- 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 January 18, 2009 - January 24, 2009
Total this week: 177
Electric 1972 Datsun Coupe: the World's Fastest Emission Free Car? (Video)
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 01.24.09
Photo via of Plasma Boy Racing
The White Zombie is a 1972 Datsun 1200 that's been modified to be 100 percent electric. It's boxy, it's small, and aside from a couple slogans, it's got a bland white paint job. It's entirely street legal. And it's one of the fastest cars in the world....
"Comment Baby Comment" - Public Comment Period On OCS Drilling Open Until March 23, 2009
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 01.24.09
Image via:OilDrum
So says the US Minerals Management Service (MMS) regarding the Environmental Impact Statement recently published on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) drilling program proposed during the closing days of the Bush Administration. "The MMS is seeking comment on all aspects of the new program including energy development and economic and environmental issues in the OCS areas."
Even those who voted for, you know, the guy that screamed "Drill Baby Drill," can weigh in through this portal. Read on for details....
Little People Run Amok in London, Teach Big Life Lessons
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 01.24.09
Images via Little People
Keep your eyes peeled if you happen to be wandering the streets of London. You might come across some little people. Some really little people. Doing things like hunting bumble bees, skateboarding inside orange peels, and riding on the backs of garden snails. So what are all these tiny people doing littered around the city, so small you could step on them without noticing? They're helping raise city dwellers' awareness of all things great and small, in a sense. ...
Largest Solar Program in US to Kick Start Green New Deal in LA?
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 01.24.09
Photo via Zimbio
The prospect of a Green New Deal that would simultaneously stimulate our economy and promote alternative energy development is perhaps the only remotely exciting aspect of the recession. And we may soon have the opportunity to see how it might work on the city level: in LA, where the unemployment rate has risen from 8.9 to 9.9 percent in the last year, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is spearheading a plan to expand citywide solar production and create jobs in the process.
Today he attended a training session for solar equipment maintenance and installation along with hundreds of electricians, many who are out of work. The training session is designed to prepare workers for thousands of new green collar jobs that the mayor hopes will be created with his massive solar initiative, Measure B. Could this be a way to kick start a Green New Deal in California?
...
10 Headlines We Hope To See in 2009
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 01.24.09
Green Stimulus Chair For Climate Deniers, Design By Dr. Oilystein
Image credit: Jaeys.com
A new year, a new Federal administration, and a new outlook on the green scene. In honor of hope, we huddled, putting our heads together to come up with 10 headlines we'd like to see hit the news wires in '09. Some reach for the stars; a few are silly (but culturally relevant). Go ahead and call us dreamers; we'll be over here feasting on the optimism while it's still in the air. ...
Solar Powered Medical Clinic Will Save Lives in War Torn Iraq
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 01.24.09
Photo via News Blaze
In Iraq, where rolling blackouts and severe electricity restrictions plague the nation, a reliable power supply can mean the difference between life and death. Without it, important medical centers can't provide the necessary treatment to the wounded. So it was a stunning achievement for the American-Iraqi Multinational Force—and a great moment for solar power technology—when an Iraqi-led group designed and installed a photovoltaic cell system on a Baghdad medical clinic. This has far greater significance than most ordinary solar projects: this solar power will literally help save the lives of Iraqi civilians and Coalition soldiers....
ECO-MYTH BUSTER: Antarctica Heating Up, Not Cooling as Widely Believed (Video)
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 01.24.09
Mobile Off-Grid Art Center Takes Off
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 01.24.09
Program Director Emily Hopkins in a refurbished 1953 Spartan trailer - headquarters for arts non-profit Side Street Projects (Photo: Side Street Projects on Flickr)
Over a year ago, Pasadena’s arts education non-profit Side Street Projects was facing a critical crossroads. After 15 years of having to shift between borrowed office spaces, they finally went mobile, but without further funding, they could not afford to power their operations. As an organization completely on wheels, they could not qualify for government funding.
So they did what any nomadic non-profit might do in this situation: with the help of a generous donation, they went totally off-grid – in the process, achieving organizational stability (and some unexpected successes to boot).
...
VitaminWater Sued Over Lack of Health Benefits
by Josh Peterson, Los Angeles, California on 01.24.09
photo by Mica Photographs
Coca-Cola, the maker of VitaminWater, is being sued by the Center for Science in the Public Interest over alleged deceptive marketing practices. Those practices include using buzzwords like “definitely au naturel” and “triple antioxidants” on the product’s packaging. VitaminWater’s incredibly obnoxious and hard-to-navigate website even claims that these miracle beverages can boost immunity or help your joints stay flexible. The marketing ploy has allegedly tricked consumers into purchasing VitaminWater for its "healthful benefits." Coke responded by calling the lawsuit “ridiculous.”...
Do We Still Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident?
by Earthwatch Institute on 01.24.09
"The Pioneers," by James Fenimore Cooper, Pub.1823. Image credit:Wikipedia.
By: Alan Fortescue (NOTE: The opinions expressed here are those of the author's, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Earthwatch.)
Flying to Switzerland on election night last November, I remember the cheers that erupted halfway across the Atlantic when the captain announced that Obama had won the presidency. People of all ages and nationalities clapped, whooped and hollered with joy. Everywhere people appeared to be breathing again, as if we had been liberated from a war. It was a happy moment....
Knitting a City Together
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 01.24.09
Passers-by stop to help knit "greenies" to decorate the streetlamps of Nişantaşı. Photo: Yutta Saftien
Come next May, if you were to look out across the mighty waterway running through the middle of Istanbul, you might see shoots of green growth rising up from the endless urban sprawl and crossing the Bosphorus Bridge that connects the city's European and Asian sides. This is no post-apocalyptic scenario of nature run amok in a ruined world, but, much to the contrary, one artist's vision of peaceful connection.
...
Upping the Green in Golf Course Construction
by Sara Novak, Columbia, SC on 01.24.09
photo: Axion
Overdevelopment of land and pesticide-laden upkeep has given golf courses a bad wrap over the past decade. Maybe someday people will turn away from the sport but in the mean time it's best to make it less consuming And with water conservation and a more natural approach, some courses are certainly getting better. Most recently, Axion has launched a new division of eco-friendly golf bridges and walkways for courses made from plastic lumber. But how green is plastic lumber anyway?...
Hot Climate Action By Calera: Utility Stack Gas + Sea Water = Calcium Carbonate \/+ Hydrogen Sulfide
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 01.24.09
Five Sensational Eco-Fashion Sales Happening Now!
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY on 01.23.09
Image credit: Flickr/jbcurio
If there’s one thing an eco-savvy shopper knows—it’s that post-holiday, mid-season quiet periods are the perfect time for scoring the hottest deals on otherwise high-priced items. And for those of us experiencing winter weather at its most brutal, it’s a good time to take stock of what you have, don’t have and need.
Whether you’ve shivered your way throughout winter without one warm, decent sweater or skidded over sidewalks without snow-appropriate boots, here are the five best sustainable clothing sales happening right now. ...
Train Charter Trips Boom (Despite Swedes' Fondness for Planes to Thailand)
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 01.23.09
Photo of a Swedish train by hgaronfolo1984 @ flickr.
Leisure travel is a Swedish pastime almost as integrated into the culture as filmjölk (sour cultured milk), Swedish meatballs, and moose hunting. Swedes know their international travel habits generate a lot of carbon dioxide emissions, yet they are loathe to give up the ability to escape the gray Swedish winters. The bad economy has caused some charter companies to cancel lots of trips, but charter train trips are expanind. Unfortunately, one of the most popular destinations - Thailand - is accessible by train, but it takes over ten days (you cross the Baltic to Finland first) and includes a week on the Trans-Siberian railroad. Not for everyone - so some Swedes are instead choosing train charter closer to home....
The Internet is Becoming More Energy Efficient, But Total Energy Use is Climbing
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.23.09
Internet Energy Efficiency
At first glance, someone looking at the numbers for the energy consumption of the Internet might say: "The Internet was using 2x more power in 2006 than in 2000! That's terrible!" But the whole picture looks more like: "Between 2000 and 2006, Internet traffic increased by 3.2 million times yet energy consumption only doubled!"
Read on for more details....
Could Lithium Shortages Impede Future Electric Car Deployment?
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.23.09
Lithium pellets covered in white lithium hydroxide. Public domain.
O Lithium, Where Art Thou?
Lithium is a soft alkali metal with a silver-white color, it is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element. Most treehuggers and electronics-geeks will be familiar with it as one of the key chemical components of lithium-ion batteries, using in portable electronics and the most recent generation of electric vehicles.
But what happens when demand for it increases because of electric cars? Could we run out of the stuff? Could it become prohibitively expensive?...
UK Car Production Down 48.7% in December, Japan Car production Expected to Go Down 40% this Quarter
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.23.09
Unsold Cars, Closing Manufacturing Plants, Etc.
We all knew that people were buying fewer cars these days - and Detroit's problems, and bailout, made lots of headlines - but this situation is global. Will it be enough to drive down worldwide oil consumption significantly? Will new, more fuel-efficient cars be on the market by the time people start buying again?...
Building Industry Goes Out With A Bang, Not a Whimper
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.23.09
The building industry is not just in the sewer, it has gone a lot lower than that. So when they planned the New American Home for the International Builders Show in Las Vegas, they could have done something appropriate for the times, perhaps a Katrina cottage like the one that blew everyone away at the IBS three years ago, or maybe a Clayton I-home, or perhaps a model jail for all the creeps who skipped out on their workers' comp bills.
But no, they are going out with a bang, with an 8721 square foot "demonstration of sustainable technologies." Harry Sawyers at Popular Mechanics does a devastating deconstruction:...
Low Carbon Future Will Be Less Pain and More Gain Than People Think: Sierra Club Exec. Director
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.23.09
Green jobs rally in Vancouver, Canada. Photo: Green Jobs Now
The Sierra Club is a regular guest poster here at TreeHugger, mostly recently writing about the Dark Days For King Coal, and on how you can get in on green volunteer activities. Well, over at Yale Environment 360, Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope has a new piece on how well-designed market reforms can lead us to a prosperous low-carbon future. Here are some highlights:...
Obama First Urban President Since 1881
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.23.09
Dallas Hansen writes in the National Post that unlike every other President since Manhattan lawyer Chester Arthur, Barack Obama gets cities.
Incredibly, for the first time in 127 years, we have a president whose primary residence sits where he can walk just minutes to shop for groceries, dine at dozens of restaurants, visit a museum or take a dance lesson. Unless he's leaving the neighbourhood, Obama can leave his Ford Explorer Hybrid parked at home. Or he can get downtown in minutes via the 6 Jackson Park Express or by hopping on the Metra commuter train. At least he could've until the mandatory motorcades....
Mexico Launches $550 Million Wind Farm in Oaxaca
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 01.23.09
It was a big week for renewable energy in Mexico. Yesterday we reported that Wal-Mart Mexico has just installed a 174 KW solar array on the roof of one of its stores in the northern city of Aguascalientes. Thursday also brought the launch of one of the world's biggest wind farms in the southern state of Oaxaca by the Mexican building materials multinational company CEMEX. The move is a step in the right direction by the global cement industry, which contributes about 5 percent of the planet's total CO2 emissions....
Have a USB Powered Hot Lunch
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.23.09
We do go on about how a key to frugal green living is to pack your own lunch; on Planet green it is an obsession. But sometimes a lukewarm lunch is just so....lukewarm. Trust the Japanese to come up with a USB-heated lunch bag for your Bento! As the Google translation so aptly puts it:
Fun fun time for your lunch, dinner is cold but we do not. Lunch not only beloved wife, can heat up your lunch bought at convenience stores....
Corn Ethanol’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Better Than Thought, New Study Shows
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.23.09
photo: Ryan via flickr
Considering the bad rep corn ethanol has gotten in the past year and a half or so, this news may fall on deaf ears, but a new study coming out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology says that we have underestimated the potential of corn ethanol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as compared to gasoline. This research shows that on average, corn ethanol produces emissions 51% lower than gasoline. Here’s why:...
Celebrities' Weight Loss Secret, Paul McCartney's Vegan Mission, Jimmy Fallon Greens Late Night, and More
by Terri MacLeod on 01.23.09
Photo Courtesy of Staralicious
Celebs are always hungry for a good pound-dropping diet. The nasty (not to mention unhealthy) Master Cleanse was last years go-to fix. This year stars are going green to get lean and mean. Ellen De Generes and Alanis Morrissette credit their recent weight loss to their newly adopted vegan lifestyle. De Generes and wife, Portia De Rossi both went meat and dairy-free late last year and De Rossi says it’s already paying off, adding, “The benefit of it is weight loss. For her more than me. Her body responded to it very well.” According to OK magazine, Alanis dropped 20 pounds and feels hi-energy after switching to a vegan diet. "I have no more aches and pains, and my allergies are gone too," reveals Alanis....
Children and Vegetarianism
by Kelly Rossiter, Toronto on 01.23.09
Raising children on a vegetarian diet is nothing new and is completely safe, but on the whole, our Western culture remains somewhat skeptical about it. If you are just beginning to move your family into a vegetarian diet, you may find some resistance from your extended family and friends. You can gently remind them that all children need the same vitamins and nutrition, and as long as you provide that for them, their diet is up to you....
Trains vs Planes: Is Rail Always the Low Carbon Option?
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 01.23.09
Image credit: The Guardian
Is Train Travel Really the Greenest of the Green?
Only last week I wrote about 5 high speed trains that were changing the face of rail, not only breaking speed records, but cutting emissions too. And days later Martin Frid brought us some stunning pictures of Japan’s high speed trains. So trains and TreeHugger is a love affair made in heaven, right? Not so fast (literally!) – as one commenter to my post pointed out, some studies have raised significant concerns about the emissions from high speed trains. Now Fred Pearce, author of The Guardian’s Greenwash column, delves into the green claims of rail operators, and his findings are not entirely complementary.
...
Two in Wind Power: Seychelles Wants 18 Megawatts, China’s Offshore Potential To Be Tapped
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.23.09
Mahé Island, Seychelles. Photo: Wikipedia
Up until recently most of the wind power news has centered on the United States, Europe, China, and very occassionally a smattering of projects in other locations. The past week though has seen some significant projects pop up: A 300 MW wind farm in Kenya that’s expected to meet about one-third of current demand springs a few days ago and now these two preliminary announcements from the Seychelles and China:...
Fast Company on the Real Story Behind Bisphenol A
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.23.09
Stunning photography by Nigel Cox in Fast Company
David Case writes a remarkable article in Fast Company on the politics of Bisphenol A (BPA), subtitled:
How a handful of consultants used Big Tobacco's tactics to sow doubt about science and hold off regulation of BPA, a chemical in hundreds of products that could be harming an entire generation.It pulls together many of the stories we have covered in TreeHugger, and a lot more, and puts them into one damning package that the FDA and EPA will have to address. Money quote:...
Journalist Kayaks Texas Coast to Highlight Environmental Volatility
by Naturally Savvy on 01.23.09
The fragile Texas Coast is a primary feeding ground for migratory birds, and is home to several bird species year round.
Photo credit: Carole Smith/Flickr.com
If you've ever wanted to explore a volatile ecosystem, to discover the ways humans are reshaping the landscape, then NaturallySavvy has unearthed a blog you're sure to follow faithfully. Journalist Colin McDonald of the San Antonia Express-News has set out to kayak the Texas Coast, from the Sabine River to the Rio Grande, and he's sharing his story with readers via his blog....
EPA Gets Coal Ash Hazardous Waste Regulation Do Over in Obama Presidency (Video)
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.23.09
James Lovelock’s One Last Chance to Save Humanity From Climate Change: Burying Large Amounts of Charcoal in the Ground
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.23.09
For those that don’t know who James Lovelock is here’s the one sentence bio: Originator of the Gaia hypothesis, chemist, did work on atmospheric chlorofluorocarbons which eventually led them from being banned, advocate of nuclear power. Which is to say, that when James Lovelock says humanity only has one chance left not to get annihilated by the effects of climate change in the 21st century, it’s worth shutting up and listening to what the man says. Lovelock was recently interviewed by New Scientist:...
How Green Is Our Recession?
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 01.23.09
A cost-saving measure with an environmental benefit.
From turning down office thermostats to reducing travel to reusing clothes hangers, Turkish companies have been taking all kinds of eco-friendly measures lately. Their goal is not to save the environment, but their employees' jobs.
...
Thoughts on Freeway Widening and Public Transit
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 01.23.09
Image Source: annia316 via Flickr
Public Transit--A Tool of Appeasement?
Last November 4th I excitedly went to my local polling station to cast my ballot in the Presidential election. At the same time, I also voted on several ballot initiatives in my home state of Rhode Island, one of which had to do with funding for transportation. As I read through the description of the proposal, I couldn't help but notice that the vast majority of the money would go to highway improvements--presumably repairing roads and bridges, though it wasn't very specific--and there was a token amount allotted to increasing funding for buses and light rail. So despite the fact that the public transportation funding only amounted to a tiny fraction of the total spending, I couldn't in good conscience vote against it...right? Well, a recent article in the Sacramento Bee has me wondering whether that kind of scenario is played out across the country in order to appease those who are in favor of a less automobile-centric society.
Read on for more....
Forest Death Rates Doubled on the West Coast
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.23.09
Photo via gmnonic
Since the 1970s, tree death rates have doubled on the west coast, according to research appearing in the journal Science. And the causes seem to be stress from drought and global warming. ...
Greenwash Watch: Sherwin Williams GreenSure Label
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.23.09
We learn from Inhabitat that Sherwin-Williams has introduced a new line of paints, and has invented a new label, GreenSure, to go with it. They list a whole pile of standards and requirements that their paints must meet to get GreenSure; no doubt they will mean something to chemists. But what does it mean to the public? Not a whole lot. But let's look at one of the standards, perhaps the most important for paints, the Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs. As is shown above, Sherwin Williams' standard for VOCs is 50 grams per litre.
...
Survey: How Do You Wash Dishes?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.23.09
Collin was really careful in our new "This vs That" feature on dishwashing to include all of the math, but that didn't stop the controversy. So how do you do it?
...
Transformer Furniture: The Execuchair Folds Out to a Bed
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.23.09
And we thought Transformer furniture was a new idea; here is an "executive" chair that would fit right into the set on Mad Men and no doubt could be easily worked into the plot. Upholstered in Naugahyde, before Naugas were endangered. ...
Top Gear: Fast, Sexy Car Vs. Shinkansen, A-Bike And Public Transportation
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 01.23.09
I don't usually watch Top Gear, BBC's flawed, outdated - but incredibly popular - car-hugging TV show. But when they raced across Japan from Kyoto, past Mt Fuji, through the not so crowded highways in Tokyo, to Mt Nokogiri in Chiba prefecture, I just had to watch: Jeremy Clarkson in a Nissan GT-R racing without a thought about CO2 emissions against Hammond and May taking public transit: the 700 Shinkansen, local trains, a ferry and the A-Bike. Nissan of course is not immune to the current crisis: japancarblog.com has photos of unsold Micras at their factory test track (below the fold). Jeremy Clarkson, god bless him, (hello? this is the 2000s) never cared about such things. And with public television like that, of course, is how Britain lost their empire, and London became known as the Reykjavik-On-Thames....
Garden Museum is Renamed and Re-done
by Bonnie Alter, London on 01.23.09
It used to be called the Museum of Garden History, now it's the Garden Museum. And it used to be a shabby, down-at-the-heels space, carved out of the ground floor of a former church. And now it is a "wow": renovated by London architects Dow Jones. The museum has been around since 1977, saved because the tomb of the 17th century plant hunters, the Tradescants, was discovered in the church yard and the tomb of Captain Bligh, famed captain of HMS Bounty.
The new renovation brings the museum up to date with proper curatorial conditions and separate rooms for exhibits. The architects have built a structural box of spruce that allows room for a simple new windowless gallery inside and a mezzanine exhibition storey above for the permanent collection. There is a wide, theatrical staircase leading up to this space.
...
Israel's New Natural Gas Bonanza Could Ignite Conflict With Lebanon
by Karin Kloosterman, Tel Aviv on 01.23.09
Amidst all its struggles to develop clean and cleaner technologies (and a recent war with Gaza), it seem that Israelis got a huge gift this week: they were celebrating the discovery of a massive estimated 3 trillion cubic feet natural gas pocket found buried 1.5 km below the sea floor, some 90 km off the coastal city Haifa.
Sounds like great news. Shai Agassi from Better Place will finally have the cleaner fuel source to launch his nation-wide electric car scheme in Israel, and Israel can stop buying natural gas from Egypt. But no so fast. Lebanon is staking its claim, saying that the natural gas reserve also belongs to the Lebanese. Could this be the means for Israel to make peace with Lebanon, once and for all, or could it lead to renewed conflicts?
...
Leggy Fence Lizards Show Rapid Evolution
by Tim McGee, Western Massachusetts on 01.22.09
Fence lizard in camouflage - you can't see me! photo: Tracy Langkilde
The world is a rapidly changing place these days, and one strategy to deal with change is to evolve. In the southeastern United States our native fence lizards are evolving… into a fitter species. It took Charles Darwin over 20 years to complete ‘on the origin of species’ and even then only because Wallace was poking about with similar ideas. Yet it has only taken the fence lizards 68 years (38 generations) to evolve new behaviors and longer hind legs. What has caused this rapid evolution of long legged lizards?...
Stop Feeding Sardines To The Cat: Let Fish Poop Save The World!
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 01.22.09
Sardines...With Tomatoes and Rosemary Image credit:Urban Sardines, On Food And Wine, blog
Ok, I admit the title is hyperbole. But the science is certain, important, timely, and fascinating, I promise.
A newly published research paper describes how bony marine fishes have been found to sequester significant amounts of carbon, as calcium carbonate, a.k.a. "gut rocks." Marine fish pooping 'gut rocks' are estimated to drop "3 to 15% of total oceanic carbonate production" of the oceans - right on Neptune's rug. Read on mermaids and mermales. It gets weird....
Faux Logs Kill Trees Too, Just Slowly and at a Distance
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.22.09
Janie Osborne for The New York Times
The New York Times says "No trees died in the building of this house"- the logs are made of precast concrete. They are wrong; trees die all the time as an externality of making concrete. A ton of carbon dioxide is released for every ton of concrete made, increasing climate change that is destroying forests across the west and north of the continent; the trucks carrying those logs spewed diesel fumes along their entire route.
Frank Lloyd Wright said "Each material has its own message"- what does a concrete log say?...
Shelby SuperCars Makes Wild Claims About Ultimate Aero Electric Car
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.22.09
We Call B.S. on Battery Claims
About 6 months ago we covered the announcement by Shelby SuperCars (SSC) that it would make the "World's Fastest Electric Car" and explained why we thought these types of "halo" EVs have a role to play. But back then, SSC hadn't released much technical details... Maybe it was better that way.
Read on for more details....
New York City’s Largest Commercial Net-Metered Solar Power Array Graces Brooklyn Rooftop
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.22.09
photo: © Big Sue LLC
While there are larger rooftop solar arrays out there (GM’s 12 MW solar array in Zaragosa, Spain being the current world leader in that category), a new, albeit much smaller, rooftop solar array sets a first of its own: First in commercial net-metered solar power array in New York City. Here are the details:...
Aptera Completes First Pre-Production 2e Model
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.22.09
Electric 2e Rolls Out of the Factory
We already knew that Aptera, after making some design changes, had pushed back production to October 2009. But while we wait to see the final production model, this pre-production 2e (electric version) that just came out of the factory floor should give us an idea of what to expect.
Read on for more details....
New Rope Climbing Robot Inspects Wind Turbines Better Than Humans
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.22.09
How do you inspect wind turbine blades for damage? With this cool new robot, obviously! At least that’s what it’s developers at at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation are hoping. It’s called the RIWEA and, pulling itself up a rope system, can work on onshore or offshore turbines of any size, climbing up turbines to discover damage too small to be detected by the human eye:
...
Quote of the Day: Why Obama Admin Wimped Out on Water, Transit
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.22.09
exploding sewer in Los Angeles
We have noted dismay before when infrastructure money was going to be thrown at roads instead of renos, but at least there were going be big bucks for transit and water and sewer. Not any more; now we have taxes before Transit. Representative Jim Oberstar explains:
The reason for the reduction in overall funding — we took money out of Amtrak and out of aviation; we took money out of the Corps of Engineers, reduced the water infrastructure program, the drinking water and the wastewater treatment facilities and sewer lines, reduced that from $14 billion to roughly $9 billion — was the tax cut initiative that had to be paid for in some way by keeping the entire package in the range of $850 billion....
Thermal Photovoltaics Breakthrough by MTPV Corp.
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.22.09
>
Theoretical Efficiency of 85%!
Thermal photovoltaics has been around since the 1960s, but it never produced enough power to compete with solar thermal using steam turbines, or more traditional photovoltaic solar panels. But MTPV Corp. (which stands for micron-gap thermal photovoltaics, the name of the technology they're using) claims it can deliver "an order of magnitude" more power than regular thermal photovoltaics.
Read on for more....
Built In Dishwashers vs. Hand Washing: Which is Greener?
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 01.22.09
Image credit: Getty Images/Flying Colours Ltd
For a while, when it comes to green impacts, the prevailing wisdom has been that built in dishwashers beat hand-washing dishes, in a runaway. By the numbers, according to one study at the University of Bonn in Germany, the dishwasher uses only half the energy, one-sixth of the water, and less soap, to boot. That sounds easy enough, but there's a lot more to it than and black-and-white comparison between your faucet and sink and the appliance under your counter.
For example: How do the results vary with model of dishwasher? What hand-washing habits are people using? How do you heat the water in your home? And how often do you do the dishes? Turns out all these factors can change the impacts; keep reading to learn what goes in to calculating the greenest way to do your dishes....
UK Grocery Chain Sainsbury’s to Start Turning Wasted Food Into Electricity
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.22.09
image: Sainsbury’s
TreeHugger has covered the problem with wasted food a number of times. Now the UK’s third largest supermarket chain Sainsbury’s is planning to do something useful with a portion of that wasted food: Turning it into electricity. Here’s how:...
From the Forums: Home Audits Worth It?
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 01.22.09
Image Credit: kierkier
EcoIL asks:
Hey all, been lurking and reading for a couple of months, decided to join this great group. Anyone do a home energy audit with the blower door test and infrared scan? In my area its $300 for both and for $50 the will come back and retest after you do improvements. My house is a ranch built in 1996. Wondering if it's worth it or should I spend the money on additional insulation in the ceiling, and diy spray foam of the sill plate cavity's in the basement (really leaky , stuffed it full of insulation last winter).Thoughts? ...
How Not To Present Vinyl as an Environmentally Sound Choice
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.22.09
via the sietch
Over at the Sietch Blog, an environmental site that I respect a lot, a roofer named Leo defends PVC roofing as one of the greenest roofs. He isn't wrong; it comes in white, and white roofs are all the rage, it lasts a long time and is a lot less problematic than asphalt or bitumen roofs. And while they are made of vinyl and full of evil phthalates, we don't usually have babies licking our roofs.
He is also even-handed, and links to Greenpeace and discusses their concerns about dioxins and phthalates. But the devil is in the details, or in this case, the language. Let's look at just one paragraph....
Obama Is Focused on Green Tech, But Gets Stuck with UnGreen Sectera Edge
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.22.09
Photos via Change.gov and General Dynamics
President Obama gets to keep his Blackberry for his own use, but he's required to use a super-secure version of a phone called the Sectera Edge for official chit chat. For a president putting such a focus on green technology, it's a bit disappointing to get stuck with a phone with zero exciting green features.
Nonetheless, it's a darn cool phone. Read on for details. ...
Offshore Oil Drilling Proposal Drafting Given Go Ahead by Obama Administration
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.22.09
photo: snapper via flickr
You may have heard that President Obama ordered federal agencies to halt work on pending regulations so that they could be reviewed. Well, here’s one which has already been given the go ahead to proceed: The Department of the Interior has been told that it can continue drafting a five-year plan that would expand areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans which could be opened up for oil and natural gas drilling. (Reuters) This is what the preliminary plan proposes:
...
Ideal Bite Goes To Sleep, Urban Evolutions Hangs with Nike, SustainaBee Goes to the Carnival, and More
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 01.22.09
Ideal Bite: Are you getting very, very sleepy? by Heather Stephenson
"You will be if you follow this tip. Conventional anti-insomnia pills work, but if you don't wanna lose sleep over side effects and potentially addictive ingredients, induce sleep-nosis with natural remedies instead."...
Wal Mart Mexico Launches Largest Solar Array in Latin America
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 01.22.09
Image Credit: Wal Mart Mexico
Wal Mart Mexico's Solar Array Signals Longer Term Goals
Lloyd said it before – it’s getting harder to hate Wal Mart. Yes, they are a gigantic retail monolith selling an awful lot of stuff. But of all the gigantic retail monoliths that sell an awful lot of stuff, Wal Mart are also pushing an incredible amount of important initiatives. From 360 wind powered stores to pushing 100 million compact fluorescent bulbs or promoting locally grown, organic products, Wal Mart are making moves that few would have predicted even a few short years ago. Now Wal Mart Mexico is getting in on the act, launching a 174kw solar array on top of Bodega Aurrera Aguascalientes, one of its stores.
...
The Reuseum Keeps Junk in the DIY Loop
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.22.09
Photos via the Reuseum
If you're hunting for a shop that has really cool unique, old, and random parts and gadgets for techy projects, there is just the shop for you. The Reuseum is focused on technology, sustainability, and reusing objects - and it's just the spot for green geeks. ...
New Antarctica Study: You'll Still Freeze Your Butt Off, But It's Warming
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.22.09
Antarctica Warming is Continent-Wide
A new study published in Nature contradicts a story that made the rounds a few years ago and said that the the icy slabs on Antarctica have cooled slightly and possibly thickened "partly in response to the chilling seasonal effects of the ozone hole over the South Pole."
Not so, the new study says. Read on for more....
Green, Baby, Green! Alaska Aims For 50% Renewable Energy by 2025
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.22.09
photo: Mark Brennan via flickr
Maybe it was because she saw what Russia was doing from her front porch and wanted to do them one better, or maybe she’s just had a change of heart now that whirlwind campaigning is over, but whatever the reason, Sarah Palin has set a goal for Alaska that’s quite a departure from opinions expressed onthe potential of renewable energy when she was running for vice-president:...
5 Food Films That Deserved an Oscar Nomination
by Jeff Nield, Vancouver, British Columbia on 01.22.09
Now that this year's Oscar nominations are out, debate will rage about which films deserved it, which actors should have received a nod, and who should (or shouldn't) win. While these food films flew under the Academy's radar, at least when it came time to nominate, that doesn't mean they all didn't deserve a nod, or at least a closer look.
If you watch all of these films you'll understand where our food system stands today, a little bit about how it got that way, and you'll have some insight into what it might look like in the future. There's a scary, uncertain future built on greed and there's a bright, progressive future built on community. I reckon we end up with the latter, and I hope these films help you make choices to become a part of that future.
Read on for the list, including a clip from each film....
Move Over Paper - Rand McNally Maps Printed on Microfiber
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.22.09
Printed maps are debatably old school, though I still carry around a map and travel guide when I go anywhere. While some people prefer checking their phones or googling directions, there are some who still want a printed object to refer to while wandering. Ran McNally, though, recognizes that while printed maps are maybe/maybe not old fashioned, paper maps can certainly be one-upped.
Say hello to useful and durable microfiber maps!...
It's National Radon Action Month
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.22.09
Always late to the party, here it is the 22nd and we just find out that it is Radon Protection Month in America.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Most Radon enters your house through the basement or slab; that is why we say on Planet Green that if you are building a home office, put it above grade.
The only way to find it is to test for it, and if it is in the basement, it is relatively easy to deal with through sealing and ventilation. (You can have testing done professionally or buy a testing kit) Other sources are a bit more problematic....
The "Naturally-Raised" Meat You Eat May Be Just the Opposite
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 01.22.09
Meat photo by paPisc @ flickr.
These days the supermarket is a minefield of labels and claims - nowhere else is the glaring effect of greenwashing so pronounced.
"Naturally raised" meat sounds good, but what does it mean? It's a voluntary U.S. Department of Agriculture standard, approved just days before the end of the Bush Administration, that states that animals have been raised without antibiotics and without growth-promoting medicines (except for parasite-reducing ionophores) and aren't given any animal-byproduct feed. It sounds pretty good, doesn't it? But the drawback, and it's a big one, is that what will be allowed under the "naturally-raised" label is as important as what is not. Animals from cloned or genetically-engineered stock, for starters. Is that "natural"?...
Nice Built-In Beds in Swiss Wooden Cabin
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.22.09
Second homes attract a lot of criticism and we show fewer of them than we used to, but sometimes there are aspects that are so alluring that one just can't pass them up. Like these built-in bunks in a wooden cabin in Switzerland designed by Group 8, and found on Materialicious....
Russia Sets the Bar Low With Its New Renewable Energy Mandate
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.22.09
photo: Paolo Crosetto via flickr
Most people probably have never said the words ‘Russia’ and ‘renewable energy’ in the same sentence, unless the words ‘doesn’t really think much about’ are stuck in between them. Well, change that and read the following aloud: Russia has a new renewable energy mandate. It’s not exactly record setting, but one small step in the right direction from the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases is still a step. Here are the details:...
The World's Air Traffic over 24 Hours (Video)
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.22.09
Obama Inauguration Sparks Antarctic Geologists’ Hopes (Video)
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 01.22.09
Wilkins Ice Shelf Hangs by a Thread in Antarctic (Video)
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 01.22.09
Glacier Melt Warning Signs from the Antarctic (Video)
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 01.22.09
Consumers' Guide Identifies Genetically Engineered (GE) Ingredients
by Jeff Nield, Vancouver, British Columbia on 01.22.09
Greenpeace
In North America it's virtually impossible to know if what you're eating contains genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. But, it's a good bet that if you eat processed food at least one of the ingredients in what you're eating has been genetically engineered. And buying organic food ensures the absence of engineering. But the specifics are tough to nail down and always changing. So what's a concerned consumer to do?
Read on to find out how to identify products that contain genetically engineered ingredients. ...
Organic Agriculture Could Significantly Reduce The Carbon Footprint Of Orange Juice
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 01.22.09
Plasticrap Products and More Useless Stuff from the Un-TreeHugger Archives (Slideshow)
by Emma Grady, New York, NY on 01.22.09
Credit: Bamboo Pet
Is technology making your life easier, or just plain lazier? From mobile McMansions to disposable pet bowls (pictured), a lot of purported "luxury" and "convenience" items are actually just craptastic plastic junk that's cluttering up our lives--not to mention our landfills. (On the up side, it is pretty easy to make fun of all this dumb stuff.) Keep up with the Un-Joneses and visit our slideshow before you make your next purchase.
Truly Useless Stuff from the Un-TreeHugger Archives (Slideshow)
...Moving To A Stable World Population
by Lester Brown, Washington, D.C on 01.22.09
Countries By Population Density. Image credit:Wikipedia, based on UN figures, current.
The excitement of this week's inauguration of President Barack Obama still lingers in the air. He has hit the ground running and so too must we.
At Earth Policy Institute, we are looking at an issue that lurks behind many of the world's ills: population growth. ...
Survey: How Often Do You Shower?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.22.09
In Scandinavia, Saturday is called Lördag, or "Day for bathing." Others do it more often; According to the comments in Sami's post on showering less, some people in America shower three or four times a day. Another complained that even discussing such a topic was going to "discredit the 'green movement is to re-enforce the 'hippy-dippy' stereotype" as we turn into Frank Zappa's smelly hippies in rancid ponchos.
Many of you take short showers, cold water, navy showers or share with a friend, but this survey is just about how often.....
...
Why The Former Energy Secretary Should Keep His Mouth Shut!
by Jeff Siegel, Green Chip Stocks on 01.22.09
How appropriate it was to hear Sam Bodman, the Energy Secretary under the Bush administration, make the following statement last week in regards to Obama's plan to double our output of renewable energy in three years.... It's a must read....
Battery Eggs to be Outlawed
by Bonnie Alter, London on 01.22.09
image from daylife.com
Sainsbury's is set to become the first of the four largest supermarkets to stop selling eggs from battery hens. Starting February 5, Britain's third largest grocery chain will sell only eggs from uncaged birds. Some of the groceries have been moving more quickly to catch the market. Marks & Spencer and Waitrose have already stopped selling eggs from caged hens. Sainsbury's has advanced its timetable to switch in order to take advantage of the public interest.
The European Union has banned battery cages as of 2012. Farmers fear that four years is not enough to change over more than 60% of the existing egg industry. The government's environment department estimates that now 63% of eggs produced in the UK are from battery farms while 32% are free range. The remaining 5% are barn eggs from birds reared indoors, without cages.
...
Vaso 2.0, a Flowerpot Made From Cork
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 01.22.09
The Home Project, a design studio based between Berlin and Portugal, have surprised us before with their curious choice for materials; egg cups made from salt, and speakers made from cork. Wonderfully simple, fully biodegradable and renewable is what we love about their products. Here is another one for you: a traditional terracotta flowerpot but made from cork called Vaso 2.0.
...
Seeger, Van Jones Embrace the Way of the Gun
by Mark Ontkush, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 01.22.09
Courtesy of This Old House
If you watched the inauguration, you noticed the steady stream of old-timers who did their bit on the stage; at one point, I half-expected The Who to get up there and rip off a chorus of "Degeneration" to scattered applause. But when 89 year old Pete Seeger came out, I rubbed my eyes; Seeger, an inspiration for at least three generations, still around? I had seen him at the Clearwater Festival some 20 years ago, and he has lost little of his magic or gusto, literally running off the stage when he was done. As such, I was surprised to learn that Seeger has recently teamed up with Van Jones to support gun-running in urban neighborhoods.
...
SustainaBee Hosts Carnival of the Green
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 01.21.09
This week is Carnival of the Green #163 is being hosted by SustainaBee, a blog from Cologne, Germany that keeps us up-to-date on today's sustainability news that matters tomorrow.
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....
Google CEO Eric Schmidt on Renewables vs. Nuclear: "Renewables are cheaper"
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.21.09
Miyi Tower Project in China To Clean Contaminated River
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 01.21.09
Image: Studio Shift Rising out of the Anning River’s edge like a glittering tree stump, the winning entry for a proposed landmark building in Miyi County in Sichuan Province, China will be doing double-duty. This new tower in Miyi will not only be the cultural centerpiece of a new master plan, but will also filter and cleanse the polluted river. The tower is a creative effort by Los Angeles-based design Studio SHIFT, who was selected along with Los Angeles' SWA Group to oversee the master plan for this developing area, dubbed New South Town. On the ground level, the project offers some interesting ideas about connecting pedestrian circulation, as you can see in the following images:...
Mechanical Invasive Species of the Rainforests
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.21.09
Image via GOOD
OroVerde is a German non-profit that works to protect rainforests. They've come up with a piece of artwork that reminds us of the diversity of invasive species wreaking havoc on rainforests around the globe....
A Roof is a Terrible Thing to Waste: 650 KiloWatt Solar Array Completed in Hawthorne, California
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.21.09
Lithographix, Thinksolar, and Pacific Solar Energy
There are many green things you can do with a giant commercial building's roof. From painting it white to reflect the sun's rays, to building a green roof, to installing a solar array to generate electricity. Lithographix, a printing company, went for this last option and now has the first commercial solar array in Hawthorne, California.
Read on for more details. ...
Top 5 Eco-Activism Events of the Past Decade
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 01.21.09
From the abolition of slavery to women’s suffrage, every socio-political movement has had its radical moments in the struggle for recognition. The environmental movement is no exception: Individuals, groups and even whole communities have resorted to the use of radical actions in order to draw attention to a direly unjust situation. Violent, destructive behaviour is never ok, no matter which side you are on: It’s the everyday actions of moderate but progressive people who have spread lasting social change on a deeper level. But nevertheless, here are some people who were willing to go to extremes:Image: Musician John Butler in the world's tallest tree sit in Tasmainia. Photo via Green Peace...
300 MW Wind Farm Will Supply 30% of Kenya’s Electric Demand
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.21.09
Located near Lake Turkana, initial electric production could begin in three years. Photo: Wikipedia
In any nation a wind farm of this size is worth announcing, but when it's going to be built in Africa it's doubly worth announcing. Lake Turkana Wind Power has announced plans to develop a 300 MW wind farm on 150,000 acres of land in northwest Kenya near, appropriately enough, Lake Turkana. Here are the rest of the details:...
Nippon Oil to Sell Residential Fuel Cells in Japan
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.21.09
Power@Home: Residential Fuel Cells
Fuel cells are almost always mentioned in the context of hydrogen-powered vehicles (like Honda's FCX Clarity), but that's not their only use. Japan has been studying their use for on-site residential production of electricity and heat for a while (a ten-year, ¥18 billion R&D effort ended in 2002, and more programs and subsidies are in place now).
But what are the benefits of residential fuel cells?...
World's First Post-Petroleum City Rising in Abu Dhabi
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 01.21.09
Workers from the Indian subcontinent building a field of photovoltaic solar panels in Masdar City.
While some of the plans for new ecological cities elsewhere in the world have faltered of late, work on Abu Dhabi's Masdar City is already well underway and appears to be plowing full speed ahead. A small army of workers and heavy equipment currently inhabit the 6.5 square kilometer site of the future eco-city.
A flock of journalists set out from downtown Abu Dhabi this Sunday to get a sneak peek at what will eventually be the world’s first modern ecological city. The tour, part of this week’s World Future Energy Summit, was organized by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company's Masdar Initiative, the corporate entity that is building the project, with the goal of giving the world an early look at its flagship project....
Toyota Beats GM in 2008, Now #1 Carmaker by Sales Volume
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.21.09
A New King of Cars
Toyota's sales were down 4% in 2008 (and probably more than that in the second half of the year), but GM's sales were down 10.8%. So the final total is 8.972 million vehicles for Toyota and 8.356 million or GM, making Toyota #1 in sales worldwide.
These numbers carry both good and bad news......
60% of Congo Logging Contracts Canceled by Government
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.21.09
image: Google Earth layer showing rates of deforestation
In an effort to deal with rampant corruption and rising deforestation, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has reviewed and canceled some 60% of logging contracts in the country. After six months of study, backed by the World Bank, only 65 contracts were found to still be viable. These remaining contracts account for about 10 million hectares of forest that can continue to be logged.
Congo environment minister Jose Endundo was quoted by Reuters as saying,...
nPower PEG Harnesses Kinetic Energy in a Stick
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.21.09
A new kinetic energy-harnessing device was launched at CES 2009. Called the nPower PEG (Personal Energy Generator), its a stick you can shake to generate enough energy to power your mobile devices....
120 kW ‘Portable’ Commercial Waste-to-Energy Generator Introduced by IST Energy
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.21.09
Though it’s just outlines in this image, the Green Energy Machine is fully enclosed in what looks like a standard shipping container. Image: IST Energy
If you’ve got a business that produces at least two tons of waste a day and have about three parking spaces to spare in your lot, then IST Energy has a product for you. The Green Energy Machine is a mobile and compact (relative terms...) waste-to-energy processing unit that can convert 95% of daily consumer wastes such as paper, plastic, food, wood and agricultural materials into electricity. Here are the stats:...
From the Forums: Save Energy with Motion Detectors
by Alan Graham, Portland, Oregon on 01.21.09
Let's face it, one of the biggest energy wasters is lighting rooms or closets that no one is using. It is really easy to turn on a light, walk away, and forget it for hours. That's energy and money gone. One way to combat this is by using a motion detector to ensure that you only light a room when someone is in it.
In the forums we've got a new Home Automation HowTo tutorial on setting up a basic system (along with some advanced ideas as well).
Read More ...
Tennessee Residents Demand Answers From Congress on TVA Coal Ash Spill Disaster
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.21.09
Understandably in the anticipation leading up to yesterday’s inauguration, your political eye was probably not focused on what’s going on in the aftermath of the TVA coal ash spill. But last week Sarah McCoin and Tom Gizzard, residents of Harriman, Tennessee, showed up at Congress asking questions and bearing gifts of coal ash in mason jars. They also delivered hats with “Filthy Coal” written on them to then senator, now Vice President, Joe Biden and senator John McCain, in recognition of their support for clean coal on the campaign trail. Here’s some of what McCoin and Gizzard told members of Congress:...
Advance Excerpts of "Electronomics: How the Smart Grid Will Power American Prosperity"
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.21.09
Photo via vaxomatic
Green Tech Media is publishing some some exciting posts - they're exerpts from the upcoming book Electronomics: How the Smart Grid Will Power American Prosperity.
Read on for what the premise of this book is all about. ...
Pricey Energy May Make Insulation More Enticing
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 01.21.09
Only a small percentage of buildings in Istanbul are insulated.
When I saw my most recent gas bill, I turned the heat off completely. Many of my friends here did the same thing, at least until we realized that our outrage wasn't going to keep us warm at night. Household natural-gas costs in Istanbul have almost doubled since last winter. While at least one resident told the Hürriyet Daily News that he might start to "sit at home covered with blankets"--the once mocked, now grudgingly fashionable Jimmy Carter solution--many Turkish families are turning to burning coal to heat their houses. Some, though, are considering a more eco-friendly solution....
Scrabble Keyboard Is Possibly The Coolest Nerdy Project Ever
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.21.09
Photo via Datamancer
This is a fantastic way to reuse pieces of an old scrabble set after you've lost (or your dog has eatten) some of the letter squares. Though, you can tell this one certainly doesn't use gnawed tiles. ...
Ranchers Could Earn Carbon Credits, Save the World Through Better Grazing Practices
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.21.09
Photo via abundantc
In a statement that makes you just want to smack yourself in the forehead, scientists have determined that grazing practices play a significant role in soaking up C02. So much so, that they feel farmers and ranchers could take part in the carbon credits market.
The issue of course, is getting farmers to change grazing practices to those that are more earth friendly and C02 absorbing. ...
Dear Mr. President, Why No Secretary Of The Environment?
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 01.21.09
(Photo of the Statue of Liberty in Odaiba, Tokyo, a gift from the same French foundry that gave New York City the more famous statue: from The Tokyo Traveller)
Back in November, 2008, we asked why the United States still has no Department of the Environment, and no Secretary of the Environment to represent American interests, domestically and abroad. Most other developed countries - all the European countries, Japan, and South Korea, and many others, even India and China, care enough to have created a special post in the national government for environmental protection. The European Union is a case in point, with a rather powerful commissioner for the environment:...
Obama Day One (and a Half): Halts Pending Bush Regulations, Ag & Energy Secretaries Confirmed
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.21.09
photo: Bethany King
No one seems to be wasting any time now that the Obama inauguration is over: Yesterday, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel issued a memo informing federal agency heads that President Obama wanted any pending Bush regulations not yet published in the Federal Register were to be halted for review:
...
It's Winter Bike To Work Day In Boulder
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.21.09
More snowy cities should celebrate their winter cyclists, instead of ignoring or barely tolerating them. The City of Boulder goes all out:
You wake up, look out the window and see that last night's snowstorm has left a blanket of snow that appears to be knee deep. Still, it's a perfect day to bike to work. That's because the city of Boulder focuses on keeping bike paths safe and usable....
Naked Chair Exposes Everything
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.21.09
"Naked is an extremely lightweight chair that uses its structure as its aesthetic." And, like so much of the world, it is held together by wingnuts....
Sleek Organic and Natural Wool Coats from Argentina
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 01.21.09
Garments made from natural wool from llamas or sheep knitted with loom usually have a rustic feel that not always adequate to modern styles. Argentine brand Cubreme has come to change that completely.
This line of modern-classic coats is absolutely exquisite, yet produced with the help of artisan workers with noble materials from the Andean regions of Argentina and Peru.
Jump to the extended for more info and many more pics....
Save Water, Stop Showering (Every Morning)
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 01.21.09
OK – this guy may need a shower… but how often? – Image credit: Jeff Hardcastle on Flickr
Limiting Showers Can Save Water, Energy and Our Health
I didn’t shower this morning. And I don’t (think I) smell. You see, while I wrote a post about Navy Showers as a water saving technique a while back, the truth is I am not very good at them. I like showering, and when I am in the shower I find it hard not to linger. Even though I’m fairly water-savvy around the rest of the house (practicing the selective flush and such), and even though our energy use is mitigated by a solar water heater, I still feel a little guilty about all that water going down the drain. And with my hippy friends telling me that showering too often can actually be bad for my health, I thought it was time I found a compromise that allows me my hot showers, but at least cuts back on consumption a little.
...
Transformer Bathroom Folds Into Wall Unit
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.21.09
all illustrations via Bathroom Design Awards
The Reese Bathroom Innovation Awards "recognise creativity and excellence. These are two things we can never have too much of." Especially in Australia, where water is in such short supply. Michael Trudgeon was a professional finalist with the Cirrus MVR, which folds a complete bathroom into a wall unit. It recycles, too....
TransactionTree Is Boosting Paperless Receipts
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.21.09
Receipts can be necessary, but they can also be a pain. And wasteful. Especially those wide and really long ones that have an excessive amount of information and advertising at the bottom, so you end up receiving a big wad of paper when you really only needed a quick note of money spent and maybe a website and phone number as store contact info.
Some stores are starting to go paperless, and TransactionTree is helping to make paperless receipts a convenient reality for more and more people. ...
How to Go Green: Skiing & Snowboarding
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 01.21.09
Photo credit: Getty Images/Stockbyte
Skiing and snowboarding are such exhilarating outdoor sports that it seems wrong to not be green when you hit the slopes. So why not minimize your impact every time you go?
We'll help you pick out the greenest ski resorts—some are installing wind turbines, buying carbon offsets, and implementing carpooling programs. We'll also look at stellar green gear like solar paneled ski suits and bamboo boards, point out the most egregious eco-offenders in the industry (oh, indoor ski resorts, how your very concept makes me shudder) and advocate greener, crowd-less cross country skiing and riding.
Here's a quick sample of our newest, and snowiest guide, How to Go Green: Skiing & Snowboarding, over on Planet Green.
...
Null Stern Hotel Creatively Recyles Air Raid Shelter
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.21.09
Travelling on a budget? Sarah Rich, now at the Dwell Blog, points us to the charming new Null Stern (Zero Star) Hotel in Zurich. It pushes so many TreeHugger-approved buttons:
1) It repurposes and reuses an existing building, namely an old air-raid shelter, with minimal structural intervention and renovation;
...
Survey: What Do You Want In Your Tank?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.21.09
In Eric's interview about Smart Cars, we were told that the diesel is not coming back. A lot of Canadians were upset when it was withdrawn in favour of the bigger, gas-sipping American model. However he does hold out hope for an electric Smart. Which would you prefer to have in your car?
...
Shinkansen: Introducing The Five Fastest Regular Super Express Trains In Japan
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 01.21.09
Pre-Fab Paper House for Sale
by Bonnie Alter, London on 01.21.09
image from The Times
A new paper house has been developed that can be used for people in disaster areas, the urban poor and refugees. The Swiss inventor says that the "the number of migrants, refugees living in improvised housing, is going to grow with climate change, and we offer an alternative.” His house is a response to the shanty-town sheds with corrugated roofs, often seen in third world countries.
...
Smart Car Interview with President Dave Schembri... You Asked, We Listened, Dave Answers!
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 01.20.09
Photo Credit: SmartUSA
When we had the opportunity to speak with Smart Car USA President, Dave Schembri, we turned to you, our fellow Treehuggers, to see what sorts of questions you had to ask Dave about their past, current, and future models. Well, we had quite a nice turn out of inquisitive thinkers. So without further adieu...
You asked him, we listened, so now let's turn the mic over to Dave for some answers!
Photo Credit: Smart USA...
Quote of the Moment: Jim Newell on Waste in Washington
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.20.09
Jim Newell of Wonkette on the sad deterioration of the nation's capital just half a day into the new administration:
Now don’t take this the wrong way, but… yesterday George W. Bush was president, and there wasn’t trash everywhere....
Sensors Linked To On-Board Bicycle Computer Could Make Riding Easier
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 01.20.09
Campagnolo Super Record Bicycle Derailleur, Image credit: Wikipedia
A newly designed computer-based bicycle shifting aide described in the latest issue of the International Journal of Human Factors Modeling and Simulation (subscription only access) is one step back from being an automatic transmission for bikes.
Apparently, sensors for speed, road slope, and "work" send rolling-average, or otherwise "smoothed," numbers to an on-board bike computer (no photos available). The computer digitally processes the information with an optimizing algorithm, sufficient to provide regular feedback to the bicyclist, who synchronizes his/her movement of the derailleur controls, accordingly. The general idea is to to optimize the timing and sequence of gear changing, which results in more efficient use by non-expert riders. For further description, see below:
Caveat: I wouldn't touch one of these unless the inventors were themselves avid cyclists. Otherwise, there's a risk of it being grossly over-engineered. Look at your television remote if you want an extreme example of this issue....
World Future Energy Summit Kicks Off in Abu Dhabi
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 01.20.09
In Abu Dhabi, the richest city on the planet, life is good. The average per capita worth here is around $17 million, and business continues to boom. So it is perhaps surprising that this small emirate, which sits on top of one tenth of the world's oil, should be interested in renewable energy, of all things.
But they are interested, very interested. In fact, the country's leadership has made a strategic decision to invest enormous amounts of money and effort into building a whole new sector of the economy from scratch, based on renewable energy technologies. The leaders of this country understand that, regardless of how much oil remains to be pulled out of the ground, renewable energy is the future.
The second annual World Future Energy Summit, which kicked off yesterday, is part of that strategy. Some 15,000 delegates are here this week for the high powered, three-day conference, which will explore current and future options for renewable energy technologies, and strategies for their implementation. Also on display is Masdar City, Abu Dhabi's futuristic ecological city project, and a testing ground for many of the ideas being discussed here....
Roofs Are For People: Tent Cities on Hotel Roofs
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.20.09
They might have tried this in Washington last night, if it weren't so cold....
CARB Trying to Kill Plug-in Hybrid Conversion Startups in California?
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.20.09
Update: CARB Delays Decision, Plug-In Hybrid Conversion Startups Dodge a Bullet.
Plug-In Hybrids to be Regulated Out of Existence in California?
The movie Who Killed the Electric Cars? wasn't very tender on the California Air Resources Board (CARB). They were instrumental in the 'murder' of electric cars such as the GM EV1 and Toyota RAV4 EV in California, and now they might be about to do it again with companies that turn hybrid cars into plug-in hybrids.
Read on for more details....
Official White House Policy on Energy & The Environment Spelled Out On New Website
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.20.09
Allowing for some reasonable time for President Obama to settle into the White House furniture, when it comes to Energy and the Environment the time has come to make good on all those campaign promises. And it’s up to all of us to keep the new administration toeing the green line. For those wanting to keep up to date on official White House policy, the new presidential website has been launched. To refresh everyone’s memories, here’s an overview of Obama’s proposed policies:...
Show Clean Energy Some Love! Vote For Your Favorite Renewable Energy Short Films (Video)
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.20.09
French Press-Style Filter Concept for Water on the Go
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.20.09
Image via Yanko Design
There are a few products out there already that filter water in the bottle so you can have clean water while on the go, without any bulky filters.
This concept design for easy water filtration could be a favorite among french press users. ...
Fiat Gets 35% of Chrysler in Exchange for Small Fuel Efficient Cars
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.20.09
Chrysler and Fiat Tie the Knot
Chrysler hasn't been too competitive when it comes to small, fuel efficient cars. That might be about to change. Cerberus Capital Management, the owner of Chrysler, has entered a "global strategic alliance" with Fiat. The deal is pretty simple: 35% of Chrysler at no cost in exchange for access to your small car platforms.
Read on for more....
The Owl 100% Recycled Laptop Backpack
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.20.09
Images via Ecopreneurist
Some very cool laptop backpacks are out on the market with more arriving every day, and luckily, there are an increasing number that are made from recycled materials - many of which you can make yourself. This particular backpack touts that it is made from 100% recycled materials. ...
Visit TreeHugger's Inauguration Page
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.20.09
Image credit calculat0r
Even usually blasé New Yorkers were out in force to watch Obama in Times Square- some things are better in a crowd. Does this save energy to have thousands watch a few monster screens or stay at home watching thousands of little ones?
Other inauguration news can be seen at our new Obama Inauguration Page- all the green inauguration news that's fit to print from TreeHugger, Planet Green and other sites. Visit The Obama Inauguration Page...
Used Telephone Poles to be Converted to Ethanol at Quebec Biorefinery
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.20.09
photo: Scott Robinson via fickr
Of all the feedstocks for biofuel I have come across, this one is probably the strangest. Plenty of people are working on turning wood waste into ethanol, but Enerkem is doing wood chips, yard waste, and building scraps one better: Used telephone poles. Though it’ll be a few months until the processing units are added to their Westbury, Quebec syngas processing plant, but once it’s fully up and running, here’s how much fuel a whole bunch used telephone poles can produce:...
Big Green Recap of 2009 Detroit Auto Show
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 01.20.09
NAIAS 2009 Recap
The Detroit Auto Show is open to the public until this Saturday (January 24th), so we think it's worth doing a little recap of the green highlights. Transportation is an important sector when it comes both to pollution and making our lives better via personal mobility. The big goal is to try to get rid of the negatives while keeping the benefits. That's a huge challenge, and we think the steps forward on display in Detroit are too small, but they're still worth noting.
Read on for more details and photos....
Green Highlights of Obama Inaugural Address
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.20.09
image credit Wordle
Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of our economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act--not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.Treasure the whole thing here....
Green Tech Businesses Get Free Advertising
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.20.09
If you want to take measure of the status of green in our culture, check out this sweepstakes competition specifically for businesses specializing in green technology. ...
IT Managers Are Trying to Do More With Less
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.20.09
Symantec has released their state of the industry report for data centers and has found that managers are facing two major and conflicting goals. First, everyone wants ever better, faster IT services, and second, data centers have to cut costs as much as possible.
Read on for how managers plan on meeting both goals, and other findings from the report. ...
National Mall is Design Knockoff of Inspired By Chicago Exhibition
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.20.09
Here is another Chicago connection for this inauguration: The Mall is a knockoff of the 1893 Columbia Exhibition in Chicago. Blair Kamin writes in the Chicago Tribune:
The design leaders of the 1893 fair, Burnham and New York City architect Charles McKim, served as advisers to Michigan Senator James McMillan and his Senate Park Commission. It issued the so-called McMillan Plan of 1901-02 that essentially gave us the National Mall as we know it today....
Porta-potties Can Be an Environmental Disaster
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.20.09
800,000 pilgrims visited Toronto in 2002 to see the Pope; 7,000 portable toilets were set up to deal with the, um, problem. The companies emptying them just dumped it down the sewer, but plastic bags and raincoats caused clogs and it overflowed and flooded the basements of adjoining buildings, causing $ 15 million dollars of damage.
No doubt when the portapotties serving Washington today are emptied tonight, it will all be handled in an environmentally correct fashion and the sewers of Washington can take it.......
Judge Temporarily Halts Oil & Gas Leasing on Utah Public Lands
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.20.09
Some of the land available for lease is near Canyonlands National Park. Photo: Peter & Joyce Grace via flickr
One of the last minute acts by the Bush administration which would’ve opened up public lands near Utah’s national parks has been halted, at least temporarily, by actions of a US District Court judge. The move is the result of a lawsuit filed in December by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, the Wilderness Society and Earthjustice. Here’s more:
...
Video: Beijing's Line 10 -- the "iPhone of Subways"
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 01.20.09
Make Your Own Obama Inauguration Tchotchke
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.20.09
We love downloadable designs, dematerialized bits and bytes put together again when we need it, without the waste of a physical intermediary. Why ship your memories of the moment halfway around the world when you can print them out and make them yourself? Try not to cut yourself watching the inauguration and making this Obama model from Cubecraft.
See more on downloadable designs at our Absolut World site....
Bush's Oceanic Legacy & Recap (Video)
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 01.20.09
Speak Out on Biofuels: Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels Wants Comments on New Standards
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 01.20.09
photo: gertrud via flickr
Though the need to move beyond first-generation biofuels and establish codified sustainability criteria has gained wider acceptance over the past year, no one such standard exists and plenty of groups have offered their version of what a ‘sustainable biofuel’ really is. The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels has been developing their standard, and has released ‘Version Zero’ of this for public comment. The RSB standards are as follows:...
Teeple Architects' Langara College has Confusing Ventilation System
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.20.09
All photos by Shai Gil
I have always admired the work of Stephen Teeple and Teeple Architects, even if they rudely demolished the house I grew up in to replace it with this little pile. Their new Langara College Library in British Columbia has some interesting green features, and is a bit of a lesson about how we all better start agreeing on our terminology or we are going to confuse everyone....
Three Green-Themed Films Worth Seeing For Yourself
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 01.20.09
Photo still by Big River Man
Seven environmentally-themed films will be previewed at Sundance Film Festival, which runs through the end of this week: "Earth Days" will close the festival; No Impact Man, Crude, The End of the Line, Dirt: The Movie, and Big River Man are also part of the festival's large program of films. We aren't going to review the films here, because we haven't seen them all. Nor will we try to point out any green aspects (there were a few) of Sundance this year; we're already a bit post-shy after divulging some green details of Obama's Inauguration-o-Rama. Instead, we'll just preview three of the films that might really be worth your while to seek out when they finally make it to a theater or video store near you....
Electric Vehicle Parking Auction in London
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 01.20.09
Image credit: HowStuffWorks
Online Auction of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
There’s no doubt that the availability of charging facilities is a crucial factor in the uptake of electric vehicle (EV) ownership – particularly in densely populated cities where people may not own driveways or garages to charge their vehicle. We are seeing a slow appearance of EV charging points across the USA, and San Francisco is pushing hard to become the electric vehicle capital of the country. But even San Francisco has a long way to go before it catches up with London, where the continued spread of electric vehicle charging points shows no signs of stopping. And in the latest development, the NCP (the national car park provider) is auctioning off 50 electric vehicle charging points across the capital. Here’s more from the website of EV retailer GoinGreen:
...
Ban Against Incandescent Bulbs: Argentina Joins
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 01.20.09
Picture: Greenpeace Argentina.
In the midst of the end-of-year-holiday-rush the Argentine Senate gave the country a good Christmas present: it approved a law to ban incandescent light bulbs. The rule establishes that from December 31, 2010, the importing and commercialization of incandescent light bulbs for residential use will be forbidden in the country.
With this measure, Argentina joins the list of regions and countries that have already said goodbye to regular light bulbs, which includes the European Union, Australia, and Canada.
Find out more in the extended....
Green Flat Panels to Dominate Market
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 01.20.09
Photo via tstitt
According to a report by DisplaySearch on flat panel displays, 20% of the flat panels sold in 2008 sported some sort of green feature.
This, they think, is a sign of a growing trend towards green displays and that they'll soon be dominant in the marketplace. But it could also be a sign of something very different....
TreeHugger Welcomes Roberta Cruger
by Roberta Cruger, Los Angeles on 01.20.09
Chicago's Columbia College Hosts Challenging Environmental Art Show
by Leonora Oppenheim, London, UK on 01.20.09
Image: A+D Gallery Catalogue, Aylin Kayser & Cristian Metzner, Ikarus, 2007
Challenging visions of sustainability, or rather the lack of it, are currently on show at the A+D Gallery at Columbia College in Chicago. Part environmental art exhibition, part cutting edge design show, works include photos by Edward Burtynsky contrasting with melting wax lamps (pictured above) by young German designers. The multimedia approach taken by the show's curators broadens the debate about consumption patterns and industrial production and pollution. Click over for more images......
Survey: Are You Optimistic?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.20.09
It is a big day, with big changes, in difficult times. And while not all of our readers voted for him or even could vote in America, I suspect most today would wish him well. Given the circumstances and the challenges ahead,
...
Most Popular Airline Routes Which Shouldn't Be
by Bonnie Alter, London on 01.20.09
image from Financial Times
This tally of the most popular airline routes reveals that several of the busiest flight routes are absolutely unnecessary. In the top three, we can understand the Hong Kong to Taipei trip, and numbers two and three--LA to New York and London to New York. But Milan to Rome at number 5--come on! It's a 4 hour train ride , with high speed links, through the Tuscan countryside--what could be better? Or a 6 hour drive along the autostrada del sole--either of which would be an improvement on flying.
...
CES Gadget: USB Plant Sensor EasyBloom (Video)
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 01.19.09
New "Corpse Plant" Species Discovered in Former Khmer Rouge Territory
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada on 01.19.09
Image: Newly discovered species of "corpse plant" (WWF)
Previously unknown species in a relatively undisturbed bioregion of the Mekong River in northeastern Cambodia have been uncovered by a recent study – 24 in total, including a so-called “corpse plant” (Amorphophallus sp.) which secretes a smell similar to decaying flesh (biodiversity never smelled so good).
Other heartening news included the rediscovery of another species, such as Cantor’s Giant softshell turtle (image of this cool turtle after the jump), believed to be extinct in Cambodia since 2003.
The study, jointly carried out by WWF Cambodia, the Fisheries Administration (FiA) and Forestry Administration (FA) of the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) covers an area of riverine forests and archipaelegos. Some fifty-five kilometres of the study area, dubbed the “Central Section”, also contained former Khmer Rouge strongholds which were once inaccessible to locals and foreign agencies.
But the “Central Area” is shrinking, as it faces unregulated hunting, fishing and logging to clear land for farms, and no less than two dam proposals.
...
Dumb and Dumber: Freakonomics on Bottled Water Bans
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.19.09
In her book Bottlemania, Elizabeth Royte quoted a Pepsico marketing VP in 2000 talking about water: "when we are done, tap water will be relegated to showers and washing dishes." About four years later, universities started looking at banning bottled water from campuses. By 2007, cities like San Francisco, Chicago and Toronto were considering it.
Now in 2009, practitioners of the dismal science get around to addressing the issue. Upon being informed that a campus is considering a ban, Daniel Hamermesh of the New York Times Freakonomics column says pshaw:
...
Green Eyes On: Healing and Air Purifying Plants
by Sara Snow on 01.19.09
Gerbera daisies and mini Gerbera daisies. Photo via flowerbud.com.
A number of years ago, NASA began to look into the air purifying properties of plants (PDF). Specifically, they were trying to find out if plants could be used to clean the air in orbiting space stations. The findings--helpful for both their purposes and ours--proved common indoor air pollutants (culprits called Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, off-gasses from the likes of fabric finishes, paints, wood adhesives, and floor stains) can be mitigated or removed by way of the leaves, roots, and soil of certain indoor plants. ...
Eat Chocolate To Preserve Shamanic Traditions of the Huichol
by Jeff Nield, Vancouver, British Columbia on 01.19.09
The Huichol are reputed to be the last native tribe in North America to have maintained their pre-Columbian traditions. The population of 15,000-26,000 lives in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico where they struggle with the common problem of maintaining a traditional way of life in the face of a globalizing culture. Luckily the Huichol have found a sweet way to help preserve their artistic and religious traditions. ...
John Boehner: Invest in Roads, not Weatherization
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.19.09
watch Boehner on ">PBS Newshour here
We already know what the Minority House Leader John Boehner thinks of bikes and beautification; now we learn what he thinks of efficiency and weatherization. On PBS Newshour he singles out a few things he doesn't like in the infrastructure investments:
if you look at the over $500 billion worth of spending, a lot of it’s going to fix up federal buildings, and — and $6 billion to community action programs to do weatherization programs....
Recycled Polartec Fleece Hats by The Mouse Works
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA on 01.19.09
Image source: The Mouse Works
Cinderella's little furry worker friends have nothing on these guys. The Mouse Works owner Ryan Williamson hand-makes all of the hats from recycled Polartec fleece from area clothing factories, making hats for people and pets alike. Growing up in the mountains of West Virginia, Williamson learned the value of self-sufficiency and began sewing when he was 14. This business put him through school and has challenged him to come up with the greenest business he can develop. Now, years later, The Mouse Works gives Williamson his livelihood and an outlet for his creativity, as well as allows him time for other pursuits like hiking the Blue Ridge Trail each year, which is practically on his doorstep.
More images after the jump....
Careers in Renewable Energy and Clean Tech: Advice from the Experts
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 01.19.09
A Picture is Worth: Unsold Hondas
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.19.09
Hondas at Swindon; Andy Rain/EPA
The Guardian photo essay notes: Carmakers around the world are cutting production as inventories build up to unprecedented levels. Storage areas and docksides are now packed with vast expanses of unsold cars as demand slumps.
Ryan Avent wonders: How we choose to deploy valuable resources. What else might they have been?
...
Progressive Startup to Re-open Rust Belt Factory and Make Revolutionary Green Product
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.19.09
Photo by Robert Thornton III
That is a headline that we hope will be repeated many times, and describes the purchase of Chicago's Republic Windows.
Of course, whenever we write about the need to rebuild the rust belt for the new green economy, we get told in comments that it will never happen, the unions are too strong, the workers too expensive and the work rules too onerous. And look at Republic Windows' union, I mean, shades of Norma Rae, they had the gall to stage a sit-in, demanding their back vacation pay and severance! Who's gonna invest in that kind of environment?
Kevin Surace of Serious Materials is....
New York Times on Energy Efficiency
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.19.09
One of the most annoying things about the run-up to Obama's inauguration is that everyone has advice for the poor man, from what kind of dog to get to what kind of food to eat. However the New York Times has devoted some significant real estate, the top editorial the day before he takes over, to deliver some good advice on the importance of efficiency.
Obviously, game-changing technologies will play a big role in cutting America’s consumption of fossil fuels. They will also be essential to achieving the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that most scientists think will be necessary to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. But as it frames its strategy to deal with both problems, the Obama administration cannot overlook the low-hanging fruit — the gains to be had from making existing technologies more efficient....
Green Roofs Meet the Ground in New Heden
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.19.09
Roofs are for people, and should be green and accessible. That is what is so exciting about New Heden in Gothenberg, Daniel Andersson's final thesis at Jönköping University, with Fredrik Kjellgren and Joakim Kaminsky of Kjellgren Kaminsky Architects. as tutors. The form of the buildings, "built as sliced hills with grass roofs that can be walked upon" brings the green roofs right down to grade, making them accessible; rooftops become terrain....
5 Examples of Better Bike Infrastructure
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 01.19.09
Swedish bicycle path directions by bjaglin @ flickr.
Bike transport innovations just never get the same mainstream media coverage - or popularity, even on TreeHugger - that car news enjoys. Yet so much is happening as bike sharing booms in cities and on college campuses across the world, ridership increases, and the bike industry is one of the few that is seemingly insensitive to economic mayhem! In the bike universe, small changes in infrastructure are making a big difference (mostly better) in bike commuters' lives. So here we give you a few of the ideas becoming more popular in improving bike transport, safety, and the biking way of life. Viva velo!...
Wyclef Jean, TreeHugger's Graham Hill and Recycle Runway Rock the First Green Inaugural Ball
by Eliza Barclay, Washington, D.C. on 01.19.09
The nation's capital is the place to be this long weekend, as festivities for President-Elect Barack Obama's inauguration kicked off and hundreds of thousands of visitors swarm the city for the big event. Green is a prominent theme this year, as we reported last week in a post on Five Ways Obama's Inauguration Festivities Will Be Green.
Balls have progressively grown more popular at each inauguration, and this year may take the cake as the most celebrated American inauguration in history, at least in terms of formal parties scheduled in the capital. Revelers who can afford tickets -- most are well over $150 -- or make the guest lists are scrambling to get into one of the dozens of balls held between Saturday and Tuesday. Environmentalists have their chance to celebrate the new president and his promise to address the "planet in peril" at two inaugural balls. The first of the two Green Balls, sponsored by Planet Green, concluded Saturday night around 1 am at the elegant Andrew Mellon Auditorium just two blocks from the National Mall. This Green Inaugural Ball, which charged guests $500 per ticket, is not to be confused with the 2009 Green Ball, with special guest Al Gore to be held Monday night. ...
Survey: Do You Preheat Your Teapot?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.19.09
Our American readers are all off doing public service on Martin Luther King Day or getting ready to party tomorrow, so I can ask one of life's critically important questions of the rest of the English-speaking world: Do you preheat your teapot? My wife says that it is not worth even bothering to make tea if you don't pour boiling water into the pot for the sole purpose of warming it, then throw it out to make room for the tea and more water. Others would say this wastes the water and the energy used to heat it; John would even propose an eco-kettle that meters out the boiled water.
...
Epic Fail: Efforts to Fight Invasive Species Could Cause 'Ecosystem Meltdown'
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 01.19.09
Image from Sara Golemon
Chalk up another one for human "ingenuity." Efforts to reverse the proliferation of invasive species on Macquarie Island, a 50-square mile piece of land located approximately halfway between Australia and Antarctica, have taken a disastrous turn for the worse--with the likely end scenario a complete "ecosystem meltdown." The sole last resort, scientists now believe, is a massive $16 million rescue plan, reports the LAT's Thomas H. Maugh II....
Delhi to Ban Plastic Bags
by Bonnie Alter, London on 01.19.09
image by nitawriter.wordpress.com
New Delhi has banned the use of plastic bags in all shops, starting very soon. Notification has been sent out to all shopkeepers, and they are being given 10 to 12 days to fall into line. After that, traders will have to pay a penalty or spend five years in prison (what!). That's the new law that the Delhi government says it is ready to enforce. Civil servants said that punitive measures were needed after another law prohibiting plastic bags was ignored. However they do accept that the new ban will have to be implemented slowly.
This will be a huge change for this city of 16M people. Now residents use more than 10 M every day in the capital. The streets are littered with them and they clog up sewage pipes and are breeding grounds for malaria and dengue fever. Traders are being told to use jute, paper and cloth instead. However in a nation of small shops, the carry bag might turn out to be more expensive than the goods being sold.
...
Trainspotting In Japan: Fans Bid Farewell To Classic EF 551 Engine
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan on 01.18.09
(Photo: Tabibito-banban)
Yesterday train aficionados went to Takasaki, north of Tokyo, to bid farewell to the EF 551 train engine, affectionately known as "Moomin" because of its resemblance to the cartoon character. A few of my friends regularly meet up for such events, taking photos and blogging about the trains. But the event yesterday was special: the EF 551 was Japan's first electrical engine, domestically designed with the Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 in mind. The similarities end there. Today, Japan is the country with most passenger rail per inhabitant, as noted by The International Union of Railways. Graph after the jump:...
Harnessing Molecular Motors: Nanotechnology and Biology Meet to Redefine 'Lab on a Chip'
by Tim McGee, Western Massachusetts on 01.18.09
photo Hey Paul @ Flickr
If the electric Mini can have motors in its wheels why can't science geeks get molecular motors in their labs? After graduating college I spent a good three years of my life moving small volumes of fluid from one tube to another, then injecting those small volumes of fluid into a ‘lab on a chip’. This lab on a chip still needed a lab, as it had to go on a large machine that then pumps buffer through the chip to wash it before it could relay any useful data. All of this effort was to get a better understanding of RNA, but similar set ups are used for detecting biological weapons, food spoilage, and environmental contamination. The future, as they say, is on the ‘lab on chip’.
So you can imagine my excitement when I learned that researches at the University of Florida (UF) have taken the first steps in getting rid of all of that fluid transfer, and letting life lift the heavy load itself. ...
10 Funniest Celebrity Potshots on Conservation, Pollution, and Global Warming
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 01.18.09
Credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com
The environment maybe no joking matter, but sometimes the best way to get a message across is through humor. Here are 10 of my all-time favorite potshots celebrities have made on the subject of conservation, pollution, and global warming......
ET says: Phone LA City Council, Billy the Elephant Need Home
by Eric Leech, New York, NY on 01.18.09
Billy the elephant
Photo credit: mstickmanp
The Los Angeles Zoo is currently battling for the right to keep Billy the Asian elephant and place him in a new 6-acre habitat they have been building over the past couple years. The zoo had earned the right to build the new facility 2 years ago by a 13 to 2 vote by the City Council. Recently however, a small group has stepped in claiming that Billy would be much better off at the PAWS ranch style sanctuary, located in Northern California....
The Laziest Man on Earth's Guide to Green Living
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 01.18.09
Photo via Coolest Gadgets
Anyone who thinks it's tough to be an environmentalist has got it all wrong. That's why I've gone to the considerable trouble of assembling a guide that even the laziest man on earth, who may or may not be yours truly, can follow to live according to ecologically friendly principles. Since I'm already exhausted from writing this, there will be no further intro. See? By stopping typing now, instead of fashioning a lengthier introduction, I will have saved energy that otherwise would've been wasted on further powering my laptop. ...
Roll Up Your Sleeves and Give Something Back This Weekend
by Greg Haegele of Sierra Club on 01.18.09
Volunteer litter cleanup. Image credit:David Wasserman, courtesy Sierra Club
I'm not naive enough to think that the environmental community will always agree the Obama administration. But I do think the tenor of our work will change fairly dramatically in the coming years. Dealing with the Bush camp for nearly a decade made me feel like Sisyphus, that Greek king who spent eternity pushing a rock uphill, only to see it roll down again. I'm weary of pushing rocks uphill. The future is looking more like level ground to me....
Spain's Amazing Solar Powered House Rotates Roof to Catch Maximum Rays
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 01.18.09
Renderings courtesy of the University of Madrid
Every two years, the US Department of Energy gathers some of the best minds in science for its biannual Solar Decathlon in Washington DC. Teams from universities around the world compete to create the most advanced, most viable solar powered homes and cutting edge alternative energy solutions.
Last week, Team Spain (from the University of Madrid) invited TreeHugger to take a sneak peak at their stellar offering for this year's competition in October: the B&W House. It's a house fashioned with a roof that continually rotates to face the sun in order to capture maximum sunlight.
...
Big Water Trouble in Leaky China
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 01.18.09
Photo via China Daily News
China's "Dead Lakes" Keep Reappearing
Two years ago, an algae outbreak in China's renowned Tai Lake sounded a global environmental alarm. Now, despite China spending billions of dollars on lake cleanup efforts, some algae has returned. And similar poisonous blue-green algal blooms that have been cropping up in other lakes across the country as well, according to Greenpeace. This is alarming news for both China's residents and its already imperiled ecosystems: the pollution can be deadly to wildlife and make drinking water hazardous.
Greenpeace thinks it's found the culprit, however—and it isn't just the smog-spewing factories or dumped garbage.
It's leaked fertilizer.
...
US Gets Another Bike Sharing Program: Denver Launches Pilot Run
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York on 01.18.09
Photo via Coyne PR
Perhaps inspired by the bike sharing program in Washington DC that was implemented last year, or the general success of the temporary program that helped convention goers get around carbon-free at the DNC. Either way, Denver is moving to launch a citywide bike sharing program this summer. For now, Mayor John Hickenlooper has started off with a "pilot" run for city employees, which went into effect earlier last week.
So how will Denver's bike-sharing program work?
...
Warning! Riding a Bicycle Can Have the Following Side Effects:
by Trevor Reichman on 01.18.09
If you are thinking about replacing a car trip with a bicycle trip instead, it is important to know the repercussions of that choice. Read further for 8 side effects that your doctor or bicycle salesman may not have told you about. ...
If You Don't Know What's In Your Knickers, Click to See This Sexy Video
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 01.18.09
Image: collage of stills from "Pants Exposed" at More Than Pretty Knickers
Some years ago, before "green" was really trendy, TreeHugger was founded on the concept that humans should not have to run around in loincloths to save our planet. Joining the battle for sexy solutions to serious problems, the video Pants Exposed: Know What's in Your Knickers conveys a worthy message intended to change clothing consumers' habits for good. Knickers, British slang for underpants, demonstrate the lack of sustainability in the textiles industry in a sexy medium, presumably to reach more viewers. The Click on the extended to see the video in full and learn details on how you can make a difference....
The Roots of Change: Turkey's Only Organic Trade Show
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 01.18.09
The province of Samsun showed off the region's organic producers at the Ekoloji Istanbul 2009 trade fair. Photo: T.C. Samsun Valiliği
Sometimes it's easy to forget how far the environmental movement in the United States and Europe has come in a relatively short time--from fringe fixation to mainstream concern. Attending the 8th Ecology Istanbul Fair this weekend, I wondered if I was seeing what the beginnings of this process had looked like.
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Thousands Injured By “Diabolical” Packaging
by Josh Peterson, Los Angeles, California on 01.18.09
photo by Miss_Rogue
Around six thousand people a year wind up in emergency rooms with lacerations and puncture wounds caused by clamshell/oyster packaging. Some injuries are caused by the jagged edges of half-opened, hard-plastic wrappers. Others occur when the a frustrated consumers use tools such as knives, scissors or wire cutters. These implements, often taken up in anger, have a tendency to glance off the nigh-impenetrable packaging and wound the hands that wield them. ...
Ecuador Extends Rights To Ecosystems
by Jeff Nield, Vancouver, British Columbia on 01.18.09
Kate Wilson via The New York Times
A few months after Lloyd reported on the Swiss government's conclusion that plants have rights the Ecuadorian population went one step further and voted to change their constitution to proclaim that nature has “the right to the maintenance and regeneration of its vital cycles, structure, functions and evolutionary processes.”
The New York Times felt that the Ecuadorian concept of plants' rights was significant enough to include it in their 8th Annual Year in Ideas list. Read on to find out what this could mean for conservation efforts in the South American nation. ...
Living Low-Income Better For the Earth, Swedish Study Says
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 01.18.09
Cleaning up after yourself in the forest is only worth it if politics remembers to save the trees. Photo: Wojtek Mejor @ flickr.
Swedes love the fact that they are good recyclers, eat a lot of organic food, and buy a lot of 'green' cars. These values have become part of the cultural fabric - an expected part of "being Swedish" that can lead to green guilt if you don't measure up. However, cultural sociologist Karin Bradley has found that green guilt notwithstanding, it is greener to to be poorer and live in a poor neighborhood than to be rich and acting green. Often, Bradley found that lower-income families were living greener than their more well-off neighbors, even though they may NOT have been sorting their recycling, or shopping organically. Oh, no, say it isn't so. Are our personal efforts for naught?...
TreeHugger breaks it down for you in a series of in depth how-to articles that will help you green your life. No time like the present!
Here are a few recommended websites.
