[spotlight]
a daily dose of info & resources on sustainable style
Re-nourish.com: The Resource for Sustainable Graphic Design
Renourish offers definitions, tips, links, information and inspiration to aid in the development of a sustainable and more environmentally conscious graphic design craft. From paper to pantone swatches to FSC-certified printers, they'll help you design with sustainability and style.
April 27, 2006
Renourish offers definitions, tips, links, information and inspiration to aid in the development of a sustainable and more environmentally conscious graphic design craft. From paper to pantone swatches to FSC-certified printers, they'll help you design with sustainability and style.
re-nourish.com
Summer Rayne Oakes Hosting Green TV Show
Summer Rayne Oakes, model, activist, eco-superstar, will be co-hosting a new upbeat, environmentally-charged show, Eco 4 the World. E4W is a multimedia environmental "edutainment" program designed in partnership with the United Nation's Environment Programme (UNEP).
April 26, 2006
Summer Rayne Oakes, model, activist, eco-superstar, will be co-hosting a new upbeat, environmentally-charged show, Eco 4 the World. E4W is a multimedia environmental "edutainment" program designed in partnership with the United Nation's Environment Programme (UNEP).
"It's a cool show with a strong platform," Oakes comments on E4W. "There is an inherent fun factor to it with a clear international scope. After watching the episodes, it leaves you inspired and refreshed, not jaded or chilled." E4W launches this spring throughout a number of multimedia platforms, including TV, internet, and mobile communications. The 13-part series with interviews with people like Sting, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Mikhail Gorbachev, will debut throughout Asia to approximately 530 million signals and initially through Singapore on the 26 April 2006 via MediaCorp, the largest media broadcaster and provider in Singapore. Subsequent launches throughout the world will be announced at a later date.
eco4theworld.com via gristmill.grist.org
Craft Magazine: Coming this Fall!
April 25, 2006
Carbon Offsets Go Mainstream in NYT
The New York Times covers the growing trend of offsetting automobile emissions with "carbon offsets," a relatively inexpensive way to stimulate the production of clean electricity and make a difference on a personal level in the fight against climate change.
April 24, 2006
The New York Times covers the growing trend of offsetting automobile emissions with "carbon offsets," a relatively inexpensive way to stimulate the production of clean electricity and make a difference on a personal level in the fight against climate change.
It's super-easy: just go to one of several carbon-offset Web sites, calculate the amount of carbon dioxide produced when you drive, fly or otherwise burn fossil fuels, and then buy an offset that pays for an equivalent amount of clean energy. We've covered the idea of carbon offsets extensively in the most recent issue of SASS Magazine -- check it out for lots more info and ideas about how to make your lifestyle more climate-neutral.
nytimes.com
John Mayer: "Groovy tree-hugger" According to Rolling Stone
John Mayer took a break from the studio last Tuesday to play a four-song acoustic set at a party celebrating Elle magazine's killer green issue that featured a screening of Laurie David's HBO film Too Hot Not To Handle.
April 21, 2006
John Mayer took a break from the studio last Tuesday to play a four-song acoustic set at a party celebrating Elle magazine's killer green issue that featured a screening of Laurie David's HBO film Too Hot Not To Handle.
Given the theme, Mayer chose to debut the song "Waiting for the World to Change," off his upcoming album. About his appearance, he said he was very happy to be playing for a cause he found to be "maybe the most logical cause out there."
rollingstone.com
Toyota Bringing Flex-Fuel Vehicles to the US by 2008
To address the surge of interest in ethanol as a renewable fuel, Toyota is planning to sell flex-fuel vehicles in the US by 2008. The move may be in response to GM and Ford's increasingly vocal support of the mostly corn and sugar-cane-derived fuel that can be produced here in the States.
April 20, 2006
To address the surge of interest in ethanol as a renewable fuel, Toyota is planning to sell flex-fuel vehicles in the US by 2008. The move may be in response to GM and Ford's increasingly vocal support of the mostly corn and sugar-cane-derived fuel that can be produced here in the States.
"We’re studying all alternative fuels," Toyota said. "We will not be outflanked." Toyota has also suggested that a less ambitious strategy of mixing only 10-15 per cent ethanol (rather than 85%, as with many flex fuel vehicles) into gasoline might produce greater savings, as it would require little or no adjustment to current engines.
ft.com via greencarcongress.com
Happy Birthday to 3r Living
Happy 2nd Birthday to 3r Living! They're celebrating tonight by hosting Brooklyn Green Drinks at the store. Swing by the store for free organic beer and snacks, and peruse their future-friendly products; they've got everything from housewares to kids stuff and pet products. For those who can't make it tonight, check out their ever-expanding list of sustainable wares online.
April 19, 2006
Happy 2nd Birthday to 3r Living! They're celebrating tonight by hosting Brooklyn Green Drinks at the store. Swing by the store for free organic beer and snacks, and peruse their future-friendly products; they've got everything from housewares to kids stuff and pet products. For those who can't make it tonight, check out their ever-expanding list of sustainable wares online.
3rliving.com via 3r Blogging
Renew US: A Film About the Future
A project of Stonyfield Farm, Earth Day Network and Clean Air, Cool Planet, Renew US looks fifty years into the future, to a world powered by renewable, clean energy, without the threat of climate change. McFuel? Martha Stewart Living's clean energy special issue? It's all in there.
April 18, 2006
A project of Stonyfield Farm, Earth Day Network and Clean Air, Cool Planet, Renew US looks fifty years into the future, to a world powered by renewable, clean energy, without the threat of climate change. McFuel? Martha Stewart Living's clean energy special issue? It's all in there.
renewus.org
London's Mini Eco-City
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has unveiled plans for London's first mini 'eco city'. It will have approximately 1,000 homes, and is likely to be built in Newham. The project will aim to demonstrate that homes can be built in Britain without adding to global warming.
April 17, 2006
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has unveiled plans for London's first mini 'eco city'. It will have approximately 1,000 homes, and is likely to be built in Newham. The project will aim to demonstrate that homes can be built in Britain without adding to global warming.
The London project stems from a proposal by Greenpeace and will be taken forward by the LDA, which will work with Arup. Stephen Tindale, executive director of Greenpeace, said: "Once again London is leading the way in the UK and Ken Livingstone is showing what can be done when a politician has the drive to turn aspirations into action. It's time central government took note of what is happening across the Thames."
gulf-times.com via alternativesource.org
Vespa's New Prototype Hybrid Scooters
Vespa is developing two of its models to have gas-electric hybrid engines. The hybrid drive train is expected to boost power by 25% and reduce gas consumption by 20%. "Electric-only" mode will be available for low speeds...
April 14, 2006
Vespa is developing two of its models to have gas-electric hybrid engines. The hybrid drive train is expected to boost power by 25% and reduce gas consumption by 20%. "Electric-only" mode will be available for low speeds...
...and the batteries will charge themselves from the engine (similar to current car models) while you're scooting. They will also plug in to a standard 220V (European) household plug to recharge the batteries in about three hours. The batteries for each live under the seat, so an extra storage space has been added to each for helmets and whatever else you might need while out and about. Watch for them on the streets of Milan first, and then, the world!
retrothing.com via treehugger.com
Big Dig House
The Big Dig house is constructed with over 600,000 pound of recycled materials that came from Boston's Big Dig project to build a new transportation artery through the heart of the city. The house is essentially a prefab system, composed of a kit of premade parts.
April 13, 2006
The Big Dig house is constructed with over 600,000 pound of recycled materials that came from Boston's Big Dig project to build a new transportation artery through the heart of the city. The house is essentially a prefab system, composed of a kit of premade parts.
While the materials may be heavy and industrial, the height of the spaces in the house brings in plenty of daylight and views to the natural surroundings. You'd never guess it emerged from the rubble of an old freeway, but the gorgeous final product shows that sustainability and aesthetics can mix for a stunning final result.
singlespeeddesign.com via inhabitat.com
David Gilmour's New Album is Climate Neutral
Former Pink Floyd frontman David Gilmour has returned from the dark side of the moon to release a climate-neutral album. On An Island was released last month to critical acclaim, and the carbon emissions that resulted from production of the album has been neutralized through an arrangement with The CarbonNeutral Company, who plant trees to absorb excess carbon dioxide floating about in the atmosphere. Pink Floyd's last release, Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd was also a climate-neutral record.
April 12, 2006
Former Pink Floyd frontman David Gilmour has returned from the dark side of the moon to release a climate-neutral album. On An Island was released last month to critical acclaim, and the carbon emissions that resulted from production of the album has been neutralized through an arrangement with The CarbonNeutral Company, who plant trees to absorb excess carbon dioxide floating about in the atmosphere. Pink Floyd's last release, Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd was also a climate-neutral record.
davidgilmour.com via treehugger.com
Renewable Energy: The New Big Man on Campus
Renewable and alternative energy technologies continue to make bigger impressions on college campuses around the US. The trifecta of news stories: Connecticut College has entered into an agreement with 3 Phases Energy to offset 50% of its annual electricity consumption; last weekend, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville hosted the 2006 Southest Student Renewable Energy Conference; and Brown University's Undergraduate Council of Students has passed "a resolution endorsing a renewable energy fee of $25 to be imposed on each student."
April 11, 2006
Renewable and alternative energy technologies continue to make bigger impressions on college campuses around the US. The trifecta of news stories: Connecticut College has entered into an agreement with 3 Phases Energy to offset 50% of its annual electricity consumption; last weekend, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville hosted the 2006 Southest Student Renewable Energy Conference; and Brown University's Undergraduate Council of Students has passed "a resolution endorsing a renewable energy fee of $25 to be imposed on each student."
via sustainablog.blogspot.com
Guster Raises Eco-Awareness with Rock
The folk-pop band Guster has embarked upon the Campus Consciousness Tour, touring college campuses around the country in an effort to raise awareness about environmental and social issues close to their hearts. The tour was organized by Reverb, a non-profit that has worked with Barenaked Ladies, Alanis Morissette, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Avril Lavigne, and others to green their tours and provide interactive opportunities for concertgoers to green their lives.
April 10, 2006
The folk-pop band Guster has embarked upon the Campus Consciousness Tour, touring college campuses around the country in an effort to raise awareness about environmental and social issues close to their hearts. The tour was organized by Reverb, a non-profit that has worked with Barenaked Ladies, Alanis Morissette, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Avril Lavigne, and others to green their tours and provide interactive opportunities for concertgoers to green their lives.
via grist.org
Greentomatocars: First All-Hybrid Private Car Hire in London
Greentomatocars has opened as the first all-hybrid private-hire cab service in London. The company has an all-Prius fleet and has begun a pilot operation in west London which it plans to roll out across the capital by the summer. They've got five Prius sedans, and the fleet is expected to number around 50 by the end of June.
April 7, 2006
Greentomatocars has opened as the first all-hybrid private-hire cab service in London. The company has an all-Prius fleet and has begun a pilot operation in west London which it plans to roll out across the capital by the summer. They've got five Prius sedans, and the fleet is expected to number around 50 by the end of June.
In addition to using the Prius, the company offsets twice the amount of CO2emissions its fleet produces via a rolling program of tree-planting and other eco-projects.
greentomatocars.com via greencarcongress.com
