looming threat of climate change, some commenters on The Guardian’s website have questioned Low Carbon Man’s methodology in drawing attention to the struggle.
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Mark Salerno on Sustainable Design
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.11.08
Treehugger is thrilled to once again be participating in the Interior Design Show in Toronto; On Sunday, February 24, our own Jenna Watson is moderating a discussion about "Living with a commitment to green"- designing your home to the next level of environmental responsibility" with Mark Salerno of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Sue Bennett of Bennett Design Associates. We caught up with Mark (and proved once again why we should never be let out with a camera, apologies to Mark and our readers) and asked him a few questions:
TreeHugger: You are sort of the green face of CMHC these days?
Mark Salerno: I have a strong interest in sustainability as an architect, and it is part of our mandate as an organization (we first built the healthy house in 1996, the sustainable condo and now are building a series of houses across the country) so my interest is both professional and personal....
Grabbin' Green Swag at the 50th Grammy Awards
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 02.11.08
Grammy nominees this year will be treated to more than just expensive watches and exotic trips in those outrageous bags of swag. Amid all of the pre-partying and pampering going on at this year’s 50th Grammy Awards, green goods are making their way into the scene at Green with Music ‘the first ever, all-green gifting retreat and Ayurvedic Spa’ for Grammy nominees, providing a green treat for all those artists brave enough to battle LA traffic. While checking out the green goods, attendees also got to people watch and mingle with celebs spotted in the crowd, including Omarosa, and the members of Evanescence (who liked it so much they came by both days).
The event was held February 8 & 9, 2008 in the lobby of the South Collection building Elleven, the first and only LEED Gold certified, eco-chic residential building in California. Most of the green companies were based in Los Angeles and, interestingly enough, were predominantly companies that are relatively new. This gave great exposure to smaller, eco-friendly companies that are just getting their wings....
Sweet! Sugarcane is Australia's New Renewable Energy
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.11.08
For the first time in over 125 years sugar cane farmers, in one region of Australia will not burn their crop at harvest time. Instead they will ship the still green waste and cane residue to a new 30 megawatt plants, where it will be burnt to generate power. It what has been described as “one of the country's biggest renewable electricity projects” the co-generation plants will provide baseload power 24 hours a day.
The plants are a joint project between energy provider Delta Electricity and the 650 strong cane growers co-op. They are expected to provide half the power needs of the local community, upwards of 20,000 homes, when they go online with the next harvest in June 2008. The added benefit is that six month cane-burning season won’t produce its usual 400,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases and associated air pollution. A classic win-win. Via ABC....
Lara Donatoni Matana’s Art from Wood Leftovers
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 02.11.08
Dead trees not suitable for big furniture manufacturers and leftovers from the wood industry turn into these amazing pieces of art at Brazilian artist Lara Donatoni Matana's workshop.
The artist started her career painting in 1992, and between 1996 and 1997 she lived in Curitiba, Brazil's greenest city. It was living in Belo Horizonte during 2000 to 2002, however, that she found interest in wood and was attracted to its beauty.
Keep reading and see many more pics in the extended!
Via Planeta Sustentavel....
Prouvé House: Found and Visited
by Bonnie Alter, London on 02.11.08
La Maison Tropicale, one of the three existing houses from 1951, by the architect Jean Prouvé, is erected and open for viewing now, in front of the Tate Modern museum. It was discovered by Eric Touchaleaume who has been called the "Indiana Jones of furniture collecting". He has spent the last decade scouring remote parts of the world for valuable artifacts such as this house. Having bought 600 of Prouvé's chairs, he became obsessed with finding the house. Hearing that someone had seen one in Brazzaville, he travelled there and found two of them damaged by bullet holes and corrosion. It took six months to get the buildings out of the Congo because of the civil war and tribal conflicts.
He also found a former Air France headquarters building, furnished by Prouvé. As the word spread that he was looking for furniture from it, people gradually brought their pieces to him. He eventually wrapped the whole thing in banana leaves, in 15 shipping containers and got them shipped out to France. Martha Stewart, Brad Pitt and Marc Jacobs are big collectors. His next challenge: the restoration of a building by the French architect Robert Mallet-Stevens. Now for the house itself......
On The Stands: Seed on the Universe in 2008
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.10.08
In the February issue, Seed has a great feature entitled "The Universe in 2008" which, in the magazine's words, strives to create a "framework for understanding whatever might happen in 2008" (no small task). Its talented stable of authors does a great job of dissecting the latest and upcoming trends in science, tackling such weighty issues as ethics and democracy; and emerging fields such as "massively multiplayer science."
Of great interest to us was Fred Pearce's article on virtual water - the (often large) amount of freshwater used to produce various products that often goes unnoticed. According to Pearce, the trade in virtual water is estimated to be roughly 1 trillion cubic meters a year, or the equivalent of 20 Nile Rivers; not surprisingly, he presages that 2008 will be seen as a tipping point in the trade, one that could "globalize" the world's water scarcities. ...
Natural Iron Fertilization: Sahara Dust Storms Stimulate Huge Plankton Blooms
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.10.08
Because of the controversy iron fertilization has managed to stir up over the past year (see Planktos' ill-fated efforts), many people probably still don't realize that it can be a natural process - and one that is likely to become more frequent due to climate change. The eastern Atlantic Ocean, for example, is often characterized by large phytoplankton blooms; the source of iron is the aeolian dust that blows off the coast of Africa from the Sahara desert.
Replete with nitrogen, phosphorus and iron - amongst other nutrients - the dust essentially acts as a fertilizer to stimulate the production of large blooms. Eric Achterberg, a scientist at the University of Southampton's National Oceanography Center, is leading a research expedition to study the effect of the large quantities of dust on phytoplankton blooms and the amount of nutrients present - which, at close to 500m tons per year, are enough to affect climate change. ...
Quote of the Day: David Suzuki on Ecology, Economy And “Intergenerational Crime”
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 02.10.08
Image: Josh Chapman, McGill Daily
We’ve been using up our biological capital for over 20 years. The reason we maintain our illusion of biological plentitude is because we are using up the rightful legacy of our children and grandchildren. Ecology and economy have the same root word – "eco", and it means ‘home’. But what we have done is elevate the economy above ecology. [In describing his interaction with children in Toronto who could not explain where water or food came from, only that it was supplied by the economy]: We think if the economy is doing well we can afford these basic things… [using the concept of Gross Domestic Product], an outrageous disaster becomes a phenomenal success. It is an intergenerational crime that in the face of the work of scientists over the last 20 years, [politicians] keep dithering as they are… We are the environment. There is no distinction. What we do to the earth we do to ourselves... What I would challenge you to do is to put a lot of effort into trying to see whether there's a legal way of throwing our so-called leaders into jail because what they're doing is a criminal act.-- David Suzuki in last week's McGill Business Conference on Sustainability, from The McGill Daily and Canada.com To learn more about David Suzuki and his work, check out the David Suzuki Foundation, which works to "find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us." Then have a listen to the TreeHugger Radio interview with David Suzuki....
New Fabrics from Harmony Art: Moon and Whispering Grass B/W
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 02.10.08
To kick off the new year, Harmony Art debuts a couple of new certified-organic fabric prints: Moon—a 60-inch-wide lightweight flannel grown and woven in India, and then printed in the United States—as well as a black-and-white version of the popular design Whispering Grass, a 113-inch-wide 4.4-ounce sateen, produced in India, that was inspired by the native plants of California's redwood coast.
Also making its appearance for the first time is a certified-organic flannel in muy caliente chili-pepper red. To purchase these fabrics, visit Organic Cotton Plus and NearSea Naturals in the United States, and Organic Fabric Online in Australia. ::Harmony Art...
GM Urges Dealers to Oppose California Waiver
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 02.10.08
General Motors, already unhappy about the new CAFE standards, is even less happy about the fact that California wants to impose even more stringent standards. And while the EPA has denied the waiver it needs to do so, California is challenging that decision in court. The possibility that California will win , combined with the new federal standards and increasing consumer demand for efficient vehicles, has backed GM into a corner. Nowhere was this more clearly seen than at the four-day National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) convention, where GM's CEO Rick Wagoner urged dealers "to lobby against individual states trying to set their own limits on greenhouse gas emissions," and instead arguing for "the importance of tough but national standards." Of course, we've heard this kind 'patchwork' argument before, and know it to be false: under the Clean Air Act, California may enact stricter standards, and states may choose to either adopt the Federal Standards, or the California standards. In other words, the result would not be a patchwork, but rather two standards....
Breakthrough in Solar Nano Technology
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 02.10.08
A chemistry professor at UC Santa Cruz, working with teams from California, Mexico and China, has published a paper reporting a breakthrough which may improve the conversion efficiency of incoming light photons to electrical current by as much as three times....
TreeHugger + SMITH Six Word Memoir Contest: Green Memoirs
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 02.10.08
"Less dinosaur fuel. More organic beer." "Play in the dark, it's fun." "I stumble, but it's always forward." These are just three of the six-word green memoirs we have received already in our Six Word Memoir Contest. However, if we still haven't received your story, we want to hear it! Head on over to our contest page and tell us in six words about your green life. Not only will it give you a chance to reflect on your memoir-in-progress (and bone up a little on your editing skills), you will have a chance to win an iPod nano engraved with your memoir, a Planet Earth DVD set or SMITH's new book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure. ...
Georgia Considers Redrawing State Boundary To Get Access To Tennesse River
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.10.08
From the US State of Georgia we have another great example of "stuff you just can't make up". This one ranks right up there with spray painting a drought-killed lawn green or blaming the US Army Corps of Engineers for the water shortage, instead of following rational planning recommendations made earlier.In 1818, a University of Georgia mathematician named James Camak established the boundary between Georgia and Tennessee. He screwed up. Georgia, especially during times of drought, has paid the price ever since. Today, Georgia legislators masquerading as mapmakers hope to fix Camak's error. They introduced resolutions last week to move the state line 1.1 miles northward — smack into the middle of the bountiful Tennessee River. Billions of gallons of water could then flow unimpeded to parched metro Atlanta. ..."The Tennessee River was part of Georgia long before there was a state of Tennessee," said Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), the resolution's sponsor. "I don't understand why a water-sharing agreement can't be worked out between the two states."See also: Chattanooga To Atlanta: "Come On In. The Water's Fine!"...
The Paperless Home
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.10.08
click to enlarge
The New York Times reports that families are going paperless far faster than businesses; they have to pay the price of ink jet cartridges. “Paper is no longer the master copy; the digital version is,” says Brewster Kahle, the founder and director of the Internet Archive, a nonprofit digital library. “Paper has been dealt a complete deathblow. When was the last time you saw a telephone book?”
However while paper consumption is dropping, it is not necessarily a boon for the environment; "While these digital toys reduce dependence on one resource, they increase it on another: energy. Some devices are always plugged in, eating electricity even when not in use, and gobbling huge amounts of power when they are. Others, like digital cameras and laptop computers, use electricity while they are recharging." ::New York Times
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The Autonoma: Self-Powered Programmable Street Lighting
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 02.10.08
When we covered Ross Lovegrove’s solar tree concept the response was pretty incredible. However, Lovegrove isn’t the only one working on street lighting that is capable of generating its own power (other examples can be seen here, here and here) and now we’ve heard from Paris-based designer Mauricio Clavero who has introduced us to his design, known as Autonoma. Here’s what Mauricio had to say about it:
“This solar public lighting pole is totally autonomous and can be placed in any isolated area where electricity is not available. Built with power LEDs which offer lighting performance and energy saving it also can be programmed. It also includes a motion detector, so when a pedestrian comes close the light intensity of the pole raises to full power, and decreases to a third to save energy when there is nobody around. It comes in two versions : urban and country side.
Unfortunately we couldn’t find any more information about the Autonoma on Mauricio’s website just yet, but we certainly like what we’ve seen so far. ::Mauricio Clavero:: via email::
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Sweden Says: "Eat Up Your Greenhouse Effect"
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 02.10.08
There's a long and strong "waste-not, want-not" tradition in Sweden (IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad is only the most famous of these resourceful - possibly even stingy - Swedes) - so it's no surprise that the country's biggest grocery chains has now dedicated an amusing web site to helping those of us worried about wasting food.
Food production and transport use huge water and energy inputs, and the kitchen is a home's ground zero of energy use and energy waste. In fact the Food Climate Research Network estimates 20 percent of edible purchased food is tossed. Grocery chain ICA has some tips for halting the waste. First off, ICA advocates menu planning and once a week shopping for those doing car shopping. Next, endeavor to eat groceries before "best by" dates, realizing that by the time it is in the fridge its GHG effects are history - tossing it is a double loss. Simple stuff, but still good to be reminded. Amazingly ICA quotes some Swedish life-cycle studies that show tossing one serving of beef wastes enough energy to drive a low-energy light bulb 163 hours, one portion of salmon would light up the bulb 204 hours, and a portion of hothouse tomatoes would keep the bulb going 84 hours. Via ::ICA.se (Swedish only)
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