Tuesday, April 29, 2008
A Spoon Full of....
Well, pig urine may not help the medicine go down as they say, but according to Agroplast, a Denmark based company that boasts creative technological advancements for a cleaner and efficient environment, it could be the next big ingredient in creating plastic cutlery.
Agroplast specializes in transforming animal manure into a valuable product, eliminating the potential environmental problems. Their closed loop system processes urea, an organic compound made carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen for a wide range of uses.
Agroplast uses urea in the following ways:
-to manufacture plastic (as an alternative to fossil products)
-animal fertilizer/compost
-to de-ice roads and airplanes
-flavor enhancer in cigarettes (!! you're smoking pig urine!!)
-as an ingredient in hair conditioners, lotions and raw glue material
-AgroBlue/AdGreen diesel engine exhaust cleaner
Monday, March 24, 2008
EPA's CLIMATE PROTECTION AWARD WINNERS 1998-2007
2007
Corporate Award Winners
Entergy Corporation
HSBC Holdings, plc
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation & Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Red Dot Corporation
Staples, Inc.
The Yalumba Wine Company
Team & NGO Award Winners
Arkema Climate Protection Team
Climate Protection Campaign
Improved Mobile Air Conditioning Servicing Emissions Reduction Team
Joint Strike Fighter Emissions Test Development Team
Natural Resources Council of Maine
Individual Award Winners
Reverend Sally Bingham
Robert Parkhurst
Robert
Auden Schendler
Ron Sims
Dadi Zhou
2006
Corporate, Government & Military Awards
Arizona Public Service Company
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
DENSO Corporation (Japan)
IBM Corporation
Johnson & Johnson
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The United States Air Force
Yokota Tohoku (Japan)
Individuals
Susan J. Brown,
Gregory J. Nickels,
Barry G. Rabe,
Organizations/Teams
Refrigerant Reclaim
2005
Corporate and Governmental
The California Energy Commission
Cinergy Corp.
Johnson Controls
3M
McDonald's, Coca-Cola, & Unilever Refrigerants Naturally Partnership (
United Technologies Corporation
Individuals
Mr. Sandeep Ganesh, Winrock International (India)
Ms. Sonia Hamel, Massachusetts Office of Commonwealth Development
Dr. Hideki Nishida, Hitachi Displays (Japan)
Organizations/Teams
Improved
Tufts Climate Initiative
2004
Corporate and Governmental Awards
Interface, Inc.
Turbocor, Inc. (Canada)
China Certification Center for Energy Conservation Products (China)
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
City of San Diego, California
City and County of San Francisco, California
European Commission Fluorinated GasTeam (Belgium)
Individuals
Mayor David B. Cohen of Newton, Massachusetts
Harry Kauffman, HK Energy Consulting Inc.
Julia Martinez, Instituto Nacional de Ecología (
Organizations/Teams
Electrical Inverter Air Conditioning System Team (
SF6 Emission Reduction Partnership for theMagnesium Industry and The International Magnesium Association
2003
Corporate and Governmental Awards
Center for Power Efficiency and Environmental Protection (India)
Chicago Department of Environment
China National Institute of Standardization (China)
City of Chula Vista, California
Emerald Homes
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
City of Seattle, Washington
Individuals
Mayor Ross C. “Rocky” Anderson of Salt Lake City, Utah
Dr. Seunghun Joh, Korea Environment Institute (South Korea)
David Konkle, Ann Arbor Energy Office
Association and Organization Awards
Green House Network
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
The Society of Automotive Engineers
Interior Climate Control Standards Committee
2002
Corporate & Governmental Awards
Air Products and Chemicals
City of Portland, Oregon
C2D, US Army CECOM RD&E Center
CONSOL Energy
DuPont
Hitachi (Japan) and Hitachi America
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection /DSRT Office of Innovative Technology
Ontario Power Generation’s Energy Efficiency Program (Canada)
Shaklee Corporation
Verizon Communications
Association, Partnership, and Team Awards
CO2 Hot Water Supply Unit
Design Team (Japan)
International SEMATECH’s PFC Emission
Reduction Working Group
Land and Water Fund of the Rockies
Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnership for PFC Reductions
Individuals
Dr. Fabio R. Borri, ST Microelectronics (Italy)
Dr. Luis Abdón Cifuentes, Pontifica Universidad Catolica (Chile)
Yoshinobu Hayakawa, NEC Corporation (Japan)
Rev. Richard L. Killmer, National Council of the Churches of Christ
Robert L. Markle, U.S. Coast Guard
Robert T. Wickham, Delegate, UN International Maritime Organization
2001
No awards were given in 2001 due to a scheduling change.
2000
Corporate & Governmental Awards
Alcan Aluminum Sebree Ingot Plant
Architectural Services Department, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
The AT&T Employee Telework Program
Honda Motor Company
ICE Klea (UK)
Intel Corporation
International Fuel Cells
Novellus Systems
Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council and Oregon Office of Energy
Visteon Corporation
Individuals
Ms. Sherri W. Goodman, U.S. Department of Defense
Dr. Jerry Mahlman, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Mayor Marc H. Morial, New Orleans
Ms. Tia Nelson, The Nature Conservancy
Mr. Nobuo Odubo, Nissan Motor Company
Dr. Robert T. Watson, The World Bank
Association Awards
American Portland Cement
The
1999
Corporate & Military Awards
Applied Materials
Motorola
Nissan (
ST Microelectronics (
Individuals
Rosina M. Bierbaum, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Dr. Mack McFarland, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Eugene L. Smithart, The Trane Company
Association Awards
The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
1998
Corporate & Military Awards
British Petroleum (UK)
Centro Nacional de Referencia em Biomassa (Brazil)
Compaq Computer Corporation
Enron
IBM Corporation
McDonald’s Corporation
NOAA Aeronomy Laboratory Climate Team
Royal Philips Electronics (Netherlands)
Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Australia)
Toyota Motor Corporation(Japan)
The Trane Company
Trigen Energy Corporation
DD 963/CG 47 Stern Flap R&D Team, NSWCCD, U.S. Navy
The Walt Disney Company
Whirlpool Corporation
Individuals
Bert Bolin, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (
John Browne, British Petroleum (
Association Awards
World Semiconductor Council (Global)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
It's Only Fair
Fair Trade Coffee has created quite the buzz recently. A number of small privately owned coffee shops have sprung up boasting fair trade only brews while Starbucks also leads the march with an entire line of shade grown and fair trade beans for your skinny latte. It’s clear that coffee, the largest food import in the
Coffee and I have been best friends for many years now. He comforts me in the morning, warms my soul during the winter months and cools me down with ice and milk in the summer. One morning I woke up and realized that like millions of other Americans and pretty much everyone in
According to the Rainforest Alliance, India,
The primary reason the Fair Trade regulations were set up is to ensure that tea and coffee farmers receive a fair price and a decent living wage. According to globalexchange.org, Guatemalan coffee pickers receive a minimum wage of less than three dollars a day only after reaching a one hundred pound quota. To fill these quotas, a report by ABC-affiliate KGO television in
In terms of tea farms, the best tea company I found was PG Tips. On their website, here, http://www.pgtips.co.uk/sustainability/, they claim that by 2010 all of their farms will be certified by the Rainforest Alliance. Their biggest farm, located in
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Thirsty?
Buy a Nalgene
•More than 25.5 billion plastic water bottles are sold each year in the US.•
•More than 17 million barrels of oil (not including fuel for transportation) were used in plastic bottle production.
•Bottling water produced more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide.
•It takes approximately 3 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water.
•The total amount of energy used to produce, transport, refrigerate, and dispose of a plastic bottle of water may be as high as the equivalent of filling a 1 liter bottle one-quarter full of oil.
Source: Waste Management World, The Pacific Institute
If you don't like Nalgenes then check out these cool waterbottles from the http://www.lazyenvironmentalist.com/pages/recycling/index.php
Be Mine: Be Green
For one of the best websites for a complete green and sustainable meal, check out Sustainable Table.Com
For organic products Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are great places to start shopping. And for dessert, check out this yummy looking recipe:
Vegan Amaretto-spiked chocolate mousse
1/2 cup organic chocolate soy milk
9 or 10 ounce bag of semisweet vegan chocolate chips (Try Tropical Source or Sunspire Brand all-natural brands, NOT carob chips)
12 ounces silken tofu
1/4 cup Amaretto or almond-flavored liquor
1/4 teaspoon natural pure almond extract
Pour the chocolate milk into a small pot and bring to a simmer. Remove the milk from heat and let cool a bit while you melt down the chocolate chips. You can melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or if you don't own a double-boiler, you can cobble one together using a tiny saucepan set under a larger mixing bowl. Fill the tiny saucepan with an inch or two of water and bring barely to a simmer. Place the big mixing bowl with the chocolate chips on top of the tiny saucepan and let the heat come up and gently warm the chips while you stir occasionally until completely melted. Remove from heat.
Add the soy milk and silken tofu to the melted chocolate chips. Process with a hand or regular blender until completely smooth. Stir in the Amaretto and almond extract. Taste and adjust for flavor, adding a bit more extract if needed.
Chill in the big bowl (or in individual bowls) for at least 1 1/2 hours, the longer the better. The pudding will set up nicely as it cools.
Makes 6 decadent servings.
Best Bet: Opt for locally grown organic flowers which can be found at your local supermarket or organic florist. Also, potted plants are always a better present than cut flowers, they last longer! The benefits of having potted plants around include increased happiness and better air quality.
Gift: First of all, if you have a boyfriend who is cool enough to buy you vintage jewelry hang on to him. Not only is it environmentally friendly but the coolest jewelry I own is definitely from my mom and grandma or from vintage boutiques.
This jewelry made out of sea glass is beautiful for the beach bum in your life
If you don't feel like hunting for vintage jewelry, how about some cheap and very romantic gift ideas: poetry, art (paint him or her a picture!), a coupon book (get creative here), massage gift certificates, a planned trip together like a hike in the park or a bike ride along the Potomac river...
Simply walking into a Kay Jeweler's or scoping out the new Tiffany's catalog is boring.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
“Drink Responsibly” by GreenBean
With global warming affecting all corners of the Earth (tsunamis, Katrina, SoCal Fires, Polar Bears, and Coral Reefs), it’s scarcely alarming that its ever present threat has already taken its toll on the wine industry. We all know how to drink responsibly in regards to safe driving and behavioral practices. How about taking it a step further and indulging in a sip of environmental responsibility?
The global warming impact is taking its toll on several wine regions. As average temperatures increase wine growing conditions change, often for the worse. But what is the wine industry doing to combat these damages? Dr. Gregory Jones, a professor and research climatologist from the Geography Department at Southern Oregon University, has been working on this issue regarding the carbon footprints of vineyard operations. In a recent study Dr. Jones found the growing season temperatures to have increased by an average of 2 degrees Celsius, or 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit over the past fifty years. This temperature change may benefit cooler regions allowing for different varieties of wine from
While there is certainly no solution to global warming at this time, we can certainly do our best to choose organic wines that at least have a foot in the right direction when it comes to green practices.
So how does one determine the best “green” viticulture practice such as traditional, organic, biodynamic, etc? When asked about the best practices in the wine industry Dr. Jones answered, “My feeling is that most mid-size to small scale operations are "nearly" organic by nature, while larger operations are less organic. I also feel that practicing organic, sustainable production is "easier" on the environment as a whole, but because there are no universal definitions/standards of what organic means it’s very hard to define. However, do they do "enough" to combat climate change? I would say that being organic is a big effort at both on site and up/down stream carbon use, however its not likely a significant climate impact reducing mechanism but more like getting closer to neutral.” Perhaps in 2008, even Bacchus would’ve considered organic wine.
As environmentalism becomes trendy and “going green” is no longer a hippy’s pastime, several industries are taking necessary steps to become more eco-friendly. In his article for Wine Businesses Monthly, Dr. Gregory states, “Of all of the environmental factors, climate arguably exerts the most profound effect on the ability of a region or site to produce quality grapes and therefore wine.” So in order to continue enjoying your favorite white wine from the
There are several wine companies devoted to environmental stewardship. According to The Organic Wine Company, organic wines are free of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers and other synthetic chemicals. Essential preservatives, such as sulfur dioxide or sulfites are kept to a minimum. Biodynamic farming keeps the Earth in mind and uses only herbal-based compost starters and field sprays. If you visit their website, theorganicwinecompany.com, they offer a full refund if you are not completely satisfied with your wine selection.
The Hardy Wine Company of
In the
Choosing organic wine that comes from vineyards which support green practices is one small and pleasurable way to combat our impact on the environment. I implore you dear oenophiliac, before you imbibe, please drink responsibly.
Biographical Information on Mr. Jones: www.sou.edu/Geography/JONES/jones.htm
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Al Gore... Better be Walking to Bali
Not Enough Parking for Private Jets Going to UN Climate Conference
As climate alarmists from all over the world head to Bali to talk about the sacrifices regular folks have to make to save the planet from global warming, it seems certain media will ignore all the private jets clogging the tiny airport.
As if it’s not enough that the United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held at what NewsBusters reported as "a truly beautiful tropical island paradise," the management of the nearby airport has issued a warning to attendees that they are going to have to park their private jets somewhere else.
I kid you not.
As reported by Bali Discovery Tours on November 3 (emphasis added):
Where's Clive Owen Now?
Call me a dirty hippy if you will but if I wasn't at the office right now I'd be balling. With tissues, not dollars.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, there is only ONE female Yangtze turtle left on Planet Earth. An 80 year old female who's been living inside the Changsha zoo with all the other turtles is now being kept under tight security within bulletproof glass and constant surveillance. Luckily, scientists have found the last surviving 100 year old male living at a zoo in the city of Suzhou.
In China turtles represent longevity but can these two turtles stand the test to China's rampant development, pollution run off, and uncontrolled hunting that is endangering all wild species?
According to the Sydney Morning Herald the situation in China is grim.
-Almost 40 per cent of all mammal species in China are endangered
- 70 per cent of all non-flowering plant species and 86 per cent of flowering species are considered threatened.
And according to the New York Times, China has already lost half of its wetlands.
Pour some out for the Yangtze, unless Clive Owen comes running to the rescue.
Green Becomes Cool on Wall St.
Up and coming Smith and Barney financial adviser Kati Macchiverna says,
Al Gore is one phenomenon, but If Leo makes a movie about the topic, the Patrick Batemans downtown must follow suit because after all, where does he get his glorious organic aftershave balm?
The capitalist financiers are the second to final group the hippies must conquer before dominating the earth with flowers and organic patchouli. Right wing oil thirsty Washingtonians are up next.
--GreenBean
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Rest of the World Has Turned Green... and the U.S.of A. is still Blushing
The key for this map is as follows:
- green - signed and ratified
- yellow - signed, ratification pending
- red - signed, ratification declined
- gray - no position
This past November, 2007, the Kyoto protocol required 36 countries to reduce greenhouse gases to levels specified in the treaty. This is ACTIVE progress towards a better Earth... will someone please tell me why America is not only annoyingly inactive in this effort, but actually counteractive with their refusal to join the Kyoto protocol. If the Bush re-election wasn't enough to make you jump ship, now may be the time to get in line for a long term visa.
According to a press release from the United Nations Environment Programme :"The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement under which industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990 (but note that, compared to the emissions levels that would be expected by 2010 without the Protocol, this limitation represents a 29% cut). The goal is to lower overall emissions of six greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, HFCs, and PFCs - calculated as an average over the five-year period of 2008-12. National limitations range from 8% reductions for the European Union and some others to 7% for the US, 6% for Japan, 0% for Russia, and permitted increases of 8% for Australia and 10% for Iceland."
--GreenBean
--all quotes excerpted from WikiPedia
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Green Dream Jobs
Do you cry over wasted paper? Do you want to kick the sleazy sales guy in the face for constantly using Styrofoam cups? Capitalism not really your thing? Check out this awesome website for Green Dream Jobs!
--GreenBean
Graduating Green
Terra Mater, Alma Mater.
How Green Is Your University?
1. Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
2. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
3. Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina
4. University of California system (10 schools)
5. Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
6. Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT
7. Berea College, Berea, Kentucky
8. Pennsylvania State University (24 locations)
9. Tufts University, Medford, MA
10. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, PA
See the original article here
-GreenBean
Monday, November 26, 2007
Recycle Your Cork!
According to the Audubon Magazine, “Corks are 100 percent natural, recyclable, and biodegradable.” Wine and
Mail your wine corks to:
Wine
Yemm & Hart Ltd
Sources: http://audubonmagazine.org/features0701/habitat.html
---GreenBean
Thursday, November 8, 2007
What City Do you Belong In?
You Belong in London |
A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. |
To Fax or Not to Fax?
if 1% of all paper faxes sent in the US were instead electronically sent, we'd save 73.5 million trees
check out other great ways to green your office environment at greenisuniversal.com
---greenbean
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Icelandic Yogurt-- 5 Active Cultures
all natural siggi'sskyr icelandic style strained low fat yogurt in "pear & mint" is amazing. the only ingredients are skim milk, pear, raw organic agave nectar, organic mint extract, live active cultures (Five total- S. Thermophilus, L. Delbrueckiee Susp. Bulgaricus, L. Acidohphilus, B. Longum, and B. Infantis), and vegetable rennet.
The cool mint flavor was strong and reminded me of delicious mint chocolate chip ice cream. If you run a quick google search on this yogurt you'll find addicts abound searching NYC everywhere for these tasty cups.
To sink your spoon into this pure deliciousness hit up these fine grocers:
In Manhattan:
In Brooklyn: Stinky's Cheese, Lassen & Hennigs, Blue Apron, and Marlow & Sons
According to aboutyogurt.com "Researchers around the world are studying the potential attributes of live and active culture yogurt in preventing gastrointestinal infections, boosting the body's immune system, fighting certain types of cancer and preventing osteoporosis... Additionally, the live and active cultures found in yogurt break down lactose in milk. This allows lactose intolerant individuals who commonly experience gastrointestinal discomfort when they consume milk products to eat yogurt and receive the nutrients contained in the milk product without the side effects of abdominal cramping, bloating and diarrhea."
(Brandy! That's great news for you! No more uncontrollable pooping!)
and sidenotes:
According to some woman's random blog...yogurt with lots of active cultures is great for the vagina! It helps prevent bad bugs from growing down there.
lastly, yogurt covered pretzels, while delicious, are not nutritious and include no active cultures.
---GreenBean
Green Investing
“GREEN INVESTING” SPECIAL FEATURE DEBUTS ON
INVESTOPEDIA.COM
From Forbes News Reports:
New York, NY (Tuesday, November 6, 2007) – Today Investopedia.com (www.investopedia.com), the leading Web site for investor education, debuts a special feature about “Green Investing.” The in-depth package includes a combination of more than 50 articles, commentary, terms and frequently asked questions, providing valuable information and insight about “investment activities that focus on companies or projects that are committed to the conservation of natural resources.” The special feature is available at:
http://www.investopedia.com/features/green-investing.aspx.
Highlights include:
· Articles, such as “What Does It Mean To Be Green?,” “The Biofuels Debate,” and “Evaluating Green Equity Investments”
· Commentary, offering perspective on topics like “Five Green Mutual Funds You Need To Know” and “Finding Profit in Hybrid Cars,” among others
· Most popular questions, ranging from “What are green investments?” to “What is a clean tech stock?” to “What is the carbon trade?,” plus more
· Terms to know, including “Green Tech,” “Energy Improvement Mortgage,” and “Sinful Stocks,” to name just a few
For this, and a wealth of invaluable investor and financial information, including Investopedia.com’s special feature on “Subprime Mortgages,” visit:
Wake up and smell the capitalism mixed with shade grown coffee.
--Green
Dove's Inner Beauty
Dove's New 'Onslaught' advertisement is quickly gaining notoriety on the web and in the ad world. It is a part of their "Campaign for Real Beauty," which focuses on making societal changes in the way we define hotness. It's worthy of a hat tip for continuing the fight against Barbie store boxed beauty in size zero fashion trends and it's ending resembles a hallmark card; furthermore, the photography is stunning.
-- click here to see the video & original article in Advertising Age- 'Onslaught'. The article points out a few hypocrisies surrounding the campaign- namely that Dove has a slew of products targeted towards "outer beauty" and the ad agency, Ogilvy Toronto also has Barbie as one of their premiere clients.
Get over it. Not everyone is going to be 100% pure in their agendas to better the world when there's a profit to be turned or bills to pay. The bottom line is their spending money on good deeds. It would be like chiding McDonalds for launching their salad and low-carb menu. A step in the right direction is always a good move. Their focus is admirable and I applaud Dove; furthermore the commercial is rad and I like how their soap smells.
--Green