- 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 30, 2008 - December 6, 2008
Total this week: 208
Solar-Powered Street Sculpture Tests Human Perception
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 12. 6.08
Scotland Crafts Own World-Beating Climate Bill
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 12. 6.08
Image from amandabhslater
If you liked Obama's proposed climate agenda, then you'll love Scotland's. Not only would it require an 80 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels by mid-century, it would also require equivalent reductions from the five other major greenhouse gases. Emission levels would have to be reduced 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Unlike most other international variants, it would target shipping and aviation emissions as well, reports the BBC....
Ecotourism in the Philippines
by Josh Peterson, Los Angeles, California on 12. 6.08
photo by preetamra
The Philippine Department of Tourism's hat has been thrown into ecotourism game for awhile now. They've made it part of their plan for economic development. The country's ecotourism program strives to install processes and procedures that are economically beneficial, socially responsible, ecologically sustainable and advantageous to the local communities by creating jobs and improving living conditions overall. Palawan is the second biggest province in the country in terms of land area and has been recommended by the tourism department as the top eco-destination in the country.
...
Grays Harbor Ocean Energy Stakes US FERC Claim For Billions Worth Of Wave Energy Projects
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 6.08
A poor economy might prevent near-term capital investment but it never held back a mining or energy development claim. Back in the Gold Rush, for example, difficulty in finding a job in the East might have been the impetus for a 49'er to head West, to where the action was.
Presently, uranium mine claims have been filed contiguous with the Grand Canyon; and, oil companies have been banging the political drum to obtain leases for outer continental shelf drilling, even though they have no means at hand to "drill baby drill" (all the deepwater rigs are in use elsewhere; and some are "in the shop" from hurricane damage). Claims and leases such as these are taken to the reserves 'on the books:' for later. That's the way to view the news that Grays Harbor Ocean Energy has staked several wave energy production site claims with the the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). If the filings were followed up on, billions of dollars of capital would be required, producing electricity with wind and wave energy technologies sharing, potentially, thousands of platforms, spread over several sites (see maps here). See details below....
Untravel, Take a Staycation at the New England Aquarium
by Josh Peterson, Los Angeles, California on 12. 6.08
screen capture of staycation at NEAq Insider
The Boston-located New England Aquarium is suggesting that you unravel this holiday break by untraveling to their fish-filled halls. The New England Aquarium has opened its virtual doors to staycationers who are looking for family entertainment over the winter. The best part is you don't have to leave your home, and you don't have to spend any money....
Cairo's Congested Ramses Square to be Redesigned for "Urban Harmony"
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 12. 6.08
Cairo's Ramses Square at night: Public space that cries out to be rescued from cars. (photo via www.urbanharmony.org)
After noise levels in Cairo have gotten so out of control that one study compared life in the city center to living inside an industrial factory, things in Africa's biggest metropolis may soon be headed in a new direction.
Egypt's Ministry of Culture is sponsoring an international design competition to reconceptualize the city's Ramses Square. Once a central public space in the ultra-frenetic city, Ramses Square is today a major transportation crossroads and a gigantic source of pollution.
The competition is open to architects, planners and urban designers, and is offering the colossal sum of $100,000 for the entry that proposes the best solution for the square's "traffic problems, confusion of uses and all types of pollution (audio, visual and environmental)."...
Pollution to Put an End to Endless Summer Days?
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 12. 6.08
The view looks great--for now.
When the days are short and cold, one's thoughts often turn to warm memories of an idyllic summer vacation--or to making plans for the next one. A "blue cruise" on Turkey's Aegean or Mediterranean coast is about as idyllic as you can get, traversing gorgeous coastline on a gület (wooden yacht) with nothing to do but swim, nap, eat, read, and do it all over again.
But future opportunities for blissful summer sloth may be in short supply due to increasing urbanization and pollution, warns Arif Yılmaz of the Chamber of Sea Trade’s branch in Bodrum, a departure point for many such cruises: "If the necessary precautions are not taken, we will not have any coves to host yachts in a few years."...
Supermarkets Join Forces with Humane Society to Protect Seals
by Josh Peterson, Los Angeles, California on 12. 6.08
photo by Misserion
The Humane Society and thousands of grocery stores and restaurants have banded together to put an end to Canada's seal hunt, the largest commercial killing of marine sea mammals in the world. These supermarkets and eateries hope to turn up the economic pressure on the Canadian government and fishing industry by boycotting Canadian seafood.
...
"Home Dome" Wins Trash to Treasure Challenge
by Josh Peterson, Los Angeles, California on 12. 6.08
Images from By Kids For Kids
Twelve-year-old Max Wallack of Massachusetts won the Design Squad’s Trash to Treasure Competition, a contest that inspired kids to repurpose trash into practical inventions. Wallack's creation is the “Home Dome,” a Mongolian yurt-shaped structure made of plastic bags filled with Styrofoam packing peanuts. The dome comes with a built-in bed that weighs the structure down. Wallack created the "Home Dome" as a temporary shelter for homeless people and disaster victims. It also serves to relieve landfill growth....
TreeHugger's Most Popular Stories of the Week
by Chris Tackett, San Francisco on 12. 6.08
Curious what TreeHugger readers found the most interesting this week? Was it a man melting into the sidewalk, girls on bikes, home wind turbines or something else? Click through to the full article to find out! ...
TreeHugger Interviews Eliza Gilkyson, Folk Music's Environmental Troubadour
by Trevor Reichman on 12. 6.08
Folk Music Troubadour, Eliza Gilkyson, is currently touring in support of her new release, "Beautiful World", an album which tackles environmental issues, and not timidly. Eliza Glkyson, who has toured with folk greats such as Patty Griffin and Richard Thompson and most recently had 2 songs covered by Joan Baez, offsets all of her touring with carbon credits and also uses a portable solar powered system to power her local shows in Austin, TX. But Eliza doesn't think that is doing enough. Read further for an exclusive interview with Eliza Gilkyson and her perspective on the the possibilities of green touring and a "great correction":...
Shaman-Run Chocolate Company Gives Aid to Huichol Indians
by Josh Peterson, Los Angeles, California on 12. 6.08
photo by Shaman Chocolates
A socially responsible chocolatier and shaman has been giving the profits from the sales of Shaman Chocolates to the Huichol Indians of the Sierra Madre Mountains. The Huichol, declared a national treasure of Mexico, are one of the few American tribes to maintain their pre-Columbian traditions. Chocolate has been a rich part of their tradition for hundreds of years, and the sweet-tasting candy is now being used to conserve their culture and lifestyle. ...
Is Harvesting Palm Sugar a Greener Alternative to Palm Oil?
by Sara Novak, Columbia, SC on 12. 6.08
photo: Navitas Naturals
We here at TreeHugger have long taken issue with the oil palm industry. With the expansion of the oil palm plantations have come illegal logging and clear cutting in Malaysia and Indonesia. But could the age old industry of harvesting palm sugar be a good green alternative industry in Southeast Asia? Navitas Naturals is using the palm in a much more positive light....
EPA Ignores Own Scientists' Advice, Makes a Gift to Coal Mining Interests
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 12. 5.08
Image from Jen SFO-CBN
In what's become a depressingly predictable trend, the EPA's higher-ups have once again chosen to consciously ignore the better advice of their scientists and reverse a long-standing rule banning the dumping of coal mining debris into mountain streams. ProPublica's Joaquin Sapien writes that the reversal will clear the new for a new measure that environmental groups are rightly calling a "gift to mining interests": the ability to dispose of leftover rocks and dirt from mountaintop mining (a practice Bush officials have allowed to expand in recent years) by flagrantly violating the landmark Clean Water Act. ...
Revolutionary Recycling Plant Blazes Trail in the Galapagos
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 12. 5.08
Photo by participating teacher Sue Cullumber
One of the final stops on the International Teacher Program was a site not quite as quintessentially Galapagos as wandering an uninhabited beach filled with sea lions and marine iguanas, or gazing at sad ol' Lonesome George. No, we rounded out our tour with a visit to one of the most sophisticated recycling centers in all of Latin America—one that uses a GPS tracking system, state-of-the-art glass and plastic grinders, and one that regularly recycles a whopping 30 percent of the Galapagos' most populated island's waste....
Hong Kong Chefs Join Sustainable Seafood Initiative
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 12. 5.08
Photo credit: Foodhoe
Three renowned Hong Kong chefs have been named WWF Ocean Friendly Chefs and will design menus featuring sustainable seafood species recommended by WWF's Seafood Guide. The chefs are Lau Chun from Yellow Door Kitchen, Margaret Xu from Yin Yang Fresh HK Cuisine and Jacky Yu from Xiyan.
Hong Kong residents are some of the largest consumers of seafood per capita in the world. According to the Hong Kong Ecological Footprint Report 2008, the huge demand for seafood is contributing the depletion and overexploitation of fish stocks around the world.
...
Congress: Look in the Mirror Before You Abandon Detroit
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 5.08
cute little fuel efficient Japanese car
When I last wrote about how Suburbs + Cheap Gas = Big American Cars and suggested that as long as gas was cheap Americans would keep buying big cars, I was roundly criticized. Only one commenter sort of got the relationship when I suggested a big honking gas tax was the answer:
The sales figures clearly show that left to our own devices, most of us prefer an F-150 (or in my case, a Nissan Titan) to some crap-tastic, over-priced sissymobile. You don't like Prius sales figures? Well, then why don't YOU put your money where your mouth is, and YOU can own one. I don't tell you what to drive, so I'll thank you to keep your nose out of my business. Left-wingers (whingers?), like Lloyd Alter are always eager to use endless government meddling and regulation to force the rest of us into line. Tell you what Lloyd, if you think life in Europe or Japan is so great, why don't you move there?You think I want meddling, what about the New York Times editorial page?...
Watch Flamingo Chicks Via Live Cam
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 5.08
850 MW Solar Thermal Power Plant Seeks California State Approval
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 5.08
photo: Stirling Energy Systems
Poor economy or not, there are still a number of large scale renewable energy projects in the works. One such project seeking regulatory approval is the 850 MW Solar One power plant, to be built by Stirling Energy Systems in the Mojave Desert, 37 miles east of Barstow, California.
The project application has been submitted to the California Energy Commission and should it be approved, this is what Stirling will be building:...
Obama’s Golden Opportunity
by Earthwatch Institute on 12. 5.08
By: Alan Fortescue (Note: The opinions expressed here are those of the author’s, not necessarily Earthwatch’s.)
There is a lot of talk about how president-elect Obama is going to sign into law a new economic stimulus plan in the first days of his administration. Some predict it will be in the range of $700 billion (and NO, this is not the already-squared-away $700 billion the Bush administration earmarked for bank bailouts and the like, but a brand NEW $700 billion). The idea is that with a wildly tail-spinning economy something dramatic must be done to stop the spiral towards an economic depression.
No one knows exactly what the final sum will be or exactly how it will be spent, but there are some guesses crossing the airwaves. Potential areas for support include the usual suspects: infrastructure, aid to states, money for health care and transportation, and perhaps some middle class tax relief or tax-incentives for job creation. All well intended and politically safe, but certainly short-term fixes....
Quote of the Day: Darren Johnson Says Ditch the Fancy Green Buzzwords
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 5.08
Darren Johnson represents the Green Party in the London Assembly.
The political mainstream is failing to come up with really creative solutions and seems fixated on short-term answers to boost consumer spending. Yet, so far, the green movement has failed to make its voice properly heard. This is not for the lack of brilliant ideas....Greens need to tackle people's everyday fears and aspirations in a way they can relate to in a language that is relevant. Otherwise, environmental concerns will just be seen as an abstract luxury for the good times that can easily be dispensed with once the going gets tough....
New and Improved: The Voltaic Generator Solar Powered Laptop Bag
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 5.08
Photo via Voltaic Systems; Full Disclosure: Shayne McQuade, founder of Voltaic Systems, sits on TreeHugger's Board of Advisors.
Great news for everyone wanting to utilize solar power for their laptops. The Generator by Voltaic Systems is a solar-powered backback we’ve featured on TreeHugger before, but there are some cool improvements to it that make it perfect to both carry and charge your laptop. ...
Organic Pecans Shake Up the Agriculture World
by Naturally Savvy on 12. 5.08
Photo by Corey Leopold/Flickr
We all know organic produce is better for our health, but recent research in organic pecan farming has revealed it can also be better for farmers' pocketbooks. ...
Nature Conservancy Gets a New Chairman of the Board
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 5.08
photo: Don Stucke
The Nature Conservancy, one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, and NGO partner with Planet Green, has announced that have a new chairman of the board: Roger Milliken Jr, president and CEO of the Baskahgen Company.
Milliken had been a member of the Nature Conservancy board of directors since 2000, and a member of the Maine chapter’s board of trustees for over a decade. Regarding his new position, Milliken said,...
Vegetarian Options Increasing in Kebabistan
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 12. 5.08
Seven years ago, I was visiting Turkey with a vegetarian friend, also from the United States. One night, looking for somewhere to eat dinner, we went up to a restaurant owner and asked, "Do you have anything without meat?" He responded enthusiastically, "Yes, yes…! Coffee, and rice."
Although fresh, delicious produce is easy to come by in Turkey, kebab culture still dominates. But options for vegetarians--or anyone who's had their fill of grilled meat--are increasing, especially in Istanbul....
Un-TreeHugger: Electric Paper Plane Launcher
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 5.08
Image of 4m Electric Paper Airplane Launcher via Amazon.com
This is one gadget where you have to just ask: "Really? Really?"
It's an electric paper airplane launcher, because your arm isn't good enough.
And just guess what you use to power it......
Biofuel Crops Grown in Saltwater Could Supply 35% of US’s Liquid Fuel Needs
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 5.08
The chunky looking green plants are Salicornia bigelovii, which have been proposed to be used as a biofuel crop. Photo: US Fish & Wildlife Service
In a bid to put to rest the food versus fuel debate two scientists from NASA, Jelte Rozema and Timothy Flowers, have pointed out in an article for Science magazine that the work of University of Arizona plant biologist Robert Glenn should be seriously considered. Glenn has proposed that by using saltwater-loving plants (halophytes) nearly a half a million square miles of land unsuitable for food crop cultivation could be opened up for production of biofuels.
Wired sums up Glenn's estimates:...
CherryPals are Missing In Action
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 5.08
CherryPal's Homepage
Back in June we were all atwitter about the CherryPal coming out. Remember? The tiny desktop that uses 80% fewer components of typical PCs thanks to cloud computing, and would be a cheap investment for word processing and web surfing?
Well….they’re supposedly shipping, but no one seems to be actually receiving them (except for a highly suspect commenter on TGDaily’s post about MIA CherryPals).
Where are the CherryPals?...
How Pizzas Are Made, and Why We Like Home Cooking
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 5.08
click on image to go to BBC
I break into tears just looking at the cover of Dayal Kaur Khalsa's classic children's book How Pizza Came To Our Town; if only the reality were as wonderful. Alas, for most people the reality is more like this incredible video from the BBC. I must admit, this Irish Pizza plant is as clean as a whistle, the scene above where they appear to be stuffing some writhing pepperoni octopus into a slicer is the goriest thing I could find. But it is an extraordinary demonstration of how far we have come in mechanizing our food production and taking smelly and dirty real people out of the process of making our food, as they crank out two million pizzas per week.
...
US Sources Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 2007: Moving From Data, To Policy Innovation And Green Design
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 5.08
It's easy to become narrow-minded about climate priorities by getting stuck at the data level. Instead of responding with knee-jerk outrage to the latest greenhouse gas stories in the news, "greens" need to take on strategic thinking. Scan this US-EIA produced table, Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2007 (12/3/2008) (ftp down-loadable as pdf file here) and its continuation below the fold. Plenty of surprising facts are buried in it; and if you stick with it, valuable strategic insights will bubble up. You might even see the automotive bailout proposals in a greener light...
Using Twitter to Remote Control Your Home's Lights
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 5.08
On Moving Toward Vegetarianism: Finding Some Support
by Kelly Rossiter, Toronto on 12. 5.08
Photo credit: Kelly Rossiter
A number of people have commented on earlier posts over the past few weeks about not knowing exactly how to go about being a vegetarian. You've made the ethical decision not to eat meat, but then practical issues come to the fore. Maybe you don't know what to cook, or how to get all your vitamins and protein on a vegetarian diet, where to buy local ingredients for a vegan diet, or even where to eat out.
...
Tata Indica EV Plug-In Electric Car Unveiled at Bologna Motor Show
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 5.08
photo: Indian Autos Blog
Back at the end of July, Tata Motors announced that they were looking into developing an electric version of the Indica. Well, at the Bologna auto show, the world got a glimpse of the Tata Indica EV. Though the price has not be finalized, the the plug-in electric car Indica EV is expected to go on sale in Europe (Poland and Spain are Tata’s only two European countries at the moment) next summer. Here are the tech specs:...
1955: It's New! Biking with Kids!
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 5.08
Oh, for the days before seat belts and helmets, kids had so much more fun. Perhaps those awning frames could be turned into roll-bar safety cages. Modern Mechanix...
How Fast Can a Bicycle Go? 8 Videos Brings Us Up to Speed
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 5.08
Just love the shape his shadow casts. Image source
We do prattle on about how the bicycle is the world's most energy efficient vehicle, but just how fast can a human go on a bicycle?
It depends on how you are measuring that speed. Are they rushing downhill added by the press of gravity? Are they riding an upright style bike in the position familiar to most of us, or are they reclined in the recumbent pose most suited to streamlined rocket profiled two wheeled vehicles? Are they drafting or slipstreaming along in the partial vacuum created by a non-human powered craft? So many ways to feel the need for speed on a bicycle, and to measure that rush. Below we take a peek at just a few....
The Reality: There’s No Such Thing As Clean Coal (Video Clip)
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 5.08
Organic French Chickens Join the List of Products Tainted by Melamine
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 12. 5.08
Photo by hyperscholar @ flickr.
It's been about a year since the first reports of tainted pet food poisonings brought melamine, the chemical additive that can boost the protein quotient of soy and other feeds, to consumers' attention. Tragically, not only many pets died but also at least six infants died (and 300,000 were sickened) from drinking formula that had high levels of melamine, which can lead to kidney failure.
But if you weren't a baby drinking formula (or an adult using protein-powders) you may have thought you didn't have too much to worry about. Unfortunately, in the global village tainted foods and/or tainted feed stocks have a way of getting around. Melamine-tainted eggs have turned up in Hong Kong. Now for the first time there's a link to the organic food supply - but French officials say there shouldn't be cause for alarm....
UK Industry on Peak Oil: Virgin, Yahoo and Others Raise the Alarm
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 12. 5.08
Wine that Transforms into a Lamp: The Perfect Gift
by Jenna Watson, Barcelona on 12. 5.08
Image Courtesy of Ciclus Design.
The holiday season often finds companies giving gifts to their employees as a symbol of thanks for all their hard work throughout the year. Grupo Hera, a Spanish waste management and consulting firm commissioned a sustainably designed (and really cool) cava gift box from Ciclus with the theme of turning waste into resources. Cava is the Spanish equivalent of champagne, but much tastier. Ciclus surpassed their goal and is now also launching a jewellery line made from waste.
How this box turns into a lamp and a sneak peak at Ciclus Jewellery after the jump ......
World's First OLED Photo Frame Rolled Out
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 5.08
Terrific Toilets by Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmson
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 5.08
We spend a lot of time worrying about the design of our foreground buildings like art galleries, but give almost no thought at all to the prosaic, basic needs that every city should supply, particularly to those who are not in cars. So if you are a driver and can get from your house to your office at high speed, you don't think much about public washrooms, but if you are a flâneur actually enjoying your city or a tourist attraction, such public utilities become really important.
That's why I love this structure by TreeHugger favourites Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen; it is, believe it or not, a public toilet. ...
Expanding Bookcase by Reinier de Jong
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 5.08
It may be a digital age, but some people just can't stop buying books. We always say that one should not use more than they need, and that's what is neat about Dutch designerReinier de Jong's expanding bookcase; like a pair of Sansabelt pants after Thanksgiving dinner, it expands as required to accommodate its contents....
Why is a Japanese Car Company Promoting Environmental Education in the Galapagos, Anyways?
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 12. 5.08
Photo by Pete Oxford
Every year, Toyota sends a crop of hand-picked teachers to the Galapagos on an environmental study tour. It's a costly program, it doesn't get much press, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the auto industry.
If it were purely PR, some other flashier "green" initiative could surely be devised for half the cost of sending 30 teachers on an educational expedition to the Galapagos. Yet if it were pure philanthropy, I wouldn't be along for the ride to report. So what's the deal? Why is Toyota focusing on the Galapagos in the first place?
The answer begins with an oil spill, involves an old American World War 2 era fuel station, and ends up with 30 teachers on an intensive study of the Galapagos Islands.
...
Survey: What is the Best Packaging Solution?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 5.08
Tom Szaky of Terracycle writes that there are three choices for consumer goods: non-recyclable, recyclable and biodegradable. He missed one: no packaging at all, going for zero waste. He asks in his post: "What is the true mass market scalable solution to packaging waste and what should we be pushing major companies to consider?"
...
Go Fish - Or Rather, Don't
by Greg Haegele of Sierra Club on 12. 5.08
Faces of Appalachian fishing (clockwise from above): Ermel Bevins, Doug Justice, and Franklin Phillips.
Image credit:Shawn Poynter
Sometimes the best way to look at an environmental issue is through the eyes of someone whose life has been changed by it. An article in the current issue of Sierra magazine offers a profoundly personal perspective on mountaintop removal mining.
Unless you live in Appalachia, you've probably never seen this practice with your own eyes. A radical form of surface coal mining, it entails blowing off the tops of hills and mountains to get at the seam of coal underneath. The debris is then bulldozed into the valleys and hollows below, burying streams, demolishing habitat, and destroying ecosystems. Formerly lush mountains look like moonscapes....
Number of Environmental NGO's Growing By Leaps and Bounds
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 12. 5.08
It’s that time of year when non-profits of every environmental stripe come looking for donations, and not surprisingly I’ve already seen gift guides, requests to “adopt” animals, purchase green holiday cards and plain old-fashioned solicitations sent to help raise money. Every year it seems to be more requests than the year before, and it turns out it’s probably not my imagination playing tricks on me again....
The First Green Drinks In The Middle East To Say “L’Haim” In Tel Aviv
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 12. 5.08
The running joke among some of my friends is that we’ll need to bring hummus (organic hummus?) to the first Green Drinks meeting in Tel Aviv, happening on December 15th from 8-10pm at Gilda. Israelis, God forbid, can’t be expected to go to a meeting without food.
While environment groups abound in the White City, painting their green ideals in every which way –– and starting new political parties –– some reps from the groups say they will be more than happy to be able to drink a beer and talk green shop. And this TreeHugger is one of the organizers of the new Green Drinks TLV. (TreeHugger Jacob told me to.)...
Winners of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise Named
by Bonnie Alter, London on 12. 5.08
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise are given to five Laureates who "embody the spirit of enterprise to benefit their communities and the wider world." The winners each get $100,000 to continue projects already under way and a Rolex Oyster, the world's first waterproof watch (not bad for a little extra treat). Offered in five categories: science, technology, exploration, environment and culture, they represent a range of visionary projects.
Elsa Zaldivar's houses made of recycled plastic, cotton netting, corn husks and loofah sponges are particularly ingenious. She works in the poor regions of Paraguay encouraging rural women to grow loofahs, a plant that had once flourished but had fallen out of style. First she organised the women into a co-operative; starting with a group of 16, now there are 200 growing and selling the sponges....
A Resolution for 2009: Around the World in an Electric Bike
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 12. 5.08
Guim Valls Teruel is almost ready to go. His goal: Travel all 5 continents on an electric bike. The project is called the Electric Bicycle World Tour. Guim decided to choose this alternative form of personal transportation to promote the use of cleaner energy and the non-reliance on fossil fuel. According to him, one person has never done this before. However, many people can participate in this “one kilometre – one hope” sponsorship program set up by an NGO, by showing solidarity and hence become part of the tour. So why go electric?...
End Of An Era: Honda Pulls Out Of Formula One
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 12. 4.08
Honda just announced that they will no longer participate in F1 car racing. The global economic downturn means Honda is trying to save money, just like other car makers, and British driver Jenson Button will have to find a new team. I liked Honda's Earth Car initiative, but the announcement today is a clear sign of how tough the times really are. Meanwhile, in Washington, General Motors Chief Executive Rick Wagoner yesterday told the Senate Banking Committee that “Forces beyond our control have pushed us to the brink.”
There are no plans here in Japan to ask for a bailout for any of the six Japanese car makers, but the huge drop in sales could easily translate into a major crisis very soon. Honda's move may be too little, too late, and all eyes are on how events will unfold in the hearings in the US:...
Global Day of Climate Action 2008
by Daniel Kessler, Greenpeace on 12. 4.08
Having spent two days atop the 400-foot chimney stack of the Pątnów power plant to highlight the catastrophic impact that coal-fired power stations are having on the climate, the 11 Greenpeace climbers have come down and are heading for the UN climate talks in Posnan to continue their campaign to save the climate....
Starwood to Build "Luxe-Eco" Hotel in Washington, DC
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 12. 4.08
Washington, DC, which consistently scores high in sustainability rankings for its excellent public transportation, walkability, and green space, has few accolades in the area of green building. While the majority of the nation's biggest environmental organizations are headquartered here, some of them with LEED-certified buildings, the private sector has been slow to follow their lead. But Starwood, the hotel multinational, and its partner Perseus Realty, LLC, hope to change that with plans for the city's "first green hotel" called 1 Hotel and Residences, scheduled for completion in 2010....
Fashion Foraging, Holiday Party Treats and Electronic Craft-Making
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY on 12. 4.08
:: Look uber-stylish in sustainable clothing made out of discarded umbrella fabric.
:: Serve these bite-sized pieces of puff pastry bliss at your holiday party.
:: Are you an aspiring craft-master living in NYC? Head over to Eyebeam's Holiday Hackshop party....
A Deal for TH Readers on Guayakí Organic Yerba Mate
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 4.08
Welcome to our new "TreeHugger Deals" column, which offers discounts and specials exclusively for TreeHugger readers. TreeHugger never receives monetary compensation or proceeds from these promotions.
This week’s TreeHugger Deals comes to you from Guayakí Organic Yerba Mate. Guayakí sells organic, fair trade yerba mate in mate tea bags, loose mate, mate latte concentrates, mate gourds and bombillas, and bottled iced mate drinks. And not only do they offset their CO2 locally, they also take great pride in honoring the locals called the Aché Guayakí people. The Ache live in the sub-tropical rainforests of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil, home of the yerba mate tree. Like high quality coffee, high quality mate is shade-grown, in the rich ecosystem of the rainforest; delivering more flavor and nutritional value. Crafted like a fine wine, it is grown, harvested, and dried according to time and by honoring traditions....
STACK Furniture STUCK with VELCRO
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 4.08
It is really quite clever, if not comfortable; a single U-shaped piece can be linked to other identical pieces with industrial-strength Velcro to make all kinds of combinations....
Bush Administration Takes Another Last Minute Poke at the Environment: Approves Easier Coal Mine Waste Dumping in Streams
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 4.08
The top of that mountain on the right has been removed because of coal mining. Photo: Chris
I guess President Bush just couldn’t be content to ride off quietly into the sunset towards Crawford, Texas. It seems instead his administration is determined to create as much environment mischief before the end of the year as possible. The latest act of environmental vandalism: Approving a final rule which will make it easier for coal companies to dump waste from mountaintop mining operations into streams and valleys. (New York Times)
Predictably (and quite correctly) environmental groups squared off against the government on this one:
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IBM Says Using the Internet Will Be "As Easy as Calling Your Mom"
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 4.08
Puma City: Container Retail by Lot-Ek
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 4.08
photos by Danny Bright
Nobody does shipping container architecture like Lot-ek, one of the originals. They have designed a demountable retail space for Puma, with "with large double heights as well as with 4-container-wide open spaces to challenge the modular box-quality of the container inner space; offices, press area and storage occupy the second level and a bar, lounge and event space with a large open terrace is at the top."...
When Holiday Cards Go Overboard
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 4.08
Screenshot from Techdiy Etsy shop
Holiday cards are beginning to arrive in mailboxes, and from the brightly colored envelopes come cards of various levels of intricacy. Some cards can be pretty elaborate, with pop-up scenes and laser-cut layers that create wintery designs.
And some are just flat out excessive. ...
LED Lights Allow Tiny Island To Become World’s First Net Zero Energy ‘Nation’
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 4.08
The main docks and capitol building-cum-executive residence of Dumpling Island: Google Sightseeing
You can start typing your ‘cut out the misleading headlines’ comments now if you like, but just because no other nation in the world recognizes the three-acre country of Dumpling Island, off the Connecticut/New York coast, doesn’t mean I’m going to knock down island-owner and Segway inventor Dean Kamen’s claims that his private island isn’t part of the United States.
In any case, independent nation or no, Dumpling Island has indeed become a net zero energy (shall we agree on?) locale. How? By replacing all the light fixtures on the island with LED lights:
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Asthma Inhalers' Green Upgrade Deadline Fast Approaching
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 4.08
The TH Interview: Fred Pearce—Confessions of An Eco-Sinner (Part One)
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 12. 4.08
Ever get curious? “Where was my computer put together, who picked my coffee beans, what about the gold in my wedding ring?” We recall when Fred Pearce set out to find the answers, a journey that took him around the world seven times. Confessions of An Eco-Sinner is his tale; and what he found was often shocking and counterintuitive (get ready to rethink fair trade). Fred Pearce’s detective work has enticed us many times as he sleuths the greening of China, seed saving, the population bomb, and “virtual water.” He’s especially deft at sniffing out greenwashing, for which he has a column in The Guardian. Fred was kind enough to let us inside his reconnaissance and share how this changed his thinking. Listen to the podcast of this interview via iTunes, or just click here to listen, right-click to download. Thanks to Calabash Music for the soundtrack....
Air Canada to Intermodal Cyclists: Drop Dead
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 4.08
A folded strida in bag
The Supreme Court of Canada recently told Air Canada that people who need an extra seat on a plane because they are either disabled or obese need only pay one fare; Perhaps that is where I will have to go to defend the rights of cyclists with folding bikes. When I wrote previously about how they charged me fifty bucks to carry my Strida bike, which is smaller than their maximum luggage dimensions, most commenters suggested that it was "more of an example of a problem with the individual employee that the company itself." Alas, this was not the case. They are, in fact, blatantly bikeist. ...
Fujitsu Siemens Launches Its Own Green IT Label
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 4.08
Logo images via Fujitsu Siemens
Tired of waiting around for those objective third party green labels to analyze electronics and dub them green or not? Fujitsu Siemens seems to be tired too, so they’re launching their own Green IT label.
Apparently third parties like EPEAT and Energy Star aren’t good enough, and Fujitsu Siemens says consumers need far more guidance when buying computers – so they think shoppers should take their advice. ...
166 Million Birds Could Die If Tar Sands Mining Continues to Expand
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 4.08
The Lesser Yellowlegs is one of the birds endangered by expanded tar sands mining. Photo: Lesser Yellowlegs
We’ve highlighted many times the unmitigated environmental horror of the Alberta Tar Sands, but one aspect which we haven’t pointed out is the impact on migratory birds. A new peer-reviewed report has just been released by the NRDC which details the impact on avian populations from continued exploitation of these unconventional fuels. Download the full report (Danger in the Nursery: Impact on Birds of Tar Sands Oil Development in Canada’s Boreal Forest) if you’re so inclined, but here’s a summary:...
Energy-Saving Charger Rescues Phones from Vampire Power
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 4.08
Photo via O2
A new energy efficient charger claims to be the first "green" cell phone charger to hit the UK, and also says it has what it takes to end wasted power during cell phone charging. O2 has launched a universal cell phone charger that claims to cut energy consumption by 70% over Energy Star standards.
Sounds great…but will people actually use it?...
From the Forums: Green Travel via Hostels
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 12. 4.08
Image Credit: photo of a room at the Chelsea Star Hotel by striatic
OrganicCat:
As a green option, has anyone every tried a hostel in the US outside of CA? Seems it's primarily for single people or young couples traveling the country or vacationing. Being a young couple, thinking about trying one out sometime. Any problems with them that I should be aware of? Stealing, violence, smelly people, etc.?tigerlilly78:
I would say bring your ear plugs unless you are a very heavy sleeper. In a room with 5+ adults, I am sure at least one will snore!One year, New York being all booked, I was only able to find a single room at the Chelsea Star Hotel/Hostel (I've avoided dorm style rooms since
Green Gingerbread House Smackdown: HOK Enters the Fray
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 4.08
We previously presented Michelle Kaufmann's GingerLotus, her green gingerbread house of the season, and compared it to her efforts last year. Not to be outdone in the exploding green gingerbread housing industry, HOK's Toronto office has thrown the LEED-H book at the problem for a Habitat for Humanity Gingerbread Home design competition. ...
Cool Website Gives You Greenest Home Address
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 4.08
There is a very cool website that has the ability to take into account all the things you do on a regular basis, and then pinpoints the best spot for you to live so that you are central to everything you most enjoy, effectively minimizing your carbon footprint. ...
First ‘Commercial’ CIGS Thin-Film Solar Array Powers Global Solar Energy’s Own Factory
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 4.08
photo: MMA Renewable Ventures
Ah, how to spin things? Tucson, Arizona-based solar cell manufacturer Global Solar Energy just made an announcement about a copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin film solar array that is interesting in a number of ways: It’s the largest CIGS array currently installed, the first(-ish) commercial solar array using that technology, it powers part of Global Solar’s own manufacturing facility, and the whole thing is being done under a power purchase agreement. Where to start? Basics first:...
Biodegradable vs. Recyclable: Which is the Better Packaging Solution?
by Tom Szaky of TerraCycle, Trenton NJ on 12. 4.08
Energy Bar Wrappers Collected at TerraCycle HQ.
We all know that packaging waste is a major issue. But what is the most feasible solution? Today there are fundamentally three choices for consumer packaged goods companies: non-recyclable, recyclable and biodegradable (reusable packaging, a la glass milk jugs are a fourth option that is quickly disappearing.) This question is incredibly important as we as a society try to find a balance between consumerism, capitalism and environmentalism.
Please read on and join the discussion. My hope is to get the great minds of TreeHugger engaged in this vital debate....
New High Rez Wind Power Resource Map Covers the Entire Planet
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 4.08
Map courtesy of 3TIER, which wants you to know that "this image may be used or displayed in whole or in part, and in any format, provided that each use or display includes the 3TIER logo and copyright notice"
3TIER, the same people who about two months ago released a really cool interactive map detailing the solar power potential of the entire Western Hemisphere, have just announced a new 5 kilometer resolution map of the entire planet for wind power resources. Check it out:...
Better Late Than Never: Copper Thieves on FBI Radar
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 4.08
John previously noted that the bottom has fallen out of the recycled metal market, and it will be a while before the meth heads are after your downspouts; The FBI evidently did not read his post and just released a report titled Copper Thefts Threaten US Critical Infrastructure. Some of the more dramatic thefts:
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Crop Mob: Getting Together for the Future of Farming
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 12. 4.08
Image credit: Trace Ramsey at Cricket Bread
Community Gatherings Give Hands-on Support to Farmers
While loss of farmland to development remains a major concern – it’s not all bad news on the agrarian front. As the New York Times noted, there are plenty of young people looking to take up agriculture – if only they can get access to the land, equipment and know-how they need. While the rise in organic agriculture degrees will undoubtedly be a boon to this movement, many folks just want to get stuck in and start farming. But farming isn’t easy - enthusiasm and ideals can easily turn to isolation and despair without a community of likeminded individuals to support you. That’s where the newly founded “Crop Mob” in the Triangle area of North Carolina is seeking to make a difference – assembling willing groups of farmers, would-be farmers and otherwise enthusiastic amateurs to go where the work is needed and dig, harvest, weed or do whatever is needed to lend a hand.
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First Solar-Powered Car to Drive Around the World Completes Journey
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 4.08
Chevron Cleared of Charges in Nigerian Human Rights Case
by Alex Smith, San Francisco, California on 12. 4.08
Photo Credit: San Francisco Sentinel
The jury in a San Francisco federal court this week cleared Chevron of charges for human rights abuses committed in NIgeria. More details on the decision and its impact below the fold....
Czech President & Climate Denier Vaclav Klaus To Preside Over EU In 2009
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 4.08
Vaclav Klaus. Image credit:Wikipedia
Just when we thought there was a chance for a rationalist US Administration to mesh with the Climate-action oriented EU and with an increasingly open-minded China...[Vaclav] Klaus has called man-made global warming a myth and questioned sanity of Al Gore, the former US vice-president who received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for turning a spotlight on climate change...From his vantage point in Prague's Hradcany castle, Klaus could be involved in negotiating a new set of EU climate laws while the Czech Republic chairs the EU in the first half of 2009.Via:Duetche Welle, Czech President: EU's Outspoken Global Warming Doubter. What brings Mr. Klaus to his view on climate science? The Czech Republic was estimated to emit 62% of it's C02 from coal burning in 2002. Definitely not as coal dependent as Poland...see our recent post Extreme Coal - Poland's 96% Dependency Could Be World Record for details....
Are Laser Printers As Dangerous as Smoking or as Making Toast?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 4.08
A laser printer isn't really that different from that new Xerox at Sterling Cooper; toner sticks to a charged medium (a selenium drum in the 914) is transferred to the paper and baked on.
Last year Warren reported on an Australian study claiming that Some Laser Printers are as Bad as Secondhand Smoke; now a new Austrian study commissioned by the industry confirms that laser printers do emit ozone, volatile organic compounds and particles. Sort of. ...
Survey: Who's Your Green Villain?
by Mark Ontkush, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 12. 4.08
Image by MyGreenVillain
If you liked My Green Hero, you'll love My Green Villain; infamy has this appeal. Much like the first, the survey looks at U.S. consumers' darker archetypes in an attempt to provide better motivators for both consumers and business. Results are tabulated, and if desired, SOAP will send them to you when the survey is complete. However, unlike the first one there are only 6 characters this time, but there's also a twist at the end.
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Is Hemp Seed Oil a Good Health and Beauty Supplement? Dr. Weil Thinks So
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 12. 4.08
Textile hemp plant photo by Eric Martinez @ flickr.
Quick, what do you picture when you see the word "hemp" - old-fashioned hippies in rope sandals and scratchy shirts? Or do you go right to the 'evil weed' cannabis-hemp connection? Whatever you imagine, you are probably not alone, influenced by decades of government's viewpoint equating the industrial hemp plant with its close cannabis-genus cousin marijuana (the U.S. forbids domestic hemp crops, though two North Dakota farmers are fighting in court for the right to do so). But the sturdy, fast-growing and pesticide-resistant hemp plant has made its way into many, many eco-friendly imports - clothing, insulation, biodiesel, biodegradable packaging, and even foods such as granola bars and vegan milk. Hemp is great. Now a well-known hemp grower wants you to drink hemp seed oil daily to get your essential fatty acids, but is this a good idea?...
Survey: Do You Take Doggie Bags?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 4.08
Martin notes that doggie bags are catching on in Japan , and that they have special folding boxes for it. However, TreeHugger Bonnie recently told me that nobody in London would be caught dead asking for a doggie bag, that it is unheard of. My mom in Toronto is hideously embarrassed when I ask for one. What do you do?
Image from Merly Smith via StyleGuru
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One in Three Toys on Shelf Found To Be Toxic
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 12. 4.08
According to a recent study released by researchers for the Michigan-based Ecology Center, one in three toys tested was found to contain toxic chemicals such as lead, flame retardants and arsenic.
It turns out that researchers tested more than 1,500 popular toys for lead, cadmium, arsenic, PVC and other harmful chemicals and said they found that one-third of the toys contain "medium" or "high" levels of chemicals of concern, which are not bad for the environment from a manufacturing standpoint, they're also terrible for the health of little ones.
Wondering whether or not that gift you were about to purchase made the list? Click through to find out.
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Ride Anywhere: Pugsley, the Bicycle SUV
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 4.08
A few days officially into Winter for the Northern Hemisphere, and many cyclists are probably thinking about hanging up their cycling helmet for the season. The bicycle is however a very adaptable beastie, than can be ridden in a myriad of conditions, including snow.
One such never-say-die trusty stead is the Pugsley. No doubt named after the chubby child from the Addams Family TV series, this bicycle version is also easily recognised by its sizeable girth, particularly those ginormous 4” tyres. These give the bike incredible float over what would otherwise be very awkward terrain....
Trees Have Rights Too, The Book of Rubbish Ideas, and More...
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 12. 4.08
Inhabitat: 2008 Green Holiday Gift Guide by Inhabitat Team
In their inimitably stylish way the Inhabitat team have put together a very desirable gift guide to help us buy eco-friendly presents for all the family this year. They've included suggestions for all budgets and we particularly like Make Your Own Gifts section....
Winners of BBC's Food and Farming Awards Named
by Bonnie Alter, London on 12. 4.08
Eating at the winner of the "Best Take-away" prize in the BBC Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards could be a challenge. Adam's Fish and Chips is located on an island in the Isles of Scilly and is only open two days a week. But it sounds yummy: the potatoes for the chips are fertilised by local seaweed and all the fish is caught by the eponymous Adam in local waters, on the same day, by fishing with a single line. He catches pollack because "it's plentiful and renewable". You have to line up early too, because half the town of 160 people, is taking it out each night.
The other winners are slightly easier to get hold of and experience. The winner of the Best Food Producer award is Calon Wen in Carmarthenshire. It is a co-operative of 20 Welsh farmers and their families and they are paid for both the quantity and quality of their organic milk so they aren't forced to over-work the cows (pictured) to produce. Bagged milk is new in the UK and not very widespread. This dairy was the first to introduce it and the first to receive the the Soil Association's Ethical Trade Symbol....
Doggy Bags Becoming Popular in Japan, But Are They a Good Idea?
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 12. 4.08
This fall, a small number of restaurants in Japan have introduced Doggy Bags for leftovers, as customers tend to not eat everything they order. The design has reminders about poverty and wastefulness. For example, one says "6 seconds" on it, which refers to the fact that one child dies every six seconds on this planet due to malnutrition. The Doggy Bag idea of course comes from the United States. But I'm not really sure this is such a good idea:...
Keep Your Head Above Water with an Astral Organic Kapok PFD
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 3.08
Astral Buoyancy, makers of PFDs for kayakers, rafters and sailors, went seeking an environmentally benign alternative to the petrochemical foams, like PVC, commonly used in Personal Flotation Devices. They found the answer, as a guy called Bob once famously wrote, ‘blowin’ in the wind.’
More precisely they rediscovered Kapok, the wooly floss-like fibre that protects the seed of the Cieba pentandra tree. The fibre, eight times lighter than cotton, assists in the wind propelled propogation of the seed, which is normally only released about five years or so. What Astral also discovered was that this fibre has even more remarkable properties that saw it used for marine lifejackets, as late as the 60’s....
British Scientists Launch Climate Change Monitoring Robot Gliders in Atlantic Ocean
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 12. 3.08
Image from National Oceanography Center
Meet Ammonite, Bellamite and Coprolite. You've probably never heard of them before (and may not hear much about them thereafter), but these three robots, part of a growing fleet of so-called Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), could soon become a potent tool in global efforts to forestall the worst of climate change. Developed by a team of oceanographers at the National Oceanography Center, Southamptom, UK, the trio is now busily profiling the top 1,000 meters of the Atlantic Ocean between the Canary Islands and the west coast of Africa, reports New Scientist's Jessica Griggs to detect any early indications of future climate variations. ...
Captain Planet Foundation Set to Host 14th Annual X-MAS Party to Save Planet
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY on 12. 3.08
If you’re familiar with the Captain Planet Foundation, then you know what a great job they do giving out grants to teachers looking to bring environmental learning into their schools and classrooms. And without question, the annual X-MAS party and fundraiser coming up looks like it’s got some great, great items worth bidding on with proceeds going to a great environmental cause.
Just check out some of the fun, creative stuff they’ve come up with…
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Galapagos and US Teachers Present New Environmental Education Plans
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 12. 3.08
Photo by Pete Oxford
Only a few days ago, top secondary school teachers from the US and Galapagos were working together to create environmental education plans. Incorporating ideas from their disparate locales, they'd forged some progressive, globally applicable projects and concepts for curriculum. It was, as I reported earlier, pretty fascinating to watch.
But as the time grew nearer for presenting the projects at the Colegio Nacional Galapagos, the teachers' own fascination seemed to yield to a frenetic drive to wrap up their plans. They worked diligently to overcome language barriers, create effective talking points, and round out their ideas for environmental stewardship.
And when it came time to give the presentations, their uphill battle didn't end there—they faced a Spanish-speaking audience, a disruptive blackout, and their own fatigue. But I have to hand it to them: they performed brilliantly.
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What Would Darwin Do? Killing Goats So Others May Live
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 12. 3.08
Photo courtesy of Lind Xu
Why are environmentalists shooting goats? Why have they undertaken an elaborate plan to systematically kill hundreds of thousands of goats by means of aerial and ground hunting operations? Why to preserve life, of course.
Project Isabela: Eradicating Goats in the Name of Biodiversity
Project Isabela is an operation spearheaded by the Charles Darwin Research Center starting in 1998, and its sole purpose was to eliminate the ever-burgeoning population of non-native goats, pigs, and donkeys from the fragile island ecosystems of the Galapagos.
Those species eat the food supply of the native species and usurp the drastically limited water supply. They crowd out natives like giant tortoises by forcing them to compete for both. As the goats and pigs flourished, scientists foresaw grave consequences. They decided to act, so they initiated one of the largest and most controversial conservation efforts in recent memory.
And act they did—by getting 500,000 rounds of American-bought ammunition into the hands of sharpshooters and going on the hunt.
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10 Energy Myths Exposed: Solar, Wind, Nuclear and More
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 12. 3.08
Image credit:Getty Images
From Solar to Nuclear, Energy Myths Explored
We’re all about myth busting here at TreeHugger – from Matthew’s trashing of 5 dire green myths earlier today, to John’s classic post deconstructing the wind turbines kill birds argument. But we’re not the only ones who can play that game – Chris Goodall over at The Guardian is tackling the 10 big energy myths, and while some of it will be popular with our readers – there are a few positions in there that may raise some treehugging eyebrows too.
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What the World Needs Now Is Square Trees
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 3.08
Belgian design collective Draw Me A Sheep notes:
‘Round’ is perfect in nature, but ‘square’ is perfect for industrial standard. To illustrate, square tree would enable wood industry to lose less material, to cut easier with machines and to store more efficiently.C'mon, Monsanto, where are you when we need you?...
5 Reusable Water Bottles Better Than Recyclable Paper Bottles
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 3.08
Daniel Libeskind Goes Green and Somewhat Restrained
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 3.08
Like every New York tower that is not yet up to the third floor, Daniel Libeskind's new 54 storey tower at One Madison Avenue will probably never see the light of day. Too bad; unlike so many of his other buildings, it has some green features and a few right angles....
Wind Power Avian and Bat Protection Plan Released by Iberdrola Renewables
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 3.08
photo: Iberdrola Renewables
Wind power may be undeniably better in terms of carbon emissions than fossil fuel energy sources, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t genuine environmental concerns to take into consideration when building projects. And while bird deaths from wind turbines are much less with newer technology than they once were, there are still concerns about migratory bat deaths, and in general wildlife impacts should be addressed. Iberdrola Renewables is doing just that:...
90° Furniture: A Flatpack Apartment by Lowrien Kaptein
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 3.08
I am a sucker for furniture that can slide under your door; Imagine how much less shipping, less material is needed when it flatpacks so efficiently, Dutch designer Louwrien Kaptein had designed an entire apartment, complete with working area, sitting, sleeping, cooking and storage. ...
A Different World: Globalization Teaching Tool Kit Goes Online
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 12. 3.08
Image: From A Different World Tool Kit websiteEducating teens and pre-teens about globalization cannot be an easy thing. Teachers face plenty of obstacles in captivating impressionable attention spans that are routinely molded by 30-second television commercials and consumerist social mores. Yet, the far-reaching potential of the Internet can be an ally in the educational arena. The interactive multimedia web tool-kit called "A Different World: An Educational Tool Kit for Building Global Justice", developed by Montréal-based non-profit the Social Justice Committee (SJC), is one example of media being developed by learning institutions and non-profits worldwide to make a complex but crucial subject more accessible. [Full disclosure here: I volunteered with SJC for a short time last year, but not on this particular project.] But tool kits such as A Different World are not about force-feeding youngsters dry facts and statistics. ...
Electrifying Ceilings to Light the Room with LEDs
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 3.08
Eco-Friendly Vodka, Natural Insomnia Remedies and Potluck Lunches
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY on 12. 3.08
:: Make your martinis mindfully with eco-friendly vodka. Find the best in our Buy Green: Vodka guide.
:: Learn how to sleep deeply amidst the holiday stress.
:: Spice up your work week by organizing a green potluck lunch club....
3,000 Smart Fridges Hitting UK Homes
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 3.08
Photo of the Day: Venice's Worst Floods in 22 Years
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 12. 3.08
Image: Flooding in Piazza San Marco (Photo: AFP/Getty)The venerable city of Venice, named by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage sites threatened by climate change, was inundated by five feet of water (1.5 metres) yesterday. More than 95 percent of the old city centre - including many tourist sites - were flooded. The rise in sea levels was caused by consistently high southerly winds, heavy rain and snowfall in northern Italy. Because of its geographic location, situated on marshy islands and inlaid with a network of canals, Venice endures frequent flooding during high tides (most recently, 50 floods between 1993 and 2002). The city hopes to build a system of mobile walls to stave off future flooding, but the scheme will not be completed until 2012. The Telegraph (more photos) Related Links on Venice Floods Venice 'under water' after worst floods for 20 years ...
Largest Solar Thermal Power Plant Outside of California Begins Construction in Florida, Online in 2010
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 3.08
artist rendering: FPL
There are bigger solar projects in the works , but the new Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center near Indiantown, Florida can make a couple of ‘first’ claims (for the time being at least): It is the largest solar thermal plant outside of California; and, is the first hybrid solar power facility in the world to connect to an existing combined-cycle natural gas power plant.
Construction on the 75MW solar thermal plant began yesterday, with the plant expected to come online in 2010. More details are as follows:...
Four Worst Places to be an Endangered Species
by Kati Stevens, Sherman Oaks, California on 12. 3.08
Poached ivory being burned in Namibia. Photo: Jonathan and Angela The hard truth is there are no international rules set in stone telling a country how it should treat its wildlife. There are 194 recognized countries in the world (not including Antarctica) of various sizes and climates, and each has a different view on wildlife protection. Some of these countries destroyed the brunt of their wildlife population decades or even centuries ago, while others had less of a wildlife population to begin with. We've got jungle, tundra, desert, countries the size of other continents, countries a person can walk across in a day, and even a country that is a continent (hi, Australia)--attempting to decide which five nations are doing the worst job protecting endangered species is an impossible and ultimately unproductive task. But of the five countries listed below, four are in need of a serious wake-up call. ...
Most. Obnoxious. Advertisement. Ever.
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 3.08
I know that being a frugalista is all the rage, but here is how the Diamond merchants deal with the current crisis:
From the Forums: Greening up the office
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 12. 3.08
Image Credit: chrismeller
SgtMaj:
Let's start a discussion about greening up the office. What have you done to green up your office, what are you planning to do, or what could a person do? As for me, I reduced the time that the computer takes to go into hybernate mode, I already communicate via email instead of print media, of course we recycle any paper that does get used after it's shredded; and I am planning to add a few plants to my office... Now it's your turn.What are you doing?...
Hawaii To Be First With Statewide Electric Car Charging Stations
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 3.08
The electric car infrastructure race is on! A short while ago several mayors in the San Francisco Bay Area announced that they would be partnering with Better Place to bring electric vehicle charging stations to the area. Now Hawaii is going to do one better and become the first state to have Better Place charging stations across the entire state.
Considering that the Bay Area has a population of about 7 million and Hawaii about 1.3 million, some semantic one-upmanship is at work here, but nevertheless this is great news. Here are the details:
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2008 AR Awards Announced
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 3.08
The Architectural Review awards for Emerging Architecture have been released and I like the winners a lot. This competition doesn't go after the big, highly visible projects but is "Intended to bring wider international recognition to a talented new generation of architects and designers," in a profession that is usually the country for old men. I was thrilled that one of my favourite projects on TreeHugger this year, Alberto Mozó's temporary building for BIP Computers in Santiago, Chile, was one of the three winners. It was in two posts: Design for Deconstruction by Alberto Mozó and Stair of the Week: Alberto Mozó's Demountable Spiral...
Using Sound Waves to Charge Cell Phones
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 3.08
300 Hybrid Buses To Be Driving the London Streets by 2011
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 3.08
photo: Wrightbus
Yesterday Transport for London unveiled a new range of single and double deck hybrid buses which will form the first stage of a major expansion of the UK capital’s hybrid bus fleet. By the end of January 2009, 56 hybrid buses will be on the road, with a further 300 to be in operation by 2011.
Transport for London touted the advantages of the hybrid buses:
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Five Dire Green Myths Causing the Greatest Global Harm
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 3.08
photo: mtoz
Can you tell the difference between eco fact and eco fiction? With the green movement growing in momentum, we frequently come across any number of statements repeatedly presented as conventional eco-wisdom, statements we often do not question. Sometimes there is a ring of intuitive truth to these statements, which turns out to be false upon further examination. Other times, after a public debate, one aspect of an issue wins out over other equally important aspects--or the nuance gets lost. Then there is the guerrilla marketing approach: a particular industry simply puts out a message with such frequency that eventually it becomes accepted, regardless of truth.
Whatever the cause, some of these statements are powerful enough to rise to the level of green myths, and the line between fact and fiction gets blurred. These five in particular are causing tremendous global harm, but there are many more out there. We encourage readers to add to this list in the comments....
1963: When Fuel Efficiency Data Was A Joke
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 12. 3.08
Automakers have come a long way to their bailout-begging today since the days when Consumers Union published this (very funny) cartoon. I scanned it from an old issue of Consumer Reports, the April 1963 "Facts You Need Before You Buy" issue with a brown cover and red/black letters. A treasure from a bygone era! This was the auto buying guide for 1963, "including ratings of all makes, 6-year repair records, service notes, checks on safety details, etc., etc." And there isn't a single foreign car listed. Not even one. Some of the car companies are gone, like American Motors, maker of the oddly-named Rambler, and Studebaker's Lark is probably not missed by very many 'Huggers today.
Brought to you by Martin Frid at greenz.jp...
Survey: Is Canada Endangering Its Reputation As Well as Its Species?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 3.08
Jaymi describes how Canadian Inuit are going to shoot 500 narwhal instead of trying to free them, probably because "Narwhal tusks sell for a big pile of cash." Meanwhile the Economist writes that the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board is permitting a polar bear hunt of 105 animals when the scientists recommend a maximum of 64. Notwithstanding what the Canadian government experts say, the Inuit hunters and trappers appear to know better. “Numbers are just numbers,” says the head of the hunters and trappers association. “We live here, so we know what’s really going on in the north. We can hunt anytime we want, anywhere we want, no matter what anybody says.”
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The Magic Box: Following A Container Around the World
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 3.08
First episode: the box gets painted
It is hard to believe, but fifty years ago if you brought a load of stuff from Japan by ship, a bunch of longshoremen would be carrying it out of the ships by hand. It could take a week to unload a freighter. The shipping container changed everything and for better or worse, made globalism possible.
The BBC has followed one around the world and tells "the stories behind the goods inside, those who make them, and how they travel to consumers." ...
Canada Allows Killing of Over 500 Narwhals
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 3.08
Dealing with Holiday Home Office Blues
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 12. 3.08
Photo credit .Fabio
Working in a home office environment is great from a green perspective. It eliminates the necessity to drive to and from work, it limits the immense energy usage typical for a large office building, and reduces your own personal carbon footprint by as much as half in certain areas.
But the home office is not a perfect world......
Worst Sales Performance of Any Car: Toyota Prius
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 3.08
I am sorry for continuing a rant here. The heads of the auto companies are driving nine hours to Washington for their bailout pleas; I am sure many would rather see them crawl. I am not a cheerleader for General Motors and the Detroit auto industry, and think cars are a menace. However one cannot, as so many of the commenters in my earlier post did, just say that GM was stupid and Toyota was smart, and that the American car industry should roll over and die and make room for those innovative Japanese and German car makers. Look at the numbers. What is the worst performing car (in sales) in America in November? The Prius. What is Ford's best performing vehicle? The F-150 truck. ...
Knut the Polar Bear Needs a New Home
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 3.08
Millet’s New Pack Will Be a Load of Old Rubbish
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 3.08
With all its raw materials fully or partly recycled, the Millet Low Impact Variation 22 daypack is hardly a ground breaking product. After all it is ground well trod by the ilk of Osprey, Mountainsmith and Voltaic Systems. But, hey, this is the sort of bandwagon we want to see companies jumping aboard.
Like Osprey, Millet give a break down of where they have been most successful in realising the recycled content. ...
Chicago Parking Meters Up To A Buck An Hour: Equivalent Of Congestion Tax?
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 3.08
Rates for most city parking meters will increase to $1 an hour in the coming months as a result of Mayor Richard Daley's deal to lease the spots for $1.1 billion to a private firm... The most expensive meters, which are found in the Loop, cost $3 an hour now. They will increase to $3.50 an hour next year and $6.50 by 2013.Via:Chicago Tribune, Clout Street, Most city parking meters to cost $1 an hour ...
Is This The World’s First Global Warming Induced Mammal Extinction?
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 3.08
Australia has what’s been termed the highest rate of mammals facing extinction of any country in the developed world. Twenty two percent are threatened. And news just in suggests that another one might have already checked out. The rare white lemuroid possum (pictured right) hasn’t been sighted for the past three years. Scientists are concerned it might have the ignominious distinction of being the world’s first mammal sent to extinction by global warming.
And it’s not only mammals that are under threat. The Mary River Turtle (left picture) is also having a tough time of it. But more on them later. Back to the White Possum....
Argentinean Environmental Secretary Dismissed from Office
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 12. 3.08
Photo: Perfil.
Romina Picolotti, Argentina's Environmental Secretary for the last 28 months, was asked to resign from office by president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, several media outlets announced last night.
Media informed that causes include the support the minister gave to the glacier law that the president ended up vetoing and embezzlement of funds. Details in the extended....
Sustentable '08 Argentinian Green Design Festival in Photos
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 12. 3.08
Photos: Paula Alvarado.
Yesterday it was the end of the first edition of Sustentable, a festival entirely dedicated to green design that took place in Buenos Aires from November 28 to December 2.
Besides yesterday's introduction of Diseno Cartonero, there were plenty of interesting sustainable products, including accessories, clothing and toys. Check out pics of the cute crafts and gorgeous fashions in the extended. ...
LEDs Light Up Covent Garden
by Bonnie Alter, London on 12. 3.08
TreeHugger photograph
Christmas lights are so beautiful, sometimes, and so wasteful. But creative and good looking solutions are being found--last year Carnaby Street had festive paper chains with a holographic finish. This year Covent Garden is decking the halls with LED's. Created by UVA, a group better known for doing backdrops for bands such as Arctic Monkeys, Massive Attack and U2, they have taken an environmental approach to the job.
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The Last of His Kind: The Lamented Life of Lonesome George
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 12. 2.08
Photo by Lena Tashjian
Lonesome George slovenly lumbers out of the brush in his compound, painstakingly climbs the minor incline up to his pool, and collapses. The famed giant tortoise seems exhausted and lethargic, even by tortoise standards. And I can't blame him—if I were 100 years old, the very last male of my species left in existence, and had little hope of fathering children, I'd probably have trouble getting out of bed in the morning too....
How to Go Green: Cocktails, DIY Speakers and Buttermilk Biscuits
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY on 12. 2.08
:: Make your holiday spritzers sustainably yummy with our How to Go Green: Cocktails guide.
:: Reuse old, mangled earphones to make this easy DIY speaker set-up.
:: Three delicious words: Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits. Need we say more?...
Fall One of A Kind Show Roundup
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.08
It takes years to get to be an exhibitor at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto, an institution every Christmas season where you can load up on the work of artists, craftspeople and artisans. (It is coming to New York and Chicago this year, don't miss it) It usually has a big green section, but this show the pickings were thinner than usual in the green department.
One idea I liked was Botanical Art, where Diane De Roo starts with "real pressed and preserved vegetables and fruits, which are then meticulously hand-painted and mounted in contemporary black frames and shadow boxes."
...
Stair of the Week: The Well of Chand Baori
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.08
The stepwell at Chand Baori, India, is a hundred feet deep and has 3500 steps. Legend says that it has so many steps to make it impossible for someone to retrieve a coin if it is dropped into the well. ...
Dell Says No to Major Data Center Overhauls
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 2.08
Earth image via Woodleywonderworks, and Dell images via Dell
Instead, it says taking smaller steps constantly is better.
With the economy tanking, doing major overhauls of data centers to make them efficient isn’t really an option for many businesses right now. And yet radically changing data centers is a key component of improving conserving resources nationally and world wide – something we discuss often. So how do businesses balance their need for big changes with their strapped investment resources?
Dell proposes a solution, or really a bunch of small solutions, and has shown the philosophy’s viability by following it itself. ...
Activists Occupy Environmental Defense Offices, Accuse Them of Protecting Corporations Over the Environment
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 2.08
A couple weeks back I highlighted a piece of direct action by Greenpeace activists in Indonesia which elicited comments ranging from praise to vociferous derision. Here’s another one which may have some of you scratching your heads.
Activists from Rising Tide North America invaded the Washington DC offices of Environmental Defense. ED was targeted “because of the organization’s key role in promoting the discredited approach of carbon trading as a solution to climate change.”
Adding a further twist is that one of the leader activists was Dr Rachel Smolker, the daughter of one of Environmental Defense’s founders. Dr Smolker elaborated on the motivation for the action:...
Photo Essay: Bees and Beekeepers In Crisis
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 12. 2.08
Photo: Golden Millet, Beekeeper, St. George, Utah, July 2007 (Photo: Kate Kunath)The mystery of bees disappearing all over the world is continuing to baffle scientists and beekeepers alike: is it parasitic mites? Or Bayer's pesticides? Reports of bee colony collapse disorder (CCD) happening in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, France and Germany have prompted beekeepers to agitate for government action - absolutely essential when faced with the fact that bee pollination accounts for one-third of global food crops, and the possibility that global bee populations may be wiped out by 2035. Of course, in our industrial food system it's rare to see the human side that's affected by such disasters in the making, but New York and Los-Angeles-based photographer Kate Kunath's beautiful photo essay on the subject fulfills this critical dimension. Like a lot of her subjects, they "often find her by coincidence" and the bee crisis found her by the way of a radio report in early 2007. See more of the photo essay after the jump. ...
From the Forums: Solar Roof or Green Roof?
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 12. 2.08
Image Credit: thingermejig
greenteadrinker:
On Renovation Nation they often speak to the roof's that people are installing. It got me to thinking, which is more beneficial? Solar panels-free electricity (once the initial investment is paid off) Green roof system? Stops/slows water run off and helps insulate the homes interior.Have an opinion or expertise?...
600,000 Square Foot Solar Power Rooftop Completed by Southern California Edison
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 2.08
photo: SCE
You may not like big box buildings from an aesthetic perspective--I hate to say it but I’d prefer a whole city of Brutalist concrete architecture over a bunch of steel framed big boxes--but they sure do have a lot of roof surface area suitable for solar power.
Southern California Edison is taking advantage of that and is installing 150 rooftops with solar panels, the first of which have just been completed. Eventually the project will cover two square miles of roof space with solar panels, for a combined peak capacity of 250 megawatts. Here’s more on SCE’s solar rooftop plans:...
Go Farther, Faster on Sanyo's Electric Hybrid Bicycle
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 12. 2.08
Electric bikes have never seemed appealing or beautiful enough to warrant their prices - they have always looked like what they are...a bicycle with an afterthought motor.
Japanese riders are pretty enamored of electric bikes, however, with the market estimated at nearly 300,000 electric bikes last year. Sanyo's new electric-hybrid Eneloop bike has two features going for it: the frame looks pretty good (if a bit girly), and the motor works on the front wheel to give the rider triple the pedal power compared to a non-motorized bike. And the price is right in the middle of the spectrum: 136,000 yen ($1,430 dollars) when it hits Japanese stores next February....
Eco-Friendly Exit Signs Don't Require Electricity to Glow
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 2.08
Image via Jessup Manufacturing
A bit of oddball news – exit signs are saying goodbye to excess energy consumption. A company called Jessup Manufacturing has come up with an eco alternative to plug-in exit signs. Instead of electricity, they use ambient light to charge up - but are even better than solar powered signs. ...
TreeHugger Deals: Give the Gift of Green with Pangea Organics
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 2.08
Welcome to our new "TreeHugger Deals" column, which offers discounts and specials exclusively for TreeHugger readers. TreeHugger never receives monetary compensation or proceeds from these promotions.
This week’s TreeHugger Deals comes to you from Pangea Organics, makers of the Ecocentric Bodycare and long-time friend of TreeHugger. It’s apparently taken two years of development, but Pangea just launched a series of holiday gift sets with packaging that actually grows Spruce Trees. All you have to do is soak the box for a day, and then plant it in the earth. If everyone plants their holiday gift box and bar soap box this year, collectively, they will have planted 122,000 trees which is equivalent to not driving 30 million miles in one year!
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US Chamber Of Commerce On The Inside Energy Policy Track
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 2.08
Gen. Jones is the president and chief executive of the Institute for 21st Century Energy, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In November, the Institute offered Mr. Obama a roadmap for bolstering U.S. energy security as a key component of increasing its national security.For those of you who have not payed close attention, the US Chamber is not exactly a hotbed of environmental activism. Check out Industry Groups Suing To Reverse Polar Bear Protection to get the general drift. If you prefer your "must not harm the economy" up neat, here is the Chamber's official position on climate action. ...
International Environmental Court of Justice Proposed by British Lawyer
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 2.08
International Criminal Court photo: Michael Veenman
One of the prime problems with any international environmental agreement, beyond getting nations to actually ratify it, is enforcement. It’s difficult enough domestically—a lawsuit against the Canadian government for failing to meet its Kyoto Protocol commitments went nowhere fast—and internationally its even worse. There simply isn’t an international body which has specific authority to enforce international environmental regulations. If the former head of Britain’s Bar Council has his way, such a body would be created to do just that: ...
How to Go Green: Cocktails
by Kelly Rossiter, Toronto on 12. 2.08
Photo: Kelly Rossiter
There is something about sipping on a cocktail surrounded by friends that makes a party feel special. It doesn't matter what the time of year, whether you are getting into the holiday spirit, or sitting on a dock by a lake. Anybody can uncork some wine or crack open a beer, but serving a cocktail takes some thought and imagination. Choosing the perfect cocktail to serve is a great way to set the mood of the party.
It also takes a bit of ingenuity and legwork to make those cocktails green. From liquor to shaker and everything in between, we'll help you with lots of other ways to green your drinks, in our guide for How to Go Green: Cocktails over on Planet Green. Read on for a small sampling of our tips on how to make your cocktails tasty and green.
...
Obama National Security Advisor Outlines Energy Policy Priorities (Video Clip)
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 2.08
"New" Technology Detects and Kills Vampire Power Suckers
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 2.08
Smart power strips have been around for a good long time. But a technology has been developed to automatically detect when plugged-in devices are sipping power in stand by and turn them off...with a twist.
Spanish inventors have worked out a way to detect when devices are in stand by, shut them off completely, and - here's the new-ish part - allow them to start again without going through their boot-up sequence.
However, we're not so sure it is the "final solution" to vampire power. ...
From the Forums: Baby Food Lids?
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 12. 2.08
SgtMaj:
Having a toddler I go through a lot of baby food. Anywhere from 5-7 jars a day to be precise... I already recycle the glass jars, but what can I do with the lids?greenteadrinker:
My Pop was a house fix-it person, and he screwed the lid to the bottom of a shelf for odds and ends. The jars were great for small nails, screws, etc. Do you know of anyone that could use some organization in their workshop; or maybe a craft person for buttons and such? Maybe post on craigslist and give em' away?Have Any Answers?...
Unilever Cutting Ink Colors to Save Millions and Reduce Waste
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 2.08
Brazil Announces Plan to Slow Amazon Deforestation by 70%
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 2.08
photo: Leo Freitas
A few months ago Brazil announced that rates of deforestation in the Amazon increased 3.8% over the previous year and that it would be taking steps to crack down on illegal logging, land clearing (sometimes by burning) and illegal settlements. The country also established the Amazon Fund to solicit international monetary donations to help fund anti-deforestation efforts.
Now Brazil has announced that it has a plan to reduce deforestation by 70%, or about 6,000 square kilometers per year. According to Environment Minister Carlos Minc the plan would have the following effect:...
Rainwater Harvesting Umbrella Scales Up
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.08
Rainwater harvesting is a big deal, especially in Australia. Designer Chris Buerckner has developed this idea for a harvesting umbrella for urban sports grounds; it spreads out in the rain to gather water and channel it into an underground tank, and folds up to get out of the way at other times (unless it is being used to provide shade as well)...
Controversial Artist Justifies Bad Behaviour in the Arctic
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 12. 2.08
Why do we all keep leaving the lights on, driving our cars and hopping on airplanes when we know full well it's damaging the environment? There may be several answers to this question: necessity, convenience, selfishness? The connection between behavioural change and climate change is a complex issue that many people are trying to get to grips with.
One of them is artist Francesca Galeazzi who was part of the recent Cape Farewell expedition to the Arctic along with Graham Hill and beatboxer Schlomo. On the trip into the pristine wilderness Galeazzi tackled the problem of our conscious bad environmental behaviour head on with a controversial act of deliberate sabotage......
From Egregious to Green: 5 CEOs Who Made an Environmental U-Turn
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 12. 2.08
Image courtesy of Chiefport
A chief executive officer wields an awesome power over his companies’ policies, employees and principles—and just how sustainable each will be. So when a previously ungreen CEO decides to adopt an ecologically responsible agenda, the effects can be wide-reaching, and exceptionally inspiring. Here’s a list of the top 5 formerly environmentally oblivious business execs who’ve changed their tune for the greener. ...
Little Portland Cottages Built from "Found Objects"
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.08
These cottages in Portland, Oregon are cute and sized right at about 364 square feet, but builders Jeffrey Gantert and Brad Bloom also demonstrate how a little ingenuity and humor make cheap and found materials a lot more interesting than buying new. According to Ruth Mullen in the Oregonian:
...
28 States To Get Smartlet Electric Vehicle Charging Station Distributors, Entire US + Canada Early Next Year
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 2.08
image: Coulomb Technologies
A bit over a week ago Coulomb Technologies announced that it would be installing 40 of its electric vehicle charging stations across California. Now the company will be expanding access to these chargers through regional reseller programs in 28 states, in the Northeast, Southeast, West, and Mountain regions. The program is expected to be expanded to the Midwest, Texas and Canada in the first quarter of 2009. ...
Crushing Seed to Fry the Turkey - DIY Thanksgiving Extreme
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 12. 2.08
How Much Canola Does it Take to Fry a Turkey?
From moving toward vegetarianism to buying local, organic or free range for the Thanksgiving table, TreeHugger and Planet Green are both full of examples of how we can enhance our celebrations by nurturing a more intimate relationship with our food and where it comes from. But my friends Lyle Estill and Matt Rudolf over at Piedmont Biofuels, both advocates of the 100 mile diet, may just have taken this concept a step further than most of us could (or should!) – crushing over 55 gallons of their own canola seed to produce oil for deep frying the turkey (click below the fold for video footage of the results):
...
Jargon Watch: Econcierge
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.08
That is what Trendwatching, "an independent and opinionated trend firm" with a penchant for inventing words that really grate on the tongue, calls the new services that help households go green. They note that while these firms started up to help people reduce their carbon footprints, their current focus is helping consumers save, or even make, money by going green. As an example, they cite a London firm, Green Concierge:
...
Bill Clinton Kicks Off First (and Last) Charity Summit Overseas
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 12. 2.08
Clinton with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Victor Fung, chairman of Hong Kong's Li & Fung Group. Reuters
Bill Clinton opened the first Clinton Global Initiative Asia summit in Hong Kong on Tuesday, amid questions over how the global economic slump and his wife's new role as U.S. Secretary of State would affect his international crusade. One effect: in an attempt to eliminate conflicts of interest related to Hillary's new job, no more CGI conferences will be held outside of the U.S.
But as the two-day summit began away from its usual New York base, the former President, and his mission of bringing together global leaders to address the world's biggest problems, showed no signs of slowing down. “Our work is never more important because the government cannot solve all the problems alone,” Clinton said in opening remarks. “We need partnership from the private sector and civil society.”
Today alone, donors made pledges amounting to about $95 million USD....
Cohousing Comes to Brooklyn
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.08
In good times, idealists trying to start something like a cohousing project have trouble competing with developers for land; they have to put up their own money, don't have access to the same kind of mezzanine financing, and can't move as quickly. In times like these, suddenly they hold all the cards; they actually have money, (the deposits from all the participants) and don't touch fancy and risky loans. And there are a lot of developers under water who are happy to unload sites, often at a loss.
That is what is happening in Brooklyn, (previously noted here) where a group is buying a project, formerly 40 high end condos, and is planning to build:
"more modest apartments than the original developers intended and to fill them with families whose lives revolve around the courtyard and 6,000 square feet of common space where residents can cook together, play together, do woodworking or take an art class together."...
Think Eco-Logical Pushes IT Sustainability Home with Businesses
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 2.08
Think Eco-Logical is a new program launched today by BPM Forum and Rackable Systems to educate businesses that sustainable IT practices are what will get them through the recession, and is the only way forward in the climate crisis.
The initiative addresses business issues like digital media, entertainment, Internet, data trafficking, and eCommerce and shows how these areas of business can be handled in energy effective and environmentally friendly ways, saving money and the planet. ...
Survey: Should Brian Be Tromping over the Galapagos?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.08
TreeHugger Brian has been visiting the Galapagos and it has been controversial. He writes: "I've been receiving comments (some angry-seeming) on my series of dispatches from Galapagos with suggestions like only scientists should be allowed entry, and I'm a sicko for walking on the beaches with sea lions."
...
Malcolm Gladwell on Home Ownership and Community
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.08
photography by kris krüg
A propos of our post on Is Home Ownership a Good Thing? Part II, the introduction of Malcolm Gladwell's new book Outliers describes a study of Roseto, a small town in Pennsylvania, where for some unknown reason people just didn't die of the usual causes in America at the time, primarily heart attacks- they essentially kept going until they died of old age. The two doctors doing the study finally figured it out:
...
Recycled Cardboard Accessories by Diseno Cartonero
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 12. 2.08
Photos: Diseno Cartonero.
The first edition of Sustentable, a design festival entirely dedicated to sustainability and green design, is proving that Buenos Aires is ready to embrace the environmental movement. The event gathered a good amount and quality of designers, which offer a panorama of the state of green design in the city these days. Plus, even in a rainy weekend, it received a great amount of public in the workshops and presentations.
Many of the featured designers in the show are already part of TreeHugger's archives, but there were some new faces too. In this post we bring you Diseno Cartonero (something like waste-picker design). Find out in the extended....
Vanguard Homes Builds First WaterSense® Labeled Dwelling In USA: 20% More Water Efficient
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 2.08
WaterSense labeled new homes by Vanguard will be designed to be at least 20 percent more water efficient than homes currently being built under traditional standards, saving homeowners more than 10,000 gallons of water per year. These homes are designed to use significantly less water inside and out, through efficient plumbing fixtures, hot water delivery, appliances, landscape design, and irrigation systems. Via:Vanguard news release (pdf file)How much would you save if you bought WaterSense® labeled products for an existing home? (Surely a more frequent occurrence, these days.)...
Spread the Warmth with Horny Toad’s Pre-Loved Clothing Donation Program
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 2.08
The Bivouac project—I think that’s what it was called—was a scheme, from aeons ago, whereby a bunch of mountaineers organised for their fellow adventurers to donate old outerwear jackets and sleeping bags, those gathering dust in garages, basements and attic. They then dispersed these goods to homeless folk. Climbers and backcountry skiers voluntarily chose, for recreation, to camp out in wintery weather. For many people, however, there is no choice, they brave the same conditions out of the dire necessity of daily urban survival. Alas, that project is no more.
But all is not lost. For outdoor inspired apparel company Horny Toad have just launched their Spread The Warmth program, which traverses much the same terrain. “The clothes taking up space in the back of your closet could keep someone warm this winter. We're asking you to dig deep and give them a new home by donating to an organization that can get them to people in need.”
What’s more, if you let Horny Toad know that you’ve given your clean functional preloves to a local shelter, Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc, the frogsters will happily give to you a 30% discount on their clothing. Kinda like a trade-in....
Make My Car into a Prius: Retrofit a Poulsen Hybrid Plug-inKit
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 2.08
Can’t get by with public transit systems or a bicycle? Need a car, but would rather have something more economical and ecological like the Toyota Prius? If only you could avoid it! Someone has been eavesdropping on your thoughts and that person is Ulrik Poulsen, a Danish mechanical engineer. Ulrik has created the ‘Poulsen Hybrid’, which is an aftermarket device you can add to most any compact car so it performs pretty much like a electric/petrol hybrid Prius.
Poulsen’s Hybrid Kit will work on any car with 15” wheels or larger, be they front drive, rear drive, and all wheel drive. As they put it the kit’s development came about from the observation that “only 10-15 horsepower is required to propel a compact or mid-size automobile along a level road at a steady 60 mph. leading to the conclusion that this relatively small amount of electric power would be able to cope with 70-85% of normal driving, only aided by the combustion engine during start up and when extra energy is required for acceleration and hill climbing.”
If you have questions (like; Where do I get one? and How much will it cost me?), then we suggest you keep reading....
Get Thee to an Eco Nunnery
by Bonnie Alter, London on 12. 2.08
Enough is enough according to the nuns at an ageing Victorian convent. They are tired of being caretakers for an old country mansion in the English countryside that is eating money in fuel bills and upkeep. Now they have commissioned a new home in the remote countryside that will be environmentally friendly. It will have rainwater harvesting, reedbed sewage systems, sedum roofs, recycled materials, a woodchip boiler and be built of responsibly-sourced timber.
"We are supposed to love creation and respect the environment. We're living in and taking care of it." said the abbess. To that end they have hired Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, prize winning architects who have recently won the prestigious Stirling Prize for a residential development. The architects appreciated the sisters' point of view: "These clients are naturally parsimonious, they're not into buying and consuming like we are and they have a great respect for the natural environment. It's been a privilege working with them. They're so charming and they're quite good fun."
...
To Tour or Not to Tour—Should An Environmentalist Visit the Galapagos?
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 12. 1.08
Photo by Pete Oxford
From a die-hard ecologist's standpoint, the unequivocal answer is simple:
No.
Tourism invites hordes of people to trample over the delicate island ecosystems, the ever-growing industry attracts migrant workers to join an already unsustainable population which combined with the gaggle of visitors usurps the Galapagos' limited resources. Not to mention the extensive fossil fuel-frying air travel you'll most likely have to undertake to get here.
And yet—show me a naturalist who claims he wouldn't love to see firsthand the rampant biodiversity that inspired Darwin, and I'll show you a flaming-pants liar.
Herein lies our conflict.
...
Eco-Drain Cleaner, Homemade Tortilla Chips and The Anti-Gift List
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY on 12. 1.08
:: Unclog your drains the eco-friendly way. The world's waterways will thank you.
:: Cut out the calories and wasteful packaging from store bought snacks by making your own. How about tasty Tortilla Chips?
:: Check out the anti-gift list for a good laugh--or fright!...
Healthy Child Healthy World Hosts Carnival of the Green
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 1.08
This week is Carnival of the Green #156 and it's being hosted by Healthy Child Healthy World, a blog that gives us simple steps in creating a safe, clean and green home for our family.
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! ...
Sustainability’s Success
by Danielle Carpenter Sprungli, WCSBD on 12. 1.08
The financial meltdown has proven how badly things need to change. In July the world was focused on faltering trade negotiations, managing high energy and food costs, climate change and ecosystem degradation. Today, the recent financial collapse has led to a large-scale evaporation of trust in markets.
The irony is that leading companies have long been trying to convince the financial markets to value sustainable development, the companies that pursue it, and the long-term view.
The WBCSD has long been calling for bold governance to manage climate change and for governments to recognize business as a solution provider for that and other sustainable development challenges, in terms of investment, innovation, technology and job creation.
This idea is finally catching on, especially with the “proof” that sustainability is not a synonym of liability. “The companies that sit atop Fortune’s 2008 Accountability Rating don’t see sustainability as optional,” says a 24 November article in Fortune Magazine. ...
Fish Waste Biodiesel Project Launched in Vietnam
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 1.08
What to do when your corner of the world consumes 5 million liters of diesel fuel a day and you have a fish processing industry which can produce 120,000 kilograms of processed fish waste daily from just one factory? Turn that waste into biodiesel, obviously.
That’s just what Finland’s VTT Technical Research Center and Vietnamese seafood producer Hiep Thanh Seafood JSC are doing under a three-year project:...
Is Home Ownership a Good Thing? Part II
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.08
Andrew Maynard plug in housing
When I asked Is Home Ownership a Good Thing? a few months ago, the consensus was very much yes. Now some thoughtful people are coming down on the other side. Richard Florida:
Our reliance on single-family homeownership is a product of the past 50 years – and the experiment has outlived its usefulness. Not only is it now readily apparent that not everyone should own a home, and that the mortgage system is a big part of what got us into the current financial mess, but homeownership also ties people to locations, making it harder for them to move to where work is. Homeownership made sense when most people had one job and lived in the same city for life. But it makes less sense when people change jobs frequently and have to relocate to find new work.....Imagine a future where people live in plug-and-play rental housing units – able to move quickly when they change their jobs, with many shrinking their commute to a short walk or bicycle trip and many others able to trade in their cars for accessible mass transit....
Mini E Won’t See Commercial Production, Field Trial Results Destined For 2010 Electric BMW
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 1.08
photo: Mini USA
You probably heard or read about last week’s announcement that applications for the Mini E field test had been opened and that 500 people in the Los Angeles and New York metro areas would be participating. Maybe you ever applied to have the honor of paying for a year-long lease on one of the two-seat Coopers and giving feedback to Mini in the hopes that sometime, hopefully sooner rather than later, you can actual purchase one. Well, it doesn’t look like that’ll be the case:...
Nokia Entering Smart Home Scene with Mobile Phone Project
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 1.08
Quote of the Day: Andy Revkin Re-Evaluates Climate Change
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.08
Tropical Forests Better Left Intact As Carbon Sinks Than Converted to Biofuel Plantations
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 1.08
photo: Steven Wong
That may be an obvious statement for regular followers of renewable energy news, and of the green movement in general, but a new study published in Conservation Biology illustrates just how important intact tropical forests are in slowing climate change. And just how counter productive converting them to biofuel plantations really is. Here’s the gist of it:...
Lemon-Powered Desk Clock Brings Back Science Fair Memories
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 1.08
Photo via Anna Gram
Here’s a stylish throwback to grade school science experiments: A clock that runs on lemons.
The citrus clock is designed to be an elegant way to run a timepiece for a week with one lemon. But, it raises a few questions about the merit of such a design. ...
Michelle Kaufmann Designs McMansion Gingerbread
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.08
We wrote a year ago about Michelle Kaufmann's assault of the booming prefab modern gingerbread scene, noting that "as the mortgage crisis deepens, this may be the only modern prefab market left." We are disappointed to note that whereas last year her house was a modest, one storey number, she has gone all McMansion on us with her GingerLotus, which is definitely more than we can chew in a sitting. ...
World’s Fastest Electric Superbike: 125 MPH & No Carbon Emissions
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 1.08
photo: The Guardian
If you live in the United States, you may have missed the announcement made last Thursday, that the world’s fastest all-electric superbike has been unveiled. Making its first appearance at the 2008 NEC Bike Show in the UK , the TTX01 isn’t commercially available yet, but it is street legal (in the UK at least), can do 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 125 mph. The price tag when a limited number are available for purchase by the end of 2009: £20,000 ($30,000).
Want to know how far will you be able to go on a single battery charge, more details? Read on:...
Just What We Needed Dept.: Seven Things You Don't Want for Christmas
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.08
My favorite talmudic anecdote is from the Rabbi who noted "my life has been blessed, because I never knew I needed anything until I had it." I know exactly how he felt; How have I coped without this One Click Butter Cutter? found on Dvice. No wonder North American kitchens are so big, they have to accommodate all of this crap....
Beijing Meets Its "Blue Sky" Target for 2008 (After Moving the Goal Posts)
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 12. 1.08
Andrew Lih
China has a big counterfeiting problem, but it's not DVDs or clothing or cars. It's pollution statistics. We've mentioned it before, and wrote about it recently at The Vine, but as the UN worries about giant smog clouds over Asia and Beijing considers lowering fuel prices, it's worth mentioning again: Beijing's claims to have lowered air pollution are fraught by suspicious numbers.
Today we learn that, as of Nov 30, the city had reached its "blue sky" target for 2008. Beijing has been looking better than usual this autumn, a result no doubt of the Olympic Games clean-up and restrictions on cars. Ten years ago, the city only had 100 "blue sky" days -- days not when the sky is necessarily blue, but when the Air Pollution Index was 100 or lower. ...
Upcycled Laptop Bag Shows Your Stance on Style and Green Thinking
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 1.08
Photo via labudde
Choosing accessories for your laptop can sometimes be tough. You may want to choose the greenest option possible, and yet you don't want to sacrifice style. Sometimes you want to buy whatever is at the closest store because it's easy. But there are some excellent options out there that will make you want to hold off buying whatever is at the ready, and buy something that is most definitely green.
Among these options is this great upcycled laptop bag made by labudde from a coffee sack. Read on for more about this bag and other cool ideas....
Jet Engine Wind Turbine Design Could Halve Wind Power Electricity Costs
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 1.08
Until some carbon taxes or a cap-and-trade system pushes fossil fuel prices up to where they probably should be (if all the environmental factors are taken into consideration) any small thing that reduces the cost of generating electricity from renewable energy sources is great news.
A claim that a new wind turbine design could reduce the cost of generating electricity from wind power by 50%, and possibly double or triple a turbine’s output in the process is even better news. This is how it could happen:
...
From the Forums: Your Thanksgiving Green Efforts?
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 12. 1.08
Well another Thanksgiving has come and gone and was wondering what everyone did to reuse, recycle, or conserve?
For us, this year all the food was organic and everything was made from scratch (no pre-packaged shortcuts), so almost zero packaging, and nothing went to waste. Every scrap of food was either eaten, converted to soups and sandwiches, or made it to the compost bin. We didn't use any paper products since we switched to linens 6 months ago. When the oven was on the heater was off. Instead of going out to movies or for drives we took walks around the neighborhood. We burned candles instead of lights. Instead of turning on the TV we played games of Scrabble. And finally, instead of wasting money on shopping for bargains we made a large donation to the local Meals on Wheels.
How about you (no account required)?...
Amazon's Refurbished Kindle Underscores Issues with Buying Used Gadgets
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 1.08
4,000 Electric Vehicles To Be Leased by US Army
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 1.08
photo: Native American Biofuels
Considering that many of its higher profile vehicles really suck fuel like there’s no tomorrow, you may not think that the US military concerned itself much with reducing fuel usage, but based on a recent announcement that’s apparently not the case.
According to Army Times, the Army will be deploying 800 Neighborhood Electric Vehicles next year for on-base transportation. That will be expanded to 4,000 over the next three years with “at least 10,000 vehicles overall” to be deployed eventually. So, just how much fuel will this save? Read on:...
Another Reason to Laugh When They Say that Concrete is Green
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.08
They are just so cute, those kids on the cement promotion site. The concrete manufacturers advertise themselves as green, and whenever we go to the trade shows, all the insulated form manufacturers are calling themselves "green"- there was a whole row of them at Greenbuild. My usual complaints are the amount of Carbon Dioxide generated in its manufacture or the damage done by aggregate extraction; now we have a new one: cement kilns are among the worst emitters of mercury on the continent.
...
Free Laptop for Life - Brilliant or Back-Asswards?
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 12. 1.08
Pink is the New Green
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.08
Richard Masoner
TreeHugger has been supportive of incentive programs that give rebates for installing photovoltiac systems, like the ones we covered in San Francisco and Washington State. But we have also noted that the cheapest and easiest source of energy is efficiency and conservation, and agree with Van Jones that “the main piece of technology in the green economy is a caulk gun.”
Shari Shapiro at Green Building Law makes the point that perhaps these incentives are not the most efficient investment. She writes:
To date, much of the action in green building legislation has encouraged higher complexity energy efficiency technologies, like tax incentives for photovoltaics. There is nothing wrong with incentivizing solar, but it is not the most efficient use of the first dollar invested in green building....
The Clog Free Rake - A Human-Powered Leaf Blower?
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 12. 1.08
Raking Without the Cussing
Sometimes the greenest products are those not marketed as green at all – take the humble rake for instance. As a TreeHugger I already know that leaf blowers are the scourge of humanity (and don’t even get me started on leaf blower hockey!), so I guess I’m predisposed to like the rake. But I must admit to having been tempted, as I unclogged the tines of my rake for the umpteenth time on a cold November morning, to consider a mechanical alternative. Luckily there’s no need – just as with the human-powered mower - a little bit of thoughtful and effective design can go a long way. ...
The Smoke-Free, Nicotine-Free and Now Organic Swedish Snuff
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 12. 1.08
"Snus" or snuff is popular in Sweden and Norway. It's considered perfectly polite and socially acceptable to insert a small snuff packet in between lip and gum while you are sitting at a dinner table with friends or waiting in line for the tram. (Luckily unlike 'dip' or chewing tobacco - also originally a Swedish import! - in America, Swedish snuff doesn't make you need to spit.)
Swedes think snus is a good way to get a nicotine fix at bars, restaurants, movie theaters and other public venues (airline flights!) where smoking cigarettes and pipes has long been forbidden. Snuff delivers a quick jolt of nicotine to the bloodstream as it has more nicotine by weight than cigarettes. Now Big Tobacco is releasing snus to the U.S. market. But snuff shares cigarettes' environmental and health problems. So if snus is coming to U.S. shores, could the snus alternative be far behind?...
GE Quietly Folds on High Efficiency Incandescent
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.08
Old Thomas Alva was no slouch with the elbows in the corners when it came to patent battles or discrediting competitors, and neither are his successors at General Electric. While we generally admire the company, we were not impressed with their announcement a year and a half ago that they were working on more efficient incandescent bulbs, that "In addition to offering significant energy savings comparable to CFLs, the 21st century version of Edison’s bulb provides all the desirable benefits including light quality and instant-on convenience as incandescent lamps currently provide at a price that will be less than CFLs."
I wrote that the timing of the announcement was suspicious(it was the same day as the launch of 18 seconds.org and a lot of incandescent bans were being discussed) , and " would also suggest that announcing a bulb that will be half as good as a CFL when it is launched in three years has just given a whole lot of people an excuse to do nothing."...
Eco Friendly Flooring Guide is a Great Resource
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.08
Lots of companies have "guides"- that simply take you around their own products. EcoTimber, (seen on TreeHugger here) which has been selling sustainably harvested wood since 1992, has produced a wood guide that is well laid out, fairly complete, and as they say on Fox, "fair and balanced"- a really useful resource if you are considering a wood floor. ...
"Japan Car" Exhibit at London Science Museum Explores Futuristic Design
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 12. 1.08
(Image from Japan Car: Designs for a Crowded Globe at Flickr)
London's Science Museum, Design Platform Japan and a host of others are presenting a rather different take on the cultural aspects of state-of-the-art automobiles, including kei cars, in a clever exhibition that started on November 29, 2008.
Japan Car - Designs for the Crowded Globe is an exploration of the car as a "mobile cell" - conceived by two world class designers: Kenya Hara, the man responsible for much of the success of Muji, the Nagano Olympics opening ceremony, and Shigeru Ban, the architect currently designing a new satellite gallery for Paris’ Pompidou Centre, who did the recycled cardboard paper tubes used to quickly and efficiently house disaster victims, having helped earthquake victims in Kobe in 1995...
Cars?
The exhibition shows how Japanese car design reflects the 'soil and the spirit of Japan', shown through concept cars and special home market models. Japan Car explores three themes while examining the future of mobility in cities. Japan, being both highly innovative and densely populated, can be seen as the driving force behind transport solutions for twenty-first century cities....
Survey: Should Tesla Get A Bailout?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 1.08
OK, so nobody agreed that the American automakers were giving people what they wanted in an environment of cheap gas or that they deserved a bailout, and everyone says that we should be investing in green tech, so here is Tesla Motors, lining up for $ 400 million (they say for the development of a cheaper sedan), in what Randall Stross calls the 2008 Bailout of Very, Very High-Net-Worth Individuals Who Invested in Tesla Motors Act? Can you conceive any way that U.S. government dollars could be put at greater risk — and for no equity in return, keep in mind — to benefit fewer people?
...
The Shop of (Design) Delight Pops Up in London
by Bonnie Alter, London on 12. 1.08
Pop-out to a pop-up has got to be London's theme this month. Everywhere temporary shops selling Christmas goodies are appearing...and then disappearing. Last week's was an eco delight with ecological and green gifts for everyone and this week's caters to the design crowd. Brought to you by Designersblock, the group behind the most interesting displays at the London Design Festival, they are calling this a "pop up thrift shop, where people can find economical solutions to Christmas."
Findings range from the beautiful to the completely quirky. In the beautiful category are the cashmere blankets and throws (pictured), woven from Scottish cashmere using the traditional weaving skills. Quirky: the wallets made out of recycled music cassettes from around the world. Ceramic dinner plates have a hole in the rim so that they can be stored by hanging them on the wall: no packaging and no shelf space. ...
Green Ergonomic Office (Part 2): Voodoo Ergonomics, Advice from Tony Biafore (a.k.a. The Ergoman)
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 12. 1.08
Personal Computer Environments
Photo credit to ifyr
A "green ergonomic office" can refer to several different things. Today, we are looking at salvaging and reusing your current office equipment, rather than purchasing a whole new set. You may think that new and improved "ergonomic" stuff will vastly improve your office performance and comfort, when in truth, it may not be as much improved as you think.
Voodoo Ergonomics
Tony Biafore of Ergonetics has been in the ergonomic business for 25 years, plus currently contracts with the U.S. Department of Labor to help with their in-house ergonomics program. Tony tells us, “There is no such thing as an ergonomic product—it is all in how you use things.”
In other words, a new ergonomic computer mouse used in the same bad position will leave you no better off than the old mouse you’d been using. This is what Tony considers to be the very common misconception of what he likes to call “voodoo ergonomics.” VE is the belief that a product alone can be a fix-all for such office related ailments. Good quality office products can be valuable tools, but you must also know how to use them properly in order to gain the full benefit from them. ...
Five Picks for Eco-Friendly Socks
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 12. 1.08
Cool Eco-Campaign: Climate Change Melts Man in Buenos Aires
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 11.30.08
Photo: Red Cross of ArgentinaA young man melting into a puddle of himself is something you don’t see everyday, much less in a busy public square. Yet this humourous but surprisingly effective spectacle is the latest effort by the Red Cross of Argentina to raise awareness about climate change. Located in Buenos Aires’ Plaza Francia, the oozing young man passes out fliers urging spectators to use public transportation, conserve water, reduce, reuse, recycle and to use energy-efficient appliances. This imaginative piece of guerrilla publicity highlights the fact that much of the funding of the Argentinian Red Cross goes to assisting those who have been most affected by natural disasters exacerbated by climate change. Cruz Roja (Red Cross) Argentina via Inhabitat ...
3 Amazing, Galapagos-Only Birds Possibly Headed for Extinction
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 11.30.08
An endangered Waved Albatross chick, photo by Brian Merchant
The Galapagos Islands are brimming with avian life—some of the world's most famous birds call them home. From the Blue-Footed Boobies to the famed Darwin's finches, the world's only penguin that lives in tropical climes, there's no doubt that the archipelago is a top destination for birders around the world. What is in doubt, however, is whether some of these birds will survive the increasingly severe threats to the Galapagos.
Here are three of the most beloved birds found only on the Galapagos that might soon be found only in back issues of Audubon Society's field guides.
...
Warped Eco Tour Needs Some Green Love
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 11.30.08
Image source: EarthEcho
Yesterday we reported on the work Reverb is doing to green concerts across the US. Today we report on the Warped Eco Initiative, now in its fourth year, and up for a huge grant ($10,000) for its work to green concerts across 46 cities in just 8 weeks as part of the Vans Warped Extreme Sports and Music Tour. Their work has brought solar and environmental action to mainstream and young audiences (up to 24,000 people a day). Now it's time to show them some love for all of their hard work....
Galapagos and US Teachers Collaborate to Develop Environmental Education Programs
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 11.30.08
Photo by Pete Oxford
The Toyota International Teacher Program has taken 30 of the top secondary school teachers in the US to some pretty fascinating talks and even more spectacular locales. But perhaps the best part of the program yet is the Galapagos/US teacher collaborative projects. Working together in teams of 5 or 6 US and Galapagueno teachers, the iniative's aim is to address the global environmental issues facing both the isolated island archipelago and the world's biggest superpower.
And it's both fascinating and inspiring to watch the teams work. ...
Green Ergonomic Office (Part 1)
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 11.30.08
Photo credit to Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com
Setting up a green office has less to do with buying high tech ergonomic equipment, and more with using what you already have correctly. Buying less office equipment, means less chance for your old stuff ending up in the landfill somewhere, and quite frankly, no matter what you currently have, it is probably a lot more functional than you may realize. Sometimes the best way to reuse old office equipment, is to have never thrown it away in the first place.
We spoke with one of the foremost experts on office ergonomics, Tony Biafore, to find out some of the facts of setting up a functional, ergonomic, and healthy office. But before we get to the interview featured in part 2, I think an introduction is in order of why good office ergonomics is so important, and how it can be achieved using your current office furniture....
Michelin Unveils Active Wheel in Affordable Electric Car
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 11.30.08
Image: Michelin
The Holy Grail of Eco-transportation
Could this be the technology that revolutionizes transportation? Will the company that invented the air-pressure tire trump that achievement by making electric cars affordable and practical? Michelin's Active Wheel system is the holy grail of wheel technology: a wheel with an integrated drive motor that has succeeded to meet unsprung weight limitations.
The Active Wheel frees automobile designers from the restrictions posed by the need for engine, transmission, drive shaft, differential and exhaust systems. Imagine the possibilities. Curiously, the prototype which Michelin will partner to bring to the roads in 2010 may not be what you imagined.
...
Global Warming Opens Northwest Passage
by Josh Peterson, Los Angeles, California on 11.30.08
photo by wikimedia
Climate change is making the impassable passable. The legendary and treacherous Northwest Passage, once believed to be unnavigable by larger ships, has been successfully traversed by a commercial cargo ship. Satellite photos had shown the passage to be open as early as 2007, but it wasn't until a few days ago that the navigability of the route was empirically proven. ...
Be Careful What You Wish For in Canada: A Greener Coalition Government May Happen
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.30.08
Just after the Canadian election last month we imagined the Liberal leader going to the Governor General and saying:
"Climate change is too important for petty politics. The four parties with strong pro-environment, pro-Kyoto platforms got 61% of the vote and control 163 seats to the conservatives' 143. We are forming a Coalition against Climate Change and intend to ask the Governor-General to let us form the government."Now, because of some real political stupidity on the part of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, it just might happen; his minority government may fall next week. ...
Richard Branson Backs Legal Bid to Protect Virgin Island Mangroves
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 11.30.08
The outcome of a case pitting an environmental charity organization against the British Virgin Islands (BVI) government and several developers could determine the future of the Caribbean environment and set the groundwork for the creation of an international environment court, writes The Independent's Robert Verkaik. The Virgin Islands Environmental Council (VIEC), whose legal efforts are being backed by none other than Sir Richard Branson (who, it must be said, owns a family home on Necker Island, one of the Virgin Islands), is trying to block the construction of a multimillion-dollar luxury resort on Beef Island.
The campaigners argue that the resort would cause irreparable damage, and could possibly destroy, one of the region's most vulnerable mangrove systems. Under the developers' plans, one of the golf holes for their course would be located right in the middle of the threatened mangrove swamp. ...
Cheap Gas: Good or Bad?
by Trevor Reichman on 11.30.08
Once again, in America, gasoline is cheaper than bottled water. Is this good or bad?
Let's start with the bad (5 reasons):
1) Thousands of more Americans will perish in car crashes. There is a direct, undisputed correlation between the price of gas and the number of deaths in car accidents each year. This last year, when record breaking gas prices greatly reduced nonessential driving while increasing more conservative driving habits, thousands of lives were saved. In fact, it was the first significant reduction in driving fatalities in decades. ...
TRU Organic Vodka Plants a Tree For Every Bottle Purchased
by Sara Novak, Columbia, SC on 11.30.08
photo:TRU Organic
All those parties, along with that sometimes trying time with your family can amount to some over indulgence. If you're gonna have a drink of two, why not choose a bottle that plants a tree for every purchase? ...
Ramsar Wetland Convention Meeting in Korea: Peat, Bogs And Poetry
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 11.30.08
Photo from Indonesia: Greenpeace activists working with locals to halt drainage by constructing dams on peatlands. This will prevent the peatland from drying out and releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Peat-forming wetlands are an estimated 60% of all the wetlands distributed globally. Do peatlands remain in the "grey zone" seemingly unattractive to the conservation movement? I was reminded of Digging, the poem by Seamus Heaney:...
Performance Tuner Modification for the Smart Car
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 11.30.08
Photo Credit to Ducktail964
Performance modifying your green vehicle just might have been one of those things that made the C + C Music Factory exclaim, “hmmm” back in 1991.
You had to know it was coming... it was only a matter of time before the peppy and the frugal caught up with the Fast and the Furious. The Smart Car now officially has a performance aftermarket in the USA, and we're not just talking about the cute race stripes and chrome shifter knobs, these are the all out modifications of vertical car doors, wide-body kits, spoilers, performance air intakes, and stainless steel exhaust systems....
Ramsar Wetland Convention Meeting in Korea: Getting The News From International Conferences
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 11.30.08
(Photo from the International Institute for Sustainable Development)
I have participated in a number of international conferences, including United Nations meetings, WTO events, and whatnot. I have often felt frustrated that delegates are so isolated from the public. Important topics are debated with implications for everyone. Yet, only a few non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are usually present to try to propose solutions and suggest ways forward. Big Media tries to cover these events, but at the end of the day, we mostly get soundbytes. Indeed, my experience is that very few independent experts are able to attend these big meetings.
One great tool we have available is Linkages, the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, a reporting service for environment and development negotiations. If you could not attend the Ramsar Wetland Convention Meeting held in Korea earlier this month, well, IIDS has detailed day-to-day updates, with photos of delegates and behind-the-scenes reports "from the corridors." Do explore their website and you will not be disappointed....
Ramsar Wetland Convention Meeting in Korea: Protecting Rice Paddies
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 11.30.08
(Photo of rice paddy farmers from WETecol)
Earlier this month, the important UN Ramsar Convention held its 10th meeting in South Korea. Some 2000 delegates from governments, NGOs and industry participated. Among the issues were resolutions concerning the relationship of wetlands to climate change and biofuels, and protection for rice paddy fields. The convention is one of those amazing global treaties that bring nations together to deal with issues that no country can solve on their own. Yet, more wetlands than ever are under threat from development and urban, technology-driven needs that couldn't care less about the environment. I was particularly pleased that rice paddy fields, so common in Asia, were brought to the forefront and got a special mention in the final resolution:...
