ecollo

Tutu says business travel will kill millions of Africans

Pinky Bean — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:09:00 -0600

Desmond Tutu thinks he knows who's responsible for global warming - or at least one of the major contributors.

The former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town and Nobel Peace Prize recipient is pointing the finger at businessmen who choose to fly to meetings instead of using technology such as video conferencing. In a video message (of course) addressing the World Development Movement lobby group last night, Tutu said these type of careless decisions made by developing countries was spelling out a death sentence for millions of the world's poorest individuals.

"It is the countries which are the least responsible for causing climate change that are paying the heaviest price," he said. "Do not fly in the face of the poor by allowing the emissions produced by endless and unnecessary business flights to keep growing."

"Climate change is for real. As I speak, famine is increasing, flooding is increasing, as is disease and insecurity globally because of water scarcity," he said. "As an African I urgently call on ordinary people in rich countries to act as global citizens, not as isolated consumers. We must listen to our consciences, and not to governments who speak only about economic markets. These markets will cease to exist if climate change is allowed to develop to climate chaos," he added.

"In South Africa we confirmed that if we act on the side of justice we have the power to turn tides," Tutu said. "I urge you ... to work together with campaigners in the global South and call for strong climate change laws in your own countries in the North, as well as internationally."

Scientists say climate change caused by burning fossil fuels will cause droughts, floods, crop failures and water shortages and believe as many as 185 million Africans could die this century as a result.

While reducing business travel is only a small part in exercising environmental responsibility, at least it's a start and a step in the right direction. Though it's not always the case, technology is supposed to make life a little simpler and more convenient - maybe this is a situation where it actually can.

How (not) to recycle bathwater

Pinky Bean — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:36:00 -0600

What happens when you decide to recycle your bathwater and use it in your garden? Well, we'll call this attempt a fail, but a valiant effort just the same. If nothing else it's pretty amusing.

We sure hope that the bathwater only contains eco-friendly, toxin-free soap! If you can think of a better way to get your bathwater to your garden, do let us know here in the comments section and hop on over after the jump and let the Times columnist who attempted this experiment know how how you successfuly accmplished this feat!

White lion cubs say hello to the world

Pinky Bean — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:20:00 -0600

White lions may not be classified as endangered, however there are only 300 of the creatures left in the wild. Their status remains listed as "vulnerable," so it was a happy event when two female white lions at the Zoo Safaripark in Germany gave birth to six cubs between the two of them. There were originally seven cubs, but unfortunately one died shortly after birth.

Crowds of people showed up to welcome the cubs as they were officially introduced to the public on Monday. You may not be anywhere near Germany, but here's your chance to welcome the cubs to the world as well. Watch the video clip below to see these adorable little guys, as their squinty little eyes struggle to stay open against the bright light of the outdoors and multiple camera flashes.

Everybody can use something to smile about on Friday morning. If the thought of the weekend being only mere hours away isn't quite enough to do it, watch the clip and see if these cute creatures can't turn the corners of your mouth up even just a bit.

Organic hair care by Tara Smith

Pinky Bean — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:10:00 -0600

Earlier this week, celebrity hairstylist Tara Smith officially launched her new line of eco-friendly hair products. The products are made from "all natural and organic" ingredients including aloe vera, camomile oil, bamboo extract, avocado oil, castor oil and wheat, corn and soy extracts among others.

Tara's goal was to create products that didn't contain some of the common chemicals and additives such as parabens, phthalates, glycols or synthetic fragrances found in many other products. She was also so committed to safely testing the products, the range's tagline became, "Tested on film stars, not on animals." The products even use eco-friendly recyclable packaging with a tag made from plantable paper.

Tara has worked with celebrities like Demi Moore, Rosario Dawson, Natalie Imbruglia, Orlando Bloom and Gary Oldman, some of whom were even the aforementioned non-animal test subjects for the new products.

Says Tara: "It was important to me to develop a professional-standard line that’s not only environmentally friendly, but accessible to everyone with a realistic price tag. The hair is essentially a plant and your scalp is the soil."

The line will include everything from shampoo and conditioner to styling products and travel hair care. You'll have to wait for awhile though; the products won't be available in stores until October.

Car emissions baffle Britain

Pinky Bean — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:45:00 -0600

Is 100 grams of carbon emissions per kilometer a low or high rate? Does an electric car have an exhaust pipe? Do hybrid vehicles run on biofuels alone? For that matter, do they produce any carbon emissions?

If you don't know the answers to questions such as these, research conducted by the British International Motor Show demonstrates you aren't alone in your confusion. As it turns out most of those who were polled aren't too sure either. Some of the information revealed included:

- 85% of people polled weren't aware of their own vehicle's emissions level

- 60% admitted to an overall confusion regarding emissions

- 70% said they actually do care about reducing emissions

- Women are more likely to be concerned than men. Over one-third of the men polled (38%) don't care at all.

- 84% of people couldn't tell you if 100 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer is a high or low number

- 58% believe electric vehicles have exhaust pipes

- A quarter of respondents think biofuels are carbon-free.

- Four per cent were highly confused about hybrid vehicles and thought it meant that two cars were welded together (try driving that down the street!)

Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “This year, The British International Motor Show will showcase the biggest collection of ‘greener’ vehicles, zero-emissions vehicles and ‘green’ automotive technologies the UK has ever seen under one roof. If people feel confused about the issues around greener driving they should come along to the show and find out for themselves.”

If you live in the London area, be sure to check out the show running July 23 to August 3. Learn more about it after the jump!

Al Gore extends energy challenge

Pinky Bean — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:06:00 -0600

Al Gore is certainly not one to pull any punches, at least not in regard to environmental issues. Big Al address Constitution Hall in Washington, DC today and spoke about the United States' need to transition to renewable electricity and carbon-free energy within the next decade. Some of the highlights of speech include:

The problem

I for one do not believe our country can withstand 10 more years of the status quo. Our families cannot stand 10 more years of gas price increases. Our workers cannot stand
more years of job losses and outsourcing of factories. Our economy cannot stand 10
years of sending $2 billion every 24 hours to foreign countries for oil. And our soldiers and their families cannot take another 10 years of repeated troop deployments to dangerous regions that just happen to have large oil supplies.

The Bush administration

Of course the greatest obstacle to meeting the challenge of 100 percent renewable electricity in 10 years may be the deep dysfunction of our politics and our self-governing system as it exists today. In recent years, our politics has tended toward incremental proposals made up of small policies designed to avoid offending special interests, alternating with occasional baby steps in the right direction. Our democracy has become sclerotic at a time when these crises require boldness.

It is only a truly dysfunctional system that would buy into the perverse logic that the short-term answer to high gasoline prices is drilling for more oil ten years from now.

The proposed solution

We’re borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet. Every bit of that’s got to change.

But if we grab hold of that common thread and pull it hard, all of these complex problems begin to unravel and we will find that we’re holding the answer to all of them right in our hand.

The answer is to end our reliance on carbon-based fuels.

What if we could use fuels that are not expensive, don't cause pollution and are abundantly available right here at home?

The challenge

Today I challenge our nation to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years.

This goal is achievable, affordable and transformative. It represents a challenge to all Americans – in every walk of life: to our political leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, engineers, and to every citizen.

As the U.S. election nears, Americans - and the rest of the world for that matter - will start to have a clearer picture of the policies and priorities they can expect to see coming out of whichever administration sets up camp in the White House. The likelihood of Gore's challenge coming to fruition and his role in the process will of course depend on the government he's working with. One thing is for certain and that is, we can surely expect more speeches like this and a strong push from the former vice-president before Americans visit their polling stations.

You can read Gore's entire speech after the jump.

Is Homer Simpson making your child fat?

Pinky Bean — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:14:00 -0600

If you want to help your child avoid the pitfalls of obesity, turn off the television - at least while they eat, say researchers. Scientists have confirmed that part of keeping extra pounds off is sitting down at a table with the family, minus the distraction of the boob tube.

Scientists have long known that kids who watch a fair amount of TV are typically heavier than those who don't, but they haven't known exactly why. They think they're starting to find answers though, as reported in a study funded the the Canadian Institute of Health Research and published in the medical journal Pediatric Research. Not only are couch potatoes less physically active, they also tend to mindlessly munch while they watch. In fact, boys between the ages of nine and 14 were tested, being fed a meal of unlimited pizza and told to eat until they were comfortably full. It turns out the spell of Homer and Bart was just too strong and those watching an episode of The Simpsons ate 22 per cent more pizza than those who weren't parked in front of the set. Those watching television were prone to ignore the signals their bodies were sending telling them they'd had enough. Even those who had a sugary drink half an hour prior to their food ate just as much when watching TV even though typically that would help cut their appetite.

Harvey Anderson, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto thinks this explanation makes perfect sense.

"It seems that what mother and grandmother said was right, and we (scientists) have to prove the obvious," he said. "You should just turn the damn TV off."

"What's happening is more than the lack of physical activity," Anderson said. "It's the 'override' by the environment," which drowns out signals that people would notice if they were sitting around a kitchen table, minus the TV.

Anderson also points out that "electronic distraction" while eating is not just harmful to kids, but adults as well, and that avoiding it is "common sense." If only society could rely on common sense. However considering there are individuals who have successfully sued fast-food restaurants for assisting in their becoming obese or developing heart problems, it seems the common sense ship sailed long ago.

Pocket gardens transform balconies from storage space to peaceful place

Pinky Bean — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:58:00 -0600

If you currently use the balcony of your apartment for storage, you may not be taking advantage of the aesthetic potential of the space. Instead, keeping your junk up there makes it look - well, junky. It's bad enough that we subject ourselves to basements or secret closets that are full of crap, but now our neighbors are becoming victims of our pack-rat ways.

Homeowners are instead encouraged to think back to the 90s when balconies were miniature retreats where one could relax with a cup of coffee and the newspaper and enjoy surrounding sights - yes, even in a concrete jungle. To achieve this, try turning the space into a "pocket garden" with a few well-placed plants in containers and perhaps a couple of comfortable chairs and maybe even a small table.

The plants should be as low-maintenance as possible. Let's face it, we're all busy and if you don't think you'll have the time to maintain upkeep of a particular plant, don't bother planting it or you'll just end up frustrated when it dies and turns into an ugly, brown shriveled mess. Focus on ones that are easy to water and can withstand heat. Ideal flowers are petunias and geraniums. Bougainvillea vines and their vibrant flowers will thrive in balconies facing south, east or west and even better, can withstand the winter if moved indoors and then put out again next season. Balconies facing the north make good homes for begonias, ferns, lobelia and impatiens. Vegetables and herbs are other great options. Red lettuce and curly endive are known to have calming properties (similar to those of flowers), while basil, oregano, marjoram and dill are useful to have around for cooking.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a coffee (or a margarita) and go enjoy all that your balcony has to offer. You'll probably enjoy it more than your pair of skis will anyway.

Climate change threatens Ugandan coffee production

Pinky Bean — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:07:00 -0600

Sometimes you read or hear something that really causes reality to set in. For java-lovers everywhere, it could be the fact that climate change may be responsible for the eventual obliteration of Uganda's coffee supply. Oxfam, a British charity, has released a report called "Turning up the heat, Climate Change and Poverty in Uganda," which says global warming may cause growing conditions to change too dramatically to sustain coffee production.

"The outlook is bleak. If the average global temperatures rise by two degrees or more, then most of Uganda is likely to cease to be suitable for coffee... this may happen in 40 years or perhaps as little as 30," the report said.

"According to the United Nations Environmental Program, only patches of land on the periphery will still be able to grow coffee...In the meantime, coffee farmers are going to have to adapt to rising temperatures."

Higher temperatures, intense storms and unstable rain patterns equals bad news in Uganda, a country that typically experience two rainy seasons which have become increasingly unpredictable. Less rain during one period caused drought and lower crop yields, while heavy downpour during the other created floods, landslides and soil erosion. In the meantime farmers are attempting to do what they can to prevent a crisis by using more rugged coffee plants in hopes they will be able to stand up to the weather.

Coffee may not be a dietary staple the way rice is (addicts will undoubtedly dispute that), but considering Uganda is the second-largest coffee producer in Africa (behind Ethiopia), as well as being the country's key export, the problem may be an inconvenience for coffee-drinkers but a matter of survival for the country. That's even scarier than the possibility of facing a morning without a daily caffeine fix.

Hollywood sends orangutans packing

Pinky Bean — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:55:00 -0600

For quite some time, Steve Martin (not the same Steve Martin of Father of the Bride fame) has been Hollywood's go-to supplier of orangutans-for-hire. Not anymore though, as Martin is sending six of his animals to a sanctuary in Iowa and saying his company will no longer subject the creatures to the high-pressure lifestyle of the entertainment industry.

Instead the orangutans will socialize at the Des Moines research center with other members of the ape family, including bonobos, chimpanzees and gorillas. First up will be 19-year old Katy and her three-year old son Rocky, followed by four others within the next few months. Activists haven't been big fans of using the animals in films, especially as the estimated 62,000 remaining creatures face extinction if their habitat continues to be destroyed due to logging and palm oil farming.

"Using nonhuman primates in entertainment venues like films, television and advertisements certainly doesn't enhance public attitudes toward their conservation, and doesn't get across the message about their precarious situation in the wild," Lori Perkins of Atlanta's zoo, who heads the Orangutan Species Survival Plan, said in a statement released by the trust.

"This is a very serious situation involving a species on the brink of extinction," she added. "Weigh that against the idea of having these magnificent creatures performing for our amusement, and it’s a pretty sharp contrast between entertainment and what’s happening to their counterparts in the wild."

Starbucks attempts to add some green to your cup

Pinky Bean — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:28:00 -0600

Spotted: The new Starbucks Vivanno cups bearing the following message:

Our new cup. 15% less plastic than before. 45% fewer carbon emissions to make it.

The Vivanno by the way isn't just another coffee drink with a slight twist (finally), but rather a relatively healthy protein- and fiber-rich meal replacement with less than 300 calories and only 2.5 grams of fat. It's also one of the few menu offerings that can claim it contains no artificial sweeteners, colors or high-fructose corn syrup.

It's not half bad either, but let's be honest: is it enough to save a company that recently had to close 600 stores? Not likely. And for a big corporation, the company isn't exactly wowing anyone with their eco-friendly initiatives the way others such as Wal-Mart are. But for now, we'll have to just be grateful for baby steps. Maybe one day the cup that currently boasts 15% less plastic will be recyclable or compostable.

Special offer from Origins

Pinky Bean — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:28:00 -0600

Back in May we wrote about Origins Organics' line of skin, hair and body products. You can click here to read the original post, but the general summary is that the company carries products that are USDA certified organic and free from toxins, artificial preservatives and additives.

The good news for all of you beauty product lovers out there is that from now through this Sunday, July 20, Origins has a special offer: Place any order through their website and you'll receive a free full-size Smileage Plus Liptint (which is 95% organic by the way). You can even choose the shade you want! Not only that, but standard shipping is free with any order with no minimum purchase required.

See the special offer after the jump and start stocking up. After all, you only have three days left to take advantage!

UK Ford dealers see a green future

Pinky Bean — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:19:00 -0600

Ford is making headway in the UK with their green practices and vehicles and consumers are increasingly opting for vehicles eco-friendly (and often money-saving!) properties.

Dagenham Motors, Europe's leading Ford dealer group, has seen their engine production increase to more than one million units per year as demand for their low carbon-emitting engines has led to significant growth. Dagenham's various locations also feature initiatives such as wind turbines, a rainwater collection system to wash cars and a recycling system that uses waste engine oil for heating. The wind turbines at Ford Dagenham alone save the company 6,500 tonnes of carbon emissions each year and plans to install a third turbine in 2009 are underway.

Beyond the facilities are the vehicles themselves. Thanks to 1.4 and 1.6 diesel engines, the company is experiencing higher sales of Ford cars that emit less than 120 grams of C02 per kilometer, with all 1.6 Ford Focus ECOnetic TDCi models falling under that benchmark. The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic is set to debut at the British International Motor Show after which Dagenham's small diesel engine production will increase from 485,000 to 575,000 next year.

Beginning in September, all Ford dealerships across the UK will offer customers the option of offsetting their vehicle's carbon emissions, while vehicles will also feature fuel economy labels displaying carbon emission information.

"Manufacturing, sales and service are embracing a common green vision," said Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director. "They are both reflecting what's on motorists' minds –needing to minimise the cost and impact of motoring."

And the contest winner is

Pinky Bean — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:17:00 -0600

On Monday at midnight (or would that technically make it Tuesday?), Ecollo wrapped up the second contest we've held so far. We want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who submitted entries and took the time to write or create a story for the site. We also want to thank those who visited the site and read, ranked and commented on the stories.

Despite some strong contenders, there could only be one winner. A big congratulations goes out to....(drumroll)...

...GRAEME KNOWLES!

Graeme created a very cool Chibi-Robo animation short that demonstrates why lowering dependency on traditional fuel and focusing instead on clean, sustainable energy is essential to a healthy future.

Great job Graeme and to everyone else who entered.

Keeping watching during the next few of weeks as we prepare to launch a new contest. We're keeping quiet for now, but let's just say it will definitely cook up a grand old time!

Stay tuned...and in the meantime, check out Graeme's winning entry after the jump!

Read this and you may never want to eat grapes again

Pinky Bean — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:11:00 -0600

Could global warming essentially be responsible for poisoning you? Well it gets blamed for just about everything else so why not?

Warning to arachnophobes: this story will probably give you a serious case of the heebie-jeebies, so continue reading at your own risk.

Imagine this scenario: You and your significant other are trying to make healthier food choices and try to include fresh produce in your diet, a goal made more difficult by the rising cost of food. You find some grapes on sale at your local supermarket and figure you've hit the motherload, stocking up while you can at an affordable price. Later on as you enjoy said grapes, you notice two spiders - one dead, one alive - among the fruit and suddenly notice you're starting to feel a little odd. Finally the onset of numbness and a massive headache make you pay a visit to the local hospital where you discover your discount grapes were actually home to a false widow spider, who not only created a poisonous nest among your snack, but also spread venom all over it.

It may sound like the plot to a cheesy horror film, but for UK couple Ceri and Rose Williams it was a nightmare-come-true. Even worse, experts say this type of incident is occurring more because of global warming. In fact, the Williams' were already the tenth and eleventh victims of false widows.

Stuart Hine, of the Natural History Museum, said: "Global warming means that spiders which originate from southern Europe and North Africa and Asia are now more likely to be able to survive in Britain."

Apparently the bites from false widow's have not been fatal and doctors estimate that most are no worse than a wasp bite. Somehow that is probably little comfort to those who unwittingly make a meal out of their venom.

And in a case of overwhelming generosity, the supermarket where the Williams' purchased the fruit from has offered to reimburse them the £2 they paid for the grapes. Perhaps this just makes a stronger case for eating locally-grown produce - and carefully washing your fruits and vegetables no matter where they come from.

Baltimore toys with the idea of banning plastic grocery bags

Pinky Bean — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:14:00 -0600

Baltimore is taking a huge step toward reducing the amount of waste created by disposable plastic grocery bags. In fact, an outright ban on the bags could pretty much take care of the problem if the city council decides it's the right move.

The Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee voted 3-1 yesterday in favor of a proposal to ban plastic bags at the grocery store , and now the 15-member council will vote on the issue on Monday. If approved, grocery stores would be forced to use only paper or reusable bags and the city mayor's office supports the initiative. Grocery store representatives are opposed to the idea though, pointing out that paper bags are more expensive and take more energy to produce.

In 2007, San Francisco became the first North American city to ban the use of traditional plastic grocery bags and at the time, city leaders said they hoped the trend would spread across the country. Looks like they're getting their wish. Stay tuned, because this is likely only the beginning. What do you think: is banning plastic bags in grocery stores a positive step forward or an insignificant move?

Experience natural beef from Rideau Farming

Pinky Bean — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:02:00 -0600

If the thought of reducing your meat consumption makes your skin crawl just a little, there are at least some greener alternatives that allow you to have your steak and eat it too.

Rideau Farming produces and sells beef that is 100 per cent farm raised in a natural, traditional style. Their cows are grass-fed, then corn finished and free from hormones, antibiotics and steroids. Beef is dry aged for two to three weeks, fresh frozen and wrapped in environmentally safe butcher paper. The farm currently has special BBQ packages available for the summer season which include seven to 10 thick steaks in a variety of tender cuts, a couple of roasts weighing between two to three pounds each, 2- quarter-pound beef patties, six one-pound packages of ground beef and shish kabob-ready cubed meat in one pound packages.

Rideau Farming also does their best to maintain healthy environmental practices by participating in initiatives such as the Rural Clean Water Program and an Environmental Farm Plan through the Ontario government.

Learn more about their earth-conscious farming practices or place an order after the jump.

Jennifer Lopez's twins won't wear the same outfit twice

Pinky Bean — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:05:00 -0600

Jennifer Lopez has built a reputation (and an entire empire) on her fashion-forward wardrobe choices. Love her or hate her, there's no doubt her clothing makes a statement (although it's unclear exactly what statement she was trying to make with her cut-down-to-there dress for the 2000 Grammy awards other than "Look! I have a belly button!). It's no huge surprise then that there's a rumor floating around the J.Lo has decided her baby twins Max and Emme won't be caught dead wearing the same outfit twice - after all those critics for the Best & Worst Dressed Six-Month Olds lists are ruthless beings. Those pink and blue onesies are soooo six months ago.

Given the fact that affordable style isn't exactly a hallmark of Lopez's wardrobe, this seems to be somewhat excessive. We do sincerely hope Ms. Lopez has a solid plan for the thousands of outfits her babies will soon be through with. We also hope this plan doesn't include the word "landfill" anywhere in it. As a precautionary measure, we have some ideas for her and husband and Marc Anthony.

- Sell the clothes on eBay and donate the money to charity. Hayden Panettiere and Kim Kardashian have both done it with successful results. At least the clothing would find a good home and some money could be raised for a good cause.

- Find (or host) a fashion swapping event like Lindsay Lohan, this one for your smallest family members (the kids, not the dogs!).

- Donate the clothes outright to a children's charity. Most of those in need of them could probably never dream of owning such luxurious items under normal conditions, so give them the tiniest taste of what it feels like to be born with a silver spoon in their mouths.

Great idea: Green loans

Pinky Bean — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:38:00 -0600

In an effort to encourage people to add some green to their homes, some smaller institutions in Australia are now offering lower interest rates on personal loans. The loans can be used for a wide range of eco-friendly initiatives such as the installation of a solar-energy hot water system, composting toilets, solar panels and organic waste water treatment systems or purchasing a hybrid vehicle, among many other potential uses.

One credit union indicated they had started to offer customers interest-free loans to assist with the purchase of rain water tanks when their area was faced with water restrictions. The feedback was so positive they decided to expand the initiative to include items such as green cars and solar panels. The general consensus is that as long as the money is used to help the environment, the institution involved will support a lower interest rate on loans.

Let's face it, if an individual or family is determined enough to have something, many will take on some form of loan to get there, even if that means using a credit card. At least some financial institutions are recognizing this not only making it more manageable, but possibly encouraging others to consider adding some eco-friendly aspects to their life. With the economic situation in the U.S. as fragile as it is now, taking out a loan may seem like a luxury few can afford. However in the event of less-than-ideal circumstances, being less dependent on a city's grid or gasoline isn't such a terrible thing either. No matter where you live, an analysis of expenses and a solid repayment plan should always be considered before entering any kind of debt. After all, a loan is money you'll owe to someone else, no matter how low or appealing an interest rate may seem.

Recycled leather from Begoodesigns

Pinky Bean — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:31:00 -0600

Begoodesigns specializes in creating sandals, bags and necklaces from 100 per cent recycled leather. The company gathers high-quality leather and fabric and uses them to produce hand-woven bags and sandals. They use even the smallest scraps of material and sew them together to form longer straps. Once a project is complege, the waste from that production is turned into necklaces and other accessories.

The leather used for these products comes from a variety of sources including car seats, armchairs and decoration pieces that would otherwise be discarded and burned. The comany's primary goal is promoting mindful consumption and environmental awareness while developing stylish and innovative products they feel people would be happy to use. The supplies come from small producers and artisans, and all designs and production takes place in Uruguay, South America.

See their line of products and how to get your hands on them after the jump.

Emeril is connected to the soil

Pinky Bean — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:17:00 -0600

Emeril Lagasse's show "Emeril Green" debuted just two days ago on Planet Green. If any of our American friends caught an episode or two (or all six!), please feel free to submit a review using our "Send Us a Story" feature (on the upper, left-hand side of the page) or leave your feedback in the comments section.

Emeril recently spoke with NBC 17 in Raleigh to explain the difference between organic, locally grown and seasonal food, as well as his own organic garden and his efforts to educate shopper's on his new show. Emeril says the idea of green cooking is often intimidating for those just starting out, but he has some tips to help simplify the process and remove some of the guesswork involved. Watch the clip below to see what he has to say.

First electric taxi in the UK to debut at British auto show

Pinky Bean — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:27:00 -0600

The British International Motor Show begins one week from today and the UK's first electric taxi is going to do it's darndest to steal the green spotlight when it officially launches.

The E7 taxi was built by Allied Vehicles in Glasgow and took three years of research and development by the company to get to this stage. The E7 runs entirely on Lithium-ion batteries manufactured by Axeon Holdings, and these batteries allow the car to travel up to 100 miles with one charge at a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour.The nature of the battery means the car has no carbon or pollutant emissions.

It's a shame then the Public Carriage office in the taxi licensing division of Transport for London denied the new vehicle, making it unlikely the the taxi will actually be used for its intended purpose in the near future. Here's hoping that changes because Allied is confident that the E7 could be an answer to some of the problems taxi drivers in the UK currently face.

“Taxis and their drivers have a hard life and with the rising cost of diesel at the moment, it is only going to get worse,” said Gerry Facenna, Chairman of Allied Vehicles.

“For the majority of taxi drivers, the key issue when buying a new cab is usually the cost to run, service and maintain their vehicle. In the current economic climate drivers are looking for ways to reduce costs and electric power offers an ideal solution, especially for congested urban areas where traffic is stop-start for much of the day.

“We’ve had a positive response to electric vehicles from many local authorities, both in the UK and in Europe. However it’s a shame that London looks set to miss out, especially since its famous taxi fleet is currently responsible for 4% of all emissions in the capital,” he added.

Lucky the koala bear earns his name

Pinky Bean — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:22:00 -0600

Lucky the Australian koala bear actually seems more like a cat with nine lives after he escaped for a horrific accident with relatively minor injuries. He's being called the country's luckiest marsupial, hence the nickname.

Lucky was hit by a car traveling at 60 miles per hour and then dragged for seven miles with his head stuck in the car's grill. The bear managed to hang on with one arm and his trapped head until the driver finally stopped the vehicle after being flagged down. Household scissors were then used to cut the mesh grill and free the shaken animal. Miraculously within hours, the bear was almost as good as new, though he will be spending the next month-and-a-half in an animal hospital established by the late Steve Irwin to recover from an infection and the trauma of the accident.

Lucky's full name is Ely 'Lucky' Grills, named after Australian actor and comedian Leo 'Lucky' Grills.

Natural remedies: Mosquito bites

Pinky Bean — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:41:00 -0600

Unless you're fortunate enough to live in a location where mosquitoes aren't plentiful during the summer, being on the receiving end of a bite from one of the pesky little creatures is pretty inevitable - and painful! Maybe pain is the wrong word - irritating, annoying, itchy, well you get the picture. Whatever you choose to call them doesn't make them any more fun or enjoyable.

The only way to truly heal a mosquito bite is to give it time since it usually takes a few days to disappear. However there are still a few natural, at-home remedies you can do to ease the discomfort for yourself or the six-year old you repeatedly try to keep from scratching the affected area.

- A few months ago we wrote about the many uses of baking soda. You can also use it to treat bites by making a paste with baking soda and water. Use just enough water to make the baking soda sticky and apply directly to the bite.

- Get more out of your aloe vera plant or pure aloe gel than just a sunburn treatment. Rub some on a bite to reduce swelling and itching.

- Dilute lime juice with some water and apply to the bite with a cotton ball.

- Use a few drops of an essential oil such as lavender, rosemary or tea tree oil, all of which have anti-inflammatory and/or healing properties.

Above all, don't scratch the area no matter how tempting it is! You'll only increase swelling and irritation and provide a poor example to the aforementioned six-year old who is just waiting for you to prove how difficult ignoring the Big Itch is.

EPA says kidney stone aren't the only possible health risks associated with climate change

Pinky Bean — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:34:00 -0600

Sure global warming may increase your chances of experiencing kidney stones, but according to a 149-page document released by the Environmental Protection Agency, it also poses the risk of a whole host of other health problems.

"Risk (to human health, society and the environment) increases with increases in both the rate and magnitude of climate change," scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency said. Global warming, they wrote, is "unequivocal" and humans are to blame for the relatively recent jump in temperatures.

Heat waves, wildfires, disease and smog are among the causes for the rising death toll. Other health problems that higher temperatures from climate change could intensify include disease carried by ticks and other organisms, allergies from an increased amount of pollen, and respiratory illness and lung disease from high levels of smog. The EPA also pointed out the fewer illnesses and deaths were also a possibility due to potentially cold temperatures.

The Bush administration is dismissing the results and asking for public input on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However the EPA claims it would be better to have Congress write a law specifically addressing global warming and believes the administration is playing down a connection between climate change and public health so the government does not have to deal with regulating greenhouse gases.

MLB's green All-Star Game happens tonight!

Pinky Bean — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:11:00 -0600

Don't forget to tune into Fox tonight for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the last one of these events that will ever be held at Yankee Stadium.

MLB partnered up with the Natural Resources Defense Council to bring eco-friendly aspects to the Mid-Summer Classic (as it's also billed). A green carpet was stretched out across 18 blocks of Manhattan including Sixth Avenue prior to this evening's game. The carpet, which covered 95,000 square feet, was made by Bentley Prince Street from 100 per cent recycled fiber content. Even the electricity used to create the carpet was sustainable with 100 per cent of it coming from solar sources, as well as the purchase of Green-e certified renewable energy certificates. Baseball greats including Yogi Berra and Hank Aaron walked the green carpet as part of the four-day celebrations that make up the All-Star event.

Beyond the green carpet, MLB has arranged for Chevy to transport the players and their families in FlexFuel Chevy Silverados, and has worked to reduce the event's carbon emissions by using post-consumer recycled paper products. The NRDC has also deployed "Green Teams" to educate attendees on the importance of recycling and transported fans to and from events on hybrid buses.

The game will air on Fox tonight, officially beginning at 8 p.m. ET, however you can start the fun at 7 p.m. with all of the pre-game coverage. In the meantime, whet your appetite for the game with this video clip from last night's All-Star Home Run Derby, where Josh Hamilton was the talk of the night with his 28 home runs in the first round.

New Green Fees For Electronics Hit Ontario

Pinky Bean — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:28:00 -0600

Today, Environment Minister John Gerretsen is signing a regulation to put into place a new electronics recycling program. This new program will include per item fees for all televisions and computers sold in Ontario. This is the first step of a new program that will hopefully see manufacturers make greener and easier to recycle products.

Producers and importers will have to start paying the fees. $10 for TV's and $2 - $13 for computers, beginning April 1, 2009. All fees collected will go to an organization established by Waste Division Ontario and will be used to fund the collection and recycling of the products from hundreds of drop-off locations which will be established across the province.

Read the rest of Mike's story by visiting The Environmental Age after the jump!

Beijing forces green but diseased recyclers out of the city

Pinky Bean — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:01:00 -0600

In a somewhat ironic twist, as Beijing tries to clean up its air in time for the Olympics, they are also attempting to portray their streets as sanitized and modern and as such, are driving the estimated 170,000 recyclers out of the city. These migrant workers from poorer areas of China are responsible for recycling a fourth of Beijing's trash and typically trade what they find to make a meager living.

Unfortunately over 70 per cent of the recyclers carry infectious diseases and over half have criminal records. One government adviser said the decision has less to do with presenting visitors with a clean image of the city and more to do with preserving safety and social order.

This move is the latest in a strong of initiatives meant to make Beijing as safe, clean and healthy as possible (at least in appearance). Several factories in neighboring regions will close to help reduce smog, leaving thousands without work for a month and starting next Sunday, roads will be closed to cars on alternate days.

Trump tries to sweeten golf course deal with the promise of free green cars

Pinky Bean — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:26:00 -0600

Everyone has their own ideas about how to add some green to the world. For Donald Trump it means giving away a Smart Car to everyone who purchases a house at the golf course he is hoping to build on the Menie estate in Scotland.

Project director Neil Hobday said: “We've been in discussions with a major distributor of Smart Cars for about a year on this idea. The new model is electric so is responsible for zero carbon emissions.

“Each house would have a plug point built into the garage. This would be a major step to lead the way as developers delivering on sustainability.”

Trump's intentions conveniently come amid controversy of the planned course, which the Aberdeenshire Council committee vetoed despite Trump and Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister, claiming the project has many environmental and economical benefits. The decision now rests with the Scottish government and the promise of an eco-friendly car with a home purchase is no doubt another last-ditch effort by the Donald to try to win their favor.

A new hairstyle probably couldn't hurt either...

Imperialis by Lush

Pinky Bean — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:08:00 -0600

The loose definition of "combination skin" is an oily T-zone (your forehead, nose and chin) and drier cheeks. Even if your skin tends to err on the side of dry in the winter, summer tends to amp up oil production (hola humidity!). Finding an ideal moisturizer that won't cause you to break out in your oil-prone areas yet won't completely dry out the rest of your face can be a never-ending quest.

You can stop searching though, because Lush seems to have found the answer with their lavender-infused moisturizer Imperialis. Lavender is known to "balance the skin's sebum production." Huh? Let's try that again: it encourages the production of natural oils in your dry spots while simultaneously preventing oily skin from producing too much. Talk about a multi-tasker! Orange flower water is added to tone the skin, while other butters and oils also work hard to keep the balance between moisture that's not too heavy and not too light.

If you need proof, allow me to take you on a journey to last summer. Some changes to my daily routine left my normally clear skin ravaged and launched a battle that raged for six months as I experimented with moisturizers that either left me with breakouts that would make a pubescent 13-year old blush or attractive flaky skin that make-up only served to emphasize. I was terrified by the word "oil" and multiple occurrences of "butter" on the ingredient list of Imperialis but was assured it would change my life. Always the skeptic, I hesitantly tried it out. Imagine my surprise when I experienced a skin revolution in the span of a week. It moisturizes, but never overdoes it, and though the occasional pimple is inevitable for anyone, left my skin by-and-large in pre-July 2007 condition. To sum it up, Imperialis has become one of the few facial products that is now granted a permanent spot on my bathroom counter.

Now if it could only make me look like Catherine Zeta-Jones...

Hollywood takes on The Colony in latest eco-thriller

Pinky Bean — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:29:00 -0600

It seems eco-entertainment that runs a little wild with imagination is the latest trend in Hollywood (Hey any deviation away from fake Barbie blonds who couldn't act their way out of a paper bag is a refreshing change, no?).

More dominant still has been the horror genre taking on an environmental spin with films such as The Happening delivering blatant environmental messages. Given all of the attention to such issues as global warming it's no real surprise; Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with, a fact film directors are obviously cluing in to. Next up is "The Colony" from Participant Media, who is remaining tight-lipped on the project, only revealing that it still be an eco-thriller brought to you by Stacy Title (The Last Supper, The Lone Ranger television show) and Jonathan Penner (CSI, The Last Supper). Participant will work with Vertigo Films and Room 101 to bring the film to the big screen.

Those are the few details we know about "The Colony" for now, but stay tuned because this latest film craze is likely just the beginning. And just in case you needed a reminder of why it's a much-appreciated breath of fresh air, watch the clip below of Paris Hilton is her most recent film "The Hottie and the Nottie" for all the evidence you could possibly need. It may not have been intended to be a horror film, but it it still managed to leave audiences trembling in fear for the future of humanity.

Aidream signature identifies eco-friendly Citroën vehicles

Pinky Bean — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:20:00 -0600

In an effort to make it as easy as possible to identify the most eco-conscious vehicles in their line-up, French automaker Citroën developed the Airdream initiative, which also reflects their commitment to environmental sustainability.

Citroën currently has approximately 50 vehicles bearing the Airdream signature. The signature identifies vehicles that meet a list of earth-friendly criteria including:

- CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km or,

- Fitted with diesel particulate filter system (DPFS) with CO2 below 158g/km or,

- Run on superethanol E85 or,

- Fitted with Stop & Start technology.

- Manufactured in an ISO 14001 certified factory.

- Designed to be 95% recoverable (recycling and energy recovery) at end of life.

Citroën's family car, Grand C4 Picasso as well as the C1, Europe's best-selling car boasting less than 110 grams per kilometer in carbon emissions both carry the Airdream label. The main goal of the Airdream program is to assist customers in choosing a new car, especially given the concerns of fuel economy amid high gas prices and the environmental impact of vehicles.

Learn more about the Airdream program by visiting the official Citroën website.

Kidney stone cases are expected to rise with the temperature

Pinky Bean — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:17:00 -0600

Researchers have found yet another health issue they're blaming on global warming. As it turns out, rising temperatures and increased dehydration may be a factor causing an increase in the cases of kidney stones.

Little known fact: there is actually an area of the U.S. known as the "kidney-stone belt" and residents of these southern states will suffer the worst (more than they apparently already are), with an additional 600,000 cases - or $1 billion in treatments - expected by 2050. The results of the study appear in this week's issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and claim that not only will the number of cases grow, but the regions where kidney stones are already most common will also expand. Currently the states the make up the kidney-stone belt include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, due to the hot climates in each. Scientists are predicting states from Kentucky all the way through northern California could be see significant increases in kidney stone occurrences.

"This is an example of how global warming will affect people directly," said study author Tom Brikowski, an associate professor with a specialty in hydrology in the department of geosciences at the University of Texas at Dallas. "And this problem is not just confined to the U.S.," said Brikowski. "This will also touch southern Europe, southeastern Europe, and southeast Asia. And because in that last area treatment options are more limited, countries in that region will certainly experience a much more severe impact on health."