Green

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  • Could pigs be the solution to whey waste?

    mnn.com
    kimi.harris
    24 May 2013 | 5:45 pm
    Greek yogurt. It was a revelation when I first tried it – thick, rich, and creamy. This protein-rich yogurt was a favorite of mine before I figured out that dairy and I don’t mix well. Since that first bite so many years ago, the Greek yogurt craze has boomed. With factories churning out Greek yogurt in large amounts, it has created a problem, a whey problem, according to this article at Modern Farmer.

  • Is Glade Air Freshener Bad for Babies?

    Environment, Organics, Fair Trade & Recycling at Big Green Purse
    Diane MacEachern
    7 May 2013 | 1:52 pm
    "Cleaning product companies aren’t required to disclose the ingredients they use in their products, and what they’re keeping secret from you could be hazardous to your health," reports Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE), the respected non-profit research group that investigates toxic chemicals in the common household cleansers we use.   In their "Dirty Secrets" study, WVE commissioned an independent laboratory to test twenty popular cleaning products for hidden toxic chemicals from five top companies: Clorox, Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, SC…

  • How To Use Honey As A Natural Cure-It-All

    The Good Human
    David Quilty
    23 May 2013 | 6:25 am
    Help support The Good Human by doing all of your Amazon shopping thru our affiliate link. A very modest commission is generated (at no cost to you) which helps support the site.Ok, so maybe “cure-it-all” is stretching it a bit, but did you know that honey is not only a fantastic food that tastes great but is also a natural healer? If you have honey in your pantry, you already have one of nature’s best medicines. Honey has healing properties that are antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiseptic, capable of fixing many problems. But before you go using it for various ailments,…

  • Stop investing in carbon-intense industries.

    Environmental Health News
    jpmyers@ehsic.org
    25 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Author and environmental activist Bill McKibben, who is about to tour Australia, discusses his campaign to get organisations to stop investing in companies that are making money from industries that have high carbon emissions.

  • Skin Superfoods: 5 of the Best Beautifying Foods

    EcoSalon | Conscious Culture and Fashion
    Rowena Ritchie
    24 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Eating for beauty might be the simplest way to approach looking good and feeling great about it. Beauty comes down to two things. And it’s not chiseled cheekbones and the perfect little up-turned nose. When it’s all said and done, beauty is health and confidence. Just think about it for a minute… When do you look your best…? Exactly! The great news is that both your health and sense of confidence are, for the most part, in your own hands. There are lots of ways you can make improvements to how you look and feel by learning how best to nourish your body. Many of us will immediately…
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    Shawna Coronado

  • Garden Friends: Carolyn Binder of Cowlick Cottage Farm

    Shawna
    24 May 2013 | 4:43 am
    Because so many gardeners I know are doing  inspirational gardening I wanted to introduce you to them. In 2013 I am continuing my series all about garden friends who are interesting, amazing, and have fascinating garden stories. Here’s my friend Carolyn Binder – Cowlick Cottage Farm is one of my favorite blogs ever. Filled with great garden and foodie tips by my good friend Carolyn Binder, Cowlick Cottage Farm is all about fabulous photos of amazing recipes and to-die-for gardening ideas like a country fountain with a view of the pecan orchard next to her home. She centers her home…

  • Planting Combination For Verbena, Bacopa, Colocasia, and Zinnia Annuals

    Shawna
    20 May 2013 | 4:42 am
    Mix it up with a fun annual combination – I planted several containers with purple and green mixes I adore and tucked them on tables and benches for a shock of unexpected color. Above the container was in full sun and below the container was in shade. You see a tropical plant from Plants Nouveau, Colocasia ‘Red Eyed Gecko’ PPAF, planted in the center of each container surrounded with annuals;  Bacopa ‘Calypso Jumbo Lavender’, Zinnia ‘Profusion Yellow’, and Verbena ‘Imagination’. Creative and bright, these containers get more florific and…

  • Summer Lovin’ Green Shoe Review – Birki’s Sandals Give-Away

    Shawna
    17 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Summer is here, my peeps, and my feet need to be happy. It’s all about the summer lovin’! Your little footies need some green summer lovin’ too. At the bottom of this post enter to win a contest for a free pair of shoes. When we discuss shoes we must discuss a problem: sustainable shoes made from renewable resources which are actually really-truly comfortable are nearly impossible to find. Birki.us has come up with the perfect solution in building their shoes with natural cork – a renewable resource. Birki’s contacted me and asked me to put these greener than…

  • Dear UPS You Forgot Which Direction Is Up

    Shawna
    16 May 2013 | 12:05 pm
    Dear UPS Corporation, Today I received a delivery of fresh young test plants that were sent so that I am able to try them out in the garden. I am a test gardener and plant arrival is always an exciting moment for me. My readers, and I’m sure your delivery team, know that categorically I have a deep and passionate obsession with gardening, right? It’s like a love affair with none of that messy controversy, except when my city gets upset with me (but that’s another story).  I actually work out in my garden in the spring at night with a head lamp on because I MUST get the…

  • A Photograph: Crapapple Snow and Orange Geum Smiles

    Shawna
    16 May 2013 | 7:59 am
    Today I woke up and the front lawn was smothered in crabapple snow. I have horrid allergies to tree pollen, so every day of gardening while the 35 year old white tree is in bloom is painful for me. Yet when I walked out this morning, coffee in hand, and saw this orange Geum ‘Sea Breeze’ smiling at me in the middle of all that snow, I was overcome with garden happiness. Geum loves a rich, moist, soil in full sun. They blend well with Salvia’s and are a great bloomer from April through June.  Most geum reach 24″ high and about 12 to 18″ wide. Plant a Geum this…
 
 
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    Switchboard, from NRDC

  • Protecting Communities from Fracking's Impacts

    Frances Beinecke
    24 May 2013 | 8:28 pm
    Frances Beinecke, President of NRDC, New York City With fracking already underway in 30 states and advancing at a breakneck speed, safeguards have not been adequate to protect communities, public health or the environment. I’ve seen the damage from the oil and gas industry’s unfettered advance firsthand. My conversations with people whose lives have been dramatically impacted were heartbreaking and continue to inform our work to protect communities from the dangers of this controversial practice. Nearly everywhere that this heavy industrial activity is operating, residents have…

  • A Sad Day for the Oceans & Marine Life as California's Marine Plastic Pollution Bill Held in Appropriations Committee

    Leila Monroe
    24 May 2013 | 2:07 pm
    Leila Monroe, Staff Attorney, Oceans Program, San Francisco This afternoon, members of the California Assembly Appropriations Committee stopped Assembly Bill 521 -- a groundbreaking proposal to create a statewide marine plastic pollution producer responsibility program – from moving forward in the legislature.  This is a missed opportunity to better protect our oceans, marine life, economy and communities from costly and harmful marine plastic pollution, but we are undeterred in our support for the solutions presented in this bill.  We will continue to work to advance this…

  • New Xbox One: Good for Gaming and Voice Recognition, But Maybe Not the Environment?

    Noah Horowitz
    24 May 2013 | 12:32 pm
    Noah Horowitz, Senior Scientist and Director of the Center for Energy Efficiency, San Francisco, CA This week Microsoft announced the launch of the Xbox One video game console, the long- awaited successor to the Xbox 360. Much was said about how “powerful” the device will be and how the upgraded Kinect motion sensor now includes advanced voice recognition. But will these features come at a high energy cost? Microsoft has yet to release information about how much energy the Xbox One will use when you are playing a game or a movie, let alone when you are asleep. If Kinect remains on…

  • Annual Catch Limits Help Black Sea Bass Recover in the South Atlantic

    David Newman
    24 May 2013 | 12:24 pm
    David Newman, Oceans Program Attorney, New York Imagine finding a new species of fish on an alien planet.  Upon close inspection, you notice that the vast majority of individuals are female.  You think: this doesn’t bode well for the species.  And then, something magical occurs – a bunch of the females spontaneously transform into males and change color from black and gray to bright blue. Sound like science fiction? Not at all.  Many species of fish right here on Earth, like Atlantic black sea bass, change sex and color like this.  This convenient…

  • Week of 5/24: NRDC's plan to reduce carbon pollution, Keystone pipeline, fracking wastewater, and more NRDC in the News

    NRDC News
    24 May 2013 | 11:27 am
    NRDC News, NRDC News Team, NRDC Offices Worldwide Peter Lehner penned a piece in Good about the huge potential urban air quality improvements from medium-duty truck retrofits (e.g. delivery and garbage trucks)... Dan Lashof could be heard on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” outlining NRDC’s greenhouse gas reduction proposal, noting “Existing power plants are America's biggest global warming polluter […] responsible for about 40 percent of our carbon dioxide emissions. And EPA has both the authority and the obligation to set standards to curb those…
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    Grist

  • Sequester guts wildfire prevention, sets up bigger blazes

    Tim McDonnell
    25 May 2013 | 5:15 am
    In Arizona’s Coconino National Forest, wildfire crew boss Skyler Lofgren chops down a problematic pine. “Tree coming down!” Skyler Lofgren shouts above a din of buzzing chainsaws, leans into his own, and with a final heave topples another 40-foot Ponderosa pine. Lofgren, 27, a forest firefighting crew boss with the Flagstaff, Ariz., fire department, felled a dozen trees on Monday, overseeing an outdoor classroom for a new crop of seasonal recruits who will spend the summer patrolling the Coconino National Forest with three-foot chainsaws at the ready. The crew will fight wildfires when…

  • Zen and the art of bridge maintenance

    Claire Thompson
    24 May 2013 | 3:27 pm
    The collapse of an Interstate 5 bridge in Washington state Thursday night offered a wake-up call about the sorry state of disrepair in which we’ve left our country’s auto-centric transportation system. But all the talk about aging bridges and infrastructure drowns out a few larger questions — about how we plan to fund the massive road system we’ve built, and why, with existing roads crumbling, we keep dropping money on more. WSDOTNo one was killed when an I-5 bridge over the Skagit River in Washington collapsed. The bridge that collapsed in Washington was built, like many…

  • Fracking accident leaks benzene into Colorado stream

    John Upton
    24 May 2013 | 2:05 pm
    Garfield CountyOfficials in Parachute, Colo., stopped the flow of creek water into a reservoir following a natural-gas fluid spill. Once again, Colorado’s fracking boom has residents wondering if there’s something in the water — carcinogenic benzene, in this case. A plant for fracked natural gas processor Williams Energy, near Parachute, Colo., spilled an estimated 241 barrels of mixed natural gas liquid into the ground, some of which eventually washed as benzene into Parachute Creek. More than two months after the spill was discovered, neighbors of the plant are wondering…

  • Arctic base evacuated as ice dissolves beneath researchers’ feet

    John Upton
    24 May 2013 | 12:46 pm
    Shutterstock Though it carries major supervillain cred, placing a scientific research station atop an Arctic ice floe in an era of global warming is a dicey proposition — even for the Russians. North Pole 40, a Russian science station that monitors pollution and conducts meteorological research, began operating in October on an Arctic ice floe. The Russians have been deploying research stations to drifting ice floes for more than 70 years, and North Pole 40 is their 40th such station. But they don’t make ice floes like they used to. After just seven months of research, the ice…

  • This pedal-powered contraption can run a computer, split logs, or churn butter

    Sarah Laskow
    24 May 2013 | 12:12 pm
    Screenshot/PPE Up close to the Canadian border, on the New York side of Lake Champlain, Pedal Power Engineering is building “dynapods” — off-the-grid, pedal-powered machines that can power just about any gadget you might want to use around the house or farm. It can run a computer (via an electric generator), a grain mill, a water pump, a blade sharpener, a blender, or a log splitter. Screenshot/PPE Of course, you have to do the work of pedaling. PPE writes: An average adult can pedal it to generate 100 watts of electricity, pump 5 gallons of water per minute, grind a variety…
 
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    The Green Skeptic

  • Tesla "S" Garners Consumer Reports Best Car Rating...Ever

    Scott Edward Anderson
    9 May 2013 | 12:57 pm
    Tesla Model S The Consumer Reports headline reads, "The Tesla Model S is our top-scoring car" "There, we said it," CR goes on to say. "The Tesla Model S outscores every other car in our test Ratings. It does so even though it's an electric car. In fact, it does so because it is electric." They were impressed with the car's "excellent handling, a comfortable ride, and lots of room inside. Plus, it has a front trunk where other cars' gasoline engines would be, in addition to its large rear cargo space." The engine delivers "impressive power, right now, and it is impressively efficient. The…

  • My Three Take-Aways from BNEF Summit 2013

    Scott Edward Anderson
    30 Apr 2013 | 1:59 pm
    Last week was the BNEF Summit (Bloomberg New Energy Finance), the annual gathering of the clean energy faithful curated by Michael Liebreich. BNEF puts on a good show. Their analysts have a deep understanding of their particular focus area and they know how to present data, and the other panelists and presenters are always top-shelf. Having been a part of the Summit two years in a row now, I see the value in getting such a group together for an annual sit-down to have a look under the cleantech/new energy hood. Survey says, "It's the policy, stupid."As one attendee, @electricityyoda, Tweeted…

  • Focus on Teams, Customers, and Going to Market, Investors Tell Mid-Atlantic Energy Forum

    Scott Edward Anderson
    18 Apr 2013 | 8:31 am
    Dr. Cheryl Martin Addressing Mid-Atlantic Energy Tech Forum "We focus on teamwork," Cheryl Martin, Deputy Director of ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy) in her keynote address to the Mid-Atlantic Energy Technology Forum last night. "There has to be a strong team and if we need to bring in a CEO to take the company to market, we will." Dr. Martin, in her second year with the research and commercialization agency, spoke to a crowd of around 200 energy enthusiasts, investors, and entrepreneurs at Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. "We look for…

  • What's Going On: My Remarks from Cleantech Open Northeast

    Scott Edward Anderson
    9 Apr 2013 | 6:27 am
    Investor panel at Cleantech Open NE Kick Off in Philly.  Cleantech startups, like any new venture, need a leg up. That's where accelerators like Cleantech Open come in. If you don’t know Cleantech Open, it’s an accelerator that has been helping cleantech startups and entrepreneurs launch, improve, and fund their businesses since 2006. Last night, I delivered the keynote to kick off Cleantech Open NE in Philadelphia.  My remarks centered around three areas: ten trends and drivers, four reminders, and five things I’d like to see in the cleantech sector or hopeful…

  • Review: NATURE'S FORTUNE by Mark Tercek and Jonathan Adams

    Scott Edward Anderson
    4 Apr 2013 | 11:14 am
    I remember when I first learned that some guy from Goldman Sachs was taking the helm at The Nature Conservancy. I had left TNC already and was meeting a former colleague and friend who has also since moved on from TNC. "Hank Paulson?" I asked, assuming the former TNC board chair was unhappy at Treasury and that the CEO spot at TNC would have been a nice swap. "No, Mark Tercek," my friend informed me. "He used to run some environmental unit at Goldman." "That's a bold move," I answered, thinking it complemented the trajectory that John Sawhill started back in the 1990s. "In some ways it…
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    Environment

  • Rare plant in danger from logging at Boy Scout camp in California

    22 May 2013 | 4:25 pm
    Expulsion from the Boy Scouts of America is a dishonor few Scouts endure. But that was the punishment imposed on Kim Kuska, a self-taught naturalist and former biology teacher who had been with the organization for more than 50 years.His crime: an obsession with the rare, and unfortunately named, Dudley’s lousewort.Since the 1970s, the Eagle Scout and adult Scout leader-turned-whistle-blower has w...    

  • 'Upsets': Chemical releases disrupt lives but rarely result in punishment

    21 May 2013 | 11:36 am
    BATON ROUGE, La. — Shirley Bowman noticed the smell after 8 a.m. on June 14, 2012, her 61st birthday. In Baton Rouge, where the petrochemical industry dominates the landscape, foul odors resembling burnt rubber or propane are perennial. But this odor, caustic and potent, seemed especially foul — “like some sort of chemical,” she recalls.Bowman found her daughter crying over a migraine. Her neighbo...    

  • Fracking boom triggers water battle in North Dakota

    20 May 2013 | 8:44 am
    WATFORD CITY, N.D. -- In towns across North Dakota, the wellhead of the North American energy boom, the locals have taken to quoting the adage: "Whiskey is for drinking, and water is for fighting."It's not that they lack water, like Texas and California. They are swimming in it, and it is free for the taking. Yet as the state's Bakken shale fields have grown, so has the fight over who has the righ...    

  • Buggy hordes of cicadas sighted in Virginia ... but New York? Not yet

    18 May 2013 | 2:30 pm
    There's been a groundswell of 17-year cicadas in Virginia and other southern states, as revealed by a fresh wave of photos and eyewitness reports. In some areas, the outbreak has been accompanied by the insects' loud chorus call. And that's music to the ears of University of Connecticut entomologist John Cooley."That's where I'm heading," Cooley told NBC News. The weather is still too cool in New ...    

  • Cicadas ramping up for East Coast invasion

    17 May 2013 | 2:54 am
    By Megan GannonLiveScienceCicada nymphs have been starting to crawl out of the ground in droves across the East Coast, and the highly anticipated emergence of the 17-year-old insects has been ramping up in the Mid-Atlantic in recent days.Nymph sightings have been reported as far north as Connecticut, according to citizen science projects such as Radiolab's Cicada Tracker and Magicicada. But farthe...    
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    Ecorazzi

  • WATCH: More Celebs Join Matt Damon’s Toilet Strike

    China DeSpain
    24 May 2013 | 10:18 am
    Bono, Olivia Wilde, and Richard Branson are the latest to join the cause about the world water crisis. Read MoreThe post WATCH: More Celebs Join Matt Damon’s Toilet Strike appeared first on Ecorazzi.

  • Ode to the Healing Power of the Red Pepper

    ecosalon
    24 May 2013 | 6:59 am
    The most salient nutritional properties of the red bell pepper are that it offers 75 percent of your daily dose of vitamin A and 253 percent of your daily allowance of vitamin C. Read MoreThe post Ode to the Healing Power of the Red Pepper appeared first on Ecorazzi.

  • Mayim Bialik Smacks Down Vegan Diet Myths

    Ali Berman
    24 May 2013 | 6:44 am
    "Big Bang Theory" start Mayim Bialik took to her facebook page yesterday to address the burst of messages she received about a 2011 news story. Read MoreThe post Mayim Bialik Smacks Down Vegan Diet Myths appeared first on Ecorazzi.

  • National Geographic Places James Cameron on June Cover

    Michael dEstries
    23 May 2013 | 2:05 pm
    For the first time in its 125-year history, National Geographic magazine has placed a living Hollywood celebrity on its cover. Of course, this is no ordinary celeb but James Cameron Read MoreThe post National Geographic Places James Cameron on June Cover appeared first on Ecorazzi.

  • WATCH: Prince Charles and Prince William Partner with WildAid

    China DeSpain
    23 May 2013 | 9:37 am
    The royals called for an end to illegal wildlife trade, which is threatening animals in epidemic proportions. Read MoreThe post WATCH: Prince Charles and Prince William Partner with WildAid appeared first on Ecorazzi.
 
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    Do Your Part

  • Searching for the Safest Sunscreen

    Megan M.
    20 May 2013 | 6:47 am
    One of the best parts of the summer for me is hitting the lake with family and friends. I love relaxing on the water and feeling the sun on my skin. What I don’t love is jumping through hurdles to find the safest sunscreen among all the different varieties on store shelves. This year though, sunscreen manufacturers are required to make a few important changes to their sunscreen labels. While these changes will help you Do Your Part to make the healthiest sunscreen choice for your family – there’s still plenty of homework for you to do. Let’s start with the label changes. Last…

  • Pick Non-Polluting Lawn Equipment

    Megan M.
    13 May 2013 | 10:52 am
      The sounds of spring are most definitely here. You know, the loud buzz of the lawn mowers, the piercing sound of leaf blowers, the incessant whir of the trimmers. Not only is there the noise pollution to contend with, there is also the air, land, and water pollution that comes with gas powered lawn equipment. This summer, Do Your Part to pick smarter equipment that will not only cut down pollution but will cut down on your lawn maintenance costs. Let’s start with what really gets under my skin. The loud noise of gas powered lawn equipment. The National Pollution Clearinghouse…

  • Do Your Part As You Battle Pesky Weeds

    Do Your Part
    6 May 2013 | 7:22 am
    If there is one thing gardeners everywhere can’t stand – it’s weeds. However, many times the solution to getting rid of weeds can actually be more of a problem. In fact, it can be downright dangerous because there are growing health concerns about one of the chief ingredients in many of the popular herbicides people use on their lawn and garden. Do Your Part when taking on the pesky problem where you live and find safer solutions. Not only are the alternatives healthier, they are much easier on your wallet. In my own garden, I make my daily newspaper do the dirty work. It easy and…

  • Unique Water Bottle Set Giveaway

    Megan M.
    30 Apr 2013 | 11:04 am
    a Rafflecopter giveaway

  • Keep Your Car Clean For Spring

    Megan M.
    29 Apr 2013 | 11:56 am
    It’s spring and pollen is on the attack. It’s in the air, on our skin, and much of it will end up coating our cars. No matter what particular elements you are battling this season, there are eco-friendly ways to keep your car clean for spring. And you can Do Your Part to wash your car without doing damage to our local waterways. One of the most environmentally unfriendly ways to wash our cars is at home. That’s because hosing down and soaping up cars in our driveways uses and average of 80 to 140 gallons of water. And that’s not even the worst of it. Contaminates such as oil, brake…
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    The Alternative Consumer

  • eco fashion friday finds – easy, breezy

    Maureen O'Connor
    24 May 2013 | 7:20 am
    Memorial day rings the bell for summer recess and also kicks off the road trip season. Save on gas and emissions by taking a visual road trip with this bamboo fiber and spandex tank dress from Dream Nation’s PLAN collection which is a take on American themes. The digital print on this dress is inspired by the classic American highway – Route 66. The dress is super light and soft – perfect for the beach or a summer soiree. $79 If your style tends to trend a smidgen toward ‘edgy’ this upcycled bullet ring (above) might complete your look. £143.00 @ moorbi.com…

  • a new marketplace for upcycled sustainable design – moorbi.com

    Ross Dulmaine
    23 May 2013 | 7:29 am
    The new website Moorbi.com has created a shopping destination for consumers seeking sustainably designed and produced fashion and home decor items created by talented independent designers. The London-based site (launched in December 2012) features over 500 OOAK and limited edition items. Moorbi’s goal is to feature a broad spectrum of international designers focused on creating the highest quality upcycled products with the lowest environmental impact. Products are chosen that reflect conscious design and character that will endure throughout the item’s lifecycle. The site…

  • sexy organic cotton bike shorts – they’re adjustable

    Maureen O'Connor
    22 May 2013 | 7:58 am
    For those that can pull this kind of thing off… These sexy-looking adjustable bike shorts from Emilie Bosworth-Clemens and CrossFox almost made it into last week’s Eco Fashion Friday Finds. The made to order  shorts are created from a combination of organic cotton jersey and spandex (95% organic cotton, 5% spandex) – they’re hand-dyed with low impact fiber reactive dyes to create the unique color. The fitted shorts are perfect for layering under shorter garments for worry free prancing about – or can be worn, uncovered, as an eye-catching pair of sexy shorts.

  • a mixed bag of green news

    Ross Dulmaine
    21 May 2013 | 1:28 pm
    Our latest edition of annotated eco news. All the worst conditions for a tornado came together in that one spot… Why Was the Moore, Okla. Tornado so Deadly? – livescience It’s not what you think… The Fracking Boom Triggers Water Battle in North Dakota – nbcnews.com If you like to drink water this is kind of alarming… US Aquifers Depleting at a Rapid Rate – enn Vertical gardening… ‘Pinkhouses’ – The Future of Urban Farming? – npr Why it’s evolution my dear Watson… Why Did Penguins Stop Flying – natgeo A…
 
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    Environmental News Network

  • Memorial Day Travel will Cost Americans over $1 Billion on Gasoline

    24 May 2013 | 8:48 am
    Memorial Day not only marks the day we pay tribute to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, but it also marks the first unofficial weekend that kicks off the summer. With that said, tens of millions of Americans are expected to get away this weekend and according to an analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), Americans will spend more than $1.4 billion filling up their tanks! The new analysis utilizes newly released data from the American Automotive Association (AAA), which estimated that 89 percent of Memorial Day weekend travelers (about 31.2 million…

  • To Walk or to Climb

    24 May 2013 | 7:21 am
    To walk on two or four limbs, that is the question... Jeremy M. DeSilva an anthropologist at Worcester University in Massachusetts has published Functional Morphology of the Ankle and the Likelihood of Climbing in Early Hominins, in the peer-reviewed journal, Proceeding of the National Academies of Sciences of the USA current issue. The study includes data gathered by DeSilva in Uganda's Kibale National Park of modern chimpanzee and comparisons of hominin fossil skeletal remains dating back some 4.12 million to 1.53 million years ago. The findings appear to show that if early hominins…

  • Jaffna aquifer depleting from overuse

    24 May 2013 | 6:54 am
    The single limestone aquifer, which is the main source of freshwater in Sri Lanka's northern Jaffna peninsula, is gradually depleting through overuse, researchers say. "The area suffers from severe groundwater imbalance which might reach crisis proportions in the future," Shanti de Silva, one of two scientists who carried out the research for the agricultural department of the University of Jaffna, told SciDev.Net.

  • Free Range Milk?

    24 May 2013 | 4:17 am
    Free-Range Dairy is a new initiative that could reverse the trend towards industrialised mega-farms. The Ecologist office is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within a United Nations Biosphere Reserve. Hartland peninsular is dotted with steep, wooded valleys where bluebells, early purple orchids and woodpeckers abound.The hills afford breathtaking views across the Bristol channel to Lundy Island, itself a nature reserve with a no-fish zone that is having a beneficial effect on marine ecology, and looking south-west down to Cornwall, on a clear day, one can see to Boscastle and…

  • Ocean Acidification and Deep-sea Organisms

    23 May 2013 | 2:17 pm
    Although the natural absorption of CO2 by the world's oceans help mitigate climate effects, the resulting decrease in pH causes ocean acidification which can have negative consequences for much of the marine life, specifically calcifiers such as corals and mollusks that construct their shells and skeletons from calcium carbonate.
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    Conservancy Talk

  • An Important Step Toward Better U.S. Water Policy

    Bob Bendick
    23 May 2013 | 1:58 pm
    Last week, the U.S. Senate passed S.601, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2013. WRDA is the legislation that allows U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects — like dams, flood control structures, navigation on inland waters, harbor dredging, and environmental restoration — to get funding and move forward. Passage of WRDA legislation used to be routine. A bill was done every 2-3 years, driven politically by individual Representatives and Senators adding more and more projects to the list of things authorized to be done. Appropriations for all this construction could not…

  • Nature Photo of the Week: Spring Evening at Mud Volcano

    Madeline Breen
    23 May 2013 | 12:54 pm
    Spring evenings at Yellowstone National Park’s Mud Volcano prove to be a busy time for wildlife! Flickr photographer Jon Taylor Montana captured this image of bison and bears out for an evening stroll. Thank you for sharing your image through The Nature Conservancy’s Flickr group! See all of The Nature Conservancy’s featured daily nature images — submitted to the Conservancy’s Flickr group by people like you — at my.nature.org. And get inspired to take your own great nature shots — check out our favorite nature photography features, including amazing slideshows and tips from…

  • The Green Buzz: Thursday, May 23

    Megan Sheehan
    23 May 2013 | 7:22 am
    Happy World Turtle Day! (What? You didn’t know?) To celebrate World Turtle Day, here are 11 of the many critically endangered turtle species. (TreeHugger) These cities are expected to be the hardest hit by climate change. (Grist) A glow-in-the-dark cockroach? The world’s tiniest frog? That’s right, folks, here are the top 10 new species discovered in 2012. (Mongabay) The mysterious fungus that caused the Irish Potato Famine has been identified. (MNN) It’s yummy, it’s popular, it’s good for you — but is that Greek yogurt hurting the environment? (The…

  • 5 Fun Facts About Animals in ‘North America’

    Katherine Sather
    22 May 2013 | 1:08 pm
    Fellow animal lovers, it’s time to geek out. This month The Discovery Channel premieres a new 7-part series, North America, that gives viewers and inside look at the animals and plants of North America. The Nature Conservancy is excited to partner with Discovery for the launch of this new series. Our organization works across borders to protect lands and waters in North America and beyond, for people and for nature. The best part of North America? It’s packed with intimate videos and stories about wildlife big and small. Get to know a few of these animals below, and check out some…

  • The Green Buzz: Wednesday, May 22

    Megan Sheehan
    22 May 2013 | 6:32 am
    Dolphins, bears and “Moonbird” – oh my! The famed red knot who has flown more than 400,000 miles has been spotted! (Mongabay) Want to know if what you’re buying supports policies that you don’t? There’s an app for that. (Grist) Good news for our cetacean friends: India has banned captive dolphin shows. (TreeHugger) We’re remembering the man who discovered the ozone hole. (MNN) Bear tranquilized in tree? Colorado firefighters to the rescue. (Huffington Post)
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    The Oil Drum - Discussions about Energy and Our Future

  • Drumbeat: May 25, 2013

    Leanan
    25 May 2013 | 8:27 am
    New Computer Attacks Traced to Iran, Officials Say SAN FRANCISCO — American officials and corporate security experts examining a new wave of potentially destructive computer attacks striking American corporations, especially energy firms, say they have tracked the attacks back to Iran. The targets have included several American oil, gas and electricity companies, which government officials have refused to identify. The goal is not espionage, they say, but sabotage. Government officials describe the attacks as probes looking for ways to seize control of critical processing systems. Crude…

  • Global Energy Systems - June 26-28 2013

    Rembrandt
    20 May 2013 | 2:05 am
    Our energy system is evolving due to depletion of cheap fossil fuels and the need for carbon emission constraints. Government and business are under pressure to tackle the energy challenges of rising energy costs, energy security, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We witness rapid changes across countries as this evolution takes place, steered both by markets (investment decisions) and government (policy decisions). It is essential for energy professionals to stay well informed with the latest insights in this evolving world. For this reason, Euan Mearns of The Oil Drum, myself and…

  • Predicting the Weather, Corn, Ethanol and Oil Production

    Heading Out
    19 May 2013 | 1:10 am
    News of the future was, in my youth, something that one found by crossing the palm of a lady in a dark tent with a piece or two of silver (or the modern equivalent) at one of the fairs that came to town. Such opportunities still exist, with all the caveats that existed back then likely still being in force. However, projecting the future, whether of the weather, the likely corn crop this year in the United States, or the production of crude oil by the nations of the world has become a much bigger business with copious tables, graphs and theories replacing the rather worn pack of cards or…

  • Tech Talk - The Dangers of Complacency

    Heading Out
    12 May 2013 | 10:20 am
    Perceptions based on perhaps too small a collection of information can lead into opinions that, on investigation, turn out to be incorrect. Just recently a couple of friends had mentioned that charities that they are associated with were seeing a decline in donations. I built this into a picture of the general public being less able to afford earlier levels of giving, perhaps because of the continued impact of higher costs of fuel. However, the perception is as a general statement, wrong, and (via the National Park Service from The Giving Institute) I learned that: Americans gave more than…

  • The Politics of Oil In Scotland

    Euan Mearns
    1 May 2013 | 8:20 am
    On 18th September 2014 the Scottish People will have a referendum on their future within the United Kingdom where they will be asked the simple question: Should Scotland be an Independent Country? Yes or No. Should the people say yes then this will not only have far reaching political and socio-economic consequences for Scotland and the rest of the UK but it will also leave the rest of the UK’s energy security in a parlous state since the bulk of the remaining oil and gas reserves of the North Sea and Atlantic margin lie in Scottish waters. Or is it that simple? UK crude oil + condensate +…
 
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    EcoSalon | Conscious Culture and Fashion

  • Vegan Ice Cream-Cookie Cake Recipe (You’re Welcome!)

    Aylin Erman
    25 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Your inner child rejoices when it sees that the birthday party centerpiece is more than just two layers of light flour cake separated by a simple frosting. When an ice cream cake is served, the party gives you even more reason to celebrate. There’s no escaping the fact that ice cream is incredibly decadent, dense, and heavy. But you can still satisfy your inner child and keep your figure slim with this vegan ice cream cake recipe. The average slice of ice cream cake contains 240 calories, 9 grams of fat (5 of which are saturated), 34 grams of carbohydrates, 24 grams of sugar, 15 milligrams…

  • Sex and KY Jelly (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know…But Were Afraid to Ask)

    Stefanie Iris Weiss
    25 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Let’s talk about lube, baby. Let’s talk about it because no one really likes to mention it… Lube is one of the reasons I was inspired to write my most recent book, Eco-Sex: Go Green Between the Sheets and Make Your Love Life Sustainable. Many people use it religiously, but no one was talking about the scary toxic ingredients in conventional brands. (I’m talking to you, KY Jelly and Astroglide.) Lube is the unmentionable that hides in your night table drawer until it’s needed in the heat of passion. Picked up at your local pharmacy, where it’s stocked next to the Neosporin,…

  • Sustainable, Recyclable & Durable Umbrellas by Ginkgo Will Brighten a Rainy Day

    Johanna Björk
    24 May 2013 | 2:55 pm
    Ginkgo is the world’s first sustainably designed umbrella. Made entirely from one recyclable material, it’s lightweight, durable and comes in a variety of colors to brighten your day. Most umbrellas out there are poorly made. Just spend one rainy day in a major city and you’ll to see hundreds of broken ones all over the street, and opportunistic vendors setting up shop to sell you equally poorly made replacements — not very sustainable. In fact, the about 1 billion umbrellas that are broken, lost, and improperly disposed of each year could circle the earth 18 times.

  • That Happened: The Princess and the Tramp

    Libby Lowe
    24 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    ColumnSociety pushes girls to become sexual objects, then shames them about the length of a hem. How many times have you heard someone say—usually after the “I don’t care as long as the baby is healthy” comment—that “it would be nice to have a boy, they are so much easier.” Are boys easier biologically, are we programmed to devalue  women and girls, or is our society so hard on women that even feminists think it would be “easier” not to deal with raising a girl in a world filled with thinspiration, mean girls, rape, anti-choice laws and sexed-up Disney princesses? As…

  • Skin Superfoods: 5 of the Best Beautifying Foods

    Rowena Ritchie
    24 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Eating for beauty might be the simplest way to approach looking good and feeling great about it. Beauty comes down to two things. And it’s not chiseled cheekbones and the perfect little up-turned nose. When it’s all said and done, beauty is health and confidence. Just think about it for a minute… When do you look your best…? Exactly! The great news is that both your health and sense of confidence are, for the most part, in your own hands. There are lots of ways you can make improvements to how you look and feel by learning how best to nourish your body. Many of us will immediately…
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    Yale Environment 360

  • Majority of Earth’s Population Faces Water Shortages by Mid-Century

    Yale Environment 360
    24 May 2013 | 9:47 am
    A conference of 500 of the world’s leading water scientists issued a stark declaration at the end of a four-day meeting in Germany, warning that within two generations a majority of the people on the planet will face problems obtaining ample supplies of clean water. At the meeting, “Water in the Anthropocene,” the scientists said that the of over-pumping of underground aquifers, soaring populations, pollution, the over-use of fertilizers, and climate change are seriously threatening supplies of freshwater around much of the globe. Continuing on the current path will mean that most of…

  • China Poised to Launch Much-Anticipated Carbon-Trading Project

    Yale Environment 360
    23 May 2013 | 10:48 am
    China has revealed details of a carbon cap-and-trade pilot project that will be launched next month, a much-anticipated market attempt to rein in carbon dioxide emissions by the world’s biggest emitter. The first phase of the program, which will be implemented in the southern city of Shenzhen, will cover 638 companies that produce 38 percent of the city’s carbon emissions, according to the city branch of the government’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The system will impose caps on the companies’ CO2 emissions and establish a market for the buying and selling of…

  • Research on Microbes Points To New Tools for Conservation

    Yale Environment 360
    23 May 2013 | 6:37 am
    Improvements in DNA technology now make it possible for biologists to identify every living organism in and around a species. Scientists say this could have profound implications for everything from protecting amphibians from a deadly fungus to reintroducing species into the wild. BY RICHARD CONNIFF

  • Whale’s Battle with Nets Is Revealed Through Monitoring Device

    Yale Environment 360
    22 May 2013 | 9:39 am
    A small monitoring tag attached to an entangled North Atlantic right whale revealed just how much fishing gear impairs a whale’s ability to swim, dive, and feed, scientists say. After locating a two-year-old whale, EcoHealth Alliance, under permit number 594-1759 The entangled whale dubbed Eg 3911, with fishing gear entangled around her mouth and pectoral fins, a team of scientists was able to attach a so-called Dtag in January 2011 that recorded her movements before, during, and after the team removed the nets. The whale “altered its behavior immediately following the…

  • Large Majority of Americans Believe Global Warming Should be a Priority, Poll Shows

    Yale Environment 360
    21 May 2013 | 9:41 am
    Roughly 70 percent of Americans say global warming should be a priority for President Obama and Congress and 61 percent support requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a carbon tax that would be used to help reduce the national debt, according to a new survey by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication. In a national survey conducted in April, 87 percent of respondents said that the president and Congress should make developing clean sources of energy a priority, 68 percent favored regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant, and 71 percent supported providing tax rebates for people who…
 
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    Latest News

  • Would You Buy A Sustainable T-Shirt?

    Mother Nature Network
    25 May 2013 | 3:35 pm
    Chris Yura is every bit the millennial entrepreneur.

  • Why Do Fireflies Glow?

    Nick Visser
    25 May 2013 | 3:35 pm
    From Mother Nature Network's Chanie Kirschner: It seems kind of magical, doesn’t it? As summer draws nearer and the days grow longer, it’s only natural to start daydreaming of summer barbecues, picnics and downtime. And the glow of a firefly is a requisite symbol of the lazy, hazy days and nights of summer. To be honest, I’d never really thought about it myself, but the answer is positively fascinating. So how do fireflies glow? Turns out it’s not quite so magical after all, since it’s the product of a complex chemical reaction going on inside their bodies. You see, fireflies…

  • San Antonio Flooding Kills Woman

    AP
    25 May 2013 | 2:52 pm
    SAN ANTONIO — Massive flooding from torrential rains in the San Antonio area left at least one person dead Saturday and sent emergency workers rushing in boats to rescue more than 100 residents stranded in cars and homes. A woman was trapped in her car, got on the roof and was swept away in floodwaters, said San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Christian Bove. Her body was later found against a fence, he said. Her name was not immediately released. Rescue workers were searching for someone who was missing after being trapped in another car, Bove said. By Saturday evening, the water was…

  • Easter Island Statue Erected In Japanese Town As Symbol For Tsunami Recovery

    Agence France Presse
    25 May 2013 | 2:06 pm
    A giant statue from Chile's Easter Island on Saturday found a new home in a small tsunami-devastated Japanese town where it will become a symbol for its recovery.The new statue, with coral eyes and a stone hat, was erected near the town's shopping area, where makeshift stores now operate after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami destroyed almost the entire town.The three-metre (10-foot) Moai statue is a gift from Chile, which pledged to supply a new statue to the fishing community of Minami Sanriku after the town's original was destroyed in the disaster."We can see the Moai in this town…

  • PHOTOS: 76 Pets Rescued In Aftermath Of Oklahoma Tornado

    Kim Bellware
    25 May 2013 | 12:23 pm
    Thanks to PAWS Chicago, the lives of 76 pets (51 dogs and 25 cats) have have been rescued from tornado-torn Oklahoma. Volunteers with the no-kill shelter set out Friday on the recovery mission to alleviate overcrowding at The Oklahoma City Animal Care & Control (OACC) which had experienced an influx of pets following the devastating tornado that ripped through the area Monday. Story continues after the slideshow. After the eight-car caravan departed Friday for Oklahoma, the shelter gave an update via Facebook Saturday afternoon: "Each pet that is coming to Chicago was a part of the shelter's…
 
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    The Blog

  • The Pet Collective: Odin The Dog, Abandoned And In Pain, Saved By Rescue But Now Needs A Home

    The Pet Collective
    25 May 2013 | 9:38 am
    Odin turned up at the shelter with a severe medical condition in his left eye. His previous owners did not provide treatment, and probably didn't even realize the severe pain this condition caused him. It wasn't until rescuers from New Leash on Life in Newhall, Calif. pulled him from the shelter and paid for surgery that Odin was finally free from a lifetime of pain. Odin is a two-year-old Chihuahua mix. He was rescued from the Castaic Animal Shelter in Southern California. He had a severe condition in his left eye causing it to look foggy, and making him blind in that eye. The condition was…

  • Dixie Louviere: How Facebook Helps Me Reunite People With Their Pets After Natural Disasters

    Dixie Louviere
    25 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    This story was produced in partnership with Facebook Stories. Submit your own Facebook story here. I was living in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck. It was 2005, and thankfully, I was evacuated to Texas. When I returned about two weeks later, my home was still without electricity, but at least it was standing. I was lucky. I had time to evacuate and even take my cats with me. But not everyone who survives a natural disaster has that option. Many people lose their homes and their belongings without warning, or even worse, they suffer the loss of a loved one. When I returned to New…

  • Food Politic: Farm Forward's BuyingPoultry.com Will Put Humane Eating in Consumers' Hands

    Food Politic
    24 May 2013 | 2:43 pm
    By Tove K. Danovich While discussing industrial animal agriculture in his book Eating Animals, Jonathan Safran Foer wrote, "Cruelty depends on an understanding of cruelty, and the ability to choose against it. Or to choose to ignore it." For many people who read Safran Foer's book, deciding against cruelty has meant going around it, becoming vegetarian or even vegan. Yet there were many others who simply wanted to do things better. For this latter group, the non-profit Farm Forward (where Safran Foer is a board member) is developing an application called BuyingPoultry.com. Currently in the…

  • Zester Daily: Local Farming Void? Military Veterans Are Answer

    Zester Daily
    24 May 2013 | 1:28 pm
    By Mark Winkworth I was taken aback recently to hear the hard statistics: The United States imports more than 38 percent of the fruits and more than 17 percent of vegetables we put on our tables. We regularly see produce from Mexico, Canada, Chile, China, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru and more -- imports that have tripled since the 1990s. The produce is harvested before it is even ripe, so that it can be cheaply and efficiently boxed and shipped to our shores for consumption often weeks later. And while it is a fact that the local food movement is growing exponentially, the reality is that these…

  • Bill McKibben: Keystone: What We Know

    Bill McKibben
    24 May 2013 | 1:15 pm
    Ever since the Keystone fight began, the smart money has insisted the pipeline will be approved. But so far: no pipe. And the opposition got a serious boost this week, when Republicans in the House of Representatives forced a vote on a symbolic measure approving KXL. It passed, of course -- every Republican voted for it, and they control the lower chamber. But they found only 19 Democrats to go along with them, 40 less than a year before. As one commentator noted in the aftermath, "the little campaign that could" was still chugging along -- and with a greater head of steam than before. At…
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    Yahoo! News - Latest News & Headlines

  • British police arrest 3 over soldier's killing

    25 May 2013 | 3:39 pm
    Counter-terrorism police on Saturday arrested three people suspected of involvement in the killing of a soldier hacked to death in a London street by two men shouting Islamist slogans. The killing of the soldier in what the government said appeared to be a terrorist attack has led to angry protests against radical Islam and fears of a possible anti-Muslim backlash. Michael Adebolajo, 28 and Michael Adebowale, 22, are under armed guard in hospital after being shot and arrested by police on suspicion of murder on Wednesday. ...

  • French soldier stabbed in throat outside Paris

    25 May 2013 | 2:36 pm
    A French soldier was attacked in a busy commercial district outside Paris on Saturday, and France's president said authorities are investigating any possible links with the recent slaying of a British soldier.

  • Official: Woman killed in San Antonio flooding

    25 May 2013 | 2:21 pm
    San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Christian Bove says a 29-year-old woman was trapped in her car, got on the roof and was swept away in floodwaters

  • Girl's suicide after alleged attack troubles town

    25 May 2013 | 1:32 pm
    One evening last Labor Day weekend, 15-year-old Audrie Pott walked up the driveway of a classmate's home alongside other teenagers.

  • Thousands of bridges at risk of freak collapse

    25 May 2013 | 1:27 pm
    Thousands of bridges around the U.S. may be one freak accident or mistake away from collapse, even if the spans are deemed structurally sound.
 
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    Forbes - Energy

  • Why Europe Really Has To Drill For Shale And Quickly

    Tim Worstall
    25 May 2013 | 9:39 am
    There's a fascinating little report here about the effects of shale gas on the European energy market. The conclusion to be drawn from it is that Europe really does need to be drilling for shale gas and quickly. The reason for this though is that the US has already decided to do so: and it's the effects of the US shale revolution that mean that Europe's got to follow.

  • Cars With The Highest Theft Rates

    Christopher Helman
    25 May 2013 | 4:37 am
    While some of the best-selling cars in the U.S. also top the most frequently stolen list each year because of their sheer numbers, another look at the statistics reveals which cars by percentage are the most likely to by targeted by thieves. Here's the top 10 based on 2009 data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

  • Fun Facts For Roadtrip Season! Why We're Using Less Gasoline Than Ever (But Killing Each Other More)

    Christopher Helman
    25 May 2013 | 4:37 am
    Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer driving season. It's the weekend of the Indianapolis 500, and -- if you happen to be in the jet set -- of the running of Formula One's Monaco Grand Prix. There's no better time to take measure of the state of America's love affair with the automobile. And no better way to celebrate that with a roadtrip. In the United States more than 31 million Americans will hop into their cars for a getaway this weekend, with the average trip adding nearly 700 miles to the odometer. For folks staying closer to home, a common destination will be…

  • The E-Cat Testing Team, Real or Ringers?

    Mark Gibbs
    24 May 2013 | 2:48 pm
    The comments to my recent post concerning the "independent tests" of Andrea Rossi's low energy nuclear reaction (LENR) system called the E-Cat make for interesting reading and both here and in other forums the report has been sliced and diced.

  • Energy MLPs acquire so they can borrow cheaply... and do more deals

    Mergermarket
    24 May 2013 | 12:44 pm
    by Soma Biswas and Mark Druskoff
 
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    The Good Human

  • Green News For The Weekend Volume 313

    David Quilty
    24 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    Help support The Good Human by doing all of your Amazon shopping thru our affiliate link. A very modest commission is generated (at no cost to you) which helps support the site.Tesla Motors has paid off the loan awarded to it by the Department of Energy back in 2010. They wired $451,800,000 to the government on Thursday, repaying the balance of the loan with interest. Since the automotive bailouts a few years back, Tesla is the only American car company to have fully paid us all back. Like cheap clothes? Watch this CBS undercover video demonstrating who makes that stuff and where it comes…

  • How To Use Honey As A Natural Cure-It-All

    David Quilty
    23 May 2013 | 6:25 am
    Help support The Good Human by doing all of your Amazon shopping thru our affiliate link. A very modest commission is generated (at no cost to you) which helps support the site.Ok, so maybe “cure-it-all” is stretching it a bit, but did you know that honey is not only a fantastic food that tastes great but is also a natural healer? If you have honey in your pantry, you already have one of nature’s best medicines. Honey has healing properties that are antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiseptic, capable of fixing many problems. But before you go using it for various ailments,…

  • Solar Powered Picnic Tables Coming to College Campuses

    David Quilty
    22 May 2013 | 6:35 am
    Help support The Good Human by doing all of your Amazon shopping thru our affiliate link. A very modest commission is generated (at no cost to you) which helps support the site.They may look like picnic tables, but these aren’t your ordinary run-of-the-mill wood tables sold at your local home store. Maryville College in Tennessee has become the latest college campus to install “Solar Doks”, off-grid solar powered picnic tables made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and equipped with three 45-watt solar panels per side and a single 100-watt panel on top. Made and sold by…

  • Picking Up After Our Fellow Humans

    David Quilty
    21 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    Help support The Good Human by doing all of your Amazon shopping thru our affiliate link. A very modest commission is generated (at no cost to you) which helps support the site.Are you ever astounded by the amount of trash littering the roads near you? It never – and I do mean never – ceases to amaze me that we live with fellow humans who deem it A-OK to toss trash out their car windows. On the highway, in the neighborhood, by a school, or parked on the beach, these grand citizens of the world have decided that the great outdoors is a suitable container for their garbage. It was…

  • The Good Human Turns 7; Let’s Give Away A Water Bottle

    David Quilty
    19 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Help support The Good Human by doing all of your Amazon shopping thru our affiliate link. A very modest commission is generated (at no cost to you) which helps support the site.This giveaway has ended. Today marks 7 years since I started publishing The Good Human; it’s amazing how time flies. After nearly 2,500 posts, 5 million visitors, and more web hosting and database issues than I care to remember, I still wouldn’t change a thing. So far it’s been a fun ride and I hope to continue doing it into the foreseeable future, moving away from the same old “green…
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    DeSmogBlog

  • Gas Industry Successfully Overturns Colorado Fracking Ban

    Farron Cousins
    25 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    The townspeople in Fort Collins were greeted with some unfortunate news earlier this week, as their city council decided to overturn a ban on hydraulic fracturing that had been in place for only a few short months. The decision to overturn the ban was based solely on the threat of a lawsuit from the oil and gas industry. The mere threat of a lawsuit from the only fracking company in town – Prospect Energy – was enough to send the city council cowering in submission, placing the entire town at risk of the negative health impacts associated with fracking. The gas industry was aided in their…

  • The Beaver Lake Cree Judgment: The Most Important Tar Sands Case You’ve Never Heard Of

    Carol Linnitt
    24 May 2013 | 1:30 pm
    Sure they’re bad for the environment, for human health, and for wildlife, but we rarely stop to wonder if the Alberta tar sands are in fact unconstitutional But the constitutional standing of the tar sands – one of the world’s largest and most carbon-intensive energy projects – is just what’s at stake in a treaty rights claim the Beaver Lake Cree Nation (BLCN) is bringing against the Governments of Alberta and Canada in a case that promises to be one of the most significant legal and constitutional challenges to the megaproject seen in Canada to date. Signaling the high-stakes of…

  • Is Houston a Tar Sands “Sacrifice Zone”?

    Guest
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    This is a guest post by Caroline Selle Much of the debate around the Keystone XL pipeline has focused on the dangers of extracting and transporting the tar sands. Left out, however, are those in the United States who are guaranteed to feel the impacts of increased tar sands usage. Spill or no spill, anyone living near a tar sands refinery will bear the burden of the refining process. Tar sands oil is produced from a mixture of sand, clay, water, and the sticky, peanut-butter like form of petroleum known as bitumen. Unlike conventional crude, it’s essentially solid at room temperature, has a…

  • Harper Government Keeps Details Of $16.5M Oil Industry Ad Campaign Under Wraps

    Indra Das
    23 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    This week, under questioning from opposition MPs, Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver confirmed that his department intends to spend up to 16.5 million dollars on advertising in the upcoming year. Further details on how this taxpayer-funded PR campaign for Canada's natural resources will be run were lacking. Mike De Souza writes for Canada.com, that Oliver "also declined to provide specifics on a training program, worth up to $500,000, for his department's scientists and other officials, 'designed to help them communicate with the public and to do so in a way that is accessible to the…

  • FOIA Facts 4 - George Mason Takes The Money And Breaks The Rules

    John Mashey
    23 May 2013 | 5:30 am
    New Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) replies (1, 2, and 3) expose worse misbehavior at George Mason University. GMU badly mishandled simple plagiarism complaints, including one on a Federally-funded paper, retracted in May 2011, finally ruled as misconduct in 2012. Federal rules required notifications to several agencies earlier, but FOIA requests found no trace of any: Army 1, Army 2, GMU 1, GMU 2. GMU gets $129M+/year in Federal grant funds, generally takes 30% for itself, but breaks rules. A Nature editorial criticized GMU's handling, the Chronicle of Higher Education covered the…
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    UrbanWorkbench

  • Montreal – 1.3 Million Residents under Boil Water Advisory

    Mike Thomas
    22 May 2013 | 5:40 pm
    Photo Credit: hans s via Compfight cc Montreal has a problem: Routine maintenance gone wrong at one of Montreal’s biggest water filtration plants spurred the largest boil water advisory in the city’s history Wednesday, forcing schools to tape their water fountains closed, cafés to boil water for six minutes and water-based businesses like fruit-drink maker Liquid Nutrition to close up shop for the day. In total, 1.3 million of the island’s 1.8 million residents were affected. Officials with the City of Montreal’s water department said the 24-hour boil water advisory was just a…

  • Revelstoke Dam

    Mike Thomas
    21 May 2013 | 2:30 pm
    Engineers seem to love rituals, but one unspoken engineering ritual that I love to partake in, is to view the greatest examples of engineering, great buildings, bridges, tunnels, canals and even sewer systems are all possible candidates worthy of reflection. But in my mind, and for many Civil Engineers, dams are an important pilgrimage ritual akin to a shrine on the side of the road, where one petitions the gods for safe travels – they may not be the purpose of the journey, but provide a suitable place for reflection. For Civil Engineers, the alchemy of earth, rock, steel and concrete…

  • Designing for Hazards – A Wall of Lake Ice

    Mike Thomas
    13 May 2013 | 11:39 am
    Who is responsible for determining the impact and designing to protect against manmade or natural disasters on your home or neighborhood? A local state of emergency has been declared in a western Manitoba municipality after homes in Ochre Beach were destroyed and seriously damaged by a wave of lake ice. Area officials told CBC News the wind pushed built-up ice off Dauphin Lake on Friday evening and caused it to pile up in the community, located on the lake's southern shore. The piles of ice, which were more than nine metres tall in some cases, destroyed at least six homes and cottages,…

  • Swales

    Mike Thomas
    11 Apr 2013 | 9:00 am
    Since moving to the interior of British Columbia back in 2007, I have had many discussions with engineering types about the benefits of the alternatives to the curb and gutter / catchbasin paradigm. Interestingly, even six years later there really isn’t that much good knowledge out there on the cost of installation and maintenance of these systems, particularly in areas where heavy snowfalls or road sanding requirements might change the maintenance and operation requirements. Mike Welfl via Compfight I’m convinced that in lower density residential areas, swales can be an…

  • The Cumulative Effects of Obstructive Complexity

    Mike Thomas
    18 Feb 2013 | 8:05 am
    Cumulative effects are very important. I shared the following article with my wife Robyn this week, and she shared many of the same frustrations as Scott just that very night at the local supermarket. Yogurt in multiple aisles, the loyalty cards, the self check out… When I’m ready to pay, I see long lines at the human checkout stands and short lines at the self-checkout. I know from experience that using the self-checkout, which was designed by a crack team of practical jokers, sadists, and monkeys that have been abused by their trainers, will bring me to frustration. I know I…
 
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    Green Car Congress

  • New open-source lifecycle analysis tool for oil production using field characteristics

    Mike Millikin
    25 May 2013 | 8:20 am
    Schematic chart showing included stages within OPGEE. El Houjeiri et al., Supplemental Information. Click to enlarge. A team from Stanford University and the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has developed a new open-source lifecycle analysis (LCA) tool for modeling the greenhouse gas emissions of oil and gas production using characteristics of specific fields and associated production pathways. The team describes the Oil Production Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimator (OPGEE) in a paper in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology. Existing transportation fuel cycle emissions…

  • Alcoa facility to cut in half energy used to recycle aluminum for forged wheels

    Mike Millikin
    25 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Alcoa expects its $21-million Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products casthouse expansion at its Barberton, Ohio plant to cut in half the total amount of energy used to recycle aluminum for forged wheels, reducing greenhouse gases and increasing the overall efficiency and sustainability of the company’s manufacturing process. The recycling facility, the first of its kind in North America, produces wheels from re-melted and scrap aluminum. Construction of the 50,000-square-foot facility, which can process 100 million pounds of scrap aluminum each year, began in July 2011. It is now up and…

  • AID reports W. European EV sales in April up almost 50% to 2,600 units, for 0.26% market share; France leading

    Mike Millikin
    25 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    AID (Automotive Industry Data) reports that first-time registrations in April of electric vehicles in Western Europe were up almost one-half to just under 2,600 units, representing 0.26% of the region’s new car market. Registrations of electric cars this April were up in eight markets, down in seven, AID reported. France, thanks to the launch of the Renault ZOE, currently ranks as the region’s largest electric car market, with 3,188 new electric car registrations during the first four months of this year. French electric car registrations in April more than doubled to 940 units, according…

  • One-step process for production of renewable diesel blendstock from soybean oil

    Mike Millikin
    24 May 2013 | 12:35 pm
    Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Ormat Industries Ltd. in Israel report the development of a comercially-viable, one-step catalytic hydrotreating process for the conversion of soybean oil to renewable diesel-type fuel in a paper in the journal Fuel. The conversion of soybean oil to green diesel was carried out on Pt/SAPO-11-Al2O3 catalyst in a trickle-bed reactor. Steady-state operation was reached after about 150 h. The steady-state performance was recorded at 375–380 °C, 30 atm and LHSV = 1 h−1. The green diesel produced in this study was characterized according…

  • Study shows role of operating temperature on performance of Li-air batteries

    Mike Millikin
    24 May 2013 | 11:41 am
    Cycling behavior of TEGDME-based electrolyte lithium−oxygen cells; capacity limited to 1000 mAh g−1carbon. Credit: ACS, Park et al. Click to enlarge. A team including researchers from Hanyang University (South Korea) and University of Rome Sapienza (Italy) have shown that operating temperature plays an important role in the performance of Lithium-air batteries. They also demonstrated “to the best of our knowledge for the first time” that a lithium-air battery, fabricated with optimized electrodes and electrolyte, may successfully operate in a temperature range extending from −10 to…
 
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    WRI Stories Feed: All

  • Turning Climate Action into a Reality

    Yamide Dagnet
    23 May 2013 | 9:15 am
    This post was written by Ricardo Lagos, former president of Chile and a member of the high-level advisory panel for the Climate Justice…

  • Nitrogen Trifluoride Now Required in GHG Protocol Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories

    Stephen Russell
    22 May 2013 | 10:00 am
    Scientific understanding of the chemicals that contribute to climate change is constantly improving. So, too, is the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP), as we work to keep abreast of such advances and ensure…

  • Step-by-Step Guidance on Corporate Water Disclosure

    Paul Reig
    21 May 2013 | 12:12 pm
    Investors need to understand a wide variety of business and market risks facing the companies in which they invest. In the 21st century, that includes…

  • Felipe Calderón, Former President of Mexico, Joins WRI Board of Directors

    Michael Oko
    21 May 2013 | 11:42 am
    The World Resources Institute announced that Felipe Calderón, the former President of Mexico, has joined its Board of Directors. “President Calderón is a globally recognized world leader, who has shown enormous dedication in responding to environmental, energy and climate challenges,” said Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO, World Resources Institute. “He brings a deep understanding of the issues and has the ability to mobilize greater global action for a more sustainable planet. We look forward to working with President Calderón to push for the urgent solutions around…

  • What Exporting U.S. Natural Gas Means for the Climate

    James Bradbury
    20 May 2013 | 2:01 pm
    This post originally appeared on The National Journal’s Energy Experts blog. The U.S. Department of Energy…
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    Consumer Reports News

  • How to childproof the 4 highest-risk areas of your yard

    dibear
    24 May 2013 | 2:30 pm
    What dangers lurk in your backyard? Especially for young children, the risks range from the obvious (mowers and tractors) to the unexpected (poisonous plants). Here are the major danger zones--and how to minimize your child's risk this summer: 1. Lawn mowers. Children are involved in some 68,000 mower injuries in the U.S. each year. The grisly tally includes deep cuts, burns, loss of fingers and toes, crushed and broken bones, and even amputations. Thrown rocks and other projectiles are also a hazard, since mowers can eject a piece of metal or wood up to 100 miles per hour. Then there's the…

  • Don't let mechanically tenderized beef ruin your Memorial Day

    rockan@consumer.org
    24 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    Some of hungry partygoers at your Memorial Day gathering this weekend might be crying out, Where's the beef!?! But from a food-safety perspective, a more salient question is, How well done is the beef? That's because some steaks and other cuts of beef you cook might have been mechanically tenderized, or bladed, a process that can drive bacteria such as the deadly E. coli O157:H7 from the surface of the meat into its center, where they are harder to kill. And that can increase the risk of illness if your steak is not cooked until it is well done. (As you can see in the video above,…

  • New Kenmore dishwasher wields motorized spray arm

    Ed Perratore
    24 May 2013 | 1:30 pm
    Mere weeks after Kenmore unseated Bosch from the top of our dishwasher Ratings, the brand has rung the bell anew with a new model in the number-one slot. But the Kenmore Elite 12793, $1,350, has an additional claim to fame: an industry-first motorized spray arm. We decided to see how it worked, using an action camcorder mounted inside the dishwasher while it ran. With the new feature, called 360° PowerWash Plus, the model's interior looks like that of other such models we've recently tested, including the formerly top-ranked Kenmore Elite 12783, $1,200. The larger of its two spray arms is…

  • Six ways to prep for "extremely active" 2013 hurricane season

    DDiClerico
    24 May 2013 | 12:30 pm
    With the memory of Sandy still fresh in many people's minds, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting an active or extremely active hurricane season for 2013. We could see 13 to 20 named storms, including 3 to 6 major hurricanes with winds of 111 miles per hour or higher. Here are six ways to weather the season. Get a generator. Power loss is one of the most widespread problems during a hurricane, according to a Consumer Reports Hurricane Sandy Survey of our subscribers living in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. You're better off with a stationary generator…

  • Two Troy-Bilt riding mowers drive to the top of our tests

    Ed Perratore
    22 May 2013 | 10:00 am
    The best you can hope for when shopping for a riding mower is a solidly built, top-performing machine that doesn't leave you feeling clipped on the price. This year, in fact, we have two such models in our lawn tractor tests—a pair of zero-turn-radius mowers from MTD's Troy-Bilt brand that we named CR Best Buys. The Troy-Bilt Mustang 42-inch 17WFCACS, $2,300, is preferred by homeowners with just a couple of acres to mow, particularly if they bag clippings. Its three-blade sibling, the Troy-Bilt Mustang 50-inch 17WFCACP, $2,800, can mulch or side-discharge (no bagging) and is well suited…
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    Sustainable Industries: All Articles

  • San Francisco gets its first eco-district

    Laura Tam
    24 May 2013 | 8:40 am
    A proposal for the Central Corridor Eco-District. Rendering by Jihee Chung, SWA Group. Over the last year, there’s been palpable buzz in San Francisco around eco-districts — essentially, sustainability plans that operate at the neighborhood scale. We’ve learned about different eco-district models and how eco-districts are working in Portland, Seattle, Brooklyn and Denver. The San Francisco Planning Department has been especially proactive in this learning process, putting together numerous presentations on district-scale infrastructure and sustainability throughout 2012. The…

  • Leave no e-trace

    Harpreet Cheema
    23 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    The pace of change in technology today is unrelenting. Electronics are outdated in the blink of an eye, consigned to trash, or e-trash. Today’s consumer is obsessed with new technology; there are over 300 million computers and one billion cell phones produced every year. With old electronics becoming redundant, inefficient, and obsolete, we are quickly replacing them with new ones. But what happens to old electronics or e-waste? Electronic waste is the fastest growing stream of global waste and will continue to be dumped in developing countries least equipped to deal with it…

  • Standard and pores

    Molly Banton
    22 May 2013 | 7:16 am
    The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals is a new worldwide initiative for the standardized classification of hazardous chemicals and a communication system to convey information regarding their proper use and handling.Currently many systems for the classification and labeling exist between and within countries. This is costly for companies working with different systems, difficult for governments to regulate, and dangerous for workers handling the chemicals who may find a system unfamiliar or confusing. The goals of implementing GHS are: reduce costs,…

  • The responsible enterprise

    Dinah Koehler and Chris Park
    21 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Historically many companies have treated ESG (environmental, social and governance) issues as important but tangential to the core business. More often than not, these issues were managed as secondary activities with an indirect connection to the core business and bottom line.The market is undergoing a significant shift, with companies increasingly expected to address ESG issues head on. ESG is becoming a C-Suite issue and is expected to have a material impact on the bottom line. A recent Deloitte survey found two-thirds of global CFOs expect their role in ESG-related strategies to increase…

  • Don't sell the farm

    Kimberly Freeman Brown
    17 May 2013 | 4:14 pm
    My in-laws were raised in the South where they had access to fresh produce that they grew alongside their parents. They knew what good, wholesome food was and they established healthy eating habits for their kids – my husband and his brother – even in Brooklyn, N.Y., where they resided for 46 years.My husband's family is likely the exception. For many kids growing up in the inner city, chances are tomatoes, green beans and peaches that haven't come out of a can are hard to come by. In far too many urban areas, eating healthy is not just a luxury – it's next to…
 
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    Climate 411 - Environmental Defense Fund

  • The Not-So-Strange Bedfellows on Tier 3 Clean Car Standards

    Mandy Warner
    20 May 2013 | 9:19 am
    By Mandy WarnerMost Americans rely on cars every day — cars that transport us to work and school, but that emit harmful soot, smog, and other dangerous air pollutants that impact human health. We’ve posted before about a new way to clean up that pollution – the Tier 3 standards. EPA has introduced these modern clean air standards to reduce harmful emissions from two sources — new cars and gasoline. These complementary standards will ensure healthier, longer lives for millions of Americans – all for less than a penny a gallon. Like so many other clean air issues, this one has…

  • The Boring Side of Climate is More Tangible to Most

    Keith Gaby
    8 May 2013 | 1:51 pm
    By Keith Gaby(Originally posted yesterday on EDF Voices) A college professor friend of mine once decided to write the least sexy book possible. Lots of academics were trying to be as edgy or trendy and, in keeping with his contrarian personality, he chose to write about insurance in American literature. Those of us working to communicate the impacts of climate change might do well to follow his example. Environmental groups, including EDF, often focus on the drama of climate change. We do it because we’re already seeing some scary changes in the weather – from severe drought to stronger…

  • EDF Goes Back to Court to Support Climate Pollution Reductions

    Peter Zalzal
    8 May 2013 | 8:34 am
    By Peter ZalzalAnother high-profile clean air case played out yesterday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. A three-judge panel heard oral arguments in a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas and some industry petitioners. The lawsuit challenges EPA’s efforts to ensure smooth, uninterrupted permitting for large new industrial sources of climate pollution in Texas. EDF was part of a coalition of clean air advocates that filed two briefs in the case. We filed in support of EPA, along with Conservation Law Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Sierra…

  • In Philadelphia, a Strong Show of Support for Cleaner Cars and Cleaner Air

    Mark MacLeod
    25 Apr 2013 | 2:33 pm
    By Mark MacLeodIn the first opportunity for the public to comment on EPA’s proposed Tier 3 standards, the message was clear – people want cleaner air. Tier 3 is the term the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is using for its proposed national vehicle emissions and fuel standards. They are designed to reduce the soot, smog and other types of dangerous pollution that come from the tailpipes of our cars and trucks. You can find extensive details about the Tier 3 standards in my most recent post. Yesterday, EPA held the first of two public hearings on Tier 3 in Philadelphia. My…

  • It's the Demographics, Stupid: Why the Political Future Looks Good for Environmentalism

    Keith Gaby
    25 Apr 2013 | 11:45 am
    By Keith Gaby(Originally posted yesterday on EDF Voices) Image by Propaganda Times Political strategists not only want to know what The People think today, but where they are headed.  In the short term, that might mean understanding that an issue that’s popular right now – perhaps because of something in the news – might become unpopular by Election Day.  In the longer term, strategists need to understand demographic and political trends so that their party doesn’t get left behind. The question of immigration reform is a good example. Both parties see that Latinos are a fast…
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    GreenMonk: the blog

  • SAP Afaria in the Cloud – enterprise functionality, consumer pricing

    Tom Raftery
    21 May 2013 | 9:13 am
    This post was written by Tom Raftery and was published at SAP Afaria in the Cloud – enterprise functionality, consumer pricing One of the most interesting announcements which came out of SAP’s SapphireNow conference in Orlando last week was the Afaria in the Cloud update. This is a real game-changer (an expression we use very rarely) for a number of reasons. Afaria, if you are not familiar, is SAP’s mobile device management (MDM) product. What does that mean – it means Afaria secures, monitors and manages all types of mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers,…

  • Things are changing fast in medicine, thanks to mobile.

    Tom Raftery
    7 May 2013 | 6:17 am
    This post was written by Tom Raftery and was published at Things are changing fast in medicine, thanks to mobile. Wow – this is an amazing video on just how much smartphones can help reduce costs, increase healthcare efficiency and improve patient well-being and outcomes. We may not be fully there yet in terms of the widespread availability of this hardware and software, and then there’s getting it accepted by the medical establishment, but this is certainly a big step in the right direction. A search in the iPhone App store for the term ‘Glucose” returns 217 apps and…

  • SAP releases mobile app for utilities customer engagement

    Tom Raftery
    3 May 2013 | 7:46 am
    This post was written by Tom Raftery and was published at SAP releases mobile app for utilities customer engagement They say the secret to any good relationship is communication. Most utility companies don’t seem to have received the memo though. In a lot of cases, the only time you hear from your utility company is when you receive a bill, or a disconnect notice. Neither are very positive forms of communication. It is no wonder then that utility companies generally are not held in high regard. In an effort to help utility companies improve their communications, and connect more closely…

  • SAP TwoGo – ride-sharing software for the enterprise

    Tom Raftery
    2 May 2013 | 8:05 am
    This post was written by Tom Raftery and was published at SAP TwoGo – ride-sharing software for the enterprise In a less than obvious move earlier this week, SAP launched a ride-sharing app called TwoGo. Why less than obvious? Well, ride-sharing is generally perceived as more of a consumer focused activity, than an enterprise one. And SAP is very much an Enterprise software company. A quick search for ride-share iPhone apps, for example returns 24 results, all of which are consumer software plays. TwoGo is more than just a smartphone app though (it is available on most mobile…

  • Mobile, the utility industries and beyond

    Tom Raftery
    26 Apr 2013 | 12:05 pm
    This post was written by Tom Raftery and was published at Mobile, the utility industries and beyond It is hard to over-state the huge advances mobile devices have brought to companies in the last two years. We’ve featured a few examples here on GreenMonk in the past. I was at the SAP for Utilities event in Copenhagen last week to moderate a panel and while there I happened to sit in on Rory Shaffer‘s talk on how mobile is impacting utility organisations, and it has been equally transformative there too! Rory tells stories of how mobile apps and devices are helping the field work…
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    GreenPacks.org

  • Zero Electric Motorcycle Fleet for Hong Kong Police Department

    Siyahi
    24 May 2013 | 3:52 am
    Bike maker Zero has made its largest fleet sale of electric motorcycles for the roads of Hong Kong. Zero Motorcycles, in association with Yuen Ho Trading Co, is also distributing the bikes in eastern Asia. It sold 59 Zero S e-motorcycles to Hong Kong, and a majority of them will be used by the police department. The launch event  took place on May 16, at the Hong Kong Science Park at the Atrium Link. Other government wings like Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will also be using this eco friendly ride. The 2012 year model runs 89 mile on single charge and peaks to a speed…

  • Micro Houses Make an Appearance in China

    Siyahi
    24 May 2013 | 3:41 am
    Crafty and innovative thinking brings success, in most cases that is. While the whole world focuses on building huge apartments for tiny families, we here have a full scale model of a housing unit designed by Chinese designers Studio Liu Lubin. The new design is based on minimum space required for people’s indoor activities, such as sitting, lying down and standing. The first model has found a place in Beijing Park. The new home model is fiber-reinforced and uses only modular measurements to avail limited dwelling, which combines resting, working, washing and kitchen works into a single…

  • Hong Kong Kickstarts Zero Emission Initiative with EV Taxis

    Siyahi
    23 May 2013 | 1:59 am
    The need for eco-friendly vehicles is a talking point across the globe. Hong Kong is now all set to be a model for other countries by laying a strong foundation for an emission-free city. The nation will kick start the effort with a brand new fleet of 45 bright red electric taxis. These Chinese manufactured BYD e6 crossover sedan cars, partially supported by Warren Buffet, feature an iron phosphate battery that charges in two hours and returns a modest 180 mile range. The Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association aims at offering the fleet for hire over a six-month trial period. This…

  • Kia’s Soul EV to Cost $35,000; to Arrive by Early 2014

    Siyahi
    23 May 2013 | 1:47 am
    Kia has officially announced that it will launch a battery-powered EV that will hit the market sometime in 2014. Meanwhile, we also hear that its companion-cum-rival Hyundai is busy working on a hydrogen fuel cell car. Kia’s previous model called Ray EV was a limited production vehicle that targeted fleet buyers in Korea. The follow-up is the electrified Soul. In a scenario where electric cars are fast becoming imperative, Kia seems to have understood the anxiety of customers and unveiled what they have in store in the new EV. Kia World says this new mass produced variant will be due in the…

  • Dolphin Shows Coming to an End in India

    Siyahi
    22 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    We agree it is worth enjoying dolphin performances in the pool. But using dolphins as entertainers will come to a skidding end in India. The India government has decided to ban dolphin shows, a noble move intended to protect the smart creature. Late last week, the Ministry of the Environment and Forests in India issued a statement banning “any person/persons, organizations, government agencies, private or public enterprises that involve import, capture of cetacean species to establish for commercial entertainment, private or public exhibition and interaction purposes whatsoever.” India…
 
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    AutoblogGreen

  • Official: E85 plug-in hybrid Chevy Malibu powers Penn State to second year EcoCar 2 win [w/video]

    Sebastian Blanco
    25 May 2013 | 2:46 pm
    Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Ethanol, EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM Decked out in enough stickers to make a NASCAR driver jealous, the cars in the EcoCar 2 competition finished year two of their three-year journey last week, with Penn State declared the winner. Fifteen universities are taking part in EcoCar 2, which involves taking a 2013 Chevy Malibu and making it as green as possible. The final challenges of Year Two were to conduct drives at the GM Desert Proving Ground in Yuma, AZ and then undergo a round of judging in San Diego, CA. As you might suspect, this…

  • Report: Nissan's NY taxi deal faces court obstacles

    Jeffrey N. Ross
    25 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Filed under: Minivan/Van, Government/Legal, Work, Nissan, Specialty Nissan scored a big win for itself when the NV200 was named New York City's Taxi of Tomorrow, but the compact van has been under attack ever since. The latest setback for Nissan comes from the New York Supreme Court, which has reportedly ruled the deal between NYC and Nissan is "null, void and unenforceable" since the NV200 is not a hybrid - one of the key parts of NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg Taxi of Tomorrow plan. The NV200 Taxi launches this October. Although Nissan says it is bringing a hybrid version of the van to market…

  • Memorial Day weekend gas tab likely to hit $1.44 billion in US

    Danny King
    24 May 2013 | 5:57 pm
    Filed under: MPG, Legislation and Policy, USA Americans are about to spend a lot of money on gasoline. If the number crunchers at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) are correct, US drivers will spend a tidy $1.44 billion filling up for their Memorial Day travels as 31.2 million people use the long weekend to participate in the time-honored tradition of a road trip. Almost nine out of 10 Americans (89 percent, by UCS estimates) who will travel this weekend are expected to do so by passenger car or truck and therefore will spend the equivalent of 77 million bottles of sunscreen or 300…

  • Official: 2014 BMW 5 Series diesel costs $4,800 less than ActiveHybrid in US

    Danny King
    24 May 2013 | 4:02 pm
    Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, BMW Hey, for some, $4,800 is the price of their next car. For the Ultimate Driving Machine, it's the price difference between a diesel and a hybrid. BMW has released pricing specs for its 2014 model-year 5 Series sedans, and it turns out that the German automaker appears to view diesel as a superior way to hit stricter fuel-economy standards compared to hybrids. How do we know? Bimmer is pricing its 535d sedan at $57,525. Not only does the oil burner deliver 255 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, but it's less expensive than the ActiveHybrid 5, which checks…

  • Spy Shots: Next-gen Toyota Prius spied inside and out

    Jeffrey N. Ross
    24 May 2013 | 2:30 pm
    Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota Toyota has built itself into the industry's standard-bearer when it comes to hybrids, and it isn't going to let the poster child for gas-electric vehicles get stale on the market. These spy shots captured in California are our first good look at the next-generation Prius, which could come to market wearing a 2015 model year designation. Even though it looks like Toyota may have blown its annual camouflage budget on this mule, we can clearly see that it will have the same iconic half-moon design that has been with the car since 2003. If so,…
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    Awake at the Wheel

  • More (smaller) choices in alt fuel cars

    propel
    29 Apr 2013 | 9:34 am
    Don’t need a Chevy Tahoe or a Ford F350? You are not alone. And while diesel passenger car registrations are on the rise – the choices for smaller cars compatible with biodiesel and Flex Fuel are not great. The good … Continue reading →

  • Super Efficient Diesel-Electric Plug-Ins Abuzz at Geneva

    propel
    6 Mar 2013 | 10:35 am
    To our delight, several manufacturers unveiled diesel-electric hybrid models at the Geneva Autoshow, including Volkswagen’s XL1 diesel-powered plug-in hybrid, touted as the “world’s most efficient car.” Reminiscent of a tictac on wheels, the XLI is a spacey, futuristic-styled two-seater claiming a whopping 261 … Continue reading →

  • Chevy Endorses B20 for 2014 Clean Diesel Cruze

    propel
    16 Feb 2013 | 2:11 pm
    Biodiesel enthusiasts rejoice. After months — nay, years — of teasing, Chevy has formally announced a clean diesel version of their popular Cruze sedan, currently slated to join the 2014 lineup. But wait, there’s more. On top of offering up … Continue reading →

  • Detroit Autoshow. We like what we see.

    propel
    8 Feb 2013 | 9:14 am
    This year’s Detroit Autoshow boasted plenty of shiny, drool-worthy vehicles, and, as renewable fuel enthusiasts, a couple in particular caught our eye. Diesel (!) Jeep Grand Cherokee. First of all, we love our diesels, especially the re-release on American soil … Continue reading →

  • New Clean Fuel Point is now open in Sacramento – Try Propel fuel for FREE!

    propel
    13 Sep 2012 | 1:46 pm
    Come get your fill of Flex Fuel E85 and Biodiesel B20 at Propel’s new Clean Fuel Point in Sacramento @ Mak’s Valero station, 1101 Broadway. During the Grand Opening event, try $10 of Flex Fuel E85 or Biodiesel B20 for … Continue reading →
 
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    EcoGeek

  • Wireless Maintenance Robots Ascend Wind Turbines

    16 May 2013 | 9:53 pm
    With a 13.1 inch tall mid-sized model, Helical Robotics’s HR-MP series robots can scale immense wind turbines to inspect them for damage. Unlike the similar tethered prototype GE and International Climbing Machines began developing last year, these wheeled robots are wireless. Controlled by a radio signal and equipped with digital cameras, the climbing robots may serve to replace high powered telescopes used to inspect wind turbines from the ground, which grow less effective as towers get taller and blades get longer. Remote controlled climbing robots also offer a safer, more practical…

  • More Efficient Solar Power with Gallium Arsenide Nanowires

    6 May 2013 | 3:59 am
    Nanowires, needle-like crystals about the diameter of a virus, can’t be seen with a light microscope, but can give solar energy a massive boost. Led by Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, researchers in the semiconductor lab at the EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland are developing flat solar panels covered with nanowires that can collect up to 12 times more light than standard flat solar cells. Propped up on the panel like bristles, the nanowires concentrate light, capturing even more than Fontcuberta’s team expected; their prototype already captures 10 percent more light, and uses 1,000 times less…

  • Soccket Soccer Ball Generator, and Its Critiques

    27 Apr 2013 | 9:46 am
    Soccket is a soccer ball that harnesses energy with every kick and volley it gets. Developed by Harvard grads, the toy boasts a successful Kickstarter campaign, surpassing a funding goal of $75,000 by over $17,000 last month. A pendulum inside the Soccket ball swings when the ball moves, generating clean energy for a rechargeable battery stored inside. According to Uncharted Play, Soccket’s makers, thirty minutes of play translates into three hours of light from its companion LED lamp. Pictured above, the little lamp is currently the only appliance it can charge, by being plugged directly…

  • Open Pit Mine to Be Reused for Pumped Storage

    26 Apr 2013 | 8:53 am
    An abandoned open-pit mine in Canada is being proposed to be made useful once more as a pumped storage facility. The Northland Power Marmora Pumped Storage facility offers the possibility of turning a blighted, destroyed piece of land into something with value for advancing renewable power systems. The pumped storage would be "five times the height of Niagara Falls,"according to the Globe and Mail, though the fact that it would have far less volume than Niagara gets far less attention. Nevertheless, the proposed facility would have the capacity to provide up to 400 megawatts to the grid for…

  • New Mitsubishi EV Has Improved Range and Style

    23 Apr 2013 | 11:39 am
    Mitsubishi, which was one of the first mainline automakers to build a production electric vehicle, has unveiled a concept vehicle, the CA-MiEV, which has twice the range of the Nissan LEAF, and three times the range of its own predecessor, the I-MiEV, and it may do so at a lower price. The CA-MiEV is supplied with a 28 kWh lithium-ion battery and is driven by an 80 kW (107 horsepower) electric motor. It will have a driving range of 300 kilometers (186 miles). It also has a wireless charging system that will allow the vehicle to recharge when parked in its spot, without having to be physically…
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    Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

  • Eighteen-Year-Old Builds One-Man DIY Submarine Out of a Drainpipe

    Sherrell Dorsey
    25 May 2013 | 12:40 pm
    Read the rest of Eighteen-Year-Old Builds One-Man DIY Submarine Out of a Drainpipe Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Justin Beckerman, lake hopatcong, new jersey teen submarine, nj teen creates submarine, teen creates submarine

  • VIDEO: How to Get Started With Cloth Diapers

    Yuka Yoneda
    25 May 2013 | 12:15 pm
    Approximately 27.4 billion disposable diapers end up in US landfills each year, and once there, they take about 500 years to decompose! If you want to stop contributing the the problem with your baby’s diapers, (and maybe even potty train early) cloth diapers are a great option, but getting started with cloth diapers can be a bit intimidating for newbies. Inhabitots editor Julie Seguss recently got a tutorial in cloth-diapering by Carolyn Sutton of Charlie Banana to learn about the basics, and we made this handy video so that you can follow along step by step, and learn how to get…

  • Walmart and Gap Still Refuse to Sign Bangladesh Workers’ Safety Accord

    Mark Boyer
    25 May 2013 | 12:07 pm
    In the weeks following the horrific Rana Plaza building collapse that killed 1,127 workers — one of the worst tragedies in the history of the garment industry — more than 30 of the world’s leading apparel companies signed an agreement vowing to protect the safety of garment workers. But two prominent American companies have refused to sign the accord. Wal-Mart announced plans to launch its own safety initiative, and Gap has refused to sign any agreement, citing liability concerns. In a recent LA Times op-ed, law professors James Brudney and Catherine Fisk call the…

  • Group-Two Design’s LED Chandelier is a Futuristic Interpretation of a Classic Light Fixture

    Morgana Matus
    25 May 2013 | 9:59 am
    Long gone are the old-fashioned chandeliers outfitted with incandescent light bulbs and enough ornament to put a Christmas tree to shame. Group-Two Design recently brought their ultra-modern LED chandelier to this year’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair, and the futuristic fixture turned heads with its cutting edge design. Still paying homage to the shape of a conventional chandelier, the new form is a minimalist and energy-efficient interpretation of an old classic. Read the rest of Group-Two Design’s LED Chandelier is a Futuristic Interpretation of a Classic…

  • Miniature Lille Huset Dollhouses are Cute and Customizable Craft Projects

    Charley Cameron
    25 May 2013 | 9:44 am
    Alyson Beaton’s adorable Lille Huset Dollhouses are miniature dollhouses that kids can create, color and customize as a simple, rewarding craft activity. Translating into “little house” in Norwegian, the Lille Huset dollhouses are simple enough for kids to assemble, and can be stacked and arranged to create entire miniature cities. Even better, the dollhouses are eco-friendly—made from 100% recycled paperboard and printed in the USA with a certified carcinogenic free printing process. READ MORE Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Alyson Beaton, children's activities,…
 
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    Clean Break

  • 55 “clean energy” projects get $82 million in federal funding… Great news, despite the calculated timing

    Tyler
    13 May 2013 | 8:16 am
    The money that was set aside for clean energy initiatives in the federal Conservative government’s 2011 budget is finally beginning to trickle out, and while it’s a welcome boost for 55 project proponents — including 15 pre-commercial demonstration projects — the timing of this $82-million announcement is suspect. After all, Canada has been criticized for its weak environmental performance as it awaits approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project. “There needs to be more progress,” said David Jacobson, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, after President…

  • Worth reminding: study established first “definitive” link to well water contamination from shale ‘fracking

    Tyler
    9 May 2013 | 7:44 am
    David Biello over at Scientific American had a story in 2011 that looked at research establishing a link between methane contamination in well water and nearby hydraulic fracturing of shale rock. The research came out of Duke University and was published online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The Duke researchers analyzed water samples from 60 wells located within a kilometre of active  shale-gas drilling operations — specifically, the Marcellus and Utica shale formations of northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York. They found that “average and…

  • Charge your wireless gadgets while roasting marshmallows over a camp fire?

    Tyler
    17 Apr 2013 | 12:50 pm
    Power Practical, a company that sprang out of research from the University of Utah, has developed a pot that can charge wireless devices through a USB connection while boiling water. They call their device, no surprise, the PowerPot — retailing for $149. So far they have built and shipped 1,000 units after raising $126,000 through crowdfunding site Kickstarter. Success from that campaign soon led to another $750,000 in seed funding. It seems interest in the PowerPot is boiling over. This is a seriously simple device. Really, it’s just a pot. You fill it with water. You put it on a…

  • Ocean thermal energy conversion gets one step closer to commercial reality

    Tyler
    16 Apr 2013 | 7:32 am
    UPDATE: An interesting announcement from Lockheed Martin this morning. The military contractor says it has signed a “memorandum agreement” with real-estate developer Reignwood Group, founded and run by Thai-Chinese businessman Yan Bin, the second-richest man in Beijing. What have they agreed to do? Lockheed says it will design a 10-megawatt ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant, which will supply 100 per cent of the power needs of a planned “net-zero” green resort being built by Reignwood. “The agreement could lay the foundation for the development of…

  • Regen Energy partners with Carrier on its swarm energy management technology

    Tyler
    9 Apr 2013 | 5:44 pm
    Good to see local T.O. company Regen Energy getting traction in the market for its energy management devices, which use “swarm logic” to coordinate when flexible building loads turn on and off. HVAC giant Carrier has agreed to offer Regen’s product through its global distribution network, giving the technology greater exposure to commercial and industrial customers. Tim Angus, president and CEO of Regen, said the deal is proof that the technology is gaining an industry foothold. Fact is, more commercial and industrial customers are looking for inexpensive ways of achieving…
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    My Plastic-Free Life

  • The Beauty of Picking up Plastic

    Beth Terry
    19 May 2013 | 4:00 pm
    Dr. Marcus Eriksen of 5 Gyres, an organization dedicated to researching ocean plastic pollution, has said, “If you want to clean the gyre, clean your beach.” He meant it literally, since “if we stop adding more plastic to the ocean, in time the gyres will kick out the plastic pollution they currently hold.”  But I choose to think of the statement metaphorically.  Spending a morning cleaning plastic from a beach or river bank or roadway doesn’t just remove a fraction of plastic trash from the environment, it heightens our personal awareness of the problem and…

  • Win a Plastic-Free Book! Take the Quiz & Make a Pledge

    Beth Terry
    22 Apr 2013 | 9:54 am
    Happy Earth Day everyone.  It’s been a busy weekend, what with the plastic sea monster out and about.  I spent several evenings at home braiding plastic bags into a new doo.  What do you think?  At San Francisco’s Earth Day Festival on 4/20 (probably around 4:20pm), a somewhat wobbly-looking guy with an equally impressive head of hair stared at me for several minutes, then held out a funny kind of cigarette and said very earnestly, “YOU can smoke this.”  Really?  Is that how I come across these days?  I said no thank you and continued on my mission. That…

  • Tips for Creating Zero Waste, Plastic-Free Events

    Beth Terry
    12 Apr 2013 | 6:10 pm
    Whenever I give my plastic-free presentation, I’m interested to see what the hosting organization will do to ensure the event itself is as plastic-free as possible.  I try to give tips beforehand so I don’t walk in on a table full of plastic cups (which has happened more than once, ironically.)  But lately, I’ve discovered some really ingenious ideas, some of which I wouldn’t have thought of myself.  Some are about reducing plastic, and some are about reducing waste in general.  So I thought I would share my favorites. 1) Ask attendees to BYO: bring their own…

  • Plastic-Free Diapers – Change Them, Donate Them

    Beth Terry
    8 Apr 2013 | 10:29 am
    Since I’m not a mom myself, I rely on the wisdom of other parents who are working to reduce plastic in their families’ lives. Cloth diapering is one way to cut down on the amount of plastic contacting your baby’s skin and ending up in landfills or incinerators. Here are a couple of guest posts: one is about a cloth diaper event coming up this month, and the other is about a project to donate cloth diapers to families in need. The Great Cloth Diaper Change by Janice Roodsari of Momma Words Have you heard about the Great Cloth Diaper Change? All around the world people are…

  • Meet Ericka, My New Intern!

    Beth Terry
    26 Mar 2013 | 11:08 am
    For nearly 6 years, My Plastic-Free Life has been a one-woman show.  Wait.  That’s not right.  This blog would not exist and would have no purpose and probably no content without all of you.  But what I mean is that in terms of actual blogging, responding to emails and blog comments and forum posts and challenge participants, keeping up with social media, scheduling interviews and talks, and doing all of the other work involved in keeping this ship afloat, it’s just been me.  And I still have to do my accounting job to keep a roof over my head. So it is such a relief to…
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    Cleantech Blog

  • TVA Privatization: An Idea Whose Time Has Not Come, And Is Not Approaching

    Richard T. Stuebi
    20 May 2013 | 3:30 pm
    For those who are irate about the U.S. government intervening in the energy markets, you’ll have to go back a long time to find when that was not the case. To illustrate, rewind 80 years:  in the 1930′s, the Administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt looked at the physical and economic backwaters of southern Appalachia and [...] Related posts: TVA Expands Renewable Energy and Solar Charging The smart grid charging of electric cars with renewable energy... Is Australia approaching ‘K’ day? by Nick Bruse Last night in Australia we had Prime... The Approaching Train The Ad…

  • Survey of Advanced Energy Business Executives

    Richard T. Stuebi
    13 May 2013 | 5:40 am
    In April, the Advanced Energy Economy Institute (AEEI) released the synthesis of a survey of executives in the advanced energy sector conducted by PA Consulting to suggest priorities for U.S. energy policy. The report, Accelerating Advanced Energy in America, outlined business challenges and policy challenges thwarting the growth of the advanced energy sector, in order [...] Related posts: Ohio: Open for Advanced Energy Business by Richard T. Stuebi I’ve been waiting a long time... Renewable Energy and Big Business A new report from a group with a horrifically unwieldy... Northeast…

  • Speed in the Oil Patch – Automation at the Wellhead looks like Cleantech

    Neal Dikeman
    10 May 2013 | 9:59 am
    I had a chance to wander around the Offshore Technology Conference this week and chat about some of the technologies on display. OTC is still heavily a mechanical engineer’s conference.  Despite the high tech nature of the industry, in large part vendors are not yet leading customers, and steel still rules the day in technology. [...] Related posts: High-Speed Rail Expands from 14 to 24 Countries By Worldwatch Institute (11/8/11) The number of countries running high-speed... California High-Speed Rail By John Addison (Earth Day 2008). Fiona Ma was nervous... High-Speed Rail Unlocks…

  • Reporting from Omaha

    Richard T. Stuebi
    6 May 2013 | 5:41 am
    Over the weekend, I attended the annual shareholder’s meeting of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:  BRK.A, BRK.B) in Omaha to hear the wit and wisdom of CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger.  For five hours on Saturday, Buffett and Munger fielded questions from panelists and investors on a wide range of topics.  A good synopsis [...] Related posts: Renewable Energy Reaches over 60% of new capacity additions in 2009 by Jigar Shah, Founder SunEdison and CEO of the Carbon... Climate Change Policy Poll by Richard T. Stuebi I’ve written before that I’m very... Nuclear…

  • ABB’s New Solar Star

    Richard T. Stuebi
    22 Apr 2013 | 6:59 am
    Over the weekend, ABB (NYSE: ABB) announced the $1 billion acquisition of Power-One (NASDAQ: PWER), which makes a wide spectrum of power conversion electronics equipment. Notably, Power-One is a major player in the market for inverters, which convert DC power into AC power.  In turn, inverters are important for synchronizing DC-based technologies such as batteries, [...] Related posts: The Advance of Transformerless Solar Inverters – An Opportunity Lost It’s always nice to be proven right, but sometimes the... 7 Cent Solar Power for my House by Neal Dikeman The other night I answered an…
 
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    Environmental Management & Energy News

  • Hospital PVC Recycling Pilot Generates, Recycles 33,000 Pounds of Waste

    Environmental Leader Staff
    24 May 2013 | 12:54 pm
    Hospitals in two Australian states have recycled 33,000 pounds of PVC waste, turning it into industrial hoses and non-slip floor mats. The hospitals are participating in a recycling program, PVC Recovery in Hospitals, sponsored by the Vinyl Council of Australia in collaboration with manufacturers, writes Waste & Recycling News. Although the amount of products recycled [...]

  • Target Reclaims 1.2M Pounds of Vinyl Composition Tile Since 2011

    Environmental Leader Staff
    24 May 2013 | 12:24 pm
    Target has been named Flooring Recycler of the Year by Armstrong World Industries for recycling vinyl composition tile (VCT) materials during demolition projects. Target, which began implementing the recycling of VCT material in 2011 in conjunction with the Armstrong VCT Recycling Program, reclaimed more than 1.2 million pounds of VCT from its stores throughout the [...]

  • Sustainability Reporting ‘Leads to Higher Cash Flows’

    Jessica Lyons Hardcastle
    24 May 2013 | 7:51 am
    More than half of companies say sustainability reporting leads to higher cash flows and helps improve firm reputation, according to a report from the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and Ernst & Young. Though issuing a sustainability report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Framework or another standard requires a lot of [...]

  • UN Global Compact, GRI Renew Partnership

    Environmental Leader Staff
    24 May 2013 | 7:50 am
    The UN Global Compact and the Global Reporting Initiative marked the release of G4, the fourth generation of the GRI sustainability reporting guidelines, by renewing their partnership. The two organizations, which signed the memorandum of understanding today at the GRI’s 2013 Global Conference in Amsterdam, say they will continue to work together to provide companies [...]

  • Policy & Enforcement Briefing: TSCA Update, Utility Shield Law, Mining Guidance

    Tamar Wilner
    24 May 2013 | 7:38 am
    Here’s the latest standards and compliance news affecting corporate environmental and energy executives. Today’s briefing includes 10 items. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) announced bipartisan legislation to update the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. Vitter said the bill would both strengthen consumer confidence in chemical safety, and permit further innovation, the Times-Picayune [...]
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    Sustainablog

  • The Many Benefits of a Whole Foods Diet: An Interview with the Co-Author of Whole

    Guest Author
    24 May 2013 | 10:28 am
    Earlier their month authors T. Colin Campbell and Howie Jacobson released their new book Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition, in many ways a follow up to Campbell’s earlier book The China Study. (Editor’s note: both of those are affiliate links) For anyone interested in the science and politics of nutrition, and why there is still so much confusion about the value of a plants focused diet, this is a must read. We took the time to interview Jacobson below so you could get a sense of main points and storyline of the book. Brian Toomey: For people who didn’t read Dr…

  • March to Reclaim Our Food System: Participate in Civil Disobedience Through Self-Reliance

    Guest Author
    23 May 2013 | 10:08 am
    By now you’ve heard the story of a food system in shambles. It has been tweeted, posted, blogged, and Caused. The tale continues to grow as more voices join in to tell it. If you are paying attention, you realize that one ending to this story is a crash landing so scary that it’s no surprise so many of us prefer to keep our eyes closed. If you’re like us though, your blood is boiling and you’re ready for action. It’s okay – go ahead and throw a fit, punch a pillow, and get angry. Be irate about the fact that the fate of agriculture (and your health) currently rests in the hands of…

  • Harvesting Justice 15: From Field to Table – Rights for Workers in the Food Supply Chain

    Guest Author
    22 May 2013 | 11:02 am
    By Tory Field and Beverly Bell Part 15 of the Harvesting Justice series The Food Chain Workers Alliance has a goal of nothing less than full rights and fair wages for the 20 million workers who grow, harvest, process, pack, ship, cook, serve, and sell food in the US. Founded in 2009, the Alliance brings together 11 organizations representing workers throughout the food supply chain. It is organizing across sectors, building solidarity between workers in different industries. It is pushing for policy changes and educating and activating consumers so that we can all better align our food…

  • Reclaimed Wood Decor: Incorporating this Reused Material into Your Home

    Guest Author
    22 May 2013 | 10:11 am
    Reclaimed wood is one of the hottest eco-friendly trends to come out of the interior design world. With products like reclaimed wood flooring and veneer paneling, the options and uses available with this type of lumber are limited only by your imagination. By learning more about this type of eco-friendly material, you can make educated decisions about the home design products you choose. What is Reclaimed Wood? On many occasions, old lumber gets discarded simply because a person or company doesn’t have a use for it. The truth is that much of this lumber is still usable – and in many…

  • Reuse, the Movie: How Ordinary Americans are Putting Trash to Work

    Jeff McIntire-Strasburg
    21 May 2013 | 7:52 am
    If you’ve spent any amount of time here at sustainablog, you know we’re big fans of reuse: recycling’s great and all, but why add more energy and material to an item’s footprint if it can be repurposed or upcycled? So I was definitely drawn to the story of Alex Eaves and his company Stay Vocal, which creates “new” t-shirts out of shirts that have, at the very least, been created for other uses… in some cases, they’re pre-owned (and, thus, pre-worn). Alex is very good at putting together events for exposing people to the joys and possibilities of…
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    Earth Blog

  • Protect Papua New Guinea Indigenous Cave Dwellers from Rainforest Destroying Mafia

    21 May 2013 | 5:16 am
    By Ecological Internet's Rainforest Portal TAKE ACTION! Notorious Malaysian illegal loggers Rimbunan Hijau [search] have diversified into mining in primary rainforests, in East Sepik threatening unique nomadic cave-dwellers and their 20,000 year old ancient stenciled cave art. Support the local resistance and demand an end to indigenous genocide and rainforest ecocide in the name of false development that is little more than pillaging and plundering of cultural and biological diversity.

  • ESSAY: Freedom Isn’t Free, Terrorism Is Pervasive

    27 Apr 2013 | 2:22 pm
    Enduring occasional acts of random terror is the cost of living in a free society. Giving up civil liberties does not provide security, but rather enslaves you in a state of pervasive terror. The human family is threatened by systematized eco-terrorism and other assaults by the elite upon the poor far more than by infrequent criminal acts which the courts can and should handle. By Dr. Glen Barry, Ecological Internet Earth Meanders come from Earth's Newsdesk Terrorism is the act of inspiring terror in others by harming presumed innocents. For many, unjust postmodern life on a dying planet is…

  • ESSAY: What Would John Muir Say... About the Sierra Club?

    20 Apr 2013 | 8:16 am
    What would Muir say about the Sierra Club being led by Michael Brune, Accountant-in-Chief and old-growth forest logging apologist? On the occasion of Muir's 175th birthday, we are certain he would not be pleased and would say so strongly. As we celebrate Earth Day, will Madison Progressives see through Brune's greenwash of logging ancient, sacred wildlands for toilet paper and books? "The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir "Any fool can destroy trees. They cannot run away; and if they could, they would still be destroyed -- chased and hunted down as…

  • ALERT! Demand India Protect Old-Growth and Abandon Coal

    7 Apr 2013 | 12:48 pm
    TAKE ACTION! India is a thriving democratic nation with tremendous potential to achieve just, equitable, and ecologically sustainable national development that could last forever. Yet India is heading towards social and ecological collapse unless it stops burning coal and clearing its natural ecosystems, especially important old-growth forest remnants. The momentum of unfettered economic and population growth sweeping India is so severely damaging to the environment that failure to stop burning and cutting threatens the nation's reliable climate, food and water supplies, and its future…

  • ESSAY: The Green Liberty Party

    24 Mar 2013 | 2:47 pm
    The "Earth is dying if we let it. Without ecology there can be no economy. Stop burning and cutting, work less and live more. Live free and green, or die" Political Philosophy. Human growth in population and industry, at the expense of ecosystems is destroying the natural world, causing mass extinction, abrupt climate change, and economic as well as biosphere collapse. The challenge facing humanity, the greatest challenge of all time, is to foster a political, social, and economic transformation that realigns the human project with its ecosystem habitat. The corporate-owned American two-party…
 
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    The Green Guide

  • Saving Oil Energy Right at Your Home

    Roberta
    7 May 2013 | 3:12 am
    Saving oil energy is crucial in households that make use of heaters and coolers most of the time. People in the Western areas or those with summer and winter seasons are the ones who usually avail of these appliances, which consume enormous amounts of oil energy when used. This is very true during the mentioned seasons of the year in order to achieve comfort and convenience at home. However, using too much oil energy will not only result to the increase of your monthly utility bills, but will result to the potential damage of the environment. Before this could take a toll on Earth, let us…

  • How to Create a Green and Clean Bedroom

    Roberta
    26 Apr 2013 | 1:22 am
    Having an eco-friendly bedroom is a must have. The bedroom is where private moments should happen and it should not be just another room of the house. It should be clean, fresh, and conducive enough for sleeping, relaxing, and contemplating. One of the best ways to do this is to have a green and clean bedroom, which you might think is difficult to obtain. Beautify your room with indoor plants – These green friends don’t only add beauty to your room, but they also help create fresher and cleaner air in the environment. Plants trap carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the air as they…

  • Eat Healthy, Eat Green on a Budget

    Roberta
    26 Apr 2013 | 1:08 am
    Given the presence of various diseases in the environment, it is always best to start eating healthy portions like organic foods now.  Organic foods come in a variety of choices, but the fact that this type of food went through a meticulous process makes it quite expensive compared to non-organic foods. Conversely, you don’t necessarily need to spend too much on your meals just to have organic choices because you can definitely eat green on a budget. Cook your Own Food – Others call this technique as cooking from scratch while others dub it as healthy cooking. Cooking your own dishes…

  • Eco-Friendly Products for Gardening

    Roberta
    29 Mar 2013 | 4:00 am
    Gardening at our own home could be so much better with these stylish cool environment friendly tools. They’re not just harm free to the environment; they’re also hassle free because they’re easy to use. Check out these useful products for gardening that is too cool for your garden. Eco Bird Boxes – Home sweet home for small birds.  This little box which could be perfect home for homeless little birds are also easy to hang so that you won’t have a hard time in putting this into place. I bet little Mr. and Mrs.  Birdy will surely thank you for putting this in your…

  • Is Your Air Conditioner Green Enough

    Roberta
    29 Mar 2013 | 3:57 am
    Air conditioning units are no doubt a boon to our lives. It puts our children to a peaceful sleep each night as it also help us relax even after a rough day at work. While some people realize the benefits of having a good air conditioner unit at home, a lot of them also realize that this is a big add-on to their monthly electric bill. But did you actually know that there are a number of air conditioners in the market that don’t consume excessive amounts of energy? Here are the features that you should look for when shopping for green air conditioners: The Right Size – When it comes to…
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    EcoEarth.Info Environment RSS News Feed

  • Severe weather partly a result of climate change

    25 May 2013 | 4:24 pm
    NBC: Damaging tornadoes are an annual springtime threat in parts of the country, but Monday’s massive storm in Oklahoma, in a year that seems to have had more than its share of extreme weather, has many wondering whether things have gotten even more extreme than usual. NBC’s John Yang reports.

  • Britain calls for EU target to halve emissions by 2030

    25 May 2013 | 4:17 pm
    Independent: Britain has challenged Europe to sign up to an ambitious target of cutting carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. Ed Davey, the Climate Change Secretary, called on fellow EU governments to sign up to the target as part of a global climate agreement in 2015. The proposal marks a shift in the UK's position after internal coalition wrangling over climate change. The British government wants the EU to agree to 40 per cent reduction of carbon emissions from 1990 levels, with an "ambition" for...

  • 'Indonesia is seeing a new corporate colonialism'

    25 May 2013 | 3:00 pm
    Guardian: Land conflicts between farmers and plantation owners, mining companies and developers have raged across Indonesia as local and multinational companies have been encouraged to seize and then deforest customary land – land owned by indigenous people and administered in accordance with their customs. More than 600 were recorded in 2011, with 22 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The true number is probably far greater, say watchdog groups. The Indonesian national human rights commission reported more...

  • Pakistan: With climate change, villagers become strangers in their own land

    25 May 2013 | 1:50 pm
    International Herald Tribune: When Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai first said that a time would come when the fishing community would dwell along the mighty Indus River but still die of hunger, it was merely a couplet. Today fishermen living in one of the hundreds of villages in the Indus Delta have truly understood what the great saint meant to say. Nearly three hundred families living in Kharo Chan village - which in Sindhi language means ‘bitter jetty’ -- have bitter memories to share. Allah Din, a farmer, said, “There was...

  • Britain resists EU bid to set new target on renewable energy

    25 May 2013 | 1:16 pm
    Guardian: The government will oppose attempts to set a new renewable energy target within the EU, in a move that could put at risk tens of billions of pounds of green investment and tens of thousands of new jobs. But in a sop to environment campaigners, ministers will agree to tough greenhouse gas emissions targets by 2030. The question of a renewable energy target for 2030 – to take over from the current goal, of generating 20% of energy in the EU from renewable sources by 2020 – has been a vexed issue...
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    Blue Marble Feed | Mother Jones

  • Farewell Froggy, the Age of Ribbit is Nearing an End

    Julia Whitty
    25 May 2013 | 3:05 am
    Amphibians are disappearing horrifyingly fast worldwide, with a third of species imperiled. But they're disappearing even faster than believed in the US—and probably worldwide (more on that below)—according to the first ever analysis of the rate of population losses among frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts.  Eastern newt: Patrick Coin at Wikimedia Commons Even amphibians presumed to be relatively stable and widespread are declining. With species everywhere—from the swamps of Louisiana and Florida to the high mountains of the Sierras and…

  • Progess on Chemical Regulation, At Last?

    Kate Sheppard
    24 May 2013 | 8:23 am
    A bit of positive news this week may have gotten lost in the shuffle. On Wednesday, two senators announced bipartisan legislation to fix our nation's outdated and ineffective chemical regulations. New Jersey Democrat Frank Lautenberg and Louisiana Republican David Vitter announced an agreement to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a 37-year-old law governing the use of tens of thousands of hazardous chemicals. I've written before about how the law's failures have left dangerous chemicals largely unregulated. That these two lawmakers agreed on the new legislation, dubbed the…

  • Grassroots Greens Challenge Environmental Defense Fund on Fracking

    Kate Sheppard
    22 May 2013 | 1:49 pm
    A coalition of grassroots environmental groups—plus a few professors and celebrities—issued a public message to the Environmental Defense Fund on Wednesday: You don't speak for us on fracking. The coalition of 67 groups released an open letter to EDF President Fred Krupp criticizing his organization for signing on as a "strategic partner" in the Center for Sustainable Shale Development (CSSD), a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that bills itself as an "unprecedented, collaborative effort of environmental organizations, philanthropic foundations, energy companies and other stakeholders…

  • WATCH: What Does 400 ppm Mean? Talking with Climate Scientist Michael Mann

    Chris Mooney
    22 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Last week in Washington, DC, leading climate scientist Michael Mann of the University of Pennsylvania sat down with Climate Desk Live to talk about the significance of an planetary milestone—we've reached 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As Mann explained, humans are altering the content of the atmosphere at an alarming rate—one perhaps never seen before in the history of Earth itself.

  • How Hitler's U-Boats Are Still Attacking Us

    Julia Whitty
    21 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has some fresh news from World War II: 13 Merchant Marine ships sunk by the German navy in the Battle of the Atlantic threaten to release oil from their watery graves. The finding comes in an assessment presented to the Coast Guard that analyzed 20,000 shipwrecks in US waters, and identified 36 as posing a significant threat of oil pollution. Seventeen of those are recommended for further assessment, which could lead to missions to remove their fuel oil and oil cargo. Besides the Merchant Marine vessels, the worrisome ships include a…
 
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    mnn.com

  • 5 natural deodorants that really work

    svartan
    24 May 2013 | 8:04 pm
    It's the final frontier for natural products: deodorant. Americans, in particular, are very conscious of possible body odors, and so going all-natural has been an uphill battle in the United States, but we finally have some great options. While there are quite a few natural deodorants that just don't work all that well, there are plenty that do the trick. Don't confuse deodorants with antiperspirants, which none of these are; that is a separate chemical function and as far as I know, one cannot block underarm sweat glands with any natural substances.  

  • EDF places 116 Climate Corps fellows [Friday link love]

    mhincha
    24 May 2013 | 5:51 pm
    Before you head out for the long Memorial Day weekend, catch up on the latest green business news including the 2013 class of Climate Corps fellows and Kroger’s new plan to turn rotten food into electricity.   EDF places 116 Climate Corps fellows

  • Could pigs be the solution to whey waste?

    kimi.harris
    24 May 2013 | 5:45 pm
    Greek yogurt. It was a revelation when I first tried it – thick, rich, and creamy. This protein-rich yogurt was a favorite of mine before I figured out that dairy and I don’t mix well. Since that first bite so many years ago, the Greek yogurt craze has boomed. With factories churning out Greek yogurt in large amounts, it has created a problem, a whey problem, according to this article at Modern Farmer.

  • Why am I always thirsty?

    jhandler
    24 May 2013 | 2:02 pm
    Water—the ultimate thirst quencher for most, but for some people, water, water everywhere and plenty a drop to drink fails to provide relief from a parched palate. Some people are just always thirsty, thirsty, thirsty.   If you’re one of those people, and wonder, “Why am I always thirsty — even though I drink plenty of fluids?” here then are a handful of likely chronic-thirst culprits: Symptoms of diabetes Water intoxication (hyponatremia) Sinus infections Prescription drug side effects

  • Are mermaids real?

    gmiller
    24 May 2013 | 1:42 pm
    Half-human, half-fish and totally fascinating, mermaids have been the subjects of legend for millennia. But do they exist? There’s no proof of that, but there is evidence, supported by scientific theories, that increases the plausibility. On May 26, Animal Planet will rebroadcast the highly popular special “Mermaids: The Body Found,” followed by the new program “Mermaids: The New Evidence,” speculating why mermaids could be real and what they might look like.
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    Greentech Media: Headlines

  • E.ON Moves Into Distributed Combined Heat and Power

    Michael Brown
    24 May 2013 | 8:30 am
    E.ON’s recent announcement that it is developing small gas-fired CHP systems (less than 1 megawatt) for the retailer METRO is a significant one -- mainly because such activity in Europe by a large integrated utility has been a rarity for almost two decades, so rare as to almost be invisible.   Some regional and municipal utilities have developed such projects in a few countries, but the predominant players across Europe have been relatively small and specialized developers. Indeed, one analyst quoted in the Wall Street Journal after the announcement…

  • Clean Energy Espionage Case Heads to China’s Supreme Court

    Stephen Lacey
    24 May 2013 | 8:06 am
    There's a new legal development in the corporate espionage dispute between AMSC and the Chinese wind turbine supplier Sinovel. China's Supreme People's Court said it will review two civil suits AMSC brought against Sinovel for stealing its proprietary software in 2011. (The employee who stole the software and sold it to Sinovel admitted guilt and was sentenced in Austria.) One of the cases involves a cease-and-desist order, along with $6 million in damages. The other involves copyright and $200,000 in damages. These damages are small compared to the total $1.2 billion that AMSC is…

  • AT&T Launches the Cellular Smart Grid as a Service

    Jeff St. John
    24 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    AT&T already has a ton of business in the utility sector, providing everything from workforce connectivity to the backhaul networks that help connect millions of smart meters and other grid devices in the field. But to date, AT&T and its telecommunications coequals, such as Verizon and Sprint, haven’t made the leap from smart grid ICT solutions providers to actually putting together smart grid projects themselves. This week, AT&T announced that it’s taking on that central role for the first time, in a project with Duck River Electric Membership Corp., a 71,000-customer…

  • Podcast: Understanding America’s Seismic Energy Shift

    Stephen Lacey
    24 May 2013 | 3:55 am
    America is undergoing a seismic shift in energy. We are now producing more oil than at any time since the early 1990s; we are awash in natural gas, which is helping push coal out of the market; and we have doubled renewable electricity in the last four years. Coupled with dire climate challenges and a shifting geopolitical landscape, there's a lot of change underway in energy. But this era isn't necessarily unique, explains Michael Levi, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. In this week's podcast, we'll discuss the realities of America's current energy…

  • Power in the Desert: Ivanpah on the Verge

    Earthtechling, Pete Danko
    23 May 2013 | 12:53 pm
    The giant Ivanpah solar thermal project in the Mojave Desert is now 92 percent complete, developers said this week. The 377-megawatt project consists of three 459-foot-tall towers encircled by arrays of garage-door-sized mirror sets. Those computer-controlled heliostats -- 153,990 out of 173,500 of which are now in place -- will reflect the sun onto the receiving towers, heating water to create steam that will drive turbines that produce electricity. The government-backed project has drawn criticism from some environmentalists, most notably for its impact on…
 
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    MindBodyGreen

  • Vegan Recipe: Colorful Asian Slaw

    Preeti Gundecha
    25 May 2013 | 4:13 am
    Memorial Day is just around the corner, and you know what that means: It's the official kickoff of the summer barbecue season!  While you may have enough to do to get the party started, here is...

  • My Top 9 Superfoods For Looking Good, Feeling Great & Losing Weight

    Dr. Frank Lipman
    25 May 2013 | 2:32 am
    Lose weight! Boost immunity! Improve your love life! If there were a pharmaceutical drug that did all three, there’d be a stampede to the pharmacy, but for now, no such pill exists.  My advice?...

  • 6 Essential Nutrients For Beautiful Skin

    Vanessa Cunningham
    24 May 2013 | 8:24 am
    Your skin is a reflection of your inner being. Aside from lifestyle and genetics, what you eat plays a role in your skin health. Eating the right foods will not only enhance your natural beauty, it...

  • Vegan Recipe: Roasted Radishes With Garden Chives

    Sherrie Scaglione Castellano
    24 May 2013 | 4:37 am
    Radishes, those crunchy spicy little things — reeking of spring and totally abundant right now. Not everyone loves a raw radish, so I encourage you to try roasting them, as they'll magically...

  • The Perfect Ayurvedic Smoothie Recipe

    Kristina Beck
    24 May 2013 | 4:15 am
    I love Ayurvedic principles. One concept of Ayurveda is that there are six tastes: pungent, sour, sweet, salty, bitter and astringent. According to Ayurveda, we should activate each taste during...
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    Pumps

  • ‘Sticky’ Gas Prices to Plague Midwest

    Eyes on Energy
    23 May 2013 | 9:07 am
    Record high prices in much of the Midwest – including a 60 cent per gallon increase in Minnesota alone – have put a strain on many Memorial Day travelers. However, once the increased demand from this weekend dies down, it is unlikely that prices will follow it exactly. CBS News in Minneapolis explains: “‘You do tend to see a delay when there’s a reason to drop price,’ said Akshay Rao, a pricing researcher and professor at University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. Rao said when refineries catch fire or go down, prices should go up right away, so…

  • Minnesota Senator Blames DoE for High Prices

    Eyes on Energy
    22 May 2013 | 9:34 am
    Minnesota Senator Al Franken, whose state has suffered from record gas prices in the run up to Memorial Day weekend, has placed the blame for this spike in part on the Department of Energy. Senator Franken argues that the DoE’s decision to stop publishing refinery maintenance reports made it impossible to coordinate scheduled shutdowns in a way that would minimally disrupt prices at the pump. The Duluth News Tribune writes: “The reports, authorized under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, were intended to help oil companies avoid shutting down multiple refineries in…

  • Minnesota Gas Prices Eat Into Consumer Budgets

    Eyes on Energy
    21 May 2013 | 1:12 pm
    The continued high prices in Minnesota, as well as much of the Midwest, have begun to eat into the budget of the average consumer – with definite effects on even the largest businesses. The Minnesota Post details: “Comparable store sales at Wal-Marts declined 1.4 percent in the United States for the quarter that ended April 26. In announcing its results, Wal-Mart said: ‘Comp sales performance was impacted by a delay in income tax refund checks, challenging weather conditions, less grocery inflation than expected and the payroll tax increase.’ When the payroll tax was…

  • Continued High Prices Result in Varied Responses

    Eyes on Energy
    20 May 2013 | 1:25 pm
    As much of the Midwest suffers from the persistent high prices caused by several refinery shutdowns earlier in the month, lawmakers and motorists alike have adopted a variety of ways to cope. In Minnesota, where prices recently rocketed to all time highs, state legislators have taken it upon themselves to prevent future outbreaks. According to ABC News in Minneapolis-St. Paul: “The uptick prompted Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to send a letter to Secretary of Energy Steven Chu on Thursday urging him to examine the timing of the closures. Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), who introduced legislation…

  • Midwest Gas Prices Continue to Spike Due to Refinery Malfunctions

    Eyes on Energy
    17 May 2013 | 2:28 pm
    States in the upper midwest are feeling extra pain this week as mounting refinery malfunctions drive prices at the pump to record highs. Aside from the two Chicago-area breakdowns that were responsible for trouble earlier in the week, problems at refineries in Kansas and Oklahoma also served to exacerbate the situation. According to the USA Today: “Gas prices in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma and Wisconsin have spiked up to 40 cents a gallon the past week alone… While the USA may be dripping in new found crude oil deposits and early…
 
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    New Republic

  • It's the Economy, Stupid. And Guns, Too.

    Nate Cohn
    24 May 2013 | 12:18 pm
    Suicide rates are on the rise in the twenty-first century, and New York Times columnist Ross Douthat and I have been exchanging thoughts on exactly why. On Sunday, Douthat 

  • Onlookers Gathered at the Traveling Chair’s Arrival

    Natasha Trethewey
    24 May 2013 | 8:41 am
                                 —Mississippi, 1940So many of them faceless beneath the brimsof their hats: so manymen and women, and alwaysit seems, children too, drawn to the spectacle— some finding the camera, lifting their faces to history. Here: two men stunnedinto

  • Immigration Reform's Unwanted Foreigners

    Lydia DePillis
    23 May 2013 | 9:00 pm
    As the Senate Gang of Eight's immigration reform bill lurched towards passage in the Judiciary Committee earlier this week, one compromise on high-skilled visas was pa

  • Behind the Plastic Surgery

    David Thomson
    23 May 2013 | 9:00 pm
    Ignore the title: This is not a film about a candelabra, but a very intriguing analysis of the face and what time and surgery can do to it. “Behind the Face” might have been a more suitable name, raising the question of whether there was any there there. Though the film was

  • California Will Be Spared the Obamacare Apocalypse

    Jonathan Cohn
    23 May 2013 | 9:00 pm
    Predictions of an Obamacare apocalypse seem a little less credible today, thanks to California.On Thursday, officials in that state offered the first detailed glimpse of what consumers b
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    Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit

  • Pernambuco Arena Gives Recife a LEED Kick for 2014 World Cup

    Leon Kaye
    24 May 2013 | 7:49 pm
    The post Pernambuco Arena Gives Recife a LEED Kick for 2014 World Cup appeared first on Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit.

  • 6 Latest Trends in Corporate Sustainability

    Raz Godelnik
    24 May 2013 | 2:29 am
    Earlier this month Ernst & Young and GreenBiz Group released a new study, entitled ‘2013 six growing trends in corporate sustainability.’ Based primarily on a survey of the GreenBiz Intelligence Panel among executives and thought leaders engaged in sustainability, this study reveals that “companies are increasingly connecting the dots between risk management and sustainability by making sustainability issues more prominent on corporate agendas.”The post 6 Latest Trends in Corporate Sustainability appeared first on Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit.

  • Resource Shortages are Rife with Opportunity, Says Asset Manager

    GreenFutures
    24 May 2013 | 2:15 am
    Ian Simm, Chief Executive of Impax Asset Management, tells Anna Simpson why solutions in energy, water, food and waste are particularly attractive to investors.The post Resource Shortages are Rife with Opportunity, Says Asset Manager appeared first on Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit.

  • U.S. Companies Drag Their Feet on UN Global Compact

    ISOS Group
    24 May 2013 | 2:08 am
    The U.S. reporting landscape makes UNGC compliance difficult. A new partnership announced today may ease the burdens. The post U.S. Companies Drag Their Feet on UN Global Compact appeared first on Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit.

  • Media Fails to Report Big Oil Funding Ties to Climate Change Contrarians

    Bill DiBenedetto
    24 May 2013 | 2:07 am
    Label this one under the category of the news that’s not too surprising, but somewhat depressing nonetheless. In an effort to provide “fair and balanced” coverage on climate change, the mainstream press and media “routinely cites climate contrarian think tanks without reporting their ties to the fossil fuel industry,” according to a Union of Concerned [...]The post Media Fails to Report Big Oil Funding Ties to Climate Change Contrarians appeared first on Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit.
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    Green Parent Chicago

  • Book Review: Homemade Baby Food The Effortless Way

    Christine Escobar
    20 May 2013 | 7:03 pm
    Parents of infants have an excellent opportunity to introduce healthy eating habits at an early age. By making your own baby food, instead of relying on jarred or boxed varieties, you don't have to doubt that what goes into your baby's tiny tummy is good, wholesome nutrition.  "Real Smart Baby Food" (ReadFood Doctor Press 2013) is a new book by Lisa Barrangou Ph.D that features a simple method for making homemade baby food using a 3-step process. Barrangou, a personal chef, has an extensive background in food science and nutrition. Her detailed writing style conveys…

  • Green Festival This Weekend, GPC Readers Can Get Free Admission, Here's How:

    Christine Escobar
    15 May 2013 | 8:07 am
    If it's May in Chicago, then you know it's time for the mama and the papa of eco living events: Green Festival Chicago. For one weekend only at Navy Pier, this Saturday and Sunday, the Green Festival will host DIY workshops, discussions and speakers, a Green Marketplace with the latest sustainable businesses and vendors, an Organic Beer and Wine pavillion, test drives of electric and hybrid vehicles, vegetarian and vegan food, and a Green Kids Zone with free activities for all ages of kids. Definitely bring the kids and teens to Green Festival because 18 and under are free. I'm…

  • Bellwether Fest June Lineup and Schedule Announced

    Christine Escobar
    13 May 2013 | 7:35 pm
    Organizers for the new Bellwether cultural fest just announced the performer line-up and schedule for the June date of the 2-weekend fest, and dropped a few hints about which vendors, workshops, and demos to expect. Local drink vendors include Revolution Brewing, Death's Door, and Oliver Winery among others. Workshops and demos will include terrarium-making classes from Logan Square's Fleur, a make-your-own sculpture table workshop by Rebuilding Exchange, and yarn-spinning classes hosted by Michigan based Videnovich Farms. The June 8 and 9 Bellwether fest will feature performances…

  • The Green Parent Chicago Green and Local Mother's Day Gift Guide

    Christine Escobar
    9 May 2013 | 2:50 pm
    Mothers Day is a pretty big day at my house, not just because I believe that parenting is one of the most important jobs an adult can take, but also because I get a day to celebrate being a proud mom to my two wonderful kids. Whether we decide to picnic just the 4 of us, or I take a day off to read, nap, knit, draw, write, etc, it's sure to be a break from the norm for me and that's always just the thing a busy mama needs. So, when thinking about what type of gifts I would most appreciate for Mother's Day and what I could recommend for our Green Parent Chicago Mother's Day…

  • Bellwether fest to showcase "greatest hits" of local Chicago food and culture

    Christine Escobar
    1 May 2013 | 8:58 am
    Combine food, farm, vintage, collectors, crafters, and artists and what do you get: Bellwether, a new cultural fest and the brainchild of the folks behind local indie favorites The Vintage Bazaar and The Renegade Craft Fair.   Organizers of the fest, to be held on 2 separate weekends at 2 locations describe Bellwether as "a roving Market + Happening + Feast all in one that brings together the finest purveyors, pickers, makers, and doers, as well as curated films, live performances, killer DJs, and food gatherings."  Date, locations and hours for the all-day event are:…
 
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    Environment, Organics, Fair Trade & Recycling at Big Green Purse

  • What Makes EPIC So "Epic"? Great Animation, Green Message

    Diane MacEachern
    24 May 2013 | 1:24 pm
    Tiny, champion Leaf Men. Evil, creepy "Boggans." A talking snail and a comical slug. A handsome rogue who can ride a sparrow faster than anyone around. A teenage girl who tries to run away but learns to ride a hummingbird instead. And a big magical forest that will die unless the Leaf Men, the runaway and the slimy things prevail.  PLUS animation so vibrant and lively you'll feel like you're defending the forest, too -  rather than watching it unfold in 3-D. That's EPIC in a nutshell, a fantastic eco-blockbuster opening Memorial Day weekend. Thanks to Team…

  • Do Your Kids Think Saving Energy Is Important? Enter Contest by May 31.

    Diane MacEachern
    23 May 2013 | 10:26 am
    Team ENERGY STAR, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's program to help kids and families understand why saving energy is important, has launched a contest to encourage kids to tell us in their own worlds why energy efficiency makes a difference. To enter, all kids need to do is share their stories on the Team ENERGY STAR web page. The "story" can be told in words, pictures, video, slides, animation, drawings...the sky's (almost) the limit! The deadline for entering is May 31. EPA and ENERGY STAR will recognize those who tell the best, most inspiring stories with a…

  • Saving Energy is Easy & Fun With the Help of Team ENERGY STAR

    Diane MacEachern
    16 May 2013 | 4:33 am
      What does it take to get kids to save energy? Even if it’s just a simple reminder to turn off the lights, that message can get old after awhile – which is why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting kids and families to join Team ENERGY STAR. Team ENERGY STAR makes saving energy fun for kids while giving parents free resources they can use to explain why energy efficiency needs to be a priority at home. The program is particularly unique because it empowers kids to help protect the climate and our air through easy-to-implement, money-saving actions.  It also…

  • Mother's Day: Shopping Spree or Shopping Shift?

    Diane MacEachern
    9 May 2013 | 10:53 am
    Mother's Day has become a gigantic shopping event. Next to Christmas and Valentine's Day, consumers spend more money for Mother's Day than they do for any other holiday in the year. This year, according to the National Retail Federation's annual Mother's Day survey, Americans will spend $20.7 billion! That amounts to an average of almost $170 per mom, an 11% increase over last year.  As a mom myself, I love the attention I get on Mother's Day. Who wouldn't want to be surrounded by family, showered with love, and coddled with breakfast in bed, a luxurious…

  • Is Glade Air Freshener Bad for Babies?

    Diane MacEachern
    7 May 2013 | 1:52 pm
    "Cleaning product companies aren’t required to disclose the ingredients they use in their products, and what they’re keeping secret from you could be hazardous to your health," reports Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE), the respected non-profit research group that investigates toxic chemicals in the common household cleansers we use.   In their "Dirty Secrets" study, WVE commissioned an independent laboratory to test twenty popular cleaning products for hidden toxic chemicals from five top companies: Clorox, Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, SC…
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    Non-Toxic Kids

  • Nature Helps Children with Attention Problems

    Katy Farber
    22 May 2013 | 6:18 pm
    Parents and teachers the world over will tell you that getting children outside improves their ability to concentrate when come back inside. I can feel the need of my fifth and sixth grade students to get moving after 45 minutes to an hour of seated activity. They need to clear their minds, and get some blood flowing. Parents know that when their children are fighting with siblings, being loud and crazy, or just not following directions, it might be a good time to redirect them outdoors. Now, new research is validating that hunch. A small study of students with attention problems, who took…

  • New Climate Change Standards for Schools (it's about time!)

    Katy Farber
    20 May 2013 | 12:27 pm
    There's been little guidance for teachers about how to teach students about climate change. And since we've moved a great deal from this being "controversial" to global warming simple being based on sound science, educators need to consider how to teach this topic in a way that will inspire and educate  students and not scare them. Thankfully, Mark McCaffrey of the National Center for Science Education, has been thinking about this too. He is quoted on the developing standards for climate change in this recent story on NPR. "Only 1 in 5 [students] feel like they've got a good handle on…

  • Watch an 8 year old girl tell Dr. Oz: Organics aren't snobby, but safer and healthier!

    Katy Farber
    15 May 2013 | 6:30 pm
    When Dr. Oz wrote about how organic foods were no healthier then conventional foods, I was stunned, like many healthy food advocates, environmentalists, and organic farmers. Here was a famous health advocate, someone who expouses the merits of eating whole foods, telling Americans to eat BPA laden canned foods? He said: "Organic food is great, it's just not very democratic. As a food lover, I enjoy truffle oil, European cheeses and heirloom tomatoes as much as the next person. But as a doctor, I know that patients don't always have the time, energy or budget to shop for artisanal ingredients…

  • 6 Tips for Prolonged Latent Labor (when patience is running thin!)

    Katy Farber
    13 May 2013 | 8:06 pm
    My second baby was 9 days overdue.  This may not seem like a long time in the scheme of a pregnancy, but if you have ever been pregnant, you know that at the end, doing just about anything is a serious challenge. Sleeping. Eating. Bending over. Standing. Being awake. Nine days in this state is an eternity. And everyone, everyone is all-- "when's that baby gonna come!" and  "feel anything yet?" to "you look like you are going to pop!" which is simply just loads of fun.  So, for all those mamas out there experiencing prolonged latent labor, and all of their families (especially…

  • Moms Not Lovin It! (McDonalds, stop marketing unhealthy food to our kids)

    Katy Farber
    10 May 2013 | 7:38 pm
    Moms are tired of fighting corporate fast food marketing at the grocery store, on TV, in movies, online, on the radio, and even in our schools.  For Mother's Day, let's call on McDonald's to stop the aggressive marketing to children!   The White House , four federal agencies (FTC, FDA, CDC, and the USDA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all recommended that McDonald’s and its competitors stop promoting junk food to children, finding that marketing to children under 8 is “inherently deceptive” and “wholly exploitative.” Nevertheless, McDonald’s continues with…
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    Nature Moms Blog

  • A Quick Fix – Removing Mildew Smell From Laundry

    Tiffany
    25 May 2013 | 8:13 am
    As the weather warms my kids are staying outside longer. The garden house is already being turned on for quick sprinkler sessions when they get overheated from play. Soon they will be in the pool. All of this means wet clothing, wet swimsuits, and lots of towels. I cannot keep up with the amount of wet clothing and towels that come with spring and summer so I have to accept that I am going to have a fair amount of stinky laundry to wash…laundry with that icky mildew smell. So how do I get it out? I absolutely detest getting out of the shower and reaching for a towel, only to bring it to…

  • My EPIC Movie Premiere Experience and Review

    Tiffany
    24 May 2013 | 5:04 am
    Photo credit: Shane @ www.environmentalbooty.com This past weekend I had the great pleasure of seeing the new animated film EPIC (released today). My nine year old daughter and I traveled to Manhattan for the “green carpet” premiere with the team from Energy Star. I am in the middle of the above photo along with some of my online and IRL friends… Shane at Environmental Booty, Lori at Groovy Green Livin, Diane at Big Green Purse, and Leigh Ann of Green 4 U. I simply adore these ladies! It’s always exciting when a new eco themed movie comes out and it is especially…

  • Holiday Weekend? Go RVing and Make Memories That Last a Lifetime

    Tiffany
    23 May 2013 | 9:32 am
    Even though it isn’t the greenest pursuit, I love travel. It is just one of the ways in which we can connect to our planet and come to love it in all its wondrous variety…by exploration! So even though travel might increase our carbon footprint it is one of those things that I happily forgive because I really do believe that you protect what you care about and exploring your city, county, state, country, and world can be part of that. As long as you do so mindfully, with some planning, and with a careful eye to wastefulness I heartily endorse hitting the road (or the skies) with…

  • Water Filtration Systems for the Home and Why We NEED Them

    Tiffany
    23 May 2013 | 1:00 am
    The water industry is a booming business right now. Portable water pitchers, under the sink water filtration systems, and bottled water are abundant. Because it is such a big business it can be easy to kind of push the marketing hype out of our minds and stick to our tap water. We have cheap accessible water flowing into our homes every day so it can be downright annoying to constantly hear how we need to buy more “stuff” or buy bottled water to ensure we have clean and safe water to drink. Add to this the fact that in recent years we have heard reports that bottled water is…

  • Give A Cluck – Choose Cage Free Eggs

    Tiffany
    22 May 2013 | 10:54 am
    In my mind there is nothing like farm fresh eggs from chickens who are pastured and allowed to roam and eat grass and bugs. They have deep orange colored yolks and they are out of this world tasty. Once you try them you won’t ever want to buy conventional store bought eggs again. Living in Ohio I am rather lucky that I have dozens and dozens of options for farm fresh pasture eggs all year long. They might cost anywhere from $5.00 to $8.00 a dozen but I happily pay that. They are just THAT good and they are THAT good for you. As the infographic below demonstrates though, there are other…
 
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    The Green Phone Booth

  • The Last Stop for Bees

    Green Bean
    24 May 2013 | 12:01 am
    From the bean of Green Bean.A bumble bee enjoying wild blackberry blossoms in our backyard. Last winter, American beekeepers lost over 40% of their hives. Some farmers lost 90-100% of their bees.  The USDA recently opined that we are "one poor weather event or high winter been loss away from a pollination disaster."  What does a pollination disaster look like though?Bees pollinate about 1/3 of the crops we eat and drink.  Without enough bees or other pollinators, there wouldn't be enough food.  Not enough almonds or apples.  Far fewer blueberries and…

  • Introducing Mindful Echo

    Mindful Echo
    22 May 2013 | 10:29 am
     Introducing new member, Mindful Echo. Oh hi. Allow me to introduce myself; I'm Mindful Echo and I'm thrilled to be joining the Green Phone Booth as a regular poster.Though I'm currently a resident of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and thus will be blogging from that perspective, I've hopped around three provinces in my twenty "something" years and lived in cities big and small - sometimes surrounded by like-minded people, and other times....not so much.I'm still working on my identity, which continues to evolve with each new endeavour and the influences of the individuals I meet, but in an…

  • Three Small-Space Gardening Solutions

    Amber Strocel
    20 May 2013 | 10:50 am
    The Climate Crusader is digging in the dirt today.Today is Victoria Day here in Canada, a holiday held in celebration of the late Queen Victoria's birthday. It's considered the unofficial kick-off to summer, much like Memorial Day in the United States. With warmer days ahead, this weekend is also often viewed as the time to get your garden going. It seemed like the perfect time to post about growing food.I live in a house with a good-sized backyard, which includes several gardening beds. While I have ample space for all of my plants on the surface, the truth is I always want more. Like many…

  • The Ethics of Sponsored Posts

    Eco Yogini
    17 May 2013 | 5:39 am
    EcoYogini shares a few thoughts on being paid to promote a product....When I first started blogging I was excited to hear from a few companies wanting to give me "free stuff". My "bribes" have decreased significantly over the past two years (ie non existant), but over the course of my blogging career I have received a beautiful prAna revolution mat at 50% off, a gorgeous Tonic yoga top, a recycled content yogoco yoga mat bag, some makeup samples and a yoga book to review.I'm not going to lie, getting free stuff rocks, especially if it's products that I would endorse without bribery and can't…

  • Navigating the Eco-Beauty Products World

    Eco Yogini
    10 May 2013 | 12:11 pm
    EcoYogini shares her secrets to figuring out beauty and baby products...Ever find yourself in the beauty-baby-makeup section of a natural/health foods store feeling like you just want, for once, companies to be HONEST about what the eff they put in their products?These days being a green consumer in the beauty product/baby product industry means you have to be super label, greenwashing, ingredient and company practices savvy. It can be overwhelming.In order to avoid random screaming in public and ranting to whomever will listen, I use several strategies and tips to make informed decisions…
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    Green and Clean Mom ™

  • Bloggers and Consultants Start Local

    greenandcleanmom
    24 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Tips for Building Relationships with Local Customers I’ve mentioned before that I’m asked questions often by friends and fellow bloggers that are interested in now turning their blogging business into something more by consulting. I’m asked how to get started, what to charge, how to find clients and we’ll I’ve addressed a few of these questions but what [...]Post from: Green and Clean Mom (TM) all rights reserved.Bloggers and Consultants Start Local The post Bloggers and Consultants Start Local appeared first on Green and Clean Mom ™.

  • Eco-Friendly Bubble Time Fun

    greenandcleanmom
    23 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    photo credit: cupcakes2 Children love bubbles. I love bubbles. They’re fun to try and catch, a challenge to blow really large without popping and the shapes and colors are so beautiful to watch. I’ve learned over the years that bubbles make a great bath time activity, outdoor activity and yes even in the car on [...]Post from: Green and Clean Mom (TM) all rights reserved.Eco-Friendly Bubble Time Fun The post Eco-Friendly Bubble Time Fun appeared first on Green and Clean Mom ™.

  • Five Easy Camping Meals

    greenandcleanmom
    22 May 2013 | 10:27 am
    When it comes to camping organization is the key. When you are organized you can relax and have a good time. At least that’s how it is for me. I like when things run smoothly and if it rains and I don’t have the rain coats, we’ll it’s a wet and muddy mess. If I’m [...]Post from: Green and Clean Mom (TM) all rights reserved.Five Easy Camping Meals The post Five Easy Camping Meals appeared first on Green and Clean Mom ™.

  • Hugging My Children Tight

    greenandcleanmom
    21 May 2013 | 7:02 am
    With the Oklahoma tornado tragedy, my mind and heart cannot seem to focus on anything other than hugging my children tight and being so grateful for another day with each of them. Today is my son’s 9th birthday and I cannot fathom losing him. I cannot imagine bringing him to school only to never see [...]Post from: Green and Clean Mom (TM) all rights reserved.Hugging My Children Tight The post Hugging My Children Tight appeared first on Green and Clean Mom ™.

  • Lighten Age Spots with Lemon Juice

    greenandcleanmom
    17 May 2013 | 6:01 am
    I have age spots. It’s true and unless I’m using foundation or editing my photos you can see them. I am not getting younger and most over the counter products are costly or full of nasty ingredients I don’t trust. Fortunately there’s good old fashion lemon juice. Yes, lemon juice. My grandmother used to use [...]Post from: Green and Clean Mom (TM) all rights reserved.Lighten Age Spots with Lemon Juice The post Lighten Age Spots with Lemon Juice appeared first on Green and Clean Mom ™.
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    GreenStyleMom

  • Homeschool Moment

    Greenstylemom
    23 May 2013 | 9:48 am
    Homeschool field day last week.

  • Right Now

    Greenstylemom
    21 May 2013 | 2:45 pm
    Practicing survival skills- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

  • DayBook 5.20.13

    Greenstylemom
    20 May 2013 | 9:19 am
    FOR TODAYOutside my window... camper is set up. Getting it ready for spring/summer camping!I am thinking... about this essay I read this morning. Very moving for me. I am thankful for... my ability to roll with the punches. Most of the time.From the kitchen... eating leftover crepes for breakfast, making banana muffins this morning, doing something with avocados later today - the pile I have are super ripe!I am wearing... boyfriend jeans, sweatshirt (my house is always cold! Winter or summer!), slippers.I am creating... something with my crochet hook.

  • Step Back

    Greenstylemom
    19 May 2013 | 7:16 pm
    Tonight was a reminder (yet again!) to step back and let the kids do their thing. I need to not get in the way to help them out or try to make it better.I was making crepes (yet again!) because we have so many eggs (yet again!). Kate has helped me make crepes before, but this was the first time Jack has asked to make crepes.So I let him pour and cringed as he spread the batter. I helped a little on the first one, caught myself, and let him do the next few on his own.I also realized that I must have misplaced my rose-colored glasses, because what I saw as a crepe disaster...Jack announced as…

  • Legoland

    Greenstylemom
    14 May 2013 | 7:44 am
    Mostly just some photos of our trip. We didn't wander far from the Legoland site. Just to the beach and out to dinner Saturday evening. Other than that it was Lego-Lego-Lego 100%!Hotel was fun. Big pit of Legos in the lobby. Disco elevator.Reminiscent of the Disney cruise with kids everywhere,but worth it for Jack's pure joy.See Matt & kids towards the back? I went on the first time,but my stomach can't handle 2x in a row!Just looking at this photo of a spinning ridemakes me queasy!Kate & I onscreen playing National Geographic XBox KineticWe were bears catching salmonFamily photo in…
 
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    Green Talk®

  • Gardening Webinar with Me on Green Sisterhood

    Anna@Green Talk
    23 May 2013 | 2:51 pm
    Guess what? You get to ask me questions live on Green Sisterhood‘s Tuesday Talks! I will talking about gardening. So, come over and listen as I talk about my failures and successes. If you have any gardening questions now, leave them in the comments. I will try to get to them. You can also leave comments on Green Sisterhood’s website during the interview. Just in case you can’t make it, I will put the video up on the site. Hope to see you there!Similar Posts: Frances Moore Lappe’s EcoMind: Thinking Differently Creates Change Want A Laugh? A Must See Video! Welcome to…

  • Reusable Water Bottle TKO’s Plastic Water Bottle in Cost Savings

    Anna@Green Talk
    21 May 2013 | 8:22 pm
    This post was sponsored by Klean Kanteen and Green Sisterhood. The setting:  Las Vegas.  The event:  the  featherweight bottle boxing championship of the world.   The reigning champ, the ever popular, convenient Plastic Water Bottle, versus the durable Reusable Water Bottle .  (Think Rocky Balboa vs Apollo Creed)  During the training sessions, the reusable water bottle is nimble and fit showing his financial, environmental, and health strengths.  The Plastic Water Bottle, on the other hand, is heavily petroleum based, chemically bloated, and solely relying on its…

  • Garden Hoses, Lead & BPA. Preventable Measures to Keep You Safe

    Anna@Green Talk
    16 May 2013 | 8:06 am
      Years ago, my wise friend, Miss H warned me about drinking from a garden hose.  I responded with a “huh?”  Didn’t we all drink from a garden hose on a summer’s day?  She replied that there is lead in some hoses. From that point on no one in my house drank from a hose.  But I continued to use those same hoses to water my garden.  Listed below are some preventable measures you can use to protect your garden and yourself from harmful toxic chemicals. Garden Products Tested Recently, HealthyStuff. org  tested 179 common garden products, which included 90…

  • Heirloom Seeds Companies I Love

    Anna@Green Talk
    13 May 2013 | 11:38 am
    Generally May 15 is New Jersey’s frost date.  (See here for your frost dates.)  As I started to sift through my seed drawer, I noticed that I didn’t have enough beans to plant.  Thank goodness weather is on my side since it is way too cold to plant right now. (Um, low of 37 degrees last night in New Jersey.)  So you might be wondering where does the great and powerful Oz green gardening girl buy her seeds? What kind of Seeds Do I buy and Why? 1.  Heirloom seeds.    Why heirloom?  You can save them and be guaranteed that you will grow the same plant next year.  Plus, I…

  • Dog Vomit Slime Mold on my Mulch! Here’s How to Prevent or Reduce it.

    Anna@Green Talk
    9 May 2013 | 4:19 pm
    I love mulched beds.   Although mulch suppresses the weeds and holds in moisture for our plants, it has its ugly side too.  In the middle of summer,  dog vomit slime mold (Fuligo septica.) shows up.  You know what I am talking about.  It look like your neighbor’s dog threw up in your garden beds.  It can be yellow, orange or white.   So, what is a weed hater to do? What is Dog Vomit Fungus? Dog vomit slime gives me the willies.   But it is quite harmless.  According to the Chicago Gardner: “We see it in just part of its life cycle, as a plasmodium, which essentially is…
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    Mindful Momma

  • How to Enjoy Running When You Don’t

    Micaela
    23 May 2013 | 12:34 pm
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  • Why I Love to Wake Up With Stonyfield

    Micaela
    22 May 2013 | 8:54 am
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  • How to Choose a Light Bulb (CFL? LED? HELP!)

    Micaela
    21 May 2013 | 8:30 am
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  • Kids: Join Team ENERGY STAR and Take Action to Protect the Planet

    Micaela
    15 May 2013 | 8:20 am
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  • Easy Juicer Pulp Minestrone Recipe

    Micaela
    14 May 2013 | 9:14 am
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    greenUPGRADER

  • 5 Recycled Gift Card Craft Projects

    Becky Striepe
    23 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Got a gift card that's all used up? Don't throw it away! Check out some of these ways to repurpose old gift cards instead. It's so fun to receive a gift card, but once they're empty they're just another throw-away piece of plastic. Boo on that! Instead of adding waste to our landfills or contributing to the growing plastic pollution problem in our oceans, you can keep those cards out of the waste stream instead. Here are a few projects to give those gift cards a new life when the shopping spree is over. 1. DIY Guitar Picks Grab yourself a Pick Punch, and make your own guitar picks from old…

  • Spotted: Repurposed Giftcard Necklace

    Becky Striepe
    21 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    You don't have to toss those giftcards in the bin! Upcycle them into a super cute necklace instead. Don't you just love getting a gift card? You get to shop and choose exactly the thing you want. The only trouble with gift cards is that once that balance hits zero, their usefulness is pretty much done. Some stores let you reload gift cards - now there's some regifting we can get behind! - but if you're stuck with one that you can't refill, reusing it is the next best thing. Crafter Vicki O'Dell - aka The Creative Goddess - shares a tutorial for turning an old giftcard into a cute necklace.

  • 5 Ways to Replace Single Use Plastic

    Becky Striepe
    16 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Single use plastic is a scourge on our environment, yet we continue to produce and use plastic products that are designed to head straight to the landfill after we use them just one time. Products like plastic straws and baggies are so ingrained in our culture, many of us can't imagine not using them in our day-to-day. The problem is, all of that convenience is destroying fragile ecosystems and harming our health at the same time. Many plastic products, like Ziplock bags are not recyclable, because the plastic is of too low a quality. Instead, they're landfill-bound, but often they don't make…

  • Hand-Blown Glass Straws from Moxie Glass

    Becky Striepe
    14 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Moxie Glass makes hand-blown glass straws that are reusable, dishwasher safe, and so cute! Some drinks are just better with a straw, aren't they? The trouble with those ubiquitous plastic straws is that they're a one-and-done situation, and you know how I feel about single use plastic! Glass straws are a great replacement for the plastic ones that are polluting our beaches and oceans. Melissa sent me a set of her straws to try along with a reusable glass jar tumbler made just to pair with her glass straws. The tumbler is super awesome! Its screw-on lid has a hole in the middle where you…

  • 5 Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

    Becky Striepe
    9 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Mother's Day is just 3 little days away! If you haven't made anything yet for mom, we've got some DIY last-minute Mother's Day gift ideas to help save the day. When time's running short, it's tempting to head out to the store to buy a Mother's Day gift, but a handmade gift for mom doesn't have to take much longer to make than a trip to the mall. Handmade gifts have more heart than something mass-produced, and when you make a gift yourself, you're opting out of the cycle of big box store waste, to boot! 1.  Mother's Day Plant Flag Does your mom like to garden? Instead of cut flowers, you can…
 
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    Chemically Green

  • Five Weird Energy Sources

    Brian
    30 Apr 2013 | 11:40 am
    Smokestacks, turbines – these are the commonly accepted tokens of energy production. However, do you ever wonder what else is out there? This infographic presented by SaveOnEnergy takes a look at five non-traditional energy sources. Check it out below to learn more.

  • Home Energy Savings: An Infographic Guide

    ChemicallyGreen.com
    4 Apr 2013 | 7:43 am
    Integrating practical ways to save energy into your home is important. Who can afford to remodel their home with self-sufficient methods such as solar shutters, solar roofing, wind-generated electricity and wood stove heating? While these methods certainly save you energy, they will drastically alter your home and dip into your bank account mercilessly. via PurelyShutters.co.uk Embed This Image On Your Site (copy code below): Courtesy of: Purely Shutters

  • Superbugs: How We’re Making Harmful Bacteria Stronger with Antibiotics

    Brian
    21 Mar 2013 | 1:21 pm
    When you think of a superbug, you probably think of something like a giant beetle. However, superbugs exist inside of your body as bacteria that has survived an antibiotic attack. These bacteria can become extremely dangerous to the human body, and possibly even fatal. The problem is that doctors are being way too liberal in their administration of antibiotic treatment, using the medication for ailments such as ear and sinus infections. Common infections that aren’t life threatening will often heal on their own in time, so the use of antibiotics on these patients might not be worth the…

  • Plumbing in Space [Infographic]

    Brian
    14 Mar 2013 | 1:30 pm
    While water makes up 75 percent of the Earth’s composition, H2O is a precious commodity in outer space. It takes approximately $49,800 to send one gallon of water into space. Because of the high price, all the water that goes into space is recycled over and over again. Wastewater, exhaust water, urine, sweat and breath vapor are all collected and purified. To learn more about water conservation in space as well as the complicated way in which astronauts use the bathroom, check out this infographic from EmergencyPlumber.uk.com.

  • Homes of the Future

    Brian
    14 Mar 2013 | 12:00 pm
    Incredible energy efficiency—that’s really the best way to describe the homes of tomorrow. These homes will have digital programmable thermostats, which provide precise temperature control options. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that digital thermostats can save homeowners 10 to 30 percent on heating and cooling costs. The homes of the future will be better able to retain warm or cold air, depending on the temperature conditions outside.You can expect these homes to have LED lighting packaging since LED bulbs last up to 50,000 hours. These bulbs are significantly more…
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    Go Green Travel Green

  • Mavea Water Pitcher Review: Stylish and Effective

    Kimberly Sanberg
    22 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Carbon filter pitchers are one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to eliminate harmful contaminants from your tap water. For years, I relied on my trusty Brita pitcher, but when it cracked, I decided to branch out. The folks at Mavea were kind enough to send me an Elemaris XL to try out. It’s attractive, [...]

  • Women’s Hydration Pack Pick: Osprey Verve

    Amy Whitley
    21 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    The true test of a great backpack is not in its performance upon first use, but in how often you reach for it afterward. As a travel gear reviewer who specializes in outdoor gear, I have a lot of backpacks sitting in wait of the next day hike or bike ride. The folks at Osprey [...]

  • Icebreaker Via Shorts Review: Best Shorts for Travel

    Elizabeth
    17 May 2013 | 4:34 am
    I recently heard about a shirt – made of wool – that you could wear for 100 days without washing because wool is such an amazing fabric. While I wouldn’t wear them for 100 days straight without washing, the Via shorts that Icebreaker sent me to review are also made of wool and are pretty [...]

  • The 17 Best Foods to Buy Organic

    Amy Whitley
    13 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    At Go Green Travel Green, we frequently recommend shopping local at farmer’s markets and fruit and vegetable stands for your produce, meat, and dairy. In fact, we’ve listed what we deem the best farmer’s markets in the US! However, we live in the real world, and in the real world are busy schedules and food [...]

  • KEEN Aliso Daypack Review

    Elizabeth
    10 May 2013 | 5:25 am
    I’m a big fan of small backpacks. Small backpacks allow you to pack light, which saves you money on luggage fees, but more importantly they give you increased flexibility and freedom because you can easily change plans at the last minute when you’re not weighed down by stuff. I’m also a huge fan of daypacks. What’s the difference between a daypack [...]
 
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    Mommy Brain Reports

  • Give Furniture New Life with Rustoleum 2X Paint

    Monica
    10 May 2013 | 6:47 pm
    We are always working on new projects over in the Mommy Brain household, and I have started having fun with refinishing furniture. Normally, I like keeping wood furniture in it’s natural beauty, but with the amount of veneers you find now, sanding and staining just isn’t as much of an option anymore. That’s where paint comes in handy. You can do all kinds of things with paint colors. You can make something classic look totally modern, or just give something a refreshing new color. That’s what I did with a couple of nightstands that I bought second hand for only…

  • Out With the Old…

    Monica
    9 May 2013 | 6:42 pm
    Great Value, Walmart’s store brand, has a brand new look! Have you seen it in your stores yet? You might have to look harder! When I was at the store, looking for snacks for my girls’ school lunches, I passed over the Great Value brand a couple of times, because I had no idea that the packaging had changed so much! Check it out! It’s so pretty, and as my hubby says, it looks a lot less “generic”. I agree! The new Great Value packaging looks very much like the name brand options in most cases, that they can be difficult to spot right away! If you love your Great…

  • A Great Mother’s Day Gift Idea

    Monica
    8 May 2013 | 7:22 pm
    There are about a million ways to show Mom how much you care, but they don’t have to cost a fortune! I like putting together my own gift baskets, that way I can personalize them a bit. I debated on what kind of gift basket I should do this year, and I figured, every one could use a little less stress in life, so I’d put together a relaxing basket.  Walmart gave me a $25 gift card to put something together, so off I was to do some shopping. My first stop, candles! I was hoping to find a lavender scented candle, but they didn’t have any at my store, so I checked out whatever…

  • Coin Cell Safety- Something you don’t always think about

    Monica
    3 May 2013 | 8:03 am
    It seems that there are a lot of devices out there that take the small little coin cell batteries. There’s always been wrist watches, calculators and hearing aids, but now there are electronic car keys, small LED Flashlights, some cameras and their accessories, and even clocks and Battery Operated candles! You’ve got to keep them on hand, but they are tiny, and they can be dangerous. The dangers of swallowing batteries are all too real when it comes to young children and their common habit of putting small items into their mouths. That’s why Rayovac®, a worldwide leader in…

  • Review: O-Duster Robotic Floor Cleaner

    Monica
    30 Apr 2013 | 7:52 am
    I always like products that make life as a busy mom, and blogger, easier. Things that do my work for me are awesome, and I’m always looking for ways to work smarter, not harder! When the opportunity came up to try out the O-Duster Robotic Floor Cleaner, I jumped. I mean, how cool would it be to be working on something and have the floors cleaned by the time you were done? I thought it would be pretty awesome.. so I was excited to see how well it worked. We’ve all see the really expensive robotic floor cleaners that cost hundreds of dollars. The O-Duster Robotic Floor Cleaner is…
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    Green (Living) Review

  • British MPs to get up to £20,000 pay increase, possibly

    Veshengro
    25 May 2013 | 11:52 am
    by Michael Smith (Veshengro) With the country under severe austerity measures and workers, especially those in the public sector, having their wages frozen and having to accept pay cuts, at least in real terms, the greedy Members of Parliament are prepared to vote themselves a pay increase of up to £20,000. Such an increase in their pay is equal to or more than what many a worker, and especially here those in the public sector such as nurses, council workers and such, makes in a year – before tax and other deductions are made. Those self-same parliamentarians, who tell workers that for the…

  • 1984 is a cautionary tale, not policy guidance

    Veshengro
    25 May 2013 | 11:50 am
    by Michael Smith (Veshengro) If George Orwell would be able to do so we can be certain that he would be warning the powers-that-be in that way, for more and more authorities seem to have adapted the material in his book as policy guidance. Everywhere we look we see that George Orwell's book seems to be used as policy guidance to repress the people and to invent more and more restrictions to the freedoms once enjoyed by everyone. The European Union appears to be, together with Britain and the USA, in the forefront of applying the ideas of “1984” in the real world. Then again, those ideas…

  • Cycling Britain's fastest growing mode of transport

    Veshengro
    24 May 2013 | 11:42 am
    by Michael Smith (Veshengro) Cycling is one of the fastest growing modes of transport in Britain. It is clean, healthy and good for the environment. But the government is still lagging behind those of other EU countries in providing a proper safe cycling infrastructure for British cyclists. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has created a “vision for cycling”, but then he is a cyclist and understands, for an unbroken network of cycle routes in London. And while there are many things that one could disagree with with Mr. Johnson this is not one of them. However, we need more than just an…

  • Top pay rises continue apace while real wages fall for ordinary families

    Veshengro
    24 May 2013 | 11:38 am
    by Michael Smith (Veshengro) Commenting on a report published in early Spring 2013 by the Chartered Institute of Management which says that UK chief executives saw a 15.8 per cent increase in their salaries in the past year - mostly made up of bonuses, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: “Ordinary people are suffering the biggest squeeze on their incomes in almost a century, but families' financial pain is not being shared by their top bosses who have huge bonuses to cushion them against any drop in their living standards. “While real wages continue to fall for working people, the…

  • Horticulture Matters

    Veshengro
    23 May 2013 | 11:50 am
    'Urgent action needed to rescue horticulture' - RHS calls for government action by Michael Smith (Veshengro) The RHS on May 14, 2013 presented a report to the House of Commons calling for government action to urgently address the skills gap in the horticultural industry. A survey of 200 horticultural businesses conducted by the Society has demonstrated that more than 70% of horticultural businesses cannot fill skilled vacancies, nearly 20% are forced to recruit overseas and almost 70% claim that career entrants are inadequately prepared for work. This gloomy picture is outlined in the report,…
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    Solar Feeds

  • The Solar Vineyard House by Michael Jantzen

    SolarFeeds
    24 May 2013 | 8:58 am
    The Solar Vineyard House is a conceptual proposal for a house designed especially for wine lovers in the temperate climate of California. The 5000 square foot structure incorporates a small wine making facility, and it would be built in the middle of its own private vineyard. The house would be partially powered by four large [...] The post The Solar Vineyard House by Michael Jantzen appeared first on Solar Feeds. go to solarfeeds for the rest of this story>>>>>

  • Report: Solar PV Market to Recover by 2015

    SolarFeeds
    24 May 2013 | 8:42 am
    Solar photovoltaic manufacturers must be starting to breathe again. Over the past few years, they’ve struggled to keep their heads above a tide of overproduction that’s been washing out weaker competitors and strengthening others. Now, a growing body of evidence shows that the tide is changing. Case in point, a new report from Lux Research [...] The post Report: Solar PV Market to Recover by 2015 appeared first on Solar Feeds. go to solarfeeds for the rest of this story>>>>>

  • Green Design Standards and the Construction Industry

    SolarFeeds
    24 May 2013 | 7:41 am
    When thinking about designing a green building, there are written codes and standards that architects and engineers can use to achieve their desired goals.  The following standards set the guidelines that are commonly used by designers and contractors for the development of environmentally-friendly buildings. International Green Construction Code (IGCC) The IGCC is a reference guide [...] The post Green Design Standards and the Construction... go to solarfeeds for the rest of this story>>>>>

  • Converting Waste Heat Into Electricity Through Osmosis

    SolarFeeds
    23 May 2013 | 6:24 pm
    Waste heat is necessarily produced both by machines that do work and in other processes that use energy, for example in maintaining the heat of a room. The need for functioning systems to reject heat is fundamental to the laws of thermodynamics. Sometimes waste heat can be utilized, but that process usually requires high temperatures. [...] The post Converting Waste Heat Into Electricity Through Osmosis appeared first on Solar Feeds. go to solarfeeds for the rest of this story>>>>>

  • The Solar Canals of India

    SolarFeeds
    23 May 2013 | 6:05 pm
    India is playing a crucial role in not only generating clean and renewable energy, but also looking to conserve water at the same time which is having a big impact on the local environment. There are thousands of canals all across India, and they started a pilot project in the Mehsana district in April 2012 [...] The post The Solar Canals of India appeared first on Solar Feeds. go to solarfeeds for the rest of this story>>>>>
 
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    Green Your Decor

  • Pop of Color with RustOleum: A Lamp Makeover

    jennae
    10 May 2013 | 4:53 pm
    You may have noticed the wooden lamp in my stepsons’ room in the photos I shared from their room makeover. My husband and I found it at Goodwill a LONG time ago and swore we would give it a makeover. Well, that never happened. However, we needed it because none of the bedrooms in our apartment have overhead lighting and it provides the only lighting in the room. When Walmart challenged me to do a spray paint project with the new Rust-Oleum American Accents Ultra Cover 2X paint, I knew that I would finally tackle this lamp. First things first: What’s so special about this new paint…

  • O-Duster Floor Sweeper Review

    jennae
    30 Apr 2013 | 6:08 pm
    I’m a wife, mother and a businesswoman, and I’m busy. All. The. Time. I will also fully admit that cleaning house is not one of my favorite things to do. All of this means that I love the idea of anything that will make cleaning easier for me. When I first saw commercials for the O-Duster floor cleaner, I was intrigued. An automatic sweeper I could turn on and forget? And at less than $40? Sounded great! So when Walmart offered me an opportunity to try this machine, it was a no-brainer. The O-Duster is not a vacuum. It is a floor sweeper that works by using electrostatic cloths to…

  • Refreshing Our Patio on a Budget

    jennae
    25 Apr 2013 | 9:00 am
    So…remember the other day I shared a photo of our disaster of a patio? In case you don’t, here are some more photos of it to jog your memory. Lovely, right? Well, the good news is that it got that way mostly due to laziness. So it really was nothing a little elbow grease couldn’t fix. But sometimes, elbow grease alone isn’t enough. The dead plants in all our pots screamed neglect. My husband, our resident green thumb (because I am not at all horticulturally inclined) decided we had to remedy that. We headed to Walmart to pick up some new flowers and herbs to fill the…

  • It’s Spring! Time to Head Outdoors

    jennae
    23 Apr 2013 | 4:42 pm
    This happens every year. As the weather starts to warm up for spring, my husband and I will venture out onto our patio and wonder what the heck happened. You see, we tend to use our outdoor space quite a bit during the warm months. But as soon as the weather turns cool, and then cold, the porch becomes a glorified storage space where our recycling goes to die. Covered in pollen. Seriously, it looked like a warzone out there. Definitely not a space that encourages hanging out. So on my last trip to Walmart, I couldn’t help but swoon over the outdoor goodies to be found in the garden…

  • Show How You Upcycle for Chance to Win

    jennae
    15 Apr 2013 | 1:07 pm
    Once you make a conscious effort to live a greener lifestyle, you’ll notice a mental shift. Things that once would’ve gone in the trash suddenly get a second look, and you’ll try to figure out how to reuse them, rather than just throw them away — even if they were going into the recycling bin. That is the idea behind Walmart Green’s latest giveaway, the Recycle Revamp Pinterest contest. How does it work? Simple! All you have to do is create a new pinboard called “Walmart Green Earth Month: Recycle Revamp”. Then repin Walmart Green’s Recycle Revamp…
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    Innovative News

  • The new BioLite portable grill

    Cecilia
    25 May 2013 | 8:43 am
    BioLite is a known company developing and manufacturing advanced energy products that make cooking with wood as clean safe and easy as modern fuels while providing at the same time electricity to charge different devices off-grid. Alexander Drummond and Jonathan Cedar invented the BioLite technoloy based on the fact that a wood-burning stove should be able to utilize its own thermal energy. Their first product was the BioLite Camp Stove being followed by the BioLite HomeStove which was designed for all the people worldwide who cook on open fires. The BioLite Portable Grill is their newest…

  • Solar Impulse across America

    Cecilia
    22 May 2013 | 2:39 pm
    The entirely solar powered airplane Solar Impulse, created by Swiss aviator and adventurer Bertrand Piccard, is on its way to carry its message to the world. From the initial start in Switzerland to the first ever night flight on solar power in 2010; from the first international flights to Belgium and France in 2011 to the first intercontinental crossing from Europe to Morocco in 2012; from the crossing of the USA in 2013 to the ultimate goal of flying around the world in 2015, Solar Impulse has been attracting a lot of interest, and its achievements have been enjoying continuous worldwide…

  • Environmental service of urban trees

    Cecilia
    9 May 2013 | 12:58 am
    Forest Service research shows that urban trees store an estimated 21 million tons of carbon, which translates to an environmental service valued at $1.5 billion in economic benefit. Annual net carbon uptake by these trees is estimated at 21 million tons and $1.5 billion in economic benefit. “With expanding urbanization, city trees and forests are becoming increasingly important to sustain the health and well-being of our environment and our communities,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. States in forested regions typically have the highest percentage of urban tree cover. States…

  • Wind turbines learn how to swim

    Cecilia
    8 May 2013 | 1:00 am
    Large offshore wind parks in the North and Baltic Sea will produce hundreds of megawatt of energy in the near future and are, together with the onshore turbines, the basis of the energy revolution. The winds are stronger, more consistent and more predictable further away from the coast. However, common fixed-bottom offshore wind turbines are too expensive at high water depths. Scientists at the Stuttgart Chair of Wind Energy (SWE), University of Stuttgart now research on floating offshore wind turbines that can be installed in water depths of more than 130 feet. Such turbines are not anchored…

  • Green Commercial Kitchen Certification

    Cecilia
    5 Apr 2011 | 11:11 am
    Katie at Food Service Warehouse alerted us to a new program they are offering to certify restaurants as having a Green Kitchen. Their program covers five key areas: •Energy Conservation Using  ENERGY STAR® qualified equipment and learning how to save even more money by operating machines and appliances only when needed. •Water Conservation Implementing Energy-efficient dishwashers and low-flow pre-rinse sprayers are two examples of reducing water usage. •Waste Reduction Learning to reduce the amount of waste by composting food scraps, recycling whenever possible and investing in…
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    Jetson Green

  • Try Before You Buy: Tiny Cabins by Hobbitat at Ecotourism-Friendly Blue Moon Rising

    LYNNE OCONNOR
    23 May 2013 | 3:39 am
    Recently featured on Tiny House Talk, tiny home builder, Hobbitat, was started just over a year ago by Maryland custom home builder and historic restoration specialist, Bill Thomas. Since 1995, Bill and his wife, Sue, had been designing and building homes as Blue Sky Ventures and, in 2011, they began constructing little buildings with reclaimed materials and decided to shift focus with Hobbitat when they began work on thirteen cabins for the Blue Moon Rising eco-tourism retreat on Maryland’s Deep Creek Lake. Initially called “Hobs,” the rental cabins have been dubbed “Waldens” after…

  • DEWA Headquarters in Dubai is World’s Largest LEED Platinum Public Building

    LYNNE OCONNOR
    22 May 2013 | 1:47 pm
    The recently opened Dubai Energy and Water Authority’s (DEWA) Sustainable Building in Dubai has been awarded LEED Platinum status, becoming the largest public sector building in the world to achieve that status and set a new standard in sustainable building construction. It is also the United Arab Emirates’ first public sector green building, was constructed with 36 percent recycled materials, features high-efficiency insulation, and has been designed to reduce water consumption by 48 percent and energy consumption by 66 percent. The HVAC units in the 340,000 square foot building are…

  • Stone House in the Swiss Mountains Gets an Energy-Efficient Upgrade

    Mandy
    21 May 2013 | 2:01 pm
    Located in the Swiss Mountains, this gorgeous 200-year-old home has received a variety of energy-efficient, sustainable upgrades by Savioz Fabrizzi Architects, who sought to maintain the home’s original beauty while achieving Swiss Minergie energy conservation standards. The exterior remained untouched, and exposed concrete walls and screed floors were added to the interior to match the stone facade. The grey color scheme may seem drab to some, but the textural differences and pops of color, particularly the mustard yellow in the kitchen, keep it from looking dull or unfinished. Thermal…

  • Going Off the Grid Gehry-Style

    LYNNE OCONNOR
    20 May 2013 | 9:06 pm
    Next year’s SUPRASTUDIO program at UCLA Architecture and Urban Design will be all about going off the grid on an urban scale. In a recent discussion with Dennis Shelden, Craig Webb, and Andrew Witt of Gehry Technologies, Frank Gehry talks about how, early in his career, he would get upset when electricians came into his buildings and punched holes in the walls to put wires in. Considering that the aerospace industry is developing systems for Skylab that were miniaturized and light, Gehry started to think about how to change the way we solve problems in urban design to be less dependent on…

  • Tour the Blu Homes Breezehouse May 18 and 19 in Hudson Valley

    Mandy
    20 May 2013 | 1:57 am
    If you’re wondering what it would be like to take a look inside an iconic home like the Breezehouse by Blu Homes, your opportunity to do so is this weekend. As the first home of its kind on the East Coast, the Breezehouse offers a unique living style that accentuates the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley with high ceilings, clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an intricate yet minimalist prefabricated style. On May 18 and 19 at noon, Blu Homes will offer an exclusive design seminar for those interested in finding out more about the sustainable features, personalization options, and…
 
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    gbNYC Real Estate Group | Commercial Real Estate & Green Buildings in New York City

  • Cornell NYC Tech to Bring Net Zero, LEED Platinum to $2B Roosevelt Island Campus

    Stephen Del Percio
    23 May 2013 | 7:01 am
    We’ve neglected one of the biggest stories in the local green building, building science, and technology scenes for some time. But it’s timely to discuss right now because, earlier this month, the City Council signed off on Cornell University’s ambitious $2 billion plan to build an applied science and engineering campus on the south end of Roosevelt Island. At this point, the final approval for the project – which has successfully moved through the city’s ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) process – is Mayor Bloomberg’s, which is a fait…

  • With 1 World Trade Center Topped Out, Industry Expects Rest of Tenants Will Come

    Stephen Del Percio
    20 May 2013 | 6:45 pm
    Image credit: Port Authority of NY & NJ via AECOM. Back on May 10, Tishman Construction placed the final piece of 1 World Trade Center’s spire in place, finally topping out the tallest tower in the Western Hemisphere at its symbolic 1776-foot height. Now the major hurdle that’s left for the Port Authority (and its minority partner, the Durst Organization) is to finish finding tenants for the rest of the 3.5 million-square-foot, 104-story tower, which today remains only 55-percent leased just 18 months before it’s slated for occupancy. But industry experts are confident…

  • Mid-Sized Midtown Office Buildings Earn LEED-EB: OM Certification

    Stephen Del Percio
    14 May 2013 | 5:17 pm
    Entrance to 498 Seventh Avenue The sustainability consulting firm CodeGreen Solutions recently announced that two George Comfort & Sons-owned office buildings in Midtown have earned LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (2009) certification from USGBC. The 650,000-square-foot 498 Seventh Avenue and the 900,000-square-foot 200 Madison Avenue were certified Gold and Silver, respectively. By our count, this raises the total number of LEED-EB-rated office buildings in New York City to 44. 200 Madison Avenue Energy efficiency was a primary focus for CodeGreen in…

  • Connecting with 100K: LinkedIn Continues to Expand at Empire State Building

    Stephen Del Percio
    8 May 2013 | 6:54 pm
    Recently, LinkedIn continued its impressive expansion run at the Empire State Building by signing on for the entire 22nd floor – an additional 31,000 square feet – bringing its total footprint at the iconic tower to nearly 110,000 square feet. The company’s increasing presence in the building continues to make it an attractive option for other technology and media sector tenants who are looking for space in the Midtown South submarket. Initially in 2011, it was the tower’s green features and capital improvement program that were “key” to attracting LinkedIn’s…

  • Midtown South Buzz: Tech Firm Doubles Space in Move to 200 Fifth Avenue

    Stephen Del Percio
    3 May 2013 | 6:06 am
    The online media company BuzzFeed has secured a two-year sublease from Tiffany for nearly 58,000 square feet on the full eighth floor of L&L Holdings’ historic LEED for Core and Shell Gold 200 Fifth Avenue. The company – which is currently heaquartered around the corner at 54 West 21st Street – is nearly doubling its footprint in connection with the move. Tiffany will build out the space itself – meaning that BuzzFeed will likely be on the move again when the sublease expires in the fall of 2015. The deal reflects a couple of important points about the technology…
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    Leafygreen.info

  • Prana Organic Cotton Sublime Skirt

    Courtney
    24 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    If you want to feel comfy but still a bit fancy I’ve got just the skirt for you ladies. I’d suggest trying this super soft 100% organic jersey cotton skirt from Prana. They create yoga wear with function in mind. Since 1992 they have been making climbing and yoga clothing, which they found out works [...]Check out the review @ Prana Organic Cotton Sublime Skirt

  • Orbee-Tuff Glow for Good Ball

    Christine
    22 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    This is the Orbee-Tuff Glow for Good Ball. I noticed that this smells like mint too. My dogs will sniff but do not seem to be attracted to play with it much. My dog likes playing with this ball but gets over it quickly. This ball is better than the Glow-in-the-Dark Whistle Ball because it [...]Check out the review @ Orbee-Tuff Glow for Good Ball

  • ChicoBag Produce Stand Collection

    Courtney
    20 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    ChicoBag’s products are “designed to be unforgettable.” And that is just what their Produce Stand Collection is; something not to forget when you head to the grocery store or farmer’s market because it is a great alternative to single use plastic bags. These 3 bags all fold small enough to stuff themselves into a super [...]Check out the review @ ChicoBag Produce Stand Collection

  • Orbee-Tuff Glow-in-the-Dark Whistle Ball

    Christine
    17 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    This is a Glow-in-the-Dark Whistle Ball by Orbee-Tuff. The texture is soft but a little sticky. I noticed my dog’s hair and the grass sticks to it a lot, but I can easily get it off by rinsing it under the stink. It has yet to whistle, I have thrown it far and soft and [...]Check out the review @ Orbee-Tuff Glow-in-the-Dark Whistle Ball

  • Runa Focused Energy Traditional Guayusa Tea

    Keri
    15 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Every once in a while I get off my coffee and back to my love of tea. I enjoy the whole process of brewing, steeping and all of my pretty teapots and such that go along with it. I wasn’t feeling great and didn’t want coffee so I steeped myself a pot of Runa focused [...]Check out the review @ Runa Focused Energy Traditional Guayusa Tea
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    Renewable Energy News - RenewableEnergyWorld.com

  • The Copycat Syndrome, Innovation and Not Giving Up

    Paula Mints, Navigant Consulting
    24 May 2013 | 8:21 am
    Call it the copycat syndrome or marketing burnout wherein a company has a success with one product at which point every company in the space copies the effort leaving a market dotted with me-too products with little differentiation other than price. Eventually through this process value is suctioned out of the product or service, demand wanes, and consumers move on. It is almost impossible to satisfy consumer desire for the cheapest or most innovative product/technology/service/oh-heck-anything, particularly because in the end the equilibrium price may well be zero and innovation may be…

  • Rising Energy Dependency Endangers Europe’s Economy

    Zoë Casey
    24 May 2013 | 6:59 am
    The issue of energy may have been overshadowed by that of tax at yesterday’s EU summit of Heads of State in Brussels, but its growing importance and impact on Europe’s economy is one that cannot be ignored. As the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, Europeans are paying a lot for their energy – prices are 37% higher than those in the US and 20% hi

  • Geothermal Exploratory Fund May Spur $9.6 Billion Investment

    Louise Downing, Bloomberg
    24 May 2013 | 6:11 am
    A proposed $500 million fund to help developers of geothermal power explore new sites for projects may leverage about $9.6 billion of new investment, unleashing as much as 2,400 megawatts of capacity, a report found.

  • Solar Tax Credit Creates Opportunity for Indian Tribes

    David Burton and Anne Levin-Nussbaum, Akin Gump
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Many American Indian tribes have been considering business opportunities in connection with solar projects. To date, most of the focus has been with respect to the siting of utility scale solar projects on tribal land in the desert. For instance, the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians have leased land on their Nevada reservation for a 250 MW solar project being developed by kRoad Solar.

  • How to Generate Better Intelligence, More Wind Power and Increased Profits

    JJ Jamieson, Versify Solutions Inc.
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Since 2007, more than 40,000 MW of new wind generation has been built in the U.S., according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). Tens of thousands of new turbines are operating, a testament to the entrepreneurial and engineering spirit of renewable development firms, equipment suppliers and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies.
 
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    Rebuilding Together

  • A Message from John L. Fiegel: Midwest Natural Disasters

    tparsons
    21 May 2013 | 11:01 am
    Dear Rebuilding Together Supporters, On behalf of the Rebuilding Together Network, I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to our families, friends, and neighbors experiencing devastating losses due to the tornadoes in Oklahoma and the recent and continued severe storms and flooding in the Midwest. Rebuilding Together has been in communication with affiliate leaders from affected areas and assessing needs and capacity. We are also communicating with agencies such as NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), which is coordinating an effective and efficient response…

  • Rebuilding Together, Lowe’s and Carter’s Kids Revitalize Como Neighborhood in St. Paul

    tparsons
    2 May 2013 | 8:45 am
    St. Paul, MN – April 29, 2013 – Rebuilding Together, a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home, is teaming up with Lowe’s through its Community Partners program and Carter’s Kids May 1-2 to benefit the Como neighborhood of St. Paul. More than 100 volunteers, including Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers, will join together for the two- day event to provide free critical home repairs to three low-income homeowners and improvements to the Northwest Como Recreation and Daycare Center. In addition, volunteers will install a new playground for the local…

  • THE CRAFTSMAN “MAKE A DIFFERENCE” TOUR HITS THE ROAD TO ASSIST COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE

    tparsons
    26 Apr 2013 | 11:22 am
    Ty Pennington Encourages Craftsman Club, SHOP YOUR WAYSM REWARDS Members and Americans Across the Country to Get Involved HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill – April 26 - The Craftsman brand and Craftsman Club, a part of the SHOP YOUR WAYSM Network, are hitting the road this summer to inspire Americans to open their tool boxes and start working with their hands, all while making a difference in communities across the country.  Leading the charge is the Craftsman “Make a Difference” Tour, launching on April 27, which will visit more than 20 locations nationwide, renovating homes of U.S. veterans…

  • Rebuilding Together Receives Ninth Consecutive 4-Star Charity Rating

    tparsons
    9 Apr 2013 | 7:31 am
    Rebuilding Together included in only 1% of charities rated, which have received at least 9 consecutive 4-star evaluations WASHINGTON, DC – April 8, 2013 – Rebuilding Together, a safe and healthy housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home, recently earned a 4-star charity rating (the highest rating) for the ninth consecutive year from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest charity evaluator. With this year’s rating, Rebuilding Together is now included in the top group of only 1 percent of the charities rated, which have received at least nine consecutive 4-star…

  • Wells Fargo commits $850,000 to help launch Healthy Housing Challenge: effort to repair 1,500 homes with safety, health threats

    tparsons
    29 Mar 2013 | 8:45 am
    Grants, volunteers to help National Center for Healthy Housing, Rebuilding Together effort SAN FRANCISCO and COLUMBIA, MD, March 27, 2013 – National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH), a national nonprofit dedicated to creating safe and healthy homes for children and their families, and Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation has committed up to $850,000 over three years to help launch the “Healthy Housing Challenge.” This new initiative seeks to bring home improvement help to seniors, veterans and low-income families currently living in…
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    Green-Trust.Org

  • EverLift’s Looped Airfoil Wind Turbine (LAWT)

    Steve Spence
    23 May 2013 | 1:58 pm
    Those attending the recent Windpower 2013 exhibition could get a first-hand explanation of the Looped Airfoil Wind Turbine, a concept said to overcome shortcomings of horizontal wind turbines. Devised by a startup called EverLift Inc. in Nassau, Del., the device looks a little like a conveyor belt with airfoils for cleats. The airfoils cut through the wind and push the belt along. Electric generators would be driven by the moving chain via a rack-and-pinion setup. http://machinedesign.com/batteriespower-supplies/looks-conveyor-works-wind-turbine

  • Mother’s Day Special – Free Veggie Oil / Biodiesel Info

    Steve Spence
    12 May 2013 | 11:03 am
    In honor of my Mom, and my Wife, I’m giving away our Biodiesel / Vegetable oil as Fuel info package. This is what you need to know to make biodiesel from vegetable oil as a straight replacement for diesel fuel, or convert your diesel to run on filtered and heated vegetable oil, used or new. Mothers Day Special – Free Biodiesel / Vegetable Oil Fuel eBook package – http://essnmag.com/wordpress/products/

  • A Seven Year Battle Against Fraud to Maintain the Turgo Turbine Design in Public Domain

    Steve Spence
    8 May 2013 | 12:33 pm
    For over seven years Joseph Hartvigsen of Hartvigsen Hydro (Utah,USA) and Peter Ruyter of Cargo and Kraft (Sweden) have used the Internet to successfully prevent the alternative energy community around the world from using the turgo water turbine design, and continue to do so. (See recent archives, microhydropower.net) This was accomplished by posting very strongly worded claims to ownership of the turgo design on the world’s biggest micro hydro discussion site, microhydropower.net.   http://watermotorstory.blogspot.com/2010/08/hartvigsens-post-to-group-dec12-05-and.html  Hartvigsen…

  • The waterproof, military, portable power pack

    Steve Spence
    6 May 2013 | 6:42 am
    I was having a discussion with a buddy of mine, and he mentioned an outfit that was selling a waterproof battery pack in a hardened package.  It used a 12v 5ah NiMH battery pack, and included a waterproof 12v power port. At an asking price of over $220, I felt this was a ripoff, but the concept is valid. I knew I could design a better solution, so I came up with a 10ah, and 20ah version, for about half the cost, with some nice options like built in  usb ports (cellphone, mp3, and kindle charging) and solar recharging.   So Here Goes:   One surplus ammo can, water proof, can hold…

  • Automatic Battery Backup System

    Steve Spence
    29 Apr 2013 | 6:50 am
    This paper examines a battery backup circuit and Control Board designed by the author to eliminate hazardous conditions and inconveniences experienced whenever the local power grid fails. Fortunately, power outages in this country are usually cleared on the average within an hour to ninety minutes, although many can last for days. Everyone who has a system with pumps relies on the grid to keep the pumps running. In certain cases, systems need to be shut down immediately upon loss of power, either to avoid damage to the system or for safety reasons. In the case of oil or gas fed furnaces, fuel…
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    Popular Science - The Environment

  • Bridge Collapse in Washington State Sends Two Cars Plunging Into The Skagit River

    Clay Dillow
    24 May 2013 | 9:29 am
    The collapsed I-5 span over Washington's Skagit River No one was killed, but it's just another example of how badly American infrastructure is crumbling. It's been a rough week for bridges around the U.S. At about 7 p.m. local time in Washington state yesterday a bridge spanning the Skagit river north of Seattle (part of Interstate 5) collapsed after a truck carrying a tall load collided with one of the spans, sending two cars plunging into the river below. The three people in those cars all survived with non-life-threatening injuries, but it should probably come as a surprise to no one…

  • FEMA's 'Waffle House Index' Rates Moore, Oklahoma, At Disaster Level Yellow

    Clay Dillow
    22 May 2013 | 9:15 am
    A Waffle House in Fort Worth, under sunnier skies Billy Hathorn via Wikimedia No we're not kidding, and yes that's a good thing. Moore, Okla., is currently running at Waffle House Index Level Yellow, and that's not a joke. Craig Fugate, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has created his own informal system of rating disasters in a humanizing way, using the status of the local Waffle House as a measure of the impact of a natural disaster on a region or neighborhood. And if that sounds patronizing or nonsensical, read on, because it makes a lot of sense. After a…

  • U.S. Has Depleted Two Lake Eries' Worth Of Groundwater Since 1900

    Francie Diep
    21 May 2013 | 12:30 pm
    Aquifers in the Continental US This map of major aquifers in the U.S. highlights the High Plains Aquifer (green) and the Dakota Aquifer (white, outlined in black). L.F. Konikow, U.S. Geological Survey Aquifer water levels are rapidly falling across most of the U.S., according to a new study. Over the last century, the U.S. has depleted enough of its underground freshwater supply to fill Lake Erie twice, according to a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey. Here's another way to understand how much water we've used. Just between 2000 and 2008, the latest period in the study and the period…

  • Reconstructing The Oklahoma Tornado From Start To Finish, In Videos

    Clay Dillow
    21 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    The EF-4 Moore, Okla., Tornado, May 20, 2013 This is what real destruction looks like. The devastation wrought by the mile-wide, EF-4 tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., and south Oklahoma City yesterday is really difficult to put into words. You could start with the huge path of destruction, more than a mile wide at places, that wiped entire neighborhoods clean off the map like they were never even there. It's more difficult when you get to the two elementary schools--concrete and cinder block buildings that gave way to the truly devastating force of this storm. It's tough to describe…

  • High School Students Devise More Accurate Climate Modeling Method

    Clay Dillow
    17 May 2013 | 10:01 am
    Fossilized leaves can tell us a lot about out climate history Frank Kovalchek via Wikimedia By studying the way leaves shrink when they fossilize, a team of more than 100 high school students could build more accurate models of climate change. A team of high school students have co-authored a scientific journal paper with their University of Arizona grad student instructor that could have a serious impact on the reliability of climate models. Their work details the impact of shrinkage on dried, fossilized leaves--shrinkage that is often unaccounted for in climate models. By better accounting…
 
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    Sustainable Industries: All Articles

  • San Francisco gets its first eco-district

    Laura Tam
    24 May 2013 | 8:40 am
    A proposal for the Central Corridor Eco-District. Rendering by Jihee Chung, SWA Group. Over the last year, there’s been palpable buzz in San Francisco around eco-districts — essentially, sustainability plans that operate at the neighborhood scale. We’ve learned about different eco-district models and how eco-districts are working in Portland, Seattle, Brooklyn and Denver. The San Francisco Planning Department has been especially proactive in this learning process, putting together numerous presentations on district-scale infrastructure and sustainability throughout 2012. The…

  • Leave no e-trace

    Harpreet Cheema
    23 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    The pace of change in technology today is unrelenting. Electronics are outdated in the blink of an eye, consigned to trash, or e-trash. Today’s consumer is obsessed with new technology; there are over 300 million computers and one billion cell phones produced every year. With old electronics becoming redundant, inefficient, and obsolete, we are quickly replacing them with new ones. But what happens to old electronics or e-waste? Electronic waste is the fastest growing stream of global waste and will continue to be dumped in developing countries least equipped to deal with it…

  • Standard and pores

    Molly Banton
    22 May 2013 | 7:16 am
    The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals is a new worldwide initiative for the standardized classification of hazardous chemicals and a communication system to convey information regarding their proper use and handling.Currently many systems for the classification and labeling exist between and within countries. This is costly for companies working with different systems, difficult for governments to regulate, and dangerous for workers handling the chemicals who may find a system unfamiliar or confusing. The goals of implementing GHS are: reduce costs,…

  • The responsible enterprise

    Dinah Koehler and Chris Park
    21 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Historically many companies have treated ESG (environmental, social and governance) issues as important but tangential to the core business. More often than not, these issues were managed as secondary activities with an indirect connection to the core business and bottom line.The market is undergoing a significant shift, with companies increasingly expected to address ESG issues head on. ESG is becoming a C-Suite issue and is expected to have a material impact on the bottom line. A recent Deloitte survey found two-thirds of global CFOs expect their role in ESG-related strategies to increase…

  • Don't sell the farm

    Kimberly Freeman Brown
    17 May 2013 | 4:14 pm
    My in-laws were raised in the South where they had access to fresh produce that they grew alongside their parents. They knew what good, wholesome food was and they established healthy eating habits for their kids – my husband and his brother – even in Brooklyn, N.Y., where they resided for 46 years.My husband's family is likely the exception. For many kids growing up in the inner city, chances are tomatoes, green beans and peaches that haven't come out of a can are hard to come by. In far too many urban areas, eating healthy is not just a luxury – it's next to…
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    Way To Go Green dot org

  • How To Save Money By Making Your Utilities Eco-Friendly!

    Cato_Green
    2 May 2013 | 6:15 pm
    By using green energy, you can save on energy costs and care for the environment. You do not have to purchase a car that is electric in order to make this work! Use this article to come up with ways to save on energy. Wear natural fabrics in the summertime instead of cranking up the air conditioner. Natural materials like cotton repel moisture from your skin and allow it to stay cool. Light colors help you to feel cooler than darker or warmer colors. Install solar panels and reap the benefits easily. However, there are several things to consider before making any decisions. The major thing…

  • Tips For Understanding What Green Energy Technology Is All About

    Cato_Green
    4 Apr 2013 | 4:45 pm
    If you’d like to help the environment and save some money on your energy bills, there’s no better way to do it than using green energy. Purchasing an electric car is not necessary! The following article contains commonsense strategies you can use to “green” your home right now, even if you’re poor. Limit your use of bottled water. What a lot of people don’t know is that a lot of bottled water comes from the taps of other cities; a lot of energy is wasted in the process. If you want to drink tap water but don’t trust the source, consider buying a…

  • Tips For Understanding What Green Energy Technology Is All About

    Cato_Green
    7 Mar 2013 | 1:30 pm
    Going green will not only benefit you, but it will also benefit the environment. There are some easy ways to reduce your energy use and save money by being more efficient in your home. This article provides useful tips on home-energy conservation. If you are one of the many people who desire to live a greener life when it comes to saving our planet’s energy, there is much you can do. While you might not have much money to spend on going green, you can begin by cleaning up furnace filters every month and set the heat to 60 degrees when you aren’t home. Setting the temperature on…
 
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    INHABITAT

  • Eighteen-Year-Old Builds One-Man DIY Submarine Out of a Drainpipe

    Sherrell Dorsey
    25 May 2013 | 12:40 pm
    Read the rest of Eighteen-Year-Old Builds One-Man DIY Submarine Out of a Drainpipe Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Justin Beckerman, lake hopatcong, new jersey teen submarine, nj teen creates submarine, teen creates submarine     

  • VIDEO: How to Get Started With Cloth Diapers

    Yuka Yoneda
    25 May 2013 | 12:15 pm
    Approximately 27.4 billion disposable diapers end up in US landfills each year, and once there, they take about 500 years to decompose! If you want to stop contributing the the problem with your baby’s diapers, (and maybe even potty train early) cloth diapers are a great option, but getting started with cloth diapers can be a bit intimidating for newbies. Inhabitots editor Julie Seguss recently got a tutorial in cloth-diapering by Carolyn Sutton of Charlie Banana to learn about the basics, and we made this handy video so that you can follow along step by step, and learn how to get…

  • Walmart and Gap Still Refuse to Sign Bangladesh Workers’ Safety Accord

    Mark Boyer
    25 May 2013 | 12:07 pm
    In the weeks following the horrific Rana Plaza building collapse that killed 1,127 workers — one of the worst tragedies in the history of the garment industry — more than 30 of the world’s leading apparel companies signed an agreement vowing to protect the safety of garment workers. But two prominent American companies have refused to sign the accord. Wal-Mart announced plans to launch its own safety initiative, and Gap has refused to sign any agreement, citing liability concerns. In a recent LA Times op-ed, law professors James Brudney and Catherine Fisk call the…

  • Group-Two Design’s LED Chandelier is a Futuristic Interpretation of a Classic Light Fixture

    Morgana Matus
    25 May 2013 | 9:59 am
    Long gone are the old-fashioned chandeliers outfitted with incandescent light bulbs and enough ornament to put a Christmas tree to shame. Group-Two Design recently brought their ultra-modern LED chandelier to this year’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair, and the futuristic fixture turned heads with its cutting edge design. Still paying homage to the shape of a conventional chandelier, the new form is a minimalist and energy-efficient interpretation of an old classic. Read the rest of Group-Two Design’s LED Chandelier is a Futuristic Interpretation of a Classic…

  • Miniature Lille Huset Dollhouses are Cute and Customizable Craft Projects

    Charley Cameron
    25 May 2013 | 9:44 am
    Alyson Beaton’s adorable Lille Huset Dollhouses are miniature dollhouses that kids can create, color and customize as a simple, rewarding craft activity. Translating into “little house” in Norwegian, the Lille Huset dollhouses are simple enough for kids to assemble, and can be stacked and arranged to create entire miniature cities. Even better, the dollhouses are eco-friendly—made from 100% recycled paperboard and printed in the USA with a certified carcinogenic free printing process. READ MORE Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Alyson Beaton, children's activities,…
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    Eco-Office Gals

  • How Your Office Can Go Green in 2013

    Jen
    17 May 2013 | 7:53 am
    We’re all in it Together! 

Owing to increased global warming and rapidly depleting non-renewable resources, we have all started to look into ways in which they can save the environment and the Earth. And since office buildings contribute largely to the consumption of resources and release of harmful chemicals into the environment, a big difference can be made to sustaining the environment if all companies take certain measures. Here are a few ways in which offices can contribute towards conserving the environment without much expense. 

Reducing Energy Consumption Go green with…

  • Effective Office Tips for a Greener Workplace

    Jen
    13 May 2013 | 6:37 am
    Want to make your office greener on the budget? Want to contribute to the green revolution without making any major changes to your office? If your answer’s yes, then check out the following few office tips that will help you create a greener workplace. #1: Use Multiple Bins Have separate bins for paper, glass, plastic and for food scraps. Putting a multiple bin system like this one allows you to manage the waste better. Make sure you put a paper recycling bin next to each and every desk. This should go into the “recycling system” rather than the general waste. #2: Choose Green Power…

  • What Homeowners Need to Know About Vapor Intrusion – An infographic

    Jen
    9 May 2013 | 10:23 am
    Vapor intrusion generally occurs when there is a migration of volatile chemicals from contaminated groundwater or soil into an overlying building. Volatile chemicals can emit vapors that may migrate through subsurface soils and into indoor air spaces of overlying buildings in ways similar to that of radon gas seeping into homes. Volatile chemicals may include volatile organic compounds, select semivolatile organic compounds, and some inorganic analytes, such as elemental mercury, radon, and hydrogen sulfide. – EPA What Homeowners Need to Know About Vapor Intrusion – An infographic…

  • Staying Healthy At The Office – 5 Interesting Tips

    Jen
    2 May 2013 | 2:55 pm
    With just a little bit of effort and little bit of interest, your health levels can seriously improve if only you consider some interesting ideas regarding your daily life at the office. After all, we all live busy lives and most of our lives have to suffer due to tremendous amounts of work, unorthodox working hours and silly levels of stress.Rather than losing it all to an office job, why not treat some of the symptoms as they come along? Let’s see what are the ten things you can do to improve the quality of your health at the office. 1.) Water, More Water Remember that old saying that…

  • The Importance of Good Office Design In Creating a Productive Working Environment

    Jen
    30 Apr 2013 | 7:35 am
    An inspiring office space is crucial to motivating and engaging staff; by combining a good office design with environmental considerations, you can improve productivity, profitability and reduce your carbon footprint. Office design involves integrating various elements of furnishings, including partitioning, furniture, flooring, artwork and lighting to create an overall effect. Plenty of natural light, comfortable furniture and decent sized workspaces are a given; access to decent-sized kitchen facilities and break-out rooms should also be a top priority. Give your office an attractive colour…
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    TheCityFix

  • Friday Fun: A Los Angeles cycling highway?

    Elise Zevitz
    24 May 2013 | 7:29 am
    A four-legged passenger enjoys the CycLAvia bike event in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Melissa Wall. “The South California towns, Los Angeles and Pasadena, are now connected by the strangest and most interesting of links-a magnificent, elevated cycle-way, with a smooth surface of wood, running for nine miles through beautiful country, flanked by green hills, and affording views at every point of the snow-clad Sierras.” –T.D. Denham A reporter named T.D. Denham wrote that Southern California, ought to one day become, “a cyclist’s paradise,” with its…

  • All aboard: Engaging the public on transport projects

    Matthew Raifman
    22 May 2013 | 1:59 pm
    A woman raises her hand to speak at a community meeting in Aurangabad, India. Photo by World Bank Photo Collection. Public transport is a core part of our daily lives. It is an economic driver — linking commuters to employment opportunities and bringing potential customers to retail and commercial establishments. It impacts our health, as modes of urban transport affect the air we breathe; our safety when we walk, bike, and commute; and our physical fitness. Transport is, in short, a fundamental part of life for most of the world. As the world becomes more urban, transport will play an even…

  • Weaving people back into the urban fabric

    Luísa Zottis
    21 May 2013 | 12:03 pm
    How do we make our cities more people-centric? Photo by Blmurch. If cities are to be more people-oriented, shouldn’t we work on sharing the space with each other? That’s  the intention of the Bench of Friendship, upon which it is impossible to sit alone. Sponsored by the British-based Fisherman’s Friend and designed by students from the Institute of Design Hamburg (IN.D), the bench invites those who want to rest or enjoy the view to invite someone else to share the bench with them. The motto of the project is, “Never be without a friend,” and its aim is to restore the human…

  • How clean is the air we breathe in cities?

    Umang Jain
    20 May 2013 | 8:43 am
    A boy peers out a bus window in Mumbai, India. Photo by gregor_y. More and more cities worldwide are grappling with the ever-increasing menace of air pollution — especially in India, which contains some of the most polluted cities in the world. Rapid economic growth in developing countries and increased individual wealth is leading to an ever-increasing number of cars and motorcycles on the roads. We are seeing highly increased emissions and rapid deterioration in urban air quality. The transport sector itself is now the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide,…

  • Friday Fun: Self-driving automobile + Bus + Taxi = Otobuxi

    Elise Zevitz
    17 May 2013 | 7:46 am
    The Otobuxi could serve as a feeder from residential areas to mass transport stations. Photo by Charles Bombardier. Most residential streets are not serviced by city buses. Even if they were not too heavy, bulky, or noisy, there is seldom enough passengers to fill them. The automobile does not fare much better, creating traffic congestion and parking woes, contributing to poor air quality, and posing as a safety hazards for pedestrians. Another option — the taxi cab — adds the problem of high cost to the automobile’s list of negative impacts. That’s where the Otobuxi comes…
 
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    Cleantech

  • Report: Better Place to file for bankruptcy

    Katie Fehrenbacher
    24 May 2013 | 12:33 pm
    After around $850 million in funding and six years in existence, the electric car infrastructure startup Better Place is expected to file for bankruptcy within the next several days, Fortune reported Friday. The Israeli business journal Globes also reported yesterday that Better Place’s main investor Israel Corp had been mulling over whether Better Place will be able to continue its operations. The Globes piece estimated that Better Place would need another four years and $500 million to reach break even. Better Place just raised $100 million back in November 2012, with much of it…

  • Where are they now (Fisker edition)? The story gets even weirder

    Katie Fehrenbacher
    24 May 2013 | 11:43 am
    Electric car maker Fisker Automotive has yet to file for bankruptcy or find a buyer, but it already has some alum — two former Fisker CEOs — that are working on some unusual projects. Most notably, Reuters reported Friday that Fisker founder and former CEO Henrik Fisker has teamed up with Hong Kong mogul Richard Li in an effort to buy Fisker’s remaining $171 million in loans from the Department of Energy, so that Fisker won’t have to go bankrupt. The duo are offering between $25 million and $30 million for the loan, which would represent a discount of 17.5 cents on the…

  • Meet the cloud that will keep you warm at night

    David Meyer
    24 May 2013 | 10:24 am
    A company called AoTerra is doing very well indeed on the German crowdfunding platform Seedmatch. At the start of this month it broke the record for the most crowdfunding received so far by a German startup, leading Seedmatch to raise the limit on its round (investors get a share of the startup’s profits) from €500,000 ($648,000) to €750,000. The limit may have to be lifted again as AoTerra hit it minutes ago, and it still has 24 days to go. So what makes Dresden-based AoTerra such hot property? The fact that it does just that: heats properties. And these are no ordinary heaters.

  • Dodgy data: the iceberg to science’s Titanic

    Amanda Alvarez
    23 May 2013 | 4:03 pm
    There’s an epidemic going on in science, and it’s not of the H7N9 bird flu variety. The groundbreaking, novel results that scientists are incentivized to publish (and which journalists are then compelled to cover) seem peppered with gaps: experiments that no one can reproduce, studies that have to be retracted, and the emergence of an iceberg of an integrity crisis, both for scientists personally and for those who rely — medically, financially, professionally — on the data they produce. As a recent PhD, I can attest to the fact that many researchers first experience the…

  • BYOD is for amateurs. Try bring-your-own-laboratory

    Derrick Harris
    23 May 2013 | 3:36 pm
    Smartphones never cease to amaze me. I’m still impressed by how productive I’m able to be on my Android device no matter where I am (often to the chagrin of my wife), and I’m still surprised every time I see someone pull out a Square when it comes time to pay (like happened last night at Fat Choy in Las Vegas, a way-off-strip place you should totally check out if you’re in town). But neither of those situations really compare with busting out a phone in order to detect the levels of toxins in the air. Yet that’s exactly what a group of researchers at the University of Illinois have…
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    The Chic Ecologist

  • Charity Water Birthdays – Donation Gifts

    Jean-Paul
    2 May 2013 | 11:24 am
    Charity Water has come up with a concept I love, donations for your birthday! A pretty simple concept, but Charity Water allows you to create your own custom birthday donation page with goals to share with friends called the Birthday Donation Project. Wonderful! What is this Charity Water you may be asking? Their mission is [...] Related posts: World Water Day – Whole World Water Rock Star Recycle – Guitar String Bracelets for Charity Water Awareness – World Water Day, March 22nd Giving Eco-Gifts Water Saving Shower Heads by Oxygenics

  • The Journey is the Destination: Walking Holidays In Marin

    Jean-Paul
    22 Apr 2013 | 7:42 am
    Walking and Trekking place to place has long been a pastime for many Europeans. It is embedded in their culture. Germans and Brits especially enjoy getting out the walking stick(s) and ambling in nature with friends and family. Multi-day long distance trips are now popular with active people in many countries. Today you can choose [...] Related posts: Northern California Walking Tours The High Line Park Redevelopment – New York City Top 5 Best Walks in Seattle Local Seattle Vodka & Gin – Sound Spirits Top 7 Green Gadgets and Innovations of 2011

  • World Water Day – Whole World Water

    Jean-Paul
    30 Mar 2013 | 8:47 am
    This past Friday was World Water Day, and I was lucky to attend Whole World Water’s launch party in San Francisco. A perfect venue to showcase an innovative new way to look at bottled water in a ‘green’ way. Whole World Water‘s premise is simple. Provide high quality onsite filtered water in reusable glass bottles [...] Related posts: Water Awareness – World Water Day, March 22nd Pure Clear Glass Water Bottles Design Within Reach Eco Design Water Filter Green Water Bottles and Now The PlantBottle Soda Bottle BPA and Your Safest Reusable Water Bottle Choice

  • SFMOMA Expansion Plans – Vertical Garden

    Jean-Paul
    20 Feb 2013 | 8:01 am
    Who else is excited for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s expansion plans? Recently announced is a huge vertical garden or living wall of native plants expanding the entire block. Not only that, we can also expect: The largest public living wall of native plants in San Francisco 130,000 sqft of gallery space covering [...] Related posts: Green Living Walls, Vertical Gardens, Urban Rainforests, oh my! North America’s Largest Living Green Wall California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco Living Green Fashion – Woolly Pockets Worlds Largest Solar Powered Yacht –…

  • Reclaimed and Repurposed Automobile Furniture – Oxyd Factory

    Jean-Paul
    8 Feb 2013 | 6:08 am
    I love the idea of re-purposing discarded trash into art and functional pieces, just as Oxyd Factory has done with junked automobiles. The idea of repurposing and upcycling is a common topic here on The Chic Ecologist, primarily because I love the creativity and reduced environmental impact born out of the transformation. You may have [...] Related posts: Stylish Sustainable Furniture in Tel Aviv – Ubico Design Studio High Flying Recycled Retro Furniture Junkyard Tables Eco Friendly Reader Suggestions – Green Jewelry and Sustainable Furniture Design Recycled Glassware –…
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    Do The Green Thing: The Green Thing blog

  • Bloody Meat by Mathieu Frossard

    nickmalster
    21 May 2013 | 5:30 am
    Bloody Meat by Mathieu Frossard Visual artist Mathieu Frossard has treated us to a stomach-turning poster to tie in with the UK's National Vegetarian Week. “In every creative production, the visual aspect remains one of the key elements as it helps catch the attention of the viewer and thus communicate a message in a more efficient way. The image is intended to be a disgusting yet fascinating representation of flesh. Like an attractive revulsion, I hope it can capture a viewer’s attention to deliver the message: slow down on the meat and go for more…

  • Don't Don't by Emily Oberman

    nickmalster
    17 May 2013 | 7:21 am
    Don't Don't by Emily Oberman New York Pentagram partner Emily Oberman tweaks the iconic ‘Walk Don’t Walk’ street sign so it beams a message that we believe in. “I was sitting with my team and we were tossing around something like “Don’t Not Walk” as kind of a variation on “Just Do It” and someone said what about “Don’t Don’t Walk”, and it was a little silly and also perfect. Those words, plus the little word ‘Walk’ at the bottom of the poster, feel so powerful - two statements made from four words that…

  • Don’t Bottle It by Stuart Watson

    nickmalster
    10 May 2013 | 2:11 am
    Don’t Bottle It by Stuart Watson Venturethree’s Stuart Watson used his poster to argue his case against splashing out on bottled mineral water. “Being born in Bolton in the north west of England, my character is a perfect blend of manliness and stinginess. My inability to understand why my southern counterparts pay for water is part-financial and part-environmental. 27m tonnes of plastic is used to bottle water worldwide each year all because one in five people are ‘slightly nervous’ or ‘too scared’ to ask for tap water. I say, man up and ask for…

  • Lights Out by Hudson-Powell

    nickmalster
    3 May 2013 | 9:16 am
    Design company Hudson-Powell have created this rather endearing poster, encouraging us to show light bulbs a bit of compassion.  “In the Shinto religion inanimate objects are often given a persona or spirit to help people relate to them in a more humanistic way and to create a dialog with the object. Taking this idea and applying it to light bulbs, making them delicate living things that need rest and can dream seemed like a playful way of getting people to remember to turn them off.” Read more here. We’re selling this poster printed on FSC paper with…

  • Meat Luis by Liverpool Lad 23/04

    nickmalster
    23 Apr 2013 | 4:17 am
      Our first weekly poster is by Liverpool Lad, who gives a word of warning to Liverpool FC footballer and creator of controversy Luis Suarez after he sunk his jaws into a Chelsea defender in Sunday’s match. “Luis Suárez’s bite was an iconic carnivorous moment. When I saw it, I felt the need to make a statement to Luis, Liverpool fans and the world that excessive meat eating is bad for the world. Next time Luis is hungry, he should take a bite out of a falafel rather than flesh and set a good sustainable example.” Read more We’re…
 
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    FabianPattberg.com

  • Weekend reading: GRI G4 and the future of Sustainability reporting

    Fabian
    24 May 2013 | 7:52 pm
    The GRI conference this week has reingnited the discussion about the current state of Sustainability / CSR reporting. We have a lot to catch up on in terms of reading for this weekend to get up to speed with the different views of all these experts out there. This is my reading list for the [...]

  • All the links for the 2013 GRI Conference

    Fabian
    22 May 2013 | 5:15 am
    One of the biggest Sustainability / CSR conferences has started in Amsterdam today. The GRI Global Conference on Sustainability and Reporting today opened it gates until Friday evening. Although I am not able to be there this time I wanted to take the opportunity to today to provide you with the links you need to at least be there virtually: [...]

  • Introducing the new commenting system

    Fabian
    21 May 2013 | 8:03 am
    I have been looking for a better commenting system for my blog for a longer time now. I was and still am a big fan of Disqus but the recent plugin update somehow did not work for me anymore. So I set out to find a commenting system that incorporates as many social media channels [...]

  • My two blogging principles

    Fabian
    17 May 2013 | 1:31 pm
    I have been blogging on my personal website since 2008 and must admit I did not really know what I wanted to write about when I started it. It all changed when I got the first comments and I needed to engage with you, my readers. This should not sound strange quite the opposite. The [...]

  • Closing the forum: Learning what works and what does not

    Fabian
    16 May 2013 | 7:18 am
    I recently added a discussion forum to my site with the intention to provide a community for sustainability practitioners across the globe a place where we can be sure to have quality content and meet verified fellow sustainability practitioners. I thought this discussion forum was a great idea. But after 2 months and numerous conversations and useful feedback [...]
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    The Solar Drop - DIY Solar and Solar Energy News

  • Small Scale Solar Electric Power Systems

    Tom Jackson
    3 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    In the natural world, solar energy has two primary effects: heating and photochemical. The primary photochemical effect is photosynthesis, which is the foundation upon which all carbon fuels are built. Coal, oil, natural gas, wood, alcohol and any other fuel built by life are all forms of stored solar energy. The heating effects of solar energy can be used for both heating and cooling by proper design of buildings, a practice that goes back many thousand of years. Wind power and ocean current power systems are basically means of capturing solar power for human use. A sail boat is a solar…

  • 5 Cheap DIY Energy Fixes

    Tom Jackson
    29 Apr 2013 | 1:13 pm
    The hot months of summer come upon us like an uncomfortable rash, sending us scurrying around looking for a solution. However, turning up the AC isn't always the best option. Here are a few energy fixes and tips that could save you money and keep you cool all year long. Get Comfortable at Home Image via Flickr by RLHyde Dressing down at home is just common sense. Change into the lightest clothing you can wear, and get cozy. It's your house, after all. When you wear lighter clothing you might even think your warm house is a bit chilly. However, even if it's too warm for you, you won't have to…

  • Basics of Wiring Parallel and Series

    Tom Jackson
    23 Apr 2013 | 1:07 pm
    An introduction to series and parallel circuits Series connections: When a positive (+) end from one solar panel is connected to the negative (-) end of another module it is called a series circuit or a "string." When wired in series, the voltage increases but your current will remain the same. For every connection made in series, multiply the voltage by the number of solar panels. For example, let's say you have four solar panels that are 12VDC, 10A.  When you wire all four of them in series, just multiply the voltage of one solar panel for the number of solar panels in the…

  • Electricity for Beginners

    Tom Jackson
    19 Apr 2013 | 8:00 am
    This is a introduction to some of the fundamental concepts of electricity. Think of electricity like water flowing through a pipe that's pitched on a hill.  Gravity is the force that pushes the water down the pipe- this would be your voltage.  The amount of water that moves through the pipe would be your current, or amperage. A volt is a unit that measures the force of electrical pressure that moves electrons.  An amp is measurement of the current flowing through a wire. One amp of current moving with the force of one volt is equal to one Watt.  Naturally, multiplying the…

  • Stop "Go Green California" Telemarketing

    Tom Jackson
    18 Apr 2013 | 11:19 am
    Let me guess.  A rude telemarketer claiming to be from "Go Green California something something" called your home multiple times attempting to set an appointment with you for a solar consultation, right? I'll make this clear right off the bat- it's not GoGreenSolar.com and it's not GoGreenCalifornia.com.  You're sick of being harassed- you've tried calling back only to find that their caller ID sends you to some generic voicemail box.  You searched "go green solar" and now you're talking to us.  We are familiar with this story, but it's not us.   Over the past several…
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    ecomii simple living blog

  • Not Your Father’s Chevy: Playing with the Chevy Volt

    Green Diva Meg
    15 May 2013 | 7:05 pm
    Maybe I’m just a fickle gal, but it seems that I fall in love with the last car I test drive. The Chevy Volt is my 4th week-long review ride, and as of now, it is at the top of my real-world, eco-ride list. Sandy totaled two of our cars (with one tree!), and my daughter [...]

  • Running with Mariel Hemingway Part 1: Fun In the Green Divas Studio

    Green Diva Meg
    9 May 2013 | 6:22 am
    The title of this article is metaphoric only, because I assure you there is no way I could physically keep up with Mariel Hemingway, if I ever had the opportunity or notion to run with her! And yes, it is my clever way of trying to weave in her two current projects — a documentary film [...]

  • Green Living Product Picks: Spring 2013

    Green Diva Meg
    1 May 2013 | 7:06 pm
    Only last week I wrote about being a non-consumer for Earth Day . . . And I did celebrate Earth Day this year by unplugging (mostly), not buying anything, cooking nourishing meals, and getting outside as much as possible. It is always a great time to sort out my priorities, and I usually find a [...]

  • Wisdom of the Dalai Lama & an Unauthorized Exit

    Green Diva Meg
    17 Apr 2013 | 6:46 pm
    After events like the recent Boston Marathon bombing or the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting, my initial reaction is to be frozen as if shot in the gut with a laser gun set on stun. It’s hard to breath, to speak, to choke out words of any meaning. I will cry, watch too much news for a [...]

  • Where does that Earl Grey tea come from?

    Green Diva Meg
    5 Apr 2013 | 6:00 am
    I was sitting at my desk last week staring at my tea cup, which is ALWAYS full of some form of earl grey tea during the daylight hours. My love of this tea goes back far enough that I’m not really sure when I became hopelessly hooked, but it was probably my summer in England [...]
 
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    Chelsea Green

  • Seeds, Cheese, Slow Money, and More! Join us at the Mother Earth News Fair.

    jmcdougall@chelseagreen.com (Chelsea Green Publishing)
    23 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    The Internet is great. We can share tips and tricks, and trade secrets without even leaving our homes. But there’s no replacement for good, old-fashioned camaraderie, and nobody knows that better than Mother Earth News. If you’re a homesteader, small-farmer, or gardener, you need to check out the Mother Earth News Fair near you. From speakers [...]

  • Fabulous Ferments 35% Off

    jmcdougall@chelseagreen.com (Chelsea Green Publishing)
    22 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    It’s time to join the growing movement and become a conscientious objector—if not outright draft resister—in the war on bacteria. How? Simple. Ferment your own food. As award-winning author Michael Pollan notes in his latest book Cooked—which includes a lengthy section on fermentation that prominently features Chelsea Green author Sandor Ellix Katz—fermented foods replenish the necessary bacteria [...]

  • Chop, Salt, Pack, Wait: Four Simple Steps to Making the Best Sauerkraut on Earth

    jmcdougall@chelseagreen.com (Chelsea Green Publishing)
    20 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Making your own delicious, healthy, probiotic sauerkraut or kimchi is easy! Four easy steps are all you need to turn fresh garden veggies into a long-lasting, tangy, pungent condiment perfect to serve alongside sausage or eggs. Sandor Ellix Katz is the gregarious, mutton-chopped master of all things fermented, and his easygoing attitude will inspire you to experiment [...]

  • The New Horse-Powered Farm Featured in The New York Times

    jmcdougall@chelseagreen.com (Chelsea Green Publishing)
    15 May 2013 | 4:00 pm
    Across the nation, farmers are returning to an age-old technology that’s at the cutting edge of sustainable agriculture: horse-power. Why? Simple. It’s better for the land, and better for the soul. Author of The New Horse-Powered Farm Stephen Leslie, says it best in his The New York Times profile: “From an ecological standpoint, it’s just so clean, [...]

  • How to Turn Your Town into a Community: Join the Transition Challenge

    jmcdougall@chelseagreen.com (Chelsea Green Publishing)
    15 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    During the month of May, join thousands of people across the country taking action to rise to the challenge of food, water, and energy independence through the Transition Challenge. Organized by our friends at Transition US, the Transition Challenge is an opportunity to get your hands dirty, create something beautiful, and be counted as part of [...]
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    Go Green Tube

  • Tips On Becoming More Environmentally Aware

    Erica
    17 May 2013 | 7:41 am
    How can you reduce the carbon footprints? Will you answer the call for recycling? The world is still on a huge environment problem. The ozone layer is getting thinner. Climate starts to get abnormal. There are unstoppable calamities like intense flood, hurricane, erosion, and earthquakes. We see dying nations. If you care for the Mother Earth because it’s the only place we can have, why don’t you become more environmentally aware? Convince the others. If we still pretend as if there’s nothing wrong then problems become worst. Here are my 4 suggestions to convince you nd to make sure…

  • Get Healthy With Organic Foods

    Erica
    5 Apr 2013 | 8:16 am
    Every day more and more people are developing concerns about the quality of the food we eat. They are concerned because most of our food today is being produced by huge mega-farms and this industry is very dependent of using a lot of chemicals in the production of our food. For example, a farm where vegetables or fruits are being raised for public consumption may be using a lot of chemical sprays to suppress weeds and insect infestations. In some cases, the harmful chemicals are taken up by the plant roots and end up in the food we eat. In addition to using chemical herbicides and pesticides,…

  • Why It Is Important To Care About The Environment

    Erica
    3 Apr 2013 | 8:14 am
    It seems these days that more and more people are becoming concerned about the enviroment. Not everyone has become convinced about the existence of global warming, but it is easy to notice that everywhere we look, the habitat of many animals and birds is disappearing. Forested areas are being cleared to create new subdivisions and many woodlands have been turned into suburbs. There are good reasons to care about the enviroment. A healthy environment will not only be good for plants, animals, and birds, it will also be a healthier place for humans to live. When the environment is healthy, we…

  • Good Reasons To Buy Organic Health Supplements

    Erica
    1 Apr 2013 | 8:13 am
    If a person is truly committed to being healthy, he will be very careful to eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and avoid toxins as much as possible. Organic health supplements form an important part of a healthy lifestyle. You may be surprised to learn that not all vitamin and mineral supplements you purchase in a health store come from organic sources. The same is also true of many other health food supplements that are made from plants like those talked about on http://greenoneventures.com When nutritional supplements are not made from organic sources, there is always the possibility…

  • Benefiting From Organic Food Without Suffering From The Costs

    Erica
    28 Mar 2013 | 8:03 am
    Each year, millions of pounds of organic foods are produced. These crops are raised without pesticides, fertilizers, and unnatural additives. The end results are healthier fruits and vegetables that even taste better than their non-organic counterparts. Without a doubt, countless Americans favor organic products for these reasons. Unfortunately, they tend to come at higher prices than their counterparts. Even people that love organic food realize this issue. A few options exist for saving money though. For starters, consumers should purchase fruits and vegetables that are in season. In-season…
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    Everyone's Blog Posts - GreenITers

  • Ivanpah site visit announced for CSP Today USA in June

    Bea Gonzalez
    20 May 2013 | 4:21 am
    Attendees of CSP Today USA 2013 (26-27 June, Las Vegas) will be given a unique opportunity to visit the 392MW Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, the largest CSP plant under construction in the world.The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is set to be commissioned in 2013 and delegates will be able to get an exclusive first look at the facility on the morning of 25 June. Jack Ahearne, the organizer of CSP Today USA, announced the news on Wednesday 15 May. “With Ivanpah coming online this year, interest in seeing the plant has been enormous, not only in the United States but around the…

  • Beating Depression before it beats us ...

    Hans Dholakia
    16 May 2013 | 3:39 am
    We all feel low at times ; that is human. But to stay put in depressed thoughts and continue to feel demotivated for days,weeks and months is certainly an offense against your soul's blissful nature ; it can be cured. Five things, done regularly, can beat any depression :1. Exercise everyday : Go for brisk walks, and don't talk while you walk - just breathe deeply and slowly. In an open park, do Surya Namaskar, the 12-posture incredible yogic technique that works not only on external and internal muscles but also on the endocrine glands. Don't know how to do this ? Write to me.2. Do Pranayama…

  • How can technology improve public policy? Come and find out in Dublin!

    Francesco Mureddu
    10 May 2013 | 6:43 am
    This June, policymakers and techies from around Europe will come together in Dublin to discuss how technology can be used to improve the policymaking process. The challenge Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have supported decision-making processes for many years. Whether used for analyzing datasets, managing processes, or monitoring expenditure, governments have been a traditional large user of technology. Today’s ICTs are well-suited to dealing with predictable, traditional problems that can be cracked with brute computing force, or a simple linear process. Unfortunately,…

  • What kind of world , do you want?

    Flavio Souza
    1 May 2013 | 8:46 pm
    (As revealed to Marshall Vian Summers in Aleppo, Syria)"While everything appears to be normal in these days, Great Waves of change are coming to the world—change on a level never seen before, change that will affect every person in the world. Greater than the world wars, it will be. Greater than the great pandemics of the past will it be. Great Waves of change, as humanity has plundered the world and has destroyed your natural inheritance to such a great degree that the world will change now, becoming a more difficult place for the human family.It has taken a very long time to create the…

  • From futurist Stephan A. Schwartz - Trends That Will Affect Your Future …

    Flavio Souza
    1 May 2013 | 7:59 pm
    "The SchwartzReport tracks emerging trends that will affect the world, particularly the United States. For EXPLORE it focuses on matters of health in the broadest sense of that term, including medical issues, changes in the biosphere, technology, and policy considerations, all of which will shape our culture and our lives. By the time we get there it is already a raucous party. The elderly Freeland Hall on Whidbey island, off the coast of Seattle, with its walls and ceiling made of short strips of ancient pine boards, vibrates with the noise. Two hundred fifty people have packed themselves in…
 
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    elephant journal

  • Is Yoga just Christianity in Disguise?

    Julie JC Peters
    25 May 2013 | 2:56 pm
    Have you accepted Downward Dog into your heart as your true Lord and Saviour?

  • ‘Til Death Do Us Part: A Loving Tribute. ~ Katie McClelland

    elephantjournal.com
    25 May 2013 | 2:48 pm
    I am in a wonderful, tumultuous, complex and yet fulfilling long-term relationship… with yoga. We started dating 19 years ago when I was a blushing young maiden of 18. Yoga came into my life and swept me off my feet with promises of handstands and enlightenment. Indeed, the rewards and breakthroughs came fast and easily, [...]

  • Just Because It Burns. ~ Sapha Arias

    elephantjournal.com
    25 May 2013 | 2:19 pm
    As an avid Pink fan, I have to admit to being obsessed with her “Try” single. The interesting thing is, the more I listen to it, the more intrigued and empowered I have become by one small sentence in the song. A sentence I believe reflects not only my life, but also my practice in [...]

  • Fusion Food.

    Andrew Cohen
    25 May 2013 | 12:19 pm
    Through commerce and travel, technology and media, we are being catalyzed into ways of being that a few short years ago were the stuff of fantasy and myth.

  • Two Hot Choices for Alleviating Inflammation.

    Gerry Ellen Avery
    25 May 2013 | 10:35 am
    Using Diet to Alleviate Inflammation. This has been going around and around for quite some time, yet I hear and see it daily in my practice. I talk to people all day long regarding their inflammatory issues, and how to alleviate what it is that’s causing all the snot, the sleeplessness, the eczema, the anxiety, [...]
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    mnn.com

  • After months in space, Earth's gravity is a real drag for astronauts

    mnnadmin
    25 May 2013 | 6:21 am
    Three astronauts who recently spent months together aboard the International Space Station reunited on Earth on May 23 during a Google+ Hangout to talk about their experiences aboard the orbiting lab and the challenge of readapting to life with gravity.  

  • How to watch the minor lunar eclipse online tonight

    mnnadmin
    24 May 2013 | 10:59 am
    The moon will take the smallest of dips through the Earth's shadow in a minor eclipse tonight (May 24) and you can watch the lunar event live online via a webcast.   The lackluster lunar eclipse will star in a free webcast by the Slooh Space Camera, which offers live views of the night sky via remotely operated telescopes. The eclipse webcast will begin at 11:37 p.m. EDT (0337 May 25 GMT).  

  • Can a floating robot clean a polluted canal?

    mnnadmin
    24 May 2013 | 10:32 am
    Pity the Gowanus Canal. A forgotten relic of Brooklyn's industrial past, the garbage-choked waterway is now home to a putrid stew of toxic waste.   Where barges once served tanneries and paper mills, all that remains today are high levels of mercury, lead, raw sewage, cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other pollutants.  

  • Oman invests in solar energy -- to extract oil

    jplatt
    24 May 2013 | 9:30 am
    Aging oilfields in the Sultanate of Oman and other places in the Middle East still have a lot of oil beneath the sands, but extracting the deeper, heavier oil can be an expensive and difficult process. To help cut their costs, Oman's national oil company is turning to a new technology: solar power.  

  • Arctic bacteria may offer clues about life on Mars

    mnnadmin
    24 May 2013 | 8:57 am
    A microbe discovered in the Canadian high Arctic thrives at the coldest temperature known for bacterial growth.  
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    mnn.com

  • Why we itch: Blame a gene called Nppb

    jplatt
    24 May 2013 | 8:15 am
    The question of why we itch is no longer such a head-scratcher. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) say they have isolated the gene that causes us to itch. It's called natriuretic polypeptide b, abbreviated as Nppb, and it's part of an interesting system that connects the heart to the spinal column to the brain and to every little twitch and itch on our skin.  

  • Simple vision test may predict IQ

    mnnadmin
    24 May 2013 | 7:26 am
    A simple visual test is surprisingly accurate at predicting IQ, according to new research.   The study, published on May 23 in the journal Current Biology, found that people's ability to efficiently filter out visual information in the background and focus on the foreground is strongly linked to IQ. The findings could help scientists identify the brain processes responsible for intelligence.  

  • Why the Internet is so addictive

    mnnadmin
    24 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    "Checking Facebook should only take a minute."   Those are the famous last words of countless people every day, right before getting sucked into several hours of watching cat videos, commenting on Instagrammed sushi lunches, and Googling to find out what ever happened to Dolph Lundgren.  

  • Solar plane completes longest leg of historic flight

    mnnadmin
    23 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    A solar-powered airplane successfully completed the longest leg of its historic coast-to-coast flight across the United States today (May 23), landing in Dallas after nearly 20 hours in the air.  

  • Making good neighbors: New app links locals

    mnnadmin
    23 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Finding a babysitter for Saturday night can be tough in neighborhoods where people rarely know one another's names. But that's changing, thanks to Nextdoor, a local social network designed to connect neighbors.  
 
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    mnn.com

  • 5 healthy juicing recipes to refresh your routine

    egili
    15 May 2013 | 11:31 am
    There's lots of reasons to drink fresh juice, from the flavor (of course) and the blast of vitamins easily absorbed by the body, to the more esoteric concepts of detoxifying and cleansing. Since there is no fresher juice than the kind you make yourself, why not experiment with ripe, readily available fruits and vegetables, balancing sweet and tart produce in complementary combinations? Here are five recipes to get you started.  

  • 8 ways to make war on fruit flies

    kimi.harris
    14 May 2013 | 10:37 am
    We have been enjoying abnormally hot weather this spring lately in Portland. It has given us the opportunity to pull out our summer clothes, sun hats and water slides much earlier in the year than I ever imagined was possible. And it has also given us fruit flies, which I thought surely wouldn’t bother us until the summer.  

  • Salt levels in processed foods still too high

    mnnadmin
    13 May 2013 | 3:30 pm
    Despite recent calls for food manufacturers to cut back on salt in their products, sodium levels in processed and restaurant foods have changed little in recent years, a new study suggests.   The study, conducted by the advocacy organization Center for Science in the Public Interest, reviewed the sodium content of 402 processed foods sold at supermarkets, and 78 fast foods sold at chain restaurants.  

  • Monsanto wins Supreme Court case on GMO soybean seeds

    jplatt
    13 May 2013 | 11:55 am
    The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Monsanto in a case regarding the replanting of seeds from genetically modified soybeans. The unanimous decision backs up Monsanto's claim that farmers must purchase the company's patented seeds every year rather than replanting seeds from a previous crop.  

  • How an electronic nose could change the wine industry

    mnnadmin
    13 May 2013 | 10:18 am
    For winemakers (and wine drinkers), a keen sense of smell is essential. Without smell, one can taste little. Now researchers have devised what they call an "electronic nose" that they say detects fruit odors more effectively than the human sense of smell and could someday be used in the winemaking industry.  
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    mnn.com

  • Solar plane completes longest leg of historic flight

    mnnadmin
    23 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    A solar-powered airplane successfully completed the longest leg of its historic coast-to-coast flight across the United States today (May 23), landing in Dallas after nearly 20 hours in the air.  

  • What happened to abandoned 'ghost ship' Lyubov Orlova?

    mnnadmin
    22 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    After months of drifting across the North Atlantic, a luckless, abandoned cruise ship spotted drifting off the coast of Ireland may have finally sunk beneath the waves.  

  • What's worse on a plane: Crying baby or stinky seatmate?

    melbreyer
    20 May 2013 | 9:49 am
    When you're anticipating a flight and know the seat next door will contain a stranger, certain worries come to mind: Will he or she be a messy sneezer? A rambunctious snorer? An over-exuberant chatter? But of all the scenarios we dread, perhaps none elicit the “oh-no” factor as much as a parent with a bawling baby.  

  • North Carolina legislation would ban Tesla sales

    mhincha
    14 May 2013 | 8:55 am
    Tesla Motors recently posted its first ever quarterly profit, outsold GM and Nissan plug-ins and earned 99 out of 100 points from Consumer Reports.  These recent successes are concerning to the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association.  

  • Tesla posts profit, gets unbelievably high scores from Consumer Reports

    mhincha
    9 May 2013 | 8:53 am
    This week is one of Tesla Motors’ best ever.  On Wednesday, the electric vehicle automaker posted the first quarterly profit in its 10-year history. During the first quarter of 2013, Tesla produced at least 400 Model S vehicles per week for a total of more than 5,000 for the quarter.    In a shareholder letter (PDF) posted to the Tesla Motors website, the company announced: Record sales of $562 million, an increase of 83 percent from the previous quarter 4,900 vehicles delivered Gross margin doubled to 17 percent
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    mnn.com

  • Are mermaids real?

    gmiller
    24 May 2013 | 1:42 pm
    Half-human, half-fish and totally fascinating, mermaids have been the subjects of legend for millennia. But do they exist? There’s no proof of that, but there is evidence, supported by scientific theories, that increases the plausibility. On May 26, Animal Planet will rebroadcast the highly popular special “Mermaids: The Body Found,” followed by the new program “Mermaids: The New Evidence,” speculating why mermaids could be real and what they might look like.

  • Beards become the latest turf for ads

    melbreyer
    24 May 2013 | 9:36 am
    Calling all hirsute hipsters.   “Do you have an epic beard? Do people stare at its awesomeness? ... Do you wanna get paid for having an epic beard? ... Join the world's first Beardvertising network,” reads the plea from a Kentucky-based advertising agency that is paying $5 per day to men willing to adorn their whiskers with wee billborads.  

  • The most compelling movie about laundry detergent you'll ever see

    gmiller
    24 May 2013 | 9:18 am
      A rags-to-riches tale with an environmental twist, the movie “A Green Story” is a biography about Eftichios “Van” Vlahakis, a Greek immigrant who arrived in the United States with $22 in his pocket and became a green pioneer, founding the natural cleaning products empire Earth Friendly Products, the maker of the #1 green laundry product ECOS.  

  • The best beaches of 2013

    mnnadmin
    24 May 2013 | 9:11 am
    Frequented by the rich and famous, Main Beach in East Hampton on Long Island, N.Y., has been named the top beach of 2013.   Though battered by Super Storm Sandy and other winter storms, the beach has largely recovered, said Stephen Leatherman, also know as "Dr. Beach," director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research in Miami.  

  • Tattoos for a cause: How skin ink has evolved

    sboschma
    23 May 2013 | 9:41 am
    Angelina Jolie's "know your rights" tattoo is variously reported to reference her favorite Clash song and her passion for human rights. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)  
 
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    MNN - Mother Nature Network - Improve your world

  • 50 backyard games for summer

    jsavedge
    24 May 2013 | 8:28 am
    Need some activity ideas for your next summer barbecue? Here are 50 amazingly fun backyard games that you can play as a family or with a gang of friends.   Classic games 1. Tag 2. Kick the can 3. Hide and seek 4. Capture the flag 5. Musical chairs 6. Red rover

  • Phthalates linked to high blood pressure in kids

    jsavedge
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    A new study has found that exposure to a certain component of plastic may be linked to high blood pressure in kids.  

  • Don't forget: It's time to remember

    jsavedge
    24 May 2013 | 3:28 am
    Memorial Day is this weekend.  For many of us, it is a day off from school and work.  A day for barbecues.   A day to gather with family and friends.  A day for parades, and 5K races, and community picnics.  And the unofficial kickoff to summer.   But it is also a day to remember.  Lest we forget.  

  • Student science experiment finds plants won't grow near Wi-Fi router

    jsavedge
    23 May 2013 | 9:40 am
    Five ninth-grade young women from Denmark recently created a science experiment that is causing a stir in the scientific community.  

  • Splint created with 3-D printer saves baby's life

    jsavedge
    23 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    We've seen a lot of amazing things coming from 3-D printers these days, but this one might just top the cake.  Doctors were recently able to create a splint using one of these modern marvels to open a baby's airway and save his life.    
 
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    MNN - Mother Nature Network - Improve your world

  • 9-year-old Hannah to McDonald's CEO: 'Stop tricking kids'

    rshreeves
    24 May 2013 | 12:20 pm
    Nine-year-old Hannah Robertson had the opportunity at a McDonald’s stockholder meeting to ask CEO Don Thompson a question. Here’s what she asked.   “I don’t think it’s fair for big companies to trick kids into eating food that isn’t good for them by using toys and cartoon characters. Mr. Thompson, don’t you want kids to be healthy so they can live a long and happy life?”  

  • 9 summer food safety tips

    rshreeves
    23 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    NSF International shares food safety tips from time to time, and when it’s right before a holiday when I know there will be a lot of parties where food will be left out on tables for several hours, in or out of the sun, I like to pass the tips along.   If you’re hosting a Memorial Day gathering this weekend, make sure to heed the following summer food safety tips.   Tip #1: Start with a clean kitchen

  • 5 summer reads for food lovers: 2013 list

    rshreeves
    23 May 2013 | 11:37 am
    In 2009, I started what was to become a yearly tradition for me right around Memorial Day weekend. I recommended five books for food lovers that made great reading for the pool, beach or hammock. These books weren’t cookbooks or food policy books; they’re mostly food memoirs or food history-type books that are enjoyable to read and just might inspire you to get in the kitchen and share good food and drink with friends and family.  

  • Rescuing an injured bird the social media way

    rshreeves
    22 May 2013 | 9:27 am
    My husband brought me outside yesterday and showed me that right by the rear tire of my minivan was a bird. He wasn’t moving. I decided to give it some time and see if he was able to get himself out of his predicament.   A few hours later, I noticed that he had moved about five feet. He was no longer in danger of being harmed by my car, but it was clear this bird couldn’t fly. Unsure of what to do, I went to the experts – my friends and family on Facebook.  

  • 'Monsanto Protection Act': Take action to get it repealed

    rshreeves
    21 May 2013 | 10:56 am
    With all of the freaking out that people have been doing about the “Monsanto Protection Act,” the unofficial name of a rider that was anonymously added to the U.S. budget bill earlier this year that gives farmers the right to plant GMO crops even if the federal courts oppose it, people tend to forget the fact that the rider is short-lived, for now.  
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    MNN - Mother Nature Network - Improve your world

  • Shopping is 45 percent of U.S. miles traveled, study finds

    jmotavalli
    23 May 2013 | 9:18 am
    America is the country where “shop ‘til you drop” is the national mantra, and yet we rarely consider it when talking about energy use. There’s personal driving and freight transportation and that’s about it.  

  • 5 of the best-looking cars ever

    jmotavalli
    20 May 2013 | 8:13 pm
    It’s personal, the list of the best-looking cars ever, and everyone’s got their own take on it. It probably depends a lot on when you grew up, but even if I was steeped in the '70s I still wouldn’t find all the Broughams, half vinyl roofs and opera-window coupes of the period at all attractive, even if they were upholstered in Corinthian leather.   Here’s my very personal list of five great-looking cars, and excuse me if it concentrates on the '50s and '60s — they were a golden era for automotive styling.  

  • The Porsche 918 Spyder: An electrified bat out of hell

    jmotavalli
    17 May 2013 | 10:46 am
    If you think the Tesla Model S is the only heart-stopping high-performance plug-in car, think again, because Porsche is preparing to introduce its 918 Spyder, which jacks everything up to the max. It’s a plug-in hybrid that also claims it can achieve 78 mpg, though obviously not when the big 608-horsepower V-8 is in full cry.  

  • Cellphone driving deaths: Toll is higher than you think

    jmotavalli
    13 May 2013 | 4:08 pm
    It’s actually worse than we thought. If you study the statistics on highway fatalities related to cellphone use, things don’t look all that bad. New York reported only one death related to using a phone in 2011, and Louisiana didn’t have any at all.  

  • Tesla on a roll, selling more electric cars than anyone else

    jmotavalli
    9 May 2013 | 7:05 pm
    Tesla Motors is on a big roll. Electric vehicle doubters take note: One of the best stock picks you could possibly have made recently is Tesla, which has hit $73 a share and was over $69 as I write this. It launched at $17 in 2010.  
 
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    GROG: green tech blog

  • New web images 5.23.13

    mastadonzq
    23 May 2013 | 10:48 pm

  • Electronic Medical Records and Personal Health Records

    mastadonzq
    27 Mar 2013 | 12:09 pm
    With the ever expanding Internet opening possibilities across various forms of business, we find ourselves in an age where information is readily available at our fingertips. Databases have been built regarding driving records, real estate, education, and more to provide a more efficient and less time consuming practice of data entry. Electronic medical records are no different and could be more important since the information is invaluable. There is a wide scope of possibilities for using electronic medical records. 1. Instant Sharing – In some care facilities, methods exist to share a…

  • Photovoltaic PV Solar Panels on the rise

    mastadonzq
    24 Mar 2013 | 3:49 pm
    Lowered costs and increasing efficiency have helped the steady increase in the use of Solar PV panels. There have been some incredible advances in the methods used to capture solar energy.  Solar paint and thin plastic cells are some of the new technologies but PV panels are still the most efficient way to capture energy from the sun. The modular nature of solar cells are also being used in more creative and aesthetically pleasing ways. Each cell must have a separate connection because stringing them together has the same effect as Christmas lighting, if one goes out, there all do. Being…

  • Climate Change Impacts On Wildlife

    mastadonzq
    6 Mar 2013 | 2:17 pm
    Guest post by Maria Kruk, an author for Species.com Global awareness of climate change is obvious. The atmosphere is full of greenhouse gases, hurricanes and storms “attack” more regularly, sea level shifts proportionally to ice melting and more species are getting vulnerable and endangered. Specifically, animal world might experience severe damages in the nearest decades and polar bears, which have already recognized the most threatened because of the Arctic Meltdown, might be not the only victims of global warming process. Giant pandas are likely to remain without bamboo leaves and,…

  • HUGO CHAVEZ IS DEAD, LET OIL PRICES SOAR!

    mastadonzq
    5 Mar 2013 | 3:02 pm
    President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez has died of cancer. There is all sorts of conflict over who will succeed him. The constitution says one thing but it is being disputed so we can look forward to some serious instability. This instability, real or perceived, will cause oil prices to rise because Venezuela is the fourth largest oil importer to the United States. Everyone panic and fill up your gas tanks!
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    Compass

  • Eric Garcetti Elected to Continue the Clean Energy Legacy in Los Angeles

    Compass Team
    23 May 2013 | 11:14 am
    On Tuesday, City Council Member and Sierra Club endorsed candidate Eric Garcetti surprised many political observers by pulling out a victory against an establishment favorite to be elected the next mayor of Los Angeles. Garcetti won a sizable 8 point victory against Wendy Greuel, his opponent who received so much outside support that this became the most expensive race in L.A. history. This win is great news for Sierra Club members and supporters for two reasons. First,  in the face of massive political spending, we have people all across the country who will…

  • Big New Investments in Wind Energy Across the Country and Around the World

    Heather Moyer
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 am
    After spending last weekend at the Heartland Coalfield Alliance's retreat in the Illinois coal basin region, I'm more inspired than ever. Listening to such amazing, committed people talk about their tireless work to move beyond coal was really exciting. These activists know the potential for clean energy in their region -- especially wind power. And there has been some blockbuster news about wind in recent days.Wind power is growing like gangbusters across the country, and employs more than 75,000 workers across 43 states. Just last week, Warren Buffett's Mid-American Energy Co.

  • Our Land, Our Water, Our Future: The Australia Beyond Coal & Gas Conference

    Heather Moyer
    22 May 2013 | 9:06 am
    Sierra Club Organizing Director Bob Bingaman speaks at the "Australian Our Land, Our Water, Our Future: Beyond Coal and Gas" conference. If you love this country, fight for it. This will be the biggest social movement this country has ever seen, and it will change this country forever.That was the message from Drew Hutton, president of the Lock the Gate Alliance, to the nearly 300 attendees at the "Australian Our Land, Our Water, Our Future: Beyond Coal and Gas" conference -- and he would know. Through Lock the Gate, communities across the country are voting to "Lock the Gate" by barricading…

  • Fighting Coal Down Under

    The Sierra Club
    21 May 2013 | 10:52 am
    One of the first things we noticed when we arrived at the Glenrock Scout Camp in Newcastle was a plaque commemorating 1791 the discovery of coal in Australia. A hundred-and-twenty-two years later, we journeyed to this same spot to conduct the Sierra Club's first ever international organizing training with activists who are taking on the coal and gas industry across Australia Like nearly everything in Australia, the scope of the fossil fuels fight is massive. But even before we landed, grassroots activism was challenging new coal and gas proposals -- and winning. The Rio Tinto backed…

  • How Electric Vehicles That Feed the Grid Will Pay Off

    The Sierra Club
    20 May 2013 | 11:49 am
    Just like the two-way street, car innovators are focusing more than ever on the two-way plug that could revolutionize cars' relationship with the grid. The idea is to give plug-in cars the ability to feed energy back into the grid when parked. And part of the vision includes small payments to people whose vehicles become energy providers when the grid is in need of balancing during peak hours. This innovation will be particularly useful for backing up energy sources like wind and solar that can vary by time of day or weather. Using 15 plug-in Mini E's donated by BMW, the idea is being…
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    The Green Life

  • Green Your Pick-Me-Up: 4 Energizing Scents

    Green Life
    23 May 2013 | 10:34 am
    Curing that mid-afternoon grogginess doesn't always require you to sip or chew. For those of you looking for an alternative to coffee, tea, or energizing snacks, check out these energy-boosting scents. While working your olfactory sense, many of these natural oils strengthen your immune system, possessing anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that will keep your mind and body productive. Revitalizing Jasmine: Widely known for its relaxing qualities, this essential oil does more than calm your nerves. Jasmine's therapeutic properties are said to restore energy and produce…

  • Green Your Pick-Me-Up: 5 Tea Tips

    Green Life
    22 May 2013 | 11:39 am
    Earlier this week, we suggested some steps you can take toward a more eco-conscious cup of Joe. But we realize that coffee isn’t everyone’s go-to caffeinated beverage. In other words: we hear you, tea people, and today we’ll help you green your brew, too.  Buy loose-leaf tea: Opt for loose leaf tea over disposable tea bags, which use carbon-intensive packaging materials. Many tea bags also contain polypropylene mesh, which can take several years to degrade. Additionally, bagged tea is often machine processed, producing a larger carbon footprint than loose leaf tea, which tends to…

  • Green Your Pick-Me-Up: 5 Energy-Boosting Foods

    Green Life
    21 May 2013 | 1:19 pm
    Whether you call it the post-lunch slump, afternoon apathy syndrome, or the 4:00 p.m. crash, you know the feeling—an overwhelming grogginess that sends you crawling under your desk for a nap.  You could chug some coffee, but if caffeine’s not your thing, an afternoon snack might deliver just the jolt you need. But rather than reaching for the candy bar stashed in your drawer, try noshing on these all-natural energy boosters. Look for seasonal, locally grown options for an eco-friendly pick-me-up. We suggest a few specific produce items below, but note that seasonality and…

  • Green Your Pick-Me-Up: 7 Coffee Tips

    Green Life
    20 May 2013 | 11:09 am
    Amid the workweek frenzy, lethargy is bound to slow even the most productive of us. As our energy dwindles, so can our efforts to live sustainably. This week on Green Life, we’ll offer pick-me-up tips as energizing as they are eco-friendly. First, we list some simple steps you can take toward a guilt-free cup of Joe.  According to the National Coffee Association's 2013 online survey, about 83 percent of adults nationwide drink coffee. That averages to three cups a day per person, or 587 million cups, making the U.S. the world’s biggest coffee guzzler. Most of us probably grab…

  • 4 Cool Bike Accessories

    Green Life
    17 May 2013 | 10:12 am
    It's Bike to Work Week, which means you have the perfect excuse to spruce up your bike with these unique accessories! Wearable Bike Planter:  We've seen an old bike repurposed as a giant flower planter, but what if you could just strap a plant to your bike and take it with you on your daily adventures? Well, now you can! Check out this petite bike planter and other adorable planters that you can wear as accessories. Bicycle Wine Rack/Beer Holder: We don't advise drinking and biking, but this gadget could come in handy if you're headed to a party or barbeque…
 
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    DeSmogBlog

  • Gas Industry Successfully Overturns Colorado Fracking Ban

    Farron Cousins
    25 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    The townspeople in Fort Collins were greeted with some unfortunate news earlier this week, as their city council decided to overturn a ban on hydraulic fracturing that had been in place for only a few short months. The decision to overturn the ban was based solely on the threat of a lawsuit from the oil and gas industry. The mere threat of a lawsuit from the only fracking company in town – Prospect Energy – was enough to send the city council cowering in submission, placing the entire town at risk of the negative health impacts associated with fracking. The gas industry was aided in their…

  • The Beaver Lake Cree Judgment: The Most Important Tar Sands Case You’ve Never Heard Of

    Carol Linnitt
    24 May 2013 | 1:30 pm
    Sure they’re bad for the environment, for human health, and for wildlife, but we rarely stop to wonder if the Alberta tar sands are in fact unconstitutional But the constitutional standing of the tar sands – one of the world’s largest and most carbon-intensive energy projects – is just what’s at stake in a treaty rights claim the Beaver Lake Cree Nation (BLCN) is bringing against the Governments of Alberta and Canada in a case that promises to be one of the most significant legal and constitutional challenges to the megaproject seen in Canada to date. Signaling the high-stakes of…

  • Is Houston a Tar Sands “Sacrifice Zone”?

    Guest
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    This is a guest post by Caroline Selle Much of the debate around the Keystone XL pipeline has focused on the dangers of extracting and transporting the tar sands. Left out, however, are those in the United States who are guaranteed to feel the impacts of increased tar sands usage. Spill or no spill, anyone living near a tar sands refinery will bear the burden of the refining process. Tar sands oil is produced from a mixture of sand, clay, water, and the sticky, peanut-butter like form of petroleum known as bitumen. Unlike conventional crude, it’s essentially solid at room temperature, has a…

  • Harper Government Keeps Details Of $16.5M Oil Industry Ad Campaign Under Wraps

    Indra Das
    23 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    This week, under questioning from opposition MPs, Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver confirmed that his department intends to spend up to 16.5 million dollars on advertising in the upcoming year. Further details on how this taxpayer-funded PR campaign for Canada's natural resources will be run were lacking. Mike De Souza writes for Canada.com, that Oliver "also declined to provide specifics on a training program, worth up to $500,000, for his department's scientists and other officials, 'designed to help them communicate with the public and to do so in a way that is accessible to the…

  • FOIA Facts 4 - George Mason Takes The Money And Breaks The Rules

    John Mashey
    23 May 2013 | 5:30 am
    New Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) replies (1, 2, and 3) expose worse misbehavior at George Mason University. GMU badly mishandled simple plagiarism complaints, including one on a Federally-funded paper, retracted in May 2011, finally ruled as misconduct in 2012. Federal rules required notifications to several agencies earlier, but FOIA requests found no trace of any: Army 1, Army 2, GMU 1, GMU 2. GMU gets $129M+/year in Federal grant funds, generally takes 30% for itself, but breaks rules. A Nature editorial criticized GMU's handling, the Chronicle of Higher Education covered the…
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    Celebrate Green Blog

  • Be an eco-fab wedding guest

    admin
    15 May 2013 | 4:59 am
    by Lynn and Corey If you’re going to attend one of the more than two million weddings happening this year in the U.S., you may find the event is surprisingly eco-friendly. Wedding magazines and blogs are abuzz with ideasto help brides and grooms who want to take impact on the planet into consideration when planning their big day. But whether a wedding is “green” or conventional, it’s easy to be an eco-conscious guest. No need to show up in a dress made from last year’s magazines. (While a fun idea, it would certainly grab attention from the bride, a definite…

  • Simple, earth-friendly, meaningful crafts for Mother’s Day

    admin
    28 Apr 2013 | 5:04 am
    by Lynn and Corey Money is tight right now. But money doesn’t have to stand in the way of honoring your mom (and Mother Earth). You can make a beautiful and more importantly, meaningful, gift for Mother’s Day. And what mom would not be thrilled to receive an item infused with meaning made by hand from someone she loves? Here are a few ideas. Most cost little to nothing in money or environmental terms because you’re rescuing items that often are tossed or left sitting in a closet or drawer. Picture frame jewelry holder Choose an old picture frame and remove any backing. You…

  • The roots of Arbor Day

    admin
    23 Apr 2013 | 5:04 am
    by Lynn and Corey Reprinted by permission of The Arbor Day Foundation, www.ArborDay.org The idea for Arbor Day originally came from Nebraska. A visit to Nebraska today wouldn’t disclose that the state was once a treeless plain. Yet it was the lack of trees there that led to the founding of Arbor Day in the 1800s. Among pioneers moving into the Nebraska Territory in 1854 was J. Sterling Morton from Detroit. He and his wife were lovers of nature, and the home they established in Nebraska was quickly planted with trees, shrubs and flowers. Morton was a journalist and soon became editor of…

  • 10 fun family ideas for Earth Day

    admin
    2 Apr 2013 | 5:01 am
    by Lynn and Corey While Earth Day is about serious matters, why not use it as an opportunity to enjoy your family and focus on fun activities too. Here are 10 Earth Day ideas everyone can enjoy. 1.     Play Pin the tree on the Earth One thing the Earth needs is more trees, right? They’re being cut down faster than they can be planted. Playing this game is a great way to explain the issue to kids and inspire them (and you, to take action). This homemade game is made from Ecospun felt (from recycled plastic bottles), but you could make one out of paper if you prefer. The winning player…

  • A free app for Earth Day

    admin
    18 Mar 2013 | 8:55 pm
    Guest post by Torran Anderson This year I wanted to do something different for Earth Day. I’d been developing recycling education programs and noticed how challenging it was for students to understand that everything we use comes from nature. Plastic was always the most challenging. When I’d tell classes that plastic originally comes from nature, I’d get blank stares. “No way,” a little girl in the front row told me one day. “I don’t believe plastic comes from oil. Oil is black…plastic bottles are clear.” Instead of deluging children with more facts that can be hard to wrap…
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    Eco-Chick

  • 8 Eco-Friendly Wedding Dress Designers You Should Know

    Juliette Donatelli
    23 May 2013 | 11:54 am
    You are planning for your big, beautiful, loved-filled-day: the highly anticipated day you and your partner solidify your vows of commitment in front of the people closest to you. But cut the daydream short for a moment: What are you going to wear?! Brides spend countless hours browsing the web and magazines in search for the perfect dress to say yes to. And in an age of fast fashion, yes, even wedding dresses are made with cheap, polluting fabrics and sewn by women (and maybe even children) not paid a fair wage. Yet the price you pay is far from cheap. So how can you look lovely and…

  • Dirk Vander Kooij: Groovy 3D Print-Inspired Recycled Plastic Chairs

    Starre Vartan
    22 May 2013 | 8:40 am
    Even though most of us are hearing a lot about 3D printing in the last year or so, it’s actually been around for much longer (albeit only available to large companies with huge machines capable of it); Dutch designer Dirk Vander Kooij is creating furniture inspired by the form that came from a three-decade-old 3D printer. “Older machines were less precise, which means thicker lines but also very little waste of material,” Vander Kooij told Dwell magazine. The designer came up with the idea for the Endless chairs as part of his graduation project from the Design Academy in…

  • Great Granola Taste-Off and Whole Grain Almond Cranberry Granola Recipe

    Lauren Shalit
    21 May 2013 | 9:27 am
    Granola is one of my favorite foods as it’s incredibly versatile. Lately I find myself eating granola either for a snack, sprinkling some on my yogurt parfait, smoothie, or ice cream. A friend recommended I check out Bear Naked Granola as the cereal comes in various flavors and is filled with wholesome natural ingredients (it’s also local to me in New York, since it’s made in Connecticut!). According to the nutrition label, the granola is made with whole grain oats, fruit, and nuts. The cereal also has no artificial flavors, cholesterol, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn…

  • Heroines for the Planet: Tea Expert and Climate Change Scientist Selena Ahmed

    Lindsay E. Brown
    20 May 2013 | 8:09 am
    I met Ethnobotanist Dr. Selena Ahmed at a tea and climate change event Eco-Chick attended in the fall of 2012. Selena eloquently spoke about her work and the book she co-authored with Michael Freeman: “Tea Horse Road: China’s Ancient Trade with Tibet.”  Selena is currently a NIH TEACRS Post-doctoral Fellow at Tufts University. During the 2012-2013 academic year, she was a visiting faculty member at Dartmouth College’s Environmental Studies Program and Northeastern University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Studies. This past year, Selena was also a Visiting…

  • What’s the Most Energy Efficient Home A/C Unit?

    Starre Vartan
    16 May 2013 | 1:07 pm
    Dear EarthTalk: Now that hot weather is coming, I want to upgrade my home’s A/C. Which are the most energy-saving models and should I go central air or window units? – Jackie Smith, Cary, NC According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), energy consumption for home air conditioning units accounts for more than eight percent of all the electricity produced in the U.S., at a cost to homeowners of $15 billion annually. Besides the cost, all this cooling leads to annual emissions of about 195 million tons of CO2—or two tons per year for each American home…
 
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    The Car Connection

  • The Car Connection's Best Used Car Finds For May 25, 2013

    25 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    As we head into the holiday you might be planning on finding a sweet deal on a new ride. Or perhaps your teenager just received their license and it's time to find them a safe yet practical vehicle. Whatever your need, The Car Connection is here to help. With thousands of vehicle review and millions of used-car listings, we are without a question...

  • 2014 Porsche Cayenne

    24 May 2013 | 5:32 pm
    The Cayenne joined Porsche's lineup a decade ago, as the only SUV in a lineup of lean, focused sports cars. And while the sports-car maker lost some of its purity with the introduction of the Cayenne, according to serious brand loyalists, most of them will also concede that this, the brand's top-seller, has also freed up the budget for...

  • Hyundai Genesis, Smart Electric, Skip Barber Mazda Driving School: Top Videos Of The Week

    24 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    We've been busy driving new vehicles and writing the latest reviews this week, but you've clearly been busy watching our videos. You must be interested in Skip Barber's Mazda Driving School as our video featuring our a bit of experience there takes the number one video slot this week. There's also still quite a bit of interest regarding the 2013...

  • 2014 Fiat 500L: Stylish, Room For Five, Starts Below $20,000

    24 May 2013 | 11:37 am
    Considering the Kia Soul, MINI Countryman, or Nissan Juke? You might want to hold out another few weeks as there'll soon be another strong rival to throw in the mix: The new Fiat 500L begins arriving to dealerships this next month, and it's now been very competitively priced against those models. The fashionable 2014 Fiat 500L will start below the...

  • 30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Gas Mileage, So Far

    24 May 2013 | 8:22 am
    As we roll through our 30-day road test of the 2013 Ram 1500, we're ready to file our first report on the big reason we chose a V-6 instead of one of the Ram's better-known V-8s. Gas mileage isn't usually the first step in the decision tree when it comes to buying a pickup truck. If gas mileage is a deciding factor, though, it could be the reason...
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    Green Living

  • 10 green and glamorous eco-resorts

    azawadzka
    21 May 2013 | 5:23 am
    Get closer to nature at luxurious destinations from Ontario to Patagonia by Green Living Editors Get closer to nature at luxurious destinations from Ontario to Patagonia. read more

  • Great escapes

    azawadzka
    21 May 2013 | 4:11 am
    5 (planet-friendly) ways to see the world by Green Living Editors Photo credit:  istockphoto.com/selimaksan 5 (planet-friendly) ways to see the world read more

  • Travel with good food

    azawadzka
    21 May 2013 | 12:58 am
    Healthy, on-the-go tips from Whole Foods Market by Alana Sugar; Article provided by Whole Foods Market Photo credit:  istockphoto.com/Andresr Healthy, on-the-go tips from Whole Foods Market read more

  • Turismo Alternativo

    azawadzka
    21 May 2013 | 12:35 am
    Two Peruvian families find different ways to the same future by naturally incorporating ecotourism into their livelihood. by Joe Pavelka; Article provided by Alternatives Journal Photo credit:  Photo: Joe Pavelka Two Peruvian families find different ways to the same future by naturally incorporating ecotourism into their livelihood. read more

  • Aromatherapy for healthy skin

    azawadzka
    21 May 2013 | 12:07 am
    Discover this ancient healing art with modern day benefits by Anne Clossen; Article reprinted from Vitality Magazine Photo credit:  istockphoto.com/Elenathewise Discover this ancient healing art with modern day benefits read more
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    Mommy Goes Green

  • A Garden Update

    Tiffany
    24 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    It’s been 6 weeks since my kids and I planted our seeds. We’ve faithfully watered them everyday and have seen our rows of dirt turn into buds of lime green. There have been a few casualties. On a particularly hot day, I didn’t water enough and the green beans wilted in our little greenhouse. I hoped they would return but they didn’t. Unfortunately, those were the only two (of 12) green been seeds that sprouted. Our cucumbers and tomatoes are about six inches tall but the peppers haven’t sprouted yet. They usually take 4-6 weeks to sprout so now that they…

  • How to Wash Produce {easy, effective, cheap}

    Tiffany
    23 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    I’ve gone more years not washing produce than I would like to admit. I got lazy. Then I found an easy method to get it done that works for me. It’s not genius, it’s quite the opposite. But it works and that’s what counts, right? I shop for produce once a week. Once I’m done unpacking the groceries, I clean all produce immediately. Then I cut it up to make snacking easy. Do Produce Rinses Work? Next time you are tempted to buy produce rinses (I’ve got a few bottles myself), save yourself the money and buy a gallon of white vinegar. Cooks Illustrated did a…

  • 2013 Safer Sunscreen Guide

    Tiffany
    22 May 2013 | 4:14 pm
    The Environmental Working Group released their annual sunscreen guide. The Safer Sunscreen Guide lists the beach and sports sunscreens, SPF moisturizers, lip balms and makeup that they consider to be the safest compared to other sunscreens. In addition to the chemicals EWG screens for, they recommend skipping high-SPF products and to avoid vitamin A. Skip High-SPF Products The difference in protection in negligible. For example, SPF 50 protects against 98% of sunburn rays and SPF 100 protects against 99%. Users of high SPF products tend to think that they are more protected and stay out in…

  • Weekend Inspiration

    Tiffany
    18 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    {source} Homemade Condiments for the Summer from Keeper of the Home :: A great way to avoid high fructose corn syrup and other junk in the store bought versions. Recipes for ketchup, mustard, relish and BBQ sauce. Our Story from Assortment Blog :: A family of 5 living in a beautiful 665 foot cabin while they save money to build a house. A great story about simple, intentional, purposeful living. Homemade Beeswax Candles from A Beautiful Mess :: I’ve wanted to make beeswax candles forever. Definitely doing this! What Does a Real Foodie Buy at Costco? from Kitchen Stewardship :: This is a…

  • On Why I’m Going Back to Organic Cotton Tampons

    Tiffany
    17 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    When I quit working outside our home three years ago, I had to cut expenses. My personal care products was one of those areas and I’ve been using conventional tampons ever since. I had forgotten that conventional tampons are bleached with chlorine dioxide. The process is technically “chlorine-free” but it releases dioxin into the environment. Dioxin has been shown to cause cancer. I’m doing whatever I can to stand up to cancer. Conventional tampons are made with a blend of cotton and rayon. 94% of the cotton grown in the United States is genetically modified (GM). I do…
 
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    BFreeNews.com

  • 'Indonesia is seeing a new corporate colonialism'

    25 May 2013 | 3:13 pm
    Via The Guardian - Multinational companies have been encouraged to seize and deforest land owned by indigenous people, say human rights groups Land conflicts between farmers and plantation owner...

  • Carrie Underwood Donates $1 Million To Oklahoma Relief Efforts

    25 May 2013 | 2:07 pm
    Via Huffington Post - Oklahoma-native Carrie Underwood is giving back to her home state. The "See You Again" singer, 30, donated $1 million to relief efforts after the recent devastating tornado ki...

  • When The Cicadas Were Last Here In 1996...

    25 May 2013 | 2:07 pm
    Via Huffington Post - Yes, yes, the Brood II cicadas are emerging. They'll be loud, they'll be tasty and they'll be having a buzz-filled mating party for four to six weeks. But are they going to be...

  • UK Zookeeper Dies From Tiger Attack Injuries

    25 May 2013 | 2:07 pm
    Via Huffington Post - LONDON -- A young zookeeper who was mauled by a Sumatran tiger at an animal park has died, British police said Saturday. The woman, 24-year-old Sarah McClay, was in the big ca...

  • Protesters 'March Against Monsanto' In 250 Cities

    25 May 2013 | 2:07 pm
    Via Huffington Post - LOS ANGELES - Marches and rallies against seed giant Monsanto were held across the U.S. and in dozens of other countries Saturday. "March Against Monsanto" protesters say they...
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    Free Utility & Energy Magazines and Downloads from alltop.tradepub.com

  • Valero: Reducing Energy Usage and Costs

    20 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    This real-time view helped Valero realize benefits that include better optimization of refinery operations and US$120 million in energy savings in the first year alone.Request Free!

  • The Value of Smarter Oil and Gas Fields

    16 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Meanwhile, regulations continue to tighten worldwide. Finding and keeping experienced personnel is only getting harder. Forecasting and budgeting are exceedingly difficult in the face of ongoing pricing volatility and the many other uncertainties of a dynamic environment on and off the field.Request Free!

  • ECDL Module 7 -- Free Quick Reference Card

    13 May 2013 | 7:20 am
    This printable quick reference is yours to use, distribute, and share at your organization! Along with this free reference card, you will also receive a 30-day trial of CustomGuide training, including over 7,000 Online Skills Assessments and Interactive Tutorials.Request Free!

  • Smarter Enterprise Asset Management for Utilities

    13 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Watch this video for an overview on Enterprise Asset Management and learn about key trends in the utility industry, the value of a common enterprise solution across all Lines of Business, and the capabilities of IBM Maximo for Utilities and Nuclear Power.Request Free!

  • Pollution Engineering

    2 May 2013 | 10:50 am
    It provides information about regulatory requirements, and information about the business benefits of proactive environmental control. It provides us up to date information on regulations and economic benefits of environmental control techniques and information on innovative and cost effective environmental equipment, products, technology and services.Request Free!
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    EcoGreenHotel - Supporting Hospitality Sustainability :: EcoGreenHotel | Supporting Hospitality Sustainability

  • LED Lighting Prevalent At Philadelphia’s Lightfair

    admin
    3 May 2013 | 4:16 am
    Throughout the end of March into April there are several events that encourage environmental conciousness including Earth Hour and Earth Day. One other environmentally concious event that takes place every April is the United States premier lighting eventLightFair International® . EcoGreenHotel has attended this amazing event for the past several years. And this year I was blown away by the advancements in LED Technology. The energy reduction techonlogies displayed at LightFair will have a huge impact on reducing the environmental impact of our planet. LightFair International® 2013 toughted…

  • Hostelling International – New York Awarded Tripadvisor Greenleaders™ Status

    admin
    26 Apr 2013 | 12:07 am
    New York, New York – 4/22/13 – Hostelling International – New York today proudly announced it has been accepted as a GreenLeader, Silver level into the new TripAdvisor GreenLeaders™ program, which helps travelers plan greener trips by identifying environmentally-friendly accommodations across the U.S. TripAdvisor GreenLeaders have met a set of environmental standards developed for TripAdvisor by a leading environmental consulting firm, with input from expert partners. The more green practices a hotel has in place, the higher its GreenLeader level, which is shown on the…

  • Littlefootprint Lighting’s Heronled Personal Task Lights Enhance Hotel 1000′s Sustainability Achievments

    admin
    25 Apr 2013 | 11:18 pm
    ENERGY STAR qualified HeronLED desk lamps are made in the USA from recycled e-waste SANTA CRUZ,  APRIL 16, 2013 – LittleFootprint® Lighting, a pioneer of sustainably designed LED task lighting products made in the USA from recycled e-waste, announced today the installation of its HeronLED® Personal Task Lights in all 120 guest rooms in Seattle’s Hotel 1000. Known for its hi-tech, eco-friendly rooms and on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List 2013, Hotel 1000 purchased the desk lamps to provide better lighting for guests while reducing energy costs and demonstrating its commitment to…

  • Green Hotels Of The Future Featuring “No Screw In Lamps” By Scott Parisi

    admin
    2 Apr 2013 | 5:46 am
    The advancements in technology have been a huge driver for green hoteliers especially in the energy and water efficiency arena. How fast is technology evolving? My team and I spent last week together in strategy meetings. Our conversations made us ask, “How rapidly technology matures once introduced into the market”. Remember when the first 32” flat panel television came out and it was $5,000+? Today you can find a 32” flat panel television for under $500. Lighting utilized in environmentally friendly hotels is changing rapidly.The LED is fueling this change. Light Emitting Diodes…

  • Capital Strategies That Will Reduce Operational Costs

    admin
    3 Jan 2013 | 10:03 pm
    Through the budget preparation process hoteliers look at categories such as life safety, brand compliance and replacement of FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment) based on their life cycle. Large ticket items that have a life span of over a year or two most likely are considered capital expenditures. Most hotel operators and management companies are responsible and incentivized on the operational budget and delivering the budgeted financials based on the profit and lossstatement. Capital expenses do not hit your operational profit and loss statement. When a strategy is in place to…
 
 
 
 
 
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    Energy Circle

  • EIA: Heating & Cooling No Longer the Majority of Home Energy Consumption.

    Will
    23 May 2013 | 8:09 am
    According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Residential Energy Consumption Survey, heating and cooling now represents about 48% of U.S. homes' energy consumption, down from 58% in 1993. Meanwhile, electrical load accounted for by appliances, electronics and lighting has grown from 24% in 1993 to 35% today. While heating and cooling still clearly represents the largest source of energy consumption in the average North American home, as well as the largest opportunity for improvement in residential energy efficiency, electrical load is an increasingly large piece of the…

  • Our Review of Yodle for Energy Efficiency & Home Performance Marketing

    Peter Troast
    20 May 2013 | 1:20 pm
    If you have a website, you’ve undoubtedly been contacted by a salesperson from Yodle offering internet marketing services. They are aggressive, high pressure and will try to close you on the day of their demo. We're repeatedly asked what we think of Yodle, so figured it was time to share what we have learned from home energy efficiency professionals that have used or been pitched their services. (One caveat and full disclosure: the Yodle business model seems to change more often than a runway model; this review is based on what they seem to be hawking at the time of this writing.

  • Is Call Tracking a Good Idea for Home Performance Companies?

    Alex Eaton
    15 May 2013 | 10:45 am
    Evaluating the effectiveness of marketing channels is a difficult game - even once you get a customer to your website and they call you, how do you know to credit that conversion to your hard work with SEO, or PPC, or other internet marketing tactics? As businesses are forced to add more and more channels to their marketing mix it is important to be constantly measuring their success, phasing out what isn't working, and building on those that perform. A lot of the questions we get at Energy Circle PRO relate to this type of measurement, and what we have quickly realized is that tracking…

  • My Take on the 2013 ACI National Home Performance Conference

    Peter Troast
    13 May 2013 | 10:37 am
    The 2013 ACI National Home Performance Conference in Denver was a great success. It's one of my personal favorite home performance events of the year and this year was no different. The richness and depth of what happens at ACI on so many levels--learning, connecting with customers and friends, plotting the industry's future, meeting new people, soldiering well into the wee hours--is so extensive that it's impossible for any one person to summarize it all. Other great recaps of the conference that are well worth reading: Nate Adams from Energy Smart Home Performance has a great…

  • Get New Customers with Facebook Lookalike Audiences

    Will
    9 May 2013 | 12:18 pm
    Facebook ads can be a powerful tool for independent home performance businesses looking to increase brand exposure and acquire new customers. Now, there's a new feature that allows you to do this even more effectively. What Are Lookalike Audiences? Facebook Lookalike Audiences expands upon another feature called Custom Audiences, which allows you to upload customer lists (using email addresses, phone numbers, or Facebook user ID numbers) and target ads to those customers (or prospects). This is a powerful tool in and of itself. You can also segment your lists and create your ads…
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    Sweet Greens | Your Earth Friendly Guide to All Things Green + Eco Friendly

  • Save Money and Energy with Electric Radiant Floor Heating

    Jennie Lyon // Sweet Greens
    24 May 2013 | 10:45 am
    Note from Sweet Greens: The following post on saving money and energy with electric radiant floor heating is a post from Nick Johnson. Nick is an author and a contributor to Heat Tech Products, an online retailer of electric floor heating mats. Thank you for supporting the companies that help to run Sweet Greens! Underfloor, or radiant, heating dates back to the Neolithic and Neoglacial periods, when ancient Asians and Aleutian islanders used smoke from their fires to heat trenched dug into their floors and filled with stones. The heat from the stones rose, warming the subterranean living…

  • Kids DIY: Simple Organic Pinecone Birdfeeders

    Jennie Lyon // Sweet Greens
    22 May 2013 | 7:46 am
    Our backyard is a huge nature preserve and one of Eben's favorite spring time activities is to sit on our patio and watch the birds darting in and out of the trees. After a few days of minimal visits from our feathered friends, we decided to entice them to visit our backyard more often. We grabbed a couple of pinecones from the front yard, a huge scoop of organic nut butter, some baker's twine and a bowl full of organic nuts and seeds and headed outside to make them a little treat. This craft only takes a few minutes, however it combines everything that children love - getting their hands…

  • Twelve

    Jennie Lyon // Sweet Greens
    15 May 2013 | 5:31 am
    Today is a very special day - it is the birthday of my favorite person in the whole world, Eben. 12 years ago today my life was forever changed and has been better in every single way possible. Eben can always make me laugh, teaches me new things everyday and always has a hug waiting for me. I am very thankful that I get to share my life with this amazing person. He is my sunshine, my inspiration, my heart. He is the best thing that I have ever done in my life - my masterpiece. Happy Birthday, Eben - I love you to the moon and back!

  • Ecocentric Mom Box Review + Mother's Day Coupon Code

    Jennie Lyon // Sweet Greens
    8 May 2013 | 11:35 am
    As part of my partnership with Ecocentric Mom, I will be receiving one of their monthly subscription boxes for review each month. So fun! When I found this month's box waiting for me with my mail - I was super excited, kind of like it was my birthday. Eben loves it too - he immediately wants to sift through all of the goodies and pick out something fun to try! If you are interested in giving Ecocentric Mom Box a try - you can get a 10% discount on any subscription with the coupon code ECOMOM10. Wouldn't this be a perfect Mother's Day surprise! If you were a member this month, this is what you…

  • DIY: Upcycle Flower Pots Into Gardening Kit Gifts!

    Jennie Lyon // Sweet Greens
    7 May 2013 | 7:22 am
    Mother's Day is quickly approaching and now is the perfect time to gather your children to make fun gifts for mom and grandma. Eben wanted to have creative control over the gifts that we will be giving to his grandmothers this year for Mother's Day. Both of them enjoy spending time outdoors, so he thought that giving them the gift of gardening would be apropos. This project is an easy undertaking, and when all is said and done, you have a cheery gift for kids to give any special lady in their lives for Mother's Day. You most likely already have all of the supplies you need to make this…
 
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    Newsy Headlines

  • Robbie Rogers Returns to Soccer as First Openly Gay Player

    25 May 2013 | 3:33 pm
    Watch Video (Image source: USA Today / Kirby Lee)     BY MATT PICHT     Almost a full month after the NBA welcomed its first openly gay player, Jason Collins, to the court, another professional gay athlete is stepping onto the pitch. After a hiatus from soccer, Robbie Rogers has been signed to the LA Galaxy, becoming the first openly gay active player in Major League Soccer history.   The Los Angeles local will be returning to his home city after a deal between the LA Galaxy and the Chicago Fire. The Fire, who purchased Rogers’ trading rights in February, will…

  • San Antonio Flash Flood Kills 1, Prompts Evacuations

    25 May 2013 | 1:54 pm
    Watch Video (Image source: CNN)     BY LOGAN TITTLE     Flash flooding in San Antonio, Texas, has reportedly claimed the life of one woman.   Thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall Friday night and continued through Saturday morning across south Texas, prompting a flash flood warning. (Via KTVU)   The thunderstorms have forced officials to close some of the city’s roads, and many are evacuating the area. (Via AccuWeather)   A CNN meteorologist reports San Antonio International Airport received nearly 10 inches of rain Saturday morning.  …

  • Missouri Train Crash Collapses Overpass, Injures 7

    25 May 2013 | 12:11 pm
    Watch Video (Image source: KFVS)     BY MATT PICHT     A train collision in Scott County, Mo., has injured seven people and collapsed a highway overpass. KMOV describes the scene:   “We’re told a Union Pacific train T-boned a Burlington Northern train just a couple of hours ago. Seven people injured here; we’ve been watching as fire crews just left the scene 15 minutes ago.”   KDSK reports the trains struck each other at a track intersection at around 2:30 A.M., just below the Highway M overpass between Scott City and…

  • 'Black Widow' Suicide Bomber Attacks Russian Police

    25 May 2013 | 11:55 am
    Watch Video (Image source: BBC       BY JOHN O’CONNOR       At least 12 people were seriously wounded after a “black widow” bomber blew herself up near a city square in the southern Russian region of Dagestan.     “The bomber has been identified as the widow of two Islamic militants. These so-called ‘black widows’ have been responsible for several suicide bombings in Russia.”     Five Russian police officers were among the seriously injured, with one at least one of the officers current in critical…

  • Runners Finish Final Mile of Boston Marathon

    25 May 2013 | 10:59 am
    Watch Video (Image source: WCVB)     BY BRIANA ALTERGOTT     Some Boston Marathon runners who had their race cut short by the April 15 bombings got a second chance to cross the finish line at the OneRun event.   Around 3,000 runners and bombing survivors gathered at Kenmore Square Saturday morning to run the final mile of the world’s oldest annual marathon. (Via WCVB)   OneRun organizers spread the word via the Boston Runners’ Facebook page. An event spokesperson said it was planned to honor victims and emergency workers of the April 15 tragedy and…
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    Japan for Sustainability

  • Kinan Tour Design Center Wins Japan's 8th Ecotourism Awards

    25 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    The Kinan Tour Design Center was selected, from among 65 applications, for the Grand Prix at the Eighth Ecotourism Awards by Japan's Ministry of the Environment on March 1, 2013.

  • Wakayama Pref. to Launch 'Mini Solar Project' for Regional Development

    24 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan will launch its "Mini Solar Project" in collaboration with a company to revitalize local communities using revenue from the sales of renewable solar electricity, according to an announcement on January 9, 2013. In this project, an underpopulated municipality lends its unused facilities to a company, and the company installs a small-scale solar power generation system at the site. Then, part of the revenue from selling generated power is paid to the municipality and used for regional development. This initiative is the first of its kind in Japan.

  • Winners of Northern Districts' Energy Conservation and New Energy Award 2012 Selected

    23 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    The Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry selected the winners of the Energy Conservation and New Energy Award in Northern Districts, and held an award ceremony in December 2012. Twelve groups won awards in four categories: awareness raising and promotion; effective utilization; electricity conservation; and development and production.

  • Japanese Railway Company to Build a Mega Solar Power Plant in Rail Yard

    22 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) announced on March 5, 2013, that it would build a "mega solar" large-scale solar power plant with an output of more than 1,000 kilowatts at an unused site in one of its rail yards. The electricity generated will be used in offices and train sheds in the rail yard, and surplus electricity will be transmitted to the company's substations to be used for railway operations. The plant is expected to begin generating power by the end of fiscal 2013.

  • Japanese NGO Calls for National Polity to Reduce Single Use Shopping Bags

    21 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    While some chain stores and local governments in Japan are actively trying to reduce their use of plastic shopping bags, others have not yet taken any action, and the gap between them has grown. In July 2012, Seiyu, a major Japanese supermarket chain, started charging its customers for plastic bags in all its stores, and in February 2013, Ito-Yokado, another major supermarket chain, followed suit. These companies are applauded for making the first step to reduce their plastic use, but some say the price they charge is too low, at two yen per bag (about 2.2 US cents). Also, cooperative…
 
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    Raising Them Green

  • 5 Ways to Reduce Waste This Summer

    Melissa
    10 May 2013 | 9:56 am
    Summer is almost here! Before your summer schedule gets busy with vacations, summer sports and other warm weather activities, I encourage you to think about ways you can reduce your waste this summer. Below are five easy ways to help you get started! 1. Reduce fuel use: From my son’s swim team to my daughter’s ballet class, it seems like we’re always in in the car traveling to and from events. The fuel budget quickly begins to grow and the constant driving only increases air pollution. Read more: 5 Ways to Reduce Waste This Summer Note: I receive compensation from SCJ for my blog posts…

  • Ways to Help Teach Your Kids About Money

    Melissa
    3 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    In my house, we stress the importance of teaching our kids about budgeting their money. My husband and I want to make sure they understand the basics without burdening them with the financial-stressors adults face. As with all things parenting, I approach the topic with play. If you’re unsure how to talk to your children about budgeting, try one of these fun tactics below! Read More: Ways to Help Teach Your Kids About Money Note: I receive compensation from SCJ for my blog posts however my statements are truthful and based on my personal experiences.

  • How Much Energy Do Home Electronics Use?

    Melissa
    1 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    Over the past few months I’ve written a series of posts that have examined how much energy home electronics use. I started off with countertop kitchen appliances in January and followed-up with a look at the energy needs of personal care appliances in March. Today, I’m turning my attention towards home electronics. My goal is to take a closer look at how much energy my family and I use on a daily basis. Read More: How Much Energy Do Home Electronics Use? Note: I receive compensation from SCJ for my blog posts however my statements are truthful and based on my personal experiences.

  • 3 Easy “Feed Your Freezer” Ideas

    Melissa
    24 Apr 2013 | 7:21 pm
    I love the concept of “Feeding my Freezer,” which is essentially spending a day preparing several meals I can store in my freezer. On a busy weeknight, I simply go “shopping” in my freezer for a quick meal instead of ordering from a local restaurant. While I will branch out and try new recipes from time-to-time, these three “Feed your Freezer” ideas are my staples. Visit the SCJohnson.com Green Choices blog for more: 3 Easy “Feed Your Freezer” Ideas. Note: I receive compensation from SCJ for my blog posts however my statements are truthful and based on my personal…

  • E-Waste Recycling 101

    Melissa
    19 Apr 2013 | 8:49 am
    What is e-waste? E-waste is simply electronics waste – electronic items that cannot be reused or refurbished. These items need to be processed by a reputable and preferably certified recycling organization. Learn more: E-Waste Recycling 101 on the SCJhonson.com Green Choices blog. Note: I receive compensation from SCJ for my blog posts however my statements are truthful and based on my personal experiences.
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    1-800-RECYCLING

  • Recycling Profile: El Paso, TX

    1-800-RECYCLING
    24 May 2013 | 11:30 am
    Background El Paso, TX’s (pop. 649,121) recycling motto is, “Know What to Throw – Recycle Right,” and it is easy to see why the city has become so motivated to do so. El Paso’s curbside recycling program, which utilizes a single-stream blue roll cart that was implemented in 2007, accepts an incredible amount of items, even considering that the city does not take glass items at the curb. Still, the citywide waste diversion rate hovers around 20%, leaving much room to improve. Materials recycled Paper Including newspapers and advertising inserts, junk/advertising mail…

  • Go Green Carpet Recycling’s Tommy Senn: Recycling Old Carpet is Easy

    1-800-RECYCLING
    23 May 2013 | 4:01 pm
    Go Green Carpet Recycling, Inc. started recycling carpet and padding in the Chicagoland area back in 2011 with only two warehouse employees. Fast-forward to today, and now we currently run two to three shifts five days a week with a total of 20 full-time employees. Our process is simple: We collect both residential and commercial carpeting from our customers, which include both carpet retailers and local municipalities. We then analyze the carpet to determine what type of carpet it is. The carpet is then baled and sent to our processing facilities. Once there, the carpet is put through our…

  • C&D Recycling: Cardboard

    Taz Loomans
    22 May 2013 | 2:40 pm
    The Chinese first invented paperboard, or cardboard, more than 400 years ago. The first cardboard box was produced in England in 1817. Corrugated cardboard debuted not long after in the 1850s. Because corrugated cardboard is much sturdier than plain paperboard, it became the go-to packaging for shipping products, much like it still is today. According to the Corrugated Packaging Alliance, cardboard is the single most recycled packaging material today. Cardboard composition There are essentially two types of cardboard: paperboard and corrugated. Paperboard can be made by pasting layers of…

  • Transform Everyday Dwellings with Kanga Room Systems

    Allyson Koerner
    21 May 2013 | 3:30 pm
    The home office. The pool house. The guest house. The shed. The art space. These everyday spaces are changing, for the better, thanks to Kanga Room Systems. Kanga, based in Austin, TX, is a premier designer and manufacturer that provides build-it-yourself prefabricated wood kits for outdoor rooms and other structures. If you are not comfortable with do-it-yourself assembly, Kanga will do it for you with its premium installation services. Kanga customers can choose from cabins, sheds, studios, add-on rooms, storage and playhouses and/or playrooms for kids. These are perfect for homes, ranches,…

  • Modern-Shed: The Earth-Friendly Backyard Space

    Wendy Gabriel
    20 May 2013 | 4:17 pm
    Photo via modern-shed.com. I have a dream to have a space of my own. This dream space would contain all my art supplies and my writing supplies, and when I put something away, it would be in that same spot when I returned. I confess, I don’t believe this dream will come true anytime soon, because my family has chosen to live in a very cozy (i.e., tiny) home and there isn’t any extra space for a dedicated art/writing studio. But, I recently I found the space of my dreams, Modern-Shed. Now I’m thinking outside the house. Not only can Modern-Shed make my dream space a reality, but the…
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    Greendiary : Greendiary - Let's go green and save the environment for a sustainable future

  • Recycled crate creations you’d love to know about

    Instamedia Content Writing
    25 May 2013 | 2:05 am
    The use of crates is one way in which products can be transported from place to another. Although they may be expensive, these crates can easily be recycled and made into new boxes or used for other purposes. These crates are highly durable and waterproof just like plastic boxes. Along these lines, there are several stunning creations which have evolved through recycled crates. In fact, it is said that there are seven stunning houses which have been constructed by just using recycled shipping crates along with used beer and milk crates as the basic materials. One may ask what benefit is there…

  • Five bamboo items that could help you enhance your Home Decor

    Instamedia Content Writing
    25 May 2013 | 1:16 am
    If you are looking for ways to enhance the look of your home while being friendly to environment, you can consider going green with bamboo. Bamboo is a more durable and faster growing crop as compared to wood. It is rapidly renewable and therefore been a favored choice of materials for the creation of home products. Bamboo is highly popular in the creation of eco-friendly products and enhances the beauty and appearance of the products. Beloware five ideas of bamboo products which you can use should you be interested to spruce up the décor in your home. The first item made of bamboo which can…

  • Eco-friendly decorating ideas for a green home

    Instamedia Content Writing
    25 May 2013 | 1:00 am
    If you are one who wants to revamp your home but care about your environment, you will be interested to know that eco-friendly decorating ideas that will be your renovate your home without causing harm to the environment in which you live in. All you will need to know I what eco-friendly materials you should procure before starting on your home renovation. Such little adjustments you make in the way you do things can help you and your environment in the future. Below are some ideas, which are deemed eco-friendly. Firstly, you can look for reusable resources. This works especially well if you…

  • How to take care of eco friendly apparels

    Instamedia Content Writing
    22 May 2013 | 2:03 am
    Sustainable fashion or eco-friendly fashion is one popular move towards sustainability. Minimizing the impact of producing apparel on the environment is the crux of this notion. If you are one who is looking to go green, you could switch to eco-friendly clothing. Eco-fashion needs not to be expensive compulsorily. It further serves the purpose of taking into account damage to the environment, health of consumers and working conditions of the people in the fashion industry. Here are a few important tips to help you keep your eco-friendly clothing as fresh as ever: If you have decided to play…

  • Quick tips to find an eco friendly mattress

    Instamedia Content Writing
    22 May 2013 | 1:29 am
      A good night’s sleep is always important. When you sleep at night, on a mattress, chemical off-gases are released from the mattress into your skin and air. So when a good night’s sleep is so important, why don’t you invest in one, which is not only comfortable but also harmless to your health and the environment in which you live in? If you have now decided to go eco-friendly, then below are some tips on how you can find the best eco-friendly mattress that is going to be good for the environment as well as capable of giving you a good rest. First and foremost, you may want to…
 
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    Everyone's Blog Posts - GreenITers

  • Ivanpah site visit announced for CSP Today USA in June

    Bea Gonzalez
    20 May 2013 | 4:21 am
    Attendees of CSP Today USA 2013 (26-27 June, Las Vegas) will be given a unique opportunity to visit the 392MW Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, the largest CSP plant under construction in the world.The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is set to be commissioned in 2013 and delegates will be able to get an exclusive first look at the facility on the morning of 25 June. Jack Ahearne, the organizer of CSP Today USA, announced the news on Wednesday 15 May. “With Ivanpah coming online this year, interest in seeing the plant has been enormous, not only in the United States but around the…

  • Beating Depression before it beats us ...

    Hans Dholakia
    16 May 2013 | 3:39 am
    We all feel low at times ; that is human. But to stay put in depressed thoughts and continue to feel demotivated for days,weeks and months is certainly an offense against your soul's blissful nature ; it can be cured. Five things, done regularly, can beat any depression :1. Exercise everyday : Go for brisk walks, and don't talk while you walk - just breathe deeply and slowly. In an open park, do Surya Namaskar, the 12-posture incredible yogic technique that works not only on external and internal muscles but also on the endocrine glands. Don't know how to do this ? Write to me.2. Do Pranayama…

  • How can technology improve public policy? Come and find out in Dublin!

    Francesco Mureddu
    10 May 2013 | 6:43 am
    This June, policymakers and techies from around Europe will come together in Dublin to discuss how technology can be used to improve the policymaking process. The challenge Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have supported decision-making processes for many years. Whether used for analyzing datasets, managing processes, or monitoring expenditure, governments have been a traditional large user of technology. Today’s ICTs are well-suited to dealing with predictable, traditional problems that can be cracked with brute computing force, or a simple linear process. Unfortunately,…

  • What kind of world , do you want?

    Flavio Souza
    1 May 2013 | 8:46 pm
    (As revealed to Marshall Vian Summers in Aleppo, Syria)"While everything appears to be normal in these days, Great Waves of change are coming to the world—change on a level never seen before, change that will affect every person in the world. Greater than the world wars, it will be. Greater than the great pandemics of the past will it be. Great Waves of change, as humanity has plundered the world and has destroyed your natural inheritance to such a great degree that the world will change now, becoming a more difficult place for the human family.It has taken a very long time to create the…

  • From futurist Stephan A. Schwartz - Trends That Will Affect Your Future …

    Flavio Souza
    1 May 2013 | 7:59 pm
    "The SchwartzReport tracks emerging trends that will affect the world, particularly the United States. For EXPLORE it focuses on matters of health in the broadest sense of that term, including medical issues, changes in the biosphere, technology, and policy considerations, all of which will shape our culture and our lives. By the time we get there it is already a raucous party. The elderly Freeland Hall on Whidbey island, off the coast of Seattle, with its walls and ceiling made of short strips of ancient pine boards, vibrates with the noise. Two hundred fifty people have packed themselves in…
 
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    Eat Drink Better

  • Cross-Country Vegan: 10 Tips for Eating Well on the Road (with Tailgate-Chef Thai Noodle Recipe)

    Tanya Sitton
    25 May 2013 | 2:52 pm
    I love road trips! But I don’t love fast food, gas-station junk, or being hungry. Traveling through our fast-food nation can be challenging for real-food whole-food vegan-food enthusiasts; but with a bit of forethought and planning, eating well on the road can be quick, easy, and delicious! Plan Ahead When it comes to eating well on the road, a little planning goes a long way. Don’t wait until you’re stranded in a fast-food wasteland far from home, to think about what’s for dinner! Always have ready-to-eat snacks on standby, and pack quick food within easy reach…

  • Biotech Playing Catchup – New GMO Purple Tomato Same Benefits as Old Non-GMO Purple Tomato

    Heather Carr
    24 May 2013 | 1:03 pm
    Scientists in England developed a genetically modified purple tomato with higher antioxidant levels than the average red supermarket tomato. They hope to have it on the market in three years. Meanwhile, a few years ago, scientists in Oregon developed a non-GMO purple tomato with higher antioxidant levels than the average red supermarket tomato. You can buy it online now, if you’re looking for a boost of antioxidants. Both purple tomatoes get their color from anthocyanin, the antioxidant responsible for the blueberry’s color and reputation as a superfood. Anthocyanin has been shown…

  • Laughing Cow Mini Babybel Red Covers May Leach Dye

    Jennifer Kaplan
    24 May 2013 | 9:53 am
    According to a recent email from the Feingold Association of the United States,  Laughing Cow Mini Babybel Mild Cheddar suggests that Laughing Cow ”was unable to be sure if the dye in the red plastic cover will leach out into the cheese.” You know which red plastic (I thought it was wax!) covers we are talking about.  They are the ones immortalized in the book, Ivy and Bean No News Is Good News: Vanessa opened her lunchbox and took out a small red ball. It was a ball of cheese, but nobody cared about the cheese. The cheese was totally unimportant. The important thing was the…

  • Five Compelling Reasons To Avoid Artificial Food Colorings

    Mary Gerush
    24 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    One of my kids has a new crush on Sparkling Ice Naturally Flavored Sparkling Mountain Spring Water — which is basically colorful, sweetened, fizzy water with exciting “fruit” taste combos like Pomegranate Blueberry and Kiwi Strawberry. In an attempt to help her think before she drinks, I scanned a bottle with my Fooducate app. C+ baby — partially due to its inclusion of artificial food coloring. I did a bit of research and found five reasons we should encourage our kids (and ourselves) to avoid artificial food colorings. Scientists make artificial food dyes from…

  • PFOA: The Secret Ingredient that Could be Making You Sick

    Becky Striepe
    23 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Remember when we learned that BPA leached from packaging into the foods we eat? Another chemical called PFOA – used as a non-stick coating in cookware and food packaging – could be just as dangerous. Maybe more so. PFOA stands for perfluorooctanoic acid, and it’s great at preventing food from sticking to things. Conscious eaters already know that nonstick cookware is bad news, but that’s not the only place you’ll find PFOA and its toxic cousins. Heather wrote about perfluorinated chemicals in fast food packaging back in 2010. PFOA falls under that umbrella, and…
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    PlanetSave

  • Amphibian News: Killer Fungus Found In Third Major Amphibian Group, USGS Amphibian Survey Findings ‘Alarming’

    Michael Ricciardi
    25 May 2013 | 2:29 pm
    Geotrypetes seraphini, a caecilian from Cameroon that tested positive for the chytrid fungus. Courtesy of the National History Museum, via Scientific American Two important amphibian news items to report here…the first regards the spread of the lethal Chytrid fungus into Caecilians (a third major grouping of the Amphibia); the second item: a report on the recent USGS survey of US amphibian populations. Rare Amphibian Group Now at Risk from Frog-killing Fungus Frogs (and toads), salamanders, and Caecilians — a lesser known amphibian looking somewhere between a large worm or a…

  • Bike Commuting Skyrocketing, Especially In “Bike Friendly Communities”

    Zachary Shahan
    25 May 2013 | 9:17 am
    Here are a couple reposts from Bikocity. The first documents the rise of bike commuting in the US, especially in “Bicycle Friendly Communities” and 10 key cities. The second repost is about how Bicycle Friendly Communities are evaluated. Check them out: Where Bike Commuting Grows Fastest (Infographics) The League of American Bicyclists recently created some cool infographics about bicycle commuter growth across the country. In general, bike commuting has skyrocketed, doubling from 1.7 billion in 2001 to 4 billion in 2009. However, the growth has occurred to a much greater degree…

  • Holland — The Original Cool (& Green)

    Zachary Shahan
    25 May 2013 | 8:55 am
    Holland — one of my favorite places in the world. More info in this Bikocity repost below. Below is a fun (& funny) video about Holland. Of course, biking is highlighted a bit. Biking makes life so much cooler, easier, more relaxed and carefree. It is used in (non-car) advertisements of all kinds simply to stick a cooler and more positive image on the product being sold. With bicycling at the center of one’s transportation system, the quality of life rises tremendously. At one point in the video, the narrator jokes, “They still drive cars. Haha.” I actually lived…

  • Grow Plants In Your Backyard, Not Chickens

    Justin Van Kleeck
    25 May 2013 | 8:40 am
    Image Credit: Lost Albatross (own work), via Flickr. As the tide of locavorism continues to rise around the world, more and more people are looking closer to home for their food with the idea that, by reducing food miles, they are solving the world’s problems. Instead of seriously questioning the eating of animals, and taking the compassionate approach of veganism, people simply shift the source of their consumption habits instead of actually changing them for ethical and environmental reasons. One of the most popular components of the local foods movement in recent years is backyard…

  • Almost 100% New Electricity To Be From Solar In California In 2nd Half Of 2013

    Zachary Shahan
    25 May 2013 | 8:04 am
    Reposting this big news from Solar Love: Herman Trabish of Greentech Media has happened across a pretty interesting find — 97% of new electricity generation capacity in line to be added to the California grid in the second half (2H) of 2012 is from solar power projects. This is according to the California Independent System Operator (the ISO), as published in the 2012 Annual Report on Market Issues and Performance. In total, 1,633 megawatts of generation capacity are in line to be added to the grid in 2H 2013. A whopping 1,581 megawatts (MW) are from solar projects. 52 MW are from…
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    Sustainablog

  • The Many Benefits of a Whole Foods Diet: An Interview with the Co-Author of Whole

    Guest Author
    24 May 2013 | 10:28 am
    Earlier their month authors T. Colin Campbell and Howie Jacobson released their new book Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition, in many ways a follow up to Campbell’s earlier book The China Study. (Editor’s note: both of those are affiliate links) For anyone interested in the science and politics of nutrition, and why there is still so much confusion about the value of a plants focused diet, this is a must read. We took the time to interview Jacobson below so you could get a sense of main points and storyline of the book. Brian Toomey: For people who didn’t read Dr…

  • March to Reclaim Our Food System: Participate in Civil Disobedience Through Self-Reliance

    Guest Author
    23 May 2013 | 10:08 am
    By now you’ve heard the story of a food system in shambles. It has been tweeted, posted, blogged, and Caused. The tale continues to grow as more voices join in to tell it. If you are paying attention, you realize that one ending to this story is a crash landing so scary that it’s no surprise so many of us prefer to keep our eyes closed. If you’re like us though, your blood is boiling and you’re ready for action. It’s okay – go ahead and throw a fit, punch a pillow, and get angry. Be irate about the fact that the fate of agriculture (and your health) currently rests in the hands of…

  • Harvesting Justice 15: From Field to Table – Rights for Workers in the Food Supply Chain

    Guest Author
    22 May 2013 | 11:02 am
    By Tory Field and Beverly Bell Part 15 of the Harvesting Justice series The Food Chain Workers Alliance has a goal of nothing less than full rights and fair wages for the 20 million workers who grow, harvest, process, pack, ship, cook, serve, and sell food in the US. Founded in 2009, the Alliance brings together 11 organizations representing workers throughout the food supply chain. It is organizing across sectors, building solidarity between workers in different industries. It is pushing for policy changes and educating and activating consumers so that we can all better align our food…

  • Reclaimed Wood Decor: Incorporating this Reused Material into Your Home

    Guest Author
    22 May 2013 | 10:11 am
    Reclaimed wood is one of the hottest eco-friendly trends to come out of the interior design world. With products like reclaimed wood flooring and veneer paneling, the options and uses available with this type of lumber are limited only by your imagination. By learning more about this type of eco-friendly material, you can make educated decisions about the home design products you choose. What is Reclaimed Wood? On many occasions, old lumber gets discarded simply because a person or company doesn’t have a use for it. The truth is that much of this lumber is still usable – and in many…

  • Reuse, the Movie: How Ordinary Americans are Putting Trash to Work

    Jeff McIntire-Strasburg
    21 May 2013 | 7:52 am
    If you’ve spent any amount of time here at sustainablog, you know we’re big fans of reuse: recycling’s great and all, but why add more energy and material to an item’s footprint if it can be repurposed or upcycled? So I was definitely drawn to the story of Alex Eaves and his company Stay Vocal, which creates “new” t-shirts out of shirts that have, at the very least, been created for other uses… in some cases, they’re pre-owned (and, thus, pre-worn). Alex is very good at putting together events for exposing people to the joys and possibilities of…
 
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    Eco Child's Play

  • Hygiene hypothesis linked to heart disease prevention

    Jennifer Lance
    23 May 2013 | 6:54 am
    The Hygiene Hypothesis contradicts what many people think…extreme cleanliness may actually lead to more diseases, such as asthma and allergies.  Now research has linked this idea that germs and viruses are good for us to the prevention of heart disease. NBC News explains: Early childhood viral infections might reduce the risk of developing heart disease [...]Hygiene hypothesis linked to heart disease prevention is a post from: Eco Child's Play

  • Psychology Today on ADHD: French children don’t need medications to control their behavior

    Jennifer Lance
    21 May 2013 | 1:26 pm
    Fortunately neither of my children suffer from attention difficulties, but as a teacher I have worked with many students that do.   What typically happens in an American classroom where a child has trouble fitting into existing routines, the problem is seen as with the child and not the environment.  Typically these children receive a [...]Psychology Today on ADHD: French children don’t need medications to control their behavior is a post from: Eco Child's Play

  • Environmental Education: Google Earth Engine

    Jennifer Lance
    18 May 2013 | 8:53 am
    As a teacher, it can be challenging to have children really grasp the effects of humans on the planet.   Thankfully, there is a powerful tool by Google that makes it really easy to visualize and show how in just thirty years the planet has been altered dramatically. Google Earth Engine is a timelapse show [...]Environmental Education: Google Earth Engine is a post from: Eco Child's Play

  • 5 simple steps to make homemade fruit leather from leftover juice pulp

    Jennifer Lance
    18 May 2013 | 8:11 am
    I am trying to juice more. It’s a great way to use up fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator that have passed their prime for fresh eating.  This week I made a delicious blend of apple, kiwi, raspberry, strawberry, and orange juice.   It was so yummy! One thing that has always bothered me about [...]5 simple steps to make homemade fruit leather from leftover juice pulp is a post from: Eco Child's Play

  • A Green 4th of July

    guest writer
    17 May 2013 | 6:49 am
    Independence Day is a holiday that celebrates our existence as a country. This is an important day for any of us proud to be American. It is also a fun summer holiday that includes the best of the outdoors including the wonderful display of lights in the sky followed by large booms. But when it [...]A Green 4th of July is a post from: Eco Child's Play
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    Crafting a Green World

  • Is Hemp Legalization in the U.S. Coming Soon?

    Becky Striepe
    25 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Spread the love: Hemp legalization is closer to becoming a reality for U.S. farmers! If you’ve been a reader here for a while, you probably know how I feel about hemp. Hemp makes durable, beautiful fabric from a plant that – unlike conventional cotton – uses few pesticides and little water to grow.  Hemp is also not genetically modified, which means that when you use hemp fabric, you’re not putting money into Monsanto’s pockets. Senator Ron Wyden introduced an amendment to the Farm Bill last week that would allow farmers to grow industrial hemp. While hemp is…

  • DIY Father’s Day Gift Idea: A Recycled “Coupon Book”

    Bonnie Getchell
    24 May 2013 | 7:30 am
    Spread the love: Back in the day, I would make a “coupon book” for my parents full of free hugs and chores that I disliked. I decided to put an eco-friendly and personalized spin to my average coupon book. Here’s how you (or your children) can make one, too! What You Will Need: 1. Recycled paper. I used book pages, but you could use sheet music, junk mail envelopes, reclaimed childrens wallpaper etc, too. 2. Crayons 3. Black marker 4. A ruler 5. Scissors 6. A hole punch and twine or stapler How To Do It: 1. With a ruler, measure and cut your recycled paper into small…

  • How To: DIY Recycled Felt Koozie for Dad

    Bonnie Getchell
    23 May 2013 | 7:30 am
    Spread the love: Father’s Day is right around the corner! Here’s an easy DIY koozie that would be an awesome, eco-friendly gift for dad and requires no sewing. What You Will Need: 1. Recycled felt. I used three different colors– red, blue, and black. You could felt an old sweater instead of buying recycled felt, too. 2. Hot glue/hot glue gun 3. Scissors 4. A pen 5. A ruler How To Do It: 1. Wrap your felt around the cup/bottle/can your Dad typically uses. This will help you determine the length and width your koozie needs to be. Mark the felt accordingly. Make sure you leave…

  • 5 Fab Fabrics from Unusual Sources

    Becky Striepe
    22 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Spread the love: We talk a lot about sustainable fabrics around here, both as part of our Fab Fabrics series and when we’re sharing tutorials. A quick scan through our archives turns up the usual suspects: hemp, organic cotton, recycled felt, jute, linen, and – of course – vintage fabrics. But every once in a while we run across a fabulous fabric that’s from more of an offbeat source. While not all of these fabrics are available commercially, I think it’s a lot of fun to go back and look at the interesting developments in the world of fabric. I often say that…

  • How-to: Upcycled Pillowcase Top

    Julie Finn
    21 May 2013 | 7:31 am
    Spread the love: top sewn from a vintage embroidered pillowcase Toddlers wear pillowcase dresses. Big kids (and YOU!) wear pillowcase tops. They’re just as easy to sew, but you get to wear pants with them! I found the pillowcase that I’m using for this particular project at Goodwill. It comes from a time when people were embroidering charming scenes of swans and reeds onto their pillowcases, so I’m going to go ahead and say that it’s vintage. With some measuring and trimming, a couple of lengths of elastic, and some handmade bias tape, that embroidered pillowcase is…
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    Earthgarage Blog

  • Traffic and Tornadoes

    Kristen Bond
    23 May 2013 | 5:11 am
    Amidst the tragic and horrific tornado craze lately, we here at EarthGarage were curious as to whether there have been any scientific studies aimed at the connection to traffic pollution and tornadoes. Well, amidst the claims and research about climate change (which is different than short-scale weather anomalies), yes, there have also been studies like this one to decipher whether our daily commute may actually cause the weather to change in the short-term. Scientists have analyzed summertime storm activity in the eastern U.S. from 1995 – 2009 and discovered that hailstorms and…

  • SPOTLIGHT: Enviro-Safe Engine Block Sealant

    Nora Kanarkiewicz
    20 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Blown engine head gasket? Enviro-Safe Engine Block Sealant can repair a blown engine head gasket and cracks in the engine block. This sealant will not harm engine parts or the cooling system and stops leaks in minutes. It is easy to use, just mix it with anti-freeze and add it to the radiator. The best part about this product is that not only is it safe for your engine, it is also safe for the environment. Get it here. Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet.

  • Greener Car. Safer Car?

    Administrator
    16 May 2013 | 10:47 am
    Global warming, recent consumer interest in vehicles with improved gas mileage plus new CAFE standards have automotive manufacturers scrambling to come up with more efficient vehicles. Car manufacturers are developing eco-friendly cars that are highly functional, minimizing hazardous emissions while keeping costs to the consumer within reason. Nissan has always been a leader in the innovation and development of green technology. They’re one of the few car companies that offer an electric car that can be charged at night and driven the next day. In order to drive sales, manufacturers…

  • Tesla Obtains Environmental Credits from the State

    Kristen Bond
    13 May 2013 | 5:05 am
    In an effort to promote greener cars, the State of California has created a system in which Tesla can make an extra $35,000 on each sale of its luxury Model S electric sports car. Within the system, Tesla qualifies for state environmental “Zero Emission Vehicle” credits that can be turned into profits. The credits work much like the cap and trade system for big industries: Tesla has the opportunity to sell the unused credits to other automakers that need them to satisfy tough California regulations. According to the parent article found here, the credits could add as much as $250…

  • SPOTLIGHT: Pulstar Spark Plugs

    Nora Kanarkiewicz
    13 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Investing in eco-friendly spark plugs can help increase the performance of your vehicle. The Pulstar is a pulse plug that uses technology to react faster and burn fuel cleaner. The improved combustion efficiency increases MPG and reduces CO2 emissions. It even makes environmentally friendly vehicles, such as the Prius, even more efficient. Get it here. Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet.
 
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    Greenfudge.org

  • Endangered Species of the Week: Northern hairy-nosed wombat

    sevhoo
    24 May 2013 | 6:31 am
    Species: Northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) Status: Critically Endangered (CR) Interesting Fact: The northern hairy-nosed wombat has a backwards-facing pouch, ensuring that the pouch does not fill up with soil when the animal is digging. The northern hairy-nosed wombat is a large, heavily built marsupial with strong claws, which it uses for digging complex burrow systems. The largest of the three wombat species, the northern hairy-nosed wombat is also the largest known herbivorous burrowing mammal. It spends the day sheltering inside its burrow, emerging at night to feed…

  • Study: Car exhaust turns good cholesterol into bad

    Graham_Land
    23 May 2013 | 4:23 am
    Research published by the American Heart Association shows that breathing in automobile emissions reverses the beneficial qualities of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the so-called “good cholesterol”. Normally, HDL cholesterol removes LDL or “bad cholesterol” from the blood stream, decreasing the risk of heart disease. Therefore, high levels of HDL are beneficial, while low levels are risky. Yet breathing vehicular emissions damages HDL cholesterol, making it actually contribute to clogging arteries instead of preventing them. Image credit: www.TheEnvironmentalBlog.org…

  • Study: 60% of UK wildlife in decline

    Graham_Land
    22 May 2013 | 5:24 am
    Hedgehogs have declined by a third during this century. Pic: Ian S (Flickr CC) We are perhaps more accustomed to hearing about the conservation of exotic endangered species in tropical biodiversity hotspots in places such as Southeast Asia. We tut and swear at foreign governments and multinational corporations who wantonly destroy the habitats of cuddly pandas, beautiful tigers and supremely sympathetic orangutans, but what about the already-industrialized world? Have the British given up on the UK’s wildlife? Hardly. Scarcely a week goes by when I don’t read about a controversial badger…

  • Tiny houses: Eco-friendly dream homes

    Graham_Land
    20 May 2013 | 6:28 am
    Your environmentally conscious dream house awaits. No, it’s not an Al Gore style mansion fitted with solar panels and other energy-efficient innovations. No one but the super-rich can afford such green luxury. I’m talking about minimal space minimal resource use. Introducing a personal fetish of mine: tiny houses. Ever since first seeing articles on the Micro Compact House I always liked it’s futuristic appeal, but their life cycle doesn’t appear to be very long. This reclaimed boat inspired apartment in Barcelona looks great, but it’s not all that small and looks way outside my…

  • Endangered Species of the Week: Tehuantepec jackrabbit

    sevhoo
    18 May 2013 | 5:27 am
    Species: Tehuantepec jackrabbit (Lepus flavigularis) Status: Endangered (EN) Interesting Fact: The Tehuantepec jackrabbit has impressively long ears which can measure up to 12 centimetres in length. The Tehuantepec jackrabbit is considered to be the most endangered hare species in the world. Like other hares, it is characterised by its long legs, large hind feet, huge ears and superb running ability. This species is active at night or at dawn and dusk, sheltering in cover during the day. Like most hares, it does not dig burrows, instead relying on its camouflage and speed to escape…
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    Free Energy

  • Paul Hellyer Speaks

    Jim
    25 May 2013 | 7:40 am
    Paul Hellyer is a former defense minister and deputy prime minister of Canada. Gravity control is the basis here.

  • All Round The World – UFOs

    Jim
    23 May 2013 | 3:47 am
    It was the late fifties after Eisenhower supposedly met with aliens that the government shut down on ufos. Why not? They were talking and we were kooks. Wilbert Brockhouse Smith had contacts and wanted to bring in the guys topside to the people of Earth. By topside he was referring to people from another planet. [...]

  • Not UFOs

    Jim
    19 May 2013 | 5:10 am
    I used to think for a brief moment that Germany created the ufos we see today. My pal Steve Bucek reminded me of the real history of spirits in the sky with examples like this. and this

  • Ed Fouche

    Jim
    18 May 2013 | 5:23 am
    I apologize for the remark previous now erased. Not in vain. We honor and salute you Ed Fouche.

  • How Do We Get Beyond This ?

    Jim
    13 May 2013 | 5:08 am
 
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    Resilience

  • Shelter from the Tornado

    24 May 2013 | 7:54 am
    I live in Tornado Alley, in Oklahoma City. The suburb located fifteen miles south of our home, Moore, averages a tornado every 2.5 years since 1991. Until recently, I had believed that it was sufficiently prudent to watch the weather carefully during May, have a tornado bag assembled, and be prepared to shelter in the interior of the house, away from windows, covered by a mattress.

  • Microgrids: A Utility’s Best Friend or Worst Enemy?

    24 May 2013 | 7:29 am
    A recent data roundup by renewable energy industry analyst Paul Gipe shows that variable renewables are meeting much larger percentages of grid power than previously thought possible in some European countries.

  • Scraps and the City

    24 May 2013 | 7:12 am
    Food and other organic material (by which I mean yard waste and prunings) make up a whopping 25 percent of New York’s residential waste stream: that’s a huge amount to potentially divert from landfills and incinerators. Compost it instead and we’d be saving the city money (New York spends more than $330 million a year hauling waste to landfills) and avoiding the generation of the greenhouse gas methane, which is produced when organic material rots in the airless confines of a dump.

  • Climate: action, impact, and geoengineering - May 24

    24 May 2013 | 3:58 am
    •China agrees to impose carbon targets by 2016 •Warming to hit half of plants, a third of animals •Geoengineering: Can We Save the Planet by Messing with Nature? •Climate Denial's Death Knell: 97 Percent of Peer-Reviewed Science Confirms Manmade Global Warming, Consensus Overwhelming •Climate disasters displace millions of people worldwide •For Insurers, No Doubts on Climate Change

  • Sharing as a Solution to Global Crisis

    24 May 2013 | 2:44 am
    The social, environmental and economic crises that continue to reap havoc across the globe provide a critical opportunity for ordinary people to demand economic reform and political transformation says STWR's director, Rajesh Makwana, in an interview with John Habets & Henk Gloudemans.
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    Green-Buildings.com

  • 5 Cheapest LEED Credits: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck

    clairemolo
    24 May 2013 | 11:51 am
    While some green building design strategies and technologies can be costly, some are inexpensive and simple to implement. Here, I have chosen 5 of the cheapest credits to implement from the LEED for New Construction 2009 rating system. 1. Sustainable Sites Credit 4.2, Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms Summary of News:  While some green building strategies can be more expensive than conventional design and materials, some LEED credits are cheap to achieve. Expert:  Claire Moloney, LEED Green Associate Related Advice:  Green Remodeling on a Budget: Three Important Things to…

  • Green Advantage vs. LEED Green Associate: What's the Difference?

    clairemolo
    20 May 2013 | 6:06 am
    Question:  Karen asks: I have my certification from Green Advantage. What is the difference between LEED Green Associate and Green Advantage? Hi Karen, thank you for your question. The Green Advantage credential is designed for professionals who work in construction, such as contractors, subcontractors and tradespeople. To earn the credential, the professional must take two exams, which test on green building concepts, materials and techniques. It is more focused on the building practitioner's actions "in the field" rather than the design process, though it covers both. Summary of…

  • LEED Project Experience Program: Can I Participate from Any Country?

    clairemolo
    17 May 2013 | 7:59 am
    Question:  Stanley asks: Hi, I live in Nova Scotia. Will I still qualify for the course and are there any that involve earlier meetings? Here, that would be from 9:30pm to 10:30pm, which I would be fine with, but I would just prefer if I could find something earlier. Hi Stanley, thank you for your question and your interest in the LEED Project Experience Program. Anyone from any country, including Nova Scotia, can participate in the LEED Project Experience Program. The meetings are virtual, so as long as you have an internet connection, you can participate. Summary of News:  The…

  • Legacy LEED AP: Added a Specialty in 2011, Do I Need Continuing Education?

    clairemolo
    17 May 2013 | 6:36 am
    Question:  Judy asks: I became a LEED AP in 2011 without a specialty. It was not required at that time. I recently received this notice from GBCI: "Your current CMP reporting period began on 6/14/2011 and will end on 6/13/2013. To maintain your credential you must earn the required number of CE hours by 6/13/2013. Report your CE hours in your My Credentials account. When you have reported your required CE hours, renew your credential by selecting “Renew My Credential” in My Credentials. Nearly 80% of LEED Professionals in your industry renew their credentials. Have you heard…

  • LEED Green Associate "Super Study Pack"

    rpfjr
    16 May 2013 | 4:32 pm
    Price:  $99.99 Short Description A:  Includes: 105 Page LEED Green Associate PDF Study Guide, 600 Online Practice Questions with Exam Simulator, Video Training Class with 8 Modules, 90 Minute MP3 Audio Study Guide, Exam Simulator, 200 Digital/Printable Flashcards, plus free BONUS Memorization Guide with Online Study Tips. **Note: This is an ONLINE Product. No physical product is mailed to you. Prepare yourself for the future opportunities that Green Building will provide with the ultimate study package! The "Super Study Pack" will prepare you to pass the LEED Green Associate Exam…
 
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    Green Antilles

  • Like Green Antilles on Facebook

    Thérèse
    25 May 2013 | 6:24 am
    Posting here at the Green Antilles blog is on hiatus right now, but you can still get green news from, for and about the Caribbean at the Green Antilles Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/greenantilles.

  • Can the Caribbean survive climate induced impacts?

    Robin
    7 Dec 2012 | 2:35 am
    The UN Climate Change Conference 2012 is being held in Quatar this week. Caribbean 360 reports on concerns of survivability for Caribbean islands in the face of rising sea temperatures and levels: The failure of the on-going UN Climate Change conference to address important issues will lead to serious consequences for the existence of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other vulnerable communities around the world, Barbados Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Maxine McClean said Wednesday. “We are not fully convinced that our negotiating partners fully understand what they…

  • Green Antilles interview: Salome Buglass, Masters student at UBC, asks Have Tobago’s corals survived mass bleaching?

    Robin
    25 Nov 2012 | 9:44 am
    Salome getting ready for a dive in Tobago It is my joy to present the second Green Antilles interview. Salome Buglass is a Master’s student at the University of British Columbia. She spoke to Green Antilles about her research on coral reefs, what inspires her and her hopes for marine conservation in the Caribbean. Green Antilles: Please introduce yourself and tell us where you’re from and where you work Salome Buglass: I’m Salome Buglass, I am a graduate student at UBC in Canada. I have recently embarked on a research-based Master of Science programme and the focus of my studies coral…

  • World Ocean Assessment workshop for the Caribbean

    Robin
    21 Nov 2012 | 3:00 pm
    On November 13-15, a World Ocean Assessment Workshop was held for the Wider Caribbean in Miami, Florida. The Workshop for the Wider Caribbean is part of the larger Regular Process, an effort to regularly provide accurate information on the state of the marine environment to decision makers. This event was one of many workshops being hosted worldwide, under the auspices of the United Nations, as a key mechanism by which the first global integrated marine assessment will be accomplished and States can enhance their assessment capacity. To learn more visit the WOA website

  • Economic impact assessment of recreational fishing in the Caribbean

    Robin
    20 Nov 2012 | 8:44 am
    Recreational fisheries are prevalent in most Caribbean islands, though to date, the socio-economic characteristics of this sector are poorly studied. World Fishing and Aquaculture comments on a Manual which will assess the economic impacts of recreational fisheries in the Wider Caribbean Region: The aim of the manual is to increase awareness and understanding among decision makers and the general public about the economic importance of recreational fisheries. It also wants to help fisheries managers to contribute more to public policy discussions affecting management, conservation and…
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    Green Eco Blog

  • Why New Cars Lose Value so Quickly

    admin
    9 May 2013 | 12:41 pm
    We have all heard the saying that the second you drive it off the lot you lose x amount of dollars on your new car, here is why. Contemplating buying a new car? The unfortunate downside of the experience is not the sales rep’s hackneyed opening lines or the stale showroom coffee, but the financial hit you’ll take the moment you drive your new pride and joy off the lot. Wise consumers know the biggest expense of a new car is depreciation — that pecuniary penance that devalues your new ride as soon as you sign the ownership papers. One U.S. consumer website estimates buyers lose…

  • Tech Loaded $2M Bugatti Veyron

    admin
    4 Apr 2013 | 11:44 am
    “What if?” It’s the powerful question that has fired the imagination of innovators throughout history. And would-be innovators too, sitting bored in school, imagining “what if?” when sketching their dream cars. This was the kind of unrestrained thinking, backed by an unrestrained budget, that produced the original Bugatti Veyron, a shocking 1,000 horsepower, all-wheel-drive cruise missile of a car. But then someone said, “What if … we cut the roof off and made it a convertible?” and recently, the $2 million Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport was born. Naturally, a $2 million car…

  • Use Fox Urine to Protect Your Car

    admin
    6 Mar 2013 | 12:16 pm
    What?! Maybe the only thing worse than having to leave your precious ride at an airport’s long-term parking is to come back and find it damaged. Door dings are one thing, but finding the wires of your car’s electrical system chewed by wild rabbits is another. That’s what travelers at the Denver International Airport have to deal with, according to the local CBS TV affiliate KCNC-TV. “I see at least dozens every morning,” an airport shuttle driver told the station. “They go hide under the cars and the cars are warm.” Read the full story here.

  • Big Start to 2013 for Top Three Auto Makers

    admin
    4 Feb 2013 | 7:44 am
    U.S. auto sales maintained the strong upward trend that delivered a solid send-off to 2012, with most major manufacturers reporting double-digit gains for January. A number of manufacturers set new sales records during the first month of 2013, and Detroit makers, in particular, recovered some much-needed momentum. Two of the Detroit Big Three ended last year with market share declines. Industry observers credit a variety of factors for driving strong demand last month, including an improving economy and a bump in the long-struggling housing market. Notably, January saw demand surge in a…

  • Huge Honda Minivan and Crossover Recall

    admin
    2 Jan 2013 | 9:40 am
    American Honda plans to recall more than 800,000 minivans and crossover-utility vehicles to address a problem that could cause the vehicles to slip out of park and roll away. The Japanese maker, traditionally known for its high quality, reliability and customer satisfaction has been slammed by an ongoing series of recalls in recent years and appears to be on track for the dubious distinction of having more vehicles involved in safety-related callbacks than any other manufacturer operating in the U.S. for the second year in a row. Read the full story here.
 
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    Our Daily Green

  • Why Grass Fed Beef is Better for You (Infographic)

    25 May 2013 | 7:59 am
    Why grass fed beef is better for you infographic by dianagosi.

  • The dangers of chlorine

    25 May 2013 | 7:54 am
    A chlorine allergy is often difficult to diagnose because few people associate showering with an allergic reaction. However, while chlorine kills harmful bacteria in drinking water, it can also cause dry skin, eye irritation, sneezing, congestion and coughing. But even without a specific allergy, about 66% of a person's exposure to chlorine is not through drinking water, but through steam and skin absorption. photo courtesy of: wikimedia commons Chlorine damages the moist tissues such as eyes, throat and lungs. There are several harmful effects of repeatedly showering with chlorinated water.

  • Houseplant care for the novice

    25 May 2013 | 5:27 am
    photo courtesy of wikimedia commons Over the years, Our Daily Green has received numerous houseplants as gifts. While we've had moderate success with outdoor plants, our indoor plants never seem to survive. Houseplants not only compliment any decor, several species also clean the air, removing indoor toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene. But that only works if the plant thrives. Fortunately, we've just learned about a fascinating website with comprehensive information for anything houseplant related called Houseplant411.com. The first step towards a green thumb is to know what…

  • The Kashi REAL Project

    24 May 2013 | 10:27 am
    Disclosure: Our Daily Green promotes companies and causes that we believe are committed to helping us make healthier choices. In our opinion, Kashi has responded appropriately to criticism and has partnered with the non-profit verification organization, Non-GMO Project. To learn more about the ways Kashi is involved in helping bring healthier foods to our nation, watch their video.  Let's get real. Watch the video and Kashi will donate $2 to HealthCorps!* Did you know that about 9 out of 10 of high school students don't eat enough fruits and vegetables? This is why HealthCorps is…

  • Save energy by servicing your air conditioner

    24 May 2013 | 5:32 am
    air conditioning service hamilton As the weather warms up and the plants and flowers explode with pollen, many allergy sufferers are closing the house and turning on the air conditioning.  With the increased air conditioner use, energy and monthly bills also increase. One of the easiest ways to keep the cost at a minimum is to regularly service your air conditioner.  According to the Energy Star site, a technician should check the following items in a service call:  Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can…
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    Green Marketing Blog

  • Send Carolyn to Austin!

    Carolyn Parrs
    15 May 2013 | 5:04 pm
    Vote For our Panel on Breakthrough Branding   At Mind Over Markets, we look forward to the day when green is just the way it is. That will take some behavior changes and great messaging. We work hard to be catalysts for both. But we need your help! Carolyn Parrs, CEO of MOM, is poised to head up a panel in Austin for the South By Southwest Eco conference this October. SXSW Eco is bringing together some of the best and greenest idea generators and Carolyn can be one of them! Her  panel topic is Breakthrough Branding in Today’s Green Market, and we’ll teach: How to go beyond…

  • Fire the Choir: Why Green Marketing Hasn’t Worked and What To Do About It

    Carolyn Parrs
    13 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    We’ve heard the rumors, read the blogs, and saw the headlines that said Green Marketing is dead. To me, that was good news. We certainly do not need another man-hugging-polar bear commercial cut loose on the airwaves. I guess marketers figured out no one buys an electric car to save melting ice caps. They buy it to save themselves from melting down at the gas pump. So here’s the thing. What’s dead in green marketing are those first attempts that made big fat assumptions that people would choose the environment over their own needs. Like saving money. Like providing healthy food for…

  • Case Study: Greenvestment Resource Center

    Carolyn Parrs
    11 May 2013 | 1:43 pm
      Greenvestment Resource Center: The Gateway to Sustainable Investing Just because you are green does not mean you do not care about making green. And just because you may care about making green, does not mean you do not care about your values as you invest to build portfolio value. That is a lesson many independent financial advisors need to know. A client, a leader in SRI (socially responsible investing), wanted to create a new division responsive to the needs of independent financial advisors. An information-rich, online center providing advisors with all the resources they need to…

  • How 3 academics developed brilliant green marketing plans

    Carolyn Parrs
    2 May 2013 | 10:24 am
      Many people around the periphery of academia want to bridge practice with theory and higher-level thought, if only they had access. Thought leadership is an excellent strategy for bridging this gap. An art and a science involving a blend of branding, messaging, writing, speaking and relationship-building, thought leadership is really about leading with ideas. I came to appreciate thought leadership as a marketing strategy when I noticed that the traditional approach to media relations was dying as the Internet gained momentum. Without the budget for advertising (which I’m…

  • From Green to Gold: Breakthrough Branding for Today’s Green Market (Part 3)

    Carolyn Parrs
    29 Apr 2013 | 7:39 pm
    This is the last part of a 3-part series. Read part 1 and part 2 here. Go Beyond the Choir Ten years ago, a Roper Green Gauge study found that 51 percent of Americans would “go green” if they only knew how. Sadly, after all these years, consumers are still not getting it. In another green confidence study, GreenBiz.com found that only 45 percent of consumers felt like they had enough information to make the right decisions about the products they buy. Educating your customer is a vital aspect of marketing your green product. For Bioshield, a manufacturer of non-toxic, zero-VOC paints and…
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    ForceChange

  • Support Education of Orphans and Impoverished Children

    Brandon Taylor
    25 May 2013 | 2:01 am
    Target: The Hamomi Children’s Centre, a progressive nonprofit in Nairobi, Kenya Goal: Thank the Hamomi Children’s Centre for providing education and opportunity to orphaned and vulnerable children Life is hard in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Political unrest, income inequality, and an influx of refugees from neighboring countries have resulted in huge, jam-packed ‘settlements’ of devastatingly poor individuals. In a place where food and water are hard to come by, opportunities like a decent education are rarer still. It is amidst this chaos that the Hamomi…

  • Stop the Use of Chimpanzees in American Movies

    Stephanie Chalk
    25 May 2013 | 2:01 am
    Target: The Producers Guild of America Goal: To Discontinue the Use of Chimpanzees in Entertainment Chimpanzees have long been used for entertainment in commercials, television shows, and movies.  While they appear to be happy, nothing could be further from the truth.  A chimpanzee’s entertainment career is exhausting, painful, and emotionally damaging. The chimpanzees that are used in entertainment are actually just children, with their entertainment careers ending just before adolescence.  To prepare, they are taken away from their families in infancy to make them more comfortable…

  • Release Animal Rights Activist Arrested for Taping Abusive Rodeo

    Matt Burda
    25 May 2013 | 2:01 am
    Target: Dan Norris, Malheur County District Attorney Goal: Achieve immediate release of animal rights activist Adam Fahnestock Animal rights activist Adam Fahnestock was arrested at the Big Loop Rodeo in Jordan Valley, Oregon, on May 18th for videotaping the rodeo and allegedly resisting arrest. Fahnestock is part of an animal rights organization, Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, ‘SHARK’. Last year, SHARK videotaped the same annual rodeo, exposing abusive practices in which a horse broke its leg and prompting Oregon State Senator Mark Hass to introduce a movement to ban the…

  • Preserve Quality of Physical Therapy Services in California

    Paul Preibisius
    25 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Target: Darrell Steinberg, California State Senate President Goal: Stop a bill which would degrade physical therapy services While the popular notion that a free market encourages competition and breeds quality products has proven successful in many respects, there have been times when the principle has proven an utter failure. California’s attempts at deregulating the energy industry were part of the reason Gray Davis was removed from office in a recall election. The ultimate result if California Bill AB 1000 were to go into law would be a disastrous free-market market failure, this time…

  • End Gender-Based Violence on Facebook

    Vanessa Solis
    25 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Target: Facebook.com Management Team Goal: Urge Facebook to take action against pages that advocate violence against women In an open letter to Facebook signed by dozens of gender equality advocacy groups and individuals, Women, Action, and the Media urged advertisers to pull out of Facebook.  The reason was the website’s tacit encouragement of pages devoted to violence against women. Support their efforts and ask Facebook to treat gender-based violence as hate speech and remove the content immediately. According to the letter, targets include pages such as “Fly Kicking Sluts in the…
 
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    Women Of Green

  • Now You Can Kick Monsanto in the App

    Carolyn
    20 May 2013 | 8:13 pm
    In her keynote speech at last year’s annual Netroots Nation gathering, Darcy Burner pitched a seemingly simple idea to the thousands of bloggers and web developers in the audience. The formerMicrosoft MSFT +0.6% programmer and congressional candidate proposed a smartphone app allowing shoppers to swipe barcodes to check whether conservative billionaire industrialists Charles andDavid Koch were behind a product on the shelves. Burner figured the average supermarket shopper had no idea that buying Brawny paper towels, Angel Soft toilet paper or Dixie cups meant contributing cash to Koch…

  • Solar Mamas and their Wild Idea

    Carolyn
    19 May 2013 | 5:58 pm
    They can’t read or write but a couple of brave Bedouin women from Jordan travelled far and wide to help their villages become solar powered. The biggest struggle yet may be with their husbands: We’ve covered this hopeful story of Solar Mamas, Bedouin women from Jordan who went to Barefoot College to learn how to solar power their villages. We’ve interviewed the women from solar mamas, and have reviewed the film Solar Mamas, a documentary movie about their journey. We’ve even covered their plight as these women face pressures in their village from this “wild idea.” Not long ago…

  • Is Ecosex Your Thing?

    Carolyn
    15 May 2013 | 10:07 am
    Many conversations about sexuality focus on health. It’s safe and respectable. Builds the immune system? Yep. Good for the heart: check. Relieves menstrual cramps and depression: double check. Sex bonds us through the oxytocin-dopamine cascade: check again. We know healthy people have more sex, and having good clean fun may help you live longer too. Orgasms are great for body and mind, and caresses feed our skin hunger. Check, check, check. Keep it clinical and we avoid the messy truths of our secret erotic selves. One of those is this: we are making love in environmental dumps. That is…

  • The Older We Get, The Less Eco We Get

    Carolyn
    15 Apr 2013 | 9:24 pm
    Sad but true, as we get older, we choose economics over the environment. What can we do to change this? Share your thoughts below! I recognize that I do not see a random sample of young people by teaching graduate students in environmental policy and sustainability management at Columbia University. I also confess that my visit last week to Portland, Oregon to meet with sustainability management students at Willamette University is influencing my mindset. Portland has been working on sustainability for a long time, and it shows. Caveats aside, I find that more and more people born since the…

  • 5 Great Reasons to Plant a Garden This Spring (Got Another One)?

    Carolyn
    1 Apr 2013 | 8:00 pm
    In today’s world of processed foods, pollution, and pink slime, you might be wondering how to ensure that what your family is eating is healthy. Buying organic is a great start, but growing it yourself opens doors to tremendous possibilities. Here’s why: 1.      Avoid Pesticides – Conventional agriculture uses petroleum based chemicals to combat pests in the field, which not only damages the environment, but destroys important soil microbes that help plants grow. In your own garden, you can plant a diverse range of produce, instead of growing acres of one thing. This cuts down on…
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    Living Green and Saving Energy

  • You Live Green, But What About your Kids?

    greenwise
    24 May 2013 | 4:59 am
    Living green and saving money is a goal that benefits both you and the environment. And although you may exemplary in your habits to reduce, reuse, and recycle, other family members–especially your children–may  not be so fastidious. To help deal with that problem, I am passing along a useful link to show ways to teach [...]

  • Planet Lovers: The New Wave of Sustainable Earth-Savers

    greenwise
    8 May 2013 | 3:11 pm
    Planet Lovers: The New Wave of Sustainable Earth-Savers may surprise you

  • Traveling Green with LEED®-Certified Destinations

    greenwise
    6 May 2013 | 7:57 am
    Vacation season is approaching, and information on environmentally friendly traveling is in order. An eco-conscious traveler makes several decisions throughout his or her trip to ensure that the journey is as green as it can be.  From choosing to hop on a bus instead of take a plane (buses produce the least amount of carbon [...]

  • Evaluating the Greenness of a Home

    greenwise
    25 Apr 2013 | 1:44 pm
    How to Determine the Water Usage of Home Before You Buy

  • How Your Windows Affect Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

    greenwise
    22 Apr 2013 | 6:18 am
    Happy Earth Day! By now, almost everyone must have investigated ways to make their home more energy-efficient, whether it’s something as simple as insulating the loft or a bigger step like installing a more energy-efficient boiler, or even putting solar panels on the roof to take advantage of free, renewable energy and the government’s feed-in [...]
 
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    Almost All The Truth

  • 400 ppm, What Happens Now?

    Brenna @ Almost All The Truth
    21 May 2013 | 8:33 am
    We just reached what is likely the most important milestone in our climate‘s history, at least as observed through the lens of humankind. What does that convoluted sentence mean? We’ve reached 400ppm concentrations of carbon dioxide. The highest in millions of years. I’ll let that sink in a moment. 400ppm. This is the number experts have long thought was the point of no return. This is the number that still may be, although some are considering 450ppm to be the new “worst case scenario.” I am not sure raising the bar in this instance is a good thing when we…

  • Make Things Monday: Schedule

    Brenna @ Almost All The Truth
    20 May 2013 | 7:56 am
    You may have noticed I have taken a wee blogging break recently. We are nearing the end of the school year and our weather has cooperated so that it seems like summer is on the tip of Mother Earth’s tongue. This has meant outdoor fun, baseball games, and garden planning – even if that garden has yet to be planted. But while all this has been wonderful, it has no bearing on my blogging. My littlest baby bear, my baby girl, my last child, just had her kindergarten round-up last week. She has been my light in the storm, as well as the tornado. When I recognized that the life, or…

  • Life Beyond the Screen

    Brenna @ Almost All The Truth
    29 Apr 2013 | 12:53 pm
    Screen-Free Week 2013 Do you remember those old bumper stickers, “Kill your television!”? It was certainly a violent way to get people to pay attention to their tv watching habits. Television programming has changed since then. Some might argue there are even better programs on – particularly public television, documentaries, science – and some would venture we are continually seeing a dumbing down of the masses. Perhaps there’s both.    We also aren’t simply dealing with televisions anymore, but iPads, iPhones, laptops, Netflix, Wiis, and all…

  • Tomorrow Will Be Kinder

    Brenna @ Almost All The Truth
    19 Apr 2013 | 12:59 pm
      I was still reeling from the tragedy that hit the Boston Marathon, the terrible accident at the fertilizer plant in West, Texas, when the recent news of the two suspects’ actions at MIT continued to prove how fragile our lives can be. I feel sad that in many ways our society is becoming desensitized. I am not sure how many times I heard, and even thought to myself, ”at least it wasn’t like 9/11.” But if there is anything I know for sure it is that the good outweighs the bad every time. I hold on to that. You may not hear about every hero and every positive…

  • 3 Delicious Desserts in a Jar Recipes

    Brenna @ Almost All The Truth
    12 Apr 2013 | 1:54 pm
    My love for mason jars and fantastic desserts notwithstanding, how fun is it to create fun concoctions in them? The new cookbook, 150 Best Desserts in a Jar, from Andrea Jourdan doesn’t specify mason jars because there are countless gems you can find frugally and inexpensively at thrift shops or at the back of grandma’s pantry. Whatever jar you use, you are sure to create something delicious!  I won’t lie and say there is anything healthy about these desserts, but they are fun and have a great appeal for any time I’d want to impress someone with my…
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    Interface Cut the Fluff

  • How Green Public Procurement is becoming based on transparent metrics

    Ramon Arratia
    24 May 2013 | 6:01 am
      If you sell to the government, you’d better understand full product transparency.  The real demand for sustainability is coming from B2B and public procurement. There are three key buying powers in the world today: governments, corporates and citizens. Both government and corporate procurement teams are now making big buying decisions through tendering processes, based not just on price but also on the environmental and social facts surrounding a particular product or service. The problem today is that there is little or no transparency on the real social and environmental impacts…

  • Transparency mandated for energy efficiency in buildings

    Ramon Arratia
    22 May 2013 | 3:11 am
    The move towards transparency is continuing. One of the key examples is energy efficiency in buildings. 8 cities in the US now have made mandatory reporting of energy efficiency for commercial buildings. New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Washington D.C., Minneapolis and now Boston (Pictured) require owners of commercial properties to report the energy efficiency. See this article from 2Degrees for more. Ideally what we should have is a set of measures, all coordinated, that would transform the industry, making companies compete fiercely towards energy efficient…

  • How full product transparency will revitalise managing sustainability in the supply chain

    Ramon Arratia
    16 May 2013 | 2:03 am
      How full product transparency will revitalise the bureaucratic approach to managing sustainability in the supply chain The conventional approach to exercising corporate responsibility in a company’s supply chain is to draft a company supplier standard and then audit for compliance using that document. The process often begins with a questionnaire and is followed by audit visits to suppliers judged to be the highest risk. The better programmes also include an offer of ‘capacity building’ for suppliers – in other words, they provide training and support to help them raise and…

  • The elephant in the room is managing the portfolio

    Ramon Arratia
    15 May 2013 | 1:44 am
    How far have we come when thinking about sustainability strategically? It used to be about finding one or two feel-good activities like recycling the paper in the office. Then reporting a biased account of a few issues with some cherry picked case studies. Then it became the time of the public commitments: carbon neutrality, zero waste factories. Now we are entering into the territory of product sustainability, since most of the impacts of products are outside companies’ boundaries, in many cases 90%. The key lies in product re-design. You can redesign a car or a vacuum cleaner so that…

  • The Radical Renovation of the Bouygues Construction Headquarters

    Laure Rondeau
    14 May 2013 | 5:54 am
    I would like to present a HUGE project that I think is just as challenging as our Mission Zero : the renovation of the emblematic headquarters of  Bouygues Construction. It was first opened in January 1988 and was designed on the instructions of Francis Bouygues in conjunction with the architect Kevin Roche. Twenty years later Bouygues Construction decided to undertake a complete renovation programme with an ambitious objective: enhancing the complex’s performance with respect to energy and the environment and at the same time upgrading the working environment of the 3,200 employees on…
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    Talking About Green

  • Eco Friendly Products: 7 Best Ideas For Green Living

    Tushar Mathur
    27 Apr 2013 | 9:56 pm
    Green living is a great way to improve your overall life, save money and help create a more eco-friendly environment. Now more than ever, it is important for people to take action and begin preserving the environment. Thankfully, there are more than a few ways you can help the environment, and here are seven of the best ideas for living a green life. 1. Avoid Animal Products Items containing leather, furs, ivories, pig or any other living creature harm innocent animals during their making. Furthermore, it negatively affects our environment. By eliminating the use of these products, you make a…

  • Family, Enterprise, and the Eco-Friendly Way— Getting Sustainable in the UAE

    Tushar Mathur
    9 Apr 2013 | 10:02 am
    Eco-friendliness is catching on in the UAE. Dubai has just opened one of the world’s largest solar energy plants, which will have enough capacity to supply 20,000 homes in the UAE with power. If the UAE hits its target, by 2020 alternative sources of energy than oil and gas will be providing the UAE with 7% of its electricity — a big if from a country in which fuel prices are so low, but it’s a step in the right direction. This is just part of a UAE drive to diversify its economy. One of the other key players will be the role of family businesses there, which account for a large…

  • How Electronic Waste Can Affect Our Daily Living and Health

    Tushar Mathur
    4 Apr 2013 | 4:07 pm
    In the modern world, we are living a faster, more advanced lifestyle with electronics evolving faster than any other market in the world.  The evolution is great, with tons of new gizmos and gadgets that we all love to try out.  What is not great about the evolution is the turnover for electronics is at record highs meaning that E-waste is also at a record high.  It seems like every week there is a newer and better form of smart something that we must have.  Next time you find yourself upgrading your electronics, make sure you recycle your old e-waste.  The chemicals involved in…

  • Understanding ENERGY STAR Ratings

    Tushar Mathur
    4 Mar 2013 | 5:07 pm
    If you’re thinking about remodeling your home to be more energy efficient, you’ve probably come across the ENERGY STAR label when researching appliances. The ENERGY STAR® program was established as a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. Its goal was to help consumers save money as well as protect the environment by creating Energy Star ratings, a set of regularly updated guidelines for home appliances or supplies. An ENERGY STAR label on a product clearly communicates to consumers that this product has passed the test and will…

  • Filling The Green Gap

    Tushar Mathur
    19 Feb 2013 | 3:56 am
    The PM has recently been criticised for a lack of leadership on green energy issues. He has publicly stated this week that the UK must now focus on prioritising green issues. The Green Deal scheme launched in January this year promised much with enticements of cash back, loans for participants and job creation, but so far seems to be delivering little, with only a handful of homes signing up for it. Some homeowners have felt cheated by the upfront fees they have had to pay in order for inspectors to approve them for the Green Deal, sometimes being charged up to £180. There has also…
 
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    ecoINSITE

  • Kyocera’s Green Curtains

    Pedro Hernandez
    13 May 2013 | 5:40 pm
    Wondering how to lower your office’s carbon footprint during the hot summer months? Why not try some Green Curtains? Each spring since 2007, electronics maker Kyocera plants goya — aka Momordica charantia or bitter melon — on trellises in front of windows and walls to provide shade at its facilities in Japan and in other offices around the world. The result is lowered air conditioning costs due to a 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degree Fahrenheit) drop in temperatures, along with some impressive carbon capture and a nice little goya harvest as you can see below. Kyocera explains in…

  • FreshDirect for fewer carbon emissions!

    Pedro Hernandez
    8 May 2013 | 5:14 pm
    On my way home I passed a Fresh Direct truck. For years, I’ve considered it an extravagance. In my area there are a couple of supermarkets, dozens of smaller shops and a Target, all within a short drive. How lazy could my neighbors be?! It turns out, they were the smart ones. As this story over at NPR shows, ordering from home delivery services like the aforementioned Fresh Direct, Peapod or Amazon Fresh (currently only in the Seattle area) is a lot greener than schlepping all over town to knock the groceries off your list. A new study co-authored by Anne Goodchild, an assistant…

  • Earth Day 2013 Highlights

    Pedro Hernandez
    22 Apr 2013 | 2:32 pm
    Happy Earth Day! Things have been kinda slow around here, mostly due to my commitments over at sites like eWEEK and Datamation and an ongoing (if glacially paced) upgrade to this blog. But it’s Earth Day, and it would be criminal for this Green IT blogger to not chime in. This year, as we face the decimation of bee colonies and other dire warning signs, there are some great stories to share about the IT industry’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact. The first comes from Facebook, a company that went from pariah to Green IT poster child in a few short years. The company has…

  • FREC: Renewables nearly half of all new US electrical capacity in 2012

    Pedro Hernandez
    19 Jan 2013 | 7:39 pm
    Green energy companies came so close to reaching a significant milestone last year. According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects, 49.1 percent of all the new electrical power stations installed in 2012 relied on renewables.  According to this article in Renewable Energy World, the total was 12,956 MW. December was a big month. Over a quarter of that new capacity — 25.29 percent or – 3,276 MW — lit up during that time. Wind farms enjoyed a big year, too. Wind led the way in 2012 with 164 new “units” totaling 10,689 MW…

  • Calxeda’s ARM-based EnergyCore SoC coming soon to a data center near you

    Pedro Hernandez
    18 Dec 2012 | 10:07 pm
    When will servers powered by Calxeda’s ARM-based EnergyCore SoC finally start to appear in data center racks? Soon, according to Karl Freund, the vice president of marketing for the technology startup. But you may not even realize it, and that suits the company just fine, at least in the near term. In a few short years, Calxeda has undergone a name change,  forged alliances with a big server maker – that would be HP –  and got in the good graces of some prominent open source community projects on board, namely Apache (with some help from Dell) and OpenStack. In…
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    Earth Rangers Wild Wire Blog

  • Caption This! What’s this Lion Cub Thinking?

    admin
    24 May 2013 | 9:01 am
    We need your help! This lion cub is trying to tell us something but we can’t figure it out! Is he playing with his brother or maybe he stuck. We don’t know! Do you know what he’s thinking? See if you can come up with the best caption! Post your ideas in the comment section below.   For even more fun, check out these other captions: squirrel, kangaroo, and frog Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect…

  • Elijah Takes Action

    admin
    17 May 2013 | 6:53 am
    At Earth Rangers, we always talk about how important it is to spread the word about protecting animals and their homes. The more people know about the challenges faced by animals, the more they can do to help make a difference. Super Ranger Elijah agrees. In fact, the goal for the website he runs is to inspire people to take action. Here is his story! My name is Elijah and I am nine years old. I like many things, especially swimming, but more than anything, I like nature. I’ve liked it since I was seven and I even went vegetarian for a while. I try super hard to be nature friendly. I…

  • Climate Change is a Challenge for Narwhals

    admin
    16 May 2013 | 9:03 am
    The Arctic Ocean is filled with amazing creatures that have the ability to survive in the coldest conditions. However, as the climate warms up and the sea ice melts, the Arctic Ocean can be a dangerous place for many arctic species, including narwhals. A model of a Narwhal. Flickr Credit: post-postmodern Narwhals are medium sized whales that live in packs of two to ten individuals. They are best known for the massive ivory tusk, which can grow to 150 cm to 267 cm long! They also happen to be one of the most sensitive Arctic marine mammals to climate change. The dramatic temperature swings…

  • The Earth Rangers’ Polar Bears On the Move!

    admin
    10 May 2013 | 9:21 am
    Last month, you met the Earth Rangers Polar bears. These Polar bears are wearing the satellite collars purchased with your donations. Thanks to these collars, you can see where the Earth Rangers Polar bears have travelled over the winter. Glacier Glacier is a girl on a mission! She travelled the farthest, covering 2,541 km from September 15 to March 30. Glacier [see the SlideDeck] Duchess Duchess travelled the second farthest of our Polar bears. From September 18 to March 30, she covered 1,580 km. Duchess [see the SlideDeck] Nanook Nanook travelled 1,545 km from September 9 to Feb 11. We…

  • Frogs Around The World

    admin
    9 May 2013 | 6:22 am
    Frogs and toads fall under the order Anurans, a classification of amphibian that is the most diverse and widespread. There are 25 different families of Anurans that include more then 4,700 different species! That’s a ton of frogs and toads, and new species are being discovered all of the time. To show off the incredible diversity of frogs we’ve grouped together a variety of different species by what regions of the world they live in. So hop to it and take a spin around the globe froggie style. Africa   Frogs of Africa [see the SlideDeck]   Asia   Frogs of Asia [see the…
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    emPivot: Featured videos

  • John Salley on Not Eating Animals

    25 May 2013 | 6:23 pm
    Most animals are raised under cruel conditions and fed a diet of antibiotics and corn. Learn more from John Sally about the food you eat. http://www.takepart.com/foodinc Author: TakePart Keywords: John Salley on Not Eating Animals Added: January 1, 1970

  • RozCast for July 30, 2009 - Solo Pacific Row, Stage 2, Week 10

    25 May 2013 | 6:23 pm
    Roz Savage is rowing solo across the Pacific Ocean in 3 stages. She completed Stage 1 in 2008, becoming the first woman ever to row solo from California to Hawaii. Stage 2 launched on May 24, 2009, and will take her from Hawaii down into the South Pacific. Stage 3 will take place in 2010, ending in Australia. If successful she will be the first woman ever to row solo across the Pacific. In this week\s video she talks about audio entertainment, and provides an update on her progress.This video was filmed by Roz Savage and edited by Dawn…

  • Beaver Dam Clean up 2009

    25 May 2013 | 6:23 pm
    Beaverdam Creek subwatershed is an incredibly unique area of primarily publicly owned forest and agricultural land in the middle of the Washington Metropolitan Area. The headwaters of the Anacostia River are found in this subwatershed. Beaverdam Creek subwatershed is an area of unique beauty in the midst of suburban development, it is also home to a number of problems ranging from uncontrolled stormwater runoff, trash and eroding streambanks. In addition, the best and healthiest portion of the subwatershed is under constant pressure from various development…

  • Food, Inc Trailer

    25 May 2013 | 6:23 pm
    http://www.takepart.com/foodincIn Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation\s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government\s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation\s food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens,…

  • Food Security Project is a New Model for Self-Sufficiency for Orphans in Conflict-Torn Regions

    25 May 2013 | 6:23 pm
    Chido Govero, a dynamic 23-year old woman from rural Zimbabwe, is training her fellow orphan girls to grow critically-needed food – using little more than coffee pulp and grass clippings – and receiving vital support from California-based artisan coffee company, Equator Coffees, and the ZERI Foundation, which specializes in international sustainable development. Zimbabwe, a landlocked southern African nation roughly the size of Montana, has been besieged in recent years by a controversial land redistribution…
 
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    The Car Connection

  • The Car Connection's Best Used Car Finds For May 25, 2013

    25 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    As we head into the holiday you might be planning on finding a sweet deal on a new ride. Or perhaps your teenager just received their license and it's time to find them a safe yet practical vehicle. Whatever your need, The Car Connection is here to help. With thousands of vehicle review and millions of used-car listings, we are without a question...

  • 2014 Porsche Cayenne

    24 May 2013 | 5:32 pm
    The Cayenne joined Porsche's lineup a decade ago, as the only SUV in a lineup of lean, focused sports cars. And while the sports-car maker lost some of its purity with the introduction of the Cayenne, according to serious brand loyalists, most of them will also concede that this, the brand's top-seller, has also freed up the budget for...

  • Hyundai Genesis, Smart Electric, Skip Barber Mazda Driving School: Top Videos Of The Week

    24 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    We've been busy driving new vehicles and writing the latest reviews this week, but you've clearly been busy watching our videos. You must be interested in Skip Barber's Mazda Driving School as our video featuring our a bit of experience there takes the number one video slot this week. There's also still quite a bit of interest regarding the 2013...

  • 2014 Fiat 500L: Stylish, Room For Five, Starts Below $20,000

    24 May 2013 | 11:37 am
    Considering the Kia Soul, MINI Countryman, or Nissan Juke? You might want to hold out another few weeks as there'll soon be another strong rival to throw in the mix: The new Fiat 500L begins arriving to dealerships this next month, and it's now been very competitively priced against those models. The fashionable 2014 Fiat 500L will start below the...

  • 30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Gas Mileage, So Far

    24 May 2013 | 8:22 am
    As we roll through our 30-day road test of the 2013 Ram 1500, we're ready to file our first report on the big reason we chose a V-6 instead of one of the Ram's better-known V-8s. Gas mileage isn't usually the first step in the decision tree when it comes to buying a pickup truck. If gas mileage is a deciding factor, though, it could be the reason...
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    Green Car Reports

  • 2014 Chevrolet Impala 2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder: Quick Drive

    25 May 2013 | 1:00 pm
    The new 2014 Chevrolet Impala is a big five-passenger family sedan, the largest one Chevy sells. While it was launched earlier this year with a 303-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine, it can now also be ordered with a 196-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engine that produces 186 lb-ft of torque. That would seem to be a small engine in a big car...

  • Tesla Supercharger Coming To Midwest Too, Not Just Coasts

    24 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    The long-promised announcement from Tesla Motors on expansion of its Supercharger network has been delayed by the company's billion-dollar fundraising, and this week's payoff of its entire Department of Energy loan. But Tesla Motors [NSDQ:TSLA] still plans a rapid expansion of the network of fast-charging stations for its Model S electric cars...

  • Sharing Savvy: Smart & Ford Discuss Fuel-Efficient Three-Cylinder Engines

    24 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    In spy movies, information is used as a form of currency; it's traded for hostages, treasure, and occasionally, more information. But the practice isn't just limited to films. It takes place in the business world, too, and the auto industry is no exception. According to AutoNews, Ford and Daimler have struck just such an arrangement. As per the...

  • Nissan Leaf, Solar-Canopy Charging Station In New SIMS Game

    24 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    The Nissan Leaf is no stranger to videogames. Last year, we had a little race between a Leaf and the Toyota Prius--albeit in the realistic but completely virtual world of Gran Turismo 5. But what you can't do in Gran Turismo is virtually charge your virtual Leaf with virtual solar panels--something recently introduced to the popular SimCity series...

  • Summer, Sensibly: Four 2013 Convertibles With Good Gas Mileage

    24 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Many things can signify summer--the weather finally being warm enough to ditch those outer layers of clothing; TV ads taking a distinctly more cheery tone; maybe simply hunting around for your sunshades for the first time in six months. It's now possible to have fun in the sun and get good gas mileage, with convertibles getting ever more frugal...
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    Natural as Possible Mom

  • Looks Don’t Matter — But They Do

    kb
    21 May 2013 | 11:54 am
    I work from home. My usual business attire is far from fancy. Today I am wearing a pair of black shorts, my husband’s white t-shirt, glasses, and a hairdo that’s a definite don’t. I get up, get the kids out, and then hit the ground running, especially when I have deadlines looming. (And that’s a usual occurrence.) Many of my freelancing friends say they get up and get dressed to go to their home office. Some even boast of wearing stockings and heels. Me? I am all about comfort. If my feet aren’t bare it’s hard for me to think. A bad habit to be sure. I am…

  • Lego’s Catcall Sticker: It’s Not Okay

    kb
    7 May 2013 | 9:28 am
    A Facebook friend posted a link to the story about Lego’s cat-calling sticker. For anyone who missed it: Josh Stearns, a dad of two little boys posted photos of some really stupid LEGO stickers on his Tumblr account. One of them depicted a LEGO construction worker waving and shouting “HEY BABE!” He couldn’t understand why LEGO would not only approve of but encourage the act of a man cat-calling a woman — even the plastic kinds. My Facebook friend thought Mr. Stearns was blowing everything out of proportion. His exact words for Stearns and everyone who thought the…

  • National Spank Out Day: Where Do You Stand?

    kb
    30 Apr 2013 | 8:32 am
    About three years ago I wrote a post called Spanking: This Will Hurt Me More Than It Hurts You. To this day it is still one of the most popular things I have ever written for this blog. It’s not surprising. Spanking is one of those polarizing topics –people either do it and don’t have a problem with it, or are vehemently against it. Today is National Spank Out Day, a holiday created by EPOCH-USA (End Physical Punishment of Children). In honor of this very worthwhile endeavor, I interviewed Crystal Lutton, a parenting expert and author of the book, Grace Based Living. Here’s what she…

  • A Text to My Daughter

    kb
    19 Apr 2013 | 10:18 pm
    Big Girl has an iTouch. It is actually turning out to be a wonderful communication tool for us. We’re both people who find it easier to write than to talk. The other day I sent her the following text as she was getting ready for bed: I will come give you a hug. Do you feel like I spend enough time with you? Do you feel how much I love you or am I too grumpy all the time? It is very hard to be in my head. You know how I tell you to get out of your head? I need to do that, too but it is really hard. Very bad things happened to me when I was little, and it messed me up. But I hope not so…

  • Bright Young Things from Dumb Old Victoria’s Secret

    kb
    26 Mar 2013 | 10:26 am
    I don’t like Victoria’s Secret for three reasons — their bra straps are too thin, they make patrons provide driver’s licenses during returns even if they have their original receipts, and they objectify women. (Are those “angels” even real women???) This week, the store gave me a fourth reason — they are doing pseudo-marketing to tweens and teens. It’s been reported widely that Victoria’s Secret has a new line called Bright Young Things. This is not the case. That would be too easy to bash. Instead, the company is surreptitiously selling…
 
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    Green Home Guide General Feed

  • How many days should I wait to move back into home with my nine month baby? My home was just renovated.

    24 May 2013 | 4:52 pm
    my home just got renovated. How long should I wait to move back into the home with my nine month baby? I am assuming that everything has been completed and you got a CO, also known as a Certificate of Occupancy. If so there generally is no issue moving right back...

  • If I spend the additional money needed for a living roof, do I need any insulation below at all?

    24 May 2013 | 4:48 pm
    im buying an old building that has a roof most likely will need replacing. In short Mike, either you have to have enough thermal mass to qualify or enough insulation and thermal mass combined. Unfortunately as you state though, you have an older building and...

  • Is there a kitchen floor covering that doesn't off gas and which a puppy is unlikely to chew into?

    24 May 2013 | 4:23 pm
    (1)I am wondering whether there is any linoleum or kitchen floor covering that doesn't off gas and which puppy is unlikely to chew into...i.e tough stuff which is safe for our air and won't get trashed...and looks nice (2) When I paint my deck...whats the strongest and least toxic option so puppy doesn't get poisoned if she chews the railings etc? What about that enamel stuff I hear advertised?? For the floor in the kitchen I would normally recommend cork for the ergonomic properties. Globus Cork has a prefinished snap together floating floor that can be installed over your...

  • Is it possible to include antique appliances in my kitchen renovation and still be green?

    24 May 2013 | 7:03 am
    I love the look of antique appliances but am planning on being as environmentally friendly as possible during my kitchen reno. I am having a hard time finding budget friendly 'antique-looking' new appliances. Can restored antique appliances be energy star compliant? Any ideas? Dear Kim, Energy Star rates refrigerators, freezers, water coolers, water heaters and dish washers. So if you saved a lovely ancient stove from a landfill and bought the rest new you would...

  • Linoleum vs. vinyl

    22 May 2013 | 6:41 am
    We are building a cord-wood house ourselves and have purchased hardwood flooring from a local sawmill for most of the house. I am told that linoleum is not manufactured in the U.S. and therefore one must add the "cost" of transport from overseas to its carbon footprint. Which is REALLY the greener alternative--linoleum or vinyl--for my kitchen and bathroom floors. Ahh the good old debate, just what does green mean? Is it worse to have petroleum products in X or have used petroleum to transport products a longer distance without...
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    Green Stay at Home Mom

  • 7 Ways to Live in a Greener and Cleaner Home

    Stephanie
    20 May 2013 | 10:02 am
    One of the best ways to live a more eco friendly lifestyle is to get rid of toxins in your home. The fewer toxins you use, the fewer get into the environment. It’s great for you and your children too. Best of all, a greener and cleaner home doesn’t have to cost a lot. 1. [...] Related posts: 12 Ways to Naturally Keep Your Home’s Air Cleaner 8 Ways to Make Cleaning Your Kitchen Less Toxic Simple Ways to Get Ready for a Greener Summer

  • How Can You Stop Making Impulse Purchases?

    Stephanie
    15 May 2013 | 9:36 am
    Lots of us enjoy shopping. All the shiny new pretties are tempting. The problem is that most times we don’t need those impulse items. All those extra purchases aren’t doing the environment any favors, not to mention personal finances and the general clutter that builds in our homes. How can you stop making impulse purchases? [...] Related posts: Why Are We Addicted to Cheap? Stop Throwing Money Away Book Review Are You Falling for Green Consumerism?

  • How Can You Improve Environmental Awareness in Your Family?

    Stephanie
    29 Apr 2013 | 9:06 am
    Most people these days know that we ought to take better care of our environment. That doesn’t mean it happens. If you want your family to be more environmentally aware, you have to make the effort to help them. Here are some ideas that may help you get things moving. Read About It Start when [...] Related posts: What Should You Teach Your Children About Climate Change? Limiting the Environmental Impact of Having Kids Head Out on a Family Hike

  • The Preschool Water Pollution Experiment vs. the Zero Waste Snack

    Stephanie
    26 Apr 2013 | 9:25 am
    We’ve been having a lot of fun this week celebrating Earth Day in my daughter’s preschool class. The class has always done a lot of recycled art projects, but there has been some extra emphasis on it this week. But one project took a bit of extra effort for us – the water pollution experiment. [...] Related posts: Water: A California Story at San Diego Natural History Museum Homemade Baby Food and Smoothies? 21 Ways to Cut Back on Food Waste

  • 30 Activities For Earth Day

    Stephanie
    22 Apr 2013 | 8:35 am
    Earth Day is a great day for slowing down and thinking about how you treat the environment. Not that you should be ignoring it the rest of the year, but it’s good to take an extra look sometimes and see what you can change, or if there are any little extra things you can do. [...] Related posts: Any Plans for Earth Day? Things to Do for Earth Day What to Do for Earth Day?
 
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    LEEDdaily

  • Spring Means Seedlings, Sprouts and Sustainability at Local Farms

    admin
    24 May 2013 | 5:47 am
    To every thing there is a season—and we are in the season of planting. Despite the frost warnings this week, May is the time when many plants take root. And not far behind are the early harvests. There are a number of local farms that provide a variety of seedlings and sprouts, produce, and other products as the growing season progresses. Some are out in the country, while others are urban farms. (Check out the video in this article’s media gallery of Garden Dreams Urban Farm & Nursery in Wilkinsburg.)

  • The WhiteWave Foods Company Announces Sustainability and Community Results

    admin
    24 May 2013 | 5:46 am
    WhiteWave remains committed to initiatives and causes its consumers, employees and partners care about, including sustainability. WhiteWave strongly believes in the power of its business and brands to make meaningful change, and is making strong progress against its sustainability goals: In the U.S., WhiteWave has already met its 2013 greenhouse gas reduction goal of 25 percent over a 2006 baseline, as well as exceeded its 2013 waste to landfill reduction goal of 30 percent over a 2007 baseline. Also in the U.S., WhiteWave has reduced its non-ingredient water use by 8 percent. The company…

  • GRI Releases New Version of Sustainability Reporting Guidelines

    admin
    24 May 2013 | 5:45 am
    The Global Reporting Initiative, the organization that develops the most widely used sustainability reporting framework in the world, released an updated version of the guidelines May 22. The guidelines, called the G4 guidelines, provide guidance for organizations to voluntarily report on their environmental, social, and governance performance. The newest version encourages organizations to report only on information that is material to their business. Under the guidelines, organizations are directed to state why a certain disclosure, such as greenhouse gas emissions, is material to the…

  • Stream Data Centers Achieves LEED Gold Certification For New Richardson, Texas, Facility

    admin
    24 May 2013 | 5:44 am
    Stream Data Centers, a national data center developer and operator, today announced it has been awarded LEED Gold Certification for its Private Data Center (PDC) facility in Richardson, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The purpose-built data center was completed in 2012, and it reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable data center design and development. (Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130523/DA19949) The new Private Data Center is Stream’s second development in the Dallas area in the last two years. The Richardsoncommunity is home to what’s…

  • DC’s New Consolidated Forensics Laboratory Receives LEED Platinum Certification

    admin
    24 May 2013 | 5:43 am
    The District of Columbia’s Consolidated Forensics Laboratory (CFL) received LEED Platinum Certification this week from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Department of General Services (DGS) announced today. “The Department of General Services is honored to have received this prestigious certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and I would like to congratulate our entire design, construction and project team for achieving this distinction,” said Brian J. Hanlon, DGS Director. “This certification showcases the agency’s dedication to build high quality,…
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    Hippie Magazine

  • Organic Pest Control Solutions: How Chickens Make Gardening Easy

    Chris Keenan
    15 May 2013 | 7:09 pm
    When you hear the words “pest control,” chickens may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, chickens are actually a great form of natural pest control; once released in an outdoor space, they immediately begin eating any insects they can find. In addition, they scratch away at the soil to get at the bugs that are not immediately visible. If you are interested in using chickens to control the pest population in your garden, there are a few things you should know. Chickens can be destructive. Chickens should never have free reign over your garden. Because they can dig down…

  • Infographic: 10 Ways to Improve Our Green Cities

    Tom Schueneman
    10 Apr 2013 | 10:53 am
    While often times we associate the environmental movement with open landscapes and vast swaths of rural land, a tremendous amount of environmental change is taking place right here in our cities. Cities offer many opportunities for testing out sustainable living practices because the close proximity of so many individuals makes innovative transportation and housing solutions possible. While new progress is happening all the time, many have looked at existing city structures designed for one purpose, and devised ways in which they can be retrofitted to be environmentally friendly. What was…

  • 5 Business Behaviors that Continue to Affect our Planet in a Negative Way

    Guest
    19 Mar 2013 | 12:29 pm
    By Donald Parfew Being green has never been so important. With the planet in a state of decline we need to do all we can to help alleviate the problem. It isn’t just individuals needing to subscribe to this mentality either. Businesses need to get on board and contribute by operating in a greener fashion. Only with all of us pulling together will we make a difference. Waste According to DEFRA the average UK commercial and industrial waste total is in decline, which is good news. However, more still needs to be done. Many companies recycle and reuse a lot of what they generate from…

  • Product Review: Juicebar Pocket Solar Charger

    Tom Schueneman
    14 Mar 2013 | 10:24 am
    Disclaimer: I was provided Juicebar portable solar charger from Cableorganizer.com  for testing and review. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own As described, the Juicebar pocket portable solar charger is a pocket-sized mobile battery/solar charger compatible with a wide variety of mobile devices, complete with a selection of adaptors for use with your particular device. For my case, I’ve tested it with my iPod touch and LG Optimus S phone and found no issues with connections or compatibility. The Juicebar is simple enough. One side houses the solar panel, and the…

  • The Surprising Link Between Owls, World Peace and Organic Pest Control

    Chris Keenan
    11 Mar 2013 | 5:08 pm
    In Kfar Kama, voles run rampant through the lands, causing untold problems for the people that make a living off of growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables. At first, all the people knew to do was to put down pesticides. Unfortunately, the chemicals got into the local water source and killed off many plants and flowers. As hopelessness began to set in, a unique solution soon presented itself to the people of Kfar Kama, courtesy of Lausanne University. A flying weapon Professor Alexandre Roulin realized that the barn owl could quickly and effectively take care of the voles, without the…
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    PLANET

  • Meet the Rainforest-Dwelling Malaysian Farmers Fighting to Keep their Land above Water

    James Trimarco
    24 May 2013 | 1:23 pm
    International Hydropower Association president Richard Taylor addresses indigenous protesters. Photo by Save Rivers Network. Richard Taylor, the president of the International Hydropower Association, left the air-conditioned interior of the Borneo Convention Center on Wednesday to face a crowd of over 300 indigenous people. The protesters had traveled to Kuching, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, from villages far in the state’s interior that will soon be underwater if a series of proposed hydroelectric dams are built. They had traveled many miles by boat and by bus to…

  • Get Apocalyptic: Why Radical is the New Normal

    Robert Jensen
    24 May 2013 | 11:35 am
    In December 2008, Tim DeChristopher attended a protest at a federal auction of drilling rights to Utah wilderness lands. He found a better way to disrupt the auction when he picked up a paddle and began bidding on the leases as “Bidder 70.” He won $1.8 million worth of parcels and inflated the price of many others. When it was discovered that he had no money to back his bids, the auction had to be shut down. Tim DeChristopher was sentenced to two years in prison for his actions, but his boldness stopped the sale of 22,000 acres of scenic wilderness and highlighted government misconduct.

  • March Against Monsanto: Saturday’s Fight for Food Freedom Spreads to 36 Countries

    Ken Butigan
    23 May 2013 | 11:40 am
    This article originally appeared in Waging Nonviolence. One of the great metaphors of justice and peace is the feast: the abundant banquet where all are welcome, where none is excluded, and where our interconnectedness moves from a vague concept to a concrete reality. When we eat together we literally become one body. This was the powerful challenge and opportunity of the civil rights movement’s lunch counter sit-ins in the 1960s—or the banquet in San Francisco, Calif., that some of us created in the mid-1990s, where nearly a thousand homeless and non-homeless people broke a city-wide law…

  • For a Future that Won’t Destroy Life on Earth, Look to the Global Indigenous Uprising

    Kristin Moe
    23 May 2013 | 10:30 am
    Melina Laboucan-Massimo stands next to logs from clearcuts at a proposed tar sands site north of Fort McMurray, northern Alberta, Canada. Photo by Jiri Rezac. There’s a remote part of northern Alberta where the Lubicon Cree have lived, it is said, since time immemorial. The Cree called the vast, pine-covered region niyanan askiy, “our land.” When white settlers first carved up this country, they made treaties with most of its original inhabitants—but for reasons unclear, the Lubicon Cree were left out. Two hundred years later, the Lubicon’s right to their traditional territory is…

  • Fracking the Suburbs: An Explosive Combination?

    Peter Pearsall
    15 May 2013 | 3:30 pm
    Fracking takes place just a few hundred feet from an Ohio apartment building. Photo by People’s Oil and Gas Collaborative. As rural deposits of fossil fuel grow fewer and farther between, extractive industries are increasingly siting their operations over the next best location: suburban neighborhoods. According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, the Marcellus shale formation beneath parts of the Midwest and Appalachia contains literally trillions of cubic feet of natural gas—the most accessible of which often lies beneath residential neighborhoods. Environmental injustice has come as…
 
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    GoGreenNation.org

  • Giant Leatherback Numbers Rebound In Parts Of Caribbean

    Robyn
    25 May 2013 | 3:33 pm
    Giant leatherback turtles, some weighing half as much as a small car, drag themselves out of the ocean and up the sloping shore on the northeastern coast of Trinidad while villagers await wearing dimmed headlamps in the dark. Their black carapaces glistening, the turtles inch along the moonlit beach, using their powerful front flippers to move their bulky frames onto the sand. In years past, poachers from Grande Riviere and nearby towns would ransack the turtles’ buried eggs and hack the critically threatened reptiles to death with machetes to sell their meat in the market. Now, the…

  • Camp Lejeune Coming Clean After Water Contamination Concerns

    Robyn
    25 May 2013 | 3:32 pm
    Purple wildflowers sprout in abundance around the bright-yellow pipe, one of several jutting from the sandy soil in this unassuming patch of grass and mud. A dirty hose runs from the pipe to an idling truck and into a large tank labeled, “NON-POTABLE WATER.” This is the former Hadnot Point fuel farm, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s main fuel depot until it was ordered closed in the 1980s. At one point, a layer of gasoline 15 feet thick floated atop the groundwater here, and this “fluid vapor recovery” truck is part of the continuing effort to remove it.

  • Natural Disasters Displaced 32.4 Million People In 2012

    Robyn
    25 May 2013 | 2:34 pm
    More than 30 million people fled their homes in 2012 because of disasters such as floods, storms and earthquakes, a new report indicates. According to the study by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre and theNorwegian Refugee Council, natural disasters forced 32.4 million people to flee last year, with the overwhelming majority (98 percent) due to climate- and weather-related events. While most of the victims live in developing nations, 2012 also saw an increase in environmental refugees in wealthy countries, particularly in the United States. The report establishes that most of…

  • Organic Food Industry Gains Clout On Capitol Hill

    Robyn
    25 May 2013 | 10:04 am
    The organic food industry is gaining influence on Capitol Hill, prompted by its entry into traditional farm states and by increasing consumer demand. That’s not going over well with everyone in Congress. Tensions between conventional and organic agriculture boiled over this week during a late-night House Agriculture Committee debate on farm legislation that for decades has propped up traditional crops and largely ignored organics. When Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., a former organic farmer, offered an amendment to make it easier for organic companies to organize industry-wide promotional…

  • It’s a cold, dark world, but people still take your hand and help you cross the street.

    Trish Riley
    25 May 2013 | 9:07 am
    This is the world that I am so happy to live in. Let’s keep working together to make our world the best place it can be! Thanks to Pat Payne for sharing this:   video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player  
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    simple.green.organic.happy.

  • Pure Natural Diva Botanicals (Why All-Natural Perfumes Matter)

    robin elton
    3 May 2013 | 8:15 pm
        A woman’s perfume tells more about her than her handwriting. -Christian Dior   What does yours say about you?   *Note: this post prompted by my road testing of natural perfumes sent to me for review purposes.*   Because fragrances are considered a trade secret, companies aren’t required to let consumers know what ingredients they contain— and that can mean dozens or more unregulated, synthetic chemical compounds.   Why should we care? Because fragrance “safety” testing doesn’t account for respiratory, neurological, or systemic…

  • Loggerhead Turtle Love: Loggerhead Apparel Giveaway

    robin elton
    26 Apr 2013 | 12:59 pm
      The oceans are the planet’s last great living wilderness, man’s only remaining frontier on Earth, and perhaps his last chance to prove himself a rational species. -John L. Culliney   Feeling a little out of place at a wedding reception at the Camden Aquarium, I made friends with a loggerhead turtle. This is why I am not anti-zoo or anti-aquarium. For most of us, this is the only chance we have to interact with some of the world’s majestic creatures, and we need those connections to strengthen our commitment to saving them. I would never have guessed that one of…

  • A Post for Boston and an Introduction.

    robin elton
    16 Apr 2013 | 10:07 am
      Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less. -Marie Curie   I’ve been working on a new blog to house my fitness stuff and fury stuff and fashion stuff and basically everything that doesn’t quite fit here. It’s called Honey Badger Mom and I wrote about Boston over there today. There’s cursing. I didn’t know how to get it all out without cursing. So if you have a delicate constitution it’s probably not for you. If you enjoy a bit of badass— the devil on your…
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    Dystopian Present

  • Donald Rumsfeld Is Old, Thinks Gay Marriage Could Lead To Polygamy

    costrike
    22 May 2013 | 5:44 pm
    Reblogged from The Cassandra Files: Quick! Name a former Bush-era Secretary of Defense from whom you'd take moral advice. Easy, right? Donald Rumsfeld, obvs. While it is beyond this blogger's comprehension why anyone would choose to interview Mr. Rumsfeld in 2013, let alone to ask him about marriage equality, it is nonetheless true that Larry King […]

  • An economist's mea culpa: I relied on Reinhart and Rogoff

    costrike
    20 Apr 2013 | 1:51 pm
    Reblogged from Quartz: Ken Rogoff is an economist who has always been kind to me, and for whom I have deep respect. And I have no animus toward Carmen Reinhart. Nevertheless, I hope there has been a nightmarish quality to the last few days of what Quartz writer Matt Phillips called a “bone-crunching social media pile-on that […]

  • Friday Night Music Blogging – Can’t Hold Us (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

    costrike
    19 Apr 2013 | 10:24 pm
    I don’t know about you, but I’m worn out. The seemingly relentless onslaught of bad news was hard to believe. While I have had a number of strong reactions to the week’s events, I don’t feel it’s time to go into them. Instead, I’ll ask you to keep those who’ve lost loved ones in your […]

  • The Importance of Excel

    costrike
    16 Apr 2013 | 9:45 pm
    Reblogged from The Baseline Scenario: By James Kwak I spent the past two days at a financial regulation conference in Washington (where I saw more BlackBerries than I have seen in years—can't lawyers and lobbyists afford decent phones?). In his remarks on the final panel, Frank Partnoy mentioned something I missed when it came out […]

  • The Price of Carbon

    costrike
    13 Apr 2013 | 10:51 pm
    Reblogged from Clearing House for Environmental Course Material: ClimateReality Published on Mar 13, 2013 http://ClimateRealityProject.org - Narrated by Reggie Watts. We are all paying the price of carbon pollution. It's time to put a price on carbon and make the polluters stop the carbon destruction. Global Climate Change http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre130 Environmental Justice http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre145 Environment Ethics http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120 […]
 
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    Green Prophet

  • Israel’s Earthquake Proof Table Added to MoMA’s Permanent Collection

    Tafline Laylin
    24 May 2013 | 2:38 pm
    Students are typically advised to crawl under their desks when an earthquake strikes, but then they often become trapped when the table collapses. Israeli designers Arthur Brutter and Ido Bruno designed a solution to this problem called “the Earthquake Proof Table,” and it was recently added to the Museum of Modern Art’s (MoMA) permanent design collection. Many countries in the Middle East are prone to powerful earthquakes – including Iran and Turkey, and unsophisticated school furniture puts students at particular risk when they occur during the day. The Earthquake…

  • Jordan’s Wadi Rum in Pictures, a Green Prophet Journey

    Laurie Balbo
    24 May 2013 | 2:17 am
    Jordan’s magical red dessert is short on plastic bags, throwaway bottles, and paper litter.  Begs the question, does raw nature shame us into better environmental behavior?  If so, a stay in Wadi Rum nature reserve should be a national obligation. Most people blow past Wadi Rum in the race to Aqaba’s beaches or Petra’s ruins.  Got seventy bucks and a night to spare?  Hop off the Desert Highway for eye-popping scenery and a dose of ancient quietude. The valley stretches to the Saudi border, cutting through sandstone and granite peaks, creating distinct “red”…

  • Following Oman Success, GlassPoint Wants to be the IKEA of Solar

    Tafline Laylin
    23 May 2013 | 4:31 am
    New life for old oil fields? Last year Oman inaugurated a 7MW solar pilot plant that produces steam to loosen thick, stubborn oil. Petroleum Development Oman has since hailed the four acre complex of glass houses a scorching success, and the supplier GlassPoint is preparing to become the “Ikea of solar,” Forbes reports. Built for the Amal West Oilfield in the southern tip of the country, the glass houses create a protective shell around cheap, flimsy mirrors that dangle from the roof top. These unique solar collectors track the sun’s progress throughout the day and…

  • Architects Embrace Iranian History at the Tabriz Bazaar

    Laurie Balbo
    22 May 2013 | 10:55 pm
    Head to the heart of any Middle Eastern city and find a vibrant commercial hub, usually in the shadow of a major mosque – the bazaar. An Iranian bazaar with incredible history (Marco Polo shopped there!) may now win the 2013 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Organically composed of interconnected structures, with a maze of corridors and vast interior, Tabriz Bazaar is both straightforward and complex.  For centuries, its nooks and crannies and open space set a public stage for retail therapy, social meetups, and politics. Maybe you’ve seen the world’s biggest bazaars? …

  • Futuristic Dubailand Theme Park City Growing Ahead With $55 Billion

    Laurie Balbo
    22 May 2013 | 10:31 pm
    It’s a fact that Disneyland fits inside Disney World’s parking lot.  Now double up Disney World and you almost match the planned footprint of Dubaiworld.  That’s unimaginable, and sure to haunt my dreams. The largest collection of theme parks in the world is growing in Dubai, an enormous development of “pleasure zones” with no completion date in sight. They’re not short on money (having raised $55 billion in private investment for the first phase alone); the open end date is largely attributed to the park’s relentless ambitions to expand and develop. It’s…
 
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    Nokero

  • The never-ending Circle Giving and Receiving

    steve
    22 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Fuel for our work comes in small emails! Like this picture and story from Tanzania. Just wanted you to know that the kids at Precious Orphans Children’s Home in Nshupu Village Tanzania are benefiting from the Nokero lights. All nine of our kids are now in private school and of course that means much more homework at night. Previously they were doing this by kerosene and now they no longer are exposed to the carcinogens of that fuel. They are healthy and thriving . . . our latest venture . . . we recently bought 2 + acres of land and are in the phase of fund raising so that we can build…

  • What makes an inventor proud?

    steve
    16 May 2013 | 9:11 am
    Looking back at when we launched Nokero, I didn’t expect to get choked up by an email.  I invent products not for the purpose of profit, the reward of an complementary email, or to make friends, rather, I invent because I love to build things–but Nokero has taught me to think differently.  If you have found your way to this blog, you probably care a lot about our work and what Nokero is chasing: the dream of worldwide elimination of kerosene lamps. I offer an insight into what makes me tick.  Please picture yourself working 3 hard years pushing a massive ball up an infinitely…

  • Nokero Collaborates on SunWater: Affordable Solar Powered Pumps for Poor Farmers

    steve
    14 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    STOP, DROP and CONTRIBUTE, the world’s poorest people are farmers and this technology will pump them towards a better future. When I created the solar light bulb that started Nokero (short for No Kerosene), I didn’t know what would be ahead. I had started other projects and companies, but this was different.  It had the chance, not a guaranty, but a chance to help millions of people.  I didn’t know what to do, where to turn, or who to believe.  I happened to find a man and his book–Paul Polak and Out of Poverty, respectively.  Reading the book gave me clarity, the…

  • Going Solar in the Great Outdoors with the Shavano Pro

    brianrants
    10 Jan 2013 | 8:57 am
    The dizzying pace of innovation has put cameras in our phones, computers in our cars, and wind farms on the grid to power our cities. Until recently, however, outdoor enthusiasts have relied on fuel burning lamps to light their campsite. Remarkably, a replacement for these polluting lamps came from creating a lighting solution for the unpaved streets and small huts of the developing world. “I remember sitting on a small farm outside Lahore, Pakistan, watching as a boy played with a light bulb for the first time,” said inventor and co-founder Steve Katsaros. “That inspiring…

  • Solar Powered Lightbulb Invented for World’s “Powerless”

    brianrants
    8 Jan 2013 | 12:57 pm
    Gaiam TV News featured Nokero’s founder Steve Katsaros and his remarkable invention in a powerful look at how solar technologies are ending energy poverty around the world. The post Solar Powered Lightbulb Invented for World’s “Powerless” appeared first on Nokero.
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    Green Living, Cloth Diapers and Going Green with Kids - The Eco Chic

  • NatureBox, All Natural Subscription Snack Boxes

    Calley
    24 May 2013 | 12:00 pm
    You’d think with all these food posts that I was pregnant or something!  (No, I’m NOT pregnant – that would take an act of God!)  I have to tell you about a really cool subscription box that I was gifted by NatureBox.  Subscription boxes are all the rave right now – you pay a monthly fee and each month you get a surprise box of goodies sent to your house.  NatureBox starts at $19.95/month and you get 5 full size bags of healthy snacks that you feel good about eating and sharing with your family. I received the special May box that was inspired by Green Living…

  • Chocolate Nutella Toffee Banana Bites Recipe

    Calley
    23 May 2013 | 4:00 pm
    While searching aimlessly on Pinterest one evening I found a few pictures of chocolate covered bananas (like this one from Little B Cooks) and knew that my entire family would devour them.  My dear sweet husband recently found something similar in the freezer section of the grocery store but I hate buying things that are processed and pre-made.  I decided to tweak the recipe just slightly and add our own flare to it.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we did. Chocolate Nutella Toffee Banana Bites Recipe   Print Prep time 20 mins Cook time 1 hour Total time 1 hour 20 mins   Banana…

  • Mango Avocado Fruit Salsa Recipe

    Calley
    22 May 2013 | 6:52 pm
    I’ve always wanted to make a fruit salsa but my family usually snubs their nose when I get creative in the kitchen.  We picked up some chicken that was marinated in a mango coconut sauce at our friends new butcher shop and market, Southern Steer Butchers (US 19 and Curlew in Dunedin, FL), and this is the side dish that I prepared to go with the chicken.  I served it over a bed of fresh romaine with a sprinkle of parmesan and balsamic vinegar to balance the flavor of the mango.  DELICIOUS is an understatement! Mango Avocado Fruit Salsa Recipe   Print Prep time 10 mins Total time…

  • No Cook Chia Chocolate Porridge Recipe

    Calley
    17 May 2013 | 5:31 am
    Have you ever heard of chia seeds before?  No, not chia pets although that is the same type of flowery plant that produces the chia seeds.  Chia seeds are native to Mexico and Guatemala and have been around for centuries.  They have recently become popular in America and are considered a “superfood,” rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, calcium, antioxidants, and protein.  If you’ve been on Pinterest lately I’m sure you’ve seen chia seeds featured in many different recipes. My “No Cook Chia Chocolate Porridge Recipe” was based off one of those pins…

  • The NEW Tampa Bay Moms Blog

    Calley
    14 May 2013 | 8:22 pm
    There’s a new local blog in the Bay and I’m one of the lucky contributors! I first heard of the City Mom Blogs from my friend Jenny (conscientiousconfusion) and role with the Dallas Moms Blog.  While we were having lunch on a recent trip to Dallas I found out that they had plans on launching a Tampa Bay Moms Blog (TBMB) here!  I was excited and began to look for more information.  I was immediately connected with the founder, Sheriss, and accepted as a contributor! The TBMB launched on April 29th with a week full of giveaways from local businesses and companies.  The 13…
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    TheCityFix

  • Friday Fun: A Los Angeles cycling highway?

    Elise Zevitz
    24 May 2013 | 7:29 am
    A four-legged passenger enjoys the CycLAvia bike event in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Melissa Wall. “The South California towns, Los Angeles and Pasadena, are now connected by the strangest and most interesting of links-a magnificent, elevated cycle-way, with a smooth surface of wood, running for nine miles through beautiful country, flanked by green hills, and affording views at every point of the snow-clad Sierras.” –T.D. Denham A reporter named T.D. Denham wrote that Southern California, ought to one day become, “a cyclist’s paradise,” with its…

  • All aboard: Engaging the public on transport projects

    Matthew Raifman
    22 May 2013 | 1:59 pm
    A woman raises her hand to speak at a community meeting in Aurangabad, India. Photo by World Bank Photo Collection. Public transport is a core part of our daily lives. It is an economic driver — linking commuters to employment opportunities and bringing potential customers to retail and commercial establishments. It impacts our health, as modes of urban transport affect the air we breathe; our safety when we walk, bike, and commute; and our physical fitness. Transport is, in short, a fundamental part of life for most of the world. As the world becomes more urban, transport will play an even…

  • Weaving people back into the urban fabric

    Luísa Zottis
    21 May 2013 | 12:03 pm
    How do we make our cities more people-centric? Photo by Blmurch. If cities are to be more people-oriented, shouldn’t we work on sharing the space with each other? That’s  the intention of the Bench of Friendship, upon which it is impossible to sit alone. Sponsored by the British-based Fisherman’s Friend and designed by students from the Institute of Design Hamburg (IN.D), the bench invites those who want to rest or enjoy the view to invite someone else to share the bench with them. The motto of the project is, “Never be without a friend,” and its aim is to restore the human…

  • How clean is the air we breathe in cities?

    Umang Jain
    20 May 2013 | 8:43 am
    A boy peers out a bus window in Mumbai, India. Photo by gregor_y. More and more cities worldwide are grappling with the ever-increasing menace of air pollution — especially in India, which contains some of the most polluted cities in the world. Rapid economic growth in developing countries and increased individual wealth is leading to an ever-increasing number of cars and motorcycles on the roads. We are seeing highly increased emissions and rapid deterioration in urban air quality. The transport sector itself is now the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide,…

  • Friday Fun: Self-driving automobile + Bus + Taxi = Otobuxi

    Elise Zevitz
    17 May 2013 | 7:46 am
    The Otobuxi could serve as a feeder from residential areas to mass transport stations. Photo by Charles Bombardier. Most residential streets are not serviced by city buses. Even if they were not too heavy, bulky, or noisy, there is seldom enough passengers to fill them. The automobile does not fare much better, creating traffic congestion and parking woes, contributing to poor air quality, and posing as a safety hazards for pedestrians. Another option — the taxi cab — adds the problem of high cost to the automobile’s list of negative impacts. That’s where the Otobuxi comes…
 
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    EarthTechling

  • The Umbrellas Of Shanghai: Building A Better Sun Shade

    Randy Woods
    25 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    As the saying goes, “When in Shanghai, do as the Shanghaiers do.” Okay, no one really says that, but that’s what happened recently when an Italian firm 3Gatti Architecture Studio was looking for a new sun-shading mechanism and found inspiration from the citizens of Shanghai, China. When the horizontal bamboo shades on the city’s Madrid Pavilion, built for the 2010 Shanghai Expo, began to disintegrate, 3Gatti was asked to design a replacement system that would control the amount of solar gain at the pavilion but also be able to withstand the elements. 3Gatti noted that much of the…

  • Nissan Electric Microvan Set For Road Test

    Joel Arellano
    25 May 2013 | 12:00 pm
    The Nissan e-NV200 is a pure-electric version of the gas-powered NV200 microvan. The automaker has just announced it will start field tests of its e-van this month in Saitama City (Saitama Prefecture) in Japan. The Saitama City tests are among the latest performed by Nissan, which has been testing the e-NV200 in various locations since 2011. Elsewhere in Japan, for example, the EV have already been put through its paces by the AEONMALL Corporation and Coca-Cola Central Japan Co. FedEx Express ran its tests over in Singapore while British Gas drove the EVs around Europe. image via Nissan…

  • Carbon-Crammed Concrete: How It Works, What It Does

    Daniel Mathews
    25 May 2013 | 10:00 am
    Around the world, engineers are busy working out ways to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete, which accounts for somewhere between 3 and 7 percent of global carbon emissions. (We’ve written recently about self-healing concrete, bendable concrete, and concrete incorporating waste from ethanol production.) A Nova Scotia startup named CarbonCure is already on line with a very direct approach: injecting waste carbon dioxide into the concrete-mixing process, which by nature takes CO2 and sequesters it as calcium carbonate. (The epitome of tried-and-true, CaCO3 has been the main terrestrial…

  • 5 Green Grilling Options For A Smog-Free Summer

    Beth Buczynski
    25 May 2013 | 9:30 am
    Memorial Day marks the official beginning of the summer grilling season, and around the country, we’ll be abandoning our hot kitchens for the sizzle and pop of outdoor cooking. If you’re the grill master in your family, you already know the secret to getting a wonderful smoky char without burning away the flavor. But did you know that the very act of grilling with charcoal contributes to toxic air pollution that makes people and planet sick? Don’t worry. There are plenty of options for grilling green, from cleaner fuels to high tech grills that use renewable energy. Browse…

  • The Skinny On Aussie Solar Printer: It’s Wide

    Pete Danko
    25 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    Two years after they embarked on a solar-cell printing initiative, Australian researchers are showing off cells the size of A3 paper – that’s about 16.5 by 11.7 inches – spit out by a $200,000 machine. The researchers in the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium (VICOSC) – a collaboration between CSIRO, the University of Melbourne, Monash University and industry partners – say their printer uses semiconducting inks to “print the cells straight onto paper-thin flexible plastic or steel.” They compared it to the sort of screen printing used to put images on T-shirts and…
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    Green Earth News

  • Foam and a New Generation of Environmental Innovation

    Edward Carney
    24 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    It really is a fine time to be an environmentalist.  Driven by consumer demand and the vision of many conscientious entrepreneurs, there is constant, ongoing growth in the range of green products available on the market.  Eco-friendly resources seem to emerge on a regular basis as new alternatives to the environmentally damaging items that western society has had to rely upon for years. In the past, Green Earth News has explained how bamboo clothing serves as a greener alternative to cotton and wool.  We have reported on the development of Eco-Leather as a textile that completely avoids…

  • Bamboo Wedding Registry: Be Prepared For June Brides!

    Stacey Irwin
    22 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Here comes the summer bride!  June has regained its spot as most popular wedding month according to a recent survey of 17,500 brides-to-be conducted by The Knot.Com and WeddingChannel.com.  The survey also found that weddings have an average of 139 guests so chances are there is an invitation headed to your mailbox.  (And chances are also very high that blue will be the dominant color at said wedding.) Most happily ever-after couples will spend an average of $28,427 but the guests are strapped with a significantly lower bill needing only a fabulous outfit and a spectacular gift.  Well,…

  • Keeping Bamboo Clean!

    Stacey Irwin
    20 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    As much as we talk about bamboo flooring, bamboo cutting boards, bamboo furniture and organic bamboo clothing, we mention very little about upkeep.  Taking care of this unique material requires milder products and a more gentle touch but the sustainable and beautiful bamboo is worth it. To keep bamboo products (other than clothing) clean, first remove dirt and dust with a fine fiber broom, dust mop or soft cloth.  On floors especially, the buildup of dirt can have almost sandpaper-like effect in heavy traffic areas.  Using a vinegar-water mix at a 1:4 ratio mop the floors or wipe the…

  • Cell Prices Might Go Up – And That’s Okay

    Edward Carney
    17 May 2013 | 7:00 am
      It seems that cell phone carriers may be moving away from the practice of locking customers into long contracts whenever they purchase a new handset.  T-Mobile has had initial success with its no-contract plans, which it announced in March, shortly before it started carrying the iPhone.  Industry analysts seem to think that this will spur T-Mobile’s competitors to follow suit and phase contracts out of their business models. The average buyer might care about this possibility because it means that carriers will also have a different approach to their price structures.  Currently,…

  • How To Make Bamboo Charcoal Soap

    Stacey Irwin
    15 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    It touches the most porous organ we have on our body, our skin, so our soap should be as pure and healthy for us as possible.  Bamboo Charcoal Soap draws on what is best about bamboo charcoal:  its high mineral content, its cleansing properties and its ability to absorb odor. Also, when you decide to make your own soap, you know the purity of its ingredients and can make it as coarse or as smooth as you like for exfoliating purposes. Here’s what you need to make Bamboo Charcoal Soap: A “Melt-and-Pour” soap making base kit.  (I found one at Michaels oddly enough but many natural and…
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    Intercon

  • Restoring Infrastructure With Interaction

    T. Caine
    20 May 2013 | 6:31 am
    Mayor Cory Booker said it well: “from the Transcontinental Railroad to the Hoover Dam, to the dredging of our ports and building of our most historic bridges – our American ancestors prioritized growth and investment in our nation’s infrastructure.” Throughout history the image of new infrastructure has been synonymous with progress. The need for newer, larger and faster services brings the perception of an advancing society. The perception of progress and political tenure have proven to go hand in hand, so we seem to be able to find money to finance large infrastructural…

  • Sobering Fact: Water Through a Power Plant Can Fill the Empire State Building Every Day

    T. Caine
    3 May 2013 | 6:29 am
    As Americans we use a lot of water—per capita, more than any other country on the planet. A huge portion (49% as of 2005) of what we use goes to thermoelectric cooling, or removing heat from our fossil fuel burning power plants. That’s around 200 billion gallons a day, but we have a lot of power plants out there. How much does one of these plants actually use? The biggest culprits are the oldest plants that are the least efficient, built before the days of harnessing cogeneration. Taking the coal-fired power plant in Salem, Massachusetts (set to be decommissioned next year), the word is…

  • Rethinking the Urban Grid

    T. Caine
    23 Apr 2013 | 6:31 am
    We often use the utilitarian, rational deployment of street grids as a boon to our best cities. American cities like New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. stand as the result of a preplanned order deployed to guide expansion over time. In many ways it has worked. Partitioning up the city has helped to shape a straightforward process for development, creating defined districts for zoning along with a web for transportation. But as the way we interact with the city evolves, including the buildings within it, the grid lags behind, representing the same functions that it did centuries ago.

  • Why LEED Doesn’t Work in Rural Africa and What Will

    T. Caine
    12 Apr 2013 | 9:24 am
    This is a guest post by friend and former classmate, Charles Newman. Charlie has committed his architectural practice to helping communities in places around the world. He is currently working for International Rescue Committee in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo as the Community Driven Reconstruction Manager and he keeps a great blog on his architectural travels in Africa. Aside from being a LEED AP, his work consistently seeks to integrate sustainability.    While in a small southern town of the Democratic Republic of Congo in mid 2012, a colleague of mine approached me for some…

  • Microcommunities Challenge the Suburban Model

    T. Caine
    1 Apr 2013 | 6:25 am
    Outside of Seattle, the design-build firm  Dwell Development is in the process of building out their vision of transit oriented development. They are calling it Columbia Station. Pitched within the rising popularity of the term “microcommunity” the project plan includes 15 residential homes all built on the same block and within a quick walk to buses and the commuter rail. As more of the designed units get built the proposal could be an example of the elusive search for a middle ground between urban centers and suburbia. Site Plan for Columbia Station For those who whip out a…
 
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    ecolissa

  • US Map of Ecolissa Customers

    Melissa Dion
    22 May 2013 | 9:39 am
    One of our goals is for ecolissa.com is to have a sale in every state. We only have 4 states left! SourceIf you live in one of the following states please email us at CustomerService@ecolissa.com with your state in the subject line to receive a special discount and help us reach our goal!DelawareKentuckyNorth DakotaOklahomaOutside the U.S. we have had sales in Canada, Australia, Italy, Great Britain, and France!

  • Item of the Day: Green Tree Jewelry Mirror Pyramid Earrings

    Melissa Dion
    21 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    The Green Tree Jewelry Mirror Pyramid Earrings measure 2" x 0.5". These earrings are laser cut and made from a very thin strong multi-layered sustainable wood. The coloring is stained into the wood with a non-toxic natural dye. All earring findings are silver-plated surgical steel and nickel-free for sensitive ears. Made in the USA. Available in Natural (as shown). $12.Check out Ecolissa.com for Eco-Friendly and Vegan Fashions!

  • Take 25% Off at Ecolissa.com This Week!

    Melissa Dion
    20 May 2013 | 10:00 am
    Also, check out our latest newsletter here!

  • Check Out the New Sale Items at Ecolissa.com!

    Melissa Dion
    17 May 2013 | 8:49 am
    We just marked down some more great items! Ecoskin Harlem Jacket  Was $152 - Now $99.99!Ecoskin Manhattan Jacket  Was $132 - Now $99.99! Indigenous One Button Hoodie Was $90 - Now $69.99!  Indigenous Seashore Hoodie  Was $84 - Now $59.99!You can find all of our Sale Items at Ecolissa.com!

  • Item of the Day: Mata Traders Aztec Skirt

    Melissa Dion
    16 May 2013 | 7:44 am
    The Mata Traders Aztec Skirt is a sassy skirt with statement pockets is perfect with a simple white tee tucked in and black booties. Zips up the back. Add the chunkiest necklace you can find and you're ready for Girls' Night Out. Materials: 100% cotton. Screen printed with eco-friendly vegetable dyes, supporting an artisan based textile tradition existing in India for centuries. $48.Mata products are original designs handmade in India and Nepal by women’s cooperatives and artisan groups that practice fair trade principles. This means that their producers are paid a livable wage in safe and…
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    Tips On How To Be Eco Friendly

  • Five Surprising Facts About LED Lights (And How They Can Improve Your Home)

    Richard Adams
    20 May 2013 | 11:31 pm
    LED lights have multiple benefits, being found in everything from colored Christmas lights, traffic lights and even aircraft illumination. They boast many advantages over their traditional incandescent equivalents, and their positive effects can span into your home. Here are five facts that prove LED lights are a better alternative to light up your living space. [...]

  • Upcycling For Beginners

    A Guest Writer
    19 Apr 2013 | 5:35 am
    In war time Britain, the government issued a pamphlet about how to save money, it was called Make do and Mend. While it’s nostalgia from a bygone era of austerity, it’s also phrase that’s becoming more popular as Britain’s recession continues as reported recently in an article by the Daily Mail. Whether due to tightening [...]

  • 5 Eco-Friendly Mattress Materials

    A Guest Writer
    18 Apr 2013 | 1:58 am
    Today, there are a lot of products that are being labeled as eco-friendly; unfortunately, most of these claims are nothing more than marketing hype that have very little to do with reality. This can also be true when it comes to eco-friendly mattresses. However learning what to look for and how to evaluate mattresses will [...]

  • Wind Energy: The Top Five Wind Farms In The USA

    A Guest Writer
    16 Apr 2013 | 8:41 am
    The use of wind power to generate electricity has a long history. However, the concept of building wind farms is a newer phenomenon that developed as a cheap and sustainable alternative to the use of fossil fuels. Large wind farms consist of hundred of giant turbines located on an area of land or offshore combined [...]

  • How To Save Water In The Workplace

    A Guest Writer
    6 Apr 2013 | 10:33 pm
    In the past, people tended to think of water as free. Now it’s being seen as the valuable resource it is. Your office likely uses more water than you realize, and this could be affecting your bottom line. Here are a few tips to reduce your workplace’s water use: Get A Water Audit Your utility [...]
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    The Conversation - Environment + Energy

  • If the tide is high, our sewerage systems won't hold on

    Ian Wright, Lecturer in Environmental Science at University of Western Sydney
    23 May 2013 | 10:19 pm
    Sea levels are rising and the world’s vast coastal settlements face many damaging changes. One of the most difficult and expensive challenges is the risk to the safe and effective operation of our sewerage systems. We give our sewerage system little thought, but life in modern cities would be dangerous and unhealthy without a reliable and sound sewerage system. This may be a “weak point” in our public health defences if we do not respond to the threat of climate change effects. Infrastructure down the drain Gravity is the best friend of the conventional urban sewerage system. When we…

  • The good earth: Thorpdale Red Ferrosol and chip potatoes

    Robert Edis, Soil Scientist at University of Melbourne
    23 May 2013 | 6:12 pm

  • Our national parks must be more than playgrounds or paddocks

    Euan Ritchie, Lecturer in ecology at Deakin University
    23 May 2013 | 1:34 pm

  • Australian endangered species: Desert gobies

    Adam Kerezsy, Adjunct Research Fellow at Griffith University
    22 May 2013 | 9:38 pm
    Gobies are one of the largest and most widespread fish families in the world, but even so, the presence of endemic species in the Great Artesian Basin spring complexes of central Australia is a little surprising. Some of these habitats are more like damp swamps than watery oases, and many are no bigger than a kitchen table. As a consequence, the gobies that inhabit them are small – no bigger than five or six centimetres – and have the ability to extract oxygen from the air when the springs dry back. There are five species overall, but all are very similar and their speciation is a result…

  • Can we trust Clive? Commercial-in-confidence coal mines

    Richard Denniss, Adjunct professor, Crawford School at Australian National University
    22 May 2013 | 1:43 pm
    Clive Palmer’s Waratah Coal claims its Galilee Coal Project, which will create four underground mines, two open-cut mines, and 468 kilometres of railway line in central Queensland, will bring economic prosperity to the region. In its recently-released supplementary environmental impact statement, however, the company refused calls to release its modelling. Without it, the public are in the dark about the true costs and benefits of Palmer’s mega-mine. Regional costs When the company released its original environmental impact statement, it was quick to spruik the results of its economic…
 
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    EcoAppsFree » EcoAppsFree

  • Naturespace: Relax Meditate Escape Sleep with 3D Sound

    admin
    23 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    Naturespace is the ultimate headphone experience! Astounding 3D recordings from the most beautiful places on earth relax and rejuvenate like nothing else. It truly must be experienced to be believed, which is why this app is free today (Do not miss it!). 6 free sounds, no ads, and a vast catalog to choose from make it easy to find out what millions of others have discovered; the amazing world of holographic sound! A must have it!!!
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    myessentia.com

  • “Peaks and Petals” Art Exhibit at Essentia, May 9 through June 6

    donna
    3 May 2013 | 2:13 pm
    Do you love mountain peaks and beautiful flowers? From May 9 to June 6, 2013, you are invited to view the mountain ranges and vibrant flowers of watercolour and acrylics artist, Virginia Layton. You will also have the opportunity to appreciate the smooth surfaces and peaked outlines of ceramic art by Susan Thorpe. Meet these two exceptional artists on the Opening Night of their exhibit, “Peaks and Petals”, at Essentia, 1113 Kensington Road NW, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., May 9 (Light refreshments will be served). About Susan Thorpe A ceramics artist for over 25 years, Susan Thorpe of Calgary…

  • Simon Wroot,“Remnants of Community” Exhibit, Essentia Calgary, April 2013

    donna
    3 Apr 2013 | 11:54 am
    Essentia Calgary is honored to display the works of British-born artist, Simon Wroot during the month of April.  This is the first time that Simon Wroot’s exhibit, “Remnants of Community”, has been shown in Calgary, although the exhibit was featured in many rural Alberta villages and towns as part of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program (TREX).   You are invited to view Wroot’s exhibit of miniature metal churches in layers of bronze, copper, nickel, steel, and sterling silver, on the evening of April 4, 2013, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Essentia, 1113…

  • Planting an Herb Garden for the City-Dweller!

    danielle
    2 Apr 2013 | 8:33 am
    Planting An Herb Garden for the City-Dweller Even though Mother Nature hasn’t told the snowflakes yet, technically its Spring–the perfect time to start thinking about making things bloom.  Aside from being a homespun way to get your herbs that ensures quality control, planting an indoor herb garden fosters sustainable eating habits, and eliminates the waste that occurs when you throw out herbs that go bad in your fridge.  Because you only pick what you’ll eat, herbs are always super-fresh, sometimes literally growing lush on the vine, mere minutes before popping on the…

  • Meditation Matters, It Really Does…

    debra
    18 Mar 2013 | 7:00 am
    Meditation, it’s a word which conjures up a lot of different things to different people. To many, particularly those who do not partake in the practice, it can seem silly, one of those alternative things that only “new agey” yoga people do. To others, it might seem like a means to procrastinate, to avoid being productive in our hectic and busy lives, but for those who do practice a daily ritual of meditation, they are aware of the many rewards and riches a quiet mind provides. The value of meditation is enormous, exponential and experiential. In other words, its true capacity for…

  • Greenhouse Gardening even in Winter…Underground!

    paul
    8 Mar 2013 | 6:34 am
    As the spring slowly approaches (man this winter just won’t end) gardening enthusiasts are getting their seeds in order and starting to plan their 2013 vegetable gardens. My wife is a big vegetable gardener and I’m happy to say that most of the summer and fall, even into the beginnings of winter my family is served fresh veggies from our organic backyard garden. We haven’t really jumped in to greenhouse gardening as yet. We do have a fairly large backyard and thus a fairly large garden. It’s fun for my wife and kids and is obviously much cheaper than your supermarket…
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    Articles

  • The rise of Islamic politics – just another mode of global capitalism?

    Andrew Crane and Dirk Matten
    23 May 2013 | 9:51 am
    Ever since the Iranian revolution up until the aftermath of the Arab Spring most of us were made to believe that the advent of Islamic regimes is the ultimate rise of the common man and woman in societies previously repressed and exploited by ruthless dictators.

  • What Kind of Example Is Canada Setting?

    Brent Blackwelder
    23 May 2013 | 9:16 am
    Is any nation on Earth taking seriously the need for a true-cost economy, where we live sustainably in a steady state? I have been working with Randy Hayes, founder of the Rainforest Action Network and executive director of Foundation Earth, on a report card to determine if Canada might be such a nation.

  • No Grist for the Mill

    John R. Ehrenfeld
    21 May 2013 | 2:17 pm
    I give high marks to my colleagues seeking “The Great Transition” or something called “sustainable consumption, or decoupling economic growth from environmental harms and on and on, but all ignore the root causes of our problems.

  • Guide: Green City Philosophy

    Richard Matthews
    21 May 2013 | 2:05 pm
    There has never been a greater need for the people planning and running our cities, as well as the residents themselves, to understand the critical significance of green space in our urban environment. These guidelines are a starting point so interested parties can come together internationally and discuss techniques for urban development.

  • Gardening in 2013

    Megan Stilley
    21 May 2013 | 1:16 pm
    Last year we had a massive garden. It took up the majority of our backyard with peas, leeks, carrots, beans, summer squash, winter squash, lettuces, broccoli, tomatoes, collards and herbs. But to be honest, it was a lot of work and a lot of it was a bust.
 
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    Do The Green Thing: The Green Thing blog

  • Bloody Meat by Mathieu Frossard

    nickmalster
    21 May 2013 | 5:30 am
    Bloody Meat by Mathieu Frossard Visual artist Mathieu Frossard has treated us to a stomach-turning poster to tie in with the UK's National Vegetarian Week. “In every creative production, the visual aspect remains one of the key elements as it helps catch the attention of the viewer and thus communicate a message in a more efficient way. The image is intended to be a disgusting yet fascinating representation of flesh. Like an attractive revulsion, I hope it can capture a viewer’s attention to deliver the message: slow down on the meat and go for more…

  • Don't Don't by Emily Oberman

    nickmalster
    17 May 2013 | 7:21 am
    Don't Don't by Emily Oberman New York Pentagram partner Emily Oberman tweaks the iconic ‘Walk Don’t Walk’ street sign so it beams a message that we believe in. “I was sitting with my team and we were tossing around something like “Don’t Not Walk” as kind of a variation on “Just Do It” and someone said what about “Don’t Don’t Walk”, and it was a little silly and also perfect. Those words, plus the little word ‘Walk’ at the bottom of the poster, feel so powerful - two statements made from four words that…

  • Don’t Bottle It by Stuart Watson

    nickmalster
    10 May 2013 | 2:11 am
    Don’t Bottle It by Stuart Watson Venturethree’s Stuart Watson used his poster to argue his case against splashing out on bottled mineral water. “Being born in Bolton in the north west of England, my character is a perfect blend of manliness and stinginess. My inability to understand why my southern counterparts pay for water is part-financial and part-environmental. 27m tonnes of plastic is used to bottle water worldwide each year all because one in five people are ‘slightly nervous’ or ‘too scared’ to ask for tap water. I say, man up and ask for…

  • Lights Out by Hudson-Powell

    nickmalster
    3 May 2013 | 9:16 am
    Design company Hudson-Powell have created this rather endearing poster, encouraging us to show light bulbs a bit of compassion.  “In the Shinto religion inanimate objects are often given a persona or spirit to help people relate to them in a more humanistic way and to create a dialog with the object. Taking this idea and applying it to light bulbs, making them delicate living things that need rest and can dream seemed like a playful way of getting people to remember to turn them off.” Read more here. We’re selling this poster printed on FSC paper with…

  • Meat Luis by Liverpool Lad 23/04

    nickmalster
    23 Apr 2013 | 4:17 am
      Our first weekly poster is by Liverpool Lad, who gives a word of warning to Liverpool FC footballer and creator of controversy Luis Suarez after he sunk his jaws into a Chelsea defender in Sunday’s match. “Luis Suárez’s bite was an iconic carnivorous moment. When I saw it, I felt the need to make a statement to Luis, Liverpool fans and the world that excessive meat eating is bad for the world. Next time Luis is hungry, he should take a bite out of a falafel rather than flesh and set a good sustainable example.” Read more We’re…
 
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    The Art of Meaningful Celebrations and Eco-friendly Gift Giving | Green Gifts Guide

  • Choose Ethical, Sustainable Gifts this Mother’s Day

    Amity Hook-Sopko
    3 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    It doesn’t take much to turn Mother’s Day into a celebration that honors both your mom and Mother Nature.   We share plenty of options here on experience gifts or zero-waste ideas.  But today we’re delighted to share ideas that focus on FOOD for a truly sustainable holiday. Our friends Danielle and Ellen from the Food Tank are sharing their ideas for making a better, more sustainable Mother’s Day. 1. Buy local. Consider cooking your a mom meal at home instead of going out to a restaurant, and try to buy as many ingredients as possible from local farmers.

  • Green Wedding Gifts That Don’t Create Clutter

    Amity Hook-Sopko
    16 Apr 2013 | 4:23 am
     This question showed up in my Facebook feed yesterday: “What are your most used and least used items from your wedding registry?  I don’t want something in my kitchen or house that doesn’t belong there.” My friend’s younger sister is getting married and asked this question. It’s interesting to read the answers and see some of her friends consider the wedding gifts they registered for, and how useful they’ve turned out to be.  She’s getting advice to skip the formal serving pieces, and opt for more of the things you use every day like towels…

  • Green Your Easter (and save some too!)

    Amity Hook-Sopko
    18 Mar 2013 | 8:38 am
    Easter’s on its way!  So we’ve pulled together a quick roundup of eco-friendly Easter resources for you. Over at Green Child Magazine you’ll find a simple how to on coloring Easter eggs naturally.  Or if you don’t have time to cook up your own earth friendly dyes, you can use a kit like WeeCanToo. As for thinking outside of the candy isle, Amanda at the Eco-friendly Family gives plenty of tips.  Then you can head over to Abe’s to stock up on some favorites at a great discount! Green Your Easter (and save some too!) is a post from: The Art of Meaningful…

  • Wooed By Wood Sunglasses: A Simply Stunning Gift Idea

    Amity Hook-Sopko
    17 Mar 2013 | 6:40 pm
    It’s mid-March and the winter months will soon be a distant memory. Many of us will be turning to thoughts of vacations… and if you’re anything like us, a vital part of our vacation attire is a pair of shades. But why opt for any shades when you can have a totally unique pair made by Wooed By Wood? As the name suggests, the sunglasses are made from… you guessed it – wood. Not just any wood, but reclaimed wood sustainably harvested and hand-crafted into something really special. We learned it takes nearly two weeks and 50 different processes to make one pair. Some…

  • Portable, Biodegradable Mini Water Filters from GAC

    Amity Hook-Sopko
    14 Mar 2013 | 5:33 am
    In need of a fresh, new gift idea for a special someone in your life? Why not try tap water’s new best friend… the drop-in filters from GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) GAC filters are uniquely designed to simply drop into tap water in order to quickly and effectively remove chlorine, taste and odor.  Use it just like a tea bag. They are a great gift for anyone who wants to stay hydrated on the go, while leading an eco-friendly lifestyle. They can be perfectly pair with a funky new reusable bottle of your choice! And single filter will filter up to 50 liters, so that friend of yours…
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    Almost All The Truth

  • 400 ppm, What Happens Now?

    Brenna @ Almost All The Truth
    21 May 2013 | 8:33 am
    We just reached what is likely the most important milestone in our climate‘s history, at least as observed through the lens of humankind. What does that convoluted sentence mean? We’ve reached 400ppm concentrations of carbon dioxide. The highest in millions of years. I’ll let that sink in a moment. 400ppm. This is the number experts have long thought was the point of no return. This is the number that still may be, although some are considering 450ppm to be the new “worst case scenario.” I am not sure raising the bar in this instance is a good thing when we…

  • Make Things Monday: Schedule

    Brenna @ Almost All The Truth
    20 May 2013 | 7:56 am
    You may have noticed I have taken a wee blogging break recently. We are nearing the end of the school year and our weather has cooperated so that it seems like summer is on the tip of Mother Earth’s tongue. This has meant outdoor fun, baseball games, and garden planning – even if that garden has yet to be planted. But while all this has been wonderful, it has no bearing on my blogging. My littlest baby bear, my baby girl, my last child, just had her kindergarten round-up last week. She has been my light in the storm, as well as the tornado. When I recognized that the life, or…

  • Life Beyond the Screen

    Brenna @ Almost All The Truth
    29 Apr 2013 | 12:53 pm
    Screen-Free Week 2013 Do you remember those old bumper stickers, “Kill your television!”? It was certainly a violent way to get people to pay attention to their tv watching habits. Television programming has changed since then. Some might argue there are even better programs on – particularly public television, documentaries, science – and some would venture we are continually seeing a dumbing down of the masses. Perhaps there’s both.    We also aren’t simply dealing with televisions anymore, but iPads, iPhones, laptops, Netflix, Wiis, and all…

  • Tomorrow Will Be Kinder

    Brenna @ Almost All The Truth
    19 Apr 2013 | 12:59 pm
      I was still reeling from the tragedy that hit the Boston Marathon, the terrible accident at the fertilizer plant in West, Texas, when the recent news of the two suspects’ actions at MIT continued to prove how fragile our lives can be. I feel sad that in many ways our society is becoming desensitized. I am not sure how many times I heard, and even thought to myself, ”at least it wasn’t like 9/11.” But if there is anything I know for sure it is that the good outweighs the bad every time. I hold on to that. You may not hear about every hero and every positive…

  • 3 Delicious Desserts in a Jar Recipes

    Brenna @ Almost All The Truth
    12 Apr 2013 | 1:54 pm
    My love for mason jars and fantastic desserts notwithstanding, how fun is it to create fun concoctions in them? The new cookbook, 150 Best Desserts in a Jar, from Andrea Jourdan doesn’t specify mason jars because there are countless gems you can find frugally and inexpensively at thrift shops or at the back of grandma’s pantry. Whatever jar you use, you are sure to create something delicious!  I won’t lie and say there is anything healthy about these desserts, but they are fun and have a great appeal for any time I’d want to impress someone with my…
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    DC Bureau » Natural Resources News Service

  • Powerful Friends and Cozy Relationships Helped Cheniere Cut Through Regulation

    Peter Mantius
    23 May 2013 | 1:11 pm
    How They Saved Cheniere from Disaster to Dominate US LNG Exporting Spencer Abraham, John Deutch, Vicky Bailey, Neil Bush Five years ago, Cheniere Energy Inc. was losing tens of millions of dollars a quarter and slashing its workforce in half, as crippling debt threatened to force it into bankruptcy. Today it’s the undisputed leader in the nation’s promising new energy sector: exporting liquefied natural gas, or LNG. That remarkable turnaround followed its industry-leading decision in 2010 to reverse course and export, rather than import, natural gas. Cheniere’s success in executing…

  • The Toxic Tycoon

    Bobbye Pyke
    13 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Harold Simmons (Photo credit Dallas Morning News) Andrews County, TX—Tucked away on the Texas/New Mexico border is a 15,000-acre low-level nuclear waste disposal site run by Waste Control Specialists (WCS), a subsidiary of Valhi, Inc. Only five miles away from the nearest city of Eunice, this site is to be a permanent disposal site for level A, B, and C radioactive waste. WCS sought two licenses that allowed them to accept a total of 60 million cubic feet of low-level radioactive waste from federal and state sources, including nuclear reactors, weapons programs, and hospitals, roughly…

  • EPA’s Victory Moves Clean Water Act Fight Back to District Court

    Rose Ellen O'Connor
    26 Apr 2013 | 8:42 am
    Merits of Case Must Now Be Decided Mingo Logan A federal appeals court ruling Tuesday that the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to rescind a dumping permit three years after it was granted by the Army Corps of Engineers drew cheers from environmentalists. The decision reverses a lower court’s ruling that would have allowed Mingo Logan Coal Co. to proceed with plans for one of the nation’s largest mountaintop mines in southern West Virginia. Mingo Logan is a subsidiary of Arch Coal, the second largest producer of fossil fuel in the country. But the case is far from over.

  • Obama Administration Says No to Full Environmental Study of LNG Exports

    Peter Mantius
    22 Apr 2013 | 7:52 am
    LNG tanker at sea (Photo courtesy of FERC) The Obama Administration is blocking a comprehensive environmental study on the impact of exporting massive quantities of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, on the grounds that new gas drilling induced by the exports is not “reasonably foreseeable.” Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Energy is resisting calls by Dow Chemical and other manufacturers for a more clearly defined and transparent DOE process for determining whether proposed LNG export projects serve the “public interest.” Both the DOE and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission face…

  • EPA Fights to Stop Large Mountaintop Coal Mine

    Rose Ellen O'Connor
    15 Mar 2013 | 5:37 am
    Mountain Laurel Complex in W.V. image from Google Earth A standing-room only crowd packed a federal appeals courtroom in D.C. Thursday morning to hear arguments over whether the Environmental Protection Agency may rescind a dumping permit after it has been granted by the Army Corps of Engineers. The high-profile case is being closely monitored by industry and the environmental community. The Chamber of Commerce, 34 industry trade groups and seven environmental organizations have filed friend-of-the-court briefs in the case. Mingo Logan Coal Co., a subsidiary of Arch Coal, the nation’s…
 
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    EarthTechling

  • The Umbrellas Of Shanghai: Building A Better Sun Shade

    Randy Woods
    25 May 2013 | 2:00 pm
    As the saying goes, “When in Shanghai, do as the Shanghaiers do.” Okay, no one really says that, but that’s what happened recently when an Italian firm 3Gatti Architecture Studio was looking for a new sun-shading mechanism and found inspiration from the citizens of Shanghai, China. When the horizontal bamboo shades on the city’s Madrid Pavilion, built for the 2010 Shanghai Expo, began to disintegrate, 3Gatti was asked to design a replacement system that would control the amount of solar gain at the pavilion but also be able to withstand the elements. 3Gatti noted that much of the…

  • Nissan Electric Microvan Set For Road Test

    Joel Arellano
    25 May 2013 | 12:00 pm
    The Nissan e-NV200 is a pure-electric version of the gas-powered NV200 microvan. The automaker has just announced it will start field tests of its e-van this month in Saitama City (Saitama Prefecture) in Japan. The Saitama City tests are among the latest performed by Nissan, which has been testing the e-NV200 in various locations since 2011. Elsewhere in Japan, for example, the EV have already been put through its paces by the AEONMALL Corporation and Coca-Cola Central Japan Co. FedEx Express ran its tests over in Singapore while British Gas drove the EVs around Europe. image via Nissan…

  • Carbon-Crammed Concrete: How It Works, What It Does

    Daniel Mathews
    25 May 2013 | 10:00 am
    Around the world, engineers are busy working out ways to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete, which accounts for somewhere between 3 and 7 percent of global carbon emissions. (We’ve written recently about self-healing concrete, bendable concrete, and concrete incorporating waste from ethanol production.) A Nova Scotia startup named CarbonCure is already on line with a very direct approach: injecting waste carbon dioxide into the concrete-mixing process, which by nature takes CO2 and sequesters it as calcium carbonate. (The epitome of tried-and-true, CaCO3 has been the main terrestrial…

  • 5 Green Grilling Options For A Smog-Free Summer

    Beth Buczynski
    25 May 2013 | 9:30 am
    Memorial Day marks the official beginning of the summer grilling season, and around the country, we’ll be abandoning our hot kitchens for the sizzle and pop of outdoor cooking. If you’re the grill master in your family, you already know the secret to getting a wonderful smoky char without burning away the flavor. But did you know that the very act of grilling with charcoal contributes to toxic air pollution that makes people and planet sick? Don’t worry. There are plenty of options for grilling green, from cleaner fuels to high tech grills that use renewable energy. Browse…

  • The Skinny On Aussie Solar Printer: It’s Wide

    Pete Danko
    25 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    Two years after they embarked on a solar-cell printing initiative, Australian researchers are showing off cells the size of A3 paper – that’s about 16.5 by 11.7 inches – spit out by a $200,000 machine. The researchers in the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium (VICOSC) – a collaboration between CSIRO, the University of Melbourne, Monash University and industry partners – say their printer uses semiconducting inks to “print the cells straight onto paper-thin flexible plastic or steel.” They compared it to the sort of screen printing used to put images on T-shirts and…
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    San Diego Mom Blogger - Green Lifestyle, Recipes, Events - Moms Going Green

  • Share Your Energy-Saving Story!

    momsgoinggreen
    17 May 2013 | 9:25 am
    If you signed up for Team ENERGY STAR, now is the time to share your energy-saving story! And, if you haven’t signed up yet, do it today and learn how your family can save energy, save money and protect the climate with ENERGY STAR. Stories are due May 24th, plus the first 200 families tosubmit a story to Team ENERGY STAR will receive 2 tickets each to the new movie, EPIC, courtesy of Fox.payday loans LENDERS ONLINE Team ENERGY STAR is a great way for the whole family to get involved in saving energy and offers fun-filled, educational materials to teach your kids about saving energy…

  • A Rain Barrel Fundraiser for Coastkeeper

    momsgoinggreen
    17 May 2013 | 9:07 am
    How can you save water and raise money at the same time? With a rain barrel purchase through Coastkeeper, you can do just that and earn up to a $400 rebate from the City of San Diego at the same time. With a rain barrel, you can collect rainwater from your roof and re-use it in your garden and the savings can be huge— just one-inch of rainfall can fetch over 300 gallons of water. Purchase a rain barrel through Coastkeeper today. Each rain barrel is $100, eligible in the City of San Diego for a $1/gallon rebate and a $25 tax-deductible portion will go to our work to protect fishable,…

  • How cooking can help save the food system

    momsgoinggreen
    16 May 2013 | 9:51 am
    In an interview with Democracy Now! about his new book, Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation, Michael Pollan says taking back control of cooking may be the single most important step to help make our food system more sustainable. “Slow food is about food that is good, clean and fair. They’re concerned with social justice. They’re concerned with how the food is grown and how humane and chemical-free it is.” He adds, “Slow food is about recovering that space around the family and keeping the influence of the food manufacturers outside of the house. … The…

  • May 17th is Bike to Work Day

    momsgoinggreen
    15 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    If you already commute to work on your bike, that’s great, just keep doing what you do. But if you don’t, it’s a great time to give it a try and see why so many swear by it.  Bike to Work Day is a nationally recognized event celebrated annually on the third Friday in May. Bike to Work 2013 supports bicycling as a viable, environmentally friendly, cost-saving commute choice. Participants in Bike to Work 2013 have a chance to get fit, save time and money, and receive great freebies from sponsors. Register for Bike to Work Day and log your bike trip in Trip tracker to be…

  • Meatless Monday: Seitan Bourguignon

    momsgoinggreen
    13 May 2013 | 6:05 am
    Twitter cofounder Biz Stone’s vegan take on classic bourguignon makes innovative use of seitan and mushroom crispy “bacon” strips. Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 (1/2-pound) packages traditional-flavored seitan, broken into bite-size pieces 4 shallots, minced 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced crosswise into 1-inch pieces 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1/2 (750 mL) bottle pinot noir 1 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium vegetable stock 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish 1 large bay leaf 1 teaspoon dried…
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    CleanTechies Blog - CleanTechies.com

  • Tips to Design and Maintain a Green Building

    CleanTechies Guest Author
    24 May 2013 | 10:30 am
    Now more than ever, individuals and businesses alike recognize the importance of reducing the amount of energy we consume on a daily basis in order to better maintain our global environment. Engineers and researchers have discovered that one of the most effective ways to do so is by changing the way we construct our indoor environments. According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, our everyday use of buildings accounts for 39% of total U.S. energy consumption and 38% of carbon dioxide emissions. To combat the tremendous amount of energy exploited by buildings each day, engineers…

  • Controversial Shipbreaking Methods in South Asia Are Cause for Alarm

    3BL Media
    24 May 2013 | 9:30 am
    There are serious concerns about how the shipping industry is disposing of its toxic waste during the process of shipbreaking: the way an old ship is disposed of, being broken up for scrap recycling. Most vessels have a lifespan of a few decades before they need to be retired; beaching is the most commonly used method to do this, as it is employed by 95 per cent of shipbreaking yards. Beaching is the deliberate crashing of a vessel onto a beach so that it can be dismantled during low tide. However, this method is the most controversial way to dismantle old ships because of its overall lack of…

  • China Poised to Launch Much-Anticipated Carbon-Trading Project

    Yale Environment 360
    24 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    China has revealed details of a carbon cap-and-trade pilot project that will be launched next month, a much-anticipated market attempt to rein in carbon dioxide emissions by the world’s biggest emitter. The first phase of the program, which will be implemented in the southern city of Shenzhen, will cover 638 companies that produce 38 percent of the city’s carbon emissions, according to the city branch of the government’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The system will impose caps on the companies’ CO2 emissions and establish a market for the buying and selling of…

  • Sneaker Life Cycle Impact

    Environmental News Network
    23 May 2013 | 10:30 am
    The American term sneakers refers to footwear with a flexible sole made of rubber or synthetic material and an upper part made of leather or canvas. Sneakers were originally sporting apparel, but today are worn much more widely as casual footwear. A typical pair of running shoes generates 30 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to keeping a 100-watt light bulb on for one week, according to a new MIT-led life cycle assessment. A life cycle measures the environmental impact of the raw materials, processing, and transport to the final market as well as waste disposal. But what’s…

  • Denmark: The Power of Feed-in Tariffs

    2GreenEnergy
    23 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    Denmark is held up as one of the great success stories when it comes to wind power – and it is. Half of Denmark’s electricity consumption will be generated by wind power in just seven years time. But Denmark has other lessons for those interested in wind power. It illustrates how effective – or ineffective – government support for renewable energy can be. At one stage, wind power in Denmark was a genuinely popular movement. Around 3,000 community organizations with 150,000 shareholders operated wind turbines there. Then the government changed the law. They got rid of feed-in tariffs…
 
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    OrganicAuthority RSS feed

  • 1970s Flashback: Vegan Cheddar Olive Balls Recipe

    25 May 2013 | 9:54 am
    There are few things more exciting for a child than a house full of grown up guests laughing, smelling like alcohol, listening to the Doobie Brothers, and eating foods too fancy for highchair cuisine. I remember those days only slightly, sadly. But I do have a few fond memories of the grown up food nibbles I’d manage to get just before my bedtime. One such favorite was the cheddar cheese-covered olive. It's so '70s, right? Read more...

  • Childhood High Blood Pressure on the Rise Thanks to Plastic

    25 May 2013 | 9:43 am
    It's one of the last things we think about affecting our children, but high blood pressure may be a health issue for children exposed to phthalates in food packaging, says a study published in the recent issue of The Journal of Pediatrics.

  • Mars Colony Residents Will Eat Lots of… Pizza?

    24 May 2013 | 10:32 am
    NASA has given a $125,000 grant to a company that aims to develop a 3D printable pizza to be eaten on Mars, reports Quartz.

  • 10 Unusual Ways to Use White Flour

    24 May 2013 | 1:00 am
    White flour may not be the best addition to your diet, as it is essentially stripped of nutrients, but it is actually a godsend around the house and in your beauty routine. White flour harnesses a host of uses, from hair removal to ripening avocados. Incorporate the following 10 unusual ways to use white flour in your life, and you have yourself a cheap and effective solution to common problems.   Read more...

  • 2013 Farm Bill Amendment Aims to Kill State GMO Label Laws

    23 May 2013 | 6:29 am
    Being dubbed the "Monsanto Protection Act 2.0" an amendment added into the 2013 Farm Bill could prevent individual states from passing their own GMO labeling laws.
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    Hip Moms Go Green

  • Going Green with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV All Electric Car

    Nickie Knight
    14 May 2013 | 12:02 pm
    Mitsubishi loaned me the new i-MiEV to check out. So, we took this cool little car out for a spin this weekend. We headed downtown to do some skateboarding with the kids and gave this little car some street cred. I was a little leary of the drive into Phoenix because I am unfamiliar with [...]

  • Stinging Nettle Tea: A Natural Remedy to Fight Spring Allergy Symptoms

    Nickie Knight
    7 May 2013 | 10:38 pm
    I don’t know how you fare this time of year, but it’s usually right around now that I start to experience seasonal allergies. For me that means itchy eyes and throat and sneezing, especially in the morning. However, seasonal allergies can present in many ways, with symptoms that span from a mild runny nose to [...]

  • Spicy Kale Chips

    Nickie Knight
    2 Apr 2013 | 8:08 pm
    It must be obvious by now that I have a love affair with KALE.  I juice kale, eat raw kale, put kale in smoothies, make kale chips, and sauté kale just to name a few.  The benefits of kale are undeniable and anytime I can get it in my diet and my boys diet it [...]

  • American Eggs Illegal in British Supermarkets?

    Nickie Knight
    28 Mar 2013 | 8:20 pm
      The USDA requires egg producers to wash eggs and keep them cool…seems like a good thing, right? Maybe not. As Mother Nature would have it (surprise, surprise) an egg shell kept completely dry and un-sanitized retains a natural barrier that protects the contents inside. So much so that eggs treated in this way do [...]

  • Vegetable Soup with Butternut Squash, White Bean & Swiss Chard

    Nickie Knight
    26 Mar 2013 | 11:19 pm
    This soup is so hearty and satisfying. It is the perfect soup for a rainy or snowy day. I live in Arizona so I make it when the mood strikes. If I wait for rain squash will be out of season. Be sure to freeze the leftovers. RECIPE 1 small butternut squash peeled and diced [...]
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    Planet Forward

  • Eggshell Seed Starters Eco-friendly Craft

    Planet Forward
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    We’re always on the lookout for fun and eco-friendly craft projects that you can do with your kids. Since spring has officially sprung, we thought it would be great for the kids interested in gardening. Today’s gardening project is both economical and eco-friendly, as were making eggshell seed starters. This project uses eggshells as the container to start your seeds in. (photo: squawkfox.com) This eco-friendly craft idea came by way of squawkfox.com. Let’s get started. Supplies: • seeds (saved heirloom seeds, etc.) • eggshells • egg carton • potting soil • spoon • awl,…

  • Green News Weekly – Comfort Therapy Dogs, Veganizing Desserts, Montreal Drinking Water, and Insects are the Food of the Future

    Planet Forward
    22 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    Welcome back for a quick look at some green news stories from the past week. This edition features: tornado tragedy in Oklahoma gets help from 4-legged friends; transforming desserts into vegan-friendly options; 1.3 million Montreal residents warned to boil drinking water; and are insects the food of the future? (photo: facebook.com/k9comfort) I was incredibly touched by this video of an Oklahoma survivor and her miraculous live reunion with her lost dog straight from the rubble where her home once was. This led me to ‘K-9 comfort dogs’ and Why we turn to dogs when disaster…

  • Frost Is My Organic Gardening Enemy

    Planet Forward
    21 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    Hello again my fellow green thumbers. Today’s topic is my latest organic gardening query: what to do about frost? As many of you know I’m in southern Ontario in Canada, and the weather around me has been erratic lately. (photo: mykeuken.blogspot.ca) While we have enjoyed some very warm weather it has been fleeting and inconsistent. In fact, just a little while ago we had bright sunshine, cold wicked winds, torrential rains and hail on Mother’s Day. This doesn’t seem like the kind of weather that is conducive to plants thriving outdoors. What is quite curious is that the farmer’s…

  • 10 Practical Ways to Repurpose Vodka

    Planet Forward
    20 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    If you’ve ever had a party or gathering you probably have had alcohol, vodka in particular, left over. We’re always looking for new and economical ways to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle and that often means repurposing. Repurposing is finding an alternative use for something you already have on hand so that it is once again useful and stays out of a landfill. (photo: Absolut) So far in our sustainable living series we’ve shared with you how to reuse: plastic bags, paper towel rolls, tin foil, old t-shirts, coffee cans, coffee grounds, tennis balls, potatoes, tea…

  • Meatless Monday Recipe for Tasty Lentil Tacos

    Planet Forward
    19 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    Welcome back to the Planet Forward blog to enjoy another Meatless Monday recipe with us. As a result of taking the Meatless Monday pledge to abstain from eating meat once a week we get to enjoy both the planetary and health benefits of this choice. Making a meatless meal may seem daunting and getting both kids and avowed carnivores to embrace this is a challenge, so that’s where we come in. The vegetarian recipe we’re bringing you today is one that my family loves and I promise you won’t miss the meat at all. Our Meatless Monday recipe tonight is for tasty lentil tacos, which come by…
 
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    Jubbling.com - Consume less. Reuse more.

  • Jubbling FAIL: Couple On A Scooter Pulling A Baby Stroller. [Video]

    paul
    15 May 2013 | 12:37 pm
    Reduce: check. Extreme Jubbling: check. FAIL!: CHECK! [CN]

  • Recycling Done Right! Toys Fashioned From Discarded Shoes.

    paul
    9 May 2013 | 4:20 pm
    From Imgur. Discarded flip-flops sits in a crate ready to be washed, sorted, and carved into toy animals. Workers wash and scrub discarded flip-flops prior to them being sorted and carved. Carver Daniel Lekalau, 26, uses scissors to trim the mane of a toy lion. Machinist Benedict Ndambuki uses a lathe to smooth off the rough edges of a toy elephant. Finished toy animals are laid out in rows to dry in the sun. From Imgur.

  • Satechi Touch USB LED Lamp: Turn Any Empty Bottle Into A Lamp.

    paul
    9 May 2013 | 3:18 pm
    The Satechi Touch USB-powered LED lamp lets the reuser change their lamp to match their mood and/or incorporate the empties they have lying around. Not only does the $25 Satechi Touch make a great gift but it’s also a nice way to reassign your recyclables. [Gizmodo]

  • Annual Final Score: Sharks Kill 12 Humans, Humans Kill 100,000,000 Sharks.

    paul
    2 May 2013 | 7:38 am
    Crazy infographic from Joe Chernov and Robin Richards that shows, through finning and other wasteful practices, how we kill more sharks in 4 seconds than humans are killed by sharks in one year. Whether or not the actual number is 100 million, the final score is definitely not in the shark’s favor. [Laughing Squid]

  • Scientists In Uruguay Genetically Engineer The World’s First Glow-In-The-Dark Sheep.

    paul
    29 Apr 2013 | 3:12 pm
    Glow-in-the-dark sheep: Flock of the Damned or Sheep of the Corn?Alejo Menchaca and his team at the Animal Reproduction Institute of Uruguay are messing around with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) again and this time it’s in sheep. From io9: “Menchaca’s sheep – which were born last October and, apart from their corporeal glow, appear to have developed just like an unmodified flock – express the protein in tissues throughout their bodies, causing them to glow under ultraviolet light. Menchaca says that, in this particular instance, the sheep were modified merely as a…
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    MightyNest

  • 3 Reasons to Rethink Your Sunscreen

    annie
    15 May 2013 | 3:41 pm
    I recently counted the number of sunscreens at my local drugstore. There were 118 choices. Oddly, the display wasn't even that big, but the number of different products all leading you back to one specific need, had quite a range. I'm sure you can imagine the selling points: SPF, scent, sport, face, application - there's a lot to decipher. Most of the conventional sunscreens available are chemical sunscreens as opposed to mineral sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens have inferior stability, penetrate the skin and often contain known hormone disruptors, like oxybenzone, which is found in 80% of…

  • A Cleaner Spring Cleaning

    annie
    13 May 2013 | 1:05 pm
    Did you know that many ingredients in common cleaners, even "green" cleaning products, have been linked to allergies, asthma, and other long-term effects like reproductive harm and cancer? Chemicals found in cleaning solutions may be impacting the way our hormones work by either mimicking estrogen, androgen or thyroid hormones, or by stimulating or blocking production of these hormones when the chemical is absorbed into our bodies. While it is true that small amounts of chemicals found in these products may not pose a problem in isolated instances, it's important to keep in mind that there is…

  • Study: Benefit to Sucking Your Baby's Pacifier Clean?

    annie
    8 May 2013 | 10:24 am
    Every parent has made that quick move; your baby's pacifier drops onto t