TreeHugger Loves Tips!

Link to Japanese-made recyclable cardboard PC case:

http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/pcs/cardboard-pc-case-sure-is-biofriendly-132352.php

A new LED invention: http://www.livescience.com/technology/051021_nano_light.html

http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?s=3390503

Not sure if this has been covered or not yet -energy-efficient processor.

http://techrepublic.com.com/2100-10877_11-5907281.html?tag=nl.e019

Verdant Power is testing water powered turbines for electricity generation in NYC, planting some in the East River near Randalls Island. Heard about it on NPR this morning - check it out.

Hell freezes over: Walmart, an advocate for the environment?

http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/25/news/fortune500/walmart_wage/index.htm

http://www.isracast.com/tech_news/231005_tech.htm

An engine that runs on water and electricity. No, really.

Not sure what is just hype and what is science on that link, but it is certainly worth looking into.

Dave

http://www.physorg.com/news7499.html

Here’s a link related to Dave's post about the new engine that runs on hydrogen created by Magnesium or Aluminum.

Sounds like a real solution although still relying on metal and not fully sustainable.

This is a new laptop with a reusable monitor! Granted, it's a *huge* laptop, but you can actually un-dock the monitor and plug it into any computer with a standard DVI output.

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/hardware/notebooks/0,39031463,39095326p-3+,00.htm?

I have always hated the waste of a perfectly good display that comes with upgrading a laptop. If this harbinges a new standard of reusable displays (even if only reusable as an external monitor), it will be a boon to both computer buyers and the environment.

Wood case for iPod Nano and more to come it seems

http://www.iwoodnano.com/miniot/index.htm

One of my goals for '07 is to increase awareness about green design in the home. no matter how small. It can be a challenge at times, but I plan on talking about it more. I just posted on my blog some tips about going green with paint. Hope you like it!

AK

http://www.oninteriordesign.com/on_interior_design/2007/01/going_green_wit.html

A really, truly inspiring article on biomimicry as the inevitable direction of design:

http://www.cbid.gatech.edu/FAQ.html

Would love to see more disucssion of biomimetic design.

Hey Treehugger,

Why hasn't there been anything on the EU's new energy initiatives? The European Commission just proposed some of the most radical goals in the world to cut down on energy use and CO2 emissions!

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/focus/energy_en.htm
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/10/business/energy.php

Now there's a government bloc that's doing something!

How's this for irony? NatureWorks, producer of "environmentally friendly" bioplastics, fined $120,000 for violating pollution laws with emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Seems their plant emitted 43.38 tons (TONS!) of HAPs and 514.97 tons of VOCs in 2005, including acetaldehyde and methyl-ethyl ketone. Ouch!

http://www.prw.com/homePBP_NADetail_UP.aspx?ID_Site=818&mode=1&ID_Article=15898

Here's a new building technology from my neck of the woods - the Strawjet project.

http://www.greeninventor.org/strawjet.shtml

A step up from straw bale construction - wall panels made from bundles of compressed straw ropes, connective fiber and mud plaster.

After spending over $1000 to get rid of black mold in our homes using toxic chemicals, we were delighted to discover an organic product that removes all the mold using Friendly Microbes. These microscpic bugs also eat up much of the odor in hog, cattle and poultry operations. They are also used to clean up water, ponds, lagoons and waste disposal systems and they control ticks and flees by eating their larva. They enliven the soil and improve the quality and volume of food produced. And they can clean up oil spills. If you would like a report on the amazing new Friendly Microbe technology give me a phone call or an email? 418-935-5552

I hear and read alot about global warming, which in most people's minds (especially the media), is undeniably true and a no brainer. However, I live in Phoenix and have noticed that our weathermen cannot even predict the weather accurately. I also recall reading stories many years ago which pointed to an Ice-age on the horizon. If we can't predict the weather with any great certainty, why the hell should I believe Al Gore when he talks about global warming?

When men start believing they have control over the earth and it's surroundings, were in trouble. Give me some indisputable hard facts from a million years ago and maybe I'll warm to the idea.

Phil C

--
editor note: I think you are confusing "weather" with "climate". I suggest that you read The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery, or see Al Gore's movie (I'm going to assume that you haven't seen it). It should make more sense after that, since he does explain the concept of "climate" and some of the methodology behind the current models and predictions.

Note to editor: Whether or not I'm confusing weather with climate is a nice detour into semantics but I ain't going there. You got my point.

From what Iv'e been reading the majority of the stories lead people to believe that global warming is a reality that will lead to a human barbecue. Now common sense tells me that for every one scientist (climatologist if you prefer) who preach of the dreaded global warming, there are probably one or more that disagree with him. But we ain't hearing about that.

I think you are confusing fact with prediction. I have a sort of prediction, now let me guess, global warming is now fact and Sir Al Lancelot Gore will come along and save us from the fire-breathing dragon? and will al hapopen in his lifetime. That ought to look good on his resume along with inventing the internet. Al Gore is delusional, has been always will be. Grandiose they call it.

One thing I've learned in my life is that the earth will always come out on top no matter what low-life form of life you put on it an/or whoever tries to destroy it. Just ask the dinosaurs. Speaking of dinosaurs, here is some fossil fuel, perhaps you shouldn't be hugging trees, you should climb em and live in them.

--
editor note: It is not semantics, it is basic undertanding of what the scientists are saying. But if you don't want to do your own research, I won't insist.

Tree free Djembe drums made from Hemp bio-composite. Mine sounds better than wood. Its nice that someone is paying attention to green musical instruments. This the future of music.
www.waveriders.org

Treehugger--

I work for a Chicago based website called AFreshSqueeze.com. I think that this site would be a great fit for your website because it provides its subcribers two emails a week about helpful tips how to keep Chicago green. This service is completely free of charge, and much of the advice provided could be used by people in other cities and states. I think you should check us out and have others do the same. Thanks.

Way to go, Phil!

Unique handmade gifts, made out of my recycled junk mail!
http://www.junkmailgems.com

On January 19, Treehugger posted the I.D. Magazine January/February 2007: Celebrating the Collective. I want to add a comment on a designer from another of the collectives in this issue. Seattle-based environmental designer Brandon Perhacs was featured with Minus
Studios for a rastra block, green built home. On a smaller scale, he has designed the LICHEN jewelry series of earrings and necklaces. These pieces incorporate sculptural and architectural elements into wearable art. They are made from stainless steel, and a recycled paper and water-based resin composite. The necklace designs are modern and elegant, and feature a unique, interactive system of inlaid magnets, which allows the wearer to vary the design in a number of configurations. These designs can be seen on his website, www.brandonperhacs.com

If everyone stopped buying and leasing new gasoline powered cars, how long would it take before the Government and car manufacturers roll out the hydrogen powered fuel cell cars and hydrogen fueling stations? Loss of revenue is a very powerful and persuasive motivator. Try not buying or leasing in 2007, wait a year. Tell your friends and family to wait a year. We’ll see fuel cell cars on the road sooner than you think.
Take a look at the video on this link, particularly the last message. Let's test the power of the Internet, pass the video link along to a friend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgxaKWqUbXQ

Re: Ford Edge with HySeries Drive.
It’s sad to see Ford VP, Ziad Ojakli cry about the lack of Hydrogen infrastructure. The car dealer network would be the best place to start installing hydrogen-fueling pumps. The cars can include NAV systems that could locate the nearest dealer hydrogen fueling locations. Ford can contract hydrogen-making companies like Praxair Inc. to supply the hydrogen. When Exxon, Shell, Hess, Sunoco… realize the dollars they’re missing out on, they too will install hydrogen fueling pumps at their stations. Stop the chicken/egg argument please! We’d still be watching VHS if DVD players never went to market because less then 20 movies were on DVD. I guess Ford will just wait for Toyota or another BOLD MOVES auto company to do it first.

See Ford Edge with HySeries Drive video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeRFHMeXcM4

Have you mentioned the Paris free bike program yet:

http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_archives/2007/2/1/2695085.html

Tip on Public Relations for Sharks!

Interview with professional risk manager Dan McGinn of the McGinn Group in DC, talking about the incidence of shark attacks being outweighed by absolutely every other kind of injury imaginable.

An article on Knowledge @ Wharton might be of interest to your readers: "It's Not Easy Going Green: Environmentalism May Help Your Corporate Image, But Will it Keep You in the Black?"

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1653&CFID=3278598&CFTOKEN=73736461

Optimset Turbo - Low cost vertical axis underwater turbine with sinkable and floatable blades, and an inlet water flow accelerator, surpasses the efficiencies of other fluid driven turbines. It can be used in low stream velocities, deep or shallow water, unidirectional (river) and bidirectional (tidal) currents.

A submersible technology, which is called Optimset Turbo, for producing electricity from the channel, river, ocean or tidal water.

http://www.optimset.com/

This is the only free-flow hydropower technology having the following unique features:
1. Innovative vertical axis underwater hydro-turbine
2. Water flow acceleration
3. High torque and superior efficiency
4. Ideal for shallow water implementations
5. 100% fish and clogging protection
6. Instant deployment and removing
7. Equal suitability for use in unidirectional (river) and bidirectional (tidal) currents
8. Equal suitability for commercial and individual customers
9. Low cost production and maintenance
10. No negative environmental impact
11. Portability and modularity.

Optimset Turbo - Low cost vertical axis underwater turbine with sinkable and floatable blades, and an inlet water flow accelerator, surpasses the efficiencies of other fluid driven turbines. It can be used in low stream velocities, deep or shallow water, unidirectional (river) and bidirectional (tidal) currents.

A submersible technology, which is called Optimset Turbo, for producing electricity from the channel, river, ocean or tidal water.

http://www.optimset.com

This is the only free-flow hydropower technology having the following unique features:
1. Innovative vertical axis underwater hydro-turbine
2. Water flow acceleration
3. High torque and superior efficiency
4. Ideal for shallow water implementations
5. 100% fish and clogging protection
6. Instant deployment and removing
7. Equal suitability for use in unidirectional (river) and bidirectional (tidal) currents
8. Equal suitability for commercial and individual customers
9. Low cost production and maintenance
10. No negative environmental impact
11. Portability and modularity.

Very cool cd player, case to be made from natural materials. Info on the website:

http://idealist.blinkr.net/spinning-disc/

Saving hardwood forests with Tree Free Djembe drums made from Hemp BioComposite. These drums sound as incredible as they are good for the planet. Musicians should support green musical instruments from companies like this one.
www.waveriders.org

A political/ethical essay regarding driving Hummers, also with an anti-hummer bumper sticker!
http://theseep.blogspot.com/2007/02/fuh2-anti-hummer-road-rage-retribution.html

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share some info on a wellness company that I am a member with. As a Mom I fell better that The products they manufacture are more economical than grocery store brands, safer for your home and family, environmentally resposible and very very effective. They manufacture house hold cleaners, bath and body, vitamins, supplements, pharmasutical, and they even have skin care and cosmetics line...hurray!! They dont use formeldehyde, phosphates, ammonia, bleach, aerosol propellants or any other harsh ingredients, instead they use naturally derived ensymes and cleaners, baking soda, vinegar, citrus solvents etc... I just love the stuff and I wanted to share it with you all. Please email me for more info on the company and the products, I would love to share more.

I think there needs to be a green products buyers guide. not just the small articles with suggestions for what to buy for valentines day, something that I can go search easily if I want to buy something. Say I want a backpack or new bed sheets, I search TH and find maybe one story about a product that isn;t even sold, where do I find currently selling products?

Link to company making water based gas engines...
the emission is water. Already in use in vehicles...
Aquygen Gas
http://hytechapps.com/company/press

thanks!

Hi,
I am not sure if you have done an article that lists sustainable architects/interior designers or not. I think it would be extremely useful for those who are searching for one to do a project.
Thank you,
O

If you want to save our planet, consider that industrialization and emissions from combustion engines are a leading cause of the problem.

Gravitycontrol.org is a non-profit organization looking to develop free energy through your help, and bring antigravity technology to all.

Seems far fetched, maybe so. But the combustion engine is borderline obsolete by todays standards.

Why is it that bandaid solutions like hybrids, which still use combustion engines, are offered as solutions? Because it is bad business to just stop making cars the way they're currently produced.

See Gravitycontrol.org for yourself and have a look at project unity. Anyone that wants to support, whether you want to raise awareness, or have an engineering background, all can make a difference.

I know this is a bit of a stretch for eco news but...

a brilliant mind is being kept and abused inside the federal prison system because he's an "eco-terrorist"... and that's a damn crying shame. Please please, get this out to readers:

Billy Cottrell, a former Caltech college student with Aspergers, was sentenced for eco-terrorism after going on a vandalism spree against SUVs.. once. in his life. He's not allowed his physics textbooks, he's not allowed to run, he spends a lot of time in solitary confinement and for what?

http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/a-terrible-thing-to-waste/15782/

And if you ask me, the true eco-terrorists are corporations like Exxon Mobil.

Hey there. I just wanted to pass along some info. This is a page that has a listing of veg festivals in the U.S. I thought it was interesting and good to know if you are traveling.

http://www.helpinganimals.com/Travel-vegfest.asp?c=vff07bgs

Take care!

Norma

A car has been successfully built that runs on compressed air and gets costs less than $3 USD to fill the tank which can take you 200-300km. Top speed of 68mph, perfect for freeways. As far changing the oil, you only need to do it once a year and instead of conventional oil, it uses vegetable oil.

http://www.gizmag.com/go/7000/ found via Slashdot

Compressd air car also covered in Business Week

http://businessweek.com/autos/content/mar2007/bw20070319_949435.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_autos

Have you heard of the Google search page replacement Eclgy.com?
"Please bookmark and use eclgy.com as you would use Google. We receive a small commission on ad clicks which helps support a wide range of environmental sites."

I don't see exactly what they're supporting. Wondering about the validity of this claim, because of course we'd like to use it...if it's true!

I love your site, however….

I must admit that the apparent sell out to anti seal hunting activist is too much. I grew up in Newfoundland and understand the culture, the environment and the joke who are the activists who show up and claim they know what is going on. It is very sad that the only way to raise money is to find one animal that is soft looking and use it as the selling point to raise funds. The world showed up over the seal hunt. The seal hunt stopped and the seals over populated. The cod fishery died and the sea turned diseased. No one showed up. The people who run out onto the ice looking for a story tend to only find what they look for. If it bleeds it leads and they go with that.

I am sorry but there are certain parts of being an environmentalist that should tell you to never stop an organized hunt that has been happening for centuries. Nature does not work that way.

If everyone suddenly sold their cars and bought the new battery cars, we would have such a huge problem it would be amazing. The industry would turn on its head to produce cars by making plastic, electronics and metals. I have worked in the auto industry. Things would fail and new things would need to be purchased. Where would all the old cars go? What would happen to all the leaking fluids?

Suggestion: for animal activists, instead of trying to stop all hunting, agree to the most humane and sustainable methods. You may find blunt trauma is very quick and precise. Bow hunting is brutal with a kill and capture ratio that is less then proud off.

The auto industry, come up with a method of converting the cars already made to have their engines replaced with something clean. Where do you buy an engine that burns an alternative fuel to replace the one I have in my car?

Just some thoughts. You don’t have to publish this email, I just wanted to comment.

Also, I couldn’t find the link to offer feedback on the site, so here I am. 

David, I am an engineer and yes, I ride my bike to work.

Personal Recreation in the US: (Editorial Request?)

As a sailor I love anything Green. I wish that more people sailed in the US instead of using powerboats. I think that US's addiction to cheep gas is easily seen when you look at all the recreational vehicles used in the US. ATV's, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and jet ski's, are so common. Most of these hobbies also make it necessary for people to purchase pickup trucks, just adding to the over all dependencies. You can go fast and have fun using wind, both on the water and on on land.

http://www.trampofoil.info/aquaskipper_en.html#invention

I think this isn't the best example, it seems like a good idea if you have a hyper active kid, but as an adult I am not impressed. :) I personally would have named it the SeaBunny.

I think some more exciting speed sport that would appeal to Americans without access to the water is this:

http://www.classactionracing.com/

For those with any water access with wind there are numerous small sailing vessels (which are far more popular in the UK, maybe because of more expensive fuel). These boats can sail faster then a lot of power boats. They range in difficultly.

http://www.gohoot.com/
http://www.mustoskiff.com/
http://www.fastacraft.com/
http://www.bladerider.com.au/

While all recreation green or not lowers the carbon impact some issues are not so green, as seen with Mountain Biking's impact on the environment. I think that some of these issues are much better problems to have then the issue of excessive use of gas and other fuels.

I havn't seen you guys comment on it. What do you think of the Channel 4's Great Global Warming Swindle Program?

I would love to hear your view.

Ben

Great Talk given by a Janine Benyus about biomimicry -- humans mimicking nature in the products we build and the systems we implement.

http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=J_benyus