- 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 November 2, 2008 - November 8, 2008
Total this week: 196
The Art of Activism: Painting The Faces of Social & Climate Change
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 11. 8.08
Image: The artist Ashley Cecil with her winning entry (Photo: Donald Vish, Oxfam America)Art can be a powerful tool for social change, disseminating ideas and inspiring people to act together.Oxfam America’s Climate Change on Canvas initiative is doing just that – with the aim of bringing art, activism and concern for climate change together for an exhibition at December’s UN Conference of Parties meeting in Poznan, Poland. After requesting and reviewing proposals from several emerging artists from all over the nation, Oxfam America selected Louisville, Kentucky resident Ashley Cecil, who is a self-described “painting activist” to create a work that would illustrate how climate change affects poor communities. As seen after the fold, Cecil’s gorgeous painting of two women in a drought-baked landscape depicts one of them tipping out a bowl of dust instead of a bounty of grain, symbolizing the struggle of impoverished families to feed themselves in a world facing more and more climate-related impacts....
Major Shifts in North Atlantic Ecosystems Driven by 'Unprecedented' Climate Change in Last Half-Century
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 11. 8.08
The last half-century has witnessed the most dramatic climate-induced ecosystem-level shifts since the advent of human civilization, almost 5,000 years ago, posits a new study published in the November issue of Ecology. Charles Greene, its lead author and an oceanographer at Cornell University, says that current and projected rates of global warming are "unprecedented" in human history and that we could very well see very rapid periods of intense warming in the near future -- rivaling the episodes of rapid cooling, during which temperatures dropped by up to 18°F (10°C) over a period of years to decades. (These drastic shifts, or "abrupt" climate changes, could be precipitated by tipping points, such as the mass release of methane from thawing permafrost regions, according to some researchers.)...
New Loopt Bag from Flip & Tumble: A Really Reusable Bag
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 11. 8.08
Image courtesy of Flip & Tumble
Bringing your own bag to the grocery store/bodega/retailer/wherever is pretty much a must these days—Whole Foods has even stopped giving out bags. And well they should--bringing your own reusable bag or tote is too easy and waste-preventative not to. Flip & Tumble knows this, and they’ve come out with a bag that’s not only uber functional, but stylish to boot....
Greyhound Australia to Begin Carbon Offset Program
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 11. 8.08
Hummer Police Units: High Profile or Half-Baked Hoopla?
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 11. 8.08
Photo by Conner395
For several years now the Hummer H2 and H3 police unit has popped up in various spots around the world including Texas, California, and most recently, Melbourne, Australia. Such campaigns have been designed to create a safe feel for citizens when they see these powerful vehicles patrolling their street, as well as promote a high profile vehicle that will connect well with todays youth.
Many green groups question the role-model status of such vehicles as patrol units on our street. The 2008 Hummer H2 V-8 is currently running a 6.2 liter Vortec, unloading approximately 393 horsepower, 415 lb-ft of torque, averaging 11 mpg. While many citizens are appalled at these numbers, GM spokes people remind us that there is far worse things out there (such as maybe the tax on one of these things) and they are simply making a mountain out of a mole hill, or perhaps more like a smoldering rubber bonfire out of a cigarette puff ball.
...
Daylight Savings Time Could Be Costing Billions Yearly in Electricity
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 11. 8.08
Image courtesy of Einstein's Lock
Ever since being implemented in the early 1900’s, considerable controversy has surrounded the use of Daylight Saving Time. The practice benefits sports, retail (the extra daylight after the end of working hours means more shopping), and leisure activities reliant on sunlight. But it causes problems for farmers, who must work after morning dew dries, and the entertainment industry, which loses primetime viewers.
Yet Daylight Saving Time has remained seemingly debate-proof, thanks to its most important contribution: it saves energy. But this no longer seems to be the case—and instead, it could be increasing worldwide energy demand and costing billions of dollars every year.
...
Built on Stilts: Images from the New Ninth Ward in New Orleans
by Trevor Reichman on 11. 8.08
photos by trevor reichman
Sustainability incorporates lessons leaned from history in order to improve on design to avoid fatal flaws and in this case to prolong the life span of a structure as it relates to its surroundings.
Even though the new homes in the 9th Ward include solar panels, energy efficient everything, and other elements that we think of when we think of sustainability, perhaps the single most important feature on these homes are their stilts. If the ocean should ever intrude again, these new homes could be high enough off the ground to clear the floodwaters, a simple solution to end the debate about whether or not to rebuild the 9th Ward at all.
Read further for more images from the Make it Right Foundation, Founded by Brad Pitt in Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans....
Tom Green’s “Go for the Green” Premieres Tonight
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 11. 8.08
Canada, Tarry-Eye'd, Pumps Out Climate Pact For US President-Elect Obama
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11. 8.08
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper is proposing to strike a joint climate-change pact with president-elect Barack Obama, an initiative that would seek to protect Alberta's oil sands projects from potentially tough new U.S. climate-change rules by offering a secure North American energy supply. Key federal ministers issued the call for a climate-change pact yesterday, less than 24 hours after Mr. Obama won his historic election victory, in a clear bid by Ottawa to carve out a key place for Canada on the new administration's agenda.Not to worry Canada; with all the other pressures piling up, President Elect Obama won't have time for any of that fun socialism stuff....
Women's Hands Make Nice Work for Turkish Craft Site
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 11. 8.08
Call it Etsy East: But instead of hip young American artists trying to renew the crafting tradition, the hands behind the goods for sale on the online marketplace Kadın Eliyle belong to low-income Turkish women....
Sama Baby Luxury Organics Launches Its Fall Line
by Sara Novak, Columbia, SC on 11. 8.08
Photo: Sama Baby Organics
Sama Baby Luxury Organics launches its fall/winter line in baby boutiques and organic stores across the country. The India organic cotton line launched November 1 and is available in boys and girls styles. Sama Baby Luxury Organics as a company is very kind to the planet. It's no secret that buying organic cotton can have a real impact on the planet considering that conventional cotton is one of the most chemically-dependent crops, sucking up 10 percent of all agricultural chemicals and 25 percent of insecticides on 3 percent of our arable land; that's more than any other crop per unit. In fact, it takes up to 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for a T-shirt, and 3/4 of a pound for a pair of jeans. ...
Extreme Coal - Poland's 96% Dependency Could Be World Record
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11. 8.08
Risk Of Acid Rain In Europe
Writing for TreeHugger does bring some unpleasant surprises. Last year I was astounded to learn that the US State of Utah gets 93% of its electricity from coal burning power plants. (See Coal Released Mercury Ruins Fishing and Duck Hunting.) How could it be any worse? Poland and surrounding central European nations, it seems, have the record for extreme coal dependency.
Financial Times reports that Poland gets 96% of it electricity from coal. ...coal-fired plants supply 96 per cent of Poland’s electricity and help explain why the country has been one of the least enthusiastic about the EU’s plan to curb greenhouse gases with the help of a revamped emissions trading scheme. Under the plan, utilities would be forced to buy their emissions allowances at auction from 2013 – an adjustment Poland believes could push up electricity prices by 90 per cent.Via:Financial Times, Uphill struggle for coal-fired Poland As you'd expect, Poland (and surrounding coal-dependent countries) are ground-zero for acid rain (as pictured). Which means that the mercury levels are nasty-plus....
Roadside Assistance for Cyclists: Get To Where You’re Going
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11. 8.08
Apologies to our bicycle fans on TreeHugger. Yet again we’ve been preoccupied with other tasks and have let our bike posts wane somewhat. Though we hoped you caught our recent round-up 21 Small Wheeled Bicycles .
Anyhow, to ease back into things, we took a fancy to the news that the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania (RACT) will offering its members the opportunity to use a new service called Bike Assist. If you’re ridding your bike in Australia’s island state and a bingle (hopefully not as severe as the pic above might suggest), mechanical failure or puncture stop you from reaching your destination then the RACT will come to your roadside rescue. ...
International Energy Agency: 6°C Temperature Hike Could Be Possible
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 11. 7.08
Think a 2°C hike sounds bad? Try 6°C. That's how much average global temperatures could rise, according to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) soon-to-be released 2008 World Energy Outlook. Reuters and The New Scientist's Catherine Brahic write that the report, which will be released November 12, says that even stringent emission-reducing caps, coupled with action from the energy industry, could prove insufficient in stopping the worst of climate change. ...
Less Is More: Hot Water Bottles
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 11. 7.08
Often, really simple ideas work really well. The hot water bottle is a good example. They are back in style in Japan this winter, with promotion on the web and companies like Yutanpo Cuseberry offering attractive, colorful cotton covers with animal themes or vivid polkadot patterns, and ideas for your eco life......
Al Gore Interviewed by DIGG-Founder Kevin Rose - Tonight 10p
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 11. 7.08
Valleywag is atwitter (literally) with news that renaissance man Al Gore and internet mogul Kevin Rose, of DIGG and DIGG Nation fame, are going head-to-head this evening on Current TV at 10p. As it remains way-eco to disseminate news digitally, and as we always point out design-wise and resource-wise "less is more," Gore has signed up for microblogging service Twitter to promote his chat with Rose as well as his on-going do-gooding. You can also follow TreeHugger and Planet Green on Twitter as well as some of our team to see what everyone is tweeting about....
Willie Nelson Passes One to the President-Elect...An Open Letter on Farm and Food, That is.
by Marissa Moss, Manhattan (Lower East Side) on 11. 7.08
Willie Nelson certainly knows a thing or to about sustainable food and farm policies –he’s the leader of Farm Aid, and one of the most visible figures in the move towards biodiesel. So what does this onetime Kucinich supporter have to say to our President-Elect? Well, a lot. He released today on the farm-aid Web site an open letter to Obama, calling for policies that support a family farm system of agriculture. Will the next letter demand Obama reform marijuana laws? Hmmm...we shall see....
Students Design for Change at Australian GreenTECH
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11. 7.08
For all the talk of green design and eco lifestyles, it’s odd that Australia has so few events for businesses, organisations and institutions to showcase their wares in this area. Melbourne does have its very well attended Sustainable Living Festival, where last year they also managed to hold the World’s Largest Green Drinks party. But Sydney, while having a few smaller community level green days is not quite so blessed in events that promote the bigger picture.
Fortunately it does have, what this year is called, the GreenTECH , the 3rd Australian International Green Build, Design and Technology Show, which pulls together eco-businesses, industry associations, universities and the like. One of its key displays is the Society for Responsible Design’s ‘SRD Change 08’ exhibition of student work, collated from all of the city’s major universities. Part of this exhibition is the White Bay Eco-City 2050 project, which proposes a low-carbon redevelopment for an old industrial site close to the city centre. A free seminar on the project is being presented at GreenTECH on the shows final day- today! Other exhibits include fashion and industrial design influences. ...
High-Speed Trains Coming to California, Voters Approve Prop 1A
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 7.08
While California voters rejected Propositions 7 and 10—which though on paper would’ve expanded renewable energy mandates and given tax credits for alternative fuel vehicles, were seen by many as being so poorly worded as to be counterproductive—they did approve Proposition 1A: The Safe, Reliable High Speed Passenger Train Bond Act. As you might imagine backers of the bill were highly enthusiastic.
Quentin Kopp, chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority:...
Seaweed Biodiesel Cooperation Between S. Korea, Indonesia Announced
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 7.08
Seaweed farms on Bali, photo: Hassan Abdel-Rahman.
Italian biodiesel producers are interested in it; the UK’s Crown Estate has expressed support as well. Now Indonesia is looking to capitalize on its abundant supplies of seaweed and turn it into biodiesel. To do so it’s engaging the help of South Korea, Cleantech reports. While S. Korea has the know-how, it doesn’t have enough seaweed, with the reverse being true of Indonesia....
A Little Sea Level Rise Won’t Hurt Anyone, Will It?
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 7.08
photo: thecoolhunter.net
What better way to raise awareness of global warming on Amsterdam canals than a pair of realistic looking inflatable hands and a sign with a catchy message? One would think this was a bit of preaching to the choir in the Netherlands, but it’s seriously pretty great nonetheless. What you’re looking at was thought up by the clever folks at Ogilvy Action for MTV Switch. Via: thecoolhunter.net
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Healthy Voyager Video Blogs For Foodies
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 7.08
Huge Quantities’ of Carbon Emissions Could Be Stored in Rock Found in Earth’s Mantle
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 7.08
photo: Wikipedia
Straight away let me say that I wouldn’t get my hopes up that this will solve our carbon capture and storage problems, and even if it went a long way to, there are plenty of other problems with obtaining and burning fossil fuels beyond their carbon emissions. Phew... There’s my preface to what’s a pretty cool discovery.
Scientists have discovered that peridotite, a rock normally found in the Earth’s mantle but which sometimes gets pushed up the surface, could be harnessed to absorb carbon emissions from burning fossil fuelsl. Peridotite naturally absorbs high rates of CO2, but this process could be accelerated scientists say. The full study appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, but here’s the gist of it:...
From the Forums: What was the worst pollution you ever saw?
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 11. 7.08
ladiikim asks:
Post the worst pollution you ever saw and what you did about it. For me it was a few years back when I vistited relatives in rural Vietnam. Shopping at local market on the Mekong delta, I realized that I was litterally standing on a huge pile of compacted trash and dirt -mostly trash. Air pollution was extremely poor due to all the inefficient motor boats and motorcycles and rivers tainted with pesticides used on rice patties, household waste, and factory pollution. Unfortunatly, my complaining about the trash and pollution was only returned with scoldings about how "spoiled" I was (only a teen then and no one there listens to children I found out), so I couldn't change much. One thing I did do was talk my father into buying my relatives more efficient outboard motors for their boats, a small victory in the war against pollutionI personally use to live in Hunter's Point in San Francisco, one of California's Superfund sites. The image above is a sign I use to see where I'd walk my dog. What I did about it...was move. Read More...
Robert F Kennedy Jr to Head EPA? and 4 Runners Up
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 7.08
Image source: Santa Clara University
While not officially nominated, the Washington Post reported yesterday that he is on the short list of new leaders for the US Environmental Protection Agency. Obama's Administration is also reported to be looking to hire women and minorities to lead "high-profile positions."
More on the potential nominees after the jump....
Canada, Germany Want to Work With Obama on Climate Change
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 7.08
Barack Obama speaking in Germany back in July, photo: matt4077.
At numerous times during his campaign, Barack Obama indicated that he would take a more collaborative, reengaged approach in dealing with other nations on major issues. And though he’ll still be president-elect Obama for close to three months, that hasn’t stopped politicians in other nations from reaching out to him, offering suggestions.
Canada Would Consider Climate Pact With US
Though Barack Obama’s proposed emission cuts are deeper than those currently proposed in Canada, and he's indicated that he’s not a big fan of “dirty oil” (i.e. the Alberta tar sands), that hasn’t stopped Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice from reaching out across the border. Though he wouldn’t go into details, Prentice said,...
Rub Elbows at Opportunity Green!
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY on 11. 7.08
Live near L.A.? Head over to UCLA this weekend (November 8-9, 2008) to get down to business—the green way—at Opportunity Green, a sustainable business conference that we’ve always considered sexy.
Whether you’re an established green company founder hoping to connect with eco-vendors, potential customers or fresh, young talent, or, you’re a new eco-entrepreneur looking for funding or investment opportunities—you’re likely to find something or someone at the conference to help you on your way to a meaner, greener business.
You’ll also walk away quite inspired. The conference has a reputation for lining up some great, green heavyweight speakers. (Check out the photos from last year after the jump!) This year’s line-up includes super-connected green gurus from: ...
Eating Foil Balls and Extension Cords: the 48hr Film Competition
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 11. 7.08
UK Looks for Storage for Piles of Worthless Recycling Waste
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 7.08
Photo via spjwebster
With the economic crunch, the price for recycled good has dropped, and now UK local authorities and collection companies have tons of worthless recyclables that they can’t do anything with.
In an effort to store them, they’re requesting for less strict storage regulations to try and keep the recyclables from being dumped while they ride out the economic crisis. ...
On Moving Toward Vegetarianism: Getting the Protein You Need
by Kelly Rossiter, Toronto on 11. 7.08
Photo by Kelly Rossiter
Hands down, the number one response I get from people when I mention that my children are both vegetarian is "but how do they get enough protein?" Getting your daily requirement of protein is actually pretty easy. In fact, if you are eating meat, chances are you are consuming more protein than you need.
...
GoodGuide Proves Green is Priority with Top Prize at Web 2.0 Summit
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 7.08
GoodGuide has already made its way onto our top lists for greening our shopping. But its newest prize proves that environmentally friendly shopping is a high enough priority to get some serious attention. ...
Two Ways We Can Use 100% Clean Energy by 2020, from Repower America
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 7.08
Surf eCo School Saves Rainforest
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 7.08
Windows 7 Improves Laptop Battery Life by 11%
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 7.08
It is no secret that Windows Vista has a whole lot of hate aimed at it by its (often unwilling) users. Even "I'm a Mac" commercials put it as the punchline. Windows 7 is Microsoft's answer to the demand for a better operating system, and there is an improvement that makes it way cooler than just a functional version of Vista.
According to Engadget, Micrsoft showed off the battery-saving capabilities of Windows 7, which proved a bare minimum of 11% better battery life thanks to the software, helping users green up their laptop by using that much less electricity for charging.
Read on for how this is, and for a video. ...
60 Minutes Reporter Attacked in Chinese E-Waste Pit
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 7.08
Urban Parks Help Defeat Inequality
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 11. 7.08
It always amazes me to see how families in Istanbul will take any opportunity to enjoy a scrap of nature, no matter how patchy or trash-strewn the grass, or how close it is to a busy road. Many are undoubtedly some of the 43,000 new residents drawn to the city each month, often from rural areas and perhaps yearning for a small semblance of home. But green space can provide more than solace--according to a new report by the British medical journal The Lancet, it has quantifiable benefits that can help close the "health gap" between rich and poor. And you don't need to go all the way back to nature to reap the rewards....
Grain Shipped Under Sail Reduces Carbon Footprint
by Jeff Nield, Vancouver, British Columbia on 11. 7.08
Farmer Roy Lawrence and CSA members - Matt Lowe
Local eating advocates often cite reduced shipping emissions as a good reason to source food from as close to home as possible. The concept of reduced food miles equaling reduced carbon output quickly becomes clouded when economies of scale, production methods, and efficiency of shipping methods is taken into account. A group of farmers, activists and citizens in British Columbia have removed any hint of uncertainty by creating a local low carbon grain chain.
Keep reading to see how they did it. ...
Announcement: California Clean Tech Open Winners
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 7.08
Photo of Palace of Fine Arts via 23am
Out of 43 great innovations submitted to the California Clean Tech Open, a small handful of winners were chosen last night at San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts to receive a "start-up-in-a-box" prize, which includes the equivalent of $100,000 in cash and business services to help get their technology off the ground.
Filling out the categories of Air, Water & Waste, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Renewables, Smart Power, and Transportation, the winners and runners up represent the best ideas in clean tech during 2008.
Read on to find out who you can expect to see more of in the coming months. ...
Bicycle Film Festival 2008. It’s Not Too Late
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11. 7.08
We’ve given kudos to the Bicycle Film Festival for years, for spreading the word about this most miraculous of vehicles, so why should we stop now. Although, admittedly, we have arrived less than early to the party. But the annual festival still has four gigs before it slams on the brakes for yet another year.
Having just finished in Paris, the show now moves Down Under. It will be playing in Sydney, Australia on 13-15 November, before heading further south to Melbourne (19-23 Nov). Then it flies off for a penultimate performance Milano, Italy (26-30 Nov). The movies, events, swap meets, art displays, performances and general good times wind up its eighth successful year in Portland, Oregon on 11-13 December....
Solar Sailor Sun Sails To Be Fitted to Chinese Cargo Ships
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11. 7.08
At least that is what the media releases are saying. Late last month, the Australian Solar Sailor company announced they’d signed a deal with China's biggest shipping line, COSCO, to fit some of their jumbo jet sized solar-powered sails to a tanker and bulk carrier.
The 30 metre long sails, festooned in photovoltaic panels are expected to catch enough wind to reduce fuel costs by between 20% and 40%, whilst those PV cells will provide the ships with 5% of their electricity. A computer automatically angles the sails for maximum wind and solar efficiency, and if all goes to plan the sails will have recovered their initial cost within four years.
...
Urban Design After the Age of Oil
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 7.08
In October 1958 the Rockefeller Foundation sponsored a small conference on urban design at the University of Pennsylvania, attended by Lewis Mumford, Jane Jacobs, Louis Kahn, I.M. Pei, Kevin Lynch and other notable architects, planners and journalists. It sparked a revolution in urban planning and changed the face of our cities.
Fifty years later, planners, architects and yes, even bloggers have gathered in Philadelphia again to look at the issues that will affect our communities in the next fifty years: Re-imaginging cities after the age of oil.
I will be reporting from the conference for the next two days, as will correspondents from Grist, Metropolis, Planetizen, the New American City and Wired. ...
Survey: Should Solar Panels Return to the White House?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 7.08
LOLcats aside, putting "green gizmos" like solar panels on historic buildings is a serious issue. Many historic buildings have been compromised by careless window changes or lost because someone said they were not efficient or modern enough.
...
Atlas of the Real World: The Planet as You’ve Never Seen It
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11. 7.08
Known as ‘cartograms’ these images are kind of like a hybrid of a map and a pie chart. They retain political boundaries, whilst indicating a relative weight of statistics comparing countries. For example the cartogram above shows world meat consumption. Notice how the African continent has shrunk as others like Britain and Japan have expanded considerably. We’re also told that China chews down on a 25% of world’s meat, while only having 20% of the population.
We’ve shown maps like these before from the Worldmapper website, but now they’ve compiled over 360 of them into a book called Atlas of the Real World, mapping the way we live. More images below....
Georgia Eco-Cemetery Lets Your Family Dig Your Own Grave
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 11. 7.08
We've been early reporters of the trend for greener end-of-life ceremonies and traditions, including green burials and How to Green Your Funeral.
What's unique about the Honey Creek Woodland Cemetery near Conyers, Georgia is its lush and meadowed natural setting - and it's not "meadow-like" but an actual restored meadow with Eastern wild flowers and native species. Remains are put into the ground here unembalmed (no formaldehyde) and either wrapped in a shroud or in a biodegradable casket. Honey Creek is a joint venture between the local Cisterian Monastery and a South Carolina company called Memorial Ecosystems. The cemetery helps convert formerly clear-cut pine woods into what is being called a "conservation burial ground."...
Bamboo in Chinese Art
by Bonnie Alter, London on 11. 7.08
Ai Weiwei is one of China's most famous artists. He was a design consultant on the iconic Bird's Nest Stadium at the Olympics and he has been a brave critic of the Chinese Olympics. It was he who denounced Steven Spielberg for his participation in the opening ceremonies. He lived in New York for 12 years and returned to China in 1993 and has since become a big media star, blogger and international artist.
Now he has a show in London which uses his Chinese background in a contemporary way. The structure with chairs is a sculpture made out of bamboo. It is a smaller version of a huge piece that is on display at the Venice Biennale now. Much has been written in TreeHugger about the many qualities of bamboo. It is the basis of ancient and modern China. From furniture to chopsticks to scaffolding in the construction industry it is used everywhere. This piece is a claustrophobic installation of tottering bamboo sticks. Among the bamboo struts there is a strange assortment of chairs and stools sprouting from the poles. ...
Newly Imposed International Restrictions Could Dampen Interest in Commercial Iron Fertilization
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 11. 6.08
Image from Marufish
After remaining silent on the issue for several months, the London Convention Treaty, a body operating under the auspices of the UN's International Maritime Organization, has decided to impose restrictions on ocean iron fertilization experiments, according to Cleantech Group's Emma Ritch and Science's Eli Kintisch. The move could be a blow to companies like San Francisco-based Climos, which plans on carrying out large-scale fertilization trials to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels; the startup plans to recoup its costs and turn a profit by selling carbon credits.
While the 85 members of the convention agreed that OIF experiments could prove fruitful in the long run, commercial-scale experiments were too risky. As such, they have limited the experiments to "legitimate scientific research," though it is not exactly clear what they mean by this (Dan Whaley, Climos' CEO, argues that his company's work supports, and is carried out by, scientists interested in understanding the process)....
The Best Ecolodges on the Planet According to National Geographic Adventure
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 11. 6.08
Photo credit: Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa
The Global Travel Editor at National Geographic Adventure has put together a handy list and a nice graphic of the 50 Best Ecolodges in the world, color-coded according to ecosystem. The hotels were chosen because they support local communities, offer authentic cultural experiences, maintain strong conservation initiatives, and increasingly emphasize adventure at the center of the experience.
If you fancy jungles, you can pour over spectacular options in India, Ecuador, Bolivia and Laos, to name a few locales. We were particularly intrigued by the Banjaar Tola lodge in India dedicated to tiger conservation, overlooking the tall sal-and-bamboo forests of Kanha National Park.
...
Work Saving Tip: The "Wood Chuck," By Carts Vermont
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11. 6.08
Zoe the black lab loves to follow me around when I go outside; but, she gets bored fast when I go for the firewood (pictured). And, who can blame her? As our readers pointed out in the recent post How Much Wood Would A Tree Hugger Burn, If A Tree Hugger Would Burn Wood the average piece of wood destined for the woodstove gets moved at least 6 times before it catches fire. Split, carry to storage area, stack, put in wagon, etc.
I knew there had to be a way to simplify the work process. Especially the hauling-in part. Enter the Wood Chuck....
Londoners Get Aid to Plant 2,012 Gardens by 2012 Olympics
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 6.08
Image source: Capital Growth
Monday we reported on a project in San Francisco to increase backyard gardens and locally produced food. Today we have yet another local gardening project to report on, as reported in The Guardian, this time in London. The Capital Growth project encourages area residents to plant gardens on their empty, flat roofs, well and frankly just about any available space in London, to increase the amount of locally grown food. ...
Revolution Organics Makes Multi-Tasking Cosmetics
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 6.08
Lotion that you can use on your face, arms, lips, elbows, heels, (would you really rub this tube on your lips and your heels? probably not), the new 22 in 1 body balm by Revolution Organics promises just that. Revolution Organics brings several new moisturizing products that are 100% natural and able to moisturize every inch of your body, "from your nose to your toes." Recently I tried several of their products and was pleasantly surprised at these "multi-taskers."...
Era Of Cheap Oil is Over, Prices Will Top $200: International Energy Agency
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 6.08
photo: Chrystal Parsons
Though the World Energy Outlook report by the International Energy Agency isn’t due out until next week, the Financial Times obtained a pre-release copy of it, and if you had any hopes that the currently low oil prices we’ve seen after record highs earlier in the year were a sign of things to come, you should probably forget about it.
According to the report, oil prices will top $100 again as soon as economic conditions stabilize and break $200 by 2030. “The era of cheap oil” is over the report said. (It wouldn’t surprise me if that prediction came true sooner than the IEA’s estimate; only last year the IEA said that it didn’t think that 2030 oil prices would be around $108/barrel.)
Some more grim stats from the leaked WEO:...
New Acronym Alert: IRENA, The International Renewable Energy Agency
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 6.08
Wind turbines in Scotland, photo: Gary Denham.
In the deepening alphabet soup of energy policy organizations, here’s another one to look out for. The newly formed International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) doesn’t even have a formalized plan for a headquarters, leadership, or funding, but has indicated that it will announcing its first projects in January. Currently involved nations include pretty much all of Europe, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates. (Maybe the United States would be willing to get involved, now that it has a president-elect who seems more willing to cooperate on international issues than his predecessor...)
In its own words, IRENA’s main objective will be to,...
The Green Gadgets Edition
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY on 11. 6.08
:: Cut out your contribution to e-waste by consulting our How to Go Green: Gadgets guide.
:: Discover recyclable, Energy Star-certified Macs and PCs in our Buy Green: Laptops and Buy Green: Desktops guides.
:: Ask these five green questions before buying that "so cool, I-have-to-have-it" gadget....
Anti-Reflective Solar Panel Coating Absorbs 96% of Sunlight, Called Photovoltaic ‘Game Changer’ by Developer
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 6.08
image: Rensselaer/Shawn Lin
This is why Shawn-Yu Lin of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute thinks he can change the solar power game:
To get maximum efficiency when converting solar power into electricity, you want a solar panel that can absorb nearly every single photon of light, regardless of the sun’s position in the sky. Our new antireflective coating makes this possible.Think this is mere enthusiasm, maybe not. Read on: ...
Obama Commitment on Second Gen Biofuels Good, Let’s Hold Him To It
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 6.08
photo: Monique
Just in case anyone thinks that I might be just an Obama fanboy and won't call him out on energy policy when he deserves it, this one’s for you. Bloomberg.com is reporting comments which they are spinning as indicating as Obama being willing to continue similar levels of support for ethanol as the Bush administration.
Here’s the quote from the Obama campaign’s senior energy advisor Heather Zichal which got Bloomberg.com to say that Obama will follow failed Bush policy,...
The TH Interview: Van Jones—The Green Collar Economy (Part Two)
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 11. 6.08
We can’t drill and burn our way out of our economic and ecological ills, but we can invent and invest our way out, says the author of The Green Collar Economy and founder of Green for All. In part two of our conversation with Van Jones, we talk greentech, politics, “eco-apartheid,” and (of course) his vision for a green economy. “The green Keynesians are going to win,” says Van Jones. Listen to the podcast of this interview via iTunes, or just click here to listen, right-click to download. Also check: Part One of our Van Jones interview Our recent interview with Van Jones Worldwatch Institute on green jobs The EJCC on race and climate change VanJones.net Green For All...
Cool New Concept Phones Tweaked for Environmental Activism
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 6.08
Photo via Phillie Casablanca
PCWorld has shown off the winners of the LG Japan Mobile Design Contest. Some of the designs are really innovative, and we thought it would be fun to take the brainstorming a step further and think about how environmental concerns could make it onto our phones, like a Top Five Friends lists.
So here are three of the concept phones from the competition and three ways they could be tweaked to put the environment on speed dial. ...
5 Questions For 5 Green Heavyweights: What I’d Want to Talk About Over Drinks
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 6.08
photo: Martin
I don’t know about you but, as a writer and someone who likes to make lists, I keep a checklist of people who I’d just love to sit down with and not necessarily do an interview, but simply chat with about mutual interests. In the case of the following people, that interest would of course be the environment.
So here they are, the five people in the green movement whom I’d just love to have a couple of drinks with while chatting about the environment: Al Gore, Richard Branson, James Howard Kunstler, Vandana Shiva, and Prince Charles.
...
From the Forums: Green Investing
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 11. 6.08
Hobykat asks:
Does anyone know of any good mutual funds (or similiar) that is investing in growing green concerns? I'd like to put money somewhere that will help get these new companies going. The potential paybacks, both financial and environmental, are huge.
Read More...
"Carbon Nation" Pumps Up CO2 Reduction Solutions
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 11. 6.08
It's stuff we all know about - compact fluorescent lighting, wind energy, efficiency, green jobs - the kind of stuff we talk about incessantly on TreeHugger.
Yet seeing all these solutions in Earth School's 4-minute trailer of the upcoming documentary Carbon Nation makes them feel more real, just like seeing Al Gore do his shtick in An Inconvenient Truth brought the reality of global warming home (whether or not each individual fact he uttered could be 100 percent proven). And that's a good thing. Global warming gets scarier the more you think about it, but Carbon Nation, scheduled to be released late in the year, aims to dwell not on the scary but on the possibilities for solving the problem....
DeSmog Blog, Grist and WorldChanging on Obama Victory, Ooffoo Online Community, and More
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 11. 6.08
DeSmog Blog: Canada to seek climate change deal with President-elect Obama by Kevin Grandia
"One day after the United States voted Barack Obama as their next president, Canadian government officials are saying that the time is ripe for a continent-wide solution to global warming. Sounds good, but unfortunately there are some major gaps between what Canada is proposing and the much more aggressive plan out in Obama's election platform." ...
Casa Decor, Interior Design on the "Pathway to a Sustainable Environment"
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 11. 6.08
We were delighted when Casa Decor, one of the leading interior design shows taking place in cities like London, Miami, Milan, Madrid or Lisbon, chose sustainability as this year’s theme for the Barcelona edition. After more than 38 exhibitions all around the world, presenting the latest in interior design, decoration and art, the Barcelona team has made an effort to motivate this year’s exhibiting designers to go green, under the slogan Pathway to a Sustainable Environment or Rumbo Sostenible in Spanish. But have they managed we wonder?
Each year Casa Decor chooses a different location, normally an unoccupied and run down site, and transforms it for a month into an exhibition where 60 decorators, designers and landscape artists show their work. This year in Barcelona they picked some 5.000 m2 at the Port Fòrum Sant Adrià, an amazing space that belongs to the new port near Barcelona’s massive solar panel by the sea. We visited and found a few attractive spaces that took the sustainability issue seriously, but we found more empty words and confusing messages, that were quite upsetting and boarded on greenwashing. Certainly nowadays, designers can do better than to fit a few energy efficient light bulbs into a space and call it green. ...
UNDP Projects Climate For 52 Developing Countries
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 6.08
Image source: Getty Images
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Oxford University School of Geography and Environment just released Climate Change Country Profiles. The website includes a database with information on climate observations and multi-model projections for 52 developing countries. Information on each country includes a set of maps and diagrams which display the currently observed climate in the country and the projected climate for the country. ...
Cheapest Way to Combat Vampire Power Still Sucks
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 6.08
Photo via Wired
Well, the cheapest way is actually unplugging your devices. But if for some reason you abhor doing that and want the next cheapest way, the $5 Harriet Carter Wall Outlet Switch gives you your solution.
Or does it......
Rake and Take Cardboard Composter - Boon or Bust?
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 6.08
Photo via Yanko Design
The Rake and Take is a cardboard composter that wants to offer itself as an alternative to plastic bags when it comes to yard work.
There are some obvious cons to this concept...but also some pros that will have you scratching your head on whether or not you think this is green. ...
Investment Bankers = Carbon Traders: Entrusted With Earth's Future?
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11. 6.08
E-Waste A Growing Problem in UK Landfills
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 6.08
Photo via Martin Kingsley
Used PCs are filling up UK dumps, and some startling statistics show the enormity of the problem.
In the last five years alone, 12.5 million computers have been tossed into UK landfills. Over 1 million computers have been tossed into the household trash cans, and about 25% of people take their PCs to the dump rather than a recycling plant.
So what can the UK do to combat the errors in e-waste disposal?...
Be the Change... Obama Should Reinstall White House Solar Panels
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 6.08
Barack Obama photo: David Katz/Obama for America.
As president-elect Barack Obama has identified dealing with our 'planet in peril' as a top priority of his administration, if I were him I’d start planning to put solar panels back on the White House roof and to have a re-dedication ceremony photo op with Jimmy Carter.
It may be more a symbolic act than anything else, but it would send a powerful message that renewable energy, green jobs and climate change are really on the top of the Obama administration's agenda....
Womens' Health Care Centre by FARE
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 6.08
There is so much to learn from this Women's Health Care Centre in Burkina Faso by FARE Studio. It just won the Health Category Award at the World Architecture Festival.
It mixes local materials, simple technologies, careful siting and control of sun and wind to build an off-grid, solar powered facility....
Eco Up Your iPhone with ECOcal
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 6.08
iPhone image via Good Clean Tech
It's hitting that time of year when we start keeping our eye out for the coolest calendar we can find to guide us through the upcoming year.
While attending Bioneers 2008, we found a very cool calendar company called ECOcal. The company produces a calendar that runs in a linear fashion, and shows what's going on in nature at that time of year. It shifts the focus from our coffee dates and puts it back on the ecosystem. With gorgeous illustrations and cool facts about flora and fauna, the calendar changes for each season.
While illustrative calendars are beautiful, though, we know that useful calendars that we utilitze daily usually come in digital format. Right now, ECOcal is developing an app for iPhones so you can put nature in a prime place. ...
Beauty: What On Earth Are You Going To Wear?
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 11. 6.08
Amazing things happen when cultures collide. Wa (Japan) meets Africa and you get Wafrica. The silk kimono is as old as Japan, now, thanks to designer Serge Mouangue, you get to think out of the box. Cotton kimonos. Isn't it just beautiful beyond belief?
Serge Mouangue is a concept-car designer for Nissan. He joined forces with Kururi, a Tokyo-based kimono-maker, to produce the traditional Japanese attire in 18 African prints sourced in markets from Nigeria to Senegal. "I do not want the end result to belong to Africa, nor should it belong to Japan. It is not a 'fusion,' " says Mouangue, who was born in Cameroon and grew up in Paris. "I want it to be something else. It should transcend the boundaries of both cultures. It is a third aesthetic."
What do you wear? What does it say about you? T-shirt and blue jeans? Acryl sweater? Nylon jacket Made in Who-Knows-Where...? ...
Cyclists Fight Back with Exploding Bike Lock
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 6.08
Industrial designer Michael Lambourn has an idea that might help reduce bicycle theft: integrate a dye pack, like the kinds built into some fire alarm pulls and clothing tags, that that explodes and covers the bicycle and thief in loud purple dye.
...
The British Steam Car Challenge. Can It Ignite a Steam Powered Renaissance?
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11. 6.08
At over 7.5 metres (~25ft) long it is unlikely you’ll be driving the kids the school in the British Steam Car any day soon. But then again you probably don’t need a vehicle designed to reach 274 kph (170 mph) for such a purchase. But maybe one day the technology developed for this land rocket might find it’s way into commuter vehicles.
Although powered by steam (enough, it seems, to make 23 cups of tea per second!) it does not exactly run on water. To get the water superheated to 400°C, the British Steam Car chomps down on LPG (or Liquid Petroleum Gas). And to do its thing it can slurp its way through 1,000 litres (1 ton) of water every 25 minutes. So not exactly what you might term ‘environmentally responsible.’ But that’s not to say other steam cars haven’t or won’t be in the future. Read on....
Can Virtual Hugs Save Real Trees?
by Earthwatch Institute on 11. 6.08
First-grader Kayla Arsenault, 6, left, reads a question to teacher Brenda Page-Reilly seen on the screen at right via Web cam during a live from the field Earthwatch entitled Climate Change and Caterpillar Populations at E.C. Stevens school in Wallingford Wednesday. Page-Reilly was live from a research location in Louisiana. Tech teacher Charlotte Robbins stands next to Kayla Arsenault at left.
Image credit: Dave Zajac / Record-Journal
By: George Grattan
Note: The opinions expressed here are the author's, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Earthwatch.
My last blog touched on some of the economic hurdles people might face when trying to become greener in the ways they consume—particularly in an economic downturn....
Considering Nike Considered. Something is Better than Nothing
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 11. 6.08
Last week Nike launched the latest round in their Considered Design line, shoes and apparel that have considered their environmental impact and reduced it. This program, originally begun in 2005 within their outdoor styles, has moved beyond its skunkworks phase and is being steadily introduced across the line of more mainstream footwear. In this instance, the Pegasus, a running shoe with a 25 year heritage, has been subjected to the Considered Design treatment. Which is what, exactly? Well, it includes, “more efficient design patterns that use less material and are easier to recycle, adhesives made from water instead of toxic chemicals, and sustainable items like cork and organic cotton.” We’re told by Reuters that 15% of Nike’s total Spring 2009 line will made under the "Considered" principles.
This is not to suggest that Nike is some paragon of sweetness. You don’t become the world’s number one supplier of sporting footwear and apparel, to the tune of $16 billion USD, simply by being a nice guy. And yes, they do have a human rights record that continues to galvanise social justice organisations, TV current affairs programs and documentary makers into action. But throwing the baby out with the bathwater, via boycotts, and the like, is hardly the answer....
Jargon Watch: Carborexia
by Jeff Nield, Vancouver, British Columbia on 11. 6.08
The Fun Revolution via flikr
Many of us at TreeHugger may indeed be suffering from an emerging disease called carborexia. It was only a matter of time before someone pegged "too much" concern for the environment as a disease. Word watcher Michael Quinon of World Wide Words explains the origins of the word in the "turns of phrase" section of his latest email dispatch.
...
Survey: Is Paul Watson a Hero or an Extremist?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 6.08
Few people are as controversial as activist Paul Watson, coming to a TV near you on Whale Wars. As Jessica wrote in her interview, "Not everyone's a fan of the groups fierce, confrontational ways."
...
Update: DIY Solar Collector from Old Satellite Dish
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 11. 6.08
Lowie Knitting Keeps You Cozy
by Bonnie Alter, London on 11. 6.08
image by lowie
Bronwyn Lowenthal has been knitting for years--we first met her at London Fashion Week where she had her vintage scarves and hand-knit sweaters and dresses on display. She makes use of traditional handicrafts--hand-knitting, crochet, hand-embroidery and hand-stitching in all of her pieces. Then she put out a book on knitting which was stylish and easy enough for beginners to take the leap. She has always delivered her orders by bicycle.
We are delighted to see that her small company and her ethical values have grown and developed. Now she uses only organic or recycled cotton yarns. Her signature caps are made from end of line fabric which would otherwise have been thrown away. She has introduced a range of Low Carbon Hand-knit accessories. These are made of yarn from UK reared animals; the yarn is water wheel spun and mailed to a a group of ‘granny home-knitters', who knit up her designs. As Lowenthal says: "It's more expensive but our customers are prepared to pay more to know that they're buying something that isn't ruining the environment."...
Greenhouse Farming in Spain Provides Potent Local Relief from Climate Change
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 11. 5.08
Image from thebittenword.com
The residents of Almeria, Spain, could be forgiven for not thinking global warming a great threat to their fair city. While their countrymen have had to endure an annual temperature increase of 0.5°C since the early 1980s, the citizens of this small city have, instead, experienced a period of cooling. According to a new study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, local temperatures fell 0.3°C per year between 1983 and 2006 -- an unexpected trend they attribute to the presence of a significant concentration of greenhouses, reports Anna Armstrong for Nature Geoscience (sub. required).
In recent years, Almeria has become a major provider of produce to regions of Europe that receive little natural sunlight. Once renowned for being the prime setting for a number of "spaghetti westerns," the city, located in the southeastern region of Spain, has since become home to the world's largest number of greenhouses....
A Slice of Solar Powered Cake
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 5.08
Image source: Cake
Cake (player of songs such as The Distance, Never There and the remake of I Will Survive) is showing their support for solar by installing a photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of their recording studio in Sacramento, CA. Their sixth album is being recorded with 100% solar energy....
Manduka Pro Yoga Mats Offer Lifetime Guarantee
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 5.08
Image source: Mandaka
Yoga mats may seem like a dime a dozen these days, and even more so with all of the eco-friendly mats out there. We're not saying eco mats are a bad thing, we're just offering another way to make your yoga mat sustainable - offer a lifetime guarantee to pump new life into an old, dead yoga mat. That is exactly what Manduka offers with their new line of yoga mats. ...
Norwegian Lemmings Threatened by Climate Change
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 11. 5.08
Image credit: Balsamia on Flickr
Norwegian Lemmings Suffer from "Wrong Type of Snow"
Earlier today Michael reported that climate change is reaking havoc on the axolotl (aka the “Mexican walking fish”). But the freaky looking fish isn’t the only animal being driven to the brink of extinction. Given their reputation, it's amazing any are alive at all, but according to the BBC the lemming is now in serious trouble too…
...
Will the Obamas New Puppy be Green?
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 11. 5.08
Image: Petfinder
In his acceptance speech (video across the fold), Barack Obama promised his daughters, Malia and Sasha, a new puppy. Obama touched hearts across America and the world when he told the precious first progeny: “I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us.”
Although Obama will certainly have a full plate re-establishing leadership in environmental protection and addressing climate change, a green puppy would capture the attention of America's next generation of voters and demonstrate the new White House commitment to leaving a better planet for our children than we inherited ourselves....
All Things Obama
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 11. 5.08
Eat. Drink. Better. serves up Election Victory Pancakes.
EcoSalon reviews the new Democratic government's green plans.
The Naked Hippie sells organic Obama tees.
Sustainablog wonders what the new President's first sustainable act should be.
Most Huggable is a regular roundup of some of Hugg's top green news stories. Why not submit your own green news?
Note: On November 17th, 2008, Hugg will no longer accept new submissions or registrations. The Hugg.com domain will be directed towards a new feature on the TreeHugger forums where participants will be able to post and comment on interesting green links (coming soon). Learn more at Hugg.com....
Metal Alloy Could Make Hydrogen Storage in Cars 60% Lighter Than Batteries
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 5.08
photo: Mike Babcock
One of the problems with developing a commercially workable system of using hydrogen as a transportation fuel is the fact that tanks that safely and securely store the hydrogen are generally so heavy as to be cumbersome in the vehicle. Well, Robin Gremaud, a Dutch-sponsored researcher, has found that an alloy of magnesium, titanium and nickel solves this problem by readily absorbing the hydrogen. A tank built of this material could also be up to 60% lighter than the amount of batteries required to power a car for a similar distance traveled.
Gremaud compared the weight required to power a car for a 400 km journey using batteries and a hydrogen storage tank made of this alloy,...
G-Oil: Bio-Oil Passes API Tests, Soon to be in Retail Stores
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 11. 5.08
Photo by Mad Paul
If you haven't heard about the innovative idea of G-oil, developed by Green Earth Technologies (GET), it is basically a non-petroleum based motor oil, that uses, well, no petroleum. It is actually derived from animal fats which are processed into an effective oil for lawn mowers, scooters, mopeds, motorcycles, hybrids, and regular gasoline/diesel vehicles.
...
California Voters Reject Well Meaning But Poorly Drafted Renewable Energy Ballot Initiatives
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 5.08
photo: Katie Claypool
A quick post-vote update to some of the renewable energy ballot initiatives in California: With over over a third of votes counted, approximately 60% of voters have rejected both Proposition 7 and Proposition 10. Prop 7 would have raised California’s renewable portfolio standard for utilities to 50% by 2025; while Prop 10 would have have provided funding to help offset the costs individuals would pay in purchasing alternative fuel vehicles. ...
Greenpeace's "Forests for Climate" Tour reaches Indonesia
by Daniel Kessler, Greenpeace on 11. 5.08
Ubercool "Mexican walking fish" Nearing Extinction
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 11. 5.08
Update: Pelicans Mysteriously Falling from Sky on West Coast
Most Adorable Endangered Creature Ever?
We're saddened to learn that the alien-looking Axolotl salamander (Ambystoma mexicanum), aka Mexican walking fish or Mexican water monster, is seriously threatened with extinction because of habitat destruction and water pollution.
One of the coolest things about Axolotl - apart from their appearance - is they ability to regenerate most body parts. Read on for more details and photos....
The Tree In Front Of Us
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11. 5.08
Image credit: Russ George - "A very deserving huggable tree" in Sri Lanka, Peradeniya Botanical garden, Kandy
What better way to celebrate a bright future than to view such a beauty?
Communities all over the world have special trees, each with a story that links to local culture. Which is your favorite?
...
4 Megawatt Solar Power System Will Save L.A. Community College $280,000 on Electric Bills
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 5.08
photo: Chevron Energy Solutions
Chalk up another institute of higher education getting into renewable energy. L.A. Southwest College (part of Los Angeles’ community college system) has partnered with Chevron Energy Solutions to install a 4 MW solar power system on campus. This follows 1.2 MW installation earlier this year by another Los Angeles community college, East L.A. College.
According to Renewable Energy World, the school has said the system will be used as “a living model for students, allowing them to study renewable technologies as it relates to design, construction, chemistry and physics”. It will also allow the college to save about $280,000 on its electricity bill, generating more than 5 million kWh of electricty.
Other schools getting into renewables on campus:...
Quote of the Day: Arthur Manuel on How Indigenous Peoples Subsidize Canadian Forest Industry
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 11. 5.08
[The Indigenous Network of Environment and Trade] argued that Canada’s policy of not recognizing aboriginal treaty rights [in the Canadian-US softwood lumber dispute]…was a form of a cash subsidy, a real cash subsidy, because the only thing that the World Trade Organization and North American Free Trade Agreement recognizes is cash subsidies – nothing else, no ‘intangibles’. And the WTO actually accepted our [amicus curiae] submissions three times. And when we made the same application to NAFTA, the Canadian government, the Quebec, Ontario governments and the forestry ministry launched a joint objection against us, hiring a law firm in Washington DC to fight us on this issue, saying that we had nothing extra to contribute to this discussion on trade subsidies....
How to Go Green: Gadgets
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 5.08
Image: Getty Images/Gallo Images - Neil Overy
Technology has become an essential part of daily life, from cell phones to televisions, music players to laptops. Electronics, though, have a significant impact on the environment. But don't despair. There are countless ways to green up your gadgetry -- or even use your gadgets for environmental causes -- and we have information tips, guides, fix-it solutions and facts all in one place to help you go green with your technology.
Read on for a small sampling of the tips from our new guide for How to Go Green: Gadgets.
...
From the Forums: Green Hopes From a New Administration
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 11. 5.08
Image Source: Obama flickr Photostream
We have a new President. What are your green hopes from this new administration? Join us in the forums to discuss, no member account required.
Discuss...
Barack Obama Faces Environmental Clean Up After Two Centuries of Bingeing: Bill McKibben
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 5.08
photo: Barack Obama and Joe Biden
Barack Obama comes to office having to deal with the most difficult circumstances since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Perhaps even more difficult, since the environmental bill from 200 years of unchecked of fossil fuel burning has finally come due and Obama will have to deal with the convergence of deep financial crisis and deep environmental crisis at the same time. Indeed the only way out of either is by addressing them as a whole. And to make it worse, now is perhaps last chance to act before global warming fundamentally changes the planet into a much less hospitable place for humanity.
That’s the gist of a new piece in Yale Environment 360 by Middlebury College scholar-in-residence Bill McKibben. This is some of what McKibben says Obama must push for:...
Two Screens in One Laptop is E-Wasteful
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 5.08
Photo via Gizmodo
One screen is tough enough to green up in our struggle to reduce energy consumption and e-waste in laptops as much as possible. But Fujitsu has added a small but energy- and materials-wasting feature to their LifeBook family. ...
Photos of Crashed Tesla Electric Roadster in Junkyard
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 11. 5.08
Remember, Drive Carefully
There aren't many Tesla Roadster electric cars on the road right now, so it's a bit heartbreaking to see photos of this lifeless Roadster carcass (via Wrecked Exotic Cars).
It is apparently the 3rd Tesla to crash: The first time "was when a technician was testing the vehicle and ran into the back of a truck. The 2nd crash occurred in San Francisco after the driver failed to slow down at a red light and rear ended another vehicle." Read on for more photos and the story of this 3rd Tesla crash....
Transformer Furniture: 7 Objects That Aren't What They Seem
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11. 5.08
You might not guess just by looking, but, in the image above, there are two apartments, two sets of dining room furniture, six stools and a bed. Through a variety of gyrations, these objects unfold, change, and otherwise transform, creating functional furniture from previously unrecognizable, compacted boxes, cubes and other geometrical shapes -- like puzzles you get to sit on.
So, what's the green angle here? By clearing themselves out of the way, each object not only makes living in smaller spaces possible, but even alluring, and fun. Plus, in many cases, these pieces have dual functions in both their compact and unboxed forms, and, for TreeHuggers, two functions is better than one. Read on to get the full scoop on seven transforming objects that offer more than meets the eye....
Anti-Whaling Warrior, Captain Paul Watson
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY on 11. 5.08
Captain Paul Watson photo: Animal Planet
Who hasn't heard the infamous old-school eco-slogan, “Save the Whales?" But do most of us know who actually charges up the effort? Animal Planet takes an in-depth look at one of the leading whale conservation groups in the premiere of their brand new 7-part series called Whale Wars, starting on November 7. The show follows Captain Paul Watson and his team of dedicated volunteers who put the “save” in “Save the Whales”—braving choppy international seas and coming face-to-face with unforgiving whaling fleets.
Not everyone's a fan of the groups fierce, confrontational ways though. A quick search on TreeHugger about the Captain and his Sea Shepherd Conservation Society revealed some differing opinions about the group who many call extremist—not such a surprise considering the Captain planted his green roots as the co-founder of Greenpeace. But whether or not you find his team’s tactics a tad too severe, doesn't extreme injustice (i.e. whaling) sometimes call for extreme measures? Check out my interview with the good Captain and ascertain for yourself. ...
'Cutting Edge' Trendy Felt Rugs and Table Runners
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 5.08
Image source: Selina Rose
The idea of putting felt rugs, table runners and wallcoverings around your home might bring back images of arts and crafts projects from elementary school. But the designs coming out of Selina Rose are anything but elementary.
More Selina Rose pieces after the Jump...
California Voters Say Yes to Animal Rights
by Alex Smith, San Francisco, California on 11. 5.08
Photo Credit: SF Gate
Prop 2 Headed to Victory
Yesterday, California voters appeared to vote overwhelmingly in favor of Proposition 2, a historic move that brings animals legal rights in the land of factory farming. Prop 2 guarantees farm animals improvements in their current large scale farm conditions, requiring farmers give them space to turn around, spread their wings, stand up and lie down. More below the fold....
San Jose and California Clean Tech Open Offering Awesome Rewards
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 5.08
Photo of San Jose City Hall by Bryce Edwards
The highest ranking competitors in the California Clean Tech Open are about to get a big boost from the city of San Jose.
In an effort to nurture clean tech during a time when venture capitalists are beginning to trim investments, the city is awarding 12 innovators with some pretty sweet prizes. ...
Time For Canadians to Boycott Tim Hortons
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 5.08
Two weeks ago I stopped at the Timmys just south of Gravenhurst, shown above, and walked to the edge of their parking lot with the puppy. Two feet beyond the edge of their own parking lot was this view.
That is what Tim Horton's is like. They sell 80% of the coffee in Canada and they really don't care what happens two feet beyond the edge of their property. So what if this is the view from the parking lot in the middle of scenic Muskoka. ...
Wealthy Countries Should Pay ‘Rainforest Utility Bills’ for Ecosystem Services Rendered: Prince Charles
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 5.08
Amazon deforestation photo: Daniele Gidiski
In a speech in Jakarta, Indonesia on Monday, Prince Charles called rainforests the “world’s greatest public utility” and said that in order to preserve what rainforest remains and prevent further destruction, wealthy nations should pay an annual “utility bill” to account for all the ecosystem services which rainforests provide.
The idea of finally acknowledging in a concrete way the services provided by intact ecosystems is a crucial one. The prince described how such a system could work:...
7 Hidden Eco-gems: Under-the-Radar Cities Worth a Visit
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 11. 5.08
Scenes from Malmö, Sweden -- a hidden green city gem -- Björn Söderqvist @ flickr.
Portland, San Francisco, and New York. These three cities consistently rise to the top of U.S. and even global lists of great green cities. And while these cities, through both some natural advantages and hard policy work, have earned their green cred, there's more out there taking sustainable city building seriously. Caveat: This is not a scientific list, nor is it a ranking. Instead, it's a list of current cities (thus we skip over the not-yet-real places such as Masdar, Tianjin, and Dongtan) that meet most criteria of effective green cities and are worth a look for both right now and future greening....
NComputing: An Energy-Savvy PC Experience for $70
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 5.08
NComputing, a California-based company, is creating a $70 networked computer that uses about 1 watt of power. Sound like a futuristic dream? Not to the 1 million people currently using their devices. ...
Bush Plan for Marine Preserve Threatened By His Own Vice President
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 5.08
Mariana trench- NOAA/National Geographic
A few months back, environmentalists cheered President Bush's proposed creation of a vast Pacific marine preserve that included the area of the Mariana Trench, the Rose Atoll in American Samoa and parts of a long, sprawling collection of reefs and atolls known as the Line Islands, designed to preserve "some of the world's most diverse underwater ecosystems." His memorandum described the area as
"isolated from population centers, mostly uninhabited" and supporting "endemic, depleted, migratory, endangered and threatened species of fish, giant clams, crabs, marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, migratory shorebirds and corals that are rapidly vanishing elsewhere in the world."But it is not isolated from Dick Cheney. ...
Buenos Aires Wants to be Cleaner
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 11. 5.08
Photo credit: Buenos Aires government.
While the proposed new garbage management plan for Buenos Aires is discussed, the city government has launched a campaign to encourage clean habits in its people.
Under the theme 'Clean play' (Jugá Limpio in Spanish), the set of ads try to put some coolness into throwing things in trash cans, plus two websites targeted to kids and adults offer information about activities and interactive tools.
Even though we would have appreciated a campaign to encourage recycling better, it was about time for the government to try to push people to take cleaner habits. Anyone who has been to Buenos Aires can state that the city has a lot to overcome in terms of the tidiness of its streets, and surely starting with kids apart from grown-ups is a good step....
Change is Scary
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 5.08
Imagine what it was like to walk into a room and not know what to do. When the gas companies were spreading rumors that electricity is harmful to health and will affect the soundness of sleep. Fortunately, when something is such an immediate and obvious improvement, it overcomes the naysayers and the rumors in no time flat.
via Next Nature...
Weird Looking LED Bulbs Hitting US Market
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 5.08
Photos via Journee and Lighting Science
We’ve been expecting it…the next generation of lighting is coming within a few months. And our next generation of lighting is going to look really weird.
Osram Sylvania and Philips, and many others are introducing LED bulbs to the US markets and across the world, but it isn’t likely that a quick switch to the ultra energy efficient technology will happen in a blink. ...
Sign Savers – Deciding Which Political Yard Signs and Bumper Stickers to keep for Future Elections or Memorabilia
by Trevor Reichman on 11. 5.08
While some important political, racial, and environmental red tape may have been broken in this election, this latest battle between red and blue was anything but green when it comes to the waste created by campaign entourages swinging through up to 7 states in one day.
Those of us who place importance on the environment and our role as facilitators within the natural world are left with a fresh start and a more promising future. But in the immediate future, we are also left with the residue of campaign yard signs and bumper stickers, of which some may have an afterlife. Before you recycle your signs, think about being a sign saver.
Here are some tips about choosing which signs to hold onto and which ones to recycle:...
Survey: Are You Happy?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 5.08
It is tough treading a nonpolitical line; it is tougher thinking of a survey about anything else. But no matter who you voted for, or whether you even could, the world is a different place today.
...
Donald Trump Tees Off in Scotland
by Bonnie Alter, London on 11. 5.08
photo by nysun
It's been a good fight, but Donald Trumped in the end. He was proposing to build a billion pound golf course on the Scottish coastline. Smack dab in the middle of an unspoilt natural habitat, if you listen to those pesty environmentalists.
There was a public inquiry and the Chair of the local Council, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and two of Trump's own independent ecological experts, among others, opposed the development. One said: "I suggested this coastal stretch is probably the most dynamic set of dunes in Britain and that golf development was a very significant threat to site geomorphological and ecological integrity." But it doesn't matter. According to Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland "In tough economic times, substantial investment of this kind is at a premium.” Where have we heard that one before... And: “It is entirely right and proper that the resources of the country are harnessed to boost one of our great industries – and tourism is a great Scottish industry.” ...
Get a Deal on Car Seat Covers from Little Bits
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 11. 4.08
Welcome to our new "TreeHugger Deals" column, which will run every Tuesday and is exclusively for TreeHugger readers. TreeHugger never receives monetary compensation or proceeds from these promotions.
This week’s TreeHugger Deals comes to you from Little Bits by Monica Rodgers, whose firm belief is that every little bit does, in fact, count. From recycling to literacy, to some of the company’s personal beneficiaries, their hope is for action. We love Little Bits’ car seat covers (featured in our 2007 Gift Guide) because they are not only stylish, but they are also made from designer remnants. Plus, we can’t forget that the covers extend the life of a car seat and can be washed (they are made of cotton), AND they also offer a layer of protection between Baby and the toxic formaldehyde found in car seats.
From now until November 15, 2008 TreeHugger readers can purchase any patterned car seat cover (baby or toddler) for $84 (regularly $128). You must call their store at: 401-848-0059 to receive the discount and use coupon code: “Earthsaver.” Little Bits by Monica Rodgers
...
China Will Be the Biggest Wind Power Equipment Manufacturer by End of 2009
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 4.08
photo: Storm Crypt
A few quick wind power predictions to file away: One of the most interesting statistics coming out of the Global Wind Power conference in Beijing (the news of which comes via Cleantech) is that not only does China have the fattest growing wind power market, it is also expected to be the largest manufacturer of wind power equipment in the world by the end of the 2009.
Other wind power stats/predications coming out of the Global Wind Energy Outlook 2008 include:...
World’s Largest Concentrating Solar PV Project Announced by SolFocus
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 4.08
photo: SolFocus
Though it won’t be completed until 2010, and its overall capacity will be divided across several sites, SolFocus has announced that it has signed a deal with EMPE Solar worth $103 million that will install over 10 megawatts of CPV power at sites in southern Spain. SolFocus says that the project will create enough electricity for a city of about 40,000 people. While the company claims it as being the largest CPV project in Europe, Greentech Media points out that it will be the largest in the world.
In case you’re not familiar with how concentrating solar PV works (and there a number of companies working on variations on the technology), this is how SolFocus touts its technology:...
Prediction: Recession Will Be Blamed on Green Movement
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 4.08
Buy Nothing Day is only a few weeks away, but perhaps we should skip it this year, as we are already in the middle of a buy nothing season. According to the Wall Street Journal, nobody is doing much shopping these days. "It's definitely all of a sudden very cool to be cheap," says one former serious shopper. It happens every recession, but they suggest that this one combines economics with the environment.
"Our retail and manufacturing clients are seeing almost an aversion to consumption," says Todd Lavieri, chief executive of Archstone Consulting, which tracks retail spending patterns. "In previous downturns [such as in 1991 and 2001], we have often seen shopping as therapy." Now, with credit conditions so tight, Mr. Lavieri says, "people aren't shopping to feel better. They actually are not shopping to feel better."...
Will Next US President Consider A "New Green Deal" To Solve The Credit, Employment, And Climate Crisis?
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11. 4.08
Inspired by an earlier Bill McKibbon essay, a "New Green Deal" post appeared on TreeHugger back in April 2008 (see Imagine: Another "New Deal" - Greener Than The First).
However, the idea for a "New Green Deal" (NGD) as a climate action approach was in gestation with the March 2007 TreeHugger post: New Deal II: The Next Dam Thing?.
A UK group called New Economics Foundation (NEF) suggested a New Green Deal as well - with global intent. Jeremy filled us on the details of the NEF proposal with his recent post: A Green New Deal: 100 Months to Save the World from Climate Change
Unfinished Portait of FDR
What makes it worthwhile to bring this back to the TreeHugger front page? Well, let's start with this quote. If elected, Barack Obama may not become the next Franklin D. Roosevelt, but his advisers are reading up on the New Deal and how it helped rescue our nation 70 years ago....
It’s Official: Human Activity is Warming Both the Arctic and Antarctic
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 4.08
Antarctica photo: Mike Martoccia
A quick one here: In case you had any doubts about that human activities are responsible for the rise in temperatures at both of the Earth’s poles, new work published in the journal Nature Geoscience (and reported on by the BBC) confirms that we are to blame for polar global warming:...
From the Forums: Emergency Potable Water
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 11. 4.08
Unless you live in an area affected by drought, many of us take water for granted. However, during storm seasons many people can be caught off guard when water systems are overtaken by flooding or even in winter if a water main breaks. What do you do if you find yourself without drinking water?
Read More...
‘Mycodiesel’ From Patagonian Tree Fungus Could Be Used Directly in Diesel Engines
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 4.08
Photo of flowers on the Ulmo tree, in which the fungus was found: Wikipedia.
If there’s a holy grail of biofuels industry it would be something like this... The Guardian is reporting on research done at Montana State University which has discovered that fungus which grows inside a tree in the Patagonian rainforest natural produces chemicals which are “remarkably similar to diesel” fuel.
Montana State plant scientist Gary Strobel describes the significance of the discovery,...
5 U.S. Local & State Government Officials Putting the Environment First
by Bonnie Hulkower, New York, New York on 11. 4.08
While the federal government has been asleep at the wheel for most of the last decade, local and state government officials have been a driving force in many green initiatives. Through the U.S. Conference of Mayors and regional alliances such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initative (RGGI), environmental action has been taken which hopefully will spread to other cities and states, and lead to more stringent federal environmental regulations. Here is what five of the top US state and local government leaders have been doing for their cities and states.
First up, New York City's Subway Mayor:...
Ultimate DIY: Swedish Eco-Store Builds Posh "Passive" House
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 11. 4.08
Looking a little like a wedge of hard cheese, this modernistic Swedish passive house is perched on a rock and with a view of the sea in the southeastern Swedish hamlet of Trosa.
Passive house combines eco-techniques and "modern" design
Trosa is a bit off the beaten path for a department store devoted to the most ecological building supplies, which is perhaps why Ekologiska Byggnvaruhus undertook its own building project. The Trosa house needs has no radiators and not even a conventional heat pump. Solar panels help to warm the south-facing house, with lighting and recycled body and water warmth stored in an accumulator supposed to supply most of the rest of space heating requirements (a wood-burning stove is on standby for really cold days. Though it looks roomy, the living space comprises just 120 square meters - small by average American, though not necessarily TreeHugger standards....
Jargon Watch: Kei-Car Sales Up 6.2% In Japan While New Car Sales Dropped 13.1%
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 11. 4.08
Wow. Take a deep breath. New car sales in Japan has dropped 13.1 percent to the lowest level for October, 2008 in 40 years. The Japan Automobile Dealers Association says 233,922 vehicles other than mini-cars were sold in October, a decline for the third straight month.
Oh? So the good news is, Kei cars, the 660 cc engine size vehicles that are already so common in Japan, are now selling like hot cakes, no make that omochi (rice cakes).
The association of mini-car dealers, Japan Mini Vehicles Association, says October new car sales were up 6.2 percent from the same month last year, indicating that many motorists are opting for cheaper vehicles. You couldn't make these kind of stories up if you tried....
TreeHugger Welcomes Federica Bietta!
by Federica Bietta, Coalition for Rainforest Nations on 11. 4.08
Checking Out A Green Cheese Factory: Fifth Town Artisan Cheese
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 4.08
all photos Emma Alter
While testing a Ford Hybrid I packed up the family for a trip to bucolic Prince Edward County to check out Fifth Town Artisan Cheese and its LEED Platinum certified factory designed by Francis Lapointe. But not only was the building as green as it gets, so is the cheese.
...
Never Water in the Rain Again - Set Your Sprinklers Via the Web
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 4.08
Sprinkler Systems are getting hooked up to the internet thanks to HydroPoint Data Systems. The company has created a web-based water consumption monitoring and control system.
While it’s great for residential homes, especially if you’ve headed off for vacation without changing your settings, it’s especially impactful for businesses and industries with a whole lot of watering to do, helping to cut down on site visits and overwatering. In fact, the company estimates they helped conserve 6.7 billion gallons of water last year alone....
MyFarm Does the Work for You
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 4.08
Image source: MyFarm
NPR reported this morning that a new group in San Francisco aims to take the work out of growing your own food in your own backyard with MyFarm. San Francisco is not known for having huge backyards, or much sun depending on what side of the city you're on. So how is Trevor Paque, owner of MyFarm, able to keep the greens growing? Well, he and his crew will come and install a garden in your backyard at cost. Then four times a month the crew harvests a box of vegetables and homeowners pay between $25 and $35 a week for the service (probably what some people pay at the farmers market each week). The crews also now operate in Oakland and Berkeley.
More MyFarm pics after the jump. ...
SolarWash: First Automated Cleaning Solution for Solar Panels
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 4.08
Keeping solar panels clean is an important part in helping them to work at their best, and yet is something not often talked about. OCS Energy however, is changing that by introducing an automated solar panel cleaning system.
It is the first commercially available system of its kind and, the company claims, will shorten the payback period for solar panel investments. So, is a system like this worth it?...
Keeping solar panels clean is an important part in helping them to work at their best, and yet is something not often talked about. East Coast Electric Grid Getting A $1.8 Billion Make-Over
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 4.08
Fifty-one million people in 13 east coast states and Washington DC are going to get one heck of an upgrade to their power grid in order to make energy supplies reliable as renewable energy increases its presence. ...
Gasoline in Wine Bottles? So Stupid it Just Might Work!
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 4.08
I mean, gas is such a....commodity. There is regular and premium, but one is pretty much like another, and the costs are pretty much the same wherever you go. Water used to be like that, a commodity, but as Elizabeth Royte notes in Bottlemania, as one Pepsico marketing VP said to investors in 2000, "when we are done, tap water will be relegated to showers and washing dishes." And look how far they have come.
But you know that the terroirists have won when they try to do the same thing with gasoline. That is what they are doing at Fine Fueling - elegantly branding and bottling it for the discerning customer....
"We Need to Be More Chinese than the Chinese": Interview with GE CEO "Nani" Beccalli-Falco
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 11. 4.08
To execs like Ferdinando "Nani" Becalli-Falco, President and CEO of GE International, China looks like a gold mine. But is it a green mine? As the clean tech industry in the the People's Republic of Greenhouse Gases grows to be the world's biggest, GE stands to make a big profit while helping the country get cleaner across the range of sectors in which it specializes. Eco- was the major prefix at the GE pavilion at the Olympic Green in Beijing, which focused on the five elements and GE's associated green technologies: water (desalination), fire (florescent lighting), metal (cleaner airplane engines and hybrid locomotive technology), wood (wind power), and earth (energy generation, including what it now calls "cleaner coal"). ...
Canadian Tar Sands Look Like Tolkein’s Mordor Says UN Water Advisor
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 4.08
photo: WWF-UK, from the report Unconventional Oil: Scraping the Bottom of the Barrel?
Environmental Defense has called Alberta’s tar sands ‘the most destructive project on earth’, but perhaps the UN’s senior advisor on water, Maude Barlow, says it best. After a recent bus and helicopter tour of a tar sands operation in Fort McMurray she had one word to describe what she saw: Mordor.
For those not up on the geography of Tolkein’s Middle-earth, or even Peter Jackson’s movie adaptation of Lord of the Rings, Mordor refers to the nearly barren, devastated, stinking land wherein, beyond the Black Gate, lies Sauron’s fortress of Barad-dûr and the fires of Mount Doom...
Whoa, geeking out there... This is how Maude Barlow described what she saw in real life:...
Salon Quality, 100% Natural Hair Dye by Advanced Cosmetic Technologies
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 4.08
A hair dye without harsh chemicals, bleach, peroxide, ammonia, resorcinol or paraphenylene diamine (PPD)? And not a moment too soon as you are worried about looking your best this upcoming holiday season and the chance you might run into that old flame while visiting your home town. Advanced Cosmetic Technologies now offers both hair colorant, as well as color maintaining shampoos and conditioners to keep those locks looking luscious without the nasty side-effects, like, well, cancer.
The dye is 100% plant-based, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free and comes in 13 different shades, most of which are darker tints like chocolate mahogany and medium natural brown. Ingredient lists for all of their products are available online so you can check ahead of time to make sure you're not getting something you don't want. Other things that the hair dye is free of include: "p-Phenylenediamine (PPD), resorcinol, m-aminophenol, p-aminophenol, toluene-2,5-diamine, azo-dyes, diazo-dyes, disperse dyes, ammonia, and parabens."...
EPA Provides New E-Waste Guidelines, But Zero New Regulations
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 4.08
Photo via Iowa Spirit Walker
The “Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers” is a new guide from the EPA that tells electronics recyclers how to run safe and eco-firendly operations.
However, what good it will actually do is up for debate....
Less is More: Fold Away Wall Desks
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 4.08
Greg at Workalicious is looking for a wall mounted desk and has found a few, including this sixty buck IKEA number. They can be useful if you don't need a lot of space, and this one even has a key and enough room to store your laptop in it....
First Carbon Neutral Suit Available, But Better Act Fast
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 4.08
Green designers are getting pretty good at making sustainable, fashionable, and durable clothing. Did we mention that eco clothes can be fashionable? Well, a British designer has taken this one step further by making a sustainable suit (90% wool) and offsetting three times the emissions from the entire footprint of the suit. What does that mean? Well, Charcoal & Chalk now makes the first carbon-neutral suit, dubbed their Beyond Carbon Neutral Suit....
Cardboard Office by Paul Coudamy
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 4.08
Parisian designer Paul Coudamy thinks outside the box with this interior for advertising agency Beast, made almost entirely out of 40 mm (1-1/2") thick honeycomb cardboard. ...
CFLs Could Curb Global Lighting Demand by 40% - and At What Cost?
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 4.08
Photo by Paul Keller
What if everyone were to switch to CFLs today?
Well, according to a new report by the Worldwatch Institute, our global lighting demand could be cut by 40%. Even though that is a whole lot of electricity not being used, CFLs aren’t necessarily the earth’s BFF. ...
British Fashion Industry Icons Support Groundbreaking RE:Fashion Awards
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 11. 4.08
Next week on November 13th the great and good of the British fashion industry will demonstrate their commitment to ethical fashion by attending the groundbreaking RE:Fashion Awards. This event will be the world's first dedicated awards ceremony for ethical fashion and you can be there! Tickets are on sale now, so you can grab your opportunity to rub shoulders with British fashion icons such as Vivienne Westwood and Katharine Hamnett, as well as the new style setters such as Daisy Lowe and Leah Wood. Keep reading to find out which of your favourite ethical labels has been shortlisted for an award....
100,000 Chinese Factories Closing: Orders Off; Regulations Up
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11. 4.08
Hard to lay out what has happened more succinctly than these numbers from China do: Government statistics show that 67,000 factories of various sizes were shuttered in China in the first half of the year, said Cao Jianhai, an industrial economics researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. By year’s end, he said, more than 100,000 plants will have closed...Even before the global financial crisis, factory owners in China were straining under soaring labor and raw-material costs, an appreciating Chinese currency and tougher legal, tax and environmental requirements.Via:LA Times, Some owners deserting factories in China ...
Transition Towns, Peak Oil and Performance Art
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 11. 4.08
Bike Generator Harnesses Power From Bumps on the Road
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 4.08
TreeHugger has shown all kinds of generators for bicycles, but here is a novel approach that would do well where I ride. Industrial designer Deco Goodman takes advantage of our crumbling infrastructure and pothole-filled roads by installing a piezo-electric generator in a shock absorber built into the seat post. Every tooth-jarring bump now is a little bit softer as the energy is converted to electricity and stored in the battery.
...
Survey: Which Electronic Devices Have You Dumped?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 4.08
Wired has an interesting article with a terrible title: Five Useless Gadgets You Should Throw in the Trash Right Now (TreeHuggers know that you Freecycle or Recycle!) but an interesting thesis: we are burdened with useless electronics that we don't need anymore, including printers, scanners, optical drives, fax machines and landline phones. I would add big stereos now that we keep our music in our computers and iPods, and even TVs now that we have bittorents. Certainly every device dumped means less space required, less electricity used. What have you dumped? Multiple choice allowed.
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Land Art at Risk
by Bonnie Alter, London on 11. 4.08
Land art is the name given to monumental pieces of art that are created in and part of nature. Usually they are so huge that they could not be placed in a museum or private house. The most famous is the Spiral Jetty, 1970, by Robert Smithson, which is a spiral made out of basalt rock and earth and juts into the Great Salt Lake in Utah. It is visible from above or by making the great trek there to see it (pictured).
Now it, and other such natural pieces are under threat because of real estate development and oil drilling pressures. In this case, an oil company wanted to conduct exploratory drilling into the lake bed. In response a protest was mounted by the Dia Art Foundation and the state of Utah received thousands of complaints. "What we particularly object to is the potential visual impact that drilling might have on the work, as well as the equally important environmental impact it could have on the lake itself and its delicate ecosystem,” says a director of Dia. “An oil spill could be disastrous for the lake, and therefore, the jetty.” The state of Utah has ruled that the company must “make the necessary investment and professional effort necessary to match the challenges presented ahead by this project”.
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Hybrid Boats, New York City's Big Green News and SmartBiking
by Team Treehugger, Worldwide on 11. 3.08
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show showcases the DSe Hybrid 12m from Island Pilot--a boat powered using a combination of diesel, solar and electric power.
The Statue of Liberty lights up NYC the eco-way by tapping into wind energy.
...On a sadder NYC note, a federal judge puts a halt to the city's fuel-efficient hybrid taxis.
Copenhagen draws plans to experiment with MIT's SmartBiking project starting in November 2009.
The 2008 Geneva International Motor Show unveils the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car.
Most Huggable is a regular roundup of some of Hugg's top green news stories. Why not submit your own green news?...
In the 2008 Election Home Stretch: Review the Candidates Positions & Go Vote!
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 3.08
If you’re anything like me, you’re both thrilled and relieved that the 2008 presidential elections will actually be happening tomorrow, and on Wednesday we will finally (barring technical, judicial malfunctions...fingers crossed) be able to, as fellow TreeHugger Lloyd Alter puts it, get back to green instead of red and blue.
But we’re not quite there yet, and in the spirit of helping out the handful of TreeHugger readers who haven’t yet made up their minds and to stimulate post-election policy discussion, I’d just like to again point out and summarize some of the differences between Barack Obama and John McCain on energy and climate change policy:
...
New Tracing System To Improve Safety of Chinese Products
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 11. 3.08
Image: ChinaTrace websiteFrom tainted green beans to toxic pet food, melamine in milk may only be the tip of the iceberg in China’s recent food scare concerns. To address these problems, a new online traceability system for Chinese products and food ingredients is being launched to improve accountability and safety of the “Made in China brand” by providing information for food companies, consumers and regulators in the form of an electronic “online passport.” ...
Just Say No to Faux: Sky Factory Virtual Skylights
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
Skylights are wonderful things; they bring in natural light for free and can be part of a passive solar heating design. Or, they can be kilowatt-sucking imitations of the real thing "displaying terabytes of HD content in the structure of a full-size faux skylight, SkyV presents the essence of nature’s sky-events in vivid sequences."
More on virtual skylights, plus a roundup of other ridiculous stuff, below the fold. ...
World’s Largest Pitched Thin-Film Solar Roof Begins Operation
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 3.08
Riedel Recycling’s new thin-film solar roof, photo: Solar Buzz
It’s not often that I literally let out a ‘Wow!’ when I see a new example of renewable energy technology, but when I first saw the above photo I was uncontrollably impressed. What you’re looking at is over 11,000 thin-film solar modules from First Solar, with a total capacity of 837 kW, covering the roof of a Riedel Recycling facility in Moers, Germany.
OK, so objectively 837 kW isn’t a lot of power, but still... Wow, that thing is cool looking. Here are some less-gushing details:...
John Brown U Creates B.S. in Renewable Energy
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 3.08
Image source: Namaste Solar
Starting Fall 2009, the incoming class at John Brown University, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, has a new focus of study - a Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy. Students can choose from courses focusing on solar, wind, biomass and will then focus on one of three designations within the major: design, installation or international development....
Bowoto v Chevron Human Rights Case Could Set Legal Precedent With Environmental Applicability
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 3.08
Anti-Chevron protest, photo: Rainforest Action Network.
With all the focus on the US presidential race, thankfully coming to a close tomorrow, here’s another one of those things you’d be forgiven for not noticing, but which has some potentially great legal implications for the environment and human rights.
Fellow TreeHugger Alex Smith wrote about the Bowoto v Chevron human rights case beginning in federal court in San Francisco last week, but here’s some more background on the case, as well as the potential legal implications:...
Another Quote: David Brooks on Infrastructure Investment
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
Need to "create jobs for the less-educated workers who have been hit hardest by the transition to an information economy?" Give that man a shovel!
Now the conservative commentators are jumping on the infrastructure investment bandwagon- the fight is no longer about whether the Government should put the country to work, but who gets the money. David Brooks at the New York Times comes out clearly in favor of 1950 car-based carbon-spewing style, with his National [personal] Mobility Project.
An infrastructure resurgence is desperately needed. Americans now spend 3.5 billion hours a year stuck in traffic, a figure expected to double by 2020. The U.S. population is projected to increase by 50 percent over the next 42 years. American residential patterns have radically changed. Workplaces have decentralized. Commuting patterns are no longer radial, from suburban residences to central cities. Now they are complex weaves across broad megaregions. Yet the infrastructure system hasn’t adapted....
Radio Shack Hops on Buy-Back Bandwagon
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 3.08
Photo via Marcin Wichary
Good news for you and any of your old gadgets that are looking to live a little longer. Radio Shack is offering a buyback program.
Buyback programs are an awesome way to lengthen the life of your gadget and get a little cash for it. However, Radio Shack is running their program with a twist that might not make all gadget owners happy....
Real Central VA Hosts Carnival of the Green
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 11. 3.08
This week is Carnival of the Green # 152 and it's being hosted by Jim Duncan's Real Central VA, a blog that focuses on the effects of the real estate market, both economically and socially, in the Central Virginia and Charlottesville areas.
So head on over to this week's Carnival to find a round up of green news and events from the past week, submitted by other bloggers and green sites.
To learn more about Carnival of the Green, where it will be and how to host, please click here to link to our previous post.
PLEASE NOTE: Because the Carnival of the Green books so far in advance (thanks to all of you!), we are currently not accepting hosting requests. Please stay tuned - we'll open 2010 soon!
...
Amazon.com Working To Cut Down Wasteful Gadget Packaging
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 3.08
Samples of Amazon.com's frustration-free packaging
Most people have had this experience:
Head to a store to get a flashdrive, micro flash card, or some other tiny gadget, and you’re handed a giant plastic case that contains it. You go home, wrestle the case open, likely cutting yourself in the process, and think to yourself, “Why on earth do they do they package this tiny thing in this massive plastic shell??”
Well, finally a major company is asking the same thing and offering “Frustration-Free Packaging.”...
From the Forums: Concern About Yoplait Yogurt Containers
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 11. 3.08
SoCalSolar:
I noticed today that the foil-like cover on the newer Yoplait yogurt containers is more like a potato chip bag than the previous aluminum foil type. I am referring to the oval style that is new, vs the tapered cylinder type that has been around for some time. So I checked the bottom of the container out of curiosity. Oh boy... The old style seems to have a foil 'cap' and is in a tapered cylinder that is made of plastic #5. The new style's cover is more like a chip bag, and is an oval shape that is made of plastic #6 - polystyrene. Correct me if I am wrong here, but did we not just go from a container that can be recycled to one that cannot?!?!? ...after all the products that are "made from recycled yogurt containers" like the laptop bag I have? After all the attention being paid to less packaging and what is used being able to be recycled?Read More...
Makeup Artist Paige Padgett Gives Eco-Friendly Makeup Tips
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 3.08
Photo by Jenny R F
On November 13, the 18th Annual Environmental Media Association Awards will be handed out, and one of the three green makeup artists on hand to make everyone look gorgeous is Paige Padgett.
Makeup, as we know, can pose some serious environmental and health threats. Putting loads of chemicals on our skin, which absorbs a significant portion of what it comes into contact with, is really not the smartest idea. That’s why going green with makeup is important, and why Padgett is making a fuss over famous faces in a couple weeks.
But until then, she has some great tips on how to green up your makeup. ...
UK Beekeepers Demonstrate to Demand Government Action on Colony Collapse Disorder
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11. 3.08
Image source: Lela Dowling/Bee Culture magazine
Wednesday, November 5, beekeepers from all over Britain will don their pitchforks, er, smokers, and placards and head to 10 Downing Street to demand action on the current bee crisis. Though, this demonstration is nothing new for beekepers outside the US, reports the Daily Green....
Anniversary of Killer Smog Event That Sparked US Clean Air Movement Commemorated in Pennsylvania Museum
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 3.08
FDA Throwing BPA Panel Under the Bus
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
On Friday The FDA Science Board, a group of outside experts, backed up critics who found major flaws in the agency's decision to declare BPA safe for babies. According to USA Today:
The science board agreed with the finding that that the FDA was wrong to base its August decision that BPA is safe only on studies funded by the chemical industry. Excluded studies suggest that BPA, which acts like the hormone estrogen, could pose harm to children at levels at least 10 times lower than what the agency allows.Sonya Lunder of the Environmental Working Group points out that "BPA was initially used as a sex hormone. It should never have been allowed to come into contact with infant formula."...
Don't Have a Ride on Election Day? Carpool to the Polls!
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 11. 3.08
A Greener Way to Vote
John Zimmer, founder and COO of Zimride, an online carpool community, has contacted us to let us know about their Facebook app called "Carpool to the Polls". It allows U.S. voters to find rides on election day so they can go vote, and do while burning as little fuel as possible.
Check out the Carpool to the Polls, either to find a ride or offer yours to others, and if you don't know where your polling station is, you can use this Google Maps voting tool that will automatically tell you if you give it your home address. See also: Online Carpooling Connections Get Easier With PickUpPal and Carpool with Facebook...
World’s Largest Ethanol Producer, Verasun Energy Corp, Files for Bankruptcy
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11. 3.08
photo: Edward Leger
South Dakota-based Verasun Energy Corp., which claims to be the world's largest producer of ethanol, operating 14 refineries producing some 1.4 billion gallons of fuel annually, has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to the company’s press release on the matter, it will continue normal operations and “has taken steps to ensure continued supply of product to its customers and to fulfill all customer obligations.”
The company said that the bankruptcy filing came about because:...
Survey: Who's Your Green Hero?
by Mark Ontkush, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 11. 3.08
Image by MyGreenHero
Taking stock of the green public zeitgeist is always a good idea; the more meaningful numbers, the better this dirt clod will be run. In this groove, The SOAP Group (a (rare) certified B Corporation) has started MyGreenHero.com, a cultural survey that looks at U.S. consumers' hero archetypes in an attempt to provide better motivators for both consumers and business to "emulate the hero." The survey works as follows; users rate nine different personas ('Soccer Mom', 'Green Socialite', 'Treehugger', etc.) on a variety of different hero attributes using a scale from 1 to 7. Results are tabulated, and if desired, SOAP will send them to you when the survey is complete....
Design Competition: A Commuter Bike for the Masses
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
Industrial designer James Thomas loves bikes, and blogs about them at Bicycle Design. He thinks that most bike designs fail for people taking up cycling as a serious mode of transportation.
In contrast to cycling enthusiasts like myself though, the average person who may just be starting to entertain the thought of bike commuting to save money or reduce their carbon footprint, isn’t looking for a hard workout or a personal best time to the office. That potential bike commuter wants a bike that is comfortable, practical, and easy to use. They don’t want or need a trickle down version of a racing bike; they are looking for something that is specifically designed to meet their transportation needs- a bike that is easy to use, comfortable, and efficient, but also fun.He is running a design competition to find it....
Emerald Island: Eco-Themed Gaming for Kids
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 3.08
Teaching kids about the environment through game-play is nothing new, but in today's online gamer society, it's important to put the lesson-learning in the right format. Gamer kids now have something to play that makes sense both on and off the computer screen.
In a character-driven adventure game, Emerald Island is a virtual world where children are challenged to save the island from environmental destruction. Designed for kids ages 6 to 12, the game has an evolving plotline created by the kids in which environmental activism is the key ingredient. ...
Michele Bachman Watch: She is Responsible for Lower Gas Prices
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
Building Smart Grid Systems: Is Your Neighborhood on Board?
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11. 3.08
While Advanced Metering Infrastructure, which allows wireless communication between utilities and meters, has been going in across the country for over a decade, it is only recently that they have been developing into smart grid systems.
Could a smart grid system be popping up in your area?...
Short Attention Span Science Theater
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
What a clever name for a collection of two to four minute long "microdocs" that each feature one aspect of sustainability.
The first Short Attention Span Science notebook demystifies ecological sustainability—the basis for the green movement around the world, (Marine Science professor Steve Palumbi) said: "What is sustainability? What promotes it? What threatens it? What are the tipping points that push an ecosystem into ruin or keep it functioning forever? The ecological sustainability notebook shows the elements of sustainability and explains how they apply to one of the most important and beautiful ecosystems on earth—coral reefs."...
Film Review: Food Fight Is (Mostly) Delicious
by Kelly Rossiter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
Food Fight opens with a bit of history about food production and America's eating habits over the past half century. Beautifully shot and well written, we are treated to a series of interviews with food luminaries such as Alice Waters, Dan Barber, Wolfgang Puck and Michael Pollan, who frankly, hold exactly the same views about food, cooking and eating as I do. It's no accident that I agree with them. These are the people who created the local, seasonal food movement as we know it today and who are at the forefront of trying to exact some change in the way Americans shop and eat.
...
Dubious Dubai: Eco-Bling on the Anara Tower
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
What is that thing in the middle at the top of the proposed Anara tower in Dubai? In most of the renderings it looks like a wind turbine integrated into the building, but when you look closely (image below) you can see that the hub is inhabited and that it is supported by the three blades. So now architects don't even bother with the real thing, they just borrow the imagery and put fake turbine-like things on the top of their buildings because they look cool. ...
Quote of the Day: Felix Rohatyn on the Green New Deal
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
Few people know how to pull a rabbit out of a hat better than Felix Rohatyn, who is credited with saving New York City in its fiscal crisis thirty years ago. Today in Forbes he calls for an "investment oriented stimulus package", noting that paying for infrastructure is not a bailout but an investment in the future. After the usual suspects like roads, bridges, transit and schools, he goes on:
"A second area of public investment that merits inclusion in a stimulus package is the transition to a new energy-economy. The bulk of this work is the responsibility of our businesses and households. But the federal government should itself, and through grants to state and large cities, fund the immediate implementation of alternative energy solutions--passive and active solar, wind turbines, alternative-fuel vehicle fleets, and others--in the public sector at all levels. Candidates of all stripes agree that there are millions of jobs to be had in the transition to a new energy system, one that eliminates our dependence on the Persian Gulf while leading us away from the nightmare of a radically different global climate regime. If that is true, then there is no reason not to begin now."Forbes...
Obama Cites Michael Pollan's Sun-Food Agenda
by Jeff Nield, Vancouver, British Columbia on 11. 3.08
AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
In a recent National Public Radio interview, Michael Pollan talks about how he was approached by a Democratic party staffer about his New York Times article, Farmer in Chief. The article is an open letter to the next president concerning U.S. agriculture policy. The staffer wanted Pollan to summarize the article into a page or two to get it into the hands of Barack Obama. Pollan declined, saying that if he could have said everything that needed to be said in two pages, he wouldn't have written 8000 words.
Despite the snub, it looks like the article created enough of a buzz that it made it into Obama's stack of pre-election reading material......
Alternative Infrastructure: Canals and Railways Far Surpass Highways in Efficiency
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
Sung Park for The New York Times
In the closing days of this election there is all kinds of talk of a New Deal scale investment in infrastructure. But what? Roads? Bridges? A great example of forward-thinking infrastructure investment is the Erie Canal that has been connecting New York City and the Atlantic ocean with the Great Lakes since 1825. This year traffic almost tripled over the previous year. The reason? Christopher Maag writes in the New York Times:
The canal still remains the most fuel-efficient way to ship goods between the East Coast and the upper Midwest. One gallon of diesel pulls one ton of cargo 59 miles by truck, 202 miles by train and 514 miles by canal barge. A single barge can carry 3,000 tons, enough to replace 100 trucks....
Survey: Are You Voting?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 3.08
In Italy, they get 90% turnout in elections, in Germany, 80%, in Britain 75%. Even in Canada three weeks ago, in its most boring election ever with the lowest turnout in history, they hit 60%. Yet in the USA, turnout rarely tops 55%. It is amazing how in a country that prides itself on its freedom, barely half of its eligible citizens bother to turn out to practice it. Yet in every state there are choices to be made to vote for the environment and a green future.
...
B&Q Launches "One Planet Home" Line With 2,000 Products
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 11. 3.08
UK Hardware Store Deepens One Planet Business Commitment
UK hardware giant B&Q was already collaborating with TreeHugger favorites, the Bioregional Development Group, on becoming a “One Planet Business” - committing among other things to stop selling outdoor heaters, give out free tree seedlings to schools, and erecting a 2MW wind turbine at its distribution headquarters. Now the company is taking this commitment a step further, rolling out an entire range of almost 2000 eco-products which the company claims could help reduce their customers’ carbon footprints by as much as 10%. Included in the One Planet Home range are items like loft insulation, composters, rain water barrels, and low-VOC paints. While similar products were almost certainly available in the store before the launch of One Planet Home, schemes like this provide a broad, accessible and comprehensive guide for customers wanting to make lifestyle changes but not knowing where to start. Euan Sutherland, B&Q’s Chief Executive had this to say:
...
Pink Onions and Les Johnnies Arrive in London on Annual Pilgrimage
by Bonnie Alter, London on 11. 3.08
He looked liked a cute French guy who sold onions from his bicycle. Every week at the farmers' market he would be there; a charming Gallic touch, so quaint and picturesque. But he was also so much more: a part of a long tradition of "les Johnnies et de l'oignon rose".
It turns out that men have been travelling from Roscoff, Brittany in France to England to sell their special delicious pink onions since the 1920's. They came on foot, then on bicycles, laden with onions and going door to door to flog them in the early autumn when they are at their freshest. There were 1500 of the "Petitjeans" in 1929 and today there are still 20 left in the UK. Our "Johnnie" ( the name given to those men) comes from Roscoff where his family has had a farm forever. He and his fellow Johnnies come over on the ferry from Brittany every month and knock on doors in North London, selling their pink garlic and onions....
Simplify Your Beauty Routine With a Packet of Clay Powder (Part I)
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 11. 3.08
Clearing out the under-the-sink area of toxic cleaners is a very TreeHugger kitchen activity which is great for our water, our skin, and our health. But reducing the number of household cleansers seems infinitely easier than reducing the number of personal care products in the bathroom cabinet.
Brown clay for green and clean?
Greening personal care comes down to habit, and that dreaded 'c' word - convenience. There are harmful and (at the very least, questionable ingredients) in the shampoos, gels, and conditioners that we all use on a daily basis that could bear closer scrutiny - especially for anyone sensitive to chemical suds-making agents, preservatives and aromas. Males are not immune - they've started to use nearly as many personal care concoctions as women. But can a packet of 100 grams of single-ingredient Montmorillonite clay serve to clear out the clutter and keep you squeaky (and safely) clean?...
Creative Recycling: Toronto's Sorauren Park the Day After Halloween
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11. 2.08
You can't do much with a jack'o lantern after Halloween; some people try to cook the pumpkin but they are really bred for size rather than flavour. In Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood they have a tradition: bring them to Sorauren Park and have a pumpkin party.
Photographer/blogger Joseph writes in BlogTO:
The sheer volume and diversity or pumpkins was incredible and throngs of pedestrians slowly strolled through the glowing orange spheres. Today, almost all of the pumpkins remain - which is amazing, because with them all lined-up like that, it's a smashing-pumpkins fan's dream. I can't tell if they will all be lit up again tonight, but I think I'll return to the park with a few tea lights to revive a few.See lots more at bigdaddyhame on flickr....
Rumor: Tesla May Be Strapped for Cash
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 11. 2.08
Photo by Brian Solis, (www.briansolis.com and bub.blicio.us)
According to a tipster, who told another Tipster, who heard it from their cousin, who overheard it from their dentist, who has a patient who talked to the ghost of Elvis... Okay, truth be told, we heard it from Left Lane News who has their own source at Tesla, who dropped the bomb several hours ago that the Tesla Corporation currently has about $9 million left in their bank account....
It's Time To Get GMO Soy Lecithin Out Of Certified Organic Food
by Jeff Nield, Vancouver, British Columbia on 11. 2.08
Soy Lecithin via all-creatures.org
Time sensitive call to action. Deadline is Monday, November 3.
Lecithin is one of those mysterious, but common, ingredients found on the label of many packaged foods. It's an essential emulsifier that helps blend ingredients that don't naturally mix.
Due to the lack of adequate organic sources of soy lecithin, the USDA allowed the use of non-organic sources when it drafted the national organic standards in 2002. The Cornucopia Institute is alerting consumers and other organic stakeholders that it's time to tell the USDA to remove non-organic soy lecithin from the allowed ingredient list as reliable organic sources are now available. But, you have to act fast as the input deadline is Monday, November 3.
Click through for an explanation of the issue and details on how to have your voice heard. ...
In Dark Financial Times, Americans Still Willing to Fight Climate Change
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 11. 2.08
Image courtesy of Archibase
Most Americans believe that fighting climate change will help boost the economy, a survey released by the Climate Group shows. And a majority are more committed to combating global warming than ever before, despite the financial crises on Wall Street. The survey yields some surprisingly positive results—and offers evidence that climate change has evolved into a truly important issue to most Americans....
Smart Fortwo: 20,000 U.S. Sales and Growing
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 11. 2.08
Photo by Phillip Ritz
A once in a lifetime event happened this past Thursday in Dallas, Texas. The 20,000th Smart Fortwo was delivered to customer Patrick Zipper. We always see those computer advertising gimmicks claiming that we were the 20,000 person to click on a site, but imagine what it would be like to actually be the 20,000th customer of something, and receive an award of mass public attention and corporate celebration....
A Picture is Worth... A Nano Close-Up of the Animal Kingdom
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 11. 2.08
I have to admit I'm a sucker when it comes to scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Many of the objects and patterns we see in nature that we may think of being bland or uninteresting take on new resonance when seen through the prism of an electron microscope. The microscope allows for an unprecedented level of detail (with magnifications of 1,000 or more) about the object's surface topography, composition and, in some cases, electrical conductivity.
This collection of extreme close-ups, culled from Richard Jones' recently published "Nano Nature," offers a rare glimpse into the nano-level world of animal structures, such as a polar bear's hair (seen above) or a gecko's foot (see below the fold)....
Talking Faucet Spouts Off, Angers Bottled Water Company
by Josh Peterson, Los Angeles, California on 11. 2.08
picture by jnlenter
A bottled water producer became uncorked when the Miami-Dade water company placed radio ads that featured a talking faucet. This faucet would gab in a Brooklyn-style accent about the superb quality of water that came from its fellow taps. The vocal faucet would say things like, "Bottled water is not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Tap water is. That's why you always can be sure Miami-Dade tap water is superior. Stop wasting your money!'' This made a particular bottled water company mad enough to threaten legal action....
Risk of Developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Linked to Environmental Threats
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 11. 2.08
Image courtesy of Age Healthy
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are driven largely in part by environmental factors, a study released last week found. The report, Environmental Threats to Healthy Living, is a comprehensive review of research on the influences that the environment has on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Its key finding is that the risks for both can be significantly reduced—if we can tackle the environmental threats that pose them. ...
First Environmental Product Declaration System to Launch in November
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 11. 2.08
Photo courtesy of Sustainable Design Update
The United States’ first Environmental Product Declaration System will be unveiled this November at the Greenbuild Conference in Boston. The EPD is the brainchild of The Green Standard, a non-profit organization whose goal is to advance sustainable production and consumption. Like the Energy Star label for energy efficiency before it, if the EPD is properly implemented, it could give consumers valuable advice for objectively deciding whether a product or building is environmentally sound. It could become a major force on the burgeoning market of green goods. ...
The Green Career Conference Can Help You Find Your Niche in the Growing Green Sector
by Sara Novak, Columbia, SC on 11. 2.08
photo: Green Career Conference
Could there be a silver lining around the massive clouds looming over our economy? Maybe, considering that the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) announced that 4.2 million new jobs are likely to be created in the green economic sector of the U.S. economy. Read on to find out how the 3rd Annual Green Conference can help you get your foot in the door of this exploding industry....
Ethical Eco-Gifts from Boutiko Will Jump Start the Holidays
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 11. 2.08
Are you dreading the consumer season, packed with plastic? Do you wish you could find the perfect sustainable, ethical stocking stuffer? This holiday season, get your kids, nieces, nephews and the other munchkins in your life a present that will improve creativity and teach them the value of fair trade and green. ...
A Green Yacht? The Diesel, Solar and Electric Powered Hybrid Yacht
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 11. 2.08
Image courtesy of DSE
Prospective luxury boat owners now have a green(er) option: the DSE hybrid yacht. On a sunny day, this beauty can go 6 knots per hour without using a teaspoon of diesel. And when it’s foggy out (as it often tends to be out there at sea), well, not so much. But it’s still the first American diesel/solar/electric hybrid yacht to hit the market—and that’s got to count for something. ...
What Happens To E-Waste Generated By The Shift To High Definition Television?
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11. 2.08
Ecofriendly Prefab Homes Debut in Turkey
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 11. 2.08
Photo: Orca Yapı Sistemleri
In Turkish, the word for a slum is gecekondu, meaning "settled overnight." A prefabricated house doesn't go up quite that quickly, but mass production can make homes--of both the conventional and ecofriendly type--available to more people at varying income levels.
The Turkish construction company Orca Yapı Sistemleri claims to have designed the country's first green modular home. While prefab construction isn't inherently ecofriendly, these houses perform well on energy efficiency and other measures.
...
Reusable Dry Cleaning Bag Cuts Down Single Use Plastic
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 11. 2.08
Sometimes it is hard to know whether a new product is an actual innovation or just an obvious idea trying to look good.
Such is Green Garmento - a reusable dry cleaning bag - it switches from duffel bag to haul laundry to suit bag to bring home the garments. But will dry cleaners comply? And - do we need more plastic (though it is 100 percent recycled polypropylene) at $10 a bag in order to bring our dry cleaning back and forth? Well, purists will say we should just stop conventional dry cleaning altogether - which isn't remotely green. ...
New York City's Hybrid Taxi Mandate Faces Legal Setback
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 11. 2.08
Bloomberg Makes News--Again
New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who earlier this year deemed the threat of global warming as serious as terrorism, has been making lots of headlines lately on both the environmental and political fronts. Aside from exploring a third mayoral term, Bloomberg has also been pushing for congestion pricing in the city, hybrid taxis, and renewable energy production on bridges and skyscrapers, to name a few. Unfortunately, his congestion pricing plan fell through and in October his hybrid taxi plan got challenged on safety concerns.
To make matters worse, as a result of that legal challenge "a federal judge [has] blocked the city Friday from requiring all new taxicabs to be fuel-efficient hybrids, hampering Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ambitious goal to make all yellow cabs green by 2012." ...
Maala Conference 2008: Is Israeli Business Ready to Take Some Responsibility?
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 11. 2.08
Will the financial crisis make corporations more responsible? What will make business move beyond philanthropy to true sustainability? What are the responsibilities of government, business and civil society in an era when business dominates society?
These were some of the topics discussed last week at the 2008 Maala – Business for Social Responsibility Conference, held at the Tel Aviv Hilton.
A crowd of 600 members of Israel's corporate world spent the day discussing the merits of community involvement and progressive environmental policies, and, of course, how a more responsible business approach affects the bottom line. Speakers included major CEO’s, the Minister of Welfare and Jerry Greenfield, cofounder of Ben & Jerry’s....
TreeHugger breaks it down for you in a series of in depth how-to articles that will help you green your life. No time like the present!
Here are a few recommended websites.
- BTC Elements Blog
- Celsias
- Clean Edge - The Clean-Tech Market Authority
- Cleantech Investing
- SRB Marketing | CONSCIOUS CLICKS - The Blog
- Daily Green, the Blog of GreenForGood.com
- Endogenous preferences
- Environmental and Urban Economics
- Environmental Economics
- EQUITY GREEN
- gDiapers: the early years...
- Gil Friend
- The Green Giraffe
