7 Airlines That Really Need to Green up Their Act

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:08:31 GMT

Eight jet contrails from exhaust vapor mess with radiation balance. Photo by Jasmic via Flickr No, we are not saying air travel is green. But some airlines are a lot greener than others. In fact, in this arena, the difference between 'eco savvy' and 'who cares' is much more drastic than in most industries--you're looking at 418 billion pounds of carbon emitted annually by airplanes, enough aluminum cans from beverage services to build an entire new fleet each year, and contrails causing "climate forcing. The good news is some airlines, like Virgin America, are making strides to green the industry. Greenopia ranked U.S. carriers' environmental record, noting big differences with older fuel-inefficient fleets. There are also times planes can be greener than car or train trips. So who's not up to snuff? Here's the offenders, with number seven being the worst of the worst.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

"Hose-to-the-Sky:" Still Spewing SO2 Idea to Stop Global Warming?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:59:48 GMT

Hosed by this theory or greenwashed? Photo by Tony Stl via Flickr On ABC's 20/20 last Friday, Nathan Myhrvold, Microsoft's former chief technology officer, and founder/CEO of Intellectual Ventures (IV), resurrected the idea of stretching a 2-inch hose up 100,000 feet (15 kilometers) into the stratosphere and releasing sulfur dioxide to cool earth's temps by a degree and reverse global warming. Cheap and easy solution or preposterous possibility? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Prince Albert Tells Hollywood to Change Lifestyle

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:34:23 GMT

Prince Albert in the can and with The Edge. Photo courtesy of PRNews When Prince Albert II of Monaco came to Hollywood this week, eco-friendly members of the entertainment biz toasted the royal son of late Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly -- and his environmental foundation. He's been busy hustling up $23 million for the Prince's climate change initiatives. U2's The Edge was in town for the big YouTube webcast concert, Chris "Mr. Big" Noth, Julian Lennon (another famous son), and others showed support for the Monaco monarch's crusade, listening to the Prince deliver a rather admonishing speech. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

How To Go Greening in LA This Week, What About Your Town?

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:05:00 GMT

"Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall" photo by VMiraMontes via Flickr Alas, it does rain in Southern California. Today's wet weather is a welcome relief and a fitting welcome for World Rainforest Week. Lots of green events happening across the Southland, from designers presenting sustainable clothing shows for LA Fashion Week (actually, it's a month) to architectural lectures, workshops, and symposiums. Too much to list, in fact, so here are some highlights: ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

DIY Superfood Chocolates: Good and Good for You, Too?

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:57:10 GMT

I'm a total fan of chocolate. The taste, its antioxidant properties, and the endorphin benefits. And when the organic cacao butter treats come with goji berries, gooseberries, and cacao nibs, the chocolate seems like a healthful holistic remedy. With Navitas Naturals' chocolate confections, this added nutrient-packed hit of bioflavonoids, carotene, trace minerals, vitamins, and protein transform the candies into bite-size sweets of longevity and well-being. But do the flavanols contain good chocolatey flavor, too? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Women, Most Renewable Resource: Oxfam's "Sisters on the Planet"

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:38:37 GMT

Ikidia women of Mali, shea nut entrepreneurs, at Saving for Change meeting. Photo by Rebecca Blackwell for Oxfam America The world's poorest are affected the worst by global warming and women get the brunt of it. Struck with drought and dwindling resources in developing countries, women scrape for food, water, livestock, and fuel for children and the elderly, as men leave in search of jobs. Oxfam's "Sisters on the Planet" program may sound like a 1970's feminist gathering, but it's dealing with pressing environmental issues, focusing on empowering women who shoulder the burden to find solutions. Considering a Swedish study determined women's carbon footprint is 25 percent smaller than men's, is it time for a revived women's movement? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

EV Rebirth: Alt-Car Expo Rolls Out the Latest Wheels

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:56:30 GMT

Too-too Tango at Alt-Car Expo in Santa Monica. Photos by Julia Borsch The famed General Motors EV1 was on display and so were high-mileage prototypes from the Society of Automotive Engineers, the new Ford Fusion and BMW's E-mini at the Alternative Car Expo this weekend, October 2-3. Outside, in the "New Car Lot," a Sustainable Bamboo Skateboard, Zapino Scooter, and lots of the latest electric vehicles for sale awaited test drivers at the Ride & Drive. Inside the hall, more shiny wheels wowed the crowds.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Forests a big focus at Governors' Global Climate Summit 2

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:20:11 GMT

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he'd be back to co-host the second Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles, this past week he addressed the group again saying this reprise will be better than most movie sequels ("except for mine," added the Governator). US governors gathered with international governors from Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria, and The Philippines, from Tuesday September 29-October 3. Also present were Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the EPA, Energy Department representatives, a delegation from the UN, and a host of others trying to gather steam leading up to COP15. One of the themes: don't leave out forest. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Cove To Be Screened in Tokyo, One Time Only

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:38:53 GMT

Initially, the Tokyo International Film Festival passed on screening The Cove, the documentary about the annual slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. Though it didn't offer a reason, considering the government's media ban on whale/dolphin news due to the controversy involving Japanese whaling, it was no surprise. Ironically, the theme for this year's festival is: "Action for Earth 2009." So what happened?... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Mario Van Peebles Turns His Home "Baadasssss" Green

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:48:03 GMT

When Ed Begley, Jr. brought the eco-police to Mario Van Peebles' home for a green audit, Mario agreed to an environmental renovation. He also went along with televising it on Mario's Green House, premiering tonight, Sunday at 6 pm Sept 27 on TV One Online, a cable channel geared for an African-American audience. The Van Peebles family (Mario, wife Chitra, their five kids, and even filmmaker father, Melvin) gets the makeover. They wanted to make it fun, but the reality show turned out a bit more or a reality check than they bargained for.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Honda Rolls Out Electric Unicycle

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:42:11 GMT

Moves like a Segway, glides like a robot. It may look a little awkward despite the smooth ride, but apparently this alternative "personal mobility device" is a cinch to zip around in. Well, there's no zooming exactly, at four mph--that's a brisk walk. The U3-X prototype, just unveiled by Honda yesterday, has "infinite possibilities," says a company spokesperson. Where would you use it? Or would you?... Read the full story on TreeHugger

7 Best Green Vacations in Canada

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:05:06 GMT

The Rocky Mountains From British Columbia to the Maritime Islands and across the Yukon tundra, Canada's landscape of glacial expanses, Boreal forest, and spooky badlands cover vast protected wilderness. National parks are home to endangered caribou, puffins, musk ox, and polar bears. For environmentally-minded traveling, there are tons of options, thanks to a thriving rail system, local slow foodies, heritage culture from aboriginals to French, and organized eco trips. Get ready to hike, bike, and paddle through the glorious outdoors with seven of the best green vacations in Canada.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

"Beds'r Burnin:" the New Green "We Are the World"

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:29:44 GMT

Midnight Oil's Peter Garrett, now Australia's Minister of the Environment. Photo by mushroom and rooster via Flickr Hands across the globe everybody, sing along: "The time has come/a fact's a fact/It belongs to us all/Let's give it back." The 1987 Midnight Oil hit, "Beds are Burning" has been tweaked and re-recorded by 55 artists to be released October 1, when it will be available for free downloading. No doubt, the video will be on YouTube. Duran Duran, Bob Geldof ("Live Aid" organizer and former Boomtown Rat reprises his "Do They Know It's Christmas" idea), The Scorpions, and others revisit the '80s to call attention to climate change. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Eco-dystopia: Trendy Cinematic Vision for the Planet?

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:30:02 GMT

Each earth mover at Canada's Tar Sands is 3-stories high. Photo courtesy of Greenpeace film Petropolis. "Reams of depressing data, loads of hand-wringing about the woeful state of humanity," that's how film critics described Leonardo DiCaprio's The 11th Hour. So where are we two years later? If the environmental documentaries screened at Toronto International Film Festival, closing tonight, are any indication, catastrophe is inevitable if we don't fix things asap. Ticking clocks provides great suspense in movies, train wrecks grab attention, horror sells. So does this account for the doom and gloom of the latest wave of eco-film fare? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Bring the Noize: Making a Racket at Climate Change Week

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:31:34 GMT

Photo by Graham Bones via Flickr At 12:18 pm on Monday, September 21, people around the world will kick-off Global Climate Change Week in New York City by making some noise, ringing a bell, banging a gong, clanging cymbals, hollering, etc. to urge leaders to take bold action. Mark your calendars. As the UN Assembly meets, 9/21-26, in preparation for COP15, concern mounts that the political quagmire will mean a repeat of Kyoto's negligible results. Is it make it or break it? Here are ways to give a shout out. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Pretty Prius Freeway Flowers: What About the Water Restrictions?

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:45:51 GMT

Watering 2010 Prius "billboard" on Pasadena Freeway. Photo by RCruger Call me an eco-curmudgeon, but a new ad campaign from Toyota to celebrate the 2010 Prius model has taken seed in Southern California. Nine "oversized" eco-friendly "Harmony Floralscapes" were planted along freeways with more than 20,000 living flowers. Beautification is wonderful (thank you, Lady Bird Johnson), but not during drought and wildfires. San Francisco, you're next. And how is watering it during daylight environmental? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Starscape Enterprise: DIY Planetarium of Reused Objects

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:50:41 GMT

Planetarium dome with creators and crew. Photo by Charles Mallison Beyond an unmarked doorway, only distinguishable by a Land Shark Ale advertisement splashed across on its curved glass walls, lies Environmentaland. Set in a Hollywood mega-mall, home to the Oscars' Kodak Theatre, it opens into a warehouse-like room. The so-called "eco-theme park" from nonprofit Global Inheritance, displays energy exhibits including alt-fueled golf carts, painted waste bins, and a see-saw energy generator. In one corner, a geodesic dome reveals the first installment of the ambitious "Reclamation Project," powered by the kinetic energy of two Cal Art grads. I crawled inside. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Copenhagen Design Week: Prelude to COP15

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:21:05 GMT

Sustainable design consumes Copenhagen. Photos courtesy of CDW. A stylish chair of recycled paper, tree-free paper, mobile "pocket parks," and an air purification sculpture of Korean oak. With a focus on sustainable design, Copenhagen Design Week takes over the home of Danish Modern, August 27-September 6. Known for its definitive mid-century design, today's forward-thinking Scandinavian designers and innovative ideas from around the world intend to provoke and inspire a greener future. In anticipation of hosting COP15, the UN Climate Conference in December, these (mostly) free exhibits present "design that matters." ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Buy One FEED Backpack to Send Another Packing With Medical Supplies

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:39:03 GMT

Lauren Bush watching health worker with FEED Health backpack in action. Photos by RCruger Designer Kenneth Cole threw a party with Planet Green and Vanity Fair in LA last night to launch the latest FEED bag by UN World Food Program spokesperson Lauren Bush. A stream of Hollywood's hot actors showed up for the cause, even parking their own hybrids in the neighborhood when cops yanked the valet off the street. Lauren's new FEED Health backpack is similar to other bags in her collection, with a couple significant changes. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Hamburg's Eco-City: Sustainable Creative-Industrial Complex

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:39:20 GMT

Rendering of repurposed structures and turbine towers in Hamburg's new eco-city. On the forgotten shores of Hamburg's Harburg Harbor, once busy with ship building, the site of a former comb factory has been repurposed to house an eco-minded development, combining a modern futuristic look with restored historic buildings and classic industry architecture. While Germany's environmental initiatives are ahead of the curve, from creating green jobs to organic fast food, this is the country's first eco-city. Transforming a previously bustling industrial area into a sustainable development is real urban renewal. With Phase I complete, the next stage is even more ambitious. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Urban Farmers and Repurposed Building for Nonprofit Tenants

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:33:52 GMT

Tenants of urban chicken farming. Photo by Steven Walling via Flickr Sometimes I miss living in Seattle. I used to teach at a converted building dedicated to nonprofit orgs and low-income artist housing. There are similar endeavors in many cities, but in Seattle it's everywhere and at the Good Shepherd Center, located a mile away from my former home, one of the tenants, Seattle Tilth, inspires and educates people to garden organically and consider urban chicken coops and beehives. My neighbors upstairs turned half our yard into a garden. Last week it held a workshop in Herbal Tea Gardening and on the 23rd it gives one on Composting for Apartment Dwellers. Take a look at the tenants inside this one building. Shouldn't every city have one? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Healthcare for California Wildlife and World's Marine Life

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:52:30 GMT

Mira Sorvino and family watch red-shouldered hawk release after "public option" rehab. Photo by Gayle Uyehara Every week private oceanside homes, from Laguna to Malibu, host star-studded annual fundraising galas. Last Sunday Mira Sorvino, Pam Anderson and Ed Begley, Jr. graced Gulls Way Estate to support healthcare for California wildlife. This week it's Glenn Close and Morgan Freeman gathering the glitterati at Villa De Sogni to fork over donations for Oceana. While town hall rabble-rousers fake concern over healthcare, who takes the tuna and terns to the vet? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Earth Days, The Movie: The Rise & Fall & Rise & ? of the Environmental Movement

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:10:16 GMT

Oscar-nominee Robert Stone discusses Earth Days now and then. Photo by RCruger Shiny Chevy's cruising efficient freeways and cheery new homes signaling the American Dream soon turned into a nightmare of smog and suburban sprawl. Through this context we view the birth of the ecological movement 40 years ago. Though many know the basic storyline, Robert Stone's documentary, Earth Days, explores the roots of the first Earth Day, follows its rise through the legislative achievements in the 1970s, and collapse with the Reagan administration, with some intriguing surprises. With every week bringing some new eco-film release, why is this redux relevant? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Chip off the Old Grid: Frito-Lay's Facility Goes Co-Gen

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:02:23 GMT

Power = net-zero. Nutrient value? Photo by zoovroo via Flickr A solar-powered manufacturing plant, renewable fuels, recycled water, alt-fuel vehicle fleet, and compostable packaging. Sound like the efforts of a municipal utility? No, it's snack-maker, Frito-Lay. So as your gut is digesting its multigrain rippled SunChips, the bag made of plant-based material will decompose in about 14 weeks in a hot, active compost bin or pile. Now, the latest in its green initiatives is off-the-grid. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Color Dyeing for Life: Waterfree AirDye Textiles

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:15:17 GMT

The US Geological Survey Water Cycle chart shows which way the water flows--or not. The tagline: "The world thirsts for it." The company: AirDye, a fabric dyeing firm that uses 88-95% less water in its printing process than the conventional textile industry. The blog: posts factoids like "One-third of the world's population doesn't have access to clear drinking water." Its website's calculator shows how many gallons of water AirDye saves per article of clothing, ex: a guy's hoodie: 31.25 gallons. Just a clever promotional greenwashing tactic? Not quite. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Valley of the 100-Mile Diet Bike Tour

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:16:12 GMT

Fraser Valley farm in the heart of 100-Mile Diet country. Photo via Flickr by dje Come to the Fraser Valley, home of the 100-Mile Diet, where locavores can feast on artisanal cheeses, organic produce and hand-crafted wines, and get an insider's peak into food production at local farms. A self-guided map shows the way through the Agassiz and Chilliwack Farm Cycle Tours with many stops open to the public only on these two days. The Slow Food Movement of Vancouver hosts this annual event, August 22 and 23, so book your train ride to British Columbia, Canada (Seattle just added another daily trip), rent a bike there or BYOB -- and eat well. Here's a taste of the delicious weekend: ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Disney's Green Teens: BFFs For Change

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:50:04 GMT

Miley, Demi, Selena, and Jonas Bros. sing eco-song, "Send It On." Photos courtesy of The Disney Company An anthemic teen tune with an environmental message, "Send It On," is zipping up the iTunes' chart since its release yesterday and suddenly the melody is the top-selling ringtone, too. Tween and teen fans of Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers may love their "We Are the World"-esque chant, but how do the kids respond to the cause? In case you doubted the power of the youthful demographic, what other eco-song has become a pop hit (since the 1970s)?... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Green Building in Vegas, Stays in Vegas

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:53:35 GMT

CityCenter's people mover flies from ped-friendly area to Monte Carlo, Crystals and Bellagio resorts.Photos courtesy of CityCenter After local ordinances have gone back and forth on huge tax incentives for green construction in Las Vegas, Nevada, the famed Strip will soon be home to what it's calling "one of the world's largest sustainable developments," the CityCenter. Will an eco-theme park soon follow?... Read the full story on TreeHugger

"Green" Gallery Transforms Garden's Garage

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:59:54 GMT

Rendering of art gallery in botanical garden. Images courtesy of Descanso Gardens Pasadena, California is already the greenest part of Los Angeles county and boasts three expansive botanical gardens within a 15-minute drive of its borders, including the Descanso Gardens in neighboring La Canada. As the first project to express its commitment to the principles and practices of sustainable design, the 160-acre garden started working on an adaptive re-use project, turning a garage structure into a state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly art gallery. Does this trend toward greening gardens mean pesticides will be gone soon? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Green Vehicles Get Greenlight on Prime-Time Network

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:59:48 GMT

Leno's "reuses" vintage car for arrival at Emmy Show. Photo via Flickr by Alan Light Curious how Jay Leno, with his auto collection of muscle cars, sports coupes and hot rods, could bring "green vehicles" to prime time network TV. With his mainstream appeal, he might be the last candidate for eco-celebritydom, but the comic/talk show host has been aboard environmental causes as seen on Living With Ed and with his Popular Mechanics' "Green Garage." Now that Conan O'Brien snagged his late-night slot, The Jay Leno Show zooms to 10 pm, changing NBC's line-up. He'll continue the Jay Walk segment illustrating how ignorant Americans are about world geography and current affairs, plus he'll introduce a new feature, the "Green Car Challenge." Sound familiar? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Roberta Cruger, Los Angeles