TreeHugger

Santa's Arctic Visitors Curb Emissions

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:02:23 -0500

Santa's workshop photo by undeadbit via Flickr Daily flights to see Santa Claus will now produce fewer emissions. Ho. Ho. Ho. No kidding. Isn't that a nice gift to the planet? A total of 35 planes soar in each direction to and from the UK and the Arctic Circle during the peak period of the holiday season. It adds up. Yes, instead of heading to Harrods to ask Santa for Christmas presents, some English children prefer sitting in his lap in Lapland. Now their parents can feel a little less guilty. ]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Avatar's Eco Message, Disney's Green Grants for Kids, and More

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:30:42 -0500

Photo via Chud.com Movie buffs have been waiting years for James Cameron's Avatar (see our post about it here), which opens today after a 12-year production schedule, but environmentalists may have their own reasons for checking out this high-tech drama: the story, about a Marine sent to assist with a mining operation on an alien planet, has a green message that Cameron says was hugely important to him.]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Avatar: Big Movie with Big Environmental Themes

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:05:14 -0500

Image: 20th Century Fox Dances With Wolves in Space? I haven't seen James Cameron's Avatar yet, but after reading many of the reviews that came out yesterday, it's pretty obvious that the movie has an important green theme. Warning: This post will include no spoilers except for what is revealed in the theatrical trailer and in the average review (for more reviews, see links below). But before we get to the green angle, a bit of background: Avatar is a science-fiction epic that was made using cutting edge technology (a lot of it is computer generated). The story takes place in 2154 ]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Boho: The Little Green Magazine That Could?

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:30:43 -0500

While other magazines are folding, Boho has found its eco-fashion niche. Image courtesy of bohomag.com. Guest blogger Cara Smusiak is a journalist and regular contributor to NaturallySavvy.com's Naturally Green section. It hasn't been a great couple of years for magazines. Venerable brands like Gourmet and Blender folded in 2009, and despite widespread love for all things green, even eco mags haven't been able to weather the storm all that well. Plenty]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Humans Brought Monkeys to St. Kitts and Inadvertently Turned Them Into Alcoholics (Video)

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:17:40 -0500
Images: Youtube Where Can I Get a Drink Here? Okay, this one is a bit on the light side, but I found it quite interesting as an illustration of the unintended consequences (sometimes really unintended) of introducing non-native species in foreign ecosystems. The video below shows alcoholic monkeys... Read the full story on TreeHugger

We Shall Overcome: Pete Seeger Celebrates His 90th on DVD

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:01:58 -0500
Image from starpulse.com Here's the gift for the hip old-timers on your list...you really like them but don't have a clue what to get them. It's Pete Seeger, singing along with all his friends. In his case, friends means Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Paxton, Billy Bragg, Taj Mahal, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Steve Earle and Oscar the Grouch. Come gather 'round people, wherever you roam, all your ageing hippie/leftie/folkie relatives and friends will recognise the names and songs from their murky past. Songs sung at protests and demonstratio]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

"Avatar:" Global Warming Propaganda, Hypocrisy or Warning?

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:13:19 -0500
"Avatar" Na'vi battle Earthlings exploiting Pandora. Image courtesy of 20th Century Fox. The year is 2154. Earth is under ecological siege. Six light-years away, the moon of Pandora possesses a resource called Unobtanium (yep!) that holds the answers to the ravages on the environment. But the nature-worshiping indigenous inhabitants, the Na'vi (short for native perhaps?), don't take too kindly to human's invading to rape and pillage their land. That's the set-up for Avatar. Fair enough. Not according to Read the full story on TreeHugger

Video Q&A: Optimistic, Thom Yorke Comes to Copenhagen to Ask World Leaders to "Get Their Shit Together"

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:00:36 -0500
Thom Yorke is no tourist in the climate activism world -- he's defended fair trade, campaigned for Friends of the Earth, edited a climate change edition of the Observer, and sought to make Radiohead's tours low carbon affairs. And now he's come to Copenhagen, just hours before a possible agreement, determined to find reason for optimism -- and perhaps set world leaders straight. When I spoke to the head Radiohead this afternoon, he had recent]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Photographers Capture Life in Garbage City

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:42:25 -0500
All photos: Bas Princen, Klavs Bo Christensen and Alexander Heilner Outside Egypt's capital, in the shadow of the Pyramids and tucked in the mountains of Mokattam, is an incredible city that literally survives on trash. Garbage City, as it's known, is home to 30,000 Zabaleens-- Coptic Christians from southern Egypt --who, each day, enter Cairo and collect its waste. 60 percent of the trash produced in Cairo passes through Garbage City to be recycled. It is an amazing sight, awash in refuse.]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Finding a Balance Between Farmers and Farmville

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:51:05 -0500
Image credit: Good At Good, Peter Smith writes:
The sun always shines. Pink cows produce strawberry milk. Soybeans take two days to grow and ripen. Something is not right. It's too clean. Nothing smells. Coffee bean grows next to squash. Millions of first-time farmers plant new crops every week. And—finally!—people pull out their wallets to support local agriculture. Welcome to Farmville.
]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

"The Five Best States to be an Animal Abuser"

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:10:13 -0500
Animal Cruelty Abounds in Some States The the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) has just release a new report that looks at the best and worst U.S. states when it comes to the legal protection of animals against abuse and cruelty. The comparative analysis tells us what are the best states, but also, what are the "b]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Best and Worst of 2009: The Year (and Decade) in Review

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:30:10 -0500

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ForestEthics' 2009 List of Naughty or Nice Catalog Culprits

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:27:28 -0500

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1% for the Planet: The Music. Songs for the Earth

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:01:50 -0500

1% for the Planet: The Music, Vol. 1, a digital album is due for release at this time. More than 40 artists, the like of including Jack Johnson, Brandi Carlile, Jackson Browne, and Angilique Kidjo have "donated rare and exclusive tracks to produce the first album dedicated to supporting ]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Who Do You Think Should be Time Magazine's Person of the Year?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:48:22 -0500

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons Time Magazine has chosen Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke as the "Person of the Year" for 2009. Obviously, global economic meltdown and the subsequent efforts for recovery merit recognition in the news. But what about all the other people who worked tirelessly to address issues of equally-world changing significance?]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

How Can Eco-Art Inspire Change?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:13:11 -0500

An image from artist Maya Lin's "Unchopping a Tree" installation from the What's Missing? project. 'Where do we go from here?' was the question that brought a panel of creative minds together at the Louisiana Museum of Contemporary Art, just north of Copenhagen last Saturday. Leading artists and designers met for a symposium about future solutions. While the battle at Bella Center marches on at COP15, Copenhagen is filled with Read the full story on TreeHugger

Wend Magazine's Digital Version Is Cut Free

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:29:41 -0500

Photos: From Wend magazine - Winter 2009-2010 We're big fans of Wend Magazine. It's immerses its readers in the wild outdoor environments, in diverse cultural environments, and in the broader environmental challenges facing the planet. Wend is a travel magazine, sure, but it takes the path less travelled. It goes by foot, bicycle, ski, canoe, sail and other more environmentally benign, yet exciting and engaging means of transport. Last week it decided to take another largely untrammeled trail, with an announcement that its digital version of the magazine for Free. No cost. Zilch. Nada, Zero.]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Copenhagen Activists, Youth Start Protest March, Sit-In, Inside Climate Talks Venue (Video)

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:31:10 -0500

NGO Shut-Out As climate talks continued to creep forward and heads of state prepared to pose for a group portrait in the plenary hall of the meeting site, the Bella Center, a crowd of youth, activists, indigenous peoples, and perhaps some delegates, began a chant of "Climate Justice Now!" and "Reclaim Power!" in the middle of the Center's main space.]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

George Monbiot Debates Climate Skeptic Author Ian Plimer (Video)

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:15:24 -0500

Photo: ABC TV George Monbiot has graced our pixels many time before (see links below). The journalist with Britain's Guardian newspaper believes we need to take swift and decisive action, if we are to avert the effects of man-made climate change. Ian Plimer, a geologist, is Professor of Mining Geology at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and director of three mining companies. And he is author of the controversial bo]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Here's an Idea: Share Things with Your Neighbors

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:44:47 -0500

Image credit: Good Sure, we have Zipcar, bike sharing, and even tool shares, but Good wants to know why this sort of thing isn't more popular.]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Jon Stewart On Copenhagen, Limos, and Climate Deniers (Video)

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:42:00 -0500

Photo via the Guardian Jon Stewart kicked off the week with coverage of the COP15 climate summit in Copenhagen. He does an admirable job of summing up the good, the bad, the ridiculous, and the maddening from the news that's emerged over the last couple of days. And then there's the limos, and the scientists' get-rich-quick schemes . . . Video's after the jump.]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

UPS Using Bikes to Deliver Packages in Silicon Valley During Holidays

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:49:17 -0500

Doing It Old-School Last year, we wrote about UPS doing some seasonal deliveries with bicycles in ]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Danish Crown Prince to Drive Fisker Karma to Copenhagen Climate Conference

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:42:14 -0500

Photo: Fisker Automotive First Non-Fisker Employee to Drive the Karma PHEV Henrik Fisker, the founder of Fisker Automotive, was born in Denmark, home of the COP15 climate conference. We're not sure if he had a royal connection or if it is the Danish crown prince Frederik himself who asked Fisker for a ride, but it looks like the Prince is going to be driving a Kar]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Bundle Up Your "Babies in Sheep's Clothing"

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:06:35 -0500

Babies in Sheep's Clothing, merino wool childrenswear. Credit: Babies in Sheep's Clothing If you're looking to bundle up your little one during winter months, take a look at Babies in Sheep's Clothing's cute and cuddly collection of merino wool clothing and outerwear for children. The mittens, sweaters, scarves, jackets, and booties--take a closer look after the jump--are handmade in New Zealand with natural fibers (no synthet]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Bicycle Culture 2.0 in Copenhagen: Look at This Amazing Bike-Friendly Urban Planning (Video)

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:46:32 -0500

37% of People Commute by Bike! Our friend Elizabeth Press went to Copenhagen for COP15, and while there she had the chance to shoot some video (with Mikeal from Copenhagenize) and I]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Climate Pilgrims March for Interfaith Environmental Unity (Slideshow)

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:00:00 -0500

photo: Matthew McDermott Not twelve hours before the streets between central Copenhagen and the Bella Center were filled in what's been dubbed the world's largest climate change demonstration, a smaller but no less enthusiastic group took to the streets. Learning about Jewish, Buddhist, Islamic, and Christian perspectives on the environment -- and finding much in common -- the Climate Pilgrims marched, ]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Polar Bear in the Square in London and Copenhagen

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:55:19 -0500

ice sculpture of a polar bear is sitting in London's Trafalgar Square for the next week. Melting. By the end of its stay, probably all that will be left will be a bronze skeleton and a pool of water. Created by English sculptor Mark Coreth, in association with the World Wildlife Fund, it is meant to be a powerful reminder of the beauty and fragility of the Arctic and how this vast landscape is now under threat from climate change. ]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Inuit's Biggest Threat: Climate Change or Regulations?

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:00:00 -0500

Photo via National Geographic Representatives of the Inuit are in Copenhagen this week to speak of how climate change is not only harming the environment in which they live, but also impacting their traditional way of life. They are calling for funding to help preserve their culture so threat]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Zhu Zhu Pets: How Toxic...Or Not?

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:56:39 -0500

The real thing. Photo by Annia316 via Flickr The must-have Christmas toy, Zhu Zhu Pets are pronounced safe, according to US federal safety regulators. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which tested the furry faux hamster that every toddler in America has on their list for Santa, and gave the robotic critter a thumbs up. But the consumer advocacy group, G]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Filmmaker Robert Greene on Weather Modification, Geoengineering, and Owning the Weather; Film Screens Sunday at COP15 (Interview)

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:42:06 -0500

Image credit: Owning the Weather Long criticized as snake-oil salesmen at best and dangerous crackpots at worst, scientists who aim to manipulate and control the weather have always been viewed as mad scientists. But is geoengineering a tool that can protect humans from climate change? Or are these innovators taking too many chances by "playing God"? That is the root of the question behind the film Owning the Weather, a documentary that explores the world of weather modification and geoengineering in the United States. Made by Robert Greene, the f]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Environmental Stewardship Improves Students' Test Scores

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:05:00 -0500

Image credit: Jose Kevo/Flickr Educators in Louisiana have found that students who participate in special environmentally-themed lessons perform better on tests. In a recent study, middle school students had eight hands-on lessons in horticulture, administered by the Coastal Roots program. After the lessons, students were given tests on their typical science curriculum as well as a test to measure "environmental awareness."]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Taking a Hard Look at Copenhagen's Biggest Art Exhibit

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:10:23 -0500

Image credit: Good It seems that the most interesting thing happening at COP15 is the art and culture-making that's taking place outside the conference. Good's Edward Morris, however, is unimpressed with one of the the event's biggest installations.]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The World's Best Reportage from Copenhagen (Video)

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:10:00 -0500

Not. Okay, so Eugene Mirman has no training as a reporter, a journalist, a climate scientist, or a politician, and he seems to lack basic social skills. Which makes him about as qualified to discuss climate change as Glenn Beck. But Eugene's not in Copenhagen as a special correspondent with Grist to report. He's there because he's hilarious. Watch his exploits after the jump.]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger

A-Listers Help with your Holiday Shopping, Charlize Theron Pairs with TOMS, and More

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:42:42 -0500

Photo via TreeHugger Forget those same old gift cards, scented candles, and body lotions: for the pickiest people on your gift list, Farm Sanctuary's "Peace for the Animals" Holiday Auction offers one-of-a-kind experiential gifts that also fund the organization's efforts to rescue farm animals. ]]>... Read the full story on TreeHugger