Urban Farming : Hydroponics in NYC

New York City has thousands of empty rooftops; flat, unused, full sun, vacant land. It’Äôs enough space to feed 15 million people. Check out this video about state of the art urban farming techniques.



"Keeping agriculture sustainable increasingly means keeping it local. Besides the environmental benefit of reducing reliance on fossil-fuel guzzling transportation, eating local food is a more seasonal and often healthier experience. With concern about food security growing, it might turn out to be safer, too. The folks in charge of the Science Barge, a new urban farming experiment in New York, are bringing local food production closer than ever. In this video Vanessa Rae learns about the floating greenhouse facility, which is designed as a demonstration of how urban space, especially rooftop space in big cities like New York, can be used to efficiently produce food. Self-powered by solar panels, wind turbines, and a biodiesel generator, the Science Barge uses state of the art computer technology and an agricultural technique called hydroponics to grow fruits and veggies using much less water and space than field farming. Watch out, city slickers. Farm country is coming to your neighborhood."

via River Wired.

The Big Book of Green Design

I recently found out that several of my recent pieces are included in the new book from Crescent Hill Books: The Big Book of Green Design. This is the latest in a terrific run of environmental/socially conscious themed books coming out for graphic designers in the past two years*, which is a welcome relief after the long drought that preceded it. The Big Book of Green Design is definitely more of a coffee table book than a reference manual, but with an intro by Re-Nourish founder Eric Benson, hundreds of visual examples, and several detailed case studies it should be a fairly inspiring resource for anyone interested in the environmental direction businesses big and small are taking. The book is scheduled for release later this month, ask for it at your local independent bookstore.

*See also my reviews of: Green Graphic Design, SustainAble, and Do Good Design.

Got Humans ?

Do you have a lush green planet with a self sustaining ecosystem? Then you need humans! In just a few short years we will destroy it for you. [FYI contains Not Safe For Work language]

via

Linkage: Plastering Over Kids and Avoiding Gorilla Gazes

Freaky ads make a powerful statement about neglected children. (image shown)

A clever way to get people to see an art exhibition... pay them!

One zoo's solution to gorillas who don't like to be watched? Literal eye glasses. (image shown) via

Roughstock Studios helps you choose the right Green Certification.

New Japanese vending machines are dispensing free snacks during disasters. Thanks Carlos!

FEMA is no longer distributing their disaster coloring book (but you can still download it from the Smoking Gun).

The always dependable Onion explains how corporations are going green. via

Type is for the birds...literally. (image by swardraws shown) Thanks Juliette!

Book Review: Green Graphic Design

Green Graphic Design, by Brian Dougherty of Celery Design Collaborative, is the second new eco-graphics handbook I’Äôve read in the past year. This is a pretty big deal, considering I’Äôve spent the previous six years using out-of-date (and often out-of-print) books to introduce the subject to my socially conscious design students. It’Äôs a nice problem to actually have some resources to choose between and while I may have a bit of bias towards Aaris Sherin’Äôs SustainAble, since my own work appears in it, I like to believe that I came at Green Graphic Design with an open mind. However, it is impossible for me to read and review it without comparing the books.
Two of the major advantages of Dougherty’Äôs book are clear from the outset: it’Äôs a smaller-sized paperback, which makes it less of a coffee table book and more useful as a day-to-day manual and it costs nearly half as much.
After a strong introduction, which speaks to the broader idea of socially conscious design, even though it sticks with the term ’Äúgreen design’Äù, the book settles into a fairly solid overview of the issues and techniques of environmental graphic design. In terms of technical information covered, both Green Graphic Design and SustainAble are on fairly equal ground.
Where Green Graphic Design falters, however, is in the question of audience. The text more often than not seems geared towards people who have little or no professional experience. This would be ideal for a student audience, except that the practical examples, the majority of which involve projects for Celery’Äôs large corporate clients, will be most useful to people who are already able make choices about custom pocket folders and mass-produced consumer packaging. Package design seems like something that is better covered in a book on green industrial design (a topic which has many more books already associated with it) and most graphic design students I know won’Äôt be dealing with work at the scale that Celery handles for a long time (if ever).
In the end, Green Graphic Design reads more like an elaborate self-promotion for Celery that is supplemented with some useful information on working environmentally rather than the other way around. The diversity of the projects and voices in SustainAble still make it my primary recommendation, but Green Graphic Design is an acceptable choice for those who are new to the topic, especially if portability and cost are your primary concerns.

Green Graphic Design
by Brian Dougherty
Allworth Press
$24.95

Smells Clean

The Reality campaign continues its series of entertaining "Clean" Coal commercials...

Green Christmas

MC Lars wishes you a Green Christmas...



Thanks Mica!

Green Earth

One year after the 2007 "Love Your Earth" competition, Designboom.com along with TOBU department store and the Design Associaton Japan (DA) launched a new competition last summer : "Green Earth". This is an international design competition open to everyone created to raise awareness of the environmental issues affecting the planet.

There are two categories, the first one being "Green" and the second one being "Earth".
Green: Create a graphic artwork that illustrates the environmental protection and how human beings and nature could coexist in a greener world.
Earth: Give the gift of a greener world at Christmas. Create a graphic artwork that will make this festive time of the year a moment to consider what we can do to help our planet’Äôs survival.

The designers of the 5 winning entries were granted with cash prize awards

Also, TOBU department store printed a selection of the shortlisted entries on their "eco-bags" and other promotional material, which have been shown during the Tokyo Designer’Äôs Week 2008 (30 October - 03 November, 2008).

3966 designers from 91 different countries participated and the winners are :

1st Prize : "greening" design by : ji yoon yang from korea.

2nd Prize : "recycle at xmas" design by : benjamyn cox + lloyd moffat from uk.























3rd Prize : "plain cloud" design by : glen baghurst + matthew cullin from australia























santa's readjustment ' design by : camila gimeno from chile

See the results.

source.

SustainAble Book + Interview

SustainAble is an invaluable new practical handbook on environmentally conscious graphic design from Rockport Books. Author Aaris Sherin, has done a fantastic job of compliling the latest information on materials and techniques for designers interested in working with the environment in mind [full disclosure, my company is featured prominenetly, but I really would recommend it regardless]. Not only is the content on point, but the book itself was printed using a range of sustainable methods (a rarity in publishing). Going beyond standard recycled papers, they actually used make-ready sheets for the covers and end papers. The last real handbook on these issues (The Complete Guide To Eco-Friendly Design by Poppy Evans) came out in 1997 and has been out of print for years, so this type of book has been long overdue. Considering the massive increase in interest in going "green" by corporate America, the need for designers knowledgeable about these issues will only continue to grow as well. Kudos to Rockport being the first to fill the void.

Aaris kindly agreed to a mini-interview about the book, so I sent her a few minimalist questions to answer however she interpreted them...

ALR: Why now?
Aaris Sherin: Graphic Designers tend to be concerned about social and environmental issues, and yet many have not idea how to apply this ideology to their professional practice. Increasingly clients are asking for eco-friendly design solutions and many practitioners are tasked with having to learn the relevant problem-solving and technical specifications for environmentally preferable production. To date there really hasn't been a comprehensive resource to go to for this information. My idea was to make a sort of one-stop reference for
those interested in the topic. The book covers topics that include sustainable forestry, basic history and theory, as well as practical information about eco-friendly production materials and techniques. The second half of the book is devoted to case studies that trace how designers approached specific projects with the environment and social systems in mind.

ALR: How?
Aaris Sherin: The book is filled with tips for how to approach design problem solving and production with sustainability in mind. Here are a few of the most basic. 1. Using proper sizes or asking for custom sheets is an easy way to reduce waste 2. Every designer should be able to identify and understand the value of FSC and other third part certifications 3. Eco-friendly paper doesn't always cost more. 4. Creating customized environmental checklists is a great way to bring consistent value to clients

ALR: So what?
Aaris Sherin: I really believe that design has a crucial role to play as we move toward the cultural shift that will need to happen in order to become more sustainable. Graphic design is so often the conduit between manufacturing/services and customers/audiences; as such we can bring value to clients who working with environmental and social consciousness in mind. By making simple changes in the way we work and offering our services to like-minded organizations there is an opportunity to make fantastic, visually arresting work that doesn't have to cost the earth.

ALR: What's next?
Aaris Sherin: There are so many people (many of whom were early adopters) who have created their own resources, libraries, and community groups for teaching and practicing sustainable design. As I talked to people I realized that a lot of them are duplicating each other's work. We really need more resources and more sharing of information so that the next generation isn't tasked with replicating our work.


SustainAble is in stores now and of course available via Powells and Amazon.com.

Greenhouse Gorillas?

I'm not sure what to make of Gorilla in the Greenhouse, a new animated online kid's series, from SustainLane.



It's nice that kids are being sold something other than materialism, but do fantasy/reductionist versions of eco-issues actually inspire children to activism? And will this have any more effect than the old Captain Planet?



or Toxic Crusaders?

What Izzit?

IzzitGreen is a new community review site that allows visitors to rate their local businesses not only on the usual factors of service, quality, etc., but also on their environmental aspects as well (i.e. Is it green?). The site is currently only beta testing for the Boston area.

Heal Your Home

Co-op America, has created a great primer for making healthy environmental choices in your home. The section called "Heal Your Home" is broken down into Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom, Exterior, and Overall Health Homes and includes a glossary and additional related articles. You can browse the articles online HERE or download the entire thing as a PDF.

Green Drinks

Looking for a low key way to connect with fellow environmentally sensitive business folks? The Green Drinks networking group brings together diverse folks in a variety of industries in informal settings across the globe. There are nearly 400 groups in over 30 countries (each self organized) so there's probably one in your neck of the woods. Find out more HERE.

Thanks Carra & Scott!

Environmental Reality TV

A local cable station in Boston has created Energy Smackdown a reality TV show about families competing to see who can reduce their carbon footprint the most. You can watch episodes of the series HERE. And find out who won and how they did it HERE.

No More Paper Catalogs!

Catalog Choice is a free service that helps you get rid of unwanted catalogs in your mail. By utilizing customer codes that are printed on catalogs you can even get rid of ones that come in someone else's name to your address! Find out more and sign up HERE.

Free Wayfinding Graphics

I recently discovered that the classic wayfinding graphics, seen in most American airports and other transportation hubs, are available as free vector art from the AIGA.

The icons were developed by the AIGA in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation and were originally released in 1974 and added to in 1979. The entire set of symbols are Copyright Free(!) and can be downloaded HERE.

News Roundup

Sorry for the long quiet from me, I've got a bunch to post and hope to be updating more frequently in the coming weeks. First off some news clippings I've been collecting...

From the Christian Science Monitor:

Ethiopians tradmarking coffee to ensure Fair Trade.

Eating "green" at environmentally friendly restaurants.

Study finds White House manipulated climate science.

Africa begins banning plastic bags.

Compact Fluorescent Recycling

You now have another way to recycle your dead compact fluorescent light bulbs, you can take them with you to Ikea. The store's new program allows you to bring in any brand of CFLs thus preventing the toxic mercury within from ending up in landfills.

via EcoGeek

News Roundup

Several great articles have appeared in recent issues of the Christian Science Monitor:

Ugandan women improve their lives making paper beads.

Green roofs appearing on New York houses.

Trash ovens in Kenya save trees.

Reducing the racist disparity between crack and cocaine sentencing.

And from Mother Jones:

Chinese toy imports and the lack of U.S. safety regulations.
Which is followed by a short list of stories about the problems with a self-regulating industry including this gem:

HASBRO EASY-BAKE OVENS In 2006, Hasbro overhauled its iconic oven with a new design and heating system. By the following February, the company had to recall nearly 1 million ovens because children had suffered burns after getting their hands caught in them. Rather than taking the ovens back, Hasbro got the cpsc [consumer product safety commission] to sign off on an easier fix: It would send a repair kit to any consumer who requested it. The ovens were recalled again this July, after 77 kids had gotten burned; one five-year-old had to have a finger amputated. This time, consumers got to return their ovens’Äîfor a voucher, good only for another Hasbro product.

21 Things You Didn't Know You Can Recycle

The current issue of Co-Op America Quarterly gives a quick overview of recycling options for just about everything you can think of (from Appliances to Tyvek Envelopes) in "21 Things You Didn't Know You Can Recycle". It's pretty basic, but if you know someone who is just getting becoming more environmentally concerned it's a good starting place. Get the entire list of 21 things here.

Anita Roddick 1942-2007

Say what you will about the Body Shop, but there is no denying that the store's founder Dame Anita Roddick was a pioneer in the world of socially conscious business and a tireless activist with a true interest in doing good in the world. Our condolences to her family, she will be missed.

Read her obituary in the New York Times and via BBC News.

PARK(ing) Day: September 21

Started in San Francisco in 2005, PARK(ing) Day is now an international event of small proportions. City dwellers worldwide are encouraged to build a mini-park in a parking spot to draw attention to how streets are utilized and the lack greenspace in urban areas. Find out more and directions for making your own Park(ing) Space here.

Thanks Mim!

Clothesline Activism

It may seem ridiculous, but homeowners in many areas are actually restricted from doing a simple activity that can help the environment while saving money and energy. Yep, the old fashioned clothesline has been banned in communities across the US as an ugly blight on neighborhoods (and more specifically on property values). Happily there are some folks that are working change the situation. Project Laundry List is spreading the word about the benefits of air drying and the bigger issue of unsustainable energy consumption, while working to change the laws that prohibit drying clothes outside. Find out more and how to get involved here.

Blog Action Day: October 15th

There a lot of talk about the power that bloggers wield, so the folks behind Blog Action Day decided to test it out. Their simple plan: to have as many bloggers as possible post about environmental issues on October 15th. Will it make a difference? Wait and see or participate and see. More info here.

Rough Guide: Shopping with a Conscience

I recently picked up the Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience and I can't say enough great things about it. Rather than a listing of "green" stores, this handy guide gives a thorough and well-reasoned overview of the issues that face consumers who are interested in consuming from an ethical perspective. From food and household goods to travel and investing, the guide gives a fair assessment of the pros and cons of the different options that currently exist (including opting out) as well as plenty of resources for further investigation. The introduction clearly sets the tone:

"Socially responsible shopping ’Äì and ethical consumerism in general ’Äì is about taking responsibility for you day-to-day impact upon the world. It doesn't mean deluding yourself into thinking that shopping with a conscience can solve all the world's problems, or that the check-out is the new ballot box. And it doesn't mean following a prescriptive list of evil companies and countries that need to be boycotted. It means taking the time to learn a little about how your lifestyle affects people, planet and animals, and making your own decisions about what constitutes an ethical or unethical purchase."

I couldn't have said it better myself! And unlike the similar, but much heftier tome from World Changing, The Rough Guide is easy for someone new to the issues to pick up and read without feeling daunted. Plus the small size makes it more likely to get thrown in a backpack and carried on shopping trips. I highly recommended it for new and seasoned ethical shoppers alike.

Find out more or purchase it at the Rough Guide site or ask for it at your local bookstore.

Freitag's Recycled Shipping Container Store

Freitag, Swiss manufacturer of sexy recycled bags, has built a new flagship store in Zurich out of recycled shipping containers! More details at Telstar Logistics.

via Superuse.org

The First Zero Emissions Computer

EcoGeek has a review of the Zonbu, the first zero-emissions computer. The small PC, which has no moving parts and runs on Linux seems to be a good choice for basic computer users. The one catch is that you are required to subscribe to their service for storing files online, since internal memory is limited (though they explain why this might not be a drawback). Read the full review here.

What's wrong with Ethanol.

Co-op America's new exposˆ© on corn ethanol gives a detailed explanation of why it will not be the environmental panacea that the U.S. government touts it to be and how it could actually make the situation much worse. Get the facts here.

Carbon Conscious Consumer

New American Dream wants you to become a Carbon Conscious Consumer. Their site posts monthly challenges (last month's was to eat one pound a week of local food) and lists the carbon emissions saved by the folks who pledge to participate. They're even offering eco-friendly prizes to folks who get the most people involved in the campaign. Find out more here.

News Roundup

A few more great stories from the Christian Science Monitor:

• The Donkey Health and Welfare Project helps the often under appreciated pack animal in Ethiopia.
• Chocolate, yet another product that fuels war in Africa.
• "Can 'Green Chic' save the planet?"

About the Monitor

Computer Recycling Made Easy

The Computer Take Back Campaign has made a simple downloadable PDF of the latest information on recycling old computers for individual consumers. If you're ready upgrade grab this handy guide here (PDF updated March 07). And if you want to learn more about or join the campaign to encourage computer manufacturers to take more responsibility for the products they create visit the Computer Take Back site for details.

Wolfgang Puck wants animals to be happy.

World-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck writes in a recent Newsweek article about his growing interest in animal welfare (as well as promotion of organic non-GMO food and reduced reliance on disposable packaging!):

I've been thinking a lot lately about how it's up to chefs like me to help everyone stay healthy. It's not just about reducing obesity and diabetes, though that's obviously a priority. It's about getting every one of us to eat the right foods. That means buying produce from responsible farmers who grow fruits and vegetables that aren't covered with pesticides or genetically modified. It means getting meat from ranchers who not only shun the use of antibiotics and growth hormones, but also raise their animals humanely in a free-roaming environment. I'm not going soft, or, heaven forbid, vegan. I'm just trying to be more accountable to myself, my customers and to those who are farming responsibly. And if it means being nicer to animals along the way, well, that's a big bonus.

Read the entire article here.

Thanks Mica!

WSJ on Organic Lawns

The Wall Street Journal discovers organic gardening...

Hop on the Green Train

It seems Amtrak has jumped on the Green bandwagon with the most recent issue of their Arrive magazine (which is in seat back pockets on their Northeast lines). Titled "Special Green Issue" the cover announces that it was printed on recycled paper (only 10% post-consumer waste and paid for by an advertiser) and contains articles on subjects like "Recyclable Shopping" (flea markets!), "Sustainable Dining" (seafood specifically), "Environmental Investing" (land conservation) and an interview with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The rest of the issue is their standard fare and I assume they'll go back to non-recycled paper next issue. Definitely not the most progressive take on environmentalism, but it's a start. I look forward to the day that "Green Issue"s are the norm and not "special".

If you're interested you can read the entire Arrive Green Issue online here.

French (Bicycle) Revolution

Starting July 15th Parisians will have access to 10, 648 rentable bikes (going up to 20,600 by January). Rental stations will be situated so that none will 900 feet from anywhere in the city proper. Costs will be minimal with the project aimed at commuters over tourists. The only catch? It's being paid for by an advertising company in exchange for 1,600 billboards.

More details here.

A billboard I don't hate?

This billboard for South African Nedbank actually has solar panels on it that generate electricity for the kitchens of a neighboring elementary school.

Full details and more pix at Houtlust.

EcoGeek

EcoGeek is nother excellent addition to the green blogging world. They compile green technology stories from across the blogosphere and also provide original articles like "Ask the EcoGeek".

Thanks Jessica!

B Corporation

B Corporation is a new organization promoting a higher level of responsibility for businesses that want to be considered green. To be considered a B Corporation businesses must meet a comprehensive set of social environmental standards, plus institutionalize stakeholder interests. The organization is still in it's early stages, so it will be interesting to see if they can set a standard that is recognized and has an impact on the business world.

To Carbon Offset or Not To Carbon Offset

I've been debating the merits of carbon offsets and whether they are really helping to encourage greener living, or just encouraging people to throw money at a problem rather than acting differently (especially as I have been reviewing green hosting options). So I was happy to discover an article about just this topic in the current issue of Mother Jones (May/June), "Practical Values: Paying for My Hot Air" :

Because air travel is my biggest vice, I started by plugging a year's worth of flights into various online travel calculators. The cost of redemption for 34,000 air miles: $168, according to NativeEnergy; $160.89 per MyClimate; or $64.95 on TerraPass. When I added up my total carbon footprint (air travel, auto, and home energy), the price tags ranged from $180 to $408 per year. Why would anyone spend $408 when she could choose a $180 offset instead?

"As a tendency, the cheaper the program, the more likely it is that the quality is not very good," says Wolfgang Strasdas, who recently completed a study on carbon offsets for the International Ecotourism Society. Strasdas judged carbon-offset companies on three main factors: how credible they are, how they spend your money, and how they calculate emissions. The latter accounts for the major discrepancies in price, especially regarding air travel.

Read the entire article (along with a handy carbon offset comparison chart) here.

Bloomin' Business Card

I love this design for a business card that grows from Jamie Wieck.

via BoingBoing

Greener Technology

Green Tech is a new online guide to sustainable technology from CNET. Articles include 25 Ways To Go Green, Earth Friendly Downloads, Online Tools for Staying Green, and more.

Thanks Cory!

Community Supported Consumptiton

SustainLane is a new community based online directory of green products and services, where you can search for reviews and/or add your own. While still in it's early stages (a query for Sun Screen pulled up only 3 items), it has the potential to be a great resource for folks who want to know more before they shop.

The folks behind SustainLane also provide sustainability rankings for the 50 biggest US cities; as well as government focused site; and even an animated series called The UnSustainables.

Toxic Art Supplies

Co-op Ameria's: Real Money has an article on the potential toxic hazards of art supplies and how to identify and avoid them. They also provide a list of resources including a couple of recipes for homemade paints and dyes. Read the article here.

Groen!

Simple clear message from the Belgian Green Party.



Thanks to copywriter Filip Vandewiele for sending it along.

Green Hosting

For the first time in many years I need to find a new web host for one of my websites and I decided to review the socially conscious options. Happily it turns out there are a lot of green hosting services these days. I've listed a bunch of folks I found below. The hard part now is deciding whom to use (which is definitely better than having no options at all).

FYI most hosts that call themselves green have offset their energy consumption with pollution credits (also called going "carbon neutral") via businesses like green-e; AISO is the one exception I've found so far.

• Acorn Host is woman owned.
• Affordable Internet Services Online has actual solar panels (which you can watch via webcam).
• DreamHost is a hugely popular mainstream hosting service that is employee owned.
• Sustainable Websites gives you access to green marketing articles.
• ThinkHost will plant a tree for you.

I still haven't decided where to go do if you have any recommendations for any of them them or know of any others to check out please share your thoughts.

UPDATE
Thanks to scoid who pointed us to Ecologee.net, which has already done the hard work for us. The site tracks hosts that are using actual renewable energy (not credits) and is working to create an entirely "green internet"!

On Vacation(s)

My company and I are taking a holiday starting tomorrow. For a week and a half we'll be happily away from phones and computers. My sister Mica graciously agreed to take the reins and serve as guest editor here at Another Limited Rebellion blog while I'm away, so unless you're heading out on vacation as well, definitely keep checking back with us daily!

Speaking of which here are some links to eco-vacation resources for those of you who want to plan summer getaways from an environmental perspective...

The International Ecotourism Society - Promoting environmental travel. Their global conference is happening in Oslo, Norway right now.

The National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations - Tons of well researched info.

Responsible Travel - Ecotourist holiday packages for folks in the US, UK, EU, and Australia.

Bulungula Lodge - Accredited Fair Trade tourist destination in South Aftica (shown left).

The above links were found accompanying this article on Geotourism in Ode Magazine.

Drug Testing vs. Soap Testing

Check out this awesome bit of bizarre news, turned into humorously positive marketing for the excellent Dr. Bronner's soaps...



via WFMU

Real Costs: The Plug-In

Dare you add the Real Costs plug-in to your browser (assuming it's Firefox) and discover the CO2 emissions reality of your travel plans? Right now it works with Orbitz, Delta, and United, but future versions will work with car direction, car rental and shipping sites. Download it and start cringing today.

via StayFree!

Farmers' Market(ing)

One of the things I do when I'm not running Another Limited Rebellion (the design studio AND blog) is help coordinate SPROUT a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Group that I founded. SPROUT provides organizational, administrative, and marketing services to small organic farms and/or gardens that are interested in starting a CSA, but either don’Äôt have the time or resources to do so themselves.

Community Supported Agriculture is a form of mutual partnership between farmers and consumers. Rather than go through several layers of middle people, consumers make a commitment to directly support an individual farm by providing money (and sometimes labor) for their yearly operating budget. In exchange they receive a dividend of the freshest produce possible. Each supporter buys a ’Äúshare’Äù of the farm (not unlike a share of stock) and takes on some of the risks and benefits of growing food along with the farmer. CSA’Äôs are a unique way for people to have a better knowledge of the food they put in their bodies and the process, people & land it takes to produce it.

This season SPROUT is partnering with Victory Farms, Inc., a small family run farm, which relocated from Phoenix, Arizona to Hanover, VA.

You can out more about CSA's via the Robyn VanEn Center at Wilson College, find a CSA in your area at Local Harvest, or if you're in the vicinity of Richmond, VA please consider joining SPROUT this season, an application can be downloaded here (PDF).

Ethanol Is Not Green

A recent report from Stanford University concludes that the much hyped corn based Ethanol is not only NOT a "clean-burning" eco-fuel, but that in the long run it may cause more deaths than traditional gasoline. According to Mark Z. Jacobson, the scientist that conducted the research:

"In our study, E85 increased ozone-related mortalities in the United States by about 200 deaths per year compared to gasoline, with about 120 of those deaths occurring in Los Angeles," Jacobson said. "These mortality rates represent an increase of about 4 percent in the U.S. and 9 percent in Los Angeles above the projected ozone-related death rates for gasoline-fueled vehicles in 2020."

Read more about the report's conclusions here.

Pledge to Live a One Planet Life

This Earth Day Care2 asks you to pledge to live a One Planet Life...

Hearst Gets Greener

Hearst made quite a statement last year with the opening of it's entirely green NYC headquarters.
This week they have announced a new consumer website which will be entirely focused on earth-friendly living called The Daily Green (link).

The Daily Green will be a one-stop Web destination where the fast-growing community of green consumers can find each other and everything they need to know to embrace a more energy-conscious, natural foods-oriented and environment-friendly lifestyle.

The Daily Green will feature daily eco-tips; the day’Äôs key national and international environmental news; advice on how to enjoy a more sustainable life with smart energy and product choices; delicious recipes for meals and school lunches that are more hormone- and pesticide-free, compassionately raised and ’Äúas local-as-available’Äù; and ideas for creating a more toxin-free home. While content will be an important element of The Daily Green, it is the community of followers of the green movement that will inform the sensibility of the site. For example, Weird Weather Watch, a user-generated photoblog of climate change snapped by backyard environmentalists and camera phone climatologists will be an important feature, as will user-submitted recipes and tips. In addition, the site will give a voice to the leaders of the country’Äôs most important environmental organizations through blog postings and site links.

The beta version will launch on Earth Day, April 22 2007. Check back here for further investigation at that time!

Until then you can go read
more about the Hearst Tower (Link)

Environmentalism for Girls

The new website The Big Green Purse, created by writer and socially conscious marketer Diane MacEachern, is attempting to make the world a better place by focusing on women's shopping habits noting that "women spend $.85 of every dollar in the marketplace."

41 dollars = 41 Pounds

The group 41 Pounds wants to help the environment by helping you eliminate junk mail from your life. For $41 dollars the group, which donates 1/3 of the amount to environmental charities, estimates the average American gets 41 pounds of junk mail a year and that their service can eliminate about 90% of it for at least 5 years. Find out more here.

via idUnited, thanks Nev!