[spotlight]

a daily dose of info & resources on sustainable style

Art With Heart
October 29, 2007
Art With Heart is a nonprofit organization that empowers youth who are facing trauma, illness, or other crises through therapeutic books and artistic healing programs that supports expression of both their suffering and strength. It's programs have reached around the world and have helped children, as well as family and friends of children, process difficult times.
Art With Heart
Asia is Green
October 5, 2007
The new AsiaIsGreen website by Green Future Solutions is an outstanding source for all things environmental in Asia. Founder Eugene Tay's insight will help both individuals and businesses go green. They're over a month old now, and are adding new content all the time, so check back often!
From their site, "We understand that Asia faces great challenges in protecting its environment as it develops economically. The people in Asia are beginning to be aware of their impacts on the environment and they wish for economic prosperity without harming the planet. Is it possible to see a future where Asia is green? We do not hope that Asia is green and we have given up that hope because when hope dies, action begins. We have decided to take action to create a future where Asia is green and AIG is our small contribution towards that future. A green future for Asia is not a dream but a responsibility to Nature and our children."
AsiaIsGreen.com
Is Global Warming Changing Fashion Trends?
September 4, 2007
Global warming is changing the way fashion works, according to the Wall Street Journal: "One of the most surprising effects of climate changes can be found in your closet: With the exception of heavy winter coats and flimsy sundresses, there aren't a lot of truly seasonal clothes in many people's wardrobes anymore."
Further, "The move toward seasonless dressing is largely an effect of climate change. In most places in the Northern Hemisphere, the weather is getting warmer, and winters are shorter and less extreme, according to the Center for Climate Systems Research at Columbia University in New York. Radley Horton, a climatologist at the center says 11 of the Earth's 12 warmest years since 1890 occurred after 1996. But in recent years, he says, 'there are less extreme differentials between seasons,' he says. The result: Spring is starting earlier by a week to 10 days, and fall is starting about a week later."
online.wsj.com via treehugger.com
Sundance Channel Adds Green Mapping to Eco-mmunity
July 12, 2007
The Sundance Channel has added a green mapping service to their Eco-mmunity suite of suites. In addition to finding green people, attractions, businesses, you can use it to network with other greenies and even add your own favorites.
sundancechannel.com
The Climate: Call For Concepts from Droog Design
June 6, 2007
Realizing that global warming is indeed a global problem, Droog Design has put out an international call for entries for a design solution to climate change and they're taking a very multi-disciplinary approach, asking for entries that can be involved with just about anything that requires a design.
From their site, "Ranging from ideas about food, heating, music, literature, fashion, architecture... anything you like in any form you wish. The 10 best design proposals will be published on our website; the public will be invited to choose one favorite and vote for an overall winner. Deadline for participation is June 30, 2007."
droogdesign.nl via designspotter.com
Eco-Tecture in The New York Times Magazine
May 22, 2007
The NY Times Magazine takes a look at the effectiveness of 18th century design practices and technologies like the careful placement of window sashes, louvered or paneled shutters, flues, curtains and doors in combating air conditioning and heating needs.
"Most middle-class suburban Americans today live in houses that are more or less of the same basic style as mine: what the real estate agents call 'colonial,' which means pitched roofs, symmetrical windows, brick or clapboard walls, wooden porches," notes author Adam Goodheart. He concludes that, "Green architecture, then, lets us have our cake and eat it too. It lets us combine the extravagant rationalism of Jefferson, whose mansion literally bankrupted him, with the crunchy romanticism of Henry David Thoreau, whose little hut at Walden cost him exactly $28.12 1/2. (The prissiness of that extra half-cent is what forever confirms my own sympathies as more Jeffersonian than Thoreauvian.) The idea of the 'organic' as a cultural touchstone did not spring to life fully formed in the produce aisle of Whole Foods; a century ago, that word was a mantra for architects like Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright."
nytimes.com
Design Can Change: The Importance of Sustainability in Design
May 17, 2007
Design Can Change is a new online portal filled with information about global warming: the issue, potential for change, actions to take, the community building around it, and resources for further learning. Created for designers, its a resource to engage and mobilize the design community against climate change.
Because designers are the intended audience, the portal as a whole is very visually compelling, and has potential to really inspire a whole new demographic to stand up and take action. Designers have a hand in many things we use, before they ever hit the shelves; why not inspire them to be more sustainable?
designcanchange.org via pingmag.jp
BioBling Hoping to Run Biodiesel Limos at the Oscars
May 11, 2007
BioBling, recently featured on Sundance Channel's "The GREEN" television programming, has plans to set up biodiesel limos for next year's Oscar ceremonies. BioBling acquires rare Cadillac, Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen models from around the country to "pimp" and prepare for a life of driving on biodiesel.
Once BioBling has the cars, they modify each one for biodiesel and offer customizations such as fake fur interiors, glittery paint jobs and flat-screen televisions.
biobling.com via autobloggreen.com
Green is Sexy: A New Site by Rachel McAdams and Friends
May 9, 2007
Started by actress Rachel McAdams and her friends, Green is Sexy is a new site that started when three friends realized that exchanging quips & tips on ways to make an impact on the environment was becoming daily conversation. They decided that, with a little bit of research and some help from their friends, they could spread the word to all sorts of people and really make a difference.
According to the site, "green is sexy is about tiny changes, big impact. Why sexy? Because being informed is sexy. Being responsible is sexy. Being eco-friendly is sexy. Making a difference is sexy. Green is sexy. We invite you to become part of the green is sexy community by helping us change the world one day at a time." You go, girls!
greenissexy.org via ecorazzi.com
Green Buildings Rated by New York Magazine
May 8, 2007
Green building continues to become more and more mainstream, as evidenced by the ratings in New York Magazine's new ratings of NYC's green residential properties. They rate a handful of buildings using a handy "Green-o-Meter"; at the top of the list is The Visionaire (pictured).
According to the article, "It’s the only residential building in the U.S. to achieve the LEED platinum rating", including features like "an intricate system that filters water from bathrooms and kitchens, then pumps it back for use in toilets; green roof; will obtain 35 percent of its electricity from renewable sources; and more."
nymag.com via treehugger.com
Spinal Tap Reuniting for Live Earth Concert
May 7, 2007
Immortalized in the film "This is Spinal Tap", the mock rockers in Spinal Tap are getting back together to help save the world from global warming. They've signed on to play at Live Earth, the upcoming "concert for a climate in crisis" that Al Gore has helped organize.
"They're not that environmentally conscious, but they've heard of global warming," said Rob Reiner, director of "This is Spinal Tap". "Nigel thought it was just because he was wearing too much clothing -- that if he just took his jacket off it would be cooler." The occasion has warranted a new single: "Warmer Than Hell," along with a new short film by Reiner that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
liveearth.msn.com/spinaltap
A "Greener" Apple: Steve Jobs' Open Letter on Making Apple More Sustainable
May 3, 2007
Reacting to some criticism from the environmental community, Steve Jobs has written an open letter about Apple's sustainability initiatives. In it, he notes, among other things, that they have cut way back on lead and heavy metals and recycle almost three times as much e-waste as HP and Dell.
Looking to the future, Jobs pledged to eliminate arsenic and mercury in displays and vinyl and brominated fire retardants in all products by 2008. Says Jobs, "we plan to bring other environmental issues to the table as well, such as the energy efficiency of the products in our industry. We are also beginning to explore the overall carbon 'footprint' of our products, and may have some interesting data and issues to share later this year." Stay tuned!
apple.com
Metropolis Announces the Winners of the Next Generation Design Competition
May 2, 2007
Metropolis magazine has announced the winners of their fourth annual "Next Generation" Design Competition. Responding to the competition’s theme of "energy", the San Francisco-based firm Civil Twilight was awarded $10,000 for their project, Lunar Resonant Street Lamps.
The re-engineered lighting system has an ultra sensitive photo-cell that responds to the brightness of the night sky, turning on and dimming as needed, cutting down both on unnecessary light pollution and energy consumption.
metropolismag.com
The 11th Hour: Leo's New Documentary Goes Online
April 19, 2007
The 11th Hour, Leo DiCaprio's new documentary about global warming, recently launched an accompanying website, where visitors can get more info about the upcoming release, including more on scientists, thinkers and leaders who lend their ideas to the film.
The documentary that will examine the state of the global environment, and includes visionary and practical solutions for restoring the planet's beleaguered ecosystems. "Global warming is not only the number one environmental challenge we face today, but one of the most important issues facing all of humanity," said DiCaprio. "We all have to do our part to raise awareness about global warming and the problems we as a people face in promoting a sustainable environmental future for our planet."
11thhourfilm.com
Home Depot Launches "Eco Options" Label for Sustainable Products at US Stores
April 17, 2007
Today, Home Depot introduced their "Eco Options" label, signifying that product's "eco-friendliness," for nearly 3,000 products, like fluorescent light bulbs that conserve electricity and natural insect killers, that promote energy conservation, sustainable forestry and clean water.
The initiative — which is expected to include 6,000 products by 2009, representing 12 percent of the chain’s sales — would become the largest green labeling program in American retailing. More than 90 percent of the products in the line are already on Home Depot’s shelves, but the "Eco Options" brand will help customer's identify them as a more sustainable option.
homedepot.com via nytimes.com
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