Holiday Gift Guide: For the Health Nut

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:40:15 GMT

Photo via Jude @ flickr Finding the right gift for your favorite health-nut can be a daunting prospect - particularly with the inherent un-healthiness of the holiday season ready to trip you up. But take heart: we've been working diligently to bring you a wish list that will make any super-healthy super-human feel super-loved, from pillows that help your giftee get the best sleep of his life and plants that keep him healthy to gear, accessories, and books that will keep your health fanatic on the right track - and that ring up at tons less cash than insurance premiums or doctors bills.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

evanhealy Natural Skin Care: The Skin Breathes

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:00:21 GMT

Think of skin as your body's atmosphere, a protective layer that helps regulate your internal environment, and like Earth's atmosphere, is vulnerable to pollutants. According to Evan Healy, aesthetician and creator of the evanhealy skin care line, when we bombard our skin with chemicals that dissolve the epidermal layer we damage the skin's ability to defend itself. Instead of thoughtlessly applying hyped-up synthetic ointments, serums and formulas, we must be conscious of the skin's need for pure, natural sustenance that maintains skin's integrity. In a day when skin care has become so complicated one might need a PhD to understand what various salves and sprays are supposed to do (let alone decipher the ingredients list), Ms. Healy's simple yet elegant approach is refreshing. Using organic ingredients whenever feasible and natural ingredients always, her products are health food for your skin.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

J.R. Watkins Natural Home and Body Care

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:49:15 GMT

J.R. Watkins' new line of natural home care products brings the fresh-scented carefully crafted quality of their natural body care line to your spring cleaning routine. You might be wondering: "A body-care line that also makes natural home cleansers?" But once you think over it a bit - the concept makes perfect sense. Both types of products are coming under greater scrutiny as we learn about the risks we take by applying toxic ingredients to our skin and using caustic chemicals to clean our homes. For too long we've made a Faustian bargain with the products we use in our personal and home care - accepting that to be effective they must also be a bit (or a lot) dangerous.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Cultivate Kids Organic Infant and Toddler Tees

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:14:39 GMT

Cultivate Kids organic kids Tees remind us that growing organic isn't just about reducing pesticides and preventing the spread of GMOs - it is about cultivating a healthy future for our earth and for our children. When we give our kids toxic messages instead of nurturing their natural qualities like curiosity and creativity, we end up short-changing both the children and ourselves. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Bark for Peace! Organic Treats for Your Dog

Mon, 19 May 2008 16:57:18 GMT

Bark for Peace! dog treats are more than wholesome, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, corn-free snacks packaged in natural, biodegradable cellophane with labels printed on 100% PCW paper that are carbon-neutral shipped and delivered - they embody a message about saving the world and the love that it will take to get us there. "We think peace is more than the absence of war, rather we hope and work toward the absence of suffering and the flourishing of all! Our dogs show us peace is: rambunctious joy, relentless love, abundant sharing, creative compassion and ever-extended forgiveness," says B4P founder Lisa Knaggs. Recently, I had the opportunity to share some of that B4P love. When I returned from last week's Co-Op America Green Business Conference I was toting two different kinds of tasty eco-treats, one for me and a B4P sample for my puppy Paul. Item #1 contained 100% organic sweet potatoes, tamari, coconut oil, ginger, garlic, turmeric and cayenne; Item #2 was made of 100% organic dates, cashews, goji Berries, lemon juice, and vanilla (take a look after the jump to see which was which).... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Not In My Back Forty: Tom Ford Thwarts Oil Plans

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 06:45:05 GMT

In a textbook case of NIMBYism, the fashion icon Tom Ford has launched a private campaign to prevent oil exploration near his New Mexico ranch. When Tecton Energy announced plans to drill exploratory wells near Ford's Gallisteo property, the designer asked the Land Office not to sell oil and gas leases on the public lands near his ranch. The Office was not persuaded by Ford's legendary charm, so instead he paid $84,000 to purchase the mineral rights to more than 1,400 acres in the public trust. The quasi-irony and attending NIMBYism of the situation derives from an earlier controversy on the same parcel of land when Ford tussled with neighbors over plans to build a 14,000-square-foot hacienda on the property. Ultimately victorious, Ford won approval from the Historic Design Review Board to build the hilltop home. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

New Mexico's Green Filmmaking Program

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:18:57 GMT

New Mexico, the state already known for its green chile is now getting kudos for its green filmmaking. The new Green Filmmaking Program was developed this year to encourage film crews to help reduce the environmental footprint of the resource-intensive filmmaking enterprise. The voluntary program provides education, resources and incentives to encourage crews to seek eco-certification. Paul Haggis, the writer/producer/director known for movies such as Letters from Iwo Jima, Million Dollar Baby, and Crash, participated in the program during filming of his latest project, In the Valley of Elah. During production Haggis said the producers "refused to rent, or reimburse anybody for, rental cars that didn't get at least 22 miles per gallon," used eco-friendly materials to build sets, and arranged for recycling and recyclables disposal at every filming location. To assist filmmakers in greening their set, the New Mexico Film office provides everything from vendor contact information to bringing in a fleet of hybrid vehicles for production rentals. Via:: Hollywood Reporter photo from ABQStyle Musings... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Domenica Ecologica: Eco-Sunday in Rome

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:51:43 GMT

It's obvious to anyone (which in this case means everyone) who has had a near miss with a car or motorino, that Rome's historic center isn't meant for cars. That fact was made blissfully evident yesterday during "Domenica Ecologica" (eco-Sunday) when the centro was closed to all non-pedestrian, non-bicycle traffic. The event was hosted by Comune di Roma as the capstone event for the city's participation in European Mobility Week. Saturday was the official World Car Free Day but here in Rome it was Sunday when one could fully appreciate the peace and freedom of an urban center without cars. Walking through the winding medieval alleys of Trastevere with my husband and father-in-law, enjoying pistachio gelato without the noise and fear endemic to Rome's streets made for one of the most pleasant Sunday outings we've had in Italy. Separating Romans from their beloved scooters and autos was made less painful by the fact that any self-respecting Romano was watching the Roma-Juventus soccer match, with several bars taking advantage of the traffic-free zona to set up chairs and screens out in the streets. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Triko: Streetwear With A Soul

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 08:22:00 GMT

Streetwear designer Hector Estrada's fashion line Triko not only gives good style, it gives back to the Earth. Organic cotton textiles and coconut shell and tagua hardware help Estrada craft his vision of fashion with a purpose. Says Estrada, "A lot of times as a designer, you're reminded that this career isn't rocket science and that nobody's life depends on what you do. The more I thought about it, though, I thought, 'This may not be huge, but I can use it as a vehicle to bring awareness to more important things.' " Among the things Triko is bringing awareness to is the cause for threatened and endangered species. Not only does the label donate to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Defenders of Wildlife and Solar 1, Triko is the proud sponsor of Pinstripe the tiger and Bowtie the penguin, adopted through the Defenders of Wildlife adoption program. Triko is a sweatshop-free enterprise, strives to source fabrics and materials from sustainable sources and supports clean energy through the purchase of renewable energy credits. Though boutique-quality and limited edition, the prices in the online store make Triko an easy choice for you or your fave streetwise guy (sorry girls! boys-only designs for now...) Via:: NorthJersey.com ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Celebrity Eco-Hypocritique

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 14:38:00 GMT

Back to back articles covering celebrity "eco-hypocrites" appeared recently in the L.A. Times and Daily Mail. Both articles made a fuss about various green celebrity transgressions, the majority of which involve air travel (both private and commercial). Sienna Miller flies a lot for her work on climate change awareness, Leo DiCapprio flew to the Cannes Film Festival to promote his documentary the 11th Hour, George Clooney uses private jets and Al Gore's big house uses lots of energy (though less now that he's installed solar). What is behind these stories and the almost obsessive urge to point out the short-comings of celebrities that advocate living a more eco-friendly lifestyle? After writing about green celebs for a couple of years I know well the difference celebs can make when they put their weight behind a cause, so why the apparent need to disgrace high profile eco-advocates? I'll explore these four reasons after the jump: 1) we want our heroes to be angels; 2) it's fun to rip on the rich and famous; 3) hypocritical behavior really is annoying; and 4) people need excuses not to act. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Is Adrian Grenier playing Professor Higgins to Paris Hilton's Eco-Eliza?

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 10:22:39 GMT

We certainly hope so. These pals have about as much in common as Al Gore and Donald Trump, though lately they've been spotted spending a good deal of time together. The green celeb-blog Ecorazzi is tracking the pair's activities and has spotted them in some rather un-compromising positions: cruising in a Prius, attending ForestEthics premier of the 11th Hour, and scoping out a new eco-friendly home for Paris. The star of the hit HBO series Entourage, Adrian Grenier agrees with TH readers that celebs bringing attention to the green cause can help make a difference, telling Paris: "You're the most photographed woman in the world. Think what you could do if you used that attention to bring light to a cause." Smart move working the ex-con heiress's ego to move her in a more sustainable direction.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Beeline Beauty Boasts Better Bees

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:37:30 GMT

Never mind not-so-natural nostrums made with weirdly wonton wonders that benefit already bountiful bosses. Beeline honey-based beauty products are made with lots of luscious golden honey untampered by preservatives like paraben and formaldehyde. Instead, these products are able to offer the full benefits of the sweet stuff (antioxidant, moisturizing, healing) because they do not contain synthetic ingredients that prevent honey's beneficial compounds from being absorbed into the skin. Organic? you ask. Probably not, as the honey comes from city bees that likely visit conventionally grown flower gardens. Raised by participants in the social purpose business Sweet Beginnings, the little buzzers gather nectar from urban blossoms that may give the final product a sweeter taste due to the diversity and frequency of blooms. Sweet Beginnings employs residents of the North Lawndale community of Chicago who are often locked out of the traditional labor market due to past criminal records and other barriers to employment. The enterprise provides men and women who are re-entering the community from prison opportunities to establish a work history, learn work habits, and gain skills as a stepping stone to further employment. TreeHuggers will truly treasure these terrific topicals! Thank you for the tip Maureen! Sweet Beginnings, LLC... Read the full story on TreeHugger

David Duchovny Sets Green Example

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:15:36 GMT

Star of the new sex-tacular Showtime series Californication, David Duchovny is not just your run of the mill dreamy green celeb (i.e. check mark next to "hybrid"). Nope - this man is the real deal - the once and future Agent Mulder powers his home with the sun and his ride with the grid. Duchovny's happy to do his part but finds it a little frustrating that going super-green is often a luxury. Says Duchovny; "We try to set an example. Unfortunately, you have to have the means to be green. That's what has to change in this world. It should be cheaper to be green. I can afford to put solar energy in and I can afford to drive an electric car because I can also have a gas car if I need to drive more than eighty miles in a day. So that's too bad." Via::Crave Online... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Comedy Central wants you to "Address the Mess"

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:04:36 GMT

"Kooky," "silly," "wacky" and "fun" are words that rarely find their way into the -environmental discourse' (snore...) but Comedy Central is banking on changing that with their newly launched "Address the Mess" campaign. The campaign includes freshly published AddressTheMess.com, a site incorporating eco-themed tidbits from everyone's favorite "don't hate me because I'm beautiful, intelligent and utterly absurd" talk show host Stephen Colbert to clips from the raunch-meisters on South Park. AddressTheMess.com also borrows (ahem!) some TreeHugger snark to offer tips on addressing the mess in your own home and sticks to topics that should have traction with an environmentally "green" audience (recycling electronics, eco-driving and at-home conservation). The folks at CC are planning to address environmental issues across viewing platforms including the live stand up tours. Sounding pretty groovey, eh? but wait! I haven't even gotten to the best part - their first carbon neutral production is (drum roll please...) "Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav!" Via:: Hollywood Reporter... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Clooney's Italian Lake has the Eco-Blues

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:20:47 GMT

A recent report released by the Italian enviro-org. Legambiente describes a beach on Lake Como near George Clooney's villa as "one of the worst polluted beaches in the country." Although the famously beautiful lake is a clear azure blue and does not look like an unhealthy microbe-infested danger zone, according to Legambiente's scientific director Stefano Ciafani the lake is unsafe for swimming. "On Lake Como this year we have found a worrying situation from the point of view of microbiological pollution. The problem of purification has not been resolved (over the last 20 years), and this applies to all the municipalities that border the lake, and also those at some distance from it, which use the rivers that discharge into the lake as sewage pipes." Legambiente warns that along with sunny memories and a golden tan, beachgoers may also bring home much less pleasant skin infections, dermatitis and salmonella. The sorry state of the lakes is caused by a number of environmental abuses including: unsustainable agriculture and toxic runoff, discharge from illegal home and building construction, reduced rainfall and a dramatic increase in water demand from the lakes. The EU has mandated that lakes within member countries should be of good quality by 2016, but regional governments in Italy have expressed skepticism about their ability to comply with the clean water goals. Wonder if George could lend a hand? Via ::Belfast Telegraph... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Italy Dresses Down to Fight Global Warming

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 09:28:58 GMT

The Italian government has made an official request that businesses loosen up on the dress code during hot summer months. A statement from the ministry claims that, "Taking your tie off immediately lowers the body temperature by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. Allowing a more sensible use of air conditioning that yields electricity savings and protects the environment." While this may not seem a significant message outside of Italy, by relating dress style to global warming the Italian government may have found a way to get the attention of a blase public. One of the European Union's most polluted members, Italy, in spite of various efforts to reduce emissions, is expected to exceed greenhouse gas emission targets. Perhaps by encouraging shabby dress in the workplace the government has tapped a nerve that will lead to other, more significant changes. At least one tie-maker on the other hand is not impressed with the government's anti-tie message. Reuters quotes from a letter to the newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore: "Italy confirms that it is a strange country," said Flavio Cima "I, tie maker, am responsible for global warming. We can now happily continue with our lifestyle, using cars, consuming fuel, heating and cooling our homes at leisure. On one condition: we should not wear a tie while we do so." Via ::Yahoo News ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Vatican Does Planetary Penance

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:13:51 GMT

Vatican City recently announced plans to offset the tiny nation's carbon emissions to zero for (the Year of Our Lord) 2007. Partnering with the American firm Planktos and Hungarian company KlimFa, the Vatican will sponsor the planting of hundreds of trees in Hungary. The sponsorship is a bit of a formality as the two firms have volunteered to absorb the costs of planting the holy trees. But all three partners acknowledge that the project presents a major opportunity to raise awareness about global climate change and the possibilities for helping to mitigate the impact. The Vatican has made recent overtures toward environmental action, including installing solar panels to power an audience hall and calling on the faithful to care for creation. "You can emit less carbon dioxide by not using heaters or by doing without a car. Or you can do penance, in this case by planting trees that convert CO2 into oxygen," said Monsignor Melchor Sanchez de Toca Alameda, an official at the Pontifical Council for Culture. Via ::Life In Italy... Read the full story on TreeHugger

From Stinging Nettles to Soothing Style

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 07:44:02 GMT

Italian researchers are looking to the past to protect the planet's future in a program designed to update traditional natural fiber textiles such as those made from stinging nettle, broom, hemp, flax and wool from native sheep. The program taking place at the National Research Council (CNR) in Florence is being conducted in collaboration with fashion design firms to create a range of jackets, skirts, trousers and made-to-measure suits from locally-grown and organic fibers. Italy, once one of the world's most important sources for textiles, is now largely dependent on imported non-organic cotton. "Every ton of clothing fabric imported from the Far East has an impact on the planet's atmosphere that is eight times higher than it would be if the cloth were produced locally," said CNR researcher Giampiero Maracchi. ::Life In Italy. photos - Life In Italy and Kristen Anderson... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Crespi 1797: Organic Italian Linen

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:51:55 GMT

In summertime, linen is to Italian clothing as pasta is to Italian food - fundamental. This quickly makes sense in the intense heat of the Mezzogiorno - where the practical (brilliant wicking) nature of the fabric is nearly as valuable as its drape, form and style. Thanks to the Italian textile manufacturer Crespi 1797 Italians (and other flax fans) will be able to flaunt beautiful organic linen at the beach. The newly certified fabric will be made from organic fiber and will use heavy-metal free dyes. Establishing Italy's first certified-organic flax line is not a surprising move for a company that also specializes in crafting hemp and bamboo fibers. Their mission goes beyond environmental sustainability to include economic sustainability for Italy - where they hope to establish the Bel Paese as a leader in the production and design of organic clothing.::Italy Magazine... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Rome's New Ecotaxi Fleet

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:00:29 GMT

I just spotted this sweet fleet of pedal-powered Ecotaxis on my way through the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. Motorized transport is something Rome could definitely use less of, and it looks like the Ecotaxi enterprise is boldly exploring alternatives to the motorino as a medieval street-smart mode of transport. So popular in other tourist destinations, these kinds of bike taxis provide handy transportation for worn-out tourists tempted to hire a regular pollution-spewing taxi car. In addition to their eco-charm, these spiffy biciclette will be operated by participants in a work rehabilitation program.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Lifegate: Eco-Living Italian Style

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:48:41 GMT

It is a bit ambitious to tackle a thorough explanation of the lofty Italian eco-enterprise Lifegate in just one post, but I'll do my best. Essentially, Lifegate unites Italian style and design with the environmental values of holistic healing to produce a range of mini-enterprises that include: fashion house, organic cafe, online music store, carbon offsetting program and communications consulting biz. Sound flaky and a little unweildy? Perhaps, but the impressively designed web-iverse of Lifegate projects (and products) encourages visitors to take the "People, Planet, Profit" themed line-up seriously. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Museum of Natural Colors - Oasi San Benedetto Italy

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:48:29 GMT

Guests at Oasi San Benedetto are invited to participate in a number of activities, but the ecological guest ranch specializes in the history, production and use of natural dyes and offers a series of related courses. San Benedetto is home to the small but well curated Museo dei Colori Naturali where one can discover ancient and modern techniques for making dyes from herbs, flowers and other natural materials. You might imagine a charming collection of brown yarns and beige thread at such a place, but actually the palette includes lovely shades of pink, blue, red, green, yellow and so on. Both the natural dyes and some of the products colored with them are available through the website. Courses provided by the museum cover natural methods for extracting color from plants, production of color dyes, and the proper methods for dying wool, silk and cotton with natural colors. In addition, San Benedetto offers a number of out doors activities like orienteering, bike excursions and hiking. Accommodations are comfortable and affordable at around 60 euro per person. Dining at San Benedetto is also a "colorful" experience as the menu of locally grown and/or wildcrafted ingredients is built upon the idea that healthful qualities are provided by the various colors in our food (red provides energy, yellow helps digestion, and violet aides circulation).... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Organic B&B in Rome

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 15:27:50 GMT

"Bed and Breakfast Bio," Rome's first eco B&B opened this spring after the building was renovated using "only natural paints," including a pretty yellow paint tinted with turmeric. Breakfasts are vegetarian, completely organic and provide dairy and wheat alternatives - a veritable treasure in this city of pasta and formaggio. Visitors shouldn't be put off by the B&B's distance from the center, as the location near Monte Mario park will serve as a welcome respite from the chaos of Rome and public transport is easily available to get to the sites.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Giuditta Blandini Stile Biologico

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 04:36:27 GMT

You can trust Italians to avoid the burlap sack curse that will sometimes beset even the most well-intentioned eco-textile designer. With an eye for design that enhances rather than obscures a woman's figure, Giuditta Blandini of Florence offers TreeHuggers a collection built with organic fabrics colored with vegetable-based dyes. Slinky sweater dresses and pretty camis are made with the finest organic wool, linen, cotton, hemp and silk. There are plenty of modest styles available for the office or visits with in-laws; like drape-y linen slacks (an Italian classic) paired with a blouse and cardigan, or cute and comfy hemp dresses. Giuditta and co. even offers a collection of bridal gowns made of linen, silk, hemp - and my personal favorite, a beautiful gown of organic cotton and soft alpaca. A woman-owned and operated company, Giuditta Blandini Stile Biologico has been designing with eco-friendly fabrics and dyes since 1997. Unfortunately our sleuthing has not turned up any retail locations outside of Italy, but those inspired by the TomKat "La Dolce Vita" frenzy can find boutiques throughout the north and south that carry Stile Biologico.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Leonardo DiCaprio's New Green Reality Show

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 11:12:40 GMT

Reality TV has taken viewers down some pretty low roads, but the genre may have a shot at redemption if Leonardo DiCaprio's new eco-program E-topia finds a home on network TV. The project, which will chronicle the green renovation of a small American town, was developed by Craig Piligian (CBS' "Survivor") of Pilgrim Films and Television and Tom Mazza (NBC's "Treasure Hunters") of Madison Road Entertainment. The pair approached DiCaprio and his Appian Way production company knowing that the eco-celeb would be a perfect fit for the environmentally-themed program, and he enthusiastically agreed. All three will share co-creator and executive director roles for the program. Says Piligian of the project: "We're going to take a devastated community and help transform it as a prototype for the future...At the end of the day, we're all going to have to change the way we live, the way we burn and use fuel. ... We're trying to show the country and the world by example, town by town by town, how we can change the way we live and fight global warming." Via Showbuzz, via divine.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Venice Welcomes First Solar-Powered Vaporetto

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 14:56:52 GMT

Venice recently welcomed a new solar-powered vaporetto to the Grand Canal. Owned and operated by the Bauer Hotel Group, the B mare shuttle boat is powered by solar energy collected on the roof of the boat. The vaporetto is not only emission free, it is also very quiet and does not produce troublesome waves - each of which are important issues on the Venetian canals. According to Family Travel Forum the "components of the shuttle boat require no external lubrication, do not have combustible parts and require no battery maintenance besides a change of battery once every seven years." Among the places in the world that will experience a major impact from global warming, Venice may be the leading candidate for most threatened. The rise in water levels would cause unfathomable damage to the delicate city. Our hats off to B mare developers Posidonia Srl and MW-Line SA for bringing this CO2 emission-free transport to the canals of Venice.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

etnies SEED Project: Eco-Action Sports Clothing

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:53:18 GMT

Action sports clothing maker etnies recently announced plans for an eco-focused line of clothing under the etnies SEED Project label. The collection of skateboard, surf, snowboard, BMX, motocross and street wear will be crafted from organic fabrics and materials including hemp, bamboo, cotton and vegetable dyes. The SEED threads are a natural extension of the footwear/clothing maker's growing commitment to environmental initiatives, including: a solar powered R&D facility; water-based vs. petroleum based cements in most shoe production; recyclable and recycled packaging, and; an employee led "green" committee. Sales of the new eco-line will also provide funds for 1% For The Planet. Weirdly, I can't find nada on the etnies website about the SEED Project - seems like it might make a mention in their blog, no? Via: ridebmx.com... Read the full story on TreeHugger

California Closets Goes Green(ish)

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:26:32 GMT

California Closets, the "leading designer of home storage solutions" (i.e. "really big fancy closets") is now offering products made with eco-friendly SkyBlend particleboard. SkyBlend is a Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) certified, 100% pre-consumer recycled wood fiber particleboard that has no urea formaldehyde added during the manufacturing process. According to Anthony Vidergauz, president and CEO; "California Closets' adoption of SkyBlend panels is 100% the result of our clients requests for more eco-friendly products." Huh. Isn't that interesting? People with tons and tons of stuff, so much stuff in fact, that they need to build special closets to hold their stuff would like said closets to be a little easier on the planet. I know, I know - snark alert. But it is funny... isn't it?... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Biodiesel Boat Tours In The San Juan Islands

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 13:10:31 GMT

The same journey that had the new hubby and I cruising by the Andy Warhol exhibit in Jackson, WY took us up to the San Juan Islands of Washington state. While visiting the islands, we discovered the presence of several biodiesel-fueled charters and whale watching tours. To my knowledge, only one of these - the Bon Accord - runs on 100% biodiesel, while the others use a mix of bio and petroleum products. The Bon Accord is used to serve kayak tours, bringing guests to quiet spots where they can explore the islands with minimal impact and maximum enjoyment. Given that biodiesel is a much healthier fuel option for marine and freshwater environments, shouldn't it be more prevalent in the boating world? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Andy Warhol's Endangered Species and Vanishing Animals

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:54:45 GMT

On a recent trip through the West, my new husband and I zoomed past The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming. What, we wondered, would be the point of going indoors to look at paintings and bronze sculptures of wildlife when a veritable American safari awaited us in nearby Yellowstone National Park? Had we known that we were in fact speeding by "Silent Spring: Andy Warhol's Endangered Species and Vanishing Animals," we might have been tempted to visit the museum. The exhibit has surprised and impressed visitors all season, many of who were not aware that Warhol was a treehugger. The iconic painter of icons grew up tending a garden and owned undeveloped land near Carbondale, Colorado of which he said, "I'm not going to build on it... It's too pretty... Land is the best art." He also contributed to "Vanishing Animals" a book published "to raise awareness about the plight of animals in danger of becoming extinct," said Adam Harris, NMWA's curator of art. Rest easy if you can't make it to the museum this season, the success of the showing has prompted curators to look into procuring a portfolio of the images for the permanent collection. ::Via Reuters and Aspen Times News.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI