Things you should know
Coal is Not the Answer: Sierra Club Launches Coal-Debunking Campaign
The coal industry has spent hundreds of millions of dollars this year alone trying to convince politicians and the people who elect them that coal is now or will soon be “clean.” And now the Sierra Club is pushing back with a PR blitz of their own called, "Coal is Not the Answer."
The Quickest Way to Begin Greening Your House
70% of people who have programmable thermostats don't. Why? Because they're intimidated and feel them too complex. Ecobee has recently put out a smart thermostat that has a touch based interface, can be controlled and monitored from your computer, will show you exactly how much energy you're currently using, and can remind you when to replace your filters and give your equipment a tune up.
UK Starts World’s Largest Algae Biofuel Initiative
While food-based biofuels are taking the heat for rising food prices, other solutions - like algae - are gaining a more serious following. For example, the UK’s Carbon Trust has announced plans for a project to make algae bio-fuels a commercial reality by the year 2020
Simran Sethi: Burn, Baby, Burn (The Eco Impact of Candles)
Candlelight is one of the joys of long winter nights and the holidays that come with cold weather. But buring a few paraffin wax candles can make the air quality of your home worse than that of Los Angeles. From lead wicks to chemicals scents, this post points out healthier options, like local beeswax.
24 African Countries Double Their Yield Using Organic Farming
A recently released UN report on the effects of organic, or near organic, farming methods in 24 African countries has some interesting, and encouraging, findings. 114 projects in the 24 African countries were analyzed and the results found that yields more than doubled where the organic, or near organic, methods were implemented. In East Africa the results were even more impressive.
Exxon Brings Hydrogen Pipeline To Gulf Coast
Exxon Mobil has entered in to a long-term contract with Air Products for constructing a new Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) Hydrogen production facility in Louisiana. The facility will be connected to Air Products’ Louisiana Hydrogen Pipeline Network and will service Exxon Mobil’s Baton Rouge, Louisiana refinery. It will also provide services to other customers in the region and is expected to be online by March 2010.
FedEx Ups Its Solar Power Production To Almost Double
The new solar panel installation is slated for completion by 2010; a 1.4-megawatt (MW) solar power system that will generate 1.3 GWh of electricity/year. That is equivalent to the yearly consumption of 370 homes!
Ebay Bans Sales of Endangered Animals
A report to be released later on Tuesday by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) says most sales of ivory products through eBay were done on the company's U.S. site.
Science or Sci Fi?Solar Satellites in Space Beam Endless Energy to Earth
Is beaming energy from space bound solar satellites the answer to our energy crisis? Harvard Professor and President Emeritas of the National Space Society, Ben Bova seems to think so…
USDA, USDA, How Many Consumer Protection Programs Have You Killed Today?
Buyer Beware. At the end of September, the USDA quietly halted a program called the Agricultural Chemical Usage Program. The program’s purpose was to measure pesticide use in fruit and vegetable crops. The reason cited for the move was cost...
Google helps non-profit to Digg the Environment
I Plant Trees, a non-profit organization, is dedicated solely to reforestation in the United States. The organization recently created a sponsors link using Google AdSense. AdSense uses a "pay-per-click" advertising format. A spokesman with the organization said, "this is a great way for us to generate funds for reforestation!"
Editt Tower: A Simply Amazing Eco-Friendly Building Design
T. R. Hamzah & Yeang International architectural firm’s Editt Tower design is a truly amazing design that is packed with sustainable amenities and mindful of it’s environmental impact on every level right down to site selection...
20 Amazing Ways to Reuse Skateboards
Skateboarding has inspired an entire generation and now it is inspiring designers and artists. Here are 20 cool things that are made from skateboards and skateboard parts. Most of them are made from recycled and salvaged boards, but unfortunately not all of them are. I will say for the inspired and crafty among just about all of these would make great DIYs…
State of the Green Union Report released
GenGreen revealed its State of the Green Union Report for Autumn 2008 yesterday. This is an exclusive feature on their site that will only be released four times a year. The report is loaded with information on developing trends in the eco-sphere while also providing stories of the local, independent busiensses and service providers that are demonstrating these trends across the country.
What the average American eats and what it takes to make it
The average American eats 67 pounds of beef a year (or about 1/10th of a cow). Problem is, that takes 167,500 gallons of water, 1072 pounds of grain, and 3.35 acres of land to produce...
Young Women In Poverty See The Bright Side During The Economic Crisis
The World Bank and the Nike Foundation launched a new $20 million program to help teach women in developing nations job skills. It will start in six African and Middle Eastern countries.
“Investing in young women is one way to break the inter-generational pattern of poverty,” World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick said at the bank’s D.C. headquarters. “It’s the right thing to do, and it’s also going to be smart economics.” “This is a movement. It’s taken off,” said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a managing director at the World Bank. The President of Nike said, “Our greatest resource overall in breaking the cycle of poverty is the adolescent girl,” he said. “We’re building a bridge between relevant training and real jobs that helps accelerate the economy.”
Plant a Tree in the U.S.
I Plant Trees is a non-profit organization dedicated to reforestation of the United States. Provide your support by purchasing the annual T-Shirt. A TREE WILL BE PLANTED FOR EVERY SHIRT PURCHASED.
New Apple MacBook Good For The Environment. And Cool!
Usually, when a new computer comes out, all that matters is the speed and the cost. So what if the cost was also related to how environmentally safe the product was? Apple took a huge step today by unveiling new laptops that are not only cutting edge, but are some of the most environmentally conscious computers available today.
Eco-Libris blog reviews two Little Green Books and offers a giveaway of 4 books of this line!
Eco-Libris blog reviews two books of Simon and Schuster's Little Green Books line. We also have a great giveaway - Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing are giving away one package that includes 4 of the Little Green Books! All you need to do to participate is just to answer what is the best way to plant the seeds for earth-friendly living at an early age.
Artistic Recycling: Amazing Uses for Leftover Bottle Caps
... As we awaken to the realities of pollution and other serious environmental issues, we need to find ways to solve our “man made” problems. Upcycling is a way of converting our garbage into other things which can be used and enjoyed again...
