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1. AT&T Taps Into Smart Grid With SmartSynch
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2. Next Chapter in the Silicon Valley vs. Detroit Saga: Chapter 11?
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3. Green:Net: Almost Sold Out!
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4. GreenVolts, NREL to Team Up on Solar Cell Tech
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5. Daily Sprout
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6. Clean Energy Island: Maldives Goes Carbon Neutral
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7. The Battle of the Food-based Biofuels
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8. Will Consumers Shell Out $150 for A Green Laptop Battery?
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9. Smart-Grid Companies in 'Feeding Frenzy' Over Stimulus
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10. Green Apartment Life - Tools for Living Green While Renting
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11. How To Green Your Apartment - Find A Green Apartment Complex
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12. Green Jobs: Who's Hiring?
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13. Finalists for World Green Car of the Year Announced
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14. Don't Dig for Oil — Grow It! 10 U.S. Companies Developing Algae Biofeuel Need Your Help
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15. Green Apartment Living - How To Green Your Apartment
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16. Be an organic home know-it-all!
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17. Are Natural Wood Cutting Boards Safe?
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18. Constant upgrades take the sheen off "green" computers
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19. Waterspeak for the little people (or, explaining conservation to the kids)
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20. Honk if you love hankies
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21. Are There Any Green Jobs for You? Where the New Green Jobs Will Be
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22. Greener wedding show Friday on Portland's eastside
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23. 110: A magic number for trimming home hot water use
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24. Green Freebie: Win this Bike — Can Your Manhood Stand up to Pink?
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25. Captain Planet returns
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26. For "beyond the curb" recyclers, a snag: Those plastic roundups won't be back soon
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27. Just the facts about compostable plastics; Portland's new fact sheet might help
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28. Not just green jobs, but a green job fair -- coming in March
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29. Happy two millionth call, Metro recycling hotline
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30. HOW GREEN IS OBAMA? What's in the Stimulus Plan for Greening the Economy? Who wins, who loses, who pays?
AT&T Taps Into Smart Grid With SmartSynch
Katie Fehrenbacher - Startups
Smart grid analyst Jesse Berst wasn’t kidding when he said companies are in a frenzy repositioning themselves to grab a piece of the smart grid market. The latest is the largest cell phone company in the U.S.: AT&T. This morning, AT&T says it is working with smart meter technology maker SmartSynch to provide its wireless network for residential installations using SmartSynch’s smart meter technology.
SmartSynch and AT&T already have a partnership whereby AT&T’s wireless network is used to connect smart meters at commercial and industrial locations to around 100 different utilities’ back offices. This morning’s announcement is an expansion of that business into the residential market.
SmartSynch is a decade-old company based in Jackson, Miss., that makes a smart meter system that uses Internet protocol (IP) networks, like cellular or Wi-Fi, to connect smart meters at buildings to utilities. The benefit of SmartSynch’s system for utilities is that they don’t have to build their own network to run smart meters, they can use existing networks, which means a much lower cost to deploy the system.
While AT&T has been using its network for smart meter deployments for awhile, this new extension is a bet on the growth of the smart meter residential market. U.S. utilities are just starting to do trials of smart meters in homes in select regions, but with the stimulus package injecting billions into the smart meter and smart grid markets, utilities and companies are getting ready to take advantage of dramatic growth this year. President Barack Obama has called for the installation of 40 million smart meters and 3,000 miles of transmission lines.
A buildout of the smart grid could also be one of the largest creators of wealth in the decade. As Berst said recently, the smart grid will "spawn new Googles and Microsofts," and is "akin to the transcontinental railroad, the phone system, the interstate highway system and the Internet." Of course AT&T wants a piece of that.
Next Chapter in the Silicon Valley vs. Detroit Saga: Chapter 11?
Josie Garthwaite - Startups
The notion of maverick Silicon Valley automakers rising up to take down Motor City — a popular one in the early days of electric sports car startup Tesla Motors — was never entirely accurate. Fisker Automotive, Think and others making a serious go at developing electric and plug-in hybrid models are based outside the region.
But as Darryl Siry, Tesla’s former marketing chief, notes in an interesting post on his blog today, the old Silicon Valley vs. Detroit meme does offer a useful shorthand for questions about whether the federal government should bail out the big automakers, or give a leg up to smaller players that haven’t been around long enough to make the same mistakes. It also conveys the overhead and inertia widely seen as as contributing to the Big Three’s current financial situation.
But looking at Silicon Valley, or smaller automakers as existing solely in opposition to the industry’s giants is overly simplistic at best and a virtual death wish for the up-and-comers at worst because of the networked nature of the auto industry, as Siry writes:
What is becoming clear is that these two ecosystems are more linked than many realize, and that the pressures on the traditional automakers and suppliers threaten the viability of the startups as well. Ironically, if GM fails or causes their suppliers to fail, they may inadvertently kill the electric car again.
We’ve seen a slew of reports on the web of connections among the big automakers and their suppliers and dealers. This week American Axle & Manufacturing is in the spotlight after reporting a $112.1 million net loss last quarter and having auditors warn on Friday that pressure on the company’s chief customer, General Motors, could put it out of business.
Similar ties exist between Detroit’s network and younger car companies, perhaps more than they’d like to admit, and perhaps not as much as we’ll see down the road — depending on who stays afloat. Tesla, for example, wants to sell its battery packs and chargers to larger automakers (it has a small deal for a test fleet with Daimler) and Fisker plans to source the small gas engine, and possibly other components, for its plug-in hybrid Karma from GM. And, as Siry notes, the very same suppliers that have historically worked with Detroit’s automakers are now entering deals to supply startups with driveshafts, transmissions, interiors, suspensions and electronics.
While General Motors expects to beat out competition from all corners in large-scale manufacture of electric vehicles, CEO Rick Wagoner said (in brighter economic times last spring) that the company is “wide open” to working with startups.
Green:Net: Almost Sold Out!
Katie Fehrenbacher - Misc
Most of us depend on information technology in our everyday lives — the Internet, your laptop, your cell phone. The planet is depending on these tools, too, to help cut energy use and fight climate change. If you want to learn more about companies and innovations that are leveraging these tools to save the planet, come to our first Green:Net conference in San Francisco on March 24th — it’s the first green conference for the Internet industry. And it’s next Tuesday! There’s only 19 tickets left, so get ‘em while they’re hawt.
Companies from Google, to Yahoo, to Sun to IBM will be discussing green software, social web tools, energy efficient data centers and the next generation of the power grid, while speakers like ethernet inventor Bob Metcalfe, and Makani Power CEO Saul Griffith will be highlighting the intersections of green and IT (check out the full lineup here). Towards the end of the day 10 up and coming Green:Net startups will be presenting to the audience about how they are utilizing information technology to fight climate change. Come join us.
GreenVolts, NREL to Team Up on Solar Cell Tech
Katie Fehrenbacher - Startups
GreenVolts plans to use NREL’s solar cell patents to develop a new solar cell for its concentrating solar system over the course of two years, and to help commercialize the NREL patents through GreenVolt’s manufacturing partners. GreenVolt’s CarouSol power unit (show in the photos above) concentrates sunlight onto solar cells and the unit tracks the sun on two axes. The 4-year-old company, which won the California Cleantech Open in 2007, has a contract with northern California utility PG&E to build a 2-MW power plant that is supposed to go online in 2010. Back in September, GreenVolts said it had raised $30 million in Series B funds to help it get the first megawatt of its GV1 project online.
Daily Sprout
Josie Garthwaite - Misc
Chu on OPEC: Energy Secretary Steven Chu said yesterday he was “pleased” that OPEC had decided against further cuts in oil production. He also urged continued focus on ending dependence on foreign oil and “investing in new clean energy sources that will put Americans to work and address the global climate crisis.” — Reuters
PV Down, But Not Out: Photovoltaic solar cell revenue in 2009 will decrease 1 percent from $16 billion in 2008, due to short-term drops in the average selling price, according to a new report from market research firm Gartner. But by 2013, it could reach $34 billion. — EETimes
Solar Cell Cost Cutter: Applied Materials released a new wire saw platform today that cuts thinner wafers, potentially slashing the cost of crystalline silicon photovoltaics manufacturing by up to 18 cents per watt by 2011. — Semiconductor International
Amsterdam’s Green Ambition: With help from IBM, Cisco, Philips and other companies, Amsterdam expects to invest more than $1 billion over the next three years in infrastructure for improved energy efficiency, smart grid technology and clean energy. — Spiegel Online
End of a Federal Feud?: A longstanding conflict between the Interior Department and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission over offshore wave and current energy projects could be put to rest as soon as this week, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said yesterday. — Greenwire via NYT
Clean Energy Island: Maldives Goes Carbon Neutral
Josie Garthwaite - Policy
Making an entire country or U.S. state carbon neutral would “rock the world,” at least according to former President Bill Clinton. He suggested that move (along with 10 specific policy points) in a speech at the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas last summer. Since then, a string of nations have set ambitious renewable energy and carbon-reduction targets. Many of these countries have at least one thing in common: They’re surrounded by water.
After the state-owned electric utility becomes privatized, it will open up investment and donation options to help finance the effort. Outside investment will also be needed.
Last month, we wrote about a 70 million euro (about $90 million) smart grid project that IBM has planned for Malta. Big Blue wants to complete the first national smart grid network on the archipelago by 2012, complete with 250,000 smart meters that will enable the national utilities and their customers to better manage energy and water use. IBM also joined a smart grid project in Denmark last month that will start off with test work on a small island before tackling the whole nation.
In the U.S., Hawaii has made a big push for clean energy, aiming 70 percent of the state's electricity from renewable resources by 2030. Last July, the U.S. Department of Energy and New Zealand launched the International Partnership for Energy Development in Island Nations, which is meant to promote development of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies in island nations and territories.
Many island-state governments have a sense of urgency when it comes to addressing climate change, because island economies and residents will likely suffer some of the earliest, harshest consequences of rising sea levels and increased frequency of severe tropical storms as a result of climate change. They also offer closed systems where companies can gather data on how an entire network or community interacts with their technology, and where fossil-fuel imports are often costly.
Maldives photo credit Flickr user notsogoodphotography
The Battle of the Food-based Biofuels
David Ehrlich - Big Green
While we wait for cellulosic ethanol to ramp up to commercial-scale, the corn-based ethanol industry continues to hang on with a little help from Washington — President Barack Obama indicated over the weekend that import tariffs on Brazilian sugarcane ethanol won’t be ending anytime soon. The issue came up after a meeting between Obama and the president of Brazil at the White House.
Calling it a “source of tension” between the two countries, Obama said at a press conference, “It’s not going to change overnight.” Brazil has reportedly threatened litigation at the World Trade Organization over the 54-cent per gallon tariff.
Food-based biofuels such as corn and sugarcane ethanol have been blasted by environmental groups as being unsustainable, although Oxfam International gave sugarcane ethanol a backhanded compliment last year, essentially calling it the best of the worst.
The anti-poverty charity said that rich countries have spent billions supporting domestically-grown biofuels while blocking cheaper Brazilian ethanol, which Oxfam said is “far less damaging” for global food security. Brazilian ethanol also packs more of an energy punch than corn ethanol, but there are side effects from both industries.
The Oxfam report, released before some of the more recent woes in the ethanol industry, said that demand for corn in the U.S. has skyrocketed due to the strong government support for ethanol, with U.S. and Canadian farmers switching out of soy to grow corn. But that’s pushed up the price of soy, and Oxfam said farmers across South America want in on the high-priced action, and are cutting down rainforests to bring new land into production for soy. And farmers in Brazil may be getting pushed on two fronts — Oxfam said the expansion of sugarcane for ethanol in Brazil could push the farmers further into the Amazon.
The U.S. has been experiencing it’s own biofuel tariff worries lately, but in the biodiesel industry. The EU is planning to slap a tariff on imports of biodiesel from the U.S. European biodiesel producers have railed against the subsidies they say U.S. producers can get, which translates to a lower price at the pump for U.S. biodiesel vs. European brands.
Will Consumers Shell Out $150 for A Green Laptop Battery?
Katie Fehrenbacher - Energy
At $150 it’s at the very high end of the laptop battery accessories that HP lists on its site. But for that price customers get a battery that lasts three years, runs for about four hours on a charge that fades less over time than comparable lithium-ion batteries. The companies initially promised a $20-30 markup over a standard lithium-ion laptop battery, and $150 falls within that range.
Consumer electronics companies are increasingly offering gadgets and goods marketed as “greener,” touting their energy efficiency and using more sustainable materials. Apple is selling its latest MacBook line as the “world’s greenest family of notebooks.” Dell is selling a small PC with a bamboo casing that consumes less energy. Cell phone companies like Nokia are offering phones like the 3110 Evolve that use more-easily recyclable materials and a more energy-efficient charger.
But when it comes to paying a premium, consumers have mixed feelings. According to Forrester Research, while almost two thirds of consumers say their purchase decisions are influenced by socially responsible practices, only 18 percent of consumers say they would pay more for products from a company recognized as socially responsible.
This is Boston Power's first major deal, and HP's massive marketshare is a game-changing win for such a young company. Boston Power is backed by a total of $70125 million from Oak Investment Partners, Venrock, GGV Capital and Gabriel Venture Partners (the company raised a $55 million round in January).
Smart-Grid Companies in 'Feeding Frenzy' Over Stimulus
Jennifer Kho - smart energy
President Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package has put cleantech companies in “a feeding frenzy,” says Jesse Berst, managing director of research firm Global Smart Energy. He recently told us that lobbying has become “intense” as utilities and technology vendors form partnerships and coalitions to better position themselves to get a bite of the funds.
He cites one company that has even created a stimulus menu, with pricing based on the anticipated stimulus grants. “It says you can get 10,000 of these or 5,000 of these, and these options will create X number of jobs,” he says.
You can expect more to come. “There’s going to be a real PR war, because for every pot of money out there, people are going to try to label themselves [as being eligible for it],” Berst says. Aside from the $11 billion set aside specifically for “smart grid” technologies, some of those companies may also be eligible to vie for billions in weatherization funds, as well as $500 million slated for green jobs.
But the package has shined a spotlight on smart-grid technologies that is far brighter than the money alone, Berst says. “It made people realize that here is the next place to be,” he says. “It’s really stimulating this far beyond the value of the money … even before a single dollar’s been spent.” As companies form partnerships and propose projects to take advantage of these funds, some are likely to happen whether or not they get the money, Berst says.
So far, information about how to apply for funds has been scarce, says Susan Preston, general partner for the CalCEF Clean Energy Angel Fund. As more government money comes to the table, companies could find themselves spending more time and money chasing it, she says. Aside from the stimulus package, companies could be eligible for many other types of federal and state funding, and the California Clean Energy Fund is planning a program on how to tap into it, Preston says.
As for the stimulus, one big question yet to be determined is how the government will define “smart grid.” “How far do you expand out the definition of smart grid?” Preston asked. “It can get pretty big. If you’re trying to target grant money, you would like the definition to be as expansive as possible, depending on what you’re doing,” she says.
Preston says she would include technologies that improve transmission and that use power more efficiently, such as advanced sensors and meters, energy-management software for both the grid and for individual households and energy storage that could help make wind energy, for example, available when it is needed. Berst said other technologies that could be included might be technologies that shift the times that appliances use energy, so that — for instance — your water heater might start up before the morning peak and store hot water until you need it for your shower. (Berst is moderating the Power 2.0 panel at our Green:Net conference in San Francisco on March 24).
Green Apartment Life - Tools for Living Green While Renting
jchait - Home & Garden
This week we’re diving into green apartment life - a big deal since the 2008 Current Population Survey notes that about 32% of U.S. residents rent instead of own their home. That’s a lot of households to green up.
Even if you can’t find a totally green apartment community, there are some tools that can help apartment dwellers live green…
An urban compost bin: Anyone, even apartment dwellers can compost. There are plenty of smaller compost bins available. You can set on on your deck or even on your kitchen counter. Once you’ve got some nutrient-rich soil, you can do the following with it:
- Grow a killer container garden on the patio.
- Give it to a pal who owns a house and has a garden.
- Donate it to a local community garden or school.
Rent and borrow: If you need tools for a project, a bike for a specific marathon (i.e. you’re not a regular rider), or a special crock pot, see if you can rent or borrow the item before purchasing one. Why this is green:
- With less stuff you can live smaller and reduce your overall footprint. Storage space need for items you rarely use is lame and not very green.
- Buying stuff you only use once is a waste of resources and supplies.
- Saves you cash that you could use for higher ticket sustainable items. Would you rather own all your own tools that you only use twice a year, or a killer organic mattress?
Be a green human: Technically actions make a far bigger difference than where you live. I.e Portland, Oregon is known as a green hub but just living there does not make you green. You need to practice green living skills like eco-cleaning, saving water, recycling and so on. You could live in an eco-nightmare of a city, but with proper green living skills, your own little home base can still be eco-friendly.
Recycle: Creating a dedicated home recycling area is possible even in an apartment. There are loads of smaller recycling bins available that can make recycling in an apartment easier.
What green living tools are you using in your rental?
How To Green Your Apartment - Find A Green Apartment Complex
jchait - Home & Garden
Sorry to be MIA folks - I caught a bad cold, which actually I think may be allergies, so I was out of commission. However, I grabbed some meds, and it’s all good now. Well, better anyhow. In any case, the other day we started looking at How To Green Your Apartment.
Today we’ll look at the basics about how to actually find a greener apartment to rent.
There aren’t too many actual green certified, LEED, or sustainable (etc) apartment complexes around. However, some are popping up. The downside is that you’ll likely pay more rent for a “green building” and most of the ones that have been built are in major cities or places that are known as green hubs. If you don’t live urban you’re almost out of luck. That said, it doesn’t hurt to do a search. Your local chamber or commerce, real estate agent, or apartment finder company may be able to help you find a greener building.
Tips for any apartment building:
Look for a place with a recycling area. Not all apartments have recycling areas set-up. Some only have trash. That sucks - BIG time because you’ll have to make special trips to get your recycling to a center.
Look for a sustainable community overall. Read Choose A Green Community for ideas.You can also check out Walk Score. This site gives you an overall walking score for different areas. Walk-friendly may not seem green, but it’s really connected. If a community is easy to walk in, chances are it’s also somewhat green.
Make sure there’s some green. Choosing a green overall community is smart, but each apartment is it’s own little community. Some have gardens, flowers, trees, and other outdoor activities while other complexes are nothing but cement. It’s better to live with some green in your world, outside your window.
Keep it small. Like any home dweller, you have many options when it comes to apartment size. If you live alone, a three bedroom condo is excessive. The smaller your home the smaller your footprint. Rent a place that fulfills your home needs but not overly so.
Look for a place with low-energy appliances (i.e. Energy Star).
Ask about weather proofing. Make sure windows are energy efficient OR that you can somewhat weatherize. I’ve lived in rentals that allow you to install bottom of the door wind blockers, wrap water heaters, and more. This is both green and a money saver.
Rent a place where the owners are flexible on decor. There are tons of apartments now where you’re allowed to paint your walls (usually with a specified color). Ask if you can use a low or no-voc paint vs. the norm. If they do only allow a certain color pallet, ask if you can get some mixed using a low-voc paint if possible.
Look for a patio or deck. This may not seem green, but renting a place with a patio or deck allows for some major green living options. You can set up a better recycling center on a porch or create a great container garden with organic flowers and veggies. Also, a porch gets you outside into the fresh air. Yay fresh air.
Later more green apartment tips…
Do you have any ideas about what to look for in a green apartment? Share in the comments.
Green Jobs: Who's Hiring?
Josie Garthwaite - Startups
Now that green jobs Advocate in Chief Van Jones has a direct line to the White House (he joined the administration this week as an adviser) and the billions of dollars allocated in the stimulus package with a promise to create millions of jobs are starting to flow, we should be seeing Green Help Wanted signs all over the place, right? That hasn’t happened yet, but at least one company, Pennsylvania-based Serious Materials, has started hiring the green-collar workers we’ve heard so much about.
According to Serious Materials, which makes green building materials and plans to re-open a shuttered window plant on Monday, the jobs opened up as a direct result of the stimulus package. (The windows are made using insulated glass units with a high R-value, a solid seal between the glass and the frame, and an insulated frame, reducing energy needs for heating and cooling and making the cut for green building.) Serious Materials acquired the assets of Kensington Windows in January, and has rehired a number of former Kensington employees for the plant. As production ramps up, the company plans to bring more than 100 workers on board. Kensington employed more than 150 people when the bankruptcy of its parent company, Jancor, forced its closure last fall.
OK, it’s true: 100 jobs barely register when we’re looking at two consecutive weeks of first-time jobless claims holding above 600,000. And in fact, Serious Materials had pledged to re-open the Kensington plant within 30 days of the acquisition (it’s been nearly two months), so even this drop in the employment bucket is moving slower than planned. But this is a relatively young player (7 years old) in an industry taking some of the hardest hits as a result of the economic downturn — and it’s growing. It may be small, but it’s a good sign for green job seekers.
Finalists for World Green Car of the Year Announced
khallgeisler - Bikes & Cars
The three finalists for World Green Car of the Year have been announced, and while none of them are widely available, none of them are big surprises, either:
- Mitsubishi i MiEV (electric)
- Toyota iQ (gasoline)
- Honda Clarity (hydrogen)
Only the Clarity is available in the U.S., and it’s only leased to a select few customer in certain markets. The i MiEV is sold in Japan, and the iQ is sold in both Japan and Europe. The iQ, in case you’re not familiar with this foreign-only car, is the size of a Smart ForTwo and a 1-liter gasoline engine that gets 55 mpg.
The New York Times “Wheels” blog notes that with such disparate fuels and production levels, it’s not exactly a level playing field. Nonetheless, a winner will be announced at the New York Auto Show, which is being held April 10-19.
Image of the Honda Clarity by Kristen Hall-Geisler.
Don't Dig for Oil — Grow It! 10 U.S. Companies Developing Algae...
susan - Sustainable Ideas
By Susan Seliger
There’s nothing nicer — in life as in geometry proofs — than the simple, elegant solution. Why dig for oil when you can just grow it? Maybe not tomorrow — but just around the corner, there’s an exciting new green fuel source — algae biofuel.
In this video by Ecopolis, the award winning science show on The Science Channel, you’ll meet Valcent Products’ Glen Kertz explaining what part algae biofuel could play in our energy future.
Here are 10 companies that are doing more than talking about turning pond scum into fuel — they are small companies actually doing it. Maybe this is where you should put your retirement savings instead of that dwindling 401K. (For more on these companies and a peek at five more, see this post from Earth2Tech on 15 algae fuel startups:
Aurora Biofuels
Bionavitas
Blue Marble Energy
GreenFuel Technologies
Inventure Chemical
Live Fuels
Petro Sun
Solazyme
Solena
Solix Biofuels
For more on saving money and energy, check out these posts:
And tell me what you’ve been doing to save energy and money in your daily life.
Green Apartment Living - How To Green Your Apartment
jchait - Home & Garden
Often folks discuss changes you can make to your dwelling that are pretty specific to a home you buy which can leave apartment dwellers feeling left out in the cold.
However, green living is not just for folks with a mortgage. Anyone can live green; no matter if you live in a house, a duplex, an apartment, or RV. Ok, an RV is pushing it because of gas issues, but you get my drift.
This week I think we should look at some green living concerns that affect apartment dwellers. To get started, here are some posts from the past that can apply to anyone, in any sort of home setting.
- Green Spring Cleaning Tips - Clean Green and Healthy
- The Urban Kitchen Compost Bin
- Create A Green Baby Nursery
- Do you live in one of the most polluted U.S. states or cities?
- Used Home Furnishings and Decor - Choose Useful and Green Used Home Goods
- Green Up Your Kitchen Java
This week we’ll also look at how to green audit an apartment vs. a house, green changes you can make that won’t flip out the landlord, see if we can find some green apartment choices, and more…
If there’s something specific you’d like to learn more about that relates to green apartment living let me know in the comments.
Be an organic home know-it-all!
jchait - Home & Garden
When it comes to organic food and organic home products, there are a lot of choices. It can be overwhelming. However, there’s no need to freak. You will totally look like you know what you’re doing (even when you’re not so sure) with these simple rules…
Organic is not always best: There are absolutely some items you should purchase organic, and then there are the organic items that matter less. Clothing, textiles, and other fabrics for your home are good organic, but you can also choose used or other sustainable fabrics that are just as eco-friendly as organic cotton. For example - hemp, bamboo, and thrift store finds all lower your footprint without the organic label. As for organic food, some purchases offer better health and eco-benefits than others. Check out which organics you need to buy and 11 Ways to Save Money on Organic Food in order to make smart choices.
Don’t go nuts all at once: Small organic changes are just as good as a complete life overhaul, but WAY easier. Don’t try to go massive organic all at once. Start making small changes; i.e. buy organic peanut butter and organic cotton pillow cases. Eventually all your simple changes will start to add up.
Got pets?: Let them go organic too. Many people forget their pets but currently there are many organic varieties of pet foods, green pet homes, and toys out there.
Go organic for health: If you’re only going organic for the eco-benefits, that’s fine, but the health benefits of organic over conventional offer you much more motivation. For example, you can make over your bathroom soaps and cosmetics in order to cut chemicals out of your world or buy a better organic mattress for a non-toxic dream time. Think about organic in a way that personally relates to you because this makes shopping decisions easier.
Make it easy for your kids: Kids raised on organics are in a better position to grow up understanding the long-term benefits. Don’t just go organic - talk organic with the kiddos so they know what’s up. Once they’re old enough to make shopping decisions, they’ll have a far easier time than our generation of adults.
How are you going organic at home?
Are Natural Wood Cutting Boards Safe?
jchait - Home & Garden
Many people don’t want to use plastic cutting boards due to the non eco-friendly quality of plastics overall. On the flip side, many people worry about wooden cutting boards because they’re afraid of germs staying on the board. So… which is safer? Wood or plastic? And which is a more eco-friendly choice?
Germs can actually stay on both plastic or wood - the catch is in how you clean your cutting board. Studies show that if you clean your wooden cutting board properly, you can even use it safely for meat.
How to be safe:
- Use two cutting boards - one for produce and one for meats.
- After use, wash in the hottest water possible and a basic natural soap (say like an eco-friendly dish soap). Dry with a clean towel.
- Never leave your board sitting around wet - dry it as well as you can as dampness aids in bacteria growth.
As for the eco-friendly qualities, wood is a better choice. Especially if you get a sustainable wooden cutting board - such as a board made from sustainably harvested bamboo. Plastics are made from non-renewable resources, so plastic cutting boards are never going to be a better choice. That said, another great option is snagging a Paperstone Cutting Board from Preserve. These cutting boards are made with 100% recycled Forest Stewardship Council certified Paperstone and feature a knife-friendly surface with non-porous, petroleum-free coating. Plus these boards look great (see below).
To learn more read; Green Cutting Board Know-How.
Constant upgrades take the sheen off "green" computers
Shelby Wood, The Oregonian - Eat Your Greens
Waterspeak for the little people (or, explaining conservation to the...
Shelby Wood, The Oregonian
Honk if you love hankies
Shelby Wood, The Oregonian - Eat Your Greens
Are There Any Green Jobs for You? Where the New Green Jobs Will Be
susan - Sustainable Ideas
Who says we can't afford to go green in these tough economic times? For those gloomy prognosticators, we'd suggest taking a look at a new report that shows how the U.S. can create two million jobs in the next two years by investing in a green economic recovery plan (focusing on six economic strategies, from biofuels to wind power).
If you want to find out if there are going to be any green jobs for you in the new green economy, check out which occupations in each state stand to win jobs. This report from the Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, looks at which occupations would be affected by six green economic strategies: building retrofitting, mass transit, energy-efficient automobiles, wind power, solar power and cellulosic biofuels.
- To see what would happen in this green recovery plan, state-by-state:
> Alaska
> Arizona
> Arkansas
> California
> Colorado
> Florida
> Illinois
> Indiana
> Iowa
> Kansas
> Maine
> Maryland
> Massachusetts
> Michigan
> Minnesota
> Missouri
> Montana
> Nebraska
> Nevada
> New Hampshire
> New Jersey
> New Mexico
> New York
> North Carolina
> North Dakota
> Ohio
> Oregon
> Pennsylvania
> South Carolina
> Tennessee
> Virginia
> Washington
> West Virginia
>Wisconsin
- For an even easier-to-read fact sheet, based on this report, go to the Blue Green Alliances' fact sheets on these 12 states: Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
- For more on the report and the Blue Green Alliance, a partnership between labor unions (the "blue" in "blue-collar") and environmental organizations (the "green"), here’s their web site.
Photo credit: www.city-data.com
Greener wedding show Friday on Portland's eastside
Shelby Wood, The Oregonian - Find a green (dentist, mechanic, etc...)
110: A magic number for trimming home hot water use
Shelby Wood, The Oregonian - Energy
Green Freebie: Win this Bike — Can Your Manhood Stand up to Pink?
susan - Sustainable Ideas
Make a statement – put away the car, pull out the bike. Haven't got one? Well, now you can try your hand at winning this cruiser free, sponsored by Fresh Produce Sportswear. The only question left is, Are you bold enough to make a statement in pink? Hey, if Pamela Anderson can do it – while holding a cup of coffee – you can, too. Be brave. Sign up to win – the deadline is 3/31/09..
Photo credit: http://www.cyclelicio.us/
Captain Planet returns
Shelby Wood, The Oregonian - Eat Your Greens
For "beyond the curb" recyclers, a snag: Those plastic roundups won't...
Shelby Wood, The Oregonian - Living Top Stories
Just the facts about compostable plastics; Portland's new fact sheet...
Shelby Wood, The Oregonian - Eat Your Greens
Not just green jobs, but a green job fair -- coming in March
Shelby Wood, The Oregonian - Eat Your Greens
Happy two millionth call, Metro recycling hotline
Shelby Wood, The Oregonian - Recycling
HOW GREEN IS OBAMA? What's in the Stimulus Plan for Greening the...
susan - Sustainable Ideas
kbrost 10.2625 Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
After the banks, the mortgage lenders and the auto industry grab their share of the $845 billion stimulus package, you might be wondering what's left for saving our environment and making the world a safer, greener place for us all.
Good news: there's some green in the stimulus plan for greening today ($150 billion) – and even more ambitious plans for raising revenues to spend on greening down the road ($646 billion). Here's a rundown, so you can see through the political fog: Who wins, who loses – and the big question – who pays?
ENERGY: The Big Picture
THE BUCKS: $150 billion in the plan, plus $646 billion to be raised over 10 years – NOT a handout from the stimulus package
THE PLAN: Heard about the cap-and-trade plan? Here's what it means: Obama's energy plan hinges on a call for legislation to put a cap on carbon emissions and require companies to pay for permits to pollute (emit greenhouse gases) and trade those allowances. That money – a projected $646 billion over the next decade — would go toward finding clean energy technologies and another $65 billion a year to pay for middle-class tax credits. Those tax credits (Obama's "Make Pay Work" plan) would be worth as much as $800 a year to low-and-middle-income workers, according to the Washington Post.
ENERGY DEPARTMENT
THE BUCKS: $33.9 in 2009, down to 26.3 billion in 2010 (up from $24.1 billion in 2008)
THE PLAN: The increased spending – plus another $38.7 billion in the stimulus package — will cover new money for weatherization programs, modernization of the electric grid and renewable energy projects.
THE EPA (ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY)
THE BUCKS: $10 billion — a 34% budget increase.
THE PLAN: The increased spending goes to clean water projects, research, a Great Lakes restoration program as well as expanded efforts to improve regulation and enforcement of pollution standards. There's also an extra $19 million to establish a national carbon control plan. (More on the EPA from the New York Times.)
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
THE BUCKS: $12 billion
THE PLAN: Raise $31 billion money over the next decade with fees on oil and gas companies (for example, for drilling on federal land) to be spent on conservation plans including park maintenance, endangered species protection.
kbrost 10.2625 Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
GREEN JOBS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
THE BUCKS: Totals not tallied yet – but projections are to double the production of renewable energy in three years, via tax breaks and loan guarantees for the industry, according to CNN/Money.com, and thereby create more green jobs.
THE PLAN: Here's a sampling of some specific programs, from a summary on the House Appropriations Committee Web site:
Energy Efficiency Housing Retrofits: $2.5 billion for energy efficiency, including new insulation, windows, and furnaces.
Reliable, Efficient Electricity Grid: $11 billion
Renewable Energy Loan Guarantees: $8 billion for loans for renewable energy power generation and transmission projects.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research: $2 billion to universities, companies, and national laboratories.
Advanced Battery Loans and Grants: $2 billion for manufacturers of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems
Home Weatherization: $6.2 billion to help low-income families reduce their energy costs.
Smart Appliances: $300 million to provide consumers with rebates for buying energy efficient Energy Star products to replace old appliances.
GSA Federal Fleet: $600 million to replace older vehicles
Electric Transportation: $200 million for a new grant program to encourage electric vehicle technologies.
Cleaning Fossil Energy: $2.4 billion for carbon capture and sequestration technology demonstration projects to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere from industrial facilities and fossil fuel power plants.
Alternative Buses and Trucks: $400 million to help state and local governments purchase efficient alternative fuel vehicles
Diesel Emissions Reduction: $300 million to state and local governments — includes technologies to retrofit emission exhaust systems on school buses, replace engines and vehicles, and establish anti-idling programs.
Photo credit: EarthFirst.com
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