August 14, 2008
Big box retailer Ikea may start offering solar panels with your easy to assemble furniture.
Ikea recently announced plans to invest $77 million into its GreenTech energy fund with the goal of eventually producing solar panels, efficiency meters, and energy efficient lighting. They will be investing in start-ups in the green space to bring these new products to market as quickly as possible. Read the full story at Inhabitat.
Sustainable Wine
June 8, 2008
As we move towards a more sustainable lifestyle we look not only at the product itself and it’s content, we look to see if the product is manufactured in a way that is sustainable as well. If not totally organic, is it made of materials that are renewable? Does it contain pesticides or harmful chemicals (sometimes under the guise of protecting us) and are the people who work for the company that makes it fairly treated?
When it comes to wine, there are quite a few options. Some less drinkable than others however as our “research” quickly showed us. We’ll share the cream of the crop of sustainably grown wines. Not all are certified organic, but they all practice sustainable viticulture practices.
Shafer practices low impact sustainable practices including planting cover crops to control weeds and erosion, return nitrogen to the soil and provide habitat for “good” insects that feed on leafhoppers and other vineyard pests. To control the rodents that like to live in the cover crop, they installed barn owl nesting boxes. Shafer uses natural fertilizers and minimal use of sulfur to control mildew on the vines.
Winemaker notes
Shafer’s 2005 Merlot has won several awards, including Food and Wine’s “Merlot of the Year” award in 2007
Winemaker’s notes
“This Merlot comes with big scoops of red and black fruit aromas and flavors. I get fresh plums, sweet black cherries, currants, red licorice, a little pepper, and pleasing doses of fragrant earth, smoke, and minerality.” – Elias Fernandez
“… possesses crisp acidity as well as an elegant bouquet of berry fruit, menthol, sweet cherries, and spice. The tremendous aromatics are followed by abundant fruit.”
The philosophy at Willakenzie Estates is simple: “Healthy Soil, Healthy Vines, Healthy People”. They practice sustainable viticulture in every aspect of the company’s operation from planting cover crops and protecting wildlife habitat to taking care of their employees year round.
Winemaker notes
Willakenzie Estates creates a variety of wines from their single vineyard –each with it’s own distinct character– and have won acclaim across the board from the luscious Pinot Gris to the formidable Terres Basses.
“Producing Pinots with intense flavors, robust structures, round and supple tannins is our passion and raison d’être. ”
“Terres Basses–The beautiful, dark ruby color of this wine immediately suggests its depth. Rich aromas of cranberry, cassis, and plum are followed by hints of earthiness, tobacco, and subtle tangerine peel. The flavors offer both red and black fruit; black cherry, blackberry, and blueberry combining with rhubarb and pomegranate for a complex, satisfying palate impression and a long finish. This is a big wine, whose intense fruit is well balanced by bright acidity and supple tannins.”
Freegans
May 20, 2008
What is the inspiration for Freegans? Here’s an easy to grasp description.
Lose the junk mail
May 12, 2008
Are you just plain tired of the pile of catalogs you get delivered to your door every day? Green Dimes is a service that can help you get off the mailing lists and stop the paper spam. There are three levels of service.
Free
Gives you information for DIY removal from junk mail lists – including access to their catalog screener so you can contact the catalog publishers directly. Download-able form letters to request removal from mailing lists.
$20- Premium
The same opt out information as the free account, but with automatic removal from many junk mail lists and quarterly reporting of list removals. Green Dimes will plant 5 trees in your name with their non-profit partners. (the offer is good for multiple names at the same address)
$36- Bundle
Everything in the premium package plus some green goodies. A reuse-able shopping bag, two compact florescent bulbs and a t-shirt.
Green Dimes has worked for over 5 million people to date. The company claims they can eliminate up to 90% of your junk mail. Isn’t it about time you reduced your junk mail?
Happy Pangea Day!
May 10, 2008
In case you haven’t heard about it yet, there’s an exciting experiment going on around the world today.
It’s called Pangea day, and the idea is that by sharing this experience around the world, we can all learn about each other’s cultures.
Locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro will be linked for a live program of powerful films, live music, and visionary speakers. The entire program will be broadcast – in seven languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet, television, and mobile phones.
The 24 short films to be featured have been selected from an international competition that generated more than 2,500 submissions from over one hundred countries. The films were chosen based on their ability to inspire, transform, and allow us see the world through another person’s eyes. Details on the Pangea Day films can be viewed here.
The program will also include a number of exceptional speakers and musical performers. Queen Noor of Jordan, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, musician/activist Bob Geldof, and Iranian rock phenom Hypernova are among those taking part.
It starts at 18:00 GMT (11 PDT) and you can find out lots more here:http://www.pangeaday.org/
Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink.
May 3, 2008
As we water our lawns and take our beloved long hot showers in Silicon Valley it is easy to lose track of how precious water is to our very survival. The World Health Organization tells us that at any moment over half of the world’s 6 Billion people have a disease associated with inadequate drinking water and sanitation. Close to 5 million people die each year from the same
While there are major efforts under way to provide desalination plants http://www.water-technology.net/projects/israel/ , create water sharing agreements between nations, the need is too immediate for many individuals who simply can’t wait for technology. They need pure water now.
Enter water filters like the LifeStraw, an inexpensive point of use device that can be used with little or no instruction, provide clean drinking water for up to a year, and are now being donated to villages around the world.
Another option, for those who can afford it, is the Slingshot. It’s designed by the inventive mind of Dean Kamen (inventor of the Segway). The Slingshot uses a Sterling engine, which can run on pretty much anything that burns (dry manure, coal, propane) and distills 1,000 liters a day of pure water out of any water source, no matter how polluted. As you can see from this video, it’s small, and could easily be transported to where it is needed.
Worms, worms, worms
April 29, 2008
Worm composting can be quite rewarding. Give them a little kitchen waste and the little critters will slave away night and day until they’ve turned that waste into lovely rich fertilizer for your garden.
All they ask for is a cool semi dry spot, some soil and you leftovers.
You can build you worm condo, or you can buy one here for not much moolah.
Start with paper
April 27, 2008
You’d be surprised how much money you can save on paper with just a few tips. Why not start saving money, water and trees today? Here’s how.
First the facts
10,000 sheets of copy paper each year are used by EACH worker in the US.
The United States single-handedly consumes 30% of the world’s paper.
Over 40% of wood pulp goes toward the production of paper
The total costs of using paper in the office can run 13 to 31 times the cost of purchasing the paper in the first place!
What does that mean? For every sheet of paper used, calculating purchasing costs, storage, copying, printing, postage, disposal, and recycling—So, a ream of paper that you paid $5 for can cost up to $155!
Citigroup did a study that showed if each employee used double-sided copying to save just one sheet of paper a week, the firm would save $700,000 a year.
Environmental costs
It takes more than 12 ounces of water to make one sheet of paper.
Over 40% of wood pulp goes toward the production of paper.
What can you do?
- Set your printer defaults to print double-sided, and make double-sided copies when possible.
- Use paper printed on only one side in your fax machine, for draft copies or internal documents, or as scratch paper.
- When you’re done with single sided copies, cut them into 1/2 or 1/4 sheets and staple together to use for notepads
- Use the print preview to spot formatting errors and blank pages before you print. Proofread first, and use the spell/grammar tool to help avoid errors that can cause documents to be reprinted.
- Print only the pages you need. If only a few pages of the document are needed, print only those pages instead of the whole report.
- Promote a “think before you copy” attitude. Consider sharing some documents with co-workers, or using presentation software instead of printing for meetings
- Email memos and newsletters that employees should see, but do not need to keep.
- Use revision features in word processing software instead of printing out drafts and making hand-written comments.
- Store forms electronically so hey can be printed only when needed.
- Create electronic versions of letterhead, so when you move or the letterhead needs updating you don’t throw all the old stuff away!
- Buy recycled-content paper, preferably made from paper pulp recycled without chlorine.
- Fix the copiers and printers. A copier that works well is less likely to jam and this helps save paper
- Use shredded non-sensitive documents for packing material.
- Fill ‘er up. Make sure the dishwasher is full to capacity before you run it. Make the most of the water and energy you’re going to use. A fully loaded dishwasher can save as much as 35% less water than hand-washing
- Run the dishwasher at night or during off-peak hours
- Use phosphate free detergents that are natural and biodegradeable
- Buy smart. Look at the energy guide stickers and find Enery Star appliances whenever possible
- Air dry instead of using the drying cycle on the machine
- Does your dishwasher heat water as it needs it? Good. Then you can turn down tyour hot water heater
- Rinse and re-use your glasses and utensils instead of filling the diswasher with basically clean dishes
- Keep your distance. Having the exhaust from the dishwasher blowing on a refrigerator or water cooler will make that other appliance work harder
- Greywater rules. If you are using biodegradeable soap you may be able to use the washwater for watering plants (check local laws first)
- Replacing a 1994 dishwasher with a current model can save $25 in energy costs and 1,000 gallons of water annually.
- Don’t buy water in plastic bottles. Fill your own from a filter instead.
- Buy items in bulk or from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted.
- Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging.
- Buy products that you can reuse.
- Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.
- Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.
- Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.
- Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
- Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones.
- Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.
- Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags. If you have plastic bags re-sue them as long as you can.
- Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.
- Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material.
- When you buy packing “noodles” buy the kind made from corn products. They are totally recyclable as animal feed or compost.
- Compost your vegetable scraps.
- Buy used furniture – there’s lots and it’s cheaper too!
- Get rid of the pesticides. Bring in beneficial insects or mulch
- Compost your kitchen scraps with worms
- Look for re-cycled planting containers, or use household containers that have seen better days
- Grow your own food. Vegetables from the garden taste SO much better, and they can be quite lovely to look at too
- Join a community garden and share your knowledge with others so they can get green too
- Glean the produce you don’t need from your garden and share it with local food shelters
- Use plants that are native to the area. They’ll grow better and need less coddling
- Add a rain barrel under your downspouts. put a screen over the top to keep out debris and insects and you’ve got water free for the taking
- Water in the early morning hours. The water will soak into the groud before it evaporates
- Mulch. Mulch keeps down insects and weeds and helps to retain moisture
- Plant for the world. Plant for the bees and the butterflies who help our farmers raise their crops.
- Lose the lawn. Lawns use up huge amounts of water for the value they return to the uniuverse. Think about planting sedges or low water plants. Even a vegetable garden uses less water than a lawn.
- Get a push mower. Get your workout and quit stinking up the planet
- • Uses 85% recycled materials
- • All materials are 100% recycleable
- • Recycling the house saves 12 cubic metres of landfill, 39 trees and 30 000 litres of water
- • Extremely low cost, transportable, and flexible, this is a genuine
- housing option that could be used in a variety of temporary applications
- • Autonomous servicing: uses only 12-volt batteries or small photovoltaic cells for power generation
- • Composting system produces nutrient-rich water for gardening
Green your banking
April 27, 2008
Did you know that where your checking account is held can make a difference in how sustainable your community is?
The Social Investment Forum Foundation and Co-op America have launched a campaign to encourage people and institutions to put their banking and investment dollars to work in local communities.
The goal of the 1% or More in Community Campaign is to help grow the community investing industry to more than $25 billion in assets in 2007. This would build off of the success of the Campaign in helping almost quadruple the amount of money involved in community investing between 2000 and 2005, when the industry grew from $5.4 billion in 2000 to $20 billion in 2006. SIF members have made their mark in the community investing industry, they increased their investments in Community Investing Institutions by $1.2 billion (from $800 million in 2002 to $2 billion in 2006).
Visit the website and find a bank or investment group that suits your needs while it uplifts your community!
Solar doesn’t have to break the bank
April 26, 2008
How about heating all or part of your home with your own solar powered heat? It’s not that far away from reality. It can be a simple as this passive heat collector
Or a hot air collector (boy do we need one of those!
It’s not hard to find the materials and tools either. Check out BuildItSolar for all kinds of solar stuff, from toys to panels and full on DIY solar kits.
Or you can just get out, collect some aluminim cans, and get bizzy.
Any way you cut it, Solar does not have to be a full-on roof full of high tech to make an impact!
Green your dishwasher
April 25, 2008
Make less trash
April 24, 2008
There are a lot of ways you can easily reduce what you add to the landfill. Here’s a short list.
Greening your garden
April 14, 2008
Houses of cards
April 13, 2008
Created for the Australian market, this house was designed to be economical to construct, can be be put together by two people in about 6 hours. The walls are held together with nylon fasteners, the roof is a lightweight fabric, and the floor contains a bladder for water storage, (which helps to hold the thing down!)
According to the website , this house is 85 percent recycled materials are used. By creating a home form cardboard it will save 12 cubic meters of landfill, 39 tress and over 30,000 liters of water. There is only a 12 volt battery or a small photovoltaic cell for a power generator. Which will cut on energy bills and save conserve energy.
Environmental features
About the Architects – Stutchbury and Pape
Recognised in Australia and abroad as an accomplished and inspired design firm, Stutchbury and Pape has built works ranging from residential to institutional and public buildings. The practice has received 24 RAIA awards since 1995, and a total of 57 local, state and national architecture and environment awards.
Stutchbury and Pape’s methods appear simple: the genesis of their designs are within each specific site. But they also have a reputation for innovation, an approach that marries the intellect of sustainable principles with the grace of architecture.
The elimination of waste in all its forms is a primary design guide for Stutchbury and Pape. They believe that materials require modelling to suit their use: particularly in the ease, cost and duration of replacement materials. They assemble buildings for flexibility, disassembly, reuse and predetermined lifecycles, so that a building is always seen as a resource.
Banning Flame Retardants
April 5, 2008
Flame retardants may be making you, your kids and, especially, your cat, sick.
A few years ago a study on flameretardents found in a host of common materials were causing illness.
polybrominated diphenyl ether ( or PBDE) compounds are turning up at tremendously high levels in cats. Apparently due to ol puss lyining on the couch, the carpets, on top of you monitor and then grooming the stuff right into their system.
PBDEs are determined by the EPA to impair thyroid functioning. They’ve been used s as flame retardants in household products like furniture, carpet padding, and electronics since the 70’s.
While it may be incidental that thyroid problems ( feline hyperthyroidism) has dramatically increased since then, a study by the American Chemical Society thinks it may be no co-incidence.
Pead the study summary) PBDEs are known to impair thyroid functioning. They have been used since the late 1970s as flame retardants in household products, including upholstered furniture, carpet padding, and electronics. During that same time period, the incidence of a cat thyroid ailment, known as feline hyperthyroidism, has risen dramatically.
Read the study summary here:
The study says” We hypothesized that increases in FH were, in part, related to increased PBDE exposure, with key routes of exposure being diet and ingestion of house dust.” In part, and the study leads us to think that maybe our cats are serving as the proverbial canary in the coal mine?
Oh and of course it’s not just the cats. What about junior who puts everything in his mouth and spends the day crawling in the dust bunnies?
Again from the study “young children are exposed to far more dust than older people. Cats’ meticulous and continuous grooming habits could conceivably result in PBDE uptake similar to what toddlers are exposed to through their increased contact with floors and “mouthing” behaviors”.
So what to do what to do?
the European Union banned the use of PBDEs in 2003. California’s ban goes into effect in 2008, and Washington state has banned it too.
See what the David Suzuki Foundation is recommending.
Dowload this PDF of smart shoppers guide to non-PBDE products and get the PDBE’s out of your house.
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