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Eco-Beat, 9/3

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Sep 3rd 2009 @ 3:00PM

Is Brad Pitt going to give up acting to be a sustainable architect? Why are Michael Jackson's tigers in danger? Wanna ditch the chemicals for an eco-friendly pool cleaner? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Brad Pitt, credit: Jemal Countess, Getty ImagesBrad Pitt Supports Sustainable Building in Spain
Once again showing his enthusiasm for sustainable architecture, Brad Pitt made a quick trip out to Aviles, Spain, to study the eco-aspects of the new Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Center. Planners hope it will rival Bilbao's Guggenheim when it's complete.

Thriller and Sabu, credit: Shambala.orgMichael Jackson's Tigers Threatened with Extinction
... But not from poaching or a lack of prey species. The leaders of the Shambala Preserve (where MJ's tigers now reside) are ignoring a mandatory evacuation order from LA fire officials. Would you wanna load 100 wild animals, including big cats, into pet carriers?

catfish, credit: Friel, FlickrEco-Friendly Pool Cleaning
In one foreclosure-ravaged town in Florida, code enforcers have ditched the chemicals and started using a much cheaper and greener option to treat abandoned pools: Live catfish. At about 10% of the cost of chemicals, these pools are sanitary once again.

bamboo laptop accessories, credit: Viva TerraSustainable Computing is Beautiful
For those of us who place a premium on both aesthetics and sustainability, the options out there limited, but growing. If you're like me and you stare at a computer all day, you might consider beautifying your workspace with an eco-chic bamboo laptop stand and mouse.

Toyota Prius, credit: Brian Mitchell, Getty ImagesThe Making of the Prius Harmony Commercial
I agree, the new Prius commercial is really awesome ... the flowers, the choreography, the music, it's all very, uh ... harmonious. But are the spots so wonderful, in fact, that we actually want to watch behind the scenes video footage about how they were made? Apparently we do.
Green in a Flash:


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Justin Timberlake Leads the Greening of Golf Courses

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Sep 3rd 2009 @ 2:02PM

Justin Timberlake, celebrity golf course owner. Credit: Jeff Gross, Getty Images

Golf, which has long been the easy-to-vilify target of the green movement, may not be quite as evil as we've been taught to believe. In some cases it might even be considered something good for animals and the environment!

A new study done in Sweden shows that the ponds found on golf courses can actually be very hospitable for wetland critters. In fact, they're better than regular ponds for the great crested newt, a protected endangered species. And there is even a type of dragon fly that you can only find in golf course ponds!

Besides the ponds, which apparently are more than chemical stews of frog hormone disrupters, the study also showed that most courses have surprisingly large areas of natural habitat for wildlife, since there can be up to 70% of non-play area. In urban areas, where there is little green space at all, a golf course could be the best opportunity for wildlife to find a place to nest.

Continue reading Justin Timberlake Leads the Greening of Golf Courses



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Eco-Beat, 9/2

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Sep 2nd 2009 @ 3:00PM

Did you know that Alec Baldwin was an green tennis guru? Want an inside look at the Obama veggie garden? Who's behind this insidious Captain Planet movie hoax, because a lot of disappoint fans want to rip them a new one? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Venus Williams, credit: Chris McGrath, Getty ImagesThe US Open Goes Green
Thanks to stars like Billie Jean King, Venus Williams and even Alec Baldwin, the US Open has launched a wholesale effort to make the tournament more eco-friendly with recycling and t-shirts that read "Save Our Planet - It's the Only One with Tennis." So true.

Michelle Obama, credit: Win McNamee, Getty ImagesInside the White House Veggie Garden
First Lady Michelle Obama has given the masses an opportunity to take a behind the scenes look at the famous White House organic veggie garden. Check out the video where Michelle discusses her philosophy on gardening and revolutionizing America's eating habits.

captain planet, credit: bm022, FlickrCaptain Planet Movie Rumors Won't Die
Ever since a prankster posted a rumor that a live action Captain Planet movie was in production on Wikipedia, the rumor refuses to pass on into oblivion. At this year's Comic Con, the CP fans were once again whipped into a frenzy by a well-crafted, fake movie poster.

bubble wrap popper, credit: Stephalicious, FlickrIs Bubble Wrap Recyclable?
For most people, the only known way to reuse bubble wrap is to simply enjoy the pleasure of popping each individual bubble and then toss it. Though it's not universally welcomed at recycling centers, there are plenty of people who may want to take it off your hands.

No Impact Man poster, credit: Cinematical.comWant to Check Out "No Impact Man" for Free?
No Impact Man hits theaters a week from Friday and the eco-flick's promoters are offering free tickets for pro-active Twitter addicts. Check out the "No Impact Man" trailer and details on how to win free tix.
Green in a Flash:


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Hop on the Upcycled Billboard Bag Bandwagon

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Sep 2nd 2009 @ 12:03PM

Yak bag made from billboard vinyl Credit: Vineet Devaiah, Terracyle

When you think billboards, you probably get an image of Times Square, or another urban setting where oversized ads loom, clamoring for your attention. But do you ever wonder what happens to a billboard when the campaign is over and the space is needed for a new ad?

Many billboards are made from highly durable vinyl, which as you know is not remotely biodegradeable. According to Terracycle, in the US alone we send 3 million billboards a year to landfills -- about 10,000 tons of vinyl. The inventive upcycling company came up with a solution: partner with Yak Pak and make a variety of cool bags from the material, and sell them for under $35.

Target is also getting on the billboard bag bandwagon. They commissioned emerging artists like Michael Anderson and Josh Goldstein to create art billboards in Times Square. The billboards will be on display from Labor Day through Halloween. After the campaign, they will be upcycled into bags designed by Anna Sui, and retail for $29.99.

Continue reading Hop on the Upcycled Billboard Bag Bandwagon




Filed under: Fashion

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Eco-Beat, 9/1

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Sep 1st 2009 @ 3:00PM

What are Ed Begley's top five most important tips for going green at home? Why does Heather Mills hope that "Frankenstein-inspired" is a fall fashion buzzword? Shopping for some eco-chic styles for fall? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Ed Begley, credit: Kevin Winter, Getty ImagesEd Begley's Top Five Quick Tips
I can't say that Ed's insightful yet obvious green tips have blown my mind, but come on ... it's Ed Begley. Sometimes it not what gets said that's important, it's who says it. Even if I've heard it a thousand times, it's more encouraging coming from Ed.

Heather Mills, credit: Frederick M Brown, Getty ImagesHeather Mills Debuts Green Fashion Line
Perhaps it was the use of the @ sign in the name, but I had a feeling that Heather's Be@One clothing line was not going to spark a fashion revolution. Instead, critics described her styles as "Frankenstein-inspired" and "laughably horrid." Hey, at least they're recycled.

Fall Fashions: Nau Even More Sustainable!
After an ominous shutdown a year ago, the eco-clothing company founded by former Nike and Patagonia execs is roaring back to life with a new and improved lineup for fall. Nau's Fall 2009 collection is packed with smart-looking styles from sustainable sources.

baby in the leaves, credit: Future15pic, FlickrThe Green Way to Deal With Autumn Leaves
Should you burn them, bag them, or just ... leave them? That crunchy carpet isn't a menace, but a leafy layer of free super-mulch. The best thing to do is chop them up into smaller pieces (preferably with an eco-mower), then pile them up around your trees.

LA county fire fighter, credit: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesCalifornia Wildfires Spread Haze Across the US
Thousands of homes near LA are currently being threatened by a fire so intense, it's creating its own weather and flinging smoke so high into the atmosphere that its causing hazy skies in Denver. Think rain -- together we can make it happen.
Green in a Flash:


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Origins Recycles Your Old Makeup Cases

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Sep 1st 2009 @ 12:02PM

Take your old makeup containers to Origins! Credit: Origins

Something I've been meaning to do for a while is clear out my makeup drawer. Magazines and beauty experts always tell you to replace your mascara frequently, and I have far too many odd-tasting, waxy lipsticks that will never see the light of day again.

Here's the thing: most of those makeup cases are made of weird, unrecyclable plastic. So even though there are increasing numbers of great companies, like Physicians Formula, who offer compostable packaging, clearing out the your old makeup can result in a wastebasket full of random plastic compacts, lipstick tubes and eye shadow palettes headed straight to the landfill.

And here's the solution: in this month's Self Magazine I saw an ad for the Return to Origins Recycling Program. They will actually accept your old makeup containers, and take care of recycling them responsibly, or sending them to an energy recovery facility, where they can be incinerated in a furnace with strictly controlled emissions. They'll take any brand, not just their stuff!

Continue reading Origins Recycles Your Old Makeup Cases




Filed under: Fashion, Tips, Natural Body Care

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Eco-Beat, 8/31

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 31st 2009 @ 3:00PM

Is the electric car sparking a musical revolution? Why is the Earthrace boat getting a bulletproof hull? Is a video game about playing outdoors really going to encourage kids to play outside? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


They Might Be Giants, credit: Scott Gries, Getty ImagesElectric Cars Rock
With the release of Neil Young's much maligned green car concept album and now this single by They Might Be Giants entitled "Electric Car," a new wave of car-inspired tunes are hitting the streets. I don't think the e-car has found its anthem quite yet, though.

Earthrace celebration, credit: Philippe Desmazes, Getty ImagesEarthrace Boat Joins the Sea Shepherd Crew
You may or may not have followed Earthrace as the biodiesel powerboat circumnavigated the globe in a record 61 days. Now, the famous tri-hull speedster is being re-purposed to literally "block harpoons" in the Sea Shepherds' battle against Japanese whalers.

children playing, credit: Eggman, FlickrA Video Game About Playing Outdoors
What better way to encourage children to play outdoors than to design a video game which simulates playing outside? Right? Well-intentioned as it may be, US Fish and Wildlife Service's "Neighborhood Explorers" seems like a dubious way to encourage budding nature lovers.

olive oil, credit: Roboppy, FlickrRefining Your Taste in Olive Oil
If you love to cook, then you probably heat up some tasty extra virgin olive oil nearly everyday. As the popularity of the oil grows, so does its agricultural footprint. Grist has put together a list of five organic olive oils to help you indulge while reducing your foodprint.

oxygen bleach sign, credit: Tyla'75, FlickrEco Cleaning Tip: Oxygen Bleach
Scrubbing stubborn tile and grout can be frustrating, but instead of busting out the napalm or other noxious chemicals to help you lay waste to mold and mildew, go for the oxygen bleach. Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach basically breaks down into oxygen and water.
Green in a Flash:


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It's Rough Being an Elephant

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 31st 2009 @ 12:07PM

Asian elephant in the water. Credit: KAREN BLEIER, Getty Images

Remember earlier this year when baby elephant Mosha got a prosthetic leg thanks to Friends of the Asian Elephants, in Thailand? Well, those kind folks have provided another elephant, 48 year old Motola, with an artificial leg, to replace the one that she lost to a land mine 10 years ago.

Motola has been "practicing" with a temporary limb for three years, in order to get the muscles and tendons ready for her permanent leg. Even though she was a bit tentative putting weight on her new limb, she seemed pretty happy, spraying dirt to express her excitement.

Elephants used to be the primary form of transportation in Thailand, but they've been replaced by cars and trucks. Today one of the few roles left for elephants is providing rides to tourists, but that's still a rough life.

Continue reading It's Rough Being an Elephant




Filed under: News, Plants and Wildlife

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Eco-Beat, 8/28

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 28th 2009 @ 3:00PM

What's Dave Matthew's plan to bribe his beer-chugging fans to recycle? Does your child really have the wizard-like discipline needed for a pet owl? Will bikini car washes help boost the masculine appeal of hybrid cars? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Dave Matthews, credit: Stephen Lovekin, Getty ImagesDave Matthews Bribes Fans to Recycle
This summer, DMB fans can take the intrinsic sense of gratification they get from helping the planet and trade it in for good old fashioned prizes. Fans who recycle their mountain of beer cans at Dave's concerts will get free downloads from the band's "So Much to Save" album.

snowy owl, credit: Eric Begin, FlickrHarry Potter Inspires Pet Owl Debacle
Following in their favorite boy-sorcerer's footsteps, many Harry Potter fans have flocked to the pet store in order to buy their very own Snowy Owl. As it turns out, owls don't make the most snuggly, well-adjusted pets ... so now they're being abandoned in record numbers.

Drive a Green Car, Get a Free Bikini Car Wash!
Taking a note out of the PETA playbook, Angry Green Girl used semi-nude sexiness to bring awareness to environmental issues by offering a free car wash (performed by bikini-clad models) to anyone who drives an environmentally-friendly vehicle.

desertscape, credit: Horizon, FlickrMapping the Ocean's "Deserts"
Researchers have found that the ocean's "desert" areas (slightly less dead than "dead zones") have expanded by 500,000 sq-km in the last 10 years alone! It may be depressing to look at, but it's important nonetheless; check out the lifeless ocean deserts map.

Brammo Electric Motorcycles On Sale At Best Buy
The age of the electric motorcycle is dawning. For proof, you only have to go so far as Best Buy. Those who want to recreate their own "Easy Rider" trek -- minus the emissions and heroin -- can pick up their new "hog" at Best Buy locations on the West Coast.
Green in a Flash:


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Eco-Beat, 8/27

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 27th 2009 @ 3:00PM

Has Paul McCartney left a permanent impression on Lisa Simpson's eating habits? Can the next generation of Hollywood enviros measure up to their predecessors? Want some haz-mat-free cleaning tips? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Paul McCartney, credit: Dave Hogan, Getty ImagesPaul McCartney Campaigns to Keep Lisa Simpson Veg
Before his cartoon cameo on The Simpsons, Paul made executive producer David Mirkin promise that Lisa will say vegetarian. Says Mirkin: "Every time I see him, he always checks – and he's always surrounded by nine or ten lawyers, so it's quite frightening!"

Natalie Portman, credit: Rob Loud, Getty ImagesHollywood Greens: The Next Generation
Right now, we're lucky to have Ed Begley Jr., Robert Redford and Daryl Hannah fighting the good fight, but who'll be ready to take the reigns when the baby boomers are gone? Grist has put together a list of the 17 most likely candidates to fill their shoes.

cleaning supplies, credit: Collin Anderson, FlickrTips For Cleaning Up Your Clean Ups
Looking for some household cleaners that don't come with a hazardous chemical warning? It turns out that you can have spotless surfaces without keeping poison control's 1-800 number on hand. The main ingredients include: Baking soda, vinegar and elbow grease.

cash for clunkers display, credit: billaday, FlickrCash for Clunkers: The Final Analysis
Despite those in the world of politics joyfully proclaiming victory over both the recession and climate change, those who are crunching the numbers are left a little skeptical (if they weren't already). Was there a clear benefit to either the economy or the environment?

breathing partition, credit: yankodesigns.comA Cubicle You Can Water
The office cubicle is commonly believed to be one of the most soul-suck architectural elements in any workplace -- aside from that printer/copier/fax machine. Well, what if your workspace was surrounded with modern-looking partitions topped off with lovely vegetation?
Green in a Flash:


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The Copenhagen Climate Conference Simplified

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 27th 2009 @ 12:01PM

Yvo de Boer

Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Credit: TORU YAMANAKA, Getty Images

You've probably seen references to the United Nations Copenhagen Climate Conference that is being held this December in Denmark. The goal of the gathering, which will include (almost literally) every country in the world, is to create a new global protocol to address climate change, and that will succeed the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.

I have to admit that news about this conference had become a sort of "cap/emissions/2 degrees warmer and we're all dead!" white noise to me. Climate change is another one of those topics that can be so overwhelmingly scary and negative that, like most people, after a while I tune it out.

An interview with UN climate chief Yvo de Boer simplified the goals of the conference for me, and made it seem more practical and less dire. It turns out they just have to answer four questions

Continue reading The Copenhagen Climate Conference Simplified




Filed under: News, Climate Change

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Eco-Beat, 8/26

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 26th 2009 @ 3:00PM

Can there be such thing as a sustainable 33-room mansion? Is it worth unplugging all of your appliances when you go on vacation? When was the last time you used a phone book? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Gwyneth Paltrow, credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty ImagesGwyneth Paltrow Plans 33-Room Mega Mansion
With two little ones running around, Gwyn's piddly $2.5M London townhouse is no longer adequate. That's why she bought the adjacent property and is renovating to make one 33-room mega house. You are going to explain how this is green in your newsletter, right Gwyn?

plug face, credit: Jake Mates, FlickrKeeping Your Bills Low While on Vacation
If you're skipping town this summer, you're probably wondering if there are ways to make your home more energy-efficient while your away. Casa Verde has a few simple tips to help you limit your home's energy-usage while you're kicking it on the beach.

phone books piled, credit: Monkeyatlarge, FlickrTime to Give Phone Books the Plastic Bag Treatment?
What's the biggest, thickest book in most US households? It's not an encyclopedia, or the Bible. It's usually a copy of your local Yellow Pages. Recycle it and a new 1800-page monstrosity will magically appear on your doorstep in two months.

college kids tubing, credit: Sheshoo, FlickrMissouri Legislators Ban the Wrong Plastic
In an effort to clean up rivers and discourage drunken river rudeness, legislators banned the following from the state's waterways: Beer bongs, mardi-gras beads, jello shots, and reusable sandwich containers? They meant to outlaw styrofoam coolers. Whoops!

Ellen Degeneres, credit: Kevork Djansezian, Getty ImagesEllen Degeneres Will Chair the Animal Acres Gala
The little ol' sanctuary for rescued farm animals has a pretty impressive guest list. If you'd like to wine, dine, and recline with tons of celebrities, all while helping to buy feed, shelter and veterinary care for these animal friends, ticket are available for the Animal Acres Gala.
Green in a Flash:


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We Can All Work on the 4th R: "Respond"

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 26th 2009 @ 12:09PM


Recycling on the streets of San Francisco. Credit: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Everyone knows the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Of course the truly green also practice the fourth R: "Respond".

I'm going to give all of you GreenDaily readers the benefit of the doubt, and take it as a given that you all Recycle -- the blue bins are ubiquitous in most cities, and if you really want one, you can even find it in rural areas. Heck, in San Francisco, where I live, we're even required to compost.

In these days of economic uncertainty (also known as "we're all broke anyway") Reducing is common because it makes good financial sense. No one needs to prompt me to turn out the lights when I leave a room, PG&E sends me a monthly reminder!

Continue reading We Can All Work on the 4th R: "Respond"




Filed under: Home, Activism

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Madagascar's Politcal Problems Lead to Lemur on the Menu

by Cat Lincoln (Subscribe to Cat Lincoln's posts)
Aug 25th 2009 @ 4:40PM


The island nation of Madagascar is a refuge for several species of endangered animals. An amazing 5% of the world's biodiversity can be found on the world's fourth largest island, located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Africa.

International funding and support for conservation programs have helped preserve many of these unique species, including the iconic lemur. But this year the political climate became so volatile that Madagascar was suspended from the African Union, and a great deal of international conservation support was forced to withdraw.

Now that those pesky eco-watchdogs are out of the way, 60 Second Extinction Countdown at Scientific American reports that poachers are having a field day with the natural resources of Madagascar, harvesting timber and -- this really awful -- selling endangered lemurs to restaurants as a luxury food delicacy.

Continue reading Madagascar's Politcal Problems Lead to Lemur on the Menu




Filed under: Food, Activism, Plants and Wildlife

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Eco-Beat, 8/25

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Aug 25th 2009 @ 3:00PM

What truth was so inconvenient that even Al Gore's movie wouldn't cover it? Forget the trace amounts of BPA in your SIGG bottle, what about the weed killer in your tap water? Do you have a killer record collection, or a eco-conscious one? Today's Eco-Beat has the scoop on all the latest green news and tips.


Moby, credit: Tim Whitby, Getty ImagesWhy Is Al Gore Dodging Livestock Emissions?
Given that animal production results in more of the world's greenhouse emissions than cars, Moby asked Al why he didn't mention this in "An Inconvenient Truth." Says Moby, "He answered honestly... Getting people to give up animal products is almost impossible."

hemp garden, credit: Edward the bonobo, FlickrA House Built Out of Cannabis
It's every stoner's dream, but soon it could be a reality. A company in the UK is bringing its revolutionary, carbon-negative and non-hallucinogenic cement to the US: Hemcrete. The stuff is 7x stronger than conventional concrete and it weighs about half as much.

weed killer, credit: Leo Reynolds, FlickrWeed Killer in Your Water
Speaking of weed, how would you feel if I told you that there's weed killer in your drinking water? Not too comforting, eh? It's called Atrazine, and it's used by farmers, golf courses, and yard of the month hopefuls. Banned in Europe, the EPA says it's OK for Americans.

baby browsing cds, credit: Rude Cactus, FlickrIs Your Music Library Green?
A new life cycle study of six different ways of consuming music confirms what we already know: downloading digital music is much greener than owning any kind of physical copy. OK, it's not exactly earth-shattering, but the results are enlightening none the less.

four generations, credit: Jun's World, FlickrGeneration Y Will Kill Us All
According to a recent study, the most non-conscientious, energy-wasting age group is (drumroll, please) 18-25. However, it's not from lack of concern for environmental issues. It's because they haven't taken the initiative to learn what appliances use the most water and electricity.
Green in a Flash:


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